Chapter 4
Jake Taylor lumbered up the steps to the 55, looking around the place in awe. This place was cleaner than any of the places he'd worked in. He listened to the sounds of voices laughing and decided to head in that direction. As he rounded the corner, he could see a couple of people sitting around a table, drinking coffee and reading bits and pieces of the paper out load to each other. He knocked lightly on the wall where he was standing and smiled inwardly as they all turned to look at him and their faces went blank.
"Hiya. I'm looking for the man in charge here," he said, smiling.
"Captains in his office," replied a small little man with black hair.
"Thank you," Jake said, wandering off to find the Captain's office.
* * * "
Who the hell was that?" asked Kim, smiling.
"I don't know but I don't like it," replied Lombardo.
"Why's that?" asked Bobby.
"Because he looks like a jerk," said Carlos.
"Anyone who's better looking than you are, is a jerk to you, Nieto," said Kim.
Alex walked down from the bunkroom and looked around. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Just some guy looking for Captain," said Doc.
"Ah ok? And that's a big deal because?" she asked.
"Carlos doesn't like the guy. He's better looking than him," laughed Kim.
"Well, Carlos must not like the world then, huh?" Alex shot, grinning.
"Alexandra, that's not very nice," Jake said, stepping into the room, Captain right behind him.
"Jake?" Alex cried, swinging around to see. "What are you doing here!?" she yelled, stalking towards him.
"Alex, now calm…" he started, only to be cut off as Alex punched him in the mouth.
"I told you I didn't ever want to see you again!" she cried. Rubbing her hand as Doc and Bobby pulled her back away from Jake.
"Ow…I can't help it. I was transferred here!" said Jake, covering his face as Alex made another lunge at him.
"Alex, come on! Let it go," said Doc, setting her in a chair with Bobby's help.
"Taylor, he's here. We needed another firefighter to cover shifts. I can't help the fact that there's nobody around right now. You two won't be working together often. He's a floater. He'll be working all different shifts," Captain said.
"I know. I know. I still don't want to see him," she said, stalking off back to the bunkrooms.
"What in the hell is going on?" asked Jimmy, walking into the room and seeing Jake on the floor.
"Well, I was introducing our new member, but I can see Alex has already done that for me. This is Jake Taylor," said Captain, helping Jake to his feet. "And now he's going to go get cleaned up so he can start his shift."
Jake nodded and headed for the bunkroom, remembering that's where Alex had headed, he changed his mind and grabbed a napkin off the table. He dabbed at his bleeding lip as Jimmy glared at him. Jake stepped away from Jimmy and sat on the counter away from everyone. "Howdy, again." Kim looked between Jimmy and Jake realizing something was up.
"Jake, have you been in town long?" she asked.
"I've lived in New York for the past six years. I just switched squads. I needed a change of pace. I think I picked the wrong squad to go into."
"You definitely did," growled Jimmy, heading towards the bunkroom.
"Hey, Jimmy!" yelled Doc, shaking his head as Jimmy headed up the stairs without another word.
"Friendly Feller, ain't he?" said Jake, sighing.
"Guess I've made more enemies than pals today, huh?"
"Not really. Looks like Alex was an enemy before anyone had the chance to become a friend," replied Doc. "I'm Doc and that's…" he went on to introduce everyone. "The really unfriendly guy was Jimmy and you already know Alex obviously." "
Yeah, me and Alex go back a while."
"Taylor. Relation by any chance?" asked Bobby.
Jake sighed. He hated to tell people about he and Alex but figured they would find out eventually. He took a deep breath and started to reply.
"Jake's my ex-husband," said Alex, walking down the steps. The ensuing silence was the reaction Alex expected and relished as Jake looked around the room. He realized he was enemy number one at this point and didn't think it was going to get any better.
"Alex, I know you don't want me here," he began but was immediately cut off.
"Look, you do your job, I'll do mine. And if we have to work together, fine. But don't even look at me when we aren't on a call," she snapped, grabbing a soda from the fridge.
"Alrighty then," he replied. Grabbing his dropped bag, he headed up the steps to find a spot to settle in. This was one hell of a way to start a new job.
