Well, this one is coming to its end. Kelly's back, Casey and Dawson are finally taking a shot at something, and maybe Kelly will have a little happiness.

One more chapter and then an epilogue because I love wrapping it up that way. Haha! Leave me your thoughts, reviews are cool.

Dawson and Casey almost finished up the cake. The little piece they left was pathetic...someone would be disappointed when they wanted some the next day.

"Okay, don't get pissed but Tom and Jerry remind me of two lieutenants I know pretty well. Their bullshit stories, hilarious!" Dawson was laughing thinking of the two younger versions.

"Yeah, when Kelly told me about them, I could see the resemblance. My question is who's Tom and who's Jerry? And their names. I don't think Matt & Kelly have the same ring."

"Does it matter? Hopefully, you guys mellow out a little like the older versions. I can still hear Kelly going at you hard at the house. What did he say? Something about not having enough sack to admit you were seeing Heather Darden. Geez, you two."

"You know nothing ever happened between Heather and me," said Casey never having gotten that out there before. Not wanting Dawson to think he would "roll around with Andy's widow" as Kelly had so delicately put it.

"I figured it was Severide just being Severide."

"He is a handful sometimes, most times. He did give me some good advice when I was running him through drills though."

"Good advice? Hmmm, shocked. What was it?" asked Gabby.

"He said life was short," began Casey hesitating on adding the last part.

"True. We've all seen that the past few months." Gabby agreed somberly, thinking of Hallie gone, Renee and the baby taken forever. Yes, way too short.

"And he said I should get off my ass, take a chance, and ask you out." Casey looked expectantly at Dawson finally getting it out.

"Never thought I'd see the day when I completely agreed with Kelly." Dawson smiled so glad she gave in to that midnight craving.

Casey wiped a little frosting from the corner of Gabby's mouth. She thought her heart was going to pound a hole in her chest. Was this really happening? She looked into those beautiful blue eyes not quite believing they were just inches from hers.

Dawson moved her face in a little closer, half closing her eyes. Casey at long last took the not so subtle hint.

He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in pressing his lips hard against hers. Dawson met his passion, reaching both hands to his face.

Her touch felt so good. The last woman who touched him this way was Hallie and that had been almost a year ago. He needed this; his body longed for this. He could feel a passion beneath his skin dormant for all these months. Even before Hallie came back, he'd wanted this...from Dawson. But damn Mills. He'd moved into her heart so quickly.

Dawson felt like she couldn't breathe, the pulsating in her chest going deeper and lower. She realized she suddenly didn't seem to need air. The more their lips touched, the more she needed him. He was the only man in the world at that moment.

They heard someone stumbling a little down the stairs and parted quickly, faces flushed, not ready to separate.

Kelly switched on the light, temporarily blinded.

"Aw, shit," he said turning off the light and heading back upstairs.

"Severide, get back down here. Finish up the cake. You're skinny as hell!" Casey was up grabbing Kelly's arm leading him back to the kitchen. He flipped on the light blinding them all again.

"What the hell happened to the rest of it?" Kelly asked looking at the teeny piece in disbelief.

"Dawson was hungry," laughed Casey nudging her arm.

"Nice." said Gabby shaking her head and wishing Kelly'd just kept on trekking up those stairs.

The three went up in a few minutes, Casey heading for a shower, cold shower.

The ride back to Chicago began with an uncomfortable silence.

Kelly decided to break it.

"So what's goin on? Are you two officially dating?"

"We are," said Casey thinking about their upcoming date, on Tuesday, to a restaurant. Very official.

"It's about damn time," Kelly was already pulling out his phone to text Shay.

The rest of the ride was full of conversation. Casey was determined for Kelly to pass the PAT, even if he had to take it for him. He was going on and on about workout schedules, more training.

Kelly was quiet, no response.

"He's out," said Dawson laughing quietly looking back at the sleeping Severide. "You wore him out with all that talking."

"Tell me he's going to pass this time."

