Page 18 of The Fire Between Us

"It's nothing," I dismiss. "Probably just strained something."

"Get it checked," he orders. "Workers' comp paperwork's in my office."

"I'm fine, Chief."

"That wasn't a suggestion, Davidson." His tone softens slightly. "You did good work today, despite the insubordination. The victim you extracted—"

"Jennie," I supply.

"Jennie," he concedes. "She'll be okay because of your quick action. But next time, follow the damn chain of command. That's how we all stay safe."

"Understood, sir."

Brock nods once, then moves away to coordinate with the second engine company. Lewis approaches, clapping me on my good shoulder.

"You heading to the hospital after this?" he asks knowingly.

I hesitate, then nod. "Just to check on her. Make sure she's okay."

"Uh-huh," Lewis says, his tone skeptical. "Just doing your duty as a public servant."

"Exactly," I reply, refusing to rise to the bait.

"Tell you what," Lewis offers. "I'll finish the equipment check-in. You go get that shoulder looked at and, you know, check on the smoke inhalation victim who has you breaking every rule in the book."

I start to protest, then stop myself. "Thanks, Lewis."

"Don't mention it," he says, then adds, "Seriously, don't. I don't want to get dragged into whatever Brock has planned for you tomorrow."

I manage a tired laugh. "Fair enough."

As I shed my turnout gear and store it properly in the truck, I find myself replaying the moment I found Jennie in the cottage kitchen—the fear in her eyes changing to recognition, the way she whispered my name, the trust with which she let me carry her to safety.

"Davidson," Ollis calls, interrupting my thoughts. "You coming back to the station?"

"No," I reply. "Gotta get my shoulder checked out. And..." I trail off.

Ollis nods, understanding. "The woman from the cottage."

"Yeah," I admit.

Something passes across Ollis's face—a shadow of the pain he still carries from that apartment fire last year, the one where he couldn't save someone.

"Good thing the baby wasn't with her," he says quietly.

"Yeah," I agree. "Really good thing."

We stand in silence for a moment, both aware of how differently this day could have ended.

"Tell her—" Ollis starts, then stops himself. "Never mind. Just... good job today, Max."

Coming from Ollis, who rarely offers praise these days, it means something. I nod my thanks, then head for my truck, already planning my route to Cedar Falls Medical Center.

And trying very hard not to think about what it means that I broke every rule in the book for a woman I barely know.

Chapter 5 - Jennie

The first thing I notice is the smell—antiseptic, clean, nothing like the acrid smoke that had filled my lungs. My throat feels raw, like I've swallowed sandpaper, and there's a rhythmic beeping somewhere to my right.

---