Things are heating up with the arson investigation! I know there will be lots of thoughts! See you next Sunday, Love ya'll!
Lynn, Tobias, Marlene, and Zeke sit in Lynn's office looking at files of arson cases. Marlene had filled Caleb in on everything going on and they were cross-referencing the work that he and Susan had done trying to make any connection while Caleb and Susan were dealing with a drug cartel murder.
"I think this guy is going off the rails, why send that article?" Zeke asks, throwing down the file folder he was looking at.
"But why? What does he want?" Marlene asks, pulling her hair into a ponytail as she looks at all the files scattered across the table.
"Because meticulous planners don't do well with exposure. Finding the storage unit interrupted his plans'' Lynn explains adding another pin to the map on the board.
"So he's going to continue to go off the rails?" Marlene reasons. She didn't like the feeling of someone out there watching them and plotting and they had no idea who he was.
"He wants control and he feels like he needs to get it back" Lynn states and it sends a shiver through Marlene.
"So what's his next move?" Tobias wonders out loud leaning forward in his chair. "We know he's set three fires…and one that was 20 years ago.."
"Three that we know of, that's why we are going through all these files, there is no way that he hasn't set more. That's we are looking for all the unsolved arson fires with similarities. Everything is centered around 51, we just need to figure out why" Lynn explains to the group.
"Everyone needs to keep their eyes open," Tobias tells them, and Zeke and Marlene both nod in agreement. No one else at 51 was dying because of this guy if they could help it.
When Lynn called, having compiled a list of suspected arsonists and needing some backup, Marlene jumped at the chance to go with her to the storage unit to interview the manager again.
Lynn hands the Ipad to the gentleman and he moves his finger across the screen looking at each picture.
"None of these guys have rented a storage unit from me. Nope, Nope, Nope…" He states as he keeps scrolling. Marlene fights the urge to roll her eyes at how flippantly he was looking at the pics.
"I need you to focus on anything that looks vaguely familiar to you," Lynn says calmly.
"Look I show them a space, get a credit card from them. It's not like there is a lot of personal interaction" the manager explains with an annoyed tone as he swipes across the screen.
"Hold on... I know this one" the manager says going back to the previous screen. Marlene looks over eagerly at Lynn and they both lean in closer to the manager to see the picture.
"This guy is a customer here, he may have gained a little weight but I know him for sure"
"You're sure?" Marlene asks him.
"Oh yes I'm positive" he confirms again.
Marlene looked closer at the picture and it made her stomach turn and gave her the creeps. He had a sadistic look about him, greasy hair combed over with glasses, beady eyes.
The next day on shift, after a call to deal with a fire in an apartment building, everyone settles back in at 51 for the evening. Max was working on a few reports when he heard a knock on his door. To his surprise, a female officer from CFD Headquarters was standing there in her standard CFD uniform, a white button-down shirt, with a single bugle on each lapel signifying her rank as a lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Lynn Morris, OFI" She introduces herself, extending her hand. Lynn had heard many things about Max Boden. She was pleased to finally meet him. He had a reputation of respect in the CFD with most in headquarters. He was going to protect those who served under him no matter what.
"Max Boden, nice to meet you"
"Chief, do you mind if I borrow Vega, Pedrad, and Eaton for a minute? They have been looking into the fire that killed Will Foster and I think I have some information and I need their assistance " Lynn asks.
Max nods, Tobias and Zeke had kept him informed and he trusted the instincts Tobias had. Even though he and Marcus Eaton had a sometimes rocky relationship, they served together and he had a gift for the arson investigation that he passed on to Tobias.
Max finds Marlene, Zeke, and Tobias and brings them to the briefing room to meet with Lynn. When everyone is assembled she pulls out her Ipad to show them a picture of a suspect to the others.
"His name is Adrian Phelps, we've brought him in for questioning twice, he came in voluntarily but we never had any proof to link him to a fire so the department decided not to pursue him," Lynn explains. "He also lives right in the middle of all the fires we have cross references with the info CPD has pulled and OFI records."
"Why can't we call CPD and arrest him?" Zeke asks looking at the photo.
