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detectiveupstead · 3 years

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Runnin’ to the Altar [Upstead]

just a little fluffy, cute Upstead piece based around Stellaride’s wedding. we need some cute vibes after the trauma of 9x04 am i right

Read on AO3!!!

“So when are you and Halstead tying the knot?”

Hailey smiled into the salted rim of her margarita glass, cheeks flushed not just from the drinks but from the image of her handsome fiancé that appeared in her mind. As if she ever stopped thinking about him. “Let’s get you down the aisle first,” she said with a laugh, making Stella roll her eyes good naturedly, snorting when Hailey added with a teasing, “Stella Severide.”

“Oh-ho, no, I’m keeping Kidd, thank you very much,” Stella said after swallowing a sip of her drink. “I’m sure you can understand, Hailey Halstead.”

Hailey laughed at that. She would keep going by Detective Upton because two Detective Halsteads in one unit would be confusing, but outside of work, she was ready to introduce herself with her new married name. Kim hummed thoughtfully, “Pretty fateful, isn’t it, that your would-be married last names go so perfectly with your first names?”

Stella and Hailey grinned, clinking their glasses together. The universe worked in mysterious ways, but you wouldn’t find the two of them complaining.

The two of them, along with Kim, Sylvie, and Violet were at a more popular club in downtown Chicago, the music loud and the drinks constantly pouring. Stella hadn’t wanted to do anything too extravagant for her bachelorette, more inclined to have more fun at her wedding and reception than get too wild the night before. So the five of them had dinner at a more luxurious restaurant before hitting the club, scoring the VIP room thanks to a friend of Kelly’s, to drink to the upcoming nuptials.

Hailey wasn’t normally a margarita drinker, but they’d taken a few tequila shots and she figured it was safer to stick to that specific alcohol than venture out. Tomorrow was a big day, and as Stella’s Maid of Honor, she needed to have more than half of her wits about her. When the firefighter had asked Hailey to take on this role, she had been pleasantly surprised and honored. Her and Stella had grown close over the years, had known each other long before Hailey joined the 21st and Stella joined Firehouse 51, and so Hailey took on this role willingly and happily.

While Matt was appropriately the Best Man, Jay was one of the groomsmen, being a close friend of Kelly’s. In fact, Jay and Hailey often went on double dates with Kelly and Stella, finding it both amusing and a hand of fate that they got engaged around the same time. Safe to say, Hailey was excited for the wedding, had a lot of fun helping Stella plan it and, honestly it got her even more excited to eventually plan her own wedding with Jay, whenever that may be. The two of them weren’t in any particular rush; they just got a house and were enjoying being engaged. They were in it for the long haul, so figuring out a solid date for the wedding wasn’t something either of them felt pressured about.

For now, she was more than content to admire the diamond ring they’d finally gone out and got for her.

As she nursed her drinks, Hailey enjoyed the dance floor with her friends for a good while, before making her way back to their private section to give her feet a break. She didn’t often wear heels, so her feet weren’t exactly used to the stilettos she’d brought out from the back of her closet for the night. As she sat, her phone buzzed, a smile tugging at her lips as Jay’s name appeared on the screen.

Jay: Ruze is already eight drinks in. Why did I agree to this?

Hailey: Because Kelly’s your friend and you like to make your friends happy.

Jay: I guess. Right now I’m reconsidering my friendship with Adam.

Hailey: You can handle him for a few more hours. Then we can have fun at home.

Jay: Fun, huh?

Jay: Not exactly convincing me to stick this out, Hails.

Hailey: You will because I can’t leave yet, either. See you later :)

Jay: Fine, fine. Love you.

Hailey: Love you.

It wasn’t long after she texted Jay that the girls were calling it a night, drunk but aware that tomorrow was a big day and they all needed their rest. Despite wanting to get home to Jay, Hailey offered to be the last stop on their Uber, since she was the most sober out of them all and she wanted to make sure all the girls got back safely. Hailey noticed that the living room light was on as she approached the front door, smiling as she locked the door behind her and caught sight of Jay sitting on the couch, the TV playing an old re-run of The Office.

“Hi,” she greeted, the heels of her shoes clicking against the hardwood floor as Jay looked up, left arm resting on top of the couch. “How was it?”

“Ruze and Kelly tried to outdrink each other, so, you can guess,” he said with a quiet chuckle.

Hailey shot him a look as she took off her heels, wiggling her toes once they could breathe. As Jay grabbed her ankles and rested her feet on his lap, Hailey asked, “Kelly gonna be able to stand at the altar tomorrow?”

He grinned, fingers tenderly massaging her sore feet as she leaned back against the armrest. “If he knows what’s good for him, yeah,” he answered. “What about Stella?”

“No doubt,” Hailey smiled, running her fingers through her hair, the curls she’d done earlier now fallen into loose waves. “Wild horses couldn’t keep her from making her way down that aisle.”

“Good, ’cause Kelly spent the entire night declaring his love for Stella to anyone who’d listen,” Jay said with an amused snort, fingers working their magic on her sore feet. “Never thought I’d see the day where Kelly Severide gets hitched.”

Hailey mirrored his grin, laughing gently. “Stella’s more or less the same. She kept saying how she never expected to get married again, but she’s excited to marry Kelly more than anything. It’s sweet.” Grin turning teasing, Hailey wiggled her toes pointedly, drawing Jay’s gaze back to her as she playfully asked, “What about you? Are you gonna wax poetry on your bachelor night about how our marriage is the one you’re gonna make stick?”

At that, Jay threw his head back with a groan, making the laugh bubble out of Hailey. “I never should’ve told you about Vegas,” he grumbled, giving the heel of her foot a pinch, causing her to jerk in response, shooting him a fake glare. “There will be no poetry on my bachelor night. I’ll save that for my vows.”

“Oh?” Hailey said with a raise of her eyebrows, her heart picking up its pace. It always seemed to do that, out of pure excitement and anticipation, whenever they discussed their impending wedding. Their engagement was a long one, basking in the glow of it and the excitement of forever, taking their time to plan their perfect, small wedding, but the date was finally set. In two months, they would be saying yes to forever in front of their loved ones, and Hailey couldn’t wait. “You planning on making me cry or something during our vows?”

His grin was teasing, playful, but the sincerity in his eyes coated his words as he responded, “Just a tear or two. Otherwise they would fail as vows.”

Chuckling, Hailey sat up, feet still in Jay’s lap, his hands still massaging her skin. “So long as you say you love me, and that you’re cool with being with me forever, I’ll consider your vows as successful.”

Jay laughed at her words before using his grip on her ankles to pull her closer. Her breath hitched as she easily slid across the couch until the back of her thighs were touching the side of his, as close to him as she could be with him sitting properly on the couch and her being sideways. Warmth spread across her chest as Jay’s startling green eyes dropped to her mouth for a moment before flickering up to meet her blue eyes, his own lips curling into a small smug, yet fond, smile.

“I’m more than cool with it,” he said, his voice gruff and low and making the butterflies in Hailey’s stomach go crazy. Jay leaned closer, lips brushing against Hailey’s, and she had to stop herself from pressing herself to him as he murmured, “Forever and a day with you still wouldn’t be enough.”

He closed his claim by finally slanting his lips over hers, and Hailey was immediately responsive, returning his kiss as her hands reached up, cupping his cheek, reveling in the feel of his scruff against her skin. They moved together as Hailey lowered herself until she was on her back, Jay hovering closely on top so as to not crush her under his weight—not that Hailey would’ve minded. The warmth of his solid form was always welcomed, one hand remaining on his cheek while her other arm slid around his neck, holding him close as his tongue trailed along the seam of her lips. She opened up for him instantly, the kiss deepening, an appreciative moan making its way up Hailey's throat as Jay’s hands traveled up the length of her bare thighs, sliding under the material of her dress.

And as much as Jay loved that dress on Hailey, it looked even better on the living room floor.

*****

Kelly and Stella, it seemed, were blessed with a rare beautiful day in Chicago—perfect for a wedding.

The ceremony had been beautiful, with Kelly dressed to the nines in the nicest suit money could buy, and Stella absolutely stunning in a silk, sweetheart neckline gown that fit her perfectly. The morning had been a blur of time passing by, with Hailey and the girls in the bridal suite, getting their hair and makeup done before it finally being time for them to head to the church for the ceremony. Hailey had walked down the aisle with Matt, given their status as Maid of Honor and Best Man, but her gaze had remained on Jay, already standing by the altar with Boden, Cruz and Kelly, having walked down with Sylvie.

Hailey couldn’t lie—walking down the aisle and seeing Jay at the end of it, she was already envisioning their wedding day. Her heart jumped excitedly in her chest once she stood, waiting for Stella to appear. She couldn’t wait for the day that it was her and Jay up there.

The vows were beautiful and sweet, not a dry eye in sight until it was time for the reception, the music blasting as the DJ announced Kelly and Stella’s entrance. And as the newly wedded couple had their first dance, the arm around Hailey’s waist was a comforting presence, Jay’s lips brushing along her ear as he whispered, “Did I tell you, you look beautiful?”

A smile curled on Hailey’s pink lips, gaze dropping to the deep purple colored gown she wore. A princess V-neck with spaghetti straps and a slit up her left leg, the dress fit her perfectly, the gold jewlery she accented it with complementing it well. “You haven’t in the last half hour, no,” Hailey responded with a coy smile, sipping her flute of champagne as her eyes flickered up to meet his gaze.

Jay mirrored her smile, full of boyish charm a guy his age was still capable of possessing. He brushed his lips against her temple. “You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks warmed pleasantly, leaning into him, watching Kelly and Stella dancing, the music and soft murmur of the crowd deafening them to their whispered conversation. Running a hand down Jay’s back, she said quietly, “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Jay chuckled lowly. “That’s what every guy wants to hear,” he replied, making Hailey laugh.

Eventually, it was time to eat and afterwards, through all of the eating and speeches and drinking and picture taking and mingling, Jay’s hand found Hailey’s and he pulled her towards the dance floor as a slow ballad came on. He walked backwards, a lazy grin directed at her as he asked, “Dance with me?”

She answered with a grin, the two of them finding a spot amongst the swaying couples. Jay held her close, her heels giving her short stature only a couple more inches of height, but they were nowhere near eye level. His hand gripped hers, her other on his shoulder while his other resting on her hip. She spotted other couples around them; Cruz and Chloe, Hermann and Cindy, Mouch and Trudy, Kim and Adam, and others lost in the crowd.

“So, how does it feel knowing you helped pull all of this off?” Jay asked as they moved to the music.

Hailey snorted. “Barely any of it was my doing. I just made sure Stella didn’t lose her head through all of it.”

Jay shot her a look, one that told her he didn’t buy any of it. Not that he was that far off. She had been pretty involved in planning the wedding with Stella, whenever neither of them weren’t on shift and had the time to figure out the details. It was good practice, Hailey figured when they had begun, for when she needed to plan her and Jay’s wedding. And she’d been right. Through all of the politics of vendors and dealing with people, Hailey found the proper wedding planning etiquette and was able to apply it when her wedding planning had begun.

“Are you excited?” Hailey asked then, tipping her head back to meet his gaze. “For when it’s our turn?”

There was a glimmer in Jay’s green eyes, and that was answer enough. His fingers, threaded through hers, gave her hand a squeeze. “More than anything.” He leaned close, lips to her ear, voice dropping low. “And then I get to take you away and have you to myself for a whole week.”

Hailey’s grin widened, stomach flipping at the thought of their honeymoon. They’d both agreed on somewhere warm, and Bali was perfect this time of year. They would be flying out the morning after their wedding, early, and Hailey couldn’t wait. Being out of Chicago, even if it was only for a week, with no one but Jay sounded like a dream.

A week in Bali. A forever with Jay. She wanted nothing more.

“I can’t wait,” Hailey breathed out, smiling into the kiss Jay leaned in for.

They were at the reception for hours and once it was over they all, somehow, ended up at Molly’s to continue the party. The bar was full of wedding goers as Hailey sat leaning against Jay. He’d gotten rid of his tux jacket, tie gone and the top few buttons of his dress shirt undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Disarmingly handsome as he nursed a beer.

Stella and Kelly were long gone, getting started on their wedding night right away, while the rest of Firehouse 51, Intelligence, and some folks from Med enjoyed the familiarity of Molly’s. Jay sat with his back to the wall, and Hailey was leaning against him, her back pressed to his chest, his arm loosely draped around her waist. They were never really so touchy in public, preferring to keep their hands on each other in the privacy of their home, but everyone was more or less drunk and on a high from the wedding of two of their loved ones, so neither Hailey nor Jay cared for keeping their hands to themselves, at least for tonight.

As Hailey listened to the chatter of everyone, music playing lightly in the background, she found herself murmuring, “I’m glad we decided to have a small wedding.”

The first thing they had gotten out of the way was the guest list. It would be a small affair, mostly people that were already there at Molly’s, some from Hailey’s family, a couple distant relatives of Jay’s, and some army buddies he’d gotten in contact with over the last few months. Less than a hundred people, which was exactly what they were striving for. Neither needed a big, lavish party. All they needed, really, was each other.

Jay chuckled softly, the sound vibrating across his chest and against Hailey’s back. “We can still do the city hall thing.”

Hailey scoffed, reaching for her own beer. “After all that planning? No way.” She took a sip of her drink, adding after, “Plus, we can’t get the security deposit on the venue back.”

He hummed as Hailey rested her back against his collarbones, watching in mild amusement as Will, Adam, Kevin, Gallo, and Tony took a round of shots. Behind her, Jay muttered, “I’m just really excited to eat our cake.”

Hailey choked out a laugh, leaning away from him enough to turn and meet his gaze, raising her eyebrows. His eyes glimmered playfully as Hailey said, “Eat the cake? Really? How about the part where we get married?”

Jay shrugged, that adorable half smile playing on his laps. “Yeah, I guess I’m excited about that part, too.”

The way she was sitting, the slit of Hailey’s dress allowed for the fabric to fall on either side of her left leg, exposing the length of her leg, making it so easy for Jay’s hand to land high on her thigh under the table. Her heart jumped at the contact, his touch warm as always as his hand slid up before meeting hers where it rested on her lap. Jay’s gaze dropped as he took his hand in hers, and Hailey’s did, too, as she watched Jay’s thumb brush across the diamond ring she wore.

They’d gotten in a few weeks after their mutual proposal, a beautiful and simple halo-style oval shaped diamond ring set in elegant and ornate details on the silver band. It was the perfect ring; she was never one for jewelry, but this was one Hailey had fallen in love with almost instantly, a symbol of her and Jay’s love and bond. She wore it all of the time—except when they were out on the field, of course. It was a piece of Jay she kept with herself at all times, never wanting to part from it—from him.

“Who am I kidding?” Jay said quietly with a low chuckle, meeting her gaze. “I can’t wait to marry you. I’d marry you tonight if I could.”

Hailey grinned, dimples popping, leaning close as she raised her right hand and delicately held Jay’s scruffy chin between her fingers. His nose gently bumped against hers, the rest of the world falling away. “Call me selfish, but I don’t wanna share our anniversary with the newly wedded Severides.” At that, Jay let out another laugh, widening Hailey’s grin before it softened. Sometimes. . . Sometimes her heart ached with how much she loved Jay. A good kind of ache—one that Hailey never thought she would be able to feel. But it was there, every time she looked at him. She loved the feeling almost as much as she loved him. She leaned closer. “I can’t wait to marry you, too.”

She sealed her promise with a soft kiss, one Jay returned in earnest, squeezing her hand. They didn’t care that they were at Molly’s, out in public for anyone to see their rare display of affection. Maybe it was the wedding vibes of today, of the talk of their own upcoming day. But Hailey loved Jay, and everyone knew it. So what if they saw them kiss?

It was just a preview for their wedding day.

#upstead #jay halstead #hailey upton #cpd #chicago pd #chicago p.d.#upstead fanfic #upstead fic #upstead fanfiction #upstead one shot #upstead imagine #upstead imagines #upstead fluff #jay halstead x hailey upton #hailey upton x jay halstead #jay halstead fic #hailey upton fic #upstead writing

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sylvies-chen · 3 years

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Test Runs

Summary: Matt agrees to help Sylvie babysit a 5-month-old Brian Cruz for the night to help Chloe and Joe out, and gets a glimpse at a life with Sylvie he thought he could only ever dream of.

Words: ~5.5K

Warnings: None?? It’s just pure baby fever and heart eyes and canon-compliant established Brettsey

Tagging: @fighterkimburgess Cíara, this one’s for you. I hope you enjoy your much anticipated gift— and some very long, plot-less tooth rotting fluff :)

A/N: I don't know what this is and I'm pretty sure I zoned out while writing this so let me know what you think of this because this is the least edited thing I've ever written lol

“Please don’t be mad at me.”

Matt’s in the locker room at the end of a tiringly long shift when he hears Sylvie’s voice coming from behind him.

Their shift has been filled with an endless amount of intense calls. House fires, a harrowing ambo call according to Sylvie, car crashes galore. He’s more than ready to go home and enjoy his next few days off. He and Sylvie had even agreed to make tonight a date night, staying in with a bottle of wine and watching a movie (or, in their case, not watching a movie). It makes him even happier to be done with this shift. Just a regular, normal, peaceful night.

That’s what it’s supposed to be, at least. Only he hears his girlfriend’s voice and, instead of its usual soothing effect on him, is filled with something tense and nervous. He turns around and lo and behold, Sylvie’s standing in front of him with a perpetual wince.

“Why would I be mad at you?”

“I may or may not have told Joe and Chloe I’d babysit Brian for them tonight,” she explains nervously, her palms stretched out flat against each other. “Which means I’m going to have to take a raincheck on that date night we’d planned.”

Matt instantly finds it hilarious that she’d been so worried to tell him about it. “Sylvie, it’s fine,” he assures her. “Date night can be any night, we’ll just postpone it for another day.”

“Really? You’re not bummed out?” “I’m extremely bummed out,” he corrects her, his hands flying to her arms and rubbing circles on them gently with his thumbs. “But I’m not mad. I just wanted to spend time with you after a long shift, that’s all.”

“I know,” she sighs. “I’m sorry. Joe just kept going on and on about how he and Chloe haven’t had a minute to themselves since the baby was born and I just remember thinking how, if that were you and I, it’d make me really sad not getting to have a night off with you.”

Matt swears his heart melts right then and there. Sylvie’s compassion is pretty much endless but when she mixes it with that adorably longing look in her eye, and with words like that? Yeah, Matt’s a total goner.

Things between him and Sylvie have been going so great. They’re going on six months and not a single day goes by where he doesn’t feel like the happiest guy in the world. He knows tonight is one of their only nights off between shifts and he’d prefer not to have to share her quite yet during those nights but Joe and Chloe are their friends, Sylvie was right to offer them a kind gesture.

So an idea forms.

Matt’s always been good with kids, he’ll never complain at getting the chance to look after one. Especially not when it’s with the woman he loves. Besides, he sort of loves the idea of spending the night watching Sylvie gush over Brian Cruz. She was sort of adorable with Amelia, he can only assume it will be the same with Brian.

So much for a normal, peaceful night. (Although frankly, Matt thinks normal is overrated.)

“What if I came with you?”

“What?”

“Yeah,” he nods. “What if I looked after him with you? I’m sure Joe and Chloe wouldn’t mind, I’d be more than willing to give you an extra set of hands.”

She gives him a puzzled, slightly skeptical look. “So you mean to tell me,” she starts, “that you want to spend one of your few nights off in between shifts babysitting a screaming, crying, spitting five-month-old baby, just… because I am?”

“That’s sort of the idea, yeah,” he chuckles. “I’m good with kids, I can handle a little spit-up. Besides, I’ll take any time I can get with you.”

Ok. So maybe that was a little cheesy. It still rings true nonetheless. Spending time with her in any capacity is good enough for him-- and he has a feeling this will be a lot of fun.

She seems to think the same thing too, and smiles sweetly at him. “How did I get so lucky?”

“You just are,” he shrugs amusedly and leans in to kiss her soundly, sinking into it for a minute before he realizes he shouldn’t get carried away when they’re in the locker room. He’ll save the PDA for Stella and Severide. When he pulls away, she moves to pick up her bag and shut her locker, the two of them ready to leave. “So I’ll pick you up then? What time did they want you there?”

“5:00. But I should warn you,” Sylvie warns teasingly with a pointed index finger. “I will be singing a lot of Wiggles songs. It will not be sexy.”

He lets out a chuckle from deep in his chest and Sylvie returns the laugh as she heads out of the locker room and to her car. Even when she’s gone, Matt can still feel himself smiling like an idiot.

Like he said: Sylvie Brett makes him feel like the happiest guy in the world.

“Hey. You’re in a good mood.” Matt’s about to get his own bag and leave when he turns around to see Severide coming into the locker room.

“Yeah, well, I’m on babysitting duty tonight,” he explains. “With Sylvie. Joe and Chloe needed some time off so she volunteered and I thought I’d tag along.”

“Uh-oh,” Kelly teases. “I sense a little baby fever coming on.”

