Title: Frantic!
Chapter 1 – Panic Rising
Summary: Kelly, where's George? He's…with Matt. Where's Matt? He's….missing? How could Kelly tell Shay that her son and his best friend were missing, along with his car? What else could go wrong?
Disclaimer: Chicago Fire and its characters are the property of Dick Wolfe, NBC and….well sadly not me
A/N: Okay so you knew I had to get a wee bit of angsty tension into George's life b/c hey the two men watching him just like to attract trouble muwhahahaha and yes this one could follow their second babysitting adventure but since I wanted to label this one differently (H/C/drama as opposed to humor) and make it a bit longer it's a standalone story and hope that makes sense if not blame George haha poor George.
Oh and in case you hadn't heard the wee bit of good news about our show – WE ARE GETTING SEASON 2 !
"Seriously Kelly if I hear you say one more time "what could possibly go wrong?" I'm going to have it tattooed on the side of your car and the squad truck," Shay warns as Severide's face winces.
"Not the car."
"I swear that's why you're not married."
"Yeah because I love my car more than women," Severide retorts.
"You get mad when I call her Christine."
"She's not evil."
"Still think I'm right."
"Shay, now you're just being silly," Severide teases as he holds up George and forces his hands to flail about, making the little boy squeal and Shay's frown soften. "George and I are going to have a fun weekend. Maybe see what trouble we can trick Uncle Matt into so we can have a few laughs."
"Does Casey have any idea he's your patsy?"
"Course, I tell him all the time and then I reward him with a happy meal," Severide boasts as Shay shakes her head as she leans in and kisses the top of George's head.
"A happy meal?" Shay arches a brow.
"And beer," Severide adds in haste. "George and I will be fine."
"Never been away from him for an entire weekend."
"I know how to look after our son," he tells her seriously. "Besides he'd be bored silly at the conference."
"More like you'd be bored silly."
"Well yeah that too. Just go and have a good time."
"Bye sweet boy," Shay whispers as she kisses George on the cheek; Severide offering the right side of face to which Shay just pats as she heads for the door, grabs her duffle bag and then disappearing into the hallway.
"Alright squirt time for lunch. Can you eat deep dish pizza?" Severide snickers to himself as George looks up in wonder. "No? Okay more for me," he teases to which George offers a wide grin. "Well we did promise Uncle Matt that happy meal right?" Severide grins as he reaches for the phone. But just as he's about to dial the phone rings and he quickly snatches it away before George's hands can do any damage.
"Hey Capp what's up? What? That was today? Da…ah yeah no I totally forgot. How long do you think it'll take?" Severide huffs as he grabs the pen from George's hands and starts to write down some notes, George's hands nearing the pen once more and forcing Severide to pull back and George to laugh and advance. "Am laughing at the goober here. Yeah okay I can do that. Let me call Matt to watch him for a few hours. Yeah it's no trouble. I did promise right? Thanks."
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"You sure you don't mind?" Severide asks Casey as he lets him into his apartment. "Completely forgot. But to make it up to you, on the way home I'll pick up that happy meal."
"Really, you don't have to," Casey deadpans as he holds out his hand. "But if you are then I want the jackhead fireman's helmet."
"That's Jack in the Box not McDonalds. What?"
"Keys."
"For what?"
"Your car."
"I don't think so," Severide states seriously as he heads for the closet to get his jacket, turning back to see Casey watching him with a serious expression; George in the other room playing with his blocks. "Matt…look no offense but no way. I'll get you the…"
"It's not about that. Yours has the car seat in it. It's just in case. What if you need help or something? You know I can't just put him in the truck with a seat belt," Casey tries to explain. "Besides I do know how to drive."
"You're not much older than George," Severide teases as Casey snatches the keys from his grasp after a brief eye roll.
"I promise I'll only do a few joyrides around the block and bring her right back after we've spun out a few dozen times in the parking lot. Christine right?"
"Shay is so going to pay for that," Severide sighs as he heads for the door, not wanting to make a fuss in front of George. "I'll call when I'm done."
"We will be fine," Casey insists as he locks the door and then heads back into the living room and plunks himself down beside George. But not hearing his father's comforting voice causes George's once happy expression to morph into one that is upset and soon his eyebrows start to turn red and his bottom lip quiver.
"George, no, okay not good," Casey groans to himself as the first small whimper is heard. "Let's see what we can find on…TV…where's the remote?" Casey mutters to himself as he starts to look around for the remote, George watching in amusement as the male adult purposely picks places to search that the remote could not possibly be. Soon he's too entertained to be upset, pushes himself into a crawl and within seconds is tugging on the bottom of Casey's jeans.
