Sylvie Brett goes undercover to assist Chicago PD with exposing a corrupted Paramedic. How will Matthew Casey manage his growing feelings as the woman he cares about a little too much is placed in danger.
Chapter 1
"Casey, Severide, Brett, my office" the Chief's voice booms out over the chatter of the common room.
Matt knows that tone, years under Boden tells him that the boss-man is NOT happy.
He exchanges a quick glance with Sev, who also appears to recognise the tone and issues a frown. Sev, then subjects him with a shrug, and his 'I just roll with the punches friend', bounces up to follow the Chief. Matt tracks them and can sense Sylvie trailing behind. He racks his brain regarding the last few calls for missteps by the crew but comes up utterly empty. As he legs his way after Kelly through the bunkroom he is further mystified as the reason for Brett's involvement. Because she is perfect.
When they finally arrive in Boden's office, Hank Voight and Jay Halstead are rising from the couch and corner chair. Matt stops at the door to let Sylvie enter before him and closes the door behind their brigade.
When Halstead sees Sylvie he crosses the room to envelop her in a hug. She seems to respond warmly in acceptance, even stating "Good to see you again Jay".
Matt shifts his footing, not sure when they became so chummy. Its not that it is his place to get mifted at that, but he can't seem to help it.
Boden requests for Sylvie to sit, also comments that this doesn't directly involve him and Sev but that as they are there as officers in the house they are required to be 'in the know'.
Sylvie complies with the Chief's request immediately moving to the couch. Jay takes the opposite end of the couch and Hank returns to the chair. Matt, Kelly remains standing while Chief returns to sit behind his desk. His sour mood continues as he leans forward.
"So Brett, these men" motioning to Voight and Halstead, "have come to me with a request, one I was tempted to immediately feed to the trash compactor along with Capp's sorry excuse for a breakfast omelette, however Det. Halstead here has convinced me you should be the one to make that decision."
"Me?" Sylvie voices in disbelief.
"Yes, well the request is actually for your assistance" Boden mutters.
Matt can feel tension starting to formulate in his abdomen. Like the slow turning of a handle on a meat grinder.
Halstead jumps right in, "Sylvie do you know Justin Hawkings, Paramedic at Station 24?"
"I know of him. I mean I cross paths with most Paramedics in the CFD either at joint calls or in the halls at Chicago Med." She supplies.
"Well, we strongly believe that Hawkings is stealing prescription meds, like morphine and fentayl from his ambo and perhaps med. He is selling it to be distributed on the streets. It's causing quite the havok for users being unknowingly provided with such pure substances, there has been a significant increase in OD's in the past month."
"How? Sylvie asks, "I mean, how is he stealing them? There are protocols in place to log the usage of those substances and inventory that requires both paramedics to sign off on? Surely his partner would notice."
"Yeah" Voight agreed, "Unfortunately Hawkings has had 3 different partners in the past 4 months. We tried approaching to each of them and got no where, they appear to be running scared".
"Well I'm a little foggy on how I can assist?" she offers.
"We want you to go undercover as Hawkings next partner at 24," Halstead responds.
'Fuck NO, NO way in hell', Matt's inner voice screams at a decibel that has his own ears ringing in pain. He takes a small step forward in reaction, intent to sweep Sylvie away from this room and this inconceivable request but Kelly silently and casually raises his arm in front of Matt's body. He gets it, a silent gesture to hold up, and let the conversation play out.
"Me?" Sylvie again asks with disbelief. "Why me?"
"Well as you have already demonstrated you know the job, obsviously know what to look for in terms of missing supplies, fudged paperwork etc…"Hank supplies. "And well, we know you Brett" Volget finishes.
"What does that mean?" she says eyes now narrowing at Hank.
Jay chimes in yet again, "Sylvie, we suspect that the reason that Hawkings' former partners aren't talking is that he has some sort of dirt on them."
"Like blackmail?" she clarifies.
Jay continues, "Like something that he is using to threaten them into maintaining their silence. When we say we know you, it's that we know enough about the person you that there are no ugly skeletons lurking in your closet. You're essentially like an angel living on earth, so Hawkings won't be able to use that particular tactic if it is indeed his approach".
'Angel living on earth,' Matt repeats Jays words internally. Halstead is laying it on pretty damm thick. Although his description is fully accurate. Sylvie is the most honest, heartwarming and pure individual he knows.
