Massive appologies for the delay with this fic, I have had thee worst writers block with it.
Think it's time to bow out with this one now, this is the penultimate chapter.

Thank you to everyone who reviews and continues to read this story. xx

Light My Fire

Chapter 11

Simon opened his eyes and winced with the bright light from the room he lay in. He had no clue where he even was at first, his arm tingled and it felt pressure, both his arms and legs felt the same as he tried to move them. He brought his hand up and looked reeling at the white bandage covering them, and then he brought up his other arm and hitched a breath. It was normal for Simon to wake up this way, three months had passed and even though his injuries were healing each day his memory was shattered. Simon felt he had a fair few memories locked up in his head, he tried to remember but things were very hazy. Like a dream he'd had each night but forgotten once awake, he desperately wanted to recall. It was frustrating.

"Hello?" Simon asked quietly but no one answered him. His head lolled to the side where a huge window spanned the entire one side of the wall, the sunlight beamed through the half drawn curtains and a small breeze curved the material in waves through the open window.

It wasn't cold but a pleasant wind that surrounded his face; he smiled with it and closed his eyes. Taking another bigger breath in he lifted his head to see he wasn't alone. There were three other beds only divided by a blue curtain. He looked up and saw a metal ring above him that held it up. He was in hospital then. He knew that much, being a fire fighter meant he'd visited them a fair few times in his life, although he'd never been on the other side of it, he'd never been the patient before.

He turned his face to the side, then the other and moved his hands over the bed covers to eventually find what he was looking for. The red button clicked and a continuous beep traveled through the air. Simon settled his head back down on the soft pillow that felt lighter than air. He didn't want to sleep though, felt like he'd slept enough already.

Some sturdy footsteps could be heard approaching the room he was in and when a friendly nurse smiled at him and stretched to the back of his bed to switch his buzzer off, she stayed above his eye view to see how Simon was.

"Hello love, how are you feeling?"

"Confused and a little sore" Simon held up his arms, "They're burned aren't they?"

The nurse nodded silently and sat on the edge of the bed dipping the mattress. "Hmm, you were in an accident"

"I still don't remember anything. My…my legs the same, I feel bandages there too"

"I'm sorry, but yes, both your arms and legs took a lot of the blast. You inhaled a lot of smoke too, you're lucky to be alive"

Simon swallowed a hard lump in his throat. "I remember waking up and seeing them, my friends. Can I see my friends?"

"They've been here everyday since it happened. Your girlfriend too"

"Anne was here, why am I struggling with my memory?"

The nurse folded her arms across her chest and shrugged "Don't know, some days are better than others though. You've made great progress. The explosion you was in has caused trauma to your memories. Could be your way of dealing with it."

"Post traumatic stress disorder?" Simon asked looking into the distance. "I've heard that can happen. My friends though, I definitely remember them being in here"

"Everyday, they have taken it in turns, as they are still on shifts. We know them all quite well. I like the chief myself" The nurse winked and stood up.

"Brendan? Ha ha"

"No, not Brendan, Foxy they call him"

"Warren was here too? Wow, I have great friends. Let them know I want to see them again?"

"Oh I will, they will be very happy to see you"

The nurse moved to leave but Simon held out his arm to stop her wincing at the pain he held her arm, tightly.

"Is it bad…will I…will I be scarred for life?"

"I am not the person to ask, the doctor will be around soon though, she will know better than me" The nurse saw the look of disappointment spread Simons face she moved closer again.

"You know the wonders they can do now, and I can only imagine how scared you must be. With those friends you have, I promise no hurdle will be too big for you"

"Thank you" his sigh shook from his lips and frustration crept through his body like a disease. The nurse left and besides the remaining patients in the other beds he was alone again.

Of course the first place Ste went was Brendan's office, after the prank he pulled where else was he meant to go. He'd planned his speech on the way there, fists clenched by his side, embarrassment edging him on in his determination. Ste peered through the square window to the fire chief's office, he was sat working through his paperwork. Ste took a deep breath and knocked before entering.

Brendan smirked without even looking up, knowing he knew it was him riled Ste even more. So cock sure of himself. Ste slammed the door shut and strode to the other side of the desk, hands on his hips of the blue uniform that held loose over his body. Tapped his foot, but Brendan continued to look unfazed, engrossed in the boring paperwork he really loathed. He wasn't about to back down that easily though.

"Well?!"

"Great thanks, and ye?" Brendan suppressed a laugh and kept his eyes on the paperwork surrounding his desk, there was a mountain of it to get through, administration he could easily do without.

