Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter for you all. With everything happening right now, I hope all of you are staying safe, and doing as well as you can be. And though fanfiction is not nearly as important as the things going on in the world, I hope that this can serve as a little break from everything for some of you, even if only for fifteen minutes.
Also, the next chapter of If We Never Say Goodbye will be up later today, so if any of you also read that story, be on the lookout for that!
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoy.
FIFTY SEVEN
"Casey, we're coming, man!"
Gabby stood frozen outside by the rig, Shay tending to the woman that had been brought them barely a minute ago as Dawson was unable to look away from the blazing building, the words of her coworkers through the radio falling on deaf ears as she waited with bated breath. Staring up at the flames, she felt a rush of helplessness flood through her system, her hand tightening on the radio strapped to her chest as she took slight steps forward, her mind not even registering the movement as she came to a stop beside Boden.
When they had pulled up to the fire nearly ten minutes ago, they knew it was a bad one, the house already up in flames by the time they arrived. It was one where, even with her knowledge as a paramedic, she knew how dangerous a call like this could be. It was a call where they had to be in and out; they could do a quick sweep, and help who they could, but when Boden said to call it, they'd have to call it. But, despite her knowing the dangers, she wasn't expecting this. She wasn't expecting anything to happen to him… She wasn't expecting him to get hurt in a fire, again.
The feeling in the air was tense, Gabby swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat as she tried to process the different voices she was hearing through her radio despite the pounding headache forming in her skull, the paramedic only caring about hearing one voice in particular. One she hadn't heard for a few minutes.
"Casey!"
"Chief, the entrance is blocked."
"Severide! This way!"
"We've got him, we've got him- Dammit!"
"Chief, we're trapped up here, stairs are gone."
"Otis!" Boden shouted, "Get the aerial up there, second floor!" He ordered, the firefighter nodding before running back towards the rig, Boden turning back towards the building. "Severide?"
"Capp, get the extinguisher on him!"
Those last words cause her breath to catch in her throat, Gabby barely registering the glove-covered hand Boden placed on her shoulder, tears welling in her eyes as she continued staring at the fiery building.
"Casey, man… Shay, are you and Dawson still here? We-"
"I'm fine."
Gabby choked on the air in her lungs when she heard his voice, his quick words, followed by the sound of him coughing, causing the heavy weight to lift from her chest. His voice was a little hoarse, and from what she could tell he hadn't been able to catch his breath, but he was talking. He was alert, and despite whatever injuries he might have, that was what mattered.
"Severide, the ladders up- Get out of there!" Boden yelled through the radio, Gabby blinking quickly as her eyes stayed focused on the window where they were, the paramedic watching on as glass fell to the ground, one of 51's firefighters breaking out the rest of what was left of the broken window. "Is Casey alright?"
"I'm fine, Chief." Casey's voice came through the radio once more, Gabby's eyes falling closed when she heard him talk. His voice was a little deeper than normal, the paramedic unsure of if he'd breathed in any smoke during whatever had happened to him, but it sounded like he had. "We're coming out."
Slowly, firefighters began to appear through the smoke billowing out the windows, Gabby watching tensely as one by one, they began climbing out onto the ladder, the woman holding her breath until she saw one Lieutenant in particular make his way out of the burning building.
And the second she saw him, it felt like she could finally breathe again. He was moving slowly, but he was moving on his own, Gabby recognizing him instantly even with all the gear on. And it was like as soon as he began making his way to the ground, Kelly being the last one to follow after him, her instincts kicked in, Dawson immediately running back towards the rig where they'd be climbing down, the paramedic knowing the firefighter was bound to need some assistance. And the further down the ladder he got, the more apparent that became.
She couldn't see much, with his gear on she wasn't able to really see any injuries he might've had. But what she could see was that his turnout gear was completely charred. From head to toe, the entire back of his coat and his pants were burned, the material now black and unrecognizable, his name disappeared entirely from his jacket as he climbed his way down. And that sight alone was enough to send her heart rate through the roof.
Though she'd heard it through the radio, seeing it in person was as jarring a feeling as she could experience, Gabby witnessing first hand the aftermath of him being on fire. And by the looks of it, he'd been burning for awhile. But all she could do now was pray his gear had done its job, and by the way he was moving, it was a safe assumption he wasn't too badly injured. He was moving slowly, there was no doubt about it, but he was moving on his own. And if his turnout gear was any indication, that alone was a minor miracle.
