Special thanks to Ghostwriter and KittyxCat1509 for their sweet reviews. They really made my day and pushed me to get chapter out quickly. Hope you all enjoy.
- : - Chapter Two : His Girl - : -
Joe was reading the morning paper when Otis took a seat across from him. He took a deep breath and asked Joe, "Hey, can I run something by you?"
"All right, what is it this time," asked Joe. The firefighter knew this was coming. It happened every time Otis met someone new.
"What do you think about me asking AJ out," asked Otis?
"Uh…buddy, I ain't touching that with a ten foot pole," replied Joe, holding up hands up in surrender.
"What, you don't think she would be into me," pushed Otis.
"Man, I think you should go ask Severide what he thinks," Joe suggested, before making a quick getaway to the kitchen. Everyone knew after watching their Lieutenant rescue the writer that he was very interested in the girl and she was interested in him as well.
Deciding to take the risk, Otis found Kelly checking the supplies stored in the squad truck. "Hey Lieutenant, you got a second," he asked.
Kelly finished locking the compartment door and moved to the next. He gave Otis a glance before grunting a quick, "Make it quick."
"Listen, I was thinking of asking Adelaide out but I'll admit I'm a little rusty on my technique. Think you could give me some tips," the young firefighter asked hopefully.
"You want to ask AJ out," Kelly asked, talking hold of the rotary saw. Otis' face paled as the lieutenant started up the tool, the sharp blades buzzing loudly. "Just checking the motor," Kelly smirked, setting the tool back down in the truck compartment.
"Y-yeah, right," Otis stuttered.
Kelly's grin widened a bit as he took in Otis' distress and he asked, "So what were you saying?"
"Oh, I…uh…wanted to ask…," Otis started to say but was cut off by Kelly's phone.
Checking the caller ID, Kelly smiled as he answered, "Hey AJ! You're not canceling our date on me, are you?" She must have given him an answer he wanted to hear because seconds later Kelly laughed and said, "All right, I'll meet you at the bar at seven."
"So, you and AJ are a thing," asked Otis dejectedly.
"Not yet," Kelly admitted. "But I intend to make her my girl Otis."
Then Otis, ever the trouper, gave Kelly a huge grin before patting him on the shoulder and saying, "Well hey, that's just great. I'm happy for you, Severide."
"Thanks man," replied Kelly.
Luck must have been on their side that night because Firehouse 51 received no more calls for the rest of their shift. Quiet nights like that only came once in a blue moon so they were all grateful for the extra down time. Kelly bolted his car ahead of all the others, eager to get home and pass the time before his date that night. He was meeting AJ at his favorite bar in a couple of hours.
Behind him, Leslie Shay noticed her roommate making a beeline for his car as soon they were dismissed. She knew he was in such a hurry he was going to forget he was her ride so she called out, "Hey, hold on eager beaver!"
"Shake a leg Shay," Kelly called back from his car door.
"What's got him so wound up," asked Dawson?
"Give you one guess," laughed Shay, before sprinting to the black, classic muscle car her roommate owned.
"Bout time," complained Kelly, strapping on his seat beat.
Shay couldn't help but her best friend by countering, "Awe, look who's excited for his first date! You are just adorable, you know that."
"Wow, thanks," Kelly muttered, shifting the car into gear.
What took place next could only be described by Kelly as a living hell. Shay bombarded him with questions but he held strong, only giving her the bare minimum of his plans. She also took the liberty of listing every single thing Kelly shouldn't do on his date and how to impress AJ.
"Shay," Kelly finally put a stop to her insistent advice. "If case you forgot, I've been on a couple of dates before. I've had girlfriends before."
"Correction," Shay exclaimed. "You've had flings. You've had one-night stands. Never a real relationship since Renee and I want that for you. You deserve to be happy."
"Thanks Shay," said Kelly.
"No sweat," said Shay. "Besides If AJ doesn't swing for my team at least one of us should have her," teased his roommate. Shay let out a shriek as she dodged the pillow thrown at her.
"All right, I'll heading out," Kelly called out to Shay. "Don't wait up."
Oh wait," Shay called out. She grabbed the small bouquet mix of roses and orchids. "You almost forgot these."
"Thanks, see you later," he said, giving Shay a quick peck on the cheek.
"Have fun," she called out as he left.
