A/N: I feel like after 11 chapters I don't need to mention I don't own the characters except the ones I make up ;) If I did I would be writing for the show !

I think we're coming to the end of this story… hope everyone enjoyed it!

Now the Warnings: Domestic violence, and sexual abuse mentioned ; rated M for language and specific scenes.

Chapter 11

8 weeks later

Kat sat curled up on a couch, feet tucked underneath her. "So? Am I free?" She asked the older gentleman across from her.

"Free ?"

"Come on Doctor Charles, you know what I mean. Am I done with therapy?" she sighed. "I like you Doc, really I do. You've been amazing… its just… I'm ready to resume my life."

"Miss Bend-"

"I told you to call me Kat." She wagged her finger at him.

"Kat. I hope you haven't felt like a prisoner by being here and talking to me." Doctor Charles pushed his glasses up off the end of his nose and looked at her. "I would never have asked you to stay if you felt that way. It's just your friends seemed to feel you would benefit from talking to me again, after what happened at the cabin."

Kat shook her head "No, it's not that. I miss Kelly is all." She glanced down at her hands. "And Molly's. And the firehouse. I miss everyone."

"I know you do. I'm sorry that we asked them to stay away, but I thought it would be best for your recovery if you were isolated from them, just for awhile. I'm happy to report that you've completed your inpatient stay, and you can go home today." Doctor Charles handed her a box. "I want you to have this."

Kat took the box from his hand smiling . "Awww Doc, you didn't have to get me a present . It's not my birthday for another few weeks." She shook her head and opened the box to find a leather bound journal nestled in tissue paper. "Doctor Charles, I don't know what to say…" she took it out and ran her fingers over the stamp in the leather. "It's beautiful."

"This is your journal. You can write down your thoughts, compose song lyrics , doodle… whatever makes you feel comfortable and safe." He stood up , and Kat rose a second later. "Take each moment , breathe in and enjoy them Miss Bend. You're lucky to have so many people that care about you." He stuck out his hand to shake hers, but she swatted it away.

"Sorry Doc, you will have to be okay with a hug." She wrapped his arms around his large frame, and squeezed him tightly . "Thank you for everything." She backed up and left his office, holding her journal with a huge grin on her face.

Later that day she had packed up her belongings and bid goodbye to the inpatient staff that had helped her over the last 8 weeks. When she walked into the lobby Kat stopped in her tracks from shock. The entire room was filled with the members of firehouse 51's second watch and the Intelligence unit. "You guys didn't have to come here…" she wiped tears from her eyes as she gave each person a hug.

"We did kid. Our lives haven't been the same without you…. Heck Molly's hasn't been the same without you!" Herrmann squeezed her tight, placing a kiss on her cheek. "We all love you, you've got to know that by now."

"Thank you, really." She held on to Herrmann's hand as she looked around searching for Kelly.

"He couldn't be here. " Matt spoke quietly knowing who she was looking for.

"Oh, right that's fine. No biggie." Kat shrugged it off , but deep down her heart was breaking . She hadn't seen Kelly since the day she was rescued, and she missed him so much it hurt.

"Listen kid, we've got Molly's closed for your return party. How about the Captain takes you home to change and we'll meet you there later okay?" Herrmann squeezed her hand that was still holding his.

"Sure, sounds great . " Kat smiled trying to hide her disappointment . Matt grabbed her bag and lead her to his truck. When they were alone Kat finally had the nerve to ask him what she had been thinking since she walked into the lobby. "How's he doing?"

Matt glanced at her then looked back at the road. "He's been better. Seeing you hurt… it broke him. After you went to the hospital, he went downhill."

"You know I didn't ask them to keep you guys away, that was the doctors that decided that. " Kat stared at her lap. "I miss him so much…"

Matt reached over and grabbed her hand , running his thumb over her knuckles. "I know you do. You being here, it'll be good. It'll bring him out of his depression. Knowing you're okay, that's what's most important."

They reached the apartment building and Kat took a deep breath before exiting the vehicle and making her way upstairs. She felt Matt's hand on the small of her back, being the support she needed. When they opened the door they found it dark, the setting sun peeking through the shades casting an eerie glow throughout the room. "Kelly?" Matt called out.

"Here." A voice cut through the dark. Kat wanted to run to him, jump into his arms, but she stopped herself when he walked towards them. He had lost weight since she had seen him last. His eyes lost their sparkle, his face sunken.

