The Fighter

Chapter 29

I went to the station to meet Ky. I knew that he was still freaked out, because I was too. I walked in through the truck bay and found him smoking a cigarette. I hadn't seen him smoke in a long time. "Hey, Ky." I hugged him. "Hey Mickie." He hugged me tight and held on for a second. "What's up? Are you okay?" I asked very worried. "Maybe, I'm not quite sure yet. A lot happened this morning. Are you okay? I really didn't get to see you after....." he paused. His PTSD was kicking in. It's very common in fire fighters. "I know. I'm okay, I was going to see how you were before I left, but Jet said that you were trying to keep yourself busy. So, I figured it was best that you kept your mind off of it." "Yeah, I did for a while, but then when things slowed back down, it all came back." "Well, I know you and I know that you are still thinking about it. So, talk." I sat on the back of one of the trucks.

"Okay." He sighed and sat next to me. "What are you thinking Ky?" "You risked your life for me. No one has ever done that. You risked yourself making sure that I got out first." "Hey, you're my best friend, and my brother. I love you and you were going to do the same for me. I would do anything for you and you know that." "I know, and I know that you are going to punch me for this but thank you." "Don't thank me! I wanted to." I punched his arm. "What else?" I moved on before he could thank me again. "I know that bailing is part of the job, but I never thought that we would actually have to do it. I've never done this before." "Yeah, I know what you mean." "It got me thinking, Mick." "It got you thinking about what?" "Everything. Like what am I doing with my life? Where am I going?" "Hopefully nowhere." "You know that I would never in a million years leave you or Avery." "Ky, are you talking about resigning from here?" I took a deep breath and asked the question that I was dreading so much. "Maybe, maybe not." "Do what you have to do for you. I am behind you no matter what you do." I hugged him.

"Thanks Mickie, this is why I called you. I knew that you would know what to say." He hugged me back again. "Anytime Ky. You should go home and try to sleep, as should I." "I know, are you going over to John's later?" "Who knows? He has tonight off from work, so maybe. I haven't seen him since the call." "Okay, if you do. Can you bring him his no-mex he left it in the office this morning?" "Yeah, I can do that." I smiled and we both headed out the door.

I slept, went and got Avery and after Grandma dropped her off to Gavin I went to John's house. He was watching tv having some beers. I was sitting next to him trying to act like I was interested. "Oh, before I forget." I got up and pulled his no-mex out of my sweatshirt pocket. "Where did you get that?" He asked taking it. He sounded kind of grumpy. "Ky gave it to me to give to you." "When did he give it to you? You left before or I did after the call?" He asked. "He called him this morning and asked if we could talk. He asked if I was coming over here and I said maybe. He asked if I could give it to you." "Where did you two go and talk?" "Why all the questions John? This is Ky we're talking about. He's my best friend." "Where?!" he demanded. "The station. In the truck bay. He was having a really tough time about bailing and honestly I was too, but you didn't really seem to care!" "I did care! But you go running to everyone else instead of me! I'm supposed to be your best friend." "You are, but he is too. And it's not my job to sit around and ask you to check on me. Screw that shit, I have other things to worry about. And I don't go running to anyone!" "Oh really? You and Kyle always seem to run off alone when something is wrong with you!" "I'm glad that you think that! Ky and I don't go anywhere!" "Oh right. Listen, I know you've screwed him once or twice so just say it." "I have never slept with Kyle! What is your problem tonight?!" I asked and then I realized what he had in his hand. He was drunk.

"John, I've had enough. I have never ever cheated on you! I have never ever slept with Ky! You are delusional! Call me when you're sober!" I went to walk out but he grabbed me and pinned me against the wall. "I know where you're going to go! You're not leaving!" Now, he had me by the shoulders and I managed to kick him away with my legs. He stumbled over and tried to get me again, but I punched him. "I'm not doing this. We're done." I walked out, took his keys out of his truck and drove to the station. I called Ky. He came down and I told him everything. "I'm going to kill him!" Ky was pissed. He stood up and I grabbed him arm. "Mickie, I'm going over there! I'm going to beat the piss out of him!" "Ky! He's not worth it. I don't need you ending up in jail right now. I need you with me, not in jail for killing a drunk!" I had to calm him down. He would kill John if he had the chance.

Finally, I got him to calm down and stay. He sat in the office with me. "I knew that I should have never said yes to him again. I knew it." I cried. "Shh, if you were thinking clearly then, you wouldn't have. You were going through a tough time and you honestly didn't know what you were doing." "I know. I should have just stayed single like I wanted to." "Yeah, well you learned. What are you going to do now?" "I don't know. I don't want to leave here, this is like my safe place. Even though there are so many bad memories here, there are good ones too. And, this is home." "I understand completely. Which is why I came up with the decision not to resign." "Really?!" That was music to my ears. "Yeah, I'm staying!" "Good!" I smiled and hugged him. "Listen Mick, you should come stay at my house. We'll come here in the morning and get your truck." He suggested. "Yeah, that sounds good for the night." I agreed and I think he was surprised that I wasn't fighting the idea.

WE went back to the station in the morning. Ky dropped me off and I went inside to get my gear so I could put it back in my truck and take it home. I walked in to the truck bay and heard a noise. Someone else was in there with me. I slowly walked over to the sound. It was in the gear storage room, or I should say he was. He turned around and I couldn't breathe. "Mickie?" he spoke quietly. "Greg...." I forced out.