Half Hour Later….
Tossing and turning, recklessly making out with each other as they chuckled warmly with one another, Spinelli soon sat on Arnold's lap and licked her lips while Arnold ruffled her hair.
"What a way to wind down, huh?" Spinelli bit her lip and winked. Arnold didn't hesitate to give several kisses to the center of her chest, tickling her and making Spinelli giggle. He soon looked up at her. "This is something I definitely missed." He softly smiled.
"Oh? Is that so?" Spinelli rubbed her fingers behind the back of his head. She leaned next to his ear for a moment. "What do you say we keep this up for a while?" She whispered seductively.
Arnold wrapped his arms behind Spinelli's lower back. "I think I'm up for it…" He continued kissing and tickling her bare chest. Spinelli bit her lower lip and clenched his hair. "Just there?" She teased.
Arnold looked up at her. "Well? What are you waiting for?" He smirked. "Just shut up and get over here!" Spinelli briefly chuckled before cupping his face and yanking him into another wet and passionate kiss.
Their tongues wrestling in their mouths, their hands roaming around each other as they savored this wet passionate kiss.
The Next Morning…
On a sunny morning over Firehouse 55, the garage doors were open, showing off the trucks as second shift was clocking in, while someone was already in the locker room, packing up his stuff and reminiscing about his short but amazing stint with 55.
Watkins was clearing out his locker, his box was already full of his locker belongings. All that was left was his badge. Watkins sighed as he slowly took his badge and tossed it into the box.
Closing his locker and removing the lock, he peeled off the piece of tape that had his name on it…
On the apparatus floor, Watkins came out to take one last look at the rigs and remember his time here. Squad. Engine. Truck. Ambo. And DDC.
Soon, after a minute of standing around, Watkins walked out of the station with his belongings as the sun rays shined into the engine bay. A new chapter in his life would begin as he walked to his SUV…
Soon after, it switched to Michelle, recording the ending to her first podcast.
With sunshine shining on her lipgloss, she spoke. "… Being a firefighter doesn't just mean fighting fires, or rescuing cats from trees, which we don't do." She chuckled. "But, uhm, it's a lot deeper than you might think…"
Soon, it transitioned to the newlywed Lieutenants. They were currently sleeping as they cuddled. "People often say we're family, but they don't understand how deep that love for one another goes. Sometimes, even personal love relationships form." Arnold snuggled Spinelli closer to him.
Then, switching over to a front view of the firehouse, where Truck and Squad were inside while Engine 55 was out front being polished.
"We always support each other when we're at our highest or lowest, through the brightest and darkest moments…" Michelle continued as it slowly showed each truck from an angle.
After displaying the rears of Squad and Truck 55, it then transitioned over to Catherine, currently doing little makeup as Donovan hugged her from behind despite being exhausted.
"We all love what we do. We always go in expecting the unexpected, and you can never know what it is. Whether it's a baby being born on the side of a freeway during a multi-car pileup, to the biggest of fires." Michelle paused as Catherine and Donovan smiled at each other in the mirror.
Soon, it transitioned back to Michelle, letting out a small exhale. "… In truth, there's a lot that we love and hate about this job… You might be asking yourself 'Why do you continue to be a firefighter if you hate what it does to you?'… We do it because this job can be rewarding. Not just rewarding, it takes courage to do this, and not to mention… I love this job because I get to do this job with the people I love. Every single one of them are tremendous firefighters, and wouldn't ask for anyone else other than them…" And just like that, Michelle ended the recording, took off the headset, and looked out her window with a satisfied smile.
"There really isn't…" She quietly told herself.
Two Days Later…
On a cold winter night in Hillwood, currently noon, Arnold, Spinelli, and Pep were upstairs in their brand new gaming room, which they spent the last couple of days organizing, although Pep had done most of the work since Arnold and Spinelli were spending a majority of the days together, messing around, planning their honeymoon, their Lieutenant subs while they were away, possibly more sex?…
The room had LED lighting, the flooring full carpeting, the best gaming PCs they could find on the internet, black wooden but durable desks, and gaming chairs like the Squad table had.
