Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 7 – An About Face?

Casey looks at the time and frowns, Kelly being well past the time he said it would take to get back home.

"Where's Uncle Kelly?" Ben asks quietly as the three of them sit around the table eating.

"He could still be with Shay's friend at the hospital."

"Is she gonna be okay?" Griffin wonders next.

"I hope so. Sounded like a pretty tense situation so maybe Uncle Kelly had to stay longer than he had hoped. I tried to call but he didn't pick up so he might be with the doctor and Shay. He'll be fine," Casey tries to assure them with a tight smile. However, his inner agitation doesn't subside so easily when the offer a shrug and go back to their dinner. About twenty minutes later, it being a whole hour past the time Severide said he'd be there for dinner, they hear keys jiggling in the lock.

"He's home," Ben looks up from the puzzle he's doing with Casey on the dining room table, Griffin in a nearby chair reading.

"Let's just give him a few minutes okay," Casey tells them softly as both nod in compliance.

"Sorry I'm late. Be there in a minute!" Severide calls out; a slight sharpness to his tone telling something more had contributed to his tardiness. But when about five minutes more pass, Casey pushes himself away from the boys and goes in search of his friend.

"Kelly?" Casey asks softly as he knocks on the bathroom door. "Oh damn…what the h…" he starts as Severide turns around to display a bruised cheek and blood on his lips. "What happened? Is Shay okay? Was it Hadley?"

"Hold on a sec," Severide puts up his hand to stop Casey's ramble. "I think part of it was Hadley and part…" Severide huffs as he slumps against the counter to retell his story.

"Part?"

"Hold on a sec," Severide smirks, "let me tell you what happened."

Severide's mind thinks back; seeing himself in the darkened cabin of his car as the engine starts to sputter. 'Oh what the hell…I just had this thing tuned up.'

The car stopped dead on the side of the road, his fist hitting the dash just before he got out to check under the hood and see what was going on. 'No engine fluid. What? I just…ah damn what about…oil's gone too? Who did….' His voice trailed off as another car pulled up behind him and then slowed to a stop.

"The driver just sat there watching for a few minutes."

"Watching?"

"I thought it was Hadley but then…"

'You Kelly Severide?'

'Who the hell are you? Did you do this to my car?'

'No, but I'm going to do this to your face!'

"And then…bang he punched me in the face for no damn reason and without warning. We tussled a bit and then he tells me he's Mary's boyfriend and he followed me from the hospital. He told me to stay away and mind my own business and whatever," Severide groans as he touches his cheek. "He finally left and I was going to call Antonio when I noticed my phone battery was dead."

"Explains why I tried to call and you didn't answer."

"Wasn't on purpose. So I finally flagged down a trucker. He called me a tow and I called Antonio. I got my fluids filled up and…and now here I am."

"Didn't you just get it tuned up?"

"There's no way my mechanic would have let her run dry like that. I know who did it."

"Kelly…do you know for sure?"

"Hadley's messing with us. He's doing small things to get us worked up but leaving no proof it's him. But it has to be. Who else Matt?"

"Here…your nose is bleeding again," Casey offers a soft tissue as Severide takes it and nods. "Was worried…I know he…he's capable of anything."

"We gotta stop him before he makes good on that threat. Matt my break fluid was next. Another hour and it could have been game over, just the tubing was a bit clogged so it drained slower."

"The other tubing?"

"Literally drained down to the bare minimum. Musta been overnight or…I don't know," Severide huffs. "I won't tell the boys about the car. No need to worry them further."

"Hungry?"

"A little," Severide replies as Casey leans in and brushes away a few flecks of dried blood and dirt from his shoulder. "Thanks man…I just…what'd you tell the boys?"

"Issues with Shay's friend. I agree. I can't tell them about Hadley. Kelly they met him. They might not have been close but they know who he is. Knowing that someone that worked with their father and called himself their friend who's now trying to hurt them and has hurt others and might be capable of killing…I just can't," Casey resigns with a heavy sigh. "Come on, I'll warm you a plate."

