▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Season Two : Episode Fifteen, Ocean's 9-1-1

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

April, 2019

The restaurant hummed with the low murmur of conversation and clinking dishes as Becca sat at a table with Bryan, Aryana, and Dylan. The kids were fidgeting in their seats, alternating between excitement and curiosity as they waited for Justin and Rosie to arrive. Becca glanced at the door for what felt like the hundredth time, sipping her water to calm her own nerves.

"So, who is this Rosie person again?" Bryan asked, leaning forward with an expectant look.

"She's Dad's girlfriend," Aryana chimed in. "But what does she look like? Is she tall? Does she look like you, Mom?"

Becca chuckled, shaking her head. "No, she doesn't look like me. You'll see her soon enough."

"But have you met her before?" Dylan asked, squinting at her suspiciously.

"Yeah, but only briefly," Becca admitted. She hesitated, unsure how much to share about that night in the hospital. "She's nice, though. I think you'll like her."

Bryan tilted his head. "What do you mean, 'only briefly'?"

Becca opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of the door opening caught her attention. She turned her head, and there they were—Justin and Rosie walking in together. Justin looked relaxed, but Rosie's smile had a nervous edge as they made their way over to the table.

"There they are," Becca said softly, sitting up straighter.

The kids followed her gaze, their curiosity reaching its peak. "Is that her?" Aryana whispered, her eyes wide.

"Yup," Becca replied, keeping her tone casual even as her pulse quickened.

Justin was the first to speak when they reached the table. "Hey, guys!" he said, grinning at the kids before turning to Becca. "Becca, good to see you."

"Good to see you, too," Becca replied warmly, glancing briefly at Rosie, who stood slightly behind Justin.

"And everyone this," Justin said, stepping aside and gesturing to Rosie, "is Rosie Stratford."

Rosie gave a small, polite wave, her nervous smile never wavering. "Hi. It's so nice to finally meet all of you," she said, her voice warm but slightly tentative.

The kids chorused a shy "Hi," their eyes flicking between Rosie and their mom.

Rosie crouched slightly to their level, taking a guess with a smile. "Okay, let me see if I get this right. You must be Bryan," she said, pointing gently to him. "And Aryana, right?" she added, looking at the girl. "And you're Dylan."

"Whoa, she got it right," Bryan said, clearly impressed.

Rosie laughed softly, glancing at Justin. "I told you I wouldn't forget."

Justin grinned, patting her shoulder lightly.

Finally, Rosie turned to Becca and extended her hand. "Becca, it's nice to see you again."

Becca hesitated for only a second before shaking her hand. "It's nice to see you too, Rosie. Thanks for coming tonight."

"Thanks for having me," Rosie replied, her smile easing into something more genuine.

As they all took their seats, Justin began chatting with the kids, helping Rosie ease into the conversation. Becca watched them interact, quietly observing the dynamic and hoping tonight would truly be a fresh start for everyone.

The table settled into a comfortable hum as menus were passed around. Justin helped Rosie with the kids' chatter, guiding her through their quirks. Becca noticed how Rosie seemed attentive, even when Dylan rambled about a cartoon episode he'd seen earlier that day.

"So," Bryan said, setting his menu down with a determined look, "What do you do Rosie?"

Rosie blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then smiled. "I'm a doctor, a surgeon actually I work over at Mercy General Hospital."

"Whoa, that's cool," Aryana said, eyes wide. "So you're like the doctor's on TV?"

Rosie laughed softly. "Sort of, but a lot less glamorous. I work long hours, mostly at the hospital." She paused, glancing at Becca with a slightly nervous smile. "Actually, I was on call the night your mom came in. I was part of the team that helped her."

The kids fell silent, their eyes darting to Becca, who smiled gently. "Yeah, she was," Becca confirmed. "She's one of the reasons I'm sitting here with you guys today."

Bryan tilted his head thoughtfully. "So you saved Mom's life?"

Rosie hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, it wasn't just me—it was a whole team effort. But, yes, I was there."

"That's kind of awesome," Aryana said, her voice filled with awe.

Rosie smiled warmly. "Thank you. It's... part of the job. But it was definitely a moment I won't forget."

Justin squeezed Rosie's hand under the table, and Becca caught the subtle gesture, appreciating how he was supporting her.

"What do you do for fun?" Dylan piped up suddenly, changing the subject.

"For fun?" Rosie repeated, leaning slightly forward. "Well, I love hiking. I grew up in Colorado, so I'm used to the mountains. And I like to bake when I have time."

