Hello there, everyone! I'm back here with the next chapter for you all. I was so glad to see you all enjoyed the last one, and I hope you like this one as well. As always, thank you so much for reading and I can't wait to hear what you think!

Also, for those who didn't see it, I posted the first part of my Dawsey Christmas story yesterday, if any of you are interested and would like to check it out.

But that's pretty much all I've got, I hope y'all have a great week and I'll see you next time!

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Nine

Gabby sat quietly on the steps leading up to the house, her leg shaking up and down while she was hunched forward slightly, the PIC practically zoned out to everything going on around her as she barely registered anyone else. From the cops, to the other medics, to all the passersby that were stopping to see what was going on; she tuned out all of it, her eyes staying focused forward on the pavement while her hands were clasped together in front of her.

She wasn't entirely sure how long she'd been sitting here, or even where her partner was, but all she did know was that right now she was alone. And she couldn't tell if that was for the best or not, as she was still trying to wrap her mind around what had happened outside this house just a few short moments ago.

"You know, I wish there was a way for main to flood out some of these fake calls." Jemma spoke as the two paramedics headed down the steps from the home they'd just been called to.

They were sent out here as there was an apparent person in distress, but soon after they arrived whoever had called sent them away. The caller wouldn't even let them in the door, or give them her name, the young woman barely speaking with them before she went back into her apartment, clearly no longer in any need of assistance. If she ever was in need, that is.

And while Dawson understood her partner's frustrations, and she too had been looking forward to getting back to the firehouse before this call, Gabby knew it was all just part of the job. That sometimes these things happen.

"It just seemed like such a waste of time." Norris continued on, while they made their way back to their rig, Gabby offering her an understanding look while Jemma pulled the back door open. "Though I guess it's kind of hard to know what's real and what's not until we get there." She mused, before climbing up the step to get into the rig, Gabby soon following her movement as the two paramedics sat in the back of 61.

"Yeah, I'm not sure how well that would work." Dawson replied as she sat herself down on the gurney, Jemma moving her head from side to side before ultimately agreeing with her friend's words. "People call 911 for all kinds of reasons, and I'd rather us get sent out to a fake call than us miss a real one where someone needs our help." She continued on, her words giving Jemma a different perspective on the situation as she sat opposite of Gabby. "Though you're not wrong, these fake calls can be annoying. But at least everyone's okay."

"Yeah, you're right." She responded, while Gabby checked over everything in their bag. "And that's exactly why you're the PIC." She added on, earning a chuckle from Dawson before the older woman glanced her way, only to find a soft smile waiting for her. "What? It's true."

"Mhmm, well I appreciate that." She replied, before moving their ambo bag down onto the bed beside her. "But since I'm your PIC, you think you could give me a hand in filling out this paperwork for them refusing our help?" She questioned with a gleam in her eye, Jemma laughing softly back at her before she reached out for the clipboard.

"Anything for you, boss." She responded teasingly, Gabby scoffing lightly as her friend took the forms, before Jemma began to fill them out.

But while the two paramedics were working in the back of the rig, the view from around the ambulance was cut off as they had no way to see the masked man approaching the side of 61. It wasn't until he came around the corner waving a gun around in his hand that they finally realized they weren't alone, but by then it was too late as they were cornered in the rig with this unknown man pointing a weapon at them.

"Don't move!" He yelled the second he came into view, Gabby jumping at the abrupt noise before her mind registered what was happening, her eyes widening in shock and fear as she watched this man move his gun back and forth between her and Jemma. "Put your hands up where I can see them!" He continued to order them around, Dawson's body moving before her head could react as she slowly put her hands up in the air.

But Norris wasn't anywhere near as compliant, her partner seemingly looking for a way out of the situation they'd found themselves in before she followed any orders.

"Now!" He barked, the man keeping his gun on Dawson while his green eyes- that being all they could see of him, focused on Norris.

Once she realized he wasn't going to stop, or move his weapon off of her partner, Jemma soon gave in to what he was wanting, the woman lifting her hands up into the air. The movement caused the clipboard in her grasp to fall to the ground, Norris keeping her attention on this unknown man while Gabby was just doing her best to breathe steadily.

