This story is inspired by episodes 'Fools' and 'The Promotion'.

John Gage waited patiently in Dr Brackett's office for his meeting. He was extremely nervous but excited at the same time. It had taken some time, two months in fact, for him to finally make up his mind and go for it.

Dr Brackett entered the office and smiled at his Paramedic; he couldn't help but notice the anxious posture and the nervous tapping of the Paramedics fingers. "Well Johnny for what do I owe this pleasure" he smiled as he took his seat behind his desk.

John sighed and sat up straighter, "Doc I've been thinking about this for a while and I've finally made up my mind." He smiled at the Doc.

Brackett looked seriously at his Paramedic "Made up your mind about what?"

"Oh...yeah..." John cleared his throat and self consciously smiled "Well..." he took a deep breath "Here's the thing Doc, I've been attending night school for some time now and I got my Bachelor's Degree earlier this year. Now, I know this is a long shot, but I want to go for it. I want to study to become a doctor and specialise in emergency medicine."

Brackett was surprised "Well this comes as a total surprise, but a good surprise" He got up and came round his desk and sat in front of John on the edge of his desk. "I think you'd make an excellent doctor Johnny. How do you want me to help?"

John smiled and let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. "I'd like to apply for the Maddison Scholarship for starters. I'll have to leave the fire department and get a part-time job. Dixie suggested lecturing for the new Paramedics or Doctor's aide position".

"Oh, and just which doctor did she have in mind?" asked Brackett sternly but spoiling the affect by smiling.

"Arh...you Doc or Dr Early..." John smiled sheepishly at his boss, but who was also his friend.

"Well, let me look into the scholarship and then I'll speak to Joe and we'll look into the position of a doctor's aide. Just one thing, have you spoken to Roy about this?"

"No" John shook his head "I wanted to sound you out first. Roy passed his engineer's exam so he'll probably be moving on. He won't have to worry about leaving me behind, so it should help him make the decision best for him and his family."

"Ok, I'll start the ball rolling from this end." Brackett shook John's hand and felt like a proud father.

"I really appreciate this Doc, and I won't let you down, if everything goes ahead." He left with a spring in his step. Dixie was waiting for him down the hall.

"Well?" She stood with her arms crossed.

"He's going to get the scholarship information together for me and he's going to look into the position of doctor's aide down here in ER." John smiled and took a deep breath. "Thanks Dix for giving me the nudge I needed to make the move" John kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm here to please and push when needed" she said smiling.

"See ya Dix" John waved and walked to his car. Next stop was his partner's home.

Johnny stopped on the way to purchase a six- pack. He knocked on the door. "Johnny" Roy answered the door and was surprised to see his partner.

"Hey Roy I'd like to have a word, if that's ok." He held up the six- pack "I brought beer" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Must be serious, here give me that. I'll put it in the fridge." Jo and the kids are out so we have the house to ourselves. Let's sit out on the deck." Roy waved his hand to the sliding doors that led out to the deck.

John rubbed his hands on his jeans as he sat down. "Yard looks good" he casually commented.

"Yeah, I finished it this morning" Roy looked over to his partner "So...what is it you want to talk about."

"I've been thinking for a couple of months now..." John turned and looked seriously at his partner and best friend. He sighed "Roy I've decided to apply, to study, to become a doctor."

Roy raised his eyebrows and blew out a breath; "Wow" was all he could say. "I have to say I didn't see that coming."

John tried to explain "Well...you know that I started my degree back when I was in Rescue, well, it was always going to be a step to a career...and...After being a Paramedic I've decided I want to take that further and become a doctor" shrugged John.

"I think its great Johnny. You'd make a great doctor, but won't you have to leave the fire department?" Roy asked.

"Yeah, but I've talked to Brackett about it, I'm going to apply for the Maddison Scholarship and, Dixie put me onto this one, I'm going to try to get a job as a doctor's aid at Rampart, hopefully in the ER. I want to specialise in emergency medicine."

"Wow, you've really thought this through" Roy took a sip of his beer. "Well, I might as well tell you my news, I've decided to take the engineers position when it's offered."

"Good for you Roy. You know you could probably work OT as a Paramedic to keep up your certification."

"Yeah, I've thought about that. I'm pretty sure that's what I'll do." A weight had been lifted from Roy's shoulders. He was worried how his news would affect his partner.

They sat in companionable silence. John sat and contemplated the hard work he would be enduring over the next four years. Roy sat and wondered where he would be stationed.

John broke the silence "You know what we have to do next don't ya?"

"Yeah" sighed Roy "Tell the Cap"