Little Firefighter

Chapter 1

**Maya's POV**

I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel of Engine 19, my eyes flicking toward the firehouse in the rearview mirror. I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in my chest over the past week. Something was off with Andrea Herrera. Andy was usually a rock—steadfast, resilient, the kind of firefighter you could rely on in a pinch. But lately, she'd been distracted, slower to respond, and visibly tired.

I had watched her rub at her temples during drills and zone out during briefings. It wasn't like Andy to falter, and I couldn't help but wonder if something deeper was going on. Andy's stubbornness was legendary, and I knew better than most how much she hated asking for help. Still, as captain, I couldn't ignore the signs. Andy looked like she hadn't slept in days, and even now, as I'd left her at the firehouse, her pale complexion and dark circles haunted my thoughts.

I pulled into a parking lot and cut the engine, reaching for my phone. I scrolled through my contacts until I found Arizona's name and hit the call button.

Arizona picked up on the second ring. "Hey, babe," her cheerful voice chimed. "Everything okay?"

I exhaled. "Not really. It's Andy. She's... I don't know. She's been acting strange all week. She's exhausted, barely eating, and she just... isn't herself."

"You think something's wrong?" Arizona asked, her tone shifting to concern.

"Yeah. And I think it's more than just being tired. She's not talking, though. I was hoping maybe you or Carina would have some ideas."

"Carina's right here," Arizona said, muffling the phone briefly to call out. Moments later, the Italian's voice joined the call.

"Maya, what's going on?" Carina asked, her accent lilting.

I explained the situation again, my worry spilling into every word. "I don't know what to do. I'm worried about her, but she's as closed off as ever."

"Could be stress," Carina mused. "Or something deeper. Has she had any traumatic calls lately?"

"Nothing recent. But I'm starting to think I need to push harder to get her to open up. I just... don't want to push her away either."

Arizona's voice softened. "You care about her. She's lucky to have you as a captain and a friend. Let's keep an eye on her, and if you need me to check in on her medically, I can."

I nodded, even though they couldn't see me. "Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes." I hung up, my chest still tight with worry. I'd figure it out, one way or another.

---

**Andy's POV**

The high-pitched blare of the alarm pierced through my foggy haze, dragging me from the depths of my restless mind. My head pounded as I pushed myself up from the couch, ignoring the ache in my ribs that had been gnawing at me for days.

"Engine 19, Aid Car 19, Ladder 19, respond to a building fire, multiple reports of trapped civilians," the dispatcher's voice crackled through the speakers.

Adrenaline coursed through me as I hurried to gear up. The exhaustion I'd been battling all week was drowned out by the familiar rhythm of an emergency call. I could do this. I had to.

Within minutes, we were on scene. Smoke billowed into the sky, and civilians were clustered on the sidewalk, shouting about people still trapped inside. I fell into step with my team, heading straight for the inferno.

---

**Maya's POV**

The scene was chaos. I barked orders, my voice cutting through the noise. "Andy, take the second floor with Gibson. Check for survivors and report back. Let's move!"

Andy nodded, her jaw tight as she followed Dean Gibson into the building. I watched her go, unease gnawing at my gut. I shook it off and turned back to the task at hand.

Minutes felt like hours as we worked to contain the blaze. When Gibson's voice crackled over the radio, my stomach dropped.

"Captain, we've got a firefighter down! Andy's hurt. Gibson and I are bringing her out to the medics now!"

My heart pounded. "On my way," I responded, leading the medics to the entrance where we waited for Gibson and Dean to bring Andy out for treatment.

---

**Andy's POV**

Pain radiated through my body as I lay on the scorched floor, my breathing shallow. My ankle throbbed, and every inhale sent sharp stabs through my ribs. I could hear Dean shouting, and moments later, Gibson and Dean freed me from the debris. Together, they carried me out to where the medics and Maya were waiting.

"I'm fine," I muttered weakly when Maya crouched beside me, concern etched across her face.

"You're not fine," Maya snapped, her tone sharp but laced with worry. "You look terrible, Andy, and you keep saying you're fine when it's obvious you're not. You need to stop pushing yourself so hard."

I wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come. I let myself be lifted onto the stretcher, every movement sending fresh waves of agony through me. By the time we reached the aid car, I was barely holding on. Maya climbed into the aid car with me, refusing to leave my side, while the rest of the team stayed behind to finish the call and handle the aftermath.

---

**Arizona's POV**

I stood in the ER bay, my arms crossed as I waited for the incoming patient. When the doors burst open and the stretcher was wheeled in, my heart clenched.

"What do we have?" I asked, falling into step beside the paramedics.

"Andrea Herrera, firefighter. Concussion, bruised ribs, and a possible broken ankle," one of them rattled off.

I glanced down at the young woman on the stretcher, her features tight with pain. Andy's eyes fluttered open, locking on mine.

"I'm fine," she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.

My expression softened. "You're going to be fine, but you're staying here and have you examined and treated. No arguments."

Her face crumpled slightly, and I noticed a flicker of something vulnerable and childlike beneath the defiance. I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"We've got you, Andy. You're safe here."

Hey guys I really hope you like it.