This is the 8x16 when Casey and Severide argued about the drowning car, Stella and Boden did the Surplus Diet. I reduced the part about when the victim came to Casey as I had difficulty writing about her point of view and added another case. Assume Violet joined two or three weeks prior to this, so she was still getting the hang of life around 51.
.
"Morning, Captain," said Violet cheerfully from her place perching on the side of Ambulance 61. She was wiping the side of the ambulance.
"Morning," said Casey. The new girl was diligent, he understood why Brett fought to have Violet covered one shift at 51 and charmed her—Captains Leone and Delaney weren't happy about that and gave him cold shoulders as a result. When Gabby left, Brett changed partners as often as Severide changed girlfriends in his glory days. He smirked, who would have thought that Severide could stay in a relationship this long with Stella. He bumped into Gallo on the way to the firehouse. If Gallo was diligent in the firehouse before, he definitely stepped up now that Violet was there. If she was in the ambulance, Gallo would be in the truck doing inventory, checking tires, or cleaning the rig. If she was in the common room or briefing room writing report, Gallo would be in the kitchen, cooking while singing. Casey doesn't keep up with firehouse gossip now that he's a captain, but he still noticed that after the initial week when Gallo ran away every time Violet walked into a room, he would be in close proximity to her.
"Doing inventory?" asked Casey.
"Yes, Captain," nodded Gallo.
"Thought you're on breakfast duty," commented Casey.
"Already done," said Gallo.
"Good," said Casey then walked into his quarter. He sat and finished the paperwork from last shift as well as observation on academy class he did last time. He was almost done when he heard the call from briefing room, so he walked to the common room, grabbed a pancake from the counter, and slipped into the briefing room, standing beside Tony. Severide wasn't there, neither was Stella. Well, one can only imagine what made them late.
Severide entered and stood beside him just as Stella slipped from the other door and sat beside Gallo. Boden started briefing and was ticked at Brett and Violet who were on their supplies list, and everyone could see that something's wrong with the chief. Casey nearly laughed when Boden said something about diet, but quickly closed his mouth as he didn't want to be told off.
"Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, car accident."
"Isn't it the lake?" asked Mouch as they piled up into their rigs.
It was the lake. The accident was of a car plunged into the lake. When Casey asked the officer about the length of time the car was in there, the officer said 45 minutes, which was too long for anyone to survive the frozen temperature. 81 attached a rope to the car and pulled it out of the water. There was no victim in the car.
"Cruz, suit up!" Severide walked to the squad rig. "We're going in!"
"Can't let you go in, Severide, it's too dangerous," said Casey.
"We don't have a choice!" Severide answered as they pulled out their scuba gear, preparing for a dive.
"Severide, I said no," Casey chased them. Tony, Cruz, and Capp looked at Severide who didn't react. "Been in the water too long. It's not worth the risk."
"Cold water can preserve a drowning victim, you know that," said Severide.
"It's been 40 minutes at least. Maybe longer. This isn't a rescue, it's a recovery. Let the police diver handle it," said Casey. When there was no sign that Severide listened to him, he raised his voice. "Stand down! That's an order!" That's a position he hates, having to enforce rank on Severide, someone he considers as an equal.
"If the driver has a chance, you're gonna let the police diver has it?" asked Severide, equally agitated.
"I said, it's a recovery. Not sending you into dangerous water to retrieve a corpse," said Casey, trying to keep his cool. Everyone there looked at their officers, the squad guys were still tangled in the scuba gears, unsure what to do.
"Pack up the gears, guys. You heard him," said Severide, refusing to look at Casey. The others looked elsewhere when Casey turned to speak to the police. When he was done, all rigs were ready to go.
Ambulance arrived first at the Firehouse, and Brett and Violet just jumped out of the ambulance as the truck arrived, followed by squad. Casey walked out to Severide, intending to speak with him. Stella was trapped in the middle of her roommates, glancing between them. When Severide walked away without acknowledging Casey, everyone knew it would be a long shift. Stella walked behind Casey and stopped as she reached Brett and Violet.
"They will never talk about what happened back there, will they?" asked Brett.
"No, they will let the tension sit between them, unresolved," agreed Stella.
"What?" asked Violet.
"Oh, you'll see. Welcome again to 51," smiled Brett with a too sweet smile. Violet looked at her sceptically.
"Welcome to my life, I live with them," said Stella.
"Oh, you are welcomed to stay at mine," said Brett.
"Let's see tomorrow," said Stella.
"Wait, they're disagreeing on a call, and you're staying over at hers? How bad is it?" asked Violet.
"You'll see," Brett and Stella pulled Violet inside the firehouse.
"Glad I don't live with any of you," muttered Violet.
"I don't know what to do," said Ritter, looking down at the kitchen counter.
"Neither do I. You got us into this mess, you sort this out," said Gallo. "I don't even know what it is. It looks like birds' food."
"They're flaxseed, I told you!" argued Ritter.
"Alright, boys. As interesting as this is, it's getting ridiculous. I'll talk to the chief, you owe me," said Stella, then walked outside the common room.
"Kidd, are you…" said Ritter. Stella shushed them from the door.
"Flaxseed is high in fiber, good to reduce cholesterol," chimed Violet from the table. "Just Google some recipes. Let's see…" she typed in her phone. "Smoothie bowl."
