I promised myself I wasn't going to go further than about 5.5K . . . congrats, guys, you get 6K+ because I am apparently that anxious to get to Chicago Fire Season 9.

Eddie gets back from his shift, Squad 3 is the best and you can't change my mind, Judd extends an offer, Jay drops a truth bomb, and a very important character for the future is introduced.

Enjoy!

***

Buck tilted his head when he heard the door to the house open just past nine, and he smiled, opening the fridge and taking two of the beer bottles he had put in there when he arrived at the house. "All good, man?" he asked.

"As fine as I can get," Eddie sighed, letting his duffel bag slide off his shoulder and onto the floor as he trudged into the kitchen. "We were running calls almost until the shift end."

"I wondered," Buck checked his watch. "You're a little later than you would usually be."

"There was also an accident on Sunset," Eddie shrugged. "Christopher already in bed?"

Buck snorted. "Oh, yeah."

Eddie sighed in relief, his exhaustion clear on his face as he caught the beer Buck slid across the counter. "You're a miracle worker."

"No," Buck smirked. "Just an excellent negotiator. See, he was willing to get ready for bed and get in the bed. I was not allowed to leave the room until I told him a story."

"Oh, God," Eddie stared at him. "If it was anything like the kid in the rotisserie – "

"That was not a story," Buck denied. "It was a cautionary tale."

Eddie snickered, lifting his beer. "Dare I ask what the story was?"

Buck waited until Eddie had taken a drink. "I tried to teach the moral 'never let anyone doubt you when you believe you can do something' by way of 'don't let firefighters drag you on a serial arsonist chase.'"

Eddie spat out the sip he just took, making Buck collapse on the counter in laughter. "Where the hell did that come from?!" his best friend sputtered, looking at Buck with wide eyes.

"Oh, that was priceless," Buck cackled, unable to stop laughing. "Oh, my God, I'm doing that more often!"

"Not funny, Buck," Eddie glared at him.

"Yes, it was," Buck chortled.

"No, it wasn't."

"Oh, it was for me."

"Seriously, though," Eddie scowled, grabbing a paper towel and vigorously scrubbing the counter he had just sprayed his drink onto. "Where did that come from?"

"My new paramedic friend," he shrugged. "It's how she and her two officers became their department's resident badasses and arsonist hunters." He snorted, taking another swig of beer. "Seriously, she's helped catch three in one year. She deserves a promotion." He paused. "Actually, the lieutenant does, too. He sounds like he's the ringleader." He nodded decisively. "Yeah, he should have one, too. He's got all three of them."

Eddie stared at Buck. "Your new friends scare me."

"Oh, I only know the paramedic," Buck waved his concern off. "I don't know the officers."

Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Buck snorted. "At least she's not the one who's gotten shot by a kid this year."

Eddie gawked. "That's the other one?"

"That's the other one," Buck confirmed, taking another drink of beer. "Sadly, he's taken. We'd be a wonderful disaster together." He paused at Eddie's odd look. "What?"

"How the hell did I not know you're bi?" Eddie finally asked.

It was Buck's turn to almost spit out his drink. He hastily swallowed another drink, wincing at the burn in his chest from swallowing wrong the first time. "Maybe because I've never dated a guy since we met?" he offered, raising an eyebrow. "And the only person you've been involved with was Shannon, so don't ask how I didn't know."

Eddie held up his hands in defeat. "You're right," he nodded. "And I never really came out with it."

"Neither did I," Buck shook his head, a small scowl on his face. "I wasn't exactly in good graces with the 118 when I initially started, especially since I was a bit of a sex addict."

"I take it based on Chimney's surprise it was never a guy?"

"Bingo," Buck pointed at his friend. He saw Eddie sink his teeth into his lip, looking like he was restraining from something. "Out with it, Eds."

"This might sound insensitive," Eddie sighed. "Why was it never a guy?"

Buck shook his head. "It's not insensitive. It's a fair question." He took a sip of beer, thinking about how to explain. "Before I joined the LAFD, I was a wanderer," he said. "I was never comfortable coming out at home, so when I finally left, I was more free to explore. The longest relationship I ever had, when I stayed in one place for six months, was with a man. Every relationship that was more for the sex, the in-the-moment good feeling, was a woman. Abby was my first serious relationship with a woman in years."

