Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 17 – Loyalty is Thicker than Blood
"Remember to put in your audition requests first thing," Casey reminds the boys as they linger in the front of the boy's school the next day, Monday morning.
"We will now that we know you'll be there to help us," Griffin tells Casey with a friendly smile.
"We'll all be there, you can count on that," Casey assures him with a hug, before griffin pulls away and hurries to Ben's side as they head toward the school entrance.
"Andy would have loved to have seen them in that play," Severide gently huffs as Casey heads for the passenger side of Severide's car. "You know when we practice which role you'll play."
"Wendy?" Casey snickers. "Remind me again why we have to get dressed up?"
"You don't want to?"
"Can I be Captain Hook?"
"No," Severide answers flatly.
"Why no?"
"Because I played hook and you played Pan. It's only natural."
"You don't have a real hook do you?" Casey asks in mock fear as Severide chuckles.
"I'm sure I could make one up," Severide grins as they pull away from the school yard and head toward the prison; the first stop was to see Kevin Hadley and then after that his half-sister – Heather Darden. The two of them make small talk until they near the entrance to the facility and Severide's car comes to a quiet stop, both looking at the large building before they look at each other.
"Kelly…"
"This is the only way we can all get closure. We'll go in there tell him he didn't win…he'll tell us to piss of and…"
"We'll go tell Heather…" Casey interjects.
"Who will tell us to go to hell and we'll go for a few beers and drown ourselves to hell," Severide gently grumbles as both nod but get out of the car and slowly head toward the entrance. On the way over they had discussed if maybe waiting a few more days was a better option but the longer they'd let it sit and it just fester between them the more tension would grow and that wasn't fair to any of them, especially the boys. Time to lay everything out in the open and then have them all have a start fresh. It was time. The truth was out. Now it just needed to be embraced and dealt with.
"Name?"
"Kevin Hadley."
"Hadley, Kevin!" The prison registrar calls out as both Casey and Severide remove their jackets and place their personal effects into specified bins. Each taking a deep breath, they head through the last security checkpoint and then head into the guest visiting area. Both earn a few looks from curious inmates as they head for an empty table.
"Hey watch it pretty boy!" An angry voice snarls at Casey as he passes, purposely bumping his shoulder.
"Sorry," Casey mutters as he arches his brows at Severide's concerned glance but keeps walking. "Someone tell him we were coming?"
"Yeah man I don't know about you but this place gives me the creeps," Severide confesses under his breath as Casey nods in agreement. "Think he'll come out?"
"Maybe to spite us? I don't know bu…" is all Casey gets out before they hear a click and watch a familiar face slowly appear from behind the locked door, dressed in prison orange and having a guard on either side.
"You're kidding…you two?" Hadley lightly hisses in sarcasm as he heads toward them with a less than impressed expression. For a second it appears that Hadley was going to turn around and go right back from where he came. But to their mild surprise he pulls away from the guards and approaches the empty table.
Casey looks at the results of the explosion that Hadley's displaying, a scar of burnt skin on the lower left side of his face, the side that was facing the homemade device when it went off; part of his neck chewed up as well as the top of his left hand. Unless he put up the money for plastic surgery, he'd bear those scars for life – reminders of an altercation that could have cost him more than a few skin cells.
"You two come to gloat?" Hadley asks in anger as Severide and Casey remain standing to face him, the guards watching intently and ready to intervene at a moment's notice if necessary.
"About what, the fact you look like scarface?" Severide retorts as Casey gently shakes his head; Hadley's eyes narrowing as he takes a step closer; the two guards also moving in closer, forcing Hadley's steps to stop.
"No, we came to say it's over," Casey states firmly as Severide's lips slightly purse.
"Fine. You said it now you can…turn around and lea…"
"You know we could have pressed for heavier charges but we didn't!" Severide steps up once more.
"I would have!" Hadley counters as the two of them come within inches of each other.
"Step back!" The guard warns heavily as all three look at the stern expression but readily comply. "Watch your proximity!"
"I saved your worthless life!" Severide reminds Hadley with a stern expression.
