"Are we all set?" Mike asked Rick.

"Yeah, relax man, we'll make sure all goes according to the plan," Rick reassured him.

"I just need this to go perfect. I mean, I can't risk this package not getting to her," Mike said, holding the ring box.

"We didn't screw up Tina's plan in helping you and your friend Johnny start talking again, did we," Chuck asked, taking the ring box from Mike.

"Actually, it was Ashley's plan, but no, no you didn't screw it up."

"We won't screw this up," Chuck reassured him.

"Hi," Tina called out as she entered the hangar. "I can't believe you suggested a skydiving date; I thought you only did this to make me happy?"

"I am trying to make you happy," Mike said.

Tina smiled and wrapped her arms around Mike's waist. "You do make me happy."

"You ready to do this?" Chuck asked, handing Tina her parachute.

"Absolutely."

Mike and Tina moved toward the plane.

"Okay, Mike, this jump is a bit different than the others you've done in the past. We're gonna have you jump first, Tina will jump as soon as you're clear of the plane. She knows how to get over to you. The two of you will be able to join hands and free fall together for a full minute before you need to let go and separate to pull your chutes. Understand?"

Mike nodded. He knew there was more to the plan than Rick explained, but Tina was clueless.

Mike jumped out of the plane and felt his heart rate double, maybe triple. He'd never enjoyed skydiving as much as Tina, but he knew that this jump was just one part of a much bigger jump. It was only a matter of seconds and he saw Tina moving toward him through the air. Mike looked around and took in the clear blue skies and the beautiful water beneath them. This really was a great day to do this.

He felt Tina's hand touch his and he moved to grasp both her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and suddenly felt completely calm.

"I love you, Tina. When I'm with you, I feel like the whole world is mine. You're my friend, my lover and my biggest supporter. I can't imagine my life without you, and I never want to have to," Mike yelled above the sound of the rushing wind.

Tina suddenly looked to her left as Rick appeared next to Mike. Mike let go of one of Tina's hands and reached for the ring that Rick handed him. Rick held onto both their sleeves to make sure the wind didn't pull them apart as Mike maneuvered to take the ring and grasp Tina's left hand with his hand and slipped a small diamond ring onto her finger. "Tina, will you marry me?"

Rick let go as Mike asked the question and moved away to give them privacy.

"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" She pulled Mike toward her and did her best to kiss him, which was not easy given the wind and the goggles they were wearing.

Chuck appeared next to the two of them. "The kiss will have to wait for the ground, it's time to pull your cords."

Tina and Mike pushed away from each other. It was only a matter of minutes until they were on the ground, but to Tina it felt like forever. As soon as she could, she released her chute and began to run toward Mike.

He grabbed her around the waist and picked her up off the ground, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"I love you, Michael Stoker," she whispered in his ear when the kiss ended.

"I love you, too and I can't wait to marry you."

"So when do you want to get married?" Tina asked.

"Soon, very soon. I'm not moving across the country for a girlfriend. I want all the guys at our wedding too. How soon do you think you can plan a wedding?"

Tina laughed. "I don't know; I've never planned one. Let's see how my interview goes next week and we'll set the date from there."

"Whatever you want," Mike said, pulling her into another kiss.

E

The guys had planned a small gathering later that night so they could celebrate with Mike and Tina. They all gathered at Captain Stanley's for a bar-b-que. Marco brought Marisol and Chet brought Mary and Lizzie along. The women surrounded Tina as soon as she and Mike arrived, anxious to see the ring.

"Have you set a date yet?" Joanne asked, as she stepped back so Mary and Lizzie could see the ring.

"Not yet, we're gonna wait and see how my interview with Johns Hopkins goes next week."

"I can't believe you're gonna have to leave. I know Hank is really upset over the thought of losing Mike as his Engineer," Beth said, leaning against the counter.

"I know. I hate it. I know how much Mike likes working with all the guys. They're family. Other than quitting nursing though, I just don't know what else to do."

The phone rang and Beth moved to answer it. "Stanley resident's."

"Beth? It's Ashley. I got a message to call Tina at this number as soon as possible. Is everything okay?"