Eddie nodded, looking like he was connecting the dots. "So the hook-ups were in-the-moment feelings until Abby, which was why it was such a huge blow when she left."

"Exactly," Buck nodded, relieved Eddie was seeing what he meant.

"Wow," Eddie shook his head. "If I didn't like her before, I sure hate her now."

"Eddie!" Buck protested, eyes wide.

"Hey, you dated her, you have the right to forgive her for what she did if you want," Eddie walked around the counter, coming face to face with Buck and reaching up to clasp his shoulder, his thumb pressing into his collarbone. "But as your best friend and seeing how her actions hurt you? I reserve the right to hate her for hurting you the rest of my life."

Buck swallowed, the intensity of Eddie's sincerity cutting right to his heartstrings. Damn TK and Sylvie for seeing right through him. "Thank you," he whispered.

"I got your back, remember?" Eddie squeezed tightly before releasing. "Now," he leaned against the counter. "Any chance I can hear this arson story?"

Buck grinned, jumping up so he sat on the counter. "So, get this. The serial arsonist was one the lieutenant's father had tried tracking down before . . . "

***

Emily, Stella, and Ritter were still in their bunks when Mouch blearily woke up in the morning. Tuesday was curled at Ritter's feet, and a few bunks looked like they hadn't even been slept in. Mouch sighed, rubbing his eyes as he headed into the common room. "Morn – " he began.

"Shh!"

The chorus from the table made Mouch jump several feet in the air, one hand over his heart in shock. He stared wide-eyed at the three Squad firefighters at the kitchen table, Tony and Capp with fingers to their lips, Joe halfway out of his seat with wide eyes. Mouch's eyes went to Gallo, asleep at the table, then he saw where Herrmann, quietly working in the kitchen, was pointing. Mouch looked to see Kelly slumped against Matt, and blonde hair was all he could see of Sylvie as she pressed into the captain's side. All three were out cold, sleeping peacefully. "Jesus Christ, you guys," Mouch gasped quietly, leaning against the wall. "Warn a guy!"

"I was going to!" Herrmann hissed.

Mouch sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess this explains the empty bunks," he walked over the table, carefully pulling a chair out so he wasn't too loud.

"Yeah," Joe nodded sheepishly, looking at the coffee mug in his hands. "I'm on cup . . . four?"

"Six," Capp held up his.

"What?" Herrmann's head shot up from his work.

"Yeah," Capp nodded, taking an intentional slurp of his coffee.

"Our watch is not ending until they wake up," Tony nodded to the couch.

Mouch frowned. "What are you watching for?"

Capp snorted into his coffee. "Who said it's a what?" Joe smirked.

"That's not concerning," Herrmann frowned.

Tony shook his head. "Take it how you will."

"I get you guys being protective of Severide, he's your lieutenant," Mouch leaned back in his chair, one leg over the other. "When did Casey and Brett join the protection party?"

Joe gave him an incredulous look. "You do know who I roomed with for years before I married Chloe, right? And who my first officer was?"

Mouch flinched. "Right, sorry."

"And those are Sev's best friends," Tony reminded Mouch. "Casey for the longest time, but after that serial arsonist, when Brett believed in him? There's no way we're leaving her behind."

"Yeah," Capp nodded in agreement. "You know what solidified it, though?" The older firefighters shook their heads, curious. "That impersonation of the Norwood Park duplex fire."

"Oh, hands down," Tony agreed. "No doubt."

***

"So Mouch is gonna call Trudy, see if she can suss out who's handling the PD investigation," Kelly announced, dropping into his seat at the Squad table.

His crew nodded in agreement, and Gallo poked his head around the truck. "What investigation?" he asked.

The Squad members exchanged looks. "You know that house fire from last shift?" Kelly asked. When Gallo nodded, Kelly sighed. "It's looking more and more like the dad set the fire to take out the mother-in-law."

Gallo blanched. "What? Are you kidding me?!"

"Yeah," Joe nodded. "Crazy, right? Turns out the old lady was sitting on a pile of cash, so he burned her alive."

"And he put his son through that . . . that hell," Gallo narrowed his eyes. "I mean, the kid lost his house and his grandmother! He was gonna run inside! I had to stop him! I had to physically stop him!"

