Ainsley jumped when Chief let out a deep barked and quickly moved from the living room where he'd been laying on her feet toward the back door. A split second later, Ainsley heard the soft knock. She glanced at the clock; who would come by before 7:00 AM. Ainsley quietly moved into the kitchen. Chief hadn't barked again, but he stood staring at the door. Ainsley relaxed when she saw his tail wagging. She moved to the door and unlocked it, opening it slightly, but making sure to allow Chief to be in front of her.
"Meg," Ainsley opened the door wider.
"I am so sorry to come by so early, but I had to tell you about my day yesterday."
"C'mon in, I'll start the coffee," Ainsley said.
"Hey, Chief," Meg rubbed the dog's ears. "Kids still sleeping?"
"Grace had me up at 5:00 AM, I just got her back down about a half hour ago. Hunter is bound to be up any minute, so I took the time in between to actually get a shower without two kids in the bathroom with me."
Meg moved to sit down at the kitchen table. Chief sat next to her, leaning against her leg. Meg obliged the dog by scratching his head.
Ainsley started the coffee percolating. "Can I get you any food? I have everything ready for French toast for when Johnny gets home."
"No, thanks. I don't have long, but I had to tell you about yesterday."
"Spill," Ainsley said, sitting across from Meg.
"I had a meeting with Kate, down at the precinct. She thought I bombed Caroline's car," Meg said.
"What? Are you kidding me? Wait a minute, someone bombed Caroline's car? Johnny didn't' say anything about that when he called. And why would Kate suspect you? She thought I was the one setting bombs when Tim attacked the station before. Now, she's targeting you?"
"Well, unfortunately, I think I gave her a reason to believe it was possible."
"What are you talking about?" Ainsley asked. "Someone only needs to spend 5 minutes with you to realize how sweet and friendly you are. No one could honestly think you'd bomb someone's car."
"It's completely embarrassing, can we just leave it as I was acting like a love sick teenager when it came to Mike and gave her a reason to think I don't like Caroline," Meg said, feeling herself start to blush.
"Okay," Ainsley said, noticing Meg blushing. "But I can't believe it was anything so bad she'd think you'd bomb Caroline's car. No matter how much you don't like her."
"Well, there was an incident where I accidently broke an ex-boyfriend's car window, and he pressed charges saying I did it on purpose."
"Seriously?"'
"I'll explain the whole story to you some time. Right now, I want to tell you about the other big news of my day yesterday," Meg paused until she had Ainsley's full attention. "I had a date."
"You did, with who? Dish," Ainsley said, feeling herself break into a huge smile.
Meg laughed. "Joe, this guy that lives in my neighborhood. He saw me get home from my meeting with Kate and could tell I was upset. He convinced me to have dinner with him and I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. I honestly didn't think I was going to have a good time given everything that had gone on with Kate. I tried to talk him out of taking me out, but he persisted. I'm so glad I went."
"Joe, you mean that good looking guy that waves to you every time I go over your house?"
Meg smiled. "That's the one."
"Oooh, he is so cute."
"I usually like guys with brown hair, but yes, he is very cute and really super sweet. He worked so hard to make sure I had a good time last night. I've never had anyone pay that kind of attention to me before."
"Well you deserve it," Ainsley said. She got up and poured Meg a cup of coffee. "So tell me all about it, don't leave out a single detail."
Meg laughed. "He picked me up and brought me a box of See's candy. He said normally he went for flowers, but given the fact I'd had a stressful day he thought chocolates were more appropriate. He held my arm while he walked me to the car. He opened car doors, the door to the restaurant, held my chair, stood up when I got up to go to the restroom."
"I love it when a guy does that stuff."
"Me too. He kept me laughing all night with crazy stories about plumbing disasters, nothing disgusting, but I smiled so much, my face hurt," Meg smiled just thinking back to some of his stories. "I told him he should write a book, he had so many stories."
"That sounds like a pretty amazing first date."
"It was. The food was absolutely delicious. He drove me home, walked me to the door, and took my keys to unlock the door for me. Then he leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek and asked if he could see me again."
