Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 8 – Whispers & Lies

A/N: Hey everyone! Just a side personal note…today is my 12th anniversary here on fanfiction and I'm so happy to be writing for you all. I came to this site during one of the darkest times in my life and its helped to get me through and your reviews have been amazing in helping me cope and get past some pretty big milestones. So THANK YOU ALL! And I hope to keep writing for you many more years to come! Enjoy :)

Casey looks at Heather in shock, his mouth slightly agape and his mind racing. "Heather you can't be serious."

"Kevin is not working right now and…"

"Heather, you're not thinking straight."

"Matt…"

"No listen to me. How did this even come up? He just out of the blue asked for temporary custody?"

"What happened on the pier, Matt?"

"Kelly saved Ben's life. He's okay. Why was Hadley there anyways? He filmed it but he never offered to help with the rescue or even warn us Ben might be in danger? You think that's better? He's trying to divide us Heather and you can't let him."

"Matt…"

"You have to do what's best for the boys and they are happy with us. Don't let Hadley do this. The boys don't even know him and to do this now would be bad for them. This has to be about them, not you or I and especially not about Hadley."

"It is about them!" Heather lightly growls before she recants, a few curious sets of eyes glancing in their direction. "Matt I hate this place. I hear stories about other kids and…I don't want that for my boys."

"Griffin asked me to come to parent teacher tomorrow night. Not Kevin Hadley, me, his current guardian. You start making all these changes and the state really will get involved," Casey lightly argues back.

"Then why would he do this Matt? Just to hurt me and the boys? Why? He's seemed so supportive since this all happened."

"It's all for show or a game…or whatever but I can guarantee his interest in them isn't genuine. Don't let him win!"

"I don't know."

"I do. Heather you know me. You know I'd never purposely neglect those boys. Kelly and I were momentarily distracted but Griffin's thinking and Kelly's quick actions saved his life. He's okay. Heather, he's okay. He's happy with us…both of them are. You saw the pictures."

"I miss them so much."

"I know you do. Please Heather…don't take them away right now because of this. Don't give in. They've already lost their father and are missing their mother. They need people who love and care for them and want what's best for them looking after them. They have us…they have the team. Hadley made his choice and it was to not be a part of any of this."

Casey's mind and heart races as to what Hadley's new angle was. He recorded Ben falling in the water and then showed her the pictures in the hopes of showing both Uncles as being neglectful and irresponsible. But would he be better? What's his game? Get the boys away and do them harm? Could he even suggest that to Heather? But why would he want to hurt them? None of this makes sense!

"I want what's best for them."

"Being with Kevin Hadley isn't what's best for them. Heather, he's not who you think he is," Casey gently warns.

"What does that mean?" She asks in surprise.

"Just trust me on this. He is doing this more to get back and Kelly and I then to look after those boys."

"Matt…"

"I can't give any more details because I don't have them. But don't give in Heather. Please don't do this."

Casey watches her eyes drop to her hands before her hand slowly reaches out and rests atop his.

"I'll leave the boys with you," she whispers as her hand gives his a small squeeze. "Matt I panicked. What Hadley said about you two being so irresponsible made me panic but…I want what's best for them and they look so happy in these pictures. I know they adore you and Kelly."

"Thank you," Casey tells her firmly. "I wish I could stay longer and tell you a few stories but I can't. I gotta get back to the House. Keep the pictures and remember, they are happy and in good hands. Whatever Hadley's game is I promise it won't last."

Casey finally takes his leave, his head spinning and his stomach tight. What the hell is Hadley's game? He wants custody? For what reason? We have to find out something…something on him to put him away for good!

"How was the conjugal visit?" Hadley's voice mocks Casey as turns around to see Hadley watching from his car. "Why else would Heather give her boys to an irresponsible guardian?"

He wants a fight…don't give him one…he recalls Boden's timely warning.

"You seem out of place here Hadley," Casey replies with gritted teeth. "No fires to set."

"I have proof of your actions, what do you have?" Hadley tosses back with a sneer. "Heather was impressed with how you turned your back on her boys!"

"What's your interest in them? Just to make two boys lives even more miserable than they already are? You figure misery loves company?"

"At least I'm around to take care of them. You and Kelly care more about putting on a good show for all your little buddies at 51 than giving a damn about those two boys! Next time something happens it'll be all your fault!"

Casey feels both fists tighten at the same time, and if not for the well timed horn blast behind Hadley, he knows he would have tossed aside all sense and reason and pummeled Hadley for his baseless lies.

"I will see you later, Casey."

