Hi there everyone! I'm here with the next chapter for you all. This one will pick up directly after where we left off, as well as give you some answers that I think a lot of you have been waiting for. So I hope you enjoy it, and I'll see you next time!

Happy reading!

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX

"When I was at work, I got a call from Boden today." He started, confusion immediately covering her face as regardless of how she had no idea what was going on with him, she didn't expect that.

"Alright…"

"And he told me that Chief Hayes, the District Chief-" Gabby nodded. "He's requested a meeting at headquarters tomorrow, during shift." He breathed out, frustration and uncertainty coming off him in waves before he met her eyes once more, Gabby understanding that whatever the next words were to come from his mouth, they weren't gonna make this feeling any better.

"He wants a meeting with Boden, me… and you."

Dawson's mouth parted in uncertainty as she took in what her husband was telling her, the near regretful look in his eyes only confusing her further while she tried to wrap her mind around what he had said. But she was having a hard time doing so.

"What?" She got out after a near minute of silence, seeing him suck in a deep breath before bringing his hand up to rub over his mouth. "What do you mean? Why does he want a meeting with us?" She pressed, her eyebrows knitting together tightly before he started to pace back and forth in front of her, his head shaking roughly from side to side. But he had yet to answer her, Gabby's hesitance only growing as she was beginning to realize that Matt hadn't been nearly as surprised by this as she was. "Matt, what's going on?"

He released a heavy, somewhat frustrated breath; though she could tell it wasn't directed towards her, Gabby watching him closely while he tried to put his thoughts into words.

"...I don't know." He breathed out, but she wasn't buying it.

"Matt." She repeated, Casey forcing in another heavy breath before ultimately meeting her gaze.

"I'm telling you the truth, I don't know what this is about. Not for sure. Hayes didn't tell the Chief what he wanted to speak to us about." He told her, Gabby looking over his features before she nodded. "But over the past few weeks, Boden mentioned that Chief Hayes has been… asking around about me. And us." Matt spoke, the deep grimace etching into his face unmistakable as Gabby only became more unsure. But she knew enough to realize it didn't sound good. "About our marriage, and us working together… Being in the same house."

It was then that a wave of realization came over her, her throat involuntarily tightening as she couldn't stop the bad feeling that settled in her gut. And the somewhat dejected, yet upset look on her husband's face wasn't helping. Because deep down, she knew there were only a handful of reasons a District Chief would be asking around about a married couple who worked in the same house, and they typically weren't good.

"I don't know what all he's been asking, or who he's been asking… But I have a pretty good idea of why he's been asking around about you and me…" He trailed off, Gabby's jaw clenching as she was able to put the pieces together in her mind, even before Matt said them out loud.

"...He's going to move one of us." She stated before he could, the wince on his face already giving her an answer before he slowly started to nod.

"I think so." Casey voiced, Gabby sucking in a sharp breath before she began to harshly shake her head, her body moving away from her car while Matt stayed put in his spot. "I don't know for sure, but that's what it sounds like."

"This… This is so unfair." She told him, the anger and hurt within her chest continuing to build as frustration rolled off her entire body. "This is so unfair, we haven't done anything." She repeated, Casey moving his head in agreement as he saw her getting more and more upset.

"No, we haven't. You haven't." He replied strongly, the force of his voice regaining her attention as their eyes met once more. "You haven't done a damn thing to warrant them even thinking about moving you to another house.. And I don't know if it's because of the shooting and what I did, if that's what started all this," He breathed out, his body tensing as Gabby started to blink quickly. Like she was trying to get a hold of her emotions. "Because I did go against protocol, I know that. So maybe that's where this began, and they're going to use that to argue we shouldn't be allowed to work together."

"But I would've died had you not done what you did." She pushed back quickly, the reminder of that day leaving a terrible feeling in the air between them before Matt started to nod, his hands reaching out to rest over her arms as a source of comfort. Though he wasn't sure how much good it did.

"I know that, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. I wouldn't change a thing about what I did that day, except getting you out of the building sooner." He told her without an ounce of hesitation, his bright blue eyes never leaving her as Gabby roughly bit down on the inside of her cheek. "I could never regret what I did then, it's the only reason you're here right now. But if they're looking for a reason to separate us, I gave them one." Matt finished, his words full of bitterness as Gabby forced herself to take in a slow breath, the varying emotions coursing through her making it hard to think while her husband's intense gaze stayed locked on her.

