Title: Never Give Up
Chapter 28 – Danger?
As soon as Casey exits the hospital, he sees Severide waiting by his truck and heads toward his friend with a heavy frown.
"What's going on?"
"Can't just stop by the hospital and pick up my friend for a beer? You okay?"
"First off…"
"Just get in," Severide snickers as Casey looks at him in wonder. "How's Jerry?"
"He's…he's scared and angry and I get it," Casey pauses before he turns on his truck. Severide of course was referring to going and getting a root beer from their favorite diner, something that now had become a bit of a habit to treat the other when they were having a down day or just survived a very tense situation. He knows for Casey to relive those personal moments when he woke up and found out that he'd either need a kidney donation or he'd die and to wake up without having that choice would have brought back a lot of painful memories.
"You okay?"
"Brought back a lot of painful memories," Casey replies as he looks somewhat wistfully out the window, turning to Severide to offer him a tight lipped smile. "He has a choice and I…"
"Didn't," Severide gently interjects as Casey looks over and nods. "I'd do it again you know. No hesitation, no questions asked."
"I know and I know if the situations were reversed I would also. Living a modified live is better than not living at all. So I told him a few things about the road to recovery if he does have the surgery…it's long and painful at times but now I'm ready to go back and the last six months seem almost a distant memory. In some cases they are at times," he gently smirks before his expression clouds once more. "I don't know what he'll do but um…I also told him about Fred. I had to. Felt it was only fair he knows the good and…the bad."
"Fred would want others to learn from him right?"
"Right. Jerry at least has one of his own. He might just say no to surgery right now and wait until he needs a new one and then opt for it then. I wouldn't blame him. Then it can be up to Dr. Tennyson to tell him that if or when that one fails that he…he can venture down the transplant route if he wants."
"Guess he was surprised to see you there."
"He was. I nervous at first and wanted to back out, but figured I'm not ashamed of it," Casey looks over at Severide and nods firmly. "Proud of my Severide part," he continues with a small smile. "Telling him after a few minutes felt better and I walked out feeling like I actually did some good."
"Trust me I'm sure he appreciated it."
"Oh I need a drink," Casey huffs as they stop outside their favorite diner. The two of them head inside and take up seats in their usual booth in the back, ordering two large root beer floats to start. The longer they sit and talk and enjoy their drinks, the more Casey's built up tension starts to slowly subside so that by the time their late lunch of burgers and fries arrives, he's able to enjoy it without much internal discomfort.
On the ride back to Firehouse 51, Casey's mind thinks about Jerry and then sees himself in that same hospital bed, unconscious and Severide and Boden making the tough decision to help save his life – taking what some would consider a drastic measure. But it saved his life and for that he'd be eternally grateful; they never gave up and for that he was alive. The alternative was Fred. It wasn't an option he wanted to consider – ever.
They enter Firehouse 51 and Casey pulls away from his friend and goes in search of his boss, anxious to hear what report Dr. Tennyson had given on his return to work.
"Morning Chief," Casey greets as he enters Boden's office and closes the door. "So…has anything official come back yet?"
"As a matter of fact…it has," Boden pulls out the fax he had gotten the night before and hands it to Casey.
Casey's eyes rest on the words 'return to full working duties approved' and then look up at Boden with a happy grin. "Anything else from Dr. Tennyson?"
"Just to cut down on the number of chances you take. He doesn't know you like I do, and taking chances is not only the profession but in the blood. But I told him that it can be controlled. That's all. Go tell Eric and the teams."
"Yes Sir."
Boden watches Casey leave his office and then rejoin the rest of the teams telling them the good news and he can only smile as he hears the whooping and hollering from his happy coworkers. Boden sits down in his chair and looks at the report and frowns. "But…" he pauses to reflect, his voice a dead whisper, "old habits do die hard."
"Never a doubt you wouldn't return," Eric shakes Casey's hand as Hermann slaps him heartily on the back. "But I will miss the guys here at 51."
"Well I'm sure if they are ever bored," Casey pauses as they all boo, "or need to pick up an extra shift, House 34 will be first on their list."
"You got that right," Cruz nods as he looks at Eric with a serious expression. "You did a hell of a job man."
