Okay, so I'm back with the third and final section of this story, again. Apparently the Gods that run this site decided I'd committed some Cardinal sin and removed it without warning. I posted a blurb about it on my bio page as at the time I had no other way to let those who were originally following this story know what was going on. I also tried communicating with those in charge, but heard nothing back, so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to repost this or not. Going to anyway and see what happens. I'm still angry and haven't decided if I'll post anything more beyond this story. Anyway...trying again.

This was originally taken directly from the episode women. The episode took place much earlier in the series than this story, but it works and I like the idea of Christie as an antagonist. Again, fair warning. This story is not entirely period correct and does contain what some would call a Mary Sue character. You don't like those type of stories, then don't read.

Johnny walked into the day room and met Cap as he was hanging up the phone.

"Where is she?"

"Well, if she were a normal type girl she'd be out powdering her nose, but I think I saw her arguing with the brick wall…and she's winning."

Cap chuckled and shook his head. "Well I just talked to Dick Friend and he wants us to keep her around her until at least supper time."

John sank into the chair and picked up a cookie. The last thing he wanted to do was babysit this obviously bias reporter. "Yeah, I know. For the good of the program. If she hangs around here anymore we're not going to have a program."

"Cap," Marco walked in. "You're wanted on the phone in the office."

"Yeah, thank you, Marco."

"You know, Johnny," Roy began from where he sat across the table. "If you stopped riding her, maybe she'd write something nice. You know I think she's very talented."

Was Roy out of his mind? Eyes wide, Johnny stared at his partner. He couldn't be hearing Roy right because if he was it meant Roy was taking sides. He sat straight up and stared at Roy. "You want to fight a fire with her?"

"Roy, Gage is right," Chet added. "She's about as talented as a tapeworm."

"Well, she's just going through a stage. She's young," Roy defended.

Amazed by his partner's obvious blindness when it came to this girl, Johnny once again leaned back in his chair. "Oh yeah, young. I know. She's just a little baby. A baby barracuda." He bit into his cookie.

"A baby barracuda, huh?" Christie's voice carried in from the doorway.

Oh man! "A baby barracuda, eavesdropper," John corrected.

She leaned a hand against the table and smiled down at him. "We use what talent's we have, Johnny baby."

It was crazy to be excited over such a small event, but Genevieve really couldn't help herself. After spending the last eight weeks stuck in the sling, waiting for her arm to heal, she couldn't wait to finally start her next phase of rehabilitation. Of course, the time between her first surgery, which nearly took her life, and the second to actually repair her arm cost her an additional two weeks. She'd spent those two weeks in the hospital undergoing a myriad of tests as the doctors struggled to nail down her allergy.

Her new medical alert bracelet clanked against the door handle as she made her way back out to the waiting room where Emily Stanley sat reading a book. Emily looked up and an immediate grin tipped her lips as she met Gen's gaze. "I'm guessing that smile means good news?"

"It does." Gen replied. "I'll tell you in the car and I was wondering if you might be willing to drop me at the station house so I can share my good news with the guys?"

Emily glanced at her watch and nodded. "Sure. I have some errands to do this afternoon so I'll drop you off and then pick you back up in a few hours. Sound good?"

Gen beamed with excitement. This was the first really good news she'd had since before her father died. "Sounds perfect."

She could barely sit still in the car on the ride over to 51's. Maybe she'd really lost her mind. After all, what person with half a brain would be excited to start physical therapy? Though, if she'd hadn't contracted an infection at the incision site she probably would have already began physical therapy. Either way, it was the next step in her recovery process and would bring her one step closer to her returning to work.

Emily pulled up in front of the station and Gen hopped out. A part of her missed being at the station, so even if the guys were on a call, she'd just let herself in and wait. Eager to share her good news, Gen practically ran up to the front door to peer in. She potted Cap in his office and lifted a hand to knock. Before she could, Captain Stanley pushed back his chair, stood and headed toward her. Grinning, he opened the door, then gave her a gentle hug. "What are you doing here? I thought Emily was taking you for an appointment with your orthopedist?"

Gen pulled back and nodded. "She did. The incision site has healed and the infection's gone. Doctor Foster has given me permission to start physical therapy next week." It was the best news she's heard in quite some time.

"That's great, hon, but what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to share the news with the guys." Her smile turned just a bit sheepish as she bit down on her lip. "I also might have missed this place just a little."

Cap grinned. "I have some paperwork to finish, but you know where to find the guys."

She stepped out into the apparatus room and took a moment to simply enjoy the feel of being back where she belonged. It was hard to believe it had been two months since that fateful day when she'd nearly ended her career in order to save Johnny's life. There wasn't a single doubt in her mind that if need be she'd do it all again. Still, it was nice to be back, even if it was only for a visit.

As she approached the door to the day room a female voice drifted out to greet her and Gen frowned. Just who in the hell was here? By the sounds of things whoever the woman, she was giving Gen's guys the what for."

"It's like you're all afraid of something and you know what it is? It's us. Women."

