Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to Chicago Fire or it's characters. This is purely for fun, and I am making no money from this story.

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Chapter Fourteen

Following Matt's breakdown, the psychiatrist summoned Gabby to their office on the other side of the ward, and Gabby complied. She needed answers.

Sitting opposite the doctor at his desk, Gabby was quick to ask, "What the hell just happened?"

"Firstly Ms Dawson, I would like to apologise that you had to see that. Matthew is very unwell at the present time. We are presently treating your fiancé with numerous medications to treat his depression, however due to his brain injury it is not simple."

"Can I do anything to help him? I was just sitting there, I didn't know what to say."

"At the moment it is most important that you spend time with Matthew, let him know that he has your support. Matthew has been through a great deal in a very short period of time; the explosion, his injuries, your near miscarriage, it is more than his brain is able to cope with given the damage it has sustained."

"What does that mean? Is he going to get better?"

"Unfortunately we cannot predict how Matthew is going to respond to the treatments that we are trying. You should however try to remain positive. It may take time, but I am cautiously optimistic that Matthew will improve. For now I feel that it's best to focus on one day at a time."

Two days passed without incident, and as dawn broke Shay was speaking to one of the junior doctors charged with her care. "What do you mean? I thought I had another week here."

"You're doing remarkably well, Ms Shay. Dr Hillman is confident that you will be able to be moved to the rehabilitation centre as soon as a bed becomes available. In preparation for your transfer I'll be removing the central lines later on this morning."

"What about the catheter?" Shay asked, voicing her continued dislike of the object.

"As we've said before, Ms Shay, the catheter has to say until you're able to walk. And ignoring your muscle weakness, the latest pelvic x-rays indicate that we shouldn't try to get you out of bed for at least another week."

"Another week? I've been stuck in this bed for over a month," Shay said, exasperated. Initially Shay had been told one month, but now as the hospital staff kept telling her just one more week, it was getting hard to believe. Shay wanted to see progress, she wanted to get back to her work, her life.

"Morning," Kelly greeted Shay as he arrived at her room some hours later, to find her sitting up in bed chatting to a nurse who promptly excused herself with no more than a 'I'll let you tell him.' "Why're you looking so cheerful this morning? What's going on?"

"They're moving me to rehab this afternoon, it's all organised. Clara just told me."

"They've cleared you?" Severide asked, effectively stunned. "You're really clear?" 'It worked, the transplant really worked?' Was what Severide was thinking, though he'd never say it.

"They have. I am."

"Where are they sending you to?"

"Riverside, there's a rehab centre there that they recommended."

"Riverside? That's an hour away." Kelly was shocked. Seeing Shay's face begin to fall, he quickly amended, "Hey, hey. I'll be there every step of the way, you know that."

"I know."

As was becoming routine, Gabby stopped in to see Matt on her lunch hour, but today was not proving to be a good day for either member of the couple.

"...I miss how we used to be, don't you?" Matt said, breaking an uneasy silence that had fallen between them.

Gabby could literally feel her heart breaking as she heard her fiance's desolate words. But though she wanted to agree with Matt, yes she did miss how they were before the explosion, Gabby also remembered the doctor's words. "We'll get back there, babe. One day at a time."

"I'm never going to walk again. I'm never going to get back to work. You deserve better than this, both of you do."

"Matt," Gabby began; she had heard this before, "It doesn't matter whether you're able to walk, or go back to work, me and this baby need you. We need you."

Shay was watching as a nurse packed her things to take to the rehabilitation centre, when Gabby walked into her hospital room, her eyes red from crying. "Hey, what's going on? Are you alright? Is Matt?"

"I can't keep doing this, Shay," Gabby sobbed. "It doesn't matter what I say or do, Matt's just gone, he's not the same."

"Hey, it's okay, Dawson," Shay said soothingly as she brought her arms around her friend. "Where's this coming from?"

"It's just- I don't... It's so hard, you know? Seeing him like this. I don't know if I can do it."

"I know. But you can do this, and you and Casey will be alright. It won't always be like this."

"I know, but first the outbursts, and now this... I just need something to go right for once."

The rehabilitation centre was quite pleasant really, Shay reflected as she was settled in to her new room. The centre was reasonably modern, and she had a room to herself, which apart from the hospital bed was a very homely place, complete with a private ensuite, and television as well as a small sitting area. Small was a relative term however, nothing about the room was small as it was designed specifically for wheelchair accessibility.

The carers were also very kind, Shay decided given the warm reception she had received. Yes, despite her fears about being so far from her friends when they needed her, Shay could see that this was going to be a good place to get well.

To Be Continued...

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