Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 3 – Tensions Build
A/N: Okay so I honestly didn't think that the show would wrap up the arsonist angle that fast *sigh* (so lame) but since in the show they didn't have Kelly moving in with Matt on the show I'm going to label this AU and make our wily arsonist do a few other things that weren't on the show and drag it out a bit longer before he's stopped (one way or another lol) so I hope that's okay. Thanks!
Casey heads toward Hadley as he stands at the end of the firehouse parking lot, his mind wondering what the former squad member could possibly want from him. His brow slightly furrows as he nears the lone figure; his back toward the firehouse where Severide was just about to get some interesting and unwelcoming news from one of his own team members.
"Hadley," Casey nods briefly as he comes to a stop; his expression that of one of complete wonder. "So…what's going on?" Casey holds up his phone with the text message prominently displayed.
"Was in the area," Hadley replies slowly. "Had a few minutes."
"Really."
"Actually I have some extra free time, as I'm sure you heard."
"House 31. Yeah I heard. Sorry tough break. We inherited a few from 33."
"Guess I picked the wrong number in the draw once again," Hadley replies in mild sarcasm.
"Are you here for a job?" Casey inquires in sincerity.
"Any openings?"
"Not at the moment but as you know recruitment was never my task. Sorry to have wasted your time."
"Actually that's not why I am here."
"Okay then why are you really here?" Casey asks directly.
"I heard about Heather Darden."
"You heard," Casey repeats somewhat quietly.
"Tough break, especially on the night of the anniversary of Andy's death."
"Was toughest on the boys."
"Yeah how are they? I know neither Heather or Andy had any real family, so who's looking after them now?"
"Kelly and I are going to…"
"Matt!" Severide's voice calls out from behind Casey noticing Hadley's jaw instantly tighten.
"Really? You two," Hadley somewhat smirks as Casey's arms fold in front of his chest. "Not sure who I feel sorrier for. And Heather agreed to that? Really."
"What do you want Hadley?" Severide asks with a small hiss.
"I believe I was talking to Casey. But it's nice to see you standing up for one of the House men now. Guess things have really changed since I was…well I was canned right?"
"You have an issue with personnel take it up with the Chief."
"You were my leader Kelly, is that how you lead by example? Abandoning your friends when they make a small mistake?"
"Are you going to leave or do you need me to carry you off the property?" Severide asks directly as he steps past Casey and glares right at Hadley; Casey's lips pursing but his brain telling him to bite his tongue.
"I came to speak to Casey."
"He's done talking to you. We all are!"
"You know you always did speak for Casey," Hadley slightly smirks. "Maybe some things haven't changed."
"I think we're done here Hadley," Casey adds with a firm glare as Hadley looks at Severide with a smug smile and holds his gaze for a few seconds before he turns to Casey and then nods. Casey knows Hadley's just trying to get a rise and knows that to argue the false comment back was a waste of time so he lets Kelly have the last word for his former squad member and leaves it there.
"Have fun with your children Matt; all three of them."
"Leave…now," Severide growls as Hadley turns on his heel and then heads toward the street; the two 51 lieutenants standing in stunned silence for a few seconds before Casey turns to Severide in question.
"Care to explain what just happened?" Casey looks at Severide with a firm expression. "It was a nothing…"
"Hadley's the arsonist!" Severide glares at Casey before he turns to see Hadley get into his own dark medium sized sedan and pull away.
"What? Why didn't you tell me?" Casey asks sharply. "I was to…"
"I don't have proof yet but…but it doesn't matter."
"Yes it matters," Casey reminds him. "At least if I had known your suspicions I could have been ready."
"I was going to tell you when Clarke came in this morning but couldn't. Something's off about that guy. So I told the Chief and then when I was done I came to find you only I didn't expect you to be out here making friends with a traitor!"
"What did you want me to do, ignore his request to talk?"
"Yes," Severide states plainly. "What did he want?"
"He just wanted to say he was sorry about Heather and asked about the boys."
"What did you tell him?" Severide presses.
"Kelly…"
"What!"
"That we were looking after them."
"Ah damn it!"
"What's going on?"
"Don't you get it?" Severide pulls back with an angry expression. "He wants another target!"
"You said you don't have proof. He's just lost his job and was asking about a fallen friend. He was friends with Darden also Kelly you know that. He wasn't close, none of the guys were as close as us, but others have asked, it wasn't that odd."
