"Picking Up The Pieces" © February 2001 Nancy F. Thysell. "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions. All rights reserved. No infringement on any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

TITLE: Picking Up The Pieces-Part 7

AUTHOR: Nancy, the Nifty Lady (Niftylady51@aol.com)

Picking Up The Pieces-Part 7

Johnny and Roy couldn't believe it when the case didn't go to the jury on Monday. The judge determined that closing arguments would begin on Tuesday. Disappointed, the two paramedics drove back to LA that evening. Ralston promised to keep them apprized of any developments.

The case was given to the jury on Wednesday and then the wait began. On Friday, each time the paramedics returned from a run that shift they half expected to have a message waiting from Ralston but the entire shift passed with no word. Around five, Johnny called the DA to learn if the jury had returned the verdict yet. He could tell that Ralston was worried that it was taking so long. He had expected a quicker verdict. The judge had ordered the jurors sequestered until they reached a verdict. It could take all weekend if necessary.

Around eight that evening, JoAnne called to see if they had heard anything. Roy had to tell her no. She then asked if Johnny had any plans for Saturday night.

"Why? What's up?" Roy had asked her.

"Well, you remember Carolyn Miller?"

"From high school? Yeah I remember her. What about her?"

"Well, she called this morning and her kid sister is in town for a job interview. She asked if Karen could stay with us and maybe we could show her around a bit. I thought maybe Johnny could round out a foursome."

"Well, I'll have to ask him," he told her honestly. Roy wasn't so sure that Johnny would be the best of company with the outcome of the trial hanging over him. "Perhaps if Johnny can't maybe I could get Chet or Marco," he suggested.

"Okay, honey. Whatever you think best. Karen's in guest room so be mindful that we have company when you come home in the morning."

Roy chuckled. "Okay. Let me check with Johnny first and if he can't I'll ask one of the others and I'll call you back."

"That'd be great. Be careful tonight. I love you," JoAnne called as she heard the klaxons sound in the background.

"Okay. Love you too!" Roy called into the phone as he hurried to the squad.

The squad sped through the dark night followed closely by the engine. The house was fully involved when they arrived on the scene. It was all the crew could do to bring the flames under control. A second alarm was sounded to keep the flames from spreading to the adjoining properties. It was nearly ten o'clock before the paramedics were released to return to quarters.

Roy pulled himself wearily into the driver's seat and sighed. He looked over at his equally sooty and tired partner,

"You want to drive?" he asked, half seriously. Johnny barely turned to look at his friend.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nah. Thought you'd like the chance."

"No. You mean you just want to sleep on the way back to the station."

"Well, you can't fault me for trying," Roy chuckled as he turned the key and put the truck in drive. Johnny mumbled an answer and leaned against the door, closing his eyes.

"Hey now. Don't go to sleep on me here," Roy ordered lightly. Johnny opened his left eye and looked over at his partner.

"And why not?"

"JoAnne wants me to ask you to let her fix you up with the sister of a girl we went to high school for dinner tomorrow night."

"What? Ah Roy! A blind date! I don't think so."

"Hey. I told her I'd ask. Karen's going to staying with us for a few days and Jo just wanted to make it a foursome."

"Yeah but a blind date. You know how I hate being set up!" Johnny complained.

"I know. I know. Don't worry about it. I told her I'd ask Chet or Marco if you didn't want to."

Johnny sat up a bit.

"Well, now. I didn't say I wouldn't."

"You don't have to. I know you have a lot on your mind."

"Well...I don't have a date for tomorrow. And I haven't been out with anyone for several weeks," Johnny rationalized. Roy chuckled to himself as he kept his eyes on the road. Johnny might not like blind dates as a rule but he hated the thought of being replaced by Chester B. or Marco.

"So what do you want me to tell Jo?"

Johnny wrestled with his answer as Roy approached the station and backed the squad into the truck bay. He parked the squad and killed the engine. Before opening his door, he turned and gave his partner a questioning look.

"Well?"

Johnny made a distasteful face and sighed.

"Okay. Tell her I'll come but..."

"I know. Don't expect anything!"

"Yeah. Well..." Johnny shrugged his shoulder and without another word, made his way to the locker room to get a shower before the engine crew returned. Roy entered the day room and placed a call to home.

# # # # # # #

Johnny arrived at the DeSoto's home precisely at six o'clock. Roy opened the door to his friend and invited him in. Johnny wasn't sure from his partner's demeanor if he should stay or run. But before he could escape, JoAnne led their houseguest into the living room. Karen Miller was a pleasant enough looking girl. She had dark blonde hair that she wore straight and below shoulder length, parted down the center. She wore a pair of thick prescription glasses over brownish looking eyes. Johnny couldn't help but notice her slight over bite. He threw a panicked glance in Roy's direction as JoAnne proceeded to make the introductions but all Roy could do was shrug.

