Ok, so, I know I've been away for a while, but I haven't exactly wasted my time. So, after the next chapter, I'm taking a small break from this story to work on my second story, and try and get some more action going on there. I already know I left that one off with a cliffhanger, so I should have the new chapter posted TOMORROW! I'm real hopeful I'll be able to, probably may be a late upload too. One thing I will reveal, the next chapter will most likely be a cliffhanger... Either way, with that aside, enjoy this chapter and the next chapter!
Four And A Half Weeks Later…
So, where do we find ourselves nearly five weeks later? Andy officially turned a year old a few weeks ago, Arnold and Spinelli spent the entire day spoiling their daughter, loving Andy every second along with Pep, all three forming a bond with Andy. Spinelli's recovery went better than expected and was bound to return to duty. Her parents were with her during her entire recovery process, especially Stella and Arnold, two of the many closest people in her life. The entire firehouse was also with her since they were like brothers and sisters to her. Spinelli was just a day away from returning to duty, even if she would be on the sidelines, AKA desk duty. Or not. It all depends on her.
While the replacement Lieutenants haven't been announced yet, one noticeable update was that the fire helmets now had the traditional eyeshield. All helmets at 55 now had the eyeshields. Their helmets were always traditional composite, but previously didn't carry the traditional eyeshield, but now they do.
Currently sitting in bed in her black sports bra, tossing a tennis ball out of the room for Diesel to fetch, and on the phone, Spinelli was talking with her mother despite it being around nine in the morning.
"… Yes, ma, I'm fine, really. You know Arnold and his strict care." Spinelli softly chuckled. "Uh huh….. Mom, I can breathe just fine!" She chuckled.
While she kept talking with her mother, Arnold and Pep came into the room, bringing a brighter smile to Spinelli's face.
"… Yeah, uh, Mom, listen, I gotta go now, I'll call you back when I can, ok? . . . Alright, love you, Ma." Spinelli hung up as Arnold sat beside her and kissed her cheek. "How are you feeling today, Ashley?" He gave a warm smile.
Diesel came walking back into the room with the tennis ball in his mouth as Pep wrapped her arms around Arnold's neck.
"Better every day, I'll say." Spinelli started. "Just sucks I have to wait until tomorrow to be back." She shrugged.
Arnold caressed her left cheek. "You know we have our honeymoon a couple of days after. That, and a small vacay for you, me, and our little girl." He smiled. Spinelli soon smiled after.
"Have fun for me, okay?" Pep cheekily asked. Arnold kissed her hand. "Of course we will." He smiled up at her.
Arnold sighed after. "Well… Another day, another shift, mm?" He looked up at Pep, who nodded in agreement.
Arnold finally looked over and noticed Diesel, who stood there patiently for one of the three to throw his tennis ball again.
"Pep, would you give me and Spinelli a minute? And take Diesel, will you." Arnold asked.
"Of course." She let go of Arnold and whistled to Diesel as she walked out. "Here, boy!" She took the tennis ball from him.
Spinelli looked at Arnold with a curious look. "What's up?"
"Nothing." Arnold started and soon smiled. "It's just… this journey we've been through together. So much has happened, and we're still pretty young." Arnold then held her left hand. "I love you, Spinelli. I always will."
Spinelli softly smiled while caressing his hand with her thumb. "You know I love you too, I'll always be here for you and our girl. We've been through so much on this journey, and quite a way to start off the new chapter in our lives, huh?" She chuckled. "There is so much ahead of us that I can't wait to experience while being beside you. You make it worth fighting for. I love you, Arnold." Spinelli smiled.
Leaning forward, they pressed their lips together for a tender yet passionate kiss.
After a minute, they slowly separated and smiled at one another. Arnold stood up and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Why don't you get a little rest? Pep and I will be checking in with you when we can, ok?"
Spinelli lightly nodded. "Love you." She held his hand with a smile. "Love you more, Ashley." He smiled back.
After holding hands for a few seconds, they finally let go. Arnold walked out of their bedroom as Spinelli messed with her messy hair.
Arnold soon wrapped an arm over Pep and smiled. "Ready to go?"
She happily nodded.
Later at Firehouse 55
Adjusting her badge, Stella found her son near the Squad truck.
"Arnold, there you are!" She called out. "Hey, Mom!" Arnold softly smiled.
