''Did she actually say that to you?'' Severide looked surprised.

''She did. I wanted to say something mean back, but I figured it would only make things worse, not any better.'' Matthew sighed. They were sitting outside again by the centre.

''Do you still want to come to Molly's tonight? I could pick you up, but I think it is better to do things than to think about Hallie.''

Matthew shrugged, he wasn't really up to lying the whole night how good he felt, to be honest he didn't even dare to see Shay and Dawson. They were the ones that saw him and Hallie fighting.

''Okay, I also don't like the spent the night alone here, I guess.'' He mumbled then.

''Sure, I will pick you up at 8. Don't worry, I don't think anyone knows except for Shay, Dawson and me.'' He was looking over Matthews shoulder.

''Uh oh, the broom express has arrived.''

''Hallie?'' Matthew said, not daring to look behind him.

''In the flesh. Do you want me to send her away? She is in the hall, seems to be waiting for you to come inside.''

''I am not sure if I want to talk to her, but to be honest I am also eager to know what she wants to say to me. Or what she thinks that is left to say.'' Matthew said, still not looking at Hallie.

''I will let her through, will get us something to drink. Will be back in a few minutes – just don't listen to her if she is mean.''

Matthew nodded, smiled, but the smile vanished as soon as Severide had passed him. Nervous he started to drum on the table, still not looking behind him, or even around him.

''hey.'' Hallie sat down in front of him.

''Hey.'' He said, not looking up to her, instead looking at her hands at the table. At the ring which she was wearing again. Was she going to throw it at him again?

''I am sorry about what I said yesterday. It is not true what I said and I think we should have a good talk.''

Matthew looked up at her; ''Not really. We just don't belong together, Hallie. We have tried so many times. We broke up because you didn't want me to become a fire fighter when we left high school. We broke up because you didn't like me being a fire fighter when we were back together. We broke up because we couldn't even talk about how we wanted to spend our future together. You wouldn't even talk about having a baby. Now we brake up because I am not good enough anymore, apparently. Thinking back, I never been, neither to your mom nor you.''

Hallie exhaled. ''You have always been enough.''

''Please don't lie. Am I best man you know? No, I am just the best you can get. It is true, isn't it? When you couldn't find a better guy, you came back to me.''

''Can you please just stop? This is so not true.''

Matthew sighed, ''What is the truth, then? Is it too hard to see me again, because of your little fragile feelings?''

Hallie jumped up; ''Actually, yes! I warned you for years, something bad would happen when you remained a fire fighter,.''

''I wasn't even on shift when this happened. How can this have something to do with being a fire fighter?''

She crossed her arms, which annoyed him, since she always did that when she thought she was right. ''Because you were around the station, as always. You can't leave your work behind you.''

''Maybe because the station is my home! They were the ones supporting me after I was shot, where were you? Right, you were playing with my feelings, loving me and dumping me.''

''Matthew, I am so done with you,''

''I am done with you, Hallie. All you care about is yourself and I could have known, if you really loved me we could have talked about having a baby instead of you running out without having a decent conversation. Can't believe you fooled me again with your fragile little feelings.''

''Bye, Matt!'' She walked inside, nearly bumping into Severide. ''And I hate you, too! Dick!'' She yelled at him.

''Told you she hated me.'' Severide said in a very dry manner, putting the tray on the table. Matthew tried to contain his laughter, but he failed. Together they laughed for a few seconds. ''I had expected her head to explode when you started about her fragile little feelings.'' Severide laughed.

''You could hear that inside?''

''Live drama is always the best. But I hope you got it all off your chest.''

Matthew sighed. ''I think I am not even going to miss her anymore. I still feel awful about what she said yesterday, but somehow her words didn't even really hit me today.''

'' I know but you should forget about that as well. She was the one saying it, she isn't worth feeling bad about.''

Matthew nodded, grabbing a glass from the tray.

''What if I stay alone now.'' He said, laughing but Severide could hear he was actually serious.

''You are a great guy, you will find a girl good for you, I am sure.''

''I hope so. Actually, I am not feeling up to going to Molly's tonight.''

