Gen stared at her reflection in the mirror and turned from one side to the other. At the time the tie die banded bikini she'd purchased for the beach had seemed like a good choice. Now that the day had arrived she had second thoughts. Was it too revealing?

She'd tried on the top at the store and had even ventured to show it to Alyssa, who had all but insisted she buy it. It wasn't as if she couldn't pull off the look. She worked out nearly every day and tried to watch what she ate when not on shift. Still, these men were her co-workers. Didn't she have a certain responsibility with how she presented herself? She certainly did as a fireman, but how about as a woman? These men had become like family to her. Was it really appropriate for her to wear something so…skimpy in front of them?

Of course they wouldn't be the only ones there. Jason had agreed to come and after the competition maybe give her another surfing lesson. Her stomach fluttered and she pressed a hand over it as she continued to look at herself in the mirror. If nothing else, he'd like her choice in clothing. Besides, what would she wear if not the bikini? Shorts and a tee shirt? She smirked at that thought. Yeah, she wouldn't look too much like an idiot if she showed up in street clothes.

Still, street clothes would hide the burn on her neck. She'd made sure to ask Dr. Brackettt about the burn before her trip to the beach. With it pretty much healed he'd said it was fine, but to try and keep it covered to protect it from the sun.

She tossed the sun block towel and bottle of water into the bag with the first aid supplies for her burn and grabbed her sandals. After everything she'd been through over the last month she deserved to have some fun.

Thirty minutes later, bag in hand, she stopped at the top of the boardwalk and looked out over the beach. It took a moment before she spotted Chet and the gang. She slipped her sandals off and started down the steps. Her feet sank slightly as the hot sand shifted beneath her toes and she took a moment to let her body adjust to the temperature. It was only 9 in the morning and already the sand was hot. By one o'clock it would be absolutely scorching.

"There's my teammate." Chet beamed. He turned to the short blonde woman standing behind him and took her by the hand. "Nikki Bowman I'd like you to meet one of my co-workers and my teammate for the competition, Genevieve Conti."

"It's so nice to meet you." The blonde cooed as she twirled a lock of her hair with her finger. "Chetty here has told me so much about you."

Chetty? Gen didn't bother even trying to hide her grin. "Well, all of us down at the station have heard a lot about you too."

The blonde's eyes went wide and she grinned. "You have?" She leaned toward Chet and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're so wonderful talking about me to your friends."

Gen angled a thumb toward where the rest of the group had set up. "I'm gonna go put my stuff down. I'll be back."

She shook her head as she walked toward the guys and giggled at the absurdity of it all.

Mike paused from setting up a beach blanket. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing," she nodded in the direction of Chet and Nikki. "I just got a kick out of Chet and his girl."

"Oh yeah?" Mike's attention drifted in Chet's direction. "She seems nice."

"Oh she's very nice," Gen agreed. "And just about as brainless." She let her bag slip off her shoulder into the sand. "I swear, Mike, I think that Chet and Johnny have the same criteria for dating girls."

"And what would that be?" Mike retuned to setting up the blanket.

"Beautiful and brainless," Gen shot back, then shrugged. "But, I guess if that type of girl makes them happy, then who am I to criticize?"

Mike nodded as his gaze drifted over Gen's shoulder. "Speak of the devil, Looks like Johnny decided to come after all."

Gent turned to see Johnny crossing the sand with cooler in hand and she nearly groaned out loud. "Wonderful," she mumbled.

"What's the problem?"

Gen turned back to Mike. "With all the bitching he was doing about the competition I didn't actually think he'd come."

"So?" Mike arched a brow. "I mean I know you guys aren't getting along right now, but what's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I invited Jason. He'll be here any time."

"Like now?"

Mike nodded and Gen's attention cut in the same direction where she caught sight of Jason, with surf board tucked under one arm walking up the beach. "Oh man. Not good."

Johnny lay stretched out on the beach blanket and watched Gen frolic in the water with Jason from behind his sunglasses. "I can't believe she brought him."

Roy handed him a soda and dropped down on the blanket beside him. "To be fair, she didn't think you were coming."

John slid the glasses down his nose to look at Roy. "Why would I have not come? No way was I going to miss an opportunity to see Chet make a fool of himself in front of a crowd."

"Some fool," Roy chuckled. "He and Gen took second place. I don't think that's too shabby, considering two weeks ago he didn't even know this contest existed. Besides, you've done nothing for the last two weeks but razz Chet and dog Gen for agreeing to help him. Honestly, I didn't think you were coming either."

"Well, you were all wrong." John took a long drink and considered his options. He hadn't planned on coming, but realizing he'd be the only one from 'A' shift who wouldn't be there he didn't want to look like a jerk. "It's not good for her burn to be exposed to salt water like that."

"She got the okay from Brackett and you need to keep your big mouth shut before you start another fight."

Johnny eyed his best friend with some frustration. "Seems to me, pally, that you're taking up sides."

Roy shook his head. "Nope, just trying to keep you from making a bigger ass out of yourself than you already have."

