Beer (6X13)

"Beer," Severide says determinedly as they stand by the police car, having just said goodbye to the Chief and Jay. By the time they'd finished giving their statements about everything that had happened on the tracks and how they stopped crazy Shepard from blowing himself up, their shift was well over. They just needed to get back to 51 to change and they were free to go. "Overtime's buying." Severide jokes.

…

"What did I say about brazen heroics?!" Severide shouts in Matt's ear over the music at Molly's. "That's twice in two weeks, that you made us jump head-first into our possible deaths."

"Me? I was following your lead."

"My lead? You were all at him the moment your eyes clocked him."

"Yeah well, you were the one to lunge at him without taking a moment to think. I was just on your heels to dismantle the device out of his hand."

"No, man," Severide shakes his head, "I was on your heels. There was no way I was letting you tackle him alone."

They both look at each other for a moment, a quizzical silence spreading between them. Then their faces break out in equal grins as their different perceptions sink in and they realize they both had each other's backs, blindly, both trying to prevent the other from being at risk rather than themselves.

"You're both idiots," Antonio's voice cuts through their bubble as he joins their table with Gabby and Brett in tow. "but you did a great job today. Chicago's finest." He says raising his glass, and they all grunt their assent and join their glasses.

.

"I'm gonna head off," Severide says as he finishes his drink, already pulling his jacket on.

"Everything okay," Matt says quietly, grabbing Kelly's arm and pulling him close for a private moment. His eyes search Kelly's to gauge his mood.

"Yeah, yeah." Kelly says distractedly, "a bit of a fifth wheel and all," he waives his hand lightly indicating Matt and Gabby, Antonio and Brett.

"You are never a fifth wheel, Kelly, you hear me?" Matt's tone suddenly changed to strict and serious.

"Yeah, well,"

"I mean it. never." Matt tugs on Kelly's arm to emphasize his words. "You want us to get out of here? I'll come with you,"

"No, no, Matt. It's fine. Stay. Enjoy your evening. Kidd is at home anyway," he adds, hoping it will work as a palpable reason to leave. Matt knows their undefined status has been lingering in Kelly's mind, this could be vague enough to work as an excuse.

"Okay. Breakfast tomorrow?" Matt tries to postpone the inevitable.

"If you mean brunch, then sure," Kelly answers, grinning cheekily with the tickling thought of sleeping in.

"You're on," Matt chuckles contently, giving Kelly's shoulder one last squeeze.