Title: Bonded by Fire
Chapter 2 – Tensions Rise

A/N: Hey thanks everyone! So glad you all liked the start to this new AU Adventure. So I'm sure there will be questions going forward but since this is a longer story nothing will be resolved right away – you'll hafta read on and see how it all plays out hope you all like chapter 2 as much as chapter 1 and enjoy!

Casey pushes through the door to the dressing room, his eyes darting nervously around but not seeing anything in the way of added danger. With the attack last night and the fight tonight, surviving another surprise beating isn't what he favors and so directs Hermann toward the busy front entrance.

"Casey," Hermann mutters under his breath as they notice the two dark figures lingering around Casey's truck. "You can still call the cops."

"And as soon as we give our names can we be sure that they'll send someone who isn't taking money from someone at 47?" Casey retorts sourly.

"Well this sucks," Hermann growls as he notices Severide and a few of his men from 51 in the near distance. But as soon as he makes a move to call out to them, he's instantly stopped by Casey's solid frame.

"No. We can't involve them," Casey reminds him with a heavy sigh. "This isn't their fight. To involve another firehouse would be wrong, we both know that."

"Maybe the more that know the better!"

"Winston told someone and he might never walk again!" Casey hisses as he looks at Hermann with a small glare.

However, their heated discussion isn't lost on everyone. Severide pauses in his conversation with Cruz and Otis to look up and see Casey and his man talking, heading toward a truck that has two men standing beside it. Something's going on…Severide's mind inwardly ponders as he watches Casey look up in the direction of the two men and then back at Hermann at his side. Bookies? Maybe he bet on a fight and now doesn't want to pay?

"Hey Lieutenant? You with us?" Cruz nudges Severide with his arm, pulling his worried gaze back in the direction of 51's truck driver.

"Yeah…" he answers with a small frown before he tells himself to snap out of it. Maybe it was something personal. Maybe this guy Casey did have a gambling addiction. Maybe…ah turn off your questions and just go have a beer and celebrate being undefeated!

And so he does. But he wasn't just going to let it drop altogether. Something in Boden's tone when he asked about 47 trigged in his mind that something was wasn't right and he wasn't about to let that just drop. He glances back to see Casey and his man (Hermann) walking toward the truck with the two dark figures waiting beside it but then turns away and rejoins his crew.

"You lost."

"Technically no one lost," Hermann interjects with an angry glare to the man on the right.

"He doesn't care."

"He who? I want to know who at 47 you're working for!" Casey demands angrily as he leans in closer to the one on the right. "I'm not taking a dive or doing anything that I feel is wrong especially for someone that doesn't even have the guts to come at me in person."

"Trust me, you don't want that," the one on the right argues back. "Next…"

"No. You go back and tell him, tonight was the last night. There is no next time, so he can find someone else to take a fall. If he lost money on tonight's game that's his fault."

"No tough guy!" The man on the right points his finger into Casey's chest. "It's your fault!"

"Hey!" Hermann shouts as the man on the left steps and shoves him back.

"You were supposed to play by the rules and tonight it cost him. And when it costs him, it costs you! You got that!"

"You tell him I want to meet."

"Careful what you wish for," the man on the right sneers as his thick fist balls and offers a swift punch to Casey's already tender chest, forcing his lips to sputter a painful cough and his stance to falter.

"Matt! Get away from him you jerks!" Hermann growls as he tries to pull Casey back and stand between his friend and the paid thugs. "You tell your boss he can take his dirty practices and shove them up his a…"

"Hermann," Casey gently warns as he straightens back up. "It's been a long day and a longer night. But now it's over and we're leaving," Casey states firmly as he gives the man on the left, closest to the front driver's door a shove and then pulls his keys. He finally gets into his truck and slams the door shut, locking it; Hermann doing the same.

"Creeps," Hermann hisses as he narrows his eyes at them as they pull away from the truck and head toward a car parked in the shadows on the street. "You sure you don't want to go for a beer?"

"I just want to go home," Casey replies sigh a heavy sigh as they stop at a red light. He looks over at his trusted friend and frowns. "I don't care about myself. It's just me but you…"

"No, don't you say that," Hermann retorts in haste. "You're family. And you and I both know that whoever killed Hallie is probably the same dirty cops helping whoever is pulling the strings at 47."

