Title: Zero Degrees
Chapter 14 – Starting Anew

"Oww damn it," Casey growls as he rips the bandage off his freshly cleaned skin and tosses the crumpled up sticky mass into the nearby garbage can. He hears a soft shuffle behind him and looks up to see Severide watching with a concerned gaze. In public he knows Casey puts on a good face for everyone to see, but in private, especially when it's just the two of them, Casey's guard lowers and his pride is put on hold and the soft pleading expression begs Severide for some caring concern – something he's at a loss to fight.

"You're making it worse," Severide simply states as he nears.

"You were occupied," Casey replies with a hint of sour in his voice; his face although freshly scrubbed still holding the reddish twinge from his brush with his fiery opponent at work.

"I'm sorry," Severide huffs as he rubs his weary face and takes a few steps into the warmed bathroom; Casey having finished his shower and sitting on the edge of the counter in only a pair of black sweatpants trying to tend to his fresh wounds after the trying day; trying but failing miserably. "Here let me see that," Severide gently swats Casey's hand away as he takes the burn ointment from his grasp; Casey's tired limb automatically falling to his lap to rest. "You made a mess with…"

"Oww…damn it, I know," Casey growls as Severide's hand slightly retreats before continuing.

"Sorry, but hold still."

"Downstairs…earlier. The small curse was about your father right?" Casey dares to inquire as he looks up at Severide with a soft frown.

"Father…uncle…Josh…damn this whole thing is messed up," Severide replies as he tries not to let his anger come resonate down to his fingers and potentially damage Casey's tender skin. "This looks bad. Matt…"

"I wasn't thinking," Casey replies with a heavy sigh as his face slightly winces when Severide starts to apply the large soft bandage covering for the first burn wound on his upper right shoulder before moving to the second. "Sorry about your dad."

"Just wished he had been open from the start," Severide answers as he looks at the second burn mark and frowns. "He's always been that way and most times I'd have just shrugged it off but this time there was too much at stake. Nearly cost me everything," he pauses as Casey's head twists up to see him give him a small nod before continuing. "He never got that. It was always about him first unless it involved the job. Just hard to believe that uncle Don was involved in treason and murder and blackmail," Severide concludes with a small hiss as he finishes tending to the wound on Casey's back on the lower right side.

"How'd he keep it all hidden for so long?"

"Must have had help from the inside. Hold still a sec," Severide gently instructs as Casey leans forward so that Severide can apply the second bandage.

"Thanks."

"Neck."

"Kelly…"

"Sit back down now," Severide gives Casey a small glare that Casey can only shake his head at and retreat back to his original position, lifting his head and allowing Severide to finish tending to his work related wounds. "I think one of the top general's helped him but I gotta agree with dad on this…it's Tahsis's problem now and he can deal with it. I'm not a detective…I just wanted the truth from Josh and I got it…" Severide pauses after applying the cream to Casey's neck burn before applying the bandage. "More than I actually wanted. Just so messed up. Come on let's eat supper."

Casey takes his tee shirt from Severide and allows him to gently pull it over his head and cover his weary frame before they both head downstairs talking about the tense call and a few more details about Severide's visit with Josh. The two of them eat dinner before heading into the living room, Casey lying down on the couch on his non injured side and Severide easing himself into one of Casey's easy chairs.

About half hour later Severide glances over to see Casey asleep and offers him a tender smile before he turns down the volume on the TV and looks outside. His smile morphs into a frown as he watches the small white flakes lightly falling on the wintery night and can't help but wonder where Josh Robinson had gotten to. After all this…no matter what I hope he finds some kind of peace, I really do, Severide's mind muses as stares outside into the inky night sky dotted with white. No matter how hard he tried them, the images from the cabin and nearly losing Casey and his father and his own life, he fears will forever haunt him; much like watching his own brother die at his hands was still haunting Josh. I hope we both have peace.

"Wonder where he is now," Severide whispers into the stillness of the room.

XXXXXXXX

Josh brings his car to a stop outside a small dimly lit house and takes a deep breath, leaning back in the seat and wondering if he should take a chance or just keep moving.

