What happens in Vegans Definitely didn't stay there

Chapter 25: Crash and Boom

A welcome to a new partner, a crash, and a realisation.

They woke early the next morning, Sylvie stretching out languidly beside Matt. He always woke before her, but would stay still to let her get more sleep. It was the normal get ready for work routine, the two couples driving separately to work. She gave Matt his final before work kiss before getting out. Despite walking into the house hand in hand she'd drawn the line at PDA in work. It wasn't worth the good natured teasing from their coworkers, not matter how tempting Matt may be when he bit his lip looking at paperwork.

They'd been sure to be at the house early so she could meet her new partner, and Boden called her into his office just before eight. There was a young woman standing there, her hair in intricate braids.

"Brett, meet Gianna Mackey, your new partner. She's recently out of the Academy. They've realised you're a good PIC to put newbies with, so they want you to help train her the same way you did Foster. Mackey, welcome to 51."

Once they were dismissed Sylvie brought Mackey to the locker room, pointing her to Foster's old locker and handing over the roll of painters tape and sharpie to mark it as her own. They went into the briefing room, Sylvie grabbed her normal seat and got Mackey to sit beside her. Boden arrived in just behind Gallo, letting them know about everything. Most of the announcements were specific to the firefighters, and briefing was a chance for her to get her head straight for the shift. This time though, Boden pointed to Mackey.

"Gianna Mackey is taking over on 61, and we look forward to welcoming her to 51. Mackey, ignore basically everyone here except the Lieutenants and Brett." With that their briefing was over, and to Sylvie's surprise Cruz was the first one over to them, before they'd even stood up from the table.

"You didn't tell me you were joining 51! Why not?" Sylvie looked between Cruz and her new partner, eyes widening slowly.

"Because I didn't want everyone to judge me on your reputation?" The newbie shot back, making Sylvie grin.

"And how do you know each other?" She asked the duo, who turned and looked.

"We grew up on the same block. Don't judge me because of him, everyone's mama always said "Stay away from the Cruz boys", but I had to follow him into CFD." Sylvie's smile turned into a grin at that.

"You're gonna fit right into 51, Mackey. Welcome, I'll show you around and introduce you to everyone before we get a call out."

Sylvie managed to get her through the entire firehouse and into the common room to get breakfast, a new record for an ambo crew in the morning. Gallo and Ritter were serving up breakfast, and they sat and ate. Everyone kept coming up to introduce themselves to Mackey, who looked flustered at the number of names and people who were talking to her.

"Don't worry, you'll get to know them all," Sylvie said, taking a bite of her eggs.

"When I went into houses as a floater they just ignored me. This is different. Nice, but different."

"51 is a family, they're good here. If we get called out on runs folks will usually save us a plate of food if we miss meals. We even socialise together a lot of the time. Did Cruz mention Molly's?"

"Yeah, he did. It's owned by one of the Lieutenants, right?"

"Herrmann. It's our usual spot, you should call by tomorrow—"

Ambulance 61, Man down from unknown causes. 1821 West Garfield.

"Let's go." They stood up to leave, leaving their plates where they were in the rush to get out. Matt caught Sylvie's wrist just as she made it to the door out to the app floor.