As promised by Dr Brackett, Johnny was released the next morning. His partner settled him in a chair out on the deck with pen and paper. "How about you write down everything you want to say and then I'll help you put it into a speech." Roy left his partner in peace. The Cap was coming over in a couple of hours.

John remembered back to when he first met Lt Blackcrow at the community centre. It was where he was learned more about his Native American heritage. He was a very angry young man back then and thought the world owed him everything. He walked around with a huge chip on his shoulder, hiding the shame and resentment he felt behind it. Lt Blackcrow, who he later learned to accept as his chief and mentor, filled that chip with respect, control and self-worth. He remembered something his chief would often say to him when he became a little full of himself; No-one will respect you unless you take responsibility for your own actions and do something about improving yourself. Another thing his chief would often say to him; Remember John think before you speak. He was guilty of forgetting that advice quite often.

He continued to write down all his thoughts but found it hard going because his brain was still a bit slow from the concussion. He called Roy and asked him to help him get his thoughts together. He'd tell him what he wanted to say and then Roy would put those thoughts into a more clearer and precise manner. Soon Cap joined them, it was hard going, but they finally got out of Johnny's fuzzy brain, everything he wanted to say. The timeline of his thoughts was worked out and then the tired paramedic was taken into the house to rest.

Cap and Roy put all of John's thoughts into a speech. Reading the young man's notes was like looking through a window, into his soul. It gave both men an insight into a life of a young man who needed to rise above his anger and self-doubt. They also realised just how much their friend must be hurting for losing his mentor.

Hank, for his part, was hoping he would be able to fill the void that Lt Blackcrow had left in John's life. Yep, things around the station will definitely have to change, he thought.

It took some time but the speech was finally finished. Roy woke his partner and they sat and ate lunch out on the deck. Johnny read through the speech. He blinked furiously at times to stop the tears from falling. After reading the speech, he rose and walked to the railing on the deck and looked out over the yard. He let his emotions wash over him.

"Well, is it everything you wanted to say?" Finally asked Roy after a time and, trying to read his partners reaction.

"We can change it if it's not exactly what you wanted to say," added Cap.

John let out a breath, bowed his head and turned around, he felt truly humbled. "It's perfect…it's everything and more that I wanted to say. Thank you." He placed his hand over his heart, tears resinated in his eyes, blurring his vision. "Putting this together has made me realise how much I owed that man, and, my aunt. They saved my life." He shook his head "How can I ever repay them for that?"

Stanley rose and put his arm around John's shoulders, he didn't flinch for the first time, "By living a life that would make them both proud." John looked into his Captain's eyes and for the first time Hank felt he had finally connected with his youngest crew member. There was trust and respect in John's eyes.

Johnny thought, that one day, he would tell his Captain about his life. He later spoke to White Eagle, who made the coffin on his behalf. Everything was organised, the funeral was in two days. Roy drove his partner over to White Eagle's ranch for a fitting. He would be wearing traditional Native American clothes for the funeral. Johnny read through the speech several times to make sure he was able to read it fluently.

The funeral was taking place in a park near the burial site. A podium, microphones, speakers and chairs were set up by the police force. The day before Johnny, White Eagle, Lean Bear and Chasing Deer dug the grave and performed the necessary rituals.

The night before the funeral John woke with a start. Several times he had dreamt hearing his chiefs strong commanding voice; You will be fine John, be strong and stand proud, as I will, watching over you. He looked around his room expecting to see his chief. He took a hot shower, choked down some breakfast and got dressed. He drove to the park and helped White Eagle, Lean Bear and Chasing Deer prepare the horse for the ceremony.

Once everyone was seated, the ceremony began. John, White Eagle, Lean Bear and Chasing Deer carried the coffin to the front and placed it below the podium. The chief of police made a speech; some of Lt Blackcrow's fellow officers spoke of his life on the force and of how much he would truly be missed. It was Johnny's turn to speak.

He walked up to the podium and looked out over the sea of people who had come to pay their respects. His heart swelled, his chief would be so pleased to see everyone seated and standing together. There were no boundaries or segregation. Everyone stood as one, out of respect for this great man. He cleared his throat and began;

My name is John Gage, I'm Seminole Indian heritage. I'm a Fireman/Paramedic for LA County and I owe that achievement to my chief and mentor, Lt Jay Blackcrow. I first met Lt Blackcrow when I was fifteen. I had been brought to LA, from the Trust lands in North Dakota, by my Aunt. I was an angry young teenager who thought the world owed me everything. My parents had been taken away from me when I was ten and my carefree life on the reservation became a life of misery. I had no social skills and knew very little about the white man's world, other than to fear it. Chief would often say to me "No-one will respect you unless you take responsibility for your own actions." It was those actions that he helped me with. He helped me learn to respect others and most importantly to respect myself. He showed me how to rise above the hate, caused through bigotry, and to even change the way people perceived me; to look past my heritage and see the man standing before them. I learned to be proud of my heritage and not despise it. He taught me to be strong and to believe in myself. I always wanted to be a fireman and chief helped me work through resentment, jealousy and bigotry within the department. During my probation I wanted to give up but the chief pushed me and made me realise that I was a better person than those who taunted me, and, I am a better person. I owe my life to this great man. I will miss him, but he will always be in my heart. Chief, I will remain strong and proud as you have taught me, and I will try to teach those who come before me needing help, with that same compassion and strong guidance. Thank You.

He stepped down and chanting began to fill the air. White Eagle, Lean Bear, Running Deer and two police officers carried the coffin behind Gage who was leading the horse purchased by Lean Bear. They made their way to the gravesite; an honour guard had been formed for the entire length of the journey. John, White Eagle, Lean Bear and Running Deer lowered the coffin into the hole and proceeded to fill it up. All their footprints around the grave were smoothed away and Johnny led the horse away and injected the horse. It died quickly and painlessly. The horse was buried. Lt Jay Blackcrow's journey into the spirit world was complete.

Everyone left; Roy drove his partner to his place where they were meeting up with Captain Stanley, his wife and son Jase, who wanted to come, Dixie and Dr Brackett. They rallied around their friend and kept him occupied, telling him stories of their own childhood. John told some of his own from prior to the age of ten, when his parents were alive. He also told his friends some stories about his days at the community centre with Lt Blackcrow.

Three shifts later, Johnny returned to work. He was a little apprehensive but Roy had assured him that his Captain had had a long talk with Kelly. The phantom was allowed, but the jokes and taunting about his heritage were off limits. Captain Stanley had talked to John also and given him advice about coping with Kelly's practical jokes and had given him an insight as to why the phantom existed.

To the young paramedic's relief there were no phantom traps on his first shift and everything settled down back to normal. His shift mates noticed a small change in their youngest crew member; he seemed more mature and relaxed around them. They also noticed the closeness he had with the Captain.

John was over Captain Stanley's house for dinner. "Johnny would you like to go for a run with me?" asked Stanley's son Jase.

"Sure as long as your dad comes too," replied Johnny.

"What? I told you I'm a jumper not a runner."

"Aaahh, come on Cap, you don't jump anymore...Time to start something new. It will make you feel good. Come on." John appealed.

Hank sighed; it was hard to ignore the young man's enthusiasm. "Alright….But not too fast and not too far," he demanded.

"We'll go easy on you. Won't we Jase?" John winked at Jase who nodded and smiled back.

Hank made his way to the bedroom to change. "Twits." He muttered under his breath but his heart smiled. He was keeping his promise.