It had been a while since she'd seen him so out of control, the last time hadn't ended well and she wasn't sure what to do to defuse the situation. Glasses were crashing to the ground with a terrifying smash as he threw them across the room. Shouting how he needed something and if she didn't give it to him she'd be sorry. Fear keeping her frozen to the spot even through she knew she should run, she could go to Kelly's, he knew a little about what Grant could be like. He wouldn't push her to speak to him, he'd just give her a safe haven. But she couldn't, she couldn't let anyone know how bad it had gotten. If they found out they'd look at her with pity in their eyes and she didn't want it. She didn't need it. She could handle this, if she just got him some he'd be ok. She wasn't lying when she said he was out, his stash empty. But it was the middle of the night and she had no idea if she'd even be able to before morning, by then though the apartment would be destroyed, she knew she had to try. Forcing her legs to move she made her way slowly and carefully to where her phone sat on the charger, scrolling through her contacts quickly finding the name she needed. Sending a quick text to make sure he was around, her fingers tapping nervously on the back of her phone as she waited, seeing him read the message and begin to type back.

I am! What do you need?

I need some, he's going crazy. Can you bring it over?

Give me five.

Relief swept over her knowing that once he got his fix he'd calm down, he'd stop breaking every item they owned. He'd stop yelling and pass out before to long. She could get some sleep before shift and everything would be fine, she'd have handled it and they'd be no reason to get anyone else involved. She could handle this, just like she'd been handling it. This was her fault she should have checked their cupboards and made sure he had enough. She wouldn't make that mistake again.

"Grant" she spoke calmly, approaching the raging man cautiously. "Grant"

He looked up at her the anger burning in his eyes not even registering who was in front of him, the glazed look completely blocking out all sense of normality and reasoning as he launched a glass at her. Stella ducked trying to avoid being hit as another object came hurtling across the room, smashing across her face before hitting the ground. A sharp pain mixed with the sensation of blood dripping swept over her, the tall brunette grabbing her face, instantly feeling the wetness as she applied pressure.

"Grant" she said more firmly, his head snapping round to look at her. The sight of her holding her bloody face seemingly strong enough to snap him out of his state.

"Shit Stella, baby I'm sorry."

"It's ok" she whimpered pulling away from his outstretched hand, the action only causing the rage to fill his eyes again.

"You made me do that." He said, his voice low and dangerous.

"I'm sorry" she said, stepping backwards trying to put some distance between herself and the man who she was once in love with.

"If you had just checked. This would never have happened."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"You're such a stupid fucking idiot. You know that don't you? Why did you make me do that?"

"Grant please."

"Why the fuck didn't you make sure the tub was full!?" He shouted. Stella flinching at his harsh tone, knowing if she didn't defuse the situation soon it was going to end badly. God it already had, how was she going to explain the cut to her face at work. People were sure to ask her about it, and she would have to think of something to tell them. She knew if anyone heard about this, she'd be in trouble. If they knew they'd confront him and that would make things so much worse. No she had to think of something to say.

"I'm sorry. He's coming over, he'll be here soon. It won't happen again." She said lowering herself into the corner, trying to make herself almost invisible to him. Knowing that in the past her cowering in the corner had resulted in him leaving her alone, satisfied that she had got the message and he didn't need to do anything else. But he kept advancing on her, he wasn't backing down. She'd made the call, she'd got him the stuff he needed, it was on its way and still he advanced on her, his fists clenched tightly at his side. Her small presence only giving him more advantage. She couldn't fight him, he was bigger than her, he had at least fifty pounds on her, he could hold her if he wanted.

"You stupid fucking bitch! You did this on purpose! You like me getting fucking fucked up! What the fuck is wrong with you?" He screamed at her, bending down and roughly grabbing her arms, forcing her to stand up as he slammed her against the wall. A loud pained gasp escaping her lips as her back landed against the hard wall, Grant not satisfied with only slamming her once as he grabbed her again, throwing her across the room, her body smashing into the coffee table as she fell. All the while he was screaming at her about how stupid she was, how she was nothing, nothing more than a fucking whore.

"That's all your good for!" He shouted pulling her back to her feet "a fucking shag! That's all I keep you here for. And to think I thought I loved you."

His words cutting her deeper than she wanted to admit, the pain in her body increasing as he gripped her tightly, the man dragging her across the hallway and throwing her full force on to their bed. Everything in her screamed, her body sore all over from the multiple times it had hit against hard surfaces, but with her mind swirling she couldn't think clearly enough to realize what he was about to do.