"Ya cocky sod. Can't believe ya just left me hanging like that"

"It hangs so well though Steven, looks even better hard"

"Ey, pack it in while I am trying to have a serious conversation!"

"I am being serious though, it's a fine specimen, and I could play with it the live long day and never get bored"

The flush in Ste's cheeks once the older man had eventually gazed up had him faltering, something about Ste's embarrassment did things to him he couldn't control. Brendan pondered his options right there and then, he knew they were back on shift and the call out could come at any moment, it didn't halt the intense attraction he had for the boy before him, the carnal desire he felt inside. It rattled his organs, Brendan's heart palpitated against his ribs and channeled every area of his skin.

"The way ya look at me sometimes Bren, Jesus" Ste felt his initial anger fading annoyingly.

Brendan hummed and gestured his pen to all of Ste "Where did ye get the uniform?"

"Warren" Ste laughed pulling the blue uniform ahead of his chest, it was too big. "Didn't have any choice thanks to you did I?" Ste's anger resurfaced.

"Ah Steven, come on, it was a joke. Can't we have a laugh now?"

"Watch me get ya back"

"I can't wait," Brendan gestured his head to Ste smiling "Come here ye"

Ste smirked and made his way to his side of the desk, Ste watched Brendan push his chair out and hand slap over his lap. "This was made for ye Steven, sit why don't ye"

Ste shrugged and straddled Brendan placing his arms around his neck he ghosted their lips together "And if someone walks in?"

"Giving ye mouth to mouth Steven, basic first aid that" Brendan replied pressing his lips to Steven's, their kiss slowed, yearning. Ste wined low as it deepened, tilted his head and gripped Brendan's neck hard.

"I love mouth to mouth lessons"

Brendan held back "Had many?" he asked as jealously tinged his body like a flame.

"Oh ya know, some" Ste relished Brendan's jealously, and had now found a way to get the older man back. "Some longer than others, I mean really detailed courses"

"That's nice" Brendan snapped trying to push Ste off his lap, Ste wasn't going everywhere.

"What's the matter chief?" Ste whispered into his ear and crept his lips to behind it kissing slowly. "Ya not jealous are ya?"

"No Steven I never get jealous"

"Good, cause that's silly. I love ya don't I"

Brendan darted his gaze to Ste and drew in a gasp. Didn't matter how often he heard those words, it swelled his heart to know it.

"I love ye too" Ste's eyes widened and mouth grinned "I really do" Brendan blew out a long breath, his insides tightened and stomach span a thousand times a second, his gaze shaky. "I want ye to move in with me Steven, what do ye think?"

Brendan gestured between them settling a finger against Ste's chest "Ye wanna give us a real go of it?"

Ste choked and couldn't form the right words together to make a sentence let alone answer, his mouth curled into a nervous smile, so happy he could literately burst from it. Could he take such a massive risk, jump in with both feet and take their relationship to another level. The thing that occurred to Ste as he thought was he defiantly couldn't imagine not being with Brendan now; he had a firm place in his heart as well as his head. There weren't many moments he didn't have thoughts of the man that made him hotter than hell with one touch.

Ste kissed Brendan, seeing his face become more saddened the longer he took to answer, and they do say actions are louder than words. Ste greedily took charge of Brendan's mouth and worked their kiss with fervor. Brendan wasn't sure what had hit him and gasped as Ste finally released their mouths. His eyes wide and lips tainted deep red Ste traced his finger over them.

"Alright then, let's do this" Ste grinned at the same time as Brendan, mirror perfect they couldn't be happier.

The phone rang and Brendan kept his eyes firmly locked with Ste's as he reached behind Ste and grabbed the receiver, he listened intently half wanting to take Ste over the desk of his office and to hell with the consequences, the caller however had the upper hand. His eyes darted away as he listened and Ste moved closer on instinct. Brendan's mouth was smiling as he replaced the receiver and looked up at Ste with what can only be described as hope.

"Simon, he's being allowed home, they've taken off the bandages and it's all healing well" Brendan smiled and stood gripping Ste up into a lift. Brendan held him and he moved his legs to grip around his body hugging onto his neck.

"What today? But there's no one to be with him"

"It's okay, they are letting him stay till the end of the week. We can help Simon settle at home then" Brendan nuzzled into the dip of Ste's neck and breathed in his scent.

"I can't believe it Steven. I keep thinking, maybe he will end up coming back to work, I really miss him"

"I know he will Bren, his memory just needs to get back on track. Its a long healing process isn't it?" Ste kissed the small area behind Brendan's ear and whispered "I love you"

Brendan held Ste back and looked at him "I love ye more" The alarm sounded seconds before their lips touched, breath catching in their mouths their eyes flicked up together.

