Six and A Half Weeks Later

Nearly seven weeks had passed since the school fire. And in those seven weeks, a lot has changed during that time, at home and at the firehouse. Unfortunately, with Pep being sidelined, at least five to six firefighters were brought to try and fill her boots, but, they weren't exactly the brightest… As for the Battalion spot, Stella received a promotion just a week ago. While everyone was happy, Spinelli was the only concerned one since she knew the Deputy District Chief's office was at Firehouse 81, the center of the district and second to Fifty-Five. After talking with both Arnold and Stella, Stella tried going to HQ to have the office moved to 55, but headquarters refused. As for the school fire, while a cause was found before, there were no leads about the arsonist.

A short while after the promotion, Stella left Firehouse 55 for her Deputy District Chief's office at 81. A new Battalion Chief was brought into 55, a more serious one… As for Arnold and Spinelli, just a week and a half away from their wedding, which they haven't given much thought since they were busy with other things like the FD, their pets, and their daughter.

As for Pep, only two weeks after the fire, she was rewarded with a Medal of Valor for her courage and bravery. A week after, Nadine finally opened her grooming business she told Arnold, and of course, Diesel and Bandit were the first two pets at the shop. To Arnold and Spinelli's surprise, they found the best groomer in all of Hillwood.

Present Day

Currently around ten AM, Arnold, Pep, and Spinelli were walking into the engine bay to clock in for their shift, well, except Pep of course.

"I can't believe Phoebe cleared you for duty. Just think of it, you'll be back on shift next week, and it feels like just yesterday you started your recovery." Arnold smiled while rubbing Pep's shoulder. "Oh, trust me, it's been too long since I've been here, and I'm more than excited to get back at it." She replied with a smile.

"Oh, but be careful what you wish for, this is Hillwood, after all, the city where us first responders are constantly under a heap of shit." Spinelli added and chuckled.

Soon, the three stopped as they saw a District Chief Ford pickup. "Hey, Arnold, isn't that…?"

Stella came over to the truck to grab a box with her stuff. She soon noticed the three. "You guys didn't really think I was gone, right?" She smiled.

"Mom! Oh, my goodness, what are you doing here?" Arnold went up to her for a hug. Stella embraced him in a deep hug. "Oh, my baby…" She smiled.

They soon let go. "I want everyone gathered in the briefing room, I'll explain everything now that I'm back where I belong." Stella told them as she picked up the box and walked to her old office.

"Looks like our Chief is back." Spinelli wrapped her arm around Arnold as they smiled.

Later in The Briefing Room

In the briefing room, everyone sat down as Stella soon walked in after adjusting her radio and gold name tag.

Stella cleared her throat. "Morning, 55. You're probably all wondering why I'm here, well… I'm back because headquarters has moved my office back to Firehouse 55 after 81 got shut down." Everyone's expressions lit up. "Let me be the first to say that I missed all of you. I missed working with the bravest firefighters in the city, the courageous Lieutenants, and the fearless and destined leader of a Captain. I missed this place. Many houses say that firefighters are family, and while that's true, here at 55, we really are family. We're always there for each other, pushing each other towards being the best version of ourselves, always lending a helping hand to one another, being there for each other and our community, and for the city we love. Firehouse 55 is something special, and nobody can change that. To see how far you all have come ever since you first stepped foot into this house is absolutely tremendous. You are all extremely skilled and talented, I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Ten years of all of us working together, most of us at least, of course, some of you have been in the FD longer than others, but it has been a huge honor to be your Battalion Chief, and now look, onto DDC (Deputy District Chief). Ten years working together, something rare in houses, but this has been a huge honor, and I'm eager to see where our journey continues. Station 55 is home, Firehouse 55 is family." Stella warmly smiled at everyone.

Everyone stood up clapping, cheering, and whistling at Stella's speech.

"THAT'S OUR CHIEF!"

"WOOO! WAY TO GO, CHIEF!"

Stella chuckled and smiled. "Alright, alright, everyone, settle down, settle down. But again, it's great to be back where I belong."

"And we're happy to be with you, Chief." Arnold smiled.

"Alright, everyone, we have a full day ahead of us, let's get to work." She told everyone.