"I'll let you talk to Tina," Beth said, handing the phone over to Tina. She mouthed, "Ashley".

Tina smiled and took the phone. "Hi."

"Tina? Is Mike okay? Why are you at Captain Stanley's?"

"Everything is great. Mike asked me to marry him."

Ashley laughed. "Oh my gosh! Tina, I'm so happy!" Ashley felt a tear form in the corner of her eye, and she brushed it away, not wanting the guys in the room to see it.

"I'm sorry to scare you," Tina said.

"I've been in a total panic since I got your message. I don't think I've taken a full breath since the Captain handed me your message. I'm so glad it's good news! Have you set a date?"

"We're waiting to see what happens with my job interview next week," Tina explained.

Ashley pursed her lips and said nothing. She hated thinking about Mike and Tina leaving. Not only had she developed a close friendship with Tina, but her and Mike had rekindled the same easy friendship they'd had when he'd been dating Maddie. She hated thinking about losing either one of them. "How'd he pop the question?"

"Skydiving," Tina laughed.

"Wow, he must really love you," Ashley laughed. She knew Mike wasn't crazy about skydiving.

"I know you don't have a lot of time and Johnny'd be furious if I didn't give him a chance to say Hi. But, real quick, I want to know if you'll be my Maid of Honor?"

Ashley smiled. "I'd love too."

"Great," Tina turned as Johnny walked in the back door, responding to Joanne's call. "I'm gonna hand the phone over to Johnny," Tina said, handing the phone over to Johnny. "It's Ashley."

Johnny took the phone, a smile breaking out on his face. "Hey, Beautiful. I take it you heard the news?"

"I'm so happy for them. Tina asked me to be her Maid of Honor."

"Mike asked Cap to be his Best Man, and the rest of us to be either groomsmen, or ushers. He's waiting to see how big the wedding ends up being. We've all let him know we'll do whatever he wants us to do."

Ashley was quiet for a few minutes on the phone.

"Beautiful, are you okay?"

"I miss you. I miss everyone, and I can't wait to be done with training; but I really miss you," Ashley said, her voice barely above a whisper. She was aware several of the other trainees were in the room where she was located. The TV was off as most of them were studying for an upcoming test.

Johnny moved slightly further away from the women who were still gathered at the table behind him, talking about wedding ideas. "I really miss you too. I know everyone wants to celebrate with you when you graduate, but let's take the first night just for us, okay?"

"I'd like that."

"I know the ceremony doesn't include friends and family, but I could drive up and drive you back."

"I have my car here. I'll drive down, and come to your apartment before I go to Tina's," Ashley said, her voice now a complete whisper.

Johnny had to push the receiver tightly against his ear to hear her with the women talking behind him.

"I'll plan something special," Johnny whispered back.

Ashley felt a sharp pang of nervousness. There was something she'd never told Johnny that suddenly seemed very important. She looked around, but realized this was definitely not the time for the conversation.

"I'll see you in three weeks. I'll try to call, but we have a lot of exams and physical challenges before graduation and I just…,"

"Don't worry about it, Beautiful. It's been a while, but I still vividly remember the academy," Johnny assured her.

"Tell Tina, I'll try to call her too, but to absolutely call me and tell me when they set a wedding date. I love you, Johnny."

"I love you to Ashley. I'll tell Tina. Stay safe." Johnny hung up the phone, his mind on when she'd finally be done with training. He knew what he had in mind for their special celebration, but he needed to think about how to make the evening special for her.

E

"Hi, Rita. I've got a 5:30 appointment with Josh," Dr. Early said, entering the reception area for the office of Joshua Garland.

"Hi, Joe. I haven't seen you in a while. Josh was happy to see your name on his schedule today. He's hoping you've come to tell him you've decided to accept a leadership position in the hospital," Rita smiled. She'd always thought Joe Early was a very handsome man, but he'd never shown her anything but a platonic politeness. Still today she'd dressed with extra care.

"I'm afraid he's gonna be disappointed then," Joe said, giving her a polite smile. Rita was nice enough, but he always felt like she was imagining him naked. Not that that was so bad, but Rita just wasn't his type.