"Fucking bell"

"Alarm"

"Pedantic"

"Eh?"

"Never mind, come on. Let's get this shift kick started" Brendan reached for his hat and held a soft hand to Ste's lower back guiding him out of the office.

Two o'clock in the morning, Ste has looked over at the clock a few times and it's dragging. They get to sleep during these times, at least unless there's a call out and it's eerily quiet. Everyone else seems to be asleep around him as he glances over the individual beds. Anne is placed next to him and he looks in her direction, really stares at her. It works and she shuffles.

"Ste!" Her voice is sharp as it is low "Quit staring and go to sleep!"

"Can't sleeeeep" Ste whines pathetically and Anne turns over eyes still shut.

"Go find your lover then"

"Brendan wouldn't be happy about that"

"No? Then why is he stood right behind ya then?" Anne's arm outstretches to point behind Ste, and his stomach caves.

Ste shot his head around to see no one and he huffed "Not bloody funny Anne!"

"Go find him, he'll be in his office. I'm tired, that call out was a huge one"

"Yeah it was, so sad we lost someone though eh?"

"I know, house fires are so bad though, it can happen Ste" Anne faltered, "At least we saved his family"

Ste threw the covers back and sat up, his uniform still on it had a slight crease to it having been led down. "I think I will go and see him"

Moving off the bed he kissed Anne on the top of her head as she smiled "You two better behave, remember the alarm could go off at anytime" Anne grinned and turned over to sleep again. Ste shook his head at her and wandered out of the room. The corridors white with a blue and red stripe down the middle of them, he passed a notice board pinned with various leaflets and letters emblazoned with the fire service crest.

As he gained on Brendan's office his stomach jolted, he loved to see him, and peering through the glass he noted Brendan's legs kicked up on the desk, his eyes closed. He looked peaceful when he slept. Ste crept around the door holding his hand over it right up until the click shut and tip toed over to him, hopping on the desk Ste watched his chest rise and fall and in that moment thanked the world itself for bringing him such perfection.

Fingers lightly walked over Brendan's legs as Ste's tongue stuck out between his teeth with a mischievous grin, his eyes watched Brendan patiently, his hands moved and stroked over his blue uniform until Brendan hummed and a little smile began to appear. His arms folded across his chest, then a hand pointed in the direction of Ste.

"That better not be ye Foxy, we've spoken about this before"

"Ya wot?!" Ste exasperated

Brendan's eyes opened slowly about the same amount of slow his smirk traveled from the corner of his mouth. Ste realised he was kidding and playfully shoved his legs off the desk in retaliation.

"Sod"

"Ye thought naughty things about me and Foxy then, didn't ye?" Brendan laughed heartily and crowded around Ste's smaller frame. "Now what are ye out of bed for, hmm?"

"I missed ya, and I couldn't sleep"

"Missed me huh?" Ste shifted closer to Brendan to move their mouths close

"Always, I want the week shift over so we can spend time together."

"Gonna go and see Simon too, will ye come?"

Course I will! I need to pack up the flat too. Still can't believe we're gonna be living together"

"Me neither…ye got any mad habits I need to be aware of?"

"Ermmm, not that I can think of no. You?"

"Only one way to find out right?" Brendan smiled before moving the rest of the distance to kiss Ste softly on the lips. Their tongues drew strength from each other in a hunger fit for the most famished. Hot wet swipes that had Ste sliding comfortably into Brendan's lap anchoring his arms weightlessly around his neck. The quiet office charged with the noises made with their lascivious kisses.

Ste could've sworn Brendan whimpered into his mouth as they deepened their embrace, it sent shivers to every nerve ending, his hands tied themselves to the dark hair of Brendan's, tugging at handfuls of the soft strands humming contently, Ste could easily remain this way forever. Deliriously aware of their surroundings they were on borrowed time being on shift, it was just under a week before they'd be alone and it was proving too much to wait for each other.

Ste crept his hand over Brendan's belt and undid it, the button popped and zip slid down smoother than the concupiscent tongue in his mouth. Ste felt his way down Brendan's stomach, thumbing past his naval and under his boxers, the warmth surrounded his fingers as they clasped around the erection Brendan couldn't hide and squeezed groaning in appreciation.

"Touch me" Ste spoke breathlessly

Brendan's hands made light work of Ste's trousers and soon they were stroking each other's lengths in time with their tongued kisses. Ste pulled up gently and thumbed into the wet pooling out of the head of Brendan's cock, Brendan groaned and broke their kisses to throw his head back, it lolled on the back of his chair allowing Ste to lick a wet line across his Adam's apple sucking gently his teeth grazed the hot skin.

