First Responders

6


The automatic doors of the station house lifted to let the engine roll into the bay, but Kara braked suddenly as she saw something sitting on the floor in the spot where they'd usually park. She honked the horn three times and then pointed as Captain Jones came to the upper rail to look over. He gave her a signal to wait and then disappeared, only to appear a moment later to slowly crouch next to the item. It looked like a long narrow box, and she watched as the captain leaned in to look at it closely and then straightened, putting his hands on his hips. After a moment's thought, he used his toes to push the box to the side out of the way of the engine and beckoned to Kara to pull forward.

She parked efficiently and the firefighters hopped down from the engine to join their captain, who was looking more than a little perturbed. "Alex," he said as they all crowded around him. "Were you expecting anything?"

"No, Sir," the lieutenant frowned.

Then Jones looked at Kara. "Did you by any chance send your girlfriend flowers?"

"Me? No," the blonde replied, a frown crinkling her brow too.

The captain nodded. "Well, it's addressed to you, Alex," he said.

"Me?" The lieutenant examined the box and then shook her head. "I think you should all get back. With the run of luck, I've had the last couple of weeks, it might be boobytrapped."

She was only half joking.

Her teammates chuckled, but she was aware of the one or two nervous steps back they took. Alex was left with Kara kneeling by the box. She certainly didn't blame them for being cautious.

"What do you think?" the blonde asked.

"I'm thinking it would've been much nicer if they'd been from you," Alex deadpanned.

Kara rolled her eyes as the brunette lieutenant girded her loins and lifted the side of the box to peer inside. Then she shook her head and sat back on her heels, pulling the lid completely off. The sickly-sweet stench of rotting flowers was released into the air and Kara grimaced as her eyes raked over the dozen blackened-red roses that lay pitifully dead in their plastic.

"Charming."

Alex leaned closer and saw a card peeking out from between the stems, so she plucked it up and got to her feet, unfolding it carefully by its edges as she did so. She read it, snorted before handing it to Kara, and bent to pick up the box and carry it to the nearest trash can. She dumped it angrily and then walked away, shaking her head in disgust.

Kara watched her go and then unfolded the card again. She read out loud.

"ROSES ARE DEAD,

VIOLETS ARE TOO.

YOU LET MY SON DIE,

WHOOPS, THERE GOES YOUR CREW.

ROSES ARE DEAD,

YOU'VE GOT A NEW CREW.

YOU'VE GOT A NEW HOUSE,

SOON THEY'LL BE DEAD TOO."

Kara handed the card to Jonn by its edges before going after her lover. Alex was in the gym, kicking the shit out of a freestanding boxing dummy. Kara just crossed her arms and waited, wincing at every yell that ripped from her girlfriend's chest. When Alex was exhausted, she just turned and walked into Kara's arms, pressing herself as close as possible. "I'm leaving the service," she stated.

"What?! No!" the blonde exclaimed in shock. "Alex?!"

"You can't stop me, Kara," the older woman said. "There's no way on fucking Earth that I'm letting as much as a HANGNAIL happen to anyone on this team."

"Kara might not be able to stop you," Jonn said from the doorway. "But I can. I'm not accepting your resignation, Lieutenant, so clean yourself up and get back to work. We'll handle this as a team."

"Why is no one listening to me?!" the brunette exclaimed. "First Williams and now you, Captain?"

The big man's face gentled, and he crossed the room to ease Alex into his arms for a very rare hug. "I AM listening to you, Alex, and I'm still saying no." He released her then and crossed his arms. "I made some calls while you were on the last job. I spoke to an old buddy of mine, who had some interesting things to tell me."

They moved from the gym into the kitchen and took seats at the table. Kara got back up then to pour some coffee.

"What did you hear?" Alex prompted.

The investigation into the fire that caused the deaths of the firefighters from the one-one-six came to its conclusion a couple days ago. It was ruled arson, unsurprisingly.

The brunette nodded and smiled at her lover as she placed a mug in front of her and then one in front of Jonn. "Thanks, Kara.

The captain went on. "The part that may be a little more surprising is… the investigation into the cause of death of the firefighters… was also ruled arson...separately. Evidence of a separate accelerant was found at the scene close to where the barrels of dye were."

Alex's mouth opened and then closed and then opened again. "So, you're saying that, without the extra accelerant, the explosion wouldn't have happened, and my friends wouldn't have died?"

"That's what the report suggests," Jonn confirmed.

