"Pookie, is Arnold alright? He's been in the bathroom for a while now." Flo asked. "I- I think he had some bad orange juice this morning?"
"What the hell were those chemicals doing inside that car, Gerald?!" Arnold was in the bathroom on the phone with Gerald regarding the arson chemicals. "Arnold, just please listen to me! I didn't know they were there, I didn't even know that car was broken into!"
"Look, I can't keep dragging this over the phone, I'll see you tonight." He said, sternly.
Arnold sighed as he didn't know what else to do. He couldn't reveal those chemicals or Gerald could be wrongly charged with arson.
He soon walked out of the bathroom and back toward the Spinellis.
"There you are! Everything alright?" Bob asked. "Yeah, I- I'm fine. Guess I may have eaten something bad this morning?" He chuckled nervously. He soon sat next to his girlfriend.
Spinelli kissed Arnold's cheek and smirked at him, making him blush.
Later
While Arnold and Spinelli were at her parents' house, Aid Car 55 was seen racing through the streets on the way to MedStar Memorial.
"Dammit, c'mon! How are his vitals?" Donovan asked while driving.
"He's not responding to treatment! Looks like he may be bleeding internally! Starting another large IV!" Travis replied as Gerald got another IV needle.
The cardiac monitor flatlined.
"He's flatlining!"
"MedStar, this is Aid Car 55, do you copy?" Donovan started.
"We copy, over."
"We're inbound with an unresponsive stabbing victim! 50 years old, possible internal bleeding! BP is bottoming out!"
"We'll be ready."
Soon, Aid 55 arrived at MedStar Memorial at the emergency room entrance as the sirens soon turned off while the lights still flashed. The ambulance came to a stop and Donovan immediately hopped out as the stretcher was being brought out.
"C'mon! Get him inside! Keep up the chest compressions and push another dose of EPI! Move it!" Dr. Bailey came out with emergency room nurses and doctors.
Travis kept doing the chest compressions as the patient was wheeled into the E.R. with the doctors. Donovan and Gerald only stood outside for a moment before shaking their heads and exhaling.
"You alright?" Donovan asked. "I just need a minute, bit of a rocky morning." Gerald replied.
"Get yourself cleaned up, got a bit of blood on your face." Donovan told him as he soon got inside the ambulance to clean it up.
"And they always ask, 'what the hell does the Chief care?' I know her well 'cause she's my mother, and she cares that we could never know. And that's something that sticks with me every time we go on a call." Arnold finished his little story.
"Truly an inspiration to the Department, such an inspiring woman as well." Flo smiled wholeheartedly. "So Arnold, have you ever thought about applying for Captain for your station? Or even following your mom's footsteps and become a Chief?" Bob asked.
"I mean… It's a bit of a longshot for me to become Chief, and I don't really plan to become Captain, I love being Lieutenant along with Spinelli." Arnold wrapped an arm over her shoulder. "We've been Lieutenants for quite a few years now and we love it."
"Just like how we love each other." She smirked and kissed his cheek. Arnold blushed.
"Oh, we can't express how lovely it is to see our daughter in love! I think I remember her last crush, but that was so many years ago, when she was a kid. I think on some chubby kid who wore a hat? What was his name?" Flo tried to remember.
"Eh. He's dead to me, I have Arnold now." Spinelli smiled and slowly kissed him on the lips.
"Awww!" Flo smiled at the lovebirds. "I wonder when we'll see a ring on her finger." Bob whispered to Flo. "Maybe soon enough. Oh, I can't wait for that moment!"
"So, Mr. and Mrs. Spinelli, if you don't mind me asking, how was life while you guys didn't know where your daughter was?" Arnold asked, curiously.
"Well, we can't say everything was normal, a daughter off making her own life. I mean, sure we knew we had to let her go one day, but we never expected her to go off on her own and never know about us, and that was a pain we lived with until nearly a month ago now that we finally reunited." Flo replied as she remembered the difficult times without knowing about their daughter.
"Boy, we honestly thought we'd never see her again, but we found out through the news about your station and here we are now." Bob added.