"Well if 47 isn't fighting back it's because they don't want to!" Casey growls as he looks away in exasperation.

"I know 51 has a Lieutenant spot open and…"

"No. I'm not taking it. I'm not leaving you at 47. We both go together or we don't go at all."

"Stubborn," Hermann's lips purse as they head toward his home. "I better see you day after tomorrow."

"You will," Casey answers firmly as he watches Hermann get out and slowly head up the walk to his home, his head shaking with each step. Casey waits for the wave before pulling away and heading for home. He thinks about Severide's out of the blue but friendly offer to join 51 for some beers at Molly's but figures why start something he might come to regret. I only have Hermann…and with that sobering thought, Casey pulls into the driveway of his home and turns off the engine. He touches his ribs and hopes that tonight he can sleep without the baseball bat beside his bed. He knows that won't happen.

XXXXXXXX

"You seem tired today."

"Lieutenant's getting soft in his old age."

Severide just offers a smirk and nod as he sits in the front cabin of his Squad truck 3 as he tries to stifle back a yawn, making Capp and Newhouse just laugh.

"How are those Squad applicants coming?" Capp asks in wonder as they near the scene.

"Coming," Severide replies with a small wince in his tone as he instantly recalls his discussion with Boden.

'Peter Mills has applied from 51 and few others. I'll give you a bit more time but then I need to start filling these positions with permanent people. So you either decide or I will.'

The trucks come to a stop at the fiery scene, Severide jumping from the front of the truck and looking at the two story home partially engulfed. He looks over at the father, telling Boden that his wife went back in for their daughter; his son already being tended to by medics.

"Capp! Newhouse! We'll take the back!" Severide shouts as he rushes toward the father.

"Sir where is your wife?"

"Top floor at the back!"

Severide's ears pick up the somewhat familiar tone and he turns in haste to see Matt Casey walking toward him with a somewhat panicked expression. "What are you doing here?"

"He's one of mine."

Severide looks at him a bit closer, noticing the pinkish tinges on his cheeks mixed with soot; his black eye looking a bit rougher than it did the night before. "Why the…you okay?"

"Yeah."

Severide knows that time isn't on his side so wastes no more time in turning and rushing toward the superheated structure, telling his team and the Truck team the location of the mother and daughter.

"Lieutenant Casey?" Boden walks up to him in wonder. "What happened here?"

"Carl Miller is a friend and works on Truck with me at 47. He uh…" Casey's voice stammers as his jaw hardens.

"What's going on Lieutenant?" Boden presses a bit more firmly as Casey's eyes look past Boden, wanting to see who was watching him talking to a rival House's superior that could possibly escalate further harm to him or his team. The other "accidents" hadn't affected others this badly and now he has to wonder if Miller was wrapped up with whoever was crooked at 47 or if it was because of him. Miller had stood up for him but then he had also seen his veteran truck driver talking to one of the men in black. Was this a warning? Or a message? Or both?

"Casey?" Boden's concerned tone pulls Casey's tormented gaze back in his direction.

"Sorry Sir. I don't know. I got a text from Miller and when I got here…the House was on fire. I helped get him and his son out but his wife went back in just as you guys pulled up. That's all I know."

"What started the fire?"

"I don't know. Sorry."

Casey pulls away from Boden before the 51 Chief can ask him any more invasive questions; in reality he didn't have the answers and wasn't about to share his supposition with someone he didn't know that well or trust – yet. He watches Severide rushing back out with the little girl's limp frame in his arms and curses under his breath.

"NO!" The father shouts, prompting Mouch and Otis to rush toward him as he tries to take the girl out of Severide's arms; impeding medical treatment.

"She's not breathing," Severide tells Shay and Dawson as he places her on the stretcher, Capp and Newhouse bringing out the mother while the engine team works to douse the last of the stubborn flames. Severide leaves the girl in their capable medical hands and then turns and heads back to Casey; Boden watching intently.

"What happened?" Severide asks Casey as Casey tries to wipe some soot particles off his face.

"Don't know. House was already in flames when I got here. Are they gonna be okay?"

"I hope so. You look a little singed."

"Got a bit close to the action."

"And the black eye?" Severide asks as Casey's damp brow furrows. "What's going on?"