"I have nowhere to go," Josh's lips utter a soft tormented confession.

You have hope. Go and take back your life. It's not too late. Make a new start for both of us, Luke's voice is heard softly inside his muddled brain. With a firm nod of his head and a deep breath, Josh slowly exits his car and heads for the lightly dusted sidewalk; his heart starting to race faster with each step that nears the front door.

His hand curls into a fist and extends to knock, but pulling back at the last second as he contemplates what he's really doing. It's been five years…a lot changes in five years. He steps back and lightly curses, Luke's voice urging him to take the first step in taking back his life. He knocks and then waits; the soft snow gently falling onto the warn leather jacket covering his upper half before melting into micro water pools before being brushed away.

Josh hears footsteps and seconds later the hall light is flipped on and the door slowly opens. For a split second he sees an angry snarling face appear before a gruff male voice yells at him to beat it before he calls the cops. But destiny was going to be kind to the wounded solider and allows his eyes to focus on a soft familiar face; the angry apparition quickly fading.

"Hey Nikki," Josh dares to utter, his heart racing with uncertain fear and his brain cursing his feelings of agitation. They had been in love in high school; the only other person on the planet that he cared for after his brother. When he told her he and Luke were going to join the army he knew it broke her heart. After every tour was up, however, he'd come back and would leave an I'm thinking of you card and a dozen roses at her doorstep but disappear into the night; telling himself he was better off alone and she was better off without him. But the last time they had polished off a bottle of whiskey and spent the whole night in each other's arms before he had woken up at the crack of dawn and disappeared without saying goodbye.

It was the first time in five years he had worked up the nerve to present himself in person. A few seconds later would let him know if the gamble had paid off.

"Oh my god Josh," she exclaims with an emotional gasp before she gives him a small slap to the cheek; her eyes instantly welling before she pulls him into her arms and holds him close; Josh's arms automatically wrapping around hers as he holds onto her like a drowning man hanging onto his last vestige of hope before he's swept under for good.

"I never meant to hurt you Nik...never."

"What are you doing here? What's happened?"

"Actually…everything's fine now. I'm here to see you but um….well if you're not alone I can…I can leave if you need me to. Should I leave?"

"There's never been another Josh I think you know that," Nikki replies with a strained smile as their arms drop but her hand grasps his. "I know you're not here for very lon…"

"I want to stay," Josh interrupts in haste before he winces and looks away; her hand gently resting on his face and turning it back to face her. "Luke's dead."

"I know. I remember the service. I was there. I saw you in the front but by the time I got there you were gone. Josh I'm so sorry. I wish you had stayed after that. Picturing you out there all alone after that broke my heart."

"I'm sorry. Damn I really missed you," Josh utters in a soft whisper as he looks down; their right hands still clasped. "Never been another for me Nik but I know I can't just come back here and ask if you waited…really no one else?"

"Always loved you. What can I say; you're a hard act to follow. But you look tired."

"I'm tired and worn out. I was going to come here and give you um…this," he pulls his hand from hers and pulls out a small paper note but doesn't open it. "I had planned to just leave this place and never look back but um…I met these two guys…reminded me of what me and Luke had and for the first time in a long time I felt like I didn't have to run. I know I didn't always give you what you wanted and for that I'm sorry, so if you want me to go…then I'll just turn around and leave. You tell me Nik and I'll do it. But if you want me to stay I'll stay. I can get a job…I got my discharge papers and…and whatever but it's up to you."

Josh looks at the kind face before him and the warm brown eyes and feels his heart starting to settle as his own eyes threaten to water a little out of remorseful pleading and anxiety.

"You mean all that? A real job? You're done running away for years at a time? You're here to stay?"

"I swear to you Nikki, I'm done. I'm here to stay at least I want to. I made my peace and I…I did things I'm not proud of but um…I found forgiveness and I want a new start. I'm here and I uh…I'm here to stay if you want me to."

Nikki's hand reaches out and closes his fist around the note before she offers her hand to take him into the small, warm modest house and out of the cruel wintery night.

