"Alright, on my count." Dr. Shepherd started. "One! Two! Three!" They transferred Travis onto the gurney as the stretcher was wheeled out.
"There was an explosion, fire jumped floors through the cladding, he was by the window, that's how the glass got there…" Vic told Catherine despite the nervousness in her tone.
"Alright, I need a portable chest X-ray! Let's get a trauma series, and a blood gas, stat! Somebody page the Chief down here!" Dr. Shepherd ordered. "Hey, he has to make it out. I promised him…" Vic told Catherine.
"Doss, were you in the room with him after the explosion or what?" Catherine asked as she started cutting off the taping from Travis's chest. "N- No, I got him out. My colleague was with him…" Vic answered.
Catherine looked back. "Is that his blood on your face?" She asked. Vic wiped it off a bit and noticed it was. "It's his…"
Catherine opened up the cotton packing, revealing the massive amount of smeared blood along with the sharp piece of glass. "Oh… Uh, ok, Doss, why don't you get cleaned up? This will take a minute but we got him. Okay?"
The cardiac monitor started beeping rapidly.
"BP's bottoming out! Scratch the X-ray, page Dr. Deegan and Hyerdhal, and get them to meet us in the OR!"
As they started to wheel away Travis to the operating room…
Molly's mother was with Murray in an upstairs waiting room. "They said that they're working on her… So that's good, right? I mean that they're working, as opposed to doing nothing. So, that's good… Thank you again. You're the reason I got to see her again…" She smiled at Murray. He smiled back despite his situation. "You do think I'll get to see Molly again, right?" She asked.
Murray hesitated to answer. "… I hope so." He soon got up as Vic came over.
Vic sighed. "He's in surgery if you're wondering… He almost bled out before I found him…"
Murray exhaled through his nose. "Look… Watkins and I were with him, but we came across another victim and he told us to save her instead…" He paused for a moment. Molly's mother decided to sit away from the two. "… You want to be mad at us, fine. But ask Montgomery when he wakes up. He told us to leave him there-" Vic interrupted.
"If he wakes up…" She said. "Vic…" Murray tried to explain, but Vic continued. "No, no, don't start with me! Okay? Travis is in surgery, okay? Who the hell knows where McShay, Alexander, or all of Squad are? You have- you have no idea how much these people mean to me- how much Montgomery means to me… So don't with your excuses, not when it's my friends who might not make it out alive. You're a veteran, and simply left Montgomery to bleed out. So don't with your excuses! Just don't!" Vic soon walked off while Murray stood there with nothing left to say.
Back At The Skyscraper
As PASS Alarms kept blaring… "Guys! Help me move this damn thing!" Spinelli exclaimed. Alexander and McShay came over to help move a metal shelf.
"You think if we follow this vent line, it'll lead us to Squad?" Donovan asked. "If we're lucky!" Michelle answered as everything blurred out.
Flashback Ten Years Ago
During his probationary year, Arnold always had a pair of his old game-worn cleats from his high school championship game-winning play. Specifically, the cleats that got him the highlight would be shown worldwide.
"Why do you keep those in your locker?" Spinelli asked with a towel over her neck. Arnold shrugged. "A simple reminder of what got me here, reminding me why I'm better, a reminder of my hard work. A reminder of why I'm tougher than everyone I went against." Arnold shut his locker.
Spinelli rolled her eyes. "Ew… Geez, I can't believe I got transferred here… I struck fear in everyone at 16, now I'm stuck with the same guy from the Academy. Stuck up as ever… Can't believe I have to be working with you, let alone be next to you… " She complained as she opened her locker while Arnold rolled his eyes and walked away.
Present Day…
"What are you doing?" Donovan asked Spinelli as she took off her air mask. "Shut up!" Spinelli heard the PASS Alarm somewhat muffled.
Michelle and Donovan only stood around for a moment while Spinelli was looking around. "Hey… It- It's coming from here! Help me lift this!" The two came over.
"One! Two! Three!" Michelle counted. The three lifted the heavy metal shelf from debris. And right after lifting off the shelf, the PASS alarms were as loud as ever. A boot was also sticking out.
"ARNOLD!" Spinelli yelled as she found him unconscious with blood on the side of his forehead while his alarm blared. Cruz and McCaffery were also under the debris.
