And back within 5-6K words. That's much better.

Final chapter before Chicago Fire Season 9! TK is the embodiment of his chat name, Sylvie learns how many first responders it takes to clear her apartment, Buck learns something from Josh, TK makes a few people possessive, and Sylvie makes a decision about her new partner.

Enjoy!

***

"TK."

"What?" TK groaned, looking up blearily from his bunk in the 126.

"Phone," Mateo mumbled from further down the line, using his pillow to cover his ears.

TK scowled, reaching over for the phone on the nightstand, squinting and looking at the texts on his screen, trying not to disturb the large dog curled up at his feet.

Golden Retriever: TK.

Golden Retriever: Sylvie.

Golden Retriever: TK.

Golden Retriever: Sylvie.

Golden Retriever: TK.

Golden Retriever: Sylvie.

Golden Retriever: TK.

Golden Retriever: Sylvie.

He scowled more, rolling onto his back and texting Buck back.

Grumpy Cat: You really want me to be an actual grumpy cat, don't you?

Golden Retriever: I texted you a time I thought you would be awake!

Grumpy Cat: I'm on shift, you bastard.

Golden Retriever: Rude.

Golden Retriever: I'm on shift, too.

Golden Retriever: And I'm bored.

Grumpy Cat: Good for you.

Grumpy Cat: I'm exhausted.

Grumpy Cat: We've had calls all night.

Grumpy Cat: One of the paramedics on B shift said that word while they were still in the driveway.

Golden Retriever: Oh shit.

Grumpy Cat: Yes.

Grumpy Cat: We are currently in the eighth circle of hell.

Golden Retriever: Fraud?

TK frowned in confusion, feeling Buttercup shift slightly.

Grumpy Cat: What the fuck?

Golden Retriever: The eighth circle of hell.

Golden Retriever: That's Fraud.

Golden Retriever: Right?

Grumpy Cat: Where the fuck did you get that?

Golden Retriever: Did you not read Dante's Inferno?

Grumpy Cat: No.

Grumpy Cat: And I don't know if I want to.

Golden Retriever: Hang on, I leave shift in an hour.

Golden Retriever: How are you still on shift?

Grumpy Cat: Because the world hates me.

Grumpy Cat: One of the firefighters for next shift called in sick.

Grumpy Cat: And so did the next shift's captain.

Grumpy Cat: So guess who got voted to be last-minute substitutes.

Golden Retriever: Sheesh.

Golden Retriever: How are you and your dad?

Grumpy Cat: Trying to sleep.

Grumpy Cat: And the others are trying to get some before they head home.

Golden Retriever: Well, put the phone down!

TK stared at his phone incredulously.

Grumpy Cat: You texted saying you were bored!

Golden Retriever: You picked up!

Golden Retriever: Was it not on silent?

TK paused, then checked his volume on his phone. He sighed in annoyance.

Grumpy Cat: No.

Grumpy Cat: It was on vibrate.

Golden Retriever: Whoops.

Cocker Spaniel: {Image: Matt and Kelly in Sylvie's deconstructed apartment around various boxes with four additional men: a bald man in a maroon jacket, a man in baseball cap, a brunette in a heather grey V-neck and dark jeans, and a ginger in a sky-blue sweater.}

Golden Retriever: JESUS CHRIST SYLVIE

Cocker Spaniel: Happy moving day to me! :)

Golden Retriever: WARN A GUY

Cocker Spaniel: Now let TK sleep.

Golden Retriever: Can you send more pictures later?

Cocker Spaniel: Leave TK alone.

Golden Retriever: Sylvie!

Cocker Spaniel: There will be two other police officers later.

Cocker Spaniel: I will send pictures if you leave TK alone.

Golden Retriever: Shutting up now.

Cocker Spaniel: Sleep well, TK!

TK finally managed to tear his eyes away from the picture (hot damn, what was in the water in Chicago?) and typed out a response.

Grumpy Cat: You are a complete angel and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Grumpy Cat: So please send those pictures here, too.