"We have five years to catch up on," she whispers as the door starts to close. "But I also have a surprise for you. Someone I want you to meet."

"What?"

XXXXXXXX

Casey awakens early the next morning to see Severide asleep on the small fold out bed opposite the couch he had fallen asleep on the night before and gives him a small smile before his body stretches and then recoils to its original position from a small twang of pain where his wounded side rubs the couch. But he can't quite stifle the gasp enough and within seconds Severide's eyes flutter open and he looks over at Casey with a small frown.

"Morning," Casey greets as he swings himself around to a sitting position and rubs his weary face, his arms stretching out and then retreating in haste. "I…you stayed all night?"

"Was as tired as you," Severide replies with a small smile as he looks over at Casey in concern. "Bandage came off your neck."

"Now I know why I dreamt of being stung by a bee," Casey chuckles as his fingers gingerly touch the chaffed wound. "How'd you sleep on that thing?"

"Actually not bad," Severide shrugs as they both stand up and slowly head into the kitchen to get the day started. Casey heads for the coffee maker to get the coffee started, Severide looking outside at the snowy morning and grumbling at the fact that he'd have to nearly shovel out his car just to get home and then back to the Firehouse for his shift; Casey taking one more day to rest his burns before going back and putting the heavy gear on them.

"See you tomorrow," Severide tells Casey about half hour later as they both head for the front, Severide stepping outside into the lightly falling snow and Casey giving him a small wave before turning around and heading inside to get a few things done on his forced day off. As much as he hated to just stay home, as he moves his arm up, the heavy bandaging reminds him that taking it easy was the right thing to do and there was no shame in that.

But as he goes about his day he can't help but think about the past few days events and how strained a lot of their conversations last night had been and wonders if maybe strong friendship would be strained because of everything that had happened. He hopes not as losing Kelly's close bond would be tantamount to losing his own sibling; a feeling he and Josh Robinson would share in common.

Casey goes about tidying his living room, turning on the TV to add voices to the silence and already missing Severide's company and conversation. Reflecting on what Josh had brought to the fore and made so apparent to all of them, makes him realize that the bond between him and Kelly was growing stronger and he didn't want to cause a rift. But at the same time he was worried about Severide pulling back because of his family turmoil.

He looks around his cleaned home and mutters to himself before he heads upstairs to change and then back down and outside; heading toward and a very familiar establishment.

"Hey lieutenant, thought you were off today?" Otis asks as he and Hermann approach Casey as he enters Firehouse 51.

"You okay?" Cruz also asks in concern as he joins the truck trio.

"I'm fine. Was bored at home and figured I'd do a bit of cooking for you all," Casey answers with a grin as he goes in search of the Boden to make sure that the Chief didn't get the wrong impression with him being there when he should be at home resting.

Severide enters the main doors to the Firehouse and walks up to Shay who looks at him with arched brows.

"Casey's fine," Severide tells her first.

"I know he's here. How are you?"

"Fine…what? Matt's here?"

"Yeah he is and I know you're not fine Kelly," Shay retorts.

"What's Matt doing here?" Severide tries to push past.

"He's cooking," she blocks his path.

"What? Damn he should be…Shay what?"

"Hold on a sec. What happened yesterday? You had something personal to take care of? Then you go to see Casey and don't come home. What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. I had to see…it's nothing really. It was…I had to see someone about some family business that had to do with my uncle's death. I got my answers and then I got your text and rushed over to see Casey. Boden was a bit pissed but I think he understood or at least I hope he did," Severide huffs as he turns away, shakes his head and then looks back at Shay with a small frown. "You and Matt…you're the only real family I've ever felt close to and I nearly lost one and I had to find some answers. It's okay now Shay."

"You sure?"

"Actually I am. The stuff with my uncle is now with the military and I talked to my dad and…"

"Yesterday? You saw your dad?"

"It was a busy day," Severide lightly groans. "What's Casey doing here?"

"Maybe he missed you," she smiles. "He's really cooking like I said. Kelly…"

"Shay I'm okay alright? Yesterday was a real eye opener but it's over now and I think everyone will just move forward and start new. Cooking?"

