One Night Stand

Chapter 12

On the ride to work Rafferty was content to just listen to music and not talk. This gave Gray time to do a few last minute mental preparations. She knew change didn't mean a bad situation was eminent. It was entirely possible that she would end up with a wonderful partner who could become a good friend though they would never replace Cabello in her life. Worst case scenario her new partner would be horrible and she would figure out a way to deal with the situation. As for her issues with Nicole, only time would tell where they stood so she couldn't let herself stress over either situation.
When the shift began Bailey gathered everyone in the conference room for the weekly run down of information they needed to know pertaining to the house. After the rundown they welcomed Thornely back then Bailey got to the bit of information that affected Gray the most, introducing the new brunette in the back of the room.
"And our last order of business for the morning," Bailey said gesturing to the back of the room. "I'd like you all to give a nice warm welcome to our new Paramedic, Jameson Mathis."
Mathis took a confident step forward and said, "Hey guys, I look forward to working with you all."
Before anything else could be said a call came overhead.
Gray quickly followed Mathis out the door towards the ambo and said a little more nervously than she meant to, "Hey Mathis, um, I'm Gray. I'm ah... I'm gonna be your partner."
Mathis nodded, a neutral expression on her face and said dismissively, "Yeah, I've heard a lot about you."
Gray wasn't sure how to take her statement. There were definitely bad things Mathis could have heard but there were also good things out there too. She figured she'd just have to wait and see what side her new partner had heard.
When they all arrived on scene it was all business. The first call was a multi car accident. After they had dropped off an injured woman at the hospital they got called out for another three calls before they were able to make it back to 52. Gray had tried to engage Mathis in conversation a few times but she didn't seem to want to talk much.

Luckily they arrived just in time for lunch because Gray was starving. She's knew the guys would ask Mathis a lot of questions so Gray figured she might learn something about her new partner. She let Mathis go first and by the time Gray had filled her own plate she noticed Mathis had taken a seat right next to Nicole and they immediately started up a conversation.
Gray chose to sit at the smaller table with Jones and Cortez instead of possibly having to engage in conversation wit Nicole at this point, it just seemed less complicated. She did eavesdrop on the conversation at the larger table though, ignoring the guys she was actually sitting with. Mostly the guys were asking Mathis about her life. Earlier Gray had been interested to learn about her new partner, but her interest now had a singular focus. She really wanted to know how Mathis knew Nicole and honestly how well the two women knew each other.
She didn't have to wait too long for one of the guys to ask about what she was thinking. She smiled because it was Rafferty who brought up the subject.
"So how've you worked with Davin before Mathis? I noticed you guys started talking immediately after you sat down like you knew each other." Rafferty said sounding innocent enough.
Mathis didn't notice Nicole give Rafferty a dirty look as she answered, "Yeah she filled in on my shift at 24 on truck for about a month not too long after she moved to Chicago."

    Nicole knew what Rafferty was thinking from what he had asked. When she briefly met Gray's eyes she knew what the blond was thinking too. Before she could even shake her head or say anything Gray's eyes darted down to her plate. Nicole knew she should talk to Gray, especially with Mathis now being Gray's partner but she decided to avoid the situation at the moment. There would be time later to talk so for now she figured the safest bet was to stay in a conversation at a completely different table from Gray.
    "Must be nice to see a familiar face in a new house." Morris commented.
    "It's definitely nice though I didn't know until today that Nic was here. We've kinda lost touch since she left 24." Mathis answered with a shrug. "But so far everyone seems friendly enough so I can't complain."
    Before anyone could speak there was another call overhead, "Ambulance 61, person in distress..."
    "At least I haven't had time to get bored yet." Mathis said with a smile as she got up from the table.

    It was a busy day for the new partners with calls coming in chunks. After the first four call string there was a string of five calls and a string of three calls. They had managed to grab food in the breaks between the blocks of calls but they hadn't managed to make it back to 51 since lunch.
As they finally pulled into the bay at 51 Gray still couldn't get over one of their calls. They had responded to a call for a person in distress at a no tell motel. The scene blew Gray's mind: an unconscious woman who thought she was getting plastic surgery work done by a doctor but was actually getting silicon and cement injected into her. They were able to get the woman stable and to the hospital.
When they got out of the ambo Gray was still talking about it, "Okay it's official, I've seen everything." She said with a slight laugh as she continued, "I mean don't get me wrong, I like a big caboose as much as the next guy but how do you pay a charlatan 1500 bucks to pump construction adhesive into her ass." Gray paused then asked, "I mean have you ever been on a call like that before, like a back alley plastic surgeon?"
Through Gray's whole rant Mathis was checking that the back of the ambo was in order and wore a bored, disinterested look on her face. When Gray finally stopped rambling she flatly answered, "I haven't." And she tried to walk away.
Gray quickly followed, "Hey Mathis, have we ever worked together before?"
Mathis paused, turned to Gray and said, "No." Then turned to walk away again.
Gray continued to follow, "Did I steal your seat at a CFD barbecue or something?" she joked.
Mathis stopped again and gave a half laugh before answering, ""Not that I can remember."
Gray quickly walked past her partner to stand in front of her and said, "Then how come in the few times we've been around other people you're so warm and friendly but I've gotten the ice queen treatment since the second I introduced myself to you?"
Mathis rolled her eyes and sighed before answering, "Okay. I had this partner over at 24, Lena Davies. Maybe you know her?"
    "No." Gray said quietly, confused and slightly afraid about where this was going.
    Mathis barely waited for Gray to answer before she continued, "She would make calls to her girlfriend that would sometimes get a little graphic. I was friendly with her and I guess she read that as an invitation to say whatever was on her mind appropriate or otherwise. Bottom line, I respect your lifestyle choice but I just don't want it shoved in my face."
    Even if Gray wanted to respond Mathis didn't give her a chance. She walked off towards the common room without even a look.
    Gray couldn't help but feel confused. Mathis had spouted her feelings about her former partner yet she seemed to be friends with Nicole. This didn't make any sense but after their busy day Gray didn't feel like thinking much about anything, especially trying to figure out another woman's actions. Maybe an attempt at sleep would be the best thing for her now and tackle figuring out the new woman in her life later when she had time and energy.