"Can't do that. He might, he might not. But I will tell you he will eventually pass. He'll be back." Dawson rubbed Casey's arm as he drove.

"I needed to hear that."

It was time to face that damn test again. Kelly felt calm this time, not as worried. It was strange, but he could hear his mom's always encouraging words, telling him he could do it. He somehow felt her presence.

Casey was more nervous than before, barking reminders. But no one was happier when Kelly emerged victorious. Casey knew from his friend's smile that he had whipped that test, or at least passed it.

"Yeah, yeah, hell yeah!" whooped Casey grabbing Kelly and almost picking him up. Kelly just laughed at the reaction. Yes, his mom had definitely been with him.

-0-

"Kelly, hit the ball, baby, not the tee!" encouraged Corinne at her five year old son.

"What, mommy?" yelled Kelly back, turning away from the tee and going in a little circle trying to look at his mom in the stands.

"Jesus, let him concentrate," said Benny with a grim look on his face. "He's just not gettin' it," he continued with disappointment in his voice.

Kelly hit the tee again with the ball barely rolling off, being called a foul.

"C'mon, Kelly! The ball! The ball! Not the tee!" yelled Benny this time. He had gotten up to walk closer.

Kelly did the same thing, ball kerplunking to the ground.

The coach smiled and said that was it. He pointed to first base and instructed Kelly to run on. No keeping score, everyone got on base, just an intro to the sport, hopefully to develop lifelong lovers of the game.

Benny ran onto the field grabbing Kelly's hand, leading him to the dugout. He smiled as he passed the coach, who was clearly confused.

"My son is not taking a base when he didn't hit the damn ball." Benny said still smiling as he sat Kelly down. "You got another at bat. Hit it next time. And if you cry we're leavin' now."

Kelly didn't cry, and he did hit the ball the next time.

Corinne didn't say a word to Benny. She told her beautiful boy that he did "spectacular." Kelly wasn't sure what that meant but knew it was good.

"Kelly, you did okay on the last hit, but that's what you need to do every time. Do you understand? We can work on it tomorrow. Son, I want you to know that failure is not an option. Ever!"

Lesson learned... driven home even further with the arguing that ensued the rest of the night from mommy and daddy's bedroom.

-0-

Kelly was officially cleared for duty. Doctor gave the okay. He'd passed the PAT. And Dr. Sears had put his stamp of approval on Kelly's mental state.

Shay and Samantha were waiting impatiently. They stared silently as the two lieutenants entered.

"Passed!" yelled Kelly picking up his roommate kissing her all over her head. "Cleared for duty!"

"Woohoo!" screamed Shay. "Kelly, I'm so damn proud of you," she continued, tears streaming down her face.

"He's back," chimed in Casey. He couldn't wait to have Kelly back on every shift leading squad where he should be.

Boden was more than happy to have Severide back. He'd ridden his lieutenant hard wanting to make sure he was ready. Over the years, he'd seen too many come back too soon with disastrous consequences. Some had even lost their lives. Kelly needed a smooth transition, deserved it.

"Kelly, good to have you back where you belong." The chief brushed Kelly's hand aside to give him a tight hug.

"Glad to be back. Need to be back."

Kelly arriving at the station was a homecoming he would never forget, a highlight of his life. Tom was there, Jerry, Samantha, everyone he cared about, loved.

"Wow, even a cake," said Kelly spying a huge cake that read, "Welcome Back, Severide!" and had a Superman on it.

They'd barely dug in when the old, familiar call for truck, squad, and ambulance boomed loud and clear.

Kelly was excited, nervous, ready.

Everyone else was just nervous. Boden had called them all in the day before to make sure all had Severide's back. Unnecessary. They'd already decided to do whatever it took to ensure Kelly had a smooth transition. They didn't care if they had to carry him for a month, longer.

They didn't have to carry him, at least not much. An extra hand here, a gentle push back so he wasn't the first one in, everyone kept an eye open. Shay was a little more comfortable with him back on squad. Casey was on edge, but thrilled to have his friend back, and to have a little joy in his personal life.

