#antoniodawson

Sylvie was busy doing inventory, while still fuming with Stella, when her cell began to vibrate.  She put the gauze back in the cabinet and checked it.  “Who the heck?”  She didn’t know anyone at Lakeshore as much as she knew the nurses and doctors at Med.  She answered the call.  “Hello?”

“Is this Paramedic Sylvie Brett?”  A familiar voice asked.

“Yeah... who is this?”  

“Uh, we met earlier... Pete Calhoun...”

“Okaaaaay.”

“In the produce department... the eclamptic patient.”

“Oh, right!”  Brett finally put 2 and 2 together.  “The doctor.”

“Yeah.”

“Hi.”

“Hi.”  He chuckled.  

“How did... you get my number?”  Sylvie stumbled over her words.

“I... may have called the CFD to find out who you were... and ... I may... have asked for your number.”

“Ooookay.”  Sylvie had no idea where this was headed.  “What can I do for you Dr. Calhoun?”

“Pete... please.”  He replied.  “I was... wondering if you’d like to go out for dinner tonight?”  He quickly added.  “If... I’m not being too forward.”

Sylvie had been single for some time, and it was getting obvious that Antonio wasn’t ever going to do that check-in they’d discussed.  “Um, sure... I’m off in a few hours.  Where would you like to meet?”

He rattled off the name of a new lounge that had opened up.  

“Sure, um, I’ll be there say around 7?”

“That sounds good.  I’ll see you then, Sylvie Brett.”

“It’s a date... Dr. Pete Calhoun.”  She ended the call.  She was feeling giddy.  It had been the first real date she’d had since Antonio and her had taken a break.  Maybe it was time for her to actually move on.  She was sure Antonio had probably moved on.  

She finished tidying up the ambo while making a list of what they were running low on.  She checked the time.  She wasn’t going to have time to deal with Stella’s over exaggeration of Hope supposedly being a thief.  She’d have to high-tail home, shower, and get ready if she wanted to make it to her date.  She quickly finished up her tasks and gathered her things.  She also didn’t want Gaby to find out.  She knew that Gaby had a thing against medics dating doctors.  

Sylvie slipped into a dress she’d bought in hopes of wearing it for Antonio, but she was at the point of not being able to live in some fantasy that he’d ever come back.  She’d asked Gaby earlier in the week on how Antonio had been doing and was shocked to learn he was back in Intelligence and that Eva had moved in with him.  She was also surprised to learn that he’d changed apartments too.  For her, these were all signs that he had moved on and it was time for her to move on too.  She sighed.  

While she was thrilled that someone was interested and he was a doctor, and really cute, she was still weary about the way he’d gotten her number.  She shook off the feeling and headed out to catch a cab to her date.

The cab arrived in short time, so Sylvie paid him and stood outside the lounge.  She was suddenly overwhelmed with feelings.  She was excited but at the same time she was anxious and was feeling guilty.  She looked around.  She still had time to leave.  She had time to go home and think about how she was being foolish.  She stopped herself.  

“I’ve waited long enough.  I deserve to be happy.”  She whispered to herself.  She took a deep breath and headed inside.  She checked her coat and headed to find Pete.

She saw him at one of the tables towards the back of the lounge.  She made her way through all the people and waved.  “Hi.  Sorry, I’m late.”

He got up.  “I’m just glad you showed up.”

Sylvie wasn’t sure how to take that.  “Um... okay.”

“I was worried that the stalker-ish way I tracked your number at the CFD may have sent you running.”

“Oh, it still might.”  She sat in the booth.  “I just figured I’d get a nice meal outta you first.”

“Ah, smart woman.”  He slid into the booth, across from her.  “You were really impressive treating that victim on the scene.”

“Aw... thanks.”  Sylvie smiled.  While she knew she was good at her job, she always liked hearing others acknowledge it.  

She went to ask him what kind of doctor he was while he started asking how long she’d been a paramedic.  They laughed.  Sylvie was still a little nervous.

“How about I order us some wine?”  He asked.

“Smart man.”  She smiled.

They made small talk.  She quickly learned that he was an ER doc over at Lakeshore.  He would ask how long she’d been a medic with the CFD.  They ate, drank and laughed.  By the time the bill came, Sylvie was feeling quite at ease with him.  He asked her if she needed a ride home.

“I could always take a cab.”  She didn’t want to push her luck.

“At this hour... I’ll give you a ride.  It’s no problem.”  He smiled.  “Really.”

“Okay... I just need to collect my coat.”

“Sure thing.”  He helped her from the booth and they headed to the coat check.

It didn’t take long for them to get back to Sylvie’s apartment.  He walked her to the front of the building.  Sylvie didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised when Pete kissed her.  She didn’t really stop him, but she wasn’t exactly sure what was going on.  She pulled back a little.  “I’m not really a ‘kissing-on-the-first-date’ kinda girl.”

