March 2014

Gabby woke up, curled next to Matt. It was something she would never get used to. His warm body pressed against her was like a comfort blanket on a scary night. His arm was wrapped around her, unconsciously pulling her closer. She closed her eyes again, not ready to get up and face the world, not yet. She wasn't ready to go to work or face the struggles that came with it.

"Hey," he said, still half asleep with eyes half-closed. They both smiled, staying where they were at for just a few more seconds. Once they'd both built up enough courage to get out of bed, they got ready for work and Casey grabbed them breakfast from the kitchen - him a cereal bar, and her an apple. Rather than walking, they got in Casey's truck - there was still a chill in the air that neither wanted to face for a mile walking. Their mornings usually didn't involve much conversation, but focusing on the task at hand. She felt the army had something to do with that for the both of them.

"So," she said once they'd gotten in the truck. "I'm ready." He turned towards her as he started the engine, confused at first. "To tell people. I'm ready." With that final explanation, he smiled and took her hand in his. They drove in silence except for the radio which was on a talk-radio-station. She thought of the coming difficulty of telling people, of their reactions. She hoped they were good, but she knew there was always the possibility of someone reacting negatively. Again, she hoped nobody would.

They pulled up to the curb outside of the station, and Gabby readied herself. She had a simple way to tell people, and not a single word would be spoken. They'd just act like a couple, they didn't need to announce it. To her, coming out to people didn't need to involve a conversation because there was nothing to say. She and Casey were together, and nothing was any different other than the way they'd act at work. Not saying that it would get in the way, which it wouldn't, but there was no reason to hide affection. Shay and Kelly did all the time, but they weren't dating, however, it was very similar in her mind. They got out, Casey grabbing both of their bags and walking around. She took his hand when he reached her, and they walked in together.

When Shay saw, she gave Gabby a thumbs up, and Gabby smiled. She was truly happy, and that made her happier. She took her bag from Casey and went ahead to the locker room to change. As she walked out, he walked in. So, she made her way to the living room and took her seat at the table. She could smell that Mills was cooking breakfast.

"So," Shay said, taking a gulp from Severide's coffee mug, "what's new in the life of Gabby?" She smiled, and Gabby knew she was leading her into saying something, but she wasn't going to and didn't need to.

"Same old," she replied. Casey sat next to her and took her hand in his again. Herrmann looked at them, then to Otis and Mouch.

"March sixth! Y'all owe me," he said to them, as well as most of the Squad guys. "I called it months ago, and you guys all thought it would take such a short amount of time. Well, I know both them guys. I called it!" Gabby laughed and looked at Matt. She should have bet they'd have a pool of when they'd come out as a couple. He smiled back and kissed her cheek. She felt so relaxed, not hiding anything. It made her feel much better about everything.

"Truck 51, Squad 3, Engine 51, Battalion 25, Ambo 61. Car Accident, Interstate 94 one mile north of the Roosevelt Entrance," the automated voice informed them seconds after the tones dropped. Everyone got up and went to their respective vehicles, ready for the worst.

"I hate interstate accidents," Shay told her as they buckled up. She put the sirens on and headed towards the accident. Gabby had never responded to an interstate accident, not even in Detroit. There it was mostly gunshot wounds or accidents on regular streets. "They get messy fast, and it's dangerous for everyone involved."

When they got on the interstate, it was a standstill to the point they had to drive in the emergency lane to get to the accident. People were honking their horns and others had gotten out of their cars to see what was going on - a dangerous decision in any circumstance. When Shay stopped the vehicle, Gabby saw the mess that they were cleaning up. She heard helicopters overhead, sirens coming from the north and south. They got out and she really took it all in - a pile-up. At least ten cars, meaning at the worst they could have upwards of forty victims to care for. She saw smoke coming from several of the cars, people yelling for help. When she looked further ahead she saw the reason for it all, a tipped over semi truck.

"Let's deal with what we can near us, wait for the guys to secure further away," she told Shay, and the woman nodded in agreement. She walked up to the first car, single driver no passengers.

"Ma'am, can you hear me?" she asked. The woman nodded, obviously shaken up over it all. "Are you hurt?"

"I don't think so," she told them. Gabby opened the door and turned to Shay.

"Go ahead and get the triage set up," she then told Shay, opening the car door and walking the woman over to the ambulance. She hung a green tag around the woman's neck and went to the next car. By the time everyone else had gotten through, they'd gotten four out of cars and to the side of the road.

"Next vehicle is smoking, gonna need help," she told Boden as he walked up. He motioned for the members of 81 and Squad to come over.

"Severide, you and your men are going to work on that semi. Casey, you and your guys are going to help Dawson and Shay." Both lieutenants nodded and went their respective ways. Casey walked up to Gabby, waiting for her to tell them to do something.

"We have a twelve year old in the front passenger seat of the next car in line, but we can't get the door open and we can't pull him through," she told Casey. He turned to his guys.

"Cruz, get the jaws. Herrmann, get ready to pull the kid out when the door's open. Dawson and I are going to get in the back, keep him good while you guys get that door off." Everyone nodded in agreement to the plan. Casey helped her into the car through the back window, following behind. She put a c-collar on him and Casey covered him with a fire retardant blanket.

"Hit it," Casey told Cruz. "Just hold still buddy. We'll get you out," he then assured the boy. Gabby could see more smoke coming from the hood. She glanced at Casey who was looking at the same thing. The door came off and Herrmann pulled the boy out just as the hood caught fire, spitting it through the vents. Casey pushed Gabby down flat on the seat, covering her with himself.

"Get that under control!" she could barely hear Boden yell, then the sounds of silver bullets making it die down. "Bail out!" Boden then yelled to them. Casey sat up, boosting Gabby through the back before jumping out himself. Once they were both out, the flames roared back.

"I'm okay," he told her. She smiled and went back to work. This wasn't the time or place to talk about it, But she definitely needed to talk about it at some point.

It took four hours for the entire thing to get resolved. When they got back to the station, Gabby got out and stood by the storage room. Casey walked over, a smile on his face.

"You scared me," she told him. He shrugged.

"I had to protect you somehow. And I have to fill out some paperwork for the incident and for a new jacket," he told her, turning the jacket to reveal severe damage to the protective layer from the fire. She gave him a kiss before he walked away. When he left, she let out a sigh, glad he was okay at least. She sat down next to Shay and leaned against her.

"You okay?" the other woman asked, wrapping her arm around Gabby. She just nodded, closing her eyes. She worried about him all the time, but today was different. Today, he risked himself to save her. That was never on the table, but now it was. And it scared her, it scared her to know that he'd do anything for her. She'd always known he might, but now he really showed it. He really showed that he loved her.