A/N: So, if you've been keeping up with the COVID-19 news, One Chicago filming has been postponed. The season may or may not be ending with 8x20. We haven't heard anything official but supposedly there are sources saying Dick Wolf shows are just wrapping their seasons now as opposed to delaying filming to finish out their 22-23 episode orders. We'll see but hopefully if that's the case it means we'll get more episodes in season 9 to make up for it.

In other news, I finished writing chapter 21 so now you guys get chapter 18! Part 2 of the date! ;) The post date after party continues in chapter 19 so keep an eye out for that.

Happy reading!

angellwings


CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: This Is Gonna Be Fun


She takes a deep breath as the salesman pulls up in a Subaru Forester. They're not going to drive it yet, but he's pulling it around so they can sit in it and take in the details. It's the first step. He doesn't keep the car running, but he opens all the doors and the back hatch. Sylvie sits in the driver's seat and catalogues her feelings.

No anxiety yet. Her breathing is even. Her hands aren't sweating.

The buzzing whir of electronics hits her ears and she turns her head to find Casey, standing outside the car, looking down at the seat adjustment buttons on the side of the passenger seat. He's moving the seat as far forward as possible for reasons unknown. She watches him curiously as he flips the lever on the side and pushes the back of the seat closer to the dash.

Eventually, this inspection reaches a point where she has to ask.

The corner of her mouth pulls upward into a barely there grin. "What are you doing?"

He looks up with a smirk and shrugs as their eyes connect. His stare is more flirtatious than she's ever seen - pointed at her at least. "Just checking out the backseat. Seeing how much space we might be able to create for...potential activities."

It doesn't take much to figure out what 'activities' he might be referring to. She laughs loudly and then brings a hand to her mouth to cover the sound. She blushes as she gets her laughter under control and then nods. "Okay, good work. Carry on."

If he intended to distract her from her nerves, then job well done because now all she can think about is choosing a car for backseat makeouts with Matt Casey.

"This is nice," Sylvie says as she places her hands on the wheel and glances around at the interior. "Roomier than my old car." She turns a slight grimace to Matt as she leans across the middle console to speak softly. She's not sure the salesman should hear her. "Pricier too, though."

He nods. "Yeah, but Subarus have a good safety reputation. Might be worth the upcharge." He pauses, gives her a searching glance, and then asks, "Feel like taking it for a ride?"

She swallows thickly and glances away from him, out the windshield. "Not yet, no."

She steps out of the car and then walks around to the passenger side with Casey. She shouldn't be afraid of his reaction to her answer, but some part of her is.

His hand finds her elbow and squeezes it gently. "Alright, that's fine. No rush. What else do you want to look at? Maybe this one just isn't the right car for you."

"Um, yeah, okay," she replies as she thinks back on the list they cobbled together over breakfast. "Severide's text said Toyotas are reliable. So, maybe the Rav4?"

He takes her hand and leads her over to the salesman where they all discuss potential alternatives. He takes back the Forester and then leads them to a Rav4 they have parked inside the dealership's showroom. He keeps a hold of her hand as they walk from car to car and manages to check in with her state of mind without coming off as coddling. He's honestly sincere and it keeps her from being annoyed with him like she might someone else.

"Here," the salesman says as he leads them back outside to a small crossover vehicle. "This is the Chevy Trax. It's a good solid car that's very budget friendly, and it has a lot of newer technology in it. Even Wi-Fi."

Matt's brow furrows and then he scoffs. It's an adorably grumpy face and Sylvie presses her lips together to keep from laughing at him.

"Why the hell would a car need Wi-Fi?" he asks, looking utterly confounded.

She releases his hand to loop her arm through his and then pats his arm with her other hand. "It's for people who use their phones for more than phone calls and texts," she assures him with obvious laughter hidden in her voice. "In other words, not you."

"Could be good for you though, right?" He asks as he embraces her teasing with a crooked grin. "With that app you use to make all those playlists? That spot-whatever-it-is."

This time she doesn't bother holding back her soft laugh. "Spotify."

He points at her as he recognizes the name. "That's the one."

"You're cute," she tells him before leaning up to kiss his cheek with a fond smile. "And yes, I could use that. I use a lot of data listening to music."

She squeezes his arm before she releases it to open the driver's side door. The price point is better on this car and the inside does look inviting. She's still not sure she really wants something bigger than a sedan but...she can't find out unless she tries, right?

"Okay," she declares, feigning confidence. "Let's try this one."

Casey's eyebrows lift and he smiles encouragingly. "Yeah?"

She nods. "Yeah. I'll test drive it."

"Alright!" the salesman exclaims with exaggerated excitement. "I'll go get the keys." He holds out his hand for a high five. Sylvie and Matt share an amused look before Sylvie reluctantly grants his request.

"He's a little…"

"Enthusiastic?" Sylvie suggests kindly.

Matt chuckles and then smiles so wide that his eyes crinkle around the corners. She admits his smile already has a little too much power over her, but there's nothing she can do about that now.

"We'll go with that," he agrees.

She sucks in a breath. It feels thin and ragged. A few nerves are surfacing now that the keys are on their way. She grabs Casey's hand and laces their fingers together. "I can do this, right? I mean, you think I can do this?"

