First Responders

7

Special Note: Friends, it's with a mixture of sadness and joy that I've had to take down POTUS from both ao3 and fanfiction .net. I've rewritten it slightly and published it as my first LGBTQ+ novel on Amazon under the name "Loving the Diamond" by Paula Cullen. As part of that, I was required to copyright the text, which means I had to take it down from all public sites. It's available to read for free with Kindle Unlimited or you can buy it if you really want to have it 😊 At its core, it's still Alex and Kara. Thank you so much for your support!

A/N: So, for full transparency, I'm going to be promoting Kara because it's a pain in the arse trying to differentiate between the two lieutenants. Haha.


Alex put her hand up reflexively to shield her eyes from the searing light as Kara's flashlight came down on the figure's hand, knocking the blow torch away from them both as a yell roared from her. It clattered to the floor, and she dove on it to turn it off. But the figure swung at the blonde lieutenant, catching her in the side of the head and knocking her oxygen mask askew. She staggered under the weight of the blow, her vision blurring a little but then Alex was up and catching her, as she lost her balance, to hold her upright.

"Son of a bitch," Kara swore, fixing her mask and taking a deep breath. "He's getting away."

The figure was already gone, taking the stairs upwards two at a time. Alex reached for her mic. "Second floor, watch your backs. Someone just attacked me. They're wearing a silver fire retardant suit."

"Let's get you hosed down," the blonde said then, pulling on Alex's hand. "We need to get that gas off you."

They exited the building just as Captain Jones pulled up and hopped out of his SUV. "Hey," he said as he reached them. "I heard what happened over the radio. Are you ok?"

Alex stepped away and turned in a slow circle as another firefighter hosed her down, but Kara lifted her mask off. "Yeah, got my bell rung a little but I'm ok. The bastard doused Alex with gasoline and was going to set her on fire. I'm going to fucking kill him!"

"Get in line," Jonn growled.

"Lieutenant Zorel. Dox." Brainy's voice came over the radio.

"Go for Zorel," Kara replied.

"No sign of the intruder on either the second or third floors. The building is clear now and the fire is almost out."

"Good job, Team," Kara replied. "Be careful and keep watching each other's backs."

She looked at Jonn as Alex joined them, dripping miserably and pulling her mask off to scratch irritably at her noise. "I'm getting tired of this," the brunette lieutenant gritted out. She was sweating and little droplets ran down her face, annoying her even further. "SO fucking tired of this."

"I know," Kara said quietly but she shook her head and sighed as a face she didn't want to see appeared in the crowd, moving toward them.

"Lieutenant Danvers," Paul Williams said. "I heard we've had some trouble here."

"Well, Captain Williams," Alex replied, tone angry. "Now that I've been shot at, had my girlfriend's apartment graffitied and was just attacked by someone with a can of gasoline and a blow torch, I'm kinda hoping that you might now believe that I was pushed off that damn building!"

Williams' face was impassive. "We have no evidence that the incidents are connected."

Kara surged forward, pointing her finger at his chest. "Now you listen to me, you jumped up piece of..." she began.

Jonn cleared his throat. "Lieutenant Zorel, stand down."

Alex's hand was suddenly on Kara's back. "Lieutenant."

The blonde took a shuddering breath, but she closed her mouth and just growled under her breath.

Williams sniffed. "I'll let that go because you're obviously upset and..."

"Stop talking," Jonn said, stepping closer to the diminutive man. "Just shut your mouth." Williams blinked. "I want to know why you're so adamant that Alex is making all this shit up and I want to know RIGHT NOW or I'm going to punch your sorry ass into the middle of next week, consequences be damned. Am I understood?!"

Alex crossed her arms and smirked, impressed at the intimidation her commanding officer was radiating. Williams took a moment to think and then nodded. "Look," he said in a low voice. "Off the record, Lieutenant Danvers, I know you're telling the truth and I believe you. There's a confidential investigation going on, separate than the ones that resulted in official reports. We think the person who's doing this to you is inside the NCFD and we can't let them catch wind of the fact that we know."

