Title: A Stranger in my House
Chapter 1 – Prelude to Disaster
Summary: Casey comes to realize that the person he's living with isn't who he thought she was. But after an accident a new threat starts to take control of the Casey household driving a wedge between Casey & Severide. Can their friendship survive? Or will both be lost to greed and hatred?
Disclaimer: Chicago Fire and its characters are the property of Dick Wolfe, NBC and….well sadly not me
A/N: Hey everyone am back with a new multi-chapter adventure! Won't say too much about this one so I don't give anything away but of course it'll focus on our boys with a few surprises tossed into the usual, peril/whump/angst and hurt/comfort! So the timeline for this starts with eppy 1.14, includes some from 1.15 but then that's it…it'll go AU after that and hope its okay and you like this story.
"Casey, look out!" Hermann's frantic voice calls out over the headsets.
"Damn it Chief, I need to get in there!" Severide growls as Boden's frame stands between Severide's frame and the building as they both turn to look at the fiery doorway.
"We don't need more bodies in the way," Boden reminds him firmly as they hear the muffled commotion inside the smoky storefront before them. "You got the rest of the people trapped inside as instructed. He and Hermann went back to…"
"But he…"
Another large crash is heard from inside, forcing both Boden and Severide to exchange worried glances before Severide pulls away and races for the darkened doorway.
"I'm going in after them!"
"Severide! Damn it!" Boden curses as he watches Capp pull away from the rest of the truck team and hurry after his Lieutenant. "No one listens," Boden mutters under his breath as he watches two of his finest disappear into the darkness.
"Casey where are you!"
"Severide…over here," Casey's weak voice calls out in the smoky darkness.
"Severide I found Hermann!" Capp's voice is heard.
"Okay get him out, I'm going for Casey!"
"Casey! Where?"
"Look down…" Casey grumbles as Severide's light finally shines onto a darkened piece of plywood with his friend trapped underneath. "Can't get…"
"Hold on!" Severide states in haste as he pulls his axe and using the butt end starts to bang away at the pieces of debris that have his friend trapped. "Okay I think…I got it. Can you…hold on…"
"Severide? Talk to me," Boden instructs in his earpiece.
"I've got Casey; he's okay. Just clearing the last of the debris. Hold on Chief."
Boden watches Capp appear with Hermann and slowly directs him toward the waiting medics to be checked over or sent on to the ER if necessary. He feels his own fists tighten as a fresh plume is seen, daring the engine team to come after it – which of course they do.
"Damn those two," Boden mutters under his breath as Severide emerges with Casey propped up on his shoulder. "I'd send you both to detention but I doubt I'd make a difference."
"Never leave a man down Chief, you taught us that," Casey reminds him.
"Only yourself to blame really," Severide adds with a small grimace as Boden purses his lips but says nothing.
"Get checked over," he groans before he heads over to the engine team to check on their status.
"Good thing…Shay's already at the hospital," Severide grunts as he helps Casey slowly ease down onto the waiting stretcher in a seated position.
"I'm fine," Casey offers in annoyance as the male medic tries to check him over.
"He seems fine," the medic resigns about ten minutes later as Casey snatches back his helmet and slowly gets up, falling in step with Severide as they head back to their trucks.
"Stubborn," Severide playfully teases his silent partner. But literally a few seconds later he watches Casey's expression darken and stops him just before they reach their trucks; Boden watching them in the distance. "Matt, I didn't mean that."
"What?" Casey looks at him with a small frown. "Sorry…I'm okay, just distracted. Mom's release is in a few weeks and…and I'm nervous."
"You want some company for that? I'll still be on leave."
"I got it thanks. I've made up the small spare bedroom as she said she didn't want anything else but…but it's going to be weird having here there, all the time."
"At least she can do the cooking right?" Severide adds lightly. However, Casey merely gives him a curt nod as a reward. "Hey you ever want a break you know you can come and stay with us right?"
"I just might take you up on that," Casey answers with a small frown as he looks away.
"What is it? Matt you can always say no if you don't want her there."
