Chapter 5

Danny

Today was the day that the new paramedic started, I didn't know who they were but I was hoping for a male paramedic this time, it wasn't that I had anything against female paramedics or anything. It was just I was tired of the guys flirting with the female paramedics, it wasn't sexual harassment or anything, and honestly most of the time I didn't think they knew what they were doing. It wasn't like they were flirting with everybody who came in here and if a guy did approach a woman and ask her out he would respect her and her wishes if she said no but there was a few times when the woman was into it and liked them back. They kept it professional and didn't let it affect their job sometimes. They knew where to draw the line but the times it did affect their job was a problem.

I looked back at the door once I heard a knocking sound on my sleeping quarters. "come in" I said through the door. Not too long after the door opened and revealed one of the guys, It was Hendricks. "Hey Hendricks, I'm doing paperwork what's going on? He stopped in the middle of the doorway not fully all the way in. "Sorry to disturb you Severide but I wanted to let you know that the new paramedic just arrived, she's in the chief's office right now talking to him. I'm sure they won't be long knowing Chief so if you wanted to meet her she should be out with Chief in a couple of minutes." Nodding my head "Alright thanks Hendricks, I'll see you out there" Damn it was a woman. "No problem, see you out there," Hendricks said before leaving the doorway and closing the door behind him. I can deal with the woman that's not an issue but hoping the guys don't hit on her is another story entirely.

It's been about almost 30 minutes now since Hendricks stopped by and told me about the new paramedic, I've been wanting to introduce myself, at this point she probably met everyone except for me. I've been knee-deep in paperwork since I arrived and I still hadn't gotten the chance to meet her yet. I needed to take a break from looking at paper, I might as well take this time to go meet her. Getting up from my desk and finally being able to leave my office, I headed to see where everyone else would be. If everyone else was there then chances are she's there too, they're probably treating her like a new car right now. Don't get me wrong everyone loved Sophie and we were sad to see her leave even if it was for a few months but Sophie could be a real bitch sometimes. She was a negative Nancy, she was self-centered and an attention seeker and that was all before she got pregnant, it only got worse when the hormones kicked in. Professionally she was pretty good, on calls she was good but the moment we came back from a call or whenever we weren't on call nobody really wanted to be around her anymore. She bothered June the most which is why the moment June found out who was going to be her new partner she has been excited and in a good mood. Only June and the battalion chief are the only ones who knew the exact identity of this new paramedic, they've been hush-hush, and trust me we all tried to get it out of them but their lips were sealed, shut together like glue.

Just as I got close enough to hear everyone's voices the speaker came on interrupting everyone's conversation and stopping me in my tracks. They called in Squad 6. Why not us? Don't tell me Hicks forgot to tell them we were on call again. David Hicks the lieutenant of Squad 66 on the last shift, had a habit of calling dispatchers and telling them Squad isn't available at the end of the shift so they wouldn't be called upon when it's the end of the shift. Hicks was a different lieutenant entirely. he was good at the job and knew his stuff but when it came to getting calls at the end of his shift, he wasn't the type to stick around and do a last-minute call more like he was in a rush to go home.

Just as I snapped out of my thoughts I saw a familiar figure, a familiar face. A face I didn't think I would see again, at least not until Mariah. Malia.....Malia Dawson the woman that I spent the night with and had the most amazing sex I've ever had, the woman who I believed to never see again, the woman who was supposedly my sister's childhood best friend. It's been a few days and I still hadn't had the chance to talk to Mariah about her, I've seen my sister's friends all of them from both childhood and now, trust me I would've known if I had seen her before now. At least I think it was her. It was brief and for only a moment but I saw her she was in the firehouse but what was she doing here? I needed to get some air, the last thing I wanted to think about was HER.