"Okay."

Severide cleans his face as best he can but knows…it was Hadley who had tampered with his car. It was a small but serious warning – one he would take seriously.

"Hey guys!"

"Uncle Kelly! What happened?" Ben asks as he wraps his arms around Severide's legs until he's hoisted into the air and then is able to wrap his legs around Kelly's waist.

"Did you get into a fight?"

"I…was hit by a man who was angry."

"Was it Shay's girlfriend's boyfriend?" Griffin wonder as Casey offers a small chuckle and then shrugs.

"Kids today," Casey resigns.

"Ah yes…" Severide answers in truth, not telling them about the car. "He was angry but I'm sure the cops will take care of him."

"Did he hurt her also?"

"Auntie Shay?" Severide asks as Ben nods. "No, Auntie Shay is fine and both her and her friend are safe now. So was dinner good?"

"I don't like when you're hurt," Ben states sadly as he wraps his arms around Severide's neck and holds on tightly; Severide tossing Casey as weak glance as Casey looks up with a soft frown.

"Yeah me either big guy. But I'm okay, I promise," Severide tries to assure him with a back pat. "Okay…I'm hungry, wanna help me find dinner?"

"Sure!"

Casey watches Severide heading into the kitchen, turning back to Griffin with a tight smile but knowing that Hadley was playing with fire. Serious fire. They, of course, had no proof but the gut feeling inside was growing stronger, telling him it was time to turn the tables and fast.

"So you all ready for school tomorrow?" Casey asks Griffin as he ease down into a chair beside him; Severide and Ben in the kitchen talking about the new Lego transformers creation Ben made for him.

XXXXXXXX

"With any luck, Boden won't be in yet," Severide mentions as they head into work together, a rare morning of being able to carpool. Christie would resume her weekly responsibilities, picking up the boys and keeping them until either Matt or Kelly was able to come and pick them up after shift if it wasn't too late and then take them home. But if the night wasn't slow and they were kept until late hours, they'd sleep at Christie's and be picked up the next day if possible.

The two of them arrive at the quite firehouse and head inside, one in search of Boden and the other to his office. But it wasn't going to be as easy as planned.

"Hey…morning Chief," Severide states in a louder tone; signaling Casey who was waiting by Boden's office to make himself scarce. Casey hurries away just as Severide and Boden round the corner.

"Rough night last night?" Boden nods to the distinct bruise on Severide's cheek.

"Shay's…ah don't ask," Severide huffs as they reach Boden's office.

"Is Shay okay?"

"She's…yeah she's fine, just wish she'd pick someone normal. Thanks again for the help on the weekend."

"Boys seem to be doing fine," Boden comments as he heads for his desk, Severide hanging back and eyeing the filing cabinet. "Something on your mind Kelly?"

"Sir, we don't talk about Hadley in front of the boys and it's been a few days since I heard from my father. Anything new on the investigation?"

"I know this is frustrating for you Kelly but you know I can't divulge anything."

"What about motive? Sir you know I can't not think about it," Severide insists as Casey hovers around the corner – listening. They'd have to go to plan B – using Shay to keep Boden occupied with the physical while Casey got the information in the drawers.

"I know this is hard but there really isn't much I can say. I'm sorry. Everything else okay?"

"Yeah…fine," Severide replies flatly as Boden frowns. "I know you're stuck Sir but Hadley's not just sitting around."

"He will be dealt with."

"Yeah before who pays the ultimate price," Severide lightly grumbles before he offers Boden a nod and turns and heads out of his office; Casey catching up with once they were out of sight. "Now we have to wait until Shay gets here."

"When will that be?"

"After last night…who knows," Severide groans as he opens his locker. He looks at a picture of him and Andy beside one of him and Matt and frowns. "Andy wouldn't have wanted this. Heather in jail and Hadley out to harm his family. None of this makes sense."