"Don't talk to him again!" Severide warns as he turns on his heel and then heads back to the firehouse, Casey watching in stunned silence. A few seconds later, he pulls himself away from his silent stupor and heads toward the firehouse, bypassing the breakfast area and heading straight for Boden's office.
"Kelly thinks Hadley is the arsonist?"
"He has no proof. A bad feeling cannot convict anyone you know that," Boden tells him plainly.
"Did he talk to Hadley?" Casey ventures an inquiry.
"Was told to prove it."
"What?" Casey asks in shock. "Hadley said that?"
"His exact words," Boden answers in truth. "Benny told me that Hadley is on the suspect list but we need solid evidence."
"Chief, Kelly's gut instinct is usually pretty right on the money."
"I know. That's what worries me. But we have to let the arson investigation team do their thing. We can't just go accusing other firefighters without solid proof."
"We'll get it," Casey nods firmly as he leaves the office and goes in search of Severide. But before he's able to get to talk to his agitated best friend, the overhead paging system goes off and it's all hands on deck. As Casey gears up, his mind can't help but think about what might have been Hadley's real motive. Kelly already confronted him and he told him to prove it. Did he come to try to divide us? Turn me against Kelly? Is he that bold? His mind can only inwardly groan at his discussion with Hadley and how he had maybe given the would be arsonist something else he could use against the firehouse. Or is Kelly the real target? Either way he knows he would be heeding Severide's warning and maybe even giving one in return.
"Chief! The stairs just gave way! We're trapped in the basement!" Casey shouts into his headset about half hour later as they work to free a woman who had been caught and burned in the arsonist's deadly trap.
"51 we need that ladder!" Severide shouts as he starts to rush back down the ladder; his mind racing to get Casey and the two others out of the fiery basement. His mind tries not to think about Hadley's involvement with this, as losing Casey or Mills or the other person wasn't an option he was going to entertain for a second.
"Hurry! They're running out of time!" Boden orders, his anxious tone feeding Severide's panic. He feels his chest heaving a bit more and his heart racing a bit higher as they slowly feed the ladder in through the smoky window; Casey and Mills frantically trying to get the victim onto the ladder and get her help and fast.
"Okay get her clear! We still have two more down there!" Severide shouts as Dawson and Shay quickly pull the badly burned young woman clear and rush her to the waiting ambulance. "Come on…" Severide grumbles as Capp and Clarke grab Mills arms and pull him clear.
"Grab my hands!" Severide yells to Casey as he feels the intense heat starting to kiss the exposed parts of his face. "Come on Matt hurry," Severide lightly growls as he gives Casey's heavily gear-clad frame a good tug. "I got you," Severide grunts as he pulls Casey half way out of the window and then leans back and gets him all the way out. "I got you."
"Matt…" Severide lightly gasps as he pulls him away from the window, gently letting Casey's frame rest on the grass a few meters away from the smoky window.
"Th-thanks," Casey offers a course cough as he rests on all fours and then sags onto his knees and looks up at Severide with a soot-creased frown.
"You okay?"
"A bit singed…but fine," Casey admits with a weak grimace.
"What?" Severide asks in haste.
"Nothing I…"
"That wasn't a nothing wince. What hurts?"
"Kelly I'm fine. But l…"
"Matt…"
"Kelly, look who's here," Casey nudges Severide's shoulder in haste. "Maybe y…Kelly wait!" Casey groans as Severide instantly pulls away and then storms toward Hadley with an angry scowl. Remembering what Severide had told him earlier about Hadley but also knowing that they were in a very public place and phones were out in full force, Casey hurries after Severide to help Boden hold him back from doing something stupid.
"That's enough!" Boden growls as he pulls Severide away from Hadley; Casey joining in and grabbing one of Severide's arms and yanking him back.
"You know what…on second thought keep the tee!" Hadley tosses back in sarcasm as Casey looks at Severide in concern. Then before Severide can utter another angry accusation, Casey takes him by the arm and tries to drag him away from any other listening ears.
"You told me earlier not to talk to him. Accusing him openly in public is not a wise idea either," Casey reminds him firmly as Severide purses his lips and utters an angry curse under his breath. "He saw that he was able to get a rise out of you this morning and he came here to do the same thing! You didn't want me to give him anything, why did you?"
