"Hey, Dix." A familiar voice called out.

Dixie lifted her head from where she was typing notes into the computer. "Hi, Johnny. How's your class going?"

"Oh, pretty good." Johnny answered casually, leaning on the counter. "Been hearing some rumors about you."

"Is that right?" Dixie replied mildly.

"Yep. Little bird said the emergency department might be looking for a new head nurse."

Dixie saved what she was working on before turning her attention to Johnny, folding her arms over her chest. "Diane and I…have had some conversations. Nothing's decided yet."

Johnny smiled a little at that. "Hey, no one's trying to get rid of you. Place wouldn't be the same without you."

"I'm sure if something changes, you'll be among the first to know." Dixie told him.

"I mean…if they're looking for a replacement, my wife would be a great choice."

"Noted and filed, Johnny." Dixie replied firmly.

Johnny merely looked amused as he lightly rapped his knuckles on the counter and turned to leave. "Hey, Wilkinson."

"Hello, Johnny." Carl nodded as he approached the counter. "That man spends almost as much time here now as he did when he was a paramedic."

"He might not for much longer." Dixie responded. "There's talk that the program is moving to area community colleges."

"I suppose that makes sense." Carl nodded. "Are you free for dinner this evening?"

"I could be." Dixie replied casually.

"Wonderful." Carl leaned over and kissed her cheek. In her ear he murmured, "Be sure to bring an overnight bag."

Dixie couldn't help the warmth that went through her, nor the girlish laugh that escaped her as Carl pulled back with a wink and started back down the hallway.

Someone dropped off a chart in her inbox, and Dixie picked it up and started entering the information into the computer, all while Carl's words were still on her mind.

They had been doing this for a long time now, going back and forth between each other's places, taking trips together, enjoying the time they had when they weren't working. And it worked for them. Ever since they had reconnected after she had turned down his marriage proposal, Carl hadn't so much as mentioned it again.

What they had now was easy, companionable, and Dixie didn't have a strong desire to change that. There were times, though, she had to admit, when it would be nice to go home to Carl at the end of the day, to a home that they shared.

But would that mean giving up the independence she held so dear? Dixie didn't know the answer to that.

She spent the remainder of her shift doing what she always did, directing staff, assisting patients, scheduling tests at other doctors' request. By the end of the day, she was more than happy to hand it all off to her night shift counterpart, and she made her way home as quickly as she could, changing clothes and packing her overnight bag before heading out again.

Soon she pulled into Carl's driveway, shutting off her car and grabbing her bag before heading inside. Carl's cat, Tiger, immediately rubbed against her, meowing insistently.

"Hello, sweetheart." Dixie bent down and stroked the top of the large grey tabby's head.

"Hello yourself." Carl spoke in a teasing tone.

"Hi." Dixie stood up and gave Carl a quick kiss. "It smells wonderful in here."

"Ah, it's nothing." He told her. "A simple pasta Puttanesca. It's nearly done. I'm just putting together a salad to go alongside."

"You're learning." Dixie laughed as she followed Carl to the kitchen.

"Yes, I know, I need to eat my vegetables to keep up with you, my dear lady." Carl teased her affectionately. "You can crack open that bottle of wine."

Dixie found a corkscrew and started to twist, wiggling out the cork with an audible pop before pouring the wine into the glasses. Soon Carl brought the salad to the table, followed by the pasta pan. They dished up and sat down, eating while they talked about their respective days.

These kinds of evenings were the times Dixie treasured most. No pressure, just the pleasure of Carl's company and a good meal, whether at her place or his.

But wouldn't it be nice if they didn't have to go back and forth? There was the thought again. What was wrong with her?

"Dixie?" Carl's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Hmm?"

Carl looked at her with a concerned expression. "You seem very far away. Is everything all right?"

"Oh, I just have a lot on my mind, I suppose." Dixie took a drink of her wine.

Carl rested his elbows on the table and his chin on his hands. "Do tell."

Dixie took a breath and exhaled quietly. "Well, you know I've been considering retirement."

"Yes, you've been talking about it quite a bit." Carl nodded.

"I suppose it's gotten me thinking about other things, too." Dixie continued. "Like you and me."

Carl's concerned expression seemed to turn more so, his brows wrinkling as he glanced down at his plate. "I see."

Dixie instantly realized how she sounded, and she quickly reached across the table. "Oh, no, not like that."

Carl's expression relaxed into a soft smile, and he reached for her hand. "Thank goodness. I was afraid you were going to put me out on my ear. Again."

"I wouldn't do that to you." Dixie replied, squeezing his hand and pulling back. "I'm sorry. I'm being silly. You know how it is. When you get to a certain age, you can't help thinking about what might have been."

"I do understand." Carl nodded. "But I like to think we've proven that it's never too late for…well, anything."

