A/N: I just wanted to add a quick note here instead of the bottom—[in the beginning] Dawson will have a small crush on Casey, but nowhere near as much as in the show.
Chapter 1
"SHAY!" It felt like she was watching in slow motion, yet it happened in the blink of an eye, Shay's figure slowly getting smaller until a deep thud sounded that even Dawson heard over the few story distance. Her arm automatically reached out, as if she could catch the suddenly motionless blonde below. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and the thudding in her ears. All she could do was watch. Watch in bewildered shock. Like one of those people who stood around the scene of an accident, staring in awe at the image in front of them, not doing anything.
She'd never felt so lost, not knowing what to do. She was trained for this; why couldn't she just think? Her mind was foggy and she merely stared down at Shay. It was her own fault that she didn't realize they were too close to the edge, prompting Shay to fall.
The ground shaking ever so slightly and the faint sound of rumbling and crackling immediately cleared Dawson's mind. She broke her gaze from Shay's small figure to the cracking ground directly beneath her. She could feel the floor starting to give way. She crawled back on her hands and knees, standing up and twisting around simultaneously so she could get away and not end up at least three floors down lying next to her partner. An instinctive scream escaped her lips and drained her lungs when the floor collapsed too soon, crumbling away like a growing waterfall, a cascade of rubble, taking her with it. She reached for anything, something, hoping to grab a hold of a sturdy object to prevent her falling. Her hands found a small opening in the flooring, a pipe or a thin piece of wood, and she temporarily found some stability in it. Something sharp and gravelly scraped at her knuckles on immediate contact but that was the least of her worries.
She yelled out for help, hoping someone was still in the building and within earshot after all occupants were evacuated and rescued and the fire was put out. She dared to look down through the smog passed her helplessly dangling legs. She knew it would only make things worse and send her stress levels plummeting, but she couldn't help herself. She felt her mind twist and zoom at the height, which felt particular odd for her since she wasn't usually bothered by heights. Though this was no usual situation.
Bits of the previously intact flooring had landed on and around Shay, and Dawson couldn't help but wince. She was too far away to see the extent of injuries the fall had caused, and by the way she was angled Dawson couldn't tell if she was breathing or not.
A cold rush spread through her body, draining and replacing all heat and warmth with a new numbness. Despite the sudden chill, her hands started to sweat and she could feel them starting to slip. She looked up at them, willing them to stay strong and keep a firm grip. She cringed as she tightened her hold, however still not finding them cease their sliding. She looked back down at the rubble, half burnt household objects and Shay. Her heart was beating so hard that she wouldn't be surprised if she bruised her own ribs. As much as she needed to be down there with Shay, she didn't want to go this way, even if technically it was faster.
She looked back up when she felt tight grips on her arms, pulling her up. Severide, Casey, and a few others were there, pulling her to safety, but she was barely paying any attention to faces. She just needed to see if Shay was okay.
"Are you all right?" Casey worriedly asked once they were standing on solid ground a few strides away from the now extended gaping hole. He scanned her body for injuries. "Dawson?" He questioned when she didn't answer.
"Shay—she's down there, she fell down." Dawson said, ignoring the question. She noticed Severide and the other men from Squad turn and rush away, presumably to find a way down to the floor Shay was on.
"Dawson, come on, let's get you checked out." Casey said, putting his arms gently around her shoulders to guide her out.
"I'm fine," she shrugged him off. "I just need to get to Shay."
"No, we need to get outside; the building isn't stable." Casey insisted.
"No, I need to see Shay," Dawson all but sternly shouted, turning to fully face him. After a few seconds of a stare down in her department, she shook her head and internally cursed herself for reacting the way she did, even with good reason. She usually held herself together. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he shook his head. He cautiously put his arm behind Dawson's back, guiding but not touching, her way to the smoky window. This time she obliged, knowing Casey only wanted to help. Besides, staying up there wasn't getting any closer to Shay.
They reached the ground level of the building via the fire stairs and Dawson found herself in a momentary haze when she realized she was being steered the way towards her rig, not Shay or the building. "Wait, what about Shay? I need to see if she's okay." She looked back at the complex through scattered working fire fighters and paramedics and wandering occupants.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. The other paramedics will get her. Just take care of yourself." Casey said.
"What?" Dawson breathed out, her mind compromised by the happenings of the current situation. She frowned, wondering if she knocked her head and forgot if she had sustained a serious injury or two.
"Your hands," he pointed out.
She looked down at them. She defiantly wouldn't call that a serious injury, or really an injury at all—it was just a few scrapes on her knuckles, ones she hadn't even noticed she had until now. "Nah, they're fine." She said, nervously rocking on her feet as she converted her gaze to scan each possible entrance of the building for any signs of Shay.
She saw Severide walking over, taking off his gloves and shoving them into his pocket. She stepped forward, closing the few steps between them so she could get an answer quicker. "How is she? Is she alive? Is she still in there? I should go in there—"
Severide cut her off with affirmative hands coming up in front of him. "She's alive. Pretty banged up but she should be fine. Paramedics are bringing her out now."
