CHAPTER 21
It was time for first shift to go home. Brett and Casey were going to Molly's to have a drink with everyone on first shift. When they arrived, Molly's was already packed with people. There was a footbball game on, which attracted the younger crowd and half of Chicago seemed to be in there. Hank Voight, Jay Halstead, Kim Burgess, and the rest of the Intelligence Team from P.D. were there as well as Jay's brother, Dr. Will Halstead from Med. Dr. Natalie Manning, and a few others from Med were there as well. Molly's was the go to hang out spot. Brett had told Casey to go hang out with the guys while she hung out with the girls.
"So, you and Casey seem happy." Burgess said.
"Yeah, we are. What's going on with you and Ruzek?" Brett questioned.
"I don't know. I mean, I think we might be getting back together, but I'm not sure." Burgess answered.
"Well, there's no denying that you and Ruzek have chemistry." Stella chimed in.
"Well, I could say the same about you and Severide. When were you going to tell me that you both were engaged? I had to hear it through the grapevine at the station." Burgess laughed.
"It happened over Christmas break." Stella said as she explained what how it happened.
"I'm happy for you guys." Burgess smiled.
Stella, Foster, and Burgess all looked at Brett who was lost in her thoughts.
"Hey, what's going on?" Stella asked Brett.
"Nothing. I just haven't felt good lately. All I wanna do is sleep." Brett replied.
Foster gave Brett a look.
"Are you pregnant?" Foster asked.
"No, I'm sure of that. I just stay cold all the time and I feel tired." Brett said.
Foster looked and saw Natalie.
"Hey Natalie, could you come here for a minute?" Foster asked.
Natalie walked over to the table where Brett, Foster, Burgess, and Stella were sitting.
"What's up?" Natalie asked.
"Brett has been feeling tired and cold lately. She doesn't have the flu. What could it be?" Foster asked.
"It could be several things. She could be anemic, have low blood sugar, really just any number of things." Natalie explained.
"Well, I have been very shaky lately and I have a few bruises on my leg but I probably got that from working." Brett explained.
"Let's get you to the bathroom so I can do an examination on you." Natalie said.
With that, the women headed to the bathroom. The guys just shook their heads.
"Why do women always go to the bathroom in groups? I've never understood that." Casey smirked.
"Women are a mystery." Herrmann said.
"It's almost like they plan things in there." Severide joked.
"Alright, enough of that. So Cruz, when are you and Chloe getting married?" Herrmann asked.
"We were thinking of having a Summer wedding but we haven't picked out a date yet." Cruz said.
"What's taking so long?" Severide asked.
"I don't know. Women are weird about things like that." Cruz chuckled.
The men laughed and continued to chat. Back in the women's restroom, Natalie checked Brett's bruises and asked a few questions.
"Well, I can't say for certain, but it looks like it could be anemia. You need to go to Med to get some tests done but even if it is anemia, it's very treatable." Natalie said.
"I'll come in later this week on one of my day's off." Brett said.
"In the meantime, don't stress about it. It's probably nothing." Natalie reassured Brett.
"I'm sure you're right." Brett smiled.
"So, Stella, have you and Severide picked a day yet?" Natalie asked, changing the conversation.
"Not yet. I think we are just gonna have a long engagement for now." Stella explained.
The ladies continued to talk for a few minutes before going back to the bar area. Luckily, their table was still empty. Natalie rejoined Will and the other doctors and nurses from Med, while Brett, Stella, and Foster sat at their table. Stella looked over at Severide who gave her a look that she knew all too well. The look was a signal to tell Stella it was time for them to go home and have some alone time. Stella said her goodbyes and then left with Severide.
"How's everything going since Otis?" Burgess asked, trying not to push the subject.
"It's going. I think it's a huge adjustment for everyone. We were all close to Otis, except for Gallo. He's the new guy besides Ritter." Brett explained.
"That's understandable. When Al died, a piece of us all died. All of us, except for Upton, knows what it's like to lose someone who is like family. Al was like our father. It's not the same. Voight is also like our dad but more like the strict one who says not to do something. Al was the carefree kind that had a heart of gold." Burgess said as she remembered the loss of Al Olinsky, a former member of the Intelligence Team of the Chicago P.D.
Brett remembered when that happened. Burgess and Brett talked about how hard it's been to move on since the death of their beloved friends and how things have changed. Back at the bar, Casey and Jay Halstead were talking.
"So, have you heard from Lindsay?" Casey asked.
"Yeah. She seems to be doing really well with the FBI's Counter-terrorism Bureau. She actually likes New York, although, I'm not surprised. The funny thing is that although we broke up, we are still close." Jay said.
"I hear ya. Gabby showed up shortly after Brett came back home from Fowlerton." Casey admitted.
"Yikes. How did that go?" Jay asked.