Sylvie scoffs at the comment because even in its truth she can't accept a complement, "I'm hardly an angel."
"You are a really good person, who is very trustworthy" Jay responds in earnest.
"Also, really bad at keeping secrets," she huffs more to herself than anyone else in the room. They all know she is referring to her personal lack of confidence in her ability to keep the real reason for her presence at 24 under wraps.
"You are brilliant and quick witted. And you did just fine with keeping my secret a few weeks ago," Jay adds.
Matt witnesses a soft tint across her features. What the hell had they done together a few weeks ago? He hates the jealously compounding internally, he had not right to it, but also no control over its formulation.
"Jay, I improvised with you in a 15-minute conversation. You want me to do that for a 24-hour shift?" she asks like Halstead has suddenly grown two heads.
"I know you can do this Sylvie, wouldn't ask if I wasn't confident" Jay responds.
There is a pause, "So how long are we talking about? Being undercover I mean?" she queries.
Hank responds this time, "not completely sure, but if it gets too lengthy for you, you have the ability to pull the plug at anytime".
Shit! It hits him like a wall of black smoke flooding from a recently opened door. We are not talking about missing one shift… this could take a while. Sylvie could be gone for weeks. Her effervescent laugh, her glowing smile, her reassuring yet stirring company that he has become more enamored with as of late would be void to him for weeks. And he knows she won't be pulling the plug because of the job's length, once she is committed, she is unstoppable. She will see this through to the bitter end regardless of how taxing or hazardous it maybe. His protective inclinations have been mounding like a rolling snowball since this conversation began and have fully-fledged to an unformattable might.
He finally says it, even though it comes out like sounding like horse shit, but he can't keep it in any longer. "Hold on, we are not actually considering letting her do this?"
Sylvie's back straightens in her chair at his comment and her blue eyes lock to his with shock. Yup, his expressed worry for her has him coming off sounding like a jerk. Talking about her like she is not in the room, assuming the men in the room are going to make the decision for her… he's a complete asshole. Sev bumps his shoulder with his own issuing a gentle warning of his dick move… like he needed the confirmation.
He tries to recover, at least a little, starting with an apology. "That came out wrong Brett, I'm Sorry. You are completely capable of what is being asked and it is fully your decision. I am trying to express concern about you doing this without support. Going in that station alone, being with this Hawkings without backup, in a house where you don't really have anyone you trust."
He immediately observers her response soften, both in her posture and her gaze, her eyes convey to him adoration like she now comprehends the origins of his previous comments.
Hank responds "We will have a member from our unit conducting surveillance outside the station whenever you are on shift, and following you at a distance when you are out in the field. But Casey is correct, for the most part you will be on your own in the station and on the rig."
Sylvie is chewing on her lip. He knows she is nervous and uncertain about her own abilities, but he also knows without a doubt that she is going to say yes. He knew from the minute it was proposed. Because she is Sylvie Brett… always willing to do what is asked, especially when it is this important.
He both hates and adores that about her.
"Then why not send me in too?" Kelly comments, like it's a statement about the weather. Everyone in the room turns towards him given he had previously been silent for the entirety of the conversation.
Sev continues, "Station 24… its Squad 12 right? They have been asking for months for me to get over there to demonstrate the new extraction techniques I learned in San Francisco. I'll join their Squad crew for the same shifts as Brett. Ambo and Squad often get called together so I can be on the scene as back up, and for those calls that they don't, well at least she has someone she can trust waiting back in the station."
Matt could literally kiss his best friend right now. Lay a big wet one right on his forehead. All for Kelly who often plays dumb but is truly wise beyond his years. Matt figures the only thing better would be being able to watch over her himself, but he doesn't have a remotely good excuse for that. However, he trusts Kelly completely, with his own life. Even though Sylvie's is much more important, Sev will do his upmost to keep her safe.
"Chief? Would you be willing to spare them both?" Voight questions.
"Better they go together, but decision rests with each of them individually?" Boden adds, reminding the detectives in the room that although he maybe in charge he supports his people and their choices.
"What do you think Brett? Sev asks.
Sylvie's eyes move from Kelly to him. They lock together. They seem to communicate a thousand phrases back and forth, at least that is how if feels for Matt.
In the end, not that she requires his approval or acceptance, he finds himself issuing a brief nod. It's more of a communication of his faith and belief in everything that she does. Including this, this is no different. He is further issuing his promise, that regardless of what happens he will be there for her, in whatever way possible.
