Title: Stranger in my House
Chapter 11 – Frantic!
"Where are you?"
"I don't know! But hurry…Richard's coming!"
"I'LL GET YOU!"
Casey's heart starts to slightly ache and his body wants nothing more than to just find a comfortable place to lie down and sleep for as long as permitted. But as he races toward the wooded area, hearing Richard's threats behind him, he knows that's the last thing he can think about right now. He hears the phone ringing and fumbles with the lighted keys as his feet stumble in the dark.
"Matt!"
"Kelly! I'm...on the run," Casey pants as his eyes dart toward the distinct city glow in the distance.
"What kind of area are you in right now?"
"The…woods…ah damn…" Casey grunts as he slightly stumbles. His side starts to ache; his left hand instantly wrapping around it as his right hand keeps the phone close to his ear. "Trying…to get to the…highway. Richard's…behind me."
"Highway…what highway? What's close by?"
"Closed…motel…Kelly!"
"Matt do you hav…Matt!"
"Kelly…." Casey pants as he veers to the left just as a shot rings out overhead.
"Matt!"
"Damn Kelly he's shooting at me! Hurry!"
XXXXXXXX
"Where is he?" Boden asks in haste.
"Some closed hotel off the highway. Damn that could be anywhere Chief," Severide growls as he looks out the window. At this point he doesn't care about the status of his car that Antonio was still trying to chase down; the fact that Richard was firing at Casey made his stomach tighten to a sickening degree. "If Matt gets shot…"
"We'll find him in time."
"Chief he doesn't even know where he is!" Severide lightly shouts before he sinks back into his chair and looks out the window. "Sorry."
"I'm just as worried but losing our cool isn't going to help Matt. Try to get him back. Keep him talking. He needs to know you're with him and helps on the way."
"Okay," Severide replies with a small whisper as he looks back down at his phone. His mind instantly flashes Matt's face with a look of hurt and panic and the thought of being pursued in the dark without knowing helps on the way. I can do this…be strong for Matt…find him…get him to safety.
"No answer…damn it Matt…pick up…pick up!"
XXXXXXXX
"Get…off…." Casey grunts as he rolls to his side on the cold wooded ground, punching Richard in the jaw and sending him stumbling backward into the darkened forest. Casey flips onto his stomach, digs his fingers into the dirt and pulls with every ounce of strength he has left; Richard quickly recovering.
"AHHHH!" Casey calls out as Richard's hands grab his feet and yank him backward. His cold, scuffed fingers try to claw the ground, looking for something…anything he can use as a weapon to help him get the upper hand. He finds it. His fingers finally latch onto a fist size stone.
"I'm taking care of you once and for all!" Richard shouts as he drops Casey's legs and pulls his gun. Driven on by pure instinctive panic, Casey swirls around onto his knees and lunges; taking Richard to the ground on his butt. He swings his right fist with the stone tucked inside his fingers, hitting Richard in the jaw and forcing him to cry out as his head snaps back. Casey hits him again in the temple, forcing the gun to fly out of his hands in the dark and his large frame to slam backward onto the dark earth.
"Get…up…" Casey commands himself with ragged breaths as he puts his hands to the ground, pushes up with his knees and keeps going. He hears the phone ringing but doesn't take a chance to answer it just yet as he knows he has to put as much space between him and Richard as possible and any tardiness on his part could cost him his very life.
He reaches the edges of the two-laned highway and stops, his lungs heaving for air and his head pounding something fierce. The phone continues to ring, his fingers finally fumbling past the innards of his jacket, pulling the phone and answering almost out of breath.
"Kel…ly."
"Are you okay?" Severide asks in haste.
"For now."
"Matt?"
"Kelly I'm fine. Just a bit…banged up. But I wasn't…shot. I've…reached the…highway…I think," Casey mutters as he frantically looks around then starts to race toward the glow in the distance; the lighted horizon calling to him to seek shelter amongst its many distractions. "Kelly you gotta….help me…." Casey lightly pants as he hurries down the darkened highway.
