Title: A New Start
Chapter 2 – Settling In?

A/N: Hey thanks everyone! So happy that everyone liked the start to this new angsty adventure for our two couples and hope you all like this update just as much!


"Bit bigger than my last one," Kelly commented as he lingered outside his new office; Matt Casey a few feet to his right. "Place seems nice…'cept for the stares."

"I like having you guys here," Otis stated with a wide grin as he neared. "Takes the stares away from me," he concluded with a chuckle as he stood before them a few seconds before he slapped both on the back.

"Otis," Matt nodded as the younger man eagerly nodded. "How long have you…" his voice trailed off as Kelly ducked into his new office and then stood and looked around the new surroundings. He slowly shuffled over to his desk and picked up a picture of a firefighter with his wife and children.

"Guess I forgot to pack that," a male voice is heard, making Kelly turn and look at one of his new squad members. "Trevor Jones?"

"Yeah," Joe Cruz acknowledged as Kelly slowly handed him the picture. "So…got any family?"

"Dad lives here. So Cruz…tell me the stuff about the Squad team that the chief left out."

Matt Casey thanked Otis and then went in search of his locker; rounding the corner and then stopping short as he bumped into someone and stepped back with a small gasp.

"Oh…sorry!" Gabriella Dawson stammered as she too stepped back with a nervous smile.

"Think I'm a bit distracted."

"First day on the job…makes sense," she smiled in return. "Are you settling in okay?"

"Trying," Matt replied with a smile as his weight shifted to the right; his heart rate starting to rise to the same tempo as hers. "Heard good things about this house and your chief."

"Boden is the best there is. You'll like it here."

"Also Trevor Jones. Seems I have big shoes to fill," Matt added somewhat somberly.

"Jones was a great guy, a solid leader and a really good firefighter. But…his shoes were his own," she paused with a nervous smile. "Your shoes are fine just the way they are."

He countenance instantly brightened, but before Matt could say another word, the overhead paging system went off, calling ambulance 61 into service.

"Duty calls. So…see you later."

"I'll be here," Matt smiled as he watched her turn and rush out of the room and offered her a small chuckle before he headed toward his locker, pulled it open and prepared to personalize it.

XXXXXXXX

After he had finished talking to Cruz, Kelly finished putting a few things away and then headed through the main eating area and into the large truck area where his team had assembled as he had requested.

"Chief suggested we run a mock drill so I get to see how you all work," Kelly told them firmly. "And…Truck team is gonna join us."

"That's right!" Matt's voice is heard as all heads turn to see the Truck team near them. And a few seconds later, Boden also joins them, wanting to see how his two new Lieutenants work with their respective teams.

Despite the fact that the faces were new, the drills were the same and both Matt and Kelly had no trouble rushing toward the waiting gear like the rest of the people beside them and pulling on their boots and then the rest.

"Okay we need to vent that…"

"Squad, as soon as they vent we'll…"

XXXXXXXX

"Think that went well," Matt commented as he neared Kelly about an hour later, as the two of them stood by the table watching the teams putting the rest of the equipment away. "You know...for getting used to a new team."

"Yeah…called one of them Johnson by mistake," Kelly chuckled as his fingers fiddled with a small tool in his grasp.

"Heard your old man lives here. So…did he affect the transfer?"

"Guess that's going around," Kelly lightly huffed as he looked at Matt and nodded. "Yeah…he's here. He uh…haven't seen him in a bit so no I got this on my own merit. Have wanted to leave Philly for a bit. Will be nice to have a change. How about you? Your old man here also?"

"Father's dead number of years back."

"Ah man sorry."

"Yeah. Mom and I had a falling out for…for too long but she and I made amends a number of years back and it's all good now. Had moved out to St. Louis a number of years back just for a change, but always wanted to come back home to Chicago. This was a good opportunity. Couldn't let it go."

"Yeah…that's about it," Kelly agreed as they both watched Boden approach. "How'd we do chief?"

"As expected," Boden replied seriously as both Matt and Kelly frowned; not knowing how to read their new superior's reaction. "And I expected you both to perform at the top of your game from the word go. I got what I expected."

"That's a relief," Matt smirked as Boden's face cracked a smile.

"Connie has some paperwork for you both to sign and she'll also have your schedule. A few from the house here, co-own a neighborhood bar called Molly's. You'll get to work with a few from CPD and Med and you'll see them there also. Nice place to bond."

"Love a good neighborhood bar," Kelly acknowledges as Connie approaches.

"They're coming," Boden told his assistant.

"I almost had to wait," Connie deadpanned as she turned on her heel and Boden nodded for them to follow.

XXXXXXXX

"So…figured since we're both new here…wanna hit Molly's?" Matt asked Kelly about an hour later. "Unless you have plans?"

He had wanted to surprise his old man, but told himself that that could wait and it might not hurt to see the area and possibly find a place nearby to rent.

"They can wait. Let's go. Found a place yet?" Kelly inquired as he grabbed his jacket and headed after Matt into the hallway. "Another call. Busy house."