Brendan's hands moved further south, and Ste had to arch his back up against the desk to give Brendan the room he required to gently pad his entrance with a sucked wet finger.

Ste looked up at Brendan through heavy lidded eyes his mouth parted, not needing to speak widened his thighs, he felt Brendan's finger push past his resistance and further inside him. "You…make me feel so good"

"Show me how much Steven"

Brendan inserted two then three fingers and pushed and pulled inside Ste widening his hole. His hips rocked mercilessly, fucked himself slowly, deep. His sweet spot suddenly touched and Ste moaned Brendan's name on hot breaths.

"Just…don't stop, Brendan" Ste gasped closing his eyes.

"Steven, ye make me fucking hot for ye"

Brendan's hand moved quicker, his mouth licked a line of wet across his naval, settling a wide palm there holding him down. Ste had managed to move up enough to almost sit on the desk, his uniform shirt rode up revealing his golden skin. Ste still gripped Brendan's length in his palm again milking strokes so languid Brendan moved his hips up to get the friction he needed to release. "So filthy" Ste grinned and licked his palm of Brendan's come.

 Brendan's noises echoed around them and his hands worked their warm magic inside and out over Ste, he climaxed keening his hips through the comedown. Ste purred contently. They looked a mess, and Ste was grateful they hadn't been caught out after that. They cleaned themselves up, Ste slotted back into Brendan's arms again and hugged against his chest so tightly.

"What side of the bed do you want?" Ste asked suddenly intrigued.

"Dunno, the right side?" Brendan chuckled "Does it matter, we'll have the same side when I'm in ye"

Ste shoved Brendan softly "Pack it in, I'm serious!"

"So am I!"

"Well I was gonna have the left any way"

"Oh ye was?"

"Yeah"

"I wan't the left side now" Brendan laughed as Ste ticked him till he backed down.

"Today was a big call out wasn't it?" Ste yawned feeling the tiredness creep through his body.

"Hmm" Brendan hugged Ste tightly "It's the worst part of this job, losing someone. All we can do is keep reminding people to install smoke alarms, it saves lives"

"I agree, hope we don't have to see that too often, I will be the best fire fighter I can be"

"Ye are Steven, I am proud of ye. One of my best recruits."

"Ya biast though"

"I'm not, I'd have let ye go if ye didn't do the job properly. Remember lives are in our hands"

"Can't wait till we go see Simon when we are off shift. I feel bad for him cause we can't leave here yet"

"I called through earlier, and spoke to a nurse on his ward. He's doing well, although there is a while to go until he's better. I told her to pass on we're gonna pick him up Friday. Anne is coming and Foxy."

"Aw he will be dead pleased, all of us going." A smile placed firmly onto Ste's mouth his eyes closed and body seeking comfort from the fire chief. His heart beat strummed through the blue uniform that clung like a second skin to Brendan settled him, he felt his eyes heavy and before he realised he'd fallen asleep.

Brendan breathed deeply through his nose and held his hand over Ste's hair threading his fingers through the soft golden strands and stroked lightly. His eyes eventually closed too, usually falling asleep on shift wasn't something Brendan managed, he was in charge. However a noise at his door saw him lock a gaze with Warren who stuck up a thumb at him, silently telling him he'd look out for the station and to get some sleep. Brendan nodded and Warren walked away leaving the window dark again. Looking down at Ste on his lap he leaned against him and gave into sleep.

Ste breathed in and fluttered his eyelashes open. They stroked the underside of Brendan's neck and Ste realised he was still in his arms. A little stiff he tried to stretch his neck back that snapped loudly as he did. He groaned in appreciation stretching his body out more. Brendan's eyes pierced Ste's as he moved to look at him. Smiling Brendan gripped his hands around the curve of his backside and pulled him close, their morning erections rubbed friction until their breaths quickened.

"We can't Bren, got away with it last night, but now we're pushing it" Ste closed his eyes and widened his mouth as Brendan ground at him, taking his own open mouth and locking their tongues into a kiss.

"I can't help it Steven, I wanna be inside ye"

"Just think we can make up for lost time when we're home again"

Brendan groaned "I know, not sure I can wait another three days. We need to sneak up on the fire truck again."

"Or the shower?" Ste smiled

"Actually, the next place I will take ye will be over this desk"

"Hmm, can't wait for that, best lock the door first, can ya imagine Warren's face?"