Kara thought about that for a moment. "That would explain how they know when Lieutenant Danvers is on shift and where to set the fires within the district we cover." She looked at Jonn. "The note said that Alex let that person's son die. Whose son has died recently within the department?"

Williams shook his head. "That's what we're trying to find out. When Captain Jones let us know about the note, it kicked the investigation into higher gear. We're unaware of anyone who has lost a child recently."

"What if it's not recently?" Jonn mused. "This type of vendetta needs careful planning. What if this person had been planning the factory fire that killed Alex's former team for a long time? We could be talking months or even a year to meticulously plan everything. It also would explain why the attacker is so pissed that Alex didn't die in the first fire. The one variable they didn't allow for was the fact that she was there, but she wasn't actually in the building."

"It was Captain Jackson who told us to say out of the building. He put us on hoses that night," Alex said. "Ruiz and I survived because he made a decision different than he normally would have. Jackson never put me on hoses normally and I remember being surprised when he did."

"See, Captain Williams," Jonn went on. "Talking to Alex has given more information than you had before. You need to include us in the investigation."

The investigator nodded. "Maybe you're right. I'll keep you unofficially informed. In the meantime, I need to talk to Captain Jackson. I need to know why he made that decision."

Alex lifted her hand. "Wait, if you're thinking that he's involved, that's impossible. He loved the team."

"I've known Fred Jackson for years," Williams replied. "It's unthinkable to me that he'd be involved. Plus, he hasn't lost a son."

Kara's voice was gentle when she spoke. "Then he really did unknowingly save Alex's life with his decision that night."

"Alright," the investigator nodded. "I need to get going. I'll be in touch and in the meantime, stay safe, Lieutenant Danvers."

Alex nodded and offered her hand. "Thanks for telling us all this," she said with a smile.

Williams shook it and looked at her sheepishly. "That shit I said to you... I didn't mean any of it. I have the utmost respect for you, Lieutenant, and I'm sorry I had to put you through it after everything else you've already been through."

"No hard feelings," the brunette said. "I get it." And with a final smile, Williams headed back toward his car.

Kara and Alex locked eyes. "Well, that happened," the blonde said with a shrug.

"At least we know what's going on now," Jonn interjected. "Or as much as we can possibly know at this point."

The team was back at the engine now, cleaning up and rolling the hoses. Lane looked Alex over for damage and then pulled her into a hug. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," the brunette replied, squeezing the smaller woman. "But I'm terrified to think what might have happened if Kara hadn't been there."

And Lane just hugged her harder

Xx

"Vas already has plans? Ok, I'm not leaving you here alone, Alex. I'll reschedule meeting Ella," Kara said as they got home and dropped their gear duffels in the hallway.

A big part of Alex wanted to tell her girlfriend that she was fine and to go... but a slightly bigger part of her didn't want to be alone after almost being burned to death, last shift. "I hate that you have to do that, Honey," she said quietly. "But thank you. I'm... a little rattled."

"I know," Kara said with a smile. "How about we chill on the couch? You can take a nap and I can study for the captain's exam. It's in a week."

"Hey," Alex said then. "Why don't you ask Ella to come here instead? I can just watch TV in the bedroom while you two catch up?"

The blonde nodded seriously. "If I invite Ella here, she's going to want to meet you and grill you on my behalf. Are you ok with that?"

Alex chuckled softly. "I'm fine with that. I'm sure she's great."

"She is," Kara confirmed. "Ok, I'll text her." She wandered into the bedroom to grab her textbook, notepad and pen, then joined her girlfriend on the couch, smiling as Alex opened her arms and settling comfortably against her.

"Thanks again for saving my ass," the brunette lieutenant said softly as Kara tapped out and sent her message. "How's your head?"

The blonde turned her head to kiss her softly. "You're welcome... and I'm ok. Just a little headache but not too bad."