"Oh my God," Alex whispered. She looked at Kara, whose face was the picture of shock, and back to Jonn. "Was I supposed to die in the fire with my team?" she asked quietly.

"Originally, I would have said I don't know but… today's evidence is pointing to someone looking to get revenge against you particularly, so I think maybe the arsonist wanted you to, and when you didn't, has been trying ever since. The note said you let someone's son die. Do you know what that could be referring to?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," the lieutenant answered with a shake of her head. "I've lost people during rescues before, but I've been doing this for ten years. I don't know who specifically the note could be referring to."

Jonn nodded thoughtfully. "I'd assume this was a more recent occurrence." He shook his head then. "I'm still not sure why NCFD's keeping the situation so hush hush. I'm not even sure if Williams knows, but if he does and he's part of the cover up, that could be why he's being such a hard ass."

Alex snorted. "Or maybe he just enjoys being an asshole."

Kara chortled but sobered quickly. "So, what do we do now?" she asked.

"I bagged the note and flowers as evidence," the captain went on. "I'm going to give them to the police as if I know nothing about the investigation. Maybe they can help us figure out what's going on. In addition, I'm going to go through all the scenes the one-one-six was called to when you were on-shift in the last year to see if we can figure out who died."

"Ok," Alex nodded. She took a few sips from her cup and then smiled a little. "Thanks for talking me down. Knowing what I know now, quitting the service wouldn't have helped."

"You need to stay close to us, Alex," Jonn said. "I don't want you alone at any point, ok?"

"Stay with me at my loft," Kara said, blue eyes pleading. "I'll be worried sick otherwise."

"I'd love that," the brunette replied softly. "I just need to grab a few things at my place in the morning."

"Sure," Kara smiled. Then she poked her lover's arm. "Why don't you take a shower and get changed. You've got pine needles all over you."

Alex chuckled softly. "I'm sure I don't smell great either," she said, wincing. "I'll be back shortly."

With a smile and wink over her shoulder, Alex headed toward the locker room, leaving Kara with a goofy grin on her face.

"Whatever's running through your mind and putting that look on your face," Jonn told her. "Don't say it or I might barf."

Kara just laughed.

Xx

"So…" Kara said as she led Alex into her large, open living space. "I wasn't sure what you'd be most comfortable with, so you have a choice."

"If you offer the couch, I may have to hurt you," the brunette said, coming up behind her girlfriend and wrapping her arms around her from behind. "I can't make you scream if I'm all the way out here."

"Decision made then," the blonde laughed. "I love how we're always on the same page."

"I'm hungry," Alex said then, rocking them gently. "Pancakes for breakfast?"

"Mmmm… sounds good," Kara replied with a smile but then a loud crashing sound made them both reflexively jump. "It's ok. It's probably just Mrs. Kirby next door. Let me go check on her. She's elderly."

"I'll go with you," the brunette replied. They quickly moved out into the hallway and Kara knocked on her neighbor's door.

"Mrs. Kirby, it's Kara. I heard a crash. Are you ok?"

"Kara?" a weak voice replied. "Oh, thank God. I fell and I can't get up. It's my hip."

"I'll call it in," Alex said as she fished her phone out of her pocket.

"Mrs. Kirby, we're calling an ambulance but I'm going to have to get through this door, ok? I'm sorry but there's going to be damage."

The brunette lieutenant reappeared with Kara's medical kit, phone still pressed to her ear.

"It's ok, Dear," the elderly woman replied, voice pained.

"You're not near the door, are you?" the blonde firefighter asked.

"No, Kara, go ahead."

"Ok, Mrs. Kirby, coming in."

Kara stepped back from the door, turned sideways and then slammed her shoulder into it. It burst inwards, carrying her into the room where she caught her balance. Alex came in behind her and a quick look around, revealed the elderly woman lying on the floor next to an overturned chair. They went to her immediately and Kara took her hand.

"I was trying to get up and I lost my balance," Mrs. Kirby said.

"Hi, Mrs. Kirby," Alex said as she gently squeezed the woman's shoulder. "I'm Alex and I'm a firefighter like Kara. Stay still, ok? Let's get you looked at. Can you tell me where you're feeling pain?"

"My hip," Mrs. Kirby replied unhappily. "It's hurts to move my right leg."

"Ok, what about your neck or back?" Kara asked.

"No, I think they're fine."

Alex looked at Kara, eyebrows raised. "I'd like to stabilize Mrs. Kirby's pelvis, just to be on the safe side. Can you find a clean sheet?"

