Happened in Season 8, before Stella officially moved in with Severide and Casey. The idea is from Season 7 when Casey told Stella off about her suspicion in the child endangerment case. He is a bit of an ass here, but by no means I dislike him… being someone in charge comes with pressure which he sometimes didn't deal with well. Of course, Violet instead of Foster, because I can relate to Violet better. It seems the only ladies I can relate to are Stella, Violet (the paramedic not the niece), Christie and Hailey so they're gonna be everywhere in my stories (yes, I wrote for PD too).
A lot of Christie because I just rewatched Season 3.
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"So, you said you would text her but you actually won't?" asked Ritter in disbelief.
"It's widely known, that if someone said 'I'll text you', there's not gonna be any text," said Gallo.
"It's not since it's literally what you said," argued Ritter.
"I've been doing it for some time, no one was as angry as you are," said Gallo.
"Or maybe, you just don't know if they are actually angry because you didn't text them," retorted Ritter, taking a pan of chicken out of the oven. "Violet, what's your take?"
"They all texted me," shrugged Violet nonchalantly.
"Aha, then you texted her," Ritter ribbed Gallo.
"Or maybe she texted me," said Gallo.
"Excuse me?" Violet looked up from the report she was doing with Brett.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" Stella rolled her eyes at the entertainment that is Gallo and Ritter.
"If you go on a date and the guy tells you he'll text you, would you be expecting a text?" asked Ritter.
"Whoa, where is this coming from?" asked Stella. Ritter pointed at Gallo. "Don't say… Gallo! You didn't?"
"Ah, really?" Brett jumped in the conversation.
"Well, I texted the ones I really want to ask out. Ladies can do the same too," defended Gallo.
"Gallo, I'm gay, but I believe it works the same regardless of the gender we're dating," said Ritter.
"I'm flattered you texted me," said Violet dramatically. "I wish I didn't reply, to avenge all the ladies you gave false promises to!" She glared at Gallo. Brett giggled and Stella nodded.
"I am persistent, I would've texted again," said Gallo. "On another note, please change the topic."
"Wise, seeing that there are three ladies and Ritter who are ready to throw you into the oven," Cruz jumped into the conversation.
"Yeah, if lunch isn't served soon, we will eat you up instead," said Capp.
"Truck 81, Ambulance 61, vehicle accident."
"You better hope Kidd didn't accidentally dropped halligan on you to avenge the ladies whose hearts you broke," threatened Violet to Gallo as they left the common room.
"Tempting," chimed Stella.
"That was unsettling," said Mouch. They all looked at him.
"Pack up, come on!" said Casey.
They all stood there, stunned. The accident was of a teen girl and a middle-age man. When Stella reached through the window, the girl held on to her and shook her head slightly, whimpering and avoiding Gallo who reached in previously. She refused to be taken by Gallo, only clinged to Stella until the man was taken away. The man was unconscious, therefore he was taken by 61. When Stella carried her to the other ambulance, she squirmed when she saw the male paramedic. She only released Stella when the female paramedic approached.
"Casey, I think it's a child services case," said Stella.
"Pack up, we're done here," said Casey.
"Casey, she's…"
"Kidd, we're done here. Pack up," said Casey and left her. Mouch pulled her away. They all knew Casey's temperament issue source: Chief Tiberg was in the office earlier, talking to Boden and Casey.
"You see how she acted. She is either abused, or kidnapped," said Stella.
"I know, but it's not time to approach the active volcano," whispered Mouch. Stella huffed. She finished overhaul without further comments, climbing into the truck and drove to the firehouse. When they got back, Stella went to the common room to get Tuesday and took him out for a walk. The ambulance got back shortly after.
"Hey, how was the victim?" asked Stella.
"Still unconscious when arrived," said Brett. "What is it? You seem agitated."
"The girl… she was scared. Not scared of the accident. She pulled away from Gallo, and from the male paramedic from Ambulance 93. It seems like she is scared of men. She seems relieved when she saw the other victim unconscious. I don't know… maybe she is kidnapped? Or abused? I cannot pinpoint exactly, but…"
"Have you report it?" asked Brett.
"Yeah, got yelled by Casey," said Stella.
"Ah, the chain of screaming," shrugged Violet.
"The what?"
"Chain of screaming. So the chief that was here this morning, he screamed at Casey. I was photocopying forms so I heard. Casey screamed at you. You screamed at Tuesday, Tuesday will bark angrily at Ritter, who will… I don't know, probably scream at a random person, let's say a bystander for taking picture during a rescue. The bystander will report the incident to HQ, and the Chief in the HQ will scream at the chief this morning to train his firefighters manner. Basically, it's a full circle," said Violet.
"Okay, you lost me at Tuesday and Ritter, they're the sweetest, but I get your point," said Brett.
"I don't. I will never scream at you, huh?" Stella sat on the ground and scratched Tuesday. "No, I won't. Let Captain Grumpy yell at me, I won't at you, huh, Tuesday?"
"So, what are you gonna do?" asked Brett.
"Let it go," huffed Stella. "I don't feel like leapfrogging to Boden."
"Try Severide?" suggested Brett.
"And what? Another Severide-Casey war? Nah, not interested," said Stella.
"Your instinct turned out right the last time, you saved two kids from child endangerment," encouraged Brett.
"I'll observe, then, probably I'll try again with Casey," said Stella. "Promised myself I will not let Kelly fight my battle."
"I hope I can vouch for you, but we didn't see the girl," said Brett.
"Or ask the ambulance who took the girl? I have Zhou's contact. The female paramedic, Natasha Zhou. I'll ask her if there's something weird," said Violet.
"Thanks," said Stella. Violet quickly got on her phone, typing away.
"Hey, Kidd," Violet called her from the bunk room. They went to the locker room. "So, I've asked Zhou. She said, the girl had panic attack when Dr. Sexton approached her, they had to wait until Dr. Manning was available," she held her phone up.
"I can't ask her, that's patient confidentiality," said Stella. "Alright, if I'm not back in 30 minutes, tell Severide I love him."
"Don't be dramatic, he's sweet," said Violet.
"More like a sweet and sour, with too much vinegar," Stella rose and went to Casey's quarter. She knocked and opened the door. "Captain, may I?" Casey glanced and nodded. "The victim from the car accident. When Gallo reached inside, she was scared. She didn't want him to touch her. She didn't want to be near the male victim, even though he was unconscious. And she refused to be handed over to the male paramedic," said Stella.
"She was in an accident. Of course she was scared," said Casey.
"But she didn't refuse me. Or Zhou, the female paramedic of 93. She was terrified of the other victim, and male in general," said Stella. Casey exhaled deeply.
"When we make a save, we pull the victim out of danger, we hand them to paramedic. We don't assess their psychological behaviour. Understood?"
"I just think…"
"Just do your job, Kidd. You're hired to do your job, which is to save victim from danger. Fire, accident, that's it," said Casey.
"What if she was abused? Or kidnapped? Doesn't she need to be saved too?" Stella increased her voice. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw someone in the locker room, peeking, and Severide looked from his quarter.
"I know you were right with the child kidnapping case. Don't need to turn any save into a heroic case. Not any case has a story behind it," said Casey. Stella wavered. She thought Casey would trust her more after that case.
"All due respect, if I was right then, I might be right now," said Stella firmly. "Well, point taken, Captain." She turned away, hid her misty eyes. She went to the locker room. Brett and Violet were there. "Well, I tried." She sat beside Brett.
"What can we do?" asked Violet, leaning to the locker across them. Stella wiped her tears. Brett rubbed her back.
