This is my sequel to "Just What I Needed," the Erin/Kelly fanfic I so enjoyed writing. I'd love to see the two pair up, even if only temporarily. Never smooth sailing for Kelly, so hang on. Hope you enjoy.

It was a cold March day, a damn cold day, Matthew Casey thought as he threw on a stocking cap and laced up his running shoes.

"Don't go," said Gabby turning back the covers on the bed. "It's so warm in here. And I know just what to do to make it warmer."

"Ahhh, don't tempt me," said Casey wondering why the hell he'd signed up for this race four months ago. Severide. Yeah, Kelly said it would be "fun" and Boden had been pushing for his guys to participate. The higher ups at CFD decided this 10K run would be the latest community outreach event. One in a line of recent outings designed to bolster their public perception after the backlash from all the closings.

"Hey, we're the leaders in the house. We gotta represent," said Kelly handing Matt the paperwork.

"Whatever it takes to get you to stop running alone in old construction sites," laughed Casey taking the registration form.

That'd been so long ago, so much had happened.

"Kelly's waiting for me. I gotta go, babe." Casey reluctantly pulled away and headed out the door.

They were the only two from 51.

Shay had snorted in disgust when Kelly tried to sign her up. "I love you, but NO," she said shaking her head. "That sounds like hell. Hey, I'll meet you for breakfast after."

Hermann and Mouch laughed at their younger friends knowing this winter wasn't giving out any time soon. "Freezin' my ass off, and my lower regions, no thank you," commented Hermann.

With Mouch adding, "So you WANT me to drop dead of a heart attack." He pushed his glasses up a little on his nose burying his face further into the newspaper he feigned reading.

"So we're the only ones crazy enough to face this shit today?" asked Kelly emerging from their Starbucks meeting point surveying all the snow still on the ground despite the calendar saying Spring had officially sprung.

"Us and about 1200 others," said Casey smiling at the coffee his friend held in his hand.

"I knew you wouldn't want one," Kelly said downing the last of his black coffee.

"How can you drink that before the race? It's dehydrating. You're crazy."

"Remember when we drank that 12 pack before we tried that half marathon?" laughed Kelly throwing his cup away. "Jesus, what was that? Ten, twelve years ago?"

"Yeah, not our finest hour," chuckled Casey remembering that day.

An all night drinking session preceding the race. They'd still been drunk when they headed out. They figured drinking a few more would help 'em sober up. They thought wrong.

"We made it, what? One mile? Ha!" "Andy was puking his guts out in that lady's yard.

That was my first big save. Saving his ass from a pissed off old lady with a broom," added Kelly, smile dissipating a little.

Their laughter faded out as the memory of their best friend grew. They walked silently toward the starting line, each with a scene from the past vivid in their minds. A memory with the goofy, lovable brother they lost two years ago. God, had it been that long, they both thought.

"Not to get into anything, but I gotta ask," started Kelly. "How are you doin' with Gabby? With her starting at 5 on Monday?"

Matt and Gabby had just gotten back to seeing each other regularly again. Shay's temporary stay with Dawson hadn't worked out, both deciding they were better as friends who lived apart. Matt and Gabby were house hunting once more, saying they were in love, giving it another shot.

Dawson passed her physical test the second time around, in a large part due to Kelly's help. He'd run her through drills over and over on almost every day off. Matt loved and hated him for it. Severide was probably the only one in the house that truly wanted to see Gabby make it as a firefighter.

Matt stayed positive about it, but not so secretly wasn't all in. Deep in his core, he wanted her to stay a paramedic at 51. Or go to medical school and pursue her original dream of becoming a doctor. Too damn dangerous, he thought, and said to himself over and over. He didn't want her at station 5, but he had no choice.

"We've been fighting about it. A lot," he admitted to his friend. "I try not to say too much. Everything comes out all wrong."

Kelly didn't want to give relationship advice, and he knew Matt wasn't gonna take it, especially from him, but holding his tongue wasn't a strong point.

"You gotta let her do it. She's got that look...the same one we had," said Kelly knowing he was overstepping.

"And again I'll say I'm not takin' relationship advice from you, Severide. But I appreciate you asking."

Silence again. Both men were stretching their legs, still having another fifteen minutes before the start.

"Well, I talked to Gutierrez at 5 and he's gonna keep an eye on Gabby. He's a good lieutenant. She'll learn a lot," Kelly knew he should drop it but wanted to let his friend know he understood on some level.

"That's good to know," said Matt sincerely. "Hey, how's Erin? Things still good?" he asked switching gears.

"Yeah. Good. Real good. Kinda waitin' for me to screw it up," he said laughing only half joking.

Erin Lindsay. The beautiful detective with so much more to her than that beauty. Kelly knew he was done for the minute they met up at Molly's. The minute she yelled at him in the hospital. The minute she was laying flat on her back a bullet hole through her side.

"Aren't you comin' up on a year? One Severide year is like seven for other couples, right?" joked Matt.

"Funny. Real funny," said Kelly giving him the death stare.

This is good, he thought. It'd been so long since they'd just hung out, doing something fun, bullshitting.

"Hey, thanks for agreein' to do this thing." "It's gonna be a great day," said Matt not realizing how wrong those words would turn out.

How this would end up one of the blackest days in their lives. In the history of their beloved city.