* * *
Alex poured herself a cup of coffee and looked around the room. No one would make eye contact with her. She shook her head and glared at the top of the stairs where Jake had disappeared. She could not believe her luck. She transfers to the 55 and then him. "Kim?"
"Yeah, Alex?"
"Ever just think life completely sucks?" she asked, taking a drink of coffee.
"Sometimes. Want to talk about it?"
"Later…I need to cool down," she replied, standing and walking out the door. Alex grabbed her duffle bag and walked downstairs and into the crisp afternoon wind. Rifling through her bag, she came up with her pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She'd stopped smoking recently and never even thought about a cigarette unless she had a bad call or was just stressful. Lighting the cigarette she took a drag an exhaled, hoping to exhale all her problems as well. Jimmy followed her outside and watched her from the doorway.
"Them things are going to kill you," he said, leaning against the wall.
"So will firefighting," she replied, turning around to face him.
"That would be Mr. Walk-out-and-never-come-back, huh?"
"The one and only. In my life, anyways."
"You aren't going to even talk to him?"
"Someday. Maybe," she said, taking a drag.
"C'mon Alex. Obviously you still have something inside you that you need to get out. You didn't let the poor guy get a full sentence out without knocking him on his ass!"
Alex stood there shocked. "That 'poor guy'? That 'pour guy' walked out on me! I'm supposed to just forgive and forget? Do you realize what I went through when he left? I had to move out of my apartment because I couldn't afford the rent. My car we repossessed because I couldn't afford to keep that either. He walked out on me and I had to change. Not gradually, overnight! I can't forgive that!"
"I didn't mean it that way, Alex. I just meant…"
"You meant it that way. Of course you did! Men are all the same!" she yelled, walking back inside.
* * *
Jake looked around the bunkroom. He could tell which bunk was Alex's the moment he walked in. She always had to have a picture of their old dog, Sparky, taped above the headboard. He walked up to the bunk and a slight smile spread across his face as he remembered the day they bought the dog. He shook his head. He didn't need to bring up old memories. Sighing he looked around and tossed his duffle bag into the corner the furthest away from Alex's bunk. Jake couldn't believe it. After almost a year and a half, he'd found Alex without really meaning to. He grinned as the alarm rang and he realized he'd get to work with the woman he loved all day long.
"Hey, Taylor! Let's roll!!" yelled Lombardo, coming out of the shower.
"No problem, little buddy," replied Jake, sliding down the pole and grabbing his new gear. Sliding his feet into his boots, he was shoved from behind and just caught himself before he tumbled to the floor.
"Out of the way!" yelled Alex, as her and Jimmy came running into the bay.
Jake growled as the truck started up and he still had to grab his helmet. He jumped on just as the truck was pulling out of the door. Alex and Jimmy followed right after. Jake shook his head as Alex practically sat in Lombardo's lap to keep away from him. "Hey, Joe, right?" he asked. After receiving a nod he continued. "Switch spots with me, would ya? I can't ride backwards."
"Sure, no problem. I don't need to be puked on," he replied, switching spots. With Jake gone, Alex sat down next to Jimmy and Lombardo and strapped on her helmet. They pulled up to a small grocery store and Lombardo laughed. On the sidewalk was an old cash register which was on fire. Jake hopped out of the truck and grabbed a fire extinguisher.
"Hey, Captain! You think we need back-up? I got a fully involved cash register here!!" he yelled, hitting the register with a burst of CO2 from the extinguisher.
"Just put the fire out, Taylor!"
"Yeehaw! No problem, Captain."
"Do you get out much?" asked D.K, grabbing another extinguisher and walking into the building.
"Not nearly enough," replied Jake grinning. His grin faded as he looked up and saw Alex and Jimmy laughing and joking. "I see said the blind man," he mumbled to himself. He knew why both were mad that he was around. Alex was afraid she couldn't have her little boyfriend around if he was. He'd just have to correct that when he got the chance.
* * *
"Squad 55. Reported structure fire…." Blared the loud speaker.
