Gabriella's hands gripped the steering wheel of her classic red Camaro, the engine rumbling softly as she idled across the street from the Trinidad fire station. The car always reminded her of Bode– a reminder of the first night they met when he helped her with her ignition wire on the road behind Three Rock. But today, it was the weight of her worry that filled the vehicle, pressing down on her chest like a vice.

She hadn't planned on coming here, not after how things had ended between her and Bode. She had chosen Diego, and Bode had respected that, even if it had broken both their hearts. The last thing she wanted was to dredge up those feelings again, but she was desperate. Her father was missing, and she couldn't do this alone.

Gabriella took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the station across the street. She could see the firefighters wrapping up their shifts, their faces tired but satisfied after a long day. Bode was probably among them, maybe still restocking the trucks or checking the gear. The thought of seeing him again made her heart race, but she couldn't afford to hesitate.

For a moment, Gabriella considered just driving away. She could handle this on her own, couldn't she? After all, she was Manny's daughter. She was strong, independent, and had always been able to take care of herself. But as much as she tried to convince herself, the truth was she needed help—Bode's help.

The idea of asking him for anything after how they'd left things made her stomach twist. She still remembered the look on his face at the ceremony, the hurt in his eyes as he watched her walk up the aisle. She had convinced herself it was the right decision, but now, everything was falling apart, and she had no one else to turn to.

Gabriella exhaled slowly, her decision made. She couldn't let her pride get in the way of finding her father. This wasn't about her and Bode; it was about Manny, and he needed them both.

She killed the engine, grabbed her purse, and stepped out of the car, her boots clicking against the pavement as she walked across the street. As she neared the station, she could see Bode through the open doors, his broad back turned to her as he finished restocking the firetruck. He looked different—stronger, more focused—but there was still that unmistakable air of sadness about him, a reminder of everything they'd been through together.

Gabriella hesitated at the entrance, her heart pounding. She almost turned around, but then Bode glanced over his shoulder and saw her standing there. His expression shifted from surprise to something else—concern, maybe even a flicker of something deeper.

"Gabriella?" he called out, his eye widening, as he set down the hose he was coiling. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped into the station, her hands fidgeting with the strap of her purse. "Bode, I—" Her voice faltered as she tried to find the right words. She had rehearsed this a dozen times in her head on the drive over, but now that she was here, everything felt tangled up in her throat.

Bode walked over, wiping his hands on a rag. "Is everything okay?"

"No, it's not." Her voice was tight, barely holding back the tears she refused to shed. "It's my dad. He's missing."

Bode's brow furrowed in concern, the casual demeanour he'd been wearing quickly replaced by a seriousness that made Gabriella's heart ache with familiarity. He had always been like this—ready to help, to protect, even when it wasn't easy.

"When was the last time you heard from him?" Bode asked, his tone now all business.

"He was released from lockup earlier this week," Gabriella explained, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stay calm. "But instead of coming home, he disappeared. I've been tracking his phone, and it looks like he's heading down to Oakland. I'm afraid he's… I'm afraid he's lost hope and is going back to his old ways. The gambling, the drinking… Bode, I don't think he'll listen to me, but maybe you can get through to him."

Bode's expression softened, and he reached out to gently touch her arm, grounding her in the moment. "We'll find him, Gabriella. I promise."

She let out a shaky breath, relieved by his response, even though she had known deep down he would help. "I didn't know who else to ask," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know it's a lot to ask, especially after…"

Bode shook his head, cutting her off gently. "This isn't about us. It's about Manny. And he's like family to me. Of course, I'll come with you."

Before she could say another word, the station's side door opened, and Audrey walked in. She smiled when she saw Bode, her eyes lighting up in a way that made Gabriella's heart sink. Audrey's presence was a stark reminder that Bode had moved on, that he had found someone else to care about, someone who wasn't her.

Audrey walked over, unaware of the tension. "Hey," she said warmly, leaning in to give Bode a quick kiss. "You ready to head out?"

Bode kissed her back, though Gabriella noticed the way he seemed a little hesitant, almost as if he was suddenly unsure. "I need to go with Gabriella," he explained, glancing at her with a mixture of concern and apology. "Her dad's in trouble."

Audrey looked from Bode to Gabriella, her expression shifting to one of understanding, though Gabriella could see the slight flicker of something else—worry, maybe even jealousy. But Audrey didn't push; she simply nodded, trusting Bode's judgment. "Be careful," she said softly, squeezing his hand.

Gabriella bit her lip, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that twisted in her gut. She had no right to feel this way, not after everything that had happened. Still, it hurt to see Bode with someone else, to realize that he had found a way to move on when she was still trying to make sense of everything.

Bode turned back to her, his expression resolute. "I just need to grab my gear bag. I'm off shift for the next three days, but I'm just going to let my captain know that I'm heading out of town. I'm still a probie, so I'm trying to stay in his good books."

Gabriella nodded, grateful for his support but also painfully aware of the distance that had grown between them. They walked out of the station together, the air between them heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. As they climbed into Gabriella's Camaro and headed south, she couldn't shake the feeling that this trip would force them to confront more than just her father's disappearance.