Chapter 11

"It's in honor of Hermann's vasectomy," Taylor explained.

"You have to go show him, Cruz," Gabby said. "He'll love it."

Joe stood up. "I'll show him. Then I'm taking it off." He stood up and walked over to the bar.

Gabby filled out her piece of paper. "He definitely gets my vote for best costume," she said as she laughed harder.

"Why do you girls know what you know about sperm and we didn't get it?" Casey asked.

"Because we're taught to stay away from it unless we want to have kids," Taylor explained. Besides, Gabby and Leslie are paramedics. They had to take Anatomy class."

Casey shook his head. "I guess," he conceded.

Taylor watched Joe head to the bar. "I have a feeling he's made at me now."

"He'll get over it," Severide said.

Joe stood at the bar. Hermann asked if he needed another beer. "No. I'm supposed to show you my costume. It's in honor of your vasectomy. Taylor's idea."

Hermann looked at his costume and started to laugh. "Thanks, Buddy! Best costume I've seen tonight! Hold on to that one. She's good for you."

Joe shook his head. "It's not that funny."

"Are you kidding me? It's great!" He wrote down something on a bar napkin and tossed it into the ballot box. "So you want beer or not?"

"Yes, get the table another round," he said as he peeled off the sheet. "I can't believe she talked me into this."

Hermann set 6 mugs on a tray. "This round's on me for having such a great costume."

"Thanks, Hermann. Can I get some nachos for the table? And some mozzarella sticks too."

"No problem. And tell Taylor her idea was great!"

Taylor and Joe made the walk back to her apartment in silence. He was angry and brooding, and she wasn't going to say anything to set him off. When they reached her door, she invited him in, but he said no. When no goodnight kiss was offered, she entered her dark apartment and headed straight to bed.

Joe sat in the dark living room of his apartment, wondering if he should call Taylor and apologize or just leave it alone. He hated it when they fought, although they really didn't have a fight. They had just stopped talking. He stood up. "Women," he muttered as he flipped on the TV.

Taylor tossed and turned, unable to get to sleep. She got out of bed and headed for the living room. She checked her phone. She sighed when she saw there were no new phone calls, voice mail, or text messages. 'Guess he's still pissed,' she thought as she set her phone down.

She felt a tear slip down her cheek. She should have known having Joe back in her life was too good to be true.