After finishing the last of her paperwork Genevieve organized her belongings in her new locker, set up her bed and barely managed to find a turnout coat that fit before tones began to sound. As if someone flipped a switch inside her the adrenaline began to flow as she raced toward the vehicles. She skidded to a stop and glanced between the engine and squad.
"Gen, climb in." Johnny held the squad's passenger door open. Quickly she slid inside and found herself wedged between two men she barely knew, two men who she would now consider her partners. Would they trust her in the face of danger? Could she trust them?
It took less than five minutes before they pulled up on a two story home engulfed in flames. Gen's heart pounded as she slid from the seat and rushed toward the engine to help pull hose. It might not be her first fire, but it was the first with her new crew and she didn't want to screw anything up. Just as she reached for a line Cap's voice caused her to stop.
"We have two children trapped on the second floor, a boy and a girl. John, Roy, Gen, grab your gear and move."
With a new purpose, Gen turned and raced for the squad. She grabbed what was now her SBCA and mask. "I'll take the first floor," Roy said. "You and Johnny take the second floor and split up."
Gen nodded as Johnny helped her into the straps. She quickly secured it in place, then rushed toward the burning building right behind Roy. Upon gaining entrance, a rush of heat hit her straight on and she slowed for only a moment before turning toward the staircase.
Once on the second floor she split from Johnny and race down the hallway to the farthest door where a picture of a pink butterfly hung on the outside. She shoved open the door and dropped to the floor on hands and knees and began her search. Thick rolls of smoke filled the room making it nearly impossible for her to see. All too familiar memories tapped her conscious as she looked for the little girl.
Her room was black when she'd awaken coughing. A soft hiss permeated the silence sending chills crawling up her spine. Gen grabbed her teddy bear Bosco and slipped from her bed. "Mommy?" She opened the door and let loose a scream as her vision quickly filled with bright orange and red flames. Intense waves of heat forced her to close the door.
"Mommy! Mommy!" she cried. Terror clutched her tiny heart and caused her throat to close. 'I'm scared. Where is mommy?' The evil smoke rolled into her room from beneath her closed door. She ran to her bed and grabbed a blanket and shoved it against the bottom of the door. ' Go away smoke. Go away.'
With tears in her eyes she snatched up Bosco and her favorite blanket and ran for her closet. Maybe she'd be safe in there. Maybe the nasty fire wouldn't find her there. Time seemed to stand still as the house groaned and creaked around her. Tears stained her face as she continued to cry for her parents, not understanding why they weren't coming.
Her chest hurt and her throat felt like it was on fire, causing her to cough over and over. Still she clung to Bosco, knowing he would never leave her. Then from underneath her closet door came light. It flickered and grew and Gen sank deeper in her closet, clutching her bear and blanket with all her might. 'Go away bad fire. Go away!'
The door flung open and she screamed in response as a man in a black mask reached into the closet for her. His big hands latched onto her tiny frame and he pulled her from her haven. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm going to get you out of here," the man said, his words muted by his mask.
"I want mommy," Gen whimpered as he clutched her tight and tossed her favorite blanket over her head.
"I know, honey. I know. Let's get you out of here."
Gen shuddered at the memory then headed directly for the little girl's closet. She opened the door and found the tearful four year old clutching tight to a stuffed pink bunny with floppy ears. "I want my mommy."
"I know you do, sweetheart. Let's get you out of here." Gen reached for the girl and was surprised when the child climbed from the closet into her arms. "What's your name, honey?"
"Tabitha," the little girl sniffled.
"Okay Tabitha, I'm Genevieve and I'm going to take you to your mommy. Now hold onto me."
With her bunny wedged between them, Tabitha latched onto Gen. "My blanket. My blanket." She pointed to the bed.
Genevieve turned and grabbed the crocheted pink and white blanket off the bed and tossed it over Tabitha's head. "Okay, kiddo. Let's get out of here." She rushed out of the room and sprinted down the hallway in time to meet up with and empty handed Roy at the top of the steps. "Where's Johnny?"
"He found the boy and headed out. I was on my way to help you."
"Thanks, but not needed."
"Good. Let's go."
Gen gave him a nod and started down the steps with Roy behind her. With one foot on the ground floor and all too familiar groan rent the air. "Go," Roy urged, but it was too late as the ceiling above began to fall on them. Gen managed three quick steps before a falling beam had her ducking for cover. Turning to her side to protect Tabitha, Gen landed hard on her left shoulder, knocking the air from her lungs.
Pain seared through her shoulder, but she did her best to focus her attention on the terrified and crying little girl. "You're okay." Gen tried to soothe. "You're okay."
"Genevieve!" At the sound of Chet's voice she turned to see him running toward her. "Are you hurt?"
"I don't think so. Take the girl. I'll be right behind you."
Chet snatched up Tabitha, bunny, blanket and all, and scurried for the door.
