In the Heat of the Night (Closed for Kypanther)

When he heard about the job of being a part-time firefighter during the summer, Chris thought it would be great. a Couple of days a week to more or less sit around and get paid for it. It would give him the money he needed to get through the summer, as well as give him a little nest egg for when he started college.

He was a fit 18 year old, not buff, but not a slob either. His 6' frame made him a valuable member of the squad. He was their 'mule'. He didn't mind, it made him feel useful while he learned the trickier parts of the job. He was surprised at how much there was to learn. His days on were full of training, exercising and more training. He was exhausted at the end of each day, but he felt good.

But then it happened - bushfires. His team was activated and rostered on front line duties. Nothing had prepared him for what he faced. The heat was intense. The work was harder than he imagined. He worked 18 hours a day, and slept the rest. He came to know those 7 other people on his team better than anyone else he had ever known.

"Listen up, we have a civvie caught in their home, and we need to help get them out." Graham was a veteran of the fire fighters. He had been doing this for over 30 years, and he seemed to be able to know what the fire was thinking. That's why they got the job.

Their two trucks raced along dirt roads, the air thick with smoke, ash, and other stuff as they sped to save a trapped person. It wasn't too surprising, the flames seemed to run at an incredible pace, and this was one of many such call outs handled by the fire fighters.

They were close to the destination when they had to stop and deploy. A fallen tree, full ablaze, blocked the road in front of them. With practiced ease, they dealt with the burning tree. Chris hooked up the chain to the truck and the tree, and stood clear while it was dragged away.

Fate had other ideas. The wind changed, and the blaze renewed. More flaming debris fell near him, and he did what he had been told countless times - run! But he couldn't run for the trucks, he ran further up the road. The flames were getting hotter, and in the dark night smoke clogged air, he could make out a house. Without much thought, he ran for it.

One of the things Gina had thought of when she first decided to move form her small, Caribbean island home after finishing high school, was that she couldn't live without the ocean close. In a funny twist of fate, she ended up here, in Australia, a place she had always wanted to visit. The place she had rented wasn't exactly a few feet from the beach but, she managed to make it homey.

At 4'11 she wasn't tall by any means. Her milk chocolate skin showed her Latin heritage, the curves in the right places, her hazel eyes standing out on her delicate face. She was active, but not overly so, her body toned by constant swimming and framed by her long, slightly wavy black hair.

She had been immersed in reading, not noticing something was wrong. By the time she realized she was smelling something burning, her house was more or less surrounded. Moving to the kitchen, she stood still, terrified. She remembered having nightmares like this when she was little. How ironic for them to follow her here. Terrified, she watched the ever moving wall of fire, hoping she could somehow come up with a way to get out.

He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. he hit the gravel of the house's driveway and soon his badly scuffed GPs were hammering up the wooden stairs to the verandah. He banged his fist on the door so hard he was afraid he'd put his hand through it.

Chris looked back to try and gauge how far away the flames were. He could tell how much time they had. it could be 30 seconds, it could be five minutes. He resumed banging on the door again.

"Hello! This is the Country Fire Authority. Hello!" He bent over, catching his breath, feeling the sweat soak through his reflective yellow CFA firefighter suit. He would give them another 15 seconds, then he'd look out for himself.

The bangs on her door made her jump, startled. She had been watching how fast the fire moved towards her and had started to give up. Moving towards the door, she opened it to find a fully clothed firefighter. A huge, firefighter. She tilted her head to look at him, surprise in her face.

"Umm, hi" she said. In the back of her mind, she understood she was numb, probably going into shock or something, but for all the world she couldn't snap out of it yet.

The door opened and Chris was through in a flash, shutting the door behind him. He looked around to see who opened the door, when a soft voice came from below. He looked down on a small woman with slightly dark skin looking up at him.

"Hello, Miss. Chris Johnson... Country Fire Authority... I'm here... to help you... and anyone else here... get out. Fire's very... close." He brought his breathing under control. 'Don't panic,' he thought to himself, but it was so easy to do just that. Panic.

"Is there anyone else in the house, Miss?" He immediately started looking through the house for other people, also heading to see if the house had been surrounded by the flames yet.

He quickly glanced back to the young woman. "What's you name, Miss?"

"Umm I'm Gina. And no, no one else is in the house. I live alone." she said as she watched him walk throughout the small house. Her eyes suddenly opened wide as she picked up the panic in his voice. So this is it, huh? I'm going to die here... just like my nightmare. she thought as she bit her lip and leaned against her wall.

NO! I will not accept that. I have to try.

She set her jaw in what her mother would've called her 'don't mess with me' face and looked at the man. Chris was it? Turning around, she carefully looked out the windows as she moved, stopping at the one in the bathroom. "Chris?" she called as she quickly opened it, standing in the toilet seat to reach. She could see bush outside but, more importantly, no fire yet. They had to move fast.