They embraced each other in a hug. "How's Spinelli doing?" Stella asked. "Ready to be back already." Arnold chuckled and shrugged. "She loves what she does, and that's being the fierce Lieutenant she is."
Stella chuckled. "It's something I love about her. Oh! Arnold, you're going to announce the acting Lieutenants during the morning briefing, right?" Arnold nodded. "Yeah. Spinelli finally decided on who will be her replacement.
She kissed his cheek afterward. "Perfect. Love you, hon." She walked away.
"Love you too, Mom." Arnold answered as he looked to his right to see Pep with a towel in hand, cleaning off her hands. "Blame Suarez and McCaffery for their pranks…" She frowned.
"What happened?" Arnold asked. "Just a stupid prank, don't worry about it… Those guys may be useful in the field but are nitwits when it comes to anything else…"
Arnold kissed the side of her forehead while she looked away. "C'mon, don't mind 'em. Cruz isn't like that, well, 95% of the time, at least…" Arnold shrugged. "Now come on, morning briefing starts in five. Let's go." Pep softly smiled at him.
In the briefing room, they met up with Vanessa there. She gave a warm smile when saw the two of them.
"Lieutenant! Clemente! Surprised seeing you two here already." Brett smiled. "Back at you." Pep smirked.
Vanessa soon hugged Arnold, in which he returned the hug with a warm smile. "What brings you here so early?" Arnold asked.
Vanessa shrugged. "I actually don't know, if I'm being honest. I was looking for Murray but I instead ran into you guys." She softly smiled.
"And again, it's great having you with us, Brett." Arnold put a hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Lieutenant." Brett smiled.
Ten Minutes Later…
Just about to end the morning briefing for today's shift, Stella motioned over her son.
"Lieutenant?"
Arnold stood up and soon stood beside his mother. "Chief."
"Ok, so… Lieutenant Shortman has an announcement regarding the acting Lieutenants. But with Lieutenant Spinelli still absent, he will do honors. Go ahead, Lieutenant." Stella stepped aside and nodded.
"It wasn't easy deciding who should replace us, considering we leave behind big boots to fill," Arnold chuckled. "But, after carefully thinking it through, Lieutenant Spinelli and I finally came down to our decisions…" Arnold finished with a cliffhanger.
The members of Squad and Truck anxiously awaited to see who would be named acting Lieutenants.
"… Before I name our two, Cap, do you still want to alternate between Engine and Truck?" Arnold asked.
Michelle nodded. "Yeah, of course, Lieutenant."
Arnold nodded back. "Then it is my honor to name… Scott Gibson as acting Lieutenant of Truck 55, and Victor Cruz as acting Lieutenant of Squad 55." He smiled after.
Scott sat there in disbelief as Montgomery, Alexander, and Michelle surrounded him to congratulate him.
Cruz also sat there, taking in the announcement as his friends congratulated him.
Shortly after, Arnold turned to his mother for her to finish the morning briefing.
"Gibson, you're free to start your duties as Lieutenant today with Spinelli still sitting out." Stella suggested. "You'll find your new helmet and coat in the bunker room."
"Yes, Chief. R- Right away."
Stella softly smiled as she grabbed her radio from the table. "Alright, 55, dismissed. You all have your duties. We have a city to serve."
As everyone started getting up, chatting away with one another, Arnold walked over to Scott and patted his shoulder. "Pretty big boots to fill. I have confidence you'll do great. Congrats, Lieutenant." He smiled.
"Grateful for this opportunity… I won't let her down. I promise." Scott answered. "You won't Gibson." Arnold soon walked away and out of the room.
"Squad! Apparatus floor! Now!" Arnold called out.
Scott stood there for a moment before fixing his messy hair and composing himself.
Meanwhile, in the engine bay…
With Squad lined up beside their truck, the sun shining through the garage doors, Arnold was giving a brief rundown to them with something else in mind…
"… Before anything, Cruz, congratulations. There's nobody else I'd want in my spot than you. Congrats, bro…" Arnold put a hand on Cruz's shoulder and smiled, expressing his gratitude.
"I'm honored, Lieutenant. Truly honored… I won't let you down." Cruz reassured despite his voice shaking at first. Arnold shrugged. "Yeah, well, you'll be in charge of taking care of two man-children sooo…" He chuckled.
