Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well!
I'm sorry for not being able to get this posted for you all last week, I know you were wanting to know what happened and I didn't mean to leave you on such a big cliffhanger. Between the site not working, and then me adjusting a few things in this chapter, I decided to just wait and post it today, but I am sorry for leaving you all hanging. Hopefully it's worth the wait.
Also, I mentioned this in my I Won't Let You Go update, and I'm not sure how many of you even still keep up with Chicago Fire since it's turned into such a mess, but with everything going on with the show/what's likely coming here next week, I haven't been in the bed headspace when it comes to writing Dawsey. I'm doing my best to work through it, and keep writing these stories for you all, but at times it is a struggle to want to write Dawsey, with everything going on. But I am trying, and I'm going to try to continue to get these updates to you all, for all three stories. I started them, and I want to finish them. But there might be times the updates are a little late/I miss one, but I just want you to know that I am trying my best.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter, thank you so much for reading. Stay safe, everyone.
Trigger Warning: There is a scene of physical assault in the first scene of this chapter, just so you all are aware.
SEVENTY FIVE
Walker stood down the street from the bar with his hands in his pockets, the man hiding from view in the shadows between street lights as he kept an eye on the front door to Molly's. When he got here over an hour ago, he'd initially thought he'd stay in the car he lent from one of his friends, Bryan knowing no one was on the lookout for the old, beat up Honda he'd been driving for a while. But after seeing Gabby show up a little bit ago, with Casey by her side, he knew he'd get nowhere in trying to see her if he stayed put, so he decided to get out and survey the area a little bit, Walker wanting to figure out the best possible place for him to be if he so happened to get a moment with her.
He knew it was unlikely, and truthfully, part of him knew he shouldn't even try to see her tonight anyway, as there were far too many people here. But he couldn't help himself. The second he saw her get here this evening, he knew he needed to at least try, as he wholeheartedly believed it was fate that brought him here.
Though he'd been keeping closer tabs on Gabby for a few days now, he had no idea she would be here when he came here tonight. He'd just decided on a whim to stop by, and get an idea of what all his former friends were doing, but he had no idea she'd be here. So needless to say when he saw her walk into that bar, he couldn't help but think he'd been led here on purpose, that something in him knew Gabby was going to be here. And he wasn't going to let that go to waste. He just didn't know how to get a moment with her that wouldn't draw the attention of everyone inside that bar.
From waiting outside alone, he knew that along with Casey and Dawson, that at least Shay, Severide, and Herrmann were also inside. And while there were other members of 51 here as well, those were really the only ones he knew would be an issue when it came to seeing Gabby. Those were the people who made it their mission to keep him away from her, all because they just didn't understand. So he knew that made this all the more difficult, especially with Casey. Because with him around, Bryan was sure his former Lieutenant wouldn't let Gabby out of his sight.
But, even with that, he still wasn't going to give up just yet, as he knew all he needed was a few moments alone with Gabby so they could finally hash this all out. So they could give up this back and forth game they were playing with one another, and just finally be together again, like they always wanted to be. How they still would be, had he not let her go. She never would've left him, he knows that, and now if he could just have the chance to prove to her that he would still take her back, he knew they could finally begin to move past all this. Just like they both wanted.
Rubbing his glove-covered hands together, a slight chill ran through his body as a gust of November wind blew through the relatively quiet street, Bryan looking around his surroundings once more before he hesitantly took a few steps forward. He knew it was dangerous, that he wasn't allowed on the property and if anyone saw him, it wouldn't be good for him. But he couldn't help it, he needed to see her, and he'd get nowhere if he stayed down the street away from everything. So, going against his better judgement, he slowly walked closer to the bar, Bryan figuring that he'd have a better chance of seeing her if maybe he just hung around out back.
With it being more deserted, he knew he'd have a better chance at not being seen. And, from personal experience, he knew that they usually left the back door unlocked earlier in the evening. With all those late nights he used to spend closing down Molly's with Gabby, he knew that right now even, it should be open, not that he was planning on going inside anytime soon. But still, it gave him some options, and if he hung around long enough, he might be able to find a time to slip inside.
But even though he'd found the courage to get closer to the bar, he also wasn't stupid, Bryan knowing he needed to do all he could to stay from view, as if he got caught by anyone who wasn't Dawson, this whole thing could be over before it ever started. So, being mindful of his surroundings, Bryan walked around the corner down the alley where the back door of Molly's was, the man looking around at the relatively empty alleyway, before deciding to hang back away from the door. He was far enough out of the way that anyone walking by on the main road wouldn't be able to see him, and if anyone were to come out the back, they shouldn't see him either, Bryan resting his weight back against the wall of the building beside the bar, knowing he likely had a long night of standing here ahead of him.
But those thoughts of how long he'd likely be waiting around went away the second he heard the door open, Bryan's eyes widening slightly before he prepared himself to stay as quiet and out of the way as possible. Knowing that whoever was about to walk out was likely someone who couldn't know he was here, he held his breath, his eyes focused on the door as it opened completely. But then all of those worries went out the window as soon as he saw Gabby walk through the door.
