Guess who got an internship, folks? :D I'm so over the moon, I've been searching for a placement since late January last year, and I had an interview and got an offer on the same day! Help me celebrate with a chapter.

Grace is another reason Maddie isn't straight, Sylvie and Marjan bond, Peter would be drunk if he was playing a drinking game, the out-of-staters depart, and everyone on a squad crew is a chaotic mess.

Enjoy!

***

Maddie looked up when she got an alert on her screen, turning to look at Grace, who sat at the main monitor. "Got one," she said.

Grace nodded, clicking a button on her keyboard. "9-1-1, what's your emergency?" she asked.

"I think Mistress is in trouble," a man responded, sounding slightly panicked. "I'm at 550 McKamy Drive off 183."

Maddie instantly started typing it into her monitor as Grace nodded. "OK," the experienced dispatcher frowned. "You sound a little far away, sir."

"I'm calling with Siri," the man explained.

"OK, what's your name?"

"Mistress says I should only be referred to as Imp."

Maddie did a double take, leaning away from her computer to look at Grace in bewilderment. She shook her head, just as surprised. "OK . . . Imp," Grace said slowly, going with the flow. "Um . . . my name is Grace. What's wrong with Mistress?"

"She was stung by a bee," Imp answered, and Maddie quickly put the information into the dispatch information. "She's allergic. I think there's a hive in the wall."

"OK, she has an EpiPen?" Grace questioned.

"Yeah, but she was reaching for it when she collapsed."

Grace nodded. "All right, I'm gonna need you to grab it for her, OK?"

There was an audible gulp over the line. "See, that's the problem. I'm a little . . . tied up right now."

Grace and Maddie exchanged startled looks. Maddie took her earpiece out for a minute to squeak, "Are we getting a call from a sub right now?"

Grace merely nodded, a weird look on her face as she started pulling up websites on her computer. "Send that information out."

Maddie nodded, putting her earpiece in and dispatching the appropriate resources. "Rescue 29, I have a 40-year-old female, multiple bee stings, possible anaphylaxis," she recited. "Be advised, there may be a hive in the wall."

"Sir, do you know if there's anyone within earshot of you?" Grace asked.

"No," Imp answered. "Mistress keeps her dungeon soundproofed."

Grace sighed. "I suppose it would be," she muttered under her breath. "Is there anybody else I can call?"

"No, I'm in Mistress's basement." She heard a weak hack on the other end, then Imp's panicked voice. "She's choking! She's trying to cough, but air can't get in!"

"OK, listen, I think her airways are closing up," Grace told him. "Did you say you are completely bound? There's no room for you to wiggle free?"

"Unfortunately, that's the point of this position," Imp said dryly.

Maddie covered her mouth to avoid laughing or saying something snarky. "What position would that be, exactly?" Grace asked, and Maddie turned to see her scrolling down a site with various positions pictured. "Hogtie frog legs? Uh . . . spread eagle strappado?"

That last one made Maddie snort, and she hastily bit down on her tongue to avoid making another noise. Grace didn't give her an annoyed look; if anything, she looked amused by her situation. "Shouldering the rifle is the official term," Imp answered.

Grace clicked on the image, nodding. "OK. All right, Imp, so your right arm is the one that's up above your head, correct?"

"Yes."

"And your hands?" Grace continued, miming the position herself to make sure she was describing everything correctly. "Are they touching in the back, or is there a gap of space?"

"Yeah, there's some space."

Grace nodded, looking relieved. "OK, is there anything hard or sturdy in the room that's within your reach?"

"Not really," Imp answered. "My feet are bound."

Grace grimaced. "Really? You're sure there's nothing? Look all around."

"Uh . . . " Imp was silent for a few seconds. "I have enough slack to reach a couple of rods that are sticking out of the wall?"

Grace closed her eyes, and Maddie swore she saw her cross her fingers. "Tell me those rods are pointing towards you."

"Yeah, why?"

Grace did a small fist pump. "I do have an idea, Imp. It is a bit unorthodox."

"Anything for Mistress," Imp said determinedly.

Grace took a deep breath. "I need you to take your shoulder and slam it up against one of the rods and dislocate it."

"What?!" Imp yelped. "No! I may be a masochist, but I'm not crazy! Can't the people coming here just untie me?"

Grace looked at Maddie's screen, which was monitoring the progress of Rescue 29. "Yeah, I'm afraid they're not gonna make it in time," she said. "But if you dislocate the shoulder, you should be able to bring your arm up over your head to untie yourself."

Imp gulped. "She's turning blue!"

"Imp, you have to help her," Grace urged.

"I can't!" he whimpered. "I'm afraid! I don't come here to be frightened! I come here to be humiliated!"

Maddie looked at Grace with wide eyes, then blinked when she saw a mischievous glint in Grace's eyes. A moment later, the woman scoffed and muttered, "Well, what a sorry excuse for a sub."

Maddie did a double take in shock, and Imp sputtered. "What?"

"You're not worthy to be making this call right now, are you?" Grace sneered condescendingly "Cowering like a worthless little nub. Tell me, Imp, what comes after beta?"

Imp gulped. "Permission to speak, Your Grace?" he asked meekly.

"Permission denied!" Grace snarled, narrowing her eyes and smacking her palm on the table to emphasize her point; Maddie was no longer the only dispatcher in the call center staring at the woman who went to work humiliating Imp like it was nothing. "See, you've crossed the wrong queen now. We both know how pathetic you are. You look at baby carrots with envy." Maddie was confident her jaw was hitting the floor, her mouth was hanging open so wide. "You haven't earned the right to be speaking to me!"

"Please, Your Grace, I'll do it!" Imp whimpered. "Is it gonna hurt?"

"Oh, like hell," Grace promised darkly. "And I expect a thank you for the pain."

"Yes, Your Grace." Grace turned to Maddie, a smug smirk on her face, then looked back at her monitor when there was a loud crunch, followed by Imp groaning in pain. A few seconds later, they heard his voice again. "Thank you! I freed myself! Just a minute, just a minute . . . " They heard the small rattle of chains, then his voice. "OK, I got the EpiPen!"

"OK, good," Grace nodded. "Jam it into her thigh, now."

They heard a wheezing gasp, then Imp's delighted voice. "Oh! She's alive! She's breathing! Oh." He cleared his throat, a respectful tone now in his tone. "Thank you, Your Grace. That was amazing."

Grace grinned smugly. "I didn't feel a thing." She ended the call, and Maddie stared, utterly speechless, at the dispatcher who had effortlessly handled being a dom like a champ. Grace seemed to realize she was the subject of everyone's attention, and she looked around the call center, brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" she asked defensively.

Everyone quickly went back to work, but not before Maddie heard a dispatcher across the room mumble "Fifty shades of Grace" under his breath.

***

Maddie: Never tell Judd I said this.

Maddie: But his wife is another reason I am not straight.

Buck ran smack into the back of the squad rig when he read that text come across his screen, and he cursed loudly, rubbing his forehead in annoyance. "Whoa," Judd poked his head out from where he was checking inventory on the other side of the ladder rig. "Language, Buck!"

"Sorry!" Buck winced, hastily putting his phone away and jogging for the stairs, ignoring the hysterical laughter from Mateo and Nancy.

