Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter for you all! I'm so sorry the updates with this story are all over the place. I'm trying to find a better balance between all my stories, which clearly isn't working out too well so far. But I'm doing my best, haha.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this one. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Stay safe, everyone.


part nine


Casey walked towards the long table in the common room with his fresh cup of coffee in his hand, the Captain tuning back into the different conversations around him as everyone was enjoying their breakfast, the first responders of firehouse 51 settling in for their long shift. They'd only been at work for less than half an hour, 61 having been called out a few minutes into shift while the rest of the house ate their various breakfasts, everyone going about their business as they normally would. Placing himself down in his usual spot at the head of the table, Matt took a long sip of his hot beverage before setting it on the table in front of him, the firefighter leaning forward over the table and grabbing the newspaper that was sitting in front of Severide. Kelly immediately shot him a glare, Casey biting back a smirk before he leaned back in his chair, making himself comfortable as he opened the paper.

"Why don't you get your own damn paper?" Severide questioned, Matt chuckling before he shook his head.

"You're not gonna read it anyway." Casey fired back, Kelly rolling his eyes before turning his attention towards Stella, the woman sitting on his other side while they ate their breakfast, Matt focusing his attention on the sports section in front of him.

"So Casey," Herrmann called from the couch after a few moments, Matt lifting his head up to look towards the firefighter, "what's the countdown at now?" He asked with a wide grin, his question catching the attention of the room as a sheepish look covered Casey's face.

"Oh please don't get him started on this, it's all I've been hearing about for two weeks." Severide interjected before Matt could answer, Stella smacking her boyfriend's arm.

"Be quiet, Kelly." She chastised, Severide holding his hands up in defense.

"Look, I'm more excited than anyone- well, almost anyone," He started, shooting a knowing look towards Casey, "to see Dawson again. But I can't wait for her to get here just so he can start talking about anything other than her and Puerto Rico." He spoke with a sly grin, Matt scoffing lightly before turning back towards Herrmann.

"She gets in a week from tomorrow." Casey replied, ignoring Kelly's complaints as Herrmann nodded knowingly.

"Well, make sure she stops by some while she's in town… We miss her around here."

"She will, Herrmann." Casey promised, his mind flashing back towards the conversation he'd had with Gabby just last night, and how the woman had mentioned on a few different occasions how excited she was to see everyone again. "She's looking forward to being here, you all will definitely be seeing her a lot."

"Not as much as you will." Severide snickered, Matt glaring at his friend as a few laughs were heard around the room, the Captain rolling up the newspaper before pushing himself up and swatting Kelly across the back of the head with it. "Hey!"

"There's your paper." Casey replied smugly, sitting himself back down in his seat as Kelly picked up the crumbled newspaper while Matt relaxed into his chair, the firefighter grabbing his coffee and taking a sip.

"Man, you two really do act like children, Kidd how do you put up with that?" Mouch asked from beside Herrmann, the woman sighing heavily before she turned around to face him.

"I don't know, but I swear they act worse at home." She breathed out, Matt biting back a grin as he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. While Kidd and Mouch continued their back and forth, Matt pulled the device out of his pocket, a soft smile forming over his face when he saw the notification of a message from Gabby. Swiping across her name, he unlocked his phone, the screen immediately going to their text messages so he could read what she sent.

But the second he saw what she'd messaged him, his eyes widened, heat flooding his cheeks as he quickly pulled his phone to his chest, Matt choking on the breath in his lungs as he made sure no one else could see what had just been sent to him.

Severide had noticed him nearly shoving his phone into his chest, but everyone in the room had heard his coughing, all eyes falling on him as Casey cleared his throat, the man pulling his phone away from his chest just enough to make sure he locked the screen before shoving the device back into his pocket.

"You alright over there?" Kelly asked, his eyes flashing towards the device he'd just hidden away before finding Matt's gaze.

"Yeah, yeah I'm alright." Casey replied, feeling the temperature in his face slowly return to normal as he grabbed a hold of his coffee cup.

"You sure?" Herrmann pressed, Matt nodding before he pushed himself up from his seat, clutching his cup tightly in his hand before he headed towards the exit.

"I'm good, just gonna go finish up some paperwork from last shift." Casey told them, clearing his throat before slipping out of the common room without another word, the Captain surely leaving some confused firefighters behind as he headed straight for his office.

The walk seemed to take longer than usual, his phone nearly burning a hole in his pocket as he picked up his pace when he got closer to his office, Matt stepping inside and quickly closing the door behind him before he walked towards his desk. Leaning his weight against the furniture, Matt released a heavy sigh as he fished the device out of his pocket, Casey biting down on the inside of his cheek while he unlocked his phone again, the message that had left him so flustered shining back at him.

