Page 78 of Rescued Duty

“At the first sign of any symptoms, I’ll be back. My job comes with risks, but I also know how to stay safe.” He only had a lingering headache, and the bright lights and noises in the room wouldn’t help the pain.

“All right.” Dr Welch sighed. “I’ll need you to sign off that you’re leaving against our recommendation.”

An hour later, Charlotte walked back into the room. “Here are your discharge papers.” Zack signed off, then let the nurse take out his IV. “You’re all set,” she said.

“Thanks.”

He stuck his feet in his boots, and Naya stepped out into the hall in front of him. “Can we stop over to see Ingram before you find your colleagues?”

“You bet.” Zack wanted the events of the last few hours from her perspective too. He prayed it would shed light on the situation and who might have been part of the incident.

Naya knocked on the door, then pushed it open. “Hey, Grams?”

Zack followed behind.

A smile lit up Ingram’s face when she caught sight of the two of them. “You’re here.” She held out her arms, and Naya hurried over to the bed to give her friend a hug.

Zack pulled out a chair from the table by the window, then decided against the idea. He wanted to give the two of them space for a minute. “I’m going to grab a water bottle. I’ll be right back.”

He located the nearest vending machine and inserted a handful of quarters. His head still had a dull ache, which he hoped would go away soon, or he might need to take some pain meds.

“Stephens. Glad to see you’re up and moving.” Bryce patted him on the back.

“Lieutenant.” Zack nodded, then pulled the water from the machine’s receptacle.

“How’re you doing?”

“Grateful to be alive. How’re Eddie and Ridge?”

“They’re fine. Eddie’s getting discharged now.”

“Good.” Zack took a swig of water. “This team, they’re everything to me, sir. I don’t know what I’d do without ’em.”

A smile tugged on Bryce’s face. “We plan to keep it that way. Ridge and I are taking the trucks back to the firehouse. Everyone will be clocked out from there. Go home and get some rest.” Bryce started down the hall, then stopped. “And make sure that girl of yours is taken care of.”

Zack stood in the hallway for a minute. The crew had his back. And they cared about his life.

Your girl.

Would Naya ever be his?

Zack needed to gather his thoughts. He and Naya had been through a lot together, and instead of the present circumstances pulling them apart, he found himself yearning to stick close by.

A far cry from where things had stood between them when they’d first crossed paths again a week ago at the bridge.

He wanted to make his intentions clear, but first he needed the chance to explain.

Zack took another sip of water, then he returned to Ingram’s room.

Ingram was upright in bed. “I had to pick up papers.” She looked up and spotted him in the door.

Naya turned, perched on the edge of the bed. “Gram was just talking about why she was at the office today.”

Zack sat down in the chair and set his foot on top of his other leg.

“Will needed to get some papers he’d left in his office. Said he had some extra work to catch up on. Since I was already out running errands, I offered to bring them over to his place.”

“It couldn’t have waited until Monday?” Naya shook her head.

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