"... So do you two want the truth or the cool answer?" Pep asked as Arnold exited to the desktop, which was already full of games, courtesy of the Lloyds helping out financially. Spinelli rolled her eyes as Bandit briefly hopped down from her lap. "What's the cool answer for you being an hour late?" She asked.
"Well, I'm glad you asked." Pep cleared her throat. "It-" Arnold interrupted. "Just give us a clear answer, Clemente."
Pep scoffed. "Ugh. Fine… I got caught up playing Fortnite with McShay and Montgomery."
Spinelli tried holding in her laugh. "PF- Hold on… What was that about never playing that 'childish and stupid game'?" She smirked. Arnold only shrugged after. Bandit soon hopped up onto Arnold's lap and lied there.
"What? I figured I'd give it a try, no?" Pep shrugged as she toyed with the necklace Arnold gifted her yesterday. "I mean, it's nowhere near Payday (2), but I guess it's somewhat good."
"So, girls, you two up for one more game or what?" Arnold asked.
Both Pep and Spinelli chuckled. "Be for real, sweetie, it's noon and hours before shift, what do you think our answer will be?" Spinelli smirked. "Look, I'd love another game but I think it's better we get some sleep now."
"Is that momma Spinelli talking or-" Pep started, but Spinelli immediately spoke. "Shut up." She lowered her eyelids.
"That's sis Spinelli talking." Pep took note.
Arnold shrugged. "Alright, hon, you're right." He soon stood up. "Come on. Let's go." He smiled at the two.
"You guys go on ahead, I'll stay here to turn this stuff off." Pep mentioned.
Arnold stood up and handed over Bandit. "He's your little problem now." They both softly chucked. "See you in the morning, Clemente." Both Arnold and Spinelli told her with a smile.
After walking out of the room… "You know, Arnold? This is everything I could've asked." Spinelli wrapped her arm over Arnold's neck.
Arnold smiled at her. "All that's missing is our unplanned honeymoon." He smirked. "You still haven't decided on your Lieutenant replacement?"
Spinelli merely shook her head. "Nope. I mean, no disrespect to my crew, but I don't know if any of them are capable of WEARING the Lieutenant rank, you know?" She shrugged. "I mean, the two front-runners I have are Gerald and Vic, to be fair."
"You'll have to sort that out soon." Arnold shrugged at her.
"Speaking of this topic…" Spinelli started as they entered their bedroom. "You decided on your replacement?" She asked.
"Oh that's easy. Victor Cruz. He's been on Squad for many years in the HFD, he has experience. I have confidence he'll lead Squad while we're away. Heck, he might know a few things I don't know, and that is I have a few months working as Squad Lieutenant." Arnold softly chuckled.
"Maybe." Spinelli shrugged and stretched her arms.
Soon, the two crawled into bed and tucked themselves in. Arnold held Spinelli's hand and kissed it, showing his love to her. All Spinelli did was smile.
"Goodnight, hon." Arnold kissed Spinelli's cheek. Spinelli smiled. "Goodnight, sweetheart." She nuzzled against his nose with a soft smile.
After nuzzling and kissing each other, Arnold wrapped his arms around Spinelli's waist to cuddle her close before they fell asleep.
The Next Morning…
On an early and cold morning, what looked like it had snowed, which it barely did, the small amount of snow was already melting away as it went overhead to Firehouse 55.
In the briefing room, as chatter soon settled down with Stella walking in, she walked in with a blonde woman, who looked to be in her late twenties. Pretty short, an inch shorter than Michelle.
"Ok. Listen up, people." Stella started. "With Watkins off in retirement, it wasn't easy to choose a new medic to fill his shoes, considering he left behind big shoes… But after carefully looking through the list…. I'm proud to announce our new paramedic for Ambulance 55 and Firehouse 55… Vannesa Brett!" She turned to Vanessa, who smiled at the entire team.
"Welcome to 55, Vanessa." Michelle spoke and smiled. "Please, just call me Nessa or Brett." The new paramedic smiled.
"Glad to have you onboard." Murray said with a smile. Vanessa smiled back. "I'm thrilled to be here with all of you. I heard great things about all of you, especially of the commanding officers." She gave a warm and soft smile at Arnold. He smiled back, slowly looking at Spinelli nervously since she had an eyebrow raised with an unamused look, for the most part... "I'm looking forward to working with all of you." Brett finished with a friendly smile. "Chief." She smiled.
