Chapter 1: Sausalito

I had always been different, and my parents told me I was uncontrollable. They didn't support my decision to become a firefighter at sixteen or me dropping out of school to get my G.E.D., or the tattoo I had on my hip. They hated my hair and how it curled, how long it was and how 'unkept' it made me look. They hated that I was small and they hated that I wouldn't wear any makeup, which lead me to being homely in their upper class world.

They told me I was on my own at eighteen as they sat me down on the family couch that was covered in plastic. I was shocked, but I had picked myself up and moved into the fire station full time after that. I worked harder then any of the guys there, and my Chief put me up for a promotion. After passing the tests I had moved up the ladder twice before she called me in her office to tell me of a new position as a Captain.

Only problem was that the position was in a different state. I signed the paperwork and packed my things into my beater car and drove a state away barely making it. I didn't rent an apartment and moved right into the station.

My first night there was lonely so I walked up and to the beach. I met a man named Oliver and we sat and talked all night. He had dark black hair, and his two toned eyes never missed a beat. Somehow he made me feel comfortable in this strange town. Oliver's eyes shined and he held me between his arms as we sat there looking out at the water. His legs on either side of my body to block the wind. He leaned down a lot and let his srubbled face rub on mine.

He offered me inside for a drink, but we ended up naked and tossing in his sheets. I had been a virgin before that night and everytime I thought of him I got butterflies and an ache between my legs. He was sweet, funny, and muscular, but not in a way that made him seem like a meat head. He made me breakfast and even let me take a shower before I broke the news of having to leave.

He looked sad, but understanding as he walked me to the door. I had told him I'd come over again, but never told him when... I walked away. I couldn't describe the feeling, it felt like loss. I just knew I would see him again.

The next day went by slowly until we got a call that the local bar was burnt down and we rushed to see it engulfed in flames. I shouted orders and grabbed a hose to get it under control. The Officers on the scene told me about some trouble that had fallen on the bartender, so I went in and searched the area finding pieces of wet cloth that smelt like gas, a canister and a hard black line.

I reported my findings to the officer, the bar owner Jacob Jones and the bartender Valor Sterling before the man who started it showed himself. It was all very bizarre to me, but after he tried to hit Jacob with a tire iron and him being shot in front of me I was ready to be back at the station. I showered and climbed into the bed falling asleep quickly.

Over the next week I became irritated and mad at myself for not going to see Oliver, and burying myself with work. There was much more paperwork evolved and I used it as an excuse to keep away. I didnt want to seem like a needy person, but he kept popping into my head. I felt like I had waitied to long and if I just showed up I didnt know what I would find. On Saturday there was a knock on my office door. "Come in." I said as I typed up the chore duties for next month. Chief Landon came in.

I stood up and he lowered his hand. "Your old Chief told me you where a worker, but failed to mention you never stopped." I nodded as he took a seat in front of me. "Do you like the beach Gemma?" I nodded as he looked at the non existing pile on my desk. "Take the night off. In fact take nights off for a while. I'd tell you to go to Joe's if you don't know where to start. They have already rebuilt and reopened." He started to get up and leave, but he turned back to me.

"I know you work hard, and want to climb the ladder quickly... but don't forget to live along the way." I nodded and hit print as he ducked out of my small office.

I huffed and filed the checklist for next month. "I thought working was living." I whispered as I walked to the bunks and pulled out a tank top and jean shorts. I slid on sandals and looked in the mirror. Shrugging I left my hair down and walked towards the beach a different way. I found a surf shop and I walked in to see a peculiar man wearing scarfs and beads. "You don't like? Then dont buy." The man said as he pulled back something from the register. His antics made me giggle and the man standing behind a stand moved revealing those two toned eyes. He smiled and turned back to the peculiar man. "I'll take them Paco."

The peculiar man hummed in triumph as he rang Oliver up. I walked around and looked at the herbs on the rack and through the small bottles. I made it around to the wall of surf boards. "You surf?" I jumped and looked towards the voice that had haunted me. "No, just had a night off and was checking out the area." He nodded and stepped closer. "Would you like to go to dinner?"  He asked as he ran his hand up my bare arm.

My stomach at this time decided to grumble. I prayed he didn't hear it. "I think that sounded like a yes." He poked my stomach lightly. "Come on." He took my hand and the man behind the counter waved his fingers and grinned. We walked down the beach until we came to a big red house. The one I was already familiar with. Oliver opened a shed revealing to surf boards and he slid his package inside. "I used up my sister's wax and she pitched a fit, so I had to replace it."

