The 126 lands in Los Angeles, but they only get one night of peace and quiet before everything goes haywire. Turns out when a famous author hides five million dollars somewhere in the city, everyone goes to ridiculous lengths to try and find it. Who'd've thunk?

Enjoy the first part of "Treasure Hunt!"

***

"You mean to tell me you are coming back to Los Angeles, and the only reason you can think of to not bring Christopher is because you don't want to overwork the friend who's coming to watch the other paramedic captain's twins?"

Eddie winced, hearing the chastising tone on the other end of his phone. "Well, when you put it that way . . . "

"And that is why you called me, Eddie Diaz," Carla huffed. "If you bring Christopher with you to Los Angeles, I will watch him while you're out and about with whatever happens. I've missed that boy, and any time I get to spend with him will be time well spent."

Eddie smiled, finishing loading his suitcase. "You're amazing, Carla."

"I know I am, hon," Carla teased, and Eddie laughed. He had missed her. "Now, tell me how long you'll be in Los Angeles so I know how long to hog his attention."

Eddie snickered. "Last I heard from Captain Strand, it'll be at least two weeks. It's long for a conference, but according to him, everyone who's coming will also be helping out in the city. So firehouses from different cities will partner up for calls, and same with police. I know Grace and Maddie will be taking shifts at the dispatch center. Carlos is a patrol officer, so he wasn't tapped to go, but his father pulled some strings after everything that went down with a serial arsonist a bit ago. He's got the time off to watch Captain Vega's girls, because there's no way she's comfortable with leaving them here so soon after their father's death."

Carla sighed sadly. "I understand, hon. If something comes up while you're here and those girls need watching, too, I'd be happy to take them. Anything for my boys."

"You're a gift from God," Eddie smiled.

Carla chuckled. "I look forward to seeing my boys again."

"Likewise, Carla." He heard the click of a hanging-up phone, and he smiled down at Carla's contact before walking out of the bedroom. "Good news!" he announced, walking into the living room.

"What's that?" Buck asked, looking up from where he and Christopher were building LEGO sculptures on the floor.

"I, in fact, did find someone who is more than happy to be with Christopher while we're in Los Angeles," Eddie beamed, leaning in the doorway.

"Not Abuela and Abuelo in El Paso, right?" Christopher wrinkled his nose.

Eddie snickered. "No, you're not staying in Texas, mijo."

Buck did a double take. "I get to come?" Christopher asked in excitement.

"You do," Eddie nodded with a smile. "Because Carla didn't let me say a word against keeping you here."

Christopher's eyes lit up. "I get to be with Carla?!"

"Really?" Buck asked in shock. "On such short notice?"

Eddie grinned. "She basically insisted. So . . . guess who needs to start packing?"

"Yippee!" Christopher cheered.

"The whole family in L.A.," Buck realized.

Eddie smirked. "We have all the back-up we need if this turns ugly."

Buck made a face. "Someone needs to have a camera ready when Chimney sees Maddie with Nancy."

Eddie snickered. "What's the bet that Nancy's gonna punch him in the face first chance she gets?"

"She'll probably kiss the hell out of Maddie first," Buck admitted. "Just to then punch it in his face."

Eddie burst out laughing. "That's Nancy!"

***

In the end, six vehicles were taken for the 20-hour drive to Los Angeles: four rigs, Owen's Cadillac, and Maddie's Subaru. With each firefighter and paramedic manning the rigs, Owen took Grace, Evie and Izzy for the first stretch while Maddie drove Carlos and Christopher for the second. Each officer was required to remain on their rig for the duration of the drive, meaning Tommy was kept on EMS 126, but her daughters were kept well entertained by Owen constantly checking with Grace to see if she was comfortable.

When the time came for everyone to shuffle so the drivers got a break, Eddie moved to Maddie's car with Grace, and the dispatcher drove so Eddie could listen to Christopher excitedly babble about what he wanted to do in Los Angeles. Carlos took over driving Owen's Cadillac as Owen regaled the Vega twins with tales from his time in New York. Maddie, in the end, joined Buck on Squad 9, and Marjan took over driving for TK. That booted TK to join Sylvie on her ambulance, the blonde paramedic giggling at the sulking green-eyed man. "Don't even start," TK griped as Sylvie turned back onto the highway.

Sylvie just laughed. "You know your dad said we all need to be in the right rigs when we actually roll into the city. You'll be back over there in no time."

"I know," TK huffed, settling in to get comfortable in the seat. "I just . . . Buck and I got so lucky to not get split up when the 126 got reassigned. Even in San Angelo, when you got assigned to medical, we were still running around the mountain together. Feels weird not being on the same rig right now."

"It's only for a few hours," Sylvie smiled. "For now, just relax and – " Her phone blared from where it rested in one of the cup holders, and she rolled her eyes. "Can you check that for me? I swear, if it's Matt or Kelly . . . "

TK picked up her phone and checked the Caller ID, and he blinked. "Neither," he said in confusion. "It's Price."

"Really?" Sylvie blinked. "Put it on speaker." TK nodded, answering the call and tapping the button for speaker. "Nolan!" Sylvie greeted cheerily. "How can I – ?"

"You can tell Peter I'm doing him a favor," Nolan interrupted before she could finish.

"I know you're doing me a favor!" Peter's faint voice countered, and TK blinked, looking at the phone in surprise. "And I'm very grateful you've pulled me for the trip, but a little heads-up before the night before we leave would have been nice!"

"I thought you got the notice beforehand!"

"Then something got mixed up before then!"

TK couldn't help but laugh, and Sylvie grinned sheepishly. "You're on speaker, boys."

"We are?" Nolan asked in surprise.

"She's driving!" TK called in explanation.

"Hi, TK!" Peter laughed. "Did you decide to be a paramedic for a day?"

"For . . . " TK checked his watch. "The next three hours, I guess. Then Eddie gets back here and I get back on Squad."

"Firefighters and paramedics swap back and forth?" Nolan asked in confusion.

"Eddie and I are what we call dual-certified," TK explained. "I operate as a firefighter and he operates as a paramedic, but we're also qualified to be the other way around. Right now, Eddie's over with Grace."

"Who's Grace?" Nolan asked.

"When did Grace join the 126?" Peter asked in confusion.

"Grace is one of the dispatchers in Austin," Sylvie explained. "And she's been dispatched to the conference happening in Los Angeles . . . just like the rest of us."

"Hence the juggling of passengers," TK added. "Nine firefighters, four paramedics, two dispatchers, one police officer, and three kids. There's a lot of us."

There was silence on the other end. "Bet you're really glad I pulled you now, huh?" Nolan finally laughed.

"Sylvie, TK, we're in the last few minutes of our layover for the final flight to Los Angeles right now," Peter told them, making the two exchange excited looks. "Garland tapped both SVU and OC to attend that conference."

"And since I'm the Executive ADA, I was asked to attend in D.A. McCoy's place," Nolan added. "So I pulled Peter along for the ride."

"What's OC?" Sylvie asked in confusion.

"Organized Crime," Peter answered. "Also known as the bureau Detective Stabler is running with. His squad's the one that's coming."

"And how did my dad not know this?" TK demanded.

"I didn't know he didn't!"

"Oops?" Nolan quipped.

Sylvie burst into a peal of laughter. "Oh, this is going to be a fun few weeks!"

"I guess I should warn Liv that Owen's going to be finding out shortly," Peter muttered. "Can I blame you, Nolan?"

Nolan snorted. "Remember who has the authority to control your schedule while we're in the city, Stone."

Sylvie giggled hysterically. "We'll see you in Los Angeles, gentlemen!"

"Bye, Sylvie!" Nolan responded. "And now I have to make sure my attorney is safe when he warns his girlfriend."

Sylvie was still laughing when TK hung up the phone. "Oh, poor Peter."

"You wanna bet they were planning on surprising us?" TK asked with a grin.

"Oh, for sure," Sylvie nodded.

" . . . so we shouldn't tell my dad?"

"Oh, please, don't," Sylvie begged. "I want to see him get the surprise of his life."

TK grinned, pulling out his phone. "I'm on it."

