Before Us (Kelly Severide Love Story)

When Tortoises Fly

"MY CASTLE CRUMBLED OVERNIGHT, I BROUGHT A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT"

Walking into the firehouse today felt different, I don't know whether that is good or bad just yet.

I make my way into the locker room. 

"So how was your first gala?" Gabby asks me, "it was surprising," I answer, "but I had a lot of fun" I add. "Glad to hear it" she smiles, "and also I totally saw what happened between you and Severide" she lowers her tone, "you were holding hands!" She quietly exclaims. 

"We were not" I try to deny, "okay but we totally were" I let out a quiet happy scream and she joins in with me.

"Uh, why does he make me feel like a teenage girl?" I question, "the right ones always do" Gabby winks. 

We finish getting ready and start walking to the living room. 

"So what did you guys talk about?" Gabby asks, "We just talked about how where we are right now is good" I make sure no one is listening, "and that we don't have to look for so many answers just yet" I add. 

"But he didn't say no to the possibility of there being something more?" Gabby questions. 

"No, I think he might want something more" my face hurting from smiling. 

"Do you?" Gabby asks. 

"Of course" I answer, "but I also think we should take it slow" I add. "I mean he is going to be lieutenant again soon enough" I point out, "I need to make a name for myself before doing anything with him" I admit, "I don't want anyone thinking I haven't earned my position" I finish.

"We have all seen you at work" she mentions, "no one here thinks you haven't earned anything" she assures me. 

"You guys still think Riddles has something to do with this right?" Mouch walks over to us. 

"Yes definitely" we nod. 

"Well, he might be gunning for Chief even more now" Mouch sighs as he tells us what happened at the Gala. Where was I when this happened? How did I miss all this? 

"Did he really say those exact words?" Gabby questions, "I'll have Boden's head on a stick!" She yells, getting increasingly agitated because we don't know what line Riddles wouldn't cross. 

"I'm getting this third hand but think about it" Mouch answers, "Riddles tells Boden to stay away from the gala" he adds, "not only does Boden show up but he accuses Riddle of framing him for assault" Mouch points out. 

It was my and Gabby's theory that caused all this. 

I thought we were helping but we made this much worse.

I feel terrible.

"You guys okay?" Otis asks, noticing our expressions. 

"Captain!" Gabby interrupts me, I turn to see her making her way to Patterson. 

"Is it true that Riddles is all bent out of shape because of what Boden said to him?" She asks, hoping that Patterson will deny it and we can pretend this thing never happened. "Wouldn't you be?" Patterson questions back, "a paranoid accusation like that?" He adds. 

Accusation? Yes. 

Paranoid? No.

"Yeah, it was my paranoid accusation" Gabby admits, "I'm the one who got Boden all wound up about Riddle" she starts to tear up.

"It wasn't just you Gabby" I step forward, "I also helped sell the theory to Boden" I take on the blame as well so she isn't carrying it all by herself.