“What? No, Sylvie’s not baby-crazy, it’s not like that.”

“I’m not talking about her,” Severide explains. “I’m talking about you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. You’re a sucker for kids, man. You’ve wanted them for as long as I’ve known you. You’re going to have that little pipe dream back in your head by the end of the night, I’m telling you,” he warns, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I’ll be fine,” Matt grumbles in response. “I think I can handle one night of babysitting. Besides, we’re just helping Cruz. Kids are something for down the line. Way down the line.”

“So you have thought about it,” Kelly replies victoriously, raising a single, cocky eyebrow.

“What about you and Kidd, huh?” Matt knows deflecting won’t work forever, but he’s not ready to admit to himself that he has thought about it, nevermind Severide. So switching the subject back onto his best friend seems like the safe option. “You’re the ones who are married now. You two haven’t thought about having kids?”

Kelly bites his tongue, blushes slightly. It’s a rare occurrence for him, but one reserved uniquely for all matters related to Stella. “Maybe,” Severide shrugs. “But we’re not talking about me, we’re talking about you.” Matt huffs, picking up his bag and shutting his own locker. “I can handle myself. I was just giving you a heads up in case you wondered why I wasn’t at the loft. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

Matt heads out after that making a beeline for his truck before anyone else can question him about this.

Severide doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He and Sylvie are enjoying their time together right now, taking things at their own pace. Matt’s not about to ruin that for some fantasy he had that’s slowly dissipated. After all, what’s the point in wanting kids if you don’t have someone you want to have them with? After Gabby, he’d given up on that until what was once a pipe dream became something completely irrelevant and blurry in the back of his mind. Besides, six months of dating is a little soon to be thinking about that. There’s about a million steps they have to go through first, a million milestones before kids would be in the question. So yeah. He and Sylvie are not in any rush. For now, Matt is perfectly happy to be able to wake up to her for as many mornings as he can. Just him and her. That’s always going to be enough for him, no matter what. His small fantasies are a thing of the past.

At least, that’s what he tells himself as he drives home to the loft and gets ready to pick Sylvie up. He repeats it over and over until eventually, it doesn’t feel like a lie anymore.

********

When Sylvie hops into his truck, she’s wearing jeans and an old graphic t-shirt. She figures it’s best to wear something she won’t mind dirtying a little. She explains this to Matt when they’re in his truck and he nods thoughtfully at her smart thinking. He even leans over to kiss her on the cheek while waiting for one of the traffic lights to turn red. Only then does it truly register in Sylvie’s head about what they’re doing tonight.

They’re really, truly, spending an entire night together with their friend’s adorable baby.

She really hadn’t expected Matt to offer his help tonight. She doesn’t need the help-- Sylvie knows her way around a five-month-old, after all-- but he’d offered it anyway which somehow makes it even sweeter. Joe and Chloe had been more than okay with it. There’s no one more decent and reliable than Matt Casey, after all. Together, Brian Cruz is guaranteed to spend the whole night being showered with love. She’s sure of that, so she’d obviously been thrilled to have him tag along for babysitting. Until the weight of it all sinks in, that is.

Things between them have been going so great. It’d taken them longer than she’d hoped to sort out their feelings but it’d made the release all the more satisfying. They’re here now, together. And even though they’re only six months into this relationship, she knows that she’s never backing out. This is it; for both of them. It adds an extra layer to her happiness, knowing that everything she does with him will be her last firsts. It’s wonderful and beautiful in all the best ways. They’re still fairly early on in their relationship though. She doesn’t have an exact plan for the future-- it’s the only thing she can’t plan out thoroughly, unfortunately-- but she knows six months is still fresh in the grand scheme of things. And whereas she thinks a kid or two might be nice, it’s still too early to have a conversation that’s that detailed with him. Up until now, she’d been perfectly fine avoiding that talk. Now though, it’s going to be the big, plus elephant in the room. They’re getting a glimpse at what it would be like to have a kid together. It seems silly, but she’s almost scared to let her mind wander.

She goes over it in her head quietly in the car. It’s not a big deal, she reminds herself. They’ll just look after Brian, have some fun, and put him to bed at a reasonable hour. And most importantly, under no circumstances will daydreaming about their future be allowed. Ever.

They reach Joe and Chloe’s house and Matt takes her hands as they reach the front door. She’s been quiet the rest of the car ride, ever since he kissed her on the cheek. She’d gotten so preoccupied reminding herself not to get ahead of herself tonight that it’d picked up his attention, but she gives his hand a gentle squeeze as they wait for Joe and Chloe to answer the door and he smiles, thinking nothing of her quiet mood.

“Hey,” Joe greets them when the front door finally opens. His face is beaming, and it really dawns on Sylvie how excited he must be for tonight. He and Chloe haven’t been out of the house for weeks, never spending more than five minutes alone without baby Brian Cruz. “Come on in.”

Sylvie flashes a friendly smile and lets go of Matt’s hand to step inside, looking around the place. Chloe’s putting her earrings on in the mirror, preparing the finishing touches of her date night outfit. Which, in Sylvie’s opinion, is gorgeous. Saying her friend looks amazing is almost an understatement. “Don’t you look fancy,” Sylvie teases from behind Chloe. “Sylvie! We’re so glad you two were able to make it,” Chloe cheers, leaning in to give Sylvie a tender hug and then doing the same for Matt. “Thank you so much for this. We owe you one.” “Don’t worry about it,” she hears Matt speak. “I think we’re both just happy to lend a helping hand, right?”

He looks to Sylvie with raised eyebrows, and she nods in agreement. “Yes, we really are. You two seriously deserve some time off.”

“You’re right about that,” Joe nods. “I thought being a firefighter would mess with my sleep schedule but it’s nothing compared to this kid.”

“Where is Brian anyway?” She asks.

“He’s in his crib right now, hang on,” Chloe tells her, stepping into the room next to them and pulling Brian out of his crib. The little boy sits perfectly against his mother’s chest, his feet dangling slightly. He’s wearing a onesie too, the light blue fabric covered with little robots. It’s quite possibly the cutest thing Sylvie’s ever seen and she has to fight back the urge to coo at him.

“Say hi to Auntie Sylvie and Uncle Matt, sweet cheeks!” Chloe coos to her son, grabbing his tiny hand and waving it at Sylvie and Matt for him. He can’t talk yet but he flashes a smile at them and it melts Sylvie’s heart. Man. Tonight is going to be amazing and yet so tough to get through. “So there’s fresh formula in the fridge but we just fed him so he should be fine for the night. His toys are all laid out on the floor if he needs tummy time and we normally put him to bed at 7:00. If there’s anything you guys need or any questions, just call us. We’re bringing our phones with us and the number for the pediatrician is on the counter just in case,” Joe explains to them.

“Got it,” Sylvie nods.

“Ok,” Chloe nods to herself, handing Brian over to Sylvie. The small boy fits just as nicely against Sylvie’s chest but he tries to turn his head as soon as she holds him, urgently looking for his mom. Chloe stands back, staring at Brian nervously. “I gotta go now, buddy. I’ll see you later.”

“It’s harder than you expected, isn’t it?” Sylvie asks her, already well aware of the answer. Leaving your kid with a sitter is tough, she imagines, especially when it’s your first kid.

“Yes,” Chloe admits, slightly pained. “I know it’s only a few hours but we’re going to miss him.”

“We’ll take good care of him, we promise,” Matt assures them, already moving closer to Sylvie to see Brian and let his tiny hand wrap around his thumb. “Thanks again you guys,” Joe nods appreciatively.

“Of course, anytime. Now go on, have fun, you crazy kids,” Sylvie teases.

“Alright, bye!” Chloe keeps waving until their front door is fully shut, leaving Matt and Sylvie in total silence.

Matt glances at Sylvie up and down, taking in the sight of her with baby Brian, and something in his eye lights up. It sends a warm tingling down Sylvie’s spine, but he just nods at her. “He really is a cute baby.”

“I know,” she raves instantly. “Look at how small his little hands are!”

“You’re just so tiny, aren’t you, little buddy?” Matt talks to Brian, wiggling his hand.

Brian giggles, his arms wiggling amusedly at Matt’s gesture. He looks over at the front door though, waits expectantly for Chloe and Joe to come back in. A few seconds pass where Matt and Sylvie watch as Brian stares at the door. It’s almost as if everything that happens next happens in slow motion. They watch as his face turns back to Sylvie, his twinkling eyes turning sad as his face sours. The wail comes next, matched with flailing arms as Sylvie feels his body shaking in her arms.

He’s not hungry, Joe said he and Chloe just fed him. And he can’t be tired since they haven’t done anything with him yet. So really, he just misses his parents. It’s not all that abnormal for a kid his age but it still hurts Sylvie’s heart, watching this little guy wail in her arms.

“Oh no,” she blurts out, slightly panicked. “Shh, it’s okay! We’re right here. I know you miss your mommy and daddy but they’ll be back soon, I promise.”

He continues to wail, sticking his hand out and wiggling to try and get to the front door. “Who am I kidding, you don’t understand what that means,” she mumbles under her breath, beginning to bounce him.

His wailing isn’t as shrill after the bouncing starts but he’s still crying at a volume comparable to 61’s sirens. She tries her best to calm him down but it seems unsuccessful. Dammit. Sylvie and Matt aren’t five minutes into this night and Brian’s already crying.

The reminder that Matt’s there is enough to snap her out of it. Only she turns to where he was not five seconds ago and he’s gone. “Matt?”

“I’m in here, just a second,” he calls from the family room. Sylvie moves down the hallway away from the entrance to find him. When she does, he’s hovering over a small, wooden chest and rifling through it. Brian’s still crying as she pats his back and offers soothing hushes.

“I think we just broke Cruz and Chloe’s baby,” Sylvie tries teasing, her face still making a worried wince. “Shh, it’s okay Brian. You’re okay, it’s okay.” Matt grabs something out of the chest, moving to close the space between him, Sylvie and Brian. “Here,” he tells her, revealing the little, plush blue and green robot in his hand. “I figured a toy might distract him.”

“Right, good idea,” she nods, turning to meet baby Brian’s eye again as he grabs a fistful of her hair. “Uncle Matt has some of your toys, you want to play with them?”

Sylvie turns him so he can see Matt, who extends the soft plush robot and wiggles it playfully.

“I bet you like that one, huh? He even matches your pyjamas,” Matt points out.

Brian instantly becomes mesmerized with the toy, his eyes sparkling as they follow it’s trail as it moves in the air. His cheeks are still glossy with tears but he sticks out a hand to clumsily grab at the toy. The shift from upset beyond consolation to pure fascination with something so simple as a toy robot is enough to astound Sylvie-- and, admittedly, send relief washing through her body.

As soon as her shoulders relax, she feels Brian relax in her arms too. He even smiles as she wipes his cheeks clean of the tears, pointing towards the toy and cooing incoherently. Matt keeps wiggling the toy and bobbing his head along with the toy, eventually handing it to Brian and letting him play with it on his own. He squishes the robot’s rectangular head, then mimics Matt’s movements with it and moves it around in the air. Sylvie watches in happy surprise. She’s about to move her head to send a bewildered yet appreciative look at Matt but when her eyes look up, he’s already looking at her. There’s a slight twinkle in his eye, similar to the one Brian had when he saw the robot. It’s nothing but pure wonder, and her heart skips a beat.

Up until now, she’d been trying to keep herself from getting ahead of herself. Apart from the logical reasons of it being really early and soon on in their relationship, Sylvie also just doesn’t want to freak him out with baby fever. But he’s staring at her as she coddles Brian, a smile dancing over his face, and it seems pointless.

Maybe she’s not the only one picturing them doing this with a kid of their own.

Maybe, he’s just as much of a daydreamer as she is.

********

Matt’s not trying to give himself away too much. He swears he isn’t.

But damn. If Sylvie with this little Cruz baby isn’t the most adorable thing he’s ever seen, he doesn’t know what is. It’s been an hour since they arrived at the Cruz residence. An hour since they’d walked in and immediately had to deal with a screaming, crying baby Brian. Thankfully, they mellow out pretty quickly after that. Matt and Sylvie pull out as many toys as they can and try to distract him. His tears dissipate as they play around, keeping the young child preoccupied.

Sylvie, as promised, even starts dancing and singing Wiggles songs. Matt started out singing and dancing with her but Brian had tried crawling away while they were both up so he’s now sitting next to Brian, who’s on his stomach on his mat in the family room propping himself up to watch the show as Sylvie keeps dancing and singing.

“The Big Red Car rolls along the street

And to all the people that we meet, we like to say hello

Say hello! To the people that we meet!”

Sylvie sings, spins around, and does comically dramatic gestures as Matt claps along with Brian, making a few sound effects himself to help out with the number. The songs are too catchy not to sing along, so he does. That just seems to make the baby giggle even more, and he tries crawling over closer towards Sylvie.

She finishes the song and does small but amusing jazz hands, practically out of breath. “That was exhausting,” she exhales heavily. “How’s that for entertainment, little guy?”

He coos and waves his arms around in the air, trying to cheer for her. Matt chuckles and claps along himself, keeping an expectant eye on Brian.

The baby keeps wagging his arms though, and when they realize he’s asking for an encore Sylvie leans over with her hands on her knees in exhaustion. “You want more of this?” She addresses Brian, not expecting a response. “We’ve been at this for nearly an hour, I’m getting more of a workout from this than from Foster’s infamous spin classes. How is he not more exhausted?”

“Different sleep schedule, I guess,” Matt shrugs. “Don’t worry, you can tap out and I’ll take over.”

“More romantic words have never been spoken,” she replies teasingly with a relieved groan. She wipes at her brow and moves to find space on the mat but instead of the encore, Brian turns to her.

“Oh,” Matt says. “Looks like he doesn’t want more singing and dancing after all.”

The young boy starts reaching for Sylvie’s hair, grasping at the blonde strands that fall just above her shoulders. He manages to find a fistful but Sylvie pulls him in closer so he can grab her hair without yanking it. “I think he likes you,” Matt points out with a grin. “Good, my plan is working,” she teases, resting her head ever so lightly on Brian’s head. “I’m hoping to work my way up to his favourite aunt by the time he’s two. I’m going to be your favourite, aren’t I, little man?”

Brian coos in her lap, smiling wide at Sylvie. But he looks over at Matt and reaches out from Sylvie’s hold to grab at Matt’s hand too. Matt’s heart melts.

“He seems to like you too,” Sylvie adds.

“Yeah, I’ve never met a baby with so much trust in people,” Matt replies. “And so many robot toys too. What’s up with that?” He gestures at the spread of robot toys they arranged in a row on Brian’s mat.

“I think Joe was hoping he’d get him interested in tech stuff like Otis was,” Sylvie explains, a wistful sigh falling over her. Matt gets serious too-- not a day goes by where he doesn’t think of their dear, fallen friend. Thinking of where Brian Cruz gets his name from is always a sharp reminder of Otis, and this new piece of information doesn’t make it any better.

Matt throws Sylvie a sympathetic look, which is returned. There’s nothing much to say to that, nothing but to let there be a gentle and solemn moment of silence as Brian wiggles in Sylvie’s criss-crossed legs on the floor.

The silence is broken when he crawls out of Sylvie’s lap, slowly finding his way to Matt. Somehow, some way, he can sense Matt’s heavy heart and reaches to grab his hand. Brian doesn’t try to lift it, just puts one hand around Matt’s thumb and one around his pinky. He looks up at Matt, his eyes twinkling energetically.

“I bet your mom and dad tell you all sorts of stories about Uncle Otis, don’t they?” Matt asks as he lifts Brian into the air. He giggles, waving his arms and toes in his little onesie. Matt knows the kid can’t talk yet but he takes that as a yes. When Matt brings him back down from the air, he presses a kiss to the kid’s forehead and pulls back with the small smack of his lips. It makes Brian laugh even more.

Man. He really is a cute kid. Maybe Severide was right, maybe Matt’s already feeling that little pipe dream of his coming back. Because he’s sitting there with this tiny little kid in his arms, having the time of his life as Sylvie watches them amusedly, and it feels like he’s getting a glimpse at their future. The idea of a family, one with someone he loves as much as Sylvie, feels so right. It’s enough to send a warm and electric feeling throughout his body.

“This is fun,” Matt admits to her, meeting her eye with a hesitant but hopeful gaze.

Sylvie pulls her lip in between her teeth, fighting a smile. “Yeah, it is,” she nods. “It’s nice, I’m glad you offered to tag along. It’s like a little test run.”

“Test run?” Her eyes widen slightly and her cheeks heat up ever so slightly, to the point where Matt thinks he imagined it for a second. “I-- I mean, for babysitting,” she backtracks, shaking her head. “You know, if Joe and Chloe decide somewhere down the line that they need more nights out.”

Matt’s heart skips a beat.

Sylvie’s a terrible liar. She knows it, he knows it, all of 51 knows it. He can tell when she’s fibbing. She gets all flustered, fumbles her words just like she is now. Only now, he can see right through it and it excites him beyond comparison. He can see it in her eyes: she’s been thinking about kids just as much as he has.

“Right,” Matt chuckles lightly, going along with it. “For babysitting.”

She knows he can see right through him and sucks in a sharp breath. She looks more hesitant than he does now. “I don’t know, a kid or two might be nice somewhere down the line,” she admits nervously. “Right?”

“It would,” he replies softly with a smile. “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it once or twice tonight.”

“Really?” When Matt nods, she smiles and her shoulders relax.

“Well Severide said I should probably keep that to myself but I don’t care.”

“I don’t want you to keep it to yourself,” she tells him firmly but kindly. “You, Matt Casey, are always allowed to share what you see in our future with me. Okay?”

“Okay,” he nods happily. “I guess this test run isn’t so bad then, is it? If we’re on the same page about things.”

“No, it isn’t.” Her eyes light up and it’s all the confirmation Matt needs that he’s not alone in his baby fever. Their eyes stay fixed on each other, a soft and exciting tension washing over them.

The moment, however, is interrupted by Brian. He’s still in Matt’s arms but Matt suddenly hears what is probably the quietest, cutest yawn he’s ever heard come from Brian’s mouth.

“It’s getting late,” Sylvie realizes.

“Yeah, his bedtime was…” Matt checks the clock and his eyebrows immediately shoot up. “Twenty minutes ago?”

Sylvie looks at the baby in Matt’s arms, surprised. “You really had a lot of energy tonight, didn’t you? You were dancing past your bedtime, little buddy!” “Well I don’t blame him, your performance was very entertaining,” Matt muses. “Maybe a little too good,” she realizes with a giggle. “Come on, let's put him in the crib.”

“Aw come on,” Matt pleads. “Just a few more minutes? I don’t think he wants to move.”

“You are a bad influence, Matt Casey.” Sylvie shakes her head amusedly. She soaks in the sight though and can’t resist. Brian is draped over Matt's chest, his head now resting on his shoulder as his eyes flutter tiredly. Matt’s hand covers the little boy’s entire back, rubbing circles on it gently as he stabilizes the boy. Sylvie bites her lip for the second time that night and Matt knows she’s going to concede. “He does seem to be comfortable there though,” she counters reluctantly.

“Very comfortable,” he corrects her. What can he say? He just wants to sit in this little fantasy of his for a little longer. He so rarely lets himself hope like this that it feels almost necessary to extend this for as long as possible. Besides, Brian Cruz is adorable, it’d be crazy if he didn’t think of a kid of his own-- at least a little-- while he’s here. “I, however, am not.”

“Well here, come up to the couch. That’ll be more comfortable for the both of you,” she tells him, her voice now hushed and soothing so as to calm Brian down and not interrupt his process of slowly falling asleep.

Matt carefully gets up and shifts onto the couch, Brian still in his arms. He leans back and lets Brian sprawl out against his chest. The boy is light, no more than 15 pounds, but it’s still enough to put a light pressure on Matt’s chest.

He doesn’t mind. In fact, it’s the opposite. He loves it.

Sylvie stands up too, clearing the toys off the floor as Matt watches Brian’s breathing, the rise and fall of the small boy’s chest against his. It’s weirdly soothing and he soon feels his breathing match Brian’s, his eyes fighting to stay open. The singing and dancing and playing around really took the energy out of both of them.

When she’s done, she looks down at the two fatigued boys, smiling gently at the sight before curling up next to Matt on the couch. She holds Brian’s hand with her index and her thumb, and runs a soft hand over his head, before Matt’s arm wraps around her shoulder and she tucks her head in the nape of his neck.

“That’s better,” Matt beams, a tired smile on his face. He moves to press a kiss to Sylvie’s forehead.

“Much better,” she agrees quietly. “But we shouldn’t stay like this forever. He’ll need to go to his crib soon.”

“We’ll put him there soon,” he tells her. “Just five more minutes, babe…”

********

Wake up.

She feels those words ring through her body like an alarm. It sends the lights in her brain slowly turning back on as she eases into consciousness.

The first thing she sees, just barely and surrounded by a tired blur in her vision, is Matt. Brian’s still on his chest, both of them sleeping soundly. She smiles to herself, noting how peaceful her boyfriend looks in this position. Everything feels so warm. She’s cuddled up next to him, he’s lying with the baby. It all seems so picture perfect. She revels in it, if only for a moment.

