Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 6 – Creating Unnecessary Tension

"Hey…what's going on?" Severide asks Casey in a soft whisper as he slowly stumbles into the kitchen about 2am.

"Did I wake you?"

"Heard you walk past. You okay?"

"Yeah I…just couldn't sleep," Casey admits with a heavy sigh as he reaches for a bottle of beer; Severide watching in concern as his hand pauses and then puts it back. "After my father died I…I got into an irregular sleeping pattern. I never saw his body right after he was shot, only in the hospital but um…but it took months before it was back to normal and then with Hallie. I still see myself holding her Kelly. Begging her to come back to me. Some nights are fine and now…now I see her and the boys and I fail them both."

"Wanna drink alone?"

"Shouldn't be drinking at all at this hour right?"

"You need me to tell you no?" Severide shrugs. "I understand your reasoning but how about water instead?" He retorts with a small smirk.

"Probably healthier," Casey huffs as he heads for the sink and runs the cold water. "You know what sucks about being up at this time?"

"What?"

"Nothing good on TV," Casey groans as Severide nods and snickers.

"How about a Risk rematch?" Severide suggests as Casey looks at him in shock. "Well we're both up. Come on…first one to conquer Canada wins."

"You're on."

The two of them sit down to an early morning game of Risk. But the purpose of the game wasn't to see who could master world domination in the board game but for one friend trying to help another work past a tough emotional hurdle. Casey was always one to keep everything inside from his team at work and most around him; only a few were privy to peel away the layers and peer under the tormented shield. Tonight was one of those nights. And Severide knew if he just left Casey to his bottle of water, the pattern would continue without resolution and another reason he had agreed to move in, one he kept hidden from Casey, was to help him deal with Hallie's absence in his life and make sure he didn't go off the deep end alone. He was too good a friend to just turn his back on.

The next time Severide looks at the clock it's nearly 4am and Casey's about to fall face first down onto the playing board. So not uttering a word, he leaves his spot by the table, gently helps Casey's sleepy frame to his feet and heads for the stairs.

"I won," Casey whispers with a small smile. "Got to…Canada."

"You sure did," Severide whispers back; neither of them wanting to wake the boys at such a late hour. "Sleep well buddy," Severide tells Casey as he helps him into his bed; Casey rolling onto his side and whispering goodnight before darkness consumes him for good. Severide creeps back downstairs, wondering if that's why Casey looked so tired some mornings coming into shift – he was awake all night…dwelling and drinking. Of course after Hallie died he had emotionally tense issues on his mind – rescuing someone you love, recovering their dead body was traumatizing at best. No wonder that had kept him awake. But now this…thrust into parenthood and a vengeful ex-coworker running around wrecking havoc with that assignment. I'd be drinking too, Severide's mind groans as he slips into his own bed. His eyes close and much like his friend one floor up – they don't open until several hours later.

XXXXXXXX

"Did you guys play after we went to bed or something?" Griffin asks a very sleepy Severide Saturday morning. "Where's Uncle Matt?"

"Yeah we played a bit and then went to bed. I think he's still…"

"Uncle Matt!"

"Not that easy to sleep in in this place," Casey lightly smirks as he stumbles into the kitchen, offering all of them a sleepy wave.

"Uncle Matt has bed head," Ben snickers as Casey feels a few strands sticking up and offers them a wry smile.

"Who wants waffles for breakfast?" Severide volunteers as Casey's eyes widen and he looks at the boys with a wide grin; the three of them answering "ME" in unison. "Waffles it is!"

"So are we really gonna be yard slaves today?" Ben groans as Casey looks up from making the coffee.

"Yard slaves?" He lightly snickers as Griffin grins. "Griffin, stop tormenting your little brother."

"Uncle Kelly said that's what big brothers do," Ben pouts as Casey looks over at Severide who shrugs and snickers.

"Well he is right about that and he would know all about that too," Casey retorts. "Isn't that right Uncle Kelly?"

"That is right Uncle Matt," Severide replies proudly.

"See!"

"Not fair!" Ben folds his arms on the table and buries his head as Griffin laughs.

"But you know what's great about being the little brother Ben?" Casey starts as both Severide and Griffin look up in wonder; Ben lifting his head to listen. "They have to set the example by doing most of the heavy lifting."