Dawson vaguely heard Boden shouting orders at his firefighters as engine began spraying the house down now that it was free of any first responders, but the PIC's focus wasn't on anything other than the truck Lieutenant who was almost down off the rig, Gabby standing a few feet back as Casey finally made his way to the ground.
"You good, Lieutenant?" Herrmann asked, Matt nodding as he pulled his helmet off his head, Gabby immediately seeing a few scratches along his face before he even looked her way, it not lost on the paramedic that he hadn't been wearing his mask when he came out of that fire.
"I'm fine." He replied, Casey unable to get the words out without coughing, that sound kicking Dawson into gear as she marched towards him.
Seeing her out of the corner of his eye, Matt looked up before she could get to him, the look on her face causing him to frown immediately as he took in her worried state.
"I'm-"
"Come with me." She spoke, her voice quiet but firm, Gabby grabbing onto his arm before she began to pull him away from the rig.
"Gabby…"
"Don't." She practically hissed, Matt sighing softly before he nodded and complied, Dawson leading the way but walking slowly as to accommodate for whatever injuries he might've had. She could tell from their brief walk alone he was moving with a slight limp, but whatever had caused that couldn't have been too painful, as he hadn't made a sound while she led him over to 61.
When they got there, Gabby quickly noticed the woman they'd been treating before Matt was down lying on the bed, Shay tending to her as the blonde looked up when she noticed the movement, the paramedic immediately seeing the tense and rigid look on her partner's face, Gabby doing what she could to mask just how worried she was.
"Sit." Dawson ordered, her voice leaving no room for any discussion as Matt nodded, the man sitting down on the ledge on the rig, Gabby immediately reaching for her stethoscope. "Shay, get the extra oxygen mask."
The paramedic complied without a word, Gabby immediately opening Matt's charred turnout gear so she could listen to his lungs, the woman emitting a small breath of air when she saw his Lieutenant's shirt was completely unharmed, the grey material looking just as it had before this call, aside from maybe a little more sweat the normal, before she placed the stethoscope against his chest.
"Take a deep breath." She told him, Gabby noticing the slight crowd that had gathered around them as he breathed, the woman focused on nothing but the rise and fall of his chest, despite her feeling his eyes boring into her. "Another one." She said, moving the instrument over his shirt before he breathed again, Dawson feeling her nerves lessen slightly.
"What happened in there, Casey?" Boden's voice filled the otherwise silent air, Matt tearing his eyes away from Gabby to look towards the Chief.
"Take this off." Gabby instructed before he could respond, the paramedic helping him shrug out of the burned material, no one missing how he grimaced and winced at the movement until he was free from the turnout coat.
"I was in the bedroom." He started, pausing to take another breath as he'd been instructed to by Dawson. "I did my sweep, and the room was empty. Then as I was leaving, the ceiling gave in. I got hit by some plywood, and fire fell through."
"Where?" Boden asked immediately as Gabby grabbed the oxygen mask from Shay, Matt raising his eyebrows.
"I'm sorry?"
"You said you got hit… Where?" He repeated the question, Casey drawing in a slow breath as his gaze flashed back to Gabby, finding the woman's eyes on him for the first time since they got to the ambulance, Matt seeing nothing but hurt and worry shining back at him.
"In the… Uh, on the head." He replied, seeing the immediate frown that formed across his girlfriend's face. "It knocked my mask off, and kind of dazed me for a second, but I'm fine. My gear's destroyed, but I'm good." He spoke, his last few words more for the paramedic working on him than anything else.
"Alright… And you're not burned?"
"Not that I know of." He replied, Boden eyeing him skeptically before turning towards Severide, the man having stayed close by since they got down from the aerial.
"We got the fire out as soon as we could." Kelly explained, knowing Boden was needing more to go on than what Casey could give him. "There was some debris blocking the entrance, from where the ceiling fell, but we got to him as soon as we could, and got it out." He said, the Chief looking back and forth between both men before his gaze landed back on Casey.
"Okay… Well, luckily it's looking like the gear did it's job, but I still want you to go get checked out." Boden spoke up, Matt immediately opening his mouth to protest, but the older firefighter shook his head. "Ride with 61 to the hospital, just to make sure."
"Chief, I'm fine-"
"This isn't up for discussion." Boden was quick to cut him off. "Not only did you get hit in the head, and inhale a lot of smoke, but I want to be sure you haven't gotten burned anywhere… Stay here, go to 61 with them and get checked out." He said firmly, Casey drawing in as deep of a breath as he could manage before nodding, just as Gabby placed the oxygen mask around his face. "Dawson…"
"Yeah, Chief?" She asked, tearing her attention away from the man sitting in front of her to look back towards her boss, Gabby seeing the sympathetic look covering his face as he gave her a small smile.
