Thanks for the amazing reviews for the last chapter; they are keeping me going right now! So here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it and I would really like to hear what you guys think after it.

Also its about 5500+ words so have fun!

Chapter 6 – Saviour

Gabby walked around and looked for Shay, desperate to get out of the firehouse and away from Matt, she sighed when she noticed Matt and Shay sitting close to each other, their heads down, speaking quietly. She stood the doorway and thought for a moment, unsure of what to do. "Hey Dawson, any chance of you making one of your amazing lunches today?" Her name caught her attention and she looked up towards the voice, finding Cruz standing by the kitchen bench, waiting for her to answer. Matt and Shay's head snapped up at the sound of her name as well, both holding back a look that she couldn't quite read. Nodding her head, Gabby headed over towards the bench, enjoying the distraction of cooking lunch for the group.

It had become quiet not long after she started cooked, each of the members of the house finding themselves lost in their own thoughts or activities, Gabby no different, she was so focused on the food she was making, she didn't even notice Matt standing by her side until she turned and ran into him, her hands coming to his chest to steady herself, "Oh! Sorry Matt, I didn't see you there…" She moved away from him, instantly missing the feeling of being so close to him, she really needed to get herself under control. "It's ok, I figured you didn't hear me talking to you when you didn't answer…" He smiled back at her slightly, trying to gauge her reaction to him, considering she had been ignoring his texts over the last few days.

"Yeah, sorry I was thinking about what I had to do for lunch, I really mustn't have heard you, what did you say?" She turned around time, taking him all in, inwardly loving the image of him standing in his grey CDF t-shirt, taking in how it fit tightly to his chest. He shrugged slightly, "Just wanted to know how you were that's all." He was a little shy, not sure what to say to her because he didn't know what she was thinking about what had happened between them. "Oh, I'm fine, been just busy the last few days really… how are you?" She turned back to her work, making sure that the gas was off, knowing what was coming next. "Yeah I've been alright … can we talk?" Gabby laughed to herself quietly, knowing that he would want to talk to her and knowing he would ask her to talk her today. "Yeah, sure… lets go out the back…" She motioned for him to follow her, wanting to make sure they could talk in private, away from the prying ears of those around them.

Matt followed her towards the back of the house, heading out the side door to the back there they would go if they needed a break from being inside, it was quiet enough to think for yourself and away from anyone who would hear them unless they had been followed. Leaning his back up against the brick wall Matt waited for Gabby to be comfortable, noticing she moved around a little bit, trying to decide where to stand or sit or lean that would allow her to be comfortable enough to talk, he didn't want to push her at all. "Look…" he started after a few second, realising that she wasn't going to say anything unless he did first, "… I want to say sorry for the other day. You were telling me about something that happened in your life and I tried to take advantage of you. That was not what I wanted and I know it shouldn't have happened…" He looked down, trying to keep himself from pushing himself away from the wall and crushing his lips on to hers.

Gabby looked back at him confused, scolding herself for thinking that he actually wanted to kiss her that he could have actually wanted to be with her that he had feelings for her. Straightening her back Gabby sighed, "It's fine Matt, really, it's not a big deal. Don't worry about it, it's already forgotten…" She went to move away from him, frustrated with his statement she went to head back inside but he stopped her, his hand coming around her arm to stop her from moving inside, "That's not what I meant Gabby…" He was close to her now, his chest almost pressed against her back, his voice low and his hand still on her arm, what was he doing? Gabby stopped, shocked at his movements but also shocked at how it didn't bother her, shocked at how much she wanted to turn around and press her lips to his, the overwhelming feeling of want for him. Her words came out in a soft, forced tone, "What did you mean then…?" She turned her head slightly, looking back at him she noticed that he was so close, their bodies a hair width a part.