"Pass."
"Granola."
"Pass."
"Sprinkle on salad."
"What salad?"
"Right… what about breading? You can substitute breadcrumbs in the meatballs with that!" said Violet.
"I'll personally ship you back to 20 if you make that for the whole house," said Cruz.
"And I'll make sure you take those two knuckleheads with you," added Herrmann.
"Alright, alright," Violet scowled. "Okay, while you boys think about the flaxseed, I'll make lunch for the cholesterol-lovers to secure my place here. Move over, I'm gonna clog some arteries," she walked to the fridge and took out some chicken.
"I'm not giving CPR, you are," said Brett. Stella walked back into the common room.
"Talked to the chief," said Stella.
"And? We don't have to make it?" Gallo asked hopefully.
"No, you're going to make two portions," said Stella. Ritter gaped.
"What?"
"I'm taking one for the team. Make it good," said Stella, walked out of the common room to Severide's quarter. "Hey," she slipped into Severide's quarter.
"What?" asked Severide harshly.
"Wow, do I wanna know?" asked Stella.
"I haven't heard anything about the rescue on the lake," said Severide.
"Maybe they haven't finished. It's only two hours since they started," said Stella.
"Or maybe we should've dived instead, the driver would've been found by now," said Severide.
"Or not, and you'd keep searching until two hours later," said Stella.
"You're gonna give me an "it's a recovery" lecture too?" asked Severide in disbelief.
"What… where is this coming from? Be an ass to Casey, not to me," said Stella, then left the quarter.
"Stella," Severide called, but she was already gone.
"Violet, you are one sadistic evil," grunted Stella when she walked into the common room and found that while Ritter made a sad salad for her and Boden, Violet—with Gallo's assistance—made fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and sweet potato chips.
"What? Some of us need fried food to keep alive," said Cruz. "Okay, I won't hand you back to 20." Violet just gave Stella a guilty grin.
"I will," Stella muttered under her breath.
"Of course not," Brett scowled at them. "It was a battle to get her to transfer."
"I seem to remember otherwise, I practically jumped before you said anything," said Violet. "Gallo, don't touch that. That's my dough."
"Dough for what?" asked Gallo.
"To make doughnuts, I proofed that dough overnight. I'll make the icing later," said Violet.
"If not because Brett will kill me, I'll ship you and all your greasy food back to 20 myself," said Stella.
"I'll make another for you when you're off the diet," said Violet.
"Violet, diet is change of lifestyle. You don't simply just go off the diet," chimed Mouch. "No doughnut is Kidd's new lifestyle."
"This is good," said Ritter, eating the sandwich. Stella glared at him as she picked up her and Boden's plates to eat at Boden's office. There were too many distractions at the common room.
"There are four left," said Ritter when they were about to be done.
"Oh, we made enough for everyone, including Kidd and Chief Boden. In case they change their minds," said Gallo.
"Who? Engine boys?" asked Cruz.
"Nope," Sullivan from Engine walked in. "I'm about to grab my second, if there's any."
"Me too," said Gallo, quickly getting another one.
"Go ahead, Chief doesn't eat. I'll have another one too," said Cruz, stopping himself short when he remembered something. "Ah, the officers."
"Should someone tell them that lunch is ready?" asked Violet.
"Just let them be, they'll grab it when they feel like the coast is clear," said Mouch.
"What?"
"Leone and Delaney didn't fight?" asked Herrmann.
"They disagree, not fight. They're not twelve," said Violet.
"Well, these two, they fight. And a quick lesson around here, if they do, we stay clear," said Mouch.
"I don't get it," said Violet.
"We've been doing it since they became Lieutenants here. We stayed clear, they'll come fetch their food when they thought the coast is clear, so we clear the coast," said Mouch.
"We have no problem with them, why should we stay clear?" asked Violet.
"Because if you walk near an active volcano, you can get burned," said Gallo. "Ritter taught me that," he added proudly.
"Good job, Ritter! You learn quickly!" said Herrmann. Violet looked at Brett.
"Is that true? I'm gonna be here making doughnuts, I don't want to stay clear."
"I offered Kidd to stay at my place, what do you think?" asked Brett.
"That's ridiculous," muttered Violet. "Here, I'll feed them so they don't need to fistfight here while I make doughnuts," she picked up two plates and strutted out of the common room.
"I'll eat that instead, it's safer for you," said Cruz.
"Brett?" Ritter looked to Brett who shrugged.
"Let's see. If she cried, or worse, leave, I'll hurt them personally," said Brett.
"What a mama bear," teased Herrmann.
"Lieutenant," Violet knocked at Severide's door. Severide looked at her. "Cruz was already eyeing it, so I thought it's safer here until you're hungry." She handed the plate to Severide.
"Thanks," said Severide. Violet retreated and closed the door. One down, one to go. She crossed the room to Casey's quarter and knocked. The blinds were closed so she had no idea if Casey was inside.
"Come in," she heard Casey's answer. She pushed the door and saw Casey working on some reports.
"Captain. You weren't there for lunch, and Cruz was already eyeing it," Violet handed Casey the plate.
"Ah, you don't need to bother, I can find something," said Casey, accepting the plate.
"Well, the only thing left is Chief Boden and Kidd's salad. If you want that instead, I can take the burger back to Cruz," said Violet with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"No, thanks. Tell Cruz to eat the salad," said Casey.
