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

Ve ~ Nolan III, Matt III

I sacrificed precious sleep on Daylight Saving Time night to make sure I finished this chapter before I went to sleep so everyone could have it. It's a little shorter, but it's content I think everyone should enjoy. If any of you pay attention to the soundtracks I include, you'll figure out what it is ;)

Nolan gets a call he's been waiting for, Sylvie makes her paramedicine pitch to the panel, the Med gang finally makes an appearance, and Matt and Kelly go for what they want.

***

"I still can't believe you lost your temper like that," Sylvie marveled as she shut the door to her locker at 51.

"That?" Nolan scoffed, leaning against the lockers behind Sylvie with his ankles crossed. "Please. It would've been worse if he actually had gotten a hand on you."

Sylvie gave him a sly look. "What, put a hand on me, lose the whole arm?"

"My equivalent of it, yes," Nolan smiled cheekily.

Sylvie giggled in amusement and fastened her watch. "Now I think Joe was right about anyone wanting to date me needing to be worried since I have you as a protector."

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "That depends on who's interested in you and what I think of them."

Sylvie gave him an exasperated look, but she paused when Nolan gave her a pointed one in return. "Nolan," she began, swallowing hard.

"You admitted you love them, Sylvie," Nolan interrupted gently. "Maybe you don't notice it, but I do. Their eyes follow you the entire time you're in the same room as them if they aren't following each other. And your back was turned, so I won't blame you for this one, but when Kilbourne moved towards you, they were ready to jump in and intervene themselves. They likely would have if I didn't give him a piece of my mind first." Sylvie ducked her head and looked at her feet, and Nolan pushed off the lockers and walked towards her, putting two fingers under her chin and urging her to look up at him. "They make you happy, Sylvie, and clearly you do the same with them," he told her. "What's there for me to worry about when it comes to Casey and Severide?"

Sylvie scoffed. "Our bitter exes?"

"Oh, screw them," Nolan rolled his eyes. "The Dawsons will go back to Puerto Rico eventually, and if Kidd wants to advance her career like everyone says she does, that can't happen here at 51 where all the officer positions are taken."

Sylvie swallowed. "Not unless things go seriously south for Matt."

"They won't," Nolan said firmly. "The Dardens don't want to go back to Portland, and those vultures have made some serious missteps that Langan won't hesitate to shove into their faces. Casey isn't going anywhere, Sylvie. Have faith, soror cara."

Sylvie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'll do my best."

"That's all anyone can ask for," Nolan smiled and kissed her forehead. "Now . . . last shift before your oversight panel. You ready?"

Sylvie smiled weakly. "As ready as I can be."

***

"Oh, great!"

Sylvie's exclamation from the counter made Matt look up from his paperwork. "What's going on?" he asked, seeing the rest of the firefighters had turned as well.

"Oh," Sylvie looked up and waved her phone in explanation, Nolan stepping away to refill his coffee mug. "Nolan updated my contacts for the 225. Most of them are still the same, thankfully."

"Yeah, speaking of which, you tell my boys," Kelly folded his arms and playfully glared. "You left out a very important detail about your old firehouse's commanding officer."