Yep so like everyone else really NOT happy with how the last episode went, I get both point of views, I really do…I miss medic Gabby, really, she was awesome as a medic so I miss that. Honestly though, the writers killed off Matts first fiancé, with the intention I'm sure to give Gabby an in so I don't see them ruining a second engagement for him, that would just be cruel. I am hoping that this whole Shay thing might bring them back together but I really just don't see, with all the hype on and off camera (the tweeted photo of Monica and Jesse, holding a sign saying Dawsey) that they will keep them apart for long …I hope at least.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter! :D thanks for all the continued love I have been getting, its amazing! It's a little shorter than the rest (still over 3500 words) but I wanted to get it up without leaving it too long…

Chapter 14 – I Love You

Gabby blinked against the reminder of the morning, the sun coming through the small crack in the blinks, showing that it was still early but late enough for the sun to come up. She had slept. It was shock to her because usually she was up before morning, only just but still enough for her to be able to watch the sunrise from her small balcony window. But this morning was different and it wasn't because of the slight headache that she had woken up with; it was because of the strong arm wrapped around her stomach that made this morning different. Blinking again, Gabby tried to force her mind to work out what was going on, why she had someone else in her bed all of a sudden. Glancing down, Gabby was instantly glad she was dressed, she could feel the shorts on her hips and the see the singlet top against her best, so she knew she hadn't had sex last night, but that's when she felt it, movement from behind her, the arm tightening around her stomach and a soft kiss being placed against her neck.

Matt. Gabby relaxed instantly, everything about the night before coming back to her as she remembered Matt being there for dinner and a movie, her falling asleep on him during the movie and she was pretty sure she had asked him to stay with her last night, and so that is how she came to be in the comfortable situation she was in. With another kiss placed on the back of her neck, Gabby could tell Matt was smiling, "Morning baby…" his voice was soft, hoarse, telling her that he had only just woken up, that his mind was still foggy from the sleep. "You slept well, you haven't moved since you laid down…" he laughed against her when she moved, turned her whole body to be facing him, her hands resting against his bare chest as she did so.

"Really? And how would you know that?" Gabby stretched against him, her legs straightening and running against his bare legs, sending shivers through both their spines. As she glanced up at him, Gabby noticed that he was staring at her, his lips slightly parted and a small smile resting there. There was no reply, just his arms locking around her back to pull her close to him.

As Matt watched Gabby move in his arms, his mind and body were being pulled in different directions, his mind going blank from the movement, the inability to concentrate on anything except her moving against his almost bare body and his body, reacting instinctively to the movements that it made him blush slightly. "Well because this is how we fell asleep last night and this is how we woke up, so I guess that means you didn't move…" Matt smiled cheekily at her as he leaned down, his lips barely touching hers, a smirk replacing the smile she he felt and heard her breathe hitch, a light kiss before both of them falling into a happy silence.

"James knows about us by the way..." Matt's voice broke the soft silence that had filled Gabby's bedroom. They had been laying in silence, just holding onto each other, enjoying he fact that they didn't need to speak. But Matt knew it was something that Gabby would need to hear, that her son was the most important person in her life. He watched as she pulled back to look at him, clearly telling him that she realized that considering he has stayed the night but also he could see the hesitation in her eyes, the unsure feeling that this was now different. James knowing about them changed everything.

"Hey it's alright, I know your are worried but I promise its ok. He said he was happy about it ... " Matt was trying to ease some of her worry as he ran a hand over her face gently, watching as she brought her bottom lip into her mouth like she always did when she was worried about something. He was hoping for a reply, for something to tell him that she was alright with the change and was starting to worry when she didn't say anything but as he went to speak again Gabby leaned forward and placed her lips against his, initiating a kiss that shocked him at first but that changed instantly as he slipped his arms around her tightly, his tongue darting out to meet hers passionately.

