Christian
"What are we going to do?" she whispers through the mask.
I'm two feet away from her trying to keep her away from me, but she's patting me on the back as I puke my guts out. I sucked in a lung full of ash and I think it's finally getting me. My ass can't stop dry heaving every few feet because of my nausea and it's because of the pills. If this girl dies it's because of my ass.
I look over and see her handing me the mask. I shake my head, but she pushes it onto my face. It hurts at first but I feel a little relief. My eyes grow a bit heavy though. I look at her and nod. She smiles and pulls it back.
"I don't know kid. It's pissing me the hell off though." I grab her from a falling tree. "I just wish I knew where we were."
"Yeah." she sounds tired.
I walk back to the side and hunch back over, getting sick again. Tears spring to my eyes, from the flames, burn, and the pain of not having this girl not already out of here. Son of a bitch! I need to get us out of here. I'll burn with this forest before I watch this girl die in here.
"I hear a helicopter." she says. I nod.
"The fire must be getting worse. Shit, we need to get out of here." I grab her arm and drag her. "Look if you can." she nods.
For the next twenty minutes we search for an exit. There's not even a path for us to follow anymore due to the ash and trees laying on the ground. I'm having to carry her because her shoes aren't made to walk on them. She can feel the burn of everything now and it's like she is about to take a dip in Satan's piss. It's terrible out here.
I've had to cut a large chunk of the girls hair off because it had caught fire. She had beautiful red hair, but when a small leaf drift down it immediately caught and I had to do something about it. I apologized to her, but she didn't care she just wanted it off. This girl rather have her life than her. Guess she knows that it'll grow back.
We get farther and the girl shouts about a bird. She points quickly to the right and it causes me almost to drop her. I see what she was talking about. To the right is part of the ocean and a bird is sitting on a post, looking as if everything is normal. It looks as if he's having the usual day.
The girl tells me to put her down, but I am not doing it. Not this time. What if she gets trapped again and I'm not able to save her? I grip her tighter and fight back the nausea that washes over me. I run towards the bird and dodge all the trees, hopping over each long and cover her head in case fire falls on us. I push and push.
I look and see a tree falling towards us. Jumping forward, I push us out of the way. The girl grabs my hand and pulls me up. I pick her back up and run towards the bird. Everything is keeping their aim on us as they fall. Dodging and ducking, I keep moving out out of the way. Almost there. Just a few more feet and we will be out of this hell.
We finally reach it. The bird flaps away, terrified by our looks of pure joy. We don't care though. I'm happy and I know this girl sure as hell is. I put her down and take off my oxygen tank, giving her a chance to take a few minutes of it. I go to the ocean and jump in. I'm doing this before we leave, I don't care.
The girl is laying in the sand with the mask on her face. I know she wants to sleep, but we need to get back. Hell, even I want to sleep. My throat is fucking burning. I watch her eyes close though, and she begins to snore quietly. Shit, now I feel bad. I can't wake this girl up.
I walk over and strap my oxygen tank back on then take the mask off her. The girl isn't heavy when I pick her up, and I carefully put the mask back on her. She moves a little bit then curls into my chest. This is going to be a long walk. Fuck I'm tired.
I walk down the side of the beach and kick pebbles and rocks for the next three and a half hours. No one has shown up. Of course they haven't. Not when I need them most. I look at the fire next to me and see that many of the trees are down. Looking down I realize that the girl has been sleeping for awhile. Is that okay to be sleeping that long? I frown. I need to hurry so she can be checked out.
I don't want to have her getting sick on us. She's made it this far and there's no point in giving up now. Maybe she just had an adrenalin rush. Yeah, let's go with that.
Voices fill the air as I come closer and I leave the beach area. Sand leaves from underneath my boots and is now replaced with grass. Sounds of hollering, crying, sirens, helicopters, reporters, and people snapping at each other fill the air. Damn, what's going on? The fire is still crazy, but is now controlled due to the falling of the trees. When I come over the hill and start seeing everyone I can tell everyone is either pissed or upset. What did Shawn do.
When I walk over I see everyone's eyes fall on me. The little girls parents are in the ambulance still and I see that the little boy is doing great. He is actually really hyper. I grin, handing over the girl to the paramedics. The two parents try pulling me in for a hug but I settling for a handshake. As I turn around all my men surround me, pulling me towards them.