"You better have said yes," Ainsley said.
Meg laughed. "I did, I did. The historical society has opened a bunch of historical homes for a tour this weekend. The Stahl House and Charmed House, Ennis House and few others; we're gonna go look at them. Some are supposed to have beautiful gardens too."
"That sounds really cool. Are you going to go to the School District Luncheon on Sunday?"
"I'm thinking about it. Are you going?"
"I doubt it. Johnny's off, but with two kids now, I hate to leave him to manage them both by himself."
Meg looked at the clock. "I should get going. I don't want to leave a class full of fourth graders without a teacher."
Ainsley laughed and shook her head. "No, no you do not."
E
Ainsley was just buckling Hunter into his booster seat when Chief moved toward the back door. "Daddy's home," Ainsley said. She moved toward the griddle and quickly ran a piece of bread through the egg mixture and then placed in onto the griddle reaching for a second piece.
"Good morning my wife," Johnny said, as he entered the house.
"Good morning my husband," Ainsley said, not turning around. "Have I got news for you. Meg went out on a date last night and has date number two on Saturday."
Ainsley turned around to see Mike standing directly behind Johnny. "Oh, Mike, I didn't realize you were coming by."
"Johnny kinda forced me," Mike said, his face looking glum. "Meg had a date last night, huh?"
"Let me make you some French toast," Ainsley said, pulling out more bread, and avoiding Mike's question at the same time.
"Mike had a rough night. I thought he should see how nice it is when you find a good woman and marry her," Johnny said, moving over to kiss his wife.
"Are you thinking about marrying Caroline?" Ainsley whipped around, a horrified look on her face.
"No," Mike blurted out. "I mean, we haven't been dating that long, we're not in that place yet," Mike corrected, trying to step back from how forceful his no had sounded.
Ainsley looked at Mike and then back at Johnny. Something much bigger was going on, but neither guy was saying anything.
"I'm glad to know Meg is okay," Mike said, sitting down at the table. "I was worried when I tried to call her last night and couldn't reach her. I thought maybe whoever is doing all of this might've gone after Meg."
Ainsley cocked her head. Why had Mike been calling Meg? "Well, apparently Kate thinks Meg is doing these things. She accused her of bombing Caroline's car."
"What? No way," Mike instantly defended Meg. "Meg wouldn't hurt a fly."
"That's what I said, but Kate questioned her yesterday."
"Is she okay?" Mike asked.
"She seemed to be, I think her date with Joe helped her have a much better evening," Ainsley said, watching Mike closely. She was sure she saw his jaw muscles clench when she mentioned Joe.
"I met him when I helped Meg at her neighbor's house. He seemed like a nice guy."
"Very chivalrous and romantic from what Meg was telling me," Ainsley said, rubbing it in a little bit. Mike looked up at her. But, Ainsley turned back to the French toast. "How many pieces would you each like?"
"Four," Johnny said.
"I'm not very hungry," Mike said.
"You need to eat," Ainsley said. Ainsley looked over at a very dejected looking Mike. She nodded for Johnny to come take her place at the griddle. He got up and took over cooking so Ainsley could go sit next to Mike.
"I'm sorry, I might've rubbed Meg's date in a little bit because I'm disappointed you guys broke up. But, you've moved on. You certainly had to know that another guy was going to snatch her up. Meg's smart, beautiful, sweet."
"I know," Mike said miserably. "I'm happy for her."
"Then why do you look like your dog just died."
"I'm worried about Caroline," Mike said, dismissing the idea his sadness was caused by Meg dating. "She wanted me to drive her home after the car bombing and I didn't do it."
"You were working," Ainsley said.
"We've told him that," Johnny interjected.
"But now I can't find her," Mike said. "She's not answering her phone, no one at work knows where she went. I'm worried something happened to her."
"Sounds to me like what's happening is exactly what she wanted to happen."
"Whatdya mean?" Mike looked up at Ainsley.
"You're worried about her, so you're thinking about her and that's exactly what she wants from you."
"Don't ya think that's a little harsh?"
"No."
"You just don't like Caroline because you're friends with Meg," Mike stated.
