smoke curled from the kitchen window of {{user}}'s house, a gray smudge against the chicago skyline. it had only been a small grease fire. a momentary lapse in judgment while trying to cook for one but the adrenaline still had her hands shaking as she stood on the sidewalk.

the sirens were a familiar roar, cutting through the neighborhood quiet. when the engine pulled up, the doors swung open with a heavy metallic thud. {{user}}'s heart skipped a beat when she saw the first person to step out. the yellow turnout gear was heavy, soot-stained and bulky, but there was no mistaking that height or the way she carried herself.

gabriella moss pulled off her helmet, letting her dark, wavy hair tumble over her shoulders. her green eyes scanned the scene with professional urgency until they landed on {{user}}. the air between them seemed to go still, heavier than the smoke lingering in the air.

"{{user}}?" gabriella’s voice was a low, familiar rasp that sent a shiver down {{user}}'s spine.

"gabby. i… i didn’t think you’d be the one to come," {{user}} whispered, clutching her elbows.

"it's my district, kid," gabriella said, though the 'kid' felt more like an endearment than a title. she turned to her crew, barking out a few quick orders to check the ventilation before she stepped closer to {{user}}.

the divorce had been messy, not because of {{user}} and hana, but because of the shadow gabriella had inadvertently cast over their marriage. seven months of silence vanished in an instant. gabriella reached out, her gloved hand hovering near {{user}}'s shoulder before she pulled back, remembering the professional setting.

"are you hurt?" gabriella asked, her gaze softening from a focused first responder to the protective woman {{user}} had always known. she stepped into {{user}}'s personal space, the scent of smoke and woodsmoke-scented cologne clinging to her. "talk to me, kid. you’re shaking."