"On it," the blonde replied.

"In the closet by the bedroom," the elderly woman advised.

A moment later, Kara was back, and she helped Alex slowly move Mrs. Kirby onto her back, roll the sheet and gently ease it under her pelvis. Then they tightened it with a knot in front.

"Good job," Alex said gently as she took the elderly lady's hand and held it. "The ambulance will be here shortly, and they'll get you to the E.R. Would you like me to call someone for you?"

"Mrs. Kirby has a daughter, Julianne. I have her number…" Kara smiled sheepishly. "We um… dated briefly."

Alex's dark eyebrows shot up and Mrs. Kirby laughed softly. "Kara is my favorite of my daughter's exes by far."

"Uh… this is actually my girlfriend, Alex," the blonde said, unable to keep a smile off her face.

"Beautiful, smart and a firefighter to boot," the elderly lady teased. "You've done well for yourself, Kara Zorel. She's a catch!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Kirby," Alex chuckled. "And thank you, Kara, for not saying current girlfriend," the brunette teased.

Mrs. Kirby laughed loudly and then winced. "Oh… yeah… need to not do that."

Just then, the ambulance crew arrived, and Kara ducked out to call Julianne and fill her in on what was going on. She returned a moment later and held Mrs. Kirby's hand as she was lifted onto a gurney and wheeled toward the door. "Jules is going to meet us at the hospital."

The woman sighed. "She's been asking me to move in with her. I've been fine up until this point, but I might not have a choice after this fall."

The blonde firefighter nodded seriously. "I don't like the idea of you being home alone all the time. Julianne works from home, and she'd be there to make sure you're ok. Please… consider what she's asking, ok?"

Mrs. Kirby patted Kara's hand and then Alex's. "I will, I promise."

Xx

"Well, since it's dinner time now," Alex said as the elevator doors opened on Kara's floor. They'd been at the hospital for longer than they'd expected. "What about just getting some takeout?"

"Takeout and a movie in bed?" Kara suggested as they strolled along the hallway, but she stopped as Alex's hand shot out to grab her arm.

"Kara… look."

"You have GOT to be fucking kidding me!" the blonde lieutenant exclaimed as she moved in front of her door and perched her hands on her hips. Painted on it, in still running red paint were three ominous words.

YOU'RE BOTH DEAD

Alex buried her face in her hands and shook her head. "Jesus Christ, Kara. I'm sorry."

"Hey," the blonde pulled her girlfriend into her arms. "This isn't your fault, Baby."

"I'm going to clean it off," Alex stated. "Can you order the takeout and cue the movie? I'm not giving this asshole the satisfaction."

Kara knew there was no point in arguing with her stubborn lover, so, after snapping some pictures of the graffiti and sending them to Jonn to add to the growing list of evidence, she just kissed her temple, unlocked the door and went inside. Alex stood in the hallway for a long moment, just staring at the words. Then she sighed heavily and went to get a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush.

It took thirty minutes and, when the takeout delivery guy arrived and his eyebrows drew together, Alex just held up a finger. "Don't ask." She relieved him of the bags and then watched him scuttle back toward the elevator, shooting looks back over his shoulder.

After giving the door one final rinse and making a note to get some white paint to give it a touchup, Alex dropped the cloth and brush into the bucket, and carried it inside to find Kara leaning, half naked, on the bedroom door jamb. The brunette's eyes moved slowly down the taller woman's body, from her broad shoulders to her collar bones, over sheer bra-covered breasts, down over sinfully tight abs to matching panties that were slung low on the blonde's hips to showcase her Adonis belt. Her thighs were thick with muscle and her calves were a work of art in themselves.

"I thought you deserved a reward for all your hard work," Kara said, blue eyes half-lidded and fingertips trailing slowly down her stomach. She worked hard to keep her body in shape and the look on her lover's face was more than worth it.

With an almost whimper, Alex dropped the takeout bags and bucket unceremoniously onto the floor and stalked forward to push Kara into the bedroom and slam the door behind them.

It was a good thing Mrs. Kirby wasn't at home.

Xx

Kara was laughing, arms loosely clasped around her lover's waist as they watched a movie in bed. The takeout, after it had been microwaved, had hit the spot and now Alex was seated between the blonde's legs, leaning back into her chest.

"See…" Alex pointed a pair of chopsticks at the television. "This is why romcoms suck. It's all bullshit and cuddling in bed… oh and getting back together after a terrible fight without talking it through and acting like nothing happened. Real relationships aren't like that."

