5. Lux

5

LUX

L ux stood in front of the simulation room, the hum of machinery filling the space as her pilots gathered around.

The room was dimly lit, the large screens on the walls displaying various terrains and fire scenarios they would be navigating today. She ran a hand through her hair, her mind going back to Zoey and their spat in command ops.

She hated that it was still gnawing at the back of her mind, even as she tried to focus on the details in front of her.

Oh, and obviously how attractive she found Zoey. That wasn't distracting at all .

"Listen up," Lux said. "Today, we're running through a series of scenarios that could realistically happen, given the current fire season. I want everyone to treat this as the real thing—no cutting corners, no messing around."

She walked over to the control panel, her fingers hovering over the buttons as she set up the first scenario. The screen flickered to life, showing a dense forest with thick smoke rising from the treetops. The simulated fire spread rapidly, with several hotspots scattered across the terrain.

"Let's start with a basic containment strategy," Lux said. "We've got a fire line here"—she pointed to a section of the screen—"and I want you to establish a perimeter around it. Remember to coordinate with the ground team and keep an eye out for any spot fires."

The pilots moved to their stations, their fingers flying over the controls as they began the simulation. Lux watched them closely, noting their movements and decisions as they navigated the scenario. She could see the tension in their shoulders, the way they leaned forward, fully immersed in the task.

As they worked, Lux's mind drifted back to Zoey. She couldn't shake the image of her standing tall and defiant in the meeting, her eyes flashing with determination. Lux found herself annoyed by the way Zoey had challenged her.

She wasn't used to being argued with when it came to tactics, and, to an extent, it excited her. She tried to push the thought away, focusing on the simulation.

"Jay, you're coming in too hot," Lux called out, her eyes on one of the screens. "Pull back and give yourself more room to maneuver."

Jay nodded, adjusting her controls as she pulled the helicopter back. Lux nodded in approval, her attention shifting to another pilot. "Jeanine, you're drifting off course. Stay focused on the target area."

Jeanine corrected her flight path, her movements precise as she guided the helicopter back into position. Lux continued to monitor the simulation, her eyes scanning the screens for any signs of trouble.

But even as she worked, she found herself replaying their argument over and over in her mind, analyzing every word, every look. Lux was used to conflict—she thrived on it, in a way—but this felt different. Zoey Knight was different.

It wasn't just the argument that bothered her; it was the way Zoey had looked at her, the way her lips had curved into a slight smile when Lux had finally agreed to work with her. Lux found herself drawn to Zoey in a way that she hadn't expected, and it was unsettling.

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. "Focus," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowed.

The first scenario ended. "Nice work, everyone. Let's move on to the next one."

She set up the next simulation, this one featuring a residential area on the edge of a forest. The fire was closing in on the homes, and the pilots needed to work quickly to protect the structures and evacuate any residents.

As the simulation began, Lux's eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. Time was ticking by, and she knew they needed to get through several more scenarios before the day was done.

The pilots worked efficiently, coordinating their efforts as they tackled the fire. Lux could see their progress, the way they communicated and adapted to the changing situation.

Her mind wandered back to Zoey. As much as she didn't want to admit it, there was something about Zoey that intrigued her, something that made her want to know more. She found herself wondering what Zoey was doing right now, whether she was thinking about their argument too. Whether she was thinking about her.

"Chief V!" one of the pilots called out to Lux, pulling her out of her thoughts. "We've got a flare-up in sector three. Should we divert resources to handle it?"

Lux blinked, forcing herself to focus. "Yes, divert two units to sector three and make sure they coordinate with the ground team. We need to contain that fire before it spreads."

The pilot nodded, relaying the instructions to the rest of the team. Lux watched as they executed the plan, their movements precise and efficient. She felt a sense of pride in the way they handled themselves under pressure.

As the simulation came to an end, Lux let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. The room was silent for a moment, the pilots catching their breath as they took in the results of their efforts.

"Good job, everyone," Lux said. "You handled that well. We'll pick this up again tomorrow and run through one more scenario."

The pilots nodded, standing up from their stations and stretching. Lux watched them for a moment before turning back to the control panel.

The door to the simulation room flew open. Jolted, Lux turned to meet Zoey, her gaze fixed in Lux's direction. Her heart thumped unreasonably fast, no matter how much she willed it to slow down.

There was something in Zoey's eyes that Lux couldn't quite place—something intense, something that made it hard for her to breathe.

"Lieutenant," Lux said, "you just missed the simulation."

"Good," Zoey said, walking toward her. "I came here to see you, not the simulation."

Lux raised her eyebrows and then signaled her pilots to leave. They all exited the room. Lux walked out from behind the control panels, taking a few steps in Zoey's direction.

"Was there a simulation room like this in Forest Vale?" Lux asked.

"A simulation room? Yes. Was it like this? No."

Lux chuckled. "So, no then?"

"No."

"Actually, I guess I did come to see the simulation," Zoey said, pointing to the control panel.

"What about it?"

"I figured I'd better understand your views if I saw your simulations firsthand."

