Hello my Dearly Devoted Readers! I do apologize for the delay, but I was in the process of moving and resettling in for a new school year! As of this update, my stories shall begin to be updated every weekend, perhaps earlier in some cases. I know this may come as a disappointment to some, so I've created a one shot that'll go up tomorrow to help you cope! PLEASE continue to review and feel free to leave me suggestions or requests for future stories!

Severide woke sluggishly, stretching with a slight groan. His neck was killing him and for a moment, he couldn't remember why. Then he opened his eyes fully, noticing the sickening smell of antiseptic and the steady beeps of the sleeping person in the bed near him. Stiffly, he rose from his makeshift camp, feeling more popping and stretching as he did. Sinking into the chair, Kelly felt a bit of annoyance growing within him, having been forced to sleep on the ground.

The feeling, however, dissipated immediately when he caught sight of his two best friends sleeping in the hospital bed. Snickering silently, Severide took a quick shot on his phone. Shay was sprawled out across the majority of the bed, one leg hanging off, one arm splayed across Casey's midriff. Her blonde hair was fanned out across the pillow, covering a portion of Matt's head. The truck lieutenant, on the other hand, was small and unobtrusive, sleeping on his good side. It appeared that Matt had been the typical gentleman, attempting to stay out of Shay's personal space. The paramedic, however, was just as large and present in sleep as she was in life, practically forcing herself into the space and hearts of those around her.

"You goofballs," Kelly laughed quietly. "I don't know what I'd do without you though…you guys are the only real family I've got now."

"Ugh…Kel…you ruined my beauty sleep with your stupid sentiment…" Shay muttered sleepily, rolling closer to Matt. "Yeah yeah, we love you too…big brother to us all…"

Laughing more, Severide moved to Matt's side of the bed. "Sorry, Shay, but it is almost 9. With any luck, Matt will be cleared to leave in the next hour or so! And then we can all go home!"

"Go h'me?" the injured fireman muttered, wearily blinking back sleep.

Kelly moved to ruffle his friend's hair, brushing aside Shay's blonde locks. "Yeah, bud, we can go home…get you some more rest, decent food…all good things."

"Sounds good," Matt agreed, waking more fully. He winced slightly at a twinge from his shoulder, earning a brief worried look from Kelly. "It's just stiff, Kel."

"Well I'm not surprised…look at your sleep partner, man! At least tonight you'll have your own bed to relax in. No lounging Leslies to worry about."

"Hey!" Shay quipped.

"Or sleeping Shays? That better?" amended the squad lieutenant. "I mean honestly, Shay…I'm glad I've never had to share a bed with you."

"That's not what you used to say," she shot back, climbing out of the hospital bed. "You used to use every line in the arsenal to try to earn your way into my bed."

"Oooooh," Matt laughed as Severide stood slack-jawed. "Way to go, Shay!"

"Now, men in my life, I'm off to fetch Matt's doctor," she continued. "Maybe Kel's right and we can go home soon."

Casey continued to laugh unabashedly at his friend's shocked face, doubling over with the effort. Kelly was about to retort when he saw Matt's face contort into pain. Perching on the bed, he gently helped his brother sit upright once more.

"Whoa, easy there, Matty…we need you to get a clean bill of health, remember?"

"Yeah, I know…it just tweaked the wrong way for a second. I'm fine…" Matt managed, slowly exhaling. "Thanks, Kel."

Before the man could respond, Shay returned with the doctor in tow. The physician smiled at the pair of fireman, happy that the past night had proved beneficial to them both. "Ah, Lieutenant Casey, you're looking pretty remarkable for a man nearly dead on my table less than 24 hours ago. How are we feeling?"

"I'm doing pretty well, I think. My shoulder still twinges from time to time, and only likes certain movements, but I think that's probably normal," Matt answered honestly.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, I'd say that that is perfectly normal, all things considered. I'm quite happy with how you've improved over the last few hours. As long as you're not returning home alone, I'm comfortable with discharging you, dependent on a few things, of course."

"He's coming home with us," Severide assured him.

"I would've expected nothing less," he smiled. "Now, Lt. Casey, you are to return in one week's time to get those stitches removed. Until then, they're not to get wet, understand? You'll be in that sling for several weeks and might have to have a session or two of physical therapy, depending on the mobility. I'm sending you home with some pain meds, to be taken in moderation, of course. You mustn't operate any heavy machinery under their influence. If you have any symptoms like you experienced last night, return to the hospital immediately. Over the next few days you must try your very best to avoid stress. A slight fever may occur as your body attempts to recover, no need to worry. As long as it remains below 103 your friends can bring it down with cool cloths and medication."

"Is there anything else, doc?" Shay asked.

"Not that I can think of," he assured her. "I'll just settle the paperwork and you should be all set to check out. Not that it hasn't been a pleasure, Lieutenants, but do try to stay out of my hospital for a while."

"Thanks, Doctor, we'll do our best," Kelly agreed.

"So expect to see one of them in 3-4 weeks," Shay quipped lightheartedly as the doctor left the room.

"We're not that bad," argued Kelly.

