Chapter 9

Sylvie didn't sleep but that wasn't unexpected. Gabby and Stella swapped staying with Brett throughout the night and, to be honest, they didn't get much sleep either. Luckily, Shay and Chilli managed a little more.

Honestly, none of them were sure that Sylvie was ready to be around that many men. Sure, she loved and trusted the guys at the firehouse but it was a lot to take in.

Sylvie exited her room once she smelt coffee. She knew that the other girls were going to try to convince her to eat as well but that was definitely not going to happen considering how nauseous she felt despite the medication that Natalie had prescribed.

She found the girls at the kitchen counter and rested her head against Stella's shoulder. It was either her or Gabby and considering Dawson was currently in the middle of cooking breakfast, she leaned on Stella.

Stella pressed a kiss to Sylvie's forehead before handing her some water, painkillers and antiretrovirals. Sure, they sucked but Sylvie actually accepted them gratefully this time around. Honestly, she wasn't ready to face the place that it happened or that many men but she at least wanted to try.

After breakfast, which only Gabby, Stella, Shay and Chilli ate, they allowed Sylvie to shower first. All of them knew that she hadn't showered during the night and Gabby knew that it would be killing her emotionally.

Sylvie was in her room when Gabby entered, freshly showered and dressed but cautiously.

"So, my favorite partner…" Sylvie smirked as Gabby took a seat on her bed. "Yeah, do not go repeating that to Shay!"

Another smirk which Gabby was glad to see. She took the hairbrush off of the side table and began brushing Sylvie's hair, something the blonde actually found comforting.

"So… what are you thinking today? Uniform or casual clothes?"

Sylvie almost laughed at that question. "Well, considering that I'm not cleared for work at the moment, I'd say casual is a good bet." She hesitated. " Do you think that it would be inappropriate for me to wear one of Antonio's CPD shirts? I mean, I know we're not together anymore and that it's probably not acceptable but I've got like half a dozen and they make me feel safe-"

"Sweetheart, whatever makes you feel comfortable." Gabby laughed. "And he has at least two dozen of those shirts, he's not going to miss one."

Sylvie turned her head and looked at Gabby seriously. "If you're sure?"

Gabby, just finishing up Brett's signature braid, hugged her from behind, gently but lovingly. "I am. And trust me, anything you wear will be gorgeous and accepted."

Sylvie laid back in Gabby's embrace for a few moments before struggling to get up. She paused after choosing her clothes, looking at Gabby hesitantly. "Will you please help me do my makeup? I don't want to look completely bad but I can't do it without help."

"Say no more." Gabby grabbed Sylvie's hand and lead her to the bathroom. "Believe it or not, I've had a lot of experience doing Shay's makeup when she had a "good" night the night before."

Sylvie couldn't help but laugh. That was definitely expected.

Gabby smiled, glad to see the blonde laugh, as she applied foundation gently. She knew that Sylvie just wanted some makeup to cover her bruising so Gabby tried her best to cover as much as she could without hurting her.

Once she was finished, Gabby turned Sylvie to face the mirror. "You, my beautiful friend, look gorgeous."

"Like my old self again?"

Gabby frowned, knowing exactly how she felt, and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "You're strong. You'll get there." She whispered.

Sylvie turned and hugged Gabby gratefully although it was more for her sake than to thank the brunette. She let go after a few moments and left to go change in her room. She wanted Gabby with her but she knew that they couldn't be there forever.

The girls were waiting, freshly showered and dressed, by the time Sylvie made it out of her room. Sylvie forced a smile and accepted Chilli's hand, allowing her partner to lead her to the car. No one said anything but it was clear that everyone was silently trying to read Sylvie.

By the time they arrived at the Station, Sylvie's breathing was labored and she had instinctively shifted closer to Gabby. Chilli and Shay headed inside to "warn" everyone whilst Gabby and Stella stayed in the car with Sylvie, trying to at least calm her a little.

"You don't have to do this, babe."

Sylvie shook her head, trying to force herself to calm down. "No… No I want to."

"Honey, no one will judge you-"

"Please? Just help me get inside?"

Once Shay and Chilli came back to let them know silently that they had "warned" the guys, Sylvie took Gabby's hand before she even offered it. She needed support, but she needed support from someone who had been in the same situation that she had. Gabby squeezed her hand, knowing exactly the support that she needed.

Stella lead first, protectively, followed quickly by Shay and Chilli. Gabby silently checked on Sylvie before she lead her into the firehouse and it didn't go unnoticed when Brett's grip tightened on Gabby's hand upon entering.

At Sylvie's speed, they made their way into the common room where everyone was having lunch.

"Hey!"

Hermann was the first to act, silently asking before he hugged her. Severide and Casey followed soon after, knowing that she trusted them. The others hung back, giving Sylvie as much space as she needed. It hurt Cruz and Otis like crazy but they'd rather she feel safe rather then taking their own needs first.

"Look at you, rockstar. You look like you've been in a round with Antonio."

"Hey!" Gabby slapped Casey teasingly.

All of them laughed minus Sylvie but that was mostly to ease the tension. "Or Gabby."

Hermann laughed. "Or even Mouch".

Gabby punched Hermann jokingly. "Really" Like Casey, Severide or even Capp but Mouch?"

"It's all in the training, kid."

All the men had taken back to sitting and pretending to eat minus Hermann and now Boden.

"Hello, Brett, ladies." Biden nodded politely to all of them but Sylvie's breathing became labored, not because of Boden but just because she wasn't ready for this.

"I need to leave." Shay was the closest to her and heard Sylvie perfectly. She lead the blonde outside immediately, giving Dawson a knowing nod. Gabby, Stella and Chilli stayed behind to let everyone know what was going on whilst Shay tried to calm the other blonde.

"Breathe, sweetie. You're having a panic attack. You need to try to calm your breathing. In for four, hold for four, release for four. You've got this."

Sylvie very slowly calmed her breathing and the help of Gabby coming out soon after made things a lot easier.

"Try to slow your breathing, honey. Shay and I are here if you need us."

"You're okay, sweetheart." Gabby noticed that she was staring at the place where it happened so she stood in front of her view. "Just try to breathe, okay?"

Eventually, Sylvie's breathing calmed enough so that she could talk. "I want to go home." She whispered.

Chilli lead the way after her and Stella had come out to join them. She drove the car up the driveway to make sure it was close enough to lead Sylvie in the car without her passing out. Luckily, Brett was ridiculously light so it only took Stella to carry her into the car. Naturally, Gabby got in the back seat with the two of them and Sylvie instantly grabbed her and Stella's hands.

Sylvie started crying, too exhausted to stop. The sobs broke everyone's heart but as Chilli drove them home, Sylvie cried against Gabby, trying to forget everything.