Next day. morning. At the Firehouse.
I walked to the firehouse with Brett.
Brett "Hey, you and Severide weren't at the bar last night. Stella was worried. "
I scoffed, amused "can you blame her? i was in her position once and then 2 days later i got told my boyfriend and my bestie slept with each other. "
Brett "yeah, but i assured her that nothing was going"
I asked surprised "you did? how could've been so sure"
Brett "because i know that you are not that kind of person to do that."
I nodded.
Brett "so, what were you doing last night?"
Me "well, i broke up with my boyfriend so-"
Brett's jaw dropped "wait, what? are you kidding me?"
I shook my head "i wish i was."
Brett "why, what happened?"
I shook my head "doesn't really matter. We broke up on good terms though"
Brett nodded "okay."
Then she froze "why is Kelly changing your tire?"
I looked over to my car and saw Kelly changing my tire "yeah, he cut open my tire yesterday"
Brett's jaw dropped "what? why?"
I shrugged "because he felt like it? i don't know."
Brett "Well, Stella does not look like she likes that at all"
Me "Stella should watch her behavior towards me"
Brett asked amused "why? because of what happened on the last job? you and her jumping on each others throats?"
Me "i wanna make something clear, i am not responsible for her relationship problems with Kelly, okay? she's scared i'll do the same thing to her and Kelly she did with me and him"
Brett "and will you?"
Me " That shit broke me, okay? it did. i think that no one deserves to go through that kind of pain. Even if i hate her to death, i refuse to step that low to bring her the same pain she brought me, okay?"
Brett nodded "i understand"
I nodded "besides that, they're not gonna last long"
Brett "they lasted a couple months"
I asked her amused "do you really think Kelly loves her? like, for real?"
She didn't say anything.
Me "He's only with her because didn't want him back, okay? he doesn't love her, his actions say more than his words. and if you knew the things i knew? you would agree with me"
Brett nodded "okay"
Me "now, if you would excuse me, i gotta make sure that he didn't scratch my car"
Brett nodded, smiling "see you later"
I nodded and walked over to my car "i told you i didn't need your help"
Kelly sighed "i just finished"
I added "something i told you not to do"
Kelly closed my trunk.
I asked irritated "how the hell did you even open my car? "
Kelly "i have a spare key for the car, remember?"
I sighed "of course. Why didn't you give it back?"
Kelly shrugged "you never said you needed it back"
Me "because i forgot you had one, okay? "
he nodded "Listen, i am sorry about yesterday"
Me "for slicing my tire or for ignoring me?"
Kelly "both. I head about your disagreement with Stella"
I nodded "Yeah but i told you i wasn't going to let her disrespect me in any way."
Kelly nodded "i told her that"
Me "she didn't take it well, did she?"
Kelly looked at me confused.
Me "neither of us showed up at Molly's last night. which made Stella a little insecure. "
Kelly asked confused "why would she- oh.."
He understood.
I nodded "yep. make sure she doesn't come at me for it because i am damn sure not gonna hold back on that one, okay? i wasn't with you last night and that's it"
He nodded.
Inside.
I walked into the kitchen.
Hermann "no more free drinks for you, Flo"
My jaw dropped "what ? why?"
Brett " for two months in a row now profits at Molly's have been sinking."
I asked confused "and that's my fault?"
Hermann shook his head "not really. actually i've got some theories about why we're bleeding money"
He looked at Stella "You get real generous with the pours when you think that I'm not watching."
Then he looked at Otis "You keep telling all the customers how great Molly's North is."
He looked at me "and you, pretty girl, you've been drinking a little too much"
Me "Well, you said the drinks are free for me when i decide to help out behind the bar for free, pal"
Hermann "and when was your shift?"
Me "Last Friday, when you were at home because to help Cindy with the kids because she was sick"
Hermann froze "Well, if that's the case then i apologize"
I smiled "good boy"
Otis shook his head "but there's no way that's affecting the bottom line. It's gotta be something else."
Foster "Well, your Yelp rating isn't helping."
Hermann "What?"
