Chicago Fire doesn't belong to me. If it did Leslie Shay would not be dead and our characters would get a break, and be more happy. Blame the actual show runners for canon being how it is. ^_^

Kelly got the number for Jodie from his dad, and she was happy to help him. She told him about her after school program. Treehouse place. So he headed over on his day signed in at the front desk, got a name badge, and headed toward the gym he was directed to.

Music played, a sharp pounding beat. The song sounded familiar.

'Weren't the Blackhawks using it?', Kelly thought knowingly

What looked to be a teacher/coach was calling encouragement to-

'Was that really Sam?'

She was moving effortlessly, spinning on her feet. She dropped to the mat in a split, bounded back up. As the song ended, she moved into a small set of back flips.

Stopping to catch her breath, Sam heard clapping and cheers. She turned with 'deer in the headlights' written all over her face.

"Kelly?"

"Wow. Never thought he'd show up.' Sam thought, stunned

She walked toward the bleachers that lined a wall, and Kelly fell into a easy step beside her.

They sat.

"So." Kelly began.

"I know that first meeting could have gone better. I want to try again. I got Jodie's okay, let's get out of here. Anything you'd like, my treat. Get away from life for a few hours?"

"Ok"

'I'll give him another chance.' Sam thought with hope.

They checked out of Treehouse. Kelly led her to his car.

"Awesome ride!"

A smile slid over kelly's face, a mix of charming and cocky.

"Thanks. So… Where we headed?"

Sam leaned back in the passenger seat, thinking.

"Could we go by the lake? I've been to the lake shore by the museums, it's peaceful."

"Sure."

They ended up at Navy Pier, Stopping for ice cream. Sam got a cone with cherry chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough. Kelly got fudge mint brownie and cookie dough as well.

They shared basics, filling in the other on their lives.

It got late, and they headed back, stopping at the ice cream place for a quart of the fudge mint brownie.

He'd mentioned Shay when he'd talked about his job. When he mentioned using the ice cream as a softening of the fact that he'd kept Sam a secret, it made her crack up.

As they drove back to her foster home, Sam thought about the past few weeks. Her father, and his efforts. She knew he was trying but it was tense. It seemed the same as her life as far-

A ready made family tried, but things fell apart. Ever the same, and she always lost.

But Kelly….

He exuded protective. He was sure of himself, but proud of his work. At the same time, he listened. He seemed to care, and when was the last time she'd found anyone who did? Except Jodie- but that was kinda part of her job description. Jodie Singer did her job very well.

Maybe Kelly wouldn't be like all the other so called "family" she'd spent her life with.

Maybe he wouldn't give up on her.

So she decided to open up a bit more before he left her.

"The car crash that killed my mother. I got hurt too, but they didn't know about it until I'd already had some damage. I've been told I had surgery to fix the damage, but I woke with no memories of before the accident. I don't remember my mother.

I'm so tired of not having anything to call my own. I had to look for family on my own, because no one looked for me"

Sam went silent then, her emotions taking her voice away.

"You aren't alone anymore. I promise you."

Kelly rummaged for paper and a pen

He scribbled quickly, handing it to her.

"That's my cell, call me if you need me. If I'm on shift, It may take me some time but i'll get back to you. I'll have jodie bring you to the firehouse for a few hours soon."

The sheet of paper Sam was holding abruptly went blurry.

Kelly realized that Sam had just gotten way more than she asked, and that talking about her mother and the life she was living had taken a lot out of her.

His mother hadn't been well, but at least he had her and a life of memories.

"Hey, It's okay."

He gently pulled her into a hug.

"It's going to be better, I swear. You aren't alone anymore."

And another chapter is done. More coming. ^_^

The song Sam does her routine to is "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark{Light 'Em Up} by Fall Out Boy. If I remember right, the Blackhawkes used it in the 2013 Playoffs as a theme song.