Title: All in the Family
Chapter 1 – Tonight's the Night (2.13)
Summary: AU Despite Erin's warning to stay away from Keeler, Kelly takes Katie's disappearance into his own hands. Will he help his sister in time? Will Matt talk some sense into him? or will Erin have to bodies two find? What roll will Benny & Voight play? Based off eppies 2.13-2.16 Lindseride and Sevasey
Disclaimer: Chicago Fire and its characters are the property of Dick Wolfe, NBC and….well sadly not me lol if so my Lt. Severide would be with me and that would be it
A/N: This little ficlet is going to focus on events starting with eppy 2.13 and ending with 2.15 (the AU is for 2.16-you'll see why later) and will be Lindseride and sevasey centric. But I'm going to insert a bit more angst, danger, hurt/comfort and tension than the show and hope that's okay! oh and since this is AU in this Matt and Kelly live together. Sorry Dawson lol and of course AU means I can play with the angst/danger and ending a bit (but that's all I'll say). Okay enjoy!
NOTE: "Words in italics and double quotes taken from the eppy"
"Erin?" Matt asks Kelly as he nears; the Firehouse full of visitors from the neighborhood whom Boden had invited to some and seek shelter inside the warm confines of the Firehouse until power was restored in the area.
They had been out on a what should have been a rather routine call to them, vehicle accident in inclement weather – car hits a power pole due to the ice and snow and the unconscious drivers needs to be extracted. But during the course of the call, a transformer box had fallen to the ground, exploded upon impact and knocking out power to the entire area, 51 included.
Boden had opened the doors to everyone in the neighborhood, but due to the large turnout and them being a bit outnumbered, it wasn't that easy to see who was now seeking shelter with them inside the warm establishment.
"Yeah…they're doing some patrols. Damn looters," Kelly comments in an undertone as he looks up at Matt with a frown. "You okay?"
"Yeah…why?"
"Something seems off," Kelly continues as Matt's brow furrows.
"I'm fine. Just…lots of stuff going on and I don't think had much to eat…got a headache," Matt rattles off nervously. "But I'm fine," he insists with a tight lipped smile. "So…have Erin and Katie met yet?"
"We've had one date," Kelly shoots back as Matt shrugs. "Soon…" he adds.
"Speaking of distracted," Matt tosses back.
"I was a bit distracted. Ah…damn Benny," Kelly lightly curses. "He tells me I have this sister right out of the blue and then just as I'm getting to know Katie, a month later Erin and I have our first date and then Katie tells me she's leaving. I had good reason to be distracted but…but I think she thought it was her or I wasn't into the evening. I gotta make it up to her."
"Just tell her about Katie already."
"I…I don't know. Maybe it's too soon. I figured since she's so busy with Otis and such…why complicate too many things right now right?"
"You sound uncertain," Matt calls him on it.
"You sounded uncertain earlier with your tool box," Kelly tosses back as Matt just shakes his head. "It's gonna be fine. You sure you're okay? You seemed…a bit unsteady back in the boiler room."
"Tired," Matt tries to shrug it off. "Hungry?"
"Yeah…let's go see what Katie's cooking up."
"Katie? What happened to Cruz? Thought he took over since Mills pulled a Squad on us," Matt quips.
"Pulled a Squad…" Kelly mutters in a mocking tone as they head toward the kitchen area, to see what Katie was coming up with. "Erin's gonna try to drop by later."
"Tell her to bring the beer," Matt smiles as they enter the kitchen area.
Kelly pulls away and heads toward the counter his sister is working behind.
"How's Erin?"
"She's…" Kelly pauses as he looks up with an amused smile.
"Will I get to meet her before I go?" Katie leans in asks in a soft whisper.
"Hope so," Kelly replies with a small frown. "We uh….date number two. Well technically three but…" he stops and looks to see his sister watching in amusement. "What?"
"Gonna miss this…just brother /sister stuff."
"Not gone yet," he counters as he reaches for a handful of chips.
"Despite the storm outside…it's nice and quiet in here," Katie mentions as Severide nods and looks back down at his phone.
But before he can answer Erin's next reply, a commotion ensues; instantly pulling his attention to two people directly behind him. He hears some stomping…a scream, a curse and then turns around to see one young man with blond hair, dressed in black, come up behind another, with dark hair and slam his face down onto the table.
The young man in black slams the face again…and again…and is about to go for one more round when Kelly springs into action; grabbing the man in black by his arm and jacket and yanking him off the other younger man and literally throwing him head first into the stainless steel counter his sister is working behind.
