Chapter Three

Andy looked from the ladder to the ground. It would be so easy to end things right now, Andy thought, a tear falling from her eye which she quickly wiped away. Andy looked over the edge again and sighed. Do I even have anything to live for anymore?

Andy sighed and made her way down the ladder and back to the aid car to help where needed. Which ended up being nowhere since most victims had already been transported or they didn't make it at all. Andy saw the dead bodies scattered along the mat Vic and her set up and then she looked around at what she assumed to be crying loved ones all around and she felt her own eyes tearing up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She blinked the tears away and turned to face who was behind her.

"Herrera, can you start picking up any discarded med gear and any other equipment that belongs to us? Our tanks are out so some other houses are going to take over since the fire has been reduced to one floor."

"Yes, Captain," Andy said and nodded and rushed off.

It had taken the team over an hour to get all the equipment packed up while Vic and Andy stayed behind to help with the medical side of the call. Andy got back to the tarp and when she caught Vic's eye, she saw the pain in them and looked down to see the damage for herself and gasped. There were over 20 bodies on the tarp and Andy choked up and froze. Her eyes focused on the bodies, there were victims as young as five years old she guessed.

Andy walked over after she got herself to look away, to a young girl who looked to be alone.

"Hey," Andy said softly. The girl sniffled and looked up. "Are you waiting for anyone?" Andy asked and was concerned when the young girl broke down into sobs and Andy pulled her into her arms. "Shhh. Shhh. It'll be okay."

The girl continued to sob, staying in Andy's arms. Andy just held her, not caring about how long she had been holding her. She recalled telling Vic she could go back to the station, and she'd meet her back at the station while still holding onto the girl. It took some more time for her to calm down enough to talk but Andy let her take her time, knowing how grief can overwhelm you.

"My parents were in the building. I was outside with a friend when I saw the smoke and called 911." Andy held the girl tighter. "I wanted to go back in to try to look for them but I couldn't see anything in front of me with the smoke in the halls so I thought it'd be best if I waited outside for them to come out." The girl let out another sob. "But they never did." Andy squeezed the girl, trying to give her comfort.

"I am so sorry, Hun." Andy started. "I know how much losing a parent in a fire sucks."

The girl looked at Andy, "I'm Claire." Claire told Andy, wiping away the tears off her cheeks.

"Do you have any family to come and pick you up?" Andy asked, releasing the girl.

Andy watched Claire nod. "The police called my grandma and my grandma called my aunt." Claire saw Andy frown. "No no. it's not like that. My grandma is getting old and she isn't as close to me as I am to my aunt." Andy relaxed. "I love my aunt," Claire swallowed, tears filling her eyes again, "But I'm going to miss my parents so much."

Andy pulled the girl into her arms again. 10 minutes later she ended up releasing her when she saw a cop waving towards her, pointing to the woman next to her. "Claire, I've got to get going. But it's going to be okay, alright? Feel free to call if you ever need anything or just want to talk." Claire nodded and took the card Andy was holding out before walking over to the police officer who was waving her over with Claire's aunt.

Andy stood still for a few seconds before pulling her phone out of her turnout pocket. She checked the time and was surprised to see that it was already 3 pm. She sighed and looked around to see if any of SFD was around and was glad to see that an aid car was still there. Andy walked over and asked if she could hitch a ride with them. They had a patient with them so Andy helped with them and when she got to Grey-Sloan she told the paramedics she would be fine walking back to the station. They just nodded and Andy turned to walk out of the hospital.

Andy looked around, she saw multiple victims from the fire and nearly ran out of the hospital. When she got out and into the fresh air she breathed a sigh of relief. She started walking to the station, shedding her jacket since she was starting to get hot. She pulled out her phone and saw she had a new text from Maya.

Are you planning on coming back to the station anytime soon? Andy rolled her eyes.

10 minutes away. I'll explain why I took so long when I get back to the station. Andy sent back.

Andy put her phone back in her pocket and continued to walk. She could feel herself getting tired but pushed herself to keep going, knowing that she needed to get back to work. It was 5 minutes later when the station came into view. Andy stopped walking. Come on, Andy. You can do this. Just be brave. Just be strong. Just get through this shift and then you'll have the next two days off. Andy thought. Andy sighed and continued to walk.

Andy walked through the station's front doors straight into Maya's office after knocking. Andy heard a faint Come in and opened the door.

"Ah, Herrera," Maya said and stood up. "What was so important that you took hours to come back to the station?" Maya asked, crossing her arms, and glaring at her old friend.

"There was a teenage girl at the scene. She was alone and looked broken up. I asked her what was wrong and talked to her some. I just wanted to stay with her until I knew she was safe." Andy told her, not needing to get into the details with Maya.

"Well, next time leave it to the cops," Maya told her and sat back down. "Now get back to work. Hughes is working on re-stocking the air car. I'm sure she could use some help."

Andy wanted to fight her. She wanted to tell her that it was just a firefighter's job to help calm and soothe victims as much as it was for the police but Andy just nodded and walked out of the room.

Vic was in the back of the aid car when she saw Andy, still in her turnout gear. "Herrera?" Vic called out and when Andy turned Vic's breath got caught in her throat when she took in the tired expression on Andy's face. "Are you okay? You were gone for a while."

Andy looked down and then back up. "There was a teenage girl who had just lost her parents." Vic looked at her sympathetically. "She was the one who called 911," Andy told her. "I just stayed and talked and comforted with her until I knew she was safe with a family member."

Vic looked at her, there was something else. "What else is there?"

"Our trusty captain didn't seem to give a fuck that I was there helping someone through the most traumatizing experience of her life," Andy said and ended up throwing her helmet against the wall. "I'm so fucking sick of this shit, Vic. I'm so sick of it!" Andy cried.

Vic looked around and was glad everyone had been in the beanery. She quickly pulled Andy into the aid car. Andy had her head down but Vic lifted her head. "Andy, are you okay?" Vic asked, looking into her eyes and when she saw her eyes tear up, she pulled her into her arms again and Andy just broke down. "Shh. Andy, shh, it's going to be okay." Vic ran a hand up and down Andy's back.

"I miss my dad" Andy sobbed out and Vic felt her own eyes tear up at the thought of their old captain. "I miss Ryan" Andy's body shook from the sobs and she couldn't stop them. The sobs just kept coming and Vic's heart was breaking for the woman she was holding.