Hello everyone! Here's the next update for you all. Thank you for your kind words on the last chapter, it meant so much to me. I hope you guys like this one, too. This chapter's definitely intense, I'll just say that.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoy!
FORTY
A slight yawn escaped Dawson's lips as she stood at the counter in Matt's kitchen, the paramedic pouring the freshly made coffee into the thermos in her hand as she mentally prepared for the day ahead. Although it wasn't so much the long work day she was preparing herself for, but the conversations she knew would be taking place once she got there.
The night before last when Gabby had decided it was time to tell the house of her and Matt's relationship, she'd been excited. Especially when she saw how happy her boyfriend was because of it. And that feeling hadn't gone away yesterday, the two having spent their Sunday off either in Matt's bed, or curled up on his couch, the couple having come to a decision about how they were going to share their relationship with the house.
As he had with deciding when they were going to tell everyone, he let her take the lead on the how as well, Matt wanting to do whatever was best for her. And they had come to the decision that Gabby was going to tell Walker on her own before they told everyone else. Gabby had been adamant that she felt like he deserved to know before the rest of the house did, the paramedic not wanting him to feel blindsided by it. And while Matt didn't necessarily care about that, he didn't fight her on it, the firefighter agreeing to whatever she wanted to do when it came to her ex. Personally, Casey didn't think Walker deserved anything from her, but, knowing Gabby, he understood why she felt like she should tell him first.
After they'd gotten everything all figured out, Gabby was even more excited to get to the house and tell everyone. She was ready for them to know, she was tired of feeling like she was hiding this huge part of her life from people who were like family. And when she woke up this morning, all that was still true, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel a few nerves in the pit of her stomach.
She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about the actual conversation she needed to have with Walker. Gabby knew it was the right thing to do, she knew that despite everything he'd done, she would appreciate the same courtesy if he started dating someone they worked with. But that didn't mean she wasn't feeling a bit anxious about it. And Gabby could tell Matt sensed that when they woke up this morning.
He'd offered yesterday while they were figuring all this out to tell Walker with her, to be there for support, but Gabby declined, saying she appreciated it but this was something she needed to do on her own. And he'd offered again this morning, Matt reminding her he was there if she needed him while they took their shower together. But, again, she declined, Gabby not giving him much time to think over her words before she dropped down to her knees in front of him.
After their time together in the shower, Matt more than reciprocating her gesture, she had felt a little better, Gabby feeling more relaxed and ready to face the day, but those nerves hadn't completely gone away. And she knew they wouldn't until this was all said and done.
But the excitement she felt outweighed the anxiety in her system, Gabby knowing that after today, her and Matt could finally just be themselves. She owed nothing to Bryan, she was purely doing this as a courtesy to him. Walker hadn't respected their relationship when they were together, he didn't get a say in her new one now. She was only doing this because she knows she would appreciate the same had the rolls been reserved, but nothing he said or did was going to change anything.
She was in love with Matt Casey, and now that her boyfriend knew it, she wanted everyone else to know as well.
Hands sliding around the front of her waist snapped her from her thoughts, a smile coming to her face when she felt the warmth of her boyfriend pressed into her back, Matt holding onto her tightly as his hands came to rest low of her stomach, his chin finding its home on her shoulder.
"Good morning." He murmured, Gabby leaning her head back slightly as her eyes fell closed, her content smile widening.
"Yes it was." She responded, his chest vibrating against her as he chuckled, Matt pressing a gentle kiss to her neck, warmth spreading throughout her entire body when she felt him tighten his grip.
"I wasn't talking about that." He replied, pressing another kiss to her skin. "But that definitely did make my morning better."
"I knew it would." She told him, placing her hand over his on her stomach, tapping her fingers lightly over his skin. "I went ahead and made us some coffee, if you want some." Gabby added, feeling his breath hit her neck.
"Thank you… Although I don't think I'll need it after our shower, I'm pretty awake now." He teased her, Gabby laughing softly as she pulled her head away from his shoulder, glancing back to look at him. "We should definitely make that part of our morning routine more often… I don't think I'd ever need coffee again." He continued, Gabby biting down on her bottom lip. "Though you might still need some, I almost lost you there towards the end." Matt joked, Gabby's eyes narrowing playfully, the paramedic knowing he was referring to how her body definitely felt the effects of everything he'd done to her in the shower, and how Casey basically had to hold onto her to keep her upright by the time he was finished. Seeing her reaction, another laugh left his lips, Matt pressing a kiss to her jaw.
"You keep this up, they'll be no more surprises in the shower Lieutenant." The last word left her lips lightly, Gabby dragging it out, knowing she always got a reaction out of him whenever she'd call him that. And he didn't disappoint, Gabby feeling his body involuntarily tighten for a split second, a smug grin tugging on her lips.
"Now that's just mean." He mumbled, Gabby scoffing lightly before patting the top of his hand, the two relaxing back into each other's embrace, Matt supporting most of her weight as they stood in the kitchen. "...You still feeling okay about everything?" He asked after a few moments of comfortable quiet, Matt stroking his thumb over her shirt, just above her belt. "You're ready to tell everyone?"
This was the second time he was asking her this today, those words, or some similar to it, having been one of the first things he said to her when they woke up this morning. Matt needed to be sure this is what she wanted. No matter how badly he wanted everyone to know, it wasn't about him. And he needed to know she wasn't doing this just because of him, he wanted to be sure this is what she wanted, too.
