Chet lay on his bed in the dorm, listening as everyone else fell back asleep after the late-night fire call. Most of the time he had no trouble falling asleep, but tonight his mind just wouldn't shut down.

He tossed the covers aside with a sigh and made his way into the day room. With any luck there would be some creature feature on, and he'd be able to watch it without anyone giving him a hard time about it.

The light was on, and Chet thought that perhaps someone had simply forgotten to shut it off. He thought he smelled something, too. It was vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

Chamomile tea, that's what it was. Adam kept it around for his own restless nights, and often offered it up on those especially bad nights when no one could get back to sleep.

What the hell, it couldn't hurt. Chet found the tea bags and picked up the kettle to fill it. It was oddly warm, and still full of water.

"It's probably still warm enough for tea." A voice came from the couch, startling him. "I just made some."

Chet let out a huff before turning around. "Jesus, Sam. You scared the hell out of me. What are you doing out here?"

"Same reason you are." Sam shifted on the couch to face him, her feet tucked under her. "Couldn't wind down. Figured some tea and reading might do the trick."

Chet grabbed a mug from the cabinet and dropped in a tea bag before filling it with water. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting." Sam replied calmly.

Chet picked up his mug and crossed over to the TV. "Thought I'd see what movie was on, if you don't mind."

Sam smiled at that. "At this time of night? Probably one of those old monster movies."

Chet couldn't help chuckling as he turned on the TV. "Not a fan?"

"Oh, quite the opposite." Sam answered. "I used to watch them with my dad every Saturday afternoon. Drove my mom crazy. She hates them."

Chet flipped the dial until he found what looked like one of the Gamera movies and settled in on the couch next to Sam. "I used to tag along with my brothers to see these in the theaters. No better way to spend an afternoon."

"That sounds like fun." Sam sounded a little wistful.

"There's a theater near me that still does these double features once in a while." Chet told her. "Not always monster movies. Sometimes it's Roger Corman movies."

Sam wrinkled her nose. "So bad they're good."

"See, you get it." Chet replied. "The rest of the guys, they give me grief for these movies. Except Mike. He doesn't seem to mind. At least, he doesn't say anything."

"Do you always talk through movies?" Sam asked.

Chet felt his face heat up, a little embarrassed that he'd let himself ramble again. "Sorry." He muttered.

They both fell silent, and Chet let himself get completely absorbed in the movie, an idea forming at the back of his mind. If he remembered correctly, that theater near him was having a 'creature feature' day soon. He just had to figure out a way to invite Sam without making it sound like a date.

There was nothing wrong with just being friends, was there? No, of course not.

Still, Chet couldn't help hoping that maybe something more could come out of this. Maybe after Sam was done with her rotation and got assigned to a new station, she would be more willing to consider the idea.

Unless she just wasn't into him at all. That was definitely a possibility. And if that was the case…

He was startled out of his thoughts by something warm and wet hitting his arm and a muttered curse. Chet turned slightly to see Sam scowling as she held her now empty mug in one hand and her book in the other.

"Sorry about that." Sam told him with a sigh. "I must have dropped off."

Chet couldn't help letting out a short laugh. "It's okay. I've been hit with worse."

Before Chet could move, Sam was already up and returning with a roll of paper towels, handing Chet a couple before wiping down the couch. "Good thing it's not cloth, I guess." Sam commented.

"Even if it was, it wouldn't have been the end of the world." Chet told her. "Pretty sure someone found it in a dumpster and dragged it in here to begin with."

Sam managed a smile at that, and even if it wasn't a true story, as long as it made Sam feel better, that was good enough for Chet.

"I suppose I should go lay down for a while." Sam finally told him.

Now was his chance. "Hey, before you do…if there is one of these playing this weekend, do you want to go with me? Not as a date. Just…you know…"

Sam regarded him skeptically. "As two people who happen to share a mutual interest?"

Chet let out a sigh, relaxing a little. "Yes, that."

Sam seemed to think it over before nodding. "I don't see why not. But not as a date."

"Right, exactly." Chet replied quickly. "Definitely not as a date."

Sam smiled a little more broadly. "I'm glad we understand each other. Good night."

"Good night."

Chet waited until Sam left the day room before letting out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That had worked out better than he had hoped, and now he had something else to look forward to.

And if by some miracle it turned into something more eventually, all the better.

# # #

Sam pulled into a parking structure near the theater, shutting off the truck and taking a deep breath.

This wasn't a date. She and Chet had already agreed to that.

So why was she such a bundle of nerves?

She let out the breath in a sharp huff and climbed down from the truck, making her way over to the theater. Chet was waiting out front, waving when he spotted her. "Almost thought you stood me up." He commented casually, that little smile of his creating crinkles around his eyes.

Sam felt her face warm a little. "Sorry. Had trouble finding parking."

"It's a pain." Chet agreed. "That's the nice thing about only being a few blocks away. Makes for a short walk."

They approached the ticket window, both of them pulling out their wallets and stopping to look at each other.

