You could hear a pin drop at that moment.

Time stopped.

A flock of startled birds nesting in a nearby tree scattered abruptly in fear of their lives after the shot echoed through the hills.

After registering in his mind that something horrible had just happened, Roy made a move toward his best friend, only to be stopped by Pete Malloy, and yanked to the ground for safety's sake. They locked eyes, and Pete proceeded in a low posture toward the downed paramedic and the wanted man.

Malloy crept slowly forward, his shotgun steady and fixed on Joe Miller. As he got close enough and other officers closed in, He was able to kick Miller's weapon far away of the grasp of Miller. Pete reached down to feel the neck of Miller. Pete's hand began to shake as he carefully reached over to the neck of John Gage. His eyes closed in relief as he felt the thumping of life at his fingertips. He turned and nodded at John's partner, and Roy bolted from his position by the unmarked police car, and ran to his best friends' side.

Johnny's eyes began to flutter as Pete Malloy spoke.

"John? You Okay? Can you hear me? Take it easy. Stay still. Try not to move." Pete kept a hand on John to keep him calm. Roy wanted to be at his friends' side, but knew his duty was to take care of the most critically injured first until additional help arrived.

Blood was pouring out of Joe Miller's chest at a steady pace. Even with applied pressure, it managed to pool on the pavement beneath him. Roy put as much pressure on the wound as physically possible, while another squad, who had just arrived on scene, was receiving instructions. It was obvious that the bullet was lodged in a fatal location.

As Roy tried other life-saving measures, he soon became aware of someone near him, and a pair of shaky hands lending themselves to trying to stop the bleeding.

Others on scene tried to get Johnny to lie back down. John wasn't cooperating. Johnny began putting pressure on Miller's wound. All at once, Miller grabbed John's arm with all his might, and tried to speak. He tried to pull Johnny's face closer to his. Their eyes locked on each other in fierce determination.

"L-let…m-me…d-die…" Miller pleaded in a weak voice.

"No way, Miller. You need to pay for what you've done, and spend the rest of your miserable life in prison. You don't get to take the coward's way out. Hang on, damn you, hang on!" Roy intervened, noticing that Johnny was pretty weak and shocky too. Letting other squad take over, Roy pulled Johnny away and concentrated on getting him stabilized and ready for Rampart. Squad 16 finished up with Miller, and transported him with a police escort to the ER. However, no one took comfort in the fact that he was near death or in custody.

E*E*E*E*E

FOUR WEEKS LATER….

John Gage sat quietly on the hood of his Rover, watching as the wave's crash endlessly on the lonely shore. The foam seeped onto the beach, disappearing into the sand. He flipped the collar up on his jacket, trying to fend off the coolness of the late afternoon, as the chill of the day seemed to travel down deep into his soul, which seemed a fitting match to the sadness he felt lingering there. the beach was deserted for the most part. A die-hard surfer, a couple holding hands wandering quite a ways down, and John seemed to be the its only occupants.

The wind had begun to pick up, causing the ocean to kick up her fury in the faces of those who cared to watch her throw her tantrum. So many find their comfort in her, while others get lost in their thoughts, as John did.

He was sitting and reflecting about the twists and turns that life had taken the past few months. He leaned back against the windshield of his truck and closed his eyes, hoping the sun would warm him, shivering at the breeze that swept over him. He didn't hear the footsteps as they approached him.

"Hey Junior. I figured you'd be here." John turned to the familiar voice; the one of comfort and brotherhood.

"Hey pally." A small, crooked smile found its way to John's pale, thin face. He sat up and turned to the smiling face of his best friend.

"When did you get back?" Roy inquired. John slid off the hood of his Rover, and the guys made their way to a nearby bench facing the water, and sat.

"Late last night…or I guess it was this mornin'. I was gonna call ya later. I knew you were on shift 'til this morning. Wanted to let you sleep." John sighed and kept his gaze fixed on the water.

"Doesn't look like you've done much of that, or eating for that matter. You alright?" Roy eyed his friend. John dropped his head. A slight nod was his answer, but he knew he couldn't fool his partner. Neither man spoke. Roy was going to give his best friend all the time he needed to say whatever he needed to say.