Casey's teeth grit as he watches Hadley's car pull away and disappear from view; his frame standing fixed in place until he finally senses another car moving to his right and leaves his place, heading back to his truck and then back to the House. As soon as Casey reenters the firehouse, he notices the trucks are gone – another call and he missed it. Damn it! His mind curses as he storms toward his locker, pulls off his jacket and then leaves the room in haste.

About half hour later, Severide gets back, tired and literally just wanting to find the nearest bad and collapse. But he had seen Casey's truck back in it's spot and wants an update on Heather and how she reacted to the pictures. But not seeing Casey in the eating area, he goes toward his office – empty. Next he checks out the locker room – also empty. That's odd…I saw his truck…where the hell is he?

"Check on Casey," Boden's voice is heard as Severide turns around startled.

"Where is he?"

"Gym. Angry at something."

"Thanks," Severide replies as he turns and hurries toward the back room. Sure enough as he nears he hears some angry grunts and curses and pauses before he slowly pushes the door open. He watches Casey strike the bag and then pull his arm back and slightly shake his gloved fist.

"Hey hold on a sec," Severide rushes in before Casey can strike his already throbbing limb. "That last one looked like it hurt."

"I need…this…" Casey pants as he tries to pull away and strike the reverberating bag of leather once more.

"You've given it your all. Take a few and tell me what happened. I take it, it didn't go well."

"Heather wanted to give custody to Hadley."

"What?"

"And Hadley was there?"

"What?" Severide asks in shock as Casey's frame sags in place. Without saying much of a word, Severide guides Casey's lilting frame over to the bench to sit down before he collapses from lack of energy. "Now…what happened?" Severide presses as he starts to take off Casey's gloves, Casey's hands automatically lifting one at a time to allow for the help.

"I showed Heather the pictures as I had told you and she was happy the boys looked happy but then she asked about their safety and pulled out pictures that Hadley had taken of that night on the pier."

"The night Ben fell in the water?" Severide asks in shock as Casey nods. "Damn bastard was watching and recording?"

"And did nothing. Which point I made to Heather. Why was he watching and not helping?" Casey retorts angrily. "I told her it's all part of his sick game and Ben's okay and the boys want to stay with us."

"You want me to go down there and talk to her?"

"No, I was able to convince her that leaving the boys right where they are, is the best course of action," Casey admits as Severide starts to unwind the left glove from his hand; his right already resting limply on his lap.

"And Hadley?"

"He showed up as I was leaving…just wanting to provoke a fight."

"Something he said pissed you off."

"Kelly it was…"

"What?"

"He intimated something was going to happen to the boys and I'd be to blame."

"What?" Severide repeats his shocked question. "That's it I'm…"

"Not going to go and do something stupid," Boden's voice is heard as both boys look up in shock.

"Chief you weren't there. You didn't hear what Hadley said!"

"I heard enough. If you want I can get Antonio to assign a car to watch your house until he's caught. But right now he can't be arrested for saying that. He could come back and deny or say it was all a joke."

"This isn't fair," Casey moans as he tries to stand up. Boden gestures to Severide whose arm shoots out and pulls Casey back down; Boden sitting on the bench opposite. "Chief I hate this. He shows up to taunt us. He tells Heather lies about her boys and she nearly gave in."

"If that did happen, I would go and talk to her myself," Boden assures them. "He's trying to get you riled up in public; he wants a fight, he wants you to physically engage him. When Heather tells him she won't give him the boys, he might push even harder for that assault conviction."

"So he gets to walk around saying and doing whatever the hell he wants and we have to just sit by and take it?" Severide spits in anger; his time Casey looking at him to stay put.

"I know this situation…"

"Sucks! Say it for what it is Chief," Severide shoots back.

"Fine it sucks. I feel sorry for those boys and Heather hearing his lies and the two of you stuck in the middle. But right now the best thing you can do is…"

"Nothing!"

"Is look after those boys, and keep your tempers in check. We're working to get what we need, in the meantime don't give him what he wants."

"You didn't see his face Chief, he was smug and…" Casey's voice trails off into a soft, angry hiss. "It just isn't fair."

"No it's not. But if we play this right, it'll be over soon. Get cleaned up and then get some rest," Boden instructs as he slowly stands up and then leaves the room.

"I hate this," Casey growls as he leans forward, resting his knees on his elbows and letting his back slump forward. "Kelly I keep seeing their faces as Hadley takes them away."

"We won't let that happen. But Boden's right…Hadley is pushing all the right buttons and its obvious now what his game is; to get Ben and Griffin away from us. He doesn't care about them…he only cares about winning."