Pep covered her mouth, hiding her giggle as McCaffery and Suarez looked in confusion.
"Who's talkin' about?" Suarez asked. McCaffery merely shrugged as Pep struggled to contain her laughter. "You both are real ingots…" Dean lowered his eyelids, rather unamused this morning.
Arnold stared at his Squad team, with a certain look on his face, almost like Michelle to her crew… "… Eh… Ok. Uhm… Oh! Right. So, I know it's not surprising at this point but, we'll be running drills, but I want two certain people to work harder than the rest…" Arnold eyed McCaffery and Suarez. "Now… I know you're all talented and good at what you do, which is why you were hand-picked to JOIN this Rescue Squad. And which is why I want us to do BETTER. And that's why this week we'll be tackling the specialties we know but we'll take the chance to sharpen our skills so we can bring our best to any call." Arnold finished as he stopped pacing back and forth.
"Today and tomorrow, Water Rescue scenarios. Then the next two days, Hazmat training and scenarios. And if I don't continue, is 'cause Cruz will be taking over since I'll be gone, but he'll continue the training while I'm away. But MVC (Multiple Vehicle Crash) will follow. Dismissed."
Everyone nodded and walked away. Arnold then stopped Dean before he walked away. "Hey. You okay? You seem off this morning." Arnold asked.
Dean nodded. "I'm fine, Lieutenant. Just a bit went on this morning, I won't let it get in the way of my work." Arnold nodded understandingly. "'Kay…" Arnold let Dean walk away as Stella came walking in, admiring Truck 55.
Arnold looked back and saw Truck just sitting there, almost like it was collecting dust. Stella soon stood beside him. "She would've already had 'em working on the compartment areas." Arnold chuckled. "Just like on Engine. I know her, I know her routine." He added.
Stella nodded lightly. "She always has 'em workin'. Givin' them some tough love, you know?" Stella chuckled. "I have to say, I also see the way she makes them do drills, she's pretty tough. During her days on Engine, of course."
"And it's crazy she'll have two shifts on Truck before we go away for a while." Arnold added and shrugged.
Stella then ruffled his hair. "Welp, if you'll excuse me, I have to go look over Engine's roster, one of the members is putting in for retirement." She smiled at her son and walked away.
Right after, the station alarm went off.
"Squad 55. Ambulance 55. Vehicle collision. 28-34 US-71." The Dispatcher said.
Later…
Briefly seeing the view on the cab of Squad's truck, the smooth purr of the engine as the sirens wailed.
Soon arriving under an overpass, the brakes hissed as the truck stopped. Arnold was the first to get out, halligan in hand as the others got out and followed behind.
"Single car incident, let's get that fire out!" Arnold pointed.
As sirens wailed from Ambulance 55, Pep answered, "Copy!"
Kneeling to the driver of the car, "Hey, hey! Don't move, we got you!" Arnold started. "Can you speak? What's your name?"
"… Mason…" The driver muttered. "Mason what?" Arnold asked. "No, my son… Mason… Where is he?…" The man asked.
Arnold immediately looked at the car, and then back at Squad. "GUYS, THERE COULD BE A VICTIM INSIDE THE CAR!"
As flames crackled, fire extinguishers hissed as Squad worked to get the fire out.
"He's conscious, major head wound!" Arnold told Murray and Nessa as he headed toward the car.
"Got it!" Murray answered.
Once the flames were out, trying to peer inside, Pep saw something that caught her eye.
"HEY! I FOUND HIM!" Pep looked back.
"McCaffery, grab a ladder!" Arnold told Russell as he peered inside the car. "Hey, Mason, can you hear me, kid?"
Mason only groaned.
"We'll get you out!"
Climbing on top of the car, Arnold looked down to where Mason was. "Halligan!"
"Yeah!" Suarez handed Arnold his halligan.
Jamming it into the door, Arnold started prying open the door to make his way to Mason.
Setting aside his halligan, he crouched to lift open the door. "Keep that up!"
"Got it!" Cruz started to wrap a blue rope around the window to hold it open.
"Alright, bud, we'll get you out now! Sit tight!" Arnold told Mason as he carefully climbed in.
"It hurts!…" Mason groaned. Arnold saw Mason's leg was impaled by a sharp object. "His leg's impaled!"