Blowing out a soft whistle, Matt clicked on the photo that had been sent to him, the man swallowing thickly as he got a better look at the picture that he'd definitely never want any other person seeing, especially not anyone in this firehouse. Shifting his body weight against the desk, Matt's eyes raked over the image of Gabby from the neck down in next to nothing, her body covered by very thin, nearly see-through underwear he had very fond memories of taking off of her in the past, his mouth going dry as he was able to see practically all of the woman he missed so much.

Over the past two weeks they'd spent apart, they'd taken steps in navigating their way through their new long distance relationship. Being together, but not physically being together was an adjustment they weren't used to, and there had been a steep learning curve in finding what worked best for them while they were apart. Every single night, as long as Matt wasn't out on call, they called or Face-timed, usually for at least an hour, if not longer, to catch up on what happened that day, and get some of that time together that they craved. And on top of that, they often texted throughout the day as well, both of them talking as much as they wanted.

And they'd taken up other forms of keeping connected as well.

Shortly after he'd gotten back to Chicago, they quickly started taking advantage of technology for other aspects of their relationship, Gabby's photo today definitely not the first one she'd sent him, just as she had some of him as well. And the one from moments ago had been relatively tame compared to some of the others, both Matt and Gabby surprising the one another with photos at various times over these last two weeks, as well as more intimate Facetime calls when they were both in the privacy of their own homes. But this was the first time she had sent him anything when she knew he was at work, and it had taken him by surprise.

After a few minutes of admiring the picture she'd taken solely for him, he clicked out of it, making a mental note to go back to it later before he tapped on her contact photo, Matt quickly hitting the Facetime button. It rang for a few moments before she finally answered, Casey having to wait a split second for her picture to pop up as he adjusted the angle of his phone.

When he laid eyes on her, he couldn't help but smile, Matt immediately recognizing that she was sitting in her bed, her hair tousled and untamed as she leaned back against her headboard, Gabby now clad in an oversized shirt that she had definitely not been wearing when she took that photo earlier. Before she even said a word, a proud look was already shining in her eyes, Gabby biting down on her bottom lip as she brushed her hand behind her ear.

"Well, hello there." She spoke softly, the sound of her voice like music to his ears despite having just spoken to her last night, Matt shaking his head slightly as he bit back a smirk. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you this early."

"Mhmm, after that message you just sent me?" He questioned with a chuckle, his words bringing a shy grin to her face as she rested her palm against her cheek. "That was not very nice, Miss Dawson." He murmured, Gabby scrunching up her nose slightly.

"What? You didn't like it?" She questioned, cocking her head to the side. "I figured you'd enjoy it."

"Oh, that's not the issue." He was quick to clarify, Matt taking a slow breath. "I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I plan on enjoying it later as well, but you sending that to me at work when I can't fully appreciate it… That's mean." He clarified with a slight pout, Gabby raising her eyebrows as an amused look flashed across her face.

"I'm sorry." She replied, though her tone indicated she was the farthest thing from regretting her message. "I thought it would be a nice little gift to get you through the day." She told him, biting down on her bottom lip as Matt shook his head.

"If anything, it's just gonna make this day even longer." He groaned, Gabby giggling softly as his eyes traced over every inch of her he could see, his gaze landing back on the shirt she was wearing. "...And I see you've changed, which is a damn shame." He breathed out, the smile never leaving her face as she fought off an eye roll. "I much preferred your other outfit."

"Yeah, well that was just for you." She told him. "I already took that off, I-"

"Usually that's my job." He cut in, his voice deep as Gabby clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"Well, you weren't here." She responded simply, Matt running his tongue along the inside of his cheek as he tried to hide his smile. "But I'll make sure to pack it for next week, and give you the chance to redeem yourself when I'm in town." She added lightly, a soft scoff escaping his lips before he shook his head, his reaction causing her grin to widen.

"You know I will." He promised, Gabby nodding slightly as she adjusted her position in her bed, settling back into the pillows as she got comfortable. "So, you trying to kill me aside," Matt started, "what's got you up so early? I thought you were off today?" He asked her, Gabby nodding before brushing her hair from her face.

"Well, I was supposed to be, but they called me about half an hour ago, asked me to come a day early." She explained, Matt listening intently as his eyes stayed focused on her face. "I guess something with the plans for our next building got all messed up, and I need to try and go work on fixing that… It could've waited until tomorrow, but since I'm gonna be gone for so long here soon, I figured I could just head to the site a day early and get as much work done as I can." She told him, Casey nodding as the last words left her lips.

"That makes sense… Too bad we didn't know last night, I wouldn't have kept you up so late." He responded, thinking back to their nightly call that ended up being close to three hours.

"It's okay, I don't regret it." She replied with a knowing smirk, her look causing a smile to pull on his lips. "And I know you don't, either."

