Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Coyote Ugly just the ones I make up in the story.

Chapter 16: Kevin's Assignment/First Day

1:00pm

January 2, 2001

Kevin was pacing the hallway by the mailboxes waiting for the mailman to finish putting the mail in the mailboxes. When he was done Kevin opened the mailbox and inside was a few letters for me and a letter for him, from the area battalion. He opened it and read it aloud.

Mr. Kevin Aaron O'Donnell,

We are pleased to announce your firehouse assignment. Your assignment is with Ladder 11/Engine 22 at 1311 West 14th St. in Manhattan. When you get there on your first day talk directly with the Captain of the ladder division, Johnny Palermo to determine your duties. Thank you.

Sincerely,

FDNY Battalion 8

Chief Robert Catalino

Kevin ran up the stairs to tell me the news. I was at my laptop writing another song when he came in.

"I got my assignment and you won't guess where it is!" Kevin said as I turned away from the computer.

"Where is it? I asked.

"It's in the West Village just above the meatpacking district!" Kevin said as I got a funny look on my face.

"What's so funny?" Kevin asked me hurt.

"Don't you get it? I told you at Christmas that Keith and the Mulroney brothers work there. You got assigned to their firehouse. I bet Keith had something to do with it," I said.

"Should I be worried?" Kevin asked.

"No but they're going to tease you to death if you do something wrong or not up to their standards. They take firefighting seriously but funny over there so if you screw up they won't let you forget it for weeks."

"Oh but that's understandable because I'm a rookie so I'll be okay right?"

"Yeah you will be. Just try your best and I'm sure you'll be fine," I said as I went back to the computer.

January 8, 2001

8:00am

Kevin pulled up alongside the street in front of the firehouse and got out of his car. He walked over to where Keith and Rollie were hosing down the ladder truck.

"Well look who's here? It's our new rookie!" Rollie said as he patted Kevin on the back.

"Hey Kevin nice to see you here bright and early in the morning. Come on I'll take you to see our Captain," Keith said as Kevin followed him to the captain's office. Keith knocked on the door.

"Um…Just a minute," Johnny said as Keith and Kevin heard some rumbling, a little swearing and then the door opened.

"Yes? What is it Sanford?" Johnny, the captain, said.

"Our new rookie is here captain," Keith said.

"This is him, huh?" Johnny said looking Kevin over.

"Yes sir."

"Okay, thank you Sanford. You can get back to washing the ladder truck now," Johnny said as Keith patted Kevin on the back, whispered good luck to him and went back to washing the ladder truck.

Johnny ushered Kevin into the office and shut the door behind him. Kevin sat down in front of the desk and wringed his hands.

"You nervous?" Johnny asked.

"Um…yeah, sort of," Kevin said.

"Well, don't be. Although we take things seriously here we also have a sense of humor. We treat rookies hard but not harsh. You'll be given jobs to do and I expect them to be done right. You'll be on for four days and off for four days. Our shifts are 24 hours a day, this isn't a 9 to 5 gig that you're used to seeing on TV. Any questions?"

"No sir."

"Good. Judging from your record at the academy you'll be working in the ladder division, my division. So you will abide by my rules, you got me?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay, oh and call me Captain never sir," Johnny said as he got on his intercom.

"Sanford! Come to my office please."

The captain waited a few minutes until Keith showed up.

"You wanted me captain?" Keith asked.

"Yes I want you to introduce O'Donnell to the rest of the crew including the engine crew so he gets familiar with everybody and take him on a tour of the firehouse," Johnny said.

"Yes captain. Shall we get going?" Keith said to Kevin as they left the office and went out to where the engine and ladder truck were.

"We'll start the tour here. This is the garage portion of the firehouse. On the right is the engine that belongs to the engine company and on the left is the ladder truck that belongs to the ladder company. Since you're in the ladder company you get to ride in the ladder truck when we go on runs," Keith said.

"What kind of runs?" Kevin asked.

"You know, gas runs, grocery runs, actual calls when there's a fire. Moving on, the Lieutenant for the engine company's office is down the right hallway. The engine company's offices are on the right the ladder company's offices are on the left or the opposite when you're facing the outside of the firehouse. Going upstairs we have the main gathering area with couches, chairs, a TV, our kitchen and dining area is on this side and the bunks are on the opposite side. Showers and bathrooms are in the back." Keith said.

"You wanna try sliding down the pole?" Keith asked.

Kevin nodded as he climbed on the pole and slid down it and almost forgot to put his feet on the ground to catch him. Keith laughed.

"I almost forgot to mention but the gear for the engine company is on the right and the ladder gear is on the left. Here's yours. Go on, try it on."

Kevin put the pants on first then the jacket and the boots. Keith and Rollie doubled over in laughter.

"What?" Kevin asked.

"You look so funny man, like a penguin!" Rollie said.

"Yeah, a drunk penguin!" Keith added.

Just then the fire alarm went off.

"Keep your stuff on we got a fire to go to!" Keith said as he ran to get his stuff on and Rollie went to the other side to get his gear on. Kevin put his hat on and followed Keith and got in the truck and they sped away towards the fire.

January 13, 2001

8:00am

Kevin was so tired and sore after his first four days as a rookie firefighter and just wanted to get home to spend some time with me. As soon as he got home he sat down on the couch and took his shoes off. I went over and sat down next to him on the couch.

"So, how was it? Did they treat you bad?" I asked.

"Oh yeah you were right about the teasing. I had to do the jobs that rookies normally do like touch up the paint on the axes and clean everyone's boots from the inside out and man did they stink!" Kevin said.

"That's not too bad. Did they make you clean the toilets?"

"Yeah they did and then after I was done Rollie took a crap in one and messed it all up again and made me clean it up. He's the worst of them."

"I should've warned you about Rollie. Sorry."

"That's okay. I'm home with you and that's all that matters," Kevin said as he gave me a kiss. I kissed him back. It was great having him home again.