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Chapter Text

“And our last award of this evening goes to someone who went above and beyond, who despite not being a field paramedic, rushed into action, thinking not of their own safety, but of the safety of others. Their actions resulted in the successful resuscitation of a civilian, who was now become a grandparent to twins. This selfless action is the epitome of the qualities we expect from every member of the CFD. The CFD’s Paramedic Award of Valor goes to Paramedic Chief Evan Hawkins.”

A rumble of applause filled the room, and his eyes met Violet’s, her unspoken message filling him with strength. 3 weeks after his discharge, and 11 weeks since the collapse, she’d given him the courage to make his foray into public, and to accept this award no less, an award he felt uneasy getting.

All I did was nearly kill myself, Violet. What department gives awards for that?

Evan, you’re a paramedic chief and you rushed in. Not every trained professional would have done what you did for Gabriel. If you don’t deserve that award, then they might as well scrap it.

Evan wheeled himself up onto the stage, gracefully accepting the medal and certificate, letting the photographer snap a couple of photos.

“Thank you for coming, Chief. I know it can’t have been easy.” DC Hill gently told him as she shook his hand.

She was right about that.

“No, thank you, DC Hill. See you…” he struggled to find the last word, but Gloria just nodded, understanding what he had intended to ask.

“I will see you around, Chief.”

He exited the stage, making his way back to Violet’s side, unable to take his eyes of her. If there was anyone who made the CFD formal uniform look stunning, it was her. He was… what was the word?... confused that he hadn’t, in all the months they’d been together, seen her in it.

Well, there’ll be a lot more chances – the CFD Gala at the end of the year was the event to be at, and he’d hoped that by that time he’d be up and about, able to twirl her around the way that she deserved to be.

“Everything okay?” She whispered, grabbing his hand, noticing his perplexed look.

“Yeah, yeah. Everything’s fine. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Everything.”

They exchanged a smile, listening to Gloria presenting the CFD Commissioner to give a closing speech, hands still interlinked under the table.

*

“Mikami. Hawkins. Lovely to see you here.” DC Hill had finally navigated her way to the two lovebirds, who were busy striking conversation with the current Interim Chief, a spirited former Ambulance Commander in the neighbouring district, and a Chief that, had Violet never had the fortune of crossing paths with Evan, she would have enjoyed serving under.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave. But, Evan, I’m keeping you to your word. I’m just keeping your seat warm. Gloria.” The Interim Chief disappeared into the flurry of activity behind them, and Violet could hear the familiar voice of Captain Casey recounting some of his stories from his rescues in Portland, stories that she loved hearing from Brett when their shifts got a little too monotonous.

“DC Hill. I see the Commissioner’s tough to get away from,” Violet pointed out.

“Yes, well, he does love a good talk, and this event is always a good opportunity to point out all the good our department does for the city. I let him handle the press – I’d much rather come and talk to the people we’re all here for. How is it going, Chief?”

“Good, thank you. PT and speech therapy every day, so no holiday for me,” he joked, and Violet couldn’t help but smile – was this the first time he’d joked since that day?

“Oh and thank you for the gift basket – you didn’t need to.”

“Oh, Chief, I am glad you received it, and yes, I had to. I know how much difference every little thing can make, and if anything can help you get to 100%, I want to help you. I did say I was rooting for the two of you – I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

“Thank you, Gloria. Truly.”

“Speaking of which, Violet, your partner will be leaving soon I hear?”

“Yes, Sylvie will be relocating to Portland with what will be her then-husband.”

“I see. Well, I have no official news as of yet regarding new personnel – that is the Interim Chief’s purview – but I do want to let you know you might be saddled with floaters for a while.”

“Thank you for the warning, Gloria. But I think after everything, I’m ready. Bring it on.”

“Good to hear. Well, I won’t keep the two of you – it’s been quite the ceremony. I believe it might break the record for the longest one this decade. I will see the two of you around.”

Gloria made her way back towards the Commissioner, but Vi could see that Evan was reaching his limit for socialising. To be frank, she was in awe he’d managed to get through the entire ceremony.

He’s stronger than both he and I know.

“Evan, you ready to head back?”

“Yes. Do you mind pushing me? My arms acting up.”

“You don’t even need to ask.”

They zigzagged through the attendees and made their way to the car, Vi helping Evan into the passenger seat as she wrestled with his chair and plopped herself into the driver's seat, freeing her hair from the constraints of the formal headwear.

“Vi, I know it's late, and you have your shift tomorrow, but, well, you looked so breathtaking. I can’t wait to be the one to give you your promotion to Ambulance Commander.”

“Woah, slow your horses down, Evan, I’m not even PIC yet.”

“Just a formality, I’m sure.”

Did he know something?

“Do you know something I don’t?” she asked as she pulled out of the driveway.

“Maybe yes. Maybe no,” he told her. In truth, he hadn’t the foggiest idea, but surely Violet would be the next PIC, right? He thought about giving the Interim Chief a text but then realised that was probably exactly the opposite of what he should be doing, eyes on the both of them and whatnot.

Better it be a surprise for both.

Chapter Text

“Hey, you alright? Violet asked as she turned left at the intersection, only a few minutes away from home.

“Yeah… I think,” he said, looking at her and then putting his hand on her thigh, glad for the comfort it provided.

“The ceremony, it bought back some…”

“Memories?” She prompted gently, stealing a glance away from the road to notice his face scrunched up, trying to recall the right word.

“Yes, memories. But I’m not sure what’s real sometimes, or what I made up…”

“Maybe I can help?” Violet asked; Evan had been a little hesitant to discuss much about the accident, and Vi hadn’t pried – she knew that once he felt strong enough to, he would.

“Maybe. I… I remember when I was first hit, then everything is… confusing. I couldn’t see… but I could hear, I think?”

“What did you hear?”

“Shouting, I think, after a while. And then, I think I heard you.”

“Me? What did I say?” Violet asked, knowing that she had said, well, more like shouted and screamed and begged, quite a lot.

“You were asking me to talk to you. You told me to fight it. I tried… I tried to fight it… Was that real?”

“Yes,” she said, almost in a whisper – how much pain had he been in and yet still remembered her words?

“Yes, it was real. You didn’t make it up.”

He moved his hand up to her shoulder, resting it there.

“Thank you for talking to me… then… when I was…” Dying. He didn’t add that, but they both knew what he meant.

“Don’t thank me, Evan. I didn’t save you – Chief dragged me away.”

“But you did – your voice made me fight, made me hold on. I… um… I don’t think I ever told you how much that meant.”

“I…” It was Violet’s time to be a little speechless; “I’m glad you're here,” was what she settled on as she drove onto their driveway.

She still couldn’t that she and Evan were finally together, the threats to their relationship now gone. She and Evan were free to be in love without worrying every five minutes about the CFD or other bad actors breathing down their back.

“Oh, today is Friday?” He asked, checking his phone. He was trying really hard to remember such basics. His therapists had told him it would take time, and to be patient with himself.

Well, if Vi could be patient for him, he could learn to be patient for himself too.

“Yes, which normally would mark some nice time together but I’m pulling a double shift.”

“And when you come off, I’ll be in PT; we won’t see each other until Monday,” he said, a little sad at that fact.

“Don’t worry – Sylvie’s getting hitched next week, and whilst they’re going off on their honeymoon, we’ve got our little trip, remember?”

Now that Vi had mentioned it, yes, yes he did remember. And he was very excited, despite, well, everything else going on.

“Yes. I’m excited.”

“Ah, that reminds me, you have speech therapy tomorrow, but because I’m on shift, Natalie offered to come round and be with you. Shall I say yes?”

“Sounds perfect,” Evan responded. Natalie had been a godsend, quite literally, and after Vi had gone back to work full-time, she had been there to take him to all of his appointments, and at the beginning even stay with him through the night.

He was blessed to be surrounded by such incredible, strong women, and he couldn’t wait for the day he could begin to even attempt to show them how much their support meant.

He was so lost in his head he hadn’t realised that Vi had opened the door and had wheeled his chair beside it, helping him settle in comfortably.

He wheeled himself indoors as Vi went to retrieve her cap, a little gift on the coffee table. He reached for it, pulling at the ribbon, a smile on his face growing as he read the accompanying note.

“Ah, I see you found it,” Violet said, grabbing a seat on the couch.

“It looks identical.”

“Well, it nearly is, except for the back,” she said, watching as he flipped it to read the inscription.

To those future moments together. Vi.

“It’s perfect,” he told her, leaning to plant a kiss on her lips.

What he’d done to have her by his side despite the struggles he’d caused for her when they first met, well, he guessed it would remain a secret of the universe.

Not one he was going to argue with.

“Shall we?” Vi asked, taking off her formal jacket.

“Sure, but… um…” he begun, “how about something… more? We won’t see each other for 60 hours, and, well, that uniform…”

Ah, that made a whole lot of other things make so much sense…

“Are you implying what I think you are, Chief?” Vi teased, and Evan answered with another kiss, deeper this time, hand in her hair, pulling her closer.

Well, that was something she could definitely get behind.

Chapter Text

Violet woke up to her alarm, quickly hushing it, letting herself lounge in bed for a while, staring at Evan lying peacefully beside her, nothing but serenity reflected in his face.

That’s the face she wanted him to wear all the time.

The first couple of weeks had been hell, and she’d awoken almost every night to shake Evan from the night terrors that had plagued him, consoling him back to a sleep that was anything but restless.

Tonight, he seemed to have had none of them.

Hmm, perhaps our pre-sleep ritual needs repeating, she teasingly joked in silence, not realising that Evan had actually woken up and now had his eyes settled on her.

“Good morning, Violet,” he smiled back.

“Oh shoot, did I wake you?” she asked, but he just shook his head.

“No. You didn’t. But I wanted to catch you before you left. And ask you what it is that’s making you so happy.”

“You. You’re making me so happy. And don’t worry, this weekend is going to fly by faster than you can blink, Evan.”