The sight of her was enough to bring a wide smile to his face as he took a step forward, but when he realized she was by herself, he became all the more excited as he watched her walk across the pavement towards the dumpsters. With her back to him, he took the opportunity to walk over beside Molly's, Gabby clearly not aware of his presence yet as he was still far enough away that he couldn't be seen.
But even in the dark, with her not even facing him, he couldn't help but take a moment to stop and appreciate her beauty, to focus on the feeling of being this close to her again, without anyone here to keep him away. And how here soon, he'd be able to be even closer. How he'd be able to have her again, in all the ways he wanted, in all the ways he dreamed about every night since he was locked away in the prison cell. It was a feeling he wasn't sure he'd ever get again, but being this close to her now, it made all the uncertainty and waiting worth it, the soft smile on his face never faltering as he watched her turn around to head back to the door.
Seeing her from the front was something even more wonderful, Bryan taking a slight step forward as he still hung back in the shadows beside Molly's, Gabby completely unaware of his presence as she got closer to the door. Though by the way her steps slowed down, he had to assume she wasn't entirely unaware, Bryan taking a few more steps forward as she stopped completely and turned back to look in the direction she'd just come from.
This was his chance, this was his moment, and he wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that as he walked the rest of the way towards her, his silent footsteps masked by the slight breeze blowing around them as Gabby had yet to turn back around. But just as he got to her, she finally turned around, her eyes widening when she came face to face with him, Bryan seeing all the different emotions that played out across her features. Though the one he felt to be most apparent was her surprise, the man grinning from ear to ear as she took a slight step backwards.
"Hi Gabby." He spoke, Bryan unable to put into words just how great it felt to be able to say those few words to her as they stood together on the quiet road, Gabby sucking in a sharp breath as her shocked gaze focused on him. "It's… God, it's great to see you again." He breathed out, though the words felt a little lame as they left his lips. But he wasn't sure what else to say, Bryan suddenly realizing he should've thought this part through a little more. "I missed you so much."
When he reached out towards her, she took another step back, Bryan's eyebrows furrowing as he was surprised to see her react that way to him. Then as he got a better look at her, it was then he started to realize that what he was seeing from her wasn't just surprise… It was fear. It was absolute terror, and that began to infuriate him just as much as it confused him.
Gabby took another step back as she forced herself to breathe, the complete and utter horror flooding her system making her feel almost paralyzed as it was becoming harder and harder for her to get air into her lungs. She didn't know why he was here, or how he was even able to be here, but that didn't matter right now as he was in fact standing in front of her. He was here, with her, and they were alone. And that thought absolutely terrified her.
"What are-... Why are you here?" She stuttered out, her brain barely able to form a coherent thought as his eyes narrowed slightly, before he stepped towards her. But the second he did, she replaced the distance between them, Walker feeling more uncertainty begin to cloud his mind.
"Gabby…"
"You shouldn't be here, why are you here?" She asked, managing to get the words out as her eyes darted around, Gabby feeling more and more nerves course through her as she realized just how far away she was from the door to Molly's. And as Walker took another slight step towards her, it was becoming more clear that her only option for escape would be to turn and run, and hope she could get around to the front of the bar before he caught up with her. "What do you want?"
"I came to see you." He spoke, his voice a little rougher than it had been moments prior as the happiness he felt at seeing her for the first time was starting to diminish, as he was beginning to realize she didn't feel the same way he did.
"You can't be here." She told him, Walker shaking his head slightly before a heavy scoff left his lips, Gabby blinking quickly as she heard her heart pounding in her ears. "You need to go."
"Why? Because Casey says so?" He fired back, Gabby's throat tightening as she fought to regain her composure. She didn't want to show him any fear, not more than she had already, but as that was all she could feel at the moment, it was hard to ignore.
"Because I have a restraining order against you, you need to leave." She repeated firmly, Gabby raising her voice as she spoke, in hopes that maybe someone would hear her. Whether it was people passing on the street, or if someone else had gone to the back, whatever it was, she didn't care; anything to distract Bryan long enough for her to get away.
"We both know it wasn't you who did that, Gabby." He replied, her skin nearly crawling when he said her name once more, the smile on his face making her nauseous. "You wouldn't have done that if it weren't for Casey and your brother making you, I know they're the reason I ended up in prison… They got in your head, made you think I'd hurt you if I wasn't locked up, but I know that wasn't you. You wouldn't have done that to me." He continued on, Gabby's eyes widening slightly before she shook her head.
"Walker, I'm serious, you need to go right now." She told him once more as she tried to keep her voice steady, but she couldn't. And she knew he was well aware of the effect he was having on her, as that small, proud smirk returned to his face.
"...Why are you so scared of me?" He asked, but it wasn't out of confusion or wonder; he thought it was funny. By the grin on his face alone, she knew he was amused by the fact that he scared her. That he terrified her. He took pleasure in it, just like he always had, Gabby's heart feeling like it had fallen into her stomach as her entire body was nearly numb.
"You need to leave." She tried again, Gabby doing all she could to keep some semblance of her composure, and not think about the fact that one of her worst fears since he went to prison was coming true.
"I'm not going anywhere until we talk." He replied, his voice rough as he took another step towards her, Gabby's breath getting caught in her throat as she took yet another step back, determined to still keep the distance between them.