He readies himself for the rest of the fight, fists balled and mind praying that someone has dialed 911. But instead, he's the one forced to pull back when the young man in black swings around with a 12" blade in his grasp – ready to do some real harm.
Kelly's hands slightly rise as some stifled screams ring out behind his ears. "Just put the knife down," he tries to reason; the younger man staring back at him with a look of anger, hatred and revenge. But not on him…on the other younger man behind him.
"Just…stay out of this!" The man in black yells at Kelly; flailing the knife through the air and daring anyone to come forward. He gives Kelly another warning, "you…stay the hell out of this!" He shouts and then goes on to tell everyone listening why he's ready enough to kill without worrying about the consequences.
As much as he tells himself he should be listening to the man in black's story, keeping the peace amongst the now frightened visitors is top priority. So he continues.
"I'll tell you one more time…put the knife down," Kelly tries once more; Matt slowly inching up behind his friend to lend a hand just in case things were to be taken to the next level. But the only reason the man in black is listening to is that of the angry voices inside his head and he charges.
The knife raised and pointed at the man behind Kelly; not caring about the fire fighter standing in front of him trying to diffuse the situation before it's taken to the next level – an unnecessary death. However, just as the man lunges, Kelly's able to once again grab his arm and fight him back; forcing the knife from his grasp and slamming his face and upper body into the counter, rendering him disarmed.
With the younger man in black still flailing in his grasp he charges toward the back exit, Matt, Boden, Capp and Otis all hurrying with him and ensuring that their Squad leader has a clear path to toss out the person bent on disturbing their peace. He tosses him head long into the snow; the man clad in black slamming onto the cold, icy ground and looking up at Kelly in contempt.
He gets up, brushes off the snow and glares at him in hatred before offering a chilling and foreshadowing warning:
"You….you're a dead man!" He offers Kelly directly.
With that he turns and heads back into the storm; his mind now bent on taking his revenge on two – not just one and Kelly Severide's name just zoomed to the top of his list.
"You okay?" Matt asks Kelly as he heads back into the kitchen area.
"Yeah…" Kelly replies as he stops Matt and looks at him seriously. "Just keep your eyes open around here. That was probably just a petty threat but you never know."
"Why not call Erin…put her on alert?" Matt suggests as Kelly shakes his head.
"She has enough to worry about," he replies with a small sigh. "This wasn't anything. Some petty beef…nothing will come of it, trust me," he tries to convince himself and his best friend. But those words would prove false, as he had just stepped into the middle of an angry hornets nest – taking on the worst defender of them all.
But it's not long after that Kelly looks up to see Erin entering the Firehouse and then head toward Boden's office, his hand slapping Matt on the shoulder and gesturing for him to follow.
"Kelly…Matt, come in and close the door," Boden entreats as they enter, Kelly looking at Erin in wonder; Erin offering her brand new boyfriend a very strained smile. "Detective Lindsay has come…with a warning. Of sorts. Detective."
"It's a madhouse out there…everything in a two block radius is out of control. But…that's actually not why I stopped by," she pauses as she pulls her phone; her expression grim. "We've got an informant inside the Keeler family. Bunch of bruisers on the south side…apparently one of your guys went toe to toe with Vince Keeler about an hour ago."
She had half expected the name Joe Cruz to come up give his brother's past gang affiliation and affinity for trouble. Maybe Mills? Casey had gotten into things with Voight in the past so that was possible. But much to her surprise and dismay, the last name she wanted to hear actually confesses to the action.
"Guilty," Kelly confesses with a heavy sigh as he raises his hand; his mind now starting to race that he's somehow jeopardized a case for her put her in a tight situation with a trusted CI. Erin on the other hand…can't even start to explain to Kelly just what kind of man Vince Keeler and what kind of horrible tension her body is starting to sprout.
"Vince…he's the worst of the bunch. Twice he's been called up on murder charges but the cases didn't make. I got word from my CI that Vince came back huffin' and puffin' saying he's going to kill a fireman tonight."
Knowing the kind of man he is, she knows Kelly's not about to back down from a fight – any fight. The CI didn't have a name of course because Keeler didn't have Kelly Severide's name at the time. But now…hearing him confess and then knowing the person behind the death threat – makes her heart ache with newfound fear and panic.
"I'll take my chances," Kelly offers solidly; his eyes not wanting to connect with hers for fear of emotional rebuttal.
"Just the same I'll leave a car parked outside."
It's the best she can do in the moment. They were words, heated words, but spoken by a man who could make them come to fruition. However, her brain reminds her that the other younger man, Tommy, was directly threatened and assaulted and he was her top priority – right now. She looks at Kelly and inwardly shouts at him for being so calm in the face of such a viable threat. But instead tells Boden to call her if anything seems out of place and then tells them she'll take Tommy back to the precinct for safe keeping.
