Prompt: After ending her unhealthy relationship with Harrison for good, Sylvie worries about how returning to dating will go. After a suggestion from Kelly, a plan is arranged between the two: different sets of words are agreed on, and if any set is said, the other would be there to step in however needed. Only one word is needed for a simple escape. A set of words . . . well, they had hoped that would never be used.

5(ish) times Kelly and Sylvie used a safe word for help, and 1 time words they hoped to never use are.

My first time writing a one-shot for this trio, and it ends up almost 13K words. The 5 + 1, including extra scenes and an epilogue. Yeah, there was no way that was getting done in time for my birthday Monday. XD

Enjoy!

***

"Good for you!"

The exclamation from Gabby made Kelly look up from the squad table, and he saw Sylvie wilt from doing inventory on the ambulance, glaring at Gabby. "You didn't need to shout!" she hissed.

"What's going on?" Herrmann asked, looking up from where he was helping Matt complete inventory on the truck.

Gabby bounced up and down, a wide grin on her face. Sylvie finally sighed, putting her clipboard down. "I have a date at the end of the week," she admitted.

"Oh!" Herrmann grinned. "Good for you!"

"Thanks," Sylvie sighed, looking at Gabby as she hopped out of the ambulance. "I just wanted to see how it went before I shared with the house."

"Sorry," Gabby smiled sheepishly. "I'm just glad you're getting back out there, girl."

"Thanks," Sylvie gave a small smile back.

Kelly frowned, leaning back in his chair and watching Gabby join Matt and Herrmann for inventory. After a moment, his gaze slid back to Sylvie, watching her nervously tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear as she went back to inventory. "Hey, Cruz?" he turned in his chair to face the newest member of Squad 3.

"Yeah?" Joe looked up from helping Tony with his crossword.

"Is it just me, or was Brett a little tense there for a second?"

Joe frowned, turning to watch Sylvie mumble to herself as she looked through the ambulance. "I know she was a little anxious about telling me and Otis she had a date," he shrugged. "She probably didn't expect Dawson to announce it to us here."

Kelly hummed, tapping his pen against the table and watching Sylvie for a few more seconds.

***

The laughter of Chili as she recounted one of their ambulance runs to Jimmy at Molly's rang in Sylvie's ears as she stared into her wine glass, her foot absently bouncing where it rested on one of the bars of the stool. She kept looking at the texts she had been exchanging with her date in two days, constantly reading every line.

"Hey, Brett?"

She squeaked and jumped, so startled she knocked her glass over and spilling her wine. "Oh, my God!" she blushed furiously, leaping from her chair and grabbing napkins. "I am so sorry, Severide – !"

"Hey, don't worry about it," Kelly shook his head, helping her mop up the spilled drink. "I didn't realize you would be so startled. That's on me, alright?" He turned around, waving to Otis at the bar. "Hey, Otis! Another drink for Brett on my tab!"

"Coming right up!" he gave a thumbs up in return.

"You don't have to do that," Sylvie shook her head.

"I scared you, and you dropped your drink," Kelly shook his head. "I'm paying for the replacement. I won't take no for an answer."

Sylvie stared at him, then nodded, smiling shyly. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," he chuckled, then gestured to the seat across from her. "May I?"

"Oh," she blinked. "Um . . . sure."

Kelly nodded, sliding into the seat. "Here you go, Brett," Otis walked over, giving her a new glass. "And I'll take that one."

"Thanks, Otis," Sylvie smiled, watching him take the spilled glass. "Is there something you need, Severide?"

"Not that I need, no," Kelly shook his head. "I just wanted to ask . . . you've been antsy all week, not to mention tense whenever someone brings up you have a date." Sylvie bit her lip, looking down at her glass and tracing the rim. "Just like that," he nodded. "Is everything OK?"

"Yeah," she nodded quickly. "Everything's fine."

Kelly tilted his head. "Stop me if I'm prying too hard . . . but you don't seem fine."

She sighed, wilting in her seat. "It's just . . . this is the first date I've had since Cruz," she explained. "And he was a friend, someone I knew before I started dating. The only other relationship I had was . . . well. It was Harrison."

Kelly glowered, remembering the man. "You mean the guy who tried to emotionally manipulate you into going back to Fowlerton with him?"

"That's the guy," Sylvie nodded. "He expected me to be a housewife, didn't think I could take care of myself."

"So he's a bastard," Kelly summed up.

Sylvie giggled into her wine. "Yeah, when you put it that way."

Kelly nodded. "Are you worried this could end up another Harrison?"

"There is that thought," Sylvie nodded. "But I keep thinking if I don't go on this date . . . maybe I lost someone like Joe." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I just . . . I don't know."

Kelly tapped the table thoughtfully. "What if you had an out if you needed one?" he suggested.

Sylvie blinked, looking at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Kelly said slowly. "Have you ever heard of parents arranging a safe or code word with their kids in case they're ever in trouble and they want to get out, but they don't want to make it sound like they want out?"

"Like if there's a party they're invited to and there's drugs or alcohol they don't want to be involved with?" Sylvie nodded.

"Exactly," Kelly nodded. "Set up some safe or code words with someone, maybe at the house, so if you think something's going wrong with the date, you can call or text and they can come to the rescue."

Sylvie nodded thoughtfully. "What are you doing Saturday night?" she asked.

Kelly blinked, surprised. "Saturday?" he repeated, pulling out his phone to check. "Er . . . I think I was just planning on coming here to Molly's."

Sylvie bit her lip. "Uh . . . would you mind . . . ?"

She left the question open, but Kelly got what she was asking. "You want me to be your back-up?"

She blushed. "I mean, if you don't mind – "

"Hey, not at all," Kelly shook his head. "I wouldn't have suggested what I did if I wasn't willing to be that person. I'll have my phone on me the entire time. Say the words, and I'll come, no questions asked. Deal?"

"Deal," Sylvie smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Severide."

"You're welcome," he smiled. "So, what do you want for the code words?"

"Um," Sylvie took a deep breath. "I think there's two different ways I could see this going: either me just not thinking the date is going to work out, and me . . . possibly not finding myself safe in my current situation."

Kelly frowned uneasily. "Then I hope I get a call for the first situation and not the second one. Right. What do you have in mind?"

***

When shift ended Saturday morning and everyone left, Kelly caught up to Sylvie before she left the house. "My phone's on," he reminded her.

She gave him a brilliant smile in response. "You're a lifesaver, Lieutenant!" she called, jogging to her car. Kelly smiled, watching her go and hoping he didn't get a call or text with one of the safe words she had decided on.

His phone didn't ring with Sylvie's number displayed on it as he sat with his crew at Molly's, recounting their nervewracking save to the members of Intelligence who were gathered around. He did get a text as he was starting to leave, but the message made him relax.

Brett: No flags. Thanks for helping me out.

Kelly smiled, texting her back.

Severide: Any time you need it, Brett.

***

"We've set up a second date this upcoming weekend," Sylvie admitted quietly when she met Kelly at the counter in the kitchen.

He looked at Sylvie in surprise, then looked behind him at the common area. Gabby, Otis, and Herrmann were discussing something about Molly's, and Mouch was lounging and scrolling through channels on the TV. No one else was around, so he turned back to Sylvie. "How do you feel about it?" he asked.

"Well, there weren't any red flags that stuck out to me on the last date," she answered. "I feel . . . I feel better about this than I did before."

"That's good," Kelly nodded.

She bit her lip. "Would you still be able to – ?"

"Have my phone on?" Kelly finished, smiling and nudging her shoulder. "No questions asked, remember?"

She smiled in relief. "Thanks, Severide."

"Any time," Kelly nodded, watching Sylvie take her coffee and head out to the apparatus floor.

Matt raised an eyebrow, walking over to join him. "Everything all right with Brett?" he asked, glancing towards the doors.

"Yeah," Kelly nodded. "We just have an arrangement."

Matt's other eyebrow went up. "Do I want to know?"

Kelly shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "It's between the two of us."

***

1

Kelly had been about to leave for Molly's when his phone chirped at him. He slid his phone out of his pocket, taking a look at the message that arrived.

Brett: I'm getting a migraine. Pick me up?

Kelly halted in his tracks, blinked, then turned his car on, his heartrate spiking a few beats per minute.

Severide: Where are you?

