A\N: So here is it is the first chapter of my Dawsey "Merry Christmas Etc" A\U story. Basically its set after "Merry Christmas Etc" but goes A\U after it. I hope that's not to confusing. It's also in the same world as my other stories "Sugar and Spice" and "Up All Night"
Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago Fire, NBC or Global
Spoilers: Post "Merry Christmas Etc"
Warnings: None
Christmas Come
The drive back to Gabriela's apartment was filled with an awkward silence each occupant of the car deep in his or her own thoughts.
As Gabriela thought about the previous events her fists and she dug her nails into her palms. She was hurt, confused and angry. Matt had told her it was a date yet he wouldn't kiss her on the lips. "I made a complete fool out of myself," Her brain kept reminding her and she suddenly wished she had the nerve to call him out on saying he wanted to go as her 'date' and not a 'friend' right now though she couldn't even bring herself to look at Matt Casey.
"What did I do? What did I do?" Matt reprimanded himself as he drove down the highway, "I didn't mean it to come out like that, now she hates me; and I don't blame her." As Matt merged into another lane he quickly looked at Gabby his heart breaking when he saw tears in her eyes.
"Gabby-"
"Don't talk to me Matt!" She spat.
Matt ran his hand over his mouth; he couldn't sit here and let her cry when he knew it was because of him, when he knew he could fix it. "About what happened-"
"Matt! I said I don't want to talk about it!"
"Gabby, I know your upset but-"
"Damn right I'm upset! You said if I wanted a date you'd go but if I wanted a friend to ask Mouth! What was I supposed to think? And then to do that in front of my family; Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was.
"No I don't; but can I just tell you something?
"Do I have a choice?"
Matt knew she had every right to be upset so he ignored her attitude, "I wanted to kiss you Gabriela, I wanted it so much; but I knew your family was right on the other side of the door and in didn't feel right, I just I wanted….I want our first kiss to be special, private."
For the first time since the event Gabriela looked at Matt. Not one to forgive easily she studied his facial features, she had never known Matthew Casey to lie but then he had never know him to not be a man of his word either.
"I did want that Christmas party to be a date," Matt further explained as he merged again only this time it was to exit the highway, "But meeting all your family, I don't know Gabby it was kind of nerve-wracking, even Antonio kept freaking me out with his glares.
"Matthew Casey scared of a view glares?" She laughed, "Now that's something I thought I'd never see."
"Seriously Gabriela did you see the way he was watching me."
"Don't tell me you're freaked out," She liked teasing him.
"No, just a little nerve wracking meeting all your family at once."
"Matt, I hate to break it to you but that wasn't even half my family."
Matt groaned, "Please tell me you're joking."
"Nope," She giggled, "Lots and lots more, and even more in Madrid and other parts of Spain."
"Well at least if we meet them I get to go to Europe."
Gabriela reached her hand over and rested it on his knee, "Does that mean you think about coming in the summer?"
Matt had entirely forgotten about her family's trip to Spain to visit family. "Yeah- uh I mean…. Does that mean she wants to date me? "I'd love to, if- if I wouldn't be intruding."
"Not a chance," Gabriela smiled warmly as Matt pulled to the curb adjunct to her apartment building.
"So…" He turned to look at her; every inch of his body tingling, "What happens now?"
"You kiss me?"
Matt gladly filled her request. He leaned over and kissed her; and it was by far the best kiss he had ever had.
After they were forced to break apart due to lack of air Gabriela pulled on his hand,
"Stay the night?" She locked eyes with him.
Matt wanted to say yes, he wanted to jump into bed with her but the rational side of him knew there'd be consequences; although not illegal dating someone without your own firehouse was strictly looked down upon and if anything happened and they broke up; not only would their friendship be ruined but one of them would have to leave Firehouse fifty-one and he knew neither of them wanted to do that.
"Matt-" Gabriela searched his eyes, "Matt if you don't-" She prepared herself for rejection.
"Oh no Gabriela," He took both of her hands in his, "I want to but….. I think this needs to be something we think long and hard about."
Gabriela unbuckled her seat belt and took a deep breath, "Which brings us back to the question, now what?"
"Well I think we'd be much better continuing this converstation inside."
"Okay," Gabriela got out of his truck and dug out the keys for her apartment.
Matt came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her middle.
Gabriela tried to control her breathing but with each passing minute Matt's body was that close to hers it was becoming increasingly more difficult. As they walked into the heated apartment building Gabriela swiped her card key to grant them access and then walked hand in hand with Matt up the three flights of stairs to her apartment. Considering it was well past mid-night the couple lowered their voices to a mere whisper and footsteps to gentle touches as they made there way down the long hallway. Reaching Gabriela's apartment Matt released his grip long enough for her to open the door and enter the apartment.
"Make yourself at home; I'm going to and get changed." She placed her keys and purse on a table beside the door and made her way towards the master bedroom.
"Okay," Matt nodded his head as he walked towards her kitchen to see if there was anything she didn't have. He had managed to get Christmas gifts for everyone, including her and he wanted to make sure that she didn't already have what he had gotten her.
"Matthew Casey?" She returned minutes later, "Are you spying on me?"
Matt spun around and blinked his eyes repeatedly. How could she go from looking gorgeous nearly five minutes ago in a formal dress to look sexy in a simple t-shirt and yoga pants?
"Like what you see?" She wiggled her brow suggestively.
"It's more what I want to see."
"Yeah, and what's that?"
"This," Matt wrapped his arms around her and began tickling her; and just like he suspected she began laughing.
"Matt," She breathed out, "Matt stop."
Always the gentleman Matt did what she asked.
"Now," She settled herself comfortably on the couch, "I think we owe it to ourselves to talk about whatever this is."
"Yeah," Matt rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah you're right."
Gabriela bit her bottom lip, she had wanted this for so long and now that she felt it within her grasp she also felt it slipping away. If they broke up she would not only be devastated but she'd loose a best friend; she had to ask herself if it was worth it? And she didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing when she didn't know the answer.
"I don't want to loose you," Matt moved closer to her and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"I don't want to loose you either," Gabriela placed a hand over his.
"I wish this wasn't so hard."
"Me too;"
"I mean its not about the firehouse; Well it is but I think Shay's set up a pool to see how long it takes us to announce we're a couple.
Matt pressed his forehead against hers, "That doesn't surprise me."
Gabriela kissed him and as he lay down on the couch she laid on top of him, what happened next was a series of events they would both always remember.
TBC
A\N: Up Next: The morning after and more talk about their relationship.