Both became lost in the kiss, their hands running over the others body, Gabby's hands causing Matt's chest and back muscles to shudder under her touch, causing him to grown into her mouth and roll over so he laying on top of her, keeping his body weight from crush her matt sat up slightly, adjusting their position he looked down at her, their eyes meeting heatedly before matt crushed his lips back to Gabby's, relishing in the sounds she made as his hands travelled over her body, resting against the back of her knee tugging it up slightly, Gabby taking this as instruction and she raised her leg, wrapping it around Matt's hip, bringing him closer to her.

They became lost in each other, a mess of hands and lips and moans, each learning the others body in a much more deeper way. Like the way matt let out a deep throated grown when Gabby tugged against his hair and dug her short nails into his back. Or how Gabby gasped loudly when matt kisses the spot just below Gabby's ear, her nails biting harder into his shoulder blades. Or how Gabby giggles when matt ran his hands across her ribs or how matt shivered when Gabby let her fingers run down his back and over his shoulder blades.

At this stage it was all so innocent, learning each other, wanting more but neither of them really taking that next step but it wasn't until Matt bucked his hips gently against Gabby did her world come back to her, her mind defogging and her eyes opening, the sudden realization that she was making out, furiously with Matt who was reacting to her, in her bed, in the morning with James not far from the room. Gabby pushed against Matt's shoulders, trying to get his attention but she was struggling. "Matt..." His name fell from her lips weakly, not really wanting him to stop kissing her but also knowing that it had to stop. It wasn't until she spoke again that he pulled away, "Matt we can't ... Please..."

As he pulled away from her slowly, Matt looked over her face, the change in her eyes telling him she really wanted him to stop. Blinking away the desire he had for her, Matt brushed her now messy hair from her face, "Are you right?" He was worried he had hurt her, that he had done something wrong or something to upset her. She smiled softly, nodding her head before leaning up and placing a gently kiss on his lips.

"Yes, I just ... I'm just ... " he could tell she was trying to tell him something, the biting of her lower lip telling him she was holding something back from him, something she was either worried about or embarrassed about. "... I mean... James is in the other room. I need to make sure he is up and has eaten..." She was deflecting, ignoring what she really wanted to say instead changing the subject. Matt was silent as she rolled away from him, standing before heading towards the door, a shaky breath leaving her body as she went.

Matt's brow furrowed in confusion, he didn't understand what had just happened, yes he understood that it probably wasn't appropriate for them to have sex with James in the house and if he had been honest himself he wouldn't have wanted it to happen like that either, he wanted it to be right and perfect, because that's what she deserved. Groaning, Matt rolled onto his back, the discomfort in his shorts the reminder of just how much Gabby affected him but now he was confused. He lay there for a few minutes, unsure of what to think as he thought about her stuttering, there was clearly something she wanted to tell him she just couldn't or didn't want to but he was sure going to be there for her to be able to tell him. Rolling over again, Matt leaned down and reached for her jeans, pulling them on before walking towards the door, grabbing his shirt as he went.

As he made it into the kitchen where he heard Gabby and James talking, Matt stood against the doorway, his hands in his pockets as he watched mother and son making breakfast, each moving in sync to make what he could smell as pancakes laughing gently. Gabby must have felt the eyes on her before she turned around suddenly, her eyes meeting Matt's as she blushed and smiled before glancing at James, the little boy turning around when he noticed his mothers movements.

"Matt! You stayed for breakfast!" James happily ran to Matt before pulling him by the hand towards the kitchen bench where he was placed on Gabby's opposite side. "You can squeeze the oranges!" James handed Matt a bag of oranges before moving back to his spot next to his other, the three of them falling into a comfortable silence as they cooked.

As they ate, James talked about all the things he wanted to do, all the things he wanted Matt to do with him, not ever noticing the sideways glances Matt was giving his mother, who kept her head down, only adding to Matt confusion about her earlier behaviour. Once James had headed off to watch TV, Matt and gabby were left to sit in silence, each not knowing what to say to the other. That was until Matt reached for Gabby's hand, his voice soft, "Hey are you ok?"

