Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter for you all. But before we start, I wanna talk about a few things. For starters, I'm sorry there was no update last week. I wasn't in the mood to write at all last week, so I just took some time. It's mostly just writer's block, then also the show is currently making it difficult to write Dawsey/want to write in general. But I'm trying my best. And also, I'm sorry this update is up later than usual. I didn't intend for it to take this long, I'm really sorry.

And lastly, just a heads up, there won't be a new update for this story next week, as I've got some things going on that I have to deal with. I'm really sorry for that, especially with missing last week as well, but hopefully in two weeks when I post the next update, I can get back on my regular posting schedule. Again, I'm really sorry. I hope you understand.

But that's pretty much it, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thank you so, so much for reading.


EIGHTY TWO


Casey shivered slightly as a gust of frigid air blew past them while he sat on back of the ambulance, the movement immediately making his sore body ache while he kept his feet planted firmly on the icy ground, Shay's stance directly in front of him only shielding him slightly from the cold air. The paramedic was working on getting his face cleaned up, just like she had been for the past ten minutes or so ever since he and Gabby finally came from the apartment, Matt slowly beginning to feel the effects of the beating he'd taken moments prior now that some of the adrenaline was starting to leave his system.

It had taken longer than he expected, Casey figuring the cold air was helping in keeping him from really feeling his injuries, but now that he'd been seated for awhile, it was impossible for him not to start to feel it. And, admittedly, it wasn't the greatest feeling in the world.

Walker had certainly gotten his hits in, and Matt knew there'd be some lingering pain for a while as he'd taken quite the beating. But Casey had gotten just as many, if not more, in on the man who had tried to destroy the life of the woman he loved. So any injuries Matt had seemed worth it, as Walker had at least felt a bit of the pain he inflicted on Gabby.

Movement beside him caught his attention, Matt moving his head to the side slightly to watch Gabby shift in her spot next to him, but he wasn't able to look her way very long before Shay guided his head back to face forward.

"Quit moving, Casey." She chastised gently as she continued working on the cuts covering his face, Matt staying silent as he complied with the paramedic's orders, while Gabby leaned further into his side.

She was trying to be gentle and not hurt him, he could tell by how lightly she was resting against him. It was almost like she wasn't touching him at all, but she was close enough to get at least some of the comfort he knew she needed, as Gabby hadn't been further than a foot away from him since he pulled her out of that apartment. Even when Shay had checked her out first once they'd left the building, which was something Matt was insistent on, Gabby had made a point to stay close to him as they both sat on the back ledge of the rig, a part of her always touching him while Shay continued on with her work.

"I said quit moving." Shay bit out once more when Casey shifted around, the firefighter unable to stop the second chill that rushed through his body as the wind blew harshly around them. Matt shot her a glare, or as much of one as he could as it was hard to move his eyes much, before he spoke up.

"I'm trying, Shay."

"Are you cold?" Gabby asked softly, her voice barely sounding like her own as she began to shrug the warm blanket off her shoulders that she'd been wrapped up in since they got out here. But he shook his head, Matt disregarding Shay's words once more as he turned to face her.

"I'm fine, you keep it on, it's too cold out here." He responded just as softly, Casey giving her as much of a smile as he could manage, Gabby's eyes tracing over his beaten and swollen face before she nodded.

"Casey, I swear to God, if you don't stop moving." Shay groaned as she guided his head back towards her, Matt releasing a heavy sigh. "I'm trying to make sure I don't mess up this pretty face of yours, so quit it."

"Wouldn't that technically be the doctor's job?" He spoke with a scoff, Shay's eyes narrowing before she continued looking over him, Matt sure if not for the circumstances she would've fired back with another shot of her own. But she stayed quiet, Matt doing his best to stay still as he felt Gabby still shifting by his side.

"You sure you don't want this?" She questioned again after a moment, Casey not even needing to see her to know she was once again offering the blanket shielding her from the cold, the Lieutenant having to fight his instincts to shake his head so he wouldn't get yelled at again.

"I'm sure, babe… You keep it." He replied as he blindly reached out to place his hand over her leg, Gabby nodding in response before she leaned a bit closer to him, the paramedic watching her friend's methodical movements as she looked over her boyfriend.

And she continued to watch him for a few moments, Gabby trying to calm the quick thumping of her heart in her chest as her entire body still felt on edge. She knew she had no reason to, that Walker wasn't even here anymore, that he'd been taken away in another ambulance as soon as they'd got here, with multiple policemen going with him. He wasn't a threat to her anymore, but still, it was like she couldn't let herself completely believe that, the fear she'd felt just moments ago far too fresh for her to let go of just yet.

"How's it lookin', Shay?"

Gabby's vision slowly came into focus when she heard the familiar sound of her brother's voice, the little sister looking towards him just as he came up to stand beside her, Antonio clearly having stepped away from his position over with Voight and his team while Gabby and Matt got looked at.

