Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination and Abbey.

a/n: Again, I can't appologize enough enough for this story lacking in updates. I've been writing a lot for my story Family Chaos that's been on a roll as well as taking care of my kids and I also had some writer's block for the past week but now that it's back, it's about time I sat down and wrote the second part of this SL so I hope you enjoy it.


Matt's POV

"Surprise." I dropped my bag next to the door and smiled at Abbey, closing the door behind me.

"Why didn't you tell me? I looked like a chicken with her head cut off when that guy rang the doorbell."

"It wouldn't have been a surprise now would it?"

"I guess not. How was shift? and Brett?" She was talking quickly, I sensed she was nervous about something.

"The rest of shift was good and Brett was ok. Boden talked to McCauley after you left."

"Perfect. Let's just hope I get the green light soon, I miss everyone." She walked back into the kitchen and started chopping up vegetables. "Nothing happened during the night?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Did something happen here?" Maybe that was what made her so nervous.

"No. I guess I just worry when you're on shift." She kept chopping, not looking up from the knife in her hands.

"Hey." I walked next to her and placed my hand on hers, stopping her movement and making her look at me. "You know I'm always careful right?"

"I know it's just that I'm at home and you're there and I don't always know what's happening at the house. I sleep on your side of the bed when you're on shift." She blurted out.

"I promise I'm always careful and I'll send you texts with calls if that'll make you feel more secure."

"I can't ask you to do that. That makes me a paranoid girlfriend and I don't want that either. I just need to deal with the inner fears of losing you, the same way my mom lost my father."

"I will not let that happen. Come here." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me, her arms cirling my waist.

"I'm sorry I'm acting all childish about this all of a sudden."

"It's fine but here's the good news. I have furlough for the week so we can work on the bathrooms so you don't have to worry about me while that happens."

"I like that idea." She smiled. I helped her finish making breakfast and we ate before I went down for a nap, I was exhausted from last shift even though there was nothing special about it. I wrapped her body in mine and kept her close as we fell back asleep. I woke up to my alarm clock three hours later and Abbey's side of the bed was empty. I propped myself on my elbows and looked around, only hearing movement coming from the en-suite. I got up and followed the noise, finding Abbey sitting on the tiles, indian style, packing up the contents of the sink cabinet.

"How long have you been up?" She looked up at me and smiled.

"I was thinking I could get everything packed up so we can start working in here."

"Sure, just let me get dressed and I'll call my plumber. I want to make sure we do this properly."

"Uh huh." She mumbled as she returned to getting everything packed up. I left the room and got on the phone, returning a few minutes later to the en-suite fully dressed, Abbey still sitting on the floor, a couple of boxes full of stuff.

"Greg said that he could be here in an hour, tell us if what we want to do works."

"I'm almost done getting everything in boxes."

"You shouldn't be sitting like that with your leg."

"My leg is fine Matt, look." She stood up and stumbled, holding onto the counter for support as I grabbed her by the waist.

"No it's not, you should get some rest baby. The doctor said not to overdo it."

"I'm not overdoing it I promise. I just need to start doing little things like before." She looked at me through the mirror and smiled, turning around with my hands still on her waist. "Like this." She leaned into me and her plump lips kissed mine, making me pull her flush against me. We made out for a few minutes before air became an issue.

"You should get dressed before I get carried away." I breathed out, my eyes closed.

"We wouldn't want to get caught now would we?" She giggled, pulling away from my embrace and going to get some clothes on. I watched her walk to the other bathroom down the hall, a slight limp to her step, worry taking a hold of me. I'd have to keep an eye on her in the next few days. She managed to finish packing what was in the main bathroom updatairs before the doorbell rang. I walked down the stairs and greeted Greg as I opened the door.

"Thank you so much for getting the tub here so fast." We shoot hands and I motioned for him to follow me up the stairs so he could evaluate if what we wanted was doable. I knew we had enough space but older house's plumbing was trickier and I didn't want to mess it up.

"No problem Matt. Helping me fix my garage door is thanks enough." I chuckled. Abbey walked out of our bedroom and extended her hand to Greg and introduced herself.

"I'm Abbey. Thanks for helping us out in here, Matt spoke highly of you."