"I'll pay for my own." Sam told him. "It's not a date, remember?"

Chet frowned ever so briefly before his expression brightened again. "I'll make you a deal. You buy tickets, I'll buy the popcorn."

"Throw in a box of Good-n-Plenty and you have yourself a deal."

Chet made a face. "You're on your own for the Good-n-Plenty."

Sam couldn't help laughing at him. "Fine. We have a deal."

They got their tickets and went inside, stopping at the concession counter. "Do you want to split a popcorn?" Chet asked. "They're huge."

"Sure." Sam replied before turning to the young woman behind the concession stand. "And a pack of Good-n-Plenty."

She was preparing to pull her wallet out when she spotted Chet gesturing. "Add it to the pile. A deal's a deal."

Chet paid the young woman, and the two of them started into the theater. As they did so, Sam thought she saw someone familiar. A short distance away was a tall, redheaded man gesturing expansively as he spoke to a slightly taller dark-skinned man.

Sam nudged Chet. "Is that Adam?"

Chet turned, looking slightly baffled. "Sure is. And that's Isaac with him. They're…you know, together."

"Oh…ohh." It took a moment for the realization to dawn on Sam. "I guess I didn't know he was…"

"Yeah, it's not a big deal anymore." Chet replied as they entered the theater and found seats. "We're used to it now. Well, most of us. Mike and Marco are still a little weird about it, but they don't say anything."

"And obviously Johnny doesn't have a problem with it."

"Nope, never has." Chet laughed a little in response. "Matter of fact, he was ready to bust some heads if any of us gave Adam grief about it. Not that we would have. We're all a bunch of misfits in our own way. Adam fit right in."

"Other stations could learn a lot from you guys." Sam told him.

Chet merely shrugged. "We're not perfect. But when you're a small station like us, you've got to be able to count on each other. It's us against the world."

Sam took a small handful of popcorn as the lights went down in the theater. It would be nice if she could stay at Fifty-One once her probation was up, but she knew that was unlikely.

As usual, she'd just have to get tough and play with whatever cards she was dealt.

The conversation was soon forgotten in favor of the action unfolding on the screen. Sam had seen this one many times with her father, but never on the big screen. It was an entirely different experience, sharing the groans and laughter with the small crowd.

Before she knew it, the lights came up, and she found herself reaching into the popcorn bucket at the same time as Chet, their fingers brushing against each other.

Chet quickly pulled back. "Go ahead and take the rest. I'll get some more for the second feature. Do you want another drink?"

Sam could feel that warmth rising again. "Sure. Thanks."

Chet disappeared, leaving Sam alone with her thoughts. They were soon interrupted when a shadow crossed in front of her.

She looked up to see Adam standing in the next row, looking pleased with himself. "Sam, what a pleasant surprise. I thought that was you. Where'd Chet take off to?"

Sam was a little unnerved. "He went to get more popcorn."

"I see." Adam nodded before turning slightly. "Isaac, this is Sam Winters, the probie I was telling you about. Sam, this is Isaac. He's a physical therapist at Rampart. That's how we met."

Isaac cleared his throat. "She doesn't need to know all the details." He responded in a rich, resonant voice, holding out a hand to Sam. "Sam, it's a pleasure to meet you. Adam's told me a lot about you. Chet's not giving you too much trouble, I assume?"

Sam took in a deep breath, glancing at Adam briefly before returning to Isaac. "Not at all. We're just here as friends."

"I told you." Isaac told Adam.

Adam looked a bit affronted, letting out a short huff. "I just know how Chet can be. Don't let him push you into anything."

"Adam, what the hell are you doing here?" Chet had returned, settling back into his seat.

"Isaac loves these things." Adam answered. "And I was checking up on Sam. You know, making sure you're treating her right."

Chet threw Adam a sharp look. "We're just two people who happen to have mutual interests. That's all."

"Let's make sure you keep it that way." Adam responded firmly. "You two enjoy your…non-date."

"Bye, Adam." Chet answered with equal firmness. "And it was nice to see you, Isaac."

Isaac nodded and smiled ever so slightly as he guided Adam out of the theater. "Good to see you too, Chet."

Once they were gone, Chet let out a short huff. "Just so you know, my intentions are entirely honorable."

"I know that." Sam answered. "Now, how about sharing some of that popcorn?"

Chet shook some of the popcorn into Sam's bucket, and they soon settled in for the second feature. It was nearly as hilariously awful as the first, much to Sam's delight, and apparently Chet's.

All too soon it was over, and the two of them made their way out of the theater and into the late afternoon sun. Sam blinked hard as her eyes adjusted and noticed that Chet was having the same problem.

"Wow, it's a little bright out here." Chet commented. "So, hey, my place isn't far. I was just going to heat up some leftovers for dinner if you want some."

"Depends on what you made." Sam answered lightly.

Chet shrugged. "Just some spaghetti. You know, like the one Mike makes."

"That…sounds good, actually." Sam replied.

Chet beamed. "Great, let's go. It's kind of a tough neighborhood, but if you stick close, you should be fine."

