It had been several hours since Casey was taken to surgery. After two attempts the ER team had resuscitated Matt and then wheeled him directly up to prep for his emergency surgery. Gabby was waiting in the ER waiting room flanked by Severide and Boden. Most of the last few hours had been spent in silence because of the gravity of the events of the day. Benny was also in the Er waiting room waiting for news of Casey's condition. He had been watching Kelly intently for as he comforted Gabby and was consistent and comforting.

Gabby looked at her watch and let out a heavy sigh and questioned, "Why are they taking so long? I just want to know he is going to be ok."

Severide who had been leaned back slightly with his head against the wall eased up and put a comforting arm across the back of Gabby, "Hey, he is gonna be fine." Kelly tried to sound confident but in the pit of his stomach lurked the same queasy feeling as when both Andy and Shay died. Yet he tried to seem upbeat to keep Dawson calm. When Matt had been wheeled directly into the ER Gabby had been inconsolable until he and Boden managed to calm her down.

"Kelly, we left things so badly," Gabby whispered as if to make the fact that the newlyweds had been fighting to away. "I mean, my dad has been staying with us and…..," Her voice trailed off and she put her head in her hands to catch the tears that pooled in the sides of her eyes.

Severide looked over a slumped Dawson and mouthed, "Where is her dad?" Boden shook his head as his eyebrows furrowed in a look of helplessness. As a chief it was Boden's duty to command but now he just sat trying to provide comfort. The entire time that the Chief was in the surgery waiting room he had mentally ran through the events of the day. He had lost a man today and felt the heavy weight and sorry of the loss of Mouch.

As if to shake off the grief Chief rose and spoke breaking the silence in the waiting room. "Benny, I need some coffee let's walk down the hall to the vending machine I saw.

"Sure, Kelly or Gabby do either of you want anything." Benny asked as he looked between Kelly and the still slumped over Gabby. Kelly shook his head and Dawson shook her head but still kept her palms covering her face.

Chief regarded her with an outlet of breath, "Dawson, I am going to try to get in touch with Antonio or Ramon again. " They all knew that Antonio was off fishing with his son Diego and was out of cell phone reach. Ramon one the other had was MIA.

Elsewhere in the hospital Hermann was in his room with Cindy by his side. Christopher was still reeling from the loss of Mouch. Even though he was under light sedation Hermann kept thinking back to the fire and the warehouse wondering if he could have done anything different to save his friend. The silence of the room was broken as Joe Cruz walked in looking lost and forlorn. Cruz paused at the door and Cindy waved him in since Herman's eyes were closed."

Cruz was the first to speak as he entered and stood at the foot of Herman's bed shuffling nervously from foot to foot. "Hey, Hermann I checked a few minutes ago but there is no update on Casey's condition. Oh, and Kidd is just getting in her room too. Otis and Brett said that she is asleep and resting. I guess they have her some sedatives.

Hermann opened his eyes and tried to focus on the moving figure in front of him since he was groggy from pain meds. A frown set on his face and didn't say anything for a few seconds. Christopher's eyes met Joe's and both men stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Cruz was a large man that normally filled a space with a quiet confidence but now he looked as he had just don't 10 rounds in a boxing ring. At first Hermann wanted to let loose on him for the way he had treated Mouch. But then Hermann remembered his own sharp tongue. He thought about the number of times for his temper and tongue had said hurtful things. Hermann's eyes fluttered with the memory of his friend and he decided instead of anger, Cruz needed a little grace and wisdom.

Hermann took a deep breath and coughed a little as he choked back tears, "Joe, listen you have to let it go. Mouch, I mean Randy would want you to let this go. He would tell you dying is a part of the risk we take. Trust me, Mouch knew how you felt about him, no question."

"I didn't mean what I said. I am so sorry and wish I had the opportunity to take everything back. I was such an ass," Cruz said through a sob as he wiped away stray tears that ran down his face.

Herman winced in pain as he composed his thoughts, "Joe we are family. And sometimes families fight but that doesn't change their care and concern for each other."

Cruz bowed his head and nodded but did not say anything but stood not knowing what to say in return and all he could manage was, "Yeah."

Cindy watched the exchange between the Cruz and her husband and thought that a minute together alone was what they both needed. She said, "I think I need something to drink Joe would you mind keeping Chris company while I go stretch my legs. I have to check on the kids who are with my parents right now. I want to update them and let them know that they can see Chris tomorrow morning first thing."

Hermann moved suddenly and winced in pain but said loudly, "Babe be sure to tell them I love them. Oh and tell them a measly warehouse fire isn't going to keep a Hermann down."

Back in the OR waiting room Gabby stood pacing as Severide watched from his chair, "Dawson, let me see if I can find out if there are any updates at the nurse's station. "

Suddenly the door opened and Boden and Chaplain Orlovsky walked into the waiting room. Gabby knew what it meant when the Chaplain and the chief walked into an OR waiting room It meant bad news and the end of life as she knew it. It meant the end of a life with her best friend, Matt. It literally felt like the end of her knowing that Matt was no longer in the world. There would be no more late night love making or talk of a family. She would never see his blue eyes crinkle up in a laugh or smile. No more husky passion-filled, I love you after making love. Grief washed over Dawson's whose eyes opened wide as she realized that they were there to tell her something. She started backing away and shaking her head. "No, he is not gone. I won't believe it. We are going to have a life together. No, no, no. Please God, NOOOOOOOOO."

Severide rose to his feet and began to cradle Dawson before she collapsed completely. "Hey I am here it's gonna be ok. You are not alone. I am here for you just like he was here for me when I needed him." Kelly held back his tears in order to be strong for Gabby as he felt her tremble against him. The thought of Casey gone from 51 was gut wrenching and he went numb. At that moment he wished he had moved faster and worked harder to get Matt out sooner. Hell, maybe it should have been him."

Chiefs baratone voice penetrated Kelly's mind that was fogged with loss and pain, "Gabriela no, it's not what you think. We just saw the nurse who said the surgeon is coming to give us an update."

Gabby calmed a little but fell silent as she waited for the surgeon come down the hall. She could see Halstead approach the glass with a quick and confident step and yet he wore a grim expression. Gabby and Kelly watched intently as the door opened and Halstead walked through the door. The entire room drew out a long sigh when Halstead said the two most beautiful words in the world. "He's alive."