Hello! Does anyone remember me? I was writing a lot in the spring but then my account got hacked and my stories deleted. I've managed to recover my writings and am now attempting to return to FF. If you were an old fan and wish to see my stories republished, or perhaps you're a new fan (WELCOME!), then please PM me or review letting me know! I'll happily update my stories in the next day or so!
I'm a total sucker for Sevasey and the amazing Bromance. I wish there was more of it on the show, but content myself with other fanfictions and dabbling on my own! This would be somewhere early 2nd season. I hope you enjoy! Please leave a review with your thoughts!
"What've we got Chief?" Casey asked as he and Severide approached Bowden.
They stood in front of a ritzy hotel, the Onyx. Boden's eyes swept over the building, calculating. "We have four elevators to check and clear. The fire's on the top three floors but believed easily containable. All the occupants are reported safely out. Casey, you and Mills will aid Squad in evacuating the elevators. Hermann and the rest of your crew will join Engine 51 in containing that fire."
The lieutenants nodded and moved to quickly bark orders, Casey sending his men, under Hermann's control, to the inferno, and Severide gathering materials.
"Alright, Mills, Casey, stick with me. We'll check shafts one and two. Capp, Clarke, check three and four. If you need assistance, let me know," Kelly ordered.
The two groups hurried into the building, quickly moving to the appropriate doors. As Mills and Casey unlocked and wrenched the doors open, Severide peered inside. Radioing to Boden that the first was clear, they quickly proceeded to the next set of doors. Repeating the process, they discovered the car to be several stories above them.
"Okay," Severide began, quickly forming a plan. "Mills, you and Casey head up there and check for occupants. I'll finish up down here with Capp and Clarke and meet you there."
The other two firemen nodded and jogged to the other end of the lobby, beginning to ascend the stairs. Kelly moved to assist Capp and Clarke.
Upon reaching the floor the car appeared to be on, Casey and Mills set about opening the metal doors. When they were able to open them, they realized the elevator was actually below them, suspended between floors.
"Severide," Casey radioed.
/Yeah?/
"The car's between floors. It's a few feet below us."
/Can you get to the access hatch?/
"Yeah, I think so…"
/Have Mills belay you and check for occupants. Remove your jacket and helmet before you go. We're headed your way./
"Copy that," Casey confirmed. Turning to Mills, he gave a small smile. "Ready to do some squad training?"
Mills grinned and began setting up the belay rope system as Casey shed his jacket and helmets. Once Casey was securely strapped in, Mills braced himself against the elevator doors. Carefully, Matt lowered himself through the opening, towards the elevator. As he reached the roof of the car, he called up to Mills.
"Alright, give me some slack. I'm going to open the emergency hatch," he called upwards. Feeling the rope loosen, Matt knelt on the metal roof. Turning the hatch handle, he heaved the door open. Laying on his stomach, he leant into the car. "Fire Department! Is everyone okay?"
Inside, he saw a man in a business suit, a woman holding a baby, and a young girl. They were all standing, appearing unharmed.
"We're okay," the woman answered, offering a small smile.
"Good, my name is Matt Casey. We'll get you out of here in just a few minutes," Casey reassured her. Standing back up, he reached for his radio once more. "Severide."
/Yeah, what's up Matt?/
"There are four occupants in the elevator. A man, a woman, a little girl, and a baby. All are uninjured."
/We're three floors down with the sled. Can you get the baby out? Boden's worried about a potential power outage./
"Copy that," Casey confirmed, leaning back into the opening. "Ma'am? Can you hand me the baby? Our team's bringing a rescue sled to bring the three of you out but it's not safe for the little guy. If you hand him to me, I'll hand him off to the firefighters on the floor above us."
The woman nodded and moved under the opening as Matt reached down into the car. "Shh…Tommy," she soothed, handing the boy to Matt's outstretched arms. "Go with the fireman honey."
Casey carefully grabbed the child and lifted him up through the hatch. "Hi there, Tommy," he greeted, easing to his feet. Looking up above him, he called out to Peter. "Hey Mills? I need you to reach down and grab Mr. Tommy here."
After a minute or two of shuffling, Peter's face appeared through the doors, a few feet above them. His arms soon followed, reaching for the tot. "Hey big guy," he smiled, retrieving the small boy.
Casey smiled lightly before looking back down the shaft. "Mills? I'm climbing in."
"Wait, Casey…" Mills protested, carefully standing with Tommy.
