Allison knew she was overthinking but she couldn't help it. And once she realized that, she let the thoughts flood her mind.

As she filled out the clipboard with the forms for the latest patient they had dropped off at Chicago Med, Allison stiffened when she realized that Leslie had stood so close behind her so that she could read over her shoulder. She knew the other woman did it over a hundred times before but this was the first time that she really, really noticed.

While she was glad that Lucas didn't stay over after that first kiss, it meant she spent the rest of the night lying in bed and stroking Muffin who was stretched out along her torso. She stared up at the darkness and tried to understand why the thought of Leslie came up at that moment.

Coming from a family of doctors and nurses, she knew about the concerns of patients falling for a care-giver. What she was also warned about was the danger of mistaking the need to save someone as feelings of love and affection.

And she couldn't deny that need to be a savior in the back of her mind whenever she thinks of Leslie… Or more precisely: Leslie with Devon.

But as she continued to overthink, she knew her whole situation with Leslie was more than that. Much, much more.

When she had submitted her request for that first transfer from Firehouse 24 to 51, her chief had subtly tried to warn her that her new partner Leslie Shay was openly lesbian too. Now while Allison never lodged a formal complaint about her then partner Brenda Billings's lack of discretion, she did come to him for advice about it and they agreed a quiet transfer would be the best option. They never imagined that the first viable opening could possibly put her right back in the situation she had been trying to leave.

Since the transfer to 51 would be a promotion and a new social environment, Allison pursued it anyway, feeling confident that she could use her experiences with Billings to manage her exposure to Leslie Shay.

While Billings was arrogant, obnoxious and was a stereotype of a female jock, Allison wasn't prepared for Leslie's sincerity, warmth, and humor. But even before knowing about those traits, she was struck by the woman's physical beauty upon sight, something she wasn't expecting and defied her ingrained assumptions about lesbians. She found out she wasn't prepared to deal with Leslie Shay at all.

And after spending only a few hours into this latest shift, Allison caught herself doing things that she probably did hundreds of times before and just never noticed. Like staring at Leslie's lips. Taking a glance at the back of her neck. Locking eyes for just a second too long.

Leslie never acted or reacted like she noticed any of it.

Allison certainly didn't regard Lucas with longing looks during their date. And truth be told, her moments of adoring Gil were early in their dating days. Yet her flirtation with Gil evolved into something very stable and solid. It was only the damned Hodgkin's that ruined everything.

And even if – really, really big 'if' – she could accept the idea of getting involved with a woman, there was nothing about Leslie that had a possibility of a future together. Absolutely nothing.

Allison had been shocked when Gabby told her the story of Leslie and Clarice. That Leslie didn't always have the lifestyle of drunk party chick that only lived in the moment. That Leslie at one time wanted a stable, quiet life, with children, even to the point of trying to have a child with Severide. If Gabby had never told Allison any of that, she would never have guessed.

Now she had spent the last five hours being hyper-aware of the other woman. Trying to minimize anything and everything that seemed even remotely inappropriate and dangerous.

So when she realized Leslie stood right behind her, Allison casually took a step away and turned to hand her the clipboard. "Everything look right?"

Apparently not noticing the strategic shift in positions and increase of space, the other woman took the forms and looked them over. "Yep, everything looks good."

"Oh, you two are here!" Dr. Kendra declared from across the ER.

After greeting Leslie with a hug, the doctor then grinned excitedly at Allison. "You're actually the woman I wanted to see!"

Allison frowned in confusion and responded, "I am?"

"Yes indeed!" she pulled out a notepad and scribbled something on the paper. "Bradford told me that you're interested in returning to the residency program."

That comment surprised Allison, but she didn't want to admit that to a woman who was his superior. Maintaining a friendly composure, she responded, "Well, we did talk the other night about the residency days and how I missed the life of being a budding doctor on occasion."

"Definitely glad to hear it. We're currently accepting applications for the next group that will start in the Fall. If you apply, I will personally babysit your application through the process that I can guarantee you'll be accepted back in. Here's the website. The same you used before. Once you submit, send me an email and I'll keep an eye out. – I've got to go, but if you have any questions, call me. Even if it's in the middle of the night. We would love to have you back, Dr. Rafferty!" Kendra handed her the paper of scribbled information before glancing at her watch. "I've got to go to my next appointment. See you, ladies!"

As the other woman left them, Allison gripped the paper in stunned silence. There was a part of her that felt a tiny glimmer of relief and hope. To a lifestyle that was free of this unfamiliar and threatening mental and emotional drama. And it would be good to be a doctor again.

Then she looked at Leslie, who had the expression of someone who had just been punched in the gut.

Her partner clearly forced a smile and said, "That sounds great! - Um, ready to go?"

Allison opened her mouth to speak, wanting to say that this wasn't really her idea.

Yet instead, she dropped her gaze and nodded. "Yeah, let's go."