"We don't have hard evidence yet. I'm going to take everything to my chief and see if OFI will reopen the investigation"
Lynn had been up half the night looking at the information that Tobias, Zeke, and Marlene had gathered. She had been impressed, her boss Deputy Chief Matt Casey had missed all this evidence. The more she started digging, the more she started to put the pieces together looking at suspected arsonists. She had a feeling they were all on the right track now and this man had to be stopped before anyone else died.
"Why are we doing this again?" Tobias grunts as he lifts the heavy box onto the bar at Dauntless.
"Because I'm putting my family back together" Zeke explains as puts another box on the counter.
Since it was Monday and Dauntless was closed he was arranging something special for Tori. He had been hoping and praying she would be open to them being together. He had Tobias helping him fill the bar with vases of flowers while Shauna and Christina were keeping her busy until Zeke was ready and his mother kept Dallas.
"And Tori wants the same thing?" Tobias asks as he starts pulling the vases out on the bar.
"I think so, she pulled away because I wasn't showing her that I wanted to settle down but I'm going to fight for my family. I have to at least try"
Tobias grunts in understanding as he continues to work. He was proud of Zeke. Tori deserved to be happy and to be showered with affection like this.
"So you seeing anyone again?" Zeke probes starting to fill the vases Tobias laid out with roses.
He was worried about Tobias, while he seemed to be coming out of his funk about Tris, Zeke knew he still wasn't himself.
"Nope," Tobias replies, continuing to unpack the vases not looking at Zeke.
"I'm sorry you got your heart broken man, really"
Finally, Tobias stops moving. It hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Yeah, I just…I thought she was the one.." He admits to his best friend. It was the first time he had really said it out loud.
"And what if she is?"
Tobias looks over at Zeke with a look of disbelief.
"Take it from someone who looked past the very thing that I wanted because of fear and doubt even though it was right in front of me" Zeke adds as he stops working to lean his back against the bar and cross his arms.
"What made you change your mind? Or get over your fear?"
"Uri talked some sense into me, told me to fight for what I wanted. I know how I feel when I'm with Tori, and I made up my mind I'm not letting her go without a fight"
Tobias smiles as he goes back to unpacking the vases. "Well Tori's probably the only person who won't put up with your shit"
Zeke chuckles knowing Tobias was right. The two friends keep working and talking and an hour later they stand back and look at their handiwork. The bar was covered in vases of white and pink roses. The twinkle lights that hung in the ceiling made it feel magical like it was a completely different place.
"So are you going to fight for what you want?" Zeke asks him as they set out the last touches of the dinner table set up in the middle of the floor.
"I already tried Zeke," Tobias drops his head.
"Did you though? It looks like you just went along with it"
"Well she ghosted me, acted like there was nothing between us…why should I fight for her"
"Like I said earlier, sometimes you gotta put things right in front of people for them to see it. Maybe she's where's she comfortable because she's waiting for a sign"
Tobias nods again. Maybe moving on was the right thing for him to do.
Tori rushes to find her keys to open the front door to Dauntless. Zeke had called her in a panic saying there was a busted pipe in one of the bathrooms. She couldn't believe that this was happening but she was thankful it was on a day the bar was closed and Hana had taken Dallas for the evening. She didn't even want to know how much the plumber Zeke called was going to cost.
"Zeke, how bad is it?" She calls putting her keys back in her purse as she walks in the door.
She stops dead in her tracks at the sight before her. The entire bar was covered in vases of pink and white roses. The twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling were on and there were candles lit in vases that created a soft glow around the room. Standing in front of a table set for two with candles holding a long stem white rose was the father of her child. Tori was literally speechless.
Zeke chuckles as he sees Tori struggling to find her words and her eyes take in the flowers and candlelight. He hits a play on his phone and Tori feels an unsteady gasp pass her lips as the sound of This is Why I Love You by Major comes through the speakers. Zeke walks up slowly to her and sees there are tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Zeke…This is…" Tori let out in a wobbly voice still stunned.
Zeke leans in and plants a soft kiss on her lips and pulls her bag from her hand and sits it on the chair next to the table.
