| The Conclusion Previously: Roy and Johnny get out of the hospital. Authors Notes: None *********** "Welcome to the annual Fireman�s Banquet. This year we are honored that so many people were able to attend. I think this is the largest attendance I�ve see everyone is here. As you may know some of you who don't know this but banquet is to say thank you for the great jobs you done. You risk your lives everyday for people you don't know, this banquet is to say thank you for the great jobs you done. We also do special awards for those who go above and beyond the call of duty or just to say great job and recognize special achievements. This year we have several awards and some promotions are on our agenda. So everyone enjoy your dinner being served and we'll get started with the program shortly." said Chief Mcconnike. He then left the stage and walked over to Roy and shook his hand. "Desoto great to see you, when did they release you from the hospital?" he asked. "Today, thanks for the card and flowers." said Roy. "Hey my pleasure. Sorry I couldn't get up to see you, but you know how busy they keep us chief." he laughed. "Gage!" he shook Johnny�s hand. "You ready to return to work yet? It sure has been quiett over at the station without you there." he smiled. "I'm almost there chief another week and I should be ready for duty." said Johnny. "Great great, well enjoy your meal." said the chief and he walked away with a nodding to the rest of the people at the table. "He sent you a card and flowers?" asked Cap. "Yep big bundle." said Roy. "WOW I have known McConnike for years and I never known him to send flowers to anyone." said Cap. "It's ok Cap next time your sick we'll send you flowers." laughed Chet. " Shut up you twit!" said Cap. They all finished eating and shortly after that Chief McConnike returned to the stage. Everyone got quiet. "Ok first off welcome all and a special welcome to Paramedic/Fireman Roy Desoto who as many of you know was in a major accident and was hospitalized for weeks and was released today from Rampart Hospital. Welcome back Desoto. I would like to add that Paramedic / fireman John Gage was in that accident also and is also able to be with us tonight Welcome John Gage." said Chief Mcconnike. Everyone clapped. Roy could feel his cheeks burning. "Ok 1st off on our agenda we'd like to recognize the Paramedic program and all the paramedics who's jobs make a different between life and death for all." He then read a list of Paramedics who served in the LA department. For the rest of the hour they listoned and watched films and people talked about how fireman saved there lives and they laughed at sick jokes. Roy was beginning to tire. Johnny could see it. He leaned over and said softly. "Roy are you ok?" he asked Softly. "Yeah, just getting a little tired that's all." he said . "You want us to take you home?" asked Johnny. "No no I'm ok I want to stay, I'll be alright" he said. "You sure, remember don't over do it or you'll end up back at Rampart with a very unhappy Doctor Brackett." said Johnny. "I'm ok I swear if I get worse I'll let you know." Roy smiled. Johnny grinned back and sat back and Roy added. "Thanks" Johnny grinned and nodded. "Everything ok?" asked Captain Stanley. "Yeah, he's getting tired but won't go home." said Johnny. "Keep an eye on him." said Cap. "I will" said Johnny. "OK now I have a few awards to give out then we can all go home or work or just hang around here all night." laughed the chief. "Ok first award is a promotion. This award was submitted by a Captain and with his evaluations and yearly exams. I am proud to promote Engineer. Mike Stoke to Engineer specialist 1st grade!" said Mcconnike. Mike Stoker sat with his mouth open and his eye wide with shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Everyone was clapping "Way to go Stoker!" yelled everyone at 51's table as they stood and clapped. Roy with a little bit of help from Johnny also stood up. Mike Stoker stood up and walked up onto the stage he meet Chief McConnike. The Chief handed Mike his new bars and said "Congratulation son" he shook Mikes hand. "Thank you sir." said Mike. Mike returned to his seat. He kissed his wife and shook hands with the others. "Congratulations Mike" said Roy shaken hands with Mike. "thanks Roy I'm just glad you were here to share this night. It wouldn't have been right if you weren't here." smiled Mike. He then shook hands with Cap. "You deserve it Mike congrads." said Cap. "Thanks," said Mike. "OK now we have a new award to give out. We the Battalion chiefs and higher up brass did some checking for the past year since our last banquet and we totaled all the runs from each station and figured the percentage rate of property saved / lives saved and we come up with the station of the year award. This award will go to the station who's got the highest stats and who's attendance is great. Since our job is very dangerous we didn't count work loss due to injuries. This years award goes to Station ...... 