Shay was holding Gabby's hand. She was grinning happily. Gabby was going to be fine. They were going to be together forever. She let her blonde hair run down her back. Hardly caring that it was tangled. Chief Boden walked in "Shay, you don't have to work next shift we can call for a relief paramedic"

"Thanks chief but I want to work"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. The guys here said they'd call if there was any change"

"Ok well if you change your mind you just let me know" he smiled

"Thanks" she nodded. Time passed quicker on shift. And she could hear Gabby's strong voice telling her that work should be her priority. She smiled and stroked Gabby's cheek. She closed her eyes and recalled when Gabby had worked on Ambo. That's how they had met. Gabby had been the greatest PIC in the world. Shay wondered who Gabby's cover would be. Hopefully someone nice. Not that it mattered. She smiled at Gabby "whoever they send won't replace you" she said softly "no one ever could". She kissed Gabby's head. She was careful to avoid the bruising. Otis knocked on the door. Shay turned around and smiled at all the guys. They all walked into the room, despite it being against protocol. They looked like a normal group of friends when they were in 'normal clothes'. Casey watched as they all shifted. No one really know what to say. He answered a call. He knew it would be about Gabby's cover. He listened intently.

"Thank you" he said eventually. The guys all looked over at him.

"That was Headquarters. Gabby's relief PIC, McClauley"

"Poor Shay" Otis laughed. They all chuckled. McCauley was known for his pessimism.

"Who's telling Shay" Cruz joked. All eyes fell to Severide who shook his head "come on!"

"You're her best friend" Casey laughed

He shook his head "Ok Ok I'll do it" he said. Severide's phone rang. He looked at it. It wasn't a recognised number. "Lieutenant Severide" he said.

"Severide it's Antonio. What's happened"

"Antonio?!"

"Listen I'm undercover. On a big case" he said quickly "I can't talk for long and you can't call me back. But is Gabby... alive?"

"Yeah she'a going to be fine. She has a bleed in her brain but they've fixed it. She just been taken off ventilation and we're waiting for her to wake up" Severide said. He heard Antonio sigh with relief.

"Can you tell her I'm sorry I can't be there and that I'll get in touch when I can"

"Don't worry man we've all got her"

"Thanks Kelly" he said, clearly choked up "I have to go"

The line went dead. Severide raises his eyebrows. As he was about to explain Shay appeared. He frowned as she walked over.

"They're running some tests" she said

He nodded "I've spoken to Antonio, he's undercover but he will be in touch when he can"

"Ok" She nodded and checked the time. 2pm. She sat down "have they sorted out a relief PIC"

"Yeah" Severide said cheerfully. The guys all burst out laughing. Shay looked around "what?"

"It's McCauley" Severide said quickly

"What?! Aw man really" Shay said. She rolled her eyes. Severide patted her shoulder. Shay looked up at him "Kelly" she said

"Yeah" he asked

"Has she ever talked about me, to you"

"What do you mean" he said, sitting down next to her. Shay shrugged "what does she say about me"

"She worries about you" Kelly smiled "she was forever asking me if you were alright"

"Do you think I should have seen that she was hurt?"

"She hid it Shay, she didn't want you to know"

"That's it Kelly.. why didn't she want me to know"

Herrmann looked over "she blamed herself" he said

Shay looked at him confusedly.

"For the crash" He said sadly

"And you didn't think to tell me this before" Shay snapped

"I didn't think it was a big deal, I thought you two would have a good shift and she would realise.. I'm sorry, if I'd known" he said

Shay nodded "she was punishing herself. Oh Gabby" she sighed. The doctors walked over.

Shay looked up

"The swelling hasn't decreased as much as we hoped, so we are going to keep her sedated for a another day or so"

"Why hasn't it gone down" Shay said worriedly

"People take different times to recover, she is doing well, especially given how long she'd had the injury"

"Why wasn't it picked up before?" Casey asked "she got booked in when the crash happened"

"We looked into it, and she discharged herself after basic bloods, my colleague wanted a head scan and told her dangers but... some people aren't as lucky" he said

"She was worried about me" Shay said, ridden with guilt "when will she be awake?"

"Well we will look at reducing sedation tomorrow and then it's just a waiting game"

Shay nodded. She was staying positive. She went back into the ICU. Just a few more days and Gabby would be back cracking jokes. One more shift. She rubbed her eyes. Part of her wanted to tell Boden she wasn't working tomorrow but she knew Gabby would be telling her to go. She held Gabby's hand, wishing to feel the grip reciprocated. She frowned. Gabby's hands felt cold. She gently pulled the blanket over them. It was breaking her heart not I have Gabby to talk to.

In the waiting room the guys were all talking amongst themselves. "Guys I've been thinkin'" Herrmann said, earning sighs from everyone.

"Go on Herrmann" Casey said

"Well you know, Dawson might need a while to get through this so maybe we could have a fundraiser at Molly's, like we did for Mollina after the truck crash" he suggested tentatively

"It's a nice idea Herrmann" Casey said "but let's wait and see how she is when she wakes up, you know, we'll have a better idea what she's gonna need"

"Yeah sure" Herrmann said, he was just desperate to help "I mean as soon as she's ready we're having a 'welcome back Dawson party' right?"

