GayTV Recap: Station 19 (Episode 3x11)
Travis made his way to the locker room to grab his headphones, only to run into his secret bed buddy Emmett (played by Lachlan Buchanan). Travis wondered what Emmett was doing there, given that he wasn't on-duty either. Emmett appeared very nervous and apologized immediately to Travis. A confused Travis was then met with the arrival of Emmett's father, Fire Chief Dixon (played by Pat Healy), and Alicia, who grabbed Travis into a warm hug, revealing that she is Emmett's girlfriend.
The awkwardness continued as Alicia talked about hearing lovely things about Travis, knowing he's been mentoring Emmett. Travis covered, saying it was nice to meet her as well. Emmett looked to get the duo away from Travis, but the chief invited Travis to join them for lunch, which Alicia agreed would be great, since Emmett never tells her any stories about work. The chief said he was sure Travis would like to dine with the boss, making it impossible for him to say no. Chief Dixon hoped Travis might update him on his son's performance, and give him intel on the happenings inside Station 19.
While Emmett prepared lunch and Travis tried to remain as quiet as possible, the talkative and friendly Alicia explained to him how she met Emmett in college, where all the girls were chasing after him. She talked about running into him after graduation, when she found him sketching art in a museum, prompting her to reach out to him. She claimed he didn't remember her, but Emmett disputed that. Travis nodded along, as the awkwardness between the two guys continued.
Over lunch, Alicia showed Travis some photos of Emmett's art. Travis took a look and was surprised to discover how good Emmett was with his art. He wasn't comfortable taking the compliment, but Travis told him it was really great. Alicia agreed. She suggested Travis join them at the museum sometime, but Emmett urged her not to bug Travis, telling her he has his own life. Alicia said she hoped he would be a part of theirs too, making Travis more uncomfortable himself.
Not wanting to hear anymore about art, Chief Dixon asked Travis about how Emmett's been performing as a firefighter. He wondered how long Travis thought it would be until Emmett made lieutenant, which made Emmett more uncomfortable. The chief assured him that he had a few months before he would start pulling strings. Travis told him that was a short timeline for such a high hope. The chief said it wasn't ... if Emmett's training officer, Travis, wanted to keep his job. Travis told the chief that there was a lot to learn, especially when you were doing it while running into fires and saving people's lives. Chief Dixon wondered if Travis thought his son had the chops for that. Travis told him that a few decades on the job would toughen him up, drawing laughter from the chief.
Hoping to make an exit from the situation, Travis retreated to the locker room, grabbing his headphones, only to find Alicia not far behind. She wondered if Emmett had confided in Travis about any of his relationship stuff. Travis told her that he wasn't sure about straight guys doing that. Alicia then realized he was gay, which Travis confirmed. She showed her surprise, saying he seemed so straight, drawing Travis' annoyance. She apologized, assuring him that she's always wanted a gay friend, again bugging him. She then confided in him that she and Emmett have been together for six years and she really wants to get married. Travis told her that they're young and there's no rush.
Alicia told him how much she loves Emmett and wants to be there to take care of him when they're old. Travis told her that, as her new gay friend, she needs to realize that firefighters don't always get to grow old. Alicia assumed they don't make the new guys do dangerous things, but Travis told her that Emmett won't always be new. He'll have to do the hard stuff. They lose people all the time, even people they love. Alicia asked who he lost and Travis told her about his husband Michael dying on the job. Alicia got emotional, as Travis told her that if she marries Emmett, she will be signing up for a lot of heartbreak. She asked him to look out for Emmett so she doesn't lose him. Travis agreed, leading to another hug.
Travis announced to the group that he really needed to get going, just as Chief Dixon got a call about a three-alarm fire at a nearby recycling plant, forcing him to put in an appearance. Emmett wondered if they should be going too, but his father told him they could worry about it if it becomes a five-alarm event. Emmett & Alicia walked Travis out, and Emmett told him to enjoy the rest of his day off before Alicia suggested they have dinner together sometime. Travis reluctantly agreed, just as he and Emmett were alerted that the recycling plant fire had become a five-alarm blaze, putting them both back on-duty immediately.
Left alone as they geared up, Travis laid into Emmett when he apologized for putting Travis in the awkward position. Travis blasted Emmett, telling him not to even say his name. He said they were done, for good. Emmett was caught off-guard as Travis told him that he didn't care about how mean Emmett's father was, or the closet that he was keeping himself in.
He told Emmett that what he was doing to Alicia was cruel, because she thinks she actually knows who Emmett is. Travis told Emmett that Alicia wants to marry him and Emmett's behavior makes him worst than weak. Travis said he didn't care about anything that came out of Emmett's mouth or his panic attacks. He demanded that Emmett man-up and tell Alicia the truth, or never speak to Travis again. Emmett was left stunned.
They reunited with the rest of their crew, as all of the firefighters in the city were on-site for the recycling plant fire which was raging out of control. Chief Dixon informed them that they had been battling the fire for five hours now. An annoyed Emmett remarked, under his breath, that his father only just got there. Dixon explained the situation inside the facility and urged them all to stay alive so they could salvage their insurance bill. Travis grabbed a hose and prepared to head into the flames. Reflecting on his day, he said aloud that all he was trying to do was grab his headphones.
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