Alright, so, I think it's time I finally return from my hiatus with a BANG! What do y'all say? Anyhow, now that I feel a little more relieved, I'm finally back and hopefully I'll be active in my posts as much as I can! Enjoy this two-part chapter!
One Day Later…
Currently eleven PM, it was a calm cool night in Hillwood. Even though there was a light breeze outside, everything felt right for once.
As sirens wailed in the distance, it was about one to two days before Andy's first birthday.
Currently at MedStar, Phoebe was outside with a jacket on, her shift had ended but was worried. She sighed as she went back inside to find her friends.
She found Catherine inside, in her scrubs ready to clock out.
"Hey! Cathy! You got a sec?" Phoebe ran over to her. "Hm? What's up?" Catherine turned around.
Phoebe looked around for a moment before speaking. "Have you seen Reese? I haven't seen her since yesterday's chaos."
Catherine raised an eyebrow and looked around. "I… don't think so? Perhaps she asked for the day off? Maybe? I don't know." She saw Dr. Johnson approach them.
"Dr. Heyerdahl? Dr. Shepherd? Have you two seen or heard from Reese? I've been calling her all day but she never answered." Dr. Johnson asked.
The two shook their heads.
Phoebe soon walked off to Teddy's office.
Soon knocking on her door, she found her packing her stuff up for the day.
"Mm? Oh. Heyerdahl! What's up?" Teddy asked as she put her backpack on. "Ted, I'm worried about Reese. She hasn't shown up to work today, and isn't answering her phone!" Phoebe told her.
"Oh, dear…" Teddy gave a concerned look. "You don't think it's from yesterday, right?"
Phoebe shrugged with an unsure look. "I really have no idea."
Teddy sighed. "Ok, um… Look, if she doesn't show up tomorrow, I'll have you excused for a few hours so you can go check on her, ok?"
Phoebe nodded. "Sounds good."
Meanwhile…
Over with others… Well, things weren't exactly smooth for them either.
Currently arguing about keybindings, who was better, and then going off course and babbling about whatever, Spinelli and Pep kept arguing as Arnold sat in the middle, mostly with a frowning expression as his eyes occasionally darted between them.
"Will you two babbling idiots shut up?" Arnold asked.
"She called me a powderpuff idiot!" Pep exclaimed.
"And she called me a hot-head!" Spinelli answered back.
"And you both are telling the truth! Now can you two shut up and move on?" Arnold exclaimed back, shutting the two girls up.
"Whatever…" Both Pep and Spinelli said.
While sitting on the main menu of Payday 2, the soundtrack 'Mayhem Dressed In A Suit' playing, Arnold continued. "We just lost the safe house raid thanks to you babbling buffoons!"
Spinelli and Pep immediately pointed at each other while looking at Arnold. "She started it!" Both of them said. Spinelli smacked Pep's hand down. Pep retracted her hand and whimpered lightly.
"Hey…" Arnold looked at his wife, who only crossed her arms and pouted while looking away.
"I think that's enough for today… What do you girls say?" Arnold asked before lowering his eyelids. "I'm not expecting you two girls to wake up tomorrow morning like this…"
For a moment, Pep and Spinelli side-eyed each other before reaching out for a small fist bump, turning into their handshake only the two knew.
Arnold kissed both their cheeks after. "There's a reason why I love both of you girls." He smiled.
Pep soon stood up from her chair and stretched and yawned. "I'll see you both in the morning… G'night."
"G'night." Arnold and Spinelli told her as she walked out of the room.
Soon, Arnold kissed Spinelli's cheek gently, making her blush. He smiled after.
"I love you, Ashley, and nothing will ever change that." Arnold smiled. Spinelli softly smiled. "And I love you more, Arnold, my one true love. I'm so lucky to have married you."
He soon smiled at Spinelli. "Come on. Let's get some cuddles in before our shift tomorrow?" He suggested. Spinelli smiled. "I'm more than up for it…"
Arnold gave a long kiss on her cheek. "Don't forget. Your first day back on Truck." He smiled. "I'm so anxious about that, I feel like I won't get any sleep!" She softly chuckled.
Arnold kissed her cheek again. "I'm pullin' for you." He smiled.
Spinelli returned the kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, Arnold." She smiled warmly.
Turning off the PC, Arnold and Spinelli soon stood up, linking their arms together as they walked out together.