Pete back up a bit.  “Oh.  Okay.”  He smiled at her.  “I respect that.”

Sylvie thought she was pushing him away.  She didn’t want him to leave just yet, so she told him that the way he smiled at her on the call was sort of like a first date.

“Oh, I respect that even more.”  He kissed her again.  

“You’re very respectful.”

He replied slyly.  “Which is a good reason for you to invite me up to your apartment.”

Sylvie wasn’t sure if it was nerves or the wine, or both, but she giggled.  “I have two roommates that are man-children.”

He kissed her again, whispering.  “I can handle that.”

Sylvie was about to say something else but didn’t get the chance when his cell began to ring.  He excused himself to take the call.  

He came back.  “I’m so sorry.  It’s a patient emergency.”  He kissed her again.  “I have to go deal with this... but I had a really good time tonight.”

Sylvie nodded.  “So did I.”

“Can we do this again?  Like, sometime in the very near future?”

Sylvie’s cheeks filled with colour.  “Sure, I’d like that.”

Pete kissed her one last time.  “Bye.”

“Bye.”  She whispered as he ran to his Audi.  She stood there as he pulled away from the curb and headed towards Lakeshore.  She gently touched her lips.  Part of her felt like she was betraying Antonio and the other was wondering what happened to her to make out with a guy on their first date.  She eventually went in the apartment to think about the night’s events.

It was a couple days later when Gaby and Sylvie got a call out that ended up with them heading to Lakeshore instead of Med.  Sylvie was giddy.  It was the perfect time to see if Pete was in and have a surprise visit.  She also figured it would be easier to talk to Gaby about it if they were there.  

“So, I kinda went on a date with that doctor.”  Sylvie whispered as they headed to restock.

“Dr. ‘You’re just paramedics, you have to listen to me’?  That doctor?”

Sylvie shook her head.  “He’s not that bad.”

“Really?”  Gaby arched an eyebrow.  “So, why are we resupplying here, again?”

“Uh, Med’s supply of gauze was really low last time we were there.”

Gaby looked at her.  “Huh.”

“I’m serious.”  Sylvie filled the container with a variety of gauzes that they were running low on.

“I didn’t notice that... and we were only there a few hours ago.”

Sylvie groaned.  “Come on, we better head back to the house before Casey sends squad out after us.”

“Really?”

“Gaby... he’s acting weird... you said so yourself... like 15 minutes ago.”

“It’s this thing with Severide.”  Gaby countered.  “And now it’s spreading everywhere.”

They were walking from the supply room past the main desk in the ED when Sylvie stopped to ask the nurse a question.  “Um, hi.  I was wondering if Dr. Pete Calhoun is working today?”

Gaby’s jaw dropped.  The nurse nodded and paged him.  Gaby turned to face Sylvie.  “Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to swing by to see Dr. Hottie?”

“Um... I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it.”  Sylvie stammered.  “And there really wasn’t that much gauze at Med.”

Gaby nodded.  “Mhmm.  Uh, Brett.”  She pointed over Sylvie’s shoulder.

Sylvie spun around and saw Pete come around the corner.  She had to admit, he looked really good in scrubs.  “Hi.”  She waved.

“Uh, Sylvie... wh... what are you doing here?”  He was frozen in place.

“Oh, we were just picking up supplies, so I figured I’d say hi.”

Pete was about to speak up but was interrupted by the nurse at the desk.  “Uh, Dr. Calhoun... your wife is on the phone... she can’t get a parking stall, so she’s waiting out front for you.”

Sylvie looked between the nurse and Pete.  “Your... your WIFE?!”

Pete took a few steps towards Sylvie.  “I’ll call you later and explain.”  He was trying to prevent a scene.  “Okay?”

Gaby grabbed Sylvie who was glaring at the slime ball.  Sylvie was furious.  She glared at Pete.  “No.  Not okay.”

“Sylvie, please.”  Pete was coming towards them.

“What is wrong with you?!”  Sylvie raised voice was causing unwanted attention.  

Gaby grabbed her again, spun her around and pushed her out of the ED.  “Hey, come on... let’s get the hell outta here.”  She looked over her shoulder and shot Pete Calhoun a death glare.  

Once they were back at the ambulance bay, Sylvie let it all out.  “How could I be so wrong about that guy?!”

“I’m sorry, Sylvie.”  Gaby patted her shoulder.  She wasn’t sure of what else she could do.  “He’s a fool.”

“It never even occured to me that he might be married.”  Sylvie pounded on the gurney.  “I’m a fool.”