"I… I don't even know what to say about this." She got out, that frown returning to his lips while he squeezed her arm, Gabby's head shaking from side to side while the reality of the situation continued to crush down on top of them.

"Gabby…"

"They're gonna make one of us leave, all because you didn't let me die."

Her words hit him hard, Casey feeling what he could only describe as nausea rushing over him while tears began to form in Gabby's eyes, the sight only making him feel worse as he knew that she was getting so frustrated and overwhelmed, that she didn't know what to do about it. And the uncertainty surrounding them would only keep making that worse, Matt shaking his head once more while he started to force his own feelings down, the husband's priorities shifting as he knew no matter what he was feeling, that didn't matter now.

But Gabby did. She was the only thing that mattered to him. That, and making sure she was okay.

And right now, she wasn't.

"This isn't fair, Matt." She said again, her voice unsteady while she tried to keep a hold of her emotions, Casey's protective nature taking over as he moved a step closer to her before reaching down to grab ahold of her hand.

"It isn't, it's not fair to us… And maybe it's something else, maybe we're wrong and there's something going on that Hayes just needs to talk with us about." He did his best to ground her, while also being realistic about the situation. Because he had to be, they both had to be. "But… if this is what we think, if they're forcing us into different houses because we're married, then…" He stopped himself, Casey taking one last deep breath while he locked gazes with her, needing to know she was truly hearing him before he finished his thought. "If they force one of us out, I'll make sure it's me."

Her eyes widened as he spoke, Gabby beginning to shake her head before he could even finish his sentence.

"Matt-"

"I'm not gonna let you get transferred out of 51, it's not happening." He continued on with a strong determination in his voice.

"Baby, you're a Lieutenant. They're not just going to pick you to move over me." She tried, as the last thing she wanted was for him to upend his life at 51 for her. Or at least before they could talk about it.

"They did it before, over and over again. They had no problem moving me around the city until I got to 51." He reasoned, her lips pursing together in deep thought.

"That was different though, Matt. That was before when no one knew what had happened, that's not now… You've been settled on Truck 81 for over two years, they're not just going to move you. Not when PIC's are more replaceable than Lieutenant's." She told him, but he wanted no part of it as he gave her hand another reaffirming squeeze.

"I don't care. If they're doing this, then it's gonna be me they move… It's me, or none of us. I won't let them fuck with your career like this, take you from your the house you've been in for years and move you to God knows where. That's not happening. You didn't do anything to deserve losing your job, and you're not going to lose it just because you're married to me." He told her, speaking with such conviction that was as endearing as it was heartbreaking. "51 is your home, and it's going to stay that way."

"...It's your home, too." She repeated him, earning a small, yet appreciative smile from her husband before he moved a step closer to her.

"It is. But that doesn't matter, babe-"

"Yes it does." She interjected, speaking just as strongly as he had moments before. "You're saying they can't do this to me, but they can't do this to you, either. You finally found your home, the firehouse you're meant to be at." Gabby tried, seeing the emotion he was trying so hard to hide behind his eyes. "We both know how awful things were for you before you came here, I don't want you to go through that again. Not when you did nothing to deserve it, they can't do this to you."

Her words were coming out quickly, and no matter how true they were all Matt could focus on was how she was getting more and more worked up with every second that passed. And he needed to do something to stop it, to help calm her down before this got any worse. So he did the only thing he knew would work, and that was pull her into his arms.

She hadn't been expecting the movement, but she relaxed into him all the same as his arms tightened across her back, Gabby holding her hands together around his waist while digging her head into his chest, the familiar scent of him comforting as the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat moved through her system.

"It's okay." He murmured after placing a kiss to her head, Gabby sucking in a heavy breath before shaking her head against him.

"No, it's not. This isn't fair." She said again, his eyes falling closed while he instinctively held onto her a little tighter. "They shouldn't be allowed to do this."

"And maybe they're not." Matt responded, silently wishing they'd never started this conversation at all. At least not here. "We don't know what's happening yet, everything could be fine…"

"Or you could be made to leave 51." She replied, Matt forcing himself to take another breath as that harsh reality continued to settle over him. "I don't want to be separated from you."

Her voice was soft and hard to hear, but it broke him all the same as he clenched his eyes shut before rubbing his hand over her lower back.

