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As she stood there, completely lost in her now wive’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel more and more in love. Honestly, had she woken up that morning, knowing she was going to stand up to her father and marry the woman of her dreams, the woman of whom she loved. With everything. She probably would have laughed in their faces. But as she was embraced by the brunette, she felt the stares. She felt the stares on her from the rest of her team. She knew what it was, she just didn’t think it was going to happen today of all days. The one thing she said to Andy, was that she didn’t want drama. This was going to be the definition of drama.
One of the Captains of another house had called to give the blonde a heads up, apologizing for doing it on that day but as they both agreed, the department didn’t wait for special days to be over. They just did something whenever it were convenient for them. But he had said he’d have her back and she knew, now, she was going to need their support more than ever. She wasn’t about to just sit there and lose her job, no. She was going to fight for what she deserved. Maya turned back to Carina, whispering a few soft words to her wife. She knew this was going to put a damper on the night, so instead of staying there and letting it ruin it, she was going to speak with her team briefly before taking her wife to the penthouse hotel they had got for the wedding night, they were going to continue their celebrations. They weren’t going to let this ruin their wedding night, it was something they were going to start on, tomorrow.
Carina gave Maya’s hand a squeeze as the two newlyweds went their separate ways. Carina going to Vic’s parents to thank them for everything that they did and Maya going to her team. She looked at all of them, she took in their solemn expressions, The looks that they were giving her. She could tell they were broken, that they had originally been happy because of the day but with the news it changed everything. The only person that wasn’t shocked was Sullivan, but that made the blonde realize what the Captain had told her was right. He was going for her job. Clearing her throat, Maya licked her lips before speaking.
“With the text messages that you’ve all received, I thought I should tell you that yes, it is true. That I have been relieved of being Captain of Station 19. I have a few emails that are waiting for me that I won’t be looking at until tomorrow. There were a few reasons behind their decision and apparently it was finalized from my disobeying a direct order on that scene a couple of days ago.” the blonde spoke, keeping her emotions at bay. She knew if she let something out she wouldn’t be able to stop. The blonde went to speak but was stopped when Dean spoke first.
“Is this coming about because of you supporting us with our lawsuit? Or walking in the Black Live’s Matter rallies with us?”. Dean questioned, looking towards Ben before turning his attention back to Maya. Maya cleared her throat before continuing.
“That is part of the reason yes but you all know me. I would have done every single one of those things, all over again if I was given the choice. You’re my family. Every single one of you are it. A family doesn’t leave someone else to do it by themselves. They’re there, together. The decision I made on that call was mine and mine alone. And I don’t regret it. I made a decision that saved a child’s life. If I had waited for the ambulance like instructed, that child would have been dead and I would of had that death on my hands and then I would have had to explain why I did wait. With somethings you can’t win.” she chuckled softly with a slight shake of her head as she let out a soft sigh. She smiled slightly as she felt a hand come into her own. Her wife.
Turning her attention back to the other’s, Maya tried to ignore their expressions. Especially Vic and Miranda as they were about to cry. “So with saying that, I hope you all know me better by now that this isn’t something I’ll be taking laying down. For tonight, the issues are not relevant. But tomorrow, when I go to the fire headquarters to face the board to answer their questions that they throw my way, I will be fighting. But now, now I will be taking my wife to the hotel we had booked for the night. We will not be letting this put a damper on our night. This is our night. So, thank you all for coming and helping us to celebrate this event with us. I’ll be seeing you all soon, I can assure you of that.” Maya smiled slightly as she looked at every single member of her team, including Emmett, offering them all a small smile before turning her attention back to Andy. “Andy, want to walk us out?”.
With Carina’s hand still in her own, the blonde walked out of the restaurant with both of the only people she cared about right now. As they arrived outside, Carina squeezed her wive’s hand before letting go to call the driver to come and pick them up.Watching her wife walkaway, Maya turned her attention to her best friend. To her maid of honor. She reached forward to take both of Andy’s hands in her own “I know you knew Andy. You were so off today, and when I mentioned you and Sullivan I could feel that you changed. But I also know why you did it. You didn’t want me to have issues on my wedding day. And it was perfect. All because of you. Thank you.” She smiled, squeezing Andy’s hands softly before continuing “So in saying that, please use your spare key and make your way into the apartment. It’s yours now for as long as you need it. Your room is still there. Nothing’s changed except the sheets. I know you won’t be going back to your house so please, stay with us. If you don’t want to and even get clothes, please go through my drawers and pick out some clothes for yourself to wear, especially pyjamas. Carina and I won’t be home until lunch time tomorrow, that’ll be a quick change then to go to headquarters in the afternoon.”
