The Never Ending Call

Title: The Never Ending Call 17/?
Author: Kim Riley a.k.a. MYSTIC
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the producers of Emergency. Also, the character Mike Stoker is in no relation to the real one. Since they are no longer using them I’ve decided to take our boys out of the ‘closet’ and let them play and be happy. Enjoy.
Summary: What should have been a simple response to an emergency turns into what will seem a never ending nightmare.
Warnings: This is an Au story, also language, violence, abuse, attempted rape (I will not be graphic), and death (though not of E characters)
Rating: NC-17 (see warnings and m/m sex)
Pairing: John/Roy (Emergency fandom)
Archived: at (or will be archived at) http://www.geocities.com/mysticmcknight/KimRstorylist.html
If you want to archive it, please do, just let me know.
Feedback: Please! Mysticmcknight@hotmail.com

(*Brandon Chaney is a character created by Kris W and borrowed w/ care w/ permission)

"The Never Ending Call"

Roy rushed home, just constraining himself to the speed limits. He didn't even bother getting his stuff from the Rover; he'd get it later. He needed to see if his lover was alright. He rushed upstairs to Johnny's apartment and since he had the key, he went right in. He saw Mike hovering in the doorway to the bedroom. "How is he?"

"He's still in the shower, at least this time I think he's using it," Mike replied, reliefe on his face.

Roy closed the door and headed to the bedroom, "tell me again what happened?"

"I had convinced Johnny to come get something to eat. We were in the kitchen when he started to shiver; he wasn’t dressed so I decided to get his robe. I'm not sure of the particulars, for as I was hunting down his robe, I heard a slam of something banging into something and then a blood curdling scream. I ran into the kitchen and Johnny had some guy pinned up to the back door with a knife to his throat. From I c I can figure, the guy, a fucking reporter, decided locked doors didn't apply to him and Johnny caught him. I tell you, Roy, for a moment…" he couldn't say it; it was too…foreign a thought that their Johnny would be so…aggressive.

"For a moment what," Roy demanded as he stood outside of the bathroom door.

"Roy, for a moment I honestly thought Johnny would kill him…but that's ridiculous, Johnny wouldn't hurt a fly…right?" Mike's question showed that he saw the dark streak that had been placed there by this awful experience.

Roy met Mike's gaze evenly. "Things happened, Mike, things happened," he said, not ready to go into details now, if ever. He slowly opened the bathroom door glad it was unlocked. "Junior," he called out softly as he made his way inside. There was no sound but running water. He gestured Mike to stay outside and entered, closing the door behind him. He moved in slowly and went to the bath/shower and gently pulled the curtain and found Johnny sitting soaked in his boxer shorts using the soap as if were a sponge, his skin red from the force behind it. "Junior," he called out again, his tone gentle and soothing, as he knelt down next to his love.

Johnny looked up, and even with the shower drenching him, Roy could still see the tears mingled in. "It won't go away, Roy," he sobbed. "I can't get it to go away," he sobbed again.

"Oh Junior," Roy sighed, his heart breaking and moved in, uncaring if he got wet or not, and hugged him, "What won't go away," he asked, but he was sure he knew.

"The blood, Roy. It won't go…it makes me feel so…dirty," Johnny sobbed into Roy's welcomed embrace.

Roy hugged him some more, then leaned back. "Why don't we fill the tub and why don't you let me give you a bath, it might help," he suggested, kissing his love on the temple.

"Okay," Johnny agreed, settling into Roy's arms, dropping the soap. "Can I have bubbles too?”

Roy looked down and saw the spark of life that was his love once more trying to bounce its way back. "Sure, babe, whatever you want. Now, why don't you get out of those things and fill the tub, I'll get the 'bubbles' and let Mike know you're okay."

"Shit," Johnny looked distressed again.

"It's okay, Johnny, he understands you've had it rough…"

"Just how much does he understand," Johnny asked, wondering just how much Roy told Stoker.

"Only that you had a rough time, it's not my place to give him details," Roy assured him. "He's good friend, Johnny don't underestimate him, okay?"

Seeing Johnny nod, Roy got up and got the bubble bath and handed the bottle to Johnny. He then exited the bathroom and went to the kitchen where Mike was waiting, sipping on some coffee. "He's going to be okay," he smiled assuredly. "By the way, what happened to the little creep?"