She looks up and realizes it’s been twenty minutes since they’d fallen asleep— and Matt had promised only five. For a minute, she considers waking him up and telling him to bring Brian to his crib. She decides against it though, choosing instead to cuddle back into him and relax.

Joe and Chloe are going to be back any minute now. But she’ll be damned if she doesn’t soak every minute of this moment in. Before they’d figured things out and gotten together, Sylvie had scarcely allowed herself to feel things for him, nevermind daydream about the life they could have. But she looks at them, sees how truly good and comfortable Matt is with Brian, and can’t stop now. It’s addicting, dreaming about her future with Matt Casey. She intends to chase that feeling like it’s her only fix, especially since now she knows he’s thought about it too. Her dreams are his; theirs.

To Sylvie, that makes for a pretty good test run.

She falls back into Matt’s embrace, the three of them dozing off. They don’t wake up again until Joe and Chloe come back.

It’s the first night Brian Cruz gets a full night’s worth of sleep.

#CÍARA I DID IT I finished it haha #cíara tag #abby writes #brettsey #sylvie brett #matt casey

101 notes · View notes

study-coffee-chicago · 3 years

Text

Season Premier Thoughts:

(And, feel free to send me asks about the eps!)

MED:

I knew it was gonna happen, BUT BREAKING MY MANSTEAD HEART IN THE FIRST TWO MINUTES????

“He was aiming at you wasn’t he?” DR. CHARLES GOING OFF ON ARCHER??? HERE FOR IT

Dr. Dylan’s interactions with the kid??? Loving him already!

THIS KID IS LIKE 8! GANG INITIATION??? WTF

I’m gonna need Jay and Will to team up for this investigation

The way Will said “Hold on” to Goodwin when talking about the investigation. I LAUGHED SO HARD

WILL’S BACK IN THE ED ❤️

Why do I feel like Will and Stevie are gonna end up dating?

God, I love Maggie

Fuck Kender with locking the charts

Fuck Archer…bc he’s a dick

SASSY WILL. I’M HERE FOR IT

These twins are creepy

SASSY DR. CHARLES TO ARCHER?? ALSO HERE FOR IT

How many times am I going to think “fuck Archer” during this ep?? Probably a lot.

THE DOCTOR NEVER TOLD THIS WOMAN ABOUT HOW TO HELP HER DAUGHTER AND IT WAS ABOUT RACE??? FIND THE DOC AND TAKE HIS LICENSE

Oooh, Lanik’s back

I thought they were making Crockett and Will friends…NOT ENEMIES

Shut up with your vascon thingy, Cooper

Wow, Dr. Stevie just going in on the hard questions with Alisha

Dr. Taylor lost her first patient 😭

Will doesn’t like lying. 😂. WILL, DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU DIDN’T LISTEN TO JAY AND WORKED WITH THE FUCKING MOB OR SOME SHIT???

THE TWINS SWITCHED PLACES??? MY JAW DROPPED

Again, loving Dylan Scott

Loving the new docs!

Stevie’s mom’s homeless 💔

Ooooh, we’re yelling at Archer next week! Here for it!

Final thoughts: Loved it! Will definitely be rewatching this ep!…probably this weekend 😂

FIRE:

It’s been less than a minute and I’m STRESSED AF

GO CASEY

OH MY GOD, CRUZ

I wonder how weird that rescue breath scene between Cruz and Casey was to film 😂

CRUZ, THANK GOD

Crockett sighting!

Stellaride and their sex drive…holy shit!

KELLY LITERALLY THROWING THE REMOTE 😂

Loving the humor when Joe came back 😂

VIOLET, I’LL BUY YOUR CANDLES! I LOVE CANDLES

Is Joe having symptoms of PTSD???

BODEN’S DEPUTY DISTRICT CHIEF

OH THANK GOD HE’S NOT LEAVING THE SHOW

THIS WOMAN IN THE ROOM WITH THE WINDOW OPEN IS CRAZY

Love how Sylvie talked the woman down ❤️

Nobody’s gonna think about it when Brettsey walk out together? Haha, bullshit

Dill popcorn is actually pretty good

I thought we were done with politics in Chicago Fire after Alderman Casey resigned

THEY SERIOUSLY HAD TO FALL THROUGH THE ROOF??? WE JUST GOT SQUAD BACK AND NOW THE WRITERS WANT TO KILL HALF OF TRUCK????

CASEY DIDN’T FALL THROUGH

THANK GOD SEVERIDE AND CRUZ GOT STELLA AND GALLO OUT

CASEY WITH THE GOOD SAVE

Boden’s speech made me tear up

“Whenever Gallo almost dies, for like two days I stop thinking I wanna kill him” VIOLET 😂

Watch the millennials start selling their beer to Hermann to sell at Molly’s

THE BABY SHOWER WAS SO CUTE

“I did not grow up in a loving, happy house.” I’M GONNA NEED SOME STELLA KIDD BACKSTORY ASAP

Final thoughts: NOBODY DIED! And, that promo for next week??? I CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT CAR ACCIDENT CALL

PD:

POOR HAILEY

Ugh, Voight

Trudy’s just like, take a step back, Adam. I don’t know how I’d get you out of this one if you punched a doctor.

Miller: what’s the update on Roy? VOIGHT KILLED HIM AND BURNED HIS BODY AT THE SILOS THAT’S THE UPDATE, SAMANTHA

Uh oh. Somebody heard gunshots at the warehouse. JAM UP VOIGHT AND NOT HAILEY, I’M BEGGING YOU. SHE WANTED TO DO IT RIGHT AND CALL IT IN

HAILEY’S HAIR TIE

“Work the scene, I need your DNA in here.” VOIGHT, LEAVE

Ugh great, now Voight and Hailey are gonna go talk to the witness

HE SAW ONE OF THEIR CARS. SHIT

Not one of their cars…SO WHOSE CAR DID THE WITNESS SEE???

POOR ADAM

VOIGHT, HOW ABOUT YOU FUCKING CONFESS

Hailey doesn’t have to accept anything…VOIGHT, YOU WERE THE ONE WHO MADE HER KILL ROY

Dad! Adam talking out his problems with Trudy and being worried about Makayla ❤️

OH SHIT, IRWIN TOOK VIDEOS

UPSTEAD CHASE SCENE

We need to put Voight in jail because I need my upstead babies to be back to normal and fluffy

I’m digging the car chase music

How does nobody see that Voight is acting weird af

WE’RE ABOUT TO GET SNIPER! JAY

SNIPER! JAY ❤️❤️❤️

Never would’ve seen Miller and Kevin going into the building coming

Jay always gets the job done

MAKAYLA PAINTING ADAM’S NAILS PINK AND HIM CALLING HER MAK. MY HEART ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

MAKAYLA HOLDING ADAM’S HAND AND WITH THE OTHER ONE HOLDING HER PLATYPUS STUFFED ANIMAL ❤️❤️❤️

KIM’S AWAKE

Adam saying “ladies first” and then Makayla running to Kim. I love Dad! Adam!

SHE BROUGHT HER PLATYPUS FOR KIM ❤️ I have tears in my eyes now

OH FUCK, THE FEDS ARE GETTING INVOLVED NOW. SHIT

THAT UPSTEAD SCENE. THE TALK. THE PROPOSAL. JAY SAYING HE’S OLD-FASHIONED. I FELL OFF MY COUCH ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

UPSTEAD ARE GETTING MARRIED ❤️❤️❤️

Good thing Jay didn’t use Mama Halstead’ss ring because, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, pretty sure that thing is cursed

Final thoughts: THE PROPOSAL, UPSTEAD ARE GETTING MARRIED, KIM’S OKAY, DAD! ADAM! Loved it! But, I’m gonna need Voight to confess because he’s killing Hailey here and that’s just not okay. Next week looks like a lot of Burzek, so hopefully more Dad! Adam and Mom! Kim. Finally, I really want pizza right now 😂

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mackeydoodledoo · 3 years

Text

Inferno

Pairing: Sylvie Brett x Quinn Maxs (Fem! Paramedic)

Summary: You’re living life with Firehouse 51. But, you begin to feel feelings for your Paramedic-in-charge; Sylvie Brett. You don’t know how to tell her, understanding the history of her past relationships. Most of all, you don’t want her seeing you differently, should you tell her. You only told your fellow paramedic; Gianna Mackey and your best friend and firefighter; Stella Kidd. However, you beg them both to not tell Brett. However, once Hermann’s fill-in comes in, you believe you’ve waited too long to tell Brett how you really feel about her.

Warning: Chicago Fire Season 9 Episode 9: Escape Route spoilers

A/N: Quinn Maxs is my OC for Chicago Fire! Enjoy my first Sylvie Brett imagine!!

Theme: “MAYDAY” - coldrain/Ryo (Fire Force Opening 2)

-------------------------------------------------------

As you close your locker and bid Hermann a farewell and to enjoy his vacation you pass by Brett, but a familiar face.... Grainger....

"Hey, I remember you, Y/n Y/l/n right?" He asks, smiling

Hiding your emotions well, you casually salute three fingers to him before hearing the alarm go off.

"Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, structure fire,"

As you heard the address you head to 61 to deploy for the call.

"Hey why don't you ride shotgun Y/l/N," Mackey suggests, smiling

"Sure, thanks Mackey," you say, opening the passenger side door

"Mackey wanted to ride back?" Sylvie asks

"Yeah, I guess so," you sigh, not looking at her

"Hey, are you alright? You've seemed to be moping for a little bit." Sylvie asks

"Oh I'm fine, a little tired. Lack of sleep," You lie

You were kind of accurate but also very inaccurate. You realized when Sylvie and Grainger were flirting before the call.

"Tell you what, why not tonight after shift I treat you to Molly's?" She suggests

"You sure?" You ask

"Totally," Brett smiles

81, Squad 3 and 61 arrive at the fire. You notice Grainger giving orders out already however, Casey angrily tells him to wait for his orders. Both you and Sylvie watch that unfold but you think nothing of it as Casey is Captain. But you're assuming 40 doesn't have a captain.

After the call, 61 running a severely burned mother to Med, you voluntarily hopped in the back, to avoid Brett seeing your emotions become unfolded. Although they could hear you, you were crying on the inside.

Brett's POV "Hey Mackey do you think Y/l/n is okay?" She asks

"What makes you think that?" Mackey replies back

"On our way to the call earlier she wasn't very talkative like she usually is," she says, "I just wanna know if she's talked to you about anything."

"Nope, she's been quiet about that," Mackey says

Y/n’s POV You lay down on your bed in the quiet area of 51, contemplating life choices. With a handful of Med runs n such, nothing happened out of the ordinary.

"You doing okay kid?" Stella comes over

"Well aside from my jealousy of Grainger easily wooing Brett, I'm fine," you sigh

"You need to tell her before anything happens Y/n," she replies, "You're going to regret it once you decide to tell her when its too late."

"She is inviting me out to Molly's after shift if that means anything.." you say

"That’s the perfect time to do it" Stella smiles before walking away

Once the end of shift came and you make your leave. You try to avoid Brett as much as possible.

"Y/l/n!" Brett calls

You silently sigh to yourself but put on a happy face for her.

"You ready to go love?" She asks, slinging her arm around yours as she drags you along

"For sure," you force a smile

"Hey why don't you join us later, once your done with inventory?" Sylvie suggests to Grainger

"I'd love to," Grainger smiles

On the inside you were freaking out. But you also believed this was the time to tell her, as Stella says.

"Have you been doing okay y/l/n? You're not as talkative as you usually are," Sylvie asks

"Just a long day, like I said this morning Brett, I have had a lack of sleep," you sigh, "Hey I'm gonna get a drink from Stella do you want anything?"

"Just a beer," Sylvie smiles

You smile back, you realize that's the first time you've smiled around Brett.

"Have you told her yet Y/n?” Stella asks, coming over to you

"No," you sigh, "I don't know. You are right by telling her now but I’m just so-"

You notice Stella looking over your shoulder, "Grainger is there isn't he?..."

Stella nods, "Sorry Y/n."

"Two beers," you request, "Might as well be a peace offering."

"Are you gonna stick around?" She asks

"I'm just gonna give them the beers and pretty much lie," you say, "Hey, I'll text you if anything happens."

Stella nods, in approval to your plan. She walks over and gets the beers. You slip her a $10 tip.

"Half of it is working in a full house, the other is... Well, being my Partner in Crime," you smile as you shake off your sadness and force a smile onto your face as you put the beers between the two supposed lovebirds.

"For me?" Grainger smiles

"That's a thanks for today, Welcome to 51," You forcefully smile

My god I want to leave! You begin to feel an inferno build up inside of you. You wanted to punch him in the face but that would not look good on a report.

"Hey, I just remembered I left something at the station. I'm going to run and go grab it and I’m gonna call it a night," you lie, "see you later Boss."

You take your jacket and your helmet and make your leave, putting on your helmet and then gloves. You first make your stop to your apartment, which wasn't too far from Molly's. Grabbing a backpack that would be big enough to store clothes in and essentials. You leave everything clean. As if no one was there. You make haste getting out of your apartment and to your motorcycle, making another leave.

You knock on the door to Boden's office. Which he looks up and greets you how he always does.

"Chief I need to talk to you, if you have a minute," you say, sitting in a chair

"What is it Y/l/n?" He asks

"I know you’re probably not one to listen to somebody's relationship life but um.." You stammer, figuring out how to tell him, "I don't know who else to turn to but only two other people know; Mackey and Kidd. I told them-I told them I really like Brett. However, I’m beginning to see her attraction towards our fill-in Lieutenant; Grainger. But the point is, I'm beginning to feel jealous. On the call this morning I was barely in it until either Mackey or Brett brought me back. I'm not sure if I've ever requested to take time off work. But, I feel that this is the time to. I don't want my emotions getting the best of me again Chief."

"Who else knows about this kind of request?" Boden asks

"Just you and me sir," you reply

"I appreciate the heads up Y/l/n and I appreciate your need to work with your emotions," he says, "How long do you want me to make you absent for?"

"One month," you request

"That's um... That's quite a big request Y/l/n," He sighs

"I understand that completely Chief, but Brett and Mackey are doing an excellent job as a two-person Ambo team, I strongly believe they can do the work in my absence," you say

"If you strongly believe it then so do I," He says, adjusting something on his laptop, "Is there anything else you need?"

"Yes," You sigh, "Don't tell Brett anything of what I told you in this moment. I don't want her feeling guilt over this when she and Mackey have lives to save. But if she does happen to ask, just tell her that I have a family emergency. If-if that's too much I can-"

"It's okay Y/l/n," Boden says, "Go clear your head."

"Thanks Chief," you smile, making your exit

You stop at a gas station to fill up on your motorcycle and eat before your long drive. As you wait for the gas to fill your tank, you hold your phone up to your ear.

"Hey, Stella, it's me," you start

"Hey kid. You doing okay? What's the update?" She asks

"Well, I first went to my apartment to get some things. I then went to the station and requested the Chief for some days off." You say

"How long?" She asks

"A month," you say

"A MON- oh, sorry. A month?" Stella says

"Yeah," you say, "I told Boden that Brett and Mackey and manage without me. It's not like I'm leaving 51."

"That's true," Stella sighs

"Hey, can you pass the word to Mackey too? I told her about this whole thing too," you say, "But neither of you tell Brett. I'm not having her feel guilty over this. This is for me."

"Got it kid, I gotta get back to work. Call me if you wanna talk at all," Stella says

"Noted, bye." You say, hanging up the phone as the gas had just filled up

As you pull off into a parking spot, you make another call.

"Hey, it's me," you smile, "Do you have any space in your house for me to stay in for now? You do? Okay, I'll be there in... God, 3-4 hours. Pull off into a hotel for the night? No, I'm good thanks. I'll make the drive. So long as I'm not in the city anymore. Thanks man, I'll try to keep you posted."

You put your helmet back on and set up your maps into the destination and ride off into the night. Though, you really only made stops at 24-hour gas stations.

Brett's POV The next morning at 51, Brett comes into the station right next to Grainger however, split once they go to their respective engines.

"Hey where's Y/l/n?" Sylvie asks Mackey when she noticed she's not in the ambo

"Family emergency," Mackey replies, clearly lying

"Oh... She didn't tell me," Brett sighs

"She was in a rush, she only figured out last night," Mackey adds

She walks over to Stella, "Hey did Y/l/n tell you-"

"She has a family emergency," Stella says, exactly the same story as Mackey

"She told you too?" Brett asks, "How come she didn't tell me?"

Stella looks at Brett, feeling bad she has to lie to her best friend. However, it was for the best for both you and Brett.

"Who didn't tell you what?" Grainger comes up behind Brett and hugs her

"One of my paramedics had a family emergency and didn't tell me," Brett says

"Well let's not worry about that right now," Grainger smiles as he gives Brett a cheek kiss

"If you guys kiss I’m gonna puke," Stella gags as she walks to the common room, Mackey following

Stella's POV "You're doing a great job Mackey," Kidd says, high-fiving her

"I'd never tell someone's personal info, unless they told me I could. This isn't one of those times," Mackey smiles

"Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, Battalion 25, multiple hostile situation at 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611"

"That's Navy Pier," Stella realizes

51 deploys to the coordinates that are set in and by the time they get there, different firehouses and police stations are lined at the entrance.

"Voight, talk to me," Boden demands as he walks with them

"Seems like there's more than one perpetrator in this situation," Voight explains, "No casualties thus far, but possible injuries."

Y/n's POV As you get yourself some coffee you pull up the Chicago news radio on your phone.

"This just in, a multiple hostage situation is currently happening at Navy Pier. All civilians near the vicinity must evacuate immediately." The news reporter explains, "All CPD departments and multiple CFD houses are here at the scene.

"Sounds like one crazy adventure," your sister says, "glad your home and away from that."

"Sis, I'm worried," you sigh

"Is it about that Brett girl?" She asks, "forget her. She's missing one hell of an opportunity."

"Thing is I don't know if she's Bisexual." You state

"Even if she is and still sees you differently, she's missing out on a cool little sister," she says, messing up your hair, "I have to head out for work, if you're going out just lock the door and you remember where the spare key is?"

"I do sis," you smile

"See you later," she smiles and she closes the door

You turn back to your phone for the love broadcast of the situation back across Lake Michigan. Your sister was pretty much right on the edge of Michigan, great view of the lake. However, you look out to the window and hope, your house is doing okay. You wish you saw the situation happen from right across it but it was too wide for you to see it happen with your eyes. You sigh, wishing you could leave already. However, you realize your sister has a power boat. You quickly write down a note saying you'll be back and that you're borrowing her power boat. With no sailing experience, turnout gear or medic supplies. Only your bag and communicator, you rush out the door.

"Where's Y/l/n?!" Brett demands Mackey

"Brett you're so blind, Y/n is so into you!" Stella says, blurring out, "She left because she didn't want you to press her into talking to you about it. She didn't want you to see her any different if she told you. Let alone questioning if you like girls and you're beginning to go with hot-shot Grainger over there, so she wanted to get her mind off of her emotions."

Brett stands there, dumbfounded. Why didn't you tell her.

"Stella!" You call into your walkie

"Y/n?" Stella calls back

"On your six!" You say, smiling, "can't stay away."

She runs up to you and gives you a big bear hug.

"Listen up 51, I'm no commanding officer but I do sure know the place on the back of my hand. Captain Casey and Chief Boden... With your permission may I give the orders?" You ask through the walkie

"Yes ma'am," Casey answers

"What's your plan Y/l/n?" Chief Boden asks

"Okay, I scouted the perimeter and there's only, assuming they're away from the windows. Squad 3 you take the Northside, you try to get CPD officers into the building to clear the field for you. Engine 51, to Grainger with any room you have, get your hoses ready should any form of fire start. Truck 81, if shots are fired, move in, get as many civilians out as you can. I'll move in with you guys and give extra arms to help." You announce

You take a giant breath as you finish out your speech. Stella, Brett and Mackey look at you in awe as you've never taken initiative before.

"Y/l/n, I thought I have you on vacation," Boden comes up to you, "And you're not usually one to give orders."

"Apparently can't stay away sir," you sigh, adjusting your belt, "And I know this place all too well."

"Very well Y/l/n," Boden smiles, "You heard the lady men."

You watch Squad 3 and follow Truck 81 as you meet up with Burgess and Ruzek.

"You're gonna need this," Burgess heads you a 9 milimeter

"Thanks..." you say, taking it and concealing it

You hear screaming and gunshots. And hear a blaze begin.

"Grainger fire! I don't know where it is! Find it!" You demand

"You got it kid," he says

"Move in!" The muffled walkie screams as you, along with 81, Burgess, Ruzek and many other CPD officers barge into the building, ringing shots, killing nearly all the perpetrators.

"Hey kiddo it's okay it's okay," you tell her, checking for any signs of injury

"Y/l/n!" Kim yells, you immediately shield the kid as a shot rings out

You let out a strangled scream as your arm is bleeding; a severe gunshot wound. It didn't go into your skin and damage your bone however, the bullet made a real "good" indent in your skin as it rang out. Kim pulls the trigger on her glock 17 and kills the guy immediately. Kim helps you cover your wound as you still hold onto the kid, hoping any parental unit would claim her.