"I'll keep 61 out of service until you get back." He spoke simply, Gabby breathing in deeply before she nodded.
"Thank you, Chief." She murmured, Boden giving her a strong nod before he walked away, the rest of 51's firefighter's following suit as well, knowing they had a job to do.
"How long were you without a mask?" Gabby asked, the tone in her voice strictly professional as she glanced up towards her partner, seeing Shay focused on the woman lying in the bed.
As she spoke, Casey couldn't help but look at his girlfriend, seeing the sheer amount of worry she was carrying as she did everything in her power to stay as level headed as possible.
"Gabby…"
"How long?" She asked again, Matt's eyes falling closed for a split second while he breathed in the oxygen.
"Just a few minutes… It wasn't long." He replied, Gabby biting down on the inside of her cheek before she nodded, her eyes soon roaming over the rest of him.
"Is anything else hurting? Your head, or your leg? You were limping when you walked over here." Her words were quick, Casey shaking his head slightly.
"I'm sore, but overall I feel okay." He told her honestly, Gabby pursing her lips together before she hesitantly met his gaze. "I'm pretty sure I won't be feeling too great for a few hours, but I'm alright… Just a few bumps and bruises is all."
"Yeah, we'll see what they say at the hospital." She replied quickly, Casey immediately reaching out for her arm, his grip light before he gave her wrist a gentle squeeze, the action causing her to slow down for a moment.
"Hey… I'm alright." He spoke softly, their eyes locked on one another as he gave her a reassuring smile, though it was partially hidden through the mask. "I would tell you if I wasn't, but I'm okay."
Drawing in a slow, steadying breath, Gabby's eyes focused on him for a few more seconds before she nodded, the woman leaning down to hug him before she did anything else. Her hold was light, Matt knowing she was trying to be gentle as to not hurt him, but he wasn't having it, the man wrapping his arms around her back to pull her closer. She was hesitant at first, but he felt the exact second she gave in, Gabby tightening her arms around him as she tucked her head into his neck.
They stood there for a few moments, the position not the most comfortable for Dawson, but she didn't care as she felt his hand rubbing up and down his back. He wasn't able to get quite as close as he wanted, the oxygen mask prohibiting him from getting any closer, Gabby pressing a soft kiss against his neck before she released a heavy, slightly shaky breath, Casey feeling the warm air hit his skin.
"God baby, you gotta stop scaring me like that." She breathed out, Casey able to hear just how frightened he'd made her as her hand moved up to rub over the back of his neck, her fingers scratching over his hairline as she felt him give her body a squeeze.
"I know." He replied, his voice barely audible through the mask, Gabby pulling back when he began to cough, but it subsided nearly as soon as it started, the paramedic rubbing her hand lovingly along his cheek as he cleared his throat. "I know I keep doing this… I don't mean to." He told her, his voice still a little hoarse from the smoke he'd inhaled. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, I just…" She trailed off, shaking her head as she tried to figure out what to say.
She knew there was nothing he could do. It didn't matter how careful he was, or how good he was at his job, there was always the chance he'd walk into a fire and never make it back out. That was the job he signed up for, and she knew that. She, more than anyone else, knew the dangers of what he did. And she also knew he didn't always have a say in whether or not he'd make it back to her.
She knew he always tried. That every time he walked inside a burning building, he was as safe as he could be, and he always did whatever he could for both him and his men to get back out. And despite how scared she got, she knew she couldn't ask anymore than that.
But that didn't mean it ever got any easier.
"I'm okay, Gabby." He promised her, repeating the words he knew she needed to hear.
"Okay." She replied, the paramedic giving him a weak smile before she leaned down to press a lingering kiss to the top of his head, Gabby reluctantly pulling back after a few moments. "But we're gonna let the doctors tell us that for sure." She added, Matt not even bothering to put up a fight as he nodded. If Boden's orders weren't enough, as shaken as Gabby clearly was over all of this, he'd go and get checked out if for anything just to give her peace of mind. Because while he knew he was fine, he also knew Gabby wouldn't be so sure until he got the all clear.
"Okay." He repeated, Gabby giving him another nod before stepping away from him and slowly helping him up, the paramedic returning her attention to her partner so they could get ready to head to the hospital.