"Gallo!"

"What?" Gallo shouted, spinning around to face who barked at him. He faltered when he saw a stone-faced Matt behind him, his eyes boring into his candidate. "I'm sorry, Captain," he whispered, rushing off.

Kelly, however, watched Gallo leave, a thoughtful look on his face. "Boss?" Joe asked.

Kelly turned back around, seeing Tony and Capp watching him, too. "I think I just figured out how we're gonna break that son of a bitch."

Before he could continue, Joe's eyes slid past him, and he frowned. "You good, Roomdog?" he asked.

An incomprehensible grumble as the response, and Kelly spun in his seat to see Sylvie trudge outside, a familiar, dull look in her eyes. "Oh, no," he instantly sat up straighter. "What happened?"

"I don't think the women's lounge was a good idea," Sylvie answered, voice with a barely noticeable tremble.

Kelly held out an arm, and Sylvie all but collapsed on the arm of his chair, nestling her head in the crook of his neck. "How's the Squad lounge sound?" he asked, half-joking.

"Perfect," she sighed.

"Anything we can do, Brett?" Tony asked, looking at her in concern.

"Keep me away from Foster and Kidd while they deal with that mess in there."

Capp snorted. "No argument from me."

Kelly nodded in agreement, absently rubbing up and down Sylvie's arm. "You wanna get out of the firehouse?" he asked.

Sylvie frowned, looking up at him, a spark back in her eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

***

The Squad rig parked on the side of the street, and Kelly dropped down from the officer's seat. Joe hopped down behind him, and he held up a hand to help Sylvie down, too. Tony and Capp rounded the side of the rig as one of the Intelligence cars parked adjacent to them on the corner. Adam stepped out, shades in place; he looked the group over, and if he was surprised by Sylvie's appearance, he didn't show it. "Fellas," he greeted Squad, shaking their hands and holding his arms out to Sylvie. "Hey, girl."

"Hey, Adam," she smiled, accepting his offer of a hug.

"Thanks for meeting us," Kelly told him gratefully.

"Of course," Adam nodded, shoulder bumping Sylvie before backing up. "What's the play?"

"We just found out that the kid almost ran into the burning house," Joe answered. "Could've easily died."

"I don't think the parents know," Kelly added. "And I figure if the dad feels enough guilt, maybe he'll confess."

Adam nodded, mulling it over as Kelly led the way to the house. "All right . . . or turn the wife against him, she helps us build a case."

Sylvie frowned, looking up at the building as Kelly climbed the steps. "Or it could blow up in your face."

"Let's cross our fingers that doesn't happen," Tony muttered.

Kelly rapped on the door, and Jim poked his head out. "Hey, Lieutenant," he smiled. "Thought that was you guys parked out here!"

Kelly nodded politely. "Can you step outside for a sec?"

"Yeah, sure," Jim nodded, following Kelly down the steps.

"Jim, this is Officer Ruzek," Kelly gestured to Adam, who slipped his sunglasses off. "Chicago Police Department."

Jim froze in surprise, then nodded hesitantly. "Oh," he extended his hand, which Adam shook. "Uh, hey. What's going on?"

"Sir, is your wife home?" Adam asked.

"Uh, yeah," Jim turned to the house. "Hey, Kristen! Honey, come here!"

The blonde woman in a comfortable sweater and jeans stepped outside, looking over the group in confusion. "What's this?" she asked.

"Your son, Trevor," Kelly said. "Did he tell you folks he tried to run into the fire to save his grandmother?"

"What?" Jim's jaw dropped, and Kristen's face drained of color. "No, no, no, he was with his friend, Toby, a block away!" He turned to Kristen. "Right?"

"Yeah," she nodded in agreement, looking like a leaf could knock her over.

"I mean, I know he came back once he heard the sirens, but . . . " Jim trailed off.

"He showed up right when we did," Joe said. "If we didn't have a man at the back door, he would've run straight in."

Jim and Kristen looked at each other in horror, and Kelly put his hands on his hips, leveling his gaze at Jim. "You should've made sure your boy was much further away before you lit that stove."

Jim did a double take. "What does that mean?"

"I don't understand," Kristen looked between them.

"We have reason to believe that Jim set that fire on purpose to kill your mother," Kelly answered.

