Title: Mayday!
Chapter 1 – The Perfect Storm?
Summary: What started out as a routing boat repairing adventure quickly turns into a fight for desperate survival as Matt, Kelly and George are thrown into a life or death battle against the watery elements. Will Shay lose her family due to nature's fury?
Disclaimer: Chicago Fire and its characters are the property of Dick Wolfe, NBC and….well sadly not me
A/N: Okay so it is time for another perilous three musketeer outing once again despite this being a standlone story (b/c of its angsty/perilous nature) it will still try to keep within the Adventures in Babysitting universe/timeline and so hopefully you are all enjoying that series. This story will open up after the last adventure left off (Call the fire department?) so yes you'll see some fallout from the apartment fire mishap (hey you knew our boys couldn't live that one down right?-a neighbor calling the fire department on two fire fighters?) muwhahaha okay so joking aside and time for some peril and hope you all like this little ficlet!
"Hey Lieutenant, I heard you have a day off day after next. You know if you're gonna try your hand at cooking again I do have a spare kitchen sized fire extinguisher you can borrow."
"Thanks Mouch. I'll keep that in mind," Severide deadpans as he looks at the amused expression but merely shakes his head and continues on his way toward the lockers.
"Casey! Heard you might be babysitting again this weekend. If you need the number for a really good pizza delivery place let me know."
"I think we can handle it Cruz but thanks."
And on it went for another two weeks:
"Who burnt dinner?"
"Might have been Casey or Severide?"
"Anyone call the fire department?"
"We're already in a Fire hall."
"Hey Severide you got a visitor, your nosey neighbor."
"I burnt the sauce, call the fire department!"
"We are the fire department!"
"I think we should get Casey to check all the in-house fire extinguishers."
"Hey eBay is selling a few brand new kitchen fire extinguishers for half price!"
"Maybe they need to take cooking lessons? You know how now to burn down the kitchen!"
"Don't forget to call 911 if you get into trouble!" Otis snickers as Casey looks at him with a less than amused expression as he closes the door to his locker; Severide coming into view.
"How long's it been?"
"Two weeks straight since we got back. You'd think they'd tire of it by now," Severide groans as he grabs his jacket and slowly heads toward Casey. "I think Shay's behind part of it."
"Figures," Casey lightly grumbles as they reemerge into general population; Hermann eyeing them in suspicion, Otis grinning and Mouch holding up a small fire extinguisher. The two of them mutter sarcastic thank you's before they head for the large doors and out into the cool evening air. But as they near Casey's truck both have to just stop and laugh at the wrapped box on his hood. "Kelly…"
"Hey this wasn't my…idea," he snatches the card and reads it. "It's from Capp," he looks at Casey in wonder as Casey opens the box. Casey can only offer a small groan as he holds up the miniature fire extinguisher with a Lego man attached to it.
"Hey at least it's the Firefighter Lego man."
"That isn't funny. Give that back," Casey yanks the small plastic toy from Severide's grasp. "It's too small for George to play with."
"Who said it was for him?" Severide wags his brows; forcing a small snicker to escape Casey's lips. "Hey at least there's no Iron Chef competitions in our near future."
"What are we doing on Thursday?"
"Fixing the boat for the winter remember? You forgot?"
"The weather has been pretty nasty these days so I was trying."
"We'll be moored the entire time. Dad's been trying to sell that damn sailboat forever and he finally has a bite…but only if it's in proper working condition," Severide replies with a small shrug. "Besides Shay is hosting a ladies afternoon and I do not want to be anywhere near that place with all that going on," Severide lightly moans, forcing Casey's lips to elicit a soft smirk.
"You sure?"
"A bunch of drunken women who aren't interested in me?" Severide counters as Casey grins trying to picture his friend surrounded by a bunch of drunken women hitting on his roommate and not him.
"Might be even too much for you to handle."
"After about half hour I think I'd purposely set fire to the apartment just give myself an excuse to go into work mode and then leave to do the paperwork," Severide gently chuckles.
"Imagine the comments your nosey neighbor would have to say then," Casey adds.
