Chapter 10

Joe held the door open for Taylor as they reached Molly's. Inside, the party was going full force. They were handed pieces of paper and pens and told it was to write down who they thought had the best costume. Otis saw them enter, and hurried over.

"Hello, I'm Brian. You must be Taylor."

"I am." She looked at Joe. "You never mentioned Brian."

"Yes I do. You know him as Otis. He's just being a smartass tonight because he's trying to get into your good graces."

"Nice to meet you, Brian/Otis," she said as she shook his hand. "Joe's told me a lot about you."

"Funny. He never mentions you."

"That's because it's private, Otis. Now go buzz off."

Otis glanced at Joe. "Where's your costume?"

Joe held it up.

"Put it on."

"I will. Later. Now buzz off. Let me have a date in peace."

As Otis left, Taylor looked at Joe. "That was kind of rude."

"He would have hounded you to death if I wouldn't have stopped it. He can't believe you and I used to date."

"What? You're not allowed to have a girlfriend?"

"Not according to Otis."

Taylor slipped her arms around him. "I'm very happy to be your girlfriend."

"I'm very happy you are."

"Awww… look at the Lovefest going on," Hermann started at the end of the bar.

"Shut up, Hermann!"

Taylor gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Let me go grab some beer. Find us a place to sit?"

He looked around as she walked over to the bar.

"Over here, Cruz," Matt called.

Joe joined Casey, Gabby, Shay, and Severide. "Thanks, guys."

"You by yourself?"

"No, Taylor is at the bar. She'll be over in a minute."

"You made her buy drinks?"

"No, she wanted to buy drinks."

Taylor glanced around and found where Joe was sitting. She ordered a round for the table.

"I'll deliver them," he told Taylor. "It will be hard for you to hold the beer and your dress."

Taylor curtsied. "Thank you, Mr. Hermann." She picked up a mug and made her way over to the table. Joe slid over to make room for her when she arrived.

"Guys, this is Taylor," Joe said. "Taylor, this is Casey, Dawson, Shay and Severide."

"Hi," she greeted. "It's nice to meet all of you."

Hermann appeared with the beer. He started passing them out. "Here you go. Enjoy."

"Thanks, Hermann," Casey said as he passed the mugs down the table. He looked at Joe. "Where's your costume?"

Joe pointed to the wadded up sheet on the table.

"He's embarrassed to wear it," Taylor said as she took a sip of beer.

Joe rolled his eyes. "She put a card on it. That's what's embarrassing."

"Well, now you have to show us, Cruz," Severide baited. "We have to see what she did."

"Oh no," Joe said emphatically. "NFW."

"Don't be silly, Joseph," Taylor said. I told you you could take it off if you got hassled."

Joe sighed and held up the costume, but didn't put it on. Gabby stared at it, then started to giggle. "Oh my God, I love it! Cruz, you have to put it on."

Shay laughed. Casey and Severide looked confused.

"Don't you guys get it?" Gabby asked. "He's a sperm!" She reached across the table and gave Taylor a high five. "That's priceless!"