*This chapter has been revised from the original version - Hope you like it! Reviews and feedback are always appreciated!
Chapter 2: First Impressions
Mallory had spent the better part of the weekend holed up in her hotel room. Jay had called once, apologizing for not meeting up with her yet. Apparently his undercover case had jumped off and he would be out of contact for a few days. She'd assured him it was fine and to let her know when he was free so she could come see him, only leaving the hotel to grab some Chinese from the little spot on the corner. Mallory had eaten enough fried rice and Mongolian beef to last her until that morning.
When she arrived at the firehouse the following Monday, the cab had dropped her off about a block away and she took the time to calculate how much of her savings she'd worked through already after handing the driver another wad of bills. The plane ticket and hotel costs had put a good dent in her funds, and if she continued to use taxi's for transportation she would wind up at Jay's apartment until her paycheck's started coming through. Something she didn't want to happen. Hopefully she'd find a decently priced car that would get her to point A and B. Until then she'd definitely be scrimping, but that was fine for now. She knew how to manage.
Firehouse 51 was twice the size of her last house. Sitting in the middle of a well populated neighborhood it was clearly a big deal there. Even in the early hour as she stood at the end of the long driveway taking it all in, parents strolled past with their kids raving about 51 and the heroes that worked there as they headed to school for the day. The weather was breezy, blowing her dark brown hair wildly around her face as her nerves and excitement flip flopped inside of her belly. First days always had mixed emotions, but compared to her last job she hoped this would prove to be a better home. She tucked it behind her ears in an attempt to tame it, expertly smoothing out her uniform. The district had provided her with the standard dark grey t-shirt that had the little logo identifying herself as CFD, one pair of black kakis, and a standard black belt. Luckily, the shoes were the same as those from her last job so she was able to keep her old pair. Mallory hoped the rest of her uniforms included a warmer sweater than the one she'd been using. She'd left so abruptly that apart from draining and closing her accounts, she was only able to bring as much clothes as her suitcase could hold. Honolulu wasn't exactly a big seller of clothes for Chicago weather. With one last apprehensive look at the building, Mallory headed inside.
According to the clock above the door, it was 7:23 AM when she got inside. People were milling about chatting amongst themselves in the common area. Their chatter combined with the sound of a sizzling stove, oven-timer's ding and a television set reached her ears as she approached the entryway. It smelled of Bacon and something else she couldn't quite pinpoint as her eyes roamed the room for a moment taking in the people. There was an older man with auburn hair and reading glasses watching the television on a dark green couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table. He seemed as if he was sitting in his own house instead of at work comfortably lounging around. Three guys sat together around the far end of the long dining table. They were laughing and playfully teasing each other the way buddies would at a weekly poker night. A tall blonde guy stood with his back to her, speaking quietly to the girl who was cooking. Judging by the smile on her face she assumed they were flirting. It felt as though she'd walked into someone's home instead of a place of work. Even the atmosphere was welcoming. Clearing her throat quietly, the man on the couch glanced up through his glasses his eyebrows raising. He seemed to be the only one who'd noticed her presence. "Oh, well hello." He greets casually. His voice is loud though, effectively drawing the attention of the others in the room and she manages a nervous smile. "Hi, uh I'm looking for a G. Dawson?" At least that's what the paperwork had her new partner listed as.
The brunette girl that had been cooking in the kitchen whipped around quickly, tossing the rag she'd used to wipe off her hands toward the blonde guy. She hurried over to her ecstatically. "You're Halstead? I'm Gabriella Dawson."
"Mallory." She responds quickly, surprised when Dawson hugs her tightly instead of giving her a handshake. "It's so nice to meet you. Welcome to 51!"
"Thanks, I've heard great things about this place." It was true, when she'd applied for the transfer out of state her old chief had made a few calls promising to keep her new location a secret, and he'd relayed the amazing reputation of firehouse 51 when he'd given her the transfer slip that she'd been accepted. It was complicated, transferring out of state. Lots of paperwork, retesting, and conditions, one of which saying she couldn't apply for PIC for at least a year. She couldn't have cared less about being a boss. Mallory knew the only reason she'd gotten to land close to Jay was because of those calls, and even though it was clearly out of guilt she was still grateful. Firehouse 51 had a stellar reputation in the department, enough so that it was a well sought after house. Dawson grinned mischievously glancing around them. "All lies. Come on, I'll introduce you to the guys. That's Mouch over there," She pointed to the man on the couch and she tried to engrain the strange nickname in her mind as Dawson continued. "And this is Cruz, Otis, and Hermann. Guy's this is Mallory Halstead my new partner." Gabriella pointed them out one by one and they each stood to shake her hand as their names were spoken offering a mixture of hellos and welcomes. The older guy with the greying hair hugged her like Dawson had as she recalled his name briefly wondering if Hermann was his first or last. "Nice to meet ya Halstead! Welcome." He spoke sincerely a trait they all seemed to share, and she felt herself starting to relax.
