Admission of the unknown

[Stephanie Taylor]

Stephanie didn’t really want to be here. Except she knew that talking to Boden about what was going on was… unavoidable. Running from things and trying to hide things was endangering her as well as the squad she worked on. Still on medical leave, she was still on crutches. Stephanie took a moment to lean on the wall just outside Boden’s office.

When he was finished with his current task she took a minute to tap on the door, waiting for a response before coming in, she didn’t look up from the dot on the ground. Not because she wasn’t being disrespectful, but more she was still trying to think about what she was going to say and how she was going to say it. Heaven help her if Boden got the first word in. “Can I talk to you?” It was a superfluous question, she knew there was an open door policy. On the other hand, she was pretty sure the whole house was upset at her.

Steph sat down the first chance she got so she could put her leg up and off the ground. The last person she wanted to hear was Ben chiding at her to stay off of it. Stephanie took a breath. “I don’t know how to say this…” she was being honest and she was playing with her badge in her pocket. Part of her ready to accept anything Boden threw at her for this incident. “I should have said something sooner.” She admitted finally making eye contact with Boden.

SQUAD 3

HOUSE 51

Wallace Boden Benjamin Taylor

callmekitty at adoxography

[Wallace Boden]

Boden was arguing the hell out of the new ‘healthy eating’ inicative that the brass wanted to put into place. Healthy at a fire house, unless they sent a chef it was what was cooked by the person that did it. No muss no fuss just food as fast as they could make it and eat it because there was no guarantee that they would be in the house long enough to look at a salad and think, yeah i’ll go healthy today. Especially when each shift could be a last shift and frankly if he wanted a burger he was going to eat it.

Wallace slammed the phone down as he made a few notes before looking up when he heard the tap on his door. Instantly he knew that was the other issue that was on his desk as he waved Stephanie into his office as he pushed himself up from behind his desk. “Come in.” He stated as he pulled out a chair for her surprised that she was talking first, oh he had a lot to say about what had happened the other night but if she wanted to talk then he would listen to her. “Sure, you can talk to me any time.” He said having the virtual open door policy.

Any time on shift, at home, if fire house family needed him then he was there for them no matter what. Boden sat on the edge of his desk as he rocked back slightly waiting to hear what Stephanie had to say as he glanced around for Ben. That guy was never far behind he thought as he listened to what Stephanie was saying. Boden stared at her when she made eye contact. He felt like saying no shit but at least she was saying something now and that was, well late but better than denial.

“Yes you should have.” Boden said as he leaned on one of his hands for a moment. “How is your ankle anyway and how are you doing?” He asked her figuring he would start light, no yelling or saying how disappointed he was that she didnt say anything. How it affected the entire house and not just one person, no friendly was the way to go or at least before they got into it about what to do. He still had no idea if he wanted to suspend her, send it upstairs to the brass to deal with or just try and deal with it in house but with that option came a risk of everyone else who worked there. He had to trust someone who didnt trust him enough to tell him there was a problem.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor , Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

Ben knew he was going to be late to the party; he was busy running drills with squad as he saw Stephanie head towards Boden’s office. Never in a million years did he ever think he would be in on a conversation about his wife walking off the fire house roof. There were a million things he never thought would happen at fifty one but they had and now this was one of those things he had to be a part of.

Had to be a part of was likely the wrong words as he would have done anything for Stephanie. He still would but he was unsure how the Chief felt about things and Ben had stayed away from asking about it. He had hardly said a word to anyone about what had happened that night other than Stephanie was alright. He was still trying to come to terms with everything that was going on and he had no idea how to handle anything let alone think about what the Chief would say.

All he could hope for was that the Chief would understand and Stephanie could plead her case. No matter what happened Ben was on Stephanie’s side with it all despite the fact he was still working things out. He had finished with the drills as he knew he was still on the clock though there had been no calls for a while now. All in all it seemed to be a slow day by all accounts though he knew never to voice those deadly words.

