Everyone Needs A Hero

Chapter 8- Promise You'll Stay

"So you never answered?" Dean asked as he helped Vic load up the truck. It was the end of a call.
"I'm sorry " Vic sighed" But"
Dean nodded full of understanding" But Lucas is at the station and after tonight you just want to be with him."
"Yeah "
"I get it. Pru's all I've been thinking about since we got in there. " Dean continued" Raincheck?"
Vic wasn't paying attention. She had almost died tonight. It had been a close one. They easily could have lost someone else.
"Hughes ?" Dean asked glancing at Vic who seemed distracted. She was probably remembering when she almost lost Ripley. That had been hard on her.
"Sorry what ?" Vic asked half-hearted looking up.
"I was asking about a raincheck? You alright?" Dean repeated concerned. The call had been hard on everyone. It had been a week since Ben's funeral.
"Uh yeah I'm fine." Vic answered climbing into the truck and taking a seat.
"You sure ? Did I do something? Am I pushing things too quickly? If you need more time ?" Dean rambled.
"It's not you" Vic sighed as she twisted her engagement ring in circles.
"So what is it ?" Dean asked " Come on you can tell me. "
Vic didn't answer. She pulled out her phone and thought about texting Luke what she wanted so badly to say. She sighed and closed her texts. Texting just didn't feel right for this. It was something she should say in person. Besides Luke was probably busy and what if he didn't read his texts. She slid her phone back into the pocket of her uniform and turned to look out a window.
Dean looked down at the ground. He didn't think he had done anything wrong since Vic had forgiven him. They had been fine up until now. But maybe he had said something or pushed things too soon.

Luke took a sip of his coffee as he sat at the kitchen table. He had been lucky to be able to stop by 19 a second time today. It was to talk to Sullivan but he didn't mind because it meant he got to see Vic again.
He pulled out his phone and thought about asking her how the call went. The team had been gone a while. But he knew better. Vic wouldn't have her phone on her while she was working. And if she did have it she wouldn't answer while working. Luke set his phone down and smiled when he could hear voices outside in the barn.
He got up from the table and stepped in the barn. He made sure to avoid getting in anyone's way. They were probably tired. Long calls were hard at night. The team was likely hangry since they hadn't gotten to finish dinner and that mixed with the exhaustion could put them in foul moods. Even more so had the call gone south.

"Hey you got this ? I need to go find Luke ." Vic addressed Dean as they rolled up hoses.
"Yeah go on. Just uh you'll talk to me when you're ready right?" Dean replied meeting her eyes with his .
"I'm not leaving you again Miller. So quit trying to get rid of me " Vic teased as she stood up. She took off her turn out coat and hung it on the side of the truck before walking away.
She scanned the barn tiredly for Luke hoping he hadn't left. Maybe he had. They had been gone an awfully long time. Maybe it would better if she headed home and asked him there.
"Luke" she called out heading towards the beanery where she last saw him.
"Hey " Luke greeted from the corner startling her.
"Oh I. I wasn't expecting you there "Vic said in shock and walked over to where he stood.
"Yeah 19 is one of the best but you're extremely loud. " Luke laughed" Or should I say Gibson and Herrera are loud. "
"Oh yeah "Vic agreed looking back at her colleagues. Jack and Andy had argued the entire ride home which made things already more awkward for Vic and Dean.
"So what's it about this time ?" Luke asked. "Do I even want to know ?"
Vic smiled and wrapped herself in Luke's arms " Well I'm sure you've heard. Captains race is back on. "
"I did indeed hear about that." Ripley agreed with an amused smile" Is that it ?"
"Well there's also the fact that Andy moved out without telling him. After marrying Sullivan." Vic added.
"He's still mad about that ?" Luke asked raising an eyebrow "I think Sully and Herrera are pretty great together."
"You don't count " Vic laughed as she watched her co-workers.
"And why not ?" Luke asked her as he glanced down at her face. It was then he noticed the cut on the side of her face. Not deep but still enough for his heart to grow heavy.
"Because you're Sullivan's best friend. " Vic replied "You're biased. I think they're cute and so does everyone else but Jack. I personally think he's still hung up over her. "
"I could see that. " Luke replied as he held her tighter feeling like maybe things had come close tonight. Like he could have lost Vic in one swell heartbeat.
"What happened to your face ?" He questioned grabbing her hand.
"Oh nothing. Things got bad " Vic answered vaguely turning around so she was facing him.
"Bad ? " Luke inquired.
"Yeah. " Vic confirmed " I could have died. There were combustible materials and well they combusted."
