Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well, and having a great week so far! I'm back with the next chapter for you all, and hopefully you all enjoy this one.

Thank you all for the love and support you all gave me on the last update, especially after being gone for so long. It means so much to me, I really appreciate it. I know this story gets updated a little more sporadically than my others, because I really can only work on it when I find time here and there, but you all have continued to read this one and it truly means the world to me. So thank you so much for that.

I don't have much else to say, except that again, I hope you all like this one. And I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Happy reading!


part seventeen


Gabby felt the steady rise and fall of the chest underneath her as she slowly came into consciousness, a soft smile already resting over her lips before she could even fully wake up as she felt a sense of peace and contentment she hadn't felt in a long time. Too long, if she were being honest, the grin on her face never faltering as she dug deeper into the warmth beneath her, her movements causing the man below her to chuckle softly before he began running his hand up and down her bare back.

With the sheets down at their waists, his hand moving combined with the air hitting her skin caused her to involuntarily shiver, Gabby huddling closer to him as her chest pressed into his side. Before any words were said between them, he placed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his fingers tracing lightly over her body as Gabby kept her eyes closed, Matt's simple gestures flooding her with a sense of security that only he could provide.

"Good morning." He murmured into the quiet air, his voice thick with sleep as it became clear to her that he likely hadn't woken up much sooner than she did, Gabby humming softly in response before turning her face into his chest. "How'd you sleep?"

"Great." She replied, though her words were a bit muffled by his body. But he was able to make it out, the smile on his face growing as he continued to lazily move his hand over her back. "What about you?"

"I slept great, too." He responded, Matt kissing the top of her head once more as Gabby huddled closer to him, despite the fact she was about as close as one could physically get as their legs were tangled together beneath the sheets.

Things got quiet between them for a few seconds, Gabby's eyes falling closed as began to focus on the soft thumping of his heartbeat beneath her ear, as the events of yesterday came to the forefront of her mind. And those thoughts couldn't help but bring a smile to her face.

The last few days had been a lot of them, mentally and emotionally, there was no denying that. But now that they had come out the other side of it, Gabby knew it had all been worth it, as they'd no longer have to be living apart. All that uncertainty she had been holding onto from the not knowing what would happen to them, none of that mattered anymore. And it was like a weight had finally been lifted off of them.

Because she was going to be able to stay here and finish out the work that meant a lot to her, and Matt was going to be with her. Which was all she ever wanted. Cause when it came down to it, regardless of how she felt about her work when he wasn't here, Matt was right- she wanted to see this through. She started this job, and she wanted to finish it- it just wasn't something that was worth sacrificing their relationship for. But Matt saw to it that they wouldn't have to, as now they wouldn't be without each other any longer. There'd no longer be thousands of miles between them, Gabby and Matt going God knows how long without getting to see each other. That wouldn't be their life anymore, and it was something she was so beyond grateful for. Something that made her happier than she could even put into words.

Though at times it still didn't feel real to her. Like it hadn't completely sunk in that her and Matt wouldn't have to be separated anymore, that he'd be here with her for the next four months. She was happy about it, of course she was, but it was almost like she still couldn't believe it, her mind unable to completely wrap around the fact that Matt had chosen this. That he'd decided, on his own, to give up his life for months just to be with her, as every time the realization washed over her, it was like she was learning it for the first time again.

That giddiness, and excitement, that she'd felt ever since he told her that he was staying still hadn't left her system. And a part of her knew it likely never would, as the idea of getting to finish out her time here with the love of her life made her so indescribably happy.

And she could only hope Matt felt the same way.

She was sure he did, as this was all his idea. He was doing this for them, so they could be together and not have to spend any more time apart, so she imagined he felt the exact same way she did. But the truth of it was, she really didn't know. She didn't know where his head was at right now, because they hadn't really talked about it. Ever since he first told her yesterday that he was going to stay, they hadn't spoken much about it, as near minutes after he shared the good news, it hadn't taken long for them to start celebrating.