"I'll grab cutters!" Suarez shouted. "No, no, no! Too risky in the field!" Arnold answered. "Keep him in the car seat, transport him with his Dad in the back of the Ambo! Take care of it at the hospital!" He ordered.
"Copy!"
Setting the ladder in place, Arnold lifted Mason in his car seat up to McCaffery, who cautiously lifted him with Pep's help.
"Easy…"
"Got him."
Arnold climbed out right after and hopped down from the car. "Here." He took Mason from Pep's arms. Pep carefully handed him over. "C'mere bud… You're alright…" He comforted Mason as he headed toward the Ambulance.
Meanwhile, in Stella's office, the Fire Chief's Deputy Assistant was in her office, making a recommendation for Engine's roster.
"He's a resilient and rising firefighter from Firehouse One-Eleven. Great addition to the HFD." The assistant said.
"Is that so?" Stella questioned. He nodded. "Chief, I know you have the final decision, but this will be the best choice of your life."
Stella raised an eyebrow, almost questioning his words. "Uh-huh…"
Soon at Med…
"Six-year-old male, single car rollover. He was in the backseat and caught some metal in his right leg." Murray informed.
"Say the word and we cut it loose." Arnold mentioned.
"Ready to go when you are." The doctor said.
Getting the cutters and his safety glasses on, Arnold asked, "Alright, ready?"
Murray held up a sheet to block the view. "Eyes on me, bud. We're almost done. Just breathe with me, ok?"
"One… Two… Three." Arnold turned the cutters on.
Mason yelled in pain, but Murray kept him distracted from the pain. "Hey, hey. Eyes on me, pal."
With a sudden clank snapping, Arnold cut through the metal to free Mason. "We're through."
"There you go, champ." Murray smiled. "Great work, kid." Arnold smiled at Mason.
"Alright, let's get him to Trauma 3." The doctor told the nurses and wheeled away Mason with them.
Arnold picked up the tool bag and left the room with Murray.
"You're really outstanding, you know that?" Arnold asked. Murray shrugged. "Thanks. Same to you."
Brett finally came back. "Father's out of CT. No bleeding but a little disoriented. He'll be alright."
"I'll go stock up on supplies, I'll be right back." Murray mentioned, but gave Brett a wink. Vanessa lowered her eyelids before looking at the Squad Lieutenant.
Before Brett even spoke, "Excuse me?!" A woman approached them. "I'm looking for my son, Mason Whitticker!"
"We just brought him in. He had a piece of metal embedded in his leg, but no internal injuries." Vanessa told the woman.
"Can I see him? Where is he?" The woman asked.
"Currently with the Trauma team, you'll see him soon." Arnold answered. "Trauma team? What happened?" The mother asked.
"Your husband's SUV lost control and crashed off an overpass near the city." Arnold explained.
"Wh- What?!" The woman looked around frantically before saying, "Call the police! Right now!"
"Ma'am?" Arnold questioned. "I- I think… my husband crashed the car on purpose… I think he tried to kill our son!" The woman said.
Arnold and Vanessa looked at one another in confusion yet concern.
Later…
In a secluded and quiet room of the hospital, Murray and Brett stood together, a police officer writing down what the mother was explaining, and Arnold next to Murray.
"… Things got so bad after we separated… Violitatle, paranoid…" The mother explained. "Did he ever make any direct threats? You or your son?" The officer asked.
"No. Suicide no. But he did have a meltdown at one of our divorce hearings… Mark broke down, saying he couldn't live without Mason. My attorney tried to use it as grounds to deny custody."
"You guys notice anything unusual?" The officer asked the medics and Lieutenant.
"Road was empty upon arrival. No other cars. No reason to jerk the wheel around and crash off the overpass." Arnold explained. "When we were treating him, he kept asking 'What did I do? What did I do?'" Murray added. "And the way he was ejected. Suggests he didn't wear his seatbelt." Brett finished.
"Tracks of a suicide attempt."
"All right, now that we have all your statements, we'll look into it. The officer said. "Just look into it?" Arnold questioned.
"I understand the concern but there's not much to go off of without hard evidence of the crime. For now, the kid is safe." The officer walked away with his partner.
Back At The Firehouse…
Walking into the Officer's Quarters, Stella found Michelle, who wasn't expecting her presence at the moment.