"I'm really sorry you've had to deal with all this. I feel terrible about it, and I'd totally get it if you wanted me to leave or if you needed space from..."

"Don't say that," Kara interrupted snippily. "Don't push me away, Alexandra."

Alex's face gentled as she caressed her girlfriend's cheek. "I'm not, believe me. I'm just trying to let you make your own choices, Honey. I don't want you getting any more hurt that you already have been."

"Sorry..." Kara sighed. "I didn't mean to snap. I just don't want to lose you. I've already made my choice. I love you and I'm not going anywhere."

Alex hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad. You have no idea how scared I've been that you'd get tired of the bullshit and just..."

Kara kissed the words away and repeated her own. "Honey, I'm not going anywhere."

Xx

Ella squealed and practically jumped on her in joy as Kara opened the door. "I'm so glad you invited me over, Kara! I've missed you!"

The firefighter laughed and hugged her friend back. "Hi, Ella. I'm so glad to see you. Come on in."

The woman stepped inside, took her jacket off and hung it on the coat rack. "So, where's..." She paused as she spotted Alex, loitering nervously near the living room fireplace. "Ah... wow, Kara, you weren't wrong. She's hot."

"Thanks?" Alex replied with a laugh as she ambled toward them. "Ella, I presume?"

"Alex, I presume?" the older woman countered, sticking out her hand. But when Alex leaned in to take it, she tugged her laughingly into a hug. "So great to meet the woman who put that beaming smile on my little sister's face." Alex looked at Kara, who was indeed beaming. "And I gotta tell ya, Alex, I had a word with my douchebag brother about the way he treated her, but I don't feel like I have to do the same with you..." Ella's eyebrows lifted. "Do I?"

Alex shook her head quickly. "No... no, Ma'am."

"Ella," Kara warned softly, but the older woman just laughed and clapped the brunette lieutenant on the back.

"Where's the alcohol? I need to forget my kids for an hour or so."

Kara moved to Alex and put her arm around her waist, ushering her along. "Follow us, El. We have a bottle chilling in the refrigerator."

Xx

"Skydiving, really?" Ella asked interestedly as she finished her third glass of wine. "I didn't know."

"Me neither," Alex added with a chuckle.

"I like the sensation of freefalling," Kara explained with a grin. "Feels like flying until the ground gets scarily close. And who wouldn't want to be able to fly, right?"

"How many times have you done it?" the brunette lieutenant asked.

The blonde shrugged. "A bunch. More than twenty, but it's been a while since the last time."

"So, my girlfriend is an adrenaline junky, huh?" Alex laughed.

"Baby, I'm a firefighter. We're hardly risk-averse." Kara laughed along with her and kissed her cheek.

"You two are sickeningly adorable," Ella said, toasting them with her glass. "Long may it last."

"Long may it last," Kara and Alex repeated in unison.

Ella got up then and stretched her arms over her head. "I have to get going, Ladies, but thanks for having me. I had a great time."

Alex and Kara got up to walk her to the door. "It was so great to meet you," the brunette said. "Hopefully, we'll see you again soon."

"You too, Alex. Take care of my stubborn ass little sister, ok?" the older woman replied. "And you..." She poked Kara in the belly. "Be good."

"I'm always good," the blonde lieutenant replied with a waggle of her brows, making Ella laugh again and swat at her.

"Bye, ladies."

"Text me when you're home safely," Kara called after her friend, and Ella raised a hand in acknowledgement as she stepped into the elevator.

"She's really great," Alex said as she closed the door and headed back into the living room, her girlfriend behind her. "That was fun."

"She likes you," Kara chuckled. "And she thinks you're good for me."

"I am good for you," the brunette replied seriously. "And you're good for me." She stifled a yawn behind her hand then. "God, I can't believe how tired I am. Even after taking a nap this afternoon."

"Bed?" Kara suggested, Alex's apparently contagious yawn catching her by surprise.

"We should do something fun tomorrow," the older woman said. "How about the beach?"

