So here's another story I had started to write on my laptop ages ago, I found it recently and after altering it a little I thought I'd upload and see what you awesome people think of it. Obviously it's quite old as I'm mentioning the death of Andy and his first birthday since he's died but I hope you still like it. I am working on another Chicago Fire story at the minute but I'm not happy with it yet so if you don't like this one maybe you'll like the next. Anyway's enough with the rambling on...

I own nothing... unfortunately

"You should've vented the back" Casey said heading back towards the firestation.

"We're called the rescue squad Casey, we don't vent. You shouldn't have put Andy through the window" Severide argued back watching as Matthew Casey shook his head. "I don't have to explain myself to you, I sleep like a baby. You?"

Kelly tossed and turned in his bed. Dreams of the day Andy Darden had burned to death and the argument he and Casey had had at the fire station were haunting him. It had been months since the fatal accident but Andys birthday was today and the nightmares had started again. He sat up in bed not missing how clammy his body felt, throwing the covers off of him he got out of bed and went downstairs. The clock stating it was only 3:10 am. Too early to be up he thought running a hand down his face. He headed for the refrigerator and drank some juice from the carton before sitting at the table.

That's where Shay found him three hours later. She crept over to her sleeping friend and gently nudged his shoulder. Kelly awoke with a jump. "Hey, I didn't mean to scare you" Shay said holding her hands up and taking a step back.

Kelly rubbed his hands down his face. "I didn't mean to scare you" he said smiling at her.

Shay smiled back and rested her hand on her friends arm. "Still having the dreams huh?"

"I just wanna get his birthday over with, they'll probably stop then"

Shay raised her eyebrows. "Get it over with?" she asked walking to the refrigerator. "You're still going to the little get together right?"

"They wanna celebrate, what're we meant to be celebrating exactly?" Kelly stood up making his way towards the stairs.

Shay turned around. "You celebrate his life; you share memories with people he loved, people who loved him".

Severide stopped halfway up the staircase turning around. "You can't celebrate the birthday of someone who's dead" He continued up the stairs.

Shay stood with the milk in her hand, staring at the empty space where her friend had stood seconds ago. She couldn't believe what Kelly had said about Andy. They had been best friends for years. She put it down to lack of sleep and placed the milk on the counter. She was tempted to follow him but decided he needed his space, give him time and talk to him at work she thought.

C.F.

Kelly arrived at work half an hour early and went straight to the gym. He dropped his bag on the floor and grabbed the boxing gloves from their peg before putting them on. He headed straight for the punching bag and hit it with all the energy he could muster. Every time he thought of the day Andy died his punches got harder, he could feel the sweat pouring from his body, his arms ached but still he hit the bag.

"Something on your mind?" Chief Boden asked from the doorway, arms folded.

He stopped punching the bag but did not turn around. "Not anymore" Kelly said breathlessly. Boden nodded and walked away.

Kelly hit the bag one last time as hard as he could and watched as it swung back and forth. He removed the gloves and replaced them on the peg, grabbed his bag and made his way to the showers. Ignoring the looks he received as he passed through the locker area.

Matthew Casey watched as Kelly walked past and headed for the showers. He didn't miss the look on Severides face. The one he'd worn for the last week, he knew it was about Andy as he'd seen that look on his own face knowing that his birthday was coming up.

"Did Kelly just pass through here?" Shay asked Matt.

"Um, yeah he's gone in the shower. Everything ok?" Casey asked knowing it wasn't.

"He's been having nightmares about Andy the past week and he hasn't been sleeping much".

"Have you spoken to him about it?" Matt asked concerned.

"I've tried. But you know Kelly, at the mention of sharing feelings he's out of the room like lightening. I dunno what to do". Shay sighed.

"Want me to talk to him?"

"You can try" Shay shrugged knowing it would most likely be a waste of breath with Casey even trying.

"I'll offer him a few beers that should get him talking" Casey smiled.

C.F.

The hot water felt good running down his body, he felt his muscles relaxing slowly and felt a lot better than he had that morning. He stepped out, quickly towelled his body over and got his uniform on. Pushing a hand back through his hair and looking in the mirror. His reflection mirrored how he felt inside and he knew people would be asking him questions about what was wrong but there was no time to do anything as the alarm sounded.

Truck 81, ambulance 61, squad 3 …

The trucks arrived at the accident in quick time. Kelly jumped from the truck and took in the scene in front of him, a factory fire that was quickly becoming out of control. He looked over at Casey who was talking to someone who worked there.

"Casey you go through the front, Severide go around the back. We've been informed there are still people in there" Chief Boden told the two Lieutenants.

They set to work as quickly as possible. Kelly stepped back as the heat hit him instantly, he scanned the room for any injured workers.

"Fire Department, call out!" Kelly shouted, listening for any cries for help. Hearing and seeing no-one he went towards an office opposite. The flames were quickly getting worse. "Fire Department, call out!" He shouted again scanning the room. He caught sight of a body on the floor and rushed towards it. Severide noticed just how big the man was as he got closer. He checked for a pulse and found it was fast. He spoke into his radio. "Chief I got a man here on the first floor. I ain't gonna be able to carry him myself"

Chief Boden listened carefully as Severide spoke. He looked over and saw Casey taking someone over to Shay and Dawson. "Casey! Severides found someone but he needs your help"

"On it Chief!" Casey called back as he headed towards where Kelly had gone. He entered the building and saw how bad the flames were. "Severide!" He called trying to find which room his friend was in.

"In here!" Kelly choked out.

Matt ran into the room and took in the scene in front of him. Kelly had taken his mask off, had placed it over the 400lb mans face and was trying to drag him towards the door. He ran to Kellys side and tried to place his mask on Severides face but Kelly pushed it away.

"We gotta.. get him.. outta here" Kelly wheezed.

Matt looked at the man and checked for a pulse but couldn't feel one. He looked at Kelly and shook his head. "He's dead" He said grabbing the mask from the mans face and handing it back to Kelly.

Severide looked at the man in shock. "No.. he's alive! Check.. again.. Matt!" Kelly was becoming furious. He went to check the mans pulse again but Matt grabbed him.

"We're getting out of here now!" Casey yelled as he pulled Kelly towards the door. The flames were weakening the structure and they had to get out of there quickly.

Kelly watched in shock as the mans body caught on fire. He let Matt drag him away and when he finally felt the cool air hit him he fell to his knees choking. He let the mask fall on the floor.

Boden rushed over to Kelly when he noticed the mask wasn't on his face. "Severide!" He called seeing the lieutenant on his knees.

Casey grabbed Kellys face and looked at him. "Hey, you okay? Breathe, you're gonna be fine" He told him, though he couldn't hide the panic in his voice.

Chief Boden reached Kellys side and saw him closing his eyes. "Stay awake, you hear me Kelly? You have to stay awake. Get Dawson and Shay here!"

"They left for the hospital Chief, another ambulance is on the way" Peter Mills said, worry in his voice.

Kelly tried to keep his eyes open but couldn't. He was struggling to get air into his lungs and he could feel the onset of a panic attack. Last thing I need he thought trying to concentrate on anything other than his breathing. He was alive. Great, now he was thinking about the man he'd just tried to save. His breathing felt like it was getting worse. He felt someone's hands on his chest, then someone checking his pulse. He was on his back now. He tried one more time to open his eyes, happy when he finally saw some light. "What are you doing Severide?" He heard a voice ask and as his vision cleared he saw him, his arms crossed, frowning. "Andy" Was the last word Severide said before he lost consciousness completely.