The Fire Girl: A One Chicago Fanfiction

Chapter 14: Infection Part 1

[Hey readers! I'm basing this chapter off of the three hour crossover on tonight (October 16th). I'm not getting into all the details because let's face it, you don't want to just watch the episode all over again. But this will have a different twist on it because of the different couples and because of the baby. Hope you enjoy!]

___
The past few months have been hectic. Gabby moved down to Puerto Rico, Antonio checked into rehab, Matt's now a divorced man, and then his apartment went up in flames. So Matt moved in the Kelly and I for the time being, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Matt's family and he always will be.

Ember has been healthy and growing like a weed. My baby girl was almost 10 months old already. It was hard to believe how fast time was going, but this is life and it's hectic. But here we are, thrown into another crazy event.

____

This is so messed up. One moment we were tailgating at a Chicago Bears game and the next we were wrapped up in these infections. This bacteria seemed to be spreading through Chicago like a wild-fire and showed no sign of slowing down.

We were currently being sprayed down by hazmat which was scary enough. I started looking through the gear to find mine when Kelly appeared behind me.

"I mean, my skin looks fine, but let's be real no one even knows what we're looking for and-"

"Hey, everything's going to be alright."

"How does this not scare you?"

"Because I know this isn't the way I'm going to die."

"Oh really? How are you going to go then?"

"I'm going die as an old man in my bed with you and our kids and our grandkids surrounding me," he smiled, holding me close to him.

"You always know exactly what to say."

"I try."

He pressed a kiss to my lips, helping reassure me. I sighed and dropped my head to my shoulder, I just needed my family to be safe.

***

The next two days was full of helping arson investigators and bacteria victim pick ups. I was physically and mentally exhausted. When night shift rolled around, I snuck from my bunk into Kelly's office. I noticed his light was on, and I assumed he was doing paperwork. When I shut the door, his head snapped up from his papers to smile at me.

"Hey hubby," I grinned, sitting down on his lap, facing him.

"Hey baby. You should be sleeping. You've been through a lot this shift," he stated lovingly, rubbing his hands up and down my back.

"So have you, we all have," I deflected.

"Can't sleep?" he questioned and I nodded in defeat to which he stood up and pulled me to his bunk, "Come on."

"What?"

"We could both use some sleep. Now come here."

I shut off the lamp before climbing into the bed with him. I had to almost lay on top of him, but I didn't mind. Laying in his arms is where I felt safest. With the blankets pulled over us, we both quickly drifted off to sleep.

•••

I woke up to the familiar sound of the bell. Gabby's replacement, Foster was out of town when this all started, so we had a temp on 61. But yesterday they freaked out because of all the diseases and jumped ship, so I was covering her on ambulance now. Thankfully once this happened Foster headed back, but wouldn't make it until next shift.

Ambulance 61, welfare check. North SE Street. Apartment 12.

I rolled out of Kelly's arms and gave him a kiss goodbye before running to the ambo. Sylvie smiled at me as I jumped in and we took off.

"7am and our days begun," I sighed.

"At least it stayed quiet during the night. We really needed the sleep after yesterday."

"I didn't sleep too well."

"I noticed you running out of Kelly's office," smirked Sylvie as she drove.

"Oh no, I wish," I chuckled, "I've just been nervous with this whole thing because of Ember. I couldn't sleep, so I went to cuddle with Kelly. No funny business."

"Well at least you got some sleep. Besides, everything's going to be okay...I think."

When we pulled up to the building, we rushed inside. The woman was the lady Haley was on her way to question, she was working with the first victim.

"Miss? Are you okay?" asked Sylvie as the woman drifted around.

She was pale and looked like she was barely conscious. I sat our bag down on the ground, trying to evaluate the woman.

"I'm so tired," she murmured before she dropped.

She fell onto me, knocking us both to the ground. I quickly scooted myself out from under her and immediately noticed blood. It covered my hands and soaked into my shirt. That's when I noticed redness peaking under her skirt. I pulled it up to reveal my worst fear... she had the infection. Sylvie jumped into action while I sat there, dazed. I had just come in contact with the bacteria that was killing people within hours.

Sylvie drove to the hospital and I stayed back with the patient. When we got there Sylvie rambled everything off to Halstead while I just stood there. Foster met Sylvie at the hospital to relieve me. Just as Will went to walk away, he noticed the blood on me.

"Corinthia..." he stated with a sympathetic look on his face.

"I uh was on the call when she collapsed on top of me," I explained, barely getting the words out.

"Is that your blood?"

"Hers."

"And you haven't touched your nose, eyes, or mouth?" he questioned and I shook my head no, "And you don't have any cuts or open wounds?"

"No. I don't think so."

"Okay. Don't move. Don't touch your mouth or eyes. Don't touch anything."

"Okay."

He ran off and I looked over to my co-workers. Fear built up inside of me, but I pushed it down and looked at Sylvie.

"Uh can uh can you update Boden on the situation? And then I need you to let Kelly know, but just make sure you tell him I'm okay and Natalie's taking care of me."

"Okay. You're going to be fine Corinthia."

"Let's hope."