Ch. 27

Killian was close to the strip of trendy restaurants when he heard the sirens of his brethren getting louder and louder. He felt bad for not being with them and hoped that it was just something small and prayed that they controlled it quickly. As he got closer to the tavern he started searching for Emma's undercover car. He was a few blocks away when he saw it. The street was jammed up as he saw the smoke rising in the sky ahead. The nagging pit in his stomach grew bigger. Something was wrong and he needed to get there. He turned up a side street and parked his truck in the loading zone of the grocery store. He was going to have to go on foot if he was going to get anywhere near the place. He felt his pace quicken with every step he took. The smoke got heavier and the sounds got louder as he moved closer to the tavern. He made it to the street in no time and his worst fears were imagined. It was in fact Bo Peeps that was on fire and it looked as if the restaurant next door was going to be next if they didn't contain it. He saw Robin commanding the team on the street and David was leading his team. He rushed over to talk to them. "Jones, what are you doing here and why aren't you in gear?" asked Robin.

Killian looked at the flames tickling the windows in front of him and back to his mate. "I think Emma might be in there." He said worried.

David's eyes went wide. "What?" he asked.

"She came here to get a check from Bo so she could pick up her bug, she never returned." Said Killian.

"Do you think this is arson?" asked Robin.

"I don't know but I have to get in there." Said Killian.

David pulled back on his arm. "Not dressed like that you aren't going in there." He said.

"You can't stop me!" he shouted.

Scarlett came up behind him. "Jones!" he shouted.

Killian turned around and was hit in the gut with a pile of gear. "Suit up Jones, I'll go I with ya." He said.

Killian let out a breath and nodded. He quickly started putting on his protective gear. Robin and David assembled the squad to let them know what was happening and that this could be a rescue.

Emma surveyed the situation. The door wasn't hot so it hadn't gotten back to them yet but she knew it wouldn't be long as she saw the smoke getting heavier. "Katie, is there another way out of here besides the front door?" she asked.

Katie nodded. "Yes, there's a door in the back of the tavern too, near the bathrooms down that little corridor and there are windows in the bathrooms too."

Emma let out a sigh of relief. If she could get them out of the refrigerator, they could try the other exits. "Katie, get back behind something and cover your face. I'm going to try to shoot the window and see if we can get access to the handle from the outside. "she said as she ducked behind the slab of beef hanging from the ceiling. She aimed her gun at the center of the window and pulled the trigger. The sound of the gun going off was much louder inside of a metal lined box. She shook her head and focused. The window cracked slightly. "Katie, stay down ok?" she called.

"Ok." Called Katie.

She aimed her gun once again at the center of the window and pulled the trigger. This time the sound of the shot was blended with the sound of shattering glass. "Yes!" she shouted elated to have hit her target. "I need something to stand on." Said Emma.

Katie scrambled from around the boxes of veggies to look for something. "Hey, how about the milk crates?" asked Katie.

Emma nodded. "Let's get them empty." She said.

David and Robin were working with the squads to put out the flames and contain the fire. The flames kept raging as if something kept fueling the fire. Killian closed the final buckle and ready to run. "Is there another way in this place Scarlett?" he asked.

"Round back, by the Loos." Said Scarlett.

"Dave, we are going round the block to check out the back!" yelled Killian.

David was manning a hose. "We'll keep pumping in the water. Watch out because I think it's a gasoline file or grease fire. Something is feeding this monster." He yelled.

Killian nodded. "Ok Scarlett, let's go and see if we can get in the door back there." He said as he started to move.

"Jones, wait!" shouted Wil once more.

He turned to face him. "Scarlett we have to go." He said.

"Not without yer tank! I learned my lesson so make sure you take this. I also think yer going to need this! "he said lifting the ax. "Get yer head in the game mate! She might not even be in there. Do you want her to lose you for something stupid!" he said.

Killian stopped, got control of his emotions and put on his mask. "Good Lad, thanks for looking out. Let's go!" he said.

Scarlett nodded, picked up an ax and followed behind him.

Emma stood on the milk crates trying to position herself to reach her arm out of the window and down to the handle. "Gah, this is so frustrating. I wish I could see it. I don't even know how this thing is supposed to open." Said Emma.

Katie helped stabilize the milk crates so Emma could keep trying. "It's a pull, you have to reach down and pull the handle. Emma continued to awkwardly feel down towards the handle. She finally felt like she had it, she was able to pull but it only partially clicked. "Damn it, I think they jammed it." She said as she stepped down from the crates.

Katie began to cry. "We're going to die in here aren't we?" she asked.

Emma was even more determined. "No, Katie pull it together. Is there another crate back there?" she asked.

Katie wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Back there, I think there might be one more, full of potatoes or something." She said.

