Continue to be overwhelmed with your positive response. Thank you to everyone – all you no account sisters - Jackie, ErinSeveride, Aryal, TKFan (wow, making me misty), EK, shaylover, RIPShay, Guests, & Sossy, and all of you with accounts who I hope I remembered to thank. The reviews are a little amazing. Also, gratitude to my writing sounding boards & friends – M & R.
Hope you enjoy!
"When are you gonna make nice with the new puppy?" Shay asked her best friend. She'd been in denial that Kelly put the deep freeze on her new partner, thinking she was imagining it… now sure she wasn't.
"I don't think she's stickin' around. She looks too soft for this job. She ain't no Dawson that's for sure." Kelly was working on one of his half a dozen saws, his hands a steady movement of push and pull as he coaxed the thing to purr. Shay watched, gaining a new understanding of what Erin meant when she talked about Kelly having "hands from heaven."
"I like her. She has a good heart… she's sweet…" Shay pleaded, her own heart inching open to take in her new partner.
"Ah hell. Don't tell me ya named her and bought her a collar already?" Kelly dropped the saw, looking at the blonde now, eyes slits.
"Yes, I'm keeping her, so be your normally charming self, or just don't be such an ass and welcome her already." Shay cocked her head to the side knowing she'd won. Always.
Kelly grunted picking up the saw again, Shay's cue to get lost. "Good talk," she said bouncing off to see what Brett was up to.
"Brett!" Kelly called out to 51's newest member, seeing her spy him from inside the ambo.
"Yes, lieutenant," she came bounding over, looking like she was chasing a damn ball.
"We got off on the wrong foot the other day. I was havin' a bad day," Kelly got up from squad's table where his men were eyeballing him suspiciously.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lieutenant Severide," Kelly extended his hand to the young woman, grinning broadly, confident that smile would do the trick.
Brett laughed loudly, extending her hand to the man she'd watched for three days.
"Sylvie Brett, sir. Nice to meet you," she looked into those piercing blue eyes, holding on to that hand for too long, feeling the softness of it.
Kelly pulled his hand away with Capp, Tony, and Mills chuckling softly.
"Brett! You gonna make me clean this thing by myself?" yelled Shay from inside the ambo.
"Gotta go, but glad we met. Officially. Like for real, not just looking at each other. Not that you were looking at me, but I was…" Brett's face was a shade of red Kelly was sure he'd never seen. He couldn't help but laugh thinking this was the perfect partner for Shay.
"Go," said Kelly shooing the blonde to her doppleganger with all of squad cracking up.
"You got yourself a fan there, lieutenant," said Mills laughing loudly.
Dr. Holly Thelan had gone to Molly's thinking she was going to get a little Kelly Severide, squashed by the weight of his wedding band and that crazy woman who blew in like a tornado. Now, she was beginning to realize she was getting something more perfectly suited for her… her own blonde tornado named Leslie Shay.
Holly'd been bi-curious in college taking a couple of girlfriends, both short-lived and both a little off center. One had been certifiable, accusing the redhead of sleeping with every man in sight including the girl's brother and father. Holly considered herself lucky to escape with her life.
She was wary about starting anything with anyone but her senior year, her poly-sci professor with an eye for pretty undergraduates had taken a special interest and Holly reciprocated. They'd stayed together that year saying tearful goodbyes when she took off to medical school at Emory. Dating was out with 12 or more hours in the lab, the library or studying almost every day.
Being a full-fledged doctor also left little time for a relationship, or so she justified to herself. Lately, she thought day and night about a certain blonde paramedic who she already discovered was about the funniest thing she'd ever met. The conversations ran on and on into the wee morning hours. Best of all, she never felt awkward around Leslie, the blonde being equally adorkable.
"Hey," she said opening the door to her small apartment, not sure if she should land a quick peck on that beautiful cheek. She didn't have to think about it too long… Shay went in for a kiss, just a small one right on the lips.
"You ready to paint the town red, Red?" asked Leslie taking in the body hugging black dress her date had on.