"I'm glad I could help. You've got yourself a beautiful girl Matt." I smiled at the compliment he was giving Abbey but she was clearly taken off guard, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"That I did." I moved to her side and kissed her temple.

"I'm going to let you two check out what needs to be done and I'll go rest my leg, it's starting to hurt." She excused herself and went downstairs with the help of her cane to elevate it on the couch.

"What happened?" He asked as I guided him into the master en-suite.

"She's an EMT at the house and an eighteen wheeler flowed on his side of the ambo. she just got her cast removed."

"Ah man that sucks. She seems to be doing good considering."

"She's going crazy at home but I'm just happy to have her alive. She was in a coma for two whole weeks before she woke up."

"You know what that means right?" He looked under the sink as I leaned against the doorframe with my arms crossed, looking at what he was doing.

"No." I smirked as he looked at me.

"It means that she's the one. Don't let go of her."

"I don't plan on it." He looked at the rest of the plumbing and we moved on to the other bathroom before we went back downstairs.

Abbey's POV

When I set my left foot on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, a sharp pain ran up my leg and resonated into my knee. I held onto it and hissed, waiting for the pain to go away. It did after a few seconds so I made my way to the couch and lied down, placing a pillow under my leg. I could hear Greg and Matt upstairs talking even though I couldn't make out what they were saying. I leaned my head against the arm of the couch and closed my eyes, my hand coming to rub my sore knee.

"The stuff that needs to be done in there is pretty basic." I heard Greg as he came down the stairs. "I'll go buy what I need after the job I have this morning and I'll be back around nine tomorrow to get things started so you can do the rest this week."

"Thanks again Greg." Matt shook his hand as I tried getting up.

"Don't get up." Greg smiled at me. "Rest that leg up." I sat back down and smiled back at him. "I'll see you guys in the morning." Matt led him out and closed the door beind him.

"So, what did he say? Can he make it work?"

"Yeah, he said it's pretty standard stuff. I'll be able to finish the rest when he's done." He sat down next to me, extending my legs on his lap and rubbing my left one.

"Thanks." I closed my eyes, a dull pain still lingering.

"Maybe I should take you to the doctor." His voice was filled with concern but I was spending enough time at the hospital without having to go there on the days I did't have PT.

"I'm fine Matt." I insisted.

"Come on Abbey, you're not fine. Your leg hurts." He pressed right under my knee, a hiss escaping my lips. "I'll drive you."

"I don't want to go. I have PT tomorrow and I'll talk to Dr. Taylor about it then." I pleaded with him. "I'm sure it's just my muscles that are sore."

"Fine. But you are not moving from here."

"Matt." I argued but he was quick to argue back.

"No. That's my condition if you don't want me to bring you to the doctor today. I want you to stay on this couch where I will bring you hot compresses to relax your muscles and I'll take care of everything else."

"Fine." I huffed, making him chuckle. "I'm glad my misery is a source or humour for you."

"Sorry baby, I'm just looking out for you. You'll be back at the house in no time." He patted my right leg. We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the couch, Matt had plans for the two bathrooms on his lap on top of my feet and scribbled down what needed it be done. His phone dinged and he looked at it before answering something and putting it back down on the coffee machine. My eyes were slowly drooping closed, the pain in my leg tiring me out.

I woke up a few hours later alone on the couch. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and ran my hand on my leg before setting my feet down on the carpet. I slowly got up and grabbed my cane before slowly and painfully making my way towards the kitchen where I found something I didn't expect to see. Matt was at the stove cooking what smelled like chili while Brett and Otis were sipping on a beer, both laughing at something Sylvie had said.

"Look who just graced us with her presence." Otis called out with a smile. He walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me in a hug.

"Hi Brian. What are you guys doing here?" I hugged Sylvie who was standing next to me.

"Matt texted me and asked if we'd come over for diner, said it might make you feel better." I squeezed her extra tight, making her laugh.

"Thanks for coming. It is starting to be depressing here."

"When do you come back?" Otis asked.

"I don't know yet." I took a seat at the breakfast bar, hoping to release a little bit of the pressure I was feeling. "I've been feeling some pain in my leg and I don't know why but I have an apointment tomorrow so I'll ask."

"Good because I cannot stand to work with McCauley longer than necessary."

