'Lieutenant, you know I'm still on shift, right?' Dawson said, pulling away from his kiss. 'And I'm afraid we can't stay here forever.' Cars trundled past and they both became aware of people ogling at the two of them as they passed. It didn't help that Dawson was still in her kit, complete with helmet in one hand.

'I know,' Casey sighed wistfully, going back in for another kiss. She let him, but then pulled away again.

'I'm serious. If Boden notices I'm gone…' Reluctantly, they got into the car and as they drove, Casey told her how he'd seen them on the news and about Mauden's car being at the site.

'There will be an enquiry. Boden will speak to Arson,' she tried to reassure him, but her words sounded flat even to herself. They pulled up around the corner from House 51. 'Or you could go directly to PD?'

Casey nodded. They both knew that 'PD' meant Antonio. 'I'm going to go now,' he said, 'I can't face any more hanging around.'

'Am I coming around later?' Dawson asked, smiling mischievously. Casey groaned, remembering his hurried flight from the apartment.

'I've locked myself out. I'll have to wait until Severide lets me in. Damn…' He realised that he was passing up alone-time with Dawson.

'Ok, well, I'll see you later,' she said, with one last kiss. He watched her safely around the corner and pulled away.

Antonio already knew most of what Casey told him, thanks to Gabby. Boden had also called it in when Mauden's car had been found at the site. Although they'd sent officers to the scene, Mauden was nowhere to be found.

'There's not a lot we can do for now. The investigation's open, we'll speak to Arson.' They were sat outside the station with a coffee each. 'Apart from that…'

'You don't have anything on him?' Casey asked, deflated.

'Nah, I checked weeks ago. Gabby mentioned you had some sort of tete-a-tete with him after a call, so I thought I'd scope it out. She also said you'd been suspended?'

'Yep, got the hearing in a couple of days. I just saw red…' At least the hearing would just be a formality, now that Mauden had shown his true hand. 'I just don't get what he's doing, why he's got it in for us?'

'Look, my advice is just to hold tight. If we find anything, I'll let you know. But he's gone AWOL and if we can't find him, neither will you.'

'Cheers Antonio.' Casey didn't say what was on his mind though: what if Mauden found them first?

'Gabby's ok?' Antonio asked as they stood up.

'Yeah, she's great, she's just great.' Antonio raised an eyebrow.

'Something you're not telling me, Matt?' Casey realised he was smiling like a nutter.

'Er…' He choked.

'Whatever, man. I'm sure Gabby will fill me in. Just be careful, ok?' Antonio slapped him on the back. Casey got the feeling he wasn't referring to Mauden.

'Thanks Antonio, I mean it.' It was as good a blessing as he was going to get, and right now he was counting every blessing with fervour.

He waited for her around the corner from the firehouse. He'd left his car back at the flat so that the walk would give him something to do. Brett saw him first and, suddenly remembering that she'd left her phone in her locker, shrunk away with a wink.

Casey waited until Dawson got to him and picked her up. On the side of the road, he'd been so concerned with doing it right, with saying his piece and listening to her, that it had been a bit of a blur. A happy one, but still a blur. When they'd kissed, he'd felt enormously relieved and elated. Now, he wanted to make the most of her. He buried his face into her neck and held her close.

'I could get used to this,' she said when he put her down.

'What's that?' He kissed her, breaking her reply.

'This,' she said, between kisses.

'What? Kissing?'

'Being worshipped.' He laughed and picked her up again.

'I promise to worship you Gabriella Dawson, for the rest of our lives, as long as we both shall live.'

Dawson pulled back with a grimace.

'Don't say that.'

'What?' They fell into walking side by side. He took her bag from her and slung it over his shoulder.

'As long as we both shall live. Sounds… premonitory.'

'Ok. Just forever then?'

'That'll do. So - where are we going?'

'I dunno, I hadn't thought of that… Where do you want to go?'

'Back to yours?'

'I told you – I locked myself out. We'll have to wait for Severide. And then we'll have some explaining to do.'

'Severide won't be back till much later. They're all going straight out after shift.'

'Damn.' He said, but Dawson was positively glowing.

'Which gives us the place to ourselves.'

'Dawson, I'm locked ou-' He started to tell her again, but stopped when he saw what she'd pulled out her pocket.

'Are those…?' She grinned wolfishly at him.

'Severide's keys.'

'Gabriella Dawson,' he said, picking her up again, 'have I told you recently how much I love you?'

'Tell me again.'

'I love you.'

They fell through the door. Dawson pulled Casey's t-shirt over his head. He fumbled with the zip on her hoodie. As he stumbled backwards, his foot caught the leg of a chair and he fell, pulling her down with him. They didn't stop kissing while they laughed.

Her hands were at his belt as he went to unhook her bra.

'Matt, should we at least close the door?' She gasped. He looked over his shoulder at the door, which stood wide open. He grunted in ascent, leapt up to close it, but paused with the doorknob in his hand. Instinct made him stick his head outside, but there was no one there. He slammed it shut.

Dawson was on her feet.

'Where do you think you're going?' He asked, as she scooted around the sofa.

'There's a crazy man trying to kiss me.'

'I think he's going to do a lot more than just kiss you.' He vaulted the sofa, picked her up and set her down along it. They both struggled to get their breath as they kissed.

'Did you lock the door?' Dawson asked suddenly, pulling away. Casey opened his mouth to reassure her, but he found himself doubting whether he had. Mauden was like a tension in the air, faint but still perceptible. He had locked it, but felt better for checking.

But when he turned back to the darkened living room, she was gone.

'Gabby?' He called, panicked. He turned the lights on. Nothing. 'Gabby, please.' And then he saw that the door to his bedroom was open where it hadn't been before. He ran through it. Gabby lay on his bed, her t-shirt and underwear on the floor, laughing at the look on his face.

'Come here hero,' she beckoned to him. He didn't need telling twice.

Ok so maybe I'm getting carried away with all the flirting and the kissing, but it's just so much fun. Just to reiterate that I started this storyline before there was any inkling of Casey and Dawson getting back together on the show, so this is how I pictured it :) Sorry it was short and mega fluffy.

We'll probably get back to the storyline over the next couple of chapters… Or maybe we'll just spend time with Dawsey finally being a couple. Let me know what you think!

Hani86, jscat, Miriam and my guests, I'm glad you like a bit of romance. Hopefully you enjoyed this too!