Loud knocking on the door pulled her out of her restless sleep. She ached, her body broken from the trauma of last night. Another loud knock and her eyes snapped open, the woman immediately regretting the action as the light flooded her sight making the pounding in her head even worse. Looking at the clock she saw it was late, much later than she expected, pushing the covers off herself she threw on a t shirt and padded bare footed towards the source of the noise.

"What are you doing here?" she asked confused as she opened the front door slightly, careful to not open it enough for anyone to be able to see inside the trashed apartment, her eyes falling upon the paramedics of fifty one.

"You're late for work Stella, is everything ok?" Dawson said looking at her with concerned eyes.

"Erm, yea. Sorry I over slept. Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready, I'll see you at the station." Stella said, pushing the door closed leaving both the paramedics stood outside, the concern overwhelming both of them as they decided to wait in the ambo for her, not wanting to leave the property until they had seen her properly. The firefighter only giving them a glimpse of herself from her position behind the door, neither one of them missing the huge cut on the side of her face.

Stella's body slumped against the closed door, she couldn't let them see inside, she couldn't let them see the carnage that surrounded her, and now she was late for work she knew they were going to want an explanation, one she couldn't give. She knew the chief would want to see her but she couldn't tell anyone the real reason she was late. She had to keep this secret, this wasn't anyone else's problem, no one could see the aftermath of last night. And no one could see the marks all over her body, shaking her head she padded as quietly as she could to the bathroom, switching the shower on and stepping inside, desperate to wash off any signs, signs she was sure everyone would be able to see. Scrubbing her body until it was sore, she thought over what she was going to say to the chief, to the other members of truck, to her lieutenant, but most importantly to Kelly. How was she going to explain her tardiness and the bruises, the cut to her face? How was she going to cover this up? He'd never caused her a mark that could be seen before, she knew it was her fault, she'd made him mad, really mad and it was her fault. She'd make it up to him though, she'd earn his forgiveness and then it'll be ok, they'd be ok again. She switched the facet off and made her way back into the bedroom, the man still asleep in the bed with a more relaxed look about him. Stella knowing that he would be wanting to sleep off the down he was sure to experience, moved around the room as quietly as she could, not wanting to wake him and anger him again. Throwing her charger into her shift bag before zipping it up and grabbing her keys, it had taken her all of half hour to get ready meaning she was now over two hours late for shift. Taking a deep breath she exited her apartment making her way to her Jeep outside, her eyes downcast and body moving on autopilot. She didn't even see her friends lent up against the side of sixty one, she didn't even register when a jogger almost ran into her. The paramedics giving each other a worried look as they watched her stumble about trying to find the right key to unlock her vehicle.

"Stella?" Brett said placing her hand on the firefighters shoulder, Stella hissing loudly and jumping out of her grasp. Her light touch causing the pain in her shoulder to be unbearable.

"What the?" Stella said swinging round to face them, seeing nothing but worry and concern shining back at her. "Brett, Dawson" she questioned looking between the two, "what are you still doing here?"

"We wanted to make sure you were ok?" Dawson said, her eyes tracing up and down her friends body, noticing some bruising on her wrists, her eyes resting upon the gash to her face. "What happened?"

"Nothing" Stella replied quickly, rolling her sleeves down. "It's nothing, I feel over in the kitchen with some glasses. I'm fine."

"You sure?" Brett questioned gently, the blonde also tracing her eyes down her friends body.

"I'm fine" Stella said more firmly, "Although I'm sure Casey and Chief are pissed at me." It was more of a question than a statement.

"They are more worried, it's not like you to be late for shift and to make no contact. That's why we came over. Kelly wanted to but chief didn't think it was wise."

Stella shook her head, that defiantly wasn't a good idea. For starters Kelly could see right through her bullshit, the man knowing more was going on than she let on but also knowing when to push her and when not. But if he had come to the house this morning, he would have insisted on coming inside and that would have opened up a whole lot of questions she wasn't ready to answer. And if Grant had woken and found the man he kept accusing her of sleeping with in their home it wouldn't have ended well. His rage last night was enough for her not to say anything, he repeatedly told her if she told anyone he would make sure it was the last thing she did, so she kept her mouth closed. But it was proving difficult when the Squad lieutenant and her had gotten close and he could read her like a book. "Yeah that was probably a good call." She mumbled, but they heard her none the less.