"Kelly?" Kat took a step toward him , placing a hand on his arm. He looked at her, but it was almost like he didn't see her. "Matt can you give us a minute?" she turned to Casey, who nodded and retreated to the bedroom to give them space. She stepped closer to Kelly, putting her hands on his face and turning it so she could look in his eyes. "Kelly, I'm here. I'm okay. "

It was like the light switch went off inside him. His eyes lit up "Kat?" he closed the gap between them and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her so tight she could barely breathe. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you…" she felt him shaking.

She closed her eyes. Doctor Charles warned her about this, that he would blame himself for her situation . "Kelly listen to me." She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "What happened to me wasn't your fault, and it wasn't mine. The man responsible for what happened to me is gone, and we don't have to worry about him any more." She kissed his cheek and wiped the tears away with her thumbs. "Kelly I love you. I have since pretty much the day I met you. I need to move on…can you do that with me?"

He nodded giving her a small smile. "I'm so glad you're home." He pulled her close again, kissing her forehead. They stood like that for a few minutes until they heard Matt clear his throat. "Casey, sorry man." He pulled back and let go of Kat so he could give Matt a hug. "Thanks for being there for her, and bringing her home."

"You got it brother." He slapped Kelly on the back. "Now hurry up and change, Herrmann is expecting us at Molly's!" After Kelly walked into the bedroom Matt crossed to Kat who was still standing by the kitchen island and laid a hand on hers. "You've already made him better Kat. He'll be back to his old self in no time."

Kat smiled "I hope so."

Molly's

The trio entered the bar and Kat immediately felt like things were finally back to normal. The music, the noise…no one walking on eggshells around her… Herrmann even had her come behind the bar and serve drinks at one point during the night. She made a special stop by the Intelligence unit members , thanking each one for their part in saving her at the cabin. She pulled Jay aside and thanked him privately for his part in her rescue. He acted like it was nothing , just part of his job but she knew better. She let him know that if he ever needed to talk to anyone , she was there for him. Jay watched her walk away and shook his head . She was the one that was attacked, yet all she wanted to make sure he was okay after what he had done.

After a few hours Kat slid on to the stool next to Kelly, laying her head on his shoulder . He bent down and kissed the top of her head "Tired?" She nodded so he got off the stool and took her by the hand. "Then let's go home."

It took about 2 weeks for Kelly and Kat to get back to a semi normal routine. Kelly insisted on staying by Kat's side no matter where she went, which got a little claustrophobic for her at times but she understood. She was thrilled he was gaining back the weight he lost , and his eyes had their sparkle back. He was happy because except for a few nightmares those first few nights back from the hospital, she seemed to be coping fairly well. His furlough was coming to an end soon, so he wanted to surprise her before he had to go back to work.

"Hey , pack a bag. You've got 15 minutes." He told her one night as they were sitting next to each other on the couch watching TV.

"Wait, what?" She squinted at him, unsure of what he meant. "You'll have to give me more than that Kel."

He kissed the tip of her nose and pointed to the bedroom. "An overnight suitcase, no need for cold weather gear. Like I said you have 15 minutes."

Kat shook her head but jumped up and ran to the bedroom, pulling clothes out if the closest and drawers. He could hear her slamming things as she hurried to meet his deadline. "Don't forget a swimming suit!" he yelled to her as he crossed to the kitchen and pulled a box from a vase on top of the fridge. Kelly opened the box and grinned. He had planned on asking Kat to marry him at Christmas, but they didn't get to celebrate. Her birthday was in a week, so he planned (with the help of his firehouse family) to take her on a trip out of cold windy Chicago and to some place he didn't even know she had dreamed about, Hawaii. He snapped the box shut and stuffed it in his pocket, retreating to the bedroom to grab his already packed suitcase, and found Kat in a mess of clothes.

"What do I bring ? How long are we going to be gone ? Kelly you should have given me more warning!" she was tossing things into her suitcase and Kelly had to laugh because she was just picking random things she was so frazzled . He stopped her , dumped it out ignoring her cries of protest, and went through her closet and drawers, handing her items to put in it.

"There. Get your bathroom stuff and meet me by the front door." He grinned at her, pausing to kiss her quickly on the mouth before taking his case and leaving the room. Once he was out of her sight he opened his suitcase and hid the ring box inside.

Kat grabbed her toiletries from the bathroom ,placing them in her bag and zipping it up. She took another look around the messy bedroom, grabbed her journal off the dresser and met Kelly in the kitchen. "So, do I get a hint at all?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Our ride will be here any minute to take us to O'Hare. We won't need winter gear, but grab a jacket so you don't freeze to death." He pulled his leather coat on as she did the same. They paused for a beat, staring into each others eyes before his phone buzzed. "Okay, you trust me?" he held out his free hand to her, and she took it.

"Always."