"I'll let him know you're here," Rita said, picking up the phone and pushing the intercom button. "Mr. Garland, Dr. Early is here to see you." There was a brief pause and then Rita hung up the phone. "Go right in."

Joe walked to the door and opened it as Josh Garland stood up from behind his desk. "Joe, it's good to see you," Josh said, coming around his desk and extending his hand.

Joe shook his hand. "Hi, Josh, you're lookin' good. How's Kathy?"

Joe shrugged. "She's doing okay. She's started volunteering for a nursing home near our house and that seems to have revitalized her. I thought it would be too hard, you know, loosing people all the time. But, she says she enjoys bringing some joy to their last few days."

"Kathy's always had a big heart."

"Can I offer you a drink?" Josh asked.

Joe shook his head. "No, thanks. I don't have long; I'm starting a shift in the ER in a bit."

"Have a seat," Josh pointed to a chair in front of his desk. Joe sat down and looked over at Josh as he returned to the seat behind his desk.

"Josh, I'm here to talk to you about Tina Wright," Joe said, watching his friend.

"What do you know about her?" Josh asked.

"I know she's a great psychiatric nurse, and you'd be hurting this hospital you say you love, by letting her go."

"She killed my daughter," Josh stood up from his desk, slamming his hands on the desk.

"It was an accident, Josh. A horrible, horrible accident. One that Tina ate herself up over. Did you know she tried to commit suicide seven years ago?"

"Too bad she didn't succeed," Josh spat out.

"You don't mean that," Joe said, keeping his voice calm.

"Yes, I do," Josh insisted. "Susie's dead, and Tina's the reason for that. She never got to graduate high school, never got to go to college, never had the chance to get married. Kathy and I'll never have grandkids. Yet, Tina's running around completely carefree. It's not fair," Josh shouted.

Joe stood up so he could meet his friend's eyes. "It's not fair, Josh. You're right. But, it was an accident. And punishing Tina isn't gonna bring Susie back."

"Get out," Josh hissed. "You've got no idea what you're talking about. Get out!"

Joe hesitated, but seeing the bulging vein in his forehead and how red his face was, he decided it was just best to leave.

Joe stepped out into the lobby and Rita looked up, her eyes wide. "It'll be okay, Rita. You may want to bring him a water and a couple of aspirins in about 5 minutes," Joes said, letting himself out into the hallway.

He walked down the hallway and pushed the down button for the elevator. He went to step forward as the doors opened, but immediately took a step back when Kathy Garland stepped off the elevator.

"Joe!" Kathy said, her voice surprised.

"Kathy, it's so good to see you," Joe said, leaning forward and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Were you here seeing Josh? Do you have to rush off, why don't the three of us go out to dinner?" Kathy suggested.

"I don't think that'd be such a good idea," Joe said.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I was here trying to convince him not to fire Tina," Joe said quietly, not wanting to upset Kathy.

"Tina?" Kathy said, not immediately registering what he was saying.

Joe gave her a sympathetic look.

"Tina, Tina Wright?" Kathy said, her voice sounding shocked. "She's here?" Kathy shook her head. "I mean; she's working for Rampart?"

"She's a psychiatric nurse. Or she was," Joe said.

Kathy moved over to sit on a bench a short distance down the hall. "I can't believe she's here. I haven't seen her since the day of the accident. We saw her just briefly in the hospital. We were waiting for them to come tell us about Susie, and I saw them wheeling Tina down the hallway. I was so relieved she was okay. I thought that meant Susie would be okay too. We never saw her again. It was like losing two daughters. Susie, who was taken from us and Tina, who abandoned us," Kathy said quietly.

"I don't think that was how she meant it to be, Kathy. I know Tina blamed herself for Susie's death for a long time."

Kathy looked over at Joe. "I never blamed her. It was a terrible accident. I just couldn't understand why she never came to see us. She never even came to the funeral. As the years have gone by, I accepted the fact she was so young; she probably didn't know how to behave. But, I..."

"Do you want to see her?" Joe asked after Kathy had been silent for a few minutes.

She turned to face him, tears in her eyes, "Can you help arrange that?"

Joe nodded.