The date with Dawson was just what the pair needed, a little happiness to break the darkness of the past months. It was both seemingly familiar and exciting at the same time.

It was good friends who loved each other as friends coming together to try something more, to add something more. It felt right, and comfortable, and like the stars had finally aligned, timing finally in tune.

They were at a routine call, no one injured, Dawson and Shay waiting impatiently for the lieutenants to come out of a still smoldering warehouse.

"This is torture. What the hell is taking so long?" asked Shay biting her lip and pacing around the parking lot by the ambo.

"Looks like there are still a few hot spots. They'll be out in a bit. Hey, it'll get easier the stronger he gets." Dawson said trying to reassure her friend.

"What do you mean? Do you think he rushed it? He's not ready?" Shay was escalating to full panic and quick.

"Not what I mean at all. He's gotta come back. He's ready. He's just not a hundred percent yet, but he's gettin there. Hey, look! There they are." Dawson said watching Casey and Severide come out, patting each other on the back, all smiles.

Kelly walked over to Shay seeing concern all over her face.

"You okay," she asked trying to keep it casual but her voice breaking.

"Yep," he replied, devilish grin on his face. "Gettin' stronger every day." Kelly knew he spoke the truth. He desperately wanted to wipe that worried look off Shay's face. He also knew that would never happen. There was a comfort in that too.

"You are stronger," said Shay hooking one arm in his walking back to the truck. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah. You say it almost every day. Do I say it... enough, ever?" Kelly knew he probably didn't but he did feel it everyday, every time he looked at her, every time he screwed up, every time he didn't screw up.

"Kel, I know it. Always." Shay pushed him in the truck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Yes, with each passing day getting a little stronger. Shay knew he'd be back to indestructible in a few days, weeks, months, whatever it took.

Back at the apartment, Samantha had big news of her own.

"Guess who's also going back to work?" asked Sam with her usual enthusiasm.

"No way!" Shay exclaimed hugging her tightly. Kelly joined in the hug and kind of picked them up.

"I'm moving back to New York because apparently Bloomingdales thinks I am awesome!" Samantha broke free of the hug to prance around the kitchen strutting her stuff.

"Duh!" Shay laughed watching her sister with a tinge of disappointment.

"We are going out tonight to celebrate and I am paying! No arguing! Now go shower and get ready!"

Tom joined the trio for dinner, and the night was a perfect way to send off Sam...it was all fun, smiles, and happy stories. Shay and Kelly were sorry to see her go. She'd been an unexpected bright light in a dark time, and Kelly couldn't count the number of times he'd thanked God for her being with Shay when he left.

The next day it was a bittersweet send off. Saying bye to Tom was always sad, but Kelly knew he'd see him in a couple of weeks.

Samantha was too excited about her new job for anyone to be too sad.

"I love you, Little. No sad looks right now. I'll be home for Christmas at Tom's! You can be the one who tells dad that one," she laughed.

Samantha's laugh did turn to tears when she gave out hugs. She told Kelly not to forget to call her, made a little "call me" sign with her hand held up to her ear, and hopped into her waiting cab. All agreed that would be easier than a long goodbye at the airport.

"What was that about?" asked Shay confused. "Call her about what?"

"Uh, nothin. She wants to keep in touch," explained Kelly mumbling a little.

"Hmmm," Shay said deciding to drop it but sensing there had to be more to the story.

"Guess what?" asked Shay with a goofy grin on her face.

"What?"

"It's just the two of us today. How long's it been since it was just us?" Shay couldn't remember many times when it was just them since Kelly's return. "What do you wanna do? Movies? The pier?"

"Can we just stay in? Watch movies, plant ourselves on the couch. We'll order in. Kinda boring, but sound okay?" Kelly looked at his best friend head cocked a little to the side.

"Sounds perfect, Kel." It did sound perfect to her. Both of them snuggled on the couch all day, her head resting in that perfect hollow of his shoulder with his arm around her. Really the only place she ever felt completely safe, completely loved.

Kelly was thinking the exact same thing.