space in between

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"I'm at Fields Market on Third and La Brea. There's a woman in the parking lot. She's been hit by a car. It's real bad."

Sirens blared into the parking lot of Fields Market minutes after the phone call. Worried civilians gathered at the scene urging to understand what had occurred. The 118 ladder truck parked and Josephine along with Buck and Eddie burst through the vehicle's doors approaching the scene. Bobby met the security guard who made the call to get the gist of the situation they'd encountered that evening.

"The car was parked over by the dumpster. He hit the gas then he hit her. It looked pretty bad." The female security guard described, strolling to the victim.

Bobby questioned, "He just took off?"

"Didn't even slow down."

Hen and Chimney were already at the woman's side while the sobbing husband kneeled by his unconscious wife. Bobby reached for him, gently guiding him back. "Sir, sir I want you to step back. Let my team have a look."

The husband complied with his orders for the two paramedics to begin working.

"The airways cleared but breathing's labored."

"Definitely a broken femur here." Chimney reported to his partner. His eyebrows furrowed, blinking for a moment. "I know her." He recognized the familiar face.

Hen stared at him confused. "What?"

"It's Sue Belvins." Buck stated.

"From the call center." Bobby added, affirming as he gained a closer look of the woman.

Chimney sighed, "Yeah, Maddie's boss."

"Head injury is pretty severe. Pupils are uneven. Possible subdural hematoma." Hen gathered, continuing to do procedural checks. "We need oxygen over here!" She called out.

Eddie came by her side to give oxygen while Josephine and Buck had wheeled out the stretcher.

"We can run an IV en route. Sue, can you hear me?" Hen called out to Sue.

"Most likely a broken rib, maybe two. Probable punctured lung, as well." Chimney declared.

"Let's get her on the board!"

Eddie began counting down as the rest of the team came to their aid.

"One, two, three."

When Sue was lying onto the stretcher and was being transported to the back of the ambulance. The team heard her muffling some words through the pain.

"What's she saying?"

"Uh, 9-1-1." Buck made out with a tone of uncertainty.

Josephine and Buck had stepped back once Sue was stabled in the ambulance with Hen and Chimney. They watched the vehicle leave the parking lot when the security guard stood next to them.

"He was inside buying flowers for her while someone was trying to kill her." she expressed, frowning.

The brunette firefighter whipped her head at the woman, "What do you mean trying to kill her?"

"Wait, I thought this was an accident." Buck presumed from the message dispatch shared with them.

Shaking her head, the security guard informed the latter. "The guy never took his foot off the gas like he wanted that lady dead."

"Look at you, the little bird flying out of the nest." Josephine jesters May. The teenage girl shared the news of her decision to move out of the house and find an apartment of her own. She confided in the brunette about bringing it up to her parents.

May suppressed a giggle, browsing through open apartments in the area on her laptop. She came over to Josephine's place on her day off. "It's basically the same thing as any other teenager my age would do if going to college. Just feel I've outgrown and ready to live on my own."

"Of course," Josephine served her a smoothie she blended. She joined her at the table. "I'm kind of surprised your mom is willing to let you."

"You and everyone else."

Josephine took a sip of her smoothie. "Though I am not shocked. You are your mother's daughter. And I'm sure she doesn't want to ignite another argument like the one about Laila." May had gone to her after the blow up with Athena about meeting Lalia. However, she came to an understanding why her mother was against her becoming friends with the girl.

"Yeah...this might be the start where she is trusting me with my decisions. I mean, we both knew how upset she was about me not going straight to college and working at the call center."

"Oh, I understand."

The brunette firefighter reminded of her ordeal with her mother in joining the LAFD. Obviously, strained their relationship more than it had been before.

"Where's Buck, by the way? He like lives here now, right?" May teased, sipping into her straw, and wiggling her eyebrows.

"He went to visit Maddie and Josh at the call center. Talk to them about Sue and the accident. I can't believe someone would do that."

News about Sue Belvins' accident spread within the circles of the first responders. For people who were close to the woman or worked with her, noted highly of her reputation over the years at the dispatch call center. To hear something horrific that happened to such a respected and beloved woman was heartbreaking to many.