"Think about it, Mills. Someone will have to be in there to secure them to the sled. I'm already down here," Matt reasoned before leaning back into the elevator opening. "I'm coming down."
"Yes sir, Lieutenant," Peter conceded, watching as his leader maneuvered himself into the elevator car. Tommy gurgled contently in his arms, seemingly unfazed.
As Casey lowered himself into the elevator, he smiled, hoping to relieve the occupants. "Hello, once again, I'm Matt Casey. Tommy is safely upstairs with my team and the sled will be here any second. Then we're going to get you all out of here."
/Casey/
"I'm here, Severide," he responded, smiling at the young girl.
/We're above you. I'm coming down to the car and then I'll send the sled down to you./
"Sounds good," Casey agreed. "I'll send the girl up first."
/Copy that./
Seeing that the little girl was frightened, Matt knelt in front of her. "Hi there. What's your name?"
"Kelly," she said softly.
"Kelly huh?" Matt grinned. "Well Kelly, my best friend's name is Kelly, and he's climbing down right now to get you out of here."
"Really?" she smiled shyly.
"Really," he promised, hearing a light 'thud' above them. Motioning for her to step closer, Casey scooped her up. He walked to the hatch opening, just as Severide poked his head through. "Kelly, meet Kelly."
Severide beamed at the blonde girl, offering her a gloved hand. "Nice to meet you, Kelly. Ready to get out of here?" She nodded shyly, shaking his hand. "Well then, I'll send down your sled, little princess."
Matt set Kelly back down next to her mother before returning to the opening to help Severide lower the sled. "Alright, Kelly. Let's get you strapped in. Just lay down in the sled here and I'll fasten you in, okay?"
The little girl did as she was told and was soon lifted up and out to the hotel hall. Her mother, Eve, was taken up next, reunited with Tommy and Kelly. Finally, Matt turned to the business man. He looked nervous, sweating and slightly fidgeting. Casey frowned.
"Okay sir, you'll be next," he reassured him. "Just another minute or two."
The man nodded stiffly, taking a deep breath. Casey exchanged glances with Severide through the hatch before the sled was lowered once more. The man continued to breathe shakily and tense as the straps were fastened, dangerously close to breaking down. Giving the signal to raise the sled, Casey lifted the head and aided its ascent through the opening. Halfway through, the man snapped. The confines of the hatch and the straps were too much and he thrashed and kicked. The flailing caught Casey off guard, sending the fireman careening into the side of the elevator with a surprised yelp. The noise and crash caught the attention of the squad lieutenant. Severide quickly pulled the panicking man through, effectively clearing the hatch and calming the man minutely.
As Kelly faced the shaft, aiding the man's ascent, he called down below, concerned. "Casey?" Silence ensued. "Damnit Matt, answer me!"
Assuring the panicking man safely reached the hotel floor, and waiting fireman, Severide quickly spun to look through the hatch. Matt lay splayed out, motionless, his head flopped listlessly to the side.
"Matt!" he called out, frantically removing his harness and ropes. "C'mon Matt…"
Free of his harness, Severide looked back into the elevator. Casey remained motionless, but he could see blood pooling beneath the blonde's head. Severide swiftly lowered himself into the car, being careful not to land on his fallen friend. Landing in a crouch, Kelly hurried towards Matt, just as he groaned, moving his head slightly. Kelly inwardly rejoiced at the movement, as it meant Casey's neck was alright. He gently grasped Matt's head, slowly turning it so he could view the damage. Blood covered the left side of his face, thick and crimson.
"Shit," he muttered, trying to gauge where the blood was coming from. "Hey Matty? C'mon bud…"
Suddenly, they were plunged into darkness, the predicted power outage finally making an appearance. Loud metallic clangs rang out from higher in the shaft. Confused, Kelly grabbed his radio.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, concerned the elevator was about to become a death trap.
/Power outage, Kelly/ Boden answered. /These fancy hotel doors bolt shut if they lose power. We can't get back in the shaft yet./
"Damnit!"
/You and Casey will just have to hang tight./
"Matt's hurt, Chief. The guy panicking knocked him into the side," Severide explained, lightly tapping his friend's cheeks.
/How bad is it?/
"Bleeding from his head, and he hasn't woken up yet," Kelly continued, reaching for his flashlight.
