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After a while, there was another knock at the door, and the legendary Fire Chief Becky Thompson stepped inside.

“Chief,” Zoey said.

“Zoey, Lux, it’s good to see you both safe.”

“Thank you, Chief,” Zoey said. “For a moment, I was afraid we’d be mistaken for dead.”

Becky frowned and shook her head slowly. “Not around here, Lieutenant. We stick with our own. We never gave up on you- not for a second.”

“Thanks, Chief.”

Becky’s gaze shifted to Lux, and for a moment, she thought she saw the faintest hint of a smile. “Besides, Lux’s father and I go way back. He would have my neck if I didn’t get his princess back in one piece.”

Lux laughed. “I can imagine that.”

Becky nodded. “I’m proud of both of you.”

Zoey broke the silence. “Well, we’re here now, right? That’s what matters.”

Ramirez grinned, the tension in the room easing. “Yeah. That and your new awards.”

Everyone paused and exchanged glances. Ramirez’s smile soon waned when she noticed that she was the only one still smiling.

“What’s she talking about, Chief?” Lux asked.

Chief Thompson shook her head before clearing her throat. “Well, since that’s already out there, the station has decided to award you two an award for your resilience and bravery.”

“That doesn’t come with an overdue leave, does it?” Zoey asked.

Chief Thompson laughed. “You can take as much rest as you want. The award ceremony will be in a week. You two should be discharged pretty soon and should be all good for the awards ceremony. Unless you run off up that mountain again.”

The crew laughed. Lux found herself smiling too.

As the conversation flowed, Lux found herself listening more than speaking, content to soak in the presence of her colleagues. They were indeed family.

The chief stayed for a while, occasionally joining in the conversation but mostly observing. Lux noticed how her gazewould occasionally land on her. Just like her father, she was always looking out for her.

Eventually, the chief stood up, signaling it was time for her to leave. “I’ll let you all get some rest.”

The crew also stood, saying their goodbyes with promises to check in later.

As the last crew filed out of the room, Becky turned to Zoey and Lux one last time. “You both did well out there. Remember that.”

Zoey nodded, her expression serious. “We will, Chief.”

Becky gave them a final nod before stepping out of the room, the door closing softly behind her. The room fell silent once more, the weight of everything that had happened settling over them.

Zoey let out a long breath, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “That was…a lot.”

“Yeah,” Lux said. “So, how does it feel to be a hero?”

Zoey chuckled, shaking her head. “Right, because getting us through a wildfire is just a casual stroll for you.” She rolled her eyes.

Lux smirked, leaning forward slightly. “Well, I did have some pretty great company. Couldn’t have done it without you.”

Zoey’s cheeks flushed a light pink as she met Lux’s gaze. “We make a good team.”

“That we do,” Lux agreed, her voice softening. She glanced around the room before returning her gaze to Zoey. “Think they’ll ever let us live this down?”