A/N: New story idea I came up with earlier. I don’t think it’s been done before, but I’ll try to make it as original and creative as possible.

It is all human, and rated T – neither of these things will change.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

Chapter One

Glancing at my watch, I scowled as I yanked the door open. Rain was pouring down, leaving me drenched, and I could already hear the lecture I would get from Alice about being twenty minutes late. The bells chimed overhead as I walked in, shaking the droplets off my rain jacket as I scanned the room.

I found Alice at our usual table next to the window, a steaming latte sitting idly in front of her as she rested her chin on her palm. She appeared to be looking directly at Jasper, who was filling an order, all subtly disappeared from her gaze.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” she said, noticing me. “Have any trouble finding the place?”

I rolled my eyes as I chaffed my arms, trying to warm myself up. “Sorry. Traffic,” I said, waving my hand nonchalantly in order to dismiss any arguments she would more than likely put up about me being late.

Pulling out my wallet, I grabbed a five-dollar bill before scooting out the chair, the legs scraping against the carpet floor. “I’m going to order something. Are you set?” I asked, nodding towards her drink.

“I’ll do it!” she practically screamed, snatching the bill from my hand while waltzing to the register. I watched with pale amusement as she ran a hand through her short black hair, smiling coyly at Jasper. I listened as she ordered my usual, laughing undoubtedly another one of Jasper’s witty comments and he grinned back, handing her the change.

Although Alice had never been one to settle down, her latest and most long-lasting love interest was Jasper Whitlock, the barista who worked weekdays from 3-6pm. It surprised me that her crush had lasted this long – typically she would fawn on them for a few weeks before she lost interest, but Jasper was different. She visited the café twice a week, usually asking me to accompany her so she wouldn’t appear lonely.

Pulling out my spiral notebook, trying to kill time until she came back, I groaned as I scanned the list of story beginnings I had accumulated over the past few months. All of them, in one way or another, would end up being a love story. No matter how hard I tried at mysteries or dramas, they would eventually lead back to that timeless romance between the two main characters. The aggravation never truly left, and yet whenever I looked over the list, I felt a sense of longing. A need to understand what I didn’t know. Love came in many forms, and yet whenever I sat down to dissect it and see how I could translate the thoughts from my mind to the page, it came out muddled and much more complicated than it needs to be.

Alice’s grin was a mile wide when she returned, and she hummed a light tune while practically shoving the mug at me. Hot liquid sloshed around, a bit flowing over the rim and down onto the table, making me hiss in pain as I yanked my hand back. I narrowed my eyes at her, reaching for the paper napkin she was clutching but was shocked when she smacked my hand away.

“Don’t even think about it.” she seethed, staring adoringly at it. I furrowed my brow, and after taking an extra second to make sure I wouldn’t use her precious napkin, she handed it over, letting me examine it. It took half a second to see ten digits printed in blue ink, with the name ‘Jasper’ scrawled underneath.

“And you’re sure you didn’t know it was Jasper’s shift before you showed up?” I teased, winking at her. “The coincidences are so uncanny.”

“Of course not. I’m not psycic.” she replied, feigning hurt, but her soft giggles gave her away. “But look!” She tapped the napkin. “His number!”

Despite my frequent jabs about her infatuation with Jasper, I truly was proud of her. “Finally,” I said, taking a sip of the drink. “How’d you do it?”

She laughed shakily, grabbing the napkin back and tucking it into her pocket. “I don’t know what happened. I ordered your usual coffee and was paying when he started talking about photography class. We’ve got a group project due, but I didn’t have a partner.”

I didn’t fail to notice her use of the past tense.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “And he asked, completely calm, if I wanted to be his partner for it. We exchanged numbers and he said he’d call me Friday.”

I grinned over my mug, reveling in the warmth of the drink. “I’m happy for you, Alice. I really am.”

The conversation turned towards other things and I excused myself half an hour later, claiming I had work to do. She arched an eyebrow at my statement but allowed me to give her one last hug, congratulate her, and tell her I’d see her at home after I got back from the library.

Turning the key in the ignition, my old truck roared to life as I slammed on the pedal, pulling out of the parking space and backtracking my way down Elm Street.