"Let me hide in the Ambulance?" asked Stella. Severide walked to them. "No, you don't need to be involved," said Stella.
"Just wanna see how are you doing," Severide kissed her forehead. "And about to give my two cents."
"No need, Kelly. I'll fight my own battle," said Stella.
"If it was you two, or Gallo, I'll say the same thing," said Severide.
"Just let it go, Kelly. I'm my own person, I can fight my own battle," snapped Stella. "Sorry."
"Come on, let's get to Ambo. Violet just restocked our snack, we can sit there and shelter from the stupidity that is called men," said Brett. They stood and Brett latched her arm to Stella.
"Hey!" protested Severide.
"You're just alright," said Brett. Stella wiped her tears again and went to the sink to wash her face. Severide went to Casey's quarter.
"She came to you?" Casey hollered when he saw Severide.
"She didn't, I heard on my own, and I think Boden would hear too with how loud you yelled at her," said Severide. "Don't need to say anything. I'll be out of here as soon as possible, I can't stand looking at you. Whomever you yell like that to, I'll say the same thing. You are out of line, you don't act like a leader, and most importantly, you don't act like Casey. You and me both, we go out of the way to make sure a victim is save, we went to Med to follow up with cases. Last time you rebuked her, she ended up right. If she was right this time, and that girl can be saved from whatever hell she's in, but that didn't happen because you stood in the way, her blood is on you. You talk all the time about saving victim, but you neglected to listen to your people just because she's not a psychologist? Just hire some robots to be in your rig," Severide walked out of Casey's quarter and slammed the door. Casey looked outside his quarter and thought about it. He decided that he'd tell Stella to call Med next time he saw her.
"Violet!" Gallo called Violet who just walked from the ambulance to the common room. The ladies had their lunch in the ambulance.
"What?" Violet followed Gallo to the kitchen.
"Captain duty," said Gallo, shoving a plate to Violet's hand.
"No," said Violet.
"No?" asked Gallo.
"No. He yelled at Kidd with no reason. He can grab his own food, like everyone else," said Violet bitterly, then left Gallo and went to the supplies closet to restock the ambulance.
Two hours later, the alarm rang.
"Truck 81, Ambulance 61, Engine 51, Battalion 25, structure fire."
Casey took a deep breath and ran to the apparatus floor. Stella was already on her seat, not even glancing at him. He hadn't talked to her, he was busy on the phone with Captain Wells and Chief Tiberg earlier, which didn't help with his mood in any way.
"Four people inside. A senior in the back room with her caretaker, and there are two kids, their bedrooms are upstairs," said the person standing on the street waiting for them.
"Alright. We're missing four people, two supposedly upstairs, two supposedly in the back room. Kidd, Gallo, vent, then enter from the back, first floor. Mouch, raise the aerial. Two teenagers upstairs, a senior in the back room. 51, upstairs, enter from the front," said Casey. Boden hadn't arrived, so it was his scene.
"Copy," said Herrmann. "Two lines, let's go!"
"Vent is done!" yelled Stella from the radio. "We're entering the back door."
"Casey, sit rep," said Boden.
"Four inside, two on first floor and two upstairs. Vent is on. Engine, status on search?"
"Two rooms, negative," said Herrmann.
"Captain, the upstairs window has bars on it!" said Mouch. "Don't think it's a go."
"Alright. Mouch, you're entering with me," said Casey. They entered from the front door and walked through the first floor. They heard the two victims were found and sent out.
"Chief. Second floor is negative, floor is getting soft!" yelled Herrmann.
"Engine, pull out! Evacuate second floor! Status on the other two victims?" asked Boden.
"Negative, Chief!" said Stella. Now Stella, Gallo, Casey, and Mouch had gathered in the living area.
"They can't be here, can they?" asked Gallo, crouching down below the sofa. "Hey! Let's go!" He lifted the sofa, revealing a girl, cannot be more than 9.
"But, Isaac!" yelled the girl when Gallo pulled her up.
"Your brother?" asked Gallo. The girl cried. "We'll look for him. Where did you last see him?"
"I don't know," she screamed when Gallo picked her up.
"Listen," Gallo took off his mask. "You need to go with us. We'll look for your brother!" said him. "See them? They're the best, they're looking for him," said Gallo.
"Everyone, pull out!" yelled Boden.
"Found Isaac!" yelled Mouch. The girl now raised her hands, asked to be picked up by Gallo. Gallo put his mask on and carried her. He and Mouch carried Isaac and his sister to the exit.
"Evacuate!" yelled Boden.
Casey and Stella walked to the front door as it was closer to them. When they were walking, Stella saw the ceiling falling. "Casey!" she launched herself to push Casey out of the way. The ceiling fell on her, as well as part of the beam.
"Kidd!" Casey turned back. He couldn't see Stella, only pile of rubble behind him. "Kidd! Hey, answer me!" He dug and got the rubble away.
"Ca..y," he heard slow voice followed by coughs.
"Kidd, don't move!" yelled Casey. When he pulled a big piece of rubble away, Stella yelped in pain, followed by another cough. Casey realised he moved something that was weighing her shoulder. He put his hand on her shoulder, feeling it and putting pressure on it. He further moved to feel her body and removed rubbles from her body and turned her head slightly. Her mask was broken. Casey pulled her helmet and mask off and felt her face and head, further relieved to see no visible injury. Head injury was always something that weighed his mind, and while he couldn't move her due to the risk of spinal injury, at least there was no head injury. He yanked off his mask, putting it over her face. Stella's PASS alarm blared.
"Chief, Kidd's down," he realised how dejected his voice was. "We're in second room from front door near stairway. Ceiling fell on her. Need c-collar and backboard." He started digging the rubbles that fell on her lower body. A beam was barely touching her waist, held by some rubbles.
"Help's on the way," said Boden.
"Kidd, stay still. I'll get you out," said Casey. He tried to lift the beam. "On count of three, pull yourself out. One, two, three!" He lifted the beam by a mere milimetre, but Stella didn't move.
"I cannot feel my legs," said Stella. Casey kept digging and deducted that there were no way out while it was just the two of them.
"Don't move. At all," said Casey.
"What is it?" asked Stella. "Something punctures me?"
"No, a beam is on you. I cannot lift it and pull you out at the same time," said Casey. "Keep still, okay?" he coughed. "You can feel this?" he pat Stella's legs while coughing and wheezing.
"No. Take the damn mask," said Stella. Casey took a deep breath from the mask, then pushed it back to Stella's face. The fire was getting bigger around them and more rubbles fell on them. Casey crouched on top of Stella's upper body, covering her. "What… go!" yelled Stella.
"You kidding me," grunted Casey. "Guys, a little help?"
"Coming, Captain!" yelled Herrmann.
"Casey, go!" Stella tried to push Casey, however, he pinned her down.
"Don't move!" yelled Casey. He breathed from the mask, then pushed it back to Stella's face. The fire was dangerously approaching them. Casey frantically pat them away while coughing and panting.
"Chief, we cannot get to them. The floor is gone!" yelled Herrmann. "Someone bring ladder!"
"We're entering through the back door, the kitchen is going up!" yelled Gallo.
"Casey, go… save yourself."
"Shut up! I'm staying!" yelled Casey.
"At least use the mask," said Stella. Casey took the mask from Stella's face and took a couple deep breathe.
"We're blocked!" they heard Mouch on the radio.
"If I don't survive…" murmured Stella.