Cocker Spaniel: Go to sleep, TK.

Grumpy Cat: Yes, princess.

"Son?"

Owen's sleep-heavy voice made TK look over at the neighboring bunk as he plugged his phone back in. "Yeah, Dad?" he asked quietly.

"Everything alright?"

TK smirked, flopping back down. "Let's just say if I wasn't dating Carlos, I would be jealous of Sylvie right now."

Owen's snort was quiet, but audible. "Go to sleep, TK."

"Yes, parrot," TK snickered softly, closing his eyes.

Only for them to fly open when the bells rang, making Judd growl and Marjan groan from the nearby bunks. "Damn 'q' word," Owen sneered, throwing the covers off and running for the stairs as Buttercup lifted his head.

TK slid out of bed, grabbing his phone and following his dad, managing to send a hurried text.

Grumpy Cat: Hope abandoned.

Golden Retriever: Oh, no.

Grumpy Cat: Entering circle nine.

Grumpy Cat: Send help.

Cocker Spaniel: <3

Grumpy Cat: I'll take it.

***

"Random question," Sylvie slid her phone back into her pocket.

Six heads poked up from boxes all over the apartment. "Yeah?" Matt was finally the one to ask.

"Has anyone ever had a shift with the 'q' word?"

"No," Will shook his head, returning to examine the glasses in his box.

"I don't think I have," Jay agreed, scratching his head.

As one, Matt, Kelly, and Tony pointed at Capp, who gave Sylvie a sheepish look. "It was on accident one time."

"And we didn't let you forget it," Kelly snickered.

"How bad was the shift?" Jay asked, leaning against the wall.

"How many calls was that day?" Kelly turned, pretending to be confused.

"24?" Tony played along. "25?"

"29," Matt grinned. "We're not counting 61 blowing a tire in the drive."

"Wait, what?" Sylvie balked.

"When was this?" Will burst out laughing.

"It was right before Shay joined 51," Kelly recalled, a sad smile on his face. "She gave him the coldest shoulder I have ever witnessed from someone."

"Good ol' Shay," Capp smiled in remembrance.

Sylvie lowered her head, distracting herself by checking the picture frames in the box she was packing. "I wish I could have met her."

Jay chuckled. "You would've liked her."

"And she would've loved you," Kelly smiled softly at Sylvie.

"Literally, most likely," Matt smirked. "She likely would've hit on her the moment she saw her."

"That's true," Tony pointed at him in agreement.

Sylvie giggled, watching everyone return to packing. "Depending on how well she did, I might have hit back."

Capp's head shot up so quickly, he hit Tony in the nose. The squad driver cursed, backing up and holding a hand over his nose. Kelly almost dropped the china he was packing. "What?" Jay grinned widely as Will started to laugh.

Sylvie blushed deep red. "I mean, it's hard to define exactly what my sexuality is," she stammered, taking a very sudden interest in examining every little detail of the pictures she packed. "I mean, most of you know the disasters I've had – "

"That reminds me," Kelly snapped his fingers. "Harrison is a forbidden name."

"Copy that," Tony gave a thumbs up, checking his hand to see if he had any blood from his nose.

"Who's Harrison?" Will blinked.

"Let's keep it that way," Matt said dryly.

"Sylvie's ex-fiancée who for some unknown reason left her at the altar," Jay said at the same time.

"Jay!"

Will looked offended. "Who the hell would be stupid enough to dump Sylvie at the altar?"

"Thank you!" Kelly made a triumphant gesture.

Sylvie sank her teeth into her lip to avoid letting anything spill that she would regret saying later and chose to check her former bedroom one last time. She took her time, searching every nook and cranny –

"Are you trying to avoid going back out there?"

Sylvie spun around, looking at Will with wide eyes. "What?"

"I mean, the firefighters are still debating what they would do to the guys who were never good enough for you," Will grinned, casually lounging against the door. "But it looked like you wanted to say something else and didn't."

Sylvie slumped, running a hand through her hair. "Joe would be running interference right about now," she admitted.