"I know. I guess part of me feels…well obligated. I'm trying to be positive about all this but…she mentioned this guy Rick that I met a few weeks back; says I'll be seeing a lot more of him. He seems okay and I'm trying to be accepting of that but…it's just odd to have her ready to launch into this new life but only staying with me because she knows she has to and…and I'm just nervous about tomorrow. It's like starting over…but without dad and that seems wrong," Casey concludes his agitated ramble.
"Don't know what to say," Severide offers in remorse as both look at Boden who gestures that it's time to go. "But we're off now for a few days so get her settled and then drop by for a few beers."
"I'll try."
Casey heads back to his team, giving Hermann a hearty slap on his back before he joins in helping them clean up; Boden watching with a concerned eye but at the same time satisfied that his two lieutenants were drawing closer and no matter what always had each other's back. Whatever, Casey's dealing with he knows he can always turn to Severide and have a strong ally in his corner.
One more call completes the long shift and its already dark by the time Casey and Severide start to get changed and head into the parking lot, the night offering them a light drizzle that would carry on for a few days more. Casey offers Severide a brisk goodnight before he hurries to his truck and then heads for home; his mind now wondering how her release would play out. It was no secret he had always sided with his father in most things and had lived with and hung onto resentment toward his mother for so long that it just felt almost comforting. Christie told him he was making a mistake as she was just manipulating his feelings by him allowing her to live with him and that while she would try to support him, she wasn't about to freely open her arms to their estranged mother.
'Doesn't she deserve a second chance Christie? Why can't I offer her forgiveness?'
'You can. Just remember to protect yourself. My mother is already lost to me Matt, I don't want to lose my brother now that I just got him back.'
'You won't, I promise.'
"I will keep that promise Christie," Casey whispers as he stands in the doorway to the small room his mother would soon be occupying. He tries to put a positive spin on it by remembering what Severide had told him about her now able to at least make all the meals and such, but all he can focus on is him asking the real reason behind why she killed his father. But with Severide going off on medical leave and him not having much of an ally in Eric Whaley, he would be facing this on his own; at least at the very start.
This is going to be hell.
XXXXXXXX
Just less than a month later, Casey awakens early the morning of his mother's release with a tight stomach and a racing mind. He'd only seen his mother a few times during the past fifteen years, more so as of late but still not enough to feel certain about taking her into his home on a new full time basis. Even talking with Severide during his time off didn't help much. But he tells himself that this is still his mother and despite hard feelings or lingering doubts he'd help her out for a short time until she got on her feet and was granted somewhere else to live by the parole board.
"Did I do the right thing?" Casey ponders as he heads downstairs to make himself some strong coffee. He knows his mother had met some people he'd freely and openly classify as unsavory at best, but tells himself, she's leaving all those bad influences behind and is starting new and he owed her at least a small amount of trust. Foregoing breakfast due to a nervous stomach, Casey downs the rest of his strong coffee and hurries to get ready.
Casey arrives at the prison to see Rick waiting outside with an umbrella and a small bouquet of flowers. Biting back a grumble, Casey pulls his extra wide umbrella and slowly heads for the area people would wait for those being released. He gives Rick a cordial nod, hoping the stranger wouldn't engage him in further conversation. He does. Briefly.
"I'll just give my congratulations and then let you two have your time together."
Casey gives him a tight lipped smile and nod of acknowledgement; both men turning to see Nancy Casey slowly emerge from behind the big steel gates and head toward them with an uncertain smile. He gives his mother a warm hug before he pulls back and then lets Rick have his few seconds; giving her a tender hug, handing her the flowers and then telling her he'll drop by once she's settled. Casey watches him take his leave and then turns his attention back to his mother.
"I can't believe this," Nancy Casey states as they slowly walk back toward her son's truck; Casey feeling his mother stiffen beside him. "To finally be free."
"Yeah…its…been a long time," Casey replies tightly as his mother looks up. "This is new…mom I just…" he shakes his head as they stop a few feet from his truck. "It's just new. It's great to have you here but it's also so new."