"Tori, I love you. I know I have been running from the hard conversations but I want you, I want us. I know I've made mistakes, I want you to give me another chance to make this work."
"Why now?" Tori asks barely above a whisper and voice thick with emotion.
"At first I told myself I wanted us to be a family, for Dallas to wake up to both his parents every morning when I'm not on shift but then I realized Dallas will be happy as long as we love him. But I want you, Tori, I love you and I need you."
Before he can say anything else Tori kisses him and wraps her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Zeke, I never stopped loving you," she breathes when they finally break apart.
Zeke smiles and Tori goes back to kissing him while hopping into his arms. Zeke walks them to the middle of the bar where there weren't any candles or flowers.
"Babe, I didn't do this to get laid…" Zeke protests as their kisses multiply.
"Shut up," Tori says with an eye roll and pulls her shirt over her head, and pulls his lips to her again more aggressively this time.
"I got dinner for us.." Zeke mumbles against her lips.
"Zeke, I want you to make love to me, right now," Tori tells him in a serious tone. It has been months since they had been together and she was going to enjoy this moment.
Zeke groans and Tori grabs his shirt to remove it. Tori then lifts her hips as Zeke pulls off her leggings and panties. Zeke admires her, his eyes roaming over his body. He rubs his thumb over her hip.
"Do you remember the last time we did this here?" Zeke asks her as he puts one of her legs over his shoulder.
Tori grins as she leans back against the bar with her hands while she remembers what Zeke is talking about. When they first bought the bar, it was like having a new house. They had made love on the bar, in the storage room, in the bathroom and it had been some of the best sex they ever had, she would be shocked in Dallas had been conceived at Dauntless.
"Hell yes, and I have very high expectations"
Zeke chuckles and dips his head while snaking his free hand up to squeeze her breast. Tori moans in appreciation as he kisses her womanhood. He hadn't shaved in a few days and the stubbles from his chin against the soft skin of her thighs added to the pleasure he was giving her. Tori parted her lips as her breaths picked up and Zeke continued to move his tongue in a magical pattern. She lets out a long moan that causes him to groan in appreciation. This was a new start for them, they had some tough conversations they needed to have but tonight, they were just going to enjoy each other.
'"Seriously Nita, will you put some fucking clothes on?" Christina snaps and covers Uriah's eyes as they emerge from her bedroom to leave for the day.
Nita was only wearing a tight cropped spaghetti-strap tank top and a pair of bikini briefs so her ass was on full display as she fixed herself a cup of coffee and a bagel in the kitchen.
"Sorry, I didn't know Uriah was here" Nita defends as she spreads cream cheese on her bagel.
"Did you use the last Dunkin Donuts Kpod?" Christina groans.
"Sorry, I'll buy some more after work!" Nita winces as she takes her bagel and coffee cup back to Tris' bedroom.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Uriah asks. He could tell by Christina's tone she was in a pissy mood now.
"Yes, God, It just works my nerves that she thinks she can walk around her like it's only her and Tris," she mutters.
Nita wasn't a bad person, Christina could tell that she was really trying to find herself and be a better person than who she was in high school but she still could be a little self-absorbed at times. She was trying to be friendly but it was the little things that got under Christina's skin.
"Well maybe we should think about getting a place of our own…" he offers.
Uriah had been thinking about the best way to bring this up to her so now seemed like a good time. He and Christina were spending any free time they had when they weren't on shift together anyway and he had a nice nest egg built up from living at home the past year and a half. He knew Christina needed a roommate to help because of her student loan debt so the idea of getting an apartment by herself wasn't in her budget. He wanted to take this step with her.
"Are you serious?" Christina asks with wide eyes and her heart starts to beat faster.
"Very serious, No pressure though, just think about it" he grins and gives her a kiss. "See you tomorrow night"
Christina stands there grinning like a fool after he heads out the door to the hospital. She looks at the clock and scowls again.
"Prior, Move your ass if you don't want to walk to 51" Christina yells as she grabs her bag.
"I'm coming, I'm coming" Tris yells as she runs out of the bedroom pulling her CFD t-shirt over her head.
