Vic woke up at the same time as usual, tangled up in several blankets and it was cold outside, she quickly pushed the blankets away from her, got out of bed and went to do her daily routine like every morning.
She arrives at the station, eats her breakfast with everyone but Sullivan, he still doesn't eat with them, he prefers to keep his distance.
The day passed very slowly, Vic was bored there was nothing to do, she talked to Montgomery, Vic was happy that he was back and that they were finally okay, she missed her best friend.
It was late afternoon they were almost at the end of the shift when they were called to a fire, it was a 9 story building, the fire had started on the top floor and was quickly spreading to the rest of the building, station 23 and station 12 already were on site, as was chief Ripley.
—Nineteen, good response time— he nodded, looking around at everyone, lingering his eyes on Vic.
He liked the conversations they had in the support group, she was funny, endearing, she was light, she lit up the room with her laugh and he thought it was so cute when she rambled on, but he was Lucas Ripley, the fire chief, he followed the rules, all the rules, he always did, Ripley couldn't fall in love with her subordinate, it was against the rules.
Vic noticed the lingering look on her, she completely changed her mind about him, she was liking her boss, he was fun and she felt good with him.
Montgomery and Miller were in the aid car.
—Bishop, Hughes you go up the building looking for civilians on the upper floors, Herrera, Gibson you start at the bottom.— Sullivan yelled into the radio as he positioned himself next to Ripley.
Everything was going well, Maya and Vic went up the stairs of the building looking for civilians, Vic could hear the noise of the fire and it made her excited, she loved her job.
— Captain, this floor is clear, we're coming down —Maya yelled into the radio.
At the same time, Vic felt the ground beneath her shake.
— Maya, did you feel that?— Maya nodded.
—Let's get out of here calmly.
Before Vic could answer or do anything, the floor collapsed and they fell, but that wasn't the only problem, the floors on every floor below them collapsed and they fell between them until they reached the first floor.
Maya fell on her back, she got up quickly taking off her equipment, she looked around trying to understand what happened, then she remembered Vic.
Maya looked around the space until she found Vic.
— Vic? Vic, can you hear me?— Maya turned her body carefully and took off her equipment, her helmet was no longer on her head and she had a cut.
— Mayday mayday, wounded firefighter.
—Bishop, where are you?—Gibson answered quickly over the radio.
—On the first floor, Hughes and I went down.
Gibson and Herrera descended what was left of the stairs, they carried Vic out while Maya followed behind them.
Montgomery and Miller showed up running with a stretcher so Gibson and Herrera could get Vic in. Ripley approached them, he looked at her, her eyes were closed and her face relaxed, the right side of her head was covered in blood from the cut.
Ripley felt sick to his stomach, he was always worried when a firefighter got hurt, but this time it was different, a different kind of worry.Vic was lying on the hospital bed, Montgomery had been by her side holding her hand the whole time, she was fine despite the two broken ribs and the cut on her head she was going to be fine.
As soon as Travis left Vic's room, he saw Ripley in the waiting room.
— Chief? he asked raising his eyebrows, visually confused.
—Montgomery.—Lucas waved at him. —I came to check on Hughes and Bishop.— he replied letting out some of his Australian accent, he always did when he was nervous.
Montgomery frowned still confused, he noticed a different accent on the chief, he didn't know the chief had an accent, he had never heard him speak like that before.
—Bishop is now discharged, luckily she didn't have any injuries, Hughes is fine, she had two broken ribs and a cut on her head, she's sleeping now.— Upon hearing this Lucas let out a small sigh.
—Dr. Bailey said visiting hours are over, if you want to see her you'll have to come back tomorrow chief. Only her family can stay, but I don't think her parents are coming.
—Right Montgomery.— Lucas waved at him but remained seated in the waiting room.
Lucas finally got up from his chair, he ran a hand through his unkempt hair, he was more relieved to know that Vic was okay.
He saw Dr. Bailey walking down the hall and decided to go to her.
—Dr. Bailey.— Lucas forced a smile.
—Chief Ripley, can I help you with anything?
— I need a favor…hum…I want to see a firefighter of mine. — Lucas replied, rubbing his facial hair nervously.
—Okay, what's the name?
— Hughes, Victoria.
— Room 509.
Lucas smiled in thanks and walked to her room, he took a few deep breaths before plucking up the courage to open the door, as he did, he saw her, she was sleeping and there were several machines around her.
He approached carefully and she opened her eyes.
— Chief? — she said visibly sleepy.
—Hughes, how are you?
—Well, unlike you. You look terrible.— She gave a light laugh.
—Oh, thanks.— Lucas couldn't help but chuckle too, she was high on morphine that's why she was so happy. —Well, I'm glad to hear you're okay, I hope to see you back at work.
Lucas smiled at her again, an affectionate smile, and headed for the door.
—Wait.— Lucas turned around. —I don't want to be alone.— She pouted.
Lucas thought it was the most adorable thing in the world, even though he knew she did it because of the meds.
—Unless you have to go back to your wife. — She bit her lip nervously.
—Wife? —Lucas frowned in confusion.
—Laura, I think, I'm sorry I saw it on the phone the other day when she called.
— Oh, it's okay, she's my ex-wife, we're just friends.— Lucas kept his affectionate smile and walked back to her, he took off his coat and sat in the chair next to the bed.
—Thank you.— Vic smiled in thanks.
She felt her eyes get heavier and closed them, she was almost asleep from the medication.
Lucas placed his palm on top of her hand and squeezed her gently.
— Sleep Victoria, I'm not going anywhere.
Lucas Ripley was screwed, he knew that, he was starting to develop feelings for his subordinate, he told himself it was just a friendship, but his heart said otherwise.