Casey waited until the rig came to a complete stop before he stood up off the bed, Gabby following his lead as he opened the doors and stepped down out of the ambulance, both of them just glad to finally be back at the firehouse after their long afternoon.
Though Dawson felt Matt getting checked out at the hospital was necessary, she hadn't expected it to take nearly four hours, 51's paramedics and truck Lieutenant stuck at Lakeshore until Casey had gotten the all clear from his doctor. And while they were there, Gabby hadn't left his side once, not unless he was gone getting a scan or test done. But other than that, she was on his hip, standing next to his bed in the emergency room while they ruled out any possible injuries from his accident hours earlier.
And luckily, everything had come back clear. He had no signs of a concussion, or any other head related injury, which admittedly was what Gabby was the most worried about, but along with that, everything else had come back fine, as well. He had no burns, or lacerations, and aside from some bumps and bruises, he was miraculously alright, his doctor telling him he'd just be a little sore for a few days, but nothing that would keep him from working.
"Well, well, well, look who decided to finally work for a living." Severide spoke up the second he and Gabby came around the front of the rig, Casey giving him a glare as their slow steps slowed even more. "You get the all clear?"
"Sure did." He replied, Gabby shooting him a look before speaking up.
"He's technically fine, but he was also told to take it easy." She corrected, not missing the sheepish look that covered her boyfriend's face as Severide gave a nod.
"So you're heading home?" He asked, Casey's eyebrows furrowing before he shook his head.
"No, I'm good… Gonna go talk to Boden, let him know what the doc said, but I'm fine." He replied, Kelly's gaze flickering back and forth between Casey and Dawson before he scoffed lightly, a soft smile forming over his face.
"Yeah, looks like Dawson doesn't agree with that, but I'll leave that between you two." He responded with a laugh, Gabby narrowing her eyes slightly when she saw the amused look in Severide's eye. "At least you're okay, though. But you know Case, you gotta quit doing this… I mean, there are easier ways to get out of living with Dawson." He joked, his words earning another glare from the paramedic before she flipped him off, Shay quick to smack the back of his head as the other men from squad laughed.
In the week that had passed since Casey's birthday, when Gabby asked him to move in with her, ever since their friends found out about their new living arrangements, they hadn't shied away from teasing them whenever the opportunity presented itself. It didn't matter who it was, pretty much everyone in the house had enjoyed messing with the couple about the next step in their relationship, though Severide was by far the worst one. But it was all in good fun, both Gabby and Matt knowing just how excited everyone was for them.
"You better watch it, Sev." Casey warned as he wrapped his arm around Gabby's shoulders, the woman still glaring at their friend. "I mean, her brother's a detective, they'll never find the body." He added, Matt's words earning more chuckles from the group before Matt and Gabby began to head inside, the truck Lieutenant knowing he needed to speak with Boden before they got anymore calls.
Though the air around them was still light, Severide couldn't help but watch Casey as he and Dawson walked away, it not lost on any of them as to how gingerly the man was still walking. He still had a slight limp, though it wasn't nearly as bad as earlier today on the scene, but just by glancing at him, it was clear his body had taken a hit, the scratches and slight bruising on his face likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Blowing out a heavy breath, Severide looked up towards Shay, the woman standing behind him as her eyes were on Casey, as well. "...Are we sure he's okay?" Kelly asked, his words gaining Shay's attention as she looked down at him, Severide seeing the uncertain look in her eyes.
"I… He keeps saying he is… I hope he is." She responded, Kelly matching the slight grimace on her face as they looked back towards their friends just as they walked into the firehouse.
As the couple stepped inside, they were soon met by some greetings from the few members of 51 sitting in the common room, Matt giving them the same spiel he'd given the guys out in the garage, assuring them he was fine before he stepped off into the hallway to head towards Boden's office, Gabby following in his path as they came to a stop across from the radios.
"You sure you're feeling okay?" Gabby asked for what had to have been the twentieth time today, Matt flashing her a soft smile before he nodded.
"I'm fine… Just sore." He repeated the same answer he'd given her every time, Gabby biting down on her bottom lip before she nodded, her eyes tracing over him before finding his gaze.
"Alright… I still think you should let me check you for any burns, though." She replied with furrowed brows, Matt raising his eyebrows as his lips turned up into a smirk.
"Didn't you do that enough at the hospital?" He questioned with a proud look in his eye, the man referring to how Gabby had insisted helping him to change into his hospital gown once he'd been put in a room, Dawson ducking her head slightly as Matt chuckled.