"He'll survive." She answered lightly as she continued covering the cut on his face, Shay doing what she could to ease some of the heaviness around them as Antonio nodded slightly before he let himself get his first real good look at Casey.

In all the chaos earlier, and Antonio being more focused at keeping Bryan away from his sister once they'd finally been separated, he hadn't had the chance to really take in Matt's injuries. At least not for more than a few seconds. But now that he had, it was a pretty nasty sight to see, between all the cuts and swollen skin, Matt's body already discolored from the fight, and from experience, Antonio knew those marks would only get worse as time went on. Not to mention most of Casey couldn't be seen beneath all his gear, the detective sure there were more injuries he was hiding as he'd stayed pretty quiet this entire time, the older Dawson well aware that the last thing Matt was concerned about right now was himself.

And truthfully, Antonio kind of felt the same way, the man tearing his eyes away from Casey to look at his baby sister, Gabby already watching him with a somewhat lifeless look in her eye. While she wasn't as physically injured as Casey, with her bandaged hand and her busted lip, she was holding onto just as much pain as him, if not more, as she looked like she was about to break at any moment. And while it absolutely destroyed him, he couldn't say it was something that surprised him, Antonio shaking his head slightly as he willed himself to keep it together.

"How are you feeling, sis?" He asked softly, Gabby swallowing thickly before she gave him a slight shrug in response.

"Alright." She answered, her voice barely meeting his ears as Antonio took a small step towards her.

He knew she was lying, he could see it written across her face that she wasn't okay, and no one would expect her to be. But that wasn't something he was gonna press her on, not right now, not here. Not when they were as out in the open as they were, when this had just happened. It wasn't the time to get into everything, or to try and help her through whatever she was feeling about this.

He knew they'd need to talk, not only about what she went through, but also how sorry he was for it happening at all. But it wasn't the time for that, and that was only solidified by the near desperate look he saw flash in his sister's eyes. The look telling him she couldn't do this right now.

And the last thing he'd ever do was make her.

"Okay." He responded with a small smile, the older brother gently reaching out to rest his hand over her shoulder, his eyes flickering between Casey and Gabby before he continued. "I, uh… have some stuff I need to finish up here, and I don't want to keep you two here any longer than we have to, so I'll meet you guys- Are you taking them to the hospital, Shay?" Antonio cut himself off as he turned to the paramedic, Matt opening his mouth to respond for her, but Shay spoke up before he could.

"Yup." She answered shortly before Casey could argue, Antonio giving her a nod in response.

"Alright, well I'll meet up with you two there once I'm done… I'll get your statements and everything." He told them, his gentle words more so for Gabby's benefit than anything else as she gave him a slight nod. "And, uh, I'll call Mama and Papa." He added on, Gabby's tongue running along her teeth as she took in his words, her mind still a bit hazy from everything that had happened today. "Let them know what happened… I'm sure they'll want to come to the hospital." Antonio told her, Gabby giving him a somewhat quick nod, as the thought of seeing her parents helped relax her just a little bit.

"Okay." She answered, Antonio responding with a nod of his own before he turned back to Casey, the firefighter not facing him as Shay was still working on getting him patched up.

"And Casey, do you want me to call your mom, let her know what's going on?"

"That's fine… If you don't mind. That way she knows." He answered, Gabby glancing towards him as he spoke. "Since we're not gonna need to stay with her anymore."

"Yeah, you all can finally go home." He breathed out, Gabby blinking quickly a few times before she nodded. "But I'll call everyone, let them know what's going on… Let you two go get checked out."

"Thanks Tonio." Gabby murmured, Matt soon echoing a similar sentiment.

"Yeah, thanks man."

"Don't mention it… I'll leave you to it." He told them, Gabby giving him one last nod as he looked her over, the older brother releasing a heavy sigh before he stepped forward and placed a lingering kiss to the top of his sister's head.

"...I'm so glad you're okay."

His voice was barely audible, in fact he was pretty sure Gabby was the only one who could hear him as her eyes fell closed, the woman willing away the tears forming in her eyes as he wrapped his arm around her back.

"I love you so much, Gabs."

"I love you, too." She murmured, Antonio rubbing over her back as he pressed another kiss to the top of her head before reluctantly pulling back.

The second the siblings locked gazes once more, Gabby saw the tears threatening to fall, her brother holding onto many different emotions that were all playing across his face. But the most noticeable one was guilt, Antonio forcing a small smile onto his face once he realized he probably didn't look the most reassuring at the moment.

"I'll let you guys go, but I'll see you in a bit." He told them, Gabby nodding slowly as she reached back down to grab Matt's hand that was resting over her thigh, Antonio giving her one last smile before he began walking away. But he only got a few steps before he stopped himself, the snow crunching under his boots as he stood on the pavement. "And, uh… Casey?" He spoke up once more, Shay pausing her work so Matt could look towards the detective, the two looking at one another for a moment before he continued. "...Thank you."