What had started out as innocent hugs and kisses soon turned into more, as it barely took any time at all for things to start heating up between them, that desperation and want filling the air as they'd barely managed to make it back to her bedroom. And once they were there, they hardly left, the euphoric ache still present in her body just one reminder of how they'd spent most of their day yesterday, the couple not only wanting to commemorate the special occasion, but it also felt like they were making up for lost time. Like they were doing what they hadn't been able to really do since he got here, and that was to be together without anything between them. Without anything hanging over their heads.

And it had been incredible. Getting that time with him, getting to feel him and be with him, without holding anything back had been nothing short of amazing, and she wouldn't change a single thing about how they'd celebrated Matt's decision yesterday.

But now the dust was beginning to settle a little bit, and not that Gabby was any less excited, but the reality of his choice was starting to weigh on her, and she couldn't help that tiny bit of a doubt that started to creep in. Doubt that maybe after seeing how much she'd been struggling without him, he was just doing this because he knew she couldn't handle them being apart any longer. And she couldn't shake the thought that this wasn't what we truly wanted.

That he was solely doing this for her, not because he actually wanted to.

And there was also that part of her that wondered if it was fair to him to do this at all, even though she had been all ready to do the same thing he was. To give up something she wanted for them. But the difference was she'd had time to come to that decision. This was something she'd considered for weeks before making that choice, but Matt hadn't. And she couldn't help but worry that maybe this had all happened too fast. That he acted hastily, instead of thinking things through, and that's what she was afraid of.

Rationally, she knew she had no reason to be thinking this way. That, if anything, this had come from a place of her overthinking, as Matt had given her no reason to doubt him, Gabby knowing deep down that she just needed to trust him and what he said. But that was easier said than done given the significance of this, and the last thing she wanted was for them to rush into this only for it to tear them apart, as Gabby knew she couldn't handle anything like that ever again. So before this went any further, she needed to be sure.

Because she wanted this. More than anything, she wanted him here with her. But she only wanted it if that's what he wanted too.

Movement underneath her head pulled her from her thoughts, Gabby blinking a few times as she felt his skin rub against hers, Matt making himself as comfortable as he could with her weight partially on top of him. Though he made no effort to get her to move, if anything it had been the opposite as he held her tighter to his body, Gabby releasing a soft sigh as she brushed her thumb along his chest.

"...Are you doing okay?" He asked quietly, his hand moving methodically along her side as he kept his eyes closed, Gabby blowing out another breath before she nodded against his chest. "You've been quiet."

"I'm fine." She responded softly, her own eyes closing as well while she focused on the feeling of his hand running over her body. "Just thinking." She added on quietly as her words bounced off his chest. "What about you?"

"I've been thinking, too." He replied, his words causing a second of hesitance as she held her breath.

"Yeah?" She pressed, doing what she could to hide the uncertainty in her voice. "What about?"

"Mostly how I don't feel like moving from this bed." He responded lightly, Gabby's body relaxing at his words before a soft smile formed across her face, Matt doing what he could to tighten his hold on her.

"Yeah, me neither." She breathed out, Gabby pressing a soft kiss against his chest as she could practically see the smile on his face despite not facing him.

"Well, that's not surprising." He started, Gabby's eyes opening slowly before she lifted her head up to look at him, her chin resting against the center of his chest as the sheepish grin resting over his face grew. "I know I wore you out last night… and early this morning." He spoke smugly, Gabby having to fight off the urge to roll her eyes at him as his fingers traced along her spine.

"Yeah, I could say the same for you." She shot back playfully as she tapped her hand against the side of his chest, Matt opening his mouth to protest. But he quickly closed it as he realized he didn't have much room to argue, given the one instance late last night when he had been the reason things finished somewhat prematurely for them.

"...Fair enough." He conceded, a soft smile gracing her lips as she recognized that gleam in his eyes. "Though I imagine I have better stamina now that I've slept." He added lightheartedly, Gabby chuckling softly before she returned to her previous position resting against his chest, her head finding it's comfortably home just over his heart as she cuddled back into him, Matt immediately wrapping her up in his arms yet again.

"I'm sure you do." She agreed softly, Matt pressing a kiss to the top of her head before they both relaxed back into the bed once more, an easy quiet filling the space around them.

But that only lasted for a minute at most, before Matt's voice filled the air once more. "...What about you?"

"Hmm?"