Gaby turned Sylvie to face her.  “NO.  You aren’t the fool.  He is.”  She sighed.  “You just tend to see the best in people and maybe... sometimes you ignore the rest.  It’s something all your friends know and love about you.”  

Sylvie’s demeanour changed.  “Hmm.”

“What?”

“Uh, nothing.”  Sylvie shut the back doors of 61 and went around to her side.  “Let’s just go.  Please.”

Gaby got in behind the wheel and pulled out of the bay.  She headed back to the house.  She knew something was bothering Sylvie, but she wasn’t going to force the subject.  There was already too much tension in that house as it was.  She only hoped that whatever was going on between Brett and Kidd would be resolved soon and that whatever was going on between Casey and Severide would be resolved peacefully because the last thing any one needed was for someone to get transferred out of 51 because of the unnecessary drama.

Sylvie was beat.  She had a lot to think about.  She had confronted Hope concerning Stella’s cheque.  Hope swore she had nothing to do with it, but Sylvie was starting to think things over ever since Gaby had made her aware of her one flaw that anyone could try to use against her.  She started to think that Stella was right about Hope and while she didn’t want to think that, she knew that there was a chance that Hope was exploiting her friendship.  She thought about going to Molly’s, but at the same time, she didn’t need to hear any ‘I told you so’s from Stella or Gaby.  She headed home and prayed that Otis and Cruz were nowhere to be found.

Gaby was supposed to be bartending at Molly’s tonight but she begged Stella to cover for her.  She needed to talk to Antonio.  She knew he’d be home.  Ever since Eva had moved in with him, he made sure he spent some time with her before she had to go to bed.  She headed straight to his new place.  She had barely knocked when Eva opened the door.

“Tia!”  Eva hugged her.  “Uh, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see your dad.”  Gaby smiled.  “Is he here?”

Eva nodded.  “He’s just showering.  Just came back from the gym.”

“Ah.”  Gaby said.  “He probably needs it then.”

“Will you stay for dinner?”

“Depends on what it is.”  Gaby teased her.  She knew that Eva had started to taking cooking lessons at school and from her grandmother.

“Abuela showed me how to make lasagna.”

“Okay, well... I think I could enjoy some lasagna.”  Gaby followed Eva to the kitchen.

“Gaby.”  Antonio said joining them in the kitchen.  “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you... Eva told me she made lasagna.”

Antonio smiled.  “She’s a good cook.  Ma says she’s a really fast learner.”

“Thanks, Dad.”  Eva beamed.

“Eva, why don’t you make a salad and I’m going to talk to Tia in the family room.”

“Okay, Dad.”  She went to the fridge to collect the salad ingredients.

Gaby followed Antonio into the family room.

“Okay, sis... why you really here?”  Antonio leaned against the doorframe.

“Uh...”  Gaby wasn’t sure where to start.  “Ha... have you been seeing anyone... you know, since Brett.”

Antonio’s head jerked up.  “What?!”

“Antonio, before you lose it on me... just... understand this isn’t easy for me to even be talking to you about.”

“No, Gaby.  I haven’t dated once since I walked away from Sylvie.  Which, by the way is a decision I’ve regretted since those words left me mouth.”

Gaby sighed.  “She told me that you said you could never give her what she deserved.”

“I said that... and more.... and I wish I could take it all back.”  Antonio sat on the chair across from Gaby.  “What’s with asking about my love life?  Or... lack thereof.”

“Do you still care about her?”

“Gaby.”

“Antonio, just answer the question.”

“Yes.  I never stopped.  I just... She deserves more than what I can ever give her.”  He ran his hand through his hair.  “So, now you wanna explain where this train is headed?”

“Uh, Dad... supper’s ready.”  Eva poked her head in.

“Maybe you and I should go out after dinner... talk about this?”  Gaby suggested.  She knew her niece adored Sylvie and was still furious that Antonio and Sylvie had split.

Antonio nodded.  “Good plan.”

After dinner, Gaby and Antonio headed over to Molly’s.  

“Okay, so why did you ask about my love life?”  Antonio asked after grabbing a couple beers from Stella.

“Sylvie... she... she tried to move on.”

“Gaby, she’s allowed to.”  Antonio knew that while they’d agreed on a check in, it hadn’t happened yet.  He knew that that meant there was a chance that she’d find someone she deserved.

“Look, what I’m about to tell you... I’m telling you because I want you two happy again... and I can’t stand seeing what happened today ever happen to her again.”

“Gaby, what the fuck are you rambling about?”  Antonio took a swig from his beer.

“Look, a few days back, there was a really good looking doc on a call... he called Sylvie up and they had a date.  She was thrilled and happy.  Not like when you two were together, but happy.”

“Okay.”  He sighed.  “I’m happy for her.”

