Authors note- I totally messed up the order of episodes in this chapter. In my defense I was writing at 4am on a Monday, but I digress. This chapter is supposed to be in line with season 2 episode 7. I have gone back and fixed the inconsistencies in the storyline as best as I can. Sorry!
-Mabel-
After being in my new environment for a month now I've decided it's time to find a job. What I didn't anticipate, however, is how hard it is to find one. There are plenty of open job opportunities in LA, but they're all work that no one wants to do, or they want someone with ten years work experience by age 18. My hand absentmindedly runs through my hair once more, and I feel the frizz getting worse by the second.
"Still not having any luck?" Hen questions gently, knowing how crazy it has been making me.
I just shake my head and return my eyes to the laptop in front of me.
"My only job experience from back home was when I worked as a receptionist at a vet clinic for a year. Man, I loved that job. Elijah made me quit eventually, told me a woman's place is at home."
We both gave a collective sigh that silently said 'What a piece of shit.'
"You know, I might have an idea." Bobby spoke up from behind the kitchen island where he was making dinner.
"You could try working for LAFD? We have-" I giggle lightly and try to politely interrupt.
"I appreciate the offer Bobby, but I'm not a 'pull people away from danger' kind of girl. I cross the street if someone looks at me for too long." I say, earning a laugh from most of the group, half of them at the table, half on the sofa.
"I was going to say, We have a new position opening up. It has come to the chiefs attention that I suck at paperwork. Plus, someone has to be here when we go out on calls, and you seem to be here all of the time anyways. You'd be in charge of helping me with clerical work and answering phones mostly. The job is yours if you want it." He explains, waving his spatula in the air.
I don't respond right away, mulling it over in my head.
"Why, why are you offering me a job?" I decide to say.
"Well, I would prefer to have someone the team knows and can get along with. You also seem reliable and bright." He explains further.
Bobby has a way of speaking that makes you feel like he's a your proud father, even if he just met you.
"What are you waiting for, say yes!" Buck yells over his shoulder, his eyes focused in on the video game he's playing with Chim.
"Oh, of course! Thank you so much, Bobby!"
"I'll have to clear it with the chief first of course, but I have a feeling that won't be a problem. Also, you can call me Cap. You know, since I'm your boss now." He jokes, gathering the food and bringing it towards the table. I stand and help him by grabbing a bowl of salad out of his hands. As everyone takes their seats I notice that one person is missing from the group.
"I'm going to find Eddie, be right back." I announce before bounding down the stairs towards the gym equipment.
I find him taking hits at a punching bag, not even breaking a sweat, and still looking flawless doing it.
"Hey Ed, Dinner is ready." I smile, catching his attention at the sound of my voice.
"Alright, I'll head back up with you. Hey how's the search going?" He asks, removing the gloves from his hands and putting them back where they belong.
"Just ended actually, and you better get used to seeing me around here." I boast, while placing my hands on my hips. After I explain what he missed upstairs he congratulates me and claps his large hand over my back. We lightly shove each other like two children as we walk up the steps, laughing the whole way. He reaches the top first and shoves me, but catches me by my arms before I have a chance to fall.
"You.. are such an asshole." I breathe, trying to slow my heartrate. I pull out my chair and take a seat next to Buck. I glance around to see everyone sharing looks between themselves.
"Guys, I know what you're thinking. Ed and I... never going to happen." All eyes train on me as I speak and Eddie lets out a small sarcastic 'aww' at the revelation. Everyone else seems stunned by my bluntness. Instead of giving it any more attention I quietly ask Buck to pass me the salad bowl. At this the team returns to their own conversations.
Buck grabs the bowl and our hands brush as he hands it over to me. I can feel my face heating slightly at the newfound contact. He only smiles in return, sending a wink my direction.
Oh my God, He noticed. Kill me now, put me out of my misery.
"So, How is Taylor Kelly?" I ask, desperately trying to change the subject.
"I don't know. I haven't heard much from her since the story aired. I have been watching her reports in the morning though." He says, and now it's his cheeks who are reddening.
"Oh, I'm sure you have been. She seemed to take a liking to you, firehose." Chim exclaims, a suggestive look on his face.
All of the people at the table let out a groan.
"-aaand my appetite is suddenly gone." I jest, gently pushing my plate away from the table.
*******************************************************************************
The next day Eddie insists on driving me to the station and when we arrive there is a cake sitting on a brand new reception style desk. Everyone congratulates me on the new position, and we are starting to divide up the cake when the shrill alarm sounds. This sends everyone into action. Bobby pauses for a moment to tell me to answer any phone calls and try to help anyone who comes into the building.
I figure he's never had an assistant before, and I've never been one, so we're just winging it for now. I look around in the drawers of my desk and note the items I need to get to make it complete. When I look up the team is rushing past me in turn out gear.
