The flames were still spreading but at a slower rate. Two terminals were burning, and many victims were also rescued from the roof, but nobody checked the elevator yet.

"Southside getting hot, Captain."

"Copy that." The Captain of Twenty-Four replied. "What's the status inside, Burr?" She turned around to see one of her crew members.

"Secondary search is all clear. Nobody else was found." He had a water bottle in his hand. "Alright, lose the masks and prepare for a fire attack." *radio static* "Alright, let's lock up the South terminal, nobody goes back there. I want a report on the elevators, make sure they're shut off."

Several Ladder members of their trucks were handing out orders as the flames raged from almost everywhere.

Inside, it was a hot, burning inferno. Visibility was almost zero without ventilation, and the temperatures were high inside. Over seven Ladders were spraying high above the roof, trying to contain the fire, with many firefighters rushing around.

Members of Twenty-Three found some elevators.

"Lieutenant, these weren't shut off."

*radio static* "Chief, we have a major problem!" Luiz started. "Elevators weren't shut as procedures indicate, there must be people inside!"

"What?!" Stella only facepalmed. "The arrogance of people…" She groaned. "I'm sending an additional unit to help you guys out."

Within seconds, a truck horn was heard. Engine 55 and Ladder 55 soon arrived. Engine 55's truck horn was heard as the trucks came to a stop.

"I'm gettin' too old for this shit…" Gibson groaned as he got out of the Ladder unit. "Yeah? Well, maybe your ass should've stayed home." Tommy replied after he got out.

"Captain Presley." Arnold met up with the Captain of Station 24. "Lieutenant Shortman, pleasure to see you again." The young Captain said.

"Where do you need us?" Gerald asked as most of them were strapping on their air tanks. "I want the Ladder unit repositioned over there, I want another aerial attack over there. Engine 55, you're on search and rescue. Shortman, Spinelli, Gibson, and Johanssen, you're joining the search team. The rest of you are on fire attack."

"Yes, sir." Arnold smirked. Presley smirked back. "Alright Twenty-Three, report."

"Lieutenant, I'm reassigning you guys to help at the elevators where Twenty-Three is. They found an elevator that wasn't shut off, and there's a possibility there's more. I'm also sending you in with a couple members from Sixteen." Stella started as a female firefighter approached her. "Pep Clemente. I'm sure some of you know her."

"Indeed…" Arnold looked over her head to toe. "The hell does that mean?" Spinelli looked at him.

"We went to the same Fire Academy, I'm sure you don't remember. I certainly remember him."

Brief Flashback

It was the end of the first week of the Hillwood Fire Academy, Arnold had stayed behind as he was talking with a Lieutenant there.

He was soon outside. He was walking toward his car and bumped into someone.

"Oop. Sorry." The female candidate said. "Oh, I'm extremely sorry-" Arnold then saw her beautiful face. Her black hair, lips smoother than the most expensive pillow money could buy, her perky breasts, and her beautiful smile.

"I'm- I'm deeply sorry for bumping into you. What's your name?" Arnold started. "Pep. Pep Clemente." She smiled as she shook his hand. "Yours?"

"All mine…" Arnold gave a goofy smile and immediately shook his head and blushed. "I MEAN, Arnold. Arnold Shortman."

"Pleasure meeting you, handsome." Pep smirked and made a light purring sound. "Ou, looks like I caught a beauty." Arnold smirked as well.

"Say, I love the way your hair looks! Is it natural? Certainly seems that way."

"Oh, my God… Finally, someone sees that my hair is natural! But yes, my hair is a hundred percent natural. Say, your hair looks rather beautiful and is that your shampoo I smell? Smells… rather lovely!"

"Oh." Pep giggled. "Why thanks." She played with her curly hair. "So, are you free tonight?" Arnold asked.

"Ouuu, I got myself a bold one… Why yes I am… honey." She purred. Arnold smirked. "How about we go out for a few drinks later tonight?"

"Sounds lovely."

"See you tonight… Beautiful."

Pep giggled. "See you as well, handsome."

That Night

"Ah, fuck yeah, sweetie! That's the sweet spot…" Pep moaned as Arnold came inside of her, he thrusted one more time. Arnold briefly sucked on Pep's nipple before kissing.

