DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Mark VII and NBC Universal. I do own Julianna.

FLASHBACK, THREE MONTHS AGO

"I think you should do it," Julianna said to Johnny as they sat on the swing on their back porch.

"But I won't be able to be a paramedic if I take the Captain's test," Johnny said.
"I know, but you and Roy have asked them to change things and I've made numerous pleas as the paramedic program medical director, but there comes a time when you have to do what's best for you," Julianna said.
"But I don't need the bump in pay or even the title. Roy I can understand since he's the sole provider for his family, but it's not that necessary for me," Johnny said.
"Come on, Johnny. You want to be a captain, maybe even Battalion Chief someday. You can't do that and stay a paramedic. Forget the fact that I make more money. Remember what you wanted to do when you were younger? You had dreams of wearing that Captain's hat and having others look up to you. In high school you wanted to do what my dad did in Pasadena. You know you want to," Julianna said.
Johnny eyed his wife. She had a point. They were lucky that she was a doctor and made quite a bit more than Johnny ever would as a paramedic or even a firefighter, but he loved his job and would do it for free if necessary. Julianna was proud of him as long as he was happy and doing what he loved.

"I do want to wear the captain's hat," Johnny admitted.

Julianna smiled at her husband. She kissed him and said, "I know. So take the test."

"I forgot telling you about that," Johnny said.

"I hadn't. I didn't forget what happened after that conversation," Julianna said, her tone taking on a playful tone.

Johnny wrapped his arms around his wife. "Mmmm, I remember THAT," he said.
"Of course you do. At that point in my young life, I thought it was the greatest thing in the world. Now that we're married, I KNOW it's the greatest thing in the world," Julianna said.

Julianna wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and kissed him. They soon forgot their conversation and fell back on the couch.

THE NEXT DAY

Johnny approached Roy before their next shift and told him he was going to take the Captain's exam with him.
"Really? You'd give up being a paramedic," Roy asked.
"Yeah. I mean, this job won't be the same without you and I do like the way Captain Gage sounds. What'd you say, Pally," Johnny asked.
"Sounds great. We can study together," Roy said.

"Besides, I know the director of the paramedic program and we just might be able to help with the training of the new paramedics. Even attend conventions," Johnny said.

Roy shook his head as Johnny flashed his trademark grin and they headed out for roll call.

Three weeks later, they had taken their tests and were waiting for their results. Mike had also taken the test with them, deciding he needed the bump in pay so Barb could quit working.

Hank came into the day room and announced he had some news.
"You have the results of our Captain's tests," Johnny asked.
"No. I have the results of the Engineer promotions. Marco you're number 8," Cap said.
"Congrats, Marco," Mike said, shaking his friend's hand.
Roy and Johnny congratulated their friend and Johnny noticed Chet sitting at the table, looking dejected.
"What's wrong, Chet," Roy asked.
"Everyone's going to be leaving this Station. I'll be the only one left," Chet said.
"Well, you can take the Engineer exam later," Johnny said.
"Just not the same," Chet said, getting out of his chair and walking to the dorms.

Everyone watched their friend walk out of the room. No one could think of anything to say to him.
"Man, I'm almost wishing I'd never taken that exam," Johnny said, flopping down on the couch.

"I completely forgot that we'd all have to move on if we got promoted," Roy said, joining his friend on the couch.

"Maybe we should invite Chet to go to the baseball game with us this weekend," Johnny said, looking at Mike and Roy.
"That sounds like a plan," Mike said.

Johnny went into the dorm to invite his friend to the baseball game and, with a smile on his face, rejoined his partner in the day room.

The tones sounded and the entire crew rushed to their assigned task.

TWO WEEKS LATER

"OK, guys, I have an announcement to make. I'm moving up to Battalion Chief at the end of the month," Captain Stanley informed his men.

A chorus of congratulations came at Hank and he knew they were happy for him, but also a bit upset at how things were going to change.

