Chapter 13

Sylvie groaned as she rolled over in bed, burrowing her head in the pillow. She was still in complete pain from the assault but at the moment, it was her head that hurt the most.

"Good morning."

Brett took a few seconds before looking up to see Olivia sitting in the corner. The brunette smiled reassuringly before handing the blonde some water and a couple of aspirin.

"What time is it?"

Olivia checked her watch, frowning slightly at the fact that Sylvie was still slurring her words. "It's noon. How're you feeling?"

"Like I was hit by a bus."

Olivia gave her a sympathetic smile. "Do you want something stronger? Stella still has your pain meds."

"No." Sylvie's response was instant. "I don't like taking narcotics."

Olivia let it slide, watching as Sylvie climbed out of bed and slowly put on a sweater.

"Where is she anyway? Stella?"

"They went out for a walk. Amanda, Erin and Chilli are still downstairs and the others should be back soon."

Sylvie looked anxious at the situation and Olivia immediately picked up on it. "There's no cell service around here but Dawson promised that they would be back before one… Do you want me to get Chilli or Erin?"

Sylvie paused, thinking. "Actually, I'd rather be around all of you."

Olivia smiled, moving to the bed and offering to help Sylvie up. Sylvie gratefully accepted the assistance, still stumbling both from her injuries and the alcohol that was still very clearly in her system.

Olivia placed a supporting hand on Sylvie's back and lead her down to the kitchen where Chilli, Erin and Amanda were all seated at the breakfast bar. They all looked up at the entrance and smiled but Chilli stepped forward and took her hand.

Once they were all seated, Amanda offered to make Sylvie something to eat but she politely refused. The looks between the other four didn't go unnoticed and Sylvie was getting sick of it.

"I'm not deliberately not eating. I'm just nauseous. So would you all please stop with the looks?"

All of them were stuck for words except Chilli whom stepped forward, placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of Sylvie and gave her a reassuring smile. "No more looks and no more judgement. I promise."

"Thank you."

Chilli simply nodded and smiled to both the coffee and the promise.

They made small talk over breakfast. It surprised Chilli but Sylvie was actually very interested in police work so she kept both herself and the three cops busy with questions and queries. All three obviously tried to avoid the "sensitive" work.

Eventually, they moved over to the sofa and allowed Sylvie to pick the channel. Ironically, she chose a true life crime documentary.

Stella, Gabby and Shay all smiled when they entered the house and noticed Sylvie sitting fairly comfortably on the sofa with Chilli, Erin, Olivia and Amanda near her. They all took off their jackets and made their way over to the group, Stella being the one to speak first.

"Hey, lady. How're you feeling?"

Sylvie groaned as Gabby wrapped her arms around her from behind. "Ugh, level 10 hungover."

The others couldn't help but laugh. Sylvie looked adorable hungover. "Fluids, aspirin and sleep, girl."

Of course Shay knew the most convenient therapy as she handed her another bottle of water. Sylvie accepted it gratefully, practically downing it down before Gabby stopped her, knowing that it would make her sick. "Small sips."

After about a half an hour, Sylvie was fast asleep on the sofa, still working off her hangover. The others kept busy- police instincts churning on three of them whom tried to "subtlely" make their way around the place. Gabby and Stella keeping a small distance from Sylvie but never stepping out of the room, whilst Gabby tried to keep busy cleaning the place or attempting to cook meals as she kept a watchful eye on Sylvie.

It took a few hours for Brett to wake up although she was still a little hungover.

Gabby stood up from the table and walked over to sit by Sylvie. Erin, Olivia and Amanda were trying to be as discrete as possible at the breakfast bar talking about strategies to catch Harrison. Stella, Shay and Chilli were doing the same at the table only they were trying to work out the "babysitting" schedule once they were all back at work the next day.

Gabby patted Sylvie's knee, drawing her attention away from the TV. "You want to go for a walk or something?"

Sylvie nodded, smiling slightly and letting Gabby help her up and put her jacket on. "We'll be back soon."

They walked for about a half an hour in the snow before Sylvie reached out and took ahold of Gabby's hand. Obviously, Gabby didn't resist.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Gabby spoke up. "How are you feeling?"

Sylvie looked at Gabby, hesitating before answering. "I don't know if I'm ready to go back, Gabby." She whispered.

Gabby stopped, taking both of Sylvie's hands before forcing the blonde to look at her. "You don't have to… At least not yet."

"But I've never been a failure. Heck, I never scored lower than an A during school and I passed my EMT course second of my class. They're all going to treat me like a victim, and I don't want to be a victim, Gabby."

Gabby squeezed her hands, forcing a smile. "Listen to me, you are not a victim or a failure. You are strong and you are smart and you are one of the best people I have ever met."

