Chapter 5

Chilli arrived first the next morning, surprising both herself and Gabby. Sylvie, thankfully, was still "asleep" although Gabby could tell that it wasn't a "settled" rest. She had been up and down during the night but Gabby figured any sleep was good sleep at the moment.

"I bought bear claws and coffee." Chilli whispered, entering the room.

Gabby smiled, starving and grateful. She didn't move from Sylvie's side though, not wanting to wake the blonde. "You're a goddess."

"I know." Chilli shrugged, smirking. "As you should too by now."

Gabby smiled back, gratefully accepting a coffee. Chilli nodded at her partner, concerned. "How'd she sleep?"

"As well as can be accepted."

Chilli nodded. "And you?"

Gabby frowned, not wanting to lie but not wanting to tell her friend the truth either. "I got about 45 minutes."

"All right… So between you and Stella, Shay and I are on night-duty for the next couple of nights. Deal?"

Gabby shrugged. They both knew she wasn't going to leave Sylvie's side but at least the offer was still there. "Deal."

They were silent for a while, both switching between focusing on Sylvie and the TV. Eventually, Chilli spoke up. "Dr. Manning said she could be released today… If she wanted."

Gabby nodded. She knew- but she knew that Sylvie probably still needed medical care yet ironically, hated hospitals. "Is it okay if I stay with you guys for a while? I think Shay'll want to too."

Chilli slunk back in her chair, shooting Dawson a knowing look. "Pretty sure that was already decided."

Gabby smiled. Honestly, she wasn't the biggest fan of Chilli when she started but the younger PIC definitely grew on her. She knew how much she cared for Brett, she knew what she'd do for all of her friends, and she knew what she'd been through. Dawson had nothing but respect for the other brunette.

"Knock, knock…"

Shay whispered as she gently knocked at the door. Granted, she had let Dawson know that both her and Stella were on their way but she still wanted to make sure that it was okay to enter.

Dawson smiled, grateful to see her best friend. She loved Sylvie, she loved Stella, she loved Chilli, but it was almost like re-living everything again. Dawson needed someone who was actually there at the time when it happened to her and usually knew her better than she knew herself. Shay knew this and was by her side a few moments after grabbing a coffee from Chilli and letting Stella in.

"So… home today?"

Sylvie spooked them all by speaking up, her eyes still closed. "Yes. Home, please? Or at least the house. I mean, hate to say it, but I really hate hospitals."

The others laughed. It was good to hear Brett making jokes again (even if they weren't particularly funny).

Stella nodded, resting a gentle hand on Brett's arm. "Dr. Manning cleared you. So did Dr's. Halstead and Rhodes-" Sylvie began to freak out so Stella reassured her. "Don't worry, they didn't see you. They just took a look at your scans and stuff, okay?"

Sylvie nodded. She wasn't okay but she was going to force it anyway. They stayed silent for a few moments before Chilli spoke up. "So…. Everyone wants to know if there's anyone you want to call? Your family, maybe?"

Brett shook her head rapidly, giving herself a headache but she honestly didn't care at that moment. "No! Please! No one!"

Gabby nodded, trying her best to calm the blonde. It was exactly how she felt when people had recommended calling her parents or at least Antonio. "Okay… It's okay."

Sylvie shifted so that her head was buried in Dawson's shoulder, surprising everyone in the room. Natalie came in a couple of minutes later- a smile on her face and a plate in her hands.

"Alright, so I'm breaking almost every hospital policy here, but Cindy Hermann made these for you… Actually, I think Annabelle did considering they have gummy worms but don't let anyone else know, okay?"

Brett smiled. The first true smile that she'd smiled in a few days. She adored Hermann, loved Cindy, and loved their kids (in small dosages!) but to know that they were thinking of her made her actually happy. She wasn't going to eat them but she watched as both Stella and Shay tried one each- Stella had half a bite, Shay almost made it through the whole cookie. Gabby, smart as she was, avoided them, and Chilli was fine with her coffee.

"Yum?"

Shay forced a smile, nodding. "Uh huh… You want one?"

Brett smirked again, shaking her head. "No thanks. I think I'll pass for now."

Dawson and Shay exchanged a glance but neither said anything. They both knew what it was like when Gabby was in the similar situation.

"Okay…." Natalie started, hesitantly. "So physically you're okay to go home for now, as long as you have someone with you?"

Brett didn't answer but Stella and Chilli filled in the details. Natalie hesitated again but knew she had to gently approach the subject. "But I'd really like you to see Dr. Charles before you leave…."

