FRIENDLY FIRE: A 9-1-1 fanfiction

Part Two: Chilli

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EMMA

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"So, Emma," Bobby sat down behind his desk, looking slightly out of place as he gestured for me to sit in the chair across from him, "how are you enjoying California so far?"

I sat down, eyeing the certificates and decorations on his walls carefully, "It's loud."

Bobby's smile grew as he turned to his computer screen, pulling up what I assumed would be my files. "I heard you're from Florida, I doubt it's very quiet there."

"It's not." I cleared my throat as Bobby threw me a small look before going back to reading on his screen.

I kept telling myself that I wasn't nervous, but I didn't like being evaluated, no one really did. It was one thing when a committee was doing it, but another when the captain you're going to be serving under does it. Captains can bench you a whole lot if they don't like you.

Bobby let out a soft hum, looking at me properly, like he was trying to size me up. "Your file is very interesting, you're clearly a very talented individual,"

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to thank him or not so I just blinked a few times, sitting up straighter, if I physically could.

"there is something that concerns me though."

I already knew what it was, but it still drew a slight wince out of me as Captain Nash clasped his hands together out in front of him.

"You transferred right after facing a disciplinary committee. From my understanding, you were suspended for a week, and after that week, you left."

"I can assure you my leaving had nothing to do with my suspension," I said, keeping my voice level and calm. I already knew Bobby had an impression of me now and it was definitely not a good one.

"I'll have to take your word for that," Bobby didn't sound particularly convinced before he sighed. "The thing is, you were suspended for assaulting a co-worker. I can't take that lightly."

"With all due respect, Sir, I faced my punishment. I was suspended." I bit my teeth together after speaking, stopping myself from accidentally saying anything else. The room was starting to feel a little heavy, and I was starting to feel the urge to run.

Bobby raised his brows slightly, his face easing up a little, "I agree, but I need you to understand that at the 118, we absolutely do not tolerate any forms of violence."

I wanted to spit out that station 8 didn't either, but I had a feeling he would take that as a form of the violence he was trying to supposedly prevent. "Understood, Sir."

I knew Saunderson had been thorough with his report on the incident; I knew that the report stated that it was a provoked assault and I knew that it had multiple witness reports from the rest of 8's crew. I knew the report freely stated that I was at fault, but so was Cooper Lloyd, who'd had his face smashed in. It bothered me that Bobby didn't even seem to want to read the details of the report; he'd already decided I was unworthy.

"I'm glad that's out of the way," Bobby tried to throw me a smile, but I didn't look him in the eyes.

I'd had superiors like him before; more concerned about appearances than morals, always looking for someone to scapegoat if things went wrong. I knew how to avoid the traps they set too, by staying to the side lines and knowing my place.

"I can see that three other stations put in to have you, but the Chief wanted you here," Bobby continued easily. "Your old fire captain gave a glowing recommendation. Decorated marine sergeant, three years in fire service, you've completed your advanced training, and you're training to become a fire engineer now?"