Closer and closer . . . and probably within a chapter or two, things will really be kicking off in Austin. That's not at all anxiety inducing.

Owen and TK debrief and have a few calls to make, Eddie does a remarkable impression of a pit bull, Sylvie and Gianna are sticking together (*whistles innocently*), Will and Jay debate just how insane our favorite CFD officers are, Buck makes a decision regarding Maddie, and Sylvie gets a very unexpected visitor.

Enjoy!

***

"How did you keep this from me?" TK asked in disbelief as he sat across from his dad, the two of them looking through the papers Radford had delivered them. "I mean, we were planning this in New York!"

"And I didn't want to get your hopes up if we weren't chosen," Owen answered, looking over the paperwork for the rig, his other hand absently scratching Buttercup's head, the dog's tongue lolling out of his mouth. "I thought we would be, but if we weren't . . . "

He shrugged helplessly, and TK sighed. "Touché." He surveyed the supplies, then leaned back in his chair. "So what's the game plan? I know what we wanted to do in New York, but is that something we want in Austin?"

"I'd like to see if we can," Owen nodded. "We have enough for three heavy rescue specialists with the officer, but we can just as easily find you a partner and add a ranking paramedic."

Two names immediately sprang into TK's mind, and he groaned, dropping his face into his hand. "Damn it."

"What?" Owen frowned, looking at him in concern. "That was our agreement, right?"

"Yeah, it was," TK grumbled. "I heard 'partner' and 'ranking paramedic' and had two people right on my mind."

Owen tilted his head. "Who would you have thought – " He broke off, eyes slanting towards TK's phone, which was face down on the desk. "Oh."

"Yeah," TK sighed. "Oh."

Owen hummed, then shrugged. "The worst that could happen is they say no."

TK's head shot up, his eyes wide. "Seriously?!"

"Back in New York, we were going to build this team together," Owen reminded him. "We rebuilt this firehouse together. We're going to build this crew together, and considering how comfortable you feel with these two? I am more than willing to make offers for them."

TK's eyes were wide and watering. "You're sure?"

"I am very sure," Owen nodded, looking serious. "Are you sure?"

TK swallowed hard. "Yeah, Dad. I'm sure."

He nodded. "Then all we need to do is ask."

***

Sylvie pursed her lips, sorting through everything on the ambulance. After two calls today, somehow their fentanyl had turned into a saline solution right under their noses . . . and Paramedic Chief Colson was gunning for her new partner. She had just lost Emily a few months ago, and this was her sixth partner at 51. She wasn't about to lose Gianna within such a short amount of time.

She was so concentrated on going through their supplies that when her phone rang, she didn't even look at the Caller ID before answering. "What?" she griped.

"Bad time?" TK asked apologetically.

Sylvie started in surprise, then looked at her phone. She frowned, putting her phone back under her ear. "This isn't your phone number."

"No, it's not," Owen's voice joined in. "Nice to hear you again, PIC Brett."

"You, too, Captain," Sylvie said, feeling her cheeks burn in embarrassment. "Er . . . can we pretend that outburst didn't happen?"

"What outburst?" Owen asked innocently.

TK cackled, making Sylvie smile. "Thanks, Captain. What can I do for you?"

"Well, first off, is this a good time for you?" Owen asked. "Or would later be better?"

Sylvie checked her watch. "Well, we're staying at 51 for the time being," she said, closing the ambulance doors. "Let's just say, I don't want to lose my sixth partner just yet."

"Oh, no," TK gulped.

"Yeah, we have a problem with missing fentanyl."

"Shit."

"Yep, so I'm checking our inventory right now, then we're going to restock," Sylvie said, reaching for her water bottle. "But I've got time."

"Excellent," Owen said. "I'll make it quick. The AFD Deputy Chief just greenlit a Rescue Squad for our house."

"Really?" Sylvie perked up, smiling widely. "That's awesome! Got a crew in mind?"

"Within an hour of getting told we could make one," Owen said. "I'm in charge, TK's likely to be my 2IC."

"No surprise there," Sylvie nodded, taking a sip of her water.

"Any interest in being the riding paramedic?"

Sylvie's eyes widened, and she spat her drink out. "What?" she coughed, holding her hand over her mouth.