For the next half hour, the teams all talk and mingle and intersperse; Eric telling them about his new permanent home and Casey and Severide telling them all about the progress on Nathan's mobile library and when it might be unveiled. They had purposely left out anything about their new living arrangements just yet as all that was still being finalized and they didn't want to jump the gun so to speak.
Not too many ask the particulars of Casey's return to full duty, each assuming that if he ever felt the need to sit out a shift because of his injury he could and there would be no questions asked. However, each of them know, that much like themselves they'd probably have to be told to sit it out before they'd ever volunteer to make themselves look weaker.
"Hey Shay…where's Kelly?" Casey asks a few hours later; the rest of the teams returning from a call but Casey opting to stay behind to help with a few things and then finalize some last construction plans for Nathan's library.
"Not sure," she answers with a shrug. "We just got back from a run. Did you try calling out Marco Polo?" She retorts as Casey just shakes his head and lightly snickers.
"Marco!" He calls out softly as Shay turns to gaze at his back with wide eyes.
"Heard that!" She calls back, making Casey chuckle as he disappears into the hallway in search of his friend. But not seeing him, he checks a few more places and then decides to head home to get some rest; the very exciting and somewhat trying day needing to come to a close.
Tomorrow…tomorrow I'm back on full duty…regular shifts…regular calls…danger…tension…just back to normal.
As somewhat nerve-wracking as that starts to become, the thought of just being back with his team and his friends on a regular basis puts his mind at ease. He makes one last stop before reaching the loft apartment and then reaches home tired and just wanting to eat and go to sleep.
But as soon as he opens the door, he realizes he's not alone and puts the steaming pizza down on the table and goes in search of his friend.
"Kelly?" Casey softly calls out as he reaches the top of the stairs.
"Yeah be right out!"
He had seen the bike in the parking spot downstairs and so figured that he must have needed just a few hours to be alone and blow off some steam; presumably from the tense call they had worked on last.
Part of that was right.
"Are you…" Casey nears the bathroom and hears some quickly shuffling and then knocks. "You descent?"
"That's stopped you before?" Severide retorts as Casey slowly pushes the door all the way open. He arches his brows as Severide turns to him with a grin, wearing only his jeans but nothing on top.
"What's uh…something's going on," Casey states as Severide lightly laughs and then turns around. It doesn't take long, mere seconds, for Casey's eyes to zoom in on the markings on Severide's lower back. As he nears his friend his smile starts to grown and he can only shake his head in wonder.
The tattoo simply read 'donated to Matt Casey'
"Wow," Casey's lips utter a soft whisper as he pulls his phone. "That's…wow that's great. Did Wally make that for you?"
"He sure did. I had called him and said what I wanted and then picked them up after the last call. I don't mind having a reminder now and again also."
"Well it's pretty cool. Shay seen it yet?"
"Nope, wanted you to be the first. But I think she'll approve."
"Yup but she will lament the fact she missed the big unveiling ceremony," Casey reminds him as Severide pulls on his sweater.
"Yeah that she will," he agrees as the two of them leave the bathroom and head down stairs. They sit around the kitchen table, eating the warmed pizza and talking about what it would be like now to go back to regular shifts and what meals might look like on their days off and on their days working – especially if any of them picked up extras shifts when the others didn't.
That night Casey's sleep is restful and he wakes up the next morning, ready to go and prepared to get back to his full time schedule.
"Remember if you start to feel too tired…"
"Yes dad," Casey playfully interjects as Shay arches her brows.
"Can I take him over my knee?" Severide tosses back as Shay nods.
"100 lashes."
"100?" Casey tosses back weakly as the other two laugh. "One?"
"Wimp. Ten?"
"None."
"Damn really, no spanking?" Shay moans as the other two look at her in dread and she grins. "What? I have my camera ready."
"I'm going to break that damn thing," Severide warns.
"I'll help," Casey chimes in.
The three of them laugh a bit more about their lame discussion before Casey pulls out the preliminary plans for their new place as they finish up breakfast. Severide takes the bike to work while Shay rides with Casey, asking him how he's really feeling and if he was having any second thoughts about their new plan of all living together.
He wasn't.
"I'm actually looking forward to the new changes," Casey muses as they slowly walk toward the entrance of Firehouse 51.
"So why was Kelly missing last night? I know you asked him."