Sylvie instantly shook her head so Natalie knew not to go down the "male" issue anymore. "It doesn't have to be a male. I can find you a great female who would be good for you to talk to."

Again, Brett shook her head. "I just want to go home…. Please?"

Natalie looked between the rest of the room. Of course they all wanted Sylvie to speak to someone, but not yet.

"Okay. I'll get your discharge papers ready and then you'll be okay to go…. Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer?"

Brett shook her head, forcing a smile. "No offense, but I hate hospitals."

Stella smirked, nudging the blonde. "Girl, you're a paramedic."

Brett shot back a smile. Her friends were truly amazing. 'Uh huh… Doesn't meant that hospitals don't crap me out."

"Never going to understand you, lady." Shay leant down and pressed a kiss to Sylvie's head. Brett's smile disappeared but the contact made her feel okay.

She whispered, mostly to herself but the rest of the room her. "I don't think anyone will anymore."

Chilli and Shay stayed with Sylvie whilst Natalie organized the paperwork and Stella and Gabby left the room to make a few calls… Sure, they'd talked with Casey and Severide but it was mostly via text. Plus the firehouse needed to be updated on what was happening with Brett… even if the blonde didn't want them to.

"Alright, girl. You ready?"

It was a couple of hours later but Natalie and April finally brought in the paperwork, and to Sylvie's hatred, a wheelchair.

"You ready to get out of here?" April spoke up- everyone wanted Brett to stay but the nurse figured she'd try her best to ease the mood.

Sylvie nodded, grateful. "Alright, gorgeous. Take a seat."

Brett looked at the wheelchair, both unsure and not super willing. She didn't move so Shay tried to persuade her.

"Sorry, babe. Hospital policy." Shay bent down to whisper to Sylvie. "Trust me, I put up even more of a fight when the Ambo got crashed."

Sylvie nodded, forcing a small smile. Shay honestly always had a way of making people feel better.

Brett was out of the wheelchair the instant they excited the hospital. It hurt more than she could describe but she hated feeling like a victim even more. The car Chilli had made Otis deliver earlier arrived a few moments later and all of the girls helped Sylvie in.

Brett was comfortable enough but more anxious than she thought. Maybe she should have taken the anti-anxiety tablet Natalie had offered earlier. Eventually, she turned to both Stella and Gabby.

"Stella?" Kidd looked back from the passenger seat as soon as she heard her name. "Can you and Gabby please sit back here with me?"

The request was instantly answered despite the fact that both Gabby and Stella were in the front. Neither Shay nor Chilli seemed to take offense but Sylvie still felt guilty. They pulled up outside of the apartment soon after and Sylvie did her best to get out of the car without any help; it didn't work well. Shay supported most of the younger blonde's weight whilst Stella let them in and Gabby and Chilli carried her bags. Almost as soon as they got in. Sylvie practically collapsed on the closest chair.

Gabby and Shay exchanged a glance, knowing why. The younger blonde hadn't eaten in days and was still in a lot of pain, both physically and emotionally. Dawson nodded to Stella, knowing the firefighter would know to order some kind of food. Chilli put Brett's bags away in her room and Shay checked on Dawson.

"How're you doing?" She whispered, making sure no one else heard.

Dawson shrugged and tried to force a smile but her eyes were full of tears. Eventually she whispered. "All that matters at the moment is Brett."

Shay nodded, not agreeing but knowing that that was what Dawson needed. She kissed her cheek quickly before joining Chilli on the couch. Stella came back into the room a few minutes later and Gabby handed everyone but Brett a beer.

"So… couch, movies, girls' night?"

Sylvie really just wanted to be alone but she hated disappointing people. She nodded, forcing a smile and letting Stella lead her over to the couch. It felt selfish- Stella should have been with Severide, Shay should have been home, Chilli should have been out somewhere, and Dawson should have definitely been with Casey, but instead they were all there with her.

"Alright, girl. Pizza's on it's way and no arguments about eating- we got your favorite. So choose something to watch and I'm sure we'll all manage to sit through some sappy romantic comedy."

She knew that Stella was joking but it was still hard to hear. Sylvie forced a smiled, flipped through Netflix and landed on "No Strings Attached."… If only it were that easy.

A/N: Short chapter- sorry! But I wanted to get one out before I eventually fall asleep… Pretty please review! They're so much appreciated and encourage me to write faster! ;) Next chapter will have some of the guys involved- let me know who y'all want included please!