Luke closed his eyes and instantly he was back at the skyscraper. He could almost hear Vic screaming in his face again.
"But I'm ok " Vic added when she saw Luke's facial expressions. She knew what he was thinking about. The skyscraper had crossed her mind a few times that night.
"But you're ok " Luke repeated pulling her close.
"Luke " Vic whispered putting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating which put her at ease.
"Yes ?" Luke answered kissing the top of her head.
"You know how I said I would tell you when I knew. " Vic began " I know. This is it . Let's get married. "
"Now ?" Luke asked shocked looking at her in surprise."You want to get married now? Right now ?"
"Well maybe not right now. " Vic sighed "because half of the teams thinking about Warren and the other half is thinking about the skyscraper. Tommorow. "
"We're not prepared. There's no food and we don't have someone to officiate us. I don't even have my suit. " Luke protested" We could get married this week and have time to plan things out. "
"Well actually " Vic replied " I was thinking we could just get married in uniform. And I bet if you asked nicely Sully would officiate us. You can get certified on the internet. "
"That " Ripley agreed " That could work. But what about food ?"
"Lucky for us,my friends can cook. No offense to Sully,I've just never seen him eat or cook anything. So I don't know if he can. " Vic replied a wide smile spread across her face " So what do you say ? Let's get married tomorrow."
"Yes " Luke smiled " Yes let's get married tommorow. "
Vic nodded and closed her eyes leaning back into Luke.
"Vic I don't want to ruin the moment but you should probably go tell everyone if this is going to happen " Luke whispered in her ear.
"Right. See this is why they asked you to be the fire chief. Because you're the smart one" Vic laughed as she broke away from his hold.
"And what are you?" Luke asked with an amused smile.
"Well obviously I'm the brave one. " Vic called out as she opened the door to the beanery.
Her friends were all seated eating the dinner they hadn't been able to finish before the call.
"Hey we were wondering when you were going to realize you were at work " Jack teased when he got her attention.
"I have an announcement." Vic declared nervously gaining the groups attention as they fell silent.
"Well out with it Hughes " Ripley said from behind her " Tell them what you told me. "
"Wait Vic ?" Dean looked up nervously" You're not leaving are you ?"
Vic smiled as she shook her head.
" I'm not leaving. I know this is some really short notice and obviously we're all still grieving. But well Luke and I decided that tommorow we're getting married." Vic began as Ripley grabbed her hand and held it " Here at the station. Nothing special. In front of all of you. But yeah we're getting married. And somebody say something. Please "
"Well when Luke told me you were moving the wedding up I certainly wasn't expecting this " Sullivan replied " But congrats! "
"Yeah congratulations " Andy agreed with a smile.
"Thanks guys " Ripley told Herrera and Sullivan.
"Now did you still want a bachelors party Luke because I can try but it might be hard " Sullivan wondered getting up from the table and walking towards them.
"No that's out. But I do have something else you can do for me " Ripley answered leading Sullivan away.
"Well " Vic asked sitting down " What? Is it too soon ? What ? What is it ?"
"Nah" Jack answered " I think if the past month has taught us anything it's that life is short. So I think it's great that you and Ripley are tying the knot. "
Andy nodded in agreement " I was looking forward to the bachelorette party but I'm excited. "
Vic sighed relieved " Ok well if everyone's on the same page there's something we need."
"What can we do ?" Maya asked eagerly.
"Actually Bishop I'm sorry. But I have tasted what you cook. " Vic objected gently " I appreciate the offer though."
"You want us to cook for the wedding ? All of us ?" Jack asked in surprise.
"Yes." Vic answered" nothing big. Just something simple. Why ?"
"Just wondering if that's the best idea. " Jack explained " The last time I cooked with Miller and Herrera there was flour thrown in my face. "
"That's not fair " Dean argued" Herrera started it "
"I did not ! " Andy cried " The rookie started it "
" Leave Dixon out of it " Dean laughed " He didn't even use the flour."
"Thank you " Emmett agreed.
Vic smiled and got up from the table to meet Luke.
"So do we have food ?" Luke asked pulling her close.
"I think so. Although there's a good chance there'll be more flour on them than in the food " Vic laughed" What'd Sully say ?"
"He's getting certified as we speak" Ripley told her " We're getting married tommorow "
"We're getting married tommorow !" Vic exclaimed happily.
Luke twirled her around before holding her to his chest. "I think this is the best decision we've ever made. " He sighed lovingly.
"Crap " Vic hissed " Vows. Mine aren't written are yours ?"