"We need to stop him before he can go any further."

"One more day. One more day and then we're off for a few and we'll check out the emergency contact."

"Tomorrow night I have parent teacher and…"

"Look if you can't make it, I'll go."

"And if both of us are stuck at a call?" Casey groans as he finally uprights himself and looks at Severide with a heavy frown.

"We'll figure it out. Come on…have you eaten?"

"Not hungry."

"Hey you get after me for not eating," Severide lightly teases as they both stand up and leave the room; Severide directing them toward the eating area. Casey offers a few nods to his team that had missed him in action but mechanically follows after Severide up to the counter to get their meals and then back to the table to eat mostly in silence. After that Casey heads for the sleeping area, slumps down onto one of the beds and is out before his body even has a chance to settle.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Shay asks with a whisper as Severide turns off the small light and heads back to her, lingering in the doorway.

"Yeah when all this is over. Hadley's playing hardball now."

"Kelly…"

"I know…but waiting is not what I do well," he huffs as he turns around and leaves Casey to get some muchly needed rest.

XXXXXXXX

Casey awakens a few hours later, letting his body stretch and feeling a lot better and more energized than he did before. His run in with Hadley signaled to them that there was no time to waste and getting to the emergency contact was their top priority on their day off; everything else could wait.

He pulls his phone and looks at the address for the security contact and frowns; it was a few years old but maybe the person was still there. And what would they find? Friend? Foe? Or indifferent? That question would be answered in just over 24 hours. But today…today he has to make sure he makes the parent teacher meeting with Griffin's teacher; letting him down wasn't an option.

"Feeling better?" Hermann asks Casey as he slowly eases himself down into the chair beside him; squad team already called to an early morning dive rescue.

"A bit more rested than last night," Casey answers in truth as he looks down at his food and frowns. "I never thought about how much you and Cindy do to uh…to make your family work. I mean you're lucky because you have Cindy and she's super mom," Casey pauses as he looks back up with a small smile.

"It's not easy and sometimes I wonder why I haven't gotten myself fixed yet," Hermann retorts lightly.

"But it works and the kids always have a parent at every special event. I miss that for the boys. With Heather in jail…Kelly and I have tried to divide up the important stuff but sometimes I just feel like we're failing them."

"Every parent questions their ability to parent well. I still think one of my will end up on the FBI's most wanted list," Hermann gently chuckles as he pats Casey on the back. "Trust me, you're doing just fine."

Casey gives Hermann a friendly nod before he starts back into his breakfast, his mind being put a bit more at ease and enabling him to continue with his breakfast and then get ready to face the day without any inner agitation to start him off with.

"Regular call?"

"Hadley's only interested in burning things," Severide offers in sarcasm as the squad crew reenters Firehouse 51 about an hour later. "But that was my first thought also."

"Once we put an end to this, we won't always have to watch our backs as much on a call. Just the usual," Casey huffs as Severide looks at him and nods.

"Me watching your back?" Severide snickers as he gives Casey a hearty slap on the back and he can only chuckle.

"Yes that."

"I miss the usual," Severide states with a heavy exhale as he pulls away and heads for a muchly needed plate of breakfast.

Casey nods as he pulls away and heads toward his team, trying to keep himself busy and hope the day is quieter or they get the action out of the way right from the start. But of course a very tense call doesn't come in until an hour before Casey is supposed to be at the school for Griffin's parent teacher meeting.

"Casey behind you."

"Mouch open that door…Hermann check…watch it guys!"

"Capp…take the girl, I'll get her mother."

"Severide your left!"

"I see it! Casey, we found a small window here by the mother…she's trapped but I need…LOOK OUT!"

"Guys we're running out of time. Severide I'm on my way! Cruz, help Mills with this table!"

Boden listens to the flurry of activity over his headset and then down at his watch, Casey would be cutting it very close. But as much as he knows how much this means to Casey and of course Griffin as well; he wouldn't leave until his whole team was accounted for.

"I think we got it! Cruz, make sure the door is kept open!"

Casey emerges from the smoky surroundings, ripping off his mask and then looking at his watch and cursing; Severide hurrying to him in concern.

"I missed it."

"You still have time," Severide insists as Cruz and Hermann look up.

"How can I get there? And like this?"

"I heard someone needs a ride?" Cruz offers in haste as both Casey and Severide look up in wonder. "Well it has sirens doesn't it?"

"Chief?"

"Go."

"I'll bring your truck and pick you up after."