***

As the 126 perused the convenience store and the fuel tanks were topped, TK's phone started ringing. He checked the Caller ID, then grabbed Sylvie's arm and tugged her away from where she was examining her choices of candy. "Hey!" she protested, stumbling after him.

They got several confused looks as TK pulled her out of the store, then he grinned and answered the phone. "Hi!"

"Did you tell Owen that we're in Los Angeles?" Olivia demanded.

"No," TK shook his head as Sylvie giggled. "We thought you would want to surprise him."

"Oh, we do," Elliot confirmed. "Did you know the folks from New York and from Austin are in the same hotel in the city?"

TK's jaw dropped. "You're kidding!"

"We're not!" Olivia laughed. "I checked, but I think the representatives from Chicago are in a different hotel."

"Damn," Sylvie sighed. "There goes checking with the Halsteads."

"But we have a plan," Elliot told them.

"Oh, that sounds devious," TK smirked. "Whatcha got?"

"Apparently the hotel restaurant and bar is booked for a few hours in the evening so the first responders who come can 'get to know each other' before everything officially gets underway."

Sylvie burst out laughing. "So you're surprising Owen at that event."

"Why not?" Olivia asked innocently.

"I'm recording it," TK said instantly, making Sylvie lean on him as she laughed. "I don't care if anyone else is. I'm definitely recording it."

"I've already tapped someone to do it, but you can do it for the 126," Elliot compromised.

"Deal."

"126, let's go!" Owen's voice called from where he had parked.

"Gotta go!" Sylvie called. "Just over an hour until we're in the city."

"Looking forward to seeing everyone again," Olivia told her. "And on better circumstances."

"Way better circumstances," Elliot agreed.

"See you soon!" TK grinned.

The duo on the other end called out similar parting words, and Sylvie giggled as they headed towards the rigs. "I feel sorry for Owen when they surprise him."

"I don't," TK snickered.

"Hey, Sylvie!" She turned at her name, and she caught the package of Dove chocolates that were tossed towards her. "Thought you might want that," Matt grinned as he headed for the ladder rig.

"You're the best, Matt!" she cheered, jogging to the passenger seat of her ambulance.

"I know!"

TK shook his head, laughing as he opened the door to the back of the squad rig. "Whipped!"

Sylvie's squawk was cut off as he climbed into the rig, but the laughter of Buck was very audible from his perch in the driver's seat. "You said that to her face?" Marjan chortled.

"What?" TK grinned innocently as Kelly jumped up into the rig. "I only told the truth."

"What was it?" Kelly frowned.

"Oh," TK bit his lip to hold in a snicker as Buck revved the engine. "Nothing important."

***

It amazed Eddie that, as much as he hated the traffic in Los Angeles, he could easily find the way to their designated hotel once they entered the city. "It's nice that we'll actually be able to work more calls while we're here," Sylvie remarked from her seat, unwrapping another chocolate from her pack. "Want one?"

"Yeah, sure," Eddie held out his hand, taking the chocolate offered. "Was the derailment the only one you were called for?"

"Yeah, and that was because it was such a disaster," Sylvie nodded. "Other than that, we were cooped up inside all day long."

Eddie snorted. "How did Squad 3 take it?"

"I'm surprised Capp and Tony were sane. Then again, I think the squad crews were doing a lot of drills and comparing notes, so . . . "

Eddie laughed, pulling into the lot of the hotel. "So they kept busy."

"Thankfully!"

Eddie parked the rig, then turned off the engine and hopped out of the driver's seat. "Oh, I forgot what it was like to have no humidity!" Buck grinned as he jumped from the driver's seat of the squad rig.

"Would you rather have humidity or a Chicago winter?" Kelly asked with a snort as they started unloading their luggage.

"Chicago winter," Sylvie answered instantly, drawing a surprised look from Marjan. "You can put more clothes on. Once the clothes are off in the heat, there's nothing more you can do."

"Try a New York winter," TK snorted. "The only thing worth the cold was the scenery when it was snowing."

"You should see Chicago when we get decent snow," Kelly grinned as they headed for the entrance. "Millennium Park and the Riverwalk are both incredible."

"Oh, the Riverwalk especially," Sylvie nodded in agreement.

"Captain Vega!" Buck grinned when they met up with the rest of the group. "Welcome to Los Angeles."

"Thanks," Tommy smiled, helping her girls get their luggage together. "It's nice to get out of Austin for a bit."

"I think that's part of why Deputy Chief Radford asked for the 126 to ship out," Owen remarked, walking to the front desk. "We all need this."

"No kidding," Grace sighed.

"At least we're all doing this together," Mateo piped up. "I woulda hated doing this with the 129."

"I'm seriously thinking I should have punched Captain Tatum when I had the chance," Matt said thoughtfully, making Paul snicker and Judd outright laugh.

"Grissom would have your hide if you did that, Case," Kelly snorted.

"Even if you went to bat for him?" Sylvie teased.

Kelly rolled his eyes. "Especially then. I think special treatment can only get me so far."

"The joys of being legacies, right?" TK smirked.

"Alright," Owen walked back to them, handing out key cards. "I know all of you likely figured out where you're rooming, so I won't keep you for long. The restaurant and bar here at the hotel is booked for the conference at the top of the hour, so you've got close to forty minutes to settle in. Casey, Severide, the two of you are covered through the entirety of the 126's time here in the city, so assuming I get cleared to go to active duty while we're here, you don't need to up and switch hotels."

"Unless you want to be abandoners," Marjan inspected her nails nonchalantly.

Sylvie grinned, grabbing her hand. "On that note, we'll see everyone later!"

"Hey!" Marjan stumbled after Sylvie. "Sylvie! Come on!"

"Girls' party!" Maddie crowed, looking at Nancy.

"We'll see you boys later tonight," Nancy smirked, walking backwards towards the elevator with Maddie. "Cap? We'll tell you which room to bring the girls. Grace, you're invited, too."

"Oh, hell," Judd balked. "Warn me which room to stay away from."

Grace giggled, patting his arm. "I will, hon."

Carlos frowned, seeing TK's wide grin. "What's got you looking like that, babe?"

"Oh," TK gave him an innocent look. "Just excited to see who we're meeting. That's all."

***

"I'm glad the restaurant blocked off a place for the kids," Eddie said with a smile as they watched Christopher, Evie, and Izzy gather in the corner. "That was thoughtful of them."

"I'm happy everyone was able to come," Owen admitted, watching the 126 gradually trickle into the restaurant. "One big family outing, basically."

"I feel like a bit of an outsider, though," Matt quipped from across the table.

"You are not," Paul admonished. "You were ready to punch another captain to defend Probie's honor. You're one of us."

"And you're Sylvie's best friends," Judd added, clapping Matt on the back and almost sending his temporary captain into the table. "That already made you one of us."

Kelly righted Matt with a hand, smothering his laughter at the stunned look on his face. "I think you broke him, Ryder."

"Then maybe he'll get his head on straight."

"I, for one, think they were part of the 126 when they blatantly ignored De Leon and led that team through the wildfires," Buck declared, popping the cap off a bottle of beer.

"I second that," TK agreed, holding up his mineral water.

"I third it!" Sylvie's cheerful voice added, and the men turned to see her walk up to them, having chosen an off-the-shoulder dress of glittering rose pink fabric, her hair pulled out of her face aside from a few tresses curling to frame her face. "I have no idea what we're voting on, but if Buck and TK agree, I probably would."

"I feel sorely underdressed," Paul looked down at his dress shirt and khakis.

"Oh, don't worry about it," Sylvie waved his concern away as she rounded the table to join Matt and Kelly. "The rest of us chose to overdress a little. Represent, you know."

TK grinned, realizing that the way Sylvie was positioned, she had everyone facing her . . . and not the entrance of the restaurant, where he could see more familiar faces enter. "You represent well, Sylvie."

"Thank you," she preened. "I mean, at this point, I'm just showing off for people I know."

Owen blinked. "We have no clue who else is going to be here besides the 126."

Sylvie bit her lip, and Kelly realized she was trying to hide a grin. "You don't," she corrected.

"I guess I have my boyfriend to blame for that," Olivia's voice came from behind Owen, making the rest of the 126, save TK, jump in surprise. "We were planning on making this an even bigger surprise."