Holly loved the no fuss style of Shay, wearing her usual jeans, T-shirt and boots… hair in a messy bun atop her head, barely a stitch of make-up, but drop dead gorgeous.
"Are Kelly and his crazy wife joining us?" asked the doctor wondering when they would finally double. Someone so important to Shay was bound to be important to her if they were gonna make a go of this thing.
"Uh, not tonight… Erin, say it after me," teased Shay, "Erin has some romantic, only the two of them, night planned." The blonde grunted, feigning displeasure but really beaming that she was getting a little alone time with her Red.
"Maybe next time," muttered Holly, glancing at Shay, small smile on her face.
"Oh my God! You little bitch! You want to cause more problems for my best friend!" Shay laughed at that twinkle in Holly's eye. "And for the record, Erin isn't all that crazy."
Doc lifted an eyebrow doubtfully… "Whatever you say, Shay." She reached for her purse.
"No more crazy than you," insisted Leslie.
Holly plopped her purse back on her dining room table. "How 'bout we stay in tonight? Netflix it?"
"Sure," answered Shay trying to sound casual. She'd wondered when they were going to get beyond the flirting, the light kissing. She thought her heart may have skipped a little, the effort to not let out a light squeal taking every bit of self-control.
"I heard Tombstone's on Netflix now. It's a western, but oh so good…" started Holly.
"I love it! Kelly and I've watched it only a thousand times! Kurt Russell, oh those eyes…mmmmmm." Shay made herself right at home on the couch, grabbing the throw off the back. "Well, c'mon," she said waiting like an overanxious kid.
"Those eyes remind me a little of Severide's," cooed Holly.
Shay snorted loudly patting the seat next to her… "You like those eyes huh?"
Holly spun her fingers over her iPad finding the movie instantly. "They're nice," she answered., "but I've seen better." She looked at Shay, tucking her legs under her and grabbing for part of the throw.
Yeah, this one will do, thought Holly smiling as she nervously reached her arm around the shoulders of Leslie. She'll more than do.
"It's been a long time!" said Jeanine warmly hugging Erin first then Kelly. "We thought you two found a new spot," she teased not bothering whipping out her pad.
"Never, sweetheart," flirted Kelly giving her a quick wink. Joe's would be their place forever.
The waitress' face flushed slightly…"The usual?" she asked fumbling with her uniform.
"That would be nice," said Erin shaking her head at her husband. As soon as Jeanine made her escape, "You are a bad boy," she reprimanded Kelly.
"What?" he asked innocently, turning his phone off, having no desire to see another text from Shay saying how happy she was. He was glad, for sure, but not tonight. Tomorrow they could talk about how she finally found someone, she wasn't the third wheel on a Clarke/Cailin date or how she never got to see him anymore.
"I'm glad we're doin' this," said Kelly grabbing both of Erin's hands tightly. "We needed this."
"We did," Erin said softly looking at her husband's lips as they kissed her hands.
Severide had a faint teasing in the brain that things had not been "all good." He knew something was nagging at Erin, at him, ever since the take down of Mykola and almost take down of his girl. They'd get back to normal. The other night had been one he wouldn't soon forget. This was another good step.
"Oh, hey, I forgot to tell you… that little girl, Abby," Kelly began. "She was released today, good as new. Mom got out a couple 'o days ago."
The smile on her husband's face making her smile even more than the news.
"That's amazing, Kelly. All thanks to my hero," she said reaching for his hand. The fireman was reminded of that tiny hand in his.
"Sometimes things work out. I don't know why that little girl connected, just did."
"I get it. Same with the ones that get in my heart. Nadia," Erin added, thinking about her own life, the way she'd gotten into Voight's heart twenty years ago. "The fact that Abby's about the sweetest thing ever doesn't hurt," said the detective recalling the "quick" drop off of some balloons she joined Kelly for that turned into a 45 minute visit. Her heart melted more for her man watching him entertain the little one with a goofiness that would've done Shay proud.
A silence overcame their table, both lost in thoughts.