Half Hour Later
In their bedroom, after showering and brushing their teeth, Spinelli was currently tucked in bed waiting for Arnold. She was currently looking over her necklace and ring as Arnold soon crawled into bed.
"Hey, sweetie." Arnold kissed the side of her forehead and smiled.
Spinelli smiled and looked up with a content sigh. "This is all I could ever ask for…" She looked at her husband and smiled. "Arnold… I love you." She kissed his cheek.
Lying down, Arnold wrapped his arms around Spinelli and cuddled her close and tightly, feeling the warmth coming from her along with the scent of her shampoo and condition with a small perfume smell, all of them enchanting smells to Arnold, making him feel madly in love.
"You're the best, Spinelli… There are so many reasons why I love you…" Arnold smiled and kissed her shoulder. Spinelli giggled as she felt him cuddling and kissing her. "Hey, Arnold?"
"Mm?"
"Think one of these days… we should do it with Pep again?" She smirked. Arnold's cheeks went red hot. "Don't you think it's a little early in our marriage for that?"
Spinelli giggled. "Maybe… But don't lie to yourself, you loved it." She rolled around to face him and smirked. Arnold shrugged. "Alright, I… We'll talk about that another time. For now…" His lips barely grazed Spinelli's lips. "I have certain business with you… my dear and loving wife…" Slowly interlocking with Spinelli's lips and initiating a passionate kiss between them.
Spinelli's hands roamed freely at the back of his head as they kissed. Arnold kept holding her by the waist, but his hand slowly moved up to cup her right cheek.
After a few minutes of making out, Arnold and Spinelli were finally ready to get some sleep. Sharing one last kiss, now cuddling, the two lovebirds smiled.
"Goodnight, hon…" Arnold softly smiled.
"Goodnight, sweetheart…" Spinelli softly smiled as she had her eyes closed.
The Next Morning…
It was a humid morning for a November day, surprisingly, it was half an hour before shift.
Sun rays shined through the window as the newlyweds were deep asleep, cuddled together as they felt warm from their blankets, along with their body warmth.
As they slept, a small jingling was heard along with small steps…
By Spinelli's side of the bed, her hair a mess while she was drooling (which wasn't the main point), looking down, Bandit was there. Sitting down and wagging his tail, hopeful his owners would wake up to show him love.
After sitting for a full minute, Bandit yawned while making a cute and loud noise, hoping it would wake up his newlywed owners and Lieutenants.
Spinelli slowly fluttered her eyes open, not seeing anything where she was looking. She merely groaned as she reached down to touch Arnold's hand, which was around her stomach.
Bandit barked several times after seeing Spinelli move.
Both Arnold and Spinelli slowly woke up to Bandit barking.
"Huh?…" Both of them drowsily questioned.
Spinelli rubbed her eye and looked down, only to see Bandit wagging his tail with a happy expression.
She smiled at him before turning to Arnold. "You left the door open, didn't ya?…" She lowered her eyelids. "Sorry…" Arnold rubbed the back of his neck and yawned.
Spinelli reached over to pick up Bandit from the floor. "Hey there, little furball. How's our alarm clock doing?" She chuckled and set him down on the bed. Bandit happily wagged his tail as he approached the both of them.
Arnold and Spinelli ruffled his fur and toyed with him briefly. Soon after, the two stretched, Arnold wrapped his arms around Spinelli and smiled.
"Ready to tackle the leadership on Truck?" He smiled. Spinelli smiled back. "Nervous but I'm ready, and definitely excited."
Soon, Pep knocked on their door and came in with a smile. "Hey, newlyweds."
She approached Arnold's side of the bed and leaned over for a quick kiss on his lips, cupping his right cheek. "How's your head?" Arnold asked after their small kiss.
Pep leaned over to peck Spinelli's cheek. "I'm feeling a lot better actually." She smiled.
Arnold smiled back and wrapped his arms over both Pep and Spinelli's waists. "You girls ready for another shift?"
Pep and Spinelli leaned in to kiss his cheeks and held their kiss.
After a whole minute, they giggled and smirked after.
"How's that for an answer?" Pep giggled. Arnold blushed as he saw the two of them smirking at him. He then smiled softly. "I love you two. You girls know that?"
Spinelli rested against his shoulder as Pep wrapped her arm around his shoulder.
"Oh, we know, sweetheart… We really do." Spinelli pecked his cheek as Pep smiled at him.