"I think you broke her, Dad," TK snickered.

"What? I figured it was better to just get it out."

"Yeah," Sylvie wiped her mouth, still unable to believe what she just heard. "Probably. Just . . . not after I take a drink."

"Sorry, Sylvie," Owen said apologetically.

"You didn't know," Sylvie took a deep breath. "OK . . . explain a little bit more, please?"

"Absolutely," Owen said. "The AFD has greenlit Rescue Squad crews for various firehouses, and the 126 is one that's getting one. TK and I hold the highest scores in the NYFD for heavy rescue training, so we're making up half the crew. Most Rescue Squads outside of large cities are comprised of only heavy rescue specialists, which is one option TK and I can go. However, due to the nature of these rescues, the other option we have – and the one we're aiming for – is having a ranking paramedic ride the rig. That means the crew would be made of the commanding officer, the paramedic, and a pair of heavy rescue specialists."

Sylvie nodded, impressed with how clearly Owen laid the plan out. She had heard from Kelly there were multiple ways that squads could run, but to hear Owen offer her the position on one was something else entirely. "So who would TK's partner be?" she asked.

TK laughed. "Remember how we met in Santa Monica, girl?"

Sylvie knew, all right. And as soon as those words came through the call, her jaw dropped. "You mean Buck?"

"That's the plan," TK said. "Of course, that's if by some miracle, you both say yes."

"Which you are by no means expected to say right away," Owen quickly said. "I only met you once and I haven't met Buck at all, but I've heard plenty from TK. When TK said he thought of you two, I thought it wouldn't hurt to make an offer."

Sylvie smiled at Owen's thoughtfulness, and she was touched by TK, too. To have the opportunity to create their own crew, and she and Buck were the ones he thought of first? She had to admit, that did something for her (small) ego. But as she heard the bells ring and heard Truck and Squad get called to assist Engine 20 and Ambulance 99, her smile turned wistful. "If I said I wasn't tempted, I would be lying," she admitted. "But I'm happy here in Chicago. I won't give an official answer right now, but I have a pretty good idea about what I'll say."

"And that's perfectly fine," Owen assured her. "You and Buck were the immediate thoughts, so we'll start looking through other firefighters. Just let me know an official answer by . . . oh, let's say two weeks from now?"

"Thanks, Captain Strand," Sylvie smiled. "You will absolutely have my answer by then."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Talk to you later?" TK offered.

"Definitely," Sylvie smiled, opening the ambulance doors and hopping out. "Like I'd stop talking to you."

"Aww, I feel special."

"Now I feel like I'm intruding," Owen grumbled.

"You could always leave the room, Dad."

"This is my office!"

Sylvie giggled, listening to the bickering of the father and son. "I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Sylvie!" TK called.

"Good luck with the inventory," Owen added.

"Thanks," Sylvie smiled, then hung up. After a few moments of thinking, she scrolled through her contacts and found who she was looking for.

Thankfully, the other person answered on the first ring. "Rhodes."

"Connor," Sylvie smiled gratefully. "Hey, I just have a few questions I was hoping you could answer . . . "

***

"All right, I'm gonna say it," Chimney placed his book down on the table and leaning back in his chair. "Buck's been acting weird."

Hen looked up from her medical schoolbooks and frowned. "Chim . . . it's Buck."

Bobby snorted from where he was putting lunch together. "OK, yes, I know, he's usually weird, but he's being . . . weirder," Chimney huffed. "I can't be the only one who sees it."

Hen sighed, marking her place in the book. "He has been a lot quieter today than usual."

"And he came in with Eddie," Chimney added.

"That's not weird, though," Bobby pointed out.

"No," Chimney agreed. "But Eddie's doing his 'personal pit bull' impression."

"That's an impression?" Hen deadpanned. "I thought that was his usual protective of Buck mode."

Bobby coughed into his arm to hide his laughter that time. "Hen, you're not helping my case," Chimney scowled. "Because Maddie is acting weird, too."

Bobby sighed, wiping his hands and walking around the counter. "They'll tell us when they want to tell us, Chimney."

"Aha!" Chimney pointed triumphantly at Bobby. "You know something!"

