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Kate rolled over in her bed, hitting her alarm as she begged silently for it to shut up. The last few weeks had been tough, barely a month has passed since the earthquake. She was currently battling a case of insomnia.
She hadn't heard much from her ex, not after she warned him off and she hoped it would stay that way.
So far this weeks, she's helped saved a man that was lodged in between two buildings. Nothing too eventful to start her week
Kate rose from her bed, wishing she could lay under the covers for just a few minutes longer. She walked over to her closet and grabbed something simple to wear, she dropped it on her bed and walked out of her room.
A loud knock on the door took her attention, she walked over to the door and looked through the peep hole, to her surprise Buck stood outside with coffee.
Kate pulled open the door, Buck stood with a smile on his face "morning" he greeted happily
"You're too perky for this hour" She said, stepping aside to Welcome him in.
"There is nothing better then a fresh coffee and a pastry" he said, placing the items on her counter
"Make yourself at home, I have to get ready"
Kate walked away, leaving Buck to fend in her apartment.
She went about her daily morning routine, it consisted of brushing her teeth, doing something with her hair and getting dressed. If she felt it was needed, she's a put on some makeup
She walked back out to the kitchen 20 minutes later, she couldn't help but smile when she seen Buck playing with milo
"You sleep okay?" He asked
"Meh" she shrugged,
"you haven't been sleeping it's kinda obvious"
"It's just insomnia, it will pass" she dismissed.
"Have you had it before?"
Kate sat down, she played with the cup in her hand "it comes with depression."
"Oh.. are you okay?
"I'm.. I'm just adjusting to new things and they can trigger things - like insomnia, but don't worry I'm perfectly okay"
Kate sipped her tea ""so what about you? Any thing from Abby"
"Nope" he said, emphasizing the P "but Maddie wants to move out and I think I should too, except I can't find anywhere"
"Move in here" she suggested
His mouth gaped open, "uh"
She gave a short laugh "I have a spare room, it was impossible to find a Single room apartment so I took this one. I was about to start renting out the room but if you need a place" she offered
"Are you sure, I mean I could just stay with Chim or-
She cut in "look you don't have to, it's just an offer; one you can refuse"
"Thanks T, I appreciate it"
Kate opened the paper bag, she inhaled the warm scent of fresh baked goods
"Fresh croissants, I love them"
Kate took one from the bag, biting into she let a satisfied moan escape her lips
"Baked goods make everything better" Buck joked
*
Kate stood beside Buck as the crew all looked at the girl with her head jammed into a tailpipe, at first they were all confused but after seeing the side of the pipe it made sense.
Kate was utterly dumbfounded, and not because it was something she wasn't expecting but because for the first time since she joined the 118 she actually had experience with it
Drunken young adults all crowded around them, all enjoying the show the woman was giving, Kate glanced around at the group of people
"Alright can you give us room please" she shooed them a few feet away
"Hi, what's her name?" Chimney asked
"Betty."
"Jennifer" the girl corrected, her voice muffled.
"Sorry, I thought you meant my truck." He apologized
"This is your truck?"
"Yeah, but it's not like I backed into her. She did this out of her own free will"
"You dared her to." Her friend exclaimed
"We were flirting." He defended
"Your idea of flirting with a girl is daring her to stick her head in your tailpipe?" Eddie restated
Kate shook her head, secretly judging the drunk guy "maybe next time just you suggest something a little less dangerous, or stupid" Kate suggested
"Hi, Jennifer. LAFD. -How you feeling?" Chimney asked
"Uh, pretty good, actually. Except for this whole, you know, ginormous tailpipe on my head."
"Kate will you start measuring?" Hen asked
Kate nodded and kneeled on the ground, she took out the tape and started measuring the side of the pipe. Whilst she did that, Hen check the girls pulse.
Kate marked out where had to be cut, she stood back up and dusted off her knees.
"Where'd she get these bruises on her arm?" Bobby asked
"That wasn't me."
"It's from the bull. She rode it, like, five times." Her friend answered
"There's no way we're gonna get a collar on her." Hen shook her head
"Get me out of this thing." Jennifer cried
"Jennifer just try and stay calm, we are working as fast we can" Kate tried to calm her
"These things are meant to increase -the power to the engine." Buck said
"Yup. TSA 230 saw should do the job."