“I do hope that’s true,” he said, planting a chaste kiss on Violet’s lips, “because I think a continuance is needed…”

“Gosh, Evan, we’re both going to be late if you keep this up.”

“Well it’s a good thing I’m Chief then, eh?”

“Any other day I might say yes, but it’s my last shift with Sylvie. You wouldn’t want me to leave her with a floater now, would you?”

“No. I guess I wouldn’t.”

Violet reciprocated with a kiss, jumping out and getting changed, before leaving for a shift she was determined to end on a high.

Outside, she bumped into Natalie, the two exchanging pleasantries and embracing each other in a tight hug.

“Hey, how is he this morning?” Natalie asked.

“Well, very well. He slept through the night, and he seems very energetic.”

“Good. How are you?” Natalie asked, and Violet smiled – Natalie was truly a godsend.

“I’m good. Got a final double shift with Sylvie, and then off to shuffle for new partners!”

“Excited? Nervous?”

“Both I guess. See you on Monday?” Violet asked.

“Yeah, see you Monday.”

*

“Hey, Evan!” Natalie entered, shrugging off her jacket.

“Morning, Natalie. Gosh, you’re early!”

“You have a check-up, remember?”

Crap, no, he didn’t.

“Now I do,” he said truthfully to his cousin, letting her help him wrestle into his chair, and then leave to prepare some breakfast for the two of them.

*

“Morning, partner!” Sylvie greeted Violet as she changed into her uniform in the locker room.

“Morning, partner. How do you feel?” Violet asked, and Sylvie let out a sad smile.

“I feel too much. I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m giddy. Vi – I’m getting married next week. It just doesn’t feel real yet I guess.”

“Hmm, well, I’ll be beside you at the ceremony to remind you, and pinch you if you want me to?” Violet joked – she was so happy Sylvie had trusted her to be her Maid of Honour, a job she was taking with gusto.

“Hmm, yes, keep the pinching fingers ready – might need it if Matt says any of the lines I’ve heard him practice – he is not subtle,” Sylvie chuckled, the two of them filing in for their morning brief.

*

“Hmm, so, an alert warning for all first responders? Ever had one of those?” Violet asked as she fastened her seatbelt.

“Once – I had just transferred to 51. The alert was well warranted,” Sylvie said solemnly, and Violet decided not to pry.

“Anything I should know protocol wise?”

“Nothing different, we’re just being hyper vigilant for attacks on first responders, that’s all.”

“Copy.”

*

The two paramedics got through the first half of their shift more or less uneventfully (well, for 51 that is), and grabbed lunch back at the firehouse, glad to see that both Gallo and Ritter were also back at the house, allowing them to confirm some last minute additions to the wedding reception.

“Gosh, when did you have the time Violet?” Sylvie asked, awed at the sheer amount of things Violet had seemingly done last week.

“I have a time machine,” she joked, “oh, and a Paramedic Chief who is beyond himself bored at home.”

The all too familiar alarm blared.

“Ambulance 61, person in distress…”

The two dashed to their rig, lights and sirens on.

“Ambulance 61, come in.” Violet picked up their radio.

“This is Ambulance 61 Dispatch.”

“Further information from arresting officer Detective Upton – the person in distress is an officer. Detective Upton asks you stay in the rig until she can give the all-clear.”

“Understood, Dispatch.”

Hmm, the second half of the shift was always interesting.

Chapter Text

Sylvie and Violet pulled up to the scene, sitting tight in the rig.

“Hey, Dispatch, can you patch us through to Detective Upton?” Violet asked, waiting for Hailey’s voice to permeate the air.

“This is Upton.”

“Hailey, Sylvie and I are on scene, are we clear?”

“Not yet, no.” The two paramedics exited their vehicle, making a beeline for the patrol car.

“Kim?” Violet asked, recognising the officer.

“Hey, Violet. Hailey should be coming out anytime now.”

“What happened?”

“Two officers responded to a call about a domestic but then were incommunicado. We were closest to the scene and found both officers knocked out cold, uniforms missing and guns missing. Officer Lowe made it out more or less unscathed, but Officer Beck couldn’t be roused, and then Hailey gave the order to not come in.”

“Any idea why?”

“From what I gathered from Lowe, it was a set-up. They got to the apartment, and there was no domestic. She was about to call it in, and then nothing. She woke up to Hailey shaking her awake.”

“Missing uniforms are the reason for the heightened alert for first responders?” Violet asked, and Kim nodded.

“Turns out, uniform stealing has become an issue in the tri-state area. We’ve had reports of uniforms stolen, but not of actual first responders. It’s a first. And with increased chatter about a planned attack, everyone’s taking it seriously.”

A shot rang out, and the officers ducked, and then Hailey’s voice over the radio.

“Dispatch, this is 5021 Henry. Shots fired by the police, offender down. We’re clear.”

“Come with me,” Kim beckoned, and Violet followed, entering the building to see Hailey cuffing an individual, a clear bullet to the leg.

Violet knelt down and gave Officer Beck a quick one-over, the officer now somewhat alert.

“Officer, you have a concussion, and I don’t like the look of that bruise on your hand. Pain?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, let me give you something for that, and then we can take you to Med.”

“Ambo 21 and 17 are outside. 21’s taken Lowe, and I’ll ask 17 to take you, Officer,” Sylvie came in, crouching beside the victim.

“You got a name?”

“Saul.”

“Okay, Saul, I’m going to take a look at this, alright.”

*

“Okay, Hailey, I presume you want to join us anyway?” Violet asked as she and Sylvie loaded Saul into the back of their ambulance.

“Yeah.”

“But I want to keep an eye on you too – you don’t seem to have a concussion, but you do have a bruise.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

“I know, but still… promise to check yourself in any way and get a once over from Will?” Violet said, dropping Hailey’s brother-in-law’s name, and Hailey nodded, hopping in the back of the ambo, offering a second pair of hands to Violet, who was busy keeping a look on Saul’s vitals and trying to keep the bleeding under control.

“So, Saul. Did you also jump Officers Lowe and Beck?” Hailey decided to start her interrogation immediately.

“No, officer.”

“It’s Detective, Saul. And if you didn’t jump the Officers, what were you doing there?”

“I’m sorry, did I do something illegal?”

“You had an unregistered firearm, Saul, one that you were willing to pull on me. And you live on the opposite side of the city, so I’m going to ask once again, what were you doing there?”

“You don’t know? Well, guess you will soon. Lawyer, Detective, lawyer.”

*

They’d driven for about ten minutes, both Hailey and Violet using the time to catch up on each other’s lives, Sylvie also piping in on occasion.

“That reminds me,” Sylvie piped in as she turned, “before my wedding, we’re having a quintuple date.”

“A what?” Hailey asked, half listening.

“Date for five of us. Who were you thinking, Sylvie?”

“So, me and Matt, you Hailey and Jay, you Violet and Evan, and then I wanted to grab Kelly with Stella, and then Adam and Kim.”

“You want to try and get all of us in the same place?” Violet asked.

“At the same time?” Hailey added.

“Crazy idea, I know. But it’s been forever, and I checked – we have three hours next week before my wedding when we’re all free.”

“You checked?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Well, I’m down in that case.”

“Yes, count me in too!”

Violet’s phone buzzed, and she stole a glance at her phone.

| Evan: Miss you. Hope you’re ok – heard about the alert.

She smiled, texting back.

| Violet: (draft) All good. Miss y

Violet’s phone flew out of her phone, and she felt weightless, before nothingness.

Chapter Text

Evan stared at his phone, watching the chat bubble for a second before it disappeared. That didn’t worry him – Violet must have been called out and had to rush out before she could respond. He knew she’d text as soon as she could.

“Evan, you ready to go?” Natalie asked, a bag of half a dozen prescribed pill bottles in hand, “I think a late lunch is just what we need.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

*

“You’re a bit distant today. Everything go okay at the check-up?” His cousin asked, concern clear on her countenance.

“Yeah. Doctors seem happy with my progress, but I feel… stuck. I… I’m still… still…” he paused as Natalie reached out across the table and gripped his hand, tight. He looked at his cousin.

“You’re not stuck, Evan. Not at all. If you were stuck, then you’d still be living out of Med. You wouldn’t be moving around your apartment, you wouldn’t be asking for me to trust you to move yourself around, and you certainly wouldn’t be holding this long of a conversation with me. There is progress, Evan, you are not stuck.”

How did both Natalie and Violet seem to know exactly what to say and when to say it? Hearing Natalie obliviate his negative thoughts if only just for a couple of minutes, was precisely what was needed.

“You ready for next week?” Natalie asked him, and he froze for a second, before recalling precisely what she was asking.

“I think so. Violet is very excited. I’m happy she’s happy,” he admitted, “I just… don’t want her to spend all day worrying about me.”

“You don’t have to worry about that – that’s going to be both of our jobs,” Natalie smiled, “You – you just make sure to have a good time with Violet.”

“I will.”

“Anywhere else you want to go before we head home?”

“Actually, yes. Can we swing by into town? Something I need to pick up.”

*

The doors to the ambulance were pried open, the two men stepping over the brunette to reach their friend, cuffed to the gurney, out cold.

“Saul,” the younger one tried to rouse him, a slap to the face doing the trick.

“We’re getting you out,” the older one added, plucking the cuff key from the unconscious blonde, freeing him.

Saul tried to get up but decided against it when putting weight on his shot leg was excruciating. He sat back down.

“Saul, what’s going on?”

“You idiots crashed into an ambulance?”

“How else were we going to get you out?”

“Not by crashing an ambulance when I need medical attention. How long since you crashed?”

“Four minutes.”

“That’s long. Okay, listen here, Paul, you take the ambulance, drive it somewhere, anywhere, don’t care where, but in the opposite direction. Brian, you used the van?”

“I used the van,” Brian, the older one, confirmed.

“Good. Take them with us.”

“And the cop too?”

“Yes, the cop too. Hell, maybe this was a good idea,” Saul said, watching Paul drag out the brunette paramedic whilst Brian took the blonde detective, both out cold.

