Chapter 18

A lot had changed around at the firehouse since the fire two months prior. Jones was released from the hospital, now accustomed to moving around in a wheelchair, and working at headquarters just like her father wanted. Hermann was still in charge of Truck 81. He had taken charge right after the fire. And Dawson, well Dawson was still trying to hold on and keep her head above water. She was back to work finally, but every day was hard. Shay tried to be there for her, but she didn't know what to say or do to make Gabby feel any better. They were always told each other everything, but Shay could tell that there was something Gabby wasn't telling her and she didn't know if she should ask her what it was or not.

"I just feel like I'm failing her as her best friend for not knowing what's going on with her." Shay said to Allison has they laid in bed one July morning.

"You're not failing her Sweetie. If there is something going on I know she'll tell you eventually." Allison said as she massaged Shay's tense shoulders. "Maybe the two of you need a weekend away? Just the two of you?"

"And what? Leave you here for a whole weekend?"

"I can take care of myself for a couple of days. And besides, I'm sure I could find plenty to do at the hospital. It's not like I would be bored and lonely." She gave Shay a quick kiss. "You both have Saturday and Sunday off. Why don't you see if she wants to go? It won't hurt to ask."

"Fine." Shay wouldn't mind a weekend away with just Gabriela. But there was just something about having a care free weekend while her soon to be wife was home working her ass off that made her a little hesitant. But Allison was right, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Shay: So we both have sat. and sun. off. How do you feel about me kidnapping u for a weekend away?

Dawson: won't Allison mind if ur gone all weekend?

S: it was actually her idea. And I like her ideas.

D: what did u have in mind?

S: no idea. Whatever u want.

D: does severide's dad still own that cabin that he said u could use whenever?

S: yeah?

D: let's go there.

S: ok we can do that. I'll get the keys from Kelly.

"So it looks like I'll be in a cabin in the woods for the weekend." Shay said.

"Good." Allison said as she pushed Shay back down against the pillows and kissed her.

When Friday rolled around, the girls decided it would be easier for Dawson to just spend the night in the guest room so that Shay didn't have to worry about being on time to pick up Dawson at such an early hour.

When Allison walked through the door of the apartment after work, she was greeted with laughter and the delicious smell of a home cooked meal. "I smell food and the building isn't burnt down, so that must mean Gabriela cooked." She said as she walked into the kitchen to greet her fiancée and the woman she now considers a close friend.

"It was one time! And don't pretend you didn't play a role in it. You distracted me with your nakedness." Shay said earning laughs from both Allison and Gabby.

"Wait what? You never told me this! Did you really start a fire?" Dawson said while she continued to laugh.

"Technically yes, but it was Allison's fault. She came home from work and took a shower but didn't realize I hadn't folded the laundry yet so the basket was still in the living room and I had turned around to see a very naked fiancée trying to find clothes."

Dawson was shaking her head. "You need to learn some self-control."

"Hello! Have you seen her?" Shay said excitedly.

"Not naked!" Dawson laughed. "I can see why you have you can't control yourself though."

The girls sat around the kitchen table eating their dinner and talking about everything. When they realized it was getting late, they decided to head to bed.

Shay woke up at 3am and wasn't sure why she was awake. Then she heard it; yelling. It was coming from the guest room. Shay quickly got out of bed, the movement waking up Allison.

"I think Gabby is having a bad dream. I'll be right back." Shay didn't wait for a response before going to check on Gabby.

When she walked in the room, Dawson was tossing and turning. She went to the side of the bed and sat down on the edge. "Gabs it's only a bad dream. Wake up." She just kept telling her to wake up while she was rubbing Gabby's cheek. When she finally woke, she instantly started crying. "Shh. I got you Gabs. It's ok." Shay held Gabriela to her chest and rocked them both a little.

"It's not ok. He's gone and I'll never see him again and I miss him." Gabby finally said when she calmed down enough to speak in full sentences.

"I know you do and that's ok. It takes time." Shay said.

"It's not ok! I was fucking pregnant!" Dawson wasn't going to tell Shay that but obviously it slipped.

"What?"

"I was pregnant. Matt and I had found out a week before the accident. We weren't going to say anything right away. Then the accident happened and I guess the stress of everything caused me to have a miscarriage." Dawson and Shay didn't realize that Allison was outside the room eavesdropping on their conversation until Shay saw Allison walk through the door and pull Dawson into an awkward sandwiched hug.

"I get it Gabby. It hurts. And you ask yourself all the what ifs." Allison said. Gabby just looked at her confused. "It's kind of a long story but short version. I was pregnant, then miscarried. So I get it."

"I'm sorry I woke you both up."

"Don't apologize. It's ok. We're here to help." Shay said.

"Well since we have to get up in a few hours why don't we all try to go back to bed so we aren't completely tired in the morning." Dawson suggested.

"Are you sure? We can just stay up and watch a movie or something?" Allison suggested.

"No. it's ok. Go back to bed." Gabby said.

When Allison and Shay got back to their room, all the dots started to connect in Shay's head. Now she understood why she was so distant and not herself. Granted she had just lost her boyfriend, but she knew there was more to it.

"It all makes sense now. Why she wouldn't talk to me. Why, even though she was smiling when Kelly and Erin told everyone Erin was pregnant, she had this look in her eyes that I couldn't quite pinpoint exactly what it was till now." Shay said as she laid down and pulled Allison to her so she would lay on her chest.

"Yeah. Try talking to her this weekend. It'll help." Allison said as she yawned. "Lets go back to sleep before we are completely wiped out for tomorrow."

I know. it's been a couple months. I had some serious writers block and a lot of stuff going on. but i have some ideas and possibly some time jumps that I'm toying with but I'm going to try to write more... and yes.. i killed casey... sorry! as always please review.