Gabby's POV

We returned from the call to find Naia on the couch, asleep, with a book in her hand.

"She must have fallen asleep while reading." Brett whispered next to me. "Is she staying all night?"

I nodded. "Chief said she could stay for the night but only for today." I walked over to her and gently pried the book out of her hands.

"Independence Day." I read the title. "No wonder she fell asleep, this book would make anybody fall asleep."

Brett took the blanket that Naia was using before and draped it over her. This made her stir a little bit but she didn't wake up.

"She's so sweet." Brett said as we walked away. I nodded, "I'm hoping she'll talk soon, but so far, nothing."

We walked up to the bunk areas. "What about Matt? Does she talk to Matt?" Brett asked me as she took a seat on her bed.

I shook my head, "Not that I know of."

Naia started whimpering in her sleep and Brett and I immediately looked over. She squirmed underneath the blanket but it wasn't until she started crying that Brett and I stepped in.

"Naia," I said as I shook her gently, "It's just a dream sweetie, wake up." I shook her again and Naia's blue eyes opened. She looked terrified but relaxed a little bit when she saw Brett and I.

Brett smoothed back the sweaty hair on Naia's forehead. "It was just a nightmare, you're safe here." She told the little girl.

"Do you want to tell us what it was about?" I asked her. I felt as she tensed up and I was ready to step in just in case she decided to flee like last time.

Naia shook her head and turned away from us. Brett and I exchanged glances but I shrugged it off. She was probably exhaustive and just wanted to sleep.

"Okay, sleep well Naia." I said and Brett and I left her.

There wasn't a single call after that. In the morning, Matt woke Naia up and told her to start getting ready for school. That's when I realized that I didn't bring Naia a change of clothes.

"What if I ran home really quick. There's only another hour in the shift anyways." I said to Matt. Matt nodded and then turned to Naia who was eating breakfast.

Naia looked up at us and smiled.

"I'll tell Chief where you are. Keep your radio on just in case." Matt told me and I was on my way back home. When I got to our apartment, I unlocked the door and went to Naia's room. Not really sure what Naia's style was (if she even had one), I just pulled out a pair of jeans, a pair of undies and a sweater. I shoved the clothes into a plastic bag and started for the door. It was at this moment that I realized how little clothes Naia had.

"I'm taking that girl shopping after school." I said to no one and hurried back to the firehouse. When I got there, I rushed in and tossed the bag at Naia who caught it.

Naia ran off to get changed and I flopped down on the couch. The apartment was within walking distance so I had ran all the way there and back. I was a little bit out of breath, not going to lie.

"All tuckered out?" Matt teased as he sat down next to me.

I playfully punched his shoulder. "Yeah right."

"All ready?" Matt asked as Naia entered the room. Naia nodded and both of us stood up.

"Do you want us to walk with you to school?" I asked, totally up for it.

Naia shook her head and grabbed her backpack. I sensed that she was about to take off so I stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Remember, you have to take it easy. I told the school yesterday about your accident and that you're not to be exerting yourself. No running." I reminded her.

Naia smiled and nodded before walking in an over exaggerated way. She waved as she turned the corner and out of sight.

"She's so sweet." Matt said from next to me.

Firetruck 81, Squad 3, Ambo 61, multiple house fire at 590 Kelsie Street

"Yeah, she really is." I said before springing into action.

"That was an interesting way to end the shift." Brett said as we walked out of the firehouse. I laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Definitely."

Brett stopped before getting into her car, "When are we going to have a girl's night? You, me and Stella?"

"Now that I have Naia, I'm not sure." I responded honestly. Brett shook her head, "Who said Naia couldn't come with us?"

I laughed, "Naia's eleven. She's not allowed in a bar. Even if I own part of it."

"Well, who said it had to be at Molly's. Have it at one of our apartments, put on a movie, bond, all that jazz." Brett said and nodded. It sounded like fun.

"Maybe this weekend. I'll talk to Naia about it." I promised as Matt walked up next me.

I linked arms with him and used the other arm to wave bye to Brett.

"Ready?" Matt asked me and I nodded. On our way home, I thought about what Naia was doing now. Handing in the homework she did last night? Sitting out of gym class? Learning prime factorization?

"I'm sure Naia's doing fine right now." Matt said, as if reading my mind.

I gave a short laugh, "How did you know I was thinking about her?" Matt didn't answer for a moment as we turned the corner of the block.

"You always have a look on you face when you're thinking about her." He said finally.

I took this as a moment to joke around. "Is it a funny look?"

Matt shook his head, "No, it's a loving look."