"It was pretty rough, ya know? Trent's folks…they're doin' the best they can, getting the kids settled in. Benjy and Lisa still cry themselves to sleep every night. They asked me… ah…" John's voice cracked with emotion. He stopped talking, and swiped the corner of his eye. Roy put his hand on his best friend's shoulder. He had all the time in the world to help his brother through this.

"They wanted to know if umm…I was there to bring them home…back home to…ah…live with mommy and daddy." Johnny dragged his fingers through his hair and exhaled deeply. Silent moments passed as John gathered his composure. So many deaths. So many lives disrupted.

"His dad must have been surprised about the car…" Roy tried carefully to change the subject.

"Oh…ah, yeah. He was pretty grateful." John gave a shy smile thinking about the treasured convertible.

"That was an amazing thing you did, junior, bringing that car to them. Especially since Trent left it to you. I know it has some great memories for you." John leaned forward on the bench, putting his elbows on his knees.

"That car was a big part of their son's life, Roy. Ya, I have some great memories of Trent and me working on it, but it has a great legacy for Benjy, and has meaning for Trent's dad. I had to bring it to 'em. It truly belongs with them. I guess a part of me hoped it would help them heal in some small way."

Roy smiled at his friend. Such wisdom and caring from someone who was hurting so much himself.

"Hey, I have something for you, Johnny." Roy produced a wrapped box about the size of a book from under his coat. A puzzled look crossed his partner's face.

"What is this? What's it for?" Johnny looked at the package, turning it over a couple times in his hands.

"How about you open it and find out?" Roy gave his friend a smile.

Johnny opened the package to find a box. He carefully opened the box, pulled back the tissue paper, and found his vision immediately clouded over with un-spilled tears. He looked up at the face of his best friend, and was unable to speak. He reached gingerly into the box and pulled out a beautifully framed picture of Johnny standing with Trent, each with their arm draped over the others' shoulder, leaning against the beautiful, newly restored convertible, smiling bigger than they ever thought possible. He looked at Roy, then back at the picture.

"How?…Where?…" John was truly speechless. He couldn't take his eyes off the picture.

"When I was getting your mail and checking on things at your apartment while you were gone, I saw the picture on the table, so I took it to a photography shop and had them touch it up and enlarge it. I hope you don't mind…" Roy watched his 'little brother's' reaction.

"I-I don't know what to say…how to …t- thank you…" John used the back of his sleeve to dry his eyes. Roy let John take a few minutes to re-live the memories, the moments, and offer his silent farewell as John's slender finger traced the outline of his departed friend in the treasured photo.

"So, How about we head back to the house? JoAnne's got all your favorites on the menu for dinner, and the kids are anxious to see their Uncle Johnny." The famous Gage grin started to appear in all its glory on Johnny's face.

"Com'on Junior, you know how JoAnne gets if we keep her waiting." Roy elbowed his friend in jest in the ribs, and Johnny's smile increased in size. Roy stood up and extended his hand, which Johnny took. Roy helped pull him to his feet, and patted his shoulder.

As the sun began its evening descent, Roy and Johnny walked back to their vehicles. Before he got into his truck, Roy called over to his best friend.

"Welcome home, junior."

"It's good to be home, Pally."

END

E*E*E*E*E

EPILOGUE:

It was of no surprise or of any comfort to anyone when Detective Joseph Miller was pronounced dead at Rampart General Hospital later that day. No family or friends claimed his remains, and the County of LA was left to cover the cost of his final expenses. It is reported that his cremated remains are still left unclaimed in an undisclosed county storage facility.

Trent Jennings children, Benjy and Lisa Jennings, continue to live with their grandparents and are working to rebuild their lives without their mother and father. Although their nightmares have subsided somewhat, they continue to have them, and have been participating in counseling. They still keep in close contact with their 'Uncle' Johnny.

E*E*E*E*E

A/N: A big thank you to all my 'faithful' friends that have followed this story and have encouraged me! I appreciate all the PM's and all of you - Thank you for being such a blessing!