" . . . of all things, that is what she nails Marjan over!" TK was cackling from inside Owen's office.

"Shut up, TK," Sylvie snarled quietly.

Buck peered into the office to see the paramedic blushing fiercely, TK doubled over in laughter from where he sat on Owen's desk, their captain looking exasperatedly amused by his situation. "What's going on in here?" he asked, leaning in the doorway.

"And then there's Buck!" TK gestured extravagantly. "Who has Eddie and Christopher wrapped around his finger and doesn't do a thing about his crush on his best friend."

"What the – ?!" Buck hastily closed the door to Owen's office, staring with wide eyes at his partner. "What the hell are we doing discussing this here?!"

"Because Sylvie is being Marjan's wingwoman tonight, which means I can't tattle on you two after shift," TK answered cheekily.

"He did this all the time with Amanda and Sonny, too," Owen rolled his eyes. "And Nick, while he was still around."

"Who?" Sylvie frowned.

"Former member of SVU," Owen waved it off. "I think Rollins is the only one who keeps any regular contact anymore."

"I hear from him sometimes," TK shrugged. "Not the point. The point is here's Sylvie, preaching to Marjan about how she doesn't know if something is within her reach until she tries to make it so . . . and Casey and Severide are right across from her."

"I hate you so much right now, TK," Sylvie groused, burying her face in her hands.

"What was it she was saying before shift, too?" Owen spun in his chair to look at TK contemplatively. "Something about communication?"

"Oh, yes," TK's grin split his face. "I remember that, too."

Sylvie was shaking her head furiously. "Marjan is the one with something to lose here," she stood from her seat and started pacing. "And it's her fiancé. If she has a chance with him, I want her to have it."

"And what about your chances with Casey and Severide?" Buck raised an eyebrow, sitting on the other corner of Owen's desk.

Sylvie groaned. "As non-existent as the chance they feel that way about me."

Owen actually facepalmed at her words. "Sylvie," he said slowly. "The men disobeyed direct orders from a Deputy Chief and took command of a strike team to drive into wildfires because you were in danger. Those men are willing to walk through fire to keep you safe. I don't know how much clearer it gets than that."

"They would do that for any member of 51," Sylvie riposted. "Not just me."

"You didn't see Casey's face when he realized it was you in the chopper with Cap," Buck shook his head. "He looked terrified by the thought of you anywhere near danger."

"Not to mention Severide looked like a leaf would knock him over," TK added. "Then they almost tore De Leon to shreds when he refused to authorize a strike team."

Sylvie grew paler with every word spoken. "Sylvie," Owen said quietly. "The last time I saw someone go to any extremes like that was when Stone risked his license to put Rob Miller behind bars . . . just because Olivia said he was threatening Noah. He almost quit his job, he was so horrified by what he had done."

"I know," Sylvie whispered, sinking into the chair behind her. "Peter . . . he called me after that court hearing. He told me he had said goodbye to her . . . and I gave him a verbal gut punch."

"I always wondered who had gotten to him before me," TK said thoughtfully.

"Casey and Severide held no remorse for what they did to save you," Buck told Sylvie. "I talked to Eddie after everything was said and done . . . they refused to let anyone else handle you. They might as well have declared you are theirs in front of everyone."

Sylvie looked ready to vomit, and she stared down at a random spot on the floor. "Guys," she rasped.

"We know someone threatened to out you at the CFD, Sylvie," Owen said quietly. "You're trying to protect Casey and Severide, and who knows how many other officers, too. I respect that . . . but you need to protect yourself, too. If Casey and Severide know, you are protected far beyond keeping this to yourself."

Sylvie looked up, tears in her eyes. "What good would that be if it goes horribly wrong and I'm hurt worse than before?" she challenged.

The three men in the room exchanged unreadable glances, but before anyone could answer, there was a sudden knock on the door. Owen straightened, wiping his face clear of any expression that could give away their previous topic. "Come in!"

"Sorry for bothering you, Captain Strand, but I just got a call from Chief Alonso back in L.A.," Eddie poked his head inside. "Maddie and I need to head back in three days."

"Copy that," Owen nodded, turning to his computer. "I'll make a note of it."

"Thanks," Eddie nodded, then did a double take, frowning when he saw Sylvie hastily scrubbing at her eyes to get rid of tear tracks. "Everything good in here?" he asked cautiously.

"Fine," Sylvie said roughly, clearing her throat. "We're fine, Eddie, thank you."

Eddie looked up at Buck, raising an eyebrow. "We were just finishing," Buck nodded, knowing they weren't going to get anything further out of Sylvie. "We're good. Thanks for checking."

"Sure thing," Eddie nodded. "Want me to get Casey or Severide?"

"No," Sylvie shook her head, abruptly standing. "I need to talk to Marjan about tonight, anyway."

Eddie stepped back and let her leave first, then looked back at the rest of Squad 9 with an uneasy look. "All good, Diaz," Owen assured him.

With the captain's nod, Eddie closed the door again and headed down the stairs. When they were gone, TK sighed. "No more pushing. Got it."

"I can only imagine bringing up a poly relationship is a little more intimidating than a regular love confession," Buck admitted.

"We won't know that ourselves unless we find ourselves thinking about one," Owen agreed. "Go easy on her, alright?"

"Copy that," TK nodded, pushing off the desk.

***

"When are Casey and Severide coming back?" Mouch asked as the veteran firefighters left 51 after their shift. "They've been in Austin for . . . how long, now?"

"I think they're back by the weekend," Joe checked his phone. "That's about when the two weeks Grissom gave them is up."

"Yeah, but Severide has an in with Grissom," Herrmann pointed out. "For all we know, they could transfer to Austin right under our noses."

"They wouldn't do that," Capp scoffed.

"Brett did," Mouch pointed out.

"Yeah, but something happened to make her do that," Joe shook his head. "I still have no idea what, but it has to be pretty damn serious. She couldn't even talk about it without getting green gills. Severide, at least, would tell us he's moving."

"As in us," Capp gestured around the three squad members for clarification.

"Hopefully Casey would, too," Herrmann shifted from foot to foot. "It's just . . . there's been so much change going around the house. I'd like to know when the next change is coming before it happens."

"On that, we agree," Joe nodded. Herrmann and Mouch parted ways with the squad members, and Joe fished his keys out of his jacket. When he looked up, he found Tony and Capp looking at him expectantly. "What?" he asked, wondering what he had done to earn him those scrutinizing looks.

"Your bet's on both of them, isn't it?" Capp asked bluntly.

Joe did a double take, and Tony smacked Capp in the arm. "I thought we were approaching this subtly?" the engineer hissed.

"I don't know how we could do that!" Capp defended himself.

Joe looked between them wildly, running through various scenarios when he – or Sylvie – could have given that away. "I don't know what you're talking about," he tried to lie.

That earned him stink-eyes from both men. "Do we need to describe everything Casey and Severide did in San Angelo for Brett?" Tony asked. "Because we could be standing here all day and into tomorrow morning for that."

"And into next shift to describe everything prior to that, too," Capp added.

Joe looked around nervously, shifting from foot to foot. "If you've said a word of this to anyone," he began.

