(A/N: I do not own Paw Patrol, enjoy!)
Return to Duty
Cinder was beset by bad dreams all night, she kept reliving the accident but from a third person point of view. She could see the rebar falling before piercing her side. She could see her blood spurting from her body and Marshall's fast and furious efforts to save her. The worst part was the repetition; it was like having a terrible song on permanent repeat in her head.
Marshall barely slept either. Every time Cinder dreamed, he found himself in her dream so he woke himself up to try and calm her down and put happy thoughts back into her head. Their mother had always licked their heads when they were younger and had bad dreams and Marshall was doing the same for Cinder. Her whimpers and yelps while she was sleeping were heartbreaking to Marshall and he was trying every trick he knew or remembered their mother using to try and let Cinder get some sleep.
While they both got some sleep, it wasn't very much or very restful. They were both still tired in the morning when Cinder was discharged and Skipper came to pick them up. The twin Dalmatians were quiet the whole way back to the station, barely saying anything out loud. They remained silent even after they arrived at the station as Marshall and Cinder padded into the lounge together.
The rest of the squad knew what had happened and remained respectfully silent as Cinder and Marshall found a beanbag in the center of the room. Cinder laid down first, curling up into a ball. Marshall laid down around her, encircling her protectively with his body. One by one the rest of the squad joined them, first Skipper and Sadie, the female Australian Shepherd, followed by Axel, the buff Male Dalmatian, then Allison, Mike, Kevin, Juan, Ken, and Skipper took places around them, all reaching out to put a hand or paw on Cinder.
It couldn't last forever though. Skipper and LT Ken broke off first to get back to their paperwork and discuss things. Juan broke off a little later to do some light maintenance on Engine 25. Then the first call of the morning came in.
"WE HAVE A CHILD WHO HAS FALLEN FROM A TREE AT WATERFRONT PARK AND SUFFERED A PROBABLE COMPOUND FRACTURE, MEDIC 25 RESPOND CODE 2."
Mike and Kevin ran to the ambulance while Marshall gave Cinder a kiss on her head before dashing after the other paramedics. With no perceptible delay, the station door was opening, with Mike honking the horn and Marshall activating the lights and siren as they exited before turning them back off as they proceeded to Waterfront Park.
When they arrived at the park, Marshall and Kevin hopped out to find the kid while Mike got the stretcher and kit bags. Marshall found the kid and concerned parents near the dock. He called Kevin and Mike over the radio to let them know where the patient was as he ran over.
"Hi there, my name is Marshall and I'm a paramedic. I'm here to help you, what is your name?" Marshall asked as he introduced himself to the little boy.
"Noah," the little boy replied as Marshall got to work.
Marshall quickly and quietly scanned for any life threatening injuries before he got to work examining Noah's broken leg. "So, what happened?" Marshall asked gently as he started cutting the pants to expose the break.
"Well, I was climbing up the tree and everything was going fine. Then, I got really dizzy and everything got dark. I remember losing my grip and falling and hitting the ground, but I couldn't see any of it happening" Noah replied.
"That is a little odd," Marshall said, finally fully exposing the break in Noah's leg. It was definitely a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in Noah's lower left leg. Four separate bone ends were sticking out of the leg, which luckily had not severed any arteries. "Ok, this is probably going to hurt Noah, but I have to try and stabilize your leg so we can take you to the hospital."
"Do you have anything for pain?" Noah asked worriedly, "I have a low tolerance for pain."
"Kevin, can you give him a lidocaine shot?" Marshall asked.
"Sure Marshall" Kevin replied, drawing a small amount of the anesthetic before injecting Noah just above the break.
"We'll give that a minute to kick in," Marshall said patiently. Marshall started telling Noah about his own inherent clumsiness, especially on ladders, before getting started stabilizing the leg. He started with a brace on both sides of and the underside of the leg. Then, he carefully wrapped the end of each bone to prevent them from accidentally lacerating an artery or the skin any further. Thus protected, Marshall used additional bandages to secure each bone end in its current position. It took a little bit but soon everything was set.
"Ok Noah," Marshall said, "We are going to get you on the stretcher. You'll have to hold on tight, can you do that for me?"
"I'll do my best Marshall," Noah replied.
Kevin and Mike carefully transferred Noah to the stretcher and loaded up the rest of their gear. Marshall talked with Noah's parents as they wheeled the stretcher back to Medic 25. They loaded Noah on the stretcher into the back before leaving the park.