Kelly broke the quiet…"So someone's got a big birthday comin' up, old lady."
"I'm not the only one turnin' 35, buddy," she laughed, her birthday in her thoughts lately too.
"Let's take a trip," Kelly suggested. He'd searched a few island destinations wanting to get a honeymoon re-do. Do it right. "You in a bikini for a week is somethin' I could live with."
"I could stand to see you in a Speedo, husband," Erin teased, that flicker lighting up her eyes.
"Don't hold your breath, detective," Kelly laughed thinking he'd rather be dead than caught in one of those junk holding things..
Erin laughed at the image of her own doing… "Uh, let's think this through. Remember what happened last time we went away?" she joked, recalling their impromptu marriage when they snuck off to a cabin for a quick "getaway."
Kelly roared louder, "Who knows, we might end up with a bun in the oven." The sick look on his wife's face immediately sent an "Oh shit" signal in Severide's gut.
The slight cloud passed as Erin took in a deep inhale, count to three she told herself. She was ready to change the subject, ramble on about an island destination, do her usual when the conversation turned to some of her deepest fears.
Instead… "Worse things could happen," she said lightly, watching as Kelly's face went from worried to lit up like a Christmas tree in half a second.
Damn, she thought, if he didn't just try to impregnate me from across this table. Erin's nervous laughter turned into a genuine chuckle as she pictured his sperm jumping to attention.
Kelly raised his eyebrows knowing he would never fully understand this woman in front of him. And that was okay.
"Let's do this Shay. How'd that date with Holly go?" asked Kelly appreciating that his best friend had waited till he had his Cheerios, one cup of coffee, and settled into his favorite chair at 51.
"Jesus, I think you're moving slower every day," she grumbled, curling herself up on the couch facing him. "Well, let me tell you that I really like this one," the grumble gone.
"Go on," he said taking a sip of the black.
"First off, she's not crazy."
"Good to hear," he commented thinking about the long line of not so stable women who paraded in and on Shay's heart through the years.
"She might be a little crazy, but in a good way." The blonde talked non-stop about the evening leaving nothing out, nothing to the imagination. That was their way.
"Well, she had me at Tombstone," laughed Kelly when Shay stopped to take a breath.
They were both laughing loudly when the sound of Brett's normally small voice came resonating from the area almost inside the common room, more from the short breezeway leading to the truck bay.
"Harrison, let go of me!" demanded the blonde paramedic as an unfamiliar face led her by the arm.
"C'mon Sylvie. Enough's enough," he said coldly getting a firmer grasp of her arm.
"Hey, what the hell's goin' on here?" yelled Kelly grabbing the collar of this asshole roughing up one his paramedics.
"Get your hands off me," yelled the man, loosening his grip on Brett's arm.
"Lieutenant, it's okay, really. I'm sorry to bring this to the house…" the tears in Sylvie's eyes were overflowing now, running down her cheeks.
Boden was front and center having heard the commotion. "What can I do for you?" he asked the retreating acquaintance of his paramedic.
"Nothing. A personal matter," the guy muttered trying to shake off the fireman's hands that weren't leavin'.
"Doesn't look like she wants to talk right now, so why don't you get the hell out of here," Kelly said with a smile, a smile that dared the man to say one more word.
"Sylvie, I'll see you later," he grumbled, finally throwing off those hands holding his shirt.
"And you," he said looking Kelly in the eyes, about the same height, taking a step forward. "Don't think I don't know what's goin' on."
"The only thing goin' on is gonna be you on your ass if you don't get the hell out of here," said Kelly taking his own step forward.
The guy thought about it for a second before letting out a laugh, turning, and walking out of 51.
"Chief, I am so sorry," said Brett between sniffles, wiping her sleeve across her face. "Lieutenant, thank you. I am so sorry."
"Brett quit sayin' that. Everyone's got a crazy in their life. Some of us work with ours," he said cracking a smile, shooting Shay a look.
"Let's take a walk," said chief leading the way to his office. The paramedic followed with her partner in tow.