"I told him that unless he wanted to see jail for breaking and entering 'after' I rearranged his face, he better not show it around here again and I tossed him down the backstairs, same way he got up here. There have also been reporters and television stations calling, seems word is out you’re back."

"Shit," Roy sighed. "They are the 'last' people we need to deal with," he muttered, placing his hands on his hips so he could think. "Look, I'm going to help Johnny out, it'll be awhile. I ah…have a friend coming over, his name is Brandon Chaney, don't let anyone else but him in and as for the rest…no comment."

Mike gave a speculative gaze at Roy and at the bedroom then gave a soft smile, "No problem, Roy. You might want to think about getting Johnny away from here for a while. If you like, Dwyer has a cabin in the mountains his family left him, I could call him…make some arrangements?"

Roy smiled, for Mike Stoker was a special man too. Had he never met John Gage…well, he did and Johnny was everything to him, which was made all too clear to him recently. He also suspected that Mike knew and was okay with it. "That would be terrific, Mike, though the less anyone knows the better. I know folks have been waiting and want to know details…but we're just not ready to go into them."

"Thanks, Mike," Roy he said and started to the bedroom and the bath, and stopped in the door and turned back to face his friend, "for everything," he added, a lot unspoken but felt and headed to give his lover a bath.

Mike sighed, a part of him happy that Roy and Johnny had come together, though a tiny part was jealous; he had loved Johnny for awhile but could see where Johnny's heart lie early on. //Just not meant to be,// was his conclusion and he was okay with it or at least he knew he would be. He moved to the phone and called Dwyer. He kept the information on his part down to a minimum, and people were use to that from him, so Dwyer didn't push it and agreed he could use it. Mike would explain later that it was for Johnny and Roy, but thought it would be best if he didn't mention them right off. He'd get the key later this afternoon and directions, and have both men packed and ready to go before dinner.

After hanging up, there was a knock on the door. Mike opened it and there was a slim, well built woman with a note pad. "Yes?"

"I'd like to speak with John Gage," she smiled as dazzling as she could.

"He's not speaking to anyone, especially reporters," he clipped and closed the door in her face.

He didn't get two steps before there was another knock, he opened it, it was her again. "Look, people would really like to know…"

He glared at her, "go away,” and closed the door in her face again. He got three steps away and there was a knock again.

//Damn this woman is persistent,// he fumed and swung open the door, "I SAID GO AWAY…" he started to shout, but came to a quick halt as it was not the woman, but a guy. He stood almost as tall as he did, with bright blond hair and deep chocolate brown eyes, dressed in a suit, the second most beautiful guy he had ever seen; still being bias over Johnny. Feeling embarrassed he flushed, "Sorry. Can I help you?"

The blond chuckled and gave a smile that would blind the sun, "I hope so. I'm looking for Roy DeSoto. I'm Brandon Chaney, he asked me to meet him here."

Mike stepped aside, "Come on in, he's helping Johnny out. Might be a bit, care for some coffee?"

"I'd like that," Brandon smiled, his eyes fixed on the tall man that was moving to the kitchen. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

Mike turned and mentally kicked himself for his manners, "Mike, Mike Stoker," he stated, offering his hand, and as the two clasped to shake, he couldn't deny the spark of electricity he felt at the touch of the soft but strong hand. He couldn't help but think that perhaps…things were not so dreary for him after all.


**********


The last three months had been more than stressful for him. Between the media hounding them, the divorce, the media flaunting it in the news and the Departmental review, Roy was at his wits end. Then add to it that he'd only seen his kids once, and Jenny didn't understand and Chris…hated him. The real kicker was Johnny himself who had not returned to work, still claiming he needed more time and the counselor backed him; Roy wished that idiot would shut up, he hated working with this Newman fellow; he was worse than Brice…and he was not Johnny.

So, Johnny remained on short term disability while Roy went back to work, thankful that after Brandon had finished working his magic, he had reasonable payments and the house was sold and divided equally. Roy had opted to use his share of money to cover the next year and half worth of payments, so his salary would not be touched, giving him more control over his finances. Johnny collected a small percentage, since some of it was going to repay the advance. Together they had just squeaked by money wise and were on their way to being a bit stable, as for the rest of their relationship…that was shaky.

