Sorting through the cooler and looking for a cold water bottle, Carina felt the heat of the blaze on the back of her neck, small strands of hair sticking to her forehead from sweat.
Taking a swig of the water, Carina tried to ignore the fact that Maya's currently in that fiery building, actively attempting to get each and every civilian out safely.
Usually Maya would never want her to be this close to a scene, especially a five alarm fire. However, there was talk of a pregnant woman inside and Carina was then paged to come help out in case an OB should be present.
That was four hours ago. Carina couldn't find herself able to leave.
So instead, she stands by the food and drink supply for the rotating firefighters, waiting for her own firefighter to make her appearance.
Wiping the sweat from her face, Carina can easily tell that her cheeks are red from the sun blazing overhead. She tries not to pant, thinking about all Maya's coworkers from other stations and how they run into hot fires daily, even if it's nearing ninety degrees.
Ben, who's currently working the aid car, informed her that station nineteen should be pulling out of the building at any minute to take their quick break to refuel.
And Carina Deluca was ready to tend to her, most likely, exhausted wife. Especially since Maya has been fighting the fire for almost five hours with very minimal breaks, only to replace her air tank.
Older men paired with handle-bar mustaches walking around makes Carina feel a little out of place, and definitely not in her element.
She already treated the pregnant woman, declaring that both the mamma and the baby are perfectly healthy, besides the minimal smoke inhalation.
Carina should be going home and getting some rest after a long twenty four hour shift at Grey Sloan, but she's aware that she would be doing no resting, probably pacing in front of the tv, watching as the news channel covers the story of the fire.
She would much rather be here, making sure nothing goes wrong, and more importantly, confirming that Maya gets out okay.
Travis and Vic are the first people she sees leaving the building, walking as far away from the fire as possible before pulling off their turnouts, searching for any breeze that will come their way.
Next is Sullivan, paired with Jack. They're slightly less hot, from what Carina can see, but they head straight for the shade, taking a seat in the grass.
Station thirty two and station four enter, some with hoses, others empty handed as they become nineteen's replacement.
Carina holds her breath, waiting for a certain woman. The one with bright blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair.
Maya and Andy come out of the building not a minute later. Maya rips off her helmet, Carina quickly observing the messy hair, layered with soot to the point where there's not a single blonde strand in sight. Just grey.
She says a few words to Andy, Carina not being able to understand what's being said from how far away she is, but then the firefighter turns in her direction, catching her eye.
At first, Carina’s a little worried that Maya wouldn't be appreciative of her being there, but instead, she gets a smile as her wife makes her way over to her side.
"What are you doing here?" Maya asks with a scratchy voice, causing Carina to slightly frown as she hands her wife an icy cold water bottle.
"Oh bambina. Do you have smoke inhalation?" Carina questions softly as she observes her firefighters face. She takes note of the soot and smoke littered across usually pale skin.
And her poor ears are covered with so much smoke that Carina wonders how Maya can even hear her.
"You didn't answer my question," Maya points out with a small chuckle, bringing the bottle to her lips. "And maybe. My throats a little sore."
"I was called to help with a civilian a few hours ago. How's the fire? Is it almost out?" Carina asks, although she's really wondering when she can take her wife home. Maybe draw her a bath and wipe away all the remains of an active fire scene.
However, baby wipes will have to do for now.
Carina takes a few from the container, bringing the wipes to Maya's face, and tenderly wiping her forehead as she places a free hand to the back of Maya's head, holding her steady, knowing that she would much rather pull away, not enjoying this type of intimacy in public.
Maya must've known that Carina needs to do this to help calm the heavy weight of anxiety in her chest that forms anytime she's remotely near a five alarm fire.
That feeling her and taking care of her reminds Carina that Maya is here. That she's safe in her arms and in her care.
"We're working on it," Maya sighs, trying not to lean into Carina's touch, hoping to remain as much of her tough persona in front of her coworkers. "Probably a few more hours," she answers and Carina pouts at the time.
The brunette wipes Maya's ears, wishing she could hold her wife close and protect her from every fire.
This isn't even the worst of it. It could be so much worse, but the sight of the black evidence appearing on the wipe makes Carina's heart beat out of her chest.