"Mmmm…" Kara agreed as she nibbled her girlfriend's shoulder. "But it's meant to be the idealistic FUN view of relationships. It's like Christmas. How many families actually get through the dinner without any fighting, like you see in Christmas movies?"

There was quiet for a moment. "Before my dad died," Alex said softly. "It was kinda like that for my family. But afterwards… Mom and I didn't really see eye to eye about a lot of things, especially my becoming a firefighter. It took us a long time to get our relationship back on track."

"I'm sorry," Kara said. "Families are hard."

"You don't talk about your parents much, Honey."

The blonde let out a long breath and nodded. "I know. It's... I guess it still hurts to think about them. I had a happy upbringing with my aunt but, she was career military and pretty strict. Still is actually. I think you'd like her though. Maybe we can go to Kansas sometime and I'll show you where I grew up. I know Astra would love to meet you. She's been with her partner, Sasha, for twenty years."

I'd love that," Alex grinned. She leaned back again and closed her eyes as Kara's fingertips slowly caressed her stomach.

"I love you," the younger woman said softly after a moment.

"I love you too," the brunette replied as she turned slightly onto her side to snuggle against her girlfriend's chest and relax. Kara kissed the top of her head, and it wasn't long before they'd both dozed off.

Xx

It was six in the morning. Mores, back from a training course, was working out with Vasquez at the station before their shift. The Latina had filled her friend in on everything that had been going on, including Alex's numerous brushes with danger so, when the lieutenant came in to run on the treadmill, Megan couldn't help but tease her.

"Well, well, Lieutenant. I heard you've been living a life of danger, intrigue and passion while I was gone?"

Brainy, across the room lifting weights, took his earphones out and listened interestedly.

"Danger and passion, yes," Alex replied with a good-natured chuckle. "I'm not so sure about the intrigue part though. More annoying than anything else, I'd say."

Kara strolled into the room then, wrapping her hands in preparation for her sparring match with the boxing dummy. She was dressed in tight shorts and a sports bra.

"Speaking of passion," Mores sniggered. "Alex, if you don't stop that, you'll catch flies."

Alex for real had to close her mouth in case she drooled on herself.

Blonde eyebrows pulled together in a scowl. "Don't you all have workouts to be doing before shift?" She shook her head and walked away to warm up, muttering under her breath.

Alex went after her. "Hey, you ok?"

Kara sighed and looked down. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I think I'm PMSing." She paused then, rubbing at the crinkle between her brows. "I'm feeling kinda off-balance or something."

"If you need some time alone after shift tomorrow, that's more than fine, you know?" Alex suggested.

The blonde nodded. "I actually wanted to... um... I'm really close with Mike's sister, Ella, and I'd like to meet her for a drink tomorrow night. I need to spend the day after shift studying for the captain's exam then I was going to meet her at about seven."

Alex smiled. "Ok, Honey." She looked around and then quickly dropped a kiss on her girlfriend's cheek.

"You're not mad?" Kara asked, slightly surprised.

"Of course not," the brunette chuckled. "You're allowed to have a life outside of our relationship, Babe."

"But..." Kara frowned again. "Mike never wanted me to go out with other people."

Alex's smiled broadened. "I think we've established how toxic that whole situation was, my Love. Call Ella. Have fun with her. You deserve it. I'll be ok at your place. In fact, I might ask Vas over for a beer."

"You're really sure?" Kara asked again, and Alex laughed this time.

"Kara, it's ok, really. Have fun with your friend."

A big smile finally spread across her girlfriend's face. "Cool."

Xx

ENGINE ONE-TWENTY-EIGHT, AID CAR ONE-TWENTY-EIGHT. FIRE AT NATIONAL CITY LIBRARY. DOWNTOWN. ONE-THIRTY-TWO CATCO PLAZA.

"Oh crap," Kara whispered. "That place is going to go up like a tinderbox!" She started yelling as she ran toward the bay, already getting out of her shoes to hop into her boots and turnouts. "MOVE IT, ONE-TWO-EIGHT! DOUBLE TIME! BRAINY, YOU'RE DRIVING! EVERYONE, REMEMBER YOUR KEVLAR!"

A minute later, the firefighters were all in the engine and on their way to the scene, Vas and Johnson behind them in the aid car. Kara leaned her elbows on her knees and looked around the worried faces of her crew. "Let's split into teams of two. The building has three floors. Schott, Lane, you take the first. Brainy, Mores, you take the second. Alex and I will go straight up to the third. The daycare is on that level so be ready to back us up."