It wasn't that the feelings had changed, it was Johnny. He would go from one extreme to another. Either he was withdrawn or he was outgoing…too outgoing. Today was a good example of it, as Roy stood on the sidelines as he waited for his lover to either get tired or notice him, as Johnny, unknown to Roy, had taken up dirt bike riding. The counselor said it was a phase, Roy thought it was dangerous…but that was the point. It was if Johnny was looking to push the envelope, but he didn't understand why? He stood silently watching his lover leap over mud hills with a skill he didn't know Johnny possessed, and held his breath, as rider and bike separated for a moment, then connect again to finish the jump, before moving onto the next turn and valley.

Roy breathed again seeing Johnny begin the final round, as it was an off the cuff race, nothing official. The comments floating around him of "that was daring," or "guys nuts," didn't help make him feel any better, as he continued to watch his lover push himself and the bike in a mad dash once more around the makeshift course where he and several others 'just gathered,' since there was no official place for them nearby. Johnny came in second, which is not bad for a man that had only started riding a motorcycle over a month and half ago. Roy didn't feel the thrill as did those around him, he just remained leaning on the Rover…waiting.

Johnny was stoked as he removed his helmet and accepted the congratulations. Obviously someone mentioned Roy as he looked in the direction of his lover and his smile faded a bit; he knew he was in trouble…again. He said a few more thanks and shook the hands of his competition and rolled the bike toward where Roy was waiting, "Roy," he said, a small smile on his face.

"Were you going to tell me about this," Roy asked, gesturing to the bike and Johnny covered head to toe in mud.

"Of course I was," Johnny said moving past the Rover to the truck, as Roy got one recently and they switched vehicles from time to time, and it fit the bike better.

"When – before or after you got hurt? And how much did that bike set us back," Roy growled, as he knew they didn't come chand and he wasn't working so Johnny could squander their savings away.

"Nothing, it’s borrowed," Johnny replied, his eyes slightly distant, knowing Roy was mad and why. He then faced his lover, not sure what to tell him. "Joe said I should try and find some outdoor activity to focus all that…nervous energy on, something…physical. Brandon's friend Lyle mentioned dirt bike riding, and since I've learned to drive a motorcycle I thought I'd give it a go…" he grinned, "and I'm not too bad, either."

Roy wanted to slap that crooked grin off Johnny's face for about a whole ten seconds, but Johnny knew it would melt his resolve…and it did. "Y Jun Junior, you were pretty good. But if you're looking for physical excitement or exhaustion or even risk…come back to work."

Johnny jumped on the back of the truck to secure the bike, "I don't know, Roy…I'm not ready."

"Johnny, what are you not ready for," Roy had to ask.

It was a valid question, and Johnny stopped what he was doing, as he sat back on his heels by the bike and actually thought about it and then faced Roy, "Honestly…I don't know."

"Then perhaps if you did come back you'd know. It's been three months, Johnny, we need to move forward and let this thing go," he replied softly, moving next to his lover and laid a hand on his mud covered knee. "It's over."

"That's just it, Roy…it's not over," Johnny snapped slightly as he jumped to his feet and once more started securing the bikes. "It feels as if it's lingering just outside my vision…waiting." He turned to face Roy, his eyes serious, showing some anguish, "I can't even close my eyes at night without some part of it being there to torment me. It's not over, Roy, I don't know if it'll ever be over," he added, moving back to his task.

Roy looked at the mud on his hand and scraped it off on the flat of the truck bed, the rest on his pants. He knew Johnny was right, the nightmares of the killings and the rapes remained with him, and though they were getting better, they had not gone away. Nor did the fear that Alex and his men would be there, lurking in the shadows to finish what they started. Agent Keller of the FBI had said he would remain on the case, but that was three months ago, and not a word, other than it had been placed as a lesser priority case, which to Johnny meant they were on their own. It was like Johnny was trying to squeeze as much life into every moment, because it was his last as well as push himself to his limits. It dawned on Roy that perhaps…that was it. "We can't keep living in fear, Johnny. At some time we have to move on ward and stop letting those bastards hurt us."