"Are you good to drive?" Brett asked noticing the firefighters shaky hands getting worse the longer they stood on the side walk.

Stella shoved them roughly into her pocket when she saw the blondes eyes focused on her hands. "Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you there." She forced her key into the door and rushed to sit down, flashing them both a weak smile as she pulled away from the curb.

"Ok, she is not ok" Dawson said walking back towards ambo and climbing up into the drivers seat.

"No she isn't" agreed Brett, "But you know she isn't going to tell us what happened, and I'm pretty sure she didn't fall in the kitchen."

"You think he did that?"

"I don't know, but I know somethings going on."

A tense silence fell over them as Dawson moved the ambo out onto the road, the paramedic making her way back to the house. Stella had been off for a little while now but no one had noticed it as much as the friends had, the firefighter locking herself away for the most part. Hiding in the bunk room as much as possible and making as little conversation as possible, only really speaking when spoken to. Even on the nights they'd been able to convince her to come out to Molly's with them she'd been withdrawn and unusually quiet. It worried her, it worried her a lot. Stella and Gabby had been through the academy together, Dawson had seen first hand some of the out bursts Grant could have, the man having appeared at the academy a few times over their time there, kicking off for one reason or another. But nothing had ever made Gabby think it was anything more than silly arguments, the man having gotten worked up over Severide being their instructor for some of the fire training exercises. She remembered one incident very clearly, they'd been working their way through the training tower, the Chicago winter being a bitter one, the icy paths making their jobs harder. Stella had entered the tower fine the first time round and successfully pulled the dummy out, but as she headed back inside she'd slipped on an icy patch, the tall woman hitting the ground with an almighty bang, every instructor running to her side as her head smashed against the hard floor. The woman being knocked out almost instantly, Severide had been the instructor to ride with her to the hospital, Gabby making her way over once her class had been dismissed only to be met by an concerned looking Kelly and a upset looking Stella. The lieutenant explaining that Grant had arrived and kicked off when he noticed him sat there, that he had hauled abuse at the both before storming back out of the hospital and never returning. After that Gabby saw a few changes in her, the firefighter seemingly keeping to herself, coming into class doing what she needed to and heading home. But she never questioned it, figuring that Stella would say something if she needed help but that had never happened and now she couldn't help but think maybe she'd missed signs. She couldn't do anything about her suspicions though if she couldn't get her to open up and she knew that wasn't going to be easy.

"Dawson" Brett's voice pulled her out of her head, the PIC looking up to notice they were back at the house already, the blonde looking at her with worried eyes.

"Sorry. Did you say something?"

"Erm, not really." Brett said tracing over her partners face, "What's up?"

"Did you mean what you said back at the apartment?"

Brett's face falling as she realized what had the other paramedic so concerned, "I don't know. But the way she was back there wasn't normal Stella behavior and I'm willing to bet my right leg that something more is going on."

"Do you think he's hitting her?"

Brett shook her head "I don't know" she said sadly. "I just know that somethings got her shaken."

Dawson nodded, her focus out the window as the two sat in the front of sixty one, neither of them wanting to move. Their thoughts bouncing around their heads. Gabby watching as the rest of the house seemed to move around as normal, the guys of squad sat playing a card game, while the truck guys were going through the compartments. Her eyes falling on one person in particular as he worked his way through the cab of eighty one, her gaze never moving from him as she thought about asking for his help. His bright blue eyes meeting her sad ones as he studied both the paramedics who were yet to exit their rig. Putting down his clip board he moved towards them, pulling open the passenger side door, Brett jumping as the action pulled her out of her thoughts.

"You two ok?" he asked his eyes settling on his wife.

"We're good Matt." Gabby assured him, "Is Stella here?"

Matt nodded releasing a deep breath as he did, the blonde lieutenant realizing what had the women rattled. "Yea, she arrived not long ago, she's in with the chief at the moment. Did she say anything to you?"

"No" Gabby shook her head, looking between her husband and partner, "She said she over slept, but I'm not sure she was telling us everything."

Casey rubbed over his face before speaking up again, "Did you see the gash on her face?"

Both the paramedics nodding but neither of them knowing what to say. Matt seeing the sadness in his wife's eyes as she thought over the injury her friend had.

"Kidd I need to know why you were late?" The Chief spoke, his eyes settling on the gash across her face. "It's very out of character for you, you are always prompt, is something going on?"

"No sir. I just forgot to put my alarm on Chief, it won't happen again."

