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Language:
English
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Published:
2019-05-30
Completed:
2021-02-12
Words:
36,132
Chapters:
15/15
Comments:
21
Kudos:
141
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4,168

And Then There Were Seven

Summary:

Shortly after Sam joins Team One ... the team forgets him after a hot, hot call.

Chapter 1: Everyone Could Use a Cold Shower

Chapter Text

Outside Brighton Complex

Greg grimaced at Ed as Wordy led the subject to the patrol car. Today's hot call had been a difficult one from the word go. But Team One stepped up, went above and beyond to apprehend Mr. Bailey before he could blow up his former workplace, and they freed four hostages. He wiped his sweaty brow, today a scorcher outside though with a slight breeze coming off the lake. Greg wouldn't have wanted to be one of his teammates in the building with no air conditioning for the past five hours.

Noting Jules handing water bottles to Lou and Spike he finally allowed himself to relax. They all made it out without injury or heat exhaustion. As Ed halted before him, Greg took in the sweat-drenched gray shirt of his team leader. "Unis have it from here. Let's pack up and get back to the barn. Everyone could use a cold shower."

"Absolutely." Ed leaned on the black SUV as his eyes scanned the five-story building. "Days like these make me glad someone invented AC."

The team loaded up, scattering to the three SUVs that ended up on three different sides of the building based on their original approach since they had been patrolling when the call came in.


SRU Barn – Briefing Room

Wordy carried an armful of water bottles from the breakroom fridge to the conference room. Everyone needed to rehydrate, and debriefing would be the perfect time to take care of that little detail. He dumped them on the table, several rolling away.

Spike grabbed them before they fell, a grin on his face as he snagged two and took his seat. "I could drink the entire contents of Lake Ontario right about now." He uncapped one and took a long swig as the others filtered in and sat.

Greg strolled in, and his eyes surveyed the seated SRU members, noting one shy. "Where's Sam?"

Everyone turned to scan each other, as confusion crossed their faces as they realized their rookie was missing. Ed spoke first. "Didn't see him in the locker room. Assumed he did his military fast shower. Lou, Spike, … where'd he go when you two arrived?"

Lou and Spike glanced at one another before Lou said, "Sam didn't ride back with us. Wasn't he with you, Jules?"

She shook her head. "No, … thought he went with Boss after Wordy popped into the SUV."

Without another word, Greg pulled out his phone and dialed Sam's number. It rang six times before going to voicemail. "Sam, call me now. We are about to debrief."

At the same time, Ed pivoted and strode to Winnie's desk, not having put on his headset yet after showering. "Winnie, give me a comms." After she handed one over, Ed put the earpiece in and turned it on. "Braddock, status." He waited, impatient for a response from the cocky rookie who set his teeth on edge, and just before he was about to speak again, a soft sound came over the line.

"Lane, …"

"Where the hell are you?" Ed barked.

Before Sam could answer, Spike shouted, "His cell phone is pinging from the Brighton complex."

Greg fitted his headset on as he said, "Sam, talk to me, why are you still there?"

A barely audible, "Stuck," came across the air.

"Oh shit!" Ed exclaimed as realization struck him and he started running for their SUVs. "Winnie, contact EMS … send them to the Brighton building."

The rest of the team was hot on Ed's heels, each one completely flabbergasted they could've forgotten a teammate … forgotten the new guy in the ventilation system of the building from their last hot call.