He went to grab his jack and shake off his gear, his mind doing flips wondering what Boden would throw at Stephanie. Today he was glad he was her husband and work came second to that, ironic when he had dreaded his first day at the house and now everyday became more of an adventure. He shook the thoughts from his head as he walked toward Boden’s office. He could see Stephanie sat in there and Boden perched on the edge of his desk with the same old look that said he was listening but undoubtedly had words to be spoken.

Ben tapped lightly on the door as he moved into the office closing the door behind him as he stayed back. He knew that Stephanie hardly needed him to stand with her on it and he would do anything to avoid an argument about helping her out or overstepping. He just nodded and smiled as he waited to hear what would be said next.

Stephanie Taylor, Wallace Boden,

[Stephanie Taylor]

Yeah Stephanie talking anytime about anything, was far and few between. Usually it was to Ben when she did decide to spill; but it wasn’t like she could continue to keep it from Boden. Stephanie didn’t have words for what she wanted to say. Thankful she brought her discharge paperwork with her from the military psych evaluation she tossed it up on his desk but didn’t say anything at the moment.

‘Yes you should have.’ Four words that made her feel like she’d failed. No, she wasn’t going to go there. Stephanie bit her lip. When he asked her how her ankle was and how she was the one word she used with everyone. “Fine,” she tossled the word out; she didn’t much feel like talkingn or explaining much of anything right now. What Boden didn’t understand was Stephanie’s trust was limited and it was a process of trusting the people in the house. Boden had more of it than she let him realize.

When Ben slipped in, Stephanie took a few more steps towards her husband. Not because she didn’t trust Boden, but he had this funny way of knowing what she needed. Right now, she needed someone to build her up, not tear her down. “I understand if you want my resignation Chief…” Oh she was going to go there. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she put the house in more danger.

Wrapping her arm around Ben’s back she laid her head on his shoulder but kept her eyes on Boden as her free hand twisted her bracelet. Stephanie’s nervous tick was playing with something, when she was fidgeting she was usually unsure of herself, or afraid. Something she knew Ben picked up on. Stephanie didn’t want to leave the house; but if it was better for the house, then despite her love and passion for her job she would accept the consequences of that.

SQUAD 3

HOUSE 51

Wallace Boden Benjamin Taylor

callmekitty at adoxography

[Wallace Boden]

Wallace was still trying to decide what to do with Stephanie, he should have known about her and this wasnt just about one person anymore. This was about the entire house and what was safe to do. There were those days when Wallace loved his job and those when he hated it more than ever. Today was leaning toward one that wasn’t going to be the greatest but then deciding how to handle this was difficult. Boden went to flip through the paperwork she had tossed onto his desk as he stared at the pages for a moment.

There were a lot of terms he had no clue what they meant and others that he knew all too well. Wallace waited to hear how she was though her one word response he just stared at her as if there might be at least two words put after that very general one. He might have said something more though Ben appeared as Wallace nodded to acknowledge him as he kept reading the paperwork Stephanie had. This wasnt just a case of a slight incident he could right off, something he could sweep under the carpet or pretend he hadn’t seen it at all.

Wallace looked up from the file as he heard Stephanie ask about her resignation. “It’s an option.” Wallace said as he couldn’t really deny it wasnt but it was a bit too far for him. “If you feel like that is what you want or need to do then I will accept it, but that option is with you.” He added as he put the file down and looked at Stephanie. “I don’t want to lose a fire fighter in this house and you’ve come a long way to get where you are now.” He stated as he glanced at Ben, “If you two want to talk that option over then go ahead and just get back to me by the end of your leave.”

It was tough to feel like there wasnt anything to do and Wallace knew what to look for in people but this was too far out of his wheel house given that Stephanie had walked off the roof. “Look I’m not going to tell you what is right or wrong but your ‘I’m fine’ doesn’t fly anymore in this room. You’re not fine and yes you don’t have to talk to me but at least be honest with me.” Wallace stated as he took a breath. “So I’m not going to take your job away from you but we need to figure out between us and that includes everyone in this room what we can do to help you Stephanie.” Wallace explained, “So talk to me about this, what helps and what doesn’t? What do you need?”