"Damn that guy," Severide snickers as he finally gives Casey a wave and both take their leave; getting into their respective vehicles and heading for home to get some muchly needed rest after some long, intensive shifts.
After locking the front door, Casey heads into his kitchen, placing the small Lego toy on the top of his stove as a reminder and giving his head a gentle shake at Capp's silly reminder. His mind thinks back to the tense shifts as he looks at the fridge, suddenly feeling a lot more tired than he had first anticipated; telling himself he'd have a shower and then see exactly how much energy he has left to cook with. But as soon as he eases himself down onto his bed to remove his socks, he leans back, curls on his side and doesn't get up until the morning.
"How did you convince Shay to let us take George out onto the boat?" Casey asks as he shoves his small duffle bag into the trunk of Severide's car and then hops into the front seat, closing the door and then turning to look at George who gives him a big happy grin in return. But upon hearing only silence Casey pulls back and looks at Severide in suspect. "You told her right?"
"I mentioned it. She's busy with this whole ladies afternoon plus she'd freak with him being that close to the water," Severide tries to explain.
"You've had him in the water before."
"She thinks the three of us together specifically attract trouble. Those were her exact words," Severide concludes, earning a small chuckle from Casey in return.
"She is kinda right."
"Why do you think I didn't press the issue," Severide lightly snickers. "The boat will be docked and it'll be fine. I'll make sure George has his water wings on but he won't go near the edge. We'll keep him chained in the basement," he adds with a laugh as Casey turns and looks at George with a mock horrified expression to which George merely looks at and smiles before he offers Casey the toy he's gumming.
"mmmm ummmmmmm," George happily babbles as he pulls the toy back with a squeal, Casey turning around to the front and looking at Severide in suspect.
"Hey even Boden told me his first real word will probably be mum."
"They are biased you know," Casey reminds him seriously.
"Just don't make because it's because of the boobs comment."
"He's your son not mine," Casey laughs as they reach the parking for the quiet marina; Severide stopping the car and both looking out into the rather dismal weather. "At least the rain is holding off."
"Yeah for now. And since I've already sprung for happy meals, this time we go for a real dinner."
"Applebees?" Casey retorts as he holds up the printed menu.
"Hey they have a great kids menu," Severide offers in rebuttal as they get out of the car; Severide reaching in the back for George as Casey heads for the trunk to get the tools he brought for their afternoon outing. In truth the repairs that were needed weren't extensive but he knows that his friend just wanted to escape the activity at his own apartment and having something real to do gave him a viable excuse.
"Wind's picking up," Casey notes in a low tone as they slowly head down the deserted wooden dock that the defunct sailboat was attached to Severide placing a small life jacket around George for some extra safety.
"Yeah we won't last too long out here. Let's just fix what we have to and then go hang at your place."
"What happened to Applebees?" Casey asks with a mock pout.
"We can still go later," Severide answers with a small head shake and low chuckle. "I swear sometimes you're worse than George when it comes to pouting. In fact I think he got his sad face from you."
"I do not have a very believable sad face."
"Well I always seem to fall for it," Severide snickers.
"That's only because you're gullible," Casey fires back; both of them laughing and George looking on in wonder.
"What's that they say about younger siblings?" Severide teases.
"Not that again," Casey groans.
"Hey not to put too fine a point on the matter but I do have a few more greys than you."
"And you blame me?" Casey asks in shock.
"I tried to blame George but Shay got after me," Severide smiles as he pokes his son's belly, eliciting a small laugh from the little boy. "And after dinner we'll go back to your place and watch a movie."
"I don't have many kids' movies," Casey reminds him in truth.
"I heard the perfect storm is on tonight."
"That's depressing," Casey retorts sourly. "You know they all die right?"
"I was kidding. Shay would have my hide if I watched that in front of George."
"Just Shay?" Casey arches his brows.
But as soon as they near the boat with the gently lapping waves crashing against it and the wind lightly howling through the tunnels the body of the boat coupled with the dock was making, George starts to fuss.
