The Never Ending Call

Title: The Never Ending Call 18/18
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 served ice tea and coffee trying to figure out what these men wanted with them and their association with Argentine; they didn't want to break any laws but they didn't want to betray the man either. He only wished Johnny would hurry home as Williams and the other man, Rello Castilla, were not inclined to give him any hints.

Thankfully Johnny came home about the time he was done drawing out the weather report. Thankfully Johnny had stripped off his other clothes, and had on some others less dirty, and was carrying his bag, laundry bag and boots. He saw the two men, and recognized the agent, but not the other man. "Roy," he greeted.

"Johnny, I'm sure you remember Agent William," Roy introduced. "And this is Rello Castilla, though he has not said of what…yet," he looked at the older Hispanic gentleman.

"Hello," Johnny greeted, not bothering to shake hands since his was covered in mud.

"Why don't you get settled and then we'll talk," Williams suggested.

Roy followed Johnny under the pretense of helping him with his laundry bag. "They said they wanted to talk about the Colonel," he whispered.

"Did they say why," Johnny asked placing his dirty stuff next to the laundry hamper in their bathroom and turned on the shower.

"They haven't said a thing. I've spent the last fifteen minutes rambling about the weather here in California. Do you think it might have to do with what's in the letter," Roy asked, wondering if that was the case and if there was more that Johnny had not yet told him.

Johnny stripped and jumped in the shower, "Possibly," was all he said.

Roy got Johnny a quick change of clothes, grey sweats and sneakers. Johnny raced his shower and dried and dressed in record time; something he learned in the fire department. He exited with Roy and took a seat as Roy got him some Ice tea.

"First let me start by 'properly' introducing myself," the older Hispanic man replied. "I'm Rello Castilla, attorney. I'm here on behalf of Colonel Carlos Juan Javier Argentine," he smiled gently.

Johnny sat up straighter, "Attorney, whatever for?"

"I handle his estate," Castilla replied. Seeing that Johnny didn't understand he looked at Agent Williams.

Williams sighed, "I'm sorry, I though that you might have been informed," he apologized. "Colonel Argentine was killed over a week ago…" he stopped seeing Johnny go pale.

Roy was by Johnny's side in seconds and sat on the arm rest and placed an arm around him. It meant that the letter Johnny had with him was his last and probably sent just prior to his death. "No, we were not notified. What happed, if you don't mind?"

"Gentlemen," Williams said seriously, "You are both aware that Colonel Argentine was a notorious criminal in Mexico, wanted for pirating and marketeering…right," he asked, since he got the story of these two men and their 'adventures' with the Colonel off the cuff. Seeing the two men hesitate, "Look, so you know, I'm here only as an overseer…technically I'm off duty. But when the CIA heard that he left something for Gage here…I thought it best I accompany Mr. Castilla, okay."

"We knew about the pirating since he kidnapped us at first from a fishing vessel, but he then saved us in a market from…the men on the plane," Johnny volunteered, looking highly upset. "He became a friend and made us go down below so we were never directly involved in his activities, nor told us about them; though we did heal a few wounds if needed." Johnny took a shuddered breath and glared up at Williams, "He saved me more than once, he may have been a criminal but he was also a good man!"

Williams thought it best to not comment on the matter and looked at Castilla to do his job. The older man came forward and placed a large black brief case on the table and opened it and pulled out what looked like a large metal military green holding box and placed it in front of Johnny. "The contents of this box and this letter were to be delivered to you personally upon his death. You were named among his beneficiaries when we met almost three months ago."

Johnny blinked back some tears and took a deep breath to fight for control. "I didn't know he did that," Johnny muttered, looking at Roy, then Williams. He reached forward and slowly undid the metal hook clasps and opened the box and gasped. Inside filling the box were small gold ingots. He let the lid fall open as his jaw hit the ground.

The only sound that filled the air at that moment was a whistle from Williams. Then slowly Johnny opened the letter addressed to him:

{My Dear John,

I am sure you are wondering why I have left you this gold, much less left you a thing from my estate. The answer is simple, you are the closest I have to a son and in the time I have been blessed to know you, I came to realize it was a gift from above as I lost my own son a long time ago. So you know, all of the gold is legal, my representative has all the papers. I would not drag you into my dirty affairs.

I was very proud to know you and your friend Roy. If you decide to share this with him I would approve. You also taught me a few lessons on making a difference as you did with just being you. So, with the rest of my estate I'm going to see over a few changes in my home village. Perhaps you will make a difference in your home as well, from what I recall your people suffer much like my own.