Shay gives her roommate a small smile and headshake as she watches him leave before turning and heading for her own partner and getting back to their girl talk. Severide rounds the corner and sure enough sees Casey behind the kitchen counter wincing as his body twists the wrong way. He can only lightly growl under his breath as he nears; Casey looking up and giving him a small smile before he holds up his hand.

"I was bored and the house was clean," Casey quickly qualifies his presence at the Firehouse. "I'm okay alright?"

"Stubborn and hard headed," Severide smirks as Boden approaches them.

"Everything okay here?" Boden asks in a low tone, both Casey and Severide looking at each other first before looking at Boden before nodding. "You two are going to give me grey hair," he sighs before he turns and walks away.

"Does he even get grey hair?" Severide snickers as Boden pauses and looks back with a less than amused expression before carrying on; Severide turning back to Casey who merely purses his lips but says nothing.

"About yesterday. Kelly look if I pushed a bit too hard about your family I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad at you Matt. I was…yesterday I was stressed and caught a little off guard; trust me I value what we have and you'd have to do a lot more than ask a few questions about my family to ruin that."

"How about getting burned?"

"You did it on purpose right?" Severide teases as Casey quickly defends his actions. "This is actually good."

"You sound surprised."

"Well it has been a while right?" Severide tosses back as Casey just looks at him in amusement.

"You hear from Josh at all?" Casey suddenly inquires in a more serious tone.

"No, you?"

"No and I doubt we will. Maybe it's better this way and I hope he finds a place to settle down and just try to get on with his life."

"Yeah so much pain at losing the one person he cared most about," Severide huffs as he takes another morsel from the plate Casey lays out for the teams. "This is really good."

"You still sound surprised," Casey chuckles as he calls the teams to come and get their food. For a few brief seconds his mind drifts back to the time he had offered to cook for the teams as a peace offering after Andy had died and Severide had just blown him off and how it hurt his feelings and pained his heart. But to hear his praise and to see him making a big deal of his meal in front of the team warms his heart and fosters mutual feelings of brotherly affection.

But as soon as the overhead paging goes off and he watches the teams rush out, he offers Severide a firm nod and tries to downplay his disappointment at having to be left behind due to an injury. For a few split seconds he contemplates ignoring the doctor's orders and rushing toward truck 81 with the rest of his team but a stern glance back from Boden keeps him frozen in place; making him curse his injuries and pray tomorrow comes quickly.

"Good call?" Casey asks somewhat sourly as he watches Severide enter the quiet sleeping area a few hours later, heading toward the small bed he was resting on and easing himself down on the opposite bed.

"Just rest okay," Severide directs before Casey can fully upright himself. "No one died so that's always a good thing. Having fun here?"

"I found out that Derek the janitor has two older brothers, both of whom each bought a Dalmatian they both named buzz," Casey snickers as Severide joins in the chuckle. "Plus…and don't tell Otis this but I actually went looking for ice cubes."

"And?"

"Damn box outside makes them perfectly. Maybe that thing is useful after all," he resigns as both look up to see Otis watching with a wide grin. "Otis…"

"Chief just said I needed your buy in and we could get another! Thanks Lieutenant."

"My fault this time," Casey playfully groans as he hangs his head and laughs to himself as Severide smiles and nods. "Maybe he'll paint this one yellow."

"And call it buzz…you know buzz the ice box?"

"Perfect name!" Otis calls out as Casey and Severide each exchange mock horrified expressions.

"That was your fault," Casey tells Severide directly as Severide resigns his defeat. "You know we'll never hear the end of it now."

"How about we take it up to the cabin with us next time?"

"For target practice?" Casey snickers for a few seconds before his face turns serious. "Or not."

"Matt…"

"Yeah maybe not for a while right?"

"We know it was Josh and he gave me his word that he'd never do that again."

"He actually said that?" Casey asks in surprise.

"He did and I believe him but if you don't want to go back that's a whole other story and I will respect that."

"Can't turn down Bambi and beer right?" Casey suggests with mock seriousness.

"And don't forget Camp Sleepaway."