Aryana's eyes lit up. "Do you make cookies?"

"I do," Rosie said with a grin. "Chocolate chip is my specialty."

"Chocolate chip's the best!" Dylan said, nodding emphatically.

"What about superheroes, love 'em or hate them?"

Becca chuckled, watching the kids warm up to Rosie. It was a relief to see the conversation flowing so naturally.

As their orders arrived and the dinner continued, Justin told a funny story about a disastrous DIY project he and Rosie attempted in her apartment. The kids were laughing, and even Becca found herself smiling at their antics.

"You tried to fix a sink with duct tape?" Bryan asked incredulously.

"In my defense, it worked for about five minutes," Justin said, holding up his hands.

"And then it flooded the kitchen," Rosie added with a mock-serious tone.

"Justin was never really a good handy man." Becca Said

"Hey I've gotten better...over time." Justin Said, as the kids laughs.

By the end of the meal, the initial tension had eased. The kids were clearly charmed by Rosie, and Becca could see how hard she was trying to make a good impression—not just on the kids but on her too.

As they finished dessert the kids all went to the bathroom, as the adults stayed at the table. Justin leaned back in his chair, looking at the table. "Well, this went better than I thought it would."

"Why, were you nervous?" Becca teased lightly, raising an eyebrow.

"Just a little," he admitted with a grin. "But you guys made it easy."

Rosie nodded in agreement. "Thank you for making me feel so welcome," she said, her eyes meeting each of theirs, lingering a little longer on Becca.

"You're welcome," Becca said sincerely, giving her a small smile. She could tell Rosie was genuine, and though it might take time, she felt like tonight was a good start.

As the group gathered their things to leave, Rosie and Justin were getting up to leave from the table.

"It was nice meeting you guys, I had so much fun." Rosie Said

"We did too." The three of them said

"Ooh next time Rosie, you've got to show me how you did that cool napkin trick." Bryan Said

"Not gonna happen mister, you playing with fire forget it." Becca Said, waving her finger at him.

"Yeah we don't need a repeat of last time when you burned half my eyebrow off." Aryana Said

"It grew back didn't it." Bryan Snapped

"Okay, see you guys soon goodnight." Rosie Said, chuckling.

"Night kids, I'll see you tomorrow, night Becks." Justin Said

"Bye goodnight." Becca Said

Bryan then whispered to Becca, "Hey Mom, she's cool. I like her."

"Yeah?" Becca Said

"Yeah," Aryana agreed, nodding eagerly.

Becca smiled as she helped Dylan with his jacket. "Me too, guys. Me too."

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the blinds in Becca's bedroom as she stood in front of her mirror, pulling on her pants but pausing when her reflection caught her attention. She stopped, her eyes drawn to the faint scar near her lower abdomen. Her fingers brushed over the smooth, healed skin, but the memory of the night she got it still lingered.

Becca closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. It was a part of her story now, a reminder of how close she came to not being here. She had learned to live with it, day by day, but the nightmares still crept in sometimes—jarring her awake with images she wished she could forget.

"Move forward," she whispered to herself, pushing the thoughts away. Becca straightened, rolled her shoulders, and finished getting dressed. Today was a new chapter, and she was determined to take it on.

Downstairs, the scent of coffee greeted her. As she walked into the kitchen, she froze for a second, surprised to see her kids—Bryan, Aryana, and Dylan—already dressed, backpacks in hand, and waiting by the table.

"What's going on here?" Becca asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did aliens abduct my kids and leave pod people in their place?"

Dylan grinned, stepping forward. "We wanted to make your first day back easier."

Becca tilted her head, crossing her arms. "Uh-huh. Did you come up with that yourselves, or did your grandparents tell you to say that?"

The three of them exchanged guilty looks before Aryana spoke up. "Okay, yeah, they might've suggested it... but we did mean it, Mom."

Becca's expression softened into a smile. "Gracias, mis amores," she said, kissing each of them on the cheek.

"De nada, Mamá," they replied in unison, the warmth in their voices making her chest tighten with love.

She reached for the lunches she'd prepared the night before, handing each one their bag. "All right, let's go. Don't want you guys making me late on my first day back."

They laughed as they headed out the door, and Becca paused for a moment, watching them pile into the car. She couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude, not just for them, but for the chance to be there—to have moments like these.