But with the almost crushing weight forming over her chest, it was a nearly impossible task.

"Good, good." He replied, his eyes darting around the road before he took a step up into the back of 61. "Now no one needs to get hurt here, don't try and be a hero," He continued on, his pointed words matching the glare he sent Jemma. "Just cooperate and you'll be fine." The man explained to them, all while Dawson was looking right down the barrel of his gun.

"...You understand?" He asked them, before zeroing in on Dawson, the almost evil look in his eyes hard for her to miss as she had to force herself to take another breath, the paramedic knowing she had to do everything in her power to keep a level head, even with something as terrifying as this.

"We understand." Norris answered for her when it was clear Gabby wasn't going to respond, the man simply smiling while keeping his eyes on Dawson, before he nodded.

"Good, that's good." He repeated himself, his gaze lingering a little too long on Gabby before he started looking around the back of the rig. From his movements alone, it felt like he was looking for something specific, but they weren't about to ask him what that was as Norris and Dawson both sat quietly with their hands up in the air.

The seconds ticking by felt like hours while he rummaged through the drawers behind the gurney, the gun in his hand moving around in front of Gabby as he made sure to keep his weapon on one of them at all times. But whatever he was trying to find, they could tell he wasn't having any luck as frustration was beginning to set in, Jemma watching him closely as he rooted around through all their different medications.

"Where are the drugs at?" He suddenly asked, his rough voice causing the hairs on the back of Gabby's neck to stand up while Norris kept her narrowed eyes on him.

"We don't-"

"Tell me where the fucking drugs are!" He screamed as he cut her off, the man continuing to wave the gun around in front of Gabby's face, getting so close to her that it almost hit her in the head. But still, she was trying not to show him any fear. "I told you, I'm not here to play games. Just answer the goddamn question!" He shouted once more, this man clearly starting to get rattled the longer he was in the back of the ambulance. Though whatever those feelings were, he pushed them aside as he continued aiming the gun towards Dawson, Jemma's blood beginning to boil when she saw him refusing to lift his weapon.

"Stop pointing the gun at her!" She fought back, her need to protect Gabby outweighing everything else as the man's head snapped back towards her, before a wicked smile crept onto his features.

"What was that?" He questioned, his voice deathly quiet as Norris stood her ground.

"I said quit pointing the fucking gun at her." She spat, anger seeping from her body as her eyes trained on the man robbing them. Though he didn't seem phased by her fury.

"Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it, huh?" He asked, before suddenly pointing the weapon towards Jemma, the gun aimed right at her chest as he towered over her.

But still, she didn't blink, Norris continuing to stare this man down.

"Just take what you want, and leave." She replied, her tense words filling the air around them as his head tilted to the side. "We won't stop you, we won't do anything. Just get whatever drugs you came here for, and get the hell out of here." Jemma finished, the man starting to grin slightly before a soft laugh left the back of his throat.

"You're a feisty one, I'll give you that." He commented, before glancing back towards Gabby just as she looked up at him. "But that's the kind of cooperation I'm looking for. Now let me ask again, where are the drugs at?" The man questioned, Dawson forcing herself to take another steadying breath before she nodded back to the open drawers with their medicine vials behind her.

"They're right there."

"No, not those." He spoke, with an almost exasperated tone. "I need other ones."

"Well, we don't know what the other ones are." Dawson pushed back, as she had finally found more of her voice. "Those are the drugs we carry with us."

"That's it? You don't have anything else?" He pressed, his patience wearing thin as he looked between the paramedics.

"We carry some in our bag." Norris chimed in, before nodding towards the blue bag beside Dawson. "But other than that, all we have are what's in those drawers right there." She explained to him, the man grimacing before he reached out for the blue bag and ripped it open.

He was only looking for a few seconds before he supposedly found what he was looking for, the man grabbing the drugs and stashing them in his pocket, before reaching out to take a handful of vials from their drawers, before he climbed down out of the ambulance with his gun still pointed towards Jemma.

He continued glancing between them for a moment until he started looking around at his surroundings, almost like he was making sure no one had seen him before he took a few more steps away from the rig, the masked man leaving them with one short sentence before he disappeared from sight.