Alex slid down the pole and throwing on her gear, she jumped into the truck, only to groan as Jake jumped in behind her. Jake chuckled as Alex looked out the window and didn't even acknowledge him. He figured he'd make this a game now. It was only right. His heart was finally broken. Jake had no chance now. Not with Alex having a new boyfriend. "Captain? Who's going where?" asked Jake.
"Until we get there, we won't know," replied the Captain.
"Alrighty then."
"You get to stay in the truck and watch us put the fire out," replied Jimmy.
"Do I still get paid?" asked Jake, smirking. "
Yeah."
"Then that's fine with me. Just give me my check."
* * *
"Hello, Doc," said Jake, plopping down on the couch.
"Hi, Jake," replied Doc, glancing up from his paper.
"What? You ain't gonna talk to me neither?" he asked.
"Jake, you walked out on Alex. I can't look at you."
"You don't know the whole story, Doc!"
"I know enough to know it was pretty low what you did."
"Yes, it was," said Alex, sitting in the recliner.
Jake sighed and unsnapped the first button on his shirt. Alex watched him closely, wondering what he was up to. She looked at Doc who was still engrossed in his paper. Jake shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Alex, I know why you don't like me," he said.
Alex glared at him. "I would hope so! Even you aren't that stupid," she replied.
"I know. You've got a new man in your life and you don't want me around because you're uncomfortable. I just want to say I'm fine with that." Alex looked at Doc confused.
"New man? Who are you talking about?"
"Jimmy!" he exclaimed, getting furious she was dragging this out.
Alex sat there in shock as Doc's paper fell down, revealing his laughing face.
"Alex and Jimmy?? Those two are more like brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend."
"You're not dating Jimmy?" asked Jake, hope rising in his voice.
"No, and I'm still not going to talk to you. You hurt me Jake, and that's all there is to it," she replied, walking out of the room.
"Wow!" exclaimed Jake, looking at Doc. "I got a chance then, right, buddy?"
"I'm sorry, Jake. You have a chance of being punched out, and that's it," replied Doc, tossing his paper on the coffee table and heading off to the kitchen.
Jake sighed and sat back, his head in his hands. He figured he had finally lost Alex for good.
Jake Taylor lumbered up the steps to the 55, looking around the place in awe. This place was cleaner than any of the places he'd worked in. He listened to the sounds of voices laughing and decided to head in that direction. As he rounded the corner, he could see a couple of people sitting around a table, drinking coffee and reading bits and pieces of the paper out load to each other. He knocked lightly on the wall where he was standing and smiled inwardly as they all turned to look at him and their faces went blank.
"Hiya. I'm looking for the man in charge here," he said, smiling.
"Captains in his office," replied a small little man with black hair.
"Thank you," Jake said, wandering off to find the Captain's office.
* * * "
Who the hell was that?" asked Kim, smiling.
"I don't know but I don't like it," replied Lombardo.
"Why's that?" asked Bobby.
"Because he looks like a jerk," said Carlos.
"Anyone who's better looking than you are, is a jerk to you, Nieto," said Kim.
Alex walked down from the bunkroom and looked around. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Just some guy looking for Captain," said Doc.
"Ah ok? And that's a big deal because?" she asked.
"Carlos doesn't like the guy. He's better looking than him," laughed Kim.
"Well, Carlos must not like the world then, huh?" Alex shot, grinning.
"Alexandra, that's not very nice," Jake said, stepping into the room, Captain right behind him.
"Jake?" Alex cried, swinging around to see. "What are you doing here!?" she yelled, stalking towards him.
"Alex, now calm…" he started, only to be cut off as Alex punched him in the mouth.
"I told you I didn't ever want to see you again!" she cried. Rubbing her hand as Doc and Bobby pulled her back away from Jake.
"Ow…I can't help it. I was transferred here!" said Jake, covering his face as Alex made another lunge at him.
"Alex, come on! Let it go," said Doc, setting her in a chair with Bobby's help.
"Taylor, he's here. We needed another firefighter to cover shifts. I can't help the fact that there's nobody around right now. You two won't be working together often. He's a floater. He'll be working all different shifts," Captain said.
"I know. I know. I still don't want to see him," she said, stalking off back to the bunkrooms.