Done securing the bike Johnny moved and sat on the tail gate, removing his goggles from his neck, "I know, Roy, I really do," he whispered, his eyes searching the horizon. "I just don't know how."

"We'll figure it out together, okay," Roy asked, hoping Johnny wouldn't cut him out of his life, as at times his love seemed distant from him. Seeing that beautiful smile again warmed his heart.

"Okay," Johnny agreed and kissed his lover's cheek, leaving a mud stain, and smirked at it. "So, other than putting me in my place," Johnny grinned wider, "what else bring you out here?"

Roy shook his head, for when his love's spirit shined it was dazzling. Thankfully it was beginning to shine more and more as time passed. "You got a letter, special delivery…Mexico," he said, pulling it out of his jacket, it was legal size and thick.

"Mexico…" Johnny asked, and then his face brightened some more, "The Colonel?"

"I think so, but I don't recognize the name, but knowing him, he's never use his own…considering," Roy smirked. Johnny made to grab the letter but Roy kept it at bay, "wash your hands, Junior."

Seeing his muddy hands he laughed and moved to get some of the wipes he had in his bag along with a change of clothes. "Okay, hand it over," he ordered after his hands were as clean as he could get them at the moment. He took the letter and opened it quickly like a kid at Christmas time. The Colonel had sent a letter each month, all under a different name.

Roy watched his lover read it, knowing he'd have to wait for the edited version from Johnny before being able to read it himself. He noticed Johnny's eyes twinkle with delight, the Colonel continued to provide an aspect of Fatherly love in his own way and Johnny soaked it up like a sponge and water. Then he noticed Jo's 's eyes go wide then paled a bit. "Something wrong," he asked, then helped Johnny back to sit on the tail gate. "What's the matter?"

Johnny's eyes didn't leave the letter, "Seems I don't have to worry about Alex Thornton any more," he muttered.

"Who's Alex Thornton?"

Johnny now met his love's eyes, "The blond on the plane. The one who was in charge of the bank robbery…he's dead along with Ray Winston, the other guy on the plane."

The impact of the news settled heavily on Roy, for it meant that most likely the Colonel and his men had taken them out as they had Chavez. Of course Captain Chavez' death came from Agent Williams of the CIA, as they had eventually got the story out of them of what happened…off the record, thanks to Brandon. Brandon Chaney was not only a great friend and crafty lawyer, but had connections that were able to keep what happened down in Mexico from going official. He was also making one Mike Stoker a very happy man, which pleased Roy and Johnny very much.

Roy shook his thoughts, "Does it say anything else?"

"Only according to what the Colonel could find out the 'key' opens the safe to Alex's grandfather's wall safe. They were after the stocks and shares along with other holds on something called Thornton Enterprise." Johnny was silent for a long moment and folded the letter only half read. "I'll read the rest later," he muttered, and got up and shoved it in his bag. He grabbed two towels and carried them with him to the cab and opened the driver’s door and draped them over the seat. "I'll meet you back at the apartment, I need to drop the bike off at Lyle's," he shouted over his shoulder.

"Johnny…" Roy called out, seeing his love taking the news hard, but his lover was not listening, as Johnny jumped in the truck, and in a minute was getting ready to depart. Roy closed the tail gate and waved at his love, he'd meet him at the apartment, and hopefully they would be able to talk about all this. He turned and jumped into the Rover and headed back.

Roy was tired and still a bit worried as he pulled in the driveway of their new apartment building, Mike having pushed the moving issue to a new high and Johnny and he agreed. Of course he insisted that they move into his complex and it seemed a good idea at the time and still did. He parked and headed up toward the stairs that would lead to the door of their two bedroom apartment, when he noticed several men in suites approaching him, one he recognized, Agent Williams of the CIA. "Can I help you, Agent Williams," he asked, showing he recognized the man.

"Yes, is John Gage home, we'd like to talk to you," Williams replied, looking serious.

"Not yet, but he should be home soon, can I ask why," Roy inquired, getting a bad feeling about this.

"Yes," Williams nodded. "It's in conjunction with one Colonel Carlos Argentine."

****End of Part Seventeen****