FRIENDLY FIRE: A 9-1-1 fanfiction

Part Thirty-Four: Ember

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EMMA

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"Surprise!"

I covered my mouth with my hand, hiding my smile behind it, "Wow, this is so unexpected and incredibly sweet."

"Oh, for God's sake," Hen groaned turning to Buck, "you told her!"

"It was an accident!" Buck protested, "I didn't think she'd figure it out just because I asked her to dress up!"

 Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose, "I told you we should have kept it a secret from him as well."

"Guys! It was a small mistake!"

"I drove three hours to pick up periwinkle decorations from a creepy farmer," Eddie protested, dropping his hand to his side, "I don't even know what periwinkle is!"

"Really, Eddie?" Buck pulled a face, "Still?"

I shook my head, laughing quietly before taking in the decorations around the 118 station. There was large banner hung up in the kitchen reading 'Murderers got nothing on you' and a bunch of blue, or I suppose, periwinkle streamers hanging from the ceiling. Someone had blown up enough balloons to make walking across the floor slightly difficult and glitter covered every surface. On the table, a variety of snacks and foods were laid out, along with a giant cake, in what I had to assume was the shape of my head, that stood at the centre.

"This is all amazing," I called out as Buck and Eddie started to throw more and more creative insults at each other, "thank you."

"No," Bobby grinned, "thank you for coming back to the 118, alive and well. Congratulations on your recovery."

"Not yet," Athena quickly pipped up, throwing me a pointed stare, "I hear you've still got a couple weeks healing, I don't want to see you back here before then."

"Yes, Ma'am," I smiled, starting to move closer to all of them, "I actually am taking a leave of absence to help with my recovery. Bobby has been very helpful with getting all my requests accepted."

"Well, how long you thinkin' of staying out?" Athena frowned slightly, her concern evident.

"I..." I hesitated, looking at the rest of the 118 nervously, "a few months... actually."

"Wait, what?" Eddie frowned, "Months?"

"You just got back!" Buck protested as well, "You can't leave straight away!"

"Alright, guys, pipe down," Bobby tried to calm the situation, "Emma has been through a lot, we need to understand that and give her as much time as she needs."

"Thank you, Captain," I nodded at him before turning back to the frowning duo, "you'll be find without me, it won't even feel like—"

"Oh my God, why are there so many stairs in this building?!" Hollis's sharp groan of annoyance cut me off and we all turned to the stairway.

"I offered to carry Caden and the basket, you said no!"

I cringed as Sean's voice sounded as well, my heels clicking as I made my way to the stairs.