FRIENDLY FIRE: A 9-1-1 fanfiction

Part Eight: Family Dinner

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EMMA
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“You’re joking, right? There’s no way that actually happened?” Athena laughed loudly as I finished telling her my story.

Turns out a few hours on the job together can build a good friendship; Athena was nothing like Bobby. She was bold, and somehow, she’d captivated the entire community into respecting her, me included.

“Oh no, I’m completely serious, we were out there all night, I’ve never seen someone cry so much,” I laughed with her, walking with her through the fire house, my cheeks aching from all the stories we’d been sharing.

Somehow, between the shootout, two traffic stops, and a con-artist psychic, I’d ended up telling Athena about my old crew, the boys, and half my marine history. I didn’t even realise when I ended up inviting her to join me at a reunion party the next time one came up.

“And no one came to help you?” Athena confirmed again as we climbed up the stairs to the rest area, her grin wide across her face.

“No one dared!” I burst out again, wiping my eyes as a few tears of laughter escaped, “Those wild goats were out for blood!”

“Okay, so they get you out?” Athena stopped me on the last step by holding onto my elbow, “Please tell me it’s a good ending.”

I snorted, letting out a loud sigh, “Oh, it was the best ending,” I got to the top, turning around so I could walk backwards. “They sent a chopper.”

Athena burst out laughing all over again, clapping her hands together, “Air support for goats? I have never heard that before.”

“Well if you take me on more ride alongs, I’ll be sure to tell you even more stories,” I bargained with her, stopping at the sofa.

“Or you know, you could join the force,” Athena wigged her eyebrows at me, her eyes bright as she raised her hand to greet the 118 at the other end of the room.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Bobby came over to us, offering Athena peck on the cheek before nodding in my direction.

Athena placed her hand on Bobby’s arm, flashing him a wider smile, “I might just steal her from you.”

Bobby smiled down at her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, “I see it went well.” He started to lead her away into the kitchen where he’d placed down a variety of dishes on the dining table.

“It went better than well. You should hear some of the stories Emma has, I haven’t laughed this hard in years!” Athena raved, waving her hands out in front of her.

I stayed where I was, unsure of whether to join them or not. It was one thing hanging out with Athena, and maybe, I’d dare to join the rest of the 118 if not for worrying that I might have acted too familiar at the shootout. The big issue was that I didn’t know if I was welcome around Bobby. In the end, I decided that I was gonna clock out on time and head out, I had food at home, and my stuff still needed unpacking.

“Where are you going? Dinner’s ready,” Athena’s voice stopped me from going down the stairs again, and I glanced back at the eyes on me.

I coughed, clasping my hands together in front of me, “Thanks but I’m not hun―”

“We haven’t eaten anything all shift, sit down,” Athena pointed to the table before sitting down herself, next to Bobby.

“I need to get home, Sergeant,” I told her softly, staying where I was.

“Why? Is your house on fire?” Athena joked, picking up a plate off the table and scooping random food items onto it before setting it down next to her.