"What were you thinking about?" He questioned, his gentle words washing over her as everything that had been in her mind since she woke up came rushing back, Gabby knowing these uncertainties she had wouldn't go away until they talked about it. But still, she said nothing, Matt's eyebrows raising slightly as he felt her take a deep breath. "...Gabby?"

"Are you sure about this?" She blurted the words out before she could stop herself, Gabby feeling him involuntarily tense underneath her, like he was surprised by the question.

Which he definitely was, his body flooding with confusion as he heard the doubt in her voice. But he didn't get the chance to respond to her as Gabby lifted herself up once more, her elbows resting on the mattress beneath them while their eyes locked on one another, Matt hating to see how unsure she looked as she continued on.

"You're sure this is what you want? That you're okay with leaving Chicago, and coming here to be with me?" She asked him once more while she still had the courage, a slight frown tugging on his lips when he realized just how uncertain she was. "Because that's a big thing to ask of you, and I know it was you're choice, but I… I just want to be sure that this is really what you want. We didn't really get a chance to talk much more about it yesterday, and I know there's still stuff we need to talk about… things we need to figure out. But right now I just need to know that you're still sure about this. That you're not just doing this for me, because I meant what I said- I'd be ready to go home, if this isn't what you want-"

"Gabby." He spoke softly, his voice cutting off her rambling as she met his gaze once more, Matt reaching up to push some of her hair back from her face before cradling the side of her head in his palm, the action helping to calm her. "I want this."

He didn't say much, but those few words meant everything to her as she felt those lingering nerves starting to leave her body, the small smile on his face further helping her relax as he gently stroked his thumb over her head, Matt taking a deep, thoughtful breath before he continued.

"I know all of this happened kind of fast, but I'm sure that this is what I want… Honestly, this is what I should've been doing for a while. We should've never been apart for as long as we were, I just hate that it took me this long to realize that. But I want to be here, with you, so you can finish out your contract." He elaborated, his voice full of conviction despite how softly he was speaking. "Cause the way I see it, this isn't asking a lot of me… Me, getting to be here with you, is worth having to take a few months off the job. There's no question about that. And firefighting will be there for me when I get back." He reminded her, Gabby leaning into his touch before she nodded slowly, his eyes shining up at her as he angled his body towards her. "So, to answer your question, this is what I want… Yeah, I'm doing this for you and for us, but it's because I want to. And I don't want you ever doubting that."

He'd barely been able to get the words out before her lips were on his, a quiet sound of surprise leaving the back of his throat before he soon recovered, heat rushing through both their bodies as they focused on this moment. And if not for the intensity of her movements, their passion-filled kiss was enough to let him know how much she truly appreciated what he'd said, Matt sliding his arm around her bare back as he fought to keep her as close as he could.

But eventually, they had to pull back, both of them a little breathless by the time they separated as his chest heaved up and down, Gabby doing what she could to match his breaths as a small, yet genuine smile covered her face. One that nearly made him fall in love with her all over again as he gently ran his hand along her skin.

"I love you, you know…" She murmured, his own grin widening before he gave her a soft nod, Matt bringing his hand up to hold the back of her head as she began to lightly scratch her hand over his chest.

"I know you do. And I love you, too." He replied, the two meeting for a much slower, gentler kiss as he guided her down towards him.

Though the steadiness of their movements only lasted so long when he felt Gabby's hand sliding dangerously low down his stomach, Matt's body tightening involuntarily when she stopped just above the sheets resting across his waist for a moment, before continuing downwards. And from then on, it was like the couple became completely lost in one another, Matt enjoying her movements for a few moments before he guided her body on top of his, her warm skin pressed into his driving him crazy as their lips met once more in a heated kiss.

And, just as so much of their day had gone yesterday, Gabby and Matt continued to make the most out of the time they had together, their bodies molding together seamlessly as soft pants and moans filled the room, the couple feeling a desperate need to make up for so much of the time they had lost over these last few months.

The same time they'd never have to worry about losing again.


