Hello readers! I'm back! :) If you haven't read this before than welcome! This story was formerly titled "Chicago" now titled "The Windy City." Part one in what will become the Chicago series. Chicago fire is a guilty pleasure of mine as are Chicago PD and occasionally Chicago med. This story was originally started about two years ago, but as the series has continued and storylines have shifted so did my own ideas for the direction of this fic. That being said, I have big plans for the base of this story and I will be revising the first 10 chapters that have already been posted over the next few weeks before continuing this fic. (There is so much more to write!)
I have plans to continue this fic as long as Chicago fire continues and my ideas are available. There will eventually be a PD spin off in the same AU of my Chicago series as this story is written in, (not for a little while) that requires some alterations to details in these chapters. You will find an author's note at the top of each revised chapter so you will be able to identify if it has been revised already. If you've read this before then I do suggest reading the revised version now as I will be changing a few major plot lines in order to support the stories later on.
I plan to intercept all three chicago shows but this story will mainly follow Chicago Fire. Forgive me if there are slight changes in the story, I must do so to include my own character but I promise to stay as true to the TV series as my own plot will allow. This will begin pre-season 1 of Chicago Fire. I hope you enjoy and thank you in advance for your patience.
Chapter 1: Airports
"Thank you for flying Midway International!" Mallory resisted an eye roll as the perky flight attendant squawked a farewell to the passengers disembarking the airplane. As much as she understood the cheerfulness was a requirement of the job, the woman's voice had reached an intolerable volume that made her head throb and she couldn't manage more than a nod toward the flight attendant in a desperate plea to get far away from her. She was thoroughly exhausted after spending nearly 9 hours squished between tiny airplane seats. She had literally been the only person under 55 on board that afternoon. Granted she was grateful it was relatively quiet, but there had been a strange smell in the air the entire flight that she didn't wish to investigate. The only upside had been playing travel scrabble with the older couple sitting across from her. Mitzy and Darrel on their way home from vacation. They had been nice enough not to ask questions and plenty in love that when she'd bailed to nap for a bit they hadn't seemed offended.
The airport was rather busy and as relieved as she was to finally be there, Mallory wasn't thrilled with the idea of any more delay. She was dying for a hot meal and a soft pillow to lay her head on. Dragging her feet tiredly, she weaved her way through the crowds headed for baggage claim. She waited a good ten minutes before her magenta suitcase finally appeared circling around the conveyor belt, it's color standing out amongst the dull greys and blacks of everyone elses bags. That luggage set had been a gift before her first big move, one of her fondest memories. Her eldest brother, always the sensible one, had tried to persuade her to pick something neutral and sturdy. 'Function over form' he'd insisted but she had all too gleefully reminded him of the promise he'd made that she would get to pick the set. Her choice of the lovely shade had only been encouraged by his clear disgust of the pieces. It was a sibling thing, but she'd clearly chosen wisely aided by the fact that the set had lasted her a good 4 years still, much to her brother's dismay.
When she reached for the bag, Mallory was suddenly knocked off her feet allowing her suitcase to drift past her completely. Her eyes flickered upward to see what exactly it was that had made her fall. "I am SO SORRY! Are you okay?" The woman that spoke had stepped into her line of sight hovering over her and immediately offering a hand to pull Mallory up onto her feet. The stranger looked about twenty-something, clearly not much older than her and she was pretty, in a girl next door type of way. The kind of pretty that you could admire, when they were clearly too kind to admire themselves that way. She was slim, dressed in a pair of black yoga pants with a saphire blue blouse that complimented her thin frame, and a jean jacket draped over one arm. Her chocolate brown hair hung loosely around her sharp jawline giving her a small resembalence to the actress kierra knightly. 'Only with kinder eyes.' Mallory thinks to herself taking the assistance to stand again. "Yeah I'm fine." The girl seemed to be searching for any signs of injury despite her reassurances and Mallory waved her off. "Really I'm okay I just need to grab my suitcase."
"Oh here, let me get it. It's the least I can do." As the bags circled again Mallory pointed to her's and when it passed by, the woman grabbed it setting it down near her feet beside her own set of luggage. She realized now that the floral printed bag -which stood out more than her own- had been the source of her fall and their inevitable introduction. "I'm Natalie, what's your name?" Her hand extended again, this time in greeting. "Mallory." She responds quickly, returning the handshake while fighting back a yawn. "Well I am very sorry for knocking you over Mallory. I'm just getting used to these places. I've never flown before."
The smell of food in the airport was strong and making her stomach rumble. She grabbed the handle of her luggage dragging it behind her heading for the exit with Natalie following suit. "Do you mind?" She gestured, implying they walk together and Mallory merely shrugged shaking her head no as they manuvered through the crowd. The flight had certainly taken it's toll and she was desperate to get to her hotel and go to bed. Natalie however seemed to be wide awake chatting excitedly. "Are you from Chicago?"