Christina stands by the door with her lips pursed.
"Sorry, Sorry….Nita was very generous this morning... Twice" Tris grins as she tucks her shirt into her pants.
"Spare me the details " Christina groans as she grabs her overnight bag. "And you owe me a cup of coffee…The good stuff"
Tobias walks toward the common room and stops before he can enter the door when he hears the bells go off.
Squad 3 Ambulance 61 Vehicle Accident 432 S Thomas Ave
Tobias can see the sparks flying around as the Squad truck approaches the scene of the accident. A Mercedes was wedged against an electric pole and there was a live wire wiggling across the hood of the car.
"Ma'am" Tobias calls as he approaches the car carefully looking at the situation.
"I knew not to try and get out of the car," She says seemingly calm.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"This dog ran out into the street and I swerved to get out of the way but I lost control"
"Well looks like you missed him so PETA will be happy" he jokes trying to keep her calm.
Zeke eyes the situation and he curses to himself when he smells the gasoline. This car was going to blow and they had to move quickly.
"Eaton" Zeke calls pointing to the stream of gas leaking from the car.
"Okay we can't wait for the power company, Rameriz throw me the rope"
"What's happening?" The woman asks now concerned.
Tobias, Fernando, Drew, and Harrison work to secure the wire with a rope quickly.
"Just hang on, everything is fine, just give us a few minutes" Tobias calls to her, hoping to keep her calm.
As soon as the wire is secured, he goes back to help her out of the car, opening the door. She seems a little shaken.
"Are you okay, do we need to get a backboard?"
"No I'm fine, really, I might need a massage but I'm okay" she assures him with a nervous laugh.
"Thank you" she calls as she watches him walk away. She was still jittery from the entire experience and now that she could really focus on him, he was for sure one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
Tobias closes the door to the Squad 3 truck after repacking the items they had used on the last call. He looks out to see a cab pull up onto the front of the apron of 51 and a tall blonde woman who looked familiar steps out as the cab waits. As she approaches him, he recalls her as the woman from the car that had run into the electrical poll that morning. She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder and Tobias noticed the look of her expensive dress and heels as she walked.
"Remember me? I tried to electrocute you earlier" she jokes as she stops in front of him and hands him a box of fancy gourmet chocolates.
"Oh, you didn't have to do this. My services are free you know," He jokes as he takes the box from her.
"No please, this doesn't even begin to repay you for saving my life"
"Miss… What's your name," Tobias asks, knowing where this was going. He saw the way she was looking him up and down. He knows that look from women.
"I'm Molly Royce, Well you can call me Molly '', The tall blonde grins nervously. "This is going to sound…well, what the hell… Do you want to have lunch or dinner, maybe coffee sometime?"
"Ms. Royce, there's a well-known phenomenon where people become attracted to the people who rescue them. We call it a rescue crush. I save your life. You feel indebted to me. This wears off in 30 minutes tops, trust me" Tobias tells her softly.
Harrison, Fernando, and Gabe all look on from the squad table, interested to see what Eaton will do. Shauna was over at the ambulance restocking watching as well. Tobias needed to get over Tris and she hoped he would take the opportunity in front of him.
Molly sighs and nods her head as Tobias watches her face go from hopeful to disappointed.
"Well, Thanks again.." she says and she turns to walk back to the cab waiting for her.
Shauna walks over to Tobias, she knew he was still hung up on Tris even though it had been nearly 3 months since she rekindled her relationship with her ex.
"What's up with that?" Shauna asks him.
"Ehh, just some vic with a rescue crush" he shrugs putting his hands in his jacket pocket.
"And there was a time when you would have been all over that"
Tobias rolls his eyes but she was right. She was slender, with long legs, blonde hair, and blue eyes. The type of woman Tobias would always go for before he met Tris.
"You need to get back out there Tobias, Prior has moved on, you need to move on too." She pats him on the shoulder before going back to restocking the rig.
Tobias groans in frustration before heading back to his quarters. She was right. Tris had moved on but the problem was he hadn't.