"Heather is torn up about it but I'm going to see her tomorrow; parent teacher night is the one after that. Thought I'd take the pictures of the barbeque, show her that the boys have a great support system and are having fun and well looked after."

"And hopefully by that time we'll have something solid on Hadley and he'll be gone for good," Severide remarks with a sour note. But it's not long before the overhead paging system goes off and within seconds, the Firehouse is a flurry of activity and it's all hands on deck.

"Smoke's thick in here guys…watch it!" Casey tells his team over their headsets.

"I can't see…wait…I have movement. Fire Department!" Hermann's voice is heard shouting into the thick smoky air.

Casey continues his slow path toward the window to vent, knowing time was against him but that he had to be careful or he'd be giving Severide's team something more than a few trapped workers to worry about. "Vent's done. Window's open. Kelly, there are two on the first floor."

"We're on our way in. Clarke…Capp…"

Casey hears Severide giving instructions to his team but presses on into the belly of the small clothing factory. He looks at all the plastic mannequins and feels his stomach tighten; the heat was warping their faces and the scene was creepy and surreal. But as he moves a bit closer he notices something very odd…numbers…numbers spray painted on one of the mannequins.

Not wanting to cause too much panic for his team or Severide's, Casey presses on, making a mental note to come back after the flames had been extinguished and everyone was out safely. He gets that opportunity an hour later.

"Got a sec?" Casey asks Severide in a low tone; Boden looking up to see his two lieutenants heading back into the smoldering building.

"What's going on?" Severide asks in curiosity as he follows Casey into the eerie surroundings.

"Notice anything odd about that mannequin?"

"She's not weari….damn son of a bitch," Severide's curse dies in his lips as he notices his badge number spray painted on the body of the nude plastic mannequin. "Anyone else see this?"

"What's going on?" Boden's voice is heard as he joins them.

"Hadley Sir," Severide lightly growls as he turns to face Boden with an angry expression. "What the hell is taking AI so long?"

"I unders…"

"No one understands. He deliberately sets these fires and leaves these taunting messages because he knows he's getting away with it!" Severide half shouts as Casey offers his frustrated friend a sympathetic expression.

"If you have confirmed proof that Kevin Hadley started this fire then by all means produce it," Boden fires back in a firm but kind tone.

"The MO is the same as the others!"

"And so far we only have evidence but no proof of who to tie it to! It will come."

"Yeah? Before who dies!" Severide growls as he pushes through Boden and Casey and storms back toward the front door.

"Let him go. He needs to cool down."

"Chief, we all know who's doing this."

"I know what you want to do. Pay him a visit."

"Chief…"

"Matt, don't take me for a fool. But going over there and causing any kind of trouble will only get a harassment suit filed against you or Kelly and without proof, Hadley would be in the right. And who would suffer the most? Those innocent boys in your care. Can you afford to take that chance?" Boden asks directly as Casey's lips exhale heavily and he shakes his head no. "I know you hate to hear me say it but you have to wait."

"What do we really know about him personally Chief?" Casey dares to inquire. "When you hired him…what…did he say anything that…"

"Would have given me pause as to think he could go off the deep end later in his career? No. He was a damn good firefighter when he started and unless Benny and the other investigators hadn't painted such a clear picture I would still think it's the wrong man. But…we have to wait. Go and get cleaned up."

"Yes Sir," Casey mutters under his breath as he turns and heads back outside into the fresh air. He watches Severide's truck pull away and can only shake his head in agitation. However, that agitation instantly surges as Engine 51 pulls away and he sees Hadley's car on the other side of the street – watching.

"Don't," Hermann's hand rests on his shoulder just as Casey makes a move to go and confront the former squad member. "He's not worth it."

"How long's he been there?"

"Just pulled up," Hermann answers in truth. "He wants a scene."

"I know," Casey huffs as he offers a whispered thank you to Hermann and then turns back to his men. "Alright…back to the House for…well I guess now it's brunch."