Dixie took another bite of pasta and a drink of wine. "I've never lived a life that was expected of me. I never wanted that. And I very much like what we have."

"And there's no reason that has to change." Carl told her. "Unless, of course, you want it to."

Dixie waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, I'm just feeling…I don't know. Melancholy, I suppose."

"I certainly understand that." Carl replied with a laugh. "Come, let's finish dinner. I picked up something spectacular for dessert."

Once dinner and dessert were done and the kitchen was cleaned up, they settled in on the couch with a movie that Carl had picked up at the movie rental store, Tiger happily lounging on both of them. As Dixie rested her head on Carl's shoulder, absentmindedly stroking Tiger, she couldn't help thinking what it might be like to spend every evening like this.

She felt Carl's arm slide around her, his hand resting on her arm as he kissed the top of her head. "I should hope you don't feel any pressure to make any decisions. We're fine as we are."

Dixie didn't feel any pressure, but she was starting to look at things a lot differently. Even if they were fine as they were, didn't she reserve the right to change her mind?

Of course she did. So why did she feel so unsettled?

# # #

Dixie spent the next few weeks debating with herself, all while going about her everyday life. It felt odd to slowly come to the conclusion that she was in the twilight of her career, a career that had defined her for so long.

Not that she suddenly wanted to be a housewife. Far from it. And Carl was still a few years from retirement himself, so even once she retired, she'd have plenty of time to figure out what a life after retirement would look like.

"Patient in room six is ready to be released." Diane's voice broke into her thoughts as the chart landed in Dixie's inbox. "Where do you need me?"

Dixie picked up the chart just as the alert went off at the base station. Diane automatically moved to answer. "This is Rampart base, go ahead, Thirty-Six."

This was what Dixie most liked about Diane, her ability to jump in wherever she was needed. If Dixie were to retire, Diane would be the replacement she recommended. Even without Johnny's hearty endorsement, she knew Diane was more than ready to take on the challenge.

Of course, she would have to go through the interview process just like everyone else, but Dixie couldn't help wanting to tip the scales in her favor, just a little. Not that she would, of course.

She started typing the information from the chart into the computer as she glanced over at Diane as she finished the call. "Thirty-Six has an MVA, multiple injuries, ETA six minutes."

Dixie nodded, already knowing Diane would do what was necessary to start triage. Yes, the emergency department would be in good hands under her leadership. She just hoped Diane would be ready to take that step whenever Dixie was.

Once the rush that came in with Thirty-Six was well under control, Diane returned to the counter, dropping off paperwork with a sigh. "Goodness."

"Go take a break." Dixie told her. "I'll go when you come back."

Diane smiled slightly. "I think I'll see if I can catch Johnny between classes."

As if on cue, Johnny appeared, looping an arm around Diane and kissing her temple. "Hello, beautiful."

"Well, well, speak of the devil." Dixie commented.

Johnny merely looked amused. "You don't mind if I steal her away for a minute, do you?"

"Not at all." Dixie assured him.

As she watched them head toward the lounge, she couldn't help but feel a bit wistful. So much had changed since Dixie had started her career. She had watched Diane and Johnny build their relationship for so long, and she had always admired how they managed to make it work.

Times had changed, Dixie hadn't. All the more reason to consider stepping aside and letting a new generation take over.

"Dixie." Kel's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Dixie looked up as Kel held out another chart. "Yes, Kel."

They had maintained a professional relationship all these years, even as Dixie and Carl grew closer. If Kel was ever jealous, he never showed it, and Dixie deeply appreciated that.

"I need an MRI for my patient in Four." Kel told her. "Would you arrange it?"

"Of course." Dixie replied.

Kel seemed to linger for a moment as Dixie picked up the phone. "Did you need something else, Kel?"

Kel's brows knitted together ever so slightly. "Been hearing talk of you retiring."

"I am considering it." Dixie answered. "I haven't made the decision yet."

Kel managed a slight smile at that. "Well, the place wouldn't be the same without you, that's for sure. I assume you and Carl have had…well, never mind. None of my business."

"I'm not going to retire to homemaking, if that's what you're asking." Dixie responded.

Kel let out a short laugh. "No, I can't imagine you doing such a thing."

The implication was clear, Dixie knew that. And it was true, she hadn't been willing to do that for Kel, and was even less willing to do it for Carl. "I'll get that MRI set up."

"Thanks, Dix." Kel rested his hand on the counter briefly before disappearing, and Dixie made the necessary call to set up the test.

Soon Diane and Johnny returned, and he squeezed her hand before letting it go with a smile and heading back down the hallway. Diane approached the counter. "I assume you're ready for a break."

Dixie laughed. "If you're willing to watch the desk."

"Of course." Diane replied. "I'll even get some of these charts entered."