"I don't like Caroline because Caroline isn't a nice person. She has no interest in getting to know your friends, no interest in sharing your hobbies, or caring about what you care about. Caroline cares about Caroline and expects the world to revolve around her. A spouse is supposed to be someone that brings out the best in you; that's never going to happen with Caroline."
Ainsley reached over and put a hand on Mike's arm. "If you're just looking for someone to mess around with and have a good time with, Caroline is perfect. But, I don't think that's where you are at this point in your life, Mike. I think you want to start thinking about your future," Ainsley stood up, giving Mike's arm a light pat. She moved back over to the griddle.
Johnny turned, sliding an arm around Ainsley and pulling her closer. He pressed his lips against hers. "You make me a better man," he whispered when he broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against hers.
"You make me a better woman," Ainsley whispered back. "I love you."
"I love you," Johnny leaned in for another kiss, pressing Ainsley back against the counter.
"You know, I could take the kids out for a while," Mike said, watching exchange.
Johnny chuckled, "Sorry, man, she still takes my breath away." Johnny moved back over toward the table, carrying a plate with a few pieces of French toast. He dropped a few pieces onto Mike's plate and then sat down and began cutting up another slice into small bites so he could feed them to Hunter.
Mike watched Johnny feeding Hunter and Ainsley across the room making more French toast and couldn't help but sigh. The truth was, this was what he wanted. He watched Ainsley turn to look at the hallway a second before he heard the baby's cry. "I'll get her," Mike said, standing up and moving toward Grace's room.
"Thanks," Ainsley said, flipping the bread on the griddle.
Mike moved into Grace's room, and headed over to the crib. He looked down at the squirming little baby. He looked around and found the clean diapers and quickly changed her diaper. He picked up the little girl and carefully cradled her in his arms. Grace looked up at him and Mike could swear she smiled at him. He carried her toward the kitchen.
"I think she smiled at me," Mike said.
"She doesn't smile yet," Johnny said. "It's gas."
"Nonsense," Ainsley said. "What girl wouldn't smile at Mike."
Johnny rolled his eyes and shoved a fork full of French toast into his mouth, "I can think of plenty," he said, with is mouth full.
Mike shook his head and handed the baby to Ainsley so she could feed her.
Mike stayed for about an hour, holding Grace and taking Hunter outside to play on the swings. When he got into his truck to head home he had to admit he did feel better. Johnny was right, it would be really nice to come home to someone, not just someone, Mike thought, a family.
E
Mike pulled into the parking lot for his apartment complex thinking about what he wanted in his immediate future. He train of thought came to an abrupt halt when he saw Caroline leaning against a car he didn't recognize. His worry changed to anger. Where had she been?
Mike got out of his truck, shutting the door harder than needed. He strode toward Caroline, completely ready to tell her how angry he was with her.
Caroline pushed away from the car and quickly moved toward Mike. He opened his mouth to say something, but before any words could come out, Caroline had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.
Mike pushed her away, his anger not dissipating just because she kissed him. "Where have you been? I've been worried sick."
"At a friend's house, like you told me too," Caroline pulled back, looking surprised at his anger.
"You didn't think to call me and tell me you were okay?"
"I tried to call the station when I got there, but no one answered. My friend kept me running most of the night. She said I needed to keep my mind off everything that had happened. She took me to rent this car, and we went to dinner and a movie. By the time we got back to the house, I knew it would be too late to call the station again."
Caroline placed her hands on Mike's chest. "You were worried about me?" Caroline gave Mike a sexy smile. "That is so sweet. I love it when you get protective," Caroline leaned in and drew him into another kiss, this time pressing her body tightly against his.
Mike felt himself responding to her kiss. But after a few seconds he pulled away again. "You can't just dismiss this with a kiss, Caroline. This is serious. My Captain actually questioned my ability to do my job because I was distracted worrying about you," Mike said, the anger obvious in his voice.
Caroline took a step back. "You were worried enough about me it impacted your work?"
"Yes."
Caroline smiled. "Oh, Mike!" Caroline threw her arms around him and kissed him again. "I'm so sorry you were that worried, but I'm so glad you were."
