The Tension Between Us

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My first day on shift, I have no idea what to expect, which is a good thing because you're not really supposed to expect anything.

I've lived in this tiny apartment in uptown Seattle Washington for six months, I've been dreaming about living here since my senior year of high school and three years later I finally made the move. My social life? Yeah, that has been down to a minimum since I moved here six months ago. I've been working hard on getting hired at a department. I worked for an ambulance service. Then finally I was hired at the Seattle fire department.

I've never been so happy in my life, this was all I wanted for a long time, so when I got that call I knew it was that start of something new.

Training was no joke, I'd been at it for so long for the past 3 years working towards this one thing. But for the last 6 months, I've been in limbo.

I looked at the time and it was 6:00 a.m. time to go. It was going to take me at least half an hour to get to the station so I had to leave now.

Finally, I was at the Seattle Fire Department, the bay doors seemed to reach the sky, the station was brown and red. Yes, I pay attention to detail. I was so nervous for my first day on shift, but I knew my training wouldn't fail me.

I get my gear out of the back of the car and head in, the crew from the previous shift was starting to pack up, in the corner a couple of firefighters and my captain, where chatting. I put down my bags and head over to speak with my captain.

"Good morning captain, my name is Fran-"

"Francesca Knight today's your day on shift correct?" he finishes

"First things first you address me a Captain or sir, I also like chief but don't call me that unless you have done something wrong and you need to suck up to me." he finishes.

Wow, this guy a dick, but I still manage to say yes sir. He begins to walk and I catch on and follow.

"So here's something you need to know, its always 'yes sir' or 'no sir' never call anyone by the wrong name, always try to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the crew always be first on rescue or engine and never ever miss a call. "

"Yes sir," I say, he stops walking but I didn't notice for a second and I accidentally bumped into him.

"Whoa there, you keeping up their new bee?" he lightly chuckles, his dark brown eyes kind of crinkle in the corner giving away his age.

"Hello, Francesca you in there." I stop glaring for a moment to realize that I'd been staring.

"Sorry I was just taking everything in," I say to quickly recover from the embarrassment.

"I've been on this job for going on 10 years so stick with me, and you'll be alright." the sincerity in his voice gives me relief. "alright so today you'll be on rescue, I want you to get a little experience there, then you can move on to engine with the big boys." he winks.

*Medical emergency * saved by the bell, what's this guy deal I can't really put my finger on it I say as I make my way to the rescue. I guess all the introductions will have to be saved for later. I hop in the rig and wait for my two other crew members to hop in. Sam the driver and Veronica the lieutenant are the two lead medics on the rescue.As we're on our way out, the engine gets a call, I wait to listen. They seem to be dispatched to the same place for crowd control."Hi-ya there I'm lieutenant Vicky Palouski and this right here is Sam McHalloway." lieutenant Palouski says with a thick country accent, reaches back to shake my hand from the front passenger's seat.

I extend my hand to shake hers, as Sam pulls out of the bay and we go lights and sirens.

"Nice to meet you both, I'm Francesca I wish we could have a proper introduction, but duty calls." I say as I shake her hand. Sam and Vicky both give me a chuckle.