While Spinelli tugged on his SCBA straps, Donovan pulled Cruz from underneath and Michelle dragged Russell out by his arms.
After dragging the three out, more PASS Alarms kept blaring.
"Don! Keep checking the area! McShay and I will handle this!" Spinelli told him while breathing heavily. Spinelli touched Arnold's neck, praying for a pulse. "… PULSE! OK! Where's my damn mask!?" She yanked her airmask line and immediately put her airmask on Arnold's face. Michelle was doing the same for Russell and Cruz.
Donovan lifted off another shelf, revealing another unconscious body. "I found another one!" He yelled.
After he yelled, Arnold and Russell woke up while Cruz was still getting air.
"… Spinelli?…" Arnold soon saw her face despite her helmet light flashing his face. She held back her tears while holding his head. "I told you to go… Why are you up here?…" Arnold asked.
"I rarely listen to you…" Spinelli caressed his cheek.
"AH- OW!…" Cruz felt a sharp pain in his ribs once he woke up. "It's alright, it's alright, Cruz…" Michelle took a deep breath as she sat back while breathing heavily.
More footsteps came along. The rest of Squad finally came around.
"Guys?! Wh- What-" Pep tried to speak, but Michelle immediately gave them orders. "Squad… We still have more of our own to find… Don found someone else… over there…" Michelle was just about out of breath.
"Got it!"
"On it!"
"Copy!"
As Squad went over to where Donovan was to keep looking for Truck and Engine, Arnold looked at Spinelli and finally smiled.
"Thanks for finding us…" Arnold smiled. Spinelli sniffled while holding his head. "Don't make me do it again…"
"Found Johanssen!" Dean shouted.
"I think I got Tommy over here!" Suarez shouted.
Michelle stood up and rubbed Spinelli's back. "We found them… It's over… We did it…" Spinelli smiled at Michelle, and then back at Arnold.
Spinelli hunched over and nuzzled against Arnold lazily. "Thank God…" Spinelli whispered while cupping Arnold's face. She gave a small kiss on his nose as she sighed in relief.
Minutes Later
"Building's clear! Squad 6, Truck 17, assist Squad 55 in a RIT rescue! Truck and Engine 55 are still up there!" A Chief yelled over the radio in the background.
"Truck 43, join 17 and 6!"
"Captain 43 to command, we copy and we're on our way!"
"Truck 17 to command, we copy!"
"Squad 6 ready! Over!"
As firefighters strapped on their SCBAs to head inside, other firefighters were helping victims to triage. A stretcher was loaded into Ambulance 25. Slapping the rear twice, sirens wailed as it started driving away. More sirens wailed in the distance.
"… Deep breath." Spinelli told Arnold, listening to his lungs with a stethoscope while he was breathing from an oxygen mask. "Another…"
"Look, you've already listened to my lungs-" Spinelli shoved the mask on his face. "Keep it on." She kept listening. "Baby, I promise I'm fine, I'm more concerned for Russ and Cruz."
Spinelli rolled her eyes. "You don't know that, I'm the one listening. Besides, McCaffery and Cruz are already headed to Med. Alright? So shut up for me, and let me listen to your lungs. 'Kay?" She shoved the oxygen mask against his face while smiling. Spinelli decided to kiss Arnold's forehead before continuing.
"Dispatch to Engine 17…" Radio chatter went on in the background.
Spinelli raised an eyebrow at Arnold. "You're looking at me weird…" Arnold cleared his throat. "Sorry…" He looked down at her steel-toe boots.
"So you know you're looking at me weird?" Spinelli asked him while looking at his face.
Arnold sighed as he took off the oxygen mask. "Honestly… Yeah… When we were in the vent, we couldn't move at all… and with how hot it was, it felt like we were getting cooked alive, not just that, I almost had no idea Truck and Engine were there… And to be honest I don't even know how they got there. And the last thing I was remembering was you. But honestly, I remembered you wrong, somewhat… But one thing that made me remember you was that ring…" He looked at her ring finger. Spinelli finally smiled and leaned over for a kiss.
"I love you. And I'm more than glad you're alright." They smiled at each other.