Before hopping on the truck, Buck turns to me, ruffling my hair, "Good luck, Mabel babe. Call us if you need anything!"
He is gone in the blink of an eye and I'm left behind trying to dissect what he just said. I can't deny that the pet name caused me to blush, but there's no one around to see so I have no shame.
The next few moments are filled with me organizing and reorganizing the supplies on the desk. I answer the phone to explain to a man that this number is not, in fact, an emergency number. I connect him to an 911 dispatcher before disconnecting the call. I have a lot of respect for Maddie and the other dispatchers. I couldn't listen to the worst moments of people's lives all day.
Luckily no one else calls before the trucks return, backing through the large garage doors. The crew jumps out of the trucks looking a bit unnerved. Bobby approaches me and I hand him the clipboard containing all of the paperwork that he asks for. He explains that he has to complete a daily report of the calls that they respond to. Each time they report to a call I will take out a new sheet and record where the call is located and the code that it was sent in with. Once he returns, he fills out the description and resolution (including incidents) and I scan it into the system at the end of the shift.
He ends his spiel by saying, "And it's almost the holidays, so we anticipate some strange calls."
By the end of the day I find myself in Bobby's office, filing the work we completed during the day. I close the filing cabinet door, slamming my finger in the process.
"Ouch, motherf-" I shout, clutching my hurt finger in the opposite hand.
"Shut your finger in the cabinet? I do that all the time." Cap says, casually walking into the office and taking a seat behind his desk. He lets out a short sigh, and I can see how exhausted he is.
"Sorry for the cursing, that just hurt like hell." I say, not acknowledging the additional curse.
"No worries. Go home and get some rest, Mabel." I nod, turning to leave when he recollects my attention. "Oh and, great job today. I think you make an excellent addition to the team."
"I appreciate that, Cap. Have a good night." I reply, smiling before walking out of the office.
I meet up with Eddie outside the locker room and help him gather his things.
"Ready to go , Edmundo?" I ask, smirking at his name.
"You know I hate it when you call me that. You always say it with a smartass tone." He grumbles, ruffling my hair and walking away without me.
What is with these men and messing up my hair?
I take out my now loose ponytail, bending over to run my fingers through my hair and fix into a bun instead. While upside down I glance through my legs to see Buck staring at my figure.
Is he looking at my butt right now?
I stand up, turning to look directly at him. My movement causes his eyes to snap up from where they were and meet mine. He either thinks he didn't get caught or doesn't think I'll mention it. How cute and terribly naïve of him.
"Goodnight Buckley, be safe on your way home. I'd hate for you to be distracted by anything interesting. You know since you seem to have a staring problem." I say with a smirk. He looks scared, probably afraid that I busted him out, but I only laugh in return.
I say one more thing before turning to catch up with Eddie.
"I can't blame you for looking, I do have a nice ass. Bye Buck babe."
Once we are in the truck I make Eddie crank up the air, feeling stuffy all of a sudden.
I try to get comfortable, plopping my feet onto the dash, and resting my head against the passenger side window. My eyes feel heavy, and I'm half asleep when Eddie blurts into the silence.
"He likes you, you know."
"Ed, this is Buck we're talking about right, he likes every woman he meets."
"I don't know Mae. You haven't known him as long as I do. Something seems different about him. Happier, maybe."
The conversation ends there, but weighs on my mind for the rest of the night. Once Chris is tucked into his bed, Eddie knocks before poking his head through the doorway.
"Just a heads up, tomorrow I'm meeting with the principal of Chris' new school. We're on nightshift schedule tomorrow so I can pick you up afterwards."
I reply in agreeance and he jokes about me needing my own car before saying goodnight.
After he is gone I shut the door to my room softly and turn out the lights. I leave the bedside lamp on as I lay in bed and try to absorb the day I just had. What did Eddie mean? He likes me? Buck is a good man, and I would consider him a friend, but he doesn't know who I am. Would he still like me if he knew that I sleep talk? Would he feel the same if he knew I get water all over the bathroom every single time I take a shower? Would he yell at me like Eli did? My anxiety takes over and I start to spiral, worrying about things that aren't even in the realm of possibility at this point.
"He likes you as a friend." I whisper to myself, trying to backtrack on the ridiculous thoughts I am having.
I eventually fall into a restless sleep and anticipate a long day tomorrow.
Authors note-
Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read my story. I'm trying my best to make it interesting without going to fast paced. I was also added to the official 911onFOXCommunity page which I'm super pumped about! If you have any input or critiques feel free to message me! I'm always up for improving my work and collaborating.
Question of the day
What is your favorite (or the most interesting) emergency that the 118 has responded to on the show?