Gen tried to move, but something kept her tied in place. She was stuck, but by what? She did a quick assessment of her limbs. Nothing but her shoulder really hurt and everything appeared to move freely, so what was the deal? It took several seconds before she realized the beam had pinned her by her SBCA. If she lost her tank she could slip free. Without wasting another second she made quick work of unhooking her tank and sliding free. Her shoulder hurt like hell, but otherwise she didn't feel injured.
As she headed for the door she glanced back and immediately skidded to a stop. Without hesitation she turned and headed for Roy' who'd also been pinned by the beam. With no oxygen to protect her from the ensuing deluge of smoke she wouldn't have long to survive, but no way was she going to leave without her new partner.
Genevieve stumbled through the debris to where the beam lay across Roy's legs. Willing every ounce of strength in her body she pulled on the beam, but it didn't move. She looked at Roy and noted the panic in his eyes even as he waved her off, motioning for her to get out and leave him behind.
With a defiant shake of her head she began looking for something to use as leverage. No way would she be responsible for leaving a partner behind. Not now. Not ever. She spotted a large chunk of two by four a few feet away and climbed over the beam after it. Within second she returned to Roy, wedged the wood beneath the beam and began the arduous task of removing the obstruction. The extra leverage helped and the beam began to move. Just a little more.
With each intake of breath rolling black smoke filled her lungs, stealing what little oxygen was left until her tiny coughs slid into violent wracking coughs that shook her entire body. We're not going to die in here, damn it. With a renewed determination she gave one last effort. The beam moved just enough for Roy to free his leg. Quickly he scrambled to his feet and made a grab for Genevieve.
She let go of the wood and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Lean on me," she yelled, hoping that he would trust her enough to do just that. Obviously injured by the falling debris, Roy did in fact lean on her as together they trekked through the burning house. Each step, each intake of breath seemed to bring her both closer to freedom and to the ominous darkness. She focused on the open door and tried not to panic as her vision began to tunnel.
"Just a little more," Roy's mumbled encouragement came from behind his oxygen mask. She looked up through smoke filled eyes and nodded, understanding that he'd no more leave her now than she would have him a few minutes earlier. They'd just reached the entrance when the telltale groaning grew from inside the structure. "Go," Roy urged and they scrambled down the steps.
Gen's feet hit the ground and she dropped to her knees, coughing and gasping for every breath as she looked over her shoulder in time to see the house collapse inward. Thank God! She dropped forward to her elbows and retched.
Within seconds, a pair of hands gently traveled across her back. "Come on, Gen. Let's get you some oxygen." She set back on her heels and looked up into the face of her new captain. A look of compassion and pride met her stare right before he grabbed her beneath the arms, pulled her to her feet.
"Where. Are. The. Children?" she managed to ask between wracking coughs.
"With their parents." He motioned to the far corner of the yard where a man and woman clutched Tabitha and a boy.
Relief washed through her and she would have dropped to her knees a second time if it hadn't been for Cap holding her upright. He guided her to where Johnny was now working on Roy.
"John, got another one for ya, pal. Pretty sure she ate more smoke than was healthy."
"I-I'm…I'm fine, Cap," Gen said between coughs only to have her words meet a dark stare that she was pretty sure meant he didn't believe her.
"Humor me, then," he replied and guided her toward the spot Johnny motioned for her to sit. "Now sit and let your new partner check you out."
Before she could reply with a 'Yes Sir," John had an oxygen mask over her face and her wrist in his hand taking her pulse. "Just keep the mask on and breathe deep," he instructed.
"I know the drill," she managed to mumble from behind the mask. Despite not wanting to end up a patient on the first call of her first shift she had to admit the oxygen felt good on her newly abused lungs.
Apparently she'd amused him with her response as he gave her a cockeyed smile. "I'm sure you do. Now lay back and relax. You've earned it." He wore a look of admiration as he stared down at her and deep down pride welled. She'd done exactly what she'd set out to do. She'd proven herself to her new crew. With a nod, she eased back onto the cool grass. My god she was tired. Indulging in a little rest, she closed her eyes and tried to breath deep. The sooner she could rid the smoke and soot from her lungs the sooner she could return to work.
She lay there listening to the sounds around her. A siren grew closer and closer until it stopped and she assumed an ambulance had arrived. Men yelled to and fro, giving and taking instructions and the sound of glass shattering and burning wood filled her ears. All of it seemed strangely familiar, almost comforting in a way. From the time she was five years old, this is what she knew, what she'd been used to.
"Gen." A gentle hand landed on her shoulder and gave her a shake. "Gen, you still with me?"
Gen opened her eyes and smiled. "Yep. Just resting like you said."
Johnny grinned. "Well, I have to say that it's nice to finally have a partner who listens to orders."
"This coming from the most obstinate patient on the face of the earth," Roy chimed in. His face came into her line of vision as he leaned over her. "How ya doing, hon?"
