"Try my… What do you mean 'try your coffee'?" Hank questions, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Try your coffee," repeats Roy as though it's the simplest explanation in the world.

Turning almost fearful eyes to his coffee cup, he warily raises it to his lips, takes a tentative sip and then blinks.

"…"

"I know, Cap. That's what Mike and I said."

"The coffee… It's…"

"I know," the senior paramedic nods his understanding. "Now you know why I said what I did."

"… And John Gage made this?" he ask, completely in disbelief.

"If what he says is true he did."

"But… It doesn't taste like dishwater… It actually tastes…"

"I know. We were as shocked as you," the paramedic nods again, leaning back in his chair and looking once more to his still unmoved partner. "And I asked the last person from C-shift. They corroborated what Johnny said. Told me Johnny made them coffee, too."

"He did?"

This is all too much. Early, reading, quiet, and now this? The extraordinarily healthy captain isn't sure that even his heart can handle this sort of excitement and intrigue.

Roy nods yet again, looking to him.

"And all of them were carrying some with them in Styrofoam cups when they left."

"Then, we haven't just become desensitized? It actually is good coffee?"

"So it would seem."

The two turn their gazes once more to Johnny who remains unaware of their attention.

After several moments pass, the captain can't stand it anymore.

"John."

No response.

"JOHN," he repeats a little louder.

Nothing.

"JOHN RODERICH GAGE."

"Whaa-huh?" is the first statement from the young man before he realizes who had called him and a bright smile appears on his face. "Well, hey, Cap. Good to see ya back. Why didn't ya say something when you came in?"

"I did," the captain replies warily. "John."

"Yeah?" the one addressed answers, confused by the older man's tone. He seems serious, like the 'did you just do the last fifteen feet of a climb without your harness' kind of serious…

"Did youmake this coffee?"

Johnny blinks. "Well, uh, yeah… Is… something wrong with it?"

"Wrong with it?" Roy repeats. "It's the best cup of coffee I've ever had and Joanne makes some good coffee."

At this, the dark-eyed paramedic beams.

"You really like it?"

"Of course we do!" Hanks exclaims with a nod. "Where have you been hiding this talent? The coffee you normally make tastes like soapy water…"

As a blush appears on the young man's face, the captains notes with curiosity that John closes his book, setting it between him and the arm of the couch as he answers, "Well, uh, you see…"

Suddenly the SCU sounds, announcing an accident inside a training gym, man unconscious.

Without another thought, Roy and John are on their feet and out the door, while he follows them, writing the details and passing the information to Roy.

Waiting until he sees the Squad exit the station, siren blaring, the captain then walks back to the sofa, and picks up the book John had been reading. He looks around briefly before turning his attention to the book cover.

Unable to stop himself, he laughs, replaces the book as he had found it, and leaves the room, chuckling and muttering,

"The Complete Guide to Coffee-brewing! Ha!"

Fin.