"What?" Griffin growls as Severide merely purses his lips and then chuckles.

"That's not fair," Severide mildly protests the same time as Griffin.

"Trust me, we'll all have fun today and share the work," Casey pats Ben on the back as he looks at Griffin and nods. "And then we'll have some people over tonight and that'll be fun also."

"Can we play Risk again?"

"Challenge Chief Boden when he comes," Severide answers with a grin as Griffin looks up at Casey.

"Trust me, he loves board games," Casey assures the young boy with an affectionate smile. "And he'd be only too happy to play with you."

"What about me?"

"You too!"

"Poor guy," Severide chuckles as Casey shakes his head.

"Which one?" Casey retorts.

About twenty minutes later, breakfast is on the table and the talk dies to a minimum; after which the boys help clean up, ferrying dishes back and forth to the sink before they are told to go get ready to head outside.

"You okay this morning?"

"Yeah," Casey nods. "Thanks for the game last night," he states with a small smile. "I just…some nights I can't sleep. With Hallie, it was just me to consider but now…I mean look at this," Casey lightly huffs as he pulls out the boy's school schedule. "Christie is going to help with the bulk of this…and damn I'd be so lost without her. But there are parent teacher meetings next week and then starts the fun stuff. Most has died down for winter but there are still things that shouldn't be missed. We work crazy hours…Hadley's not helping and I'm wondering when I'm going to get another call from the school counselor."

"We'll make it work. You know Shay won't mind helping out in a pinch either."

"Boden said he would too. I'll show them the schedule tonight. I know Hermann volunteered but he's already the mayor of his own city," Casey lightly chuckles as he puts the schedule back on the fridge and then folds his arms and leans against it; his face displaying a heavy frown. "I can't let them down."

"You won't. Come on," Severide says as he slaps Casey on the back. "Let's get outside and rake some leaves or whatever needs to be done. But I gotta tell you, there isn't much."

"Actually…" Casey starts as he pulls away. "We need to make a shed."

"What's that?" Severide calls out as Casey disappears around the corner; Severide muttering as he heads for his room to get dressed for the day; Casey laughing all the way upstairs. When they are all dressed they head outside to enjoy a fall day without rain; the sun offering them something to smile about.

Severide starts to clean up the small patio area where they'd be having supper; while Casey gets the boys to help him clean up just bits and pieces of debris in the back yard, clearing away a space for a small shed to house the boy's bikes, some yard equipment and a few other things.

Since Severide had made breakfast, Casey heads inside just before noon and pulls out a few fixings; telling himself that while his cooking wasn't the gourmet offerings that even his sister could offer, it was tasty and filling and that's what mattered – keeping the meals healthy was an ongoing task.

"Lunch is ready!" Casey calls out as three faces look up in joy and head for the back door and then inside the kitchen.

"Yay hot dogs!" Ben exclaims as his rosy cheeks widen with delight.

"Yup. So wash up and let's eat."

"No sauerkraut?" Severide teases as slides into a kitchen chair.

"I have some day old cabbage you could douse in pickle juice if you want," Casey banters back.

"Ewww!" Griffin looks at them in disgust as both older men laugh. The four of them contentedly enjoy their simple meal of hot dogs, chips and hot chocolate, Casey outlining his plan for the shed work in the afternoon and how it should only take them a few hours to get it up and complete; something he wanted to do before the rain and show comes.

"Boden's bringing the steaks," Casey mentions as he reads his text, looking up at Severide with a happy grin.

"Excellent! Shay's bringing a salad."

"Salad?" Casey arches his brows.

"She's been on a health kick as of late," Severide groans as Casey's phone beeps again. "Shay invited Dawson who…yes invited Mills."

"Anyone else?" Casey smirks.

"I invited Capp. He's going to bring the beer and…what else is he…Matt?" Severide's tone turns serious when Casey's expression instantly hardens and his jaw set. "What?"

"It's um…unknown number. No big deal."

"Matt…"

"It's no…big deal."

"Let me see that," Severide quickly snatches away Casey's phone and reads the brief but malicious text.

'Heather made a mistake with you.'

"Hadley," Severide hisses as Casey takes his phone back.

"The number is unknown," Casey tries to argue back. "But yeah it's Hadley. Who else!"

