good/right/real

Chapter 29: Blendship

Summary:It's a record breaking cold day in Chicago...

It's fucking freezing outside.

Excuse her language but that's the only appropriate descriptor.

It gets cold in Fowlerton, but this is an entirely new level of cold.

She walks into the Firehouse and finds Capp underneath the Ambo. Leslie sighs and shrugs.

"It wouldn't start and fleet management is swamped so we get Capp."

"The day is already off to a stellar start," Sylvie replies with an eyeroll and a dry chuckle.

Roll Call is basically a briefing on how they should work in below freezing temperatures. Truck goes off to load 81 and salt the drive and the sidewalk. She and Leslie are just settling in with cups of coffee when Matt runs in, a sense of urgency following him into the room.

"Brett, Shay, we got a situation."

He nods toward the bunks and they both follow dutifully.

Leslie's eyes light up at the sight of the tiny pink baby on Stella's bunk.

"Oh god, would you look at her!" Leslie gushes with a wide smile. "Where'd this little lady come from?"

"Found her on the apron," Kidd says as she tucks the blanket tighter around the infant. Her eyes narrow slightly, contradicting her grin, on a cardboard box.

"Outside? In this weather?" Sylvie asks in concern, stopping in her tracks. "We should check her vitals. I'll be right back."

She grabs the jump bag from the rig and when she gets back, Shay has completely taken over caring for the baby. Stella looks more amused than put out while Matt gives Leslie a knowing smile. Sylvie gets the sense that there's some sort of history here. Something Shay hasn't let her in on yet.

"Okay, little munchkin," Sylvie says as she sits down next to Shay. "Let's see how you're doing." She rubs the baby's tiny hands before digging out the stethoscope. "She's warming up," Brett declares after she listens to her heartbeat. "Heart rate's stable."

"No signs of frostbite," Leslie states and she feathers a finger across the baby's cheek.

"Alright, let's bring her over to Chicago Med. I'll call DCFS," Chief orders.

"Uh, that might be a problem," Shay tells him with a grimace. "The Ambo's down for the count."

All eyes turn to Capp.

"I'm making some headway," he says defensively.

"Hurry," Boden says with narrowed eyes. He tosses his keys to Mouch. "In the meantime, I have diapers and formula and wipes in the trunk of my car. Bring those in."

"On it," Mouch answers, already making his way out the door. Capp follows him to start working on the ambulance again.

Leslie lifts the baby off the cot and pulls a rubbery face. "Shew, Mouch better hurry. Our tiny guest smells a little ripe."

"Poor thing," Sylvie says sympathetically. "I can't believe someone left her all alone in the cold."

"Me either, but we've got her now," Stella says as she leans across the cot to look at the baby's tiny face. "We'll keep her both safe and warm until that ambulance is up and running."

The guys slowly trickle out of the room now that the excitement is over and the real responsibilities are beginning.

Leslie cradles the baby close to her chest and then looks up to glance between Stella and Sylvie. Her smile is sheepish as she speaks. "Severide and I almost had a baby together once. I was determined to be a mom."