"That's arson, murder, and possibly child endangerment," Adam nodded as Jim protested. "It means that your son is gonna go into the system while this thing works its way through the court."

"No!" Kristen shook her head rapidly.

"I'm afraid so, ma'am," Adam said apologetically. "Whether you knew your husband's plan or not, doesn't matter."

"Hey, there was no plan!" Jim shouted. "I didn't do anything!"

Kelly watched as Adam approached, narrowing his eyes as the man loudly protested his innocence despite Adam's coaxes. The man was doing an awful good job of sounding like he didn't do anything.

"I don't think it was him, Adam."

Sylvie's voice cut through their words, and everyone turned to look at Sylvie, who had a thoughtful look on her face. "What?" Joe blinked.

"Oh, thank God," Jim about collapsed in relief.

"Brett?" Adam prompted.

Sylvie fidgeted at the sudden attention. "For someone who just heard her husband was accused of arson, you don't seem to have much to say on the matter," she addressed Kristen, who looked like a deer in headlights. "If my son had been about to run into a fire that could've killed him, I would be demanding answers from anyone."

Kelly slowly turned to look at Kristen, who looked moments from crying. "Ma'am?" he asked.

She swallowed hard. "I did it," she admitted quietly.

Even Adam looked startled at the confession. "What?" Jim balked.

"I set the fire," Kristen confessed louder. "Just . . . please don't send Trevor away."

"Kristen, honey, what are you saying?" Jim gulped.

"I'm sorry!"

"How could you do that?!"

"She was napping!" Kristen rushed to explain herself. "I – I thought she would go quickly, that the smoke would overwhelm her like in that fire in the paper! They said the victims never even woke up! All that money, it should go to making our lives better, for Trevor!"

Kelly closed his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "The things people do for love sometimes," Sylvie whispered quietly.

Kelly nodded in agreement. "Oh, my God," Jim palmed his face, eyes wide in horror.

"I'm sorry, Jim," Kristen tried to reach for him.

"We need to have a conversation down at the district," Adam grasped her elbow.

Jim turned away from his sobbing wife as Adam took her away, and Sylvie stepped forward, offering a hug. Jim accepted it, shaking with tears as Sylvie squeezed him tight, all of the Squad members looking between each other in shock.

That had not been how they expected the trip to end.

***

Sylvie paused, eyeing the beer that was slid to her by Herrmann. "What's this?" she asked, looking at it in surprise.

"On the house," Herrmann pointed past her. "You're the talk of Intelligence."

Sylvie blinked, then turned to see Squad 3 sitting at one of the tables with Adam, Jay, Hailey, and Kim gathered round. "Oh, no," she sighed, but picked up the beer and walked over.

"There's the girl of the hour!" Adam grinned widely.

"Shut up," she ducked her head, looking around the table.

"Here," Kelly reached behind him for one of the extra chairs, and Tony scooted over to allow Sylvie to hop on the chair and sit between them. "We all agreed we're getting you a round."

"That's not necessary," Sylvie flushed.

"Adam said you were the one to point out it was the wife?" Hailey leaned forward.

"I mean," Sylvie picked at the label on her beer. "It kind of made sense. Based on what I heard you guys talking about on the way over, she clearly loved her son a lot. And once she didn't say anything . . . well, isn't there some saying that goes 'saying nothing is as good as guilt?'"

Kim whistled, impressed. "And this is why Intelligence likes you," Jay pointed at Sylvie.

"Hey," Kelly glared. "You can't have her."

"Yeah, she's 51," Tony chimed in.

Joe scoffed. "Forget 51. Petition for her to be honorary Squad."

"Seconded!" Capp's hand shot in the air so quickly, he almost hit Joe in the head.

"Thirded," Tony raised his beer in agreement.

Kelly looked smugly at Sylvie, who looked in shock at his crew. "Well," he drawled with a cocky smirk. "Looks like you're stuck with us, Sylvie."

She smiled shyly. "Doesn't seem that bad to me."

Capp whooped. "Herrmann!" Joe shouted. "Another round for the Squad table!"

"You got it!" the engine lieutenant called back.

Kelly smiled, swinging his arm over Sylvie's shoulders. "Seriously," he squeezed her. "You were amazing."

