Title: Altered States
Chapter 11 – Hunting a Madman

"I'm sure Erin's said this but…but going after Hadley isn't worth it," Matt told Kelly as they sat on a bench outside the little diner they just had lunch in while the Gabby and Erin hung out on the swings with Miranda and Cassie a few meters away.

"Almost wish Voight hadn't told us but…but I swear it was him."

"Really think he'd take that chance? He just got out."

"It's because of me that he spent that time in jail," Kelly argued back. "He had the stuff…knew the location…he might not have lit the actual match but in mind…he helped murder Shay."

"And he lost 15 years of his life…think he'd want to chance going back in? He's not stupid. He knows he violates any of his parole restrictions and he's right back in," Matt tried to reason.

"I don't know…I don't but uh…" he paused as he looked up at his daughter and Cassie Casey as they now sat on a bench and then laughed about something on one of their phones. "But if I find out he did it…Matt…that'll be it."

"Just…don't ruin your life or your family's," Matt gently cautioned him. "You said today went well right?"

"Yeah it did…she was amazing. When Dr. Jones pulled out that box and then the aids I uh…I was so angry and then scared but Miranda she…she picked them up, started to look at them and feel them and then simply said…I love the color. Let's get these things working or something like that. I was amazed," Kelly stated in pride. "But then I think about why I'm there and that anger toward Hadley swells once more."

"Let CPD do their thing. This case also personal for them…they'll not stop until they uncover the truth."

"But I might not like it right?"

"I know you think it's Hadley…"

"I want it to be him…I want him to get…" Kelly stopped and then started as he shook his head. "Damn now I sound like the judgmental bastard. But I could have sworn that was him outside the house and then our apartment."

"Maybe he wants to say sorry," Matt shrugged as Kelly looked over at him and snickered. "What?"

"Ever the optimist," he said as Matt nodded in firm agreement.

"So what happens now with the rest of her rehab?"

"Well…"

And as they talked about the Hadley sighting, Erin and Gabby also talked about the same thing.

"I hope it's not him," Erin confessed. "I know Kelly wants it to be because that'll be easier than some faceless, nameless guy I put away but Voight said they have a few other leads and so far Hadley isn't at the top of the list."

"And the prison Chaplin can be trusted?" Gabby inquired as Erin gently shrugged.

"Hank asked someone he trusts but Hadley could just be putting on a good show. It has happened. Course it's also happened that sometimes these guys find God or something else and they make real changes so I don't want to convict someone just yet," Erin stated wistfully as she looked over at her husband in the near distance. "Hard to convince him of that though."

"His emotions are clouded because of this time of year," Gabby huffed sadly.

"I know…I'm sorry. I know you were close to her also."

"I want to believe Hadley has changed but I remember how they all parted. Was pretty sour," Gabby recalled as Erin's brow furrowed. "Hope they find who did this."

"Yeah…me too."

XXXXXXXX

"Glad today went so well," Erin conversed with her husband as they headed for home early afternoon; Miranda in the back on her phone.

"Yeah me too. They fit and they worked and now she just needs a few weeks to get fully used to them and then…then back to school," Kelly replied as he looked at her with a small frown. "Any update on the case?"

"I have a text from Jay that the team…Antonio's team," she qualified with a small smile. "Some days…like now I wish we were all back together."

"He's got a pretty kick a…butt team," Kelly smirked. "They'll find…whoever did this."

"Just want to be there for the takedown."

"Same here," Kelly added as Erin gently frowned. "I can hang at home if you wanna go and check in."

"Really?"

"You're just gonna pace at home."

"You're volunteering to stay behind. Kelly…"

"I won't leave our daughter home alone. I promise," Kelly told her in a serious tone.

"You don't know where he lives and if you ask the parole board you know they won't tell you. And neither will Hank."

"I don't have to go looking for Hadley. He'll come back looking for me."

"Kelly…"

"And when he does…"

"You'll tell the police," Erin lightly snapped as Kelly's reality slammed back into him and he glanced over with a small frown.

"I'm not afraid of him Erin."

"I know you're not…but I am," she whispered as her hand gave his a brief squeeze.

XXXXXXXX

"Erin?" Antonio looked up as she entered the Intelligence area about an hour later.

"Coming here…sometimes feels like I never left," she told him with a small smile as he gave her a friendly hug and then pulled back and let her eyes zoom directly to the case board that she had stood before many times before, many years ago.

"Erin…"

"I just want…to…see…what the hell? That's…that's the guy I arrested in Orlando?"

"Bradley Jensen," Antonio nodded as he neared. "That's one of his names. You've run into him before. Kim confirmed it earlier."

"What?"

"And he lives right here in Chicago and…he escape custody just after you had him arrested."

"No…no this can't be…" Erin muttered as she turned and looked at Antonio with wide eyes. "And the team is on their way…to arrest him right?"

"He's in the wind," Antonio told her as she uttered a soft curse. "Jay had one of his own cases to finish up but then said he'd join the manhunt. Kim too."

"I know they want to help but only if you need it. I know the big boss won't want them to leave their own cases because they feel…it's personal."

"It is personal," Antonio reminded her. "How'd today go?"