Gabby sat curled up on her couch with a warm tea in her hands, her body shielded by nothing but a pair of underwear and one of Matt's t-shirts while the blanket the two of them were wrapped up in laid on the ground beneath her feet, in the same position it had been ever since he'd gotten up maybe fifteen minutes ago. She could faintly hear the sound of his voice filtering in from the bedroom while he spoke on the phone, Gabby taking another sip of the drink they'd been sharing before she adjusted her damp hair over her shoulder.

Last she checked, it was nearing three in the afternoon, the two of them only having pulled themselves out of bed a couple hours ago, as they'd thoroughly enjoyed their time together after their conversation this morning. Although had it not been for their exhaustion by the time they finished, as well as their hunger, they likely would've never moved from the comfort of her bedroom. But after a while they didn't have a choice, the pair forcing themselves up to go and make some breakfast, even though by the time they were actually able to eat, it was more like lunch, but it had been a nice meal all the same. One that was followed by a quick shower that they both needed, before they'd resided to spending all day together on this couch.

And it had been going great, until Matt finally checked his phone, which was then when he realized just how many people had been trying to reach him.

Ever since getting off the phone with Boden yesterday, neither of them had much contact with the outside world. But when Matt decided to check his messages once they'd finished their shower, and he saw he'd had multiple missed calls from not only Boden, but people from headquarters, he knew he needed to reach out to them.

Which is what he'd been doing off and on over the last few hours, the couple's solitude often getting interrupted as his phone ringing was sort of a constant thing today. But Gabby completely understood it, given the circumstances. That Matt was asking a lot of the department, and that it would take some time and energy to sort out, especially considering how much of a headache it had been for him just to get out here for a few days in the first place. So she could only imagine that him taking a temporary leave of four months definitely wasn't what they expected or planned for, and she wasn't sure how they felt about it either, but all she did know is that he'd assured her there were no issues in him staying here.

That, regardless of whatever complications it caused for the department, he'd gotten his leave approved and that wasn't going to change. But just because that part of it was settled, there was still a lot that had to be done in the meantime. A lot of paperwork that needed to be filed, forms that Matt would need to fill out once he got back to Chicago, as well as him being enlisted to help find a suitable replacement to take over for him on 81, so there was a lot they had to talk about in regards to what all would be happening while he was away.

She hadn't caught much of their conversations, as Matt left the room every time they called to not disturb her, but from what little he'd had time to tell her, she knew headquarters wanted his position filled quickly, and with someone permanent. For as long as Casey would be gone, at least, they didn't want a lot of turnover in that position for one of the busiest houses in Chicago, so they were searching for suitable candidates that could take on that role. And they'd wanted Matt's help, Gabby well aware that they hadn't really asked him to assist in finding his replacement as much as they'd forced him.

Though, Matt being Matt, was helping them as much as they could, as both he and Gabby realized they'd kind of put them in a bind. It was nothing too bad, but still, they'd caused some problems for the department, so they recognized that they might need Matt's help in solving some of those issues.

But just because she understood it, that didn't mean she necessarily liked it given that Matt would be leaving yet again in a couple days, and she'd much rather be spending this time with him instead of him having to be on the phone. Even though him leaving to Chicago this time was only for a few days, that didn't change the fact that she wanted to get as much time with him as she could, Gabby hoping that here soon he'd be done with all of this, at least for today, and they'd be able to get back to their lazy afternoon together.

"Alright, yeah that sounds good… I'll stop by before shift when I'm back- Okay, yeah… Yes, sir. I understand- And thank you, again…"

Gabby released a soft breath when she heard what sounded like him ending the call, her eyes moving over towards her bedroom door as she heard him rustling around, before he eventually appeared through the doorway a few seconds later, a small smile forming over his face when he saw her watching him.

"Hey there." He greeted while moving back towards the couch. "Sorry that it took me so long."

"It's fine." She replied, Matt pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head before he returned to his previous seat next to her. "Did they figure everything out?"

"I think so, yeah." He told her as his hand reached out to hold onto her bare thigh, Matt giving it a gentle squeeze before finding her eyes. "Though I still think all of this could've waited until I got back to Chicago." He added on lightly, Gabby matching his small grin before he continued. "But they should be leaving me alone the rest of the day, even though I'm sure they could find more things to need me to do."

"...Are they mad?" She questioned him after a moment, his eyebrows raising as his eye fell to the side slightly. "About you talking this time off? I mean, losing their Captain for a few months, I'm sure they're not happy about it."