She locked the door behind her, took a steadying breath, and stepped into the day ahead. Becca adjusted her bag as she stepped through the firehouse doors, the familiar scent of coffee, diesel fuel, leather, cleaning chemicals and the distant sound of a radio buzzing through the station. She greeted a few colleagues on her way in, exchanging smiles and waves. It felt good to be back, though a small twinge of nervousness lingered in her chest.

As she turned the corner, a sudden burst of applause startled her and she saw a banner which read "Welcome Back Chim & Becca", and a few balloons scattered around also some streamers.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence!" Buck called out, grinning widely.

Hen, Eddie, Chimney, and Violet joined in the clapping, their faces lit with humor. "About time!" Hen teased, crossing her arms with a mock stern look.

Becca raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Wow, I didn't realize I left such a void in your lives. Must've been unbearable."

"Completely," Eddie said dryly. "The coffee hasn't been the same, the jokes have been subpar, and Violet's been whining non-stop missing you."

"Hey!" Violet protested, but then shrugged. "Okay, maybe a little."

"You see they weren't this happy enough just a few moments ago for me, when I walked in." Chimney Said

Hen crossed her arms, glancing at him with a smirk. "We gave you a standing ovation."

Chimney grinned. "Yeah, yeah, you've got jokes. But don't forget, you all missed me."

"Me too." Becca Said

"Yeah, but mainly me." Chimney Said

Before Becca could fire back, Bobby's voice cut through the chatter as he approached, his hands in his pockets and a warm smile on his face.

"Becca, Chim, welcome back," Bobby said, his voice carrying a tone of genuine warmth. "It's good to have you both back on the job. We've missed you around here."

"Thanks, Cap," Becca said sincerely, her tone softening. "It's good to be back. I missed the chaos."

Chimney nodded. "Yeah, I've had about enough of sitting on the couch and watching bad daytime TV. Ready to get back to the real action."

"Well," Bobby said, clapping a hand on each of their shoulders, "don't worry. I'm sure it won't take long for things to get exciting around here."

Hen smirked. "That's Bobby's way of saying, 'Don't get too comfortable.'"

The group laughed, and Becca felt the knot of nerves in her chest begin to unravel. She exchanged a look with Chimney, both of them silently acknowledging how much they had missed this—the camaraderie, the banter, and the strange but unshakable sense of family that came with the job.

"Alright," Bobby said, stepping back and nodding toward the kitchen. "Coffee's fresh, and there are muffins and cake if anyone's hungry. But don't get too settled—we're all still on shift, and the day's just getting started."

As the group dispersed, Becca took a deep breath, looking around the station she called home. She was back, and though it wouldn't be easy, she was ready for whatever came next.

Moments later in the locker room, Becca pulled her uniform shirt over her head, adjusting the collar as she chatted with Violet and Hen. Both women were leaning against the lockers, clearly intrigued by her story.

"So, how was dinner last night?" Violet asked, folding her arms with a curious smile. "We're dying to know how this girlfriend of Justin's measures up."

Becca smirked, shaking her head as she tucked in her shirt. "It was...interesting. Rosie seems nice—polite, smart, the whole package. I mean, she is a surgeon , so you can't really argue with her credentials."

Violet raised an eyebrow. "A Surgeon? Impressive. Did she give off that 'I'm-too-good-for-you' vibe, or is she down-to-earth?"

Becca paused, slipping on her boots. "Honestly? She's down-to-earth. I mean, she was nervous. You could tell she wanted to make a good impression on the kids and me, which I respect. She even remembered all their names and guessed who was who correctly, which scored her some points."

Hen leaned forward. "But?"

Becca sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But... I don't really know her yet. She's someone who helped save my life, and now she's sitting across from me at dinner, holding my ex-husband's hand. It's a lot to process."

Hen nodded. "I get that. It's a weird dynamic, for sure. But you're giving her a chance, right?"

Becca smiled softly. "Yeah, I am. She didn't do anything to make me dislike her, and the kids seemed to like her well enough. Aryana even asked if she could come to one of her cheer competitions, which is a good sign."

Hen grinned. "That's huge. If the kids are warming up to her, that's a win."

Becca chuckled, pulling on her jacket. "I'm not saying we're going to be best friends or anything, but I want to give her a fair shot. She's making Justin happy, and as long as she's good to him and the kids, that's what matters."

Violet leaned back against the locker, crossing her arms. "You're handling this way better than I would. I'd be side-eyeing her the whole time."