"Yes, I know something," Bobby folded his arms. "Because Maddie called a few nights ago to tell me and Athena that Buck might be . . . off for this shift. She sounded off, too."

"Really?" Hen tilted her head.

Chimney sighed. "It'd be nice to know what happened."

"Would it? Yes." Chimney almost jumped out of his seat as Eddie walked off the staircase, tightening his watch around his wrist. "Do I want to know? Also yes. Am I going to push? Absolutely not."

"Wait," Chimney stared. "You don't know?"

"No," Eddie frowned. "Is that a problem?"

Chimney's jaw hung open. "I take it he thought you would know," Hen looked at Eddie.

"No," Eddie shook his head with a frown. "I know something happened, and I know whatever happened was big. But there's no way I'm going to push Buck into telling me something if he makes it clear he doesn't want to talk about it yet."

Chimney wilted under Eddie's iron look. "Is Buck OK?" Hen asked, not seeing the blond with his best friend.

"As good as he could be, under the circumstances," Eddie nodded. "He got a phone call just as he finished getting dressed." Chimney opened his mouth, and Eddie gave him a withering look. "And no, I did not see who was calling him, and no, I'm not going to ask."

Hen smirked at Chimney's wilt. "See? Pit bull."

Eddie stared. "Pit bull?"

***

" . . . I'm sorry, what?" Buck stared at a random spot on the wall when he heard Owen's offer.

"That was my reaction when Deputy Chief Radford dropped the folders in our laps," TK said dryly.

"But you heard correctly, Buck," Owen said. "We're forming a Rescue Squad crew at Firehouse 126, and TK thought of you and Sylvie to join the crew. Sylvie would be the riding paramedic, and you would be TK's partner."

Buck eventually picked his jaw up off the ground, dropping onto the bench behind him and rubbing his forehead. "That – I mean – " He let his hand flop onto his knee. "Wow."

"And that was the other half of my reaction," TK snorted.

"And I will say the same thing I told Sylvie," Owen said patiently. "There is absolutely no way I'm looking for an answer right now, especially since everything I've heard so far makes it sound like you're happy in Los Angeles. You two were TK's first thought, which is why I've called you two first. I made the offer, and I just need a solid answer in two weeks: yes or no."

"Well, that's a relief, at least," Buck sighed. "Honestly, Captain Strand . . . I don't know what TK's told you about what's happened the last few days, but my head's kind of in a funk right now, so . . . yeah, I need that time."

"All he's told me is that a situation has happened," Owen said. "Nothing about what's happened other than something did. I'm not going to pry at all, especially since . . . yeah, this is the first time we've ever interacted. I'm definitely not going to ask anything. If you want to say anything, that's up to you, not me. If you ever do . . . well, you've got my number."

"Yeah, that's going in my contacts as soon as I hang up," Buck cracked a smile. "I'll give that offer some serious thought, Cap. Sylvie sounds like she's pretty set in Chicago, but depending on how things go here . . . well, I'd love the chance to work with TK, and given your reputation – "

TK's groan was very audible. "Oh, not this again."

Owen laughed. "Well, thank you for considering, Buck. Again, two weeks?"

"Two weeks," Buck agreed. "Thank you, Cap. And thank you for the thought, TK."

"Of course, man," TK said.

"Hope to hear from you soon, Buck," Owen said.

"Thanks, Cap." Buck heard the click that signaled the end of the call, and he stared at his phone for a long time before standing and heading out of the locker room.

He caught the tail end of what sounded like Eddie protesting and Hen cackling, and he paused at the top of the stairs, seeing Hen doubled over and Eddie looking like someone had just told him Christopher was an alien. "What did I miss?" he looked at Bobby.

"Apparently not only are you a golden retriever," Chimney grinned, "but Eddie is a pit bull."

"How did that conclusion come about?" Buck asked in surprise, looking at Eddie.

"No clue," he grumbled. "But I don't like it."

Buck couldn't help but grin, clapping a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Look at it this way . . . at least you're not Grumpy Cat."

"Grumpy Cat?" Chimney guffawed as Hen burst into hysterics.

"I take it back," Eddie scowled. "I hate that even more."

"Really?" Buck grinned easily, gesturing to his face. "That face? Completely grumpy."

