Two of the three fire families meet, and Peter gets asked if he knows anything about the missing third one. Spoiler alert: he does.

***

Bobby's entire firehouse was like his family after what happened to him in Minnesota, so Athena was used to seeing the members of A shift gather at their house.

She was surprised, however, when Buck herded a confused Chimney and Ravi towards the living room while a grinning Hen and an exasperated Eddie followed him. "Go, go, go!" Buck urged, waving them on with one hand. His other was rapidly dialing on his phone. "Sit down!"

"Well, hello to you, too," Athena raised an eyebrow and gave Bobby a questioning look as the captain brought up the rear.

"Hi, Athena," Buck smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I found out something on shift, and Eddie, Hen and I don't think Bobby should wait until New York for this."

Athena's other eyebrow joined the first. "And what did we find out, exactly?" she asked.

"Aha!" Buck grinned victoriously and held up his phone. "Hey, TK!"

"Hey, Buck!" came an unfamiliar voice in return. "You're done for the day?"

"Yeah, we got off about an hour ago," Buck nodded. "What about you? You're still in uniform."

"Yeah, but we're offline for the rest of shift while the captains fill out paperwork," TK told him. "And something tells me that won't be a problem."

"I don't think it will," Buck nodded eagerly. "I've got Bobby right here if you can get your dad."

"Yeah, hang on. Dad!"

Buck was all but bouncing off the walls as he beckoned to Bobby. "Come on!"

"Did you seriously call – ?" Bobby began as he joined Buck's side.

Athena curiously peered on the screen just as the camera refocused, and two men who were obviously father and son came into view, both with dark hair and emerald eyes. The younger, with the name TK stitched onto his uniform, had a grin on his face that matched Buck's. The elder, with captain's bugles on his collar, looked like he had seen a ghost. "Bobby?" he asked in disbelief.

"Owen," Bobby breathed, a startled laugh coming from his mouth. "Oh, my God . . . I had no idea my team worked with yours in San Angelo!"

"I had no idea I had your team on my section of the lines!" Owen grinned. "Hell, I had no idea you moved to Los Angeles!"

"Says the man who left New York for Texas!"

Owen snorted. "That's what TK's uncle said."

"And he's the one who lived in Italy for years," TK snickered.

"Italy?" Buck repeated. "Really?"

"NYPD's liaison in Rome," Owen nodded. "Elliot relocated his family back to New York last spring. Our families grew really close after the Towers fell."

"I'm glad you have him," Bobby smiled. Voices rose outside in the living area, and he cleared his throat. "I actually have the rest of my team here with me, if you're interested in seeing them again . . . or meeting them, in Chimney and Ravi's cases."

"I'd be glad to," Owen nodded. "TK, grab everyone, will you?"

"On it!" TK chirped and handed over his phone.

"I'm guessing there's a long story about why you're in Los Angeles now?" Owen wryly smiled.

"That's an understatement," Bobby sighed. "Just like you moving to Austin, I bet." Owen nodded in confirmation. "We can get to that later. Maybe after we find out if Wallace will be in New York this year, too?"

"I like that idea," Owen nodded. "I haven't heard anything from him, so I don't know if he's attending or not. I do have contacts in New York who I think have ears in Chicago, so I may ask them."

"And I definitely do not," Bobby chuckled as they moved out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Four heads jolted up at their entrance. "So?" Hen asked impatiently.

"Did I hear Hen?" Owen perked up.

"Yeah, that's Hen," Bobby nodded as Buck set down his phone and adjusted the camera to show all of them. "Damn, I wish May was here."

"She still has a few hours in her shift," Athena shook her head.

"Hey, Captain," Hen smiled. "You're looking better than I saw you last."

"Oh, I feel way better than when I saw you last," Owen laughed; he took a quick glance around the phone he held before standing and walking out of his office. "I should ask Buck for your number, I'll give you the rundown."

"I can send it to TK," Buck nodded.

"Thanks," Owen nodded. "Alright, we've got everyone here. I recognize Diaz, too."

"Hey, Cap," Eddie waved.

Owen waved in response, then he frowned off camera. "Yeah, TK, you're in charge of setting this up."