It didn't take long to get to the hospital but it did take longer than usual to get Noah checked in, transferred and get their stretcher back. When they were done at the hospital, they headed back to the station.
As the three paramedics walked back into the lounge, Marshall was not really that surprised that Cinder had not moved an inch. Allison and Sadie were still sitting beside her, each with a hand or paw rubbing her back. Axel walked up to Marshall as Mike and Kevin went into the office to finish the paperwork for the rescue.
"She hasn't moved at all Marshall" the larger Dalmatian whispered. "Not even an ear flick or a tail twitch. She hasn't eaten or drank anything either. I'm worried about her" Axel admitted.
"That is a little concerning," Marshall softly replied. "Let me see if I can get her to eat or drink. Come help me in the kitchen, I have an idea."
Marshall remembered a treat he had enjoyed once that Mr. Porter made. A little internet research later, he and Axel were busy in the kitchen whipping up the treat. A little while later, the two Dalmatians were carrying a tray with the treats and a bowl of water into the lounge.
"Hey Cinder" Marshall gently called to his twin. Cinder lifted her head and looked up at him. "I brought you a snack I think you are going to love." Marshall laid the tray down in front of his sister to let her sniff. The enticing aroma filled her nostrils. Cinder took a tentative nibble at the closest treat. Her eyes brightened at the taste and she grabbed it in her jaws before chomping it down.
"Mmm, what is this?" Cinder softly asked as she licked the remains off of her lips before grabbing a second one.
"Chicken and wild rice biscuit with a peanut butter bacon glaze" Marshall said with a smile, passing a treat to Axel and Sadie before snagging one for himself.
"These are heavenly" Sadie said between bites.
Meanwhile, Cinder wolfed down her third biscuit before finally drinking some water. "Thanks Marshall, I needed that" she said softly.
"Axel helped too" Marshall waved a paw at the other Dalmatian who shuffled shyly in an uncharacteristic manner, he hated being put on the spot.
"Thanks Axel," Cinder said softly, giving him a demure but appreciative look.
"You're uh welcome Cinder" Axel stuttered, "I just remembered I have uh something I uh have to go do so I'll uh see you later!" Axel promptly left the lounge.
Cinder started giggling and was soon joined by Sadie and Allison. Marshall just wore an amused smirk on his face. "Was that really necessary sis?"
"No," Cinder softly replied, "but I needed it and he'll survive."
"Probably," Sadie added smugly.
"He'll be fine" Allison assured them, "he is just a little flustered I'm sure."
"I'll say, it looked like smoke was about to start coming out his ears" Marshall said with a smile. Cinder smiled too as she enjoyed her fourth biscuit.
The happiness of the moment was interrupted by the station alarm blaring.
"WE HAVE A STRUCTURE FIRE AT TOWNSEND APARTMENTS ACROSS THE STREET FROM WATERFRONT PARK, BUILDING EVACUATION IN PROGRESS, ALL UNITS RESPOND CODE 3, QUINT 23 ASSIGNED AS SUPPORT."
Everyone's eyes darted to Cinder. "Let's go, team," Cinder said softly but full of command. With that, the team rushed to the trucks. Engines roared to life, lights flashed and sirens shrieked as they headed out.
"Quint 23 online, ETA seven minutes" the radio squawked.
"Roger that," Cinder softly replied. "We'll be there in three minutes. Set up your ladder just above the fire to prevent it from spreading upwards, the building is only five floors. We'll have to fight this one from the inside so have your pups suit up with SCBAs as soon as you can." Cinder turned to her team, "Axel and Marshall, get your SCBAs on as soon as we arrive as well. We'll divide the building up so that we ensure we don't miss anyone."
"You got it Cinder" the other two Dalmatians replied.
As Engine 25 pulled up, smoke was billowing out of a fourth floor window. "Marshall, Axel, make sure the fourth floor is clear before engaging the fire!" Cinder softly directed.
"We're on it!" they barked as they jumped off the fire truck and rushed to get their SCBA packs on. Sadie jumped up to the roof and started spraying water into the building window using the water cannon on the truck while Allison and Juan got Engine 25 tied into the fire hydrant. Fully geared up, Marshall led Axel into the building as Quint 23 pulled up and stopped right under the window. The Quint crew immediately got to work setting up their ladder and hooked up to another fire hydrant. The two pups off Quint 23, a Lab mix and a Samoyed, got dressed out quickly and Cinder directed them to search the fifth floor first, followed by the third floor. Shortly thereafter, the Quint 23 crew had their ladder up and were spraying water directly into the window which smoke was billowing out of. Sadie secured the water cannon on Engine 25 for the moment and hopped down to assist Allison and Juan as needed.
