But I'd Have Had to Miss The Dance (Sylverasey Collection)

Vb ~ Ben I, Matt I, Nolan I

The Dawsons cross a line, Matt and Kelly make a decision, Sylvie wraps a few people even tighter around her finger, and Chicago gets a taste of what it means to be on the bad side of Nolan Price.

Also known as, I apologize if I'm shoving my clear favoritism of Sylvie Brett and Nolan Price down your throats . . . but it's one of my One Chicago/Law & Order crossovers, this obsession of mine should be expected by now XD

Also, I'm not sure how many folks listen to the soundtracks I normally include on my posts, but attached is one of the soundtracks I think of when Nolan takes the spotlight, especially in a confrontation.

Enjoy!

***

In the short amount of time he had been back in Chicago, Ben had decided the Windy City was a much better fit for him and his brother than Portland. Portland had been their mother's hope for a fresh start . . . one of her many attempts at a fresh start that had once again ended in a DUI charge. This one, however, had stuck and put her in prison, leaving him and his brother to stay afloat somehow. Their aunt hadn't known what they needed, and their guidance counselor and social worker had been ready to separate them.

Then Griffin had flown and found Matt Casey, and for the first time, Ben found an adult he trusted, one who truly had their best interests in mind. Matt was an immovable object when it came to Ben and his brother, and with Kelly Severide backing him up, their social worker could not keep arguing forever. He knew Matt would have to fight to make their move out of Portland permanent, but Matt was stubborn. He wouldn't give up easily.

Maybe that had rubbed off on him and Griffin when they had stayed with him all those years ago, because the way Griffin folded his arms and glowered at the siblings in front of them was all Matt Casey. "No," his older brother said simply.

"You're just going back to the loft, right?" Gabby asked, doing her best to look helpful. After hearing Kelly and Sylvie's opinions, though, Ben thought she just looked desperate. "It's late. It's not too far out of our way to drop you off."

"What do you think we are, elementary aged?" Griffin scoffed. "We don't need to be dropped off. We already have an Uber on the way. We'll be fine."

"Besides," Ben scowled, adjusting his backpack on his shoulders. He hoped his grip wasn't too tight to show how uncomfortable he was with the pair in front of him. "We barely know you."

"You know Gabby," Antonio argued.

Ben snorted. "I don't. Or I was young enough that I don't remember her now."

"I remember I cracked a rib while she was watching us," Griffin scowled. "I don't want any chance of a repeat."

Gabby's cheeks flushed, but Ben couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or anger. "That was nine years ago!"

"Yeah," Griffin huffed. "I've grown since then. I'm not a helpless kid, Gabby. I managed to take care of myself and Ben for a month before I flew here to get Matt. We're going home, and we don't need two people who've become ghosts to chaperone us when we don't need them." Antonio narrowed his eyes, but he didn't get a chance to speak.

"Is there a problem out here?"

It was a welcome voice, one that settled Ben's hackles even though he had only known the man for less than a day, and he turned to watch Sylvie's older brother approach, the man with his hands in his pockets, his multicolor gaze locked on the four. "We're just trying to go home, sir," he said.