They returned a minute later, both letting Saul grip their shoulders as he hobbled out of the ambulance and into the passenger seat of their van.

“Brian!” Paul called, and he dashed away.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Crash crushed driver’s side – the blonde paramedic is pinned in. She looks dead.”

“Leave it then. Leave it and let's go. We’re in a secluded area anyway. Might take a while to find it, and when they do, we’ll be gone. Now, let’s go.

*

Violet opened her eyes, closing them when she felt a searing headache.

“Sylvie? Hailey?” she called out, eyes still closed, but no one responded. She felt herself roll, something colliding with her. She opened her eyes again, face to face with an unconscious Hailey.

“Hailey!” she asked, reaching out to try to rouse Hailey, realising the Detective’s hands were cuffed behind her back, a gash on her temple.

Violet reached the back of her own head, realising her own hair was matted with blood. She pulled at her sleeve, wiping away at it, the sleeve coming back crimson.

What had happened? She knew she was in the back of some van, just her and Hailey.

Sylvie. Where was Sylvie?

The van stopped, and Violet plastered herself back onto the ground, playing dead.

Chapter Text

Truck, Squad, and Engine rolled back into the station and headed straight for the showers.

“Stella,” Severide beckoned to his wife, and she followed him straight into the office, turnout coat, helmet, and all.

“Let me look,” he said, gently cupping her face, looking at the gash across her cheek.

“It’s.. it looks bad. It’s okay.”

“Stella, if you want to go to Med…” Kelly began, but she shook her head, before offering a compromise to ease the concern on his face.

“If I start to feel like I’m in pain, I’ll ask Sylvie or Violet to take a look, alright? And, if it makes you feel better, I’ll go to Med after shift, alright?”

“We’ll go to Med after shift,” Kelly smiled weakly, before planting a kiss on her lips.

“I’ll, I’ll go take a shower and come write up the AAR with you?”

“Good idea,” she said, walking out past the members of Truck and Engine who’d already cleaned themselves of the last incident.

*

“So, you bringing a plus one?” Ritter asked Gallo, who just shook his head.

“Nah, just myself. What about you? Bringing your cop boyfriend?” Gallo asked, and Ritter smiled.

“Yeah. I think he’s happy about the fact that we’re going out amongst friends. I’m happy too,” Ritter responded, “oh, and that’s him, got to run!”

*

“Trudy, Trudy, what’s wrong?” Mouch asked his wife on the phone, turning down the volume on the TV.

“You don’t have a tux, Mouch, and I don’t have a dress. The wedding is next week. How did we leave it until this week?”

“Trudy, Trudy, we’ve both been working. It’s okay, how about I go take a day off, you take a day off, and we can go and canvass Chicago for our wedding outfits?”

Mouch could hear his wife take a deep breath, before answering in the affirmative.

*

Firehouse 51 had just settled in, barely a forkful into dinner, when the alarm forced them to abandon their early dinner.

“Truck 81, Engine 51, Squad 3, Battalion 25, four-alarm fire…”

“Four-alarm fire Truck, let’s double-time,” Stella encouraged her subordinates as they got on their rig and sped out of the firehouse.

Engine followed suit, and then Squad, all acknowledging the fact that Ambo was still gone, but not too concerned about that – this wouldn’t be the first time, nor last, that they’d gone on a call without 61.

Boden was the only one who took a pause, remembering that 61 had a person in distress call; unless they’d hopped onto another call, surely they’d be back by now? He didn’t recall hearing them on the radio that he had on constantly in his office, but then again, he could have missed it. He made a mental note to check in after the four-alarm fire was dealt with.

*

“Hey, Will!” Kim called after the doctor, catching him on his way up.

“Officer Burgess, how may I help today?”

“Officers Lowe and Beck, did you treat any?”

“Yeah, Hannah took Lowe, and they’re being discharged right now, and I’m keeping Beck for extra observation, following notes that they couldn’t be woken on the scene?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Hailey can probably tell you more – she was first on the scene.”

“Can I speak to her in that case? She might be able to cover some of the blanks the paramedics couldn’t.”

“Hailey not here?”

“No, haven’t seen her. Why?”

“Last I saw, Hailey was hitching a ride with 61 and our suspect, who she shot.”

“We haven’t had any gunshot victims come in, Kim. And of that I am sure.”

“Weird,” she stated, grabbing her radio.

“5021 Henry, this is 5021 Eddie, come in.” No response.

“Dispatch, this is 5021 Eddie, can I get a last known on 5021 Henry?”

“5021 Eddie, last known on 5021 Henry was at 612 Hollenbach Street.” The address of the false domestic, the address where 61 had whisked away both Hailey and Saul, their suspect.

“I’ve got to run Will, but can you give me a call when you discharge Beck?”

“Sure,” Will said, getting off at the ICU level whilst Kim rode down to the bottom floor.

*

“Hey, has Hailey been back?” Kim asked as she walked into the bullpen, everyone turning towards her.

“Um, weren’t you just with her at the hospital?” Jay asked, confused.

“Ambulance 61 never made it to Med, Will hasn’t seen Hailey, and her last known per dispatch was at the false domestic.”

“She’s not picking up her phone either,” Jay said, trying his wife again, only to be left at voicemail.

“I’ll try Violet Mikami, and can you try Sylvie Brett?” Kim asked Adam, the two of them calling in sync, both also unsuccessful.

“City vehicles have trackers, let’s see if we can locate them,” Jay piped in, and everyone huddled around his computer.

“Offline. The trackers are never offline, not unless…”

“They’ve been in an accident,” Kim said, “we need more bodies on this. I’ll go tell Trudy.”

Kim rushed down, Adam at her heels.

“Sergeant, how many officers can you spare?” Kim asked.

“A handful – we’ve got extra patrols due to the alert. What’s the issue?”

“Hailey never turned up to the hospital, and now she and Ambo 61 are incommunicado. Tracker is offline. We need to locate them; I don’t like it, especially with this warning.”

“I don’t like it either. I’ll assign officers to Intelligence, and put out a call,” she assured the two officers, who bolted back upstairs.

“All units, this is 2102 Squad,” Trudy spoke into her radio, “we have a detective and two paramedics missing, along with a suspect. Last seen at 612 Hollenbach Street in Ambulance 61.”

Ambulance 61. That was Sylvie Brett’s rig, wasn’t it?

“Sarge, we’re free, we’re going to go out and canvass,” an officer spoke, breaking her out of her thought bubble.

“Good, thanks,” she responded, before grabbing the phone and dialling up the Firehouse 51 Chief.

Chapter Text

Boden stood back, looking at the fire that had bounced to the neighbouring building, reaching for his radio.

“Dispatch, we’re going to need more units to the four-alarm fire. We have four buildings ablaze.”

He turned around, spotting a dozen paramedic crews conducting triage.

A dozen that didn’t include his own.

“Copy, Chief. ETA 5 minutes for your extra resources.”

“Dispatch, do you have a location on Ambo 61?”

Silence on the radio.

“Chief, that’s a negative on the location for 61. Will update you when we have information.”

A negative on location? Seriously?

He was about to respond further, but his phone buzzed, and he looked to see a call from Sergeant Platt. On his work phone.

He put two and two together.

“Sergeant Platt, is this about my medics?” He asked, not knowing what answer worried him more.

“Yes. Chief, Ambulance 61 can’t be located. All CPD units have been tasked with locating your medics as well as Detective Upton. I wanted you to hear it from me before the rest of the CFD were notified.”

Boden looked at the fire, a fire that they were only just managing to tame. As much as he wanted to do everything to find his medics, they had a more immediate problem to tackle now – none of the firefighters or paramedics on scene could afford to lose their focus.

“Thank you, Sergeant. I’ll notify the CFD once our four-alarm is done, if you’re okay with that.”

“Of course. Chief, we’re going to find your medics.”

“We will, I know Sergeant. Thank you again,” he ended the call, still looking up at the ongoing fire with a heavy heart.

No location could mean a couple of things, and none of them good.

*

“Aha, so this is where you wanted to swing by,” Natalie asked as they entered the jewellery story, Evan wheeling himself up to a stand on the right.

“Oh, Evan, these are beautiful,” his cousin exclaimed as she took a gander at the earrings.

“Oh good. I wanted to get your opinion on them before I bought them. I saw her rummaging through her jewellery, worried she couldn’t find anything to match her bridesmaid’s dress.”

“Evan, she’s going to love them! Let me go get an assistant.” Natalie wandered off, leaving Evan alone. He pulled out his phone, dialling his girlfriend again.

This is Violet Mikami. You’ve caught me at a bad time. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.

“Hey, Vi. Sounds like you’ve got quite the busy shift. Give me a call when you can. Love you.”

He ended the message just as Natalie approached with another blonde.

“Afternoon, Sir. What can I help you with?”

“I’d like to buy these, please,” he pointed out, smiling.

“Excellent choice, Sir. You’ve got a very lucky lady,” she smiled in return, grabbing the earrings and walking over to the checkout, gift wrapping them.

“I’m the lucky one,” he confessed.

*

Boden took a final look at the now razed buildings, the fire long extinguished now, the emergency over.

He declared the incident over, before gathering the personnel of 51 around him.

“All good Chief?” Kidd asked, a little confused – usually, if Chief Boden wanted a debrief, he’d get one at the station.

“I have some news to share, and I wanted you all to be the first to know before everyone else,” he said, serious, “Ambulance 61 is officially missing. Both Sylvie and Violet have been declared as such, and CPD has all available units tasked with keeping an eye out on both. We’re going to do the same. While we are not on calls, we are searching. Got it?”

Yes, Chief! Came the response, the firefighters filing back into their vehicles.

Boden grabbed his radio – “All Units, this is DDC Boden. Ambulance 61 is missing…”

*

“Hailey!” Violet opened her eyes once the footsteps disappeared, shaking the Detective.