"Shut up, you idiot."

"Nope!"

"Buck!"

Buck snickered, spinning around to grab a cup of coffee. "Oh, your face!"

Eddie dropped said face into his hands. "I hate you, Buckley."

"No, you don't!"

"Everything good?" Bobby asked.

Buck's smile slid from his face. "As good as things can be, Cap."

Bobby read between the lines and nodded. "If you ever need anything, just let me know."

Buck smiled, touched. "Thanks, Bobby. I will."

"Is Maddie doing OK?" Chimney asked.

Eddie shot Chimney an acidic look as Buck stiffened. "Depends," he turned around, eyeing his sister's boyfriend. "Has she told you anything?"

"No," Chimney shook his head, visibly irritated by the thought.

Buck sighed. "Look, we're . . . we're working through something right now. Buckley siblings only."

"And that's what I've been trying to tell him," Eddie glowered at Chimney.

"I'm just worried about her!" Chimney protested.

"And Buck?"

"Eddie, it's OK," Buck sighed, plucking his mug from the counter and walking over.

"Is it?" Eddie retorted. "He's known you longer than Maddie, yet he just left you out of who he's worried about. Not to mention, he's been trying to pick me and Bobby apart about what we know!"

"That's not what I was doing!" Chimney argued.

"You kind of were," Hen piped up.

Buck sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Chim . . . please. This is between me and Maddie right now. Have I told a few other people what's going on? Yes, but they're nowhere near Los Angeles. That is very, very different than telling the closest thing I have to a family other than Maddie."

"You did tell them?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah," Buck nodded. "I told them, and one of them told me exactly what I needed to hear."

"Good," Eddie nodded back, though there was a touch of dismay in his eyes. "I'm glad you trust them that much."

"They haven't given me a reason not to," Buck shrugged. "Though that probably also has to do with knowing them for all of . . . " He frowned, scratching his head. "Yikes. How long ago was that?"

"So you basically told complete strangers before us?" Chimney frowned.

"Chimney!" Hen hissed viciously.

"That's enough," Bobby's voice rang with finality.

Buck clenched his jaw, his knuckles white as he clutched his mug. "And you wonder why I did when you use that tone of voice?" He chuckled bitterly, picking his mug up. "Need inventory done, Cap?"

He was down the stairs before Bobby could reply. As soon as he was out of sight, Eddie whipped around, fire in his eyes as he glared at Chimney. "Lay off Buck, Chimney, or I swear to God I will kick your ass all the way to Maddie for her to deal with you," he spat.

"Take a walk, Eddie," Bobby ordered. "And maybe check on Buck while you're at it."

"Yes, sir," Eddie replied stiffly, doing a perfect about face and heading down the stairs.

He missed Buck sitting under the stairs, the blond staring into his steaming mug. After a few minutes, he pulled out his phone and clicked on one of the chats.

Golden Retriever: Captain Strand made you an offer, right?

It took a few minutes for him to get a response, but he finally did.

Cocker Spaniel: He did.

Cocker Spaniel: It was a very flattering offer.

Cocker Spaniel: If it was here in Chicago, I would likely accept in a heartbeat.

Cocker Spaniel: Did he make you one, too?

Golden Retriever: He did.

Cocker Spaniel: And?

Cocker Spaniel: What do you think?

Buck could hear Eddie pacing out on the driveway like a caged lion and could hear Bobby's "captain voice" as he spoke to Chimney about what had just occurred.

Golden Retriever: I think that offer looks more appealing now than it did when he first pitched it.

Cocker Spaniel: Oh, no.

Cocker Spaniel: What happened?

Cocker Spaniel: And do I need to fly to Los Angeles to kick someone's ass?

Buck couldn't help but smile.

Golden Retriever: My sister and best friend will handle that for you.

Cocker Spaniel: Damn it.

Cocker Spaniel: I could convince Squad to come and help me?

Golden Retriever: Don't tempt me to ask.

Cocker Spaniel: They'd probably do it without question.

Cocker Spaniel: Well, a few questions.

Cocker Spaniel: And interrogating you.

Cocker Spaniel: Never mind, I don't want to see them do that.

Cocker Spaniel: I leave you in your sister and best friend's capable hands.