"Yeah, but I don't think I got a good enough look." She teased, Casey shaking his head in amusement as he reached out for her hand, the man giving her palm a light squeeze.
"Oh, I think you've looked plenty. But really, I'm okay… I got checked all over, and then some, at the hospital. If there was anything wrong with me, you'd know. You don't need to worry." Casey responded, his words immediately being met by an unimpressed look from his girl, Gabby having to stifle an eye roll before she responded.
"Okay, well maybe if you can stop getting yourself hurt, I wouldn't have to worry so much." She told him, her joking tone causing his head to tilt to the side, Gabby scrunching up her nose slightly before she shook her head. "But fine, if you say you're okay, I believe you-"
"No, you believe the doctor." He interjected to correct her, Gabby smiling sheepishly before giving him a slight shrug.
"I won't deny that." She responded, Matt shaking his head with a smile before he leaned forward to steal a quick kiss, the man pulling away quickly as they were in the middle of the firehouse, Casey intent on walking away to head to Boden, but he was stopped when Gabby gave his hand another squeeze, keeping him from getting too far. "But before I forget," She started, Matt raising his eyebrows as he waited for her to continue, "I already talked to Shay, she's gonna help us get the last of the boxes tomorrow."
Gabby saw the different emotions that quickly played across his face, Matt going from curious, to confused, to ending with a look she couldn't read, Dawson's eyebrows furrowing slightly as she tried to figure out what had caused the uncertain and near nervous look in his eye.
"...What is it?" She asked, seeing his eyes dart around for a few seconds before landing back on her, Gabby unsure of what had caused his odd shift in demeanor.
"Nothing, I just- Will you and Shay be fine without me?" He questioned, the look in his eye having yet to fade away completely as she tilted her head to the side slightly.
"Why? You got a hot date or something?" She teased, hoping to lighten the sudden tension that had built in his shoulders, Gabby watching as a soft smile formed over his face before he scoffed.
"Oh, you caught me." He replied jokingly, Casey shaking his head before giving her a real answer. "No, I uh.. I have a construction gig I forgot about." He told her, Gabby pausing for a moment before she nodded in understanding. "It completely slipped my mind. I know you said you were wanting to finish moving my stuff tomorrow, and I can cancel, if you need me to." He offered, but Gabby immediately shook her head, flashing him a soft smile as she ran her thumb against the back of his hand.
"You don't have to, it's fine." She told him. "We can handle it."
His smile widened the second those words left her lips, Matt nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I don't doubt that." He replied, Matt leaning forward to capture another kiss before he took a few steps back, neither of them able to hide the smiles on their faces. "Now I really gotta go talk to Boden, let him know I'm good to go."
"You sure you don't need me there?" She asked with a joking gleam in her eye, Matt rolling his eyes before he shook his head, the man flashing her one last smile before he disappeared around the corner.
Casey stood with his hands in his pockets outside the intimidating building, the man seeing a few others standing around him as they waited to be let inside, the large fences and barbed wire doing its job in helping keep men locked inside. It felt odd, very odd, to be here, especially since it had been a long time since he'd been at a place like this, and those visits were under very different circumstances. But regardless of how out of place he felt, he couldn't help but feel like he needed to be here. That after everything that had happened, and the man's constant need to apparently see the woman he was never supposed to see again, Casey couldn't help but feel like he had to come.
But despite the strong need that brought him here, he couldn't help but also feel like this was the last place he should've been, that feeling only intensifying as he stood around with the small group of other visitors waiting to be let in, Matt trying to ignore the quiet, nagging thought in the back of his mind telling him that maybe this was a terrible idea.
He hadn't planned this. When Antonio first told them of Bryan's request to see Gabby, never in a million years did he imagine he'd end up here. But after Matt learned that Bryan had kept asking to see Gabby, every single day since they'd first been told, that he hadn't stopped asking, Matt couldn't help but feel like he needed to come here. He felt compelled to come, to tell the abusive man who'd got off easy that he needed to leave Gabby the hell alone. He didn't know what Bryan wanted, and he truly didn't care; all he wanted was for Walker to quit trying to get in contact with her, and to remind the man exactly what would happen to him if he tried anything once he got out. And even though he felt a little unsure if he was making the right decision, his gut was telling him that he was doing the right thing by coming here.
But what he didn't feel good about was the fact that Gabby had no idea.