"...Don't say a word about this."

"Yeah, we're fine."

Gabby tensed slightly when she suddenly heard the familiar voice, it taking her body a few seconds to register that it was just Jemma as Dawson looked up to find her partner walking down the front steps towards her.

"We're good, thank you though." She repeated herself to the policeman behind her, before turning her attention forward as she moved down the last few steps to get to her partner. The two women looked at each other, Jemma pausing for a moment before she sat down beside her, while Gabby lifted her foot up a step to be closer to her body.

Things were quiet between them for a couple of seconds while they both looked forward, the bustle of policemen around the home keeping them from being in complete silence as the shock was continuing to wear off for both paramedics.

"...They asked again if we needed to go to the hospital." Norris finally spoke up after what had to have at least been a few minutes, Gabby's face remaining blank before she nodded. "I told them no, though. That we were fine, and we're just waiting for Casey."

Dawson gave an agreeing look before silence overtook them once more, neither of them sure what to say after something like this. Gabby especially, she wasn't sure how she was feeling as this call today had brought back some unpleasant memories. Of things she'd spent years getting over, and the last thing she wanted was all of that to come up again. So she was doing her best to work through it, Gabby letting her head fall towards the ground slightly as she continued to take steadying breaths.

She was okay, she knew that. And she knew Jemma was alright, too. Or as alright as one could be after something like this, as Gabby was well aware of Jemma's ability to compartmentalize when things got hard. And seeing how this wasn't the first difficult call they'd experienced together, Gabby knew how well her partner was able to separate herself from what was going on around them, and that method appeared to have worked today too as Jemma seemed to be okay. And that was something Dawson was very grateful for.

"They, uh…" Norris started once more, waiting for Gabby to look her way before she continued. "Uniforms said they caught the guy." She told her, seeing the instant look of surprise, mixed with relief that crossed Dawson's features, before Jemma nodded. "They found him a couple blocks over, they're taking him in."

"Good." Gabby replied, her voice somewhat hard to hear before Jemma leaned her shoulder against hers slightly, the action meant to be somewhat comforting as the younger paramedic gave her a weak smile.

"...You okay?" Norris asked her, the loaded question hard to answer as Gabby sucked in a deep breath, before she nodded in response.

"You?" She questioned back, Jemma reacting similarly to her words before she nodded as well.

"Yeah, I am." She replied, Gabby matching her small smile for a moment until her gaze moved back out towards the street where their rig was still parked. The rig that had, unfortunately, been part of a lot of trauma for Dawson over the years.

"...Thank you for what you did in there." Gabby spoke suddenly, as Jemma glanced back towards her to find Dawson still looking towards 61 with her hands clasped together in front of her. "And I'm sorry, for just freezing like that at first. But I…" She trailed off, shaking her head slightly as Jemma immediately jumped in.

"Hey, you don't need to apologize to me." She assured her, as the paramedic wrapped her arm around her friend. "Not for anything, alright?"

Gabby glanced her way, finding Norris' embrace comforting as she looked over her face for a moment before starting to lean into her, Jemma tightening her hold on her as the side of their heads resting against one another.

"We're okay, Dawson." Jemma told her while Gabby's eyes started to fall closed once more, as she knew just how true Norris' statement was. They were okay. They would be okay, and luckily today hadn't gone worse than it did, Dawson drawing in another slow breath before soon repeating her partner's words.

"Yeah… We're okay."

Sirens were blaring as Casey drove quickly, yet carefully, through the busy Chicago streets, the Chief doing all he could to focus on getting himself to the scene safely despite the overwhelming amount of worry that had settled in his gut because of his paramedics. Worry that came from Matt really having no idea what was going on.

He knew 61 had been the target of a robbery during their last call, and that the man had pulled a gun on them before stealing whatever he was so clearly desperate for. But most importantly, he knew his paramedics were alright. At least physically, they were fine according to the man he'd spoken with on the phone. And even though he didn't know anymore than that, that's what he was holding onto as he navigated his way through the traffic, Matt sure he would lose his mind otherwise as the thought of Gabby being in a situation like that made him sick to his stomach.

