Roy sighed heavily, feeling exhausted both physically and exhausted. "If anything happens to him..." Roy began then quickly stopped himself, not wanting to say something he might regret.

Captain Stanley put his hand on Roy's shoulder as a sign of support before asking Dr. Brackett another question.

"Doc, when the car went over the bridge it landed in a muddy riverbank below. Shouldn't that have help soften the blow of the crash?"

Dr. Brackett crossed his arms and thoroughly pondered the notion. "We've taken that into consideration. Granted a fall from such a height will always result in injury, the softer surface could very well mean the difference between life and..."

"Death." Roy finished grimly.

"Roy," Dr. Brackett hated to see one of his paramedics lose faith. "he's holding his own. His vitals are all stable and he has suffered no complications."

"But he still hasn't woken up."

"No. Not yet."

Chet didn't want to linger on Johnny or the possibility of losing him. "Hey Doc, what happened to the woman and little girl Johnny saved?"

Dr. Brackett smiled a little, grateful for Chet's question. "The woman is fine. She needed three stitches, but other than that she's fine. Her daughter doesn't have even the smallest of a bruise."

"That's good." Chet did his best to sound relieved and optimistic.

"She told Dr. Morton about everything that happened. From what she's said, Johnny sounded like quite the professional out there."

"Like always." Roy tagged on.

"Look, why don't you guys go back to the station? I'll be sure to call you if anything happens."

Captain Stanley nodded. "Right, thanks Doc. Roy, you can stay here until your temporary partner is called in, but I really think you should come back to the station with us and change into a fresh uniform."

Roy had forgotten about all the dried mud caked into his uniform and all over his hands and arms. "Yeah, sure."

"Chet, drive the squad, will ya'? Give Roy a chance to unwind a little."

"No problem, Cap."

Dr. Brackett stepped closer to Roy and gave him one last thought to contemplate. "Roy, you know Johnny better than anyone here. Do you honestly believe he's really just going to roll over and give up?"

Roy up looked at Dr. Brackett who flashed him a confident, cheesy grin.

"No. Johnny is too stubborn to just quit."

Johnny had been transferred to a private room for observation. Dixie had taken time out of her busy schedule to check on Johnny and talk to him, despite the coma.

"C'mon tough guy, up and at 'em!" She warmly teased as she checked his eyes with her penlight. "You really want to lay back while Roy does all the hard work?"

Dr. Brackett walked into the room to check his star patient. "Dix, any change?"

"None. But what do you expect from such a stubborn guy?" She smirked.

"I know what you mean." Dr. Brackett picked up Johnny's wrist to check his pulse. "Roy was partnered with Bellingham for the rest of the shift."

"At least he didn't get stuck with Craig Brice. Again."

Dr. Brackett smiled as he put Johnny's wrist back down on the bed. "It was difficult enough to train a know-it-all like Brice, can't imagine having to work with him."

Dixie shrugged as she smiled broadly. "I always imagined it'd be alot like working with you."

"Thanks alot Dix!" Dr. Brackett chuckled. "If I ever end up in a coma, do me a favor, don't visit."

"Deal!" She teased again.

It was a long day that seemed to get longer.

Roy couldn't get the accident on the bridge out of his mind. He kept seeing the car falling, over and over again. Each fall seemed to take longer to reach the riverbed below. Twice he had reached for the phone, wanting to call JoAnne and tell her everything that happened, but the last thing he wanted was to worry her. She cared just much about Johnny as Roy. It hurt, but he decided to wait until morning before telling her about Johnny.

Bellingham, who was much more compassionate and empathetic than Brice, didn't ask alot of questions. He chose to let Roy alone with his thoughts and simply try to keep the mood light with some good humor.

Chet was unusually productive for the rest of the day. Without Johnny in the station Chet didn't feel like rigging a trap or wiring a prank. Like Bellingham he chose to try and keep an upbeat attitude for the sake of the entire station.

Captain Stanley discreetly called the hospital every hour or so, hoping for an update on Johnny's condition. Usually Dixie answered, but on occasion he would end up speaking with Dr. Morton or Dr. Early. Every answer was the same: No change, but stable.

