-Hey everyone! Thanks to the response back from chapter 3, I've decided to quickly give you another chapter! Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites! I'm currently working on another DAWSEY story as well that will probably be uploaded by the end of the weekend. I'm not sure on the title yet, but it'll be juicy! Here's to chapter 4!-

"What do you mean you killed Harper?" Casey spoke just above a whisper so that others wouldn't hear their conversation.

"I did, I killed her. I didn't look hard enough. I was…I just didn't look hard enough!" Dawson covered her face as she felt tears ready to pour from her reddened, tired eyes.

"Dawson, you got in there with little to no time. Harper was probably already gone by the time you got inside. We were lucky to find Haleigh in time." Casey got up from his side of the booth and slid in next to Dawson, putting his hand on her thigh.

Dawson shook her head, her voice cracking as she tried not to cry, "You don't know that."

"You're right," Casey's hand rubbed her thigh subconsciously, just as he used to do to try and comfort her, "I don't know, but I know that my men, and you, tried our best out there today, and sometimes, lives are lost. It's no one's fault, Gabbi."

Dawson removed her hands from her face, revealing the tears dripping down her cheeks, "It sure as hell feels like it's my fault! Can you please move, I feel like I'm going to be sick and I'd rather not throw up in front of or all over you."

Casey scooted off the seat, letting Dawson out. She darted in the direction of the bathroom and slammed the door to the stall. She immediately fell to her knees and threw up the little she had had in her stomach.

"I can't do this…I'm not ready!" More tears poured down her cheeks as she clutched her stomach, "I'm not ready to face this alone!" Her voice echoed against the empty bathroom walls. Once she felt that the sickness had gone away, she sat down on her bottom, pressing her back against the stall. She sat there in silence for what seemed like forever before removing herself from the floor, composing herself, and heading back out to the booth. Casey sat there, a concerned look displayed on his face.

"Are you ok?"

"I will be." A response from Dawson that seemed to be on repeat.

"Dawson, what is going on? You look pale, exhausted, and possible like you're going to pass out." Casey reached for her glass of water, sliding it closer to her, "When's the last time you ate or drank anything?"

"I don't remember," Dawson shook her head, taking a sip from the glass, "but that's why we're here, right?"

"Yes, now let's order something." Casey handed her the menu from the end of the table.

"I already know what I want…three pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream on top." Dawson set down the menu.

"Wow, you're really still a child trapped in an adult's body." Casey laughed, causing Dawson to let out a soft chuckle in response.

Dawson finished the last bite of her third pancake and leaned back against the booth, "Man, I usually never eat more than one and a half of these…I guess I really was hungry!"

Casey nodded, "I'd say so, piggy!"

Dawson reached across the table and swatted his shoulder, "shut the hell up!"

Casey chuckled and pulled out his wallet, tossing a twenty-dollar bill on the table, "You ready to head back to the station?"

"Casey, you don't have to pay for the whole meal, I can pay my half."

"Dawson, that's not what I asked you. Are you ready to head back to the station?"

Dawson cracked a half grin, "well, thank you. And yes, I'm ready to head back to the station."

Casey and Dawson stood, exiting the building. Walking outside, Dawson couldn't help but gasp as the brisk breeze filled her lungs.

"You ok?" Casey's face was covered with confusion.

"Yeah, just caught off guard by this weather. Thought it'd warm up a bit."

"C'mon, Dawson, we live in the Midwest. The weather here is four different seasons in one week."

"Ain't that the truth!" Dawson agreed, "Race you back to the station!" She took off running.

"Cheater!" Casey took off after her, gaining ground.

Their laughs rang out into the cold, night air. The streets were quieter than usual, and it finally seemed peaceful around the Chicago Fire Department. Casey caught up with Dawson and grabbed her by the waist, spinning her around. They both tumbled into the grass, landing on their backs. More laughs filled the air as they lay there, Dawson half on Casey.

"Hm, you're a pretty comfy pillow, " she smiled.

"Thanks, I think…" Casey ran his hand through her hair, something he knew she had enjoyed when they were together.

Dawson closed her eyes, embracing their closeness and the warmth that each stroke on her hair left from him. She began to drift in and out of sleep, ultimately giving in to the sleepiness that overwhelmed her entire body.

Casey lay there, stroking her hair, watching her eyes flutter and then finally close. He stayed still for approximately five more minutes, making sure she was really asleep. When she seemed to quit stirring, Casey maneuvered out from under her, scooping her up in to his arms and holding her close. He walked the short distance back to the fire station and took her upstairs to her room.