"Yeah, we'd make a month, at least," Matt protested.

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Just over an hour later, the trio made their way successfully back to the loft, Kelly supporting a slightly stumbling Matt. Gently leading his brother over to the couch, Severide bit back a laugh as the man dropped onto the cushions, much like a tired toddler.

"Do you want to head upstairs, Matt?" he offered. "Get some more sleep?"

"No…seems too far away to be honest," the blonde admitted. "I'm going to just …sit here for a bit, I think. Want to watch a movie or something?"

"That sounds like a good idea," Kelly agreed, collapsing next to his brother. "Want to pick?"

Casey shook his head, moving to lean on Kelly's broad shoulder. "Nah, I'll sleep through most of it anyways. Take your pick."

Shay just smiled at the two firefighters before moving upstairs. She desperately wanted a shower and a nap in her own bed.

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True to his word, Matt lasted barely 30 minutes before he was sound asleep, still using Severide as a pillow. Kelly, meanwhile, flipped through channels before settling on a James Bond movie marathon. Figuring he'd be in for the long haul as Matt's head rest, he settled in, sinking further into the couch.

That was how Shay found them, hours later, as she reemerged from her room. Smiling at the sight of Matt sleeping comfortably on his brother's shoulder, she quietly tiptoed nearer. Kelly looked up as she approached, the television barely audible. "He's been out almost the entire time."

"His body needs the rest," she reasoned. "How is he besides that?"

"Began to feel a bit warm a little while ago," Severide informed, prompting Shay to feel the injured fireman's forehead. "How bad?"

"It doesn't feel too high," she decided. "Nothing to wake him up for, at least."

The squad lieutenant nodded thoughtfully. "I was so excited to think of having him home that I sort of overlooked the fact that just about 24 hours ago he was in surgery…that he'd just been shot."

"He's okay, Kel," Shay soothed. "I know you worry but Matt's healing nicely. A fever isn't anything to be too concerned about. How about we move him to a more comfortable position? And then you can go run or something…let off some steam. I think you might want to after everything."

Kelly seemed to pause, considering it, before agreeing. "Okay, I guess that's a good idea. Hand me that pillow?"

Together, the roommates maneuvered the slumbering lieutenant so that he was lying down, stretched out along the length of the couch. Shay smoothed back the hair from his forehead, once more checking his temperature. Deeming it to still be in a safe range, she turned to the other fireman, urging him from the room.

"Seriously, Kel, I've got him, okay? Go run, or box or something…Little Brother and I will be just fine."

"Really? Because the last time I left you in charge of him, you came chasing after me," Severide pointed out halfheartedly.

"Yes, well, you needed me," she argued. "Besides, I promise not to sprint after you as long as you return when you're told to."

Rolling his eyes, Kelly agreed. "Alright, fine. I'm headed to box for a little bit, okay? I'll be back in about an hour. Call me if anything happens."

The blonde nodded, waving him out the door. Matt was sleeping peacefully and she was going to start working quietly on dinner. What could possibly go wrong?

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As luck would have it, Heather wasn't satisfied by the blatant dismissal she'd received the night before. It wasn't enough that Kelly had interrupted her attempt to persuade Matt that morning, no, he had, somehow, managed to turn the man completely against her.

"It just isn't fair," she fumed, exiting the hospital. "Matt and I have a real shot of being happy, of moving beyond all of this grief and heartache. And all Kelly Severide can do is tear us apart…well not for long…"

After finding out that Matt had been discharged previously that morning, Heather made her way across town, to the Shayveride loft. Taking a deep breath to settle her emotions, she moved through the hall, trying to remember the apartment they lived in. Severide had told her at one point or another. Finally locating the right door, she knocked brusquely.

Hearing a knock on the door, Shay hurried to open it. "Did you forget…" her joke trailed off as she realized who stood on the other side. "Heather…"

"Hello, Leslie, where is he?" she asked sharply.

"Who? Kelly? The man you tried to drown in guilt and suicidal thoughts? Or Matt? The man you're hopelessly pursuing in hopes to forget your dead husband?" the paramedic snapped, emotions getting the best of her. "Because either one, I'm not letting you near."

"You have no right!" Heather screeched. "Kelly deserves to feel guilty for what he did! For killing my husband, for dragging him into firefighting in the first place, for turning Matt against me! And Matt and I have a chance for real love, for happiness with one another!"

"Matt doesn't need any unnecessary stress," Shay protested, trying to shush the other woman. "He's been through an awful lot and needs to recover. He doesn't need you forcing him into anything…look Heather I'm sure what you're going through has been unbearable…to lose your husband so suddenly and all…"

"You know nothing!"

"Shay…?" softly called from inside the loft, silencing both women. Shay turned slightly to see Casey standing shakily, close to the kitchen.

"Matt, you okay?" she asked, concerned. His eyes had a glazed look to them.

"Of course he's not okay, he was shot, you stupid…" Heather snapped.

"Hey!" Matt cut her off, voice suddenly stronger. "Heather, stop it. What are you even doing here?"