"You made your point," Severide replies sourly under his breath. "I know it's him Matt," Severide hisses. "I know it," he repeats as he slowly heads back toward his truck. He turns back to see Casey touch his shoulder and then frowns when his face utters a wince but then quickly changes when Hermann approaches him; Severide telling himself that he'd have to check on Casey later. Damn I'm moving in tonight…Severide's mind huffs as he watches Hadley get into his car and then slowly pull away, watching Casey a bit longer than Severide would like and forcing his mind to worry who the next target would be.
As he heads for his own team, his mind tries not to ponder the fact that Casey had been caught in a few of the fires…a few of the ones he thought were aimed at him. What is Hadley's damn game? Target me by hurting those I care about? But as he slaps the door to his truck and the big rig pulls away, he recalls Casey's as well as Boden's verbal reminder that Hadley was only on the suspect list and hadn't been firmly fingered yet. Until that time you back off and keep a cool head, his father had warned him. But he knows that his very public outburst toward Hadley would only, if Hadley was the real arsonist, fuel his evil need to hurt more and possibly send him a personal message for making it publicly known that he was the one that burned the young woman. Damn it, Severide's mind groans as they reach the firehouse.
The rest of the shift is thankfully routine, allowing Severide to leave on time to go and meet his father and then take the first few boxes of his personal belongings over to Casey's; the larger items already sent to storage where they'd remain until he found his own place in just over a year.
"You sure about this?" Benny asks his son as they load up the last box and then head toward Casey's.
"Andy would want me to…I owe him," Severide replies as he stares out the window with a heavy frown. "Besides, Matt does need help and…"
"And you owe him?" Benny interjects.
"Matt's my friend and I want to help the boys also. A broken family sucks."
"Kelly…"
"Yeah dad?" Severide looks over at his father as Benny smirks and then shakes his head.
"Fifteen months will fly by just like that," Benny resigns.
"You know if you wanna help out sometime…"
"What…me babysit?"
"Why not? The boys like you."
"They're scared of me," Benny smirks.
"Can you blame them?" Severide tosses back with a small chuckle as they arrive at Casey's home. "Ready?"
"I should be asking you that."
"Casey and I have talked very candidly and I know what he's facing and I know it won't be an easy go of this. But dad I gotta help those boys. You remember what Andy joked about the day we got our first assignments."
"Yeah…the kid swap," Benny huffs as he frowns at his son. "I hope this works."
"Yeah…me too. Those kids have been through enough already."
The two of them get out; Benny heading to the back of the truck as Severide slowly heads up the walk to the front door and knocks.
"Uncle Kelly!" Ben shouts as his small frame hurls itself into Severide's waiting grasp.
"Hey goober!" Severide grins back as he holds the small boy in his arms and carries him into Casey's main living room area. "Hey."
"Hey. Your dad outside?" Casey inquires as he can't help but smile as Ben starts to climb atop Severide's frame.
"Yeah he is," Severide chuckles as Casey heads for the front door and Griffin appears with a perplexed expression. "Hey Griffin. So did Uncle Matt tell you guys I'm moving in here to help out?"
"He can't do it on his own? Mom did it for a whole year by herself," Griffin states sourly.
"Yeah but mom's are special."
"Mom's in jail uncle Matt told us," Ben pipes up as his arms wrap around Severide's neck.
"I know. Uncle Matt is lending me a room because I'm in between places right now and he's my friend and that's what friends do; they help each other out. I'd do the same for him."
"He'd do the same for me too," Benny pipes up as he enters and places a big box on the floor. "Hey boys. Remember me?"
Both Darden boys look at Benny's wide grin and then give him a head shake 'no', causing Severide to laugh as his father's face instantly frowns.
"Well that's okay. In the next number of months I'm sure you'll get to know me."
"You're moving in too?" Griffin asks in shock as Benny chuckles.
"Doubt there's enough room. But I'll be around. I'm Kelly's dad."
"Hi Kelly's dad," Ben laughs as Benny gives him a friendly slap on the back.
"And who are you?"
"Ben."
"Good name. I'm Ben too."
"Really?"
"Friends call me Benny. That way we won't get mixed up when called for dinner."
"Good one dad," Severide lightly groans under his breath as he watches his dad leave and Casey enter with a few boxes. "Okay guys I gotta help Uncle Matt bring in my stuff."
"Actually you can start to take these to your room."
"Which is?"
