Chapter Two (Kryptonite)

Previously, on "Heat":
Ch. 1 (Training Day)
-A house fire on 73 Embarcadero Drive has been dispatched.
-Luke, Joseph and Nate responded to the call while Jake's unit stayed close behind.
-Luke and Jake awaited standby while Joseph and Nate entered the burning apartment building.
-Since it was Nate's first real fire, he became overwhelmed by the smoke and heat.
-Despite Joseph's frantic calls, Nate failed to respond.

*Strong language*



Location: 73 Embarcadero Drive
Date: Friday, 10/28/11
Time: 11:23 a.m.

Joseph ignores the harsh flames whipping at his body as he tries to doust Nate down with the fire extinguisher.  Knowing the blaze in the room is nowhere near contained, he risks his own safety just to be able to give him a chance to cool off and breathe.  Even though Nate hasn't responded to his cries, he knows he's still breathing by the sound of his cough.  The thought of losing his second-born son makes him sick to his stomach.  I shouldn't have let him come.  He hasn't slept.  He should have stayed at the station! Through the whooshing sound of the chalky, foamy substance, Nate's cough slows down, letting Joseph know that his airway is opening up.  

"Nate!! Are you okay, son? Answer me!" He yells, trying to ignore the heat of the turnout pressing on his skin.

"Yeah, dad!" 

Since Joseph ignored the back side of the room to tend to Nate, the fire has spread to the entire floor.  With Nate's weak lungs, lack of sleep and inexperience, Joseph has to deal with the task alone.  They have already exceeded the alloted time that they can safely put out the blaze without overheating in their turnouts.  They took too long.  Now they are trapped between exits.



"If I go crazy 
Then will you still
Call me Superman
If I’m alive and well
Will you be there
Holding my hand
I’ll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite"

"I got the back!! Just put out the front!" Luke's urgent voice pushes through the crackling of the flames.  As he persistently targets the floor and walls, the foamy substance starts to land on the sea of orange, red and yellow, overpowering its strength.  Little by little, the flickers struggle until smoke takes its place.

"Got it!" Joseph has never been more happy to hear his first-born son's voice.  He didn't even have a chance to call for backup but Luke came just in time.  Luke's ability to clear the back flames made it easier for Joseph and Nate to target the middle and front.  Within minutes, they are able to chase the red dragon out of the building, leaving soot, ash and black residue in its wake.



Nate can hear his pulse slowing down at the deafeaning silence left by the fire.  This was nothing like the drills.  Even though he aced the written tests and practice drills, nothing could have prepared him for the helplessness that he felt when his lungs started to give out.  For a moment, he thought he wasn't going to make it.  He was able to tolerate the heat seeping through his turnouts, he was able to push through the flames slapping his skin, but nothing terrified him more than suffocating from the smoke.  How can I carry someone out of a burning building when I can't even breathe?



"What happened?" A resident asks, his face full of concern.

"A fire started in the lobby but we were able to contain it to the first floor." Joseph explains as he wipes the sweat off his face.



"My family! Were they hurt?" The man asks, panic flooding his weary eyes.

"No, sir.  There were no residents in the lobby at the time.  If residents are still in there, they are safe in the upper floor." Joseph assures, hoping to ease his mind.

"Oh, that's good.  Thank you." He smiles as he shakes Joseph's hand.

"You're welcome.  We're glad to help." Luke nods.



Yeah!! The Rossis kicked ass again! Luke beams with pride at what they accomplished today.  They responded to the dispatch quickly, they worked together to put the fire out and they received a "thank you" from a resident.  What an incredible feeling, to be able to help people alongside his father and brothers.  His dad's passion for firefighting must run in the blood because now Luke understands why his old man can tolerate such a dangerous and demanding job.  He used to wonder why he would come home with a smile and a sparkle in his eyes despite being covered in soot and ash, his uniform filthy beyond description.  It was as if his uniform was his cape, and he runs out of the firestation ready to respond to someone's distress.