"You should have let me burn!" Hadley argues back as Casey looks at Severide and Hadley's faces about a foot apart; turning and offering the angry guards a look of sympathy.
"I wanted to!" Severide growls as Hadley offers his first look of surprise and then steps back. "That's right you son of a bitch! I wanted to let you burn. After I got Matt out and he wasn't breathing I heard you calling out."
"Liar! I wasn't…"
"Benny and Antonio heard you also," Casey interjects as Hadley stops talking and looks at him in anger.
"If he had died you would have been charged with murder one! Don't you get that?" Severide growls, not caring at the
curious faces watching them intently.
"Yeah I get it. Why didn't you leave me?" Hadley asks Severide directly.
"Trust me it wasn't for me or Matt," Severide responds in haste.
"It was for them," Casey adds in a soft tone as he hands Hadley a picture of Griffin and Ben.
"We know you filmed Ben falling in the water. He's your nephew and instead of helping, you tried to pin the accident on Matt; the one person in all this who was given the responsibility without even asking for it!" Severide growls as Hadley looks at Casey and then back at Severide's angry expression. "You lost sight of the fact that you could have had a relationship with two…"
"She picked you because you were banging her!" Hadley tosses at Casey as Severide's eyes narrow.
"Heather and I were only friends. I wasn't interested and told her that," Casey states in haste as Hadley's lips purse. "And she agreed. But we both agreed that there shouldn't be anything awkward for the boys so we continued as friends. You never made her your friend only the object of your own personal hatred!"
"Hatred that you have for your father," Severide interjects. "Graham set the house on fire and nearly burnt those boys along with it! Their deaths…your own nephews would have been on you!"
"I never wanted to hurt the boys," Hadley finally confesses in a low tone.
"Then why did you try?" Casey asks in a tone that helps Severide's agitation drop.
"To get back at you," Hadley addresses Casey's question directly as Casey's brow furrows. "They were my family…the only family that I could look at without contempt and after she went to jail she…she picked you… a stranger over family."
"Did you talk to her about it?" Casey asks innocently.
"Yeah I did and she said…she said Matt was more responsible."
"And that hurt."
"Yeah it hurt. Who the hell are you? Some friend and…" Hadley's voice dies out as he looks away and then back at Severide. "Why didn't you just let me die in there?" He asks in a tormented whisper; his tone so bitter that it instantly softens Severide's expression.
"In the end…no matter what, when I hear a cry for help…it's just natural. It's what we do, we save lives. You used to have that. I think you still did when you found Ben's ball in the park and you let him go…he said a fireman helped him. That was you right?" Severide tells him in a softer tone as Hadley looks at Severide and then Casey before he finally slumps down onto the bench at the small table.
"Yeah….so what? It's over now. Means nothing."
"Meant something to him and as angry as you are now I know it meant something to you. You used to work at my side to help people instead of wanting to hurt them. What the hell was that all about?"
"My father," Hadley groans in anger. "You want to know the real reason? There it is."
"And 51 was the one family that accepted you and your past without making assumptions or asking questions."
"And you two took that away from me!"
"No, you did that on your own. It started with Mills and then just grew from there. That was you, all you," Severide reminds him firmly. "You hurt people…innocent people…you hurt Matt…for no other reason than your hate. Something you had control over!"
"You want me to say I'm sorry?" Hadley looks at Casey; bitterness dripping in his tone.
"I think your anger and hatred started long ago and 51 was just the final straw. Saying sorry only if you mean it not because you think it's what I want to hear. I think we're beyond trying to tell everyone what they want to hear," Casey replies in a low tone. "You have the next…"
"Year and a half," Hadley hisses as Severide eases himself down beside Casey, opposite Hadley.
"You know we can't help that."
"But it can help you connect with Heather."
"What?" Hadley looks sharply at Casey.
"I know inmates have access to email. So does she. Use the time to reconnect," Casey suggests as Hadley looks away with a small curse.
"Damn you guys have all the answers don't you!" Hadley hisses as he looks away in contempt.
"We didn't come in here and be all buddy buddy again," Severide retorts as Hadley looks at him in haste.