"Did you find it?" Casey asks as he picks up George and pokes his belly; George's hands automatically giving his face a playful slap. His little fingers rest on his stubble and rub, forcing Casey's lips to slightly smirk.
"Trust me, if you're anything like your father you'll have a full grown beard by puberty," Casey teases as George's eyes widen in wonder. "Let's continue looking for the remote."
He pulls one of the pillows back and can only shake his head. "Kelly…really?" He snickers as he pulls out the day old banana peel and shows it to George. "Or maybe you really are curious George. You know just because your father calls you a monkey doesn't mean you are one," Casey seriously reminds George whose fingers try to grab the browning fruit peel as they head toward the kitchen.
Casey deposits the fruit into the garbage, his mind recalling what Severide had told him about George having a snack to keep the growlies away and make sure he didn't turn into George the rampaging beast.
"Your father gets growly when he gets hungry. Don't tell anyone," Casey holds his finger to his lips to make the 'shh' sign, George trying to follow suit before he instantly gets bored and starts to grab at Casey's fingers once again. Casey gives him a wide grin before he pulls open the fridge and reaches for a bottle; it was the easiest thing he could find to keep George happy for the time being as he busied himself putting away the few dishes from Severide's lunch.
"George what do you say we…" Casey turns around to see George, looking down at the empty spot and cursing himself for having his back turned for longer than one minute. Casey rounds the corner and utters a small gasp as he watches George trying to climb up the stairs; Casey having forgotten to put the baby gate back in place after he had come back down from changing George's diaper.
"Don't you know what curiosity does?" Casey talks to George as he plucks him up from the stairs and carries him back down; George's little arms flailing about as he tries to grab the railing. Casey puts the gate back in place and then deposits George on the living room floor just as his cell phone rings. Casey's eyes divert to the LCD display just as George's little hands grab the phone and give it a good shake in the air, forcing it to clatter onto the hardwood a few feet away and the small battery pack on the back to break free and land a few feet further.
"George!" Casey scolds as he tries to gather up the phone bits, reaching for the Severide's cordless phone and quickly calling Hallie back. "Hey sorry, George…no don't cry…no I meant him not you," Casey sighs as he talks to his fiancé. "So what's up? What today? Hold on."
He shoves the phone bits into his pocket and then reaches for George's foot with his right hand; the motion forcing the toddler to plot onto his belly and start to squeal when he couldn't get free.
"Yes I have the tickets in my wallet. I can be there in about twenty minutes," Casey assures her as he hangs up and then looks at George. "Okay we take this to Auntie Hallie and then come right back here and we won't get in trouble when daddy gets home. Deal?" Casey asks George who only offers a wide toothy grin in return.
Casey quickly bundles up George in his jacket and shoes, thankful that it wasn't inclement weather, grabs George's travelling bag and heads for the front door, telling himself he'd be back before they'd know it and could easily lie to Kelly about them not leaving the apartment as who was going to tell George? Hallie he could convince using the lame ploy his life was on the line and George would silently back him no question.
"Hello Christine," Casey snickers as he nears Severide's Camaro, opens the back and tucks George into his car seat, shoving the bag onto the floor and then getting into the front seat. Casey pulls into traffic, heading for the hospital; glancing back at George while stopped at the light to make sure he was still behaving.
"Remember, don't tell Kelly," Casey tells Hallie about ten minutes later.
"Promise," she replies with a sweet smile as she tucks the tickets into her pocket and gives him a quick kiss. "I see someone is a big hit with the ladies," she nods to George being played with by one of the nurses.
"He's his father's son," Casey smiles before he tells her he'll call her later and retrieves George from the gaggle of nurses and then heads for the front door, pleased with himself that he'd be home and probably even able to make a snack or something to bribe Kelly with when he got back; maybe even a light dinner since Shay was gone and Hallie had the graveyard shift.
Casey heads into the parking lot toward Severide's car, groaning to himself for having parked so far away just to avoid any scratches or dings. "Heaven forbid someone should breathe on it," Casey teases George as he pulls out the keys. He pulls the back door open and starts to buckle George in when he feels a flurry of activity behind him, turning back in surprise only to be met in the face with a stiff jaw and then a gun in his cheek.
"Wha…"
"Shut up and give me the damn keys!" The angry voice growls as George peers out from inside the car in wonder.
Casey's mind frantically races with what to do; he didn't want to get shot over a mere material possession but he also didn't want anything to happen to George and wasn't about to let them drive away with the little boy trapped inside.