“Hailey!” Violet tried again, by Hailey was out cold – the crash must have thrown her into a cupboard or something in the ambo, causing that gash, a gash that had thankfully stopped bleeding.

The door opened, a young man entering.

“Up.” He commanded, but Violet stayed, testing her limits. He didn’t look armed.

“Are you deaf, paramedic? I said, up.”

She stayed still.

The man covered the distance in three paces, grabbing Violet by the hair, pulling her up. Pain blinded her, the sharp tug that forced her to her legs exacerbating whatever head injury she already had.

She grabbed his arm, trying to free herself as he dragged her out the room she opened her eyes in again. The man grabbed her arm, twisting it tightly, eliciting a yelp.

“Don’t break her arm. She’s going to need it.”

Violet looked up to see Saul lying on a tattered mattress, his shot leg looking far worse than it had when he was in the back on the ambo.

“Fix him,” the other man said as she was pushed at Saul.

Violet folded her hands, defiant.

“Where’s my paramedic partner?” She asked.

“Dead,” he responded, before reaching behind him and grabbing a gun, “so, paramedic, you’re going to fix Saul’s leg, or both you and the Detective will end up joining your partner.”

“Who’s to say you won’t kill me anyway?” She asked.

“I do,” Saul said, gesturing at the man holding the gun to put it away, “Brian here’s getting a bit ahead of himself. Violet, I have no use if you’re dead. So, you stitch me up, hand over your uniform, and we’ll make sure someone finds you here before you die of starvation.”

“And yet my partner is dead,” Violet got out, keeping her tears at bay.

“That was not me, that was these two idiots,” Saul pointed at Brian and the other lad, “who thought crashing into an ambulance was a good idea. I sincerely apologise about your partner. But Brian is right about one thing – if you refuse, I’ll go and kill that pretty blonde detective and make you watch, before I will enjoy taking your life. So, choose – do you want to die now, or do you want to help me and live?”

Violet took in a deep breath and stepped forward, taking a look at Saul’s leg.

“Good choice, Violet.”

*

“It’s getting late, you tired?” Natalie asked as they buckled in the car and headed off.

“Yeah, I am, but…” he began.

“You want to stop at the Firehouse, don’t you?” she asked, and Evan nodded.

“How did you know?”

“You’ve been leaving Violet messages every hour, and she hasn’t responded. I can see your anxiety.”

“Is that okay? I’m sorry for dragging us around town.”

“Don’t apologise Evan, it’s good. I have to say I am enjoying your company – I’ve missed it,” his cousin confessed.

Twenty minutes later, against all traffic odds, they were outside 51, the House quiet. Too quiet.

“Nobody’s home,” Natalie pointed out.

“Yeah, probably on call. Let’s wait inside,” he said, the both of them heading inside.

They didn’t have to wait long for the rigs to return and for the members of 51 to file inside.

“Chief Hawkins, we’re sorry, we have no news,” Kidd began, stopping when she noticed Hawkins’ confused expression.

“News? News about what?” He asked, looking around to see neither Violet nor Sylvie amongst the ranks.

“Is 61 still out? Are they transporting a patient to Med?”

“Chief. Natalie.” Boden came in, noticing his people amassed, “come into my office. Please.”

They followed him, Boden hanging back to close the door before grabbing a seat.

“Chief Boden, what is going on? Has something happened to Violet?” He asked.

Because that would make sense, right? That something had happened, and that’s why he couldn’t reach her.

“Chief, Ambulance 61 is missing. Both Violet and Sylvie, as well as Detective Upton, are unaccounted for.”

Missing. Unaccounted for.

“When… when did this happen?”

“We’re not too sure. 61 was called to assist PD around lunch, but we had a four-alarm fire and we had all hands on deck. Sergeant Platt over at the 21^st called to confirm that they have units looking out for them but so far, we have nothing.”

Nothing.

Evan felt his chest tighten as the information sunk in.

Violet had been missing for at least eight hours.

Eight hours where he could have helped, but instead was wandering around town.

“Chief, how do we help?”

Chapter Text

Hailey shuddered awake, her head pounding as she regained consciousness, instantly clocking her new surroundings, surroundings that were not Ambo 61.

“Violet?” she whisper-shouted, hoping to hear a response back from the paramedic, but none came forth.

She twisted her head, but Violet was nowhere to be seen.

Hailey flexed her hands, stopping when a burst of pain travelled up her arm; Hailey barely stopped herself from making a noise. She wasn’t going to be able to slip out of her bonds, no way.

Hailey’s ears perked up, picking up on the raised voices in what she assumed was the area just outside the door. One of them was unmistakable, despite the fact that she’d only heard that voice for the first time today – Saul. The man who evidently orchestrated it all, and if what her gut told her was correct, was the one who’d orchestrated today’s uniform heist before it all went wrong. The other voice was much quieter, but after some minutes of discussion, she was certain that it was Violet.

But where was Sylvie Brett?

*

“Renard and Cooper is clear – no sign of 61,” a voice reported on the radio.

“Copy that, nothing on Renard and Cooper,” Ritter responded as Natalie crossed off that street, the number of potential places that 61 could be narrowing.

Evan was sitting beside her, too swarming over the reams of incoming information from CPD. It seemed that tonight, everyone was looking for 61.

And nobody was close to finding them.

It had hit Saturday about an hour or two ago, he wasn’t too sure. The only thing he was sure of was that he was not planning to leave the Firehouse until he knew his paramedics were safe.

“Chief, here,” Boden walked up to Hawkins, handing him a cup of coffee, the Paramedic Chief gracefully accepting.

“Nothing new?” Evan asked, but Boden just shook his head, “No, sorry. Truck and Engine are out in the Northeast end of our district, which has been relatively unchecked, so they’ll stick behind after the call and help canvass.”

“Good. I’ll check in with my paramedics too.”

Everyone went back to tuning into radios, crossing off roads on maps.

*

Kim and Kevin circled the next block, no sign of Ambulance 61.

“What if they’re out of the district boundaries?” Kevin asked.

“CFD protocol dictates if that’s necessary they call it into Dispatch. Last call from 61 was to confirm they were transporting one patient to Med – going out of district bounds would be the opposite direction to where they’d need to go.”

“Alright, but you’d think if they were still in the bounds, someone would have spotted them, right? We’d already have found the ambulance,” Kevin said, and Kim had to admit that deep down, something was agreeing with him.

It was the early hours of Saturday now, barely anyone or anything was out on the roads of Chicago. Kevin and Kim had been cycling the city since they’d all first realised that 61 was missing, and with that Sylvie, Violet, and Hailey.

Jay had rushed out of Intelligence faster than anyone could blink when he heard his wife was missing, apparently bumping into Captain Casey downstairs, hoping to get some answers from Trudy.

“Kim, circle around again, will you? Something in that alley,” Kevin asked his partner, and she obliged, circling around the block again, coming to a complete stop as the head of the alley, the two of them looking down to indeed spot the distinct back of an ambulance. Which one, they couldn’t tell yet.

Kevin began to relay their position to dispatch as Kim scouted ahead in the alley, getting close enough to tell that, yes, it was 61.

Kim pulled open the back doors, only to find nobody in the back.

“Hey, Kim!” Kevin called out, and she continued to circle the vehicle, making her way around to Kevin, and seeing what he did.

Sylvie was pinned in the driver’s seat, out cold, no telling if she was alive or, god forbid, deceased.

“Kevin, I’m gonna go check on her,” Kim said, crawling through the passenger seat and reaching for Sylvie’s arm, feeling for a pulse.

“She’s alive, Kev. She’s alive.”

“Dispatch, this is 5021 David. We’ve located Ambo 61. We need CFD and medical assistance for one – the victim is pinned into the vehicle, unconscious but breathing.”

“Copy that, 5021 David. Dispatching CFD and medical to you.”

*

“Evan, you’re dozing off,” Natalie said matter-of-factly, grabbing the empty coffee cup from out under him, “you should really get some sleep.”

“What… what time is it?”

“3 am. Evan, you’ve been up for nearly a day now, and you know you shouldn’t be straining yourself. You need to sleep.”

Natalie wasn’t wrong, but, right now, there were bigger problems than his sleep schedule.

“I can’t, Natalie. Violet and Sylvie and Hailey are still missing. I can’t sleep, not knowing where they are. I just can’t.”

“Evan, you won’t be able to help any of them if you end up dozing off. Look, we’ve got extra hands coming in, we won’t be short-handed if you go and take a break. Please, Evan, go and lie down, just for a while. As soon as I hear anything, I will wake you up.”

Reluctantly, Evan nodded and made his way to 51’s bunk room, instinctively ending up at Violet’s bunk. Natalie was right – he’d be no use to Violet and anyone else in his state. He already felt like he was at a constant disadvantage compared to everyone else, his aphasia popping up during the worst possible times. The doctor did say it would exhibit itself more when he was tired and stressed, an understatement for what he was feeling.

He pulled himself onto Violet’s bunk, burying his face in her pillow. The faintest trace of perfume still lingered – the same one that settled on her pillow at home.

I’ll find you. We’ll find all three of you, he promised as exhaustion took hold of him and he drifted to sleep, the chaos of 51 just background noise.

*

“Lieutenant Severide, Kidd, you were our closest resources?” Kim asked, and the two nodded.

“Yes, and well, once we heard it was 61, we weren’t going to trust anyone else to do the extrication. What can you tell us?” Stella asked.

“It’s just Sylvie – looks like a vehicle rammed into the ambulance from the side, and it crashed into the driver’s side. Sylvie’s pinned in – we couldn’t see if there was any damage below her waist. Kevin and I have been taking turns monitoring her – she has a faint, consistent pulse, but she’s been out cold this entire time.”

“Got you. Capp, Cruz, let’s go,” Kelly commanded, the firefighters preparing for an extrication.

“Nothing on Hailey or Violet?”

“No. Nobody’s in the back of the vehicle. No sign of Hailey or Violet or the suspect they were transporting.”

