The Flames of Duty

The next few days moved swiftly, filled with small victories and quiet moments of healing. Gabby's health was improving more each day, but the emotional weight of everything she had been through lingered in the air, unspoken but present in every glance and every quiet conversation. It was clear that she was still processing her trauma, still trying to find her place in a world that had been torn apart and put back together in ways she never could have imagined.

Matt was still trying to figure out where he fit into all of this. He had made it clear he wanted to be there for Charlie, to be there for Gabby. But the more he saw of the life she had built, the more it became clear that there were pieces of it that didn't fit into his world. Puerto Rico, her rescue team, Carlos. Those were all parts of her world that had existed long before he came back into the picture.

But he didn't want to let go of them. Not without a fight.

One afternoon, as Matt was sitting beside Gabby's bed while she napped, his phone buzzed with a text from Boden. The firehouse had been called in for another set of wildfires that had reignited. Despite the progress they'd made, the fires were still a dangerous and ever-present threat, stretching the already exhausted resources of the city.

Matt sighed and looked over at Gabby, whose sleep was peaceful for the moment. He hated the idea of leaving her, especially when it seemed like she was finally making progress. But duty called, and Matt knew he couldn't ignore it.

Just as he was about to get up, he heard the sound of footsteps at the door. Carlos poked his head in, offering a grin. "Hey, everything okay in here?"

Matt gave him a small smile. "Yeah, just checking on Gabby. She's sleeping right now."

Carlos stepped inside, his easy demeanor helping to lighten the mood. He nodded toward Gabby's sleeping form. "She's been through a lot, but she's tough. She'll be fine."

Matt nodded, glancing back down at his phone, the familiar weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "Boden's calling me in for the wildfire. Things are still out of control out there."

Carlos glanced at the phone before giving Matt a knowing look. "Yeah, we're getting the same calls down in Puerto Rico. The team's been stretched thin for weeks."

Matt stood up and stretched, his muscles sore from the constant tension of the past few days. "I should go. I want to help, but it feels like I'm constantly torn between being here for Gabby and Charlie and being at the firehouse."

Carlos walked over to him, his expression serious but kind. "It's not easy. But you've got a good team behind you—both here and at the firehouse. Gabby knows that. She knows you have to do your job, and Charlie will always know who her daddy is. She's going to be just fine. She's lucky to have both of you in her life."

Matt nodded, though the weight of the situation hadn't quite left him. He looked over at Gabby, still sleeping soundly in the bed. She's stronger than I could ever imagine, he thought. But I don't want to leave her.

Carlos seemed to sense his hesitation. "I'll stay with her until you get back. If you need anything, I'll keep you updated. But you know she'd want you to go help those people out there, Matt. You can't ignore it forever."

Matt didn't respond right away, instead just staring at Gabby for a long moment. Finally, he let out a sigh, feeling the pressure of it all. "You're right. It's just hard. I don't want her to feel alone."

"She's not alone," Carlos assured him with a small but warm smile. "You're both always with her. And she knows that. But she also knows you have a duty to the city, just like she does. You can't ignore that."

Matt gave a reluctant nod, reaching for his gear and slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Thanks, Carlos. I'll keep you updated. Tell Gabby I'll be back as soon as I can."

With one last glance at Gabby, Matt turned to head out the door. Carlos, ever the protector, stood at the doorway, giving him a nod of encouragement.

As Matt made his way out of the hospital, Charlie's laughter echoed down the hallway, a sound that warmed his heart despite the chaos surrounding them. She was with Antonio in the waiting area, drawing pictures with her favorite markers, looking every bit the innocent child she was.

Antonio spotted Matt, giving him a quick wave. "Hey, man. You heading out?" he asked, looking around to make sure Charlie was occupied with her drawings.

Matt nodded, a tinge of guilt weighing on his chest. "Yeah. The wildfire's flaring up again. I'm heading to the firehouse."

Antonio's expression softened, and he patted Matt on the back. "I got her covered. You know that. Take care of what you gotta do. Gabby's strong, and she's in good hands."

"Thanks, Tonio," Matt said, giving him a grateful smile. "I just don't want to leave her in the middle of all this. But I have to do my part."

Antonio grinned. "We all do. It's why we're here."

As Matt walked out, he turned once more to see Charlie happily engrossed in her drawings, unaware of the emotional storm Matt had just left behind. He hated to leave, but he knew it was for the greater good. Chicago was still burning, and as long as there was a fire to fight, he had to be there.

Back in the hospital room, Gabby had begun to stir as the day moved on. The team had come by earlier, and they were starting to make plans for their next mission—one that would take them even further from the city. But there was something different in the air today, something that felt more hopeful than it had in a long time.

When she woke up, the familiar smell of the hospital still lingering in the room, she found herself alone. Her gaze flicked around, and she spotted Charlie with Antonio in the corner, their laughter and chatter filling the space. Her heart swelled at the sight of her daughter. She had missed so much, but the love she had for this little girl was immeasurable.

She smiled softly to herself, knowing that though the road ahead would be filled with challenges, she wasn't alone anymore. And neither was Charlie.

But the thought of the future loomed in her mind. Gabby wasn't ready to give up her team, and she wasn't ready to let go of the work she had done. But she also knew the road to balance wouldn't be easy.

For now, she let herself rest. One step at a time.