Because this was his wife, and he needed to know that she was safe.

Though as he continued driving, that thought was what caused a sudden realization to hit him, Casey's eyebrows furrowing as it began to dawn on him that this had nothing to do with her being his wife. That he wasn't called because the two of them were married.

He was called because he was their Chief.

On some level, he knew that. That the reason he'd been told about what happened is because these were his paramedics, and it was his job to make sure they were okay. But he hadn't been thinking that way when he got the call, as the entire drive here he'd only been thinking like a husband. That his wife was in trouble, and she needed him. Those were the only thoughts running through his mind.

But he couldn't react that way. No matter how badly he wanted to, he couldn't go in there like a husband who was trying to protect his wife, that would get him nowhere. Even if all he wanted to do was go and get Gabby out of there. But he knew he couldn't.

Cause right now, he was their Chief first. And he had to react accordingly.

Which he had every intention of doing. But that didn't mean his priorities had changed, as nothing would stop him from checking on Gabby the second he got there. Regardless of his title, her safety was all that mattered to him right now. Her and Jemma both. And everything else could wait.

Soon enough, Casey turned the corner to head down the street towards his paramedics, the handful of cop cars surrounding ambulance 61 only making this even more real as he was getting an up close look at just how serious this had been. There were officers everywhere, coming in and out of the building as well as gathering outside around the rig, their cars setting up a perimeter to keep bystanders away.

But he was able to navigate around all of that, his marked vehicle letting him get up to the building before he all but jumped out the door and jogged towards the building, his focus completely shifting the second he saw Gabby and Jemma sitting on the front steps.

There was a cop standing behind them, almost like he was keeping an eye out for them while they sat close together, Gabby leaning down towards Jemma while Norris had her arm wrapped around her. And despite his quick movements, neither of them had noticed him, not until he was called out Dawson's name as he got onto the sidewalk.

"Gabby! Hey, are you okay?" He asked somewhat frantically as he got to them, the two paramedics both looking up before pulling away from each other slightly, the movement helping him to get a better look at her as he crouched down in front of them. And even though he'd just gotten here, Gabby almost immediately started to feel more at ease, as there was just something about her husband's presence that managed to keep her calm. "Are you alright, baby?" He breathed out, the term of endearment slipping from his lips before he could stop it as he instinctively brought her into a tight hug, Matt holding onto her for a few moments before he pulled back and continued to look over her. Like he was searching for any visible sign of something wrong that he might've missed the first time around.

"I'm okay." She replied, her soft voice bringing a sad smile to his face as he placed his hand over her leg gently, the look in his eyes telling her he was hesitant to trust what she was saying. "Really, I'm alright… We both are." She added on before taking a deep breath, Matt's features softening before he gave her a slow nod.

He believed what she was saying, that she truly was alright, but despite her being okay he could tell she was a little shaken. And with all she'd struggled with in the past, he understood it.

She had gone through so much trauma, especially these last few years, and this was just yet another thing she'd have to endure, as whatever exactly had happened inside that ambulance was no doubt terrifying.

"Can you tell me what all happened?" Casey asked carefully, his eyes lingering on Gabby for a moment before he glanced towards Jemma, as even though he knew some of what had gone on he wanted to hear it from them.

"Yeah, uh-" Norris started, the woman clearing her throat before she continued. "We came here for a call, and the woman refused our help so we were leaving. But while we were in the rig, filling out paperwork, this guy came out of nowhere with a gun, wanting some of the medication we had." She explained to him, her voice surprisingly steady as Casey hung onto her every word.

Over the next ten minutes or so, Jemma and Gabby both went into more detail about what had happened, as they knew as their Chief, Casey needed to know everything. So they went through all of it, Jemma speaking more than Gabby as Matt stayed close to his wife, the man grimacing every few moments as he hated to hear what all they had gone through. Especially each time he heard about that gun being pointed at his wife, as he couldn't help the urge he was feeling to go find this man and put him in the ground.