"We have nothing to talk about." She spat back before she could stop herself, Walker's eyes narrowing slightly before his face relaxed again, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he took another step forward.
"Yeah, there's the Gabby I know." He said with a laugh, Gabby feeling a shiver course through her spine as she did all she could to stand her ground. "I was wondering when she'd come back."
"Walker-"
"You're really not gonna stop with the last names? I think we're well past that." He countered as he took another step towards her, Gabby stumbling back a bit before regaining her balance. "And like I said, I'm not going anywhere until we talk… Do you know how hard it's been to find a time where you were alone?" He asked her, though his question was obviously rhetorical. But it didn't stop the heavy feeling that continued to grow in her gut as she began to realize that he'd been watching her. "It was always you with Shay, or your family, or fucking Matt Casey, you were never alone, it's been infuriating." He huffed out, Gabby keeping her eyes locked on him as she willed her tears of uncertainty to not fall. "And I'm sure that was all Casey's doing, for him to be seen as some protector… Just like he's the reason you got that restraining order, and why we're not together right now." He finished, his words causing a look of disbelief to flash over her face.
"Bryan, I don't-"
"You don't need to try and pretend, I know this was all him." He continued on, Gabby clenching her jaw tightly as he took one last step towards her, her body feeling as if it was frozen as he stood directly in front of her. "I know you, Gabby… Better than anyone, and certainly better than Casey. I know all of you, and I know you never would've gone through with any of that if not for him." He spoke, Gabby hearing the venom in his words as she knew just how angry the idea of her and Casey made him. "But you don't need him, Gabby… I'm right here, and I'm ready to work on us. We can fix us, I know we can." He went on, her mouth parting slightly in shock as she felt like she had to be hearing him incorrectly. "I know there were times I went too far, I understand that… But it was only because you wouldn't listen, or you'd do something you shouldn't have, but if we can both just work on ourselves, there's no reason this can't work… That we can't forget the restraining order, and forget everything that happened in the past, and start over." He spoke, Gabby sensing the almost hopeful tone to his voice as utter disbelief continued coursing through her system.
She had no idea what to say, or what to think. She didn't know where any of this was coming from, or why he still thought she'd ever want to get back together with him, even after all she'd done to keep him away from her. But he did. As they stood here, she knew he completely believed every word that came out of his mouth, the look on his face terrifying her.
And not because he looked angry… but because he didn't. He was calm, his eyes holding that same softness that had wooed her in the first place. The look he used to hide the man he really was underneath the surface. And that scared her more than him being angry, as she did all she could to try and comprehend what was happening right now.
But the longer she thought over it, her fear was slowly mixing with rage, Gabby becoming more and more angry that he'd even think she'd ever want to be with him again. That he was not only thinking they could have any sort of future, but that he was blaming her for everything he did. And with every passing second, that pissed her off more and more.
"We can fix everything that went wrong between us, I know we can." He continued when she had yet to say anything, Gabby's face hardening as she pushed down every emotion other than the anger she was feeling. "And I know you feel terrible about what happened," He spoke, her eyes widening. "That you'd take back telling everyone about our misunderstandings if you could… But I'm willing to look past that. We both messed up, I know I'm not entirely blameless here. So I say we just forget the past, and start over… Together. Like you wanted."
A heavy scoff left her lips just as he finished talking, Bryan's eyes narrowing slightly at her reaction to him baring his feelings to her as Gabby shook her head. Swallowing thickly, Gabby met his gaze once more, Walker seeing a fire burning in her eyes that he hadn't seen from her in a long time, the same one he thought he'd trained her out of. "Go… Now." She spat, his eyes narrowing into a harsh glare as they traced over her face. "I'm not gonna tell you again, you need to leave. Before I call my brother and have your ass thrown back in prison." She threatened, Walker's back straightening as his entire body tightened, the man towering over her as his darkened eyes focused on her.
"You wouldn't do that to me."
"I did once already, you're not allowed to be here. You're not allowed anywhere near me. I don't know how you got it in your head that I would ever want to see you again, let alone be with you. But I don't." She spoke bluntly, Gabby's mouth moving faster than her mind could as she saw him get more and more angry. "There's nothing between us to fix, there's nothing between us at all. You nearly ruined my life, I don't want to be with you, I don't want to see you, you need to go." She stood her ground, though her voice was becoming more and more shaky as she noticed his demeanor harden. "Why would I want anything to do with you?"
"Because you still love me."
The second those words left his lips, her heart dropped into her stomach, Gabby's mouth parting in shock as she began to roughly shake her head. And before she even said a word, she knew that wasn't the response he was hoping for as she saw that all too familiar rage in his eyes, Bryan's fists clenching at his sides as he drew in a harsh breath.
"No, I don't… And I haven't for a long time." She replied as firmly as she could. She knew she needed to get out of here, that she'd made him angry, and she knew exactly how he reacted when he was mad. But the idea that he thought she still loved him was something she wasn't okay with, and she didn't want there to be any confusion about that. Though it was becoming more and more clear to her that there'd be no reasoning with him, as he'd built up this fantasy in his mind of what they were to each other. And as his rage-filled eyes zeroed in on her, she knew she should've just stayed quiet.