Inside, Marshall and Axel had cleared the fourth floor and were getting ready to break down the door which had so far contained the fire. The apartment building had several fire hose stations on each floor and the two fire pups had one of those set up for their attack. "Cinder, we are ready to enter," Marshall reported over the radio.
"Roger that, hold off on your entry until we verify that the fifth floor is clear" Cinder softly ordered. "We don't want the fire to flare up under them. But if you get indications that someone is inside, take immediate action to save them."
"Roger, standing by," Marshall replied. They waited patiently for the Quint 23 pups to report. Finally, Cinder got the report that the fifth floor was clear and she gave permission for Axel and Marshall to enter. "Ready?" Marshall verified one last time.
"Ready to rock and roll" Axel replied, aiming the hose at the door.
"Ruff, fire axe!" Marshall barked. Checking the heat on the door with the back of his paw to make sure that the other side was not on fire yet, Marshall then inserted the axe into the door frame and pried the door slightly open. As smoke started to flow out around the door, Axel opened the nozzle on the hose in a fog pattern to keep the heat at bay before nodding to Marshall. Marshall then opened the door the rest of the way and both pups ducked down. The hallway immediately filed with smoke as the two fire pups worked their way into the burning apartment.
Axel shifted the nozzle to a narrow "V" shaped pattern as they worked their way into the apartment. After clearing the living room, they had to choose whether they went to the right which appeared to lead to the bedroom or the left which appeared to lead to the kitchen. The smoke seemed heavier to the left so Axel and Marshall opted to go that direction. Using the same technique, Marshall opened the door.
They were greeted by a wall of flame. Axel immediately shifted back to a fog spray while Marshall radioed Cinder. "Cinder, the fire is located in the kitchen, have Quint 23 shift to a fog spray to help us knock down the fire. The stream they are spraying now isn't really doing that much."
"Copy that Marshall, have you confirmed that the apartment is empty?" Cinder softly replied over the radio.
"Not yet, going to check the bedroom now" Marshall replied. He tapped Axel on the shoulder to let him know where he was going before working his way back out to the living room. Splitting up like this wasn't a good idea, but they needed to know if there was a second fire or anyone who needed rescuing as soon as possible. If there was a second fire, it would cut off Marshall's and Axel's water supply and escape route and if someone needed help, the delay would likely kill them.
Marshall methodically checked the bedroom door before opening it. There was no fire, which was good, but as Marshall investigated a little further, there was a figure on the bed. It was a husky pup. The smoke wasn't too heavy in the bedroom, but enough that the pup was probably suffering from smoke inhalation. "Cinder, we have a pup down in the bedroom, commencing extraction now" Marshall radioed in.
"Understood, the Quint 23 pups just cleared the third floor and are making their way up to you" Cinder softly replied. "Get the pup to them in the hallway and then rejoin Axel."
"Roger that" Marshall confirmed before jumping up onto the bed. The husky looked familiar but he didn't pay much attention as he scooped the husky onto his back and carried her out to the hallway. There he transferred the husky to the Samoyed before running back in to rejoin Axel.
The Samoyed and Lab mix carried the husky down and out of the apartment building. Outside, they were met by Mike and Kevin who put the husky on a stretcher and brought the pup to the ambulance. The paramedics immediately started oxygen and checked her for any other injuries.
Inside, Marshall and Axel were slowly making progress on the fire. They had successfully knocked the fire back from the door using their hose. Now with a little room to work, the two fire pups were able to start slowly but surely pinning the fire between themselves and the fog spray from Quint 23. It was slow going and the fire was clearly being fed additional fuel, probably from the oven. "Cinder, can you have the other team verify the gas is shut off before they come back up?" Marshall asked via radio.
"Got it" Cinder softly replied over her radio outside before relaying the info to the Samoyed and Lab mix. The two pups ran to verify the gas shutoff as they headed back inside the apartment building.
Satisfied with the progress her teams were making, Cinder went to check on the pup that they had rescued. As she approached Medic 25, she saw a familiar husky pup sit up between Mike and Kevin. "Snowflake?!" Cinder softly gasped.
"Hi Cinder…" Snowflake quietly replied through the oxygen mask.