"I am." She replied, feeling his arm slide up to rest just below her breasts, Matt keeping her close to him. "I'm excited for them to know, I think, for the most part, they'll be happy for us…"
"I do, too." He agreed, resting his chin back against her shoulder, Gabby's eyes falling closed as she focused on the sound of his breathing.
"And it'll be nice to just get to be us, you know?" Gabby continued, unable to see the soft smile forming over his face. "We won't have to keep second guessing how to act around one another, or I won't, I guess… You seemed to handle it okay."
"It wasn't easy." He replied softly. "Especially because all I wanted to do whenever I saw you was grab you and kiss you." He told her, Gabby feeling heat rise to her cheeks as she bit down on her bottom lip. "But I know exactly what you mean… I know we've got to remain professional, but it'll be nice to not have to overthink everything… I'm so ready for everyone to know you're my girl."
"Your girl, huh?" She asked, feeling him nod against her as he gave her body a gentle squeeze.
"Mhmm… For as long as you'll keep me around." He responded, pressing a kiss to the top of her shoulder, Gabby shaking her head.
"I think if anything, it's the opposite." She replied quickly, his eyebrows furrowing at the tone in her voice, Matt slightly pulling back. But before he could question it, Gabby turned around in his embrace, Matt's hands sliding along her body before coming to rest on her hips. Her arms came up to rest over his shoulders, Gabby clasping her hands together behind his neck as she caught his gaze. "This is your last chance, you know." She told him, Matt's eyebrows raising as his head cocked to the side, waiting for more of an explanation. "Once we tell everyone, that means you're stuck with me."
His smile widened when he saw the gleam in her eye, Casey tightening his grip on her waist as he pulled her closer, their bodies flush together as Gabby played with the hairs at the base of his neck.
"Trust me…" He nearly whispered, leaning in slowly, their lips ghosting over one another. "I'm happy to be stuck with you." He felt her smile before he closed the distance between them, Matt capturing her lips in a heated kiss, their movements just as passionate as they had been earlier that morning, Gabby using her hold around his neck to keep him close to her.
When they eventually pulled back, their chests were heaving, Matt pressing his forehead against hers as they caught their breath, Gabby clutching onto his neck. She had her eyes closed, Matt seeing a soft smile form over her lips, his chest flooding with warmth at the sight of her in this moment. She looked so content, and so happy; it was a look he wished he saw more of from her, but right now, he was just thankful to be the cause of it.
"I'm not going anywhere." He murmured, his words causing her eyes to open, Matt pulling back slightly as their gazes locked. He had said this to her a few times, and every time he did, it was like she was slowly letting herself believe him. That more and more, she was beginning to believe that he meant the things he said to her, Matt having the feeling she'd been lied to and manipulated frequently in the past, if how long it took her to let herself trust him was any indication. And although he knew they were making progress, that Gabby was doing better with the shift in their relationship after they'd put a label on things, he'd never stop reminding her that he was here, especially when he knew she still needed to hear it. "I'm in this, you and me." He continued, Gabby's smile growing, her eyes shining back at him. "And I'm so excited for everyone else to know that, too." Matt finished, bringing his hand up to cradle the side of her face, rubbing his fingertips gently over her hair, Gabby giving him a nod.
"Me too." She responded, rubbing her hand along the back of his neck before leaning forward, capturing his lips in a soft kiss, their movements slow and gentle as he stroked his thumb over her cheek. "...I love you." She spoke against his lips, feeling him smile before he kissed her again, Matt holding her close to him, sliding his hand from her waist around to her back.
"God, I'll always love hearing that." He breathed out, Gabby chuckling softly against his lips, scratching her fingers lightly against his skin. "I love you, too." He replied before pulling her in for another kiss, the two getting lost in each other as they stood in his kitchen.
After a few tender moments, Gabby reluctantly pulled away, having to release herself from his grasp or she knew they'd never get out of here, and they'd definitely be late for shift. "As much as I would love to continue this, we really should get going." She told him, catching her breath as he nodded, rubbing his hand over her arm.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right… You just get me so distracted, I can't help it." He responded, Gabby ducking her head as she turned back towards the counter, grabbing the coffee she'd already prepared for him. "But they'll be plenty of time for that after shift, or maybe even during shift, if I'm lucky." He added with a grin, Gabby chuckling as she handed him the coffee, Matt pressing a kiss to the side of her head in thanks.
"Yeah, maybe you just might get lucky…" She replied, Matt raising his eyebrows. "We'll have to wait and see."
"Oh, well I am very much looking forward to that." He breathed out, following Gabby out of the kitchen, the pair stopping by the coffee table to grab their shift bags they'd placed there last night.
Going through the easy routine they'd found for themselves, Matt followed Gabby out of the apartment, the paramedic waiting on the porch for him as he locked his front door, the two walking down the steps together.
"Hey, you know what I just realized?" Matt spoke as they walked towards her car.
"Hmm?" She hummed, unlocking her door, tossing her shift bag in the back seat.
"That after today, they'll be some days where we can ride to work together."
A smile formed over her lips as the words left his mouth, Gabby seeing a genuinely excited look covering his face, his goofy grin making her heart swell in her chest. "Yeah, we definitely can." She responded lightly, stepping forward to give him one last quick kiss before she climbed into her car, Matt closing the door once she was inside. He stayed by the door, waiting for her to get it turned on and for her to put the window down, Matt resting his hands on the frame as she looked up to him.