"Mommy," the girl cries

You turn over and see the mom, on the ground. You hand the kid over to Kim as you go to help Severide and Casey. You all get her onto the board to get her to 61.

"Brett, Mackey need the Ambo ready," you speak into your walkie

"Hey Burgess, you can let the girl into the ambo," you say as she helps the little girl into the back

"Aren't you coming with us?" Brett asks

"Can't, I have to take my sisters' power boat back across Lake Michigan," you sigh, "My sister is a doctor over at her local hospital, I'll drive myself over there."

"You're gonna bleed out, you need to get to med," Brett demands, calmly

"I can take care of myself Brett, don't worry about me I'll be fine." You say, trying to walk away

"Y/n!" Brett yells your first name

You never heard Brett call you by your first name. You shake it off before settling back to your stoic self.

"Let me go, please," you say calmly, "I'm only gone for a month."

"Did you tell Stella and Mackey to lie to me?" She asks you

"I didn't want you worrying about me," you sigh, "Besides, I'm going to be fine."

She lets go of you as you walk back to your sisters boat. She felt tears welding into her eyes.

"Brett, we gotta go," Mackey calls out

Mackey shuts the doors as Brett hops into the driver's seat and activates the sirens.

You arrive to your sisters workplace as a nurse rushes over to you.

"What happened?!" She asks

"Zoomed across Lake Michigan and helped my firehouse, but unfortunately I got grazed," you sigh

"Y/n?!" Your sister calls out to you, "oh my god Y/n you took my power boat?!"

You nod, "They needed my help."

"You have never changed," she laughs, "I can check you out."

Once your sister had stitched up your wound she discharged you from the hospital. Once you get back to your sisters place, you open your Chicago news app. The first article that comes up is the one from earlier.

"Firehouse 51 paramedic makes a chief-status plan while on this call today," The news reporter says, "According to 51s' Captain Matt Casey, it was an astounding plan. Girl's a hero."

You sigh as you don't really feel like a hero, just another day as a paramedic.

Your sister comes home late at night however, doesn't find you anywhere.

"Called Chief Boden and told him I changed my mind on my one month vacation, I'm heading back to 51 right now." Your sister read aloud, "Bought you something that’s in the fridge for taking care of me for a short time."

You park your motorcycle in one of the street parking slots as you keep your helmet on for secrecy. Without knowing it was you, Brett walks past you. Once you get to your locker, you try to make a quick haste to get yourself ready.

"In a rush?" Stella smiles

She comes up to you and gives you a big bear hug.

"Missed you kid," she smiles

Before you could say anything else you hear arguing from afar. You and Stella go to the garage and notice Brett and Grainger arguing.

"So you led me on?" He asks

"Not exactly, I wasn't aware of Quinn's feelings and I wasn't sure how to process it," Brett starts, "I just-"

"Just what Sylvie?" He asks, angrily

You notice she's beginning to falter.

"Y/n left, and for what?" He asks her, "She isn't a Lieutenant, Captain, or Chief! What makes her so special?! I don't think you made the right choice of making her on your paramedic team. How are YOU even the paramedic-in-charge?"

You've had enough, "HEY!"

They both turn to you, Brett almost crying years of joy. You place a gentle hand onto her shoulder, reassuring her that you'll settle this.

"You have NO RIGHT to question her position as Paramedic-in-Charge Mr. Hot shot Lieutenant." You spat in his face

He was about to open his mouth to say something else, but closes it when you give him the look of: 'oh I'm not done mister!'.

"She’s one of the GREATEST PICs I have ever worked with in my years of being in the Fire Department service. She’s one of the VERY few, that I am honored to be working with, one I come to know and love." You continue, "You question that position? And for what? The most beautiful Paramedic is beginning to question herself and what SHE wants? No, one should always be supportive. No matter what, you should leave my guy."

"Hate to tell you rookie, I'm not leaving yet," he tries to sound smug

"Oh you're leaving alright buddy," Hermann says, walking into the firehouse

He doesn't say anything else but give you one last look of disgust before leaving. You let out a breath of relief. Stella and Mackey applaud for you.

"You stood up for me?" Brett asks, looks at you, "Don't you hate me for hurting you?"

"Brett," you smile, "I never did hate you. I left so I could clear my head."

She smiles as she hugs you, "my god oh how I've missed you."

Your head drops down and rests on Brett's shoulder for your head to be cradled.

"I'm sorry Sylvs," you call her by her nickname, "You remember how I used to act... I didn't want that happening again."

"You could've just talked to me love," Brett whispers

After shift you head over to Molly's with Stella.

"How's your arm kid?" She asks

"Hurts but my sister stair to be careful, and then just have someone at med undo the stitches." You say

"That's good, that's good," Stella states, "You know, Brett was worried sick on that call this morning."

"Really?" You ask, leaning in towards Stella

"Speak of the Devil, there she is," Stella smiles, waving her over

"You look great Quinn," Brett smiles

"You look beautiful Sylvs," you smile back, sipping your whiskey

Stella looks at you, a look you know too well. That says, "go get your girl!"

You make fun if her look and then turn your attention to Brett.

"So Brett, how you been doing the last couple of days?" You ask

"Worrying about you," she sighs

You nearly choke on your drink as that though has never crossed your mind. You only thought that Sylvie had eyes for Grainger. Of all people, she worries about you.

“Really?” You ask, clearing your throat, “Why’s that?”

“you didn’t talk to me before heading off to your sister’s,” She says, “Also for telling Stella and Mackey to lie to me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry about me,” You say, “I wasn’t about to have my emotions get the best of me again.”

“You remember last time?” Sylvie asks

“Of course I do,” You say

“Do you want to get out of here?” Sylvie asks, “I know you don’t want that kind of thing to be talked about in public.”

“Sure,” You smile

You get a glance at Stella and she gives you a face of ‘go get your woman girl!’

Once the both of you reach your apartment, you follow Sylvie into hers.

“Remember that time I helped you calm down?” She finally asks

You nod, “I never did.”

“As soon as I touched you, you instantly calmed down,” She explains, “So, if what happened between us the other night affected your emotions, how come you didn’t tell me sooner?”

“Because I wasn’t sure if you were also into girls,” You confess, “You’re THE Sylvie Brett, one of the greatest people I’ve come to know and love in my life. And I’m just... Me... A paramedic with anger issues.”

“And I love you,” Sylvie confesses

Realizing what she had just said to you made her cheeks heat up. You look at her the same way. You gently press her against the doorframe to her room and place your lips along hers, building that inferno in your heart that burns for her.

#chicago fire #one chicago #sylvie brett x reader #sylvie brett #female reader #gianna mackey #stella kidd #one chicago spoilers #one chicago x reader

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redhairedwolfwitch · 4 years

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I Still Love You - Erin Lindsay x Reader

Request: hi hope you're doing well! i really loved the stella kidd you wrote with the drug abuse and i was wondering if you could do one with erin lindsay?

Hi im the person who requested the erin Lindsay version of the Stella Kidd with the drug abuse, sorry for leaving it so vague. I was thinking maybe the reader works in intelligence and has been dating Erin for a while and somehow the reader gets injured on the job and gets addicted to the painkillers and but Erin doesn’t notice until the reader nearly overdoses? that’s just what I was thinking you can totally change it up in any way sorry this was really long

Warning: topics contain gun violence, police, drug abuse, drug overdose, near death experiences, trauma

A/n: This lowkey sucks and it’s a bit short but I just got glasses yesterday and it’s thrown my senses off a bit adjusting to them

Working in Intelligence was going to get you shot. That was a given. It was destiny. All of Intelligence had been shot or shot at before. You getting shot was expected.

Being in the ambulance with Erin who looked like she was going to cry as an oxygen mask was placed over your face. Brett was driving as Foster did her best to stop you losing too much blood so you could have a chance at the hospital.

“C’mon Y/n, please...” Erin muttered to herself as she was stuck watching you struggle, your heartrate was fluxing as blood seeped from the bullet’s exit wound.

You didn’t know muscle scarring could actually leave residual pain until you were struggling.

Keeping things from Erin was one of the hardest things you could do but sometimes, the pain was too much.

You didn’t mean to take too many but one day, you almost didn’t wake up.

Erin was the one who found you, you’d dosed up on way too much, falling asleep on the floor with your back against the fridge.

“Y/n? Y/n, are you okay? Y/N!”

///

You woke up in the hospital, the blarring lights left you not wanting to move as a weight on your hand caught your attention.

The flexing of your fingers were what caught Erin’s attention, her face was covered in dried tears.

“Y/n? Oh my god, you’re awake... you almost died, you overdosed on painkillers and almost killed yourself-” Erin began but you just let out a whimper.

“The pain wouldn’t stop. I’m so sorry, Erin, I didn’t know how to tell you-” you were cut off by the doctors walking in as Erin made eye contact with Voight who was outside, looking worriedly in at you both.

///

Your mind was buzzing with all the words flying at you until Erin said something that caught your attention.

“I’d like you to move in with me... I was going to ask before you got shot...but-”

“Yeah... I mean, if you still want me-”

“Y/n, hey, I still love you, you know that right? You just scared me...”

“I love you too.”

#erin lindsay x reader #erin lindsay imagine #chicago pd #chicago pd x reader #chicago pd imagine #erin lindsay #one chicago x reader #one chicago #one chicago imagine

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jaysevhls · 4 years

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Be Careful | Christopher Herrmann

Request: could you do a herrmann imagine where the reader is his daughter who recently became 51s new candidate, and she’s a really good firefighter but gets badly hurt on a call and he’s worried and then in the hospital after she wakes up they talk and he says how proud he is of her or something soft like that?

Pairing: Christopher Herrmann x Daughter!Reader / Chicago Fire

Warnings: Injuries.

Author's note: Hi, from now requests are open again. If you have some suggestions for imagines about Halloween or something, feel free to ask❤️ All of the requests I got before will be posted in this and next week. I'm so sorry for taking this that long, but I have a hard time and school is making it only worse, I hope you understand.

Working with your dad wasn't the kind of thing you have always wanted. You were sure that life will bring you something unexpected, but you never imagined working in Chicago Fire Department at the same station with your dad. To be honest, it was awesome. You always had him by your side, you knew how his day went, you understood him like no one. Sometimes things were rough, especially when engine wasn't on the scene and he couldn't see how you're doing on the truck. From the first day he treated you like his colleague, he knew that he can't put his feelings over job, because that's the only way to get distracted. He trusted you, more than everything, especially when Casey was your capitan and always had your back.

You didn't like brining work to home, just like him, that's why your mom never pushed you to talk about hard call. This thing in your family worked pretty well.

"Hey dad, I was thinking, maybe you should go with mom tonight to the theatre or something? I can watch kids." you walked into break room after first call in the day.

"Uh, what's on your mind and how much money do you want?" he asked you.

"What? No, I just thought that you haven't been on a date for such a long time and now, when I got the night off I can stay with them." you hugged him from behind. He closed the newspaper and turned to look at you. He looked kinda confused and for sure, he didn't believe you. "Okay, if you don't want, you're staying with kids and I'm taking mom for a girl's night."

"Oh no no, that's not gonna happen, when you'll pick them?"

"I'll come home for a night. Gallo? What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing, why?"

"You'll help me with my siblings, you owe me!" you said and walked out to the bathroom.

You stripped from your clothes and got to the shower. It was one of those day when after a case you're glad that everything in your life is going that way. You were happy, that was a sure thing. Even if something was missing, you couldn't notice that, because every single day you were surrounded by people who love you like a family member.

After you finish, you changed into fresh clothes, it was worthless after all, cause in every minute you could get a signal that you need to go, but comfort first.

You went back into break room, took some coffee and sat next to Christopher.

You were helping solving him the crossword.

"Herrmann, can I talk to you for a second?" Severide asked.

"Which one?" you and your dad asked in the same time.

"Not this time Y/N." you looked at him confused. Your father made his way to Kelly and looked kinda worried.

"So, I don't know how much things Y/N has told you but I'm sure you wanna know about this." you couldn't hear much of the conversation and you're glad, because it wasn't a right thing to listen to them, even if deep down you knew that conversation was about you.

"What do you mean Kelly? Something happened?"

"No no, everything is fine I think, it's just... Y/N applied to join the squad after finishing her being a candidate." now your dad looked confused and heartbroken?

"She never brought that around me. I thought that she's feeling okay on the truck."

"Yeah me too, but you need to know that I'm going to agree on this apply. She's an amazing firefighter and it would be nice to have her in squad. Besides, women know better, she would be really great. Don't worry, I'll always have her back, just like Casey did." Severide said.

"Yeah, thanks."

You finished your coffee and just in time you hard the alarm.

Quickly, you fixed your hair and got your uniform.

"Hey, Y/N? I heard that you want to join the Squad, congratulations." Casey said.

"Yeah, but... It's not a sure thing yet. I just really want to try, I hope you don't mind. I love being on the truck, but you know."

"Don't you dare think like this kiddo. I'm so proud of you and I'll always support you. You'll be great."

"Thank you, but please, don't tell my dad yet, I need to have this conversation with him on my own."

"Sure thing." he said. You looked at all the members in the truck. They were so happy that someone like you were with them, serving to the city and country. Gallo hugged you from the right side, while Mouch from the left.

"Okay guys, that's enough, you're gonna kill me with those hugs." you laughed.

You arrived on the scene and walked out of the truck. Casey gave you an order to stay behind him and to follow his movements.

The fire was spreading quickly, you saw a young woman running from the building.

"M-y my kids are in there, please, please help us..." she managed to say after she collapsed on the ground. You help Sylvie taking her to the ambo. Casey called you right after.

"Mask up guys, we're going on the second floor, Squad, you take the basement, engine cover us." you put your mask on and followed Matt. Stella and Blake were right behind you, calling and searching for people.

"Fire department, call out!" you yelled. Casey gave you an order to turn into right side while he and Stella will go on the left.

"The smoke is too dark, I barely see anything." Gallo said.

"Yeah me too, it's gonna collapse soon, we need to hurry." you answered, when you heard the loud crash and all you felt was a pain in your whole body. You couldn't breathe. Gallo was screaming your name and calling for backup.

"Mayday, mayday, Y/N Herrmann is down, the building just collapsed, she's on the first floor but her mask fell off, we need help."

Herrmann was standing with Boden next to the truck, helping with injuried people, while he heard Blake into his radio.

He couldn't think straight, he couldn't focus on what was happening.

Boden was holding him, because he couldn't let him go in there when building wasn't stable. After few minutes which last like hours, he saw Casey, Kidd, Gallo and Cruz walking out with you, while Severide held his mask at your face. You were unconscious and your head was bleeding.

"Guys, right here!" Sylvie yelled. They brought you on the stretcher. "She's not breathing and the pulse is weak."

Casey pulled your dad to let paramedics do their job. He was crying, but couldn't manage to say anything.

"Is-. She- she is okay? What happened? Casey, you promised to look after her." he asked.

"Hey, Herrmann. She was doing her job. I ordered her and Gallo to search that place, the floor wasn't stable and it collapsed. She has a broken leg and probably her arm is dislocated. They're taking her to Med, go with them." Herrmann made his way to the ambo. The whole ride was silent, his heart broke more after your heart stopped twice on the way.

"I can't loose you princess, please." he cried.

"She's tough, she's gonna be okay." Brett hugged him.

Hours passed by and nothing was said. They didn't know what was going on with you, you were in surgery for almost 4 hours.

"Casey? I'm sorry for what I said before. It wasn't your fault, I overreacted." your father said.

"It's okay, I get it."

"Herrmann?" Dr. Halstead appeared in the hall.

"How's she? Is she okay?"

"She's out of the surgery. She had a opened break on the leg, but everything is fine now. Also, she had a pretty bad head injury, but for now, we don't know if this caused any damages. We need to wait until she'll wake up.

"Can I see her?" he asked. Hall was filled with relief and some kind of happiness. You were alive and that was the only thing that matters.

"Yes, of course."

Herrmann walked into your room. When he saw all of those tubes and machines, his heart just broke. It all caused a painful flashbacks of his memories when he was stabbed. He took your hand and kissed it.

He spent almost 6 hours next to you, because he wanted to be with you when you wake up. Your mom was there too. She brought him fresh clothes and something to eat.

"D-dad?" he immediately woke up.

"Hey honey, I'm right here." he helped you with taking piece of hair of your face.

"What happened? Where am I?" you asked.

"Rough call you would said. Listen Y/N, I'm so sorry that I wasn't there, maybe if-"

"Dad, please stop. It's okay, I'm fine, hey. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere soon."

"Mom is here too, but I told her to get some coffee for us, I'll go to tell her that you woke up, should I get the nurse too? Maybe dr. Halstead? Are you in pain?"

"Dad, sit down, now. I'm okay, really."

"Oh sweetie. I'm so glad that you're okay. When I saw you, when they took you... I was so afraid that I'm gonna loose you. But deep down I knew... I knew that you're one of the kind, my daughter, who will handle everything on her own. I knew that you're gonna make it, you're so tough. I couldn't be more proud babygirl. I'm so happy that I'm the one who you call dad." he cried. You showed him to come closer and you hugged him tightly.

"Oh my god, baby, you woke up!" now Cindy walked into your room. You all hugged and stayed like this for couple of minutes.

"Um, right. Y/N, your mom and I need to tell you something."

"Please don't make me want to almost die again, are you pregnant?" they laughed.

"No, oh god no. We wanted to tell you that we're so excited that you want to join the squad."

"What? But how? I swear I'll beat his ass."

"Severide told me yesterday. He's so happy to have you there and we're too. You need to know that no matter what, we'll always support you sweetheart. We love you."

"I love you too."

#Chicago Fire #chicago fire imagines #One Chicago #chicago fire imagine #chicago fire x reader #chicago fire one shot #christopher herrmann #herrmann #firehouse 51 #truck 81

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roberttchase · 3 years

Text

Home 1.8K Brettsey Continuation fic for 9x12 (Natural Born Firefighter) AO3

“-ger dropped a few things by for you before you got here. Said you’d want them back? What happened?”

Matt freezes as he walks out of the restroom, shifting so he’s not seen. He’s never been one for gossip; actively avoids it, and he’s sure he’s being creepy right now, but he doesn’t want to interrupt by having to walk between the two women. At least, that’s what he’s going to rationalize his actions with. Waiting with bated breath, the Captain hears Sylvie shift and give a sigh.

“We….” a pause, and then- “I never really told him that it was Matt, that I was helping through some personal stuff. I said it was a friend. He found out, said I should figure some things out.”

The world gives an odd tilt. Grainger and Sylvie aren’t together anymore. It hits him then, that this is the second breakup he’s caused for her, and wow does he feel like an asshole.

“You don’t seem too upset.” Stella’s voice is curious, and Matt’s sure she’s giving the blonde a skeptical look, something she’s good at.

“Does it make me a bad person if I say it’s kind of a relief? I felt bad knowing he was way more into me than I was to him. He was a great guy, just not-“

“Casey.”

If Matt was drinking beer, he’s sure he’d be choking right now. Obviously Sylvie was interested in him, she wouldn’t have kissed him back months earlier. But if she’s still interested? Maybe he does have a fighting change. Grainger had been a wrench in his plans to get her back, to make her understand she was the only one he’d been thinking about for months now. He wasn’t going to actively flirt with someone who had a significant other, no matter how much he wanted to.

“...yeah. He’s not Casey.”

“Girl, either you two need to talk again, or we need to find you some strong vodka and send your ass to a club.”

Not waiting to hear an actual response, Matt steps out, hoping he looks like he’s not just been standing there for minutes eavesdropping. Giving them both a smile, the Captain slides past them and towards the bar, deciding it’s time to get his ass into gear. He’s not going to let her slip through his fingers again. He can’t. Firefighting may be his whole life, but Sylvie has made her way into it too, and since he’s already getting to keep one, he might as well fight for the other.

The night wears on. Sylvie doesn’t seem upset about the Grainger situation, and Matt tries very hard not to watch her walk around and talk to their friends. Kidd keeps shooting him looks, though he doesn’t try to read into them, not right now. If it’s really that important she can come tell him. He spends another hour floating through conversations and sipping his second beer, and by the time he’s at the end of it, the firefighter is ready to head back to the loft and sleep, the day's events; no matter how good, wearing on him.

“Hey, I’m going to head out soon, do you want a ride back to your place?”

Sylvie’s sitting with Ritter, Gallo and Mikami, and they all look up when he asks. He notices briefly that Gallo and the new paramedic seem to be sitting close together, but decides it’s not his business- he doesn’t want it to be. Sylvie looks up and smiles, eyes brightening.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Lemme just say goodbye to Stella.” The blonde stands, and Matt watches her go. Violet looks at him and smirks the same way that Kidd always does to him. Why can’t girls leave things alone? Why do they all have to know everything?