The Samoyed and Lab mix found that the gas shutoff valve was not fully shut so they forced it the rest of the way shut and closed the secondary shutoff as well. Then, they went up and checked the apartment next to the one on fire to verify that the fire wasn't spreading. With containment verified, they joined Marshall and Axel in knocking down the last part of the fire. Closing the gas shutoff had allowed Marshall and Axel to make a lot of progress. Once the fire appeared to be out, they had the firefighter on the ladder turn off their water stream while the pups inside checked for any hidden fires or hot spots that could flare up. They worked slowly and methodically so as to not miss anything.
Outside, Cinder was interrogating Snowflake. "What happened?" Cinder softly asked.
"I was over at a friend's house and we were baking cookies," Snowflake replied. "While they were baking, I laid down to take a nap. I guess she left to go get something from the store."
"Well, it is a good thing we got you out" Cinder softly said. "If you were in there much longer, you could have been seriously hurt."
"Oh I know," Snowflake replied. "She shouldn't have left the oven on without anyone to watch it. I was asleep so I definitely do not count as someone watching it."
"What do you think, Kevin?" Cinder asked the paramedic.
"She looks alright," Kevin replied. "We'll take her to the hospital to get her lungs checked just in case."
"Do we have to?" Snowflake half whined.
"You can refuse treatment" Kevin told the husky, "but you really should get checked. There could be internal damage that we can't detect with the limited equipment we have."
"Ok, ok, I'll go" Snowflake acquiesced.
"Wise choice" Cinder softly said with a smile in her eyes.
"Let me guess, Marshall pulled me out, didn't he?" Snowflake asked as they got her loaded up.
"He got you out initially, a couple other pups helped get you the rest of the way out" Cinder softly replied with an amused look on her face.
"That figures," Snowflake replied forlornly.
"What? Don't you like it when Marshall rescues you?" Cinder softly teased.
"I don't want to be a frequent flier," Snowflake replied seriously. "I'd also like to actually get to know him and not just because he rescues me all the time."
"Tell you what, I won't tell him it was you unless he asks" Cinder softly offered.
"Thanks Cinder," Snowflake replied before Kevin closed the door. With a growl, Mike started the engine on Medic 25 and hit the lights and siren as they took Snowflake to the hospital. Cinder shook her head as she watched the ambulance depart before refocusing on her duties.
Inside, Marshall, Axel and the two Quint 23 pups had just finished tearing everything apart to look for hidden fire and found nothing. "Cinder, overhaul complete, fire is out, ventilating the remaining smoke."
"Copy that Marshall" Cinder softly replied. "Cleanup crew is enroute, time to get going."
"On our way out" Marshall replied before turning to the others. "Good work pups, let's go home."
The crews packed up all their gear with their customary care to ensure it would be ready for the next emergency. Once everything was put away on the two fire trucks, they headed back to their respective stations. As they drove, Marshall and Cinder mentally chatted.
How did it feel to be out leading a crew again so quickly? Marshall asked his twin.
Actually, pretty good. I'm sure the shrinks would say that I needed to get back in the saddle quickly and I can't argue with them today, Cindermentally replied.
That is good Marshall thought happily. On a related note, did that happen to be Snowflake I pulled out of there?
What makes you think that? Cinder thought amusedly.
I thought I recognized her, Marshall mentally replied. Let me guess, she didn't want me to know it was her did she.
No she didn't, Cinder mentally laughed. That girl is going to work herself into a tizzy over you.
I don't want that, she needs to just let her rescue crush go Marshall mentally whined. I'm already taken.
No you aren't dear brother, you haven't actually asked her yet, have you? Cinder mentally reminded him. It must be soo hard on you to have pretty girl pups falling for you all the time she teased.
Yeah, just like you can wrap any boy pup you want around your paw sis Marshall shot back. He instantly regretted his thoughts as he felt the dark clouds starting to fill his sister's mind. Cut that out Cin, while you may be different in one way, you are still you: beautiful, funny, and smart. You are amazing and I'll happily turn any guy who says otherwise into a Roman candle or other firework of your choice. Don't worry, the right pup will come one day. And I will always love you with all of my heart.
Marshall's thoughts made Cinder feel better, if for no other reason than his fiery devotion to her. Thanks Marshy, though won't I have to share you with Everest?
You and I are one Cin, Everest just gets to be a part of that one as well Marshall thought confidently.
I'm not sure it works that way but I'll take your word for it Cinder thought back with a smile.
Everyone was walking back into the station when Skipper poked his head out of his office. "Cinder, Marshall, can I see both of you for a moment?"