"He's the last person I'd imagine when pushing inside ye Steven, believe me" Brendan kisses Ste hard stands up and bends them over the desk, pushing his erection into the thigh of Ste they both moan each others name in whispers. Ste's legs widen and hang over the desk and god he wants Brendan raw, his hands claw through his hair as they kiss deep, Ste crawls into his mouth, tonguing pleasure with each stroke. Brendan unbuttons him and moves down to suck his dick into the warm wet of his mouth. Ste's hips buckle with each suck and his head falls to one side to watch the door.

"B..Bren..we could...be interrupted...god"

Brendan sighs as he releases Ste with a slurp "Come in my mouth Steven"

Ste doesn't get chance to argue, his length assaulted with strokes of Brendan's tongue that sends sparks through his body, he feels his pre come leak through his slit almost ready to come, Brendan sucks at it, harder faster and Ste arches his back up. He comes so hard it makes him shiver, sparks pin prick his skin white cold. His hips move through the comedown, loves the way Brendan's mouth sucks him down and tongue licks back up. With a filthy pop, his length falls from Brendan's reddened lips. Ste fastens himself up and then quickly pulls the fire chief over him for a dirty kiss. Dirtier the better as far as he's concerned, his mouth consumes kisses that taste of his come.

Standing up, Ste straightens out and pushes Brendan back in his chair and moves down to his knees, he moves back under the desk and gestures his finger to Brendan who moves his chair up to the desk.

"Steven?"

The sound of Brendan's zipper lowering fill the silence.

"Shhh chief. Just in case someone interrupts us" Ste widens's his lips and sucks Brendan down into his mouth, the older man keens and curses the air blue, his hands flatten on the desk and he takes it, all of Ste's obscene mouth surrounding his dick ,sucking salaciously milking his orgasm out in waves. He closes his eyes, feels so damn good, his length pulls back out and sucks back in, back and forth the wet feels amazing. He climaxes and feels the breath leave his lungs, mind blown.

As Ste crawls out from under the desk he moves over to the closed door, looks back with a mischievous grin he palms at it, their looks alone creating personal warmth. The alarm sounds and they laugh together. "Reckon we can work like this together forever Chief?" Ste asks as the door opens

"I think we'll find a way to live with it, don't ye?" Brendan places his hat on as they move to leave the office.

The fire truck arrived on scene to chaos and panic. Brendan exited the cab confidently and placed on his white helmet to liaise with a fire chief from another watch. Ste followed Anne and gasped angling his helmet to a comfortable position.

The motorway was being closed at both ends of the nearest junctions, above them the rescue helicopters arrived and landed in nearby fields. Their Rotor blades parted the long grass quickly into a ripple with the speed of them. The sound dying out the yells and screams from people trapped in vehicles that littered around the accident scene.

Ste looked over to the petrol tanker that lay precariously on its side and the deadly liquid that poured out of it. The smell powerful as it hit his senses, it mixed with the smells of oil and heat, smoke from cars that had crashed with such speed the wreckage defied belief. How they could be mangled in that way despite being metal shocked him, they looked more like plastic toys the amount of damage.

Warren began spouting orders to them, and Ste looked up and back in the moment again he listened intently to him.

"Okay, this is a bad one, six vehicle pile up, looks like oil in the road made the tanker swerve, the driver has been rescued, he's over by that ambulance"

Ste glanced over at a man shaken up oxygen mask covering his mouth, he huddled his arms around his waist and rocked. Ste gulped as he looked up and at him, he looked apologetic, scared. Ste nodded and added a brief smile hoping it could alleviate the man's guilt. Turning back to Warren he saw the others go in different directions leaving him and Tony waiting for orders.

Brendan came over then to speak to Warren. He managed a quick look at Ste that warmed his heart before turning to Warren.

"They think that things gonna blow, the heat is building up, and there's a car trapped underneath it"

Ste hitched a breath, he couldn't see anything so he moved and felt his heart drop. A car was crushed underneath the petrol tanker, petrol dripping onto it. He could see the heat as it swirled through the air against the cool of the day. He swallowed seeing movement in the car and darted over to Brendan.

"We gotta save them! Come on!" Ste moved but Brendan grabbed his arm and they looked at each other "No, NO! You ain't stopping me. I am going to help them!"

"I never said ye couldn't Steven, just use your head. Look at the situation, observe, then assess what needs to be done. Remember ye can't just go in hot headed, that doesn't save lives, patience and planning does"

"They're gonna lift the vehicle" Brendan released his hold of Ste and looked back at Warren "Then we are gonna use the bolt cutters to take the roof off. It's a father and his son trapped." Brendan looked at Ste "It's a child, we have to get this right, ye with me?"