"You guys ask a lot of questions at 51," Casey mutters sourly as he looks at Boden and then back at Severide. "It's nothing. I'm glad they're okay."

"Yeah. Hey Casey," Severide calls just as Casey turns to leave. "We're looking for a truck Lieutenant at 51. Just if you happen to hear of anyone looking for a change."

"Just the one spot?"

"Uh…yeah possibly. Maybe. Will know more in a few days. Why?" Severide replies, not able to offer 2 at truck until Mills had officially left.

"Nothing. Good luck with filling it," Casey tells him before he turns and heads toward Carl Miller. "Carl."

"Matt. Thank God you were here. But how…"

"I got your text to…"

"I never texted you," the middle aged father of two replies in a low tone. "I lost my phone a few days ago," he adds as Casey looks at him in concern. "Matt…"

"I don't need to know the details Carl. I'm just glad you're family is okay."

"I know 47 has issues but it's a good home."

"It used to be," Casey replies softly as he turns and heads for his truck.

"What was that all about?" Boden asks Severide as he nears his squad Lieutenant.

"I don't know," Severide replies as he looks at Boden in wonder. "What do you know about 47 Chief? And don't say nothing because I'm not buying it."

Boden looks at Severide with a heavy frown as his body exhales heavily. "I only hear rumblings but nothing confirmed."

"I heard rumblings too but….rumblings about…what?"

"Things. Illegal things. Chief Ryerson hasn't been fingered personally, neither have any of his staff. So they remain…"

"Rumblings," Severide concludes heavily as Boden nods. "But…"

"I have no answers for you Kelly, that's just what I heard. Now these could have come from guys who were let go or left because of a personal conflict of some kind. That's not up to me to judge or pursue. When a valid claim is made against them that is backed by legal means then I'll have a better opinion for you."

"Chief…"

"Kelly, if it sounds like something you don't want to be mixed up in walk away. You don't owe this Lieutenant Casey anything. Some guys are clean and some…"

"You think he's dirty?"

"I said to drop it. This was a tough call but it's up to the AI team now to determine the cause and then to take over, not our concern. Let's pack up and go home."

"But…" Severide tries to protest again.

"That's an order Lieutenant."

"Yes Sir."

"If you want to worry about something, worry about getting those applications in to me sooner rather than later."

Severide gives Boden a nod before he turns and slowly walks back to his waiting team.

"What's going on?" Capp asks Severide in wonder.

"I honestly don't know. But let's pack up!" Severide's voice calls out loudly. "We're done here!"

He gets into the front of truck 3 his mind reminding him to get on the applications that Boden reminded him about and leave the problems of House 47 for House 47 to deal with. It's not your business Kelly…drop it his mind silently ponders Boden's firm warning. But at the same he can't help but wonder what Boden was keeping from him. Boden used to claim that Chief Ryerson was a good man…now? He didn't really defend him. What if Casey's the one that's crooked…or…but he remembers from last night and the look on Matt Casey's face that he was more scared than anything. But maybe he's the one that double crossed the wrong people and now has to pay for a mistake he knowingly made? Of course there was that angle. In reality anything was possible. A whole myriad of possible reasons for 47's sudden ethical downturn. But what was the truth? Who could he ask that would give him the straight goods?

XXXXXXXX

"This is bad…" Hermann grumbles as he and Casey linger outside in Hermann's backyard. "Winston and now Carl…who's next Matt? One of us right?"

"If they don't target George or Stanley then we know they're part of it. So if are targeted we'll know they're clean but so far only the ones that have stood up to Ryerson on anything….have been targeted."

"We have to go to the cops!"

"With what? And to who?" Casey counters. "We tried once before and it was shot down as paranoid delusions!"

"So go to another cop!" Hermann argues back.

"It's not that easy," Casey sighs as he rubs his weary face. "I should have just kept my damn mouth shut!" He sighs as he recalls telling Carl and Winston and then going to Chief. Telling him he saw a previous firefighter taking drugs from two men in black while handing them money in return. The firefighter, Aaron was let go. But then after that, things got rough for him and the others; two so far unscathed. The two he didn't tell or finger to the Chief. He looks at Hermann in sympathy and shakes his head. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"I…"

"I know…I told you so," Casey huffs as Hermann's brow furrows heavily.

"Saying it doesn't sound so good now," Hermann replies sourly. "And what happens when we go back tomorrow?"