"Bryan-"
Her words were cut off by him reaching out for her, Walker grabbing onto her arms tightly as he yanked her forward, a surprised gasp leaving her lips before she instinctively began pushing back against him.
"Get the fuck away from me!" She yelled, Bryan doing all he could to get a stronger grip on her as she struggled against him, his anger taking over as he held onto her as tight as he could. "Bryan, let me go- Help!" She began to shout when he refused to let go of her, Gabby struggling against him as he turned her around in his grasp, his arm pinning her against him as his forearm came across the top of her chest. "Help!" She tried to scream, until Bryan used his free hand to cover her mouth.
Her pleas started to come out as whimpers, Bryan holding her tightly against him as the pressure of his forearm across her chest was making it hard to breathe. But she still fought regardless, Gabby channeling the fear she felt in this moment as she did all she could to break free from him; but she couldn't.
"Sshh, sshh… just calm down." He whispered into her ear, the sounds of her muffled cries for help filling the otherwise silent alley as he tightened his grip on her body. "Just stop… That's it, that's it, calm down." He coaxed as she slowly stopped fighting against him, Gabby feeling a wave of nausea go through her as her body was pressed into his. Being this close to him again nearly made her sick, Gabby trying her best to breathe despite the pressure he was placing over her chest. "Yeah… calm down. Calm down." He continued to shush her, Gabby drawing in quick, sharp breaths as a wave of helplessness rushed over her when she felt his cold breath on her skin.
He stayed quiet for a few minutes, Gabby crying out when she felt him breathe in deeply, his nose pressed against her skin just in front of her ear, her skin crawling as it felt like he just kept getting closer and closer to her.
"Yeah, there you go… I always was able to get you to stop fighting." He murmured, Gabby's eyes clenching shut as soft whimpers escaped her lips. "Now was that so hard?"
She started trying to speak once more, but Bryan pressed his hand more firmly against her mouth, sending a sharp pain through her neck as her head jolted backwards, the action causing a muffled gasp to leave her lips. She felt him tighten his hold around the upper part of her chest, Gabby beginning to fight against him once more as she did all she could to free herself from his hold. But she couldn't, the man far too big for her to get away as he only held onto her tighter, making it harder and harder for her to breathe.
As she continued struggling, he chuckled softly, Bryan clearly amused by the situation they were in, and how terrified she was of him right now. "Some things never change, do they?" He breathed out slowly, Gabby trying to use her elbows to hit him, but it was like he wasn't even registering any of it. "I can still do whatever I want to you, whenever I want to…" He continued, Gabby's eyes shooting open before she tried to scream once more, but it was useless. "Even with your stupid restraining order, and the Lieutenant trying to protect you, it doesn't matter… I can still get to you." He told her before he breathed in deeply once more, Gabby fighting to keep the tears in her eyes from falling as she tried to grab at his forearm over her chest, doing all she could to get him off of her. But he only seemed to find her struggling more and more amusing the longer she tried, Walker smirking softly before moving his lips towards her ear.
"It really is just so funny, isn't it? How you, and Casey, and your brother… You all did this to try and keep me away, but it didn't matter. Because here I am, with you. And Casey's nowhere to be found… And it'll be that way for us again one of these days." He whispered, Gabby's entire body rigid as his words slowly sank in, though she wasn't entirely sure what they even meant. "But for now, I just want you to make sure that you never forget what I'm capable of," He told her, his hand slowly moving up towards her neck, Gabby beginning to struggle more as memories of that day in the locker room began to flash through her mind. As she pictured him standing in front of her, with his hands around her throat, and how she felt being unable to breathe, fear completely consuming her as she could barely register his hand now resting over her.
Feeling her reaction, Bryan couldn't help but chuckle, the man applying a quick bit of pressure to her throat before he let go of her, Gabby hurrying away from him as fast as she could, sucking air into her lungs. It felt like she couldn't breathe, like he still had a hold of her, Gabby getting as far away from him as she possibly could, her hand coming up to rest over her chest as she started coughing violently. And it all made him even more amused, Bryan shaking his head lightly as Dawson backed into the wall.
"Though by the looks of it, you haven't forgotten what I can do." He murmured with a dark look in his eye, Gabby choking on the air in her lungs as he began taking a few steps backwards, her gaze never leaving him as a wicked smile formed over his face.
"...I'll be seeing you soon, Gabby."
Without another word, he left, Gabby feeling paralyzed in her own body as she stood against the cold brick wall, the harsh air around her making it even harder to breathe as Walker was soon out of sight, the man turning the corner out onto the street and leaving the property like nothing had happened.
But something had happened.
And it made her want to throw up.
When she regained the feeling in her limbs, Gabby forced herself towards the door, her body moving as fast as she physically could as she wasn't entirely sure Walker wouldn't come back. But she wasn't going to stay outside long enough to find out, Gabby all but ripping the door open as she continued to suck in air, thick tears burning in her eyes as she felt her entire body shaking. The second she was in the room, she pulled the door shut, Gabby turned the lock quickly despite the unsteadiness in her hands, her breaths shallow as she stared at the blank door.