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

Ben watched as Boden read the paperwork Stephanie had, he hoped the Chief would be understanding about it all as there was no way Stephanie could help what she did. Ben knew the Stephanie in the room now was a far cry from the one who walked off the roof but then he knew that, it was if the Chief could see that too. Ben smiled when Stephanie took a few steps toward him though when she mentioned wanting to resign Ben shook his head. “Oh we’re not even going to go there.” He stated more to Stephanie than to Wallace though would fight tooth and nail for Stephanie to keep her job.

Ben wrapped his arm around Stephanie as he rubbed her back gently as he saw her twist her bracelet. Unsure or afraid he thought as he hugged her tightly for a moment before he whispered into her ear. “It’ll be okay, no matter what you’ll be alright.” He said softly not knowing what Boden would do or say but Ben was far from a fire-fighter in that moment. He was Stephanie’s husband and if the Chief thought different he would have two resignations on his desk to deal with. Ben glared at Wallace when he said it was an option.

“Oh hell no, it’s not an option because Stephanie hasn’t ever put anyone in this house in danger. She’s a great fire-fighter, she does her job and this has never affected her ability on a call. As anyone on in this house.” Ben stated firmly, no her resigning he had fought twice now to have her keep her badge afters he had considered giving it up and he was hardly going to be okay about it now. Ben turned to Stephanie for a moment, “And don’t you even think about it either. You’ve worked too hard, come too far just to resign now.” Ben knew he was telling her something but this was far more important than telling her to do anything else in life, not that he did it much only usually when they argued.

Ben grinned when he heard Wallace say she had come a long way, Ben just nodded to that and shook his head at the option of discussing her resignation. No, this was something he was sticking to unless Stephanie had a really good reason for it, no there was a no go idea in that. Ben then stared at the Chief, the man was shying away from saying what was right or wrong? Well it was Stephanie and he had learned the hard way about telling her to do anything. Ben found his grip on Stephanie tightening a little as he kissed the top of her head for a moment. “What do you want to do?” Ben asked her, he never wanted to step on any toes but he wanted to know what Steph wanted first of all and then he could be in her corner all the way after that.

Stephanie Taylor, Wallace Boden,

[Stephanie Taylor]

Ouch. Ben had heard her tell Boden that she thought about resigning. She knew Ben would fight about it. He’d fight about it even if it got him in trouble. Stephanie wasn’t sure what to say. She could feel Ben’s hand on her back. It’s presence a reminder that she wasn’t sitting here getting in trouble in the chief’s office alone. Stephanie held her composure. There was a lot she wanted to say, and there was a lot she wasn’t going to say.

Thankful Ben was there. Stephanie hugged Ben in such a way she was laying on his shoulder but she was still listening to Boden and giving him the eye contact he deserved. He’d helped save her life, she didn’t write that off so easily. Though when Ben started arguing with the chief, Stephanie wasn’t going to get in the middle of it. She didn’t like it when people argued over her. “Enough Ben. Let it rest.” She affirmed.

Whispering in his ear she tried to make sure that Boden didn’t hear. “Don’t get in trouble because of me. I don’t want to leave but i’ll accept it if that’s what happens. I’m a big girl Ben. I can own up to my actions.” In reality, the job was the only thing that kept her grounded and felt like something was worth fighting for when days got hard. Sure there was family, but the job gave her something to fight for. She turned her face back towards Boden when he started in on her not being fine.

“Fine is a relative term. Right now? I am fine.” She bit her lip, resisting the urge to lash out at the chief and end up suspended or fired instead of turning in a resignation. “I’ve always been honest with you chief.” Stephanie had never been asked, but she wasn’t exactly forthcoming with information. There was a difference. To have her integrity questioned… no she wasn’t going to let that slide. “And quite frankly sir, if you are truly questioning my integrity then you’d not have let me get this far in this house.” She was mostly polite about it and tried to keep the bitter tones out of her voice.