"And this is our truck lieutenant Matt Casey." Gabriella's eyes lingered on the blonde guy a bit longer than necessary as he strode over to them and Mallory watched her light up when he smiled at her. Something was definitely going on there. He shook her hand firmly and she shrank back a bit, wary of his position. 'It's not his fault.' she reminds herself. 'He's being polite.' Swallowing the lump in her throat, she shakes his hand and he smiles at her as if sensing her unease. "Nice to meet you Mallory."
"Come with me, I think Squad's outside." Mallory blanched a little at the idea of meeting everyone right away and Casey chuckled putting a hand on Dawson's shoulder. "She should probably get settled before shift starts. Plenty of time to meet everyone after." Mallory gave him a grateful nod and her partner seemed to blush. She wasn't sure if it was embarrassment or because Casey had touched her shoulder but it had persuaded her nonetheless. "Of course, let me show you to the lockers."
As they headed to the left side of the house Dawson pointed out the bathrooms and the conference area. Mallory took that time to observe her partner, relieved that she'd clearly been given a good match personality wise. Gabby's aura was bright, emanating happiness. She was welcoming, and most importantly she was kind to her. That was a big deal for Mallory. Dawson was one of those people that could just smile at you and your mood would lift. The Latina had twisted her dark brown hair up into a ponytail that bounced as she walked and accentuated her heart shaped face. Her distinguishable features and commanding presence demanded attention. Walking with squared shoulders and her head held high, Dawson exhibited a confidence she hadn't possessed for a long time. She was beautiful in a very powerful way.
"So this is our locker room. Feel free to grab any one that's open." Each locker had a strip of tape with last names of their occupants stuck to the front. Cruz, Otis, someone named Capp, the names went on and when she spots Dawson's Mallory takes the one across from her partner slowly pulling out the few things she'd brought with her that day. Toiletries, spare change out gear, some makeup, and a pair of headphones. The locker to her left belonged to someone named Clarke, and the one to her right remained empty. "Here." Dawson pulls out a CFD sweater from her own locker handing it to her as if it was nothing but instinct. "Oh-uh-that's okay. You don't have to-"
"They're way overpriced and I have plenty. Consider it a welcome gift. Trust me you don't want this," she gestures to her thin sweater dangling loosely around her shoulders, "to get ruined on the job. Chief should have the rest of your uniforms. I can show you to his office when you're done." She doesn't suspect any hidden agenda behind the gesture so she thanks her and puts the jacket on relishing in its warmth. Dawson provides her with the roll of tape and one of those permanent markers so Mallory scrawls out her last name neatly. Tearing off a piece from the roll, her fingers smooth the strip out across the locker the same way it hung on the others officially claiming number 22 as her own. There was something so official about it all that eased the nerves she'd been feeling that morning. Perhaps it was the easy going nature of the people, or the warm atmosphere, but Mallory had a good feeling about this place.
Dawson wrapped her fist twice against the door to the Chief's office and he waved them in ending his phone call. "Mallory Halstead, Chief Boden. Welcome to 51." His voice is booming, and she thinks about how much it suits him. His presence like Dawson's definitely commanded attention. Mallory's sure it's why they had leadership positions. They were naturals. "Thank you sir."
"Anything you need feel free to knock on my door. Have you met everyone?" The question is partially directed at Gabriella and Mallory shakes her head no as Dawson answers. "We've pretty much covered 81, I was gonna introduce her to the squad guys next." Boden grins at that shaking his head. "Good luck with that, don't let them scare you off." He warns but they're both smiling so she assumes it's an inside joke. "I'm glad you're here Halstead. I've heard a lot about you." She pales instantly at his declaration. Had her past really reached this house before she had? No one was supposed to even know she was here. Boden notices her silence and explains quickly worried he'd upset her. Wallace considered himself a people person especially with his own house but Halstead was new and apparently he'd have some learning to do in her department. It didn't bother him at all, something he considered part of his job. You get to know you're people when you're responsible for their lives. Thatcher had given him a vague run down of her situation, the only indication of his favoritism being when the man had asked Wallace to look after her. "Chief Thatcher said very good things." Relief hit her hard and she exhaled slowly coming to the conclusion that she was giving away too much because of her own paranoia. "He's a kind man." A statement both true and easy enough to manage saying. Nelson Thatcher had been a good chief, blatantly oblivious to his own house, but a good chief out on a call. That's when it mattered right?
