A/N : Thank you for your feedback on the first chapter of this new story, it makes me happy and pushes me to continue! I hope you will like this new chapter, I had already written this second part when I first published it! So have a good read!

G.


Gabby had joined Puerto Rico a little over a month ago, after a whirlwind stint in Chicago that left her with a bittersweet taste. Certainly, she knew she was not the best at communicating, she should have told her husband about this offer that made her extend her contract on the island and that her position becomes a permanent position. She had worked as a volunteer for two months, helping and rescuing was second nature to her, that's what made her vibrate, what made her feel useful, alive. After the bad news she had faced in her life, she had felt this need to get away for a while, not from her husband, whom she loved more than anything, but from her life and its share of suffering. Arriving in Puerto Rico, she had discovered an island in the process of being rebuilt ,but also scenes of chaos, and she was honored that she had been thought of to help these devastated people. She then took the lead of a small group of rescuers with whom they traveled the island to provide first aid to families and children who were still living in camps or in very precarious conditions. She also did a few shifts at the San-Juan hospital as an emergency nurse, and how much she loved that. The adrenaline. The human contact. Several years ago, she had given up on the idea of going back to medical school, but in this moment, she found what made her vibrate deep within herself. In all the missions she carried out, she felt comfortable, competent, fulfilled, and above all, useful. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. Life had not spared her in recent years, and this mission in Puerto Rico represented a breath of fresh air, a new beginning. That's why when Chief Hatcher offered her a permanent position, she couldn't say no. She should have told Matt, of course, but she was too excited. She had then taken a plane ticket to Chicago to surprise him, tell him the news and make him an offer, but unfortunately things had not gone as she wished. She had suggested that they change their lives, that he come with her to Puerto Rico, but he had replied that he was a Chicago Guy, which had hurt her and left her speechless. They had then talked a little, she had taken her things, they had said their goodbyes and she had returned to Puerto Rico, both happy to be there and broken. Broken by the words of the one who was still her husband at the moment.

During her last month on the island, she had been looking for accommodation and found a spacious and comfortable one-bedroom apartment close to Condado Beach, with a beautiful view of the ocean and the beach. Instead of cold Chicago days, she woke up every day to beautiful ocean views from all four corners of the home. The apartment was comfortable, had a bedroom and a bathroom, an equipped kitchen in which she took pleasure in exercising another of her passions, and above all it was perfectly placed, in one of the nicest places in town and everything was within walking distance. She had forged good relationships with her team, her colleagues at the hospital and her circle was expanding a little more every day. Chief Hatcher had made her her right-hand woman on the spot. She was in charge of the coordination of the rescue teams, she had to organize the teams, distribute the aid on the territory, according to the needs, and with her close team composed of Juan, Adam, Holly, Daniela, and the famous Chout, they were about to open a dispensary in one of the city's most underprivileged neighborhoods. Besides that, she was still doing some nursing in the hospital emergency room. Her days were busy, but when she found herself alone at home, and despite her incredible apartment and all that it offered her, she could not stop thinking and brooding. Her marriage had been shattered within weeks. One day they were talking about having a baby and starting a family of their own, and the next day she was told she couldn't get pregnant safely because of an aneurysm that could kill her if she gave birth to a child and everything had shattered into a thousand pieces. She wanted nothing more than to give her husband the child he had always dreamed of, and she was, a few months later, sitting alone in another state, thousands of miles away from the man whom she had always dreamed of and she loved, lost in thought, feeling the tears rolling down her cheeks as she heard only the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach in front of her. She was here, alone, because her husband had chosen a city instead of his wife, because he had chosen Chicago instead of her. She was broken and was throwing herself wholeheartedly into work to avoid thinking. She looked good and put on a brave face, and her group of colleagues had become an infallible support for her. Their days off, they took advantage of everything the island had to offer them, they took advantage of the beach, the ocean, walks in the mountains, in town. She had found some balance, but a part of her was missing, and always would be. She couldn't get the voice of her soul mate out of her head, telling her, "I'm a Chicago Guy," the line that it all ended with. They hadn't spoken since that day. Several times, she had wanted to call him or send him a message, but to tell him what? Words failed her. She was once again lost in thought when there was a knock on her door.

« Hi guys! » she said, discovering Juan and Adam in front of her, in flowered shorts and hats on their heads. She looked them up and down questioningly, frowning and pursing her lips to stifle a laugh.