"Definitely not." He answered without hesitation, the words leaving his mouth just as there was a knock on his office door. The sound caught both their attentions, Matt looking over to see Kelly standing on the other side of the glass, the Captain waving him in. "What do you need, Sev?" He questioned as Kelly poked his head in, the man glancing to Casey's phone before looking back up at him.

"I was just coming to see what had you practically running from the common room, but now I know… Hey Dawson." Kelly greeted with a smirk, the firefighter stepping further into the room and coming to stand beside his friend, Matt tilting the screen so Gabby could see both him and Severide.

"Hey Sev." She replied, Kelly giving her a little wave. "How have you been?"

"Things are good here… Just preparing for the big day when you arrive." He responded, Gabby chuckling softly.

"Well, I hope you're not doing anything crazy on my account. I'm just gonna be happy to be there, and to see you all and everyone." She responded brightly, her eyes flashing towards something out of frame before looking back to the two men through her screen. "I hate to cut this short, but I need to start getting ready so I'm not late for work… I'll talk to you later?" She asked, her gaze locked on Matt as he gave her a firm nod.

"I'll call you tonight, but let me know when you get to the site." He requested, Gabby nodding in response.

"Of course… I love you." She replied softly, her words bringing a small smile to his face.

"Love you too, babe." Matt responded quickly.

"Love you, too." Kelly added with a smug grin, Gabby raising her eyebrows in amusement as a light laugh escaped her lips, Matt shaking his head as he glanced towards his friend.

"Mhmm… I'll see you next week, Kelly."

"I'm looking forward to it." He replied, the man giving her another little wave. "Bye Dawson."

"See you guys." She told them, giving them one last wide smile before she disconnected the call, Matt quickly locking his phone and sliding it back into his pocket.

"Sorry I interrupted your call with Dawson." Kelly spoke as he moved towards the wall, the man leaning his body back against the window as Casey waved him off.

"It's fine, we weren't planning on doing one this morning anyway, it was kind of unexpected." He replied, his words earning a nod from his friend. "She wasn't supposed to be working today, either… But I guess with her taking that time off to come here, she's gonna go a day early."

"Yeah, we are getting close to her getting here, aren't we?" Severide questioned, his words bringing a wide smile to Casey's face as he nodded, the Captain unable to hide his excitement.

"We are… just eight more days." He breathed out, Kelly smiling softly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"So, how has all that been going?" Kelly asked, Matt raising his eyebrows slightly as he caught his gaze. "The long distance thing? I mean, I know it hasn't been that long, but we haven't really talked about it… I just know not to bother you when Dawson calls every night." He added with a laugh, Matt smiling softly before giving him a slight shrug.

"It's going well, so far. It's been an adjustment, I'll admit to that. We're not really used to being in a relationship like this, but so far everything's been pretty good." Matt explained, Severide nodding in response. "I miss her like crazy, and I wish we could be in the same place, but we both understand it's better for us to be where we are right now. But, damn…" Casey paused, blowing out a heavy breath as he shook his head. "I'm really looking forward to her getting here."

Severide smiled warmly, glad to see his friend so happy. "I know you are." He replied, a sly look forming over Kelly's face before he continued. "But I guess I should talk to Stella, and try and figure out things for us to do so we can be out of the apartment as much as possible." He spoke with a pointed stare, Matt blushing slightly as he ducked his head. "Cause knowing you two… yeah, most of your time will be spent in your bedroom. And I don't need to hear that."

"Easy, Kelly." Casey spoke up with a laugh, Severide cocking his head to the side.

"What?" He questioned back. "I'm not wrong." He replied, Matt shaking his head before releasing a heavy breath.

"Yeah, no comment on that, but, uh, speaking of, I guess," Casey started, his words gaining Kelly's interest. "What are yours and Kidd's plans for Valentine's Day?" Matt asked, Kelly clearly surprised by the question. "I mean, I know we're working that day, but when are you planning on doing whatever it is you're gonna do?" He pressed further, noticing the blank look on Severide's face. "...Were you planning on doing anything?"

"I don't know, I hadn't really thought about it." He responded with a shrug. "Why?"

"Because Gabby's gonna be here, and I'm trying to figure out what my plans are." He replied, a knowing look covering Kelly's face. "Because if you two are gonna be there…"

"Ah, yes. We don't want all four of us to be in the apartment for that." Severide said with a chuckle, Matt shooting him a pointed stare.

"Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking. So if you're wanting to stay in, I was thinking about getting a hotel room for me and Gabby anyway… But I just wasn't sure if you'd planned anything yet."

"No, I haven't. But why don't you go ahead and get that hotel room, that way I don't have to do anything." Severide spoke with a smirk, Casey rolling his eyes as he huffed out a breath.

