'It makes a change for me to find saving a life easier than passing a test. All I have to do is stop Tony from going on any calls and that should stop him from being killed in the fire, but having to make sure Lyle passes his fire fighter training will be a little more complicated since I don't like heights.'

'Do you remember when you were on the trapeze and you never thought that you would save Eva's life; not only did you save her life, but you climbed up onto that trapeze because you knew you had to. It's going to be the same this time...I hope.'

'This is not the same, Al,' said Sam, taking another look at the smoking building used for training. 'I didn't have fire, smoke and flying dolls to contend with on the trapeze.'

'Well, on a happier note, keeping an eye on Tony might be as easy as you think,' said Al, tapping his handlink. 'It would seem he is your roommate here at the training facility. All you have to do is keep an eye on him and you'll be home free on that front.'

'But what about...?'

'Sam, I'm going to see if we can come up with anything that will help you pass this training course, but you have to make sure you do as the chief tells you. One wrong foot and it could be sayonara to Lyles career and Annabelle's sanity.'

With a loud whoosh the holo-imaging chamber door flashed up behind Al. He stepped back into the white light and was just about to close the door when Sam continued.

'One wrong foot and I could fall to my death, Al.'

'Don't worry, Sam, we'll see what we can do.'

With that the white light flashed away leaving Dr Sam Beckett wondering how he was going to complete this leap and stay alive in the process.

'Penny for your thoughts,' said the young girl Sam had seen in the burning room. 'I hope I didn't scare you that much, Lyle.'

Sam looked up into her sorrowful eyes, 'No. You didn't really. Like I told the chief, I've not been feeling too well lately; probably just need a good rest and I will bounce back in no time.'

'You're not thinking of resting tonight? We have that meeting with Sister Mary Angela about the charity event later.'

Sam had to play along, 'Oh, yeah, the charity event. I suppose I had better come with you for that.'

'You're the one who insisted on our firehouse organizing it. Did you ask daddy about Old Betsy?'

'Old Betsy?'

'The vintage fire truck, you said you wanted it for the kids to play on and let them try the bells and horn. You really are under the weather, aren't?'

'Look, I'm going to lay my head down for a while. What time are we meeting with Sister Mary Angela?'

'Seven-thirty, that's if you can make it.'

'I'll be there,' said Sam, realizing that he had forgotten one simple thing. 'Exactly where are we meeting her?'

Annabelle looked affectionately at Sam and held her hand to his forehead. 'I'll drive us tonight. I don't think you should be driving in this state.'

...

'So I say to the chief that if he keeps riding me the way he is, then I'm outta here and he goes and loses his best cadet...after you of course.'

Tony Gallo playfully punched Sam in the arm. They had returned to their dormitory to prepare for the afternoons exercises. Sam sat down on one of the beds and fell back exhausted. He was just getting comfortable when Tony almost pushed him off the side of the bed.

'Hey, I thought we agreed I get the one by the window.'

'Oh, yeah, sorry about that,' said Sam, moving to the other bed.

'You not been yourself today, Lyle. You got something on your mind?'

I have plenty on my mind, thought Sam, like finding a way to keep you alive.

'Anyways, the chief knows that he won't get a better cadet than me, so I'm thinking he'll be sweet as pie to me from now on.'

'I wouldn't count on that, Mr Gallo.'

Sam and Tony turned to find Chief Carson standing at the open dormitory door; he did not look in the best of moods. He stepped inside and closed the door.

'You overlook one thing, I am the Chief of this firehouse and you are nothing here. If I want to ride you, I will; if I want to have you scrub out the latrines, I will; and by god, if I want you out of this training process, I will.'

For a moment Tony was frozen on the spot. He looked at the chief like a child who had reprimanded for flushing cherry bombs. Then his demeanour changed like the flick of a switch. His face was now contorted into a scowl and his fists were clenched in tight, white balls at his sides.

'You think you can talk to me however you want, don't ya?'

'I will address you however I wish, Mr Gallo. Until your training is complete, you are mine to mould into a brave fire fighter.'