And the longer she stood there, the more it all started to settle, Gabby barely registering the sounds coming from the crowd just yards away from her in the bar as her teary eyes continued to focus on the door. But none of those tears fell, Dawson feeling an intense pressure in her chest as she stumbled a few feet back, before ultimately running into a wall, her body sliding down it instantly as it once again was becoming harder to breathe.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed there, blood pumping through her ears as her head was tucked into her knees, Gabby unable to focus on anything other than the terror flooding her body at the realization that her worst fears she'd spent weeks repressing was finally coming to light.
Bryan was back.
He came here, without a care in the world, and all but promised her he'd do it again.
And that absolutely terrified her.
Casey tapped his finger against his glass as his eyes wandered around the packed room, Matt finding multiple familiar faces all throughout the bar as Kelly was still sitting beside him, his friend currently in the middle of what sounded to be like a heated debate with Shay as she had come back over to them moments prior. He wasn't even sure what they were arguing about, or how it had escalated so quickly, but they were both obviously trying to agitate one another, even though Casey wasn't exactly focused on them at the moment.
But what he was focused on was the fact that Gabby was nowhere to be seen.
He'd seen her go to the back what had to be at least ten minutes ago now, but as far as he knew, she'd never reappeared. He hadn't been watching the entire time, but he had been keeping an eye out, Matt just feeling better when he had her in his line of sight. But, from what he could tell, she wasn't out here yet. And no one else had seemed to notice her lack of presence, either.
"Hey Shay," Matt interrupted the friends' spirited debate, the blonde pausing her monologue as she looked towards Casey, Kelly turning his direction as well. "Have you seen Gabby?"
"She went to the back." She replied simply, Matt suppressing a sigh before he nodded.
"I know, but did she ever come back?" He asked with a slight huff, Shay raising her eyebrows slightly before she began glancing around the crowded room, the woman shrugging slightly when she didn't see her.
"She must still be back there. Or she went to the bathroom or something." She responded, Matt giving her a nod before he took a sip of his drink, Kelly and Shay soon going back to their conversation as if they hadn't been interrupted.
But Matt wasn't able to move past it quite as easily, the boyfriend feeling a little uneasy about the fact he hadn't seen her for a few minutes. He wasn't worried necessarily, he just didn't like being away from her for this long, especially with it being her first night back at the bar. And he wanted to know she was still doing alright, which is what had him pushing himself up from his stool and silently beginning the walk to the back of the bar.
Shay nor Kelly had bothered questioning his movements, though he wasn't entirely sure they even noticed him getting up as Matt maneuvered his way through the seas of people to go towards the back room, Casey giving Herrmann a quick nod as he passed him. And it didn't seem as if the older man was fazed by his path either, Herrmann giving him a small, knowing smile before Matt kept walking until he finally got to the door.
When he pushed it open, he was a little surprised to not immediately see her as the room wasn't all that large, Matt taking a few more steps inside as the door swung closed behind him. It was clear to him that she wasn't where he'd expected her to be, Matt beginning to think that Shay's comment about Gabby being in the bathroom might've been true as he continued further inside and still didn't see her.
"Gabby?" He called just to be sure, though he knew there was really nowhere for her to be here where he couldn't see her, Matt taking another step forward. "You back here?"
His steps halted when he heard what sounded like a faint whimper, Matt's back tightening as he continued around the shelves, his eyes peeled for whatever might've been causing that noise. But when he stepped around the shelf he saw her, his eyes widening in concern when he saw Gabby huddled on the ground, her head tucked down towards herself as Matt noticed her body trembling slightly. And from then on, he acted on instinct, Matt hurrying over to her without a thought and crouching down to her level as she didn't even react to his movements.
"Gabby, hey, what happened? What's going on- Hey, hey, it's okay." He soothed, as Gabby jumped when he reached out to touch her, Matt backing off slightly despite his overwhelming need to protect her from whatever had caused this. But now that he had a second to think, he knew the best thing for her was to let her come to him, even though all he wanted to do was wrap her up in his arms. "It's just me… It's Matt." He murmured, Gabby sucking in a shaky breath as her head stayed angled towards the ground.
"Matt…" She whispered, Casey nodding as she slowly reached out her hand. Taking that as all the signal he needed, he immediately returned to her side, Matt giving her his hand to hold onto while his other arm wrapped around her, Gabby quickly tucking herself into his chest as she breathed heavily.
"It's okay… I'm here, you're okay." He repeated a few times, Matt doing all he could to keep a clear head, even though he was panicking on the inside.
He had no idea what was wrong, or what had happened. If she'd gotten hurt, or if it was more of a mental thing; he didn't know. But what he did know was that she was scared, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she knew she was alright.
He slowly began to rub her arm, Matt resting his chin down on top of her head as he felt her ragged breathing, the man beginning to realize that she was having a panic attack. Or she was at the tail end of one, at least, Casey making sure to keep his breathing steady as he knew she could feel it.
"You're okay, everything's okay. I'm right here." He murmured, Casey repeating those words over and over every few seconds or so, knowing how badly she needed to hear them as they sat on the bar floor. And as the minutes passed, everyone out in the bar oblivious to what was going on back here, he slowly felt her start to calm down, her grip on his hand loosening ever so slightly as her breathing began to even out. But even though she seemed to be regaining some semblance of control, he could still feel how upset she was, as that hadn't gone away.