Casey shrugged slightly, his palm continuing to rub along her leg as she watched him. "Some of the higher ups are maybe, but it's not a big deal." He responded, Gabby breathing in deeply before she nodded. "I think they're more annoyed by the paperwork than anything else, but they're fine." He promised her, Gabby looking him over for a moment before leaning over to place her mug down on the end table beside her.

"Alright… As long as you're sure that's all this is, cause I don't want to cause any issues for you."

"You're not." He cut in quickly, the soft grin on his face sending a rush of warmth through her chest. "Trust me, you and I are not the problem here… and headquarters, and 51- they'll all figure it out, everything will be fine babe. I don't want you to worry about any of this." He told her, before stretching his arm out to invite her into his side, Gabby accepting the offer almost immediately as she adjusted herself on the couch before leaning back into him.

They were able to make themselves comfortable within moments, Matt wrapping his forearm around her chest to securely keep her in place against him, her body nestled up into his as her head rested back against his neck, before she felt him press a few soft kisses over her hair. And she swore she could feel herself relaxing by the second, that feeling only becoming stronger when he wrapped his other arm around her torso, the close contact exactly what they both of them wanted.

An easy quiet surrounded them, Gabby reaching out for the remote to press play on the show they'd paused when he first got up before she leaned back into him, both of their focus shifting to the TV across from them as they were content to spend the rest of their day exactly like this.

But with that, Gabby also couldn't help the thought forming in the back of her mind, as she was getting hung up on something he had said, his mention of 51 making her realize that they hadn't really spoken about that yet. And she figured now was as good of a time as any.

"...Do they know?" She asked, her soft voice hitting his ears before he glanced down to look at her, even though from the angle they were at he couldn't really see much.

"Hmm?"

"The house." She continued on quietly. "Do they know you're staying here with me?" Gabby elaborated, as she felt him run his hand against the top of her chest.

"No, they don't know yet. I asked Boden not to tell them." He explained to her, Dawson pausing for a moment before she nodded. "Just cause I want to be the one to do it… I feel like I should. And I have to work that one shift when I head back to Chicago, so I'm gonna tell them all then."

"I wonder how that'll go…" She mused out loud, Matt smiling softly before he gave her body another squeeze.

"They'll be happy for us." He assured her, his calming voice prompting her to close her eyes as she let herself relax into him once more. "Especially considering how miserable I've been around there lately, just moping around because I wasn't able to be with you." He added on lightly, her eyebrows furrowing slightly in response. "So for that alone, I know they'll be happy."

"You've really been miserable, huh?" She repeated back, Gabby keeping her words light as well, as they both knew how hard these last few months had been without each other, it being no secret between them that they hadn't done well with the distance. But now, it was a little easier for them to talk about, the both of them able to joke around about it given that their circumstances had changed.

"Absolutely." He responded without any hesitation, Gabby almost able to hear the smile on his face as she shook her head slightly. "But now we don't have to worry about that anymore." He breathed out, a soft smile forming over her lips just as he placed a kiss against her neck, Gabby resting her hand over his before nuzzling back into him.

"You're right… We don't." She agreed softly, Matt kissing her once more before the two of them sunk down into the couch, both eager to stay exactly in this spot for the rest of the day, and enjoy their last few remaining days together before he had to leave her.


Dawson stood in the crowded airport while Matt did one last check of his pockets to make sure he had everything, the small duffle bag in his other hand being the only carry-on he was taking as he wasn't planning on being away for too long. So he'd opted to just keep most of his things at Gabby's, Casey knowing he had another suitcase back home he could use to get the rest of his things as he felt around for his phone, Gabby watching him closely with a small, yet sad smile on her face.

"Alright, I think I have everything." He breathed out, Gabby nodding weakly as he looked her way, her hands reaching out to adjust his shift that had gotten messed up in all the movement. "Though I guess it's not much for me to remember." He added on lightly, the goofy grin forming over his face causing her to shake her head as her hand ran over his shoulder.

"No, it's not… Thankfully." She breathed out, the weight of her words not going unnoticed by him as a knowing look soon flashed in his eye, Matt reaching his free arm around to wrap around her before pulling her into his side.