It wasn't something he was proud of, Matt going behind her back with all of this, but he didn't know how else to go about it. The second Antonio had told them of what Bryan was wanting, Casey had questions. He had questions, and concerns, and so did Antonio. So the men had kept in constant contact about the whole thing, even though Gabby wasn't necessarily aware of it. She had no idea they'd been talking about Bryan, let alone the fact that Bryan had repeatedly kept asking to see her, and Matt hated keeping it from her. But the problem was, he just wasn't sure how to bring it up.
Every time he'd tried to talk to her about it, any time he'd bring up the subject, she didn't want to talk. She said she was fine, that she didn't care and it didn't matter, and the conversation never got much past that. And while he fully believed that she was telling him the truth, that she was alright and wasn't affected by Bryan wanting to talk to her, her refusal to talk about it hadn't given him much of an opportunity to approach the subject of how him and Antonio had been discussing Walker.
And he definitely hadn't found the chance to tell her he was coming here today. Though he knew from the moment he decided to come, he should've.
He shouldn't have come here without telling her, he knew that, but he wouldn't force her into talking about Walker when she clearly didn't want to. And selfishly, he didn't want to risk telling her he was going to come, in case she tried to stop him. Because he was angry. He was angry, and the man that was at the source of his anger was right behind these walls, refusing to leave Gabby alone. And Matt couldn't just sit by and wait to see how this played out.
If Walker wouldn't stop asking about her now, Casey could only imagine what he'd do when he was a free man. He was persistent, and it was clear to both himself and Antonio that he wasn't going to go away anytime soon. And with Walker well past his halfway point of his time served, Matt couldn't help but assume that if they ignored him until he got out, he wouldn't hesitate to come near Gabby when he was released. And that couldn't happen. Matt wouldn't let it.
So if him coming here and telling him to leave it alone would stop him from trying to contact Gabby in the future, he'd do it. Because there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to make sure Gabby never had to deal with that piece of shit again.
Buzzing in his pocket pulled him from his thoughts, Matt blowing out a heavy breath before he reached for the device, the man pulling it out as he saw he had a text from his girlfriend, Casey swiping across the screen to see what she'd said.
'Hope your job is going well. Shay and I are about to head over to your place to finish packing. Meet us over there when you're done? Love you, baby.'
Releasing a heavy sigh, Matt was about to respond to her before the group of visitors were being lined up to be ushered inside, Casey clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth before sliding his phone back into his pocket, knowing he'd have to text her back later.
The next few minutes went by in a blur, Casey following all instructions as they were brought inside, the firefighter feeling more and more tense the closer he got to see them man he never wanted to see again. And when it was finally his turn, Matt being called over to follow an officer towards the room, he felt his stomach sink like a rock, Casey suddenly questioning whether or not he was doing the right thing. But it was too late to do anything about it now as he was brought into a room lined with seats, the scene looking like something from a movie as the visitors and inmates were separated by a thick pane of glass, talking to one another through phones on the wall as Casey was led to his chair.
Drawing in a deep breath, Matt sat down on the uncomfortable metal, his body still sore from yesterday as he settled into his seat, the man waiting as patiently as he could while he tried to tune out of the conversations of those around him.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed, the firefighter clenching his hands together in his lap as his leg bounced up and down, his anger growing with each passing moment while he waited for the man to be brought to him. Sitting here, his body becoming more and more uncomfortable by the second, he wasn't sure how he'd feel when he saw him for the first time. He didn't know what that would feel like, or how his former firefighter would even react to him being here.
But as Walker was led around the corner, and they locked eyes with one another, Casey suddenly could help but feel very thankful that there was a thick layer of glass between them, the Lieutenant not sure if he could trust himself to not throttle the man mere feet from him. When he came into view, Matt couldn't see the man as his former firefighter, all he saw was the asshole who put his hands on Gabby, who had repeatedly abused her, Casey feeling a rush of anger flood through him as he moved to his seat.
A heavy chuckle escaped Walker's lips when he saw Casey, Matt barely able to hear it through the glass as Bryan sat down, the man never wiping the proud smirk off his face as Casey's features remained rigid, both men reaching out for their phones before either of them could speak.
"You weren't who I was expecting." Walker spoke up with another laugh, Matt feeling his body tense slightly when he heard his voice. "But I can't say I'm surprised to see you here." He continued, Casey staying silent as Bryan's eyes traced over him, Matt seeing his eyebrows furrow slightly as he took in his bruised and scratched face from the call yesterday. "What happened to you? Did Dawson finally learn how to fight back?"
Anger continued to build in Matt's chest as Bryan laughed at his own words, Casey drawing in a deep breath to try and steady himself, despite how badly he wanted to punch out this glass between them and wrap his hands around Walker's throat.
