Hi! I got great reviews on the last chapter, Thank you.
Chapter edited by StarMoore60 : )
Matt was sleeping on his stomach when his phone started to ring on the bedside table, blowing out a grunt, he blinked a few times before opening his eyes properly, although before he could pick up the call the ringing stopped...
Yawning he looked to his right, Gabby wasn't on her side of the bed, one second later his ears perked up as he heard the water turn on in the bathroom... A smile covered his face when he caught Gabby humming a song, for a moment he wished he could be there with her, arms around her body as kissing her neckline, cleavage... They had an amazing night, for a moment his shyness surfaced when he noticed Gabby was slightly amused at his enthusiasm, she even commented on it. At the same time, Matt took his time to explore her body, enjoying every time she moaned his name, having her eyes rolled back in pleasure-
His phone rang, sighing he seated on the bed and answered the phone, "What's up, Severide?... Oh, shit, I completely forgot...", he turned his head when the bathroom door was opened... Gabby came out wearing underwear with a towel wrapped around her head, she smiled at him when she met his eyes, earning a smile back from him. "... I'll be there in 20 minutes... Okay... Bye."
"Morning, sleepyhead", she glanced at him while going through her closet. "I woke up earlier, made some coffee, had my shower...", Gabby chose shorts and a red tank top to wear, "... all while you were in dreamland..." Turning to face him, "Academy doesn't prepare firefighters like they used to, it's a shame", she walked over to the bed and put her clothes on it.
Matt dropped his head as he chuckled, shaking his head he pressed his lips together, this girl is something else, he thought. Raising his head, "In my defense, I didn't rest enough after shift, okay?"
Gabby knitted her eyes at him, "If you say so...", she said as slid up the shorts over her hips, "Would you like to take a shower before you go? There is a clean towel in the bathroom..."
Matt felt they were so comfortable around each other that no one would think they had sex for the first time just a few hours ago... "Actually, I have to go, one of my friends is moving out, so some of us are helping out with that," he licked his lip while watching Gabby putting on the red tank top, then she unwrapped the towel on her head.
"Okay, I'm heading out in a couple of minutes", moving towards the bathroom, she walked in as she continued "... my next - door neighbor asked me to look after her kids for a couple of hours," returning to the bedroom, "... her husband is in jail, she is going to visit him". Gabby stood next to the bedroom door as she folded her arms over her chest.
"Right, I should get out of your hair", he stated as they locked eyes. "Thank you for letting me stay last night, you saved me from getting a cold..."
Seeing his hard chest as he was wearing a huge smile made her feel a way that she didn't want to. Gabby cleared her throat, "I'm a little behind..., close the door, you know-", he cut her off.
"You never gave me your phone number", Matt got up from the bed only wearing his boxers as grabbed his phone.
"Maybe I had a reason...", she shrugged giving him a pointed look. "I just know I won't have any peace if you have my number, so let's keep that way", she winked at him.
"I promise that am not gonna call you unnecessarily," he marched in her direction. "I want you to be able to reach me if you need me," he spoke in a serious tone.
Gabby looked him up, annoyed she took the phone from his hand, "You better not call me every hour, otherwise, I will block you, do you hear me?"
"Yeah, ma'am", he chuckled.
"Here...", she turned around, "... bye..."
Matt followed her to the living room, crossing his arms over his chest as leaned against the bedroom door frame, "You are not gonna say anything about last night and this morning?"
Gabby was about to unlock the front door. Not turning back to look him in the eyes, "It was a one-time thing, you know, and I know", she uttered flustered, "Bye again", she left him behind and shut the door.
Frustrated Matt ran a hand over his face, however, she was correct, talking through it wouldn't change the fact that he had a girlfriend and Gabby wasn't looking for anything serious, she said herself she didn't have a good track of long lasting relationships.
A few days later... Firehouse 51...
All the team was coming back from a call... As soon as the vehicles stopped at their usual spot on the apparatus floor, Connie set her eyes on Casey as he was getting out of the truck. She waited for him to get rid of his bunker gear to get closer... "Lieutenant Casey, may I talk to you?"
Casey nodded positively but squinted his eyes at her, she seemed worried, he considered.
"Could you follow me to the briefing room, please?" Connie asked while glancing around.
"Okay", he spoke for the first time, "after you..."
While Connie and Casey made their way inside, Severide's eyes followed them until they went through the double doors.
They were alone in the briefing room, "Officer Antonio Dawson called you a few times, and the last time he asked me to tell you-" Connie hesitated as looking down to the floor.
"What did he tell you, Connie? Please," he insisted as watching her nervous. A million things went through his head that moment, most of them related to Gabby.
Matt made it a routine to call her once a day usually in the morning, though not today due to the fact she went back to work as a dancer in a nightclub, he got a little pissed off because the day before he arranged an interview for her to work at Molly's as a server, but she dismissed him right away, she wouldn't like to owe him for any favors on her behalf, those were her words.
Sighing deeply, "Antonio said Stilettos counter and his girlfriend were found dead in his apartment."
"Oh, my-," Casey exclaimed, his hand over his mouth, "I- did he mention Dominic's name at any time?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry... they believe he might try to leave the country, an informant discovered Dominic has in his possession a fake passport, that's all."
"Thank you, I'm gonna call Antonio, and please don't mention to anyone what you heard from him."
