"Good morning, Katrina. How ya feeling?" Ken asked from where he stood, leaning against the engine.

"Much better, thanks for asking." Katrina said, walking out of the locker room and over closer to him. "I hope you haven't been waiting long, I didn't realize anyone was already out here."

"I was just coming in, when I saw you go in the locker room. I used the time to check over the engine," Ken patted the side of the gleaming red Crown.

"It's amazing the attachment you can get to a machine, isn't it?" Katrina said, slowly looking over all the gleaming knobs and gauges.

"Do you feel the same way about the squad?" Ken asked, looking at the empty space that the squad would have occupied, if the paramedics from the other shift hadn't been out on a run.

Katrina thought about it for a minute. "Not the vehicle itself; but the equipment inside. There's a certain amount of respect I feel for the defibrillator, and a sense of ah, over the OB kit."

Ken smiled. "I wonder if our Captain misses being a paramedic?"

"He does," Johnny said, stopping in the bay on his way from his office to the kitchen. "I was a paramedic for a long time. I miss working so closely with Roy. Knowing that what I did saved someone's life; it's powerful. As the Captain, I'm directing the people who are saving lives, that step of removal is an adjustment."

The three of them moved into the kitchen and Katrina walked over to start a pot of coffee. "I should go get changed," Ken said. "Save me a cup of that would ya."

"Sure," Katrina said, leaning against the counter. "Do you ever think about going back to being a paramedic?" Katrina asked Johnny.

"What, and give up all the glamour of paperwork, procedure manuals, and dealing with disgruntled firemen?" Johnny said, flashing her a crooked grin.

Katrina felt her heart do a little somersault. He was a very attractive man, and it was hard to ignore that when he flashed that full smile. "It really is a shame the department won't let you stay a paramedic when you promote up. It seems like such a waste of talent, and money. They pay money to train you, and then basically throw it away, by not letting you function."

"Something that is routinely pointed out to Department leadership, but so far it hasn't been changed," Johnny said.

Katrina poured her coffee, thinking about the issue. "Maybe smaller fire departments, that can't afford to be losing their paramedics will allow people to promote up and maintain their roles as paramedics and it will filter out from there. I wonder what my dad's department is doing?"

"How did he take the news of your injury?" Johnny asked, since she'd opened the door to discuss family.

"Are you kidding? There's no way, I'd tell him about that. He and one or both of my brothers would be on the first plane to LAX to come get me and bring me home," Katrina shook her head emphatically.

"I don't think this is something you should hide from your family," Johnny advised.

"I'd hide it from you if I could," Katrina said, before thinking about what she was saying.

"And that would cause you serious issues in your career. I have to trust that you'll tell me things I need to know."

"I don't think you need to know."

"You're wrong. As the Captain, it's my job to protect the members of my crew," Johnny insisted.

"Would you feel the same way if it was Kevin or Scott?" Katrina asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yes," Johnny said, emphatically.

Katrina rolled her eyes.

"What do you think Captain DeSoto is doing with Pat? He knows there's tension between Pat and his partner Josh, because of Pat's performance. So he's working with Pat, not just to improve Pat's skills, but to improve their working relationship. There is no difference between what he is doing and what I'm trying to do."

"Except Pat's issue is skill based, something he can change. The guys don't like me because I'm a woman, something I can't change," Katrina argued.

"The guys don't dislike you because you're a woman. They're worried you can't do the job because you're a woman. You have to prove yourself, and there's gonna be some pushback until you convince them they're safe with you," Johnny said.

"So hitting me and leaving me in a burning building is pushback," Katrina said, feeling herself getting frustrated.

"No, that's physical abuse. The attitudes, the cold shoulders, the questioning everything you do, that's pushback," Johnny said, running his hands through his hair. "That's why I have to know what's going on. I have to stop the physical abuse, protect you from the physical abuse, and help you get through the pushback."

Katrina turned and poured another cup of coffee. She knew Ken would be back soon. Johnny shoved his hands in his pockets, looking at her back.

"Good morning," Kevin said, entering the kitchen.

"Mornin'," Johnny said.

"Am I interrupting something?" Kevin asked, feeling the tension in the air.

"No," Katrina and Johnny said in unison.

Kevin looked back and forth between them. "Uh, Katrina, can I talk to you for a minute? In the dorm?"

"Sure," Katrina said, moving to follow Kevin out of the kitchen and into the dorm. She passed Ken on her way out and he watched her and Kevin for a second.

"Do you think their okay alone?" Ken asked Johnny, as he walked into the kitchen.

Johnny shrugged. "I didn't sense any hostility. I think they're fine."

E

Katrina walked ahead of Kevin into the dorm. She moved about halfway into the room and turned to face him. He stood there staring at her for a long time, not saying anything.