Stella then smiled at Spinelli. Spinelli smiled back at her. "Great to have you again, Chief."

"It's great to see you again, Spinelli." She smiled.

Minutes Later

In the new Deputy District Chief's office, Stella was reorganizing her stuff to where it was. She got out her helmet with a new shield which had her new number and title. Instead of having 'Battalion Chief' and 'Battalion 55'…

Deputy District Chief. District 7. HILLWOOD. The new shield read. The new shield was the same color white as the previous one, only it was immaculate compared to the last. Basically, the last one was somewhat covered with smoke stains.

Arnold soon walked in. "Hey, Mom." He smiled.

"Oh, hey, Arnold." Stella smiled back. "Need anything?" She asked.

"Uh, no, actually, I just wanted to tell you I'm extremely happy you're back, we missed you around here. And I mostly missed seeing my mother here." He smiled warmly. "And I'm happy to be back here, sweetie. I missed seeing the courageous Lieutenant I raised you to be." Stella warmly smiled.

"Great to have you back, Mom." Arnold went up to his mother and embraced her. Stella hugged her son tightly and kissed his cheek. "Oh, my precious baby! Mwah!"

After their hug, Arnold soon walked out with a smile. Stella soon admired her new helmet shield knowing she was a District Chief.

Arnold soon met up with Spinelli in the engine bay.

"Hey, sweetie." Arnold snagged her into a hug. Spinelli hugged him back and smiled. "Hugs never felt so good…" She kissed his cheek.

"Nothing has ever felt this good in so long." Arnold smiled and soon kissed her lips.

After they separated, they smiled at each other and walked outside.

"Everything is going so smoothly, don't you think?" Arnold looked at Spinelli. "That doesn't even begin to describe how much of a turnaround things have been, but I'm more than happy." She smiled. Arnold rubbed her shoulder as they stood outside together.

Later Throughout The Day

Nearing noon, the day has been pretty calm. No calls so far, but knowing this city, it's bound to change.

Arnold and Spinelli were sitting on the Squad truck's bumper, mostly enjoying some time together.

"Today has been honestly special." Arnold started. "I just feel happy over everything." Spinelli chuckled. "You feel happy over everything."

Arnold shrugged. "Ok, maybe you got me on that, but that doesn't change how I feel." Spinelli nuzzled against him. "I feel the same way, Arnold, I feel the same…" She smiled.

Arnold looked at her with a smile. "Hey. Do you know what comes in a week and a half?" She nodded and sighed happily. "The happiest day of our lives." They soon looked at each other.

And just like that, they started kissing each other passionately. And after, they smiled as their foreheads touched. Pure joy coursed through them with all that had happened the last few hours.

Pep soon came over with a smile. "Hey, guys." Arnold smiled and pulled her into a deep hug and kissed her cheek twice. "Oh, Pep, it feels so good to be able to hug you again! Although I didn't miss that strong perfume smell, I already inhaled enough from Spinelli." Spinelli hit his back as he chuckled.

"Shut up!" She crossed her arms. "Alright, alright, sorry!" He chuckled. Pep then hugged Spinelli. "How's my sister from another mother? Oh, it feels good to hug you guys again!" She smiled.

"Never better, sis. I'm so glad you're on your feet again." They let go. They looked at each other for a moment and gave teasing smiles at Arnold, who only looked at them in confusion.

Soon, the station alarm went off.

"Engine 55. Truck 55. Squad 55. Aid 55. Deputy District Chief 7. Respond to house fire in 190 Grand Avenue." The dispatcher called out.

"Time to get to work!" Spinelli got up and ran toward Engine to gear up. Pep stepped aside as Arnold started gearing up.

"Come on, people! Let's go! Let's move!" Michelle exclaimed and snapped her fingers as she started gearing up.

Everyone else got down to the engine bay and started gearing up.

Engines cranked as siren lights flashed.

Soon, Truck 55 was the first to drive out of the apparatus floor with Engine following. Squad soon drove off with Aid 55 following.

The District Chief pickup soon drove out the engine bay as sirens wailed with truck horns blaring.

Minutes Later

Squad and Aid 55 arrived in the same direction while Truck and Engine 55 arrived in different directions.