Gabby debated aging confused, pretending to not know what he was talking about but she already knew better than that, ready knew that Matt could read her like an open book. Sighing, she squeezed his hand and looked back at him, "yeah I'm ok. I'm sorry Matt ... It's nothing really." Gabby just squeezing his hand and watched as he nodded, leaning over and placed a kiss on her cheek before moving to the lounge where he sat with James watching cartoons before heading out to start his day.

James sat nervously in the class, everyone else had their parent in the room with them, each of them talking about what made them admire their parent, but Matt and Gabby hadn't shown up yet, he was worried that they wouldn't make it. James' teacher kept sending James small smiles, trying to cheer him up because she knew he was worried. As the person speaking sat down, the class and parents clapped, "Now James it should be your turn but how about we wait until later this afternoon yeah? Maybe your mum will turn up."

The teacher had known that Matt and Gabby were on shift and might have been called out, so if they weren't there at the beginning then chances are they were out. Gabby had spoken to James before dropping him off at school, wanting him to understand that something might happen and they might not have been able to make it and he understood but it still made him sad. James just nodded at the teacher, watching as the other parents in the room glanced at each other, clearly not knowing about Gabby's job. "Ok, well let's take a break for lunch, we have some being served in the hall…" She pointed down the hallway, watching as parents and kids started to make their way to the food.

James sat quietly outside, watching as the parents spoke to each other, laughed with their kids, he felt sad, he knew that they had an important job, he had just been so excited to tell the kids about Matt, that he hadn't realised the real possibility that something might have come up. "Hey James you ok?" His teacher took a seat next to him, noticing that he was on his own, he shrugged, "Yea, I'm just hoping that Matt and mum will be here…" and with that he rose from his seat and walked back towards the class, knowing that lunch almost over. One by one the rest of the parents and kids came back to the class, taking their seats before the teacher spoke, explaining a little about what was planned for the rest of the term.

As she spoke there was a knock at the door and two people walked in, James look up to find Matt and Gabby standing at the door way, Gabby dressed in her uniform he had seen everyday but Matt was different, he had his turnout pants on, his red suspenders hanging at his hips, his grey CFD shirt on and his radio strapped across his chest hanging at his side, his hair was a mess and he had dirt and soot on his face, clearly showing he had been in a fire recently. "Sorry we are so late…" Gabby spoke, her smile growing when she saw James eyes widen, happy to have them there.

"No problems Ms Dawson please come in…" The teacher motioned for Gabby and Matt to take a seat, watching as they did, both turning their radios down in the process. "You are just in time, James was just about to speak." James nodded, hugging his mum and Matt before standing in front of the class, motioning for Matt to stand next to him which he did, leaning against the teachers desk, his body relaxing as the adrenaline left his body from their call. "The person I admire most isn't a parent or someone famous. The person I admire most is Lieutenant Matt Casey from the Chicago Fire Department. He is the Lieutenant of Truck 81 which is from Firehouse 51 and they are the busiest house in Chicago."

He looked up towards Matt, noticing that he hadn't taken his eyes off James, in complete awe that he had chosen him to speak about. "I admire Matt because he is brave, he thinks about everyone else before himself, especially when he is on shift. He is strong because he cares so much about everyone, including my mum and me. He is always there for me, even when I don't think that I need someone and he is better at playing Batman than my mum." This last sentence gained a laugh from the class. "Matt is a fireman and he saves lives and makes a difference for those people that he saves but he has made the biggest difference to my mums life and mine. I love you Matt."

James folded the piece of paper that was in his hand and put it in his pocket, glancing up at Matt who pulled him into the tightest hug, "I love you too buddy…" he whispered back, glancing at Gabby who had tears in her eyes, her smile wide.