"Where is Richard?"
"We fought and he…he's in the woods…I think damn…Kelly…"
"Okay don't panic. What's around you?" Severide asks as calmly as he can; thankful that Boden was there as he knows Shay's even mild hysterics would force him to be emotionally flustered and possibly snap and that wouldn't bode well for Matt.
"Woods…bush…I'm in the damn dark!" Casey growls as he hears a curse in the distance. "Richard's coming!"
"Okay can you…what? Right…Matt can you see the Sears To…it's the tallest building on the horizon. It looks like it has two bright blue spikes at the top."
"Yes…I see it! I have to get there? Why not a hospital?"
"Because if Richard doesn't follow you that's probably the first place he'll go. If you're okay get to the Sears Tower. I'll tend to you myself when I find you. Just hurry. Any cars around?"
"No…wait…hold on…" Casey huffs as he stops and turns around. He spies a set of headlights coming toward him and for a few seconds freezes – his mind showing him Richard pulling up, the window drawn and his body absorbing two bullets before he rolls into a dark ditch only to be found a few days later – dead.
"Matt?"
Severide's voice jolts him back to reality, forcing him to hurry a bit further and then wait until the car nears.
"Yes I see one."
"Okay you gotta get a ride to the Sears Tower. I'll meet you there."
"What if they won't…hold on…"
He remembers seeing Richard's dark sedan in front of the abandoned motel as he raced past it; this car….is white.
"Tell him you're an injured fire fighter who needs help."
"Okay. Hold on the car…is slowing," Matt replies with a somewhat nervous stammer as he waves his arms to slow the car down. The older man behind the steering wheel looks at the disheveled appearance of the younger man before him and lowers his window a crack.
"Please Sir I need some help. I'm an injured fire fighter…my car's…please Sir I need to get to the Sears Tower."
"Sears Tower? Don't you mean a hospital?"
"No I'm fine. I just need to get there. Please. It's urgent," Casey begs in earnest. "I need help."
"Do you have a gun on you?"
"No," Casey replies firmly as he looks back toward the woods. "Please. I just need to get to the Sears Tower. I don't have much money but I can give you what I have. This means my life."
The older man looks at Casey's sincere expression of desperation and hesitates a few seconds longer than Casey would have liked. But his face finally softens and he nods before he unlocks the doors and gestures for Casey to get in.
"Kelly I'm on my way."
"You safe?"
"For now."
"Okay I'll see you soon. Call me when you get there," Severide tells Casey just before the call is disconnected.
"Thank you. I really do appreciate it."
"What happened to your car?" The older man asks as he slowly pulls away. But at the same time Richard had finally recovered, raced back to his car and was on the road; following at a discreet but determined distance from Casey's vehicular salvation.
XXXXXXXX
"That jerk who kidnapped Matt is still out there Chief," Severide mentions with a heavy groan as he tries to settle back in the front seat of Boden's SUV.
"We'll get there in time. Matt's at least with someone who wants to help him," Boden reminds him. "He's smart and resourceful and…"
"Injured!" Severide lightly snaps before he takes a deep breath. "His own mother…damn it. I thought my dad was a piece of work."
"He is," Boden retorts lightly as Severide looks over with a small smirk. "But despite all of Benny's faults he's always had your back and would never sell you out for his own selfish gain. He's kept you out of his business and never put you in harm's way for money. Something to be said for that."
"Yeah," Severide replies under his breath. "When I got that call…Chief…the first time he called from his home and he was calling for help and I looked up and saw…damn I thought he was shot."
"Why was Matt there in the first place?"
"Forgot his damn phone. I know this is worse but had he not gone back…"
"Had he not gone back and they were busted for whatever illegal activities they were doing, Casey would have been arrested along with them as an accessory."
"We gotta get him Chief. That guy Richard…there's no way that guy was just going to drive him around and then dump him somewhere alive."
"We'll get there in time," Boden tries to assure his anxious lieutenant once more. "Kelly?"