Background Music: Human - Natalie Major
Donovan came over after sighing. "Lieutenant, I was over at Engine and I saw that your phone was going off…" He told Spinelli and handed her phone over. He then saw Arnold. "Dog, you look terrible."
"Gee, thanks…" Arnold replied. Donovan only patted his knee twice as he walked off. Spinelli soon called the first number she saw, which was her mother. "Hey, Mom. Sorry, but I was just extremely busy. What's up with you?"
At MedStar
"You know, Molly never knew what she wanted to be when she grew up." Molly's mother started. "You know, how most kids think they know. A dancer, a firefighter, a veterinarian. But Molly never knew… All she would say is that she wanted to help people. So, if she doesn't make it out… she got a lot of people out of the building… She helped, didn't she?…" She started tearing up. Murray nodded in agreement. "Yeah. She did…"
Murray looked down for a moment before she started to ask him, "What about you? Did you always know you wanted to be a firefighter?"
Murray softly chuckled. "To be honest, yeah. Although I started as a paramedic, I soon worked to be a firefighter."
Molly's mother nodded. "Your guy in there… I'm pulling for him." Murray smiled. "I'm pulling for Molly."
Soon, Dr. Shepherd came out. Murray and Vic immediately walked over.
"Dr. Shepherd, just give it to us straight." Murray said.
Catherine sighed. "He's still in surgery, Dr. Deegan was able to remove the piece of glass, but it penetrated the interior wall of his right ventricle. He's on a cardiopulmonary bypass, we performed a primary repair, and Dr. Deegan is currently placing a chest tube."
The two sighed. "I'm not saying it's hopeless, but…" Catherine started, but Murray took over. "So he has a 50/50 chance, in other words? He either makes it off the table with flying colors… Or he won't make it off the table at all…?"
Catherine nodded. "Technically, yes, but I have to get back now…" She walked away back to the OR. She passed by Phoebe, who came by with blood over her surgery gown.
"Denise? Why don't we go somewhere more private?" She called Molly's mother over. Denise gave a confused look. "W- You can just tell me now."
Phoebe came over and crouched. "I… I'm so sorry… But we did everything we could but… Molly's heart stopped during surgery… we were unable to resuscitate her… Molly's injuries were already too severe by the time she got here, and she had lost too much blood… Again, I'm extremely sorry for your loss…" Phoebe explained while touching Denise's knee.
Murray had overheard the news and shook his head in disappointment. Vic came over and touched his shoulder. "Murray…"
"It was never supposed to be like this…" He walked away. "Murray!" Vic followed after him.
Back At The Skyscraper
"Arnold!" Half of Squad came over. "You put us in that elevator and didn't even tell us you had a plan?!" Dean shouted. Arnold shrugged. "I kinda did." He replied. "You're supposed to have our backs, and we're supposed to have your back! But we can't have your back when you send us away like helpless puppies and kittens!" Pep added. "You know, I swear I should punch you right now, but the only reason I'm not punching you right now is 'cause I feel bad. You look rough, you look bad. But the moment you feel better, the moment-" Dean was about to drag on with his exaggeration but Arnold soon interrupted. "Are you finished?"
Dean shook his head. "For now. And screw you!" He walked away. "Thanks for not punching me!" Arnold said.
"YET! NOT YET!" Dean pointed back at him while he walked with Suarez.
Arnold rolled his eyes as he noticed Pep still with him. "What are you still doing here? Are you gonna punch me?" He looked at her with a calm look.
Pep shook her head while her hands were behind her back. "No." Pep immediately slapped him across the face. "But I will once you're better! For now, a slap will do." She cheekily put her hands behind her back and walked away.
Arnold rubbed his cheek. "I guess I deserved that… Guess I'll have to find a way to make it up to them…" He shrugged as he looked at Engine 61.
Back at MedStar, Murray slapped a box of gauze pads off a shelf. Vic soon stopped him.
"Hey!" Murray looked back. Vic sighed. "Look, I… I guess I was a bit harsh before… This hits hard. I never experienced something like this, well, maybe a couple of times but still…"
"Look, I know Travis means a lot to you, but he also means a lot to me too, he means a lot to all of us. Everyone at 55 means a lot to me." Murray explained.
"So um… Do you think Travis is gonna make it?…" Vic asked. Murray sighed.
