Herrmann was sat in his car, staring at the firehouse. It had been three days since last shift, and the pain he felt at losing Casey was not any better. In fact, it felt a lot worse now than it had a few days ago as reality started to sink in. Boden had called him early that morning, not that he was asleep anyway, and had asked him if he was coming to work. For a while he had contemplated taking the shift off, but eventually decided a busy shift might help to take his mind off things. Boden had asked if he minded getting to the firehouse a bit before the shift started. So here he was, trying to pluck up the courage to walk into the station. He took a deep breath, got out of his car and walked towards the house. As he walked through the doors, he looked towards truck 81 and felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at the pair of boots that hadn't been moved since the accident. The sound of a door being opened startled him slightly, and someone from first shift walked around the truck and smiled at Herrmann sympathetically. He smiled slightly back, and dragged himself towards Boden's office.

Herrmann paused outside the Chief's office. Boden was sat inside frowning down at some paperwork in front of him, resting his head in his hands. He knocked at the door, and watched as Boden looked up and gestured for him to enter. He closed the door behind him and sat in one of the chairs in front of Boden's desk.

'Morning Chief.'

Boden smiled slightly.

'Morning. How you doing Herrmann.'

Herrmann shrugged and Boden nodded. He didn't say anything for a minute, and then sighed and leant forward on his desk.

'So… uh. Here's the thing. Truck 81 is going to need a Lieutenant.'

Herrmann stiffened in his seat.

'I've tried to put off thinking about it, but it needs addressing. I was thinking… rather than bringing someone in from outside, it might be better… if someone in house took the position… to make the transition slightly easier after the loss.'

Herrmann shook his head slightly as Boden continued to speak.

'So, would you take up the role on Truck? Obviously you can have time to think this over, I can take charge of 81 for a few shifts while you consider it. I really think it's what Casey would have…'

Something in Herrmann snapped, and he was suddenly on his feet.

'No. This is NOT what Casey would have wanted. We have no idea what Casey would have wanted but it DEFINITELY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THIS.

Herrmann realised he was shouting, and rubbed his face as he collapsed back into the chair.

'Sorry Chief. I just… I can't… I won't replace Casey as the Truck Lieutenant.'

Boden had been silently observing Herrmann through his ranting, and waited a few seconds before speaking.

'Alright. All I'm asking is that you just… think about it. Just for a few days and if your answer is still the same I will look at Lieutenant's from other houses.'

Herrmann stood up and walked towards the door. He paused when he got there and turned back to face Boden.

'I don't think I'm ever gonna want the position Chief.'

Boden nodded slightly and Herrmann turned and walked towards the locker room. As he made his way through the firehouse, he could feel a wave of pent up grief and frustration surging through him and as he got to his locker he felt the sudden urge to hit something and punched his locker door. He regretted it almost immediately and sat down on the bench cursing to himself and rubbing his hand across his face. He looked down at his knuckles, which were bruising already. He covered his face with his hands and tried to collect himself. He couldn't replace Casey. It would never be right. Not only would he feel wrong, but how would the others feel about him taking over. That he was leaping at the opportunity of the open Lieutenant spot to boost himself up the career ladder. No. There was no way he was going to take up that position. He sighed, and then froze before looking up sharply as someone spoke up from opposite him.

'Woah. What did the locker do to you.'

Herrmann's mouth dropped open as he stared at the person in front of him. Casey was stood, leaning against the locker across from him and grinning at Herrmann. He watched as Casey looked at the slight dent he had made in his locker door.

'You know, you really don't seem to like this locker. I seem to recall it having a similar dent in it a few years back after a collision with your fist.'

Herrmann frowned, and then smiled slightly as he remembered that day years ago.

'Ah shit.'

Herrmann sat down on the bench in the locker room cradling his fist as he stared at the dent he had just made in one of the lockers. He heard someone enter the room and turned to see Casey stood in the doorway with his eyebrows raised.

'So… what did the locker do to you?'

Herrmann shrugged and flexed his hand. Casey made his way over and leant against the locker in front of him.

'What's up?'

Herrmann sighed.

'I failed the Lieutenant's exam.'

Casey nodded slightly.

'Okay. You can just retake it. No big deal. It takes most people several attempts to pass it anyway.'

Herrmann ran a hand across his face.

'That's the thing, this was my third attempt. I don't think I'm gonna retake it again, it's pretty obvious that leadership isn't for me.'

Casey stayed quiet as he continued to rant.

'I mean, who would want a hothead like me as a Lieutenant. I look at you, and Severide, and Boden when responding to a call and you're all calm and collected and giving out orders easily. I'd probably get flustered, start yelling at everyone and then mess everything up.'