51 98% rate." said Chief McConnike Everyone clapped and the table congratulated each other. "Captain Stanley." said Chief. Captain Stanley went up to the podum and took the wooden plague and held it for all to see. he shook hands with Chief McConnike. "On behalf of Station 51 thank you." Cap said and then join his crew back at the table. They passed the plague around. After a couple of minutes McConnike said "Alright we have one more award. This award is the Medal of Honor Above and Beyond the call of duty. This award is seldom given out. Unless a fireman has gone above the limits of his job. This year several events happen. 1st this fireman and fellow fireman were in a wreck in the mist of a brush fire. This fireman�s partner was seriously hurt with no way of getting him out safely. (Johnny�s mouth dropped) John Gage not only was he injured himself, but surrounded by fire. His partner suffering from a severe head injury and internal bleeding. he single handedly got his partner on the back of the squad out of the fires reach and got him the help he needed. "John Rodrick Gage is a true hero. Mr. DeSoto are you able to join me on the stage?" asked Chief McConnike. Roy nodded and started to get up. Cap and Mike were quickly beside him helping him stand. They helped him steady himself going up the steps. "Many of you know from earlier statements that Roy was just released from the hospital this morning. He's recovering nicely but he still doesn't have much strength but instead of going home and his first night he insisted that he be here tonight to see his friend get this award. As, I was saying also Roy doesn't have much strength so bear with us for a few minutes. " said the Chief. Roy, Cap and Mike arrived at the podum "Desoto?" he shook his head. "I�m ok, thanks." said Roy. Cap and Mike stood back from Roy but stay put in case they needed him. Roy, stood at the podum and said "I just wanted to say thank you Johnny for giving me my life. For a while out there that day I figured I'd never see my wife or my children again. I asked to see Captain Stanley and the Chief and I asked them to give you an award for what you did. We came up with only one award that is fit for what you did. You truly went above and beyond the call of duty that day. I thank you John Gage Medial of Honor winner." said Roy pointing. Everyone stood and clapped for Johnny. Johnny stood up and walked up the steps to the stage, to join his friends. He walked to Roy who handed him his award and Johnny hugged him. "Thanks Jr." said Roy so only Johnny could hear it. Johnny laughed and shook hands with his Captain and Mike and then McConnike. Roy stepped off to the side. "Cap I gotta sit." said Roy. He was excused and walking up had done him in. "Come on Roy." said Cap. Roy's legs were giving out on him and he almost fell and a few people gasped. "I'm ok!: he said looking at Johnny "I'm just tired. Go on" he said as Cap and Mike helped him down the steps to his chair. Johnny watched him. "umm, he's ok he's still pretty weak and it's been along day. He should of let me take him home earlier instead of pulling this stunt." said Johnny. Everyone laughed. "Seriously Roy you yourself have saved my butt endless times. I was doing what you would of done for me. Your my partner, my best friend. I also for a minute on that day I thought I was going lose my best friend. I'm just glad we have the equipment and training we have now cause if this had happen before the paramedics." Johnny paused. "I thank you all so much, I was truly surprised I had no idea. Thank you." said Johnny and he walked away from the mic. Everyone stood and clapped. Johnny walked back to his seat and sat down. "I'll get even with you for this." said Johnny to Roy. Everyone laughed. "Thanks for coming and enjoy the rest of the night." said Chief. Everyone went on talking and people congratulated Johnny and Mike and the station on there awards. Joann stood up and said, I think I need to get someone home and in bed." she smiled. Roy nodded "I'm beat" he said "Come on Engineer. Specialist first grade." said Cap. "Night all." said Roy. "Take care Roy come back to work soon." said Chet who was very quiet and behaving himself that night. "I will" smiled Roy. "I'm going stay a while longer, Chet�s going give me a lift home." said Johnny. Joanne hugged Johnny and Chet and Marco and thanked them all for being there help. "See ya later Pally" said Johnny. "See ya Jr." laughed Roy. Joanne walked with her husband. She was glad to have Roy home again. In a few weeks he'll return to work and life will be normal again. THE END |