"So yeah, after that he just left. And we called main to let them know what happened, then the cops came and, well- you know the rest." Jemma breathed out, her hands clenching together in front of her as Matt gave her an understanding nod. "We've already talked to the cops, they caught the guy." She added on, seeing the way Casey almost immediately relaxed just for a moment.

"They did?"

"Mhmm, he's in custody… I don't know much else though, with everything going on I didn't really care to ask."

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll talk to them." Matt assured her, before reaching one hand out to gently pat her arm, while keeping his other palm firmly on Gabby. "You all have done enough… Did you get checked out?" He questioned, as his eyes started to move over his wife once more.

"We didn't." Gabby answered him, Casey pursing his lips together as he thought over his next words before speaking up.

"Do you need to?" He pushed, Dawson drawing in a deep breath before shaking her head. "He didn't… He didn't hurt you?" His voice started to falter a bit, like he was almost afraid of their answer as he looked in between Gabby and Jemma, before his gaze ultimately stopped on Norris.

The two watched each other, Matt's mind racing as he refused to look away from her, almost like he was checking to make sure she hadn't left anything out about what this man had done.

"Either of you?" Matt continued on when he had yet to get an answer, Jemma soon shaking her head in response.

"No, he didn't… He didn't touch us." She told him directly, as Norris got the feeling those were words Casey needed to hear out loud.

And from the quick, yet intense, look of relief that flashed in his eyes, she knew her assumptions were correct.

"Alright." He spoke after a moment, Casey taking some time to gather his thoughts while he looked back towards Gabby. Neither of them said anything at first, their eyes locking on each other as their stares said more than words ever could, before Gabby gave him a slight nod.

And with that quiet conversation, Matt knew for sure that his girl was alright. That even with how unsettled she was, Gabby was still doing okay under the circumstances. And he figured that was the best he could hope for right now, as until he could get a minute alone with her this would have to do.

"I'm gonna go and talk to an officer, if you two are good." He finally spoke up once more after letting out a heavy breath, Jemma nodding first before Gabby soon followed with a much softer nod.

"We're good, Casey." Norris spoke, Matt swallowing thickly before his gaze returned to Dawson.

"I'm fine." She told him, though her words were hard to hear as she was practically whispering, Casey pausing for a second before he nodded.

"Okay, well I'll be right back. You two can stay here… We'll talk more in a bit, maybe about you two just heading home for the day." He suggested, as his thumb was gently running along the inside of Gabby's knee. But neither of his paramedics seemed to be too impressed by the idea. Jemma especially.

"I'm alright to stay Casey." She tried, Gabby soon nodding in agreement.

"You sure?"

"Mhmm." She held her ground, Matt giving her a nod before he turned his sole focus towards his wife.

"And you're sure, too? Cause it's okay if you're not." He murmured, knowing this was something he had to approach cautiously. "I'd never make you go home if you feel okay working, but it's an option… You could go home, and spend the day with the girls if you think that would be better for you." He said softly, Gabby giving him a small smile as she reached out to cup the side of his cheek. "It wouldn't be a problem, you just gotta tell me."

"I appreciate it, but I'm okay to stay… I promise." She told him one last time, Matt giving her a soft smile before he nodded.

"Alright, I just wanted to check." He spoke, Matt rubbing over her leg once more before he carefully pushed himself up, the husband stopping to press a gentle kiss to Gabby's head before he started walking away. "I'll be right back, then we can head back to the house."

Leaving his paramedics where he found them, Matt made his way across the street to an officer he recognized well, from having seen this man on many calls over the years. And while he wasn't sure if he was officially in charge of the scene or not, he figured this was a good place to start, as Casey needed some information that Gabby and Jemma hadn't been able to give him.

"Casey." The older man greeted as he got up to him, the few cops around him dispersing while Matt shook the man's hand. "I didn't realize these were your paramedics involved in this."

"Yeah, they are. 61's from my house." He breathed out, before glancing back towards the women. "...And Dawson, she's my wife."

"Shit, man." The officer said under his breath, Casey giving him a knowing look before crossing his arms over his chest. "I had no idea."

"Yeah." Matt responded shortly. "So I'd love to know everything that happened… Norris said you all caught the guy?"

