Into the Flames {Station 19 x you}

sixty-five: Care's house fire

     Sirens cry loudly as my chest rises and falls. My leg bounces up and down at a rate I've never seen before. Andy prompted me not to go. She didn't want me to come with, but I had to. I seriously had to. Why wouldn't I? It's Care...Caroline. My eyes stay glued to the stretcher in front of me. Every ounce and fiber within me were praying and begging I don't see her on this thing. I won't make it. I can't handle that. I barely handled seeing Andy on one. I don't ever want to see someone, especially those two like that. Not ever. 

    The ambulance comes to a stop and Warren heads out of the driver's seat. Vic gets out of the passenger, and I look to the door seeing Warren open it up swiftly. I hurriedly stand and climb out as he grabbed his gear. Vic stood at the back and held out her hand. I gently took a hold of her hand and got out of the aide car. I look out to the house to see it up in flames. My stomach drops as my chest tightens. My hand races to my chest, grabbing it tightly, but really, I was just clenching up my shirt. Instantly at the sight of Caroline's house going up in flames tears fill the brim of my eyes. They begin blurring my vision. 

     "Y/n stay back where it's safe-" Vic starts but I let go of my shirt. I take off towards the house which I know is stupid. Don't quote me on anything. There's nothing worse than losing someone you love. Even if you're on bad terms with them. I'm not losing Caroline even if I hate her right now. This morning was not how I ever wanted to have to say goodbye. I didn't even say goodbye. I can't... I can't say goodbye. "Y/N!" Vic is desperate when I hear her voice. But that doesn't stop me as I rush through the front lawn. Firefighters already entering the home I've been in several times. A house that felt safe. 

    "Stop her!" Warren shouts as I get right to the porch. I feel hands wrap around me from my waist. I kick my legs and swing my arms as I'm lifted and taken back away from the house. 

    "Let go! Let me go!" I shout, tears running down my cheeks. 

   "Y/n! Y/n stop!" Sullivan's voice shouts as I'm set down. The moment I feel my shoes touch the ground I go to take off again. But I don't get anywhere. Sullivan hurriedly grabs me again then puts himself in front of me. "You need to stop!" 

     "Move!" I shout. 

    "Y/n I can't do that! You are putting yourself in danger! I can't-" 

    "She's in there! She could be dead!" I scream, cutting him off. Sullivan's eyes soften and he nods his head. He kneels down, placing his hands on my shoulders. 

     "I know the frustration. I do but you are going in there without gear and without knowing how to deal with a fire will get you killed. Andy...Andy needs you. This team needs you to be alive Y/n. Caroline needs you to be alive-" Sullivan pauses, his brown eyes won't leave mine. This is the first time I'm honestly listening to him. "You have to let us do our job. Let us go into the flames. We're the firefighters. We're station 19. We're the best. Let us save your friend and her family. Please." 

     I stay quiet. I swallow the saliva that's built up in my mouth and slowly nod my head up and down. Sullivan slowly nods his head back. Slowly he stands up to his feet. My breathes are low, shallow even as he lifts his hands off of me. 

    "Y/n-" I jump at my name and turn my head from Sullivan to find a dirty blonde, blue eyed girl looking at me with wide, heavy eyes. Andy standing with her, smoke covering both of their faces. Instantly I dash towards her as she runs towards me. Andy and Sullivan stay where we leave them and instantly Caroline's arms are wrapped around me and my arms around her. I close my eyes, squeezing her tightly. Her breathes are shaky and uneven. Her heart beating rapidly against mine. I think. Something is. 

    "You had me worried-" 

    "I love you. I love you Y/n. I'm sorry. I-" Caroline whispers out of the breath into my ear. I keep my eyes closed for a second longer before slowly opening my eyes. They slowly meet with Andy's knowing ones. The firefighter standing and nodding watching us. I look down at the grass, feeling my mind swirling. "I know it's going to take time for you to trust me again, but I promise you it's you. That's what I wanted to tell you. I was on my way when my dad made an uh oh in the basement causing the house to erupt into a fire. His stupid experiments in the office." 

    A small smile thins my lips as I nod. Her dad liked experimenting with different things. It didn't matter what but he did like to mix chemicals and stuff. Usually though he's pretty good with taking precautions with whatever he's doing. 

    "Let's get her checked out," Andy's voice easily comes. Caroline and I pull away. The two of us share a look before Vic is motioned over and taking Caroline towards the ambulance. I stand there, shoving my hands into my pockets and turning as Caroline walks past me. I feel Andy step up to stand directly beside me. "She's okay Y/n. Are you?" 

    "No..." I let my voice whisper, watching Vic and Caroline get to the ambulance. "You and Caroline are the most important people and I just tried to run into a burning down building for her like I tried with you." 

     Out of the corner of my eye I see Andy's head whip around, looking at me. She probably wants to scream, lecture me, but she doesn't do anything. Just stares with wide eyes and her jaw dropped. I bite my bottom lip watching Vic place an oxygen mask over Caroline's mouth and nose. Then begins to check vitals and whatever else they do. I drop my head at that point and let a low sigh escape my lips. "Andy." 

     "Hmm?" She hums as I slowly pick up my head and turn my head towards the woman. Our eyes meet and the moment they do I watch the change in Andy's eyes. The confused, shockness that once glazed her eyes was now filled with a more soft one. I bite the inside of my cheek, nodding slowly. My mind filled with questions and things I wanted to say in that moment but right now I feel like isn't the time. So I nod and turn my head away. 

     "It's okay if I ride with them right?" I ask, seeing a small smile thin onto Andy's lips as she nods. Her hand is placed gently on my back. She slowly, gently rubs her hand in a soothing, comfortable circle for a few seconds as she nods. 

    "Yeah of course. I got to wait here with her parents till another aide car shows up. I'll be right behind you. Okay?" Andy says and I nod. She stops rubbing circles and I begin to walk away but stop myself and turn around. I look directly at my mother. Our eyes lock and I just rush into her, wrapping my arms around her. "I love you." 

    "I love you too baby," Andy whispers, not hesitating to hug me back. Nothing else is said. Nothing else needed to be said as we break apart. I give the woman a small smile and turn around, hurrying towards the ambulance just as Vic is about to shut the door. 

     "Wait Vic!" I shout and Vic glances over her shoulder. One hand on the door, ready to close it. Her eyes meet mine and they go wide slightly. "Mind if I-" 

     "Oh. No, yeah go ahead. Sorry," Vic says, opening the door a bit. I nod and climb up into the ambulance finding Caroline sat on the stretcher. Smoke smothered her skin. She looked hurt but also fine at the same time. I give her a small smile when I realize she was giving me one. And as I sat, she reached over and took my hand into her own. 

    "I hope you don't think I stood you up today. I still want to talk about everything," Caroline says, removing the oxygen mask from her face. I nod my head. 

    "I thought you did, now I don't-" I pause and feel her squeeze my hand. I look down at our conjoined hands and gently squeeze her hand back. "We'll talk. But first we focus on you and your parents. Make sure you're all alright."