Several hours later, Tobias is in the common room fixing himself a sandwich when Zeke tells him there's someone outside looking for him.
He's surprised when he walks out onto the apron floor to find Molly standing there with a smile on her face. He chuckles and shakes his head as he walks toward her.
"It's been over 30 minutes and it hasn't worn off... And because you made me wait, it's been upgraded to dinner. I made reservations for us at Francesca's tomorrow night"
Tobias bites his lip, she was persistent. Maybe Shauna was right, he needed to get back out there and Molly wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Okay" he agrees and Molly smiles big.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow at 7 pm" She turns around and walks back to the cab she had waiting for her.
"Did I forget that we were having date night?" Tris asks as Nita comes out of her bathroom wearing a sexy black cocktail dress.
"No, I have this fundraiser networking thing I have to go to for work, I forgot I left my black Louboutins here when we went out last week and they really went best with this outfit, so I had to change here" Nita explains as she leans over fastening her earring to her ear.
"Oh…" Tris says with disappointment in her voice. The week before they had attended a CFD event to raise money for fallen firefighters together. It had been good, it was the first time they had gone out to a work function with each other. Tris felt encouraged that they were still in a good place.
Nita can hear the tone in her voice so she sits down on the bed.
"Babe, I didn't ask you to go because I'm not into bringing significant others to work functions"
"Yeah, this sounds familiar…" Tris rolls her eyes and goes to get up.
"It's not that, It's none of their business who I date, male or female. I just don't like all the office gossip. They are like vultures when someone gets divorced or starts dating someone new. One of the other lawyers just dumped his girlfriend and started dating again. He brought this new date to a dinner a few weeks ago and every sidebar conversation is about him. I do not want them in my business like that"
Tris just nods her head. It still stung no matter how she explained it.
Nita gives her a kiss. "I'll call you when it's over"
Tris nods again as Nita gets up and puts on her shoes. She blows Tris one last kiss before grabbing her Prada bag and heading out the door.
Tris flopped back on the bed not sure how she felt now.
Tris hops out a Dauntless figuring she would have a few drinks. Christina was working and usually, there were a few other people from 51 there when they were off shift.
"Hey, you solo tonight?" Christina asks her as Tris sits down on a barstool.
"Yeah, Nita had some work thing," Tris shrugs.
"Hmmm, interesting" Christina comments as she mixes an old fashion and sets it in front of Tris.
"Prior!" Marlene says excitedly as she plops on the stool next to Tris. "I've barely seen you the past month when we aren't on shift. Where's your girlfriend?"
"Some work function…" Tris says absentmindedly as she sees Tobias at the other end of the bar smiling at a blonde who looked like she was practically about to sit in his lap. She hadn't noticed them when she first came in but for some reason, the whole scene was making her blood boil.
"Tris you might want to retract your claws" Christina observes as she sets up Marlene with a beer.
"What?" Tris blinks as she pulls her attention back to Christina and Marlene.
"Prior, you look like you want to go over to where Eaton is chatting up that chick and yank her hair out, " Zeke comments as he passes by with a case of beer and starts stocking the cooler next to where Christina was working.
Tris bites her lip and quickly takes a long drink of her Old-Fashioned. Since her and Christina's chat, she'd dreamt about him three times now. She and Nita were happy, weren't they?
Tris couldn't sleep when she got home from Dauntless. Seeing Tobias with his date kept going over her mind. Things were fine with Nita despite their little hiccup this evening but ever since her talk with Christina she had been having dreams about her and Tobias and now she was more confused than ever. She loved Nita for sure but how could she love Tobias too? They haven't really spoken to each other in months. It made her head spin trying to process it all.
She hops out of bed and goes over to her desk and pulls out a blank sheet of paper from her stationary set. She sits there for a few minutes and starts writing. She wasn't sure where it was going to lead and if she was crossing a line but she needed to do this.
Tobias opens his locker at the start of shift and an envelope falls out. He put it in his pocket until he could open it.
During the morning briefing, he could tell Tris looked nervous, averting her eyes whenever she thought he was looking at her. While everyone else went to eat breakfast in the common room, he went to his quarters to open the letter.