His hand slipped from her arm to her waist, pulling her slightly closer to him as she sucked in a breath, swallowing deeply as her hands covered his, holding them to her. "Matt…" her voice was soft, barely above a whisper as he turned her towards him slowly; giving her time to pull away is she wanted. As she turned to face him, Gabby closed her eyes, she knew that she wouldn't be able to control herself is she opened them, but much to her dismay she couldn't control her hands, finding them reaching out to touch Matt's chest, her eyes opening slowly. "Gabby…" his voice matched hers, his eyes glancing from her lips back up to her eyes within an instant, he wanted her, she wanted him, what was the problem? "You don't know anything about me Matt, this isn't as easy as it seems…" she was trying to convince him and herself that this wasn't a good idea but it fell on deaf ears as he reached up and touched her cheek, his fingers tangling in her hair.

In the distance they both heard the sound of the alarms going off, neither really paying much attention to them until the address was called out, "Fully involved building fire - 615 West Kemper Place." With that Gabby jumped away from Matt, her heart thumping in her chest, fear seeping into ever part of her. Matt was not far behind Gabby, heading towards 51 with no clue how he was going to pull himself away, his need too great. Heading into the garage, both Matt and Gabby were greeted with waiting rigs, Gabby calling out to Shay to drive as fast as she could, her hands shaking. "Gabby what is it?" Shay looked over to Gabby as she drove, for the first time in a long time, Ambulance 61 was ahead of Truck and Squad.

Gabby fidgeted nervously, "That's James' school."

Gabby swallowed deeply as they pulled up to the fully involved school fire. Teachers lined the streets, kids crying and shaking all sitting in lines, making sure not to move too far so they didn't get lost or hurt. Jumping from the ambo before it had even pulled to a stop, Gabby looked around, she couldn't see James' teacher anywhere but she knew he would be safe, every other teacher was there, chances are she just couldn't see them in all the commotion. Meeting up with the Chief and the other ambulances that had turned up, Gabby and Shay made their way through the teachers, checking each student to make sure they were alright, thankfully everyone had gotten out before any major damage happened. Turning to watch the scene in front of her, Gabby watched as the Squad guys and the Truck guys from 51, 77 and 38 made their way through the school, listening in on the radio to Casey and Severide's voices.

She began to shake, something was not right about the scene in front of her, something was not right about all of this. Just as she went to turn to Shay, who had noticed the change in her PIC's demeanour, a large explosion came from the back of school, everyone gasped, some people cried out, but there was nothing they could do now, nothing, the frantic voices of the staff blending into one as they watched the flames lick higher into the sky. Each lieutenant sounding off through the radio to say they were ok, before heading back out the way they had come, each coming into view, Matt and Severide making their way to the Chief, who nodded before the teams went off to their areas, ready to tackle the fire head on. Gabby looked around then, something was still not right and that's when she saw it, James' teacher was frantic, looking around, counting out loud, panicking even more when she glanced up to find Gabby looking at her.

Within a moment the teacher was by her side, Gabby vaguely aware that Shay, Matt, Severide and the Chief was just behind her. "Ms Dawson …" a few quick breathes, tears streaking down her face, the teacher continued, "…James, I can't find him anywhere! He was here when I counted out but he and another student are missing!" Gabby's face paled, all sense of understanding was lost on her as the words fell from the teachers mouth, except that her child was missing. She blinked, unsure of how to respond that's when a young child, around James' age came up to them. "I saw James go back into the school. We couldn't find Sarah and I think he went to find her…" The boys voice was quiet, part of him knowing he should have said something earlier but with everything that had happened he never had the chance. Gabby staggered, she felt sick, James had gone back into the school; he had gone back into the fire to help someone. Shay reached out and touched her arm, Gabby thankful now that she had confided in Shay.

She turned then, turned to face the four people standing behind her, the only words she could get out were that of a plead; pleading for Matt to go back in, the look in her eyes telling them enough that gained a simple nod from the Chief. She watched on as Matt and Severide pulled on their masks, the little boy telling them where they might be, running off as fast as possible back into the school. Gabby couldn't have even told you how long she had been standing there for, watching, waiting, so numb to say anything, to numb to cry. Just stand there with Shay's arm around her, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Hours could have passed and she wouldn't have known nor did she care, she just wanted to have her child in her arms once more. That's when it happened; there was another explosion, this time a little closer to where the two fire fighters had gone into the building, this time she gasped, her hand rushing to her mouth, but not being able to tear her eyes away.