"It's okay." He repeated his earlier words, feeling her cling to him a little harder. "We'll be okay. Whatever it is… You and I, we'll handle it. We always do." Matt spoke assuredly, as much for himself as for her after pressing another kiss to her head while they stood in the deserted street outside Molly's, both silently praying that all of this wasn't what it seemed.

But the longer they stood there, the harder it was for Casey to find any other explanation for this. And that was a difficult pill to swallow.

"Oh man, you're telling me Severide has a girlfriend?" Cruz's loud voice boomed through the common room of the firehouse, the entire group of first responders gathered around on the various pieces of furniture as they enjoyed this little bit of downtime while they had it. "And I missed it? I can't believe this."

"Well believe it, Cruz. Severide is now a taken man." Herrmann joked along from his spot on the couch, unable to see the gesture Kelly sent his way while he sat at the back table between Shay and Jenkins.

"And she's a firefighter?"

"Mhmm… Fresh out of the academy." Herrmann continued on, prompting Severide to immediately jump in and defend himself.

"It's not like that." Kelly cut in, earning some laughs from the rest of the room. "God, Herrmann you make it sound so bad, she's not a kid. I just met her through the academy, and- Wait, why am I even explaining myself to you? This is none of your business." He finished, while Shay scoffed.

"Please, in this firehouse we're all in each other's business Kelly." Shay chirped, the man glaring while Herrmann continued to smirk proudly. "But like he said, his girlfriend definitely isn't a kid… But she definitely is hot."

"Oh brother." Severide sighed exasperatedly, while the other firefighters continued to laugh.

"What? I'm just admiring your choice in women, roomie. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm not gonna try to take her from you… yet." She teased him, Kelly reaching over to shove her arm before Otis spoke up.

"Yeah, maybe watch out for that one, Severide." He joked back, prompting Severide to scoff once more before Otis kept on. "But really, from what it sounds like you've been seeing this girl for a while, when are we gonna meet her?"

"You gotta bring her by, Sev. For all we know, you're making her up." Cruz poked at his Lieutenant's expense.

"Trust me, she's very real." Shay added, causing Severide to shove her shoulder once more before he stood up. "Oh come on, Kelly. We're kidding."

"Yeah, we're only messing around. All of us are happy for you, that you're happy and have found someone." Herrmann told him, his tone much more sincere than moments prior.

"We sure are. It's just that it's been so long since you've dated anyone, you can't blame us for having some fun with it." Shay finished.

"Yeah, yeah you all are hilarious." He deadpanned, though the smile on his face showed them all how he wasn't truly mad. "But- to those who mean it, thank you. I appreciate that… And to answer your question Otis, I'm not sure when you'll meet Stella… We'll probably be around Molly's a bit. I might bring her by the firehouse sometime, if you all behave."

"Scouts honor." Cruz echoed, while Otis nodded in agreement.

"I won't." Shay interjected, Severide huffing out another breath while leaning back in his chair.

"Believe me, I know… That's the whole reason I refuse to bring her to the apartment." He shot back, Shay's eyes narrowing before the roommates began to go back and forth at one another, at the amusement of the rest of the room.

But there were two people who weren't as engaged as the rest of the first responders' discussions about the state of Severide's love life, and that was the husband and wife who were sitting across the room at the end of the long table, both of them caught up in their own heads. They'd been listening here and there to the conversation happening in front of them, but neither could be bothered to pay much attention to it as there was so much more on their minds right now. Mostly due to the meeting with the District Chief they had scheduled for later today.

It was almost like a black cloud hanging over them, and had been that way since Matt told her last night. Even after they'd talked things through, both outside Molly's and again once they got home, and then taken the night to sleep on it, they still couldn't help the sinking feeling in their systems over what they'd be walking into.

Gabby had hoped once she woke up this morning, with the clarity of a new day, that she and Matt would be able to handle things a little more rationally, as even though this likely situation ahead of them was terrible and unfair, it wasn't the end of the world. But that was easier said than done, certainly when they still didn't know exactly what was going on. Casey didn't know, Boden didn't know, she didn't know; no one knew what was happening at headquarters this afternoon, and that blind spot was making all of this just that much harder.

But one thing that had been different from last night was aside from the worry and hurt she was feeling, at even the idea of her and her husband being punished for their relationship, was now she was just pissed off.