"I certainly can't imagine how it was during that time." Spinelli soon handed Andy to Arnold as she got up. "I gotta go use the bathroom real quick." Her parents nodded.
"I'll be right back." She leaned over for a quick kiss on his lips. Arnold smiled as he watched her walk away. He then looked at Andy, who had her favorite toy in hand.
"Arnold, if you don't mind us asking, how was your previous wife before she died? We'd like to know if that's ok." Bob asked.
"She was more than my wife, my soulmate. I had hoped to have another child with her, raising maybe two or three kids together, but with the scares my career caused her… her heart wouldn't take much more, specifically during the night of the grain silo fire where one of our own was killed."
"What happened at that grain silo?" Flo asked.
"The room where he was flashed over and it was the last exit where we could've gotten him, but the Chief pulled every rescue unit out after Jack decided to let go." Arnold replied as he kissed Andy's forehead.
"Oh my…"
"But back to Rhonda, she was the best wife I could ever ask for… She was the best, ever since we were kids, she was always beautiful, makeup or no makeup, she always had natural beauty, and I loved how compassionate and caring she was. So sweet and kind, nobody could replace her. I know I'm in love with Spinelli, but nothing can really mend that pain… The only memories I have left of her are some of her mink coats and her jewelry, most of which I decided to pass down to Spinelli. And a very special memory I have from her is my little girl. Her black hair reminds me of her." Arnold gave a small smile at Andy.
Spinelli was listening from a corner, mainly feeling a little conflicted yet sorry for him. She soon walked back into the living room.
Arnold looked over and motioned her over.
Arnold set Andy on the couch for a moment and pulled Spinelli into a hug.
"You okay?" He asked. "I should be asking you that." She replied.
"Hey. Just know that I'll always love you." Arnold rubbed her back. "I'll always love you, Arnold." She hugged Arnold tightly.
They soon let go, but Arnold held her hand for a moment. He noticed something missing from her ring finger and knew how to fix that soon. Arnold smiled and soon kissed her cheek. Spinelli blushed and smiled.
The two soon sat down together. Arnold held Andy once more, while Spinelli rested her head on his shoulder. Bob and Flo smiled at them.
Later That Night
"Mommy and Daddy will be home tomorrow, sweetie. I hate having to leave you, but I know you and the dogs will be safe with your grandparents." Arnold and Spinelli were at the Lloyds, leaving Andy and their two dogs for the night.
"You can trust us, Arnold. We'll make sure she's safe throughout the night, we'll be keeping a constant eye on our granddaughter." Buckley said.
Arnold took the deepest breath of his life. "Daddy loves you, sweetheart. I'll always be with you." Arnold kissed Andy's forehead and handed her over to Brooke.
"We promise, hun, we'll keep a constant eye on them." Brooke caressed Arnold's cheek. He only nodded as he held Spinelli's hand.
The two soon walked to the truck to get to the station. Trucks from Station 15 soon passed by with its sirens blaring, on the way to a fire.
Arnold then remembered he had a priority to set straight.
Both truck doors were closed as Arnold switched on the engine.
At The Station
Arnold was waiting out back at the station, Spinelli had already gone inside and was already in her uniform. Arnold was also in his uniform and noticed Gerald's pickup wasn't there despite being on a 24-hour shift.
A truck was soon heard coming into the rear parking. Gerald arrived.
"Mind telling me where the hell you were?!" Arnold walked up as the headlights turned off. Gerald hopped out.
"Arnold."
"Gerald, answer me this. Why was that old car filled with that stuff?" Arnold asked.
"Kyle gave 'em to me! He was the one who handed them I had forgotten to shut the door 'nd cover it with a tarp!"
"And you decided to hide the fact that those were the chemicals that started the arson fires!?" Arnold exclaimed. "But he told me what that was about!"
"B- But how?! I had heard anonymously about all these fires! And you're over here covering it up! But why?" Arnold was now shocked.
Meanwhile
Travis was still on duty, but he quickly visited his Dad's old chemical factory.
The building was empty, and it was just him, or he thought so…
"I wonder how my Dad even worked here for so many years." He wondered. Travis then saw something catch his eye.