"He'll be okay once we're inside," Severide tries to assure Casey who immediately looks at him in concern. "He'll be okay. Here take him and I'll go up first."
"Shhh George it's okay," Casey tries to soothe as George's little eyebrows turn red and his arms start to flail as he watches his father pull away. Casey waits until Severide is firmly on the boat deck before passing George over and then reaching back for the duffle bag. Severide carries George down into the hull of the boat, putting the little bright plastic blow up water wings around his arms as Casey slumps down onto the narrow stairs to watch. "Winds picking up."
"Check the anchor. I know this thing is tied to the dock but better to be safe than sorry right?" Severide looks up with a small frown.
"Yup. Be right back."
Severide watches Casey disappear and then turns his attention back to George who looks up with a somewhat worried expression. "My boy will be just fine," Severide tries to assure him as George looks around; finally spying something he wants and then trying to get himself to stand up on the gently rocking surface. But as soon as he tries to stand up, the boat rocks and he plops back down on his bum, looking at his father in frustration. "Curious George needs his sealegs," Severide gently teases his son. But a small growl from up top on the deck, makes him look toward the small stairwell opening in panic.
"Matt?"
"I'm okay!" Casey calls back with an angry tone; Severide pursing his lips as he knows he's not being told the entire truth.
"Okay daddy's just gonna check on Uncle Matt for a sec…" Severide mutters as he hears a distinct bump on the deck and quickly pops his head up to see Casey sprawled on the deck, perched precariously close to the edge. "What the heck happened?"
"Don't have my sealegs yet," Casey grumbles as he gratefully accepts Severide's grasp as it pulls him away from the edge, allowing him to get to his knees and then stand up.
"Should I make clumsy little brother comment?" Severide snickers as he holds onto Casey's arm for a few seconds longer.
"Don't start," Casey grumbles as he pulls his arm free. "Winds really picked up. Not really that safe to be out here if it gets worse. George might get sick."
"You're right. Let me just check the leak in the engine room to make sure no more water's getting in and we'll come back another day. Hey at least we aren't on the water right?"
"You're squad, this should be no big deal for you," Casey teases with a friendly slap to Severide's back.
"I'm not worried about me," Severide mutters under his breath.
Both of them turn and head for the opening to go back down into the boat, not seeing the heavy cylinder that had become un-wedged from its original location and was now slowly rocking back and forth as it moves toward the edge. A heavy gust of wind pitches the boat to the left, forcing the cylinder to roll to the right, finally reaching the edge and plunking down into the water. However, unbeknownst to all, the heavy object hurls toward the small anchor, clipping one of the sides and forcing it to break free from the edge of the dock it had been attached to. Within minutes the boat starts to protest against the front and back ropes keeping it attached to the dock; ropes that weren't checked before the boat was boarded.
"Will these cupboards open?" Casey inquires, hoping that nothing will fall out and hurt them – especially George.
"No they're mostly empty, besides they're all locked. Just the bathroom ones are open. Okay I'll work fast. Just entertain George."
"What's George found?" Casey asks as he plunks himself down beside George on the floor and picks up one of his plastic toys; Severide heading for the small engine compartment to check on the water status. But an angry grumble soon tells Casey all he needs to know. "Water's getting in?"
"Yup. Made a mess too," Severide growls as he pops his head back into the main cabin, gesturing for Casey to hand him the roll of paper towels.
"You sure it's enough?"
"Yeah it'll do for what I need it for. Nice water wings squirt," Severide teases his son; George giving his father a toothy grin as he tries to hurry toward the open door to the engine compartment.
"Where you going?" Casey quickly grabs George and pulls him back before he can tumble down the small steps and hurt himself even a little. All of them feel the boat gently rocking and the wind howling outside but figured that since the ropes and anchor are in place, everything would be fine and the less time they waste with the elements they sooner they'd be able to leave them behind for the warmth and safety of Casey's living room.
"Need a hand?"
"Under the small sink is a socket set. I need that!" Severide calls out.