"Walk me out?"
"Sure," Kelly readily agrees.
In the hallway before they get to Tommy, she stops and then turns around and looks at Kelly in concern. She feels conflict in her own heart…don't be the paranoid new girlfriend but…but as she looks at the wondering in the soft blue sapphires she can't help but feel an odd protectiveness starting to surge.
"He came at you with a knife?"
"It was a nothing fight," Kelly tries to reassure her as her brow furrows. "I'm sure it'll be nothing. Hot air from some jagoff that was embarrassed in front of a crowd. I'm sure it'll be nothing."
"But it was in front of a crowd."
"And?"
"From what I hear…you humiliated him. He's not gonna forget that."
He looks at her with a small frown, their eyes locking for a few seconds before he puts on a brave face and tries to make like it's nothing major. However, she's not done with her fair warning…her heart racing at the mere thought of what Keeler could do if he had Kelly in his grasp.
"And he's not gonna fight fair. You see him again, I want you to call me," she earnestly entreats. "Don't try to take him on again. I mean it."
"I will."
In reality he has no desire to take on Vince Keeler on his own or even with Matt or anyone else at his side – Erin possibly being the exception because of her gun and ability to arrest him if things go south. But when he sees uncertainty in her eyes he nods again in agreement.
"Kelly…this guy…he's as bad as they come. He might not look like your traditional gang banger but he's been trained to kill with his fists if has to."
"I'll keep both eyes open and call if anything seems out of place. No matter what. I promise. How are things out there?"
"Yeah….they're good," Erin replies as her eyes dart over to Tommy and then back to Kelly.
"We should…you know after shift or something. I uh…"
"Last time…you were…holding back. Maybe it was me. Look I gotta go."
"Erin…"
"Tell me later. Come on Tommy, let's get you someplace safe."
Kelly watches her go and then mentally kicks himself for not telling her sooner about Katie. "She knew I was off the other night," Kelly mentions as Matt walks up to him. "I shoulda told her," he huffs as he shoves his hands in his pockets and then watches her escort Tommy toward a police car and then turn back for a few seconds. Their gaze lingers before both have to get back to reality; Kelly inside and Erin to the precinct.
But it wouldn't be long before she'd be back – with grim news.
"I'll tell her after shift. I think it's too soon for them to meet but…"
"But what?" Matt presses.
"She got this job offer…great job offer and I figure…why complicate things but then if Katie comes back and…"
"Ah already thinking long term," Matt snickers as he pats his floundering friend on the back. "Come on…help me look at that generator."
"Find your large crescent wrench yet?"
"No…and I know I didn't just misplace it," Matt insists as Kelly offers a small smile.
XXXXXXXX
The next hour passes by with welcomed slowness and Kelly finds himself watching Katie and Otis and mentally berating himself for stressing over something that in reality is very small. Erin…I have a sister…I just found out…Katie…that's why I was distracted…but she's leaving and…
He mutters something to himself and then falls in step with Matt as they head for Boden's office. But halfway through their progress report he looks up to see Erin entering…no coat and looking like she's staying for longer than expected or maybe even anticipated. Certainly wanted.
She briefly glances at Kelly and then looks at Boden with a grim expression. "Just heard chatter from my CI that Vince Keeler has sent somebody here to rough up Kelly."
Erin holds up her phone so that Boden, Kelly and Matt can get a good look at who their dealing with. Now…the new hunt begins. They all disperse, Erin following Kelly down the hall toward the large truck bays.
"Coward."
"Kelly…"
"Why doesn't the bastard just come at me himself," he hisses as she gently touches his arm and stops him. "I'm not afraid of him. He's some street punk with a big mouth that gets others to fight his battles for him."
"He's not a man to suffer lightly Kelly. He'll strike at you any way he can at first and when you're least expecting it…he'll strike. And it won't be pretty," she warns him in concern. "Come on…we gotta find him."
Kelly gives her a nod and then continues on his way toward the area where the firetrucks are; his powerful flashlight shining on everyone in their path; hoping to surprise Keeler's patsy before he does any kind of harm – to anyone.
"The other night…I was distracted but…it wasn't you or us or…it was…"
"Anything?" Matt interjects as he approaches.
"Nothing," Erin answers in haste. "He's gotta be here. My source hasn't failed yet."
"I'll check the sleeping areas," Matt suggests.
"I'll check the washrooms and closets."
