Chapter 2

Holding Our Breath

"Good," Boden said, deciding for everyone as they didn't say anything.

"Good news is that he made it through surgery, however he did crash twice. We managed to locate the bleeding and stop ot. It also looks like he has had a blow to the head before this. The original injury and then more in between. Anyone care to enlighten me?" Dr Wilhite asked, looking around at them all.

"Blackout few months ago, Keeler got him then. He just brushed it off." Severide said, speaking up and Gabby snapped around to stare at him.

"And you didn't think to tell me!" Gabby accused, as Antonio kept her restrained from hitting the firemen.

"Guys enough, there was a secondary bleed and a small fracture in his skull. We have fixed the bleed but there isn't anything we can do for the fracture only to wait and see if it heals by itself. We have set his compound fracture and should be healed between 6-8 weeks. I am certain that when or if he wakes up, he will make a full recovery." He said, as Gabby turned to look at him with a pale face.

"What do you mean 'if'?" She asked, fearing the worst as she reached out and took a hold of Shay's hand tightly.

"We've had to put him in an induced coma to let him recover. We don't know how much damage there is or if there is any to his brain until he wakes up, as we need to wait for the swelling to go down. I wish I had better news. Go home and get some sleep, he won't be out of ICU for a while. You can come back tomorrow and visit two at a time though. I'm really sorry." He said before leaving to check on his other patients.

"All of you go home. Matt and his family are going to need us." Boden said, as all the mend left, hugging Christi and Gabby on the way to the front door. The only people left were Boden, the Dawson siblings, Shay and Kelly. 'You ring if you need me.'

"Thanks Chief," Gabby smiled gratefully, as he collected his turn out gear and left.

"I'm going to take Kelly home. Do you want me to drop you off?" Shay asked, collecting hers and Kelly's turnout gear as he hugged Gabby and told her to call hom as soon as there was a change before heading outside to 61 as their car was still at the firehouse.

"I'm right thanks, I will call you later." Gabby said, hugging her before she left. She sat down on the couch in the waiting room and got comfortable for the night.

"What are you doing?" Antonio asked confused, as Gabby settled in for the night.

"Waiting. No matter how long it takes, I am not leaving." Gabby said, looking over at him while she looked up from the book she was reading.

"I want you to go home, or at least come back to mine Gabs. Get some rest and we can come back tomorrow," Antonio bargained, trying to reason with her but getting absolutely no where.

"No, I will ring you if I need to. Will talk to you tomorrow. Go home, spend time with the kids and Laur." She said, giving him a look that said 'don't argue with me'.

"Fine. I love you." Antonio said, standing up and grabbing his jacket, kissing her forehead and leaving the waiting room. He quickly walked over to the nurses station and left them with strict instructions to make sure she eats before he left to go home.

Gabby settled in for a long night of waiting, hoping and praying. She had finally fallen asleep around midnight.

Next Day- Gabby's POV

"Gabby, did you really stay here all night?" Shay asked, shaking me awake. I slowly opened my eyes to find Kelly and Shay standing over me.

"Yeah, any news on Matt yet?" I asked hopefully, sitting up and rubbing my eyes to get rid of the sleep.

"Not yet, why don't you go home and get some sleep and I will ring if his condition changes. Promise." Kelly said, helping me stand up and help me put my jacket on.

"Fine, but you call me. I will see you later." I said, hugging them both quickly before leaving Lakeshore and heading outside to find my brother waiting for me. "Don't tell me, Shay and Kelly called you?"

"You got that right," he replied, hugging me before we both got into the car. "I'm going to drop you off with Laura, Shay and Kelly know where you will be."

"Thanks," I said gratefully as we pulled away from the curb.

So this is the second chapter of the sequel to The Ball. It will be Gabby, Matt, 51 and District 21 centered. Please leave a review and tell me what you think of the second chapter. I know it's short but I like building up the suspense.

RnR xoxoxo