He leans down slightly to be eye level with her and nods. Before he answers her, he squeezes her hand. "I think Sylvie Brett can do anything she sets her mind to."

And just like that, she feels like she can actually do anything. It's funny the effect the right person believing in you can have. She snatches the keys out of the salesman's hands when he returns. A determination unlike any other she's felt suddenly takes hold of her. She is going to conquer this fear. The psychotic asshole who came after Hope will not win today.

She will do this.

Matt takes shotgun, the salesman is in the back. This time when she turns the key and the engine roars to life, she doesn't freeze. There's no panic. No waking nightmares. She's present and in the moment.

She's Sylvie Brett, with two Ts, and she will not be stopped. She switches the car from park to drive and then lets out a soft delighted squeal — just loud enough for only Matt to hear — as her foot hits the gas. She's doing it! She's moving the car. She's a fucking bad ass!

She's learning something new today. Facing a fear is a thrill that's better than any roller coaster she's ever been on. She feels accomplished. Invincible. Strong. Or maybe it's not facing the fear that's doing that.

Maybe it's Matt.

Or, more likely, it's both.

Honestly, it doesn't matter why. What matters...is that she is so doing this test drive thing again. And again. And again. Until the thrill fades away.

If it ever does.


Sylvie Brett giddy on life is a sight to behold. Holy shit. He thought seeing her happy was bright and bold enough, but it doesn't hold a candle to this. This is a Brett who feels unstoppable and he can feel himself actively falling in love with her.

Despite walking away without a vehicle to show for it, she's practically skipping back to his truck. If she wasn't holding his hand, he has a feeling she'd dart away from him just to burn off some energy.

"Matt," she practically sings in a tone that sounds like it's been candied and dipped in sprinkles.

What's happening between them is new, but he knows she wants something. It's the voice and the way she drew out his first name. He hates that he can already feel the yes on the tip of his tongue. She's so joyful right now that he'd do whatever she wanted to keep that going.

"Sylvie," he replies with a playful glare.

"Since I've been doing so well with these test drives, I was wondering…" She pauses mid-stride and tugs him to a stop with her. Her smile grows, showing off the stunning brightness of her too-perfect teeth. "Would you mind terribly, if I drove us home?"

Oh god, she knows what she's doing. The sweetness in her voice, her pretty smile, the use of the word 'home'. Shit, he's a goner. He doesn't stand a chance of resisting her.

"You want to drive my truck?" He asks, like a stunned idiot. Let's be real, that's exactly what he is.

Her eyes narrow with a teasing gleam in them. "You think I can't do it? I grew up on a farm. My dad taught me how to drive in a pick up."

One side of his mouth quirks upward and one eyebrow goes right along with it. Mostly because she's adorable but also because he's all for random facts about Sylvie Brett before she set foot in Chicago. "Is that right?"

"Mhm. I can probably parallel park that beauty better and faster than you ever could," she brags as she places her free hand on her hip.

"That's a ballsy claim," he replies with an intrigued and amused glance. "Alright," he says as he fishes his keys out of his pocket and dangles them in front of her. "Let's see what you got, Farm Girl."

She releases his hand to grab the keys and smirks triumphantly at him. "This is gonna be fun."

It already is, he thinks with a soft chuckle. It says a lot that he's willing to let her drive his truck. He doesn't mind riding shotgun in other people's cars but his truck is his livelihood so he's never really been able to part with his keys for very long. But if it means more of this brazen and cocky Sylvie Brett then he's all for it.

She's right. She's a pro at driving his truck.

"This is nothing," she tells him with a boastful smile. "You should see me on the tractor back home."

He's never had a farmer's daughter kink before but he's beginning to see the appeal. "Tractor?"

She nods and winks at him. "My favorite is the tractor with the Loader on it."

And now they're getting into construction equipment. Jesus Christ. The image of Sylvie Brett on one of his construction sites is lethal.

"You wear hardhats out there on the farm?" He asks with a small grin.

She answers him but it comes out like a question as her face scrunches in confusion. "No?"

"That's too bad," he replies as he sweeps an appreciative glance over her. She looks damn good in his drivers' seat. "You'd pull off that look better than any of the guys I use on my jobs."

"Oh really?" She asks, catching up with his thoughts and letting a sultry smile slide across her lips. "Do they come in pink?"

He laughs loudly and shrugs. "You know, I have no clue."

"Well, if they come in pink then I should definitely get one."

He shakes his head at her as he continues to laugh. "Do you want a pink tool belt too?"

She smiles at him, looking happy to continue this bit as long as it amuses him. "Oh! Yes, absolutely. Coordination is important."

"You're adorably ridiculous. You know that, right?" He asks her with a grin.

"Hey, you're the one trying to imagine me as a construction worker. I don't think I'm the one who's being ridiculous," she says as she lifts one hand from the wheel to pat his thigh.

It's the most patronizing thing he's ever seen her do. It's fucking attractive as hell. This new flirtatious side of Sylvie is immensely entertaining. How has he ever done without it?

The minute they get back to the apartment he is kissing her senseless. She's too enticing to resist like a euphoric force of sunlight drawing him into her orbit. He's been slowly drifting toward her and trying to resist it for far too long. He's not doing that anymore. From now on, he's leaning into it, wholly and completely.