Sam walked side-by-side with Chet into a neighborhood full of slightly shabby houses. Kids were playing out in the street, yelling at each other, and a few of the neighbors that were out on their porches waved at Chet as they passed by.

It didn't seem so bad to Sam, but she knew her parents would flip if they knew where she was. The neighborhood was a far cry from the quiet suburban neighborhood she had grown up in.

Chet led her up to a second story apartment and unlocked the door. At first glance, it looked very much like a typical bachelor's apartment. There were old movie posters on the walls of the living room and a large stereo occupying one corner. Something resembling a file cabinet took up space next to the stereo.

"You can pick a record to put on if you want." Chet told her. "I'm going to start heating up the spaghetti."

"I don't know where to start."

Chet crossed over to the stereo and pulled open the cabinet. "There you go. Like browsing at a record store."

Sam started flipping through all the albums. There was a lot she didn't recognize, but there was one she did. She pulled it out and set it on the turntable, carefully placing the needle on the first track, and soon the sounds of strumming guitar filled the room.

Chet stuck his head out of the kitchen. "Harry Chapin. Good choice."

"It was the first one I recognized." Sam admitted. "My parents are big fans."

Chet smiled at that. "Your parents have excellent taste. And they obviously passed it on to you."

"I don't know about that." Sam responded with a short laugh. "I mostly listen to whatever's on the radio. My parents were a little strict about what I could listen to when I was a kid. No Rolling Stones, no Led Zeppelin, that kind of thing."

"I guess my mom didn't have to worry much about that." Chet responded. "I was never much into that stuff. I've always been kind of a folkie."

Sam leaned against the doorjamb as Chet stirred the pot on the stove. "I suppose you're not much into what's on the radio now."

"Nope." Chet answered. "Turned it off as soon as disco got big and never went back."

"You're missing out."

Chet turned, letting out a short chuckle. "I'll take your word for it."

The record was ready to turn over about the time the spaghetti was ready, so Sam returned to the living room to turn the record over while Chet finished up. He soon met Sam with a large bowl. "Sorry, I don't have a dining room table."

"The couch will be fine." Sam answered. "I'll try not to ruin it."

"You can't ruin this one." Chet responded as they sat down. "This thing's been handed down through at least three of us. I think my mom bought it brand new twenty years ago."

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Two older sisters, a younger brother, and a younger sister." Chet told her.

"And your mom raised you all by herself?"

"Mostly." Chet responded. "My dad died not long after my younger sister was born. He was a firefighter, too. But, you know, his crew mates always made sure we were taken care of. Good bunch of guys. Probably why I'm a firefighter today."

"That's…incredible." Sam replied softly. "What did your mom think of you being a firefighter?"

"Oh, she cried." Chet managed a slight smile. "Begged me not to do it. But take a guess who cheered the loudest the day I graduated from the academy?"

"I think I can guess."

"If you're thinking my mom, you're right." Chet nodded. "So, what about you? What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"

"I did it on a dare." Sam told him. "I was dating a firefighter and he bet me I couldn't make it through the academy. I had to prove him wrong, and he was so pissed when I did that he dumped me."
Chet's eyebrows shot straight up into his hairline. "No wonder you don't want to date anyone you work with. I don't blame you."

"It's not just that." Sam explained. "It's just a bad idea, you know, dating someone you work with. If things don't work out…"

"Yeah, I can see it getting ugly." Chet broke in. "Do you want some more?"

"Oof, no." Sam replied. "Between the popcorn and the spaghetti, I'm stuffed."

"Don't forget those Good-n-Plentys." Chet responded as he took their bowls to the kitchen.

"Right, those too." Sam followed close behind. "I can help clean up if you want."

Chet shook his head. "No need. I'll take care of it later. We should probably get you back over to wherever you're parked before it gets too dark."

Sam was surprised at how quickly the day had passed. "Yes, I suppose so."

Chet crossed over to the stereo, gently moving the arm back into its resting position and placing the record back in its sleeve. "Maybe one of these days we could find some live music. You know, expand your knowledge a little."

Sam couldn't help smiling at that. "I think I'd like that."

Chet seemed extraordinarily pleased at the idea as he opened the door. "After you."

They started the short walk back to the parking structure as the sun dipped low in the sky, twilight taking over as Sam found her truck.

This wasn't a date. So why was Sam's heart suddenly pounding?

Chet seemed more than a little nervous himself. "I, uh, had a great time with you today."

Sam took a deep breath. Her determination to keep Chet at arm's length was starting to crumble just a little. "I did, too."

Chet stepped a little closer, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand. "And if you, you know, want to get together again…just let me know."

He quickly leaned in and lightly kissed her cheek, squeezing her hand as he pulled away. "See you at the station, Sam."

"Bye, Chet."

With that, Chet was gone, and Sam was stunned at what had transpired. She knew she should shut this down and keep her distance. She should tell Chet to back off.

Once again, Sam wasn't so sure she wanted him to.