"After all that you want to subject us to a cheesy horror flick?"

"Scared?" Severide goads with a wide grin.

"Hardly," Casey brushes it off in a hurry. "Seen it yet?"

"Nope. You?"

"No. But I'll bet that you offer a scream first," Casey goads.

"Oh you're on but if anyone's gonna lose it's you junior!" Severide tosses back with a laugh. The two of them talk a bit longer before the overhead paging system goes off and squad is called for an icy water rescue; Casey once again feeling his anxiety starting to surge as Severide slaps him on the back before he rushes toward the doorway. He remembers one time Severide joked about holding his breath every time Casey's team was called to a tense situation and now inside he understands the anxiety that Kelly had tried to explain to him in the past and he knows the closer their bond becomes the stronger those feelings of anxiety would grow.

Casey leans back on the bed, folds his arms under his head and tries to think about their next trip to the cabin instead of watching the clock tick and ponder his current boredom.

Severide returns two hours later, tired, cold and wanting nothing more than to take a hot shower and literally collapse onto one of the small beds. After his hot shower he heads for his locker and pulls it open, looking at the small 'I'm sorry' note and reaching for it. "Damn," Severide mutters under his breath before he closes the door and heads toward the sleeping area; spying Casey's dirty blond hair still on the bed.

Unaware that Boden was watching him with a proud smile, Severide gently covers Casey with a blanket and then collapses down onto the other bed, pulling his own blanket over him and praying for the alarms to be silent for at least a few more hours. His wish would be granted.

XXXXXXXX

Two days later…

"Casey, look out behind you!" Hermann shouts; Severide cringing as he waits outside, his anxiety skyrocketing at the voices of the missing men on the headsets.

"Chief!"

"Casey knows what he's doing Kelly," Boden warns; a few seconds later the side door busting open and Casey emerging with a child in his arms, Hermann and Cruz behind him. Shay and Dawson rush in to get the young boy as Severide hurries toward Casey.

"You okay?" Severide asks in concern as he helps Casey remove his breathing apparatus, gently patting him on the back while his chest slightly heaves.

"Yeah…fine," Casey nods as he takes the bottle of water from Severide's hands and despite the biting cold all around them, guzzles down half the bottle and then splashes some on his face.

"Casey you okay?" Boden asks as he nears.

"Yeah chief fine," Casey replies in truth as he takes another hearty gulp of the cool liquid and then looks at Severide with a soft frown. "I'm okay."

"Okay," Severide nods. His eyes drift past Casey's frame for a few seconds, resting on what looks like a familiar burgundy sedan but turning away for a few moments and then looking back at Casey when he asks a question to see the car and its occupant gone.

"Kelly?"

"You should get warmed up a bit, it's freezing out here."

"You saw the car also right?" Casey asks in haste. "It wasn't just me?"

"I think he misses his brother and just wants to be reminded of what a caring brotherhood is like," Severide answers in truth. "Let's go."

Whether it was Josh or not, Casey couldn't deny the truth in Severide's words; Josh was missing his brother and just wanted to be around ones that reminded him of what he had, force him to think of happy memories instead of the tormented ones he had created for himself after his brother's murder at his unwilling hands.

"I swear it was a real order," Otis's voice sputters as Hermann looks at Casey and rolls his eyes.

"Please tell me this is all a fairytale," Hermann groans as he slumps down

"Maybe the little green men are coming for it," Mouch deadpans as Casey heads for the kitchen, patting Mills on the back as he heads for the coffee station to make them all something warm to drink.

"Yeah to take it and its maker away," Cruz tosses in as the whole table laughs; every member of the truck and squad teams tossing in their teasing comments to Otis about his green ice cube maker.

"Two more days, you ready to back down from the bet?"

"No way," Casey pushes back. "I know you'll cave first."

"Just promise me you both come back in one piece," Shay groans as she walks past them, both of them looking at her before looking at each other; not surprised at all that she would pick up on it before anyone else, even Boden.

XXXXXXXX

"You sure we have everything?"