"Chief?" Michelle asked. "Okay. Tray Lunardi. Firefighter of the HFD." Stella pointed out.
She was about to answer when a questionable look formed on her face. "Who?" Michelle blankly asked, her messy ponytail softly waving.
"Wow. Not even you?" Stella asked.
Michelle shook her head and shrugged. "Not on my radar of firefighters. Probably isn't part of the busier houses, because I've never heard or seen him."
"His name was brought up by the ADC (Assistant Deputy Chief) Schultz." Stella answered.
Michelle slowly nodded but chuckled. "Ah. I see…" Michelle stopped chuckling. "But why him? I mean I can think of others that'll be a better fit for my roster."
Stella shrugged. "No idea… But I'd like to find out." Michelle nodded understandingly. "A question, Chief?"
"Mm?" Stella crossed her arms and leaned on the desk.
"Are you looking for a reason to say yes or a reason to say no?" Michelle asked.
"Neither."
On the apparatus floor, Squad finally came back from Med, the engine rumbling loudly from the truck as doors already started opening. Arnold was first to hop out per usual.
The brakes hissed as the engine shut off. "Hey, guys? I want an incident report from all of you, I don't want ANY details excluded. I wanna know everything you saw." Arnold told his crew.
"Copy that." Suarez answered. "You got it, Lieutenant." Cruz answered.
"We copy." Pep answered.
Arnold noticed someone's feet kicked up on the Squad table, and was sitting in his chair.
The person turned around swiftly and took off her sunglasses. "Something up, Lieutenant?" Spinelli asked with a smirk.
"Baby, what are you doing here?" Arnold asked. Spinelli waved him off. "Pssh. Before you say anything, Andy's with my Mom. Secondly, don't worry about me, worry about YOU. So? What's up?" Spinelli got up from his chair and started walking with him.
"Well. Uh. Possible murder attempt and suicide? A father and a six-year-old kid." Arnold explained. "Ah." Spinelli nodded. "Think you can lend a hand?" Arnold asked. "Oh, whatever you need, you know I got you." Spinelli answered with a soft smile.
Arnold put an arm over her shoulder as they walked out of the engine bay.
As Cruz was already looking over an SCBA pack, Vic and Pep conversing and giggling to one another, Cruz saw a woman walking onto the apparatus floor, passing by Engine 55.
"Excuse me?" The familiar woman asked. "You're the one who helped me out of the tower fire."
Cruz snapped his fingers and remembered. "Maria, was it?"
"Yep. That's me." Maria smiled. "How- uh, how you feelin'?" Cruz asked.
Vic and Pep looked over toward the two with questionable looks.
"… Lot to rebuild but, I'm gettin' there. I just wanted to stop by, and say thanks- for saving my life." Maria stuttered slightly. "I- I should go. I don't wanna take up more of your time." Maria took a couple of steps backward before turning around and walking away. "Bye." She smiled.
"Oh, buddy…" Pep shook her head. Vic just covered her mouth, hiding her laugh as she walked away. "Oh, Cruz, you need a lot of help…" Pep added.
"What?"
The station alarm blared.
"Truck 55. Ambulance 55. Industrial accident, 4812 West 68th Street." The dispatcher said as Pep shrugged and walked away. Cruz only leaned against the Squad truck as members of Truck came into the engine bay.
Later…
Arriving at the address, red and white siren lights flashed as the big six-wheeled aerial ladder truck arrived, its sirens stopped wailing as it parked close to the building, the brakes hissing as it stopped.
"… 'Weird World Industries'. The hell kind of factory is this?" Donovan questioned. "Tommy, hang back 'till we know what we're dealing with." Gibson told him.
"No problem, Lieutenant." Tommy answered while looking at the building.
Banging on the door three times, Scott shouted, "Fire Department!" As Truck was seen in the background for a moment, the truck's aerial ladder extended several feet from the cab, showing how long it was. The red and white siren lights flashing off it.
The engine rumbled in the background as the girl answering the door was wearing a pretty questionable outfit… "Thank goodness you're here! Follow me!"
Everyone looked at each other in extreme confusion momentarily before stepping inside.
"I told him he was in over his head, that it couldn't be done, but it only drove him to try harder!" The young woman explained. "Try what?" Scott asked as they approached where the popping noises were coming from.