Hen laughed. "Same. But that's why you're Becca—calm, collected, and way more mature than some of of us."

Becca rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, please. Don't give me too much credit. I spent half the dinner waiting for her to slip up, but she didn't. Guess that means I just have to deal with the fact that she's... actually a decent person."

Violet smirked. "Bummer for your inner skeptic."

Becca laughed, grabbing her helmet and closing her locker. "Yeah, yeah. Let's see how she handles a few more dinners with the kids before I start singing her praises."

Hen patted her on the shoulder. "Fair enough. But for what it's worth, you're doing the right thing. The kids see you being open-minded, and that's important."

Becca nodded, her expression softening. "Thanks. Now, let's get out there before Bobby starts wondering if we're hiding."

The three women shared a laugh as they headed out of the locker room. Later that afternoon the 118 received the call, the tension palpable as the fire engine screeched to a halt in front of the bank. Outside, an armored truck driver sat in the vehicle, his eyes darting nervously. He spotted the 118 arriving and quickly banged on the window, catching Buck's attention.

"Hey! Hey! Can you tell me what's happening?" the man called out.

Buck approached, leaning toward the window. "Uh, don't know, sir. Just got here."

"I can see that. Do you know what the call was?"

"Two people down in the bank," Buck replied.

"Down? Like dead down? Injured down? Depressed down? M-My partner's in there," the man stammered, his voice trembling.

"Was your partner exhibiting any kind of symptoms before entering the bank?" Buck asked.

"What? No," the man said quickly.

"Does he have any allergies or medical conditions?"

"No! He eats better than I do. He's—he's pescatarian," he said, almost frantic.

Buck gave a quick nod. "Okay, well, uh, you just, uh, sit tight!"

"Like I have a choice," the man muttered as Buck walked away to join the team.

Inside the Bank Chimney knelt beside the first patient, a delivery courier lying unconscious on the ground. His voice was calm but urgent. "Airway's clear. No MedicAlert bracelet. Jaw's not clenched. Tongue is neutral."

"All right, get him started on O2. Ten liters. You said there's a second patient?" Bobby asked, turning to the bank manager.

The manager led Bobby, Eddie, Hen, and Violet to the back vault, where an older man lay collapsed. Foam covered his mouth, his body twitching uncontrollably.

"Same as the courier out front. Exhibiting extreme muscle spasms," Hen observed as she checked him over.

Violet shone her flashlight into the man's eyes. "Cap, pupils are dilated."

Bobby frowned. "I don't know what we're looking at here."

"Could be a nerve agent," Eddie suggested.

"You've seen that before?" Violet asked, glancing at him.

"I've been trained for it. Symptoms all line up. The fact that we have multiple people down—I can't say for sure until we run some tests," Eddie explained.

Bobby nodded. "All right, Hen, Violet, back away."

Both women stepped back, exchanging wary looks as they left the vault. Bobby turned to the team at the front of the bank.

"Everybody, stop what you're doing right now. Chimney, Becca, Buck—step away. Step away. I need everybody's attention," Bobby announced. "We are now preparing for a possible chemical exposure incident. That means nobody in, nobody out."

Suddenly, the sound of beeping filled the air. Violet and Hen turned to see the vault door slowly closing.

"No, no, wait!" Violet cried out, rushing toward the door with Hen at her side.

"Cap!" Eddie called, seeing the women racing to stop the heavy door.

Inside the Vault Hen knelt beside the older man, who was now gasping for air. His movements were weak, his face pale.

"Wait—no. Stay calm, sir. Stay calm," Hen urged, keeping her voice steady as the man reached out, his trembling hand brushing her face.

"We're with LAFD. We've got to get you out of here!" Hen said firmly.

"Sir, we're just here to help," Violet added as the man touched her face as well.

Both women turned sharply at the sound of the vault door clicking into place.

"No!" they cried, running to the door.

"Cap, help!" Eddie shouted as he and Bobby tried to stop the door, but it was too late. It sealed shut with a resounding clang.

Bobby immediately grabbed his radio. "Violet, Hen, do you copy?"

Hen, panting, spoke into her radio. "We're here, Cap. Just making ourselves comfortable."

"Hopefully not too comfortable," Violet quipped, still tugging at the door handle in vain.

"How do we open this?" Bobby demanded of the manager.

"Uh, we don't. The vault operates on a time lock. It won't reopen until the start of business tomorrow," she stammered.

"What if it's an emergency?" Bobby pressed.

