good/right/real

Chapter 78: The Good Ones

Summary:Matt shows Sylvie support during her next shift at 105.

It's morning of Sylvie's next shift at 105 and Casey is hovering.

He knows he is and he knows he's annoying the hell out of Sylvie, but he can't seem to stop.

"Okay, so one more time--"

"Matt," Sylvie says with a groan that's half amused and half frustrated. "For the last time, Shay is taking me to work and picking me up. While I'm on shift Welch or Chili will stick to me like glue. After my shift is over, Chili and I are going to go talk to McCall together and Welch will come along to back us up. And since Chili is no longer spying on me, I will keep my phone in my hoodie pocket at all times. Good enough?"

He lets out a relieved exhale, kisses her quickly, and then nods. "Good enough. I'll fill Boden in just so he's prepared if McCall reaches out to him. You'll call me as soon as you leave 105 in the morning? Or if Shay, for whatever reason, can't make it?"

Sylvie sets her half eaten yogurt aside and then turns to him, framing his face with her hands and making sure he meets her eyes. "I promise I will call you as soon as the meeting's over and I'm walking out the door. I promise I'll call you if I need a ride. And I promise I'll keep you in the loop during my shift. I've got my bases covered. I can handle this."

Her stare is utterly confident. It's such a turn around from the woman he held in his arms night before last. He's even more impressed with her than he was before and possibly twice as in love with her. Is that even possible?

"I know you can," he replies with a sincere gaze, letting his arms encircle her waist. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to handle it alone."

She smiles warmly at him and pulls his lips to hers for a lingering, but chaste, kiss. "I don't feel like I have to handle it alone. I know I can turn to you if I need to, but I like knowing I can take care of this myself. Does that make sense?"

He nods and rests his forehead against hers, taking in the way his soap mingles with her shampoo and the woodsy yet floral scent it creates around them. "It makes perfect sense. I get it. I really do."

"I knew you would," she replies softly, thumbs caressing his cheeks.

"Oh gross," Shay declares with an eye roll. "Save it for after shift, love birds. We gotta go, Partner. You ready?"

"As I'll ever be." she answers, stealing one last kiss from Matt and snatching up her yogurt. She grabs her duffle and her hoodie and waves at him over her shoulder as she leaves.

"Don't worry so much," Shay tells him, stopping in the doorway. "You're not the only one that's watching her back, Casey. We all make sure she's okay. Together."

He rubs a hand over his face anxiously but nods. "Yeah, you're right. I know you're right."

Casey takes a few minutes to himself after they leave before heading to 51. Sylvie felt Boden needed to know what was going on but with her at 105 it's not easy for her to tell him herself so she'd asked Matt if he minded. He doesn't mind, but he's not sure he can tell the story Sylvie told him without punching a wall or getting in a few hours training with the sledge.

If he's honest, he's hoping this is where Boden draws a line in the sand -- where the Chief pulls out a few favors he's been saving for a rainy day and gets Sylvie back at 51 where she belongs. But realistically he's not sure how likely that is or how many times Boden can call in a favor so he decides not to get his hopes up.

Right now, it's about gathering as much support for Sylvie as he can. She's going to need 51 to have her back. He has no doubt that filing this complaint will bring everything with Pridgen out into the open again.