"He threatened to send me back to 20 if I made him eat that," grinned Violet.
"I will too," chuckled Casey. "Thanks for this," he lifted the plate. Violet smiled as she retreated and closed the door. She walked back to the common room and sat beside Brett.
"Well?" asked Gallo.
"Cruz, Casey said if you're still hungry, you can eat Boden's salad instead," said Violet. The others gaped.
"Both didn't yell at you?" asked Gallo.
"I didn't make any mistake, why should I get yelled?" asked Violet. "Now that the coast is clear, I'll make doughnuts."
"Ambulance 61, person injured."
Violet made a face before following Brett to the ambulance.
"You ever saw the officers fight?" asked Violet to Brett.
"Yeah, of course. Once or twice. They'll get it together eventually, deep down they're like brothers. That's why they are roommates too. They stand up for each other. But when they are pissed off, especially towards each other, like Mouch said, we stay clear," said Brett.
"They ever include someone else in the cold war?" asked Violet.
"Oh yeah. I think Herrmann was caught in the middle once. Stella of course, she's trapped in the middle between boyfriend and officer. Cruz multiple times, Otis too. Once Foster and I didn't know and we tell Casey to tell Severide something, we had to scurry away," Brett scrunched up her face.
"Ah, maybe that's why I was fine. I didn't say anything about each other," said Violet. "How do we know if things are back to normal?"
"You'll see. That's the art," said Brett.
"Hey, update from the police. They've been in the water for 6 hours, no sign of the driver. One of the divers were caught in a rip current, they're continuing later after the water condition is better," said Casey after knocking on Severide's door.
"Okay." Severide didn't even glance at Casey.
"What?" asked Casey.
"What what?" asked Severide.
"You're holding back something. Say it," said Casey.
"Alright. Are you gloating, Captain?" asked Severide, finally looking at Casey.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Casey's voice was raised.
"You're telling me they haven't found anything because you want to gloat that you're right to order us not to dive, huh?" Severide stood up and walked to the door.
"I was right telling you not to dive!" yelled Casey.
"You didn't know it then!" replied Severide.
"Enough!" hollered Boden from the door. They both looked at the door. Stella walked behind Boden, turning away when she saw the situation. "You both are leaders in this house. Act accordingly. Understood?"
"Yes Chief," they both answered. Casey walked back to his quarter and closed the door. Boden turned away. Severide glanced at the locker room. A locker was opened and he could see someone hiding behind the door.
"Who's that?" he asked, louder than he intended. "Hey!" he yelled and banged on the closest locker.
"Sorry," Violet stepped from behind the door, looking terrified. "I didn't mean to overhear. I was already here when…" she pointed at her pants which was covered in blood. Severide snapped out of his anger.
"No, it's alright. You okay?" he asked, his voice softened. Casey peeked from his quarter to see what it's about and almost interfered when he saw Violet's aghast face.
"Not my blood, the victim just decided to bleed on me," said Violet. She cowered behind her locker door.
"Alright," said Severide. "Sorry for that, didn't know it was you."
"It's… it's okay," said Violet, then scurried away with spare clothes to the shower room, glancing back with fear on her face. After shower, she went to the ambulance. Brett and Stella were there.
"Aaah, clean like a baby," commented Brett. "What?" she asked when she saw Violet's blank expression. Violet snapped out of her reverie. "What is it?"
"I accidentally got close to the volcano," cringed Violet.
"And?"
"And it erupted… and let's just say, you all did not exaggerate. I got burned," nodded Violet.
"Which one?" asked Stella.
"Severide," said Violet.
"Oh, I'm gonna hurt him," said Brett.
"Please," said Stella.
"No, he didn't know it was me, I was behind my locker. He thought someone was eavesdropping. Even though you don't really need to eavesdrop if they yell at each other," said Violet. "Kinda cute when Boden yelled at them, though," she giggled. "We don't have a chief at 20, so the captains solved everything between them."
"So, welcome to 51 again, Violet. You've experienced it all," said Stella, grinning. "Don't worry, they're sweet at times and have their own world. You haven't tried Casey's food, they're worth the dynamics."
"No, but if it's roommate's privilege, I think I'm gonna pass," said Violet. "Alright, now that I'm clean, I'll fry the doughnuts. Anyone wanna help me?" Violet hopped out of the ambulance.
"Let's," said Brett.
"Argh, no. Diet," said Stella. "I'll be in truck."
"Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, car accident."
The alarm blared right after everyone had dinner, so they ran from the common room to apparatus floor. Casey and Severide who were in their quarters joined them and off they went. An SUV was hit by a sedan, crushed against a traffic light. While the driver of the SUV looks conscious, the driver of the sedan was unconscious and her head was bleeding.
"The sedan came out of nowhere, it was red! I swear, I stopped but that car sped beside mine, got hit by that car, didn't even slow down," a young man ran to them.
"We'll separate the vehicles first, Squad take the SUV, we'll take this one. Kidd, move the truck to pull the sedan. Mouch, Gallo, tie the car," said Casey. They worked quickly to pull the car apart.
"Ambulance 61 to main, need one more ambulance," said Brett.
"Copy that 61, sending Ambulance 99."
In a couple minutes, Stella had moved the truck and Gallo and Mouch had the car tied to the truck. Casey directed Stella to pull the car back.