Instantly offended, Johnny sat straight up. "I'm being an ass?" He nearly poked himself in the chest. "Are you kidding me? I'm not the one making a fool out of myself by dating Rampart's resident gigolo."

Roy sighed. "Junior, when are you going to let this go? She's not marrying the guy, she's just dating him. If he is what you say he is then she'll eventually figure him out and dump him."

"Yeah, I suppose." Johnny turned his attention back to Gen. Currently, she was standing on the surfboard that Jason held, her arms flailing and her legs wobbling as she tried to keep her balance. The movement caused her body to bounce and his gaze drifted to where it probably shouldn't. God she's so beautiful. He nearly sighed before once again she lost her balance and tumbled into the water squealing and laughing.

He'd seen her in shorts and a tee-shirt and in those skimpy shorts she slept in at the station. He'd even seen her naked, but nothing had prepared him for the moment when she'd pulled off her cover up and he'd caught sight of that tie-die two piece she wore. She was lean yet muscular, not body builder muscular, but one could definitely tell she lifted weights. Curvy in all the right places with legs that seemed to go on forever she looked better than any magazine model and any girl he'd ever dated. Hell, he'd damn near needed to throw himself into the water just to cool off.

When Gen surfaced and wrapped her arm around Jason's neck, her face glowing with happiness, John's frown deepened. Despite what the guys all thought he really did want her to be happy. The two of them had grown close over the last few years and he valued that friendship more than she might ever know. So why wouldn't he want her to be happy? After everything she'd been through she deserved to some joy in her life. Deep down, though, he knew Jason's type and guys like him were after only one thing.

Just how long would it take for him to sweet talk her into bed? The idea of some guy pawing all over Gen between the sheets didn't sit well with him. Still, if Jason somehow managed to get her there would he take his time and treat her with the respect and love she deserved? Or would he simply get his rocks off and bail, leaving her to pick up the pieces? What would happen to that beautiful spirit of hers if that happened?

Deep in thought he hadn't noticed them exiting the water until something happened that set him even more on edge. Two young women raced toward Gen and Jason with the shorter of the two throwing her arms around Jason's neck, despite the fact that Gen stood right next to him. Johnny was sorry he was out of earshot, but there was no mistaking the way Jason's hands immediately dropped to the girl's waist and stayed there.

For a moment Gen looked perplexed, then uncomfortable, before Jason finally pulled the girl off him and introduced the two women. Gen shot the girl a small smile and after a few minutes of small talk the women said their goodbyes and continued up the beach while Gen and Jason made their way toward the group.

"How was your first surfing lesson, Gen?" Roy asked.

Gen laughed. "Probably my last. Honestly, I don't know how people stay on those things."

Jason chuckled. "I still don't understand how you can be in the line of work you are and not have balance."

Gen gave him an affectionate punch in the arm. "I wouldn't have that job if surfing was a requirement."

"So, Jason." Johnny knew he was probably about to start a war, but he couldn't help himself. "Who were your lady friends?"

"Oh Brittany and Morgan?" He turned and looked in the direction the women had walked. "Brit is an old girlfriend of mine and Morgan, well, she always wanted to be a girlfriend of mine, but…well, timing was never right."

"Old girlfriend, huh? By the looks of things you sure must have a way with the ladies, since she's an ex-girlfriend and still friendly with you. I mean she is an ex, right?"

Jason's smile faded. "You know Gage, I've just about had enough of your butting into my business."

Johnny pushed to his feet to meet Jason face to face. "Well if you're going to date Gen, you might want to get used to it."

"Johnny," Gen cut in, but was practically pushed out of the way as Jason took a step toward Johnny.

"The last time I checked Gen was your co-worker, which means anything to do with her only concerns you when you're on duty."

"Jason, stop it," Gen protested

Johnny refused to back down. He was taller and in better shape than Jason and was pretty sure he could take him if he needed to. "You see, pal. That's where you're wrong. If you haven't figured it out yet, this little group here is more than just a crew, we're a family and family looks out for each other."

"Is that the excuse you used when you started digging around at the hospital asking all kinds of questions about me?"

"It's not an excuse and Gen has a right to know exactly what kind of player you really are."

"This coming from the man who has dated half the nurses on staff." Jason shot back. "Do yourself a favor and take a look in the mirror before you start casting aspersions, Gage." He turned to walk away then stopped and looked back. "Oh and stay out of my business or I'll make you sorry."

With a stunned expression on her face Gen's attention flipped from Johnny to Jason and back before she chased after Jason. Johnny watched her follow him a few feet away where they talked out of hearing range. After a few minutes she kissed him on the cheek, then turned and stalked back to where Johnny still stood. "You jackass." She shoved a finger at him. "How dare you say such terrible things about Jason and embarrass me in front of everyone like that." She threw her hands in the air. "I can't believe you. I've asked you to lay off, told you to back off and warned you to stay out of my business. Well no more. I'm done." She shook her head.

Johnny frowned. "What do you mean you're done?"

"I mean I have had it up to my eyeballs dealing with all the bullshit in my life and I don't need any more complications. Since you insist on being a complication then you leave me no choice. I'm done with you, John Gage. This friendship is over. As of this moment we are co-workers and nothing more."