"I can run it," Will offered.

She snorted. "It's not that simple, Will."

Will immediately straightened against the doorframe. "Sorry, I didn't mean – if you're not comfortable, you don't – "

"Close the door?"

Will did so instantly. "Is everything OK?" he asked in concern.

Sylvie swallowed hard. "Can we pretend this is doctor/patient confidentiality?" she asked timidly.

"I'd keep any secret you asked of me," Will told her at once, walking to lean against the bedframe. "Doctor/patient confidentiality or not . . . but considering the amount of times I've had someone from your house in my exam room, it'd probably count."

Sylvie smiled weakly, leaning on the bedframe next to him. "I don't think I have a clear idea on what my sexuality is," she told him quietly, looking down at her shoes. "Maybe pan? I definitely don't point at a gender and say 'that's what I like.'"

"I can see that," Will nodded, nudging her foot with his. "That kind of fits with your tactileness, too."

"I'm polyamorous, Will."

The confession hung in the air between them, and Sylvie refused to look up, not sure how Will would react. "I can see that," the doctor finally said, making Sylvie's head shoot up. "The way you're so open with everyone, the way you love and care for everyone so selflessly . . . I can see there's no way a heart as big as yours is enough to love just one person." Sylvie's mouth opened and closed like a fish, then Will made a startled sound as his arms were suddenly filled with a trembling blonde. "Whoa," he quickly hugged her back. "Sylvie?"

"That's almost exactly what Joe and Otis told me when I told them," she sniffed, and Will squeezed her tight. "I needed to hear that from someone else."

"Hey, I'm happy you felt like you could tell me," Will rested his cheek on the top of her head, then paused. "Hang on . . . are Cruz and I the only ones who know?"

Sylvie cleared her throat. "Um . . . only one other person who has worked at 51 knows, but he left years ago."

Will frowned, thinking back. If it was a he, that knocked out Gabby and Chili. Borelli had seemed like he crushed on Sylvie and never hid it . . . so the only member of 51 who had left and hadn't looked at Sylvie that way had been – "Peter Mills?" he guessed.

"Yeah," Sylvie nodded.

Will did a double take. "Casey and Severide don't know?" The color that had flooded Sylvie's cheeks was suddenly gone, and that alone made Will realize the answer. "You like them."

Sylvie numbly nodded. "I don't even know when it started for certain. All I know is that at some point this past year, I just . . . I was in freefall, and I didn't want to catch myself."

Will whistled lowly. "Are you going to tell them?"

"Will, I don't think they like each other like that."

Will frowned, about to open his mouth again, when there was a loud rap on the door to the apartment. "The cavalry has arrived!" a dramatic voice announced, followed by the familiar sound of a smack on the back of the head. "Ow! Kev!"

Will snorted. "They have wonderful timing."

***

Kelly opened the door, not bothering to hide his smirk when he saw Adam rubbing the back of his head in annoyance, Kevin looking satisfied with his actions. "Hey, guys," he stepped back, letting Jay be in view. "We just need to tape the boxes, then we're good to go."

"Awesome," Adam stepped inside. "Hey, guys."

"Yo!" Jay saluted with two fingers. "Where's the tape?" Capp whistled in response, tossing the tape over his shoulder, which Jay fumbled to catch. "Thanks!"

"Where's Brett?" Kevin twisted, frowning in confusion.

"Back with Will," Matt pointed over his shoulder. "Last minute search, I think."

"That's always good," Kevin rubbed his hands together, checking the boxes. "Let's see . . . "

"Cruz isn't here?" Adam asked.

"Honeymoon with Chloe," Kelly explained.

"Ah," Adam nodded. "You know, it's always weird when one of you Squad members is missing."

Tony snorted. "Try surviving several weeks without your lieutenant because the commissioner stuck him investigating arsons."

Matt coughed into his arm, suspiciously sounding something like "hell weeks," leading to Jay bursting into laughter. "Hey," Kelly scowled. "It wasn't a walk in the park being away from 51, either." He sighed. "Hearing from Van Meter that I could return? Best day ever."