"I'll see you over there." He told her, Gabby giving him a nod, placing her hand over his and giving it a soft squeeze.
"See you there." She responded, Matt tapping the frame before he stepped back, beginning the short walk to his truck that was parked in front of her car, the two going separate ways for the first time in two days, although they both knew they wouldn't be apart for long.
Gabby put her shift bag in her locker, sliding her phone into her jacket pocket before glancing to the small mirror she had on the door, quickly checking her appearance. After tightening her ponytail, she straightened her spine, the paramedic doing one last once over of her locker before shutting the door.
"Jesus Christ." Gabby nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw her partner standing against the lockers, her friend having been hidden behind the door, Shay chuckling as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hello to you, sunshine." She responded, Dawson shaking her head before stepping away towards the exit, Shay following after her. As they got into the hallway, Shay looped her arm through Dawson's, Gabby raising her eyebrows as she glanced towards her friend, the blonde leading her through the firehouse. "So… I have some questions for you."
"Oh boy." Gabby breathed out, her hands shoved into her pockets, Shay keeping her grip on her partner.
"Well, actually, they're not so much questions… just comments."
"That's definitely worse." Gabby replied quickly, Shay narrowing her eyes before scoffing, the blonde shaking her head.
"Well I wouldn't have anything to say if I hadn't found out that you and the boyfriend like to get freaky at Molly's." She spoke, Gabby slowing her steps as she rolled her eyes, Shay's devilish grin widening. "Yeah, don't think I forgot about that… slut." She added teasingly, Gabby pulling from her grasp, feigning offense as the blonde laughed. "Don't give me that look… But I guess you didn't realize that when I used to make all those jokes about you mounting him on the bar, I was just joking." She continued, Gabby biting back a smirk as she stepped away from her friend, stopping in her tracks when she felt Shay's hand smack her ass, the PIC turning around with her mouth open.
"You and Casey both, I swear to God." Gabby groaned, Shay biting on her tongue in amusement. "That does not belong to you." She chastised, smacking her friend on the arm before she turned the corner by the bathrooms, Shay walking beside her.
"Yeah, I always had a feeling he was an ass man." Her partner responded, Gabby choking on the air in her lungs, Shay patting her back as she laughed. "Although I think it's more that he's just a Gabby Dawson man." The blonde said once Gabby had composed herself, Dawson ducking her head slightly, the sincerity of Shay's words causing her stomach to flutter. But the moment didn't last long, Shay continuing to tease her. "But, anyway, back to you being a whore," She started, Gabby narrowing her eyes. "I can't believe you two did that at Molly's…" She spoke, Dawson's steps slowing as she raised her eyebrows, Shay pursing her lips together. "Alright, well I guess I can… you two seem to like getting a little adventurous. Guess the danger helps him get it up." Shay joked, earning a scoff Gabby.
"Not that it concerns you at all, but he has no trouble with that, thank you very much." Dawson responded sharply, Shay laughing at her friend's annoyance.
"Well, for your sake, I hope not." She replied without missing a beat, Gabby glancing into the common room through the windows as they got closer, seeing most of the house in there.
"And for the record, I didn't mount him." Gabby clarified quietly, Shay running her tongue along her bottom lip.
"Yeah, I doubt he'd let you… He doesn't get a view of your ass that way." Shay spoke with a chuckle, lowering her voice as well, Gabby narrowing her eyes at her friend. "Although I guess technically he could if you were turned-"
"Okay, we're done with this conversation." Gabby cut her friend off before she could give any graphic descriptions of her and Matt together, the blonde laughing as they turned the corner into the common room.
"You're ruining all my fun, Dawson." Shay responded, Gabby shaking her head as she stepped into the room, seeing a few sets of eyes on her.
"Uh oh, Dawson looks all embarrassed." Herrmann commented, Gabby rolling her eyes as she continued towards the kitchen. "You giving her a hard time, Shay?" He asked lightly, Gabby glancing back towards the blonde.
"Well, not as hard of a time as some people." Shay responded quickly with a smirk, Gabby's eyes widening at the less than subtle innuendo, Herrmann shaking his head as he focused his attention back on the TV.
"Yeah, that's my own fault, I shouldn't have asked." He muttered under his breath, the blonde paramedic chuckling as she continued into the room, Gabby shooting her a death glare.
"I'm gonna kill you." She spoke quietly when her partner got closer, Shay rolling her eyes, tapping Gabby's cheek as she passed her friend.
"You love me." She responded, Gabby huffing out a breath before following Shay into the kitchen, both paramedics going in search of some breakfast.
Walker slammed his door shut as he stood outside the firehouse, swallowing the thick lump in his throat while he locked up his car, shouldering his shift bag as he looked at the firehouse, the firefighter mentally preparing himself for what he was walking into.
After the little show Gabby and his Lieutenant had put on the other evening outside Molly's, he hadn't been able to shake the anger that consumed him, the terrible feeling seemingly building in his gut more and more every time he thought about it. And he still couldn't quite believe what he had seen the night before last. He couldn't believe Gabby was with Casey, the thought absolutely making his skin crawl.
Gabby was dating his boss, she was sleeping with his boss. Everything he used to do with Gabby, Casey was now doing that. He got to spend time with her, he was getting to be with her… holding her, touching her, sleeping with her. And it was the last one that really made his blood boil.