No way in hell was she going to talk now. Though she’d never discussed bringing Achilles into the firehouse before. She wasn’t about to right now. Would it help? Possibly. Was she going to open up to and admit her help came sometimes without words, without judgment, and from a four legged guard dog? Hell no. “I need space.” She wasn’t lying sometimes when too many people tried to help and get into her head at once all she wanted to do was lash out at them.

Ben was calm and it was keeping Stephanie calm enough. “I don’t want to talk. I can’t… I…” she started to panic though when there were too many questions but she retreated inwardly to Ben. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t even remember what happened. Why am I in trouble?” She didn’t exactly put two and two together. It was hard when you didn’t remember half of what you did but you were in the chief’s office getting spoken to.

SQUAD 3

HOUSE 51

Wallace Boden, Benjamin Taylor

callmekitty at adoxography

[Wallace Boden]

Wallace sat and listened to Ben’s little outburst about why Stephanie was to keep her job, fortunately it wasn’t down to the husband as to what would and wouldn’t happen in the house though he could see he had touched a nerve with it. “I didn’t say she wasnt good at her job Ben, I’m simply saying it is an option. By not telling me this she put everyone in danger... as you have done as well so don’t think for a minute I’m stupid enough to believe you didn’t know what was going on here.” Wallace said as he stared at Ben, “It hasn’t affected her on a call yet, it affected her in the house but I’m not putting anyone at risk and especially not Stephanie.”

It was his one concern, the safety of the house and that meant everyone in it including Stephanie. Wallace nodded when Stephanie spoke again about ‘fine’. “Relative it might me but fine doesn’t cut it in here. Be fine to everyone else but fine isn’t what I’m seeing right now.” Wallace said honestly, she had always been honest with him up until this and now he had no idea this had been going on with her. “You’ve gotten this far on your own Stephanie, I just ask that people tell me things when it affects their work. I know it hasn’t yet but it obviously has the potential to do just that and I can’t have that.” Wallace said as he figured that this might not be getting anywhere fast.

“I need to trust that if I send you into a building then you’re ready for that. I can’t have a might be or an I’m fine. The strongest people in this house raise their hand when they need help, they talk about things and let others know when their down and out. It’s not weakness, its strength because anyone that can do that is far better than the one who keeps it to themselves and doesn’t have a handle on things.” Boden had always been that way; if people were straight with him then he at least knew where things stood. If people hid things then there was no chance in helping them before he had to cut them from the house and it became a bigger issue.

“We can give you space but you’re not back on squad until your medically cleared.” Wallace said not sure when that would be but he wasn’t about to put her back out unless he was sure she was ready for that and needing space didnt sound like she was. Wallace watched Ben and Stephanie when she asked why she was in trouble, yeah she didnt remember a thing about it. “It’s not trouble but you walked off the roof. That’s not up for debate, it happened whether you know it or not but that is what bothers me. You don’t know it and we couldn’t stop it from happening. It’s not trouble we just need to know how to help you before this turns into something that is out of my hands.” Wallace tried to explain as he took a breath.

Honestly it was all he wanted, to keep the fire house family together but he couldn’t do that with the threat of one of them walking off a roof because everyone needed their sleep on a shift. It wasn’t fair to ask people to keep watch just on the off chance.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

“Chief I stand by my wife, no one was in danger while she works.” Ben stated glaring at the chief for a moment for that comment. “You think I want her at risk Chief? No and if I thought that this would have happened I would have done something but we’re working through things now so we’ll have a way to work soon enough.” He hardly minded if that way was him up all night watching out for her as he could sleep when he could, daytime if required but all in all he could adapt to whatever it was Stephanie needed from him.

The one issue he had being in on this meeting was that everything the Chief said he took as a personal attack on Stephanie. He had to force his mouth shut until he heard Stephanie say enough. No it was never enough to defend her from a guy that was making out in his head that she had failed the house. “I’d get into trouble because of you anytime and no you’re not leaving. I won’t have it and if you leave I leave too.” Ben whispered back to her, no she had worked too hard and too long to get to where she was.