"Yeah. I grew up in Canaryville. Finally coming home I guess." She admits with a shrug. They exit through the automatic sliding doors and the cold chicago air is harsh, seeping through her thin sweater making her shiver as if she wasn't wearing one at all. She wasn't used to it anymore. It had been nearly half a decade since she'd been back here anyway. "What about you?" The taxi-stand came in to view and the line was almost non existant as she sighed in relief. A taxi cab stopped at the curb right infront of them waiting to be claimed. "Just visiting my in-laws. You should take the cab my mother in-law should be here soon."
"Are you sure?" Natalie nods giving her a warm smile. The driver climbs out and she hands him her suitcase to load into the trunk. "Yeah, it was nice to meet you Mallory."
"You too. Good luck with your in-laws." She slides into the backseat and shuts the door leaning her head back against the headrest. "Where too miss?" The driver asks as he starts to pull away from the sidewalk. "Hilton Hotel please."
The city lights shined brightly against the night sky as the cab drove through the quiet streets of Chicago. Once upon a time it had been Mallory's favorite thing about the city. There was something so fascinating when you're a kid, experiencing the night life in a place like this. Perhaps it had been special as a little girl who was oblivious to the dangers lurking on certain streets and alleyways, but with her brother by her side nothing seemed impossible. She could be invincible. Mallory rested her forehead against the glass as she reflected on her memories, gazing at the buildings and shops they passed. As much as she had enjoyed Hawaii -especially the tropical weather and easy beach access- Chicago was her home, and she couldn't justify staying away any longer. The cab pulled to a stop in front of the hotel and Mallory handed a few bills from her pocket to the driver muttering a quick thanks as he handed over her luggage.
The hotel lobby was empty given the late hour and she'd had to ring the little bell three times before the concierge had come out. He was a freckle faced boy with messy orange hair and she wondered if that was a styling effort or a result of the nap he'd clearly been having before she arrived. If the annoyed look on his face was anything to go by, it was clearly the latter. She couldn't blame him, it had been a long day for her too. He'd asked her name for the reservation and begrudgingly handed over the room key pointing her toward the elevators.
Her room was on the third floor, two doors down from the end of the long hallway. As she entered the room, the shrill ring of her cell caught her attention and she tossed down her bag reaching into her carry-on quickly to find the device. She'd turned it on when they'd landed but had tossed it back because she hadn't had any signal. It seemed her calls were finally coming through now, and she grabbed it right before it went to voicemail sliding her finger across the screen and holding it up to her ear carefully balancing it between her face and shoulder. She hadn't had very long to play around with the settings of the device, so she'd merely established how to unlock the phone to answer calls. Mallory wasn't a big technology guru but she'd needed a new phone quick so she'd taken the advice of the clerk and purchased the much too expensive device anyway. She was sure it had provided him with a generous commision, and he'd been nice enough to throw in one of those cases that were supposed to protect your screen but only worked around 75% of the time. "Hello?"
"I've been calling for over an hour what took you so long?" Rolling her eyes dramatically she latched the security chain on the door and walked over to the big bed plopping down allowing herself to stretch out and relax. "Hello to you too, brother. My phone was still off from the flight. Didn't I say I would call you anyway?" Of course he hadn't listened. There was an audible sigh on the other end of the line before he spoke again. "So you made it there alright?" He sounded off, likely stressed and she wondered if it was because of his job or her arrival. He'd seemed pleased when she'd originally brought up the idea about returning home. Almost relieved at the prospect of her close proximity. Same city, minute away from each-other now instead of a long ass flight over the ocean.
"Yes I'm in my hotel room now." It was a nice room, certainly big enough for her to be comfortable in. Though her standards weren't exactly hard to meet. Clean bed and bathroom to use. It was part of how she'd been raised, you didn't expect much. As long as you had a roof over your head you were grateful and she certainly was. Sure she preferred other ammenities now, but she'd worked hard to get them, and she certainly never took them for granted.
"I told you to come stay with me. I'm hardly at the apartment as it is." He had told her that. About twenty times already, but she had her reasons for living seperately and she wasn't keen to share them with her brother. Mallory didn't think she ever would be. "I'm good here." She insists. "Besides, don't you have something better to be doing on a Friday night than hassling me?"
"Better than checking in on my baby sis? no way." The sarcasm is evident in his voice despite how true he meant the words and she yawns loudly again letting her eyes shut. Her brother chuckles into the phone when she quiets and he knows she's nearly asleep. "Alright Mal. Get some rest. Call me tomorrow."
"Mkay. Bye Jay."