Dear Tobias,
I know I hurt you and for that I'm sorry. I hope that one day you can forgive me. I acted like you meant nothing to me but that was a lie I told myself. One day I hope you can understand that I just needed to sort out my feelings but I felt like you backed me into a corner. You are right, I didn't give us a fair shot and I'm sorry. It's like things with us just happened out of order and at the wrong time but I do care about you, more than I should. I should have done things differently when Nita came back into my life. I never wanted to hurt you. I miss you.
Tris
Tobias smiles to himself as he puts the letter back in the envelope and sets it on his desk. He wanted a sign and this was it. She did have feelings for him, and she could admit it now. He still wasn't sure what to do. Could he just be friends with her? Would things with Nita eventually break because she had feelings for him too? Molly was cool but there wasn't that intensity that he felt with Tris. As much as he was upset with her about how she handled things, he was conflicted now about what to do so he understood it.
Later that afternoon he pulled out his phone while sitting in the recliner at the squad table on the apparatus floor.
Tobias: Thanks for your note. It means a lot for you to apologize.
Tris smiled when she felt her phone buzz and she saw his message. She wasn't sure what this meant but it gave her butterflies in her stomach.
Tobias hops off the Squad truck and makes his way toward Lynn. She'd asked him, Zeke, and Marlene to find some time to meet up. Things had been busy so he thought it was best to have the truck do a ride-along in case they got another call since Truck 81 had been called out to deal with a call.
"So what's the plan?" Tobias asks Lynn as they stand outside the building.
"We ask him to come in for questioning, having a conversation"
"This is where he works?" Tobias asks, looking up at the office building against the Chicago Skyline.
"Yes according to our records, Let me do the talking" she instructs.
Lynn is caught off guard when a man walks over to them interrupting their conversation.
"Are you a firefighter?" He asks with a curious look.
"Yeah…I am" Tobias tells him with a bit of hesitation in his tone. Tobias looks the guy up and down, his greasy black hair, square glasses, and thin frame. The guy looked like a creep.
"I thought I recognized you from the news, another firefighter was killed. Right? Horrible tragedy" He tells them getting closer.
Lynn tries to control her face as she realizes the man talking to them is Adrian Phelps.
"Well, lunch break!" He declares pulling half a sandwich out of the brown paper bag he was holding.
"What's your name?" Tobias asks as he moves his eyes between Lynn and the man and suddenly realizes what Lynn just did.
"You already know that," Adrian says with a grin as he opens the plastic wrap on his sandwich and turns to walk away.
Lynn and Tobias follow him and he walks to an open bench in the plaza they were standing in.
"Okay fine, Adrian, can we ask you some questions if you wouldn't mind coming down to CFD headquarters with us so we can talk somewhere more private," Lynn asks, trying to keep her voice even.
"Oh I wish I could but I'm on my lunch break, I don't think I have time for that today" He gives her another twisted smile. Tobias looks at his hands where he could see evidence of burns.
"Did you start that fire?" Tobias asks, stepping closer to him.
He turns his attention back to Tobias with that same sickening grin.
"Let me ask you a question, what did you have to do to become a firefighter? Did you have to take a lot of tests? Hold your breath a long time? I can do that. Maybe I can get an application," He tells them, still holding on to his half-eaten sandwich.
"You come by 51 and we'll get you one, then we'll take," Tobias says, the tone in his voice changing, not liking the smile Adrian continued to have on his face, taunting him.
"Tobias" Lynn warns.
"No, he wants to get something off his chest, let him, Right Adrian" Tobias asserts in a forceful tone raising his voice.
"Well, I should be going back to work, It was nice meeting you two," He starts to walk away but then turns back to face Tobias and Lynn.
"Please accept my condolences on the loss of your firefighter at 51, his name was Foster right, Will Foster?"
Tobias feels his blood boil and he goes to step up to the man and he gives him another twisted smile.
"No, Tobias, not like this" Lynn tells him as she puts a hand on his chest to stop him from grabbing this groan.
This guy was bold and he was going to make a move, and start another fire and Tobias had no idea how to predict his next move.
