The snow fell down, kept lying on his pet for a few seconds, then it melted away. Kelly Severide saluted, looking straight ahead while the funeral procession passed them by. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes, but he tried not to cry. Next to him stood Boden, who had just arrived, not saying a word when they formed their formation. He had only yelled his orders when they had so salute. A few minutes after the procession had passed; they broke their formation, only to see Boden running across the street, to the group of tug that always swarmed around the neighbourhood. Severide ran after him. ''Chief, what is wrong?''
''It was you, you were the shooters!'' The boys looked at him, unimpressed.
''proof it.'' They walked away, without looking back at Boden nor Severide.
''Chief! There is nothing we can prove. The shooting was days ago, we don't have any proof.''
Boden looked to the ground with a deep sigh. ''Matthew has been shot last night. I was alone in the fire station and suddenly there was a shot. When I ran outside they were running away and…''
He looked across the street; to the other firemen who were parking the vehicles back inside.
''Matthew was down, this is bad, Kelly.''
Severide opened his mouth to say something but no sound came out of his mouth. ''H-how is he?'' He finally managed to stutter. Boden shook his head.
''The bullet hit him the spine, they don't know the damage yet.''
Kelly shook his head. ''No, no, this can't be true.''
Boden nodded. ''I am afraid it is.'' They crossed the street together, joined the other firemen on their way to the common room. The girl were called away and jumped in the ambulance, drove away.
''Casey doesn't take of his phone.'' Hermann mumbled to Otis.
''Listen up!'' Boden yelled, hearing what Hermann said. ''Lieutenant Casey is not late; he is in the hospital at this moment. Yesterday night, he was shot close to the station.''
The whole common room fell silent in shock. ''Why..didn't you tell us?'' Mumbled Hermann, looking to the floor.
''Because I am sure Casey wanted us to honour the kid first. Also, I wanted to wait until there was clarification about his situation.''
''If he is in the hospital, then why are we sitting here?'' Otis frowned. ''We always wait at the hospital when one of us is in danger. ''
The other man nodded, agreeing with him.
In the end, fire station 51 was a family.
…..
''I hate it to be sitting here.'' Hermann mumbled, looking up to the ceiling of the familiar hospital waiting room, Otis shook his head. ''You know, we have been sitting here for you a few months ago for hours.'' Hermann looked annoyed. ''That is not what I meant, I just meant that always when we sit here, something crappy happened.''
''Gentleman, be nice.'''Mouch said to them, looking up from his Japanese magazine. Severide stood up next to Mouch, walking outside, back in the snow. They were just waiting for twenty minutes since Boden had walked away for an update, but it seemed to take an eternity. He walked back inside, grabbing a cup of coffee and felt a shock when he saw Boden in the waiting room.
''Kelly, come with me.'' He handed the coffee to Mouch and ran after Boden, who already walked back into the long corridor.
''He is awake, stable.'' Severide nodded. ''That is good, right?''
''It is, but I think he needs some support now and I think you are the best person to support him.''
''I don't think so chief. We haven't talked since we stormed out of your office.''
''I am sure he wants you to be the person with him right now. Go in there. I will update his team.''
Severide hesitated for a moment before stepping in the room. He was scared, for the first time he felt like he was actually scared.
''Hey.'' Was all he could say. His fellow lieutenant was lying at his side, staring to the wall, his eyes red and another tear dripped down his cheek.
'''Hey.'' He mumbled back, a little shocked, whipping away the tears.
''I guess I don't have to ask how you are feeling. I can guess that you are in pain.'' Kelly said, nervous, sitting down next to the bed.
He nodded. ''But I wish I could feel pain through the whole of my body.'' He bit his lip. ''I can't feel anything below the place where the bullet hit my spine.''
''Shit, Matthew, shit.''
''Shit is one way to put it.'' Matthew grinned gloomy, trying to contain his tears.
''I know, it is more than just shit….is the damage permanent?''
''Probably, they aren't sure yet, since they are still draining my back, hoping it is just swelling. But the chance seems to be nihil.''
''Shit.''
''Shit happens.''
Severide frowned. ''This isn't just shit happening, these boys, why were they even near the station in the first place?''
''Kind of my own fault, I told them to stay away from us after the shooting. I couldn't sleep at night, decided to run for a while, to tire myself, then I saw them breaking in. I just remember that they surrounded me and one wanted to shoot somebody through the window, that is all.''
''Boden was inside. You saved his ass, if that is any comfort to you.''
Matthew nodded, again very gloomy.
''These boys don't know what is coming to them. They shot an innocent man, whom also is my friend. ''
''Thank you Kelly.''
''Just…try to rest for now, okay?''
Matthew nodded, smiled at Kelly. When his fellow lieutenant walked out of door his smile changed to crying.
…
NOTE: I am so sorry it is so short but I have an unexpected party tonight and after all the reviews I didn't want to keep it from you, although it short. I promise that the next chapter will be at least 2500 words long to make it up!
Anyway, thanks again for all the reviews, I am really glad you like the idea and I hope you won't keep the review box lonely for this chapter, although it is so short.
