A/N: I know, I'm crazy for starting another story. But don't worry, there will be another chapter of 'A Change in Plans' (it's about halfway done) and I'm already working on chapter eight of 'Silence in the Dark.' I just haven't been able to get this plot out of my head for a few weeks now. Why? Well, because I just absolutely love Matt's interactions with kids. So I kinda put a twist on it. The title of the story is inspired by Whitney Houston's 'How Will I Know.' Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

How Will I Know

Chapter One

Elijah Dawson waited as patiently as any five year old could. His low cut, red converse tapped against the cracked sidewalk in anticipation. With his arms crossed, he watched as dozens of other kids ran into the firehouse. "Gus always poops at bad times," he said to his mom's back.

Gabby glanced over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow at her son, "The picnic just started, Eli. I promise you'll have plenty of time to see the fire trucks." She put Gus' khaki shorts back on and propped the ten month old on her hip. "Can you grab his bag?" She walked a few feet to the beat up trash can that leaned against the lamp post for support and tossed the dirty diaper.

"You mean my old monster truck bag?"

"Yes, your old bag. I need the hand sanitizer." Eli took out the travel sized bottle and handed it to his mom. "Thanks, baby."

"I'm not a baby, mom."

"But you'll always be my baby."

After disinfecting her hands, she tossed the sanitizer back into the side pocket of the bag and shouldered it. She held her hand out for Eli, "Let's go."

"Finally!"

It was the fourth of July and as they did every year, Firehouse 51 was holding a picnic.

"Hey stranger!" Shay dropped the roll of raffle tickets on the table and pulled Gabby into a hug, aware of the toddler perched on her hip. "Gosh! Haven't seen you guys, in what, a little over a month? She ran her hand through Gus' hair, "He's gotten so big!"

"What about me?" Eli jumped up and down, getting Shay's attention. "Have I gotten big?"

"Yes you have!" Shay hoisted Eli up, "Almost too big for me to pick up!" She kissed his cheek and placed him back on the ground. "I think the last time I saw you guys was Memorial Day." She placed her hands on her hips and looked back at Gabby, "and if I remember correctly, we talked about needing to get together more often."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. June wasn't exactly the calmest month."

"I can imagine. Everything's good though, right?"

Gabby took a breath and adjusted Gus on her hip, "For the most part."

"Any chance in me being able to convince you to come back to ambo? I'll even let you be PIC."

Gabby laughed, "I miss it, Shay. I do. But nursing is a bit more stable."

"Just say it, you mean the pay is a lot better."

It had been nearly three years since Gabby had graduated from nursing school and made the transition from Firehouse 51 to Lakeshore Hospital.

"Maybe that factors into a bit, too."

"The guys miss you.""

"More like they miss my cooking."

"Well, that too!"

"Mom! I wanna see the fire trucks!"

"Tuck, tuck!" Gus babbled, pulling his chubby finger from his mouth and waving them towards the fire truck.

"You guys should go check it out, that Lieutenant I was telling you about at the Memorial Day picnic, he's giving a tour." Shay winked and nudged Gabby. "You're available again, sister and so is he."

Gabby rolled her eyes, "Yes, because a woman with as much baggage as me is every guy's dream."

"For your information, his last relationship ended because she didn't want kids."

"Well there's a difference between wanting kids of your own and raising someone else's."

Shay shrugged, "Fine. Suit yourself. I've gotta get back to handing out raffle tickets. I'll come find you guys once you finish your fire truck tour."

"Come on, Mom!" Eli pulled his mother's hand.

"Ok, ok, let's go."

"Finally!"

Eli practically dragged his mom over to the small crowd in front of the fire truck, he had already missed enough.

"…and this is where I sit." Lieutenant Matt Casey explained, pointing to the front passenger seat of the fire truck. "Who wants to be the Lieutenant?"

Half a dozen little hands flew up in the air and a chorus of 'I do!' sounded through the garage. Matt laughed and caught site of the little dark haired boy in the back with both hands up in the air. He pointed to him, "How about you? With the red shirt. What's your name?"

Eli grinned and looked up at his mom. "Can I?"

She nodded, "Go ahead."

The five year old ran up to the front, "My name is Elijah! But you can call me Eli."

Matt grinned, amused by the little boy's enthusiasm. "It's nice to meet you, Eli. My name is Lieutenant Matt." He pulled open the door and looked back down at Eli, "Do you know what makes a Lieutenant different from the other firefighters?" Eli shook his head. "The Lieutenant is the boss."

"Cool!"

"Hold the phone!" Herrmann exclaimed. "Am I really looking at the one and only Gabriela Dawson right now?"

Gabby grinned. "Oh come on, I can't look that different."

"What are ya talking about? You're more gorgeous than the last time I saw you! Which…" he furrowed his brow, thinking back to the last time he saw her. "Memorial Day? Way too long, Dawson."

"That's exactly what I said," Shay chimed in, joining in on the conversation.

"Wait," Matt started, "You're the former PIC Dawson?"

Gabby couldn't help but blush, "The one and only. Although, I'm not exactly sure what you've heard about me…"

"Well for starters, apparently nobody can cook like you."

"That's true."

Eli sighed and tugged on his mom's hand, "Mom, Lieutenant Matt was gonna show me the rest of the firehouse."

"I still can, buddy." Matt assured Eli.

Eli dropped his mother's hand and grabbed Matt's, "Well let's go, then!"

Matt looked over at Gabby, "Do you mind?"

"No, not at all." She leaned down to Eli's level and sat Gus down on his feet before she lost her balance. She gave her eldest a stern look. "You have to listen to what Lieutenant Matt says, ok?"