"Kidd's a lucky lady." He muttered sarcastically, Severide glaring slightly before pushing himself off the wall.

"Well, at least my girl actually wants to be in the same city as me." Kelly replied quickly, Matt's eyes narrowing harshly towards his friend as Severide stepped towards the door. "What? Too soon to joke about that?" He spoke with a laugh, Casey scoffing before nodding out towards the bunk room.

"Hilarious… Don't let the door hit you on the way out." He responded dryly, Severide laughing as he continued out of the office, Matt rolling his eyes before shutting his door and closing himself off from the rest of the house. Once assuring that Kelly had left the bunkroom, Matt pulled his phone back out of his pocket again, pushing all other thoughts out of his mind as he went back to his messages, the firefighter wanting to spend a little more time appreciating the photo Gabby had sent him.


Casey hopped down out the rig, the chatter of firefighters filling the air in the garage as they returned from their latest call, the cold February air chilling them to the bone as they began shedding their turnout gear, everyone wanting to get inside as quickly as possible.

"Man, you'd think after going through these winters every year, people would eventually start to learn how to drive in this weather." Mouch breathed out as he stepped down onto the ground, referring to the latest car accident they'd responded to this afternoon, that being the type of call they got the most during the winter.

"Well, apparently not." Gallo added, Casey's leg bouncing nervously once he'd stepped out of his turnout pants, the man moving to hang his jacket up off the side of the rig before he walked in the direction of the firehouse.

"Let's get those garage doors down, try and keep a little bit of heat in here." Casey instructed, his men nodding as he passed them, more of his friends coming into view as he got around the back of the rig. But Matt's steps slowed when he saw Herrmann and Severide's conversation come to halt the second they saw him, the men looking between one another before their eyes landed back on him. "...What?"

"Nothing." Severide replied with a shrug, the smirk on his face telling a different story.

"What is it?" Casey asked again, the nerves and excitement he'd been feeling all day taking away his ability to be patient.

"Severide here was just going through everything you'd been doing for Dawson's arrival tomorrow." Herrmann spoke with a chuckle, Matt shaking his head as he glanced towards Kelly.

"What? All I said was that it was funny how nervous you were about Gabby getting here, and how that led to you cleaning the entire apartment." Kelly spoke lightly, everyone listening in on their conversation with amused smiles, Casey stifling an eye roll despite the fact that he couldn't really argue with the man.

Severide's light words definitely had some truth to them, Matt having spent the entire day yesterday cleaning up around their home, freshening up his room and cleaning his bathroom, Casey making sure that everything looked nice and was in order before Gabby got here, knowing he wouldn't have time to do everything he wanted to before she arrived tomorrow. He'd been nearly bouncing off the walls in anticipation, and that energy had definitely followed him into the firehouse this morning, everyone noticing the excitement radiating off of him from the second he got here. Over the past week, the closer they got to Gabby's visit, the more excited they could tell their Captain had become, and they could only imagine how happy he'd be once she was actually here.

"You should be thanking me, Sev, I don't think that place has been cleaned since before you moved in." He fired back, his words earning some snickers from the firefighters around them, Matt shaking his head as he felt a burst of wind from outside hit his body, Casey glancing back around the rig to see the garage doors were still open. "Gallo, why aren't the doors down yet?" Matt called to his firefighter, waiting a few seconds but the man never answered him. "Gallo?"

"Captain." He called back, Matt furrowing his eyebrows as he looked back around the rig.

"What is it?" Matt questioned, seeing his firefighter looking out in the driveway before he turned back to Casey, a soft smile resting on his face.

"I think someone's here to see you." He replied, Matt's eyebrows furrowing as he walked towards the doors, most of the firefighter's following him.

As he got closer, his steps stopped immediately when he saw a familiar face walking up the snow-covered driveway, Matt unable to stop the bright smile that grew on his lips as he locked eyes with her, her grin matching his as light snow fell down on top of her.

"Gabby…" He breathed out softly, Matt soon regaining control of his limbs as he hurried out to the driveway, Gabby walking quickly, but carefully, as they met just outside the garage. His arms wrapped around her immediately, Gabby making sure to keep ahold of her bag so it didn't fall into the snow as she wrapped her arms around him as tightly as she could, Matt lifting her up off the ground slightly as they held onto one another, both beyond ecstatic to be seeing each other in person for the first time in three weeks. "What are you doing here?" He murmured against her hair, Gabby squeezing him gently as he put her firmly back on the ground, Matt pressing multiple kisses against the cold skin on her neck before he reluctantly pulled back.

He didn't move very far, Matt keeping one arm around her while the other grabbed her bag from her hand, the man carrying it for her as she kept a hand on his back. "I figured I'd come and surprise you." She murmured, Matt's grin widening before he leaned down and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to her lips, neither of them aware of their audience as they separated after a few much needed moments.