"So why did you come?"
"To close this door," Casey pipes up before Severide can reply, drawing Hadley's gaze in his direction. "I won't have as visible scars to live with as you but I will have nightmares of smelling that smoke and watching that device explode and then wondering if I had left two little boys to nearly fend for themselves while I burned to death or died of smoke inhalation. I made a promise to Andy and to Heather and I'm going to keep it. Now it's time for all of us to start to heal."
"It's over man….for good," Severide adds firmly as Hadley just stares at them in wonder.
"That's all we came to say. If you expected more of a shouting match or angry words then I'm sorry to disappoint," Casey tells him in a friendly tone as Hadley's jaw softens.
"What did you tell the boys about me?" Hadley dares to question.
"We didn't," Casey replies in truth as Hadley's brows gently rise.
"It's not our place," Severide adds. "That's up to Heather…and you. They are your family and this is your family issue."
"Does Heather know you know?"
"She will," Casey answers. "We have to tell her. But we'll tell her the same we're telling you. Whatever you want to tell the boys, that's her call…not ours. The boys are in a position right now where whenever we go out the door they are making us promise we'll come home so they won't be sent to an orphanage to deal with whatever horrors go on there."
"You know about that right?" Severide adds as Hadley looks at him sharply. "They deserve a chance to have some semblance of normalcy and we can give them that until Heather's back with them. The rest…is up to you and her. The hatred you have for your father you have to deal with. But do it. Don't let it eat you up inside. You still have a chance."
"At what?" Hadley snaps in a sour tone.
"At a second chance. Whatever you choose to do when you get out of here is up to you," Casey tells him in a kind tone. "But…I really hope you find that peace. For the boys sake. Because whatever you do, you have to think about them now…and Heather. They're your family."
Silence starts to build as Hadley's forced to digest all the information that was presented. Severide's hand gently nudges Casey's forearm; Casey looking over and getting the nod then slowly getting up.
"Take care Hadley," Casey leaves as the last word between the three as they turn and head toward the exit door; Hadley watching Severide's hand give Casey's back a comforting pat, one last visual offering of true concern and friendship – true brotherhood; something that wasn't bonded by blood but by loyalty. The two of them head back through the security check point, reclaim their personal items and then head for the exit doors – in silence.
"Matt?"
"I'm okay…I just…nothing," he replies with a small whisper as his right hand gingerly touches the base of his neck just beneath the folds of the top of his jacket.
"Let me see," Severide tells him as the stop at the car, Severide gently pulling the jacket back and frowning at the chaffed skin. "This needs a covering."
"Did the blisters break?"
"Yeah, they're pretty raw. I have a first aid kit in the trunk hold on. Figured kids get into trouble with cuts and stuff…guess I was right," Severide gently smirks as Casey nods and slowly removes his jacket.
"Think anything got through to him?"
"Man I don't know," Severide huffs as he looks at the angry red wounds on Casey's neck. "Hold still a sec," Severide directs in a soft whisper. "I hope so you know…for his sake. To be in there for over a year and just dwell on your own hatred would be such a waste. But I don't know. He's had chances to stop before and didn't," Severide pauses as he places a large soft piece of gauze over Casey's burn blisters and then holds it in place with a few bandages. "Just careful with the jacket."
"Thanks," Casey acknowledges as he slowly slides his jacket back on, careful to keep the rim of the collar below the protective padding. "Will definitely need a beer after this."
"Or two."
"But at least we can tell Heather a few happy things," Casey adds as they get into the car and head toward the prison facility where Heather was being held. During the silent drive over, Severide glances over at Casey, remembering what he said about the nightmares and his words…that vision of being nearly burned alive would shake any of them to the core.
"Heather will be pissed but just keep it clean."
"I know. I'll tell her about the boys, a few good things and then just that we know that Kevin is her half-brother and he's in jail for doing a few bad things and she can contact him and they can talk it over and I'll leave it up to her to tell the boys or not."
"Sounds like a good plan," Severide nods as they near the entrance to the female side of the medium-security facility.
