Casey knocked on Grace's door that morning before letting himself into her room. She was still sleeping but she half woke up when he called her name and opened the door, letting the light from the hallway flooded into her room. She took a breath and sat up slightly, propping herself on her elbow and struggling to open her eyes.
"Hey," He whispered as he kneeled in front of her. "We're about to leave for the airport."
"Okay," She mumbled.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
"I have no desire to return to L.A." She was more awake now. "Besides, I think Jake needs some time with just you."
Casey smirked. "You'll be okay by yourself? Gabby will be on shift, so will everyone else, so if you need something - "
"Call Christie." Grace finished. "Uncle Matt, I know. I'm sixteen. I can stay home by myself for a few days. I'll be fine."
"Alright," He sighed. "No parties or boys in the house while I'm gone. Rachel and Claire can stay over but only them. And I don't want to hear you were out all night or something. Got it?"
"Yeah," She yawned. "I got it."
"Love you." He kissed her head as he stood up.
"Love you too." She said as she rolled over, trying to go back to sleep.
Casey left her room, closing the door quietly behind him as he headed downstairs. He had a bad feeling about leaving her alone but he couldn't figure out if it was a parent intuition that she was going to throw a party or something, or guilt of not taking her with them. He tried to shake the feeling as he left he house with Jake and headed to the airport.
It was an early flight and Jake slept for most of it. When they arrived in L.A. they dropped their bags off at the hotel before going to get lunch. They stopped at one of Jake's favourite restaurant's that they always ended up going to every time Casey visited. It was a family owned restaurant by two brothers. They had all kinds of food by their clubhouse sandwiches were amazing.
"Did you get the information from your Coach about UCLA?" Casey asked as they waited for their food.
Jake nodded. "Yeah, I emailed the athletic director so he knows we're coming."
Casey frowned as he watched him. "What's wrong, Jake?"
"I want to be normal for once, you know? Normal family and childhood and all that." He said. "I told the director I was coming with my Dad. I don't want to explain my life story anymore. I've lived with you for two years, we have the same last name and you've legally adopted us. So, why does he, or anymore else, have to know the truth?"
"They don't have to know anything you don't want to tell them."
"I just didn't want to blind side you if he said something."
"It's fine, Jake. I don't correct people when they assume you're my son because to me, you are."
"Like with Principal Smith and half my teachers." Jake grinned. "I kind of wish I never told anyone about my parents."
"Where's this coming from, Jake?" He said. "You never cared what people thought about you before. And you can tell people whatever you want about your home life but if you ever want to get close to someone – "
"I don't." He interrupted. "I don't ever want to get close to anyone again. It hurts too much when you lose them."
"I know it's hard, but you can't give up on everyone."
"She knew everything about me. I let her in and told her everything." He shook his head. "I can't do that again."
"Are we talking about Mandy or Rachel?" He asked.
"I broke up with Rachel." Jake said. "Mandy and I weren't even together anymore, but she had a piece of me and now she's gone. I don't want to go through that again."
"Jake," Casey shook his head. "I know how you feel and trust me, pushing those you love away doesn't make it better. It makes it worse. You need those people in your life right now."
"Do we have to talk about this?"
"We flew half way across the country so you could say goodbye to Mandy." He said. "So yes, we have to talk about this. I'm not going to let you spin out of control."
"Can we at least not talk about it over lunch?"
Casey grinned. "Sure."
"You know you have all your attention on me and that leaves Grace wide open, right?" He said. "She's been flying under your radar ever since the pills."
"Are you saying she's due for a step in the wrong direction?"
Jake shrugged. "Or a leap."
OOOOO
Shay headed into Casey's house and up to Grace's room that afternoon. She was surprised to hear from Grace. They were closer when she first moved to Chicago but as Grace adjusted and more people came into her life, they had drifted apart. They both got busy with their lives and now they usually only saw each other at the firehouse.
Dawson wasn't home and Shay was a bit glad for that. Shay knew that Dawson also felt like her and Grace were drifting apart and she even admitted that she was a bit jealous of Grace's relationship with Lindsay. She didn't know how Dawson would feel if she knew Grace had turned to yet another female in her life instead of her.
