Chapter Text
Lt. Ryan Hart of the 113 stood in the kitchen with a stack of files on the recent NFD academy graduates. He was trying to locate his father, Captain Don Hart of the 113, to pick a new probie to join their firehouse. He spotted his Dad stepping out of his office and ran after him-
“Hey, Cap, I got a list of new probies from the academy we need to go over. This graduating class doesn’t have any unicorns, but this one cadet seems to show some promise.”
“Oh yeah?" Don said, lifting his coffee mug. Who?”
“Someone named Blue Bennings.”
Don froze mid-sip. His grip tightened until his knuckles went pale, and his face filled with a mix of emotions. “...What did you say, Ryan?”
“Uhh, Blue Bennings," Ryan repeated. "His scores are pretty good, although his tool skills could use some improvement. The instructors wrote, 'Strong firefighting instincts, struggles with protocol,’ Ryan said looking over the file while sitting on the counter.
Don slowly stepped closer to Ryan and viewed the file. The photo attached to the file stared up at him. Sure enough, it was Blue Bennings, his second son. He stared at the file longer than he meant to.
Ryan noticed that Don is stiffer, jaw clenched, with a strange, faraway look in his eyes- almost as if Don knew the cadet. Just before Ryan was about to comment, Don continued reading the file out loud.
“Graduated in the top 5% of his class, and he even beat your [Ryan’s] time in the search and rescue portion.”
Ryan grimaced. "Guess I'll have to do it again."
“Seems like a couple of houses would want him,” Taylor comments as she’s pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“I heard Station 110 is trying to pick him up, but we've got first pick this round,” Ryan added.
Don hummed during Taylor and Ryan’s conversation. He continued to stare at that face in the file.
In his head, all he was thinking about were all of those photos that Dixie Bennings sent him. A combination of excitement and sadness washed over him as he thought about missed childhood memories and the prospect of working with him at the station. He was also thinking about how Ryan would react to finding out about his secret half-brother from a one-night fling.
This wouldn’t be fair to Ryan or good for team morale, Don thought. However, a familiar verse from Luke entered his mind: For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Don exhaled slowly. This could be the Lord's way of fulfilling the hole in his heart- a rare opportunity to complete his family. He knew there was only one thing to do and stood up from his stool.
"Hey Ryan.”
“Yeah, Cap?”
“Let’s recruit Blue Bennings as our new probie for the 113,” Don said, then walked back into his office and shut the door- effectively ending the discussion.
"I'm surprised Cap didn't want to look at the other applicants," Taylor commented as she walked towards her guitar.
Ryan frowned slightly. He has noticed his Dad has been acting strangely over the last few weeks. First, it was things like spacing out and spending more time in his study. Then he messed up at the team roping event last weekend by just missing the calf's leg. Now, he's acting more grumpy than usual this morning. He plans to watch his Dad more closely and talk to him about it this weekend.
"Yeah, he's been acting weird the last few weeks," Ryan said as he collected the files and left to go check on the trucks.
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I was shaking with nerves and excitement as I stood in front of the 113. This is my first firehouse as a new probationary (probie) firefighter for the Nashville Fire Department. I couldn't believe I passed the academy. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like a failure.
The first thing I notice as I’m in the bay is how dang nice everything looks and smells. The floors are shiny, and the station seems so modern and clean. Different from the tour buses and cramped apartments I was used to livin with my mama. Just as I was walking over to the turnout lockers, I saw two firefighters approach me.
“Hey, you must be the new probie,” the woman on the right said as she extended her hand.
“Yes, ma'am, Blue Bennings.” I shook her hand and noticed her stethoscope draped around her neck.
“I’m Roxie, the lead paramedic at the station. And this is Taylor.” I looked to the left and saw a woman standing with a calm and confident smile.
“Howdy, Blue, welcome to 113,” Taylor said. I was still staring around, and then another person walked up to me, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
“Blue Bennings?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Lieutenant Ryan Hart and I’ll be giving you the orientation for today.” The guy, Ryan, said. “You’re going to have to listen well because I’m not going to repeat myself,” then he started walking away and going up the stairs. I briefly looked at the two ladies standing in front of me. “You'd better follow him,” Roxie said, amused, and I chased right after him.