Chapter Text
Fabulous header by the lovely olida_magda!
“Ambulance 23, injured person, 5682 North Wilcott...”
Oliver jolted awake at the sudden voice over the intercom. After five years on the Star City fire department, he would have thought he’d be used waking up to that damn voice by now - he would be wrong.
Rubbing his eyes, he glanced around noting Sara and Rory jumping up and racing toward him.
“Don’t worry, Queen. You can continue to get your beauty rest. Go back to sleep.” she called as she ran past him and out the door.
“Yeah, get some shut eye for me, buddy!” Rory exclaimed as he followed Sara.
Shaking his head, he laid back down, bracing his arm behind his head. Sighing deeply, he let his eyes roam the ceiling of the bunk room.
Sleeping at the firehouse was difficult. He knew whenever the intercom would blare, he was awake for the rest of the night. You had to be ready to go as soon as a call came through, someone’s life was depending on you, no matter what. That in and of itself was something that made Oliver’s heart beat like a drum.
Five years ago when he decided to join the academy, it wasn’t a decision that was made lightly. It was something that had been on his mind for years, a dream he’d had since he was fifteen years old and a fire had burned his life to the ground. Instead of looking at that experience as something that ruined him, he looked to the firefighter that ran into his home and saved his sister and himself. He saw him as the hero he was. He wanted to be that person for people.
Running into burning buildings to save a grandmother who couldn’t save herself, diving into twenty foot deep waters to rescue a drowning child that had fallen in, climbing into a car that was quite literally hanging off of a bridge to pull the driver to safety; those were the types of situations he lived for. The types of situations that made his life worth living.
Shaking his head, he swung his feet from the bed and stretched his arms high above his head. Striding toward the door, he pushed it open, almost running into his best friend.
“Dude, watch it! I got the goods here!”
Oliver huffed in response, looking down at Tommy’s plate. Of course it was filled with leftover lasagna, bread, and brownies from dinner earlier. He couldn’t remember how many times he had caught Tommy sneaking into the bunk room with a plate just like this.
“You can turn right back around and eat with me in the kitchen then. You know Diggle would kill you if he caught you with that in here.” Oliver chuckled, walking towards the common room. Diggle was a laid back chief, but the one thing they all knew was to not break his rules - one of which was not to eat in the bunk room.
Tommy scoffed before taking a big bite of lasagna. “You know I’m a rebel, Oliver. I have been ever since you’ve known me and you know it.” he swallowed before taking another bite. “Besides, I’ve eaten in there plenty of times and Diggle has never said anything.”
Oliver gave him a knowing look before grabbing the big pan of lasagna out of the fridge. “Okay, okay, he’s caught me every time, But I almost got away with it!” Tommy laughed as he slid onto the bar stool at the counter.
Looking up at Tommy, Oliver smiled. They had been best friends for over twenty years. Reeling from the death of his mother, Tommy had become quite the mischievous child at age six. After meeting in first grade, he had dragged Oliver down the same path. Whether it be playing tricks on the other kids, talking in class, creating problems on the playground, they always seemed to end up in the principal’s office together. But it made them the best of friends.
They had of course outgrown that stage, although remained as close as ever throughout their teenage years, Tommy standing by Oliver’s side through one of the darkest parts of his life. Oliver would always be grateful for him for supporting him through something that had been completely life altering.
When it was time for Oliver to join the fire academy, Tommy was nothing but supportive. So much so, that he asked if it would be okay for him to join along with him. Oliver had been shocked, not realizing that Tommy had even thought about becoming a firefighter. He had explained to him, that listening to Oliver speak endlessly about wanting to save lives and be a person that people could count on, made him think long and hard about the possibility of him doing the same. In the end, he hoped they could try and make a difference together.
After a long road in the academy, they both graduated in the same class, and by complete coincidence, placed in the same house. That sometimes brought its challenges, but all in all, it was a great thing to have his life long best friend by his side.
Popping his lasagna in the microwave, he turned his head in time to see Roy and Ronnie step through the common room doors.
“Well damn, I guess we’re partying tonight!” Tommy exclaimed as he saw them stride towards him and take a seat at the counter.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call this a party, Tommy.” Ronnie chucked, shaking his head. “Been a firefighter for three years and I still haven’t trained myself to go back to sleep after that damn intercom sounds.”
Oliver huffed a laugh as he pulled his dinner from the microwave. “I’m with you, dude. I’ve been on the job for five and I haven’t either. I don’t think we ever will. But maybe that’s for the best.”