He started driving before he got Sylvie's return text, and when he saw it, he was relieved he was driving in the correct direction. He was able to pull over quickly enough when he reached the restaurant. No sooner had he parked, and then Sylvie was out the door, bundled in a black overcoat. She opened the door quickly and slid inside, taking a deep breath. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome," he nodded, turning his signal on and driving back into traffic. "You want to head back to your apartment?"

"No," Sylvie shook her head abruptly. "I, uh . . . " She swallowed. "I don't want to go back to that date, but I don't want to be alone right now." Kelly nodded thoughtfully, then checked the street they were driving by. He shifted lanes, and Sylvie frowned, watching as they turned. "Where are we going?"

"You look like you could use some fresh air," Kelly smirked. Sylvie blinked, but settled back and watched as Kelly drove through a part of Chicago she hadn't gotten the chance to see before. She peered out at the lights, then settled back again as Kelly parked the car. "I assume you're still good walking in those heels?" he asked, opening his door.

"I'll be fine," she nodded, opening her own door. She accepted Kelly's hand in getting out, and she stared in shock at the glistening river below them. "I've never been here before!"

"I wondered," Kelly nodded, locking the doors and extending his arm for her. Sylvie threaded her arm through his, and Kelly led her down towards the river. "This is Chicago's Riverwalk. I've been here several times before, whether it was with Casey or my family. I know this route like the back of my hand. It's always a great place to come after a hard shift or just when I need time to breathe. So . . . I'll tack on another thing for if you ever need me to pull you out of a date. No questions asked, and we go wherever you need to go. Whether that's your apartment, my apartment, out here . . . you name it, we're there."

Sylvie looked up at him in awe. "You mean it?"

"Yeah, I mean it," he smiled at her. "You're family, Brett. I look out for my family, especially if some douchebag is gonna ruin your night."

Sylvie shook her head, leaning against him as they walked. "He didn't . . . ruin the night." She sighed. "I told him about one of the scenes we were at last shift, and he got vocal about how he thought I wasn't safe in my profession."

Kelly sighed, shaking his head. "I don't get why people think paramedics are just medics and don't go into fire scenes sometimes."

"I know!" Sylvie nodded. "We're first responders operating out of firehouses. What are we gonna do, operate out of police headquarters?"

Kelly smirked. "At least no one's shooting at you when you're at a firehouse."

Sylvie snickered. "Unless you're called to a scene like that."

"True."

Sylvie sighed. "I told him I had a migraine and that I didn't think it would work out between us."

Kelly nodded. "My honest opinion . . . if he didn't like hearing how much of a badass you are, that wasn't the guy for you."

Sylvie smiled. "Thanks, Severide."

He put his other hand on top of hers and squeezed. "You know you can call me Kelly, right?"

She beamed up at him. "Then you can call me Sylvie."

***

2

They went through their routine twice more in five months. Once Kelly moved out of Matt and Gabby's place, his new apartment became the place they went to after he picked Sylvie up from a failed date, whether it was because she just didn't feel a spark or her date was against something in her life. More often than not, it was more dangerous aspects of her occupation, which led to Kelly snorting and taking her to his apartment to regale her with ludicrous calls he remembered Shay telling him after shifts. He always made sure he kept a bottle of her favorite rosé at his place, too.

The first time Sylvie got a code word message was when she was watching Gabby and Stella dance their way around the bar at Molly's, about a week or so after Gabby's marriage to Matt. She giggled, watching them dance around the bar, then checked the text she received.

Kelly: Migraine rescue?

She sat upright, then looked through her purse. "I just remembered there's something I need to do tomorrow morning and I need to get to bed," she smiled. "I'll see you on shift?"

"Yeah!" Stella nodded with a smile. "See you, girl."

"See you!" Gabby waved enthusiastically.

Sylvie left her payment on the bar, then hurried out the door, texting back as she went.

Sylvie: What's the address?

She recognized the address that was texted immediately, but she remembered her deal with Kelly as she drove through Chicago. When she pulled up at the bar, she put her blinkers on and texted Kelly she had arrived. About a minute passed before her passenger door opened and the squad lieutenant slid inside, looking (Sylvie had to bite her lip to avoid staring and potentially drooling) hot in dark leather. "Yours or mine?" she asked, checking before she drove back into traffic.

"Riverwalk?" Kelly asked instead.

Sylvie's eyebrows raised, but she didn't argue. She took the route Kelly directed her down, and she maneuvered through the streets to find a place she would remember where she parked. Kelly was out of the car before she had fully parked, and she raised an eyebrow, taking her keys and exiting.

They walked along the river for a few minutes in silence, then Kelly sighed. "You can ask, Sylvie."

"No questions, remember?" she pointed out.

"I'm saying you can ask."

Sylvie nodded. "LGBTQ+ bar?"

Kelly nodded, running a hand through his hair. "It's, uh . . . it's something not many people know. My parents, of course, Benny's been pretty accepting. Casey knows, and so do Capp and Tony."

"Does the chief?"

"No," Kelly admitted with a sigh. "I figured I would share if I ever had something stable and it needed to come out."

Sylvie nodded, linking arms with Kelly. "Thank you for trusting me," she said. "I know we agreed no questions asked . . . but thank you for trusting me with asking and not judging."

"That's not you, Sylvie," Kelly smiled, tugging her a little closer. "I get the feeling most people would try to pry."

"It's up to you when you come out and to whom," Sylvie smiled. "For instance . . . my date to prom my junior year was a girl I went out with until July that summer." Kelly looked at her in surprise, and she bit her lip, grinning. "My senior year, I was asked to go to homecoming with an already established couple. The three of us dated until graduation, when we all realized we had different paths that were going in different directions." She shrugged. "Harrison was the third time unlucky. The point is, I haven't tried to label myself, and the only people who know any of this are Peter, Joe, and Otis. Not even Gabby knows."

"She doesn't have to if you don't want her to," Kelly told her.

"Exactly," Sylvie smiled. "You don't have to tell anyone you don't want to, either."

"Thanks, Sylvie," he nodded.

Sylvie watched the reflections of the stars dance on the water. "Can I ask one more question?"

"Technically, you already did," Kelly smirked.

She groaned. "Kelly . . . "

He snickered. "Go ahead, Sylvie."

She nodded. "I know you typically go to Molly's for drinks and such . . . were you looking for someone at the bar?"

Kelly was silent for a few moments, and Sylvie was worried she overstepped. "I thought about it," he finally answered. "But the guy wasn't who I wanted."

"Ah," Sylvie nodded. "I know what you mean."

Kelly shook his head, snorting softly. "What kind of guy falls for his married best friend?"

Sylvie felt her heart crack a little for Kelly, and she entwined her hand with his, leaning her head against his arm. "Likely more guys than you could guess," she whispered.

***

3

Kelly: Migraine to the max.

Sylvie had seen the text for one second before she looked through her purse, finding the money she needed to pay for her drink. "I'll see you at home!" she called to Otis before running from the bar.

"Hey!" Otis protested.

Sylvie: Where to?

It wasn't the bar from before, but Sylvie still clearly recognized where Kelly was located. Surprisingly, it wasn't a bar or a restaurant. She parked her car in the same spot she had before and exited, looking around for her best friend as she locked the doors.

She found Kelly sitting along the Riverwalk, staring blankly into the water. She saw the beer bottle clutched in his hand, then a glance next to him made her see that he had another beer waiting for her. She picked the bottle up and sat down next to him. Kelly didn't say a word, but she didn't say anything in return. She sat as close as she could, silently taking a sip of beer, noting it was one of her favorite brands.

"Anna's dead."

Sylvie's heart cracked a little more, and she swallowed hard, moving closer and hugging Kelly tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"She was doing so much better," he gulped, hand shaking where it was clasped tight around his beer. "But the leukemia got worse, and she had a DNR . . . "

Sylvie leaned her head on his shoulder, squeezing tighter when she felt Kelly start to cry. "I'm so sorry, Kelly," she rubbed his back. "I really liked her."

Kelly barked in laughter. "So did I." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I actually thought we would last. Then the damn cancer got worse."

Sylvie nodded. "Anything you need, I'm here," she promised. "Anything at all."

Kelly closed his eyes, inclining his head towards her. "Thank you, Sylvie."

She snuggled closer. "Any time, Kelly."