All the uncertainty and potential pain aside, she was angry. She was angry at Chief Hayes, and the department; she was angry at the person who even suggested that she and Matt couldn't keep working together in the same house. She was angry because there were people outside of her relationship who were seemingly trying to make decisions for them. And that would never sit well with her, not when it was something that didn't just affect their marriage, but their careers as well.

That was not okay with her, and likely never would be. And if things today with Chief Hayes went the way her and Matt were expecting, she had no problem making that very clear to him. And to anyone else who was involved in this decision, that what they're doing to them isn't right. That Casey is the last person who deserves to be pushed out of his job simply because of who he's married to. She would make sure they knew all of that.

Because if this was the decision they'd made, fine. But Gabby wouldn't take it lying down. She would have her husband's back, just as he always had hers, and do everything she possibly could to make sure this didn't happen to him.

Even if it meant going against what he wanted, and requesting they move her instead.

Those thoughts and dozens like it were all that had been going through her mind this morning. But even so, she was doing her best not to focus on it. To not give her attention solely to this meeting looming over them, and what it would mean for her and Matt's future in this firehouse. Mostly because she knew it would kill her if she did. And given how they still had some time before they'd know what was happening, if she didn't stop thinking about it now it would drive her insane. So, for her own well being, she was trying to ignore it.

But under the circumstances, that wasn't exactly easy.

"Hey, Mama."

Gabby snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the sound of Cruz's voice clearly directed at her, her gaze coming into focus just before she realized everyone in the room, including her husband, was now staring at her. Some more expectantly than others, as it was evident that they'd been trying to get her attention.

"Yeah Cruz?" She asked after clearing her throat, while Matt reached out to rest his hand gingerly over her back, the movement almost like a silent assurance as he was the only one who knew what had her so distracted.

"We're trying to figure out if this Stella girl is too hot for Severide." Joe replied back, his statement bringing a sense of levity to her otherwise heavy mind as a small smile started to tug on her lips.

"You're gonna get me in trouble no matter how I answer this." She responded after a moment, pulling some laughs from their friends while Matt tapped his hand against her back.

"Just remember you're a married woman, Dawson." Herrmann teased, the sense of normalcy almost welcome as Gabby let out a soft chuckle before glancing towards Matt, who was already smiling back at her. It didn't necessarily reach his eyes, but it was there.

"Uh huh… All I will say is that Shay is right, she is very hot." Gabby gave in, Shay smirking knowingly while Cruz and the rest of the room continued to laugh.

"Alright so she's too hot for Severide, got it." Otis chimed in, Severide flipping a few of them off before he and Shay went back to their arguing, neither of them appearing to want to give in even though Gabby still didn't know what they were talking about.

But at this point she wasn't sure if she cared, Gabby just thankful for the mental break as her eyes moved back towards Matt, who was still watching her every movement. She gave him another smile, this one much softer before he began to nod his head, the two having a silent conversation without needing to say much of anything while he kept slowly rubbing his hand along her back.

"Lieutenant Casey? Dawson?"

Their moment was interrupted when one of the civilian workers came in through the side door, Matt glancing her way while Gabby turned around to face her, the woman standing there with a small smile on her face before she continued.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Chief Boden sent me out here because he wanted you all to know he just got off the phone with Chief Hayes," She started, Matt's jaw tensing while Gabby's face remained blank, neither of them aware of how their conversation was slowly gaining the attention of the entire room. "He pushed your meeting up half an hour, so you all should probably get ready to head over there… Chief Boden's already taken 61 out of service until you get back.

Gabby bit down harshly on the inside of her cheek, while Matt nodded sharply. "Alright, thank you." He replied, his words short as the woman gave him an understanding nod before she left the room as quietly as she'd entered it.

"Wait- what's going on?" Mouch asked first, barely wasting any time as Matt glanced over towards him, only to find the whole room staring at them. Clearly having heard what all was just said.

"She's talking about Chief Hayes? You all have a meeting with the District Chief?" Herrmann added on, no less confused than his friend was as Matt had to take a moment to draw in a steadying breath, while Gabby remained quiet by his side.

"Uh, yeah.. We do." Matt answered quietly, his eyes flashing around at all the uncertain looks he was getting before they landed on Severide, who- admittedly, seemed to have a better understanding of what was going on than most.

"Why are you meeting with him? That rarely even happens."