"You'll survive," said Casey. "I'm sorry, Kidd," he touched Stella's head. He could feel Stella choking a sob. "It's alright, you'll be alright." He tried to cover all parts of Stella's upper body as more debris fell on them. Stella was crying, and while he tried to keep calm for both of them, he found himself couldn't say anything to comfort her.
"Not your fault," Stella's whisper was very soft he nearly missed it. He wondered how it is that Stella was the one who comforted him. "You can go, it's getting hot."
"No, it's January," Casey was close to tears. "I'll buy you a beer after we get out." He buried his face in Stella's turnout coat to help with his breathing as he was breathing more and more smoke.
"And now I know it's serious," said Stella, chuckled. "How bad?"
"Bad," said Casey honestly. He moved so he was between Stella and the fire, and strengthened his hold on her. Noise was heard around them, and Casey knew they had been found. "About time, guys," Casey coughed. Mouch sprayed extinguisher to fire around them and Gallo pulled him up. Gallo immediately put his mask over Casey's face.
"You okay?" asked Gallo. Casey nodded.
"Put on the c-collar. I'll lift the beam, you two pull her out," said Casey, then tried to lift the beam. Stella was still trapped. He coughed and wheezes. Gallo ran to him, put his mask over Casey's face. After a few breathes, Gallo gently guided him to switch place with him.
"I'll lift the beam, you pull Kidd out," he said. Casey nodded. "One, two, three!" Gallo managed to lift the beam a couple centimetres until Stella was freed. They all cringed hearing her shrieked when she was pulled out. Casey and Mouch quickly put her on the backboard and secured her and Casey's oxygen tank. Gallo pulled Stella's oxygen tank and they carried Stella out.
Outside, all the victims had been cleared with only minor smoke inhalation. The grandma was taken to hospital regardless, and rid Ambulance 148.
"Bring her here," said Brett. Violet and her quickly worked on Stella. Casey fell to the ground, coughing heavily. Mouch patted his back.
"We're going to Med," said Brett, pushing the stretcher to the back of the ambulance and ran to the driver's seat.
"We're taking Captain Casey too, Chief," Violet gestured to Casey who wheezes and coughed a lot. Boden nodded. Violet helped Casey stood. "Captain, hop in," said Violet firmly, pushing Casey to the back of the ambulance and closed the door. "Put this on," she attempted to put an oxygen mask to Casey.
"I'm okay, just treat her," said Casey.
"I'll treat her after you put it on," said Violet. Stella snorted from the backboard. Casey obeyed, letting her put the oxygen mask on, then put his hand on Stella's arm.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Violet listened to Stella's lung and checked her for any visible injury. She checked Stella's eyes.
"No concussion, lung sounds good, you didn't inhale too many smoke," she felt Stella's arms, and paid attention to her reaction. "I'm guessing a lot of bruises, they're gonna check you for internal injuries. I'll poke your legs." She pinched Stella's legs just above her boots. "Well?"
"No," said Stella. A tear fell from her eye. Casey put his hand on her head, praying that she didn't have any spinal injury.
"Still no?" Violet took off Stella's boot and pinched her toe. "Now?"
"No," Stella was now crying.
"Wait! Do that again!" said Violet.
"Do what?"
"You just wiggled your toe. Do it again," said Violet. Stella poked her hand with her toe. "You moved your toe."
"What does that mean?" asked Stella.
"There's hope it's not spinal injury, a pinched nerve or shock or something," said Violet. Stella just sobbed. Casey found himself sighing with relief, didn't realise that Violet had put the stethoscope on his chest. "Any headache, Captain?" asked Violet. Casey shook his head. "Eye irritation, and a lot of smoke in your lung," said Violet. She put an oximeter on Casey's finger. "Oxygen at 95%, not bad."
"Hey, Severide. Boden called. Go to Med," said Herrmann, went to the apparatus floor. Severide felt his blood drained out of his face.
"Kidd?" asked Severide.
"Casey and Kidd," said Herrmann. Severide was already taking off his radio and handed it to Cruz. "Keep us informed!"
"We're pulling in!" said Brett.
"Captain, you're admitted too," said Violet. When they arrived at the ambulance bay, Brett opened the door and they rolled Stella in. Casey followed, and Will Halstead pulled him into a room.
"I'm okay, Will," said Casey.
"You have an oxygen mask," said Will. "Let me check you out." He fought a stethoscope to Casey's chest. After checking him and performing x-ray and putting him on oximeter, Will gave him a new oxygen mask. "Sit here for at least an hour or until I clear you out."
"Give me information about Kidd," said Casey. "Or I'll find her myself."
"I'll see what I can do," said Will. Just then, Violet slipped in to his room, handing him a pile of wipes to wipe the soot off his face.
"Thanks. How's Kidd?" asked Casey.
"Brett's with her. They just did x-ray on her," said Violet. "I'll let you know if there's anything," she said.
"Thanks," said Casey. Violet walked outside and was about to close the curtain. Casey just sat there, wondering how he would explain what happened to Severide. He looked at his hands and legs and shivered. He was supposed to be getting x-ray done because he was buried under rubbles, probably worse since his head injury might recur, not Kidd next door.
"Anything wrong?" asked Violet. "Dr. Halstead checked you, didn't he?"
"He did," said Casey. "No, nothing. You have your phone?"
"Yeah, why?" Violet pulled out her phone.
"Can you call Severide?" asked Casey. Violet connected her phone than gave the phone to Casey. Severide didn't pick up. Well, he must've heard what happened. Casey handed the phone back to Violet.
"Just keep trying. I'll be back soon, will eavesdrop into Kidd's room," said Violet before slipping outside. Casey kept trying to call Severide.
"Yeah?" Severide answered his phone.
"Hey, it's me. I don't know if you've heard," said Casey.
"Of course. I just arrived," said Severide. "ER right?" he asked.
"Yeah. Kelly, I'm sorry," said Casey.
"Where are you?" asked Severide. Casey now heard Severide's real voice instead of the one on the phone. "Oh, there you are," Severide said after peeping into Casey's room. "You okay?"
"I'm fine. Kidd…"
"Where is she?" asked Severide.
"Next door. I think," said Casey, then coughed. Severide clapped Casey on the shoulder, then went outside.
Violet walked back an hour later. Casey was still sitting on the bed with his eyes closed. Will cleared him from oxygen mask after he could breathe normally, but his eyes were still red from the smoke.
"Captain," said Violet.
"Ah, sorry. Here," Casey handed her phone. "How's Kidd?"
"They're doing more assessment on her, especially with her history of lung injury. Her back is full of bruises, they are concerned about the internal organs, but so far, as far as I know, they found nothing," said Violet. "Chief pulled us out of service, we're going to wait here with her."
"Thanks," said Casey. Violet nodded, and walked out. Casey noticed that while she was still polite, she lacked the cheekiness she always has. Knowing how tight the ladies are, Violet was giving him an attitude. That would explain the absent of meal delivery she always do when Severide or him locked themselves in their quarter.
"Your x-ray didn't show any spinal injury or broken bones. No internal injuries. No concussion, too. But you've got a sprained ankle, and, as you may already feel, bruises all over your back," said dr. Choi. Stella breathed with relieve. Brett and Violet who were on either sides of her bed visibly relaxed too, Brett still holding Stella's hand. "I'd advise you to use crutches and compression band to ease the recovery, and for the next 24 hours, elevate the leg and put ice packs on the ankle. No pressure at all for the first 72 hours, and then come back in 3 days to see if you can start putting weight on it again. For painkiller, just take Ibuprofen as needed."
"How long until I recover?" asked Stella. Severide snickered from the corner of the room.
