Forbidden (Kelly Severide)

Chapter 37

The fire raged around Ivy, heat pressing in from every direction. Her heart pounded as she fought through the thick smoke, her instincts on high alert. The team was outside, and she knew that they had no choice but to put water on the fire soon. If she didn't make it out in time... well, she couldn't afford to think about that.

Her radio crackled in her ear. It was Kelly's voice, steady despite the panic he must have been feeling. "Ivy, where are you?"

"I'm almost there," she breathed, pushing through the smoke as she searched for a way out. "Give me another minute."

"You don't have a minute," Kelly's voice was firmer now. "We have to put water on the fire. Ivy, you need to get out now."

"I know," she muttered, trying to stay calm as the flames danced closer. "I'm coming."

Another voice came over the radio—Chief Boden. "Ivy, this is it. We have to put water on it now. Get out or find cover."

Her heart skipped a beat as reality set in. They couldn't wait any longer. If she didn't make it out before the water hit the fire, she could get trapped. She pushed herself harder, sweat dripping down her face inside the mask.

Kelly's voice came through the radio one last time, strained with worry. "Ivy... I love you. You get out of there, okay? This isn't goodbye."

She swallowed hard, gripping her radio. "I love you too. See you on the other side."

Finally, the exit came into view. She didn't stop moving until she was out in the open, running through the haze of smoke and collapsing into the fresh air. As the water from the hose hit the fire, the building groaned and shifted, but she was safe—she had made it.

The crew rushed over, and Kelly was there first, pulling her into a tight hug despite the heat still radiating from her gear. "Don't ever scare me like that again," he murmured into her ear.

"I'm fine," she replied, her voice shaking slightly from adrenaline. "I made it."

But before she could bask in the relief of surviving, Chief Adams approached with a disapproving scowl. "That was reckless, Casey-Severide," he said sharply, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "You should have been out of that building a long time ago. You don't care about the team, and you don't care about yourself. Maybe it's time you retire before you really get someone killed."

Ivy froze, her heart sinking at his words. Retire? Was that what people thought? That she wasn't capable anymore?

Before she could respond, Boden stepped in, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "That's enough, Adams. Ivy did what she had to do. She made it out, and she saved lives today."

Adams scoffed. "She's reckless, and you know it. Just because she's your firefighter doesn't mean she's untouchable."

Boden's eyes darkened, and his stance grew more protective. "She's not untouchable, but she's damn good at her job. And if you think anyone else would have done better in her place, then you don't understand what it means to be part of this team. Ivy belongs here, and I won't hear another word about it."

Adams opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it, walking away with a frustrated shake of his head.

Kelly squeezed Ivy's hand, his expression softening. "Ignore him. You did great."

Ivy nodded, but her mind was still spinning from the accusation. She didn't have time to dwell on it, though—there was always more work to be done.

Back at Firehouse 51, the adrenaline had finally settled, and everyone was winding down after finishing their reports. The air was thick with exhaustion, but the camaraderie kept them going. As Ivy finished her report, she walked over to where Kelly, Matt, and the rest of the team were gathered in the common room.

"Alright, guys," Cruz announced with a grin, leaning back in his chair. "I think it's time for a little game to lighten the mood. How about a round of Never Have I Ever?"

There were murmurs of agreement, and everyone grabbed beers or water, settling in for what was bound to be a hilarious—and revealing—game.

"I'll start," Cruz said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Never have I ever... kissed someone while on a call."

Laughter erupted around the room, and several people took drinks, including Kelly and Ivy. Cruz's eyes widened. "Wait, you two?!"

Kelly smirked, glancing at Ivy. "There was that one time..."

Ivy chuckled. "It was a slow shift, and no one was around."

"You're lucky you didn't get caught," Stella teased, nudging Ivy playfully. "Alright, my turn. Never have I ever... gotten lost in a building during a call."

There were groans as several firefighters took drinks, including Matt and Capp.

"I thought we agreed never to speak of that," Matt grumbled, earning laughs from everyone.

"I'll never forget the look on your face when Boden asked where you were," Capp added, grinning.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Who's next?"

"Me," said Brett, raising her hand. "Never have I ever... accidentally used the wrong hose during a fire."

Kelly shot a look at Matt, who reluctantly took a drink, much to everyone's amusement.

"That was one time!" Matt defended, holding up his hands. "And I was distracted!"

"By what?" Violet asked, smirking.

Matt blushed slightly. "By someone calling my name over the radio."

The teasing continued as they went around the room, each person revealing something they had—or hadn't—done on the job.

"Alright, my turn," Capp said, rubbing his hands together. "Never have I ever... thrown up after a call."

Groans filled the room as nearly everyone took a drink.

"Ivy, I thought you were made of steel," Brett joked, watching as Ivy took a long sip of water.

"Even steel bends sometimes," Ivy replied with a grin.

As the game went on, the stories became more outrageous, and laughter echoed through the firehouse. It was exactly what they all needed after such a stressful day. For a moment, they could forget about the dangers they faced and just be a family.

After several more rounds, the game was winding down, and the crew was starting to relax into their usual banter.

Matt, who had been quiet for most of the game, suddenly cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, my turn. Never have I ever... doubted for a second that this team is the best damn team in the CFD."

A moment of silence fell over the group as they looked around at each other. One by one, everyone raised their drinks in agreement.

"To Firehouse 51," Cruz said, raising his beer.

"To 51," the others echoed, clinking their bottles together.

Ivy looked around at her family—her real family. Kelly was by her side, Matt was across the table, and the rest of the crew felt like brothers and sisters. No matter what the higher-ups tried to do, no matter how many challenges they faced, they would always have each other's backs.

After the game wrapped up, Ivy felt a sense of peace settle over her. She hadn't let Adams' words get to her—she knew better. She had proven herself time and again, and with the support of her family, there was nothing she couldn't face.

As the night drew to a close, Kelly leaned in close to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You okay?" he asked softly, his lips brushing her ear.

"I'm more than okay," she whispered back, resting her head against his shoulder. "As long as I have you, Matt, and this crazy family, I'll always be okay."

Kelly smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go anywhere."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching their crew joke and laugh together. It didn't matter what the CFD tried to throw at them—together, they were unstoppable.