Giving Andy a nod, Maya moved forward to wrap her arms around her best friend, giving the other a squeeze. “I’ve got your back Maya. You’re my best friend. You were there when no one else was. You helped me to even pass the academy. Without you, I wouldn’t eve be a firefighter. You’ve always had our backs from dot day, now we’ve got yours. Thank you for allowing me to stay at yours, I really do appreciate it.” Andy spoke before pulling away from Maya, wiping away the tears that were going to fall. They looked up as Carina made her way back over to the duo as the car arrived. Andy nudged her best friend “Go on. Go take that amazing italian woman and sex her up. Tonight’s all about you.”
Maya tilted her head back and let out a laugh. “Oh, you know I will.” Maya grinned at her best friend as she moved towards her wife, giving familiar lips a kiss before opening up the door for the brunette and they drove off. Their night not even remotely finished.
Andy watched as her best friend drove away with her new wife beside her and the only thing she knew needed to do, was to keep her promise. She didn’t know what she could do but she wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing. Taking in a deep breath, Andy entered the restaurant where everyone from 19 were off to the side, with Miranda and Emmett with them where as Sullivan was by himself. She turned towards her husband and frowned “I think it’s best if you leave. I can assure you that I’m speaking for pretty much everyone here right now but you are not welcomed here. We will be formulating a plan to help Maya to keep her job, the job that you’re trying to steal. So, I repeat again. I think it’s best that you leave.”
Robert looked towards the team and he could see that his wife was correct. He really wasn’t welcomed there. Looking down, Robert shook his head as he gave his wife one final look before walking out of the restaurant. Andy watched as her husband left and she knew, she knew this was going to be tough time for them to get through, if they got through. But she wasn’t about to leave the person that she had been with since dot day, especially like this. Taking in a deep breathe, Andy turned around and moved back towards the team.
“Okay, we need to put our heads together. Maya doesn’t deserve this. She is our Captain. No one else. So many other Captains and Chief’s have gone through worse and yet they’re going to dismiss her all because of an issue at a scene. They just wanted her to break protocol to get her out. She only broke it so she could still live with what she did. She stands up to fight for us every time and now, now she needs us to do the same.” Andy spoke. Putting a little bit of her father in her words. He had created and molded 19 to be what he wanted and when Maya took over, she kept the mold but just continued to make it better. They were where they were today, because of her.
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Despite having the buzz of saying I do to the woman that she loved the night before, Maya was still caught up in her own little world in her mind. With Carina asleep next to her, Maya found herself staring outside the glass doors. Over the last couple of weeks, the blonde had found herself second guessing a lot more other things lately. She was second guessing the way the rules and regulations were done. There had been so many times lately that instead of doing the right thing, they were just keeping the peace. With the protests, all she wanted to do was support her team with the support of the SFD, but instead, they were wanting to keep the peace instead. Letting out an inward sigh, Maya used her free hand, that wasn’t holding Carina’s hand, to run her fingers through her hair.
All she wanted to do was the right thing. And then in the end for her, the right thing ended up with her losing her job. If she had done the right thing on that scene and waited for the aid car, then the child would have died. That instead of his mother being able to hug a soft warm child, she’d be in a cold room identifying the cold body of her son. If she had done the right thing, then her actions would’ve been called into question anyway but for the wrong reason, they’d be asking just how it was that he died on her watch. She had made the decision to send the child with the truck because she wasn’t going to just sit there and do nothing, watching a child die. She couldn’t do that. There was no way in hell she was going to do that. She didn’t regret her decision, not in the slightest, but what she did regret was not standing up about the in-justices earlier. They could’ve done better.
The whole SFD could’ve done better. When she was first made Captain, she was the only female. The only woman in a sea of men. She shouldn’t have been the first. Many women had tried to become a captain from being a Lieutenant first, but one of the Chief’s always had something to say that would result in it not happening. Why couldn’t a woman finally come into power and be something more than not equal to a man?