"Recover or back to duty?" asked dr. Choi. Stella smiled sheepishly. "You'll be able to start walking normally in around 10 days. But back to duty is at least 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I'll assess the ankle, and you can either go back to duty or taking a short PT session if it's still stiff. You need to be watched round the clock, as you cannot put any weight whatsoever. You cannot climb stairs too."
"Thanks, doc," said Stella. "Well, who's gonna take me in? I live in Herrmann's attic."
"You can stay with me, I live on the ground floor," said Violet.
"My building has lift too," said Brett. "Maybe it's time for our long overdue sleepover, you can join too," said Brett to Violet.
"Interesting. I have a roommate, that might be a better option," said Violet.
"Two weeks with you two? Sounds like a holiday to me," Stella tried not to sound too disappointed about the injury or too excited about the sleepover.
"Or two weeks at the best bachelor pad in Chicago," chimed Severide. The ladies laughed.
"You're too old to call your house a bachelor pad," said Brett. Monique walked in with a pair of crutches and a compression band.
"I'll tie your ankle and then you can go. I'm sure both of you can do this?" said Monique. Brett and Violet nodded. Monique put the compression band and set the crutches to Stella's height, then she walked around trying the crutches.
"Not bad," said Stella.
"You'll go back to the firehouse with ambo? I parked really far," said Severide.
"Yeah, it's near, I think," said Stella. Severide reached for her hand to give it a squeeze, then leave them.
They all walked to the ambulance bay when Brett suddenly stopped.
"You forgot something?" asked Violet.
"Not something. Someone," Brett giggled. Violet's eyes budged out of its sockets and she ran back to the ER. Casey was not in the room. She went to the nurse station.
"Maggie, do you see Casey?" asked Violet.
"He was released earlier," said Maggie.
"Hey, Maggie, the victim who was taken with Ambulance 93? The young girl, car accident? The one who refused to be treated by dr. Sexton? According to Kidd, her behaviour is concerning. She refused all male firefighters, even she was scared of the other victim when he was unconscious. Do you think… you can do something?" asked Violet.
"What do you think?" asked Maggie.
"I didn't see her at all. But Kidd thought kidnapping, or abuse. I don't know… it seems weird. Kidd's good at sensing these things. And Zhou from 93 said she was scared of her partner, you know, Kevin Green?"
"Ah, that candy. Alright, I'll tell dr. Manning. She's still here, the male victim hasn't regained consciousness as well. I'll see what I can do," said Maggie.
"Thanks, Maggie," said Violet. She went to the waiting room but didn't find Casey.
"Hey, Violet. Casey's in the lounge if you're looking for him," said Will.
"Thanks, doc," said Violet, then went to the doctor's lounge. "Captain, Kidd's been released. We're going back to the firehouse."
"Ah," Casey stood and followed Violet. When they got to the ambulance bay, Stella already sat in the front seat. Violet and Casey climbed into the back of the ambulance. None of them talked during the ride. When they arrived to the firehouse, Brett walked around the ambulance to help Stella hop out of the seat. Casey froze when he saw the crutches.
"Is it broken?" he asked.
"No, just sprained," said Stella.
"You should go home," said Casey.
"She needs someone to watch her round the clock. No pressure at all to the feet," said Brett. They walked to the locker room.
"I need a shower," grunted Stella.
"Okay, how are we gonna do this?" asked Violet as Stella opened her locker. Stella had been dying to take a shower as soon as dr. Choi said she was fine. She was buried under debris, so her skin and hair was full with dust. Casey too, but he gave privacy to the ladies to take full use of the shower room.
"I can stand with one leg in the shower as long as I have the crutches handed out to me," said Stella while she took off her clothes. "Hey, what does my back look like? Is the bruising bad?"
Violet snapped a photo of her back and showed it to her. "It'll get worse in a couple days," she said.
"Okay, just be careful. Don't add any bruise by falling," said Brett. While Stella was showering, Brett and Violet sat outside the shower, and Brett went inside to help Stella got clothed while Violet guarded the door. They walked to the bunk room after Brett tied the compression band around her ankle.
"How do you feel?" asked Violet when Stella zoned out, looking at her hands. Casey walked past them into the locker room.
"Surreal. I don't know," said Stella. "I think I understand the victims a bit better now. For the first time ever, I thought that was it. I'm gonna die."
"What happened in there?" asked Brett.
"Ceiling fell on me," said Stella. "The beam was across my waist, I think, I was stuck."
"Just lay down, we'll get something to prop your leg up," said Brett. She went to Severide's office and pulled out a chair. "Alright, here you go," she moved Stella's leg to the back of the chair. Violet appeared with all the icepacks she could find in the freezer, and some frozen vegetables.
"I'll slip these under your back, it'll help the bruising," said Violet, pulling Stella up and laid all the ice on the bed before gently lowering Stella back to the bed. Stella moaned when the ice touched her bruises.
"Ambulance 61, person injured."
"We're taking care of one now," quipped Violet before running to the apparatus floor. "Gallo! Look after Kidd, she's in the bunk room!" she addressed Gallo who was cleaning the truck.
"Hey, what happened in there?" asked Severide to Gallo.
"Don't know. When we found them, Captain Casey was covering Kidd from the collapsing ceiling and fire," said Gallo. "Like, shielding her with his body." Gallo walked inside to the bunk room.
"You'll do it for me, Severide?" asked Capp.
"I'll shield under you, Capp," laughed Severide. He went inside the firehouse to find Casey who was not inside his quarter. He made a detour to talk to Stella in the bunk room, shooing Gallo away. He sat beside her and held her hand, since it seemed like the only part with no bruise.
"So, you're staying with Brett and Mikami for two weeks?" asked Severide.
"You have another idea?" asked Stella.
"A week at my place. There's a lift, and there's me," said Severide.
"It's service and disabled lift," said Stella. "Ah, I see."
"Yeah. I just thought… why not. You can sit and order me around."
"I'll think about it. First week's for the girls," said Stella.
"Because of Casey?" asked Severide.
"No, we're good," said Stella.
"He apologised?"
"In the fire. Very romantic," giggled Stella.
"Damn, he outdid me," Severide kissed her hand. "I'll outdo him."
"A kiss might help," said Stella.
"Gladly," Severide kissed her forehead and lips. "Seems painful," he looked at Stella's arm which was bruised in multiple places.
"Nah, it's alright. The bruises will look worse than the pain," said Stella.
"Kidd," Boden walked to them. "Prognosis?"
"Sprained my ankle. But no broken bones, no spinal injury, no concussion, no internal injuries. Out of commission for at least two weeks," said Stella.
"I'll have Casey put in request for floater. You come back when you are cleared, okay? Not when you want to," said Boden.
"Yes, Chief," said Stella.
"I'll grab dinner for you? Or you want to come out to dinner?" asked Severide.
"I'll go, but wait until the ice melts a bit," said Stella.
A couple minutes later, when they went to the common room, nearly everyone is there. They asked about Stella's prognosis and arrangement.
"Kidd, when Brett and Violet are on shift, you can come to my place. Cindy's gonna be home this week, she's working from home. She can keep you company or help if you need anything," said Herrmann.
"I don't want to bother her," said Stella.
"Never a bother. She'll be glad to have you. Annabelle is starting to make her crazy, saying no to her all the time. And she's not even a teenager," said Herrmann. "Well?"
"What can I say, I'd love a Cindy Herrmann time, I'm practically the sixth Herrmann kid," shrugged Stella, smiling. Severide put a plate in front of her.