At Firehouse 55
Roaming around the halls to familiarize herself, Vanessa soon saw a wall full of old photos, old rigs, and old firefighters.
While in the background, a white shirt Chief had a helmet in hand, a red Lieutenant's helmet. What was interesting about it was that it had the usual eye shield, something 55 hasn't used in several years…
"Ah yes. The fire of '55. It's where this house made a name for itself." Stella smiled as she walked over. "Sub-zero temperatures yet that didn't stop 'em. Eighteen men were injured." Stella told Brett. She saw the photo of Jackson. "Even small fires like structure houses can be just as dangerous. Danny Jackson. Died of a flashover."
The picture showed Jackson with both Lieutenants Arnold and Spinelli along with Donovan with the old Truck 55 rig (the 1996 Seagrave).
"Even a good friend of mine died in a house fire. He was the next upcoming District Chief." Stella sighed. "Sorry to hear that, Chief." Vanessa replied.
"Anyhow… How's everything going for you?" Stella asked. Vannesa smiled. "Just taking it in, hoping I'll be working here for a long time."
Stella then saw another white shirt Chief ahead. "Dammit already…" She shook her head and walked away.
Pep walked out of a room turning her phone off as McCaffery followed behind. "Hey! Clemente! You got a sec?"
"Mm? What's up?" She looked back as she readjusted her curly ponytail.
Vanessa looked in a different direction, only to see Arnold and Spinelli making out recklessly at the door frame… She blushed and immediately walked away without making a noise.
The station alarm went off. "Engine 55. Truck 55. Squad 55. Ambulance 55. Deputy Chief 2-2-7. Still and Box Alarm. Be aware, multiple companies responding. 1539 Rush Avenue." The dispatcher said.
"Sounds serious." Spinelli said. "Just the perfect thing for your debut back on Truck." Arnold smirked, patting her shoulder as they ran off to the apparatus floor.
"Come on, let's move! Let's go!" Stella shouted. "You ready, Nessa?" She asked her. "Ready for anything, Chief!" She answered as they walked into the engine bay.
Soon enough, Deputy 2-2-7 was the first to race out of the station. Truck 55 soon drove out, sirens blaring as Ambulance 55 was next to race out. With a loud purr of the engine, Engine 55 soon raced out with Squad being the last one out.
Within minutes, downtown, more sirens were heard wailing as it went to a rear view of Truck 55. Ambulance 55 was behind them along with a handful of trucks racing behind them, sirens wailing and horns blaring with sirens flashing everywhere.
With the number of trucks seen, it could be compared to a NASCAR field, except there were a lot more than 43 companies…
Inside of Truck 55, following right beside Squad, Spinelli getting her SCBA on as her mirror was full of trucks behind.
Ahead of a retro Truck company, a view on top of its cab, a field of ambulances was ahead, all sirens wailing.
Inside Squad… "In case you thought it was a false alarm!" Arnold mentioned as he looked in the mirror, seeing a load of trucks behind them. Looking ahead, a skyscraper had smoke pouring from the upper floors.
As police squad cars cleared out, Deputy 2-2-7 led the way with Squad 55 behind, sirens yelped as they neared the building with more police squad cars arriving.
With the Chief's Ford pickup horn honking, horns blared loudly from the fire trucks to clear civilians out of the way. Truck 55 blared its horn to clear pedestrians out of the way. Truck 55 was currently behind 2-2-7.
As pedestrians cleared the way, an enormous field of fire trucks was seen as it went overhead.
Squad and 2-2-7 came to a stop on the left side of the street, Truck 55 stopped in the middle, and Engine 55 stopped on the right side. The wailing of the sirens stopped once trucks were coming to a stop. All of the trucks came to a smooth stop behind one another as air hissed from all the trucks.
As everyone began getting out of their trucks, shouting in the background, Arnold looked up to see where the smoke was coming from. He took a deep breath and exhaled sharply, remembering the last time they fought a skyscraper fire. Air kept hissing from trucks coming to a stop.
Leaving the driver's side door open of her pickup, Stella got her SCBA on as she went on her radio in a hurry to assign companies their orders. "Engine 55! Get a water supply going from the standpipe! Truck and Squad 55! I want search teams! Engine 73 and 55," Stella walked by Squad with her son now following. "Get hoses to the North stairwell! Ambulance 55 will be triage! Everyone get ready! Prepare yourselves! We're going to war!" She shouted on the radio as many firefighters got hoses, including the search companies. Almost everyone looked up to see what they were up against.