E

"Mary," Chet said hesitantly. He wasn't sure how to bring up what he needed to talk to her about.

"I know," Mary said, quietly.

"You know what?"

"She was hung over; not sick," Mary said.

"How'd you know?"

"C'mon, Chet. You and I got drunk enough back then, that I know what a hangover looks like. I also know if Lizzie'd been sick, she wouldn't have done her laundry. She didn't want me to smell the alcohol."

"So what are we gonna do about it?" Chet asked.

"What would have stopped us?" Mary asked, looking at him.

Chet shook his head. "The car accident stopped us."

Mary shook her head. "No, not the car accident. My getting pregnant and you getting sent to the Army."

Chet reached over and placed his hand over hers.

"I'm sorry, Chet. I'm sorry for what I talked you into doing that day. I'm sorry for what my dad did. I'm sorry you took the punishment for my actions. I'm sorry, I've never told you how sorry I was before."

"You didn't make me…"

"Yes, yes I did. You didn't want to…, well, you know. And I talked you into it. Then, I got off scot free and you got…you got the choice of jail or the Army."

"You didn't twist my arm, Mary. I made my choices. And, in the long run, the Army was a good choice for me. It's how I decided I wanted to be a fireman, and I'm a good one."

"I know you are," Mary said. "You're a good man, Chet. I wish I'd made an attempt to find you earlier. I just, I wouldn't have blamed you if you hated me."

"I could never hate you, Mary. You were my first love," Chet said, looking into her eyes.

"You were my first love too," Mary whispered.

Chet leaned in and let himself draw her into a long, slow kiss. As he deepened the kiss, he slid closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. She leaned into him, and he leaned back on the sofa, pulling her on top of him. She adjusted her position as she felt him getting aroused, rubbing against him as she moved.

"Oh, Mary," Chet groaned and Mary pressed herself against him. It had been a very long time since she'd been with a man and she still vividly remembered what it was like to make love to Chet.

Chet let his hand run up her skirt, his finger slipping around her underwear and pressing against her soft flesh. "Mmm," Mary moaned as his fingers began their exploration.

Mary moved her hands down his shirt, quickly undoing each button. Chet moved so she could slide the shirt off his shoulders. She ran her hands up underneath his t-shirt and quickly slipped it over his head. She ran her fingers through his thick chest hair. Chet drew her mouth into another kiss, as he moved his hands to find the zipper for her skirt.

They both froze at the sound of Lizzie calling out good-bye to a friend as she approached the door. Chet nearly knocked Mary to the floor as he moved to jump off the couch. He grabbed his shirts and rushed to the bathroom. Mary stood up and quickly straightened her skirt and blouse. She hurried into the kitchen, and grabbed a compact out of her purse trying to adjust her hair as she heard Lizzie letting herself into the house.

"Mom," Lizzie called out.

"In the kitchen," Mary said, dropping the compact back into her purse and moving to the oven. She turned it on to preheat, no idea what she was about to cook, but quickly moved in front of the fridge door. She was opening it up as Lizzie walked in.

"Is that dad's car in the driveway?" Lizzie asked.

"Yeh, he's using the restroom. He's gonna join us for dinner tonight, if that's okay." Mary said, not looking at Lizzie. She leaned in the fridge and pulled out the thawed chicken. "Fried chicken, corn and mashed potatoes?" Mary asked.

"Sounds good," Lizzie said. She watched Mary for a few seconds. Something was definitely odd. Lizzie suddenly got very nervous that they knew what she did the other day. "I, um, I actually have a lot of homework," Lizzie said, as she looked around nervously. "Do you need my help, or can I, um, go work on my homework in my room?"

"No, I've got it taken care of, go ahead and do your homework," Mary said nervously. She was worried that Lizzie could tell she'd walked in on something.

Lizzie hurried down the hallway to her room.

Chet ran his hands through his hair, and checked his reflection in the mirror. Hearing Lizzie at the door had pretty much taken care of his erection, but he wanted to make sure nothing about his appearance would clue in Lizzie that she'd interrupted an intimate moment.

The three of them gathered around the dining room table a short time later. Each one working really hard to make it seem like everything was normal. All in all, it was an awkward evening for everyone.