"What?"
"Your job is obviously so important to you; I always feel like I'm not as important. I love the fact you were worried enough about me that people noticed."
"That isn't a good thing, Caroline. A distracted fireman can get people injured, or worse."
Caroline dropped the flirtatious smile and looked at Mike. "Mike, I'm sorry. I really did try to call, and it was after 10 when we finally got back to the house. I know you told me you guys usually turn in around 10. If I knew you were gonna be that worried I would've called anyway. I honestly just didn't think you cared that much."
Mike looked at her, and didn't say anything.
"I'm glad you do," Caroline said, taking a step closer, but not touching him. "You mean a lot to me too. I've just always got the impression that you were keeping our relationship at one level, and didn't really want anything deeper. I've been willing to take you any way I can have you, but I would love for us to be more to each other."
"You have a funny way of showing it," Mike said.
"Me?" Caroline took a step back. "I've done nothing other than try and make you happy and please you. You're the one that seems to put everything before me. I get the job, but your friends always come before me and I know you're still spending time with Megan, even though you told me you wouldn't."
"I haven't been spending time with Meg."
"Then why was she at your apartment the other day?"
Mike paused. "She stopped by to drop off information for the assembly. How'd you even know about that?"
"I'd gone to work to help, but they ended up not needing me. I came by to resume our make-out session, and saw Meg leaving your apartment," Caroline said. "I can't help but think if it'd been Meg's car that exploded you'd have found a way to drive her home."
"Caroline, it isn't like that," Mike protested.
"Your telling me you were worried about me, to the point it impacted your work, is the first time I've felt like I was actually important to you," Caroline sniffed and wiped at a tear.
Mike forgot about his anger, feeling guilty for making Caroline feel like she wasn't appreciated.
Mike reached up and brushed a piece of hair out of her face. She was so beautiful, and she was looking up at him with her green eyes bright with unshed tears, light freckles scattered across her cheeks. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way, Caroline. I'm a lucky guy for having a woman as beautiful as you wanting to spend time with me."
Caroline didn't say anything, she simply looked at the down at the ground.
Mike placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face to look at him. Mike ran a hand through her hair and then slid his hand down her back, until it reached her waist and he pulled her closer. Caroline let herself rest against him.
Mike kissed her and reached for her hand. He led her toward his apartment, not saying a word. He opened the door and stood back so Caroline could enter the apartment. She stood there while he dropped his bag near the door and his keys into the bowl on his table. He turned back around, taking her hand and heading toward the bedroom. He felt guilty that he'd let Meg into his apartment and had hurt Caroline in the process. She was right, he'd been holding back in their relationship, and maybe he was the only reason things hadn't developed into something more meaningful.
When they got into the room, Mike pulled Caroline into a kiss, and moved her over to the bed. "I'm sorry I made you feel like you weren't important to me," Mike said.
"Are you trying to tell me you want us to take things to the next level?"
Mike responded by pulling her into another kiss. Caroline slid her hands under his t-shirt, and lifted it over his head.
Mike didn't say anything, but slowly leaned Caroline back on the bed, his mouth closing over hers. Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck, as he covered her body with his own. Mike moved from kissing her lips to kissing her neck, his hands moving under her shirt.
Caroline closed her eyes as Mike slipped her shirt off over her head, but quickly opened them when a loud bang reverberated through the room, she quickly closed them again though as drywall dust began to fall from the ceiling.
"Get your shirt on," Mike said, jumping off the bed, grabbing his shirt and pulling it over his head as he headed out of the bedroom.
Caroline slipped her shirt on, but stayed sitting on the bed.
Mike came back a few seconds later, grabbing her hand. "We've got to get out of here."
"What's going on?"
"The laundry room exploded," Mike explained, quickly leading her out of the apartment. "Go across the street and make sure someone has called the fire department. Stay over there, you'll be safe."
Caroline grabbed his hand. "Where are you going?"
"To make sure everyone is out and safe."
"No, Mike, come with me," Caroline pulled his hand.