"I'm not here to make your life more difficult Matthew. I made a few friends while on the inside who are now also getting out and we'll just…"
"Just make sure you don't do anything to violate your parole terms or it could affect me."
"It's okay to make new friends right?" Nancy counters firmly.
"Like Rick?"
"I don't want or expect you to compare him to your father. But maybe Rick…maybe not. I don't know. I'm not going to rush things and I don't expect you to play guardian or get comfortable if you don't want to. You have your life and I have mine."
The drive to his home is spent mostly in silence as Casey tries to come to terms with having his mother around on a full time basis; complete with new rules and restrictions. He shows his mother to her new room, telling her the larger one upstairs was still under construction, but Nancy assuring her son that this would be just fine. The first day passes by quickly, the parole officer checking in right away and then leaving them alone to make some small talk and just settle in.
Casey checks the text from Severide that night, thankful for the concern and texting back that so far everything was okay. He puts his phone away and goes in search of his mother, wondering if she'd want to just order in and watch a movie, just have a relaxing evening. But just before he can ask the phone rings and she's quick to answer; the expression on her face telling the whole story.
"Rick?" Casey gently inquires.
"No, I called that off," Nancy replies with a cryptic smile as Casey feels the short hairs on the back of his neck bristle.
Called it off? So soon? She just got out? "Why? He seemed nice."
"He was…too nice," Nancy pauses in the doorway before disappearing into her room, Casey's words stopping her actions.
"So who was on the phone," he demands a bit more firmly.
"A friend."
"Another pen pal?" Casey pushes.
"Wow, you make it sound so tawdry. But yeah. At least he was kind enough to visit me in prison," she punctuates as she holds her son's gaze before disappearing out of view and leaving Casey standing in the middle of his living room in wonder. He heads toward his kitchen and pulls open the fridge. However, as he stares absently at the food, the agitation in his system reminds him that he's not up to the task of eating and the fridge door closes. When Nancy finally does reemerge, he just warms up a frozen pizza in the oven and both sit silently in front of the TV; Casey wondering if he'd done the right thing for both of them.
That night Casey lies awake in bed, his head resting atop his folded arms as he stares up at the ceiling in mental agony. When she had first told him about Rick in prison he stiffened at the idea; meeting him was a nightmare as it forced him to relive painful memories he had tried to bury about the night of his father's murder. He remembers storming out of the prison in anger but how his mother quickly recanted what happened the next time he saw her. As much as he wants to try to push aside the memories of her twisting things around to always suit her and make her seem like the victim, he can't and the doubts about whether this will work for the full term of her parole were now taking root. The seeds of doubt and mistrust already starting to flourish.
Waking the next morning in a grouchy mood was only compounded by his mother's overly cheery tone as she tells him about her new friend.
"Should I get to know this one's name like I did Rick's?"
"I'll know in a few more days," Nancy retorts with a wide grin as she holds out her mug for some coffee. "Just feels so great to be out of that hell hole living my life again."
"Don't you think you should just take some time to settle in and just…"
"And just what Matthew? I put my life on hold for fifteen years. You go out with friends, why can't I?"
"I don't always want to argue, but I haven't seen you in fifteen years and then you were…with dad. This takes some getting used to."
"It's just nice to be with men that appreciate being with me, even if I don't want to be with them in the long run," she replies to which he merely frowns but says nothing further. But before he can utter another word, she drops another cube of sugar into her coffee and takes her leave, humming all the way into her bedroom and closing the door.
"This is not what I planned," Casey groans as he turns back to making himself a modest breakfast before tackling a project in the back yard; wanting to use his last day off before his next set to keep busy and away from another argument with his mother. So far things were not going according to plan and he wonders how much longer he'll last before the straw snaps and he tells his mother it was over.
After finishing up in the backyard, Casey heads inside to start into dinner, hoping that tonight they could just sit down at the table like two mature adults and enjoy a meal and maybe even play some cards, something light before he was back at work tomorrow.