Fireworks popping and firing around what appeared to be a sarcophagus, Scott radioed, "Tommy! Extinguishers!" And approaching sarcophaguses cautiously. "Sir! Can you hear me?"
"He's got a gag on!" The woman mentioned.
"Oh… Uh- Sir, knock twice if you-" The woman interrupted. "He's wearing a straight jacket!"
"Dammit…!" Scott muttered.
Tommy came over with the extinguisher and saw all the popping fireworks. "Lieutenant?"
"Get to it." Scott nodded to the sarcophaguses.
Tommy would nod and start extinguishing around in bursts. Knocking each firework one by one, he stepped aside to let Scott pry open the sarcophaguses.
Tearing off the lock, and opening it up, they found the man hanging upside down…
"Found him." Scott started taking off the man's gag. "How you doin'? You okay?"
The man was surprisingly unharmed too. "I'm… gonna need non-disclosure agreements from every single one of you…" The man said.
Travis and Scott looked at one another before looking back at the man.
Soon…
As Ambulance 55 started driving away with Brett telling Tommy a joke from her college days, Truck came outside to find an Engine company arriving for overhaul.
"How we looking?" The Lieutenant asked. "All clear. Small pyrotechnic mishap, nothing extinguishers couldn't handle." Scott answered.
"Perfect. Thanks for knocking it down." The Lieutenant said. "Alright, Tray, Cohen, run in, give overhaul, make sure we don't run into any surprises before we leave?"
"Got it, Lieutenant." Tray and Cohen went inside the building.
The Lieutenant offered his hand to Scott. "Dylan Williamson, it's a pleasure meeting you, Lieutenant." Scott shook his hand. "Acting Lieutenant, filling in for Lieutenant Spinelli. Pleasure to meet you." Scott answered.
"Engine 111(one-eleven)? Aren't you guys up in Roosevelt Park? Pretty far from home, aren't you?" Travis mentioned while his coat was worn on his right shoulder.
"Heard a rumor one of my guys is on a watchlist to replace one of your guys on Engine. I got curious and asked Dispatch to pair us up on the next call. Gotta say, real impressed how quick you guys handled that." Dylan explained.
"We're not your average house." Scott said and patted Don's shoulder.
Dylan nodded. "That's what I hear. Heck, the busiest house in the city with the best Commanding Officers. Very cool." Dylan admitted. "Alright, I'm gonna need to take point on this overhaul but it was really good meeting you guys." Dylan shook Scott's hand. "I'll catch you in the next one." Dylan walked inside the building.
"Nice guy, hm?" Travis mentioned. "Not what I would've figured considering who he's related to." Donovan shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Scott asked. "That guy? That's the ADC's brother-in-law." Donovan answered as he opened the truck door and climbed inside.
Scott looked back inside, wondering what was going on suddenly.
Meanwhile, in the Officer's Quarters at 55, Arnold was currently looking over a photo of the overpass where the SUV drove off.
Suddenly, a hand slithered on his shoulder. "Got the paper studies you need." Spinelli said and set down the papers on his desk.
"Uh, yeah… Thanks." Arnold replied, not taking his eyes off the photo.
"Arnold. You're gonna give yourself a migraine just staring at that single photo intensely…" Spinelli lowered her eyelids.
"No, wait, but, look." Arnold got a map of where the overpass was. "See this? A concrete pylon here. Skidmarks here. Wouldn't you speed up instead of hitting the brakes if you wanted to kill yourself?" Arnold explained.
Spinelli shrugged. "I mean, I can't say much since I don't know much. But… do you think it was an accident?" She asked. "There's no reason to go off the overpass… Not even a mechanical failure could cause this…" Arnold added.
"Honey, you saved Mason's life. You done your part." Spinelli sighed and rubbed his shoulders. "Anything else, just let me know."
Arnold nodded as Spinelli kissed his cheek and walked out.
Over with Stella, Michelle walked in, knocking on her door and saying, "They're related."
Stella immediately knew it was the ADC and Tray. She motioned Michelle over.
"That's Jared's angle, nepotism. Tray is his brother-in-law. Scott told me who he is." Michelle whispered closely to Stella. "How did he do?"
Michelle shrugged. "Can't say much except decent."
"Keep a firm lid on this. If I want to go all-knives out on Jared, I'll need to be prepared." Stella told Michelle. "Copy that, Chief." Michelle nodded and walked out of her office.