"There's a number for the vault company on Mr. Prentiss's desk," the manager said quickly.

"Show me," Bobby ordered, following her to the desk.

Violet let out a frustrated sigh and gave up on the handle. "Damn it, this can't be happening—" She broke off as she noticed Hen swaying unsteadily.

"Hen? Hen, are you okay?" Violet asked, moving closer.

Hen didn't respond, her breathing shallow.

"Hen, talk to me!" Violet said, concern rising in her voice.

Bobby glanced at the monitor, his stomach sinking as he saw Violet checking on Hen, who looked visibly unsteady.

"Violet, Hen, how's the air in there?" Bobby asked through the radio.

"Okay so far," Violet replied shakily.

"Hen, are you okay? Talk to me," Bobby said again, his eyes fixed on the screen.

Hen turned to the camera, her movements sluggish. Her mouth began to foam, and she collapsed onto the floor.

"Hen!" Bobby shouted.

On the screen, Violet's vision blurred, and she stumbled, foaming at the mouth before dropping to the floor, unconscious.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

The 118 worked swiftly to follow Bobby's orders as the scene became more intense. Inside the bank, the bright yellow hazmat suits stood out starkly against the dim lighting. Chimney, Buck, Eddie, and Becca adjusted their gear, the urgency of the situation weighing heavily on them.

Becca struggled to get her suit on properly, the awkward fit causing her frustration. Buck noticed and stepped in without hesitation.

"Here, let me help," he offered, adjusting the straps and seals on her suit.

"I didn't ask for—" Becca began but stopped as Buck's hands deftly secured the tricky latch. His fingers brushing against hers for a moment, she glanced up. Their eyes met briefly, and something unspoken passed between them.

"Thanks," she muttered, her tone softening slightly.

"You're good now," Buck replied with a small smile.

Snapping out of it, Becca straightened. "I can handle the rest."

Buck nodded, stepping back, as Bobby's voice came through their comms.

"Buck, Eddie, grab the buzz saws and get to work on the vault doors. Time is not on our side," Bobby commanded.

"On it," Eddie replied, heading toward the equipment.

The two men quickly got to work, sparks flying as the buzz saws screeched against the heavy metal. Meanwhile, Chimney and Becca attended to the courier on the gurney, carefully monitoring his breathing as they waited for further instructions.

A few minutes later, the Hazardous Materials team arrived in full force. Their leader, Commander Bowman, a stern and composed figure in his own hazmat suit, stepped inside and immediately shook Bobby's hand.

"Commander Bowman, Hazardous Materials. What are we looking at?" Bowman asked, his voice calm but authoritative.

"Four victims down, all showing signs of possible chemical exposure. Three are trapped inside that vault, including two of my team," Bobby explained, leading Bowman to where the delivery courier lay unconscious. "The third victim was here making a money delivery. Likely the first to be affected."

Bowman nodded, scanning the scene. "Could be he was delivering more than money. And the others?"

Bobby gestured to the bank employees gathered on the far side of the room, all wearing face masks. "Still not symptomatic."

"All right," Bowman said, turning to his team. "I need gross decontamination stations set up! Clear and prep these people for transport. And I need full environmental testing of the entire premises!"

The Hazmat team quickly dispersed, setting up equipment and cordoning off sections of the bank. Bowman turned back to Bobby.

"What's the status with the vault?"

Bobby led him toward the sealed door. "The vault company is trying to open it remotely, and they're sending a technician. But..."

"What's the chance of that working?" Bowman asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Remote," Bobby admitted. "The technician should be here within hours."

Bowman frowned, glancing at the vault. "Hours we might not have."

Buck and Eddie paused their work with the buzz saws and turned to Bobby.

"Well?" Bobby asked.

"Not even a scratch," Buck reported, shaking his head.

Bobby's jaw tightened as he looked at the live feed from the camera inside the vault. Violet, Hen, and Mr. Prentiss remained motionless on the floor.

"Okay," Bobby said, thinking quickly. "Three people, seventy-two breaths a minute. We need to drill into that vault and get some air flowing."

Eddie crouched near the base of the vault door, inspecting the setup. "Doors are wired, Cap. Running hot."

"Then we need to cut the power," Bobby said decisively, turning to the bank manager.

"The building's main power grid is in the basement," the manager offered nervously.