She smiled bashfully up at him. "Thanks for getting me out of the house."

"Any time," he winked.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, and Kelly rested his head on hers, content to ignore the bewildered look Kim was giving them and the analytical one Jay was making.

***

"Geez," Herrmann shook his head. "Well, I know who I'm never pissing off."

"Yeah," Joe smirked. "None of them."

A sudden, muffled woof from the bunkroom made everyone freeze. "Uh oh," Mouch sat upright.

Claws on tile came closer, and Herrmann dropped whatever he was doing on the counter, causing a clatter that had Gallo making a soft snort. "Tuesday!" he ran for the door to the bunkroom, the other firefighters getting to their feet. He was too late, as Tuesday bolted right past him and took a flying jump onto the already full sofa.

The chain reaction was instantaneous. Sylvie made a noise between a scream and a yelp, scrambling awake in shock. That made Matt bolt upright and awake, which in turn knocked Kelly off of him, and the squad lieutenant tumbled to the floor, getting tangled in the blanket. No one even paid attention to Gallo, who flailed and almost knocked Joe's mug to the floor as he woke up. Oh, my God," the truck captain groaned, closing his eyes and grimacing as he reached to rub the back of his neck.

"What the hell, Case?" Kelly protested, looking exhausted and furious.

"Blame the dog!" Matt pointed at Tuesday, who had jumped back onto the floor in the commotion.

"Tuesday!" Sylvie moaned, burying her face in her hands.

The Dalmatian perked up at her name, and Kelly sighed, snapping his fingers. Tuesday slunk over, and Kelly scratched the top of her head. "Here's the deal, girl," he gave her a firm look. "Let us wake up on our own next time, OK?"

"What just happened?" Gallo looked around in confusion.

"We just learned that next time we wake them up and convince them to move into the bunks so this doesn't happen again," Joe said dryly.

Sylvie squeaked, eyes wide as she looked over at the table. Matt and Kelly looked over as well, much more composed than their blonde friend. "And how long have you guys been there?" Matt asked tentatively.

"Oh," Capp checked his mug. "I'm nearly on my seventh mug."

"On your – " Kelly cut himself off, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How long do we have left until shift is done?"

"Two hours, Severide," Herrmann answered helpfully.

Sylvie made a noise similar to a cat being strangled, and she flopped back down in Matt's lap, arms over her eyes. "It's gonna be a long two hours."

***

"TK!"

"Yeah, Dad?" TK turned from walking towards his car, seeing Owen jog up to him.

"When was the last time you spoke to Rollins or Carisi?" Owen asked, slowing to walk with him.

"A while ago, actually," TK frowned thoughtfully, scratching his head. "Probably the panic call I made to Sonny when I found out you had cancer?"

Guilt flashed through Owen's eyes. "Was that right after you found the pills?"

"Yeah," TK sighed. "Not . . . one of the finest phone calls I ever made in my life. But he was the one who calmed me down and told me to wait and talk to you before I did anything . . . rash."

Owen sighed. "Remind me to order him a box of his favorite cannolis."

TK snorted. "I did that after our talk."

"Well, he can accept my thank you as well."

TK chuckled. "Noted."

"Come to think of it, that might've been around the last time I called Liv, too," Owen frowned, then checked the time. "Wanna see if they can do a group call in her office today?"

"That'd be nice, actually," TK smiled. "Or if they're free when they're off shift, too. Then we can see Noah, Jesse, and hopefully Billie, too."

"Billie," Owen smiled fondly. "God, that girl is the cutest thing in the world."

"You know, we could throw her at Billy, and he'd probably be putty in her hands," TK smirked mischievously.

Owen threw back his head and laughed. "OK, we need to get them down here at some point just so I can see that happen."

"You got it," TK pulled out his phone to make that note.

"Hey, Cap, TK!" Both Strands turned to see Judd jog up to them. "Uh, I know this is a little last minute, but do you two wanna swing by for breakfast?" he offered. "Some close friends of me and Gracie are bringing stuff over. I promise, it's the best you'll have in town."

Owen raised an eyebrow, looking at TK. "If it's the best in town, I'm in."

"Yeah, sure," TK nodded in agreement. "Me, too."

"Awesome," Judd grinned. "You won't regret it."