Letting out a soft sigh, the blonde slides from out of the bed, reaching for a robe that had been tossed over the armchair in the room as she made her way quietly to the door to the balcony and moved through to sit on one of the armchairs outside. The sun was rising. Even with her head a mess, she could still enjoy the view. Who knows what was going to happen at the meeting at headquarters today, she didn’t even know if she’d keep a job to begin with. Running her hands through her messy hair, Maya can’t help the smile that forms on her face on her very first day at the academy.
How times had changed. She’d gone running in there, shirt half untucked and looking very much like she didn’t belong there. But, with a little bit of help from a new friend, she realized she belonged there. She belonged there just as much as anyone else did. She enjoyed being a firefighter. She loved being a firefighter. She joined the department so she could save lives. She didn’t care about the rush that it gave her after every fire, no. All she cared about was returning a loved one back to their families, especially knowing they were alive because of her. That’s what a firefighter did. She knew, that no matter what happened, she was going down without a fight.
Hearing movement at the door, Maya looked up with a fond smile as her wife exited the open doors, wearing the robe that matched her own. Opening her arms, Carina moved into the open space and settled herself onto Maya’s lap, throwing her legs over the arm of the chair and placing her head on the blonde’s chest. “I know you’ve been awake for awhile bella, you were thinking so loud I could hear you in my sleep.”
Maya couldn’t help but blush at her wive’s words. Wrapping her arms around Carina’s waist, she brought the brunette in closer as she took in a deep breath, taking in her wive’s scent. Beautiful.Just beautiful. “I’m sorry babe. My body clock woke up at its normal time this morning and then well, it got thinking about the day and I just couldn’t shut it off.” the blonde groaned in response as she placed her head on the brunette’s head.
“Oh no no, you’ve got nothing to apologize for. I just wish you’d finally sleep in and switch off your internal clock. I like it when you’re home late because then I get to wake up to you in my arms.” Carina remarked as she rubbed her her thumb over her wive’s waist gently. She also enjoyed the times when the blonde was sick, because then she was able to be the one to look after her, not the other way around.
Maya rubbed her hand up and down Carina’s back softly as she thought about why she couldn’t sleep. Something that was just stuck in her head. Feeling movement, she looked down as a hand was placed on her cheek “What is going on in that pretty little head of yours bambina?”. the brunette questioned, bringing the blonde out of her thoughts. She knew what was worrying the blonde, but she still wanted to hear her thoughts.
Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, Maya used her free hand to run through her own blonde locks. “I...I can’t stop thinking about this afternoon. By the end of this day, I’ll know where I will stand in the SFD. Whether I have a job or not. I can’t not be a firefighter, I just can’t. But if Sullivan replaces me at 19 just so they can have a man in position.. I don’t think I could still be a firefighter there. What do I do?”.
Shuffling slightly in her wive’s arms, the brunette moved so she was able to see the blonde, so they were able to have a proper conversation, albeit a little bit odd with positioning and all. “No matter what happens bambina, no matter what you choose. I will be here. If we need to move to another area just so you can be a captain there, we will make it happen. But whatever happens, and no matter the decision.. we will make the decisions. Together.” Carina moved her hand to cup her wive’s cheeks, wiping away the tears that were starting to fall. “Together.” Carina repeated as she leaned down to kiss her lips softly.
Maya smiled tearfully at her wife, how did she get so lucky to have someone like Carina in her life? Someone, who was so willing to move with the blonde, just so she was able to try and be Captain again. “Together. I like the sound of that.”
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From where she’s seated outside the main conference room at the Seattle Fire Headquarters, Maya can’t help but shift slightly, smoothing out the non existent creases that were on her pants. Her wife had to go to the hospital for an emergency, and she hadn’t been able to see anyone from the station as they seemed to be on a scene, and for the first time in her adult life, she’d never felt more alone. All of the people that she had wanted to see, or to even be there with her, or for her, weren’t. But she understood, work was a priority and if she were in the same boat, she’d be the same way.
But it was okay. She was going to be okay. She was going to get through this. The only thing she had done that was actually needing her ass kicked for, was her disobeying a direct command on a scene. But that wasn’t something she should be losing her posting for. Leave without pay? Yes. A suspension? Also yes. But not being stood down. She had no idea who would even be there that day. she knew it had to be some chiefs but other than that? Nope, she had no idea. But, she knew she’d be finding out soon.