The bar was small but nice and well light AJ noticed as she stared inside through the window. Kelly had beat her there and was nursing a drink, most likely scotch, while he waited for her. The butterflies in her stomach were driving her crazy; crazy enough to stand outside the building for the last ten minutes. She never did well on dates. Usually the men she went out with would get distracted by the first pretty thing that passed by and would make some exercise to end the night early. She told herself not to let her nerves get the best of her. She told herself to brave. She walked as Kelly, dressed so handsomely in a nice black button down shirt and jeans, checked his phone again. Taking a deep breath, Adelaide pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Hey," she said shyly, walking over to him.
"You made it," smiled Kelly. He got up to greet her and wrapped his arms around in a warm hug. She left the light touch of his lips on her cheek when he gave her a quick kiss. "Let's get a table," he suggested.
At his warm greeting, AJ's guilt kicked in. She could not believe she had almost decided to leave him waiting, all because she had been a little nervous. Trying to ease the guilt she said, "I'm sorry I'm late."
"No worries," Kelly assured her, pulling out a chair for her. "Oh these are for you," he said, presenting the small bouquet.
"They're gorgeous," said Adelaide, taking in the beautiful aroma of the flowers.
"You're welcome. So tell me about yourself," he asked.
At that, the ice broke between them and sitting with him became easier for Adelaide. He kept her talking by asking questions about her job, her family, where she lived before Chicago and more. She also learned that firefighters had a lot of stories. Kelly regaled with tales of some of the most amazing rescues squad 3 had been through. AJ was in awe of the brave man sitting in front of her and all the people she had met at the firehouse the other day. Kelly distracted her so well, Adelaide didn't notice his hand moving until he took hold of hers. Just like that day in the hospital, he gave her a light squeeze of assurance and didn't let go.
"Thanks for a great dinner," Adelaide said as Kelly led her outside.
"Hey, this was the most fun I've had in a long time," admitted Kelly.
"Me too," blushed Adelaide, biting her bottom lip out of habit.
Kelly moved in closer to her, placing both hands on her shoulders before say, "So tell me we can do this again…please."
The please he added last minute but it was endearing nonetheless, forcing Adelaide to answer, "Yes, I'd really that."
He was going to kiss her. AJ felt it she moment he started to lean in. Being so much shorter than him, her arms wrapped around his waist instead of his neck as he pulled her close. Kelly had meant to be quick but found himself deepening their kiss, ending the date on the perfect note.
The next morning Severide was on shift. They had already been called to two fires this morning and were finally getting a short break.
"Severide, my office," ordered Chief Boden.
"Any idea what that's about," asked Casey? Severide just shrugged as he got up to follow Boden.
"Take a seat, Kelly," Boden said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Kelly knew something was up from the expression on his Chief's face. "What's up Chief," he asked?
"Arson Investigations just called," said Boden. "Apparently the fire that started there two days ago wasn't just poor electoral wiring."
"You mean they think someone intentionally started it," Kelly asked in shock.
"Almost positive," he nodded. "They found accelerants loaded in the top floor of the building."
"Damn," muttered Kelly. "Do they know who did it yet?"
Boden shook his head, the disappointment evident in his mood. "The investigation is still ongoing. Captain Cunningham might be reaching out to you for questioning," explained Boden.
"That all," asked Kelly. Bowden gave a short nod, dismissing the lieutenant.
Taking advantage of not having a call come through, Kelly grabbed him cell and headed outside the firehouse to make a call. He already had the number memorized since the day she had given it to him. Three rings passed before he heard her voice on the other end. It was shocking to Kelly how quickly his heart leapt at the sound of her voice.
"Kelly," AJ answered excitedly. "How are you?"
"I'm good," he answered. "Listen, I'm on shift but I was hoping you could stop by the firehouse today. There's something I need to fill you in on."
"Ummm, yeah of course," said Adelaide. "How about I stop by in a few hours?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll see you then," said Kelly. Just as Severide walked in, the sound system announced a call.
Ambulance 61, Truck 51, Squad 3. Single car collision on Jefferson and Waldash.
"Let's move," Severide called out, jumping into his turnout gear.
"Right behind you, Severide," Casey called out, taking his seat in Truck 51.
The trucks pulled out and rushed towards the accident scene. Squad reached the scene first with ambulance 61 and truck 51 following behind.
"Jesus," Capp explained, taking in the scene.