"Who's taking your place," Marco asked.

"Don't panic. You're getting an experienced man in this position. He recently passed the Captain's exam and I'm thrilled he's going to be my replacement. Stoker, congrats. You're going to be A-shift's new Captain starting the first of the month," Stanley said.
Mike was shocked. He knew he'd passed the exam, but he didn't know he'd get to stay with 51.

"That's great. Wow," Mike said.
"I know you will have a great crew because Marco's your new engineer and Chet will be your senior linesman. How's that for continuity," Hank asked.
"Marco and I get to stay with 51? That's pretty cool, Cap," Chet said, relief that his best friend and another of his good friends was staying with the crew.

"Now, Gage and DeSoto, you two are a different story. You're getting promoted to Captain, effective the first of the month. Johnny, you'll be Captain of B-shift at 31 and Roy, you'll be Captain of B-shift at 99," Stanley said.
Johnny and Roy were flabbergasted. Johnny had hoped Roy would make Captain because of how hard he'd worked for it. Johnny was excited because he felt like he was living a dream.

"I gotta call Joanne," Roy said, rushing to the phone in the day room.

"Johnny, you going to call Juli," Chet asked.
"We're heading for a supply run so I'll tell her at Rampart. This is just too unbelievable," Johnny said.

An hour after the promotions had been revealed to those that had received them, Johnny jumped out of the Squad and rushed to catch up with Roy.

"He's been stable since we loaded him in the ambulance," Roy said as he handed the IV bag to Sally.
"Thanks, Roy," Early said.
He slipped out of the room and found Johnny at the nurses desk.

"Where's the wife," Roy asked.
"In her office. I'm about to go there now. I'll be right back," Johnny said.
He headed to Julianna's office. He knocked softly on the door and heard Julianna's soft reply.

"Hey, babe. I have something to tell you," he said, crossing to her and kissing her.
"What," she asked.
"I made Captain," Johnny said.
Julianna jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around her husband. "Really! That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you," she said.
"I'm going to 31 and Roy's heading to 99," Johnny said.
"Wow! I'm so proud of you, tiger," Julianna said, kissing him.
Johnny pulled away and said, "Mike made Captain, too! He's taking over for Hank at the first of the month. Cap's going to be a Battalion Chief. Marco and Chet are staying with 51. Isn't that great," Johnny asked.
"It is. We should have a cook-out to celebrate," Julianna said.
"Yeah! We're all off Saturday. We can do it then," Johnny said.
"You tell everyone," Julianna asked.

"Yeah. I'll see you at home in the morning. I love you," he said.
"I love you, too," she said.

Johnny headed out to join his partner and Juli exited her office and joined Dixie at the nurses station.

"Everything OK," Sally asked.
"Yeah. Johnny made Captain. I'm happy for him, but I know it's going to be tough for the paramedic program to lose two such great providers," Julianna said.

"Well, you and Kel tried to convince the county. You're going to have that presentation to the county commission. Isn't that something," Sally asked.
"Yeah and I hope they keep up their certification, even if they can't practice as paramedics. The county's program isn't going to find two better men to represent the program than them. Kel's asked them to go to Seattle and San Francisco for the conventions and the job shadowing program," Julianna said, sitting with Dixie at the nurses station.

"Well, Roy and Johnny will make great Captains. I'll miss seeing them around the hospital all the time. You'll still be here, so I imagine Johnny will still be around fairly often," Sally said.
"It will be kind of weird. Guess times are changing," Julianna said.

"Are you ready for the changes," Sally asked.

"I hope so. I know Johnny's going to miss working with Roy, but hopefully they'll get some time together when they're off duty," Julianna said.

"More than now," Sally asked.
Julianna laughed. "You do have a point. It's a good thing Joanne and I aren't the jealous types or there might be a problem."

The base station sounded and Julianna went to answer the call of her husband's partner. Julianna pushed the niggling doubt that something was about to change and it had nothing to do with Johnny's promotion.