/We'll get to you as soon as we can, Kelly. Keep me updated./
"Copy that," he replied distractedly, turning to illuminate his friend's face. Grasping the light between his neck and his chin, Kelly carefully began inspecting Matt's head. It was still bleeding pretty fiercely, but he reminded himself that it was a head wound. After a minute or so of searching, he discovered a gash, stretching from the eyebrow to below his ear. Concerned about the bruising around the temple, Severide felt for Matt's pulse. Finding it slightly sluggish, he resumed patting the blonde's cheeks. Then he rubbed his chest, hoping to spark consciousness.
"Matt? Hey Matt, c'mon buddy. Wake up, Casey," he barked.
After a minute or so of attempting to rouse his friend, Severide stood to shine his light up the elevator shaft. There still didn't appear to be any sign of the squad breaking through. Suddenly, a low moan sounded behind him. Kelly spun around, seeing Matt struggling to sit up, agitating his clotting head.
Quickly kneeling beside him, Severide braced his friend's head, slowly lowering him back to the floor. "Hey, just hold on a second, Matty. Take it easy…how're you feeling?"
Wincing, Matt blinked. "Like Cruz drove the truck over my head."
His hands still on either side of Casey's face, Kelly nodded. "Yeah well you decided to head butt the elevator and it won."
"Wonderful," Casey slurred, shakily reaching towards his face. "Why is it so dark?"
"Power outage. This schmancy hotel has doors that bolt shut in these situations, so we're stuck in here for a bit," Severide explained, irritation and concern leaking through his voice.
"I'm okay, Kelly," Matt reassured, recognizing his friend's protective nature. "Don't even feel concussed."
Severide smiled lightly. "Too hard headed for that, huh Little Brother?"
"I get it from you," he grinned minutely, wincing.
"Nah, we get it from Shay," Kelly quipped, watching Matt's responsiveness carefully. "Want to try sitting up?"
The blonde looked considerate for a moment. "Yeah, okay."
Severide kept a hand on Matt's head, the other grabbing his friend's forearm. "Ready? 1, 2, 3…up we go…" Gently, Kelly tugged his fellow lieutenant upright, settling him against the wall. Casey squeezed his eyes shut, a small groan escaping. Severide frowned, keeping the gentle brace on the other man's face. "Matty? You okay?"
Casey grunted in response. "Yeah," he ground out. "Just really…shifty…"
Kelly frowned. "Shifty? Are you in pain? Dizzy? You gotta work with me here, Matt…"
"Can you…can you turn that light out Kel?" Matt swallowed tightly.
"Shit, yeah hold on," Severide agreed, clambering over to the fallen flashlight. Quickly extinguishing the light, he carefully returned to his slumped friend. Finding Matt's forearm, he gave a gentle squeeze. "Sorry, bud. That better?"
"Yeah. Lights were making it more…shifty…"
"There you go again, Matty…"Severide muttered, grabbing his radio. "Chief…Severide to Chief."
/Go Severide./
"Casey's awake…"
/How is he?/
"Not really sure. He's possibly concussed, has a large gash, sluggish pulse, sensitive to light and not making a whole lot of sense."
/Keep him conscious, keep me posted. We'll get you out. Boden out./
"Copy that," Kelly sighed, turning back to Matt, who was squeezing his eyes shut once more. Kelly frowned, gently gripping Matt's shoulder as he studied the blonde in the dim emergency lighting. "Matt? How're you feeling?"
Casey emitted a low groan before responding tightly. "I take back that 'not even concussed' part…"
Severide sighed. "Oh yeah? C'mon Trouble Magnet, open those puppy dog eyes…" Waiting for Matt to comply, Kelly tried to fight back concern. Slowly, watery blue eyes fluttered open. "There you go… your pupils are normal. Still feeling shifty?"
"A little less," the blonde muttered. "It was weird, Kel."
"What was shifty?" Severide pushed, carefully inspecting the bloody gash on Matt's face.
"Felt like I was spinning or falling or…something. You sounded fuzzy…like I was underwater," Casey explained slowly, leaning into Severide's hand. "Happened when I sat up."
Kelly's brow creased as he moved to sit next to Matt, gently settling his friend's head on his shoulder. "Your equilibrium's messed up, huh bud?" Feeling the blonde nod, Severide sighed. "Don't worry, Matty. Shay will check you out when we're out of here."
"No she won't, Kel. Shay only checks out girls," Matt snickered drowsily.
Severide smirked. "Alright, smartass. Who knew little brothers could be so much trouble?"
"It's cause we know the big brothers will always be there to have our backs…even when we lose to an elevator."