"Caroline, go, now!" Mike pulled his hand free and moved toward the smoke and flames.
Caroline ran across the street and into the convenience store.
Mike moved toward the far end of the apartment complex where the fire was spreading beyond the remnants of the laundry room to other apartments. Mike pounded on the first door he could reach. No one answered, but Mike knew being so close to the explosion someone could be unconscious in the apartment. He took a step back and kicked the lock, the door swinging open as the frame splintered. Mike held his arm over his nose and mouth trying to block some of the smoke as he quickly cleared the apartment. Finding it empty he moved back outside, the fresh air triggering a fit of coughing.
Mike could hear the sirens in the distance; but they were still minutes away and with a fire minutes could mean the difference between life and death. Mike moved to the next apartment, just as the door opened. "I can't get my daughter out, "the woman practically screamed at him. "I can't lift it, she's trapped."
"Can't lift what?"
"Bookshelf, in the bedroom. Hurry, please," the woman went to move back into the apartment, but Mike grabbed her arm.
"I'm a fireman, I'll get her. Get across the street, you'll be safe there."
"I'm not leaving!"
"Please, I need you out of danger so I can help your daughter. Please, ma'am, go!" Mike gave her a small push toward the door as he turned toward the bedroom. He entered the room and looked at the large shelf that had fallen and trapped the girl's legs.
"Help, I can't move," she said, obviously trying to get free.
"Can you feel your legs?"
"Yes, they hurt; but I can move them; I just can't get free."
Mike looked around, but there wasn't anything to use to lift the book shelf. "I think I can lift it up enough for you to pull yourself out. Are you ready?"
"Ye," the young girl started coughing as the smoke settled in closer to the floor. "Yes," she squeaked out.
Mike bent down and grabbed ahold of the bookshelf. He lifted the shelf as high as he could while the young girl struggled to pull herself free. Mike could feel his arms starting to quiver as he continued to hold up the massive book shelf as she slowly struggled to get free.
"I'm out."
Mike grateful released the book shelf that settled back into its spot with a thud.
The girl tried to stand up, but cried out in pain. "My ankle!"
Mike bent over and helped her stand up. "I'm gonna carry you out," he put her over his shoulder in a standard fireman carry and quickly moved out of the apartment. 51's engine was just pulling into the parking lot as Mike exited the apartment.
"I cleared Apartment 102 and 103," Mike told Captain Hookraider as he dropped down from the engine.
"Great, now get across the street with the rest of the victims. Dwyer and Bruce will be here soon."
"I can help," Mike protested.
"No, you can't." For Hookraider, the conversation was over.
Captain Hookraider proceeded to direct Station 51s B shift in pulling lines to start battling the blaze. When Engine 24 pulled up, Hookraider started giving them instructions, as first on scene, he was in charge.
Mike moved across the street and set the young girl on the ground next to her mother. Caroline was nowhere to be seen. Before Mike could think any more about it, the Squad was pulling up and Mike was signaling them to come over.
After his third time having to stop talking due to a coughing spasm, Dwyer handed him an oxygen mask. When Mike looked like he might object Dwyer got directly in his face, "Put it on now, Stoker, that's an order."
Mike put the oxygen mask over his mouth and nose and couldn't help the coughing spasm that the fresh oxygen caused. When he could catch his breath he looked around again for Caroline. He saw her moving toward him, and figured she must have been inside the convenience store.
"Mike, are you okay," she sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I'm okay," Mike said, his voice muffled by the mask.
"You were so brave," Caroline gushed.
Mike said nothing, his attention had moved to across the street as he watched the fireman battling the flames that were consuming his apartment building. Mike couldn't help thinking he'd been through this before. When Tim had set his apartment complex on fire, a very nice old lady had lost her life. Mike couldn't help but feel dread wondering if someone had lost their life in this attack.
Caroline looked up at Mike when he didn't respond to her and followed his gave across the street. She leaned in close to him and rested her head against his chest. Mike slipped his arm around her waist and just continued to watch the scene unfolding in front of him, wondering briefly why the water being sprayed on the building didn't appear to be much help. It wasn't until hours later that Mike would find out that someone had sprayed a thin layer of magnesium dust around the exterior of the building.