"Okay, I'm in" she says with confidence. Still staring into his eyes. He is terrified for her acceptance of this proposal but also a experiences a glint of pride and awe.
"Me too" issues Kelly.
"Good" says Voight, now standing to exit, likely because he's got what he wants. "We will make the arrangements with the CFD and commissioner, they were already semi-briefed on the situation. Halstand will get in contact with you both prior to your starting shift. Boden, I will leave you to craft some plausible explanation to the rest of 51. The truth about Brett and Severide's reasons for being at Station 24 needs to remain in this room."
"Fine" says Boden.
The others follow Hank's not so subtle direction that this conversation is concluded by rising from their seats. Jay issues a quick squeeze to Sylvie's arm, and the words "Ill be in touch."
Observing this Matt tries to hard to ignore the voice that chant, 'back off Halstand, that shoulder squeeze is my thing'. Fuck, he hates this Neanderthal tendency he seems to be emulating.
Sylvie begins her exit, Matt finds himself saying, "Brett do you have another minute to talk? In my quarters? 5 minutes, I just need a quick word with Sev."
She nods, immediately making her way the direction of his office.
He stops Kelly just outside Boden's now closed office door. Looking at his best friend he simply says, "Thank you".
A knowing smile flourishes across Severide's face. "You really need to tell her man…" he says with a smirk in his tone.
Matt rolls his eyes like he has before at his friends' prodding's towards speaking with Sylvie about… about his morphing state of mind towards her.
He chooses to flout Kelly yet again, "Anyways… I owe you one" Matt says with assurance.
"You don't owe me anything" Kelly responds easily, "I had claimed Brett as my younger sister years ago, so I would have offered regardless because family has each other's backs."
Matt nods in agreement. Then hustles off down the hallway to his quarters.
He sees her though the frosted glass, Sylvie perched on his bunk, head downwards, fiddling with her watch band. Her head snaps upwards as soon as he reefs the glass door open.
He watches as the corners of her mouth jump the hike upward into the apples of her cheeks. Her luxurious lips part to show the gleam of her pearly whites. And her eyes… well her gorgeous blue eyes refract like the facets of sapphires when she smiles. She smiles with her entire face, her entire being like her soul is on display.
He likes to believe, to hope, that that particular smile, is solely for him. Because of recent, it does real shit to him. Just like now, as his heart thuds against his rib cage like a wild animal trying urgently to be freed.
"Hey" he says, sounding slightly out of breath in his own ears.
"Hey" she responds in kind, her smile not flattering an iota.
"So, I just wanted to apologise again for coming off like a first-rate jerk in there" he says softly.
Her eyes seem to shift from the sparkling sapphires to warm lagoons which Matt has a strong desire to dive right into. They convey comprehension and affection. Which she confirms with the words "It's okay Matt, it came from a place of concern for my safety and wellbeing, I would expect nothing less from my Captain."
He feels wrinkles form across his own forehead. Doesn't she know how important he is to her? Not just as an officer but as… he actually not completely sure how to complete that description.
"Sylvie, my concern about your safety and wellbeing goes well beyond our working relationship." He admits aloud with a tiny gulp.
Her eyes seem to widen a fraction like she is surprised. Why is she surprised? After the way they have been leaning into each other for the past year, like the two old souls who know how to offer each other reassurance and affection from years of togetherness.
"You are a very important person in my life," he adds.
"You are in mine too, Matt" she responds.
Without fully comprehending his actions as his body seems to have its own agenda, he is in front of her, pulling her by the hand upwards and directly into his body for a full and complete embrace. He relishes these moments when its is permitted. It doesn't matter its purpose, a welcome back to 51 or comfort in the wake of grief and loss. It feels the same for him, that bizarre but pleasant mixture of cosiness and tenderness, swirly around fervour and longing. He notes it again, like every time previous how perfectly and fully she molds to his body. How she settles in without restraint or reservation. Every inch of them pressed together, her arms banded around his body in similar fashion to his. Her blonded head pressed against his chest and tucked precisely under his chin. All like its her belonging place, where she is always meant to be.
He hears her murmur gently against his chest, "I'm going to miss you Matt."
Upon hearing her words, he is certain that his heart actually ceases it rhythm. He places the gentlest kiss to the top of her head before his voice cracks with "I miss you too."