"Whoa," Tony blinked rapidly, Capp rearing back in surprise. "What do you take us for? We wouldn't do that!"

"Not when it involves Severide and Brett," Capp added. "And Casey."

Joe slumped in relief, swallowing hard. "Yeah," he admitted quietly. "It's on both of them." He rubbed a hand over his face. "I mean, I don't know much about relationships involving more than two people, but . . . "

"Those three have practically acted married since Brett came back from Fowlerton," Capp shook his head. "I think they would be good for each other."

"Same," Tony agreed.

Joe could have collapsed in relief. "You have no idea what a relief it is to hear that."

"We're supporting Severide no matter what," Capp said firmly. "Brett's our little sister, and Casey's important to both of them, and this house. Any way they fit is how we want them to be happy."

Joe grinned. "God, I love this crew."

Tony clapped him on the shoulder. "We love you, too, brother."

***

A knock on the door distracted Carlos from cleaning up the living room, and he frowned, checking his phone before walking over. He hadn't been expecting company, and no one had texted.

He was surprised when he saw who was standing on his front porch, and with a swallow, he opened the door. "Hey," TK offered meekly.

"Hi," Carlos nodded cautiously in response.

TK nodded inside the house. "Can I come in?" he asked.

"You've got a key," Carlos pointed out.

"Yeah," TK rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I thought you might want that back."

"Why?" Carlos asked. "Are we breaking up? Or did that already happen? Because it kind of felt like it did."

"No," TK said hastily. "I mean . . . I hope not."

Carlos took a deep breath, then stepped back and opened the door wider. "Come in."

TK nodded, walking inside, fiddling with the watch on his wrist. "OK," he said, turning to face Carlos as he shut the door. "Look, I know I was a little bitch – "

"No, you weren't," Carlos shook his head.

"Yes, I was," TK insisted. "And I just wanted to say that . . . I'm not sorry." Carlos reared back, surprised by his words. "I'm not sorry, Carlos," TK repeated. "I know I made it seem like your relationship with your parents was about me . . . but really, it's about us. Do you know what I mean?"

Carlos blinked slowly. "Not really."

"Um . . . " TK clicked his fingers, pulling out a chair from the dining table and sitting down. "Sylvie gave me . . . a lot of advice I needed to hear," he said. "So I'm gonna take it, and we're gonna talk." Carlos nodded in agreement, and TK sighed. "When you didn't tell your parents that I was your boyfriend, it made me feel insecure about our relationship and what I mean to you."

"And that kills me," Carlos swallowed, pulling up another chair to sit across from TK. "Which is exactly why I was avoiding introducing you, because I didn't want that to happen, and . . . I knew it would."

"Yeah, but did it have to?" TK asked quietly. "I mean . . . they knew you were gay."

"They know, yes," Carlos nodded, steeling himself to share, as Matt, Kelly, and Eddie had urged him to do. "I came out to them when I was seventeen, and they were shocked. I – I knew it rocked their world, but they hugged me, told me they loved me, and that was that." He looked up at TK. "You know what we talked about the next morning?" TK shook his head silently. "The Astros bullpen, the price of unleaded, a new calf on our family ranch. Not one mention of what I shared . . . then, or since."

TK swallowed, tears in his eyes. "They seem like such nice people."

"They are nice people," Carlos hastened to tell him. "But they're not perfect people."

TK nodded. "I grew up with practically four parents," he told Carlos. "My parents, of course . . . I don't know if I consider Liv more of an aunt or a second mother, and her former partner . . . well, none of us know where he's been. But it was something Sylvie said that got me thinking. She said it's how we communicate after we fight that determines where we go . . . and establishes how safe we are in our relationship. I thought about what she said while I was on shift today, and I thought at first she meant that I didn't feel safe in this relationship."

Carlos's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. "I see," he said stiffly. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"And then I realized that wasn't it at all," TK continued, and Carlos's head shot up. "I thought about how unsafe you feel, and have felt for so much of your life." TK reached out, clasping his hands over Carlos's and squeezing. "I want you to know that I am fully onboard," he declared. "You can tell your parents I'm your friend, your colleague . . . " He smirked. "Your personal shopper." A startled laugh tore from Carlos's chest, and TK grinned. "I don't care," TK insisted. "OK? As long as you need."

Carlos stared into TK's green, truthful eyes, and he felt his heart return to its normal position. TK meant every single word he said. "And if it never changes?" he asked timidly.

TK smiled warmly. "Well, nothing ever stays the same, Carlos."

***

The elevator dinged, and Marjan took a deep breath, stepping out with Sylvie, her hand clutching Sylvie's arm nervously. "I don't know if I can do this," she whispered.

"You can," Sylvie promised, squeezing her hand. "You've been engaged since you were twelve. You two deserve to have everything out in the open."

Marjan nodded, holding her head high as she walked towards Salim's hotel room. Sylvie stopped just down the hall, and she gave an encouraging thumbs up before sitting down on the bench. Marjan turned to Salim's door and knocked, gathering her wits and waiting. Salim opened the door a few seconds later, and he stood speechless, looking her up and down. "Marjan," he finally managed to say.

"Can I come in?" she asked with a hesitant smile.

"Yeah!" he quickly nodded, standing back and gesturing her inside. "Yeah, of course! Come on in." Marjan fiddled with her rings as she walked inside, then she turned as Salim closed the door. "So?" he prompted. "What are you doing here?"

Marjan took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Look, I know it's over between us," she said. "I get it, you made that really clear. And, uh . . . I don't want to make things weird, but I can't let you leave without telling you something. I love you." Salim blinked, standing up straighter, and Marjan hastened to continue. "Not because I have to, or because someone made a promise when I was twelve, but because when I look at you, the walls get closer, the world warms up, and I lose my breath." Salim didn't say anything, he just had a wide grin on his face. "OK," Marjan chuckled nervously. "So I got a little weird – "

Salim took two steps forward and kissed her, to Marjan's shock. "I have been waiting my whole life for you to say something like that," he whispered before kissing her again. Marjan froze in shock, then quickly pulled back, raising her fingers toward her lips. "What's wrong?" Salim frowned.

"I didn't come here for that," Marjan whispered, looking at him shock.

"Uh . . . " Salim blinked rapidly. "OK."

"OK," Marjan swallowed hard, trying to gather her racing thoughts. "Um . . . maybe I'm not exactly sure what I came here for, but suddenly, I'm starting to feel like the other woman."

"There's never been another woman," Salim tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.

Marjan stared at him incredulously. "I think there has," she said slowly. "And her name was Madison, if I recall."

"OK, Madison is a wonderful girl, but she's not you," Salim declared. "She never was. I can break it off with her tonight."

Marjan reeled back, eyes wide as she stared at Salim. "Wow," she stammered. "Just like that?"

"I'm confused," Salim frowned. "Isn't that what you want?"

"Yes," Marjan nodded. "But that's the problem, Salim. I can't be with someone who doesn't honor their commitments . . . to their family, to their values, to their periodontists on the side."

Salim sputtered, looking confused and upset. "I didn't think you wanted me!"

"I know!" Marjan's voice broke. "I helped put us in this position, but now here we are, and . . . and I'm sorry."