Over at the bedroom part of the firehouse, Pep walked by Cruz, chewing gum as she was headed to the Officer's Quarters.
"Oh! Clemente! Hey. Can I ask you something?" Cruz sat up from reading his book.
"Mm hm. Shoot." Pep nodded.
"Ok, so… Uh… This girl. She's cute. How do I know she came by to the firehouse to thank the whole house, or because she's interested in me?" Cruz asked.
"What does your gut say?" Pep asked.
"My gut is the worst possible indicator. I mean, I would've asked someone like Vic or…" Cruz sighed. "She's not exactly a person of advice."
Pep's eyes darted around curiously, she then moved her head, her ponytail swaying slightly. "Ok, um… So, did this 'girl' point out anything? Like going out on a date?"
"Uh- She pointed out where she works, close by. Is that an invitation?" Cruz mentioned. "Let me ask you this, are you interested?" Pep asked.
"Yeah. For sure." Cruz nodded his head, expressing his answer. Pep patted his shoulder and smiled. "And that, my friend, answers your question. I'll let you go from there." Pep turned around and walked away, her ponytail swinging as she knocked on the Officer's Quarters door.
Cruz just took out his phone and decided whether to surprise Maria at work or what he'd do next.
Later…
A Lieutenant roamed the halls before finding his old friend, Travis.
"Montgomery! The man I'm lookin' for!" They shook hands. "Heard you were in charge of the tickets for the HFD picnic this year."
"And I'm happy to do it. Picking up for your crew?" Travis asked. "Yep. Put this one on me, figured I'd give them enough grief for the rest of the year. The least I can do." The Lieutenant replied as he counted his money.
"Yeah, I think I'm missing an invitation… I didn't see one for Gabriel." Travis mentioned. "Gabriel?" The Lieutenant thought for a moment before realizing who. "Oh! You mean the Candidate?" Lieutenant Patterson of 73, from the tower fire.
"Yeah."
"Oh yeah, he's a no-go. He's not coming, not with our company at least." Patterson said. "Look, he's a decent kid, but you saw him during that tower fire. Had to kick him in the floater pool."
Travis nodded understandingly. He took the money and handed over the invitations. "Catch you at the picnic?" Patterson asked. "You bet." Travis replied.
Over in the engine bay, at the Squad table, with his feet kicked up, Arnold drank from his soda can as a man entered the firehouse, passing by Truck. The Squad truck was outside being inspected.
"'Scuse me? I'm looking for a Lieutenant Shortman. Is this the right station?" The man asked.
Arnold showed his hand. "You found him." He set his feet down from the table. "I'm Sean Hill, I represent Amy Whitticker in her divorce."
"The Department can give you my report." Arnold said.
"Yeah, well, official reports, they're dry." Sean set his phone down, recording all audio. "Is this okay?" Sean continued either way. "Am I correct that Mr. Whitticker made no attempt to rescue his son prior to your arrival?" Sean questioned.
"He was barely conscious." Arnold answered.
"Sure, but I'm sure the moment you arrived, he told you Mason was in the car. Right?" Sean asked. "No. He only asked where Mason was." Arnold replied as he adjusted in his chair.
"He asked. But didn't know. Odd, right?" Sean questioned. "Not considering the extent of his injuries…" Arnold questioned.
"Ok. Have you seen vehicular suicides before, in your line of work, Lieutenant?" Sean asked. Arnold shrugged. "I have."
"Yeah, so it wouldn't be an unusual phenomenon for someone with a history of depression." Sean mentioned. "Look, I can tell you the position of where the car was, how we performed the rescue, but I can't answer questions of what can be going on in someone's head! What? Do I look at my wife or roommate and read their minds?" Arnold pointed out.
"I hear where you're coming from. No one's ever going to really know what happened in that car except Mr. Whitticker and the Almighty. My job is to present the narrative that presents the best outcome for my client." Sean sternly said.
THUD
Arnold punched the desk. "Narrative?" He stopped the audio recording from Sean's phone and stood up. "You're talking about a family. We're done here. Get out." He sternly looked at Sean.
"Thanks for your time." Sean got up and walked away immediately.
Passing Truck again, Spinelli was overlooking the front of the truck to overhear their conversation. Once Sean was gone, she immediately looked at Arnold.