"Gallo, watch traffic, send them back! Kidd, easy, slow!" said Casey. "Alright, that's it. Gallo, grab the saw!" said Casey.
"Cruz, jaw! We'll cut here and here, tear the top apart. Tony, get ready to pull him. Brett, c-collar and backboard," said Severide. Brett passed c-collar and backboard to Severide. Violet inched closer to Truck, knowing that Brett would take care of the Squad victim.
"Gallo, strike!" Casey said after the cars were separated. They opened the door. Violet passed c-collar to Casey who went in the car and attached it to the victim. Just as he started to free the victim, Violet looked to the back row.
"Captain, there's a baby on the back floor," said Violet, pointing to the baby. Casey looked behind the seat. The baby was on the floor and not on the car seat.
"61 to main, one more ambulance please," said Violet.
"Main to 61, Ambulance 143 is coming, ETA 2 minute."
"Gallo, grab the victim!" said Casey as he passed the victim to Gallo and Mouch, then climbed to the back seat. He scooped up the baby and exited the car. Violet was already working on the victim on the stretcher when Ambulance 99 arrived.
"Violet, need anything?" asked Laura, PIC of 99, Violet's ex-partner.
"Stretcher please," said Violet. Laura pushed the stretcher to them. "Concussion, shallow breathe, I'm guessing broken rib, and obviously a broken leg," said Violet to Laura.
"Copy, I got her," said Laura. She and her partner worked on the victim.
"Captain," said Violet, gesturing to Casey to put the baby on the stretcher. Violet put a stethoscope to the baby's chest, cringed when she saw the big bump on the baby's head. "No pupil reaction. Not breathing," said Violet, then assessing the baby.
"Copy," said Violet. She attached an oxygen mask to the baby. "Giving CPR," said Violet. Squad 3 already packed up and about to go. "Kidd, help feel the pulse." Ambulance 143 arrived and Brett transferred the male victim to them.
"Violet, see you at Med?" asked Laura. Violet raised her thumb before Ambulance 99 left.
"Violet, 143 is taking the male victim, we're taking the baby," said Brett as she walked to them. "Gave any meds?" she asked.
"No," said Violet.
"Pulse is back," said Stella.
"Come on," said Brett. Violet strapped the baby then they loaded the stretcher into the ambulance.
"81, overhaul!" said Casey. He climbed into the back of the car, wondering why he didn't see the baby.
"Everything okay?" asked Stella.
"Why didn't I see the baby?" wondered Casey.
"Because the baby was on the floor?" guessed Stella, joining him inside the car. "She wasn't strapped in," she showed the car seat to Casey. "Can't imagine the impact on the baby."
"Yeah," said Casey. "Lucky that Mikami saw her."
"She intentionally peeked into the back seat, as if she knew," said Stella. "Come on," she lent a hand to Casey and pulled him out.
"How are the victims?" asked Cruz when Violet and Brett walked into the common room.
"The male victim in your car regained consciousness, they're clearing him from spinal injury. The woman was taken into surgery. Her broken rib punctured her lung. The baby remained unresponsive until we arrived," said Brett.
"There's a baby?" asked Cruz.
"Yeah, in our car. In the back," said Stella.
"I need doughnuts," said Violet, then grabbed some and ate it.
"Violet," Gallo called her and handed her two plates. "Officers' quarters."
"Why me?" asked Violet. "I did this afternoon."
"That's why," nodded Gallo. Violet looked around and stopped at Stella.
"No," said Stella.
"You had no problem on lunch," said Cruz.
"She already got burned," said Brett. "Severide yelled at her."
"It's alright if you're scared," said Mouch understandingly. Violet straightened up her back.
"I'm not," she finished her doughnut and grabbed the plates from Gallo, adding a doughnut on each plate. When she left the room, Mouch grinned.
"Mouch!" chided Brett, knowing Violet just fell to Mouch's trap. "I'm not gonna change partner for the third time in a year."
Violet took a deep breath and knocked to Severide's quarter, cautiously stepped in when Severide answered.
"You're an Ubereats now?" asked Severide amused. Hearing the joke made Violet relaxed.
"More, I also cooked, and made the doughnuts," said Violet.
"You're subjected to this?" asked Severide.
"Brett and I don't feel like dealing with passed out firefighter," said Violet.
"Thanks. Hey, sorry again about earlier. I wasn't usually like that to everyone," said Severide.
"It's alright," said Violet before walking back and closed the door. Grabbing the other plate from the nearest bunk, she knocked on Casey's quarter.
"Captain," she put the plate on Casey's desk.
"Thanks," said Casey. "How did you know about the baby? She was on the floor, it was dark, how did you see her?"
"I didn't," said Violet. "I saw the empty car seat, and the car visor was down. It was dark, so she must need it for something. And when I was little, my mum always put the visor down, turned on the light, so I could see her from the car seat through a mirror on the back seat and the visor. I just guessed," said Violet.
"Good thinking," said Casey.
"How did she escape the car seat?" asked Violet.
"The car seat wasn't strapped. Well, it was locked when I entered, she was put on top of the strap," said Casey. Violet gasped.
"No wonder she had a concussion," said Violet.
"How are the victims?"
"The mum was in surgery, her rib punctured her lung. The baby hadn't regained consciousness when we left," said Violet.
