''The house is perfect, I am sure you will like it as well. The kitchen might be a little small, but we can always – ''

''Hallie, I am not sure anymore if I still want to go to Phoenix. I know it was my idea but I am not sure if I should leave everything behind.''

Hallie hung up the phone. Casey laid the phone down and looked up to Severide.

''I think she is mad at me.''

''I think you should have told her when she was here again, not when she is on the other side of the country fulfilling your wish to look for a house there. ''

Casey nodded. ''True, not really thoughtful. I hope she still comes back.''

''She will, she is probably just irritated and maybe she also doesn't really want to leave Chicago.''

''Whoa, wait a second, I never said I was really going to stay in Chicago, I just said I wasn't sure anymore.''

Severide sighed; ''I know, I know. But I am happy you are in doubt now, so you will think about it again.''

Even though Severide had said to bring Matthew home, they went to another bar close to the centre, since they left molly's so early. Severide took his empty glass and walked back to the bar, holding two beers now. ''Just one. Come on, I haven't seen you drinking since..''

''Since the shooting, yeah.'' Matthew finished his sentence, seeing Severide doubting if he could bring it up out loud. ''You don't have to walk on your toes every time you want to say something to me. I just haven't been drinking because I didn't feel there was something to celebrate and I had other things to think about.''

''I am not walking on my toes with you, I just want to have a nice evening, so I didn't want to bring it up halfway the sentence.''

''Cheers then.'' Matthew raised the glass.

''Cheers.'' Severide hit the glass with his, took a few sips.

They took a few sips, but the glasses down again.

''Why did you want to leave Molly's?''

Severide shrugged. ''I just wanted to talk with you in private, plus the new kids kept starting, it started to creep me out.''

''Danny was staring at you?'' Matthew frowned. ''Why would that be strange? I think he wants to move to squad.''

''No, he was staring at you. Scary staring, as if he was possessed. It was probably nothing, it just creped me out. That was why I wanted to talk in Private.''

''You don't want to know how many people stare at me now. I mean, Dawson still sits on the staring throne, but even in the street people turn around to see me, or are avoiding looking at me on purpose, especially close to the station since they know who I am.''

Severide nodded.

''Even Hallie's mom didn't know how to react when she saw me a few weeks ago. I didn't change, but it seems everybody's view of me has changed.''

''I still think you are a softy, that didn't change.'' Severide tried to make a joke.

''Well, I still think you are a dork.'' Matthew laughed back.

''So you saw the witch-in-law a few weeks ago?''

Severide hadn't know a lot about Casey's private life before they had become friends, but everybody in the station knew that Hallie's mom was one of the worst mothers in law you could possible get them. No matter how much effort Matthew put for Hallie, or how nice he was to her, he never could do something good to her. One time, when neither of them wasn't a lieutenant yet, she had come to the station to yell at him for borrowing Hallie's car and bringing it back one day later than he promised. Everybody had been quiet, afraid of what to say until Andy Darden had opened his mouth with what later had become one of his most loved one liners; ''Just let your daughter borrow your broom.'' Casey had apologized for what Andy had said, but he wasn't allowed to come at the Thomas's Christmas dinner after being a real relationship with Hallie for three years at the time, having passed the stage of High school sweethearts to real lovers.

As if Matthew could read his mind Casey laughed. ''yeah, she arrived at her Nimbus 2000.''

''I remember staying at the station with Christmas as you weren't allowed to come and Andy was also there, though I left earlier, Andy wanted to party crash the family dinner.''

''He wanted to give Hallie's mom the old broom of the station, wrapped and all.''

Severide laughed, opened his mouth in amazement. ''So you do know why the broom on the station says 'Nimbus 2000'! That was why you and Andy always did a sprint when the floor had to be swept and nearly hitting each other over the old broom.''

Matthew laughed, pulling the neck of his shirt aside a little bit, showing the scar on his collarbone. ''Nearly? I took a broom to the collarbone.''

''And Andy took a broom to the face. Heather was so pissed with you both when he came back with the black eye.''

''You know who was pissed? Boden. One more of those jokes and we would be dismissed. That was when we had to grow up.''

Severide nodded. ''We all had to grow up at one point. We were a group of reckless young dogs when we started at the station.''

''Miss those days.'' Matthew smiled, grabbing Severide's empty glass. ''Do you want another one?'' Severide nodded. ''I will walk back home. It is not that far.''

Matthew nodded, went to the bar and returned with two glasses balancing on his legs.

''I am so screwed if they fall now.''

''You kind of are.'' But he managed to bring the glasses to table safe.

''The next superbowl, you are so going to be our personal butler, instead of Otis who only runs with two glasses at the time.''

''I think I can bring 8 at the time. But, I can't promise I will still be living –''

''Stop, I was just joking. Let's not talk about the moving anymore. By the way, now you have shown your skills you are not getting away anymore.''

They drank their beers, followed by another one. They laughed about things they remembered from when they were still in school, although they didn't know each other that well in high school.

''I was scared of you. You were always the biggest, strongest guy in the football team. Remember you were sitting behind me in math class. I was afraid you would get mad when I even looked at you.'' Matthew laughed.

