DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Julianna. All characters belong to Mark VII, et al.

Julianna arrived home. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered their bedroom. She put Johnny's ring, which was in her pocket, into her jewelry box. She knew Roy had given her the logical explanation and it certainly sounded like Johnny's thinking, but she still felt something tickling the back of her mind. Maybe it was just hormones, but she'd feel a lot better when Johnny was back home with her.

Sally called Julianna a few minutes after she came home.

"Juli, I heard you didn't go to Sacramento and then I just saw Dixie. I guess Johnny's glad you're home, huh," Sally asked.
"I don't know. He decided to surprise me and went to LAX. He's on a plane right now," she said.
Sally took a sharp intake of breath. "Oh, no," she said.
"What Sally? What's the matter," Julianna asked.
"Ellen went in Dixie's place. Dr. Young's orders," Sally said.
"What? Ellen went to Sacramento? Are you telling me that woman is on an airplane with my husband," Julianna asked.

"You don't have anything to worry about with Johnny," Sally said.
"I'm not worried about Johnny, but I'm almost certain that Ellen planned all this. Did you tell me you saw her coming out Dr. Young's office the other day," Julianna asked.
"Yeah," Sally said.
"Or maybe Ellen didn't plan this, maybe they planned it together," Julianna said, thinking out loud.
"Julianna, that's crazy. John would never, and I mean never, make plans with that woman. Especially if he was married. No, I won't believe that of John," Sally said.
"I found his wedding ring at the Station. Sitting on a shelf. Roy said it was because Johnny was working on the squad and didn't want to get dirty, but I'm starting to wonder. He's never forgotten his ring before. He's actually been LATE to work because he got halfway to the Station and realized he didn't have it on. Why would he forget it unless he wanted to forget it," Julianna said.
"OK, listen to me Julianna, John loves you. He's completely and totally in love with you. John's a lot of things, at least he used to be, but cheating on someone is not something he could do. I don't care what it looks like. Roy gave you a logical and practical reason, so you should just believe it and stop fretting yourself. Do you know if John is coming back tonight," Sally asked.
"I don't know. Roy left a message for him to call me at the gate and the airline said they'd put him on a return flight. It wouldn't get in until later, but Roy said he'd pick him up for me. Do you honestly believe that Johnny didn't plan anything with Ellen," Julianna asked.
"I'd swear by it," Sally said.
"OK. I think I'll figure out how to arrange things in the nursery," she said.
"Don't do anything until John gets home," Sally scolded.

"I won't. I'm going to sketch the layout of the room so he knows what to do when he gets home," Julianna said.
"OK. I'll come by tomorrow afternoon. Mike asked if I wanted to go riding. John told him it was fine since you can't ride Toby right now," Sally said.
"Sounds good. Johnny thinks Toby only likes women. The horse won't do much for Johnny unless he's being fed. Hopefully, he'll do OK with you," Julianna said.
"Hopefully. See you tomorrow and be careful," Sally said.
"Thanks. Bye," Julianna said before replacing the receiver in her bedroom.

She changed into some comfortable pajamas and went downstairs to find something to eat. She had made chicken salad the previous night and decided to have a sandwich with some chips. She grabbed an apple from the bowl.

She poured a glass of milk and decided to eat her dinner in front of the TV. She found some random show and sat on the couch to watch it. She looked at the clock. She knew Johnny's flight was landing soon and she hoped he'd call and tell her he was on the way back to LA.

The plane landed in Sacramento and Johnny was ready to get off the plane. Ellen had been trying to get his attention by wearing a short skirt and low-cut top. He waited until everyone was off the plane before he made his way to the exit. Ellen was waiting at the exit of the plane and immediately grabbed his arm as he headed toward the airport terminal.

"Ellen, enough," Johnny said, shaking her arm loose and heading up the ramp. He exited the jet way and heard his name. He headed to the gate agent.
"Did you call for John Gage," he asked.
"Are you Mr. Gage," the clerk asked.
Johnny nodded his head.
"I have a message from Roy. He said for you to return to LA. Apparently the airline is aware you need to get back to LA and they've arranged for you to catch the next flight back," they said.
"Great, when does it leave," he asked.
"Well, they just got a weather report of terrible thunderstorms in the LA area and LAX has canceled all flights into the airport because of a lightening strike to the traffic tower. They'll try to have flights arriving as soon as possible, but you won't get out until 5 tomorrow morning," the clerk said.
"Can I stay here and wait," Johnny asked.
"You can't stay in the airport. I'd advise you to get a hotel room across from the airport. A shuttle can bring you by in the morning for your flight. I'm so sorry this is happening," the clerk said.
"Not as much as I am. Can you give me a ticket for tomorrow so there's no problem," Johnny asked.
The clerk nodded and printed out a ticket for him.

"You're pre-boarded so just show up and they'll give you a seat," she said.
"Thanks," Johnny said. He headed out into the airport and was amazed at what had happened. He went to find a phone so he could at least call Julianna and tell her what happened. He found a phone and set his carry-on down and called.
"Hello," she answered.
"Leelee," he said.
"Johnny, are you heading home," she asked.
"I can't. There was a lightening strike at LAX and I can't catch a flight until early morning. I'm so sorry," he said.
"What are you going to do," she asked.
"Crash in the motel room and come over here for the flight in the morning. I'll get Roy to pick me up, though. I don't want you to do it," he said.

"Are you OK," she asked.
"I'm fine. Like I said, I'm going to crash in the motel room and be back in LA by lunchtime tomorrow," he said, trying to cheer her up.
"OK. I love you," she said.
"I love you, too. Listen, you could call Sally or go to Joanne's to stay if you want," he said.
"I'll be fine, Johnny. I'll see you tomorrow," she said.

"Bye," he said, hanging up the phone.