The atmosphere of the bar was a pleasant one. Having never been here before, you weren't sure what to expect, but even if you doubted that you'd have a good time, you couldn't find it within yourself to doubt your new friends.

You had met Gabby and Sylvie a few months prior at what could be considered your "new" job. With Gabby trying her hand at firefighting, Firehouse 51 was in need of a new P.I.C. Having been assigned there a few times while in the floater pool, it wasn't a completely new experience walking onto the apparatus floor. You knew everybody on third shift and were on your way to getting close to a few of them.

Still, that didn't minimize the anxiety of being the "new person".

It was clear on day one how different this house was. They trusted one another. They were there for each other. And more importantly, they supported one another. In a job like this, that's all you can ask for.

Knowing that this house is a family, you couldn't help admitting to yourself that you wanted to be a part of it.

That's why you were pleasantly surprised when you were invited out to a place called Molly's following the end of your first official shift as a permanent paramedic on Ambo 61. Though bars weren't your typical hang-out spot, you felt somewhat obligated to go once you learned that Molly's was a first responder bar that many of your new co-workers frequented. Wanting to keep up the good first impression, you found yourself putting on a cute outfit and heading there a few hours after shift.

Once you arrived, you were immediately accosted by the two women you now called friends. One, you were surprised to learn, was actually part-owner of the bar you were in!

Tonight was her night off, so we decided to sit at a table towards the back. Since it was her establishment we agreed to meet at, Gabby offered to get the first round. Since they had invited you out, you offered to get the second.

So there you stood, waiting by the bar, hoping to get someone's attention. As you waited, you felt another presence occupy the space next to you.

Turning your head, you were surprised to see that it was a familiar face.

"Lieutenanut Severide." you said smiling in lieu of an actual greeting.

He repeated your last name back to you through his own small smile before making eye contact with you. In that moment, you felt a rush of nerves that only appeared around Kelly dance throughout your body. You weren't sure why, but he had a way of making you pleasantly anxious.

That's why you tried your best to seem unaffected.

"Was there something I could help you with?" you asked, a little confused as to why he seemed to be hovering closer to you.

His smile seemed to grow when he responded with a question of his own,

"Just wondering if you have a problem with calling me, 'Kelly'."

A little dumbfounded, you asked, "Why would you wonder such a thing?"

His smile finally turned bashful as he avoided your gaze while he answered you.

"Well, we've known each other a few months now. I figured we should be on a first name basis."

His eyes locked with yours as he finished his statement.

A moment passed between the two of you where you didn't say anything, but a thousand words were exchanged nonetheless.

The moment was interrupted as Herrmann finally stood in front of you on the other side of the bar and cleared his throat.

You broke eye contact with Kelly to look at the older firefighter whose own eyes were flickering back and forth between the two of you. You knew if your complexion allowed it, your face might've been flaming red.

Luckily, your shade of brown allowed the awkwardness to pass without any acknowledgment and you were able to place your drink order with no problems. When Herrmann stepped away to fulfill the order, you casually turned back towards Severide.

"There's a difference between knowing a person and simply knowing of a person"

If you were being honest with yourself, you would admit that Kelly was one of the people you were on your way to getting close with. You found yourself stopping by his office more often during the days when you were just a floater filling in. He would station himself next to you and find ways to make you laugh on the days where the bell refused to go off. And you both seem to be accepting just how natural it was to be around one another.

That's why it didn't come as a surprise when Kelly's eyes narrowed in a challenge as he doubtfully asked, "...and you think we're the latter?"

Since your walls were up and you weren't quite sure you were ready to let them down, your brow raised in a challenge of its own when you questioned him.

"You don't?"

Kelly was known for having a reputation with women. You weren't one to judge a book by its cover, but you also didn't want to get your hopes up for something that obviously wasn't going to happen.

You both paused again when Herrmann returned with your drinks. You made a reach for your wallet when you were cut off by Kelly's voice.

"You can put it on my tab, Herrmann."

Herrmann nodded with a smile on his face before going off to help other patrons.

It was your turn for a bashful smile to spread across your face. He didn't have to pay for those drinks.

Just as you were about to thank him for paying, he cut you off again with a surprise declaration.

"I know enough about you to know that I like you."

The shock of his words left you speechless for a moment before a bubble of laughter left your lips as you lightly replied.

"Yeah, and I like you too Severide. Doesn't mean I know enough for us to have a relationship outside of work."

Because you didn't know. You didn't know if he felt the pull you did. You didn't know what you would do if he did. You especially didn't know what you would do if he didn't. And because you didn't want to take the chance to find out, you had to keep him at arm's length.

But it was becoming increasingly clear that Kelly felt differently.

"I agree that we don't know everything about each other, but I'd like that to change."

This time, you couldn't keep the astonishment off your face as you finally began to understand the implications of his words. Your astonishment only grew when he continued.

"I'd like you to get to know me, and I'd like the chance to get to know you."

A small laugh of disbelief slipped out as you began to shake your head.

"You couldn't handle me," you said in that still astonished voice.

You slightly turned back to the bar to pick up your drinks in order to head back over to your table, but Kelly caught your elbow.

"Is that a challenge?" he asked with a confident smirk.

You narrowed your eyes playfully as you asked a question of your own.

"Is that what you think this is?" Both thrilled and terrified to hear the answer.

Kelly's hand that was clutched at your elbow let go to brush his fingers against yours as he said, "No, I know that's not what this is," before slowly pulling away.

His face looked like it was preparing for rejection as he tried to use your tactic and put some distance between you two. Before he got too far, you deliberately called out, "Hey Kelly?"

He looked back up to you in surprise before his face transformed into a brilliant smile.

"I look forward to seeing you next shift" you finished with a shy smile of your own.

His smile only widened when he said, "Likewise" before finally allowing you to walk back to your table.