They stared at each other for a few seconds, then all fight left Salim, and he dropped onto the bench behind him. Marjan gingerly sat on the opposite end, his duffel between them. "This really can't work out now, can it?" Salim finally asked.

"No," Marjan slowly shook her head. "I don't think it can."

Salim groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We were such a good match."

Marjan smiled sadly in agreement. "And such bad timing."

***

TK: We're having a night out at the Honky Tonk.

TK: You and Marjan going to join us?

TK: Or just you?

Sylvie looked up when she heard Salim's door open, and Marjan slipped out, her motions almost zombie-like. Her heart dropped, knowing what had happened before Marjan even turned around. "It didn't go well?" she asked quietly.

"He was ready to dump Madison the moment I said I loved him," Marjan said brokenly. "Someone who breaks their commitments . . . that's not the man I want to be with."

Sylvie entwined her arm in Marjan's, leaning her head on the firefighter's shoulder as they headed to the elevator. "I'm sorry, Marj," she whispered.

"It's not your fault, Sylvie," Marjan shook her head, leaning her head on top of the paramedic's. "You were right. I needed to know."

"TK texted," Sylvie told her as she pressed the button for the elevator. "I think his talk with Carlos went well. Everyone's heading for the Honky Tonk."

She left the offer open. "Different bar," Marjan said at last. "I don't want to face everyone just yet."

"Copy that," Sylvie nodded, pulling out her phone. "We'll get drunk and find other rides."

"That sounds amazing," Marjan said gratefully.

Sylvie: Rain check.

Sylvie: Marjan and I are having a night to ourselves.

TK: Oh, no.

TK: Do we need to kill Salim?

Sylvie: I get first dibs.

TK: Heard.

***

"Yes!" Buck whooped, seeing TK and Carlos with giddy grins as they joined their assortment of tables at the Honky Tonk, fingers laced together. "Success!"

"So talking worked, I take it?" Matt grinned.

"It worked," Carlos smiled in relief. "First round – or next – for those three is on me."

"I am not saying no to that," Eddie nodded, he and Kelly clinking their beer bottles together.

"Wait, what?" Mateo looked around in confusion.

Carlos smiled sheepishly. "I . . . might have spilled my guts before your shift."

"We spilled back," Matt shrugged, taking a swig of his drink. "And it worked out, so . . . there you go."

"Hey, TK did the same with us," Buck gestured between himself, Owen, and Olivia. "Little nudges."

"Well, thank you for helping us realize communication is key," TK smiled shyly.

"It's Sylvie you need to thank for that," Owen reminded him.

Buck muttered something under his breath; Kelly swore he heard the word "hypocrite" before the firefighter yelped as TK elbowed him sharply. "Yeah, communication is very key," Maddie agreed, a glint in her eye. "Grace is an expert."

"Oh, well," Grace tried to brush her words off.

"She got a call from a tied-up sub who refused to help until she started humiliating him," Maddie grinned. "It was awesome."

"Oh, yeah?" Judd eyed his wife in appreciation.

"Don't get any ideas, Judd," Grace muttered, ducking her head behind her drink.

"That's our girl," Tommy praised with a wide smile. "Never faltering, no matter the call."

"I don't think we've had a call like that in Chicago," Kelly frowned, looking at Matt.

"Truck hasn't, at least," Matt agreed. "Ambo typically tells us about their calls . . . though there was one years ago I don't think we heard much about."

"Really?" Nancy tilted her head. "We typically always brief about our calls."

"It was right after Sylvie joined the house and was with Mills," Kelly nodded, remembering what Matt was discussing. "I remember Boden saying Mills gave him the bare bones of a report . . . enough to satisfy any questions, but nothing more."

"Huh," Tommy said thoughtfully.

"Well, at least you out-of-state firefighters got to have fun while you were here," Kat sniffed. "Patrol was boring."

"So that's where you've been," Fin frowned.

Kat shrugged carelessly. "Everyone knows the Strands better than me, so I figured y'all could use time to chat. Me? I just showed my badge and asked to shadow."

Peter smirked. "You hear weird conversations in firehouses."

"You don't say," Eddie sighed.

"Don't I know it," Kelly rubbed his forehead. "The things my brothers start talking about at the table . . . "

Matt snorted into his beer. "Capp and Tony are menaces once you get them going."

"I knew I liked them for a reason," Buck grinned widely.

"Here's another group you don't put in the same room," Fin cleared his throat. "Rollins, Carisi, and Strand Jr."

"Hey!" Amanda protested loudly.

"We are angels!" TK sniffed.

Sonny raised his hands. "They're bad influences."

"Dominick!" Amanda protested.

Peter rubbed his forehead. "I want my drinking partner back," he complained.

"That's not at all concerning," Fin eyed him worriedly.

"No, not . . . not like that," Peter waved him off with a sigh. "The number of times after a rough day in Chicago's courts that I needed someone who wasn't involved to drink with me."

"And that was Sylvie, right?" Owen asked.

"Yeah," Peter nodded; Buck almost choked on his beer when he saw Kelly's knuckles whiten when they tightened on his bottle . . . and was that jealousy he saw flash in Matt's eyes? "She's wonderful. Dawson lost a good woman when they broke up."

"Damn right, he did," Kelly muttered.

"Say that again?" Paul's eyebrows shot up.

"Nothing," he gave a saccharine smile.

"Where is Sylvie?" Nancy looked around with a frown.

"Yeah, I thought she'd want to be here if she was that big a help on TK's side," Mateo agreed.

"She isn't coming," TK shook his head. "Neither is Marjan."

"Oh, no," Paul sighed, reading between the lines. "So it didn't end . . . ?"

"Let's just say Sylvie called first dibs on Salim."

Peter knitted his eyebrows. "So we should be prepared to break her out of jail?"

"I could handle that," Olivia hummed.

Owen sighed into his tequila. "Rank will get you everywhere, Liv."

***

"Men suck," Marjan decided, putting her beer down heavily on the bar.

Sylvie couldn't help but giggle, patting her friend's arm comfortingly. "I'm sorry Salim ended up being such a bastard."

"Total bastard," Marjan agreed. "I loved a backstabber."

Sylvie paused. "I hope that's not literal . . . "

"Nope," Marjan shook her head. "Backstabbed commitments. He heard I loved him and was ready to break up with Madison tonight."

Sylvie frowned. "Oh, yeah. Bastard."

"I know!" Marjan nodded enthusiastically. "Total bastard! Now, your men, on the other hand – "

Sylvie, who had just taken a sip of her wine, spat rosé across the bar top, coughing in shock. "My what?!"

"Oh, come on," Marjan scoffed. "Casey and Severide. They're yours. Everyone knows it."

Sylvie stammered over her words, aware her cheeks were flushed in embarrassment as she tried to mop up the wine. "They are not mine!"

"Oh, yes, they are," Marjan nodded solemnly. "Those men? Worth hundreds more than Salim. They say you're their best friend, and they mean it. You ever need them, there they are, ready for whatever you need. Those are men to hang on to."

Sylvie wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. "Did TK put you up to this?" she asked.

"Nope," Marjan shook her head. "I'm just comparing who is far better than Salim. Casey and Severide are pretty damn high on that list."

