Firefighters served several purposes.

They are the friendly neighbourhood watch, always looking at things in an inquisitive manner, because some things are just not quite as simple as they should be.

They are the people that others cling to in times of peril. The ones to run to when there's nothing left but plumes of smoke far too thick to see through. The ones who have seen a lot and continued to do what they do because it isn't only their purpose but their drive.

But sometimes, they are the ones who feel like they can't turn to anyone and share the burden of death and survival.

Many can't find the balance, but the ones that do? They prove to others that it is possible, even when it feels like it isn't.

Angelica Brady, or Angel as she is much widely known as, had been a firefighter for as long as she could willingly remember, after being discharged from the air force at the age of twenty five, and having her son at twenty six...

He was what kept her in the job. Not the satisfaction of saving cats from trees, or the thrill, knowing that one day it could be her son stuck in the middle of a fire, and knowing that everyone, like her, puts so much effort into the job, that was what kept her going.

That, and the department wide cook out every summer. She was a sucker for a good barbecue and so was Dylan.

"Dylan, please, pack your backpack." An exhausted gush of words fell from Angelica's lips, as she leant against the boot of her car, her free arm constantly coming up into eye view, checking the time almost like clock work.

Ten minutes after the first shout, and three after the last text, incase he hadn't heard her, a seven year old with dusty blonde hair come trundling out of the house with the big for sale sign in the garden.

After she had done her due diligence by one last quick run through of the house, making sure absolutely nothing was left behind, she closed the door with a gentle click, and faced the car.

She hadn't moved out of Wisconsin in her entire life, the only time she had ever left, was for work, weddings or the occasional funeral.

"Why did we have to go so early?" Dylan spoke, whilst his hands unconsciously simultaneously signed along.

Because if not now, then we'd never leave, she thought to herself before trying to find the more logical answer that was swimming around in her mind.

"Well, because we need time to get through the traffic, otherwise Grams and Gramps are going to be sad they missed your beautiful little face!"

Smooth.

Luckily, Dylan bought the half truth and happily helped himself into the shotgun passenger seat. When Angelica had finally climbed in herself, one simple glare had Dylan hopping over the centre parting and straight into the back.

If he had stayed in the front seat, she knew that within three hours of being on the road, he'd start complaining. Or worse, playing eye spy.

Once, on a round trip to Minnesota, the duo had played eye spy for the entirety of the time they spent in the car. As fun as the first hour was, no, not even fun, as unique each item was for the first hour, there was only so much one could spot from their seat in the car.

Los Angeles would take far too long to get to, but she'd driven to Florida once... so, she knew she could do it. Getting used to the feeling place though, that would take a little bit longer.

"Can I play on my switch?"

A wordless wave was enough to earn a little triumphant whoop and the sound of a bag being opened by a zip.

"Belt on, before I start the car please!"

With the reassuring click of the belt going into the buckle, the key in the ignition was turned and the engine roared to life. Luckily, this engine was far less powerful than the one she'd heard a few days prior.

Truck 90's engine sent vibrations throughout the entire body whenever it's started, the first time either Brady experienced it, it was like a fire rocket exploding right next to them. She knew she'd miss the people she worked with, but moving was what was needed.

For them both.

As she drove, Angelica had to take the time out to think of a way to tell her parents why they were leaving. It wasn't as though either of them were staying in the city anyway! They, themselves were going on their own little trip.

Though, their trip involved plenty of boats and different currencies, and probably a whole lot less chaos.

Sometimes, she wishes she could still comfortably sit in a plane. Driving was tiresome and she hated dingy little motels, but it was the only way. She kept telling herself it was the only way and she started to believe it.

She felt like she had to believe it.

The theme tune for Smash 'Em had stopped playing at some point and the sound of the jazz radio station had slowly seeped into the car. Her eyes drifted up from the road, and glanced to the side. Somehow, within her daydream, she'd managed to drive all the way to her parent's house without even hitting a red light. It was as if fate was finally on her side, she just wished that it'd continue all the way to the newest city she had to conquer. 

"Hey mom, why aren't we going in yet?"

Killing the engine and unlocking the doors, she opened the door and simply looked at her childhood home. The blue-green walls, the white trimming against the roof and every window — it was just as she had left it at seventeen.

Every time she had been back since, it had been dark and the walls looked a dirty grey. Nostalgia hit her in a fleeting wave as she realised that this would soon also be someone else's childhood home.

"I was—" preoccupied with the thoughts of regret, "just thinking. Unbuckle yourself and I'll open your door."

Yet another click of the buckle, though this time with the added sound of the metal hitting against the glass of the window, and then the insistent sound of the car door handle begging to be opened.

Dylan knew there was a child preventative lock on every door in the back of the car, but his impatience was noticed, heard rather than saw, but still noticed.