« A little party on the beach, pretty brunette? » Adam asked her, lifting a cooler containing everything they needed to have a good time, beers and other refreshments, chips and other delicacies of all kinds.

« Hmm, that's tempting! » she smiled, trying to hide the fact that just moments ago tears were clouding her vision. « Let me change, » she told them, letting them make their way into her apartment. They settled in like they were at home, which made her roll her eyes. These two had always been there for her since the first day she had set foot on Puerto Rican soil, they got along wonderfully well and were one hell of a team.

Gabby came back to the living room a few minutes later, and caught them on the balcony admiring the view. She wore a delicate lava halter neck style, triangle cup bikini with a long ivory kimono-style robe featuring extra long ties. She braided her long black hair in an African braid and tied a head wrap on the top of her head in shades of lava, turquoise and blue. « I am ready! » she said, and the boys turned around simultaneously. In a James Bond style effect, Adam and Juan simultaneously lowered their sunglasses to admire her, « Wow! ». Gabby rolled her eyes and smiled at their behavior, she took her bag and headed for the beach, the two men in her heels.

They set up their towels on the sublime beach of Condado, and were quickly joined by Holly and Daniela and their respective boyfriends, then by Chout equipped like a native of Chicago under the blazing Puerto Rican sun. Gabby settled between Juan and Adam, they all discussed together between two swims, toasted to their respective projects, both personal and professional. « Soon, we will meet here to celebrate the official opening of the dispensary! » Daniela smiled, and they were all so proud of that.


Matt and Kelly landed in the early afternoon in Puerto Rico. Kelly had booked two hotel rooms in the vibrant Condado neighborhood. He didn't know the island at all when he decided to put his plan in place, but he had inquired and he saw that it was a fairly central and dynamic part of the city. A taxi dropped them off, they took possession of their rooms and rested for a few hours.

« How good is this sun! » Kelly spoke as they emerged from the hotel in the late afternoon.

« Yeah, it's hot! » Matt grumbled.

« You don't know what's good, do you! » Kelly patted him on the back.

« Okay, now what do we do? We don't even know where she is! » Matt ruminated again.

« To start, let's stop bitching, Casey! »

« I'm not grumbling, I see! This island is big, this city is huge, how do we do it? Do we hire a private detective? What's your plan? »

« Just imagine you have the private detective right in front of you! I conducted my investigation, I have connections! » Kelly smiled, proud of himself.

« Connections in Puerto Rico? » Matt looked at him with wide eyes.

« Yes, and you'd even be amazed to know who it is! »

« Damn, Severide, stop with all these mysteries! I'm already stressed enough as it is! »

« Okay, okay, let's relax! » Severide smiled as his cell phone vibrated. He answered and seemed to be looking for someone on the huge beach. « Ah, yes, yes, I see… Okay, okay… We're on our way! » he said to his mystery caller. Before hanging up, he motioned for Matt to follow him, and they continued on their way on the sand, not without another grunt from Matt.


At the end of the afternoon, although the heat was still strong, the colors began to change on the beach and the ocean, a moment that Gabby particularly appreciated. With her friends, they headed to Wicked Lily, one of the very rare beachfront bars in Condado, a place where they can chill on the beach and have some drinks, the perfect place for the golden hour and the sunset. They were all together on the outdoor seating directly overlooking the palm trees, the beach and the ocean, they each chose a cocktail and some small dishes. Gabby and Adam, arms resting on the railing, were talking quietly while drinking their cocktails and admiring the sun going down little by little towards the sea. Gabby's eyes shone in front of such a spectacle, this moment filled her heart with joy and fullness.


Matt and Severide finally arrived at their destination. Severide was still on his phone, which was starting to annoy Matt, who had no idea what was going on. "Okay, are you going to tell me what we're doing now" Do you really think I came all the way to Puerto Rico to go bar hopping? »

« Hey, hey, calm down! » Severide puts a hand on his chest. « What do you think I'm doing here? Dude, I'm doing everything to help you, so you'll have to trust me a little bit on this one! » he glared at him. « I'm accompanying you here, I've organized everything so far. Do you really think I'm here to enjoy the Puerto Rican night life? » Matt shook his head no. « Do you trust me? » Severide finally asked him calmly.

« Yeah, yeah… » Matt answered a little ashamed.