"Yeah, but then someone had to call and rat us out," Elliot snorted, folding his arms and grinning in amusement as Owen whipped around, shock on his face. "Have we figured out who to blame yet?"

"I keep saying, it wasn't my idea to call!" Peter huffed, making Sonny snicker.

"And as I keep saying, I thought someone in the office warned you ahead of time," Nolan rolled his eyes, walking around the table. "I had to figure out all the assignments before we left."

"Poor you," Sylvie deadpanned.

"Wait," Owen looked around at the mass of NYPD officers that were entering. "Did all of you seriously – ?"

"Chief Garland sent our squads here," Olivia nodded with a grin. "And ADA Price basically ordered Peter along."

"What's your squad without your prosecuting attorney?" Nolan shrugged.

"He's also her boyfriend," Sylvie added.

"I know," he grinned smugly.

Peter pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm starting to regret telling Jack you planned on switching sides."

"You get that, Jet?" Elliot asked, looking over his shoulder.

"Right here!" a pale-skinned young woman with black hair effortlessly swept into twin buns on top of her head nodded, walking up and showing her phone. "Priceless face."

"Thanks," Elliot grinned. "Send it to me, and I'll get you Tyler's number. He'll want it, too."

Jet hummed, nodding and tapping her phone. "Did you seriously have her record his reaction?" the black woman in a deep red jumpsuit frowned at Elliot.

"I volunteered, if that helps any," Jet grinned.

"I like her," Buck decided. When Eddie coughed meaningfully, Buck scowled. "Not like that!"

"Who else am I sending this to?" Jet asked, looking around the table.

"Me!" TK raised his hand with a grin. "TK Strand."

Jet's eyes lit up. "So you're the one – ?"

"That I said you'd get along with?" Elliot nodded. "Yep."

"Awesome," Jet sauntered over.

The other woman sighed defeatedly, and Olivia patted her shoulder. "If it's any consolation, Ayanna, I've discovered that once any of the younger detectives meets TK, it's very hard to separate them."

"Great," Ayanna shook her head.

Elliot snickered. "Captain Owen Strand, this is my boss and partner in my new squad, Ayanna Bell. Sarge, Captain Strand of the Austin 126."

"Thanks for taking him in, Sergeant," Owen smiled, extending his hand.

"He's a good fit for the team," Ayanna nodded, shaking his hand. "A little rough sometimes, but I keep him in check."

"Which any boss of his needs," Fin muttered under his breath.

"Hey, now," Elliot glared.

"You knew about this?" Owen looked incredulously at TK.

"I just found out on the trip here," TK held up his hands defensively. "I said nothing."

"And I just warned Liv that it accidentally leaked," Peter added.

"So who actually got the leak and who leaked it?" Eddie frowned.

Peter and TK simultaneously turned to the pair at the end of the table, and Sylvie cleared her throat. "Bourbon still your go-to?"

"I'll buy if you tell me everything that led to your scorched to a crisp firehouse landing on the national news," Nolan nodded.

"Sold," Sylvie agreed, hastily stepping away from the table.

"Hey!" TK protested as the pair left. "Traitors!"

Peter rubbed his forehead. "Yeah . . . blame my boss for the next two weeks."

"I still can't believe I heard about this because my second parents didn't tell me, but the guy Sylvie knew for all of two days called her," TK's shoulders shook from his laughter.

"I'm telling you, she's just started collecting attorneys," Peter shook his head.

"And would you believe she met that one by basically passing out on him?" Eddie snorted.

"She what?" Mateo balked.

"You didn't hear that story?" Carlos asked in confusion.

"We've barely heard anything on it," Kelly admitted, side-eyeing the bar where Nolan caught the bourbon bottle slid his way, Sylvie snatching the pair of glasses.

"We hadn't gotten any sleep and were barely running considering everything that happened once the bomb went off on the Stablers' car," Owen explained, making Elliot wince. "Sylvie volunteered to make a coffee run, but we should've known better than to let her go alone. She was by far the most exhausted out of all of us, and she was low on energy, so the moment she turned too quickly, she almost passed out."

"Counselor Price was the one who brought her back to the hospital," Olivia nodded. "And I'm certain I saw them when Sylvie needed a break at the reception following Kathy's funeral."

"That was when Sylvie heard he was switching sides," Peter confirmed.

"Switching sides?" Judd asked in confusion.

"Before he joined Jack's staff, he was one of the best defense attorneys in the state," Peter explained with a shudder. "We all said we would rather swallow nails than face him in court. He's that good."

"And now I'm glad you'll never have to face him," Olivia smiled.

"My money would've been on Stone, though," Amanda quipped. "He always pulls a miracle in the end."

Peter made a face. "Be honest. You would want to see me sweat it out."

Amanda smiled innocently. "Maybe."

Elliot snickered. "Have I mentioned how much I like your team, Liv?"

"Not recently," she shook her head.

"Have we gotten our assignments yet?" Jet asked, plopping into the open chair on TK's other side.

"Nothing too certain," Ayanna shook her head, scrolling through her phone. "I just know from Chief Garland that it looks like we'll be running occasionally with Chicago's Intelligence Unit."

Matt and Kelly simultaneously groaned, and even Olivia looked like she had a headache. "What's that for?" Jet asked curiously.

"Maybe I should try and make sure Intelligence runs with my unit," Olivia muttered, rubbing her forehead.

"We've mentioned it may not be a good idea to have Stabler and Voight in the same room, right?" Matt asked warily.

"You're just making me think I want to meet him more, you know?" Elliot grinned.

"Do it without me in the room," Peter held up his hands. "I'm not refereeing that meeting."

Fin, Amanda, Sonny, and TK simultaneously turned to Olivia, who closed her eyes. "Damnit," she muttered.

"Well," Paul cleared his throat, looking around the table. "To having an . . . entertaining time in Los Angeles, folks."

"No kidding," Judd mumbled, clinking his beer against Paul's.

***

Eddie: I've never been so grateful to be so familiar with Cedars-Sinai in my life

Buck: I feel called out

Eddie: The nurses at the desk asked me where you were when I walked in to stock the ambulance

TK: Sounds like me and my dad at West Park Memorial

Matt: I raise you me and Severide at Chicago Med

Kelly: We have our own doctors

Kelly: That's how popular we are

Carlos: Y'all scare me sometimes

Sylvie snickered as she exited the elevator at the hotel, typing on her phone.

Sylvie: And people call me a danger magnet

TK: You attracted Casey and Severide

TK: Danger magnet

Buck: Me and TK too

Buck: And considering all the danger you and Eddie have gotten into

Eddie: Sylvie attracts the danger magnets

Sylvie: This is why I'm Dumbass

Buck: Yep

Buck: I'm called out

TK: It's not fun

Matt: Wait until you're on the other end of her "you're idiots" rant

Kelly: Especially if she pulls out the puppy eyes

Carlos: Those sound deadly

Kelly: They are

Kelly: No one's immune to them

Matt: Pretty sure we've seen her use them on Voight before

Matt: That was impressive

"I like the uniform!"

Sylvie looked up in surprise, then laughed when she saw Nolan leaning against the back of one of the lobby couches, two coffees in his hands. "You do?" she grinned, teasingly twirling for him.

"Black goes with everything," Nolan shrugged.

Sylvie burst out laughing. "Buck said the exact same thing the first time we got in these uniforms."

Nolan grinned, holding out one of the coffees for her. "Consider it an apology for whatever kind of hangover you have after we drained another bourbon last night."

"It's not too bad this morning," Sylvie shrugged, but she took the coffee with a smile. "Hazelnut?"

"Your go-to in New York was similar to mine, so I ordered two of my usual," Nolan nodded, watching her take a careful sip. "Really, I thought you had ordered mine when I tried it."

Sylvie hummed in appreciation, taking a larger sip. "I might have a new favorite. Thanks, Nolan."

"You're welcome," he smiled, following her as she walked towards the entrance of the hotel. "Where's your wayward partner?"

"He left early to stock the rig," Sylvie answered, checking her watch. "He should be back in a few minutes, then we're out and ready to roll. You?"

"I'm headed to the courthouse soon," Nolan nodded. "Peter's already there. I didn't just ask him to come because I knew Captain Benson was already slated for the conference. A serial rapist is going on trial soon, and I wanted him on that case."