"Nessa." Stella smiled back. "Alright."
"Truck 55. Engine 55. Ambulance 55. District Chief 2-2-7. House fire in 3023 Street." The dispatcher said as the station alarm went off, pushing back their morning briefing.
"No Squad needed?" Suarez asked, in a sarcastically offended tone. McCaffery shrugged as the garage doors slowly opened in the engine bay.
After a minute, with a side view, as Truck was the first to roll out, sirens wailed as the horn blared while Engine soon drove out of the station.
"You ready?" Murray turned to his new partner, Vanessa, as he cranked the ambulance engine. "Ready as I'll ever be!" She eagerly replied.
With the streets currently cleared, Truck and Engine soon went off as 2-2-7 soon sped out with Ambulance 55 last to leave.
Soon…
At the designated address, Truck 55 was the first on-scene. Truck came to a stop as the brakes hissed. Engine soon came to a stop behind as the air hissed from the brakes. Both parking at weird angles.
Stella's pickup came to a stop from a different direction as a woman came up toward McShay.
"I'm the one who called." The woman started. "Uh-huh."Michelle answered. "I was making lunch for my kids, then I heard a boom, a- and I- I looked out and saw smoke!" The woman told her.
"Do you know if anyone's home?" Michelle asked. "Uh, I don't think so? I don't know if anyone lives here, they've been remodeling for months." The woman answered.
Walking past the members gearing up, Michelle answered, "Alright, we'll take it from here."
"Hey, Cap! Our access to the basement is the only flow path, we need to vent the first floor." Donovan came over after seeing where the smoke came from.
"Alright. Warren, Alexander, make an access to the first floor, you're gonna cut a heat hole through the flooring. Engine, you're on fire attack. Truck, we're on primary search to check if anyone's inside." Michelle handed out assignments. She looked at Stella, who only gave her a nod.
"Alright, let's go, let's go, let's go!" Stella shouted.
Soon, walking inside the house, which looked empty… "Fire Department! Anyone here?" Donovan and Warren walked inside, finding the house rather deserted…
"Truck, I'm reassigning you. Get these people back until PD arrives." Stella radioed in.
"Now I see why…" Warren started as he smashed open a window with his axe. "Why Squad wasn't called in. Feels like old times, you remember? Just Truck and Engine?" He looked back.
Donovan revved the chainsaw engine. "Yup! Can't lie, I've gotten so used to Squad working with us. They always come with us on every call." He started. "Now come on!"
Outside, after unloading the stretcher from the ambulance, Vanessa stood beside Murray as they had their hands in their pockets.
"So, Nessa, what brings you into the HFD?" Murray asked.
Vanessa started thinking as she looked at the house. "… Well, I'd say quite a few things but I don't wanna make this all about myself too much." She chuckled. "But uhm… I had thoughts of being a veterinarian, or a nurse, but I felt those would be a little too boring for me. And well, after a little thinking, I thought becoming a paramedic would be good, you know?" She smiled. "What about you? What made you become a paramedic?"
"Me? I wouldn't say I wanted to be one, I more or less took this job to be around this, you know?" Murray looked over at her. She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? I'm not exactly following." She replied.
Murray sighed. "A few months ago, I, uhm… I suffered an injury to my ears that prevented me from working on Squad… But, fast forward a few months, I'm currently cleared for Squad duties but since the roster is full…" He shrugged. "Just have to wait for an opportunity to fill in. Heck, I may get a chance soon enough."
Vanessa patted his shoulder. "I have confidence you'll be back with Squad." She smiled. "Say… The Squad Lieutenant? What's his name? He seems like a charmer. Quite handsome, might I add." She softly giggled.
"Lieutenant Shortman?" Murray looked over at her again. "He's married to our Engine Lieutenant, Lieutenant Spinelli." He told her.
Brett's smile slightly dropped. "Oh… Well, knowing that, I can still say he's cute, right?" She asked. Murray shrugged and chuckled. "Just don't say it around his wife. You should've seen how she did last year in the Battle of The Badges."