Ronnie had been a needed addition to the firehouse three years prior. He was an excellent firefighter, proving himself within the first couple shifts. Oliver had seen the potential as soon as he saw him scale up a five story building in full turnout gear to save a man who had fallen off a balcony and was hanging on to some cable three stories up. He took a major risk scaling those balconies to get to him, but he saved that man’s life. That’s the type of firefighter he had proven to be - the risk taker.
Over the course of that first year of his candidacy, Oliver had taken Ronnie under his wing. Showing him the ropes, training him, and doing everything in his power to make him the best firefighter he could be. He watched him go from the reckless candidate who scaled up walls with no support, to a firefighter who was calculated - making decisions based on his gut and his brain. Oliver had made the move from Truck to Squad lieutenant, Ronnie transferring not too far behind him.
Taking a bite, he turned to the men who had joined them. Roy looked up at him with tired eyes. He could tell that the new candidate was still getting used to the life of a firefighter.
He had joined their family six months ago, fresh out of the academy. Oliver had a harder time reading him than other firefighters that had joined the house. He was quiet, keeping to himself mostly. From what he could tell, Roy was a kid that had a tougher home life than most. He had let it slip once while out at the bar, that his mom had abandoned him when he was eight, and that his dad had a drug problem. He was left to fend for himself most of the time, which led him to having been in trouble quite a bit.
After getting arrested a few times, Roy decided he needed to get his shit together and make a life for himself. Joining the fire academy had been an impulse decision on his part, but from the conversations they had had over the course of the last six months, Oliver could tell it was the right one. Roy was a hell of a firefighter in the making. He had real potential.
“So, are we headed to Genny’s after shift?” Ronnie asked, looking from Tommy to Oliver. “I have a feeling I’m going to need a drink after the last couple calls. A nap, and a drink that is.” He chuckled, turning his attention to Tommy.
Tommy took the last bite of his food and nodded. “Yeah, I think we can-”
The intercom sounded, startling everyone. “Firehouse 13, Truck 6, Squad 20, Battalion 64, Ambulance 23, structure fire, 406 East Garfield Street.”
Oliver glanced over at Tommy with wide eyes, “Tommy, is that..”
Tommy’s quick intake of breath was all he needed as confirmation. “Yeah, that’s the bar. That’s Genny’s. Let’s go!”
The four quickly ran out of the room and onto the floor. Racing to get into their turn out gear, they jumped into the truck, speeding off.
After two years on the SCFD, they were called to a house fire with two people trapped inside. It had been Oliver’s first month as squad lieutenant, and all eyes were on him. He gave his orders, two men in the basement, two men on level one, while he and Tommy checked on level two. They searched each room as quickly and carefully as they could, yelling for anyone to call out. They swept both rooms upstairs, ending up in the master bedroom. That’s where they found them. An elderly man lying on the floor, holding his wife’s hand while she lay under the bed, shielding herself from the fire roaring throughout the room. Oliver quickly pulled the woman from beneath the bed, handing her to Tommy, while he lifted her husband.
“Don’t worry sir, we’re going to get you out of here, okay? What’s your name?” Oliver asked as he proceeded through the blaze, losing sight of Tommy and the woman.
The man buried his head in Oliver’s shoulder, trying to get away from the smoke. He lifted his head, looking directly in Oliver’s eyes, “I’m Carl. My wife is Genevieve - Genny. Please save her. I can’t live without her.”
Oliver shut his eyes for a brief moment and nodded. “We’re going to try our very best to save you both, Carl. Just hold on.”
Running through the flames, they raced out of the house and into the street where Sara and Rory were waiting with the gurneys. Tommy placed the woman on one gurney, while Oliver carried her husband to another not too far away. He set him down gently, staying by his side as they both watched Sara do her best to revive the elderly woman.
“She’s crashing! Get the paddles now!” Sara shouted to Rory. Placing the pads on either side of the woman’s chest, they turned the AED on, “Charging to 100! Clear!” They both backed away from the woman as they shocked her heart.
Being a firefighter, Oliver always had the need and the desperation to help people. Pulling someone out of a fire, then having to watch his friends do all they could to save them, was one of the most difficult parts of his job.
Oliver watched with bated breath as Sara checked her pulse. “We got a pulse! We need to get to Star City General now!” Sara began pushing the gurney toward the ambulance, while Rory gathered all the necessary tools they left behind.
“Oliver, wait with the husband for another ambulance. He can meet us there.” Sara yelled over her shoulder as she closed the door to the back of the ambulance.
“What’s going on?” the man asked frantically from a few feet away.