Overhead, the top of trucks were seen as firefighters walked around carrying their gear.
Walking inside… "Fire's on the 20th floor!" A male receptionist came up to them.
"How many units are on each floor?" Spinelli asked.
"Twelve." The man replied. "Where's the alarm panel?" Stella asked.
"Right over here." The receptionist led Stella and the rest.
"Montgomery, you're on lobby control. Get the elevators down here and shut 'em off." Spinelli told him. "No problem, Lieutenant." Travis replied as he took his SCBA off.
At the alarm panel, Stella spoke. "Okay, the fire's confined to Twenty for now. We'll need to investigate the fire floor. I want all search companies above the fire floor to our trapped victims." She started as shouting went on in the background. "Get to everyone trapped above the fire floor. I counted at least four victims signaling from their windows."
"We walking or riding?" Arnold asked as he readjusted the air tanks on his shoulder. "Spinelli?" Stella asked her.
Spinelli went on her radio. "Trav, what's our status?"
Travis was at the elevator control panel while civilians ran by. He was with two other firefighters. "I have control of One, Two, and Four, but Three is stuck on Eighteen, I can't get it moving." Travis radioed back.
"Can we get a look inside the elevator?" Stella asked the receptionist. "Number Three? Right here." He replied.
The man guided them to the desk monitors. Multiple monitors had surveillance footage. In the third elevator, it was empty.
Spinelli went back on her radio. "Trav, you're clear. Get that elevator down."
"Copy." Travis opened the panel, finding a bunch of wiring. "Oh geez…" He exhaled.
"Everyone else, help clear the lobby. Get as many civilians out as we can." Michelle radioed to all companies.
At the stairwell, as alarm bells kept ringing, Gibson was currently in front with air tanks on his shoulder. All of Squad was currently clearing the halls before having to head upstairs.
Scott saw a man waiting there like he was helping. "Hey. We'll take it from here, you need to get outside." Scott told him. "No thanks, I got it, it's alright." The man answered.
A woman tripped in front of Scott. "WOAH! HEY! EASY! Take your time! You ok?"
"Hey! You're in the way!" Donovan told the man. "Out you go!" He urged. "Move it!"
More people came running down the stairs and to the lobby.
Back at the main desk, Stella, Spinelli, and Arnold saw that the camera was fritzing out.
"Ok, heat is interfering with the electronics, that settles it!" Stella started. "You're climbing." She went on her radio. "2-2-7 to all companies. We can't trust the elevators, use the stairs ONLY! Stage on 19! Truck 55, give me a primary search on 20! Squad, take 21! Engines 55, 73, and 23, back up Truck on 20 and attack the fire! Let's go, let's go, let's go, LET'S GO!" She shouted as her Lieutenants were already at the stairwell with their teams.
Stella soon walked away to go outside and meet with more companies.
At the stairwell, all assigned companies were climbing up the stairs, everyone's radios going off with chatter along with their helmet lights on.
Reaching the tenth floor, despite the heavy gear, they knew they had a long day ahead.
Civilians ran down the stairs and found the firefighters climbing up.
"Keep moving. Follow 'em downstairs." Michelle calmly told the civilians as they kept going down.
Outside, sirens continuously wailed as victims came out.
"Sir, come sit, let me check you out!" Murray motioned over a man as firefighters walked by. "Victims from the upper floors should be here." He told a medic.
"Is that Vanessa Brett?" He asked. "Yeah?" Murray answered, unsure of his question.
Two fire trucks were parked ahead of them, one retro truck parked at a slanted angle.
As the other paramedic went on to treat other victims, Murray was listening to his victim's lungs with a curious look at Brett.
Back inside the skyscraper.
"Extra air tanks are stashed on 19! Attack from the North stairs! South stairs for evac!" Michelle told all companies on her radio despite a lot of chatter going on.
"… Copy, Captain."
"Copy, Truck 27."
"Chief, we reached the 20th floor." Michelle radioed Stella.
"Copy that, Captain." Stella answered as she went to a panel.
"Chief, I have a victim here! Burned bad!" Arnold radioed. "What's their condition?" Stella asked.
"She's breathing and unconscious!" Arnold told her as he set his halligan down. "I'll have Smith and McCaffery get her down!"
Stella looked back and radioed. "Ambulance 55, you take this first victim." She went to the main desk. "I need a floor plan of the tower."