"The spare room down here? I know it's smaller but…"
"It'll do just fine," Severide mentions as he knows he doesn't want to complain too much. Casey had told him that he gave his larger bedroom to the boys to share and he moved into the smaller one down the hall as he didn't need as much room as them.
After all the boxes were brought in, Benny says goodbye to the boys, telling them he'd drop by as soon as he could and then assuring both Matt and Kelly that finding the identity of the arsonist was his top priority and he'd get back to them as soon as he had something concrete.
'In the meantime I don't want you pestering Kevin Hadley anymore. Leave it alone.' Were Benny's parting words.
"I know it's not much but…"
"It'll be just fine," Severide turns to Casey with a friendly smile. "So what's the nightly ritual?"
"I know Heather said she used to read to Ben and Griffin…it depends. So far Griffin's stonewalling me but I'm not giving up," Casey answers with a small smile. "But if you wanna take Ben I can focus more on Griffin."
"Divide and conquer," Severide grins as Casey nods in agreement. "Okay I'll let you head up first."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"Night," Severide replies as he turns and looks at the boxes before him and groans. At least he had put his daily essentials in one box and so didn't have to hunt around too much for something to sleep in. "This…is gonna take a lot of work," he muses as he changes into some sweats and a tee and then heads upstairs to see Ben.
"Where's Uncle Matt?" Severide asks when he notices Casey's not in the boy's room.
"He got lost," Ben answers with a giggle.
"Oh he did did he?" Severide grins as he scoops Ben up in his grasp. "Come on…let's go find him."
"Okay!"
"Is he…in the hall closet?" Severide asks in a playful tone, making the small boy in his grasp chuckle.
"No."
"No?" Severide wags his brows. "Okay…how about the…laundry hamper!"
"He's too big!" Ben laughs as they near Casey's bedroom.
"He is?" Severide laughs.
"He's in his room!"
"Maybe we should ask if he's descent?"
"What do you mean?" Ben wonders with a small frown as Severide offers him a tender smile. He nears Casey's half open door but also frowns upon hearing nothing. He pokes his head into the room only to find it empty. But a few seconds later, Casey betrays himself by cursing and Severide's quick to push the door open and head for the bathroom.
"Uncle Matt are you des…cent?" Severide's voice breaks as he pushes open the bathroom door and then stops short with his mouth agape as Casey tries to cover the burn mark on the back of his shoulder that he had been unsuccessfully trying to treat on his own.
"You gotta knock!" Casey growls as he quickly reaches for a tee-shirt to cover his upper half; his lower half already clad in a pair of dark blue sweat pants.
"Hold on a sec," Severide tells him in a quiet tone as he slowly lowers Ben to the counter, the small boy looking up in wonder. "Today?"
"Jacket shifted when the stairs fell and something wedged itself…look it's no big deal and I'll be out in a bit."
"What do you think Ben? Think Uncle Matt might need some help with a Band-Aid?"
"Does it hurt?" The young boy asks as he leans in to look at the red puffy skin.
"It's only first degree and more of an irritant."
"That means yes," Severide smirks as he looks at the small wound. "But he's right about it being only first degree and that means it'll heal faster. Matt, move your hand," Severide lightly scolds as slaps Casey's hand; Casey looking down at Ben with a mock angry face, making the younger boy smile.
"I'll be okay. That is if Uncle Kelly can put on a band aide properly," Casey teases in return.
"I am the master at…"
"Should I tell him the Miller story?"
"No."
"You see Ben there was…"
"Matt, I swear you tell him and this band aide is going over your mouth instead of that burn," Severide warns as he gently applies some of the soothing burn cream to Casey's enflamed skin; both of them wincing at the same time.
"Tell me tell me!" Ben begs with a wide grin.
"How can I say no to that face?"
"Try hard," Severide snickers as he reaches for the large patch style band aide. "You should have had this looked at at the House. No wonder the skin is all enflamed your jacket nearly rubbed it raw."
"I'll sleep on my stomach tonight, it'll be fine," Casey insists. "Okay Ben so there was this guy nam….mmmph," Casey starts only to have Severide lean in and clamp his hand over his mouth making the young boy laugh. "Very…funny," Casey mutters as Severide holds up the large patch bandage. "You wouldn't…"
"Dare?" Severide wags his brows as Ben continues to laugh. "It would amuse Ben."
"Do it!" Ben shouts as Griffin finally appears to see what all the verbal commotion was about.