"Yeah," Kara replied. "That'd be cool. Let's get up early and go first thing in the morning. Get a good spot before the masses arrive."

"Oh... crap," Alex said. "I don't have my bathing suit. We'll have to go by my place in the morning to get it."

"Not a problem," the blonde replied. "I'll drive."

"Cool." Alex took her lover's hand and tugged her toward the bedroom. "Bedtime for adrenaline junkies."

Kara laughed softly. "Yes, Ma'am."

Xx

It was five the next morning when Kara woke. Alex had rolled over and was pressed against her, skin to skin and breathing gently against her hair. The blonde smiled and kissed the nearest spot she could find.

"Grrr... unngg... stop," Alex giggled a little, and blonde brows shot up in surprise.

"Did I find a ticklish spot?"

"I'm definitely not ticklish," the brunette replied sleepily. "It's too early. Go back to sleep." Kara experimentally licked the same spot and Alex rolled away from her. "Sttoooooppppp!"

"Yum, you're tasty," Kara growled as she followed her lover, wrapping her arms around her and snuggling against her back. Then she used her fingertips on the spot and Alex collapsed into laughter. "Kara... fuck. I'm too awake now."

"Hmmm... did someone mention..."

Alex scowled playfully. "No, don't even think about it. I'm too mad at you for sex."

Blonde eyebrows lifted again. "I don't think you're that mad." Kara let her hands explore a little more, smiling as Alex relaxed against her.

"I am. I'm very mad," the brunette protested weakly as her lover's hand eased lower to caress her thigh.

"Really?" Kara licked the shell of her ear, pulling a little shiver from her. Then she eased the older woman over onto her back and slid on top of her, settling between her thighs, as Alex's arms and legs came around her in a tight hug.

"Very," the brunette smiled. "So terribly, awfully mad at you for waking me up for sex."

Kara chuckled then. "I didn't actually intend..."

"Ssshh," the older woman whispered. "Don't burst my bubble."

They kissed deeply but Alex frowned a little into it as she felt her lover move slightly and then heard the drawer of Kara's nightstand slide open. "What are...Oh..."

"Is this ok?" the blonde asked, suckling Alex's earlobe as she moved something under the covers to brush it slowly between the older woman's legs.

"Mmmm..." the brunette replied. "If you're wearing it."

"You want me to...?" Kara sucked in a breath. "Um... God... yeah... yes... I'll... give me a sec." She pulled back the bedcovers and moved off Alex as she grabbed something else out of the drawer. It was too dim in the room for Alex to fully see what was happening, but she heard the rattle and sliding of straps and the squeak of something that sounded suspiciously like latex.

So, she moved onto her knees and reached for her lover, letting her hands rest on Kara's hips as she straddled her. Then she reached over and turned on the nightstand lamp. After a moment to let their eyes adjust, Alex looked down and smiled as she ran her hand over the toy. "Is this all for me?" she asked teasingly. "Must be my lucky day."

"Yeah," Kara replied. "If... if..." She trailed off as her girlfriend leaned down and, keeping solid eye contact with her, went down on the toy, moistening it thoroughly.

"Lube?" Kara asked.

But Alex smiled sexily. "I won't need it, trust me."

So the blonde just sat forward and kissed her lover deeply, then explored her body with hands and lips and tongue and nips of teeth. Then she caressed Alex's thighs as her lover shifted a little and sank very slowly onto the toy, letting it fill her.

"Oh my God…" Kara whispered, lying back with eyes wide as the brunette caressed her own breasts and started a slow, torturous rhythm of rise and fall.

"Like what you see?" Alex leaned forward, bringing them chest to chest and slipped one hand between them to tease her fingertips against Kara's aching clit.

"I love what I see…" the blonde groaned. "And I love what you're doing. All of it."

They moved together, slowly, sensually… kissing wetly until they were clutching hard at each other, curling into each other and shuddering through their climaxes together.

"I love you," Kara breathed as she caressed her hand down the older woman's back.