"Don't let him ruin today."

"I won't," Casey nods with a tight lipped smile as Severide takes his arm and turns him back to face him.

"Matt!"

"I'm trying to ignore him!" He snaps as he jerks his arm free, takes a deep breath and then steps back. "Sorry…I just…damn it Kelly it's like he knows my fears and I just…I worry about that too okay? I do."

"He wants this…this fighting and tension. Why else would he send this on a great Saturday afternoon. He wants your day shot to hell."

"I know that!" Casey grumbles as his voice quickly lowers. "I know that…I just…I know. He won't win," Casey states firmly. "He won't."

Severide watches Casey take his leave; shoulders slumps and can only offer a heated curse in Hadley's name. What the hell is his damn game? He never showed interest in Heather or the boys before. Why now? Just to see Matt fail? Would he really stoop that low to see those boys hurt? But Severide's mind doesn't have to offer him an answer. He knows it. A resounding 'yes' echoes in his mind as he heads back outside with gritted teeth.

Casey grabs his jacket and shoves his phone into his pocket; pausing in the quiet hallway to take another deep breath and lean against the wall. I wish Hallie was here…she'd…his eyes close as his mind whisks him back to a happy memory, her hands on his shoulders, rubbing away the tension, whispering in his ear that when the time was right they'd have an amazing family and he'd be an amazing fathear. His eyes suddenly flood and he quickly opens them, wiping away a few emotional tears before he would head back outside to a barrage of questions – mostly from Kelly. I can do this…for the boys sake…for Hallie. I won't give in to Hadley! I WON'T!

With his mind firmly set, Casey heads back outside to help see his project come to fruition. "Okay…ready to get building?" He asks enthusiastically. But when he only gets three shrugs in return he laughs and presses onward. "Alright Uncle Kelly is in charge of…" he rattles off the individual responsibilities and then all get started. About two hours later, they all stand back, breathing hard but admiring their own handiwork as the small shed stands proudly in the back.

"We did it!" Ben shouts happily.

"We sure did! Now who wants to build…" Casey starts. But the words barely escape his lips as both boys, at Severide's urging, jump on Casey and tackle him to the ground. "He-hey…" Casey laughs as Severide stands and watches with a grin. "Help… me…" he tries again as Severide shakes his head; happy to hear his friend's warm laughter, especially given the tense moment a few hours earlier – one that had threatened to ruin their fun day so far.

"Better sleep with one eye open," Casey lightly chuckles as he remains seated on the ground; the boys already having rushed inside to get changed and cleaned up to have people over.

"I have eyes in the back of my head," Severide snickers as he offers his hand and helps Casey stand up. "Shed looks great."

"I'm just glad they both helped us. That was the whole point of this."

"Good point," Severide muses as they turn and head inside, the back yard now ready to receive visitors. About an hour later, the doorbell rings and Shay appears.

"Auntie Shay!" Griffin greets her with a smile and a hug.

"Hey guys," Shay greets them as she hugs both boys and then offers the large salad bowl to Severide.

"That's a lot of salad!" He playfully protests as he heads into the kitchen.

"How you holding up?" She asks Casey in concern.

"Every day has something," Casey replies in truth as a knock is heard at the door. "Otis?"

"Heard there was a party here," he grins as he holds up a bag of potatoes.

"Uh…" Casey looks at them in suspect.

"BZ's best scalloped potatoes."

"Who's BZ?" Ben asks in wonder as Casey and Otis exchange amused expressions.

"Well young Ben Darden, it's like this…" Otis starts as he slings the bag of potatoes over one shoulder and then wraps his free arm around Ben's and directs him toward the kitchen. About ten minutes later, Capp arrives with the beer, followed by Dawson and Mills with dessert and a few other goodies and soon the house is full of friends, laughter and the smell of good food waiting to be eaten.

Mills and Otis entertain the boys, while Shay and Dawson take over the kitchen, Casey, Severide, Boden and Capp on the back porch with beers and steaks, not caring about the cold. Finally it was time to load up their plates, find a place to sit and enjoy their hard work.

"I like BZ's scalloped taters," Ben pipes up during a few seconds of quiet during dinner. All faces turn to Otis who naturally beams and nods.