Katrina just stared back.

"Uh, um, are you feeling okay?" Kevin asked.

Katrina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"

"I heard, uh, we heard, what happened. I just wondered how you were feeling?" Kevin asked, shifting his weight back and forth.

"What did you hear?"

"That someone hit you with a metal bar and left you in a cleared apartment, in a building that was about to collapse."

Katrina fought the urge to swear. Why did Johnny have to tell everyone. Couldn't he just leave it as she was injured on a call. "I'm fine, completely healed."

"I didn't know someone had been hurting you in the academy and even now on the job. If I had," Kevin shrugged. "I wouldn't have pulled that stunt on your first day. Thanks for not ratting me out to Captain Gage, by the way."

"Who told you someone was hurting me in the academy?" Katrina asked, feeling a sense of dread wash over her.

"Captain Gage told all of us last shift," Kevin said, surprised by her question.

Katrina felt the anger wash over her. Why would he do that to her? He knew she didn't want everyone knowing about these issues. Katrina raised her hands to rub her temples.

"Are you okay?" Kevin asked.

No, no, I'm not fine. I'm furious, Katrina thought. Instead of saying those words, she forced herself to smile at Kevin. "We should go get ready for roll call."

They moved out of the dorm room and into the bay. Katrina was so angry, she knew she was starring daggers at Johnny, but she couldn't stop herself.

Johnny kept looking at her, he could tell she was upset, but Kevin didn't appear to be upset. Johnny couldn't figure out what had happened between them in dorm room that would have her so upset.

When roll call was completed, she moved toward the squad to start inventorying supplies. Kory pulled out the biophone and started the radio check with Rampart. "How are you feeling?" He asked Katrina.

Katrina sighed. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You seem really upset," Kory observed.

"I didn't want anyone to know what happened," Katrina said.

"At the academy, or when you were with 51s?"

"Either," Katrina hissed.

"How come?"

"Really?"

"You'd think you'd be glad people felt bad for you," Kory said.

"What is wrong with you?" Katrina said, feeling herself losing her temper. "Do you want people's pity? No, of course you don't. You want to be accepted because you do a good job. That's all I want, a chance to prove I can do this job, and damn well, I might add," Katrina said, her voice rising enough it started attracting the attention of the other members of the crew.

"Katrina, Captain Gage just wanted us to know where you were coming from, and what you'd been facing," Ken said, joining the conversation.

"It wasn't his information to share," Katrina said.

"I think it was an important piece of information," Kevin said. "It made me realize what my behavior was like. I mean, I didn't physically hurt you, but I wasn't behaving much better. No one should be treated like that. I really am sorry."

Katrina looked at him, feeling some of her anger soften.

"I'm not sorry. As far as I'm concerned, it just proved what we knew all along, she can't do the job. A little hazing and she's crying to leadership she's being physically abused," Scott spat out.

"I did not…" Katrina stopped as the klaxons sounded.

"Squad 51, possible heart attack, 45 Pollack Ave, cross street Center, time out 8:20."

Katrina bent over, quickly closing the drug box and shoving it back in the squad. Kory closed up the biophone, and put it in the squad. He walked over to the driver's side and took the sheet of paper from Captain Gage, who looked over at Katrina. She turned her head to look out the passenger window. Johnny had heard the commotion and had just walked out of his office when Scott made his statement.

Johnny watched as the squad pulled out and turned to Scott. "I want to see you in my office, now."

Scott followed Johnny into the office.

"Your comment was completely out of line, and completely incorrect. Katrina never reported any of the abuse; and obviously wouldn't have shared the news on her own. No one deserves to be abused. I hope you know that," Johnny said, his eyes locked with Scott's.

"It doesn't matter what I think. I'm not working with a woman. I was gonna tell you at the end of the shift, but we might as well get this over with. This is my last shift, I've accepted a position with the City of Pasadena Fire Department," Scott said, his voice full of disdain. "You want to play nicey nice with some pretty young girl at the peril of your men, that's your issue. But, I don't have to subject myself to that kinda danger."

"If you feel that way, you don't even need to finish your shift," Johnny said. "I can call and get a replacement for you."

"Go ahead," Scott said, standing up. "Mark my words, you're gonna regret allowing her into your station."

Johnny watched as Scott stormed out of the station. He picked up the phone and called Marco.

"Hey, Marco. Are you interested in picking up some overtime? I just had a linesman quit and I need a replacement for the rest of this shift."

Marco readily agreed and Johnny made the Engine unavailable until he could arrive. He hoped Scott leaving would be a step in the right direction.

E

Roy was facing his own crisis at Station 101. The Station was out on a call for a car off the road; Josh and Pat had gone over the edge of the embankment and gotten to the victim; Jeff and Chuck had just moved down to bring a stokes, and he and Andy were getting ready to help pull the victim up as soon as they were loaded in the stokes.