"We thought we lost you!" Shawn says.
"Do you have any idea how freaked out we were!?" Tony hobbles on his crutches.
"Why didn't you get us!?" Andrew snaps.
"You may have saved a family but goddammit Christian!" Daron sighs pissed. They all sound livid and start going off on me. Every one hundred and eighty seven of them. Do have any idea what that's like having that many people scold you? Didn't think so.
The men suddenly get quiet. I really think it's because the chief. He walks through the crowd of fighters and stands in front of me, arms crossed in front of his chest. I feel my throat tighten.
"Do you have any idea how fucking terrified we were for you?" he asks. "These damn reporters asking me about your ass. Do you know how hard that was?" I look down. "Next time ask for fucking help Grey or you're fired!" he shouts. I nod.
"I'm sorry sir." I whisper. "I heard a little girl screaming. Just threw my gear on and ran in." I really fucked up. She could have died because of me.
"We just didn't want to lose your ass Grey!" he snaps. "You could have hurt yourself." chief says. I frown.
"Don't look at him like that." Shawn says. "Dammit Christian, we knew you were able to get those people out of there just maybe not yourself. We love your ass Christian."
Ana showed me the video where all the guys had shown up to visit at the hospital. Just didn't think about it. Maybe they were forced to go there. Who fucking knows. Maybe the chief told them to go there. Now knowing from what Shawn said and looking at the pain on all the guys faces, I can tell my men actually care about me. As if they actually care about me. Well I love these guy's to. They've always been my family.
"I'm sorry guys, I just didn't think." I say. "I just heard the girl screaming for help and I didn't even bother. I'm really sorry." they all walk over to me and tell me it's fine. My mind drifts back to Shawn's words. Him and the guys already thought I could get those campers out? They have that much confidence in me each day.
Taylor wants me to get checked out before getting back to work. Before I can get back to the ambulance I drop to my knees and begin to dry heave. Pain radiates throughout my chest as Taylor and a few of the guys come over to me. I try to wave them off but they won't take no for an answer when I can't keep my balance.
This is my own fault. I forgot to take my medication and I needed to eat with it. I curse in exhaustion. One of the paramedics hands me a bottle of water and I just swish it in my mouth before spitting it out. Disgusting. After a few small sips I lie down with an oxygen mask on my face. They say my blood pressure is really low and that I should be sent to the hospital, but all I want to do is sleep.
"It gets like that. Don't worry about it." I say quietly. The paramedics look confused. I chuckle. "It seriously gets like that, don't worry guys. Now let me take a nap before I go work."
"You don't need to go back out there Christian. You weren't even wearing your protective gear and you gave your oxygen to that girl." Shawn says. "The fire is almost out and we are going into the area to see if anything else is needed to be extinguished." I roll my eyes.
"I'll be fine. I'm actually ready, so let's go." as I sit up my brain begins rattling in my head. I'm having to hold back a groan, but I guess the look of pain is evident on my face. The guys all stare at me. "I'm fine."
I pull the mask off my face and slide out of the ambulance. The guys try to stop me but I ignore them. My ass has went this far so why can't I keep going? These men may care but they have no control in what I do.
The family is still with the paramedics due to the fact that their daughter is unconscious. It looks like they are about to shut the doors and leave just as I reach them. I can see relief flooding their eyes and the mother looks like she wants to cry. She's already holding my jacket out to me as I reach them. I grin.
"Figured you would need this." she chuckles, her voice wavering. She hands over the trousers and the father passes me the gloves as I put everything on. "You shouldn't be going back out there."
"You and many others ma'am, but I need to get this done." she looks annoyed with me. I hold back a smile at the mother. She reminds me of Grace. What would Grace think if she knew I wouldn't go to the hospital right now, would she care? My parents gave me security so they must care. "You all better get to the hospital. She's exhausted, but it's best to see things checked out."
"Thank you for everything." the father says, pulling his wife away. She sighs, following him.
Pulling my helmet on, I walk back over to the ruined forest. I already see many of the guys out and about trying to put out mini fires, succeeding. This should be quick and easy to do. Some of the trees are still standing and the guys are taking axes to the ones that don't look like they'll be up long enough for our men to do the job.
