Warnings: mentioned character death, mentioned LODD, mild language

Marco stood in front of the mirror, smoothed his hands over his shirt once more, ran a hand through his hair.

"Everything okay, babe?"

Mike came over and stood behind him, hands on his shoulders.

"Yeah, I guess… just-…shit, I dunno," Marco replied quietly.

"No, I know how you feel. It's gonna be… gonna be heavy."

"Yeah, it is."

They stood quietly for a moment, simply drawing in the other's comfort, before Mike gently told Marco, "Alright, c'mon… we gotta get goin' or we're gonna be late. We'd never hear the end of it from Johnny."

The Stanley home, the site of many a celebration for the men of 51s, was to be home to at least one more. Johnny and Roy had just been promoted to captain after eight years as top-notch paramedics. Their promotion left Cap as the only one of them left at 51s, and he, too, would soon move up the ladder and bid Station 51 farewell. I just don't know how he can stay there much longer with all the memories. I couldn't. Marco's heart was strangely heavy as they pulled up to the celebration.

Shortly after Mike's promotion, Marco got one of his own to engineer, going to 69s and to nearby 68s, respectively. That was about a year and a half ago. A lot had happened since then. Johnny and Roy had yet to arrive. Cap and Ginny were still setting up in the yard. It was just going to be a small party, a few close friends after the pomp of the ceremony yesterday, a simple and intimate gathering.

"Mike, Marco," Ginny greeted, smiling, "oh, it's so good to see the two of you. Here, we're almost done setting up, so you just settle in and have a drink."

"We could help," Marco offered.

"Absolutely not. You're guests. You don't have to do anything. Just sit."

The two firemen did as ordered, but they weren't alone for long. Drs. Brackett, Early, and Morton, along with Dixie, arrived not long after. Dixie beamed and hugged them.

"It's so good to see you fellas again," Dixie said, "I don't see so much of you when you're not with troublemakers like Johnny and Roy. How are you?"

"Oh, we're just fine," Mike replied, "Just keepin' on keepin' on. How 'bout you, Dix?"

"Can't complain. Just keepin' these fellas in line, as usual."

"Now that's not fair, Dix. I behave myself," Early spoke up, coming over.

"True, but sometimes you get a little out of hand."

"Sometimes… yeah."

"Anyway, where are the special guys?" Dixie asked.

"Fashionably late?" Early followed.

"Johnny's probably ridin' with Roy, and Roy's probably waitin' on Johnny," Marco stated, "As for Brice, I expect he'll be here any minute, right on time, as usual."

Craig Brice had also been promoted to captain with Johnny and Roy, and Johnny had graciously invited him to celebrate with them. He showed up exactly when Marco said he would, right on time, looking oddly casual when Marco was used to seeing him solely in uniform.

"I see Gage and DeSoto haven't arrived yet."

"No," Mike agreed, "but they'll be here soon… fashionably late."

They milled about, all chatting until their two friends arrived. Johnny grinned crookedly at everyone, accepting their hugs and congratulations. Roy looked a little more sheepish, but he did the same. They have a right to be proud. They've accomplished a great deal. They were leaders now, leaders of men, leaders of lifesaving operations. Their experiences had brought them this far and made them into the great leaders they were going to be. Marco couldn't be prouder of them, these men who were among his closest friends.

"We said it yesterday, and we'll say it again," Marco told Johnny, Roy, and Brice, "You fellas deserve it. It couldn't happen to better paramedics and firemen. I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks, man," Johnny replied, "It is pretty awesome… it's just weird-… I just- It's not the same without Chet here."

Marco sighed quietly. He'd honestly been hoping no one would bring it up. That was a ridiculous notion. Chet's non-presence had been the proverbial elephant in the room, unsaid words hanging thick in the air over the party, no one wanting to speak his name and bring up the painful memories.

"I know. I wish he was here, too."

It happened shortly after Marco left the station, only a few months later, with Cap, Chet, Johnny, and Roy all still at 51s. The station was called to a fire at an apartment building. Everything was going fine until a man reported his mother was still inside, so Chet and Johnny went in to find her. While up on the fourth floor, Chet was caught in a massive fallout of debris, screaming about his leg. The force from the collapse broke his femur and severed his femoral artery, also severely injuring his liver. He didn't survive the ambulance ride to Rampart. It had been a dark time for everyone, but Johnny and Marco took it particularly hard.