After dinner, Violet and Brett were in the bunk room with Stella, they were chatting while doing online quizzes and Violet's phone rang. "Hey, it's Maggie from Med," she shushed Brett and Stella. "Hi, Maggie."
"Hi, Violet. I'm with dr. Manning. She wanted to talk to you," said Maggie.
"Hi, dr. Manning. You're on speaker, I'm with Kidd and Brett," said Violet.
"Nat!" said Stella.
"Kidd! Heard about your accident," said Natalie.
"Yeah, out of commission for two weeks. What's up?" asked Stella.
"The teenage victim from this morning that Violet told Maggie about. She said you flagged her. I failed her psych exam, sent her to dr. Charles. She's not kidnapped, but she's not the man's daughter either," said Natalie.
"So?" asked Stella.
"She's his wife. Her parents are dead, her aunt and uncle sold her to be a young bride," said Natalie.
"That's disgusting," spat Violet.
"Oh my God," Brett paled.
"And she's not a teenager yet. She's actually 11. She was sold when she was 10," continued Natalie.
"That's sick," said Stella.
"Yeah, so… just letting you know. We've contacted DCFS and CPD, she'll be assigned a place after she got released from Med," said Natalie. "Thanks for the info, ladies."
"Thanks for letting us know, Nat," said Stella.
"I want to say I'll see you in Molly's, but guess you're not gonna be in Molly's?"
"Correct. Beer when I'm back at Molly's?" asked Stella.
"Absolutely," said Natalie. "Talk to you later."
"Wow, didn't expect that," said Stella. "And you told Maggie! Nice work!"
"I did when I came back from the ambulance bay, Maggie was there, and I thought, why not. Brett told me about the last time you saved two kids from abduction," said Violet.
"See? You have great instinct," Brett leaned over and hugged Stella. "Sorry!" she quickly retracted when Stella yelped. Violet looked over Brett's shoulder and saw Casey looked at them from his quarter.
"If this firefighter thing didn't work out, you could apply to CPD. Or private investigator, we can spy on people together and do undercover work," said Violet.
"See? You should believe in yourself more. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," said Brett.
"Thank you. I just told you guys."
"Hey, you two saved a little girl from a lifetime sentence today. You changed her life," said Brett. "We deserved ice cream," said Brett.
"Let's go," said Stella.
"I think sprained ankle gives you excuse to eat here," said Brett.
"Nah, my back is frozen already, I feel like sitting on an actual chair," said Stella. She stood up with Brett's help, and took her crutches. Violet grabbed the now-melted frozen vegetables, then they walked to the common room. She threw all the vegetables to the freezer and took three cups of ice cream. They sat in the corner of the room.
"What's the occasion?" asked Gallo, knowing that the ladies only ate ice cream on hard cases and to celebrate. "How's your back?"
"Still bruised," said Stella.
"Someone just solved a crime," Brett smiled proudly. Stella grinned.
"The girl is his wife, she's 11. Sold as a young bride at 10," said Stella.
"Disgusting. That old man?" Gallo exclaimed. "No wonder she's scared of me."
"You didn't know that," said Mouch.
"Nah, she refused Green from 93 too, and also dr. Sexton," said Violet.
"How come her parents did that?" said Gallo.
"No, parents are dead. Aunt and uncle did," said Violet.
"That's sick, I curse that kind of guardians," said Herrmann. "Girl Annabelle's age? She can't even remember to tidy up her toys!"
"You're not eating?" asked Severide as he entered Casey's quarter. Casey was working on some reports.
"Nah, it's alright," said Casey.
"And no food delivery?" asked Severide.
"Think she's mad at me, she stopped the delivery," said Casey. "Sorry, Kelly."
"What?"
"I'm an ass today," Casey massaged his nose bridge.
"You were. What happened with Tiberg?" asked Severide.
"I didn't approve any of the four floaters suggested to take permanent spot on third shift. Wells didn't want them, and I backed him. So it pushed back the assignment of new batch, and added more people in the floater pool," said Casey.
"Sorry for barging in and yelling earlier," said Severide.
"Nah, it was justified. I don't even know why I told Kidd off like that," said Casey.
"Listen. I'm not trying to fight Kidd's battle, just want to make it clear. She told me off too for meddling," said Severide.
"No, yeah, you were right. I should not rebuke her like that," said Casey.
"We did more than reporting a red flag all the time," said Severide.
"Yeah. And she's right. The girl is a child bride. They just received call from dr. Manning," said Casey. "As you said, her blood would be on my hand. I told her not to do anything."
"She reported it regardless of you saying no?" asked Severide.
"I think Mikami did, she received the call," said Casey. "And she cut me off from food."
"I don't want to be on the bad side of either of the ladies, and you managed to get all of them against you," Severide laughed. "Good luck with that."
"Not hungry anyway," Casey grunted. His head was spinning, and he needed to go to the kitchen to get aspirin, but he didn't want to go there. Severide left his quarter.
"Truck 81, Ambulance 61, Truck 3, person trapped."
"You stay!" said Violet when Stella sat on her bunk with reflex. Stella winced feeling pain from the bruises on her back. Casey walked past them, looking at her.
"You need ice?" asked Ritter who woke up from the noise.
"Actually, yes, thanks," said Stella. When Ritter came back with three packs of frozen vegetables, she had turned her body so she was facing down.
"Where should I put them?" asked Ritter.
"Anywhere on my back. They're equally bruised," said Stella. She had changed into loose t-shirt since she's technically not on shift.
"Must be painful," commented Ritter, arranging the packages on her back. She sighed when they touched her back.
"It's alright, only when I move," said Stella. "Thanks, Ritter."
Casey could barely concentrate through the call. Severide was taking point on this one, they used squad tools to open the sewage, then Casey and Gallo climbed down to bring her up to safety. The person was fine, and refused being taken to ambulance as she was fine and desperate to shower. When they arrived back to the firehouse, he had a massive headache, which he atributed partly to not eating at both lunch and dinner. He didn't feel like going to the common room and exposing himself to stares from the others, who must have heard him reaming Stella out. By the time he and Gallo finished showering at the firehouse, the others had gone back to sleep. On his desk he found a pack of crackers, a glass of water, and two aspirins. He had suspicions about who the culprit might be: Severide, as he had witnessed Casey's migraines a couple times; Gallo, as he winced and had to prop himself to a wall when Gallo accidentally shone flashlight to his face; or Violet, who usually took care of these things in the firehouse. Deciding to put the who to rest and being grateful that he was taken care of in the firehouse, he munched through the crackers and gulped the aspirins before laying in the dark.
"Truck 81, Ambulance 61, vehicle accident."
Stella jumped out of her bunk and fell once she stepped with her injured foot. Gallo was beside her in an instant, helping her sit. She winced from sustaining her weight, then moved closer to her bunk.
"What happened?" asked Casey who just got out of his quarter. He was just about to crouch down to help her when Ritter did.
"Go, I've got her," said Ritter. Casey and Gallo ran to the apparatus floor. He picked her up from the floor and helped her back to the bed. "Here. Gallo has a new one," he handed her an earplug.
"Thanks," said Stella.
"Stella, I have some of your clothes, dear," Cindy Herrmann strolled to the firehouse early in the morning. "Oh, poor you! Here's some muffins," She looked at Stella's feet carefully after putting a box beside a bag of clothes she carried.
"Oh Cindy, you didn't have to. I could come and pick them up," said Stella. Casey walked past them to the tower.
"Don't worry about it, so you can just go from here. If you need anything else, just tell me," said Cindy. "Just the feet?"
"And the back," said Stella. Cindy peeked down her t-shirt.