"Another believer," he grins as Casey pats him on the back. "Thanks boss…" he offers with a mock sob. "I'd like to thank the academy…" he stands up and starts to offer a mock Oscar thank you speech; everyone in the room laughing and enjoying the spectacle. The friendly chatter returns and within seconds the house is full of banter, laughter and of course close friends helping out two of their own. The talk about Hadley is non-existent as both Casey and Severide had made a solemn pact to not mention anything about that in front of the boys or Boden; that would anger all involved and tip their hand before anything really got started. Heather was asked and talked about, because even Boden agreed, to make sure the boys know their mother is still thought about and remembered; it wasn't their job to judge in front of her two small boys.

After supper is done, Ben and Griffin challenge Boden and Mills to a game of Risk everyone joining in from time to time just to add some laughter and fun to the boys already fun evening. Casey talks to Dawson and Shay about his growing parenting skills and Capp talks to Severide about all the recent changes he's dealing it; daring to ask how he's doing after Hadley's reappearance.

The evening is a success; no one inside the warm and happy house having any clue that they were being watched. Hadley's eyes narrow as he watches through his binoculars from a discreet distance, knowing that in the past, he too would have been included in such a fun and family-esque gathering. He puts his binoculars down and glances down at the front passenger seat before he pulls away into the night, heading for Heather Darden's place, telling himself that the teams were occupied with each other; now would be a good night to go hunting.

Hadley's car stops in front of the Darden place and he pauses for a second as his mind swirls back in time; seeing a very similar house with a small red-haired boy watching his father leave from the front window. He hears his mother's angry curse in the background and asks if it's his fault his father left. The answer wasn't comforting and it haunted him his entire life; feeding his bitter resentment toward anyone who dared to call themselves father. Hadley's car stops in the back yard; his hands reaching for the tool that will help him break into the Darden home, his mind racing to find one piece of very damning evidence. Would he be successful this time?

XXXXXXXX

"I'd say tonight was a success," Severide whispers as he carries Ben's sleeping frame to his bed upstairs. About two hours before bedtime, when it was just Boden and Shay remaining, Casey told them to get into their pajamas and then finish their game. It literally wiped them both out.

"Thanks Uncle Matt…today was awesome," Griffin whispers as Casey pulls the blankets up to the young boy's shoulders.

"It sure was," Casey whispers as he offers him a warm smile. "I'm glad you both had fun. Goodnight."

"G'nite," Griffin whispers as he rolls onto his side and Casey turns off the light; he and Severide tip-toeing out of the room and into the quiet hallway.

"Think Boden let them win?" Severide snickers.

"He knows how to play fair. He lets us win from time to time," Casey smirks as they reach the stairwell landing. "I think after all the exercise, fresh air, good and fun I'm going to sleep right through to morning."

"Sounds like a plan."

Both head their separate directions; enter their separate bedrooms and are asleep within seconds. And both had stuck to the plan of sleeping right through the night; waking well rested and ready to enjoy their Sunday. Casey lies in bed, his arms folded under his head, thinking about the night before and how fun it was for the boys to be around so many people that had happily volunteered their time to help out with – just things. Otis said on nights he wasn't working he'd be delighted to take Griffin to baseball practice, while Capp and Mills both volunteered to be Ben's chauffer. Dawson and Shay said they'd help with school projects and Boden said no matter what he was invested for the long haul. But Casey knows that those offerings would only be taken up on rare occasions, it was the bulk of every day parenting skills that fell on his shoulders. Meals, parent teacher, discussions about…growing up and talk about his mother. Things that weren't easy but were necessary. This was a rare weekend off. But it wouldn't always be that way as sometimes their shifts included weekends. Who would occupy the boys time then? They couldn't stay home by themselves. The challenges are far from over.

He looks over at the clock and knows it's time to get up – whether he wants to or not, his body was done lying in bed. Casey quietly pads downstairs, past Severide's closed bedroom door and enters the living room. For the most part, his guests had cleaned up; but there were still a few things that had to be tended to.

"Tell me you just…got up," Severide groans as he stumbles into the kitchen and slumps down into the closest chair, watching Casey put on some fresh coffee.