Stepping outside, I closed my eyes and took a breath of the cold fresh hair "Danny" the sound of a very much familiar voice sounded making me open my eyes within seconds. Opening my eyes my sight was filled with my little sister Mariah who was blocking my view. She was holding a picnic basket in her arms that wasn't fully closed so I was able to see that she had Chinese food and a few water bottles in her there., Which made sense since Mariah couldn't cook if her life depended on it. "Hey sis, what are you doing here? is that for me? I'm touched, don't tell me you missed your big bro already" I teased. "You wish," she said while shoving me. If she's not here for me then why is she here? i wondered. She continued "NO, this isn't for you. For your information, this is for Malia, I know she was nervous and I wanted to...." I cut her off almost immediately. "Malia...Your friend Malia, the one that came by the house? That Malia? What does she have to do with anything and why in the hell would she be here?" NO, NO, No, NO, FUCK NO. Thinking back on earlier I couldn't believe I didn't figure it out sooner, thick can't be happening. Interrupting my thoughts Mariah confirmed what I had already known, she was her, the new paramedic. Malia was the paramedic that started today.

"Wait don't tell me you didn't know. Malia got recommended to be reassigned to this firehouse as lead paramedic and she started today, they told her a few weeks ago" Mariah looked at my facial expression to see if I was joking. I could see her expression change when she realized I wasn't. This could not be happening "You're not kidding, you really didn't know? you didn't see her? Mariah asked surprised. Shaking my head in disbelief "No, I didn't" Now it makes sense, I knew I saw her and now I know why she was here. Fuck, the woman I slept with a few weeks ago was not only a supposed childhood friend of my sisters but now to make it worse she'll be working here with me as a paramedic, What the fuck!. It was time, I needed to ask Mariah about her friend and why I didn't remember her if she was her childhood friend. "Hey Ri, if you were childhood friends with Malia then how come I don't remember her? i remember all your friends but when it comes to her nothing comes to mind"

"Wait don't tell me you don't remember her, we were always joined to the hip when we were young before she ended up moving." She continued when she noticed that nothing was ringing a bell. "Malia...You know Malia, oh wait never mind, how could you know, you were barely around between you being with your dad on weekdays and with us and mom on weekends but you did know her she was my one friend you had a crush on and didn't think anyone knew about...That malia." She gave a devious smile.

"Hey brother I met a new friend today, her name's Malia. she's coming over and should be here soon. I want you to meet her I think you will get along. Do you think you'll have time before you go with your dad? placing my hands on my knees, bending down to her level "Boop" I touched her nose making her giggle before responding "I'm not sure little one but I can try to bide some time, knowing my dad he'll probably be late anyway." She smiled before giving me a hug. "Thank you, brother, you're the best." I returned the hug. Mariah was my baby sister by 3 years, and even though we weren't really living together as much we still had our brother-sister bond that was stronger than ever. We had the same mom but different dads, I wasn't sure what happened with my parents but apparently it wasn’t that bad considering they could still co-parent. On weekends I was with my mom and my little sister and her dad while weekdays I was with my dad.

I was only 9 but I was a little taller for my age. Mom always jokes about how she doesn’t know where I get it from and how she’ll steal my height because I’m taller than her. My mom maybe short but according to my dad she has attitude problem and is the one I need to look after cause apparently my moms crazy. “Danny your dad’s here and for the first time he’s acting on time” mom sounded surprised and frankly so was I along with riya who have seemed to have a sad disappointing expression on her face. I hated seeing my little sister sad, it breaks my heart.

Looking at the time I was surprised “my dad was actually on time” I thought to myself. Of all the times to finally be on time he chooses now when Riya asks me to stay to meet her new friend to be on time. I had asked dad if he’d let me stay for a few minutes until Mariah’s new friend came but he said no and I knew it wasn’t up for discussion. After grabbing my things and saying bye to everyone just as my dad was opening the door for us to leave, we were stopped by a older woman with black long hair wearing a dress and a little girl with big tails wearing a blue headband over her black hair also wearing a dress. It was her… my little sister’s new friend Malia.

People say to be careful what you wish for. Fuck! I basically asked for her, I just didn't think it would be her of all people. Damn. I knew this Malia woman seemed similar that day she came to the house. Not only was she the woman I slept with that night, not only was she my baby sister's best friend, but she was THE BEST FRIEND. THE BEST FRIEND that I was so over the hills in love with as a kid. I might've not actually known her when we were young or met her then but I secretly watched them from the stairs, back then I wasn't really social, but I wanted to know about her she seemed different. She was like a breath of fresh air in a muggy stuffed house. She was the only friend that I actually liked and I'm not just talking in one way, I never liked any of Mariah's friends only her. I went through a lot when I was a kid, I might've been quiet but I was very observant, I was like a mother that could scope out real friends from snakes.