"Better than sitting around on your ass doing nothing," Matt interjected with a snicker as they neared the entrance to Firehouse 51 and then outside into the parking lot. "I'll drive."

On the way to Molly's they make small talk about where they came from but both offered little information on their current relationship status except to say they were both single and then the subject changed. "Nice area."

"Yeah…saw a few rental signs when you drove past," Kelly commented as Matt's truck came to a stop and both got out and then looked around the suburban neighborhood. "Hafta check those out on the next set off. What are you looking for?"

"Always liked a backyard I could tinker in. But will depend on the prices of course."

"Course."

They entered Molly's and noticed a few familiar and friendly faces from the house and a few seemingly friendly ones that mixed with the ones from their house. But before anyone else can make a move to welcome the two new faces that almost everyone in the bar had turned to look at, Christopher Herrmann whistled loudly and then held up an empty mug of beer.

"I'd like to extend a warm Molly's welcome to our two new lieutenants at 51 – Matt Casey and Kelly Severide! Just started with the best Firehouse in Chicago!"

The two men exchanged surprised but happy smiles before they offered all the happy well-wishers a few friendly nods and waves and then headed for the counter.

"First one for each of you is on the house."

"Quick take him up on it while he's in a good mood," Stella smiled as she handed them each a frosted mug of local beer.

"So long have you had this place?" Kelly started with Stella and Herrmann as Matt took a swig of his beer and looked up and watched Gabby Dawson enter the back door; leaving her leather jacket on a hook and ducked under the open counter and entered the bar. He had a plan to take his beer down to the end and get to know her a little better when he watched another man enter the back door, call out to her and head over and received a warm hug. Matt watched her duck back under the counter flap and follow him out back; his mind telling him that she was taken and best to just keep it friendly as they had to work together – every shift.

Kelly heard a few more friendly hello's and turned and watched some CPD members enter the bar, looking like they belonged here – this was their home. He missed that feeling. Like he belonged somewhere. But maybe this was it…maybe this was his second chance; a chance to rebuild a solid life for himself. Just yourself? For now…just need to find a place to fit in, stay awhile. Call home. No more moves. Sounded like a good plan.

Matt watched Dawson return and could only offer her a small smile when she looked at him and their eyes locked for a few seconds but reminded himself that she was with someone else and he had just arrived and wasn't about to rock the boat.

"Herrmann give you guys his welcome speech?" Dawson asked as neared with three shot glasses in her hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

"He did and a welcome mug of beer."

"And…a shot of the good stuff," she grinned as she poured them each a shot of whiskey and the one for herself. "Can't let the boys have all the fun."

"What's good to eat here?"

"Everything!" Herrmann piped up as Brett neared them.

"Is Antonio here yet?" Brett asked as she neared with an object in her hand. "Forgot his boxing gloves at the house."

"Was just called to a stakeout with Lindsay and Atwater," Dawson replied as Matt watched with interest but then looked away as he again tried to tell himself not to get involved in something that wasn't his business. "Want a drink?"

"Sure. Can I put these in the back?"

Dawson nodded with her head and then turned back to Matt and Kelly; her attention mostly focused on Matt. "How was your first day?"

"Less eventful than yours," Matt replied with an easy smile as she felt her heart rate speed up a few paces. "How long have you and Brett been riding together?"

"Seems longer since she started dating my brother," Dawson replied offhandedly. But when she saw Matt's brow furrow her mind finally put two and two together. "He…was in here earlier. Sorry I should have introduced you. He works for CPD."

"Oh so that was him earlier."

"That was him. Brother. Close...brother," Dawson quickly qualified as she felt the need to justify to the handsome man before her that she was indeed still single and Antonio was her brother. "Came to tell me he's got a case tonight as he was supposed to help with a few repairs around here."

"What kind of repairs?"

"You name it…" her voice trailed off into a small huff.

"So…she's dating your brother. How's that?"

"Was odd at first. He's got kids and I didn't think she could handle it…he didn't think she could either but she surprised us both and now…now she's like family," Dawson smiled and shrugged. "A bit OCD at times though."

Kelly looked at the table of CPD officers and wondered if this was the team that worked for Hank Voight – the man his father had told him about a few times; mostly on cases they worked together and how even though sometimes at professional odds, always put justice first and that was something they shared.

"I'm going to drop by my old man's. See you tomorrow," Kelly clapped Matt on the shoulder and then paid for his meal and drinks.

"Kelly…"

"Don't worry about it. I'll cab to his place and he can take me back to 51," he assured Matt. "You guys have a great place here," he told the team from 51 behind the counter and then stood up to leave.

"You know we have some very fine single ladies down at the precinct," Platt mentioned as Kelly looked at her with amusement as Mouch tried to shush his wife. "Well I don't see a ring on his finger and he's new in town."

"Don't mind Trudy," Mouch teased his wife as Kelly just shrugged.

"Was some friendly teasing Randall," she playfully scolded her husband by his full name as Herrmann looked at his best friend and groaned.