Sylvie dropped her head onto her arms. "They are," she admitted. "You're talking to the girl they drove hours to rescue from a marriage she didn't want just because they missed her from the firehouse."

Marjan whistled lowly. "That kinda loyalty, and you haven't dated either of them?"

Sylvie stared at her wine, then took a long drink. Oh, to hell with it. "Kelly asked me to go to Vegas with him my first year at the firehouse," she revealed, making Marjan's eyes widen. "I said no. He came back with a wife." Marjan's jaw dropped. "You wouldn't believe the amount of time since I've spent wondering if that would've been me if I went with him after all."

"Damn, girl," Marjan grinned. "And Casey?"

Sylvie thought hard. "I think he was going to ask me to a fancy dinner with Chief Boden and his wife before I got proposed to on the apparatus floor?"

Marjan shook her head in disbelief. "How many opportunities to date one of them did you miss?"

Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Why is everyone bugging me about this?" she complained.

"Because you have two men who practically worship the ground you walk on, yet none of you are doing a thing about it," Marjan deadpanned.

Sylvie lowered her glass onto the bar, almost sloshing the wine over the rim. "Because if I 'do a thing about it,' it risks their jobs!" she seethed. There was utter silence from Marjan, and Sylvie closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "This was supposed to be about making you feel better."

"Taking my mind of Salim is making me feel better," Marjan said quietly. "I just didn't know . . . Sylvie, is that why you left Chicago?"

Sylvie sighed, tracing the rim of her glass. "When we were out after Squad's first day, Owen found me cornered by a fire captain who insinuated I'd gotten my position by . . . sleeping around, is putting it lightly," she said, making Marjan's eyes narrow. "Before I left Chicago, someone found out something about me that, presented a certain way to the CFD brass, would make it look exactly like he put it."

Marjan was wickedly smart; Sylvie saw the moment she connected the dots. "And considering everything Casey and Severide have done for you since you became best friends, they would be the ones the brass would look to," she said slowly. "And if you're as close as I think you are, there is no way you would accept their positions being in jeopardy at all." Sylvie nodded numbly, unable to speak. "So to make sure that never happened . . . you left."

"I left," Sylvie confirmed.

"Without telling anyone."

"Only one found out by accident, when he walked in on my conversation with Buck and TK."

Marjan's eyes narrowed. "Who do I need to kill more than Salim?"

"Someone who I have no intention of ever speaking to again," Sylvie answered firmly.

"Good." Marjan's voice was full of satisfaction. "And if they ever try to speak to you, let me know and I will butcher them for you."

Sylvie snickered. "Thanks for the offer."

"Right," Marjan smacked her hand on the bar top. "I think I'm ready to go to the Honky Tonk."

"You're sure?" Sylvie asked, pulling out her wallet to pay.

"Oh, yes," Marjan nodded, then quickly flagged the bartender and handed over her card. "Both of us, my tab."

"Oh, Marjan," Sylvie started to protest.

"Nope," Marjan declared. "When you have a night where you need to drown your sorrows, then you can pay for me being an amazing friend. This is on me tonight."

Sylvie rolled her eyes fondly, but put her wallet back in her purse. "You win."

***

"Oh!" Paul suddenly straightened, eyes brightening. "Look who decided to join the party!"

Owen and TK turned in unison to see Sylvie and Marjan saunter into the building like they owned it, arms linked together. "More like here comes the party," TK grinned. "Look at you, Marj!"

"Thank Sylvie," she did a twirl, Sylvie playfully spinning her out.

"I'm just upset on her behalf," Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Screw Salim."

"Agreed," Marjan nodded, making Paul and Mateo's eyes widen.

"And thank goodness you two are making it work!" Sylvie brightened at TK and Carlos, holding her arms open. "C'mere!"

Both men laughed, accepting her tight hug. "You helped," TK kissed her cheek. "A lot. Your round's on me."

Sylvie giggled. "Trying to get me drunk, TK?"

"Oh, that's easy," Marjan easily slid into the spot Paul and Mateo opened between them. "I think we're halfway there."

"Probably," Sylvie agreed cheerfully, wiggling out of the hug and bounding to join Peter. "Just like the old days, right?"

"It's hard to believe it was just a few years ago," Peter agreed, slinging an arm over her shoulders.

"I still can't believe there's all these small connections," Buck gestured vaguely over their group. "Just . . . I feel like I'm missing out."

"I'm living through you, buddy," Eddie patted his shoulder.

"I mean," Peter looked down at Sylvie. "I can count on one hand the number of times Sylvie and I have actually been in contact since I left Chicago."

"Fix that," Sylvie narrowed her eyes.

Peter snorted. "My life is in less danger than yours, Little Miss Danger Magnet Dumbass."

Judd roared in laughter; Paul, Marjan, and Mateo were not far behind him. "Oh, please tell me I can use that nickname for her!"

Sylvie scowled. "I hate you, Judd."

"He isn't wrong, though," Kelly smirked.

Sylvie narrowed her eyes at him. "Go to hell, Severide."

He grinned cheekily. "Yes, ma'am."

Matt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as Paul and Mateo choked on their drinks. "Now you're gonna send me after him."

Sylvie gave him a challenging look. "Like I'd have to twist your arm!"

Matt winced, and Kelly chortled, slapping the captain on the back. "She has you there, Case."

"Shut up," he sighed.

"Make me."

"See?" Marjan gestured to them. "This is what I meant, Sylvie."

The blonde's cheeks flushed, and Kat looked back and forth between the girls. "Oh, you can't leave it like that," she urged. "Come on!"

"So," Marjan rubbed her hands together. "I told Salim I loved him. He kissed me."

"Good?" Mateo asked timidly, not jumping to conclusions.

"I told him I didn't want to be the 'other woman,'" Marjan continued.

"Because you deserve to be the first woman," Nancy nodded.

"And he told me I wasn't the other woman, and he would break it off with Madison that evening."

"Excuse me, what?" Tommy's eyes narrowed.

Owen rubbed his forehead. "I understand arranged marriages, but that is unacceptable."

"Which is exactly what I told him," Marjan nodded. "There was no way I would be with a man who wouldn't honor his commitments. So . . . we're done."

Paul sighed, giving her a side hug. "I'm sorry it didn't work out, Marj."

"Though I am happy you aren't going anywhere," Mateo smiled.

"Yeah, me, too, Probie," Marjan tugged him into a side hug, too. "Now, Sylvie was awesome and took me drinking for a while . . . and I made it clear I wanted someone who would be loyal to their commitments."

"Good ambition," Owen complimented.

Sylvie sighed. "And now Casey and Severide are at the top of that list of men."

Matt's eyebrows shot up, and Kelly choked on his next drink. "Geez, Brett," Fin whistled, eyeing them in concern. "Were you trying to kill them?"

"Right after she said no killing us, too," Kelly wheezed; Eddie frowned and thumped the lieutenant on the back, hoping to clear his airway. "What a friend."

Marjan shrugged shamelessly. "I stand by what I said."

"I mean . . . " TK smirked smugly, taking a sip of his mineral water. "I basically said the same thing to Sylvie when we found pictures of you three in dress blues."