Chris looked at Gina, "Hi, Gina. Sorry to meet on such a sucky occasion." He looked out the back, and saw that the front was closing around them. He saw the best course for them to go. But it would take them close to part of the front.

He heard Gina call his name, as he dashed into the laundry. He found a bucket, and filled it with water. He lugged the full bucket back to near the back door.

"Gina, come to the back door, quickly." When she got there, he upturned the bucket of water on her, soaking her from head to toe.

"Time to go." He grabbed her had, and led her out the back door.

Gina gasped, half surprised and more than shocked out of her little 'numb' place. Even more surprised she felt him grab her hand and start to lead her away from her home. Her legs quickly caught up, moving automatically where he led her as her head turned to watch the place that had become her home for the last couple of months.

"I'm never gonna see it again, am I?" she asked in a soft voice as she turned again and silently followed him, almost running behind him.

"You never know with these things. Sometimes they leave a place alone while burning everything else."

The air was thick with smoke and ash. The occasion ember landed on him, and by reflex the brushed them off. But he kept his eyes firmly fixed on the point where they were running to. But the race was on, the flames were closing on that very same place as fast, if not faster than they were.

"Fuck. No, not now." He slowed for a moment, indecision over running the young, first time firefighter.

She bit her lip, hoping that the flames never reached her home. Slowing beside him, she could see that the flames were closing in on the little patch that was their gateway to freedom. Hearing his indecision, she grabbed his hand harder in hers and started moving, not even stopping as she heard a surprised sound coming from him.

"We're not stopping. You have your gear and I'm soaking wet. Even if we have to jump through the flames and roll on the ground later, we're making it" she said in what, she hoped, was a determined voice as they sprinted towards the quickly disappearing space.

He stopped them both, causing Gina to fall on her arse. "No, not over that way. We need to go this way." He pointed to where the flames had now reached where he was wanting to go. "The fire front out there is measure in hundreds of metres deep, not just a few."

He reached down, and roughly threw Gina over his shoulder, and took off at a flat run. Behind him he could hear the tell tale sounds of the house catching fire. Ahead of his the flames were growing, and he hoped he could get there before the place was totally engulfed.

With a soft 'ufff' sound, she stumbled to a stop and ungracefully sat on her butt. Glaring at him, she didn't have time to protest as he easily grabbed her and threw her over her shoulder. Gina stood still, his shoulder digging into her stomach as he ran, her gaze lifting to watch her house start to burn. Under other circumstances, she'd be pretty pissed at a guy picking her up like this. Figuring she better stay still and make his job easier, she stayed quiet, soft coughs leaving her lips, her eyes watering because of the smoke and heat.

The flames were starting to scare him, but he was committed now. He entered the outer edge of the flames, and it felt like being in an oven. He could feel the water vaporizing off Gina. The air was alive with the roar of the flames. He was mere metres from his goal when he heard the groan of a tree starting to fall.

He sprinted the final distance, not caring how badly he was hurting Gina. He leaped into the gully, letting go of Gina in mid flight. He hit the ground rolling, going down the slope. He was bashed by rocks before he came to a stop. He started to hope Gina would be OK when she landed on top of him with a loud "Oomppfff".

Above them, the trees burned. He had bought them a little time, but there was still more to do before they would be safe. He gently rolled Gina off him, thinking how nice it would be to have her like that when their lives weren't in danger.

He stood in a crouch, taking Gina's hand again. "C'mon, Gina, this way."

Everything happened too fast for her. She could feel the heat closing in, not the gentle, beach scented heat of her island, but an aggressive, dangerous thing. Halfway through her musings she felt his hands shift on her and then she was flying. Literally. Her breath left her as she fell on top of him, her ribs protesting the impact. She had an instant to feel his strong chest through his clothes before she was rolling off, his hands helping her. Getting up, she bit back a groan, the hand that wasn't held by him going to her side as she sprinted after him.

Her mind was rolling now, a mix between not knowing what to do, feeling helpless and putting her life in a stranger's hands. Trust. Something she had never been good at. Biting her lower lip, she followed, looking around them out of the corners of her eyes.

Chris was grateful that Gina was not one to panic or try and take control of things. He had enough problems as it was without her adding to them.

It was still as hot as an oven, and he had to get them out soon, or they would start suffering from lethal overheating. Added to that the rain of ash, embers and light debris was getting heavier. But where there were gullies, there would be water. Eventually. Water was their friend.

The gully was strewn with rocks, branches and lots of other potential ankle twisting or breaking objects. But it was free of actual flames, and that made it a good place to be. He put on his professional voice, one that was more calm that panicked. He was trying hard not to think about having his name entered on the CFA's roll of those who Died on Duty. He had a life ahead of him, and he wanted to live it.

"How are you doing there, Gina? You OK? Don't worry, I'll get you out in one piece, I promise."