***

4

There wasn't a call or a text involved the fourth major time a code word was used. Kelly had been about to sit and watch a Blackhawks game when there was rapid knocking on his apartment door. He frowned, checking the time, then his phone to see if anyone had let him know they were arriving. He saw nothing of note on his phone, so with a shrug, he walked over and opened the door.

He was startled to see Sylvie standing there, tears streaming down her face. "Migraine," she choked out.

Kelly opened the door wider and beckoned. Sylvie stumbled inside, and Kelly swiftly shut the door behind her before holding his arms open. She fell into them with a sob, and he hugged her tightly, feeling her shudder. "What happened?" he asked, rubbing her back and thinking wildly over the past few days. He knew Sylvie had been acting slightly . . . off while on-shift, but she typically let him know when she had a date in case he was needed to help her out of it.

She sniffed. "I thought I was pregnant."

Kelly did a double take, looking at Sylvie in shock. That . . . of everything he had not been expecting that response. "You what?"

"I was late," Sylvie explained, running a hand through her tousled hair as Kelly moved into the kitchen, grabbing one of his beers from the fridge and finding a wine glass for her. "And Antonio was the last person I slept with, so . . . "

She made a helpless gesture, and Kelly nodded, pursing his lips. He hadn't been entirely behind the idea of Sylvie dating Gabby's brother, as he had heard all about Antonio's struggles with his ex-wife from the other paramedic. Still, when Sylvie had decided to go for it, he had stepped back, still letting her know every set of words they had arranged was fair game if needed. He wasn't afraid to step in between her and the Intelligence detective. "And you aren't?" he asked, just to make sure as he reached for the wine bottle.

Sylvie snorted. "No. I'm just late." He nodded, taking the bottle down. "I thought about trying dating him again, though."

Kelly paused in pouring her a generous helping of wine. "Are you going to?" he asked, almost afraid of what her answer was going to be.

"No," Sylvie finally shook her head. "I need to get him out of my head."

Kelly eyed the wine he poured, then held up the glass. "Would this help?"

"Gimme," she held out her hand pleadingly.

He chuckled, giving it to her and replacing the cap on the bottle. "I'll keep this out. In the meantime . . . " He resigned himself to whatever choice she was about to make. "Blackhawks or House Hunters?"

Sylvie froze, looking at him with wide eyes. "You seriously have House Hunters on that?" she pointed to his TV, surprised.

"It's your favorite show," he shrugged. "Of course, I have it on in case you ever need it for a night like tonight."

Sylvie grinned. "I am going to get you hooked on it."

Kelly sighed. "I had a feeling you would say that."

***

5

Having Sylvie in his life helped Kelly more than he ever thought was possible. When his father died of a stroke, he had an additional person who was there for him whenever he needed help with no questions asked. His break-up with Stella stung less knowing he had two people to lean on. One, of course, was Sylvie, who had been at the Riverwalk within minutes of calling her.

The other, another of course, was Matt, who Kelly wanted to keep at his loft constantly after everything the man had gone through. He had watched his marriage to Gabby deteriorate with argument after argument, with each decision Gabby made without Matt's inclusion, with every moment Gabby went lone ranger and thought she was invincible. Add in the fire that had burned Matt's place to the ground . . . well, the captain had gotten a year as bad as, if not worse than, Kelly. He hadn't thought twice before tossing Matt one of his spare keys and practically ordering his best friend and crush to stay for as long as he needed.

Sylvie had joined the "help Matt" plan; Kelly had seen Matt jump in surprise when Sylvie ambushed him with a tablet full of potential residences for him to explore. Kelly had smiled fondly, happy his best friends were bonding with each other. His plan with Sylvie continued, even though he himself had stopped dating. He kept his phone on whenever Sylvie told him she had a date with Chaplain Kyle Sheffield, and after that relationship fell through (he had to agree with Matt when he said having Sylvie date the chaplain had an impact on the firehouse).

He also had his phone on as he moved around the kitchen, finding the beers for him and Matt to watch the upcoming Blackhawks game. "You have House Hunters on series record?" Matt asked suddenly, blinking in confusion.

"It's a long story," Kelly shrugged.

Matt turned, raising an eyebrow. "As long as you suddenly having an interest in rosé?"

Kelly shook his head, walking over and handing Matt his beer. "Just turn the game on, Case."

Matt rolled his eyes, but changed the channel obediently. "I was just gonna say that if you ever had a date over and needed me out of your hair – "

"There's been no dating since Stella," Kelly interrupted him. "And you are staying. Capiche?"

Matt held up his hands defensively. "Capiche, Sev."

Kelly nodded, raising his beer to take a sip when his phone suddenly rang. He pulled it out, looking at the Caller ID before abruptly putting his beer down and answering. "Yeah?" he asked, causing Matt to look away from the game curiously. A moment later, Kelly winced and nodded, standing up. "I'm on my way. What's the place again?" Matt sat up straight, watching Kelly head straight for where his keys were on the counter. "Got it. I'll be there shortly." He hung up, looking at Matt apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I'm someone's ride in case of migraines."

"Go ahead," Matt nodded. "This is recording, so we're not missing anything."

"Thanks," Kelly sighed in relief. "I'll be back."

Matt nodded, watching Kelly close the door behind him. He sat back, tapping his fingers absently on the arm of the couch, thinking through what Kelly had said. He had seen Kelly take off from Molly's in a rush before, typically after he received a call or a text from someone. If he was someone's ride in case of a migraine, that would make sense. Matt himself had gotten bad headaches before, and it had been a pain in the ass (and the head) to drive. Good on Kelly for volunteering to be a ride if that happened.

Time had flown by quickly, because in no time Kelly's keys suddenly turned in the lock. He turned, but he was surprised by who came through the door first. " – most rotten bastard I have ever gone out with!" Sylvie Brett all but growled as she stormed through, slamming her clutch on the counter as Kelly closed the door behind him, a mixture of amusement and frustration on his face. "I mean, first he dares to insinuate a salad is all I should be eating – "

"When the only time you eat a salad is when it's summer and humid outside," Kelly nodded, moving into the kitchen.

"Exactly!" Sylvie jabbed her finger at him, and Matt watched with interest as she proceeded to remove her tan coat, revealing the knee-length, sleeveless teal dress she was wearing. "And then the waiter arrived, and he ordered wine without even asking me! He ordered the driest white ever, and if he had asked for my opinion, I would have told him the one wine I do not drink is white. The wine I prefer is – "

"Want a glass?" Kelly held up the bottle Matt had pointed out earlier, a cheeky grin on his face.

Sylvie stopped mid-rant, and she sighed in relief. "You're the best ever, Kelly Severide, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

He burst out laughing, setting the bottle down and grabbing a wine glass. "Thanks for the ego boost, Sylvie."

"Like you need it," Sylvie rolled her eyes fondly, turning around. Her blue eyes met Matt's surprised green ones, and she froze, eyes wide. "Uh . . . Kelly?"

"Yeah?" he looked up.

"I think she's surprised you took her here when I'm here," Matt waved. "Bad date?"

"The worst," Sylvie groused.

Matt understood, looking at Kelly. "So that migraine call . . . ?"

"It's the arrangement Sylvie and I have," Kelly nodded. "If we need to get out of a date, we let the other know we have a migraine. It's worked both ways."

"Best decision ever made," Sylvie nodded, taking the glass Kelly slid towards her. "For example, that stopped me from murdering the guy who thought he could make all my choices for me."

Kelly snorted. "I'd be rooting for you."

"Yeah, I would be, too," Matt nodded. "How long's it been a thing?"

Sylvie tilted her head. "Three, going on four years ago?"

"Sounds right," Kelly nodded.

Matt's eyes widened. "That long?"

"That long," Sylvie grinned tiredly.

"That explains the House Hunters recordings."

"Yeah," Kelly nodded. "That was after the Antonio Dawson mess."

Sylvie giggled. "Sorry if it's taking up recording space."

"Oh, pfft," Matt waved the apology away. "No problem, Brett. I've got my things with Sev, you can have your things, too. Besides, I just moved in. You've had this arrangement forever." He tilted his head. "And if you ever need an out and Sev, for some reason, isn't available, you can always shoot me a text or a call."

She smiled, touched. "Thank you, Casey."

He pointed to the TV. "Interested in Blackhawks?"

