It had been a couple weeks since Kelly told Shelby he needed space. They hadn't really spoken to each other since. Things got a little worse when it came out that Ashley was drunk when the accident occurred.

Kelly had isolated himself. He barely even talked to Matt or Andy. He was punishing himself for what happened to Ashley. Shelby was sitting at the lunch table minding her own business when she was joined by two people.

She looked up from her phone to see Andy and Matt sitting across from her. "What's up guys?"

They both exchanged a look seeing who was going to speak first. Matt sighed and turned his attention back to Shelby. "It's Kelly."

Shelby raised an eyebrow. "Okay what about Kelly?"

"He's just cut himself off from everyone and has barely come to school."

Shelby sits her phone down and leans back in her chair. "What do you want me to do Matt? He told me he needed space and hasn't talked to me since."

"Benny called us."

"What?" Shelby couldn't believe Kelly's father had reached out to them. Benny usually staid out of Kelly's business and let him do his own thing.

"He's worried about Kelly. Apparently he's never home and when he is home he is hiding in his bedroom."

"Do you know where he is?"

"We think he's at the cabin. He won't answer our calls or texts."

"And you think he will talk to me?"

The two of them exchanged a look and then spoke in unison. "Yes."

Shelby sighs. "Fine. I'll call my dad and see if he can call me out and I'll go talk to him."

"Thank You Shelby."

Shelby nods at them both and call her dad. He picks up on the first ring.

"Hey sweetheart."

"Hey dad I need a favor."

"Okay?"

"Can you call me out of school? Everyone is worried about Kelly. He's not responding to anyone and Benny has even reached out to a couple of his friends because he's concerned." There was a moment of silence. "Dad?"

"Yeah okay. I'll call the school so you can leave."

"Thanks dad."

"Shelby?"

"Yes?"

"Keep me posted."

"Will do." Shelby hang up her phone and shoves it in her pocket. "He's calling me out now." Both Andy and Matt nod in approval. Shelby gathers her belongings and then heads to the office to check out.

Once that is complete. She gets in her car and drives to the cabin. She doesn't bother calling or texting Kelly because she know he won't answer.

Shelby pulls up to the cabin and sure enough Kelly's car is here. She parks next to his and gets out of her car. She wraps her coat around her a little tighter. Fall was definitely in the air. She walks up to the cabin door and knocks.

Shelby stands there quietly waiting to see if Kelly answers the door. She knocks again and then she finally hears movement. The door makes a clicking sound as it is open.

"Yeah?" There stood a Kelly Severide looking defeated and broken.

"Hey Kelly. Can I come in?" Shelby was nervous that he would just turns her away but then he stepped aside allowing her to enter the cabin.

Kelly closes the door and she takes off her coat. "What are you doing here Shelby?"

She lays her coat across the back of the couch and turns her attention back to Kelly. "I came to check on you."

"Why?" Kelly stood there with his arms crossed looking her up and down. He wanted to open up to this girl but he was afraid to look weak.

"Because everyone is worried about you Kelly."

Kelly smacked his lips. "I'm fine."

Shelby looks at him with questioning eyes. "Are you through?"

"I...I..." He didn't have a response.

"Look Kelly I respected what you asked and gave you some space. But now I've done that and now I am worried about you. I want to make sure you are okay." Shelby walks closer to Kelly. "So I'll ask you again. How are you doing?"

Kelly looked her dead in the eye. She could see he was hurting but trying to put on a brave face. "I don't understand why she's gone."

Shelby placed a hand on Kelly's arm. "No one does. No one ever understands why someone so young dies." Something in Kelly's face changed. He was starting to open up and let her see him vulnerable.

"Then it came out that she was drunk and I felt like everyone started to trash her."

"I know Kelly. But screw those people. You knew her better than anyone." Shelby wrapped Kelly in a hug. "Do not let someone tarnish your memory of her."

Kelly wrapped his arms around her and she could feel him relax. "I just wish I would of saw the signs. I didn't realize how much she had started to drink."

"Kelly she was fighting her own demons. No one knew not even her friends on the cheer squad. She hid it very well." She started to stroke his hair.

"Thank You."

Shelby pulls away from Kelly so she could look up at him. "Always Kelly. I know we just met this school year but I feel like I've known you my whole life. I'm always going to look out for you." Kelly wrapped her in another hug. "You ready to head back? Your dad is worried about you."

Kelly pulled back to look at her shocked. "My dad?"

"Yeah. He called Andy and Matt. Then they came and asked me when you wouldn't respond to them. He cares about you Kelly. You are his son."

Kelly nodded his head. "Let's go."

Shelby grab her jacket off the back of the couch and slip it on. Kelly and her then exit the cabin. She turns to speak to Kelly before getting in her car. "Go see your dad. Call Matt and Andy before they send the fire department looking for you."

Kelly nodded and Shelby started to get in her car. "Shelby?"

She stopped and looked at him. "Yeah?"

"Thank you. You are an amazing person."

Shelby starts to blush. "You're welcome and thank you Kelly."

They say their goodbyes and head back to the city. Shelby heads on home.

Shelby walks inside to an empty house. Her dad must be at work still and her mom was probably out shopping. Shelby set her bag down and head upstairs to take a nap.