This episode included flashbacks, which I didn't write, and this still ended up being 10+K words with just this episode and original content. I am feeling pumped.

Owen and TK plan to take a flight that really doesn't go to plan, and in New York, family shows up for each other.

Enjoy "In the Unlikely Event of an Emergency!"

***

Olivia stared down into the scotch she had in her hand, and she finally tossed back the rest of the drink, relishing the burn as the alcohol went down her throat. "Another?" the bartender asked, giving her a wary look as he reached for her glass.

"Hell, yes," Olivia muttered, running a hand through her already disheveled hair. As the bartender whisked her glass away to give her a new drink, she heard the stools screech on either side of her, and she sighed. "Drinks on me?" she suggested.

"I won't say no to that," Fin nodded.

"Should we see who wants to be the designated driver?" Amanda asked sullenly, her fingers tapping the bar.

"Might as well be me," Peter looked around at the group. "Or at least I can be the designated cab caller for some of you." He paused when he saw the people coming through the door. "Or maybe they'll handle it."

Olivia, Elliot, and Fin turned to see who he meant, and Sonny couldn't help but chuckle. "Word travels fast."

"It does when it reaches the right people," Jack nodded, looking over everyone in concern. "How long have you been here?"

"Just got here ahead of you," Elliot answered. "But I think Liv got a head start."

Olivia snorted and took the drink handed to her. "I was the one who called Owen to tell him of Gwyn's death. He dropped his phone when he heard the news. I worried he fainted before Casey got on the line."

"Damn," Frank sighed heavily.

"What exactly happened?" Jet asked in concern as Nolan spoke quietly to another one of the bartenders. "All we heard is that it was . . . well, it was quick."

"Hey," Nolan returned to the group. "They're giving us one of the back rooms to talk. I figured we might be here for a while."

"Well, not too long," Elliot shook his head. "We should be at the funeral home by 3:00 tomorrow."

"So soon?" Kate blinked as the group moved to one of the back rooms.

"It's Jewish tradition," Amanda explained. "Burial takes place within 24 hours."

"Can the Strands make it back in that amount of time?" Ayanna asked with a frown. "We know that isn't a short flight."

"Can they even get tickets that quickly?" Kevin added.

"That's what Casey and Severide are working on, as well as making arrangements at the 126 for TK," Olivia sighed as she dropped into one of the chairs and stared down at the floor. She laughed abruptly and shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's just . . . I can't believe Gwyn is dead."

"A bunch of us never met her," Nolan said as he sat across from her. That seemed to be the cue for the rest of the New Yorkers to claim chairs of their own. "Sylvie's been at the 126 for over a year, and she doesn't know much about her, either."

"She wouldn't," Olivia shook her head. "Gwyn flew down to Austin in the aftermath of TK's shooting, but she left after he recovered. She didn't return again."

"I'm guessing there's some bitterness?" Frank raised an eyebrow.

Olivia grimaced. "Owen and Gwyn . . . fell apart after the Towers fell," Elliot said diplomatically, reaching out and shoving Fin when the sergeant scoffed. "First it was Owen spending hours on end rebuilding the 252, but once Owen realized what he was doing, he put a lot of his focus into TK. Then it was Gwyn spending hours on end working at her law firm. That distance never really healed . . . at least, it didn't before I left."

"If anything, it scarred more when TK joined the FDNY and ended up at the 252 with Owen," Fin shook his head. "The Strands were inseparable once that happened. I think after Owen's actions following 9/11, it irked Gwyn that the rift could be repaired."

"It's gotten way better since they went to Austin, though," Amanda chimed in. "And of course, that put them even farther away from Gwyn."

"That was the last we heard from her," Olivia nodded. "Until we heard of her death."

"What happened?" Sam asked quietly.

Olivia steeled herself as she swirled her drink around in its glass. "She was struck with a delivery man's bike in the street," she answered. "She pushed her infant son's stroller out of the way so he wasn't hurt. She died of blood loss caused by major head trauma when she hit the ground. It was practically instant. She was dead before the paramedics arrived."

"Oh, my God," Ayanna's eyes widened in horror.

"She has another kid?" Kevin asked in concern. "Does he have somewhere to go?"

"Gwyn's been in a relationship since shortly after her divorce from Owen," Olivia nodded. "Jonah will be in Enzo's custody."

"Damn," Jet whispered, her hands trembling as she held her drink between them.

"How close of a friend was she?" Jack asked, looking between Olivia, Elliot, and Fin.

Fin shrugged. "I saw her less and less once she started cracking down on her firm."

"We . . . " Elliot exchanged glances with Olivia, then he sighed. "Well, things with Gwyn were civil. Owen really started leaning on us once the divorce happened. The three of us teamed up often to make sure TK was taken care of. I don't know exactly what she thought of that arrangement, but above all else, she cared for TK's well-being."

Olivia chuckled weakly. "Did I ever tell you about the time Gwyn practically demanded I help her pull TK out of a drug den?"

Elliot almost dropped his drink. "You what?"

"Oh, I remember this," Sonny grimaced. "That was when she put him on a plane to Los Angeles."

"She what?" Kevin's eyes widened.

"Once addicts are addicted for a while, they get good at hiding when they aren't well," Olivia explained heavily. "And Gwyn noticed when TK wasn't doing well. So she asked me to accompany her, just in case, to find TK at one of the drug dens. We found him with a needle in his arm, and Gwyn put him on a plane and flew with him to drop him off at a rehab facility in Los Angeles."

Elliot swallowed hard. "When was this?"

"2017," Olivia smiled sadly. "Barba's last year with us."

Sonny sighed and shook her head. "Poor TK."

"I called Nick and told him," Amanda said quietly. "He's not able to get here in time, but he said he'll send his regards to Owen and TK."

Jack nodded thoughtfully, then he looked at Olivia. "I assume you will attend the funeral, Olivia?"

"Yeah," Olivia nodded along with Elliot, Fin, Amanda, and Sonny. "Despite everything that's happened, Gwyn was family."

Jack nodded and looked at Peter. "Take the day tomorrow," he told him. "I don't know if you intend on going to the funeral, but take the day anyway."

Peter smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"Well," Nolan cleared his throat and held up his tumbler. "To Gwyn."

Olivia smiled in agreement and raised her glass in return. "To Gwyn."

The rest of the group echoed the toast, and the alcohol burned just a tad more as Olivia swallowed.

***

Several people had risen with the sun in Austin, and as TK stared numbly at his clenched hands, he found himself bracketed on either side by Buck and Sylvie. Matt and Kelly were speaking with Owen out by the kitchen, and Eddie and Carlos were bent over the latter's phone. "I'm so sorry, TK," Sylvie whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

TK could only swallow and nod, unable to speak. "Is there anything we can do until you leave?" Buck asked softly.

TK glanced down at his clammy palms, shame bubbling in him. "Keep me away from the firehouse?" he croaked. "Or at least . . . at least away from . . . "

He couldn't say the words, but Sylvie knew what he meant. Her face fell, but she nodded and squeezed his knee. "We won't let you anywhere near the ambulances," she promised.

TK laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "I can't believe that's even crossed my mind."

"TK, your mom just died," Buck reminded him. "I mean . . . I've never lost any of my family, but I know it's one of the worst things in the world."