"We just go in, do our job and hope…"

"That the next fire isn't our asses on the line," Hermann grumbles as Casey's expression deflates. "You know I gotta think about my family first."

"I know. They're all the family I have too. Christie is busy with her stuff and I just…"

"Still haven't told her?"

"Can't. It's not her burden. Figured until all this is resolved it's best to distance myself from them. For their good."

"Isolating yourself isn't good either," Hermann reminds him in a kind tone.

"I know. Just watch your back tomorrow."

"You too."

Casey takes his leave and heads for home; his mind wondering about Miller and what his involvement might be. He also thinks about Severide's employment offer but knows he'll never leave Hermann behind at 47 but he can't just ask 51 to make a special concession for them and take Hermann on just because he asks nicely. I'd even take a demotion from Lieutenant to get out of House 47. But he knows unless a place opens up with two spots, they were both stuck on that doomed ship – steadily heading for disaster.

Casey makes a brief stop on the way home, picking up a small fire proof safe; his mind wanting a bit of extra insurance in case something happened to his home that did to Millers. As soon as he gets home, he puts the safe in a hidden location along with all his important papers and a few other keepsakes. He looks down at Hallie's picture and frowns. "What have I done," he sadly laments as he puts the picture of the two of them into the safe and then closes the little door.

After he's done he heads into the bathroom and unwraps the tensor bandage once more, looking at his bruised ribs and gritting his teeth. He looks at the soot streaks on his neck and then turns around to turn on the hot water to have a shower and wash the stain of the days anguish away. As he stands under the water he thinks back to Hallie's murder and his eyes instantly water. He closes them tightly as he's whisked back in time to that tormented moment. In the days that followed only Hermann had offered him some real consolation; the men at his House offering a few words without much feeling. You need to find some close friends you can trust and build a real lasting and loyal friendship with. Casey thinks about Hermann's words as he gets out of the shower and dries off.

"Healthy," he mutters in sarcasm as he stares blankly into the contents of his fridge. In the end he pulls out some cold, leftover Chinese food and shoves it into the microwave and reaches for a beer. He slowly wanders into the living room and flips on the TV. "Oh damn," he groans as his eyes focus on the news item, Carl Miller's House going up in flame and his family just barely escaping with their lives.

He hears the microwave 'ding' and then heads back into his kitchen, takes the steaming dish out of the small, square appliance and then puts it down on the table and sides into the seat. But as he stares at the day old food, his mind has no interest in eating it. His thoughts are solely focused on what the mood will be like in the Firehouse tomorrow.

'51 has an opening if you know anyone who's looking.'

Casey's mind switches gears and starts to focus on Kelly Severide's employment offer. But at the same time he knows he could never just leave Hermann behind as the sacrificial lamb. He has children…I have no one anymore.

With that sobering thought, he pushes the plate away and reaches for the beer, choosing to finish it instead and going to bed on an empty stomach while his mind worries about tomorrow.

XXXXXXXX

"Where did you get…hold still," Shay gently scolds as she sits perched on the edge of the sink and tends to the burn mark on his back.

"House fire today. Did you hear anything back on the cause?" Severide wonders as his face slightly winces.

"Because I'm so in the know?" Shay retorts as Severide groans and pulls away. "Hold still."

"It's done," he huffs as he reaches for a sweatshirt. "Your still friends with Carla right?" He slightly smirks; referring to an investigator in the Arson Investigators office.

"Seriously? Kelly its some lame House fire, who cares," Shay sighs as she follows him out of the bathroom. "Oh wait…I saw…it was him right? That lieutenant Casey from the fight?"

"Something's not adding up about that guy."

"You think he's a firebug?"

"I don't know but something's just up," Severide sighs as he looks at her; her brows arching. "What?"

"I know Andy's death is…"

"Shay, don't even go there!" Severide hisses as she puts her hands up in defense.

"I'm just saying. You were always protective of Andy and at times you called him a hard luck case."

"Shay…"

"Just don't try to replace something with something else…" she states slowly as she turns and heads into the kitchen. "Course…"

"Course what?"

"I do kinda get it."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"I saw the sad puppy face he offered in the ring," she gently laughs as he just shakes his head. "Andy had that also."

"Shay…"

"Talking about him isn't wrong," she holds her ground. "I know you don't want to believe that but it's true."