The Chief's pickup arrived and parked slanted beside Squad. Stella soon got out, put on her helmet, and assessed the exterior.

"Ok! Engine, get hose lines to back up Squad and Truck for primary search! Gibson, McCaffery, Smith, and Doss, you're on ventilation! Murray, Watkins, have triage on standby! Deputy 7 to Dispatch, I need three more Aid Cars and an Engine down at 190 Grand Avenue!" Stella handed out assignments. "Copy, Deputy 7."

"Copy that, Chief!"

"Got it!"

"Copy!"

"Johanssen, get a supply line going! Doss, you're with them!"

Truck and Squad masked up at the entrance.

"Alright, Truck, Squad, behind me! We'll split up into two groups to search both floors! Shortman, Alexander, Cruz, Suarez, take the upstairs! The rest of us are searching the first floor!" Michelle told them after picking up her axe.

"Copy, Captain! Squad, you heard her! Don, with us!" They all walked inside while crouched.

The outriggers on Truck 55 were extended, Tommy was raising the ladder to the roof while Gibson and McCaffery grabbed pike poles and a rotary saw.

After Vic grabbed a pike pole from the Engine compartment, she was about to walk past Stella, but she warmly smiled when she saw the new helmet shield. "Great to have you back, Chief."

Stella smiled at her. "It's great to be with you guys again." She patted her shoulder.

"Come on, Doss! We gon' vent this roof or what?" Gibson called her over with McCaffery. Vic soon went over to Truck.

"About time your ass got here!" Gibson chuckled. "Oh, shut up, Gibson! Make sure not to hit yourself with that pole and give yourself a 50th concussion this year!"

"I barely had three or four concussions!" As they kept messing around with each other while climbing onto the Ladder, Stella chuckled and shook her head. "That's 55. My family and home." She stood with a proud look now that she was District Chief at 55.

"FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!" Suarez yelled.

"FIRE DEPARTMENT! ANYONE HERE?"

Arnold felt out a doorway. He found out that it was open. "Hey! Over here!" He heard a yell. "Hey! Squad! I think we have someone in here! Cruz! You and Suarez check it out, Alexander and I will keep looking!"

"Got it, Lieutenant! Come on!" Cruz and Suarez entered the room and tried looking around with their flashlights.

"Hey! Lieutenant! We got a massive hot spot here!" Michelle told Spinelli. She looked back at Gerald, who was behind her. "Hey! Johanssen! We got raging flames in the kitchen! Come on!"

"Copy, Lieutenant!"

"FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT IF YOU CAN HEAR ME!" Michelle yelled as Truck kept moving forward.

"FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!..."

"Alright, come on!" Both hoses were switched on and aimed around the roof to slowly extinguish the flames.

"We aren't staying forever, so let's get this extinguished and keep moving 'cause there's more fire around!" Spinelli told Gerald. "Yeah, yeah, I know!"

CRASH

CRACK

THRASH

THUD

"What the hell was that?" Gerald asked as he looked up. Spinelli hit his shoulder. "Hey! Squad will handle that! We have our own situation here!"

THRASH

CRASH

"SHIT!" They both flinched back as the fire flared up.

"CHIEF, FIREFIGHTER DOWN! DOSS FELL THROUGH THE ROOF! NO VISUAL CONTACT WITH HER! I REPEAT! I DON'T HAVE EYES ON DOSS!" McCaffery shouted through the radio.

"SQUAD! ATTEMPT A RIT RESCUE!" Stella radioed Squad as Cruz and Suarez came out with a woman. "Hey, hey, hey! Cruz, Suarez, get back up there and help Squad!" She told them.

"Copy, Chief! Hey! Come on!" Cruz yanked Suarez after they guided the woman to the Aid Car.

"Chief! I- I'm alright! I'm on the second floor, B side, I think!" Vic finally radioed in.

Vic pushed off roof debris from her. Her air mask had come off in the fall along with her helmet. She found her helmet and grabbed it. After immediately putting on her air mask and fireproof hood, she put her helmet on and looked around to identify where she was. Vic reached for her SCBA Pass alarm and triggered it.

Over with Squad, they came out of a room after searching in a different direction.