Sylvie had lost color in her face at Buck's words, but she nodded to reinforce his point. "No matter how little you know them," she confirmed.

TK looked at her with teary eyes. "You already did this once," he whispered. "How . . . how the hell did you get through it?"

Sylvie nodded out into the loft to where Matt and Kelly broke away from Owen. "I had the most important people in my life supporting me," she told him. "You have Owen and Carlos, and when you get to New York, you'll have a horde more there for you. It's not a weakness to show them you're hurting, TK. They'll be your rock."

TK shakily nodded, then Carlos spoke up. "OK, I can get three seats at a 9:30 flight, but the 11:00 a.m. flight is a little bit cheaper."

"The 9:30," Owen said instantly. "We have to be at the funeral home by 3:00 New York time. I don't wanna cut it that close."

"Yeah," Carlos nodded, turning to his phone to book the tickets.

"Do you think he'll remember?" TK asked suddenly, and everyone looked at him for further elaboration. "Jonah watched his mom die. Do you think he'll remember it?"

Owen opened his mouth and closed it again. "Can things be remembered from that early?" Kelly asked.

"It's possible," Sylvie admitted.

"I did," TK nodded. "I remember the wallpaper in the 86th Street apartment. Purple flowers. I remember the elephants on the mobile above my crib. I remember the songs Mom sang me. Not . . . not the words. I can't . . . I can't really remember the words, but I – I know she sang to me." He all but whimpered and buried his face in his hands. "God, he's gonna be so traumatized. Dad, if he saw . . . "

He curled in on himself, and Buck and Sylvie curled around him. "TK," Owen swallowed hard, crouching down and taking his son's hands in his own; next to him, Buck shuffled to make room for Carlos, who placed his hand on TK's knee. "He's gonna be OK, TK, I promise."

"Who's gonna take him to dim sum?" TK wondered.

"You," Owen answered. "Enzo."

"No," TK frowned. "Enzo doesn't know the place on Spring Street. It's a hole in the wall. He's gonna take him somewhere fancy."

"Babe, you can take him to your place," Carlos assured him.

TK shook his head, looking more lost than Buck had ever seen him, and he had seen TK after Owen and Sylvie had been stranded in San Angelo and after the shooting in Los Angeles. "Everything's broken now," he lamented. "Will he even know how broken it is? He'll never know the time when it wasn't. He'll never know Mom."

"Yes, he will," Owen told him fiercely. "He'll know her through you as a big brother. You'll tell him about Mom. The songs she sang. He'll know her through you."

TK nodded jerkily. "OK," he whispered. "I need to pack, right?"

"No," Owen shook his head, reaching up and running his fingers through TK's hair. "It's all taken care of, alright?" TK nodded silently, and Owen took a deep breath and stood. "Squad 9 is figured out for now?"

"Buck and Sylvie want to stay, so Eddie will ride Squad 9 until you head to the airport," Kelly nodded.

"OK," Owen sighed. "I have to go to the cleaners. I'll swing by and pick up TK and Carlos."

"Yeah, we'll be ready," Carlos nodded.

"Alright," Owen nodded.

"We'll head to the firehouse," Matt stepped inside the room, his expression somber. "Call us if you need anything, OK?"

"Anything at all," Eddie nodded.

"We will," Buck smiled, reaching out and squeezing Eddie's hand. "Thanks."

Matt, Kelly, and Eddie left behind Owen, and TK sighed. "I'm so sorry, Carlos. Your second time to New York, and it's gonna be for another funeral."

"TK, do not even think about that," Carlos shook his head.

TK closed his eyes and dropped his face into his hands. "I wish things were different."

"Hey, look at me," Carlos stood, and Buck stood so Carlos could take his place at TK's side. "There will be other trips."

TK nodded weakly, and Carlos kissed the knuckles on his fingers. "I'll get us some food," Buck said quietly, moving towards the kitchen.

"I'm not really hungry," TK whispered.

"I wasn't, either," Sylvie shook her head. "But you should eat something anyway."

TK nodded slowly, and Carlos kissed his forehead comfortingly. "I love you."

TK nuzzled into his boyfriend's neck. "Love you," he murmured in return as Sylvie padded to join Buck in the kitchen.

***

"I'm just saying, those delivery bikes are dangerous," Mateo told Paul as he buttoned his uniform shirt.

"Not usually," Paul shook his head.

"Zipping in and out of traffic, you can't hear 'em coming," Mateo argued. "You think she saw that?"

"Well . . . " Paul sighed as he finished buttoning his shoes. "She managed to push the baby out of the way, so . . . yeah."

Mateo looked like a kicked puppy at the idea. "It's awful."

"I know," Paul agreed. "I called my mom as soon as I got home."

"I should call mine, too," Mateo nodded thoughtfully. "Hey, should we send flowers or something?"

"No, that's all taken care of," Judd told them as he entered the room. "Grace ordered an arrangement. It's gonna have everybody's name on it. It'll be there when they get to the funeral home."

Paul nodded gratefully. "Just let us know how much we owe you."

"Yeah, I will," Judd confirmed.

"Hey, do you guys think this is happening kinda fast?" Mateo wondered. "I mean . . . it seems quick, right? When my grandma died, there was, like, a week in between."

"Not according to Gwyn's religion." Paul and Mateo jumped as Eddie entered, fastening his watch on. "According to Jewish tradition, burial has to happen within 24 hours."

Mateo nodded slowly. "Maybe it is better just to get it over with."

"It's worth thinking about," Matt said as he entered the room, Kelly at his shoulder. The four other men straightened to attention, and Matt nodded for them to settle. "Right now, Buck and Sylvie are helping TK and Carlos prepare to head to New York. They'll come to shift when the others head to the airport. EMS 99 is out until then, and Eddie will ride Squad 9 until they come back. Got it?"

"Got it, Cap," Judd nodded.

"Good," Matt nodded. "Let's get this house online."

***

Owen sighed when he pulled into a back-up at the airport, TK fidgeting in the seat next to him. "It should open up in a minute. It always kinda clogs up here." He checked his phone for texts from Carlos. "Alright, so Carlos is checking us in, and we only have one bag to worry about, so we just gotta get through security. We should be fine." He paused and looked at TK. "We will be fine getting through security, right?"

TK snorted. "You wanna frisk me first?"

Owen raised an eyebrow. "I heard a bit of your conversation back at the loft, son," he informed him. "Do I need to?"

TK ducked his head. "No," he whispered. "You don't. I . . . I thought about going to the firehouse, try to make it a normal day, but it's . . . it's not."

"No," Owen sighed, reaching across to take TK's hand. "It's not."

"I don't wanna do this, Dad," TK confessed. "I don't wanna go."

Owen closed his eyes. "TK – "

"It's not even like it's gonna be Mom in that box, anyway," TK cut through him. "That – that's not where she is right now."

Owen glanced at TK, watching his fidgeting worsen. "Son."

"Dad, I swear to God, I'm gonna crawl out of my skin," TK groaned.

"No, you're not," Owen shook his head, squeezing TK's hand to ground him. "You're gonna get through this. I don't wanna do it any more than you do. But it's life. It's what people do. They go to funerals. It never seems fair."

"It's not just another funeral," TK whispered. "It's Mom's. You may not have loved her anymore, but I still do."