"I know Matt is a pretty resilient guy but we talked about all the grief he was taking from his sister on giving his mother a good word at her parole hearing and I know Christie won't say to Matt I told you so but…"
"Casey will beat himself up over this for a bit as you would and then he'll get over it."
"He better not let her stay there when she…damn I forgot about Nancy. I better call Antonio."
But just before Severide can call out his phone buzzes and he's quick to open Casey's text.
'I think Richard is behind us. I can't see his face but the car looks dark and it's followed us for three turns now.'
"Ah not good."
"What?" Boden presses.
"Richard's still on Matt's tail…I need…hold on…where are you right now?" Severide texts back.
'Lakeshore?'
"Okay he's on lakeshore but damn that's a lot of road. We need to send him somewhere public and safe. Richard can't just open fire on…we need him safe," Severide's voice dies out in a soft whisper.
"Tell him to just keep heading to the Sears Tower. It's well populated at night."
'Head to Sears Tower. Meet on the north side.'
'Okay.'
Severide's mind pictures Casey's uncertain expression; his mind seeing the soft furrow of Casey's brow, the small pout and then wonder in his blue eyes as he waits for an answer. Damn his lost face, Severide grimaces as Boden looks over. "Casey has that expression…"
"Little lost puppy?"
"Knew it wasn't just me," Severide lightly smiles as they head toward the Sears Tower.
"He'll be fine. Matt's a strong guy who…"
"Chief what if he was hit on the head again? What if the fight…if that bastard causes Matt permanent brain damage…"
"You said you never saw him hit Casey in the head."
"But then he was gone…damn I'm worried."
"Little brother will be fine," Boden tosses him an easy smile. "You'll make sure of that…and that's…what Matt's counting on right now."
"Thanks Chief."
XXXXXXXX
Casey listens to the old mans story about his dog as they near the bustling downtown core; his eyes still darting between the side mirror to see if the mysterious car was still following them and the texts from Kelly.
"Can't get to the north side from here. I'm sorry young man, I'm going to drop you right here."
"This is good thank you. Here I don't have much but…" Casey pulls his wallet.
"It's no trouble. I was heading right past here and you look like you have an honest face. You really a fire fighter?"
"Firehouse 51. Stop by sometime."
"I just might do that. Thank you again and safe drive home."
Casey quickly gets out of the car and looks around for the area to cross the busy street. On the ride over he had tried to wipe the bits of blood and dirt off his face. However, as he catches a glimpse of himself in a nearby store window he realizes he's failed – he looks a mess. But his appearance would have to wait, getting to Kelly safe and sound was his only priority.
Casey races toward the crosswalk, pulling his phone and about to call Kelly and tell him where he was. Seconds later, however, Casey stops mid-stride as he looks at the other end of the street to see Richard watching him approach; an angry sneer adorning his face.
"Oh damn!" Casey curses as he quickly spins, presses #1 and then races back to where he was, Richard now in pursuit. "Kelly!"
"Matt...where are…"
"I'm across…the street…beside Bud's Fis and…damn!" Casey tells him with a small pant before he hangs up and then turns to face Richard.
"I'm on my way!" Severide shouts as he hangs up and tells Boden to head around to the other side of the building.
"Damn construction. Chief I'll run from here."
"Ke…" is all Boden manages as the passenger door slams shut and Severide tears off into the modest crowd. "Damn it Kelly," Boden growls as he pulls his truck a sudden stop and pulls his phone to call Antonio for help.
Severide races toward the end of the large structure, reaching the corner and then starting to frantically scan the crowd for any sign of where Matt was waiting. "Damn it where!" He curses as he finally spies the bright neon sign for the diner and heads for the crosswalk. He looks across the street, and then down the quieter side street and finally notices Matt struggling with Richard and suddenly starts to run across the busy lanes of traffic.
A few honks finally divert both Richard's and Casey's gaze toward the determined fire fighter in the crosswalk forcing Richard's fingers around Casey's forearm to tighten.
"Damn this guy just won't quit!" Richard hisses before he grunts in anger.