"I swear she's about to go insane." Otis laughed, Sylvie slapping his arm.

"I hope you're taking care of her at home to take her mind off of shift." I winked at Matt, making him laugh.

Matt finished making dinner and they helped set the table and we had a wonderful evening. I hadn't been able to spend as much time as I wanted with Sylvie since the accident but I was glad that they were together. They seemed to be fit for each other and Brian was a good guy and I was happy for them. They left around eleven and Matt helped me up the stairs and we went to bed, snuggling closely before we fell asleep.

The next day, Matt's POV

"Are you sure you don't want me to bring you to your apointment?" Abbey had so much trouble getting out of bed this morning that I was worrying her recovery would be pushed back and it was the last thing I wanted for her.

"I'm sure. Brett said that she'd come pick me up in twenty minutes and bring me back after." Twenty minutes later as promised, Sylvie knocked on the door.

"Are you ready?" She greeted me with a hug and asked Abbey.

"Yeah I'm good to go. I'll see you later babe."

"Later." I kissed her as she turned around to walk down the stairs, Greg parking his truck at the same time.

"I got a few things in my truck."

"I'll give you a hand." I patted him on the back and went to grab the things we needed to do the bathrooms

Meanwhile at Lakeshore - Abbey's POV

"My knee is killing me." I growled as we walked through the hospital doors.

"Let's get off of it then." Sylvie quickly returned with a wheelchair much to my displeasure. "I don't want you to have a setback."

"Fine." She wheeled me up to Dr. Taylor's office where he was waiting for us.

"Not feeling so good today?" He pointed at the wheelchair.

"My knee's been killing me since yesterday and neither heat or cold will help."

"Alright. It happens sometimes when we remove a cast from a large limb so I'll get you in for an MRI so we can see what we're dealing with."

"And what does that mean for recovery time?" Sylvie asked.

"We won't be sure until we know more."

"Alright." I resigned myself. Sylvie wheeled me to the MRI waiting room and we sat in silence mostly, the throbing in my knee constant.

"I really hope that it's not too serious. I can't wait to have you back."

"I'll murder someone if this sets me back." Sylvie laughed as the person next to me frowned at the mention of the word murder. I was called about half an hour later and they heped me get prepped for the exam. It wasn't very long before I was out and wheeled to Dr Taylor's office again. He motioned for us to come back in while he was looking at the imaged on his computer.

"It's good news." He finally looked up and smiled.

"What do I have?" I was really anxious to know what was wrong with my knee.

"You have some fluid in your knee."

"How do we treat that?" Sylvie questionned. She was just as interested as I was.

"I'll have to remove the fluid with a syringe to releave the pain. I have to warn you though that there's a chance the fluid could accumulate again after I've removed it. I've already talked to Mark about cancelling your PT apointment today so you can go home and rest."

"Anything to take for the pain?"

"Ibuprofen every four to six hours depending on how much pain you are in and cold compresses every two hours. You could feel better as soon as tonight and you should be good to see Mark again in two days."

"I won't be complaining at this point." I smiled as Sylvie helped me to get up so I could lie down on the examination table so Dr Taylor could remove the fluid. He got ready while we did so as soon as I was on my back, he took the syringe.

"This might be uncomfortable. On three. One, two, three." I took a long breath as he inserted the needle in my knee cap, a hiss escaping my lips. It only took a few minutes before I felt the needle being removed and a small cotton ball taped to the spot. "Here you go Abbey."

"Thanks doc." Sylvie helped me back to the wheelchair this time without protesting from my part and we left to go back home. We could hear the guys upstairs working as we entered. Sylvie and I fixed lunch because we were pretty sure the guys would be starving soon.

"It might take another hour after lunch." Greg came walking down the stairs, Matt right behind him. When they made it to the kitchen, they finally noticed that we were there.

"Hey, how did it go with Dr Taylor?"

"Fluid in my knee. That's why it was hurting so much. He said it could be better starting today."

"That's great news babe. And how did it go with Mark?"

"It didn't go. Dr Taylor cancelled it for today. He's making me come back in two days for my regular schedule. I'm hoping it's the last setback I'll have before I go back."

"I can't wait to have you back." Brett side hugged me. I missed her like crazy and I missed driving 44.