"He knows," Roy said quietly, "Him and Boot are up there lookin' down, and they're happy… They're proud."

Johnny ducked his head, but not before Marco saw the tears in his eyes. A few firemen came and went, until only those who were there first remained. Cap and Ginny sat side-by-side, holding hands, leaning on each other. Dixie and Early were right by them, flanked by Brackett and Morton. Brice stood, his hands in his pockets, his round face somber. Johnny and Roy sat beside each other, pressed close, obviously drawing comfort from each other as partners often did. Marco and Mike sat much the same way, though Marco extended his hand, twined his fingers with Mike's, head on his shoulder.

The affair had grown almost solemn. It was their first such gathering since Chet's funeral, and no one seemed quite sure what to do without the wisecracking lineman there to tell jokes and wild tales. Still, it was nice to simply be in everyone's company.

"Did I hear it right," Brice spoke up after a moment, "that Kelly once faked an aneurysm to get a rise out of a female prospective paramedic?"

There were a few snorts of laughter.

"He sure did," Mike stated, "I was right there when he did it."

"And you didn't try to stop him?"

"And keep him from makin' an ass of himself? No way. It was fun watchin' her put him in his place."

"Oh, she was pissed," Roy added, "I'm surprised she didn't tear him a new one."

"He sure knew how to get himself into trouble," Marco said.

Johnny huffed softly against Roy's shoulder, a quiet laugh, but Marco could see he was miserable, felt much the same, the occasion's happiness having worn off. The Rampart staff left soon after, and Brice wasn't far behind them, leaving only the men of 51s. Marco hugged Roy before he left, giving him more congratulations. Then there's Johnny… sweet, goofy, kind Johnny…

Marco wrapped his arms around Johnny in a tight embrace, held him close, whispered, "Don't worry about the past, manito. You're gonna do fine. You're gonna be a great captain. I promise you that, Johnny… and you're gonna be okay. Remember, someone's lookin' out for you, watchin' over your shoulder."

Johnny's breath hitched softly. He sniffed, murmuring, "Thank you, Marco. I-I'll r'member."

"Good," he pulled away, saw Johnny's wet eyes, told him, "You call us if you need anything, okay? Absolutely anything. You're not bothering us. Promise?"

"I promise. Thanks again."

"Anytime."

He watched Johnny and Roy go, and then it was his and Mike's turn to leave. His heart was still heavy when they returned to their apartment. Mike stepped up and put his arms around Marco, asking softly, "Hey, what's wrong, baby? You're still down."

"You're not?"

"Guess you got me there. C'mon, talk to me. We always talk."

"I dunno, I guess I'm just worried about Johnny and Roy. They've been partners for so long that I just hope they'll be able to get along without each other. Maybe Roy'll be a little better than Johnny, but just-… I'm really worried about Johnny… He blames himself a lot. Not that Roy doesn't or we don't, but Johnny takes bad shit personally and lets it eat at him. Roy kinda helped him, though. He could talk sense into him and sit him down and tell him it wasn't his fault and actually get through to him," Marco explained, "I'm just not sure what's gonna happen when he doesn't have a partner to talk him down when something bad happens."

"He'll get through it. He'll talk to his engineer or call Roy or call one of us. He'll be okay."

"I know… I know, I'm just worried. I'm allowed to worry."

"And here I thought you swore off worrying all those years ago," Mike teased.

"Old habits die hard. I never stopped worrying, really."

"Oh, I know."

Mike leaned in and kissed Marco's forehead, his nose, his lips. Marco smiled up at him.

"So, Mike…" Marco started, smirking, remembering, "What should we have for dinner? What's your best meal? The one everyone likes?"

"Probably my spaghetti and meatballs… old family recipe," Mike smiled, "I was thinking, though… maybe we could have the very first meal we ever had together. What do you think?"

Marco laughed quietly.

"Pizza sounds perfect."

So this is it. Thank you so much to everyone who has come on this incredible journey with me and encouraged me along the way with all your kind words. This fic has been a lot of fun, and I'm very thankful for all who read it from the very beginning, to those of you who joined partway through, and to those who have read it as a completed work.

Still, I can't find in my heart to be completely done with this world just yet, so keep an eye out for some related works. Thank you all again, and please keep being wonderful.