A/N: This story I didn't really plan on writing since I have other active stories, but I couldn't help myself. I hope you enjoy it!

A/N2: I own nothing but my characters and plot...

One

When she was young, Avery Scott never thought that one life event could change a person so much. She was sixteen years old and was still figuring out what she wanted to do with her life, but one day it all changed. In less than an hour she knew exactly what she wanted to do and it was because her own father had done something so unforgivable that she hadn't seen or spoken a word to him in twelve years.

Slipping out from under the covers, Avery made her way to the kitchen to start making a pot of coffee. She knew today was going to be long and she needed to make sure that she was on her game today. If there was a time while she was working and she wasn't on the top of her game it could end up costing someone their life or it could cost her, her own life.

But this day wasn't like any other day. Twelve years ago on this day she watched as her own father took a life. Every day of her life she had to live with the fact that her father was a murderer. She had been sixteen for less than a week when her first boyfriend had been too touchy according to her father. So instead of calling his parents, he showed him a lesson. It was a lesson she would never forget. The anger in her father's eyes had scared her, but still she tried to get him to stop, but he didn't. Not until he was dead. Then he turned to her and told her that he was just protecting her from him.

Avery watched as her father left the room and that was when she called 911 and reported what had happened. Each time she had to relive the story was harder than the last. Some people thought she didn't know what she was talking about, but when she was asked if she wanted to testify against her father there was no other answer for her besides yes. She didn't do it because she was upset or mad at her father. No, she did it because her father killed her boyfriend and he deserved justice. And his parents also deserved to see the man that killed their son behind bars.

As the coffee was brewing, Avery made her way back to her bedroom. Laying her clothes on the bed, she walked into her bathroom and started her daily routine of moisturizing her face before straightening her hair. It almost felt as if it were just a normal day, but it wasn't. When she finished her hair, she unplugged the straightener and glanced into the mirror. Releasing a long sigh, she started to do her makeup. After ten minutes she knew it wasn't going to get any better. Late shifts and sleepless nights were making it hard to conceal the circle under her eyes. Brushing her fingers under her eyes, she walked out of the bathroom and got dressed.

Switching the lights off in the bedroom, she made her way back into the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it read 5:30. Releasing a long sigh, she opened a cabinet and pulled down her Chicago Blackhawks travel mug. Filling the cup with hot coffee, she stopped when it was to the point that she normally stopped. After putting the pot back, she turned off the machine and opened the fridge. Taking out the creamer, she poured some into the travel mug and then looked at it and placed a little more in the cup before placing the creamer back in the fridge. As soon as the lid was on the coffee, Avery grabbed her jacket and her bag. Grabbing her keys that were hanging by the door, she walked out of her apartment.

Walking in the cemetery at night was always a creepy thing, but when it was really early in the morning, it was just as creepy. Avery could still see her breath form in front of her eyes as she walked along the path that would take her to the one person she saw on this day every year.

Brandon Turner

Beloved son and friend.

"Hey Brandon. I know I don't usually come this early in the day to talk to you, but I have a shift later and I thought I would swing by your parents place to check on them. I missed the last dinner with them since I had to pick up a shift for a friend."

Placing the blanket she had taken out of her car on the ground, she sat down and looked at the headstone. "This never seems to get any easier. I'm still so angry because my father took something that I can never get back. You. He stole things we would have done together. Going to prom our senior year and graduations. And I will never forgive him for that. I'm so sorry," Avery said as she wiped the tears off her face. "I wish I could go back and change what happened that day. I hate knowing that my own father could kill my best friend without a good reason."

After a few deep breaths, she put on a fake smile as she looked back at the name on the headstone. "So I was transferred out of my old firehouse and have been working at Firehouse 51 for about six months now. These people are amazing. You would have loved them, I truly believe that."

"Sorry to say that there is no juicy gossip on the relationship front since I don't have a love life. It is still just boring old me. Sometimes I feel like I won't ever find the right person for me because I work such crappy hours, but then I remember what you used to tell me when we were younger," Avery said with a smile on her face. "Never rush matters of the heart, Avery Scott, when it is meant to happen it will happen. Trust that you will find the person you are meant to be with."

Moving her hair behind her ear, Avery closed her eyes for a moment and just listened to the silence. "I miss you a lot Brandon. I wish you were still here with me. I need to get back home and get ready for my shift. But maybe I'll come by again sooner than another year. Yes I know I say that every year, but maybe this year will be the year that I mean it. Love you Brandon, I hope you are at peace where ever you are."

Grabbing the flowers she had brought with her, she laid them in front of the headstone before collecting her blanket and making her way back to her car. It was hard coming here each year and it was just as hard to leave. She never had a dry eye when she left.

Moving swiftly up the stairs, Avery made her way back to her apartment. She spent more time at the cemetery than she thought she would. She had the intention of stopping by Brandon's parents place before she went to work, but when she looked at her clock in her car it didn't seem like it would happen. Maybe if they weren't busy she could stop by or if her boss would okay it she could check out a little early. But that was doubtful.