"Well when you told me you wanted to be married sooner I had a feeling something like this was going to happen so I had Sullivan help me " Luke answered. " But you should probably do that. Vows aren't something you just wing. "
Vic nodded turning to leave" I'm going to go write them. And I don't want to see you till tomorrow. It's bad luck "
Luke laughed " Alright but what about work ? "
"Uh I haven't thought that far " Vic confessed " We'll avoid each other. "
"What if we have to go on a call ?" Luke asked again with a mischievous grin.
"Well " Vic considered " You'll just be battalion chief Ripley and I'll just be Hughes. We'll pretend we aren't madly in love with each other "
"Well then Hughes I have no idea what you're talking about. Now go before I change my mind and invite you into my office for a private chat " Lucas laughed turning to leave.
"Yes Sir. " Vic replied before walking back towards the beanery.
Thankfully Dean was still there at the table when she walked in.
"Miller what do you say we get that drink ?" She asked sitting down next to him.
" What happened to being with Ripley ?" Dean asked looking up from his food.
"I don't have vows. And I don't want to wing them. Also it's bad luck to see each other before the wedding" Vic explained with a shrug.
Dean nodded and pulled out his phone pressing it to his ear.
"Wait what are you doing?" Vic questioned.
"Calling the babysitter. Someone's got to watch Pru if I'm going to be out all night with you."
Vic nodded and waited for him to finish the call.
24 hours later.
"So you nervous?" Andy asked Vic as the two sat in the locker room doing thier makeup and hair.
Thankfully Luke hadn't been by so Vic didn't have to pretend like she wasn't in love with him.
"A little but marriage is good right ?" Vic answered tapping her brush free of powder.
"Yeah. I mean what me and Sully have is pretty good " Andy nodded " You and Ripley are great together. "
Vic nodded " And Ben and Miranda had it together too "
Andy looked down. She still was stuck hard in the grief. " Yeah. Yeah they did "
"Sorry "
"No it's fine. " Andy brushed it off " I just liked Warren a lot. That's all. He was good. "
Vic nodded "Yeah he had skill but God was he stubborn. "
Andy laughed lightly " Yeah he was."
Vic stood up and adjusted the collar of her uniform. " well how do I look ?"
Andy smiled amused " Beautiful. "
Vic laughed giddly. She pulled her hair from it's ponytail and shook it out.
"You ready ?" Andy asked " Ripley should be here any minute."
Vic nodded as she checked her watch. Knowing Luke he was already here and had been here for a while. He'd likely asked for the afternoon off.
Vic suddenly felt weak in her legs and sat down on the bench shaking.
Hey " Andy sighed coming over to comfort her " What is it ? Is it Luke cause I can go kick him out ."
"No " Vic said quietly" it's not. I love Luke I want to be married to him so bad it hurts"
"So then what is it ?" Andy asked rubbing her back.
"I just. " Vic tried " I don't know. ".
" Well is it cold feet ?" Andy questioned" Do you need Luke? Do you want to run ?"
"What ?" Vic sighed looking at Andy " No I don't want to run. Geez Herrera who do you think I am ?"
"Well i don't know. " Andy answered" You don't talk to me about things"
"Because you're always yelling at Jack. Or Maya. Or both of them together. " Vic complained.
"Right. " Andy smiled. " Well what is it then if you don't want to run ?"
"I don't know " Vic sighed " Maybe I need Ripley he always knows what I need."
"Well I can go get him" Andy offered getting up but Vic pulled her down.
"No I don't want him to see me . It's stupid I know because he always sees me in uniform but I just want today to be special. I want to walk out and have Luke see me for the first time again. " Vic explained " well maybe not the first time maybe the second. Because the first time I was in his face screaming."
"Ah the skyscraper?" Andy asked quietly.
"No. When I did my peer interview. I may have yelled at him and called him an ass" Vic admitted quietly " but he was being one."
Andy laughed" I know. Sully and Ripley like to talk. And by talk I mean drink beer on my couch and complain about us."
Vic laughed " Well I complain about Luke at work so "
Andy nodded with a smile " Yeah so do I. Now you ready ?"
"No " Vic declined. " I'm not "
" Yeah I'm going to get Ripley." Andy said standing up.
"You don't need to Herrera " Dean acknowledged from the doorway. "Ripley sent us. Thought she might have a touch of cold feet."
"I tried I don't think it's cold feet " Andy said quietly as she approached the door.
" Just go tell Luke she'll be out in a minute " Travis told her. " By the way you make a terrible bridesmaid. "
"Oh please " Andy laughed as she left the room" Like you two could do any better."