Meanwhile, in a different hallway, Spinelli arrived at MedStar after her mother explained what happened to Bob.
Flashback Eleven Years Ago
Graduation from the West Hillwood Fire Academy. A special moment for the recruits who worked tirelessly to earn their badge.
For both Arnold and Spinelli, rather than the usual white Lieutenant hats and white undershirts from the present, they wore full black and were about to receive their badge.
"Well, this is it, I guess." Arnold looked at Spinelli. "Where are your parents?"
Spinelli shrugged. "Dunno. I presume that's your mother?" She saw a younger Stella Shortman at Battalion Chief rank.
"How'd you know?" Arnold asked. Spinelli rolled her eyes. "And you still ask? Have you looked in a mirror?"
"Where's my Dad? Where's Phoebe? Isn't she supposed to be with him?!" Spinelli asked after finding Tanner. Her mother couldn't go to the hospital since she was taking care of Andy, but Tanner informed her of the situation.
"Look, Spinelli, Phoebe got called down to the ER. Your Dad called me and told me there was something wrong! By the time I went to find him, he was at the firehouse and unconscious so we had to rush him to the hospital." Tanner led her to the outside of her father's room.
Currently, Bob was intubated and on a ventilator since he was still unconscious.
"How the hell did this happen?!" Spinelli asked. Tanner shrugged with an unsure look. "I'm not really sure…"
Spinelli looked back at Tanner. "When he called you, you were at the skyscraper, right?" He nodded. "Yeah, why?"
As much as Spinelli wanted to grab him by the collar and shove him against the wall, she had to resist. "You son of a bitch… You knew my Dad had something wrong with him and you decided to hide it from me?! I'M HIS DAUGHTER!…" She took a deep breath. "Get away from me… Get away from me or so help me… I don't even know why I'm talking to you! OUT! NOW!" Spinelli yelled. Tanner only walked away as Spinelli looked back at her father.
One Month Later…
Remember that sunny morning? Well, we're right back where we started… Except, the station wasn't abandoned or anything. The trucks were as polished as ever, and the sun was just rising over the firehouse.
Down at the engine bay entrance, Travis was walking up to Michelle and Donovan. "Cap." He smiled. Michelle embraced him in a deep hug. "Not too tight, I still have my stitches!" He chuckled. "Sorry!" Michelle chuckled as they let go.
Arnold came up to him. "My bro. Missed you, Montgomery." He smiled as they hugged. All of Firehouse 55 came out to greet Travis back.
"My man!" Warren came over to hug him.
"Montgomery, we missed you." Gibson hugged Travis.
"Great to see you, man." Cruz came over and hugged him.
Spinelli faked a shadow box stance and hugged him as they chuckled. "Oh, it's great to see you back, Trav." She patted his back.
Pep hugged him and rubbed his back. "Guess you know how I felt when I came back from my injury." They both started laughing.
"Oh my goodness, Trav, it's been too long!" Tommy hugged him. "Oh, believe me, I missed the scent of this place." Travis chuckled.
Donovan dapped and hugged him. "My guy, we missed you!" They chuckled. "Oh, my goodness, I miss being here!"
"Are you back back?" Gerald asked. "Almost. Should be within a week." Travis answered as he hugged Russell. He let go and hugged Dean. "But don't worry, you guys will be seeing me very soon." He fist-bumped and dapped the rest of them.
Soon, Stella finally came by. "Morning, 55. It's great to see you all together, I really mean it. But we're far from that night's events. Spinelli, I'm happy to hear your father is doing fine. And Montgomery? It's really great to see you on your feet." Stella smiled.
"Thanks, Chief." Travis smiled back.
"Shift starts now, let's get our day started, people!"
Everyone started heading inside, passing Engine 55 as they started chatting away with one another.
With the events of the skyscraper fire behind them, Firehouse 55 was reunited once again with Travis recovering. Not only that, they were ready to tackle whatever came next. Whether it's a warehouse fire, a skyscraper, or a truck collision, Firehouse 55 will always be ready and be there for one another.
And that concludes another entertaining chapter. I wanted to do this skyscraper event a lot sooner but one and another idea popped up but eh, it's finally finished. Anyways, don't think we're even near the end, we still have a lot more coming up... I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll catch you in the next!