Hearing her name being called, Maya stood up and returned the smile that was being thrown her way. Part of her wished Battalion Chief Gregory was still there, he’d actually have her back. But instead, it was Battalion Chief Sato standing before her. They’d worked on many scenes together, both when she was just a Lieutenant and now that she was a Captain, and every single time, he respected her and her calls. He was nothing like the Fire Chief McCallister, he just seemed like a man who was stuck in his old ways.
Taking in a deep breath, Maya straightened out her uniform before following into the room after Chief Sato. The blonde took note of the other Chiefs behind the desk, some she knew such as McCallister, Hal, Frankel and Cooke, but there were other’s she’d never had the not so pleasure in knowing. As she came to a stop at the table and chair opposite them, Maya stopped. “Please, take a seat Bishop.” The blonde did as she was told and took a seat, not paying any attention to the lack of title she was offered by McCallister. He really was a misogynistic wanker. But for today, she’d put on a fake smile. Just for him.
Before she’d even had time to properly settle down though, he was already firing off questions. Questions about her calls. Not even just the one that had just transpired. Every single call that she has done. He was even asking questions about Pruitt’s death, something that had already been cleared but she, she was okay. This was something she could get through, she’d gotten through worse before. Hell, she’d gone to the olympics and got through the training for that. This, this should be easy. She hoped.
But she sat there, answering every call that was thrown her way. Answering each question just as calmly as she would have if she were on a scene of a five alarm fire. She was calm. And she could tell that Maya’s seemingly calm attitude was affecting the Fire Chief because his questions were getting harder and heavy loader. But she knew, he was saving his best question for last. And she was ready for it.
“Why did you disregard a direct order on a scene and do the complete opposite? Knowing full well there would be consequences? Did you think you were better than me and should do your own way?”. And there it was. The question that she had been waiting for, and, quite possibly, the only question she had pretty much prepped herself for in advance. Letting out the breath that she was holding in, Maya straightened her posture. It was no or never.
“I disregarded the direction that was given to me, not because I thought I was better, but because I knew the child wouldn’t have made it to the hospital alive had I listened to the call. I had to weight the options up against the child’s life and at the end of the call, I chose his life. Upon arrival at the hospital, we were informed by the emergency room doctor that had we waited any longer then he would have lost his life. And for me Sir, I’m sorry, but that’s not something I could live with. I didn’t become a firefighter to watch as people who I could’ve saved, died. I became a firefighter to help people.”
Maya spoke as she cleared her throat before continuing “I understand, that the rule is in place to protect the SFD from a lawsuit but I believe there should be an addenda to the rule where we should be able to use our discretion as Captain’s to get the patients to the hospital. It’d much rather be working to save the lives than worrying if I could get them to the hospital in time.”
Well there it was. Her reply for everyone to hear. She wasn’t ashamed for her calls, she didn’t regret them either. She’d do what she did again if she had to. But she knew, no matter what she said, nothing was going to change with their opinion. The Chief’s will give McCallister their opinions but in the end it didn’t matter, the decision was his and his alone and by the look on his face, she really was screwed.
“Thank you for your answers today Bishop, please leave the room so we can have time to evaluate your answers. We will come and get you when it’s time to reveal our answer.” McCallister spoke in response. Maya nodded her head as she stood up, taking her hat with her as she made her way back to the chair that she had been seated in prior.
Turning to her watch, the blonde took note of the time. She had seemingly been in that meeting for a couple of hours now, and she knew it was probably going to be another hour before she ended up leaving. After she received their recommendation of course. Placing her hands on her thighs, the blonde took in a few deep breaths and let them out.
No matter what happened today, all she had to do was think about Carina. Think about her wife. Because she was right. Whatever happened, they were going to get through it. Together. She always felt she could get through anything as long as she had the brunette by her side.
As she sat there, Maya’s thoughts went to her team, to her family. The team that they’d all been together through thick and thin. People that she would, every day, run into a fire with. People that she would do everything and anything for. She loved them. They were her family and she knew, no matter what happened at the result of this inquisition, they’d still be there. They’d still be a family.
Looking up as foot steps approached, Maya looked up as Sato approached her, once again. It was now or never. She tried to gauge his response but it was hard to gauge anyone’s when they’ve got a stoic face. With a nod, Maya stood up, her hat under her arm as she made her way back into the room after Sato, resuming her spot at the table, sitting up straight. Whether she was feeling it or not, she had to at least look like she was brave and calm.