"Thanks guys!" Casey offers them a smile as he turns and rushes toward the front of Truck 81, Cruz in the front seat and Hermann in the back for support; Mills and Mouch staying behind to help with the cleanup and Severide helping as much as he could before he hops a ride in the ambulance back to Firehouse 51 to pick up Casey's truck and then head for the school. The teams always came through when needed most; that was something a snitch or a disgruntled former employee could never understand or utterly destroy.

But just as truck 81 pulls up; Casey's eyes narrow as he sees Hadley's car parked in front and the former squad member getting out and heading for the front entrance.

"What the hell's he doing here?" Hermann asks angrily as Casey's fists tighten.

"You just get inside…and leave him to us," Cruz volunteers as truck 81 comes to a stop and Hadley looks up with an angry glare.

"Guys I know he's just doing this to be a pain in the ass."

"Yeah? Well it's working," Hermann replies with a light hiss as Casey hops out of the truck.

"What do you want Hadley?"

"Wasn't sure you could make it Casey. You sure this is considered a good use of a company vehicle."

"You go in Lieutenant," Cruz calls out as both Hadley and Casey turn to look at the angry truck firefighter. "I'm sure I can take care of whatever this is," Cruz tells Hadley directly.

"Me too," Hermann pipes up as Hadley casts an amused glance at Casey.

"Your little home video only proved to Heather that you have no interest in the welfare of her boys, so whatever this is…it's a lie and it stops now," Casey glares at Hadley, holding his gaze for a few seconds and visually daring him to make the next move.

"The thing that needs to stop is your pathetic excuse for being a father to those boys. You didn't even have a father!"

"Hey!" Hermann shouts as he and Cruz rush in to pull a lunging Casey off Hadley; Hermann pulling Casey back and directing him to the door and the small face waiting and Cruz looking at Hadley with a daring expression that was asking for him to try it.

"See you back at the House," Hermann tells Casey as he pats him on the back. "You're better than this."

"You go lieutenant," Cruz glares are Hadley. "It'd be my personal pleasure to take care of this."

"Thanks," Casey lightly huffs as he offers a heartfelt thanks to his team and hurries into the front door; Griffin slowly pacing the quiet entranceway area as he waits. But as soon as Casey busts through the door, the young boys eyes light up and he rushes into his open arms.

"Uncle Matt!"

"Sorry I'm late," Casey replies as he gives Griffin a warm hug and then looks down with a tender smile; Cruz ushering Hadley away from the door and the former squad member purposely taking his time in leaving. "Ready?"

"You have smoke on your face," Griffin snickers; Casey knowing he meant soot but not making an issue out of the verbal faux pas.

Casey tries to quickly clean his face as takes Griffin's hand and heads for the teacher's office. "Better?" Casey asks seriously as Griffin looks up and smiles.

"Much."

"Okay. Let's go get em," Casey lightly smiles as he heads toward the teachers room. "Mr. Nelson right?"

"Nielsen," Griffin quickly corrects.

"Okay Nielsen."

Casey tells himself this will be just a walk in the park, but as soon as he does his stomach starts to seize a little. His father was always working and it was his mother who came to the occasional parent teacher meeting but he never paid much attention; much like Griffin he was told to play in the corner while they talked.

"Thank you for coming Lieutenant Casey."

"Sorry, we just finished a call," Casey replies as he shakes the male teachers hand and then sits down when invited to.

"That's okay. How'd it go?"

"It was…uh tense, it was tense, but good. No deaths so that's always positive," Casey nervously rambles before he offers a tight smile to the older man before him. "Sorry…I'm a bit nervous."

"No need to be. Griffin is a fine student. He's excelling in math and English."

"That's great to hear," Casey rushes as Mr. Nielsen's face frowns; Casey's instantly mirroring his. "What's wrong?"

"Some of his social skills need a bit of work. We are aware of the situation with his mother so that helps our counselors a lot and he has gotten better so I'm thanking you for the stability he's getting at home. It's so important for a boy his age, and his brother too of course to have a positive male influence around on a regular basis. He also needs to work on…"

Casey's ears take in all the information from the seasoned instructor; his mind racing to process it all. Griffin had told him a few things about his school work, but he didn't know that he needed help with science and geography. There was also a school play coming up that Griffin had expressed interest in. Drama? He likes acting? Since when? And as the hour progresses, Casey realizes just how many things he still needed to work on in the whole parental role.

"Mr. Casey?"

"I uh…wow that's a lot. I try to talk to him but um…it's hard."

"Parenting isn't easy but it's not too late to help him get his other subjects as solid as the rest. I personally think that under the circumstances you are doing a fine job."