Sylvie buried her face in Peter's jacket, the lawyer bursting into laughter. "The CFD dress uniforms are great, aren't they?" he grinned.

Matt scowled. "When were you invited into this conversation, Stone?"

"When my best friend from Chicago entered the scene," Peter replied smoothly, making Sonny snicker.

"Oh, fight," Amanda sank her teeth into her lip to avoid grinning like the Joker.

"He's with Benson, guys," Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Besides, he's like another big brother. Chill."

Grace blinked. "I don't think I have ever heard her say chill."

"We haven't, either," Buck blinked slowly.

"Yeah," Matt smirked, looking her up and down. "She has done some drinking."

"Can confirm," Marjan grinned.

Carlos leaned into TK, smiling into his shoulder. "This is how it's meant to be," he said softly.

TK nodded in agreement. "Yeah," he grinned at his boyfriend. "It is."

***

The doorbell rang in the morning, and Owen hid a smirk by taking a sip of his coffee when he heard a grumble of complaint from the living room. "That's what you get by drinking with Marjan," he sang.

"I mean this with all due respect, Captain," Sylvie gritted her teeth. "Shut. Up."

"Yes, ma'am," he snickered, opening the door. "Be careful, she's a little cranky."

"Owen!"

"Good thing I know how to deal with a cranky Sylvie," Peter chuckled, tossing his keys up and down as he stepped into the foyer. "Including how she is after a night of drinking."

Sylvie groaned, standing from where she had been sitting with Buttercup on the couch. "Screw you, Stone."

"Yep," Peter nodded solemnly. "Sounds about right."

Olivia chuckled. "Enjoy yourselves."

"I'm fluent in Hungover Paramedic," Peter held out an arm, and Sylvie sagged into his side. "We'll have a good time."

"Thanks for letting me steal him, Captain," Sylvie smiled.

"Absolutely no problem, Sylvie," Olivia smiled in response. "You get a morning with a friend, and I finally get time with Owen without having to supervise anyone."

Owen snorted. "My phone's on vibrate, though. Carlos let me know that while he's with Rollins, TK's showing Carisi some of his favorite places in Austin."

Olivia's only response was to blink once, very slowly. Peter, on the other hand, threw back his head and laughed. "Your problem, Liv. I'm dealing with my own trouble triplet."

That sent Owen off as Sylvie leveled Peter with a wounded look. "Trouble triplets!" he crowed. "Thank you!"

"We're leaving," Sylvie decided, taking Peter's hand and tugging him out the door. "Goodbye."

"Enjoy!" Olivia called with a smirk, closing the door as Owen continued to laugh.

Peter chuckled, catching up to Sylvie and using her grip on his hand to tug her to his side. "You know I love you, right?" he said.

"Yeah," Sylvie smiled. "I love you, too."

***

"You and your boba tea, TK," Sonny shook his head as he and his best friend walked down the streets of Austin.

"It's a good drink!" TK defended himself, slurping noisily to reinforce his point.

Sonny rolled his eyes fondly. "Watch yourself, you won't be able to stop drinking it."

TK sighed. "You can say addiction, Sonny. Better to be an addict to this than drugs."

Sonny winced. "TK, that's not what I meant."

"I know," TK nudged Sonny's shoulder with his. "It's just . . . it took a long time to convince Nick and Amanda that they didn't have to treat it like walking on eggshells with me when it comes to the topic of addiction. I mean . . . with painkillers and drugs? Yeah, let's not joke about it. When it comes to this delight?" He raised his drink. "I could get addicted to this just fine."

"Only if you're sure," Sonny allowed.

TK stared at him. "Do you know me?"

Sonny snorted loudly. "Good point." He sighed, taking a sip of his coffee. "New York isn't the same without you or your dad."

"I love Austin, I do," TK nodded. "But I miss the comradery the 252 had with the NYPD. Officers coming in and out of the station because of how Dad and Liv made it click. I feel like I have more a family in the 126 than I ever did in the 252 . . . but I miss everyone at SVU. We've seen each other at our lowest lows, and no one here, not even Carlos, has seen me in the immediate aftermath of rock bottom. Moving to Austin did a hell of a lot of good for me . . . but I can't help but think how much easier it could've been if I had you and Amanda here for me, too."

"We should've come and visited," Sonny admitted, stepping closer to TK so their arms brushed as they continued walking. "We were so caught up with Sir Toby's case, and that's no excuse – "

"You had the emperor of a film empire in your hands, and under no circumstances should you have given him any chance to escape," TK said firmly. "Besides . . . I think that was when I realized how much I really needed what we have in Austin. It gave me the wake-up call I needed. I have another family, and when I told them everything . . . it was judgment free."

"Good," Sonny nodded. "Otherwise, you could've called us, and we would've come to kill them and bury their bodies."

TK guffawed. "That's a little too far, Sonny."

The cop blinked slowly. "Not when it comes to our family."

TK sighed, leaning into Sonny as they walked. "I appreciate it," he said. "I do. But really, I think Austin is where we're supposed to be. Working the ladder crew was amazing, but ever since Dad got the green light to form Squad 9 and we got Buck and Sylvie . . . the entire firehouse is close now, not just the firefighting crews. It's far better than what we had at the 252."

"Then this is where you should be," Sonny nodded, slinging his free arm around TK's shoulders. "And you've still got us at SVU if you need us. Just because you're here in Austin doesn't mean you're rid of us."

TK smiled. "So what you're saying is I'm stuck with you."

Sonny grinned. "You're stuck with us, TK."

"What a shame."

***

"You know, if I had decided to play a drinking game last night, I would be nursing a hangover, too."

"What game?"

"Oh, an easy one to win. Take a shot every time it looks like Casey or Severide want to murder me. Double shots when it's both of them at the same time."

Sylvie paused, her coffee halfway to her mouth, then she glared at an innocent-looking Peter. "You bastard."

"That's me," Peter agreed. "A bastard who swears to defend the truth."

Sylvie pressed her fingers to her forehead, sighing. "I just did this with Marjan last night, Peter. I don't need this from you, too."

"Sylvie, you were the one I called when I needed my head set straight about Olivia," Peter looked at her, face turning serious. "If there is any chance of me being able to repay you, I'm going to help you."

"You did that when everything happened with me and Antonio," Sylvie reminded him.

"That doesn't count," Peter shook his head. "That was when you broke up. You helped me get with Liv. Payback is helping you get with someone."

"When was that decided?" Sylvie whined.

"When I, with my observant eyes, saw two CFD officers look ready to murder anyone who even looked slightly interested in you," Peter deadpanned.

"They're my best friends."

"They take overprotective to a new level."

Sylvie dropped her head into her folded arms on the table, muffling a groan. "Everyone is doing this," she ground out. "And I mean everyone. This is too much for a few days."

There was a tense silence, then Peter's hand settled on her forearm. "Then I'll stop," he said quietly. "I'm sorry, Sylvie. I didn't know."

"You couldn't have since you weren't there," Sylvie looked up, settling her chin on her arms. "First it was the rest of Squad at the firehouse, then Marjan. I just . . . " She shook her head. "I need a break from discussing the loves of my life."