"Uh where are you going?" Casey asks as his mother comes into the room all dressed up to go out for dinner instead of staying in.
"I have a date. Oh don't worry I'll be back before my curfew."
"I am worried mom," Casey growls as he stands up to face her with a tight expression. "It hasn't even been twenty hour hours. You should try to remember your parole rules as already things have…"
"I'm a grown woman and this is my life! It's not like I'm going out to sell crack! If you're worried about me associating with known criminals then don't be! This isn't your business! If you brought me into your home only to parent me then you shouldn't have bothered!" Nancy argues back in a loud, angry tone, before she turns to leave.
"Hold up!" Casey hurries after her. "Nobody talks to me like that, especially in my own home."
Casey watches his mother turn around with a rather placid expression and once again falls into her manipulative trap by berating himself for raising his voice in heated anger.
"I'm going to have dinner Matthew," Nancy replies as her hand rests on his shoulder and she offers him a fake smile, "I'll be back home before my curfew. I hope you have a wonderful night."
Casey can only stand in place, dumbfounded, as his mother turns and leaves; the house instantly growing silent as he's left alone. "This is unbelievable," Casey grumbles as he watches her get into the waiting car and it pulls away. He turns and heads into the kitchen, praying the night would move along swiftly and he'd be back at work where at least there things made sense.
XXXXXXXX
"Did you sleep here?" Severide asks as he happens upon Casey in the sleeping area early the next morning; easing himself down on the small bed opposite him, Casey shaking his head as a no in answer. "You look tired."
"I am," Casey groans as he slowly uprights himself and rubs his face. "This whole thing with mom…Kelly I don't know what I've done and now…every night she's talking to some new guy. I ask her about it and she gets defensive and asks if I'm upset she's moving on and trying to make a new start and then I feel bad and back off and around it goes."
"New guy? I thought you said she met someone named Rick that she wanted to make a new start with? The guy with the flowers who was waiting when she got out?" Severide inquires.
"Apparently he was too nice," Casey retorts with a small wince. "She won't tell me the name of the new guy as she said I don't need to worry about remembering it as he might not even last as long as Rick did."
"Why wouldn't she want a nice guy?"
"I don't know. Last night I reminded her about not violating her curfew and she yelled back at me not to parent her."
"She actually yelled?" Severide asks in surprise.
"Then I got angry and yelled back about reminding her about her parole rules and she said she's not selling crack, that it was just dinner and then she left. She had a good time and I was angry all night."
"Wow, sorry man."
"So then I tried to keep busy the past few days to keep my mind from asking the one question I know will cause an argument but I need to know why she did it."
"She's never told you?"
"Not in fifteen years," Casey grumbles as he slowly stands up. "And even if I did ask, I wonder if she'll tell me the truth. It's not like I can go and ask him his side," Casey concludes with a small sigh as he looks at Severide in defeat. "I feel like…Kelly I feel like I don't even know who she is anymore. She's not the same person I remember and yet parts of her are. I just…I don't know. All this dating and…I'm not jealous I'm just…maybe bitter but…ah damn I don't know what to do," he adds as they both head out of the room to get ready for their shift. "So, how does it feel to be back?" Casey inquires, wanting to change the subject and take the focus off his own personal misery.
Severide answers the question but can tell by Casey's clipped answers and tightly set jaw that he's really battling his emotions with regards to having his mother around 24/7. He thinks about what Casey told him so far and can't help but feel sorry for his friend in having to face this new situation. His mother seems manipulative but he tells himself not to bring it up so as not to rock the boat even further; it wasn't fair to Casey as he's already dealing with so much. Still he can't help but wonder why Mrs. Casey wouldn't want to even try to honor the terms of her parole. What's really going on that she's not telling her son? Maybe it's nothing and you're feeding off his paranoia, his brain reminds him. Maybe that's true. So with that thought, Severide tells him a bit more about the surgery and then asks how Eric's been making out.