"You guys all work together?" Greg finally spoke from where he was eating the sandwich Brett had given him.

"Yes. She's my paramedic in charge and I'm lucky enough to spend my day with that guy." I chuckled while I pointed to Matt and he threw his napkin at me and smirked.

"That's when she actually listens to direct orders."

"I was new...and it was a nice save."

"Too bad Boden didn't think so." Brett looked at me weirdly, I had never told her that story before.

"I'll tell you about it when I get back."

"Alright, it's time to get back up there. Thanks for the lunch ladies."

"You're welcome." I smiled at him.

"I'll be right up." Matt helped me off the stool and helped me settle myself on the couch while Sylvie took care of the dishes. "So what did the doc say?"

"He said there's a chance that the fluid could come back but I just need to take ibuprofen every four to six hours depending on the pain level and I have to ice it every two hours." Sylvie came in with a bag of ice and the ibuprofen and helped me elevate my leg.

"Let's hope it doesn't come back then." He kissed my forehead and went back upstairs to help Greg finish the plumbing on our en-suite. Sylvie kept me company until the guys came down, probably more than an hour later claiming that the biggest work was done and that Matt could finish the rest himself. I thanked Greg before he left and soon after, Sylvie left as well, leaving Matt and myself alone. We spent a quiet evening on the couch, ordering in some italian food and watching an old movie.

"How's your leg feeling?" He was rubbing my leg gently, paying attention to my knee a little without hurting me.

"The pain is dull now and I only took the ibuprofen after six hours so that's good news I guess."

"Great news. Now let's get you to bed so you can rest it up." He helped me upstairs and we settled into bed, falling asleep quickly.

Matt spent the next day laying out the tiles in our bathroom while I rested in our bed. The pain in my knee was practically all gone and when I put it on the floor, nothing shot up to my knee but I still used my cane to go see what Matt was up to.

"Hey baby, how's your leg?" He looked up from the last tile he was putting up.

"It's a lot better. I haven't taken any pills since last night and it doesn't hurt that much. I'll probably be all good to go with Mark tomorrow."

"That's my girl." He smiled. "Do you think you can hold the glass up with me?"

"Yup, tell me where you want me." We managed to put the side shower glass up in no time and Matt went in to fix the fawcets and the showerhead while I looked on from the side of the shower. "This looks great, I can't wait to try it." He turns his head and smiles at me right before a shot of water hits him straight in the face and down his shirt from the cold water tap, making me start to giggle. He quickly turns back to what he's doing and fixes it.

"That wasn't funny." He throws the now soaked towel at me.

"Yes it was." I was no longer giggling now. I was leaning against the bathroom wall with my hand to my chest, laughing hysterically.

"It wasn't funny." Clearly I wasn't paying as much attention to Matt as I should have because before I even knew what was happening, I squealed as Matt took a hold of my waist and pulled me to his wet body. "Now we're both wet." He whispered, stopping my laughing. He was so close to me and my leg wasn't hurting, my heart was beating faster.

"We should get out of these clothes before we catch a cold." We were now staring into each other's eyes.

"Maybe you should help me out of these clothes and we can go warm each other up." He kissed my lips softly. I played with the hem of his shirt before pulling it over his head, his lips instantly coming back to kiss mine in a more feverish kiss. He lifted me easily and I wrapped my legs around his waist so he could bring me back to our bed. We quickly undressed each other and Matt made love to me for what seemed like hours before we fell axhausted against each other.

"Maybe we should do some bathroom renos more often." I panted, trying to get my breathing under control.

"We don't nead renos for me to do that." He leaned over me once again and kissed me passionately.

"Thank god you don't have shift this week because I'd get you into trouble for being late lieutenant." I kissed him back and we made love again.

The next morning, I got up and started getting ready for my apointment with Mark at the hospital. The pain in my knee was completely gone by then and I was happy that our session went as planned. Matt had finished both bathrooms as the week-end ended, leaving us a little time to eanjoy each other and have our friends over for dinner. Matt returned to 51 the following Monday, leaving me alone at home once again. I had an apointment with Mark that same day at 4 pm and he was very happy with the progress I was making. I also had an apointment with Dr. Taylor at the end of the week so we could talk about going back to work on light duty.