"Good," Bobby said, turning to Buck and Eddie. "Eddie go and grab the hammer drill so we can drill a hole, to provide more oxygen for them in there. Buck we're gonna need two O2 tanks." Bobby Said, then the two men nodded then dispersed.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over the scene as the 118 worked tirelessly to save their teammates and Mr. Prentiss.

Eddie stood by the vault with the hammer drill, his focus razor-sharp as he prepped to drill through the reinforced steel. Nearby, Buck wheeled over two O2 tanks, his expression tense but determined. Downstairs, Chimney stood by the power grid in the basement, his radio crackling faintly as he awaited Bobby's signal to cut the power.

Becca stood near the camera feed, her eyes glued to the grainy black-and-white footage of Violet and Hen lying motionless inside the vault. Her worry was evident as her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

Buck approached her, his voice soft. "You okay?"

Becca glanced at him, briefly startled. "Yeah, I'm okay, Buck. Just...hoping we get to them in time. They've been down a while now."

Buck gave her a reassuring smile, though his own concern lingered behind his eyes. "We're gonna get to them, Becca. Don't worry."

She gave a small nod, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I know," she said quietly, turning her gaze back to the camera.

"Okay, we're going dark. Chimney, hit it!" Bobby's voice cut through the air, snapping them all into action.

The lights in the bank flickered and shut off, plunging the building into darkness. Eddie flicked on the hammer drill, its motor roaring to life as he pressed it against the steel of the vault door. Sparks flew as the drill made slow progress, the sound reverberating through the room.

While Eddie worked, Buck and Becca took charge of escorting the remaining employees outside to the decontamination stations set up in the parking lot. Once everyone was safely out, they returned to the bank just as Eddie called out.

"We're through!" Eddie announced, stepping back and wiping sweat from his brow.

"Okay, Chim, power's back up," Bobby said into his radio. Moments later, the lights flickered back on.

"Buck, crank the O2," Bobby ordered.

Buck slid a tube through the drilled hole, securing it tightly. He turned the nozzle on the O2 tank, and a faint hissing sound filled the room as fresh air began flowing into the vault.

"We're wide open, Cap," Buck confirmed, stepping back.

Eddie leaned against the vault door, his brow furrowing. "So, now what?"

"Now we get in there," Buck said firmly, his determination unwavering.

Becca raised an eyebrow. "And how are we gonna do that?"

Bobby's gaze swept over the vault. "We're gonna crack this safe."

Bobby stepped out to make a call and the person who answered was Michael. "Hey, Bobby. Everything okay?"

Bobby spoke through the line, calm but curious. "What do you know about bank vaults?"

"Well, I've put in a few." Michael Said

"Ever take one down?" Bobby Asked

"Bobby, what's wrong?" Michael Questioned

Bobby took a deep breath, cutting straight to the point. "I've got three sick people trapped inside the vault here at Pacific Federal in Westchester. And I don't have time to wait for a locksmith because one of them is Hen and the other is Violet. I need the blueprints for this building. I've got to find a way inside."

Michael hesitated. "Bobby, I don't have access to that kind of thing. You'd have to put in a request with the Office of Building and Permits."

"We don't have time for that, Michael," Bobby said, frustration creeping into his tone.

Michael's pause was brief. "Okay, all right. I do know a guy who works in that office. Chuck, he uh...likes me."

"Well like him back." Bobby Said

"Let me see what I can do." Michael Said

Bobby nodded, his relief evident. "Thanks, Michael. Let me know as soon as you have something."

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Michael managed to get a copy of the bank's blueprints and called Bobby back.

"Okay, Bobby, I got it! Uh, though now I am going to a Sondheim concert at the Bowl on Friday," Michael said.

"Sorry," Bobby replied.

"So, your bank..." Michael looked at the prints on his computer screen. "Well, it wasn't always a bank. Cornerstone laid in '65... and housed an insurance company. Pacific Federal picked up the first floor in '73," Michael said.

"So this vault wasn't always here?" Bobby asked.

"Exactly. But the South wall... it's original. And it looks like they just built the vault right into it," Michael said.

Once Bobby ended his call with Michael, he gathered his team to explain everything Michael told him. He brought them outside to where the South wall was. Becca, Chimney, Eddie, and Buck looked on as their captain pointed to the wall.

"Okay, we start drilling here... and here," Bobby said.

"Creating a crumple zone," Eddie said.

"Exactly," Bobby said.

"Then what?" Becca asked.

"Then, I have an idea. But we've got to soften it up first."

"Soften up a foot of concrete?" Chimney asked.