If Ben had anything to do with it he was hardly going to let it get thrown away over a onetime thing he hoped. “I know you’re a big girl but I’m your husband so I get to look after you and fight whatever comes your way.” Ben explained knowing he would do just that for her no matter what happened. Ben bit his lip again, the Chief was really pushing things he thought as he kept his hand rubbing circles on Stephanie’s back hoping that she was a lot more relaxed than he was about everything.

The chief was doing the exact same thing he had, tried to help when he had no idea what to do for the best. Ben could hardly blame the man given he knew what that feeling was like. “Chief you’re not helping here.” Ben stated as he heard Stephanie start to panic as he wrapped his arm around her. “It’s okay shush, it’s all okay.” Ben said softly to her, “Look at me Stephanie. You haven’t done anything wrong at all Stephanie, we’re just talking about what is best. It happened and it’s over with but you’re not in trouble, I promise you that.” Ben said as he glanced to Boden to at least back him up on that.

The man had to understand that if Stephanie hardly remembered then what could she be in trouble for, and after all it was hardy trouble to start with. It was an accident that had managed to slipped passed the people they had awake, it was an accident and far from Stephanie’s fault for any of it.

Stephanie Taylor, Wallace Boden,

[Stephanie Taylor]

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[attr="class","lost1"]Stephanie Taylor

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ooc note: this template scrolls

Stephanie leaned on her crutches, taking her off squad… She rolled her bracelet. She’d worked too hard to get there. She’d almost given her life more than once to get her job done. And not because it wasn’t following protocol, but because it was her job. The figurative slap in the face made her angry. “I’ll be out of this cast in six weeks Chief. And don’t you think for one gawd damned fucking second that this has ever affected my job.” She would have stopped there and at the very least walked out of the room. Except he started fighting with Ben too.

“Everything in front of you? That’s in my file when I came to this house. I’ve started healing because of the people in this house. I sleepwalk, that’s a battle I will live with for my service to this country. It can be managed but don’t sit here and tell me that I can’t do my job. I don’t sleep while I’m on a call or pulling a rescue off some ledge. I do my job.” The dalmatian who resided in the firehouse perked his ears up at Stephanie’s angry sounded temper.

When he said the strongest people in the hand raised their hand for help she fumed. “I have help. You’re just butthurt that it’s not you.” Going off on the chief was probably not one her smartest moves but she was fed up with people telling her that she couldn’t do her job, that she was a danger to this house. “I have NEVER hid anything from anyone in this house. I past the psychological exam to get into the CFD and I sure as hell will pass one to stay in the CFD if that’s what it takes.” She replied. Even if it meant leaving the house. “But if my chief can’t trust me then I can’t trust him. That’s a two way street.” She didn’t appear to be letting up.

She didn’t let up until Ben had a hold on her and was whispering in her ear. She wanted to believe him but it would be bad enough with one of them out of a job, both of them and things would go to hell in a handbasket real fast. Stephanie could feel the circles on her back and she tried to relax but she was worked up. “I took this job so that other people wouldn’t have to deal with what I’ve had to deal with.” Her voice was quiet, too quiet to be audible across the room.

As Ben held her she seemed to calm down some but to her it was hardly over. “My triggers aren’t here Ben.” She had to go see Brittany once a month to get a psych evaluation that kept her at the fire department. Every one of those was on file in her file. “Even Brittany says it’s okay for me to be here. I don’t understand.” She didn’t understand, it had been an accident. “Achilles wasn’t here to alert you that I was awake…” She looked at Ben. “He’d have told you and we both know it.” Since the accident, Stephanie had been working with both Ben and Achilles so they could understand each other better.

