Erin regarded him keenly. The team had privately discussed Aiden being jealous of Luna and Elias. They rarely analyzed how Elias felt about Aiden and Luna continuing to work with each other at the firehouse. Aiden dating someone else would simplify things.
“I’m still betting on Aiden,” Theo said, distracted. “I’d sleep with him… but can we not mention that when Drew gets here?”
“Only if you answer this question. ‘What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen sparrow?’” Elias took back the helmets.
Luna whacked him on the shoulder. “‘English or African?’”
“Could it carry a coconut?” Elias joked.
Erin decided she liked him after all. While he used some of the oldest Monty Python jokes on the planet, not everyone could have her phenomenal sci-fi taste.
Once they had their sizes selected, there was a vigorous debate over how to wear the vests. The police officers usually wore the vests under their uniform shirts unless they needed a heavier type for riots or SWAT. The firefighters wanted to wear them over the uniform tops but were also concerned that victims would instinctively identify the bulletproof vest with police officers, which could be problematic.
“In the spirit of friendly collaboration, let’s do team competition,” Elias suggested.
“What did you have in mind?” Aiden seemed to be in a much better mood after hitting on Charlie.
“It doesn’t matter what we decide. Their new protocol will take months till it gets approved. And we didn’t bring our uniforms. Let’s have fun while we wait.”
“Copy that, Kosmic,” Aiden joked, using Elias’s last name. Was cold winter between Aiden, Luna, and Elias finally thawing? Erin switched sides and prayed Charlie would give her number to Aiden.
“Let’s split into mixed teams and demonstrate your best ‘over uniform’ versus ‘under uniform’ argument. Music and dancing are acceptable,” Elias proposed.
“But split into men and women,” Aiden suggested. “There’s more dudes than ladies.”
“Excellent point.” The police department group only included two women. Elias counted off. “Two groups of guys and one set of ladies. I’ll lead one and you the other?”
“No problem. I volunteer to operate the music though, ‘cause I don’t dance. At least not vertically,” Aiden winked at Charlie.
Fortunately for Aiden, his group attempted a rap about wearing a bulletproof vest over the (non-existent) police uniform shirt. Carver and Aiden, the two White guys, were relegated to mostly clapping and pretending to beatbox.
Theo and Kevin’s group gave a little routine to YMCA. Erin didn’t want to guess where they found a bunch of feathers and the cowboy hat Elias wore. They replaced the construction worker with a fire helmet.
However, the men had underestimated Vanessa’s desire to win—the contest and Charlie.
The women lip-synced and wiggled their way out of their fire uniform shirts toI’m Too Sexyby Right Said Fred. Everyone was wearing their standard-issue uniform tank top underneath, which wasn’t exactly inappropriate, per se.
But if Vanessa ended up pressed against Charlie for each chorus, it was all part of the routine.
At the sound of a door opening, Aiden cut the music immediately. Straight lines were quickly formed as Chief Reyes, Chief Baker, and Captain Williams emerged from the Captain’s office.
“What’s going on here?” Williams demanded, noting some of the uniform tops were not properly buttoned, and his three female firefighters were wearing bulletproof vests over their tank tops.
“Vest fitting,” Elias said innocently. “Donning and doffing drills, as you requested.”
Erin could sense Baker’s gaze on her. Or maybe she imagined it. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, though. She wore the standard CCFD tank top, same as the other women.
He didn’t have a leg to stand on about what she wore; he had told her to get lost more than once.
It was his choice, not hers, to stay away, she assured herself. She typically didn’t flaunt herself in front of anyone, but, damn it, she wasn’t going to regret who she was—young, fun, and cute. The Chief could take her or leave her.
Chief Reyes smothered a grin. “Collaboration is going well.”
Baker opted to ignore his partially dressed firefighters. “We’ve ironed out a new protocol for wearing the vest over or under uniforms and appropriate storage. It’s going to be evaluated by the departments and will be submitted for review next month. It should be finalized before you get your personal armor early next year.”
The group held in its laughter. Elias had called it.
“Let’s move on to the educational session for role playing this afternoon,” Williams commanded, rolling a widescreen TV out in front of rows of folding chairs. He passed out legal pads for everyone to take notes.