As much as he wants to spend the night at the Firehouse, as he'd at least get some solid rest, Casey knows he has to head home to check on how his mother's faring as her actions would reflect on him either in a good way or poorly. As he enters his quiet home, Nancy comes to greet him with a strained smile.
"I'm sorry we fought," she tells him in a quiet tone, "I hate when we fight. Gary is the man I had dinner with the other night. I don't know how long it'll last but that's his name."
"As much as seeing you this actively dating does disturb me a little, I'm trying to keep an open mind and let you have your space as you have me. I want us to have that mutual trust and respect but I do worry about you violating your parole conditions. You never tell me anything about these guys except their names."
"Okay so how about we agree to trust each other and discuss things as adults?"
"Okay," Casey readily agrees as he heads for the table that she had prepared; making him dinner as he assumes is a peace offering. "Since we're being open I want to know why. Why you killed dad. In fifteen years you never told me why."
"Why do you always do this?"
"I want to know!" Casey argues back; his mind now racing that he's once again to blame for seeking the truth and talking like two mature adults in his own home. But once again, his mother will not honor the stipulation she had firstly suggested and then agreed to and storms off; leaving Casey in with a stupefied expression once more as he remains fixed in tormented silence.
"This is unbelievable," Casey echoes the word he's used somewhat frequently as of late, as he looks down at his plate and then leans back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the hallway that leads to his mother's bedroom where the door had slammed shut only moments earlier. And much like the night before, he arrives at work the next day looking tired and on edge.
"Whoa!" Severide holds up his hands as Casey turns around in sharp anger.
"Sorry," Casey sighs as he turns back and hangs his head. "I need coffee."
"Hey, hold on a sec. Come here," Severide gently steers Casey toward his quiet office, inside and then closes the door. "Man you look rough you can't go out into the field like this or we'll have another accident like before I left. Now what's going on? I thought things were getting better."
"I can't take much more of this hot and cold. Kelly I can't. Last night I thought we had made a breakthrough when she told me the name of her new friend, Gary and then suggested we be open and honest. I thought that was great so asked why she killed dad. Maybe reminding her that it's been fifteen years and she still didn't tell me wasn't the best but I have the right to know don't I?"
"Yeah you do," Severide tenderly agrees. "What happened?"
"So I asked and she says I always do this to her and stormed off."
"Always?" Severide interjects.
"I know. First time I've asked in years and she tosses it back always in my face. Won't she just tell me?" Casey looks at Severide in defeat as he slumps down into his office chair, Severide easing himself down onto the edge of the desk and looking down in concern. "One moment we argue and then next she's all sweet but it seems…" Casey pauses as he looks away. "It seems so false. But I have the right to know right?"
"Yeah you do. I'd want to know also. Didn't the police ever mention motive?"
"They said it was something done in the heat of the moment which is why her sentence was somewhat reduced," Casey groans as he rubs his face and then looks up at Severide in uncertainty. "But I never heard it from her, not even a hint other than she was angry and pushed to her limits. I just want to know."
"I still think you should sit today out."
"I'll be okay," Casey insists with a small smile. "Thanks for the concern. I'm going to get my head in the game, do my job and then go home tonight and see if we can't patch this up before too much time passes."
"I'll check back tomorrow," Severide offers with a kind smile.
"My life is turning into a damn soap opera," Casey grumbles as he stands up, Severide offering a small snicker before he pats him on the back. The two of them leave Casey's office, Boden once again watching in concern and wondering what was slowly eating away at his truck Lieutenant. But he tells himself that Severide's ever watchful eye was alert to the slowly downward spiral and he'd tell him if a further intervention is needed.
However, Casey's fatigue, once again nearly costs him.
"What is going on? This happened a few weeks ago, the same thing that…" Boden starts into Casey; Severide hovering a few feet away.
"Chief, I'm sorry I…" Casey stammers as he looks down and then back up at Boden in remorse. "I'm going to clear things up with my mother tonight and then…"
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"
"Kelly knows and I just…this is personal and her and I are just going through some growing pains. Chief it won't happen again."
"Better not on my watch," Boden gently warns. "Otis's life was at stake also Casey, remember that. Now go get yourself checked over."