Boden let Shay join them knowing the new girl didn't have anyone in Chicago, didn't really have anyone yet at 51. Leslie her only friend.
"What was that all about?" asked Boden taking a seat knowing this was gonna take a while.
Is it wrong I'm hoping for a call, thought chief when Brett was half way through her story. Her story about an ex fiancé hoping for a fairy tale reunion. An ex fiancé who'd flown half way across the country for that reunion.
"Has he ever gotten physical before?" asked Shay not liking the way Harrison had a hold of Sylvie's arm.
There was a pause, so slight Boden didn't recognize it. "Not really. I'll talk to him tomorrow, he'll go home, and that'll be it."
"Not alone," said Shay shooting off the words before chief could say them. "Kelly and I are coming with."
Brett nodded thinking of the way Severide had manhandled her ex. She could've used him six months ago back home, needed him six months ago when Harrison again hadn't taken no as an answer. That time no one was there to hear her voice.
The meet went down without a hitch. Harrison relented and said he was leaving, for now. Brett gave him an awkward hug with Shay and Kelly remaining silent throughout, her backup not really needed.
"That was easy," said Shay brightly as they climbed into Sylvie's car.
"Too easy if you ask me," commented Kelly, glancing back darkly at the man watching them through his motel window.
The next day Brett brought in a huge tray of cookies for her hero. "Where's Kelly?" she asked Shay, holding the heavy platter.
"Oh, it's Kelly now?" asked Leslie eyeballing the treats enviously. "He's runnin' late, car wouldn't start. Erin's dropping him."
"It's time for you to trade in that piece of shit, or take it to the junkyard," said Erin coming in to say a quick hi to the guys.
"I know you did not just say that," Kelly sputtered, thinking of his beauty stuck at home. "I feel like you might take me to the scrapyard with a few more miles," he muttered half under his breath.
"Erin!" called Shay seeing the arguing pair, running to Kelly's better half. "So did you get rid of that ridiculous macho man mobile…"
"Jesus, you too? Traitor…" he mumbled seeing Brett watching from afar.
"Brett, get over here!" he called, hoping he'd have an ally in her. "Meet my wife, Erin," he said grabbing the heavy tray out of her hands.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Severide," she said glumly trying to muster up a smile.
"Erin, please. Nice to meet you. Shay's had the best things to say about you." The disappointment in the blonde's face was obvious, Shay has nice things to say. Shay.
"I love it here, already. Lieutenant, those are for you," she said indicating the cookies he was holding. "After yesterday, and all your help getting rid of my ex. I really appreciate it," she was smiling now looking into those piercing blue eyes, everything else blurring into obscurity.
Erin's eyebrows raised, but she kept a clamp on her mouth. "Well, nice meeting you Sylvie. Shay we're having a girl's night soon. Maybe a weekend. Keep an eye on this one for me, okay?"
Kelly bent over to kiss his woman. "Walk me out?" she asked.
"I thought you were gonna say hi to the guys?" Kelly queried, handing the tray over to Shay.
"I thought you said you had house business yesterday? You were getting rid of a fiancé? What gives?" she asked wondering why he always had to play the hero, why he couldn't let someone else step up for once.
"It was house business, helping one of our own." Kelly answered, confusion on his face.
"You seriously don't have a clue," Erin said incredulously. "You are lucky you're pretty, husband," she added breaking out in a laugh.
"Feel like there's an insult in there," he protested something, not sure what.
"Go enjoy your, uh, cookies. I'll see you tomorrow." Erin reached up grabbing Kelly's face, kissing him hard on the lips.
"Love you," he whispered, his hands instinctively going to the back of her head, caressing her hair.
"I love you," she whispered back.
Harrison watched the pair from his car parked discreetly across the station. He had a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. So this guy wasn't just playing his girl but this other one as well. He knew it would take some maneuvering, some fancy talking, maybe more than the pictures he was currently snapping, but he would get Sylvie back. He vowed he wasn't leavin' Chicago without her.