"I need to get my s…" Casey starts only to fake a stumble and try to take his attacker down. He drops his shoulder and tries to push the thug backward. However, his plan backfires when a second man rushes up and delivers a blow to his jaw; George starting to get agitated at the commotion outside.
"Get the damn keys!"
"What about the kid?"
"Br…"
"No!" Casey shouts as he looks up from his spot on the ground on his knees. "You can't take…." is all he manages before he receives a swift 'swack' to the jaw from the butt end of the gun; forcing his lip to cut and sting and his gaze to narrow.
"Get the damn keys!" The angry male voice demands as the second man shoves his gun into Casey's cheek before Casey's right hand fumbles with the keys in his pocket before they're snatched. "Bring him," the first one demands as the second grabs Casey by the collar of his jacket and jerks him backwards toward the open back door of the car; George now staring to whimper from inside the belly of the black beast.
"Look guys…" Casey tries as one of the thugs starts to tie his wrists together in front. But another 'swack' to the back of his head from the butt end of the gun warns him not to ask again or he'd really be sorry. "Don't hurt my son," Casey pleads for George as he's shoved into the backseat and the door is slammed shut.
He can only cringe when the carjacker starts the car and then peels away from the prime parking spot and races toward the exit, taking a sharp turn and forcing Casey to cringe at the very near miss. "It's okay George," Casey tries to soothe, pushing past the throbbing in his head and the faint taste of blood in his mouth from his cut lip.
"Tell that kid to shut up!" The one in the passenger seat snaps angrily as he turns and points the gun at Casey.
"He's scared and it's hard to console him like this. You let me go an…"
"You're not going anywhere just yet got it? So shut up or I'll shut you up. Just keep him quiet."
Casey quickly turns back to a fussing George, his mind racing at how to get a message to Severide as he knows the year of his friends car doesn't have GPS and Kelly had told him he never had one installed – wanting to keep it's original vintage glory in tact. Damn Kelly, this would have been so much easier.
"Hey George….shhhh buddy it's okay. Daddy's gonna be h…daddy's here to…" Casey huffs as he looks into the front, the two men, named Clyde and Sam, quickly bickering about something. "Want your giraffe? Let me find it," Casey tries to get his bound wrists to his right pocket to get the two halves of his phone together and then at least try to text Severide before things get too far out of hand.
However…
"What the hell are you doing?" The one named Sam in the passenger seat growls as Casey's head snaps back up. "Let's see those damn hands right now!"
XXXXXXXX
"Yeah finished a bit earlier than expected," Severide talks to Shay on the phone as he nears the front door to his apartment and gives it a knock. "You bored already?"
"Where's George?"
"He's with Uncle Matt."
"And where's Uncle Matt?"
"He's…hold on and let me get in the door," Severide huffs as he fumbles with his keys, offering Casey's name a small curse for not coming to the door. "Daddy's home!" Severide calls out with a smile as he enters his apartment.
"What?"
"It's quiet."
"Maybe he's asleep."
"Matt's too old for naps," Severide snickers, picturing Shay giving him an eye roll as he tosses his jacket aside. "Maybe. Hold on a sec."
"Kelly?"
"Shay I gotta call you back."
"Kelly where's George? Is everything okay?"
"Yes. Call you right back," Severide replies in haste as he hangs up and then hurries into the living room. Not wanting to call out George's name in case his son was asleep, Severide pulls back the baby gate and bounds up the stairs, rapidly checking the rooms before returning to the middle of the hallway with an angry scowl.
"Damn it Casey," Severide lightly curses as he pulls his phone and quickly dials Casey's cell number. "Matt, you took the car? Better have a pretty good reason why you did it and why you're late," he concludes as he hangs up and then heads back downstairs, picking up the small Squad toy and smirking at it.
"He better have a good reason for this," Severide groans as he pulls the door to the fridge open. "And if he gets a scratch – no happy meal."
XXXXXXXX
"What the hell do you have?"
"Giraffe," Casey offers meekly as he holds up the small toy, his phone still in his pocket in two pieces. "George's favorite toy."
"Fine. Just keep him quiet."
"Where should we dump em?" Clyde asks as Casey pretends to be affixed on George before he dares to glance at the front and try to reach for his phone again. But once again Sam turns back, forcing Casey's actions to subside and his efforts at calling for help to be stalled.
George's eyes continue to well, his ears not liking the strange gruff voices and showing Casey no matter his well intentioned efforts they weren't going to pay off. "It's okay George…shhh it's okay," Casey whispers as he leans in a bit closer. But George wasn't having it and starts to cry a bit harder.