Multiple people laughed on the other end, then TK reappeared in their field of view. "Yeah, give me a sec . . . "

The camera shook for a couple of seconds, then Chimney blinked in surprise. "Wow, that's a lot of people."

"And some of us have no idea who all of you are!" a dark-haired woman perched on the back of TK's chair snorted.

"We'll just go around, in that case," Owen nodded as he sat next to a black woman whose uniform read Captain Vega. "Starting at the end over there, this is my ladder crew: Mateo Chavez, Marjan Marwani, Paul Strickland, and my 2IC, Judd Ryder. They were up in San Angelo with me and TK."

"Oh, we remember," Eddie smirked.

"Good to see you, Hollywood!" Judd grinned.

"And our paramedic team, led by Captain Tommy Vega," Owen gestured. "And my son, TK, is partnered with Nancy Gillian."

"I thought you were a firefighter, TK?" Eddie blinked.

"He came to his senses," Nancy smirked as she slung an arm around TK's shoulders. "He's hanging with the more superior team."

"Oh, ouch," Paul winced.

TK shrugged. "It's a – "

"Long story," Owen, Buck, and Bobby joined him in saying.

TK blinked. "I guess we'll be saying that a whole lot, huh?"

"That's an understatement," Bobby sighed. "Anyway, this is my team at the 118. Hen, Buck, and Eddie were among those from the house who were dispatched to San Angelo. Also from the 118 are Chimney Han and Ravi Panikkar, and this is my wife and LAPD patrol sergeant, Athena Grant. Her daughter, May, is a 9-1-1 operator here and will be coming with us to New York."

"I'm looking forward to meeting her," Owen smiled. "Judd's wife, Grace, is a dispatcher here in Austin."

"It's good to know that Bobby will have a friendly face in New York when we get there," Athena told him. "Thank you, Owen."

The ladder crew exchanged winces as Owen sighed. "It cheers me up that it won't be just me," he said. "TK's coming with me, and we'll have our NYPD family too . . . but I was the only survivor of my firehouse, and rebuilding it came with a bit of hero worship in New York that gets unbearable at times."

"You won't get that from me," Bobby promised. "I saw firsthand what you went through, and I remember when you found some of your crew members in the South Tower. I'll have your six."

Owen smiled faintly. "You always did. Thanks, Bobby."

"I can send Bobby's number to TK so he can pass it to you, Captain," Buck said quietly. "I bet you probably want to talk some more when we aren't here to listen."

Bobby patted his knee. "Thanks, Buck."

"How about we give them a little time right now?" Athena suggested, glancing around at the various members of the 118. "Buck, give me a hand in the kitchen, would you?"

"You got it," Buck nodded, instantly jumping to his feet. "As long as Eddie isn't allowed."

"Hey!" Eddie protested, leaping to his feet to jog after Buck as the latter barreled towards the kitchen. "Just because I burned water one time – !"

"How the hell does someone burn water?" Mateo asked in confusion.

"You'll have to ask Eddie," Chimney snorted as he, too, stood. "We'll leave you be for a while, Cap."

"Thanks," Bobby nodded to him.

"And I'll send Dad's number over when he's done over here," TK added, giving Owen a quick hug around the shoulders before he stood. "I'm looking forward to meeting you in person, Captain Nash."

"Likewise, TK," Bobby smiled.

Athena dropped a kiss on top of Bobby's head and followed the firefighters into the kitchen, watching Buck putter expertly around the cabinets. It said how often Buck was over at theirs that he could find what he needed without breaking his stride. "I don't think it ever really occurred to me before," Chimney finally said as he leaned on the counter. "Captain Strand is such a big name in the firefighting community because of what he accomplished after 9/11. But the devastation that happened during 9/11 often isn't thought of."

"Never forget," Athena murmured, playing with the ring on her finger.

"I don't think I can after what happened in the mineshaft," Hen shook her head. "And considering what he still goes through years after the event itself . . . "

"How bad is it gonna be for them to be back there?" Ravi asked quietly, looking uncertainly around the room.

Buck turned to Eddie, and the army veteran rubbed his temples. "I don't know," he finally said. "But it won't be easy."

"Thank God you're going with him," Hen looked gratefully at Athena.