“Any reason why they went down the alley?”

“No, we couldn’t find any reason, and there aren’t many cameras down here. It’s not exactly a populated residential area. We’re going to have to wait for Sylvie to tell us,” Kim responded.

“Got you. Thank you for staying with her Kim,” Stella said as she headed back to rally Truck to assist Squad in pulling out their PIC.

As with most extractions, the progress was tediously slow, everyone vigilant and wary of causing more damage.

Half an hour later, PIC Sylvie Brett was freed, briskly loaded onto Ambo 17 and whisked away to Med.

“What’s her status?” Kim asked the paramedics.

“Stable, for now. But she’s still out for the count – we can’t discount a head injury of sorts. She’s lucky though – no evident lower limb injury, but her hand’s at least fractured.”

*

“If you want him to not bleed out, I’m going to need supplies,” Violet said, matter-of-factly, looking at the injury.

“What supplies?”

“I’ll make you a list. But I needed them yesterday. This is not a simple injury.”

“You heard the medic, grab a piece of paper and start writing,” Saul barked, and Brian moved, listening attentively to what Violet had said.

“Paul, you stay here. Go check in on our other guest. And Paul,”

“Yes, boss?”

“If I die, kill them both.”

Chapter Text

Brian came back with two bags of supplies, setting them down near Violet. She instantly checked over everything, somewhat surprised at the fact that Brian had bought back everything she’d asked for without mistakes.

“Now, no more delays, paramedic. Take the bullet out, and we’ll be on our merry way, preferably without more deaths.”

“I’m going to need more hands, Saul,” Violet told him as he gestured to Brian, but Violet shook her head.

“Hands that know what they’re doing, Saul. I need Hailey here.”

“No. The Detective stays where she is.”

“Saul, do you want to die or not? Hailey at least has some medical training, which I assume none of you do, and she is not squeamish around blood. Don’t think I haven’t seen Paul avert his eyes from your leg. So, if you want to live, you’re going to listen to me. I need Hailey to assist here, now.” Violet’s demand worked, and Brian dragged Hailey out by the arm, letting go but keeping a gun trained at Hailey’s head.

“You try anything, she’s dead. Now, do what you have to,” Saul commanded, and Violet got to work with Hailey.

“Paul, go get us some food,” Saul commanded, the man leaving once again.

“Hailey, listen to me,” Violet whispered as Hailey grabbed the next item and handed it to Violet, “when I cause a distraction, you’re going to run, okay? Run and get us help.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Hailey whispered back. “Where’s Sylvie?”

“He says she’s dead. I don’t know what to believe,” Violet responded, Brian interrupting.

“Stop chit-chatting and get the bullet out of him.”

*

“Matt,” Kelly walked up to Captain Casey, enveloping his close friend in an embrace, “Any news?”

“She’s still in surgery – doctors are worried about her arm, but they say she’s lucky there is no damage to her legs. She has a concussion, too. Have you found Hailey or Violet?”

“No, nothing yet. PD and free Fire units are looking, but I think our best chance will be Sylvie – maybe she saw something that could help.”

“I’ll ask her as soon as she’s out of surgery. Thank you for checking on me, Kelly, truly.”

“Of course. Which reminds me, as your best man, do you need me to postpone your wedding?”

Christ, Matt hadn’t even thought about it.

“I… I don’t know. Let’s wait until Sylvie’s up, okay?” he asked. This was something they needed to decide together.

*

Evan woke up to the alarm ringing through the station, calling Truck and Engine to the scene of a fire a couple of blocks west. He looked at his watch, cursing when he saw the time: 10:12.

Fuck, he’d been asleep for that long?

He pushed himself off the bed and made himself presentable before making himself comfortable in his chair and making his way towards the kitchen, making himself a coffee.

51 was quiet – seemingly nobody else in the firehouse but him.

Everyone’s working except for you. Get a move on, Evan.

He grabbed his radio, tuning into the chaos over the air, hoping to hear any news about Ambo 61. About Violet. But there was nothing.

“Chief, good morning!” Boden appeared, making a beeline for the coffee machine too.

“Morning, Chief. Has there been any news?” Evan asked, and Boden nodded.

“We found Ambo 61,” Boden said, Hawkins’ eyes lighting up, dimming just as fast when he saw Boden not as excited as he’d expect from the news.

“Brett was trapped in the driver’s seat – she’s in surgery right now. There was no sign of Violet, Detective Upton, or the patient they were transporting. I’m sorry, Chief, that I cannot give you better news.”

“It’s… It’s alright, Chief. I know that everyone is doing everything they can. Anything else I can do?” Evan asked, wanting to be helpful but feeling far from it.

“Chief, you’ve already helped. Truly. But if you insist, your cousin has gone out to grab some groceries; she’s insisted on cooking for everyone searching today.”

“Then that is how I will help. Thank you.”

*

“Hailey, get ready,” Violet prompted the Detective, digging the bullet out of his leg, blood squirting out.

Saul groaned in pain, having declined Violet’s suggestion of painkillers or sedatives, before promptly passing out, most likely from the pain.

It was go time.

“I need more hands! Brian,” Violet ordered, the man unsure of what to do, gun still trained on the ladies.

“If you don’t help now, he is going to die. So move!” Violet said, a little louder, and Brian listened, holstering his gun and putting himself on the other side of Violet, listening to her instructions to a ‘t’.

Violet looked at Hailey, mouthing now as she forced Brian to pinch shut the location of the bleed. Hailey just nodded, realising there was no point in arguing with Violet’s plan. Unfortunately, it was the best one they had in the circumstances, and with Saul out cold, Paul out, and Brian busy helping keep Saul alive, this was her best shot.

*

Hailey had just managed to find her way out of the place they’d been held without Brian noticing, breathing out in relief. Violet’s plan was working; all she had to do was find a goddamn phone and call it in.

But no sooner did she feel relief, did her eyes widen at the sight of Paul returning back from his food run. Before she could run for cover, he spotted her, drawing his gun.

She ran.

*

Gunshots echoed, and Violet instinctively ducked.

Hailey.

“You, stay right here,” Brian said, not caring that moving away could kill his boss. He took his bloodied fingers out of Saul’s and grabbed his own gun, heading outside, leaving her alone with Saul.

You can leave. You can run too.

No.

She wouldn’t leave, wouldn’t run.

Saul might have planned something unspeakable, but right now, he was her patient. She trusted Hailey would find a way to send help.

She worked quickly to stop the bleeding, drying the sweat dripping down her temple with her now bloodied sleeve, thinking about her next steps.

She wouldn’t run, but she would level the playing field – she reached into the supplies, looking for the vial that would help her do just that.

Carefully, she pierced the lid with the syringe and injected the sedative into Saul, hiding the vial just in time for Brian to return, dragging Paul behind him, gunshot to the chest.

Hailey was nowhere in sight.

Perfect.

Chapter Text

Violet’s hands were slick with blood as the gauze packet slipped from her hands, fluttering to the ground.

“Open it!” Violet yelled at Brian, who jumped up at Violet’s commanding tone and tore the packet open, handing it back to Violet, pressing it over Paul’s chest wound. He groaned, mumbling something under his breath, but Violet ignored it, trying to focus on stopping the bleeding.

The gauze bled through almost instantly, and Violet muttered under her breath, and she dug into the now scarce resources Brian had no doubt stolen for her.

“What’s going on? Why is he still bleeding?” Brian questioned.

“Because, Brian, he’s been shot in the chest. And he needs a trauma surgeon, or he is going to die,” she told him, hoping Hailey had finally made it to a phone, and that she wouldn’t have to be here much longer.

“You helped Saul. He looks okay. You can help Paul, too,” Brian told her.

“A shot to the leg is not the same as being shot in the chest. Brian, Saul could survive a little longer with his injury – I’ve stopped the blood flow, but he needs a surgeon if he is not to lose his leg. But Paul is going to die far sooner unless you get me a doctor.”

“Saul’s okay? Why is he not moving?”

“Well, I can’t check because my hands are stopping Paul from bleeding out. I told you, I can only prioritise one. You tell me, who am I saving?” Violet questioned him, watching Brian’s eyes dart between the two, deciding whether or not to save Paul, a man who was like his brother, or Saul, the man who helped him when he thought there was no path for him in life.

“You save them both. Or you heard Saul, you’ll die next to them,” Brian told her, brandishing the gun again.

*

Brett opened her eyes and for a hot second worried that she was dead. But a movement of her head led to a sharp pain ricocheting through it, confirming that, thankfully, she was alive.

Alive.

She turned her head to the side, spotting her husband-to-be curled up in a chair. She extended her hand, gently putting it on top of his.

“Matt,” she managed to croak out, trying louder when he didn’t rouse. She began to muster strength to try to shift herself in the bed when Will walked in, a smile on his face as he noticed Sylvie awake.

“Hey, Sylvie. Welcome back. You in pain?” He asked, doing a quick check on her vitals.

“A little,” she got out louder now, the sound of conversation waking Matt up.

“Sylvie!” He exclaimed, getting up and planting a kiss softly on her nose.

“I’ll leave you two be. A nurse will be up to give you some more pain meds in just a bit,” he nodded, going back to his rounds.

“Hey. I’m okay, Matt, I’m okay,” she promised him as he sat down.

“I don’t think I am,” Matt admitted to her, “When I heard that they found you, that they didn’t know if you were dead or alive, I thought…”

“Breathe, Matt, breathe. I’m alive. A little banged up, sure, but alive. What about my patient? Violet? Hailey?”

Matt’s eyes darkened, “We don’t know. You were the only one found in the ambulance, Sylvie. What… what happened?”

“I… All I remember was passing through the intersection and then having to turn down a side road because of a closed road. And then a grey truck came out of nowhere. I… I think I tried to reach for my radio but…”

“Your radio was busted, Sylvie. Doctors say you were extremely lucky that the way you were pinned in didn’t cut off the blood supply to your legs. You’ve a fractured arm and a concussion, that’s it.”