"We got them Chief, we are coming out!" Matt's voice found her ears, still not enough to stop the complete dread that had been building inside of her, not until she saw her son for herself and then, within moments Matt and Severide were running over to them, a child in each arm, the little girl holding onto Severide's neck, James laying limply across Matt's arms. Suddenly James was placed on the gurney by the paramedic's feet, the little girl on her feet by the group coughing deeply but seemingly ok. Then there was James; he was unconscious, lying still on the bed the moment Matt had placed him down, that's when Gabby snapped. She jumped into paramedic mode, albeit with tears streaking down her face, but she checked his vital signs, he was breathing but he wasn't waking up.

"Come on James…" she mumbled to herself as she tore open his shirt, finding bruising already starting to form on his small chest and stomach, "James wake up for me baby…" she tried again, not even watching as Shay moved around him, doing what she needed to do, an IV placed into his arm, the heart monitor being placed on his chest. "James!" Gabby's voice rose with fear are she rubbed her knuckles against his sternum hoping to get some response that never came. Why wasn't he waking up? Severide and the Chief just watched on as their PIC tried everything she could to hold it together, tears streaking down her cheek for the child on the gurney, not 100% sure what was going on but knowing it was serious. Matt had moved close to Gabby by now, watching as her hands as they shook while she moved over the child. "Damn it James, don't do this … OPEN YOUR EYES FOR ME BABY!" she had started to yell, it was not rational or understood because he was not conscious but that's what she did, something about it seemed to work.

The group of four watched as the boy moved his head, a groan escaping his lips as she turned his head to the side, looking for the source of the yelling. "Mum?" was the only word that slipped from his mouth when his eyes met hers, a heartbreaking sob escaping Gabby's lips as she rested both her palms on the side of the bed, bending over slightly and dropping her head, blowing out a breath of air, a sigh of relief followed by a sob. "Oh baby …" she looked back at him, her face fresh with tears as he reached out to touch her face, a smile forming on both their faces. The others watched on confused but happy at the interaction between what seemed to Gabby and her son, Shay leaning over slightly, touching Gabby's hand with hers. "Come on, let get him to the hospital…" Shay nodded towards the ambo as Gabby smiled tearfully at her, "Yeah, let get you checked out…" with one last glance around at the others, she smiled at Matt, a smile that held all the praise and appreciation she could muster at the moment, knowing that he would be getting more than a smile when she had calmed down.

As they moved him towards the back of the ambo, Gabby never left his side and their hands never left each other's but only stopped when the little girl came to their side, the little girl who James had gone back into see. "James … thank you …" she reached out to touch his arm, receiving a nod in return but then the girl looked at Gabby, still in complete earshot of the others who were just watching her, knowing they were listening to everything that was being said, "Ms Dawson… James came back to find me, he helped me get out of the bathroom but then we got stuck, something fell from the roof and he pushed me out the way …" she sniffed, retelling the story as Gabby placed her hand on the girls shoulder, "…I couldn't get him out, he was stuck under whatever had fallen …then - " This is when she looked towards Matt, "- he came and got him out." She ran back to her teacher suddenly, afraid that she would get into trouble. Gabby was shocked, her son had saved the little girl but almost gotten himself killed in the process. Matt had been the one to save him … She really needed to thank him later, but for now, they needed to get James to the hospital.

