Note: I'm rusty, so be honest with your reviews, but as gentle as possible. I also proofread it as well, but may have missed a few things. Anyway, this is the setup for the rest of the story. The next chapters won't have quite as much internal dialogue, and will contain more external dialogue. There will definitely be other character interactions. too I wanted you guys to understand my OC's character a little bit. Also, her main paying job will be mentioned, but the focus will be on the firefighting aspect. I need to maintain as much continuity throughout this fanfiction. So yeah, hope you enjoy it! :) Appreciate the feedback!

Decision

Grace's POV:

It's funny. You would think that after uprooting myself yet again, I would get tired of it. But nope, here I am moving in my stuff to my new apartment in the Windy city downtown by the fire academy and the URS office. Hmm, who would've thought I would be here. I mean I certainly didn't plan on it. And I travel for my job ALL the time. Besides I've never been much of a settler myself.

But anyway, once you experience one tragic moment after another in the matter of hours, it changes your perspective. I'm not referring to my term in the Air Force either. That war was a cake walk compared to this trauma. Anyway, now I'm fearful, and fear is unacceptable for me So, that means I have to go to where the fear is and conquer it. In case you're wondering, a few months ago there was a terrible explosion at Chicago Med caused apparently by an angry, vengeful terrorist with daddy issues, but I digress.

What I'm trying to get at is that I believe it was destiny or God's intervention that I just happened to be in town when the explosion happened for work. Not only was I in town, but I in fact had a front row seat to the disaster since I was volunteering for the cancer charity event hosted by the hospital that fateful day.

I remember the events like yesterday. One second I was running toward A-wing to help finish the race registration when BOOM! I get thrown back at least 20 feet and land my ass on the concrete a mere block or so away from where the door used to be. After a couple minutes, I get control of my senses and take a look around. I was in shock. My destination was destroyed and falling debris and mayhem was everywhere. People were crying, screaming, and in pain. Then I felt a sharp sensation in my arm and saw a giant gash in my arm from where a small piece of rebar had gotten impaled in my left arm. Despite the agony, I stood up, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a blond man in front of me who was wearing a Chicago FD beanie. This man instantly realized what happened and jumped into action and started helping the injured civilian victims.

I however, needed a few minutes to process, evaluate the situation and be rational to determine the best course of action to not only save myself, but others too. Call me selfish, but I call it realism. What good am I with my training if I'm dead or fatally injured? I would be an incompetent, liability risk that would do more harm than good if I'm not focused and not on my A game.

Anyway, once I saw the man run off down the road to try to control the chaos and after I had composed myself, I followed him vowing to help in any capacity I could manage. First, however, I had to get the rebar removed and my arm stitched up. That took more time than I wanted, and I cursed myself for my lack of luck.

But, long story short, after I got patched up, I did my deed and assisted where I was needed. It was a long and exhausting day for me, but then again I never complain about anything, so this was a severe issue. I wished I could've done more, but I knew the brave men and women of Firehouse 51 and Ambulance 61 could step in when I wasn't capable since they were first responders.

For that, I'm grateful to them.

After the fall out, and on my way back to my hotel, I realized at that moment that while saving the planet and making it sustainable for all life was a number one goal in my life, it was a time consuming, long-term activity. I was growing impatient and bored with my life. So, I figured, why not satisfy both my needs at the same time? Remain a devoted tree-hugger, but also spice it up with a new location, new adventures, new people, and more importantly, a new secondary purpose.

This is my story, my journey. From lone stranger to free woman and every step in between.