The victim was a large man, probably 350 lbs., it was taking all four firemen to get him out of the vehicle. He was on a backboard and once they cleared the car, Jeff and Chuck stepped aside so Pat and Josh could move the victim to the stokes.

Unfortunately, Pat wasn't strong enough to hold the victim, his grip slipped and he let go of the backboard. Josh was standing on the low side of an incline and the sudden weight knocked him off balance. The patient landed on top of him and they both slid several feet down the embankment before a tree trunk stopped their fall.

Josh felt his back protest the sudden impact and drew in a sharp breath that he instantly regretted. The patient on the backboard was still pretty much laying on top of him, making breathing incredibly difficult, the edge of the backboard jamming into this shoulder. Josh tried to adjust his position, but his back muscles screamed at him and he let out a groan.

"Hold on, Josh," Chuck said and he and Jeff grabbed the backboard and moved the patient off of him.

"Just stay still; Pat's on his way to check you out," Jeff said.

Jeff and Chuck quickly moved the patient to the stokes while Pat made his way over to where Josh laid against the tree, trying to catch his breath.

Pat walked up and knelt down near him, reaching for his wrist to take his vitals.

"Get the hell away from me," Josh said through clenched teach.

"I need to check you out," Pat said.

"No way! You're not comin' anywhere near me. Do you hear me! You incompetent buffoon. You don't belong in this job, you're gonna get someone killed. Get away from me. You tell Captain DeSoto to call out another squad, you're not treating me," Josh groaned from the effort of his rant, but he was dead set on his decision. He'd rather die than let Pat work on him.

Pat moved away from him and made his way up the embankment behind Jeff and Chuck. They had heard part of Josh's tirade so they didn't even need to ask him what was going on.

Roy looked at Pat as he got to the road. "Josh won't let me treat him," Pat said. "You'll need to call another squad."

Roy looked around. They were pretty far out; he'd heard several units called out just a few minutes ago for a large factory fire. Getting another squad would take quite some time and tie up resources they just didn't have.

"Call Rampart and give them the information for this patient and take care of his treatment. I'll go down and check on Josh. Jeff, Chuck, bring another backboard and stokes," Roy ordered.

He quickly made his way down to the embankment toward Josh.

"I'm not foolin' around Captain DeSoto; I'm not letting Pat touch me. The guy is incompetent. I'd rather be working with the girl from 36. At least she's got an excuse for not bein' able to do this job."

"I'm not calling another squad. I'm gonna treat you here, but you have to ride in the ambulance under Pat's care," Roy said, reaching for Josh's arm.

He quickly took his vitals and did a quick examination. He loaded Josh onto the backboard and they all moved up to the side of the road again.

Roy handed Pat the information on Josh's vital. "Probable fractured ribs and deep bruising on his back," Roy said.

Pat relayed the information to Rampart.

"10-4, 101, are you ready to transport?"

"10-4, Rampart. The ambulance just arrived," Pat relayed.

Jeff and Chuck helped move Josh to the ambulance gurney while Roy and Pat loaded their very large victim on the other gurney. Roy carried over the biophone and drug box, while Pat climbed in. Roy closed the door and watched the ambulance pull away.

Andy stepped over next to him. "They're not gonna be able to work together after this," he whispered to Roy. "And as much as I think Josh can be a jerk sometimes; I really don't blame him on this one."

Roy just looked over at his engineer and said nothing. Tomorrow was the next Station 51 gathering and he was looking forward to getting his former Captain's advice on this one.

E

"Any word on Josh and his injuries," Andy asked as Roy stepped into the kitchen to get some coffee.

"Yes, I just got off the phone with Dixie. He has two fractured ribs, a badly bruised collarbone and some pretty bad bruising on his back; but no damage to his spine. He'll be out the rest of this shift and the next shift," Roy said, filling a mug with coffee and moving to sit down at the table with the rest of the guys.

"At least it gives you some time to think about how you're gonna get Josh to work with Pat when he comes back to work," Jeff said.

"Josh sent word through Dixie that he refuses to continue working with Pat. In fact, he's apparently been quite vocal down at Rampart, because the three guys I've tried to come get work for me as subs for the rest of the shift have all refused to work with Pat. I've got a call into Captain Gage over at 36 right now," Roy said, looking down at his coffee cup.

"Why Captain Gage?" Andy asked.

Roy looked up, not sure how his men were gonna feel about his idea.

"I'm gonna see if I can get his paramedic Katrina to come work with Pat for this shift and the next shift and Johnny can take the sub," Roy said, waiting for his men to react.

"Pat mentioned you'd been working with him and Katrina on some areas of deficiency. Is she any good?" Chuck asked.

