Naia's POV

"There she is!" Herrmann yelled as I walked through the doors of the firehouse. I was immediately surrounded by everyone and pulled into a hug after hug. I wasn't sure who had already hugged me but I was sure that the same people hugged me more than once.

"Hey..." I said awkwardly. "Glad to see you guys. Where's Gabby?"

"She's on a call," Matt answered, giving me another noogie.

Stella gawked at me, "Are you kidding! We're ecstatic to see you!"

I chuckled and immediately cringed inside at how awkward I was. This was going great.

"Are you hungry?" Otis asked me. "We could get Jimmy to whip something up for you."

I shook my head, "No, I'm okay. I should probably get started on my homework. I missed a lot while..." I trailed off, not wanting to say what happened. "While I was away."

Everyone nodded understandingly and backed off while I got settled at a spot at the table. Reluctantly, I pulled out my homework and sprawled it over the table. Sighing, I stared at it, not wanting to start.

"That's a lot of homework kid," Herrmann commented, looking over.

I nodded, "Yeah well, it's what I missed."

Herrmann grinned, "If you need any help, you know who to go to."

I smiled gratefully. "I appreciate that Herrmann."

"How was school?" Gabby asked me as soon as she got back from the call.

I shrugged, "It was normal. I have a ton of homework."

Gabby nodded, looking at my homework sympathetically. "Does all need to be done by tomorrow?"

I shook my head, going back to my math homework, "No, some of it does. Others I have until the end of the week."

"Do you want anything to eat?" Gabby asked.

"No thank you," I mumbled, still staring at my math homework. Twelve carry the one. Six times three is eighteen, plus one is nineteen. Carry the one.

"Naia?"

I looked up, "Yeah?"

"You good?" Gabby asked. It was impressive how Gabby could see right through me. It was unfortunate as well though.

I nodded, "Yeah, of course." Before Gabby could make eye contact, I quickly returned my gaze to my math.

Shakily, I finished the question and moved onto the next one. From the corner of my eye, I could see Gabby sitting down on the couch next to Sylvie and them talking. My hands clenched into fists and I felt myself start to tremble.

No.

Calm down. What are you thinking? I had no idea what I was thinking, to be honest. I slowly took a breath, making sure I had control over myself. When I was no longer shaking, I looked back down at the homework and got back to work.

I managed to get some done but I couldn't do anymore once I had finished all of my math homework. Biting the inside of my cheek, I pushed all of my homework and textbooks aside and got up. I poured myself a glass of water and drowned it within seconds before heading over to Gabby.

"The roof," I mumbled, "Is it still possible to get on the roof?" I knew it was kind of rude to interrupt the conversation that Gabby and Sylvie were having but I couldn't stop myself.

Gabby nodded slowly, "Yeah, it is actually. You want me to show you?"

"Is that okay?" I asked.

Gabby smiled, "You bet. Sorry Sylvie, can we finish our conversation later? I wanna hear what happened." Sylvie gave a thumbs up before Gabby and I threw on our coats and headed outside.

"I knew Severide never took the ladder down," Gabby said, gesturing over to the ladder.

I stopped in front of the ladder, staring up at it.

"You gonna go up?" Gabby asked and I nodded after I realized that I hadn't said anything.

I placed my hands on the side of the ladder, getting ready to climb the ladder. "Can you come?" I managed to choke out before looking over at Gabby.

Gabby smiled gently and nodded. I smiled back before turning back to the ladder and heading up.

I always found it weird how I wasn't scared of heights. What was strange was that Ellie was scared of heights. Brave Ellie, who would rebel against anything even when she knew there would be serious consequences, was scared of heights. I used to poke fun at that all the time.

When I got onto the roof, I walked over to the center of it and flopped down. Laying down on my back, I looked up and stared at the cloudy sky before closing my eyes. Moments later, I heard Gabby settle down beside me. I was grateful that she didn't say or ask anything because I didn't feel like talking. It was just comforting to know that she was next to me.

I lost track of time easily. It was something I learned I was quite good at while being locked up a few times. It was something Jane was always better at. Keeping track of the time that is.

It wasn't until it had started to drizzle when Gabby spoke. "Do you want to go back in?" Gabby asked.

No.

I didn't want to go back in. I could have laid there forever. Opening my eyes, I nodded and Gabby and I silently climbed back down the ladder and went back into the firehouse.

"I guess I should go back to my homework," I mumbled, "Thank you."

Gabby looked at me, confused. "For what?"

I shrugged and looked away. "For laying there with me I guess."

"I'm here whenever you need me," Gabby said gently, a warm smile spreading on her face. "Whenever you're ready."

I nodded but I couldn't bring myself to look at her. I knew that if I did, I would break into tears. I already had to bite my lip to stop myself from crying right now and I was staring at the floor.

"I need to use the bathroom," I managed to say, my voice breaking. I then hurried away to the bathroom and rushed into one of the stalls before locking it behind me. Collapsing onto the floor, I ran my hand through my hair, trying to control my breathing.

I heard two shots, almost on top of each other. I watched as the first one hit the boss but the second bullet is the one I will never forget. It flew towards Jane and through the back of her head. Lunging forward, I managed to get there just in time to catch her body before it could hit the ground.