"Yeah, not unless you've pissed someone off. I've heard nothing except how much of a hard ass he is." Otis added on lightheartedly, though Gabby and Matt weren't really in the mood for it as they both gave little in the form of a reaction. But the firefighter didn't seem to pick up on it, most of the room rather unaware of the tension coming off Matt and Gabby.

Which, truthfully, is exactly why they hadn't said anything prior. Why they weren't planning on bringing this up until they knew what they were dealing with. But it seemed to be too late for that now.

"Is everything okay?" Shay said next, her voice holding more concern than anything else as Gabby looked her way, unsure of how to answer her.

"Yeah, what's the meeting about?" Cruz pushed on, Casey glancing towards his wife before he finally spoke up, knowing Joe's question was much easier to answer than Shay's. At least truthfully, anyway.

"We don't know." Matt responded, the light feeling in the air slowly starting to fall away as the first responders began to pick up on how the Caseys' were acting, and really had been acting all day. They just hadn't had a reason to question it before now.

But before anyone else could comment, the sound of heavy footsteps filtered into the room, Matt looking back towards the door just as Boden stepped inside, his hands resting firmly on his hips while a few of the first responders glanced around at one another.

"Chief, uh…" Herrmann started after clearing his throat. "Is everything alright? What's this meeting thing about?" He pushed, Matt picking up on a slight sense of worry from his friend that hadn't been there before.

"Everything's fine, Herrmann." Boden replied, in an effort to ease some of the tension in the room. Even though he, Casey, and Dawson all knew he wasn't exactly telling the truth. "But Casey, Dawson, and I will be heading out shortly… And while we're gone, Herrmann you'll be acting Lieutenant on 81." He instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument as Herrmann's gaze flickered towards Casey before he ultimately nodded.

"Understood Chief." He responded, the room going almost eerily quiet before Boden returned his attention to his truck Lieutenant and PIC.

"Casey, Dawson… Go ahead and get changed. We'll leave in twenty."

"Alright, Chief." Matt replied before standing up, Gabby moving with him as they got up and headed for the locker room, doing their best to ignore all the wandering stares they were getting from their friends, as they knew no matter what questions they had for them right now, they wouldn't be able to answer them anyway.

Not until they saw Chief Hayes.

Dawson pulled against the tight collar resting over her neck, the stiff shirt not exactly the most comfortable of attire as she, Matt, and Boden all sat outside of Hayes office at headquarters. They weren't dressed up completely, not all the way to their dress blues, but they'd been instructed to wear formal attire. So that's what they'd done, all of them dressed in the appropriate button downs and black pants while they waited for the invitation inside.

They had only been here for about ten minutes or so, but the wait felt so much longer as with every passing second, more anxiety seemed to creep up into her system at whatever was waiting for them just beyond those doors. But she was trying to keep those unsure feelings to herself, especially once they actually got inside, as the last thing Dawson wanted was for any of the brass to see her panicked and uncertain. So she did what she could to mask her feelings, though if the way Matt's hand was permanently grasping onto her leg was any indication, he could sense exactly what was going on inside her head.

Likely because he was feeling the same way.

Before she had much longer to think about this, the door to Chief Hayes' office opened and an older lady appeared, the blank expression on her face not exactly welcoming as she waved them in. "Chief Hayes is ready for you now." She told them, Boden and Casey both nodding her way before they stood up, Gabby swallowing the lump that was stuck in her throat while following their lead.

Boden moved first, his strong demeanor helping to set the tone as he walked with his head held high, Casey staying back to walk beside his wife while mimicking his boss's posture.

"It'll be fine." Matt whispered to Gabby just before they went through the door, those last few words of encouragement certainly needed as the Chief and his two firefighters stepped into Chief Hayes' office, to be met by not only the District Chief himself, but a few other familiar faces scattered around the room. Those of the Commissioner, and a couple other Chiefs from around the department. Though they weren't exactly officers Casey remembered fondly.

"Chief Boden, Lieutenant Casey… Thank you for coming." Chief Hayes greeted them, shaking both their hands before he turned his attention to Gabby. "And Miss Dawson- or Mrs. Casey, rather. It's nice to see you." He corrected himself while reaching out to shake her hand, Gabby feeling everyone's eyes on her before she gave him a polite smile and returned the gesture.

"Chief." She replied, the man mimicking her smile before he started to move back around his desk.

"Well, thank you again for stopping by here today. I know with you being on shift, it wasn't the easiest time for you to get away… Go ahead and have a seat." He prompted them, nodding towards the three empty chairs across from his desk.