Sylvie winced. "Would that serial rapist's name happen to be Jeffery Hudson?" At Nolan's surprised look, Sylvie sighed. "You'll likely meet her while you're here. Sergeant Athena Grant-Nash, the wife of Buck and Eddie's former captain, was the officer he assaulted before he was arrested."

Nolan whistled. "She's one hell of a fighter. From the files, she got him good before she went down, too."

"She did," Sylvie nodded. "If there's one meeting I'm eagerly anticipating, it's Athena and Captain Benson. I might be a little scared, too."

Nolan snickered. "I believe it."

The familiar blue and black of EMS 99 pulled up to the front doors of the hotel, and Sylvie smiled at Nolan. "Thanks for the coffee."

"You're welcome," Nolan grinned. "Go save the city."

Sylvie playfully saluted before jogging out of the doors. Eddie reached over and opened her door, and as she climbed into her seat, her partner pouted when he saw her coffee. "And you didn't get me one?" he playfully scoffed.

"I didn't get it," Sylvie grinned, shutting her door.

Eddie snorted, rolling his eyes. "Got it."

Sylvie laughed, clicking on her radio as she buckled her seatbelt. "Dispatch, this is Captain Sylvie Brett of Austin EMS 99," she announced as Eddie drove away from the hotel. "We are online and ready for calls."

"Copy that, Austin EMS 99," May Grant's voice answered, making the duo smile. "Standby for calls."

***

"Maddie Buckley!" a kind, older redhead smiled widely as Maddie and Grace stepped onto the floor of the dispatch center. "As I live and breathe!"

"Hello, Sue," Maddie beamed in reply, giving her old boss a hug. "Oh, it's good to see you."

"It's better to see you." Josh was right behind Sue, a grin on his face. "Dispatch hasn't been the same without you."

"Well, Los Angeles's loss is Austin's gain," Grace smirked.

Josh rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you gloated for days after you got her."

Grace shrugged unrepentantly. "She's a natural, Josh."

"He trained her well," Sue praised, making Josh duck his head bashfully. "And we are very grateful you two are here to help."

"We couldn't let the 126 have all the fun," Maddie grinned. "We're ready to get started."

"Maddie, I have you at one of the stations by Josh," Sue checked her tablet. "And Mrs. Ryder – "

"Grace, please," the woman told her.

"Grace," Sue smiled warmly. "I have you between Linda and May."

"Let's see if you remember how to keep up with L.A.'s ridiculous calls," Josh smirked at Maddie.

Maddie scoffed, following Josh onto the floor. "Oh, you just watch."

Grace made her way to the open station by May, and the young dispatcher smiled happily at her. "It's good to see you, Grace."

"You, too, May," Grace smiled, carefully lowering herself into her chair.

"Linda Bates," the woman on Grace's other side introduced herself.

"Grace Ryder," Grace responded, holding out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You, too," Linda grinned. "Josh has been raving about having you and Maddie here for the next few weeks."

"Josh?" Grace raised an eyebrow. "Raving?"

"Well," Linda shrugged. "His equivalent."

Grace chuckled, picking up her earpiece and fitting it in place. "That sounds more like him."

"Enjoy the chaos," Linda advised, turning back to her station.

"I will," Grace nodded, turning to her computers.

Maddie smiled, watching Grace settle in, then she turned to accept an incoming call. "9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"Yeah, I think somebody is trapped on a cliff," a man answered. "Out here in Malibu Creek Park."

Maddie nodded, typing the information into her computer. "Do you have a more precise location?"

"Uh . . . upstream, I think." Maddie heard a faint voice from someone further away, then the man continued. "Yeah, they could be up near the headwaters, but we can't see anything from here."

"You can't see the person?" Maddie frowned. "Then, what makes you think someone's trapped?"

The man sighed. "We found a message in a bottle."

Maddie's eyebrows raised, then she scrolled through the units available. She grinned when she found who she wanted, and she clicked to radio them. "Los Angeles Engine 118," she called. "Austin Squad 9. Austin EMS 99. Respond to a trapped person in Malibu Creek Park."

***

"Who did Sylvie spend practically the entire night with?"

Buck was so surprised by the question from Marjan that he hit the brakes on the rig, almost sending Kelly through the windshield. "Whoa!" the lieutenant sputtered, grabbing for something to hold onto.

"Marjan!" TK protested from the back.

"It was just a question!" Marjan defended herself.

"Well, next time, don't do it when Buck is driving at highway speeds!"

Buck sighed, regaining control of the rig as he drove. "For your information, Marjan, that was Executive ADA Nolan Price."

"That was Nolan Price?" Marjan's eyebrows rose. "He's better looking than I thought."

Kelly twisted in his seat, looking at her incredulously. "What the hell makes you say that?"

"Nancy and I were taking Sylvie out when Stone called her," Marjan answered. "Price wanted to thank her for indirectly getting him his job." She grinned. "Honestly, I kind of thought she got herself a boyfriend while she was in New York."

That made Buck laugh. "Yeah, I guess I can see that. They clicked pretty quickly when they met."

TK caught Kelly's expression at that, and he smirked. "You good, Lieutenant?"

Before Kelly could answer, their radios chirped. "Los Angeles Engine 118, Austin Squad 9, Austin EMS 99," Maddie announced. "Respond to a trapped person in Malibu Creek Park."

The relief on Kelly's face was obvious, and TK refrained from laughing as the lieutenant turned around. "Copy, Dispatch," he replied as Buck flipped the sirens on. "Austin Squad 9, en route."

"This is Austin EMS 99," Sylvie chimed a few seconds later. "On our way."

"Dispatch, this is Los Angeles Engine 118," Bobby's voice was the last to sound off. "We'll meet Austin there."

***

"Dispatch, this is Fire Rescue One. We are on the scene."

"Copy that, Fire One. Engine 118, Squad 9, and EMS 99 are landing now. Rangers think the bottle may have come from the headwaters of the creek, south by southwest of your position, near the rocks."

"Copy that, Dispatch."

"Cap!" Hen pointed out the window. "Found 'em!"

Bobby peered out his window, and he grinned when he saw the lights of the incoming Austin rigs. "Any of you seen a squad crew in action before?" he asked.

"Other than heavy rescue training?" Lena shook her head. "Not at all."

Bobby chuckled as the rig rolled to a stop. "Be ready for a show." He jumped from his seat, slipping his sunglasses into place. As the Austin rigs pulled up next to them, he raised his hand in greeting when he saw who was driving the rigs. "Guess you two still know your way around the city, huh?" he quipped.

"You can take us out of the city, but you can't take the city out of us," Buck grinned, dropping from the driver's seat. "Good to see you, Bobby!"

"You, too, Buck," Bobby smiled, giving him a quick hug. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the firefighter who left the rig next. "Marjan? You switched to Squad?"

"Eh, it's while Cap is still on medical leave," Marjan grinned. "Our current officer was smart enough to keep me on."

"I thought I heard a new voice for the house," Bobby nodded, seeing Kelly round the rig. "Never knew you jumped departments, Severide."

"It's temporary," Kelly smirked, shaking his hand. "Casey's running the ladder crew while Captain Strand is still in recovery. For now, this team is stuck with me."

"Such a shame!" Sylvie drawled as she sauntered over, Eddie grinning as he followed her. "I can't stand either of them."

Kelly snorted. "Shut up, Brett."

Sylvie snickered. "Yes, sir."

TK adjusted his sunglasses, looking around at the gathered search and rescue parties, sniffer dogs woofing. "How big is this park?" he asked.

"80 thousand acres," Chimney answered grimly. "We could be waiting awhile."

"Didn't they say it was a message in a bottle?" Marjan asked dubiously. "How do we know this isn't a wild goose chase? It could've been floating for months."

"Which would mean our search and rescue might become a search and recovery," Hen agreed.

"Note was written on a receipt," Bobby answered. "Rangers checked the date. It was five days ago."

"We might be just in time," Sylvie nodded.

"Let's just hope that wasn't this guy's last meal," Eddie murmured.

The thwip-thwip of helicopter propellers made them look up, and the rescue helicopter started to descend. "We see you, Captain Nash," the pilot reported. "We're coming in now."

