Trauma changes people. trauma changes everyone.
All rights for the 9-1-1 cast and all rights to most of the plot goes to ABC. New plots and new characters belong to me 🫶
Book continues in Apparition! 🫶
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LYDIA
The familiar buzz of the station filled my ears, a sound I hadn't realized I missed until now. The voices of the team, the clinking of coffee mugs, and the faint hum of police radios created a comforting backdrop as I walked through the doors.
"Lydia!" Chimney's voice rang out, pulling my attention to the kitchen area where he stood. "Long time no see. Thought you forgot about us."
I grinned as I stepped closer. "I've been busy with the internship."
"Well, don't be a stranger," Hen chimed in from behind him, smiling warmly. "We've missed having you around here."
I opened my mouth to respond when the sound of voices carried up the stairs. Familiar voices.
I froze for a moment, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as recognition hit me.
Isabelle. Nathaniel. Delilah. Miles. Julian.
My friends. Well, sort of. I hadn't seen them in weeks. Not since I threw myself headfirst into the internship.
The group appeared at the top of the stairs, and before I could even register what was happening, Nathaniel was rushing toward me.
"Lydia!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me tightly.
I gasped, laughing as I hugged him back. "Hey, Nathaniel."
He pulled back, his hands still on my shoulders as he looked me over. "How's the internship? You've been MIA."
"It's going really well," I replied, smiling. "My partner and I have been doing great."
The words had barely left my mouth when the room fell eerily silent.
I turned my head slightly, catching Miles' expression. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were fixed on me, but it wasn't his gaze that made my stomach twist. It was the sight of his hand-his hand holding Delilah's.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my composure. I wasn't going to call him out on it. He deserved to be happy. Just like I did.
"Lydia," Athena's voice broke the silence, and I turned to see her walking toward me. "I need to talk to you. Your partner's on the way."
I frowned. "Mason? It's our day off. Why is he coming here?"
Athena didn't answer immediately, but the look on her face made my heart skip.
For the next thirty minutes, I tried to focus on the conversation. Isabelle and Nathaniel stuck to me like glue, peppering me with questions about the internship. I answered as best as I could, but my thoughts kept drifting.
The sound of a car pulling up outside snapped me out of my daze.