“You’re not letting me finish.”  Gaby hissed.  “I said she ‘was’ happy.”

“What happened, Gaby?”  Antonio sat up straight.  “Is Sylvie okay?”

“No, she’s not.”  Gaby downed the rest of her beer.  “We went to Lakeshore today... brought in a patient and then we had to restock the rig.  I didn’t know this guy worked there... but, she asked if he was on shift.”

“Why do I have the feeling this bastard is a slime ball?”  Antonio waved to Stella to bring them another round.

“The charge nurse paged him and let’s say the expression he had when he saw Sylvie... he wasn’t as happy to see her and she was to see him... then that same charge nurse told him that his WIFE was on the line... Sylvie almost lost it... I had to drag her to the rig... keep her mind off of it.  She thinks she’s a fool.”

“That loser is the fool.”  Antonio’s blood was boiling.  While he had no claim over Sylvie, he cared for her.  He would never wish her that kind of pain or embarrassment.  

“I told her that, trust me.  But... she’s too caring... to kind.  She tries... she only sees the good in people.  You know her.   She’s... well... for a lack of a better word, she’s naive.”

Antonio sighed.  “Yeah... well... I’d like to kick this doctor’s ass for what he did to her.”

“Have you ever thought about that check in?”  Gaby asked.

Antonio nodded.  “Every day.  I just... I don’t want to hurt her.  I can... I can’t go there and risk breaking her heart all over again.”

“Antonio... I don’t want to be involved in your love life... especially since Sylvie is my best friend and my partner, but... I’ve come to accept that the best thing that ever happened to either of you is each other.”

Antonio hung his head.  He knew his sister had a point.  “I can’t give her what she deserves.”

“And just what does she deserve that you can’t give her, Antonio?!”  Gaby’s raised voice caused a few heads to turn.

Antonio stared at his sister.  “I can’t give her the perfect house, and white picket fence.  I can’t guarantee Laura will stay out of our lives... I have a job that’s demanding and I...”

“Stop.  Antonio.  Spare me the shitty excuses you give yourself from walking away from the woman who made you smiled for the first time in years.  From the woman who showed you that it was okay to move on.”  Her voice broke.  “From the woman... who loved you.”

Antonio’s hand fell to his side.  “What?”

“She loved you... Antonio.  She probably still does.  She dates these people who are nothing like you.  I’m pretty sure it’s... it’s because she’s not over you.”

“So what do you want from me, Gabriela?”  Antonio was frustrated.

“I want you to show her... that you still care... that... that you want to make it right.”  Gaby wiped a tear from her eye.  “I know damn well that Sylvie doesn’t give a flying fuck about the perfect house... or the white fence.  She has a job that is as demanding as being a cop... different ways, but still as demanding.  She would rather you stand up to Laura instead of you having the balls to tell her she knew what she was getting into.  Just... please... try... I can’t stand to see either of you hurt.  Neither can your kids.”

“How?”

“I talk to them.  They see the change, Antonio.  They know what Laura did.”

“What... what if she says no?”  While Antonio didn’t want to hurt Sylvie anymore than he already had but he was sure that he wouldn’t be able to handle the heartbreak if she said no.

“Then, you did what you told you would... Look, bro, I’m not saying this is going to be a walk in the park, but Antonio... she loves you... and I can see by that look in your eyes, you love her too.”

“I...”  Antonio hadn’t said it out loud.  He was scared to.  The last woman he loved walked out on him and took everything that mattered with her.  “I do... Gaby, I do love her.”

“Then.”  She took his hand.  “Do something about it.”

“When?”

“We’re off for the next couple of days.”  Gaby answered.  “I’d try tomorrow.  Just, go by her place.  Cruz and Otis should be away.”

“Cruz and Otis?”

“She moved in with them.”

“What?  When?”  Antonio was feeling drastically behind the 8 ball.

“She needed to move... her old landlord was being ridiculous... and most apartments for her budget were no where near a safe neighbourhood... the guys had a line on a place... she offered to offset the costs by being the 3rd roomie.”

“And there’s nothing...”

“She sees them as brothers, Antonio.”  Gaby chuckled.  “Don’t worry about them.  You and I both know that you and Sylvie belong together.  So go and fix this.”

Antonio nodded.  “Send me the address... I’ll go see her tomorrow.”

Antonio went to the bar and settled the tab.  He then hailed a cab and headed home.  He had a lot of thinking to do.  He needed a plan on how to even get Sylvie to give him a chance to speak.  He also knew that Otis and Cruz, if they were there, may give him a hard time seeing as they were ‘big brothers’ to Brett.

“Dad...”  Eva asked Antonio when he got home.  “What... what was so secretive that you and Tia had to leave?”

“You’re too curious, Eva.”