"I was pretty shocked when Bobby told us."

"Well, she's out of surgery. Alexis mentioned that she's stable, thankfully." Josephine took the advantage of ringing Alexis about Sue's state in the hospital. "Hopefully they'll find the guy though." Even not knowing the woman well enough, she's overheard great things about her.

May sighed out, "Me too. Thank you for helping me in this and connecting me with an agent." She feared for anyone else to come across a man like him—one willing to nearly kill a woman such as her boss.

Josephine graced a warm smile, "Perks of having an older sister whose family business is in real estate. I do believe your mom wants you to live somewhere safe and affordable."

The sound of the beep on the line caused Josephine to curse under her breath. Her eyes wandered outside of the church where she stood on the day of her godson's baptism. She removed her phone from her ear and ended to line not bothering to leave a message. She had called Buck several times and received no response to her annoyance.

At first, the couple were meant to come together but the plan changed to meet each other there instead. Buck mentioned needing to do something prior which Josephine had no knowledge. She noticed he's been busy this past week and vague about his plans.

Clicks from a pair of heels sauntered towards Josephine from the doors of the church. Alexis came up from behind Josephine immersed with her phone.

"Hey, still waiting for Buck?"

Josephine turned around to face the blond. She sighed in defeat, shrugging. "I'm not sure anymore. He's not answering my calls or texts. He said he'll be here."

Alexis pursed her lips, "Maybe his phone is on silent and already on his way."

"Perhaps," The brunette said unconvinced.

"Come on, he'll show up soon." Alexis proceeded to take her hand lightly and pull her onto the steps. Josephine trailed after her reluctantly. "You, on the other hand, should be inside with your godson. It's time for the service and Whitney is asking for you."

Josephine understood to prevent a worrisome Whitney appear considering the planning for the baptism and reception had put the first-time mother on edge. Josephine and Alexis assisted their friend for the special day merely easing the stress. Specifically, when it comes to Whitney's mother attempting to control every little aspect of an event.

The duo met the family and friends in their section of the church. Alexis went to join her boyfriend Will while Josephine sat with Whitney and Lucas. Nathan squealed with excitement in his mother's arms at the sight of his godmother.

He was elated physically to the point where Josephine collected him for Whitney's sake. Everyone laughed at the baby's behavior and was awed when he nestled into her arms. Needless to say, Whitney and Lucas had picked the right person for their son's godparent.

Returning home after a long day, Josephine jiggled the keys into the door unlocking it. She walked inside ready to unwind when she spotted Buck standing up from the chair immediately. She stared at him with a stoic expression while he sent a remorseful one.

"Josie—"

Exhausted, Josephine cut to the chase. "No need to explain. Athena told me you were playing detective with Taylor." She spoke in a harsh tone to which Buck grimaced. "Nothing more important to an obligation you made prior but guess that was more fun, right?" She smacked her lips together.

Buck averted from her gaze briefly, "I-I didn't mean to skip out on today."

Josephine scoffed, "But it happened, and I didn't even know where my boyfriend was for most of the day. Don't worry I covered for you. You were missed though." She mused. She made long strides towards him. "What don't I get is why you felt the need to hide that you were running around with Taylor to solve this case? I mean, going behind your girlfriend's back with someone you used to hook up with sounds bad. Except having to hear it from someone else is humiliating."

"I'm sorry, I should've told you about Taylor. And I promise you that nothing happened. All we want to do is to find out who hurt Sue."

His intentions were pure yet that wasn't enough for Josephine. It's very typical Buck behavior. He works his way to enable aid to others his way without understanding the aftereffects among others.

"I trust you. It's just that I don't trust her." Josephine said in a stern tone. She believes she can trust her boyfriend but the fear of betrayal she experienced before lingered. "I think we need a night off." She exhaled, watching Buck's face falter a bit.

However, Buck nodded in understanding and exited through the front door. 

-Quite a cliffhanger. A short chapter though felt there wasn't much to input. Our couple are on the rocks...and we're nearing the end of the season. Hope you like it! Tell me what you think! Don't forget to vote and comment! Stay tuned!-

WRITTEN: 3/4/24

PUBLISHED: 3/4/24