Ste nodded and felt heat rise in his chest, first time he'd dealt with a serious situation involving a minor, he felt nervous. It helped though, made him even more determined. Tony slapped Ste on the shoulder and smiled.

"Come on, we'll get the bolt cutters" Tony guided Ste away and Brendan watched. Only breaking his gaze when Warren spoke to him.

"I get you're worried, but Brady ya gotta let him do his job too. He has to watch you do the same, ya think it's any easier for him?"

"I know Foxy, he just means everything now ye know? I will let him do this though" Brendan turns to the trapped car with anguish on his face "I just hope we're fast enough" He watched the petrol trickle over the crushed car with a fear he hated, grabbing Warren he moved them close to the vehicles.

Brendan knelt down and looked through the smashed up windscreen only seeing a limited amount of movement behind the jigsaw puzzle the smash had created.

"Hey…can ye hear me?"

A scared voice spoke back "Y...yes, please can you get my son, please please"

"We are gonna get ye out, but ye have to keep calm for me okay. I know that sounds a stupid thing to say, but just keep talking. How is your son?"

"He's asleep, but still breathing…please I am so scared. Just get him out"

Brendan looked back at Tony and Ste who moved over to them "We will, we will get ye both out"

Warren moved over to another technician and spoke with him as he pointed to the petrol tanker and gestured above it as tow ropes were attached to the underside.

"I can smell smoke!" The man inside the car sobbed and began slamming his hand at the windscreen, blood stained over the glass as he tried in vein to push through it.

"It's going to be okay" Ste moved down to the windscreen "They're fixing this strong rope to the vehicle yeah? And once it's up we are going to get ya out of there"

"What's your name?" The man asked

"Ste"

"Ste, do you have children?"

Ste gulped and looked back at Brendan "No, I haven't been blessed with them"

"They mean everything, you would do anything for them. Promise me, you will get him out first"

"I can't promise that, you are closest so we will get ya out…"

"No, promise me, please. I am going cold and I can't feel anything anymore"

Ste stood up and moved over to the man organizing the vehicle movement "Oi! Get this thing moved now yeah? This is taking too long."

"Chief, we need to get them out, can we take the windscreen out?"

"The glass could cause injury, it wont be long now"

"Fire!" Tony shouted as the car nearby suddenly lit with flames. They rushed and covered the car in foam but the fire was angry and devoured the flammable liquid in desperation, the flame moved across the streaked petrol quickly.

"Fucking lift it!" Brendan yelled and it moved up. The metal groaned and creaked under the pressure, and a loud bang echoed as the windscreen gave in to it and exploded showering it's shards over them and the people trapped in the car. Ste moved to grab the glass away and looked in the car, the man had held his head bowed to escape the glass, when lifted his face was cut badly and bleeding. One eye bloodshot he turned and looked at his son who still lay unconscious.

"Just hold on. Can ya tell me, is your seat belt on?" Warren asked as he leaned over. His head nodded

"There's a lot of you"

"Yeah, this is Foxy" Brendan smiled "We call him fire foxy"

The man managed a little smirk and looked at them all individually "Get him out first, please"

"Are you trapped in anyway, can ya move freely?" Warren asked as he placed two fingers at the youngsters neck and felt for a pulse. He looked back at Brendan with worry.

"No my legs are trapped, can't feel them"

"Okay, we are going to get your son out first" Warren signaled for the bolt cutters and they covered the man and boy in a sheet before starting the powerful equipment up. It cut through the metal like paper and once they'd removed the roof they looked to getting the boy out. Paramedics placed a neck brace on him and lifted him out. The young lad fell limp in Warren's arms, he placed him onto a stretcher.

"Is…is he alright?" The man cried and Ste struggled not to get emotional, he knew the father's heart was breaking. The fire continued to burn nearby and the heat from it began to melt the paint off the car, Ste's face steamed with sweat. He could feel the beads slide down his brow continuously.

There was a loud explosion and his heartbeat raced. Diving to the ground he watched Warren, Brendan and Tony do the same. His ears ringed it was so loud, a plume of smoke surrounded them and lingered tainting the clean air. Vision was dark now like night had descended on them too early. Ste couldn't see anything, he felt the heat though, and it burned at his suit. The perspiration swelled through his pores, so hot. Ste pushed up onto his hands and ended up on his knees, the process went in a slow motion, his head rocked as he moved it. The explosion still ghosting his ear drums with a pulse.