"I'll only be gone a few days." He reminded her as he whispered against her hair, Matt pressing a gentle kiss to her head while she breathed him in, the familiar scent calming as it helped keep her mind clear. "And then I'll be back here with you until it's time to go home."

"I know." She murmured, rubbing her hand along his side as they ignored the bustling people around them, both Matt and Gabby trying to soak in these last few moments together while they had them.

She knew she really had no reason to be sad, at least not really, as their goodbyes today were nowhere near as painful as they would've been had he not chosen to stay here with her. In fact she was very aware of how today could've gone so much differently for them, that they could've been saying goodbye to one another for God knows how long, and how they were so lucky for that not to be the case. And she didn't want to take any of that for granted, as this was so much preferable to something like that.

They'd had an amazing time together during his trip, and they were going to have even more wonderful moments together when he got back, which was what Gabby was trying to focus on. But as she was standing here with him in this airport, she still couldn't help that unsettled feeling in her stomach, as she wished he didn't have to go at all.

But he had no choice. And, despite the rush of sadness in her system, it was nothing compared to the usual dread and pain she usually felt in these situations, Gabby knowing a few more days apart was completely worth him being able to stay here with her for the next four months.

"I'm just already looking forward to you getting back." She added, Matt chuckling softly before he nodded against her head.

"Yeah, me too." He agreed, his voice a bit hard for her to hear given how quiet he spoke. "It's gonna be different, being here for that long. But I'm excited." He continued on, Gabby breathing him in once more as she knew he was really only talking to stall for time. Though what she wasn't sure of was whether he was doing that for her or for him. "I'll actually have time to see a bit more of this place, instead of just the airport and your apartment… And the worksite." He finished, the woman nodding with a small smile before she pulled back from his embrace.

"Yeah, we'll be able to do a little bit more now that you're gonna be sticking around for a while." She agreed with him, the wide smile that reappeared over his face causing a rush of warmth to flood through her chest, before he leaned down to give her a kiss.

The movement was quick, Matt pulling away far too soon for Gabby's liking as she kept her eyes closed even after she couldn't feel him.

"I love you." He spoke softly, those words prompting her to finally look at him as his piercing blue eyes shined back at her.

"I love you, too." She told him, Gabby rubbing her hand along his chest before their lips met once more. But this time, neither of them pulled away, the two of them desperate to make this moment last for as long as they could, as Gabby didn't want him to leave. And he didn't really want to go, either.

Matt was the first one to pull back when air became a necessity, their chests rising and up down heavily as he leaned his forehead down to rest against hers, both of them well aware of how they were on limited time.

"...I'll be back soon." He reminded her, Gabby nodding once more before the two finally separated, Matt taking a few lingering steps backwards towards security.

"Let me know when you get there, be safe."

"I will." He promised, Matt offering her a soft grin before taking another step backwards. "I'll see you in a few days." He added, Gabby drawing in a slow, deep breath before giving him a nod, a similar smile appearing across her face as she crossed her arms over her chest, the woman suddenly not feeling that same warmth that had been there seconds prior.

"Yeah." She agreed, Matt giving her a wink before he turned around and headed towards security, Gabby keeping her eyes on him as the smile on her face slowly fell, the next few words coming out underneath her breath as she tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach.

"...Just a few days."


"There he is!" Capp shouted as Casey stepped into the common room, Boden a few steps behind him as his entrance was followed by a few loud cheers from all his coworkers, Matt waving them off before he continued forward.

"Alright, alright enough of that. I was only gone for two shifts."

"Yeah, but we still missed your presence, Captain." Cruz teased him, Casey shooting him a light glare before crossing his arms over his chest, Boden coming to a stop beside him just as Herrmann spoke up.

"So how was your visit?" He asked as Matt looked back towards him. "Dawson doing okay?"

"She's, uh… she's doing alright." He answered softly, Herrmann's eyebrows furrowing slightly as the uncertainty in his voice was hard to miss. But no one got a chance to question it before he kept talking. "Work has been keeping her really busy, so she's a little stressed. But overall, she's good. And our visit was good, it was great to see her."

