Stella and Kelly are happy. Life had been blissful for them. After Kelly had reluctantly agreed to leave 51 temporarily and assist OFI on their backlog of cases. He had made a deal with Grissom to save Herman's position after a vengeful cop had threatened end his career. Kelly agreed to move over to OFI in return. Truth be told, Kelly had a knack for arson investigating. He couldn't deny that professionally, he shared talents with his departed dad, Benny.
Stella was so proud of her boyfriend. She was going to miss seeing Kelly at 51 everyday but was so proud of the man he was, saving Herman's career. Kelly of course, reassured her.
"Are you sure you're OK going to OFI?
Her heart literally melted at his response
"As long as I get to come home to you. I'm OK, wherever I go"
"I'm without a doubt, the luckiest girl in the world"
Stella meant every word. She really was the luckiest girl to have such a wonderful man.
Stella was keeping busy, ridiculously busy. She had been taking on so much. Shifts at 51, teaching classes at the request of Boden, her nights working at Molly's. Stella was exhausted. Kelly had definitely noticed she was burning the candle at both ends. She wouldn't slow down to rest even at his suggestion. He was worried. Even went as far as to ask Casey to watch over her while they were on shift. She was taking on way too much. Kelly couldn't be there on shift to watch her and he was seriously concerned.
Brett and Foster had seen how exhausted she was. As Stella left 51 to go and teach a class, she could barely formulate a complete sentence. Bluntly, they put their foot down. Stella needed sleep. Forcefully, so no argument could be made. They told her to go home and sleep. They made a call to the academy informing them Stella was under the weather and would not be available to teach her class. What seemed like only seconds later, as everyone was walking out of 51...'CRASH'. Stella had run through a stop sign and T boned another vehicle. 51 family desperately ran towards the scene. Stella was terrified that the mother and child in the other vehicle were seriously hurt. She made sure they received immediate medical attention from Brett and Foster. Stella assured everyone she was OK as blood was running down the side of her face. Stella and the victims from the other vehicle were taken to the hospital.
Casey looked over to the others
"I need to call Severide. He has been really worried about her. I need to let him know what has happened"
Kelly was knee deep in investigating a scene. His phone started vibrating in his pocket. As he pulled out his phone, seeing his best friends name across the screen.
"Hey Casey, I'm at a scene right now. Can I call you....?
Before he could finish
"SEVERIDE!"
Kelly had a sinking feeling
"There has been a incident. She's OK. Stella has been in a car accident"
"WHAT! A car accident??"
Kelly was trembling
"Are you su...Sure she's OK?"
"Severide. I promise she's OK. She's being taken to Med right now"
"I'M ON MY WAY"
Kelly floored his foot to the gas pedal. He just needed to see her. Being told she was OK wasn't enough. He needed to see her.
Kelly ran through those hospital doors and there she was. She had her face buried in her hands. She really was OK.
"HEY...ARE YOU OK?"
"Yeah"
After finding out the other victims were ok. Stella was still beating herself up. Kelly just wanted to take her home.
"Stell. Babe. Come on, I'm taking you home"
Stella and Kelly still technically lived apart, even though this was only a formality as she basically spent every night at the loft.
After returning home
"Come on. Let's get you to bed"
As Kelly tucked his girlfriend into bed. The emotions of the had gutted him.
"Stella, When I got that phone call, I was TERRIFIED"
"I know. I'm So Sorry"
"Stell....Look I'm really concerned. I have been worried for days now. I even asked Casey to look out for you. Babe, you are exhausted. You can't keep doing this. You need to take a beat. I LOVE YOU. I never want to feel the way I felt today...EVER AGAIN. You're such a bad ass but everyone has a breaking point. Please Stel...Please slow down"
"You're right Kelly. Today was a big eye opener. I cannot keep this up. I'm gonna talk to Boden. I am gonna cut my hours at Molly's a little and concentrate on 51. Give myself time to spend spare moments with my amazing boyfriend"
Stella fell right asleep. Not able to stay awake any longer. Kelly got called back to work. He knew Stella would be sleeping for a long while. Kelly gave his love a soft kiss to her forehead. As he walked out of his bedroom. Standing at the doorway. Kelly was so grateful his girl was OK. All he could think about was how he wanted his bed and bedroom to be THEIR bed and bedroom. The loft did not feel like home unless Stella was there and he knew, without a doubt...SHE WAS HIS FOREVER.