"Could use a few degrees of warmer weather," Casey groans as he heads for the back end of Severide's car. But when the truck is popped, Casey looks at the box in the back and then up at his friend in wonder.

"Peace offering from dad," Severide informs him as he makes space for Casey's duffle bag. "It's a start right?"

"Those are 12 ounce steaks? That's a great start," Casey grins as the trunk is closed and both get into the warmed cabin of Severide's car. "No ice cube maker I see. That was you with the phony offer right?"

"Actually I think it was the Chief. I think he felt sorry for Otis," Severide smirks as he pulls away from the curb. "Maybe it's a dad thing."

"Your dad felt sorry for you?"

"More like himself," Severide retorts. "I haven't spoken to him since our showdown and I think this is his way of breaking the ice and just wanting to start new. But hey the good stuff's on him so I can't complain right?"

"Right," Casey agrees as they head toward the freeway and then the cabin in the snowy woods. "But the note says he didn't stock the wood pile."

"Guess we know what the loser of the bet is doing," Severide looks over at Casey with an eye brow wag; Casey laughing but hastily retorting that he wasn't going to lose.

As they near the cabin, Casey's drift toward the direction of where he had been held prisoner by Josh Robinson, Severide hearing the silence and looking over in concern.

"I believe what you said, just hard not to remember what happened last time," Casey confesses as they turn down the snowy driveway heading toward the front of the cabin. "Still have nightmares."

"You'll have more tonight after the movie."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" Casey retorts with a small groan as Severide snickers.

"You'll scream before I will. Hey just be glad I haven't challenged you to the wrestling match you still owe me," Severide reminds him in mock seriousness.

"You in a hurry to lose?" Casey counters, earning himself a hearty chuckle. "It's bad enough I have to sit through some lame horror movie. And when did it become pick on Matt Casey day?"

"That's just part of my job, little brother," he winks as Casey shakes his head.

"I should make your dad pay for that remark," Casey lightly chuckles; outwardly protesting the familial connection but inwardly delighting in the fact that belonged to something he cared just as much about.

"Well…everything looks in order," Severide comments lightly as they stop in front of the quiet cabin and both look at the darkened dwelling before them; a few seconds later exchanging wondering glances.

"Let's go," Casey suggests with a small head gesture as the two of them get out. Severide heads for the front door to check if everything's in order while Casey opens the trunk and reaches for the cooler of food. "Everything okay?" He inquires as he joins Severide at the front door.

"Yeah like nothing ever happened," Severide replies as he lets Casey head inside while he turns and heads back to the car to get their duffle bags a few extra items they had brought up. "Feel like talking a walk? You know earn your supper?" Severide can't resist.

"Hardly. I'm not going out in those woods before dark again," Casey shakes his head as he closes the fridge door. "Course we never did get to see the lake."

"We do have all weekend," Severide reminds him in truth.

"Snowball fight and walk tomorrow and this time no one goes off track or waits behind for the other."

"Hey waiting behind was your idea to wait," Severide tosses back. The two of them start into a further dissertation about lame things that people say in horror movies that usually end up getting them killed in some horrible way and how confident they each were about winning the bet over the other.

"Steaks are good," Casey comments as they leave the back deck with the small barbeque slightly smoldering and head inside where the rest of their supper is waiting.

"My dad knows his peace offerings," Severide gently frowns as they start into their food. "What seasoning did you use on this?"

"You like it?" Casey asks with some uncertainty.

"Actually I do," Severide replies with a wide grin. "Still surprised."

"I should win the bet on the merit of my good cooking alone," Casey boasts as they continue. About half hour later, fresh beers in hand the two of them slowly wander into the darkened living room to watch the first movie – the cheesy horror; the second, Bambi on hold until the next night with another bet on who would cry first watching the classic Disney movie.

"Really if they go there alone don't they know they're going to die?" Casey groans as he takes another swig of his beer; the movie already started.

"At least we haven't seen the typical blond in her underwear…"

"Running through the dark woods and then tripping at the right moment," Casey concludes as they both laugh.

"Want another beer?"