Fortunately for Johnny, the evening's plans called for a movie and dinner. But that turned out to not be so simple. Selecting a place for dinner was the first hurdle. Karen wanted to go someplace she couldn't go to at home but she really didn't care for ethnic foods. The foursome finally settled on the Red Onion, an upscale restaurant specializing in American dishes. It was more expensive than Johnny had planned on or Roy for that matter. Then choosing a film to see became a task as Karen had definite opinions on just about everything showing. They finally decided on "Grease." In the darkened theater, JoAnne and Karen sat between Johnny and Roy. Johnny ate his popcorn mechanically, wishing he was anywhere else. Why hadn't he let Roy set Karen up with Chet? At least he didn't have to try and have a conversation with her during the movie. He was so relieved when JoAnne decided to visit the ladies room on the way out of the theater and Karen chose to go with her. As soon as the door closed behind the women, Johnny turned and pushed an agitate finger in Roy's chest.

"Don't you EVER do this to me again!" he hissed.

"I'm sorry Johnny. I didn't know. I only knew her sister in high school," Roy tried to explain.

"Has this night been a disaster or what?"

Roy chuckled. "Pretty much a disaster."

"I don't think it's funny," Johnny replied flatly placing his hands on his hips.

"Oh lighten up, Junior. It's just a night out. Not even a real date."

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Well, I can tell you one thing for sure, I am totally busy tomorrow. I'm going to that horse farm and try to buy a couple of horses."

"Really. Uh...can I come?" Roy asked hopefully. The thought of spending another day around their houseguest was definitely not appealing.

Johnny crossed his arms over his chest and gave Roy a hard look. "You can come. Chris and Jenny can come. Even JoAnne can come but don't you dare let that woman come anywhere near me!"

"I won't. I promise!" Roy declared. Johnny's demeanor softened.

"Okay. But I won't even open the door to you if she's anywhere nearby!" the dark haired man declared.

"I hear ya. Believe me, I don't want to spend the day around her anymore than you do."

"Well, at least it isn't just me." He looked over at Roy and smiled. "She'd probably be perfect for Chet."

"Oh, you're wicked Gage! But you're probably right."

The two friends shared a chuckle over the thought of Chet and Karen together.

"What time do you want me to come over?" Roy decided to ask before the ladies returned.

"Is nine too early for you?"

Roy shook his head. "Nope. I can probably be there at eight."

Johnny grinned. "I'll make ya breakfast."

"Sounds good partner," Roy grinned back just as the women exited the restroom. Feeling better than he had all evening, the guys escorted the ladies back to the DeSoto station wagon. Roy deftly avoided the suggestion to stop for dessert by indicating that Johnny had to be home early to take care of a project at the ranch and that he had volunteered to help. When he sensed that JoAnne was about to suggest that she and Karen come over to help, Roy quickly reminded her that she needed to take the kids to the mall and that Karen would probably enjoy a shopping trip more than working around Johnny's ranch. JoAnne took the hint and agreed but not without giving her husband a withering look. If Karen picked up on anything, she didn't comment.

Upon arriving back at the DeSoto's home, Johnny jumped out and opened the door for Karen. He shook her hand.

"Well, Karen. It was nice to meet you. Good luck with the job interviews. Night Roy. JoAnne. See ya tomorrow Roy!" he called as he quickly made his way to his Land Rover. Karen stood dumbfounded as the vehicle disappeared from view. JoAnne gave Roy a questioning look as he led her to the house.

"Later," he whispered. He opened the door for the ladies. Betsy Chapman, their babysitter, stood up from the couch when they entered. Roy was relieved that he had the task of taking the teenager home. Hopefully, Karen would be in bed when he got back. He smiled apologetically at JoAnne as he ushered the young girl out the door.

# # # # # # #

Roy dropped Betsy off at her home and paid her for babysitting. He turned his sports car around and headed for home and then hesitated at the first stop sign. Did he really want to go home so soon? He decided that they needed milk and he just had to go to the all night market.

The twenty-four hour market's parking lot wasn't too crowded and he selected a parking space under the light pole. He leisurely made his way to the store and picked out a shopping cart. Roy took his time as he wandered down the aisles. Occasionally he would stop and pick up an unfamiliar product and examine the packaging carefully. He actually wound up buying the ingredients that he would need the next time he had to cook at the station. He turned the corner to the frozen food aisle and ran smack into another cart.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said as he pulled his cart back.

"No problem Pally!" John Gage laughed at his friend.

"Johnny? What are you doing here?"