I have never been a man of many words, so I will not start now. I came to love you as a son and wish to look after you as one. Use this in good health.

Colonel Carlos Juan Javier Argentine.}

Johnny blinked a few more times, but a stray tear or two fell down his cheek anyway. He wiped his cheek and handed the letter to Roy as he looked at Castilla, "He said it was legal?"

"Yes, I have the papers here," Rello replied and pulled them out, handing them to Agent Williams first, since he knew that was really why he was here. "They are all in order and a separate sum has been placed aside to cover any an all taxes your government will insist upon," he smiled knowingly at the Agent.

"That's IRS, I'm CIA," Williams smirked, and then handed the papers back over to Rello who gave them to Johnny.

"Just how much is this worth," Roy asked, his jaw slipping a bit too.

"At current Market values, it is worth 300,000 of your American dollars. Though I am no financial advisor, I would not convert it all to cash, but keep some for…how do you put it…ah, a rainy day," he smiled.

"You never said what happened," Johnny asked, shifting back in his seat, soaking up all the heat Roy's body had to offer, wishing he could jump into his lap.

"From what we can gather, Argentine was involved with taking out the son of a major mobster, David Thornton…" Williams noticed how Roy and Johnny's eyes dilated; they knew the name, which was interesting. "Apparently Thornton didn't like it and hit back. That's all we know off hand. You…wouldn't happen to know any more…do you," he asked, seeing if he could get some cooperation from these two men.

Johnny and Roy shared a look, which said 'up to you, to Johnny'. Johnny sighed, "The Colonel wrote me recently saying that I no longer had to worry about the men from the plane, which would confirm you theory."

"I know this is a long shot, but do you know what happened to the money and the diamonds?"

"Not really," Johnny partially lied. He guessed some was use buy buy him from Chavez, but he didn't want to open that can a worms again. He was lucky that Brandon had been able to help at that point with the FBI; he didn't need problems with the CIA.

Williams sighed, "Well, if you do have any information, I'd appreciate it. If there is nothing more," he looked at Castilla.

"I just have some papers for you to sign, for it was Colonel Argentine's wish that all be legal," he smiled and handed over some papers and his best pen.

Johnny slowly took the pen, "I guess the funeral was held already," he asked softly.

"Ah…yes," Castilla replied, not seeing any point to inform Johnny that what was left was taken by the Mexican Government and they didn't exactly give decent burials to criminals. "However, you might be pleased to note, that the Village of Illanada will be receiving running water and a new school," he smiled tenderly, offering something to the young man.

"Is it going to be named after him," he asked, while signing the papers.

"I do not see why not," Rello replied, though anything was possible if the Mexican Government decided to pay attention to this new school, and decide to take offense.

Johnny nodded his understanding and handed over the papers and took his copies. He was also given a folder, "What's this for?"

"Some financial advice I researched for you so you have some idea how to handle you inherita" C" Castillo replied and gathered his things to go.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Williams replied and again noticed the grief and was surprised by it. "I'm also sorry about your loss," he added sincerely.

"Thank you," Roy nodded and got up long enough to see the men to the door.

"Agent Williams," Johnny suddenly called out, stopping the agent in his tracks. "It might interest you to know, the village of Madre de Alegría, is going to be rebuilt and is going to be the location of a new medical clinic."

Roy smiled at the news, but saw the Agent didn't get it. "That's good to hear," the agent muttered and bid them good day as did Castillo, who left Roy his card, just in case they had any questions.

"I don't think he cared," Roy said as he moved to join Johnny on the sofa and hugged his lover who was still trying to hold in his grief.

"I just thought he might want to know what happened to the diamonds," Johnny chuckled for a few moments than sobbed his grief. It was good to know the tiny village where the family was terrorized and he…changed, would be restored. Also the surviving members of the family would be cared for as well; this did his heart good, as the grief of loss broke it.

//Well what do you know,// Roy thought, as he hugged his lover and allowed him time to grieve the loss of a man that had come to be like a surrogate father to Johnny. He sat there and held his lover who after ten minutes simply sat still is ars arms lost in his thoughts.

"Johnny, are you okay?"

"Not really," Johnny replied softly and hugged Roy tighter.

"What are you thinking," Roy asked wanting to know what his lover was going through.

"Shooting the Thornton’s…but I won't. There has been enough bloodshed, it's time to stop; time to bring this to an end and as you said, make new beginnings."