''Math class? I can't remember. But I wasn't there a lot.'' He chuckled.

''I remember you and your friends threw the clothes of the swimming team in the pool, while we in the showers.''

Severide looked surprised; ''You were in the swimming team? Were you the person to win the tournament between the Chicago schools?'''

''No way, I was the loser of the team, but swimming seemed the most save sport to me. Like I said, I was scared for you and the rest of football team.''

Severide frowned; ''Why were you so afraid of me?''

''Again, you were always screwing with the swimming team. Or at least your friends, but you were always walking with them. But remember the science club was even more screwed. ''

''Sorry, had to keep up my reputation. Everybody has to survive High School and if I could go back, I would have never acted to some of the kids like I did back then. ''

Matthew shook his head. ''No need for a apologizing, I survived by getting high grades and trying not to be really strike, which wasn't hard, since I was really shy kid back then. Most of the teachers didn't even know I was in their class until they saw my name on the test papers after I got a high grade.''

Severide smiled. ''I wish I got through High school like that, I do remember we were in Fire school together, sharing the same lunch table with Andy as our mutual friend. You just never said anything.''

''Because listening to your stories was really good. You always had something funny to tell, so did Andy. I loved hearing about you going out and doing crazy stuff. I spent my weekends in other ways.'' Matthew left the table for a second to get more drinks. When he returned Severide couldn't help but ask.

''Why did you never go with us if you liked the stories, or couldn't you leave in the weekends?''

Matthew shrugged, handing him the glass. ''You never asked me to join you and I didn't dare to invite myself. I spend my weekends earning money.''

''Also in the evening?'' Severide frowned.

''Yeah, I had bought a really crappy boat, completely restored it, working more than seventeen hours every weekend day. I sold it for double the price I had bought it and from the money I paid my holiday.''

''You mean your backpack tour through Europe?''

Casey nodded, smiling. ''I am glad I did, though. It was such an experience. If I hadn't done it that summer, I never would have done it.''

''I still want to tour through Europe.''

''I still wanted to do the same in Australia, but it just never happened because – nevermind. It won't happen anymore.''

Matthew was staring at his glass, sad expression on his face.

''You could still go to Australia, I am su-.''

''Not anymore.'' He mumbled back before Severide could finish his sentence.

''Why not, Matthew? Australia is still there.''

Casey shrugged. ''Hallie doesn't want to, plus I can't go the way I always wanted to go. I wanted to backpack, traveling where ever the wind would take me, or the bus went. Working here and there, making a real adventure. I wanted to give it a second try after we graduated. But we got offer for firehouse 51 and I knew I should feel blessed to have that offer right away, so I took it and so did you and Andy.''

Severide nodded. ''I understand, but you could still see the continent, right?''

Casey shrugged. ''Mwah, maybe.''

''We are still going to Vegas, remember?''

''True, but let's go home soon. I don't know about you, but I am getting pretty tired and it is getting late. I promised to be back in the centre before twelve.''

Severide checked his watch. ''We should go back, then. It is a quarter to twelve and it is a ten minute walk- err.''

''Do you mind if I switch the walking part for rolling?'' Matthew joked. ''Don't feel awkward. I even refer myself to walking at least twice a day. Hallie is starting to make walking a forbidden word, she won't even let me listen to '500 miles' by the proclaimers.''

Severide grabbed their jackets, stumbling a little while bringing the empty glasses to the bar.

''Sorry to say, but if she won't even let you listen to certain songs, I start to doubt that she has inherited some of her moms genes.''

Severide opened the door for him. ''Don't be mean about my girl.'' Matthew said, looking up to Severide, quasi-mad. ''She still arrives in her car, not by broom-express.''

Severide chuckled as they went to his car, just go grab their jackets and continued their way.

''This was a really great night, thanks.''

''No thanks, I enjoyed it , we should do this more often. Who had expected that in math class?'' He joked. The rest of the way back to the centre they were silent. Severide knew he still had a long way to go after the centre but he wanted to make sure Matthew came home safe. He knew that Matthew was capable of getting home safe, but he could hear on his way of speaking the long time that he hadn't drank any alcohol was getting to him.

''So, goodnight..'' Severide said when they reached the centre, somebody waiting for him at the door, probably to close the door behind him.

''I need to ask you something, sorry.''

''What is it?'' Severide said surprised.

''Hallie is already coming back tomorrow. If it is not inconvenient or if you even want to, could you please drive me to the airport? I promised to bring her, but I don't dare to drive yet. I just got my special driving license and actually, I don't dare to drive yet.''

Severide shook his head. ''I have a shift, sorry. I would have brought you there if I could.''

''It is fine. Guess I have to drive myself.''

''I am sure you will do great.''

''Thanks, goodnight.''

''I missed you.'' He said, smiling when Hallie walked with him to the car. The airport wasn't that far away, but he was glad that the driving had been going really well.

''I was only gone for five days.'' She said, holding the rose he had brought her, while he carried her back on his lap.

''I know, but I still missed you.''

''Don't be so sweet, now I feel guilty for cursing you the whole flight.''

Matthew nodded. ''I suck, I know. I just am not sure if I can leave everyone behind in Chicago.''