"Oh, holy mother!" she cursed. "That must be painful, it looks like a dalmatian."
"Well, because I adore Tuesday. But I can still chew," said Stella, taking a muffin and biting into it.
"Good then, I'll make some more for Thursday when you come," said Cindy. "Annabelle is so excited knowing that you'll have a sleepover in the house."
"She likes me doing her homework," said Stella. "Thanks, Cindy." Cindy walked out, finding Herrmann. Stella stood and picked up her crutches, then took the bag.
"Let me," said Casey. "A minute?" Stella nodded and led the way to the bunk room. It's empty, everyone was in the common room except for Engine guys who were on drills. Casey opened the door to his quarter and let her in. He sat across Stella, feeling his headache looming.
"I owe you an apology," said Casey. "It was unfair, I should've trusted you and not shutting down your concern, so, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It turned out alright though," said Stella.
"I heard. You have good instinct, and after the last time, I should know better. You saved the girl," said Casey.
"I didn't report it. Violet did," said Stella.
"Because you told her. Good thinking. You're a good firefighter, Kidd, you don't just save people from burning building. You go beyond. I lack in that area, I'll try to do better," said Casey.
"Don't beat yourself up," said Stella. "It maybe wasn't the right time for me to say that, with Tiberg there."
"It was a time sensitive thing. I shouldn't give you a dressing down," said Casey.
"Violet said something yesterday, about chain of screaming. She said, it is unavoidable. You get yelled at, and you yell to someone," said Stella.
"You didn't yell to anyone. And I'm don't want to be part of the chain," said Casey. Stella grinned, pointing at Severide's quarter.
"Of course I yelled at Kelly. More like scolded, but yeah," said Stella. Casey snickered.
"And thank you for saving me," said Casey. He looked at Stella's leg. "I'm the one who's supposed to keep you safe, not the other way around."
"We look out for each other," corrected Stella.
"I'm sorry you got hurt."
"I'd do it again," said Stella. "Besides, I got lucky. No spinal injury, no broken bones, no internal injuries, I got two weeks paid leave."
"Yesterday, in the fire, I wouldn't leave you, you know," said Casey.
"I know. Thank you," said Stella.
"Sorry I didn't keep you safe," said Casey.
"You did. You made me feel safe. You covered me," Stella's voice wavered, remembering the moment. "As much as I hate being there, I'm glad it was with you and not anyone else," she said after hesitating. "And I remember you promised me beer," added Stella, smiling.
"After you're no longer on painkiller. Don't come back until you're ready to?" said Casey. Stella nodded. Before she could fully stand, Casey pulled her up and hugged her gently to not hurt her back.
"Go home, Casey. Go to sleep, you look like a zombie," said Stella, patting Casey's back. She felt for him, he's a good person and it didn't take a doctor to point out that he hadn't been sleeping well. What happened must be eating him. "You'll be okay? I"ll tell Kelly to tuck you in."
"Now that would be the source of my nightmare," chuckled Casey. "Don't worry, I'm good." Stella squeezed Casey's shoulder then opened the door. Violet was waiting for her.
"I'm your uber. Brett's picking up some groceries, we're meeting her at her place. Herrmann said he'll pick your car up, just leave the key on top of his locker," said Violet.
"Right," Stella reached into her pants and gave Violet her locker key. Violet hopped to the locker room, got back a couple seconds later, and picked up Stella's bag which Cindy brought. Stella took the bag and opened it, handing a muffin to Casey. "Eat, have some aspirin, and go to sleep," she patted Casey's arm.
"See you next shift, Captain," said Violet when Casey appeared on the door.
"Yeah, see you," said Casey. "Hey," he called. "Everything okay?"
"All good," Violet smiled, then walked with Stella.
"Hey Matt," Christie opened the door. "Wow, you didn't exaggerate, you look horrible," she commented when she looked at Casey's appearance.
"Thanks for the encouraging words," said Casey as he walked into the house. "Sorry for the change of plan."
"It's alright, it's my remote day anyway. If you're unwell, you rest," Christie closed the door. "What happened? You okay?"
Casey already opened his mouth for the reflex yes answer before he stopped himself. "Not really. Rough shift."
"How can I help?" asked Christie.
"I was wondering if I could crash for a bit, probably until lunch. Don't feel like going home just yet," said Casey. "And by crash, I mean sleep. I couldn't sleep last night."
"Lots of calls?"
"Not really. Just… a lot of things happened," said Casey.
"Have you had breakfast?" asked Christie.
"Had a muffin, but don't feel like eating anyway," shrugged Casey.
"Right. I'll wake you up for lunch though," said Christie. Casey nodded. "I'll just move my laptop, and the guest room is yours. I'll be outside working, call if you need anything," said Christie. They went to the guest room and Christie turned on the light. Casey winced when the room suddenly got light. "Headache?"
"Yeah. I've taken aspirin," said Casey. Christie took her laptop and notes and put them outside. Casey climbed on the bed. When Christie turned off the light, Casey immediately closed his eyes, but then felt movement beside him. Christie sat beside him and started massaging his temple.
"Is this okay?" she asked.
"Very," said Casey, feeling the tension in his head slowly dissipated. He was out in minutes.
"Matt, what's wrong?" asked Christie. They were having lunch.
"What? Nothing, all good."
"How's the headache?"
"Better."
"I was the one who taught you to lie, Matt. It was ages ago, but I still know when you're lying," said Christie. Casey sighed. "Why are you here again?" asked Christie.
"Need to escape work. And considering I live with Severide…" said Casey. When they were little, Christie doted on him and helped him solve all his problems. When he fell and got hurt as a kid, his mum always told Christie to blow on his wound and said that it would heal. He applied it to everything in life until they became strangers when Christie went to university. Maybe it still work now, many years later, and in their 40s.
"Don't you tell him everything?" asked Christie, a little jealous but grateful that in her absence, Casey found another sibling.
"Yeah, not about this. You remember Kidd, Severide's girlfriend? She's on my rig," said Casey. Upon Christie's nod, he continued, "Yesterday I berated her unfairly. And on a call, she pushed me out of danger. She got injured."
"And you feel guilty," said Christie. Casey nodded.
"I apologised, for yelling at her, and for making her injured. But… I don't know. Hence, Severide is out of question," said Casey.
"Let me guess. She forgave you, but you haven't forgiven yourself?" asked Christie.
"What do you think?" He could tell that Christie was trying to form something to say, but being cautious. "What is it? Tell me."
"It's harder to forgive ourselves than for others to forgive us, Matt. That's from personal experience," said Christie. Suddenly Casey understood why Christie was reluctant to say it. It was about them.
"I've forgiven you, you know that," said Casey.
"I know. Since when?" asked Christie.
"I don't know… since we patched it up? And I knew you weren't going to disappear again… before you and Jim separated. I don't know exactly," said Casey.
"I haven't made peace with that until a couple months ago," said Christie. "Even then, now if I see Violet's classmates with their siblings… sometimes I still feel guilty."
"You didn't say anything," said Casey.
"Because it has nothing to do with you. It's how I accept my past mistakes. Point is, you still feel guilty, because you're a good person. If you see her with the wound… I don't know how injured she is, but it might sometimes come back to you, far after she forgives you," said Christie.
"She's in crutches, and bruised all over," said Casey. "And she might stay in our place sometimes… Severide might offered to take care of her. I don't know how I'm gonna act."
"Now tell me one thing. Sorry for bringing this up, though. After we patched it up, how did you want me to act? Did you want me to keep apologising, and bring it up every time we meet, or being extra attentive to you, or just normal?" asked Christie.