"Brendan?" he coughs even though the smoke is no where near him, he's wearing a mask he thinks it's some kind of sporadic reaction, or maybe it's the lump forming in his throat he's coughing away. He's not sure.

"Answer me!"

"Hello?" it's the man, and Ste is happy he is still alive, he figures then it wasn't the tanker that had gone up in flames , there'd be no voices then, none of them would've survived it.

"Hi, you okay?"

"Ste? Yes I am, what happened? I can't hear properly"

"I think one of the vehicles involved must have combusted. The heat is pretty intense." Ste moves over to him. "Take my hand, I will pull you out. You ready?"

"I…I think so." His hand stretches and grabs Ste's gloved hand, they grip each other tightly.

"Don't let go"

"I won't, I promise."

"I can't breathe"

Ste unhooks his breathing apparatus and places it over the man's face. The smoke swirling a little clearer thanks to the breeze around them. He smiled at him and squeezed his hand

"Deep breaths okay?"

"What about you?"

"I am okay, after three…one, two, three" Ste pulled and the man moved a little, wincing in pain, he checked it was okay to continue. His legs wriggled free as he was pulled out more. Ste gripped both hands and pulled. There was a moment, a split second before he noticed, the tow rope split and snapped above them. Ste and the man looked up and gasped, he stopped breathing.

The tanker fell and that was it, there was no way his tiny body could provide the strength needed to free this man now. He felt strong arms surround and tighten around his waist and heave back urgently. Ste and Brendan went stumbling backwards against each other the man pulled free as the tanker smashed full force on top of the car. He sighed heavy, all looking back at the tanker which destroyed his car in seconds. Warren moved like lightening, paramedics too, and helped the man onto a stretcher. He was taken away and Warren helped Ste up off Brendan, he himself getting up to his feet.

As Ste turned his helmet crashed with Brendan's, as breathing apparatus again was covering his face Brendan grinned.

"Ye are supposed to wear your equipment at all times boy" His voice deep, rocking forward on his feet, the smile Brendan had weakened Ste's everything.

"Says you chief, now I've got yours, you're without"

"I am the chief, I'm immune."

"Thank you, I couldn't have done that without you" Ste wanted to hug Brendan so tightly it ached, but knowing they were on duty and not alone he decided to wait until later.

"I am here to look after my boy, my man" Brendan whispered so only they could hear.

Brendan looked behind the tanker and took both Warren and Ste with him as they looked at a car burning black smoke off it, Tony and Dennis putting the flames out, the tanker was covered in foam again.

"Going to be a big clean up situation here now. We lost some people." Brendan sighed and looked at Warren and Ste who had forlorn looks on their faces.

"It was a bad pile up, peoples injuries just too severe."

Anne and Jacqui walked up to them and Anne hugged Ste closely. His arm settled on the small of her back watching the helicopters move across the sky it dawned on him.

"The boy? How is he?"

Warren walked over to the appliance "Taken by air rescue, he had internal bleeding. His dad went in the ambulance" Warren shrugged "It didn't look good"

Ste pulled off his mask and breathed shakily, he hoped they'd be alright, they finished up at the accident site and made their way back to the station.

"Hello Simon"

Patrick slithered into the ward and over to Simon's hospital bed. The sun beamed through the curtains and darkened as he drew them along to shut it out again. He turned on his heals and looked at Simon who lay in bed arms across his chest covered in scars.

"I see you still have quite a way to go with those burns"

"Why are you here?" Simon lifted his head and looked in puzzlement.

"I am working on your case, the fire? Here to ask you questions" Patrick placed the bunch of flowers he'd brought with him on the side table and moved a glass to the small wheeled table that hung over the bed. The jug of water angled to fill it with clear liquid, Patrick moved it closer to Simon.

"Drink?"

"No thanks. What questions? I don't recall much"

"Really?" The glass settled back down and he settled into a comfortable chair left for visitors, his legs crossed with his arms. "Nothing at all of that day?"

"Well some things I can"

Patrick's eyes darted up to Simon quickly as he swallowed hard. Pushing a piece of dust off his black trousers he listened intently.

"Won't you need a journal?"

"Sorry, what?"

"To write what I know down? I thought this was for the case?"

"Oh, it is. Erm…" Patrick fiddled into his suitcase pulling out a book with a pen. He flicked his eyes up to the doorway where Danny stood in wait, their eyes bore at each others.

"Not yet" Patrick barked

"Sorry?"