E
"How does someone do that without being noticed?" Mike asked, as the fire inspector explained that he had found remnants of magnesium dust along the foundation of the apartment which caused the fire to continue to reignite even after the initial flame had been doused.
"Several residents reported seeing a pest control company out here spraying earlier. No one remembers an actual name, just a man wearing a jump suit that said pest control and had a picture of a cockroach on the back. I already checked with the landlord, the building isn't due to be sprayed until next week," Kate explained. She had arrived on scene about an hour before.
"Could anyone describe the guy?" Mike asked.
Kate shook her head. "He was wearing a baseball cap and face mask. The best I've got is people think it was a guy, but no one is even 100% sure about that; in fact, one neighbor swears it was a woman."
Mike rubbed his forehead. "You didn't see anything?" He looked over at Caroline.
Caroline shook her head at Mike's question. "There wasn't any pest control people here when I got here."
"Mike," Kate started, but then stopped.
"I already know, Kate. No one can go back inside the building, it isn't safe. I don't need anyone to tell me that, I can see it."
"I'm sorry."
"At least no one died this time."
Caroline wrapped her arms around Mike's waist and leaned against him. Mike leaned down and kissed the top of her head. He saw Marco and Chet pull into the lot. "I'll be right back," Mike said, moving toward his friends.
Caroline said nothing, and stayed where she was standing.
"Mike, man, I am so sorry," Chet said, as Mike approached them.
"Thanks."
"If there's anything we can do man," Marco said.
"Actually, I can't go back into my apartment; can I stay with one of you?" Mike asked.
Chet looked over at Caroline, who was looking at the apartment building. "You're not gonna use this as a way to get invited to stay at her place?" Chet asked, appreciating Caroline's figure as he looked at her.
Mike shook his head. "Not a good idea right now. I need to get my head on straight."
Marco and Chet exchanged looks, but neither one made a comment.
"Let me get Caroline into her car and on her way home and I'll be ready to go. Can we stop by the station? I've got a change of clothes in my locker and can use those for tomorrow until I can figure out if any of my belongings can be salvaged."
Chet looked down and the ground and scuffed his tennis shoes through the dirt. Mike had started keeping a change of clothes at the station when his apartment burned down last time. The guys had razzed him for it, and Chet felt bad that there was a reason to have to use them now.
Mike patted Chet's shoulder, and then walked away toward Caroline.
"I can get you over to your car now, so you can go home," Mike said. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle things when Caroline asked him to stay with her, but he knew that with where his head was right now, staying at her place was a very bad idea.
"Are you gonna stay with one of your friends?" Caroline lifted her chin in Marco and Chet's direction.
"Yeh, I'll stay with Marco," Mike said, looking at the ground to avoid the hurt he figured he'd see in Caroline's eyes.
"Be safe, okay," Caroline said. "Will you be able to call me tonight?"
Mike looked up, surprised by her words.
Caroline saw the surprise and reached for Mike's hand. "I really like you Mike. I wasn't sure that you wanted anything permanent with me, but given you were so worried about me last night, maybe I was wrong," Caroline smiled at him. "I hope I was wrong. I really like you Mike, and I hope we can develop something deeper. I'm willing to sacrifice a few minutes between the sheets for something long-term."
Mike blinked, surprised at how she was handling all this. "It'd be more than a few minutes," he teased.
"I can't wait," Caroline slipped her arms around his neck. Mike bent down, kissing her good-bye. When he stood back up, Caroline ran her hand down his cheek. "Can I see you before you go on shift again?"
"Why don't I come over tomorrow," Mike suggested.
"I'd like that," Caroline smiled at him, and Mike blinked. When she wanted to turn on the charm, she was breathtaking he thought.
"Drive safe, Caroline, and if you see anything suspicious call the police," Mike cautioned her.
"I will."
Caroline got in the car, and slowly pulled out onto the street. She looked in her rearview mirror as Mike joined his friends. She couldn't help but smile, this was going better than she could've planned.