"Who the hell?" He saw the figure climbing a ladder. He decided to follow. Faint smoke below him was seen. Sparks flying as well… A small light of fire was seen after Travis left. The light grew faster and faster with the chemicals surrounding it…
"Gerald, nothing is justifying the fact you're hiding all those chemicals! Please, do it for Phoebe, do it for yourself! Get rid of those chemicals before anyone even knows about this!"
"Look, Arnold, I'm doing this because of the reason Kyle told me!"
"What is he doing?! Paying you?! I'm your Lieutenant, and I'm telling you, get rid of those chemicals!" Arnold and Gerald kept arguing.
"But Arnold, I'm telling you, it's about what you're not seeing! Kyle saw something nobody was supposed to see!"
"Gerald, stop trying to excuse yourself! Nothing is justifying this!" Arnold sighed. "I've known you my entire life, and now you're turning your back on me?" Arnold gave a concerned look. "Gerald, what happened to you? Why are you doing this? You're not a criminal, you never were! You have to find a way to get rid of those chemicals!"
Gerald only shook his head as he looked around. A dark shadow from the station window was seen. Spinelli was peering from a corner, listening to what was happening.
"Gerald, did you come from checking your old military vehicle? Where the hell were you even?" Arnold asked, desperate for answers.
"I went to check on that car, but I didn't find it! I only found tire marks like it had sped off! Arnold, I'm not asking you to agree with me! I only ask you to listen!" Gerald replied, but Arnold wouldn't even listen to his reasons.
Gerald shook his head. "This is hopeless with you. I don't know why or at what moment I asked you to ever check that car-"
"No, you sent me over there to see what you were hiding! And I can't believe you… My best friend for life going down the wrong path. Why, Gerald?!"
He only shook his head as he barged through him, heading inside.
Spinelli hid behind the corner and acted like she didn't hear anything. Gerald walked by, not noticing her.
Spinelli soon approached Arnold.
"What the hell happened?"
"I- I just don't know, Spinelli. He's hiding something, and it's more than clear to me! Just let me text my mom, she has to know about this now! If he's not admitting, I'll have to get the Chief involved." Arnold pulled out his phone and immediately started texting his mom.
"Mom, I think there's more to the arson mystery, and I'm afraid-" Arnold was typing his message, but the station alarm went off. The rear station red siren light was also triggered and flashed around the area.
"All units responding, respond to Battalion 20, this is a hazardous materials response in a chemical plant. Station 55 and Station 23."
"Look, I don't know what the fuck even happened here, but we have a hazmat response to answer now!" Spinelli told her boyfriend.
Donovan came out.
"Guys, you heard? They're bound to pull the plug!"
"We'll be there, dammit! Go!" Spinelli snapped.
Donovan immediately ran to the engine room.
Arnold sent the text to his mom but had to leave her hanging as she already knew he was on the way.
"Look, whatever's happened here, isn't of my business anyhow! Now come on!" Spinelli hit his shoulder as she ran inside.
Arnold sighed as he looked up at the sky, missing his Dad's advice. He then saw something that caught his eye badly.
Kyle was the mysterious figure from the window. He was eavesdropping on the entire conversation. Kyle was a veteran, and was giving Arnold a nasty and angry look. Kyle immediately ran off.
"Good God… SPINELLI! WAIT!" Arnold immediately ran inside to the engine room.
But time was already ticking with the hazmat response callout.
Kyle had slid down the pole with his turnout gear on. Loud radio chatter came from Engine 55 as he opened the truck door and immediately hopped inside, with both Gerald and Spinelli in the same truck.
"SPINELLI! . . . Shit!" Arnold was too late as Engine 55 started rolling off.
"You're the last one! C'mon! Let's go!" Vic was waiting for Warren. The Ladder sirens flashed inside the station.
Arnold immediately went to the Ladder cab to gear up.
After gearing up as fast as he could, Arnold opened the truck door and got inside as both Vic and Warren hopped inside as well.
The sirens started blaring as the truck started rolling off into the night. Aid Car 55 followed behind.