"Of course normal. As normal as siblings could be, or as we could," said Casey. He knew not everyone in their late 30s would run to their siblings every time they have problem, and certainly not a lot of people his age still like being doted by their older sibling.
"Exactly. It's normal for you to still feel guilty, but if she forgives you, and I guess she does, I think she wants to put it behind. Kelly too. Doesn't mean they will hold grudge because you caused the injury, because as you said, she pushed you out of danger. Not you pushed her into danger," said Christie.
"Yeah. I guess," said Casey. "Speaking of, I'm grateful we went separate ways. If not, who would've known if we could be like this now. Most people our age drifted apart from their siblings, I still run to you with every problems like I was 5 years old."
"You'll always be 5 to me," Christie rounded the kitchen table and pinched Casey's cheek. Casey swatted her hand. "Just less cute, bigger heart," she kissed his forehead and pulled him into a hug.
"And this is why I came," said Casey. "People at the firehouse know me as the Captain, I need to put on a face. Only you still spoil me."
"Captain, alderman, you're still that cute round crybaby," Christie pinched his cheek again. "Finish your food, go back to sleep. I have conference call at 2." She sat on her chair again. Casey continued eating the soup. Christie looked outside. "Hope it stops snowing soon, I think Violet left her gloves again."
"You're not picking her up?" asked Casey.
"The conference call is until 3.30. She'll be out of school at 3.15. I told her to walk," said Christie.
"I'll pick her up," said Casey. "Sleep, set an alarm at 3, pick her up, maybe take her for a snack somewhere."
"Alright, I'll text her," said Christie.
"Where the hell have you been?" asked Severide as soon as Casey opened the door. It was nearly 5 pm, and he had been calling Casey since they were off shift to no answer.
"Wow, sorry, mum, didn't realise 5 pm is too late," retorted Casey.
"Not funny. I couldn't call you. You didn't look well this morning, you've been snacking aspirin, and Stella told me to, direct quote, feed you and tuck you in. Your toolbox is here, you don't have schedule at the academy, I even called HQ to ask whether you went there," said Severide.
"You assumed those are the only places I'd go? What if I told you I went on a boat tour?" asked Casey.
"It's January," Severide said in disbelief.
"Because I wasn't feeling well and was snacking aspirin, I went to Christie's and crashed there," said Casey, mimicking quotation sign with his hands. "It's her remote day. She worked, I slept, ate her food, slept again, picked up Violet at school, took her to drink bubble tea."
"And you're feeling better now?" asked Severide. Casey nodded.
"Yep. Fed, tucked in, only not by you," said Casey. "And I'm going to bed again. No need to tuck me in," he added quickly. He put the container he brought in the fridge, Christie supplied him with the rest of the chicken noodle soup she cooked. Severide frowned at the cup of bubble tea Casey waved in front of his face.
"What is that?"
"According to Violet, the hippest drink now. And outdated Uncle Kelly should try," said Casey. Severide accepted it.
"She actually said that?"
"She said "Uncle Matt, you and your friends are so outdated!" That includes you."
"So, you didn't sleep last night?" asked Severide, grabbing the drink from Casey.
"It was too eventful of a day," said Casey. "Hey, did you give me aspirin in the firehouse? After the sewer call?" asked Casey.
"Nope," said Severide.
"Maybe it's either of the two littles. Although Mikami stared me down and cut me off from food," Casey cringed. "Maybe separate the ladies from each other so they don't gang up on us?"
"It's only your problem," laughed Severide. "Yeah, it was her. I saw her lurking in the kitchen after we got back from the sewer call. Maybe she was just ticked you yelled at Kidd, she didn't want you to know she did it. Not Gallo, he was pretty much dead after the call."
"Gallo… in the house call, he acted different. Just registered into my mind in the hospital. He took initiatives. Good ones. I was out of breathe, didn't have my mask on. He took charge, forced me to take a breathe, commanded us to switch places," said Casey.
"He'll be a damn good firefighter," said Severide. "Anyway, I'll be out for a bit, promised Stella to grab her some goods and drop them off at Brett's. I'll let outdated Aunt Stella try this too. You need anything from supermarket? We don't have anything in the fridge."
"Nah, I'm good. Christie sent me home with food. Don't wake me up," said Casey.
"No no no, I do not approve of this. I do not accept a bartender working with crutches. You're a patron," said Herrmann when Stella walked in behind bar.
"I'll just serve from behind bar, I'm not going to walk around the room," said Stella.
"Day two and you're bored?" Herrmann shook his head.
"I need supervision. Brett and Violet are here, so it's safer for me to be here," said Stella. She started serving drinks. "What do you want, Kelly?"
"I want the bartender," teased Severide. He leaned over the bar and kissed Stella.
"I can manage that, but I have no use of my left leg," said Stella, putting two beers for Casey and Severide before turning to Trudy.
"Bosswoman, what do you want?" asked Stella.
"I want to recruit you as interrogator," said Trudy. "Congrats, heard from my men. You tipped Med off. While my men can look at liars straight in the eyes without noticing."
"Will that involve running into a fire?" asked Stella.
"No, you won't get a broken leg. And you'll have a gun," said Trudy. "Nah, Severide is going to kill me. Hey, hear this, silver fox. I can kill you and make it a perfect crime, got it?"
"Loud and clear," nodded Severide, smirking.
"Give me a MIllenium Vodka," said Trudy. Stella made the drink, and after Trudy left, Violet giggled.
"That's my goal," she said to Brett.
"Goal what?" asked Stella.
"To be like that. Funny, but cool," said Violet in adoration.
"Funny, huh? I still have goosebumps," said Severide. Stella looked at Violet.
"No, certainly got the idea why you fangirled over Trudy," said Stella. "Tell Severide who's your childhood hero."
"Jack the Ripper," said Violet. Stella hopped to pour beers for some patrons before coming back to them.
"Childhood?" asked Severide. "Remind me not to ever be on your bad side."
"Not really childhood, like… middle school. Childhood was teletubbies," said Violet.
"And now you feel old, do you even know what teletubbies are?" teased Stella to Casey and Severide.
"You're quiet. Anything wrong?" asked Severide as he and Casey walked into the loft.
"What do you mean?"
"You barely said a word in Molly's. I thought because you didn't sleep well, but you've slept a lot since yesterday. What happened?"
"No, just… a lot on my mind," said Casey.
"Right. If you're not gonna talk now, then tomorrow," Severide pulled two cigars from the kitchen counter.
"Cuban. Wow, you did not skimp," commented Casey after smelling it.
"Figured I should thank you for saving Stella," said Severide. Upon Casey's confused face, he elaborated, "Gallo said when he came in, you were protecting her from falling debris."
"She pushed me away, Kelly. I was the one supposed to be buried under the rubble," said Casey.
"What?"
"Yeah. She was walking behind me, she saw the ceiling falling. She shoved me and got buried herself," said Casey. He felt sick thinking back to the moment. "I'm so so so sorry."
"What? Why? She's a firefighter, that's what she does. Saving people. Including you," said Severide.
"I don't get why you are so lenient. I yelled at her, I caused her injury, and both of you just said it's okay?" asked Casey.
"What do you want me to say? I'd beat you up?" asked Severide. "As much as I was angry at you on how you treated her last shift, I'm more proud of her. She handled it well. She clearly said she'd fight her own battle, I shouldn't get involved. However, I'm gonna say this, if you treat her like shit again, I don't care what she said, I'll make it my problem," said Severide.
"I know."