Sylvie's eyes widened, and she looked at Kelly. "I don't want to – "

"If you say the word intrude, I will push you onto the couch and recruit Matt to help dogpile you," Kelly threatened playfully.

Sylvie's eyes widened, and she plopped onto the couch next to Matt. "Got it."

Matt laughed, watching as Kelly grinned smugly and sat on her other side. "You're stuck with us, Brett."

She smiled. "Not a bad place to be stuck."

Kelly smiled softly. "Definitely not."

***

The entire firehouse felt the sudden meld. They often saw Matt and Kelly together, they had seen Kelly and Sylvie together, and they were getting used to seeing Matt and Sylvie now, too. Suddenly, the pairs of Matt and Kelly, Kelly and Sylvie, and Sylvie and Matt changed to Matt and Kelly and Sylvie, the three around each other more than they were split. If Matt and Kelly weren't filling reports out at the squad table, the back of the ambulance in clear view, they were in one of the officer's quarters, and a flash of a dark grey paramedic uniform was often seen with them. They had put their heads together to take care of the little boy from the storm, and Matt had felt his phone vibrate in his pocket from a sent message when they cornered the shooter between the rigs. Only a few seconds later, the ambulance came barreling towards the garage, and Kelly threw himself out of his hiding space, slamming the shooter into the hood of the oncoming ambulance, Sylvie in the driver's seat, one hand tight on the wheel, the other around her phone.

Hubble tried to talk Kelly down from the arsonist hunt. Neither Matt nor Sylvie attempted. They were in Kelly's quarters or with him at Molly's, being his sounding board for every theory he gave. When he made the connection to Carol Spears, Matt was the one who listened to Kelly's every instruction to find the device planted in the basement of the cathedral. Sylvie was the one who helped connect Carol to her ex-husband and helped convince the man to turn her in. That led to a charge up the stairs where, as Sylvie called 9-1-1, Matt and Kelly squared off against the woman herself.

Matt had been riding the adrenaline high of catching the woman all night until he saw Kyle Sheffield at Molly's and speaking to Sylvie. He swallowed down a flash of . . . whatever he felt as he watched them, then nodded when Sylvie broke off to head towards the restrooms. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," she smiled back.

"It, uh . . . " He nodded towards Kyle. "It's good to see you back with the chaplain."

Sylvie blinked rapidly. "What? Uh, no, we're – "

"I always liked him," Matt smiled tightly. "With you, I mean. You guys are right for each other. Both nice, good, selfless people. You're good together." Sylvie stared at him in surprise, and Matt nodded, moving towards the bar. Stella smiled at him in greeting, and Matt nodded back. "Can I get an Old Fashioned?" he requested.

"You got it, Captain," she confirmed.

Matt sat on the bar stool, tapping his fingers on the bar top and looking around. "Has Severide come in yet?" he asked.

"No," Stella shook her head. "Not since my shift started, at least."

"He was here shortly after I got in a few hours ago," Herrmann piped up from where he was filling up drinks. "He had an old notebook with him. Stared at it for a long time before he left. Didn't take a drink or anything."

Matt frowned. If Kelly had been at Molly's a few hours ago but left . . . he should've returned to the apartment. If he hadn't . . .

His head spun, and he abruptly stood. "Sorry, Kidd," he said. "Rain check on the Old Fashioned."

Stella blinked, pausing in the middle of getting his drink. "What?" she called after him as he took off through the door. "Cap, you just got here!"

***

Matt knew Chicago like the back of his hand. He also knew the route to the one property Benny had left his son after he died.

It was well past dark when he pulled up to the cabin he had visited Kelly at years ago, when Shay had died, and left the truck, intentionally slamming the door loudly behind him. He had a feeling his headlights had already been seen as he drove up, but just for good measure, he made sure the locking was audible.

By the time he reached the door of the cabin, Kelly was leaning in the doorway, a pinched look on his face. "You're making a ruckus."

"Good," Matt nodded. "You knew I was coming."

"Knew?" Kelly shrugged. "Debatable. Hoped? Maybe a bit too much."

Matt tilted his head. "I was at the apartment."

Kelly sighed, stepping back into the cabin and leaving room for Matt to enter. "I couldn't be in the city tonight."

Matt gave a small smile of understanding, stepping inside and looking around the dark, yet cozy cabin, flames crackling in the fireplace. "I understand. No need to explain."

"I know," Kelly nodded, shutting the door. "I feel like I never have to explain anything to you. You just . . . know."

"You're my best friend, Kel," Matt turned, folding his arms. "You can come to me for anything, no explanation ever needed."

Kelly swallowed. "I can't be the only one who thinks we've been toeing that line more than ever before."

Matt bit his lip, then slowly shook his head. "You're not," he agreed quietly. "Not whenever I'm in a room and I automatically look for you. It doesn't matter who else is there, it's you I try and find."

Kelly smiled, stepping forward. "It was like that for me a long time ago, Matt."

He tilted his head. "Since when?"

Kelly snorted. "I knew it was bad after you and Dawson tied the knot."

"God, Kelly," Matt blew out his breath in a rush, shaking his head. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because everything imploded when Andy died," Kelly answered. "You had Hallie. Then you had Dawson."

"And every time one of those relationships imploded, who did I have?" Matt raised an eyebrow. "There was always a bit of a romantic spark there. Gabby . . . she saw something in me, an idolized version that I never matched. You have been the only constant in my life for years, Kelly. Maybe there was never a right time . . . but ever since I moved in?" He nodded, green eyes meeting green. "Never a righter time."

Kelly smiled, reaching up and cautiously cupping his cheek. "You know how relationships typically track with me."

Matt finally stepped forward and kissed him, stopping anything else negative from being said. Kelly kissed back immediately, everything in the pressure conveying the satisfied feeling of finally, and Matt smiled, leaning into his touch. "None of them know you anywhere as well as I know you."

Kelly smiled back, leaning his forehead against Matt's. "You deserve a better man than me."

"Pot, meet kettle," Matt smirked. "I guess we'll just have to adapt and become who we deserve to have."

Kelly laughed, cupping Matt's face with both hands. "Deal."

Matt grinned, then Kelly was kissing him again, this time harder and with more confidence. The captain kissed back, feeling the adrenaline twist and pulse into something else. One of Kelly's hands left his face, and Matt missed the content for all of one second before that hand clasped his and tugged him further into the cabin. Matt grinned, letting Kelly lead him back towards the bedrooms, leaving the fire to burn out behind them.

He knew they would regret the long drive in the morning to 51, but he knew Kelly was thinking along the same lines as him: they were done wasting time.

***

The Arnow factory fire was chaos. It was grueling. It was exhausting.

It took Otis's life from 51, and Truck 81 was reeling. When the news was delivered, Matt saw Boden's face fall, and that was all it took for him to drop his head onto his clenched fists, his heart bleeding for another firefighter who died under his command. He heard Stella whimper faintly, then Kelly's hands were tight on his shoulders, grounding him when he needed it most. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the rest of 51 gathering around Mouch and Stella, being support they needed at the loss of their crewmate. Only one from 51 was missing from the waiting area.

When Sylvie emerged from where she had been taken to treat her arm (the arm broken because Matt had requested she and Emily be brought into the building, Matt argued no matter what Kelly tried to convince him), she looked like she had shut down. The only emotions both men ever saw from her was the glimmer of pain she let show in her eyes as she did her best to hug Joe, the man practically inconsolable at the loss of his best friend, and the grief she let the firehouse show.

She was gone barely a week later, moving to Indiana with Kyle . . . her fiancé, who had proposed right on the apparatus floor in front of the entire house just before the factory fire. Everyone had been stunned by the move, especially Matt and Kelly, who looked at each other in disbelief at the move Kyle had pulled at Sylvie's place of work. They had just gotten together (Boden's face when they had come into work with sheepish smiles and the proper paperwork filled out had been priceless), but they were losing their best friend.

Matt had to scratch that description two weeks into Sylvie's absence – he and Kelly had lost what felt like part of their very beings. Matt found himself looking towards Ambulance 61 whenever it returned from a call, only to feel sinking disappointment when he never saw a flash of blonde hair from the driver's seat. Kelly's mood dampened at Molly's whenever he heard chatter about a particularly exciting call, only to never hear Sylvie's own voice chime in with her side of the story. They even found themselves alternating between their beer of choice and the bottle of rosé that was never finished from the last time Sylvie had crashed at their place. Kelly and Matt had never been stronger or closer; with Sylvie gone, they leaned into each other more, to the point Herrmann described them as completely codependent.