"We did, pretty soon after we got here… He wasn't the brightest, didn't go very far." The older man explained. "And it turns out, the woman who made the call was a part of this."

"What?"

"Mhmm, the woman who called for an ambulance?" The officer started, Matt giving him a nod. "She's this guy's cousin… Apparently they planned this whole thing."

A heavy scoff left Casey's lips before his hand came up to rub over his mouth, Matt doing what he could to take in all of this. "...Just for some drugs?" He questioned, earning a regretful nod from the man across from him. "They decide to terrorize two paramedics, just for a little bit of drugs."

"People do crazy things when they're desperate." He mused, Matt shaking his head lightly before he continued on. "But yeah, she was in on it. So they'd both been taken into custody."

"Good. And thank you, for taking care of this."

"Of course, I hope they're okay."

"Yeah, they're alright… Or they will be." Matt told him, the two men shaking hands one last time before the Chief started walking away. But he didn't get very far before the officer spoke up once more.

"Oh, and just so you know." He started, Casey turning back around with his hands resting over his hips. "The gun this guy had, it was a fake."

Matt's eyebrows furrowed as he spoke, his head tilting to the side slightly before taking a small step forward. "What?"

"He was using a fake pistol." He repeated, Matt forcing himself to draw in a deep breath as he was trying to work through the conflicting feelings suddenly coursing through him. "It was probably just to scare them, and help him get what he wanted… But he couldn't have hurt them with it, they were never in any real danger."

Those last few words caused Casey's spine to straighten before his face hardened, as he couldn't help but be offended by what he'd said. Even if that wasn't his intention. "Yeah, well they didn't know that." He spoke roughly. "They were cornered in the back of that ambulance thinking some psycho was shoving a loaded gun in their faces, I'd say that's some pretty 'real danger'." He nearly spat, the older man soon shaking his head before lifting his hand up into the air. "He could've done any number of things to them, with or without a gun."

"Sorry Casey, I didn't mean it like that." He soon corrected, Casey forcing himself to take a steadying breath before he nodded. "I just meant he wouldn't have been able to actually pull the trigger." He explained further, Matt giving him a slight nod before he turned around without another word and started to head back towards his medics, the firefighter not wanting to spend any more time away from Gabby than he already had as he was more than ready to get both her and Jemma out of here.

Casey sat quietly at the desk in his office, his eyes focused down on the few papers in front of him while his wife slept peacefully across the room, Gabby having been there pretty much the entire time since they'd returned from that hard call earlier in the afternoon. When Casey and the paramedics got back to the house, everyone was rightfully worried, but after assuring them they were okay Matt and Gabby had come back here to get some seclusion from everyone else, Casey making it rather clear that he wanted her to stay with him for a while. And she had no objections to that, as after talking for a little bit Gabby had fallen asleep on his couch.

He wasn't sure if it was the most professional thing for a Chief, having his PIC sleeping in his office, but right now he didn't care as all that mattered to him was that he knew she was okay. That's all that would ever matter to him. No matter what position he held within the firehouse, or even the entire CFD, Gabby would always come first. Every single time, his family came first. And that wasn't something that would ever change.

Which meant that now, Gabby would be able to sleep in here for as long as she needed, as her body was currently curled up underneath his Chief's jacket, while her head was propped up comfortably on one of the pillows, the sound of her soft snores telling him she was in a very deep sleep. One she had been in for a couple hours now.

And after everything that happened, he was more than grateful for that, as all he wanted for her was to continue to get some rest. Though as she did, it was almost impossible for his mind not to wander back to what took place at their last call, as Casey was still trying to shake off some of the worry he was still feeling for his wife.

He'd tried to distract himself with paperwork while she slept, and it had worked for a while as he'd managed to get through a lot of what he needed to get done. But it hadn't cleared his mind completely, as every now and then he'd be taken back to getting that call earlier today. To hearing about what all Gabby had gone through, and how he wasn't there to stop it.

Rationally, he knew nothing that happened today was his fault. That he was in no position to keep Gabby and Jemma out of harm's way, as they had no reason to suspect it was anything other than a normal call. But as a Chief, and more importantly as a husband, he couldn't help but feel like he failed her. That he failed them, as he wished there was more he could've done to make sure they were never in that situation in the first place.