After several hours of working, crammed in a small cubicle with only a few of the hours being productive, I was able to get the work finished. I shut my laptop down and stuffed the rest of my belongings away, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. My muscles were stiff and my eyes were drooping with exhaustion, and the thought of crawling into bed was the motivation I needed to drive home.

The rain had started to pour once again as I walked down the slick steps of the building, and I put my bag over my head in a pathetic attempt to stay dry as I ran to the truck, suddenly grateful for it’s stability and durability in bad weather. It may be moments away from falling apart if you tried going over fifty, but it was built like a brick.

Flashes of lightening, followed by the loud clashes of thunder, colored the sky, silver streaks marring the otherwise dark canvas. I jumped, willing the truck to move faster as the rain pounded against the windshield, the wipers not fast enough to completely clear my line of vision.

The lightening appeared to be moving closer as I neared the apartment I shared with Alice, the thunder’s boom following merely seconds after the lightening shocked the sky. I quickly parked the truck, the trees shaking from the intensity of the wind. I eyed one that was quivering precariously, tipping dangerously towards the building, but I refused to acknowledge it any longer. The rain was chilling me to the bone, my teeth chattering loudly as I ran through the lobby and illuminated the elevator button.

Once inside the apartment, I dropped my coat on the hook and bag on the couch, making a beeline straight for the kitchen. I checked the machine, hearing only two messages: one from Renee, asking why I hadn’t called her lately, and one from Alice’s brother Emmett, inviting us for dinner sometime next week. After graduating college he chose to become a fireman and worked in Portland, his girlfriend Rosalie becoming good friends with Alice and me.

I noticed a box of leftover pizza on the counter, a crumpled piece of paper next to it. I put a slice on a paper plate, not wanting to bother with dishes, and glanced at the note, already having an idea as to what it would say.

Bella-

I needed to run out and get some stuff for photography – there’s leftover pizza on the counter if you’re hungry.

I’ll be back later.

Love you!

I sat down on the couch, resting my head on the end as I watched something completely uninteresting on TV. My eyes continued to flutter shut my body screaming at me to get some sleep. Sucumbing, I rolled over, spreading a blanket over me before drifting off to sleep, not having the energy to move into the bedroom.

I must’ve eventually dozed off, but when I woke up, the couch digging into my spine, making me uncomfortable, flames were everywhere. Smoke was pouring into the apartment from an unknown source, filling into every crack and crevice it could find, making it impossible to breath. I tried to hold my breath as I threw my body upright, surveying the damage.

A charred tree had broken the window above the kitchen sink, it’s dead, rotting branches strewn all over the blackened floor. Flames had engulfed that room and were spreading quickly, destroying everything in their wake. Panicking, I racked my brain, trying to figure out what to do.

“Didn’t you learn about fire safety and what to do in girl scouts?” I screamed mentally. Wasn’t I supposed to crawl on the floor, stop breathing because of the smoke and…stop, drop and roll?

I decided on the first option, dropping to my knees and getting as low as I could. I briefly contemplated calling the fire station before realizing the phone would not be working, my cell phone out of reach. I could only pray someone knew I was here and called as I felt hot tears stream down my face and I spun around, squinting and choking on the thick smoke as I tried to find a way out.

I felt like I was trapped in an oven with no way of escaping. The heat was scalding, and my escape routes unusable. The front door was completely blocked, as was the fire escape near the bedrooms. I briefly contemplated climbing out a window, but stopped myself when I realized I was on the third floor. But would I rather die by trying to save myself and fall out a window, or be burnt to death?

I knew I didn’t have much time, the sands of the hourglass falling as I crawled helplessly on the floor, searching for an out. The heat felt like it was melting my skin, my lungs crying out in protest from the smoke. My eyes watered even more, my cries soon turning into full-blown sobs as I realized I was trapped inside the building.

I don’t know how long I sat there conscious, but I could feel myself slipping into the darkness that was threatening me, taunting me to follow it. I had already given up hope on breathing, my fingers braiding in my hair as I screamed, my knees tucked up against my chest. I hoped it was a short death; I didn’t want to suffer. This was painful enough.