"Of course" Severide nodded "free bar at Molly's?"

"In your dreams kid" Herrmann said. He laughed as Severide pushed him jokingly.

"So Otis have you found a girlfriend yet?" Cruz joked. Otis looked up at him "Maybe"

"No then" Capp joked

"Cruz neither have you" Mills laughed

"Excuse me candidate" Cruz said "have some respect I'm perfectly happy with the single life"

"Yeah, sure" Mills smiled. They just talked, to fill the silence. Cindy called Herrmann. He said goodbye and had to go, 5 kids, they needed him. He walked into Gabby's room "see ya kids" he smiled. Shay waved goodbye. As the night approached they all had to go, they were on shift at 8am. Severide walked over "Shay Cmon you need rest"

She hesitated before nodding. The doctors promised to call. She kissed Gabby's head and then her cheek "I love you" she whispered "always". Kelly guided her out. When they got back he let her have some space. She sat in her bedroom. She smiled at pictures of her and Gabby. She vowed she was going to take Gabby on the greatest date in the whole world as soon as she was better. It had been less than a week and she missed Gabby more than she thought was possible. She fell asleep smiling at the photos.

When their alarms went off at 6 Shay and Severide both groaned. Shay checked her phone. No calls. Gabby must be stable. She dived into the shower. Kelly was sat having his breakfast when she ran down the stairs "woah Shay you know shift doesn't start till 8, and it's 6:45"

"I'm going to see Gabby" Shay said, shovelling yogurt into her mouth whilst pulling on her coat. She shoved her hair up in its usual half ponytail and threw the spoon into the sink. She was already out the door when Kelly saw her keys on the table "KEYS" he shouted. She ran back in and picked them up "thank you" she called as she half fell down the stairs. He shook his head. Shay was the most chaotic person he knew, yet she still got everything done. He dragged himself into the shower. Shay sat down by Gabby's bed.

"I'll come right back after shift ok, well I'll have a shower but you know what I mean" she smiled. She was getting disheartened by the lack of response. She had read all about patients like this responding to people they loved. But it's not like Gabby was in a coma, she was meant to be like this. The nurse walked in. Shay smiled "so when will you reduce sedation"

"We've got her booked in for a scan at 12. When we've got the results we can make a decision. Don't worry we will call you either way"

"Thank you" Shay smiled. She gripped Gabby's hand. The bruising was starting to heal. Shay touched it. She watched as the dressing over her leg wound was changed. When she looked at the clock it was 7:45. She kissed Gabby's head "I love you Gabriela Dawson" she smiled "I'll see you soon". She walked to her car and drove to the firehouse. "Dammit McCauley" she hissed as she saw him. She tried to hide. She crept around the back of the Ambo and was almost at the locker room when he appeared in front of her. "Leslie Shay" he said, in that usual gloomy tone. She forced a smile and carried on into the locker room.

"Yet again this house has no organisation" he moaned as Pouch got under his feet. Shay rolled her eyes. He sat on the bench miserably "what happened to your partner?" He said "finally facing a disciplinary is she. All she ever did was take careless risk".

Severide walked in and looked at Shay who was about to slam her fist into McCauley's face. Kelly grabbed her shoulders and pushed her into the kitchen area. She threw herself onto a chair "Kelly I swear to GOD" she said angrily

"Shay you know what he's like"

"I'm telling you one more complaint and I'll-"

"Squad 3. Truck 81. Ambulance 61. Car accident 56th West" the alarm blared. Shay grimaced. She walked towards the rig and was tempted to just drive off and leave McCauley. When they arrived at the scene it was chaos. Two cars has collided and skidded. Hitting a railing. The crews got to work. Boden radioed for more ambo's. Shay and McCauley were called over to a trapped woman. She was just about responsive. "One.. two... three" Casey said and the victim was slid onto the gurney. Shay drove along and McCauley was in the back.

"She's unresponsive" he called miserably

"Anyone would be stuck there with you" she muttered. He didn't seem to hear her. When they got to Chicago med they did the handover. Shay started on the paperwork. She wanted to go and see Gabby. Kendra walked over "Leslie" she said cheerfully. "Hey Kendra!" Shay said and hugged her. McCauley sighed and looked at his watch. Shay glared at him before rolling her eyes. Kendra raised her eyebrows "I'm sorry to hear about Gabby, how's she doing?"

