“Goddammit, I can be a real stupid asshole sometimes. Why doesn’t anyone tell me that?” Chief lay on his back in the hospital bed, his face covered in bruises, his right arm in a cast, and his right leg in traction.

“I try to,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Problem is, you’re a stubborn asshole, too. A trait like that tends to make constructive criticism a little more on the difficult side.”

Chief sighed and shook his head.

“We did it, though,” he said. “We saved everyone in that building, we saved all those kids in that school, and we didn’t lose a single man. Hell of a job.”

“That’s because we have a hell of a chief,” I said. “We wouldn’t be the team we are without you, boss.”

A resigned expression formed on Chief’s weathered face as he nodded.

“Had,” he said, after a few moments of silence.

I furrowed my brow.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Ethan, I’m done.”

These words coming out of the mouth of a man like Chief Swift were like hearing a dog meow—it just didn’t seem right, or normal.

“I hope you don’t mean what I think you mean by that.”

“What else could I mean?” asked Chief.

“But…you saved that kid,” I said. “That’s gotta count for something, gotta show that you’re not totally out of the game.”

“I barely saved that kid. I mean, look at me—I’m gonna be laid up in bed for the next month, and I’m damn lucky I didn’t get my back broke. A younger man would’ve been out of that building with that kid before the wood even had a chance to break. I’m lying in this damn bed because I’m old and stubborn. And I’m not gonna hear a damn word otherwise.”

I said nothing, instead letting the chief speak.

“What I’m gonna say now I should’ve said a year ago if I’d had any damn bit of sense. Ethan, I’m retiring as chief. And you know what that means about your job position.”

The words hit me like a cannonball. Sure, the chief and I had discussed it briefly, so I’d known it was coming. But hearing it out of his mouth like this, knowing it was going to come to pass… That was something else entirely.

“And if there was any bit of doubt in my mind about your ability to be a leader of men, it went out the window when you went down into the basement of that school with Mike and Stone. You risked your life for Mike and brought both of you out of there still standing. That was one of the most impressive displays I’ve ever seen in my time with the FDNY. I’m more than confident in you, son. And you should feel the same way.”

Part of me felt that objecting was the thing to do, to tell the chief that his words were too much. But instead, I said nothing.

“So,” he said, adjusting in his bed. “There’s still some paperwork and all that crap to deal with, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re the acting chief of Ladder 128. Congratulations, Ethan—couldn’t imagine a better man for the job.”

“Thanks, Chief.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“I mean, thanks…Mr. Swift?” I laughed. “That’s gonna be hard to get used to saying.”

“And me hearing,” he said.

Before either of us had a chance to say anything else, the door to the hospital room flew open. Chief and I both turned our attention to whoever’d just burst it.

Sure enough, it was Chloe.

“Hey, guys,” she said hurriedly as she rushed into the room. “Hope I’m not barging in on anything important.”

“Nah,” said Chief. “Just discussing some staffing concerns.”

He gave me a wink, making it clear that it was going to be my job to break the good news.

“OK, good,” said Chloe, “because I’ve got some major news here.”

She scanned the room, looking for something. Once she laid eyes on the remote for the TV she pounced on it and pressed “power.”

The TV flicked on to a local news station and we all listened in.

“…We’ve just learned here at the station that the arsonists responsible for a string of fires around Brooklyn and Queens have just been apprehended.”

The footage cut from the talking heads to a feed from a city street, where a swarm of police was gathered around a trio of men.

Our men.

“Now, Karen,” said the male reporter, “is it true that these are the arsonists responsible for the fire down at PS 204 just a few nights ago?”

“Our contacts with the NYPD won’t say for certain, but what they have told us is that these are the prime suspects in all the fires that have ravaged local businesses around the city.”

I watched the TV intently, my eyes locked on the screen. Sure enough, among the crowd of police and reporters I managed to catch a glimpse of the scarred man, an expression on his face that made it clear that he was none-too-pleased about being taken into custody like this.

“Goddamn,” I said. “The NYPD got ’em.”

“Good to see those pieces of shit are off the streets,” said Chief. “Hope they’re nice and cozy in Rikers tonight.”

Chloe squeezed my arm and looked up at me, her eyes sparkling, maybe a little misty. I couldn’t help but lean in and plant a kiss on her forehead.

“You did it,” she said.

“We did it,” I corrected.

Before she had a chance to say anything else, the phone on the stand next to the chief rang.

“Now, who the hell would be calling me in my damn hospital room?” he asked, clearly frustrated.

Chief struggled to turn his body around and grab the phone, grunting and groaning as he shifted. I stepped over to pick up the receiver, but he quickly swatted my hand away.

“I’m not in the grave yet,” he said.

Chloe and I shared a knowing look.

Finally, Chief grabbed the phone and brought it to his ear.

“Who the hell is this?” he barked.

Then he listened, nodding along with whatever the person on the other line was saying.