"Well, on the way home, I realized I needed a few things, especially if I'm going to be gone most of tomorrow and I'm having company for breakfast," the younger man explained with a lopsided grin.

"Breakfast, hmm? What are you making?"

"Oh, I got eggs and bacon, orange juice. I was trying to decide if I'm going make Denver omelettes or pancakes. What do you think?"

Roy rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, I think Chris and Jennifer would rather have pancakes but their old man thinks an omelette sounds pretty good."

"Is that so? Okay. I'll do both. Guess I'm going to need some cheese, peppers, onions and pancake mix," Johnny decided looking in his own cart.

"And lots of milk. Don't forget the milk," Roy reminded his partner.

Johnny laughed. "Me? Forget the milk? Roy, you have got to be kidding. By the way, how come you're here?"

"Oh, I decided we needed a few things for the house. No rush to get home."

"You just want to be sure that Karen has gone to bed, don't you?"

Roy grinned lightly.

"Well that thought had crossed my mind," he admitted.

"JoAnne's gonna kill you."

"Probably. I think I can negociate a peace offering. She's really going to kill me for bringing the kids over to your house and leaving her alone with Karen."

"How you going to manage to get the kids?"

"You know as well as I do, that the moment I mention to them that I'm going over to their 'uncle' Johnny's, they're going to be chomping at the bit to come with me. I'll give in before Jo has a chance to say 'no'."

Johnny chuckled. "You sly old dog! It's amazing that you've survived marriage this long."

"Hey! That's part of the reason I do!" Roy chuckled in return. He looked at his watch and saw the time. "Man. I'd better finish up here and get home or I'll be sleeping on the couch."

"Okay, Pally. I'll see you in the morning!" Johnny called as he headed down the aisle to complete his shopping as well.

The two friends wound up in the checkout line together as only one was opened. Johnny noted with amusement that Roy had included a single red rose to his purchases, obviously a peace offering for JoAnne. They walked out to the parking lot together and loaded their groceries in their respective vehicles. The time had come and there was no getting around it. Roy had to go home. Johnny placed a sympathetic hand on his friend's shoulder.

"She'll be gone on Monday," Johnny said kindly.

"True but I still have tomorrow night to get through," Roy said unhappily.

"Well, you can still ask Chet to come to dinner," Johnny suggested. Roy looked up at his friend and smiled.

"You do have a wicked side, don't you?"

Johnny grinned. "I say all's fair in love and war especially where Chester B. is concerned."

Roy laughed. "I might just give it a try."

"Well, I'd better get home before this ice cream melts."

"Yeah, I guess I'd better get going too. See ya in the morning."

"Night Roy."

"Night Johnny."

Soon the two friends were on their way to their respective homes. Roy glanced over at the rose on the passenger seat and hoped it would smooth over any upset JoAnne might have with him.

# # # # # # #

Just as Roy had predicted he had promised Chris and Jennifer that they could go with him to Johnny's before JoAnne could veto the plan. Though she had been forgiving when he handed her the rose as he crawled into bed upon his return from the store, the look she gave him made it clear that he was in deep trouble. He put his arms around her and pulled her into a hug so he could whisper in her ear.

"What if I got one of the other guys to come to dinner?" he asked softly.

"Who?"

"Chet."

"Chet? You've got to be...well...maybe that's not a bad idea. Call him before you leave so I can make plans."

Roy grinned at his bride and kissed her quickly before reaching for the phone. He quickly dialed Chet's home number. A very sleepy voice answered the ring.

"Chet! Hey! It's Roy. Are you free for dinner tonight?"

Chet rubbed at the sleep in his eyes. "What? Roy? Man! Do you know what time it is?" he groused.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that but I was on my way out the door and JoAnne wanted me to call you before I left."

"What about?" Chet stifled a yawn as he tried to focus on his alarm clock. 7:30! He couldn't believe it. On a Sunday morning when he didn't have to get up.

"Dinner. Can you come to dinner?"

"I guess. What time?"

"Come over about six."

"Hey! Why aren't you inviting Johnny?"

"Oh we had dinner last night and he's got a lot to do today. We have a houseguest. Her name is Karen. JoAnne just wanted to even out the table."

"Roy? Are you trying to set me up?" Chet asked suspiciously.

"No. No. No. Not at all. She's only in town for a job interview on Monday. Jo just thought it would be nice to introduce her to some people."

"What's wrong with her?"

"Now why do you ask that, Chet?"

"Because if she was okay, Johnny wouldn't let me near her."

"Let's just say she isn't Johnny's type. Okay?"

"Well. Okay. I'll come."