I watched as Oliver closed the shed and walked me to the gate. "Do you want me to cook here, or do you want to eat out?" He asked as he played with my hair and pulled slightly on my curls. "Well the Chief told me to check out a place called Joe's." He smiled and took my hand again. "Joe's it is." We walked down the beach and the wind whipped through me making me shiver. "Wasn't that that place that burnt down?" I asked as he nodded and continued to walk.

Oliver didn't miss a beat before sliding his flannel off and draping it over my shoulders. "Thanks." I said as he buttoned up the front. "No problem Gemma." He smirked. "So what are your plans for tonight?" He asked as he took my hand again. "I don't really make plans, but my Chief told me to take a few nights off. He thinks I don't get out enough." Oliver nodded and walked me up a newly painted blue ramp and stopped before the door.

"I'm gonna apologize now. My sister works here and she can be a bit much." I laughed and he crunched his eyebrows together. "Okay I'm sure she's not." I said as I giggled again. Oliver hesitated bedore he opened the door and followed behind me. The restraint was buzzing and he guided me to a wooden table. The girl behind the counter looked over and I recognized her from the night of the fire. She ran over and jumped on Oliver. "Hey Big Brother!" She yelled and gave him a big kiss on the cheek before sitting next to him.

She stuck out her hand and smiled widely. "Hey I'm Valor, and you must me Gemma." I nodded and glanced toward Oliver who blushed and looked at his sister. I took her hand and noticed they had very similar eyes. "I met you already the night of the fire, I just didn't recognize you as Oliver's sister." I said before releasing her hand. "Yeah that night was a bit of a bummer." She tossed out making me laugh. I nodded and she turned to Oliver. "Usual?" She asked and he nodded. "What would you like Gemma?"

I shrugged so she scampered off and grabbed a menu. "I'm covering the bar, but I'll grab you some drinks." She slid me a menu and I thanked her before watching her run across the room. "Does she always have so much energy?" I asked Oliver to see him looking at me already. "Yes and sometimes it's exhausting, but since she met Jacob she's been busy." He said the last part quietly. "So you two are close?" He nodded and looked over at her before crunching his eyebrows together. "I've kind of been grumpy with her the last couple of days." He watched her walk over with some beers and a pink drink.

"These are my favorite, they are called paradises." She slid the pink drink ontonthe table and slid the beers to her brother. "I've never had any alcohol." I told her and she looked at Ollie. "Well I can grab you a soda or maybe a milkshake instead. I nodded and she slipped the drink away. "Any flavors you like?" I thought about it and said Strawberry please. Before she turned and her braids bounced behind her.

"So what do you do for fun?" Oliver's voice brought me back tonthe table. "Oh um I work." He crunched his face up and shook his head. "After dinner we are going to teach you how to let loose." A waitress came over and took our order. She seemed nice, but she kept leaning over. Oliver ignored her as he ordered and looked to me. "I'll have the same." I said before she snatched the menu out of my hand. "Bri! Watch yourself." Oliver barked before sitting down and apologizing. "Sorry she is my ex and haven't left me alone since. Even gave Valor a hard time when she moved in."

He shook his head. Now suddenly worried I was a rebound I took a deep breath. "How, um how long have you two been broken up?" He took my hand and rubbed circles over them. "Over a year and a half. Althoigh wee hook up every now and then. I'm not that kind of guy Gemma." It make me feel better knowing that, but the part about him hooking up bothered me. "And your sister, she just started living with you?" He shrugged. "We have kind of a weird relationship, but she moved here last April and lived with me until July then she went off on her own and when she came back she stayed for a week or so, and during the rebuild. Now she lives here with Jacob."

"Wow!" I said as two huge burgers where placed in front of us. Bri placed a bottle down and took Oliver's empty one's away. I wasn't sure how to pick the burger up and I looked up to see Oliver smirking. "Let me." He moved his plate and cut the burger into four smaller pieces before sliding it back in front of me. "Thank you." I said as he picked his up and bit into it.

I glanced over to see Bri stairing at me and tapping her nails on the counter. She was definitely upset. I looked at Valor to see her running around and grabbing bottles, and the man behind in the kitchen moving back and forth. I recognized him as Jacob, from the tattooed arms.