"He didn't tell you?" Casey tosses back with a grin as Shay slightly narrows her eyes. "Secret."
"Ah damn you two are worse than an old married couple!"
"Who got married?"
"Matt and Kelly," Shay retorts stonily as Hermann, Cruz and Otis all look at Casey in shock, prompting him to roll his eyes and shake his head in disagreement.
"You know Lieutenant I'm very upset I wasn't invited to the wedding. I have the perfect pink party dress at home," Cruz states mockingly as he is at first serious and then laughs as he slaps Casey on the back.
"I would have been a great MC!" Otis adds.
"I think you guys are all nuts," Hermann grumbles as he as he looks up just as Severide enters the building. "Did you at least carry him across the threshold?"
"Huh?" Severide asks as Casey just groans; Hermann walking past them with a snicker. "What…is going on?"
"Blame Shay," Casey sighs as Severide looks over at Cruz and Otis who simply offer goofy grins.
"Right…enough said."
The lame conversation is quickly dropped in favor of more important things – like what kind of breakfast Mills was making for them all and what new scheme Cruz and Otis were about to get wrapped up in. But soon enough the overhead system goes off and it's all hands on deck.
This time after they were all geared up, Eric gestures to Casey to take his rightful place in the front as he hops in the back with the rest of the team from Truck 81; Eric telling Boden he'd finish the last two shifts and then they'd be back to their regular numbers on 81.
As they near the scene, Casey's heart starts to race a bit faster as his brain races to remember everything, fretting for a few seconds that he had lost his ability to remember and lead his team. But true to Boden's kind reassurance a few days ago, as soon as he hops out of the truck's front seat, it all floods back and he's giving orders within seconds.
"Hermann I want you and…"
Boden watches from afar as Casey starts to disperse his team, giving them all the correct instructions before heading into the burning building head of them; Severide slapping him on the back as they all rush in, ready for action. He had told Casey that it was just like riding a bike, you might feel a bit rusty at first but as soon as you're neck deep in the thick if things, it would all come back.
And it did.
"Casey I see the door, can you get to it?"
"Right behind you Mills. I got the door. Take the window. Severide! Where are you?"
"Moving up to the second floor. Capp and Clarke are already there. Where's the vent?"
"Mouch!" Casey's voice bellows.
"Ask and you shall receive!"
"Roof chamber is open! Mills, Hermann open those windows. Severide you're good to go."
"On it. Shay we have two coming out!"
"Hermann head on up to the second floor. I've got this covered."
"Casey…"
"GO!"
Boden listens over the headsets to his team that he can't see, assured of their words that they were all doing the right thing at the right time and they'd all be coming home that night.
And he'd be right.
"Casey," Boden states his name as he walks over to a mildly panting Casey after the call was over and the fire put out successfully. "How are you feeling? Was pretty tense in there."
"Chest is a bit tight, but Dr. Tennyson said would be normal from over six months of inactivity and then just rushing back in. I'll be okay."
"Okay."
Boden knows he can't argue because both Dr. Tennyson and Casey are right; it would take time but he has that and getting back into his regular, but strenuous working routine would ensure each day gets a bit easier. He would be sorry to see Eric Whaley leaving Firehouse 51, but knows that Casey's place is at the helm of truck 81, in the field, leading his men and at his best friend's side; their bond now unbreakable.
"Okay," Boden whispers as he turns and heads for his truck, a content smile slowly dividing his lips.
As soon as they get back to Firehouse 51, they all disperse, talking about the sendoff party they would all be celebrating for Eric that same evening and then off a few days and coming back like it was just business as usual.
"You sure you're okay? We can postpone the party, Eric will understand," Severide states as he and Casey finish dressing in their casual clothes to leave and head over to Molly's to celebrate.
"I think with the sheer adrenaline pumping at being back in charge today and the fire and the rescue…" Casey's voice trails off as he offers his friend a small nod and smile. "I just need a meal and some rest and I'll be okay. Next shift set should be fun," he remarks dryly as Severide slaps him on the back.
"Just don't think you have to overdo it," Severide reminds him with a more serious expression.
"I know. I just want to get a few things done. So we'll finish up Nathan's library this weekend, present it and then concentrate on fixing the House and putting it up for sale and moving and…"
"Whoa slow down cowboy," Severide snickers as the two of them leave the locker room. "It'll all get done. No need to rush right? We already put down some money to hold the new place."
