Episode 10

The captain remained in his office for a few more minutes, contemplating how to handle the situation. Even though he knew Calvin was an excellent firefighter, responsible and a role model for the station, he had still broken a rule by assaulting a colleague, and the captain needed to act impartially.

Determined to resolve the issue, he went looking for Calvin, but just then, the alarm sounded, and the firefighters sprang into action. As the captain saw Calvin approaching, he stopped him.

"Calvin, stay here, I need to talk to you."

"Captain, we have an emergency," Calvin tried to reason.

"They can handle it without you," he affirmed, glancing towards Eddie. "You're in charge of this operation; Calvin won't be participating in this call. Delegate tasks as we've trained before," he instructed Eddie.

Calvin had no room to contest the captain's orders and could only obey.

"Come with me to my office," the captain requested, turning and starting to walk.

Calvin's gaze lingered on his team, noticing Frank looking back at him. Somehow, he knew the conversation was probably about the assault earlier, which made him feel even more defeated. He turned and headed towards the office, while Frank sighed before adjusting his helmet.

"Don't worry, the captain will deal with Calvin's assault on you," Eddie assured him as they climbed onto the truck.

Frank didn't want to complicate matters or get Calvin in more trouble.

"Did you tell the captain what happened?" Frank asked, visibly uncomfortable.

"Yes, I did. After all, if no action is taken, it'll give others the green light to do the same."

"It wasn't necessary; I'll sort it out with Calvin personally. This is a private matter."

"What you call a private matter happened inside the firehouse, which means it becomes an issue that needs to be addressed by the captain. Outside, you can resolve your personal matters."

Frank didn't utter another word, but it was clear that Eddie seemed to relish the situation. While Frank pondered this, inside the firehouse, the conversation between the captain and Calvin began.

"There's been a complaint about you assaulting one of your colleagues. Is this true?" asked the captain, staring at Calvin.

"Was it Frank who filed the complaint?" Calvin sought to confirm if it was him.

"It wasn't Frank, but judging by your question, I presume it's true. I'm going to speak informally since we've known each other for a long time. I just want to understand what went through your head that made you act this way. This has never happened before; you've always channeled your anger into training at the academy and the firehouse. What led to this reckless act?"

Calvin wondered who could have filed the complaint, even though he knew it was inevitable that the captain would find out. Someone was quick to report what had happened, and although Calvin didn't want to expose the matter, he answered as best he could.

"I'm sorry about what happened. I know I was impulsive, and I guarantee it won't happen again. The reason is a personal matter between me and Frank, but I assure you I'll resolve it as quickly as possible."

The captain, who was already seated, stood and walked over to where Calvin was, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Calvin, your father would be proud of the man you've become. I don't know what problem you had with Frank, but you can't let it affect your work."

He let go of Calvin's shoulder and started pacing the room.

"Everyone here knows I've known you for a long time, that I worked with your father. What happened requires correction, and if I don't take disciplinary action, they'll say you have privileges here because of my friendship with your father." The captain tried to explain.

"I understand, and I wasn't expecting you to go easy on me. My father and you taught me to be responsible for my actions and to accept the consequences. Whatever the punishment, I'm ready to receive it."

The captain looked at Calvin's back and smiled with pride at the firefighter's attitude. Maybe someone else in his place would question or even place the blame on the other party, but he knew Calvin wouldn't do that.

"If Frank doesn't press charges against you, you'll be suspended for three days without pay, since he wasn't seriously injured by the punch he received. If he does press charges, it could increase to weeks or even a month; it will depend on him. As soon as he gets back, I'll talk to him, and depending on what he says, your punishment will be decided."

Calvin stood up and faced the captain.

"Thank you. As I said before, and I'll repeat it, you've been like a father to me since my dad passed away, my second male role model. Thank you for supporting me, but also for reprimanding me when necessary."

Calvin was sincere, and after his words, he hugged the captain.

"Let's leave the sentimentalities aside; I'm too old for this. For today, carry on with your day as normal. If there's another emergency, you'll go with the reserve team, and at the end of your shift, we'll see what happens with your situation."

The captain informed him, and Calvin thanked him once more before leaving the office. The thought that all this mess was a result of a wrong choice in the person he had gotten involved with frustrated him even more. He felt guilty for having allowed himself to be carried away by Frank's glances and smiles, and now he saw himself as a complete idiot for falling for him.

Calvin's team also responded to an emergency, and by the time they arrived back at the station, Frank and the others had already returned. As his shift ended, Calvin headed to the locker room to shower.

Undressing and wrapping himself in a towel, he headed for the showers. Frank was among those present, so Calvin walked past him, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to be reminded of what they had done, the feeling of Frank's skin on his hands, or his colleague's moans.

Calvin didn't know if the captain had spoken to Frank yet or what the punishment would be, as it would basically depend on the person he assumed was angry with him because of the punch. He started his shower, keeping an eye on Frank from the corner of his eye.

Calvin noticed when Frank stepped out of the shower, wrapped himself in his towel, and approached him, even aware of the curious glances cast in their direction.

"Can you listen to me now?" Frank asked, even though Calvin still wasn't looking at him.

Calvin finished rinsing the soap off his body, turned off the shower, and grabbed his towel. As he dried himself, he faced Frank but remained silent. Others who were still showering began to watch, including a friend of Calvin's, who was on alert, ready to intervene if his friend lost his cool and acted recklessly as before.

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