"Yeah, just hope it works," Casey sighs as they enter the daunting facility and go through the same routine they did with the men's side; head for the line, slowly head toward the front of the line where they check in, give the name of the inmate they wanted to see and leave their personal items in the provided containers.
Unlike with Hadley, both Casey and Severide wait at a table for Heather, who enters through the secured door and heads toward them with a small smile.
"Matt…Kelly," Heather greets with a warm hug as she holds on a few moments longer and then pulls back and gives Severide a hug as well. "This is a nice surprise."
"We wanted to update you on a few things," Casey tells her with a friendly smile that he hopes doesn't come across as too tense or foreboding.
"Are the boys okay?" Heather asks in haste as she sits down opposite them.
"The boys are just fine," Casey replies with a smile.
"Yeah they're going to audition for the school play," Severide adds as Heather looks at Severide and then back at Casey as he nods.
"The school is doing Peter Pan and we encouraged them to try out for John and Michael as the school said they would give preference to natural brothers. They were excited and if they are successful we'll record it for you."
"Can you do that? Bring in a recording?"
"We might have to have a guard watch it with us but hey the more the merrier," Severide lightly retorts as Heather smiles, her eyes slightly misting.
"It's going to be okay," Casey tells Heather in a softer tone as his hand slowly sneaks out and rests atop hers and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm missing so much," she sighs as she looks at both of them in misery. "All these things…I should be there for them."
"They have a school play every year so next year you'll be there," Severide tries to lighten the emotional tension.
"I hope so. How is everything at school?"
"They face some peer teasing about you being in here and Griffin is more sensitive to it than Ben is. But I talked to his teachers and he's doing good with his grades. They both are."
"I'm so happy to hear that. I just…I'm happy they have you two there for them. It's comforting and yet it still makes me angry…at myself."
"They are okay. They ask about you and the next weekend we have off, we'll bring them."
"I'd like that. So…what else is happening?" Heather tells them as she notices Casey and Severide exchange worried glances and is quick to call them on it. "What's going on? Matt? What aren't you telling me? Is this about the boys?"
"It's about Kevin Hadley," Casey replies flatly as Heather's face instantly hardens.
"What about…him?" She asks with some hesitation.
"There's no easy way to say this but we know Kevin is your half-brother."
"He'd never tell you that," Heather states in instant defense through gritted teeth.
"He um…didn't," Severide tells her as she looks at him in surprise. "Your father did."
"What?" Heather gasps loudly, making two guards look at them in concern. "You talked to him? He's around here?"
"Yeah he is. Had a picture of the boys," Casey adds. "That's how we knew it was him. I'm sorry. But we figured it wasn't fair for us to know and just wait to tell you after all this."
"Why did you even try to find him? How did you find him?" Heather rattles off in haste.
"Hey hold on a sec, just slow down," Casey gently entreats. "Hadley was involved in a few things and we had to find him."
"What things? What do you mean you had to find him? Where is Kevin?"
"He's in jail."
"What? What did he do?"
"He committed a few acts of arson," Casey replies.
"No…no he wouldn't do that," Heather insists. "He took that job to put out fires, not start them!"
"The police found evidence and he was arrested. He was transferred from 51 to a House that closed and he took it pretty hard. That…was part of it," Severide adds as Heather's watery gaze shifts.
"And the…the part?" Heather firmly demands of Severide as his frown deepens.
"He hurt a few people in the fire," Casey softly interjects as Severide's throat clears.
"Matt?" Heather asks sharply. "Matt you tell me right now…did he try to hurt the boys?"
"No," Casey shakes his head, "he was angry at us…all of us at 51 and set a few fires that he wanted us to get caught up in. One was pretty major and because he didn't turn himself in and we um…caught him in the act, the punishment was a bit more severe than just an arson charge where only buildings were damaged."
"Oh god," Heather whispers as she looks away with a head shake. "Is he okay?" She turns back to them in misery.
"He suffered a few burns in the fire."
"He'll have a few visible scars for life," Severide adds as her eyes water. "Heather I'm sorry we have to tell you but it was only fair that we tell you this now."