Casey's jaw tries to relax as he climbs in the front of the truck opposite Cruz, his eyes slightly narrowing as the big rig pulls away and slowly rolls past Hadley's dark sedan.

"What's going on with him Casey?" Cruz also inquires, all eyes on the truck 81 team leader.

"I don't know…I wish I did," Casey huffs as he looks at Cruz in frustration. "Trust me I wish I knew what was going on with him."

"Well if he comes any closer, he'll be askin' for trouble from all of us!" Mills pipes as Mouch and Hermann nod in agreement.

"He wants that guys. He wants us to tangle with him. I know it's hard but…"

"Yeah…we hafta wait," Hermann retorts in sarcasm.

"Yeah," Casey echoes softly as they spend the rest of the ride to Firehouse 51 in silence. As soon as they arrive, Casey's quick to hop out and get out of his gear, wanting to know when the yearly physicals would be given so that they could use the distraction to get into Boden's office and get a starting point on Kevin Hadley.

"Kelly said Hadley was at the scene?" Shay asks as she blocks Casey's path to the hallway.

"Wasn't sure if he saw him or not."

"He did. And his badge numbers on the dummy?" She includes with a small huff.

"And those. Hadley is taunting him because he knows it worked one time," Casey sighs as he looks at her in concern. "He's playing for keeps and only getting bolder. Is your friend okay?"

"She'll be fine," Shay lightly groans. "Women," she adds in sarcasm as Casey's lips automatically offer a small smirk. "Is Kelly okay?"

"Someone tampered with his car Shay. He might not tell you to worry you but I want you to know."

"What?"

"Engine fluid and oil. Brake fluid was also low and no he doesn't know although he suspects."

"Hadley," she lightly grimaces as Casey can only shrug. "He needs to be careful. How are the boys with all this?"

"Clueless, which is what we both want. Hopefully AI will get something solid on Hadley soon and all this will be over."

"Hopefully. Okay I gotta run. Yearly physical's. Ready to pee into a cup?" Shay grins as she pulls away from Casey.

Casey hurries toward the locker room, waiting until Severide was done talking to Capp and then moves in. "They're about to start."

"Okay I'll go and keep an eye on Boden."

"It won't take me more than a few seconds…."

"What?"

"I just pray the drawer is unlocked but now I'm thinking it might be. Do you know where he keeps his filing cabinet keys?"

"I…oh damn I think on him," Severide groans as he shakes his head. "We have to try. We might never get a better opportunity than this."

"Okay," Casey nods as Shay enters the room and they both look up as if caught doing something wrong.

"One of these days you two are gonna hug and I'll see it," she smirks as Severide offers her an eye roll. "Who's first?"

"Why us?"

"Lead by example," she holds up the small plastic cup. "Have fun," she tells Casey as he snatches the object from her grasp and leaves the room. "What's going on Kelly? Matt told me about your car."

"Damn it," Severide lightly curses.

"Don't be mad at him. I'm glad he did; he's not the only one that worries about you."

"Look I just didn't want to worry you further."

"You're family and family comes first."

"I can't prove it was Hadley but…I just wish we could get something solid on him."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Yeah actually there is."

"What's that?"

"Take your time with Boden."

"What?"

"Shay, just trust me on this. Stall as long as you can," Severide implores. "Please?"

"Okay."

Casey makes casual small talk with Dawson as she completes the yearly physical, most of the talk centering around the boys and how they were faring after the busy weekend. After he's done, Casey heads into the hallway, giving Severide a small nod in passing as he heads toward his office. He enters but doesn't really have a purpose other than to keep an eye on when Boden leaves and then he can make his move. He knows the Chief will be last and any calls they get will disrupt that.

And that's what happens.

"Ah damn it," Casey growls as the overhead system sounds the alarm. A flurry of activity resounds throughout the entire space as the teams rush to get dressed and get their gear on. Casey's agitation accompanies him to the call, his mind trying desperately to force his head back in the game instead of pondering his actions once they get back to home base.

"Casey, look out!"

Severide hears Mills frantic call before a crash is heard.