"Sure," Casey nods as he turns back to the cheesy horror flick; not paying much heed to his hidden friend. But a few seconds later, as the room fills with silence, Severide's hands land on Casey's shoulders at the exact moment someone in the film meets a grisly ending; forcing the Casey's pitch to raise as he lets out a scream.

"Damn you Kelly!" Casey curses as Severide pulls back laughing heartily; Casey pausing the film to look at Severide with a cross expression. "You knew that was coming."

"Did not but damn…" he pauses to laugh, "that was kinda high pitched Matt. Almost…girlish."

"Was not. That was…the TV," Casey stammers as he turns back with a muttered curse; Severide coming back to the couch and holding up his peace offering.

"Oh come on take it," Severide snickers as he shoves the cold beer bottle in Casey's grasp. "Tell you what I'll even go and get the wood."

"Ah I lost fair and square," Casey huffs as he stands up and looks down at Severide who merely looks up with a big grin.

"At least you're not out there in your underwear," he teases as Casey shakes his head and walks toward the door.

"I'm not a girl. They always go first."

"Don't tell Shay that, she actually wrote into one of these producers and slammed them for making the female victims so lame and helpless," Severide chuckles. "Matt…it'll wait until morning."

"If you don't hear from me in…what is it like half hour? Come searching alone. Oh and remember to bring the flashlight with no batteries," he adds before he grabs the axe and heads for the back door, remembering Severide telling him on the way up that the freshly cut wood pile had been depleted. He flips on the back light and stares at the small path leading to the darkened shed, chastising himself for letting a few Hollywood special effects make him ponder the fact that something could go horribly wrong.

But as he pulls open the door to see just what was left, he stares in shock at the freshly cut and dry wood that was neatly piled up to the roof; already cut and ready to use. With a few more mental wheels starting to turn, he flips on his small flashlight and heads for the utility shed; pulling the door open and looking at the red wagon – repaired and ready for use.

"What on earth?" He mutters to himself as a feeling of being watched descends upon him.

Casey turns back and squints into the darkness, fixing his gaze in the direction of Josh's hunting cabin and wondering if maybe…Josh, as part of his apology had done all these small but important things.

"Stay warm Matt," Josh whispers as he puts his binoculars away and then turns and heads back into his own small cabin where his new life was waiting. He had wanted to just push Kelly and Matt out of his mind for good; but despite all the heartache and pain he had caused them, they had repaid him with kindness and forgiveness so had vowed the moment Kelly Severide had left that he would do what he could to watch over them both and make sure nothing happened to them – even if it meant ensuring fresh wood was there so they wouldn't freeze to death.

As he closes the door, his mind thinks back to the discussion he had with Nikki the night he went to see her to let his intentions be made known.

'Josh this is Jacob Lucas Robinson. Your son. He doesn't know you yet but he will.'

'My…son?'

'Never been another for me Josh. Not ever.'

It had broken his heart to learn that Nikki had tried to find him after the funeral, wanting so badly to tell him the good news but he had disappeared; slipping into silence as part of his own personal torment. He had also left word that he didn't want to be contacted by anyone for any reason, thus not enabling the mother of his child to not find him and let him know he indeed did have something worth coming back to, staying and fighting for.

'I told him you were with the military overseas but that you never stopped loving him and would be back and we'd be a family; the family we both talked about having together remember?'

That heartfelt statement brought him to his very knees and two days later he made Nikki Robinson his wife, determined to start the right way right from the start.

"Everything okay out there?" Nikki asks in wonder as he joins her in front of the small fireplace, Jacob nestled between them.

"Everything's going to be just fine," Josh replies with a small nod as his son looks up at him in wonder.

"Tell me a story daddy."

"Okay," he settles back, pulling his beloved son into his grasp and holding him close. "This is the story of two brothers, Kelly and Matt. Who against a life and death battle, proved their love for each other is stronger than blood."

"Who are they daddy?"

"Friends Jacob. Friends," he looks over at Nikki, takes her hand and gives it a firm squeeze. "Friends worth fighting for. Friends who gave me something worth living for," he tells her warmly.