Boden made the first move, Matt holding out his arm for Gabby to follow behind him as they filtered into the chairs, their Chief giving a few quick greetings to the other men in the room while they all sat down.

"Lieutenant Casey." Commissioner Grissom said, Matt glancing his way before giving him a quick nod.

"Commissioner." He responded back, neither of them feeling the need to say much else as they weren't necessarily fond of one another. Or they hadn't been back when Matt kept getting moved from house to house, and Casey didn't have much of a desire to befriend him now.

"Alright, how about we get started here." The District Chief spoke up after everyone had gotten situated. "I know I have a rather busy day, and you all need to get back to work, so let's just get to it." He told them, Gabby's leg starting to shake up and down while the lingering nerves in her system came back with a vengeance. "As long as that's alright with everyone…"

"Wait, Chief.." Casey spoke up somewhat suddenly, causing Chief Hayes, as well as Boden and Gabby, to look his way. "Before we start, may I say something?" He requested, the Chief across from him soon nodding before Matt took in a steadying breath.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Chief Hayes asked him, Casey sparing one last glance to his wife before he got out the words he'd been holding onto ever since finding out about this meeting.

"I'm not sure what this is about, or why we're here," He began, Hayes nodding back at him once more. "But all I ask is that whatever this is, you leave Dawson out of it."

His voice was unwavering, Chief Hayes' eyebrows furrowing deeply while his gaze moved between Casey and Dawson.

"Matt…" Gabby tried, placing her hand over his arm in an effort to stop him before he went any further. But there was no use, Matt merely shaking his head before returning his attention to the District Chief.

"She hasn't done anything wrong, at all. So if there's an issue, I'd like to keep it between you and I. We'll sort it out. But I would prefer Gabby be left out of it." Casey elaborated, keeping his intense gaze on Chief Hayes while the older man only continued to look between them, before doing something no one in the room was expecting.

And that was laugh.

It was short, barely noticeable if you hadn't been paying attention. But it was there, and Matt didn't understand why. But what he did know was that he didn't necessarily appreciate it.

"Chief?" Casey pressed, watching him continue to shake his head before a small smile tugged on his lips.

"Sorry, I'm sorry Lieutenant. You just caught me off guard a bit with that, I think there's been a misunderstanding about why you're here." He spoke after sitting up a little straighter, Matt's eyes narrowing slightly while he took in what was being said to him.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not in trouble, Casey. Neither of you." Chief Hayes told them, Matt nearly able to feel Gabby's entire body relax while his own face softened in relief.

He still wasn't sure what this was, or why Chief Hayes was so insistent on talking to them, but in this moment just knowing nothing was wrong was good enough for him. Certainly for his wife's sake, as he knew how much she'd been worrying about this since last night.

"You weren't brought in here to be reprimanded, in fact it's quite the opposite… I brought you in here today to talk about you as a firefighter. And how everyone within the department seems to be rather impressed by you." Hayes told him, confusion only continuing to fill his system while Gabby began to smile. "With your work, and your leadership. How you've managed to turn your career around at 51 after struggling to find your footing." He continued to praise the Lieutenant, Gabby unable to stop herself from reaching out for her husband's hand while Hayes spoke. "From what I hear, you've been quite a strong, guiding presence within your firehouse. Which is impressive in its own right, but to do so while juggling your job and an in-house relationship." He continued on, those few words causing Matt's guard to go back up as he still didn't know what this was.

And, until he did, he would continue to be weary of this man talking about him and Gabby.

"A serious relationship at that, that I also know came with its own… challenges." Hayes spoke carefully, his statement earning an involuntary grimace from Gabby as she immediately knew what he was referencing.

That he was talking about Walker.

And everyone else in the room knew it, too, Casey feeling his entire back tense up as Chief Hayes neared the subject he had no right bringing up. Not at all, and sure as hell not with Gabby sitting right here. There wasn't a person in this office that didn't know- to some extent, what Gabby had gone through at the hands of Bryan Walker. There was no reason for Chief Hayes to bring it up now, and certainly not when this meeting was about him, not his wife, Casey shooting the older man a noticeable glare, almost like he was daring him to say something else as Matt was more than ready to jump to her defense. Because he would, Casey not caring who he was sitting across from as it didn't matter how high up these men went within the department, he wouldn't let them sit here and bring this up. Not to her, or anyone else.