"Think Miranda handled it better than me and Kelly did," Erin huffed as she slumped down onto the edge of the desk and looked at him with a perplexed expression. "She's full speed ahead and I kept wondering if they hurt or if they'll stick out and if the kids will make fun of her or…"

"I can get the twins to go after anyone they need to," Antonio snickered as he referred to his two boys.

"Might come to that," she offered weakly as his radio cracked to life. "Ruzek, yeah what did you find?"

"Checked the address to both alias and it's clean…he's gone. But it looks like he was at the second address because a few things are missing. Computer of course but looks like he did some packing with a shovel because there is stuff all over the place. We're going to start canvassing the neighbors."

"Okay. Lemme know what you find."

"I don't mind helping out," Erin blurted out and then stopped. "I know…but I can't go back to my cases until I know this one is closed. Jay and Kim are better for that right now. I couldn't be objective."

"How's Kelly?"

"He wants it to be Hadley. I'm torn on that. Anything on him?"

"Just what Voight told you. He did his time…apparently changed his attitude big time, has been a model prisoner and didn't do or say anything that would cause alarm. I know you want something but…"

"Kelly does. I don't have as personal connection. Kelly and I were just newly married before she died. I knew it devastated him and he talked about Hadley's antics before he was let go from 51 and then what happened with the Arson's but Atwater was more involved with the case at the time and I tried to keep myself out because I thought I was too emotional. Didn't think I'd help Kelly at all by being the emotional supporter. Maybe that was wrong…I don't know. I just want to find the right guy."

"We want that too. Just tell Kelly to stay away from Hadley…or…does he know where he lives?"

"No at least he wouldn't find out from us or Voight or the prison warden but he has friends that know him and…and I worry he'll go to one of them even though he said he wouldn't."

"Well let's hope Hadley hasn't told anyone where he lives now."

"And if Kelly does see him again?"

"The God help Hadley because none of us will be able," Erin whispered in truth as her and Antonio traded worried glances.

XXXXXXXX

"You'd tell me if you tried to find out where Hadley lived right?" Erin asked Kelly later that same night as they lay in bed together.

"Erin…"

"I know you remember? 15 years. I know when you set your jaw or a frown….something on your mind that you think I shouldn't know."

"What if it was him Erin? He…okay so maybe not but what if it was him? What if he was still so angry and vengeful after all these years that he caused our little girl to lose her hearing?"

"Course I'm angry…if it's him. What if it's the other guy the team is trying to find? The one from Orlando? He went there thinking he could escape from anyone here and we are there at the same time and arrest him? Course he'd be pissed. But you have to let CPD do their thing. Don't you always tell me that?"

"Hate when my words come back to bite me," he gently grimaced.

"Can I bite you instead?" She playfully tossed back as he glanced over with a widening grin. "Have missed you. Hurry up and get better."

"I'm better enough now," he entreated as he moved in closer and kissed her just below the ear. "And I've missed you," he whispered as his warm breath sent shivers all the way down to her feet. "Please…"

"As if I could say no," she offered breathlessly as she carefully moved herself on top of him. "Show me how much you love me."

"With pleasure."

XXXXXXXX

"Hey man welcome back!" Welch greeted Kelly early the next morning as Kelly entered his Firehouse, 66.

"How's Miranda doing?" Newhouse inquired as they followed Kelly toward his office.

"Erin just dropped her off for her first "parentless" rehab session. Her choice," Kelly shrugged. "Doc says it'll be better if we're not there. Not worried though. Fitting yesterday went really well and now it's just a matter of…of getting her used to doing something that uh…yeah that we take for granted."

"Damn."

"Yeah man sorry. But um…am glad she's coping okay."

"Better than we are," Kelly confessed. "Going back to school will be the real test. Haven't even thought about that yet."

"They ever caught the guy that fixed the brakes on your car?" Newhouse inquired as Kelly shook his head.

"They're chasing down leads."

"So…not Kevin Hadley?" Welch wondered as Kelly looked at him in haste. "There's been chatter that he's out now. Sorry…wasn't sure you knew."

"Oh I knew. Just wasn't sure who else knew," Kelly huffed. "Yeah he's out and uh…and he has restrictions that he can't come around here or 51 or our homes but uh….but if you see him around you call the cops and then let me know okay?"

"You think he'd want to do that? He just got out?" Welch pondered out loud.

"Depends on how stupid he is," Kelly shrugged. "Just…keep an eye out."

"Copy."

Kelly waited until they both left his office and then sat down at his desk and pulled out a file that he kept in the bottom drawer, underneath a few other files. "Hadley…damn bastard…where are you," Kelly whispered as he opened the file and then started to look for a name…any name that might give him the whereabouts of his longtime nemesis. He knew Erin would be pissed but he just had to know if it was Hadley that knew where he lived and was more mobile than anyone might have thought.

CPD will just check in with his parole officer to see if he's keeping his schedule…that guys a loser…Hadley could buy him with a bottle of Jack's! Kelly's mind pondered as he finally came across one name and then dared to call it.

"Hey…it's uh Kelly Severide. Got a minute? I need a favor. Do you know where Kevin Hadley might be living?"

A/N: oh dear Kelly….what are you doing? Hope everyone is still with me and am ramping things up a bit here so please do review before you go and thanks so much!