It had been over an hour since they had brought James to the hospital, Shay waiting outside while the doctors spoke to Gabby, informing her that he was going to be fine, the bruising would subside and he would be discharged the next day. He was lucky not to have any broken ribs or more significant damage, she was thankful for that. Her son was alive and he was going to be fine. She watched as he slept peacefully on the bed, glad for the peace and quiet, she sighed, the full force of the day hitting her as she felt her body relax, tiredness come over her suddenly. Deciding it was time for a walk and a coffee, Gabby rose from her seat, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving, reaching for her phone to call Antonio on the way out. With her head down she started typing her text message, hitting send before turning round the corner to where the coffee stall was and the waiting room. There she noticed all of Squad and Truck, still in their turn out gear sitting in the waiting room seats, Shay sitting next to Severide as they chatted quietly.

Matt was the first to notice her standing her, a bewildered look on her face, shaking again. He came to her side quickly, thinking the worst when he saw her, his movements gaining the attention of the other fire fighters in the room, they watched closely as she glanced around, complete shock and amazement coming to her face, realising they had been waiting for her, waiting to hear about her son, they had been there for her. "Is he ok?" his voice held concern, concern for a child he knew nothing about, concern for a child that she had kept secret from them all. Seeing the concern on all their faces, Gabby broke, tears streaming down her face although a smile gracing her lips, confusing everyone. "Yes, yes he is going to be fine. He is being released tomorrow …" she reached up suddenly, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled Matt close. "Thank you so much Matt, thank you…thank you…" She whispered in his ear as he held her back, his body relaxing against hers when she said he was going to be fine, the fear of the boy dying leaving his system.

Before pulling away Gabby placed a gently kiss against his cheek, wanting to thank him more than she possibly could for saving her son's life, "He is alive because of you, I have no way of thanking you or repaying you for that Matt." She pulled away from him, greeted with a smile and a nod, "You don't need to thank me, I would have done it all again …" He touched her cheek, brushing the tears from her face as he did so. Smiling back Gabby glanced over his shoulder to Severide who had also stood, wanting to hear if he was going to be ok as well. She moved towards him, her arms going to his neck as well, another thank you falling from her lips, but the kiss was only reserved for Matt, something that made Matt smile slightly and Severide grin at, he couldn't be mad about it. "Don't need to thank us Gabby, really." He placed his hand on her shoulder, a nod following.

Everyone else in the room rose to hug her, Herman holding on tight as he knew what it was like having kids, and one by one they walked back to their trucks, needing to head back to the house, tired from the call of the day. Chief had undoubtedly given her the rest of the shift off and also the next few, telling her not worry about a thing with a smile and a hug, before moving away as well, leaving just Matt and Gabby in the waiting room. She looked away embarrassed, unsure of what to say to him. Gabby had feelings for him, honest to god feelings for Matthew Casey but she couldn't follow them, she knew heartache and heartbreak and she couldn't do that to herself, her son or Matt for that matter. It was just too much, he had become a close friend but she couldn't have more than that … could she? Groaning she turned away from him, "Oh, god today has just been a nightmare. I don't know how I am going to be able to relax after this…" She rubbed her hands over her face, the full understanding of the day reaching her.

"Hey, it's ok. James in going to be alright, the little girl is going to be alright." Matt had placed his hand on her shoulder now, taking a step towards her back, the warmth radiating from his body to hers, unwittingly Gabby relaxing in his touch, her body slumping backwards slightly to rest against his chest. God what was she doing!? If she had the energy, Gabby would have slapped herself but she couldn't, she didn't have the strength for anything right now and Matt, well he made her feel safe and warm. "I know … but all of this now means that you all deserve an explanation." She really didn't want to have to talk about it, it was all too painful but she knew that she couldn't not tell them, not after what they all had done for her. "Hey …" Matt was now whispering in her ear, not even caring that the others were waiting for him outside, "…you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We are a family here and we don't expect anything. If you want to tell us what happened then you do, if you don't we will still be there to back you up." She nodded against him, not daring to glace back knowing he was so close.

Suddenly pulling away, Gabby took a step from him, "You should go, they are waiting for you and I should get back to James. Thank you again Matt." She reached for his hand, holding it tightly for a moment before he turned from her, rushing out the door back to his waiting truck. Gabby smiled to herself, he had risked his life to save her son, and the whole house had sat there for over an hour, waiting for any news on her son, she really was finally home.