"Do you know how you going to do that?"

"I'm getting rid of this," Johnny growled and got up and pulled the key from his neck and walked over to the garbage disposal. "I know I said it was the key to your heart, but I know you know better…right?" He didn't want Roy to take offense.

"Right, you had me the moment you entered my office and smiled at me," he grinned, his eyes shining the truth of those words.

"I love you, Roy DeSoto," he declared and dropped the foul thing down the gar dis disposal and turned on the water and the unit and let it run for a few good minutes taking pleasure in the sound of crushing metal. They might have to buy a new one, but at the moment it was worth it. Then he washed his hands and turned it off and rejoined Roy on the sofa, cuddling on his lap.

"That's a good first step, now what?"

"I don't know," Johnny sighed softly. "I had some thoughts and some ideas…"

Roy saw the lacking confidence sneaking in cuppcupped his lover's chin, "Johnny, for one, your not going this alone. Two, whatever you decide to do, I'm behind you one hundred percent and three…" he kissed his love soundly, "We can afford it," he laughed.

"Yeah I guess we can. That also means you'll be able to get visitation rights, as Jo was holding out for more money."

Roy had a mixed smile, as he wanted to see his children desperately but knew that Chris was still angry with him. "I hate playing her game, but…I'd like that, thank you," he kissed his lover again.

"Anything for you, Roy," he vowed in a breathy kiss.

"So…tell me about these thoughts and dreams..."

****************
-Five years later-

Kelly Brackett stretched as he walked out of his office. He wasn't particularly looking forward to today, but it came every year and today was it for this year. He fixed his white jacket over his clothes as he walked up to the Emergency room’s top head nurse, Dixie McCall who automatically handed him a hot cup of coffee and joined him moving down the hall. "Any worth our time," he asked, sipping his morning blood, for he didn't feel 'alive' until he had two large cups going in his system.

Dixie gave him a large smirk, "Oh, I'd say at least one."

This caught Brackett's attention, "Really?" Most of the time Dixie held the same opinion as he; too rough, too raw, send them back, "Well, lets go see if you’re right."

"This way, Doctor," she said and lead him around the corner where a large group of young men and woman, about eight stood grouped about and huddled, some using the back to hide from the infamous 'Kelly Brackett', not only superb doctor for emergency medicine but known antagonist to new interns. "Ladies, gentlemen, I'm Doctor Brackett…save the chatter," he cut in firmly, not going to waste time with greetings. "Let me start with, you may hold the title doctor as far as the patients you will see are concerned, but you are an intern until you prove to me differently. Now," he said, taking the clipboard Dixie was holding. "Okay, let's see. Angora, why are you in my ER?"

A young, dusty toned woman her her late twenties stepped forward nervously. "Cardiac care," she muttered.

"Hmm, after the cash, I see. Danton, why are you in my ER," he growled out.

A tall black fellow, about six foot five stepped forward, "Orthopedics…"

Brackett cut him off, "Hmm," was all he said, and looked at the list. "Gage…' he paused at the name, then looked up and was surprised to see John Gage step forward. He had not seen the young man in years, since his resignation from the Fire department. Johnny didn't mention he was going into medicine. "Well…" he almost smiled, but it was not part of the opening number his interns had come to expect. He cleared his throat, "Mr. Gage, what brings 'you' to my ER?"

Johnny was very nervous, but he wanted to learn from the best and knew this was the place to be. Only Roy and a handful of others knew of his plans and supported him, while everyone thought he was just 'bumming' around. He had just not been sure he'd make it this far and was pinching himself that this was real. "General practitioner and Emergency medicine," he stated as confidently as possible.

Brackett folded his bottom lip over his top, so not to look impressed. "Quiet a combination, you mind if I ask why?"

Johnny felt on the spot, for knew Brackett would not show him any favoritism, nor did he expect any. "When I'm done my internship, I and…my family," he gave a small grin as by now they knew he and Roy were together, "are moving back to my home…in South Dakota. The reservations have few doctors and those trained in emergency care are even less; seeing I might at times be the only doctor, it makes sense that I'm skilled to handle as much as I can."

Brackett nodded, personally pleased with Johnny's answer. He was about to continue when the call came over the radio at the base station.

"Rampart, this is squad 51." From the voice Brackett could tell it was Roy.

