Author's Note: The problem with writing fanfic is that it's too easy. Compared to "real" work I have to do. My excuse this time is that this is a mental cleansing before I start editing my 380 page book this weekend. I'll write one more chapter tomorrow night before I have to really immerse myself in other stuff.

Barely able to contain her frustration, Allison immediately went home, showered and changed only to stand in the middle of her apartment staring at the off television. She was too tense to sit down for yet another night of loneliness.

That hospital visit upset her in a way that was surprising and unsettling. She shouldn't have been so surprised that Leslie would be seeing someone. Devon was not what she expected, not that she really thought about what kind of type Leslie would have. They never really talked about Leslie's love life, with her own recovery taking center-stage.

But seriously! A nose ring?! Like that woman didn't exude skank enough. Did she think she was some bohemian artist type?

Allison then took a calming breath and tried to put some perspective of why she was so upset.

Yes, she was embarrassed that she thought she and Leslie would have some good quality time and conversation and it was so easily thwarted.

But maybe it wasn't really Leslie's company she was seeking. Maybe she just wanted company.

Ever since Gil's death, she became a hermit, and lost real contact with all of their friends. And when she really thinks about it, they were his friends, not hers. Her own social life took a backseat when she became a resident, using Gil as her only emotional lifeline through that time.

Then he left.

Maybe she gravitated to Leslie as a new emotional lifeline. And that just wasn't smart to be so limited again.

Then Allison thought about Molly's. She had always avoided going there since she returned to 51 to avoid any possibility of running into Chout. She had more than enough of spending time with him during working hours. Giving him any personal time was just suicidal.

Too much analyzing. Just go.

Allison grabbed her jacket, purse and car keys and walked out the door.

Soon enough she paused before Molly's front door and walked in.

The bar wasn't that crowded for a Tuesday night, which was fine for her. And even better, her work partner was nowhere to be seen.

But Gabriela Dawson was standing behind the bar, much to her surprise.

"Hey, Lady!" the bartender greeted. "You have top shelf written all over you."

Allison smiled and relaxed as she moved to take a stool by the bar. "You know, I think you're right. You choose, Dawson."

She grinned and pulled down a nice bottle of aged rum. "You know, I am just about to sell you a very expensive glass of alcohol. So that means you can call me 'Gabby'."

"Then use 'Allison' and we're square. I didn't know you were discharged."

"Been out a week now but still not able to do firefighter duties just yet. And I needed a break from Matt. I do love that man but being his full-time nurse is pushing it," she said as she handed over the glass.

"Ah, got it." Allison took a sip and let the delicious liquid settle. "Oh, that is a nice one! Good call, former PIC!"

"Thanks, current PIC! Hey, Leslie told me you stopped by today. She was pleased."

Allison paused in taking another sip. She was concerned that she felt a sudden zing inside and quickly stifled it. "Really? It was just a brief hello. Devon was there so I didn't want to cut into their alone time."

Gabby's smile instantly disappeared into fury. "You're shitting me! Ugh! Kelly Severide is not going to be a happy man to hear she's hanging out with Leslie in the hospital."

"That's so bad?" Allison asked with feigned innocence. She had heard the public complaints from Kelly and Brian about what went down so this was as good a time as any to get more info. "I thought she was making amends for the burglary."

"Well, yeah, if that's even possible," Gabby said as she wiped down the bar top but noticeably lowering her voice from any possible eavesdroppers. "But between us PIC's, there were bad signs about Devon long before that. Leslie met her at rock bottom, and from what I saw, excessive drinking and partying was the norm for those two. To the point that it started to affect Leslie's job performance."

"… So it sounds like drinking and partying isn't normally Leslie's style."

"Not to that extreme." Gabby then paused and thought for a moment. "Well, to be fair to Devon, I hadn't seen signs of them doing that any of that since she got back. So maybe she really has turned over a new leaf. - But I'm not going to defend her publically to anyone, especially Kelly. Not for a while yet. I need a lot more proof to be singing that woman's praises. A lot more."

Allison paused and then downed the rest of her drink and slid the glass over for another serving. "Speaking of praises, you readying yourself to report to that man cave known as Austin?"

Rolling her eyes, Gabby poured another glass and remarked, "Yeah, it's roses for everyone, right?"