"Hold your horses, Impatient Annie!"

Swinging her door open, she jumped out with ease, reaching a hand towards his door before shutting her own, she opened it and saw the blonde curls bounce as he himself jumped out.

Diana was waiting, ever so patiently, underneath the porch for her favourite grandson, and only daughter to make the quick thirty second trip up the drive. Of course, had it been a warmer day, with some sun out she probably would've gone down to greet them on the gravel.

Of course, Dylan ran off before Angel could even give the gesture for him to go on without her, but she didn't mind. She had done the same thing when she was his age, coming home from swimming, running straight from the pavement and into the arms of Diana Brady.

"Hey, mom!"

Cheerful tones weren't matched with cheerful eyes but neither woman mentioned it. Neither of them really wanted to leave but Europe was exciting and Dylan really had to grow a bond with his grandparents from his dad's side.

"You still heading off to Los Angeles to be wi—"
"Yes, I am, but also Michael and Ella are there."

Diana had been given no room to argue and she didn't, raising her two hands up in defeat, she stepped aside to allow her daughter inside.

Saying goodbye to her mom would be the one of the easier parts to do. They weren't each other's favourite, and sometimes it was like they could barely stand each other, because Diana Brady's inability to hide the favouritism she had placed firmly within Hudson, her older brother, was about as hard as seeing someone's bald patch the size of a football on the back of their head. But her dad? She was his favourite, so that goodbye would be hard.

He'd say 'pumpkin, it's not a goodbye, it's a see you soon' because goodbyes were always so permanent but see you soon? That gave hope that there will be a next time.

"So, when do you and dad fly out? Berlin, right?" Angelica asked, feeling about as awkward as she could, leant up against the doorframe to the old living room.

Diana pondered for a moment, 'uhming' and 'ahing' until she had settled on the time that had always been at the forefront of her mind.

"Nine tonight, but don't worry, night flights are statistically much safer than midday flights."

Angel pulled out her phone and made a note in an unsent text, knowing that Dylan wouldn't mind tracking the plane and having as much information would settle her whirling mind that never seemed to stop whenever people mentioned flying.

"Are you sure that this is the best idea for Dylan?" Diana's hushed tone caught Angel off guard, she'd never said anything in such a soft tone before. At least, never in her adult life, that she could remember.

She shrugged, she wasn't sure, but it was something she had to do. Now her parents were leaving the country, she really did have nothing but Dylan in Milwaukee. She could get cheese anywhere; Wisconsin cheese too. FedEx posted things from anywhere.

"No, but Ella keeps asking for us to come and visit and I feel like—"

She felt like she had been neglecting the last part of Dylan's father that he had left.

"You aren't neglecting them because you haven't been to visit in a year, or two, Angel, you've been trying to be both mom and dad, and if they'd just learn a little bit of ASL, they'd have an easier time on Skype."

After learning that Dylan was hard of hearing, bordering on deaf, when he was born, Angel and her parents had spent as much of their free time in courses, spending as much time as they could teaching each other whenever they learn something before the other and they did it. Because they were never alone in the whole process, and now everyone enjoyed watching as Dylan learned, and used it in daily conversations. Whether or not he had his cochlear implant on.

"— am I a bad mom for doing this?"

As she said this, the door opened, and Dylan ran past the two women who were still stationed between opposing doorways, as a heavier set man, or Daniel Brady, walked through the door with the best smile on his face.

The same smile that Angelica and Dylan had both shared.

"Are you hell a bad mother, pumpkin. If you're a bad one, I'm rotten." Daniel spoke before anyone else could say anything.

As Dylan was pulled into a hug, Daniel's outstretched arm pulled his daughter into, too. The warmth engulfed her and almost pushed her to tears, but she knew Skype calls were going to be just like they were in college. Full of gossip, and talks of nothing but everything at the same time.

It won't be hard, she'd been assured many times before.

After a few peppery kisses were placed onto the crown of her head, Daniel's grip finally subsided, pushing the three Brady's into the kitchen, remembering that he'd just been to the market and butchers.

"Come on Pumpkin and Poppet, bacon with... eggs? We have a couple left, I think! Sit, sit!"

As bossy as ever, Daniel turned his back from the trio as Diana began to help Dylan up onto the kitchen bar stool, whilst pulling the one opposite them out with her foot, for Angelica.

"Do you have enough time for a quick gossip before we all part ways," Daniel paused, finally turning to face everyone else in the kitchen, an apple in one hand and a knife in the other, "until thanksgiving." He added, a cheesy grin spreading across his face - hoping that the latter statement would help Dylan understand that they wouldn't be apart forever.

Turning to face Dylan, she signed 'grandpa wants gossip', and as the words were digested, Dylan's small smile turned into a wide Cheshire Cat smile.

"How long do we have?"

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