The next 48 hours were vital. Severide could still hear Dr Halstead tell them that even a week later,still Shay layed motionless, completely unresponsive. Machines beeping away keeping her alive. Numerous cards and flowers that Severide was beginning to think Shay would never see. They said 48 hours if she made it though then her chances would improve,yet still there was no sign of improvement,there was brain activity but it was low. He needed to head home so he could sleep,he started back to work tomorrow not that he wanted to. He wanted to be here holding Shay's hand but he couldn't. By the time he got home it was late,he stepped in and immediately hated it without Shay. It was too quiet too solitary "When the hell did I become so bloody needy" he couldn't help but think to himself. He had something to eat not that he was hungry but Shay always hounded him about eating so he grabbed something, chewed and swallowed. He showered, dried off and got into bed and then did something he would never admit to anyone,he cried himself to sleep. Dawson had spoken to Chief Boden,she was staying on Ambo 61 until Shay was back then she'd make her move to be a candidate fire fighter. She could see the relief in his eyes when she told him,she sat in the lounge with Casey who put his arm around her. "You sure you want to stay on 61". He asked. "It's only until Shay's back on her feet,so yeah it's fine". She replied. He could tell that there was something else going on with Gabby but he didn't press,she'd tell him when she was ready. "I can't believe that Shay's dad hasn't been to visit her yet".Casey began "I mean her mom and sister have been but why not him?". Casey asked rhetorically "They fell out and haven't made up, he said some things,Shay said some things and they've never made up". Gabby responded. "What did he say that was so bad?" Casey wondered. Although for Shay not to have forgiven him it must have been bad. She sighed "it's not really my place to tell but when he found out Clarice had dumped Shay the first time he told her that it wouldn't have happened if she'd been straight,you can imagine Shay's response". The apparatus floor was quiet as Severide walked up to the Firehouse to start his first shift since Shay was hurt and if he was honest it just didn't feel right, normally she'd have been walking up there with him poking fun at his last disaster of a date or he'd be making fun of her latest favourite band or they'd just be enjoying each others company quietly. He hated it. "Shay you better hurry up and get better,this place won't survive without you". He muttered to himself. As it turns out being on shift was a big help for Severide although not so much for Dawson. Severide was having one of those shifts where they just seemed to have call after call which really didn't give him time to dwell on how Shay was doing. Dawson however was working alongside Choir who was a good paramedic but he wasn't Shay and he also didn't stop talking!. Severide and squad 3 arrived back at the firehouse after the Ambo 61 and that's when he noticed Dawson or rather how exhausted she looked,he then had an epiphany Dawson was hurting just as much as he was. He'd been a shit friend so he needed to do something otherwise Shay would kick his ass. "Dawson". He called. She looked up as he walked to the Ambo "how are you". Severide asked her. She looked at him"HONESTLY,HOW AM I,HOW AM I,MY BEST FRIEND IS LYING UNCONSCIOUS IN THE FUCKING HOSPITAL IN A COMA AND ITS ALL MY FAULT AND YOU ASK HOW I AM". She practically screamed at him and then ran from the apparatus floor. Casey found her in a shower stall crying her eyes,he sat down pulled her to him and spoke." Ok you want to tell me what just happened?". She looked sideways at him. "It was my fault. I told Shay we should swap places as she would be PIC so she needed to know the procedure". With that she sobbed. Casey got Gabby to her bunk and he was surprised that she fell asleep so quickly so instead of sitting with her he went to find Kelly. He found him doing paperwork in his office so he knocked and then entered. Casey sat down and told Severide what Gabby had told him. Severide sat back and took a deep breath."let me guess she's been thinking we'd all blame her". He started "Pretty much,she thinks it should be her in that hospital bed right now". Casey told him. "That's bull,she's no more to blame for what happened to Shay than Shay is for Darryl shooting himself".Severide responded "I'm going to get her to see a CFD counselor". Casey said.
After the shift finished the following morning Kelly went home to shower before heading to the hospital. He walked along the corridors to See Shay but as he walked he felt the weight of the situation press on his shoulders then as he got to Shay's room panic hit him. Dr Halstead and his team were in her room but they were they were blocking her view of Shay. Dread washed over him as he rushed into her room, Dr Halstead blocked his way but then saw the tears falling from Severide's eyes. "No Doc please".he cried "Lieutenant,it's not what it looks like". He told him trying to calm him down. "Shay's vitals are picking up, we're running tests and if she continues to improve we may be able to take her off the ventilator in the morning". Kelly barely heard him. "What?". Halstead looked at him "Shay's getting better".