He saw Dixie about to answer it, but put a hand on her arm. He had no problems putting interns on the spot and this was the prefect opportunity to do just that. "Mr. Gage, why don't you get that," he suggested, knowing he would be there to back him up if needed.

"Rampart, this is squad 51," Roy called again.

Johnny took a few hesitant steps forward, seeing if Brackett was serious; seeing he was he hit the call button; he was familiar with this equipment. "Go ahead, 51," he replied as calmly as he could. There was silence and he knew Roy was just as surprised to be hearing his voice as he was being here. "Go ahead, 51," he stated again.

"Rampart, we have a female, 32, complaining of chest pains, vitals are as follows…" Roy replied.

Brackett listened in carefully as Johnny asked the right questions and gave the correct orders in conjunction to having read the EKG. He could see the awe in the eyes of the other interns as well. Gage however had an edge having been in emergency medicine before, but now he was the doctor giving the orders, which was a whole new ball game, and like the first time he had seen the young man in practice, saving Dixie's life, he performed excellently.

"Once you finish with the drip, transport immediately, Rampart out," he replied and turned to see the glow in Dixie's eyes and even if Brackett was trying to look unimpressed, the twinkle in his eyes said differently. He had done well.

"Hey, Johnny, what are you doing here," Joe Early asked as he walked up to the base station desk with Morton behind him.

"That's Doctor Gage to you gentlemen," Brackett smirked like a proud father, and clasped Johnny on the shoulder and guided him along with the other interns to begin their first day in his ER.

"Did he say doctor," Morton asked surprised.

"Yep, he's been going to UCLA medical and he's serving his internship here," Dixie answered for them.

"You seem awfully informed," Joe noted.

Dixie smiled, "someone had to help him study," she laughed, and then got serious. "After the incident, he figured being a paramedic wasn't enough anymore, and so decided to become a doctor. He said his father left him and Roy some money and its help put him through medical school."

"It takes about seven years…" Mike Morton commented.

"Johnny had lots of college courses already and with his medical background as a paramedic it helped him advance and challenge some of the first year classes."

"Impressive," Joe nodded with a smile.

any any good," Mike asked, having had his issues with Gage.

"Let me put it this way," Dixie smirked, "be glad he's not applying to work here, you'd be looking for work," then left the two men alone so she could attend her duties.

"I think we were just insulted," Mike stared at Dixie's back.

"I don't think, I know we were," Joe laughed.

******************

"SURPRISE!"

Johnny jumped at the sound as he walked in his front door to the house he and Roy shared for the past five years, seeing all his friends from the department, school and Rampart, along with Jenny and Chris, who were staying with them as Joann was on her honeymoon in France. "What's this," he asked, for it was not his birthday.

"We're celebrating your first day as a doctor," Roy smiled proudly as he walked up to his lover and kissed him on the cheek, both men preferring to keep things semi-low key in front of others.

"Roy, I'm still just an intern…"

"I beg to differ, Doctor Gage," Brackett stated firmly. "And we both know its bad policy to argue with you boss," he smiled.

"Hell of a first day," Joe Early said as he shook Johnny's hand, having witnessed how Brackett kept tossing Johnny to the wolves as it were, and Johnny beat them all back with his usual charm, grace and intelligence. He was going to make a hell of a doctor.

"I tell you, I was stunned to hear you on the other side of the biophone," Roy laughed. "Chet couldn't believe it either."

"Hey, can you blame me. You don’t tell anyone he's studying to be a doctor just that he's going to school and then come back to the station bragging…" he shrugged.

"Hey, Johnny, what made you want to become a doctor," Marco asked, another person left out of the loop.

"Well…" he looked at Roy who nodded. “When I was down in Mexico, I saw a lot of people hurt, some died, and some almost died, due to lack of medical care. I was also reminded of the level of care I had growing up and…" his eyes went distant, "Lets just say my father reminded me that I had what it took to try and make a difference."

"I'm surprised you didn't take surgeon after helping that little girl," Mike commented, stealing a sip from his lover of four years, Brandon Chaney's drink.

"As a general practitioner and Emergency medical specialist, he'll have that covered," Brackett explained. "It's an ambitious combination, but if I've learned anything about you over the years, Gage, you can do anything you put your mind too."

