Bailey sat at her desk out in her studio, staring at the wall. Ever since her birthday she'd spent almost all of her time in the space. Painting, drawing, reading, even just sitting and listening to music. This was her place, her safe space, and she loved it. Halloween was only a couple of days away and just like every year, the fire and police departments were planning an event for their families. She was excited to go, to be a part of the celebration but as per the holiday, costumes were a must. TK and Carlos had both decided to go in uniform, Carlos was going to leave a good portion of his at home though, his side arm for example. Bailey had called them unimaginative but she had to admit it fit the theme. She however had no idea what to dress up as. She wanted to do something symbolic like her foster fathers. She'd asked a number of the 126 as well and they all were going in uniform as well. She pushed her tongue against her cheek as she thought.
It was strange trying to think of a costume when she'd never bothered before. In the past Halloween had just been another day, she had never had friends and when she was a kid every person dressed up as a ninja or some form of monster scared her senseless, reminding her of the night her parents were killed. It confused her since she didn't remember the act but the therapists she'd had in previously had said that it was a subconscious reaction. Bailey sighed as she sat back in her seat. There were numerous first responders but one in particular that she could think of that she wanted to represent.
"Hey Grace, I've got a weird question for you." She said.
"What's up sweetheart?" Grace asked.
"Do you have a shirt I could borrow?" Bailey asked.
Bailey, TK, and Carlos walked through Pease Park towards the large crowd of first responders near the playground.
"I didn't know that it was this popular." Bailey said, slipping in between TK and Carlos.
Carlos glanced down at her, reading her body language before hugging her gently to his side as they walked.
"You'll know most of the people here Bails. Everybody from the 126 will be here and most of the officers from my precinct too," Carlos said. "But if you feel anxious or need some space just let us know and we'll move somewhere quieter."
Bailey nodded. It was thankfully cool enough outside that Bailey could relax and not really worry about her body temperature fluctuating drastically. She knew however that the forecast was not going to be on her side for very much longer.
"Gotta enjoy the weather while we still can." Bailey laughed.
TK looked over at her, confused.
"Why do you say that?" He asked.
"It's supposed to spike high again next week," Bailey said. "The school has already warned about rolling blackouts and that if they go out of power we aren't going in. Teachers have already given out assignments just in case. I think I've got instructions for about five essays sitting on my desk right now."
TK's brow arched. This wasn't the first Bailey had brought up the upcoming weather warning but this time felt different.
"You're gonna be okay Bails," He said. "You know that right?"
Bailey nodded.
"I know," She said. "It's just a habit to be weary I guess."
TK nodded.
"Well, for now let's just have fun with our family and friends and get some candy." Carlos said.
Bailey nodded. By the time they'd gotten close enough to the group to be able to see faces Bailey had calmed down and her smile had returned. The 126 stood together in a group on the edge of the gathering. Unbeknownst to Bailey they had chosen to remain on the outskirts of the gathering partially for her, knowing that she liked to be on the edge of a crowd if she couldn't avoid the crowd all together.
"Would you look at that," Owen smiled, seeing the trio walk up to them. "It's a first responder triad."
Bailey smiled.
"I borrowed the shirt from Grace." She said, her hands playing at the hem of the 9-1-1 dispatcher polo that Grace had given to her the week before.
Owen smiled.
"Well, I think you look great," He said. "All of you do."
"Thanks dad." TK smiled.
It wasn't a moment later when Bailey was pulled into a game with Mateo, Paul, and Marjan. TK and Carlos watched as she sat and talked and laughed. Bailey turned to them and smiled.
"Come on." She called, waving them over.
TK laughed.
"I believe we're being summoned." He said.
Carlos looked at his boyfriend and laughed.
"For some reason, this is a feeling that I could get used to." He said.
TK nodded.
"Me too." He agreed.
"I'm gonna get some food." Bailey said, standing up from the picnic table.
"Okay," TK said. "You know where it is?"
Bailey nodded.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She said.
"Alright kiddo." TK said.
Bailey made her way over to the table, weaving around groups and families. Finally though she was able to get to the table. She picked up a plate and started to build herself a nice variety.
"What are you doing here?" Somebody spoke up.
Bailey looked up from the food table and turned to see a group of kids from her school.
"Um, hi." She said as they approached. Bailey put her plate back down on the table and moved away.
"I asked you a question." The tallest boy said. "Why are you here?"
Bailey cleared her throat and straightened.
"My family," Bailey said. "They're first responders."
The boy laughed.
"Oh," He said. "See, but I thought your family was dead."
Bailey's breath caught in her throat and tears pricked at the back of her eyes. Whywould they know that? How do they know that?
"Just leave me alone." Bailey said, picking up her plate and walking back around the table to head back towards the 126.
"Now hold on a minute," Another one of the boys said, stepping in front of Bailey, blocking her path. "We want to talk to you."
"Carlos." TK said, nudging his boyfriend but his eyes glued to Bailey and the group of teens by the table.
Carlos looked away from Owen and then followed TK's line of sight. The boys
"Well that can't end well." He said.
"Not at all." TK agreed.
"So, the officer let you out of your cell for the day?" They boy pushed.
Bailey bit the inside of her cheek to keep quiet. Don't engage, don't give him the pleasure of letting him know that he's getting to you. She repeated it like a mantra. She kept her facial expression unreadable and her body language casual. He'll lose interest eventually,she told herself, don't react.