"Great! We'll see you around six!" Roy told him and then hung up before Chet could ask him anymore questions. Roy gave JoAnne a "thumbs up" as he hustled the kids out of the house and into the car.

# # # # # # #

Bright and early the next morning, Roy, Chris and Jennifer drove up to Johnny's ranch. He had opened the front door upon hearing their arrival and descended the steps to greet them.

"Morn'n Pally. Hey Sport! Jennifer! My girl!" he called as he grabbed the young girl by the wrists and swung her around until she could barely breathe through her giggles.

"Stop! Uncle Johnny. Stop! Please!" she pleaded. Johnny stopped spinning and set her on the ground and ushered everyone into the house. The aroma of crisp bacon and coffee filled the house. The kids ran to the kitchen. Within a few moments, the kids were served hot pancakes and Johnny was cooking up the omelettes for himself and Roy. Soon he and Roy hooked up his horse trailer to his pickup truck and all of them climbed into the cab of the truck.

"Where are we going Uncle Johnny?" Chris asked once they were on the road.

"Well, we're going to see about buying some horses for my ranch," he explained.

"Horses! Really! Daddy, will you buy me a horse too!" Jennifer begged. Roy laughed.

"No sweetheart. Uncle Johnny's the one doing all the buying. But I'm sure he'll let you visit his horses."

"Will you Uncle Johnny," she quickly asked turning her attention to her father's partner.

"You bet Jenny Bean!"

"Oh boy! I can't wait!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Me either!" Christopher agreed.

"Me too!" Johnny chimed in. Happily they headed down the road without a care in the world.

Later that afternoon, the group headed down the road with a truck bed full of feed for the two horses Johnny had purchased earlier that day. The two horses in the trailer were a black and white, American Paint and a gray quarter horse. With Chris and Jennifer's help, Johnny had named them, respectfully, Stormy and Quick Silver. The kids were more than happy to help Johnny get his new acquisitions into their stalls. Soon it became apparent that Roy had to get himself and his children home if they were going to be ready for dinner with Chet and Karen. Reluctantly, the other man guided the kids into his car. It had been a big day for his kids. Jennifer fell asleep on the way home. Roy dreaded facing the evening and hoped that Chet would at least make it entertaining.

# # # # # # #

Johnny was already dressed and waiting for Roy in the locker room the next morning. He had gotten up early to take care of the horses before his shift. He had contacted his neighbor the night before to see if he'd help out on the mornings he was at the station and found him willing to help. Now he felt impatient to find out Roy's evening had gone.

Chet breezed into the locker room with a big smile on his face.

"Morn'n Gage!" he hailed jovially.

"Morn'n Chet! You're in a good mood," Johnny observed.

"You bet! I had dinner at Roy and JoAnne's last night. They set me up with a friend of theirs."

"Karen?" Johnny asked cautiously.

"Yeah. Karen. Wow. She's something! Isn't she?" Chet got a far off look in his eyes. "I sure hope she gets that job she's interviewing for today. I think I'd really like to know her better."

"Well, go for Chet," Johnny urged as Roy entered the locker room.

"Good morning guys," he said as he moved to his locker. He gave his partner a weak smile and a slight shrug of his shoulders. He was as surprised as Johnny that Chet and Karen had hit it off. Johnny gave Roy's shoulder a squeeze as he passed out of the room and headed to the day room.

The morning started out with a couple of runs for both the engine and the squad. When the squad returned around ten, Cap called to Johnny to come to his office. The younger paramedic entered the room with trepidation. Roy followed his partner into the office.

"What is it, Cap?" he asked.

"Had a phone call from Ralston while you were on that last run," Hank explained.

"Has the jury returned their verdict?"

"Well, yes and no."

"What does that mean?" Johnny demanded.

Hank leaned back in his chair, not certain he wanted to address that question.

"Taroboli didn't show up for the verdict."

Johnny sat heavily into the nearest chair.

"What?" Roy croaked.

"Well, as you know, he was out on bail during the trial. Evidently, he figured that the jury was going to convict him, so he fled. He's a fugitive."

The color drained from Johnny's face.

"What does that mean to me?" he wondered.

"Do they think he'll try and come after Johnny?" Roy asked worriedly.

Hank shook his head. "They don't know what it means. Johnny, he said to watch your back and let the police know if you see anything suspicious."

Johnny leaned back in the chair and sighed heavily.

"He also wanted you to know that Taroboli and the other defendants were found guilty on all counts."

Johnny looked up. "I guess that's good. How could they let him get away like that?"

"I don't know John. I really don't know," Hank said apologetically.

"Well, thanks for telling me," Johnny finally said as he rose to his feet. As much as he had hoped to put all this behind him, it seemed it still wasn't over.

# # # # # # #

To be continued in Part 8