Casey had used the momentary distraction provided by Severide to kick Richard in the knee, forcing his grasp to loosen and Casey to pull back. Before Richard could fully recover, Severide's solid frame slams into him, taking them both down to the pavement in a jumble of arms and legs. Not about to let Severide get injured any more than he already appeared to be, Casey joins the fight, trying to wrestle away the gun before it goes off.
*bang*
It goes off.
"Matt!" Kelly shouts as Casey jumps back in surprise; the bullet missing him but the sound instantly drawing Boden's attention and those of a few passersby.
Casey's fingers scramble to grab a hold of Severide's jacket, pulling Severide away from Richard's flailing corpse, the gun still in play. Richard manages to free himself of the limb entanglement; pulling back but aiming the gun at both 51 Lieutenants. Boden rounds the corner and stops as Richard turns and sneers at him.
"I am sick of the both of you!"
"Then get lost!" Severide barks back, still on the ground from when Casey pulled him back.
"I'm taking care of business first. Who's first?"
"The police are on their way," Boden tells him in an angry tone. "Drop your weapon."
"Yeah and who's gonna make me? You?" Richard glares at Boden out of the side of his mouth as his eyes and the gun remain fixed on Casey and Severide. "You make a move and they're dead."
"Drop your damn gun," Boden growls once more.
"You can't make me!"
"I can," another voice is heard. "Chicago PD, drop your damn gun!" Antonio orders firmly.
Richard utters a small hiss under his breath as his hand pretends to falter.
"Don't do it Richard. You pull that trigger you're a dead man," Antonio warns.
"So is he," Richard whispers as he lines up Casey in his sights.
*bang*
Casey's body instinctively jerks at the sound of the gunshot; a soft cry of 'no' escapes Severide's lips as he looks up in horror; their eyes locking for a few panicked seconds. But thankfully his friend's frame is still intact and both turn back to see Richard's body fall to the ground, Antonio's bullet meeting its mark.
"Kelly you okay?" Casey asks as he helps Severide slowly stand up; both Boden and Antonio rushing toward them.
"Yeah fine…you?" Severide turns and looks at Casey, his eyes quickly scanning Casey's disheveled appearance. "Damn Matt…" Severide lightly huffs as he pushes past any outward embarrassment and gives Casey a brief hug, pulling back with a heavy frown. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Casey insists.
"Good timing Antonio," Severide turns around to tell Antonio.
"Found your car abandoned and put out an APB on Gordon Reynolds. You two really okay?"
"Fine for now," Severide replies as Casey just stares mutely at Antonio.
"Antonio…" Casey mentions with a small frown. "Your name…I should know it."
"It'll come back. I'm just glad you're both okay after what Chief Boden told me was going on and what you both endured tonight," he gently pats Casey on the back; backup already called. Two uniformed officers pull up, Antonio telling them to tape off the area and call for the coroner.
"Where are you two staying tonight?" Boden asks in concern as they pull aside from Antonio as he gives out instructions to the other officers for the scene.
"We can't go back to your place Matt. Not with Gordon and…"
"My mother. Kelly was my mother really involved in all this?" Casey asks with a strained tone.
"It looks to be that way. I don't know her involvement but if she allowed it to happen…come on let's find someplace around here that's safe and get you cleaned up."
"You both need to get cleaned up and then get some rest. You want to stay with me?" Boden offers.
"Chief enough have already suffered because of all this," Casey starts with a small frown. "I'll just find a nearby hotel or something. No one else is involved in this because of me. No one."
Boden starts to open his mouth to protest, but Severide quickly interjects.
"Don't worry Chief, I won't let him out of my sight. I'll call Shay and tell her to stay with Dawson just until they find Gordon and Antonio talks to Nancy Casey," Severide suggests.
"That okay Antonio?"
"Anywhere away from home would be best for tonight if possible," Antonio agrees. He takes a statement from Casey, then Severide and lastly Boden. "We'll find him. Severide your car is at the police impound. You can pick it up in the morning. You two sure you're really okay?" Antonio asks in conclusion.
