Ivy stood outside firehouse 51, hesitating as she leaned against the fence and looked at the house. It had been a long time since she was last inside, a long time since she was last in Chicago. She sighed heavily, working up her nerve and walked up to the house.

There were some people in the garage but she didn't see him, not yet anyway. When Casey saw her, he took a second look, not believing what he was seeing. She stopped a few feet short of the garage, just in front of the truck as he headed towards her.

"Hey, Ivy." Casey said with a big smile, hugging her.

"Hey Matt," She smiled back as they separated.

"It's been a long time." He said. "Does he know you're here?"

"No," She said, shaking her head.

"Does he know you're back in Chicago?"

"Not exactly," She said. "He thinks I'm trekking around South America."

"He's got all your post cards on a board in his office." He grinned. "Calls you a wanderlust."

"Yeah, wanderlust is nice way of saying I've got a gypsy soul and I was born for leaving." She gave him a half smile. "But maybe it's time to stop running."

"Yeah?" He asked. "It would be nice to have you around more."

"Well, hopefully he feels the same way."

"Of course he will." Casey nodded with a frown. "Come on."

"I don't want to ambush him." She said. "Could you just tell him I'm out here?"

"Sure, you got it." Casey said and walked away.

Ivy sighed and walked around the truck as she waited. She always loved firefighters and felt such honour for those that did this job. She was proud of her brother and she bragged about him a little too much sometimes. She loved the career, but she could never do it.

Severide rushed out of the kitchen when Casey told him his sister was waiting in the garage. He hadn't seen her in over two years, and other than postcards and an occasional skype, they hadn't talked much in that time. He was worried about how she was doing, curious as to why she was back, and happy to see her all at the same time.

"Ivy," He said when he saw her.

"Hi Kelly," She smiled and he hugged her tightly.

"When did you get back?" He asked when they separated. "Damn, it's good to see you."

"Today, plane landed about an hour ago." She smiled. "I came straight here."

"What are you doing back?" He said. "Did you run out of money?"

"Something like that." She said and hesitated for a moment. "I heard about Shay."

"Yeah," He nodded with a frown. "Is that why you came home?"

"One of the reasons." Ivy shrugged. "How are you doing?"

"I'm alright, Vee." He said. "Are you?"

Ivy looked at him, looked away for a moment, and then sighed. "Antonio called me." She said. "The case opened back up."

"So, you're going back to work?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I'm going to try, see how it goes." She said. "I think a year off is maybe enough to deal with it."

"Hey," Severide frowned. "There's no time limit on these things."

"Well, the CPD is taking a shot at it." She said. "They made it clear that if I don't come back soon, I don't come back at all."

"Can they do that?"

"I don't know, but they need my help." Ivy said. "I'm no longer working in vice though, I got transferred to intelligence."

"Is that a good idea?" He asked. "Jay works in intelligence now."

"Yeah, I know, Antonio filled me in." She nodded. "I can handle it."

"Alright," He nodded. "Well, come inside, we're about to eat."

Ivy followed him into the house and she was hit with a wave of memories of being home. She took a shaky breath, waiting for it to pass. She headed into the kitchen with Severide and the guys greeted her with the usual phrases of "hey, look who's here" and "it's good to see you", as Dawson came running towards her, hugging her tightly with a big smile that Ivy couldn't help return.

"Antonio told me he was calling you. Please tell me you're staying?" She asked with excitement. "Where are you staying?"

"Yeah, I think so." She said, glancing at Severide. "I haven't figured out living arrangements yet."

"Stay with us." She said. "Your brother is staying at our new place, it will be fun."

"I don't want to put you out." She said, shrugging her off. "I'll figure it out."

"Ivy, you're staying with us while you figure it out." Casey interrupted with a frown. "End of discussion."

"Yeah, it will be like old times, Vee." Severide nodded.

Ivy looked at him and then at Casey, and sighed with a small laugh. "I see these two haven't changed." She said to Dawson. "Neither has your brother by the way."

"Yeah, the men in our life are a bit protective." Dawson said as she nudged Casey with a smirk. They all sat down at the end of the table with their food. "So, are you going back to work?"

Ivy nodded. "Sort of, I'm technically a consultant right now I think, while the transfer goes through."

"You're leaving vice?" Casey asked.

"It's probably for the best after," Ivy stopped, they knew what she was talking about, cleared her throat and took a drink of her water. "Anyway, when the case opened back up it landed in intelligence, and then Antonio called."

"He said they'll need your help." Dawson said and Ivy shrugged as the alarm went off, announcing they had a call.

Ivy grinned and Severide shrugged, kissing her head as he stood up and left the room. Once they went through the doors and were out of ear shot, Casey looked over at him. "How do you feel about her being back at work?"

Severide sighed and shook his head. "I was less worried when she was back packing through Columbia."

OOOOO

Ivy walked through District 21 and looked around briefly before heading up to the desk. Platt was watching her and they did a bit of a stare down. They were both strong women, Platt was sizing her up and Ivy wasn't backing down.

"Can I help you?" Platt finally spoke up.

"I'm here to see Antonio Dawson." Ivy said. "He's expecting me."

"Is he now?" She said. "And who might you be?"

"Just tell him Ivy is here." She said and walked away from the desk.

"Ivy Severide?" She asked and Ivy turned around. "I heard you were coming back."

"I'm not exactly back yet." She said.

Platt turned and grabbed a bag from under the counter, pulling out her badge and a gun. "Now you are."

Ivy walked over to the counter and picked up her badge, turning it over in her hands and sighing. "Doesn't feel like it."

"It gets better." Platt said.

"Yeah?" Ivy asked. "When?"

"When you stop feeling sorry for yourself." She said and nodded towards the door where Antonio was coming in with Voight.

Ivy turned around just as Antonio grabbed her in a hug. "You're a sight." He said and she smiled into his shoulder before they separated. "Voight, remember Ivy?"

"She's not someone you forget." He nodded. "You're too damn good of a cop for a sabbatical."

"I don't know about that," She smirked. "But thanks."

"Come on," Antonio said and led her up the stairs behind Voight.

Voight turned to Ivy when they walked through the gate and into the unit office. "Welcome to Intelligence."

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