"Should be around here somewhere…" The receptionist answered and started digging around.
"I got her!" McCaffery said as he grabbed the woman from her legs. "Grab her legs!" Dean told him. "Alright! Go!" Russ and Dean started heading down the stairs as Engine 73 was getting the standpipe ready.
As Spinelli opened the door of the 19th floor for evacuating civilians, "Gabriel, what's the holdup?" The Lieutenant of 73 asked. "These threads are in bad shape, they keep sticking!" Gabriel answered.
"I thought I told you to clean the standpipe!" The Lieutenant said. "I did, Lieutenant!" Gabriel replied.
"With a wire brush, not your hands!"
"He used the brush, I saw him." Spinelli told the Lieutenant.
"Let me in, I'll do it!" Gabriel finally opened the valve. "Open the valve! Come on!"
"Patterson!" Spinelli started. "Take it easy on your rookie. He's doin' great for a candidate."
"Stay out of our business, Spinelli!" Patterson answered as he and Gabriel masked up.
After masking up, they stretched the hose out, with Spinelli staying back to stretch it.
Back down in the lobby…
"CHIEF! CHIEF!" Tanner came running in. Stella looked back. "Tanner?"
"What floor is the fire on?" He asked. "What? Why?" Stella asked in confusion.
"My Dad lives on 23!" Tanner answered. Stella went on her radio. "McShay, how's it looking up there?"
"Chief, we're almost in! Engines 55, 73, and 23 are hooked up and we're almost in!" She replied as she was coming up with Vic and Gerald. Squad had came back up.
Patterson had his hand on the handle. "Let's do this!"
"HEY WAIT! WE HAVEN'T CHECKED-" Arnold shouted, but…
BOOM
CRASH
THRASH
A fireball flared out from the door Patterson opened, knocking him and his Candidate back.
The explosion was so loud it was heard down in the lobby. Everyone looked up in confusion while civilians kept panicking.
"CAP! THE DOOR!" Arnold told Michelle. "GOT IT!" Michelle shoved her shoulder against the door, but it wouldn't close as the fire flared from the small crevice.
Kneeling to check on the Candidate, "Hey! Probie! You're good!" Spinelli told the Candidate.
"FIRES TOO ADVANCED ON TWENTY, CHIEF!" Michelle radioed in. "WE CAN'T GET A FOOTHOLD!" She finally managed to shut the door.
Stella had to think of something fast. "Ok! New plan! Squad 55! Take the 21st floor! Truck, continue to 22! All assigned Engine companies stay on 20 and get a hold of that fire!"
"Copy that, Chief!" Arnold, Spinelli, and Michelle answered.
"So you're not searching twenty?" The Fire Commissioner's assistant asked. "You heard them, fire engulfed the entire floor." Stella told the assistant. She turned back to Tanner. "Where's your father?"
"23C!" Tanner answered. "Is he home?" Stella asked. "He's not answering, I don't know!" Tanner looked at the receptionist. "'Scuse me? Have you seen Greg Tanner today?" He asked.
"Sorry, I don't know. There's over 500 residents in the tower." The receptionist answered.
With red and white siren lights flashing inside the building, "Chief, my Dad won't last up there…" Tanner looked at Stella. "Don't worry, 23 is next." She answered.
Tanner nodded. "Do your thing. How can I help?" He asked. "Do your thing. Keep that doorway clear." She pointed. "Absolutely." He nodded and soon went over to the crowded exit.
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE BACK! CLEAR THE DOOR! OUT OF THE LOBBY! LET'S GO!" He motioned them away from the doorway.
On the 22nd floor, a fire alarm blared as Truck made their way around.
"I need every unit checked and every door opened! No exceptions!" Spinelli told her team. "FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!" She banged on a door.
"FIRE DEPARTMENT! ANYONE IN HERE?" Donovan shouted.
"Follow them, please! Stay low!" Gibson guided two civilians toward others.
Kicking a door open, Spinelli looked inside and shouted, "FIRE DEPARTMENT! ANYONE HOME?" She saw an elderly woman exiting her room. "Ma'am! Come with us! We're evacuating by the South stairwell! Keep it moving!"
Kicking another door open, "FIRE DEPARTMENT! ANYBODY HOME?" Donovan shouted.
"Easy! Follow them out!" Gibson guided the civilians.