Kelly pushed his way toward the entrance of Molly's and stopped short when the door pulled open and a beautiful woman with golden brown hair and a dimpled smile slammed into him that forced him to step back a few paces.

"Sorry," she offered at the same time and then tucked a stray strand behind her ear.

"Yeah…me too," Kelly commented as he held her gaze for a few seconds. "Lots of hours left for service," he stated with an instant flutter in his core; his smile growing by the second.

"Oh I…I can't stay," she stammered as she heard her name being called and offered him a regretful smile. "Sorry gotta run."

"Okay…sure," Kelly acknowledged somewhat somberly as he watched as she rushed up to the bar, grabbed the bag of takeout from Dawson and then disappeared outside. Kelly casually headed outside onto the street and then watched as she ducked into a dark Jeep that quickly sped away. With a bit of a weary feeling from the emotionally exhausting day, Kelly headed toward a waiting cab and slumped down into the back seat and gave the driver his father's address. Better to get it over with now….he told himself with an inward groan as the cab slowly headed into the night.

Wonder who she was…

XXXXXXXX

"Kelly? What the hell…welcome," Benny greeted his son with a surprised smile as he pulled open the door to his small apartment about twenty minutes later. "What are you doing here? Everything okay?"

"Yeah yeah fine…just uh…"

"Take your jacket off and sit down. Want a beer?"

"No already had a few too many. So yeah…just wanted to tell you that I got the job."

"At 51?" Benny countered as Kelly nodded in agreement. "Good house. Wallace is a good man, you'll like it there."

"You knew right?"

"I knew you were up for the job. But glad you got it."

"Seems pretty good so far. Had to leave Philly," Kelly huffed as he rubbed his face and then leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

"Told you to leave sooner," Benny curtly reminded his son as Kelly looked up with a dry expression.

"It's complicated."

"Heard that before," Benny answered as he pulled away from his son and slowly wandered into his kitchen and retrieved a cold can of pop and handed it to Kelly. "Can't send my boy away empty handed."

Kelly resisted the urge to toss back a comeback of 'would be a first' but decided to leave it with a smile and nod of thanks for the cold drink. "What are the neighborhood's around 51 like?"

"Not bad. Assuming…two bedroom?"

"Details aren't worked out yet but yeah…two…maybe…maybe," Kelly nodded as slumped down into a nearby chair and then took a sip from his drink and looked at his father seriously.

"Kelly…"

"I don't know yet. But….am kinda hoping this one works out for a longer haul."

XXXXXXXX

Matt entered his hotel room later that same night and tossed his jacket onto the spare bed and then looked at his somewhat haggard expression in the mirror and shook his head. "New start…" he told himself as he kicked off his shoes and then pulled his phone and punched in a search string and waited for the results.

"Okay so…that's kinda close," Matt muttered as he looked at the address of the place he searched for and then looked at the address for Firehouse 51. He wrote down the address and made a note that sometime tomorrow, he'd stop by; one more piece to making his life complete in Chicago.

XXXXXXXX

"Well that was…fun," Kelly groaned as his phone buzzed and he was quick to answer the text message. "Yeah…got it," he mumbled to himself as he scribbled down the address and made a note to himself that since he still had one more day off tomorrow, that he'd stop by and get this taken care of.

This is it…gotta make this one last a long time…Kelly told himself before he turned off the light and then settled in for some rest after a very long day. And much like Matt, he too was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

XXXXXXXX

"Better to get this over with," Kelly told himself as he parked his car on the street and then slowly headed toward the somewhat bustling building; his mind so preoccupied that he failed to notice the other familiar vehicle parked in the establishment's parking lot.

The sound of laughter, chatter and just general conversations instantly hit him as soon as he pulled the door open and entered; his eyes looking for a map or something that could lead him to the person he wanted to see. He didn't really expect to see anyone else he knew there, especially anyone from the house, but as soon as he entered the office, he stopped and looked at the last person he expected to see.

"Matt?"

"Kelly?" Matt inquired as he turned around at exactly the same time that Kelly Severide entered; his jaw instantly loosening.

But before Matt could explain himself, an older lady approached with a file in her hand.

"Mr. Casey? I have your daughter's paperwork for you to look over."

"Right," Matt replied as looked at Kelly with a somewhat perplexed expression.

"And I'll be right with you Mr…?"

"Severide. Kelly Severide. And I'm uh…here to inquire for…my son."

Both men looked at each other in wonder as they realized that in addition to having come to Chicago for a new start they had one other thing in common – both had children they were now also trying to make a new life for. Would they succeed? Would they get their new start? Or was danger about to find its way to Chicago? And when it did, would it affect more than just them?


A/N: So our boys are trying to settle into their new house and getting to know the people and the area – like Molly's. More time between the couples coming up as I slowly build on their relationships. But hmm…talk about secrets! Hope that was a twist none of you were expecting! How will things play out between the couples with this new info? Will it work or will it turn them away? please do review before you go and thanks so much!