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Benjamin Taylor Wallace Boden

ulla

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[Wallace Boden]

“You know how much I would like to believe that but we were all here when Stephanie walked off the roof, I know it wasn’t on a call but that incident isn’t one I want to have repeated in this house.” Wallace said glancing at Ben. “I’m glad to hear it Ben but working through it is good for you and Stephanie but for this house. I have to think of everyone here.” Wallace said not entirely sure he was going to get anywhere with arguing but it wasnt like he didnt want to help he just needed to keep a level head and get to a resolution on things.

“All due respect Harris... sorry Taylor but this has affected your job. You were at work when this happened, you were taken off shift and left this house with one down for Squad. Yes we can cover that but it affected your work so before you go and tell yourself it didnt. It did.” Wallace stated, he had no issue is covering or calling in the back ups for such an event but it affected work and that was all there was to it.

“Listen up the two of you, I know Stephanie you’re affective at your job, that’s no in question here. What you’ve done so far has been excellent work and I’m extremely proud of this house and the journey you’ve come on since being here.” Wallace said, “All I’m saying is that sleepwalking it has to be managed for this job to work, I can’t have a firefighter that is going to walk off a roof at a minutes’ notice and no one know. I know it hasn’t affected any call... yet and I know you’re working on this but understand that if this isn’t under control then I can’t in good faith put you back on Squad for your safety if this is going to happen again without warning.”

Wallace wasnt trying to be an ass here in fact he was trying to be anything but, he just needed a way of knowing when Stephanie was going to sleepwalk or a way without watching her like a hawk to stop anything like walking off a roof before it happened. Wallace gripped the edge of his desk when Stephanie went off at him as he shook his head calmly. “No I’m not hurt it wasnt me, I’m just letting you know I’m here if you need me. What works for you works for you but hear me that if I can help I will.” He stated knowing he wasnt everyone’s cup of tea to turn to when things went sideways.

“Then I’m asking where was my heads up on walking off a roof? Exam or no exam, that you could have told me because I’m guessing this isn’t the first time it has happened.” Wallace asked as he shook his head, “I trust you Stephanie to get the job done believe me you’re one of the best in this house but like you said trust is two way street. If I can’t trust that you’re not going to do this again then yes we do have a trust issue.” Just because it had been said and yes to hear that someone didnt trust him was hurtful but still he needed to be able to trust the people under him and that right now was a problem. There was nothing in his mind set up to tell anyone if Stephanie was in that mindset and having Brittany work every shift Steph did wasnt a possibility.

“Yeah I can see that.” Wallace stated when Ben said he wasnt helping, no that much was obvious as he watched them have a conversation too quiet for him to hear. “All I’m trying to do here is work out a way that we can all keep going, a way that works for all sides and right now I have no idea so this is where you two need to tell me what you need.” Wallace stated, all the reports said things yes and sure sleepwalking was part of it but it didnt tell him how to help Stephanie, how to prevent another incident and how to make sure there was a way anyone and everyone could pitch in without having her under surveillance for an entire shift.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

“Chief if you’d listen to what we’re saying it won’t be.” Ben was getting frustrated, it was one time and yes he had a crash course that night in how things worked and since then he had been working with Achilles and Stephanie to figure out how to go about things now. “That’s your job not ours and if you thought that anyone here was unable to do their jobs, we would never be in your office talking about it.” He added in a sharper than usual tone for himself. There were no jokes or snarky comments to throw because none of it was funny.

Ben bit his tongue to keep from saying much else though it seemed Stephanie had it covered; no if anyone in that room wanted to know if she was going to do that again it was him. Stephanie was his wife and he cared about her, work or not it was why he had been trying to get to grips with it all so he could at least know something was wrong before hand. Ben might have even offered for Stephanie to do what she wanted to but he knew how much the job meant to her in the first place.

He could hardly see her throw it away over one incident that hardly had an ounce to do with what was going on. Ben smiled as he kept his lips to her ear. “It’s okay I know why you do it and it’s a great thing you do. Trust me Stephanie it will all be okay.” He said softly, “And if not we can manage but you come first in this no matter what. For better or worse.” So stating their marriage vows was hardly concrete proof that things would go either way but Ben knew even if it meant him taking more shifts if the worst happened he was happy to do so. It might not be easy and he might not be home as much but he had done it to begin with for Grace so it was no different now, family meant the world to him.

