Fire Country just isn’t the same without one of its core facets from season 1:

the friendship between Bode Leone and Gabriela Perez. Yes, from the moment

the two interacted–and then in their subsequent scenes in the first half of the

freshman run–it was clear that these two would have some kind of relationship on the series. Its turn toward the romantic came as no surprise. But what made their dynamic so great was their ability to talk to one another.

Season 2, which understandably had the pair giving each other space and Gabriela drawing a line because of her relationship with Diego, definitely suffered from not having these two interact more. And, no, I’m not just saying that as someone who hopes that they’ll one day get together. Their phone conversations and in-person chats were some of the best moments in the first season.

In the season 2 opener, “Something’s Coming,” Gabriela told Diego that she hoped that they could one day be the next Sharon and Vince. Here’s the thing though, those two don’t have the kind of settled and comforting bond that the Leones have. You know who does? Gabriela and Bode. Their connection came easily as did their ability to open up to one another.

During the campaign fire in episode 9, “No Future, No Consequences,” we got a touch of that once more even in the midst of them fighting over the heart condition Vince was keeping hidden. Yes, it’s undeniable that there’s always going to be a shade of “what if” when it comes to Bode and Gabriela’s interactions, especially with how well they seem to know each other. But that doesn’t mean Fire Country should shy away from developing their friendship.

Season 3 is going to be Bode’s time to be a single man who is no longer imprisoned. He should get to enjoy that and we, as the audience, should have the opportunity to see his development now that his future is in front of him. But that doesn’t mean the show should keep him and Gabriela apart. Sure, they were a little awkward once he was at the station as a civilian but there’s some good fodder there for them to find out who they can be to each other when a prison sentence isn’t hanging over them and they don’t have the weight of some imagined life together bearing down on them either.

First, however, we’ll need to learn whether or not Gabriel chose to tie the knot with Diego. Showrunner Tia Napolitano did say that Rafael de la Fuente will return for season 3, so we will get some kind of update on the pair’s status whether that’s married, broken up, or still engaged due to an unforeseen event at the wedding.No matter what though, Gabriela and Bode’s friendship needs to make a resurgence in season 3. It’s an integral piece of Fire Country and the show is poorer without it.