He then pulled out his limp cock from her.

"I didn't think you'd last…" He panted. "I didn't think your dick would be so freakin' big!" Pep dreamily clenched the bedsheets. "I never thought you would last that long… A whole hour… Ugh, I wish we could keep going! AH!" Pep felt Arnold's fingers around her vagina. "Maybe our fun doesn't have to end." Arnold smirked as he felt her wet vagina.

"Are- Are you getting hard again?" Pep looked under the sheets. "Oh my…" Pep bit her lip. "How about we fuck all night?" She rubbed her hand around his crotch. "I like the way you think." The two started to kiss before noise was heard downstairs.

"You better be here! Arnold, how could you miss our damn date!?" It was Rhonda, Arnold's girlfriend. The two had started dating before he started the Fire Academy.

"Uh oh…"

"You have a girlfriend?"

"Pep, I can explain!" Pep immediately silenced him with a kiss. "I don't care whether she's your girl or whatever, you're my man now!" Pep intensely kissed him. "Look, just stay up here, I'll- I'll deal with this, ok?" Arnold kissed Pep's cheek and got out of bed. He put on some clothes and took deep breaths.

Arnold then heard a kissy noise that Pep made. She was already falling in love with him fast.

Arnold got out of the bedroom and acted as if he had just woken up.

"Sweetheart? Is that you?" He rubbed his eye. "You fucking bastard… How could you ditch me all of a sudden?! We had a date tonight! I even texted you to remind your dumb ass! Tell me your excuse, what is it, hm?" Rhonda was extremely upset with Arnold.

"Rhonda, look, I'm sorry I didn't show up! I forgot to cancel 'cause-"

"'Cause what? Are you fucking another girl behind my back?!"

"What? No! I forgot to cancel our date because I was too tired after the Academy today! I swear! And will you please stop acting as if I'm the sort of asshole to cheat behind one's back and fuck every girl he flirts with? I'm not having sex with anyone! I was honestly tired!"

"Just shut up, will you?! I had a bit of a rough day and I was looking forward to this date, but you go ahead and probably have another woman sucking your dick off and make my day a whole lot worse!"

"What? Rhonda, there's literally nobody in that bedroom, believe me! I was sleeping all by myself, with nobody in there!" Arnold sighed. He then held her hands. "Please, let me make it up to you… Anything you want, I'll get it or do it for you!"

"Money doesn't buy me happiness, you know." She scoffed. "You buy me the happiness I always have."

"Sweetheart, please-" Rhonda then freed her hands. "Just shut your fucking mouth! I hope the woman you're sleeping with sucks your dick until it falls OFF!"

"Rhonda, please! I swear I'm not sleeping with anyone!"

"Well, fine! Have fun by yourself 'cause I don't want to ever see you!" Rhonda turned around and started heading for the door. Arnold found no other way to get her to listen.

Arnold yanked her arm and pulled Rhonda straight into a kiss. At first, she resisted the kiss, but she couldn't help but kiss him back as her hands rubbed around his face.

Arnold then hugged her. "Rhonda, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to ditch you on our date! Please, just give me a chance and I swear I won't ditch on a single date we have for the rest of our lives!" Arnold kissed her cheek. Rhonda sighed. "Oh, who am I to stay mad at you?" She kissed his nose. "Tell you what. Last an hour in bed and we'll see where we go from there. You get a bonus if you go for seconds." She bit her lip and kissed his cheek. Arnold blushed and smiled. "I'll meet you in your bedroom, ok?"

"I'll be waiting for you, sweetheart." Rhonda then clenched Arnold's groin. Arnold then went back to his other bedroom.

Pep was already dressed. "Arnold, I'm- I'm so sorry… I never meant to almost destroy your relationship… I'll see you around…" Pep immediately left. Arnold didn't say a word or do anything. "We'll still work together, right?"

Pep looked back for a moment. "I hope we can be friends someday. See you later." She left for the door without being seen. Arnold shook his head as he went to Rhonda's bedroom.

Arnold soon found Rhonda all naked in her bed, as she awaited her man. Arnold blushed and felt himself getting hard.

"Well, let's see how long you last. Now come over here." She smirked and motioned Arnold over.

