Johnny was well into his fourth year of medical school. He was studying for midyear exams. Roy had joined him out on Roy's deck to study for the upcoming Captain's exams. Johnny lent back in his chair and let out a long breath "You know Roy, four years ago I would never have imagined we would be sitting here studying for, "he places his right hand on his chest "me to be a doctor" he then points his hand to his best friend "and you to be a Captain".
"We've come a long way Johnny from those days riding in the squad with a nurse." He smiled reminiscing "You know something else" he looked at Johnny expectantly "I have no regrets. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing" he lent back and smiled.
"Yeah me neither." Johnny chuckled to himself. "You know when I first told the guys I was going to study to become a doctor, and Chet said that he wanted free consultations."
"How could I ever forget" Roy shook his head.
"Well, two nights ago I get this phone call, and guess who it was from? Chet" Johnny sighed "Johnny, I'm not feeling well. So I tell him to go see a doctor. And you know what he said?"
"What?" asked Roy, already knowing the answer.
"You're the doctor, come over and do some doctoring" said Johnny imitating Chet's voice. "So I go over there. And you know what's wrong with him?" Roy shook his head. "A cold. Plain and simple, a cold."
"Look at it this way...you got to catch up with Chet."
"Rooy, I catch up with Chet twice a week when we go for a run." Johnny replied clearly annoyed. "You know what else he said?" Johnny didn't wait for Roy to reply. "He said I needed to improve my bedside manner."
Roy chuckled to himself, here was his friend about to graduate to become a doctor and he had not changed one bit. Johnny would always be Johnny he thought, smiling to himself.
Johnny passed his midterms and his finals, finishing in the top five of his final year. Dr Brackett, Dixie, Dr Early, Roy and Joanne, Captain Stanley and Chet all came to his graduation.
Dr Brackett couldn't help himself, "Well Dr Gage, how does it feel?"
"It feels good Doc" he smiled at his friends. "I really want to thank you all for the support, encouragement, and help, and, for just being there for me. I really couldn't have done it without you guys." Johnny looked up and smiled at all his friends.
"You know Gage, now that you're a doctor; we figure you can afford to buy us dinner. It's the least you could do" announced Chet.
Everyone shook their heads and chuckled; trust Chet to lighten the mood. "Oh I don't know" Johnny put his arm around Roy's shoulder "I think Captain Roy De Soto should help with the bill" announced Johnny.
"I'll tell you what, I'll take care of the tip" Roy countered. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Ok, ok I've booked us a table at Tristan's" the group made their way to their respective cars Roy and Johnny had their arms around each other's shoulder.
"Proud of you Junior" Roy stated full of pride.
"Proud of you Pally" Johnny countered, also full of pride.
They may not ride in that squad again as partners, but through lifes' challengers they rode as brothers. Even in spirit they knew there would always be a connection.