"Okay hold on," Casey replies in a lout tone as he leaves George on the floor with his toys and water wings still attached and goes to retrieve the socket set and then handing it to Severide before he pulls back, resting on his knees and surveying the small room. "What's the damage?"
"Water's gotten into the pump. Good thing we aren't taking her out…it could just die and then we'd be stuck," Severide groans as he looks up with a heavy frown. "Might cost more than I wanted though. Damn," he concludes with a soft curse that George can't hear.
A loud clap of thunder finally rips open the sky; rocking the boat and forcing the small boy's lips to utter a frightened gasp.
"Hey George it's okay," Casey tries to calm the child as he looks up at Casey with wide blue eyes and soft trembling lips. "Daddy's almost done and then we'll be leaving okay?"
"He okay?" Severide calls out in concern.
"Yeah he'll be fine," Casey calls back. "I like George's water wings," Casey smiles as he playfully pokes the bright plastic inflatable rings on either side of George's body. But the little male child doesn't see it as amusing as the grown adult male before him, making Casey's lips purse in concern. "Everything's going to be okay George. Kelly, the rocking's getting stronger."
"I know damn just cut myself," Severide hisses as he pulls back to survey the damage he inflicted on his own appendage.
"Where's the first aid kit?"
"I'll be…"
"Where?" Casey asks in exasperation.
"Top cupboard above the bathroom sink."
"This bathroom has even less space than an airplane."
"Why do you think we don't spend a lot of time in it?" Severide retorts with a small snicker as he holds out his hand.
"Ouch," Casey frowns at the gash on top of Severide's right hand.
"dddddddd….eeeeeeeeee…" George starts to whimper as the sky outside reverberates with another angry thunderclap.
"Kelly…"
"Just another five minutes or so. I got most of the water out and I just have to get the electrical panel closed. Once it's closed the water can't get back in and I'll come back and fix it another day. The rocking is starting to get to me now."
"Okay."
Casey heads back for the bathroom, leaving George on the floor watching with a somewhat bewildered expression as Casey leaves him and disappears for a few seconds. Casey's head ducks back out and gives George a warm smile before he decides to head for the stairwell and just see what the situation is outside. He makes sure the babygate is in place so George can't follow and heads for the top. But as soon as he pops his head outside into the raging elements, part of him wishes he hadn't.
"Oh damn," Casey softly curses as his eyes widen. "Kelly!" He shouts in horror as he darts back into the stairwell, Severide poking his head out to see what was wrong.
"What?" Severide asks, seeing George safely within reach.
"We've pulled away from the docks."
"What!" Severide gasps as he scrambles to get up off his knees.
"In fact we've pulled into the bay."
"Oh damn not good…" Severide utters as he pushes past Casey and heads for the stairs, popping his head out of the stairwell only to be pelted with driving rain and biting wind. He spies the dock a good number yards in the distance and can only curse the fact that he didn't secure the boat as well as he thought he had. Either that or the moorings had given way. Or both.
"What do we do now?" Casey asks as he squeezes in beside Severide, both of them looking at their bleak situation. "Can you get this thing started and point us back to the docks?"
"I better. Or at least get the rudder to point us back to shore…any shore. Can you get a cell signal out here?"
"I better," Casey swiftly responds as both of them hurry back into the hull of the sailboat, George looking up in wonder as both males frantically get to their assigned tasks. Casey's lips can only curse as he looks at the 'no signal' message on his phone. "Emergency calls should still go through," he mutters to himself as he tries to dial 911 and then prays it'll connect. "Hello?" Casey asks in a loud tone as the sky rips open overhead once more. "Hello? Can you hear me…this is a mayday from…"
"Say…again…Sir…"
"Hello?...damn," Casey curses as the line goes dead. "They can't trace cell numbers can they?"
"No!" Severide calls out from the engine room as he tosses his phone into the cabin. "Turn on the GPS at least."
"Right…GPS…" Casey tells himself as he turns on the GPS tracker for Severide's phone and then does the same with his own before trying 911 once more. "Hello? This Matt Casey. This is a mayday call! We are on the southw…"
"Marina…boats drifting…need…help…two men…child…boat is…the leslie…Mayday! Mayday!...we are…" is all the emergency services hear.
