Forbidden (Kelly Severide)

Chapter 14

It was a regular morning at Firehouse 51, with the usual hum of activity filling the air. The team was in good spirits, chatting over coffee and preparing for whatever the day might throw at them. Ivy Casey was in the turnout gear room, checking her equipment and trying to focus on the task at hand. But her mind kept drifting back to the moment she and Kelly Severide had shared just a few minutes earlier.

They had found themselves alone in the hallway, and before either of them knew it, their lips had met in a stolen kiss. It had been quick, intense, and far too risky considering they were at work. But as soon as they had pulled away, their hearts pounding, Leslie Shay had rounded the corner, catching them in the act. Her wide-eyed grin said it all.

"Well, well, well," Shay had said, crossing her arms and smirking. "What do we have here? Firehouse 51's hottest new couple can't keep their hands off each other."

Ivy had blushed furiously, mumbling something about it not being what it looked like, but Shay had just laughed and walked off, leaving them both flustered.

Now, as Ivy double-checked her helmet, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching and braced herself. Sure enough, when she turned around, Shay was standing in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey, lovebirds," Shay called out, her voice carrying across the apparatus bay. "You two need to cool it, or else someone might start thinking you're actually dating or something."

Ivy rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Very funny, Shay."

"Oh, I'm dead serious," Shay replied, her tone playful. "I mean, I knew you two had a thing going on, but making out at the firehouse? Bold move."

As if on cue, the rest of the team began to trickle in, drawn by the commotion. Cruz, Otis, Mouch, and Hermann all gathered around, sensing an opportunity for some good-natured ribbing.

"What's this I hear about a makeout session?" Cruz asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against one of the fire trucks. "You two really can't keep it professional, huh?"

"Yeah, Shay said she caught you," Otis added, grinning widely. "I mean, we knew something was up, but I didn't think you'd actually be that obvious."

Ivy's face turned a deeper shade of red as she glanced at Kelly, who had joined the group, looking both amused and slightly embarrassed. He shrugged, clearly resigned to the teasing they were about to endure.

"Come on, guys," Kelly said, trying to play it off. "We were just... in the moment."

"In the moment?" Hermann echoed, laughing. "Sure, Kelly, whatever you say."

Mouch chimed in, "You know, maybe we should put a 'no making out in the gear room' sign up. Just in case."

"Or," Cruz suggested, "we could install a camera—make sure no one's breaking the rules."

Ivy groaned, but she couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up. The banter was light-hearted, and despite the embarrassment, it felt good to be part of this team, to share in the camaraderie that made Firehouse 51 feel like a second family.

"Okay, okay," Ivy finally said, holding up her hands in surrender. "You caught us. But let's not make a big deal out of it, alright?"

Shay winked at her. "No promises."

Before anyone could say anything else, the familiar tone of the alarm sounded, cutting through the laughter and signaling a call. Instantly, the team shifted into professional mode, the teasing forgotten as they focused on the job at hand.

"Car accident, multiple injuries reported," Boden's voice came over the intercom. "Let's move, people."

Ivy's heart rate quickened as she grabbed her helmet and ran for the truck. The transition from playful banter to urgent action was second nature to them all, and within moments, they were suited up and ready to go.

The ride to the scene was tense, the sirens blaring as they sped through the city streets. Ivy sat in the back of the squad truck, mentally preparing herself for what they might encounter. Car accidents were always unpredictable, and there was no telling what they would find when they arrived.

When they pulled up to the scene, it was clear that the situation was serious. Two cars had collided head-on, the impact leaving both vehicles crumpled and smoking. Civilians stood by, some trying to help, others simply watching in shock.

"Alright, let's move!" Kelly shouted as he jumped out of the truck, the rest of Squad 3 right behind him.

Ivy followed close behind, her training kicking in as she assessed the situation. One car had a single occupant, an older man who appeared to be unconscious but breathing. The other car, however, had a family inside—a mother, father, and a young child in the back seat. The mother was screaming for help, trapped by the wreckage.

"Ivy, you and Cruz take the family," Kelly ordered, his voice calm but commanding. "Otis, Mouch, get the driver of the other car."

Ivy nodded, grabbing the tools she needed as she and Cruz rushed to the family's vehicle. The father was conscious but dazed, trying to comfort his wife and child as they struggled to free themselves.

"It's okay, we're here to help," Ivy said, her voice steady as she worked to pry open the door. "We're going to get you out of here."

The door was jammed, the metal twisted and bent from the impact, but Ivy worked with determination. She could hear the child crying in the back seat, and it spurred her on, knowing that every second counted.

Cruz joined her, and together they managed to get the door open, freeing the father first. He stumbled out, quickly turning back to help his wife as Ivy and Cruz carefully maneuvered her out of the car.

"Thank you, thank you," the mother kept repeating, tears streaming down her face as she clung to her husband. Ivy gave her a reassuring nod before turning her attention to the child.

The little girl was no older than four, her face streaked with tears but otherwise unharmed. Ivy unbuckled her from the car seat, lifting her gently into her arms.

"It's okay, sweetie," Ivy whispered, her voice soft as she carried the girl to safety. "You're safe now."

Once the family was clear, Ivy handed the child over to the paramedics, who quickly assessed her for injuries. Ivy watched for a moment, making sure the girl was alright, before turning back to the wreckage.

The other team members had already freed the older man from the second vehicle, and the paramedics were tending to him as well. Kelly gave her a quick nod of approval as she returned to the scene, her adrenaline still pumping.

They worked together to ensure that everyone was taken care of, and by the time they were ready to leave, the situation was under control. As they loaded back into the truck, Ivy felt a sense of relief wash over her. Another call, another successful rescue.

Back at the firehouse, the mood had shifted back to normalcy, the teasing and banter from earlier seeming like a distant memory. Ivy and Kelly exchanged a glance as they climbed out of the truck, the unspoken connection between them stronger than ever.

As they walked into the apparatus bay, Cruz caught sight of them and couldn't resist one last jab. "So, did you two manage to keep your hands to yourselves this time, or should we expect more stories from Shay?"

Kelly rolled his eyes, but there was a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "We managed, Cruz. But thanks for your concern."

Ivy shook her head, laughing as the team continued to tease them. Despite the embarrassment, she knew that she wouldn't trade this group for anything. They were more than just colleagues—they were family.

And no matter what challenges lay ahead, Ivy knew she could face them, as long as she had Kelly and the rest of Firehouse 51 by her side.