“Firefighter Bishop, do you have anything else to say before I rule on today’s proceedings?”. There he goes, once again. Refusing to use any of her titles just to make her feel inferior to him and to make himself better. She was going with a bang, she wasn’t going to go out lying on her back. No. That’s not who she was. She went out fighting. That’s exactly what she was going to do. She was going to fight.
Taking in a small breath, Maya pushed her chair back from the table and stood up, standing up straight. It was now or never. “I know you all probably want me to say I regret my decisions, but to be quite honest with you, I don’t. If I was given the same situation again, it’d make the same decision all over again. I would always try and save their lives in any way possible, even if I have to run them there myself, it’d make it happen. I didn’t become a firefighter just for the thrill of running into a fire. I became a firefighter to help save people, what’s the point in doing your job if you can’t even try to save someone without being pulled up?” Maya commented softly as she stood before all of the Chief’s with her hands behind her back, standing tall. She was ready to face whatever the punishment that was coming her way, even if it meant she lost her job. Taking a deep breath, Maya nodded.
“Very well then. I have spoken to the other Chief’s, but in the end it is my decision. And I’m sorry but my decision is...” But before he could even finish, there was commotion at the door. Looking towards the door, Maya watched on as her team walked in, Andy leading them in, standing ever so tall herself.
“Fire Chief McCallister and Chief’s, we are sorry for intrusion but we are here to fight for our Captain. To fight for Captain Bishop, the same fight that she has done for us so many times over. We would be doing the SFD a disservice if we didn’t come here to fight for Captain Bishop, just like the way she has fought side by side with us over the last couple of years.” Andy remarked as she came to stand beside Maya, with Jack on the other side of the blonde. The rest of 19 spread out evenly on either side of their leads, making Maya the center. She was their Captain and they were here to fight for her.
“Captain Maya Bishop wasn’t the only one on that scene to make the decision. I was too, as was Probationary Firefighter Sullivan, who was only able to stay at Station 19 because of Captain Bishop fighting for him. That is exactly who Captain Bishop is. She is a fighter. She fights for what is right, whether she has the support or not. she fights.” Andy remarked with a nod, sliding her hand into her best friends and giving it a squeeze. Nodding to Jack as he continued.
“When Sullivan said if he was put in charge of 19 he could make it a better house, it is the best house it has possibly been. When Captain Herrera passed away, putting his life on the line to save ours, he did it knowing he was leaving his house, his legacy, in the best capable hands. And those hands were Captain Bishop. She is the best Captain for 19, because, without her, there is no 19. Captain Herrera brought every single one of us together by hand picking us all personally and when he passed away, he passed away knowing we would still be the family that he raised. We’d be the same family to be able to continue his legacy all because of Captain Maya Bishop. All because of her.” Jack remarked as he placed a hand on Maya’s shoulder, showing the board that they were with the blonde. Maya had to bit her lip to not let herself cry as she knew this would not end up well.
“Also, just wanted to add on to what Jack said but Station 19′s numbers have increased since Captain Bishop took over. Our response rate has grown to be the best in the state and our death rate is the lowest. In every sense of the words, our house is already the best house. And it’s all because of her” Vic piped up from the other side of Andy, if they were going to go down, they may as well go down fighting. After Carina and Maya had left, Andy had told them what had gone down in the room and they’d decided that they wouldn’t let Maya take the fall for them. Robert said he’d sacrificed Maya to keep 19 intact, just so Andy could still have her family but what he didn’t realize was that her family wasn’t the house, it was the people.
“Lieutenant Herrera and the rest of Station 19, I respect and understand your want to come here and to fight for your station but you do realize that by siding with your former Captain, you do risk the chance of losing your house and transferring stations? You do understand that don’t you?”. The Fire Chief questioned as he looked down at the team, the lengths some people go to for their captain.
“With all due respect sir, we do understand. But what we also are, is a family, and a family stays together and fights together through thick and thin. The SFD is all about family and working together as one, but how can we be a family and work together as one if you’re trying to tear us apart?”. Dean posed the question to the Chief, and he knew, based on his response, it definitely was not the response he was prepared for.