Emma went to the back to get it. While she was back there, she noticed something on the floor. It was a tiny bejeweled change purse. She picked it up and looked inside. It was Lottie's. "They must have held her in here for at least a little while." She whispered. She turned and found the crate Katie was talking about. She picked it up and dumped the potatoes on the ground, quickly carried the crate to the others and stacked it on top to give herself another step of leverage. "Katie, look around in here and see if you can find something long enough to help me try to pull the handle." She said.

Katie nodded and quickly started searching. Emma peered through the broken window and noticed the fire was getting closer. The smoke was getting thicker against the top of the ceiling. She peered down from the top of the window to try to see the handle. She could see it was jammed with a spoon or ladle. Emma turned back. "Anything Katie?" she asked.

Katie picked up a flat spatula that she'd found in the back with the plastic spoons. It wasn't much but it would extend her reach, maybe enough to free the handle. Katie handed her the spatula and got in position to keep the crates stable for her. "I've got them Emma." She called up.

"Thanks Katie." She said extending her arm out of the window. She started smacking the spatula against the obstacle holding the door handle in locked position as best she could. Since she could only slide her arm out without visibility to the spoon, she had to hope she was hitting the object. She pulled her arm back inside and peered out the window again. "Damn it! I don't think that I've gotten the thing to budge." She looked up and noticed the fire coming closer and the smoke was starting to fill the kitchen. The sounds of the flames were roaring and she couldn't see if anyone was coming. She climbed up again, determined to hit get that handle. She began to swing the spatula again." Come on Damn it!" she yelled hoping to will it to move.

Killian got to the back door first. He felt the handle to make sure there was no heat and then turned the knob. "Damn it! It's locked." He yelled.

"Stand back Jones!" said Scarlett walking forward with the ax raised.

Killian stepped to the side and allowed him to skillfully hack the door knob so they could gain entry. As soon as the knob was loose, he kicked the door and it splintered the opening allowing them entry. Killian could see the smoke had filled the room and the flames were getting dangerously close to this exit too. "Emma!" he yelled.

Emma stopped, she thought she heard something." Katie, did you hear that?"

Katie stood." Yeah. I think so."

"Help!" she yelled through the broken window.

Killian thought he heard the faint call for help. "Emma!" he yelled as he continued through.

"I think she's in the kitchen." Yelled Scarlett.

"Where?" asked Killian as he fanned the smoke from his face.

Scarlett took lead." Follow me." He said moving quickly towards the kitchen. The flames were closing in on them and the smoke was filling the room. Scarlett pushed through the heavy door into the kitchen.

"Help!" yelled Emma.

Killian moved quickly forward. "Emma! I'm here. Hold on."

"Killian, thank god. The door is jammed. I can't get it open." She yelled back.

"Scarlett use the ax and get that thing open, quick!" He ordered.

"Stand back Emma!" he yelled.

Emma held her arm up and corralled Katie back with her behind the box just in case. Will swung the ax hard and popped the spoon out of the handle. Killian quickly pulled the handle and the door opened. Emma ran forward and jumped into his arms. "Oh, thank god you found us." She said.

He felt a sense of relief wash through his body. "Come on, we have to get out of here." He yelled.

"Wil, can you help Katie?" asked Emma.

Katie came from around the boxes and Wil grinned. "No problem, come with me, I'll keep ya safe." He yelled covering her shoulders with his arm. "Stick close ok?" he said. Katie nodded.

Killian covered Emma as best as he could. "This way, towards the back door." They were about to leave the kitchen when he noticed the smoke pooling. "Everybody down on the ground, the smoke is getting too thick." He said.

The all complied and began to crawl towards the exit. Emma looked around at the fire taking over the tavern. She started to move faster following Killian towards the exit. Once they got to the opening of the corridor to the door he stood, pulled her up from the ground and dragged her through the door. Will and Katie soon followed. "Quickly, get back away from the building!" he shouted.

He saw members of the squad rounding the corner with hoses in hand. "Scarlett, help them with the hose!" he shouted.

Scarlett nodded and ran to help them pull the hose and get the water started from the backside. Killian looked at Emma huddled close with Katie in the street behind the fire. He caught her worried gaze and nodded. She smiled sweetly at him, mouthing, thank you.

"Jones, give us a hand!" called Jefferson pulling the hose.

Emma watched as he quickly stepped in line to help the squad pull the hoses and start the water. She held Katie close. The poor girl was shaking in her boots. She rubbed Katie's arms to try to warm her. She felt herself getting woozy when suddenly she was being wrapped up in a blanket. "Emma, come with me." Said a gentle voice.

Emma looked over and saw Anna's kind eyes and smiling face staring at her. "Thank god." She said softly. "Katie come on." She said tugging her gently and following Anna to a safer place. They rounded the corner towards the fire truck and emergency vehicles. The light from the fire and the flickering lights started to play tricks on here eyes. She felt herself stumbling and falling down. "Help, I need a stretcher over here!" she heard Anna yell before everything went dark.