Dawson let out a very audible sigh of relief. Previous stress and worry lowered and her heartbeat regulated. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have let her that close to the edge," she shook her head, looking down at her feet as she toed her guilt into the gravel. She shrugged as she looked back up to Severide, composing her voice and adding, "I mean, it was a big, friggin' hole—I should've seen it."
"Hey, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known she'd fall." Severide said, clapping her shoulder. It was odd for Dawson to see Severide somewhat comforting; he wasn't usually the one to do that. Shay had told her that underneath the multiple layers, there was still that caring side to him; he just didn't show it around many people. But it was still odd for Dawson to see the old Severide back.
Dawson looked up from the ground again and noticed Casey was suddenly gone and out of sight. She briefly scanned the area to see where he went, but upon scanning she spotted two paramedics wheeling Shay to an ambulance. As if she were tethered to her, she brisked her way directly over to Shay, making it just in time before they loaded her into the rig.
"I'm coming." She told them, already stepping into the back. There was no questioning from the other paramedics as she sat down inside.
Shay's usually flawless pale skin was marred with scattered bruises and lacerations, blotches of blood, and soot. There was a deep gash on the side of her forehead, which was now covered with a temporary gauze pad. A few strands of hair closest to the wound were tinted red from where they'd previously been sticking. Her uniform jacket was off, forgotten at the scene along with their medical bags and gear, making a bruised and slightly swollen wrist noticeable. An oxygen mask lay over her face and a precautionary brace was around her neck.
Dawson had just finished inserting an IV line and pumping fluids when Shay stirred back into consciousness, lightly groaning and wincing. Dawson gently placed her hand on her arm, prompting Shay to look up at her. "Hey," she said quietly in a calming tone, smiling down at her. "Do you remember what happened?"
Shay seemed to be in a slight daze until clearing her throat before she spoke, letting out a small gasp and wince at the acute pain in her chest. Her voice was muffled due to the mask as she softly said, "You were telling me another one of those stupid jokes of yours and—ugh," she brought her hand up to her side, flinching on contact, as she continued to mumble, "I mustn't have been watching where I was going and I fell through that damn hole—why am I in so much pain?" She sluggishly moved her hand from her ribs to her face in a foreseen attempt to remove the oxygen mask.
Dawson stopped her before she got the chance, putting her hand on top of Shay's and pulling it back. "Keep that on. Where are you in pain?" Dawson asked, switching back to paramedic mode. Trying to cause as little pain as possible in such situation, she started palpating Shay's ribs for possible breaks.
After a few moments of anguish Shay couldn't hold in her pain or keep her brave face on any longer, wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball and forget all the pain. She closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, pushing Dawson's hands away in hopeful effort to discontinue poking and prodding, even if it was necessary. "Ahh, stop, stop! Yes, there." She flinched, air suddenly escaping her lungs and leaving her breathless. Upon pushing her away, she noticed a throbbing in her wrist, although not as painful as her ribs, it still hurt.
"Sorry," Dawson apologized sincerely.
"A—also my wrist." Shay added once she collected her breath, lightly raising her left arm that was draped across her stomach.
Dawson gently took her arm and looked over it. Shay hissed sharply but was glad nothing looked or felt as if it were dislodged or out of place. "You've probably broken a rib or two," Dawson said, continuing to examine. "And this is most likely just a sprain. Do you remember if you landed on it?"
Shay attempted to shake her head, not remembering much after slipping, but the neck brace restricted her movements. "This really isn't necessary." She said, using her good hand to touch the brace.
Dawson placed Shay's arm back on her stomach and, again, quickly stopped any forthcoming movements to remove the brace as well, and put her arm parallel to the other. "Let me be the judge of that. Now stay still. Are you in any other pain?"
"Not—not really." She stammered, lying. She tried to concentrate on the simple task of breathing without it feeling like someone was sitting on her chest, willing for something to minimize the pain radiating front to back through her ribs with each breath and movement the rig made. If anything else was injured she was sure she couldn't feel it over that current of pain.
Dawson saw her discomfort and pushed more morphine, seeing as though Shay wasn't in a fatal, life threatening position, and having done a brief profile of her injuries, there was no need for her to be as coherent as she was, or especially in so much pain. Its effects took place relatively fast and Shay visibly relaxed. Dawson leaned over and peered through the front window to see where they were to estimate time of arrival. More time had passed than she thought since she could see the hospital entrance ahead.
They pulled up and the two paramedics that were in the front of the rig opened the back door, pulling the gurney out and setting it on ground. Dawson followed and took place pushing at the head of the stretcher. Nurses were waiting just outside the automatic doors, ready to take over, and Dawson recognized Mike among them. "Leslie Shay. Fell approximately three stories through a building. Bruising to the ribs, possible breaks. Possible internal damage, concussion, and sprained wrist," Dawson started, doctors listening intently and making mental notes. "Minor cuts and lacerations. Fluids and morphine administered en route."
