Sudden Impact

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Chicago other than the idea and my characters Keegan Howard and Kelsey Aarons. All other characters and ideas belong to Dick Wolf and NBC.

The day was warm and the sun shone through the windows of the academy brightly. Pencils scribble furiously against the hard paper as the writer's brows anxiously furrowed. A stiff breeze blows through the window ruffling papers and easing the stuffy tension in the room.

I sigh and turn back to the test in front of me. I only have a few questions left. Reading quickly, I prepare to write my answer.

48. What is the best way to fight fires after considering the 10 Standard Fire Orders?

Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.

49. Define 10-4

"Okay"

Excitement fills me as I realize I am on my last question. I flip through the rest of the test and check my answers. Everything seems correct to me and I flip back to the last page.

50. If your Chief orders you to leave the building, but you spot a victim that would only take about a minute to get to, what do you do?

You leave the victim. Taking extra time where your Chief has ordered you to leave could cause more loss of life.

I close my text booklet and look around. Everyone else is still finished and a sheepish feeling overcomes me as I walk to the front of the room. My classmates stare. Quickly, I pass my booklet to the ex Chief who has taught me.

"Thanks," I smile.

"You're onto great things Kelsey," The ex Chief shakes my hand.

I smile again in gratitude and take my leave. I'll know in two short hours whether or not I have passed out of the Chicago Fire Academy and can begin my career as a firefighter.

"So you got through?" Keegan asks me over the phone.

"Yeah," I smile softly. "I did."

"Then we must celebrate!" Keegan exclaims. "I'll pick you up at 7:30!"

"See you then, love you."

"Love you too, Kel."

I hung up the phone and flopped back onto my bed in my small apartment. I have the best boyfriend. We got together a couple months ago when I was part way through the fire academy and struggling. He reminded me why I came to the academy.

The clock turns to 7:30 and I pull on my jean jacket over my pink spring dress. I peak into the mirror and adjust my hair one last time as my phone buzzes. Keegan's outside.

I close and lock the door to my apartment before running down the stairs in my low-heeled sandals. As I emerge from my building, Keegan jumps out of his car and opens my door.

"Hey, there's my nineteen-year-old sweetheart," he says giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. He likes to highlight my age right around my birthday (which is in a few weeks) so that when I turn twenty, it's a big deal.

I turn his head to my face and kiss him on the lips. "Hey," I say.

He shuts my door and jumps in the driver's seat. We pull onto the street and head for my favorite restaurant. We park on the very edge of the parking lot, closest to the street. The space is only separated from the main, busy road by a small median.

"You coming?" Keegan asks.

"Yeah," I say linking my arm through his.

The hostess seats us and drinks are brought round the table. We order and chat as we wait for our food to come. It arrives and we both start to eat. Silence passes between us a bit as we both savor the delicious foods in each bite we take.

"So," Keegan starts suddenly. "Do you know where you're going to be working now?"

"The ex Chief said that there was a space at Station 51 that he wants me to take. He says I can handle the frequent calls."

"Well that's great isn't it? It's less that fifteen minutes from your apartment," Keegan smiles. He brushes his longish brown hair from his face. "Do you think you can handle it?"

I nod slowly. "Yeah, but I just, I don't know. I'm nervous."

"Well don't be," Keegan grabs my hand. "You are going to be an amazing firefighter, trust me."

I nod. A bit later, Keegan generously picks up our tab for the night and we depart. We get in the car and we sit for a few moments, just talking.

"So do you think you'll get called up this year in the draft?" I ask. Keegan play hockey and is an option for the NHL as he's only twenty.

"There's a possibility," he grins sadly. Just by his tone I can tell how badly he wants it. "I've been contacted by a few scouts."

"Well that's great!" I exclaim.

He smiles back, but just as quickly his face falls into fear. I look out the passenger seat window directly into the headlights of an oncoming car.