"I came to see you, Matt," she explained, trying to push past Shay. "I knew you were confused last night. You didn't mean what you said. I know that now, so I came to talk. We can still be together, Matt. There can still be an 'us'. But I need to hear you say it. I need you to admit that you want it too."

"Heather, I'm sorry…I told you already…I told you yesterday, and last night," Matt persisted, stumbling towards the door. "It wouldn't be right. I don't feel about you that way, okay? We wouldn't be good for each other anyway… You're just upset, you lost Andy, I get it…"

The woman in the hallway was beginning to look more and more upset. "You DON'T get it, Matthew. Andy's dead, alright? Gone! He's never coming back, I've accepted it. SO why the hell does everyone treat it like this is cheating? He's DEAD! Your brother Kelly killed him!"

"Alright, now wait just a second…" Shay started, only to be cut off by Matt.

"Kelly didn't kill Andy, Heather! The fire did! So quit blaming him! I'm the one that put him through the window, I was his lieutenant. I'm so tired of you blaming him…" he ranted.

"Then maybe you're right, Matt," Heather smiled bitterly. "Maybe you're the real murderer here. You were, after all, the last person to ever see my husband alive…should I tell that to Ben and Griffin when they get home? That their uncle just…watched…"

"That's ENOUGH," Shay yelled suddenly, moving to stand in front of the injured fireman. "Heather I'm sorry about Andy, we all are. But you do NOT get the right to stand at my door and yell and bully anyone you see fit, especially my family. So get the hell out of my building before I call the police! And don't even think about coming near either of my boys again in the near future!"

With that, she slammed the door, locking it in one smooth move. Exhaling in a slight scream, she spun to face Matt. The hurt and shock on his face had her immediately moving to embrace him, careful of his shoulder. "Oh God, Matt…Are you okay? She's wrong…"

The man in question didn't respond, just shaking his head weakly. Shay grew concerned at the heat she felt rising off of him, as well as the trembling of his taller form. "C'mon, let's get you back on that couch, huh?"

The fireman weakly followed her lead, settling back on the couch with a small whimper of pain. Shay then ran to grab a Gatorade, ibuprofen, and a thermometer. Opening the drink, she encouraged the distraught man to drink some before popping the pills. Then she expertly slipped the thermometer under his tongue. While it calculated, she ran a hand soothingly through his hair.

"It'll all be okay, Matt…All of this will be over soon…."

Reading his temperature, she eased the blonde back into a comfortable lying position, properly supported by pillows. His fever wasn't too bad yet, only 101, and the medicine should help in lowering it soon enough. Perching herself on the coffee table, she continued to talk softly to her friend, running her fingers lightly through his hair until he drifted off to sleep.

Returning to her meal prep she considered calling Kelly, but Heather was gone for now, and the damage done. There wasn't much Big Brother could do at that moment, and Matt was sleeping again. Besides, Kelly needed this break too. Resolve hardened, she grabbed her knife and began furiously chopping vegetables. She needed to blow off steam too, but vacuuming would have to wait.

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Matt tossed restlessly, voices resounding loudly through his head. You killed Andy! You killed my husband! How could you, Matt? He moaned lightly, trying to escape his subconscious. Kelly and Heather just stood there, yelling at him, accusing him of murdering Andy.

Suddenly Boden was there too, and Hermann. You're no longer fit for duty, Casey. I can't have a lieutenant that can't even save his own men! How are we supposed to follow you? To trust you to have our backs in the heat?

Matt flailed in his delirium, nearly falling off the couch. Shay noticed the sudden movement and hurried towards him. "Matt?"

In his mind, Shay was replaced by Hallie, hurrying towards him. Is it true? Did you really send Andy in to die? How can I ever love you again, Matt? How could we ever have a family? You're a monster! Just like your mother!

"No no no no…." he muttered, eyes snapping wide. Unseeing, he scrambled off the couch, backing into a corner.

Shay noticed the glazed look his eyes still had and cursed quietly. "Matt? Matt, it's Shay…you're okay…you're in our loft."

The fireman just shook his head, curled in as small a ball as he could manage with his shoulder. Uncle Matt, why'd you do it? Why'd you kill Daddy?

The paramedic, meanwhile, whipped out of the room to her forgotten cell phone. Quickly selecting the speed dial, she waiting anxiously as it dialed. "C'mon c'mon c'mon..pick up, Kel, pick up!"

"Hey Shay, what's up? I told you I'd be back in just a little bit…I'm like 10 minutes out now," he drawled, sounding much more relaxed.

"Oh thank GOD, Kel I need you to get home, right now! Like make it 5 minutes!"

"What's wrong?"

"Matt's fever, he's delusional and Heather was here and yelling and he's a wreck, Kel. We can't let him hurt himself, if he pulls those stitches…"

"Shit, I'm on my way, hold on!"

Turning back to Matt in the corner, Shay heard Kelly's engine revving and prayed he'd be back in time to stop the self-destruction she was witnessing.

Well…what did you guys think? Dun Dun Duhhhhh! Will this be the end of Heather? Will Kelly be able to get through to Matt? Will Matt hurt himself along the way? Let me know! The one shot will go up tomorrow! I'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews!