I apologize if the location and details at the end of this chapter is off. I live on the East coast and am not at all familiar with Southern California. My only research was based on current day locations and areas. Hope you all enjoy.

Was his marriage in trouble?

Johnny frowned at that thought as he drove toward the station house. Over the past few months it seemed as if all he and Gen did was argue and he hated it. Their constant fighting wasn't good for Olivia, nor was it good for Gen. If he were being completely honest, it wasn't all that easy on him either. Worrying about his family was emotionally draining enough without adding in the stress from their arguing.

What had changed which could be causing this constant friction between them? He wracked his brain as he waited at the red light. From day one they'd gotten along so well. Nearly from the moment she'd walked through the door at 51's six years ago he'd known she was the one for him.

They had so much in common and she didn't just understand, but embraced his heritage. Never in his life had he ever trusted anyone as thoroughly as he did Genevieve. She was his support system when he was down, his best friend and the fiercest lover he'd ever encountered. When she did something, she gave it everything she had. It was a trait about her he both loved and hated. Especially during times like this when he found himself smack in the middle of a disagreement.

The light turned green and he proceeded forward. Yes, they'd had their arguments over the years. The 'Jason incident' came to mind and later their misunderstanding over her desire to return to 51 and his dating Christie. Both were brutal in terms of her stubbornness in admitting she was wrong, but then he'd also been wrong and too stubborn to apologize. It was a shame he'd nearly had to die that first time for them both to realize what they'd almost lost and make up.

Though, if his rope hadn't broken, they might not have ever admitted their true feelings. He could still remember their first kiss, with her standing half naked in the hospital bathroom. She'd looked so vulnerable, so beautiful, the need to kiss her had overwhelmed him. He couldn't stop himself and when he'd pleaded with her to tell him to stop, she'd simply shook her head. I don't want to.

Those four little words had been the beginning of what they had now...a relationship he cherished more than anything else in his life. He made a left at the stop sign. They'd suffered through some drama after that amazing day, but with the exception of the 'Christie incident', they'd weathered the drama together. Though he had to admit, learning she was pregnant with Olivia had terrified him in ways he hadn't thought possible. The last thing he'd ever wanted was to have children or be responsible for someone else. Yet, as her pregnancy progressed and life seemed to settle down he'd realized he couldn't have been happier or more excited. With the exception of some morning sickness, her first pregnancy had been text book perfect. No health issues. No strange cravings and no radical mood swings. Sure, they'd had a few incidents here before and after Olivia's birth, but the constant arguing hadn't really started until...

He pursed his lips as he considered the answer. It all made sense now, but having the reason for their battles still didn't give him the answer on how to stop them. No way would she be receptive to any suggestion that the current tension in their marriage had everything to do with her hormones being out of whack. Hell, she'd nearly ripped his head off earlier that morning when he'd even eluded to the thought.

Hopefully, with any luck, in a couple more months life could get back to some type of normal. All he had to do was ride it out until then.

Johnny parked his rover in its slot, turned off the engine and headed into the station. What he needed to do now was try and put Gen out of his mind until after shift. In the wrong situation distractions could mean death, either for him or one of his crew. No way could he allow that to happen.

He pushed through the back door and paused as he took in his surroundings. Little had changed since his first day on shift six years ago. The air still smelled like Pine sol and diesel fuel. The florescent lights still provided a harsh glow over the room and the sounds of his men already hard at work echoed off the red brick walls. Thankful for his opportunity to remain at 51 as a Captain and for the amazing men he worked with every shift, he made his way down the aisle between the engine and squad, then stepped into his office. It was time to get to work. With any luck they'd have a calm, uneventful shift.

Johnny had no sooner sat down at the desk and began reading through the previous shift's log when a knock had him looking up. There, standing in the doorway was his engineer and friend Chet Kelly. "I didn't see you in the locker room, so I wasn't sure if you were here yet."

A fleeting thought of Gen and their fight that morning passed through Johnny's mind and he did his best to force a reassuring smile. "I decided to get dressed at home."

"Uh oh." Without waiting to be invited in, Chet frowned, walked into the office, and eased into the chair. "After nine years of working with you I know that look. What's wrong?"