His simple words hung in the air for a moment, the two men sharing a look that said more than words ever could before Matt gave him a nod, Antonio mimicking the movement before he headed back over towards Voight, leaving the three first responders alone once more as Shay went back to work.

"Alright, I think I'm almost done here." Shay spoke before her tongue poked out between her teeth, Matt's swollen eyes looking up at her while she concentrated on the task at hand. "Then we can get you to the hospital."

"I don't need to go to the hospital." He tried, the blonde glaring narrowly at him before taking a step back.

"Yes, you do… And difficult patient aside, I've done about as much as I can for you, Casey." She told him, snow continuing to fall down onto them as Matt breathed in deeply, it not lost on him how he felt a slight pain in his side every time he breathed. But he didn't want to focus on it, as the last thing he wanted to do right now was make Gabby go and sit in a hospital for hours just because of him. "You need to get yourself checked out… In fact, I'm pretty sure you're gonna need stitches for that cut on your cheek, not to mention how you got thrown into a damn table." She continued on, Matt wincing when he heard Gabby's breath catch in her throat as the mention of what Walker had done to him. "So I'd rather be safe than sorry, and let some doctors take a look at you."

"I'm fine, Shay." He pushed once more, his words earning an immediate unimpressed look from the other blonde. "Really, I don't think I need to go to the hospital, I'm alright."

"You just got the shit beat out of you." She replied bluntly, Gabby's eyes falling closed for a split second as Matt shot the paramedic another glare, one that Shay ignored. "And if the way you're holding yourself right now is any indication, you're feeling a lot worse than you're telling me." She continued on, Gabby immediately looking back towards him as worry flooded her body, Matt drawing in breath as he noticed Boden walking towards them from behind Shay. "Yeah, don't think I didn't notice that. And also we both know Dawson here needs to know you're alright, so quit putting up a fight and just let me take you to the damn hospital."

"You're going to the hospital, Casey." The Chief spoke before he even got to them, Shay's voice having traveled far enough to where he heard their conversation, the paramedic stepping aside as Boden came to a stop in front of them. "You need to go and get checked out, let them look you over." He continued on once he had his firefighter's complete attention, Boden trying his best to not react to the gruesome beating his face had taken. "It's not up for discussion, I want you to go to the hospital and then go home… You and Dawson both."

Gabby looked up when she heard her name, Boden looking away from Casey towards the paramedic, his face softening considerably once he made eye contact with her. It was the first time he'd spoken to her, to either of them, since he arrived on scene, Boden finding it best to keep his distance as he'd seen first hand how shaken Dawson was when Casey eventually pulled her from that building. And from just this one look at her, Boden knew she wasn't feeling much better, that his PIC was still very much in shock over the whole thing, the older man drawing in a deep breath before he continued.

"I want you both to go home once you've been looked at, and take some time off."

"Chief-"

"Non-negotiable." He cut Casey off, Matt taking a few shallow, uncomfortable breaths before he nodded. "Today was… A lot. And I want you both to take some time, to rest and to heal." He explained carefully, everyone knowing their Chief meant more than just healing physically.

And while Matt wasn't so sure that he needed the time off, he knew the same couldn't be said for Gabby. In fact, it was probably the opposite as he knew the events of today were sure to take their toll on her, and taking some time off was likely exactly what she needed. And wherever she was, was where he was going to be.

"We'll talk more later, but right now I just want you all to take some time… As much time as you need." He finished, Gabby staying still for a moment before she nodded.

"Okay."

"Thanks Chief." Casey echoed, Boden giving them one last nod before he took a step back away from the rig.

"If you all are good here, I'm gonna go ahead and send everyone back to the house… Let you all have some space. Unless you'd like us at the hospital?"

"We're alright, Chief." Matt answered without a thought, the firefighter knowing he didn't even need to check with Gabby on this one, as the last thing she'd want was an audience.

Everyone meant well, and both Matt and Gabby knew their friends were just worried, and would gladly sit and wait at the hospital for as long as they were there. But that was also likely the last thing Gabby wanted, and this entire thing hit too close to home with everyone in the firehouse. And despite their intentions, space was probably the best thing for her right now, and Casey was sure they'd all understand that.

"You all can head back to the house, we'll be fine."

"Alright." He answered, the man taking another step back as he glanced towards Shay. "I'll let you get back to work."

"Oh, I'm done with them, Chief. I've done as much as I can, we were just about to head to the hospital." She responded, Boden nodding in response before the blonde turned back towards her friends. "You all wanna go ahead and get in back there? That way we can get out of here and out of all this snow." She told them as she brushed the white snowflakes off her shoulder, her words earning agreeing nods from both Casey and Dawson before they began to get up.

But one of them was clearly moving much slower than the other, Boden watching on in worry as it took what seemed like all of Casey's energy for him just to get to his feet, no one missing the grimaces and sounds of discomfort that left his lips with each movement. And that alone only continued to confirm what Shay had been thinking all along; that Matt wasn't being entirely honest about everything that was hurting him, all of them surely thinking the same thing as Matt did what he could to mask the pain he was in. But there was no denying it when he tried to move, as even just standing here seemed to be a bit of a challenge for him, the sight of his labored stance only confirming just how badly Walker had beaten him.

