Title: Hero
author: Cindy Ryan
summary: When Jake saves Sydney from a fire it changes the dynamic between them.
Sydney Strait was no stranger to working past midnight. It was abnormal for her to leave early. As she walked into the common area and to the coffee machine Sydney didn't look up from the file she was reading. No one else was in the law office. Every part was dark except for her office and the break room area. Sydney never heard the man behind her. She never saw the pipe that came crashing down on her skull. Sydney fell to the floor of her father's law firm unconscious. Her attacker left but not before dropping the match on the steam of gasoline he'd poured along the back door.
Attorney Jake Reilly parked his sports car in his normal place near his office and got out. He locked it and walked the short half block. It was past midnight but Jake was too wired to sleep. Jake had decided to come in and get some paperwork done. However, his thoughts were on his client and temporary roommate George Bell. The shouted exchange he'd overheard between George and his ex had been painful. So Jake was almost to the office when he smelled smoke. Hoping he was wrong Jake looked at the familiar building and saw orange flames bursting from the back.
"Oh no."Jake said outloud.
Quickly he pulled his cell phone out to call 911. As he did Jake saw a car that'd been there when he'd left that day. Sydney's! Damn. Running to the front door Jake told the 911 operator what was happening. The front door knob was warm to Jake's touch but not hot. He pushed open as he ended the call to 911. Thick smoke greeted Jake and he coughed. He used the bottom of his suit jacket as a mask as he went to Sydney's office. To Jake's dismay it was empty
"Sydney!"Jake called.
Her purse and cell phone were on the corner of the desk. She was here somewhere. Moving back to the common area Jake's eyes were watering. His throat was starting to hurt. Jake could feel the heat from the fire.
"Syd..."Jake started to shout once more but broke off in a coughing fit.
As he bent over that was when he saw a high heeled black shoe. He moved quickly into the break area and saw Sydney's still form. A broken coffee mug was on the floor near her along with a folder. There was blood soaking the floor near the back of her head. Oh God. Jake could hear sirens as he knelt next to his colleague. Anxiously Jake felt for a pulse and was rewarded with a strong beat under his fingers.. Jake scooped Elijah's daughter up in his arms and ran out the front door.
Cold woke Sydney. Disorientated she tried to sit up only to realize she was being carried. Her head hurt but she couldn't remember what had happened. Was that smoke she smelled?
"Easy, I've got you."
Surprised Sydney looked up at Jake Reilly; to find his handsome face was soot streaked. His dark eyes were anxious and worried.
"What?"Sydney asked.
Or tried to her throat hurt so badly her voice was a hoarse croak.
"Set her here."A young male voice ordered.
Next thing Sydney knew she was being lowered into an ambulance and onto a stretcher. Jake stayed near her but was on the phone so she couldn't ask any questions. Looking past him Sydney saw that her family's law office was engulfed in flames. The same office she'd been in. The same office she would still be in if Jake hadn't shown up. A shudder went through Sydney.
"Ma'am, do you remember how you hit your head?"The blond male medic asked.
Sydney reached a hand up to her head and found it sticky. She lowered her hand and saw blood. At that memories started to return and she recalled something hard hitting her and then nothing.
"No."Sydney responded.
She felt dazed and disoriented. Sydney let the medics attend to her.
Panic was an emotion Elijah Strait did not handle well. Combine that with fear and he felt like a basket case by the time he got through the crowd of first responders.
"Sydney!"Elijah shouted frantically looking for his daughter or Jake.
Police, fire fighters, police cars, ambulances and reporters.
"Sydney!"Elijah called once more as he neared the ambulances.
"She's okay."Jake said as he stepped into Elijah's line of vision. "Bump to the head and smoke inhalation."
Not that he didn't believe his friend but Elijah had to see his daughter for himself. He nodded at Jake.
"Where is she?"Elijah demanded.
Jake motioned to a nearby ambulance. Elijah ran and through the open doors he saw medics placing a bandage on Sydney's head. She looked pale and frightened. Sydney's hair and clothes were a mess but she was alive.
"Thank God!"Elijah exclaimed.
"Dad!"Sydney cried.
Ignoring the medics Elijah engulfed his daughter in a hug.
"I'm so glad you're alright."Elijah said softly.
"Jake saved me."Sydney said shakily. "I don't k now what happened..."
"It's okay."Elijah soothed. "All that matters that both of you are alright."
Jake watched the scene in front of him and something tugged at his soul. Elijah and Sydney had come so far in a short amount of time. Jake wasn't sure Elijah could have handled losing Sydney on the heels of losing his wife. Jake was beyond grateful that hadn't happened.
Another part of Jake one he didn't want to examine quite yet was happy beyond words that Sydney was alright. They'd become friends since she'd returned to her father's firm. They'd also flirted and not talked about the thing between them. Seeing Sydney still and bloody on the floor as smoke floated overhead had shaken something in Jake. Something if he was brave enough he'd look at later. For now he was just grateful there would be a later.