"Sure Skipper" Cinder softly replied and they followed Skipper into his office. As they walked in, they saw three individuals that they did not expect.
Standing next to Skipper's desk was a LT with a station 23 patch on his shoulder. In front of him sat two pups who also bore station 23 patches, a male Belgian Malinois and a female Cocker Spaniel; the very two pups that Cinder and Marshall had saved the day before. "Cinder, Marshall, this is LT Mel from station 23, he commands Quint 23's afternoon shift. With him are Gabriel and Laura, also from Quint 23's afternoon shift. I'm letting you know now that they asked to come here today. L-T, the floor is yours."
"Thanks Skipper" LT Mel said. "Let me first say that I am eternally grateful to both of you for saving Gabriel and Laura yesterday. They weren't in the best spot, I knew it and so did you, Cinder, but you let me run my company while still being in a position to save them. You acted quickly and decisively and they are both standing here with me because of both of your actions. I have no idea how the two of you acted so fast and I hope one day I will be half as good a Captain as you are now Cinder. When Station 25 finally gets the new Quint that they keep talking about, I would gladly come and serve under you. Now Skipper has told me that you don't want any award for what you did; that you consider what you did to be your duty and nothing less. While that may be true, I'm going to let him sort that out with my Captain because I feel that is the exact reason that what you two did needs to be recognized, to show every firefighter that we hold those who sacrifice themselves in doing their duty up as an example to be emulated. Either way, you will always have my support, loyalty and thanks." LT Mel stepped forward, knelt down, and wrapped his arms around the two Dalmatians in a hug. If a tear of gratitude formed on his eyes, he was too professional to let it be seen by anyone except Cinder and Marshall.
As he stepped back, the Belgian Malinois named Gabriel stepped forward. "Cinder, I considered myself a pretty good firefighter; room for improvement of course but overall good. Yesterday you showed me what it takes deep down to be a great firefighter and leader. I had been considering applying for the LT program but hadn't really been that serious about it until now. You showed me the values we need in our leaders, and drive and dedication and willingness to throw themselves into a deadly situation to save someone else. All too often we focus on saving civilians that we forget that we have to watch out for, and occasionally save, each other as well. I want to be like you one day and now I will have that opportunity so thank you." Gabriel wrapped his paws around Cinder in a hug and there was an audible sniff as he buried his head in her shoulder. After a moment, he released the hug, stepped back and gave Cinder a crisp salute, which she returned, before he stepped back beside LT Mel.
Laura the Cocker Spaniel came forward last and sat down in front of Marshall. Her voice cracked as she started to speak but she cleared her throat before starting again, soft and shaky but still clear. "Marshall, I thought I was going to die yesterday. I remember looking up and seeing debris falling, frantically trying to get my muscles to move but nothing happening, becoming panicked until I felt your paws literally rip me out of the jaws of death. Words and actions can't express how grateful I am but they will have to do. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you." Laura gingerly moved closer before throwing herself at Marshall. The smaller Cocker Spaniel let all of her anxiety and stress out as tears as she cried into Marshall's chest. Marshall in turn gently hugged her and rubbed her back with his paw until she could compose herself again. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Laura looked up at Marshall with gratitude in her eyes before giving Cinder a shy smile and returning to sit beside LT Mel.
"Thank you for coming over," Cinder said softly. "Hearing your thanks from you is worth way more to us than any awards ever could be."
"We are just glad we were in the right place at the right time to help you" Marshall gently added.
"Well, we have to get to the station for our shift and I'm sure that you need to rest so we'll get out of your fur." LT Mel said. "If you ever need anything, let us know. We'll be here for you in a flash." Gabriel and Laura nodded their heads vigorously in agreement.
"Thank you, we will," Cinder and Marshall said softly in unison as the three of them walked out. Skipper, Cinder and Marshall walked them to their truck and waved goodbye as they left before walking back inside. Skipper gave both of them a scratch behind the ear before heading back into his office. Cinder and Marshall found an empty beanbag in the lounge and laid down on it.
Even knowing how it would end, I would do it again, Cinder quietly thought to Marshall.
I'm glad you are at peace with it, sis, Marshall gently thought back. The twins snuggled closer together for a well-deserved early afternoon nap. For the first time since the accident, Cinder slept soundly, peacefully and restfully.
(A/N: Special thanks to Bluewolfbat for continuing to allow his OC Snowflake to have a role in these stories and especially for his help with her thoughts and dialogue!)