"How much harm did the delay caused her?" asked Casey.
"Don't think there was any significant delay, because we noticed her before we got the mum out. As far as I can tell, we have to get the mum out to reach her. And no significant delay in treating her too, I treated her as soon as she was freed," said Violet.
"Alright," said Casey. "Thank you."
"Yeah," Violet closed the door. She walked back to the common room.
"All safe?" asked Gallo.
"Safe. The volcanoes have settled down," said Violet.
"How did you do that?" asked Cruz.
"I didn't do anything," said Violet.
"Thanks for the information, officer," said Casey on the phone. He walked to the common room. Everyone was chatting, having breakfast, except for Severide who must be still avoiding him. He grabbed a cup of coffee.
"Update from Officer Petillo, there was never any victim in the lake. It was an insurance scam," announced Casey.
"Wow, it's sucks," said Cruz.
"Yeah, PD has the scammer in custody," said Casey. He picked out a plate and scooped some scrambled eggs from the stove.
"Alright, cue for me to go enjoy my oatmeal," announced Stella. Casey looked at her, perplexed. "Don't comment," she warned.
"Not gonna," said Casey.
"Update from Med, the baby has a brain injury. She's in a coma," said Brett.
"Oh my God," said Violet.
"Ah, poor baby," said Stella. She walked to Severide's quarter. He was sitting on his bunk, reading some fire manual. "You're not having breakfast?" asked Stella.
"That's the breakfast? No," said Severide, looking at Stella's bowl.
"This is my breakfast. I'm doing Boden's diet," said Stella.
"Huh."
"What?" glared Stella.
"No, nothing," said Severide.
"Okay, a few updates. Don't bite the messenger. The drowning car was a scam. No victim. The baby from yesterday is in a coma," said Stella.
"What baby?" asked Severide.
"There's a baby in the car we pulled out. She was on the floor," said Stella.
"Huh. Didn't know that," said Severide.
"Because you didn't leave your quarter for this shift at all. You should grow up, and as Boden said, start acting like an officer. Talk to Casey like an adult," said Stella, then picked up the bowls and left.
Stella didn't end up staying at Brett's, knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay on the diet if she did. She was alone at home. Casey and Severide weren't there, which she was grateful about. As much as she tried to stay away from their periodic arguments and fights, she got tired of tiptoeing around them in the apartment. She went groceries for her diet, cooked lunch, and got bored around 4 pm so she texted Herrmann that she was coming to Molly's early to do stock taking. She was hungry and got irritated easily, and she nearly bit Brett and Violet's heads off knowing they just arrived from a sushi restaurant.
"Kidd," Casey walked into Molly's. "You see Severide?"
"Oh, what am I? His secretary?" barked Stella. Casey was taken aback.
"Wow," commented Casey.
"Sorry, it's the stupid diet. I think my stomach is digesting itself. You need Kelly for something?" asked Stella.
"I just want to make sure he knows there was never any victim in the lake," said Casey.
"I told him all about that! What, he didn't reach out to you?" asked Stella, clearly remembering she told Severide to talk to Casey.
"Not even a text," said Casey.
"You men are so… why don't you talk to each other directly when you're pissed off about something? It's childish," said Stella.
"We did, it didn't end well," defended Casey. "Anyway, how long are you on this diet?"
"Two freaking weeks, if I survive," said Stella. "Beer?"
"Yes," said Casey, joining Capp and Gallo.
The next morning, Stella woke up hungry. She turned and saw that Severide wasn't there. Grumbling, she got out of bed and left the room. Casey was on the dining table, eating breakfast. Stella eyed Casey's breakfast while she made oatmeal.
"Severide's not here?" asked Casey, pointing at the pan. Bacon and scrambled egg.
"No," said Stella. "You talked to him?"
"No," said Casey. "What are you eating?"
"Junk," answered Stella. "I don't get how people eat this as a lifestyle! What lifestyle? Bland lifestyle!" she grumbled. Casey was perplexed.
"Okay, I'm out. Enjoy your new lifestyle," said Casey. He packed the leftover and put it in the fridge, then left to his construction job. After he finished with his job, he stopped by Med to check on the victims from yesterday. He went to the ER and saw Maggie.
"Hey Maggie," he said.
"Casey! What brings you by?" asked Maggie.
"I'm looking for the victims from the crash yesterday. The mum and the baby. 61 brought them in," said Casey.
"They're in the ICU," said Maggie. Casey went to the ICU floor. He peeked inside.
"You're looking for someone?" asked a doctor.
"No, I'm… Captain Casey, Firehouse 51. We responded to the accident yesterday," said Casey, motioning to the two rooms housing both victims. "How are they?"
"The mum is in induced coma. The baby sustained brain damage… we're unsure if she will ever wake up," said the doctor.
"Vegetative?" asked Casey.
"At best. At worst, brain dead," nodded the doctor grimly. "Firehouse 51… you all do this to all your victims? Wow."
"What do you mean?"
"A paramedic from 51 came yesterday and today asking about them too," said the doctor.
"Huh… How's the family?" asked Casey.
"She's a single mother, the grandma was here yesterday, but she was in shock so her husband took her home," said the doctor.
"I see. Thanks, doc," said Casey. He stopped by at 21st District to pick up the accident report, then took it home, studying it.