With a deep frown etched across her face, Shay watched on as Matt held out his hand for Gabby to climb up into the back of the ambulance before he began to try and get up as well. But it was a much more challenging task than even he realized, Matt struggling more than he'd care to admit as his body was certainly feeling the effects of all the trauma it had sustained. And if not for Boden eventually stepping in and giving him a little extra help, he probably wouldn't have been able to get into the rig at all. At least not without injuring himself further, the sight not at all comforting as it was clear Matt was really hurting.

But soon enough, both Dawson and Casey were seated on the gurney in the back, Shay standing with Boden at the back doors as they looked on at the couple for a moment.

"Let me know how things go at the hospital, Casey." He spoke as he reached out to grab the open door, Matt nodding in response as his hand was lightly wrapped around his own stomach to rest against his side, Boden noticing how he'd been favoring it ever since he moved.

"I will."

"And make sure you get checked out too, Dawson." Boden added, Gabby's eyebrows furrowing in a bit of confusion as she tore her eyes away from her lap to look at her boss.

"I'm alright, Chief." She replied, but he immediately shook his head, Gabby pursing her lips together as he spoke up.

"Get checked out." He told her, his voice leaving no room for arguments as she reluctantly nodded. "Just to be on the safe side, since you're gonna be there with Casey anyway, go ahead and let them look you over."

"Okay." She complied, Boden nodding with a small, sad smile as he took a slight step back, the Chief giving them once last nod before he and Shay shut the back doors, effectively closing Matt and Gabby off from everyone as the blonde paramedic took a few steps back from Boden.

"Keep me updated." He requested, Shay nodding immediately as she brushed some of the snow off her radio.

"I will." She assured him, giving him a slight salute before heading for the driver's seat, Shay barely having a chance to pull it open before she heard Boden's voice again.

"And Shay?" He called, the paramedic turning back around with her eyebrows raised, the tone in Boden's voice keeping her on high alert as she watched him walk towards her.

"Yeah Chief?" She asked, Boden's eyes glancing towards the side of the rig before he spoke up.

"Take them to Lakeshore." He spoke quietly, like he didn't want his voice filtering into the ambulance, a look of immediate confusion covering the woman's face as she opened her mouth to speak up. But Boden continued before she could. "I know Chicago med is closer, but that's where they sent Walker to get him looked at." He spoke, his voice even softer than before as a look of realization covered Shay's face, the color draining slightly from her cheeks before she nodded. "So just… take them to Lakeshore."

No more needed to be said, Shay nodding quickly once more as she was grateful for the heads up. Because the last thing any of them wanted right now was for Walker to be anywhere near Gabby.

And, for Bryan's sake, it was probably best he didn't go anywhere near Casey, either.

"Got it, Chief." She responded, Boden giving her a quick nod before he moved back towards his firefighters, the Chief giving orders for everyone to pack up and head back to the firehouse, while Shay took off towards the hospital with a very quiet Dawson and Casey seated in the back.


"Alright take another deep breath for me… Does that hurt?"

Casey winced as he breathed in as deeply as he could, his body's reaction to the movement giving him away to the doctor that had been sent in to look him over, Matt unable to lie even if he wanted to as he reluctantly nodded.

"A little, yeah." He replied, Casey wincing once more as the man's hands pushed gently against his bare side, Matt stripped down to his turnout pants as he sat on the bed in the small room in the ER of Lakeshore.

"Is it a sharp, stabbing pain, or more like a dull pain?" He asked as he continued to palpate the body, Matt sparing a quick glance to Gabby who was standing by his bedside before he answered.

"It was a sharper pain for a while, right after it happened, but now it's mostly just a dull pain… Kind of a constant pain, I guess." He explained as best he could while his girlfriend's eyes were focused on his beaten body, just as they had been ever since he'd taken part of his gear off.

It had been a shock, to say the least, to see just how red and angry his skin was from fighting Walker, those deep discolorations likely to turn into bruises over the next few days, as nearly his entire back, along with his sides and some spots on his chest were a deep red, while a few spots were already starting to yellow. But thankfully, for as beat up as he was, his gear had at least protected him from the glass table, shielding his body from any cuts he definitely would've gotten from being thrown down onto it.

But that was the only upside, one Gabby wasn't even able to focus on, as the sight of him so hurt made her stomach turn, her entire focus moving to her boyfriend as they sat here in this room.

"Alright, well it could be a few things… It could be just some bruised ribs, or it could be something a little more serious. So I'd like to get some scans done, just to see what we're dealing with here." He told them, Matt giving him a nod as he relaxed back into the bed, most of the muscles in his body screaming at him for being upright for too long. "Based on what you're telling me, I believe you've just bruised them, but still, I want to check before I send you out of here."