"Yeah, I bet… But I'm glad you all had a nice time, I know you two were missing each other." Herrmann commented with a soft smile, Casey merely nodding in response. "And we've been missing her around here, too." He added on, his words gaining a few nods from the other members of the house.

"We definitely have." Mouch interjected. "This place never is the same without her… Do you know if she has any plans for another visit anytime soon?" He questioned, Casey seeing a few of the hopeful looks from around the room as a slight wince appeared over his face, before he slowly shook his head.

"No, unfortunately she doesn't." He replied, earning a few understanding nods from his coworkers. "Work is just too hectic for her right now, that's part of why it took us so long to see each other, because she's not able to really get away right now."

"Yeah, that's understandable. I know the kid's busy." Herrmann responded to him, Matt nodding softly as he shifted his weight between his feet. "But hopefully sometime soon, she'll be able to get here for at least a little bit."

"...Hopefully, yeah." Casey repeated, as more words were resting on the tip of his tongue. Things she knew he needed to talk to all his friends about, as not only did they need to know about Gabby's plans, but they certainly needed to know his.

Drawing in a deep breath, he began to look around the room, Matt quickly finding Severide's gaze from over by the counter, before he turned to look to Boden, as those two men were the only ones here who knew what was going on. But it wasn't until the Chief gave him a firm nod that Casey snapped out of his haze, Matt taking another breath before he turned back to the group.

"But, um… since we're on the subject, there is something I want to talk to you all about." He told them, their interest piquing as Herrmann was the first one to give him a nod. "Well, a few things actually. But first I've got some really good news," He prefaced, Matt unable to stop the smile that began to form over his face before he continued. "When I was in Puerto Rico, Gabby and I were talking and she's decided that when her contract is up, she wants to come home."

The room around them fell silent, as it was clear they were all in shock at his words. But that quickly turned to joy as wide smiles broke out over their faces, Matt looking towards Kelly once more as his friend gave him an approving nod.

"Really? Gabby's coming back?" Brett asked, Matt nodding in response.

"Yeah, we haven't really gotten all the details worked out yet, but she wants to come back home." He said again, Herrmann and Boden both smiling wide. "So when her contract is up in four months, she'll be back here in Chicago."

"Wow, that's great Casey." Cruz spoke up, the Captain grinning from ear to ear before he nodded.

"It is, we're excited." He agreed, as Herrmann shifted to the edge of the couch.

"So she'll be done over there, no more back and forth? She'll just be here?"

"Mhmm, yeah. She'll be done. At least with working over there." He elaborated, his spine straightening a little as he looked around the room. "I know of a few people in the organization who do some remote work from Chicago, so she might look into that, but like I said, I'm not sure what she's gonna decide to do. Just that here in a few months, she'll be home." He breathed out, Herrmann offering him a wide-eyed smile before he nodded.

"That really is so good to hear, Casey. It'll be nice to have Dawson back." He told him, Matt nodding in agreement before he glanced back towards Boden, the look on the older man's face prompting him to continue.

"Yeah, it will be. It'll be really great... But that isn't all." He reminded them, a few curious looks covering their faces before Matt got a couple nods from the group. "There were some other things we figured out while I was there, that we talked about a lot, and we came to the decision that… I'm gonna be staying there with her, until her contract is up."

The room went deadly silent once more, everyone around him completely stunned, except this time for a different reason as no one knew how to react. None of them except Severide and Boden, Matt releasing a soft sigh before taking a slight step forward.

"I… I know this is probably a shock to you all, and I really wasn't expecting it either. But she and I decided that it's what's best for us, and that's what comes first right now." He explained, Severide giving him another encouraging nod before he continued. "Since Gabby will be coming back, it's not gonna be a permanent thing, but it'll be for now. So Puerto Rico is where I'm going to be for the next few months."

Casey gave them a few seconds to let his words sink in, as he found it best to stop explaining himself, at least for a moment, the man aware of how this was a lot to spring on them all at once. But they all needed to know, and he'd rather do it now than have to wait until later.

"I, uh- Wow, I really don't even know what to say." Herrmann spoke up first, Casey shooting him an understanding look as he pursed his lips together.