Athena nodded, lacing her fingers together and resting her elbows on the counter as she listened to Bobby continue to talk to Owen out in the living room. "I'm glad I am, too."

***

Peter absently clicked his tongue as he walked through the courthouse and read through the evidence handed to him that morning by Sonny, the gears in his mind working to piece together his opening argument. He checked his peripheral vision to make sure he didn't run into any other courthouse workers as he headed back to the offices of the District Attorneys.

"Peter!"

He looked up at the call of his name, and he immediately straightened and closed his folder when he saw his boss approaching. "Something you need, Jack?" he asked, tucking the folder under his arm.

"Nothing case related, no," Jack shook his head, and Peter fell into line with the District Attorney. "I received your e-mail this morning about potentially needing days off in the coming weeks."

"Yes," Peter nodded in understanding. "Captain Strand is coming back for the anniversary of 9/11."

"Ah," Jack's eyes brightened. "I understand. I assume you and Captain Benson may be unleashing Noah on him if the situation calls for it?"

Peter laughed. "You know us so well, Jack."

Jack chuckled. "His godson always seemed to cheer Owen up exactly when he needed it the most."

"I get the feeling he'll need it often," Peter nodded in agreement.

" . . . need to convince juror seven, too."

"Really? I thought we had him."

Jack and Peter stopped as the pair of voices caught up to them, and they turned again to see a quartet of detectives and prosecutors walking through the halls. "Are you losing your touch, Nolan?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

His Executive ADA stopped in his tracks and gave him an offended look. "You know me, right, Jack?" he asked.

"I think that's exactly why he's asking, Nolan," Frank quipped dryly.

Sam hid her laughter by coughing into her arm. Kevin had no such qualms, and the hallway rang with his mirth. Nolan just rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Why the hell am I friends with you?" he groused.

"If my office benefits from it, all the better," Jack said dryly. "How did it go?"

"We found a few holes to poke in the defense's testimony," Nolan answered, snapping back into business mode as the group now composed of six walked through the building. "We'll pick up there in the morning."

"And if anything comes up that we can investigate, we'll be on call for that immediately," Kevin added.

"Good," Jack nodded in satisfaction.

Sam frowned when she saw the pair waiting outside Peter's office, which was the closest to their entry point. "Did we have a meeting with OC or SVU?" she asked.

"I don't think so," Nolan shook his head.

"Liv?" Peter asked, stepping away from the group to walk up to the pair. "Stabler? Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," Olivia promised. "I met Elliot here when I came to meet you for lunch."

"And we're all good on our end," Elliot added. "Just had a question for you that might be better to ask in person."

"Oh," Peter blinked. "Sure thing."

"Anything we can help with?" Jack tilted his head.

Elliot snorted. "Know any firefighters in Chicago?"

"Chicago?" Frank repeated in surprise.

"Not personally, no," Jack shook his head. "My only contacts in Chicago are in the State's Attorney's office. Even then, I imagine Peter's contacts there are better than mine. I hired him out of that office."

"There's really only one firehouse in Chicago that I was connected to, and that's my best friend's house," Peter told Elliot as he entered his office, dropping the evidence file on his desk.

"I thought that was Carisi?" Nolan asked.

"He's my best friend here in New York," Peter corrected. "My best friend in Chicago is the chief paramedic of her house, Sylvie Brett."

Olivia blinked in surprise. "Isn't she the one who helped convince you to stay?"

"I remember that name," Jack nodded. "She accompanied you for your father's funeral, didn't she?"

"Yes, on both counts," Peter smiled fondly. "I swear, if her heart was ever cut out, it would be made of gold." He paused, then he blanched. "On second thought, I never want to see her heart cut out. That's the best part of her."

"No cutting out hearts," Elliot snickered. "Scout's honor."

"Thanks," Peter sighed, searching through his pockets for his phone. "So, what do you need to know, Stabler?"

"It's a question on behalf of Owen, actually," Elliot answered as he looked down at his own phone. "He's made contact with one of the firefighters he worked with on 9/11, and they're both going to be here for the anniversary. He's wondering if any of us might have had contact with the third member of their group."