Gen stopped in the door way and leaned her good shoulder against the frame as she watched the blonde rail on her guys.

"That's right," the woman continued. "I've been watching you guys perform. A few routine skills here a little heroics there. A lot of mutual backslapping. Oh, I always knew this fire station was a private male club. Now I understand why you guys have got to keep it a secret. To hide the fact that women could do your job just as well as well as men."

"You're right," Gen couldn't resist. "They can. And they do."

She caught Johnny's grin in her peripheral vision as the others all cheered and dropped what they were doing to greet her.

"Uh, who are you?" the blonde questioned.

"I could ask you the same question," Gen shot back right before Mike enveloped her in a hug.

Johnny pushed away from the table. "Um….Christie Todd this is Genevieve Conti. Gen, say hello to Christie Todd on assignment here from Flange magazine."

"You're Genevieve?" Christie asked.

Gen grinned as she gave Chet a quick kiss on the cheek then turned back to the blonde. "That's right. Why?"

"Well, it's just the guys tried to tell me that they had a female firefighter on their shift, but since you wasn't here I assumed they were feeding me lies."

"Well it's not lie." Gen arched a brow. "How long have you been working for the magazine?"

"Four months. Before that I worked for a small press in Seattle while I finished college. Why?"

"So you've only been in LA for a few months?"

Christie nodded. "Why?'

"No reason. Just curious." Considering this woman's attitude, it was probably best not to tell her about the Barlow incident. It was men like William Barlow who gave women like Christie Todd the preconceived idea that the fire department was anti-woman. Since Ms. Todd didn't know about Barlow, Gen wasn't going to bring it up. Instead she continued on. "Anyway, this is my shift and these are my guys and I don't appreciate you coming in here and accusing them of being a bunch of lying chauvinists." She barely managed to resist a grin at the realization that Ms. Todd bristled at her statement.

"Well, except for you, the department is full of men. If that doesn't scream of oppression then I don't know what does."

Gen couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up her throat. Was this chick for real? "Oppression? You can't possibly be serious?"

"I'm completely serious. What other reason would there be for the department not having more women working as fire fighters?"

The woman was really starting to get on Gen's nerves. "Maybe it's because women in general don't have much interest in fighting fires and getting all dirty and grimy and disgusting."

Christie's eyes widened with Gen's statement. "How can you have such an antiquated attitude about your own gender?"

Gen shrugged. "I just call it as I see it. After all, it's not like there is any department policy forbidding women working as fire fighters. Actually," Gen inwardly grinned. "If you'd bothered to do your research before you came, you would know that not only do I work here, but that we have two women in the academy right now. Times are a changing at the LA County Fire Department, Ms. Todd. So I'm afraid you'll have to find some other male dominated career on which to impose your women's lib nonsense.

Christie opened her mouth, then closed it again as her face slowly turned red. She said nothing for a moment, then her eyes widened and Gen prepared for round two. "So if you work here, then why aren't you working today?"

Gen arched a brow. Was this woman for real? "Um, note the sling?" Gen motioned to her left arm, still protected by the sling. "I can't work when I'm injured."

"And just how did you get injured?" Christie challenged. "Did you get hurt on the job?"

"As a matter of fact, I did," Gen shot back.

"So how can you be sure they didn't allow you to get injured on purpose?"

That did it. Gen's temper flared and she took a step forward the so called reporter. "Now listen here. I believe everyone has a right to their opinion, but no way am I going to stand by and allow you cast aspersions like that. These men are the finest crew in the department and I'm honored to be able to work with them. I trust them with my life every day and I'm humbled that they trust me with theirs."

"Then how did you get hurt?"

"She dislocated her shoulder saving Johnny's life," Chet piped up. "They'd climbed over the side of a building to save two people and were hanging fifteen stories in the air when Johnny's line broke." Chet shook his head. "If she hadn't caught him when he started to fall, he wouldn't be here now."

Christie looked from Chet to Gen her eyes wide with shock. "Is what he's saying true?"

Gen arched a brow. "What? Do you think he's lying to you again? Want to see Cap's incident report? How about my x-rays and medical records? How about you follow me to the locker room and I'll show you the nice scar I have from my surgery?"

Christie bit down on her bottom lip and shook her head. "No, uh…I believe you." She glanced from Gen to Johnny and back. "I-I'm sorry. Maybe I did come in with some preconceived notions about the department. Do you have some time to talk?"

Sensing victory, Gen eased back. "Sure. I'll tell you anything you want to know, just so long as you remain fair and impartial like a reporter is supposed to be."

Christie nodded. "Maybe I did come in with some preconceived notions about what went on inside the fire department."

Just then the tones sounded. "Station 51, engine 10, truck 8, building explosion. 25435 Murdock Avenue. Cross street Butterworth. Time out 13:30." Gen rotated on her heel, took one step and caught herself. Damn!

She stepped through the door into the apparatus room and watched as they all rushed for the vehicles. Seconds later, with sirens wailing both vehicles pulled out of the bays and onto the road. Her heart ached as she watched them leave. She'd give damn near anything to be back to work.