Title: Turmoil

author: Cindy Ryan

Notes and summary: See part one

Eddie tried to curb in his dismay as he watched the fire he'd been battling jump to another building. Debris had fallen onto the roof of the convenience store and it had quickly caught fire. The radio was jumping with calls. Part of his brain cataloged them and the other part focused on his job.

One call caught his attention and made his adrenaline increase.

"Officer trapped!"A young male voice thundered over the radio."Repeat, officer trapped alley by the convenience store. Need help back here, now!"

Eddie and Buc looked over at the commander of the one fifteen who nodded.

"Go, I'll send a few of my men with you."The gray haired man ordered crisply.

Eddie and Buc handed the hose they'd been using to other firefighters and went back to the truck to grab rescue equipment.


Jackson West was coughing so violently he collapsed to his knees near the mouth of the alley. He, Lopez and Lydell had all tried to get back in the alley to Lucy and the store manager but the heat and smoke hadn't let them.

"You alright?"A familiar voice asked from West's right.

Through watery eyes Jackson looked up into the concerned face of his commanding officer. He nodded unable to speak though the coughing was starting to subside.

"I'll have medics bring oxygen back."Grey stated as he looked at his officers. "What do we know?"

"Debris piece of wood blocking the alley; it's burning."Lopez said between gasps. "We tried, Sir. We couldn't get more than a few feet."

"Did you see Chen?"Tim Bradford demanded as he joined the group.

"No, too much smoke."Angela replied gently.

"Damn."Tim cursed as he ran a hand through his hair his intense gaze fixed on the flames.

Grey nodded grimly and began barking orders into his radio. Seconds later paramedics arrived followed closely by members of the LAFD.


As soon as she realized the way out was blocked Lucy grabbed the store manager and hauled him towards the rear of the alley. They were both coughing and nearly doubled over. She tried to radio her position but couldn't speak. Lucy had seen a pair of dumpsters across from the door. Maybe they could climb out.

Lucy felt like a trapped rat. Flames to her right and behind; smoke overhead. They reached the dumpsters only to discover they weren't high enough. She looked widely around for something else to use to gain them height. There were six melt crates on the far side of the dumpster but they were plastic. They wouldn't last more than a few seconds, but it was better than nothing.

"Help me stack these!"Lucy ordered the manager between coughs.

The terrified man nodded and scrambled to get the crates on top of the dumpster. Soon they had them stacked two wide against the brick wall.

"Go!"Lucy commanded as she helped the man get on the dumpster.

The forty something heaved himself up and then began the precarious climb of the milk crates. Lucy heard water from the fire department hitting the roof. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Lucy tore part of her uniform shirt off and made a bandanna to cover her mouth and nose. It helped but only a little. She was still coughing and her vision was starting to fade in and out.

Lucy watched in relief as the manager pulled himself up onto the roof of the building next door and disappear from sight. Lucy had just reached for the front of the dumpster to pull herself up when a wave of dizziness hit her. She tried to shake it off but it only intensified along with the coughing. She didn't want to die. Lucy made a final grab for the dumpster and felt her fingers brush against the hot metal. One pile of crate had succumbed to the heat, but Lucy thought she could still make tried once more but her body was being overcome by the smoke. Lucy fell to the floor of the alley. As blackness closed in her last thoughts were of Tim.


One thing Tim hated was being helpless. All he could do was stand and wait. They were on an access road that lined the businesses and the small space was already crowded when the LAFD truck arrived. Tim wanted to grab gear from them and go in, but he didn't have the training they did. He'd be underfoot a hindrance. That was what Lucy didn't need now.

"How many?"One of the LAFD demanded of Grey as they pulled hoses and other equipment.

"Two, Lucy Chen and one civilian the store manager."Grey responded grimly.

"Hey!"A male voice shouted from above. "Up here! Help!"

"That's the manager!"Lopez commented.

They all looked to the next building's roof where the dark haired man was waving his arms.

Tim snagged a bullhorn from the firetruck hoping against hope as he raised it to his lips.

"Is Officer Chen with you?"Tim asked.

The man shook his head and pointed to the alley. Tim's heart sank.

"We'll get you!"Lopez shouted. "Hold tight!"

Diaz placed his helmet on as the other firefighters did the same. Tim watched as one of the other firefighters angled the hose above the alley and turned on the water. Before entering the alley Diaz turned and met Tim's gaze. Eddie Diaz nodded at Tim then vanished into the smoke and flames of the burning alley.