Hey guys!

I'm back quicker than I thought but I just needed to start this story! I really like this first chapter so I hope you do too!

I'll be updating every two to three days and I hope that you enjoy this new story. It's been in my head for a while and I just can't wait for you all to enjoy it with me!

Here's to the first chapter!

oxoxox

Dawson

The closer I was getting to Chicago and the further away I was getting from Denver the more content I felt. It was like I could breathe better as the miles went on and I felt calmer as I neared the windy city. My home.

Don't get me wrong, Denver is a wonderful city and I knew I would have loved it there, if it wasn't for the circumstances I ended up in.

Four years had passed since I'd moved away from Chicago; years of pain and hurt causing me to move away… run away. But now it was time to come home, or run from Denver. Run from Ray.

I know that it would be hard settling back in the city I once loved more than anything, the place I felt safest, the place that was still home after years of avoidance. But no matter how hard it would be, I was glad that I was coming home. Years ago I'd taken my EMT test in Chicago, so I was quickly accepted into Fire Department and I'd be bouncing from house to house until they could find me a permanent PIC spot, a qualification I'd gained in Denver. Settling into work would be easy, finally confronting the demons I'd left here would be the hardest. If I would do so at all.

Antonio was glad I was coming home, although he didn't know why. I hadn't told him, hadn't told anyone and I wasn't planning to. I needed a new start. I couldn't bring my troubles from Denver with me.

In the week I'd spent in Denver knowing I was moving back to Chicago I'd been searching for an apartment, but the effort was fruitless. I'd found no apartment small enough for me, affordable or close to the main roads so I could commute to work all over the city. I was expecting to be bouncing for a while, so I needed to be able to get around quickly.

Thankfully, when I informed Shay, my best friend who was ecstatic that I was coming home, she eagerly told me that they were looking for a new roommate after the last one just moved out. Her and Kelly were living in a four bedroom apartment with another guy and needed to fill the empty room to cover the rent. Happy that the rent was affordable and the apartment was in a good place, I told her I'd move in.

I'd known Kelly and Shay since I was 16 and in highschool. They were seniors at the time and after…that happened they took me under their wing. I was in need of a few friends and they became the two people I needed in my life, they'd saved me. Shay understood how I felt, she'd suffered at the hands of others for a while after coming out as a lesbian and Kelly helped her. Kelly should have been your typical jock, but he wasn't. He hated the conformities of school and the students who looked down on others, he was different and he stood up for those who couldn't do it for themselves. He was my quiet hero in that respect.

When they left for college I struggled but quickly found my footing on my own after their help, and they hung out with me whenever possible. They both went to college for two years before training to be an EMT and firefighter respectively, and they both landed at the same house, Firehouse 51.

I'd stayed in Chicago training as an EMT for two years before I left at twenty for Denver. Shay and Kelly took it hard, but I needed to get away. Find myself. That sort of stupid stuff. I ran.

I tried to see Shay and Kelly as much as possible, but the last time I'd been in Chicago was a year ago and they were living in a smaller apartment at the time, so I had yet to meet the guy they shared with. Shay and Kelly usually came to visit me in Denver when they could, but it had been three months since I'd seen them last.

The other guy they shared an apartment with they had known in their three years at 51. Kelly knew him from the academy; they were the same age and chose to move in with each other to make the rent easier. Also, I supposed it was nice to be surrounded by friends. Kelly and he, Matt I think his name was, were best friends, so I hoped that we'd get along if Kelly liked him.

The trip from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago was fifteen hours long, so yesterday I drove for 8 hours and then stopped in a b&b in Omaha before setting off for a 7 hour drive today. I was about an hour away from Shay's apartment and it was nearing 5 o'clock, so I couldn't wait to finally get there and rest.

I was amazed at how much I'd recognised and how little everything had changed as I was driving into Chicago, and it finally felt real that I was home when I saw the signs directing to Chicago. The familiar sites were comforting and the sun setting around Chicago let for some beautiful sites, and I gazed in awe at the city as I drove.

Traffic was crazy as I neared Shay's apartment but I didn't care, I was home and far away from Denver and that was all I cared about. As I moved through the traffic and onto the street of the apartment, I pulled up and took a deep breath.

Home.

I looked up at the apartment and around the street, it looked nice and if I wasn't mistaken there was a coffee shop at the bottom of the street. I knew Kelly would have made sure that was essential when they were looking for an apartment.

With a tired smile I climbed out of my car and moved around to the trunk. I pulled out the suitcase with my essentials that I'd need for tonight and left everything else inside, that could wait until tomorrow. I locked up my car and headed down the short path to the apartment block. As I reached for the door handle - you need a key after 7 o'clock - a jogger raced out and knocked into me.

