Chapter 2:

Location: 1360 Blue Island Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608

Date, Time: 13/31/18 2:50 am

P O V: Matthew Casey

Coca Puffs, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Captain Crunch. Dang so many choices I feel like I'm shopping for my kids. All sugar how can anyone eat this? "So Captain I have a quandary." Looking up I see Mouch standing in the firehouse kitchen. Back against the wall arms over his chest eyes cast downwards. My eyes watch him as I grab the coca puffs "What's your issue Mouch?" check the milk date Matt remember this isn't home where people actually care about not getting food poison, this is a house filled with a bunch of damn animals. Nov 12th good, just in case sniff it.

Smells like milk. Casting another glance at Mouch who was staring straight out, I wondered what he was thinking about. "Earth to Mouch." He was frozen his lips unable to part, even throwing a puff at him did nothing, except excite Herrman who lunged for the sweetened treat as it bounced off Mouch's nose. "Oh Coca Puff sweeeeet!" Herrman's eyes sparkled "Hey no judgment people until you have five little monsters all fighting for this stuff every morning." "It hit his face dog, gross." Cruz's statement did little to persuade Herrman that this wasn't gold, popping it in his mouth he grinned.

"Hey I shower people!" Mouch came out of his trance like state glaring at Cruz who replied teasingly "Oh he speaks!" 'Of course I speak." "We were starting to wonder Mouch. I mean you kind of just froze like a deer in headlights." "Oh right yeah uh sorry about that. I uh..well I was wondering about something Captain. If I heard something I wasn't suppose to hear, now I don't know what to do about it, what do I do?"

Damn this cereal is amazing. No wonder my kids fight over this shit. "So how did you hear about this thing you weren't suppose to hear?" "Thing?" His face was unreadable as he relapsed back into his silent trance. Leaving me wonder why did he start this conversation if he wasn't prepared to have it fully. "Spill it Mouch, or move it. I have a lot of paperwork to do."

"I heard Brett tell Dawson she's pregnant and considering abortion."

"Brett's pregnant?" Stella yelled "What?" If the house wasn't up before they were now. Everyone ran forward. Yup Sylvie was gonna be pissed, rightfully so. "Pregnant?" Herrman repeated again as Capp, Ferrais cheered. "Abortion?" Stella, Ritter commented. "Who's the daddy?" Cruz, Otis called out. "$120.00 on Antonio who's with me?" Herrman planted money down on the table as Stella challenged him "$150.00 on Hazmatt dude." "$200.00 on Dawson she's so over hazmat dude besides weren't you banging him?" "Oh you're sick, twisted and avoiding dude hazmat guy has it." Herrman not to be out done slammed his paycheck down "I bet my whole damn check it's Antonio's that's how sure I am."

The whole house cheered except for Mouch who stared ahead again not normal for him when there is betting going on or gossip. "I don't know what to do Casey."

"Well for starters Mouch not telling the whole damn house her personal business would have been a good start." He blushed shrugging. "Yeah not my finest moment." "The thing is Casey, I know if she has an abortion. She'll regret it." "How Mouch? How do you know she will regret it? Brett's never wanted kids, she's made that very clear."

"Because I have always felt that way to and yet I regret having an abortion." His face remained calm neutral adding to the shock value all which contributed to me spitting out my cereal as Stella walked by. "Ew. Gross dude look just because Dawson liked this kinky shit, doesn't mean all women do. Gross, just gross. I need a damn shower. Move it losers."

The mention of Dawson's name didn't cause a wave of depression or anger like it would of months ago. We've made our peace, we divorced amicably, with our kids as our fist priority and our friendship, work relationship in mind. "I was young, 19 in college, in love, or thought I was. We were foolish didn't always use protection. Cardi got pregnant we we're broke, came from religious back rounds, our parents would of killed us, we were unwed, not in a hurry to get married, so I convinced her to get an abortion. We broke up later that month, I know she regretted it, she could barely look at me." "I blocked it out for a long time, till Emmett came along, he made me question things, he made me remember, he made me wonder about my child. Would the baby of been a boy? A girl? What would they be like? Look like, sound like?"

"I know Sylvie Matt, we all do, I know that once she hears that heartbeat, feels the baby kick, all her doubts, fears and negative thoughts will melt away, I just don't know how to talk to her. Like you said this wasn't my business to know or tell. I don't want her to live with the pain of regret. It's a bitter pill to swallow."

"Talk to her Mouch be honest apologize for listening. Do it before one of these bozo's get to her." "Are you sure it's a good idea?" Shrugging I yelled for truck to hurry and gather their things. "Gabby took her to Med since she fainted in the field, it can't hurt to talk Mouch. I'm sure she's scared and feeling alone right now."

"Yo I got another bet for you suckers!" Herrman yelled out "$125.00 on Shay getting the balls to ask Dawson out first." Jumping in I laughed "No man you don't know Dawson like I do. She'll make the first move $3,000 my brother on that!"

Seems strange betting on my ex wife non existent love life. She'd kill every one of us, I want her to be happy though. She's an amazing women, she works her ass off, she fights for everyone else. It's about time someone fights for her. I know she's in love with Shay, I know Shay's in love with her, they seem to be the only ones who don't know it.

I worry about them, Brett, Shay, Dawson my ladies, I wonder of Mouch is right would she regret it? She's not him. I was living with her when she carried Brent for Gabby, I. She was miserable the whole time, frightened. Would her own child be any different?

I guess we were about to find out, I hope she's alright, seeing her collapse like that was scary. What could possibly be wrong with her, was it something to do with the baby?

I wondered how she would feel if something was wrong with her baby after she contemplated having an abortion. Would she blame herself?

Thanks for all those who favored and reviewed. I'll update as soon as I can, posted a new fic today called Erase it's a crossover with PD, Fire, SVU under the SVU category.