"If I'm spending time with the best 2IC and dispatcher in Austin, I already know I won't," Owen smirked.

TK rolled his eyes. "Dad, stop sucking up to Judd."

"I'm not sucking up! It's true!"

Judd snorted in amusement. "Cap, we're the only 2IC and dispatcher you personally know in Austin."

"Exactly!"

Michelle, who was walking by with Nancy and Tim, rolled her eyes fondly. "If anyone ever wondered where the family resemblance was, Exhibit A," she gestured dramatically, making Nancy choke on air and Tim snicker.

"We heard that!" Owen and TK snapped at the same time.

Michelle grinned widely. "And Exhibit B!"

***

"Oh, pickles."

Sylvie's sigh of defeat made Matt look up from slicing into the waffles he had ordered at the diner they stopped by after shift. He exchanged confused looks with Kelly, who already had taken a sip of the coffee he ordered. They turned in sync to look at Sylvie, who had checked her phone and promptly facepalmed. "What happened?" Matt finally asked.

"I finally made a deal on the apartment I want and I contacted the landlord I have now to let him know I'm moving out," Sylvie explained. "And the day he wants the apartment back is during Joe's furlough with Chloe, and Emily is working that day. I was going to ask them to help me pack everything up."

"Not a moving company?" Kelly asked.

"I'd rather know who's moving my stuff and I'd rather know where I put all my stuff," Sylvie sighed, rubbing her forehead and checking her phone. "But if that's the route I have to go . . . "

Matt stared blankly at her, then looked back at Kelly, who looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. The lieutenant finally cleared his throat. "Sylvie, do me a favor and put your phone down." She frowned, but did as he said. "Now look up." With a confused look on her face, she looked up at him, and Kelly raised an eyebrow. "You don't know anyone else in this city who would help you move?"

Sylvie's face turned bright red, and Matt had to cover his mouth to keep from bursting into laughter. "Oh, my God," she buried her face in her hands, and Matt gave up, laughing loudly. "I'm sorry, I'm so used to doing most of this with Joe and Emily that I just went on autopilot – "

"Oh, good, I was almost offended," Kelly smirked.

"Sylvie, it's OK," Matt grinned, reaching over and putting his hand over Sylvie's. "We'll help you out, no problem at all. Besides, if there's any furniture you'd like to take over, I can bring over most of my tools to deconstruct stuff."

"Yeah, Matt's a pro at that," Kelly agreed. "And I bet if I ask Tony and Capp, they'll pitch in, too. Anything for their Squad Sister."

Matt huffed. "Yeah, they'd do that."

"Hey, the more the merrier is a good motto," Sylvie smiled.

"Unless it regards bullets," a voice behind them said, and they looked up to see a familiar cop stand by the table, a grin on his face. "Then the less the merrier is how you go."

"Hey, Jay!" Sylvie grinned.

"What's up, man?" Matt nodded to him.

"Stopped to get these for the team," Jay held up the cardboard tray of coffees in his hands. "A few of us decided to get in early in hopes of getting who we're looking for." He frowned, eyeing the labels. "And if I screwed up either Ruzek's or Burgess's, I am in hot water for the rest of the day."

"Oh, no," Sylvie snickered.

"I know, I know," Jay rolled his eyes. "What's new with you guys?"

"Sylvie's moving," Kelly pointed to the paramedic.

"Oh, really?" Jay raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "Nice! Foster's finally getting to medical school?"

"End of the month," Sylvie nodded.

"Good for her," Jay nodded. "You know when you're moving yet?"

"Yeah, I have a vague idea," she tilted her phone, showing Jay her calendar.

Jay hummed, squinting. "I think Will and I both have a day in that timeframe off," he said. "We'd be happy to help if you need the extra hands."

"That'd be great, actually," Sylvie smiled at him. "Thanks, Jay."

"No problem," he nodded. "I mean, with how much detective work Sev here does and how often 51 is in Will's medical room, we're basically 51, aren't we?"

"Probably," Matt admitted.

Jay chuckled. "Yeah, just let us know when you need our help, we'll be there."

"Thanks," Sylvie beamed, standing up and kissing his cheek. "I'm gonna get a muffin to go."

Jay watched her go, then turned to look at the two firefighters watching her. "You two have it bad," he declared.