“Did it have to do with Sylvie?”

“Eva.”

“No, Dad... come on... I’m almost an adult.”

Antonio sighed.  His children were much more mature than their age and he knew Eva wouldn’t leave the subject alone unless he told her.  “Yeah, it was about Sylvie.  Tia thinks that I should talk to her... see if she’d give me a second chance.”

“So... will you?”

“I want to, Eva... but I’m not sure how.”

“Why don’t you start with ‘I’m sorry’?”

“Yeah... maybe.”  Antonio ran his hand through his hair.  “Okay... bed.  I’ve got some thinking to do.”

The next morning, Antonio got ready and headed out to see Brett.  Eva had a volleyball tournament and she had been picked up by a friend’s mom.  He looked in the mirror.  He hadn’t slept, so he looked like hell.  He splashed some cold water on his face.  “No time like the present.”  He told his reflexion before grabbing his jacket and keys.

The drive to Sylvie’s was uneventful.  His hands were shaking.  He knew that he had to talk to her, but at the same time he was terrified that she would just slam the door in his face.  He took a deep breath and went up and rang the bell.

Sure enough, Sylvie Brett’s beaming smile was right that.  “Antonio.”  Sylvie was surprised to see her ex-boyfriend standing on her doorstep.  “Um... what... what are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you... like I promised when we... I... when I said we should take a break.”

“Antonio.”

“Sylvie, please... hear me out?”

Sylvie sighed.  She’d had enough drama lately.  Hope lying and trying to ruin things at 51, a lying and cheating doctor who had used her and now her ex decided to reappear.  “Sure.”  She stepped back and allowed Antonio in.  

He followed her to her apartment.  “Nice place.”

“I’m taking Gaby told you who my roommates are?”  Sylvie sat at the island in the kitchen.

Antonio nodded.  “Yeah.”  He sat next to her.  “She also told me what’s being going on since I made the biggest mistake in my life.”

Sylvie just stared at him.  “What do you mean?”

“Sylvie, I told you I was horrible at apologizing and I said some pretty foolish things... and I know I hurt you and I was a fool.”  He stopped himself from rambling.  “I made a mistake by walking away, by not standing up for you... for being a coward.”

“Antonio, I could’ve fought too...”  She whispered.

“I could see it in your eyes that night, Sylvie... you didn’t want to hear that... I saw the tears... I caused that and there’s not a thing in this world I can do to make that right or take that pain away.”

“But?”

“I’ve been avoiding the checkin... I was... I was scared you wouldn’t want it... or...”

“You were worried I would’ve moved on.”  Sylvie concluded.

Antonio nodded.  “I know I have no claim to you, but Sylvie... I was a coward... scared of my own feelings I had for you.”

“What feelings?”

Antonio hung his head.  “Sylvie.”

“You want a check-in, I’ll give you one... I tried dating... it got nowhere... mainly because I still prayed you’d wake up and come knock on my door.  When it didn’t happen, I started taking more chances.  I met a guy on a call... he took me for dinner and the son-of-a-bitch is married.  I’ve never been more embarrassed.  I got played.  Worse than when Laura appeared at 51.  I’m done chasing that fantasy.  Now you tell me what feelings you were so scared of.”

“I was terrified that I was falling in love with you... the feelings I felt were so strong... and I got scared.  I didn’t know how to deal with Laura and my new job and those feelings... so I ran and I’ve regretted that every single day.”

Sylvie was surprised.  She had been certain that Antonio had moved on.  “So what are you asking... or telling me here?”

“Sylvie... if you’ll give me the second chance... I’ll do my damnedest to make it work... and I won’t run away anymore either... I want to fight for us.”

“What about Laura?  Or the kids?  Gaby?”

“Eva and Gaby have both talked to me.”

“And?”

“Well, Eva told me I was dumber than the boys she goes to school with for ending it with you... and Gaby smacked me, chastised me and then told me what’s been going on with you.”

“So you knew about the doctor?”

Antonio nodded.  “And I personally wanna kick his ass for what he did.  You’re too good of a person to be taken advantage of.”  He gently reached out and pushed a stray hair behind her ear.

Sylvie sighed.  She knew that deep down she prayed Antonio would come back and they could try again, but she wasn’t sure how she felt now.  She was feeling like she’d betrayed him.  She gasped at the touch of his skin.  It still send shivers down her spine.  She cursed her body for reacting so quickly.  She was still mad at him but her body betrayed that anger.  She gently took his hand.  “I... I’m willing, Antonio, to give us a second chance... but you can’t let your past interfere with what we have...”

Antonio gently stroked her cheek.  “I promise.  I’m not running anymore.  Laura and work will not interfere.  You will be the most important thing in my life... well, other than the kids.”