"Oh, yeah, like a knife through butter"
Kate had felt her phone in her pocket, it was at least the third time someone had tried to call her. A part of her was worried it was an emergency.
She waited until the girls head had been slipped out of the large pipe, they gave her her some water and her friends insisted she drink some more. Which wasn't advisable.
As her crew packed up the equipment, Kate finally answered the urgent call - it was an unknown number which only worried her more
"Hello" she answered
"Hey it's Adam" the sound of her ex fiancés voice spoke down the phone, making Kate feel sick.
"What the hell do you want?" She asked
"Look.. I eh, I need money and I can't ask anyone else"
Kate gave a cold laugh "you have to be joking, you realize you are the other end of the world and even if you weren't, I wouldn't give you so much as the time of day"
"I know you are still mad but-.."
"Mad!" Kate raised her voice "I don't even have words to describe the hatred I feel about you, you call me again and trust me money will be the Least of your problems" she warned "and if you go near my mother, you'll regret it"
Kate ended the call, she could feel her blood physically begin to boil. She took in a few deep breaths and turned to get back to work
"Uh.. hi" someone stopped her
He was a tall man, he looked to have a strong build. Brown curly hair covered his head, faded green eyes squinted as he smiled nervously.
"Hi. Are you hurt?" She asked
"Oh, no no. I'm okay., I was actually wondering if I could get your number"
Kate seemed stunned, "are you drunk?"
"No.. no I just- you just kinda took my attention when I seen you" he stammered
"Oh" Kate bit back a smile
"Uh.. are you free tonight?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck "sorry, actually.. - I definitely shouldn't have asked - you can.. actually I should-..
"Yes"
Kate wasn't sure why she agreed, maybe she was more ready to move on then she expected.
"Yes?" He questioned
"Yes" Kate giggled, she took his phone and added her number "it's Kate by the way"
"Joey" he said back.
Kate said a quick goodbye, she caught up with her friends.
"What was that?" Buck asked
"I have a date tonight" she smiled, "his name is joey"
"Oh joey" Eddie teased
Kate rolled her eyes "be proud. This is like my second American date"
"So proud" Eddie held his heart
-
Kate exhaled nervously, she ran her hands along the tight dress she decided on. She wasn't one to say yes to a date so whimsically but she moved to la for a change, and that involved changing things about herself too.
"I'm here" she said down the phone,
"Don't be nervous, you got this" Buck encouraged
"I know. It's just been so long since I've been in a date"
"Okay, just go in there and be yourself and if you wanna leave call me." He told her
"Okay" she nodded. Kate slid her phone into the small clutch she had with her.
Kate walked into the restaurant, "hi, a reservation for joey Davis"
"Yes, just over here. He hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure he will be here momentarily" the lady led Kate to the table.
Kate took a seat, she took her phone and checked it for any messages.
Kate -
Hey. I'm here, I'm probably early
Kate put her phone down, she drummed her fingers against the table, feeling awkward as she waited alone.
"Can I get you anything while you wait"
"A vodka soda please.. make it a double"
Kate looked down at her phone, nothing yet. She was really hoping he was late and not that she had been stood up.
Kate's vodka soda was given to her quickly, she sipped it as she waited. She wasn't really sure how long to wait, it had been so long since she went on a date.
40 minutes had passed. Kate had come to the conclusion that she had officially been stood up, she was now sitting at the bar drinking what was probably her 3rd vodka soda.. two had been doubles
"You okay?" Someone asked, she looked over at the man in question. He was sitting two seats away from her, a drink swirling in his hands
"I've been.. stood up" she said, her words almost blending
"Whoever did that was stupid"
Kate nodded, she took out her phone and text joey.
You are very stupid. I am a catch, you missed out!
"Thank you. At least someone sees it"
"What are you drinking?"
"Vodka soda.. doubled" she giggled at the end
"How many have you had?"
"Three.."
"What's one more" he shrugged,
"Oh no.. I'm not taking your money"
"Please. From one stood up to another"
"Fine" Kate nodded, "but only one"
Kate was handed her fresh drink, she sipped on it happily "so, what's your name?"
"Tyler. You?"
"Kate. I am not from here, I'm from Ireland"
"I can hear that" he chuckled, "why'd you move"
"My ex was a really bad person" she slurred, "now I'm here. I am a fireman.. nope I'm a woman so a.. a"
"Firefighter?"
"Yes! Firefighter."