“Could be worse,” she admitted, and Matt agreed with a nod.

“We. We need to find them,” Sylvie said, remembering that Violet had mentioned that Hailey had been injured too.

“Everyone’s looking. Boden’s let everyone look for you when we’re not on call, and Trudy’s put all available CPD officers on it. With your description, it might help narrow it down.”

“I don’t know if it's much help, sorry,” she apologised, Matt giving her a gentle hug.

“You down to see the others?” Matt asked, and Sylvie nodded.

“Yes. Yes, I am. Oh, and Matt,” Sylvie asked, as he stood up.

“Thank you for being here,” she told him, a weak smile on her face.

Matt, truth be told, wouldn’t be anywhere else.

*

Hailey trudged around the early morning streets, trying to keep track of where she’d gone. Paul had chased her, shooting wildly but thankfully missing with every single bullet. She’d taken a turn and ended up in a dead-end, desperately wondering what she could do with just her clothes on her back against a gun when Paul caught up to her, gun pointed in her direction.

He stopped, smiling, no doubt ready to pull the trigger, when a loud clang caused him to jump, giving Hailey the opening to lunge at him, both of them tumbling to the ground, his gun clattering out of his hand. Paul tried to flip Hailey onto her back, arms flailing in the direction of her face, but Hailey, despite her exhaustion, had managed to hold out her own, punching him in the face, disorienting him enough to reach out for her gun and, when Paul had tried to grapple for it again, she just shot, watching Paul stop his assault on her and instead try to quench the bleeding.

She’d run back the way she came, turning left instead of right at the next intersection of narrow alleyways, stumbling onto the main street, cradling her wrist, not realising that she’d walked into the street, hands flailing as the oncoming car hit the brakes, hard.

The driver got out of the car, no doubt ready to lay on the obscenities, but before Hailey could identify herself, her knees buckled, and she collapsed face-first onto the bonnet.

*

Evan rolled himself out of the elevator, making a beeline to Sylvie Brett’s room, a hotspot of hustle and bustle with seemingly all of Firehouse 51 squeezed into the one room. He was considering to just go back down and wait to catch the paramedic alone, when the firefighters helped him out with that, dispatch requesting their presence at a call.

They all dashed out, Stella Kidd waving a quick hello at him, leaving Sylvie alone. Evan knocked, waiting for Sylvie to acknowledge him.

“Chief, please, come in,” she told him, shuffling to a more comfortable position on the bed.

“Hi, Sylvie. I just wanted to come in and check on you, but I see that was everyone else’s idea too,” he let out a weak chuckle.

“Yeah. Apparently, I gave everyone a scare, and right before my wedding, too. Matt hasn’t bought the nuptials up, but I can see the gears in his mind turning.”

“You’ve just been in an accident, Sylvie. Nobody’s expecting you to make decisions now.”

“I know. Either way, I can’t decide. Not until I know Hailey and Violet are safe. Is, is there any news?” she asked, but Hawkins just shook his head.

“No. Sorry. Do you want me to locate a spare radio for you?” he asked, phone already on, ready to dial the current interim Paramedic Chief.

“That’s… that’s ok. Matt’s managed to get one, and he’s keeping his ear to the ground.”

“That’s good. Is there anything you need, Sylvie? Anything I can help with?” Evan asked, but Sylvie shook her head.

“I’m alright, thank,s Chief, truly. It’s I that should be helpful; I’m sorry I’m not,” she apologised, but Evan quickly interjected.

“From what I hear, there was nothing you could do. I am just glad you are alive, as I’m sure Violet will be when we find her,” he said, his voice dropping off.

Because they’d find Violet. There was nothing that he was more certain of. If it were anyone in their couple with the horrid luck, it was him. Not Violet. She’d be fine, she had to be fine.

And then…

This is how she felt, right? All those times she felt this hole in her soul, and she still managed to hold the faith, to stay strong. Now it was his turn.

*

The paramedics quickly hoisted the blonde onto the gurney, getting her onto the back of the ambulance just as PD pulled up.

“One female, 30s, unconscious on scene. We’re taking her to Med now,” he told her, and the officers nodded, letting the medics blue light their patient.

The paramedic, Chris, began to work on their patient, taking note of the various scrapes and bruises on her arms, as well as the gash on her head. The ambulance stopped in a patch of traffic, and Chris took a good look at the woman on the gurney, squinting.

He knew their patient from somewhere. The name was on the tip of his tongue, and it bugged him.

“Hey, Jessica! Did you recognise our patient?” he yelled to his partner, but she responded negatively. That would make sense, Jessica was green to the city and to the job.

He carried on working on the patient, his brain still trying to put a name to the face, doing so when they were five minutes away from Med.

“Jessica, get on the radio to dispatch. Tell them we’re transporting Detective Hailey Upton to Med.”

“Isn’t she missing?” Jessica asked, and Chris responded with a loud ‘yes’. Jessica grabbed the radio, relaying the information as Chris spoke to Hailey, not certain she could hear, but doing so nonetheless.

“Hang in there, Detective. We’ve got you. You’re safe.”

*

Jay paced outside the trauma bay, waiting for his brother to come back with news on his wife. Adam leant against the wall whilst Kevin had kept himself busy by talking to the officers that were on scene where Hailey was found, trying to work out precisely what had happened. Kim had disappeared upstairs, offering to give Sylvie the news that Hailey was safe.

Just when Jay was about to go and drag his brother out of the ED, he appeared, a neutral expression on his face.

“Well?” he asked.

“Hailey needs her rest, but she’s up and awake. Do not overwhelm her – she has a concussion, a couple of busted ribs…” Will began, but Jay just gave his brother a hug in gratitude and went straight to Hailey, pulling back to curtain to see Hailey already trying to escape from the confines of the hospital bay.

“Woah, hold your horses. Hailey, lie back down,” he told her, helping her back into the bed, trying not to show her how pained he was to hear her winces of pain.

“Jay, Jay, listen to me,” she told him, grabbing his arm tightly.

“I’m listening,” he told her, just as Adam and Kevin came into the room.

“Kev, Adam, you need to find Violet.”

“We’re looking, Hailey.”

“I can narrow down, I think,” she told them, trying to backtrace her steps from where she lost consciousness to the rundown car shop they’d been kept in.

“Gotcha, Hailey. We’re going to go now. Jay?” Adam asked, but Jay shook his head.

“I’ll catch up. Go!” he told them, and they made their leave, Kevin already relaying Hailey’s information over the radio.

“Jay,” Hailey got his attention again, and Jay perched on the side of her hospital bed.

“Yes?” he asked, hands interlaced in hers.

“What happened to Sylvie? Is she… is she alright?” Hailey asked, not wanting to believe what information they’d been told by the idiots holding them.

“She’s alright, Hails. She’s upstairs with Matt,” he told her, watching the tension from Hailey’s shoulders escape.

“Good. Good. Listen, Jay, I need you to take my statement, now, before I forget any details, details that I might not even realise will help you find Violet,” she told him, sitting up in the bed.

“Kim’s in the building. Let me call her down, and you can relay it to both of us,” he told her, aware of the optics if his wife only relayed the information to him.

*

Evan had followed Kim Burgess downstairs, Hailey amenable to him being in the room as she gave a rundown of what had happened to Kim and Jay, who swiftly recorded everything and excused themselves as she finished recounting everything she knew, telling her that this would all be extremely useful in locating Violet.

Evan stayed silent during the entire recount, waiting until the Detectives left to ask his own questions. Hailey beat him to it.

“You’re mad at me,” Hailey whispered, and Evan agreed with a nod. He knew it was somewhat irrational to blame Hailey for what, by all accounts, was Violet’s plan, and one that made logical sense, but he was angry.

She’d left her alone with three men. Two, which, sure, by all accounts, were near death, but still, he’d seen incredible feats of will done by those near death.

“You left her to deal with three violent criminals, Detective. You left her alone, at gunpoint, with someone who threatened to kill her.”

“I know. But, Chief, it was Violet’s idea. She told us that we needed to get help, and well, that despite those men putting her in danger, she needed to do everything she could to try and keep them alive. That left just me to look for help.”

“You could have dragged her away. You said she drugged Saul and that one of the others had gone to get supplies. You could have both overpowered the third. You could have knocked him out and both run away. Instead, you left her, Detective. And if anything happens to her…” he said, not finishing, but Hailey got the sentiment.

“Chief…”

“You should have convinced her it was a bad idea. You’re a cop, Detective. It’s your job to be at gunpoint,” he got out, choking on his own words.

Hailey sat there, listening to the same blame that she’d circulated in her head whilst relaying what had happened to Jay and Kim.

“I hope your husband finds Violet, Detective, alive,” he said, wheeling himself out of her bay and outside into the cold Chicago wind, anger still boiling within him.

“Evan?” An arm on his shoulder, and his cousin appeared, coffee in hand, “What happened? Is it Violet?”

“She’s still missing,” he told her, explaining what had just transpired, slowly coming to the realisation that he was angry–at Hailey, sure, but also at himself, and at Violet.

Why did you send Hailey away? Why am I stuck here instead of looking for you?

*

Evan made his way back into the ER after an hour or so, making a beeline for the Detective’s bay, bumping into Will Halstead, who was just leaving.

“Chief, if you’re here to berate me again…” Hailey began, knowing that if Chief started chucking blame again, she’d end up in a shouting match with him, and it wouldn’t end well for anyone.

“No, Detective, Hailey, I’m not. I’ve… I’ve come to apologise. It won’t help Violet if we’re just assigning blame to each other.”

“Chief, if it were me in your situation, I would have done exactly what you did. I accept your apology, but I want you not to stress over it. Let’s go channel both of our anger into finding her, alright?”

“Hey,” Matt stuck his head in, a light smile on his face, “Sylvie’s asking for you. She wants to see that you’re alright and won’t let it go.”

Hailey chuckled lightly, accepting Matt’s assistance in getting into an uncomfortable wheelchair and heading back up, Evan following, mind trying to work out how he could help.