"What's up?" Shay said, leaning in the doorway of her room as Grace looked through her closet.
"I need a no judgement zone." Grace said.
Shay moved from the doorway to sit on her bed. "Okay, go."
"I have a date with Ben tonight and Tyler asked me to go to a party with him tomorrow."
Shay grinned. "Playing the field?"
"Do I have to tell one about the other?"
"Are you officially dating one exclusively?"
"Not really." She said. "Ben and I have only been on a couple of dates and hung out a few times. And Tyler, well you know about that."
"Yes, you hung out so he could give you drugs."
Grace nodded. "Probably never going to live that down."
"Probably not." She agreed. "You can go one dates with more than one boy, Grace. For all you know, they could be dating other girls too. So, you either have the conversation about labels or you don't and you have some fun."
"Isn't that a bit unethical?"
Shay laughed. "Grace, this is how dating actually works in the adult world. It's a whole different ball game than high school."
"And what about Tyler?" She said slowly. "Is that a bad idea?"
"Look, I've had my fair share of bad exes." She said. "Some of them do change but you'll never know if you don't give them a chance. But a word of advice, don't start telling people you're hanging out with him again."
"You mean Matt and Kelly?"
"Yes, trust me on that one." She shook her head. "Those boys get protective."
Grace smirked. "Yeah, like they have innocent dating pasts."
"Exactly." She said. "So, what are you wearing?"
Grace sighed dramatically. "I don't know. I'm so tired of all my clothes."
"That sounds like you need new ones." She grinned. "Let's go."
Shay took Grace to a few new stores she probably wouldn't have gone into. Grace had the typical teenage girl wardrobe of nice tops, cardigans, leggings and jeans. She needed an upgrade and to find her own style now that she was settled.
When she first got to Chicago, her aunt took her shopping. Christie is conservative and that spilled over into what she bought for Grace. It was all nice clothing but Grace wanted something a little less modest and big more edgy. Shay was the right person for this shopping trip.
Grace ended up getting two new outfits; one for each of her dates. For her date with Ben she got a red flowy skirt with a black band that she paired with a white top with pleated frills. The skirt sat just below her bust and she tucked in the white top to highlight her waist. For the party, she got a champagne coloured tank top with ruffles that she was going to wear with her black skinny jeans.
"You didn't have to pay." Grace said as they drove home. "But thank you."
"Consider it an early birthday present." She smiled and Grace returned it. "What are you plans for your birthday?"
"I don't really know." Grace shrugged. "Jake and I haven't really talked about it."
"You could have a party at Molly's?"
"Is that allowed?" She asked. "It's being a bar and all."
"Yeah, we can ID at the door and give wristbands to anyone underage."
"That would be awesome." Grace said. "We'd probably have the coolest party ever."
"That is probably true." Shay laughed as she pulled up in front of the house. "Hey, have fun tonight and tomorrow. I'm on shift tomorrow but if something happens, call me anyway."
Grace nodded. "I will."
OOOOO
Tyler rang the doorbell, ready to pick Grace up for the party and waited on the steps for her. She opened the door, wearing black skinny jeans, her new top and black ankle boots. Her hair was curled in soft, natural looking waves and her make-up was a big heavier than usual, complete with eye shadow and lipstick.
"Whoa," Tyler said, he couldn't help it. "You look different."
"I felt like it was time for a change." She said.
"You definitely look a lot different than when I picked you up for our first date." He said. "I like it. You look older and a little like a bad ass too."
Grace laughed. "Must be from hanging out with the detectives all the time."
"They definitely have that effect." He said.
The party was outside at a lake house and it was wild. There was everything you'd expect at the high school party; booze, drugs and a lot of people. Grace felt a little out of place at first without Jake being around but she adjusted quickly.
She had a few drinks, but she drank them slowly and she was careful. To her surprise, Tyler didn't drink and he wasn't going near the drugs either. The night moved quickly and Grace was having so much fun she completely lost track of time.
