#pelham

Noticing the empty glass on Alie’s hand, Pelham called out for Herrmann. “Hey, Herrmann. Bring me two beers, one for me and one for my friend right here.”

“Friend? Whoa there buddy.” Alie raised her hand in front of her. “Slow down, we aren't that close.”

“Really?” Pelham leaned forward on his seat, resting his arms on the table. “I would say we are very close.” He licked his lips, not breaking eye contact with Alie. “Like the other day on a call, when you were acting all tough. Your face just a few inches away from mine.” The memory made his lips curve into a smirk.

Alie mimicked his actions, leaning forward on the table. “Oh, yeah?” She cocked her head to the side and licked her lips, getting closer to Pelham as his eyes watched the way her tongue brushed over her lower lip. “Just like the other day, when you fell on top of me and…broke my fucking rib?”

Pelham laughed, throwing his head back, and for some reason that sound made Alie feel butterflies in her stomach. She noticed how his eyes wrinkled when he smiled, how he threw his head back when he laughed. Then, she noticed something else.

“Pelham, let me ask you something.” She said with a serious, yet soft voice, and he nodded his head, telling her to go on. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

Pelham couldn’t help but frown. He wasn’t sure where this was coming from. “I’m..I’m not sure I’m following you.” He confessed.

“As you said it yourself, I’m a pain in your ass. But yet, you’re always acting as if we’re friends and we don’t try to kill each other every day.” Cocking her head to the side, Alie asked with a genuine voice. “How is it possible? How can you be so nice to me even when I act like a bitch?”

And there it was again, that laugh. Nodding his head, Pelham understood what Alie wanted to know. Herrmann appeared beside their table, handing their beers before flashing Alie a warm smile and going back to the bar.

Pelham played with the bottle in his hand, avoiding Alie’s eyes, as a slight smile appeared on his face. “Since I was a kid, my mom used to say to me ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always’.” Looking up, he met her eyes, almost getting lost in them. 

“My dad used to say the same thing.” Alie flashed him a short smile.

Pelham frowned as his lips curved into a smirk. “Are my eyes deceiving me or was that a smile? Not a sarcastic, but a genuine, beautiful smile?”

“Oh, shut up!” Alie rolled her eyes, taking a sip from her beer. “And stop flirting with me, I’m not going to fall for it.”

Raising his hands in surrender, Pelham laughed. Their eyes met, and there it was again. That feeling, as if Alie knew him from somewhere else. He felt so familiar, yet she was sure they had never met before. She tried to remember when was the last time she had this feeling, then something clicked in her head. She was falling for him.

“You know, I…-I think I should... go.” Alie quickly grabbed her purse, placing some money on the table to pay for her drinks, before making her way out of the bar.

“Jones, wait!” Pelham shouted, confused, as he followed her outside. “Alison!” He called again, trying to catch up with her.

Keeping her head down, Alie kept walking toward her car. She could hear Pelham calling for her but she chose to ignore it.

“Alison, stop!” His voice was firm, like the hold he had on her arm as he made her turn around. Standing face to face, Alie kept her eyes on the ground. “What happened back there?” His voice was soft but full of concern as he frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” Alie whispered, shaking her head as she finally met his eyes. Standing just a few inches away from him, Alie could see every small detail of his face. The way his nostrils flared, his plumped pink lips, the shine in his dark eyes as he looked at her. “Please, stop looking at me like that.” The words came out just above a whisper.

He took a step closer, their noses slightly touching, as he closed his eyes and whispered back, “Like what?” His hands found their way to each side of her waist.

Closing her eyes, Alie felt the butterflies on her stomach once again. His cologne clouded her senses as she brushed her nose against his. “Stop looking at me as if you want to kiss me.”

“What if I do?” He quickly whispered back, his fingers gently nudging at the soft skin of her waist. “What if I wanna kiss you? Would that be wrong?”

“Yeah…” She brushed her lips over his, feeling light-headed when he softly pecked her lips. “We can’t.” She whispered against his lips, shaking her head lightly. “You’re my lieutenant.”

“Interim Lieutenant.” He corrected her, his lips curving into a smirk before he pecked her lips again, testing the waters.

“But…we hate each other.” Alie whispered, pulling away just enough to look into his eyes.

Licking his lips, Pelham cupped Alie’s face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “We can go back on hating each other tomorrow. How about that?” Getting a nod in response, Pelham smiled and leaned down, capturing Alie’s lips in a soft, yet hungry kiss. A kiss he’s been waiting for way too long.