And neither man could argue with the lieutenant. They were in sync on calls to the point of their orders practically matching, and they were the first they sought out when they cleared a scene. They were always together at Molly's, and whenever one caught a job outside of the firehouse, the other was there to help however they could. Matt even caught Voight looking at them in surprise a few times. It was such an abrupt change, a far bigger change than best friends who became lovers would typically display.

Neither broached the subject until one night one of the House Hunters started recording, and neither found it in themselves to turn it off. "We started falling in love with her, too," Matt said flatly, taking a sip of his beer. It was a statement, not a question. He knew it was true. He wouldn't be feeling her absence as strongly as he did if she had just been a friend.

"When did you start?" Kelly asked, not arguing at all as he sat down next to him.

Matt didn't even have to think. "Logan Miller."

Kelly smiled, remembering the young boy. "I don't know exactly when I started," he said. "It was some time between when you married Dawson and Anna's death."

"When she started dating Antonio?" Matt raised an eyebrow.

Kelly snorted. "I have terrible timing."

Matt shook his head. "You weren't the one who basically pushed her to the chaplain."

Kelly sighed. "At least she still calls."

Matt nodded. "We still have her in some form."

"That'll have to do," Kelly agreed, scooting closer to Matt and leaning his head on his shoulder.

***

+1

"Well, Boden sure is set on not having Gallo at the house," Kelly huffed three months later as he and Matt headed out of 51.

"Damn," Matt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I find the perfect candidate I want for my rig, and Boden doesn't want another daredevil."

"Hey, if there's anyone better to keep daredevils in line," Kelly grinned.

Matt laughed, slinging an arm around Kelly's shoulders. "Adrenaline junkies to mentor an adrenaline junkie. I like the sound of that."

"Nothing whatsoever?"

The men paused in their walk to the driveway, and they saw Joe sitting at the squad table with eyes wide. "How did you not die of boredom?" Capp peered over his shoulder.

"Oh, believe me, I got great practice twiddling my thumbs," Sylvie's voice came through the phone, and Matt and Kelly looked at each other before walking over. "I had no paperwork to fill out! Seriously, nothing!"

"What's this I hear about no paperwork?" Matt asked.

"Oh, here's Casey and Severide!" Joe grinned, adjusting how he sat and how he held his phone.

It was a FaceTime call, and Kelly could see Sylvie sitting on the back porch of a house, the trees rustling in the breeze. She was wearing an emerald green lace halter top, her shoulders bare, and when the breeze blew her loose hair, he could see the earrings she wore: gold caduceuses with diamond embellishments. He had gotten those for her last Christmas. He heard Matt inhale sharply and knew he was thinking the same thing Kelly was: Sylvie was absolutely stunning.

She looked like a shell of herself.

Still, she gave her best smile and wave to them over the camera. "Hey, boys!"

"Hey, Sylvie," Kelly smiled, leaning into Matt's side and giving a wave back. "You're looking good."

"Thank you," her smile turned more genuine. "Hard to believe I feel better in this than I did in a Fowlerton FD uniform."

"Brett didn't have any calls for her first shift," Tony informed them.

"None?" Kelly looked at Sylvie in surprise. "I agree with Tony. How did you not die of boredom?"

"With great effort," Sylvie smirked. "I think the only thing I enjoyed was the uniform. It's . . . " She sighed. "It's not Chicago."

"And it's not 51 without you," Joe said sadly. "But hey, we still get you this way, right?"

"Yeah, you do," Sylvie nodded, chewing her lip. She finally said, "But . . . well, I can't complain about much else."

Alarm bells started going off in Kelly's head, and he narrowed his eyes. "Well, as long as we still get to hear from our favorite Indiana girl," Tony grinned.

"Yeah, we miss you keeping these two in line," Capp jabbed his thumb in Matt and Kelly's direction.

"Hey!" Matt swatted Capp away. "If anything, you're rowdier with her gone! She kept you in line!"

"She kept everyone in line," Joe snorted.

"Can't complain?" Kelly asked, leaning over Joe's shoulder.

Sylvie's eyes seemed to have a bit more life in them. "Nothing to complain about," she nodded.

The alarms grew louder, but Kelly laughed. "All sunshine and rainbows back home, then?" he asked. "I know that feeling. As long as you're good, Sylvie."

Sylvie bit her lip, then gave a wide smile. To anyone except the man she gave it to, it was real and genuine. "Peachy keen, Kelly."

The alarm bells shrieked, and it felt like ice was dumped down Kelly's back. His arm tightened around Matt's waist, and he nodded. "Good to hear, girl."

Sylvie nodded back, then took a deep breath. "There's a brunch I'm heading to with Kyle in about ten minutes, so . . . I'll talk to everyone later?"

"We'll talk to you later!" Joe grinned, waving. "Chloe says hi!"

"Tell her hi back!" Sylvie giggled, waving. "Bye, everyone!"

They all waved back, then Kelly switched to grab Matt's hand in a vicelike grip. "Come on."

"Kelly?" Matt stumbled after him, then jogged to keep up. "What is it?"

"How long would it take you to pack a bag for a day or two?" Kelly asked in a rush, unlocking his car. "Between now and next shift?"

"Um," Matt blinked at the abrupt question. "Not too long? Fifteen, twenty minutes, maybe?"

"Good," Kelly slid into the driver's seat, starting the car. "That's about how long I'll take, too."

"Kelly, what's going on?" Matt asked worriedly, sitting in the passenger's seat. "Where are we going?"

"Fowlerton," Kelly answered, checking the amount of gas he had in the tank. "We're getting Sylvie back."

"What?!" Matt's eyes widened. "Are you kidding?"

"Completely serious," Kelly pulled out of the parking place. "We're driving to Fowlerton and bringing her back to Chicago."

"Kelly, I – " Matt took a deep breath. "Look, I love her so much, and to have her back in Chicago would be the best thing since we got together . . . but you heard what she said on the phone."

"I did," Kelly nodded, grip tightening on the wheel. "That's exactly why we're going."

Matt looked at Kelly, frowning. "What did she say that I missed?"

Kelly took a deep breath. "Something I really hoped I would never have to hear from her."

***

"You're leaving?!"

Hope's shrill voice made Sylvie flinch as she brought her suitcases down the stairs, and she came face to face with her former best friend. "Yes, Hope," she took a deep breath, setting her luggage down. "I'm leaving. I can't do this. I don't know how I thought I could."

"Sylvie, I don't know what happened," Kyle watched her move about.

"What happened is I did something I shouldn't have," Sylvie told him, brushing her hair behind her ear and checking to make sure she had everything she needed. "I moved back to Fowlerton where I am still the black sheep of the town, I joined a department that would bore me to an early grave . . . and I said yes to a man who seems intent to try and make me someone I'm not."

"Sylvie!" Hope protested. "You can't mean that!"

"Oh, really?" Sylvie glared. "So trying to convince me I don't need to be a paramedic, which I love, isn't what I just described? Trying to convince me all I need to be is a 'chaplain's wife,' isn't trying to make me someone I'm really not? You know me, Hope. At least, I hope you do, since you were so intent on becoming friends again. I know who I am. This here, in Fowlerton? It's going to kill me if I stay here." She shook her head. "So I'm going back to Chicago. I'm going home."

"Sylvie, please," Kyle begged, stepping in front of her when she turned towards the door. "Tell me how I can fix this."

"You can't fix something when I don't want it fixed, Kyle," Sylvie shook her head. "I'm sorry."

There was a knock on the door, but it was ignored as Hope stepped forward, tears in her eyes. "Sylvie, please, we were doing so well!"

"You almost ruined everything for me in Chicago," Sylvie said bluntly, making Hope's mouth drop open. "I spoke up for you, and you stabbed me in the back. And the first thing you said when you saw me here again? You said Chicago would get too fast for me and I would come back home. This isn't home, Hope. I don't think you'll ever be my friend again. I'm never going to be the Indiana farmgirl, housewife that everyone wants me to be here. That's not me, and it never will be."