"The cops vs firefighters event? How'd she do?" Vanessa asked. Murray merely laughed. "I almost feel bad for the female cop she faced. Knocked her out in the first round."
Brett gulped. "Gee… Didn't think he married such a… such a…" Murray finished her sentence. "A fighter? Someone he loves?"
"Yeah… Look, I'll just say he's pretty cute and I'll leave it at that. Ok?" Brett lightly blushed. Murray merely smirked as he looked at Truck. "Hey. If it counts for anything, your secret is safe with me. Anything else you wanna say, you can confide in me. I'm not going to tell anyone your secrets, I pinky promise that." He smiled warmly and offered his pinky.
Brett soon softly smiled. "Thanks, Murray…" She interlocked with his pinky to lock his promise.
Speaking of Spinelli, after looking around the house, Gerald and her finally found where the basement entrance was.
"Here! Ready?" Spinelli looked at Gerald. He nodded. The two opened the basement entrance. A bunch of smoke poured from it.
"That smells horrible…" Gerald said. "My mouth feels weird already… Alright, mask up!" Spinelli answered.
Quickly getting their masks on and SCBA hoses connected to their masks, they got their fireproof hoods and their helmets on and slowly walked down to the basement with a hoseline.
"Alright! Stay low, and make your way to the seat of the fire!" Spinelli started. "More slack, Johanssen!" Gerald stretched out the hose more.
Right as she switched on the hose, a random bottle shot at Gerald's head. "OW!"
"Gerald, you ok?" Spinelli looked back. "I'm good! I'm good!" He replied, rubbing the back of his head.
They looked around for a moment to figure out what was down there. Spinelli reached for her radio as they crouched. "Cap! We have aerosol cans popping down here! Truck! Where's our ventilation, we need air down here!" She exclaimed as water sprayed.
The chainsaw was heard overhead as Gerald noticed something. "Hey! Lieutenant! Don't this look like a drug lab?" He asked while grabbing onto her shoulder.
Spinelli kept the hose on as she noticed it was a lab…
"Engine, hang in there, we're almost through!" Alexander radioed back.
As the fire crackled, the heat intensifying, Spinelli blinked several times and shook her head. Grabbing her air mask, she grimaced for a moment. "Ger- Gerald!... G… Squad… This…" Spinelli dropped face first, dropping the hose and passing out.
"Lieutenant!" Gerald stumbled on his feet as someone came down to the basement. "Lieu… H…" Gerald soon passed out and dropped face first.
"Lieutenant? Gerald?" It was Tommy who came down. He ran over to get the hose and radioed in. "Hey, Cap! I have two downed firefighters! Possibly due to the intense heat down here!" Tommy exclaimed.
Upstairs, Donovan set aside the chainsaw and let Warren crack open the floor with the pike pole.
Smoke immediately rushed out of the hole. "Engine! Captain! We have ventilation!" Donovan radioed.
As the smoke rushed out to the first floor, the orange lighting flashing from the flames, the scene soon turned to the downed firefighters, Spinelli, Gerald, and now Tommy, all lying face first, all passed out.
"Copy! Tommy, can I get a location on Engine?" Michelle radioed. "Tommy?..." No response…. "ENGINE, DOES ANYONE COPY!?" The three were lying there passed out, their helmets lying in front of them (no longer bothering with the strap for quite a while now).
Back at Firehouse 55…
Back at the firehouse, in the barn at the Squad table. Squad was sitting around, just about bored out of their minds.
"Ugh, I hate these kind of mornings…" McCaffery groaned. "If you're hungry, just say it." Cruz shrugged.
"Pfft. No way you're catching me cooking." McCaffery said. "If you can't cook just say it." Pep smirked as Arnold was looking down.
Suarez decided to switch the topic. "How much fun do you guys think the others are having?" He asked.
"Probably a lot more than us…" Cruz answered as he read a book.
Back At The Scene…
Donovan, Warren, and the rest of Truck went to the basement entrance to figure out what was happening.
"Is your mouth tingling?" Donovan asked, rather unsure as they got their masks on. "Yeah, actually…" Warren replied, almost certain.
They reached the basement entrance. Walking inside, they found the unconscious firefighters.