"You do?" Casey asks weakly.

"I lost my youngest sister to cancer when she was only 32. Nearly destroyed the family. She too was a single mother and when her two boys lost her…it was tough. My middle sister took them in but it was a struggle at first. She was single at the time and never had kids before and much like yourself, put her career first so it was a very steep learning curve. But she made it work and those boys, both young adults now are two very fine young men because of her hard work. You just stick to whatever you are doing right now and they'll be fine. At least in just over a year they'll get their mother back. My nephews never did."

"I'm sorry," Casey offers humbly as the older man gives him a warm smile.

"Now…"

Casey listens to the rest of what the teacher has to say and then finally stands up, shakes his hand and thanks him for his time.

"Ready?"

"Sure am," Griffin smiles as he waves to his teacher. "Goodnight Mr. Nielsen."

"Goodnight Griffin."

Casey wraps his arm around Griffin's shoulders and pulls him close. "I'm so proud of you," Casey whispers as Griffin looks up with a warm smile. They head toward the school entrance; Casey pushing the door open and thankful that only Severide was there waiting – Hadley long gone.

"So…how'd it go?" Severide asks as Griffin slides in the middle of the truck and Casey gets in next; their next stop Christie's place.

"Very good. A few things to work on but…"

"I don't like science."

"Science?" Severide looks over in wonder and then up at Casey.

"And geography."

"We need to play Risk more," Severide smiles as he ruffles Griffin's hair.

"How was the cleanup?"

The two of them make small talk about the scene and a bit more about Griffin's schoolwork as they head for Christie's and then drop Griffin off.

"Thanks. We have tomorrow off so…"

"Matt you and Kelly just get some rest. The boys will sleep here and then you can pick them up after school tomorrow," Christie assures him with a warm hug.

"Thanks," Casey replies with a smile as he pulls back and hugs Griffin once more. "Okay see you tomorrow buddy."

"Okay."

Casey heads back to his truck, Severide still in the driver's seat and closes the door, slumping back with a heavy sigh.

"So what didn't you want to stay in front of him?"

"Hadley was at the school…."

"What?"

"About to go in for parent teacher."

"That damn bastard," Severide hisses as he pulls away from Christie's and heads for Firehouse 51. "Tomorrow we check out that name."

"The sooner the better. He was just itching for a fight again. But if Cruz and Hermann weren't there he might have gotten one."

"He knows which buttons to push now."

"I know he does…and I hate when it works," Casey grumbles as he looks out the window with a heavy sigh. "Sitting in that chair across from that teacher…just drove home how serious this all is. If he fails this year, it'll be on me."

"He won't fail. We'll just…play some more Risk," Severide tosses out lightly as Casey looks over with a small smirk. "It'll be okay."

"Hopefully," Casey whispers as his truck comes to a stop outside Firehouse 51. "I owe this to Heather."

"She did this Matt, not you, remember that," Severide tells him firmly just as they both get out. "I'll catch up in a sec, I have to get something from my car."

"Got it all fixed now?"

"For now," Severide huffs as Casey nods and heads for the doors to go in. Severide heads for his car and opens the trunk, turning around only when he hears a car approach; his eyes instantly narrowing as Hadley's face appears. "You get out of that car and you'll wish you hadn't."

"How'd it go with Matt at school?" Hadley snickers.

"You must be really bored Hadley. You know I heard they are hiring parking lot sweepers at Wrigley's." Severide tosses back as he slams shut the trunk of his car.

"I guess he has to do what he can since it's his fault Heather's in there in the first place."

"You know your lies are…"

"What lie? Casey bought the drinks. Check with the hostess," Hadley grins. "Oh…he never told you? Not the close friends you thought you I guess."

"Heather…"

"He's the reason she got drunk! He encouraged it!"

"You listen…"

"I guess Mr. Goldenboy isn't that golden after all. If you ask me…they locked up the wrong person!"

With that Hadley peels away, leaving Severide standing in the cold, dark parking lot, mouth agape wondering what just happened. Matt's…fault? What? Is this another lie or is he actually telling the truth?

A/N: uh oh…Hadley you darned troublemaker! Yup and he's not about to stop even when they start digging into his past (Up next). Heather of course is being played by Hadley but in the end she made the right call right? Had to get some work tension in there and how'd you like the part with Matt and the teacher? Now what will Kelly say to Matt about him leaving out that key detail? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!

PS: I hope you all like the last little angsty major whump-filled/comfort OS 'Against All Odds' Thanks everyone!