Owen did a double take, looking at TK in surprise. "I loved your mother. I always did, even when things got complicated. Never thought I'd be rushing to catch a flight and go back and . . . " He trailed off with a sigh. "I loved your mother."

The Strands drove in silence the rest of the way through traffic, all the way to the parking lot. They had to take the rest of the trip at a run, Owen rolling their bags behind them. "Come on, we can still make it!"

Carlos waited for them inside the doors, an expectant look on his face. "You didn't make it," he told them.

Owen did a double take. "We didn't?"

"You didn't, but you're going to," Carlos shook his head, holding out a pair of tickets to Owen. "Two tickets for the flight leaving in 25 minutes. It's coach but should get you there in time."

"What about you?" TK asked in concern.

"I'll take the later one," Carlos answered. "You guys need to be there."

Owen gave him a grateful look at he took the tickets. "Thank you, Carlos. You're saving the day."

Carlos nodded, and as Owen went to check their bags, the officer turned to TK. "I hate that I can't make everything OK," he said quietly.

"You're doing everything you can," TK attempted to smile.

Carlos hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "Go," he said. "I'll see you in New York."

TK nodded and took his carry-on from his dad, jogging to follow him to the gate.

***

"Do you want the aisle?" Owen asked TK as they placed their bags in the overhead compartments.

TK shrugged halfheartedly. "I don't care."

"No, I'm not making fun," the woman by the window seat was saying into her phone as TK sat next to her, Owen taking the aisle seat. "Remember, the doctor said it's gonna take some time to get your strength back. You sure you're gonna be alright? My sister said she'd be happy to stop by." She chuckled at whatever the response was. "OK, OK, forget I said it. I'll call you when we land. I love you, too." She hung up and smiled at Owen. "My husband," she said in explanation, and he nodded. "He had a stroke a few months ago. It's my first time leaving him."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Owen frowned sympathetically.

"Appreciate that," the woman nodded. "They expect him to have a full recovery. Thank God I was home. I called 9-1-1. They had him in surgery in an hour."

"Golden hour," Owen told her. "It's a real thing."

She tilted her head curiously. "Oh, you're in the medical field?"

"We're first responders," Owen elaborated. "I'm Owen, and this is my son, TK. We're firefighters."

TK nodded and smiled at his name, and the woman smiled at them. "Genevieve," she introduced herself. "Formerly a retired CPA."

"Oh, yeah?" Owen asked. "What are you doing now?"

"Still a CPA, just no longer retired," Genevieve replied. "Never thought I'd be doing another field audit again, but with my husband's bills, well . . . life keeps you on your toes, doesn't it?"

TK's expression shuttered, and Owen sighed. "It certainly does."

"So, what takes you boys to New York?" Genevieve asked.

"My mom," TK answered.

"Oh, that's lovely," Genevieve smiled. "She's sure gonna be happy to see you. Our first moved to Atlanta three years ago. Every time she comes home, it's a joy."

A man in the next row snapping his fingers saved Owen and TK from an awkward response. "Hey, miss?" he asked. "Hey, stewardess? Can I get a vodka tonic?"

"I'm sorry," the stewardess shook her head, "but beverage service will be available once we're in the air."

"What?" the man scoffed. "Come on, I get them in first class all the time."

"Sir, please."

"Seriously, though, I need a drink for takeoff."

"I'm gonna need you to lower your voice and calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down! I have anxiety!"

"Yo!" TK scowled and leaned past Owen to glare at the man. "You heard the lady. Calm down and shut your mouth!"

"Sir, please stay out of this," the stewardess frowned. "We don't need you to escalate things."

"I'm sorry," Owen told her. "He's had a little bit of a tough day. He's not gonna be a problem."

The stewardess nodded and continued closing the overhead compartments. "That guy's being a total dick," TK scowled.

"Yeah, he is," Owen agreed. "But when they come and yank him off the plane, I don't want them yanking you off, too."

***

Marjan whistled lowly as she hopped off the rig and handed over her inventory clipboard. "Man, I can't believe this originally started as a three-man team."

"Well, three men and a woman," Buck shrugged.

"But the woman is a paramedic," Marjan pointed out. "So it really was a three-man team."

"That was why I asked for you to temporarily join the team while I was running it in Owen's stead," Kelly nodded. "I'm used to a four-person team, but I can lead a three-person one if need be." He snorted. "As evidenced by how long I did it until the 126 reopened."

"And you were wonderful," Buck smiled cheekily at him.

"That's my boyfriend, Buck!" Sylvie's voice called from EMS 99.

Buck gestured frantically as Marjan burst out laughing. "Why did she think that's flirting?!"

"Because most of your compliments sound like flirting, mi amor," Eddie said dryly as he patted Buck's shoulder and kissed his cheek.

Kelly smirked at the sight, and Buck lightly smacked Eddie's shoulder. "Our captain is right there!"

"Actually, my captain is somewhere over there," Eddie waved vaguely in the direction of EMS 99. "Your captain is right there."

"And considering everything that's happened in the past 24 hours, I think we can let a bit of PDA slip through the cracks," Kelly smiled somberly.

Marjan sighed as she shut one of the compartments. "Man, I wish we had enough notice that we could all have gone up to New York. But with the funeral having to take place within 24 hours . . . "

"They'll have everyone in Manhattan there for them, though," Sylvie pointed out as she walked up to them, a pouch in her hand and a clipboard under her arm. "And Owen has Benson and Stabler, and TK has Rollins and Carisi."

Kelly recognized the pouch she held, and he gave her a sad smile. "Just checking?"

Sylvie fidgeted uncomfortably. "I feel awful just doing it when I know TK didn't even come near the firehouse. Buck and I were with him until Owen picked up him and Carlos."

"Well, with what he told us," Buck began, only to abruptly cut himself off.

Kelly sighed. "Eddie and I heard a bit of it, too," he reminded the firefighter. "Is anything missing from 99?"

"No," Sylvie shook her head, her bottom lip trembling. "Eddie and I just finished checking."

"OK," Kelly nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and tugging her close to kiss the top of her head. "I haven't known TK nearly as long as you, not to mention Marjan, but I know how hard he has worked on his sobriety. I understand not wanting to think about him slipping. If you want to check EMS 126 for your own piece of mind, I get it. But none of us saw him enter the firehouse."

"I know," Sylvie sagged against him. "I want to hit myself in the back of the head for even thinking about it."

***

Owen bit his tongue as TK fidgeted uncomfortably next to him as the plane ascended, and when the seatbelt light toggled off, his son finally looked at him. "I gotta hit the head, Dad."

"OK," Owen nodded, standing and letting TK out of the row. He sat and watched TK disappear to the lavatory, then he turned to Genevieve. "Sorry about my son earlier," he told her, and she looked up from her magazine. "He's usually a little . . . friendlier."

"He's friendly enough," Geneieve smiled easily. "And he wasn't wrong. That guy was being a dick."

"Oh, total dick," Owen agreed fervently.

Genevieve chuckled, but she sobered quickly. "So . . . I take it this isn't a happy trip?"

"No, it's not," Owen sighed. "My ex-wife, his mother, passed away, and we're on the way to the funeral."

"Oh!" Genevieve gasped, eyes wide as she reached over and put a hand on Owen's knee. "That's terrible! I'm so sorry. My condolences."