"Well, she and Mills got back together. I guess Mills went to Puerto Rico to help out and they reconnected. It's all good though. We cleared some things up and she's actually happy for Brett and I." Casey smiled.
"Dude, your face lights up every time you talk about Brett. I never saw that you and Gabby. Hope Brett is the one." Jay said.
"I hope she is, too. I love her." Casey smiled.
"You and Lindsay thinking about getting back together?" Casey wondered.
"I don't know. I'm supposed to go see her in a few weeks. To my knowledge, she's not seeing anyone but there's always that possibility she is, ya know? I just don't wanna get my hopes up." Jay said.
Casey and Jay continued to talk until Cruz and Herrmann brought out the karaoke machine and people starting doing karaoke. Needless to say, there were lots of off tune singing. It wasn't long until Burgess talked Brett and Upton into singing
. Casey and Jay saw Brett, Burgess, and Foster, walk by them to go sing.
Casey smiled. He remembered how awful Brett sounded, so he was looking forward to this. The funny thing is that none of the women were drunk. They had already decided on a song before going up there. The song started playing and the women started singing.
"I saw him dancing there by the record machine
I knew he must have been about seventeen
The beat was going strong
Playing my favorite song
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me
Yeah me
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me
Yeah me"
The ladies continued to sing "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" by Joan Jett. Casey was shocked to hear that Brett actually had a beautiful voice. He guess that she might have hid that from him by pretending to sound awful. Either way, he was thoroughly enjoying her singing. Adam heard Burgess singing and he couldn't stop smiling at Burgess. When they were done, everyone cheered for them. As they walked away, Casey stopped Brett.
"Why didn't you tell me that you had a beautiful voice?" Casey teased.
"I don't know. I just usually goof around when I sing. Never really take it seriously." Brett answered.
"You should sing like that more often." Casey smiled.
"I just might." Brett said as she kissed Casey.
They pulled apart and then Brett went back to her table where Burgess was waiting on her.
"That was fun but next time, I need to be drunk." Burgess laughed.
"I second that." Foster chimmed in.
"You know what I want to do?" Burgess said.
"What?" Brett asked.
"I think we should do this once a week. Just us girls. You, Stella, Foster, and myself." Burgess said
"What about Upton?" Brett asked.
"I'll ask her." Burgess said.
The women talked a little more.
"Last call!" Herrmann yelled out.
That was a head's up to everyone that Molly's would be closing soon and if anyone in the bar wanted a drink, now was the time to do it. Casey and Brett also took that as a signal to head home. They said their goodbyes to everyone and headed home.
"I'm so glad to be home." Brett smiled.
"Really? Why is that?" Casey asked.
"Because I get to do this." Casey said as he kissed Brett.
They made their way to Casey's bedroom while still kissing. Brett pulled away because she started to feel a little light headed.
"Are you ok?" Casey asked with concern.
"Yeah, just a little light headed. I think the beer I had is getting to me." Brett said.
"Go get changed and then come back here." Casey whispered.
Brett went to her room and changed into her pajamas. When she was finished, she walked back to Casey's room. Casey was laying on his bed shirtless with sweatpants on.
"Hey beautiful." Casey groggily said.
"Someone sounds tired." Brett teased.
"I am but I need a cuddle buddy. Know anyone who is available?" Casey joked.
"Hmm. Let me think." Brett teased as she made her way to the bed.
She crawled into the bed and snuggled up next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. She wrapped her arm around him and held him close to him. Casey sat the alarm while Brett got changed, but as soon as she wrapped her arms around him, they were both fast asleep. The night seemed to drag, which was great for the both of them. The alarm finally went off and woke them up. They gave each other a kiss and then Brett took a shower and got ready for work first, while Casey cooked some scrambled eggs and toast for them to eat. He also poured them some orange juice to drink with their food. When Brett came out of the bathroom after getting dressed, Casey headed to his room, grabbed some clean clothes, and then headed to the bathroom for his shower. After Brett brushed her hair and pulled it up into a ponytail, she came into the kitchen where she ate her breakfast and drank some orange juice. When Casey was finished, he did the same thing. When they were both finished with breakfast, they headed to work. Brett was greeted by Foster.
"Hey, I need to talk to you." Foster said.
"Go. I'll meet you later." Casey said.
Brett and Casey gave each other a quick kiss and then Casey headed to the locker room.
"What's up?" Brett asked.
"So, do you remember that girl that messaged me a few months ago shortly after you came back but then suddenly stopped?" Foster said.
"Yeah?" Brett replied.
"Well, she messaged me last night. She wants to meet up with me." Foster said nervously.
"Em, I don't know about that." Brett said with concern.
"I think I might blow her off like she blew me off." Foster said.