"I'll check with Boden and see if he's found anything," Erin adds as she pulls away.
"Good timing," Kelly groans as he playfully swats Matt on the arm; Matt chuckling as he pulls away and then heads for the sleeping areas. Kelly heads for the first washroom, his mind wondering how he'll tell her the news. Short and simple is best! his brain reminds him with an invisible forehead slap.
He exits the washroom and looks down the hall to see Matt kneeling beside someone covered all over with a blanket.
Nothing.
A man brushes past Matt with something in his grasp; his crescent wrench and instead of calling out for help decides it's time to act. He charges. Kelly hears the commotion and calls out to Erin a few meters ahead who runs toward him with her gun drawn.
They round the corner just as the man raises the large wrench to strike at Matt, Erin pointing her gun at him and yelling "drop it!" the man looking up with angry contempt. "Put it down or I swear I will put you on the floor."
Kelly hears the conviction in her tone and feels an odd inwardly surge of pride. He remains at her side but watches Matt's writhing frame in concern. She was right…damn the CI was right…this Keeler guy isn't playing games!
A few other officers and Boden rush in to help subdue Keeler's stooge as Kelly kneels by Matt to see if he's okay; worried about another blow to the head after recovering from a very bad traumatic head injury.
She hands the low level thug over to be taken to the precinct to be booked and then looks at Kelly with a tightly drawn smile; her expression, however, bordering more on concern than relief.
"I'd like you to come down to the district until we can snatch up Keeler," she tells Kelly firmly, her mind begging him not to argue with her.
He does.
"What's that gonna do?"
"We've got ways of letting people know when to back off."
NO! that's what his inner voice wants to state with conviction. But as soon as he looks at Boden and Boden agrees, he knows it's another battle he can't win. "Yeah…" he agrees somewhat reluctantly.
"I know it's not an ideal situation but we need something to at least bring Keeler in."
"And if he doesn't confess?" Kelly inquires as they head into the cool night air. They pause just before they get to her car. "Will he confess or will this just piss this guy off?"
"You catch on fast," she lightly quips as his expression softens. "You interrupted his revenge. He can't touch Tommy but he thinks he can touch you."
"Tell him to meet me somewhere and I'll show up and put him out of his misery for good."
"Oh he'll come at you…but he won't play fair."
"Brass knuckles?" Kelly counters with a small sigh. "I'm not afraid of him. I'm more worried about you going toe to toe with this guy."
"Worried…really?"
"Okay about the other night," Kelly starts as the snow starts to lightly fall upon them.
"Get in, we'll talk over some stale coffee at the precinct."
The ride to Precinct 21 is spent mostly talking about their night. He enters the precinct and gets some odd looks cast in his direction; one in particular. Voight…
"Getting the warm fuzzies all around," he mutters as she directs him toward her desk.
"Voight's harmless," she replies as she gestures for him to sit.
"Right," he frowns as Voight gives him a nod and then he looks back at Erin. "I don't think he likes me."
"That's his friendly face."
"Hate to see his mad face," Kelly counters as she slightly smirks.
"So…"
"I have a sister," Kelly blurts out as Erin looks at him in wonder. "That's why I was so distracted the other night…our first date. Yeah my dad…okay long sordid story short as I doubt you'd care about my less than stellar childhood. I just found out about a month ago I had a sister and her and I actually hit it off and…she was at the House tonight. Ah I should have told you but…but I just found out and…well it was a month ago but then things changed and…" his voice continues to rattle off until her hand touches his; Voight watching the tender moment before he turns and disappears into his office. Kelly looks down at her hand and then curls his fingers around hers; holding it tightly for a few seconds and delighting in the warmth their connected limbs is producing.
"What's her name?"
"Katie," Kelly answers with a smile.
"Tell me about her," Erin entreats as she hands him a cup of coffee.
"Well…she's…" Kelly starts in a less nervous tone
However in another part of the city, Vince Keeler was making good on his evil promise to get back at Kelly Severide in the worst possible way – hurt those he loves.
'He's not going to fight fair.'
And with that Katie is grabbed from behind and shoved into a dark van, Vince Keeler's the last one inside the van.
"Payback time Kelly Severide! And…you're next!"
A/N: eeks! Ah you all know I love my Kelly whump and that's coming but wanted to get as much of the arc into this little ficlet as possible, insert my own impending doom (evil grin) grow the Kelly/Erin bond, add more Sevasey broments and then … well you'll hafta wait and see (how Kelly's future is in peril, what Benny does and of course how Erin and Matt react!) So hope you all liked the expanded start to this little adventure and please do review before you go! Thanks in advance!