“I’ll see you guys next shift,” the Captain offers and then walks back to the front of the bar, clapping Severide on the shoulder and letting him know he’ll see him and Kidd when they get back home. Sylvie appears at his side and soon they’re making their way out and down a few parking places to his truck.

The ride starts off quietly, but, against his better judgement, Matt takes a breath and speaks. “I uhm...I kind of overheard you and Kidd talking, earlier.” Figuring it’s better to be honest, he licks his lips and his eyes dart over to her, noticing her sudden, somewhat stiff posture.

“I didn’t mean to stand and listen like a creep, but I didn’t want to interrupt,” he adds lamely, biting his lip. “ Anyway… .I’m sorry, about you and Grainger. I really am.” He means it. Even though he disliked the man, and thought he should be able to act more professional, Matt liked Sylvie being happy, more.

“Oh.”

“I wanted to let you know. I don’t feel comfortable acting like I didn’t hear you, I don’t want to keep things from you,” he explains, hoping she’ll understand.

“No, I get it. Thank you, Matt, for letting me know.” She turns to look out the window, and Matt frowns. This isn’t going the way he wants it to. She doesn’t sound upset, but he can tell she is. Upset, or at least annoyed.

“I have a few things I wanted t-“

“I think maybe we should wait until we’re parked, for any big conversation.”

She’s right. She’s always right.

Nodding, Matt lets the music take over, and the next seven minutes are spent in somewhat awkward silence. He doesn’t ever want anything to be awkward between them. When they pull up to Sylvie’s apartment complex, she turns to look at him, blue eyes watching.

“Do you want to come up?”

It’s a surprise to hear her ask, after the last time. Eyes snapping up to hers, Matt nods, turning the engine off. “Sure.” Swallowing, the firefighter feels his skin buzzing as he follows her into the elevator. The air feels thick, and he wonders if she feels it too. “Thank you again...for coming with me, and for not taking no for an answer,” he says after a second, doors closing. Sylvie gives him a smile.

“I’m going to be there for you no matter what Matt. And I’m sorry if I’ve made you think otherwise.”

Their eyes linger on each other for a moment more, and then the door is opening again. As they pass the threshold and enter her apartment, the buzzing under his skin intensifies. He’s not sure if he feels uncomfortable or hopeful. Maybe both. His mind flashes back to the words he’d heard earlier. He’s not Casey. Sucking in a breath, Matt suddenly feels every single thing he’s been thinking about the past weeks bubbling to the service, the need to break free overwhelming. He clenched his hand that’s shaking, heart beating fast enough the Captain almost feels like he needs to sit down.

“Sylvie.”

The paramedic looks up, eyes finding his own instantly. Sylvie moves forward an inch, her expression indicating she knows something is happening.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not communicating properly, that night, the past month. I’ve been trying to work on it all, trying to figure out how to be clear. A few weeks ago you told me I was still in love with Gabby, that my actions had nothing to do with you. But you’re wrong. My actions had everything to do with you.”

Nervously, Matt grabs her hand. She doesn’t pull away, but her expression is unreadable.

“I’m not in love with Gabby. I haven’t been for... god , for a long time. I think maybe even before she left, I just didn’t realize it. I’ll always love her. We’ve been through a lot. But I’m not in love with her. I thought you knew, but I was wrong, and I should have addressed it when you asked me that night. Your question caught me so off guard, one second I was kissing you and feeling on top of the world, and then it was like everything got pulled out from under me.”

Sylvie opens her mouth to speak but Matt, for once, shakes his head.

“I need to get this all out, please .” The last word is desperate as it falls from his mouth. When she nods, eyes wide, he starts again. “You’ve been the only one on my mind for months. You’re the only one I want to be with. Gabby is in the past, and that’s where I want her to stay. Even if she came back tonight, I’d tell her no. She asked me twice, you know? She asked me as she was leaving the first time. She left a voicemail the second. And there was never a doubt in my mind- she’s not it for me anymore. You said you’ve wanted this for a really long time, and so have I. Please know that.”

A swallow, a hard blink, and he gives a tiny, self deprecating smile.

“I’ve probably blown it. I should have fought for you, should have gone after you even when you said you needed space. But I was a coward, and scared if I did, things would be irreparable. I can’t lose you Sylvie, I can’t not have you in my life, not again. If all you want is to be friends, then I’ll suck it up and deal with it. But I need you to understand that I don’t want that. I want you, all of you, only you. ”

When he finishes, Sylvie’s still staring at him, and Matt fidgets in his spot, feeling like he might have just fucked this whole thing up. If he has he’ll never forgive himself. She moves forward, one hand touching his jaw delicately, like the whole moment might shatter if she presses any harder, like it’s a dream they’ll wake up from.

It’s like a movie. She leans forward and their lips meet, both pairs of eyes closing. Matt let’s go of the hand he’s been holding to wrap his arm around her waist. Before they go any farther, she pulls back.

“I wasn’t lying when I said that it’s always been you, Matt Casey. You’ve been there for me more times than I can count. You’ve been there every second, and I don’t want that to change. I don’t want to have to try and push you out of my mind anymore, or try not to look at you while you drink your gross whiskey. I want you too, all of you, only you.”

Matt feels a smile break out on his face, mirroring Sylvie’s, and then he’s twirling her around for the second time that day as she presses herself against him. It feels like the pieces of him that have been knocked loose from him these past months are reconnecting. It feels like coming home.

#my fic #brettsey #matt casey #sylvie brett #chicago fire

31 notes · View notes

perpetually-sad-but-its-fine · 2 years

Text

chicago fire 11x10

I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED

I HAVENT STARTED PLAYING THE EPISODE YET

IM TRYING TO MENTALLY PREPARE MYSELF

CUZ I CANT HANDLE THIS

i don't like this recap

its scaring me

EMMA FUCK OFF

NO STELLA

WHATS HAPPENING

carvers gonna die isn't he

I DONT WANT HIM TO

OH GOD

PLEASE

I CANT HANDLE THIS

oh poor kelly

hiS WIFES IN THERE

KELLY

YOURE GOING IN THERE WITH NO PROTECTION

NO COME ON

I CNT HANDLE THIS

STELLA

S T E L L A

WHERE ARE YOU

PLEASE BE OKAY

OH MY GOD

oh my god carvers okay

oh YAY

THEYRE ALIVE

STELLA

PLEASE BE OKAY

STELLA

WHY WOULD YOU HURT ME AND KELLY LIKE THIS

PLEASE

PLEASE BE OKAY

DONT DO THIS TO US

IM NOT STRONG ENOUGH

oh my god

severide barely holding back tears

im sorry

im not strong enough

SHE TOOK OFF THE MASK TO AS ABOUT PRYMA

SHES A HERO

‘my heart rate must be breaking records’

‘yeah its a little elevated but youre gonna be okay’

good to see that they can still joke

fantastic

aS IF IM NOT DYING WATCHING IT

SOOOO CONSIDERATE

DIAGNOSING HERSELF WHILE DYING

violet driving like a madwoman

we love it

‘hell yes, gimme everything you got’

STELLA PLEASE BE OKAY

keLLY IM GONNA CRY IF YOU CRY

PLEASE DONT

‘i can't

YES YOU CAN

DONT DO THIS

oh god

blake why the hell are you telling the story right now

nowS NOT THE TIME

CARVERS OKAY

IM SO HAPPY

i really like his character

poor guys sitting apart from them

he probably blames himself

poor guy

oh joes stiLL WEARING THE SUIT

I LOWKEY FORGOT ABOUT THE LAST EPISODE

Joe looking out for carver is great

oh no

do they blame him????

please tell me they don't

carver needs family

‘we’re all here for you’

THEY ARE

SO DONT BE A DUMBASS

KELLY

IS SHE OKAY

OH THANK GOD

SHES GONNA BE OKAY

HE LOOKS LIKE HES BEEN CRYING

MY POOR BOY

oh carver

KELLY

HES CRYING

IM N O T OKAY

THE BLOOD ON HIS HANDS

WHERE THE HELL IS MATT TO COMFORT HIM

oh god

carver and boden

how's this gonna go???

uh oh

started out normal

now what's this?

oh free therapy session

carver please listen to boden

he’s looking out for you

god

his voice is breaking

and so am i

I caNNOT HANDLE THIS

ph shit wait

is carver gonna realize that he can't handle the stress

and then resign altogether?

CUZ I DONT WANT THAT

oh kelly

being a good husband

NO STELLA

why'd you do that

my girl

why

STELLA AND KELLy

THE LOVES OF MY LIFE

‘have you been here all day?’

‘im not going anywehre’

AHHHHHH

THERYE ADORABLE

THEY DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER

wait

carver

whyd you stop

go talk to her

istg if this is some sort of failed love triangle thing

im gonna shoot someone

oh that scar

stella

PLEASE

THEYRE HORNY TEENAGERS

THEYRE SO HORNY

HOW ARE THEY NOT FUCKING EVERY SECONF OF THE DAY

‘shrapnel framed’

i wanna see that actually

oh capp wearing a bomb suit

i wanna see that

everyone guessing what it sylvie ordered is great

peak comedy

sylvie asking for help and then guilt tripping them

and then all of them groaning

we love it

oh poor violet

what happened

oh emma

again

yay

violet this is gonna backfire

i can feel it

thank you gallo

for looking out for her

thE SCAR

‘it’s no big deal, we shower and sleep together’

*confused smirk look*

‘yknow what i mean’

god

if they do some sort of bullshit of carver having feelings for stella

i will hunt down chicago fire writers and slap them

‘he’s no stella kidd’

aint that the truth

stella unable to take a compliment from carver is great

what's happening here

i have a bad feeling

somethings gonna happen

i know it will

there's no way that this is an accident

this feels fishy

oh what is that

im scared

HOLY SHIT

wHaT

‘someones in the vent’

how in the fuck is that possible

lieutenant kidd being a boss

like she always is

we love it

oh no

carvers gonna have some sort of reaction isn't he

oh no

this is like joe thing isn't it

i can't

this poor dude

who is this guy

uh oh

tweaker

isn't it

uh oh

this isn't gonna end well

if you hurt stella

ill murder him

please don't do anything stupid

carver

what's going on with you

seriously

please tell me that you don't have feelings for Stella

i won't be able to handle that

oh violet and boden

oh no

this isn't gonna end well

is it?

boden further proving that he is the father of everyone in the house

love to see it

worried!husband!kelly

we love it

‘decades of italian beef grease’

loving the jokes

CARVER

PLEASE BE OKAY

please talk to kidd

that's not what she wants

please

just

please

TALK TO SOMEONE

WORK THROUGH YOUR PROBLEMS

this’ll be fun

gallo is the resident tech guy

love it

oh yippee

i love it

IM CACKLING

thank you sylvie

youre fantastic

i feel like sylvies going to adopt a baby that's put in that box

i don't like this chief already

hes a dick

i can feel it

this is gonna be f u n

oh no

this isn't gonna end well

please

I WANT TO GET RID OF JACOBS

i hate this

god stop reminding me that evan died

NO VIOLET

IF SHE STARTS CRYING I WILL

NO STELLA

‘hey, honey!’

GOD HE CALLED HER HONEy

IM CRYINGGG

STOP HURTING ME DAMMIT

no stella

im crying

stop

stoppppp

I CANT

WHY CANT WE HAVE PEACE

kelly looks like hes gonna cry too

yay

we’re all crying

oh kelly and gallo

yay

this is gonna hurt me even more

kelly please go talk to them

AHHAHAHA

THE ALARM

I fucking love the way they jumped at the sound

its great

sylvie immediately turning to herrmann

we love to see it

OH MY GOD

THERES A BABY THERE

ISNT THERE

oh wait

is it gonna be some dude who mistook it for a trash can?

wait

i don't know what's happening

oh nvm

LMAOOOO

capp

shut the fuck up

thank you sylvie

‘do we blame her though’

we do not

great

hes now going through the trash for his food

yay

oh prYMA

i completely forgot about him

oh the tech squad

we love to see it

oh no

poor violet

LMAOOO GALLO

‘i didn't think so, i was just trying to help’

god they make me laugh

and they make me cry

violet

you said that this want about revenge

it looks like it was about revenge

oh stella and kelly

with topic of carver as a topic for conversation

oh please

make them talk

‘you going soft on me kelly severide?’

i love them

‘good, cuz if he touches your hand hes a dead man’

I LOVE KELLY SO MYCH

stella please listen to your husband

herrmann

what're you doing

why do i feel like theres something more

i don't think there is

but still

stella

talk to him

talk to carver

please

carver if you think this is a date, ill smack you

emma FUCK OFF

jacobs

youre really giving me the vibe of super villain

wait

violet has an idea

*gasp*

IS SHE GONNA MAKE EMMA SAY WHAT SHE DID AND RECORDIT????

sylvie looks so GOOD

oh MS GOODWIN

ms goodwin and sylvie is a duo i never knew i needed

they are amazing

a power duo

truly

who is this?

kelly what're you doing

OH PRYMA

how's this gonna go?

oh damn they're joking

i love it

actually

i do

pryma being a dad is such a surprise to me

‘just shut up and take the award’

‘i will’

PLEASE I LOVE THIS NEW DYNAMIC

oh damn

that was a real damper

thank you violet

for realizing that you were doing it for revenge

you are smart

oh stella and carver

please

just talk

‘why do I feel like im about to be led to a firing squad’

‘oh we really don't trust each other much, do we?’

‘mhm’

I LOVE THEIR BANTER

please talk to each other

please

YES

they're getting somewhere!

carver please reciprocate

please

‘not more than usual’

the hell does that mean?

carver don't lie

‘your overconfidence, bad attitude, is completely gone’

‘you miss them?’

‘and that's called deflection’

PLEASE MAKE THEM BESTIES

please talk to her carver

oh no

im gonna start crying again

please

stop hurting her

oh no

hes referencing his scar isn't he

whAT HAPPENED

PLEASE TELL ME

I CANT HANDLE THIS

oh no

stop

stOP

STOP

NOOOOO

POOR CARVER

WHAT

CARVER MY POOR CHILD

MY POOR POOR CHILD

good god

what kind of big brother does that?

noooooooo

I CANT HANDLE THIS

FUCK OFF

STOP HURTING ME

S T O P

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS

im in pain

‘you got hurt by covering me’

chicago fire writers, im send you my therapy bill

‘I will pull it together, per my lieutenants orders’

pleASE I LOVE THEM

AND I WANT THEM TO BE BESTIES

#*kissy kissy* watches chicago fire #chicago fire 11x10 #stella kidd #kelly severide #sylvie brett #violet mikami #blake gallo #darren ritter #wallace boden

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julieloveupstead · 3 years

Text

"So Happy and So Grateful and in Love" - Part 2

Decription: The best day in their lifes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prov Hailey:

We decided to get married on the Greek island of Zakynthos because of my background. Jay is very interested in Greek history and even asks me to learn the language, which is sweet of him. This is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him. The fact that he wanted to learn every little detail about me and now the place where I was born is amazing. Even just thinking about those tiny details in which pure love from his side spoke, tears come to my eyes. I closed my eyes for the hundredth time not to spoil the makeup that Stella put on me a few minutes ago and breathed in the fresh Mediterranean air. I was thankful that we weren't getting married in a church in Chicago with lots of guests, but with some of the closest people in our lives in Greece outside in front of such a beautiful view of the sea. I can't believe this is actually happening, that in a few minutes I will stand in front of the man who is my everything, my anchor, my rock, my peace and my soulmate and vow to love him to the grave.

- Are you all right Goldilocks? - I heard the question, so I opened my eyes and met the brown eyes of desk Serge

desk who has always been a role model for me for so many years and was like a mom to me. I owed so many things to Trudy Platt and I could not even imagine missing her on the most important day of my life. I gave her a sincere and grateful smile and she returned the favor which is something very special about her and something that doesn't happen very often which makes me feel even more special that I am one of the few who can see the other side of her.

- It's all right Serge - I wiped a tear that ran down my cheek. - Stella is going to murder me, this is the fourth time she has to fix my make up. - I joked and we both laughed.

- It's true - admitted Platt. We stood in silence for a moment, staring at the view in front of us. - Hailey, I know I'm not always nice and pleasant, and I'm not often complimentary, but I'm very proud of you as a beautiful, confident woman. I am happy to be a part of your transformation. - She looked at me with tear-stained eyes. Damn, this is the first time I've seen our sergeant like this. - Hailey you know I never had the chance to have a child, but I wish I had a daughter like you - unfortunately Kidd is going to kill me because I cried again, damn. I didn't know what to say to those words so I just decided to give a big hug to the woman who saved my life many years ago, who gave me purpose in life.

- Serge, you don't even know how much your words mean to me," my voice was breaking, but I kept talking. - I love my mother, but many events in the past have made my relationship with her far from a mother-daughter relationship and I have come to terms with that, but then you came along and you are not very patient - I prefer not to risk her anger even on my wedding day. - but I feel like I have a better relationship with you than I did with my birth mother. I am grateful to you for so many things. I wish my mother was like you, Trudy, and you don't know how much it means to me that you're here. Platt pulled me close, and I snuggled into her. I don't know how long we stood there, but we only pulled away when we heard a quiet grunt from somewhere on the side. I looked in that direction and saw Will standing there with a big smile and Vi standing to the side of him with a bouquet of flowers for me.

- Hailey remember that if you tell anyone about this I will deny everything - I looked at the Sergeant, who was deadly serious.

- Copy you - I nodded, and in a moment she was no longer with me.

- Are you ready? - asked Vi coming up to me together with Will. I nodded as a sign that I was ready. - Here - she handed me a bouquet of white and pale pink roses. I took it and leaned over to smell it.

- Well good, because I can hear the bells starting to ring already - Vanessa said with a smile, gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked away leaving me with Jay's brother.

- Hailey

- Will

we said at the same time and burst out laughing.

- Speak first - he showed me to start.

- Okay, so I wanted to thank you for trusting me with Jay, I promise I'll never hurt him and thank you for accepting me into your family - I wanted to say something else but my voice started to break again. Damn this was supposed to be my happiest day ever and I wasn't supposed to cry and today I'm doing nothing but crying. Ehh.

- Oh Hailey it is my honor to have you become a member of our family of two. - He laughed confidently at the memory - For many years me and Jay didn't have a good relationship. We both did a lot of stupid things. Jay changed completely after his mom died, he and his dad got along badly, I left them both, and most of all what happened in Afghanistan, the thing with Erin and everything else caused Jay to come to darkness. I was afraid of losing him, another family member, my only family - I could see how much it was costing Will to revisit those bad memories. I didn't feel any better. Every time I recall the moment I meet his little brother. I realize how little we would have missed having Jay with us. - Ehh - Will wiped a quick tear running down his cheek. My eyes welled up with tears too, once again. Damn, how much can you cry? - And then you showed up and everything changed. My brother finally saw that there was something to fight for. I got my brother back. Smiling, full of life, and it's all because of you, Hailey. - I tried really hard to keep the tears from flowing, but I couldn't. All I could do was hug Will tightly. - We have to go now," I pulled away from him when I heard the wedding music play. I hurriedly wiped away the tears that were streaming down my cheeks and nodded because that was all I could say. Will gave me his arm, which I accepted, and we both walked slowly down the aisle.

As I walked I loved the smiling faces of not friends, but family. And never before have I been so grateful for them as I am now. Being here I realized how lucky I was and that after all the years of hell I had been through fate was finally smiling down on me and something inside me told me that this was just the beginning. When I stood next to Jay and looked into his eyes I saw glassy green eyes and in them was infinite love.

- Are you okay? - I read the question from his gaze and nodded in response. Even after six years, I can't get over how much he cares about my well-being, my opinion. I'm not exaggerating here to say that he treats me like a princess. How did I ever deserve this man?

- Well," began the priest, to whom I turned my attention. - We have come here to witness these two people in love pledging their love to each other until the grave. Looking at them, I don't need to know them personally to know that the feeling they have for each other is unique and unprecedented. You, since you are here, probably feel the same way, and since you know them better than I do, you will agree that they love each other very much, and today's ceremony is just the icing on the cake of their relationship. - He paused so the guests could nod their heads in agreement. - Now it was time for the bride and groom to take the floor. Hailey will you begin?

Oh my gosh, I can feel my throat tightening and now all the guests have gone quiet, even though the ceremony is outdoors, I can't hear anything but the sound of the sea behind me. I breathed deeply a few times to calm down my thoughts and to be able to form coherent sentences. I would like to say so much to him, to express how much I love him, but I am afraid that I will not find the words to express how much I love him and how much he means to me. I hope that what I say now will be enough.