"You should go home. I'll still be here for the rest of the day. This fire isn't letting up," Maya explains, even though she wishes Carina could stay.
But she doesn't want her anywhere near the dangers of a fire.
Maya coughs as Carina finishes with her other ear, discarding the wipe into the nearest trash bag. She digs into one of the bags that's located next to the cooler, pulling out a granola bar.
The food catches Maya's eye, but she attempts to ignore the roaring of her stomach, aware that she doesn't have much time left of her break before she has to return to the building.
"I need to get my air tank switched out," Maya states, denying the granola bar.
"No," Carina shakes her head. "You need fuel. When's the last time you ate?"
"I don't know," Maya shrugs, Carina giving her a look that tells her not to lie. "Breakfast," she grumbles.
"Eat please," Carina smiles softly, practically shoving the bar into her hands. Maya's turnout coat gets her attention, leading her to wonder if her wife is hot. "Do you want to take off your coat?"
"I'm good," Maya mumbles in between chews. "I don't have much time."
The firefighter glances over her shoulder at the captain, Carina following her line of sight, telling her everything that she needs to know. Only a few more minutes left with just them together before Maya needs to leave again.
"I'll go home," Carina agrees with a sigh, Maya nodding in response. "And there will be a bath and dinner waiting for when you return."
"Thank you," Maya grins, placing a hand on each side of Carina's cheeks, cupping her face as she pulls her into a quick kiss, still mindful that she's working.
"Be safe, bambina," Carina tells her. One of their many mantras, especially while Maya's working. "I'll be waiting for you at home. If you are having trouble breathing, don't fight Ben and get an oxygen treatment," she adds, earning an eye roll from her stubborn wife.
"I'm fine, Carina," Maya states.
"You are now, but if your smoke inhalation gets any worse, get the treatment," Carina says firmly, Maya understanding that she can't argue against what she's saying.
Maya finishes the granola bar, handing Carina the wrapper for her to throw away as she slides her gloves back over her hands, having previously taken them off.
"Make sure to drink some water during your breaks. Take care of yourself," Carina declares and Maya nods, taking Carina's hand into her own, although she can't feel the soft skin through her thick gloves.
"I will. I promise," Maya assures, knowing how nervous Carina gets when it comes to the dangers of her work life.
"You're poor hair," Carina sadly sighs, unable to tear her eyes away from the once blonde hair that's now covered in ash.
Maya giggles at her words, playfully shaking her head. "Don't worry. As soon as i'm done, i'll wash it with that shampoo you like and it will be all clean for you to play with."
"Perfetto," Carina grins.
There's a three minute warning for Maya to return to the building, leading her to regretfully drop Carina's hand, pulling on her helmet, but stopping when something catches her attention.
She pulls out the two pictures that were encased within her helmet, holding them out for Carina to see, the woman grinning from ear to ear at the photos.
"I keep them in my helmet as a reminder of what and who i'm coming home to. The people I fight for," Maya explains as Carina focuses on not getting overly emotional.
Carina's eyes move from the picture that was taken on their wedding day, a moment where it felt like they were in a world of their own, to the small black and white photo.
The black and white photo of their baby's most recent ultrasound at fifteen weeks.
While Carina knew about how Maya kept a picture of them in her helmet, she didn't realize that a new one was added to her collection.
She wordlessly handed them back to Maya, who carefully secured them back inside, placing her helmet back on her head.
"I need to go. I know you are far from the smoke so both you and the baby are safe, but you should really leave now too," Maya explains and Carina nods in agreement.
"Ti amo tanto. I'll see you later, my love," Carina tearfully replies as Maya turns to walk back closer to the scene to switch out her air tank.
Carina wishes that the goodbyes weren't so hard. She loves her wife and she knows that Maya absolutely loves her job, so she's learned to live with the fear and the anxiety.
But it will still always be there.
"I love you too," Maya shouts before turning around fully, getting her head back to all things fire to focus completely on her job and not have any distractions.
She needs to keep herself safe. For her, for Carina, and for the little life growing inside of her wife.
Carina rests her hand against her stomach as she watches Maya disappear into the burning building, waiting for the moment her wife is back in her arms.
“Come home to us,” she whispers, holding onto those words, knowing that she’ll be repeating them in her head all day, hoping they remain true. That Maya will come back to them, safe and sound.