“If Captain Bishop and her team are being let go then we would like to be let go as well.” A voice from behind them is heard, causing 19 to turn around and come face to face with around 16 Captains from other houses, along with a few Lieutenant’s as well. Maya couldn’t help but meet the eye of Captain Carroll, the newest Captain in the SFD, from the house 23. The only other female Captain in a house. “Captain Bishop made a tough decision on a tough call. She made a decision that she knew, no matter the decision, would cause problems. If she didn’t do it, then that child would be dead and instead of being here right now, you’d be facing a lawsuit of wrongful death instead.” Captain Carroll responded, it was true. That was the only other way in this instance. Neither worked well in Captain Bishop’s favor.
“When we are on a call, Captain Bishop and Station 19 is the one station that we are all always happy to see when we arrive on a scene. Because we know, no matter what, we will be coming out of that fire alive. Do you know how we know that? We know that because there has been many times, many times, when Captain Bishop herself has been the one to help get us out of there. There’s no one else it’d rather have by my side on a scene, other than my own team, than her. And by letting her go, by not having her as Captain, you’re putting every single person in the SFD’s life on the line. Which will be on your hands.” Captain Carroll continued as she and the rest of the Captain’s and their Lts came to a stand behind Maya and her 19 team.
When she had first become Captain, it wasn’t easy. Not in the slightest. Her team weren’t on her side and the only person the blonde had were the Captains. They respected her enough, the only female at the time, to go with her decisions on the scene because even though most of them had more of an experience as Captain, Maya had more knowledge than any of them combined. She was that sort of a dork that in her spare time, she read about fires and the different types of them.
Right now, she was grateful for the support from every single person that was currently surrounding her. She’d never felt that so many people liked or even wanted her as Captain. And yet here she was, people willing to give up their jobs, just so the blonde could keep hers.
“I understand why you’re all here to support Firefighter Bishop, but losing your jobs over someone is not worth it. That much is for sure.” Fire Chief McCallister spoke as he stared at the people before him. “I understand where all of you are coming from and I’ve already decided. I’ve already made my decision and my decision hasn’t changed and is the same to what it was before.”
McCallister looked around the room as he spoke. Looking at Firefighter Bishop with sharp eyes before looking at the panel and then returning his gaze back to the firefighters before him. “My decision is final. Captain Bishop has been relieved of her duties as Captain of Station 19. Effective Immediately. If she wishes to still be a firefighter, then she will be transferred to another station and will start at the bottom. That is my decision and it is final. And if anyone continues to protest then we might take their words and formulate an action from it.”
As those words were said, Maya felt a hand squeezing her own. she didn’t need to look down to know which hand it was. It was Andy’s. Her best friend. Her sister. The one person who has always been there since the academy. But as she stood there, being told that she had lost being Captain and if she wanted to keep being a firefighter she’d have to change stations, she felt her heart drop. Everything that she had done. Everything that she had achieved. Was done. All gone. The legacy that Herrera had tried to keep was gone. She had failed her mentor. She had failed the station.
“There will be no-one being relieved of their duties today.” a voice called out from the back of the room once more. Turning around with tear filled eyes, Maya let out a soft gasp as she spotted her wife standing before her. But she wasn’t standing alone. No, she was standing with the heads of departments from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, along with Miranda Bailey. There was however someone else with her wife that she had no idea just who he was, but he looked familiar.
“Mayor Rothwell, if we had known you were coming in there for this meeting then we would’ve halted it for you.” Fire Chief McCallister spoke as he turned his gaze towards the man before them. That’s who it was. The Mayor.
“I hadn’t planned on coming today, but I also wasn’t informed that you were looking at dismissing a Captain today, something of which I normally do. It wasn’t until I was informed by a doctor coming to my office, did I decide on coming here instead.” he remarked, stepping further into the room towards the panel, eyeing the other firefighters. He’d only heard good things about Captain Bishop, the woman being praised by other Captains and a few Chief’s. Battalion Chief Gregory had definitely praised the blonde. And he could see why. The amount of support the Captain received was clear.
“I was informed that Captain Bishop was being relieved of her duties because of disregarding a direct call at a scene, is that correct?”. Mayor Rottwell queried as he moved to stand before the panel, standing off to the side of the firefighters from Station 19.
Clearing his throat, Fire Chief McCallister spoke “Yes Sir you are correct. Instead of waiting for the aid car to take the child to the hospital, she took him in the back of a fire truck.”