He grasped his shoulder, looking directly into his eyes. “Carl, I’m Oliver. I promise our paramedics are the best in the city. They are doing absolutely everything they can to save Genny’s life.” Looking up, he noticed two more paramedics coming toward him, jump bags in tow. “These two are going to check you out and make sure you’re okay. They’ll get you to Genny, alright?”
Carl nodded, giving him a small smile. “Thank you, Oliver.”
He let go of Oliver’s hand as the paramedics wheeled him toward their ambulance. He stepped back toward Tommy, taking off his gloves. “We need to check on them after shift.”
Tommy nodded. “Definitely.”
“Hi, we’re looking for a Carl? Not sure of the last name. We’re firefighters,” Oliver and Tommy pointed to the logos on their jackets, “Our paramedics brought him and his wife in earlier this morning..”
Oliver watched as the nurse’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “Okay, yes. He’s in room 427. Take the elevator to the fourth floor, turn right, go past the nurses station, and it’ll be the second door on your left.”
Oliver nodded his head in thanks and headed for the elevator with Tommy on his heel. The rest of shift had been quiet, no calls except for ambo. The house fire call had been weighing on Oliver’s mind. Elderly victims and children seemed to be the ones that affected the house the most. It’s drilled into their heads at the academy that no call is different. When the victims are safe, the paramedics drop them at the hospital and you move on.
There is always someone relying on you to save them. To come to their aid when no one else will. But knowing how vulnerable both young children and elderly people are, shifts things for Oliver. It puts the calls into a different perspective.
Entering the fourth floor, the two men made their way to Carl’s room. Peeking in, they caught sight of him, lying in his hospital bed, eyes closed. He had a lot more color to his cheeks, his chest rising and falling with the oxygen mask he wore. Heart rate monitor beeping rhythmically, he looked almost peaceful, with the exception of his furrowed brow. Oliver caught sight of his wife in the hospital bed adjacent to his. She looked worse for wear, a few cuts and bruises on her face, her hand wrapped in a bandage. Genny seemed to be completely out of it, almost as if she was still in a coma.
“Hi fellas. What are you doing here?” swiveling his head, he smiles at Carl, glancing over his shoulder at Tommy. “We came to check on you. Had to see how you and Genny were doing.”
Striding over to the man’s bedside, he shook his outstretched hand. “We’re doing pretty well actually. Genny had a harder time than I did, but the doc said that she’s out of the woods. She just needs her rest.”
Oliver nodded, giving him a small smile. “Good, I’m happy to hear that. What about you?” he asked quietly.
“Oh, I’ll be fine too, just a little smoke inhalation. That’s why they gave me this thing.” he pointed at the oxygen mask, shaking his head. “I told them I don't need it and that I’m fine, but they insist I have it.” a cough deep from his chest emerged just at that moment, causing Oliver to glance over at Tommy with a knowing look, then back down at Carl. “Okay, maybe I do need it.”
The men chuckled, shaking their heads, “We determined the fire was electrical, so insurance should cover it. Do you have a place to stay in the meantime? We can make some calls on your behalf and get you into a hotel while the house is being fixed.” Oliver offered, a small smile playing on his face.
Carl sighed, shaking his head. “No, that’s okay. Genny and I have actually been discussing moving to Florida to get away from these hellish Star City winters. Turning his head toward his wife, he smiled. “She’s been trying to convince me for years. I’m too stubborn and set in my ways. We’ve lived here for fifty years. We raised all four of our children in this city. I didn’t want to leave it behind.”
He sighed, moving his eyes from his sleeping wife, over to the two firefighters. “But I think this house fire might be the sign we’ve been waiting for.” He bowed his head, sighing. “Only problem is, I own a bar that I don’t want to give up. It’s been my baby for over thirty years, and I don’t want to sell it to someone that won’t treat it with the love and care I have over the years.”
Tommy glanced at Oliver giving him a look he’s seen countless times. He could tell he had an idea up his sleeve. Tommy quirked his eyebrow, gesturing to Carl. “Sir, if I may, can I ask you a question?”
Carl raised his eyes, his brow still furrowed, “Sure, son. What is it?”
Taking a deep breath, he leaned in and took Carl’s hand. “What if I buy your bar? Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
Two weeks after their visit with Carl, Tommy had purchased the bar. Tommy had always talked about owning a business one day, so of course as soon as the opportunity presented itself, he had to jump on it. It had become a bar for firemen and women, police officers, and doctors of the city. Many stopped in after their shift or for a night of fun and relaxation after a particularly long day. Carl remained a partial owner, with about ten percent still invested. Oliver had also purchased a small stake, around fifteen percent. They had sometimes discussed owning a business together, so when the opportunity presented itself, it hadn’t taken much prodding.