"Yeah…we're fine," Casey nods as he turns and looks at Richard's corpse. "I just can't believe all this," Casey's tone turns morose.
"Kelly…"
"Okay, you call us if anything happens," Severide mentions as he gives Boden a firm nod. "Thanks Chief."
"Just get some rest. You've both earned it."
"Come on," Severide suggests as he gently steers Casey toward a waiting cab. Boden watches the two of them get into the belly of the cab, knowing it would be further pointless to argue with either of them to stop by a hospital at this hour. They just need a shower, some patching up and a good night's sleep. But at least he knows that despite all he's endured, tonight Casey would be in the best possible care.
"Okay what can I do to finish this up?" Boden asks Antonio.
"I want to go home Kelly," Casey mentions in a low tone as he looks over at Severide with a heavy frown. "I need a shower and…my own bed…my own clothes…I want to go home."
"You can't. If your mother is there then Antonio should be the one to take care of all this."
"Kelly…"
"I got this covered. Driver…"
Not willing to take Casey back to his place but not really wanting to spend the night in someplace completely foreign either, Severide texts Antonio and then gives the cab driver his apartment address. "It's a bit safer," he tells Casey in a low tone. They finally arrive at Severide's loft apartment, Antonio assuring them that a uniformed officer would be stationed outside the front entrance until Gordon Reynolds was in custody.
"I need….sleep," Severide grumbles as he looks over at a silent Casey.
"Kelly…I was the one who…got my mother…"
"No Matt, don't do this to yourself. You are not to blame for any of this. None of us could have seen what she'd do. Prison…it changes people. She found someone who probably offered her a lot of money for doing hardly anything…she had nothing for fifteen years and she…"
"Sold me out!" Casey shouts as he pulls away in anger. "I was sold out by my own mother! I believed her and…damn I believed she had changed."
"You wanted to see the best, you can't be blamed for that!"
"You could have died tonight and it would have been on my head! Me!"
"Wait a sec…" Severide gently grabs Casey by the arm before he can escape out the door. "Where are you going?"
"To sulk," he huffs as Severide's lips gently smirk. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah me to. I'm tired…you're tired…we both look and feel like hell. Take the shower. You still have clothes here just…let's call it a night and make a new plan to deal with your mother and all this after a few hours of rest."
"Okay," Casey finally resigns after a few seconds of silence.
Severide watches Casey slowly trudge up the stairs and then pulls off his jacket, his lips uttering a small hiss at the cut on his arm. He tosses the jacket aside and then watches as Casey enters the small bedroom and slams the door shut. "Damn it!" Severide grumbles as he hurries up the stairs toward the spare bedroom.
"Matt?" he gently knocks and then pushes the door open. He looks at Casey sitting on the bed with an angry expression.
"After what I did for her," he exhales heavily. "It just…Kelly I don't get it," he looks up with imploring expression; one that literally tears into Severide's heart. "Why wouldn't she just respect what I did for her?"
"The only person she respects or does anything for is herself. You told me about all the men she went through and then how you would ask a question and if you caught her off guard or she didn't like it she'd yell at you and then quickly recant and make up some phony excuse to make you feel sorry for her and then there would be some peace for a bit until it started up again."
"I remember…us fighting."
"She was…"
"No…you and me," Casey states solemnly as Severide feels his heart sink further. "Chief Boden said we fight and then make up but this…I remember this one for some reason. I think someone died and we were both upset. Was that my father's death? You were angry with me. Was it my fault?"
"What brought that on?" Severide gently inquires.
"Richard was smoking what looked like a cigar and I remember you…you were smoking one and we were arguing about something. You looked…angry with me. Did I kill my father?"
Damn it, Severide's mind curses a he slumps down onto the end of the bed a few feet from Casey, looking at him in remorse. Of all the things to remember with some detail – he remembers Andy's death. "No it had nothing to do with your father. Our friend…Andy Darden had died and we…we both took it hard and a month later we were still at odds and there were some harsh words spoken. You remember the memory you had about falling through the floor and then seeing me asking if you were okay in the fire?"