Owen gave a strained smile and patted her hand. "Thank you."

"Was it . . . expected?"

"No," Owen shook his head. "It was . . . certainly not expected." His gaze moved down the aisle towards the lavatory. "I don't think it's sunk in for either one of us yet."

Genevieve hummed. "Life is relentless, isn't it?"

"It sure the hell is," Owen sighed. "You'd think I'd be used to it by now."

A loud rumble abruptly shook the plane, and Owen grabbed onto his seat in surprise. A ding made him look up, and the seatbelt light flashed on again. "Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign," an attendant said over the system. "Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."

Owen moved to do just that, and Genevieve peeked out the window curiously. "Oh, my Lord," she gasped, and Owen craned his neck to see the black smoke pluming in the air. "It must be coming from the engine. It's on fire!"

Cracks started to spiderweb across the glass, and before Owen could reach across and grab Genevieve, the window shattered. The suction produced made Owen strain to stay in his seat, but he lurched forward and just managed to grab Genevieve as she was pulled partway out the window. He ignored the masks dropping from overhead and the screams of the passengers in favor of holding onto Genevieve with all his might.

TK tumbled out of the lavatory and looked around the cabin in shock, and he crawled down the aisle, keeping low as he struggled to get back to his row. "Dad!" he yelled, grabbing onto the seats and hauling himself up into the row. "Dad!"

"Unbuckle the seat belt!" Owen bellowed.

TK reached past him and unbuckled Genevieve's seatbelt, then he joined Owen in pulling her back into the cabin. "Go this way!" he nodded down the aisle.

Owen nodded and helped TK carry an unconscious Genevieve to the front of the cabin, and he ducked a few plastic cups flying past his head and out the window. "We gotta plug that up!" he shouted.

The blonde woman who had sat next to the aggravated man grabbed a hanger bag from an overhead compartment and pushed it into place in front of the window, and the suction stopped quickly. Owen sighed in relief and listened to the pilot's announcement. "Folks, please remain calm. We still have control of the airplane. We're gonna be depressurizing the cabin and returning to the Austin Airport."

"Hey, Genevieve, wake up," TK lightly shook Genevieve. "Come on, wake up."

Genevieve groaned quietly, her eyes fluttering open. "Where am I?" she asked groggily.

"You're still on the plane," TK answered.

"I must have nodded off," she mumbled as she looked around. "Why aren't we sitting down?"

She grimaced as she tried to sit up, and TK eased her back down. "Let's keep you steady. I think you have a concussion. Dad, I need you to grab me a blanket and a medkit. It should be somewhere in the galley."

Owen nodded as he stood, and he hurried down the aisle as Genevieve wheezed. "I feel like I can't breathe. Why can't I breathe?"

"The air's still thin up here," TK explained. "But we're descending. You'll be able to breathe soon."

Genevieve blinked and focused on TK. "What happened to me?"

"There was an incident on the plane," he told her. "You were hurt."

"Did I go outside?" Genevieve frowned. "I feel like I went outside, but that's not right."

"Only for a few seconds, but you're gonna be fine." Genevieve weakly nodded, but the action was interrupted by a wince. "Hey, hey," TK frowned and lightly shook her. "Genevieve?" Hasty footsteps approached, and TK smiled in relief when he saw Owen hustle down the aisle with the blanket and medkit. "Hey, Genevieve, can you breathe?"

"Yeah," Genevieve groaned. "I'm gonna be OK, though?"

TK nodded and opened the medkit, placing a piece of gauze atop the bleeding cut on Genevieve's forehead. "Your pulse is fast, but it's strong. And your respiration . . . " He trailed off as he placed the blanket over Genevieve and finally saw the massive bloodstain spreading under her arm. "Uh," he gulped, and Owen's eyes widened in horror when he saw the amount of blood. "It's . . . it's good. Um . . . "

He lunged for the medkit and grabbed the scissors, and Owen watched TK cut Genevieve's sweater sleeve to reveal the massive gash in her arm that consistently bled. "What do you need, son?" he asked as TK attempted to stem the flow.

TK shook his head, looking at him with wide green eyes. "There's nothing in the medkit for this."

***

"OK," Eddie walked up to where Sylvie sat in the back of their ambulance, two coffees in his hands and a clipboard under his arm. "One coffee and one report from Captain Vega and Nancy."

"Thanks," Sylvie smiled wearily and took the items handed to her. She read down the clipboard and slumped in relief. "All 36 vials of morphine and all ten of Ativan."

"See?" Eddie smiled encouragingly. "Nothing wrong or missing."

"I could argue it's wrong that the thought even came to my head," Sylvie sighed as she placed the clipboard down next to her.

Eddie shook his head and joined her, nudging her knee with his. "Sylvie, one of the best things about you is how you look out for everyone you care about," he told her. "We know you're looking out for TK. You aren't accusing him of anything."

Sylvie smiled slightly. "Thanks, Eddie." Her phone rang suddenly, and she blinked when she saw the Caller ID. "Owen?" she asked as she accepted the call.

"Hey, Sylvie," Owen said tightly. "We have a problem."

Sylvie tilted her head. "Did you miss your flight?"

"I wish," he grumbled. "We're on the plane, we lost an engine. Pilot has the airplane under control, but a passenger was injured when the cabin depressurized."

There was a lot to unpack from that recap, and Sylvie gulped. "Oh, no," she said weakly.

Eddie gave her a curious look, but she held up her hand to stop any questions as Owen continued. "We're gonna need your help with this wound. I've got TK right here."

A quiet click signaled the switch to speaker, and TK chimed in. "Hey, Sylvie."

"Hey, TK," Sylvie cleared her throat, standing up and putting her phone on speaker as she set it on the supply table next to their ambulance. "Uh . . . what are you dealing with?"

"We've got a 50-something female with a concussion," TK answered. "She's close to exsanguinating from a deep laceration to the right axilla."

"Oh, I'm fine, honey," a weak female voice slurred. "No need for a fuss."

Sylvie closed her eyes as she did her best to picture the wound. "OK . . . Owen said she was injured when the plane depressurized?"

Eddie's eyes widened to a comedic size as TK answered. "Yeah, the window blew and she was partially sucked out of the plane, and she hit the frame pretty hard."

"The window blew?" Eddie repeated, his voice higher than Sylvie had ever heard. "As in the plane window?!"

"Yeah," TK answered. "And I'm trying to stuff the wound with as much gauze as I could find, but it's in an awkward angle, and I can't put enough pressure on it to stop the hemorrhaging."

Eddie's jaw dropped, and Sylvie cleared her throat. "TK, send me a video of that wound. I need a visual so I know what we're dealing with."

"Alright, stand by," TK replied. "Alright, Genevieve, we're gonna take a video of you, alright?"

"Not my best angle," Genevieve mumbled.

After a few seconds, TK said, "Got it!"

"Alright, it's sending," Owen reported. "You should have it."

Sylvie nodded and tapped on the message to open it. Eddie watched the video over her shoulder, and he whistled lowly as he observed the blood freely gushing from the deep gash. "Cap, that is pumping hard."

Sylvie nodded in agreement. "TK, the way that blood is moving, it looks like her axillary artery was torn."

"Agreed," TK said. "So what do we do?"

