The day started out as normal as it could be, James and Travis were getting ready to go to the station and River, James’ daughter, was begging them to stay. “I’m sorry Riv, Travis and I have to go to work. You’re gonna go hang out with your friends at school.” she said to her exasperated 2 year old.
This wasn’t rare, however, her young daughter did this at least twice a week, having been abandoned by her father she became attached to her mother. So attached that it became a problem. But, what could James do? She’s doing the best a single mother could do for her daughter, especially with none of it truly being either of their faults. “Mommy!” she cried.
“We’ve talked about this River, mommy will see you tomorrow when I pick you up from your grandmother’s house okay?” she nodded her head.
At that moment Travis walked into the living room and grabbed his backpack. Quickly he jogged over and scooped the small child up into his arms and started tickling her. “Stop! Stop! Travis that tickle!” she squealed. James chuckled.
“We need to go. Otherwise Sullivan’s gonna have our asses when we walk in late.” Travis called, as he ran out the door taking River with him.
“Language!”
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The best friends’ drive to the station had been completely silent until Travis decided to take his eyes off of the road for just a second. No they didn’t crash, however he did nearly run a red light. “Dude! Come on! You can’t kill me, I have a kid!” James yelled. Travis smirked
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, but you know what she needs even more than just her mommy?”
“Don’t say it. Don’t fucking say it.”
“Two mommies.” James threw her head back. “You know I’m right. When are you gonna woman up and ask her out?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe when she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
“That’s only one reason. I know there’s more excuses dancing around your head.”
“Fine! I just don’t wanna be another rebound. I’ve got River to think about, she’s my main priority. I can’t have someone show up in her life just to leave it as fast as they entered. She doesn’t need to go through that again.” she paused, “Plus she doesn't even know River exists, so that really kills any hopes I’ve ever had at dating her.”
They continued on, silently, their way to work.
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"Why were you in the hospital?" Warren states while drinking with his former captain, first responders surrounding them. All is fine until a car suddenly crashes into the building. Preoccupied with a house fire, the firefighters of Station 19 did not show up at the scene. This included one lieutenant Grey.
After a long, stressful, call saving pets and people alike the fighters eventually made their ways back to the station. Upon making their way there they all began to decompress all in their own ways, but you know with water. James was doing exactly that, she was in the kitchen, slowly but surely downing a large glass of water silently observing the men and women around her.
The call to the burning home was a stressful one, but she didn't let it show. She didn't want the others to see who she was just as she's kept it for the 8 years she's spent at the station. No one knew much about her, and she'd like to keep it that way.
Respective couples were spending time together, those that had not showered were showering, and James was sitting on her cot thinking about the day when they were interrupted by an alarm telling them of an emergency. Rushing to get ready James jumped up and jogged to her cubby grabbing her turnout and all. On the outside she was ready, but was she really? Of course not. No firefighter is ever really ready to do the things they do and see the things they see, but she had to keep a straight face to reassure herself and others that all was okay.
5 minutes later the team was in their fire engines and aid car speeding off to the accident at the bar.
In the meantime the whole bar interrupted in fear and calm. The doctors that were scattered throughout were setting to work to better their friends and coworkers.
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