"Well we don't know what you remember yet do we" Patrick answered still looking at Danny who seemed to hang back. Patrick then looked at Simon. "Tell me what you know"

"Someone is planting dangerous chemicals in the warehouse fires" Simon spoke assuredly and Patrick leaned forward. "I think it's someone on the inside, in the company. Obviously I've no proof, yet."

"Wow that's a pretty big assumption though, especially with no proof" Patrick still hadn't written anything down and Simon had noticed this as well as the beads of sweat on his brow. Simon scrunched up his eyebrows and thought a moment, his eyes wandered to the window, they opened wider as he saw the refection of the man stood in the doorway. It was like a collective surge of clarity hit him between the eyes then, and for the first time during this meeting he felt unsafe.

His hand slid down and over the call button, he pressed it and a loud beep shook Patrick up from his blank paper. He stared at Simon with slanted eyes, he didn't look in pain. "What's wrong?"

"I need to get my medication. Please can you leave now"

Patrick stood up as a nurse entered "Sure, I will come back later"

"No, I am not up to visitors. Nurse, I don't want this man or the man who was stood at the doorway to be allowed into see me"

Patrick chuckled lightly "I thought you wanted to find out what happened that day? With my help you can achieve that"

"I think, I've heard enough. Now if you don't mind" Simon gestured to the way out as Patrick left he nodded in goodbye.

"I need you to get Brendan Brady here, and Warren Fox. It's important tell them"

The nurse nodded and turned the call button off before leaving again. Simon closed his eyes and tried to remember more of that day he was bundled into a building and was left to burn. Why did they want him dead, he must know more than he realises. The heat had been stifling, but the smoke worse, it had consumed him. Filled his lungs with poison, and he nearly died, Simon remembers that, the feel of it burning his lungs and trying in vein not to breathe. Simon closes his eyes tightly.

"Come on, remember!" His fist clenches and then he opens them. There were voices in the next room that day, it's only then Simon sits up quickly and looks at the exit. He knew his attackers, one voice in particular. "Oh fuck" his fingers rub at his temple, the other recruit, they had another recruit the day they lost Vinnie in the fire. Simon moves his legs off the bed and fumbles in the side cupboard next to him finds the blue uniform he wore all those months before and fingers his hands through the sleeves. He feels a little sensitive on his arms and as he looks down at the skin he feels a tear move down his cheek.

Now the bandages are gone he's left with a stark reminder of that day in the warehouse, he hasn't learnt to deal with the scars and isn't sure he ever will. Right now though, his focus is on his friends, and needs to warn them of the danger they are now in. Funny how a memory can come flooding back so quickly, all it takes is a trigger. Danny standing in the doorway was all it took. Simon knew the nasty bastard was in on it all, and now Patrick too. He wonders when the company became so corrupt.

Simon's legs ease to the floor and he slips on his shoes, top to toe in his fire commander uniform, his hat is last slipping over his long blonde locks.

Danny was waiting in the car park for Patrick, and he grabbed at him as he passed by.

"This is your fault! You and your greed has caused misery" Danny yelled at him pushing at his shoulder till he fell hard against his car.

"Shut up, you wanted in all those years ago! I didn't twist your arm!"

"Vinnie died and you didn't flinch, it was your chemicals placed in that room that killed him. He had no chance. And yeah, okay I was a part of that, and was glad to get one over on Brady and his smug attitude. I just cannot be a part of this anymore"

"Oh you are Danny, a big part. If I go down I am taking you and your cronies with me. Where are they now huh? Ran off and left you to mop it all up? In fact, I think I will let you take all the blame." Patrick laughed and moved to get in his car.

"What about Walker?"

"He's nothing, no threat to us, he doesn't even remember." Patrick dismissed Danny with his back hand.

"We lie low, stop the fires a while, once it's blown over we can start this insurance scam again" Patrick looked at Danny. "Don't you even think about double crossing me, you will do jail time"

The car swerved backwards just missing Danny as it accelerated towards the exit of the car park leaving Danny to swallow and two men sidle up either side of him.

"Boss?"

"Trevor, Kevin. I think we're screwed" Danny sighed. "Call off the jobs you were given"

"Sir we can't…" Kevin replied looking over to Patrick's car he watched it drive away "The station has already been rigged they're all at a call out"

"Yeah, nasty pile up on the motorway. The girl in the station reception screamed like a little piglet as we tied her up," Trevor laughed and Danny turned to look at them both in disbelief.

"You've rigged the fire station to blow? Who the hell gave you…" Danny darted his gaze to the car that was no longer in sight. "This isn't for insurance, this is personal" Danny thought for a moment, thought about the watch that would be returning to the station and not knowing what lies in wait for them.