Lieutenant Johnson slowly packed some personal effects into some boxes. Walsh stood in the doorway and watched quietly.
"Come on in Billy." Johnson said
Walsh slowly walked into the office.
"Gonna be weird not having you in the front seat next to me anymore." Walsh said
"It's going to be weird not coming to work here anymore." Johnson replied.
"It sucks that you make Captain and then you have to leave." Walsh added
"We've been through a lot in this house." Johnson looked around and fought back a tear. "I just wish that some of it could have been happier you know?"
"Yeah, but Engine 49 is getting a damn good Captain out of the deal." Walsh tried to crack a smile
"Jimmy will do alright." Johnson replied
"I hope so." Walsh frowned
"You're going to have to help him Billy." Johnson encouraged
"Yeah, but he shouldn't need that much help. I don't think he's right for the job Lieu." Walsh stated his fears
"Don't worry Billy, you just take care of yourself. Jimmy's a good firefighter, but he's got a lot to learn. You take care of you and your partner. Follow his lead, if he leads you astray, it's his fault- he's the one that has to answer for it. You just make sure that you get yourself in and out safely. Help your crew." Johnson sounded almost like he was preaching.
Neither of them had noticed that Jimmy was standing just outside the office. He looked down at the floor and bit his lip as he walked away.
"How's Taylor doing?" Johnson asked
"Doctor said that if all goes well, she'll get the medical clearance to return to work next week." Walsh said
"Good. Glad to hear that." Johnson replied
Lieutenant Johnson placed his nameplate in his box. Then he closed the flap.
"Well I guess that's all of it." He said as he looked around
The shift was almost finished. It had been a quiet one for the Squad. Very somber though. After all, two of their own were leaving the house at the end of it. But there was no cake, or a party. They didn't want it that way. They didn't want a big commotion made about their moves- it wasn't their style.
Lieutenant Johnson walked out into the kitchen and looked around for a final time. He looked at his watch; saw that the next crew was already strolling in.
"Well, this is it." He said
Mac, Jimmy, DK, Lombardo, and the medics- Grace, Carlos, Doc, and Kim all were in the kitchen. None of them were smiling. Walsh looked at the floor.
"Wish Taylor coulda been here." Lombardo said
"And miss all the fun?" Taylor's voice could be heard coming up the steps
She walked up to Lieutenant Johnson and looked at him.
"Thank you." She said as she hugged him
He returned the favor.
"It's been my pleasure." He replied
Taylor took her place next to Walsh and watched as everyone said their goodbyes to Doc and Lieu. They all slowly made their way out of the firehouse and off in their own directions. Taylor stood next to Walsh as they watched their Lieutenant leave.
"I'm gonna miss him." Walsh said
"I know, I couldn't let him leave without getting to say goodbye." Taylor added
Jimmy slid past Walsh without saying a word.
"See ya Jimmy." Walsh said
Jimmy looked up, "Yeah." And then kept walking towards his car
"What's his problem?" Taylor asked
"I don't know." Walsh replied as he and Taylor walked to the Explorer.
"So what do we do now?" Taylor asked
"Well, it's 11:15." Walsh checked the time, "We can go get a bite to eat I guess."
"Sounds good." Taylor said as she slid into the passenger seat
"Okay." Walsh said as he closed the door to the driver's seat.
They drove down Lexington, "So Kim and Jimmy are our Lieu's now?"
"Yep." Walsh said with a disappointed look
"So I'm going to have to work under Kim for a few weeks until I can get back on the Squad." Taylor stated
"Looks that way." Walsh said
"I guess I can live with that." Taylor smiled
"Yeah well, I'm not so sure I can live with Jimmy." Walsh replied
"I know. I don't think he's cut out for it." Taylor admitted
They pulled up in front of a diner. Walsh parked the SUV and they got out in a drizzling rain. The two made their way inside and sat at a booth in the corner.
"What can I get you to drink?" The waitress asked
"I'll take a coffee." Walsh said
"I'll have a water." Taylor said
"Okay, I'll be right back with them." The waitress replied
They sat and looked at the menu. It had been DK's night to cook and well, DK didn't know much about cooking. The spaghetti noodles were too chewy so Walsh was hungry.
The waitress sat the drinks in front of them.
"Do you need another minute?" She asked
"No, I'm ready." Walsh said as he looked at Taylor
"I'll have the Caesar salad." Taylor said
"Can I get a cheeseburger and fries?" Walsh asked
"Sure thing." The waitress took their menus and headed off towards the kitchen.
Taylor took a sip of her water and looked at Walsh.
"I was doing a little thinking about our wedding." She said
"Okay." Walsh looked up
"I want to ask Lieu to escort me down the aisle." She said
"I believe he'd be honored." Walsh replied
"Can we have it at the church where Dad's funeral was?" She asked
"We'll have it wherever you want it to be." He smiled
"You really do love me then." Taylor grinned, "I could have said Chuckie Cheese's and you'd have been fine with it."
"Well, I might have complained a bit." He laughed
"So all we need to figure out is the date." Taylor said
"Whenever you want." Walsh said
Taylor was frustrated.
"You've got to help me make some decisions. I am not going to make all of our wedding plans and then after it's over have you say 'Well I didn't want this.' You're in this wedding too… so you need to make a few decisions." Taylor ranted
"Okay." Walsh said
"Groomsmen?" Taylor asked
Walsh stared blankly.
"Billy, I don't have six heads so stop staring like that." Taylor cracked
He shook his head, "Okay, now what?"
Taylor got a disgusted look on her face.
"Who is going to be your best man and how many other groomsmen are you going to have?" She asked
"Well, how many bridesmaids are you going to have?" He asked
Taylor stopped for a moment. She hadn't thought about it.
"Alex?" Walsh asked as their food was set in front of them
"Well, I guess three. Kim, Grace, and my friend Katie." Taylor replied
"Okay, that's simple then. DK, Jimmy, and Lombardo. Problem solved." Walsh said as he took a fry and ate it.
Taylor laughed as she continued down the checklist that she had made up to plan their wedding. They finished up their food and Walsh stared at Taylor again.
"Okay, I've got an idea." Walsh said
"What's that?" Taylor asked
"You put that away and we'll have an amazing night, and start making decisions tomorrow." He smiled
"Really?" Taylor sounded intrigued
Walsh took the bill and stood up.
"Really" he said.
He paid and the two exited the diner into the now pouring rain. Walsh spun Taylor around and kissed her as the rain came down all around them. They didn't care about the rain, they had each other and that was all that mattered.