I make it back out into the forest and it's easier this time. This time I don't have to try looking through trees to find my way for a path. The only hard thing about this and trying to get to the mini fires is that we have to crawl over big logs and almost busting our asses every time. Let's just say that Shawn busted his ass twice.
The last fire is finally put out and steam rises from the whole forest. I squint my eyes, realizing it's almost night. Damn how long have we been out here? Well it's finally out, so time to get the fuck out of here.
I feel arms wrap around my waist, causing me to frown. I look around me to see Shawn and Andrew.
"Come on man. We're finally done, how about we get you back to the ambulance." Shawn says.
"Guys, I'm fine." I sigh, as they drag me out of the forest.
"Chris, you're not." Andrew says. "I think that the adrenalin is just speaking for you." I shrug.
"Probably. Yeah, that's most likely it." I chuckle. "Doesn't that happen to all of us though?"
"Just be quiet." Andrew sighs.
They walk me over to the ambulance and have the paramedics lay me down. Taylor starts telling them about my medication before they can give me anything. The medics nod, and give me an IV.
"Have you ate anything?" one asks me. I shake my head. "Will you be able to keep anything down?" I shrug.
"You have to speak to them Mr. Grey." Taylor says. I lay my head to the side.
"I'm tired Taylor." he frowns. "Can you please not tell Ana about this, I don't want her to worry about me."
"I won't tell her." he sighs. "You need to eat though and then you can sleep."
"Okay." I close my eyes.
The paramedics gave me a sprite that would bring my sugar up and the medic up front gave me his sandwich. I felt bad but he didn't mind. He said he wasn't hungry anyways and that I needed more than him. It was his job just like mine to help people.
After a few minutes of just taking a few sips and bites I started to already feel better. The medic took my blood pressure and saw that it was getting back to normal. I could tell he wanted to ask what I meant earlier about my last comment, but he doesn't. He gives me medicine for my migraine and tells me to lay back for a bit before leaving.
The guys from different departments walk over to me and say their goodbyes. I tell them how they did a great job and they ignore me, talking about how I saved the girl. Calling me a hero. Don't all of them realize that it's my job? I'm supposed to save the lives of these people if needed.
I sigh and nod. They all make their leave, and after they do I get up thanking the paramedics. Taylor follows me over to the guys. It seems like we are getting ready to go back to the station. Thank goodness for that. We all climb onto the trucks and signal for max and them to get a move on it.
As we zoom through the city I notice that it's a quiet night. It was such an eventful day that I guess it's finally starting to slow down. Nothing compares to what happened to today. It's like this with every fire. Every time we have a fire time seems to quiet down, as if they want to help us after an eventful day.
After a few minutes of driving through the city, we finally make it to the department. When nobody is here it looks like the living dead, all quiet and alone. Leila has been here all day taking calls for us but that is the only person we had here today because we needed all the hands we needed. Only several departments were available to help with other fires due to this forest fire.
All of us hop off the trucks and start pulling off our protective gear. I'm sweating my ass off. I can't wait to get home and hop in the shower. The thought of my bed doesn't sound so bad either. I put my trousers and jacket on the hook and put my helmet and boots in my locker. When I look around I see that the guys are moving like snails from exhaustion and I don't blame them. Today was hell.
When I get ready to head out I see Taylor already waiting for me. Thank fuck. I didn't feel like driving tonight and he probably knew that. My ass makes a speedy dash for the car, throwing a quick goodbye to the guys. I hear laughing coming behind me. To be honest, I don't care. I'm going to most likely pass out on the way home.
I groan when I feel someone shaking me. Leave me alone. I try shoving them away.
"Mr. Grey." he says. Ugh, Taylor.
"Taylor, let me sleep." I groan. He chuckles.
"I would, sir, but you're home." I sigh dramatically, opening my eyes slowly. It seems that I am. Wait, why is Kate here? You know what, I honestly don't care.
I climb out of the car, and sluggishly make my way towards the house. That shower is just looking farther away, because all I'm thinking about is sleep.
When I open the door I can already here jasper whining to get to me. Oh no. As I take a step in jasper waits for my permission to let him jump in my arms. Shit, not tonight. I squat in front of him and ruffle his face.