"Yeah, it beats three layers of tempered steel. Let's do it," Buck said, slinging the sledgehammer over his shoulder.

Eddie got the drill again and started drilling holes into the wall. Now Buck picked up the sledgehammer and started batting at the wall, making some dents in it.

"All right, Becca," Bobby said.

"Yeah, Cap?" Becca asked.

"Here's what I need: go grab a halligan bar from the truck, and hand it to Buck so we can stick it in the wall and tie the winch around it—" Bobby said.

"So you pull it out making a bigger hole in the wall, to get more access," Becca said.

"Exactly," Bobby said.

"On it," Becca said.

Becca went to the truck, and Buck followed behind her as she tried to get the halligan bar. Buck reached for it, helping her out.

"It's okay, I got it, Becca," Buck said.

"No, Buck, I got it—" Becca said, swatting his hand away.

"It's okay, I've got the bar, just drive the truck and I'll meet you over there," Buck said.

Becca, starting to get annoyed, replied, "Fine, whatever, here you go." She tossed him the bar, which he caught.

Becca walked past him, letting out a huff as she got inside the fire engine. Buck looked at her, confused, but let it go and ran back over to the wall.

Becca started it up and drove the engine back a few feet, parking it, and tossed Eddie the winch rope so he could tie it around the halligan bar.

"Okay, Chim, I need you back inside, eyes on the vault cam. If we're compromising their safety in any way, you got to let me know," Bobby said.

"Copy that, Cap," Chimney said, then left.

Chimney returned back inside the building and looked at the camera, seeing Violet, Hen, and Mr. Prentiss still down.

"All right, I got eyes on the vault, Cap," Chimney said into his radio.

"Okay, here we go!" Bobby said.

Becca started up the winch as the rope began tugging on the bar, which was inside the wall. It tugged on it for a few more seconds, but nothing moved.

"The winch isn't gonna do it, Cap," Eddie said as he approached the wall.

Suddenly Bobby's phone rang, and he answered it. "This is Captain Nash. Okay, thank you."

"Who was that?" Becca asked.

"That was the hospital. Patient zero, the armored car courier, just died at the hospital," Bobby said.

"They know what it was yet?" Eddie asked.

"No. They did say that no one else is exhibiting symptoms," Bobby said.

"Yeah, no one else except them," Buck said.

Becca looked at the wall and shook her head.
"Oh, screw this."

She walked back toward the fire engine and got inside.

"All right, Becca," Bobby said.

"Wait," Buck said.

"No, stand back!" Becca said.

She started the truck and began driving it back. The winch rope caused some cracks in the wall as it worked. Becca put more pressure on the brakes, just enough to pull the bar out successfully, making a large hole in the wall.

Inside the bank, on the camera screen, it showed remote access initiated, which caused the vault to finally open.

"Oh, look at this. You got to be kidding me. Now they get remote access?" Chimney said.

As the vault door opened, he saw the hole they just made and saw Bobby, Eddie, and Buck peeking through. As Becca walked over, she saw Chimney entering.

"Hey, guys," Chimney said.

"Seriously?" Becca said.

Chimney approached Hen first. "Hen. Hen! Can you hear me?"

Hen woke up, groaning a bit, and looked up at him.
"Chim?"

"Welcome back," Chimney said.

"Wait, Violet—" Hen said.

"I got her," Chimney replied. He went over to Violet. "Vi, hey, it's Chim. You okay?" Chimney asked, helping her sit up as she came to.

"Nice suit, Chim," Violet said as he chuckled.

"You guys are gonna be okay. I'll check on him," Chimney said.

As Hen and Violet were being wheeled into the waiting ambulances, the team lingered nearby, watching their colleagues with a mix of relief and lingering concern.

"This wasn't how I was planning on spending my Friday night," Violet quipped weakly, her voice tinged with exhaustion but also a hint of her usual humor.

"I know," Becca said with a small smile, patting Violet's shoulder. "I'll check on you later, okay?"

"Someone please call Karen," Hen said groggily as she was lifted into the ambulance.

"Already taken care of," Bobby replied reassuringly. "She's meeting you at Mercy General."

The ambulance doors closed, and the sound of the engine revving filled the air as it pulled away, taking Hen and Violet to safety.

Chimney let out a deep sigh, glancing back at the team. "I don't get it. If Hen and Violet doesn't appear to be symptomatic anymore, and the bank manager's up and talking, then what the hell was this?"