Casey takes a step toward the back of the cabin, uttering a small gasp as Severide's hand lands on his arm. "We're done betting!" He growls.

"You didn't hear me?"

"Lost in thought," Casey frowns. "Has it been half hour?"

"I'm paranoid when it comes to you finding trouble. Okay so I'm a worried older brother," Severide retorts as Casey purses his lips. "Need a hand with the wood?"

"Sure, how much can you carry?" Casey retorts as he turns and leads them back to the small wood shed.

"You cut that much down already?"

"Actually…" he pauses as he pulls the door open and flashes his light on the neatly chopped and stacked wood. "It's already done."

"What the hell? Dad must…have…" his voice trails off as he too looks in the direction of Josh's cabin and then back at Casey's wondering expression.

"You really think it was your father?"

"Guardian angel?"

"Can never have too many of those right?"

"No you can't," Severide agrees as he takes a few pieces of wood and both head back inside; not realizing just how great and important an impact their strong bonds of brotherly friendship had had on a complete stranger and how, even if they didn't know it, they did have a new watchful eye, making sure they were both looked after; one who's life they affected significantly.

"Okay so where did we leave off?"

"Matt Casey screamed when he was being stabbed," Severide teases as he puts the last piece of dried wood into the fire place to make the warmth increase.

"It wasn't me," Casey groans as the two of them slump back down onto the couch and each reach for their beers. "You think it was Josh who did that with the wood?"

"Maybe," Severide shrugs. "Maybe that was part of the I'm sorry, or maybe he was bored. As I said he might need a hobby. We could always give him one of Otis's stupid little ice cube makers as a peace offering," Severide grins.

"Was thinking more along the lines of asking him for lunch…just to you know…clear the air between the three of us and start new?"

"Who gets to ask?"

"Wrestle you for it when the movie's over," Casey grins.

"You still watching this lame movie?"

"Well we've come this far, we have to see who the real killer is now," Casey suggests. "Besides it's up for an academy award."

"For what? Special effects?" Severide deadpans. "Or the dramatic acting?"

Another bout of warm laughter is heard; the friendly wrestling match put on hold while the two of them go back to finishing up the campy horror flick, talking more about Josh Robinson and their next trip to the cabin; bringing their ice skates and a few hockey sticks and of course another friendly wager in the works.

A few weeks back they had come up to the cabin as friends but now a few weeks later would be leaving as brothers; their loyal bond tested literally to the point of death but proving to themselves and one other man that loyalty is stronger than blood. Betrayal, deception, murder and torture had defined their lives for the past few weeks and gave them all a new understanding into the darkness that can cloud a human being's sense of right and justice. But they had also been aided by qualities that had met the evil ones in combat and beat them back one adversity at a time so that in the end three lives emerged victorious and one traitor was laid to rest.

As the snow continues to lightly fall outside, blanketing the surrounding area in hope and promise, those escaping the zero degree temperature inside were all on a new path to start fresh and not take for granted the secure future they each had in front of them.

"Daddy what happened to the two brothers? Did they live happily ever after?"

"They lived Jacob, that's what counted most."

"Alright if you wanna switch to something else we can."

"Now you wanna switch? Afraid I'll make you scream like a girl again at a scary part?" Severide snickers as Casey looks over at him with a serious expression.

"That will not happen."

"Wanna bet?"

THE END!

A/N: wow so we reached the end! *sniff sniff* yeah I too am sad to see it end but it was a fitting place to end as everyone got their happy ending and hey I had to leave our boys at camp sleepaway right? Hehe. But I want to THANK YOU all so much b/c this had started as a 3 shot and then I had figured maybe 10 chaps and you got 4 extra so I hope that's okay and you all liked this ending as much as the rest of the story. I hope you were all happy to see Josh get his happy ending after all that and of course the bond between our boys only growing stronger. So please do review (Esp those that faved/alerted and never reviewed - hey the story is over so a thanks for the hard work would be in order right?) before you go and keep an eye on your in box for a new adventure for our boys coming soon thanks everyone YOU ALL ROCK!

PS: Hope you're all caught up with Rebuliding from the Ashes