“I’m gonna cut you off there,” he said. “You got the wrong guy. The man you want is standing about five feet away from me. Here.”

Chief held out the phone to me and shook it a little bit.

“Here you go, Acting Chief,” he said. “First duty in your new role.”

Out of the corner of my eye I watched as an expression of shock formed on Chloe’s face.

“Acting Chief?” she mouthed, not speaking a word.

I shrugged as I put the receiver in my ear.

It was a representative from one of the local news stations on the other end, wanting to know if I was interested in having a press conference about the fires and the recent arrests.

“When would this conference be taking place?” I asked.

“Um, are you in the hospital now?” spoke the woman on the other end.

“I am.”

“Then take a look down at the entrance.”

I placed the receiver under my arm and walked toward the window. Sure enough, down at the entrance was a gaggle of reporters, their news trucks forming a loose perimeter around them.

“Guess you all didn’t really give me a choice in the matter, huh?” I asked. “Then again, I’m sure I could find a way out through the garbage chute or something.”

“I don’t think that’d be very fitting for the new chief of your station,” said the woman. “Come on, let the public see your face. Everyone wants to meet this hero firefighter the whole city’s been talking about.”

“Let me think about it,” I said. “If my answer’s ‘yes,’ I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“Hope to see you then.”

And that was that.

Chief let out a barking laugh as I hung up the phone. But then his eyes bugged out as some stitch of pain ran through him.

“Goddamn bruised ribs,” he said, shaking his head. “Anyway, Ethan, I bet you didn’t think your first act as chief would be putting on a big smile for the press, now did you?”

“Are you serious?” asked Chloe. “The press wants to talk to you?”

“Yep,” I said. “And they’re down there right now. Wait a minute, Chief—this promotion wasn’t all about getting out of your PR duties, was it?” I flashed him a half-grin.

“Hey, a man’s gotta get his rest while he can.” He coughed again. “Stokes, I need a damn nap. Go on and speak to your adoring fans—this job isn’t all rescuing kids from burning buildings, you know.”

I shook my head, knowing he was right. “Hmm,” I said, considering.

“What?” asked Chloe.

“Maybe they’d also like to hear a few words from the hero teacher who led her kids out of the burning school?”

Chloe’s gorgeous eyes went wide.

“Uh uh,” she said, shaking her head. “No way. The only crowds I can deal with are those comprised of third graders.”

“Think about it,” I said. “The kids would get a total kick out of seeing their teacher on the news. And hell, maybe it’d even a fun couples-bonding experience.”

Chloe crossed her arms over her breasts and thought the matter over. “Fine,” she said. “When you put it like that.”

“Then let’s do it.” I turned to Chief. “Get some rest, old-timer,” I said. “We’ll keep these dogs at bay.”

“Oh, believe me,” he said, “I’m about to have all the time for rest in the world now that I’m retired. Maybe I’ll buy that damn boat I’ve been talking about.”

Then he slapped me on the arm, his expression turning serious.

“I’m proud of you, Ethan,” he said. “I couldn’t be leaving this crew in better hands.”

I said nothing, instead placing my hand on his and giving it a squeeze.

“You ready to meet the press, Chief Stokes?” said Chloe, her hands on her hips.

“About as ready as I’m ever gonna be,” I said.

“Then let’s do it.”

With that, Chloe and I left the chief and headed to the elevator.

“Nervous?” she asked as the doors slid shut and the elevator began to descend.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“Not even a little. And you?”

I searched my feelings for a moment, realizing that the answer was “no.” I felt…something else entirely.

“I’m not,” I said. “I’m…actually really fucking excited.”

“Now, Chief Stokes,” she said. “I never would’ve thought I’d hear you say such a thing about giving a press conference.”

Then she looked away for a moment, mouthing something I couldn’t make out.

“‘Chief Stokes,’“ she said, a sly smile forming on her full lips. “That’s something I could get used to saying…and not just outside of the bedroom.”

I returned her sensual look and wrapped my hand around her waist.

“I’m excited about everything next,” I said. “This new job’s going to be tough, but I’m ready. And then there’s the matter of you and me…”

“And what about you and me?”

“Handling you is a different kind of challenge than putting out a burning building, but I think I’m ready for it.”

“Why don’t you show me how ready you are?” said Chloe, turning to face me and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

“Gladly.”

I leaned in and kissed her deeply. As always, Chloe’s taste was like pure heaven. I couldn’t get enough of this woman.

Right as our kiss hit its crescendo, the elevator doors slid open revealing a swarm of reporters, all of them clamoring and shoving their microphones into my face. Cameras went off, catching Chloe and I mid-kiss.

“I guess they’re going to have another little detail about the new chief to report,” said Chloe.

I flashed Chloe one last smile, then turned my attention to the crowd. My hands raised, I cleared my throat and spoke clearly.

“Now,” I said. “I’m sure you all have a lot of questions…”