The two immediately started to kiss as Rhonda soon took off Arnold's pants, revealing his hardened penis.

"I think we'll both be having fun tonight." Arnold kissed Rhonda's nose. She only giggled.

Present Day

"Arnold, is there something you're not telling me?" Spinelli asked Arnold as they were all headed to Twenty-Three's location. They were using their axes to determine whether the floor was still stable.

"Look, it's something personal, ok? It doesn't matter right now." Arnold rolled his eyes behind his mask. "There they are!" Pep pointed out.

"Guys! These doors are jammed and we can't risk using tools to open them, give us a hand!" Luiz motioned them over.

"Anybody with a crowbar, help out!"

Luiz then touched the elevator doors again, but this time, he felt it hot. "Wait! We can't open them now….! Fire must be swallowing up this shaft, and-"

"And the people inside are probably already gone…" Spinelli interrupted. "We don't have time to sit around and see, we have several more elevators to check. C'mon!" Arnold soon exclaimed.

Everyone followed behind as rotating siren lighting was seen amidst the smoke. Aid Car 55 finally arrived.

Stella approached the ambulance as it soon came to a stop. "Donovan, Michelle, I want you with Ladder 55, Travis, you're with triage until I need you."

"Copy, Chief."

"Aye! Lieutenant, WATCH OUT!" Arnold ran behind Luiz as he was hurrying to a door, where screaming was heard.

The glass on the door ruptured as

flames poured from the entrance.

"Good job, Shortman."

"C'mon! There are people inside!" Luiz exclaimed as he ran off. They followed behind.

"Chief, the fire is getting hotter and hotter, we're barely containing this thing!"

"Copy that, Fifty-Five." The Chief replied. "We're sending in attack units." He then looked over at Stella and called her over. "Shortman, I need you to assign attack units. This shit is getting hotter and hotter and the Ladder companies are doing their best."

"Got it." Stella ran off to find available companies.

"Through here!"

Luiz chopped off the doorknob, which was an alternative exit for the room several people were trapped inside.

"Right this way, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Johanssen, Gibson, escort them out and meet back with us!"

"Got it!"

Gerald and Scott immediately froze. "Guys, didn't you hear them?!"

"We have bigger problems!" Gibson pointed. Everyone looked over.

"Oh, Lord…" Bodies were lying amidst the smoke, and nobody knew whether they were still alive. "Johanssen! Escort these people out and meet back with us!"

"Got it! Alright people, follow me!"

"Let's go!"

"C'mon!"

"SHIT!" Fire flared from a broken wall and near Gerald's face.

"This guy has a pulse but it's threading!" Spinelli checked a security guard who had thick burns. "This guy's barely breathing!" Gibson checked another guard.

"Got a deceased person here! Must've died from smoke inhalation!" Arnold also called out.

Creaking noises were then heard.

"The hell was that…?" Spinelli looked behind her, and up. "Uh oh…"

Wooden and metal ceiling pieces were creaking and bound to fall.

"HELP ME GET THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THE WAY NOW!" She yelled as she started dragging over an unconscious body.

Everyone else started doing the same before the ceiling gave way.

Slowly, the ceiling creaked louder and louder.

"C'mon!"

Luiz was dragging one last person, but the ceiling had other plans.

The creaking noise grew louder and louder by the second, slowly giving way.

"LUIZ, HURRY!" Arnold shouted. "I'M TRYING, BUT THIS GUY IS A LITTLE HEAVIER, HELP ME OUT!" He shouted back. Arnold ran over to help out.

"I'm not… leaving a man behind!" Luiz grunted. "No one gets left behind!" Arnold also grunted as they were dragging a heavier person.

Pieces of wood started falling.

"GUYS! LOOK OUT!" Spinelli yelled as the ceiling gave way.

CRASH

WHOOSH

Fire poured from the hole in the ceiling. Ceiling pieces had fallen and a bunch of smoke covered up all visibility where Arnold and Luiz were.

Another fireball erupted from the hole as firefighters on the Ladders flinched a little.

"ARNOLD?!" Spinelli shouted, but didn't hear an answer. "LUIZ?!" Gibson called out, but also didn't get an answer.