Matt choked on his coffee. "Excuse me?" Kelly's eyebrows shot up as Matt started coughing.

"OK, let me put it this way," Jay put the coffees on the table, then folded his arms and looked at them. "What wouldn't you do for that girl?"

Matt looked like he wanted to answer, but Kelly knew he was having as much difficulty as he was . . . because he was remembering an exact time when he knew there wasn't a thing he wouldn't do for her.

***

"Hey!"

Kelly turned from leaving OFI headquarters, trying very hard not to let irritation show on his face. "Hey," he nodded politely to Seager as she caught up to him.

"Just got off the phone with Detective Lamar from Milwaukee," she told him. "Says to, uh, buy you whatever you're drinking tonight." Kelly nodded, refraining from mentioning Adam had already said he was buying the first round for him, Matt, and Sylvie. "And he said thank you. You gave the mother of that boy a little bit of peace, knowing his murder didn't go unanswered."

"I was just trying to help," Kelly shrugged.

"You did that and more," Seager smiled up at him.

Kelly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, and he shook his head as he reached back to grab it. "It wasn't just me," he reminded her, answering without looking at the Caller ID. "Severide."

"Are you still at OFI?"

Kelly frowned at Matt's tense voice. "Just about to leave," he said, checking his watch. They weren't supposed to meet at Molly's for another half hour or so.

"I'm driving by and picking you up. We'll need to raincheck that drink."

"Why?" Kelly started backing up down the hall. "What happened?"

There was a sigh at the end of the line. "Sylvie texted, she's at Med. Something's wrong with Julie."

That was all it took for Kelly to give Seager a tense wave. "On my way."

***

Matt had barely put his truck in park before Kelly was opening the passenger door and jumping out. Matt was right on his heels as they hurried into Med. Maggie was at the front desk, clearly waiting for them. "I'll get you to the floor she's on," she said, getting straight to business.

"Thanks, Maggie," Kelly said in relief.

Sylvie was pacing the waiting room anxiously when they reached the floor, and Kelly held the door open. "Hey," Matt walked in right away, seeing Sylvie still in the clothes she had worn when they chased down Averett.

Sylvie whirled around, her blue eyes filling with relief when she saw them. "Thank you both for coming," she shifted from foot to foot. "I'm sorry to bug you after shift."

"You're not bugging us at all," Kelly shook his head. "What's going on?"

"Well, Scott is stuck behind some big-rig accident on I-90, so he won't be here for about an hour or so," Sylvie checked her watch.

"And Julie?" Matt tentatively asked.

"I don't know," Sylvie shook her head. "I think they're worried about the baby, but nobody's told me very much."

Kelly nodded, refraining from saying anything. No news is good news went through his head, but he doubted that would help Sylvie. Matt peered past Sylvie, then nodded. "There's Dr. Patchefsky."

Sylvie turned as the woman walked in, and the look on the doctor's face made her freeze. "Oh," she whispered. "What's wrong?"

Patchefsky looked at the officers behind her, then took a deep breath. "Our suspicion was right," she said. "It was a placental abruption. The baby's oxygen was compromised, so we performed a cesarean . . . but Julie developed preeclampsia, and . . . " She trailed off, and Kelly instinctively reached for Sylvie's hand, already feeling he knew what was coming. "We did everything we could," Patchefsky finally said, and Kelly felt Sylvie clench his hand tightly. "She lost a lot of blood. I'm very sorry. She died on the table, Sylvie."

The air was heavy with the tense, terrible silence the doctor's blow dealt. Kelly looked at his friend, who looked like the smallest touch would knock her over. Her face was drained of all color, and her eyes had rapidly filled with tears. "Oh, no," was all she could whimper, and as Kelly squeezed her hand, Matt's arm went around her shoulders, his other hand on one of her tightly-crossed arms.

Patchefsky cleared her throat. "Julie is related to you . . . how?"

Sylvie swallowed hard. "She's my mother," she answered hoarsely, and God, if that didn't constrict Kelly's heart. "Um . . . " She shook her head, obviously trying to clear how dazed she felt. "Is the baby . . . ?"

"The baby's doing well," Patchefsky hurried to say, and Matt's sigh of relief was very audible. "Would you like to see her?"