I thought of Alice, my head throbbing as I heard screams outside the window. I tried to lift my body up, but my energy had been drained. I opened my mouth to scream back, but nothing came out. My throat felt scratchy, as if I had swallowed broken class, and whatever sounds I could produce hoarse and muffled.

I could feel my body giving in, my eyes drooping when the window behind me shattered, sending glass shards everywhere. A ladder had been propped up against the wall, and a fireman hoisted himself through the small opening. I watched in agony as he pulled down his mask, his eyes scanning the area. I tried to open my mouth and scream, but it only came out as a whimper. My head was spinning and I leaned back against the couch, dazed and confused.

“Help me,” I whispered, fighting to keep my eyes open. I knew I had to attract his attention, and yet I felt disconnected from my body. My limbs were numb and stiff, and I curled myself into a ball, shaking. I just wanted out.

The fireman turned, his gaze fixed directly on me. I wanted to raise my hands in the air, jump up and scream as loud as I could – anything, but it was as if I weighed a thousand pounds. My body felt dead. He ran to me, faster than I thought possible and covered my nose and mouth to keep out the smoke. I watched as he spoke into some device, a radio, I assumed, and within seconds two other firemen barged through the same window. I tried to pay attention to what was happening, but it was too much for me. I could feel the smoke clouding my brain and I squeezed my eyes shut, praying it would all be over soon.

The fireman’s arm snaked its way under my knees and around my waist as he picked me up and cradled me to his chest. I coughed weakly, shaking uncontrollably despite the intense heat as he motioned to another fireman. He ran over and slowly but surely the two of them began to lower me out the window and towards dry, stable ground.

I groaned, the pain shooting through my lungs becoming unbearable. He removed his hand from my mouth, allowing me to breath the clean air for the first time in who knows how long. I inhaled deeply, only resulting in choking and wheezing as I tried it over and over. I looked back up at him, trying to hold onto consciousness but was overwhelmed by the haunted, mournful look I saw in the man’s eyes. He gave me a weak smile, jostling me as he moved down the rungs of the ladder.

“You’re going to be okay,” he whispered reassuringly. “Don’t worry.”

I could faintly hear screams, Alice’s piercing shriek calling my name over and over. I tried to respond, but no words came. The man frowned as he moved faster, making me dizzy.

My body felt disconnected from my brain as I tilted my head back, taking one last look into the fireman’s deep green eyes, my body completely spent, before letting the blackness consume me.

EPOV

“Bull shit,” Emmett exclaimed, shaking his head at Tyler. “That can’t be true.”

“All’s fair in love and war.” he quoted, laughing as he grabbed the pile of chips from the center of the table. Emmett shook his head in mock irritation, but his sore attitude was soon shaken as the shrill sound of the alarm roused us from our heated poker game.

“Finally! Go time,” he cheered, the first to slide down the pole to the garage. I sighed, running a hand through my hair before following him, stepping into my suit in record time. I placed the helmet on my head, adjusting the straps of the suspenders before shoving the boots on my feet and leaping into the fire truck. The other men were quick about their work, and within minutes we were loaded and Mike had flipped the flashing lights on, shooting out onto the street.

I watched through the windshield as drivers caught sight of the truck, the siren blaring as we drove through the dark streets of Portland. I nudged Emmett’s side, curious. “What happened?”

“Lightening struck a pine -tree right next an apartment complex.” He explained. I noticed how his voice shook, something that never happened, but I chose not to ask. “Apparently it caught on fire, and according to a witness, fell against the building. The tip of the tree broke through a window on the third floor, spreading the flames into one of the apartments. That area is the worst. The rooms along that wall all are being damaged, and so far three are confirmed to be inside.”

His voice was distant, and although I wanted to ask him why he appeared to be so shaken after looking over the details, I decided to keep to myself.

I shuddered. Even though I loved my job, I still couldn’t help but feel terrified for both those trapped and their family and friends on the outside. I knew what it was like to be watching, which was one of the reason’s I had pursued this line of work. The heat, the smoke, the memories all bombarded me as we moved closer to the scene and I squeezed my eyes shut, doing my best to block them out. I couldn’t pay any attention to them. Not now.