"How long ago did you decide this?" He asked once they'd pulled away, Matt turning back to lead her out of the cold and snow, the couple just now realizing that everyone had been watching them reunite.

"Pretty much the day after you left." She responded brightly, Matt shaking his head slightly as they got into the garage. "That's why I went into the site early last week, so I could have an extra day away… From the look on your face, I'm guessing this is a good surprise?"

"It's a great surprise." He replied instantly, Matt pressing a kiss against her head as they got to the group, everyone crowding around her immediately.

"Hey there, kid!" Herrmann spoke excitedly, the older firefighter being the first to greet her as she was pulled out on Matt's embrace, the Captain missing her warmth instantly as she got passed around between their friends.

"So, you decided to come a day early, huh?" Kelly asked as he brought her in for a tight hug, the Lieutenant holding on a bit longer than everyone else considering he hadn't seen Dawson in a very long time.

"I did." She replied, rubbing his back before they pulled away, Gabby smiling softly at the group that had formed around her. "I mostly did it for Matt, but it's nice to get another day with you, too." She added, tapping Kelly's cheek before stepping back beside him, the man swatting her hand away.

"Oh, we all already know that, Dawson." He teased her, Gabby shaking her head before looking away from him, her eyes moving around the group of her friends before landing on Matt, the man already looking at her with a bright smile, almost like he still couldn't believe she was here.

"So, how about we get inside and we can catch up?" Herrmann asked, the freezing temperatures outside causing the garage to be nearly unbearable if they were outside too long, Gabby giving him a nod in agreement.

"Sounds good." She replied, her words causing everyone to start to filter inside, some clasping or patting her shoulder as they went. But Gabby stayed rooted in her spot, her eyes always making their way back to Matt as he stayed put, Kelly being the last to leave the two, the man muttering something under his breath that neither of them could hear, but if Gabby had to guess, she'd say it was nowhere near appropriate.

As Severide walked away, Matt began moving closer to her, the couple hanging back to have a moment alone before they went inside. While Gabby was excited to see everyone and catch up with her friends, she wanted one last quiet moment alone with Matt before they went in, knowing they most likely wouldn't get another one until he got off shift tomorrow morning.

"So, you really came early just for me, huh?" He asked as he came to a stop directly in front of her, Matt leaning forward slightly to place her heavy duffle bag down on the squad table behind her before he wrapped his arms around her waist, Gabby's hands coming to rest on his shoulders as he took away practically all the space between them.

"Of course I did." She replied, Matt smiling softly as she rubbed her hands up and down the front of his chest. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can… I know they'll be times we won't always be able to do this, between work and everything. That we might have to go awhile without seeing one another… So whenever I can get here, I want to be with you as much as possible." She murmured, the words leaving her lips lightly as his grin widened, Matt giving her body a squeeze before he leaned in, capturing her lips in a heated kiss. The force of his movements caught her off guard, Gabby's head slowly catching up with her body as she kissed him back, Matt holding her to him as tightly as he could while they fought for dominance. He kissed her with everything he had, kissing her the way he wanted to from the moment he saw her standing in the driveway, the couple losing sight of everything but each other as her hands moved up to cup the side of his neck, her finger stroking along his jaw as he gripped her hips firmly in his hands.

When they finally pulled back, both of them were panting, their chests moving up and down rapidly as they sucked in deep breaths, the cold air practically burning as it moved into their lungs, Matt's eyes focused on her red, swollen lips before he caught her gaze, both of them unable to stop the smiles forming over their faces.

"God, I missed this." He said quietly, Gabby nodding in agreement before leaning in to kiss him again, this one much more tame as his hands slid up and down her back, the pair only lasting for a few seconds before they needed to breathe again. "You're still leaving the same day, right? You didn't change that around on me?" He asked, his voice breathy as he tried to gather himself, Gabby's presence stirring many emotions inside him but none of which were any he could act on in all the ways he wanted, not here at the firehouse.

"Nope, that's still the same… Though depending on how this goes, maybe I can be convinced to stay a couple extra days." She replied with a grin, Matt shaking his head in amusement before leaning in to kiss her one last time.

"You really are going to be the death of me, woman." He spoke against her lips, feeling her smile before she kissed him again, the couple enjoying their last few seconds alone before they needed to go inside.


"I'm sorry, but I just can't imagine you living in a tent."