"What? You came all the way here and have nothing to say?" Walker continued, leaning back in his chair slightly as he watched his former boss with an expectant look. "I mean, I'm assuming you're the reason Gabby's not here right now… Some weird, protective bullshit. But I gotta say, I was really hoping I'd be looking at her, and not you right now." He huffed out, Casey's face staying blank as he stared straight ahead at the man, his silence beginning to agitate Walker. "So what is it? What'd you say to her to get her not to come? … Or did you just tell her she couldn't?" He questioned, the sly grin returning to his face before he continued. "I know better than anyone that sometimes she needs a… firm hand to really listen."
Casey's neck clenched tightly at the man's words, but he refused to react, Matt knowing that was exactly what he was wanting from him.
"So how'd you get here instead of her, Casey?"
"She didn't want to see you." Matt replied simply, Bryan narrowing his eyes slightly before he scoffed.
"Yeah, okay-"
"She didn't want to see you." He repeated, his voice rougher than it had been a moment ago. "Antonio told her you were wanting to see her, and she said no. She made the decision, because she wants nothing to do with you." He continued, his words steady as Walker's glare focused on him. "Every time we talked about it, all she said was she didn't care, and that she wants nothing to do with you."
"I'm sure." Walker scoffed out, Matt running his tongue along his bottom lip as the man continued. "So if she wants nothing to do with me, why'd she send you? Clearly she cared enough to make you come here, so why didn't she just come here herself? She afraid to see me, or something?"
"She didn't send me." Casey responded, seeing the look of slight surprise that covered the man's face. "She didn't tell me to come, she didn't send me to figure out what you want from her… because she doesn't care Walker." He repeated, emphasizing his words as he saw Bryan's body tense slightly. "She doesn't give a shit about you. She doesn't care about whatever you want from her and frankly neither do I-"
"Then why are you here?" He asked roughly, cutting in before Casey could finish, the Lieutenant raising his eyebrows slightly. "If neither of you care, what the fuck are you doing here?"
"Because clearly you want something." Casey replied roughly. "You wouldn't keep asking to see Gabby if you weren't trying to get something out of it. And I don't if you're wanting to give some bullshit apology, or if you're just trying to manipulate her, I don't know what your goal here is. But whatever you want with Gabby, leave her alone." His voice became more and more angry the longer he spoke, Casey unable to mask his feelings any longer as he stared directly at Walker.
"You can't just come here and-"
"Whatever you want from Gabby, it's not happening." Matt interrupted, his voice firm as his eyes shined with rage.
"I just wanted to apologize."
"Bullshit." Casey interjected, Walker's glare narrowing on the man across from him as Matt refused to let him get a word in. "If you really were just wanting to get her here to apologize, save it. An apology from you doesn't mean shit."
"Casey-"
"She doesn't want to see you." He cut him off once more, knowing the man didn't mean a word of what he was saying. "She doesn't want to talk to you, she doesn't want anything to do with you. And that restraining order she has against you, that ensures that when your sorry ass gets out of here, you can't see her, either." Casey nearly growled, Walker's face hardening as the firefighter continued. "Not unless you want to get thrown right back in here… So you're gonna leave her alone, Walker."
Huffing out a heavy breath, Bryan rolled his eyes, the man shaking his head slightly before locking gazes with the firefighter. "Yeah, okay… I'd love to see what you'd do if-"
"I know what you did." He cut him off once more, Matt not wanting to hear what the man was about to say, his word shutting him up almost instantly. "I know everything you did to her." He spoke, Walker's glare narrowing before a scoff left his lips.
"Somehow I doubt that." He muttered, Matt raising his eyebrows before continuing.
"I know everything… She told me everything, like she told her brother everything." Casey responded, seeing the way Walker immediately tensed from his words. "The tape that had you so scared… Gabby going through, on video, everything you did to her, I know all of it." He spoke, venom dripping from his voice as Walker straightened his spine, the Lieutenant seeing a hint of worry flicker in his eyes. "I know every disgusting, and vile thing that you did to her, you abusive piece of shit… And I know you're just trying to mess with her now, and you probably will do it again once you get out, but I swear to God, if you come near her I won't hesitate to do to you what you did to her."
The second those words left his lips, that annoying smirk reappeared over Walker's face, the man clearly amused by something as he shook his head slightly. "Sorry Lieutenant, you're not my type." He replied with a chuckle, Casey's eyes narrowing tightly.
