Hey everyone, thank you all for the reviews! I really do appreciate it. I'm having Chicago Fire withdrawal since this whole COVID-19 started and shut down production of a lot of shows. I hope that they will start filming soon with precautions. Anyways, I am nearly finished with this story and I hope to finish one of my other stories, If You Ask Me Too, real soon. Please feel free to leave reviews on my stories and I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
CHAPTER 16
Casey saw Voight and Burgess approach them.
"Brett, what happened?" Voight asked.
"I don't know. I was walking to my car and noticed that one of my tires was flat and then as I got closer, I noticed a gash in each tire. I went to open the driver side door to my car and noticed that my window was completely shattered. That's when I called Trudy." Brett said.
Voight looked at the car with Burgess.
"Slashed tires. Broken window. You thinking what I'm thinking?" Voight asked Burgess.
"It's the same M.O...Voight, come check this out." Burgess said as she noticed blood on the ground.
"Guess the perp wasn't so smart." Voight said.
"What's going on?" Casey asked.
"Looks like our perp left some blood behind." Voight said.
Burgess called for the Crime Scene Unit to arrive to collect evidence.
"Brett, was there anything in the car with your address on it?" Voight asked.
"Uh, I don't think so. I keep my car insurance in my purse with me at all times, along with my license." Brett said.
"Casey, did you notice anyone suspicious hanging out around Brett's car when you left?" Burgess asked.
Casey stopped to think for a minute.
"Now that you mention it, yeah. I saw two men with brown hoodies. When they saw me, they yelled 'Let's go!' and took off running. I didn't think anything of it. I checked her car but didn't see anything wrong with it and then I left." Casey said.
"I have to ask you, Casey, was these the men that you saw?" Voight said as he showed Casey a picture.
Casey looked at the picture carefully.
"Yeah, that's them. That's the men I saw." Casey said.
Burgess looked at Voight.
"These men are going around targeting young women about your age, Brett. These guys are in a gang and their initiation is to stalk women, vandalize their car, and rape them. Since they vandalized your car, chances are they know where you live. Is there anywhere you can go or stay with?" Burgess asked.
Brett shook her head.
"Uh, no. My family is back in Fowlerton, Foster is out with her parents tonight and I..." Brett trailed off before Casey stepped in.
"I'll stay with her tonight since Foster is out for the night." Casey said.
"Good idea. These guys are very dangerous. This gang is not only known for raping women but also starting gun wars. We think that this gang is a part of a mob but we aren't sure yet. The gang leader is notorious for recruiting convicted criminals and having them stalk women, vandalize their cars, and then rape them. We've been tracking this gang for nearly a month and there has been no activity until now. Do you work tomorrow?" Voight asked.
"No, we're off." Brett said.
"My advice is to have someone stay with you or get a hotel room until we get these guys. They've already kidnapped two people and killed three people. We will put a protective detail on your apartment. We are gonna get this towed and put in our garage for evidence. Brett, take care of yourself. We'll see you guys later." Voight said.
Voight and Burgess left. Brett turned to Casey and threw her hands up.
"I can't catch a break. It's like the universe has it out for me." Brett complained.
"Deep breath." Casey chuckled.
Brett took a deep breath. Why was everything happening to her? What did she do to deserve all of this bad luck? She felt like she was losing a grip on everything that was near and dear to her.
"Better?" Casey asked.
"A little. I feel like I can't catch a break, Matt. It's almost like I'm losing my mind." Brett said.
"I know. I have a crazy idea." Casey said.
"What?" Brett replied.
"Why don't I just move in with you and take one of the spare rooms in your apartment?" Casey asked.
"You wanna move in with me? What's wrong with Severide's place?" Brett giggled.
"Don't get me wrong, I like staying at Severide's but dang, I don't want to have to hear him and Stella at all hours of the night if you know what I mean." Casey chuckled.
Brett let out a big laugh. She knew exactly what Casey meant.
"Which room do you want?" she smiled.
"I'll take Cruz's old room. Now, I just have to find a way to break the news to Severide." he laughed.
"We can go together since I have no car right now." Brett suggested.
"Alright." Casey said as he and Brett got into his truck and headed to Severide's place.
About twenty minutes later, both of them arrived at Severide's place.
"Brett? What are you doing here?" Stella asked, surprised to see her best friend at her place.
"Someone damaged my car and long story short, Voight and Burgess are looking into it. Could be related to a case they are working on." Brett said.
"Are you ok?" Stella asked.
"Yeah." Brett said.
Severide walked out into the main area where Stella, Brett, and Casey were.
"My man. You came home and left in a hurry. What's going on?" Severide asked.
"You know I like staying here, but it's long overdue that I get my own place." Casey said.
"You know you don't have to leave." Severide said.
"Actually, I think it's time for me to leave. Stella just moved in and no offense to Stella, but I don't wanna hear you two go at it through the walls." Casey laughed.
"Oh, I didn't know you could hear us." Severide admitted.
"Yeah, but as it turns out, I did find a place." Casey said.
"Really? Where?" Stella asked.
"With me. With Cruz living with Chloe now that they are married and Foster moving out to go to med school, I can't afford my apartment on a paramedic's salary alone." Brett said.
"So, when are you moving out?" Severide asked.
"As soon as Foster has moved out." Casey said.
Casey and Brett told Stella and Severide about what Voight and Burgess said and considering everything going on, they all thought it would be best if Brett stays at Severide's at least for the night.
"You're staying and that's final." Stella put her foot down.
"Alright." Brett said with a smile.
"We'll be back. I'm gonna take Brett to get some clothes." Casey said.
"I can take her." Stella interjected.
"Given what happened with her car and the fact that it could be gang related, I would feel better if I took her." Casey said.