Foster nodded " Yeah. I was surfing for a good date spot last week, saw Molly's Yelp page. Man, that first one, ouch."
Hermann looked at Otis "Bring the page up now."
Otis started to type on his computer.
Brett " It can't be that bad. What's not to like about Molly's?"
Stella read a review " "Bottom line this bar should be torn down.""
Brett's face dropped " Oh, jeeze."
Stella ""From the ho-hum decor and tired cocktails...""
Otis "There's nothing tired about my 7&7. I use ginger ale."
Stella " "To the slovenly and often intoxicated crowd of regulars,""
Mouch nodded "There may be a little truth to that review, but you should come by tomorrow night."
Stella nodded " "This place is long past it's expiration date. My advice, find another bar. Any other bar.""
Hermann closed the laptop "What kind of human being would write a review like that?"
The alarm went off "Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3...4900, East 100..."
At a trailer park.
Chief "Anyone inside?"
A man said "I don't know, but it's spreading real fast."
Chief knocked on the door "Hey, fire department! Call out!"
Then he turned to Casey "See if you can find another way in."
Suddenly i saw a woman's hand banging against the window.
I yelled "Chief !"
The woman screamed "Help me!"
Casey walked over to me "Chief, I got at least one victim down here."
Chief "The fire's between her and the door. Need to get a line there, Flo."
Me " We open that front door we're gonna oxygenate the fire, Chief. I think we'll kill her instantly. Ritter, take this."
I threw the halligan over to him and pointed at a spot on the wall " Gimme a 6-inch hole right about here, all right? We'll make the line fit through there. We'll buy you some time. Hey, give me that cross length!"
Chief "Severide, get ready to make a new door."
Kelly "Cruz, grab a K12 and a pike pole."
Cruz " Copy that."
Ritter opened a hole for me.
Casey called out "Ma'am, hold on! We're gonna get you out."
Kelly started to cut in an opening.
Ritter turned to me "How's this?"
I nodded "Good. Perfect. Let me in there."
Then i grabbed the hose and poured some water in through the hose.
Chief to Casey "Whenever you're ready."
Casey put his mask on .
Kelly finished cutting in the door and Casey jumped in.
He pulled a woman out.
Kidd and Forster too care of her and drove her over to Med.
At the Firehouse.
I jumped out of the Truck.
Ritter turned to me "Think she'll make it?"
I shrugged, nodding "Maybe. Don't dwell on it, all right. You gave 100% out there. That's all we can do."
He nodded.
Me "Hey, go grab yourself a fresh air bottle before you forget."
Ritter nodded and walked away.
Gorsch walked over to us "What happened here? Who's bunker pants are these?"
Everyone looked at him.
Ritter walked over and picked them up "Oh, those are mine. My bad. I meant to straighten them up, but, you know."
Gorsch shook his head "No, I don't know. What's your name?"
Ritter "Darren Ritter, sir."
Gorsch nodded "Oh, right, you're the new guy."
Me "Hey, he just took his pants off a minute ago. He would have got to them."
Gorsch snapped at me "And that's good enough for you?"
I raised an eyebrow "I tell you what's good enough for me, sir . A smoke eater I can count on. We just made a grab of an injured victim over at the fire, and when I gave this kid a direct order, he got it done. So if this victim survives... it'll be because of him. "
Gorsch "I'm gonna need you to write him up for the pants."
Then he walked away.
Ritter sighed "Damn, Flo, i am sorry about that"
I shook my head " Don't sweat it, Ritter. This has nothing to do with you."
In Casey's bunk room.
I shook my head "I-I don't get it. I mean... what is Grissom accomplishing by sending his toady in to nitpick everything that we do?"
Kelly shook his head "This isn't about Ritter's bunker pants. Grissom installed Gorsch here at 51 to harass Boden, provoke him, try to get him to snap and do something stupid."
Casey "So Grissom'll have the grounds to dismiss him."
Me "Well, it's a pretty dumb plan. Boden's a rock.He'll outlast Gorsch no problem."
Casey "But the rest of us have to outlast him too.You start squaring off against Gorsch like you did out there, that puts more pressure on the chief."