***

"I'll hand it to you, Lieutenant," Van Meter clicked his tongue as he flipped through Kelly's report. "You got a flare for the heroic. You went well above the call of duty to apprehend a professional arsonist while freeing an innocent man."

Kelly shrugged uncomfortably. "Just doing what I was assigned to do."

"And in the process, you broke . . . " Van Meter scowled as he counted. "One, two . . . I'll round up and say a thousand standing orders, maxed out your overtime for a year, nearly got yourself killed, to close a case that was already closed."

Kelly gulped. "Captain – "

"Severide," Van Meter cut him off. "You are one of the most gifted investigators I've ever met, and you're fired."

Kelly reeled. "Sir, I – !"

"At least, that's what I plan to tell the commissioner when I speak to him this afternoon," Van Meter continued, making Kelly close his mouth with a click. "I'll ask you to be transferred back to Squad 3 with all possible haste. That oughta resolve any obligations you have to the man."

Kelly couldn't help but grin. Finally . . . after months, he was going back to 51, to his Squad, and to his best friends. "I appreciate that."

"Not as much as I do," Van Meter shook his hand, extending his hand. Kelly shook it, beyond grateful. "Thanks again. Now, go back to 51 and do what you do best."

Kelly nodded, heading out of Van Meter's office. Seager pushed off the wall where she waited, looking anxious. "So, what's the upshot?"

"Getting transferred back to 51," Kelly grinned victoriously.

Seager looked both sour and pleased. "Well, you got you reprieve. Can't say I won't miss the help."

Kelly shrugged. "Well, as long as you're here, OFI's in good hands."

Seager preened. "Thanks, Kelly. Means a lot."

Kelly nodded, taking his duffel bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "I'll see you around," he said, heading for the stairs.

"Hey!" He turned around, seeing Seager smile at him. "You know, don't be a stranger. Just because you're back on Squad doesn't mean I won't need help from time to time. And besides, you'll miss us. And you also strike me as a guy who has a hard time being tied down to one thing." Kelly blinked at her bluntness, and Seager grinned. "You've got my number!"

***

"No, that's not the weirdest," Jay controlled himself. "You know what's weird? Seeing one of the Trouble Trio without their paramedic shadow."

"We're not trouble!" Matt protested.

"She's not our shadow!" Kelly shouted at the same time.

"I love their priorities," Kevin snickered.

"You wanna argue shadow, boss?" Tony smirked. "You didn't see yourselves when you returned to 51, did you?"

Matt paused, looking slightly embarrassed. " . . . were we that bad?"

"Cap," Capp grinned. "We had front row seats. You weren't bad. You looked better than we'd seen you since you got Brett back from Fowlerton."

***

Sylvie smirked, placing both the Jack of Spades and the Jack of Clubs down on the table. "Gotcha!"

The protests of the rest of the Squad table made Matt laugh from where he was doing an inventory of Truck 81. "I told you she's a good card player!" he called.

"Yeah, why do you think I wanted to be her partner?" Joe snickered, adjusting his cards on the table to show their new points.

"Alright, I need to get another cup of coffee," Sylvie stretched as she stood up. "I need all the caffeine I can get to beat you losers."

"Hey!" Capp protested, Tony flicking a card at her for her words.

Sylvie's giggles followed her into the common area, and Matt shook his head, looking down at his clipboard, frowning and scratching his head. He still wasn't happy they had no clue where the Jaws were . . .

"Oh!" Joe suddenly exclaimed, making Matt look up. "There he is! Return of the king!"

The cheers from Tony and Capp were enough to make him round the truck in confusion, just in time to see Joe, Tony, and Capp pile on Kelly in a huge group hug, the squad lieutenant laughing loudly at their excited greeting. Matt's eyes widened in shock, and he felt his feet frozen in place. When he had left the loft that morning, Kelly had told him he would be a little late getting into work that morning because he had a meeting right beforehand. Come to think of it, he'd never mentioned what that "work" and "meeting" actually were.