"Why don't we all go. Numbers game." Severide said.
"Fine with me." Brett smiled.
With that, everyone left Severide's place and got into Stella's jeep. Stella drove to Brett's apartment and after parking her jeep, they all headed inside the apartment. Brett headed inside her bedroom with Stella.
"So, you and Casey are gonna be roommates, huh?" Stella teased.
"Yeah but it's not like that. We're just friends. Plus, he was married to Gabby and I don't think he's over her." Brett said.
"Brett, Gabby left him and all of us to go do whatever it is she wants to do. Casey's face lights up when you are around, something that never happened with her. I mean, don't get me wrong, his face lit up with her but with you, it's different. I don't know how to explain it." Stella said.
"Stella, I think you're reading more into this than you need too. Casey and I are just friends." Brett said.
"If you say so." Stella said in defeat.
Back in the living room, Severide and Casey were talking.
"Dude, Brett has been the one consistent thing in your life. You can't deny that you have feelings for her." Severide teased Casey.
"It's not like that and even if it were like that, there's no telling that she would be into me like that. Whatever this is between us, the ball is in her court. I think she's seeing someone anyway." Casey said.
"What gives you that idea?" Severide asked.
"The fact that she keeps talking to some guy on the phone." Casey said.
"You've been eavesdropping haven't you?" Severide teased.
"Not on purpose." Casey chuckled.
Severide was about to say something when Stella and Brett came out from Brett's bedroom.
"Ready to go?" Brett asked.
She noticed the look on Casey and Severide's faces.
"What did I miss?" Brett asked.
"Nothing. Just Severide being Severide." Casey covered.
"Uh huh. Sure." Brett said.
They left the apartment and headed back to Severide's place. Once at Severide's place, Casey took Brett's bag to his room. He had decided to let Brett stay in his room and decided to sleep on the couch.
"I'm making steaks. Hope that's alright." Severide said.
"Sounds good." Brett said.
"Brett, wanna help me make the salad?" Stella said.
"Sure." Brett replied.
Since the steaks were in the oven baking and the guys were sitting on the couch watching football. Stella and Brett were chopping up the vegetables for the salad and talking.
"Girl, you sure you know what you are getting into with Casey living with you?" Stella asked concerned.
"We are just friends. That's all. Plus, he was married to Gabby." Brett said.
"Key word being that he WAS married to Gabby. She left him heartbroken and the only time that he's been even remotely happy since the divorce has been with you." Stella noted.
"I think you are overthinking this whole situation." Brett said.
They finished cutting the vegetables and placed them into the bowl. Stella grabbed the Italian dressing and poured some of it over the salad. Stella could tell that Brett was beginning to get annoyed with their conversation and decided to drop the subject.
"Dude, I'm telling you that Brett has a thing for you and I can almost guarantee that you have a thing for her as well." Severide smirked.
"Even if I did feel something for Brett, we can't. Gabby hurt both of us and a part of me will always love Gabby, but she chose to leave me. She made her choice but out of respect for Brett's friendship with Gabby, I can't be with her." Casey said.
"Gabby is gone, Casey. I understand that a part of you will always love Gabby but you can't let that hold you back from moving on. Trust me, I let my love for Shay and Anna hold me back and if it wasn't for Stella, I don't know what I would have done. Stella is my rock and I think Brett is your rock." Severide said.
Before Casey could answer, Stella yelled.
"Kelly, time to check the steaks." Stella yelled.
Severide got up from the couch and checked the steaks, which were almost done.
"So, the salad is done. What else do you need help with?" Brett asked.
"Uh, nothing. Kelly and I have the rest." Stella said.
"Alright." Brett said as she walked over to the couch and sat beside of Casey.
As Brett sat down beside of Casey, he looked at her and smiled.
"This is going to sound strange but did you get the feeling that those two are up to something?" Casey asked.
"Now that you mention it, yeah. It's kind of strange." Brett giggled.
Casey didn't want Brett to know what Severide said and Brett didn't want Casey to know what Stella had said.
"So, have you thought about what you are going to do tomorrow?" Casey asked.
"I think I'm gonna have a girl's night with Foster and Stella since Foster is leaving." Brett smiled.
"Oh." Casey said with disappointment.
"But during the day I'm free." Brett said.
Casey smiled and Stella took notice of Casey and Brett flirting.
"Kelly, check it out." Stella whispered.
Severide looked up and saw what Stella was referring too.
"Should we..." Stella said before Severide interupted her.
"No. If we keep trying to push them together, they won't like it." Severide said.
Stella gave him a look.
"I tried to push Casey and I could tell that he was getting annoyed." Severide said.
"Yeah, Brett was getting the same way but what are we supposed to do? We can't just stand around and wait for them to make a move on each other." Stella said.
"Stell, listen to me. I love you, but both of them are going through a lot right now. Foster is moving out, Brett lost Julie and her sister all within a week, and then Dawson showed up not too long ago. They need time to figure out what they want because both of them have been through a lot. Look how I was after Anna died." Severide said.
Stella took a step back and took a deep breath.
"You're right." Stella said.
As Stella checked the mashed pototoes and macaroni and cheese, Severide checked the steaks. The steaks were done and he and Stella placed the food on the island along with the silverware.
"Hey guys, come and get it." Stella called.
Brett and Casey got up and walked over to the kitchen where Stella handed them a plate. One by one, they filled their plates full of food and then grabbed silverware that was laying on the island. They all sat in the living room. The men sat on the couch and the women sat on the floor. They told stories about how they became involved in their job and why. All in all, they were all enjoying their time together. Brett and Severide never really hung out that much outside of work, but both had respect and trust for each other.