Kelly "Casey's right, we're all just gonna have to suck it up and take whatever Gorsch dishes out."
Me "So you are telling me that i need to keep my mouth shut?"
Kelly nodded "Yes"
Casey "you think you can do that, Flora?"
I shook my head "nope"
Casey shot me a look.
I forced a smile "i'll try, boss"
He nodded, amused.
Night. At Molly's.
I took a sip of my beer when i saw Kelly sitting down next to me.
Otis handed him a beer.
Kelly slid something over to me.
I looked at it and froze. my spare car key.
Then i looked at Kelly "Aren't you going to say anything?"
Kelly took a sip of his beer "what do you want me to say?"
Me "did i do something wrong?"
Kelly shook his head "you didn't do anything, Florence"
I cringed at the full name.
Then i sighed "Then why the silent treatment?"
Kelly shrugged.
Me "Kelly"
Kelly scoffed "now you care about what i have to say?"
Me "believe it or not but i can be nice "
Kelly gave me a look.
Next day. morning. At the Firehouse. in the group room .
I walked over to the guys "Guys, Boden is tearing Gorsch a new one. It is ugly in there."
Casey "What's going on?"
Me "All started out with that reporter, the one you were supposed to take to the PR office, and then they just started going at each other. Threats are flying. It's crazy in there."
Casey "This is on me.I should have done a better job at keeping it under the radar."
Kelly "Boden gave you the go ahead. He's the chief."
Cruz "For now."
I slapped the back of his head "don't talk like that"
He hissed and rubbed his head.
Kidd "Okay, what are we gonna do?"
Casey "Maybe if I talk to Gorsch about it?"
Me "You saw what happened when I tried that."
Kelly "We need to get to Grissom."
Brett "Well, didn't Boden try that already?"
Kelly "Boden not close with the commissioner..."
Me "You thinking about Benny?"
Kelly nodded.
Me "You wanna ask your dad for help?"
Kelly nodded "He's the one person who might be able to get through to Grissom."
Cruz " I thought things weren't too good with you guys."
Kelly "They're not, but it's nothing new."
Kidd "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Kelly shrugged "Anyone have a better one?"
The alarm went off "Ambulance 61, injured person, O'Hare Airport."
Brett and Foster walked out.
At the Chief's office.
I walked in "Hey, Wally, Heard you had a little dust up. Everything okay?"
Wally sighed " I don't know. Gorsch is set on ruining me with Grissom's blessing. My only options are fight him with all that I got making our lives a whole lot harder, or... I just let him win."
I sighed "It's like you said, Chief. If it's the right thing to do, that's how we proceed. Can't see how letting them win is the right thing."
Wally nodded "Yeah"
I gave him a soft smile.
At the bunk rooms.
I walked into the room and froze when i saw Casey and Kelly talking in Kelly's bunk room. The door was open so that i was able to hear them talking.
Casey "You know, one day you'll wake up in the morning and wonder what happened to the girl who used to be there for you no matter how much you pushed her away. "
Kelly sighed "We pushed each other away, Casey-"
Casey "You'll remember the pain you put her through. You'll realize how important she is in your life and how amazing she really was"
Kelly "Well, here's the thing, the day already came"
Casey "and?"
Kelly "She's waking up next to the guy who knew how amazing she is."
Casey "Are you happy for them?"
Kelly "is she happy with him?"
Casey "Yes"
Kelly "Good, because that's all i've ever wanted for her - to be happy"
I sighed and walked out.
--
I walked into Kelly's room "You have a sec?"
Kelly looked at me surprised but nodded "sure"
I sat down on the bed.
Kelly turned to me "what do you need?"
Me "This thing with your dad."
He nodded "I'm gonna stop by his place, try and talk to him."
Me " things don't normally go well when you ask him for things."
Kelly nodded "I know that."
Me "You come away from it in pain."
Kelly "I used to."
Me "Well, you think it's different now? You haven't talked to him since that fight that you had months ago."
Kelly shrugged "I guess we'll see."