"You alright?" Tommy asked. Arnold only nodded. He soon honked the truck horn as they followed behind Engine 55, where the truck was completely silent with the sirens blaring loudly and the lights flashing throughout the dark night.
As the trucks raced through the streets, they soon drove through a bridge overlooking water. Engine 55, Ladder 55, and Aid Car 55's siren lights flashed brightly through the streets as the sirens blared. Engine 55 honked its horn several times as it neared the exit of the bridge. It soon made a left turn, with its paint scheme darkened and its sirens flashing brightly. Truck 55 and Aid Car 55 followed behind on the left turn while all the siren lighting reflected everywhere through the streets.
Inside Engine 55, Spinelli already had her Lieutenant helmet on and was looking ahead at the streets. She soon turned around to see Dean, Gerald, Kyle, and the others all with their helmets on.
Kyle was giving an infuriated look at Gerald, he soon noticed his Lieutenant looking at him. He also glared at her, with half his face covered with a shadow.
Spinelli didn't feel intimidated but did feel a scared feeling. She slowly turned her head around to face the streets again as she honked the truck horn. She started strapping on her air pack, along with the others.
The sirens flashed brightly throughout the streets, cars moved out of the way as they heard the sirens behind them. The three trucks weaved around the traffic as they headed to the fire.
"Chief, I couldn't find who it was, but there was someone inside the factory with me!" Travis had his turnout gear on, even his helmet.
"Montgomery, get down here and get to your team, they'll be here shortly." Stella replied.
Travis kept looking around on the roof where ventilation was going on but saw no sign of the person.
"Criminy, I'm trapped! And with the building engulfed, I can't get out! I'm not taking the ladder, what am I? Stupid?!" Helga thought.
Arnold soon strapped on his air pack and his helmet as well. He was looking ahead to make sure Engine 55 was in sight. A car abruptly got in their way.
"GET OUT THE WAY!"
"TOMMY, LOOK OUT!"
Tommy slammed the truck brakes, but the truck started swerving. The truck swerved around the road and soon hit a construction ramp, causing the front end to go airborne and slam the tires against the pavement. The entire truck shook with the chaotic scene, the ladder bounced around behind. Aid Car 55 screeched to a halt as Truck 55 was facing a different direction after getting airborne and slamming its tires on the pavement.
The car sped off, leaving the two trucks in a mess.
Nobody was hurt thankfully, but they were delayed.
"Dispatch, this is Truck 55, we've suffered a setback but we're still en route!" Arnold radioed.
"Copy that, 55."
"Tommy, get this truck turned around as quick as you can!" Tommy only nodded. Arnold looked in the truck mirror and saw the factory insight.
Flames were pouring from the top floor of the building, with several ladders already raised.
"Aid 55, go ahead, we'll follow behind!" Arnold soon radioed. "Copy that!"
Arnold felt sick to his stomach as not only did he see the raging fire from the factory, but he also saw that Engine 55 was already long gone.
Within minutes, Tommy had the truck turned around and turned on the sirens as they sped off to the factory.
Stella was waiting anxiously at her truck. She was in full firefighter turnout gear instead of just her usual coat.
"Alright, everyone! Mask up! We got a chemical fire!" She shouted.
Coincidentally, she was parked right across Engine 55.
Truck 55's sirens were heard blaring before turning off. Ladder 55 finally arrived at the fire. The truck started parking near the building as Arnold was already hopping out, searching for his best friend, his girlfriend, and his potential suspect.
"FIFTY-FIVE!" Arnold called out. He searched for his Engine company as Truck 24 was arriving and parked near the building.
The entire area was foggy with smoke as sirens were seen everywhere.
"Where's 55?" He asked. "I think over there!" Arnold ran over.
"SPINELLI!"
Arnold soon found Engine 55, but it was already parked and emptied with its siren lights on.
"Arnold!" His mom ran over. "Where's 55?!"
"On the roof!" She replied. "I'm going up there!"
"And I'm coming with you!" Arnold hesitated but then nodded.
He ran to Truck 46 and climbed up to the turntable. He started climbing the ladder. The Battalion Chief followed behind.
Clanging from inside was heard as windows were heard crashing and shattering. The fire crackled violently. The roof was bubbling and swelling.