"Okay." Matt answered as he looked back towards Gabby, her prolonged silence concerning him more and more by the minute as her eyes were focused down on his side.

"And looking at that cut on your face, I think you can do without actual stitches… It's not too deep, and the bleeding has stopped so I think you'll be fine with just some steri-strips. It is a pretty nasty cut there, but I don't think you need stitches." He explained, Matt nodding once more after he tore his eyes away from Gabby. "I can get a nurse to come in here and do that for you while you're waiting for your scan."

"Sounds good doctor, thank you." Casey spoke just as the man's pager went off, the doctor nodding with a small smile as he took a step back from the bed.

"You're welcome… I'll be back after you get your scans and I have a chance to look at them. But you might want to settle in, you'll probably be here for a while." He continued on as he took another step back towards the door, the doctor clearly having somewhere he needed to be. "Oh, and I know they said something about looking at you, Miss Dawson? Just that Mr. Casey here was the more pressing issue, but I'll get another doctor down here."

"Oh, I'm fine, you don't have to do that." She was quick to speak up, Matt's head turning to look at her as quickly as he could just as the doctor raised his eyebrows. "I mean, my elbow is a little sore, and my hand, but I'm fine."

"I'm gonna get someone down here, just to see." He repeated with a soft smile, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she nodded. "But I'll be back in a little while, and I'll make sure to get a nurse in here soon."

"Thank you." Casey replied, the two men exchanging nods before the doctor left the isolated room, Matt wincing slightly as breathing continued to be a little painful for him.

But he didn't focus on it too long, as his mind soon went to Gabby, Casey turning to look at his girlfriend as she stayed planted by his bedside, her eyes still focused down on his battered body instead of looking at him. And though her silence was worrying him, it also gave him a second to really take in her, Matt wishing more than anything he knew what was going on in her head.

She'd been like this ever since they got into the back of the ambulance, Gabby's prolonged silence since leaving that apartment certainly a cause for concern as she had yet to really say much to him at all. During the ride here, she'd been virtually silent, neither Matt nor Gabby saying much while Shay got them to the hospital. Then once they arrived, the only time she'd really said anything was when she was talking to doctors or nurses about him, and his condition. But other than that, she'd been trapped in her own head ever since they left that room with Walker.

And it was really starting to worry him.

He knew she got like this sometimes, that when something bad happened, her gut instinct was to shut down and not deal with it. She'd been that way since they met, a trait he knew for a fact was Walker's doing. And while she'd certainly gotten better at managing it since they got together, he also knew it was just part of who she was. She needed time to process things, she always had. And while there was nothing wrong with it, it also couldn't help but worry him.

Because he didn't know if her current state was because of Walker, or because of him.

"Is your side still hurting?"

The sound of her voice broke him from his thoughts, Matt's eyes snapping up to find her finally looking at him, his gaze instinctively going to her busted lip and trailing up along the side of her face where her skin was swollen, before landing on her eyes. And what he found waiting for him was nothing but worry.

"You look like you're in pain, are you hurting?" She asked again, her voice quiet as she had her arms crossed over her chest, almost like a defense mechanism, Matt shaking his head lightly before he responded.

"I'm okay right now." He told her, Casey able to tell immediately that she didn't buy it. "I promise, I am… It's uncomfortable, and taking deep breaths hurts, but I'm fine. I don't want you worrying about me."

"Of course I'm gonna worry about you." She murmured, Casey's face softening as he reached out for her hand, Gabby giving it willingly as she took another step towards the bed, while Matt was mindful of her bruised and cut knuckles as he held onto her. "Especially after something like this." She spoke, her voice becoming a bit unsteady as Matt nodded in understanding. "And I… I just-" She stopped herself, Gabby shaking her head once more as her thoughts became overwhelming, tears pricking the edges of eyes as she tried to take a step back from him.

But Matt wouldn't let her, the man carefully keeping a hold of her hand as he did his best to keep his gaze on her, though it was hard when one of his eyes was nearly swollen shut. "Gabby…"

"I hate him." She got the words out, tears filling Matt's eyes as well as she shook her head. "I hate him so much, why couldn't he just leave me alone?"

"Baby-"

"He just wouldn't stop, and then you end up hurt because of it. And I… I wish he never came back, I just wanted him to leave me alone."

"I know." Casey replied softly as he guided her back towards him. "I know, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry this happened baby, but it's over." He told her again, Gabby forcing herself to take a deep breath as she focused on him. "Okay? It's over, it's all over… He can't hurt you again." He told her, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she nodded, her tears threatening to fall once more as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "It's over-"

"I'm sorry." She cut him off, Matt's eyebrows knitting together in confusion before he shook his head.

"What?"

"I'm sorry you got hurt because of me, this never should've happened." She told him quickly, Matt shaking his head yet again before he pulled her closer, Gabby hesitant as he tried to pull her body against his. "I don't want to hurt you." She spoke quietly as he slid his hand around to her back, Matt only tightening his grip as he hugged himself to her.