Johnny leaned back in his chair and assessed his engineer. For all his faults, including his annoying split personality known as 'the phantom', Chet really was a great fireman and a good friend. One thing he'd been thankful for when he became captain of 51's B shift was having Chet assigned as his engineer. "Gen and I had a fight this morning."

Chet arched a brow. "That's all? Jeez, I thought it was something serious."

Johnny bristled at his blasé attitude. "This is serious."

"Please." Chet waved a dismissive hand at him as he stood and turned away. "You and Gen are always arguing about something. Heck, you two used to bicker like a married couple before you were a married couple."

"Now that's not true!" Johnny protested.

"Oh I hate to tell you this, but it totally is true," Chet challenged. "Look, there's no doubt in anybody's mind that you and Gen are madly in love, but sometimes you two fight about the stupidest things. Honestly, I think you two get some sick enjoyment out of it."

"That's ridiculous," John scoffed.

"Not as ridiculous as you think," Chet replied, then arched a brow. "Maybe you two argue just so you can make up." He leaned against the back of an empty chair and grinned at Johnny. "You know, when we were on A shift, we were all pretty much in agreement that for you to settle down and marry her she must be a real wild cat in bed."

Somehow, Johnny managed not to roll his eyes at Chet's obvious dig for information. One thing about his relationship with Gen was that he respected her too much to ever share details of their private moments with anyone, including their 51 family. Yes, she was great in bed, but no way would he ever let Chet or anyone else know. "I know when you're trying to bate me, Kelly. It ain't gonna work."

Chet grinned and gave him a shrug. "It was worth a shot. So what did you argue about this time?"

John frowned. "I want to get Olivia a horse for her birthday, but Gen doesn't think she's old enough."

"A horse," Chet questioned. "You do know your daughter is turning three, right?"

Chet's shocked response caused Johnny's frown to deepen. Was it possible he was wrong and Gen was right? "I know that. Look, I was three when my parents got me my first horse. I just want her to share something that is so meaningful for me. I can teach her to ride and she can learn about her heritage. It can be a special bonding thing just for the two of us."

Chet appeared to consider his explanation. "Did you explain that to Gen?"

Johnny paused for a moment as he pondered Chet's question. Had he explained why giving Olivia a horse was so important to him? "No, I don't think I have," he finally replied.

"Well, why don't you tell Gen what you told me? From the first time you took her to the reservation with you she's been a huge supporter of your heritage." He grinned. "Remember how she jumped all over me for joking about you being a savage."

Johnny smiled. "Yeah I remember." Immediately, his smiled faded. "That was right before William Barlow nearly killed her in that chemical plant fire."

Chet's grin slid away. "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."

For a moment silence filled the air between them before Chet spok again. "I'd bet if you told her your reasons why you want to buy the horse, her tune might change."

Preferring to push the bad memories away Johnny turned his attention back to the moment and Chet's statement. "You think?"

"Yeah, actually I do," Chet replied.

Before Johnny could say anything else the radio crackled to life. "LA, patrol one twenty reporting a brush fire North of the Eaton Canyon hiking area. Currently, there's about five acres involved and is quickly moving North and East into Angeles National Forest. Send a full brush assignment."

Chet's eyes widened at the news, he turned and rushed toward the door as Johnny pushed up from his chair and raced out behind him They headed for the map, and had pinpointed the area just as the Klaxon sounded. "Engine 120, Engine 86, patrol 86, station 51, Engines 64 and 264, respond to the brush fire, Angeles National Forrest, North of the Eaton Canyon hiking area. Time out seven fifteen."

Johnny keyed the mic. "Station 51, KMG365." He replaced the mic, turned and ran to the closet, where he grabbed his gear, then rushed around the engine and pulled himself up into the seat.

Johnny's stomach dropped as the bay door opened and the gravity of the moment settled over him. The last brush fire he worked, he'd done so as a paramedic working under Captain Stanley. This time he was the one in charge and that thought scared him to death. "So much for hoping for an uneventful shift," he murmured as Chet hit the lights and put the engine in gear. Now all he could do was his best and pray that they all came home in once piece.