"I know, and honestly I think that's the way everyone reacted when they first found out… Even Gabby. But it's what we've decided to do." He repeated, his words earning a few nods from his friends.

"Do you know if you'll be back at all before her contract is up?" Capp asked, Matt biting down on the inside of his cheek before shaking his head.

"I don't think so, no… Like I said with Gabby, she's been so slammed with work, she's not able to get away at all. So we'll likely just be there until she's done." He answered them, the firefighter nodding in response as the room went silent once more.

A silence that no one ever really broke, not until Casey finally spoke up once more.

"I know this is a lot to take in, and trust me I had no idea all of this was happening when I left to go see her, but… This is what we want." He assured them, his eyes landing on Herrmann before he saw a look of support flicker in his eyes. "It's what we want to do, and what we need to do… I hope you all can understand that."

"Of course we do." Herrmann responded without any hesitation, his words causing Casey's shoulders to relax before he gave him a nod. "And we're all happy for you, Casey. For the both of you… I know this couldn't have been the easiest decision, but of course we're happy for you all."

"Absolutely." Cruz chimed in, Matt smiling softly as he looked over to him. "Though we will miss you around here."

"I'll miss you guys, too. And Gabby misses you, but it won't be too much longer until we're both back here." He told them, Herrmann nodding before the Lieutenant stood up and made his way towards Casey.

"I think it's great, Captain. Really." Herrmann told him with an assuring nod, the two men shaking hands as a thankful look covered Matt's face.

"Thanks Herrmann."

"Yeah, just try not to forget about us while you're gone." Gallo joked, as he was the next one to come and greet him.

And that continued on, as most of the firehouse came to talk to Casey, the Captain feeling a rush of gratitude at how well his friends and coworkers had received the news. Not that he was worried, per say, even though he knew Gabby was, but it was still a big change. It would be an adjustment, for all of them, and as a firefighter he didn't necessarily love the idea of leaving behind his company for that long.

But as a man, he knew without a doubt in his mind that he was making the right decision. Cause he meant every word he'd said; that him and Gabby came first, and everything else was secondary. He had spent too much time not realizing that, and he refused to do it any longer, as this was absolutely the right choice for him.

The crowd around him slowly began to disperse after a few minutes as everyone had given him and Gabby their well wishes, Matt staying at the front of the room while the other first responders started to go back to what they had been doing, Kelly approaching him as Boden left the room to head back to his office.

"Do I need to say congratulations again?" He started, Matt scoffing lightly before he shook his head, Severide stepping forward to bring him in for a quick hug. "I am happy for you guys, man." He told him, Kelly repeating the words he'd said to his friend when he first found out, as Severide had been the first person he'd told when he got back to town. "I really am."

"We know, and thanks Sev." He responded, patting his back before they separated.

"Though it will be weird without you here." Kelly added on, Matt drawing in a deep breath before he nodded.

"It will be, yeah. But we'll be back before you know it." He spoke lightly, Severide's head falling to the side.

"Yeah, just in time for winter." He jabbed back, Casey wincing slightly before shaking his head.

"Please don't remind me." He replied, the two men sharing a laugh before Kelly reached out to clasp his hand over his shoulder, the air around them soon turning serious once more as Casey caught his gaze, neither one of them saying anything for a moment before Severide finally spoke up.

"...You seem happy, man." He told him honestly, a thoughtful look covering Matt's face before he nodded.

"I am." He responded just as truthfully, Kelly giving him a small smile before squeezing his shoulder gently. "I really am. And it hasn't always been easy, but being with Gabby, no matter where we are… She makes me the happiest I've ever been."

"I know she does. Which is why I also know that Puerto Rico is where you need to be right now." Severide told him, Casey drawing in a deep breath before he nodded. "But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna miss you being here, Case." He finished, Matt swallowing the small lump that began to form in his throat as Kelly gave his arm another squeeze.

"I'm gonna miss you, too." He replied, Matt bringing him in for another hug as the honest conversation between the two best friends left Casey feeling a bit more emotional than he anticipated.

But, in a strange way, it had also made him even more eager to get back to Puerto Rico, and to Gabby. Because what Severide said was right- being with Gabby was where he needed to be.

And here soon, he would be.