Acting Captain
Have wanted to write a story or a one-shot about this for a while now.
*Maya and Ben never rushed over to Grey-Sloan, both had heard from their wives.
Theo, Vic, Jack, Ben, Maya and Robert are in the locker room talking about how they may be getting fired with the mutiny they had last shift when Theo walked out of the locker room.
"Screw it. The city isn't protecting its citizens. Or us. Let them fire us. I'm done."
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Ross calls for A-Shift to line up and everyone comes rushing down. "Despite my efforts to handle a very complicated and bureaucratic situation, you, station 19, took matters into your own hands. When you break the chain of command in a paramilitary structure, we call that a mutiny. A mutiny spits in the face of that paramilitary tradition. A mutiny calls for an administrative investigation. And a mutiny results in the termination of each and every party involved. A mutiny-" Chief Ross got cut off by Andy.
"It wasn't a mutiny, Chief." Andy sighs as Chief Ross stands in front of her, arms crossed. "Respectfully, Chief Ross, page 46, section 38, subsection D of the POG states that when a captain in command is incapacitated, the duty to lead the team falls on the senior man. I am the senior man. Beckett may have been able-bodied and conscious, but he was not of sound mind. Anyone here can attest to that." Andy sighs "What happened wasn't an overthrowing of power for the sake of power. It was an action and safety protocol straight from the book. It was a life-saving decision, Chief." Andy finishes, continuing to look down and before Ross can say anything the bells go off.
"Who's our captain?" Maya asked, getting her turnouts on.
"I am," Ross told her, and they made their way to cascades to rescue the TizTam star and her cameraman who actually ended up being her boyfriend but was now her ex after the way she showed her love for her phone rather than him.
When they get back to the station Ross talks to Andy in the turnout room "Herrera, what you did this morning..."
"Uh, Chief, I'm sorry."
Ross "It was bold. You stuck your neck out for your team. You questioned, and you pushed back on authority for what you knew to be right. You know, I've worked with a lot of different kinds of people, brave people who are willing to risk their life. But it's rare to meet someone who's so willing to risk their reputation and their rank in the way that you did, someone who's willing to speak truth to power. You are not a follower. You're a leader."
Andy nods and smiles briefly "Thank you."
"If station 19 remains intact, I want you to take Beckett's place until he returns."
Andy just looks at Ross and then looks away and kinda paces "Uh, wow, I, um...Look, I respect you. I really respect you. And I see you as a mentor. But...when I become captain of this house, I want to stay captain of this house. I've earned that job. I don't want it temporarily." Andy told Ross.
"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." Ross was surprised.
"I guess I'm just going against the grain again. Gracefully."
"Okay," Ross said and then turned to walk out of the room.
"If anyone deserves it, it's Sullivan." Ross stops walking "Everyone trusts him. And you two work well together."
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"19, Lineup!" Ross called and waited for the team to line up. "This morning, I spoke to you about what a mutiny means in a paramilitary structure. When we're asked to follow rank, we're asked to trust our leaders with our lives, to blindly follow in good faith. Looking back, I wish I had the stomach to do what you did, to question, to stand your ground in the face of a broken trust. I took over your house today worried that I would find a team that didn't know how to follow orders. But that is not what I witnessed. Today, I saw a team who cares deeply and always has each other's backs. While Beckett is gone, you will need a trusted leader." Ross pauses and then shocks everyone. "Lieutenant Ruiz, today's unveiling of arson with firefighter Hughes was a culmination of your unrelenting pursuit of truth in District 1. Your dedication, your professionalism has been exceptional, and it could be a huge win for that community in settlements. Ruiz, the acting captain position is yours, if you'll have it." Andy looks proud and Robert just looks disappointed.
"I-" Theo started but got cut off.
"I'm sorry, what?" Jack said and when he realized everyone was looking at him he looked down.
"Something to say, Gibson?" Ross asked.
"I- I like Ruiz. I think everyone here can say that they like him too, but we know him as a part of the team. We've never even seen him lead." Jack paused and looked at Maya then Robert and then Andy. "You have three people here who have all been leaders and excelled."
Ross and Andy looked at each other. Before Ross could speak, however, she was interrupted.
"Ruiz, no offence or anything," Travis started and then looked at Ross. "But why Ruiz? I mean Vic was the one who forced him into going and looking for anything that might point to arson." Ross looked at Vic.
"I did," Vic answered Ross' silent question.
Ross looked from Vic to Theo. Then she turned to Montgomery. "Why would it be so bad to have Ruiz as captain, Montgomery?"
Travis looked from Ross to Theo then back to Ross.
"He kind of snapped this morning in the locker room, Chief," Maya told her.
"Snapped how?" Andy asked, having not been there she furrowed her eyebrows.
"Screw it. The city isn't protecting its citizens. Or us. Let them fire us. I'm done." Robert said and Ross looked at him and then back to Theo.
"Is that true, Ruiz?" Ross asked, standing in front of him. Theo didn't say anything, he just nodded.
Ross walked and stood at the top of the top of the two lines. She looked at Andy and saw that she was looking back. Neither said a word. It was silent in the barn for the longest time when Maya broke the silence.
"Hold on." Everyone turned to look at Maya. "Why didn't you ask Herrera?" Everyone turned to look at Ross. Before Ross could answer Andy spoke up.
"She did." Everyone turned to look at Andy, shock on their faces.
"You've wanted to be captain of this house for seven years now and you said no?" Jack was shocked.
"Why the hell would you refuse?" Maya asked.
"I've earned a real promotion when it comes up, not a babysitting gig," Andy told them and then looked at Ross. "Look, you said the group needs a trusted leader, Chief. You have other people in this house that are trusted, no offence Theo, more than Ruiz."
"And that's why I asked you, Herrera. Everyone here sees and knows that you're the glue of the house. That's why you're so trusted. They all know you. They've been around you for years. Look, your acting captaincy at 23 went extremely well given the circumstances you had to deal with, and I know you want to be captain of this house, and I'm sure you will be in time but for now, can't you be the acting captain? Depending on how Beckett's program goes he could be moved, demoted or even fired." Ross told her and everyone turned to look at Andy and saw the wheels turning in her head, Ross included. Another long silence overtook the barn, everyone waiting to hear Andy's answer.
Andy knew that Beckett could end up fired. That Beckett could end up being demoted and she knew he could end up being suspended too. Andy looked around the barn. She saw the reassuring looks on Maya, Jack and Vic's faces and she sighed.
"Okay."
"Okay?" Ross wanted to clarify.
"Okay, I'll be acting captain," Andy told her, a small smile on her face.
"House is yours, Captain Herrera. Have a good night, 19." Ross said and left the barn.
I get Andy's reasoning for saying no, but I also hated it. Theo sucked as the acting captain.