"He promised me he'd…I'm sorry you had to learn all this. I'm just so…I feel sick about all this."
"I'll tell you the same I told Hadley," Severide interjects as both Casey and Heather look at him intently. "We're not here to judge. We didn't intend to dig up past family secrets and I can't imagine the pain you two have lived with after you both found out. But it's all over now and it's not something we're going to remind you about ever."
"Do the boys know?"
"No," Casey tells her in truth. "It wasn't our place to tell them. That's yours. We only thought it fair you know that we know. How you and Hadley choose to deal with things after today it up to you but you both have the chance to get out of this and start fresh."
"You think we can…after all this? Matt we did…I don't know," Heather's voice dies out in sorrow.
"That's up to you. Our focus is where it's always been, with the boys and making sure they are well looked after until they are reunited with you."
"I can't believe this," Heather's voice dies out to a tormented whisper.
"I'm sorry. This isn't a happy day for any of us," Casey admits in remorse.
"Thank you for telling me. I'm glad you didn't let it just…sit. Secrets….they…they hurt people."
"You two have faced enough pain," Severide says in a softer tone as her hand reaches over and rests on his also. "We never wanted any of this."
"What do I tell the boys…their Uncle he…he's in jail for arson?" Heather asks weakly. "They father taught them that…firemen help people…they don't hurt people and now Kevin…Matt…what do I do?"
"I wish I could help with that…we both wish we could, but we can't," Casey informs her. "We have to let you two discuss that."
"How do you get past all this?" Heather wonders somewhat absently as she looks away and then back at Casey. "Thank you for being honest."
"You're going to get through this," Casey tries to assure her as she just gives him a look of mild disbelief. "I got past my mother's…situation and you can to."
"I hope so."
"We'll come back as soon as we can with the boys. They want to see you."
"I'd like that," she tells them as they finally stand up to leave. "Thank you," she whispers to Casey as she gives him a warm hug, her eyes freshly flooding. She gives Severide a warm hug as well before she pulls back and gives them a small wave and then turns to leave.
They watch her go and then give each other the nod that it was time to go as well.
"I feel sorry for both of them now…seeing them so angry…and broken," Casey's lips utter softly as they head outside toward Severide's car.
"I know. I wanted to say to Hadley you got what you deserve but I think he's felt that his whole life," Severide admits with a heavy exhale as he glances over at Casey who's eyes appear teary. "Hey you okay?"
"Yeah," Casey nods as he quickly swallows and then pastes on a tight lipped smile. "But I'll be better after the beer you buy me."
"What? Me?"
"Hey I'm getting over an injury."
"Man how long are you going to be milking that one?" Severide chuckles as they get in the car.
"Long as I can," Casey smiles as he looks back at the prison, a frown gently appearing. "I hope they work things out. I do. And not just for the sake of the boys."
"Yeah…me too."
"I have an idea for after lunch," Severide suggests.
"Yeah what's that? I'm not wrestling," Casey chuckles.
"That costume place on 4th is closing out right?"
"It is but…really?"
"Feel like trying on a pair of green tights?" Severide wags his brows as Casey's head shakes. "Come on…for the boys. They would totally think that was awesome. All of us to dress up?"
"No camera's. This isn't going public."
"You know we have to take at least one or two pictures."
"I think I'll regret this," Casey groans.
"Come on," Severide begs with a grin.
"Okay. Deal."
The two of them head inside their favorite bar, wanting to just relax for a while, sit and talk as friends and revel in the realization that the loyal bond they shared, most often growing silently to them but very visual to others – was something to cherish and never take for granted. It was envied by some and desired by others.
A/N: Ah so no evil cliffe this time only the promise of some fun times ahead. How did you like the showdown with Hadley? And Heather? Tense? Emotional? Angsty? All of the above? Lol yup! They were supposed to be. But I would love your thoughts on each and what you think the outcome will be for Hadley and Heather and of course their future plans with the boys. So please do review before you go and thanks so much!
PS: Hope you're all caught up with Never Give Up! How will Kelly tell Matt the truth about Eric? hmmm tune in to find out and thanks! :)