Kate took a sip of her drink, she exhaled "do you wanna have sex"
Kate may have texted her sister in law, she had been awake because of her sick daughter. Molly had encouraged kate should have sex, no point wasting a night.
"If you want"
"I want" she nodded, she stood up and downed the rest of her drink. She walked to the lady's bathroom, maybe it would be a mistake but Kate really wanted to do something stupid.
A few seconds past, Tyler walked in. He pushed Kate into a stall and Kissed her aggressively
"Mmm" Kate pulled away, "this means nothing. No numbers or calling after"
"I can work with that" he nodded, pressing his lips back into hers. He kissed her for a few seconds before moving down her neck, sucking on her like she was an icicle.
Kate was too drunk to care, she moaned happily as he did.
Kate unbuckled his pants, they fell to his ankles. She pulled his lips back to her, his hand moved down her body. He lifted up her dress, moving his hand closer
"Oh god" Kate exhaled,
"I'm only getting started."
"Stop" she mumbled,
"What?"
Kate shook her head, she pushed him away and turned to the toilet. Her last drink coming back up
"Oh shit"
Kate grabbed some tissue, she wiped her mouth "I'm good"
"Maybe not.. what's my name"
"Uh..."
"Yeah, we aren't finishing this." He shook his head, walking out of the stall
Kate stumbled out, she fumbled around her bag, she took out her phone and unlocked it, Dialling the last number she had called.
"Hey, you okay?"
"I am very drunk. Can you pick me up."
"Where's you date?"
"He never showed. So I drank and than I almost had sex with a stranger but I vomited so he left"
"I'll be there now. Do not order another drink"
"Yes sir" Kate giggled.
Kate stumbled out of the bathroom, she walked over to bar and sat down. This was the first time she had been drunk in over two years, maybe it wasn't best to start off with doubles.
All she wanted was to have one normal night, someone had actually taken interest in her and of course she was stood up. Kate probably wasn't as ready as she thought she'd be, she had too many secrets, secrets that made people treat her differently. It was best to just stay single.
"Kate"
Kate lifted her head out of her Arms, she hadn't even realised 15 minutes had passed
"Buck" she sang,
"Okay. Let's get you home."
"I almost had sex tonight"
Buck chuckled quietly, he held one arm around his shoulders "how much did you drink"
"4 doubles which makes... 8 singles."
Buck walked outside, Kate stumbled with him, mumbling to herself, buck couldn't make out what she was trying to say.
Buck opened the car door, resting her in the passenger seat "drink this." He handed her a bottle of water, he grabbed a plastic bag and put it in her other hand "and If you need to, use this"
Kate gulped from the water bottle, "you are so nice"
"Thanks T"
*
Buck finally got Kate to her apartment, she was slowly sobering up. It took a longer to get her up the elevator.
"Milo" she gasped, picking the cat up - who did not want to be held. "Do you know I have owned him since I was 15 years old, he's an old cat but he's still kicking"
Buck nodded, he took the cat from Kate and let him free.
"He used to love Sam" she mumbled, hiccuping after the sentence.
"You good?" Buck asked, keeping a cautious eye.
"I'm starving" Kate stumbled to the fridge, she smiled happily at the leftover Chinese. "Sober me is so smart"
"Maybe drunk you should go to bed, sober you had work tomorrow" buck suggested, trying to coax the food from her.
"Come on" she whined, "you're no fun, you are the fun police" she poked his chest.
"Can you believe I got stood up!" She exclaimed, her arms flailing "I mean, look at me, I'm such a catch. I have really nice boobs, I mean look at them"
Buck shook his head, biting back a laugh "how about we take this to your room, I'll bring you some water"
"Oh screw the water" Kate declared, she walked away to her room, half muttering as she did.
Buck walked in seconds later, a glass of water in his hand and two painkillers to go with it.
"Here. Take this" he handed her the pills, Kate swallowed, gulping her water.
"Can we sleep now?" He asked, gently pushing her back,
Kate nodded, she laid down on her stomach; finding it most comfortable.
Buck pulled off her shoes. Leaving them at the end of her bed.
"I'm sorry about your girlfriend. She should be treating you a lot better" Kate murmured, half her face engulfed by her pillow
"Get some sleep, we've got work tomorrow"
"Thank you. I appreciate you" Kate mumbled, he'd eyes slowly closing
"Anytime."
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