"Yes well I'm sure he was right to recommend you for this house. I think you'll make a good fit here." Boden reaches down hauling a box up on the surface of his desk and sliding it the wood to her. "Just some extra uniforms, stuff for your bunk to make you comfortable." He explains as she peers inside with a curious glance. "I'm happy to be here. Thank you chief." He nods and they take that as their cue to exit as she heaves her box up into her arms. She isn't holding it for long before suddenly Otis and Cruz are there and the latter one removes the box from her arms. "I'll get this for you."
"And I've snagged you a bunk right next to Dawson. It's pretty much the best bunk." Otis rambles and Mallory grins glancing at Gabby who simply rolled her eyes. "I'll take this to your bunk for you." Cruz adds in and Gabby grabs her arm as they scamper off pulling her in a different direction. "Don't even bother. They're harmless." She promises. "I mean they'll probably ask you out at some point but total sweethearts I swear."
"I'll take your word on that." Mallory says making Gabby grin. Before they reach the doors, the intercom alarm rings loudly and a woman's voice comes over the speakers, her introductions now temporarily forgotten. "Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, Battalion 25. Building fire, 225 Polk Street." Mallory and Gabby jog to the rig and both girls are in the ambo pulling out behind the firetrucks by the time the lady finishes rattling off the address. "You ready for this?" Dawson asks encouragingly and Mallory's lips turn up into a grin shared by her partner. The adrenaline courses through her veins as it always did right before a call and she's reminded of her reason for doing this job as she answers honestly. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
The flames were big and wild upon their arrival. Smoke cascaded through the open windows into the dark cloud forming in the sky above. As soon as Dawson pulled to a stop she hopped out opening the side door of the rig for supplies. "Grab the go-bag!" Gabby shouts over the noise and she snatches it up following her partner towards the people running from the building. A man came stumbling out of the main entrance coughing hysterically, his bald head and face covered in soot. Two more stumbled out behind him propelling her forward. "Get them on oxygen and call in another rig. We're gonna need more gurneys." Dawson orders taking the bag from her and helping another victim who'd emerged from the scene. Mallory guides a few to the back of their rig and makes quick work of getting them on oxygen . The bald man who'd emerged first was tugging at his mask as she secured it around his head. "Sir you're gonna be okay, just leave the mask on. There you go, good." Reaching upward she grasps the radio slung across her shoulder and hits the switch speaking quickly. "Dispatch this is 61, we're gonna need more medics to our location. Multiple smoke-inhalation and possible burn victims still being triaged." By her count thirteen victims had already come out of the building and that was only what she'd seen. "Copy that 61."
"Halstead!" Dawson's voice came over their radio crackling against static, as she secured another mask around a younger woman's face. "I need a hand over here. Bring a second intubation kit."
She had to shove through some bystanders who'd formed a crowd around the scene noticing that Cruz was trying to usher them back when she reached Dawson's side. A very pregnant woman was lying on the grass unconscious and Gabriella was doing compressions. "Take over compressions, I'll intubate." Her hands replaced Dawson's, pounding rhythmatically against the woman's chest. Dawson cursed under her breath, "I can't see the chords. Her throat is swollen shut from the smoke."
"What do you want to do?" As PIC it was ultimately Dawson's call. Mallory knew the two options and the likelihood of mom and baby surviving if they decided to shock her. She looks up at her with determination in her eyes. "I have to Cric her." A cricothyrotomy wasn't an approved field procedure, but with two lives hanging in the balance this was certainly the best choice. Possibly their only chance of survival. She doesn't question her PIC, instead continuing compressions until she was ready to make the incision. "Okay hold compressions." Dawson's steady hands made the incision vertically, holding the larynx steady with her left hand as she expertly slices above the cricothyroid membrane. Blood leaks from the wound and her partner's gloved hands make quick work reaching upward for a tube.
"ET tube. Let's get her on a monitor." Mallory hands the tube to Dawson, attaching the leads quickly to the woman's chest, flipping on the machine. Her partner inserts the tube and attaches the oxygen bag pumping two swift breaths into the lifeless body. "How long has she been down?"
"4 minutes, maybe longer." Had it really been that long? In the midst of their efforts it was difficult to keep track of time. "Resume compressions." Dawson instructs and she starts again at the same rhythm as before while Gabby pumps the bag. "Dawson." Boden rasps and she barely glances up unphased by her name. "Hold compressions." She orders once more continuing to pump the bag when suddenly the monitor beeps and their is an audible sigh of relief from the people watching them work. "We got a heart beat."