The laughs spurred on war stories of Johnny's early adventures and how his stubbornness paid off for himself and those around him. The fact that they would be moving in a year or two was not mentioned, as this was a moment of joy. After several hours the party started winding down and people started going home. Hank, new battalion Chief had an early morning, as did Captain Mike Stoker and his life partner and infamous lawyer, Brandon Cheney, who was also the CEO of the Argentine Foundation; a nonprofit organization that provided medical services, such as clinics and funding for health professionals in rural and low income communities, such as Migrant Farm workers and Reservations. It also had several subsidiaries giving it the flexibility to provide other needed medical care.

Dixie and Brackett left together, followed by Marco and his wife Alicia, who was expecting their first baby in six months. Engineer Chester B Kelly pulled a joy buzzer on his new favorite doctor and pigeon, before escorting his flavor of the month, Cherry home.

The friends from school bid their good byes as Roy over saw the kids to bed, even if Chris was a teenager he still dawdled. Johnny bid them all good night and turned to see Mike Morton was going to be the last to leave and held his breath not sure what the man would say; he always looked serious. He was even surprised to see him here.

"You did well today, Gage," he stated honestly.

"Ah….thanks," Johnny blushed, from Morton that meant a lot, the man hated to give compliments. Then he noticed a smirk cross his normal serious face. "What?"

"Oh, I was just thinking, how I want a front row seat when you have to deal with someone…just…" he gently pointed at Johnny, "…like you." The then laughed hard as he left.

Johnny closed and locked the door and leaned on it, "Huh," he wondered, for he didn't understand what Morton was referring to. He shook his head to forget it and went to bid the kids good night.

Once that was done, he and Roy retired to their hot tub located on the balcony off their bedroom. Once both men were settled in, Johnny snuggled up to his lover. "Thank you," he kissed his lover tenderly. "I didn't expect that."

Roy gave his lover another kiss, "I wish I could take the credit for it, it was Kel and Dixie's idea, I just went along with it," he smiled warmly. "You did good today, Junior, you just remember that."

"I will," Johnny promised and laid his head on Roy's shoulder and both men were silent for a long while. "You do know what today is…right?"

"Like you, I'll never forget it. It's the day we got the call that changed our lives forever," Roy whispered in his love's hair, caressing his smooth silky skin.

"There are moments…" Johnny sighed, "That it feels like it was only yesterday and others…"

"Like it never happened," Roy finished for his love, for he understood all too well having felt that way himself. "Perhaps when we move to South Dakota it won't feel so bad," he offered.

"Perhaps," Johnny replied without any conviction.

"I see you never mentioned that the clinic you're going to be working in will be sponsored by the Argentine Foundation," Roy smirked, knowing Johnny was super modest when it came to the 'big' things. In fact, outside Mike and Brandon and a handful of others that ran the Foundation for Johnny, no one knew he was involved with it, much less the heart of its creation and advancement. What started as a 100,000 dollar investment was now a multi-million dollar 'non-profit' organization that was making big changes here in California, Washington, Oregon, North and South Dakota, Arizona, and New Mexico.

"They'll find out soon enough, not that they know who Argentine is and my association with the Foundation," Johnny yawned. "Besides, Brandon and Lyle did most of the work."

"You've worked your ass off these past five years, John Gage, it's okay to take a moment to recognize it," Roy scolded lightly. "There wouldn't even 'be' an Argentine Foundation if not for you winning over Brandon's help and the others. It's 'your' dream that made it possible, and now there are several dozen communities with proper medical care that before had little to none."

"But will it be enough," his lover asked in that timid tone that snuck up on him from time to time; a residual from the incident. Johnny still had trouble at times dealing with the lives he took, thus pushing him to try and save more.

"I think so," Roy replied honestly. "Oh, Brice called, said he thought you'd like an update on the Thornton trial."

Johnny laughed, "Craig Brice…FBI, now whoever thought that would happen." He then sighed, "So, what did he have to say?"

"He said, and I quote, 'Those scumbags won't be seeing the light of day, for the next thirty years, as they were denied probation as an option, time has to be fully served’," Roy laughed.

"Brice is hanging around Keller too much," he smiled lightly, and then hugged his lover tightly. "I'm glad they're getting what they deserve," he yawned again.

"Come on, lets get you to bed, Mister," Roy commanded lovingly.

"That's Doctor to you," Johnny teased, and then kissed his lover, and began to slowly make love to the man who would share the rest of his days and understood who he was and loved him just the same. Tonight would be filled with life and love, to stay the overshadowing events of the call that in many ways never ended…it just kept them moving forward one day at a time.

THE END

(A special thank you to Kris W. for her wonderfully volunteering to beta this, as it was a monumental task.)