"You need to apply an even amount of pressure to the wound at a slope that matches the curve of her armpit," Sylvie answered. "This is a longshot, but do you have a junctional tourniquet?"

"We don't have those up here, Sylvie," TK denied.

"Yeah, the medkit is pretty threadbare," Owen added.

"It's possible to make your own," Eddie said. "If we needed to use them in the service, one of the common makeshift solutions we had was jamming a helmet against the wound and fixing it in place with ropes or cables."

"I don't think many people brought a helmet with their carry-ons," Owen pointed out.

Eddie snorted. "Yeah, that's not a surprise. My point is, we improvise."

Sylvie nodded in agreement. "Get our tablet and start image searching the inside of plane cabins." Eddie nodded and reached inside the ambulance to grab the tablet. "Emergency gear, kitchen supplies. Worse comes to worst, we can ask the passengers what they have in their bags. As long as there's something that has a hard surface and a smooth curve, we're in business."

Eddie nodded as he swiped through the tablet, then his eyes lit. "Captain Strand, is there an ice bucket up there?"

***

Owen rose to his feet and searched for the stewardess. "We need an ice bucket!"

"Yep!" the stewardess bent down and searched on her cart. "Here!"

Owen glanced at the bucket and grimaced. "That's not gonna work," he shook his head. "It's plastic." He looked over the cart again and had a thought. "What about a coffee pot?"

"Yes," the stewardess nodded and searched again. "It's not in here."

Owen raised his voice to address the passengers. "Alright, everybody, look under your seats for the coffee pot! It probably rolled under somewhere!"

The passengers all bent down to check for the pot, then the blonde woman from before hoisted it high in the air. "Here it is!" she called. "I've got it!"

"Thank you!" Owen sighed in relief and grabbed the pot, quickly running back to TK and Genevieve. "Alright, this should work," he reported.

"OK, now you need to press the rounded surface against the wound," Sylvie told them.

TK nodded and pulled away the gauze, and Owen pushed the pot hard against the gushing wound. "Got it!"

"And tie it into place as tight as you can."

TK undid his belt and pulled it out of the loops. He held it over Genevieve and grimaced. "My belt's not gonna be long enough to reach across the chest," he said.

Owen looked over his shoulder to see the stewardess standing in the doorway. "Is there any way to remove some seatbelts?" he asked.

"Yes!" she nodded and darted down the aisle.

Genevieve groaned in pain, and TK rubbed her shoulder. "Hey, Genevieve, it's gonna be OK," he told her, pressing his fingers against her pulse point.

The stewardess returned and passed a pair of seatbelts to TK. "How do you wanna do this?" Owen asked.

"Hold it in place while I secure it," TK answered. Owen nodded and adjusted his position to tightly hold the coffee pot, and TK clipped the seatbelts into one belt. "Alright, Geneive," he said as he slipped the belt under her. I'm warning you . . . this is gonna get uncomfortable."

"Gonna?" Genevieve muttered.

That mutter turned into a shrill scream as TK clicked the last buckle together and tugged to tighten the belt. When there was no give left, TK ducked his head to check their makeshift tourniquet. "Oh, my God," he gasped. "It worked! Guys, the bleeding stopped!" Twin sighs of relief came from the phone, and TK looked down at Genevieve. "Genevieve, how's your pain?"

Genevieve blinked hazily up at him. "Your daddy didn't raise no liar," she mumbled.

Owen forced out a chuckle, then Genevieve's breathing turned heavy. "Genevieve?" TK frowned, getting onto his knees as her head lolled to the side. "Genevieve? Hey, hey, hey! Genevieve!"

"TK?" Sylvie asked as TK checked the woman's pulse. "What's happening?"

"Her pulse is getting high," TK answered. "It's in the 130s, and rising!"

"With how much that wound was gushing, she's lost too much blood," Sylvie deduced. "Her heart's compensating. You need to push as much fluid into her as possible. Please tell me that medkit has saline."

"It did," TK grimaced as Owen checked the bag. "But we already used half the liter that we had." He turned his head to shout into the cabin. "We need saline! Anybody got eye solution?"

"Anybody got saline solution?" Owen yelled as he rose to his feet, his voice carrying further. "Anybody?" The stewardess helped him check, and when she shook her head, Owen sighed. "No takers."

TK swallowed, feeling Genevieve's harsh pulse against his fingertips. "Sylvie, I'm losing her!"

"Eddie, any ideas?" Sylvie asked.

"To improvise saline?" Eddie sounded incredulous. "I haven't done anything like that before, but I'll check."

"What's going on?" Buck's voice sounded close.

"Know any way to improvise saline?" Sylvie asked. "Because we need a miracle."

"Uh . . . " Buck trailed off. "Coconut water!"

"Coconut water?" Eddie repeated.

"No, no, Buck's right," Owen nodded. "Soldiers in World War II used that for intravenous fluids."

"It does have a high concentration of electrolytes, but it's not gonna work for very long," Sylvie warned.

"Don't worry," Owen shook his head. "We're not gonna be in the air for long."

"Cap, what happened up there?" Buck asked in concern. "And why does Sylvie look seconds from passing out?"

"Get Severide or Casey behind her in case she does," Owen muttered as he looked around. "She or Eddie can give you the rundown." He turned to the stewardess. "First class, you gotta have coconut water somewhere."

"Yes," she nodded and ran off.

"Bring me everything you got!"

"OK, I get Buck knowing about coconut water," Eddie said. "Chief . . . how did you know about it?"

"I read," Owen deadpanned.

The stewardess returned and dumped a few bottles of coconut water on the floor, and as Owen held the saline bag aloft, she poured each bottle into the bag. "Alright," TK took a deep breath. "Give it a squeeze, Dad." Owen carefully squeezed the bag, and TK held his fingers against Genevieve's pulse, constantly checking her heart rate. "Keep going."

Owen squeezed the bag as tightly as he could, then Genevieve's eyes fluttered open, and she muttered indecipherably as she looked blearily up at them. TK slumped in relief, and Owen laughed happily. "Guys, she's regained consciousness!"

Sylvie's laugh sounded punched out of her. "Oh, thank God."

"Way to fight, Genevieve," TK grinned as he patted Genevieve on the shoulder. "Way to fight!"

Genevieve looked up at him with squinted eyes. "Oh, you gotta get cleaned up before we land," she frowned. "You're gonna see your mama, right? You don't want her to see you looking like that."

TK bit his lip to smother a smile. "No, I don't," he agreed.

Genevieve hummed and nodded, relaxing into the pillows surrounding her. "Yeah."

***

Matt: Kelly

Matt: Why does Buck look ready to have an aneurysm

Matt: And why does our girlfriend look ready to pass out

Olivia: This is not comforting

Nolan: Very not comforting

Frank: And Severide is not contributing anything

Elliot: And since Owen is absent I'm guessing he's still on the plane

Kelly: Well

Kelly: He won't be for long

Frank: That's an awfully fast flight

Sylvie: Yeah

Sylvie: That's what happens when a plane engine explodes

Matt: What

Frank: That explains the potential aneurysm

Olivia: It exploded while they were in the air?

