Ok, for those who have seen 'Ladder 49', this story is like that concept. Each chapter, until the final chapter, is going to have what's happening at fire and major moments leading up to the fire. I only own the original characters, Dick Wolf owns the SVU characters.
FDNY captain Lacy Novak hops out of the fire truck and looks at the abandoned warehouse near the Hudson then looks at her crew. The fire is a third alarm call for the city, which means it's pretty much all hands on deck.
"Thompson, Jones, Florek, Lloyd and Cartwright, you're with me. We're sweeping eight, nine and ten in case the knuckleheads who started this fire is inside for some stupid reason. Rest of you, get lines onto the building." Lacy said and they put their masks on then head inside.
"FIRE DEPARTMENT CALL OUT!" Mark yelled through his mask.
"HELP!" They jog over and Lacy takes off her mask.
"Listen to me, ok? We're going to get you out of here, but I need you to remain calm, ok?" Lacy asked and the man nods. As they lower the man out the window to the ladder, an explosion happens and the floor starts to collapse. Lacy starts to fall backwards, but grabs the rope and is dangling. She looks down and sees the ninth floor is also gone from the explosion.
"Cap, hang on!" Mike yelled as the crew, that was on what was left of the floor, tries to pull Lacy up when the rope snaps.
"MAYDAY! MAYDAY! FIREFIGHTER DOWN!" Mark yelled into his radio. As Lacy lays on the eighth floor unconscious, she sees a flashback instead of darkness.
SEPTEMBER 2017
Lacy Cabot walks down a hallway inside an apartment building and knocks on the door then puts her hands in her pockets. The locks turn and she slowly smiles.
"What up, Lex?" Lacy asked and Alex slowly smiles.
"Lacy!" The firefighter tightly hugs her cousin and lifts her up.
"You have no idea how much I missed you." Alex said as she closes the door.
"I think I do. Hey Liv." Lacy said.
"Lacy. Well, this is a nice surprise." Olivia said as they hug.
"Well, I wanted to let you guys know that I'm moving here to the city for work."
"You're working with the fire department?"
"As second in command for station 33. The only thing is that -"
"You're staying here." Alex said.
"I don't want to impose or anything." Lacy said.
"You're not. Lace, you have no idea how happy I am that you're gonna be in the city."
"Lacy!" She hears and squats down when Noah runs over and she picks him up.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. This is not Noah." Lacy said as she holds him.
"I'm three." He said and she playfully gasps.
"No. I thought you were 13." She said and tickles him.
"When do you report for your tour?" Olivia asked.
"Monday. It's only for a couple of months for me to stay here since I can't touch my trust fund until I'm 27, which isn't for another three years."
"Don't worry about it. You can stay as long as you need. Where are your bags?" Alex asked as she takes Noah.
"My car in the parking garage."
On Monday, Lacy, wearing the FDNY t-shirt and navy pants, walks into the station with her gear in her bag when she sees three firefighters wiping down the ladder truck.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Captain Kennedy." Lacy said.
"Up the stairs and in the lounge. His office is off the lounge." One of them said.
"Thank you." She heads upstairs and knocks on the office door.
"Lieutenant Cabot. Thank you for coming in on short notice." Captain Kennedy said and shakes her hand after he stood up.
"It's no problem. I had to run over to headquarters to do the paperwork." Lacy said then sits down across from him.
"So, you're in charge of the engine. Everyone for engine 33 is under your command and you're my second in command here."
"Yes sir."
"Call me Rick. Sir makes me feel...old." They walk down the stairs and the entire crew is lined up for roll call.
"So, this is our new lieutenant. Lacy Cabot. A transfer from Boston. She will be the commanding officer for the engine. Treat her with respect because it's not easy coming into a new city and for a female to be a commanding officer here." Rick said.
On Saturday and her weekend off from work, Lacy carrying a to go bag, walks down the hallway at the DA's office and knocks on the open door.