A gully. Great. Put her in water and she was gone, probably swimming faster than someone with twice her reach. But an obstacle course? Taking a deep breath, she followed him quietly, doing her best not to wince or cry out whenever she tripped, being as clumsy on land as she was graceful on water.

"I-I'm fine...Just keep going. I'll keep up with you" she said as she continued after him, her wet hair sticking to her skin as she moved.

The gully moved steadily downward, but also further into the fire front. The flames produced enough light to make it seem like daylight. But they made good progress until....

"Shit!" He peered over the edge of the gully that their joined. There must have been a 7 or 8 foot drop. But the bottom of this one was wet! "Stay here, Gina." He scrambled over the edge,and at a full stretch, his feet just touched the bottom.

"OK, Gina, just start letting yourself down over the edge. I'll grab you so you don't fall."

Her breath caught when she saw the drop. Barely moving when he was moving down himself, she literally gulped and took a deep breath before moving. Unfortunately, she was smaller than him, meaning she either had to jump in his arms and trust that he would catch her or jump and hope she wouldn't hurt anything. He answered the question for him as he helped her down. Once she was in his arms though, she noticed his hand was in a very interesting place... her butt.

Now Chris realised just how small Gina was. He reached up to help steady her, one hand on her back, the other hand was on her arse. Even thinking about getting her down safely, he noticed how nice and firm it was. He got to the point where he was effectively cradling her, he still had a handful of the delightful rear end. He put her down, trying his best not to look embarrassed now he knew what he had done.

"This way," he pointed down the creek. The rain of debris was easing, and they had managed to get away from the fire front. The soft tinkle of the flowing water could be heard over the background roaring of the flames.

"We're going to be fine, Gina. We'll be safe soon." He even sounded as though he believed it too.

Her eyes opened wide as she felt him cradle her in his arms. Normally, this was something she hated. For some reason, men thought it cute to carry her and make her feel like a small child. In this case, for some unknown reason, she didn't mind. As crazy as it sounds, she felt safe in his arms and was glad her dark skin covered the light blush she would've had on her cheeks before he gently set her down.

As she followed him, she nodded. "I know we will." she said in a confident voice, not two feet away from him at any time. He had gotten them this far. She figured he knew what he was doing.

They trudged along in the increasing darkness. The lack of flames, the smoke, and the fact it was nearing 10PM all made for a general lack of light. But then, things got a little better. He heard the sounds of a waterfall! He moved ahead a little quicker, and found there was a gentle, short waterfall leading into a natural pool.

"You fuckin' ripper!!" He sat down with a splash, and slid down the rocks into the pool below. As he rejoiced at their good luck, he realised just how dangerous it was to have done that. He could have broken bones, maybe even killed himself. He didn't care right then.

The water was around 3 feet deep, with a sandy bottom. There were high walls around it where he could see. What made him feel better was a small patch of dry ground near the water's edge.

"Come on in, Gina. the water's great." His voice rang with joy and relief. They had water. They would live.

Everything was so dark. She could barely see him in front of her, but the sound of water falling lifted her spirits. A waterfall indeed. It had been months since she heard that particular siren's call. It made her feel at home. She watched as he slid into the water, it coming just to his waist if not a bit higher.

Carefully, with the experience she had gained at the rain forest back home, she slid until she reached a big boulder, just before it touched the water. Pulling the slightly broken sandals off her feet, she dipped her feet in the cool water, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed relaxing. Her side hurt slightly, but she would manage.

Everything slowed down for Chris, and everything caught up with him. Since being broken off from the team, he had confronted fires, saved someone's life, nearly been killed or badly injured twice, was cut off from all help and people would probably think he was dead.

He walked over to the dry bit of ground and collapsed. He was shaking. His mind played through the alternate endings of every choice he made. Even here, they weren't really safe. All he wanted to do was have a hot meal, and curl up in his bed and sleep for 24 hours. He thought that this was something no 18 year old should ever have to experience.

He lay on the ground, waiting for his body to stop shaking and for his mind to stop it's nightmare marathon.

She had watched him move, and carefully made her way towards him, sitting beside him. Frowning, her eyes looked at him, trying to find any injury. Satisfied when she didn't find any, she lifted her black sleeveless shirt to reveal a light bruise on her side. Glad once again because her dark skin wouldn't show it so much, she sighed and looked at him again.

"You were great, Chris" she said in a soft voice and she brushed her long hair away from her face, carefully pulling her legs towards her chest, wincing lightly as she shivered, the wet jeans sticking to her toned legs.

"You were great, Chris"

He snapped back into the real world with a start. He looked over at Gina, barely making out her features in the dark. He could make out the small ball she pulled her self into sitting beside him.

"Ummm... thanks. Thanks, Gina. I've only been in the job for less than two months. I've been at the front for less than a week. I'm glad I managed to get you out OK.

"I'm sorry about your house too. Had you been there long?" Chris needed to talk. He needed to take his mind of what he did, and what could have happened.