A coffee cup smashing to pieces on concrete startled him out of his shock, and all four Squad members – and wasn't that a relief to finally think, Matt thought – looked past the table to see Sylvie standing just outside the door, her eyes wide as she looked at the group hug. "Sylvie?" Kelly asked in concern, ducking out of the hug.

He was just in time as Sylvie sprinted faster than Matt had ever seen, launching at Kelly and flinging her arms around his neck. Kelly dropped his duffel on the ground with a thud and wrapped his arms around her waist, laughing as he caught her and spun her around. "Oh, my God!" she squealed in joy, burying her face in his neck. "Why didn't you – ?"

"You didn't say, you son of a bitch!" Matt dropped his clipboard on the ground and ran towards them.

"Surprise!" Kelly grinned innocently, unwinding one of his arms from around Sylvie and using it to hug Matt as the truck captain barreled into both of them.

"You bastard!" Matt growled, smacking Kelly on the back of the head. "Never do that again!"

"Do what?" Kelly grinned. "Leave 51 or not surprise you?"

"Both!" Sylvie pulled back to glare at him.

"Oh, lookie here!" Herrmann grinned, leading the others from 51 out of the common room. "The arsonist chasers, back together again!"

"Welcome back, Lieutenant," Boden smiled warmly.

"Thanks, Chief," Kelly smiled back, his arms still around Matt and Sylvie, the paramedic's head leaning against his chest, Matt appearing glued to his side. "Nowhere else I'd rather be."

The only ones who didn't look too happy to see them together were Stella and Emily, who Sylvie avoided looking at. Kelly scowled, ready to speak up when the bells rang. "Truck 81, Engine 51, Ambo 61, Squad 3. Structure fire, 1056 North Kedvale Avenue."

The other firefighters raced for their rigs, and Kelly released his friends. "Hey," Matt pointed between them. "The three of us, first round at Molly's on me after shift."

"Yes, sir!" Kelly mock saluted, jumping into the Squad rig.

"Lieutenant," Capp grinned mockingly. "If you need any refreshers on how to use the Halligan – "

"Keep talking, Capp," Kelly scoffed. "I'll have you on bathroom detail for the week."

***

"Seager?" Adam tilted his head. "Is that the OFI woman who tried ambushing you at Molly's off shift?"

Kelly shifted uneasily. "She wasn't ambushing me – "

"Dude," Matt glowered. "She ambushed you."

Adam chortled. "Boy, did Sylvie show her."

***

"Hey!"

Kelly almost jumped out of his skin when he heard Seager's voice, and he looked to his left as Herrmann looked up from refilling their drinks. "Hey," he nodded warily.

"Heard about your Dukes of Hazzard act yesterday," she smirked. "Think I might get why you miss being on the front lines."

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah, it's not all fun and car chases. Every once in a while, we fight a fire."

Seager nodded in agreement, then held up a file. "Look, I know it's not quite as exciting as all that, but I pulled another case I think would be right up your alley. Distillery, out near the port of Chicago. They're claiming industrial espionage."

"Mm," Kelly nodded absently, looking in the mirror above the bar to see Matt and Sylvie looking over, Sylvie with narrowed eyes.

"You know, headquarters detailed some extra stuff to OFI to help lighten the load, but frankly, they don't have your eyes," Seager told him. "Thought maybe you and I could grab lunch tomorrow? Just to talk it through."

"Herrmann?" A familiar weight suddenly leaned against his side, and Kelly automatically leaned back into Sylvie's side, his arm sliding around her waist as she gave the lieutenant a saccharine sweet smile. "This round's on my tab."

"You got it, Brett," Herrmann confirmed, not bothering to hide his grin of amusement.

