Playing with Fire

Chapter Twenty-Two - Everly!

*Edited*

One month later. 

Everly

I walked in the firehouse carrying a box of donuts. I was off shift today since I had a bunch of test to get done at the hospital, but I thought I'd still pop in and say hi. I pulled open the door and walked inside to find the guys sitting at the Squad table playing poker. 

"Glad to see I can leave 51 and everything's gonna be just where I left it when I get back."

Kelly looked back before quickly getting up. He took the box of donuts out of my hands and leaned forward to kiss me. 

"Yeah, it has been a slow shift. We've only gone out twice."

I looked over at Capp as Kelly pulled away. 

"Be glad. It is cold as hell out there."

Kelly chuckled and we all walked into the common room. I scrunched up my nose as an awful smell hit my nostrils. I looked up at who was behind the grill and sighed. 

"Cruz is cooking? I should of stayed home."

Everybody laughed as Kelly put the box of donuts down on the table. 

"Did you bring these?"

I nodded towards Otis.

"You are an angel Everly. Really."

Everybody that was sitting around the table took one and I smiled. 

"Hey! This is authentic Dominican cuisine, all right? Just because you can't appreciate the aroma doesn't mean that the taste isn't gonna blow your hair back, huh? Just got to broaden your horizons a little."

"Yeah, broaden them all the way to Manny's for a Reuben sandwich."

Everybody laughed at Herrmann's comment as Kelly and I sat down at the table just as the bell went off. I heard Kelly grunt and I chuckled.  

"Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, Single car accident. Vermont and 127th street."

Everybody quickly got up and I looked over at Shay who was sitting at the end of the table.

"Hey, you mind if I ride along?"

She shook her head. 

"Of course not."

I smiled and followed Shay out to the ambulance. Shay drove to the scene and I sighed as we pulled up. A guy hit an electricity pole and took out the entire block so it was pitch black out. Luckily the guy was okay and didn't need medical attention. 

"Grid's out, Chief."

He nodded. 

"Yeah and with this weather, people without power are people without heat. Not to mention the wolves come out when the lights are off."

Kelly and I both nodded. 

"Can I have your attention, please?"

Everybody that stood on the street gathered around.

"At this point, we have no way of knowing how long it will take to get the electricity back on. So anybody who needs a safe place to ride out this blackout, you're more than welcome to come join us at Firehouse 51. We have our own generator, and we can provide hot food, a warm place to stay, and safety."

We drove back to the house and Kelly and my brother tried to figure out the generator situation while I went to sit in the common room. 

"Our Four News chopper was in the air to capture the blackout as it happened. If you look in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, you'll see a small, blue flash. Authorities of Commonwealth Edison said this was likely the cause of the blackout. A spokesperson at ComEd said they don't know how long it will take to restore the power."