"Hello? Ah dang lost them again!" Casey growls as the line goes dead once more. But just before he can redial, a crash up top is heard; Severide poking his head out of the engine room in wonder just as George starts to whimper from fear. "It'll be okay George," Casey tries to calm the frightened child as he looks up at Severide with an uncertain frown. "I'll check."
"Matt, just be careful," Severide warns firmly.
"I will. Any luck?" Casey asks as he places the small baby gate in front of the stairs so that George couldn't follow.
"Not yet," he huffs as he disappears back into the room; his mind racing as he pauses in his efforts and reaches for his phone. He tries to send a text to Shay – who at the moment was completely distracted with her ladies only adult party. "Damn it Shay answer," he growls before he tosses the phone onto the counter and goes back to the engine.
Casey's hands grip the top rails as he once again is greeted by the angry elements; the rain pelting him as his eyes narrow – looking around for their would be party crasher. He spies the end of the boom line caught up with a small lantern and heads toward it, his body crouching low and trying to keep from toppling over thanks to the merciless wind.
"Oh give me a break will you," Casey growls as he stops and then drops to his knees, spying a lifejacket and reaching for it. He quickly fastens it around him before continuing; telling himself it was always better to be safe than sorry and knowing Severide would probably give him a verbal scolding for teaching George bad habits if he went without one.
Deciding to remain on all fours, Casey carefully crawls along the top of the rocking deck toward the part of the boom rigging that was swinging back and forth in the wind and breaking whatever was in its path. He curses the boats movement as he reaches for the bottom of the main part of the decking, spying the broken lantern but snags his hand and opens a small slice in his palm before he flings it toward the back of the boat. He can only utter an angry growl as he reaches for the lines flapping in the wind forcing the end of the boom to finally break loose and swing to the right.
"No!" Casey shouts as he tries to stand up to get it. But the swaying of the stormy waters quickly force him back down as he continues to very carefully crawl toward the edge of the boat to get the rigging for the boom and secure it. "When do I tell him I hate boats," Casey groans in sarcasm as his right hand grips the icy side as he tries once again to stand up and grab the flapping rigging. "Just give me a break will you?" Casey huffs as he finally stands upright. He manages to grab the rigging and yank it toward him; his mind racing to find the correct knot to tie rigging down in a manner that would make it stay put until they were safely back on shore.
"Finally," Casey pants as he ties the last knot, looking down at his bloody hand and cursing as he's finally aware of the stinging. He spies the rope ladder hanging off the edge of the side and figures he'll secure it also; one less thing to worry about losing.
But just as he bends down to reach for it; Severide manages to get the engine to turn over, forcing Casey's body to pitch forward into the rigging, grabbing onto it as he's flung to the left; his hands clinging to the wet ropes. However, his weight, coupled with his inexperienced knot tying threaten to undo the rigging – setting the boom free once more and turning it into an unpredictable weapon.
"Ah damn it!" Severide curses as the engine stalls on him once more. "It's okay Georgie…don't cry my boy…Uncle Matt will be right…TURN OVER!" Severide shouts from inside the small engine compartment. He rests back on his knees for a few seconds before he thinks about starting once more.
However, just as he does he thinks he hears Casey calling his name and then silence. "I'm trying…" Severide grumbles as he turns his attention back to the engine to try once more. But he can't get the anguished call out of his mind and looks down at his watch. "He should be back by now," Severide whispers as he pushes himself up and heads into the main cabin, looking at George who looks up with large watery eyes. "I know you're scared but I'll be right back okay?" He quickly does a scan of the room to make sure everything was still locked down, hops over the baby gate and heads up the stairs. The angry droplets start to pelt him instantly as he emerges; his eyes squinting as they start to scan for Casey.