Donovan reached for his radio. "Cap! We have eyes on the three downed firefighters! Opening their bypass valves to get them some air!" He exclaimed as he and Warren got on their knees to open the SCBA bypass valves.
"Copy! Sending in Truck." Michelle replied.
"CAP, NO! DON'T!" Donovan yelled. "We need Hazmat! We need Squad here!"
Back at the trucks, Michelle was about to send her Truck company but held them back. "What's down there? A drug lab?" She asked.
"Chief! We're gonna need Squad down here! Warren and I are starting to feel… feel lightheaded!" He got off his radio. "And… and maybe nauseous…" Donovan got on his knees, starting to gasp for air, but fell backward and rag-dolled, passing out.
"Chi- Chief! Alexander's down… I… We need Squad!…" Gasping for air, Warren fell backward, passing out. Soon, everyone down in the basement was knocked out. Bodies lying around as the hose was still spraying…
Back at the trucks… "Dispatch, this is 2-2-7, requesting Squad 55 to 3023 Street! Requesting a Hazmat response!" Stella radioed. "Doss shut off that water, that line is most likely on."
"Copy."
"Copy that. Sending in Squad for a Hazmat response." Dispatch answered.
"So Arnold? You and Spinelli still haven't decided yet?" Pep asked. "About our honeymoon? Not yet, unfortunately. I mean… we probably have something, but we'll need to discuss about it later. But, as for our Lieutenant replacements, I already decided, I'm just not saying until the moment comes." He smirked.
Suarez was about to speak, but Arnold immediately cut him off. "And no it's not you."
"Damn…"
Arnold noticed Pep still had on her necklace from last night. "You still have that on?" He smiled softly.
"Hm? Oh? This? Of course, I still have it on!" She smiled as she admired it. "I haven't felt this much love since that old lady took me in as a kid…" Arnold rubbed the back of her neck comfortingly. "Well, you have a family, two families. Here at 55, and back home." Arnold warmly smiled and kissed her cheek.
The station alarm went off, catching Squad off guard. "Squad 55. Requested to 3023 Street. Hazmat response. Unknown substances found in the basement." The dispatcher said.
"Hazmat response? Isn't this gonna be our first Hazmat response too?" Suarez asked as they got up and ran to their truck.
"You heard right! Ok, you guys know the assignment!" Arnold started as they immediately hopped into the cab. "Cruz, we'll be suiting up, you know how to get us there!" Cruz got into the driver's seat like normal as the rest of Squad headed to the rear to suit up in Hazmat suits.
"Copy that!" Squad 55 soon drove out of the station, sirens wailing, horn blaring, Squad at the rear suiting up and getting their SCBAs beside them.
Five Minutes Later…
At the scene, as Squad was arriving, Truck and Engine were insisting on going down to the basement to rescue their downed people, but Stella ordered them to stand down.
Squad parked near Stella's pickup, the air hissing from the brakes as the truck came to a stop.
The members of Squad came out from the rear of the rig, dressed in blue hazmat suits with their SCBAs on and their usual firefighting helmets.
Stella pointed Squad to where the basement entrance was. As they ran by, Stella was now addressing her companies. "Alright! As soon as Squad extracts our downed firefighters, this will be a surround and drown! I want a ladder pipe into the basement vent on the B side, and a cellar nozzle down the vent hole! Am I clear?"
"Yes, Chief." Some replied.
"Copy." Others said.
"Alright, Truck, raise the aerial and water down this house once Squad is out." Michelle said.
Down in the basement…
Finding where the five downed firefighters were, Arnold briefly froze after seeing Spinelli was part of the unconscious group.
"Oh, my- Ashley!" Arnold immediately kneeled to her and rolled her onto her back.
Suarez lifted Tommy over his shoulder, McCaffery dragged Warren from under his arms, and Dean lifted Donovan over his shoulder like Suarez. Pep briefly stood by Arnold.
"You want me to get her out or…?" Arnold shook his head. "No, I- I got her! You get Gerald out!" He gulped as he saw Spinelli's unconscious face.
"Got it!" Pep stepped over to Gerald.
After opening her bypass valve, Arnold picked up Spinelli from her legs and back to carry her out.