“I can live with that.”  Sylvie smiled.  “But you know that we can’t just go back to the way things were.  It’s almost been a year.”

“I know that.  And I’m willing to go at your pace... And I know that I have so much to make up for what I did.”  

Sylvie sighed.  “You broke my heart, Antonio... I won’t lie... but I haven’t stopped hoping that you’d eventually come to your senses.”

“Gaby said that too.”

“Well, she is my partner, and I’m pretty sure she listened to all my moping and crying.”

Antonio sighed.  “Yep, she told me that too.”

Sylvie took his hand.  “How about we go for lunch?  Catch up?”

Antonio smiled.  “Sure.  I’d like that.”

“So, Eva moved in with you?”

Antonio nodded.  “Yeah... turns out that Eva wanted to be treated like an adult and that wasn’t happening.  Also, she really didn’t get along with...”

“It’s okay, I know that Laura still will be around because of the kids.”  Sylvie squeezed his hand.  “I just don’t want to have her ambush me again because she does, I won’t be responsible for what happens.”

“I’ll be ready to bail you out of lock up, if it comes to that.”  Antonio chuckled.

“How’s work?”

“You mean how’s it back being in Intelligence?”

Sylvie nodded.  “I’m taking it’s been an adjustment?”

“Yeah... Jay’s not over Erin leaving without saying good-bye.  Ruzek is acting weird.  We’ve dealt with Voight’s old partner gunning for Intelligence...”

“So, same old, same old.”

Antonio chuckled.  “Yeah.  I wanted more action than I was getting with the State’s Attorney’s office... and I’ve got it.”

“Then, that’s good right?”

“Yeah.”  Antonio took a sip of his soda.  “How’s things at work for you?”

Sylvie filled him in on all the goings on.

“So, you don’t buy what your friend, Hope has been telling you?”

“Not since Gaby pointed out that I allow people to take advantage of me because I’m too nice.”

“What do you think?”

“I think Hope is threatened by Stella’s feelings for Severide... and I think she’s purposely messing with her... I’m just not sure how I can go about it to figure out the truth.  I’ve known Hope forever but Stella, Kelly, everyone... they’re my family now.”

“Well, Sylvie... I’ve had my share of backstabbing... and if your gut instinct is saying something’s off... then you’re probably right.”

“I don’t know.  I’ve never had to do this.”  Sylvie finished her meal.  “I never thought horribly about people before.  I’ve never thought to see the negative in humanity.”

“Sylvie, you’re the most optimistic, glass half-full person I’ve ever met, but... sadly, the world will never be unicorns and rainbows.”  

“I know, Antonio... but I just try to see the best in everybody... and now all this.”

Antonio made a brave move and gently caressed her cheek.  “You will always see the best in people, but remember that some people will never change... nor will they be the good people you want them to be.”

Sylvie sighed.  “Is it too soon to ask for a favour?”

“No.”  Antonio smiled.  “I think I owe you more than one.”

“Can... can you look into my friend... see what the truth really is?”

“I can some digging.”  Antonio gently kissed her hand.  “But, will you be ready for whatever truth I find?”

“I’ll have to be.”  Sylvie said.  “I don’t wanna believe anything bad about Hope... or that she’d try to mess things up at 51, but I don’t know anymore.”

“I’ll look into it.”  Antonio was going to do more than just look into Hope.  He was also going to dig into the doctor that had put doubt into Sylvie’s heart about her judgement of character.  

Antonio had done his share of research on Hope Jacquinot and he wasn’t impressed by what he had found.  He was even less impressed by what he’d dug up on Dr. Pete Calhoun.  He sighed.  He didn’t know who to deal with first.  

“Yo, Tonio...”  Atwater said.  “We gotta head to Lakeshore... pick up a suspect.”

“Where’s Ruzek?”

“Dunno.”  Kevin shrugged.  “Voight said to grab you and go.”

“Okay.”  Antonio grabbed his car keys and jacket and followed Atwater down the stairs.

Once at Lakeshore, Antonio flashed his star to the charge nurse.  “I’m Detective Dawson... this is Officer Atwater.  We were told you had a suspect here?”

“Follow me.”  She got up and led them to one of the trauma rooms.  “Dr. Calhoun... these men are CPD... they’re here about that gunshot.”

“Thanks, Nancy.”  Calhoun said.

“Dr. Pete Calhoun?”  Antonio asked.

“That’s right.  Have we met?”

“No, uh we haven’t.”  Antonio couldn’t blow this.  “My sister mentioned that a Dr. Pete Calhoun was on site for one of the calls she responded to.  She’s a paramedic.”

“Ah, yeah... a couple weeks back... I was actually grocery shopping.”  Pete stood up.  “So, you’re here for our suspected gang related gunshot victim?”