Sylvie: Eddie and I just talked them through creating a makeshift tourniquet

Sylvie: The explosion broke a window and almost sucked a passenger out of it

Sylvie: And now thanks to Owen and Buck, I know to use coconut water if I need a quick saline improvisation

Elliot: What the fuck

Elliot: And it had to happen today of all days

Olivia: What are the chances they'll catch another flight for the funeral?

Kelly: With all the questions they'll be asked?

Kelly: It would probably take a miracle

Matt: It's always Austin

Matt: And it's always the Strands

Nolan: Let me guess

Nolan: Aero Blue Flight 391?

Matt: They're on the news aren't they

Kelly: I'll get Marjan to turn on the TV

Olivia: Send me that channel now Nolan

Nolan: On it

***

"Folks, please be advised we're approaching Austin-Bergstrom International Airport," the pilot announced over the intercom, and Owen nestled into the corner across from TK, who sat huddled with his knees tight against his chest. "And we expect to start our descent in a few minutes."

"Dad?" TK whispered, barely audible considering he looked ready to cry.

"Yes, son?" Owen looked at him, giving him his full attention.

TK swallowed hard. "I wanted to go to the firehouse. I wanted to find a way into one of the ambulances."

The words felt like a shard of ice to Owen's heart, and he winced. "TK, we don't have to do this right now."

"I planned it all out in my head," TK continued, his words coming faster and faster. Now that he had started, he found it hard to stop. "I was gonna find a way to volunteer to do inventory of one of the ambulances and take a few vials of fentanyl. I was gonna steal it and . . . and get so high that nothing mattered. And I was ready." He ducked his head, avoiding looking into the green eyes just like his own. "And I would have done it if I hadn't asked Buck and Sylvie to stay with me."

"You did ask them," Owen told him gently. "And if you hadn't, I would have found you."

TK sniffed. "How can you know that?"

"You're my son," Owen answered firmly. "I'll always find you."

TK's lower lip wobbled, then he burst into sobs. "I can't believe I thought about doing that to Mom!" he cried. "I'm so sorry, Dad!"

It was hard to do with Genevieve sleeping on the floor between them, but Owen maneuvered so he could sit next to TK and draw his son into his arms. "Hey," he whispered, hugging TK tight. "Everything's gonna be OK."

TK meekly nodded, then as the plane rumbled and shuddered, he blindly held up his hand. It was engulfed in Owen's, and father and son held tightly to each other as the plane began its descent.

***

"I got it!" Jet burst out of her chair and tapped furiously on her tablet.

Elliot looked up from his computer, then the large screens on the wall lit with the news report. It showed the plane with black smoke billowing from one of the wings, and nausea bubbled in his stomach. "Oh, my God," he choked, his suddenly clammy hands curling into instinctive fists. Jet's already pale face drained of all color as she watched, her shaking hands threatening to drop her tablet. Ayanna was quiet as she left her office, and she silently moved to join Elliot, placing her hand on his shoulder. Elliot reached up to clasp her hand thankfully.

***

Jack anticipated the thud of footsteps that approached his office, and he held out his remote as Nolan barreled into the room, Sam stumbling behind him. "Which channel?" he asked, gesturing to the TV screen.

Nolan quickly flipped through the channels before landing on the correct one. "Here."

Sam covered her mouth in horror at the sight of the plane, the smoke blocking their view of the back half of the plane. "How high up are they?" she asked hoarsely.

Jack sighed heavily as he stood from his chair and joined his prosecutors. "High enough," he answered gravely.

***

For once, the 27th precinct was completely silent as the news played, silent enough that Frank heard Kate walk up behind him and he didn't have to turn and watch her. His eyes were glued to Flight 391, just like Kevin's and Dani's were. "I can't even imagine how they're feeling right now," Kevin whispered.

"None of us can," Kate shook her head in agreement.

Frank only nodded as he listened to the reel. "Folks, we have a breaking story unfolding in the skies over Austin. We're getting our first look now at Aero Flight 391, which we're being told experienced a mid-air explosion in one of its engines."

***

Amanda anxiously picked at her cuticles as she watched the news with Olivia and Sonny, grateful beyond measure that Fin and Peter had taken the kids to get prepared for the funeral and keeping them away from the sight of the burning plane. "They're not gonna make it here, are they?" she asked quietly.

"They need to make sure they land first," Sonny pointed out, swallowing hard as he hugged her against his side.

Olivia was silent, her knuckles white around her remote as the newscaster finished. "The engine and wing are now fully engulfed as the plane prepares to return to Austin for an emergency landing. We should warn our audience: what we're about to see could be disturbing."

***

Carlos had the position closest to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the airport, his dark eyes frantically scanning for any sign of Flight 391. When the smoking plane finally came into view, making its shaky way towards the tarmac, he swallowed hard and recited every prayer he knew in his head, never looking away from the plane that carried his boyfriend back to the ground.

***

The bag placed in front of the broken window was blown away, and smoke started to pour into the cabin. All of the passengers ducked and covered their heads, and the stewardess sat at the back of the cabin, her expression full of dread. Through it all, Owen and TK held tightly to each other, their eyes closed as they braced for whatever impact occurred.

***

The camera showed the moment Flight 391's landing gear hit the strip, and Sylvie let out a sound that was half-sob and half-scream as she turned and buried her face into Kelly's chest. The firehouse erupted into cheers around them, and Eddie hugged Buck tightly. "Thank God," the paramedic whispered roughly.

Buck hugged Eddie just as tightly, and he watched Matt and Kelly abandon all professionalism as they turned their attention to comforting Sylvie.

***

When the newscaster announced the safe arrival of Flight 391, Elliot bent over double and let out his breath in a rush. Ayanna leaned over him in concern, her hand on his back, and Elliot weakly waved her off. "I'm fine," he managed to say. "I'm fine."

"They made it, Elliot," Ayanna assured him as Jet clambered down the stairs to join them. "They're gonna be OK."

Elliot nodded, repeating those words in his head as Jet hugged him.

They made it.

***

Sam collapsed onto the couch in relief, and Jack smiled as he watched pure relief flood Nolan's expression. "We can always count on the Strands to have the darndest of luck," he remarked.

"You have no idea," Nolan breathed, answering his phone in a daze when it rang. "Price."

"Did you see them land?" Frank asked without further ado.

"Yeah, we did," Nolan nodded, sitting on the arm of the couch and rubbing a hand over his face as he concentrated on calming his racing heart. "They made it."

"Yeah, Nolan," Frank said with a small laugh. "They made it."

***

Amanda covered her mouth to stifle a relieved sob, and Sonny buried his nose in her hair, closing his eyes to keep from making a similar sound. Olivia shut off the news, not needing to see any more, and she ran a trembling hand through her hair. Peter emerged from the hallway a few seconds later, a worried look on his face. "The plane?" he asked.

"Back on the ground," Olivia answered, the slight shake in her voice the only sign of her nerves. "They're safe."

Peter smiled in satisfaction and crossed the room. "Those boys know how to pull through, don't they?" he asked, squeezing her shoulder.

Olivia nodded and sagged forward, and Peter caught her and hugged her tightly. "Yeah," Olivia mumbled, bringing her trembling hands up to clutch at Peter's suit jacket. "They always do."

***

TK tensed when he felt the jolt of the plane hitting the ground, but the plane kept moving once they hit. He blinked in shock and looked up at Owen, who burst into laughter. "Whoo!" he cheered in delight, and TK grinned when he realized they were back on the ground . . . and they were alive.