"I will! Promise!"

"Ok, go ahead."

"Yes!"

"Eh!" Gus called out.

"Oh, he'll be back." Gabby picked Gus back up, knowing if she didn't he would chase after his brother. Even though he was just crawling, Gus was constantly on his big brother's tail, following him everywhere he could.

"Come see Auntie Leslie." Shay cooed, reaching out for Gus. She grinned when the tot smiled and went to her. "That's right, you know who I am, don't you?"

Cruz draped an arm around Gabby, "Wanna hangout in the kitchen, just like old times?"

"Cruz, if I recall correctly, I gave you some cooking lessons before I left."

"Yeah, that really didn't help much." Otis quipped, he scrunched his face up in horror as he remembered some of Cruz's failed attempts at cooking.

"Hey, I'm still better than you!"

"I see you two are still bickering like an old married couple."

"They even live together now."

"Oh, really?" Gabby laughed. "How's that working out?"

Shay finished hugging Gabby and gave her former co-worker a serious look. "Let's actually make plans to hang out this time."

Gabby nodded, "I agree. How about next Friday night? Eli is staying over at my brother's house for Diego's birthday. I'll still have Gus but he's usually out by nine thirty at the very latest. It'll just have to be a girls' night in instead of girls' night out."

"Works for me!"

"Great! I'll call you." She said good-bye to the rest of her old coworkers, being pulled into a hug by every single one of them, including Chief Boden. She took Gus from Cruz and watched across the garage as Eli continued to explore Truck 81 thanks to Lieutenant Matt. "He is not going to want to leave," she mumbled to Shay.

Shay grinned, "Well look how much fun he is having with Matt."

Gabby rolled her eyes, "Shay…"

"I'm just saying, if you ever need a baby-sitter so you can go out on a date or at the very least, get laid...you know my number."

"I'll talk to you later, Shay." She took her keys from Gus' grasp and he started to fuss. "I know, mommy is just so mean. Come on, let's go pull your brother away from the fire truck."

"Tuck!"

Gabby made her way across the garage. There were still a few people hanging about, mostly family of the crew but once the fireworks show had come to an end, the place had started to empty out.

"Ok, Eli, it's time to go. Tell Lieutenant Matt thank you."

Eli crossed his arms, "I'm not ready to go."

"Doesn't matter."

"But mom…"

"No buts, tell him thank you so we can go."

"Thank-you for letting me be a Lieutenant," Eli mumbled. "I wish I could stay longer."

Matt grinned and bent down so he was level with Eli. "You're very welcome and you know what?"

"What?"

"You, your little brother and your mom are welcome to come back whenever you want, ok?"

"Really?"

"Really." Matt stood back up and turned his attention to Gabby. "He's a great kid."

Gabby smiled, "Thanks."

"I don't think we've actually been formally introduced." Matt held out his hand, "Matt Casey."

"Gabby Dawson. I would shake your hand but mine are kind of full."

"Oh," Matt dropped his hand in embarrassment, "Right."

"You've obviously met Eli and this one," Gabby bounced Gus a bit and kissed his head, "is Gus."

"Hey Gus."

Gus started to fuss and turned away from Matt, cuddling into the crook of his mother's neck. "He's sleepy," Gabby explained. "It's been an eventful day."

"Well it is America's birthday, only fair to have one heck of a party," he joked. "Here," he motioned to the bag in Gabby's hand, "why don't I help you guys to your car."

"Oh uh…sure." Gabby let Matt take the bags from her and used her now free hand to get a hold of Eli's hand. "Uh, yeah…let's go." Gabby could feel Shay's eyes on her, giving her a knowing look but she absolutely refused to look her way. She was sure she'd get a phone call later.

Shay wasn't the only one who saw the interaction between Gabby and Matt. Severide did too. But he was more concerned about how Shay was going to meddle than what Gabby and Matt could potentially end up doing.

"Don't even think about it, Shay" said Severide.

The blonde rolled her eyes, "Don't be such a party pooper."

"Well don't be such a meddler. Casey is a big boy, if he is into Dawson, he can act on it himself." Severide chuckled, "Although with Dawson's track record, Casey probably isn't her type."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Dawson likes the bad boys…the occasional criminal."

Shay narrowed her eyes at Severide. "Which is nothing you'll mention to Casey if he asks. We've all made mistakes, Kelly."

Gabby pulled her hair up as she left the bathroom and headed towards her room. She stopped and glanced into the boys' bedroom one last time, the ninja turtle nightlight plugged into the outlet gave her enough light to see that both boys were indeed sound asleep.

She'd just climbed into bed and pulled the covers up over her when her phone rang, she quickly answered not wanting to wake the resident light sleeper that was her youngest. "Hey, Shay."

"Gabriela Dawson, I'm a little hurt."

"What? Why?"

"I'm very upset you didn't call to give me the scoop on your little conversation with Lieutenant Casey!"

Gabby rolled her eyes and leaned against the headboard. "Well I did have to put two boys to bed. And besides, it was nothing. He just helped me out to my car."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

"Well for your information, before Kelly and I left the station, he totally asked us about you."

"Shay," Gabby whined, "don't do this." She sighed and let Shay's words sink in; her curiosity quickly got the best of her, "What did he say?"

"I'm pretty sure you just told me to stop."

"Leslie Elizabeth Shay!"

"Oh, alright, just the usual questions. Wanted to know if you were single, blah, blah, blah…"

"Severide just said I was single, right? He didn't go into detail about-"

"He said nothing else. Matt didn't even ask about any baby daddies."

Gabby rolled her eyes, "I hate that term."