"Sylvie," Kyle began, but he was interrupted by a firmer, more insistent knock on the door. He huffed, turning on his heel and going to the door. "What could be so important?" he grumbled, unlocking the door and swinging it open.

He froze when he saw the two men in CFD jackets standing on the porch. "Chaplain," Matt gave a bland smile. "Long time, no see."

Hope squeaked, eyes widening in shock. "Oh, my God," Sylvie's jaw dropped, and she checked her watch. "How did you – ?"

"Kelly was pretty insistent we take off as soon as we finished packing," Matt grinned. "I think the speed limit was broken a few times, too."

"What can I say?" Kelly shrugged. "No questions asked, right?"

Sylvie couldn't help but grin, running past Kyle to launch at him. Kelly caught her with a laugh, squeezing her tight. "Thank you," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you for remembering."

"Always," he nodded.

"So," Matt grinned. "The Chicago way?"

Sylvie smiled and nodded, stepping back inside for her luggage. "The Chicago way," she confirmed, slipping her engagement ring from her finger and setting it on the table next to Kyle.

***

They had been driving for half an hour when Sylvie's voice broke. "I need some air."

Kelly checked where they were on the interstate before veering into the lane for the upcoming rest area. As soon as he parked, Sylvie was out of the car and rushing for the walking area, tears visible in her eyes. Kelly and Matt exchanged worried looks before hurrying after her, Kelly barely remembering to lock his car first. "Sylvie!" he called.

"Sorry," she sniffed, sinking her teeth into her lip to avoid crying. "I just – I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until I was on that call. I had thoughts I brushed off, I thought it would get better, and then I was listening to you and Joe and the rest of Squad, and I just – "

"You're out of there," Kelly assured her. "You're out, you're coming home, and you never have to go back."

"Thank God," Sylvie slumped, hand over her mouth to stifle a whimper.

"What happened?" Matt asked quietly. "I know Kelly said no questions asked, but we heard shouting when we got to the front door."

Sylvie sat down on the bench behind her, and when she patted the seats on either side of her, the men joined her. "I got cabin fever easily while my arm was recovering," she said, experimentally twisting her arm; she caught Matt's wince at the motion. "So I wasn't really out and about much. I still went with Kyle to some events, but I was mainly at the house. Once I got cleared, I looked more into joining the station close to us . . . and when I interviewed and got the job, I found out Hope was dating one of the firemen there."

"That couldn't have gone well," Kelly said dryly.

"Oh, it didn't," Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Apparently, everyone in Fowlerton was waiting for me to decide Chicago was too much for me and come home. Coming back with another fiancé was the icing on the black sheep cake. From there, it was Kyle trying to convince me I didn't have to be a paramedic, I just had to be a chaplain's wife, him urging me to reconnect with Hope, her trying every single minute to prove herself to me . . . and then a day in the life of the Fowlerton Fire Department pretty much proved it wasn't for me. That life wasn't me." She hung her head. "And I didn't know how it would go when I tried to leave."

"Hence the words," Kelly nodded, putting his hand on her knee and squeezing. "That was all you had to say."

She smiled tearfully. "That was what I was trying to figure out," Matt said. "What was it you said that clued Kelly in?"

Sylvie sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Back when I started dating after Joe, I was just . . . I was worried, you know? What if something goes wrong, if I feel uncomfortable, or it just didn't click?"

"So I told Sylvie I would be her out if she needed it, and all she needed to do was text or call me with whatever we decided as safe words," Kelly nodded. "There were two things we decided on. The one we've always used was saying 'migraine' – nothing too serious, just a way of saying this isn't working." His lips quirked up. "Or, in some cases, we just needed a breather with someone who wasn't going to ask questions."

"Which that was what that failed date was," Matt nodded in understanding.

"Yeah," Sylvie nodded. "That was the 'minor inconvenience' word."

Matt narrowed his eyes. "So there was a 'major inconvenience' word?"

"That was more elaborate," Kelly's eyes darkened, and Sylvie ducked her head. "If there was ever a situation where we felt uncomfortable, felt unsafe, or needed the hell out because something was very wrong, there would be three things to say in a row, to make sure one hundred percent an escape was needed. The person who needed out would say 'can't complain,' the one they were talking to for an escape would include 'sunshine and rainbows' in whatever they said next, and the final set would be 'peachy keen.'" He moved his hand from Sylvie's knee to around her shoulders. "That was how I knew we needed to get on the road as quickly as we could. Sylvie needed the hell out of Fowlerton."

"We both hoped it would never be needed," Sylvie whispered.

"I'm sorry it had to be used," Matt swallowed. "And I'm sorry that happened to you, Sylvie."

"I should've never said yes to that proposal," she sniffed.

Kelly winced. "We did kind of wonder what you were thinking when you said yes."

Sylvie bit her lip. "Can we get to that later?" she asked, taking a deep breath.

"Of course," Matt nodded instantly. "Whatever you need. We're never gonna push."

She smiled fondly. "I noticed there were additional duffels in the back when I put my bags in the trunk?" she prompted.

Kelly shrugged. "Well . . . did you want to immediately head back to Chicago to see everyone?" he asked. "Or do you want a breather night?"

"Breather," Sylvie nodded anxiously. "Definitely a breather."

"Figured," Kelly laughed, making Matt grin. "I kind of wanted to hoard you to myself for a night, too."

"Excuse me," Matt narrowed his eyes. "We are hoarding her."

"Sorry, babe."

Sylvie giggled, leaning her head on Matt's shoulder while entwining her hand with Kelly's. "I missed you two so much."

Matt smiled, kissing the top of her head. "You have no idea how much we missed you, too."

***

Sylvie knew Kelly was well off with money, but she hadn't known he was so comfortable that he didn't even bat an eye when he paid for a two-bedroom suite at the hotel they arrived at after dinner. "Seriously, tell me what I need to pay in return," she said as they brought their luggage into the suite.

"Nothing, Sylvie," Kelly shook his head, dropping the key cards on the table. "It has been three months since we were able to do something with you, for you. This is my part of what we're doing."

"Wait," Sylvie blinked, turning to Matt. "So when I left to use the restroom – "

"I paid for dinner," Matt confirmed. "All of it."

Sylvie's jaw dropped. "But everything together had to be over a hundred dollars!"

"It was," Matt nodded. "Worth every penny just to have you with us again."

Sylvie looked between them with wide eyes. "Guys – !"

"Sylvie, I could tell from one look on that FaceTime call that something was wrong," Kelly turned to her, taking her hand in his. "Then you said those words . . . I never want to hear them again. Please, just let us spoil you a little?"

Sylvie's cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head. "You drove three and a half hours to get me," she whispered. "That's all I would have asked for."

"Sylvie, this is the least of what we would do for you," Matt shook his head, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's the least of what we want to do for you."

Sylvie looked between them, then swallowed hard. "It was you two."

Kelly blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"The two of you were why I said yes," Sylvie let out in a rush.

Matt's eyes widened. "What?"

"I know," she pulled away, running a hand through her hair as she paced up and down the living space, leaving Matt and Kelly staring at her. "It's stupid, and it's something I didn't notice until after everything with Carol Spears, and I just thought – "

"Thought what, Sylvie?" Kelly asked quietly.

She stopped her pacing, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "The last solid relationship I had, that would have worked had we not gone our separate ways, was with my two boyfriends my senior year of high school," she whispered, fidgeting nervously. She could feel the shocked weight of Matt's eyes on her, but she missed him looking at Kelly in a mixture of surprise and hope. If she was saying what he thought she was saying . . . "And aside from them, only three . . . well, four people have never judged me for it. What I felt for them is nothing compared to the two of you, and it scared the hell out of me." She swallowed. "So I ran as far as I could, but every day that went by . . . it just felt like . . . "

"There was a hole where someone fit in your life so well, then they were suddenly gone," Matt filled in when she trailed off. "Because no one else would ever fit where they did, and that is the only person you would ever want to fit in that space."

Sylvie's eyes opened, and she looked at Matt in surprise. "Yeah," she licked her lips. "That's exactly it."

Matt couldn't help but grin. "Sylvie, that is exactly how we felt."

