Chapter 6

A/N: I apologize for the very late update! I'm currently typing this from my hospital bed after another bout of pneumonia so excuse the rushed and drowzy update. BUT, please review and subscribe anyway 3

Gabby went to see Matt before Sylvie was awake. It was early, but she figured she owed him at least a visit. Shay went home to shower and change as did Chilli, but Stella refused to move- mainly because Brett was actually sleeping and had completely numbed her shoulder. To the brunette firefighter though, it didn't matter. As long as Sylvie was actually getting some sleep… However, it was definitely disturbed.

"Don't! Please, stop! I'm sorry!"

Sylvie's nightmares had been constant through the night but they had all at least figured that she was getting at least some sleep. Gabby wanted to wake her but the others didn't agree. Brett needed sleep but Dawson knew that that was worse. Shay agreed, but didn't argue.

"Please, stop.. I'm sorry. Please, no more."

Stella didn't want to wake her bur she was debating… definitely debating.

"I promise I'll be good… Please, you're hurting me."

Sylvie cried out and that was it for Stella. She nudged the blonde a couple of times, probably too hard, but at least waking Sylvie.

Brett jumped awake, taking in her surroundings but calming a little when she knew that Stella was there. She instinctively shifted closer to the brunette- honestly, she just wanted a female.

Stella placed a kiss on her forehead. She honestly wasn't much of an affectionate person (except when it came to Severide and Gabby) but she would honestly do anything to help Sylvie feel as safe as she could feel.

"Morning, gorgeous…. How're you feeling?"

Sylvie shrugged. "Fine."

Stella smirked, jokingly, but knowing the blonde was lying. "Uh huh… But honestly?"

"I just feel sore…" Sylvie responded after a moment. "Everywhere."

Stella nodded. She had never been through anything like that herself but she remembered when Gabby went through it. It almost destroyed both herself and Shay, not to mention Gabby.

"Alright." Stella patted her leg before stranding up and making her way to the kitchen. "You, missy, need some food. What do you feel like? Pancakes? Eggs? Waffles?"

Sylvie had barely eaten half a slice of pizza the night before and hadn't even managed to keep that down.

Sylvie cringed at the mention of food… massively. She shook her head and ran to the bathroom as fast as she could. Stella followed, holding the blonde's hair back as soon as she reached her.

"You're okay. Just breathe, okay? You're safe."

Brett didn't believe it but she trusted Stella. Eventually, her nausea passed but Stella wasn't completely buying it. She sent off messages to Gabby, Shay and Chilli asking them to come over ASAP. Stella loved Sylvie and would do anything to help her friend, but she really had no idea what to do at the moment.

Within half an hour, the girls were there. Severide and Casey were there too but they hung way back. Everyone entered except for the boys and both Stella and Sylvie couldn't have been more grateful.

Sylvie curled herself up on the sofa with Stella close by.

"Hey, lady." Shay was the first to embrace Sylvie. She knew Dawson wanted to but she also knew that her best friend wasn't entirely ready yet.

After a few minutes, Gabby gave in, hugging the blonde. "Hi, beautiful."

Even though Dawson whispered, Brett whispered back. "Please don't call me that…."

Gabby leant back and cupped Sylvie's face, giving a knowing nod. Shay had treated her the same way when it had happened to her.

Chilli finally embraced her partner- She wasn't entirely sure what to do but she tried her best. For some reason, Sylvie held onto Chilli a tiny bit longer than the others, surprising all of them.

"How're feeling?"

Sylvie shrugged although any movement she made hurt like crazy. "Fine."

Gabby and Shay exchanged a glance before Shay grabbed a throw blanket off the couch and covered Brett with it. She knew what was going to be asked and she wanted the blonde to feel as comfortable as possible.

"Are you okay if Severide and Casey come in for a few minutes? It's completely okay if you're not comfortable?"

Brett forced a smile and nodded. The last thing she wanted were men but at least she knew that she could trust them… And that Dawson, Stella and Shay needed them. Heck, even Chilli needed some support but Hermann and Cindy had pretty much taken over that part… thankfully. Instinctively, Sylivie curled up a little more but allowed the men in the room. They were cautious, of course, but it still felt weird. Honestly, she just wanted another "girls'" night.

"Hey, Brett."

"What's happening, girl?"

Both Casey and Severide spoke at the same time which surprised everyone in the room. Usually, they were these tough firefighters but now they just hung back awkwardly.

Sylvie could sense the tension in the room and, as much as it terrified her, she forced a smile and gave a motion for them to come over. Stella and Gabby stayed protectively by Slyvie's side but the blonde reached out and gave each of them a very quick and cautious hug.

Casey was the first to speak up, looking to Gabby first who nodded that it was okay. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore." Another shrug. "But they gave me some killer pain meds at the hospital." She tried to joke, again trying to ease the tension. Of course Sylvie would worry about everyone but herself first.

Stella smirked, nudging her shoulder. "But someone here has been trying to avoid taking them."

There was around half an hour filled with pointless chit-chat before the boys offered to go pick up some food. Again, nausea coursed through Brett's body but she was able to keep it down when Stella and Gabby both took her hands gently.