"Yes Sir," Casey replies with a sour note as he pulls away and walks past Severide, Severide looking at Boden in frustration but getting only a firm glare in return. Severide turns and hurries after Casey, only to be told the same thing as Boden.
"How's your hand?"
"It's fine," Casey barks in reply. "I know today was my fault but…"
"Hey I wasn't going to call you on that. That's Boden's job. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you're tired and distracted as of late and…"
"And that's wrong, especially in our line of work. But now it ends. I'm getting to the bottom of this tonight Kelly. No matter what I'm done with this hot and cold stuff from her and it affecting my job. I won't lose one of my team to her antics!" Casey looks at him firmly before he storms off toward the front of Truck 81, gets in and slams the door shut.
"What's going on?" Shay asks as she comes up behind Severide. "You two okay?"
"I hope so," he replies with a soft whisper as he turns to her with a frown. "Casey's got…problems at home."
"His mother? You know if she needs someone to set her straight, I could always pay her a little visit," Shay suggests with a small eyebrow wag, eliciting a brief smile from Severide in return.
"I'm sure Casey wouldn't mind."
Severide watches truck 81 pull away before he slowly climbs into the front of his rig and closes the door; his mind determined to catch Casey first thing in the morning to see how things went. He hates when they fight as he knows it sets the whole Firehouse on edge and sends at least one, if not both of them, into the field distracted. Casey's telling words always ringing true – especially in their line of work could they not be distracted.
XXXXXXXX
Casey enters his quiet home with a racing heart but determined head; tonight he'd get it out in the open as he tells himself that this was the last big hurdle for them to get over and then things would start to smooth out. He pulls his duffle bag off his shoulder as he heads into his living room, stopping short as his mother stands up from her chair – it being well past her stated curfew.
"Uh…mom? Its…do you know the time?" Casey lightly demands in annoyance.
"I know, I know. Ron's car broke down and we lost track of time."
"Ron? What happened to Gary?"
"Gary just wasn't right. But we lost track of time and then the car broke down. Do you want the service receipt?"
"Yes," Casey replies firmly as he holds her gaze for a few seconds, not backing down.
"I don't know why I bother," Nancy mutters as she storms past; Casey's mind urging him to take action before her violations would come back on his own name.
"I can't do this anymore," Casey states in haste. "You have two weeks to find a new place."
"What?" Nancy turns to her son utter shock. "You can't mean…Matthew…" she tries to plead.
"Rick…Gary…Ron….all these excuses, the arguments, the tension. Mom I can't take it anymore. I've been talking to Kelly about all this…"
"Kelly Severide?"
"He agrees with me on this. This isn't right. I ask for answers and you blow up. I mention the rules and you blow up. And then you come back with some light excuse and expect me to feel sorry for getting angry in the first place. I'm done."
"Why didn't you talk to me instead of Kelly Severide?" She tosses back with a hint of disdain.
"Because he understands what I'm going through and he actually listens to me," Casey explains in truth as Nancy's eyes narrow and she turns around. "This just isn't working," Casey drops his tone. "You'll find somewhere else and…"
"He chipped away at me…"
"What?"
"Your father. You want the truth right?" She folds her arms and looks at her son directly. "The comments, the criticism and I watched you internalize it all. I was worried Matthew. That night…the night he called. He said something about you. Something so cruel and I snapped. You had only ever defended him and he had no right. I couldn't think straight. So I took the gun and the key you left out on the counter and I drove across town and I shot him. For you," she adds in a morose tone as Casey's mind races. "Just to shut him up. Just to never hear those words about you coming from his mouth ever again."
"I…" Casey starts in an anguished tone.
"I know what you're thinking. I know you don't have that kind of anger in you Matthew; that ability to completely lose control. You're not me and I think that's what you really wanted to know."
Casey stands before her in utter shock. She had done it again – put it back on him without his realizing it. His father. His father said such cruel and hurtful things about him that his mother felt the need to protect him by ending it for good. Is this the truth? His mind ponders as she leans in and gives him a warm hug.