“That’s what we were told.”  Kevin said.

“Right this way.”

Antonio let Kevin handle the paperwork and transfer.  He wanted to have a word with a certain ER doctor.  “Uh, Dr. Calhoun?”

“Yes, Detective?”

“I know what you did.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“Sylvie Brett.”  Antonio said.

Calhoun’s eyes widened.  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you’re married, but you like to still play the field... probably has something to do with the fact that your wife is pregnant... but see, I know Sylvie... I care a lot about her and what you did was lower than low.”

“I... I...”  Calhoun stuttered.

Antonio wound up and delivered a clear swing at the doctor.  “You stay away from Sylvie... and I won’t tell your wife that you’ve banged almost every nurse in this ER.”

Calhoun fell back onto a chair.  “I... I...”

“Did I make myself clear?  Leave her alone, or next time, I’ll bring a few more friends.  No one takes advantage of my girl and gets away with it.”  Antonio said before stalking out of the room to go meet up with Atwater.

Sylvie was freaking out, but to be fair the whole firehouse was.  Stella was being transferred and there was nothing anyone could do about it.  She knew that Gaby had her hands full with the things going on with Matt since he’d been made Captain.  She dialled the one person who might be able to help her.  

“Sylvie?”  Antonio’s strong voice began to calm her.

“Hey, um... can you talk?”

“Sure... everything okay?”

Sylvie broke down.  “NO!  NO!  Everything is not okay!”  She told him everything.

“Okay... babe... just breathe... I’m going to come in... talk to Matt and Chief Boden.  We’ll get to the bottom of this.”  Antonio promised.

“Okay... thank you... I just didn’t know who to call.”

“Hey, it’s what I’m here for.”  Antonio said.  “I’ll see you soon.”

It didn’t take long for Antonio, Casey and Chief to piece together what had really happened.  Once Chief Mullins cleared up a few things, Antonio went and got all the evidence and information he’d been able to dig up on Hope.  They’d need everything possible to make sure Hope Jacquinot would leave Chicago for good.

Antonio met Casey, Chiefs Mullins and Boden in the meeting room.  Antonio presented everything his investigation had turned up.  

“Hope... can you join us in here for a moment?”  Chief Boden asked Hope as she passed by the meeting room.

“Uh, sure, Chief.”

“Captain Casey has something he’d like to discuss with you.”

Hope’s demeanour changed drastically as she saw who was all in the meeting room.  

Casey showed her the transfer papers.  “These are the papers that were sent in to have Kidd transferred to Public Relations.  It was signed by Chief Mullins, which is fine... except this isn’t his signature.”

Chief Mullins stepped up to the whiteboard and signed his name.  “This is my signature.”

Hope’s eyes betrayed the fake smile she had glued onto her face.

Casey held out a form that Hope had previously filled out for Connie concerning the storage closet.  “This is your handwriting.”

Antonio stepped forward.  “And that I can say has formally been analyzed by a CPD hand writing analyst.”   

“Who are you?”  Hope asked.

“Detective Antonio Dawson... I know all about you Hope... I know how you’re Sylvie’s best friend... how you abused her kindness and used her to get everything you’ve ever wanted.  We’re all here to put an end to it.”

Hope tried to make excuses for what she had done.  She was stammering through how she wanted to give women a better position in the CFD.

Boden put his hand up.  “Stop!”  He bellowed.  “Just, stop.”  He looked to the others before looking back to Hope.  “Pack your desk.”

“What?!”

“I’m saving everyone else from having more trouble.  Pack your desk and then Detective Dawson will escort you from the property.  Do not come back to this firehouse.”  Boden opened the door.  “I strongly recommend you leave Sylvie alone... Detective Dawson will take her safety extremely personally and that means her psychological safety as well...”

Antonio took Hope by the elbow and led her out to the hallway where Connie was waiting with a box of Hope’s things.

Connie had a pleased smile on her face.  “I went ahead and sped this up for you.”  She dropped the box in Hope’s arms before taking the files from Hope’s hands and smugly walking back to her desk.

“This way.”  Antonio led Hope to the doors to the apron.  “Don’t darken Sylvie’s doorstep... trust me.  That family that you just spat on and tried to ruin, they’ll never let you hurt her again.  But, they’re the least of your worries.  See... I love Sylvie... I never stopped... and you probably don’t know this, but we’ve started to mend our relationship.  You try to come near her again... I’m gonna introduce you to my boss, and you won’t like him.”

Hope stammered as Antonio got her into a waiting cab and slammed the door.  He watched and waited as the cab pulled away.  He had gotten Al to be the cabbie and to make sure Hope was sent packing for good.  After hearing all the mess she’d caused, he only hoped this help show Sylvie that she wasn’t naive or gullible.  He had spent the morning trying to show her that she was good and that she shouldn’t feel the way she was.  