"But I need to sell the House to put down pay you guys back so you'll know I want in just as much."
"Well you know…we do know where you live," Severide teases as they head toward Hermann and Boden; the four of them carpooling in Hermann's van. The talk quickly stems away from the purchase of their new home to Nathan's library and when they might present it to the young boy that had helped them so much.
"Surprise!" Everyone shouts and then laughs as Eric enters right after Casey and Severide and a few others. It was of course said as a joke, as Eric knew all about it and even asked if he could invite some of his new friends from House 34 to join them.
"Alright root beers all around!" Eric calls out as he nods to Casey. Of course Casey didn't expect anyone to amend the party or the drinking arrangements for him; it was a bar after all. But the fact that all of them raised a glass of root beer in Eric's name and honor brought an even bigger smile to his face. And that prompts him to take his glass, clear his throat and step up toward Eric – the rest of the room falling silent around him.
"I just want to offer a special thank you to Eric for helping out the team in my absence. I will be honest when this all started it um…it scared me," Casey pauses as he looks over at Severide and frowns. "But thanks to good friends and a great family here at 51 and some extended," he smiles and nods at Eric, who nods in return, "that fright is gone and now I just see myself getting back to where I was. Eric, the guys have nothing but great things to say about you and I wish you all the best with your new House. Thank you," Casey concludes as he raises his glass; he'd save his special thank you to Kelly when they were back for his first, Eric-free shift in a few days.
"To Eric!" The rest of them chime in, raising their glasses and then taking another sip of their root beer.
"Well it's been a great way for me to help out some old friends," Eric looks at Severide first and then at Casey, "and making new ones. 51 is a great House and sorry to 34 but a tough act to follow," he offers a somewhat sheepish grin, as the few fire fighters from 34 all smile and make a few good hearted comments.
"I also wanted to say a special thank you," Boden pipes up, forcing another hush to fall over the gathered crowd and listen. "The past few months have been worrisome and stressful for all of us, but I think it has also helped us to see just how short and precious life is and what a great support network we all have here. Not just for Casey and Severide, but for all of us that go through life altering events. I'm proud to be a member of Firehouse 51."
"To 51!"
A few more comments are made before the real beers start flowing and the high jinx begin; Hermann and Mills doing a parody for Casey and Severide with Shay jumping in to naturally scold them.
"Think Shay or Hermann planned this?" Severide whispers to Casey as they both watch in amusement.
"Shay," they both whisper at once, forcing her to look over at them and everyone to literally burst out laughing as their faces redden.
"Good to have you back," Hermann comes and sits down by Casey at the bar. "How are you feeling? I mean really feeling?"
"Anxious," Casey admits in a low tone. "I want to prove that I'm the same as before and that nothing happened."
"But you know that if you ever need to sit out a shift or just need to take a break from a call you can do that without any one of us making an issue of it. And if someone makes an issue of it, they'll answer to me," Hermann states with a firm nod as Casey offers his veteran truck team member a friendly laugh.
"I will remember that," Casey replies with a nod of his own as he takes a gulp of his fruity, virgin cocktail.
"How is that? I wanna try it but you know…just don't advertise it," Hermann whispers as Casey just shakes his head and gestures to Dawson to make Hermann one just like his.
"It'll make a man outta ya Hermie!" Severide laughs as he slaps Hermann on the back as he holds his own fruity virgin drink in the air for Hermann to see and just purse his lips at.
"Ah you squad guys are all showoffs," Hermann growls in sarcasm as they all laugh.
The rest of the evening for both Casey and Severide is spent with good friends, laughing and talking and drinking and bonding with each other, old team members and new friends. When it's finally time to call it a night, Casey, Severide and Shay all head home at the wee hours in the morning; reaching the loft apartment and literally crashing – asleep within minutes.
XXXXXXXX
"Bad news?" Severide asks Shay the next morning, the first of their few shifts off.
Shay looks up at Severide with a small frown before she shakes her head and then looks back down at her phone. "It's um…from Clarice."
"What? That is bad news," Severide replies as Casey slowly trudges down the stairs with a sleepy expression and slightly mussed hair.