« Good, now let's go! » he pulled open the front door of the bar and invited him inside. A waiter accompanied them to the outdoor terrace, they settled comfortably on the white benches and Severide ordered two beers. While waiting for their drinks, Matt flopped down on the couch and finally began to relax. As for his friend, his eyes scanned the place long, wide and across. As the waiter brought them their beers and some tapas, he finally saw what he was looking for. She was back, arms on the railing, admiring the setting sun. She was surrounded by two men, a tall blond and a dark-haired man of Hispanic origin, they were discussing calmly. At that precise moment, Matt followed his best friend's gaze, and his eyes instantly landed on a petite brunette. Severide sensed his friend fidgeting next to him, and turned his attention back to him, « It's okay, do you understand now? ».

« It's her… » Matt stammered.

« Yes, man! You should trust me more! » Severide teased him.

Matt wasn't moving anymore, his eyes were fixed on her silhouette in the orange colors of the sunset. The overall image was bold, brilliant and rich. The glowing sun, a crisp circle in the bloody sky, illuminated a quivering path across the water just in front of her. It bathed the ocean's meek waves and the wispy clouds in a burning red. Matt saw nothing but the reflection of the woman he loved among those warm colors. She was toasting with the two men around her, and he felt a pang of jealousy deep inside him. One of their female companions took a picture of them with their backs to her, then she asked them to turn around to continue the session. They turned at the same time, Gabby was still in a bikini with her beach kimono tied loosely at the waist. One of the two men, put his arm around her waist while the other put his head on top of hers, she was laughing at the top of her lungs, she seemed happy, and the jealousy that Matt felt only increased. Who were they? Had she already rebuilt her life? He then recognized a voice, « Chout? » he whispered. Severide smiled at him. « Your spy was Chout? » he laughed. « God, I didn't even know he was here! » Matt laughed back. Severide handed him his beer, and they toasted.

« Now your fate is yours! » Severide winked at him. « It's all in your hands! ».

Matt continued to observe the scene unfolding in front of him, she seemed happy. « She looks good… » he stated aloud. « Maybe it wasn't a good idea, maybe she's better off without me… Maybe she never wants to see me again, maybe she'll never forgive me… Maybe she… » he started to panic.

« There's only one way to find out! » Severide answered simply, he didn't want to walk on eggshells and tell him that everything was going to be fine, he had no idea what state of mind Gabby was in right now. Indeed, looking at her there, right away, now, living in the present moment, she seemed happy and peaceful, but maybe it was just a facade, maybe all of this was just helping her to forget, to put aside her feelings and think about something else.

« And who are these men sticking to her? » Matt let his jealousy speak. « The tall blond one don't let her go! » he growled again. He would so much like to be in his place. To have his wife in his arms, in front of a beautiful sunset and to see her smile and hear her laugh in a way that hadn't been the case for so long.

« Matt… Don't go down that path! » Kelly warned him.

« I couldn't stand it, » he confessed.

« Matt, listen to me. First of all, you have no idea who this guy is, who these guys are, these people, they may just be friends, acquaintances. And secondly, you would be in no position to judge if she was flirting... It's a bit like what you were still doing a few days ago with this journalist… »

« True enough, but it wasn't a blaze of glory! »

« So now you put all those thoughts aside and act before it's too late! » Severide encouraged his friend, nodding at Gabby. « If you want to go, go now! »

« I guess it's now or never. » Matt said, getting up in his place.

« Now all you have to do is take a deep breath and take the first step! »

Matt made his way to the left side of the terrace where Gabby and her group of friends were still drinking and taking pictures in front of the sublime landscape in front of them. Severide followed him discreetly, too curious to know what this meeting was going to give. He heard the discussions in the distance, nothing more banal between friends, the next outings, the organization of a hiking weekend. Matt was getting closer and closer to their table, he stopped behind the sofa. It was at this precise moment that Chout turned around, and discreet as he used to be, shouted a cheerful « Oh, Captain Casey! ». It was then that all eyes turned to Matt, the whole group obviously knowing the personal history of Gabby and in particular the name of her husband who remained in Chicago. Gabby, who was still leaning on the railing, talking, half hugged in Juan and Adam's arms, felt her heart stop for a second. She sat up, closed her eyes, swallowed, and mustered her courage to turn around. Then in an instant, her large brown eyes found themselves trapped in the blue eyes of the man she still called her husband. All eyes were fixed on them. Holly and Daniela seemed moved by how unreal the scene seemed after all that Gabby had been able to tell them about her past. Their boyfriends were withdrawn. Chout was kneeling on the sofa, his gaze juggling between these two people who had once been his colleagues. Juan and Adam still surrounded Gabby, the second putting his hand on Gabby's shoulder, which Matt noticed again.