Lux nodded. It wasn't an apology. It wasn't an admission of guilt either. It was one strong woman speaking to another.

One strong, beautiful woman.

"My team just finished their rounds. It's just us now."

Lux could feel the tension between them, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Let's start with a basic scenario." Lux moved to the control panel. "We'll go through a forest fire situation, similar to what we've been working on. I'll walk you through the process."

Zoey stood beside her, close enough that Lux could smell the subtle scent of lavender on her. It was distracting, but Lux didn't let it show. She set up the simulation.

"First, we establish the perimeter," Lux said, pointing to the screen. "The helicopters will focus on containment while the ground team handles evacuation."

Zoey frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I think we should prioritize evacuation first. If we can get people out safely, then we can worry about containment."

Lux's jaw tightened. "If we don't contain the fire, it's going to spread faster than we can evacuate. We need to prevent it from getting out of control."

Zoey shook her head. "Containment isn't going to matter if we lose lives in the process. We should focus on getting people to safety."

Lux's frustration flared, but there was something else too. Something about the way Zoey's lips moved when she spoke, the way her brown eyes, like warm hot chocolate, stayed locked on Lux's, unwavering. Lux felt a strange pull, a distraction that made her want to look away, but she didn't.

"The wildfire isn't predictable," Lux said. "We have to contain it first or we're risking everyone."

"And if we waste time on containment while people are trapped?" Zoey's voice was calm, but Lux could see the intensity in her eyes. "That's not a risk I'm willing to take."

Lux's eyes darted to Zoey's lips then back to her eyes. Her mind raced, and she kept getting caught in the way Zoey was standing, the way her body seemed so close, almost brushing against hers.

"We're talking about lives here," Zoey continued. "I understand the need for containment, but I think our priority should be the people."

Lux wanted to argue, to push back, but she found herself hesitating. She couldn't get past the way Zoey's voice sounded, strong but soft, commanding but somehow gentle at the same time. It was throwing her off balance.

"Fine," Lux said after a moment. "We can run the simulation your way and see how it goes."

Zoey nodded, stepping closer to the control panel. Their arms brushed, just barely, and Lux felt a jolt she didn't expect. She turned away quickly, staring at the screen.

Zoey's fingers moved over the controls, setting up the simulation to prioritize evacuation. The scenario started, and they both watched as the screens displayed the spreading fire and the rescue operations in action. Lux could feel Zoey's presence beside her, the heat from her body almost making Lux's skin tingle.

"We're losing too much time on these evacuations. The fire's spreading faster than we can handle."

Zoey didn't look up, her attention trained on the screen. "We're saving lives. That's what matters. Be patient."

Lux clenched her fists, her frustration mixing with something else she couldn't quite name. "But we're not containing the fire. It's going to get out of control if we don't act fast."

"We'll get it under control," Zoey said. "Once we know people are safe."

Lux was about to argue more, but she caught sight of Zoey's profile, the curve of her jaw, and the way her hair fell just slightly into her eyes. She looked so composed, so sure of herself, and Lux found herself caught in the moment, forgetting what she was going to say.

Zoey glanced at her, and Lux quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the simulation. But her mind was still on Zoey, on the way she looked, the way she sounded, the way she made Lux feel something she didn't want to acknowledge.

The simulation ended, and Zoey turned to Lux, a small smile on her lips. "See? We managed to handle both. People are safe, and the fire's contained."

Lux nodded, trying to hide the turmoil inside her. In some ways, Zoey had a point, but she wasn't going to admit that. "I still think containment should be the priority."

Zoey's smile widened a fraction. "We'll find a way to balance both. We're on the same team, after all."

There was something in her eyes, something intense, something that made it hard for Lux to breathe.

"Maybe you're right," Lux conceded. "About finding a balance. It's just…this job is dangerous."

"That's why we have to be smart about it."

Lux nodded, her eyes flicking down to Zoey's lips and back up. She didn't mean to; it just happened, like some magnetic pull she couldn't resist. Zoey took another step forward, and suddenly, they were standing too close, their breaths mingling in the space between them.

"Zoey," Lux began, but she didn't know what she was going to say. The words died in her throat as Zoey's eyes dropped to her lips, and Lux felt a rush of heat through her body.

Kiss her, Lux.

It was as though everything around them faded, leaving just the two of them in that small room, the air thick with the unspoken. Zoey moved closer, and Lux felt her heart skip, her breath catching as their faces were now inches apart.

"Chief Valentine," Zoey whispered.

Lux's mind was a whirl, part of her screaming to stop, the other part wanting nothing more than to close the distance. She could feel Zoey's breath on her skin, warm and steady.

But she wanted more than just a kiss. Her thighs shuddered with a sudden burst of desire, wanting—no, needing—this stubborn lieutenant in front of her. She leaned in yet again, their lips almost touching, the anticipation coiling tight in her chest.

The blaring sound of the alarm shattered the moment.

Lux jerked back, her heart pounding, the spell broken. She glanced at the red alarm lights blinking in a corner then hurried toward the door.

"Shit, there's a fire."

Shit .