Severide frowned. ''Are you sure, I wouldn't want you to cry tonight over somebody who doesn't deserve it.''

''I know, I just have a somewhere I want to go.''

….

Bruce Springsteen was singing through his speakers again. Before, he would have been singing and drumming loud along with the music. Now he had to focus on driving, since he was afraid to screw up with the hand controls. The night was darkening the Chicago sky and it was nearly dark when he finally reached the restaurant he had asked his mom to come. After all, she still was his mother. He had called her once since he was shot. She told him that she had heard on the news that a lieutenant of firehouse 51 was shot and paralyzed. She told him he was so sorry for his colleague and he hadn't dared to tell her she was talking about her own son.

But he also realized he better could have told her straight away, he felt very nervous getting out of the car, having to face his mother. After a few deep sigh he left the car, there was a little rain outside and he was happy when he was dry and warm in the restaurant. He looked around, for his mother, but there was no table with a single person sitting at it. Instead he saw her hair and the face of a guy he had never seen before. She was going out again, as he had expected but he wasn't sure if he still should go to the table, not wanting to meet her new date. Before he could leave, the date looked over his moms shoulder and he pointed at Casey. ''Your son?'' His mom turned around, her eyes big and shocked.

''Matt!'' She stood up from the table, walking up to him. She stood in front of him for a few seconds, not knowing what to do, giving him an awkward hug then. ''Why didn't you tell me?'' she said, her head on his shoulder.

''I couldn't, didn't want to scare you. I am fine, mom.'' He said with a smile. A fake one, because he felt crappy.

The man stood up as well. ''Vaughn, nice to finally meet you. Your mom told a lot about you.''

He looked up to his mom. ''So, this one is actually a stayer?'' He whispered, when Vaughn walked back to the table.

His mom smiled, shrugged. ''Could be.''

They went to the table, Matthew shoving on the of the chairs aside so he could sit at the table. A lot of tables were even to low for him, resulting in his knees being pressed against the table, or that he had to sit so far away from the table he couldn't speak with the people at the table, one of those tables were the tables at molly's, though he could manage now by sitting sideways and leaning on the table with his elbow. Sometimes he got hopeless by how everything needed adjustment, but he was getting used to it now.

''So, Matthew, you worked at a fire fighter.''

''Work.'' His mom and Vaughn looked puzzled.

''I just haven't been officially dismissed yet.'' He said, looking in the menu, knowing the work was reflex. Every time he said worked in Molly's the other men yelled work because he hadn't been dismissed yet and they were hoping he could stay in one way, even if it was just office work.

''But he became a lieutenant so young! His father would have been so proud.''

Casey looked up from the menu, his eyes big in shock.

''It is a shame your father lost the fight against his disease before you were promoted.'' Vaughn nodded, more to his mom than to him. He wanted to say something, instead he just kept hidden behind the menu. His mom was a disease now?

''Have you decided yet?'' His mom asked his attention from the menu.

''I am not really hungry, actually. I will just have a small portion of soup.'' He wasn't even lying. The way his mom was talking about his father's passing made him sick.

''Are you sure? You look like you can pass out any second. Are you eating enough, or are you in pain?''

His mom reached out to touch his shoulder but he pushed her hand away; ''Mom, I am fine. I am just not so hungry and that is not because I am in pain.''

Yes, as usually in the evening, his back was sore from sitting up all day and his legs were tense and sometime a little shaking from the muscle spasms he was having nearly every night. Those didn't hurt since he didn't have a lot of feeling down there, but it was uncomfortable.

But it was not the pain that made him nausea.

''The only thing that hurts me now is the way you talk about dads death, as if you are actually trying to get Vaughn's pity. Did you tell him you are a widow?''

''I am sorry Vaughn, Matthew has never really gotten over the death of his father.'' She smiled at Vaughn. After that she frowned at Matthew, nodded, her face seemed to beg him to play along.

They ordered their food and drinks.

''It is weekend, you could also drink one beer.''

Matthew shook his head. ''No, I have to drive.''

''Are you driving?'' His mom said, surprised and seemingly scared.

''Why so surprised? I am not a baby.'' He said, getting a little upset with his mother.