He stared down at his hands as Casey shook his head slightly.

I don't believe that for a second. You remember that call we had a few weeks ago. That hostage situation where me and Severide were stuck inside while those guys had set the place on fire trying to cut into a safe. You didn't hesitate to take charge as we reported the situation to you over the radio, and you did a great job handing out orders to everyone to try and get us out safely. And you're telling me you're not cut out to be a leader. Herrmann…'

Herrmann looked up at Casey.

'You're gonna be a great Lieutenant. You just need to not over think it. Treat the test like you would a fire scene and you'll pass easily. You're a born leader, it is what you are meant to do.'

Herrmann smiled slightly as Casey patted him on the shoulder and made his way out of the room.

The sound of a locker door slamming shut caused Herrmann to jump slightly and look around to see someone from first shift leaving the locker room. He turned back to the locker Casey had been leant against but there was no-one there. He shook his head slightly and opened his locker to get changed and ready for his shift to start. As he pulled his jacket on, something fell out of his locker and onto the floor. He frowned and bent down to pick it up. It was the letter. He sighed and sat back down on the bench. He hadn't opened it yet, just because the thought of these words being the goodbye Casey never got to say to him brought tears to his eyes. He glanced around the room, then pried open the envelope and began to read the letter inside.

Hey Herrmann.

I guess I better start off with an apology. If you're reading this, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you all. I'd like to think this never finds it's way to you but with the work that we do you never know what could happen. That's why I am writing this.

Herrmann cleared his throat slightly.

Now don't worry, this isn't going to be filled with mushy crap about my feelings or whatever. I put that stuff in my pink fluffy princess diary that's hidden under my bunk in my office.

Herrmann chuckled.

I just want to say, thank you. You have always been like a father figure to me. Ever since I arrived at 51 as a… what was it you used to call me… a scrawny twig of a candidate. You helped me get through my first few years here, don't think I would have survived this long without you pushing me along.

Herrmann rubbed a hand over his eyes as he continued reading.

And that is why I know that one day, you are gonna make an amazing Lieutenant. And I'm not just saying this for the sake of it. You have proven time and again that you are tough enough, caring enough and most importantly good enough to make an amazing Lieutenant. Now. If you are reading this, it means I am gone. But it also means my Truck needs a new Lieutenant. That's you Herrmann. You are the person I want to take my spot. You have the experience. You have the skills. Now is your chance to put them into good use.

Now that's out of the way, I don't know what else to say. I kinda don't want to stop writing if this is my goodbye… but I need to stop at some point so I might as well keep this short and sweet. Give my love to Cindy, and look after those beautiful kids of yours.

I guess I have one thing left to say…

Tag, you're it. Good luck controlling the guys on Truck… you're gonna need it!

Herrmann laughed as he wiped away a tear that had run down his face. He looked up and caught a glimpse of a Lieutenant's jacket rounding the corner of the locker room. He stood up, shut his locker and walked towards Boden's office. As he rounded the corner he could see that the door to his Chief's office was still open slightly, and he was sat at his desk looking down at something in front of him. He looked around the Bullpen and spotted Casey sat at Connie's desk with his eyebrows raised. He jerked his head towards Boden's office as Herrmann stopped in front of him.

'You know, you're the only person I trust to take over from me. I mean who else is gonna be able to control those 'crazy kids' on Truck, as I seem to recall you naming them?'

Herrmann smiled slightly, then frowned and sighed.

'I just… I don't want it to look like I am trying to replace you…'

Casey rolled his eyes, still grinning at him.

'The guys won't think you're trying to replace me. You're completely different, more experienced and a great leader. That is all they will see. Now get your ass in that office before Boden recruits some new officer who's gonna make you drill at all hours of the day and clean the toilets. You know as Lieutenant you can get out of doing all the stuff you seemed to complain about all the time.'

Herrmann chuckled, then heard someone call his name. He turned around to see Boden frowning at him. When he looked back at Connie's desk, Casey was gone. Herrmann smiled slightly and walked into Boden's office.

'Who were you talking to. I didn't think Connie had come in yet.'

Herrmann shook his head.

'Oh, no. I wasn't talking to anyone.'

Boden frowned slightly, and Herrmann sat down in front of his desk and spoke up again.

'I'll do it.'

Boden smiled slightly.

'That's great. Thank you. That will make everything a bit easier. I'll let the others know in morning briefing.'

Herrmann nodded and stood up. As he reached the door Boden spoke up again.

'What changed your mind?'

Herrmann smiled as he turned to face the Chief.

'Someone gave me a talking to.'

As he said this, Herrmann held up the letter he hadn't put down since he opened it. He smiled again and walked out of the office.