So I'm starting a new mulit-chapter Dawsey story...this is I guess somewhat A/U it defintely does not follow the timeline of the show at all. Like I said it's A/U but i still like to keep the original structure of the characters. So all character's personalities, and careers are the same! :) enjoy!

Disclaimer; I own nothing.

Matthew Casey walked into the croweded bar with one goal in mind, to drown his sorrows in alcohol. He couldn't say he was surprised things with Hallie had ended the way they did; they wanted different things and while they had both tried to compromise with each other, things just fell apart. He couldn't even say he was upset it was over, and he knew Hallie felt the same. Wanting different futures had slowly caused them to fall out of love with one another; so they chose to call it quits, with the promise that they would remain friends. No he wasn't upset things had ended, he was more bothered by the idea that he had wasted eight years of his life in a relationship that went nowhere. He was thirty-two years old, now single and his dreams of a family were looking bleaker than ever. In an attempt to forget how sad his life looked at the moment he went out for a walk. He hadn't planned on going out to drink when he'd walked out of his house; but he had the next two days off so when he found himself standing outside the bar just a few blocks from his apartment he decided he needed the drink.

He took a seat at the bar, grabbing the attention of the bartender.

"Whatever you got that's strong."

"Woah...rough night?" Casey looked up at the young male tending bar before sighing.

"Yeah. Something like that."

"You got it man...coming right up."

He returned only moments later with a drink and a sympathetic look on his face... "On the house...you look like you need it."

"Thanks man, I appreciate it."

Casey sat at the bar for the next twenty minutes-going over every memory of Hallie. He couldn't figure out if she had ever mentioned not wanting kids. He couldn't imagine he'd have spent nearly a decade of his life with someone who didn't want the same future. He always assumed she wanted kids, they never really spoke about a family- not until a few months ago.

"You're so amazing..." Hallie tilted her head which lay on Matt's chest, to look up in the eye.

"You're not so bad yourself."

"Hallie..."

"Hmm?"

"I want to have a baby." Hallie sat up, turning to face him, a look of fear on her face.

"Matt...I...I don't think I want to ever have kids."

"Oh."

He could remember everything about that night, all his plans for the future had come crumbling down in a matter of minutes. His thoughts were broken when he heard a voice speaking to him, he slowly turned to the direction of the voice- he was greeted by a vibrant smile, and dark chocolate brown, kind eyes.

"I'm sorry-what?" The woman let out a little laugh before repeating herself.

"I asked if this seat was taken?" Her head gestured toward the empty barstool next to him.

"Oh no...please sit." She smiled at him before occupying the seat.

"Thanks." Motioning toward the bartender "Can I get a Corona bottle, please." Matt watched the bartender bring her the beer, she thanked him before taking a long sip of it.

"A girl that drinks beer out of the bottle..."

"What'd you think I was going to come in here and order a long island ice tea?"

"No...well...I don't know."

"I'm not into fruity, fancy drinks. beer in a bottle is perfect for me."

"Hmm...good to know."

"I'm Gabriela...by the way...well Gabby." Matt turned toward her, she was now smiling at him and he couldn't figure out what it was about her that made him nervous, but he felt like a teenager going through puberty all over again. Putting his hand out to shake her's he smiled before responding-

"Nice to meet you, Gabby- I'm Matt."

"So Matt...if you don't mind me asking what's got you out drinking tonight?"

"Uh...it's complicated...I just...spent the last eight years of my life with someone who I don't share the same plans for the future with...so I suppose I'm having a bit of a pity party tonight."

"That's rough...I'm sorry."

"Nah...no need to apologize. We're still friends...I just feel like I've wasted so much time...anyway what about you? What made you come out tonight?"

"I actually decided to come out for a celebratory drink...I start a new job in a couple of days. But now that I know why you're here I've suddenly realized how pathetic it is that I had to take myself out for a drink..."

"Well let me ask you this; would you allow me to buy you that drink.."

"Oh that's not necessary."

"Please...come on for my sake...maybe it'll help me forgot the real reason I came out...it'll be like I'm celebrating with you...we both win."

Gabby couldn't help but giggle at his plea, nodding her head finally accepting his offer.

"Great."

Two hours and three drinks laters, the bar was closing for the night- Matt walked Gabby to her car both standing facing one another not wanting to say goodbye.

"I had a lot of fun hanging out with you tonight Gabby...I needed this so thank you."

"I had fun too...um- listen would you want to maybe exchange numbers? I mean I know you're just getting out of a relationship but...as friends...you know so we can celebrate things together-or drown our woes together..whichever."

Gabby was biting her lip, shivering slightly from the cold and Matt could tell she was nervous waiting for his response. Offering a warm smile and a nod before speaking.

"Yeah I'd like that..."

They both took out their phones handing them over to one another so they could put their name and numbers in them.

"Here-" Gabby leaned up, placing her arm around Matt, turning the camera to face them before taking a picture to save as a contact photo. When their numbers were saved they stood awkwardly, not knowing how to say goodbye.

"You okay to drive?"

"Yeah I handle my alcohol well."

"Okay...Good. I'll let you go then... you look freezing." Before he had a chance to second guess his actions he leaned down, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. His heartbeat calming when she returned the gesture.

Gabby got in her car, starting it up and began to pull away when she noticed Matt was walking; pulling up to him and rolling down the passenger window, before speaking.

"You walked?"

"Yeah..uh I didn't plan on coming out to drink-It started out as a walk." Unlocking her doors and leaning over to open the passenger side she let him in.

"Get in here doofus."

"Gabby it's really okay I live just a few blocks away..."

"Matt. It's cold out, it's after three in the morning and you paid for my drinks so it's the least I could do."

Knowing he would lose the battle, he got in her car immediately feeling the warmth from the heat.

"Thanks."

"No problem...where to?"

Pulling up outside Matt's minutes later, she put the car in park before turning to face him. She tried to speak but a yawn overtook her.

"Gosh sorry...guess I'm more tired then I realized."

"No problem..."

"Gabby...umm you're exhausted, I have an extra bedroom if you want to crash here."

"Uh...yeah okay."

"Really?"

"Should I have said no? You were just being polite weren't you?"

"No...not at all I just worried I would come off the wrong way."

Matt and Gabby got out of her car, locking the door before heading toward his apartment. He gave her a new toothbrush, and something to sleep in before allowing her to get ready for bed. Knocking on her door before heading to bed himself.

"Come in,"

"Hey...You have everything you need?"

"Yeah- I'm good thanks Matt."

"No problem...Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

P.S. Can I just say how adorable it was in tonights episode when Casey and Gabby were fighting and he says "I worry about you everytime you get in that ambulance!" omg that was so freaking cute! I'm done geeking out :) Please leave reviews and let me know what you think.