Forbidden (Kelly Severide)

Chapter 18

The tension in Firehouse 51 was palpable after the incident at the fire scene earlier in the day. Ivy had been sidelined by Chief Adams, and while she managed to keep her frustration in check, everyone could tell it had affected her deeply. She remained quiet during the drive back, staring out the window, her mind filled with Adams' harsh words.

When they finally returned, everyone tried to carry on as usual, but it was clear something was hanging over them. And it didn't take long for things to escalate further.

Chief Adams arrived at Firehouse 51 that afternoon, strutting into the building like he owned the place. His presence was met with an immediate shift in the air—everyone's eyes turned toward him, wondering why he had come back after what had already transpired.

Chief Boden stepped out of his office to meet him, his expression unreadable but his posture tense. "Adams," Boden said, his voice neutral but firm. "What are you doing here?"

Adams didn't waste any time. "I came to have a little chat with you, Boden. About your girl on Squad."

Ivy was standing near the back of the bay, cleaning her tools alongside Kelly and Matt, but she overheard every word. The knot of frustration in her chest tightened.

Boden's brow furrowed. "If this is about Ivy Casey, you can save your breath. She's one of my firefighters, and I trust her with my life."

Adams scoffed, crossing his arms as he took a step closer to Boden. "You should be ashamed of yourself. Letting a woman into a squad that handles the toughest fires in the city? It's a joke. You know as well as I do that she doesn't belong."

Kelly's hands clenched into fists, and Matt's eyes narrowed as they both moved closer, ready to step in if necessary. Ivy, who had been trying to stay calm, felt her blood begin to boil. Adams wasn't just questioning her—he was questioning everything she had worked for.

Boden's voice was calm but firm. "Ivy Casey has proven herself time and again. She's just as capable as any other firefighter in this house, and she's earned her spot on Squad 3. If you have a problem with that, Adams, it's your problem."

Adams' lip curled into a sneer. "You're deluding yourself, Boden. The truth is, someone like her doesn't belong in the CFD. I've already had people talking—maybe it's time she left the job for good."

Ivy's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward, unable to stay silent any longer. "You don't get to decide that," she said, her voice hard. "I've worked just as hard as anyone else to be here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Adams turned his gaze to her, a smug grin on his face. "You really think you've earned it? Or maybe you just got lucky."

Before Ivy could respond, Matt stepped up beside her, his voice low but full of anger. "Adams, that's enough. You've got no right to question her ability."

Kelly wasn't far behind, his expression filled with protective fury. "Ivy belongs here, and if you've got an issue with that, you'll have to take it up with all of us."

Adams' eyes flicked between them, clearly enjoying the drama he was stirring up. But then he said something that made Ivy's stomach drop.

"Well, maybe it's not about her ability at all. Maybe it's about her connections. Voight paid me a visit recently... told me to keep an eye on things. Seems like you've made some enemies, Ivy."

Ivy's blood ran cold. Voight. Of course. This was all connected to him and his vendetta against Matt. He had pulled strings with Adams, trying to make Ivy's life even harder.

"You're working with Voight?" Matt asked, incredulous. "You're letting him drag Ivy into his grudge against me?"

Adams shrugged, completely unapologetic. "What can I say? It's business."

Ivy was seething now, her hands trembling as she tried to keep herself in check. But then Adams leaned in, his eyes glinting with malice as he said something that made her snap.

"Besides," Adams sneered, "Andy wouldn't have wanted his little 'Ivy Leaf' running into danger like this."

Ivy's heart stopped. That was a nickname only Andy had used—something private and precious, a reminder of the bond she had shared with him before he died. Hearing it come out of Adams' mouth felt like a slap in the face.

Without thinking, Ivy's fist flew forward, connecting with Adams' jaw with a satisfying crack. The sound echoed in the bay, and Adams stumbled back, shock and anger flashing across his face.

"Ivy!" Boden's voice was sharp, but she barely registered it.

She was breathing heavily, her knuckles throbbing from the impact, but all she could think about was the way Adams had insulted Andy's memory. She knew she shouldn't have hit him—knew it was going to cost her—but at that moment, she didn't care.

Adams straightened up, his face twisted in rage. "You'll pay for that," he spat. "I'll make sure you're suspended for this."

"Do whatever you want," Ivy shot back, her voice shaking with emotion. "But don't you ever use Andy's name like that again."

Boden stepped between them, his expression dark. "Adams, leave. Now."

Adams glared at Ivy one last time before storming out, muttering under his breath about filing a report. As the door slammed shut behind him, the tension in the room finally began to dissipate.

Boden turned to Ivy, his face unreadable. "Ivy, you know I have to suspend you for this."

Ivy nodded, her throat tight. "I understand."

Kelly was by her side in an instant, his hand on her arm. "It's not fair. He had no right to say any of that."

Matt looked like he was about to explode with anger, but he kept his cool. "We'll deal with this. Voight can't keep doing this to you."

But Ivy wasn't thinking about Voight or Adams anymore. She was thinking about Andy, about how much she missed him, and about how hard it was to keep going without him. The weight of it all pressed down on her, and suddenly, she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"I just... need a minute," Ivy whispered, her voice breaking.

Kelly didn't say anything, but he gave her a reassuring nod. He knew she needed space to process everything, and he would be there when she was ready.

Later that night, Ivy sat on the couch in Kelly's apartment, her head resting against his shoulder as they watched the city lights outside the window. The silence between them was comfortable, but heavy with the weight of the day's events.

"I'm sorry," Ivy finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kelly frowned, turning to look at her. "For what?"

"For everything. For punching Adams, for letting Voight get under my skin. I shouldn't have lost control like that."

Kelly shook his head. "Don't apologize for that, Ivy. He deserved it. And Voight? He's been pushing everyone's buttons for years. You're not the first person he's messed with, and you won't be the last."

Ivy sighed, leaning her head against his chest. "I just... I didn't expect it to be this hard. Andy always made it look easy."

Kelly's arms tightened around her, holding her close. "Andy was strong, but so are you. And you're not alone in this. We've all got your back."

She nodded, feeling the tears prick at the corners of her eyes again. "I just wish he was still here."

"I know," Kelly whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I miss him too."

For a long time, they sat there in silence, letting the weight of everything settle between them. But even in the quiet, Ivy knew that with Kelly by her side, she could face whatever challenges came next.

And when the time came, she would prove herself again—no matter who tried to stand in her way.