Sylvie looked the very definition of deer in headlights. "Um . . . " she gulped, looking between Matt and Kelly; both men could feel how she was shaking. "Um – "

"Go," Matt told her. When Sylvie turned to Kelly again, he nodded, reinforcing Matt's encouragement. "Go."

Sylvie nodded, taking a deep breath and squeezing Kelly's hand again. He kissed her temple, Matt resting his forehead against hers, then Sylvie stepped away, her arms immediately going around her torso as she followed Patchefsky out of the room. She gave them one last lost, miserable look before she disappeared from view.

The moment she did, Matt collapsed into the chairs behind them. "Oh, my God," he whispered, his voice choking as he rubbed a hand over his face.

"She doesn't deserve this," Kelly ground out, angry at the world for giving Sylvie the chance to reconnect with her birth mother, only for it to be ripped away in a matter of hours.

"No," Matt agreed wholeheartedly, shaking his head. "No, she doesn't."

***

"Honestly," Kelly said slowly. "I don't think there is."

Jay gave a small smirk, picking up the coffees again as Sylvie started to return, a bright smile on her face, so unlike the sorrow she had when Julie had died. "Maybe you should tell her that," he said pointedly, turning and leaving.

***

"Holy crap, Judd," TK flopped back in his chair in the Ryders' dining room, wiping his hands off with his napkin. "You weren't kidding!"

"Like I would lie to you about something as sacred as food here in Texas," Judd sniffed, making Grace laugh.

"Yeah, I've learned to always take your food knowledge to heart after that barbacoa snafu," Owen nodded, taking a sip of his coffee and looking at his and TK's plates . . . which were completely cleared, even of crumbs. "Seriously, though, this is the best breakfast I've had since New York."

"Carisi's brunch?" TK guessed with a smirk.

"The guy's Italian!"

"I'll take your word for it, Owen," Grace smiled, standing up and collecting dishes. "But since we don't know anyone with Italian roots, we just go with our best friends' food."

"I kind of want their numbers," Owen admitted.

There was a knock on the door, and Judd smirked, leaning back in his chair. "It's open, T!" he bellowed.

TK winced at the loud noise, then heard tinkling laughter come from the doorway as it opened. "When isn't it, Judd?" a joyful female voice asked.

"You know that's how we are, T," Grace placed the dishes on the counter, then rounded it as a beautiful black woman in a cashmere sweater, blue jeans, and her hair in wild girls entered the kitchen. "Thank you for breakfast."

"Oh, you're welcome, Gracie," she smiled, giving the smaller woman a hug. "Charles always makes more than he means to."

"Comes with the restaurant business, I guess," Judd chuckled, standing up. "Good to see you."

"You, too, Judd," she smiled, hugging him as well.

"And as it's been a while since you've been around the 126 . . . " Judd turned around and gestured, and TK took his cue to stand immediately, Owen doing the same. "This is the new captain of the house, Owen Strand," Judd introduced. "And his son, TK. Cap, TK, meet the woman who did me the tremendous favor of introducing me to Grace. This is Tommy Vega, former paramedic captain who trained our current paramedic captain."

"Michelle?" TK's eyes widened.

"That's right," Tommy nodded.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tommy," Owen smiled, holding out his hand.

"You, too, Captain," Tommy smiled back, shaking his hand firmly. "It's a bit late, but welcome to Austin, and to the AFD family."

"Thanks," Owen beamed as TK shook her hand as well. "I think we're where we're supposed to be."

"Good," Tommy nodded. "So long as you don't let the city down, it won't let you down, either."

"Trust me, we don't plan to any time soon," TK promised.

Tommy grinned. "I think we'll get along just fine, then."

***

Enter Tommy Vega, Michelle's eventual replacement in Lone Star. Don't worry, Michelle will still be around, but I love Tommy so much, especially her relationship with Nancy. I also loved her dynamic with Owen, and I honestly think that with what happened at the end of the season, we might be seeing a budding romance between the two next season. Obviously nothing is going to happen until you know what happens, but that is the direction I will eventually go.

And leave it to Jay "once again in love with my partner" Halstead to know where Matt and Kelly are at. XD

I think next chapter will have the time skip to when Sylvie moves, and then after that we'll get into Season 9 of Chicago Fire. Keep an eye out, everyone!

graphic by marvelity