"Let's get her to the hospital."
"That was a damn good save Dawson." Gabby gave her an exhausted smile as they climbed back in the rig. Mom and baby had made it to the hospital alive, and Lakeshore's ER doctors had said they looked like good odds. That was all they could really ask for. "Hell of a first shift huh?" Oh yes that was an understatement, and they were barely halfway through. Mallory had been a paramedic for nearly 6 years now, but the job never failed to surprise her. "Yeah that was..." What word could cover the description properly. Intense? Exhilarating? Devastating? How could one word be expected to label that call ,or any call for that matter, when each one was so different and left you feeling so many different ways? Dawson simply nodded with understanding. If anyone could understand it was Dawson.
Lakeshore wasn't far from 51, and they were pulling in to the garage within the next ten minutes. The big doors were open, both Squad and 81 had made it back before them and Mallory spotted Casey loading supplies into the Truck. "So.. you and Casey?" Gabby's eyes widened and she shut off the engine turning to face her completely. "Wha-what? No. No no.. he's uh-he's with someone. Someone else." Wow. Definitely unexpected. "Oh.. sorry. Guess I read that wrong."
"Yeah.." Dawson trailed off her eyes landing on the Lieutenant and he seemed to have noticed them offering a small wave. "They're only players if we let them be Gabby. If I were you, I'd stay far away from complicated. You deserve more than that." Her own eyes flickered downward as her own bias filtered through their conversation. "And once that trust is gone, you won't be able to do your job." Dawson seemed to ponder her statement and reached over the console giving her arm an affectionate squeeze. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah." She responds quickly. "Good! Let's finish those introductions." Mallory laughs lightly climbing out of the ambo and letting Dawson lead her across the Apparatus floor. A couple of guys were sitting at what she'd been informed was the 'Squad Table' and another one was messing around with the punching bag a few feet away. "So that's Vargas, Scott Rice, Clarke's on leave you'll meet him later. Tony, and Capp." She points to each guy who offers a little wave acknowledging that an introduction is being made when they walk past. "And this hooligan is Andy Darden." Darden pops off his gloves to shake her hand. "Mallory Halstead."
"Nice to meet you." Mallory takes a small step backwards and her back collides with something hard. Two large hands grab her arms to steady her and she turns quickly with wide eyes. "And this is lieutenant Kelly Severide. He always makes an entrance." Darden teases but she's frozen in place right in front of him, his hands still gripping her upper arms, piercing blue eyes locked on her own. She swallows nervously and he drops his hands as she takes a step away. "Sorry." His voice is surprisingly soft and Dawson's hand lands on her shoulder casually snapping her out of her stupor. "I'm Kelly Severide." He offers and she shakes his hand a little less firmly than she had the others, shaken by the mishap. She'd been so on edge that a simple collision had made her blanch and turn into a stuttering mess. First the girl at the airport and now a lieutenant at her job?
'Get it together!' Mallory thinks to herself. How embarrassing, though their only audience seemed to be her partner and that Darden guy, and Severide seemed to be at a loss for words the same way she was. Oh boy. "Mallory Halstead."
"How about some coffee? I doubt the bacon from this morning is still around since the guys got back before us, but I could scrounge up something?" There is an unspoken question at the end and Mallory nods quickly with a kind smile. Thank God for Gabby. That girl was a saint, giving her an excuse to leave the awkward encounter.
She was pointed in the direction of the mugs while Dawson started another pot. The kitchen, like the rest of the house was much bigger than the one she'd last had and a little harder to navigate. Cruz appeared seemingly from thin air and opened one of the top cabinets revealing the mugs. She smiled gratefully trying not to giggle when he reached up and snagged two out of the cabinet for her. Dawson wasn't kidding. "So Halstead, where did you last work?"
"I transferred from Hawaii." She answers vaguely and Hermann joins the conversation clearly intrigued now. "Woah Hawaii. What's that like?" Mallory handed the mugs to Dawson who seemed equally intrigued by her story as she contemplated what to say. "Nice weather, a lot of accidental drownings and run of the mill surfing injuries." She shrugs hoping it would be enough to pacify them. "Man I would kill for that weather. Bet you're dying to go back there now dealing with this cold." Cruz jokes and she nervously smiles. No, she wasn't. She wouldn't go back there ever again. Not if she could help it. "Change of pace is good." Gabby encourages, passing her back a mug.
Mallory takes a sip of the warm liquid, letting it burn her throat as she thought about how spot on Gabby was. Coming home for a new start had been her plan from the beginning anyway. Home was safe, and the demons she'd ran from were in the past.
She just prayed that is where they'd remain.