"Chief! We have our guys, where's decontamination?" Pep radioed before picking up Gerald and placing him over her shoulder.
"Cruz has set up decontamination over at Squad." Stella replied.
One by one, Squad came out of the basement with their unconscious friends with Arnold being the last.
"Hang in there… Hang in there, sweetheart…" Arnold whispered to Spinelli as he followed behind Suarez.
Dean set down Donovan and looked at Stella. "We're all clear, Chief!" He said once he saw his Lieutenants.
Stella nodded. "Copy." She went to her radio. "2-2-7 to all companies, nobody goes back inside! All units, nobody goes back inside! Let PD and Hazmat deal with the substances. Fire the water cannons." She gave the go-ahead to Vic.
"Squad." Stella gave the nod for decontamination. Arnold yanked off his mask. "Alright, Squad. Come on."
Minutes Later…
Getting their SCBAs and gear off, Squad administered oxygen and fluids to their unconscious friends. All of Squad had their hazmat suits and SCBAs on.
After placing an oxygen mask over Spinelli's face, Arnold noticed two teens recording them on their phones.
"Goddammit… Cruz." Arnold signaled.
The two got up and walked to them with frustrated looks. Cruz pushed back the second teen as Arnold slapped the phone out of the first teen.
"The hell are you doing?! They're firefighters, human beings! W- Are you recording for views and likes, you son of a bitch?" Arnold started.
"What's the big deal? They're waking up!" The teen said and picked up his phone.
Cruz covered the phone camera of the second teen. "Nothing to see! Leave before you end up with no phone!"
"Let me tell you what the big deal is!" Arnold started.
"Aw, you broke my screen!" The teen said.
"Lieutenant!" Stella walked over. "That should teach you to not treat people's suffering like content!" Arnold frowned. "Get the hell out before I do something I regret!" Arnold made the teen flinch. He soon pushed him away.
The teens soon ran away.
Police squad cars finally arrived. "PD late as usual…" Cruz rolled his eyes. "PD rarely helps in situations like this, I swear…" Arnold mentioned.
"Easy you two…" Stella told them.
As for the others…
"I- I feel like I'm high…" Tommy started. "Are you high?" He asked Warren, who was already awake and fully conscious. "Eh…" Tommy looked over to Spinell, who was just waking up. "W- Are we all just high?..."
"Ow…" Spinelli took off the oxygen mask and held her head. "Is it just me… or do I feel higher than Snoop Dogg on a good day?…."
"Uh… Is that possible?" Warren asked. Tommy barely shrugged.
All of them were drowsy and higher than Snoop Dogg, apparently…
Arnold looked at Michelle. She nodded at him, telling him he could go see his wife.
Soon…
As decontamination was underway at Squad's rig, Stella was addressing the rest.
"Ok… This is an exterior attack, we'll let Squad and PD handle the substances, our job right now is getting the fire out, alright?" Stella walked over to the decon area.
As they were getting rinsed off in full gear, including their SCBAs, they were standing in a T-pose to get fully cleaned off. "You guys know you're taking a trip to Med until you're cleared, right?" Stella mentioned. She soon looked at her son. "Lieutenant, talk to me, what's down there?" Stella asked about the basement.
"No idea what it can be, we put out meth labs before, this isn't meth…" Arnold started. "Possibly crystal meth? K2? No idea. We'll need to figure that out once the fire's out." Stella nodded understandingly. "Copy." She patted his shoulder as he walked away.
Arnold soon walked back to Spinelli, who was unbuckling her coat after taking off her SCBA. "You feeling ok?" He asked.
Drenched in water, Spinelli only shrugged as water sprayed in the background. "... What can I say? I feel fine, just a little upset now I have to head to Med. Damn needles…" She shivered thinking about the needles. As much as Arnold wanted to touch her, he only smiled at her as he walked to the others getting rinsed off.
Later
Outside of Med, both Engine and Truck were outside, parked side by side as the rinsed-off members were inside.
"Silver Tigers, tomorrow night. What do you say?" Donovan offered Catherine. All she did was smile but walk away.
"Real smooth there…" Tommy snickered. "What? I can go for a drink right now." Donovan shrugged.