"Good." She pushed up to her elbows and looked from one to the other. "The pressure in my chest is gone. My throat is a little sore and I'm not quite as sleepy as I was a few minutes ago."
"All good signs," Roy agreed. "Feel like taking a ride?"
Gen shook her head. "Not really, but I'm guessing that was a rhetorical question."
"You catch on fast," Johnny laughed. "You going on a stretcher or you gonna walk to the ambulance?"
"Well, since there isn't a third choice to rejoin the crew I think I'll take option B and walk."
"Thought you might." He extended a hand. She took it and allowed him to pull her up. Slightly unsteady on her feet she stumbled forward and landed against his chest. "Whoa there." Johnny wrapped an arm around her. "Maybe you're not as good as you thought?"
Gen raked a shaky hand through the loose strands of hair escaping her ponytail and looked at him. In his gaze she found concern and gratefulness staring back. "Maybe, but I don't want to look weak in front of the others. Not on my first day anyway."
"Understood. Let's get you to the ambulance. You can lie down inside."
Roy waited inside the back of the ambulance his leg in a splint, but otherwise looking none the worse for wear. "Johnny is she okay?"
He glanced down at Gen as she leaned again him then back at Roy. "She'll be fine. Just needs a bit more oxygen and probably some fluids."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No, thank you," he replied.
"For what?"
"For saving Roy's hide."
Gen climbed into the back of the ambulance and with Roy's help eased onto the stretcher just in time to have Johnny appear next to her, oxygen in hand. "You didn't think you were getting away without this did you?"
"I was kinda hoping," she shot back.
Her cutesy response earned her a frown and she suddenly felt like a petulant child. "Sorry. I guess I'm not such a good patient after all."
"Don't worry about it," Roy offered. "Johnny here holds the county record for worst patient."
Apparently ignoring his partner's remark John let out a sigh and set the mask over her face. "Be thankful I'm letting you off without an IV, though I suspect once Bracket gets a hold of you that might change." In an instant his look turned soft as he stared down at her. "You sure you're okay?"
"Right as rain."
Johnny smirked and shook his head as he exited the vehicle. He turned and pointed a finger at her from where he stood. "You stay put and leave the oxygen in place." He turned his attention to Roy. "You also stay still and don't move that leg too much. I'll be right behind the ambulance so if either of you need anything have them stop."
Roy rolled his eyes and glanced at Gen, a cheeky grin on his face. "I forgot to tell you that he's a mother hen too."
Johnny scowled. "Very funny. Now sit back and behave." With that he shut them inside the ambulance and with a quick bang on the back door they were off.
Obviously still in some pain Roy rubbed at his leg then glanced down at her. "You know, as the junior member you had a duty to listen to me when I waved you off back there."
Gen slid her gaze sideways and met Roy's stare head on, then pulled the oxygen mask down to speak. "If I had listened, you might very well be dead right now."
"You could have gone for help," he quickly countered.
"There wasn't time and you know it," she shot back. "Sorry, but I tend to be a bit selfish when it comes to my co-workers. No way was I going to have your death on my conscious when I could have done something about it."
"Even if it meant losing your life too?"
She shrugged and looked away, trying to play down the significance of his statement. "Calculated risk."
"And one you're obviously prepared to take."
Her gaze flick upward to once again meet his stare. "Just as much as you are."
For several second they held each other's gaze before he finally conceded. "You're right."
It was a tiny victory, but one that meant so much coming from one half of the best paramedic team in the county. She fought back a smile. "I suspect Johnny would have done the same thing."
Roy chuckled. "You're right. He would have, only he would have somehow managed to get himself injured even worse than either of us. God love him, but he can be a huge klutz. Please tell me you're not accident prone too. I'm not sure I could handle the stress of having to watch out for both of you."
Enjoying the private moment when one of her new partners, she finally smiled. "I try hard not to be. I find hospitals to be little fun and work hard to avoid them as much as possible."
He laughed, a full on chuckle that put the last of her nerves at ease. "Then you really picked the wrong line of work."
"Nah," she waved a hand at him. "I just do my best to be upright and walking when I enter a hospital."
Roy shook his head as he reached down for her mask. "Don't we all? Now put that back on before Johnny has my hide."
She wanted to laugh but ended up in a coughing fit instead. Eventually she managed to settle back against the gurney and try to relax only to feel Roy's hand on her arm. She opened her eyes and glanced up at him, surprised by the look of gratitude on his face. "Thank you for having my back." he said.
Unexpected emotions welled inside until Gen was sure she would cry. His acceptance of her meant more than he could possibly know. Unable to speak for fear of sobbing, she simply nodded her acknowledgement of his gratitude and then closed her eyes. Maybe, just maybe things here would work out. Maybe, she dared to hope, maybe she'd finally found a new home.