The car had been pushed off the road and was teetering on top of a freeway overhead pass. Squad went to work right away, knowing the car could go over any minute. The driver was conscious behind the wheel. There was a gash running around his right temple. His hands were ghost white, locked in a tight grip on the steering wheel.
"It's going over," Severide shouted. He was the first one to reach the vehicle, putting all if his weight on the trunk.
"We got it," Mills shouted, taking Severide's spot with Mouch, Herman and Otis joining in. Every man from truck 51 was working to hold the car while squad worked to stabilize it in place.
"Dawson, you're up. Make it quick," Severide called out once he knew it was safe for the paramedic to work.
"Shay, grab the backboard," said Dawson, leaning over the man.
"Hey, my name is Shay. Don't be scared. We're going to get you out of here," Leslie assured him.
"I'm Gabby, what's your name hun," Dawson asked, wrapping a neck guard around the man's cervix.
"He's in shock," Shay claimed, noticing the man could not speak.
The man stuck behind the steering wheel gave out a short gasp before slamming his foot down on the gas pedal of the car.
"Hey, get your foot off the gas," Severide shouted. "Get your foot off the glass!"
"Severide," Casey exclaimed, noticing the car was pushing forward against the blocks.
"Hold on," said Shay, reaching for a small syringe and inserted the sedative through his neck.
Dawson took a deep breath and looked over to her partner, "Nice work."
"Thanks, now let's get the hell out of here," suggested Shay.
A few hours later They were back in the firehouse after a long, intense call. Apparently the man had been trying to avoid a stray that had somehow made its way onto the freeway. He lost control and the car swerved into the rail of the overhead.
They were pulling into the driveway when Capp asked, "Hey Severide, isn't that your girl?" He was pointing to small, short figure, bundled up in black coat and scarf standing next to a sleek Audi R8 Spyder.
They let Severide off next to the car before pulling into the firehouse. He jogged over, smiling at the girl humorously shaking from the cold.
"Is Chicago always this cold? I think I saw a couple of penguins go by; they were crying," Adelaide exclaimed, causing Severide to burst out laughing.
"What are you doing outside," he asked?
"I just pulled up when you guys came in behind me," said Adelaide. "Can we go in please?"
Reaching over, Kelly opened her car door. "Hold on, let's talk out here," suggested Severide. He made his way around the front and hopped into the passenger seat.
"So this suggests something series," Adelaide laughed nervously, trying to break the tension.
"Hey, it kind of is," sighed Kelly. "That fire that broke out in your apartment building wasn't by accident. Arson investigations has already found some evidence it was intentional. You're not going to be able to get back into your place until the investigation is over."
Shock and worry caused her bite her lip out of habit. "Kelly, I don't understand. Why would someone do that?"
Kelly was silent for moment, trying to put together the best way to explain. "If he or she is an excitement arsonist they're not in it to kill but they don't care if someone does die. Its like they're an adrenaline junkie and fires, huge chaotic fires, are what do it for them."
"That's sick," she shook her head in disgust.
Kelly reached over, his fingers lightly touching under her chin, and turned her to face him. "Whatever it takes, they are going to find this guy," he assured her. "I'm going to make sure whoever did it doesn't get away."
"I've had nightmares when I was out of it in the hospital," Adelaide admitted. "At the time, when I was helping those kids, I didn't think I'd be so afraid and now I can't sleep."
"Okay, I have an idea so hear me out," said Kelly. "Why don't you move in with me and Shay?"
"You and Shay, seriously," she asked. "You guys would take me in?"
"Yeah, the place is great but Otis wants to move out and we need another roommate," explained Kelly.
"So you would be okay living together even though we're kind of, sort of dating," Adelaide asked nervously.
"Is that moving too fast for you," he asked worriedly?
"Well, yeah it is a little. I've never moved in with a guy I was dating," admitted AJ.
"Look, I promise to keep it as simple as possible. No awkwardness," he promised "I just want to have a place where you feel safe and I'm not worrying about my girl being burnt to a crisp or having nightmares."
A smile spread across her lips as AJ asked, "I'm your girl?"
Kelly's answer was wrapping his hand around the back of her neck and pulling her into a heated kiss. "What you do think," he smirked. Adelaide couldn't stop the blush that spread across her cheeks as she stared down at his hands hold hers.
"Are you hungry? I made lunch," she remembered, reaching in the back seat for a picnic basket she had backed to carry everything over.
"Yeah, let's head in," said Kelly.