"That was then?"
"A few days later. It was when I nearly lost you that I realized how pointless our fighting had been. We made a real effort after that to just….be friends. It was strained at first but we got past it. We're okay now. Matt I nearly lost you again tonight and that…no more pointless fights. It was too close and I care too much to lose you to something stupid."
"Okay," Casey nods as he offers Severide a tender smile. "You're the only family I really remember and I'm comforted by that. Speaking of family…think my mom is still at home?"
"If she is, she's coming up with one hell of a manipulation plan to play with you with or offer Antonio."
"Not this time," Casey replies firmly as he slowly stands up. "My head itches."
"Okay…" Severide mentions as he reaches for the pink shower cap. "Use this and then…I'll wash your hair."
"You don't have to."
"Take advantage of the fact Shay's not here. Otherwise…she'd do it," Severide lightly smiles. But just before he can move, Casey's fingers gently move the fabric on his sweatshirt, his lips gasping at the charred spot. "It's nothing."
"Why is it you don't believe me when I say that?"
"Because you're my little brother."
"I am?"
"Yes and you're supposed to listen to me," Severide grins as he slaps Casey on the back. "Now go shower and stop asking questions."
Casey only offers Severide a tired smile and nod before he takes his clean clothes and the shower cap and heads down the hall; Severide following but making a detour toward his bedroom. He gathers his own clothes and then heads back downstairs to use the shower in the spare bathroom.
"Hold still…" Casey grumbles as he tries to clean Severide's arm about half hour later. "I think you need stitches."
"Just put those little butterfly thingy's on it and it'll be fine," Severide tells Casey just as he finishes. "Thanks," Severide mentions about five minutes later as he pulls his tee-shirt on and then gestures for Casey to sit on the chair and put his head back over the sink. "Just don't fuss if I get soap in your eyes."
"You're washing my hair not my face," Casey retorts in haste. Casey tells Severide a bit more about his ordeal with Richard as Severide gently picks out some dirty debris from Casey's hair and then reaches for the shampoo. He starts to gently massage around the healing wound, thankful and relieved beyond belief that the actual wound didn't sustain any further damage as per Casey's retelling. Only rest and time could heal the inner emotional stress from the fight and the kidnapping ordeal but at least his head had survived without further physical damage.
"How does it look?" Casey asks as Severide pauses in his washing.
"It looks…well the swelling has gone down and there is no blood or…the stitches didn't break so that's good. I'm afraid to touch too close but it looks okay," Severide gently shrugs. "After you settle things at home we should go see Dr. Barr and get him to do another scan and confirm for sure that nothing else was damaged in the fight."
"Okay," Casey replies quietly as he looks up in wonder.
"You'll get your memory back. You're already remembering things."
"I'm trying to remember the good stuff," Casey frowns as Severide rinses out the last of the soap and then reaches for a small towel.
"It'll come," he tells him gently as he gently helps Casey sit upright and then carefully towel dries some of the wetter parts. "Do you feel sick at all?"
"No just tired and….agitated. Thinking about my mother's role in all this. I keep hearing her call out to Gordon not to hurt me…I called to her to help me and she told him not to hurt me. She…damn it Kelly my own mother stood there and didn't try to help me."
"Hey man I'm really sorry," Severide offers in remorse. "Come on, we both need rest. Let's talk more in the morning."
The two of them exit the bathroom, making a pact not to tell Shay about the hair washing incident. Severide watches as Casey numbly enters the spare bedroom and literally sinks onto the bed and closes his eyes; asleep within seconds.
"She'll never hurt you again Matt, I promise," Severide offers a whispered vow just as his phone buzzes.
A/N: Ah so a frantic search and tense rescue and one baddie is down…will they find Gordon next and will Matt actually send his mother back to jail? Hope you like the sweet broments when they were reunited! A bit more to come so please do review before you go and thanks so much!