The bar didn’t need much work. Painting. A little redecorating. Twinkly lights on the ceiling. New tables and chairs. A new finished bar top. A new name; Genny’s. Oliver thought it was appropriate to name it after the woman who meant so much to the man that founded the bar. Tommy agreed wholeheartedly when he presented him with the idea. About a week before it opened, Carl and Genny had come back to see the unveiling of the new sign and updates to the bar. Both had cried when they saw the new name, thanking them profusely and telling them how much it meant to them.
When the fire trucks pulled up in front of the bar, it was like a punch in the gut. The whole thing was up in flames, fire shooting out the windows, glass shattered on the sidewalk outside. Oliver jumped out of the passenger side of the truck and immediately began giving orders.
“Raymond, Harper - take the ladder and go vent the roof! Ramirez, Chase - check for victims! Tommy, you’re with me. Mask up, lets hussle people!”
Swiveling his head to his left, he noticed Chief Diggle pulling up beside the Squad truck. Running up to Oliver and Tommy, he nodded. “Head in the game, guys. Deal with the repercussions afterward. Right now, we have victims to save.”
Oliver nodded, making sure his mask was firmly in place with his helmet following. He grabbed a halligan and made his way toward the flames, Tommy on his hip.
As he made his way inside, he paused. “Tommy..do you smell what I smell?”
“Gas..” Tommy’s eyes got wide, but shook his head as he surged forward.
“Check in the kitchen for victims, I’ll check behind the bar!” Oliver yelled behind him.
Hopping over the bar, he began checking crevices and in cabinets, as they were big enough to fit a small human being. Coming to the very end of the bar, and not seeing anyone, he grabbed his radio, “All cle-” pausing when he saw movement next to the end cabinet. A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a bright pink blouse and pencil skirt, was laying haphazardly on the ground. She saw him then, raising her hand up toward him.
“Chief, I’ve got another victim!” He yelled into his radio. Racing forward, he crouched down next to her, cupping her face.
Even in the smoky, fire filled bar, he couldn’t help but notice her beautiful ocean blue eyes. They were absolutely mesmerizing, ones he could get lost in if he had the time.
“Ma’am, what’s your name?” he asked, searching her face. He noted the sizable bump on her head, along with a myriad of cuts and scrapes on cheek and forehead. She’ll need to be taken to the hospital for concussion protocol and possible stitches.
“Whoa, first off-” she paused, coughing deeply, “..don’t call me ma’am. I am only 24 years old and I can’t stand it when people refer to me as ‘ma’am’.” Oliver couldn’t help but chuckle at the scrunched up look on her face. She began coughing harder, covering her mouth as she grasped onto his arm with her outstretched hand.
“Secondly, my name is Felicity and I would really prefer if we cut the chit chat and get the hell out of here before my lungs are full of smoke!” she continued coughing as she used his arms as a way up. Oliver couldn’t help but smile at her wit, even in this dire situation.
Oliver assisted her, balancing her as she stood on wobbly legs. “You got it, Felicity. Can you walk or do you need me to carry you?” he asked, moving his hand behind her back.
“I’m not some damsel in distress, I promise. I can walk.” she started forward, faltering a bit as she went on. “Okay, maybe I was-” before she could even finish her sentence, Oliver had her in his arms and was bounding toward the exit.
“You know, I really could have walked.” Felicity wrapped her arms around Oliver’s neck and nuzzled her face into his shoulder, trying to escape the smoke.
Oliver smiled under his mask, tipping his head down to look at her for a moment. “I’m sure you could have, this was just quicker. We can’t have even more smoke filling those lungs, can we?” he asked as he made his way out the door.
Heading straight for a gurney, Oliver quickly turned his head and caught sight of Tommy setting down a man he’d seen a couple times in the bar on another gurney a few feet away. Chase and Ramirez were out as well, hurriedly drinking water and splashing it on their faces.
Catching sight of Sara and Rory, he carefully placed Felicity on the gurney. “She’s got possible smoke inhalation, a nasty wound on her head, and a few cuts and bruises. Other than that, I think she’ll be okay. You’ll probably want to take her to SCG to make sure there’s not a concussion.
Felicity was still clutching his hand as he spoke to the paramedics, looking up at him with a thoughtful expression on her face. “I told him I could have walked out, but he insisted on carrying me. I think he likes being a hero.” she squeezed his hand as he gazed down at her, smiling.