"About half hour ago," Casey answers in truth. "I can't help but wonder what Hadley wanted in the Darden house. The front door was open. He was in a hurry and I'm thinking…"

"What?"

"That the shed was a distraction. I'm going to go back to their place and check it out."

"We'll all go."

"Kelly…" Casey starts to protest but then nods in resignation. "Maybe they'll find a few other things they want to bring back here. I just don't want to make a federal case if something appears to be missing."

"What could he even want there?"

"I don't know. He showed up at the school. Why? To talk to the boys? To me? None of this makes much sense right now," Casey shrugs. "But something tells me we need that name sooner rather than later."

"Agreed."

The two of them enjoy their first mug of coffee, before Severide heads for the bathroom to have a shower and Casey pulls a few things for breakfast, the boys coming to join him a few minutes later. An hour later, they all get into Casey's truck and head for the Darden house, Casey telling the boys he just wants to check on a few things and see if they wanted to get anything before they head for the supermarket to get some groceries for the week and then head back home to just hang.

Casey's hand tries the door handle first, relieved that it's locked and doesn't appear to be tampered with. He pushes the door open and then steps inside; everything again appearing to be in place. What none of them realize is that things were tampered with and that not everything was as it appeared.

"Okay boys…get a few things and then we'll go," Casey instructs as both boys take off their shoes and then slowly head up to their rooms.

"So…what are we looking for?"

"Something that could link Hadley to the Darden's in any way…there's nothing of much monetary value to steal so…"

"It's gotta be personal. I'll take upstairs," Severide volunteers as Casey gives him a nod and heads for the living room. But before he starts there, he notices the basement door and makes his way toward it, flipping on the light and giving his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dimly lit surroundings before he ventures down the short flight of wooden stairs. He reaches the bottom and slightly coughs as his lungs constrict from the moldy dust his feet kick up. He heads for the window first; his eyes slightly narrowing to let in less surrounding light and to focus on the small lock in the middle. Sure enough it had been dented.

"Damn," Casey curses as he reaches for a small stool and hops up, examining the lock and then pushing the window open to see the disturbed dirt on the other side. The window was big enough for someone to climb in if they were really desperate. But he's so focused on his findings that he fails to see a figure come up behind him.

"Hey I fou…" Severide starts as Casey turns around with a startled gasp, his fist ready to strike. "Whoa Chuck Norris…" Severide pulls back as Casey's lips purse.

"Make some noise when you come near," Casey lightly growls.

"Sorry," Severide frowns as he looks up at the window. "What'd you find?"

"The lock's been tampered with. Someone's come through here."

"I found fresh dirt upstairs in the bedroom. It looks like whoever was there tried to clean most of it away, but some escaped and I found it," Severide explains as Casey relocks and then barricades the window from inside. "What the hell does he want?"

"Where was the dirt?"

"By Andy's closet."

"What?"

"Yeah, go figure right?" Severide retorts. "Andy didn't have stocks or anything like…what's he looking for?"

"We need to find a connection between Hadley and the Darden's first," Casey ponders as they hear little feet running around upstairs. "Nothing was missing?"

"I don't even know what to look for. He could have taken a picture off the mantle I mean…damn I tried to remember the times I was here but….but what about you?"

"When I was here helping Heather I didn't think to take note of that stuff. I mean he…" Casey's voice trails off as he looks around the unfinished basement and then back at his friend. "He could have had something…that…different things are valuable to different people right?"

"We need that name," Severide huffs as he shakes his head. "Damn I hate that he's winning by even a little."

"You are assuming he's found what he was after," Casey interjects.

"Guess we'll know next time if he tries to come back and get in this way."

"We're back on shift on Tuesday. First thing…get that name."

"Yup."

The two of them look around the basement a bit more before heading back upstairs to be with the boys, not wanting to draw too much suspicion to what they were doing; Casey heading upstairs just to see what Severide had told him and poke around a bit more while Severide kept the boys distracted downstairs. Finally it was time to lock up and leave; both of them now determined to get into Boden's office, get that name and a place to start looking. Time was starting to put the pressure on them, reminding them Hadley wouldn't wait forever before he struck again – and next time it might cost them all just a little bit more.

They enter the supermarket, each adult male taking a basket and one of the boys and half the list; going their separate ways and then reuniting at the check-out.