Gabby was his. He didn't care that he'd broken things off, that didn't matter. Everyone knew she belonged to him, but Casey didn't seem to care. Even after the talk he'd had with his Lieutenant about Gabby, Casey still had the audacity to go after her. And he couldn't believe it.
He couldn't understand how Gabby had just moved on to Casey, when she was still clearly in love with him. He wasn't sure if she was just using the Lieutenant as a distraction, or if she was using Casey to make him jealous, but he couldn't stand it. Gabby should've never slept with his boss, there were plenty of other things she could've done to make him pay attention to her, she didn't need to whore herself out to whatever man showed her any interest.
Walker had to keep himself from gagging at the thought as he neared the garage, the firefighter shaking his head in disgust at the image in his mind of Gabby fucking his boss. He could forgive a lot, he could forgive all her annoying and needy bullshit that he'd put up with for the last three years, but he couldn't forgive this. He couldn't forgive her spreading her legs for Casey.
And he couldn't believe he ever considered getting back together with her.
She had ruined any chance of gaining his forgiveness for everything she'd done to make him break up with her, now all he could do was make it clear this wasn't okay. She couldn't just fuck his boss and expect nothing to happen.
But he knew he needed to be careful of how he handled this. Boden was already on his ass for nothing, Herrmann and Shay were always watching him as well, and Casey was an entirely different story altogether. Walker always found Casey's watchful eye on him annoying, especially once Bryan found out the Lieutenant was one of the ones instructed to make sure he 'stayed away from Dawson'. But now there was another piece to this all together, Bryan slowly realizing that the reason Casey had always made sure he left Gabby alone wasn't because of Boden's bullshit orders, but it was the Lieutenant marking his territory.
Gabby had managed to use what was between her legs to turn Casey into some protector, his Lieutenant trying to use his position as some power move. But Bryan knew it was all bullshit.
Whatever the extent of Gabby's relationship with the Lieutenant, it wasn't real. It was lust, at most. There was no way there were any real feelings there, he knew Gabby couldn't feel anything for any other man when she was still in love with him. This wasn't some serious thing, this was Gabby trying to make him jealous. But she had gone too far. And she'd pay for it.
Taking a deep breath, Walker continued into the garage, the man holding onto the strap of his bag over his shoulder, intent on getting to the locker room and putting his things away before he had to try and figure out how to handle himself around the two people who had betrayed him.
Unfortunately, he saw one of them much sooner than he would've liked, Bryan's steps slowing instantly when he saw Casey standing by one of the compartments on the truck, the door open as he moved things around.
Casey looked up, raising his eyebrows slightly when he saw the man staring at him, an almost blank look on Bryan's face. "Walker." He greeted, seeing Walker's body tense slightly.
Walker's fist clenched at his side, his anger only growing when he saw the curious look on his Lieutenant's face, acting like he had no idea what he'd done when he was fucking Gabby behind his back.
"Something wrong?" Casey asked when Walker had yet to give a verbal response, Bryan pursing his lips together as he breathed deeply, the firefighter shaking his head slightly.
"Nope." He responded, maybe a little more forcefully that he should've, Matt's head tilting to the side. "Everything's fine, Lieutenant."
With a nod, Casey went back to his task, Walker's eyes narrowing the second Matt had turned away, Bryan having to keep his anger at bay as he walked past his boss. He wanted to punch him, he wanted to beat the shit out of him for taking what was his. But he knew he couldn't; he was already on a short leash as it was around here, he couldn't risk losing his job just because Gabby was whoring herself out.
As he moved towards the double doors, the bells rang out, Bryan stopping momentarily to hear who was needed, the man continuing his movement when he heard it was only ambo being called out, Bryan seeing Gabby and Shay coming through the door as he got closer.
Dawson hadn't been paying attention, the PIC hurrying out of the door so quickly she didn't notice Walker standing there until she collided into him, Shay reaching out to steady her as Gabby immediately looked up.
"Oh, sorry- I didn't see you there." She apologized softly, Gabby avoiding his eye contact as Shay moved past her, Walker not bothering to stop the scoff that left his lips at her words, Dawson's eyebrows furrowing.
"Whatever." He muttered, forcefully bumping his shoulder into her as he walked past her, Gabby stumbling back slightly, her hand immediately coming to cover her shoulder as he moved to the door.
"Watch it, asshole." Shay bit out in annoyance, Walker flipping her off before disappearing into the house, the blonde placing her hand on Gabby's back. "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Dawson responded, her eyes glancing back towards the door before they began moving towards the rig, Gabby knowing they didn't have time to focus on whatever his problem was.
"I wonder what his deal is." Shay spoke, Gabby shrugging as they moved through the garage. "You think he's still mad about you having a date?"
"Who knows. But I don't care." She replied, rubbing over her shoulder. "I've moved on, he's gotta get used to it."
"That's my girl." Shay responded proudly, rubbing Gabby's back as they got closer to their rig, Gabby seeing Matt standing by the truck as they came around the back of 81, an immediate smile forming over her face. A similar smile appeared on his when he noticed them, Matt resting his hand on the compartment door as the paramedics got to the rig.
"Stay safe out there." He spoke, his eyes focused on Gabby until she disappeared behind the ambulance, Gabby giving him a nod just as she moved out of sight, Matt seeing Shay place her hand over her chest.
"Oh Casey, such a sweetheart." The blonde paramedic teased, Matt raising his eyebrows, hearing Gabby scoff as she opened the passenger side door. "But don't worry, I'll always stay safe for you." She promised, Casey shaking his head in amusement.