It’s true, he did like being a hero. It was something that was completely unparalleled to anything else. Only firefighters knew the rush of what it was like to run into a burning building to save people. There is nothing like carrying someone out of a burning building, alive.
Oliver squeezed her hand back, hearing Sara laugh at Felicity’s words. “Yeah, you kind of hit the nail on the head there.” She took her small flashlight out, shining it in Felicity’s eyes. “Follow the light for me, honey.”
He watched as Felicity tracked the light with her eyes, “I promise I’m fine. I just feel a little light head-” she began another coughing spell, still grasping his hand tightly.
“Rory, will you please get her an oxygen mask? I don’t care if she declines it, she clearly is a little bit stubborn.” he teased, letting her hand go to grab the oxygen mask from Rory. He slowly placed it against her nose and mouth, securing it around her head. “Better?” he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
Felicity’s coughing decreased, enough for her to take a deep breath. “Much better, actually. Thank you..” she took his hand in hers again, squeezing.
His eyes roamed down her face and body getting a better look at the woman in front of him. Without smoke and fire billowing around them, her beautiful blue irises and long eyelashes captivated him even more than before. She had full, faintly painted red lips; the lipstick she wore clearly smudged and not as bright as when she first applied it. Clearly defined cheekbones, and long blonde hair. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on.
Pulling out of his trance, he smiled back down at her, “You know, it’s okay if you want to admit you were the damsel in distress tonight. I won’t hold it against you.” he whispered, a hint of a chuckle escaping his lips.
Felicity’s eyes narrowed, her eyebrow quirking up. “Excuse me, Mr. Macho Firefighter Man. I’ll have you know that I am the CEO of a multi million dollar company. I can assure you, at no point in my life have I ever been a damsel in distress. That includes tonight!” she cocked her head, almost in challenge.
His mouth slightly agape, he stared at her in awe. “The CEO...of a multi million dollar company?”
Felicity smiled widely behind the oxygen mask. “Don’t sound so surprised, mister. Women can be damn fine CEO’s too.” She winked, or at least attempted to.
Oliver chuckled, his voice low, all teasing set aside. “You’re remarkable, Felicity.”
She stopped, quirking an intrigued eyebrow up. He noticed her quick intake of breath before she snapped out of her momentary trance. “Thank you for remarking on it.”
Oliver smiled, not realizing that Sara and Rory were still present, closely watching this exchange as it took place. “So, can we get her to the hospital now that you’re done flirting with our victim?” Sara asked, shooting a pointed look at Oliver.
Stepping back, but not letting her hand go completely, Oliver cleared his throat. “Right. Yes, of course.” He smiled sheepishly down at Felicity. “Sorry. I hope that thick stubborn head of yours gets the all clear at the hospital.” he winked at the beautiful blue eyed blonde, not wanting the conversation to end just yet.
Felicity narrowed her eyes, letting out a huff. “My thick stubborn head will be just fine, I’m sure. Plus I-” she stopped, her breath getting shallow.
“Felicity...” Oliver rushed forward, grabbing onto her arm. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He searched her face frantically, making sure the oxygen mask was on her face and working. He stroked his fingers through her soot filled hair, as she struggled for breath.
Everything happened in a blur. He heard Sara calling out commands to Rory, as he watched Felicity’s eyes fall shut. Sara pushed the head of the gurney down so that Felicity was lying flat. Rory moved in front of him, effectively ruining their physical connection as he dropped his grip on her arm. He watched in stunned silence, feeling Tommy sidle up next to him.
“Hey, that’s Felicity! She’s been coming to the bar the last few weeks. She runs Smoak Tech...” Keeping his eyes on her, Oliver held his breath as Sara did her thing.
“Sara, you gotta save her!” Tommy called out to the paramedic. Oliver turned toward him, seeing that his face had the same worried expression as his.
“We gotta get her to SCG, now!” Sara called, racing the gurney toward the ambulance.
Oliver took a step forward, but felt a strong hand grasp his shoulder. He turned, his eyes meeting Diggle’s. “Let them do their job, Oliver.”
He nodded, taking a deep breath and holding it in. He watched as Sara and Rory loaded her into the ambulance, moving quickly and efficiently. As soon as one door closed, he heard it. The sound he knew all too well. The sound that changed his life thirteen years ago. She was flatlining.
“Go, Sara! Drive!” he heard Rory yell as the ambulance door slammed shut.
Oliver watched in complete shock as they hurriedly sped away from the scene.
“Please save her..”