Cocker Spaniel: And a mental bear hug. <3

Buck smiled softly, touched by the paramedic's sweetness.

Golden Retriever: Whoever ends up with you will be the luckiest people on the planet.

Golden Retriever: Thank you, sis.

Cocker Spaniel: Any time, brother.

***

"To not having to go to my seventh partner!" Sylvie raised her wine glass that evening. "And to best friends helping catch scammers."

"Amen!" Kim tapped her beer against Sylvie's glass.

Gianna blushed at Sylvie's side as Hailey's shoulders shook and Connor and Natalie exchanged amused looks. "It was nothing."

"You stopped two scammers from likely draining fentanyl from ambulances all over the city," Hailey reminded her. "That's pretty awesome."

"I'm just glad it got sorted out," Connor took a pull from his beer. "Nat and I were so confused when you wheeled in a patient you said got the maximum dosage and had no painkillers at all in his system."

"They played a good game," Sylvie smirked. "They just couldn't play us for long."

"Nope," Gianna gloated. "We're the best."

"Uh, excuse me?" Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Connor and I were the ones who removed tumors from a patient."

"Against hospital protocol, may I add," Connor smirked.

"I have no clue how you didn't get fired," Kim frowned. "Or demoted."

"It was a successful surgery," Connor shrugged. "It wouldn't look too good for the hospital if the star doctors got fired."

"We'll be careful from now on," Natalie declared.

Hailey snorted loudly. "That's likely."

"Hey!" Natalie swatted the blonde detective playfully. "Yes, I'm aware that is exactly like you saying you would willingly give Jay up as your partner."

Hailey stuck her tongue out at the brunette, a blush to her cheeks. "Shut up."

An alarm went off on Kim's phone, and her eyes widened as she checked the phone. "Crap," she scrambled out of her chair, snatching her jacket. "I need to get back to my place."

"Makayla?" Hailey asked, watching her carefully.

"Yeah," Kim nodded, shrugging her jacket on. "Thanks for the drinks, guys. And glad we could help you catch those two."

"Thanks for helping us out," Sylvie smiled. "Hope it's all good with Makayla."

"Thanks, Sylvie," Kim gave her a quick hug. "Bye, all!"

"See you, Burgess," Connor offered a fistbump.

The brunette officer bumped his fist with hers, then headed out the door. "Talk about badass," Sylvie whistled. "Police officer and single mother of a foster child?"

"Tell me about it," Hailey smirked.

***

"I honestly would have paid so much to see Brett and Mackey tackle those two," Jay snickered into his beer as he sat with his brother, Matt, and Kelly. "From what Hailey said, they looked like they had smoke coming out of their ears."

"I would've paid money just to see that," Will couldn't take a drink, he was grinning so hard. "Oh, that's funny."

"I'm just glad Mackey's in the clear now," Matt looked over at the young paramedic, who was laughing at something Hailey said. "I didn't want Sylvie to have to lose another partner so soon."

"She's a strong woman, but yeah," Jay nodded. "Mackey seems like she's a good fit for her."

"They're a good team," Kelly smiled. "How they dealt with Halleck proved that."

"Yeah, how have they been after that?" Will asked the two CFD officers.

Matt snorted. "Well, Sylvie's made it clear she'll have our skins if we ever jump out of our rigs again."

"Oh, God," Jay facepalmed. "When I heard you did that? I thought you were insane."

"I knew they were insane after they jumped from an exploding building into the river together," Will deadpanned.

"Only then?! Dude!"

"Was that before or after we jumped a serial bomber?" Matt asked, only half joking.

"That was before," Kelly smirked. "They were only a few weeks apart, though."

Jay dropped his head onto the table with a loud thunk. "Damn adrenaline junkies."

"Nah," Matt snickered. "That's what we nickname the Squad boys."

"And proud of it!" Kelly grinned smugly.

Matt sighed loudly, prompting his best friend to punch him in the shoulder. Jay couldn't help but shake in laughter as the two erupted in one of their classic bantering sessions, complete with tuning out everyone around them . . . including the other two at their table. Jay turned to look at Will, who looked shocked at what had just occurred. "Yeah," he said. "This is their world, we're just living in it."

