One of the worst parts of Chicago's winter months was water rescues. The frigid water would suck the breath from your lungs the moment its icy fingers curled around you. Severide dreaded getting into the water. His wetsuit would only keep him warm for so long. He watched Taylor as she drove, guiding the rescue truck quickly but carefully through the city streets.

They arrived on scene to find an SUV partially submerged in the murky water. The first order of business would be to check for victims and secure the vehicle.

As he suited up, Severide glanced up at Taylor. She raised one eyebrow at him, and he winked back in response. That was their on-scene signals for "be careful" and "I will".

Taking Newhouse with him, Severide dove into the freezing water and swam to the front of the vehicle. Peering into the driver's side window, he located the driver slumped against the steering wheel. The kid was maybe seventeen. His head was bleeding a little from smacking the steering wheel. Thankfully, there were no other passengers in the vehicle. Signaling to Newhouse, they began to wrap cables around the rear axle of the SUV. Once that was done, Newhouse surfaced to tell Mills and Brett about their patient.

Alone for the moment, Severide went to work. He could already feel the cold seeping in on him. He needed to move fast. He tried the door, but to no avail. It was too cold to waste time, so he broke out the window, and reached through to open the door. Thankfully, the seat belt didn't give him any trouble. He removed his regulator and pressed it to the kid's face as he pulled him from the driver's seat. With the boy in his arms, Severide headed for the surface.

...

Shivering despite his best efforts not to, and trying to ignore the ache in his side, Severide watched as the SUV was pulled slowly from the water. Ambulance 61 was long gone with the boy, who would hopefully be okay. Taylor came up beside him, his coat in hand. Although he had his Squad jacket on, the heavy turnout coat would provide him with extra warmth. "Thanks." he said, gratefully sliding into it. The familiar smell of soot and smoke wafted up to meet him.

"You're welcome." Taylor stood close to him and watched as the SUV's front tires finally broke through to the surface. She was trying valiantly to hide the fact that she was freezing.

He wanted to stand behind her and wrap his coat around her to share warmth. He knew she was cold - she pretty much stayed cold. He guessed it was from being so used to Georgia weather. But, that would get them in trouble. He made a mental note to crank the heat up on the way back.

Once the SUV was back on dry land, Squad decided to leave. They were cold and hungry, and there really wasn't anything left for them to do.

"How does chili sound for supper, boys?" Taylor asked as everyone piled back into the rig.

They agreed that it sounded delicious.

"Chili it is, then." she smiled, pulling back out onto the road.

Severide reached over and turned the heat up.

"Thank you." Taylor whispered. She hated being cold. It was so cold up here! She wasn't sure she would ever get used to Chicago weather.

He smiled, wondering how long it would be before someone started complaining about the heat.

As she stopped at a light, Taylor happened to glance out her window. A little girl - maybe five or six years of age - was staring up at her from the car beside them, a look of wonder on her petite face. Taylor smiled down at her and waved. The child waved back, ecstatic. Although she couldn't hear what the little girl's voice sounded like, Taylor could read her lips.

"Mommy, Mommy, look! There's a girl driving that fire truck!"

Taylor waved again when the girl's mother twisted around in her seat to see what all the fuss was about. The lady smiled and returned the wave.

The light turned, and Taylor waved to the girl one final time. Sometimes she wished she could have children, but most of the time, she was glad she couldn't. Kids scared her. Burning buildings? Car wrecks? Blood, guts, and gore? Cake. Kids? No way.

She glanced over at Severide and found him slightly hunched over in his seat. "You okay?"

"Yeah." He wasn't convincing as he leaned against the passenger door, brow furrowing as though he were in pain.

She squinted at him quickly, trying to get a read on his condition. "Are you hurt?" she whispered.

"Later." he replied.

Trying not to seem panicked, Taylor quickened her pace.

Author's Note: Apologies for the lateness and shortness of last night's chapter. I felt like crap on a cracker and almost didn't post at all. Apparently, I contracted the 24-hour bug that's currently besieging my home state. Add a developing sinus mess to the mix, and a fun time was had by all. Fortunately, I am better…but my poor husband is not.

Thanks to Sarrabr4, RBCFCPD7410, and TheIrishShipperholic for the reviews! Thanks also to thatrebelbrielle for the follow!