When Fires Collide - Chapter 2
The Air Patroller set down in the yard of the fire station. As the ramp dropped, Marshall was bounding toward the building. He immediately ran into the squad bay.
"Where is she?" demanded Marshall.
Axel approached Marshall, "Hey buddy, she's in her office with Skipper. Marshall, this hit her hard, I've never seen anything like it."
"Wha-what happened?" asked Marshall.
Axel briefly explained the call and what they found upon arrival. Then he explained that Cinder had found the child beside the bus and what had happened.
"Oh, Cinder," whimpered Marshall, "She always had a heart for kids."
Everest had caught up, as had Ryder. "Come on Marshall, Let's go see her," Everest said.
Ashley was waiting outside the office. "Hey guys, Thanks for coming so fast. I must say Ryder, that was an impressive response." She explained that Cinder had broken down and hadn't spoken since the scene. "She's in shock, we all are. I have a department debriefing team coming in but I think she needs you more than a simple debrief will accomplish."
Marshall took a deep breath and opened the door. Cinder was laying on her bed facing the wall. Skipper was sitting nearby, he nodded to Marshall. Marshall walked over, he didn't say anything, he simply jumped up on the bed and spooned in behind her, wrapping all four of his paws around her. She took a deep breath and began crying softly.
"I'll leave this to you Marshall," said Skipper standing and walking to the door. "If you need anything we're here."
Marshall didn't say anything; he just held Cinder and allowed her to cry.
Everest had remained in the hall with Ashley. Skipper joined them.
"So what happens now?" asked Everest.
"Well she was scheduled to be off this evening anyway," said Skipper. "You can stay here or take her back to her apartment. Whatever Marshall thinks is best. Other than that, she's off until she is ready. It won't be a problem. I'm not sure about the rest of the crew. It was a pretty bad call all around."
"Well, I'll give them a while," said Everest, "Then I'll go in and see if I can get Marshall to tell me what he thinks we should do."
"I'm going to go check on everyone else," said Ashley. "I'm not sure if they're more upset about the call or about how much it has hurt Cinder." Skipper nodded in agreement and Ashley walked out into the bay.
"I'm sorry to see you again in such conditions," said Skipper to Everest and Ryder. "Ashley said you called almost the second Cinder broke down."
"Marshall collapsed and began crying for Cinder," said Everest. "When Cinder didn't answer her phone, I called Ashley."
"Those two are amazing," said Skipper, "I don't know what she had planned but Cinder was excited about this weekend."
"How long is she off for?" asked Everest.
"She was scheduled until Monday morning," said Skipper, "But after that we'll call it a vacation until she's ready. We'll figure it out. No matter what, we are here for her and anything you or Marshall need."
"Thank you," Everest replied softly.
Everest finally walked into the office. She saw the twins laying on Cinder's bed. She didn't say anything. She just curled upon the floor and watched.
Ryder exchanged information with Skipper and told him he could be back in a moment's notice if needed. With a heavy heart, Ryder walked back out to the Air Patroller and returned to Adventure Bay.
Cinder had cried herself to sleep but Marshall still held her close.
"Marshall?" asked Everest softly, "Do you want to stay here or do you want to take her back to her apartment."
Marshall, lifted his head, "Hmm?"
Everest explained what Skipper had said.
"We need to let her sleep for a little bit," said Marshall, "Then I think getting her away from here for a while might be best." On that note, they curled back up with Cinder and rested for several hours.
Cinder was still asleep when Marshall scooped her onto his back and carried her out to Skipper's awaiting SUV. Skipper drove them to Cinder's apartment and Marshall carried her into her bedroom. Everest walked into the kitchen and took inventory of the supplies. Skipper offered to take her to the store to get some supplies but informed her that the department would drop off food for the next few days.
That evening neither Cinder nor Marshall felt like eating anything. Everest insisted that Cinder at least drink some water. That night Marshall and Everest sandwiched Cinder between them and held her as she slept.
Early the next morning Marshall stepped out to use the tree. He was lost in thought as he watched the sunrise over the city. Suddenly, his pup tag rang. Out of habit, he pressed it thinking it would probably be Ryder or Chase checking in. Smudge popped up.
"Good Morning Marshall," said Smudge, "I hope I'm not calling too early. I can never convert the time very well."
"Oh, hey Smudge," said Marshall, "What's up?"
"I, uh, um…" stuttered Smudge.
"Are you calling about Cinder?" asked Marshall, wondering how he had found out.
"Well actually I am," said Smudge, "Did she say something? Did I scare her off?"
"I don't think so," said Marshall, realizing that Smudge didn't know what had happened. "Uh, why are you calling, did you call about something in particular?"
"Sorry, I know I shouldn't involve you," said Smudge.
"Ok, what are you talking about?" asked Marshall.
"Why do I feel we are having two separate conversations," said Smudge with a laugh. "Marshall, she said she would call me yesterday on her day off. We were going to talk about, um, us."
"Oh, I, um…" stammered Marshall.
"Marshall, has something happened," asked Smudge. "Is she ok?" obviously becoming concerned.
"Look, I don't know if I should say anything yet," said Marshall.
"What is it Marshall?" asked Smudge, anxiety building in his voice. "Is she ok or not?"
Marshall took a deep breath, "Smudge, she had a really bad call. She worked a mass casualty. One of the victims was a 5 year old girl that watched her parents die in a fire. It caused her to have an OSI."
"Are you with her now?" asked Smudge, his voice showing his concern.
"Yes," said Marshall. "Ryder flew us here in the Air Patroller. Smudge maybe if you call, she'll talk to you. She still hasn't spoken to anyone else since she finished handling the incident."
Smudge thought for a moment. "Give me an hour, let me try to figure something out." He hung up.
'Uh, ok' Marshall thought, 'is he going to call or not?'
He walked back toward the apartment. Rain was walking up carrying a bag.
"Good morning Marshall," said Rain, "How's she doing?"
"Mostly the same," said Marshall, "are you coming by to say hi? I don't know if she has woken up yet."
"If she's awake I'll say hi," said Rain, "I just wanted to drop off these cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Axel and Ashley said they were bringing lunch already."
"Skipper said they would figure the food out," said Marshall. "Thanks, come on in."
Marshall walked in the bedroom, Cinder was still asleep. Everest was laying next to her, waiting on Marshall.
"Rain is outside," said Marshall, "she brought some breakfast. I'll stay with her if you need to step outside."
Everest walked into the livingroom and found Rain unpacking the cinnamon rolls, paper plates and disposable utensils.
"I thought this would be easier," said Rain, "This way you don't have to worry about dishes."
"Thank you so much," said Everest. "Cinder is very lucky to have all of you."
"I wish I had what she and Marshall have," said Rain, "I never knew any of my siblings. We're really tight at the station and love her especially, but we'll never be as close as they are to each other."
"I don't think anyone will ever have what they do," agreed Everest. "Cinder is still asleep. Did you want to wait around?"
"No," said Rain, "I'm on my way to the station. I called and told them I was stopping by before coming to shift this morning. If anyone needs anything, call the station. Someone will take care of it."
"Thank you," said Everest.
Rain turned and left. Everest heard Marshall's tag alert. She went to relieve him so he could take the call.
Marshall walked into the living room and answered his tag. Smudge popped up again.
"Marshall, I called in a favor. I should be able to be there by this evening, your time," Smudge explained. "I just really want to be there for her."
Tears welled up in Marshall's eyes. "She may not admit it at first but she'll be happy to have you here. Thank you."
"I'll be there as fast as I can," said Smudge.