"MATT!" Severide shouts upon not seeing his friend. "Matt!" He tries once more as he slowly climbs onto the deck and looks around. "Not playing games here!" He calls out frantically. "Oh damn this is not good! MATT!" He shouts in a panic once more as he heads for the boom that was now swinging free, literally praying to God that Casey hasn't fallen overboard. "Matt where the hel…" is all Severide manages before his lips utter a horrified gasp at seeing Casey's head bob back up in the water.
"MATT!" Severide shouts in horror as he frantically looks around for another lifejacket. With the driving storm and the uncertainty of help on the way; Severide has to push past the fact of leaving George alone in the belly of the boat or letting Casey drown. "George is safe…get Matt!"
Severide's brain curses the movement of his fingers as the cold now starts to impede his progress. He quickly ensures the small rope ladder is fastened properly and then looks around for the life ring. He ensures the roping around the ring is secure enough to hold Casey's weigh before he turns and heads for the edge of the boat; offering a small prayer before tosses the life ring over and then jumps in.
His body starts to instantly rebel as he willingly plunges into the icy depths, holding his breath and closing his eyes. He bobs back up a few meters from Casey's unmoving frame and pushes himself toward his friend's body. "Matt!...buddy…come on now…" Severide pants as he finally reaches Casey's water logged frame; thankful that he had at least put on a lifejacket that was now helping to keep him afloat.
"Matt!" Severide shouts over the howling wind as he tries to tread water, gently lifting Casey's face above the lapping waves as much as possible to keep water from getting into his mouth and nose. "Matt!" He shouts once more as he finally notices bloody bump on his forehead, surmising that the boom rigging must have come loose and just as Casey turned was struck in the face and pitched over the side. His ear presses against Casey's close lips and then nose but he only breaths a small sigh of relief upon feeling a pulse. But as the elements all around laugh at his puniness, he knows that until he gets Casey onto the deck, they were still in grave danger.
"Matt…come on buddy wake up…" he gently slaps Casey's cold cheek in the hopes of getting him to at least wake up and swim back on his own. But Casey's eyes remain closed, his head lolling to the right.
"Damn work…with me…here…" Severide pants as he tries to drag Casey and swim with one arm toward the bobbing life ring. But with no one in control of the boat the movements were erratic and at the mercy of the fierce wind and waves. He nears the life ring, reaching out for it only to have the boat pitch to the right, dragging the life ring with it.
"NO! DAMN IT!" Severide curses as his free arm and legs have to push harder to get him within reach of the life ring once more. After what seems like an hour but in reality was only about five minutes, he reaches the rope edging of the life ring and clutches onto it fiercely.
"Casey! Wake up!" Severide shouts, hoping his incessant yelling would annoy Casey enough to open his eyes and help him out. That wasn't to be. "Okay…so I just gotta…" Severide grumbles as he holds onto the life ring with his free arm as they continue to bob in the water; Casey's head now resting on his shoulder. "Okay this is what I'm gonna do…" Severide mentions, not caring if Casey was unconscious or not. "I'm gonna get this over your head and shoulders and get back onto the boat and pull you up okay?"
"MATT!" Severide shouts once more, hoping this time it would work and Casey would wake up. It still doesn't.
Severide looks around at the darkened waves and can only curse the fact that they were now caught up in the perfect storm. "Okay…here we go."
However, back on shore, a text was finally answered; frantic eyes staring in shock. "Oh no what? George!" Shay exclaims as she reaches for the phone.
But just before Severide can get to work on saving Casey's life and getting them both out of the water to wait for help; Severide hears something that literally stops his heart cold. He looks up and sees the frantic face of his son peering over edge before moving closer. The last time the boat had pitched, the baby gate had fallen over, enabling George to crawl over and go in search of his father's voice.
"Oh god no…" Severide whispers as his world starts to spin once more; George nearing the edge.
"GEORGE! NO!"
A/N: YIKES! You guys got any nails left? See its a good thing I don't have any to begin with haha *doh* so had to get a few lighter/teasing moments in there the before all hell broke loose. So Severide literally has his hands fully with this water rescue! Will George also end up in the water? Will all three lives be on the line? Will Shay get them help in time? Or is all hope lost at sea? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!