I sat down in his office a few days later, my hands playing with my shirt out of nervousness. Matt was on shift and I had to do this alone. Mark had given me the go ahead to lose the cane during our last session and it had given me an extra bounce in my step, my legs were feeling great. There was a knock on the office door and Matt poked his head through, smiling at me.

"Hey baby."

"Hey. You guys dropping off a victim?" It was the only explanation to his sudden appearance.

"No. I've had this planned with Boden since last week. Herrmann is acting lieutenant while I'm here."

"Remind me to thank him when I see him next time." I kissed him, my nerves suddenly dissapating as he took my hand into his right before Dr. Taylor came in his office.

"Ah Matt, I'm glad you're here. I've got some great news for you both."

"Does that mean I'm clear for work?" Matt was smiling at my giddyness.

"For light duty yes. Two weeks starting next shift unless chief Boden tells me your ready sooner for full active duty."

"Thanks doc." He gave us some recomendations just to be safe and we left seperately to head towards the station to tell Boden the good news. We walked into an empty firehouse, all the trucks and ambos were out. "Where is everyone?"

"They were called to a fire of Wabash."

"Oh. I'll get a move on the lunch." I looked at my watch, it was already 11:30 and they'd probably be hungry when they were back. Matt stayed by my side and we cooked together, enjoying the time together in the house. It felt great to be back even if I wouldn't be back until the next shift.

"Excited?" He turned his head to look at me.

"Very, I can't wait to be back." I kissed him just in time for everyone to see and throw hoots and hollers our way.

"Hey kid, what are you doing here?" Herrmann hugged me.

"Came to see chief." I smiled at him.

"Dr Taylor left me a message on my phone." Boden walked in after everyone in the common room.

"Alright then. Well I had an apointment to see Dr. Taylor this morning and he just cleared me for light duty. I'm coming back next shift." I smiled. "Chow's up." I put the plated in front of the stove just in time to get a giant hug from Brett.

"Oh thank GOD, you're coming back." She said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Great way to make the replacement feel." McCauley complained.

"Get over yourself McCauley." I threw in his face lightly, sending a smile his way. Everyone hugged me before grabbing some food and I sat down at the round table with Brett, Shay and Dawson, like old times.

During our days off, I spent some time with Mills and Gabby so I wouldn't think too much about going back and we had a lot of fun. On the second evening of Matt's 48 hours off, I started emptying my drawrs and folding everything up again and putting everything back in.

"Feeling a little bit of nervous energy maybe?" He circled my waist as I put yet another shirt in my drawr.

"No why?"

"You'been in here for the last hour emptying your clothes and folding it back up even though they were perfectly fine before."

"Maybe then." I chuckled.

"Ok yeah I'm nervous, well excited. It's been so long since I've worked."

"You'll do great as always. I'm just happy you're alive to see a new beginning at 51." He kissed my neck. "Why don't you go take a warm bath and we'll get a good night of sleep before you go back."

"Alright." He let go of my waist and kissed my cheek before going downstairs to watch a little bit of tv. I sat down in my newly installed tub and soaked in it for an hour, the bubbles and candles relaxing me. I stepped out and got ready for bed, Matt already settled on his side. We went to sleep cuddled in each other's arms, life was going to go back to normal.

I woke up at dawn the next morning even though I knew we still had a few hours ahead of us before shift. I took a long shower and as I came back out, Matt was already dressed and putting his uniform in his bag. I changed into my EMT uniform already and put my regular clothes in my bag before we grabbed a coffee and left together for the station. Once Matt was parked, we got out and walked up the drive.

"You ready?" He asked me before we walked through the door.

"Yes." We walked inside and were greeted by everyone. Mills and I made breakfast together like before and everyone ate just in time before the bells went off, calling us to a structure fire.

"Welcome back Mitchell." Peter patted me on my back as we went towards our respective vehicles. Matt and I exchanged our usual glance and smile that meant that we'd be careful and we were on our way.

I was back and it felt good.


a/n: So finally I managed to get the scond part of the SL out. I've been working on it for a few weeks so I hope you like it. Next chapter will have a significant time jump so stay tunes and please leave a little review to tell me what you thought about it :) - Sarra