Once Severide and Casey had left, Shay turned to Brett. "Are you sure that you're okay with them being here?"

Sylvie forced a small smile but everyone in the room could tell she wasn't. Of course, Sylvie was never going to let on to that though so she answered with a very Brett-like answer. "Of course."

Stella pulled the girls aside when the boys went to get the food. Sylvie was still curled up on the sofa, staring blankly at the TV. "She needs to eat something. Dr. Manning said-"

"I know what Dr. Manning said!" Gabby's voice was a harsh whisper, surprising the others. She pinched the bridge of her nose before looking up at Stella. "I'm sorry, it's just-"

"Got it, babe. No need to apologize."

Stella rubbed her shoulder gently before going back over to Sylvie with Chilli in tow.

Shay nodded towards a bedroom and Gabby took her hand and followed gratefully. The second they were in the room and the door was closed, Shay embraced Gabby in a hug. Gabby gripped back hard and tried her best to stifle her cries in her best friend's shoulder.

"Shh… I know."

After a few moments, Gabby pulled back and wiped her eyes, embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

"Gabriela Dawson, if you say that you're sorry one more time, I swear-"

Gabby couldn't help but smile. "You'll what? Stop me from driving the bus? Because last time I checked, I'm pretty sure that I was still PIC."

Shay smirked. "Sometimes it's very hard to love you, lady."

Shay gave Gabby a kiss on the cheek, took her hand and lead them back out to the others. Stella was the only one who looked up, silently asking Shay if the brunette was okay. Shay nodded the kind of nod you give someone when you both know that it's a lie.

Gabby plopped down on one side of Stella whilst Shay sat next to Chilli, Sylvie obviously in the middle. Three texts came through to Gabby, Stella and Shay's phones simultaneously and the each responded quickly, a knock at the door coming a second later.

Sylvie jumped a little but Chilli put a comforting hand on her leg. "It's probably just the boys."

"Now are you sure you're okay with them being here?"

Brett shot Stella an annoyed look. "I won't be if any of you ask me that again."

Gabby smirked while Shay went to answer the door. Severide and Casey held up enough food to feed the entire firehouse.

"We didn't know what to get you so we just got some of everything."

Stella smiled at her boyfriend. It had been a rocky start to their relationship but she knew how much he cared.

They placed the bags on the counter and grabbed enough plates for all of them, plus beers for everyone and a water for Sylvie. Casey cautiously approached the blonde paramedic and handed her the water. "What is it you always say to us? Keep hydrated?"

Sylvie smirked a little and accepted the bottle but didn't drink it.

Stella, Chilli and Shay made their way over to the counter and pulled out boxes of take out. "So what do you feel like, lady? We've got Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian… Jeez, where didn't you guys go?"

Sylvie forced a smile, standing up painfully. "I'm really not that hungry. I think I'll just go lay down for a bit."

Without another word, Sylvie headed towards her room and closed the door. She didn't want to be alone but she didn't think that she could handle much more of the boys or the smell of the food.

Everyone exchanged a glance but let it slide. If that was what Brett needed right now, that's what they would let her do. A few hours later, it was Stella whom gently knocked on the door and entered when she didn't get an answer.

"Hey, gorgeous."

Sylvie didn't look up so Stella took that as an invitation that it was okay for her to take a seat next to her. She put a gentle hand on Sylvie's arm and Sylvie instinctively moved into it.

"So…" Stella started hesitantly. "Kelly and Casey asked for me and Dawson to go to Molly's for a little while… Are you okay with that? I mean, of course we'll stay if you want us here and we won't be long, it's just…"

Brett forced a smirk. "It's your guys. I get it. Take Chilli and Shay too, please? All of you should go. Take a night off of "babysitting duty"."

"Babe…"

Brett was adamant. Hesitant, but adamant. She forced a smile. "It's okay. Please, go. Have some fun. I'll just watch a movie or something until one of you get's home… But please, please take your time!"

Stella was beyond reluctant but eventually gave in… Simply because Brett wouldn't give up. "Alright…. I'll be back soon. So will Gabby. And Shay. And Chilli-"

"I get it." Sylvie forced a smile. "It's okay. I'll be fine, I promise."

Stella took a few minutes but eventually stood up and kissed Sylvie's cheek. "Love you, girl. Call ANY of us if you need anything, okay?"

Sylvie nodded but Stella wasn't convinced. "You, lady, need to work on your faking skills…"

Brett smirked but they both let it go for now. Once Sylvie was ready, the others would push a little more.

"Go have fun.".

Brett was alone…and it scared her more than thought it would. The lights were all on as was the TV thanks to Dawson and Shay, but Sylvie couldn't help but feel wrong. Terrified wouldn't even begin to describe it.

Sylvie was in more pain than she thought possible but needed to shower. She had to shower. Almost collapsing on the shower floor, Brett positioned herself in the shower and curled up as much as she could. It hurt like crazy but she didn't care. She needed to feel clean.

The hot water was the only one turned on and Sylvie thanked God that it was boiling. She just needed to escape.