Dropping her travel mug as she riffled through her bag for her keys, she let out a frustrated sigh. She was over this day. It was nothing but reminders of what happened all those years ago. Taking a deep breath she tried to keep the tears at bay.

"You alright?"

Glancing over her shoulder she saw her neighbor picking up her travel mug and walking over to her. "Yeah, it's just gonna be one of those days."

"You sure?" he asked, leaning against the wall as she got her key out. "I was surprised to hear you rushing out the door so early this morning."

"Excuse me?" Avery asked. "I didn't realize that my business was open for others to dissect."

"It wasn't like that," he said. "I got in late so I was still winding down from work and I heard you leaving. I wasn't spying or anything like that."

Finally locating her key she stuck it in the lock and opened the door and walked inside. Her neighbor followed her behind.

"How long have you been working at Firehouse 51 now?" he asked.

Avery glanced up and looked at him with a curious look on her face. "About six months now."

"You know Gabby Dawson?"

"Yeah, she is a friend and co-worker. I met her when I was working at another firehouse. She actually was the one that told me that I should ask for the transfer to 51. What's with the questions?"

Shaking his head, he set the mug on the counter. "I was just wondering how she was doing. I work with her brother and if she was doing alright."

"Doing alright as in is she seeing someone or is she doing alright as you care like a friend? Or just wondering how she is doing as the guy that slept with his friends sister and doesn't want to tell him?"

"She told you that?" he asked, his eyes wide with shock.

"Apparently."

"And is she okay?"

"Look, I don't like to get into the drama of things like this. So don't ask again, but she's fine. She's happy and she's loving what she is doing at the firehouse."

"I know I shouldn't have slept with her or asked, but I just wanted to know without asking her brother. It would be too weird, ya know?"

Nodding her head, she took off her jacket and made her way to her bedroom to grab her bag and came back out. "I don't know. But it is nice that you care about her but I wouldn't try getting back with her. She's sorta seeing someone right now and no I won't tell you who it is."

"I understand," he said as he sat down on her couch. "Do you have any coffee? I'm out and I have to go to work soon."

"Why am I not surprised that Jay Halstead once again forgot to get coffee when he bought beer at the store?"

"What can I say?" he said with a small smile upon his face. "You make some great coffee."

"If you go get a cup you can heat up what's left in the pot at your place and enjoy it there. I have some place to be."

"Aren't you working third shifts now?" Jay questioned her. "Shouldn't you be off most of the day?"

"What is with all the questions today?" she asked. "Do you want the coffee or not? I have somewhere to be and I'm trying not to be late for work in case a call comes out."

"Are you sure your okay?" Jay asked, concern etched upon his face. "Did something happen that you wanna talk about? You know I'm here for you."

"I really don't have the time for this today," Avery told him. "Do you want the coffee or not?"

"Yeah, I'll take it," he told her. "Can I borrow a mug or will that get my head detached from my shoulders?"

Shaking her head, she looked at him. "I don't care. Just lock the door when you leave. I know you have my spare key still."

"Avery…"

Jay didn't get a chance to say anything else. She slammed the door on her way out. He had gotten to know Avery pretty well since she moved in a year and a half ago. They had become friends, or at least he thought so. The way she was acting though, it confused him. Walking into the kitchen he went to the cupboard and got one of her many coffee mugs down and filled it up before heading back to his own apartment. Taking his keys out of his pocket, he used hers to lock the door as she suggested before heading to his place to get ready for work.

The drive to work seemed to take longer today than it normally did. Perhaps it was because the way Avery was acting was still bothering him. They had encountered each other over the year when working, but they also spent time together when they were both off the clock. Today seemed different though. She was acting as if her best friend had just been killed.

Making his way upstairs to the Intelligence Unit, he took off his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair before sitting down and starting up his computer. Apparently his head wasn't on straight since he didn't even hear when one of the other cops in the unit, Antonio Dawson called his name. It hadn't even registered that he was standing in front of his desk.

"You okay man?"

Looking up at his friend, Jay nodded his head and leaned back into his chair. "Yeah, I guess."

"Something happen?"

"My neighbor across the hall moved in about a year and a half ago. She's a great girl, real sweet. Doesn't talk about her family, but we've been friendly in the past. Today though," Jay said shaking his head. "It was like she was a different person. I have never seen her snap at me the way she did this morning when we were talking."

"You think she's in some sort of trouble?" Antonio asked.

"I don't think so," Jay said honestly. "She isn't the type to get mixed up in something like that. And if there was some deep trouble I think Gabby would have said something to one of us by now."

"Gabby?" Antonio questioned him. "How does your neighbor know Gabby?"

"They work together. Avery is a paramedic at Firehouse 51. She is assigned to one of the ambulances there. She transferred there after Gabby told her about an opening, I think that Avery said it was about six months ago or so."

"I can talk to Gabby discretely if you want," Antonio offered. "I was gonna ask her to watch Eva and Diego for a night while Laura and I have a private talk."

"I don't wanna get Avery into trouble or anything if it isn't something. I'll call her later and see if she wants to get together after her shift ends or something."

"You sure?"

"Yeah man, I'm good. Thanks though."

A/N: Let me know that you think!