"Of course, I-I'll be at my desk, excuse me, sir."
Casey crossed the break room, going straight to his office...
Several minutes later Severide knocked at his door, "Hey, dinner is ready...", he eyed Casey pacing his room while he was on the phone, waiting for the person to answer, Severide assumed.
Casey couldn't just leave his shift to go in search of Gabby, he couldn't be that irresponsible, however, he would be a bundle of nerves until he located her. There were countless nightclubs in the city, he thought... If only he had called her he would know where Gabby has been working.
Her phone went straight to voicemail like the other times he called her...
"Casey, did you hear me?" Severide asked as watching his friend staring at the phone screen.
"Yeah, I heard you," he responded, his eyes still fixed on the screen while typing. "I need to send a message, I'll be there in a few minutes, thank you", Casey glanced at him, Severide frowned for a second and walked out of the room.
After texting Gabby, he left two voicemails... He barely touched his food, a few of his co-workers questioned him about it, but he made some excuses, still, he only left the room when Chief Boden did...
When Casey returned to his office he called to Antonio, who didn't have good news for him. The police had found where Dominic had been hiding: a warehouse, however, he wasn't there when they raided the place. Since they were still collecting evidence Antonio wasn't allowed to share that Dominic had a board on the wall with the names of the girls that worked at Stilettos.
Around 9 p.m. Casey's phone rang... he was at his desk going on through reports with Gabby's always on his mind...
"Casey, what-" he cut her off.
"Damn, Gabby... where are you?" he got up from his seat. "Why didn't you pick any of my calls? Dominic killed two people... Why are you not taking me seriously when I fear for your life?!"
"Casey, can you slow down-", she interjected.
"I can't, where are you? Tell me", he demanded angry. "Forget it, send me your location, be ready-"
"Casey-", she cut in too late, he shut the phone off, "you son of-" Breathing hard, Gabby took a moment to listen to Casey's voicemail, then she gathered her things, she would probably get fired for leaving work so early...
Casey was leaving his office when Severide approached him... "Look," he showed him two cigars, "I think we need this today."
"Sorry, I have something to do now, maybe when I get back?"
"What's the matter, Matt? You have been distracted...since Connie talked to you."
"I can't have this conversation right now, when I get back we will talk, okay?"
"Is it about Gabby?"
Matt stayed quiet for a few seconds as Severide looked into his eyes.
"You are about to ruin your career because of that girl, you know that, right?" Severide crossed his arms over his chest.
"As you said, it's mine..."
Casey went to Boden, told him the whole situation, Chief wasn't happy with his lieutenant leaving in the middle of the shift but he knew Herrmann could handle any call.
"Get in the car, Gabby," Matt repeated for the third time while she tried to reason with him.
"You are insane, you know," she said before getting in his car. "I got fired, you know, because of you," adjusting the seat belt across her stomach.
Matt turned the ignition on and drove away... He kept his mouth shut as Gabby kept talking...
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but I can't live stuck in my apartment because police can't do their damn job... You have your house, your business, your job, I have nothing, then when I am close to having my life back, something happens, I damn tired of you, everyone... You know," chortling, "He is right, I am damaged, I didn't even know why I'm still trying-"
Casey chimed in, "Who-who said that to you?" he glanced at her.
"It doesn't matter, nothing matters...", Gabby wiped a single tear before rolling down her face.
Matt was upset thinking of the way he treated her yesterday over the phone, the same when he got to the nightclub and their little discussion in front of the place...
"I'm sorry for earlier, you know... I'm quite worried about you."
"Whatever...," she uttered as she looked out the window.
About 20 minutes later Matt parked in front of a house that Gabby has never seen before...
"Where we are?" not turning her face to look at him.
A blond woman stood on the stairs...
"Christie," her voice was almost a whisper. "Why did you bring me here, Matt?" she turned her face to look at him. "I told you that I didn't want it..."
"You are going to stay with her tonight..."
Gabby closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headrest...
Matt knew she would hate him for blindsiding her.
Gabby unfastened the seat belt, "I'm coming back tomorrow to take you home, you'll need some clothes as you'll stay at Christie for a few-" he paused when Gabby opened the door and shut it loudly.
Matt shook his head as ran the tip of his tongue over his lips, he dropped his head... Quickly he got out of the car, running after Gabby...
Before she could meet Christie at the stairs, Matt grabbed Gabby's arm and turned her around to face him... Cupping her face with his hands...
"Listen to me: you are not damaged, whoever said that to you, they are mistaken... you-you deserve to be happy more than anyone I've known, Gabby..."
Gabby was so moved by his words that tears filled her eyes... "You can't fix what is broken, Matt, there is nothing you can do-"
"I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you anymore-"
"If you are the one who hurt me, then what?"
"Kick my ass anytime, ma'am...", they faces were only a few inches apart.
"I will...".
"I believe in you...".
His eyes studied her face for a few seconds... Gabby licked her lips...
"You decided not talk about that night, but I have to say, I don't regret it..."
"Me neither..."
"Great," he smiled softly. "I should go..." Matt spoke softly. He missed being this close to her...
"We can't have two unemployed, who's gonna feed us?"
Matt dropped his hands from her face as stepped back. "See you tomorrow..."
"Yeah..." already missing his warm hands...
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