He let up his grip on her just a little bit when she eventually began to pull away, Matt's worried eyes immediately tracing over her face as he was getting his first real look at her, his entire body tightening when he saw what he knew to be fear hiding in her teary eyes. From the looks of it, she hadn't been crying, even though she wanted to, Matt shaking his head slightly as he reached out to hold onto each of her arms.
"What happened?" He asked gently, Matt needing to get to the bottom of this as Gabby's lips parted slightly before they moved back together, her eyes flashing towards the back door as he felt her anxiousness start to return. "Gabby, talk to me." Casey prompted, the unshed tears in her eyes threatening to spill over.
"I… I just, and he-" She cut herself off as her breath got caught in her throat, Matt's eyebrows furrowing as her words weren't making much sense. And the way he felt her getting more and more worked up wasn't helping things either, Matt rubbing her arm as he encouraged her to look at him.
"Baby, just breathe." He spoke, keeping his voice soft and comforting. "It's okay, you're alright." He continuously reassured her, Gabby nodding before forcing herself to suck in a deep breath, Matt waiting for her to do that a few times before he spoke up again. "...What happened?"
Drawing in another deep breath, Gabby gave him a slight nod before her eyes moved back towards the door that led outside, the action not going unnoticed by her boyfriend as he looked that way as well.
"He was here."
The second those words left her lips, Matt knew. He knew exactly what she meant, his entire body going rigid as his face involuntarily hardened, the man feeling an anger he hadn't felt in awhile before he forced himself to calm down.
"...What?" He questioned, Matt needing the verbal confirmation from her even though he knew what she was saying.
"Walker, he- He was here, outside. Just now." She stuttered out, Matt's eyes falling closed for a split second as he fought against the conflicting feelings rising in his gut. "He… he was here. He's been watching me."
The minute he heard those words, he wasn't able to fight off his anger any longer, Matt body reeking of rage as he dropped his hold on Gabby as gently as he could be he shot up and headed for the back door. He didn't know if Walker was still here, or if he'd be able to find him, but he wanted to try, as Matt was overcome with the sudden urge to bash the man's head in.
But before he could ever get to the door, he stopped when he heard Gabby's sharp plea, his guard dropping as the desperation in her few words had his priorities changing.
"Matt, don't-" She cut herself off as she knew exactly what he was wanting to go do, Gabby blinking quickly as she sat him slowly turn back around to face her. "He left, he's not here anymore, don't- Don't go."
He could swear he felt his heart break in his chest, Matt drawing in a deep breath before he nodded and quickly walked back towards her, Gabby reaching for him the second he was close enough. Another pang of guilt went through him like a knife, Casey knowing Gabby needed him more than anything else right now.
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here." He promised her as he was crouched down in front of her, Gabby nodding unsteadily as she kept her eyes on him. "But you're sure he's gone?" Casey asked, needing that reassuring for Gabby's safety above anything else.
"He left." She all but whispered. "Before I came back inside, he left."
Casey nodded once more, the man clearly trying to digest what she was saying, but he needed more. There were some obvious holes in the information he'd been given, and though he was running through a mental list of everything he needed to do right now, he couldn't do any of that until he knew the whole story.
"And he's been watching you?" He asked, the words tasting bitter as they left his mouth, Matt hating to think what that all entailed. Though he had a pretty good idea, Gabby swallowing thickly before she nodded. "Okay, can you- You gotta tell me what happened, baby." He breathed out, Matt doing everything in his power to squash the anger bubbling in his chest, Gabby sucking in a deep breath before she nodded.
And from there, she told him everything, Gabby going over every detail of why she was outside, to him showing up out of nowhere, to everything he'd said and done, which only caused Matt's anger to come back with a vengeance. Especially when he'd learned of Walker putting his hand over Gabby's neck. But still, he said nothing, Matt focusing all his energy on helping Gabby walk him through his, instead of listening to the overwhelming urge within him to go find Bryan and beat him to a pulp.
"Then he said he'd see me again soon, before he left." She finished, Matt's eyes darkening as Gabby watched him, her tears having yet to fall as she held onto his arm.
"He told you that.. that he'd see you again?" He repeated her words, Gabby nodding slowly before Casey's jaw clenched, the man going quiet for a moment as he processed all of this. But despite his silence, he never let go of her, Matt knowing his presence was more comforting than anything else right now as she was, rightfully, scared out of her mind. And regardless of his anger, and his desire to go and find Walker, he knew he couldn't; he couldn't leave her. He wouldn't leave her.
"Okay… Okay, okay, uh-" He cut himself off as he tried to gather his thoughts, Matt shaking his head slightly before he glanced back towards the table across the room. "Let's get you up off the floor." His words were barely audible as he spoke under his breath, Gabby letting him help her up slowly before he led her over to the table. Pulling out one of the stools for her, she managed to sit down, Matt well aware of how tense her entire body was as he kept an arm around her. "Alright, I'm- We need to call your brother." He spoke, Gabby swallowing the lump in her throat before she nodded. "Let me call him, tell him what happened."
"Okay." She murmured, Matt able to sense she was still shaken over this, and he couldn't blame her.
