The way things go ~~ a Antonio Dawson story

The longest shift

Next shift-

I got out of bed. I looked over at Antonio. I smiled at him then went to the bathroom and got ready for work. I went downstairs and made breakfast. I put it on the counter. Eva walked down.

Kendra: Morning hun. Dad up?
Eva: No I woke up with my alarm remember?
Kendra: Oh yeah. I remember. Let the dogs out for me? I'll go get Diego.

She went over to the kennels and I went upstairs I got Diego ready. Then we went to the room. Antonio came out of the bathroom.

Antonio: Morning. There's my favorite boy!

He took Diego from me.

Kendra: Wow
Diego: Ma ma?

I looked at him.

Antonio: Mama yeah. That's mama

Diego clapped his hands I smiled.

Antonio: I wanted him to say dada first
Kendra: They like me better.
Antonio: It's not fair!

I laughed.

Kendra: Breakfast is ready.

We went down and had breakfast. I took the kids to Cindys on the way to work. I parked and went inside.

Boden: Hermann. Your acting lieutenant for 81. Gabby and Casey are out today.

Hermann nodded. We went for morning meeting. Then we went and sat down. We got a call. There was a bombing at a hospital. We'd been at the call for four hours. We'd dig Gabby out from under the building. We were sitting there drinking water.

Chief Smith: You an your men can leave Wallace. You've been a tremendous help.

Boden looked at us.

Boden: We're staying. You can't pull us away from this.

He nodded and walked away. The team pulled in. They came over.

Hank: Heard you dismantled a bomb?
Mills: We did.

My eyes never stopped wandering. I was paying attention to every one and every thing.

Severide: Kendra?
Kendra: Yeah.
Severide: You alright?
Kendra: Yeah.

I looked away again.

Kendra: How's Kim?
Adam: Worried.

I nodded. Everyone carried on with small talk but I spaced it out. Focusing on everything else. We got back to work. Six hours passed. A little girl came up to me.

?: I think my mommy is dead? My dad shoot her in the head.
Kendra: Where

She pointed over to a woman on the ground. Bullet hole in her head.

?: I'm Kenna.
Kendra: I'm Kendra.
Kenna: My mommy is dead?
Kendra: Yeah. I'm afraid so.

She nodded. She started to cry.

Kendra: Dude can I see that?
?: my guitar??
Kendra: Please this little girl just lost her mom. I want to play her the song I was playing when I lost mine.

He nodded and handed it over. I went to the chair and started to play the song.

Kendra: That was the song that I played when my dad killed my mom.

I took her to the nearest police officer. He took her. I went back. Soon we loaded up and went back to the firehouse. The team came in.

Voight: Kendra. We need to talk.
Kendra: Why
Voight: It's about your father.
Kendra: What about him. Is he dead or something?
Voight: He escaped from prison. We think he's headed here. We need to get you out of here.
Kendra: Yeah no not happening. I'm not leaving.
Antonio: It's for the best.
Kendra: I'm not leaving 51 here knowing that I didn't do anything to protect them from that asshole. So stay here with me or leave and let me figure this out on my own.
Voight: Why.
Kendra: I need revenge. That's why.
Antonio: And where's that going to get you.
Kendra: What does it matter.

He didn't say anything. I sat there at the table.

Voight: Looks like we're staying.
Erin: Your making a tough choice here.
Kendra: You think I care? The bastard killed my mom.
Erin: I know that. I know how you feel about that.
Kendra: You do? If you did why are you still talking about it?

I got up.

Erin: Where are you going.
Kendra: Just

I walked to the squad. Antonio came over.

Antonio: Bab-
Kendra: I don't need sympathy Antonio. Please. Just don't.

He nodded.

Antonio: I'm not leaving.

I didn't say anything. I sat there. The team was chatting at the table. I heard a show scuff on the other side of the squad. I put my hand out just in time to prevent a gun to Antonio's head. I kicked Nick in the gut.

Nick: I see you've got smart.
Kendra: I was raised by a jack ass what do you expect.
Nick: Brave too?
Kendra: Been that way since the day I watched my mom die right in front of me. Oh and my brother, on the other hand healthy. Grown to be a better man then you'd ever put him into the world to be.

He came at me. I punched him across the face and threw him to the ground. Adam cuffed him.

Kendra: I hope you get what you deserve. Nick.

I walked away. I sat back down at the squad table.

Antonio: Pretty badass over there.
Kendra: Next subject. Please.

He nodded.

Antonio: I think you should come home. I know you haven't slept very well the last few nights.

He went inside. Five minutes later he was back.

Antonio: Let's go.

He had my bag over his shoulder. He grabbed my hand. We went home. I got in the house and went upstairs. I got in pajamas. I soon fell asleep.