"It's my fault, he's scared," Casey offers in haste as Sam turns around and glares at him. "Please just stop and let us out."
"Shut up," Sam demands firmly. "You'll get out when we say. Got it? Now keep him quiet or I will put him out of my misery!"
Casey quickly pulls the little giraffe back into view, praying that it will amuse George long enough for him to get his phone and try to send a text for help; otherwise, an angry Severide would be the least of his worries.
XXXXXXXX
"Matt pick up the phone," Severide grumbles as he hangs up. He quickly calls the station and then decides to try Hallie as a last resort. "Was Matt there by any chance?"
"Haven't seen him."
"Look I know he probably told you to say that but I'm at my place and there's no sign of them and yes maybe I'm being overly paranoid but…okay when did he leave there? What? An hour ago? Okay thanks. Yeah I'll let you know when I've found them."
Severide hangs up with Hallie and then looks at the clock and frowns. He knows that Casey's not irresponsible and if he had to deliver something to Hallie he would have come right back; especially given the fact Casey knew the three of them were going out for dinner. As much as he knows Casey jokes about his most prized material passion and gives him a hard time about it, he respects it enough to not take chances.
"Where the hell could they be?" Severide grumbles as he tries Casey's number once more. "Matt, you better have a good explanation for not answering or calling back!" Severide huffs as he heads into the living room to clean up a few things. But ten minutes later he looks at the clock and then at the phone and frowns. Matt's not into playing games. He'd call…if he could.
"Something's wrong," Severide huffs as he reaches for the phone. "Antonio…got a sec?"
XXXXXXXX
"Look you better keep your hands were I can see em!" Sam barks at Casey as he grabs his bound wrists and yanks him forward, George starting to fuss once again.
"I just had him calmed down," Casey groans as they near a quiet industrial area down by the waterfront; his bound wrists trying to tug out of Sam's grasp but unable.
"Then blame yourself if he dies!"
Casey's eyes frantically scan the area they are heading toward, his mind racing to get the phone fixed so he can send a text message to Severide. "Just stop the car and let us out," Casey implores as George's hands continue to play with the little giraffe, gumming it a few seconds and then threatening to toss it aside a few seconds later and once again cry.
The two men in the front ignore Casey as they continue to talk about where to dump their two restless passengers and what they would do with the car after they had dumped Casey and George.
"It's okay George," Casey tries once more; George's cry's signaling that he was in need of a snack and then a nap. I gotta get my phone…gotta call Kelly, get him to call Antonio and get out here; I can't let them hurt George.
"There," one of them points to a darkened building and Casey instantly feels his panic instantly skyrocket. Casey feels Severide's car starting to slow, finally coming to a complete stop beside a rundown building with only a door and no windows.
"It's going to be oka…" Casey starts only to watch Clyde pull the back door open and try to pull him out.
"The baby stays!" Sam barks as Casey's bound hands try to latch onto the car seat and pull it free; the buckle holding it fast and his panic soaring.
"No!" Casey grunts as Clyde's hands wrap around his waist and yank him free, Casey's frame struggling to get free and George really starting to scream.
"Shut this damn kid…fine take the kid also!" Sam's voice angrily bellows as Clyde hits Casey in the back of the head where he had struck him before; Casey's frame temporarily stopping its movements. However, his brain urges him to continue, especially as he watches Sam pulling George from his car seat, the small frightened boy starting to cry harder and squirm in his grasp.
"Settle down or your kid is dead!" Clyde yells as he shoves Casey to the ground; Casey looking up to see Sam holding George by one arm.
"Stop…hurting him," Casey states in haste as he gets up to his knees.
"Let's go!" Clyde growls as he grabs the back of Casey's jacket and bodily drags him toward the front of the building; Casey struggling to keep his footing without the full use of his hands.
"It's okay George," Casey utters with a small groan as Clyde meanly forces him into the building and pushes him toward another small door in the back. But it only takes a few seconds for Casey to realize the abject terror of his situation as he stumbles headfirst, landing on his bound wrists and knees in a few feet of cold dirty water.
"Oh damn. No!" Casey shouts as he staggers to get himself upright. But another swift blow to his jaw sends him backward, causing him to land on his butt in the water and his heart rate to race to critical.
"Throw his kid in there also!"
"No! George!"
A/N: muwhahaha Will Kelly find them in time? Will Casey and George be okay? Will Casey ever get that happy meal and will Shay ever leave George alone again? Would love your thoughts on this angsty little two shot so please do review before you go and thanks so much!