"Casey's down. The side wall just caved in!"

"Oh damn no," Severide huffs as he pulls away from the second floor and races for the stairs, taking two at a time in order to get to his friend and get him out before further injuries can be sustained.

"Casey!" Severide shouts as he scrambles over some superheated debris, Casey's locator screaming at them to hurry.

"Hermann take that end!" Severide shouts as the seasoned firefighter grabs Mills and heads for the far end; Severide and Cruz taking the other. "Casey!" Severide shouts once more as they all lift the piece of heavy siding off their fallen friend and team member, Otis pulling Casey's boots and clearing him before all four sets of hands drop the siding and then move fast as another piece crashes down right beside them.

"I got Casey!" Severide tells them as he hoists Casey's grunting frame onto his hip and then hurries toward the main opening. "Matt, buddy…talk to me."

"Kelly…" Casey's voice is weakly heard over their headsets. "I'm just a bit…winded. I'm okay."

"Let him rest here," Boden instructs as Severide gently lowers Casey's frame onto the grass and then looks down in concern. "I got this. Finish up in there."

As much as he hates to leave Casey basically unattended, as both Shay and Dawson were already in transit, he knows he has to finish the job he started. So with a firm nod he hurries back to finish his task.

"You okay?" Boden asks Casey in concern as Casey takes a few hearty swigs of water and then nods.

"Just got a bit winded Chief, I'm okay," he replies as he looks around. "Any sign of Hadley?"

"Not yet," Boden answers in truth as he too looks around. "But that doesn't mean anything. Just make sure your team is accounted for."

Casey looks back down as he takes a few more swigs before dousing his neck with the remaining bits of cold water, happy for the relief but realizing what a close call that was. What if something happened to him and he was out of commission? Kelly would look after the boys, his mind correctly reminds him. What if something happens to both of us?

He feels his entire frame actually shudder when he realizes just how close he came and what might be Hadley's real motive – taking both of them out. But why? Why would he purposely want to hurt two innocent boys and make them a ward of the state? Just to get back at society for having his own lousy childhood? Could be any number of reasons, he surmises – none of which are comforting.

The fire is finally put out and the teams start to pack up and head for home base, Casey and Severide anxious to get into Boden's files and get that name on Hadley's application.

As soon as they get back to the House, Severide tells Shay she needs to take Boden for his tests now…time was running out and they needed the few minutes distraction.

"Alright Chief, you're up now," Shay tells Boden in front of a few of the team, Boden giving her a nod and then following. Severide hurries to find Casey, telling him to act fast as he heads back into the hallway to stand guard. Casey hesitates for a few seconds before he takes action, feeling a twinge of guilt starting to settle upon him. But he reminds himself that their lives were on the line and AI needed help – even if they didn't want to ask for it.

His heart starts to race faster as he pulls the handle and the door won't budge. He stands up, his eyes frantically looking for the keys – nothing. "No!" Casey exclaims in a soft whisper as he kneels back down and tries once more. He feels it starting to jiggle and tries again, giving it a good jerk backwards and being rewarded with the drawer slightly moving. Another good tug and the drawer pops free and slowly slides open.

"Hurry Casey…" Severide grumbles as he watches Boden return from the men's room with his sample, all that was left was his vitals. "Hurry!"

Casey pulls the drawer open and then quickly thumbs through all the files, his nervousness actually starting to hamper his actions. But he presses on, pulling his phone just as he finds Kevin Hadley's personnel file. He pulls it out, sails past the pink transfer slip, his eyes resting on his original application. He takes a picture of his original address and his emergency contact information.

"Hey Chief!" Severide calls out, prompting Casey to look up in worried haste. He quickly shoves the file back in the drawer and tries to slam the drawer shut. It won't.

"Ah damn move it!" Casey grumbles angrily as he tries once more, the old drawer finally creaking all the way closed and Casey standing up and reaching the front of Boden's desk just as Boden and Severide appear. Severdie's eyes slightly widen behind Boden's back as Casey merely returns a placid expression.