"Do what?" Griffin asks in wonder.
"Uncle Kelly's gonna put that large patch over Uncle Matt's mouth," Severide wags his brows.
"Why?"
"Because he's bad," Ben giggles.
"He is not," Casey groans as Severide snickers but continues; peeling away the backing of the large bandage and then gently putting it over Casey's burn, covering it with the soft padding and making sure the sticky parts stick to the dry skin.
"I'll save one for later," Severide grins as Casey merely mutters and shakes his head. "Just try not to sleep on it."
"Good advice. Okay so who's ready for bed?"
"Me! Uncle Kelly can you read me Ironman?"
"Sure thing," Severide answers as he rescoops Ben up off the counter and then heads out of the bathroom, offering a soft goodnight to Casey and Griffin.
"Does it hurt?" Griffin asks as the two of them are alone in the bathroom; Casey putting a few things away before he calls it a night.
"A little, but it was just a little burn. I'll be okay," Casey gives him a small head ruffle as Griffin gives him a stiff smile. "Want me to read to you or something?" Casey asks hopefully.
"No I'm okay. Are we really going to see mom tomorrow?"
"We are. Is that okay?"
"I don't want to go," Griffin lightly pouts as Casey wraps his arm around his shoulders and gives him a comforting squeeze. "She needs to see you both. It'll be okay. After that the four of us will go for ice cream or something. Would you like that?"
"I guess," Griffin shrugs as they head into the large shared bedroom. Casey hears Severide laughing with Ben and instantly feels a small pang grab his core and hold on; his brain forcing his lips to display a tight smile, an outward display to those around that he wasn't unnerved by the fact that one adult was making progress in such a short time and he was still struggling with the other. Don't give up….his brain reminds him, you've taken the more difficult child, don't give up.
"Alright guys we have a big day tomorrow. Time for bed."
"Yes dad," Severide snickers as he tosses a pillow at Casey's head.
"Did you just…"
"Uh huh," Severide grins as he hands a pillow to Ben. "Just be careful of his back."
"Ben put that…" Casey warns with a small smile as the pillow hits his stomach. "Okay…that's it…PILLOW FIGHT!" Casey declares as he grabs the nearest pillow and then tries to hit Ben in the legs. Within seconds the room erupts with happy laughter; Griffin at first holding back but then joining in and grabbing a pillow and hitting Severide in the back. Severide picks up Griffin and holds him up while he hits Casey in the head with the pillow. Casey follows Severide's suit as he picks up Ben and helps the young boy to attack his brother; Severide hitting Casey in the stomach. The four of them continue their pillow fight, hitting each other with the large blobs of fluff until all four of them slump down on the large, messy bed, laughing and breathing hard.
"Okay…time for bed," Casey states with a small pant as he slowly sits up; a small wince from landing on his back not lost on Severide but not mentioned in front of the boys. "Big day tomorrow for all of us."
"Goodnight you guys."
Both boys say goodnight; Casey and Severide leaving the room and Casey flipping off the light.
"I was thinking this weekend I'd move the big bed into my room and then get them each a single bed. I know a place that can give us a deal," Casey mentions as they head downstairs to unwind a little.
"Sounds good. Sharing the bed is okay for temporary but for the amount of time they'll be here, their own space would be best. About tomorrow…"
"Kelly, Heather needs to see you there. I know you two had some tension in the past but she needs to see you there for her boys. She knows Andy would have wanted it also. I want you there as my friend and I know the boys want you there also. We'll go for ice cream afterward."
"Then I'm there for sure," Severide grins as they talk a bit longer about making the boys living space a bit more personal for each and then finally call it a night.
XXXXXXXX
"How's your shoulder?" Severide asks Casey the following morning.
"Rolled on it a few times," Casey lightly huffs as he pulls the cupboard open to display an array of breakfast selections.
"Well stocked cupboard I see," Severide comments as Casey pulls out a box of cereal and then a packet of instant oatmeal.
"Took me a few mornings to figure this out but it's getting there," Casey replies with an easy smile. A few seconds later, small footsteps are heard running down the stairs and hurrying into the kitchen; each boy taking their prospective breakfast offerings and heading for the table to join to two adult males. The conversation is kept light and Casey mentions his plans for the weekend a few days later, about the beds and letting each boy make his own space a bit more personal.
