A/N: So I'm writing this during my philosophy class, just be warned.

Enjoy!

Prologue

Sylvie Brett

"Thanks, Herrmann," I grab the two beers and walk over to the table where Stella sits.
I hand a bottle to her and sit down.

"So why'd you ask me to come over?" Stella asks. "You good?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk," I reply, "I'm in a fickle with Casey, things have been pretty awkward between us. And... I don't know what to do."

"Why?" Stella remarks vaguely.

I roll the keychain with my keysbetween my middle finger and thumb, confused as to what she means.

"Why does it have to be awkward?" She corrects herself, "Do you like him?"

I sigh, "It's complicated, Stell. I do, and he said that he also does, but-" I hesitate to tell her what he said that night, "He's not fully over Dawson. He still loves her, and I can't just disregard that. How am I supposed to go fully commited into a relationship knowing that if his ex came back that he might throw me away?"

Stella looks at me with sympathy and walks around the table and wraps her arms around me.

"I'm not gonna lie Sylvie, it will be hard. It was hard with Kelly, knowing his reputations concerning girls. And it'll be hard with you too, but if you think about the end result of at least trying... you never know what will happen."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"And is Casey really the type of guy to throw someone away? Even if he did, he would do it gently, respecting your feelings as much as possible."

Stella makes a point.

"You're right. I'm going over to your guys' place to talk to him. I'm not letting this go."

Stella smirks, "That's my girl. I'll take Severide out. Go talk, just make sure that the couch is clean once we come back."

I glare at her.

Matt Casey

I screwed up. I know that much. There will never be anything I regret more than telling Sylvie that I would leave her for Gabby. While I still have a place in my heart for Gabby, she's gone, and I need to get over her.

I nod to myself. I need to make things right with Sylvie, and if she won't accept it, at least I'll know for myself that I did something about it.

I stand up from my cross-legged position on my bed and lean on my bedpost and take a few breaths, trying to calm myself. I stare at my 4th finger trying to make sense of the silver band around it. I twist it off and clutch it over my heart.

I miss Gabby.

I miss her so, damn, much.

I let a tear slip out of my eye and I unclasp my hands and stare at the grey, shining circle on my palm.

A circle.

Signifying eternity. But Gabby tore that when she left. I understand why she did, and she left because she had to - it was what she was meant to do. And yet, there's a part of me trying to understand. Understand how, or why, or whatever.

We were married.

That must mean something, especially considering how Gabby felt about marriage at the time we got married. Maybe she was right.

Maybe marriage doesn't mean anything. Maybe it just gives a couple an excuse to actually try in a relationship.

I shake my head for thinking like that. That can't be true. It can't.

Sylvie Brett

Stella and I walk up the steps to her apartment, Stella being on her phone texting Kelly, leaving me alone with my nerves.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, I think.

I roll my eyes at myself, I need to get this over with. We can't go on with our lives not being able to stand each other's presence and working together.

When we get up to the loft Stella puts her phone away and places her hands on my shoulders. "You ready, Brett?"

I nod slowly, trying to convince myself of it. "Yeah. Yeah, let's go."

She places the key in the slot and twists it. The door clicks open and I pull my sweater tighter around me.

We walk in and Stella puts her stuff on the coffee table. I linger, not completely sure what to do.

Suddenly I hear footsteps.
"Stella? Is that you," Matt's voice sounds. I see his shadow round the corner and I brace myself.

He appears from the hall, sees me, and freezes.

"Sylv- Brett," he nods, "Hey."

I smile weakly, "Hey, Matt."

I look at Stella for backup, but she keeps her eyes on the potted plant on the windowsill.
"Alright, I'm heading out."

I glare at her. "See you."

She grabs Severide from their room and they leave the apartment.

"So..." I trail off.

"I regret saying it, you know."

I raise my eyebrow.

"I regret saying that I didn't know, because I lied. I do know. And the answer is no. I miss Gabby, and I will always love her, but she left. And nothing is changing that."

I nod softly.

"You know what the last thing she told me was? Don't stay attached. Because she knew. She knew that I wouldn't be able to let go of her."

I stare at Matt, trying to make sense of this.

I take a breath and respond.
"It's just, not... ethical for us to be together. To date my former best friend's ex-husband. Is that really a good idea?"

He stiffens and looks at me in the eyes. "One way or the other, I choose you. If Gabby came back to Chicago, today—tonight and asked me to leave; I would remind her of what she told me, and that my home and family is in Chicago."

I look up at him and bite my lip. Could he mean it? He looks down at me, and suddenly it seems as if all of my insecurities go away. I look in his blue eyes and I see trust. And I trust him.

I lean on my tiptoes and close the distance between us, and Matt responds immediately.

He picks me up by my waist and puts me on the counter. We kiss fiercely, grasping at each other's shirts, until I try to think rationally.

"Matt."

"Hmm?" He responds kissing trails down on my neck.

I moan. "Stella and- Oh! -Severide will be home soon," I say in between breaths.

"That's not my problem, hell knows I've been their third wheel for way to long," he mumbles.

I laugh, "We really should get to privacy, though."

We stumble to his bedroom, lips attached to each other.
And I feel safe in Matt Casey's arms.

The next morning I am awoken by Stella barging into the room. "Sylvie Brett! Get up, we're going to be late for shift!"

I smile and pull the covers up to my neck. "I don't think so, I'm tired."

Stella grins mischievously at me and slams the door with her foot, then locking it, to make sure no one can get in.

"So... spill it," she says deviously.

I shrug innocently, "Spill what?"

She strides over to the bed, and sits on the edge of the bed. Without a warning she pulls down the duvet, showing me in my bra. "Yeah, you think that I'm blind?I don't think that you and Mr. Fancypants didn't hook up with you in his bed and in your bra. How was it?"

I glare at her. She flops her messy hair over her shoulder and rests her chin in her hands.

"Well?"

Fine.
"It was nice," I allow.

"NICE?!" Stella shrieks, "JUST NICE?!"

I shush her and nod to the door. I wonder if Matt and Kelly can hear our conversation from outside.

"Stella!" I whisper yell.

She cocks an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.

"Fine, it was pretty good," I grin, Stella's smile infecting me.

On the other side of the door, Kelly Severide smiles triumphantly at his friend.

"I told you she likes you."

A/N: So... that's that. More chapters are coming, I've already planned all of them out.
I can't wait for you guys to see what I've got in store!

Please vote and drop a comment, they're greatly appreciated!

Love,
Brett