Even though his father is his favorite superhero, he has always identified with Superman, especially his "truth, justice and the American way" motto.  He admired his superhuman strength and vision.  That, and his ability to fly.  As a kid, he would put on his red cape and run around the house, pretending he could fly.  He would close his eyes as he imagines being swept up in the clouds, with the wind blowing on his face, as he looks down at the city that he's lived in all his life.  He would hear an imaginary scream for help, forcing him to pick up speed as he heads straight to the person in distress.  It could be a bad guy trying to hurt the defenseless, a large object falling on an unsuspecting bystander or someone trapped in a fire.  Whatever the case may be, his heart aches for the person in trouble, anxious to come to their rescue.

But Superman's amazing strength, vision and ability to fly isn't what drives Luke to be more like this superhero.  It's something that he holds even closer to his heart: the intense desire to love and protect a special woman.  Lois Lane.  The woman he would move heaven and earth for.  He has always dreamed of his own Lois Lane, his other half, his soulmate, the woman that makes life worth living...and saving.  Sometimes he would gaze out into the night sky, scanning the stars, wondering if she's out there, and if she's looking for him.  Sometimes she would visit him in his dreams, calling out to him, her eyes pulling him into a magical world that he never wants to wake up from.  He can never make out her hazy face, but he knows her eyes.  They penetrate through him, making him feel exposed...and vulnerable.

"I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be
Something to do with you
I really don’t mind
What happens now and then
As long as you’ll be my friend 
At the end"







Location: Bridgeport Community Fire Department
Time: 7:02 p.m.

"Man, that was intense!" Nate shakes his head as he recalls his first encounter with a real fire.

"The first one is always stressful.  But you'll get used to it." Joseph sympathizes as he savors the warmth of the broth running down his throat.  After prolonged exposure with smoke, any type of liquid helps clear the soot from the passageways.



"Luke, how did you know we needed help?" Joseph briefly looks in his direction before dipping his spoon in the bowl.

"Remember, dad?  Three minutes.  You guys were in there for almost four.  So I knew something was wrong." 

"You remember that?" Joseph chuckles.

"We listen.  Even though we don't act like it sometimes." Nate sheepishly beams at his dad.

"Well, I'm just glad you're okay, Nate.  You scared me for a second." Joseph lets out a deep breath as he scans his son's eyes.



"You survived your first fire, bro." Luke gives him a congratulatory pat on the ass.

"Hey, hey! Watch it now." Nate rubs his cheek as if it's fragile.

"You know you like it!" Luke smacks him again, making his brother jump.

"Alright, there's too much male bonding going on around here.  Go hang out with some girls or something." Joseph sighs, wondering when his sons are going to settle down with the right woman.  He's already thinking about his first grandchild.  

"Dude, smack me again and I'm telling Lyn you swing the other way." Nate threatens as he pushes his chair in.

"Shut up, buttwipe!!" 

"Who's Lyn?" Joseph asks, his eyes filled with curiousity.

"Oh..um...she's just a friend, dad." Luke stammers, his face turning crimson.  I'm gonna kill that fucker!



The hot water washes away the ashes and soot glued to his skin, pushing it towards the drainage hole, along with the soapy foam.  Luke lets out a deep sigh as the pressure of the water stream massages his back.  It soothes his aching muscles, as well as the thoughts running through his mind.  Lyn.  It's been over a week since he last saw her, that day they kissed in her apartment. Mmm...that kiss. Just thinking about it takes his breath away.  It makes his heart race.  He can still taste the sweetness of her lips, he can still smell the  intoxicating perfume on her skin, he can still feel the softness of her body pressed against his and he can still hear her soft whimpers as his tongue probed deeper into her warm mouth.  He didn't plan for that to happen, and he certainly didn't have the intention to hurt his best friend, but the loneliness in her eyes just killed him inside.   



"Hello?" 

"Hey..."

"Hey."

"..........."

"Are you okay?"

"............"

"Hello?  Are you there?"

"Yeah..."

"Where are you at?"

"At home."

"Don't go anywhere.  I'll be right there."



Shit.  I hope everything's okay.





"You called me strong
You called me weak
But still your secrets
I will keep
You took for granted
All the times
I never let you down"

*Copyright 2012 Lyn C.S.*
------------------------------

Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Video by: 3DoorsDownVEVO