"Fluff?" Casey looks at Severide with a small groan as Ben's face beams and he nods.

"Red licorice ropes?" Severide tosses back as both Casey and Griffin point at each other. "Hey at least it wasn't…no way…animal crackers?"

"They're great for dipping in Nutella," Griffin protests as he snatches the box from Severide's grasp.

"Yeah Uncle Kelly," Casey nods as Severide can merely shake his head and chuckle. They load up the truck and then head for home, the afternoon spent finishing homework and a few other projects that needed tending to.

"I gotta run for a bit," Severide slowly saunters into the kitchen about five with his phone in hand.

"What's up?"

"Shay needs a hand with…oh don't ask," he lightly groans.

"Things not working out with…who's her latest?"

"I thought it was Grace but she said Mary and…as I said…don't ask," Severide chuckles as he reaches for his jacket. "What is that?"

"Pork roast."

"Remind me again why Mills does the cooking at the House?"

"I'll take that as a compliment," Casey grins as Severide nods in agreement.

"I won't be too long. An hour at the most there and back. I think she just needs a bottle of ketchup opened!" Severide jokes.

"I'll tell her you said that!" Casey calls out as Severide leaves the kitchen laughing.

Severide gets into his car and slowly pulls away, another car following at a discreet distance. He reaches Shay's new apartment building and hurries inside; his mind racing as to what would happen come Tuesday morning when they went into work with a new plan of action.

"Hey…so what's up? Need me to kill a spider?" He jokes before the other female appears with a black eye. "Oh damn what happened?"

"My car is not working and Mary she…"

"I shouldn't have been there. I thought he was gone but…"

"Where is he?" Severide asks in anger.

"Antonio's out looking for him now," Shay explains.

"Okay what do you need from me?"

"A ride to lakeshore. The ER."

"I can't afford the ambulance bill."

"Sure but…oh damn," Severide's voice stops as he looks at the nasty cut on her shoulder.

"I convinced her she needs to get it properly checked out."

"Yeah, of course, let's go. How will you get home?"

"Her sister Sara is going to pick her up for the night and then drop me back here. She's working but will be off in an hour. Thanks Kelly."

"Yeah of course. I'll just text Matt and we can go."

"Did the boys like last night?" She asks as they get their coats; Shay helping her new friend carefully hers on atop the makeshift dressing.

"Yeah they loved it. Shay…" Severide starts in concern.

"I'll be okay Kelly. The ass was drunk and he…he just can't accept she's leaving him for me. Antonio will pick him up and he'll spend the night in jail. She's got the rest of her things and doesn't need to go back. Thank you."

"Course," Severide assures her as they head for the door. Shay locks up and within minutes they are heading for the hospital, Shay telling Severide a bit more about Mary's sordid backstory; Severide holding back a comment that Shay always went for the hard-luck cases.

"Call me if you need anything else," Severide tells Shay as leaves her in the ER waiting area and heads back outside. He looks at the time and knows he'll only be about ten minutes past the time he told Matt he'd be there for dinner with him and the boys.

But about fifteen minutes later, his engine starts to sputter and Severide can only curse as his car starts to lag.

"Ah what the hell," he grumbles as the red light comes on – indicating an engine trouble. "No way…I just had the damn thing tuned," he groans as the car stops dead. He puts on his four way flashers and then gets out and heads for the front. But just as he's about to open the hood, he notices a car nearing him, slowing and then pulling behind him and stopping a few yards away.

His heart starts to beat a bit faster as the lone occupant sits in the darkened interior of his car – watching.

"What the hell?" Severide whispers as his stomach tightens from anxiety. But just as he reaches for his phone, the lone male occupant makes a move to get out and confront him.

"Who's there?"

A/N: eeks! Hehe so you know I can't resist my broments so how did you like the early morning risk game? Hehe and then of course them working as a team and then enjoying the gathering of friends. Slowly going to expand upon Hadley's backstory and motivation and I hope you are all liking that (again we only know a few things so I'm going to build on those and hopefully still make it plausible!) but this is fanfic so I am allowed a few surprises *wink* so who shows up at the end? Who's face would come into focus when he stepped out of the shadows? Remember no one is safe muwhahahaha Friend or foe? Would love your thoughts so please do review before you go and thanks!