"Casey? What's going on?"

"Was wanting to know if you found any evidence at the scene to…"

"Implicate Hadley? Kelly just asked the same thing."

"They did," Severide replies with a small huff.

"Chief it was another death trap! How many more of these do we have to go into?" Casey lightly hisses in frustration.

"AI is on the scene now. It's been a long day for all of us. I want you two to just rest up a bit now."

"Thanks," Casey offers flatly as Boden looks at them with helpless remorse.

"Did you get it?" Severide asks as soon as they were out of earshot.

"I did. We're both off on Friday right?"

"We just need to be extra careful until then. How are you feeling after the wall fell on you."

"Good thing I have a hard head."

"Matt…"

"Kelly, I'm fine. I'll call Christie and tell her she better be prepared to keep the boys for the night." Casey pulls away from Severide to call his sister; the call proving to be fruitful planning as not more than about twenty minutes later another call comes that keeps them well into the night; both of them crashing in the sleeping quarters at the Firehouse.

XXXXXXXX

"Okay I won't be gone long. I just want to show Heather the pictures and then I'll be back," Casey tells Severide as he heads toward his truck the next day, using his supper break to go talk to Heather and give her an update. He had promised to keep in touch and give her regular updates as much as possible; seeing her face light up around her boys was worth the hassle. He tells himself he'll grab some fast food on the way back and all would be well.

Casey hurries toward the entrance of the prison, not knowing that he was now being watched.

"Too little too late Casey," Hadley grins as he pulls away with a knowing chuckle. "You lose."

Casey checks himself in and then heads for the main area with the small packet of pictures; the ones the guards had approved him to take in. He offers her a smile as she nears, gesturing to her to sit down at the nearest table.

"I miss them so much Matt, I really do."

"I don't have long but I wanted to bring you some pictures that were taken on Saturday. Had some from the House over for a barbeque. The boys had a great time," Casey tells her enthusiastically as she slowly looks at all the pictures. "See they have lots of support."

"They seem happy."

"They are happy. As happy as can be expected. Griffin, he has a fe…"

"Matt…"

"Heather, it's working. The boys are happy and there are a few growing pains but we've got a rhythm now."

"I just worry."

"There's no reason to worry," Casey insists.

"Matt…they need someone there…well all the time."

"Heather you don't have family that they can stay with. My sister is helping as best she can and you are okay with that. It's better than then becoming wards of the state right?"

"Matt you said they'd be safe."

"They ar…Heather…what…what have you heard?" Casey asks with a sinking feeling growing in the pit of his stomach.

"Pictures to say a lot."

Casey can only gasp in horror as Heather pulls out pictures, stills taken from a video that shows Ben on the ledge, falling in, Severide going in after him and then reappearing with a wet and scared child in his grasp.

"Where did you get this?" Casey hisses in anger. Hadley! That damn bastard!

"Kevin's right Matt…Ben could have drowned and you…look you are Kelly were preoccupied with your own stuff."

"It was for…you're right we were," Casey confesses. "But we all swore it won't happen again. Heather please…"

"Kevin's asked for the right to look after them on a full time basis."

"What?"

"And I said yes."

"WHAT?"

A/N: oh dear Hadley…what are you up to? So Hadley's sent a small warning to Kelly, think it'll be the last? His car…the dummy…but then the wall was rigged to fall on Matt. So who's he really after? But they have a contact name, what will they find when they start looking? What secrets will they uncover? And if Hadley does find out what will he do? And what about Heather's confession at the end? What's he really up to? Does he really care about the boys or is it just about winning? Would love your thoughts, so please do review and thanks!

PS: Hope you all liked the last eppy one shot (24 hours-our AU eppy with Casey to the rescue instead of Shay!). I know there hasn't been much bromance on the show but I was hoping Alice could fill that void! Hope you're still with me as much as at the start (esp those that liked and reviewed the first but never came back *sniff sniff*).