Gabriela leaned against the wall facing the windows of Matthew's room, looking as his mother was talking to him. She could see Nancy's lips moving and guess what she was saying but Matthew seemed to understand even less of what she was saying. He laid there, looking at her but in his eyes she could see he wasn't there. She shook her head she walked away to get more coffee. In the previous two days since he woke up, she had tried a lot but nothing was really successful. He seemed to know she was there but he didn't react and the doctors were afraid it was due to the brain damage and that he would stay in vegetative state.

Putting another cup under the coffee machine she tucked her hands in her pockets as the cup got filled and she looked through the hallway. Staff was walking from room to room and since visiting hour was just starting families walked over the hallway.

''Gabriela.''

She turned around, to face her parents.

''Mam, dad?''

Her mom was standing with a large bouquet of flowers in her hand, tears in her eyes.

''What are you doing here?'' Gabriela said surprised. She had told her parents she had to go the hospital because of Matt, but the least thing she had expected was for them to turn up here.

''We just want you to know we are here for you and Matt.'' Her father nodded and she wanted to thank them but Nancy Casey suddenly walked up them.

''That is his mother.'' She said to their parents as they turned her way and introduced themselves.

''I think I heard him moaning. I told his doctor and the doctor tried, but...''

''Did he react?'' Gabriela asked, hopeful.

''No, he didn't.'' Nancy Casey bow her head and walked out of the hallway again.

Gabriela bow her head and she felt her mother's arms around her.

''I am okay.'' She mumbled, pushing her mother away as she walked in front of them to his room. She had to stay strong, for herself and for him. It was kind of strange to bring her parents to Matt, as they only had seen him a couple of times on pictures and at the barbeque once, but they never really spoke to him.

''Antonio!'' Her mom suddenly said.

''Antonio?'' Her brother came walking down the hallway.

''Hey sis. Mom told me about what happened with Matt, thought you could use some support.''

''Is there more family with him?'' Her dad asked as they stopped walking behind her.

''I don't think we should be here instead of his family.''

''He only has his mom.''

His sister said she wouldn't come to see him as long as their mother was visiting him in fear she would have to be in the same room with her mom. Gabriela wanted to be honest to her, how stupid she was for saying that and that their mother could use some support as well, but she had been too tired. Neither did she want to fight with Christie.

''His mom seemed familiar to me.'' Antonio mumbled, frowning as he was thinking.

''Can't imagine you know her.'' No, she could. Antonio had started working at homicide after he had finished the academy, fifteen years ago. There was a good change his mom was one of his first cares.

After her parents and brother had gone again she was sitting in the gloomy, silent room.

The door opened again and Shay and Severide entered.

''Hey.''

''You come with me.'' Shay said, standing behind her as she laid her hands on her shoulders.

''I will watch over Matthew tonight.'' Severide nodded.

''You are going out with me, you need it. You need to get out of here for one evening.''

''No, I need to be here.''

''Kelly is here.''

Finally Gabriela stood up. Shay was right, she did need this.

''Hey Matt.''

Severide sat down in the chair next to his bed. Hoping his friend was here he started to talk about his new job.

''You know, Mouch is also working in 29 now. He has problems with a firefighter there because the guy sits on the spot on the couch that is similar to the one in 51. Mouch nearly hit him in the head with the remote when the other guy wouldn't let Pouch on the couch next to Mouch.''

Severide chuckled but his laughing stopped when he saw his friend was still unresponsive and his eyes closed now.

''I know you probably can't hear me, or you don't understand me, but I miss you. We all do.''

For a second he had hoped that Matt had opened his eyes now he was talking to show he was still there but his friend was still laying with his eyes closed, unresponsive.

''I know, we haven't really been friends for the last two years after Andy died but I wish we still were. I know have been an ass to you. I just like to remember the time we just started working together and you were like my little brother.''

Although Matt was only two years younger than him, he had felt a brotherly feeling ever since he walked into house 51. He wanted to protect Matt, but now he had failed.

''Just take the time you need, but come back to us, we need you.''

''Hey, you are the new candidate?'' Kelly Severide walked towards the young guy standing before the door of the common room.

''Yeah, I am Matthew Casey.'' He shook his hand. Immediately one of the firefighters walked up to them and pressed the broom in the new candidates hands.

''Kelly Severide.''

''Go sweep the floor.''

Matthew nodded and Kelly took his bag; ''It always starts like this. Don't worry, they will get nicer eventually.''

''Thanks.'' Matt smiled at him and Kelly reminded when he came here a year ago as the new candidate.

Matthew walked away, sweeping the floor. Kelly laid Matt's bag next to his and walked back to the common room where the other guys were laughing at Matt and he walked through the doors, grabbing another broom and he started to sweep as well.

''What are you doing?''

''Helping you.''

''No, no, you don't have to do that. I am the candidate, not you.''

''Hey, I was the candidate up till last week.'' Severide gave him a nod and a smile as they continued sweeping.

''Severide, what are you doing?'' The guy whom had given Matt the broom teased him. Severide rolled his eyes as it was Hadley, whom had been at the academy with him but was a candidate at another firehouse only to come here after being a candidate. Although he liked going out with Hadley, he annoyed him as he wanted to impress the other firefighters.

''As you can see I am sweeping the floor.'' Severide said, dryly.

''I can see that, why are you helping the candidate?''

''Because I want to. Remember you were also a candidate a year ago?''

''Severide, it is okay.'' Matt interfered.

''ENOUGH!'' The chief, Boden suddenly roared through the room.

''Candidate, in my office! Severide and Hadley, I want this floor as clean as a whistle.''

Severide nodded at Matt, whom smiled back and followed Boden then.

''Matt, can you please just make a sound or just anything so I know you are still here with me?'' Gabriela said as she bit her lip, grabbing his hand again. Everything made her so hopeless. Now she was even sitting here in the middle of the night after going out with Shay whom had taken her out for dinner. Sure, she had enjoyed the evening but it was as if she couldn't take her mind out of this room.

Her finger rubbed over his hand and she realized it had been like this for the past few weeks, except his hand seemed to get weaker every day. What if it really was going to end this way? That his body was going to wither away until he would pass away, slowly?

But there had been no reaction again and she let go of his hand.

''I need you Matt.'' Gabriela started crying and he looked down as the tears started streaming down her face and she started sobbing.

''I love you and I need you. Please, Matt.'' She kept crying, suddenly looking up as she heard a soft moan. Gabriela looked up and saw Matt looking at her, his left hand looking for hers.

NOTE: Is Matt actually waking up? Will he be okay? Well, you will have to wait a few days because I am going to update some of the others stories first. I know myself, if I keep writing this story I will forget about the others. The update will probably be Tuesday or Wednesday.

I am not sure how old Antonio is, but since he has kids I guess he is old enough to could have started working at CPD fifteen years ago.

Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter although there is not much action in it. Thank you for reading and please do leave a review! Keeps me motivated to write this!