Chapter 106 (1/2)

Today was graduation day at the Academy. Or, rather, the last day of classes. Dan had only taken the one class, so maybe graduation wasn't exactly the applicable term. Either way, he was done. He'd finally passed his final exam (after turning in a doctor's note giving him a clean bill of health), and would be receiving his disaster relief certification, alongside the rest of his classmates. It was a minor thing overall, just a little piece of paper that said he could participate as a volunteer in certain emergencies, and in specific capacities. But it was an accomplishment. It was something that Other Dan, Old Dan, could not have done. Something to be proud of. So, he arrived to the station with a spring in his step.

There was nothing elaborate about the process. He'd been informed ahead of time that there would be no fancy ceremony, nor a speech, nor anything other than a firm handshake and a pat on the back. Nevertheless, Abby had insisted on accompanying him. She was waiting for him in the lobby of the Academy, wearing a bright smile and toting an embarrassingly large amount of colorful balloons. Dan couldn't keep down his own goofy grin.

”Congratulations Danny!” Abby exclaimed, waving exuberantly. Her voice carried across the mercifully empty lobby, and Dan waved back with an embarrassed laugh.

”It's really not a big deal, Abs,” he replied, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. ”I just finished a class is all. People do it every day.”

She shook her head, even as she grabbed him by the hand. She dragged him forward, babbling happily. ”It's a big accomplishment, okay? And it's important, too! You're doing good work! We don't have nearly enough volunteers, even in a major city like this. That bastard proved how undermanned we really are. If the fire department had been a few minutes slower, we might've lost the city.” Her arm tightened around his as she spoke.

Abby had been much clingier since she'd returned from her trip home. Dan had expected a more thorough haranguing once they'd reconvened, but she'd simply forced him onto the couch and held him close while they watched a movie. He felt like it was a much sweeter reunion than he'd had any right to expect after throwing himself into danger so carelessly.

The pair made their way down the long hallways of the Academy, leaning against each other as young couples do. Her colorful balloons bounced against the ceiling and scattered in a wide trail behind her, forcing passerby to duck beneath them. They found the door to Dan's classroom and opened it wide.

Half a dozen heads swung his way, most of them familiar. Professor Tawny—officer now, Dan supposed—nodded from his place at the front of the room. The dog-eared policeman was leaning against his desk as he chatted with an officer that Dan didn't recognize. Fred was present too, surrounded by a group of people who Dan assumed were his family. He gave Dan a momentary glance, a brief grin, then returned to conversing with an older man.

And then there was...

”DANIEL!” Gregoir bellowed exuberantly, eliciting flinches from every non-uniformed person in the room. The man beside him stuck a finger in his own ear and twisted it around, letting out a heavy sigh. He turned to the door, giving Dan a clear view of his face.

”Long time no see, Mr. Newman,” Sergeant Ito greeted, his scarred face twisting into a pained smile. ”I'm glad you took my advice.”

”That makes two of us!” Gregoir agreed heartily, slapping his superior on the back. The grizzled officer took the heavy blow with a grunt.