Herrmann's loud voice echoed through the common room as everyone sat around the table, finishing up the dinner they'd ordered in about an hour ago, the entire house present as they caught up with the former paramedic. Matt was seated in his usual spot at the head of the table, Gabby having pulled up a chair next to him in order to fit everyone at the table, the woman resting her elbow on the armrest of his seat as his hand ran up and down her back, Casey leaning back in his seat while he watched her talk with their firehouse family. There was a bright smile on Gabby's face, just as there had been in the few hours she'd been here, Matt noticing how relaxed and at ease she'd been from the moment she got here. Though she'd had a few reservations about seeing everyone since they found out they were back together, his assurances over the last few weeks that everyone was happy for them had seemed to ease her worries, Gabby picking up right where she left off with the firehouse as they enjoyed their dinner together.

"The tent set up actually wasn't too bad, Herrmann." Casey interjected, Gabby glancing towards him with a soft smile on her face before looking back at the older firefighter who was a few seats down.

"Yeah, and we've got showers there and everything." Gabby added before putting a small bite of food in her mouth, the woman leaning into Matt's touch as he continued rubbing soothing patterns along her back. "And I have an apartment, the tent is just for when I'm on the site."

"I'll take your word for it. I don't think I could ever do that, but good for you, kid. Out there saving the world and everything, we're proud of ya."

Gabby ducked her head slightly as Herrmann praised her, the aid worker shaking her head as she placed her fork down against her plate. "I wouldn't go that far."

"He's right, Dawson." Boden spoke up, a few of the other members of 51 nodding in agreement. "The work you're doing… what we've heard from you, and the things we've heard from Casey, I still don't think we can fully understand the magnitude of how many people you're helping. But what we do know is how amazing all of this is… You're doing incredible things, Dawson."

Gabby felt heat rise to her cheeks before she looked back towards Matt yet again, finding a proud smile waiting for her as he nodded, the man scratching over her back lightly. "They're right, babe." He agreed, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek. "I know you hate people giving you credit for things, but I saw it firsthand; you're the reason things are running as well as they are. You've changed thousands of lives by what you're doing."

Gabby and Matt locked eyes as he spoke, the two getting lost in each other momentarily before the sound of the bells going off pulled them from their moment, everyone in the room hearing ambulance 61 and squad 3 being called to a car accident.

Their current conversation was put on hold for a second as the needed members of firehouse 51 got up and began to head for the garage.

"You wanna ride along, Dawson?" Brett offered as she grabbed her thick jacket from the back of her chair, Gabby's eyebrows raising slightly as she looked back and forth between the blonde and Foster.

"Oh, uh- maybe next time." She replied softly, Brett nodding understandingly. "I'm kinda wiped out after traveling, but next shift I'm here for, I'd love to." Gabby told her, the blonde shooting her a bright smile before she moved towards the garage.

The conversation shifted once half of 51 had left, everyone speaking in their own little groups as Gabby took another bite of her dinner, feeling Matt's eyes on her while she ate.

"...What?" She questioned once she'd swallowed the food in her mouth, Gabby reaching for her water and taking a sip as Casey continued to stare.

"Nothing… Just thinking about how incredible you are." He replied softly, Gabby shaking her head as she bit back a grin, placing her cup back down on the table before adjusting her body to face him.

"You're being awful sweet today." She murmured, Matt bringing his hand up to push a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb stroking along her cheek as he moved before he returned his hand to her back.

"Well, you surprising me put me in an excellent mood." He responded, Gabby smiling softly at him as his eyes flickered towards her half full plate. "You get enough to eat?" He questioned as a yawn escaped her lips, Matt rubbing his hand over her shirt as he waited for her to respond.

"Yeah, I did. I'm full." She told him as she met his gaze, Matt seeing the exhaustion evident in her eyes. He noticed it soon after she arrived, but as they'd been sitting in the common room for awhile, 81 having surprisingly not been called out since she got here, Gabby's body was definitely fighting off her fatigue, he could see it in the way she carried herself.

"You wanna go lay down in my office? Get some rest?" He offered once the second yawn in less than thirty seconds left her mouth, Gabby shaking her head slightly.

"No, no, that's okay… I was actually probably gonna get going here soon." She told him, Matt nodding understandingly. While selfishly, he definitely didn't want her to leave for the night just yet, he knew how tired she was, and he wouldn't keep her here just for him. "As long as you don't mind."

"Of course not." He replied, rubbing along her side before pulling back his hand. "Let me go get my keys, you can take my truck."

"Are you sure?" She asked as he stood up, Gabby following his movements before they broke away from the table, the two walking towards the hallway.

"Of course. I can get a ride with Kidd and Severide, and that way you don't have to take another cab." He told her, Gabby nodding as she followed him through the hallways towards the locker room.

"Thank you." She murmured, Matt shaking his head as they walked into the familiar room that Gabby hadn't been in for awhile.

"Nothing to thank me for. You remember which one is the guest room, right?" He asked as he began to open his locker, Gabby giving him a nod.