Reaching her bed, he pulled back the comforter and sheet and laid her down. Upon trying to stand up, he felt her hand grab his, "Don't go…please don't go," her sleepy voice spoke into the silence.

"I'm right here," he whispered back to her, sliding in next to her and holding her even closer than before, "I'm always here, Gabbi."

"I love you, Matt," Dawson muttered.

Casey froze, processing what she had just said. "Is she awake? Or just sleep talking? Do I say anything back? What the hell just happened?"

"Dawson?" he lifted his head slightly to try and see if her eyes were open. When he received no response, he came to the conclusion that she was sleep talking. "Do I tell her what she said? The subconscious always tells the truth, right?"

He felt the need to respond to her, and muttered back in the quietest voice he could manage, "I've never stopped loving you, Gabbi."

Dawson's eye fluttered open and she sat up quickly, "How did I end up back in bed?" She looked around to see all of the other beds empty. "Where is everyone?"

Pulling the blankets off of her, she headed for the locker area. Still, no one was there. She quickly changed into uniform and headed for the community room. Empty as well.

"Hello?" she called out. No response. She walked out into the bay and saw that Engine 81, Squad 3, and Ambulance 61 were all missing. "Did I sleep through a call?" She went back inside and upstairs, grabbing her phone from the charger by her bed.

Two missed texts from Casey flashed at her.

Hey Gabbi, thought you'd like some sleep, so I didn't wake you for this call. Just relax, it seems like you really needed it. Be back soon, Casey.

Hey Gabbi, just wanted to let you know, it's nothing too serious. Car accident; three victims, all minor injuries. Dispatch screwed up and made it sound worse than what it was. Packing up now and headed back to the station after that. See you soon, Casey.

"Wow," Dawson thought, "that was sweet. Thank God for Casey. I have to tell him soon…he has to know the truth."

Suddenly, Dawson could hear the garage doors in the bay beginning to open. They were back. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Casey again. Their early morning adventures had been the most fun and comfortable it had been in a long time and she knew she couldn't keep her secret in much longer, not for the sake of the future, no matter where it took them. She composed herself and headed down to the bay.

Upon reaching the door, she saw Casey undressing his gear. She walked directly over to him, trying to keep the confidence in her voice, "Casey, can we talk…alone…please?"

The others looked back and forth at the two, Mouch speaking a loud, "Oooh!"

Casey turned to him, "Shut it, or you can wash the truck by yourself!"

Mouch turned and walked away quickly, letting out a chuckle as he went.

Casey turned back to Dawson, "Meet me in my office in ten?"

Dawson nodded and headed back inside. The anticipation felt as though it was going to kill her.

When she reached his office, Dawson went in and sat in his chair. She leaned back and closed her eyes, spinning the chair around to keep her busy.

"Having fun?" Casey smirked as he entered his office.

"Oh my god!" Dawson almost fell backwards out of the chair. Casey grabbed the back of it just in time to stop her from hitting the floor. He lifted her back up.

"Man, you're pretty easy to scare!"

"Yeah…I guess I am!" she put her hand on her chest, "you're seriously going to give me a heart attack! Feel my heart beat right now!" Dawson grabbed his hand and placed it just above her left breast.

Casey held back a blush that he felt building. "Wow!"

Dawson couldn't remove her eyes from staring into his. She felt warmth spreading all over her body and words couldn't seem to process right from her lips, "So…um…yeah…so…"

Casey cleared his throat and removed his hand from her chest, "Yeah, uh, so what did you want to talk about?"

Dawson followed suit, clearing her throat. She searched deep inside of her for the courage to finally admit what had been the root of her emotions, the real issue that was effecting her in so many ways, "I…um…do you remember that night, probably a little over four months ago, after we celebrated at the bar, and you and I…well, you know, we got together after…"

Casey thought back to that night, the memories flooding back, "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

"So, I took a test…Casey…I haven't gotten my period in these last four months…"

Casey let out a loud exhale, his bottom sinking onto his desk, "Stop there…so you're telling me…"

"Casey, you don't have to be involved and I can handle it on my own…I mean, I don't even know if I want to keep it…"

Casey cut her off, "Dawson, stop." He found the control to look from the floor where his eyes had fallen, back to hers. He saw the tears building, Dawson looked like she was ready to lose it. Without saying anything more, he pulled her up from his chair and embraced her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, the other on her lower back.

"I told you, Dawson. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Tears began slowly falling from Dawson's eyes. She instantly felt a sense of relief and sunk into his embrace even more. "Casey…"

"You don't have to say anything more right now, Dawson." He squeezed her tighter, his mind becoming viciously overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a father.

-And here's the end to chapter 4. What do you think? Let me know by reviewing, please and thanks in advance!-