"Thank you, Shay." He replied with a knowing smirk, Shay giving him a wink before climbing into the rig, Matt's eyes moving to Gabby, shooting her one last smile before the paramedics pulled out of the driveway, Casey keeping his eyes on the rig until it was out of sight.
The blonde paramedic checked her mirrors as she backed the ambulance into the garage, her tongue poking out between her teeth, Shay's focus solely on the task a hand. With a satisfied grin on her face, she put the rig in park, turning the engine off.
"Well, I think that might've been one of my best parking jobs yet. Damn, I'm good." She spoke towards her partner, Shay's hand moving towards her seatbelt. "This is the reason I always drive, because if it was up to you to park, I'd just have to redo it… No offense." Shay continued, glancing out the window as her seat belt snapped up into place, the blonde expecting some sort of snarky reply from her friend. But she got nothing, Shay's gaze turning towards her partner, Gabby's focus solely on her phone. Shay's head cocked to the side, the blonde raising her eyebrows as she waved her hand around, trying, and failing, to get Dawson's attention. It was like the PIC was off in her own little world, Gabby's complete attention on whatever she was looking at. Shay was just gonna leave it, Gabby clearly not even aware to the fact they were back at the house, but when a huge grin broke out on her partner's face, Shay couldn't wait anymore, the blonde reaching and snatching the phone from Dawson's hands.
"Hey!"
"Sorry, but I wanna know what's got you so smiley- wait." Shay cut herself off, holding the phone down. "I'm not about to see a picture of Casey's dick, am I?" She asked, Gabby rolling her eyes. "Because, although I'm curious to what he has to offer you, it would scar me for life. I'd never be able to look at him the same."
"No, there's no pictures of anything of Matt's." Gabby told her, Shay nodding before picking the phone back up. "Well… just don't scroll back too far." Dawson corrected, the blonde grimacing before shaking her head.
"Gross." She muttered, her eyes moving over the screen, seeing Gabby was in fact texting Casey, which wasn't exactly surprising considering Shay knew Matt was the only person that could have her friend smiling that big.
"I'm not sure why you're looking at my texts anyway. I don't believe I gave you permission to do that." Dawson spoke, Shay waving her off before her eyes scanned the messages.
It was all relatively tame, almost boringly so, Shay seeing Matt talking about how he'd made plans with Gabby's mother to go and fix a few things around her church next week, and how they were going to have lunch after. Then there were just a few cute texts, ending with a few I love yous.
It was all harmless, and Shay couldn't help but smile as she handed the phone back, Gabby tucking her hair behind her ear as she placed the device in her lap. "Well, that was boring." Shay huffed out, Dawson wearing an unimpressed look at her partner turned towards her. "But, Casey's still getting along with the parents, I see." She added, Gabby's bottom lip tucking between her teeth as she bit back a smile, the PIC nodding.
"Yeah, he is. They love him, especially my mom." She responded with a chuckle, Shay's smile widening. "And I'm pretty sure Matt talks to my dad more than I do."
"That's sweet." Shay responded sincerely, Gabby nodding. "And sucking up to the parents… Smart play, Casey. Smart play." She murmured, Dawson shaking her head.
"If it were anyone else, I'd say that's all it was… But he just genuinely likes talking to them, and seeing them. I mean, Matt's so personable, he can be friends with anyone, but he really just enjoys their company." She replied, Shay seeing the content smile on her friend's face. "And I know my parents definitely weren't expecting that. I mean, I hate to even compare Matt to Bryan, because they're both just completely different people, but my parents definitely didn't have that type of relationship with Bryan, so I don't think they were expecting it with Matt… But I know they love it. They love him."
"Well, they have that in common with their daughter." Shay replied, Gabby feeling her cheeks fill with warmth. "...And it looks like Casey knows that now, too." She added pointedly, Dawson knowing she was referring to the 'I love yous' her and Matt had exchanged in their messages.
"Yeah, he does." Gabby responded softly, unable to hide the wide grin on her face.
"When did that happen?" Shay asked, Dawson glancing towards her. "I mean, I know you said you hadn't told him yet because you all didn't want to rush things, but clearly lover boy knows how you really feel about him now." The blonde spoke, Gabby shaking her head in amusement.
"It was the other night once we got back from Molly's… He said it first." She spoke lightly, Shay raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah, that's not surprising." She responded, Gabby tilting her head to the side. "In fact the only surprising thing about this is that it took him this long."
"Yeah, I don't know… I'm kind of glad it took us some time." Gabby spoke, brushing her hand across the side of her face. "Although, I guess six weeks isn't really that long, but we'd both been in love with each other for longer than that, so it feels like it took us a while. But the fact that we waited… it makes it feel more real, I guess. I don't know." Dawson rambled, Shay's face softening.
"Oh honey, it's very real." The blonde replied with a smile. "That boy is head over heels in love with you, and he has been for awhile. I'm just glad you were finally able to tell each other. But, as someone who's seen you two since before you got your shit together, I can tell what you two have is very real."
"Yeah… And once we tell everyone, it'll be even more real. We'll be able to just be ourselves." Gabby added, Shay giving her a nod.
"So you two are still doing that? Telling everyone?" Shay asked, Gabby giving her a nod. "You hadn't mentioned it yet, so I wasn't sure if anything changed."
