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

Vh ~ Hank I, Frank I, Elliot I

Well, it turns out when you fly internationally for a week and come back right when allergy season is kicking off, your sinuses really don't like coming home. So hey, that coupled with a busy month meant it took a while to crank this chapter out. It's not as long as some of the others have been, but this and the next one are fillers and the time jump, so it all works out in the end.

Nolan says his goodbyes, and a few conversations in Manhattan lead to a bunch of people asking the same question: what the hell was Nolan doing with his vacation time? Hey, look - new POVs!

***

Anyone who knew Hank Voight knew prosecutors were far from his favorite people in the world. Sometimes they tried to tell the police how to do their jobs, and sometimes they were more focused on what would look best for their careers than how to pursue justice. Some let their hearts rule over their brains or vice versa, and some focused more on political prowess than the courtroom itself.

Yet as he stood on the apron of Firehouse 51 and watched Boden's shift say their farewells to their newest family member, Hank had to admit Nolan Price sure knew how to make a favorable first impression. From what he had heard, all of his focus had been on Sylvie the moment he laid eyes on her, and that was where his focus stayed. Everything he had done while he was in Chicago somehow tied back to his sister, whether it was finding an attorney to help Matt keep custody of the Dardens or weaving a web to trap Kilbourne. Word had rapidly spread through the city about the disgraced deputy district chief's fall from grace, including condemnation from departments around the country originating from outrage in Manhattan. Not only had Nolan made known just how many strings he could pull with his position and connections, but he also made it clear that he was all bite and no bark when he came to his little sister's defense. The biggest conclusion Hank had reached in less than a month was that Sylvie's fierce love for her brother was returned just as strongly by Nolan, perhaps even moreso. His utter devotion to her was his greatest strength.

Now it was more evident than ever why Sylvie had moved from Manhattan: she was also her brother's Achilles heel. If Nolan's orchestrated takedown of Kilbourne was what he was willing to do to someone who merely attempted to intimidate his sister, Hank knew the prosecutor would do everything in his power to bring a city, a state, hell the country to its knees if any actual harm came to Sylvie. If that harm originated from someone in an attempt to bring Nolan to heel? It was absolutely believable that Nolan would either risk or give up his job to save her. Everyone in Chicago was learning that tidbit of information, a tidbit that everyone in Manhattan had already known.

As Hank watched Sylvie cling tightly to Nolan's coat, her azure eyes swimming with tears, and saw how Nolan cradled her to him, his lips pressed to the top of her head as he fought his own tears, he silently promised to keep a closer eye on Sylvie for the man who had spent his entire vacation making her holidays the best they could be. This prosecutor was one he respected and decided he ultimately liked, and if part of his decision was because he wanted to make sure he was never on the wrong end of Nolan's wrath? Well, that was his business and no one else's.

He heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him, but he waited patiently for his former 2IC to speak. "She really is his biggest weakness, isn't she?" Antonio finally muttered, his eyes locked on Nolan.

"She is," Hank confirmed. "That's what makes him so dangerous. Any fight she picks is a battle he's willing to wage for her: the Dardens' custody, Lieutenant Pelham's employment - "

"Me," Antonio muttered.

Hank snorted. "You haven't been around for two years, Antonio. That means you haven't seen what the rest of us have known practically that entire time: she's clearly in love with Casey and Severide, and anyone who watches them together knows not only do those two love her just as obviously, they also love each other. Hell, there were betting pools across departments about when they would finally confess and get together. It was only a matter of time before it happened." He gave Antonio a pointed look. "And the fact that you, your sister, and Kidd never stopped . . . whatever you were doing probably got them moving, too. Don't think I didn't notice how you watched Sylvie the entire night of the gala. I certainly know who noticed."