"You're not at Molly's," commented Stella when she got home from Molly's. Casey was still hovering upon the accident report.
"Ah, yeah," Casey snapped out of his thought. Stella noted that he looked distraught.
"What is it?" asked Stella. She peeked into the bag of takeout food on the table. "You hadn't eaten or are you taunting me?"
"No, I forgot to eat. You're still on the diet?" asked Casey, opening the takeout box. Stella cursed silently at the smell of curry.
"Can't betray the Chief, can I?" Stella sat across Casey and looked at the report. "This is not your report." Casey passed her another folder.
"Police report? You need those to write this?" asked Stella. Casey stopped eating.
"Copied it from Trudy. I went to Med. The baby was at best vegetative, at worst brain dead," said Casey.
"Oh, shit…" Stella cursed. "So, why are you obsessing over the report? It seemed clear cut here, the woman ran the light, and the baby wasn't secured," said Stella.
"I don't know. I was just… I nearly missed her. I guess partly I feel responsible," said Casey.
"But you didn't, she got treated on time," said Stella.
"If I knew from the beginning there was a baby…" said Casey.
"Then you would delay rescuing the mother. It was a choice, and getting the mother first seems more reasonable as you can reach to the back to get the baby. If it was the other way around, you'd have to open the front door anyway, it will take more time," said Stella.
"I guess so," said Casey.
"It is so," said Stella. Casey huffed.
"Thanks," he said, storing the rest of his food and stuffing it into the fridge. "Severide's not home?"
"Said he had things he needs to take care of," said Stella. "Still hasn't spoken to you?" Casey shook his head. "I stood by what I said. You men are weird. If it was, say, me and Brett, we would talk about it, probably cried, and boom! Everything would be back to normal!" she snapped.
"You okay?" asked Casey.
"Still, the stupid diet," said Stella. Her stomach rumbled.
"Just eat. I can't, well, you can't be like this for two weeks," said Casey. He pushed the rest of the curry on the takeout box to Stella and the second portion of rice he intended for the next meal. Stella glared at him and pushed the foods back to him. "If you pass out on a call, I'm not rescuing you," said Casey. His phone rang. "Hi, Maggie," he said. "Right, okay. Thanks for telling me."
"What?" asked Stella.
"The baby died," said Casey. He closed his eyes and shook his head, resting his forehead on his hands.
"Sorry," offered Stella, moved to sit beside him and put her hands on his back.
"Wish I took her out first," said Casey. Stella didn't say anything.
"Hey, she's not secured in the first place," said Stella. "We're not delaying anything. Violet saw her when you were still taking the mum out, then you immediately got to her."
"I know, but still…" said Casey. "Still, we don't know what would've happened if we rescued the baby first."
"Wasn't it you who told me not to think 'what if'?" asked Stella, squeezing Casey's shoulder.
"Need someone to tell me that once in a while," said Casey.
"Now, what if Violet didn't see her, and none of us did? She would be found by the police. That's the 'what if' you are allowed to think… we did enough, she just didn't survive," said Stella. Casey finally straightened his back.
"Thanks, Kidd." He stood and gathered the reports, packed his leftover then walked to his room.
"Hey, I know this is usually Kelly's area, but if you need to talk…" said Stella. "I think this diet doesn't ban cigar, and I can drink tea too. Black tea, no sweetener."
"I'll only take hot chocolate with marshmallow," teased Casey.
"Oh, you're cruel, Casey. See you in the morning," Stella walked to her room, relieved to hear Casey's laugh at her reaction.
"You're still on that nasty diet?" asked Violet when she saw Stella carrying a bag of salad leaves.
"I'll tell chief you said that," said Stella. "This is not nasty, this is to be healthier."
"Not mentally healthy," shrugged Violet. "Your loss, I'm making french toast. The bread was homemade. And there's a brioche bread ready to be baked in the kitchen."
"Let's go. I'll drop you off at 20," said Stella. Violet's phone rang.
"Hello? Oh my God, I'm so sorry… so sorry for Hannah. Thank you for telling me. I'm sorry, I wished there's anything we could do. Please let me know, I'll be there. If there's anything I can help with, please tell me," Violet hung up the phone and looked at Stella, her eyes were filled with sorrow. "The baby from last shift died. That was her grandma."
"Yeah, Maggie called Casey last night. How did you come into contact with the grandma?" asked Stella.
"I went there after shift and yesterday," said Violet. "It was a stupid mistake, not strapping the car seat. She's supposed to live long," said Violet, her voice wavered. "Excuse me," she walked to the bathroom. Stella followed her and watched her wet her face. After few seconds, she sobbed.
"Come here," Stella turned off the water and pulled the younger girl into a hug. "It's alright," she whispered while patting Violet's back.
"Sorry," Violet pulled back when she calmed down. "Sorry, I… I hate child victims."
"All of us do too," said Stella. Violet washed her face again, then they walked to the bunk room.
"Hey, wanted to tell you," Casey stopped her, knowing she went to the hospital to see the baby.
"I heard, Captain, I'm sorry," said Violet curtly, then continued walking. Casey looked at Stella with puzzled expression.
"She just knew the baby died," whispered Stella.
"Did not take it well I guess?" asked Casey after Violet walked away. Stella shook her head.
"How are you holding up?" asked Stella.