"The three of us together," Kelly stepped closer to her, "it was intoxicating. We fit together so well, no matter if it was the three of us together or split up in some form. The way we supported each other, showed up for each other, were just there for each other . . . it's like a drug. Yeah, you know all about how long I crushed on Matt, but no matter what I went through in my life, you were there. No questions asked. And somewhere on that road, there was just a sudden switch where once you were gone . . . "

"Nothing we tried could replace where you were," Matt nodded, making Sylvie's wide eyes look at him. "It brought us closer than ever, but there was no way there was going to be a way for us to just look the other way like nothing was wrong. Losing you was like losing more than limbs."

"We had each other's hearts, but you took parts of them with you when you went to Fowlerton," Kelly smiled, cupping her cheek and making her turn to look at him. "And now you're back, and I, at least, don't want you to disappear on us again."

"Never," Matt agreed, squeezing Sylvie's hand. "And if you're willing to take a chance . . . we would like to be the last solid relationship you have with anyone."

Sylvie's eyes were wider than they had ever seen as she looked between the two men. "Are you sure?" she whispered.

"One hundred percent," Kelly nodded. "And more than that. It's us until the end, Sylvie. We knew that a long time ago. We want it. We just need to know if you do, too."

Sylvie had started nodding before he finished the sentence. "Yes," she confirmed.

"Yes?" Kelly started to grin, just to make sure.

"Yes!" she laughed gleefully, looking much more like herself than the Sylvie they had seen at Kyle's rental. "Absolutely, yes!"

Matt's answering grin looked like he could power the hotel, and Kelly laughed in relief, bending his head and capturing Sylvie's lips in a kiss that she returned with enthusiasm. He broke the kiss for one reason. "Is there some holy rule that says you shouldn't enter a relationship or kiss someone immediately after you end an engagement?"

Sylvie burst out laughing. "If there is, I really wonder how many people in the world are going to hell."

That sent Matt into hysterics. "Would that include the people the formerly engaged person hooks up with?"

"Oh, be real," Sylvie turned to him with a smug grin. "With the crap you and Kelly have done over the years to give everyone at 51 a heart attack? You two are absolutely going down with me."

Matt smirked back at her. "Oh, we'd follow you anywhere, Sylv."

She giggled, and he kissed her as well. Kelly couldn't keep the smile off his face at all as he watched the two he loved most in each other's embrace. He couldn't have possibly imagined this being where he would end up those years ago when Sylvie admitted she was worried for her date. To be here, though, with the man he had loved for years and the woman who snuck his way into both their hearts . . . he had no regrets whatsoever.

Well, one regret, he amended. He regretted not having this conversation earlier, because they likely could have gotten a suite with only one bed for less money. He had a feeling Sylvie wouldn't be sleeping in the spare that night.

***

Seven Years Later

Sylvie stepped out of the bathroom at 51 and almost ran straight into her best friend, who whipped around from her pacing. "Well?" she demanded, hands on her hips.

"Jesus Christ," Sylvie held a hand over her heart, taking a deep breath. "Have you been out here the entire time?"

"Telling people not to go in yet," Stella smirked proudly. "Yep." She gestured impatiently. "Now, come on!"

Sylvie bit her lip, then held up the two sticks she had hidden behind her back. Stella peered at them, then gasped. "Really?!"

"Really!" Sylvie nodded eagerly, grinning widely.

Stella squealed, engulfing her in a hug, which Sylvie returned. "Oh, my God, they are gonna be so happy!"

"Who's gonna be happy?" a confused voice asked.

Sylvie peeked over Stella's shoulder, and she beamed. "Grainger!" she greeted, shimmying out of Stella's hug and bounding over to the recently promoted captain of Firehouse 40.

Greg Grainger smiled, accepting Sylvie's hug. "Good to see you, Sylvie."

"What are you doing here, Captain?" Stella tilted her head.

"Delaney and I actually are here for a meeting before your shift ends," Grainger answered, checking his watch. "He shouldn't be far behind me." He looked back between Sylvie and Stella. "Now, who's gonna be happy?"

Sylvie couldn't smother her smile. "A few other people need to hear before you do."

Grainger hummed, then a face poked around the corner. "Hey, Brett?" Gallo said in confusion. "There's a couple on the apparatus floor looking for you."

"Oh?" Sylvie frowned, exchanging confused looks with Stella.

"Yeah," Gallo nodded. "Ritter didn't look too happy to see one of them, though."

Sylvie frowned, then followed Gallo out towards the apparatus floor. "There aren't too many people Ritter isn't happy to see," Grainger remarked, following behind Sylvie.

Sylvie nodded in agreement at Matt and Kelly's best friend's words. She pushed open the doors just in time to hear a vitriolic growl from Mouch, of all people. " – lot of nerve showing up here!"

Sylvie and Grainger exchanged startled looks, then hurried around Gallo to see Mouch bearing down on a blond couple that had approached the rigs. Sylvie peered around Herrmann and Ritter, and her jaw dropped. "Kyle?" she asked in disbelief. "Hope?"

The two looked around the firefighters that formed a line in front of the paramedic, and Hope beamed. "Sylvie!" she smiled, taking a step forward.

"You can stay right where you are," Capp narrowed his eyes.

Hope stopped in her tracks, and Kyle took a step forward, holding a hand up placatingly. "I know Hope doesn't have a good history with this firehouse – "

"The same Hope that tried to get Lieutenant Kidd out of the house?" Grainger interrupted, frowning.

Kyle faltered, and a pinched look appeared on Hope's face. "She's a lieutenant now?" she asked.

"Yep," Gallo nodded, looking around in confusion. "Been the lieutenant of Truck 81 for three years now."

"And by Kyle, you mean . . . ?" Grainger trailed off.

"Yeah, Brett's ex-fiancé," Joe folded his arms. "The one who would've rather had her be a housewife than save lives as a paramedic."

Sylvie flinched as a reminder. "Best day in 51's history was when she walked back into the house," Herrmann nodded.

"Who would ever try and stop you from being a paramedic?" Violet asked Sylvie in confusion.

"Her ex, apparently." The low rumble of the incoming captain of Firehouse 20 made Kyle start and Hope yelp in surprise, and Greg Delaney stepped next to his former paramedic, standing side by side with Grainger. "I got here at the right time, apparently."

"Look," Herrmann turned to Kyle and Hope. "You two are not welcome at this house, so say whatever you have to say and get out of here."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" Tony frowned.

"There was a conference I was invited to attend," Kyle answered. "And since Hope is my wife – "

"Oh!" Joe snorted. "Match made in heaven right there."

"Joe!" Sylvie jabbed him in the ribs.

"Look, you can be as kind and polite as you like," Joe shrugged. "I have the right to be bitter the rest of my life."

"I'm with Cruz on that," Ritter held his hand up.

"It was that bad?" Gallo's eyes were wide.

"Oh, it was worse," Mouch scoffed. "You know that lesson Brett and Severide have given every new member coming into 51 since she came back? These two were the reason it's become such a popular lecture."

"Really?" Violet asked, narrowing her eyes.

Sylvie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "OK, let's just . . . what is it you need to – ?"

"Mama!" a squeal came from the end of the drive.

"Oh, incoming!" Tony brightened.

Sylvie perked up, too, stepping around Grainger and crouching, holding her arms out as a blonde blur rocketed to her. "Hi, sweetie!" she giggled, catching the girl in a pink striped dress. "Oh, look at you!"

"Amelia!" a dark-haired woman panted as she continued up the drive, her hands tightly holding those of a boy with dark hair and a girl with hair of darker blonde than Amelia's. "Sylvie, I'm so sorry, she just took off running!"

"It's OK, Katie," Sylvie smiled, petting her half-sister's hair, careful not to mess up the bows on her headband. "What're you doing here?"

"Half-day, Mama," Amelia answered, clinging onto Sylvie's pant leg. "Went home early."

"And once these two were out of preschool, they wanted to visit their parents," Katie smiled apologetically. "I called ahead, but I guess I didn't expect we would see you first."

"Oh, it's fine," Sylvie waved her apology off. "As long as it was cleared."

"You good, Chaplain?" Capp asked with a smirk.

Sylvie looked up to see Kyle looking like he had gotten hit in the head. Hope swallowed, giving a tight smile. "All three are yours?" she asked.

"This beauty is actually my half-sister," Sylvie gestured to Amelia. "My birth mother found me but died during childbirth, and her husband didn't want Amelia. I adopted her, and she's more my daughter than my sister. These two rascals, though," she crouched, and her son and daughter ran to her. "Are definitely mine, unless I imagined being in the hospital and giving birth."