Soon, Arnold and Cruz met up with each other after searching different rooms.
"Stay low! Follow them out!" Arnold told the civilians.
"This way! C'mon!" Pep signaled the civilians.
"Keep moving! Over there!" Cruz guided the civilians out and towards Pep.
"Clear!"
"Clear!" The two told each other and kept moving forward.
Moving to more rooms, Arnold yelled. "FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!"
"HELP! IN HERE! PLEASE HELP!" A woman called out.
Arnold tried the door handle, but it was jammed. "HANG ON! WE'LL GET YOU OUT!" Cruz yelled and broke the door open with his sledgehammer.
"FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!" Arnold and Cruz stepped inside.
"HERE! OVER HERE!" A woman shouted by the window.
"Is there anyone else in the apartment?" Cruz approached the woman and asked. "Just us!" The woman had her dog with her.
Arnold came out of the bedroom after searching around. "Hey! This room's clear!"
"I got this one, Lieutenant! Keep moving!" Cruz told him. "Got it! I'll check across the hall!" Arnold walked out.
With the window open, sirens wailed in the distance as Cruz replied, "Copy that!"
"The floor is really hot, I think the fire's downstairs!" The woman mentioned as she coughed. "You'll be alright! What's the little guy's name?" Cruz grabbed the dog for the woman. "Jynx." She answered.
"Jynx?" They chuckled. "I'm Victor, what's your name?"
"Maria." Maria coughed. "Maria, we have a clear shot at getting out! Walk in the park! You're gonna be fine! I'll make sure of it!" Cruz told her as the sirens grew louder. "That's it! Keep low!" They slowly walked out of the room.
"She was up on the fire floor! Unconscious, but breathing!" Dean and McCaffery came out with a victim. They set her on the stretcher and soon walked away.
Immediately checking her lungs, Murray couldn't hear anything. "I need to intubate."
"How? Her airway's burned badly." Vanessa mentioned. Murray made her step aside as he grabbed the tracheal tube.
Looking inside, he couldn't find a way in, but he didn't give up. "I need crich pressure…" He looked at Vanessa. While she did what she was told, she asked, "Shouldn't we just crich her?"
Murray shook his head. "No… My old partner was a legend at this… Learned from the best…" He finally inserted the tube down the woman's throat. "Tubes in. Bag her."
Vanessa connected an Ambu bag to the tracheal tube and started pumping it as Murray listened for breath sounds.
He nodded. "Nice work." Vanessa told him, pretty impressed. Murray grabbed an endotracheal tube strap. "Back at ya. Let's call ahead to Med, let 'em know her condition." Murray told her as he strapped on the white ET tube.
Back upstairs, Gibson opened the door and he held it open. "Let's go, people!"
Spinelli came out behind him. "Chief! We cleared 22! Alexander and I are headed to 23!" She radioed Stella.
"Copy. Spinelli, I have Sergeant Tanner down here. His father lives in 23C. He isn't answering his phone, I want you two to take a look." Stella told her daughter-in-law as she looked at Tanner. "Looks like you get to repay him."
"Don! Let's go!" Spinelli told Donovan. They started heading upstairs. "Right behind you, Lieutenant!" Don answered.
On the 21st floor, Pep, Cruz, and Arnold came out as civilians came with them.
"Hey, Chief! We pulled three victims from 21! We're sending them down with Truck, we still have more doors to kick in!" Arnold radioed.
"Maria, listen to me! My pal Gibson is gonna take you the way down!" Cruz handed over Jynx. "Do as he says! I gotta get back inside!" Cruz told Maria.
"You're not coming?" Maria asked worriedly. "I can't, I gotta go back inside! You'll be fine! I promise!" Cruz reassured her.
Maria only nodded. "Be careful…" She softly said. Arnold, Pep, and Cruz went back inside the 21st floor.
"C'mon, everybody. Follow me." Gibson told them.
"The stairwell is full of smoke, are you sure it's okay to be in here?" A woman with her baby asked. "It'll clear when we reach the lower levels, below the fire." Scott answered.
"It's a long way down, can't we just take the elevator down?" The woman asked. Scott stopped and looked at her. "Ma'am, the elevators aren't safe. If you want, I can hold your baby." He reached out with a smile. "Hey, little guy. Wanna come with Scottie?"
The woman held her baby away. "I can carry him, that's not the point!" Scott soon looked down momentarily. "Alright, let's go! Keep moving!" He started walking downstairs.