"I'm good. Thanks." He went to Severide's quarter. "Okay. Do we need to talk?" asked Casey.
"Huh?" asked Severide.
"Are you not at the loft avoiding me or Kidd with her crazy diet?" asked Casey.
"Talk about what?" asked Severide.
"Okay," Casey understood that it was water under the bridge now. He went to his quarter.
"Where have you been?" asked Stella, slipped in to Severide's quarter.
"Cabin. Told you I needed to do something," said Severide. "The ranger called me, one of the windows was broken. You're still on that diet?"
"Can't betray Boden," said Stella. "Anyway, the baby from the past call died. Casey didn't take it well. Your welcome, I almost took your cigar yesterday."
"The baby? From the call?"
"Yeah. She didn't survive," said Stella.
"Casey was just here, he's fine," said Severide.
"Oh no believe me, he isn't," said Stella. "Violet too, I'll take a look at her, you go talk to Casey." She walked out. Severide crossed the room to Casey's quarters.
"Why didn't you tell me the victim was dead?" asked Severide. Casey was sitting in front of his desk, looking at picture of the car from the previous shift.
"You don't even know I had an infant victim," said Casey. "She was on the floor, I didn't see her initially. Mikami pointed her out. We took her out after her mother. Mikami said there was no wasted time, though. But I can't shake the feeling… I should've done more." He showed the picture of the car.
"What could be done differently?" asked Severide.
"Realistically, nothing," said Casey. "Still… she's on the floor, left to die there."
"Come on, let's have breakfast. Stella is still in that diet," said Severide. "Or you wanna wait for your Ubereats? You got delivery too, right? Last shift?"
"Yeah. No, let's go. I need coffee," said Casey, massaging his nose bridge. Severide clapped him on the back as they walked to the common room. He didn't miss glances from others who seemed relieved. They walked to the coffee machine and Casey poured two mugs of coffee. Violet and Gallo were cooking breakfast, the former looked fine in a glance, but Casey noticed the lack of response to Gallo's flirtation and dimmed sparkle in her eyes.
"Hey, you okay?" asked Casey to Violet. Violet looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"French toast?" offered Violet.
"Sure," Casey took a few to his plate. Casey didn't miss that she didn't answer his question. He'd tell Brett to check on her later. Just when he was about to stop Brett who passed them, Brett took the seat far from them and avoided looking in their direction.
"Did you do something to Brett?" asked Casey. "I didn't, it must have been you."
"I didn't," said Severide, frowned at Brett whose back was to them.
"Weird," said Casey. "Hey, Kidd, why is Brett acting like we just kicked her puppy?" he stopped Stella who was about to take a cup of coffee to Boden's office.
"Because Kelly did," hissed Stella, glancing at Violet. "What were you thinking, Kelly? She looked like she just saw a ghost." She continued walking to Boden's office.
"Damn," said Severide. "And I'm more afraid of Brett than her."
"Good luck," said Casey.
"Oh this is gonna be fun," murmured Mouch when they arrived at the pizzeria. "Captain," he called to Casey who was about to lead them walking in, "double pepperoni, please."
Casey tried to keep a poker face and ignored Mouch as he walked into the pizzeria, to see the machine about to break the chef's hand. After the save, which was quick but bloody, the younger chef chased them to the truck.
"Please, bring this," said him, handing a tower of pizza boxes.
"Oh no, it's fine," said Stella. Mouch pushed her to the side gently.
"No, we need to shut down the place anyway. It's gonna go bad," said him. Mouch received the boxes.
"Our pleasure," said Mouch. Casey nodded.
"Thank you," said him.
"Oh no, we thank you. Enjoy." Casey didn't even try to hide his smile as he went around the truck and climbed in. Mouch and Gallo already opened the top box.
"I'll scrub any spill, Captain," said Gallo quickly when Casey turned to look at them. They looked hopeful to eat the pizza in the truck.
"I'll have one too," said Casey.
"You're kidding me," grumbled Stella.
"Kidd, pizza?" offered Mouch with a hint of teasing. Stella just started driving.
"Hey, you two have some time later?" asked Casey as he caught up with Severide and Stella outside the firehouse after the shift.
"No shift at Molly's tonight, why?" asked Stella.
"I'm going to the baby's memorial service tonight, just got the address from Maggie," said Casey.
"We'll go with you," said Stella. Severide nodded. They went to their respective cars.
"Hello? Yes, officer. Yeah… yes. No, the car door was closed, but the window was broken. I wrote it in my report, it should be in CFD headquarter by yesterday. Yes. Okay. Oh. Alright, thanks for getting back to me. I will, thanks," Casey hung up his phone. He was on the back of Severide's car, on the way to Hannah Jansen's memorial service.
"What is it?" asked Severide. They arrived at the church.
"Later," said Casey. They walked out of the car and sat at the back row.
Severide poked Stella and pointed at the aisle. Casey looked to the same direction. Violet and Gallo walked to the front and hugged an old lady near the casket and, presumably, her husband. Violet wiped her eyes as she looked at the casket and talked to the couple. They watched as Violet talked to them for a while before dragging Gallo to find seats. Gallo noticed them, whispered something to Violet, and led her to the trio while giving a small wave at them. Violet slipped beside Casey, followed by Gallo. Stella leaned across Casey to talk to her.
"Didn't know you'd come," whispered Stella.