Kelly turned to look at Seager, who looked like some combination of being told the sun didn't shine or her puppy had been killed. "I appreciate you keeping me in mind, but I need to put my focus back where it belongs," he said. "Squad 3. House 51." He tilted his head to Sylvie, then nodded at Matt; when Seager looked over, the truck captain lifted his beer bottle in acknowledgement. "My best friends. Keep myself tied down to one thing."

Seager took a deep breath, then swallowed her pride and nodded. "Hear you loud and clear." She stood from the seat, extending her hand – her left one, one Kelly didn't need to let go of Sylvie for to shake. "Lieutenant, take care of yourself. Be safe."

Kelly nodded, shaking her hand. "You, too."

Sylvie plucked her drink and Matt's from the bar, and Kelly took his refill. Matt had a wide grin on his face when they returned. "Kelly Severide, tied down to one thing?" he asked teasingly. "What did OFI do to you?"

"Showed me exactly what I should focus on," Kelly answered. "My house. My crew." He smiled softly. "My best friends."

Sylvie leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'll drink to that."

"To best friends," Matt took his new bottle and lifted it, too.

"To best friends," Kelly lifted his bottle, and the three clinked their drinks together and drank.

***

"How many girls in Chicago are gonna try and go after you, man?" Kevin asked in disbelief.

Kelly snorted. "I swear, if one more that I'm not interested in does . . . "

"Good news," Jay smirked. "That will knock out Intelligence."

Kelly sighed as the door to Sylvie's room creaked open. "That's encouraging."

"You can knock out most of the ED, too," Will piped up as he walked out, Sylvie behind him.

Kelly rolled his eyes. "What is that, one percent of the city?"

"What're we talking about?" Sylvie asked, looking around.

Jay looked at Matt and Kelly mischievously, and both men gave him warning looks. "Oh, how many women in Chicago would go after Severide."

"Halstead," Kelly growled warningly.

Sylvie blinked slowly once, then twice, then finally looked Kelly up and down appraisingly. "I mean, if we're going on looks . . . "

She left the sentence hanging and raised an eyebrow pointedly, and Kevin's eyes widened. Adam whistled lowly, impressed by the blonde, and Jay outright cackled as the stupefied look not only on Kelly's face, but also on Matt's. "Oh, best friend's approval! There you go!"

Will just shook his head, grinning. "Oh, I wish Cruz could see this."

"Hang on," Sylvie stepped back a bit, whipping her phone out. "And . . . there!" She giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Problem solved."

And as she sent the image out, she completely missed the stunned looks Matt and Kelly gave each other, and the exasperated looks Jay and Will exchanged.

***

Josh found himself cut off midsentence when Buck suddenly ran smack into the lamppost they just walked past. "Whoa," he quickly walked over and grabbed Buck's arm, pulling him to the side as he shook his head in surprise. "Buck? Are you OK?"

"Yeah," he muttered, blinking rapidly and looking down at his phone. "Sorry, I just . . . seriously, what is in the waters in Chicago?"

Josh tilted his head, looking at the chat Buck had pulled up.

Cocker Spaniel: {Image: Matt, Kelly, the four previous men, and two new men in Sylvie's apartment. One of the new men was in red plaid, jeans, and motor boots. The other new man was in dark colors and leather.}

Cocker Spaniel: Lo and behold what happens when you get four firefighters, three cops, and one doctor to help clear out your apartment.

Grumpy Cat: Forget angel, you're a goddess.

Grumpy Cat: For the record, I showed this to my dad and he just gave his impressed whistle.

Grumpy Cat: Lucky bitch.

Cocker Spaniel: I would fly to Austin and punch you if that wasn't the truest statement of the day.

"Wow," Josh whistled lowly as well.

"Yeah," Buch shook his head, taking his phone back. "This is why I'm not straight."

"You said it," Josh snorted, taking a sip of his coffee as he headed for his car parked on the street. "Are those the new friends Maddie said you got?"

"Yeah, we're keeping in touch," Buck nodded.

"What's with the pet names?"

Buck rolled his eyes. "According to our firehouses, it's the animal we would be."

Josh snickered. "Of course. Loyal to a fault, that's a golden retriever for sure."