"I definitely remember trying to keep you calm in the ambulance," Violet couldn't help but snicker.

"More visitors today?" Katie asked, stopping by Sylvie and looking at Kyle and Hope with interest.

"Yeah," Sylvie cleared her throat. "Katie, meet Kyle Sheffield and Hope . . . well, Sheffield, I guess. Kyle, Hope, this is Katie Nolan, she's – "

"Sylvie's my sister-in-law," Katie said smoothly, making Sylvie blush as the brunette gave a vicious smirk. "I moved back to Chicago so when I wasn't working, I could help my brother's family with the kids. That's Kelly Severide, by the way."

Hope's look soured even further. "So you mean the kids are – ?"

"Mine?" Kelly's voice came from the entrance to the common room.

"Papa!" the boy scampered between Ritter and Gallo.

Kelly bent with a laugh, picking his son up. "Oh, there's my boy! Thanks for bringing them, Katie."

"No problem, Kelly," Katie smiled. "Amelia's always happy at the firehouse, but Andy and Shay were more anxious than usual."

"Bad feeling," Andy mumbled, his blue-green eyes on Kyle and Hope.

Kelly took one look at them, then snickered. "You've got good instincts, buddy." He turned to Kyle and Hope, a protective glint in his eyes as he stepped behind Sylvie. "I'm surprised my crew hasn't kicked you to the curb yet."

"We're tempted," Capp snorted.

"Severide," Kyle nodded, lips pressed together. "Congratulations on the promotion."

"Thanks," Kelly smirked, Sylvie beaming as she looked at the additional bugles on her partner's polo. "Did you congratulate Sylvie on hers?"

Hope's gaze narrowed in on the pure silver bars on Sylvie's shirt. "What rank do you have now?"

"Ambulance Commander," Violet gloated. "Best partner in the CFD right here."

Hope's eyes went to the remaining girl on the ground, who was peering out from between Kelly and Sylvie's legs. "Forgive me, but Shay . . . "

She didn't seem to know how to continue her sentence. "Doesn't look like me?" Kelly said casually, making Hope blush. "I know she doesn't. Still doesn't make her any less mine. All three of them are, no matter their parents."

Sylvie cleared her throat, unable to miss the opportunity presented. "Four."

Kelly blinked, turning to look at Sylvie. "What?"

Sylvie heard a gasp of delight from Katie, and she saw Herrmann's eyes widen out of the corner of her eye as she faced Kelly completely. "All four of them," she corrected.

That got stunned murmurs from the rest of the house, and Kelly's eyes widened. "You mean – ?"

"Another sibling?" Amelia perked up.

Sylvie nodded excitedly, and Kelly laughed in joy, shifting his hold on Andy so he could crush Sylvie in a hug. "Oh, my God!"

"Congratulations!" Grainger led the cheers as Katie, Violet, and Squad 3 joined the hug.

"I think I missed something," a dry voice came from the door.

"Give them a minute," Stella giggled. "I think Brett just broke the news."

"Daddy!" Shay was off with a squeal, her little legs moving as fast as she could.

Matt bent down and caught his daughter, smiling when she hugged him. "Hey, sweetheart." He stood up with Shay in his arms, and he looked between a widely grinning Kelly and a beaming Sylvie. "What news did I miss?" he asked.

Sylvie turned to Amelia. "Do you want to share, pumpkin?" she asked.

"Mama's having another baby!" Amelia jumped up and down with a toothy grin.

Stella jumped up and down with delight, joining Violet and Katie in their excitement. "Really?" Matt looked at Sylvie with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Really," Sylvie nodded with a grin. "I took the tests a few minutes ago. I was going to find you guys when Gallo came up and said we had visitors."

Matt looked past her to see Kyle and Hope both looking like they had tasted something sour, and he nodded, stepping closer and winding his free arm around Sylvie's shoulder. "Chaplain," he greeted in a glacial tone. "Hope."

Kyle took a deep breath. "Chief."

Hope swallowed, seeing the uniform change. "51 is just full of promotions, isn't it?"

"It's been seven years since I left Fowlerton, Hope," Sylvie reminded her. "A lot's happened since then."

"No kidding," Hope mumbled, eyes darting between the three children. "Three promotions and three kids."

"And not a regret in the world for any of it," Matt nodded, kissing the top of Sylvie's head.

"And everyone is OK with this?" Kyle looked around at the assembled crew of Firehouse 51.

"You mean are we happy that our battalion chief, captain, and ambulance commander are clearly meant for each other?" Joe raised an eyebrow. "And clearly have a loving family with two daughters, a son, and another kid on the way? Oh, yeah. We're over the moon for them."

"It took a bit of getting used to," Herrmann admitted. "But if any three from the house deserve each other, it's the three who aren't complete when one is missing."

Kyle pursed his lips. "Which I guess is why I'm no longer welcome in this house."

"It's why both of you are no longer welcome," Matt said flatly. "Former friend and ex-fiancé aside, you both also tried turning Sylvie into someone she isn't. If you hadn't done that, Chaplain, we likely would have a different story here."

"Though Matt and I should really thank you," Kelly smirked smugly. "If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have gotten the love of our life."

Sylvie smiled through her blush, her hand on Amelia's back, feeling supported by Matt's arm around her shoulders and Kelly's slipping around her waist. "I think it's time for you two to leave," she said. "And please, don't come back."

To his credit, Kyle swallowed his pride and nodded, not saying another word. "Sylvie," Hope tried to say. "We came to apologize."

"You certainly don't look apologetic," Stella sniffed.

Hope's cheeks burned red. "You can apologize all you want," Sylvie sighed. "That doesn't mean I'll accept it. Please . . . leave."

"We could always call Andy's godparents if you don't," Kelly smirked. "I know the Halsteads are working today and wouldn't have a problem using lights and sirens."

Hope balked. "You wouldn't!"

"Stella?" Kelly prompted.

"Calling, Captain," his ex-girlfriend, now good friend, grinned, pulling out her phone.

"We'll leave," Kyle promised, taking Hope's hand and tugging.

Hope gave Sylvie one last bitter look before she huffed and turned, following Kyle down the drive. "Good riddance," Delaney muttered.

"That was your childhood best friend?" Grainger asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Sylvie sighed. "She's changed."

"Not for the better, apparently."

"Screw her," Stella grinned. "We've got another candidate on the way!"

That led everyone to cheer again, and Shay whined at the noise, burying her nose in Matt's neck. "Too loud," she mumbled.

"Sorry, sweetheart," Matt chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "Everyone's excited."

"Alright, listen up!" Herrmann's voice rose above the chatter. "I'm closing the patio tonight! We're celebrating!"

That caused even more excitement, and Kelly smiled down at a beaming, already glowing Sylvie, bumping noses with her. "I love you so much," he whispered.

She smiled, giving him a quick kiss. "I love you, too." She turned under Matt's arm and stood on her toes to kiss him, too. "Both of you."

Matt kissed her cheek. "I love both of you, too."

"And me!" Amelia pouted.

"Me!" Andy chimed in.

Sylvie laughed, bringing her entire family in for a hug: her two partners, her half-sister turned daughter, and her son and daughter. "I love all of you," she declared. "And I wouldn't change a thing."

"No questions asked," Kelly smiled.

She nodded in agreement, leaning her head on his shoulder. "No questions asked."

***

I was wibbly-wobbly with the time. It was easier to tell some of these out, I figure. The first is during S4, the second in S5 after the Dawsey wedding, the third in S5 after Anna's death, the fourth in S6 after Brett's pregnancy scare, the fifth in S7 after Kyle broke up with Sylvie (not sure if Sylvie would have actually dated again prior to the proposal at the end of Season 7, but again, wibbly-wobbly), and the +1 is from the end of 8x02.

It felt a little weird writing a trio getting together when I haven't actually written them getting together before (*eyes "Danger Zone" while promising to be better for that book), but I think I'll get better as I go along, especially since most prompts I've gotten so far have the trio as established.

Speaking of . . .

Next time from hsolomons1: Sylvie gets kidnapped by an enemy of the Crowns from before Coulson was killed by Loki. The Crowns plus Sevasey work together to get her back.

Oho, Sylverasey + my "Warriors" universe = a whole ton of fun. I'm looking forward to this.