The guys sat on the back of the Squad. They were all in their bunker gear. They were glad for it too. They had to sit out and stage for New Year's Eve at Times Square. The medic units were with them as well. It was cold, bitterly cold. But the new millennium rolling in was a big deal. Everyone feared Y2K.

Lt. Johnson stood nearby with Battalion Chief Dixon. He could observe what his crew was doing, and well they were just tossing a football. No harm in trying to keep warm.

It was 10 PM and so far it had been quiet. There were NYPD officers everywhere for fear of mass chaos. The Medics sat and talked amongst themselves.

"So this big scare, the end of the world is coming." Carlos mocks

"Yeah." Doc replied

"Not quite right. The world's not gonna end tonight." Bobby said

"Yeah some ridiculous notion that the world will end- just some hyped up news story to scare everyone." Kim said

The guys could hear the conversation that the medics were having.

"Yeah, it's a big government conspiracy or something." DK said

"Conspiracy? That's a big word for you DK." Walsh said

"Yeah, did that spell out in your Alpha-Bits this morning?" Jimmy cracked

"Very funny." DK said as he tossed the football into Jimmy's stomach

"That was a joke." Jimmy said

"I know." DK said dryly

"What the hell time is it?" Tommy Doyle asked

Walsh pulled his coat sleeve up to reveal his watch, "10:15" he said

"Wow we're only stuck out here for another 3 hours." Lombardo lamented

"3? With that crowd it'll probably be longer than that." Jimmy noted

They quickly grew bored with tossing the football so they moved around. They watched as the crowds walked by them. Of course they took the opportunity to flirt with some of the girls who walked by them.

Jimmy was busy getting girl's numbers and the guys were sitting back laughing.

"Jimmy's got the magic tongue." DK said

"Yeah, he's gotta have something to make up for his body." Lombardo

Jimmy turned around, "I'm a fine looking specimen, unlike you." Jimmy grinned

"Uh-huh." Walsh said sarcastically

"I don't see you workin' the ladies." Jimmy said

"Don't have to." Walsh said

"Yeah after your last encounter, I wouldn't want to date anyone without a full background check." Tommy laughed

Everyone laughed about it. And well, it was funny now that he was over the fact that he'd nearly been killed. It was all a laughing matter now.

"Yeah so how's life with the toddler?" Walsh asked

"The terrible twos, I believe it alright." Tommy said

Everyone laughed.

"That was the worst time with Joey." Jimmy said. "He was just like his old man."

"Stubborn and hardheaded?" Lombardo cracked

"Exactly." Jimmy laughed

Soon everyone heard the familiar shouts.

"10…9…8…7…6…5…4" the crowd called out

"Here we go." Walsh said

"3…2…1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The crowd screamed out

There were fireworks out over the River. It was now officially the year 2000. The guys watched the fireworks and listened to the joyous crowd.

"Looks like the world doesn't end on the stroke of midnight." Lt. Johnson said

"Doesn't look that way does it Lieu?" Walsh asked

"Happy New Year." DK said

They all shared the sentiment before the radio broke in.

"Squad 55, Ladder 100, Adam 55-3, Boy 55-3 respond for an apartment fire 1182 1st Ave." The radio called

"Alright guys, let's roll!" Lt. Johnson said as they all quickly got into the truck.

Soon they were leading the way down to the Avenue. Walsh turned the truck onto 1st and they could see flames.

"Lt. 55 to headquarters, we have a 10-75" Lt. Johnson radioed as they pulled up in front of the building.

Lieutenant Johnson didn't need to tell the guys their assignments because they were already moving around getting their equipment. Walsh had the line in operation quickly and they immediately began to battle the blaze.

They worked on a sweep of the building, fortunately, everyone had escaped. There were some minor smoke inhalation patients but the medics worked quickly to help them. It wasn't long before they were wrapping up and heading back to the house. They stumbled into and out of the showers and then into their beds. It was well past 3 AM and they were all dead tired.

They hadn't feared Y2K. It was all hype. Little did they know that in just a few short weeks, it would seem like the end of the world was coming to their house.

Lieutenant Johnson was off on a rare vacation day. It was Tommy's last shift as a member of the Third Watch, he had put in for a transfer to another shift because of needing time with his family.

They had been on an apartment fire in the morning. And Jimmy had repealed off the roof to rescue Doc, Carlos, and their patient. Then they were dispatched for a car fire shortly after noon.

Walsh pulled the Squad onto the scene and Captain McKay began to give them orders.

"It's okay, I'm a firefighter." A man called out as he stood by the burning car, "Stay back, I'll take care of it."

"Sir, step back." Jimmy said as they stretched the line

The guys from Ladder 100 had been dispatched as well because of the proximity to an abandoned building.

The guy got in the way again.

"Sir get the hell out of the way and let us do our job!" Jimmy demanded

"I'm a firefighter!" The guy yelled out

Jimmy went to step towards him and it all happened in an instant. 6 shots rang out. Jimmy flinched as he was hit once in the leg and once in the abdomen. 2 other firefighters fell as well.

It suddenly turned into what seemed like a film from a horror movie. Capt. McKay immediately called for buses. The guys weren't concerned about the car fire anymore. Their attention turned towards their injured coworkers.

Walsh leaned down and immediately held pressure on Jimmy's abdomen.

"Stay with me buddy." He said as he looked around the scene and saw the two others.

"How bad is it?" Jimmy asked

"It's pretty bad." Walsh admitted.

Soon the medics were arriving.

"Kim!" Walsh called out

"Oh my God! Jimmy." She said

"I feel kinda weird." Jimmy said

"Yeah, you just got shot." Kim admitted with a smile trying to hide the tears

"Ain't that a bitch."? Jimmy said, "I knew we should have called in sick today."

"Yeah." Kim replied as she got an IV established in his arm

"Jimmy, talk to me." Walsh said

They soon had him back boarded and they were moving off to the hospital. Walsh had driven the bus to Mercy. He watched and waited anxiously as the staff began working on Jimmy.

He also found out that one of the firefighters, Marcus Goodman of Ladder 100 had been killed by the gunman. It became like a fireman's convention in the waiting room as everyone made their way in.

They had taken Jimmy to surgery and everyone was waiting anxiously for word. After 4 hours they finally were given word that Jimmy was in recovery and would be okay. That was a huge relief to them

Walsh had gone into the bathroom after they had received the word. DK followed.

"That was close." DK said

"Yeah, I can't believe it." Walsh admitted as he leaned down and splashed water on his face.

"Lt. Johnson just got here." DK said

"What a day to take off right?" Walsh asked

"Yeah." DK responded

"Well, let's head back to the house, they said we can come and see Jimmy tomorrow." DK patted Walsh on the shoulder

They headed back for the house and solemnly walked up the stairs to the lounge. They were all dead tired but none of them really wanted to sleep. They all thought about how close it had been- and how one of their best friends was in the ICU. Word had reached them that the gunman had shot and killed himself, and he had been fired from the FDNY.

Walsh sat in one of the recliners and turned on the news. He saw the report about the shooting. Soon after he fell asleep. Everyone else went to bed as well. Captain McKay turned out the light and went back into the office to catch a little shuteye as well.