"You won't… You could never hurt me." He told her as he secured his arm around her waist, Gabby relaxing into him slightly as her arm resting around his neck. "Now come here." He continued, Gabby finally letting herself completely fall into him as her body weight leaned against him, Matt ignoring the slight pain he felt in his ribs as she hugged him. Her chin was tucked down into his neck, Matt using all the strength he had to keep a firm grip around her waist as he could sense how badly she needed this.

More than anything, she just needed him. All the talks, and trying to move past what had happened, all that would take time. But right now, in this moment, what she needed most was this. And he was more than willing to give her that.

"It's not your fault." He whispered against the side of her head, Matt pressing a kiss there as he rubbed over her lower back. "If anything, I'm the one who should be sorry, but this is not on you."

His words caused her to pause, her mind clearing only for a moment as Gabby was unsure of what he meant. But she didn't have a chance to question him on it as the door to their room suddenly opened, the nurse stopping abruptly when she saw the position they were in.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I should've knocked." She apologized, Matt offering her a small smile before shaking his head, while Gabby pulled away from him and sat herself down on the edge of his bed. "I can come back in a few minutes, if you need me to." She added on after taking in the sight in front of her, both of them clearly close to tears after the events of today.

And if the gossip going around the hospital as to why the firefighter and paramedic were here was anything close to the truth, the woman couldn't blame them.

"It's alright." Matt told her softly, Gabby nodding in agreement before looking down towards the bed, the nurse nodding before she stepped further inside the room.

"Okay, well I'm just here to help you get fixed up a little bit, Dr. Abrams said you had a pretty nasty cut that needed to be dealt with.. And I'm beginning to see what he was talking about."

While the woman continued on, Gabby mostly tuned her out as she stayed by Matt's side on the bed, the heaviness of their interrupted conversation still hanging around them as their words had been left unfinished. But they wouldn't have time to deal with it now, Gabby drawing in a deep breath as she reached out to place her hand over Matt's leg, their closeness enough for now as she tried to push down all the bad memories from today that kept running through her mind.

But that was easier said than done.


Hallie rolled out her neck as she stood in front of the fridge in the doctor's lounge, the doctor having had quite the busy day so far as the ER had been slammed with calls. But finally, she'd managed to find time to pull herself away and hopefully be able to eat her lunch before being called back down. But before she could even grab her food, her pager went off, Dr. Thomas blowing out a heavy breath before she shut the refrigerator and headed for the exit, the woman grabbing her white coat on the way out as she knew her desire for a break would have to wait.

She got down to the ER relatively quickly, the path second nature to her by now as she hurried down the steps to get here. And the second she did, the room was buzzing just as it had been all day, Hallie hoping that whoever she was here to see wouldn't take up as much time as he last patient had. Shoving her hands into her pockets, she went straight for the nurses station, her eyes bouncing around before landing on the nurse sitting at the desk.

"Did you page me?" Hallie asked, the woman looking up from her stack of charts in front of her before she nodded.

"Dr. Thomas, yeah I did… Dr. Abrams said he needed a doctor down here to take a look at one of his patients. He was needed for a consult before he could take a look at her." She explained as she began looking through all her charts, Hallie waiting patiently as the relatively new nurse continued talking. "It's a pretty sad story, actually."

"Yeah?"

"Mhmm… I'm not sure how much is true, but it's all over the hospital. You remember that firefighter that got sent to prison?" She questioned, Hallie's eyebrows raising slightly as they made eye contact. "I remember a lot of that gossip started right about when I got here, but the one who was beating up his girlfriend? Or fiancee, I don't remember."

"Yeah, the guy from Firehouse 51." She responded after a beat of silence as she brought up Matt's firehouse, the woman nodding as she pulled out the chart she was looking for.

"I guess, yeah… Well, the girlfriend is here." She responded, a clear look of surprise covering Hallie's face as she was handed the chart. "Or ex-girlfriend, whatever you want to call her. Apparently he got out, and was like… terrorizing her or something. He's the reason she's here."

"Oh my God." Hallie breathed out as she opened up the chat.

"Yeah, it's scary… The girl, from what I know, is alright for the most part, but they still need someone to take a look at her. I guess he didn't get a chance to hurt her too much. But it's her boyfriend that's beat to hell." She continued to explain what she'd heard from the other nurses, Hallie hanging on her every word. "People have been saying he got in there and stopped it- whatever that crazy guy was gonna do, but… God, it's just so sad." She breathed out, Hallie nodding in agreement before her eyes moved down to the chart, a wave of confusion flooding through her when she saw the name. "I saw the guy when he came in, too… The girl's boyfriend. He was in rough shape-"

"What is this?" Hallie asked, her quick tone cutting the woman off as she looked back up to the nurse. "This chart- Matt Casey, what is this?" She questioned again, the woman glancing down towards the chart resting on the counter before looking back towards her stack.