"I know I just…" his voice dies out as he looks at a picture of him and Andy on the fridge. "Boden is on my ass to fill the lieutenant spot on truck and…and I just can't see anyone there but him. Heather blames me and now she's taking the boys to Florida to be with her sister and…damn it Shay it's all messed up," he sighs as he slumps down onto the closest high kitchen chair. "Everyone else just seems wrong."

"Give it another day or so and then look at them again. Any…standouts?"

"No. And Boden said that Mills is asking for Squad. He's done his time and I think will be a good fit but then it means truck will be down 2 and…and I just can't…"

"You can't hold Mills back forever and if you say no then he might find another House that will say yes and truck will still be down 2 but then you'll be out one good man that actually likes 51 and who 51 likes back."

"Ah I know," Severide sighs as he rubs his face and then looks at her in wonder. "If you could ask Carla that'd be great."

Shay can only shake her head but knows when her roommate has something on his mind, there would be no deterring him until he had found all the answers that satisfied his mind. Andy always got after Severide for wanting to help out seemingly hard luck cases and then being sorry when they came back to bite them in the ass. But if this guy Casey was wrapped up with loan sharks and arsonists then she would do whatever she could to hinder her best friend and roommate from finding out the real truth.

Severide enters 51 early the next morning and heads toward his office. He pauses outside the other small lieutenant's office and pictures Andy's frame sitting casually in the chair looking up with his telltale goofy grin.

"It needs a body in it."

Severide looks at Boden and then slowly heads toward his Chief with a perplexed expression. "A few more days? That way I can put out a call for another spot on truck also. That way we can take the two of them in at the same time. Save time and hassle on orientation."

Boden looks at Severide in concern and frowns. "Kelly…"

"Chief I'm fine really. I know we gotta move on but I don't think we want to lose Mills either right? So just a few more days and I can look at everything and then give you my recommendations. I'd like to get two seasoned guys if I can."

"Okay. A few more days," Boden nods. But he doesn't get a chance to say another word before the overhead paging system goes off, calling them all to action. "We'll talk after."

"Right," Severide nods as he turns and rushes back down the hallway toward the large open truck garage. He pulls on his boots just as Boden gets into his truck and asks dispatch for some added details.

"This one's a bad one Severide," Boden's voice comes over the radio.

"What do we have Chief?"

"Four alarm. Two story construction warehouse. House's 47 and 56 are already on scene. 17 is on the way. Each of us is going to take a corner. We get the west next to 47."

"Copy," Severide replies as he relays the information to his team and then to truck 81 and Engine 51; Shay and Dawson right behind them.

As soon as they arrive on the scene, Severide's eyes slightly widen as he looks at the raging inferno.

"Damn," he hears Capp curse as he quickly gets out of the truck and then reaches for his helmet. He recognizes the man who had been with Casey at the fight and hurries toward him, reading the name off his jacket.

"Hermann! You okay?"

"Yeah but…"

"Kelly the whole roof's gonna come down. Fall back until we can stabilize it," Boden instructs over the radio.

"I gotta go!"

"Hey you can't go in there! They're calling us all out!" Severide shouts as he tries to pull Hermann back.

"Casey's still in there!" Hermann shouts in return as he jerks his arm free and tries to run back into the building. But when Severide watches Hermann stumble due to either fatigue or a possible injury and the guys from House 47 refusing to defy the order to keep out; he acts.

"I'll get him!" Severide calls out as he turns and rushes toward the black smoky entrance; Boden rushing to Hermann's side just as Severide disappears from view.

"What the hell is he doing?" Boden demands angrily.

"Casey's still inside!" Hermann states in a panic as both look back at the building at the beckoning of a horrific sound.

"SEVERIDE! NO!" Boden shouts just as the roof crack and he looks at Hermann in fear.

"The roof…it's CAVING!"

A/N: eeks! *ducks* So lots of angsty tension and danger for our boys as we go along. So Severide is getting more and more curious about Casey's story that is seemingly full of holes. But will it come back to affect him? What danger is looming for 51? And if anyone at 47 gets wind of Casey and Hermann talking to 51 will there be any repercussions for them there? Lots a head but would love your thoughts on this and of course what might happen to our boys up next! So please do review before you go and thanks so much!