"You can sleep in the bed tonight." he looks pleased with my answer and prances away. Little ass.
I walk into the living room and Kate sleeping on the couch curled up next to some man. I raise an eyebrow. What the fuck is going on? I turn my attention to the TV and see that it's on the news and it's talking about the fire, my name is being mentioned. Fuck. My eyes shoot to Sawyer who's sleeping in the chair across from Kate and Jose. Sawyer has a frown masking his face. Shit, where's Ana?
I quickly walk to my room and open the door. Jasper pushes past me, but I point for him to stay on the floor. I notice Ana is sleeping in the middle of my bed, still fully dressed from work today. Her hair and makeup are messy but she still looks so very beautiful. She's curled up in a ball, looking scared and alone. Did I do this to her?
Making my way over to her, I carefully pull her into my arms trying not to wake her up. Oh Ana. My lovely Ana. God I love this woman so much. Maybe I shouldn't be holding her when I smell like smoke and sweat. Wouldn't make me much of a gentleman if I got this shit on her.
I feel Ana start to move in my lap. When I look down at her, I see that her eyes start to flutter open. She frowns at first, looking around the room as if she's lost. When her eyes find mine she loses it, causing confusion to wash over me. What's wrong? Tears run down her cheeks as she sobs and I try to wipe them away as quickly as I can but they're just too quick.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask. She quickly crawls out of my arms and stands up.
"I-fuck." she wraps her arms around me tightly. "I came by the department with lunch to make sure you taken your medicine and I was so scared. Then seeing that you were the one trapped in the fire." she buries her face in the crook of my neck. She came by the department just to do that? I grin.
"You did that for me?" I ask, wrapping my arms around her waist. The smell of her watermelon shampoo replaces the smell of burning ash that still lingers in my nostrils. I bury my face in her hair.
"That's not the point Christian." she chokes. "Oh my God, you're alive."
"Of course I am. Did you doubt me?" she scoffs.
"Never." she whispers. She looks up at me. "You would never leave me. At least not in death." I glare at her and use the pads of my thumbs to wipe her tears away.
"I'm never going anywhere. I'm promise." I kiss both of her eyes. "You just have to promise not to go anywhere as well."
"I promise." she gives me a small smile. I bend my head forward and bring my lips to hers. Her lips taste so soft from the tears she's shed. It's like bringing my lips to a pillow. I run my hand to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. I slip my tongue into her mouth, running mine against hers. A soft moan escapes her sweet lips, but we have to stop. I want to keep going but my energy level just isn't up for it tonight.
Pulling back, I smile at her. I know that she wants more, but I'm just too tired. Hopefully she'll understand.
As if she can see the tired look on my face, Ana frowns, bringing her hands to my face. She kisses my forehead and pulls me to the bathroom. I sigh. Can't I just wait, I'm so fucking tired.
"Ana, please." she looks back at me, concerned. "I'm too exhausted to take a shower."
"I know baby. I'm going to bathe you. You need to get a bath so you can relax more and get the smoke off you. I would let you sleep like this, but you look so uncomfortable." i sigh, then finally give in. She's right.
"Thank you Ana." I kiss the back of her neck and watch her walk to the tub, turning the faucet on. She walks back over to me and pecks me on the lips. I smile.
Her fingers find the bottom hem of my shirt and lifts it over my head. She throws it in the clothes bin and slips her hands to the waistband of my jeans. Shit. I may be tired, but I'm getting turned the hell on with her stripping my clothes off. I have to hold back a groan when she accidentally slides her hand against my cock when she pulls my jeans and boxers down. Once my socks are off she she pulls me towards the tub.
She grabs my hand and pulls me to the tub. I watch her turn off the water and I step in. She takes the body wash and lathers it up in her hands. My eyes close as she runs her hands over my shoulders then neck. A sigh escapes my lips. No one has ever done this for me before. Never been so comforting towards me. I know Ana loves me, but this shows me even more.
I grab her hand and kiss her palm, laying her hand against my cheek. I feel Ana press her cheek against the top of my head.
"I love you." I whisper. She runs her lips down and kisses the side of my neck, causing me to tilt my head over.
"I love you too baby. So much."