"Good. We're not talking about this again, okay? Case closed," said Severide. Casey nodded. Severide pulled him into a side hug and walked to the sofa. "Sit, I'll get some drink."
"We just got back from Molly's," argued Casey weakly. Severide pulled two bottles of beer from the fridge.
"Talking of… I invited Stella to stay here next week. If that's okay with you," said Severide.
"Of course. I told you, anytime you need the space for yourself, just say it. I'll be out," said Casey.
"No, of course not. That's not what I mean. You're still not going anywhere," said Severide. "She's a lot of fun, you know," said Severide.
"I know, I spend a lot of time beside her in the rig," said Casey. He yawned. "Think I'll try to sleep now. Thanks, Kelly," said Casey then went to his room.
"Yeah," said Severide.
"How's Stella doing?" asked Severide when he and Casey walked to the firehouse and saw Brett in the ambulance.
"Dropped her at Herrmann's this morning, she was looking forward to sleepover with Annabelle," said Brett.
"I'll take her to her appointment tomorrow, drop her back to your place," said Severide.
"Yeah, she told us," said Brett. "Anyway," she shrugged and hopped off from the ambulance, "we are expected to gather in the common room. Gallo and Violet are having a pancake showdown."
"Oh this is gotta be interesting," said Severide.
"Just what I need, entertainment," said Casey. Severide clapped him on the shoulder. When they walked into the common room, Gallo and Violet were behind the stove, both holding spatula and were flipping pancakes while bantering.
"I don't know if they are flirting, or fighting," commented Cruz.
"I don't think they know either," said Ritter.
"Captain Casey, call from HQ," said Kylie from behind them. Casey groaned.
"Must be Tiberg," he said to Severide.
"O-ow," Severide cringed. Casey went to his quarter. He was on the phone for half an hour. Severide knocked on his door while he was on the phone. He raised his finger to tell him to be quiet. Severide slipped in and sat on his bunk.
"What?" asked Casey after he hung up.
"You missed the pancake battle. What is it?" asked Severide, gesturing to his phone.
"The floaters Wells sent back. One of them got placed in Firehouse 20, froze during a call, dropped his line, injured another candidate. So, Tiberg wanted to make peace, accepted that Wells sent them back for justifiable reason, and asked him to assess three more candidate, which he said no to. I don't blame him, but now Tiberg wanted me to assess the candidate first instead of Wells," said Casey. "That's the short version. You don't wanna hear the long version."
"And? You said yes?"
"I need a floater anyway to fill Kidd's spot. I made some calls to the academy, they'll send list of the graduating class. I'll ask Wells which one he wants," said Casey. Wells is the captain of first shift, he just got promoted a couple months ago, and now shared personnel duties with Casey for Firehouse 51.
"Good that you have a partner in crime now," said Severide.
"You're a test away from joining us," said Casey.
"Nah, I'm good, less bureaucratics," said Severide. They looked at the door when Violet knocked. She raised a plate with two stacks of pancake.
"You missed this," said Violet, then put the plate on Casey's desk.
"I did, duty called," said Casey. "Which one is whose?"
"The better tasting one is mine," said Violet before grinning and slipping out.
"Thanks," said Casey.
"I see that your food delivery is back," said Severide.
"Yeah, right on time for pancake battle," said Casey.
"Oh, the best part is the hilarity of it. My stomach still hurts from laughing," said Severide.
"Way to rub it in my face, Kelly," grunted Casey.
"Don't worry, they're on lunch duty too, I heard taco battle," said Severide. Casey started eating. He sighed after tasting both pancakes.
"Damn, I'll never promote them," said Casey. Severide tried to grab the fork from Casey's hand. "Go away, Kelly. Let me eat in peace. I'll stick the fork in your hand," threatened Casey.
"That's gonna be in Brett and Mikami's list of weirdest calls," laughed Severide.
"No," said Herrmann when he saw Stella entering Molly's with Violet and Brett.
"Chill, I'm here as guest," said Stella, walking to Casey and Severide's table and rested her crutches against the wall as she hopped on the stool. "I was just released from Brett and Violet's custody into yours."
"Of course. You'll see the luxury that is our loft," said Severide.
"I doubt it'll top ours," Violet interrupted, smiling, placing Stella's bag on the stool beside Casey.
"I cannot tell you how much good food I ate in the last week," said Stella.
"What about bubble tea? My niece said I was outdated to never tried those, I bet you first had it when Severide brought it," said Casey.
"Sorry, I took her to bubble tea place when we drove home from the firehouse, like a few hours earlier," said Violet.
"I lived Gen Z life for the past week, ready to enter nursing home for the next week," said Stella. Severide and Casey glared at her.
"I forgot you're basically my niece's age," grumbled Casey to Violet.
"Better wish she didn't hear that and start calling you uncle," said Brett.
"Been some time no one threatened to ship me back to 20, not gonna try my luck," said Violet. In the beginning, everyone liked to do so once in a while every time she made shenenigans or comments in the firehouse, but she knew it was just an empty threat as she was embraced immediately into the firehouse.
"No one dares to, Brett's gonna ship them to Indiana," said Stella. Violet and Brett joined Cruz and Capp on the bar. "Actually, I'm here to collect my beer from Captain Casey," said Stella.
"Aaah, right," said Casey, then walked to the bar.
"What's the occasion?" asked Severide when Casey walked back with two beers.
"We almost got burned alive," said Casey, clinked his bottle to Stella's.
"To almost," agreed Stella. "Just almost."
"I have this for you," said Casey, handing an envelope from his jeans pocket to Stella.
"What is it?" Stella opened it. "Wow."
"Commendation for heroic action in a fire and recognising a potential crime," Severide glanced. "In simple words, saving your life."
"Thank you," said Stella.
"The ceremony won't be until next month, a joined ceremony," said Casey. "What you did, very few people will. You could've died in that fire."
"But I didn't. You're getting commendation too? For not leaving me?"
"That's given, don't need a pat in the back for that," said Casey. Stella smirked.
"I don't need a pat in the back too, but I won't reject a commendation bar," said Stella. "Go over here so I can give you a hug."
The following month…
"The commendation for Firefighter Stella Kidd will be presented by her commanding officer, Captain Matt Casey."
Stella who sat on the platform stood up as Casey walked to the podium, reading the action report.
"On January 20, Firefighter Stella Kidd observed a strange behaviour from victim of a rescue. She, with assistance from Paramedic Mikami reported the observation to Chicago Med Emergency Department. It was proven that the victim from the rescue was also a victim of child trade and child marriage. Without Firefighter Kidd's instinct, the practice would not be uncovered." Casey stopped and glanced at Stella.
"On the same day, January 20, Firefighter Stella Kidd was tasked with primary search on a structure fire. After the victims had been found, she was aware of the falling structure above her commanding officer. She took action by pushing me out of danger and as a result, she got buried under rubble and a falling beam. She was put out of commission for 17 days because of the resulting injury," Casey stopped to look at Stella. "A firefighter is someone who saves life, and as we perform our duties, we sometimes forget that it goes beyond transporting victim from the scene to the ambulance, but Firefighter Kidd doesn't. Those two heroic actions, along with all the actions she demonstrates in every shift, earned her the Firefighter Valor Award."
"Thank you Captain," whispered Stella as Casey slid the bar on her lapel. They saluted each other, then Casey broke into smile and opened his arms. Stella stepped forward into his embrace, patting his back. "It means a lot," she couldn't help but got teary eyed at the fact that Casey secretly admitted his mistake in front of the audience. She could feel the pride practically evaporating from Casey's pores.
"No, thank you," said Casey as they broke the hug.