« Gabby, » Matt whispered. She continued to stare at him, speechless. She didn't know what to say, she didn't understand what was going on, she even wondered if it was real or if it was a dream. « Hey, » he finally added, stepping closer to her. Gabby shook her head and seemed to come to her senses. « Gabby, say something, please, » he prompted her to speak on her lack of reaction to his presence here, in front of her. She had dreamed of it more than anything, that he join her, that they discover and enjoy a life totally different from the one they used to know in Chicago, and that they write a new page in their history. She wanted to jump on his neck, kiss him passionately and put her words aside, but her resentment and sadness quickly took over.

« Well, look at him, Chicago guy has left the city! » she said, coldly. Severide closed his eyes, not really surprised knowing Gabby's strong temper, but who could blame her?

« Gabby… », Matt just managed to say.

« What are you doing here? » she just asked him.

« I came all the way here to talk to you, » he answered.

« Oh, you want a gold star? » she told him, full of irony.

« Gabby, » the blonde guy next to her tried to calm her. All eyes were now on her, all looks were sad knowing how deeply hurt she was. Adam was stroking her back in comfort, which made Matt's blood boil.

« And you're? » Matt questioned in cold blood. « Obviously everyone seems to know me here, but I'm not so lucky. I may have interrupted you in a romantic moment. »

« Matt! » Severide finally intervenes.

« Ah, you're here too, isn't it wonderful! » Gabby mirthless chuckled.

« Hi, Gabby! » Severide smiled at her, but she didn't answer. She composed herself, put her cocktail on the table, and came dangerously close to Matt, who couldn't take his eyes off her cleavage, this lava like the sky colored bikini absolutely showing it off. Her caramel complexion had darkened even more and stood out perfectly under her white kimono. She was stunning, even if she was angry with him.

« You look great,» Matt managed to say.

« You took a five hour flight just to tell me how I look, seriously… » she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

« God, woman, take the compliment! » Kelly grumbled.

« Shut up, Kelly! » Matt and Gabby said simultaneously.

« Alright, alright! » he put his arms up in defense.

« At least they agree on something! » Juan laughed, next to Adam, who gave a faint smile. Matt looked at them, disenchanted, wondered who these guys were. He was determined to find out if Gabby was dating one of them.

« Okay, Gabby, listen, it doesn't seem like the right moment or the right place to do this, » he tried to take her hands in his, she didn't move which gave him some hope. « It might be that you don't feel like talking, but just hear me out. I know that this fight is far from over. Believe me, I know that you're hurting, but you can't blame me for all that's bad, » he continued, speaking the truth about what is in his head, and she knew he was right, that they're both their wrongs in the current situation. He exhaled before adding: « How did we get to this place? How does it get away? I don't even know who's right, who's wrong here, but, maybe we can try to start over. » He gave a final squeeze to her hands, « I hope we can clear the air. » He gave her a sad smile and turned on his heels to leave the bar.

Severide quickly approached Gabby, telling her the name of their hotel. He placed a kiss on her cheek, gave her a quick hug before joining Matt outside the establishment. Gabby remained planted in the middle of her friends, silent. The night had fallen. She was lost, completely lost. Matt's presence here that night brought everything back to the surface. She grabbed her drink, finished it bottoms up, took her bag and left. Running away, a specialty. Adam hesitated to follow her, but Juan shook his head no. « She needs to be alone, let her go. »


« That was a really bad idea! A fucking bad idea! » Matt shouted on the way back to their hotel. « My god, she's infuriating! » he got angry.

« Matt, Matt, calm down! What did you expect? You thought she was going to jump into your arms right here, right now, like nothing happened? »

« No, no... Of course, not! » Matt continued to thrash around. « I still thought she would talk to me, » he said, defeated.

« Give her time, it must have come as a shock to her! »

" Yeah, your right.»

« And you, now, what do you want deep inside? » as they entered the lobby of their hotel.

« I want to try to do better in the future, but I need her to meet me halfway… I can't do this alone. She wants to give up, but I won't let her! » he said, determined, before going to the elevators to join his room, under the proud gaze of Severide.


A/N : And that's it for the second chapter, I hope you loved it. I leave a bit of mystery about situations, relationships. Let me know what you thought of it by leaving me a review. Love, G.