Doctors said which bay they needed to go to and ordered each other to page certain doctors. Knowing it was time, Dawson reluctantly let go of the gurney. She'd just get in the way otherwise, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She stood there watching until she could no longer see them, disappearing behind a wall. Managing to peel herself away, she went to start the paperwork. Although she wouldn't say she enjoyed doing the paperwork that came with her job, it was never a huge hassle; though this time she wished that just this once she could give it a miss. Her mind was elsewhere as she completed the seemingly endless forms, and she wondered if there were suddenly more sheets added.
Dawson handed the clipboard over to the nurse at the station and headed towards the waiting room chairs. From experience, she knew it was going to be a while before she could find out more about Shay's condition—she'd probably have enough time to return to the fire station to get her things and change, and go to Shay's apartment to grab her some comfy clothes, whether she was going to have to stay a night or a week—but she worried that if she left something bad would happen, for Shay's condition to deteriorate. Although her staying wouldn't prevent such things, it made a small part of her feel relaxed, knowing she wasn't far away from her. If she could have things her own way, she'd be in that room with Shay, to be there when she woke up, to hold her hand for comfort. Hell, she'd even sleep in the uncomfortable plastic chair in the room just to be there for her when she woke. Just because they were paramedics and were subjected to medical practices all day didn't mean it wasn't scary or nerve racking actually being a patient.
Dawson figured she'd been waiting for around an hour when she noticed familiar faces wandering over: Severide; Casey; Mills; Herrmann; Mouch; Otis; even Chief Boden was there. They were all wearing casual clothes, probably having finished their shift early to come see how Shay was. That was something she loved about her job. They weren't just work colleagues, skilled people they happened to work with every other day. Everyone was there for each other—they were a family. A big, competitive, loud-mouthed, funny and caring family.
"Any news?" Severide asked, taking a seat opposite her.
Dawson shook her head, looking up at Casey and switching her gaze from person to person as she spoke. "Not yet. No one's even come out yet."
"I'm sure someone'll come out soon," Casey said, patting her shoulder and sitting next to her. "Shay's tough. She'll get through this."
Dawson nodded but didn't reply. She didn't know why she was being so shut down. Of course it had something to do with Shay, but she still couldn't quite put a pin on what else. She kept having flashbacks of watching Shay fall, the horrified look that covered her face, and looking down passed her dangling legs at the unconscious blonde. It scared her so much that she could've lost her. She wouldn't know what to do with herself if someone close to her passed. It would be horrible, terrifying, living a life without them. Just the thought of it threatened to bring tears to her eyes.
They all sat in silence, creating déjà vu of when they were waiting to hear about Herrmann in the similar situation over a month ago, until Mike came out with a folder in hand. Dawson stood automatically. "How is she, is she okay?" She all but blurted out, knowing he knew who she was talking about without having to address him.
"She'll be okay," Mike looked down at the folder occasionally as he spoke. "Two broken ribs, mild concussion, and a sprained wrist, along with minor bruising and lacerations. We'll be keeping her in overnight for observation."
People sighed their relief's and said that it was good news and that it could've been worse.
"When can we see her?" Dawson asked.
"She's still sedated at the moment, but you can go in and see her soon."
They all nodded and thanked him before he left. Dawson let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, smiling knowing Shay was okay. Most of the men left then, also containing the knowledge that their own was going to be fine. That was usually how it was in these truly unfortunate events anyway: the whole crew waiting together, finding out if the injured was okay, in fortune cases the answer would be yes, and then the people of which that weren't as acquainted to the patient left to return home to their families or to go back to work, leaving the ones closest to them at the hospital to see said patient.
Dawson sat back down and put her hands on her knees. Casey took his place next to her right again and comfortingly put his hand atop hers, squeezing it. "Told you she was going to be okay."
Dawson let out a "Hmm," reply in a huff. That was the second time Casey had touched her within the hour and she felt nothing. She thought after all this time, this whole time she'd had a crush on him, that she'd at least feel something—a chill, goose bumps, a spark.
But there was nothing.
Maybe that was the other part she just couldn't pin down; why she wasn't paying as much or any attention to Casey lately. It hit her like an express train when she realized maybe she had feelings for a certain other person that she worked with.
But no, it was silly, ridiculous. There was no way it could be a crush. Especially not for that person. Besides, if it was, why hadn't she figured it out sooner? It was probably just irrational emotions and concern wavering around in the midst of this situation, jumbling up and telling her that she had feelings for someone else. For Leslie Shay.
A/N: I hope this storyline isn't too cheesy with the whole 'brush with death and true feelings come out' scenario. But there's so much potential for Shawson it's not funny. Also I'm not a doctor or anything so keep in mind that I don't know exactly what goes on in the medical field, and the internet only says so much, so don't mind any errors or mistakes; just go with it.
Please review! I'd love to hear what people think. Or just follow or favourite—something to let me know it's liked! Also I won't be updating a few times a week or anything since life gets in the way, but just know that I won't abandon it or anything.