Outside, Tanner had to hold off a crowd that was crowding the entrance.
"FOLKS, WE NEED THE ENTRANCE CLEARED! KEEP BACK! EVERYONE BACK! I NEED YOU TO WAIT ACROSS THE STREET!" Tanner yelled as Stella came outside and went on her radio.
"Listen up! I need two more Engine companies hooked up to hydrants in case we start to lose pressure! AND MOVE TRUCK 49 TO A CORNER, ITS BLOCKING OUR AMBULANCES! I NEED A LANE CLEAR FOR OUR AMBOS!" Stella shouted on her radio, passing by Truck, Squad, and Engine 55.
"Copy that, Chief!"
She saw Truck 49 blocking an entire path, and it was a tractor-drawn aerial truck. (AKA Tiller)
Up on the upper floors, smoke and fire poured from windows as Spinelli radioed in.
"Chief! We're in 23C right now." Stella motioned Tanner over. "Tanner!" He immediately ran over. "Go ahead, Spinelli, what'd you find?"
"Uh… Nothing, Chief. There's no sight of Mr. Tanner." Spinelli answered.
"Carry on." Stella told her. "Guess that's some good news." Stella told Tanner and walked away.
Tanner barely nodded. "Yeah…" He went on his phone to try his cell again as Engine 55 and Engine 23 were behind him.
Meanwhile…
Meanwhile, at Med, Phoebe was leaning against a desk with her arms crossed, currently lost in her thoughts about Reese before Teddy tapped her shoulder.
"Heyerdhal, you alright?" Teddy asked. "Hm? Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm ok. She'll turn up eventually."
Teddy shook her head. "You know, if you want, you can head over to check on her." She offered.
Phoebe shook her head. "No. But thanks. I'm good. I'll do more good here as they bring in more victims."
"All right…" Teddy nodded understandingly and walked away, leaving Phoebe with a slight worry anyhow.
Stella went on her radio as she walked back inside. "I want a secondary search on the last few floors, make sure we find everyone trapped on those floors!" She told all companies as she walked by Scott.
Scott soon came by with the victims. "Okay, when you get outside, go across the street and check in with paramedics! Okay? Good work! Outside!" Gibson immediately noticed the woman and her baby weren't with them. He stopped Maria. "Hey! Hey! Where's the woman with her baby?" He asked.
Maria looked around, unsure. "S- S- She stepped aside to let faster people go by but I haven't seen her after that." Scott gave a concerned look. "Ok." He let Maria go on ahead.
"Hey! Warren!" He came up to Ben. "The woman and her baby. Where are they?" Warren looked around but didn't see them. "I thought they were upfront with you?"
"Dammit… Alright, we have to go back up and find them." Scott told him. Warren nodded and adjusted his helmet. "Just let me swap my air tank, I'm almost out."
Scott nodded as Travis came over. "Scott, can you take a look at these controls?" Gibson sighed. "Montgomery, I'm not on elevator duty." He answered as he checked his air time.
"I know but the number Three car is fritzing out! It was stuck on Eighteen but it went up to 24 and now it's stopped!" Travis exclaimed. Gibson rolled his eyes once he realized what happened. Warren shook his head. "It has to be the mother… I told her she couldn't use it!" He walked over to Stella.
"Chief! Do we have eyes inside the elevators?" Gibson asked. Stella shook her head. "Cams are out."
He looked back at Travis and Warren. "Ben, go with Montgomery, I'll work on the elevators for a system reboot! Chief, if that mom took her baby onto the elevator, they could be trapped!" Scott walked away as Travis nodded. Travis went off to get his SCBA.
Stella went on her radio. "All units above the fire floor! Keep your eyes peeled! We have a missing woman and young child! I want them FOUND!" Stella exclaimed firmly.
On the upper floors, Squad and Truck 55 met up.
"Hey! Arnold! We need to get up on 24 to check that elevator! Can you guys finish out this floor?" Spinelli asked with Donovan behind her. Arnold nodded as Pep and Cruz were behind him. "Yeah, on it! Go!"
Before leaving, Spinelli and Arnold smiled at one another, holding onto each other's coat arm sleeves for a second before letting go and going their separate ways.
Spinelli and Donovan exited the 23rd floor and found Warren and Travis climbing up.
"Lieutenant!" Warren shouted.