"No, nothing's changed." Dawson assured her. "We're telling everyone today, but I am gonna tell Walker first… I feel like I should." She explained, Shay raising her eyebrows. "I feel weird about telling him with everyone else. I know he doesn't deserve it, but I feel like I should give him the courtesy of telling him first."
"Well, you're a better woman than I am, cause you're right, he doesn't deserve anything from you… But I get why you're doing it. It's nice of you, even though Walker can choke." She spoke, Gabby shaking her head. "Although if his behavior when we left was any indication, he's not gonna be too pleased."
"No, I know he's not. But I don't care what he thinks, it doesn't matter. I'm only telling him beforehand because I would've appreciated the same courtesy from him, but however he reacts, it won't change anything. I love Matt, him and I are happy, nothing Walker says or does can change that." Gabby told her, seeing a proud look shining in Shay's eyes. "...What?"
"Nothing." She responded with a shrug. "I'm just liking this new Dawson… Well, actually, I guess it's more like you're the old Dawson, before everything that happened with Walker." Shay explained, Gabby's tongue running over her bottom lip. "You just seem more like your old self again."
"Yeah, I was kind of a mess there for a while, wasn't I?" She asked rhetorically, Shay placing her hand on Dawson's leg.
"You weren't a mess, you were going through a lot. But you got through it… And now you're in a great relationship, with an incredible guy. I'm just glad to finally see you so happy."
"Me too." Gabby responded, patting the top of Shay's hand before grabbing her phone, sliding it back into her pocket, the PIC pushing her door open, Shay following her lead.
"So… is it time?" The blonde asked as they met around the back of the rig, Gabby nodding before they began walking towards the double doors.
"Yup. I'm gonna go tell Walker, then talk to Matt."
"Is he telling everyone or you?" Shay asked, Gabby smiling softly.
"Well, we both are, I guess. But I imagine he'll be the one to say it." Dawson explained, Shay giving her a nod as they got to the doors, the blonde pulling one open. "He's so excited, it's really cute actually."
"Yeah, that's not surprising." The blonde chuckling as they made their way back into the common room, seeing most everyone where they'd been when the paramedics had gotten called out a few hours earlier.
It took barely a second for Dawson to find the firefighter she was looking for, Gabby seeing Walker seated at the small circular table, the man reading his newspaper as Otis, Cruz, and Severide sat beside him. Taking a deep breath, Gabby continued into the common room, her eyes moving towards the other table, finding Matt watching her a soft smile. The second she saw him, her entire body relaxed, Casey giving her a reassuring nod, like he already knew what she was about to do.
After one more nod from her boyfriend, Gabby continued towards Bryan, coming up from behind him as the other three firefighters looked up when they registered her presence.
"Hey Dawson." Cruz greeted, Gabby seeing Bryan's back tense as he lifted his head, but he didn't turn around to look at her, Dawson continuing around the table, coming to stand beside Walker.
"Hey guys." She responded, flashing them a small smile before turning her attention towards Bryan, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and clearing her throat. "Uh, Walker… can we talk for a second?"
The room got quiet when they heard Gabby approach the firefighter, knowing she'd been doing the exact opposite for a few months now. The entire situation between the former fiancés was a delicate one, everyone in the house knowing that, so for her to reach out to him was a bit strange.
Bryan took a deep breath, the man looking up towards Dawson, an unreadable expression in his eyes, seeing Gabby gnawing on her bottom lip. Without saying a word, he nodded, Gabby reciprocating the gesture before she turned around, walking towards the conference room. Rolling out the tension in his neck, Bryan pushed himself up from the table, ignoring the stares from everyone in the room, following in Dawson's path as he walked out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
"What do we think that's about?" Herrmann asked the question most everyone in the room was thinking.
"I don't think it's any of your business, Herrmann." Shay replied almost instantly, her eyes flashing to Matt, the Lieutenant's gaze focused on the conference room door.
"Do you guys think they're getting back together?" Cruz asked, ignoring Shay's words, Casey's back tensing slightly. Before anyone could answer, Severide smacked the back of Joe's head, the man putting his hands up. "It's just a question."
"A question that's none of your business." Severide replied, shaking his head. "You heard Shay, now drop it. " He spoke, glancing across the room towards Casey, giving him a nod when he caught his friend's gaze, Severide, Shay, and Casey all aware that here soon, everyone would know exactly why Gabby needed to talk to Walker.
Inside the conference room, Dawson stood a good few feet away from Walker, the two standing in a thick silence as Bryan's harsh gaze focused on her. Gabby knew he was upset with her, that their brief conversation at Molly's had pissed him off, but he seemed more angry now than he had then, and she didn't know why.
But she couldn't focus on that, because it didn't matter. He could think whatever he wanted, he could be as angry and upset as he wanted, it wasn't going to change anything.
"So, uh-... I know you probably weren't expecting me to bring you in here, but I need to talk to you about something." She prefaced, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned her weight against the table, Walker remaining still. "I know we're not together anymore, and I don't even know if you'll care, but I didn't want you finding out with everyone else. I wanted you to hear this from me, but-"
"If you're about to tell me that you're fucking Casey, I already know."
Gabby's eyes widened as the angry words left his lips, Walker scoffing as he took a step forward, his glare zeroed in on her surprised expression.
"Oh, don't look so shocked." He spat, Dawson's spine straightening as she glared at him. "It's amazing no one else in this Goddamn house found out already, considering how you throw yourself at him."