As those words were said, Mayor Rothwell looked back to meet Maya’s unwavering gaze. She wasn’t going to let no one intimidate her. She knew she shouldn’t have done what she did, it was against the rules and disobeyed a direct call but he was alive, because of her. And to her, that was all that matters.
“I understand that. I’ve also spoke to many surgeons from the hospital as to where that child was taken, and it is of my understanding, had Captain Bishop not taken the initiative to take the child there in the back of the truck then he would not have made it. Is that what happened Doctor Bailey?”. Mayor Rothwell questioned, turning to one of the surgeons at the back.
The small but feisty woman strode to the front as if she owned the place. She was there when 19 found out Maya was losing her Captaincy, and it broke her heart because she could see how loved the blonde was and how hard she worked to get what she wanted but when Andy said they had to do something, she knew she had to try and help too.
“That is correct Mayor Rothwell. Captain Bishop alerted the hospital that they were bringing in a severe burn victim. That they had to incubate on scene and that he was getting even worse by the moment. I had my surgeons there, waiting for their arrival. And the moment they did, we took that child into our hospital. I’m one to go by the books, ask any of my surgeons and they will tell you that themselves. But had it not been for Captain Bishop’s initiative and not following protocol, then that child would be dead and his mother would be visiting him in a morgue. Sir.”
Never before in her life, did Maya ever want to hug Miranda Bailey more than right now. The older woman had been a part of their family since Ben joined Station 19, but since she and Carina had gotten together, the woman had come around a lot more, probably helped to have another surgeon around as well. After everything that happened here today, no matter the outcome, they were all getting a drink or ten.
“I understand Captain Bishop broke protocol, and I do understand she disregarded a direct call but I do agree with what she did, I even respect her for putting her job on the line just so that child could live and I also agree with her prior statement. That it should be at a Captain’s digression as to whether or not certain rules are broken, not every one of them but definitely certain ones. Especially this one. Every one of you have made mistakes in your firefighting career. Some even worse than Captain Bishop’s and yet you’re still there.” Mayor Rothwell spoke as he eyed the Chiefs that were looking upon them before continuing “What I said before is still correct. No one is being relieved of their duties, but I’m not saying she won’t be punished. Captain Bishop will remain Captain of Firehouse 19, however for the next four weeks effective as of today, she will be on unpaid suspension. With Lieutenant Herrera filling her spot until it is finished. That is the decision of today’s proceeding’s.”
Feeling pressure being taken off of her back, Maya let out the breath that she had been holding in. She was still Captain. She was still Captain of 19 and she wasn’t losing her job. She was going to be on leave for a month without pay but that she could deal with. She was thankful enough to have a lot of money left over from her olympics days, as well as still getting the revenue from certain things, and having a surgeon wife would come in handy too. Maybe they’d be able to go on their honeymoon after all.
“Now, with that being said, could everyone please give Captain Bishop and myself the room?”. As The Mayor spoke, Maya was a little bit surprised that he had wanted alone time with her, she’d never met him before in her life. As everyone filed out, some of the team gave the blonde taps or nudges as they walked past, giving her their support and love. She’d be no where without them right now. She also had to ensure that she met up with Captain Carroll, to offer her thanks as well.
Once it was just the two of them, Maya quietly let out a soft sigh as he indicated for the blonde to take her seat again as he moved to take the seat next to her. They sat in silence for the moment, the blonde being able to gather her thoughts before he spoke. “I’m sure you’re wondering what it is that I’m doing here, or rather, why am I standing up for someone that I’ve never met?”. He questions, the blonde nodding her head, not trusting her words right now.
“Well, the reason I am here, you’ll have to thank your wife for that one. What I don’t think she has told you, is that she actually delivered my daughter. She is alive because of her. My wife was stuck in the labor and Doctor DeLuca comes running in on her white horse and saves the day. My wife wanted to name her Carina after the surgeon.” he laughs slightly with a slight shake of his head as he continues “We decided against it but we will certainly let her know about the woman who saved her life. So, you have your wife to thank because she came to my office to tell me I had to come to today’s meeting. She didn’t tell me the choice to make though, she let me decide that myself. You’ve definitely got a feisty one there.”