Boden studied the young firefighter carefully trying to get a read on her but falling empty when he was only met with a blank stare. A weak smile resting on the woman's lips, a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes and that he could only believe was forced. The chief convinced that the woman in front of him was putting on a brave face for his benefit and to avoid any awkward questions. Questions that he needed to ask her.

"Kidd what happened to your face?"

"Oh this" Stella said running her fingers along the cut, "Nothing Chief, I tripped in the kitchen with a glass in my hand. I'm fine."

Boden raised his eyebrows at the clear lie she'd just told, "Are you sure?"

Stella gulping thickly as she nodded, knowing that the chief was watching her closely for any sign of deception, the woman desperate to finish the conversation quickly and get out of the office. The room feeling like it was shrinking in on her under his intense stare. "Very well Kidd, I'm giving you a verbal warning. If you're late again there will be consequences. Understood?"

"Yes chief. It won't happened again."

"Very well, you are dismissed."

"Thank you sir" her voice steady, a clear contrast to the body language she was presenting with. Leaving the office she headed straight out on to the apparatus floor her eyes darting around the room searching for one person in particular, scanning the squad table but coming up empty. She took a deep breath as her gaze landed upon her lieutenant, the man lent against the open door of sixty one. He nodded her over. Shoving her still shaky hands into her pockets she approached him slowly, trying to get a read on her boss, unsure of what he might say to her.

"You doing ok Kidd?" he asked gently, looking between the paramedics and her.

"I'm good lieutenant, I'm sorry I was late. It won't happen again."

"Ok, then" he said smiling at her, "We're inventorying the truck at the moment, go put your stuff away and come join us."

"Yes lieutenant." She replied, giving her three friends a weak smile as she walked away. Stepping into the main firehouse and walking the familiar halls, the safety of this building calming her down as she made her way to her locker. Opening it up and shoving her stuff inside, taking deep breaths as she did. Pocketing her phone she closed the door, jumping as she noticed a presence to her left.

"Sorry" he said catching her as she stumbled sideways, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's ok" she said, her eyes meeting his.

"You ok?" he asked, resting his hand on her shoulder, the action comforting her more than she would say. The man knowing that his presence had startled her but not understanding why she was so jumpy.

"Yea I'm good" she swallowed thickly, "just over slept."

Kelly's eyes traced her face "Are you sure that's all there is?"

Stella sighed loudly, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Maybe because you seem off" he responded.

"I'm fine" She said firmly, "I just need to get to work."

"Ok well I'm here if you need to talk?"

Stella giving him a short nod as she moved away and out of the locker room, she needed to get away from his burning gaze. The man able to read her much better than she liked, the thought scared her. If he worked out what was going on there was no telling what he'd do, he didn't like Grant and Grant didn't like him but if he found out what was going on at home, that dislike was going to become a problem and she didn't want to be responsible for that. She wouldn't be the reason he did something stupid, he was much to important to her. He'd quickly become one of her best friends and she wasn't going to ruin that now by telling him what Grant had done. He would never look at her the same, he'd see the horrible person she was, the person that was only good for one thing. That's what Grant told her wasn't it, she was only good for one thing. That's why he kept her around that's why he got so mad when she didn't do as she was told, if only she could do as he told her, if only she wasn't so stubborn. Her phone buzzing pulled her from her thoughts, seeing his name pop up she swallowed thickly.

"Hello" she said putting the phone up to her ear, she was unsure on how he would be this morning, unsure of what he may say.

"What the fuck Stella" he shouted down the phone, her body tensing at his tone.

"Sorry" she whispered unsure why she was apologizing but safe in the knowledge that it was her best bet.

"You couldn't even fucking tidy up before you left. You're so fucking lazy!"

"I'm sorry, I over slept, I didn't"

"Don't give me that shit" he spat cutting her words off, "I'm going to stay at Tony's and when I get back this place best be fucking spotless you got it."

"Yes" she whimpered down the phone "I'm sorry"

"Yeah you will be if this place is still like this when I get back." She could hear the anger in his voice, she'd do anything to avoid causing any more problems even though she wanted to scream it was his mess to clean up, she knew it would only resort in him coming down to the station and causing a scene and after last night that really wasn't a scenario that she wanted to play out.