"Oh, did I hand you Matt Casey's?" She questioned, Hallie nodding quickly before she reached for it back. "Sorry, that's my fault, I meant to hand you the woman's chart."

"Matt Casey is here?" Hallie continued on, a hundred different emotions flooding her body as she tried to figure out what was going on, and why there weren't firefighters lining the halls if one of their own was here.

"Huh?" The nurse asked her as she continued looking through the charts, Hallie's neck tightening before she spoke up again.

"Matt Casey, the firefighter… He's here?"

"Yeah, he's the boyfriend." She replied simply, Hallie's face falling before her entire body tightened, realization hitting her like a truck as the nurse placed the new chart in front of her. "The one who protected his girlfriend from her psycho ex- Gabby, is her name." She continued to explain as she tapped the front of the chart.

"...Gabby Dawson?" Hallie asked softly, even though she didn't need to, her voice not sounding like her own as shock overtook her.

"Yeah, that's her. Do you know her?"

"Uh… kind of, yeah." She breathed out, Hallie unable to stop the sinking feeling in her stomach as she continued to take in the magnitude of all of this. "We've met in passing."

"Ah. Well, it's so sad, to go through something like that. I hope she's okay." The nurse spoke, Hallie nodding after a moment before grabbing her chart. "But she's the one Dr. Abrams wanted you to look at… It's not too bad, from what I can tell. I think he's mostly worried about her hand." She explained, Hallie nodding once more before she grabbed the chart.

"Alright, yeah, I'll check her out." She responded, the nurse rattling off her room number before Hallie headed in that direction, the doctor still a bit stunned from their conversation as she tried to wrap her mind around what all Dawson had gone through. But that wasn't an easy task, Hallie releasing a heavy breath as she got closer to the private room they were in, the glass windows surrounding it making it easier for her to see in.

And the sight in front of her shocked her more than she could've ever prepared herself for.

She was still a little far away, but she was close enough to see the damage that Gabby's ex had left behind, Matt close to unrecognizable as his entire body was beaten, Hallie's breath catching in her throat as she continued to walk closer.

"I don't, Severide." Shay's voice hit her ears, Hallie forcing herself to look away from the couple inside that room to find the blonde paramedic standing just off to the side of the door, Shay on the phone with someone as she paced back and forth by the window. "I know you want to be here for them, but Boden said- No, I know… I know." She breathed out, Hallie slowing her steps as she watched the woman bring her hand up to cover her face. "Um, I think they're alright, considering. I've been trying to keep my distance.. Give them space. A nurse is in there with them right now, and I heard the doctor say something about wanting to get scans done when he came from their room, so I'm guessing that's something with Casey, but- Severide, I gotta call you back." She stopped herself once she looked up, Shay seeing Hallie standing a few feet away from them as Severide continued talking to her through the other line. "No, I will- I promise… Yeah. Okay, bye."

Before she could even hang up the phone Shay started walking towards the doctor, Hallie coming to meet her halfway as they were now just feet from the room.

"Are they-"

"What are you doing here?" Shay cut her off, the woman keeping her voice low as to try and not alert Gabby or Matt to the fact that Hallie was out here. "You don't need to be here." She continued, Hallie pursing her lips together before she responded.

"I was called down to be Gabby's doctor, to look her over, I didn't- I'm not trying to insert myself into this, I didn't even know you all were here." Hallie told her, Shay's face remaining blank as the doctor's eyes flashed back towards the room. "And I… is it true?" She questioned as she found Shay's gaze. "That firefighter, the one who was in prison, was Gabby the reason he-... He'd been abusing her?" Hallie could barely get the words out, like she was almost afraid to say them, Shay forcing herself to take a deep breath before she spoke up.

"Hallie, you need to go." Shay told her, the fiercely loyal friend not backing down. But Hallie wasn't either.

"Is she okay?" She pressed, Shay having to stop herself from scoffing before she answered.

"How could she possibly be okay right now?" Shay bit out before she could stop herself, the blonde shaking her head as she brought her hand up to run along the side of her face. "She- of course she's not okay, Hallie. Neither of them are." She answered her, the doctor nodding as she looked back towards the both of them.

"And Matt, he…"

"Walker had her." Shay answered the question she knew she was asking. "Bryan, Gabby's- her ex, he had her. Matt went in and got her, and… well, that's what happened." She breathed out, Hallie nodding slowly as she continued watching the firefighter and paramedic through the window, neither of them having noticed her presence as they sat next to each one on the bed.

"That's awful." She murmured, Shay turning to look back at the room as she nodded. "I'm… I'm so sorry that happened, that Gabby went through that." She continued, Shay narrowing her eyes before she spoke up.

"You mean you're sorry she went through what you accused Casey of?" Shay fired back, Hallie's eyes falling closed as she took a deep breath.

"Shay…"

"What? It's not like we don't know the truth here, Hallie."