Will shook himself out of his stupor. "Someone else's, too," he nodded past the men.

Jay followed his brother's gaze to see Sylvie frequently looking from Hailey and Natalie to Matt and Kelly, her lips turning up at the sight of their exuberant bickering. When Kelly made a loud protest and Matt threw back his head and laughed, her smile widened and her eyes blazed like clear skies. "Not a bad world to live in," Jay decided.

Will chuckled in agreement; neither Matt nor Kelly had noticed they were discussing them right in front of them. "Not a bad world at all."

***

"Thanks for the ride, Eds," Buck said as he hopped out of his best friend's truck.

"Any day, man," Eddie smiled, leaning against the front as Buck took his duffel from the back. "Besides . . . you looked like you might not want to drive."

"Definitely not," Buck snorted. "I'll just grab an Uber when I leave."

"I don't have any problems coming back to pick you up, if that's what you'd prefer," Eddie frowned.

"No, thank you," Buck shook his head, swallowing. "Tonight . . . this is personal. And whatever happens, I'll need to absorb it by myself first."

"Then ignore I said anything," Eddie nodded, holding up his hands. "Just . . . let me know everything's OK?"

Buck smiled warmly at the man who was always showing concern for him. "I will."

"Good," Eddie smiled back. "Hope it goes well."

"Thanks," Buck sighed, shouldering his bag. "Me, too." He paused, taking a deep breath. "And . . . thank you for everything this shift. Seriously . . . you kept me sane."

Eddie's eyes flared protectively. "I've got your back, Buck. Always, even against our team."

Buck smiled widely and gave Eddie a tight hug; the other man made a sound of surprise before hugging him back. "Best partner ever," Buck decided.

Eddie laughed. "Back atcha."

Buck pulled back first, matching Eddie's megawatt smile with one of his own. "I'll see you next shift?"

"Next shift," Eddie agreed. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Buck smiled, turning and walking. He could feel Eddie's eyes on him as he entered the building, but he kept walking, determined to see this through. He found the door he was looking for and took a deep breath, then knocked.

He heard footsteps approach, then Maddie opened the door, still in her dispatcher uniform. She froze in place, eyes wide. "Buck!"

"I know, I didn't say I was coming over," Buck rushed to get out. "But I've been thinking, and I . . . whatever you want to tell me about Daniel, I'd like to know." Maddie stared at him for a long time, and Buck had the sinking feeling that this wasn't a good idea after all. "But if this is a bad time – "

"Buck," Maddie stepped forward, reaching out for his hand. "There is never a bad time for you." Buck smiled and let her take his hand and pull her into her apartment. "So," she smiled, turning to him. "Where do you want to start?"

Buck's questions came quick, one after the other. Maddie laughed and answered each one, making sure Buck was satisfied with his answers before moving on to the next. There was laughter when Maddie gleefully recounted the times she and Daniel raced on their bikes, and there were tears when she revealed how their brother succumbed to leukemia. Over several hours (and several boxes of takeout, tubs of ice cream, and a few glasses of wine), Buck had gone from knowing the bare bones of Daniel to feeling like he always known him. Maddie had left no stone unturned, and Buck had to marvel once again at the strength of his older sister. What would I do without you, Mads? he couldn't help but wonder, stroking her dark hair as she curled against him.

Neither noticed when Maddie's phone lit up with a text from Chimney reading he was going to stay with Hen and her family for the night.

***

Cocker Spaniel: Christopher Diaz might have competition for being the cutest kid in existence.

Grumpy Cat: That sounds like war.

Grumpy Cat: Who's the challenger?

Sylvie giggled at TK's immediate interest, curling up on her couch and texting back.

Cocker Spaniel: A young girl one of my police friends is fostering.

Cocker Spaniel: Her name's Makayla.

Cocker Spaniel: She already has Burgess wrapped around her finger.

Cocker Spaniel: It's only been a few days.

Grumpy Cat: Oh, no.

Grumpy Cat: Keep her away from Dad.

Grumpy Cat: He might try to adopt her instead.

Cocker Spaniel: Burgess wouldn't let that happen.

Grumpy Cat: My dad's just gonna take that as a challenge.

Grumpy Cat: If you see him in Chicago, you'll know why.