*BEEP*"Hey! Vic! Are you sure you're on the B side? We're here but we don't see anything!" Arnold radioed. Donovan then yanked Arnold's shoulder. "Aye! You hear that?"

BEE BEEP

…

BEE BEEP

…

BEE BEEP

"That's her PASS device!" Donovan mentioned. He started hitting the wall. "HEY! VIC! WE'RE HERE!" He yelled as Cruz and Suarez came upstairs.

"Cruz! Suarez! Help me out and make a hole in this wall!" Arnold signaled them over.

"GUYS! OVER HERE!" Michelle signaled over her team after finding two more victims.

"YOU GOT TO HELP HIM! HE- UH- HE'S IN TREMENDOUS PAIN!" A young man shouted. Michelle came over. Montgomery was the first to come over. "Hey! Travis! Give me a hand!" Michelle grabbed the man under his arms. Travis came over and grabbed the man by the legs.

"Lift on three! One! Two! Three!" The two grunted as they lifted the man from the floor.

CRASH

"WE'RE THROUGH!" After nearly a minute of breaking the wall, Squad managed to reach Vic, who fell into a bedroom area.

"Aye, you alright?" Arnold asked as he grabbed Vic's arm to help her out. "I'm good, Lieutenant, just a little shaken…"

"Chief, first floor is clear! Just a bunch of fire!" Michelle radioed. "Copy! Squad, report!"

"Chief! We have Doss accounted for, we're coming out! Second floor is clear!" Arnold answered.

Outside

Outside, Squad came out of the burning house with everyone accounted for. They all yanked off their air masks as they took deep breaths of air.

"Great job, Squad." Stella told them. "Alright, 55, we still have work to do, get to it."

Spinelli whistled at Warren. "Hit it!" Ben switched on the deck gun on Engine and had it aimed at the house.

Arnold soon came up to his mother. "Fighting fires didn't feel the same without you, Chief." He smiled. Stella warmly smiled. "I'm happy to be back, hun."

As an overhead shot slowly zoomed out, with Stella back at 55, everyone felt like everything was back in place…

Two Aid Cars drove off, the ladder was still raised to the roof, the deck gun on Engine 55 sprayed, and several Squad members going through the compartment area.

After The Fire. At The Firehouse

Pep was still at the firehouse, specifically, at the Squad table in her chair. After Squad parked beside Truck, everyone got out of the trucks, and Stella called everyone's attention.

"Fifty-Five." Everyone gathered in front of the trucks.

Stella cleared her throat. "… Great job, you've all proven time and time again why you're all the best. You all demonstrated teamwork when one of our own went down, and I'm extremely proud of all of you. During my time away, it really made me think… 'Would I ever work with this team again?' This firehouse is something special, ever since it was first opened for service. I'm more than grateful to have been working with you all and continue working with all of you, it's truly an honor to be a District Chief here now. I'm proud of all of you." Stella smiled.

"There's a reason you're the best Chief this Department has ever seen, you're very passionate about this job and willing to push through everything regardless the outcome. You deserve this promotion, Chief." Michelle smiled.

"You've earned this, Chief. The best female Chief this Department will ever see." Spinelli added with a smile. Arnold wrapped his arm over her. "Unless you become Chief, then we'll see." He chuckled.

"Don't count me out of that competition." Michelle chuckled.

As everyone started chatting, Stella also chuckled. "Alright, alright, settle down. Anyhow, my point stands. This is the best house anyone could work at, home to the best firefighters in the city." She smiled.

Everyone smiled at one another. Soon, they all walked away together to the common room upstairs as they started chatting and goofing around with one another.

Stella watched them walk away with a smile. Soon, she headed to her office and decided to leave the door partly open.

While the arson fire at the school went unsolved, the answer would be found eventually. But for now, everything felt right with the world. House 55 felt everything normal for once, Pep is one week away from returning, and most importantly, Arnold and Spinelli's wedding is just a few days after Pep's return.

And just like Stella said, 'Station 55 is home to the best firefighters in the city, and Firehouse 55 is a family. They're all together no matter the circumstances.

That wraps up this chapter! So, quite a lot of changes, hm? Stella now a Deputy District Chief? Man, that's honestly amazing to see. So, what will come next? Like I continuously say, tune into the next to find out...