The cheers and applause of the passengers in the cabin were deafening, but TK didn't care at all as he scrambled to check on Genevieve. She hadn't stirred at the commotion, but the tourniquet was still in place. TK sat back and gave his dad an ear-to-ear grin, which Owen mirrored happily.

Whatever deity liked to screw with the 126 had pulled through this time, because they had made it back to Austin with Genevieve the only injured party. If that wasn't a win, TK had no idea what was.

***

Owen watched the firefighters douse the engine and wing, and once he was satisfied the burn was under control, he stepped away and walked to join TK, who was staring absently towards the airport. "Hey," he put a hand on his shoulder. "You OK?"

"Yeah," TK nodded. "I think so."

Owen nodded in return. "The NTSB has a couple more questions for me."

TK bit his lip. "We're not gonna make the funeral, are we?"

Owen sighed sadly and shook his head. "No," he replied. "No, son, we're not."

Instead of looking upset, TK nodded in resignation. "You think she'll forgive us?"

"I think she'd understand," Owen answered. He caught sight of someone arriving on the tarmac, and he smiled and patted TK's shoulder. "I'll go finish up."

TK turned to look in the direction Owen had, and he couldn't even begin to describe the relief that flooded through him when he saw Carlos frantically looking around before the police officer finally saw him. Carlos exhaled sharply and raced across the tarmac until he crashed into TK, and TK wound himself tightly around his boyfriend, burying his nose into Carlos's neck with a hysterical giggle. Carlos shook like a leaf in a storm as he clutched TK close, his voice breaking as he spoke. "I didn't think I was gonna see you again," he gasped. "I just kept thinking, 'I'm the one who put him on the plane!'"

"It's OK," TK pulled back and cupped Carlos's face in his hands, wiping away his tears. "It's OK."

Carlos sniffed, then his face rapidly paled when he saw the stains on TK. "Oh, my God," he balked, fumbling to part TK's jacket and take a closer look at his shirt. "What – ?"

"It's not my blood," TK hastened to assure him. "It's not me. It's not my blood, OK? I'm OK."

Carlos gulped. "You're OK?" he asked in a small voice.

TK nodded and kissed him. "I'm OK," he confirmed. The rattle of a gurney caught his attention, and he stepped away from Carlos. "I'll be right back!" he called over his shoulder. "Be right back!"

Genevieve was being attended to by a couple of paramedics, a man who looked like he could be her husband fussing over her. "I don't remember much," Genevieve said, and her dark eyes lit when TK approached her. "You're gonna have to ask the young man who saved my life." She smiled brilliantly at him, making TK smile in return. "Your mama's gonna be so proud of you."

Owen chuckled as he joined them, cupping the back of TK's neck. "She already is." TK ducked his head sheepishly and smiled, and he patted Genevieve's knee before backing away. The paramedics lifted Genevieve's gurney into the ambulance, and Owen sighed as he looked between TK and Carlos. "What do you wanna do?"

TK looked towards the sky thoughtfully, then he answered, "Kinda wanna remember Mom."

"Always," Owen nodded in agreement.

"I mean, like, right now," TK grinned. "How's Chinese food sound for you guys?"

***

"Alright," Fin stepped out of the funeral home to join Olivia, who was scanning the parking lot and the sidewalk. "Rollins, Carisi, and Stone are saving the seats for us, and the kids are sufficiently distracted until the service begins."

"Good," Olivia nodded absently.

She straightened when she caught sight of a new arrival, and Fin watched Elliot walk up to them while buttoning his suit jacket. "Did you have a heart attack, too?" Fin asked dryly.

"Man, you have no idea," Elliot sighed, looking exhausted even though Olivia knew the task force had stayed at home base for the day. "I thought mine was gonna jump out of my chest."

Fin patted his shoulder comfortingly, then he headed back into the funeral home. Olivia sighed and hugged Elliot, feeling his arms come up to hug her, too. "That could have gone so, so horribly wrong," she whispered.

"I know," Elliot nodded. "I can't bear to think about how Owen must be feeling."

Olivia cringed in horror. "This day couldn't be any worse for them."

Elliot sighed heavily and checked his watch. "We might as well get inside. Funeral will start soon."

Olivia nodded and turned to head inside, but a shout of their names stopped the pair of officers in their tracks. They turned and watched Nolan and Sam run up to them, both dressed in black like them. "Nolan? Sam?" Olivia asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"We're not late, are we?" Sam panted as she checked her watch. "We checked our timing before we left the courthouse."

Elliot blinked. "You came for the funeral?"

"Of course, we did," Nolan nodded as he got his breathing under control. "Most of our work can be pushed until later. This was more important."

Olivia shook her head incredulously. "You didn't even know Gwyn!"

"That doesn't matter," Nolan shrugged and smiled. "As a very wise person once told me . . . family shows up for each other, right?"

He nodded towards the parking lot, and Olivia's jaw dropped as Ayanna, Jet, Frank, Kevin, and Kate walked up to join them. Even the newest member of Olivia's team, Joe Velasco, was bringing up the rear. The only person missing was Jack. "Guys . . . " Olivia trailed off in disbelief.

"You didn't have to do this," Elliot shook his head.

"We know," Jet shrugged.

"We wanted to," Ayanna smiled.

"We show up for each other, right?" Frank gave Nolan a pointed look.

Nolan grinned and nodded in agreement, and Olivia shook her head, unable to find the words as she turned towards the funeral home. "Thank you," Elliot said for both of them, holding out a grateful hand to Nolan.

Nolan shook his hand firmly. "You're welcome."

The group received very curious looks when they trekked into the funeral home, but Sonny's wide eyes, Amanda's gasp, and Peter's wide grin spoke volumes. Fin merely shook his head but got to work pointing out seats for everyone to take. "Family, man," he remarked. "It's not just blood."

"No," Olivia smiled as she took her seat next to Noah, Elliot taking the one next to her. "No, it's not."

***

TK and Carlos's loft had Chinese takeout on what looked like every surface, and Owen snorted as he took his carton of takeout. "Did we buy out all the Chinese takeout in Austin?"

"Just taking a look at this?" Matt smiled as he picked up his own carton. "We might have."

"I don't see the problem!" TK called from the living room.

The laughter of the 126 made Owen roll his eyes as he joined the rest of his family. "I'm abandoning sodium for weeks after this," he griped.

"Live a little, Chief," Judd grinned as Grace giggled next to him. "It's for a good cause."

"The best," Owen admitted as he took his seat next to Tommy, and he smiled as Evie and Izzy instantly plopped down on the floor and nestled on either side of his legs. "Thanks, guys."

"Anything for y'all, Owen," Grace smiled.

"They were happy to let us out of the call center early when our supervisor heard what happened," Maddie nodded.

"And we got pulled out of school!" Christopher grinned from his perch between Buck and Eddie.

"Family emergency!" Evie and Izzy chorused in unison.

"Well, it wasn't a lie, was it?" Tommy chuckled.

"Nope!" Ben chirped, Griffin shaking in laughter next to him. "Not at all."

"Because family shows up for each other," Sylvie beamed at Owen. "No matter what."

"Thanks, guys," TK smiled around the room, Carlos kissing the top of his head comfortingly. "I can't think of a better way to remember Mom."