Dixie slid down from the stool and left the desk in Diane's capable hands, heading toward the lounge. She wanted a cigarette, though she had quit years ago. Old habits died hard, she supposed. The urges always cropped up when she felt stressed out, though she didn't think she felt all that stressed out over her impending decision.

She'd spent so much time crunching the numbers, figuring out just how far her pension and Social Security would stretch, how long a gap there might be between her health coverage here and when she was eligible for Medicare. There were so many decisions to make.

Well, maybe she was feeling a little stressed out.

She bought herself a cup of coffee and a muffin, sitting down at one of the outside tables. It wasn't long before someone joined her.

"Hello, dear." Carl sat down with his own cup of coffee. "Long time, no see."

Dixie couldn't help being amused at Carl's gentle teasing. "Nice that you were able to catch a break."

"Indeed." Carl nodded. "Kel all but shooed me away."

They sat in silence for a long moment until Dixie broke it. "I've been doing a lot of thinking."

"Oh?" Carl looked mildly concerned.

"Not just about us." Dixie told him. "But about…everything. Retiring…well, it's a whole new phase of life, isn't it?"

"It is." Carl agreed.

Dixie broke off a piece of muffin and popped it in her mouth, chewing while letting her mind work before swallowing. "Things are bound to change for us."

"I would imagine so." Carl responded.

"I've always taken care of myself." Dixie explained. "Been told time and time again that I'm too independent. I can't help thinking maybe people are right."

"Dixie." Carl reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. "I think you're just independent enough. Nothing has to change for us. I certainly don't expect you to be anything other than who you are. A beautiful, stubborn, independent woman whom I love very much."

Dixie warmed at his words, a bit of her stress melting away. "Well, I do have a lot of things I'd like to do since I'll have all this free time."

"And I hope to come along for some of that." Carl told her. "When I can, of course."

"Of course." Dixie replied. "If we're still together when you retire, well, I suppose we'll figure that out."

"You can count on that." Carl answered firmly, patting her hand before pulling back. "I'm not going anywhere unless you tell me to."

"I have no intention of doing so." Dixie assured him.

The smile that lit Carl's face further cemented Dixie's decision. Time to get in touch with human resources and start making the transition.

# # #

"Dix!" Johnny's voice rang out as he crossed the room, Diane not far behind.

"Johnny, I'm so glad you came." Dixie greeted him with a hug.

"It's the party of the century." Johnny replied. "If you think I was gonna miss this, you're out of your mind."

Diane gently hugged her. "I'm going to miss you. And thank you for recommending me."

"You're going to be fantastic." Dixie assured her. "I'm glad the hiring committee thought so, too."

More people started showing up. Paramedics, doctors, nurses, even orderlies and technicians that Dixie could only remember meeting in passing. It seemed everyone had come out of the woodwork to wish her a happy retirement.

Adam and Sam both stopped in between calls, and they both approached her. Dixie was surprised when Adam caught her in a tight hug. "Thanks for everything, Dix. It's not going to be the same without you."

"Adam, it's been a pleasure." Dixie told him, oddly warmed by his words. "And Sam, don't let these boys push you around."

"You don't have to worry about that, Dixie." Sam assured her, hugging her. "Us girls are going to stick together. I hope you have a great retirement. You've earned it."

The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind, and finally Dixie found herself in front of all of her friends and colleagues, all of them encouraging her to speak.

She scanned the room, seeking out familiar faces, finally settling on Carl. He nodded encouragingly, and she took a deep breath and exhaled before starting.

"Well, this is quite a pleasant surprise." She started. "It's been…well, incredible. So much has changed during my career, but some things remain the same. Caring for patients during what might be the worst day of their lives, that's been a constant. It's been an honor and a privilege to take care of so many patients over the years, and I know many of you in this room will continue that tradition of care. I appreciate you all, and I'll miss you. Thank you for this. Really. I'm honored."

She finished to a round of applause, and soon the group broke up again, visiting among themselves, and Dixie made her way through to Carl.

Carl greeted her with a tight hug and a kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Good, I think." Dixie answered. "It's just the next phase of life, right?"

"Right." Carl replied. "No more six o'clock wakeups unless you want to."

"I am looking forward to that." Dixie laughed.

Carl smiled warmly. "And you'll have some peace and quiet…for a few years, at least."

"Well, I'm here whenever you're ready to join me."

"I will take that under advisement, my dear lady." Carl pulled her in close. "Let's see how things go, shall we?"

Dixie very much liked the sound of that. It was the end of one adventure and the beginning of another, and Dixie could hardly wait to see where this adventure would take her.

Maybe she wasn't quite ready to change her mind about her and Carl just yet, but she was willing to keep her options open. After all, she always reserved the right to change her mind.