"I think I can figure it out." She replied, scrunching up her nose as he grabbed his keys from the top shelf, Matt smiling at the adorable look on her face.

"Good." He responded, placing his truck keys in her hand. "And that's the key to Kelly's place." He pointed it out, the green cover on it making it easy to pick out as she nodded.

"Got it." She told him lightly, Matt pressing a kiss to her forehead before closing up his locker.

"...Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay?" He asked with a soft grin, Gabby matching his smile as she shook her head. "You could spend the night in my office, and we can recreate some of those nights in the tent." He added suggestively, his words causing a heavy scoff to leave her lips.

"I don't know, I think everyone else is a little too close to your office for us to recreate those nights accurately." She responded proudly, her true words causing his mouth to go dry. "But tomorrow… I'm all yours."

"I can't wait." He replied without missing a beat, Gabby rubbing her palm against his cheek lightly before they walked out of the locker room.

After stopping by Matt's office to grab his jacket, the pair went back out into the common room, Gabby saying her goodbyes to everyone who hadn't been called out, the woman promising she'd see them soon before her and Matt continued outside. The change in temperature was significant as they stepped out into the garage, both of them bundled up in their thick jackets, Matt shouldering her bag as they walked out into the harsh winter weather, his arm wrapped around her shoulders to keep her close.

"You'll text me when you're there and inside? Just so I know you made it okay?" He requested as they got closer to his truck, Gabby nodding just before they stepped out into the street, the couple walking towards his driver's side door.

"Yeah, I will." She promised before slipping out of his grasp and unlocking his truck. Stepping aside, she gave him room to place her bag on the bench before he turned to face her, Matt smiling softly as he placed his hand on her waist.

"I'll see you in the morning." He told her, Gabby nodding in agreement before he placed a gentle kiss to her lips, both of them relishing in the feeling of the physical contact.

"I'll see you then." She repeated, kissing him again quickly before she climbed into his truck, Matt waiting until she'd gotten it started as he stood beside her. "Stay safe out there."

"I will. Promise." He assured her, Gabby nodding slightly as he gave her a smile. "Drive safe." He added, Matt leaning forward into the vehicle for one last kiss before he stepped back. "And Gabby?" He questioned, the woman glancing towards him. "...I'm so glad you're here."

His words brought a wide smile to her face, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek as her glove covered hands gripped the steering wheel. "I am, too." She agreed, Matt flashing her a warm grin before closing her door, the man tapping it gently before taking another step back.

Stepping around the front of the truck, he waited on the sidewalk while she got ready to leave, Gabby flashing him one last smile and a little wave before she began pulling away from the curb, Matt keeping his eyes on the retreating truck until it was out of sight.


Casey walked down the hallway towards his front door, moving quicker than his normal pace as he held Kelly's extra key in his hand, the man having nearly bolted from Kidd's car as she dropped him off outside the apartment. On the drive home, the couple had informed him that they'd be going out for breakfast, Kidd giving some lame excuse as to how they knew Casey was exhausted, and so was Gabby, and they didn't want to be around to disturb them. But even as she was saying it, everyone in the car knew that wasn't the real reason they were staying out of the apartment for the morning.

They were trying to give him and Gabby some alone time, knowing this was the first they'd really be able to see one another since she got in, which was something he very much appreciated. But while he was grateful, he hadn't really voiced that to the couple, knowing that would open up the can of worms as to why they didn't want to be around, and while he expected the teasing from Severide, that was not something he really wanted to be discussing with Kidd. So he left it alone, giving them a quick thank you before he hurried inside, Matt's desire to be with Gabby growing the closer he got to the apartment.

Once she'd left the house last night, the rest of his shift had actually been quite eventful, most companies being out well into the night, and then once again early this morning. And despite his overwhelming need to spend as much time with Gabby as possible, he couldn't help but be a little thankful she'd decided to not spend the night with him, knowing the woman just inside the apartment needed as much rest as she could possibly get, and him coming and going from the firehouse all night was not conducive to that.

But just because it was probably for the best she'd gone home last night, that didn't mean he wouldn't insist that she at least spend one night with him at the firehouse during his shift, the man quickly shoving the key into the lock before stepping inside.

Just as he expected, the apartment was completely quiet, Matt closing and locking the door behind him before beginning to shed his jacket and boots, a soft smile forming over his face when he saw some of Gabby's belongings as well. Moving as quickly as he could, Matt headed straight for his bedroom, his sock covered feet padding against the hardwood as he got to the closed door, Casey reaching out for the handle and opening it quietly.

The second he looked inside, the smile on his face grew wider at the sight of Gabby curled up in his bed, the man slowly stepping into his room before closing the door behind him. She was lying in the middle of the bed, her back facing him as she was curled up underneath the covers, a large fluffy blanket Matt recognized to be from the back of the couch in the living room resting over top of her as well, her body barely visible underneath all the layers.