But he knew there was nothing to be done about it now. That all he could do was help afterwards, by being there for Gabby, and Jemma if she needed, as he'd taken all the steps he could to make sure his paramedics were alright. Which included keeping them out of service for a little bit.

He hadn't officially pulled them from the job, but after seeing how they were both a little too shaken after what happened Casey made the call to dispatch, and basically ordered them to only call out 61 if absolutely necessary. And considering their ambo hadn't been out since, he figured they got the memo loud and clear, Matt hoping that these few hours off the job would help to settle them a little bit after everything they went through. Even though Jemma and Dawson both had assured him they were alright.

And he believed them. He truly did. He trusted Gabby when she told him she was fine, and he knew better than anyone how capable Dawson and Norris were. But still, he worried. It was just who he was, especially when it came to Gabby and things like this. So he felt like he had every reason to worry a little bit, because not only did he know first hand how she responded in situations like this, but he also knew, from his own experience, that there was nothing easy about someone pulling a gun on you.

Unlike what he went through, the gun today had, thankfully, been fake. But the fear they felt was very real, and no matter how strong a person is, something like that is bound to rattle you. Even after he told Gabby and Jemma back at the scene that the weapon wasn't real, that didn't erase how terrified they were at the time, and those were all feelings they would have to work through. They wouldn't just be able to get over something like this immediately.

And no one would expect them to.

A soft knock on his closed door pulled Matt from his thoughts, the firefighter shaking his head lightly before he looked up to see Norris standing outside his office, Casey almost immediately waving her in as he dropped his pen down onto the desk.

"Hey, sorry." She spoke quietly as she glanced towards her sleeping friend. "I don't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to let you know that dinner was ready." She continued, keeping her voice low in an effort to not wake Dawson, while Matt gave her a small smile.

"You're fine Jemma, and thank you." He answered her, the two sharing a grateful look before Norris' gaze moved back towards her partner, Gabby completely oblivious to everything going on around her as she was still fast asleep. "How are you doing?" Matt questioned once he noticed his friend almost zone out, Jemma snapping herself out of her head as she glanced back his way, it taking her a few seconds to register what he'd said before she spoke up.

"I'm uh… I'm hanging in there." She responded honestly, as now that all of that initial adrenaline had worn off, she was starting to feel all of this more. "But I'm doing alright."

Casey gave her a nod, before his eyes moved back towards Gabby, both Matt and Jemma looking her way as Norris spoke up once more. "...How is she?" Jemma asked back, as they hadn't really seen each other much since getting back to the house.

"She's hanging in there, too." Casey answered after taking a deep breath, the man able to see the clear concern in Jemma's gaze, as it was obvious she was worried for her. And Matt couldn't say he was surprised to see it, as Norris knew better than most about everything Gabby had gone through, and what she still held with her. "But I think she's doing pretty well, all things considered."

"Good, that's good." She responded softly, Jemma sighing softly as her weight shifted between her feet. "Well, uh.. I'll leave you two, I just wanted to let you know about dinner." She spoke, Matt nodding as she began to head for the door. But before she could get too far, his voice stopped her.

"Wait, Jemma." He said, Casey only speaking loud enough to make sure she heard him, the man glancing towards his sleeping wife before he started to push himself up from his seat and head towards her. The entire time he moved, Jemma stood by the door with a questioning look on her face, her eyebrows furrowed together slightly while she waited to hear what he had to say. "I, um...Everything today, what happened with that guy. Gabby told me more about what you did." He told her, Jemma swallowing thickly as her arms crossed over her chest. "How you tried to keep him from her." Casey finished, watching as her head angled towards the ground.

After their talk earlier at the scene, Matt knew everything that had happened. But once he and Gabby got back to his office, she began to go into more detail that hadn't been shared earlier. And when she did, it was then he realized that Jemma had been a bit modest in her explanations of how everything went down. How she hadn't mentioned the part about where she did all she could to keep that man's focus- and gun, off of Gabby. And that was something he could never repay her for.