Peter hummed thoughtfully as he pulled up Sylvie's contact information. "Who's he looking for?"

"A Wallace Boden."

Peter dropped his phone on his desk, he was so surprised. "Excuse me?" he sputtered, looking at Elliot with wide eyes.

"Wait," Olivia did a double take, looking at Peter in shock. "I know that name!"

"Yeah, you do," Peter let out his breath in a rush and dropped into his chair. "He's based out of Firehouse 51. They work with Voight's Intelligence Unit all the time. He's Sylvie's chief . . . who I told you is also coming to New York for the anniversary."

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

"I'm not," Peter shook his head with a laugh, hastily picking up his phone and scrolling through text chain with Sylvie. "Hang on, I've got . . . yep!" He tilted his phone and showed it to the others. "That's Firehouse 51 at Chief Boden's promotion ceremony. He's now the Deputy Chief of District 4 in Chicago."

It was amusing to see seven people attempt to lean in at once and view the picture, and Nolan's eyes lit in recognition. "I do remember seeing her at your father's funeral," he nodded.

"She was in the courtroom when you were special counsel on Barba's case, too," Olivia realized with a blush. "She . . . never looked impressed when she looked at me."

Nolan snorted. "How harsh were you on him when Barba was on trial again?"

"Nolan!" Sam looked at him in shock.

"We're past that," Peter waved away any further arguments. "But yes, once Sylvie and I became friends, she often sat in on trials when she had days off. Made it a little awkward if her ex-boyfriend had to be called to the stand, but it always helped having her there for moral support."

"Makes me want to actually meet her on better terms," Olivia murmured as she glanced at the picture.

"She bugs me about that, believe me," Peter said with a fond eyeroll, and he adjusted his hold on his phone. "So Owen met Chief Boden when he came here to help after 9/11?"

"Yes," Elliot nodded as he checked his phone. "He worked with Chief Boden from Chicago as well as Captain Bobby Nash, formerly out of Minnesota. He's now based in Los Angeles."

"That's a change," Frank remarked in surprise.

Elliot snorted. "I raise you New York to Texas."

Frank made a face that caused Kevin to snort. "Yeah, the Strands win that by a long shot."

"I'll give her a call and ask her if she can pass on Chief Boden's number," Peter told Elliot. "It'll be up to him, though."

"Heard," Elliot nodded. "Thank you, Stone."

Peter nodded in return. "I'll let you know when I have an answer from her."

***

Ambulance 61 came to a halt in the garage, and Sylvie slumped back in her seat with a sigh. "I wanna go home," she muttered and closed her eyes.

Violet rubbed her arm comfortingly. "Go hide with your boys for a bit," she advised. "I'll handle the ambo and maybe ask the chief to give us an hour."

"Thanks, Violet," Sylvie gave her a strained smile.

"I got your back, partner," Violet patted her shoulder. "Go."

Sylvie nodded and slipped out of the driver's seat without another word. Three heads lifted from the squad table at her departure, and three tongues remained unusually silent as she bypassed them and headed straight for the door. Gallo looked up when she entered, and she watched him bite his tongue to stop any words from escaping. She made a mental note to apologize to him as she swept through the common room and headed straight for the bunks.

Matt's door was shut, but Kelly's was open, and she knocked on the doorframe when she saw him bent over his report. Kelly glanced up, and he paused when he saw the expression on her face. "What happened?" he asked, scooting away from his desk and beckoning for her to join him.

Sylvie gratefully shut the door and collapsed boneless into his lap, and Kelly wrapped his arms around her. "It was the aftermath of a party," she answered, ducking her head into the crook of his neck. "There were so many kids who overdosed. A third of them didn't make it to the hospital, and half of the remaining kids are in critical condition. It was horrible."

"Oh, no," Kelly sighed, using one hand to card his fingers through Sylvie's hair. His other hand picked up his phone and quickly typed out a message to the captain next door. "I'm so sorry, Sylvie."

"It's days like this that make me want to take a vacation," Sylvie whispered.

Kelly nodded, watching Matt peer through the blinds before opening his door. "We could all use one."

"Use what now?" Matt asked, closing the door behind him.

"A vacation," Sylvie answered, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "Preferably a long one. And not in Chicago."