"That's your decision. If you do meet her, I recommend Molly's. At least Herrmann and Mouch would be there so if something fishy happened, you have a little back up." Brett suggested.
"You're the best." Foster smiled.
They headed to the locker room and put their things up. After, they headed to the common room where everyone was hanging out. Mouch was watching TV on the couch. Herrmann was helping Ritter and Gallo cook because Gallo's cooking wasn't the best. Casey and Severide were talking and Stella was just chilling out reading a magazine. Foster and Brett sat down at a table in the corner but before they could even breathe, the alarm went off.
"AMBULANCE 61. TRUCK 81. SQUAD 3. CAR ACCIDENT. CORNELL DRIVE." the woman said.
"Let's go!" Casey yelled as everyone jumped up and headed to the garage.
Brett and Foster were the first to leave, followed by Chief Boden, Squad 3 and then Truck 81. When they arrived on the scene, they saw a terrible car crash and it didn't look good. One car looked to be completely crushed with one victim pinned inside. Another car was turned over on it's side. One of the cars didn't sustain much damage, only to the front of the car. The victims were able to get out of the car. It looked like a pile up but it wasn't.
"Let's get the jaws over here!" Severide yelled.
There was a victim holding her head and walking towards Brett and Foster.
"I don't know what happened. We were driving and the next thing I know, there's an accident." the woman said.
"What is your name?" Brett asked.
"Daniella." Daniella said.
"Alright, Daniella. My name is Sylvie. I need you to listen to me. You have a head injury. We need to examine you. Alright." Brett said.
Daniella nodded her head with one nod to signal that she understood what Brett was saying.
"Foster!" Brett yelled.
"Daniella, this is Emily. She's gonna check you out while I tend to the other victims." Brett said in a sweet voice.
Daniella was only a teenager, who was on her way to pick up her brother from school as he was sick. Her mom was at work. Foster had Daniella keep talking to her so she wouldn't lose consciousness if she had a concussion. Brett walked over to the crushed car and saw that the victim was barely breathing but was breathing.
"I've got a weak pulse! I need a back board!" Brett yelled.
One of the other paramedics that were on scene hurried over with a back board.
"We need the jaws over here and fast!" Brett yelled as loud as she could.
Severide and the other firefighters came running to the scene. Brett moved so that they could use the Jaws of Life to get the victim out of the car. When they got the victim out of the car, Brett checked on her.
"Ma'am. My name is Sylvie. I'm a paramedic with Chicago Fire. Can you hear me?" Brett asked.
"Yes." the woman barely said.
"What's your name?" Brett asked.
"Kenzie." Kenzie said before Kenzie lost consciousness.
"We need a med a vac!" Casey yelled.
Chief Boden called for a med a vac helicopter to arrive on scene.
"They are on there way. Casey, how bad is it?" Boden asked over the radio.
"If we don't get her to a hospital, she'll die." Casey replied over the radio.
"Copy that." Boden said as he checked on the other victims.
"We need to intubate." Brett told the other paramedic helping her.
The paramedic helped Brett intubate the victim so that Kenzie could try to breathe. The med a vac arrived and transported Kenzie to Med. It looked like all the victims had been accounted for, except for one. It was the driver of the car who caused the accident.
"We accounted for everyone except the driver of the car that caused the accident, Chief." Casey said over the radio to Boden.
The firefighters and police officers on scene searched everywhere and found a body. The driver was dead. One of the paramedics from another firehouse, took the body to the morgue. Everyone that helped work the accident who was still on scene, helped clear the road. It took hours to get the road clear, but when everyone arrived back at 51, they were tired.
"That was a horrible accident." Cruz said.
"Yeah. Not everyone made it out." Gallo chimed in.
Everyone gave Gallo a look that meant he needed to get back to house chores around the station.
"Hey, Chloe said that her friend Kenzie was in that accident. Does anyone remember helping her?" Cruz asked as he was on the phone with Chloe.
"Let me talk to her." Brett said as she motioned for Cruz to give her the phone.
Cruz handed Brett the phone and began to talk to Chloe.
"Hey, Chloe. Uh, Kenzie wasn't doing so well but med a vac transported her to Med. We had to intubate her and she was barely breathing but she was breathing.
Go to Med and ask for Maggie or April. They should know what is going on with Kenzie." Brett calmly told her friend.
"Thanks, Sylvie." Chloe said.
Brett handed the phone back to Cruz, who told Chloe that he loved her before hanging up. This was going to be a long day. One call took about four hours but everyone knew that when calls like this came in, they came in back to back. Everyone was tired and tried to get some kind of rest before they got another call that day. Brett headed to the bunk room and as soon as she placed her head on the pillow, she was knocked out. Casey went to his office and pretty much did the same thing. It was hard for them to not wanna cuddle but that call left both of them wanting to be left alone.