PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 39: Work

She gave them one last wave before heading out the door, her heart already longing for the warmth of Megan's presence.
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As she stepped outside the apartment, Andy braced herself for the brisk morning air and hurried to her car, her mind now focused on the demands of her work day.

As Andy arrived at Station 19, she quickly parked her car and made her way inside. Today, she was the acting captain, which added an extra layer of responsibility to her shoulders.

Travis, already at the station, smiled as Andy walked in. "Morning, Andy. Ready for a long shift?"

Andy sighed, a hint of fatigue in her voice. "As ready as I'll ever be. I just want the day to go by smoothly without any major emergencies."

As Andy and Travis made her way upstairs to the beanery, she could hear the chatter and laughter of her team. Sure enough, Ben, Jack, Sullivan, Vic, Theo, Emmett, and Dean were all gathered around the table, enjoying breakfast and some much-needed downtime.

They greeted Andy and Travis as they entered, momentarily interrupting their conversation. "Hey, Andy. How's it going?" Ben asked, his eyes meeting hers.

Andy's mood lifted slightly at the sight of her team. "It's going, Ben. Just trying to mentally prepare myself for the day's challenges."

Sullivan nodded in understanding. "Yeah, being acting captain comes with its own set of pressures."

Andy shrugged slightly, a half-smile on her face. "It does, but I'll manage. You guys have my back, and that's what counts."

Vic said "How's Maya and Megan."

Andy's expression softened at the mention of her best friend and girlfriend. "They're doing better. Recovering and taking it easy. Megan's still dealing with her injury, and Maya's just exhausted."

Theo chimed in, his voice filled with concern. "Is there anything we can do to help them out? Maybe take shifts for groceries or something like that?"

Andy touched by their offer. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate the offer, but I think we've got it covered. They're just focusing on rest and healing right now."

Emmett chuckled. "Well, knowing Maya, I bet the idea of being stuck on the couch or in bed is driving her crazy."

Andy couldn't help but laugh at that. "You have no idea. She's definitely not a fan of being idle. It's a struggle to get her to relax and let me or Carina take care of her."

Sullivan smiled, his tone teasing. "Yeah, she's always been a bit of a workaholic and stubborn as hell."

Andy nodded in agreement. "That's an understatement. But she's my best friend, and she's got a big heart under that tough exterior. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she and Megan get through this."

Travis added with a grin, "And how about Megan? She handling everything alright too?"

Andy's expression softened at the mention of her girlfriend. "She's doing well, considering everything she's been through. She's frustrated with the recovery process and being unable to do things on her own, but she's coping. I just hope she doesn't try to push herself too hard and make things worse."

Ben chimed in, "Well, if either of them need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We've all got their backs, and we're here to help in any way we can."

As the conversation continued, Andy's phone began to vibrate in her pocket. She discreetly checked the caller ID and saw that it was Carina.