I stumbled over my suitcase and fell onto it with a thud. I heard a deep laugh echo from above me.

I looked up at the guy who knocked me over. He was blonde with bright blue eyes, pale skin and pink lips that were contorted up into a grin. With a quick glance I noticed that he was in good shape. Honestly, he was gorgeous but I wouldn't admit that because I was angry and tired and I really didn't appreciate how he found this funny.

He held out a glove covered hand to me and however unenthusiastic it was, I accepted. Blondie easily pulled me to my feet, "You make a habit of running down pedestrians?"

His pearly white grin only widened, "Not often, no."

I bit my tongue and turned to lift my suitcase up, "Hey let me help," he said with a husky voice and he leaned around me to the suitcase. I swatted his hand away, "I've got it."

I hoisted the suitcase into its upright position and notice the guy was still standing beside me, "Haven't you got a run to get on with?" I question sharply, feeling to annoyed that I was run down to be pleasant.

His eyes seemed to shine in the Chicago evening, "I guess so... See ya around," he calls cockily.

"Not likely," I muttered back as he ran off but I was sure I heard a chuckle.

I've been in Chicago for all but 5 minutes and I've already been knocked down. Welcome home Dawson.

I pulled my suitcase into the elevator and pressed for four. The ride was slow, I just wanted to see Shay and Kelly already. I'd missed them so much. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open to reveal the fourth floor. There were only three apartments on this floor and theirs was the furthest to the right, so I'd been told by Shay. I knock three times and wait.

No more than five seconds later does the door swing open and two wild arms engulf me with their warmth. It was Shay and I eagerly wrapped my arms around her shoulders as she hugged me tightly, "Ohmygosh, you're home!"

"I'm home," I murmur into her shoulder. After enduring another ten seconds of her too-tight hug she pulls me and my suitcase into the apartment. There I see Kelly standing a few feet away, smiling widely and holding his arms out to me. I rush into them and feel him wrap his arms around me as I collide with his hard chest.

"It's great to have you back," Kelly murmurs into my hair as he pats my back.

"I've missed you guys," I answer feeling my eyes well up as I pull away. I wipe my eyes with my sweater as Shay hugs me once more.

"We've missed you too," she says far too loudly in my ear and I wince slightly. Kelly chuckles as he stuffs his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

Shay nudges my arm as she pulls away, "Let's get some coffee into you and then we can have a catch up!"

So Shay made coffee as Kelly and I made ourselves comfortable on the sofa. I had to say, their sofa was incredibly comfy and if it wasn't for Shay talking to me from the open-plan kitchen, I'd have fallen asleep right there.

I already felt accustomed to the apartment, it was wide and open-plan and I liked that. The living area was quite large and the kitchen was a good size for four people. Downstairs there was a little bathroom and upstairs I was told that there was two bathrooms, one for the guys and one for the girls. I was good with that.

After giving us our coffee, Shay plopped down beside me tucking her legs underneath her and resting one arm on the back of the sofa, "So...how are you doing hun?" She asks sincerely.

I'd lied to Kelly and Shay about Ray, I told them that I broke up with Ray because we never got to spend any time together because of his job. Which was partly true, he was CEO of a small pharmaceutical company and rarely available, but it wasn't by far the main reason. I hadn't told them the truth because I didn't want them to freak out over what happened and get mad. I knew Kelly would flip and Shay would be so worried she wouldn't give me any breathing space.

I needed to get past Ray and this was the only way to do so.

I finish taking a sip of my coffee and then rest it on my leg, "Honestly, I'm doing okay. I just need to move past him..."

Kelly was quiet from the armchair beside us and he was studying me intently; I knew to Kelly that I was easy to read and I was afraid he knew that I was lying, but he didn't say anything.

Shay places her hand over mine, "How did he take it?"

Inwardly I grimace and flashes of that night appear in my mind, I didn't want to think about it. I swallow deeply before replying, "He was upset but he understands... We hardly ever saw each other anyway."

Shay nods and accepts this, but I was getting worried because Kelly was still quiet, "Well you need someone who's around more."

"Yes, well, I realised it was best for us both to move on."

Her face lights up with that beautiful sweet smile of hers, "Well you're home now, back where you belong missy! This can be a fresh start for you."

When I smile back the smile was genuine, "I think it will be."

We slipped into conversation about the apartment and me re-signing with the Fire Department, and I explained that I was going to be bouncing until I was found a permanent spot. Kelly quickly joined the conversation and I was happy that he didn't seem to think that I'd deceived them.

Then the lock to the door clicked and the door opened, "Oh, Matt's home," Shay says looking to the door, "Gabs, meet Matt, the fourth member of our humble household."

I looked up at the guy who just walked through the door. My jaw dropped.

Smirking back at me was the runner who'd knocked me down just an hour ago.

Oh great.