"We're happy to do it, man," Mateo smiled.

"Especially after your close call," Marjan added.

"Yeah, now I'm gonna be wary every time I get on a plane," Paul wrinkled his nose.

That brought up several sounds of agreement from people who had Chinese in their mouths, and Owen smiled and reached for the open beer bottle in front of him. "Seriously, thank you everyone," he said as he held up his bottle. "To remembering Gwyn."

"To Mom," TK held up his mineral water.

The toast was repeated around the room, and Owen sat back and dug into his food, listening as TK dove into stories about his mother, the rest of the 126 listening attentively as they ate. It wasn't the way he and TK had expected to spend their day remembering Gwyn, but they were around their family and sharing stories of the woman who had meant so much to them.

Not a bad way to spend the day at all, he thought.

***

The weather cooled as evening rolled into New York, yet Olivia didn't feel the chill much as she wrapped her coat tighter around her and looked down at Gwyn's grave, freshly covered with earth. "This still doesn't feel real," she whispered.

"It never does," Elliot said heavily from next to her. "Not until the service actually happens."

Soft footsteps sounded behind them, but Olivia had a guess as to their visitor before he stopped on her other side. "Thank you for today," she said.

"I think I speak for the rest of us when I say I was happy to do it," Nolan nodded as he shoved his hands into his coat pockets and looked down at the tombstone that had yet to bear Gwyn's name and dates. "It was the right thing to do. If the Strands couldn't be here, we could."

"I don't know how many people would have done the same," Elliot admitted.

Nolan shrugged. "I'm just trying to be the better person."

Olivia smiled at him. "I don't know what you were like before you met Sylvie, but that's definitely who you are now."

Nolan smiled fondly. "She has that effect on people."

Elliot chuckled. "You have no idea."

"Believe me," Nolan shook his head. "I definitely do." They stood in silence for a few seconds, then Nolan spoke again. "Jack sends his regrets that he couldn't make it."

"It's OK," Olivia shook her head. "We appreciated everyone who did. He has a much bigger amount of people to supervise."

"That wasn't the reason he missed it," Nolan sighed. "Richard Wheatley fired his representation. Again."

Elliot snorted loudly. "What is this, the third time?"

Nolan nodded. "But they scored a hit this time. They argued to knock Stone off the case."

"Peter?" Olivia's jaw dropped. "Why?"

"They're arguing the personal connection," Nolan answered. "Stabler's years with SVU and with you as his partner, and of course with you dating Stone . . . "

Olivia scoffed. "That's an argument that could be made every time Peter prosecutes one of our cases. Hell, it's been attempted several times."

"I know," Nolan nodded. "But from what Jack told me, it sounds like the judge may allow it."

Elliot growled low in his throat. "Wheatley is filthy rich and charismatic," he bit out. "If he pays someone off enough, he could spin the trial any way he wants."

Olivia sighed. "What are the chances he could get a prosecutor that could throw the case for him?"

"Not with Jack at the helm," Nolan shook his head. "He has a tight leash on the office."

"Is any leash tight enough?" Elliot huffed. "I know I'm sounding pessimistic, but after all Wheatley has done . . . I want this ironclad, Nolan. I want him put away for good."

Nolan hummed and rocked on his heels. "If only you knew a prosecutor high up in the office who owed you one."

He waited for the other shoe to drop. When it did, both Olivia and Elliot looked at him with wide eyes. "You aren't saying," Olivia began, looking at him in shock.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Nolan nodded. "I told you after I got home from Chicago that I owed you both for taking out Copeland in Los Angeles. I've followed all the proceedings with Richard Wheatley once I got into the office. I want him in prison just as much . . . well, I doubt I could want it as much as Elliot, but I want him put away just like you do. I am more than happy to throw my hat into the ring and take this case myself."

"And you can do that?" Elliot asked incredulously.

Nolan snorted. "I'm Jack's right-hand man. With how high-scale this case is, I can definitely get this case in my hands."

"Nolan . . . " Olivia trailed off and shook her head in disbelief. "You are just full of miracles today."

Nolan smiled. "Do what you can for family, right?"

Elliot laughed. "You fit right in, Nolan."

Nolan grinned. "I'm doing my best." Olivia smiled and nodded, and she carefully placed a bouquet of Gwyn's favorite flowers on top of her grave. "So," Nolan backed away and joined the pair in leaving the cemetery, "what else is on your plan for tonight?"

"Well," Elliot tilted his head. "Did Gwyn still like that place on Spring Street?"

"She did," Olivia grinned and looked at Nolan. "How do you feel about Chinese food?"

***

As Owen closed his door behind him, his phone chimed with an incoming text. As he pulled out his phone, he noted the message had been sent to TK as well. When he opened the message, he grinned widely at the sight.

It contained a selfie taken by Olivia of herself, Elliot, and Nolan in one of the booths at the Spring Street Chinese restaurant, their table piled with all of the Strands' favorite foods. The message included with the photo was simple.

Everyone in New York is remembering Gwyn tonight. Love to everyone.

Owen sent a heart emoji in response, and TK's enthusiastic spamming of hearts followed soon after. He placed his phone back on the counter and pulled out a tumbler and his favorite tequila, pouring himself a shot. "Miss you, Gwyn," he said quietly as he finished pouring. He and his ex-wife may not have always seen eye to eye, but he had loved her for a long time, and he had his beloved son thanks to her. She would never be replaced, and Owen had no desire to see it happen.

To Gwyn, he toasted quietly as he drank. We love you and miss you.

***

I loved this episode because we got back to the relationship I love and thought was the original heart of the show: Owen and TK. Yeah, after the first two episodes everyone was hooked on Tarlos, but the tipping point that made Owen ultimately decide to move to Austin was to help TK. I adored their relationship in the first season, and it's a relationship I'm striving to keep strong throughout this series. Seeing them get the spotlight for this episode was a highlight.

I just wish they could have made the funeral. :/ But it was a stellar moment to bring the New York family together without physically including everyone in Austin. It reminded me of why I loved "A Chicago Welcome" from back in Season 8 of Chicago Fire, and I attempted to bring that spirit here. I think I accomplished that.

And I think you can tell which episode is coming up, can't you? ;) We still have an episode of Lone Star and the order side of "Filtered Life" to finish, but after that, we get the New York crossover . . . and Nolan is at the helm of the Richard Wheatley trial.

There's no way that can go wrong, can it? *smiles innocently*

Kelly's biography is up!

***

Kelly

Irish, "war"

Choleric

strength, aggression, passion

The Warrior

forceful, loyal, determined

Type 8, The Challenger

self-confident, decisive, confrontational

ESTP

The Dynamo

Gryffindor

bravery, courage, daring

Aries

the fearless, impulsive, intense, courageous, determined, confident, passionate

Fire

charismatic, focused, daring

The Upright Magician

influence, willpower, resourcefulness, skill, ability

Archetypes

Break the Cutie, The Casanova, Chick Magnet, Everyone Can See It, Firemen Are Hot, Gut Feeling, Like Father Like Son, Polyamory, Rank Up, Red Oni Blue Oni, True Companions

Neutral Good

The Benefactor

Status

alive

***

Next up, Owen gets a new pet and Nolan tries a case when he doesn't even have a body!

graphic by marvelity