She paused when that slipped out, feeling the blood drain from her face. Peter, however, took it in stride. "Then I won't say another word about it," he promised. "SVU's seen a lot of cases since I've been their prosecutor. My mouth is shut, Sylvie."

She gave him a watery smile, squeezing his hand. "Thank you," she managed to whisper.

He smiled comfortingly at her. "Any time, Sylvie. I mean it."

***

"At least everyone's leaving at the same time," Buck sighed as the large group entered the airport, his hand entwined in Maddie's, his sister's head leaning against his arm. "Just get everything handled at once."

"Well, Chief Garland needs us back in New York," Olivia shrugged, one hand in Noah's, the other in the crook of Peter's arm. "Sex crimes don't stop just because we take a vacation."

"It'd be nice if it did," Kat muttered, making Fin snort in agreement.

"It's Buck that Chief Alonso likes, not me," Eddie grinned, making Buck laugh. "Unfortunately, that means I need to go back to L.A."

"And someone needs to keep an eye on the 118," Maddie snickered.

"I thought that was Athena's job?" Buck asked, only half-joking.

That made both Eddie and Maddie laugh. "And there's only so much pull I can wring from Grissom," Kelly said, his arm slung around Sylvie's shoulders, Matt's around her waist. "And I think my boys need their wrangler back."

"Oh, please," Matt rolled his eyes. "You're right there with them, needing to be wrangled, too."

Kelly gave him a salacious grin. "You volunteering, Case?"

TK's jaw dropped as Matt sputtered, and Sylvie threw back her head and cackled. "Oh, my God, I'm going to miss you two so much!"

"I demand phone and FaceTime calls," Kelly poked her in shoulder. "You do not get to disappear off the face of the planet again."

Sylvie giggled. "Yes, sir."

Carlos slowly looked at TK, who looked close to having an aneurysm. "Are they – ?" he asked quietly.

"Flirting?" TK finished. "Right in front of us? And being oblivious about it?" When Carlos nodded, TK closed his eyes. "Welcome to the torment of Squad 9, babe. This is what we have to deal with."

"What was that?" Buck craned his neck over Maddie's head.

"Nothing!"

"Next time SVU's here, we need to find a way for Amaro to be here, too," Fin decided.

"Oh, definitely," Amanda perked up; Maddie was jerked to a stop when Buck tripped over his own feet. "If Dominick and TK are a dumpster fire, you should see TK with him."

"He kept up with Olivia," Owen chuckled. "That's enough of a warning of what he would be like with TK."

"Excuse me, Nick and I were amazing friends together," TK sniffed.

"You were twin terrors," Olivia deadpanned. "And that was before you inducted Rollins and Carisi into your merry band of misfits."

"You make it sound like that's a bad thing," Amanda smiled innocently.

"I'm sorry," Buck stared, wide-eyed. "Did you just say Nick Amaro?"

That earned him stunned looks from the SVU team. "Wait," Amanda blinked rapidly. "How do you know that name?"

"Oh, my – " Buck fumbled for his phone and scrolled through his camera roll before holding his phone out. "Is this him?"

Carlos peered at the image of Buck, in LAFD dress blues, with a black-haired man of Cuban descent, who was in police dress blues. Both men were smiling for the camera. "Oh, my God," Olivia's eyes widened.

"How do you know Nick?" TK's head swung to Buck.

"We met at one of the first responder conventions in San Francisco," Buck grinned, showing the image to Eddie and Maddie. "I volunteered to go that year to represent the 118, I met Nick, and we hit it off. He's a sergeant with the United States Park Police. God, the stories we shared before I left California. If I ever wanted a new place to explore, he was the one who told me where to go." He blinked. "Oh . . . that makes someone else I need to tell about where I am."

"Oh, you leave that to me," Amanda grinned. "I've been meaning to call him again."

Buck gulped. "That's concerning."

Eddie glanced at one of the monitors on the wall, and he grimaced. "Maddie, we need to go."

She nodded, hugging Buck tightly. "I'll text when we land."

"Thanks," Buck kissed her cheek, hugging her back. "Have a safe flight." He turned to Eddie, pointing at him. "I expect weekly FaceTimes with you and Chris, you hear me?"

Eddie snickered, he and Buck engulfing each other in a hug. "I don't think there'll be any objections from my kid."

Sylvie looked at Matt and Kelly as they reluctantly turned to her. "I mean it, though," Kelly said. "Please don't pull a disappearing act like that again. I . . . we can't handle another one."

"I won't," Sylvie promised, hugging them tightly; they hugged her back, barely any space between them. "Watch each other's backs, you hear me? Or I'll sic the rest of Squad 3, Delaney, Grainger, and the Halsteads on you."

Kelly shook with laughter as Matt grinned into her neck. "Copy that."

A blonde blur slammed into TK's and Carlos's legs, both men grunting as Jesse looked up at them with wide eyes. "I want to see you again soon!" she declared.

"Oh, you will, sweetheart," TK promised, hugging his goddaughter. "Who knows? Maybe next time, I'll come to New York."

Jesse brightened. "And you'll bring Carlos with you?"

Carlos chuckled. "We'll see."

Owen wrapped Olivia in a hug, his long-time friend sniffing a little as she hugged him in return. "I better see you show up at the precinct unannounced at some point like you used to do, Strand," she muttered into his jacket.

Owen laughed. "I'll even bring the stereotypical donuts, too."

She playfully smacked him in the shoulder. "Best friend ever."

"Ouch," Fin winced exaggeratedly.

"Fine, my best firefighter friend. Happy?"

"Extremely, thank you."

TK shook his head fondly at the trio, then looked up when he heard a throat clear. He found the trio of Matt, Kelly, and Sylvie and the duo of Buck and Eddie in front of him and Carlos, the five all looking reluctant. "Sylvie gave us the right to be overprotective bastards after the wildfires, so," Matt took a deep breath. "Just . . . look out for each other, all right?"

"We will," TK nodded, smiling at his sister. "Count on it."

"We have each other's backs," Buck nodded. "Squad for life."

"And if they ever run into trouble, you'll be the ones I tell so you can yell at them," Carlos smirked.

The protests of the trio were smothered by Eddie's laughter. "You have my eternal gratitude, brother."

"Of course, the opposite is the true," Carlos grinned cheekily, making Kelly balk. "If any of you get into trouble, you can bet I'm telling them."

Matt squawked indignantly as Buck and Sylvie burst out into hysterics. "Traitor," Kelly narrowed his eyes.

"Man, I love you," TK grinned adoringly at Carlos.

"OK, fine, we are all tattle tales to each other," Eddie rolled his eyes. "Now Maddie and I really need to catch our flight, so . . . " He gave Buck one last smile. "FaceTime tonight?"

"You got it," Buck agreed.

"You guys do the same," Sylvie told Matt and Kelly.

"Will do," Matt agreed, kissing the top of her head as Kelly squeezed her hand.

TK turned to Amanda and Sonny, the pair smiling at him. "Don't be a stranger," Amanda crushed him in a hug.

TK nuzzled the top of her head, smiling. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Sonny joined the hug, squeezing TK's shoulder. "See you again soon, TK."

"Now," Owen crouched, looking Noah in the eye. "Remember what you need to do?"