They watched in silence how their drinks were served and Matthew hoped that the food would come soon so he could excuse himself and leave when he had finished it.

Vaughn tried to start a conversation again; ''So, how is your love life.''

''I am single.''

His mom opened his mouth; ''Do you still see that Thomas girl? I always liked her, she was so kind and ambitious. '' Matthew had just taken sip from his coke and started to cough.

''No, I don't see her anymore.'' He said between the coughs.

''That is a shame. I had always hoped you 'd marry her one day and maybe build a family with her.''

He tried to think if he had ever been in a more awkward situation, but he couldn't think of one. Okay, it had been awkward when there was a fire in a apartment building and he had to carry one girl outside who was naked. But that was for his work and it felt different. He had felt awkward when he had seen Hallie's family for the first time and it was very awkward when he refused Dawson's kiss on the party. But his own mom just sat on the throne of making him feel awkward.

''Mom, to be honest, we have been together again for a few weeks but we broke of this week.''

Because this morning would have made her ask to many questions.

''Like, for forever.'' He said before she could open her mouth to tell him again how much she liked Hallie. Luckily, the food was brought to the table and his mom was too busy eating to continue the interrogation.

''I am afraid I have to go. I need to be back at the rehabilitation centre before ten, because of the curfew. '' Liar, he didn't need to be back until twelve. Even though he wanted to see his mom, he already had enough of her within an hour. He was happy she was at least only seeing one guy. His mom walked with him to the car after he said goodbye to Vaughn, who hoped that he would become a great stepdad to kick Matthew's mother of the throne of awkwardness and Matthew was happy he reached the car without any kisses of his new dad.

He lifted himself on the drivers chair, closing his belt and lifting his legs in the car. His mom wanted to help with his chair but he refused her help.

Before he could close the door after he said bye his mom kissed him right on the middle of his forehead. He wanted to yell he didn't want to be kissed anymore on the age of twenty-nine but she still was his mom.

''Just promise we will see each other more often!'' She said before he could close the car door.

''I promise.'' He said, with a smile, closing the car door and driving away. Before he hit the big road he saw in the rearview mirror that his mom left a big kiss-shaped red spot on his head from her lipstick. In a reflex he wanted to spit on his hand and wipe it away, but he couldn't use his hands. First thing when he parked.

When Matthew nearly reached the big road he heard a loud scream from an alley. He stopped the car and opened the window.

''Hello? Need any help?'' He didn't want to leave the car, feeling vulnerable without the big truck around him.

Somebody came running form the alley, holding her hand in front of her face, long black hair falling in front of her face.

''Dawson?!''

She looked up, removing the hand, showing the blood flowing from her eyebrow. Not hesitating for a moment she stopped beside him the car.

''Drive, Matthew, please!'' She said panicking. Without any doubt, Matthew started the car again, leaving the dark alley behind.

…..

So you wanted Dawson? Well, here she is! I am not sure if it is going to end up in a romance, but it might. At least she entered the story…but what happened to her?

And what did you think about the Casey and his mom part. Although she seems to disappear in the series, I wanted to bring the mom back, to break the eternal conversations between Casey and Severide, also it might be interesting to bring back some of the past. Hope you think so.

Hope you like this chapter, I know it is a little bit on the short side. But I like cliffhangers…..

Please leave review what you think of this chapter and also what you hope to happen; as you see, it might help. 3x Dawson in a review and here she is. I do try to keep it realistic though, but three big dramas is normal in a Chicago fire episode, so why not here?

So, thanks a lot to the people who left a review! I'd love to thank the signed in members personally but it is so late and I am so hungry. But it means a lot to me and thank you! Hoep this won't keep you from leaving another review.

Another question, how long would you like this story to be, how much more chapters would you guys like? I am full of inspiration but I wouldn't want to bore you. Hope you spare some time to tell me J

Tomorrow will be the hottest day in decades in the Netherlands, especially in the part where I live….so probably no chapter tomorrow. I am already happy if I survived my working day in the heath, don't think there is coming much productive after that…sorry. If I would write tomorrow, it would probably be rushed and not good.

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