Bode stepped out of Chief Harper's office, the weight of their conversation still pressing down on him. The bustling energy of the station swirled around him, a sharp contrast to the heavy tension he felt inside. He didn't have long to dwell on it, though, as Chief Harper's gruff voice cut through the noise.
"Leone!" Harper barked from behind him, drawing the attention of the nearby firefighters. "Come, meet your new captain."
Bode turned on his heel and quickly made his way back to Harper's side, his heart pounding in his chest. The Chief led him through the station and out toward the apparatus bay, where the massive fire engine sat gleaming under the overhead lights. Standing next to it, casually leaning against the truck with the kind of effortless confidence that only came with years of experience, was a man who exuded calm authority.
"Camden!" Harper called out as they approached. "This is Bode Leone, the probie I told you about."
Camden straightened up and turned to face them, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man in his early forties, with sun-kissed brown hair that curled slightly at the ends, and a natural swagger that immediately set him apart. His easygoing demeanour contrasted sharply with the sternness of Chief Harper, but there was no mistaking the intensity in his hazel eyes as he assessed Bode.
"So, you're the new guy," Camden said, his voice smooth but authoritative. He extended a hand toward Bode, who shook it firmly.
"Yes, Captain," Bode replied, his voice steady despite the nerves tightening in his stomach.
Camden's grip was strong, his handshake confident. "Call me Camden. We don't stand too much on ceremony around here, but respect is earned through hard work and following orders. You good with that?"
Bode nodded. "Absolutely."
"Good." Camden glanced back at Chief Harper, who crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze never leaving Bode.
"Leone," Harper began, his tone carrying the weight of a man who had seen it all, "you're starting at the bottom here, and I mean the very bottom. You're not here to be a hero. You're here to learn. That means you'll be taking orders from everyone on this crew, and your main job is to listen, observe, and stay out of the way."
Bode swallowed hard but nodded, understanding exactly what Harper was laying out for him.
"I don't care who your parents are or what your uncle pulled to get you here," Harper continued, his voice like gravel. "You're going to have to earn your keep, and that starts with doing the grunt work. Your responsibility is to make sure these trucks"—he gestured to the fire engine—"are stocked and ready at all times. You'll be grabbing gear, running supplies, and making sure the rest of the crew has what they need when they need it. Got it?"
"Yes, Chief," Bode replied, his voice unwavering.
Harper's eyes narrowed, as if searching for any sign of defiance or arrogance in Bode. Finding none, he gave a curt nod. "Good. Camden here is one of the best captains in the division. You'd do well to learn from him."
Camden gave a slight nod, his expression serious. "We've got a tight crew here, Bode. Everyone pulls their weight, and we don't have time for ego or mistakes. Do your job, keep your head down, and you'll find your place soon enough."
Bode met Camden's gaze, the determination in his eyes clear. "I understand, and I'm ready to do whatever it takes."
Camden's expression softened just a fraction. "We'll see. The fire doesn't care about your intentions, only your actions."
Bode nodded, absorbing every word. He knew this was going to be one of the hardest challenges of his life, but he also knew that he couldn't afford to fail. Not here, not now. With Gabriella out of his life, he needed this. Fighting fires was the only thing that had ever made him feel sane.
Chief Harper clapped Bode on the shoulder, the force of it almost making him stumble. "Get started by checking the gear. Make sure everything is in order. You've got a lot to prove, Leone. Don't screw it up."
Without another word, Harper turned and walked away, leaving Bode standing there with Camden. The captain watched him for a moment before giving a slight nod toward the truck. "Gear's all yours, probie. Let's see what you've got."
Taking a deep breath, Bode stepped forward and opened one of the side compartments of the fire engine, already mentally cataloging what needed to be checked, cleaned, and restocked. As he began the painstaking task of going through every piece of equipment, he felt the weight of the station's eyes on him. But rather than feeling intimidated, Bode felt a surge of determination.