"I heard Violet in the common room," Matt said as he sat at the foot of Kelly's bunk. "Drug overdoses?"

Sylvie shuddered. "So many overdoses at this party," she lamented. "It's one of those calls that makes paramedics rethink their career, especially if it's early in that career."

Matt sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I'm so sorry, Sylvie. I can go ask the chief to pull 61 from service if you need it."

"Please," Sylvie nodded, her head dropping back onto Kelly's shoulder, the lieutenant rubbing her back comfortingly. "I need my head back on straight."

"You got it," Matt nodded and stood, bending to kiss the top of her head. "I'll be right back afterwards, OK?"

Sylvie nodded in reply, and Matt slipped out the door. It remained open for a brief second as Stella poked her head inside and held out a mug. "Herrmann made his for you," she told Sylvie. "Secret family recipe."

Sylvie sniffed at the cocoa, and she smiled when she smelled the cinnamon in it. "Tell him thank you."

"You bet," Stella nodded. "Feel better."

She left the office and shut the door without another word, and Sylvie readjusted her position to take small sips of the cocoa. "Sorry if I interrupted your report," she told Kelly with a wince.

"I'm almost done with it," Kelly shrugged. "It's not the most important thing right now."

The sound of a phone vibrating made both jump, and Sylvie fished through her jacket pocket before pulling out her phone. She blinked when she saw the Caller ID. "Peter," she told Kelly as she answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Sylvie," Peter's voice was a welcome balm. "Did I call you at a bad time?"

"Uh," Sylvie held out the word as she glanced down at her cocoa. "Define 'bad?'"

"Bad call?"

"It's easily in the top five worst medical calls of my career," Sylvie answered.

Peter sighed. "Yeah. Bad time. I can call later."

"No, I could use a distraction," Sylvie shook her head and stood. "Mind if I put you on speaker? I'm in Kelly's office."

"Go right ahead."

Sylvie tapped the button on her screen, and Kelly leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "You trying to steal my girl, Stone?"

Sylvie groaned in annoyance, and Peter barked in laughter. "I have my own girl, thank you very much, Severide. And just like with your girl, I also got a kid for free."

"Oh, my God," Sylvie choked, her face turning red as Kelly cackled. "Peter!"

"Hey, I wouldn't trade Liv or Noah for anything," Peter told her, and Matt raised an eyebrow as he entered again. "Though I did worry about going against Stabler when he came back to New York."

Kelly tilted his head thoughtfully. "I don't remember a Stabler from any of the NYPD cops that came through to help Intelligence."

"He left the force for a period of time before rejoining as a liaison in Rome," Peter told him. "He used to be Liv's partner. He's now part of an Organized Crime task force here in Manhattan. He's basically Liv's overprotective big brother. It's scary."

"And what kind of shovel talk did he give you?" Matt grinned as he leaned against the doorframe.

"And hello to you, too, Casey," Peter snarked, making Matt beam innocently. "I'm still here, and now I know why I never want to have Liv really pissed off at me."

"Always keep the mistress happy," Kelly smirked knowingly. "Good man."

Sylvie ducked her head in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment. "Oh, my God," she repeated.

"Keep 'em, Sylvie," Peter chuckled.

"Oh, believe me," Sylvie glared with no heat at the officers when they gave her wide grins. "I'm keeping them just so they can't be menaces to anyone else."

"That's our girl," Matt winked.

Sylvie refrained from banging her head against the wall. "Anyway . . . what's up?"

"Right." Peter's tone switched to pure business, and it made the three firefighters instinctively straighten. "So I found out an interesting piece of information today at work. Two of the captains Chief Boden worked 9/11 with are coming back to New York for the anniversary, and both are trying to find a way to contact him and find out if he is, too."

"Really?" Sylvie blinked.

"Really. Captain Strand moved to Austin to rebuild a firehouse down there, and Captain Nash moved to Los Angeles from Minnesota. Both just found out about each other . . . apparently Captain Nash's team worked with Captain Strand's during wildfires in San Angelo, and neither knew it until this week. Captain Strand is very close with Liv and Stabler, and he contacted Stabler to ask if I knew anything."

"So they're trying to reach the chief," Matt deduced.

