"You lot are back early." Marshall observes by way of greeting, arms folded, as they clamber one by one out of the truck. He cuts an imposing figure, hovering in the doorway, and even though she knows she's done nothing wrong, Kate finds herself hesitating, running over all the things she should have done in her head to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Judging by the looks on everyone else's face, they're having the same reaction as she is; Spider looks on the verge of strapping himself back into the truck.
"Ah, it turned out to only be a small stove fire, Boss." Buffer informs him, breaking the tense silence of the crews. "Got it sorted out pretty quickly."
"Well, good." Marshall nods curtly, his gaze raking over them all. "In that case, drills in five minutes."
"I hate ladders." Spider mutters from his spot several rungs above Kate.
"Don't you dare fall on me." She growls back, already feeling tense enough due to Spider's ever-shaking legs. She's been on tenterhooks the entire climb, expecting Spider to fall at any moment.
"Well, obviously it's not my plan for the day." He spits back, his leg wobbling as he climbs another rung.
"Come on, guys! McGregor! Webb! Enough chatting! This is a drill! Seconds make all the difference!" Marshall calls from below, and Kate sighs. Spider picks up the pace, and Kate feels her unease increase, but mercifully they both reach the top of the roof unscathed. Spider looks about ready to simply lie on the ground and whimper, so Kate takes the lead, moving towards the ropes and harnesses.
"Why did you become a firefighter if you're scared of heights?" Kate presses, as she winds the harness around her and begins tightening the straps to fit her.
"I'm not afraid!" Spider spits, as though she's suggested he still sleeps with a nightlight or something. "I just have a... healthy respect... for them."
"Right." Kate rolls her eyes, checking her line is secure. "Sure."
By the end of the day, Kate is sore, itchy and filthy. Between rescuing their drill dummy - affectionately dubbed Nelson - from a variety of different situations, she longs for nothing more than a bath and a bottle of wine. Her hair is matted to the back of her neck with sweat, and she sinks into the hot water of the shower to freshen up. She's glad at least that she can go home and relax, but as she remembers that Cal had promised to take Bridie to the movies, she reflects she'll probably end up restless and find herself cleaning or unpacking.
It's as she's walking out of the building that she spots the man, walking towards them all, and it takes a moment or to to recognise him as Rose's father. He looks nervous as he approaches, but as he catches Kate's gaze, he seems to gain more confidence, and directs himself towards her. He stops just in front of her, and gives an awkward wave. "Hi, I... uh don't know if you remember me, but I'm-"
"Rose's Dad." Kate finishes for him, and he seems to relax just a little. "Yes, we remember. How's she going?"
"Good." His face lights up. "Great, even. Ah, we've been taught the ways of the Epipen and we're doing well. I just wanted to come down and say thank you in person. She'd have come herself but she's at her grandparents this weekend and... well, I couldn't wait. I just had to come and say thank you." He holds out his hand to each of them in turn, and they all shake.
"There's no need to thank us." Dutchy assures him. "We're just glad we could help, Mate."
He nods in gratitude and runs a hand through his hair. "Well, I was actually wondering if I could shout you all a round at the pub to say thanks? I would have brought chocolate or something but... well, I know after a long day a beer is often preferable."
"We can't let you shout us, but you can certainly join us if you want." Dutchy interjects, smiling warmly at the guy. "We're just headed to the local for a few. Kate, you going to come?" He peers questioningly at her, and after a moment, Kate nods.
"Sure." She agrees, because it at least beats sitting at home by herself. Nothing to do with how blue his eyes are. As they turn and start to walk down the street, she turns to the man. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name?"
"Oh, it's Mike." He tells her, as they fall into step. "Mike Flynn."