Disclaimer: "Emergency!" and their characters are copyrighted by Mark VII Productions, Inc. as well Universal Studios. All rights are reserved - no infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended from the show or other items. Medical information, show facts, and character background are based on research and used to the best of my ability. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons and/or events is purely coincidental. This story is only written for entertainment purposes. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself is property of the author.

"Uncle Johnny!" came a high-pitched shriek as John Gage exited his white Land Rover.

"Happy Birthday, princess!" Johnny exclaimed, as the small, blonde haired girl hurled herself across the front yard and flew at him. Easily catching her when she launched herself at him, he quickly spun her around before setting her down on the ground next to him.

Laughing as Jenny DeSoto clung to him, still dizzy from her ride, Johnny was amazed at the fact that it was now her tenth birthday. It seemed like just yesterday when her father and his fellow paramedic classmate Roy had invited him over to meet his wife Joanne, two-year old son Christopher, and his almost one-year-old daughter Jennifer.

Well, Johnny grinned to himself. I was actually the one training, he was retraining!

Despite a rocky beginning with Joanne, by the end of the twelve week program, John felt as though he had found a place where he was wanted and cared about-something that he hadn't felt since losing his parents as a young kid. After graduating the paramedic course, Roy had invited Johnny to become his partner at a new station. Over the ten years they had known each other, not only had Johnny become friends with the DeSoto family, but he had become a younger brother to both Joanne and Roy, as well as an uncle to Chris and Jennifer. The DeSoto's included him in many of their day-to-day activities that Johnny knew his own parents had to have a hand in guiding his life.

How else would I have been lucky enough to find a family so much like the ones I lost as a kid? John wondered, holding onto Jenny a bit tighter. Besides, it's rare to find people like Roy and Jo who seem to just fall more in love each year and extend that love towards their family and friends. All I know is that I am grateful they took me in and helped me realize despite my background, I still have worth.

To finally have a family again after losing his parents when he was six years old, was a welcome relief in his life, if not scary at times. Seeing Chris running towards him from the side entrance to the back yard, Johnny grinned.

Despite the scary, awkward, what-the-heck-do-I-do, no-clue moments, it is so worth it! Plus, it is always fun spoiling them rotten.

"Hey sport! How's it going?"

"Fine, I guess…" the blonde haired Chris heaved a disgruntled sigh at his uncle while shooting him a pitiful look with blue-green eyes.

"Fine?" Johnny raised an eyebrow at him, knowing something more was going on.

"It's just that…well, there are so many girls here! Mom and dad wouldn't allow any of my friends 'cause of how many people are here already and it's just so boring and well, I am just so glad there's finally someone cool to hang 'round, Uncle Johnny," came the bottled up words in a rush.

Laughing, he ruffled Chris hair, "Thanks. I think. Let's go see where everyone is, okay?"

Shaking his head yes, Chris led the way in with Jenny almost dragging Johnny by his hand. Walking in, Johnny saw Roy watching Jo in the kitchen in amusement.

"What's up with Jo?" Johnny whispered when he had crept close enough to Roy not to be overheard.

Both of them were watching in fascination as Joanne paced throughout the kitchen, opening and closing the brown cupboards seemingly at random before closing them. Seeing her circle the kitchen around the table, he watched as she opened the oven as if it could inspire her.

"Not really sure… I think she forgot something," Roy whispered back, his eyes still on his wife.

"Really? Jo, forget something? She's been planning this thing for weeks! How's that even possible?"

"I know," Roy said, shrugging his shoulders as Jo opened the bottom dark brown cupboards. "I don't know what to do, so I figure standing here is the safest thing to do."

"True," Johnny nodded. "Wait, Chris said something about a bunch of girls… If Jenny's friends are already here, does that mean you have a dozen kids unsupervised? Or am I just late?"

"Late," Roy tried glaring menacingly at his friend and failing miserably.

He figured being late was a smart move. Eight pre-teen girls, plus his own two, plus the other guys from the firehouse where he and Johnny worked made up for an interesting combination. Considering how Chet often acted with his pranks, he defiantly could be considered the last kid, rounding the number up to an even dozen.

"Why are you late anyway?" Roy asked.

"So," ignoring that, Johnny begun talking about other things before being interrupted by Jo turning around and marching towards them.

"I need more ice cream! How could I forget how much is needed? Between the younger kids and bigger ones, we will go through a ton! How on earth?! Roy, you were supposed to remind me!" Jo accused.

"Let me guess, our crew is the big kids," Johnny murmured to Roy, shooting a quick glance in his direction.

Seeing the affirming nod, he decided it might be best to take the attention off his best friend, "Calm down now, Jo. You and Roy just go outside, get the games started. I'll just run to the store real quick and pick up some, okay?"

One thing Johnny did not want to deal with was a panicking female, especially if it was Joanne. He knew how frazzled she could get and when that happened, people would end up on wild goose chases for no reason.

"No, no that's okay. Roy should go…"

"Nope, he and you should just go out and start having fun, I'll be back before you know it."

"Thanks, sweetheart," Jo gave him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. "You're a life saver."

"Nope, just a sanity saver for Roy," he grinned and then ducked out of the way as she swatted at him. "I think I'll be leaving now…"

"Smart man," Roy stated, shaking his head at his partner.

"Roy!" Jo put her hands on her hips, smiling slightly as she glared at him. "Now, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, honey, it's just that…"

With those words, Johnny headed out the kitchen and through the living room before slipping out the front door, hurrying to escape before he could get Roy in any more trouble. It'd be a sure bet that if Roy got in trouble that sooner or later, he'd end up having to deal with the results.