"Exactly," Peter confirmed. "I told Stabler I would let you know since I don't have his number . . . and I know the ghosts that still haunt Captain Strand about 9/11. I know it has to be Chief Boden's choice to get back in contact."

"Thank you, Stone," Kelly told him. "We'll talk to him."

"You're welcome," Peter replied. "Take care of my best friend, alright?"

"Don't worry," Matt smiled at Sylvie. "She's in good hands."

Peter chuckled. "She always has been with the two of you."

A click signified the end of the call, and silence heavily hung in the office. "He could use the friends while he's back there," Matt finally gave his opinion.

"Oh, definitely," Kelly nodded fervently. "We saw how this weighed on him the last time he went back to New York. If he gets back in contact with the people he worked with . . . " He cut off when there was a knock on his door, and he rolled his eyes. "Maybe I should've just left the damn thing open," he muttered. "Come in!"

All three inside straightened to attention when Boden opened the door. "I figured you would be in here, Brett," he nodded when he saw the paramedic. "61 will be out of service for two hours for you and Violet."

Sylvie sighed in relief and smiled. "Thank you, Chief."

"You're welcome," Boden nodded. He made to leave, then he noticed the glances Matt and Kelly were exchanging. "Is there anything else I need to know?" he asked.

Matt cleared his throat. "Sylvie just got a call from Peter Stone in New York."

Boden looked expectantly at Sylvie, who blushed. "Um . . . do you remember a Captain Strand and a Captain Nash?"

Boden stood so still, he resembled a statue. "They weren't captains when I worked with them on 9/11," he said quietly. "But it's very hard to forget bonds forged by an event like that. How did you know?"

"According to Peter, Captain Strand is close with Captain Benson and Detective Stabler in New York," Sylvie answered. "And Captain Nash's firehouse teamed up with Captain Strand's during wildfires down in Texas. They only just recently realized it was their teams and reconnected afterwards. Both are going to New York for the anniversary."

"And they're looking for you, too," Kelly finished.

"Peter asked if I could pass along contact information so they can reach out," Sylvie said quietly. "But he knows it's up to you, Chief."

Boden leaned against the doorframe, expression blank except for the myriad of emotions brimming in his eyes. "It's been a long, long time since I saw either of them," he mused, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It would be good to reunite with them again and have people I know."

Kelly's green eyes brightened suddenly, and he twisted in his seat to look conspiratorially at Matt. "You know . . . we were just saying we all needed a vacation. And we went with you the last time you went to New York."

Matt grinned and looked at Sylvie. "How many times have you said you wanted to see Peter in New York?"

Sylvie's expression brightened, and Boden put all the pieces together. "I couldn't ask you three," he began.

"You aren't asking, Chief," Kelly shook his head. "We're volunteering. Besides, we really do need a vacation."

"The boys could do with getting out of the city, too," Matt added.

"And I really have been wanting to visit Peter in New York since he joined the DA's Office up there," Sylvie stepped away from the wall and smiled at Boden. "We'd be happy to do it at the same time."

"But if you don't want us coming with you, we'll wait until a later time," Kelly quickly interjected.

Boden was silent for several seconds as he mulled it over. "I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't like the company," he finally said. "But only if you're certain. I don't know what it'll be like in New York."

"Chief, you've had our backs so many times, especially while we figured out our relationship and adjusted to having the boys and Amelia," Matt said firmly. "We've got your back, too."

Boden smiled. "Alright," he nodded. "We're New York bound, then." He turned to Sylvie. "Go ahead and send my number to Stone so he can pass it on," he told her. "I'm looking forward to hearing from them."

Sylvie grinned. "You got it, Chief."

***

A little background for anyone who happens to be unfamiliar with my obsession with Law & Order: when the revival originally hit the air, I had no interest in watching it. I finally watched the first episode of S21 over the summer . . . and in a couple of days, I had binged the rest of the episodes. Of the three L&Os on air right now, the mothership is favorite, as those of you very familiar with my works know by now XD We're just gonna make this already big family even bigger. I have no regrets.

Next time, all three firehouse leaders reach out to each other, and preparations begin in their cities and in New York.

graphic by marvelity