"Excuse me?"
"It's pathetic, you fucking him just to get back on me… You're pathetic, I can't believe I ever was with you to begin with." He spoke roughly, his eyes burning as Gabby felt anger building in her system. "I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised you jumped to the first guy who was available, but my Lieutenant? I knew I'd asked about you two before, but I didn't think you were actually fucking him, Jesus Gabby." He huffed out, shaking his head as he began to pace in front of her. "You couldn't have become fuck buddies with someone who wasn't my boss? I mean, what the fuck are you thinking? Are you trying to sleep your way through the house? Should I worry about Severide being next? God, you're fucking unbelievable."
"You're insane if you think this has anything to do with you." She bit back without hesitation, Walker stopping in his tracks, his fists clenched at his sides as he turned towards her. "This isn't about you, so just stop the bullshit. Mine and Matt's relationship-"
"Relationship." He scoffed, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure what you two have is a 'relationship'. Keep telling yourself that to make you feel better."
"Our relationship isn't about you." She continued, ignoring his words as Walker shook his head. "It has nothing to do with you. Matt and I met before I even knew he'd be working here, it's not like I just up and decided to sleep with your Lieutenant." She defended herself, Bryan narrowing his eyes.
"Well, it wouldn't surprise me if you had." He shot back, Gabby standing up straight. "You seem to have a type."
"What?" She scoffed, Walker's glare never lifting.
"I'm just saying… You got with me because I worked here, then the second a new guy comes in you can't wait to- wait." He cut himself off, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion as realization spread across his face, Gabby unsure of what had stopped him. "You two were together before he came to work here?" He asked, disbelief playing across his face as Gabby soon realized what he was thinking, Bryan having put the timeline together in his head. "We broke up the night before that, you're telling me you were fucking him before we split up? Jesus Christ, Gabby." He spat, shaking his head angrily. "You really are a piece of work, you were fucking him behind my back while acting all high and mighty when it came to my mistakes?"
"Him and I weren't together before you broke up with me." She corrected him, Walker's gaze narrowing slightly.
"Okay, well please explain to me how that works, I would love to hear how you weren't sleeping around behind my back." He spoke harshly, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he took another step towards her, Gabby standing her ground. "Because the only way that would work is if you went and fucked him like the second I ended things." He added, Gabby's face faltering slightly before she quickly recovered. But Walker saw it, his eyes widening before he shook his head, a heavy scoff leaving his lips. "...God, you really are just fucking unbelievable, aren't you? I end our engagement, we break up after being together for three fucking years and the first thing you do is go and find some guy to fuck? You're pathetic."
"At least I waited until we were broken up before I slept with other people." She fired back, her voice getting louder as Walker's eyes narrowed in anger. "You don't get to stand there and judge me for things I did after we were broken up. I don't owe you anything. You're the one who broke up with me, remember? You chose to end things. You don't get to be mad at me for moving on, when you were sleeping with God knows how many women while we were still engaged!" She shouted, Bryan shaking his head as he ran his hand over his mouth.
"Yeah, you love to just throw that back in my face, don't you? You're real proud of yourself for managing not to fuck some other dude when we were still together, well congratulations, you waited a whole five seconds before spreading your legs for whatever guys gave you the slightest bit of attention." He responded bitterly, only stopping to take a breath. "You know from where I'm standing, it seems like you were never as broken up over me ending things than you led everyone to believe. You were apparently doing just fine, even though you moped around here for weeks, making me look like some kind of monster all while you were screwing around with whoever you could… Although I guess I shouldn't even be surprised that you immediately went out looking for some guy to fuck, you're nothing but a piece of ass, anyway. Why do you think I was with you for so long?" He spat loudly, his anger getting the best of him, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek as his harsh words hit her. "That's all you were ever good for. And you're an idiot if you think Casey will be any different. You're impossible to be in a relationship with, and that poor bastard is gonna figure that out sooner or later."
"Walker-"
"There's a reason we didn't work out, Gabby!" He yelled, Dawson shrinking back slightly at the force of his voice. "You're a good lay, but that's about the only thing tolerable about you. You're so Goddamn insufferable, no one can stand to be around you. And Casey's gonna figure that out. I put up with you for three fucking years, and not a day goes by where I don't regret not ending things sooner. You made my life hell, and now, to make things worse, you're fucking my boss." He bit out, shaking his head. "...You're pathetic, Gabby, and I wish I never wasted my time on you."
The sound of the door opening took away any chance for Gabby to respond, the paramedic blinking quickly as they both turned towards the door, seeing Casey and Shay standing in the doorway, Gabby seeing the eyes of everyone else on them through the window. Clearly, the entire house had heard at least part of their conversation, Gabby taking a step away from Walker as the firefighter scoffed, directing his attention to Matt.
"Oh great, Casey's here to save the day." He spoke sarcastically, Matt's eyes narrowing as he stepped inside the room, Shay following, anger pouring off the Lieutenant.
"You need to cool it, Walker. Right now." Casey spoke firmly, Gabby hearing an anger in his voice she'd never heard before, his tone only encouraging Bryan.