Noah nodded, a serious look on his face. "Look out for Mom, and let you know if Peter ever does anything wrong."

Olivia laughed loudly as Peter sighed. "Yeah, he's definitely Owen's godson."

"Atta boy," Owen gave Noah a fist bump, then a hug. "See you soon, kid." Noah beamed up at him, then bounded to join Olivia. Sylvie reluctantly stepped away from Matt and Kelly, joining Owen as TK, Buck, and Carlos joined them. "Safe flights, everyone," Owen smiled.

All of them waved in response, and Sylvie sighed, leaning into Owen's side. "I miss them already."

"Thank God for phones," Buck agreed.

Sylvie paused, then a slow smile crossed her face. "Thank God," she agreed.

***

Sylvie Brett has created a new chat.

Sylvie Brett has added Owen Strand, TK Strand, and Evan Buckley to the chat.

TK: Oh, geez.

TK: Don't we already have one of these?

Buck: This one has Cap in it.

Owen: This one has me and no crazy nicknames.

Sylvie: Cap, you have one chance to leave.

TK: That scares me.

TK: Sylvie, what are you doing?

Buck: Careful, Cap.

Buck: This could be a trap.

Owen: I don't even know what trap this is.

Sylvie: So you're staying?

TK: Dad, it's bad if she's asking you that.

Owen: . . . I'm going to regret this.

Owen: Yes, I'm staying.

Sylvie: Good.

Sylvie: We need an adult in here.

TK: I was right.

Sylvie Brett has added Kelly Severide, Joe Cruz, Harold Capp, and Tony Ferraris to the chat.

Sylvie: Squads for life.

Buck: I take back ever saying this is a trap

Buck: Sylvie's my favorite

TK: BUCK

Cruz: Sylvie is everyone's favorite

Capp: Yeah, just ask Casey and Severide

Kelly: I just got back from Austin

Kelly: I'm not ready for this

Tony: That's on you, boss

Buck: So it's official

Buck: Sylvie is the best

Buck: And Cruz, Capp, and Tony are my new best friends

TK: OFFENSE TAKEN

Sylvie: And Cap voluntarily agreed to be the supervising adult

Owen: You said you needed an adult

Owen: I had no idea what I was being the adult for

Sylvie: Oopsie

Capp: See, Severide?

Capp: You can't be mad at that

Kelly: You're lucky I love you, Sylvie

Buck: And just so everyone's clear

Buck has named the chat "Squad Goals: 12/10 Would Recommend"

Cruz: Buck's my new favorite

Cruz: Just for that name

Kelly: This is bad

Kelly: I can't handle four of you

Sylvie: Ahem

Kelly: Five of you

TK: Am I just invisible?

Kelly: Six of you

Owen: And I have to deal with seven of you

Owen: Fantastic

Sylvie: You're welcome!

***

Kelly Severide has created a new chat.

Kelly Severide has added Sylvie Brett, Matt Casey, Evan Buckley, TK Strand, Eddie Diaz, and Carlos Reyes to the chat.

Kelly Severide has named the chat "Keeping Up With Your Dumbasses"

Kelly: Introducing the "keep an eye on your dumbasses" chat

Kelly: First order of business

Kelly: Buck

Kelly: TK

Kelly: Which of you bastards let Sylvie create a Squad chat

Sylvie: Hey!

Buck: All I said was thank God for phones!

TK: So Buck's to blame

Buck: I meant calls and FaceTime!

Buck: Not group chats!

Carlos: She created a Squad chat?

Eddie: I thought that was the one where they were pets?

Kelly: She created another one

Kelly: It contains Squad 9 and Squad 3

Matt: Oh fucking hell

Kelly: That was my reaction

Matt: Sylvie!

TK: I can hear the "I am disappointed in you" tone

TK: Good luck, Sylvie

Sylvie: At least I didn't give it the name

Sylvie: Buck's the bastard who did that

Buck: I thought it was clever, thank you very much

Kelly: Cruz, Capp, and Tony have basically adopted you

Kelly: You are going to ruin my sanity

Carlos: You put those three in a group chat with us

Carlos: This is going to ruin your sanity

TK: Thanks for the invitation, babe!

Eddie: I blame you for this, Severide

Matt: There's four of us and three of them

Sylvie: Oh, Matt

Sylvie: I love you, I do

Sylvie: But bold of you to assume that gives you an advantage over us dumbasses

Eddie: How the fuck did Judd not name Sylvie Dumbassest

Sylvie: Who's the bigger dumbass

Sylvie: The dumbass or the dumbass who follows the dumbass

TK: The dumbass

Buck: Now I'm confused

Sylvie: Voila

Sylvie: I give you Dumbasser and Dumbassest

Matt: Kelly I'm going to kill you for this

Kelly: Please and thank you

Kelly: Do it before the Squad chat kills me

Eddie: And now I understand why the L.A. group chat is deemed tame

Eddie: I can feel my sanity seeping out of my ears

Carlos: At least you're not in the same city as them

Matt: The only reason I'm glad I'm not

Sylvie: That hurts Matt

Sylvie: That really hurts

Kelly: Matt you bastard

Buck: I'll have everyone know Sylvie is grinning like a lunatic at her phone

TK: Manipulative bitch

Sylvie: Asshole

Carlos: Help

***

Evan Buckley has created a new chat

Evan Buckley has added TK Strand, Joe Cruz, Harold Capp, and Tony Ferraris to the chat

Buck: Oblivious dumbasses

TK: Amen to that

Cruz: Casey Severide or Brett?

TK: Yes

Capp: What a summary

Tony: What did they do this time

TK: Casey hurt Sylvie's feelings

TK: Severide proceeded to chew him out

TK: And Sylvie looked like the Cheshire cat

Buck: Don't forget Sylvie saying she loves Matt before being a savage

TK: Ah, yes

TK: That happened, too

Tony: We caught Severide red-handed, too

TK: Yeah, that's when he stuck us in a chat with himself, Carlos, Eddie, and Casey

Buck: That backfired on him

Buck: Epically

Capp: I almost feel bad for him

Capp: Then I remember he's an oblivious dumbass

Capp: So he's stuck until he figures everything out

Buck: And by everything you mean?

Cruz: They're rooting for the three of them

Cruz: Just like yours truly

Buck: Oh phew

Buck: More matchmakers

Tony: We'll handle the boys on our end

Capp: You handle our girl

TK: We can be very persistent

TK: Though so can Sylvie

TK: We're still working on Buck and Eddie

Buck: You're the worst, TK

Cruz: At this rate the four of us need our own matchmaking chat

TK: That can be done

Buck: Why are we such chaotic messes

Tony: Because of the officers

TK: What accuracy

***

The boys of Squad 3 are Severide's ultimate wingmen, there is no convincing me otherwise. They're going to lose their minds trying to get him and Casey together.

I know Nick Amaro got a different job (eventually), as shown in SVU's 500th episode, but in this universe, Amaro is still with the Park Police in San Francisco. He's in California, Buck was in California . . . at some point they crossed paths. Voila!

On a completely unrelated note, after watching the Olympics, I've decided TK and Sylvie would make an amazing ice dancing duo.

We head into "Difficult Conversations" next chapter, and likely "Double Red," too!

graphic by marvelity