-/-/-

As he ate his breakfast at the common room table, Pelham saw Alie entering the firehouse and walking to the coffee pot, passing behind him. Leaning back on his chair, he smiled.

“You look like shit, Jones.” He spoke over his shoulder.

Placing the pot back in place once she was done serving herself, Alie grabbed her mug and sat on the couch. “Well…I feel like it too.” She sighed, before taking a sip of her drink.

“Had a fun night?” Pelham turned around in his chair, facing the female firefighter as he bit the inside of his cheek to hold back a grin.

Rolling her eyes, Alie showed him the finger, careful enough so no one else would see it. As he heard his name being called on the ap floor, Pelham stood up from his seat and exited the room with a grin on his face, walking past Brett on his way out. 

Darting her eyes between Pelham and Alie, Brett frowned as she took a seat next to her friend on the couch.

“What is going on between you and Pelham?” She curiously asked, a slight grin appearing on her face.

Choking on her coffee, Alie’s eyes widened with the unexpected question. “W-WhAt!?” She tried to play dumb. “Me and Pelham?? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Alie shook her head and walked to the kitchen, placing her mug in the sink.

“Oh, stop it, Alie!” Brett followed her steps, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not stupid! I can see the way he stares at you every time you look away. He’s definitely into you!”

“What? Really!?” Alie asked curiously, shaking her head as soon as her lips threatened to curve into a smile. “No, no! You must have gotten it wrong. We hate each other!” She confessed. Walking to the bunk room, Alie laid down on her bed, burying her face in the fluffy pillow.

“Uh-hum, sure.” The PIC nodded her head, biting her lip, as she leaned against the wall. “So why would he ask me if you’re single?”

Alie quickly turned her head to the side, facing Brett. “He did!!?” She asked with a grin on her face.

“No, I was kidding!” Brett laughed, grabbing a pillow and throwing it on Alie’s face. “But I was telling the truth earlier, he’s definitely into you. And you’re clearly into him too!” She took a seat on the bed next to Alie’s.

Sitting up on her bed, Alie sighed. “Please, don’t tell anyone.” She begged Brett with puppy eyes, getting a reassuring smile and a nod in response. “We kissed last night….” She turned her gaze to the ground, feeling her cheeks burn.

“Oh, my god, Alie!” Brett squealed, using her hand to cover her mouth.

“I know, I know.” Alie shook her head, sighing. “But it’s not gonna happen again. It can’t!”

“Why not? As far as I know, you’re both single.” Brett assumed, confused.

“No, Sylvie, you don’t understand.” Alie leaned her back against the wall, resting her head back as she felt her eyes sting with tears.

Nodding her head in understanding, Brett took a seat on Alie’s bed, placing her hand on top of Alie’s. “You know...when Casey left for Oregon, he told me something.” She spoke with a soft voice. Alie slightly looked down at the paramedic, her eyes full of worry and embarrassment. “He didn’t say anything too personal, but he did tell me that you have some…trust issues when it comes to men.”

Resting her head back once again, Alie stared at the ceiling. She was relieved that Casey didn’t say anything about her past, and, somehow, she was glad that he told Brett about her trust issues. It meant that he really cared about Alie and was worried to leave her without anyone to rely on, so he tried to keep Brett in the loop, without saying too much.

“I don’t know why but…” Alie wiped off her tears with the back of her hand. “Something’s telling me that it’s different this time, you know?” Looking down, she met Brett’s eyes. “Something inside me is saying that he’s not going to hurt me, that I can trust him. But I-I can’t!” She brought her hand to her mouth to muffle a sob. Shaking her head, the fresh tears fell down her chin. “I like him, Sylvie. I really do. But what if I trust him and he ends up hurting me too??”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Brett wrapped her arms around Alie, bringing her in a warm embrace. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, or anyone else. You have all the right to feel scared and insecure. Your feelings are valid.” She softly explained. “Your feelings are a part of your experience.” Pulling away slightly, she lifted Alie’s face, meeting her eyes. “But you have to promise me you’ll work on those feelings, okay? You deserve to love and be loved, Alie. But that’s only gonna happen when you feel ready to trust someone else. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.” Flashing a reassuring smile, Brett continued. “Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”

Nodding her head, Alie sniffled. She knew Brett was right, and she wished it was that simple to let go of her fears. Even though her stepfather was dead, the damage had already been done, and Alie wasn't sure how long it would take for those wounds to heal.

The moment was ruined by the sound of the alarm, echoing through the firehouse. “Truck 81, Squad 3, Engine 51, Ambulance 61. Structural Fire…”

“Fuck. Worst timing.” Alie sighed, wiping her face, as she stood up.

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