Hanging up her phone she took some deep breaths trying to calm herself again, he was going to Tony's that meant he'd be gone for a few days at least. Maybe this was her chance maybe now was the moment she could use to get away. Things had been rocky for a while, she knew that, she knew that it wasn't healthy the way they lived anymore. Always on eggshells worrying about if something she did or said was going to set him off, worrying if he was going to come down from the hit in a bad mood and if that mood was going to be taken out on her. Changing her path she headed to the bunk room, towards his office, towards the one person she could confide in, that she needed to confide in. Her breathing catching in her throat as she tried to work up the courage to say those words out loud. The words she dreaded to say. The words she wasn't sure she could say.

She found him sitting at his desk, apparently having come straight in here after she left the locker rooms. His door ajar, his eyeline focused down on what appeared to be paperwork. Glancing around the room to check they were alone, she picked up her pace trying to get to him before her nerve wore off. Her hand on the door as the bells rang through the house calling all companies out to a car crash. Stella swallowing thickly as his eyes landed on her, the firefighter pushing himself upwards and moving quickly to answer the call.

"You ok?" he asked as they both headed out towards the rigs.

"Yeah, fine, I'm fine."

Severide nodding sharply as they went their separate ways, Stella climbing up into the drivers seat of eighty one as he climbed into the passenger side of squad three.

The sound of boots hitting the ground pulled her from her thoughts as she sat at the round table. The call being a rough one, the cries of the small children they'd pulled from the wreckage bouncing around all of their heads, the sight of their dead mother hanging upside down being too much for the little girl who had sobbed all the way to the hospital. The sight of the father and husband being told that his wife hadn't made it, that she had been killed upon impact. It was a rough one, the roughest they'd had in a while and everyone was feeling it, the mood in the house being pretty somber since they had gotten back, nobody discussing what they were thinking but silently supporting each other as they all tried to deal with it in their own way. Lifting her head slightly she saw him her body tensing as she saw the harsh glare he had on her. Stomping across the room to where she sat, eyes of the firefighters around the room focusing on the man who had eyes only for one of them in particular. Her voice catching as she attempted to speak, shocked to see him here, after all he'd told her he was going away, she didn't think he'd turn up here.

"I need the Jeep" he spoke roughly.

"Oh erm ok" she said, glancing around the room. An uneasy feeling settling in the air as everyone watched, watched the feisty young firefighter cower under her husbands gaze. The man standing over her as he spoke in an anything but a respectful tone. The action causing a few of them to be uncomfortable but no one saying anything as she pushed herself upwards and headed towards the locker room. She caught Severide's eye as she walked out of the common room, the man watching her carefully as she passed him. Soon his eyes lost her, her body replaced by Grants as the civilian stared him down as he passed, following her down the hall and into the locker room. Watching as she fumbled with her lock, his glare boring into the side of her head of she opened the door and found what she was looking for.

"Here you go" she said handing the keys over to him "are you driving to Tony's?"

"What do you think?" he snapped, "I didn't just want the Jeep for the fun of it."

"Sorry" she said, her eyes darting to the ground.

"Are you fucking him?"

"What?"

"Severide are you fucking him?"

"No" she said firmly for what felt like the millionth time. Every since the first time he had met him Grant had been convinced there was something between them, the man hating every second she had spent at the academy with him and hating the placement in his house even more so. Something that had caused several arguments over the few months since she got here.

"Well somethings gone on there. The way he looks at you, have you told him anything."

She shook her head "No"

"Good, and you better not. Remember what I said, I'll fucking kill you." his voice was low, dangerously low, he was careful enough that only she'd hear him, not wanting to be overheard by anyone that may have followed them into the locker room. The man knowing from experience that this house had ears everywhere.

Stella nodded, "I haven't said anything."

"Good" he said slamming her into the lockers and roughly kissing her. "You're mine, you will never get away."

He moved away chuckling to himself when he saw her body shaking up against the lockers, her eyes still looking down. He knew she wouldn't say anything, she wasn't stupid enough. She had nowhere to go, no one would love her and her annoying ways. He only put up with her, she was a good fuck but that was about it. Everything else about her was insufferable, her clingy, neediness, she was like a fucking child. "I'll see you in a few days" he said walking out of the room.

She slid down to the ground pulling her legs up to her chest allowing the tears to flow down her face, her head pounding once again from where it had made contact with the unforgiving metal, the pain causing her eyes to hurt. One thing was clear to her as she sat there, she couldn't say anything to anyone, not after that. Not after he'd come into the firehouse today and told her he'd kill her. She couldn't say anything, she couldn't get out, she was trapped and there was nothing she could do.