Bobby nodded. "Severide, heavy rescue is your field," he said. "You wanna call it?"

"You sure?" Kelly's eyebrows raised.

Bobby grinned, gesturing towards his three curious firefighters. "Show us what you've got."

"Oh, now he's done it," Sylvie murmured to Eddie. At her partner's confused look, she smirked. "He can never resist a challenge."

Sure enough, Kelly grinned viciously and turned around. "Marwani, I owe you a rescue. Strand, you've got the medic certification, right?"

"Yes, sir," TK nodded.

"Gear up," Kelly ordered. "You're going with them. Marwani, you'll harness up so you can go down and grab the guy. Strand, lead on medical. Brett and Diaz will take over when you bring him back."

"Copy that," Marjan grinned.

As TK and Marjan headed back to the rig, Buck sighed, looking a little put out. "Cheer up, Buck," Kelly chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll get the next one. Lieutenant's honor."

***

"TK, Marjan, can you hear me?" Bobby's voice asked.

"Loud and clear, sir," TK nodded, buckling Marjan into the cables on the helicopter.

"OK, the first quadrant is right over that ridge," Bobby told them. "Head up to Devil's Point. A lot of hikers get stuck up there."

Marjan peered out of the helicopter, watching as they veered. "Copy that."

"Pretty sure there's a river, too. It could be where they threw the bottle in."

"I think I see something!" Marjan realized, pointing down the cliffs.

TK looked out, nodding when he saw someone desperately waving next to a bright green tent. "Yep, we got him!" he called to the pilot. "Let's get into a hover position right here!" The pilot nodded, adjusting his course, and TK narrowed his eyes as they closed in. He slid the door open, and after a quick look, he turned to Marjan. "That looks like severe hydration, so he's gonna need this." He flipped a plastic bottle into his hand, and he passed it to Marjan, who tucked it into her harness. "Alright. Ready?"

"You kidding?" Marjan grinned. "I've been ready for this since Severide let me on the crew!"

TK laughed, turning to activate the cable. "Be advised, air support gonna maintain fifty feet," the pilot warned. TK nodded, and he started lowering Marjan towards the ground. "Rescuer at ten feet. Rescuer on the ground."

Marjan easily landed and crouched next to the man, who looked blearily at her. "I'm Marjan," she introduced herself. "What's our name?"

"I'm Clyde," he answered, looking around. "There's willow trees around here, right? 'Cause if not . . . I'm gonna feel pretty dumb."

Marjan winced at his red skin, and she tugged off one of her gloves to check his temperature. She whistled when she felt how hot he was. "You're burning up," she told him, taking the bottle from her vest. "Drink this," she ordered, giving him the bottle. "It's got electrolytes." He nodded, taking the top off the bottle, and Marjan shifted to examine his foot. "How long have you been up here, Clyde?" she asked.

"Five days, maybe?" Clyde shrugged, taking a gulp as Marjan tugged his boot off. "I'm not sure. I was trying to get high enough to look around, and then I fell. I thought I could tough it out, but I ran out of food and water."

Marjan nodded, sitting back on her heels. "Looks like you broke it," she said, pulling materials out of her bag. "We'll get this splint on you, and we're gonna get you out of here."

She was taken aback when Clyde's eyes bugged wide and he rapidly shook his head. "No, no, no! I'm fine! Just give me some painkillers or something. I got a couple more spots I got to check out, and I can just ride it out until I'm done here."

Marjan snorted and shook her head. "The only place you're going is with me, Clyde." She clicked on her earpiece, looking up at the helicopter. "TK, I need fluids prepped. Clyde here's gonna need it." She thought she saw TK give her a thumbs-up, and she turned back to Clyde, fixing a harness around him. "Let's get this on you . . . and we're going up!"

TK caught the signal Marjan gave him, and he turned to the controls. "Hold steady, Fire One," he ordered. "I'm bringing them up."

Marjan eased herself back into the helicopter, then pulled Clyde in with her. "We got you, Clyde," she told him. "We got you."

"Dispatch, all souls onboard," the pilot reported, flying away from the cliff. "Returning to base."

***

Kelly watched the helicopter return to the field, and he turned and gestured to the ambulance crew. "Go ahead, 99!"

Sylvie and Eddie pushed the stretcher between them as they ran to the helicopter, where Buck was pulling the door open. "One injured hiker, coming up!" Marjan announced, unclipping his harness.

"Be careful with him," TK added as Buck and Eddie laid Clyde on the stretcher. "He's pretty delirious. He injured himself three days ago, so he's been out there for a while."

"I'm fine!" Clyde insisted. "I just want to know when I can get back up there."

Sylvie raised an eyebrow, looking Clyde and up and down. "Definitely not today, sir."

Bobby had joined them by that point, and the captain made a face when something fell out of Clyde's pocket. He leaned down and plucked it from the ground, then waved it in the air. "Do you have a cell phone?" he scowled.

"Doesn't everyone?" Clyde asked in confusion.

"Yes," Eddie huffed. "But most people use it to call for help. Message in a bottle isn't always that reliable!"

"Battery died yesterday," Clyde explained.

"You said it was three days ago that he was injured?" Kelly asked TK and Marjan. When both nodded, he snorted. "You put a message in a bottle two days after you injured yourself!"

"I didn't want to leave!" Clyde groaned, his head thudding on the stretcher. "I was so close! I didn't want anyone else to find the treasure!" Bobby and Kelly mirrored double takes, and TK and Marjan looked at each other in confusion. "It's mine! The treasure's mine!"

"I think TK may have undersold the delirium," Eddie muttered.

"Just a little," Sylvie nodded. "Let's get him out of here."

Clyde continued to rant as the paramedics pushed him away, and Buck removed his sunglasses, looking around at the other firefighters. "Did he say treasure?"

***

"There they are," Marjan sat straight in her seat at the food court.

Owen, Kelly, Buck, and TK turned in their seats as Sylvie and Eddie made their way towards them, Eddie talking on his phone. "Thanks, Taylor," Eddie finally finished, hanging up and looking through his phone. "Alright, so I figured if there's some treasure in L.A., that had to make news somewhere," he announced, sitting next to Buck as Sylvie took the chair between Owen and Kelly, the soon-to-be-promoted captain joining them for lunch. "I called Taylor, and she just finished shooting a segment. She sent the link."

He opened the news and tilted his phone to the side, showing the video for all of them. "Hollis Harcourt, the author of such cult classics as Agony in Atwater and Bludgeoned in Burbank, passed away in his sleep at age 57, leaving behind an intriguing message to his loyal fans," Taylor announced.

The video changed to the author, who sat at his desk and flipped open an old, worn chest. "Behold, my final gift to the citizens of Los Angeles," he said, and TK's eyebrows rose when he saw the gold filling the chest. "A rare and priceless treasure. Though, if I had to put a price on it for tax purposes, I'd call it about five million dollars."

"Five million?!" Sylvie did a double take.

"Not so delirious after all," Marjan whistled.

"I'm gonna bury this chest somewhere in the city of Los Angeles," Harcourt continued. "If you are clever, as I know you are, one of you will find this chest, and the treasure will be yours."

The feed returned to Taylor. "We spoke with Harcourt's longtime assistant, Jeremiah Ruiz, moments ago."

Ruiz fiddled with his hands as Taylor held her microphone to him. "Hollis was . . . passionate," he said. "He had high standards. But he was a good soul. He cared about people and their stories. He will be missed."

The feed returned to a somber Taylor. "And he won't be forgotten. At least, not any time soon. According to his final video, Hollis buried that five million dollar treasure somewhere in the city that was the setting for most of his work. A poem he recited in the video is said to provide all the clues needed to locate it."

Kelly rubbed his forehead with a sigh. "So how many calls will we now get that is only people trying to find this buried treasure?"

"Knowing Los Angeles?" Buck winced. "All of them."

"Great," Marjan huffed. "Any chance your reporter friend sent that poem so we know what's getting this city turned on its head?"

Eddie nodded, tapping on his phone. Other phones around the table chimed, and TK rested his chin on his hand, reading dramatically. "'I walked along the river's edge, to hide my secret treasure.'" He snorted. "This poem is terrible."