After that it was time to get ready to head to the prison to visit Heather, their mom. Casey trades a small uneasy sideways glance with Severide as they near the prison; both men feeling some nervous anxiety starting to creep up. Casey stops his truck and both boys get out and then stare at him in wonder; Severide hanging back a few feet.
"Okay we're going to go inside and they are going to sign us in and we'll walk through a metal detector, just like at the airport. They'll take us to a visiting room and the guards will bring your mom in to…sit and talk. She'll be wearing kind of a funny jumpsuit and she…maybe won't have on any makeup. She's still your mom and she still loves you."
"Can we just get on with it," Griffin states in obvious distain; Severide pursing his lips but remaining silent and letting Casey finish what he started.
"Griffin," Casey starts in a kind, low tone, "I've been where you are, I know it's not easy to see your mom this way, but you have no idea what a great thing it is you are doing for her. You two are all she has right now. So keep being brave, for her."
"Okay," Griffin replies with a soft nod as Casey looks up at Severide and offers him a strained smile; the four of them slowly heading for the prison entrance. Once there, both men remove their jackets and each take a boy to keep an eye on them as the head for the check in desk and then pass through the metal detectors.
"I don't like this place," Ben whispers as he clutches Severide's hand a bit tighter; Casey keeping Griffin right in front of him; his hand on his shoulder.
"Me either," Severide whispers down to Ben as he slowly directs him toward the desk. The four of them check in their personal items and jackets; sign their names and then take their security tags.
"This way," Casey directs as he leads Griffin toward the doors to the public visiting area; both boys stiffening beside their older male counterparts and waiting for further direction.
"So what do we do now?" Griffin asks somewhat sourly as they all enter the public visiting area.
"We wait until…" Casey starts only to have both boys break away when the guard opens the door and the female inmates start to slowly follow in; both boys spying their mother coming in and rushing toward her.
"Mom!" Both call at once as they rush into her waiting arms; Casey and Severide exchanging a friendly smile and knowing this is what both of them needed, especially Griffin.
"Hey…Matt…Kelly," Heather looks at Severide with a strained expression.
"Hey there," Severide whispers as he gives Heather a small hug and then pulls away and offers her a brief smile. "The boys are doing well."
"I'm glad you get to see them," Heather comments as she heads for the table; Casey already seated. "Can I talk to Matt for a few minutes in private?"
"Uh sure…" Severide shrugs as he takes the boys to a nearby table, pulling Ben onto his lap and then making Griffin stayed close.
"How you holding up?" Casey asks in concern.
"I'm…doing okay I guess," Heather answers with a heavy sigh. "So…how are the boys with all this?"
"We're…adjusting," Casey admits in truth. "It's been hardest for Griffin. He's…he's trying his best and so am I but I feel like we're butting heads a lot. But we'll make it work, I promise," Casey tries to assure her. "Kelly's helping me now and…and we'll make it work. I know that's what Andy would have wanted."
"Matt…"
"So have you had any other visitors?" Casey inquires innocently.
"Actually I had one."
"Sally?" Casey asks, referring to her other close friend; the one that had been in the car the night of the accident.
"No…it um…it was Kevin Hadley."
"What?" Casey asks sharply; forcing Severide to look up in haste. "What did he want Heather?"
"Matt, I want Kelly away from my boys," Heather states firmly as Casey looks at her in shock.
"Heather…"
"Please Matt for me. I don't want him around my boys."
"What….did he say?" Casey demands firmly. "What?"
A/N: So what did Hadley tell Heather about Kelly? You know danger is waiting but for who? And what other tension between our boys is building? Okay *groan* seriously Chicago fire you need some name diversity! Lol Ben and Benny? Dang….okay so yes this 'Ben' is little Ben Darden not my baddie Ben *oye* lol and I did like Hadley at the start of the series but we don't really know much about his life so I'm adding a few other details that would help to make him go off the deep end and hope that's okay, b/c I think it'll make the revenge on our boys a bit more personal than just a regular OC baddie. Agreed? (I had waffled with idea of making the arsonist an OC but I like an already show-established baddie that I can expand upon-like the ever deliciously evil Nancy Casey hehe and am doing that with Hadley and hope that's okay). So I would love your thoughts as always on this, so please do review before you go about this update and the notes going forward for this angsty adventure and thanks!
PS: Hope you all liked my last eppy OS (test drive) some lighter broments but we need those at times right?