He needn’t have worried – as soon as they stepped off the elevator, the radio Matt had acquired burst into life, Kim’s voice reporting that they’d found the alley Hailey had grappled Paul for the gun with, and had their sights on three possible locations Violet could be in.

She was coming home tonight.

Chapter Text

Matt pushed Hailey out of the elevator, heading towards Sylvie’s room.

“Are you coming, Chief?” Matt asked Evan, but Hawkins shook his head.

“Please tell Sylvie I will come and see her as soon as we’ve got Violet back. I need to go,” he said, staying in the elevator, already texting Natalie.

“Will do,” Matt said, just as the elevator doors closed, Hawkins making his way back down, turning his head to see Hailey text Jay.

“Anything else that they aren’t saying on the radio?” Matt asked.

“All the other Intelligence Officers, bar myself, are out there, trying to work out where I was. Ugh, I just wish I remembered more…”

“Hailey, Jay isn’t here to tell you, so I am going to tell you – don’t beat yourself up over this. I’m sure you remembered far more than anyone else could have. And you were trying to stay alive, Hailey. And you did. Your team will find Violet – don’t put her down just yet. Trust me, she’s no damsel in distress.”

“I know she can hold out her own, but she shouldn’t have had to. Chief Hawkins was right – I’m the cop. I should have told her to run and stayed back myself.”

“No point in dwelling in the past, Hailey. They’ll find her – I’m sure you know it. Now, go and enjoy some time with Sylvie – the rest of 51 is downstairs; I want to go and join them in the search.”

“Yes, of course, thank you.”

*

For the hundredth time today, Hawkins was glad his cousin understood him from half a word – by the time Hawkins had made it to the drop off point, Natalie was already there. And in less than five minutes, they were on their way to the general vicinity Hailey had pointed out.

“Violet’s going to be fine, cousin,” Natalie told him, “Now, can you be my GPS. I don’t know this area really well.”

“Sure,” he said, wordlessly pulling out his phone and navigating Natalie. He knew his cousin was right, but that didn’t stop the wave of anxiety washing over him. Nobody ever knew what the day would bring, and he knew that better than most.

He tapped his fingers on his knee, silently praying that by the time they got there, Violet would be all good. He wasn’t sure how well he’d handle being helpless to physically help out in such close to vicinity to her should something go terribly wrong.

*

“Clear!” Kev called out, all of them holstering their weapons. Their first potential location, a bust.

“Okay, let’s split. Adam, with me. Jay and Kev, can you take the Wabash address?” Kim asked, and the others nodded, speeding in opposite directions, the sun now beginning its decent in the sky.

They had to find Violet, and it had to be today. That was non-negotiable.

*

Violet pressed down on Paul’s chest again, applying a fresh layer of gauze. No inch of her hands was clear of blood – Saul’s or Paul’s, she wasn’t too sure. Hell, some of it could even have been hers – her head had stopped bleeding, but she’d managed to nick her hand on a rusted pipe, the injury no doubt leaving a scar across her forearm.

She was exhausted, both mentally and physically, constantly checking her watch, counting the hours since Hailey had gone. It had been hours.

Was Hailey alright? Did she end up making it to safety? Was someone coming for her, or worse, was she holding out hopes that somebody would find her when in reality, she was on her own.

Violet shook her head – the plan was going to work; Hailey was going to find backup and lead them to her. For now, she had to keep an eye on her patients.

Saul was still out – Violet had managed to carefully inject another dose, keeping him sedated. Paul, Violet wasn’t too sure about – he had stirred back into consciousness a couple of minutes ago, complaining of the pain. She’d promptly given him some painkillers, slipping in the sedatives too, watching as the man’s face relaxed and he closed his eyes again.

“Are they dead?” Brian asked her for the umpteenth time, Violet giving him the same response she’d given the first time he asked the question.

“Brian, our supplies are running low. That was the last batch of painkillers. Paul still has a goddamn bullet in his chest. Brian, look, why don’t we do this – you go. Give me a phone so I can call for help, and you just leave. Like you were never here.”

“I am not leaving them,” Brian stepped dangerously close to Violet, towering over her.

“You fix them, Violet. You fix them, or if one of them dies, you die. Simple.”

Violet stepped back, stumbling over her feet, falling to the ground, just managing to stop her head hitting the ground. Her vision spun, and her stomach rumbled.

Now or fucking never, she thought, rummaging through the supplies, finding a spare syringe, filling it up with the last of the sedative, and pocketing it.

Her job was to save lives, not take them. But she wasn’t planning on dying today, no matter how much Brian favoured that idea. And Brian stuck true to his promise, he’d try to kill her very, very soon – Paul was only alive because she’d done everything, she could with the limited resources they’d procured for her.

She had to be prepared to fight her way out of this.

She stumbled to her feet, ready to approach, when the distant echo of sirens caused them both to freeze.

Was this it? It worked… her plan worked…

Brian turned towards the door as the sirens got louder, panicked. Violet considered making a dash for the exit, but before she could make up her mind, Brian made his way towards her, taking one last glance at his injured friends as the sirens became irritatingly loud and cut off.

They were outside. Her plan worked.

“It’s over, Brian. They can help your friends. Please, just let them do it.”

“It’s not over yet,” he told her, hand shooting up and grabbing her wrist, half-pulling, half-dragging her towards the front, pulling out the gun.

“Don’t do anything stupid, paramedic,” he told her as he pushed her towards the entrance, the cold metal of the gun pressed against her side.

Fuck. This was certainly not in the plans.

*

“Kim! Window!” Adam conveyed, noticing the movement.

“Dispatch, this is 5021 Ida. Roll backup and RA to our location,” he spoke into his radio, pulling out his gun just as the door swung open and a familiar face appeared.

Violet.

She and her hostage-taker were arguing about something, but they were talking far too quickly for either of them to make heads or tails of it.

“Hey! LAPD! Let her go!” Kim yelled at him.

“Brian, listen to her. The longer I’m up here, the greater the chance that they die. You’ve done everything to prevent it so far. Listen to Kim and let me go.”

“And let them shoot me? Put your guns down, or she gets it. NOW!” Brian yelled, Kim holstering her weapon and stepping back.

“You’re going to have to settle for just me, Brian. And listen to Violet – your friends need help, right? We can get them help. There’s an ambulance on its way.”

“Two. You need two ambulances,” Brian said, and Kim looked to Violet, who nodded in confirmation.

“Okay, my partner back there is going to make sure you get a second one. But Brian, until you let Violet go, and you drop the gun, they’re not going to come in.”

“They are.”

“Brian they aren’t. You told me downstairs you weren’t a killer. And as much as you keep threatening to kill me, you’re not like them. But if you leave them without medical attention, they’ll die, and not only will you be a killer, but you’ll also kill your friends. So, what is it going to be?”

Brian faltered, his gun lowering and shifting away from Violet. She took her chance and jabbed the syringe into his leg, stomping on his foot for good measure, as she ducked low, and went back inside, without waiting for a go ahead from either Kim or Adam.

*

The officers watched Violet flee back inside as Brian howled in pain, but still recklessly fired his gun, the bullet ricocheting somewhere behind them.

Kim approached from his side, sweeping his legs out from under him, the gun clattering to the ground. Before Brian could reach it again, Adam kicked it away, covering Kim as she cuffed their suspect and calling it in.

As soon as Brian was in cuffs, Kim passed him over to Adam, and headed inside, trying to locate Violet.

“Violet!” She called out, a here echoing somewhere to her left. She rushed that way, each step kicking up dust and God knows what else, before coming to the room that Violet had been treating her two patients in.

“What’s the ETA on the other medics?” Violet asked, all her attention focused on the man to her right.

“When we first rocked up, eight minutes. Should be more like four now. Do you need extra hands?” she asked, holstering her gun.

“There’s nothing else we can do for them here. I’ve done everything I can. Just make sure the medics get here as soon as they’re here. Paul has minutes, perhaps. Saul should be fine.”

*

The rest of the backup flooded the scene during the next two minutes. Paul was swept into an ambulance instantly by two medics Violet vaguely knew, and Saul, now alert and far too talkative, was swept away into another. Kevin and Jay had pulled up, and had both volunteered to follow the ambo’s to the hospital, keep an eye on the two men.

“Paramedic, we need to take a look at you,” another medic called out to Violet, and Kim led her to the other ambulance, setting her down on the step.

“I’m fine, really, I don’t need all this faff,” she contested, but Kim had insisted, and Violet was far too exhausted to argue.

“I can’t tell you how bad the damage is here, Violet,” the paramedic told her, “but I’d be happier if you let me take you to the hospital. As for your hand, a couple of stitches should do the job.”

Violet debated acquiescing, so exhausted was she, when she was certain she heard a familiar voice.

She perked up, and saw him.

Hawkins.

She didn’t wait to be excused, but instead somehow found the energy to tumble forward and rush towards him, colliding into him. He reached out, holding her tight in the awkward embrace.

“Violet – the blood,” he began, but she quickly cut him off.

“Not mine. Well, not most of it. You’re here.”

“I am. You’re safe. Looks like your plan was a good one,” he acquiesced, and Violet let out a weak smile.

The paramedic who’d been treating her caught up to her, muttering something about her needing to see a hospital.

“We’ll make sure she makes it to a hospital, paramedic,” he told him, the paramedic’s eyes widening when he recognised the Chief.

“Of course, Chief. Thank you.”

“He seemed concerned about you.”

“Yeah, I may have hit my head when they hit our ambulance. Oh, Evan, Sylvie. Is she -”

“Recovering at Med. With Hailey. They’re both fine. Can I please make sure you are, fine that is?” he asked, and Violet nodded.

“Okay, let’s make sure Natalie gets us there. Hey, Kim!” Evan called out, Officer Burgess turning around.

“Could I kindly requisition your first aid kit?” he asked, and she nodded, bringing it to them as Natalie helped Hawkins and Violet both settle in the back of the truck.