Knowing all he wanted to do right now was climb into bed with her, Matt walked towards his closet, the man beginning to change out of his shift clothes as he went, not stopping until he was down to his boxers. With his dirty clothes in the hamper and his belt hanging up, Casey stepped back towards the bed, slowly lifting up the comforter before climbing in behind her, Gabby still dead to the world as she laid completely still. As he nestled his body against hers, he was surprised to feel she was a little cold, Matt assuming that was part of why she'd gone to retrieve the blanket at some point during the night, Casey pressing his hips into hers as he tried to get comfortable.

From his close vantage point, he could see she'd taken to wearing one of his shirts to bed, Matt noticing the old material as it covered her body. But from what he could feel as his hand came to rest on her side, she wasn't wearing much else aside from his clothing, Matt's assuming she'd taken to sleeping in her usual attire of a t-shirt and underwear.

Once he was settled, his head resting on the pillow comfortably, he slid his hand gently up and down her side before moving up underneath the shirt covering her body, Matt's palm resting against her bare stomach, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could.

He felt her slowly start to move against him, a soft moan escaping her lips as she was beginning to be pulled from her peaceful slumber, Matt continuing to rub his hand over her stomach as she pressed herself back into his warmth.

"Morning." She spoke, her voice raspy from sleep as she made no effort to move, Matt grinning softly as he lifted his head, the man pressing a kiss on her shoulder as another moan of contentment escaped her lips.

"Good morning." He told her, pressing another kiss to her shoulder before trailing his kisses towards her neck, the woman smiling softly despite not having yet opened her eyes. "How'd you sleep?" He asked in between kisses.

"Pretty damn good." She replied softly, biting down on the inside of her cheek as she felt his hand slip down to her lower stomach, her fingers dancing along the waistband of her underwear. "I missed you, though… Would've been better if you were here." She added, focusing on the feeling of Matt's precise kisses against her neck, as well as his thumb stroking the skin dangerously low on her stomach, her body relaxing completely in his hold.

"I won't disagree with you there." He murmured, grazing his teeth along her skin before he pulled back, gently encouraging Gabby to lay on her back, Matt pushing the covers off of them as she got situated.

The second they locked eyes, he couldn't help but smile, Matt seeing the hazy look that almost always accompanied Gabby being woken up in the mornings, the lazy grin on her face filling his chest with warmth as he rubbed his hand along her stomach.

"Hi." She whispered, Matt's smile growing before he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss, Gabby gasping into his mouth as she felt his hand begin to sneak underneath her underwear, stopping right above where she'd want him. When they pulled back, she saw that familiar look in his darkened eyes, Gabby gnawing on her bottom lip in anticipation as he removed his hand from her clothes.

"So…" He started, his hand sliding up her stomach pushing her shirt up with it. "Exactly how much did you miss me?" He questioned as he exposed more and more of her skin, Gabby drawing in a deep breath as she felt the abrupt change in temperature. Before she could respond, he placed a sloppy kiss just over her ribs, Gabby's eyes falling closed as he began marking her skin.

"...Matt." She groaned softly, feeling him smile against her before kissing her skin again, his mouth moving upwards towards her covered chest while his hand continued further south. "Matt."

"Yes?" He questioned, before pulling back slightly as he saw the look of desperation in her eyes shining back at him, the man smirking proudly before propping himself up. When she didn't say a word back, Matt returned his hand back towards her waist, Gabby's gaze following his every move as he slowly hooked his fingers underneath her underwear and pulled the material down her legs.

With her help, he was able to discard the clothing, Matt tossing it to the ground before he positioned himself over her, Matt's body resting in between her legs as his face hovered over her chest, the man moving her shirt out of the way before attaching his lips to her sensitive skin. Gabby bit down harshly on her bottom lip, doing what she could to control her breathing as he showed her his appreciation for her, his lips gradually moving further and further down her body.

"You and I have the apartment to ourselves this morning…" He murmured against her skin, his lips trailing down her stomach. "What do you say we make the most of it?"

He kept moving until he was at her waist, Matt grazing his teeth over her hip bone before looking up at her, seeing her clenching her mouth shut as her hand was gripping the sheets beneath her.

"...Matt." She breathed out again, the smirk never leaving his lips as he reached behind him for the covers he'd thrown off of them moments prior, Matt positioning himself between her legs as her legs hooked up over his shoulders.

While this definitely hadn't been the way Gabby was planning on her morning going, she had no complaints as she felt his finger tracing along the inside of her thigh, her breaths getting choppier as he pressed kisses all over her skin, his bright blue eyes being the last thing she saw before he tossed the sheets up over his head, the material falling down onto her stomach as Matt disappeared underneath the covers.