Ben glared at Boden, “If you see it then why keep talking Chief.” Ben snapped as he held onto Stephanie, though the chief had a point. They needed a way to work things out that worked for all sides as he listened to Stephanie again. “Listen I understand the Chief, it’s tough to get this. I know that but you are okay to be here or he would never be asking us for the solution to work it out. Boden knows that.” Ben said trying to at least be optimistic, the very thing he tried to do no matter what was going on in life.

Then when Stephanie mentioned Achilles Ben grinned, the dog would have told him he was getting used to how that worked now. Yes he had a ways to go to understand Achilles but it worked he just might be a bit dense to begin with to figure out what was going on. “You’re a genius.” Ben whispered as he kissed her cheek for a moment, stuff the fact that Boden was there because they did have an answer. “What about Achilles Chief, he’s a service dog and tells me when Stephanie is sleepwalking. What about allowing him to the fire house? He’d let anyone of us know what was going on.” Ben suggested as looked toward Boden and then back at Stephanie.

“People use them all the time, if we could bring Achilles in then that solves the problem right?” Ben asked glancing between the two of them, it was an option he thought as well people used service dogs all the time.

Stephanie Taylor, Wallace Boden,

[Stephanie Taylor]

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[attr="class","lost1"]Stephanie Taylor

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Stephanie knew it had never affected her judgment on a call, not once. To hear the chief explain that it did, she was fuming. Stephanie’s fist clenched and took hold on Ben’s shirt as she pretended she was still listening. In fact, at this point she wasn’t listening to the chief anymore. It was falling on deaf ears. In her mind, he wasn’t helping her and she didn’t trust him so why listen?

Proud? Words he was using to cover up the fact that he was sitting here chastising her for something she couldn’t control. How could sleepwalking affect her on a call? She was awake for those. “With all due respect my sleepwalking is IN my file.” She hissed. For someone who familiarized themselves with their staff, he was failing. Stephanie took a step back and bumped into Ben. Oh there was little way in hell she was telling Boden what she needed, because she couldn’t trust him.

Ben, however didn’t miss the fact what she needed right now wasn’t help but still feel independent. That’s why Achilles had been assigned to her in the first place. Stephanie took a breath. Keeping her calm wasn’t easy but Ben could manage that now at times. “I’ve been thrown away by the military, turned away from the CPD, and other agencies. I’ve managed to turn that all around. Now, this is all going backwards. I can’t handle that.” She whispered. She talked to Ben, and she told him things. Confided in him and even that had taken its time.

A confused expression sat on her face when Ben told her that she was a genius. Stephanie was a lot of things but genius wasn’t one that she would use to describe herself. She hardly interfered with Ben’s words to the chief. However, if Boden so much as thought about going after Ben again, there would be hell to pay. Stephanie was already at her breaking point.

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Benjamin Taylor, Wallace Boden

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[Wallace Boden]

Wallace shook his head. “I am listening but nothing’s changed and no offence to either of you but I need more than your word on this.” Wallace hated having to say it but it was true, he needed something that he could use in case he was asked. “No you’re right which should say a lot about why you are here in this office right now.” Wallace added, he trusted the two of them. They were both squad, married and sure it might have been a bad idea for anyone else to work that closely with a spouse but the two of them seemed to have it under control.

A few bumps here and there but then again when wasnt there but Wallace wasnt about to just say everything was alright when it wasnt. Their word meant something to him but in this case he needed more than that. “Just remember who’s office you are in Taylor.” Wallace warned the man not liking his tone, if it was any other fire fighter he had to wonder if Ben would take the same stance. Tempers weren’t exactly calm but then when were they ever in the house.