Roy nodded. "She's really good. She's not the best climber yet, but she's got a lot of really good skills. I can see how she graduated at the top of her class."

The guys contemplated that information for several minutes. They were learning to trust Captain DeSoto and he was telling him they could trust this woman.

"Is it true someone's been deliberately hurting her?" Andy asked.

Roy paused, knowing Katrina was trying to keep that information as quiet as possible. "Yes, yes it is."

"Tell Captain Gage, she'll be safe here," Jeff said.

"We'll take good care of her," Chuck agreed.

Roy smiled. "Thanks, guys."

The phone rang and Roy stood up to answer it. "Station 101, Captain DeSoto speaking."

"Hey, Roy. What's up?" Johnny asked, leaning back in the chair in his office.

"Hey, Johnny. Let me move to my office, hold on one second." Roy put the phone on hold and moved to his office to pick up that extension.

"I need to ask you a favor," Roy started out. He went on to explain about the incident with Pat and Josh's injuries. "He's apparently been very vocal at Rampart and the word is spreading like wildfire because the three possible subs I called, all turned me down, refusing to work with Pat."

Johnny nodded. "I heard. Katrina and Kory had a run and were at Rampart when Josh got there. Katrina said Pat looked pretty upset and Josh almost had smoke coming out of his ears he was so mad. What can I do to help you, pally?"

"Let me borrow Katrina," Roy said.

"What?"

"Katrina will work with Pat. Send her over here to work with him for the rest of this shift and next shift and I'll arrange a sub to work with you," Roy said.

"Roy," Johnny said hesitantly.

"I've already talked to the engine crew, Johnny. They'd said they'd take care of her and keep her safe. She's probably safer with my crew than yours," Roy said.

"Unless Pat drops a 350 lb. man on her," Johnny quipped.

"At least he won't intentionally hurt her," Roy said.

"I'll talk to her and call you back," Johnny said.

He hung up the phone and walked out looking for Katrina. He found her sitting on her bunk, reading a book.

"I have a question for you," Johnny said, sitting down on the end of her bed.

Katrina set the book down and looked at him.

"Roy, I mean, Captain DeSoto, needs a replacement for Josh. The rest of this shift and next shift. Word has gotten around about what happened and none of the other guys want to work with Pat. Captain DeSoto would like me to send you to work with Pat and let the sub cover here for you," Johnny said looking over at Katrina.

"Okay," she shrugged.

"You don't have to, Katrina. But, he said his crew would keep you safe," Johnny said.

"For crying out loud," Katrina got off the bed. "Why? Why do you guys keep telling everyone what happened? I just want to be treated like all the other firefighters. I don't want people having to assure me, or you, that I'm not gonna get hurt. That's a risk we all take in this job," Katrina said, her frustration getting the best of her.

"We don't all risk getting hit by metal bars and left to die in buildings," Johnny said, standing up and moving in front of her.

"There's always a risk to get seriously injured or killed on the job," Katrina said, her voice low and tense. "It doesn't really matter the cause. I just want people to stop pointing out I'm a woman and therefore, I'm different. I need special assurances, or special precautions, or…,"

"You are a woman and you are different," Johnny cut her off. "You need to figure out how to accept that."

"Why? Why do I have to accept that, why can't you accept that I'm just like every other firefighter out there," Katrina gestured toward the general direction of the bay.

"Because you're not. The plain and simple truth is you're not like every other firefighter out there," Johnny motioned toward the bay as well. "Maybe in a few years, there will be more firefighters like you, but you're a woman, Kat. You're different," Johnny said, moving closer to her. He lowered his voice. "You look different, you smell different, you feel different. The guys can't ignore that, it's simple biology. You need to stop being worried about being different and convince them that different doesn't mean incompetent. It just means different."

"I knew it was going to be hard," Katrina whispered. "I just didn't expect it to be this hard."

Johnny reached out and touched her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"There are times, I really wish you weren't my Captain," Katrina whispered, taking a step closer to Johnny.

Johnny released her hand and stepped back. "But, I am."

Katrina blinked and stepped back as well; coming to her senses. "I'll get my stuff together. Do you want me to wait for the sub to get here before I head over to Station 101?" Katrina asked, her tone back to being completely professional.

"Yes. I'll call Captain DeSoto right now and let him know he can find me a sub and I'll send you over as soon as they arrive," Johnny said, moving toward his office.

Marco watched Johnny walk back to his office and Katrina move into the locker room to collect her belongings. He shook his head; this was a disaster waiting to happen, he thought. He knew the gang was getting together tomorrow, he needed to talk to Johnny about what was going on with him and Katrina. He knew they'd teased Johnny about dating her when they last got together, but Marco hadn't thought there would be any ring of truth to it. What he'd just seen though had him wondering exactly what was happening.