Expanding The Comfort Zone

Recognition

"There she is!  Captain Deluca-Bishop!"
Maya emerged from the smoking building with her team right behind her and pulled her mask off as the news camera lights flicked on and she was inundated with questions.
"Captain, can we get a statement?"
"Captain Deluca-Bishop, can you confirm..."
"Captain! How does it feel..."
"Captain..."
Maya stood where she was and just stared at them all for a moment before responding.
"I have no comment at this time."
She turned and headed toward the other side of the engine as her team looked from her to the news crews in confusion before following.  Maya unbuckled her harness and tossed it into the compartment before wordlessly climbing up into the engine and pulling out her phone as the team began packing up to leave the scene.  Cam and Nat exchanged glances with Perry and Jake before taking their seats as Vic started it and pulled out.  Clearing her throat,  Cam adjusted her headset and spoke up.
"Captain, I just want you to know that we all are proud to serve under you."
Maya nodded from the front seat but remained silent.  Vic pulled her headset from her ear and covered her mic as she leaned over toward Maya.
"They really do look up to you.  You need to be proud of that."
Maya pulled her headset back and looked at Vic.
"They're good kids, I'm sure they'll do just fine."
"Maya, seriously, you're not going to get booted.  I mean, shit, you pulled your own father out of the rubble!"
"Please don't remind me.  With all this shit he's doing now, I swear I wish I'd left him there."
Vic took a deep breath and exhaled as she turned onto the street and cut the wheel wide, blowing the horn and waiting for the barn doors to open.  Maya noticed Chief Ross' SUV parked by the lobby doors and rolled her eyes as Vic started to back the engine in.  Once stopped, Maya opened her door, grabbed her helmet and climbed down.  She was about to take her jacket off when Natasha called to her from the catwalk.
"Captain Deluca-Bishop, please come up right now."
Nodding, Maya jogged to the stairs and climbed up, taking a quick look back at her team below. Vic flashed her a thumbs up as the others smiled.  She entered the conference room to see the review panel seated at the table with Natasha sitting opposite them.  Maya stood up straight and held her helmet in front of her.
"Apologies for being late, we had gotten a call and, well..."
"It's fine Captain, please take a seat.  We'd like to review the events that happened at the Medical Complex and give you our decision."
Maya smiled and took a seat next to Natasha while from downstairs, everyone looked up and waited.

"Excuse me is this where I can find medical help?"
"What seems to be the problem ma'am?"
"Can you come over here and I can show you?"
Vic smiled at Mason as she took his hand and led him to the alcove near the front of the clinic.
"I seem to be having an issue with my lips, can you check them?"
Mason looked around quickly before pulling Vic close and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he leaned her against the wall. Keeping her pinned there, Mason looked at her and smiled.
"I think your lips just need some extra attention and they'll be just fine. I can give you some chapstick if you like."
Vic giggled as she looked at him.
"Oh my God, you are cheesy as hell...and I love it."
"I love you too."
As soon as he said it, Mason's eyes went wide as he realized he'd misheard her. Vic blinked at him, a surprised look coming over her face. Mason began to back away as his face grew red.
"I..I'm-I..sor-"
"I love you."
Vic stared at Mason and smiled as she grabbed his face and pulled him to her, kissing him deeply.
"AHEM."
Pulling their lips apart, Mason and Vic turned their heads to see Carina standing there, arms crossed looking at them.
"For all the times you've given me and Maya grief Victoria..."
She broke into a smile and did a little dance. Mason smiled nervously as Vic stepped away from him and started dancing with Carina. The klaxon sounded, cutting their fun time short as Vic turned back toward Mason and grabbed him for a fast kiss before rushing out into the barn. Carina cast a sideways glance at him as she leaned over and nudged him with her elbow.
"You Bishop twins, always being the first to say 'l love you'. It's very adorabile, sai cosa intendo?"
"Hey, we can't help it if we're in love with amazing women, we've just got to let them know."

Maya went to stand up and run out as the klaxon sounded, but Natasha laid a hand on her knee and gave it a small squeeze, indicating that she was to stay put as the review board finished relating the points of the case. Readjusting herself, Maya felt her anxiety rising as Inspector Daniels concluded and looked up at her.
"Now Captain, we have discussed it at length and have come to this conclusion. Ultimately, as the ranking officer, you were responsible for Lieutenant Sabol. However, her record shows clear and habitual disregard for stated protocols and as such we have determined that you are not at fault for her death. There will be no formal reprimand and your record will reflect that you did, in fact, attempt to prevent this tragedy. Furthermore, it is the decision of this panel, that you be awarded the department's Medal of Valor for freeing yourself from being trapped and consequently rescuing a civilian on your way out. Congratulations Captain Deluca-Bishop, you are a hero."
Maya felt the fake smile spread across her face as she sat and looked at all of them, but inside she was fuming.
"Permission to speak freely Inspector?"
"Of course."
"First off, thank you for clearing me. I am extremely sorry that Lieutenant Sabol didn't make it out but that she saved so many lives before losing her own. I would appreciate if her record reflected her heroism. As for me, I was simply doing my job. Rewarding me for that doesn't need to happen."
"That is commendable Captain, however the civilian-who is your own father, has been all over the news since that day. He's become a headline and the public is eager to see him present you with the medal as a way to thank not only the first responder who saved his life, but his own daughter who didn't even know he was there."
"Sir, if I could just-"
"Captain Deluca-Bishop, it has been a year since you and Captain Herrera raced into the ruins of this very building and pulled out fellow firefighters, the chief and doctors, one of whom was your own pregnant wife. You have become a globally recognized ambassador for the Olympics and as such, you have boosted the profile of this city. We appreciate and applaud your humbleness, but the public is demanding we recognize you. Your father is demanding we recognize you."
Maya stared at all of them and nodded as she forced a smile once again.
"I understand Inspector, thank you, I gratefully accept this honor."
"Wonderful. We'll begin preparations once the funeral for Lieutenant Sabol has concluded. We will be in touch."
Maya nodded and stood up. She grabbed her helmet, walked out of the conference room and headed for the catwalk. Leaning over the railing, Maya stared down into the empty barn and took deep breaths. She spotted Diane peeking her head into the barn and called out as Diane looked up at her.
"Perfect timing Doctor Lewis, I really could use a session right now."