“Is she gone?”  Sylvie’s soft whisper broke his silent train of thought.

Antonio spun and saw her.  Tears were still streaming down her face.  He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.  “Yeah.  I’m so sorry, Sylvie... I never... You don’t deserve this.”

“I trusted her.”  Sylvie sniffled.

Antonio rubbed her back.  “I know.  I know you did, but Sylvie... what she’s done isn’t on you... it’s on her.”

“I brought her here.”

“No, babe... you didn’t.”  He wiped her tears away.  “She came, and she burned every bridge that you and this family were willing to build for her.  And when she gets back to Fowlerton, she’ll answer for the crimes that she was accused of there.”

“You called their PD?”  Sylvie’s question was barely audible.

“I did... I won’t have her hurting you anymore.  I’ve done enough damage for a couple lifetimes.  I don’t want you to be hurt anymore.  I want you to smile... and laugh... like when we first started seeing each other.”

“I don’t think I could ever be that girl again.”

“Hey, you can... you will... you need time to heal.”

“I can’t wait for this shift to be over.”

“Brett.”  Chief’s voice startled them.

“Uh, Chief.”  Sylvie wiped the freshest tears from her eyes.

“Go home.”

“Shift isn’t over.”

“It is for you.  There’s an hour left.  Gaby said she’ll do the paperwork.”  Boden looked to Antonio.  “Antonio, please take her home.”

“You got it, Chief.”  Antonio grabbed the bag that Boden was holding out.  “Come on.”

Antonio pulled up to Sylvie’s apartment and let her out while he went to park his truck.

Sylvie waited for him to come back and while she was waiting Hope made her way up to her.  

“Sylvie... I’m so, so, so sorry!”

“No.”  Sylvie walked away.  “I don’t wanna hear it.”

“Sylvie, please... they’re all trying to turn you...”  Hope tried grabbing Sylvie’s arm.

“No!”  Sylvie swatted her away.

“Sylvie!  You know me!”  Hope kept trying to keep talking.  “Connie... she had it out for me from the start...”

“STOP!”  Sylvie screeched.  “How could you?!  How could you do this to me?!”  Sylvie did something she’d only ever thought about doing.  She slapped Hope.  “You came here.  You abused our friendship... you tried to ruin EVERYTHING... Everything I’ve ever built here.”

Hope’s hand flew to her cheek.  “Syl...”

“Hey!”  Antonio’s strong voice brought more strength to Sylvie.

Sylvie got right in Hope’s face.  “These people... they mean more to me than anyone or anything every has.  Get out of Chicago.”  

When Hope just stood there, looking to say more.

Antonio had finally joined them.  He grabbed her and slapped some cuffs on her wrists.  “Well, since you didn’t listen to me the first time, maybe you’ll listen this time.”

Sylvie was furious.  “You had a chance... the most amazing chance to have an incredible life with incredible friends... working at the best firehouse in this city.  That’s a fact... and you blew it!”  She stared straight into Hope’s soul.  “So, you can take all your excuses... your lies... take your drama and take it all back to Fowlerton!”  Sylvie stormed off into the apartment.  She looked back to Antonio.  “I’ll wait for you.”

Antonio nodded as Sylvie closed the door.  “So, my boss is on his way... and I wasn’t kidding when I told you that you weren’t going to like him.”

Sylvie was exhausted and it wasn’t just just because she’d been on shift for 24 hours prior.  She was exhausted from sobbing and having her heart stomped on so many times in such a short period of time.  She was just changing laundry over when her doorbell rang.  She knew that Otis and Cruz were out discussing the possibility of a second Molly’s.  She went to the door and was just praying that Hope wouldn’t be on the other side of it.

“Hey.”  Antonio’s smile helped ease the pain she was feeling.  

“Hey.”  She wrapped her arms around him.  “Is it FINALLY over?!”

“It is.”  He held her tightly.  “Detectives from Fowlerton are on their way now to deal with her... well, negotiate what’s going to happen with her considering what she’d done here in Chicago.”

“Do I want to know?”

“Probably best for your emotional state if you don’t.”  He stroked her arm.  “I got you something.”

“Antonio... you didn’t have to.”

“Well...”  He held out a grocery bag.  “I figured we could watch a movie and eat some of the ice cream you like so much.”

“That... that I can live with.”  She kissed him softly.  “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being my hero... I should’ve just kept holding out for you.”

“You did.”  He closed the door behind them.  “You held out, fought the dragons and now we’re here.”

“Does this mean we get a ‘happily ever after’?”

“In time.”  He led her to the living room and grabbed the remote.  “One day at a time.”