Prolog:

Hi Guys!

Now that this story is going to be a lot longer than initially thought, I think it's good to discuss a few things here:

Plot: it's about friendship and all its facets. There is anger, fights, and miscommunication as well as unity and understanding. My main characters are Kelly Severide and Matthew Casey. But Chief Boden is also an important part of the story.

Supporting characters are Stella Kidd and Dr. Will Halstead of Chicago Med. Antonio Dawson shows up every now and then, but it's not really a cross-over story. Most of it takes place within the Chicago Fire Universe. Basically, every character shows up and the family of 51 gets to shine at what they're best at. Being there for one another.

Since I'm a big fan of "hurt & sick! Casey", this is, of course, a huge topic, and I don't spare him.

Although not planned at the beginning, it also hits Kelly a bit :) You'll see.

Gabriela Dawson is only mentioned but does not appear in person. I don't hate her character, like so many people out there, but of course, I use her to make Matt's mental state suffer a bit, although I'm not just using her departure. There are enough background stories that can send Casey into a downward spiral.

Warnings: it's about mental health issues, so if that's not for you, turn around!

My writing style: be warned! English is not my mother tongue, and you will notice that very quickly. But I think I can say that there has been some improvement over the many chapters. So please don't give up and if the story interests you, stay tuned!

I also plan to revise the entire story again at the end because, at the beginning, I think I have made some serious mistakes that I want to correct. But first I want to finish it.

How long it will be in the end, I don't dare to say at that point.

I just hope some people like it by the end.

Don't be afraid to leave a comment, positive or negative. I can only improve if I know what's not so good. I know I can sometimes be a bit boring in my stories, and many emotions are repeating themselves. I try to get around that.

Updates: I've been writing this story since 2018! Crazy, right? After all, we have already survived 2020 ;-)

I will finish it. I know that. I'm not too fond of open storylines, not in real life and not in the fictional world either. Getting closure in real life isn't always an option, but I'll be damned if I don't try to get it in the fictional setting.

So, with this in mind: sit back and immerse yourself in a story full of friendship, firefighting, love, and lots of drama!

Too Good at Goodbyes by Yogalicious

Chapter I

Matthew Casey sat at the examination table in one of the ER rooms from Chicago Med.

"Captain, I guess you have yourself qualified to be called a regular. – What is it? Third time this month? It would help if you were more careful," Dr. Halstead smiled at the firefighter.

Matt just shrugged it off with an, "I guess it comes with the job."

"Yeah! Except for this time, it wasn't your job!" Detective Jay Halstead joined in on the conversation. He was leaning against the wall and looked pissed.

"Yeah, well – someone had to get the girl out. And you standing there doing nothing…" Matt began.

"Whoa! I was waiting for backup. I told you to wait!" Jay took a step forward, and he looked as if he was ready to throw a punch at the injured Captain.

"Enough!" Antonio Dawson, who was coming into the room, warned the fighting men. "Jay, you go outside and take the girl's statement. Voight's been asking about it."

The young detective reluctantly left. Dr. Halstead looked at his older brother and shrugged. Jay shook his head and made a motion that indicated that Casey was crazy.

"You think I'm crazy?" Matt yelled after him. "Well, I did what had to be done! The girl is safe and alive. Isn't she?!"

"Casey, no one thinks that you're crazy." Antonio tried to defuse the situation as he recognized Matt was about to jump from the table. He stood in front of him and blocked his way. "Sit down! – And let Dr. Halstead do his job. You're bleeding, and I have enough paperwork already because of your little daring feat back there at the scene."

Dr. Halstead reached for Matt and gently guided him back to the gurney. "Can I take care of this wound now?" Matt reluctantly sat down and sighed.

"So, can you finally tell me what exactly happened to you? It looks like you've been shot at."

"Bullet just nicked my skin. My gear protected me. It's nothing. Just a minor cut." Matt answered.

"Yeah, well, it's bleeding. So, I have to place a few stitches."

Casey rolled his eyes and sighed, "I don't need any stitches. Just put some gauze on it. I'll be fine."

"So now you're telling the doctor how to do his job. Seriously, Casey, you have to stop doing this." Antonio said.

"Doing what?!" Matt pointed out," I saved that girl!"

"Yes, you did. But you got hurt doing it. If you had stayed back and let PD handle the situation, you wouldn't be sitting here. Jay had it under control."

"Smoke was turning black. Someone had to get in there, and …"

"Casey, no one is questioning your ability as a firefighter. But this one wasn't your call. It was Jays! – And he said stay back and wait for backup." Antonio tried to explain. "These drug-dealers are very serious, and they could have killed you."

"They didn't. I had everything under control." Matt said.

"Okay, guys, I am trying to work here. So, could both of you two please shut up!" Dr. Halstead tried to get Casey's attention. "Matt, can you tell me what exactly happened?" The doctor asked while palpating the young firefighter's head, looking for other injuries than the obvious wound.

"I am fine!" Casey snapped as he pushed Wills hands away. "Just my shoulder. It doesn't even hurt. As I said, it's just a scratch."

Will sighed, "I'm the doctor, remember? I can feel a lump forming on the back of your skull. Did you get hit in the head?" He was in full doctor mode and pulled his penlight out of his pocket and tried to check Casey's pupils.

"I don't know. Maybe some of the guys hit me during the struggle. It's no big deal. I didn't lose consciousness or anything."

Antonio was shocked overhearing this and huffed, angry at his brother-in-law, "Matt, what were you thinking! Running into a Drug-den like that! If Gabby were here, she would kick your ass for doing this!"

As Casey heard his wife's name, he jumped from the gurney and just stated," Well, she's not here." For a brief moment, he looked sorrowful and defeated. "We're done here. I'm going back to the station. Thanks, Doc, but I'm fine. I don't need any head trauma checks, and I don't need any stitches. My shoulder is going to be fine." And with that, he grabbed his coat and left the cubical.

Will tried to stop him but couldn't reach him quickly enough, and so he just stood there and sighed. "I want you back here after your shift. Understood?!" he yelled after him.

Casey just shrugged and walked out of the ER.

"Casey, wait up!" Antonio yelled, "I can give you a ride back to 51!"

Will held the detective back and told him," Make sure the bleeding has stopped when you get there. If not, bring him back ASAP. It's not a life-threatening injury, but it could get infected. … And try to talk some sense into him. He's not himself lately." Antonio nodded his head knowingly, "Thanks, Will! I'll talk to Chief Boden. Maybe he can get through to him."