The first thing Matt did after shift the next morning was head towards the hospital, he wanted to see Gabby and James, he hadn't stopped thinking about them all night. As he walked into the hospital room the first thing he noticed was Gabby sitting with her legs tucked underneath her on the chair to the side, sun streaming through the window and lighting her up, but she was cold, he could tell by the way her arms were wrapped around herself, trying to keep warm. Smiling gently to himself, Matt moved over to her side, before dropping his large jacket over her, watching as she grabbed onto it, a small smile gracing her lips. He turned back towards the child in the hospital bed, pulling the chair from the other side of the room over to sit by the bed, just looking at the small boy. To say that he was shocked to find out that Gabby had a son was an understatement; he couldn't believe it and if the boy hadn't have called her 'mum' he probably still wouldn't have believed it. Shaking his head, Matt looked down and noticed just how much he looked like Gabby. He honestly didn't know what to feel, his feelings for Gabby hadn't changed he knew that much but he now thought of how much more difficult it would be to convince her to go out with him, it wasn't just her she had to think of, she had her son to think of as well.

Movement caught Matt's attention and he looked up to find the boy looking back at him, a slightly confused look on his face. "Hey, you're awake…" Matt leaned forward, a smile coming to his face when he noticed that James was up, "…let me wake your mum…" Matt moved to stand, thinking that Gabby would want to know that he was awake, but James stopped him, "Wait…" He coughed, trying to sit up slowly until Matt helped him, raising the boy to lean forward, reaching for a pillow to place behind his back, handing him the cup of water that waited to be drunk. Coughing once more, James sat backwards on the bed, looking over at Matt with a look of realisation. "You saved me…" Matt nodded, "Yea I did buddy. I'm Matt Casey by the way." The look of confusion on James' face told him that he wasn't sure exactly why he had to be saved so Matt continued, "Apparently you went back into the school because there was a little girl in there, you saved her life buddy. Next time though, don't scare your mother like that, she was terrified…" He laughed gently as James looked over towards his mother, a sad look coming to his face. "Yeah I know I shouldn't have but no one else cared that she was in there…" He looked away again, slightly embarrassed that he was getting into trouble from someone he didn't know, not looking forward to the scolding he was going to get from his mother when she woke up.

"Hey, listen to me. What you did yesterday was the bravest thing I have ever seen from a kid your age. You just have to know that your mother loves you, I could tell by how scared she was when we brought you out to her." Matt placed his hand on James' arm, watching as the boy nodded gently, before closing his eyes again, still exhausted from the pain killers he was on. "Oh hey…" Matt's head snapped up to find Gabby looking at him, a sleepy smile on her face, her hands still clenched around his jacket. "Hey, I didn't know you were up." He spoke softly, slowly moving his hand away from James; unsure of how Gabby would react knowing that he had just spoke to her son. He watched her sit up slowly, stretching her arms over her head, his jacket falling around her knees but she didn't try and move it, only to bring it back to her chest when she leaned over towards the bed. "Yea I figured, I heard you talking to James, I heard what you said …" she smiled at him before rising from her chair, placing the jacket down gently before coming to Matt's side and wrapping her arms around his neck, an action that shocked Matt for a moment before he relaxed, his arms going around her waist. "Matt, I know I said this yesterday, but thank you so much for going in after him. You have no idea how much it means to me that you were there." She pulled back and looked him in the eyes; her look holding more appreciation than her words could have possible done.