"My son. My brave and strong son," she whispers; her hardened, expression however, hidden away from her son. "I only wanted to protect you as you had tried to protect me. I did it for you. Please don't kick me out now."
Nancy pulls away and gives Casey a tender pat on the cheek before turning and heading to her bedroom, gently closing the door; Casey unable to move as his brain tries to process all the sordid information she had just fed him. He remains in place until he no longer has the energy to remain upright, slowly trudges upstairs and literally collapses on his bed where he remains until early the following day.
"Well…what happened?" Severide is quick to take Casey aside just as he enters Firehouse 51. "You need some real rest you look even more tired than yesterday."
"I'm about ready to collapse," Casey confesses with a small yawn.
"What happened last night?"
"She came home late, I was tired and angry. She said her date's car broke down I thought it was a lie. I snapped and told her I wanted her out in two weeks and then…
"You told her two weeks?"
"She didn't mention that but she told me why she killed my father."
"What? She did? What did she say?"
"She said she did it for me. That my father said something so cruel and hurtful and she snapped and drove over there and shot him to just never hear him say it again. She mentioned the key again and…"
"She brought up the key again? Matt, I don't remember you saying your father ever said anything that mean to you."
"No, but she sounded sincere and maybe he did. They were always arguing and bickering about us and then just things in general. So maybe she pushed him and he did say something really terrible. But she told me and…and that's it I guess."
"So…she did it for you?" Severide ponders as Casey looks at him and nods. "Okay."
"What?"
"Well it almost seems too convenient, almost like she's trying to manipulate it back in her favor and get you onto her side."
"Kelly…" Casey lightly warns.
"You give her an ultimatum and suddenly she's pushing this back on you? You threatened to toss her out and…"
"It's not fair to judge."
"You don't know her Matt. It's been fifteen years, people change in that time, especially in prison. You yourself said she's changed and isn't as you remember. She could be just playing to your emotions so you side with her."
"You don't know…" Casey tries again.
"You told me before that you and your father were friends. You had a key to his place and you went over there to visit him on a regular basis. Did he ever give you reason to think he'd just suddenly turn on you?"
"No, but I can't call her a liar, I want trust to grow," Casey replies back firmly. "I want the bickering and fighting to stop."
"She panicked because you gave her an ultimatum when you backed her into a corner."
"She told me why…I asked so it's on me now right? I am choosing to believe her," Casey states firmly.
"Okay," Severide shrugs. "Just seems convenient that she waited an entire day to concoct this and only mentioned it after you threatened to kick her out."
"You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Just weigh the facts before you let her walk all over you again."
"This is between me and my mother so stay out!" Casey sharply warns as Boden comes into view.
"Okay…" Severide retreats.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah Chief," Casey glares at Severide before he pushes past. "Everything's just great. Kelly has all the answers; you need help ask the resident genius!" Casey growls; Severide rolling his eyes as Boden nears him.
"Want to tell me what's going on?"
"Ah it's nothing. Maybe I was out of line Chief," Severide huffs as he rubs his face and looks past Boden to see Shay watching in wonder. "He's tired and agitated and I'm worried. But maybe after last night things will get better."
"What happened last night?" Boden asks as Severide turns to leave.
"Casey got duped," Severide pauses as he looks back for a few seconds. "Bought his mother's lies. But that's just me."
Severide gives Shay a nod before he enters the main eating area, sees his team by the table and heads toward them, slumping down as he watches Casey storm off into the main vehicle area.
"He'll calm down and then little brother will need something to make him smile again. Like a balloon," Shay whispers in Severide's ear, pulling back with a small grin. Severide, however, can only offer her a tight lipped nod as he now worries that he's pushed the line. This was personal for Casey, not something professional that Boden could force them to resolve. So he settles in his mind that he'll wait until the end of the day until Casey's had a chance to really cool down and then approach the subject of making amends. Forget a balloon…a free beer works better, his mind suggests as he gets back up and gets into line for breakfast.