Maya couldn’t help but let out the laugh that she had been trying to keep in “Oh you have no idea just how feisty she really is. That woman certainly is one of a kind.” the blonde got lucky. The woman of her life certainly was one of a kind and unique, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“When Captain Pruitt was alive, he spoke many highlights of the one that would be taking over his spot. That person was you Captain Bishop. He spoke so highly of you, he would say that you were the best person to replace him as Captain because you would be able to still keep the ideals that he had for the station as well as implement your own. And you have. I’ve watched your station’s stats get better and better and it has been because of you Captain Bishop.”
At the compliment that was thrown her way, Maya smiled. Of course Pruitt would have her back, even from up in heaven. He protected the house when he went through the roof for them, and now he was protecting her and her job too. Clearing her throat, Maya shook her head slightly “With all due respect sir, it’s not just because of me. It’s because of them too. A Captain is only as good as it’s team and for me, that’s them. It didn’t start of great in the beginning but I wouldn’t be here without them.” She wouldn’t take the credit for it, it was a shared thing. Between all of them.
Mayor Rotthwell smiled before speaking “And it is because of that humble answer there, that I am keeping you on as Captain o 19. Yes, you understand what you did was wrong but it was for the right reason. Had you not done it, then that child would be dead. I have my own children and that’s something I would never wish on anyone...not even my worst nightmare.” he remarked with a shake of his head before continuing “That is one of the reasons as to why I’m not letting you go. You risked your job to save someone. You said earlier that you didn’t come into this job to run into fire and get a high, you joined to save someone. You still believe that. You still have faith in that. And whilst you do, you’re still the best person for the job. And by the sounds of it, the only person for the job. You have a remarkable support team behind you Captain Bishop, I can see just how much of a valuable asset you are to the Seattle Fire Department.”
She definitely had a wonderful support system, and that was something the blonde would never take for granted. It’s because of them and their support that she is even there to begin with.
“Let me tell you something else. You’re keeping your job because I can see you being the future of the Seattle Fire Department. You still believe in what you’re doing, you still have that youthful sparkle in your eyes when you talk about your station house as well as what you do. It’s going to with that sparkle, that soon, you’ll find yourself on a different spectrum and becoming Chief. I can see that. But until then, I’ll be holding a meeting with all of the Chief’s and Captains and talk about what we can change to make it the best Fire Department possible and it’d appreciate it Captain Bishop, if you were there as well. Don’t worry, we will hold it once your suspension had been lifted.”
Maya couldn’t help but let out a tearful laugh.The word suspension was probably meant to seem like a bad thing, especially coming from any normal person but coming from the Mayor, it meant she was doing something right at least. As Mayor Rotthwell stood up, Maya stood up and offered the older man her hand to shake before watching as he left.
Letting out the breath that she was holding, Maya resumed her seat at the table. When she had gone there that morning, it was definitely not what she was expecting for her day to bring to her. Quite the complete opposite in fact. But, she couldn’t be more grateful.
Hearing the door open, Maya looked up and smiled as she spotted her team plus Carina walking towards her. Dressed in their best blues, Maya couldn’t help but smile. They were there. Even when they almost lost their own jobs because of her, they were there. They were a family.
Feeling Carina’s hand slip into hers, Maya smiled tearfully at her wife before turning her attention back to her team. Taking a moment to smile at them all, individually. She was still here because of them and every single one out in the hallway. She was there because of them.
“Look, I’m going to completely honest with you all. I am incredibly thankful and grateful that every single one of you came by to stand up for me. But I do not have the words to say just how thankful I am. But I just want you all to know, that although I will be suspended for four weeks, I’m still able to be Captain because of every single one of you.” Maya spoke, looking around the room to stare into everyone’s faces. “ And because of you all, the legacy that Captain Herrera wanted to keep alive for us is still intact. All because of you guys.” Maya spoke tearfully. They were her family and the people that she trusted with her whole entire with, she ran into fires with them and they ran into them for her, knowing she bring them back out if it were the last one she entered into herself.
Giving Carina’s hand a squeeze, Maya pulled the brunette with her as she moved closer to her team, giving them one last smile as she pulled Andy into a hug, indicating for the other’s to join with them. Within moments, the family of 19 had their arms wrapped around one another, being the family they were able to continuing on being. “No Maya, it’s not all because of us. It’s because of you as well. We wouldn’t be a family without you. You’re the glue that holds us together. You helped my father create his legacy, now we are all going to help you to create yours. It’s what a family does.”