"Back off Jeremy." A new voice stepped forward.
Bailey's head whipped around her eyes landed on another boy. He was familiar, but it was a bit foggy. She racked her brain for a name until she's finally able to dig up the memory from the gym a couple of weeks prior.
"Noah." She said.
Noah smiled at her.
"Hey Bailey," He said softly before turning back to the other boy he'd called Jeremy. "Why are you bothering her Jeremy?"
Jeremy laughed.
"Just wondering why the orphan is here." He said.
Bailey swallowed the lump in her throat.
"She's not an orphan jackass she's got a family and they're right over there," Noah said pointing over to where the 126 was. When Bailey looked over she could see that they were all focused on them. "Now if you want an entire firehouse and a good amount of police officers coming after you for hurting their daughter you can keep at it but I suggest you back off and let Bailey get back to her family."
Jeremy stayed silent, his body screaming confrontation but his eyes showing signs of surrender.
"Before you make your decision, let me remind you of who my father is." Noah said.
That rang through to Jeremy, his eyes showing complete surrender before turning hard again.
"Fine," He said. "Have fun with your little orphan Anderson."
With that, Jeremy and his friends walked away. Bailey took a deep breath when she felt the boys at her back leave, finally seeing the opening she'd been waiting for. Noah turned around and gently smiled.
"You okay?" Noah asked.
Bailey nodded.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." She said.
Noah nodded.
"Come on, I'll walk you back over to your family." He said.
Bailey's hands shook a bit.
"Here," Noah said, taking the plate from her. "I can carry it."
"Thanks." Bailey said wringing her hands in front of her.
"Yeah, no problem. Don't worry too much about Jeremy. He's an ass but he's an ass that knows when he's beat." Noah said.
"You uh," Bailey started. "You said something about your dad, before."
Noah smiled.
"Yeah, he's a Segreant over at the twentieth district. Jeremy's dad works under him." He said.
"That jackass' dad's a cop?" Bailey asked.
"Yeah," Noah nodded. "Makes you wonder doesn't it."
Bailey nodded.
TK and Carlos had begun making their way over to Bailey, the rest of the 126 having noticed the couple's sudden change in demeanor, on high alert should they be needed. They hadn't made it far before Carlos stopped, catching TK's arm to stop him as well.
"Carlos what are you doing?" He asked.
"Wait," He said. "Look."
He pointed to the boy who had walked up and taken a position between Bailey and the others.
"I know him. He was at the high school when I brought Bailey her meds. Noah, I think." Carlos said.
They watched as Noah exchanged words with the other boy. He was so casual, so relaxed about the way he approached the conversation. Never getting confrontational, simply setting a boundary and not backing down. Carlos was impressed, he rarely found a teenage boy who had that amount of self-control, or any self-control for that matter. It wasn't long before Noah began walking with Bailey toward them. She was anxious, he could tell but Noah was calm with her. When they got closer Noah shifted his attention to Carlos and TK.
"Officer Reyes." Noah greeted before turning to TK glancing at his uniform. "Paramedic Strand."
TK was surprised but was shaken out of his silence when Bailey took a step toward him and pushed into his side, needing a grounding point.
"Hey kiddo, you okay?" TK asked gently.
Bailey nodded.
"She seemed fine but she's probably a bit shaken sir." Noah offered handing Bailey's plate of food out to Carlos.
Carlos took it.
"Thanks for stepping in over there." Carlos said.
"Of course." Noah said.
"You're Noah right? You helped me a couple weeks ago at the school." Carlos said.
Noah nodded.
"Yes sir, Noah Anderson. It's a pleasure to officially meet you." He said extending his hand.
Carlos shook it.
"Anderson," Carlos said. "Any relation to Sergeant Clayton Anderson?"
"Yes sir, he's my father." Noah replied.
Carlos smiled.
"Well, we greatly appreciate you stepping in with Bailey." He said.
"Of course sir." Noah said again.
Noah went to step away but Bailey took a step forward first.
"Um, thank you." She said.
"Don't worry about it." Noah smiled.
"So I guess I'll see you at school on Monday?" Bailey asked.
Noah nodded.
"Or you could call me." He said.
"I could call you." Bailey nodded looking at her hands.
"Can I give you my number and then maybe we could hang out sometime?" He asked.
Bailey smiled and pulled her phone out of her pocket, handing it to him.
"I'd really like that." She said.
Noah typed his number into Bailey's phone before handing it back to her.
"I'll uh, I'll text you." Bailey said walking backwards toward the 126.
"I look forward to it." Noah smiled.
Bailey walked over to the picnic table where Carlos had sat her plate down, a smile wide on her face.
"He's cute." Marjan said, pushing at Bailey's shoulder as she sat down to eat.
"Shut up." Bailey said, her cheeks flushing.
Carlos smiled.
"Oh my gosh you think he's cute." Nanci said.
"Shut up." Bailey said again, hiding her smile by taking a bite of watermelon.
Carlos sat next to her and kissed her head softly.
"I'm glad you're okay kid," He said. "And he's a good kid. I've worked with his dad before."
Bailey smiled.
"So you wouldn't be opposed if I used the number he just gave me?" She asked, the color on her cheeks deepening.
Everybody's froze.
"Girl!" Nanci called.
Bailey laughed.
"I would most certainly not be opposed to that." Carlos said smiling up at TK.