'Brave fire fighter? You sound like a broken record, Carson.'

'That's Chief Carson to you, boy.'

'Look, maybe we should calm down and,' Sam was cut off midsentence.

'Shut up, Carrington, or you will be going with your friend here.'

'Where do you think I'm going?' asked Tony, taking a couple of threatening steps towards the chief.

'Home, Mr Gallo, home. You are out; finished, terminated...your time here is over. Now, get out and don't come crawling back. I only take on the best here and you would never have measured up to my men.'

Tony grabbed his jacket from a nearby chair and stormed out of the room. Sam was about to follow when the chief gave a warning look.

'I don't need you,' shouted Tony, as he marched down the corridor. 'I don't need anyone.'

'If you wish to continue on here, Mr Carrington, I expect you to take instruction and carry out your duties in a professional manner. Do you understand me? Just because you are dating my daughter, doesn't mean I won't throw you out too. Am I understood?'

'Yes, Chief Carson. I understand perfectly.'

Without another word the chief turned to leave, knowing that he had won the exchange with his cadets. Sam followed behind down the corridor.

'Chief, there was one thing I wanted to ask you.'

'I don't have time, Carrington,' blasted the chief, turning to the stairs.

'I wondered if I could ask you about Old Betsy.'

The chief stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to look at Sam with a blank expression. He was unsure whether the statement had angered the chief more or stunned him. His face finally broke into a broad smile.

'Sure you can ask about Old Betsy. She's the pride and joy of the firehouse. What did you want to know about the old girl?'

'I was wondering if we could borrow her...'

'Borrow, Old Betsy? What on earth would you want to borrow her for?'

Sam swallowed. 'We wondered if...'

'Who is this "we"?'

'Annabelle and myself; we wondered if we could borrow her for a charity event.'

'What kind of charity event?'

This was awkward; it occurred to Sam that he didn't even know what charity the event was for. He needed to give the chief an answer without jeopardising the use of the fire truck. He thought it was best to play dumb, for now.

'Annabelle has all the details about it, but I just thought I would ask as you were here.'

'I will consult Annabelle about it, but if I find out it's for those homeless bums you can forget it.'

The chief carried on down the stairs leaving Sam wondering how he was going to make this leap work in his favour.

...

'You have been instrumental in the organisation of the work for the homeless shelter, Mr Carrington.'

Sam and Annabelle had driven to a diner across town to meet up with Sister Mary Angela, a young nun who had been trying to find a way to raise funds for a homeless shelter in the area. It was a worthwhile cause in Sam's eyes, as it must have been in Lyle Carrington's.

'I am happy to help such a worthy cause, Sister.'

'Did you ask daddy about Old Betsy?' asked Annabelle.

'I did ask him, but I don't think he was too enthusiastic about lending her to us. He seems to think that "our" cause is not worth his time or the time of his precious firehouse.'

Sister Mary Angela frowned.

'You leave daddy to me, we will get Old Betsy, by hook or by crook.'

'I wouldn't want you to get into any trouble, Miss Carson. There are always other ways to obtain funds.'

'We'll get her,' Annabelle said flatly.

'It doesn't make much difference if you get her or not,' said the familiar voice behind Sam. 'You need to go the little holograms room, Sam?'

'Excuse me a moment.'

Sam left the table and wound his way through the other tables to the bathroom in back of the diner. As he entered he found Al pacing the room.

'What do you mean it doesn't matter? She is doing good work, Al.'

'There have been developments, Sam. The trouble keeps coming on this one.'

'I can tell you one thing that is working in our favour: Tony has been kicked out of training. That means there is no way he's going to die in a fire now.'

Al didn't seem too happy about the news.

'Or are you here to tell me that I have to keep him in training too?'

'It's worse than that, Sam,' said Al, tapping some buttons on the handlink.

'This is already a nightmare leap, Al. How can it get any worse?'

'Because Tony is still going to die in that fire...and...'

'What is it, Al? What are you not telling me?'

'It's not only Tony that dies in that fire...Sister Mary Angela dies too!'