Chapter Text
"Hey, Cap? Can I ask a favor?" John Gage stuck his head in his boss' office doorway.
"Depends on what it is, John," Captain Hank Stanley replied, too acquainted with his paramedic to agree without first hearing what the favor would be.
Johnny grinned. "Nothing big. I've got to drop off the Rover for some engine work and I need a ride home. Roy and Chet have plans; Marco and Mike live across town from me. You have to go right by my apartment on your way home so I thought you might help me out. I’d really appreciate it.”
“No problem, John. I’ll be glad to do it. How are you going to pick your car up when they’re done with it?”
“Charlene’s going to take me there.” At his captain’s puzzled look, Johnny explained. “She’s one of the stewardesses who live on the first floor of my complex.”
Stanley nodded. “Fine. We’ll leave in,” he consulted his watch, “fifteen more minutes if that’s alright with you.”
“Sure, Cap. Thanks a lot.”
The older man shook his head in fond amusement. John Gage was a constant wonder to Stanley, a brilliant firefighter and paramedic who was amazingly forgiving of others, rarely holding a grudge more than fifteen minutes. This tolerance kept fellow firefighter Chet Kelly alive after stunts that even Stanley would have felt needed retaliation. One joke in particular had left John with no choice but to get the haircut their Chief had long desired. Hank Stanley would never tell the young paramedic that he now looked barely eighteen, but every time he saw John, Stanley had to hide a smile.