"'A heron soared, a gray bridge roared, a bull frog croaked 'good measure,'" Owen continued, tilting his head. "I guess it's not really a poem, it's more like a riddle."

"Fine," TK rolled his eyes. "It's a terrible riddle."

"'I stooped beneath a willow tree in the narrow place, and then I saw the light beam fall upon my treasured place,'" Sylvie finished.

Marjan frowned thoughtfully. "That guy on the cliff . . . he asked me about willow trees."

"A real-life treasure hunt," Buck grinned, looking around the table. "Wouldn't it be – ?"

"Dangerous," Owen quipped.

"Reckless," Sylvie added, looking at her phone.

"Stupid," Kelly nodded.

"Probably not even real," Eddie finished.

Marjan snorted loudly. "Says the table full of adrenaline junkies."

"Hey, now," TK scowled at her. "I didn't say a thing!"

"What if it is?" Buck insisted, looking around the table. "How cool would it be to find it?"

"Cool, maybe," Kelly conceded. "But is it worth ending up like how our cliff climber did? I mean, how many people have already seen this thing?"

"And with Taylor reporting the news, a hell of a lot more are going to," Eddie nodded.

"Look, what you all do with this riddle is up to you," Owen held up his hands. "But I swear if any of my firefighters end up in a hospital because of this, it won't end well."

"Heard, Cap," Marjan nodded, digging back into her lunch.

Owen nodded, taking his trash and heading for one of the cans. His phone buzzed in his pocket when he tossed it away, and he pulled out his phone, checking the Caller ID. He blinked, then answered with a dry, "My firefighters didn't do it."

"Do what now?" Olivia asked as Elliot laughed.

"Never mind," Owen rolled his eyes. "The two of you stuck together?"

"Lunch break, actually," Elliot answered. "And the news is blowing up."

"Have you seen this big deal about a treasure hunt?" Olivia asked.

"Eddie's friends with the reporter who broke the story," Owen nodded. "Turns out their first call was to rescue a cliff climber who was looking for the treasure."

"I take it that didn't end well?" Elliot guessed.

Owen snorted. "He ended up with severe dehydration and a broken foot for his troubles. And no treasure."

"I have no idea what that author was thinking," Olivia huffed. "Burying treasure in a city this massive? This is just going to end with dozens of people turning into monsters and hurting each other to be the first to find it."

Owen raised an eyebrow. "You think it's real?"

"If we get calls about this treasure, we've got to assume it is," Elliot answered. "It'd be pretty worthless if everyone goes all pazzo about this and there isn't anything at the end of the hunt."

Owen hummed thoughtfully, carefully looking over his shoulder at the eating team, then grinned. "Well, if there is treasure at the end of the hunt . . . "

He trailed off meaningfully, and Olivia burst out laughing. "You can't be serious, Owen!"

"Come on!" Owen coaxed. "You said it yourself: people will get hurt during this. Being the first to find it means we get to tell people to stop going crazy about it."

"Like we're doing a public service," Elliot mused.

"Exactly!" Owen nodded. "The sooner the treasure is found, the safer the city will be."

"Sounds like good reasoning to me," Elliot chuckled. "Liv? You in?"

A heavy sigh came from the captain. "If this ends up with some daredevil stunt, I'm sending you two in first," she decided.

Elliot barked in laughter. "Fair enough!"

"Five million split evenly?" Owen grinned. "Everybody wins."

Olivia snorted. "Not everybody."

***

"Sergeant Grant!"

Athena turned at her name, and she grinned when she saw the sergeant in plainclothes jogging to meet her. "Sergeant Amaro," she laughed, greeting him with a hug. "I heard I was getting a ride-along from the Park Police for the start of this thing! How've you been?"

"Been well, thanks for asking," Nick nodded, walking with her through the precinct. "How about you? I heard there was a manhunt for someone who hit and ran from a dispatcher?"

"The head of dispatch, actually," Athena nodded with a scowl. "Sue Blevins. Thankfully, she's back to full health."

"Good," Nick sighed in relief.

Athena nodded in agreement, then huffed when she saw the amount of people crowded around one of the computers. "Please tell me that's not porn or sports!" she barked.

Detective Romero grinned at her. "This? This is our future." He gestured to the computer screen, which displayed Harcourt's video. "Apparently, a guy buried five million dollars somewhere in the city, then told people to go out and find it."

"Five million?" Nick whistled, impressed.

Athena just sighed. "I miss the days when bored rich people would just name wings of museums and hospitals after themselves. Have we had a conversation with this misguided citizen?"

"Yeah, that's a little hard to do," Romero snickered. "He's been dead a week."

"Has anyone checked to make sure other 'misguided citizens' haven't dug up the grave?" Nick asked.

Romero paused, making Athena snort. "That's one of the first places people are gonna start digging," she agreed.

Romero cleared his throat, turning to one of the other patrol officers. "Kevin, find out where he's buried. Send some units."

Nick shook his head in amusement. "All of the out-of-state crews are going to really wish they weren't here for this. This is gonna be a bloodbath."

***

"Good news!" Violet announced the next day as she and Gianna returned to where Firehouse 51 had met members of the Intelligence Unit for lunch. "We now know where Topanga Canyon is located."

"Bad news," Gianna plopped down next to Gallo, who handed her one of his fries. "The woman ended up with a tree through her chest."

Adam choked on his burger. "A tree?" Herrmann stared at her as Kevin thumped Adam on the back.

"Yeah," Violet nodded. "According to Dr. Marcel, this is the second serious injury Cedars-Sinai has seen because of this treasure hunt."

"What was the first?" Kim asked curiously.

Gianna laughed. "That was from the 126," she answered. "The Squad Company and the Los Angeles 118 responded to Malibu Creek. Guy had to be rescued by helicopter because of a broken foot and severe dehydration. He had camped out on the side of a cliff."

Grainger snorted. "Of course, it was Severide's crew that took that call."

"Any bets that the 126 gets the craziest while we're here?" Cruz looked around.

Jay snorted. "Not when you'd rob us blind with that bet."

Cruz sighed. "Worth a shot."

***

"Now, where did you say the fight is?" Grace asked, typing on her computer.

"Balboa Park," the woman on the line answered. "Send someone quick! It's getting pretty vicious!"

"Are they armed?"

" . . . sort of?"

Grace frowned as she tapped the key to dispatch units. What did that mean?

***

"Hey, hey!" Athena shouted as she and Nick pushed through civilians to reach the two men going at each other like they were sword fighting. "Put the metal detectors down!"

"Now!" Nick warned, narrowing his eyes.

One man tossed his to the ground, and Athena nodded. "Smart man," she declared. "Can't find a treasure from inside a jail cell." She turned to the other man expectantly. "Your turn, sir. Drop it."

The man looked down at his metal detector, then brought it up and smacked the other man in the face with it. "Cheating bastard!"

Nick surged forward before Athena could move, effortlessly tackling the offender to the ground. Athena shook her head in disappointment, clicking her tongue as she looked down at the man cradling his face. "Not sure it's an X, but that's definitely gonna leave a mark," she muttered, clicking her radio. "Dispatch, this is 727-L-30. Please send an ambulance to my location at Balboa Park."

"Copy, 727-L-30," Grace answered. "Austin EMS 126 is on its way."

***

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" May asked.

"Hi, can you please send someone to Griffith Park?" the caller asked. "The Western Avenue entrance. There's some idiot here trying to dig under the bear statue."

May nodded, typing away when she suddenly heard a startled yell over the phone. "What was that?" she asked worriedly.

The man sighed. "You might want to send the fire department, too."

May sighed, clicking the key to send units. "Los Angeles Engine 118. Chicago Truck 81. Chicago Ambulance 61."

***

"That's not Casey," Chimney frowned as Bobby dropped out of the officer's seat.

"Hey, Captain Nash!" Gallo waved as he opened one of the compartments.

"Gallo," Bobby nodded in response, eyeing the unfamiliar man that dropped from the officer's seat. "Bobby Nash. Welcome to Los Angeles, Lieutenant."

"Greg Grainger," the lieutenant nodded, shaking his hand. "This is . . . not quite the welcome I was expecting."

"Believe me," Hen snorted as they walked over to the bear statue. "This wasn't planned by any of us."