''Doesn't matter, we can talk about it later.

The sun was shining again, not as strong as the previous day, but it was still better than the cold winter they had.

''Where are you going?'' Hallie started to cross the pedestrian crossing to the parking garage.

''Didn't you see my pick up over there?'' he said, pointing at the row with cars parked at the disabled parking places. At first he had doubted if he should put it there, but he knew it would be more convenient.

''Oh. That is close.'' She just mumbled.

''It has its perks.'' He mumbled. She walked past him, stepping in the car, throwing the car in the middle before he could even lift himself in the car. He closed the belt so he could lean forward to pick up the lightweight, foldable wheelchair.

''Uhm… Hallie. Would you mind holding your bag on your lap, or could you throw it in the back? I kind of need the middle to put my chair.'' He said, not daring to look at her. She moved the bag on her lap and he folded the chair, placing it between them, not seeing anything, afraid to look at her expression. He was afraid she still was having second thoughts over their relationship.

He started the car, driving of the parking lot, silent until she opened her mouth.

''When will you finally get rid of this truck?''

''I won't.''

Her finger moved to the radio, putting his Bruce Springsteen CD on mute.

''Matthew, this truck is not option.''

''Do you have any other idea? From what money are we going to buy a new car?''

''From that money you could have get when you would have sued the boys! All the money you are getting from them is the money to pay your rehabilitation, what about money for personal damage?''

''How about no?''

He pressed the volume up again, signaling her their conversation was over. He had hoped that the plans for moving would have made their relationship better, but instead all it had gotten them was stress.

Springsteen was suddenly silent again.

''You could also go by public transport and we could sell it and also use the money to buy the house in Phoenix.''

''Will you please let me have my mobility?'' He said, mad, without looking aside.

He pressed the radio on again, louder this time.

''BORN IN THE USA!'' He yelled with the radio.

''You are so childish.'' Hallie complained, crossing her arms and looking out of the window.

He was happy they had nearly reached Molly's, where he parked his car, because there wasn't a lot of parking space available at the rehabilitation centre.

Hallie jumped out of the car.

''You better make up your mind about us, the moving and this rusty thing on wheels.''

''I have made up my mind, you sell your car, buy me a new car and you go to work on your mothers broom. I thought you understood me!'' He said, mad, getting out of the car.

''Oh, I don't understand you?''

''No, you don't. This car makes me feel I can still go around on my own. Makes me feel mobile and that was so important according to you.''

''Matthew, I am not even going to fight over this. Just make up your mind. You were the one wanting to leave Chicago. ''

''I just don't know.''

''You should have sued the boys, would have made everything a lot easier!''

Matthew nearly laughed in disbelief. ''Is that what it is about, the money?''

''No, but it would have made everything a whole lot easier.''

''Did you come back to me in the hope that I would get a lot money for suing them?''

''Matt, how can you even think I would be like that?''

He frowned; ''It wouldn't be the first time you would leave me and you are the person who even dumped me twice after I was shot, because you didn't think our relationship would be lasting because of my injury. You became different after I told you I wasn't going to sue them. I wanted to move away to start over…but do you even want to be with me now?''

''Not with you as you are behaving right now.''

''Fine, because I hate your behavior now as well.''

She bow her head indignant to the side.

''You became such a bitter ass.''

''You became such a gold digger. If I sue them today, this fight would probably end up in sex, wouldn't it?''

She stomped her foot on the ground, like a small child.

''No, you are so unfair!''

''What about you?'' He said, finally freeing all the frustrations he had kept in himself for weeks.

''This fight wouldn't end up in sex, because you aren't that exciting in bed anymore!''

Muffled laughing sounded from the street side and he looked to the right, to see people standing who had been witnessing the whole fight. Some of them looked shocked, some were laughing.

Hallie's face became red. ''I am sorry, that was wrong to say.''

Without saying something else, Matthew turned around and went away.

He and Hallie never had belonged together. This was their fourth break up and he didn't even understand why he could still fall for the lie.

He arrived at the centre, happy that Hallie hadn't followed him. His phone shook in his pocket and he looked at it, ready to throw it aside if it was Hallie. Instead it was Severide.

''Shay & Dawson were helping somebody on the other side of the crossroad by molly's. They saw you fighting. Sorry bro, told you she was like her mom. Bro-day tomorrow. Kelly''

He smiled at the irony, the person he had always been afraid of was the only person he could trust.

...

Disclaimer: Bruce Springsteen and his lyrics obviously don't belong to me (he is a little bit to old for me anyway, lol )

What do you think, did the moving plans just get cancelled or will Matthew and Hallie still make it up? Also, what did you think about the conversation Kelly and Matthew were having in the bar about their school time, did you like it? Please let me know! Also, would you like to have more details about Matthews injury and the adjusting to it, or more details about the boys etc. ?

Hope you enjoyed this chapter – the ending might be little lame though - it became a lot of longer than I had expected, but I had a lot of time off today. But a lot of full working days coming up…

Please let me know what you thought of it! Don't leave the review box empty! It will get hungry and empty and I will have to comfort it instead of being able to write the upcoming bro-moments. ;)