On that chilly November morning, Gabby had just arrived at Firehouse 51 after the eventful night of Molly's opening. She was really happy that her newly opened bar had a good crowd last night. But Gabby thought she'd be a hypocrite if she denied that much of that happiness had to do with a certain lieutenant of a certain truck whose name began with the letter M. For six years Dawson had kept to herself the platonic love she felt for Casey, she knew that no matter how hard she tried to get closer to him, he would never see her with other eyes. It made her sad and frustrated, but if Casey was happy with Hallie, she was happy for him. After all, that was what love was, wasn't it? Wanting to see the loved one happy, even if it was with someone else.

Although she was resigned, Gabby couldn't deny that she felt sad that she wasn't at Casey's side, sharing her bed, her life, her problems with Casey. She felt that before her feelings for Casey were more intense, but after she met Jay, Gabby didn't know exactly how she felt about Matt, just as she was confused about her feelings for Jay.

Jay and Casey were totally different people. Casey, although he was kind and concerned for everyone around him, had a complicated and hard past, which made him emotionally cold and reserved. Gabby couldn't blame him for that. She'd already heard that Casey's family really sucked, so she understood why it was practically forbidden to mention his family life in the firehouse. On the other hand, Jay was smiling and enthusiastic, Gabby appreciated that about him, as Halstead had the same ideals as her. It was no wonder that this brought them together and made them date for a year.

During a year that Gabby forgot about her unrequited love for Casey and made her value herself more, and above all, find someone who valued her as a person and as a woman. Not that Casey didn't, though, he only had eyes for Hallie, and Gabby didn't want to create friction with Hallie. Dawson knew that Casey's girlfriend or maybe ex-girlfriend didn't like her, no matter how hard Hallie tried to be nice to her.

"Hey Dawson, Molly's was a hit yesterday," Mills beamed into the locker room when he saw that Gabby was alone. "Congratulations to you, by the way."

"Thanks Mills," Gabby thanked her. "But Herrmann and Cruz are also part of Molly's."

"Who cares about Otis and Cruz if there's you, Dawson?" Mills thought little caring about Otis and Herrmann. He only thought about her.

"Oh, sure," he replied awkwardly, "But you three are to be congratulated."

"Thanks again, Mills." Gabby sincerely thanked him.

"Listen, I thought that since we have part-time today, we can go to lunch together. What do you think?", he asked, full of expectations.

Gabby looked at Mills warily. She suspected he had feelings for her more, but how could she tell him that she didn't want anything to do with him without hurting Mills? She hated being in that situation. Mills saw that the brunette looked hesitant and tried to hide the disappointment and anger he was feeling. Did Gabby not want to go out with him because of Halstead? Or was it because of Casey again?

"Sorry Mills," Dawson sighed feeling bad about having hurt Peter, "But I'm busy today. I need to run some errands outside the firehouse. I'm sorry."

"Oh, I understand," no, he didn't, but he was controlling his frustration. "Is it something about Antonio?"

"Yes, Voight wants me to testify at the police station." She lied.

"Do you want me to accompany you?", he asked now really worried.

"Mills, I'm twenty-five," the brunette chuckled, "I'm not six."

"Okay, I get it," he said awkwardly, "But call me if you change your mind."

Gabby nodded, grinning, and walked out of the locker room. Mills punched a locker hard. "Damn! It's going to be harder than I thought," he cursed in thought. But who said he would give up?


"Uncle Matt!"

As soon as he heard a child's voice very familiar to him, Casey turned and smiled going to hug Ben and Griffin Darden.

"Hey guys", he smiled hugging the boys on either side, "how did you get here?"

"Mommy brought us," Ben replied pointing to Heather, who was watching the scene from afar.

"Uncle Matt, can we go inside the firehouse?", Griffin asked surprising Matt.

Since Andy's death months ago, Griffin has shown a lot of resistance to entering Firehouse 51 again, unlike Ben, who was present almost every day.

"Of course," Matt exclaimed happily, "You can come in boys. I'm going to have a little talk with your mother."

"Cool! Thanks Uncle Matt!" The boys answered together and ran into the barracks.

"Be careful not to get hurt." Matt warned by going to Heather. "I'm surprised and happy that Griffin decided to come to the Firehouse today. Andy would be happy about that too."

"Actually, he would be happy." Heather agreed. "Griffin is going to see a psychologist, he's making a lot of progress according to Dr Carlsson."

"That's really great, Heather." Casey answered sincerely. "Do you and the children need anything? We can help with whatever you need.

"We're fine Matt, thanks." Heather thanked him. "This time we don't need anything. I... actually I came to invite you."

"An invitation?" Matt didn't know if he liked the turn of the conversation. Heather was his best friend's widow. He hoped Heather didn't make any indecent overtures or anything.

Heather saw that Casey looked reluctant and mentally cursed herself for going too fast. She had to warn Mills about this later.

"Next week Ben's class is having career day and I was wondering if you could go with him that day." Heather quickly turned the tables and was relieved that Matt believed him and now had a relaxed expression on his face. "You know, it means a lot to Ben, Matt. After Andy died, you're the closest father figure he and Griffin have."

"Heather, don't worry, you know the boys and Andy mean a lot to me, of course I'll be joining Ben for career week." Casey promised. "Andy trusted me to take care of his kids as if they were my own, and that's what I'm going to do."

"Thanks, Matt," she replied in a choked voice. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I know I know." Casey hugged Heather.


In the Firehouse garage, Gabby was transfixed as Casey hugged Heather. She knew that every story had two sides and that first you had to listen and then judge. However, Gabby knew full well that Heather Darden was in love with her late husband's best friend. Gabby was no fool. She had seen Heather looking at Casey in a different way at times.

"Gabriela, what an idiot you are." Gabby said to herself.

"Dawson, Shay..." Kelly called out to Gabby, but like her, he froze to see Casey and Heather talking intimately in front of the firehouse. "What the fuck is this?"

"I know as much as you do," the brunette sighed and saw that Kelly was looking angry. "Kelly, never mind, okay? Don't fight Casey again about Heather. Heather.

"It's not Heather's fault, Dawson," Severide huffed furiously. "It's because he's having sex with his best friend's widow. While Heather ignores me and blames me for Andy's death, she's having sex with Casey."

"Kelly, we don't know if this is even true," Gabby was alarmed. What if Severide was really right? She didn't want to think that Casey might be having sex with Heather, but in fact, that seemed like a possibility. "And remember the suspension you two got months ago over a fight over who? Heather again."

"I don't care about that, Dawson. I just want to know if Casey is man enough to come confess to my face that he's having sex with my best friend's widow." Kelly huffed indignantly and when she turned around, Casey was standing there looking at him angrily.

"And I want you to repeat that to my face if you are able, Severide," Casey shot back angrily.


Hello friends! How are you?

I'm finally inspired to write and here's chapter one. Well, as you all know, Matt always wanted to be a father, so I'm going to add that Heather will use her own kids in her sordid plan to win Matt over :(.

I can't promise that everything will be fine between Casey and Gabby after this invitation from Heather. On the other hand, we will soon have Jay resurfacing in Dawson's life. Be prepared :).

Suggestions? Reviews? Comments? Leave it here in the reviews 3