“Stand clear.” Mike said, swerving to the left and bolting down the street. I could see the building from far away, most of the apartment’s patrons clumped in the yard and along the street. We got them to clear out as best they could and stopped the truck, pulling the ladder from below and propping it against the building.

“Only two in the building, sir.” Our intern reported. I gave him a grim smile, strapping my helmet as tightly as I could and leaned over towards Emmett, who was beckoning me forward.

“You head up first. The victim is Isabella Swan, trapped on the third floor. She is alone.” I saw intense guilt and sadness hidden in his expression, his voice cracking as he relayed this information to me. I couldn’t figure out why, and a piercing scream kept me from trying.

I nodded and watched him try to calm a small, pixie-like girl who claimed to be Isabella’s roommate. I could hear her scream’s, calling for her best friend loud and clear as I climbed the ladder as quickly as I could, breaking the window and entering the apartment.

I surveyed the damage quickly, noticing all doors were blocked. I relayed this information to the truck, waiting for a quick affirmation before looking for the young girl.

Fortunately, she wasn’t hidden beneath the piles of debris that had accumulated near where the fire started. I saw her scrunched into a ball against the couch, her body shaking severely. I ran over to her, covering her nose and mouth with my hand before calling for backup. I stared at her for a moment, shocked by her intense beauty, even covered in smoke and filth, but was thrown back into reality when Emmett and Tyler clambered up the ladder. I lifted the girl up, holding her securely against my chest before giving direct order’s to Emmett and Tyler. If they could put some of the fire out now, fine. If not, get out.

Mike and Sean had already connected the hose to the hydrant by the time I had wriggled out the window, the stream of water dousing the flames on the lower levels. I released my hand from Isabella’s face, knowing full well her lungs were scarred from the thick smoke she had inhaled. From the bystander’s statements, the fire had been raging on for a good ten minutes before she was rescued. Her brown eyes, swollen from the tears streaming down her cheek fluttered open, as if she was trying to stay awake. I felt my heart breaking for the fragile young girl in my arms, hoping her injuries weren’t too severe. Her roommate’s cries were still audible from here, and I could already tell how close they were.

The memories hit me once again as I stared into her eyes. The hollowness, the feeling that they needed to hold on for just a minute more. I groaned softly, watching her for a moment as the chaos raged around us.

All too soon her eyelids closed, concealing the deep orbs. I placed my foot on the next step of the ladder, using extreme caution and the help from the other’s to get her down safely. The paramedics ripped her from me immediately, setting her on a stretcher and hooking an oxygen mask to her face. Her eyes remained closed, but I was elated to see her chest was rising and falling, a sure sign of life.

Emmett and Tyler were by my side, watching the water beat the flames.

“That was a close one.” Emmett breathed as the last orange lick disappeared, followed by the water being cut off. His face was still pained, and I watched as they made sure that everything was in order, the chief and an extra fireman entering the building. I waited until they came out, nodding and saying something to the crowd of anxious people. What, I wasn’t sure.

“Yeah.” I said absentmindedly, my thoughts going at a thousand miles a minute. Why did this girl, who I met when she wasn’t even moving, entice me so much? What was it about her?

I shook my head, trying to clear those ideas from my head. I was never going to see her again – just another person that walked in and out of my life in a matter of minutes, never to appear again.

I groaned, lifting the helmet off of my sweaty forehead and tucking it under my arm, heading back to the truck. We loaded the equipment, staying as long as necessary to file the reports and speak to both the police and owner of the building before hopping back into the red truck once again. We were informed that the owner, a Mr. Brandon, didn’t feel the need to have the damage surveyed that evening, but we would have to return early the next morning. I was so close to crying out with joy when I heard the news; I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up.

Story of my life, I thought as the lights were turned off, as well as the siren. I go in, save a life, and never see that person again, no matter how much they affect me. I chuckled as I caught the tail end of Emmett’s lame joke, settling myself down next to him and trying to keep my thoughts away from the girl.

We made our way back down the street as we had done after so many fires and rescues. It was as if it had never happened.

A/N: Take a second and review – let me know what you thought.

Thank you for reading!