"I brought lunch." Alex looks over and softly smiles.
"Thank you. Noah's ok?"
"The babysitter took him to the park. Who the hell works on a Saturday? Besides cops and fire department."
"Me."
"Hey Alex? I got..." Alex and Lacy look over and Lacy feels her heart starting to pound.
"Casey Novak. This is my cousin, Lacy. She just moved here from Boston for work." Alex said.
"Nice to meet you." Lacy said with a smile and Casey's knees almost buckled.
"You as well. Except Alex never mentioned you." Casey said.
"I'm surprised as well. But Alex keeps her personal life away from work and visa versa. Except for marrying Olivia a few years ago."
"What's up, Casey?" Alex asked then takes a bite of her Thai food.
"I just need you to take a look at this when you're finished with lunch." Alex takes the folder.
"Anyway, I gotta go. I'm making dinner." Lacy said as she stands up.
"Lace, you don't have to." Alex said.
"I insist. The least I can do after you and Liv are letting me stay with you until I can get my own place. Or until my trust fund is unfrozen. Which ever comes first. Casey, you're welcome to join us."
"I'd love to." Alex raises an eyebrow at her friend.
"Great. Six it is. I'll see you guys later." Lacy leaves the room.
"Don't even think about it." Alex said to Casey.
"Think about what?"
"Casey, she is my cousin and got out of a horrible relationship."
"I get it. You're trying to protect her. I'll back off."
"Thank you."
Noah sits in the chair as Lacy makes her homemade ravioli. She looks over at him and sees him intently watching her.
"Sometimes I get the feeling I'm being watched." Lacy said. He smiles, making Lacy smile. The door open and Noah looks over and smiles.
"Momma." He said. Alex smiles and kisses his cheek.
"Hi big boy. Momma missed you." She holds him and Lacy can't help but smile at the duo.
"Oo. Your homemade ravioli. Yum." Alex said to Lacy.
"I made small ones for little man, so he can eat them. We played, watched Cars and as he napped, I did laundry."
"You're doing enough as it is."
"Makes me feel useful instead of used. Like someone I'm not going to mention."
"Have you talked to Derek?" Alex softly asked as she places Noah back into the chair.
"No and I don't plan to. I want nothing to do with him. I need to change. Don't burn the food and don't burn down the kitchen."
"That was one time!" Lacy laughs as she walks to the guest room.
Lacy stands on the balcony and takes a sip of her wine as she looks at the Manhattan skyline.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" A voice asked. Lacy turns around and sees Casey wearing a dress shirt and jeans.
"It's not Boston, but it's better." Casey stands next to Lacy.
"So, why New York?" Casey asked.
"I needed a change. Boston's great, but I got bored with the city. Especially the last couple of months. I was in a financial abuse and verbal abuse relationship. My ex would blame me for spending the money when he would go bar hopping and strip clubs with his buddies."
"Why didn't you leave earlier?"
"I didn't have the money to leave. I hid a bank account from him and put all of my paychecks from the last three months into it. Then I sold my car and that got me here. I didn't join the fire department for the money. I did it because I wanted to help people and keep the city safe."
Alex looks at them from the living room and Olivia rubs her leg.
"I told Casey to keep away from her."
"Lex, she's not going to hurt Lacy like how Derek did." Olivia softly said.
"Yeah, you're right." Lacy and Casey walk back into the apartment and Lacy closes the double doors.
"I'm going to make sure Casey gets a cab ok." Lacy said as she puts on her shoes.
"Be careful." Olivia said and watches them leave. She looks at Alex, who has her arms crossed.
"Relax." Olivia whispered then softly kisses her neck.
Lacy stands next to Casey as they wait for the cab. The firefighter looks at the attorney and finds her gorgeous.
"My cab is here." Casey kisses her cheek then Lacy opens the door for her. The attorney smiles and gets into the cab then Lacy closes the door and taps the roof. The cab drives away and Lacy starts whistling as she walks back into building.