Grace was inside talking to Rachel when all the commotion started. Rachel was upset about the break up and she was drinking a lot. They were in the upstairs bathroom because Rachel thought she was going to be sick, when they heard the sirens.
They ran outside to see the boatshed on fire caused by a bonfire that had gotten out of control. She looked around, trying to find Tyler. He came towards her just as there was an explosion and everyone ran back towards the house as the fire trucks and police pulled up.
The police quickly backed everyone up and into the house. They only way out was now blocked by first responders and a fire that was quickly contained. Grace pulled out her phone for the first time in hours as they waited and realized that it was three in the morning.
She had a few missed calls from her uncle and a few missed messages from her brother. There was also a message from Shay asking about the party, but that was hours ago. She was about to call her back when Boden walked into the house to talk to the police officers.
Grace turned, trying to hide but it was too late, he had already seen her. He finished his conversation before walking over to her. "Where are you supposed to be?" He asked, his voice low and serious.
"At home." She said.
He nodded. "Then that's where you are going."
"I will bring her straight home." Tyler said. "I haven't been drinking or anything."
"I will bring her home." Boden clarified as he looked at Tyler then back to Grace.
Grace nodded, and offered Tyler a smile. "I'll call you later. Can you bring Rachel home?"
"Of course." He answered and Grace followed Boden out of the house.
He didn't say anything on the walk back to the trucks but Grace knew he probably wanted to say a lot. He chose his words carefully, which is why you did exactly what he said, when he said it. He handed Grace the keys to his SUV and she let herself into the passenger seat.
Severide was at her door a few minutes later, pulling it open and resting an arm on the top of the vehicle as he raised his eyebrows at her. "What are you doing out at three in the morning?"
"I didn't know it was this late."
"Your curfew is midnight." He reminded her. "Have you been drinking?"
"I had a few beers." She admitted. "I'm not drunk."
"How did you get here?" He asked. "You better not have planned to drive home."
"No, of course not." She frowned. "Tyler drove and he didn't drink."
"Tyler?" He shook his head. "Does Matt know about this?"
"No." She sighed. "He's changed."
"That's what they all say, Grace." He said. "Boden is bringing you back to the firehouse. We'll talk there."
He closed the door and Grace sighed as Boden got into the driver's seat. She glanced at him briefly before deciding to look out the window instead. He didn't say much to her on the drive. Grace couldn't tell if he was mad or not and she didn't want to find out.
Grace followed Boden through the empty firehouse. The trucks weren't back yet and Dawson and Shay were on a call. "You've got about ten minutes before the guys get back here. Go to Matt's office and use that time to call him." She nodded and turned to leave but he called out, causing her to turn around. "And Grace, make smarter decisions."
She nodded again and turned to leave, heading towards the office. She texted her uncle first, making sure he was still awake and hoping he wouldn't answer, but he did. She closed the blinds in the office and locked the door before sitting on the bed to make the call.
"Grace." He answered.
"Hi." She mumbled.
"Where have you been?"
"I was at a party." She said. "I didn't realize how late it was."
"And what happened at this party?"
"There was a fire." She said. "No one was hurt."
He sighed. "So you broke curfew and went to a party without my permission? Anything else?"
"I had two beers." She said. "And I went to the party with Tyler."
"Well, I don't like that part." He said. "And I don't like that you lied to me."
"You won't give him a chance." She said. "He changed. He didn't even drink tonight."
"I don't want you around him and I have a few good reasons for that, Grace." He said. "But we'll talk about it when I get home."
Grace was quiet for a few moments. "I miss you."
She could hear his smile. "I miss you too, Gracie."
"I kind of wish I would have went with you." She admitted. "I'm having separation anxiety. Jake and I have never been a part for more than a few hours."
"I know, sweetheart." He said. "He's having the same problem."
"At least he has you." She mumbled. "This is why thinking about college stresses me out."
"We'll be home tomorrow." He confirmed. "And we're having a family dinner."
"Speaking of dinners," Grace said slowly. "Ben's parents want to meet you."