- Where do I begin here? Ehh. When we first met in that bank we were at a completely different stage of life, but by some miracle we caught a connection. I immediately noticed that underneath the mask of a closed off, uncompromising, former wtereran, cold and withdrawn was hiding a kind-hearted, sparring and sensitive man who had lost his way a bit and was broken by demons from his past. It was hard to get through your barriers and get you to trust me, but when it finally happened I was overjoyed. There were times I was scared for you and then my heart would break into little pieces because for some reason you were already close to me then. I, on the other hand, was no better. I didn't tell you much of my demons, but I always knew that if I had to share my story with anyone it would be you and only you. Because there's no one I trust more than you. From the first day I met you. And maybe it took four years, two gunshots, a kidnapping and my move to New York for us to understand, for me to understand that you are more than a work partner to me, more than a friend. So that I would have the courage to be in tune with my feelings, because our job really, I don't know when it could be our last day. When you met me I was, in fact I tried to be tough, strong, withdrawn and above it all. Life has thwarted me many times, since I was a child I had to learn to hold my head high and fight, I was broken, I healed many wounds, some new ones appeared but in the end thanks to your help I got back on my feet, wounds heal, although I still have a lot of work to do to fully recover but with you all the stages, this war for myself is easier. For years I did not allow myself to think that I could fall in love, that I would be standing in a wedding dress in front of a man whom I love, with whom I want to live my life and the thought of starting a family will germinate in my head. And this prospect, which only 6 years ago scared me, now I look forward to what the future will bring with you. - I finished. I let out a breath that I didn't even know I had been holding in. I was so offered by my monologue that I forgot about the presence of those gathered. I wiped away the tears streaming down my cheeks and looked at Jay, who had a look of boundless love in his eyes, and the tears streaming down his cheeks were going into oblivion. I can't ever get over how much love this boy has for me. It's impossible to comprehend how special it makes me feel.

- Okay, now it's my turn," he grunted, his smile always reserved for me, full of love and something I couldn't name until now. - I've never been good at saying what I feel, but I'll try now - he joked - You came into my life unexpectedly, at the worst time of my life, when I didn't care about anything. I was falling into a black abyss, but every day I came out of it. At first I didn't know why your opinion mattered the most to me, why every thought was about you, why everything I did was with you in mind. I'm a veteran of the military for me jumping into the fire of bullets, entering into different dangerous situations was not a problem before, I did it with my eyes closed, but since the battle in that tunnel those 4 years ago after my death, when I saw your face, scared and broken, something changed in me. I wasn't so willing to risk anymore, in some strange way you made me want to be more careful, but then this thing with Angela came up and then I realized I had to fight just for you, I wanted so much to see your beautiful ocean blue eyes, a smile that is the most beautiful and wonderful I have ever seen and heard. You are the first thought and the last. I'm in love with you like crazy, I can't think, sleep, eat and function normally and only when you left for New York it came to me that I can't and don't want to lose you. Everyone but you. You don't even know how much it means to me and maybe it's selfish of me, but I'm overjoyed that you chose me, that you honored me with the chance to get close to you and I promise that you will never regret it. I will spend every hour, minute and second to bring a smile to your face, tears, but only those of happiness and I will do everything to make you happy, because only you matter to me. I love no one more in my life than I love you and our baby - his gaze fell on my belly. That's how I took the test yesterday and it turned out that under my heart is the fruit of our, my and Jay's love. He was by my side every step of the way from buying the test to the result. He was so happy and I was with him. Now we are going to be a real family. The three of us. - The two of you are my world and will be my world to the end of my life," he finished.

My heart stopped with love, I've never heard such beautiful words and every time I think I can't love him more it always turns out how wrong I was. Jay let go of my hand that he had been holding and used his thumb to gently wipe away the tears from my cheek. At this gesture I closed my eyes to completely surrender to the feel of his warm skin on my cheek.

- Now it's time for the bride and groom to exchange their wedding rings," said the priest, who I had forgotten about a few minutes before, just like the rest of the people in the church. - I'll ask the best man to give them to me. - Mouse took a small maroon square box from his jacket pocket and handed it to the clergyman, who took it. - Please - he opened the item and waited for us to take one each. I turned the ring over and noticed that they were engraved with "I'll folow you anywhere" our password in Jay's handwriting. I looked at Jay' who just smiled widely at me which I reciprocated. I shook Jay's hand, he caught it gently as if I was made of the most fragile piece of glass. Little gestures like that make me smile all the time.

- I'll folow you anywhere - he said, slipping the ring onto my ring finger.

- I'll folow you anywhere - I repeated after him.

- Now the bride and groom can kiss each other - and without any delay we both joined our lips in a kiss and even though we have exchanged these kisses from millions each one was special and so is this time.

- I love you Jay - I said as I pulled away from him.

- I love you Hailey - he said and kissed me again.

Nothing else mattered, just him, me, and this little life that was beginning to grow inside me. Whatever the future held for us it would always be me, him and our baby until the end of the world and one day more.

#upstead fic #upstead #hailey upton #jay halstead #jay x hailey

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ssfghfrrggf · 4 years

Text

Heavy is the Head Chapter 5: Fight This

ao3 link

“This isn’t going away, is it?” Kelly asks and slips into Casey’s office as the group of white shirts file out.

“The guy is serious about his complaint about Kidd botching that rescue,” Casey replies, letting his gaze linger on the chiefs as they make their way through the bullpen.”It’s not going away and it’s looking pretty serious too. He’s hired lawyers and everything.”

“Serious how?” Kelly asks and closes the door. “What’s she looking at with this?”

When Casey had told him and Stella this was a possibility it had all just been rumor, nothing more than the guy she saved swearing that he was going to have her rank if not her job. Now it’s escalated to official accusations and lawyers, and the worst part Stella seems to not even care.

“Demotion at best. The guy is claiming she’s too incompitent to lead.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Severide spits angrily. She did exactly what the rest of them would’ve done; he feels bad for the guy who lost his daughter but it’s in no way Stella’s fault. She did everything she could.

“I know,” Casey agrees, shaking his head.

“The white shirts have to know that,” Severide declares loudly, pacing back and forth across Casey’s office. “They can’t be taking this seriously.”

“They do, but they have to take it seriously,” Casey replies, leaning against his desk. “But that’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is Stella.”

“What about her?” Severide demands and stops pacing.

“She doesn’t seem worried,” Casey says with a sigh and folds his arms over his chest.

“She’s not a worrier, Case,” Severide says defensively, but he’s right. When he first told them this could be happening she didn’t even seem a little worried that someone might be coming for her rank.

“I know, but you don’t think there’s something else going on?” Casey asks.

Severide frowns. “I don’t know. It’s been hard to get a read on her since she got back from that call.”

“Did you guys talk about it?” Casey asks, taking on a concerned expression.

“A little bit, but I didn’t push it,” Severide replies; he’s beginning to wonder if maybe he should’ve.

***

“So what are you going to do?” Sylvie asks, sipping her coffee and looking over at Stella.

“I don’t know, Brett,” Stella replies, not looking over at her friend. People can tell her a hundred times over she made the right call that night, but there’s a girl dead. A girl who was counting on her to save her, and Stella failed her. She failed her and her father; the truth of the matter is she’s not even mad at the guy for coming for her rank. There’s a part of her that feels like she deserves it or that it’s the right thing. She made a mistake and it cost someone their life, and she’s not sure how to start processing it. Helping people is in her instincts, it’s where her heart pulls, and if she can’t do that as a lieutenant, if she can’t make the right calls, then maybe she shouldn’t be one. Maybe that will help people in the future.

“Hey guys!”

“Oh hey Chloe!” Stella says and stands up where she and Sylvie are sitting on the top of 81 to wave to Cruz’s wife; she has Brian with her in a baby carrier. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m here to drop off Brian,” Chloe replies with pursed lips as Stella climbs down from the roof of the truck, Brett following her. “I have an appointment I forgot about and I don’t want to take him in with me, and the baby siter-”

“Say no more!” Stella says, guiding the mother toward the doors leading inside. She’s grateful for the distraction even if it’s only a brief. “We’ll-”

“Truck 81, lift assist.”

“Oh, duty calls, gotta run,” she says and ducks off toward the truck. Her chest feels unnaturally tight and it takes a second for her to remind herself to breathe. It’s just a lift assist. She can do that.

***

Sylvie frowns as she watches her friend climb onto 81, there’s something she’s not telling her, some feeling she’s keeping to herself. Something that’s eating at her.

“Here, I’ll take you inside,” Sylvie offers, and finishes guiding Chloe inside as 81 pulls out of the station, sirens blaring.

“Is Stella okay?” Chloe asks, glancing at the truck as they slip through the doors.

“She had a rough call the other night, and it’s gotten a little complicated,” Sylvie explains. “But she’ll be okay.”

Sylvie decides that Stella will be okay, she’ll make sure she is. She’ll make sure the truck lieutenant, her best friend, knows she did the right thing and that she’ll be okay.

“Chloe!” Joe rejoices at the sight of his wife as he runs over to meet her. “And my favorite baby! No offence Capp.”

“Hey!” Capp protests as Tony and Severide both struggle to contain snorts of amusement at the insult that flew so naturally.

“Come to daddy!” Cruz says and undoes the straps holding Brian in his carrier. He scoops the boy out and holds him. “So big!”

“What is going on?” A silence falls over the room as Casey comes in with his hands on his hips. He looks pissed, not necessarily about there being a baby in his station, he just seems to be having a bad day and this is adding to it.

“Chloe has an appointment so I said I’d watch Brian here for her. We don’t want him picking up any germs or anything-”

“And what if we get a call?” Casey demands, Cruz looks both hurt and surprised. “Who’s going to watch him then? You should’ve checked with me first, or gotten a babysitter.”

“I’m sorry Captain I thought it’d be okay…”

Sylvie catches a very brief yet meaningful exchange of looks between Severide and the chief, and Casey softens.

“It’s fine, just… don’t let Tuesday eat him or anything,” Casey sighs and shaking his head, leaves the room.

Severide gets up and follows him. Sylvie is about to go after the squad lieutenant but he gives her a little wave that says he’s got it.

“I can take him with me if you’re going to get in trouble with Casey,” Chloe says hesitantly, glancing around the room. “I didn’t realize it’d be an inconvenience.”

“Nonsense, there’s just a lot going on with Casey right now,” Sylvie assures her. “We’ll take good care of Brian.”

“Yeah, we’ll let him climb the ariel,” Cruz says, cradling his son close. “Does he want to do that?”

“And I won’t let them do anything stupid,” Sylvie adds, as she and Chloe laugh at Cruz’s comment that could only be construde as a joke.

***

“Casey, what was that?” Severide asks following the chief into his office. They’re both stressed right now, but he’d come down on Cruz pretty hard, especially since it’s more than normal for Chloe to bring Brian to the house. They’re family.

“Don’t start Severide,” Casey says shortly.

“I’m not trying to start anything, Case. I'm concerned. I know you're stressed but what are you laying into Cruz like that for?” Severide says defensively. He’s beginning to second guess his decision to follow Casey into his office. Right now it seems a little like he’s decided to follow a hungry bear into its den.

“You ever feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?” Casey sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustrated exhaustion.

“Yeah,” Kelly replies. With this conversationI he adds silently in his head.

“I don’t know how Boden did this. I’ve been chief for a couple weeks and everything’s gone to hell,” Casey huffs eyeing the mountain of paperwork on his desk.

“You’re having second thoughts?” Severide asks, raising both eyebrows. This is the third time Casey’s been promoted since Kelly’s known him. Each of the previous times he’s had his rough patches getting started, but he never once considered quitting or regretted his choice to accept the promotion

“Yes- no- I don’t know!” Casey cries and throws his arms in the air. “I feel like I’m juggling a million things, and none of them are getting my attention or the attention they need.”

“Well you gotta get it figured out man, or the house is going to start feeling it,” Kelly replies.

“That’s really not helpful.”

Severide is about to open his mouth to defend himself but is interrupted by the bell.

“Squad 3, engine 51, additional resource request. Structure fire.”

“I’ll be back,” Severide says as he heads for the door.

“Don’t bother,” Casey mutters.

“Come on chief-”

“You have a call, Lieutenant.”

“Yes sir.”

***

“And what could be through this door?”

Casey looks up at the sound of Brett’s soft playful voice and sees her poking her head around the door frame with Brian in her arms.

“It’s the big grumpy chief,” she whispers and sticks her bottom lip out at Casey when she sees him looking at her.

Casey sighs and leans back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. “I was a dick-”

“Not in front of the baby!” Sylvie scolds, standing upright and walking into the room, bouncing the baby on her hip. It looks so natural, like it’s second nature to her. Matt thinks he’d be the luckiest man alive if she’d one day do that with their kid. “What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing,” he says, and gives his head a little shake, but the daydream lingers. He wants to marry her.

“And yes you were, by the way,” she adds, but it’s accompanied by a loving smile.

Matt snorts in amusement. She’s definitely right, Cruz and Chloe didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of his frustration, and he really feels bad about it. Brian will always be welcome in this house, even on day’s when Matt’s feeling stressed out of his mind.

“Severide seems to agree,” Casey mutters.

“Matt, talk to me,” Sylvie says and sits down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

“I feel like I’m drowning,” Casey admits, like he’s trapped in heavy wet bunker gear that’s dragging him to the bottom of Lake Michigan. “I’m trying to juggle a hundred different things, and I’m also trying to stop Stella from getting dragged down by this mess with that call, because she isn’t, but I got nothing. I’ve been chief for all of like two weeks so I don’t even have any favors I can pull.”

“Have you thought about calling Boden?” Sylvie asks, picking Brian up so he’s resting on her shoulder.

“No, I’m not doing that,” Casey says. That's the last thing on earth he wants to do. He can’t just go crawling to his retired chief everytime he has a problem.

“I’m not saying you have to ask him to pull in a favor, but go to him for advice. No one’s expecting you to be perfect at this from the start. I can almost guarantee it took Boden a while to become the old wise chief we all know. You’re new, you’re learning. There’s nothing wrong with getting advice,” Sylvie argues. “If you’re drowning, it’s okay to grab onto the life line for help. No one’s going to judge you, and if they do, they’ll have to deal with me.”

“Thanks Sylvie,” Matt replies, but all the advice in the world isn’t going to do him or Stella any good if she doesn’t stick up for herself. They could have the best argument in the world, but if the lieutenant who made the decision doesn’t stand up to defend herself it makes her look guilty.

“Why don’t you take a break for a couple minutes and come help me change Brian’s diaper?” Sylvie asks.

“I don’t really have-”

“Matt, come on. Take a breath, just for a couple minutes, okay?”

“Okay,” Matt agrees, knowing he’s not going to win this fight, and it seems like there’s something else on Sylvie’s mind.

“What about you?” he asks, following her out into the bullpen. “What’s on your mind?”

“Now’s probably not the best time,” Syvlie says with a shrug handing Casey the changing mat to lay out on one of the empty desks.

“Come on,” Matt insists.

“Matt you just finished explaining to me how overwhelmed you are right now. You don’t need me throwing more onto your plate,” she replies and sets Brian down on the mat. She’s not upset or angry, just matter of fact.

“Hey, I don’t want this getting in the way of us,” Casey says and turns her so she’s looking up at him.

“Fine,” Sylvie sighs and turns back around to undo the baby’s diaper. “My family wants to come up for Christmas, and I want you to meet them.”

“Oh,” Matt says. He’d asked her for it and it’s even something they’ve talked about briefly before, but somehow it takes him by surprise and he’s not sure what to say.

“Chief, you have a call from chief Conway,” Kylie calls to him before he can reply to Sylvie.

“I gotta get that- we’ll talk…”

“Okay,” Sylvie replies and the disappointment and slump in her shoulders hurts him like a punch in the stomach.

***

“Squad 3 are you available to go back into service.”

“Yes, where do you need us, Main?” Kelly asks, picking up the radio. He was hoping to expend some energy on the last call, but it turned out to be not much of anything and they probably didn’t even really need the squad assist.

“Rescue assist from truck 81.”

“You got it main,” Severide replies and gives Tony the nod to hit the sirens.

“What are we looking at?” Severide asks, climbing out of the truck and putting his helmet on his head as he does so. 81 already has traffic blocked on the bridge.

“Guy hit the median, and got ejected,” Stella explains, then points to the other side of the bridge where a whole long section of the chain link fence to have been taken out. “He took out the fence and got tangled. Now he’s dangling from it over the water.”

Severide pears over the rail and sure enough their victim is hanging a good 10 or 15 feet down from the piece of fencing hanging down from the bridge.

“Damn, okay I’m going down to get him. Cruz get the rope rescue equipment, and I need 81 in position, we’re going to need the ladder to get me out over the edge,” Severide says, straightening up to give out his orders. Stella doesn’t say much of anything. She just waves to Mouch who starts moving the ladder truck, Severide can’t help but notice how willingly she was to relinquish her command of the scene; he’s so used to Casey who always seems to go overboard when it comes asserting his dominance.

Severide hooks himself into his harness as Mouch gets the ladder into position. Then before long he’s clipped in and making his descent to the unconscious man. He’s halfway through getting webbing attached to the guy to stabilize his position when the whole mess of wire hanging off the bridge shifts and the man shifts. He bites back a cry of pain as the man’s full weight is suddenly pulling his arm. There’s a terrifying second where he thinks the man’s dead weight is going to pull his arm out of its socket, and if the rest of the fence comes down, it actually will.

***

“Severide! Are you okay down there?” Stella shouts down to Kelly. She can see him struggling with the victim, but she can’t see exactly what he’s doing.

“Yeah,” he calls back, but it’s not very convincing. His voice is strained and it sounds like he’s hurting. “Pull him up, I’ve got him hooked up!”

“Pull him up!” Stella relays the order.

“Hey, what happened?” Stella asks once Kelly is back up safe.

“The fence shifted and pulled all his weight onto the arm I was holding him with,” Kelly explains with a nonchalant shrug and unclips his harness.

“But you’re okay?” she presses, looking him up and down. She knows he probably wouldn’t tell her if he was hurt, but she has to ask.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” he says, squinting at her.

“Why’s that?” she asks with a frown.

“I might not be the best with emotions and stuff, but I’m not blind Stella Kidd,” he replies, taking both of her hands in his. “There’s something bugging you and I have two guesses-”

“Kelly, I've got it handled,” she promises. She’s not sure how to explain to him, what needs to be explained to him, and part of her doesn’t even want to tell him she’s not planning on fighting the action against her. She’s scared of what she’ll see in his eyes, anger, disappointment, sadness, or worse that he’ll go cold and silent on her. Or he might try to fight her on it and she’s too tired to fight him.

“You know you can talk to me,” Kelly says, and looks a little hurt, like he doesn’t believe her and like he wants her to just talk to him, but he doesn’t push her. “I know I’m not the best with advice, but I can try if you’ll let me.”

This stops Stella where she stands. It hadn’t really occurred to her until now that he might think she doesn’t want to talk to him because he’s bad at talking.

“We’ll talk, I promise,” she says and pulls her hands away from his. She turns and heads for 81, but Kelly stops her.

“Hey, you know you got this Stella Kidd,” he calls after her, and it stings. She wishes she shared that same unwavering faith in her.

***

“Smoke break?” Severide asks, holding up two cigars as he pokes his head into Casey’s office. Matt knows he shouldn’t, there’s entirely too much going on right now, but he really needs a break from everything… just 10 minutes. Just a 10 minute break to blow off steam with Severide.

“Yes, let’s go,” He says and stands up, trying not to sound too enthusiastic about it.

“Things not going well?” Severide asks as they walk outside, he sounds like he already knows the answer.

“Don’t even get me started,” he grumbles and leans against the front bumper of the squad. The higher up chiefs have been calling non stop, and even a couple lawyers.

“Case, what’s going on with this whole mess?” Severide asks, lighting up his cigar. “I tried talking to Stella at that last call but she blew me off. Like I know I suck at talking about feelings, but I just wish she’d tell me what’s going on in her head. I can tell she wants to.”

“Getting advice from you is like getting advice from rock,” Casey comments, not really sure what to tell his friend.

“Well you’re not much better,” Severide mutters and blows out a breath of smoke.

“Brett wants me to meet her parents,” Casey says, changing the subject.

Severide looks over at him with both eyebrows raised. “What’d you say?”

“Nothing yet,” Casey says and scratches his head. “Which I feel like might’ve been a mistake.”

“Probably sends the wrong message,” Severide agrees, which isn’t really helpful.

Before Casey reply two chiefs buggies pull up the house.

“Smoke breaks over,” Casey sighs.

“Let me know what’s up,” Severide as the white shirts get out of their cars.

“Will do.”

***

“You guys are so down in the dumps,” Nathan comments as he turns on the stove to start making dinner for everyone. He knows everyone’s a little on edge because the chief is stressed, and lieutenant Kidd is currently under scrutiny for the call she made the last shift, but the house could benefit from being a little more lively. Moral being down is never a good thing.

“It’s called laying low and not getting your head bitten off by your chief or two of the three lieutenants on shift,” Gallo says sinking a little lower into his chair and pulling his hat down over his eyes.

“Laying low takes the stress away,” Mouch adds from his spot on the couch. “I’ve weathered out more than one hurricane Caseys in my days, and laying low, being quiet and staying out of the way is the best way to survive.”

“Yeah, you don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of his anger,” Ritter says, letting Tuesday lick the peanut butter off his spoon. “Gallo can tell you all about that.”

“We need something to do around here other than sit around and watch tv,” Nathan says decidedly. He understands wanting to sit down and relax after a call, but it gets boring and he wants to be doing stuff. “We should get a ping pong table or air hockey table.”