Rotary saws and buzzsaws were heard as firefighters were ventilating the roof.
Some of them carried pike poles and the necessary equipment.
"Clear!"
"Ok, let's go!"
"C'mon, guys!"
"We're pulling the plug! Everybody off the roof, now!"
Arnold and Stella were searching and soon heard yelling.
"We're not asking again! Why the hell are you working with this asshole!?" It was Spinelli.
Arnold and Stella walked over.
"You don't understand! It was about what you guys weren't seeing!"
"Oh, quit the act, you idiot!" Helga snapped. She was wearing a black hoodie and black pants. "You really thought I wanted to save the Fire Department? I was using your dumbass the whole time!"
"PATAKI!" Arnold shouted.
"YOU BACK OUT-" Helga shouted, but Kyle stopped her. "Hey! Look at me!"
"Hey! You set me up with those chemicals in my car! You're the only prick here right now!"
"I saw what Jalen had in his files! I should've told you! I should've let you in on it! Gerald, listen!" Kyle exclaimed.
"You saw Dixon's files?!" Gerald exclaimed.
"So you told him about the arson attacks?!" Arnold exclaimed. "So that's why you were yelling about with Arnold at the back of the station! You WERE hiding something! You traitor!" Spinelli snapped at Gerald.
"I didn't know he had any idea about it! But I should've told you anyhow!"
"Dixon's files were planned to defund the department to soon have our friends killed!" Kyle shouted.
"Shut up you fucking idiot!" Helga yelled.
Fire in the background crackled violently and the smoke in the area enhanced the lighting.
"I was doing this for the Department! I just didn't know that she was killing his associates to soon take over!" Kyle exclaimed. "You think I'd care for these shitheads?! I'd kill 'em right here if I could!"
"AND WHAT ABOUT MY FATHER?!" Arnold shouted. "He had it coming!"
"YOU SON OF-!" Arnold was held back by his mom.
"All these years. All these years of an unsolved case, and I finally find out who murdered my husband!" Stella gave a stern look.
"It's over! You're coming down, Pataki!"
"JUST SHUT UP! YOUR DAD WOULD FUCKING PUKE IF HE SAW HOW YOU SHIT ON HIS NAME!" Helga yelled. "WHAT WOULD HE SAY ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING, PATAKI!? WE ONCE CONSIDERED YOU FAMILY UNTIL YOU RUINED IT BY NEARLY KILLING ME!"
Metal clanged in the background from the fire.
"Kyle, I can't believe you partnered with this asshole 'cause of what you saw in Dixon's files! You framed Gerald, you partnered with a criminal, and now-"
"But you heard what I said! Once Dixon is mayor, he'll defund the Fire Department to close down fire stations and have our friends killed! THEY'RE KILLING OUR FRIENDS FOR MONEY! AND THIS IDIOT WAS ALSO PROFITING OFF THOSE DEATHS!"
"Dixon lied to us!" Stella mentioned.
"Look, Chief! You have more power over us Lieutenants, you gotta handle this, no?" Arnold looked at his mother.
"The hells going on here?! Didn't you all hear the go-ahead?! We gotta get off this roof now!" Dean shouted.
Creaking was heard. The roof started to cave in.
"WOAH!"
Arnold and some of the others fell to their knees.
"IT'S GOING!"
"GUYS! GET TO THE SIDE, IT'S GONNA GO!" Arnold yelled to his team.
"BUT-"
"GO!" Arnold yelled to his girlfriend.
She soon ran behind the others.
Structure pieces of the factory started falling and caving in as the entire roof was collapsing in the middle of the building.
Fire flared up from every direction and flashed in everyone's faces.
Fire poured from the middle of the roof as it kept collapsing.
KA-BOOM
WHOOSH
CRASH
Spinelli had slid down the ladder before the fire poured out. The roof was now fully engulfed.
"So much for a quiet evening, I said." Spinelli facepalmed. She then found an axe on the stairwell and broken glass.
"Oh no…!"
Aaaaand we're back to the action part of the story once again! I hope you stick around for the next chapter!