"Her mother hasn't regained consciousness," said Violet. Casey sighed. "The accident. They were in a hurry because Hannah swallowed a bead. Her mother left a voice note on her grandma's phone."
"Oh my God," sighed Stella.
"That might explain why she wasn't breathing, and why she wasn't strapped in," said Violet, looking at Casey.
"That makes sense," said Casey.
The service was moving. Hannah was eight months old, and the fact that her mother wasn't there to attend the service made it even more sombre. Violet started crying silently early on, as a poem was read. Gallo kept a hand around her shoulder, comforting her. Casey looked down as Hannah's grandpa took the stand and told stories about the baby and how her big brother had been crying nonstop asking for her. When a slideshow of Hannah's pictures was played, Casey sighed and closed his eyes. Knowing that nothing they could have done differently didn't change the fact that he still felt guilty that he nearly missed a victim. He pinched his nose bridge when he felt a headache starting.
Severide elbowed Stella and glanced at Casey. He knew Casey took some cases to heart. That's just the type of person he is. He reached behind Stella's back to grab Casey's shoulder. Casey glanced at them, and Stella put her hand on top of Casey's. Casey flipped his hand and squeezed hers, and didn't let go throughout the service. When the service was over, they stood and Casey released her hand.
"Thanks," he whispered. Stella patted his back as they got out of the row.
"You okay?" asked Severide. Casey nodded. Stella walked to Violet and gave her a hug.
"Don't cry," said Stella, toying Violet's hair with her fingers. She looped hands with the younger girl and walked with her. They walked to the back of the church with the guys following them.
"She looks so innocent in there, like a doll. Exactly how she looked like when she rode with me in the ambo," said Violet. "And she had a brother. I can't imagine how hard it is for the brother. When I was little, I flipped out if my brother or sister was out of view."
"Yeah," said Gallo. "First month my family was gone, I unconsciously kept calling my sister to ask her to play, or just to mess with her," he smiled sadly. "And he will keep wondering what would she turned out to be, if they would be close, et cetera."
"Sorry," said Violet, putting her hand around Gallo's back, comforting him. Severide frowned. He must have missed something, apparently Gallo's family was dead. Casey, Stella, and Violet didn't seem surprised by the fact. Casey promised himself to call Christie when he got home as sibling cases always get to him.
"How did you know the grandparents?" asked Severide.
"I went to Med, they were there. Told them I transported Hannah to Med. They asked if she cried, if she suffered," said Violet. "I can't with child victim. They're not gonna bury her until her mum wakes up."
"That'll be tough," said Stella. "Alright, see you two tomorrow at Molly's, or next shift," she said as they reached the church entrance. She reached for Violet and hugged her.
"You take care of her, make her smile again," she whispered to Gallo. Violet had only been in 51 for two weeks, but Stella felt a sense of protectiveness towards her after knowing her better in the past shift. Gallo nodded, a tint of blush appeared on his cheeks.
"See you, take care," said Violet. She walked with Gallo to his car. Stella looped her arm to Severide's.
"Come on, let's go home," she said, placing her other hand on Casey's back as they walked. She saw Casey's remorse at the scene and knew how hard it hit him that they didn't manage to save Hannah.
"Hey," Severide called when they climbed the stairs to the apartment. "What was the call about? The call to CPD?"
"Ah," Casey took his tie off. "The insurance scam. Turned out, the owner of the car isn't the scammer. She is the victim. Her bank account was emptied, and her beneficiary? Her fiance."
"Fake fiance?" guessed Stella, taking off her shoes near the door. Severide took three steaks from the fridge.
"Yeah. He spent half a year wooing her, told her he lived in Indiana. Turned out he's here in Chicago. And, he's a family of four," said Casey.
"Damn," said Stella.
"Yep. Officer Petillo said they barely met, only in the weekends he pretended to visit. But she felt connected to him," said Casey. "Can't blame her. I felt that. Finding connection is difficult."
"It is. It's not easy to find your people," said Stella.
"No, it's not," said Severide. "Stella, potatoes or salad?" Stella threw a towel at him.
"Ah, you're no longer on the diet! That's why!" exclaimed Casey.
"That's why… what?" asked Severide.
"Don't," said Stella. Casey laughed. He glanced at Stella. Despite being on the edge because of the diet, she kept an eye on him since she knew he blamed himself with Hannah's case. "Are you gonna be okay?" she asked softly.
"I will," answered Casey, and he believed it. He saw Severide stared at him apologetically. Stella placed a stick of butter and a jug of milk on the table.
"I'll do the mashed potatoes and put in a lot of these," said Stella.
"You sure? Not exactly high in fibre and low in fat, Kidd," said Casey. Stella just laughed. "Alright, brownies to compensate for your lack of fat and sugar," Casey pulled out a block of dark chocolate.
"If I had a heart attack in a fire, you'll carry me out?" joked Stella.
"Nah, you know, grilled meat is delicious," Casey barely finished mocking when he ducked, catching the potato Stella threw at him. They laughed and glanced at each other.
It's not easy to find your people. But we've found ours.
.
Not the most exciting story with lots of heavy dialogues, but I felt like writing the introduction of Violet to life at 51 because in TV, she blended right in as if she was part of 51 from the beginning. Wanted to see how her dynamics with each members, esp. Gallo, Stella, Severide, and Casey.