"What in the hell is going on?" asked Jimmy, walking into the room and seeing Jake on the floor.
"Well, I was introducing our new member, but I can see Alex has already done that for me. This is Jake Taylor," said Captain, helping Jake to his feet. "And now he's going to go get cleaned up so he can start his shift."
Jake nodded and headed for the bunkroom, remembering that's where Alex had headed, he changed his mind and grabbed a napkin off the table. He dabbed at his bleeding lip as Jimmy glared at him. Jake stepped away from Jimmy and sat on the counter away from everyone. "Howdy, again." Kim looked between Jimmy and Jake realizing something was up.
"Jake, have you been in town long?" she asked.
"I've lived in New York for the past six years. I just switched squads. I needed a change of pace. I think I picked the wrong squad to go into."
"You definitely did," growled Jimmy, heading towards the bunkroom.
"Hey, Jimmy!" yelled Doc, shaking his head as Jimmy headed up the stairs without another word.
"Friendly Feller, ain't he?" said Jake, sighing.
"Guess I've made more enemies than pals today, huh?"
"Not really. Looks like Alex was an enemy before anyone had the chance to become a friend," replied Doc. "I'm Doc and that's…" he went on to introduce everyone. "The really unfriendly guy was Jimmy and you already know Alex obviously." "
Yeah, me and Alex go back a while."
"Taylor. Relation by any chance?" asked Bobby.
Jake sighed. He hated to tell people about he and Alex but figured they would find out eventually. He took a deep breath and started to reply.
"Jake's my ex-husband," said Alex, walking down the steps. The ensuing silence was the reaction Alex expected and relished as Jake looked around the room. He realized he was enemy number one at this point and didn't think it was going to get any better.
"Alex, I know you don't want me here," he began but was immediately cut off.
"Look, you do your job, I'll do mine. And if we have to work together, fine. But don't even look at me when we aren't on a call," she snapped, grabbing a soda from the fridge.
"Alrighty then," he replied. Grabbing his dropped bag, he headed up the steps to find a spot to settle in. This was one hell of a way to start a new job.
* * *
Alex poured herself a cup of coffee and looked around the room. No one would make eye contact with her. She shook her head and glared at the top of the stairs where Jake had disappeared. She could not believe her luck. She transfers to the 55 and then him. "Kim?"
"Yeah, Alex?"
"Ever just think life completely sucks?" she asked, taking a drink of coffee.
"Sometimes. Want to talk about it?"
"Later…I need to cool down," she replied, standing and walking out the door. Alex grabbed her duffle bag and walked downstairs and into the crisp afternoon wind. Rifling through her bag, she came up with her pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She'd stopped smoking recently and never even thought about a cigarette unless she had a bad call or was just stressful. Lighting the cigarette she took a drag an exhaled, hoping to exhale all her problems as well. Jimmy followed her outside and watched her from the doorway.
"Them things are going to kill you," he said, leaning against the wall.
"So will firefighting," she replied, turning around to face him.
"That would be Mr. Walk-out-and-never-come-back, huh?"
"The one and only. In my life, anyways."
"You aren't going to even talk to him?"
"Someday. Maybe," she said, taking a drag.
"C'mon Alex. Obviously you still have something inside you that you need to get out. You didn't let the poor guy get a full sentence out without knocking him on his ass!"
Alex stood there shocked. "That 'poor guy'? That 'pour guy' walked out on me! I'm supposed to just forgive and forget? Do you realize what I went through when he left? I had to move out of my apartment because I couldn't afford the rent. My car we repossessed because I couldn't afford to keep that either. He walked out on me and I had to change. Not gradually, overnight! I can't forgive that!"
"I didn't mean it that way, Alex. I just meant…"
"You meant it that way. Of course you did! Men are all the same!" she yelled, walking back inside.
* * *
Jake looked around the bunkroom. He could tell which bunk was Alex's the moment he walked in. She always had to have a picture of their old dog, Sparky, taped above the headboard. He walked up to the bunk and a slight smile spread across his face as he remembered the day they bought the dog. He shook his head. He didn't need to bring up old memories. Sighing he looked around and tossed his duffle bag into the corner the furthest away from Alex's bunk. Jake couldn't believe it. After almost a year and a half, he'd found Alex without really meaning to. He grinned as the alarm rang and he realized he'd get to work with the woman he loved all day long.