Severide's mind has further cause to worry as Casey still doesn't return for breakfast and their first alarm is heard, calling all into action with a large apartment fire. He notices Casey slightly falter when he pulls on his boots but knows its not the time to go into protective mode in front of the house; it would have to wait.
XXXXXXXX
"Casey look out!"
"Severide behind you!"
"Hermann, vent that door!"
"Mills, Otis get that back door open!"
"We have another live one!"
"The roof is unstable!"
"Mouch, clear that before…LOOK OUT!"
"Severide! Casey! Someone talk to me!" Boden demands as he listens to the frantic speech over the headsets. He watches Mouch and Mills emerge with Capp and Otis behind them. Hadley is next followed by Hermann.
"Casey!" Severide calls out frantically as his personal locator starts to scream in the distance. He doesn't wait for the rest of the team to rush back in as his one thought is to get his friend out of the fiery mess before anything bad happens. "Casey!" Severide calls out once more as he starts to wildly pull off the debris, a few extra pairs of hands joining in the rescue operations.
"Pull him out Severide!" Capp shouts as he and Hadley lift the last piece of heavy debris.
Severide pulls Casey's limp frame away from the smoldering debris; the dimly lit surroundings keeping him from seeing the extent of Casey's injuries. He gather's his friend's body into his arms; praying that Casey was fine and just knocked unconscious. "Casey…buddy you better be okay," Severide whispers, not caring if the rest of the teams hear the fervent request.
"Kelly we'll take him," Shay lightly demands when Severide refuses to let go of Casey's limp frame. Severide looks at her and nods as he gently lay's Casey's frame onto the stretcher and helps to strap him down, Dawson heading for the front to get ready to leave. Without waiting for Boden's approval, Severide hops into the back of the ambulance as the doors close.
"Shay…"
"He's out cold Kelly," she gestures to the ugly and very visible gash and bump just above his right eyebrow. "There could be internal swelling or even bleeding."
"Damn," Severide curses as he leans back on the side of the speeding ambulance.
"At least he's earned his balloon," Shay quips as she starts to check for other injuries. "Kelly, he's going to be fine. He's tough."
"He was tired and distracted and shouldn't have been in the field today!" Severide grumbles as he looks at her in remorse. "He better be okay," Severide concludes in a whisper as he watches Shay's hand come away with blood. The rest of the ride to the hospital is spent in miserable silence for both Severide and Shay; Casey's silent frame between them. Upon arriving at the hospital, Severide hangs back and watches as Casey's immediately taken into the ER, to get a head scan, x-rays and some wounds that needed tending to. Shay gives Severide a hug before she pulls away to complete her paperwork; Severide on the phone to Boden with an update.
Finally about two hours later the doctor emerges and slowly walks up to Severide. "Are you family of Matthew Casey?"
"I am," Severide answers without haste; Shay silently coming up behind him. "Is he okay? Is he awake? Can I see him?"
"Yes he's awake. But please just one at a time. He's endured a lot," the doctor informs them, Shay nudging Severide to go ahead. "Before you go in I must tell you that…"
"What?" Severide stops the doctor and looks at him with a panic-stricken expression. "What's happened to him? Tell me straight up."
"He took a nasty blow to the head. The pressure from his helmet only compounded that until he was rescued. Now until the swelling goes down we won't know the extent of damage but…"
"What…happened?" Severide presses sharply.
"He has no memory of what happened, where he is, who he is or why he's dressed the way he is. He can't remember anything."
"Oh damn…what?"
A/N: uh oh…..okay so first off how'd you like the start? I used as many lines from those eppies (1.14/1.15) between him and his mother as possible and of course added a few of my own. This is where the canon Matt/Nancy Casey scenes stop and it goes off into my AU world b/c we know that this never happened in the series. So who's going to deal with guilt? Who's going to try to manipulate things further? Who's going to have the biggest struggle and what danger is waiting to strike our boys? Hope you all liked the start to this new adventure and would like more, so please do review before you go and thanks so much!