Mouch tilted his head, looking at the man cowering under the statue. "I really question some people's sanity," he decided.

"No kidding," Stella snickered.

"Alright, sir, fire department is here," Bobby told the man, readying his shovel. "Try to stay calm, and we'll get this statue off of you."

"We'll have you out in a sec," Grainger nodded.

The man whimpered. "I can't believe it wasn't here!"

Lena sighed, scratching the back of her head as Violet and Gianna arrived. "Well, we can cross Griffith Park bear statue off the list."

***

"I can't believe the amount of people risking their lives for this," Ana's incredulous voice said over Maddie's phone.

"I know," Maddie sighed, her head in Nancy's lap and her phone on speaker, her girlfriend carding her fingers through her hair. "Almost every call I got at the center was about this damn treasure hunt."

"We responded to a lot of them, too," Nancy nodded. "Met Sergeants Grant and Amaro again. Two dumbasses were fighting each other with metal detectors."

"You're serious?!" Maddie gawked at her.

"Completely," Nancy nodded. "Grace was the one who sent us to that call."

Ana sighed. "No one ever accused the human race of being smart."

"Oh, hey," Nancy reached for the TV remote. "Isn't that your other friend?"

Maddie turned her head to the side, and she blinked. "Hey, Ana? Taylor's on the news."

"I see it," Ana told her.

"The latest numbers show six hospitalizations and seventeen arrests since the treasure hunt was announced," Taylor reported from outside one of the hospitals.

Suddenly, a visibly pregnant woman rushed Taylor and shouted at the camera. "It's a hoax! Listen, people, please stop risking your lives!"

Taylor cleared her throat awkwardly. "Uh . . . thank you for that perspective, ma'am."

The woman seized her microphone. "My husband almost died! More people are gonna die!"

Maddie sighed. "Poor woman."

"And poor Taylor," Nancy couldn't help but laugh at the disgruntled look on the ginger's face.

"Maybe I should text and see if she needs a drink after this," Ana mused.

Maddie giggled. "Good idea."

***

"Chicago Engine 51. Austin Ladder 126."

***

"Casey!" Herrmann's joyful voice came over the headset, making Matt smile. "Been wondering when we'd run into ya while we were here!"

"Good to hear from you, Herrmann," Matt chuckled as Judd expertly maneuvered them through the streets. "Got any clue where we're headed?"

"All Dispatch told me is there's someone with an excavator where he shouldn't be."

"Great," Matt sighed. "Boys? Be ready for fire."

"Copy that, Cap," Paul nodded.

Judd pulled up to the street, and Matt saw the problem immediately. Why someone was bringing an excavator to dig near gas lines, he had no idea, but he decided this treasure hunt was far from a joke. "Hey!" he shouted, watching Herrmann and Ritter drop from Engine 51. "Turn that thing off! Sir, you cannot dig here!"

The man ignored him and lowered the scoop towards the ground, and Herrmann cursed. "Get back!" he bellowed. "Everybody, back!"

The firefighters scattered, and Mateo went as far as hauling himself up and through the window of Ladder 126, diving down into the rig. Matt and Herrmann ran for their rigs just as the excavator broke through the ground.

They heard the explosion before they felt it, and the two officers dropped to the ground, making sure their skin was covered. When they turned to check the damage, they found the gazebo up in flames and the excavator on its side. Herrmann sighed, shaking his head defeatedly. "51!" he called. "Let's get a line going!"

Mateo poked his head out of the window, eyes wide as he looked at the damage done. Paul cautiously peered out behind the ladder, and Judd gave Matt a deadpan look. "Why don't anyone call before they dig, Cap?" he asked.

Matt rolled his eyes. "I have no idea."

***

"Hi, Nick!" Christopher waved excitedly, making Buck and Eddie look up from their ice cream.

"Hola, mi amigo," Nick grinned, giving the boy the high-five he wanted. "How're you doing back in Los Angeles?"

"I get to see Carla in a few days!" Christopher answered.

"Carla is the care aid that Buck helped set up for us," Eddie explained. "Cap and Carlos have been able to handle the three kids so far, but considering Cap is likely to get cleared at the hospital in the next few days, he'll be back in action."

"Good for him," Nick nodded proudly. "Rollins has kept me up to date on his surgery. I'm glad to hear it went well."

"It went well enough he caught an arsonist a few days after," Buck muttered, taking a bite of his waffle cone. "And didn't invite us to help."

Eddie snorted. "Between us and Casey, Severide, and Brett, who's got a better track record with arsonists?"

Buck paused. "Touché."

"So I'll bite," Nick tapped his fingers on the table. "How many treasure hunt calls have you gotten?"

Both men groaned. "So many," Eddie groused.

"Yeah, and the calls get stupider by the hour," Buck agreed. "Honestly, every person we find has some crazier idea about an impossible place the treasure is hidden."

"It is weird that all the cases are solo acts," Eddie mused. "No teams. Everybody's working alone."

"Maybe no one wants to share the treasure," Christopher remarked as he dug into his sundae. "But more people on a team means more people thinking about it."

"Smart kid," Nick grinned.

"That he is," Eddie agreed.

Buck looked thoughtful. "He's got a point," he said slowly, looking around. "You know . . . three brains are better than one." At Eddie and Nick's confused looks, he grinned. "What if we worked on it together? Split the five million three ways?"

***

"I think Liv's gotten into this," Peter sighed from where he worked at the table he commandeered in the hotel lobby.

Nolan's eyebrows raised as he looked up from his own case files. "In the Hudson case?"

"No," Peter shook his head, pointing his pen at the TV, which had Taylor reporting on the treasure hunt. "This mess."

"What makes you think that?" Sylvie asked as she typed on her laptop, filling in one of her reports.

"She has a chat with Owen and Elliot that's been going off the entire day," Peter answered with an eyeroll. "I swear, it would have buzzed off the table when we met for dinner."

Nolan snickered. "If you give a dog a bone . . . " He saw Sylvie fidget from where she sat on the couch, and he groaned. "Oh, don't tell me – "

"OK, but imagine if you found that treasure!" Sylvie burst out, and Peter facepalmed. "What could you do with that money? I mean, it'd be great to keep it for myself, but I wouldn't hog it all!"

"Your sister?" Peter guessed.

"Yeah, I'd give a good chunk of it to her, if not most of it," Sylvie nodded.

"You have a sister?" Nolan asked curiously.

"Half-sister," Sylvie nodded. "My birth mother was young when she had me, so she gave me up for adoption. She found me last year in Chicago, and she was pregnant again. Amelia's almost a year old now."

Peter sighed, putting his folders aside. "I'd put a good chunk of it towards Noah," he admitted. "I don't have anyone left in my family. I've just got Liv and Noah and the rest of SVU."

"Good causes," Nolan nodded, clicking his pen.

"You have anyone?" Sylvie asked, tilting her head.

Nolan shook his head. "Just me now. My entire family basically died in the hospital. Dad of cancer, mom from heart problems, and my brother . . . " He trailed off, then cleared his throat. "Yeah. Just me."

Sylvie frowned sadly. "I'm sorry."

Nolan shrugged. "It's been me and my work for a while. I'm used to it."

Sylvie slowly started to grin. "So you need to a have a little fun, is what you're saying."

Nolan blinked at her. "Excuse me?"

"Come on!" Sylvie urged, bouncing up and down. "How about a team-up? Anything's better than doing this alone! Look at all the emergencies happening because someone's trying this solo!"

"Do we even have time for this?" Nolan gestured to the files strewn across his sofa.

Sylvie narrowed her eyes. "You owe me," she reminded him.

Nolan gave her such an incredulous look, it made Peter burst out laughing. "That's what you're going to cash that in for?" the Executive ADA asked. "A treasure hunt?"

"If it gets you away from your work," Sylvie smirked. "Yes, I am."

"Yeah, OK, if that works, I'm in, too," Peter chortled.

Nolan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to regret this," he muttered. "Alright. Fine. Five million split three ways. What's the plan?"

***

"It's not at the observatory!"

Groans rang out in the dispatch center at the call, and Grace gave May an amused look. "This is nuts."

"Who thought that was a good idea?" Josh asked as he crossed it out on the whiteboard.