"Hey, Taylor! Let's roll!!" yelled Lombardo, coming out of the shower.
"No problem, little buddy," replied Jake, sliding down the pole and grabbing his new gear. Sliding his feet into his boots, he was shoved from behind and just caught himself before he tumbled to the floor.
"Out of the way!" yelled Alex, as her and Jimmy came running into the bay.
Jake growled as the truck started up and he still had to grab his helmet. He jumped on just as the truck was pulling out of the door. Alex and Jimmy followed right after. Jake shook his head as Alex practically sat in Lombardo's lap to keep away from him. "Hey, Joe, right?" he asked. After receiving a nod he continued. "Switch spots with me, would ya? I can't ride backwards."
"Sure, no problem. I don't need to be puked on," he replied, switching spots. With Jake gone, Alex sat down next to Jimmy and Lombardo and strapped on her helmet. They pulled up to a small grocery store and Lombardo laughed. On the sidewalk was an old cash register which was on fire. Jake hopped out of the truck and grabbed a fire extinguisher.
"Hey, Captain! You think we need back-up? I got a fully involved cash register here!!" he yelled, hitting the register with a burst of CO2 from the extinguisher.
"Just put the fire out, Taylor!"
"Yeehaw! No problem, Captain."
"Do you get out much?" asked D.K, grabbing another extinguisher and walking into the building.
"Not nearly enough," replied Jake grinning. His grin faded as he looked up and saw Alex and Jimmy laughing and joking. "I see said the blind man," he mumbled to himself. He knew why both were mad that he was around. Alex was afraid she couldn't have her little boyfriend around if he was. He'd just have to correct that when he got the chance.
* * *
"Squad 55. Reported structure fire…." Blared the loud speaker.
Alex slid down the pole and throwing on her gear, she jumped into the truck, only to groan as Jake jumped in behind her. Jake chuckled as Alex looked out the window and didn't even acknowledge him. He figured he'd make this a game now. It was only right. His heart was finally broken. Jake had no chance now. Not with Alex having a new boyfriend. "Captain? Who's going where?" asked Jake.
"Until we get there, we won't know," replied the Captain.
"Alrighty then."
"You get to stay in the truck and watch us put the fire out," replied Jimmy.
"Do I still get paid?" asked Jake, smirking. "
Yeah."
"Then that's fine with me. Just give me my check."
* * *
"Hello, Doc," said Jake, plopping down on the couch.
"Hi, Jake," replied Doc, glancing up from his paper.
"What? You ain't gonna talk to me neither?" he asked.
"Jake, you walked out on Alex. I can't look at you."
"You don't know the whole story, Doc!"
"I know enough to know it was pretty low what you did."
"Yes, it was," said Alex, sitting in the recliner.
Jake sighed and unsnapped the first button on his shirt. Alex watched him closely, wondering what he was up to. She looked at Doc who was still engrossed in his paper. Jake shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Alex, I know why you don't like me," he said.
Alex glared at him. "I would hope so! Even you aren't that stupid," she replied.
"I know. You've got a new man in your life and you don't want me around because you're uncomfortable. I just want to say I'm fine with that." Alex looked at Doc confused.
"New man? Who are you talking about?"
"Jimmy!" he exclaimed, getting furious she was dragging this out.
Alex sat there in shock as Doc's paper fell down, revealing his laughing face.
"Alex and Jimmy?? Those two are more like brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend."
"You're not dating Jimmy?" asked Jake, hope rising in his voice.
"No, and I'm still not going to talk to you. You hurt me Jake, and that's all there is to it," she replied, walking out of the room.
"Wow!" exclaimed Jake, looking at Doc. "I got a chance then, right, buddy?"
"I'm sorry, Jake. You have a chance of being punched out, and that's it," replied Doc, tossing his paper on the coffee table and heading off to the kitchen.
Jake sighed and sat back, his head in his hands. He figured he had finally lost Alex for good.