Matt walked into the firehouse the next morning knowing he couldn't avoid Gabby much longer. But he planned on trying to do so for as long as possible. He came to work already in his uniform so he just went straight to his office.

Gabby arrived a few minutes later heading for the locker room. She quickly changed out while her eyes constantly search for Matt to appear. But he never did. She walked out into the sleep area spotting him sitting at his desk in his office. She knew she couldn't run right over to talk to him now for to many people were around. With that Cruz enters the room calling everyone to the briefing room.

Matt walked out of his office now, his eyes instantly meeting Gabby's. Neither one said anything but just walked together each one's body heat radiating thru the others. They may not be talking but something just draws their bodies together like magnets, like they needed the other to function. Both feeling this only scared them more as they entered the briefing room and forcing themselves to go to opposite side of the room.

Boden enters the room to make his usual talk now. At the end he makes one final announcement." So I would like to inform you on the good news I have just received. Dawson will be entering the fire academies new candidate class coming up in a few weeks."

"You'll make a great firefighter." Mouch speaks breaking the silence. But all Gabby could notice is Matt's reaction as he looks down to the floor, blank expression again. Gabby is slowly feeling Matt slip away from her.

Once they are all dismissed Gabby follows Matt back in the direction of his office." Matt are you gonna talk to me?"

"Not now Gabby."

"Then when." She finally grabs his arm to face her right outside his office.

"Gabby I don't know what to say to you."

"What you don't support me on this?" Gabby says snippy.

"It's more complicated then that."

"How is it you either do or you don't?" Gabby snaps back.

"Gabby I,I.."

Before Matt could continue the bell rings as Matt hurries off not saying another word as Gabby watches for a moment before heading to the ambulance.

The call was a minor car accident with just one injury. Shay and Dawson had to take in a patient from the scene before returning back to 51.

"So how did your talk go?" Shay asked during the drive back.

"What talk?"

"Didn't you speak to Casey yet?" Shay asked confused.

"Not by lack of trying." Gabby says curt.

"What is he avoiding you?"

"Seems to be that way." Gabby answers looking out the passenger window.

The arrived back to 51 a few minutes later and Gabby was more determined then ever to speak to Matt for they couldn't go on like this anymore. She walked into the double doors with Shay by her side. Walking up to the common room everyone was scattered around the room in their own worlds except for one pair of blue eyes, watching Gabby's every move. She quickly nodded for him to follow her. He stood up from his chair walking down the hall knowing he can't avoid this anymore.

When Matt caught up to Gabby standing outside the bathroom door she quickly looked around before grabbing his arm and pushing him thru the door, then checking the stalls to make sure the coast was clear before speaking. "What are we in high school."

"No." Matt answered with a slight smile at a sassy Gabby.

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not, I'm avoiding myself." Matt says looking away.

"That makes no sense."

"None of this makes any sense." Matt says instantly hurting Gabby as she takes two steps back.

Matt takes two steps forward to kiss Gabby, but she pulls back from his embrace.

"Don't try to make this any harder." Gabby says annoyed." If you don't want to be with me anymore, just say it."

"That's not what I want." Matt says rubbing his hands over his face." I'm just scared."

Gabby stood shocked for a minute at this vulnerable version of Matt she has never seen." Scared of what?" She asked in a softer tone.

"Of losing you." Matt says meeting her eyes now." I don't want you going to the academy."

"You think I can't handle it?" Gabby says taking his statement the wrong way.

"No I can't handle it." Matt says with a crack in his voice.

Gabby just stands there unsure of what to say next. So Matt continues to speak." No one has ever had this affect on me before, and it scares, me all of it."

"Matt." Gabby tries to speak but is waved off by Matt wanting to continue.

"I know we just got together but." Matt stops mid sentence looking at Gabby before rushing to her and kissing her again, this time Gabby doesn't stop him." I love you." He finally says after pulling back from their embrace." I can't lose you."

Gabby just looks at Matt shocked unable to speak."Matt." Was all she could breath out before the bells go off both of them not wanting to move but knowing duty calls. They both run off to their assigned tasks.