Nodding slowly, Casey used his free hand to feel around in his pocket for his phone before pulling it out, the man releasing a heavy breath as he unlocked it and searched for Antonio's contact, his head shaking side to side slightly as he fumbled over dialing the number. "I don't- I don't know how they didn't know he was here," Casey muttered under his breath, Gabby looking up at him as she could tell he was mostly speaking to himself. "But I'm gonna find out." He huffed out before putting the phone up to his ear, Gabby keeping her eyes on him as he waited for her brother to answer.
"Hey Casey, what's up?"
"You need to get to Molly's… Now."
Gabby heard the beat of silence, before her brother immediately responded, wanting to know what was going one, which prompted her boyfriend to begin explaining what happened. And over the next few minutes, Gabby listened to Matt as he spoke on the phone, the woman not hearing much from her brother. He didn't say much of anything throughout the entire conversation, from what she could tell, though she could practically feel his rage through the phone.
"He's not there anymore?" He finally spoke up, his voice rough as Gabby leaned into Matt's side.
"Not according to Gabby, no. He left. But I haven't gone to look, I stayed with Gabby."
"Okay, yeah, you stay with her… Voight and I will be right there." Antonio spoke harshly, Matt nodding before he hung up the phone, the firefighter holding back on some of the things he could say to the detective as he knew this moment wasn't the time. Even though he had a lot of thoughts to share with his girlfriend's brother about how this had been allowed to happen.
But as he felt Gabby grip onto his arm, he pushed all that aside, Matt shoving his phone back into his pocket as he looked down at her, finding her pensive eyes already watching him. Before saying a word, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, Gabby breathing in deeply as she relaxed into him. And they stayed that way for a few minutes, Matt holding onto her securely as Gabby leaned against him, his presence helping to keep her calm as she was slowly coming out of the haze her mind had been in since she was with Walker.
"Are you okay if I go get Shay?" Casey asked after a few seconds, Gabby pulling back from him slightly with furrowed brows, Matt rubbing over her back as he sensed her uncertainty. "I need to go talk to Herrmann, tell him what happened… But I don't want you to be alone."
"I'm okay to be by myself, Matt." She tried, though her voice sounded less than convincing. He'd been expecting the push back, Matt knowing that even in the state she was in, she hated showing weakness, especially to people other than him, and this situation was no different. But that didn't mean he was going to give in, Matt knowing that even if she didn't want to admit it, she shouldn't be alone right now.
"I still want to get Shay… Even if you just do it for me." He told her, Gabby sucking in a deep breath before she nodded slowly, Matt giving her a small smile before he pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "Alright, let me get her."
Casey slowly pulled out of her grasp, Gabby instantly missing the warmth his body provided as he took a few steps away from her, her eyes following him as he moved towards the back door and pushed against it, the woman soon understanding he was checking to make sure it was locked before he changed his course of direction back towards the bar. As he passed her, he ran his hand over her arm and gave it a slight squeeze, just to reassure her everything was fine before he continued towards the door, Matt pushing it open before looking out towards the bar full of people. People who were completely unaware as to what had just happened.
Deciding he didn't want to go too far, Casey stayed in the doorway where Gabby could see him, his eyes looking over the crowded room before he finally found Shay. The blonde was still pretty far down the bar, but close enough to where he could probably get her attention; though he knew he'd be getting everyone else's attention as well. But he didn't care, Matt clearing his throat before he shouted across the bar.
"Shay!"
The sound of his voice traveled quickly, most people stopping and turning towards him when they heard him, but he wasn't focused on them. His gaze stayed locked on Shay, Matt barely registering Herrmann and Otis turning to look at him as Shay turned his way, both her and Severide hearing him clearly as their heads shot towards him. And despite the curious look that covered her face, Casey said nothing, the man waving her over without another word, Shay pausing for a moment before she began to walk towards him, leaving an equally confused Severide down the bar as she slid past Herrmann to get to Casey.
As she got closer, her spine straightened when she noticed the look in his eye, Shay seeing an anger burned into his features that she hadn't been expecting. And though she wasn't sure what was going on, she could only assume it had something to do with Gabby, the paramedic crossing her arms over her chest as she came to a stop directly in front of him.
"What's wrong?" She asked immediately, Matt pursing his lips together before his eyes bounced around the room momentarily, seeing many people still watching them as he released a sharp breath.
"Stay with her." He spoke lowly, Shay's confusion only growing as her eyes flashed behind Matt into the back room, though she couldn't see Gabby anywhere. "I need you to stay with Gabby, while I talk to Herrmann." He elaborated, Shay's uncertainty morphing into concern as she registered the tone in Casey's voice, his soft words showing that he was just as much worried as he was enraged.
"What happened?" She asked immediately as she looked behind Casey once more. "What's going on, is she okay?" She continued on, keeping her voice soft as well as she was aware they weren't exactly anywhere private, Matt tightening his neck before he shook his head slightly.
"...Bryan was here."
Shay's eyes widened the second those words left his lips, Matt waiting for a moment for her to digest what he'd said as he saw her emotion play out over his face, the firefighter nodding slowly before he took a step forward. He kept his hand on the door to keep it open, giving Shay room to walk through as she kept her eyes on him.