Mouch, Herrmann, and Cruz all snort in unison.

“No we shouldn’t,” Cruz is the first to actually say anything. “I’m pretty sure there’s still glass on the floor outside the briefing room from when we broke the door.”

“You guys broke the door?” Gallo asks, sitting up and lifting the hat from his eyes.

“We shouldn’t do anything competitive, unless it’s who can vent that roof the fastest,” Mouch says disinterestedly without offering much explanation.

“We have fun, but always goes a little too far,” Cruz adds.

“I thought Casey was going to choke Otis out when he went through that door,” Herrmann laughs to himself. “We had too much fun with that thing.”

“And the foosball table?” Cruz adds, laughing to himself and pats Brian on the back. “I’m surprised no one lost their job over that one.”

“What did you guys do?” Nathan asks, looking between the three older firefighters in bafflement. Foosball is an intense game, but he’s not sure how it could result in potential career loss.

“Cruz was spinning,” Herrmann says defensively.

“I was not!” Cruz objects, trying to keep his voice quiet and civil so as not wake the sleeping baby on his chest. “You just can’t admit that I was winning fair and square! And the refs didn’t call it-”

“Well that’s what happens when you make Capp and Tony the refs!” Herrmann shouts and stands up angrily.

“Hey! We’re great refs!” Capp says indignantly.

“You know what,” Cruz says and stands up to face Herrmann. “Mouch, hold the baby,” he hands Brian off to the firefighter sitting peacefully on the couch. Then gets right up close to the engine lieutenant. “We need to settle this once and for all.”

“You’re on,” Herrmann says glaring down the much bigger firefighter.

“Probie, what did you do,” Gallo whispers to Nathan, who quite frankly has no idea what he just started. All he wanted to do was make things a little more lively in the house and boost moral a little. Not start a feud between Herrmann and Cruz.

“Molly’s, tomorrow night 7:00 pm,” Cruz replies without flinching.

“I’ll bring the foosball table.”

“And I’ll bring the ref.”

“What are you boys fighting about?” Mackey asks strolling into the common room, and probably interrupting what was about to turn into an all out brawl between the squad firefighter and the engine lieutenant.

“This cheating disgrace,” Herrmann says, gesturing to Cruz as he steps off.

“They’re fighting about a foosball match that happened like 12 years ago,” Mouch explains, bouncing Brian on his knees.

“I am the queen of foosball,” Mackey says and plops herself down into a chair. “I’ll face the winner… and win.”

“Those are fighting words young lady, better be careful with them,” Mouch warns.

“Herrmann’s too old and slow to beat me, and Joe can’t beat me because I’m like his kid sister.”

Herrmann looks like he’s about to blow a gasket, but before he can the bell rings and calls for the engine company.

***

Severide sees the chiefs leave and takes that his queue to head toward Casey’s office to catch the tail end of whatever conversation happened between him, the chiefs and Stella who’d been called into the office not long after the chiefs had showed up. Chief Conway has a smug look on his face that Kelly doesn’t like.

He’s halfway through the bullpen when Casey’s door opens and Stella walks out, visibly upset. She pushes past him without so much as a glance. Severide looks to Casey and all the chief has to do is shake his head for him to finally understand, understand all of it, why Stella has been ducking around and why she hasn’t wanted to talk to him, not to mention how strange she’s been acting… she’s not fighting the action against her. Severide turns around and goes after her.

“Stella, what the hell are you doing?” Severide says catching the door to her quarters with his boot before it can swing closed.

“I don’t want to hear it, Kelly!” She snaps back, spinning on her heels. There’s hurt in her voice and it’s not because he’s challenging her most recent life choice.

“Well that’s too bad! I’m not going to let you roll over and swallow this!” he retorts. “You worked too hard to just give up!”

“It’s not up to you!” she shouts.

“Stella! This guy is out of his mind. Any of us would’ve made the exact same decision. You made the right call! You have to defend yourself on this,” Severide insists.

“I can’t Kelly!” she cries, throwing her arms in the air. “I can’t do that Kelly!”

“Why the hell not?!” Severide demands, trying and failing to regain his composure and return the calm into his voice. She worked so hard for her promotion and now she’s just letting it slip through her fingers without a fight.

“How can I defend a decision that I don’t even know was right?” she shouts back, tears coming into her eyes. “A girl died because of the choice I made, Kelly. I am responsible for that. I was responsible for running that scene. Those victims put their trust in me and I let them down. I let them down… I can’t Kelly. I can’t defend myself if I’m not sure of my choice.”

Stella’s words take the wind out of his fight and he lets out a slow breath. “That’s why you're just taking this without a fight?”

“I can’t fight. I made a mistake,” she says, her voice softening to something heart broken and desperate. “I made a mistake and someone died, I can’t defend that. I can’t fight for a position that I’m not ready for especially since it will only put more people in danger.”

“Stella, any one of us would’ve made that same decision,” Kelly says gently and steps close to her, and reaches for her hand but she pulls away from him. “Stella-”

“Don’t lie to me just to get me to fight this.”

“Stella Kidd, I wouldn’t lie to you, especially about this. Moving the car could’ve caused spinal damage to both victims and it would’ve only saved you seconds. Seconds that wouldn’t have helped that girl, and if you’d waited any longer with the dad, he probably would’ve died,” Kelly insists.

“You don’t know that.”

“And you know for a fact that those seconds would’ve saved that girl?” Kelly replies, locking gazes with her. “If you can look me in the eyes and tell me that you know for a fact that those seconds would’ve saved that girl's life then I’ll drop it and walk away. I’ll let you give up.”

Stella closes her mouth.

“You can always go down the hole of what ifs, Stella. But you saved a life last night. Maybe it wasn’t the one that dad wanted you to save, but you saved someone so if you find confidence in nothing else, find it in that,” Severide says. “What if’s go both ways, what if you tried the other way and they both died? It’s easy to judge yourself after you know how things end, but it’s not so easy making choices when it’s in the moment. And in that moment you looked at what you had and you made the decision you could and you saved someone.”

Before Stella can reply, the bell rings.

“Squad 3, water rescue, ambulance 61 med stand by for water rescue.”

Severide hesitates before leaving. “We can’t save everyone. Don’t throw away everything you worked for because of it.”

Stella doesn’t say anything as he leaves.

“Is everything okay with you and Stella?” Sylvie asks, giving Severide a concerned look as they head for the trucks

“No,” he says bluntly, too angry to be quoi. “She’s not fighting the action against her.”

“She’s not what?” Sylvie demands, sounding shocked.

“She’s not fighting it. She says she made the wrong call and can’t defend her actions with a clean conscience,” Kelly replies, and swings up into the squad truck.

***

“Hey Maggie, can I get you to do a huge favor for me?” Sylvie asks, stopping the ED nurse as she finishes up her paperwork.

“Sure, what do you need?” the nurse asks, stopping whatever she’s working on to give Brett her attention.

“The dad whose daughter coded in our ambo last shift, what can you tell me about his condition?” Sylvie asks, leaning on the counter.

“I’m not supposed to share anything,” Maggie says apologetically.

“Look, Kidd is facing a lot of heat over this and she’s not fighting any of it because she thinks she made the wrong choice in not moving the car on the call,” Sylvie explains.

“She thought about moving the car? And she’s facing heat over all this?” Maggie says, sounding surprised.

“Yeah, why?” Sylvie asks cautiously.

“No one from the CFD has been by to get medical records, and they definitely should’ve. Especially if moving the car was an option.”

***

“Severide, calm down,” Casey says, trying weakly to talk down the squad lieutenant pacing angrily in his office. “The department is still planning on fighting the case on her behalf.”

“Yes, but if she doesn’t give a statement, the lawyers will eat it alive,” Severide argues.

“And what exactly do you want me to do?” Casey says helplessly.

“Hey, where’s 81?” Sylvie asks, poking her head into Casey’s office, interrupting their conversation.

“Out fueling up, why? Casey asks.

“Because I need to talk to Stella,” Sylvie says. “I’ll go wait for her in the bay.”

Before Matt can say anything to her, she’s ducking out again and closing the door.

***

“Stella, we gotta talk,” Sylvie says to her best friend before she’s even all the way out of the truck.

“Kelly put you up to this?” the lieutenant asks flatley, looking unpleased with the notion.

“No, he’s too busy running around like chicken with its head cut off in Casey’s office. I’m not really sure how either of them ever get anything done to be honest with you,” Sylvie replies, and gets Stella to crack a smile. “I took matters into my own hands.”

“So this is about that,” Stella says with a sigh and closes the door to 81.

“Yes it is. And I am here to tell you, you can not throw your career away over that call, Stella,” Sylvie says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Brett-”

“C2 through C5,” Sylvie blurts, interrupting Stella. “Those were the vertebrae broken in the girl’s neck. And L3 and L4 were broken in the dad’s back and he had a punctured lung. If you’d moved the car it would’ve killed the girl by fracturing her neck all the way, the dad probably would’ve been paralized from the waist down, and extricating him last could’ve killed him.”

“Where-”

“While lieutenant dumb and chief dumber were busy panicking, I went to Med and talked Maggie into giving me the details on the victims. There was nothing to you or anyone could’ve done for that girl, and you saved the dad by making the choice you did.”

“You mean…”

“You made the right call, Stella,” Brett reaffirms her, and the look of pure relief that crosses Stella’s face is like nothing Brett’s ever seen. “Nobody is more deserving to sit in that officer’s seat. You have to fight this.”

Stella nods and opens her mouth, but gets interrupted.

“Truck 81, Engine 51, Ambulance 61, Squad 3, residential structure fire. Smoke and fire showing.”

“I will, Brett.”

“And you should probably talk to Severide before he loses what little mind he has left,” Sylvie jokes, already feeling lighter right along with her friend.

“As soon as we get back,” Stella promises, stepping into her bunker pants. “Come on girls! I’ve seen candidates get geared up faster than you!” she shouts redirecting her energy to her crew. “No offense Nathan.”

***

“81 I want you guys on ventilation and primary search with squad, 51 i want you guys to start knocking this mess down,” Casey orders as the trucks begin to roll onto the scene after him and people start getting off. There’s one minivan parked out front and no one standing outside the house, meaning people are probably home and still inside. And it’s a saturday which means the kids they probably have are most likely home too. The smoke hasn’t turned black and violent yet which means they’ve got time

“Mouch and Marks, I want you guys on the roof ready to go when I know what we’re looking at inside,” Stella orders, and she seems to have a new energy that she didn’t have this morning. There’s a spring her step and confidence has returned to her voice. “Gallo, you’re with me.”

“Tony and Capp take the 1st floor. Cruz you’re with me, we’ll take the 2nd floor with truck,” Severide says, and Casey catches the lieutenant casting a quick glance at his girlfriend. He seems to notice Stella’s change in stride as well.

***

“Fire department! Call out!” Gallo shouts, echoing his lieutenant’s calls as they work their way down the upstairs hallway, the squad 3 firefighters not far behind them. It’s dim and smokey, the only clear light around them is the fire dancing dangerously up the sides of the walls, but it’s wild and confusing and disorienting. It makes everything look the same, but he keeps his breathing slow and calm, and his ears pricked for the sound of anyone calling out for help.

“In here!” Comes a weak reply to their shouts that ends in a cough.

“That was off to the right, through that door,” Gallo says, patting Stella on the shoulder to get her attention.

“Alright, let’s go get 'em,” his lieutenant replies and works her way carefully across the hallway, moving with ease and grace. Part of Gallo can’t believe she’d ever question her place on this job or as a leader. She’s a natural, fluid and thorough.

“Keep searching the rest of the hallway,” she calls to Severide before shouldering her way through the door. He’s not sure if it’s just that they’re on a structure fire which makes everyone a little happier, or if something else happened, but she seems more sure of herself and comfortable than she has all shift.

There’s three kids in the room, an older brother who’s maybe twelve and two smaller girls who look like twins.

“Hey, we got you guys,” Gallo promises and gets down on one knee with Stella in front of them. They’re wide eyed and terrified, the brother clinging onto the girls like their lives depend on it.

“Come here kiddos,” Stella says reassuringly and gently pulls the two little girls toward her. “You two are going to come with me.”

“What about buh-buh?” One of the little girls asks, her voice quivering in fear as Stella scoops her up .

“I got him,” Gallo promises.

“Yeah, I’ll be with the other firefighter, Lacy,” the boy promises as he ruffles his sister’s hair.

“You got em?” Gallo asks as he picks up the boy.

“Yeah,” Stella says, adjusting both kids so she has one on each hip. “Let’s get the hell out of here. Chief, this is Kidd and Gallo. We’ve got three kids and are heading out.”

“Tony and Capp, we’ve got the parents and are heading out too.”

“Cruz and Severide, we’re blocked off in the delta side corner, second floor.”

Gallo can hear Stella stop behind him, and he knows exactly what’s running through her mind.

“Lieutenant, we gotta get these kids out of here,” He says looking over his shoulder at her. The smoke is starting get darker and hotter. “They’re smart. They’ll figure their own way out.”

“Yeah,” she says swallowing. “Let’s keep going.”

“We’re bailing.”

“Chief, the roof’s getting soft,” Mouch reports when Gallo’s halfway down the stairs, Stella is a couple steps behind him. “We’re heading back down.”

No sooner has he spoken than the ceiling above them lets out a loud groan.

“Run!” Stella shouts.

Human instinct tells Gallo to look up, but his trust of his lieutenant is stronger. If she says run, then that’s what he’s going to do without looking back and without forethought. He’s known her long enough to where he’d follow her blindly- hell, he has followed her blindly through pitch black smoky hallways. He speeds up, skipping steps as he goes, and he’s only made it down about four when a massive wooden beam crashes down from the ceiling, only missing him by a couple feet. He can hear the girls with Stella scream, and he stops and spins around.

“No!” The boy in his arms shouts and starts fighting him to be let down.

“Lieutenant!” Gallo shouts, his heart pounding in his throat. She’s somewhere blocked off by the flaming beam completely blocking off the stairs.

“We’re all okay,” Stella shouts back, but Gallo still can’t get eyes on her. “I’m taking the girls back up to the room. We’ll bale out from there! Get out of here.”

Gallo hesitates, the boy in his arms still struggling to get free. “Copy that!”

“No! What about my sisters!” The boy protests, clawing at Gallo’s arms.

“They’re safe with my lieutenant,” Gallo promises and turns his back on the stairs and heads for the exit.

***

“I need a ladder to the alpha side window. Stairs are blocked.”

Severide’s chest tightens as he hears Stella call come in over the radio. The second floor was in bad shape when he and Cruz made their bale.

“Mouch, Marks, get a ladder up there now,” Casey orders, but the two truck firefighters are already rushing toward the window with a ladder.

“Brett!” I’ve got a kid, smoke inhalation and minor burns!” Gallo shouts coming out of the house, holding a young boy in his arms. It grabs Severide attention away from the window and the danger that Stella is currently in only for a couple seconds. The young firefighter has a haunted expression on his face as he takes his helmet and mask off while Brett runs over to check out the kid he’s pulled from the house. Then the glass of the upstairs window is being busted out, and Severide returns his undivided attention to the window. He wants to be on the ladder helping Stella to safety, but Mouch has already beat him to it. Stella hands the first kid out the window and helps her find the rungs on the ladder with her feet; then Mouch begins his descent down the ladder, keeping one hand on the kid, helping her. Then Stella is coming out of the window with the other kid, and Severide allows himself to breathe.

***

“Hey, Stella,” Kelly grabs Stella’s arm and spins her around her to face him, interrupting her trek to the truck to rest for a couple minutes and get her nerves under control. She can still feel herself shaking. That beam had been less than foot from crushing her and the two little kids she had with her.

“Kelly-”

“No, just listen for a second please,” he says quietly. He always gets a little flustered and unsure when it comes to expressing his feelings, and she can tell that’s what this is. He’s worried, she can see it his concerned blue eyes. “I came at you harder than I meant to earlier-”

“Kelly, it’s okay-”

“I just need you not to give up. You’re meant to do this, you’re an amazing firefighter and great lieutenant. You already have it together better than me and Casey did this early into our command-”

“Kelly, I’m going to fight it,” Stella says, sliding both hands around the back of his neck.

“You-” He stops mid sentence like he didn’t quite register what she just said at first. “You are?”

She swallows and nods her head. “Yes. I am.”

“What changed your mind?” he breathes, relief flooding his face.

“Brett got the medical report from the call. Moving the car would’ve made things worse,” she says. “And I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about it. I was scared, I guess.”

Kelly just shakes his head a little and then grabs her and pulls her into a tight hug. “I meant what I said. You got this Stella Kidd, always.”

Stella hugs him back and runs her fingers through his short hair on the back of his neck. It’s good having him close to her again.

***

“Brett!” Casey calls to the paramedic, stopping her as she makes her way to the front of the ambulance. The other ambulances have already taken all the victims to the hospital.

“What can I do for you chief?” she asks, stopping her hand on the door handle.

“You can tell your family I’d love to meet them for Christmas dinner,” Casey says, sliding his hands into his pockets and giving her an apologetic smile.

She lets her hand fall to her side and a ghost of smile slips across her face. “You’re sure?”

“Of course!” Casey says. “And I’m sorry if I ever made you think otherwise. I would love nothing more than to meet the people who raised you and helped you grow into the amazing woman you are today.”

The grin that comes across Sylvie’s face sends happy butterflies through Casey’s stomach, and for the first time since Chief Walker came into his office to tell him that there was an action being filed against Stella, he’s actually happy- like filled with real genuine joy that makes him feel warm and happy inside.

“Sorry I brought it up when I did,” she says, taking a step toward him and taking both of his hands in hers.

“I’m the one who asked,” Casey replies softly, and plants a kiss on the top of her head.

***

“I’m going to report to headquarters and give the chiefs my statement on what happened on that call, as soon as shift’s over,” Stella says, and Sylvie can see how relieved it makes Matt and Severide and she herself is very proud of Stella. It was a rough call, but she made the call all the way.

“Who’s the chief in charge of the case?” Sylvie asks. It’s been bugging her since she talked to Maggie at Med, in a case like this medical records seem like they should be the first that get looked into.

“Conway, why?” Casey asks, sitting back in his chair, and turning his attention in Sylvie’s direction; Severide and Stella do too.

“When I talked to Maggie earlier she said there hadn’t been requests from the CFD for the medical records regarding the call,” Sylvie says, Stella looks a little confused but realization dawns on both Severide and Matt’s faces.

“What…?” Stella ventures after a couple seconds.

“In a case like this the medical reports should be the first thing pulled in for review,” Casey says. “Half of these cases get tossed just after looking that far, and in this case it definitely would’ve.”

“So you’re saying Conway botched it?” Stella asks, looking between the three of them.

“Maybe he just missed it, but I’d be careful of him,” Sylvie says. “If he did it on purpose-”

“If he did it on purpose, he should get fired,” Severide jumps in angrily before Stella can express her own indignation.

Casey lets out a deep sigh. “I don’t want any of you guys trying to go talk to him. That could make whatever it is he has against Kidd worse. You guys need to let me handle this okay?”

“It’s me,” Severide huffs, visibly frustrated. “I’m what he has against her.”

Then before anyone can say anything else, he pushes his way out of the office.

“Kelly-” Stella calls, trying to stop him, but doesn’t quite say it fast enough. “Not this again,” she grumbles rolling her eyes. “We’ll be back.”

“Is it possible for someone else to take over this case?” Sylvie asks, watching Stella chase after Severide.

“I’m going to try my very best to get someone else on it. And I can be a real pain in the ass.”

***

“Kelly!” Stella snaps, finally catching up to him out in the bay. “Stop for five seconds.”

Severide clenches his jaws and swallows, but doesn’t say anything. He has that dangerous stark expression on his face that means things are about to get shot to hell, again. The face that says he’s about retreat into his unreadable shell of silence.

“Don’t shut down on me,” she says firmly. “Please.”

He opens and closes his mouth, but no words come out.

“Kelly.”

He closes his eyes and lets out a slow breath. “He’s coming after you because of us. I knew this would happen from the start. Right from the beginning.”

“No, Kelly,” Stella says, shaking her head. “He’s trying to screw this up for me, because I am a woman. If it wasn’t me being with you, it’d be something else. I lost my footing with this. I didn’t tell you what was going on at first because of it, and that was a mistake. But we’re stronger together, and if I have a chief gunning for me I need you to have my back.”

Kelly doesn’t say anything for a long time, and there’s a terrifying second where Stella’s scared he’s not going to say anything at all, but he finally opens his mouth and speaks. “I’ll always have your back, Stella Kidd.”

***

“You guys are seriously doing this?” Nathan asks as Herrmann, Mouch, Cruz, and Capp bring the foosball table into the bar through the back door.

“They better be, because if they aren’t that means I drove all the way here for nothing.” there’s a cheer from all the 51 firefighters in the bar, as Boden makes his presence known.

“Hey! Chief!” Gallo and Ritter both cry in unison and hop off their bar stools. A couple others give cries in greeting.