"But the point I'm making is that you, Lieutenant, have been an incredible first responder for the department. No matter what hands you've been dealt throughout your career. Which is very good to see." Hayes kept on, shifting right past any more mention of Gabby's abuser as after one challenging look from Casey, he knew better than to dwell on it. "You have continuously put the work first. And after going out on a few calls, I was able to see that for myself." The District Chief continued to uplift him, Casey still not letting himself focus too much on his words while a bit of uncertainty hung in the air.

"You've an amazing leader out there. Someone people know they can count on, and trust. And that's what everyone kept telling me, but I think the first time I really understood that was the night of that apartment fire, when you single handedly saved that woman and her baby."

"It wasn't just me, it was everyone." Casey interjected, his words seeming to only impress Chief Hayes further as the smile on his face grew. "It was a group effort… I wouldn't have been able to help anyone if not for my team."

"That's what I figured you'd say." Hayes responded quietly, almost under his breath before he cleared his throat. "But at that call, that night… That's when I knew for sure that people were right about you. And what prompted me to start taking a closer look at you, Lieutenant." The Chief told him, Casey's eyebrows raising while he saw Boden glance towards him out of the corner of his eye. "And it's something I've seen every shift since. I know no first responder is perfect, I think everyone can attest to that… But you, Lieutenant Casey, are one of the best officers I've seen in all my years in different fire departments. There is no denying the type of man and leader that you are."

Dawson couldn't help the way her chest swelled with pride as the District Chief spoke so highly of her husband, while Matt kept that stoicness about him, all three of the first responders from 51 waiting to see where Chief Hayes was going with this. Though they were starting to have a slightly better idea.

"And everyone in the department, we know there have been some times in the past where you have sort of gone off-book. Whether it was bending the rules to save a victim, or like the incident with the recreational center shooting last year, where there was some protocol that might've been… tested." Hayes spoke carefully, while Casey did nothing but nod. "But we all also recognize how that wasn't a normal situation." The older man continued, no one missing when his gaze flashed back towards Gabby. "Everyone in this department knows why you did what you did; your wife was hurt, and you would've done anything to save her. And I'd like to say that any man, any husband would've done exactly what you did in that situation. But I don't know if that's true… Which even more so shows me the type of character you have, and the type of man you are Lieutenant."

Gabby squeezed his hand while the District Chief spoke, as even though her husband wasn't big on being praised this way, she knew everything Hayes said was true.

"And from what I know, that has never changed. Even when all those rumors were going around," He spoke, Casey clenching his neck before swallowing heavily. "When there were some people within our department who wrongfully turned their back on you, accusing you of things you did not do, you still held your head high and did the work. You elevated your way back to the incredibly high and respected standing you now have within the CFD, even though you should have never needed to. But you still did it." Hayes told him, his intense gaze focused on nothing but Casey while he spoke.

"You have always done your job, and done it well. No matter the situation. And that's just all part of why we- why I wanted you, and your wife, to come in here today. Because we want you to know how much we recognize the work you put in. Everyone here sees the way you carry yourself, both on the job and off it. How you treat your position with nothing but dignity and respect.. Even when others around you couldn't see that." Chief Hayes admitted, with a slight shake of his head. "You are, to put it bluntly, the exact type of officer we want within our department."

Hayes finally stopped to take a breath, Casey looking over him before he spared a quick glance towards Gabby, who was, unsurprisingly, giving him a loving, yet encouraging smile.

"I… I really appreciate that, Chief." Casey told him. "Thank you." He said, feeling Gabby rub her thumb along the back of his hand while Chief Hayes gave him an assuring nod.

"You're welcome, Lieutenant… But telling you this is not the only reason we wanted you here." He added on, Matt's head tilting to the side in response before he gave him the nod to continue. "We asked you here because after some lengthy discussions, not only are we beyond impressed by your work as a Lieutenant, but we believe you deserve to be recognized for that."

Chief Hayes could tell it took a few seconds for his words to sink in, Matt going through a varying degree of emotions while the grin on Gabby's face only got bigger and bigger, the paramedic evidently understanding what he was saying well before Casey could. But it didn't take him too much longer as mere seconds later, a flash of disbelief appeared over the Lieutenant's features, before he slowly began to smile, Chief Hayes giving him one last sturdy nod before saying the words out loud.

"Which is why we want to promote you, Casey… We want to make you a Captain."