"Hollis's fifth book, Stabbed Beneath the Stars?" Linda prompted. "The murder takes place at the observatory!"

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" Maddie asked.

"There's ants everywhere!"

Maddie blinked at the panicked voice. "I'm sorry . . . did you say ants?"

***

"Austin Ladder 126. Chicago Truck 81. Austin EMS 126."

***

"I feel like I stepped into the Twilight Zone!" Matt joked as he stepped onto the sidewalk.

"You're telling me!" Grainger laughed, walking side by side with him. "What treasure hunt call number is this for you?"

"Honestly, I'm losing count," Matt shook his head. "You?"

"Same!"

"Hoo boy!" Mouch whistled, watching the man writhing on the ground. "Fire ants!"

"How many did he step in?" Stella asked incredulously.

"A whole colony, maybe?" Paul suggested.

"Let's hope he's not allergic," Tommy sighed.

"Mateo?" Matt called over his shoulder. "Whatcha thinking?"

"Two sections of inch-and-three-quarter line with a narrow fog," Mateo answered, setting up the line. "Should be enough for us to knock those ants right off."

"Good job," Matt praised, watching Mateo preen. "Make a water curtain."

"Alright," Judd hauled the hose over, carefully aiming at the man. "40 psi, Probie!"

Mateo twisted the handle, and Judd turned the hose on, spraying the man all over. Matt watched ants scatter, then he made a motion across his neck. "Good. Captain?"

Tommy and Nancy hurried over to the man. "Sir, try and stay still," Nancy told him.

Tommy checked him over with her stethoscope, frowning. "Bilateral breath sounds are clear and undiminished," she listed. "No stridor noted. Push fluids and give him 25 of diphenhydramine, with some epi and solumedrol to mitigate this venom reaction." She paused, hearing the man yell in pain. "And five of morphine for the pain."

"Copy that," Nancy nodded.

Grainger shook his head, absently swatting at his arm. "This is what happens when stupid people try and do stupid stuff all on their own."

"You make it sound like you know better than them," Matt remarked, scratching at his leg.

Grainger grinned sheepishly. "Well . . . "

Matt stared at him. "You're not."

"What?" Grainger asked defensively.

***

"I think this is a record," Nick sighed, shaking his head as he looked over the line of cuffed people on the bench.

"It's like people have nothing better to do with their lives," Athena snorted.

"Nick?"

Nick spun around at his name, and he grinned when he saw the pair of detectives with a blonde woman in cuffs. "Rollins! Carisi!" he waved. "Didn't know you were working this area!"

"Ah, we were in the area," Sonny shrugged. "And then we got a call to pick up this unlucky woman."

"Yeah, she was trying to steal a chest from one of the street vendors at the Melrose Trading Post," Amanda nodded.

"It was a misunderstanding," the woman tried to explain. "That looked just like the one on the video. The markings are very distinctive."

The patrol officer writing a report snorted, and Athena raised an eyebrow. "Stafford?"

"She was also arrested three days ago at the Beaumont Flea Market . . . similar misunderstanding," the woman told her.

Nick snickered, and the woman blushed. "Maybe not that distinctive?"

"Hey, Rollins!" another familiar voice said, and Nick watched Adam Ruzek and Kevin Atwater haul a man between them. "Did you get another hunter, too?"

"Oh, yeah," Amanda eyed the man. "You, too?"

"The Manson Tunnel," the man insisted. "You gotta look in the Manson Tunnel!"

"For a buried treasure?" Athena asked incredulously.

The man blinked. "What treasure?"

Nick, Amanda, and Sonny exchanged surprised looks, and Kevin snorted. "OK . . . now we're gonna have a chat about what's in the Manson Tunnel."

"Catch up later, hopefully?" Adam looked around.

"You got it," Amanda gave him a thumbs-up.

"Good seeing you, Amaro!" Kevin added as he and Adam hauled their guy away.

Nick gave a salute. "That was Adam Ruzek and Kevin Atwater, they're the two other Intelligence members you haven't met," he explained to Athena.

"Ah," she nodded.

"Rollins, Carisi, this is Sergeant Athena Grant-Nash," Nick explained.

"Captain Nash's wife?" Amanda guessed.

"That's me," Athena nodded.

"We met him briefly when we flew down to Austin," Sonny explained.

"Yeah, this is Detective Amanda Rollins and Detective Sonny Carisi," Nick told Athena. "You saw them briefly on the video call."

"Yes, I did," Athena smiled and nodded. "Good to meet you both in person." She frowned as she looked the blonde prisoner up and down. "I apologize for the welcome my city has decided to give you."

"At least I'm not bored in a conference hall," Amanda shrugged. "What do you need us to do?"

"Let's book her and hope she doesn't make bail by Saturday," Athena answered. "I hear Antiques Roadshow is gonna be in Pasadena. I'd hate for there to be another misunderstanding."

Amanda laughed. "I like you!"

"She's all yours," Sonny grinned.

"Thanks, man," Nick chuckled.

Amanda and Sonny watched Athena and Nick take the woman away, then they exchanged irritated looks. "Damn," Amanda muttered.

Sonny dialed on his phone, and TK's bright voice answered. "Yeah?"

"I don't know if you had any place marked near the Manson Tunnel, but considering someone here at this precinct was digging through there and had no idea there was treasure to find, I don't think that's a hit," Sonny told him.

TK groaned. "Back to the drawing board."

***

"You two are working the treasure hunt?" Kelly asked in surprise.

"Come on, like something like this is going to happen in Chicago!" Pelham snorted, taking a sip of his beer. "Besides, we're first responders. We see exactly where the buried treasure isn't. How perfect is that?"

"I'm more surprised the two of you aren't working it," Grainger quipped.

"Casey and Severide aren't doing something chaotic?" Jay raised an eyebrow. "That's new."

"We've seen enough of the chaos this treasure hunt is bringing," Matt rolled his eyes. "Haven't you?"

"Plenty," Jay admitted. "Kev and Ruzek were all over the city making arrests."

"You haven't seen the ER of Cedars-Sinai," Will shuddered. "Even Marcel was getting tired of all the patients."

"He got the woman impaled by a tree, right?" Matt asked.

"That was him," Will nodded. "Connor helped him out with that." He took a sip of beer. "Gotta say, I'm surprised you're not tackling this while Sylvie is."

That got Matt and Kelly's attention. "She's doing the treasure hunt?" Matt asked.

"She's not doing it with them?" Jay's eyebrows raised.

"If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have taken her interrogating one of her patients for granted," Will snorted. "But considering I heard her call someone to say another possible location was out, I knew she was working the hunt. Couldn't hear who she called, but now I know it wasn't either of you."

Matt and Kelly frowned. "Who's she working it with?" Kelly wondered.

Grainger smirked. "Well, if you're interested in going up against her . . . "

Matt narrowed his eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

Pelham grinned. "How does 25% each sound?"

Jay sighed, seeing Matt and Kelly's interest. "And now we lost them, too."

"Great," Will grumbled. "Even out of state, I'm still 51's go-to doctor." He shook his head, downing the rest of his beer in one go. "Damn treasure hunt."

***

This episode was such a riot and so chaotic, so of course Owen, Elliot and Olivia are going to be on this hunt. XD All the teams have been established by this point: Owen, Olivia, and Elliot; Buck, Eddie, and Nick; TK, Amanda, and Sonny; Sylvie, Peter, and Nolan; and Matt, Kelly, Grainger, and Pelham. And yes, before anyone asks - it is absolutely my intention to make Matt and Kelly suspicious as hell about Nolan because everyone is thinking twice when he and Sylvie are spending time together XD

And hey, almost everyone has met! XD Everyone's crossing paths, but I promise we will get a big, huge team-up before the time in Los Angeles ends. I'm doing "Survivors," after all - and how can I resist a huge police team-up like there was a firefighters one in "Hold the Line?"

Also, for all of you who have read "Warriors," you know for that story I've created character biographies for the cast - the meaning of their names, their moral alignment, Myers-Briggs type, archetypes, etc. I've made them for this series, too (only Buck, Maddie and Eddie from 9-1-1, unfortunately), so if you would like to see them, let me know . . . and which character you would like to see first!

Keep an eye for the rest of "Treasure Hunt!"

graphic by marvelity