"I never told people he did that-"

"You didn't exactly try and correct it though, did you?" She questioned, her sharp words forcing Hallie to go silent as Shay gave her a nod. "That's what I thought… And that's just one of the many reasons you should not be here right now. Casey, and Dawson, they don't want anything to do with you, and right now? After going through what they just went through, you're the last person they'd want to see."

"Shay-"

"You not only ruined Casey's life, but you let people think of you as a victim." She bit out, the blonde getting angrier by the second as Hallie looked to her. "You pretended to be a victim, when this is real life for people, for Gabby… She went through hell, she was abused, that's real for her. But you? You let people think Matt was hurting you to save your own cheating, lying ass." She spat, her voice low as to not cause a scene, Hallie's gaze moving to the floor as Shay released a heavy scoff. "So, thank you for your feeling bad that this happened to Gabby, you should be thankful you've never had to experience that. But this, now? This is not your place, and you being here is only going to make it harder on both of them… You are not going anywhere near them, not today… I don't care how long it takes, or if Gabby has to wait a little while longer, you are not going in that room. Please, get her another doctor."

Shay's forceful words hung heavily around them for a moment, Hallie biting her tongue as there was so much she wanted to say, but knew now wasn't the time, the woman simply nodding before she took a slight step backwards.

"Shay!"

The two were interrupted by the sound of Camila's voice filling the air, both looking towards the older couple as they came rushing over to their daughter's friend.

"Shay, are they alright? Where are they?" Camila asked frantically, her worry evident as Ramon stood by her side, the father equally as concerned. "Antonio told us what happened, oh my Gabriela, my baby. And he said Matthew was hurt? Where are they?"

"They're alright, Camila." Shay tried to assure her, the woman drawing in a deep breath as her hand came up to rest over her chest. "They'll be okay… Matt's a little worse for wear, and Gabby, she-" Shay cut herself off, Camila frowning as Ramon reached out to rub her back. "She'll be okay."

"Where are they?" She asked, Shay nodding behind her towards the room where the nurse was just leaving, a gasp leaving Camila's lips when she saw the state Casey was in for the first time. "Oh my God, Matthew." She breathed out before she headed in that direction, Ramon wearing a similar look of shock as he took in the sight of Casey as well.

Through the window, they watched the scene unfold in front of them as Camila hurried into the room, Gabby slowly standing up when she saw her mother, the woman walking towards her and immediately cradling her daughter's face in her hands for a moment before she pulled her in for a tight hug. And that was where they stayed, while Matt's eyes were focused on the two of them, Hallie able to see how much pain he was holding onto all the way from here.

"Walker, he… he did that to Matthew?" Ramon eventually spoke up, Shay crossing her arms over her chest before she nodded sadly.

"He did." She answered, the older man shaking his head before bringing his hand up to cover his mouth. "Walker, he's- Matt got his shots in, too. But Casey's pretty beat up."

"And Gabby?" He questioned as his eyes were focused on his little girl, Camila still holding onto her tightly as she gave their daughter as much comfort as she could.

"Physically, she'll be okay… Could've been a lot worse." Shay answered, Ramon pausing for a moment before he nodded. "Casey… He got in there before Walker could really do anything." She explained the best she could, though with her limited knowledge of what actually happened in that apartment, it was hard. "But, they'll be alright… It might just take some time." She finished, Ramon nodding sadly before he looked back towards the room, Camila just now pulling away from Gabby and moving to hug Matt as well.

"Thank you for looking after them, Shay." Ramon spoke as he reached out to squeeze her arm gently, the paramedic nodding slightly before he headed towards the room as well, both Shay and Hallie watching on as Ramon entered the room and went straight for his daughter. And it took no time for her guard to completely break down, as being in the room with three of the people she trusted more than anything in this world caused Gabby to finally start to let go of some of the feelings she'd been holding onto, Shay watching on as Ramon did all he could to comfort his daughter.

And while it was an endearing, yet heartbreaking sight, it was a sight not meant for them, especially not for the woman standing beside her as Shay turned to face Hallie, the doctor's eyes still plastered on the exam room.

"You need to go, Hallie." She repeated again, Dr. Thomas drawing in a deep breath before looking towards Shay. "Please, just go… They don't want you here."

Knowing it wasn't her place to put up a fight, Hallie gave her a slight nod before she began taking a few steps back, Shay's defenses going down just a bit the farther away she got. "I'll get another doctor to come look at Dawson." She replied, Shay giving her one quick nod in response. "And… I am sorry, about what happened. And what Gabby's been through… I'm sorry that happened to her." She finished, leaving Shay no chance to respond before she turned and headed in the opposite direction of the room, the blonde releasing a heavy sigh before headed away from the room as well, Shay knowing the best thing she could do for her friends right now was to give them space.


Well, there's another one. I hope you liked it! This chapter was originally supposed to have more parts to it, but I decided to hold off and add those into another chapter because it was getting a little long, so sorry for the weird stopping place. But we'll pick up more with the aftermath of all this in the next one.

Also, just a reminder, they'll be no new chapter for this story next week. Thanks for understanding.

I'll see you all soon.