"And I just wanted to thank you for that." He continued on, Norris breathing in deeply as she lifted up her head. "I can only imagine what it was like for you two in that ambulance, but the fact that even during something like that, you were still trying to keep Gabby safe, that… That means everything to me, and to her. So thank you."

Jemma gave him a soft smile before she shrugged, her eyes glancing back towards her partner for a split second when she spoke up. "I… It was just instinct." She breathed out, while Casey reached over to squeeze her arm gently. "I didn't want her to get hurt. Especially not when she has those babies at home who need her." Jemma continued on, her words causing Matt's eyes to close for a moment as the weight of all of this washed over him once more. "So, yeah. That's really all I was thinking about… And she did just as much for me back there, too."

Blowing out a slow breath, Casey nodded before he brought her in for a quick, yet meaningful hug. One that held so much emotion as the events of today had left them all feeling so many things.

"Thank you." Casey repeated, his hand rubbing over her back as Jemma gave him a squeeze, before slowly pulling back.

"You don't need to thank me Matt, I've always got her back." She reminded him, the man smiling softly as he nodded.

"I know you do." He answered, Casey patting her shoulder for a moment before he took a slight step towards the couch. "But I'm gonna thank you for it, anyway." Matt reminded her, Jemma giving him a small smile before she nodded, the two sharing one last understanding look until Casey turned his full attention back towards wife. "And thanks too, for dinner… I'll get Gabby up and see if she's hungry."

Jemma nodded at him before she quietly left the office, pulling the door closed behind her while Casey made his way over towards Gabby. Through all their conversation, and all the movement, she hadn't stirred once, Matt almost hating to wake her up. But she'd been asleep for a while now, and he worried if she didn't get up soon she might not be able to sleep tonight.

Releasing a soft sigh, Casey crouched down beside the couch once he got to her, his hand reaching out to rest over the side of her head before he gently started to stroke her face. His touch was light, Matt's thumb just barely brushing over her smooth skin while his palm cradled her head, the man hoping his soft hold would help to wake her up easily as the last thing he wanted was to startle her.

"Babe." He whispered when he saw Gabby gradually starting to wake up, her nose scrunching up slightly as she was slowly coming into consciousness. But from her demeanor alone, he could tell it was something she was fighting every step of the way, as she clearly didn't want to wake up right now. "I'm sorry babe, I was gonna let you sleep." Casey continued on when she became more alert, Gabby releasing a soft groan while instinctively leaning into his touch. "But dinner's ready, and I wasn't sure if you were hungry."

He gave her a few seconds to register what she'd said while continuing to rub her head, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before slowly nodding.

"Yeah." She mumbled, her voice thick with sleep as Casey could help but smile, before he leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead, Gabby finding his warmth comforting.

"Do you wanna eat out there, or in here?" He offered, watching her take another deep breath before she responded.

"Here." She murmured, Matt able to tell how his wife was still pretty much half asleep.

"Alright.. I'll go and get our dinner." He told her, Gabby nodding once more as she had yet to open her eyes, his hand staying put over her head while she cuddled deeper into his jacket. "And while you were sleeping Becca sent some pictures and videos of the girls, if you wanna look at those while we eat."

"Yeah, I do." She answered, her words becoming a bit more clear the more she started to wake up, Gabby starting to stretch out her legs while Casey pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "...I love you."

Her sweet words caused that smile to return to his face, Matt looking down at his wife with nothing but love and admiration in his eyes, before he leaned back down towards her to place a soft kiss over her cheek. "I love you, too."

"And thank you." She added on, Casey's eyebrows furrowing as he pulled back from her. "For being there for me today."

He felt his heart tug in his chest at her soft words, Matt continuing to rub soothing patterns over her head before he slowly nodded. "Always, baby." He told her before giving her one last kiss, Casey lingering for a few seconds until he pulled away from her and began to head towards the door. And while Casey broke out from his office for the first time in hours to get him and Gabby some food, Dawson took her time waking up as she continued to lay curled up on the comfortable couch, the woman in no hurry to move until her husband came back as all she wanted right now was to be with him.

And she knew that's exactly what he wanted, too.