"Why? Can't handle knowing the truth about your little girlfriend?" He challenged, walking towards Casey. "Or should I say whore-"
"Walker!" Matt shouted, Shay moving towards Gabby now that Bryan had stepped away from her, the blonde focusing her attention on her friend, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek roughly, blinking back the tears forming in her eyes, Walker's words having hit her deeper than she ever wanted to admit. "You need to calm down." Casey spoke, his eyes focused solely on the angry firefighter across from him. He was fighting every instinct in him to just go and comfort Gabby, Matt's stomach turning at the thought of everything Bryan had said to her, but he knew he needed to diffuse the situation first. Walker was angry, and that had to be handled. He had to be a Lieutenant first, even though all he wanted to do was be her boyfriend.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant, but you don't get to tell me to calm down. Not when you've been fucking Gabby behind my back-"
"Nothing was done behind your back." Casey replied calmly, knowing the entire house was listening. This wasn't at all the way he, or Gabby, wanted everyone to find out about their relationship, but with Walker's screaming moments prior, they were well past that.
"Oh bullshit." Walker snapped, taking a step closer. "You two have been fucking around behind my back, you really couldn't have used anyone else to get over what your ex-wife did to you?" He shot, Matt's back tensing. "You could've fucked anyone else, it didn't need to be her." He added, shaking his head before brushing past his Lieutenant, Walker moving into the stunned common room.
Running his hand over his mouth, Casey spared a quick glance at Gabby, seeing an unreadable expression in her eyes before he turned around, his compulsion to defend his girlfriend winning out above anything else.
"Hey!" Casey called as he got into the common room, Walker stopping just before he got into the hallway, the entire common room looking between them. Rolling out his neck, Bryan turned around, rage shining in his eyes as he looked towards his boss.
"What? What do you have to say? Did everyone else here know that you've been fucking Dawson? Was I the only one who didn't know? Although compared to how they look right now, I have a feeling none of them knew you were with that slut-"
"Walker, you better watch your mouth." Casey cut him off, taking another step forward, barely registering Gabby's presence in the conference room doorway.
"Oh just drop the protective boyfriend act, you already got her into bed, you don't need to keep pretending you care about her." He scoffed, glancing around the room. "I don't have time for this bullshit, for whatever you're about to tell me about how it's not what I think, or you two didn't start this until after we broke up, whatever crap you're gonna say, I don't care. It doesn't matter. You won." He spat, Matt's eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. "You won, alright? You've hated me from the start, you've always tried to prove you were better than me. You've had it out for me since you got here, and now I know why. It's because of her." He continued, his anger and frustration evident as he pointed towards Dawson. "So you win, I give up. You're fucking my ex, congratulations. She's not fucking worth this, anyway. You can have her." He huffed out, turning on his heels and continuing out of the otherwise silent common room. But Casey didn't let him very far.
"You really are one conceited son of a bitch, aren't you?" Matt fired back, stomping towards his firefighter, the two meeting at the entrance of the room. "Maybe drop your ego for one damn second and consider that not everything is about you. The fact that you think mine and Gabby's relationship has anything to do with you just tells me that I was right about you all along. You really think we're together to… what? Spite you? You're not that stupid." He spoke roughly, Walker's muscles tensing in anger. "This has nothing to do with you. Our relationship doesn't concern you at all, Gabby only told you first because she didn't want you finding out with everyone else, but from that little stunt you pulled in there, it's clear you didn't even deserve that. You have nothing to be angry about here, Walker. You broke up with her-"
"Yeah, and she spread her legs for you the second she could." Bryan interjected, Casey straightening his spine as he took a step forward.
"At least she didn't fuck around behind your back, which is more than you can say." Casey bit back, Walker's face faltering for a moment. "You ended things, you had been cheating on her for a fucking year before you had the decency to break up with her, she doesn't owe you shit. And she especially shouldn't be made to feel guilty for being happy after the shit you put her through."
"Yeah, but-"
"And I don't know why you keep saying that I 'won' Gabby," Casey cut him off, his eyes narrowed. "But she's not a fucking possession, even though you treated her like one. She's not something to be won, she's a person. A person that you treated like shit." He snapped, Walker opening his mouth to try and interject again, but Matt wouldn't let him. "You broke up with her months ago, you have no reason to be mad at her, or at me, or at anyone. I get it, your boss is with your ex and you're pissed off, but you have no reason to be because you're the one who ended things. And you really don't have any right to treat her like you just did in there." Casey spat, his hand gesturing towards the conference room. "Gabby and I did nothing wrong, she did nothing wrong. She didn't cheat on you, and she didn't sneak around behind your back, she did nothing to you. She did nothing but move on with her life after you wrecked it. So grow the fuck up." He nearly shouted, Matt getting angrier and angrier with each second, his need to defend his girlfriend outweighing anything else, the entire room stunned to silence. "And if you can't handle it, transfer houses." Matt added, Walker's face hardening in anger. "But you will not treat Dawson like that again. You won't take out your anger on her, or anyone, like that again. Do you understand me?"
Walker clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing back towards Gabby, the paramedic seemingly frozen in the doorway, her eyes moving from Casey to meet his gaze, Bryan shaking his head as he released a heavy scoff.
"Enjoy my sloppy seconds, Lieutenant." He muttered, Walker turning around and storming out to the garage, the only sound being his boots stomping against the ground, the door slamming into the wall as he disappeared outside, leaving a shocked group of firefighters in the common room.
No one made a move, everyone too stunned to speak until Gabby turned back towards the conference room, knowing it was her quickest exit as she hurried from the room, needing to get away from the tense quiet and uncomfortable stares everyone was giving her, the paramedic leaving quickly without a word, Shay wasting no time in following after her.