After a long ride down the interstate Matt and the guys made it to Indianapolis just after midnight. They were directed to a firehouse that was put in charge of organizing the companies that were being sent in from other cities. The guys stayed out at the trucks while Matt and Kelly walked into the busy station.
They were directed to the briefing room where there was an organized meeting between all of the lieutenants. There was a man in the front of the room who stood up and silenced all of the other people talking. "I'm Battalion Chief Lenning of the Indianapolis Fire Department and have been put in charge of organizing all of the companies from other cities. The situation is, there was a fire that broke out in an industrial park and we are trying to contain it. We have split you guys into groups and we are going to post you on each side of the park and move you as needed. There are two 8 hour shifts for each zone and there are 6 zones. The trucks in your group will be in charge of your zone. Now Chief Edwards will read you your groups and tell you your zones."
A tall man, who was about Matt's age stood up next. "Thanks for coming to help out guys." He greeted before he started to read off companies. "Zone three St. Louis engine 12, truck 93 and Chicago truck 81 and Squad 3." Edwards rattled off and the four lieutenants left the room together. As they walked down the hall Matt looked over to the other two men, one was younger than him and the other was closer to Hermann's age.
"I'm Matt Casey, truck 81." He said and stuck out his hand to the one closest to him.
"Eric Peterman truck 93," The young man smiled, "nice to meet you."
Matt then looked to the older man, "Keith Grimes, engine 12." He smiled and Matt could hear a slight southern accent.
The two men then looked at Kelly, "Kelly Severide Squad 3." He said and shook both of the men's hands. "I can't believe I got stuck with you." Kelly smiled and elbowed Matt in the ribs.
"Yeah well we have to deal with the squad guys. I mean I can't believe they wanted you Mr. Last-to-the-fire-first-to-the-dinner-table." Matt joked back.
"Do you know each other?" Peterman asked with a confused look on his face.
"Yeah we work out of the same house." Matt told them as they waked out the front door. When they walked past 81 and the Squad the men all looked to their Lieutenants. "These are Lieutenants Grimes and Peterman they're going to be working with us. You guys better listen to them and give them twice as much respect as you give us." Matt said and looked around the group.
All of the men nodded and the other two Lieutenants walked over to their own trucks. They drove out to the industrial park and found their zone and started to get all of the hoses set up and concentrated on a silo of flammable chemicals with flames inching toward it.
The four companies worked together perfectly and accomplished their jobs effectively. They were on the defensive and their job was to keep the silo from catching on fire. Their shift passed quickly and before they knew it they were headed over to a firehouse where they could get some rest and food.
Matt and Kelly sat down at the table next to Eric and Keith with their meal. After a few seconds they started talking and the men from all four trucks were sitting together and talking happily.
"How did Gabby take the news of you leaving?" Kelly asked Matt.
"Not well, as you could imagine." He sighed. "I think she was glad you guys came so you could look out for me." Matt said and shook his head.
"You married Casey?" Keith asked as he took another bite.
"Yeah," Matt smiled, "She's great."
"How long have you been married?" He asked curiously.
"Less than a year." Matt responded.
"Any kids?" Peterman asked innocently.
"Yeah, we have a son named Logan; he's almost 6 weeks old." Matt grinned.
"Wow it must have been hard to leave." Eric commented.
"Yeah," he nodded, "especially since Gabby has to go back to work in two days." He sighed.
"Where does she work?" Keith asked.
"At the firehouse, she was a firefighter but went back to the ambulance when she got pregnant." Matt said nodding. "What about you guys, family?"
"I've got a gorgeous wife of 25 years and two boys one's 23 and the other is 20." Keith smiled, "My oldest is going through the academy right now."
"Wow good for him." Matt smiled.
"What about you Eric?" Keith asked.
"Nope, no girlfriend no wife no kids." Eric shrugged. "Kelly?"
"I've got a beautiful girlfriend named Sylvie, no kids. But I seem to be in the presence of a couple of people with experience so I've got a question but this has to stay quiet and away from the guys." Kelly said and looked between Matt and Keith but especially Matt.
"What do you got Severide?" Matt asked and leaned back in his chair with a curious look on his face.
"I was going to ask Sylvie to marry me so any tips?" He whispered.
"Wow." Matt grinned, "Congrats man." He said and Keith and Eric agreed.
"Thanks but I have no ideas." Kelly sighed.
"Does Shay know?" Matt asked and Kelly shook his head no.
"Wait whose Shay?" Eric asked.
"She's my best friend." Eric nodded but Kelly still caught the strange look on his face when he said she. "She's a lesbian." He said so there was no confusion.
"Well," Matt started, "she isn't very good with secrets but she helped me pick Gabby's ring but also almost told her like three times." Matt said with a laugh.
"I'm sure I'll ask her advice rather than risk the wrath of not telling her." Kelly laughed.
"Good idea." Matt smiled.
"Well, it's been a while since I proposed but key to a happy marriage is keeping you wife happy." Keith smiled at the young men. "Well I'm going to go get some rest but I'll talk to you guys later." He said and got up from the table. The other three got up too and Matt wondered out to where the trucks were parked and sat on the front of 81 and pulled his phone out.
He pressed it up to his ear and waited. "Hey." Gabby's soft voice came through the phone. "How are you guys doing?"
"Just another day on the job." He smiled at the sound of her voice. "How are you guys?" Matt asked.
"We're fine, we miss you though." Gabby sighed. She was sitting in the living room with Logan on her lap cooing softly. He was wearing a cute onesie that said, 'Sometimes I pretend I'm a fire truck and I scream' on it. "You sound tired." She said softly.
"Yeah, we've been up all night." He said. "The fire has a lot of fuel." He sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair. "How was Logan last night?" Matt asked.
"He slept through the night." Gabby answered.
"Really?" Matt smiled proudly. "He must be trying to behave for you." He said through a yawn.
"Yeah," She whispered, "go get some sleep."
"I'm fine." He replied, not wanting to hang up from talking to her.
"Go on, call me later. I love you." Gabby smiled.
"Fine," Matt said giving in and standing up, "I love you too, give Logan a kiss for me." He said softly.
"I will. Stay safe." She replied.
"I will. Bye." Matt said before he hung up and walked back inside to find someplace to sleep.