"What's happening? Any word on the mom and her kid?" Spinelli asked. "Shortman has companies searching 19 on down but… no sign of them." Travis answered.
"Came from 22, right?" Spinelli asked. Ben and Travis nodded. "Alexander, Warren, and I sweep that floor again, to make sure she didn't go back up for something. Montgomery, with McShay. You two start a primary on 24."
Everyone nodded. Donovan, Warren, and Spinelli started climbing down as Travis started heading up.
"Lieutenant, how's your air?" Donovan asked. "I still have some air left but I'll need to switch out my bottle soon. And even then, I can still go longer than you two!" Spinelli smirked behind her mask.
"No doubt…" Ben chuckled as they entered the 22nd floor.
"FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL OUT!" Spinelli shouted.
Meanwhile at MedStar
Catherine got her gloves on as Murray and Vanessa wheeled their patient in.
"This the teen girl we called in. Name and age unknown, but she looks mid-teens. Second-degree burns on her torso, neck, and arms." Murray informed as he was bagging the girl.
"And you got her intubated? Impressive. Alright, Trauma Two! Get her prepped for a central line and call Respiratory." Catherine told the nurses as they took in the girl.
Murray and Vanessa were left to do brief paperwork.
"Gotta admit, Murray, a field intubation while her airway was burnt? Wow…" Vanessa mentioned. Murray shrugged. "Yeah well… It's all thanks to my old partner…" Murray soon looked at Brett. "Uh, Vanessa? What's the deal with you?" He asked.
Brett raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Murray shrugged as he filled out the paperwork. "Well… I know the other day you told me you practically have a crush on our Squad Lieutenant, but I have a feeling you're not telling me the whole thing. I mean, I saw you eyeing him the second we arrived at the skyscraper."
Brett sighed as she looked at the ER exit. "I guess you're somewhat right…"
"Somewhat?"
Brett nodded, still looking at the exit. "There's so much about Arnold I wanna tell you right now yet I know we're tight on time… But Murr… I feel- I feel in love with him… I know he's married but…-"
"Why not just talk with him? You know, strike up casual friendly convos here and there, and when the time is right, talk about your feelings?" Murray suggested as he filled out the paperwork.
Brett rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say… I have such a crush on him I feel like I'm gonna be a high school girl stuttering in front of him!" Murray chuckled softly. "Alright well… while we're still here, just vent to me, okay?"
Brett didn't hesitate and immediately started. "I can't help but admire his hair, golden like mine, except I'm a lighter blonde." She chuckled. "I don't know, Murr… There's something about Arnold that makes him so… so enchanting to me! He seems like such a caring and kind soul with a fierce drive, I just melt when I see him…" Brett let out a loving sigh, her cheeks hotter than the skyscraper fire. "Murray… I'm in love with Arnold, but I don't know what to do about it!"
Murray clicked the pen and set it down. "Well, I think I can have someone help you out on that."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah, why not? It's more than clear that not only do you love Arnold, but you also need a little help."
Brett soon hugged him. "Aww, thanks, Murr!" Vanessa gave a light peck to his cheek as he returned the hug.
Murray soon let go. "Come on. Let's resupply and get back to the skyscraper." He said. Vanessa nodded. "'Kay." She quietly answered.
Back At The Skyscraper
Reaching the 24th floor, Travis was with Michelle and they came across the Candidate from 73.
"Hey! You hurt?" Michelle asked. Both their helmet lights shined at his face, he was gripping to the stairwell railing like his life depended on it. He was breathing extremely heavily in his mask, also draining his air bottle.
"You okay?… Boy, he's locked up." Travis mentioned. "He took a fireball to the face earlier, he must be shaken up. Get him downstairs." Michelle went ahead.
"You sure, Cap?" Travis asked. Michelle nodded. "Yeah! He's in the way! Get him out of here!" She went inside the 24th floor.
Travis kneeled to the Candidate. "What's your name?"
No response as Gabriel was too scared to let go or do anything. Travis grabbed Gabriel's helmet, took it off, and looked at the back for his name. "Alright, Gabriel, let's get you out!" Travis tried to get him up, but Gabriel made a weird whimper noise as he didn't want to let go.
"HEY!" Travis yelled. "MY CAPTAIN JUST TOOK OFF BY HERSELF 'CAUSE OF YOU! YOU GET ON YOUR FEET, LIVES ARE STAKE!" He yelled. Gabriel wasn't letting go and only tightened his grip.