Chapter 18

Blake leaned back against the wall, his legs stretched out, Sarah cuddled up next to him on the narrow bed. He stared down at her and absently stroked her hair. He wanted her out of this situation. He didn't want her to be running scared from Leo. He didn't want her scared to have a baby that reminded her of what Leo had done. And he didn't want her scared to tell Severide about the two of them.

Though, spending the night together in Severide's officer's quarters at 51 may take care of the last problem, the thought making him grimace.

He didn't like hiding from the lieutenant. He wasn't ashamed of Sarah, he wasn't ashamed of the baby. Their baby. That thought brought a smile to his lips.

He leaned down to give her kiss. He needed to get out of there before the rest of the firehouse was up for the day.

There was a brief knock at the door and it opened.

Blake immediately tensed, pulling Sarah tighter to his side. She blinked awake in confusion.

"Hey, Lieutenant, I needed to ask…" Cruz's voice trailed off as soon as he saw Gallo and the lieutenant's daughter together.

Sarah instantly pressed against Blake and he read her fearful need for protection. He kept a hand on her, but swung his feet down to the floor, shifting Sarah slightly behind him.

"I, uh, I forgot Severide wasn't in here," Cruz said. His eyes went to the ceiling, the floor, the windows, anywhere but towards Sarah.

"Cruz, you can't tell him anything," Blake said. He could feel Sarah's hand reach out for his and he gave it a squeeze.

Cruz finally looked at him. "I didn't know you two…" And then he heard what Gallo said. "Severide doesn't know?"

The words came out like an explosion in the small room and Gallo shushed him, quickly getting to his feet and closing the door behind Cruz.

"Not yet," Blake said. He glanced at Sarah, practically the same color white as the sheets. "There's a lot more to it than you know—than he knows."

Cruz shook his head. "I can't keep something like this."

"Please." Sarah's quiet voice trembled. She sat up in bed, the CFD sweatshirt Kidd had given her for the night too big on her shorter frame. She licked her lips nervously. "Cruz, I'm still getting to know Kelly. And there's the baby…" she trailed off and looked to Blake.

His chest tightened with sympathy for her. Of course she couldn't tell Cruz why the baby really complicated things.

Cruz was staring at Sarah, mouth open, but not making any promises.

"Cruz," Blake said, coming right up to the man. "We're going to tell Severide. But when Sarah's ready." He was ready to beg and he didn't care. "You can't tell him."

Cruz looked between the two of them, then closed his eyes. The sigh he let out made his feelings clear, but he nodded then opened his eyes. "Fine. But when you tell him, do me a favor and don't let the lieutenant know I had any idea about any of this."

Blake felt his shoulders drop in relief. "Deal."

Cruz looked like he wanted to say more, but instead just shook his head and hurried to the door. He opened it, took a look out, then slipped out quickly, closing the door behind him.

Blake went to Sarah. She reached for him and he pulled her to him.

"Cruz is a good guy. He won't say anything," he reassured her.

He felt her nod against his chest.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, debating if he should push it. He risked it. "I don't like lying to Severide. I don't like sneaking around with you." It wasn't the first time he had told her. But surely she had to see that this was getting more complicated.

"I know." Her voice was so quiet, he had to strain to hear. She pulled back and looked up at him. "But as soon as we tell him about us, and he finds out when the baby's due, I'll have to tell him about Leo, and what Leo did…" her voice trailed off and she dropped her head into her hands. "I don't want anyone to know. I know that's not fair to you. I just…"

Blake wrapped his arms back around her and let out a sigh. "I know." And he did. He understood.

"I've already complicated his life just by showing up. I don't want to bring the rest of my mess into his life."

Blake held her, wishing he could make her see that the mess wasn't hers alone. He was with her.

"You should go," she finally said. "Before anyone else knocks on that door."

He knew she meant before Severide knocked on the door.

Reluctantly he stood, bending to give her a kiss. "You're sure you're ok?" he asked.

She nodded and forced a small smile for his benefit. He went to the door and opened it cautiously. No one was near the doorway. He looked back at Sarah.

She was sitting cross legged on the bed. She looked alone and defeated.

#

"Cruz," Severide called to him. The junior member of Squad was just about to leave the bunkroom.

Cruz whirled around, his eyes widening at the sight of him.

"I heard you were looking for me," Severide said. He wanted to check in with Cruz, take care of what he needed, and go check on Sarah. She needed to get home to her own bed.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I was," Cruz answered. He crossed his arms in front of him, then uncrossed them and shoved them in his pockets, then back to crossing his arms.

"You ok?" Severide asked.

"Yep," Cruz answered quickly in a voice that was higher than normal. "Just dandy."

Severide raised an eyebrow. Dandy? But Cruz just gave him a smile that looked more manic than happy.

"I needed to ask you about—"

Severide heard the door to his quarters open and started to turn to check on Sarah, but Cruz clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. He looked back at him.

"Let's talk out here," Cruz said, his voice getting louder and higher.

Severide let him lead him out into the hall outside the bunkroom. He crossed his arms and waited for Cruz to say something. When he didn't, Severide raised both eyebrows. "What did you need?"

"I needed to ask, uh, if, uh…"

Blake Gallo walked past the two of them.

"Morning Lieutenant. Morning Cruz," he said with a nod at both of them.

Cruz stared after the newest firefighter and then looked back at Severide. "You know what? It can wait. Probably forever," he said taking a step back, then whirling on his heel and practically jogging away.

Severide frowned, watching him go. He'd check on him next shift. He would get his…get Sarah and get her home.

Sarah was just coming out of his quarters when he went back into the dormitory style room.

She startled when she saw him, but gave him a weak smile.

Severide forced himself to slow down, lower his voice in volume and wait for her to come towards him.
"You ready to go home?"

One side of her mouth lifted in a faint smile at his words. "Yeah."

He lifted an arm, thinking maybe he should put it around her shoulders. She looked tired, she looked faint, she looked scared. When she didn't flinch, he risked a hand on her shoulder, wrapping an arm lightly around her to support her out of the firehouse.

Stella was already by the car waiting for them. She smiled and gave him a lifted eyebrow at the sight of the two of them.

"You know what?" Stella said. "I'll drive Sarah's car home. It's been a rough 24 hours for her, she should ride with you."

"That ok with you?" he asked.

Sarah nodded after a quick glance up to read his face.

Ok. Progress. He was making progress with his…daughter.

He blew out a breath and unlocked the passenger door for her, helping her inside.

Gallo passed them on his way to his truck. He gave Sarah a smile and wave. Severide didn't miss the way her shy smile shone at the younger firefighter and his shoulders tightened. She had a boyfriend. A baby on the way. Gallo had no business trying to get her attention.

He gave Gallo a short nod and closed Sarah's door. As he walked around the car to the driver's side, he came to the uncomfortable conclusion he was going to have to talk to his very innocent and naïve daughter about men.

#

Thank you guys for your reviews. I just love reading what you think! Some big events are coming up for this story, so please let me know what you want to see! There's the CFD picnic, Father's Day, Brett and Foster are going to be helping Sarah out (they have good intentions, but it may not go well?), and of course Sarah and Gallo can't keep their secret from Severide forever... I have ideas, but random review comments always have fun thoughts that end up sending me in a different direction. :)