Alex awoke to the thick smell of smoke. She had been sleeping lightly so it didn't take her long to get up. She couldn't yet see the fire but she could feel it. The heat in the air engulfed her. She grabbed her badge and sidearm from the bedside table and ran out of her apartment. She looked out over the balcony. People and fire-trucks were starting to gather. As she was waving her arms rather franticly she heard a soft cry. She turned around toward the flames listening for it again. She heard it again and realized it was coming from her neighbor's apartment. Sky, her neighbor Mrs. Keller's youngest daughter was curled up on their sofa whimpering. "Hey Sky, you remember me? I'm Alex. Why don't you come with me?" Alex said in her best soothing voice. Sky nodded. "I had to save Miss. Puffy." she said pointing to a kitten Alex just realized Sky was holding. She scooped the tiny 4 year old and the kitten up and headed back to the balcony. The heat & smoke where overwhelming and Alex happily joined the firefighter on the ladder.
"Thank you so much Alex." Mrs. Keller said for the hundredths time. Sky had been held by someone ever since they had reached the ground. Alex nodded as she gazed at the fire that continually ate at her home. All of her well-preserved memories were being burned to ashes. She needed to call someone, but she didn't know who. she made up her mind and pressed his speed dial.
"Goren." he answered. "Bobby...." she began. "Alex! Are you all right?" he almost yelled in alarm. "Well I'm fine but my house is on fire." she told him quietly. "Alex, I'll be there." he said and hung up. She felt somewhat relived that she didn't even have to ask. She needed someone to tell her everything would be O.K and he was just the man to do it.