"Yeah, even then," Kelly agreed, suddenly shifting his attention up the elevator shaft. "Do you hear that, Matt?"
Casey squinted as metallic clangs resounded through the elevator car. "Yeah…sounds like your guys."
Severide smiled and retrieved his radio. "Severide to Chief."
/Come in Severide./
"ETA on retrieval."
/Breaking through any minute. How's Casey?/
"Shaky but conscious. We'll need Shay or Dawson."
/Standing by…/
"Copy that. Severide out," Turning back to Matt, Kelly frowned when he saw the blonde's eyes drooping. "C'mon bud, keep your eyes open. Talk to me, Matty."
"About what?" Matt mumbled, forcing his eyes open a bit more.
"Anything…do you think Shay will yell at me for this?" Severide suggested, eager to keep his younger friend talking.
"For me cage fighting an elevator? Nah… I don't…well…maybe? I am adorable. And I'm younger," he slurred slightly.
Kelly shook his head, noting the shaft above filling with lights. "Oh so now it's okay to be younger? Now you're going to play the baby card to Mom, just great," he playfully bantered.
Casey snickered briefly before groaning. Above them in the shaft, squad finally wrenched the doors open. Severide sighed in relief as he spotted Capp and Clarke lowering ropes. "Easy bud, just another minute or so…stay with me, Matt."
"Severide? We're lowering the sled. Can you secure Casey?" Clarke asked, finally reaching the elevator roof.
"Yeah, I'll get him," Kelly assured, carefully maneuvering himself out from under Matt. Gently, he tilted the other lieutenant to rest against the wall. "Stay put, Matt."
Quickly rising to his feet, Kelly moved to grab the rescue sled from Clarke, placing it on the floor of the elevator. Returning to Casey, Severide gently stood the other man up, steadying him as he swayed. "Alright bud, let's get you strapped in, okay? C'mon…" Once Casey was secured into the sled, Severide carefully tilted the sled vertically. "Okay, now just close your eyes Matt and try to relax. It'll be over in a second."
Casey closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm okay, Kelly."
Kelly nodded stiffly before turning to the squad members above him. "Nice and easy guys. He got knocked around down here."
Capp and Clarke nodded, easing the truck lieutenant through the hatch. Severide helped until Matt was out of his reach. As soon as Casey had safely reached the hotel floor above, Kelly urged the others to toss him down his harness, eager to return to Matt's side.
Meanwhile, Matt was being released from the sled and allowed to sit against a wall, where Shay began inspecting him. "God Matt," she tsked. "We can't take you anywhere, can we?"
"Guess not…made Kelly worry again."
At this, Shay laughed, carefully cleaning the gash. "Of course he worried, he's Kelly. I'm glad he was down there to worry about you."
"I would've been fine," Matt protested.
"Yeah, but he wouldn't have been," she countered, retrieving a penlight. "We heard his panicked yells when you went down, Matt. At least in there he could get to you. I'm not sure what would've happened if he was stuck out here, unable to see if you were okay."
Before Casey could respond, a voice rang out from behind Shay. "It wouldn't have taken so damn long to break back into the shaft, I know that," Severide asserted, kneeling next to Matt. "How is he, Shay?"
"Easy, big brother," she soothed. "Matt's gonna be just fine. We're going to take him to get some stitches and a precautionary CT. Then he can stay at our place and you can follow him around with pillows and bubble wrap."
Before either lieutenant could respond, Boden interrupted. "Alright, the fire's out, the elevators are evacuated, and all of our men are accounted for. House 51 move out!"
As their fellow firemen began filing down the hall to the staircase, Shay and Kelly turned to look at Matt.
"What's the plan?" Shay asked. "Can you make it down or to I get to strap you in?"
"I'm okay," Casey stated quickly. "I don't need to be strapped in."
Shay opened her mouth to protest but Kelly cut her off. "I'll get him, Shay."
The blonde paramedic raised an eyebrow but nodded, moving towards the staircase. Severide and Casey, both sans jacket and helmet, exchanged glances.
"You're not forcing me in the chair?" Casey asked incredulously.
"You say you've got it, and I'm going to back your play. But," he warned, helping Matt to his feet. "You start faltering and I will put you in a fireman's carry."
The younger man smiled lightly, allowing Kelly to pull his arm over his shoulders. Wrapping an arm around Matt to steady him, Severide led them to the stairs. Together they made their way down, both thankful to have survived another day on the job and grateful to have the support from one another.