A/N: So I know I'm not finished with 'Image in the Flames' but I just wanted to get this posted. If you could let me know what you think of 'Controlled Burn' I'd greatly appreciate it. Questions, comments, favorites and follows are welcomed but flames will be deleted. As for the OC, her name is Daelyn (Day-lynn) Conway and if there are any questions about her feel free to ask. This story will be slightly AU, and does not follow a particular season or episode line and I've decided to make Lt Whaley a permanent fixture. Thank you-Alisabeth
Green eyes scanned the various people passing through the busy airport, some talking into cell phones while others fought for a position at the luggage carousel, searching for a familiar face in the sea of strangers. Raised voices were everywhere, one hardly distinguishable from the rest as the scent of fried food and jet fuel pervaded the heavily chilled air. The interior of Chicago Midway Airport was beyond hectic for a Monday midmorning in September. Politicians and tourists alike milled about, as if trying to decide on whether or not to battle the oppressive humidity that had been forecasted for the day. Performing one more sweep of the immediate area green eyes squinted against a blast from the air conditioner. Adjusting her grip on her bags, she waited.
"Aunt Daelyn!" exclaimed a slightly shrill, childish voice causing 'Daelyn' to turn.
A grin illuminating tanned features, Daelyn Conway beamed, dropping her bags and crouching just in time to catch her niece as she jumped, winding herself around the older woman. "Adrian!" Swinging the six year old in a circle she laughed as her niece shrieked, enjoying the weight of the child in her arms. "Look at how grown up you've become!"
Laughter interrupted their reunion, causing them both to glance up in time to find Daelyn's sister, Adrian's mother, watching them in amusement. "Do you know how old you sounded just then?" Rowan chuckled, already reaching for the smallest of Daelyn's luggage.
Sticking her tongue out, Daelyn shouldered the large, military duffle that she'd brought, along with her rather roomy black rucksack. "At least I'm still single," she teased whole-heartedly, ignoring the twinge she got in her abdomen as Rowan's engagement ring sparkled in the artificial light as they moved towards the exit. Shuffling along, her hand securely around her niece's, Daelyn hummed occasionally, listening to everything that was being thrown at her; how her sister's fiancé had finished the repairs on the guest room just in time for her arrival, how Adrian was taking dance lessons… it went on and on.
Leaning over the trunk of her sister's Camry having trekked across numerous parking lots Daelyn sighed and off loaded her belongings, allowing herself to be pulled towards the car and deposited into the back seat by a babbling Adrian. Squeaking on the tail end of a yawn she apologized, nodding in the appropriate places and commenting when there was a pause in Adrian's ranting. Dozing slightly as Adrian finally silenced herself, resting against Daelyn's side, she stretched as much as she could, eyes closing.
"Hey D? I just need to stop by 51 real quick to drop lunch off for Matt, are you okay with that?" Rowan asked softly from the driver's seat, eyes glued to the road. "I mean, I know that you're not a morning person and that your flight left Connecticut at seven o'clock so…if you're too tired, I can drop you and Addie off first and then swing by."
Daelyn snorted tiredly. "Just drive Ro, it'll be easier to just swing by, drop Matt's stuff off and then head home. I'll just doze here. Wake me when we arrive?" Already drifting she didn't hear the answer.
Grumbling beneath her breath as something repeatedly poked her in the side, Daelyn's eye lids fluttered, letting in the harsh noon sunlight that filtered through the windshield. Flinching as she blinked against the sun she sat up, tugging at the seatbelt that had pulled and pressed against her chest, somehow getting caught in the buttons of her shirt. Freeing herself as she glanced out the window at Rowan and Adrian who stood beside the open rear passenger's door she retracted the seatbelt, swinging her legs out of the vehicle.
"I take it we're here?" she questioned, her voice husky from her nap. A hand raising and running through loose raven waves she stretched, enjoying the relief that spread up her spine following a repetitive 'pop-pop.' Thankful that she'd decided to forgo makeup that morning she adjusted her clothes as she stood, removing her rumpled button up and leaving it on the backseat in exchange for feeling the warmth of fall on her bare flesh, her tank top clinging to her torso.
"Mhmm, but daddy's truck isn't here. Can we wait for a little while?" Adrian questioned, her brown eyes wide as she pulled her patented 'puppy dog' face. Speechless, Daelyn glanced over at her smirking sister who merely shrugged, knowing that it would be impossible for Daelyn to deny that look.
Daelyn shrugged. "Sure, why not." Checking that her cell phone was in her pocket she followed her family up the long, wide driveway, eye brows raised as they bypassed the main entrance for one attached to the garage. Taking in the large vehicles that were parked inside as she passed, along with the two empty spaces, she couldn't help but admire the way they shined, and how, though there was gear lined up along the perimeter of each spot, it was still orderly.
"You're staring," Rowan chuckled, redoing her ponytail as she waited.
Flushing head to toe Daelyn uttered an apology, trailing behind as Rowan made her way through a swinging door. Her head bowed she tried to remain invisible, her attention jumping when she heard Adrian address someone as 'Uncle Kelly.' Watching the men gathered around greet her sister and niece, she hid a smile, enjoying how at home they appeared. A hand gripping her bicep yanked her forward.
"Hey guys," Rowan called out, "I'd like you to meet my sister, Daelyn. She's gonna be around for the next couple months until the wedding. Daelyn, let me introduce you to Squad 3; Capp, Hadley, Matt's best man Kelly Severide, and Eric Whaley."
Daelyn couldn't help it as she waved awkwardly at the Squad, her breath catching as her eyes met those of Kelly Severide. Appearing as if the saying 'tall, dark and handsome' was coined for him, he seemed to be the most handsome of the men, Eric Whaley coming in a close second with his classical All-American looks.
His sinfully blue eyes flickering between her and the hand of cards he held, Kelly gave a boyish grin of greeting, revealing straight white teeth with a gap between the front two that made him all the more handsome. His dark hair was short, yet still long enough to brush innocently across his forehead, streaks of silver dispersed along the temples and only managing to make him even more handsome. Tan complexioned, he wore his short sleeved uniform shirt well, his muscular torso straining against the material, the navy coloring defining his features. High cheekbones, a straight, strong jaw and long, outstretched legs completed his appearance.
Face warming tenfold, she nodded, impressed as Kelly hardly looked away from his hand as he opened his arms, leaving them outstretched until Adrian had successfully scuttled into his lap, settling comfortably against his wide chest. There certainly was something about a man who knew how to behave and interact with children. Captivated by the exchanges between the members of Squad she watched, surprised at how much time had past when her future brother-in-law stepped into the break room a half hour later, enveloping Rowan in an embrace and flipping off those who followed him playfully as they hooted and hollered. Her head spun as more introductions were made, the only two that truly stuck were Shay and Dawson, the two female paramedics.
"Well, I guess now that you have your lunch I should get Addie and Daelyn home. I'll see you in the morning," Rowan said, slapping a hand against her thighs as she stood from Matt's lap a little while later, kissing him on the forehead.
Saying good bye to Shay and Dawson, with whom she'd been conversing, Daelyn also stood, bending to hug Matt as she passed. Grunting as Adrian jumped from Kelly's lap she laughed, catching her and settling her on her hip as she waved over her shoulder. Taking the passengers seat this time around, she'd barely had her seatbelt secured before Rowan started giggling.
"What?" Daelyn asked, confusedly patting her hair and glancing at her face in the mirror.
Keying up the ignition Rowan smirked. "So, you and Kelly huh?"
Review please and let me know what you think!