Buck preened. "Thanks, Josh."

"Any time," Josh nodded. He unlocked his car, then paused. "Hey, how's Maddie been recently?"

"Maddie?" Buck repeated, frowning. "I think she's been fine. At least when I've seen her, she's seemed fine. Why? Is something wrong at work?"

"I don't know," Josh shrugged. "I just noticed since she asked about me knowing other 9-1-1 dispatchers, she's been kind of . . . I don't know . . . off?"

Buck hummed thoughtfully. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said, taking out the keys to his Jeep. "Thanks, Josh."

"No problem," Josh beamed, getting in the driver's side. "What are friends for?"

***

Golden Retriever: Good job, Sylvie.

Golden Retriever: I just walked into a lamppost.

Cocker Spaniel: You mean that doesn't just happen in movies?!

TK snickered, plopping down on the opposite side of his dad's desk. "Buck ran into a lamppost when Sylvie sent that picture."

"Oh, did he?" Owen smirked tiredly, finding the report he had to fill out.

"And now they're bickering constantly about it," TK nodded, reading the texts coming in until he got a notification for a FaceTime message. "Huh," he tilted his head.

"What?" Owen looked up with a frown.

But TK recognized the number and grinned widely. "Oh, no way!"

"What?" Owen repeated, scooting back from his desk.

TK accepted the call and laughed loudly, seeing the little blonde girl on the other end squeal. "If it isn't my favorite niece!"

"Uncle TK!" the girl waved enthusiastically. "Hi!"

"Wait," Owen skidded his chair around his desk. "Is that Jesse?"

"Uncle Owen!" Jesse shrieked in delight.

"Did it connect already?" a faint voice asked, then another familiar face appeared. "Oh! There they are!"

"'Manda!" TK cheered, his smile splitting his face.

"You got them?" another voice shouted.

"Hang on," Amanda took her phone from Jesse. "You two are popular people."

"Who else is there?" Owen asked, abandoning his report and focusing on TK's phone as he set it up on his desk.

"Oh, you know," Amanda grinned, coming back into focus as she sat on her couch, Billie in her lap. Olivia was on the left, Noah fidgeting at her feet. Sonny was on Amanda's right, Jesse bouncing excitedly on his knee. Kat had squeezed between Amanda and Sonny's legs, Peter was sitting on the arm of the couch next to Olivia, and Fin was behind them all. "Just everyone who wanted an update!"

"What the – ?!" TK's jaw fell open.

"Surprise!" Noah threw his arms up in excitement, and Olivia had to lean back a little to avoid behind hit.

"Uh, yeah, consider us surprised!" Owen grinned widely. "Oh, my God!"

"How's it been in Lone Star country?" Fin asked.

"Someone said the 'q' word today," TK deadpanned.

"Oh, God," Amanda's eyes widened.

"What 'q' word?" Jesse tilted her head.

"A word none of us will even invoke when we have a shift tomorrow, Jesse," Sonny patted her knee. "How're you two surviving?"

"We're filling in for two people this shift," Owen smirked tiredly. "And we're running on three hours."

"No wonder you look horrible, Strand," Olivia smiled sarcastically.

"Oh, thank you, Benson, your concern is so welcome," Owen glowered.

"Uncle Fin said you were hurt bad, Uncle TK," Noah looked worried. "Are you better?"

"Much better, little guy," TK promised. "I'm good as new and back in the saddle."

Kat snorted loudly. "Look at that, Texas has already converted them."

"Hey, we're being open-minded, Tamin," Owen folded his arms. "Don't judge."

Kat held her arms up in defeat. "And your lungs, Cap?" Peter asked worriedly, one arm casually around Olivia's shoulders.

"Yeah, definitely that," Fin agreed. "How're they working, Owen?"

"Well," Owen grimaced. "Medicine is a pain to work through, but I'm feeling better."

Several adults looked to TK, who laughed at his dad's offended face. "He's telling the truth, guys."

