Hi all! Hope you have enjoyed the story thus far. This one is more "angsty" than my other story. Reviews as always are appreciated!
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Chapter 4
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Stella woke up in her apartment reaching over to the other side of the bed expecting Kelly to be there. She was disappointed in what occured in the last 72 hours. Stella wanted more than anything to just forgive Kelly but part of her wondered that if she did quickly would he think he could get away with anything?
Stella's phone beeped, it was a text from Kelly that read "I miss you". Stella didn't want to be rude but also didn't want to get his hopes of. Stella got herself ready and drove with Herrmann to the firehouse.
"Kidd, did Cindy help at all?"
"Yeah. Both of you did"
"Do you know what you are going to do?"
"I'm not giving up if that's what you want to know" Stella snipped back
"Yes would have sufficed" Hermmann grunted
"Sorry, I am really trying to be myself"
"Stop trying, just be who you feel like being"
"You are right" Stella said getting out of the car "I am feeling like I don't want to be here"
"Geez...don't take my advice anymore" Herrmann yelled out after her
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"Kidd" Boden said as she walked in the firehouse
"Yes chief"
"I am going to need you on Ambo a little longer. We want to find a replacement for 6 months not a new person every shift"
"I understand"
"Casey want's to see you in his office once you put your stuff away"
"Will do" Stella said and walked to the locker room. On her way to Casey's office she saw no sight of Severide which was nice
"Stella come on in" Casey said ushering her into his office "So Chief told you the news. I just want to assure you that you are not being kicked off Truck"
"Thank you" She said awkwardly "How are you holding up?"
"Trying not to think" Casey said
"I am doing this new thing per Herrmanns advice to just do what I feel"
"Why are you taking his advice"
"I won't but it is fun to play with him" Stella laughed
"You kind of sound back to your old self, how did that happen?"
"Cindy! She kind of laid it out for me from an outside perspective"
"Just so you know, I agree that Kellly messed up, but I also know that he is sorry. He has not been adulting for very long ya know?"
Stella laughed "I needed that. Thank you. And just to let you know, I am not giving up on him. I just don't want to give an easy out"
"I get it more than you know" Casey smiled
"Anything else for me?" Stella said backing out the the office
"Nope, free to go" Casey said
Stella turned around and right into Kelly
"Do you have time to talk?" he asked quickly before she could run off
"I...ummm"
"I asked her to run an important errand for me right now" Casey interrupted
"Yeah. I have to go" Stella said and walked away from Kelly. Once she was out of sight from Kelly she turned around and mouthed "thank you" to Casey. Casey nodded in reply
"What was that about?" Kelly asked Matt as he walked into his office
"She needs space. Just give her that. The more space you give the quicker she will figure things out."
"That is what everyone has said"
"Then listen to them" Casey said angerly
"It sucks waiting" Kelly started "but I probably shouldn't complain to you"
"Thank you"
"Have you heard from Dawson?"
"Just that she is safe in PR"
"Did you reply?"
"Yeah"
"With what?"
"I am glad you are safe. I hope you will call to talk soon"
"Well you know you can't push that girl"
"The same goes for Stella you know? She may not be as bad as Gabby but she learned her lesson from Grant, she will walk away if it is best for her"
"Did she tell you that?" Kelly said starting to get insecure
"No. She actually said she is not giving up on you. And now that you know that, do us all a favor and just hold back"
"Yea" Kelly said "I am going to go do paperwork"
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Stella and Brett were in the Ambo driving back to the firehouse. "So I miss Antonio"
"Brett...what happened to strong independent woman?" Stella said
"So I fell for Cruz a little bit again...but then he slept with his married high school sweetheart and part of me wants to see if we have something but the other part of me finds that so gross and I don't want to be with anyone that steeps that low"
"I am probably not a person to ask about dating right now"
"No you are the perfect person because you are in those raw emotions"
"Don't date a co-worker"
"Okay"
"And, Wait for Antonio to miss you. You are a catch Sylvie Brett. Make the men come to you"
'I like the advice"
"You are welcome."
"So how are you feeling about Severide today"
"I miss him. But also don't want to give in to that girly side of me"
"So you want him to chase you"
"No, I need him to back off and let me think"
"So what is your timeline?"
"Timeline?"
Brett stated "Every girl as a timeline or threshold. Like how long can you wait or are willing to wait"
"I definitely need a few more days of space"
"So you know your decision you just want to make sure he is capable of waiting for it"
"pretty much" Stella laughed
"Care you share?"
"Two more days of little to no contact and then I will start talking to him but slowly. During that time his intentions will show"
"Good for you. And I am happy you want to stay with him"
"Why?"
"You two just work well together. I am honestly jealous of your connection"
"Yeah?"
"You two just fit" Brett smiled
Stella looked down at her phone and at Kelly's text from this morning. Could she really hold out two more days?
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