DISCLAIMER: I own Julianna. Everything else is owned by Mark VII and NBC Universal.
This is part 2 of Dealing with the Past. (I know Gil didn't appear until the fourth season, but for my story, can we pretend he was there from the start? Pretty please?) When we left our fearless firemen and favorite paramedics, Julianna and Johnny had 'finally' kissed, but Julianna fled, leaving Johnny wondering what in the world happened. Now, they must deal with their re-emerging feelings and their present circumstances. Will they find their way back to each other while dealing with the death of Johnny's friend, Drew; Johnny's run-in with the rattlesnake and the apparent affections of another young intern on the Rampart staff. Will love be enough?
Julianna arrived back at her house, her cheeks still flaming from the encounter with Johnny. Not just the kiss, but what she'd said afterward. Was love enough? Could they forget the past and have a future together?
She unlocked the door and tossed her stuff on the coffee table. Without bothering to pick up her shoes, she tossed them on the floor and fled to her bedroom. She sat on the bed and looked at the picture on her cork board. She saw the photo of her and Johnny from the street fair. The warmth that flowed through her at the sight of the picture and the memories it conjured were enough to cause her to start crying again. She knew she loved Johnny and she knew he loved her, but she wasn't sure they could get past the baggage from the past.
For the first time since she had left LA after high school, Julianna wished she'd asked Johnny what happened. Wished she'd asked how he felt about her college plans. Would things be different? Would they be happily married now? Would they have broken up? Would they have crossed paths again? Would she have lost their child?
All the 'what if's' and 'would have's' couldn't change the past. But maybe, dealing with it, they could have a chance at a future.
Johnny walked back into the station, turning into the dorm. He sat on his bunk, completely confused at what just happened.
He didn't hear Roy open the door, but felt his friend sit down on the bed.
"I kissed her," Johnny said.
"Yeah. We...um...all kind of saw that. Did you tell her," Roy asked.
"Yeah. And she admitted the same thing to me. She still loves me," Johnny said. He looked at his friend for the first time since he entered the room and added, "But she doesn't think that's enough."
Roy didn't know how to respond to his friend. He also didn't know how to tell him that the rest of their crew mates were in the day room, wondering about what had happened between Julianna and Johnny.
"I guess everyone knows about me and Juli now, don't they," Johnny asked.
"Kind of hard not to know. Are you OK," Roy asked.
"I don't know, Roy. I just don't know," Johnny said.
Roy didn't know how to comfort his friend. He'd never been in a situation like this before. Johnny's been rejected and dumped by women, but Julianna was something different to him and Roy saw that. Roy didn't know what to do or even if he could do anything to help his friend.
Roy had gone to talk with Johnny, leaving Mike in the day room with six pairs of eyes gaping at him. Mike couldn't believe his sister and Johnny had revealed their secret in such a spectacular manner.
Chet was the first to speak. "Johnny dated your sister," he asked.
Mike nodded.
"You never knew that," Cap asked.
Mike took a deep breath. "I didn't know Johnny was the guy Julianna dated in high school. I was there when she had the miscarriage, but I never knew it was Johnny until her first day here. And before you ask, Chet, I didn't think it was my business to say anything to anyone. Juli was having a tough enough time with everyone finding out she was my sister," Mike said.
"You have to admit, though, that explains an awful lot," Marco said.
"Yeah. Now, what do you think that kiss meant," Chet asked.
Mike shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I know my sister is still in love with Johnny. That's why she's always picking at him. And he's been trying to give her advice on guys she should date and I don't think it's because he's concerned. He still cares about her. I don't know what any of this means and none of you are going to ask either one about it," Mike said.
"Leave it alone, Chet," Cap said.
"I wasn't..." Chet started.
"But you were thinking," Marco answered for the Cap.
Mike left the room and went to the dorm. He saw Roy and Johnny sitting on Johnny's bed.
"Johnny," he called.
"Yeah, Mike," Johnny answered.
Roy got off the bed and walked passed Mike. Mike stood at the foot of the bed.
"I'm sorry, Mike," Johnny said.
"I know. Juli can get a little heated sometimes," Mike said.
"You don't have to tell me. We had a couple fights like that back in high school. Although she never drove away like that. I'm just sorry we had that argument in front of everyone," Johnny said.
"That'll pass. What I want to know is, what happened," Mike said.
"I honestly don't know, Mike. I love your sister. She said she loves me, but she doesn't think it's enough," Johnny said.
Without waiting for a reply from Mike, Johnny headed out to check the squad. He needed to be away from everyone. He was never hoping for a call so badly in his life.