Fortunately for everyone the day, and the city, calmed down. There was only two more calls after the accident on the bridge: one heart attack and one drunk driver. To keep the good fortune going everyone survived.

The night was quiet, but long.

Roy laid on his bunk, unable to sleep and unable to turn off his mind. He just stared at the ceiling, feeling guilty and like he had somehow failed his partner.

The morning sun crept in through the window over his bunk. Looking at his watch Roy decided to get up and get a head start on the early morning chores.

"Morning, Roy." Captain Stanley greeted the paramedic who was making coffee in the kitchen.

"Morning, Cap. Coffee?"

"No. Have a seat, would ya'?" He asked as he took a seat at the small table.

"Sure. What's up?" Roy asked innocently as he sat across from his commanding officer.

"You are."

"Cap?"

"Roy, I can see it on your face. You didn't sleep and you think you're somehow responsible for Johnny's accident, right?"

"Cap, I-"

"Roy, you can't do this to yourself. I know it's hard and I know he's your best friend, but you can't beat yourself up every time something bad happens to him."

"I can't help it. And please, don't say that I shouldn't blame myself because Johnny wouldn't be blaming himself if something happened to me."

Captain Stanley grinned a little. "I won't, but only because I can't."

"Huh?"

"Roy, I've had this exact same discussion with Johnny. And he gave the exact same response. Back when you two were training Karen and you took that fall from the roof after getting shocked, Johnny blamed himself over and over again."

"But, I slipped on the ladder. There was nothing Johnny could've..."

"Exactly."

Roy sighed a little, not wanting to admit that his captain was right. "Thanks Cap."

"Anytime. Now, how about that coffee?"

Dixie walked into Johnny's room and checked his chart. "No change. That's good. Usually you give us a run for our money. I like this alot more."

Glancing down at her watch she noted the time. "Noon. Your partner should be here just about..."

There was a knock at the door and Roy opened it slightly. "Dix, is it okay to come in?"

"Now." Dixie finished with a sly grin. "Come on in Roy."

"How's he doing?"

"Same as before. No change. Although I have to admit I'm impressed that he can still be so stubborn even when asleep."

Roy laughed a little. "I don't think he does it to impress, I think he does it to annoy!"

From the door Chet spoke up. "I can vouch for that!"

"Chet, what're you doing here?" Roy was a little surprised to see him.

"Well, I figured that since I helped pull out of the car that it'd only be fitting if I helped check in on him while he's in the hospital.

A hoarse voice spoke up. "Chet, you helped save me? I'll never live it down..."

Roy smiled broadly as he leaned over Johnny's bed. "Johnny? You there?"

"Where else would I be?" He answered dryly.

Dixie patted Johnny's leg. "I'll go get Dr. Brackett."

"Roy?" Johnny opened his eyes and looked around the room confused, his eyes focused on Roy, then Chet and back to Roy.

"Yeah...?" Roy was immensely relieved to see his partner finally awake and alert. "How do you feel?"

"My head is killing me. It feels like I got hit by a truck."

Chet spoke up. "More like you hit the truck!"

Johnny tried to laugh but it hurt too much. "I remember there was a car, and a bridge..."

"That's right."

Dr. Brackett walked into the room with Dixie right beside him. "Johnny, good to see you awake." He grabbed Johnny's hands. "Squeeze me hands, left and right."

Johnny complied. "Was there... a woman?"

Roy nodded. "Yeah. And her little girl."

"That's right... Are they okay?"

"They're fine Johnny! You're the one who ended up in the hospital."

Dr. Brackett stood back, satisfied with Johnny's reactions. "What else do you remember?"

"Falling. Then nothing."

"Well, it appears you managed to avoid any permanent damage, but you're going to be staying with us for a few days more."

"When can I go back to work?"

Chet couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Wait; you rescue a damsel in distress, wind up in a coma and make everyone worry sick about you, and all you care about is going to back to work?! Doc, check his head again! That's not normal!"

Johnny swallowed once and licked his dried lips. "Since when do you know anything about normal?"

Roy grinned. "I think you're going to be just fine partner, but don't ever climb into a car when it's about to fall off a bridge ever again!"

"I'll do my best." Johnny returned the grin and closed his eyes. "But no promises!"

-The End