"What comes next?" Erin asked.
Lena's smile was soft but certain. "Everything. We figure out everything."
Erin squeezed Lena's hand, feeling the steady pulse beneath her fingertips. They'd almost lost this. Almost lost each other. But they hadn't.
They'd faced fire, faced death, faced the worst Phoenix Ridge had to offer. And they'd come out the other side together.
For the first time since waking up, Erin felt completely, utterly safe.
By late afternoon, Erin had managed to sit up without the world spinning, though her throat still felt raw. A knock interrupted their quiet conversation. Captain Julia Scott entered with Fire Chief McKenna Adams and Captain Hallie Hunter, all carrying folders and wearing expressions that mixed professional satisfaction with genuine concern.
"How's our fire marshal?" McKenna asked, approaching Erin's bed.
"Alive," Erin croaked, earning relieved smiles.
"And stubborn," Julia added, glancing at Lena. "You were supposed to be discharged yesterday."
"Had nowhere else to be."
McKenna pulled up a chair. "We wanted to update you both on the case."
"Cross and Morrison are both talking," Julia said, opening her folder. "Morrison's attorney negotiated a plea deal. He'll testify about providing building information to Cross in exchange for reduced charges. Turns out he genuinely thought he was helping an old colleague stay informed."
"And Cross?" Erin managed.
"Full cooperation to avoid terrorism charges," McKenna said. "He's detailing his financial arrangement with Ashford, the dead drop system, everything. The DA thinks it's enough to close the case."
Erin felt tension release in her chest. "So it's over."
"It's over," McKenna confirmed. "The evidence we secured before the collapse, plus Cross's testimony and Morrison's corroboration, gives us a complete picture for the victims' families."
"Even without..." Erin started, then stopped.
"Even without him alive to stand trial," Julia finished gently. "The truth is documented, the community is safe, and his accomplices are being held accountable."
Lena shifted, wincing as her bandaged hand caught on the sheets. "What about the Rainbow Alliance? The other buildings?"
"The insurance investigations are complete," McKenna said. "Rainbow Alliance is planning to rebuild, and the other organizations are getting city and community support. Phoenix Ridge isn't letting these fires define us."
"Actually," Hallie said, "that brings us to something else." She gestured around the room.
For the first time, Erin really noticed the flowers—arrangements on windowsills, bouquets on tables, cardsscattered across surfaces. She'd been so focused on Lena that she'd missed the riot of color filling their room.
"The community response has been overwhelming," Julia said. "Both departments, city council, Rainbow Alliance, and even surrounding towns, everyone wanted you to know how grateful they are."
Erin reached for the nearest card, her IV tugging slightly. The handwriting was careful: "Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for showing us what courage looks like. - Phoenix Ridge Fire Department."
"I brought that one personally," Hallie said. "Along with half the station."
Lena picked up another card and read: "You gave us our future back. We won't forget. - Rainbow Alliance Board of Directors."
"Lavender stopped by yesterday," Julia added. "She left the purple flowers and said love always wins, especially when it's backed up by competence."
Erin felt heat behind her eyes. "I was just doing my job."
"You both were," McKenna said. "And you did it exceptionally. The way you worked together and trusted each other's expertise, it's exactly what inter-department cooperation should look like."
"More than that," Hallie added. "You showed this community what partnership looks like—professional and personal. People noticed."