"Mmm… love you too," Alex replied, eyes already closed and breathing evening out.

"Honey," the blonde said gently. "I should… um…"

"Nuh uh, leave it. It feels good." Alex lifted her head a little and grinned. "Besides, I'm not done with you. Just rest for a few minutes."

Kara smiled happily. "Yes, Ma'am."

Xx

"You suck!" Alex yelled as she leaped to catch the Frisbee Kara had laughingly thrown over her head, and totally missed, landing in the sand on her side with a stifled oof. She scrambled up and took off after it, grabbing it just before it hit a red-haired woman in the head. "Sorry, I'm so sorry," she laughed. "It got away from me."

"No worries," the woman chuckled. "Runaway Frisbees aren't unusual around here." She took a moment to look Alex over. "I'm Rachel, by the way."

"Alex," Alex replied, then pointed. "And the thrower of the runaway Frisbee, my girlfriend, Kara."

"Mmmmm…" Rachel smiled, looking Kara up and down as she reached them, smiling apologetically. "You're a lucky woman."

Blonde eyebrows shot up. "Uh…" Kara looked at Alex and back to Rachel. "Actually, I'm the lucky one."

The red head rolled onto her stomach and gazed up at them. "You're both hot. Up for some adult fun? I know a place."

"Uh…" Kara looked at Alex again, but the older firefighter shook her head. "No, thanks," the blonde added. "We're good."

"Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind," Rachel said, moistening her lips. "I can totally imagine running my tongue over both sets of abs."

"We won't change our minds… but thanks," Alex finished. Then she guided Kara back toward their towels. "Jesus," she muttered. "Talk about fucking forward."

"You ok?" Kara asked with a little chuckle as they sat down, side by side and arms touching. "That's kinda not unusual for this area of beach. We're lucky she had a bikini on at all."

"Meh." Brown eyes blinked.

"You didn't notice the flags?" the blonde teased. "Bathing suits are kinda optional."

"No, I did," Alex sighed. "I just didn't realize that it gave people the right to make a move on other people's girlfriends."

Kara rolled her eyes. "Babe, she didn't make a move on me. She propositioned both of us. You aren't open to that?"

Alex swallowed and shook her head. "No… I'm a one-woman woman. Why… were you interested?" The blonde hesitated a moment and her girlfriend sucked in a breath. "Are you… you mean you'd want to…" She waved in the woman's direction. Kara left her hanging for another minute and then grinned evilly.

"Nah, totally not interested. I just wanted to see your face." She laughed heartily but Alex scowled unhappily back at her.

"Not funny," she muttered. "I got burned really bad with something like that before."

"Awwww," Kara said contritely. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." She wrapped her arm around Alex's shoulder and kissed her temple.

For a moment, the brunette just dug her feet into the sand and wiggled her toes. "Um… are you sure you're ok with…?"

"Alex, stop, Baby. I only want you. You're so much more than I ever dreamed I could have."

A beautiful smile spread across Alex's face, and she leaned against her girlfriend, caressing her thigh. "Ok then." She got up then and pulled Kara to her feet to kiss her cheek. "Swim?"

"Let's do it."

They jogged down the sand into the ocean, dodging around little kids. The sun was hot and as they splashed through the cold water, it felt heavenly on their skin.

"C'mere," Alex said softly as they got into deeper water and she wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, pressing against her and letting them just bob together on the waves.

Kara's hands were teasing against her skin, and she sucked in a breath, enjoying her touch. "Tell me what happened?" the blonde asked.

"It was a long time ago," the brunette replied. "My then girlfriend wanted to try inviting another woman into our bed. It took me a long time to actually agree." She sighed. "Long story short, they're married now."

"Shit." Kara shook her head. "That sucks."

"Muchly," Alex agreed. She smiled then. "Although, I think I ended up with a better deal than I could have ever imagined.

"You're so sweet," Kara whispered against her lips. "And you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Alex rested her head on her love's shoulder and relaxed bonelessly against her. "Ditto."