Violet tried to drift to sleep, but Evan insisted she stay awake just a little longer, mumbling something quietly to her. Violet didn’t respond verbally, but her eyes told her that she was alert and understood what he was saying. Good.

Violet was alive. Alive, and from his initial examination, going to be absolutely fine after a couple of days of bedrest.

He’d let a doctor tell that though.

He reached for his radio, conveying that he would personally be bringing in a patient to Med. Bringing her in and staying with her…

She stretched out her now clean arm and gently caressed Evan’s cheek.

Chapter Text

Natalie made quick work of the Chicago traffic, which was almost at a standstill despite the hour, and helped shift Violet onto a stretcher, medics whisking her away.

“Cousin, she’s a tough cookie. She’ll be fine,” Natalie said as she helped Hawkins out of the car and into his chair, following him into Chicago Med.

“She’s tough, I know. But I didn’t like the look of her head injury, Natalie – could be more than a concussion.”

“Or it could just be a concussion, Evan. I know paramedicine is your thing, but it could be a best-case scenario here. It could just be a concussion with nothing else. Now, do you want me to grab you a spare shirt?” Natalie asked, and Evan looked down to see the front of his shirt now adorned with blood trails that had been transferred over from Violet’s hands.

“Please,” he said, promising to stay in the waiting room as Natalie headed back down to the car.

*

Violet hadn’t even noticed she’d closed her eyes until she opened them again to see the final rays of the sun peek through the half-closed blinds in her room. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, and the beeping of several monitors in the distance gave her a pretty clue as to where she was.

Straight after that, she noticed the warmth around her left hand, slow circles being traced over the lines on her palm by a calloused thumb. Violet blinked her eyes open, comforted by the familiar countenance she was presented with.

Evan.

“Hey Vi,” he said, voice husky from what she assumed was a lack of sleep.

Her throat felt dry, and her attempt to talk failed at the first hurdle. Evan reached over to grab her a glass of water, handing it to her.

“You scared the hell out of me, Violet,” he admitted, his grip on her left hand tightening slightly to accentuate his point.

She tried for a smile, “That might explain how you somehow look worse than me.”

He let out a short laugh, the tension in his shoulders dissipating, “Yeah, I guess it would. I presume by the jokes you feel alright?”

Violet nodded just as another voice chimed from behind Evan.

“Ah, Violet, good to see you awake. How are you feeling?”

“Better than I was a couple of hours ago for sure. Head doesn’t hurt as much, and I presume this is your handiwork?” Violet asked, holding her stitched-up arm.

“Yeah. Gave you a shot just in case and then stitched you up. Shouldn’t leave anything but the faintest of scars. Your vitals look good, and you’ve no neuro symptoms, and those bruises on your arms are just that – no breaks or fractures there. I’m happy to let you go if you’re happy.”

“You’re discharging me, Dr Halstead?” she asked, double-checking.

“Yep, you’re free to go home. Rest and fluids should be more than enough, and here’s a prescription, should you need any painkillers stronger than those you can get over the counter. I’m more than comfortable discharging you into Evan’s care, who I am sure will make sure you actually rest and not burden yourself with work or anything else going on,” Will said, a silent understanding passing between him and Evan.

“I’ll try my best, doc,” he said, knowing that if Violet put her mind to something, there wasn’t much that could change it.

“That’s what they all say. Medics and paramedics make the worst patients, as I’m sure you know. Next time I want to see you here, Violet, or Evan, if either of you is transporting patients,” he said, before quickly turning around.

“Discharge paperwork shouldn’t take any longer than ten minutes, and Hawkins?” Will said, Evan swivelling around to face the doctor.

“Try not to let her boss you around too much,” he smiled, and Violet gave Will a pointed look. She’d get her payback for that comment.

“She’s already rolling her eyes,” Evan responded as Will left, earning him precisely his predicted reaction.

Violet chuckled at the look on Evan’s face; “Don’t worry – I do intend to get some rest. I didn’t exactly get any the last day or so. But anyway – you heard Halstead, I’m discharged into your care.”

“Best job I’ve ever been given, hands down,” Evan said without hesitation, his hand still intertwined with hers, “And one I hope to do forever.”

Violet smiled softly at Evan’s words. She would love that, forever. And the way he said it, without hesitation, without a second thought.

Young Violet could never have imagined such an amazing partner for herself.

Before Violet could respond, there was a knock at the door.

Sylvie.

“I’ll give you a minute – I’ll be right outside,” he promised, wheeling himself out of Violet’s room, smiling at Sylvie.

Violet’s eyes scanned Sylvie. She’d tied her blonde hair up into a messy bun, her arm in a cast, a couple of butterfly strips pulling the cut over her brow closed.

Her friend was alive. Saul was wrong – Sylvie was standing here, a little bruised and battered, but alive.

She let out a sigh of relief.

“Violet!” Sylvie exclaimed, attempting a hug with her good hand, “How are you?”

“Good, good, but it’s me that should be asking you that question. I thought… I thought you were dead,” Violet said, the room suddenly feeling a degree or two colder.

“Wait, you thought I was dead?” Sylvie questioned, wanting to make sure she’d heard right.

“Saul told me that you died. That I would be next if I didn’t help him. I… I thought you were gone, Sylvie. I thought I wouldn’t get to see one of my closest friends walk down the aisle like she wanted,” Violet said, and Sylvie grabbed Violet’s hand with her good one.

“I didn’t know,” Sylvie said – Violet had been working off the assumption that she was dead? For a small moment, Sylvie was glad she’d been knocked out initially, but then a wave of guilt washed over her – she didn’t remember the hours after the crash, but Violet did, hours where she thought that her 61 partner was dead.

“I have good news, though – you will get to see one of your closest friends walk down the aisle next week. Well, that is, are you good to go, Maid of Honour?”

“Wait – you’re not postponing?” Violet asked, startled.

“Well, I was on the fence because you were missing, but what you just told me – we need something to lift up spirits. We need something to counteract this weekend, and like every other bad thing we see on the job. I’m not going to let some stupid men get in the way of the nuptials I dreamt of. I am marrying Matt Casey next week, come hell, high water, tornado…”

Violet let out a chuckle, “I think I get it, Sylvie. Are you going to be alright with your arm?”

“Well, it’s already white to match the dress, so that is a bonus. Was thinking about colouring in the butterfly strips to match whatever makeup I’ll be getting,” Brett deadpanned, staring at her paramedic partner.

The two burst into laughter – “Well, it will certainly be a unique wedding look – don’t think I saw any inspiration in any of the magazines and blogs I’ve been trawling.”

“But, Violet, in all seriousness – will you be alright if I go ahead with the wedding next week?”

“Sylvie, if you’re deciding to go ahead, then I am full steam ahead too.”

“Good. Because I am not doing this with my extraordinary Maid of Honour. And I am definitely going to need an extra hand that isn’t Matt, otherwise the wedding will be delayed for other reasons.”

“Sylvie!” Violet exclaimed, and the two women giggled. Hell, if they hadn’t been in the hospital but rather around a table in 51, it would have felt like any other shift.

Except, this was your last shift with Sylvie. Well, ‘with’ Sylvie was stretching it.

“So, last shift with me in 61. Crazy way to end it with the CFD, right?” Violet asked, and Sylvie nodded.

“Yeah. Definitely a very memorable one – perhaps not in the best way, but I’ve had plenty of memorable shifts with you. You’re the best partner I could have asked for, Violet.”

“Same back at you, Sylvie. I am going to miss you.”

“You know who my replacement will be yet?”

“No, nothing yet. Just floaters probably for a while.”

“You go and impart your Violet Mikami wisdom on them. Now, I’ll go let Hailey have her turn,” she said, hugging Violet goodbye and gesturing for Hailey to come back in, who was in conversation with Evan and Natalie outside.

Hailey came in, and Violet took note of the square of gauze over her right brow, right where she’d noticed the gash straight after the crash. She cradled her right wrist with her left, circling it with her hand. Hailey looked just as tired, if not more tired, than Sylvie, and she was sure she could identify the lines of guilt etched in her face.

“Violet,” she began, voice low. She cleared her throat, carrying on a little louder, “I need to apologise to you. I shouldn’t have left you alone back there. Your boyfriend – Hawkins – he made me realise what I left up to deal with.”

Violet shook her head immediately, stopping Hailey from carrying on; “Hailey, you do not need to apologise. It was my plan, and our best shot. We made it out – all three of us are alive. You know just as well as I do that our jobs put us in situations like these, and we just get through them to live another day.”

Hailey still looked torn.

“I hope Evan wasn’t too hard on you for my plan, Hailey. He… worries. A lot.”

Hailey’s lips pulled into a small, taunt smile, Violet singing a tune all too familiar, “If the roles had been reversed, and Jay was the one looking for me? He would have done far worse than anything Hawkins said to me, Violet. And this isn’t even a hypothetical – he has done worse, believe me.”

“Gotcha,” Violet said, the matter of what had transpired between them quietly resolved. They had both done what needed to be done, and that was that.

Hailey leaned down, giving Violet a hug before standing, “Enjoy your rest, Violet. Turns out, not only is Sylvie’s wedding still on, but the quintuple date she mentioned in the ambulance is too.”

Hailey left, and Evan came back in, Violet smiling at the thought of Sylvie deciding to go ahead with her plans.

That was the way to go.

“You ready to get out of here. Discharge paperwork’s all done,” he said, pointing at them in his lap.

“Never been readier.”

*

Natalie had dropped the two of them off at their home, promising to check in with them in the morning. The two medics were beyond exhausted and had only just managed to quickly undress themselves before climbing into their shared bed, tangling together.

Violet curled against Evan’s chest, listening to the steady beat beneath her ear.

“Home,” she managed to whisper, her eyes fluttering closed.

“Home,” Evan echoed in agreement, pressing a kiss to her hair as he pulled her closer, careful to avoid the stitches on her arm.

Sleep came easily to both of them that night.