Sylvie shook her head, scoffing and tossing her phone on the couch when she heard a knock on the door. "Yeah, like that's gonna happen," she walked over and unlocked the door.

She stared in stunned surprise when she saw who was outside. "Stella?" she asked in surprise.

"Hey, Brett," Stella gave her a smile that was just a little less than a smirk. "Can I come in?"

Sylvie looked warily at the firefighter before hesitantly stepping back. "Go ahead." Stella's smile was definitely a smirk that time as she walked in. "What can I do for you?" she asked.

"As I'm sure you've heard by now, Boden's asked me to take the lieutenant's test," Stella turned to her.

"Yeah, the firehouse is buzzing about it," Sylvie folded her arms. "There's nothing EMS related, is there?"

"No," Stella shook her head. "It's all Truck, Squad, Engine . . . you know."

"Actually, I don't, since I'm a paramedic," Sylvie snarked, internally debating whether to blame the Halsteads or Buck and TK for that move. "But continue."

Stella's nostrils flared, but the woman drew herself up to her full height. "Look, I know the ins and outs of Truck well, and Herrmann's been helping me with Engine. I just need to get better at Squad."

"I'd help you if I could, Stella," Sylvie patiently told her, walking into her kitchen for a glass of water. "But I'm not a firefighter."

"A blind person could figure out that the way to Squad is through you."

Sylvie blinked, then burst out laughing. "That's not true."

"Oh, really?" Stella raised an eyebrow. "So I haven't been imagining the whole 'honorary Squad' act that's been happening?"

Sylvie pinched the bridge of her nose, telling herself to calm down. "So everyone on Squad likes me. What about it?"

"I need Kelly's help, Brett. There's no one better to help me."

"Then ask him for it," Sylvie deadpanned.

Stella threw her hands in the air. "Do you know how much crap I'm getting from the higher ups about how likely it is that the only reason I'm looking at this promotion is because of Kelly?"

"Why?" Sylvie shrugged. "You're not dating him." She couldn't quite hide the smirk on her face when outrage twisted Stella's features. "Besides, that's not something I would see bothering you."

"Would it bother you?" Stella countered.

"Not if I actually knew the person," Sylvie shook her head. "Would I think that might have something to do with a promotion? Possibly. But I would also look at the candidate's achievements and be as fair as I can be. I know we haven't been on . . . " She struggled for what to say. "The best of terms lately," she finished lamely. "But you're a good firefighter, Stella. If this is what you want, don't let them dictate your career just because you used to date Kelly."

Stella smirked smugly. "I know I'm good. I just need help getting better."

Sylvie sighed. "I'll ask Kelly about potentially helping you. Is that enough for you?"

"Good enough," Stella nodded, satisfied. "Thank you." Sylvie nodded, gesturing back to the door. Stella turned to go, then paused. "One more question."

Sylvie refrained from rolling her eyes. "What?"

"Where do you think it would be problematic for a candidate's options given their relationships or standings with other, higher officers?" Stella asked.

Sylvie blinked, not sure where that had come from. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you know," Stella shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not concerned about the implications the white shirts have. I'm not with Kelly, so there's nothing for me to worry about." She smirked smugly. "If I were among them, I wouldn't be the one to worry about at 51, given everything that's happened the past few months."

Stella's implication felt like ice getting dumped down Sylvie's back. All color drained from Sylvie's face, and she looked at Stella in horror, the woman giving her a triumphant look. "What does that – ?"

"You should really be careful about what conversations you have in the bunkroom, Brett," Stella's grin was practically feral. "And making sure you're alone before you have them."

Sylvie was left staring after Stella, her heart skipping several beats as the woman strutted out of her apartment. She knew that implication . . . she knew it all too well.

But surely Stella wasn't vicious enough to actually try and threaten her position at 51 . . . right?

***

Well, maybe not in canon . . . but fanfiction? I'd keep one eye open, dearie.

Man, it's going to be so painful but so cathartic to get the cinnamon rolls in Austin with their other cinnamon roll brother.

Also, don't worry - happy endings are guaranteed for all relationships. That just doesn't guarantee a smooth journey all the way there.

Keep an eye out!

graphic by marvelity