"You are both lightweights," Shay comments as Casey looks at Severide's slightly mussed hair.
"Blame the Shirley temple's," Casey retorts about the virgin drinks they had the night before. "Think I have a sugar hangover," Casey grunts as he slumps down onto the nearest kitchen stool.
"That stuff can be pretty potent."
"What does she want?" Severide switches the subject back, much to Shay's chagrin. "What?"
"Who's she?" Casey wonders.
"Clarice and she…we have a history and she needs…"
"A quick wham bam thank you ma'am?"
"And you've never had a one night stand?" Shay tosses back to Severide who glares right back. "Besides…she just needs a friend to help with some…"
"Personal stuff?" Severide interjects as Casey stays out of it. "Okay fine…you know what…it's up to you."
"I'm going to take the bus to see her and I'll be back in a few days," Shay replies in a matter of fact tone. "I'm not asking your permission I'm just telling you two because that's what roommates do. Kelly.."
"I worry and that won't change. I'd say the same to Matt if he was going back to someone I know had hurt him in the past. That's all okay? If you wanna go…then go. Just…just be careful."
"Always," Shay whispers as she gives Severide a hug. "I love you…both of you and I will be okay and back in a few days…now can I count on the both of you two to behave?"
"Us?" Casey tosses back with an innocent smile.
"Yeah you and that puppy face always gets him into trouble," Shay rolls her eyes.
"What? Me? I don't fall for that face," Severide replies in haste as Casey laughs at Shay's mock horrified expression. "We'll be fine," Severide tries to assure Shay as she looks at him in wonder. "We'll worry about you more."
"Yeah…we'll just be down on the docks working all weekend. Almost ready for presentation," Casey refers to Nathan's library.
"So…what else did Clarice want?" Severide lightly presses as Shay hands him a steaming mug of decaf coffee. Shay tells them the whole text and what she thinks Clarice really wants and how she'll go there with her heart guarded and would see them in a few days with a few new stories to tell.
"Okay before I go shirts up and turn around," Shay grins as she pulls out her camera. Both Casey and Severide just offer soft groans as they comply, Shay zooming in on the tattoo's and pulling away with a very satisfied grin. After Shay leaves Casey and Severide finish up the dishes and make sure the kitchen is cleaned before they get their day started.
"Want to start the day with an early morning run? We had lots of rain last night but it looks dry right now." Casey suggests as Severide looks outside and then at Casey in surprise.
"Seriously? We got home at like 2am."
"It'll be a good wake up call for us," Casey replies with a yawn as Severide laughs.
"Yeah but don't be thinking I'll be carrying you back here."
"Oh gee that was even an option?" Casey tosses back. "I can go alone."
"Nah I should go too. I need to wake up. Just let me change and we'll go."
"Meet you back here in fifteen."
"Deal."
The two of them dress in jogging shorts and hoodies, taking their phones and heading outside for a brisk, early morning run. They talk about Nathan's library and if Severide really believes Shay will keep her heart guarded. The roads are wet and the air cool but they don't care as they get a bit heated up but also fully awaken; their path leading them to an abandoned construction site away from the noise of the city and also away from any prying eyes or hearing ears.
They spy a rusted out water drum about a hundred yards ahead and then look at each other and grin and nod.
"Last one there buys breakfast!"
"You're on!"
They both charge toward the large empty, over turned container in the near distance, laughing and making jokes at the other that they are getting old and slow and fat; friendly jokes without a care in the world. But what they can't see is the danger that awaits them…for the overturned container had dumped all its contents into the ground below it, coupled with all the rainfall over the past two years – silently lying in wait for someone…anyone to disturb it.
And they do.
As soon as they both reach the area, it only takes seconds for them to realize the folly of their ways as the very wet ground beneath them starts to give way; the loosely covered drilling hole opening it's mouth and hungrily swallowing them up.
Two gasps manage to escape into the cool morning air but that's all that does.
And then….silence.
The rest of the world above and around them goes on about their daily business like nothing's happened.
But it has.
Something terrible.
A/N: Eeks! Okay so Alice found a few new ways to toy with a few kidney issues and yes we did just prolong the story by tossing in some more danger/whump and angst for our boys. Please do read and review and let me know what you thought and thanks!