Soon, Squad entered the hallway. "Well, if isn't our Hazmat team?" Warren mentioned and chuckled.
"What up, boys?"
As everyone went to the others, Arnold immediately hugged Spinelli, grabbing the back of her head and embracing her tightly, feeling her warmth and not wanting to let go.
Letting out a small and quiet whimper, Spinelli immediately returned the hug and clenched onto his uniform.
"I love you, baby…" Arnold kissed the top of her head. "I love you more…" Spinelli quietly answered.
After letting go, Arnold sat next to Spinelli with her uniform beside her. Arnold kissed her cheek. "You okay?" He exhaled.
Spinelli nodded. "Yeah. A lot better, actually. Now we know how Snoop lives his daily life." She chuckled. "I'm real glad Squad was equipped for hazmat situations like this. Thanks…" She rested her head against his shoulder.
Arnold smiled. "Grateful Squad was brought in to begin with…" He rubbed her shoulder. "Those your discharge papers?" He asked.
Spinelli nodded her head and sighed. "Yes, but I need a psych eval for some reason… I'm literally in my right state of mind, I tried to ask Phoebe and Cathy to bail me out of this, but apparently it's 'hospital protocol'... I was high from a lab fire, not anything else!" She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
Arnold shrugged. "I guess it's to see if you're back to normal, I guess?" Spinelli sighed as Arnold kissed her forehead. "But then again, you're far from normal." He chuckled. Spinelli merely rolled her eyes. "Asshole…" She gave a side-eye. Arnold softly laughed.
"... Yeah, yeah! I'll see you then." Pep fist bumped with McCaffery as she walked over to the Lieutenants. "Hey, you two!" She leaned over to hug Spinelli. "How you feelin'?"
Spinelli returned the hug tightly. "Can't say I feel a hundred exactly, but probably 95%..." She let go. Pep leaned in for a quick peck on Arnold's cheek as Teddy came by.
"Ashley… Spinelli, right?" She read off the iPad. "In the flesh." Spinelli replied. "Look, Ted, let me just get this psych eval over with, please? I have other… business, to take care of?" She giggled as she looked at Arnold.
Teddy nodded understandingly while chuckling. "Right… Speaking of which, just want to express my gratitude for inviting me to the wedding, even if it was a little chaotic… But it was sweet nonetheless! Now… Um… Right this way." Spinelli and Arnold soon stood up to follow behind her. Arnold grabbed Spinelli's uniform.
Soon, Teddy led them to the room.
"Dr. Reese will see you in a moment." Teddy said. "Thanks." Spinelli softly smiled. Teddy nodded with a smile and walked away.
"Doctor who?" Spinelli asked with confusion. Arnold shrugged. "Where's Johnson? Did he quit as head of Psychiatry or something?" Spinelli asked again.
"No idea but…" Arnold sighed. "Let's see what this new doc offers." Arnold grasped Spinelli's hand. "Glad you're alright." He warmly smiled. Spinelli smiled back, interlocking her fingers with his.
After a minute, a female doctor, with auburn colored hair, well, a mix of blonde and brown, came in with an iPad in hand. Knocking on the glass door, she gave a warm smile at them. "Hi, you two. My name is Dr. Reese. Ashley Funicello Spinelli, right?" She read Spinelli's off the iPad.
Spinelli nodded. "That's right."
Looking over the iPad briefly, Reese pointed out several notable things. "Let's see… Ah. I can see you're married, and your husband is right here." She smiled at them. "Hm… It's a pretty clean hospital record. I assume you avoid injuries and illnesses?"
Arnold smiled at Spinelli while holding her hand. "You'd be surprised at how tough and resilient she is." He kissed her cheek. "Look, Dr. Reese, no disrespect to you, but, uh, where's Dr. Johnson, the head of psych?" Spinelli asked.
"He's scrubbed in for a neurosurgery to keep a patient calm since they're awake, but don't worry, you're in good hands with me." Reese smiled.
Arnold smiled back. "Well, that's good to know." He rubbed Spinelli's hand.
"Anyone under his wing… I trust 'em." Spinelli softly smiled as she rubbed Arnold's hand.
Alright, with another chapter in the books, what do you say we head back to MedStar for next chapter? See you in the next!