Sylvie took in her words before smiling through tears. "Why do you always have the ability to make me feel better?"

Gabby smirked, wrapping an arm around Sylvie and pulling her closer. "Because you, my dear, are one of the kindest people I know and you make it pretty easy to love you."

Sylvie leant into Gabby's side hug as they continued to walk in silence. They walked for a while before Gabby could feel Sylvie starting to shiver. "Let's head back, okay?"

"No." Sylvie shook her head but didn't pull away from Gabby. "I'm a hoosier, remember? I can handle anything."

Gabby laughed, pulling Sylvie a little closer. "Except when it's below twenty degrees."

By the time they arrived back, Sylvie was freezing, Gabby felt guilty and Stella was pissed. The others were a mixture of concern and relief as they watch them walk through the door.

Stella gave a slight glare at Dawson before Shay caught on and stopped her. Shay lead Gabby over to the sofa whilst Stella did the same with Sylvie, both trying to warm the other up. There was no grudge between them but Gabby knew that Stella was at least a little angry.

"You good?"

Stella was always on Sylvie's side but her concern was also for Gabby. Thankfully, Shay knew how best to take that role.

Sylvie leant her head against Stella's shoulder, nodding.

"Thank you." Sylvie whispered. "For everything you and Gabby have done for me."

"You, girl, are more than welcome."

Sylvie relaxed against Stella, resting until it was time to leave.

Once the cars were all packed up and they began to say their goodbyes, Sylvie was the first one to step forward. "Liv, Amanda? Thank you."

Before they could say anything, Sylvie stepped forward and embraced them both in a hug, surprising everyone. Both detectives hugged her back. "You are more than welcome. And you know that you can call us anytime, alright? Day or night."

Sylvie nodded and stepped back, giving a genuine smile. She watched as the others said goodbye, Erin going last, before Olivia and Amanda drove off.

They all stood in silence for a few moments. It was freezing out but the fresh air was kind of comforting to Sylvie.

"We should get going." It was Stella whom spoke up first, frowning slightly at Sylvie's instant yet subtle reaction.

Shay nodded, throwing the keys to Erin. "Chilli, you ready? If we hit the road now, we can probably hit a few of the good burger stops on the way back."

Erin rolled her eyes whilst the others either smirked or laughed. The two paramedics climbed into the back seat whilst Erin got into the driver's seat, and the other three silently wished her good luck. It really was like driving with kids.

After watching them drive off, Stella placed a hand on Sylvie's back. "You ready, babe?"

"No." Sylvie's response was instant but she pasted on a smile and shrugged, looking between the two. "But let's go."

By the time they reached Chicago, both Sylvie and Stella were fast asleep. Gabby and Stella had switched the driving but about an hour and a half into the trip, Gabby had to pull over when Sylvie started having a panic attack. It took a while but she eventually managed to calm down and fell asleep against Stella.

They pulled up outside Gabby and Matt's place, and Stella gently lifted a still sleeping Sylvie into the house whilst Gabby grabbed their bags. Stella laid Sylvie gently down on the couch, brushing her hair back from her face, before joining Gabby in the kitchen.

Gabby handed her a cup of coffee as they both leant against the breakfast back, watching Sylvie sleep. "What are we going to do, Gabby?"

Dawson met her eyes and frowned slightly, whispering. "I don't know… Trust her, I guess?"

Gabby flinched slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Stella looking back at her comfortingly. "How are you doing?"

Dawson was about to lie but knew that Stella would see right through it. "I'm okay… Honestly. I'm not over it but I've moved passed it. Now I'm just worried about Brett."

Stella half-smiled, half-frowned at her response before looking down at her watch. "Speaking of which, it's late so we should get some sleep."

Gabby and Stella exchanged a smirk- it was always fun waking up a groggy Sylvie. Gabby moved first, squatting down beside Sylvie and running her index finger gently up and down her nose. Stella came around from the other side of the couch, whispering in her ear.

"Wake up, sleepy head."

Sylvie groaned, thrashing an arm around. "Stop. I'm sleepy."

As much as they both hated and enjoyed waking up the blonde, they knew that they had to push.

"Sylvie? Wake up, honey."

"Too tired…" Sylvie mumbled causing Stella to jump in.

"Alright, it's bed time."

Sylvie groaned but knew that she wouldn't get her way so let the two brunettes help her up. They led her to Gabby's room and helped her change into pajamas before changing themselves. Casey was staying at Severide's on an unspoken request by Gabby.

They helped Sylvie into the center of the bed before plopping down on both sides of her. Sylvie looked between the two before taking Stella's hand and resting her head against Gabby's shoulder.

It didn't take long for Sylvie to fall asleep but, despite having to work early the next morning, both Gabby and Stella knew that neither of them were going to get any sleep that night.