"And I need to talk to Herrmann, so can you stay with her?"
"Yeah, yeah of course." Shay spoke as she slowly found her voice, Matt giving her a thankful nod before she stepped into the back room, the blonde pushing aside everything she was feeling as she knew right now she needed to be there for her friend. She could worry about her own questions later.
Casey waited for a minute, the boyfriend watching as Shay got to Gabby and wrapped her up in a tight hug, Matt getting the assurance he needed that she was in good hands before he walked back out into the bar. His sights were set on Herrmann, the older man already watching him with a concerned look as Casey came up to him, Otis standing right to his left.
"What's going on, Casey?" Herrmann questioned, Matt vaguely registering Severide's gaze on him from further down the bar as Casey clenched his fists by his sides.
"Bryan was here." He repeated the words he just told Shay, Matt seeing the immediate anger both men felt as Casey shook his head slightly. "Antonio's on the way with Voight, but as far as I know he's gone."
"Where was he? How'd he get in here?" Herrmann asked roughly as he threw his rag down on top of the bar, the abrupt movement gaining the attention of some of the patrons around them. "He knows he's not allowed here, what the hell was he doing?"
"He came here for Gabby." Casey replied, though he didn't think it really needed to be said. "And it was kind of hard to get the whole story, but he cornered her outside, and he-" Matt cut himself off, biting down on the inside of his cheek to stop from saying something he shouldn't. "It's a long story, but he told her he'd be back. So Antonio's on the way."
"Oh my God." Otis breathed out.
"And I'm not sure who all he's going to want to talk to, to see if anyone here saw anything… I'm not sure how they could, unless they were outside when it happened. But him and Voight are on the way." He continued to explain, Herrmann nodding before his eyes flashed to the door to the back room.
"Is she okay?" He asked, Matt's eyes falling closed for a moment as he tried to figure out what to say.
"She's…"
"What's going on?"
Casey stopped himself when he heard Severide's voice, the truck Lieutenant unable to stop the conflicting feelings he felt towards the man as he came up to them, Kelly clearly worried about Gabby. But that worry didn't mean much to Casey right now, as he couldn't help but feel the smallest bit of resentment towards him, Severide's words of how they had nothing to worry about ringing around in his head.
"Did something happen with Dawson?" He pressed when no one had said a word, Casey swallowing thickly before he nodded off towards the far end of the bar, Matt beginning to walk in that direction without saying anything. And Severide followed without question, leaving Herrmann and Otis behind the bar as the two Lieutenant's found a somewhat secluded spot down by the window. "What happened, Case?"
"Walker was here." He answered sharply, his narrowed gaze focused on Severide as Kelly's eyes widened in shock, the man glancing back around them before looking to Casey once more.
"What?" He asked in near disbelief.
"He was here." He repeated simply, Severide shaking his hand as his hand came up to rub along the back of his neck. "He was here, and Gabby was alone with him… He practically assaulted her."
"What?" He questioned once more, his uncertainty beginning to be overcome by rage. "Where is he? I'll fucking kill him, when did this happen?"
"He's gone, he left… I found Gabby in the back room after it happened, having a panic attack."
"Shit, man." Severide breathed out. "Is she okay?" He asked, the sudden look of annoyance over Casey's face leaving him a little confused, as his friend seemed to be very upset. And while that wasn't surprising, after what happened to Gabby, what threw him was how Casey seemed to be upset with him. But with the high tensions of this situation, he didn't want to think much into it, as there were much more important things happening right now.
"Of course she's not okay." He answered with a rough scoff, Kelly clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth before he nodded, Casey's growing hostility not going unnoticed. "How could she be okay, after that bastard came back and did the thing she was most terrified of?" He continued on, his voice getting a bit higher with each word as he gained the attention of some patrons around them.
Severide took a deep breath to steady himself, sensing that Casey was clearly looking for someone to blame for what happened; and it seemed like that person was him. "Alright… Well, what can I do? Does Gabby need anything?"
"You've done enough already." He spat, Kelly's eyebrows furrowing as Casey's growing annoyance was morphing into actual anger. And Severide didn't understand it.
"What?" He questioned, Casey scoffing once more before shaking his head.
"You're the one who thought he was telling the truth, right?" He asked, Severide pausing for a quick moment before he slowly started to register what Casey was saying, Kelly's face falling before he began shaking his head.
"Casey…"
"You were insistent that he wasn't lying, that he didn't want anything to do with Gabby. That we should believe him… And look where that got us."
Severide's eyes widened as those last words left Casey's lips, Kelly seeing a resentment burning in his gaze that he'd never seen before, at least not directed at him, Casey locking his jaw to keep himself from saying anything more as he took a slight step to the side. The truck Lieutenant himself couldn't entirely explain the rage he felt towards his friend, but all he knew was that it was there. That he couldn't help but be angry at him over what happened, after Severide had assured them he thought Walker was telling the truth, Matt not caring to apologize now as he had more important things to worry about.
It wasn't Kelly's fault, and deep down he knew that. But right now he couldn't bring himself to care, Casey shooting his friend one last dark look before he began to head back to Gabby, leaving an equally stunned and concerned Severide behind out in the bar.