Matt just smiled back, courageously running his hand over her hair, smoothing it out slightly, "You don't have to thank me Gabby. I would do it again if it needed to be done." His voice was low, suddenly realising how close their faces were but Matt knowing now was definitely not the time to try anything. She laughed suddenly, "God I really hope you don't have to do it again…" Gabby pulled away, sitting on the side of the bed, looking down at James who was still asleep. "…I don't know whether to yell at him or hug him. He gets it from his father, the courage and sense of need to help others; I just wish he thought before he acted. He is so strong…exactly like his father…" She words were soft, almost spoken for herself but Matt heard them, almost as though she was daring him to ask about James father. He wanted to, but first he wanted Gabby to know something. "Hey…" he reached for her hand, "…your son is strong because he has a strong mother, a mother who cares about everyone else in the world, probably even when she shouldn't. He has gotten more from you than you realise. I can already see it." Matt squeezed her hand, noticing a small tear forming in her eye but she wouldn't let it fall, neither did she let their hands fall, enjoying the feel of someone caring about her.

There was silence between them for a few moments, Matt and Gabby still holding each others hand, Gabby's free one rubbing James cheek gently, she spoke suddenly, "We were so young, I hadn't even turned 18 when I found out I was pregnant. His father, Chris, was a good man, a close friend who cared about me, loved me and I loved him. He was 22 when I told him I was pregnant. I had just finished school, heading to college with the intent of being a paramedic, he was already a cop and he freaked so he left. I can't blame him; I have never blamed him to be honest with you I was freaked out enough myself. I thought about not having James, thought about what would happen if I'd given him up or just not had him." Matt leaned forward, wanting her to look at him but he knew she wouldn't continue if he tried to get her to turn around, her face focused on her son's sleeping one. She paused for a moment; thinking maybe Matt would say something but he let her continue, let her tell the story she had been holding on to for so long.

Taking a deep breath Gabby continued, "But by this stage my brother and his wife had already had their first, she was only a few years old and I loved her, I loved the interaction between her and her mother, the love that was shared, granted I never got to have much of that with my own mum," Her comment was offhand, something that confused Matt, making a note that he would have to try and find out what she was talking about at another point. "So I decided to have him," she continued, "and it was hard, I mean I had my brother and my sister in law, I was still trying to get some study in when I can but it was hard because I was mostly alone. Until one day Chris turned up at my door step about six months after James was born, he told me had made a mistake leaving, he wanted nothing more than to be in his sons life and so I let him. Simple as that." By this time Gabby had dropped her head, dropping Matt's hand in the process, vaguely aware that she missed the contact and yet he stayed silent, letting her take all the time she needed to continue. "We were happy, from that moment on, we were happy, a family. One day I was in class, finishing off the last of my classes before starting my medic rotation and there was a knock at the door, I looked up and found Chris' partner standing at the door, his face sad and tearstained. I broke down in the middle of my class, he didn't even have to say anything and everyone staring at the 22 year old young mother who was balling her eyes out."

Gabby let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back the emotion, as this had been the first time she had actually talked about that day that hadn't been there or already knew. Matt stood suddenly, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer as she shook a little, "He was still in his uniform when he came to find me, being Chris's best friend he wanted to tell me. He had been killed on the job, shot by a drug dealer who thought Chris was coming after him, not even realising that Chris had finished for the day, heading to his car to pick James up from day care. He killed him out of cold blood because he thought Chris was coming after him." That's when she let out a sob causing Matt's heart to break for her, she had been so sad for so long that he wasn't surprised that she was breaking down. Pulling her from the bed, Matt wrapped his arms around her properly, letting her head fall to his chest as her arms went around his waist, holding him tightly.

He placed a kiss to the top of Gabby's head, just letting her cry as much as she needed too, waiting for the moment that she relaxed, a deep sigh escaping her lips. As she pulled away Gabby wiped her face, more than a little embarrassed that she had broken down the way she did in front of him, "I'm sorry, I can't believe that happened…" Gabby went to pull way from Matt but his hands caught her suddenly, forcing her gently to look up at him, "Hey, don't you ever be sorry about how you feel ok. There is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed of, do you hear me?" All she could do was give a half hearted nod, moving back to the bed to be close to her son, Matt taking his seat back on the chair, needing to be close to her to know she was going to be ok, he reached out a took her hand again, an action she didn't stop.

So it finally happened! What do you all think? :D