NOTE 1: The setup for # dawsey here is not the same as CF had for them, that said I've done some changes to come up with a new plot. Matt is still a firefighter, next chapter will know a little more about Gabby...
NOTE 2: The first 2 chapters will show you where are Matt and Gabby at their life right now.
It was a cold night outside Firehouse 51...
"You never told me how was your second date...", Severide puffed his cigar, "...it wasn't that good?" he glanced over to Casey, who raised his shoulders, "... from what I've heard from Stella", "...Brett liked it so far...", Severide chuckled.
"She...", he waved a hand in the air, "... seems nice and funny, but I-I don't know if that's what I am looking for...", Casey exhaled smoke out as he kept his eyes straight ahead.
"When it was the last time you dated someone or went out with a girl since...", Severide paused solemnly, "... I-I don't remember you talking about someone you really liked after her...", Severide pointed out as Casey stared at him.
"You are right... I haven't put much a lot of thought or effort in to engage with someone or give it a shot," Casey blew out some smoke, "... it's not even a year, you know... since Hallie died...".
"There is not a right time to move on, I'm not even sure if it is possible, move on...", Severide acknowledged, "... I respect you, take your time, if it's not Brett, I know there is someone for you out there...", Severide smiled.
"Yeah, maybe I have some luck as you had with Stella...", Casey patted his friend's shoulder. "I'm not saying Brett wouldn't be worth a shot, it's just... she reminds of Hallie in some ways...".
"How so?" Severide had watched Matt and Hallie's relationship from the front row, knowing the ups and downs. Despite their different opinions about building a family after eight years together, Severide knew they loved each other and they would have done what's necessary to them work out in the end.
"Nothing is challenging there... nothing new, or fascinated..., it's like I've known her already, she is too familiar...-", Severide cut him off.
"Other people would say that is great finding a girl that might make your life easier-", Casey cut in.
"Simpler, that's the right word...", Casey looked at Severide", "... I-I don't think that is what I need right now...".
Blowing out more smoke, "Tell me then, it looks you are thinking about it lately...", Severide grinned.
"Okay... I wish to meet someone that... that motivates me waking up every day to discover more about her because there is more than I can see in her eyes, her smile..., pushing me to know her, to love her... you know what I mean?".
"Every day with her is not a regular day, and even when you have one of those days, you look at her and you see something different that...", Severide trailed off thinking of his girlfriend.
Casey stared at the sky above them, "Something you've never seen in someone else...", Casey added before smoking his cigar.
They went quiet for a couple of minutes...
"So... I should say to Stella not getting her hopes up about you and Brett?" throwing an eye on his friend to see his reaction.
"No, no, don't say anything... I'm still trying to figure out what it is... maybe we could be friends, after all... I'm not against the idea...", Matt assured him looking into his eyes. "... we working at different firehouses make things better, if anything happens and it doesn't work out, it wouldn't be awkward...".
"Okay... I won't say anything, however, Stella is excited to plan a double-date...", Severide conceded, he couldn't help and laughed watching Matt's reaction.
"Wow... I'm afraid she is already planning our wedding...", this time Matt snickered.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna ask her to give you some space and don't egg on Brett about whatever is happening or not happening between you two...", Severide promised as patted his thigh.
"Thank you... I want to do things my way... on my time...", Casey would always love Hallie, but he missed having someone in his life, he wanted a wife, kids... a family of his own.
"Of course... I have your back...", Severide continued smoking his cigar.
Silence fell upon them...
Casey's eyes were stuck on watching the ashes falling from his cigar, "Hey". He whipped his head around.
"You are going to tomorrow? Cruz wants everyone there...", Severide put down his cigar gently on the ground.
"I don't know, I have a construction's job tomorrow-", Severide interjected.
"Come on, man... you need to enjoy yourself... I mean, there will be a lot of girls there, it's no way you are not getting some fun", Severide slid his hands in his jacket pockets.
"If I get any rest, I'll be there...", he glanced over at him briefly.
"I'll drag you out of your apartment, don't try me...", Severide knew his friend needed some spur now and then.
"Okay, okay... Cruz might get upset if one of us won't be in his bachelor party", Casey gave in, "... I'm happy for him, he deserves a great night...".
"That's what I'm talking about, man... Cruz rented a limousine, we haven't to worry about drinking or getting drunk...".
Casey nodded as squinted his eyes at Severide, "Stella has noticed how excited you are?"
"I get to keep my cool... I'll be in my best behavior", Severide laughed as winked at Casey.
"You can't help yourself, you can?", Casey shook his head. "Come on, let's get inside...", he said as stood up.
"All right...".
...
Next day...
"I like it already", Otis exclaimed as they entered Stilettos Club. "Thank you, my friend,", Otis kissed Cruz's cheek as he had an arm dropped over his shoulders.
"Remember, you have a girlfriend, Lily, if you put your hands on any girl, she'll kill you... and me...", Cruz tried to make his point, squeezing Otis's cheek.
"Let's get it started", Capp cried out making Herrmann jumping slightly.
Boden shook his head unmoved by his behavior, "I think someone will probably get in trouble tonight... Severide, keep an eye on your man". Capp was married, so... his friends were only trying to keep things that way.
"Okay, Chief...", turning towards their friends, "Guys, wait here, I'll check our reservation with the promoter...". Severide asked for a private room for them since the club offered a special show for bachelor parties.
"I need a drink," Tony said quietly.
"So do I", Casey spoke up, "... there is a beeline for the bar, so I'm going that way", he tilted his head.
"Let's wait for Severide there... I'll text him", Boden uttered as grabbing his phone in his front pocket.
As they walked further the club, slipping in among the tables displaced around the stage, where girls were dancing as music played in the background, their hips swaying with the beat of the music.
Taking a seat at the counter, Matt could look the girls up and down... his other friends were just gazing at the stage also as they waited for their orders.
After a few minutes, Severide came back, and holding their drinks they were led to their room where the party would proceed.
Almost two hours later, Matt's phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling it out, he saw Brett's name was on the display. He didn't feel up to listen to her voice mail, but he was expecting a chance to get out of the room for a couple of minutes. He sensed a headache coming on since this afternoon, he felt tired from working all day.
Quietly, he slip out of the party and leaning against the wall in the hallway, he played her voicemail...
"Hi, Matt. Have you been? I know you are at Cruz's party, Stella told me... I-I thought we could watch a movie together tomorrow, if you are free, I'd really like to see you again... so, good night, I hope to hear from you soon, bye...", he smiled softly after hearing her message, still decided not responding it right away.
Standing still he turned his head to the right when heard some voices, then he saw three girls heading down the hallway, talking loudly, they were all dressed, maybe leaving the place. When they passed by him, a pair of brown eyes locked eyes with him for two seconds, he shifted on his feet, keeping his eyes on the back of her head, he saw when she turned the corner and got another glimpse of her face before disappearing.
A strange feeling fell upon him, he had seen her before?
Abruptly the door in front of him was opened, " Are you leaving?" Severide closed the door behind him before approaching his friend.
"I'm tired, I'll call a cab... you are staying?"
"Yeah, I'm giving one more hour, then I'm going home...".
"You're okay?" Severide asked honestly.
"Yeah, yeah, just a headache, I'll feel better tomorrow, so, I'm leaving... see you at work...", Casey patted his shoulder.
"Okay... see you...".
While Casey made his way out of the club he looked around for the girl he had seen a few minutes ago, realizing she was not anywhere to be seen, her entire face not so quite vivid in his mind as he got in his cab, however, her eyes was hard to forget.
He couldn't wait to get home and take some aspirin, the headache was killing him...
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