“Hey! I’m right here!” Casey protests jokingly, sending up laughs around the bar. The former chief flashes the new chief an amused grin.

“So that's the ref you brought in,” Herrmann says schematically, eyeing the former fire chief. “He didn’t bribe you did he?”

“Shut up and give him a proper greeting,” Cruz scolds and gives Herrmann a little shove.

“He’s a regular!” Herrmann protests.

Nathan smiles to himself. This wasn’t really what he mean when he said they all needed to be more active, and there was no way for him to see this as a possible outcome of the suggestion, but he’s glad he made it. Since coming to 51 things have seemed so tense and on edge, and this the first time people seem to be really letting lose, and he’s happy his suggestion lead to this. Even Chief Casey is laughing and he’s been the most tense of anyone. The only people not laughing and having a good time are Lieutenant Kidd and Severide who aren’t in the bar at all.

“Hey, I’ll be back in 20,” he says to Ritter and Gallo before heading for the door. The two lieutenants were on edge the whole shift, and they should be here for this. They should be laughing and having a good time along with everyone else, especially since things are starting to look up with the action filed against Kidd.

***

“What are you doing here kiddo?” Kelly asks, opening the door of the apartment for Nathan, who’s fidgeting in the hallway.

“What are you guys doing?” he asks, shifting slightly.

“Blackhawks and beer,” Kelly replies, glancing over his shoulder at Stella who’s sitting on the couch watching tv contently. She’d gone to headquarters and put in her official statement defending her actions on the call, and they’d both decided on taking it easy for the rest of the day. “You wanna come in?”

“No, and I have a better offer than Blackhawks and beer,” Nathan says, putting his hands in his pockets.

“Now this I gotta hear,” Stella says, getting up off the couch to come stand next to Severide. “Not much beats Blackhawks and beer.”

“How about a Herrmann vs. Cruz foosball match?” he asks.

“Your candidate drives a hard bargain,” Kelly says tucking one arm around Stella’s shoulders. He doesn’t want to make her go out if she doesn’t want to, goodness knows she deserves some rest and relaxation, but watching that match does sound like fun, and it’s something he’s seen since before he was a lieutenant of squad 3.

“And beer?” the candidate tries.

“A hard bargain, indeed,” Stella agrees with a smile. “And I don’t see how we can argue with it.”

“So you guys will come?” Nathan asks excitedly.

“Give us five minutes to get ready, and we’ll be there.”

***

“You by any chance want your job back?” Casey jokes as Boden sits down next to him at the bar during the so call half time of the foosball match between Cruz and Herrmann.

“Harder than you’d thought it’d be?” Boden chuckles and sips his beer.

“I don’t know how you put up with so much of everyone’s crap for so long,” Casey replies. He’s been chief for just under a month and he’s already more tired than he’s been over the course of his whole career. “What was your trick?”

“Not forgetting it’s family and remembering every day on the job is a gift and a blessing,” Boden replies, this time completely serious. “Very few people get to wake up and do their dream job. Don’t forget why you started doing what you do, and you’ll be just fine.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Casey says and clinks his beer against the old chief’s. Sometimes he wishes the man was still in charge of the house, everything seemed to go much smoother, but that may have just been because he wasn’t the person running the show.

***

“Hey man, you okay?” Ritter asks sitting down at the bar next to Gallo, who seems to have withdrawn into his own head space. It’s not like him to duck out when everyone’s laughing and having a good time; usually he’s laughing it up right along with the group. But tonight he’s tucked himself away.

“Yeah,” he says, quite unconvincingly and swirls his drink. He’s sipping on something harder than beer tonight, which means he definitely has something on his mind.

“Come on, what’s bugging you?” Ritter presses. Really he’s been quieter than normal ever since the house fire call, which is also unlike him. Usually he can’t stop talking after a fire, especially one where he makes some great save. He talks it up, and even gets a little boastful, everyone does.

“Nothing, I’m fine. Just a little tired, you know? We had two late night runs last night,” Gallo shrugs and sips his drink.

“No, something’s definitely up with you,” Ritter says, decidedly. “What’s wrong? Bottling stuff doesn’t work in this job. It sounds sappy, but you gotta talk about it.”

Gallo exhales slowly and sets his drink down on the table. “Fine. That fire call, it kinda threw me for a loop.”

“Why’s that?” Ritter asks, searching his friend’s gaze for answers.

“That boy I pulled out. He was sheltering his sisters when we found him. He went to get them, then when me and Stella were bringing them out and the beam fell from the ceiling and separated us he was clawing at me to get free and go to them. He was trying to save them,” Gallo explains slowly and takes another sip of his drink. “He did all that, he was willing to face that fire to get them.”

“He’s a brave kid.”

“And…” Gallo trails off and slips back into his own thoughts again.

“And?” Ritter prompts.

Gallo keeps his gaze staring off into space as he replies. “And all I did was hide in a closet.”

#chicago fire #chicago fire fic #brettsey fic #stellaride fic #cf fic #oc fic #again. and yes im still kicking the shit out of this dead horse. please reblog!#like if youre not going to reblog don't even bother liking it #likes on fics is starting to feel like when people leave you on read after you pour your heart out onto them #you don't even have to put any comment on your reblog #hell just fast reblog it #that takes an extra point 5 seconds to do #okay that's my reblog schpele for the night #im done #happy reading folks!

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sylvies-chen · 3 years

Note

Can you do 5+6 for brettsey?

5. "You're safe now" + 6. "No one's going to hurt you."

Sylvie's not weak. She's strong. She's a fighter.

That's what Matt keeps reminding himself of as Stella drives through the intersections, sirens blaring.

They’d heard the call for a 10-1 coming from Sylvie exactly seven minutes ago. He's been counting. They'd heard it all, from the scuffling of footsteps to Violet’s voice arguing with another in the background. The call, however, was short-lived and Sylvie’s calls for help were cut short when the line went dead.

The line went dead. And in their world, that’s never a good sign.

They’d taken a call at some old warehouse that’s undergoing construction. When 81 finally pulls up on the scene, however, there’s no one there. No construction crew, no contractors, nobody. All they see is the ambo with doors swung open, not a paramedic in sight. It’s not like Sylvie— or Violet for that matter— to leave the doors open like that, to leave supplies vulnerable and ready for the taking. It makes Matt’s stomach churn, and he finds it increasingly hard to be a Captain right now instead of Sylvie’s boyfriend.

But she’s strong. She won’t give up without a fight.

Casey strides through the front doors of the warehouse, Gallo, Stella, and Mouch trailing behind him and struggling to keep up. His eyes frantically survey the rooms before them. Everything in the building is grimy and unfinished and smells like sawdust. It’s cold. He hates that. Sylvie's warm in every sense of the word, this is no place for her to... to... well, he doesn't want to think about what could have happened here.

There aren’t any more gunshots— at least not ones they can hear, the warehouse only has two levels, thankfully, so they make haste and clear the first floor quickly as CPD’s squad car sirens wail in the distance. They probably received the call too, he thinks.

“Fire department, call out,” Mouch shouts aimlessly, hoping for a response. It’s dead silent.

“Brett, Violet,” Stella yells, checking the last room. “Call out if you can hear us.”

Still nothing.

Matt’s heart feels like it’s drowning in that dreaded silence.

“We’re up here!” Suddenly, they hear a voice coming from the second floor— one he instantly recognizes as Sylvie’s. She sounds panicked, and he immediately darts towards the staircase across the room.

Then, the single, harrowing gunshot goes off.

He doesn’t know what to think. He’s two steps up the staircase when the loud shot echoes throughout the warehouse, bouncing off the tinny walls and reverberating in his chest. It makes him stop dead in his tracks. In that moment, he swears he died a little and he knows then that he’s not being a Captain anymore. Because screw that. This is the woman he loves. He just needs to make sure she’s okay.

He’s only paralyzed with fear for a brief moment though until he turns around to see Stella staring at him, wide-eyed with worry. Then, everything snaps back into place. He bounds up the stairs, skipping a couple of steps with each stride, and moves into the first room. Gallo, Mouch, and Kidd all follow as quickly as they can, their boots thudding against the concrete. There, they finally set their eyes on the scene before them.

Sylvie’s there, and so is Violet. There’s a man next to Violet, lying on the floor and bleeding out as Violet keeps the pressure on his wound. Sylvie’s standing a few feet in front of Violet, holding the gun at her side as her hands tremble and she lets out a relieved sigh.

She’s alive. She looks sweaty and panic stricken, but she’s alive.

Matt turns to the man he hears grumble in the opposite corner of the room and half expects him to be bleeding. Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised if Sylvie had shot someone in self-defence— and he certainly wouldn’t blame her. He can picture a struggle that somehow led to her taking this guy’s gun and… he doesn’t know. He’s still trying to process the whole scene himself; he’s barely past the pure relief that Sylvie is alright. But he turns as Gallo moves to check on Violet and the victim she’s tending to, and sees that the guy in the opposite corner isn’t injured at all. His hands are raised and he eyes Sylvie nervously. It confuses Matt but he snaps back to Sylvie quickly and runs over to her. To hell with the other guy. Stella and Mouch can take care of him— or CPD, now that the cops are flooding into the room. For now, Sylvie is his priority.

For now and for forever.

“Sylvie,” he exhales, his hands flying to her face as soon as he reaches her and brushing her hair out of her face. The temptation to pull her into his embrace and never let go is tempting but he resists it. For the moment, at least. “What happened?”

“I… I…” Sylvie sputters, her eyes darting between nothing frantically. “He had the gun to my head.”

“What?”

“He had the gun to my head and it- it just… didn’t go off,” she explains, still in shock. She’s shaking, her gaze is hollow, and her muscles tense.

“We came in and this guy had already been shot— the charming guy with the gun over there said something about trespassing on the warehouse property,” Violet explains from behind her, still in shock herself as she keeps pressure on the wound. It’s the first time Matt realize that Gallo’s gone, and then remembers hearing Violet ordering him to get the stretcher at one point. “We… we thought we were both dead. He was in some kind of fit of anger and then- then he just pointed the gun at us.”

“But the gunshot—”

“He shot at the wall to try and scare us,” Sylvie tells him. “I risked responding to you guys and he shot at us that time. That’s when the gun jammed. When I realized it did, I just tried as hard as I could to yank it out of his hand and hoped for the best. I… oh God, I can’t believe he— that I… I mean I almost…”

Matt brows arch inwards, his heart aching for Sylvie. He knows better than anyone how scary that kind of situation can be. He’s been through the exact same thing and he wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But she’d been there for him then so he’s here for her now, without a flash of hesitation.

“Hey, you did good,” he assures her. “You did so good, baby. You’re strong, you know that, right?”

He says it because it’s true. She’s alive, she’s okay. And that’s her own doing, because of her own strength. Not his.

She nods absentmindedly, too distracted by everything going on around her. CPD is rounding up the warehouse worker, Kidd and Mouch are helping Gallo move the victim out on a headboard while Violet wipes at her sweaty brow and sits back against the wall, just as panicked as Sylvie. Everything is dying down, people are busy doing their jobs or distracted.

When she looks around and realizes this, she looks back up at Matt. His hands move to rub gentle circles on her arms and pulls her in for a hug. And then, as if brought on by his embrace alone, the damn just sort of… breaks.

First, her muscles relax under his arms. She exhales heavily, tears finally streaming down her cheeks. He knows this because her face is buried so deep into the crook of his neck that he can feel her tears dampen his white shirt. The strength she’d needed to get through something like that, the adrenaline, the shock. It all wears off as soon as she’s met with the familiar embrace. It serves as a reminder that here, with him, she’s always allowed to be vulnerable.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispers. “You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you.”

He knows that she knows it. But he repeats it anyway until she believes it and, maybe, until he himself believes it.

#because sylvie brett does not have guns pointed at her often enough!! *inserts sarcastic thumbs up*#abby writes #fanfic prompts #prompt requests #brettsey #matt casey #sylvie brett

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alittlextrathatway · 4 years

Note

Matt and Sylvie & Number 9 for the fluff prompt please! 💕

“You took all the pillows so I’m using you as one.”

******

Severide had asked them to take a quick trip to the cabin to get it ready for him.

It was awkward being alone with Sylvie given their current situation. She’d just stopped seeing the Lieutenant from 40 and the assumption around both houses was that it ended because of Matt. She hadn’t said a word to him about it, not that he expected her too, so he had no idea what actually happened.

Regardless, his best friend was planning to propose to Sylvie’s best friend in this cabin in just a few hours.

Matt had a feeling that plan was wrecked — judging by the snow piling up outside.

“The roads in and out of here are closed,” Sylvie announces, dropping her phone on the coffee table. “Poor Severide. This was supposed to be such a big night for him and Stella! Have you talked to him yet?”

Matt nods, sitting down on the couch with a sigh. It was a good thing he’d already started a fire. They were going to need it. “He said not to worry about it. He’ll improvise. So, it’s gonna be a big night no matter what. Just not here.”

“Oh! But what about the strawberries! I mean the champagne will keep but the chocolate covered strawberries won’t,” Sylvie says, frowning at the pretty spread she’d set up on the coffee table.

Matt shrugs and then grins at her. “More for us?”

“God, that’s tempting. We can’t though!”

“Why not?”

“They’re for Stella!”

“You said yourself they won’t last. Kidd won’t get to eat them no matter what. Someone should enjoy them,” Matt reasons, glancing pointedly between her and the platter.

Sylvie bites her bottom lip before reluctantly reaching for the smallest strawberry. “Well, maybe just one.”

She really is too cute. How did he not see her sooner? What had been different about them the last few years? Had she changed or had he? Maybe it was both of them. Maybe, unlike his past relationships, he and Sylvie were growing together not apart.

“Guess we’re bunking here for the night,” Matt says while glancing at the unexpected blizzard through the window. “You can take the bed. I’ll take the couch.”

She nods. “Okay.” Awkward silence descends and Matt hates it. Their silences had never been awkward before. Sylvie looks guiltily at the tray and then grabs it as she stands from the couch. “I should put these in the fridge. If we can keep them cold Stella might still be able to enjoy them.”

As soon as she takes a step toward the kitchen, the lights flicker and then cut out. Only the glow of the fire illuminates the room, surrounding them in hues of orange and yellow.

“Wind probably knocked a tree into some power lines somewhere,” Matt observes. “Looks like we’re gonna have to eat those strawberries after all. No power, no fridge.”

“And also no heat,” Sylvie reminds him as she comes back with the tray.

“Good point. Guess we’re both sleeping on the couch. We’ll need the fire for warmth,” Matt tells her with an apologetic glance.

At that realization, the tension is palpable. He can feel her apprehension as if it were his own. Guilt overwhelms him. It’s his fault that their relationship, whatever it is, has become so uncomfortable. His dumbass answer fanned the flames of fear and doubt in her and unless he straightens it out nothing will ever be the same again.

“Or I’m sure there’s a sleeping bag around here somewhere,” he says lamely. “I can sleep on the floor.”

Sylvie shoves almost an entire strawberry in her mouth and nods silently as she chews. The sight of her chewing ferociously and avidly avoiding his eyes would be comical if it didn’t sting so much.

“We have plenty of time to kill until then,” Matt observes. “What should we do?”

She continues to chew but shrugs and points at him, indicating he should decide. He nearly grins. Her determination to avoid conversation just gave him the perfect opening.

“Up to me, huh?”

She nods.

“Then I think we should talk. About you and me.”

She gulps down the rest of the strawberry in one swallow, nearly choking in the process. “What?” She asks through a startled cough.

“I miss you and I hate how distant we are.”

“Matt—“

“No, hear me out. I know I agreed to give you space but that was a mistake. I should have said what I really wanted to say but as always I can’t think straight around you. You—you fog things up and the words get lost in all my feelings and I end up sounding like a jackass.” He pauses and takes a deep breath, meeting her eyes. “I don’t want Gabby. She could walk through the door right now and beg me to leave with her and I wouldn’t do it. She and I had our chance. We don’t work. Honestly, despite our good moments, we never really did. And I don’t want a relationship that has a few good moments. I want a relationship that has a few bad moments. Maybe one that even allows me to be happy in the middle of the challenges. That’s not what Gabby and I had.”

“It isn’t?”

He shakes his head and takes her hands in his, sliding closer to her on the couch. “No, but it is what you and I have. Even as friends, that’s how our relationship works. I want to be so much more than your friend, Sylvie, but I know we’ll never lose that. It’s our foundation. I want this,” he tells her as he releases one of her hands to point between them. “I want what I have with you for as long as you’ll let me have it.”

His words echo through the tiny cabin as they grow quiet again. Sylvie stares at him with wide nervous eyes, unblinking. She seems frozen with indecision.

Until she isn’t.

Until she stands straight up, nearly knocking him over since they were almost sitting on top each other, and walks toward the hallway.

“Pillows!” She shouts, frantically. “We need pillows. And blankets! I’ll go find them!”

He watches her go with a bewildered expression. He did speak, right? Outloud? He rises from the couch and follows her down the hall. “The extra blankets are in the closet in the bedroom,” he calls out to her back as she speed-walks down the short hallway.

“Right! Got it,” she says, never once looking back at him. “Oh look! And there’s a sleeping bag too! Perfect!”

He enters the bedroom and stops next to her, eyes narrowed on her panicked expression. What is going on here? She shoves the sleeping bag and a couple of pillows into his arms.

“You did hear me, right?” He asks while watching her grab as many blankets and pillows as she can manage.

“This should be plenty, right?” She’s trying to appear absent-minded but that same panic is in her eyes so he knows she heard him.

He sighs and nods. “Yes, this should be plenty.”

He follows her back out to the living room where she sets all the pillows and blankets in an armchair and begins to make up the couch. She throws the two spare throw pillows on the floor and then starts tucking a sheet around the cushions.

He watches, frustration building in his chest, as she follows that with a thick quilt and then begins meticulously fluffing and arranging the pillows. Finally, he gives up waiting for a response and unrolls the sleeping bag across the floor in front of the fire. He turns to grab a pillow from the armchair only to find all of them gone.

“Do you plan on sharing any pillows?” He asks Sylvie with a quirked brow.

She looks dazed as she blinks over at him. “I’m sorry. What?”

“The pillows,” he repeats as he motions to the couch that’s almost too full of pillows to sit on.

“Oh!” She says, hands flying to her blushing cheeks. “I wasn’t even paying attention.”

“What is going on?” Matt asks loudly, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Did I say something wrong?”

“What? No! You—god, you said all the right things.”

“Then why are you still avoiding me?”

“I’m trying not to say or do anything stupid,” she admits in a barely audible voice.

“Nothing you say or do could be stupid,” Matt assures her.

“Oh no? Jumping you last time we kissed felt pretty stupid after it was all said and done and we both know, based on that first time, that I’m in way deeper than you. So, I don’t want to say anything that might scare yo—“

He cuts her off by suddenly dipping his head and capturing her lips with his. She tenses for a moment and then melts against him. They stand in front of the fire sharing searing kisses for what feels like an eternity and a fleeting moment all at once. It’s excruciatingly slow and yet it ends much too soon. It doesn’t make sense.

“There,” Matt says as they pull apart. “Now we’re even.”

She blinks at him, looking adorably confused. “What?”

“You’ve jumped me and I’ve jumped you,” he replies, catching his breath. “We’re even.”

“Oh god, I love you.” She gasps and slaps a hand over her mouth. A goofy grin appears on his face as he pulls her hands away. She winces and then continues rambling. “I didn’t mean to tell you that. Not...not yet anyway. Oh shit. Can we pretend that didn’t happen?”

“No,” he replies in a firm tone. Though the smile on his face contradicts his tone. “I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen.”

“Why not?” She asks, her bottom lip poking out in a very slight pout.

“Because I love you too and I want you to know it,” Matt confesses, rubbing his hands up and down her arms soothingly and trying not to look amused by her pouting lip. “I don’t want to pretend I feel less for you than I actually do ever again.”

She gasps at his words before framing his face with her hands and yanking his lips down to hers. She tastes like strawberries and dark chocolate. He guides her down to the couch, crushing the pillows she’d placed on one end. It actually works out well for them. It props her up at a more comfortable angle for him to settle himself on top of her.

With everything finally out in the open, the layers of clothing between them don’t last long and by the time the sun is setting in the sky they’re panting, sweaty, naked, and wrapped in three layers of blankets.

The power still hasn’t come back on and the air has chilled considerably. He kisses a trail down her jaw to her neck and then rests his head on her chest with his arms wound around her waist.

Every single pillow is still propped underneath her.

“You’re better than an electric blanket,” Sylvie tells him with a sleepy satisfied smile. “You’re so warm.”

He laughs and presses a light kiss to the middle of her sternum. “I guess it’s only fair that I’m your blanket. Considering, you took all the pillows so I’m using you as one.”

“I’m happy to be your pillow, Matt Casey.”

“And I will gladly be your blanket, Sylvie Brett. All you have to do is ask.”

#chicago fire #brettsey #sylvie brett #matt casey #fanfiction #angellwings writes #my fic #fanfiction prompt game #ask prompt #this one is the longest 😬 it’s barely under 2k #i’m so sorry #long post

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