"You better be, or I'm flying down there to kill you myself," Olivia narrowed her eyes. "I'm not losing another best friend."

"You won't, Liv," Owen promised with a smile. "I'm not going anywhere for a while yet."

"Yay!" Jesse cheered.

"How's it going up there?" TK asked.

"Working on pushing cases through," Olivia ran a hand through her hair. "Sir Tobias Moore is painful in particular, but we're getting to him."

"Which I am so looking forward to," Peter smirked, a bloodthirsty look in his eyes.
Owen grimaced. "And I am so happy I was never on your bad side."

TK frowned thoughtfully. "Hey, Peter, how many first responders did you know in Chicago?"

"Chicago?" Peter blinked, tilting his head as he thought. "Well, our office had one of Intelligence's detectives working for us for a time period. I mainly got to know Firehouse 51."

Owen's eyes widened, and TK bit his lip to hide his grin. "Do you know a Sylvie Brett, by any chance?"

Peter did a double take. "How do you know that name?!"

TK whooped gleefully as Owen shook his head in disbelief. "What are the chances?"

"I worked at Ground Zero with the battalion chief at Brett's house," Owen said.

"And I met Sylvie at our firefighting conference in Los Angeles," TK chortled. "She's my new best friend."

"Hey!" Amanda protested.

"Excuse us?" Sonny glowered.

"What the – ?" Peter cut himself off, fishing for his phone. "When was the last time I talked to her? She was a drinking partner at Molly's!" When he felt everyone's eyes on him, he looked up quickly. "Not like that!" he scoffed. "She was dating someone else at the time." He frowned. "Though that didn't go anywhere, last I heard."

TK snorted. "That's not a surprise."

"OK," Peter checked his contacts. "I am going to bug Sylvie about when she became best friends with my firefighter best friend."

"Now we need to meet her, too," Sonny gestured between himself and Amanda.

"Yes, I know, you're possessive of your best friend that proves firefighters and cops get along," Peter rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Carisi, I'm aware."

Owen grinned mischievously. "And TK is dating a cop."

Fin's eyes widened, and Kat looked like if she'd been sitting in a chair, she would fall on the ground. "Really?" she grinned teasingly.

TK glared at Owen. "Traitor!"

Owen just laughed and regaled the squad with tales of their time in Austin, and TK was happy to listen, leaning against his dad. Better to get as much out there before the bells went off for the fifth time that morning.

***

"Hey, Chief?"

Boden looked up from his beer at Molly's to see Sylvie standing behind him. "Hey, Sylvie," he smiled, patting the stool next to him. "Have a seat."

"Thanks, Chief," Sylvie smiled back, sitting down.

"What can I do for you this evening?"

"Um," she took a deep breath. "I made a decision."

Boden put his beer down, giving Sylvie his full attention. "Foster's replacement?"

"No one's gonna be able to replace Emily," Sylvie corrected him. "But I think she'll be a good fit for the house."

"Alright," Boden nodded. "Who's our new paramedic?" Sylvie silently handed a folder to him, and he flipped it open. He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. "I know the name somewhere."

"I know," Sylvie nodded. "Joe recommended her, but that's not why I want her."

"You're certain?" Boden double checked.

"Absolutely, Chief," Sylvie nodded firmly.

"Excellent," Boden smiled, putting the file down. "I'll make the calls next shift."

"Thanks, Chief," Sylvie stood back up. "I'm looking forward to working with her."

Boden watched her skip back to a table with Matt, Kelly, Jay, and Will, then looked down at the folder. "I'm looking forward to seeing this," he mused to himself, taking a sip of beer and making a note to call the academy the next day.

Gianna Mackey would make quite the addition to 51.

***

Yeah, I'm a stickler for Sylvie & Peter being friends, and her being the little sister of the Halsteads. So what? And I wanted to finally give the SVU gang some screen time so . . . voila!

And next chapter, we're rolling! Chicago Fire Season 9 is underway, and in the words of Anakin Skywalker, "this is where the fun begins!"

graphic by marvelity