"Because it wasn't a nerve agent," Eddie said, shaking his head.

"Chief Bowman confirmed that," Bobby added. "All the tests came back negative, no environmental toxins, nothing."

Becca crossed her arms, still visibly unsettled. "So, what the hell was it? the delivery guy is dead, but everyone else is just...bouncing back?"

"I have no idea," Bobby admitted, frustration lacing his voice.

Buck gestured toward the armored truck as they began walking back to the fire engine. "At least this guy finally gets to get out of here."

They all glanced over at the armored truck, where the delivery man's partner once sat, The team piled into the fire engine, the weight of the mystery still hanging heavily over them.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

When the team arrived back at the fire house, all exhausted and ready to call it a day after the chaotic events of their shift. They piled out of the fire engine, having changed out of their turnout gear and into their regular uniforms. The conversation immediately turned to the strange events they'd
just experienced.

"So that might be the weirdest day I've had since joining the LAFD, and we've had a few," Buck said, running a hand through his hair.

"Seriously," Eddie agreed. "It was like a bank robbery with no robbers."

"Actually, I prefer the other," Chimney quipped, earning a few tired chuckles from the group.

As the rest of the team began to disperse, Becca called after Buck, her tone sharper than usual. "Buckley!"

He turned around, confused but stopping in his tracks. "Yeah?"

Becca stepped closer, crossing her arms. "See, I wasn't going to do this while we were on call, but I figured now's as good a time as any. What the hell was that?"

Buck blinked, caught off guard. "I'm sorry? What are you talking about?"

"All day, you've been hovering," she said, her voice rising slightly in frustration. "Constantly checking on me, helping me with stuff you know I can handle. For God's sake, Buck, I'm not a child!"

"I never said you were," Buck defended himself, his hands raised in surrender. "I was just looking out for you, that's all."

"But I didn't ask you to," Becca snapped.

"And I know that! It's just—" Buck hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

"Just what?" Becca pressed.

Buck let out a sigh, running a hand over his face. "Ever since that night... the night you almost died, I don't know. I worry, okay? You didn't see what I saw, Becca. Seeing you bleed out on the floor, practically dying in my arms—it was terrifying. I don't ever want to go through that again. I know you can handle things on your own, but I just wanted to help, that's all."

Becca's frustration softened as she listened to his words. She stepped closer, her tone gentler now. "I get it. Look, you're not the only one who worries. That happened a month ago, and people are still asking me if I'm okay. But like I told myself, I'm not going to be okay in one day. It's a process—day by day. Every time I see this scar, I'm reminded of what happened. But I can't let it define me or my life. I have nightmares, sure, but I'm dealing with it. I want to move forward by getting back to being me."

Buck gave her a small smile. "Well, from what I saw today, you were definitely back. Didn't miss a single step. You practically wanted to hit me with that halligan bar."

Becca laughed, the tension easing. "Yeah, I was thinking about it."

Buck chuckled. "I'm sorry, Becca. I won't hover like that again. I'll just ask before jumping in."

"Thank you," Becca said, nodding.

"So... are we good?" Buck asked hesitantly.

"We're good," Becca confirmed.

Without thinking, Buck stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Becca hugged him back, her arms encircling his midsection. The hug was warm and comforting, something rare for them but appreciated in the moment.

As they pulled away, their eyes met, lingering for a moment longer than either intended. But before the moment could develop further, the sound of police sirens shattered the stillness.

A black car pulled up, its lights flashing. A voice came over the intercom. "Step away from the vehicle."

Everyone turned toward the commotion as a detective and several uniformed officers stepped out of their vehicles. Bobby, Eddie, and Chimney, who had been further away, quickly joined Becca and Buck.

"What are they doing here?" Becca asked, frowning.

"No clue," Buck said, just as confused.

Bobby stepped forward to address the detective. "Can I help you, Detective?"

The man didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured for his team to spread out. "You and your people just stay where we can see you, Captain," he said curtly.

Bobby raised an eyebrow but complied, signaling for his team to stand down. They watched as the officers began searching the station, heading straight for the fire engine and ladder truck. One officer opened a compartment on the ladder truck containing medical bags, pulling them out and setting them aside.

"Excuse me, you want to tell me what's going on?" Bobby asked again, his tone sharper this time.

The officers dumped out the contents of one of the medical bags, and stacks of cash spilled onto the floor.

The team stared in shock.

"Maybe you can tell me," the detective said, fixing Bobby with a hard look.