Wallace turned his attention to Stephanie. “I know I’ve read your file but walking off a roof, I should have had this situation stopped before now. Yes that is on me but now I need your help in sorting out a solution to it.” Wallace explained, maybe he should have done things differently, approached it before it ever got this far but then this was the first time there had ever been an incident like this at the house. Sleepwalking or not Wallace couldnt have it happen again for her own safety and without a solution he had no choice.

When Ben mentioned Achilles Wallace furrowed his brow. “What about the dog?” He asked not sure where Ben was going with it. “You have a service dog to alert people when you sleepwalk?” Wallace asked though he knew what he had just been told he just didnt know why he was only hearing of it now. Wallace stayed silent for a moment as he mulled over the idea in his head. If the dog could tell anyone in the house that Stephanie was sleepwalking then people would be aware a lot faster if no one was awake.

That meant that with the dog in the house, Wallace got to keep the two fire fighters and everyone was relatively happy. It was a win win he thought as he looked between the two Taylors. “It does solve the problem but we will all need trained on what to look out for with Achilles if you are both up for that?” Wallace asked not sure if they would agree to it. “Stephanie, are you happy with bringing Achilles in here and teaching us what to look out for? I’m happy enough with that as our solution if you are.”

It was a solution and a service dog was the answer to it all, he just wished that they had told him at the start of this when he hadn’t had to go through the boss part of all of it. There were days when being the boss was great and days like today when it sucked. It was a balance between the people in the house, what was right and the facts he had before him. Right or wrong he was trying to help and be fair on everyone to keep Stephanie safe.

Tag: Stephanie Taylor & Benjamin Taylor

[Benjamin Taylor]

“That’s crap Chief, all due respect to you. We’re giving you our word, what more do you want?” Ben snapped, what could he have wanted truthfully because beyond their word Ben could hardly see what else there was. He could never promise that Stephanie would stay asleep and not sleep walk, it was impossible but if the man wanted him to sign it in blood he would do just to keep her a job there. When Boden spoke about why they were in the office he could hardly argue the point with that one, the man was being fair to a point.

“I know where I am Chief.” Ben said tartly as he glared, “Remember you’re not talking to the fire-fighter you’re talking to the husband.” Ben was proud of that fact, the simple fact that Stephanie’s judgement had allowed her to marry him. Yes there were still those days when he would wake up and feel like the entire thing was a dream but at that moment. He was defending his wife not standing up there as a member of the house because that was far from what he felt was needed then.

Ben was doing his best to keep calm for Stephanie as he could feel her gripping onto his shirt. He kept his hand rubbing her back lightly in the hopes of keeping her calm too though when he listened to her talk about being thrown away. It was far from acceptable for her to talk like that. “Stephanie it’s not going backwards and you’re a lot tougher than you know.” Ben added in a whisper glad she told him things. He had missed having an adult to confide in, someone he could truly trust and for Stephanie to return that meant a lot to him.

“You’ve not been thrown away, just pushed toward the fire department because we’re so much better than military or CPD or any other agencies. Their loss is our gain and the chief knows that, we all do. It will turn out alright.” Ben said softly to her as he pulled away from her ear to explain his idea. To Ben Stephanie was a genius as he hugged her tightly, they had the answer there all along so Stephanie was the genius in that moment. Ben nodded when Wallace spoke about the service dog, it had taken Ben a while to understand but if Achilles could tell him he could tell anyone.

“I’m so up for that.” Ben said grinning from ear to ear as he looked to Stephanie. “What do you think? Bring Achilles to work and its problem solved.” Ben was more than excited at the prospect, Stephanie got to keep her job and they could all have a hand in making sure that Stephanie was alright. “Steph, come on, come on, come on. Say something.” He said without giving more than a second for her to answer as he grinned at her, making sure he held her and kept rubbing her back though the choice was entirely hers.

If Stephanie wanted it then Ben was happy for that to be the solution, he would do all he could to help anyone understand what the Achilles was trying to say as it took him long enough to do it. It just meant that Stephanie was safe at work too when they were back from a call.

Stephanie Taylor, Wallace Boden,