"Well, snap." She thought, watching as the man's fist came closer and closer. She turned a split second before it made contact.
Pain erupted from her jaw. She felt a knee in her stomach, knocking the wind from her lungs. She squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the next blow.
Instead she heard a cry of pain and a thud. She opened her eyes. The man was on the ground, Chili standing over him.
At that moment, two police officers rounded the corner. They immediately sprang into action.
Chili knelt down next to Brett. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Brett reached up and touched her jaw gingerly. "Just-just catching my breath."
Chili nodded. She exchanged a few words with one of the officers and then came back to Brett. "Ready?"
"Yeah." Brett got to her feet slowly and they started for the ambo.
The ride back to 51 was quiet. Chili had gotten an icepack which Brett was now holding to her jaw.
"You sure you're okay?" Chili asked as she steadied Brett on their way inside.
"Just a little more shook up than I thought," Brett nodded.
Chili raised an eyebrow but pushed the door open.
"What happened to you?" Herman asked, looking up from the card game he was playing with Mouch.
"Rowdy patient," Brett said simply, dropping heavily into the nearest chair.
"More like an angry one," Chili corrected with a scoff.
Dawson stepped up and gently moved the icepack away from Brett's face. She whistled. "He got you good."
Brett laughed humorously. "You're telling me."
Chili explained about what happened while Cruz poured Sylvie a glass of water.
"I'm fine, guys," Brett assured them. "It's not that bad."
"Pretty good punch though," Severide argued.
"You should lay down for a while," Herman suggested.
"I don't-" Brett began.
"Bed. Now." Dawson ordered.
Brett gaped.
"Yeah," Dawson said. "Let's go." She and Chili hauled Brett gently but firmly to her feet and steered her toward the sleeping area.
"Really, I'm fine," Brett argued weakly. At this point she didn't think it would make much difference.
"Nice try, Brett," Chili smiled.
Sylvie sighed, resigned to her fate and let them guide her the rest of the way.
"You do realize the alarm could sound at any minute?" She asked.
Gabby shrugged. "We'll take our chances. And I can always take your place in the ambo."
"See you later, Brett!" Chili waved as they left.
Brett shook her head and lay down on the bed. She loved her family. Sure, they were maybe a little pushy sometimes, but they were family.
Author's Note:
This is a little cheesy, I know, but I wanted to convey in my own way how much of a family they all are.