"Why? Because you can't push me around?" He fired back, the smug look on Bryan's face faltering slightly as Matt spoke up before he could say anything. "I know you have this weird, possessive obsession with Gabby, but that ends now. I don't care how much you want to see her, you're gonna leave her alone-"
"God, she really does have you whipped." Bryan interjected, the former firefighter shaking his head in near disbelief. "Like Jesus Christ, I know she's good in bed, but you doing all this? For her?" He scoffed. "It's fucking ridiculous. And you're saying I'm the one who has some weird claim over her, when you can't even let her fight her own battles? Stop trying to do everything for her. She's a grown woman, she can handle herself."
"Is that what you'd tell yourself every time you hit her?" He asked bluntly, Walker's face going rigid as the words left Casey's lips, Matt pausing for a moment before he continued. "Yeah, that's what I thought." He replied harshly, Casey shaking his head as Bryan's body tensed up. "I'm only gonna say this one more time, the only reason she's not here is because she didn't want to be. She doesn't care about whatever you have to say, she's moved on with her life-"
"Oh give me a break." Walker huffed out, shaking his head as he ran his hand over his mouth. "I know you just got here, but I've known that whore for years, and I don't care what crap she's telling you, I know her better than you ever will." Bryan nearly barked, his anger rising with each word. "She might be fucking you right now, but don't forget that I did that for a long time. Anything you could do to her, I've already done… And then some." He added with a proud smirk, Matt feeling his stomach turn at the way Bryan was speaking of Gabby. "So enjoy it while it lasts, Casey. Because she'll dump your ass in a second when she realizes she needs a real man again. And you should know better than anyone how quickly she moves on, how she just jumps from guy to guy. I mean, remind me again? How long after her and I broke up did she go and suck you off?"
"Funny coming from the guy who slept around behind her back for a year." Casey snapped, the Lieutenant doing what he could to keep his cool, though he knew if there wasn't the pane of glass between them, Walker would've been laid out on the ground by now. "You can say whatever you want, Walker, because it doesn't matter. We all know what you did, when Gabby did nothing to you. And, even if she had, nothing excuses what you did to her… Nothing could excuse the abuse she suffered for years because of you. So if you really, ever cared about her at all, you'd just leave her alone. After all you put her through, that's the least you could do." Matt spoke as calmly as he could, the blood pumping through his ears reminding him just how angry he was. "As far as I'm concerned, you're lucky to not be locked up in here for the rest of your life, so what you're gonna do, is you're gonna finish out the rest of your bullshit plea deal, you're gonna get out of here, and you're going to stay the fuck away from her… Chicago's a big city, or hell, you can move for all I care. But you will not come near her again. You've done more than enough already, so you should count your little ninety days as the biggest fucking blessing of your life, and move on." He spat, Casey unable to hide his emotions from the man across from him as they looked at one another. "I told you once what I'd do to you if you ever hurt her again, and I meant it… Remember that." He threatened before slamming the phone into its place on the wall, Casey standing up and walking away without another word, but he only got a few steps before he heard Walker's loud voice muffled by the glass as he yelled.
"She's not worth any of this, Casey!" He shouted, Matt not bothering to look back as he continued towards the door. "You'll find that out sooner or later!"
With his hands clenched at his sides, Casey waited to be escorted out of the room, the man trying to push down the blinding rage flooding his body as he was taken back out to the lobby. After stopping to get his things, he practically stomped towards the door, Matt's hands trembling in anger as he was led back towards the parking lot, barely even registering anything around him as he was let out through the gate.
He knew he needed to calm down. That he couldn't stay this angry, especially not when he was going to see Gabby, but he couldn't help it. He knew coming here would make him mad, but what he wasn't expecting was just how furious he'd been at even seeing the man, let alone after everything he'd said. He was beyond angry, and he wanted nothing more than to march back in there and hurt Bryan the way he'd hurt Gabby. But he knew he couldn't, and he also knew he couldn't focus on how he was feeling right now, either.
He came here, he said his peace. He told Walker what he needed to hear, and he left. He'd done everything he came here to do. But the overwhelming anger bubbling inside him still hadn't gone away, and he knew before he even got to his car that he might need to take the long way to his old apartment before going to meet Gabby, his body still tense as he made his way to his vehicle.
But as he got closer, his steps slowed when he noticed someone leaning against the driver side door of his truck, the firefighter blinded momentarily by the sun, but within seconds he was able to recognize exactly who was standing a few feet from him, Casey coming to a complete stop before he blew out a heavy breath.
"How'd you know I was here?"