James teacher smiled, "Well done James. Now Lieutenant, we like to allow our visitors to say something quickly and then have some questions, if that is alright with you…" She wanted to make sure Matt was ok with what was going on, knowing that Matt wasn't a parent. Matt nodded and he stood from the table, keeping James close he spoke, "Of course. Well like James said, I am a fireman. I have been for almost 10 years and have been the lieutenant of Truck 81 for the last 5. I love my job, its exciting and amazing and we get to meet the most interesting people."

Matt laughed, not really sure what else to say but he knew there would be questions; there was always questions when he spoke to kids. "Not really sure what else to say so I guess if there are any questions-" The minute the words left his mouth most of the kids hand shot up in the air, he laughed, "Alright well maybe you could pick some kids," Matt looked towards the teacher, not really wanting to chose kids and feeling more comfortable when someone else did it. Nodding she started pointing, a little girl first.

"Do you ever get scared?" Everyone sat patiently waiting for Matt to answer, his eyes shooting to Gabby briefly before he spoke, "Yes I do. I get scared some days because I don't know what is going to happen, because I can't always predict what will happen and I get scared some days because it's not just me going into a burning house, it's the men I work with and I have to make sure they are ok and come out the other side."

The little girl nodded and the next question was asked, "Where you at a fire today?" This time a little boy spoke. "Yes we were that's why I was late, so again I apologise. We were called out just before James mum and I were on our way here so we got stuck." Matt motioned towards Gabby, "James' mum is a paramedic in the same house as me as when we get called to a fire, they do as well." Everyone turned to Gabby now and smiled, watching as she just smiled back at Matt.

A little boy called out, "Did you go into the fire?" Every kid was fascinated with fire fighters and Matt could tell that some of the parents were annoyed that their jobs weren't as interesting, Matt smirking to himself inwardly, happy that James was getting the attention he deserved in a good way.

"Yeah I did-" He barely was able to answer the question before someone else yelled out, "Tell us about it!" Matt glanced towards the teacher, watching her nod before he continued, "Well we were called to a house fire, everyone had gotten out safely so we did what we call a sweep, which means we go into the house and make sure that there is no one inside still. This time as we did the sweep the floor collapsed underneath us and me and two of my men fell into the basement from the ground floor," Matt felt James tighten his grip on his waist, suddenly worried hearing that Matt was almost hurt.

"…We were lucky, no one was hurt but Gabby and her partner are amazing at their jobs and were able to make sure we were ok." Matt gave Gabby another grateful smile, knowing it could have all been a lot worse than what it was. The kids were enthralled by Matt's story, each sitting on the edge of their seat.

"Have you ever been hurt?" A little girl called out. Matt nodded, "Yea once I was hurt pretty badly, I ended up in hospital with two broken ribs, a broken arm and pretty bad head injury after falling through the floor during a building fire, the roof gave way and I was in the middle. But that was a long time ago, there aren't usually many injuries on the job." He laughed, hoping to relax the kid's worries. Another child was about the speak up when the teacher cut in, know the next question would probably be about death, "Alright kids, that enough. Please give Lieutenant Casey and James a round of applause…" Which the class did, louder then they had done for the parents before hand.

As Matt and James too their seat, waiting for the next presenter, Matt's radio sounded, "Squad 3, Truck 81, Ambulance 61, person down, unknown causes. Corner Broadway and Chicago Avenue." Gabby and Matt glanced at each other and then at the teacher, an apologetic smile coming to their faces. Matt reached for his radio, "81 responding." Gabby speaking next "61 responding," She turned to James, "Sorry kiddo, we need to go but ill see you after school. Remember the firehouse is getting pizza…" She kissed the top of his head before standing, "Sorry, we are needed." Getting a nod from the teacher who understood, Gabby and Matt rose from their seats, Matt pulled James into a hug, "That was amazing kiddo, I loved it." Before he raced from the room, leaving the kids watching in awe and James smirking happily.

Love? :D