"Yeah they are doing a scan today and looking at reducing sedation, she's doing good"

"Aw good. I bet you can't wait to have her back"

"Like you couldn't imagine" Shay smiled and then signalled at McCauley. Kendra smirked and bit her tongue "have fun" she laughed. Shay smiled and headed back to the ambo. She debated telling McCauley to cheer up but decided that if she did he would probably made a boring comment. When they got back to 51 Shay walked into the kitchen and sat down. McCauley sat next to Mouch, who looked at him reproachfully. Severide laughed. Shay gave him a glare. She grabbed a coffee and then checked her phone. Nothing. Maybe that was a good thing. Squad were bored. They hadn't had call yet. It was 10:30. Shay wanted to ring Halstead but resisted. He promised he would ring. McCauley appeared. Shay pulled a magazine over her face. Cruz couldn't resist pulling it down. "Oh you. You're here. Do inventory" he said, in his signature sullen tone. Shay smiled cynically "anything for you, partner" she said and walked to the ambulance. She slammed items around. Severide walked over "careful you might break something" he smiled

"Well better a syringe than McCauley's neck" she quipped. He laughed "oh come on McCauley's not that bad"

"All she ever did was take careless risk" Shay mocked McCauley's previous statement. She looked at Severide "Kelly I'm going to lose my mind"

"Dawson'll be back soon" he smiled

Shay smiled "yeah she will"

She checked her phone. Again. Then the clock. She ran her hands over her hair and shut the ambulance doors. She smiled as she remembered all the times she and Gabby had sat laughing and joking in the rig. She laughed as she remembered the glint in Gabby's eyes when they drove past their favourite doorman, Willie.

"We should flash him next time" Shay had joked as they drove past

"Unprofessional" Gabby has responded quickly, then flashed that signature smile at Shay. She loved how Gabby could be funny and fool around but be serious when she needed to be. She remembered first meeting Gabby and seeing how professional she was. Shay had admired her, she still did. She remembered the first time she had seen Gabby get too involved in a case. It had been a little boy who had lost both his parents. 2 years old. Gabby had carried him around the hospital for hours so he wasn't alone. And been back to see him. She reached down under Gabby's seat and pulled out the stuffed rabbit toy the boy has given Gabby. It had soot stains and it was ripped but Gabby had promised him she would look after it until they met again. Shay knew Gabby still stroked its head every shift. She tucked it back under the seat. God if McCauley found it he'd report it as a safety risk. When she finally finished she walked into the locker room. She stopped when she saw Gabby's. She ran her hand over the writing 'DAWSON'. She smiled. It seemed wrong without her. Yeah the guys were her family, but Dawson was her best friend and her girlfriend and all she had ever wanted. She felt a tear snake down her cheek.

"You ok?" Cruz asked, stopping by the door

"Yeah" she smiled, quickly wiping her cheeks. He nodded and shoved his bag in his locker. She smiled as he looked over. She waited for him to go. He hung back "you sure you're ok?" He asked worriedly

"Yeah course" she smiled. She went with him back to the shared area. It was 12. Gabby would be going for a scan now. She rested her arms on the table. Severide walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. He knew. She leaned her head back onto him. He nodded "it'll be good news" he said. Right on cue the alarms rang. Shay groaned as the a ambulance was called. She jogged to the rig. McCauley kept his mouth shut, for once. She drove along quietly. Shay wanted to put the radio on just to annoy him but refrained. When they pulled up the CPD were swarming the are. Shay walked over.

"What's happened" she said

"Gunshot. My guys are doing what they can but.."

"We're on it" Shay nodded and walked through. She raised her eyebrows. It was a nasty shot to the chest. She put gauze on it. "McCauley" she snapped "get the stretcher"

He sighed and went to get It. The man was unresponsive. Shay talked to him but he didn't made any response. "GO" she shouted at McCauley. They were closer to lakeshore so they went there. "No no no" she said as he flatlined. Really there was no chance. She did what she could but he was DOA. When they pulled up she went to check her phone. It wasn't there. She cursed "dammit". She rushed through the paperwork. She dragged McCauley to the rig. Severide saw Shay'a phone on the table. He knew she would be worrying. He picked it up and stood at the door. Shay drove quickly back. "You manage to make an ambulance on a flat road feel like a boat in the ocean" McCauley moaned. Shay ignored him. She could not miss the call. She stared at the road and gripped the wheel so tight her knuckles were white. She pulled into the firehouse and dived out. Kelly ran over "Here" he said, handing the phone to her "no calls" he nodded. She looked at him "thank you". They walked into the kitchen. As they reached a seat Shay's phone rang. Everyone stopped.

"Hello?" She said tentatively

"Hey Shay it's Dr Halstead"

"Hi"

"We've got Gabby's results. It's good news. Her brain swelling has gone down. We are reducing sedation. She should wake up in the next few days"

"Thank you" Shay said, a smile spreading across her face

"Not a a problem" Halstead said. Shay ended the call. She looked down and grinned.

"Well?" Herrmann said

"It's good news. They're reducing sedation. She should wake up in the next few days" Shay said. Everyone began to clap "ALRIGHT!" Herrmann said. He hugged Shay. Severide told Boden who shook his hand happily. Shay looked at a picture of her and Gabby and smiled "we've got this" she whispered. She checked the time. 1:15pm. She was counting down the minutes. She walked to her bunk and lay there, smiling. She couldn't wait to see Gabby. The love of her life