"We're going to need additional units," Brainy said solemnly, eyes on the road as he navigated a sharp right turn. "Statistically, with the size of the building, we can't cover it all in a timely manner."

"I hear ya, Querl," Kara nodded. "I'm expecting more engines from the surrounding districts so there should be an incident commander at the scene." She looked at each one of her teammates. "Be careful in there. Stay frosty. We have a threat other than a fire to think about too." She held out her fist and each of the firefighters bumped it in turn. Brainy grinned as he pulled up and stopped behind another engine.

"You were right, Kara," he said. "The party is already in progress."

The firefighters hopped out of the engine and paused a moment to take in the situation. There were two other houses at the scene, unrolling hoses and conferring with each other. Kara went to the other lieutenants and punched one in the shoulder. "Ramos, you son of a bitch, I thought you'd retired years ago!"

"You wish!" the man replied with a laugh. "Good to see you, Zorel."

"You guys got everything out here?" Kara asked. "My team is gonna search inside."

Ramos pushed her gently. "Go. Call if you need help. Visibility is pretty low inside."

"Got it. LET'S GO, ONE-TWO-EIGHT!"

Geared with oxygen, the team headed inside and then split up to move to their designated floors. "Eyes up," she heard Alex say over her radio and looked at her to see her standing a distance away, pointing at the stairs.

"Right behind you," the blonde responded and followed her girlfriend to trot up the stairs behind her. There were no visible active flames on the third floor, but it was very smoky, so they moved quickly along the hallway, Kara's hand on Alex's shoulder so they wouldn't get separated.

"Day care," the brunette said, pointing. "Let's check that first."

"Yeah," Kara nodded, patting Alex's shoulder. They moved quickly to the door and Alex stopped them suddenly.

"Wait," she said. She leaned a little closer and realized that the paint was bubbling and lifting away from the wood. "Shit, not good. There's active heat on the other side of this door." She pressed her glove against it and shook her head. "Kara..."

"I know. We have to go in. There might be kids in there."

Their eyes met and held and both women wondered what they were going to find, once they got inside. "On three," Alex said as she stood to the right of the door with her back pressed against the wall. Kara took the left side and took a calming breath. "One... two..." And on three, Alex turned the handle and pushed the door open, then ducked back as flames shot into the hallway, sucking in oxygen with a shocking blast of heat.

Then they heard the screams of fear and with another look at each other, both ran into the room. There were six kids inside clinging to a single staff member, who was coughing and looked terrified. "Help us!" she screamed, and the firefighters went to them, dropping to their knees.

"Come on, we have to get out of here," Alex said urgently as she saw the flames beginning to move again, coming closer than she was comfortable with as they ate through the wooden tables and soft furnishings. "Can you walk?" The woman nodded, terrified and Alex smiled at her. "You can do this. We have to get these kids out of here."

That seemed to put some metal into the woman's spine, and she nodded seriously, then got to her feet, taking the children with her.

"Good," Kara praised. "I'm Kara. You just stay right with Alex and me, ok?" She crouched then and spoke to the kids. "I know this is scary but we're getting out now, ok? You guys need to hold on to Alex and me as tight as you can." She held out her arms and three of the kids grabbed her and held on. She wrapped her arms around them and pressed herself to her feet, feeling the burn in her thighs under their weight. "Alex, you got the others?"

"Got 'em," the brunette confirmed, also getting to her feet with a grunt. "You guys have been eating your vegetables, huh?" She headed toward the door with Kara and the staff member behind her and they ducked out into the smokey hallway. "Crap, left or right," Alex muttered, slightly disoriented for a moment in the low visibility.

"Left!" the minder called, between hoarse coughing. "Straight down the hallway and the stairs are to the right."

"Thanks," the lieutenant grinned, and she headed the way she was told, finding the steps quickly and heading down with Kara and the minder close to her back.

Moments later, they were in the sunlight and paramedics were surrounding them to take the kids and get them onto oxygen. A moment after that, Kara and Alex were heading back inside.

But, as Alex passed a closet, she was suddenly knocked down by its door being flung open, and then doused with a liquid that smelled suspiciously like gasoline.

From the darkness of the small room, stepped a figure, dressed in a silver, fire-retardant suit and Alex swallowed as a blow torch appeared in their hand.

"Oh shit," she whispered, eyes wide with fear. "Kara... I love you."

And then there was blinding light.