5 years later
''Come on, we have to go soon.'' Gabriela walked through the hallway followed by their daughter, while Matt was still looking in the mirror, checking his hair.
''You look amazing, come on, we really have to go.''
''Grandma said I could watch you on the television.'' Anna smiled at him.
''That is right, do I look pretty enough for TV?'' Matthew bow forward, tickling his daughter.
''We have to go!'' Gabriela yelled again from the hallway and Matt helped Anna with her jacket.
After they drove off and left Anna with Matt's mom and Vaughn, they drove to the WGN studio.
''Are you nervous?'' Gabriela looked aside to him while he kept his eyes on the road.
''A little bit.'' Matt shrugged. He knew that everybody of firehouse 51 would be watching, that his family was watching, Gabriela's family and he was over thinking if he really wanted to do this.
But he had said yes, he needed to now, there was no way back.
Parking on the car near the studios, getting out of the car.
Matthew had seen the gang members now they got out of prison, they were walking around the neighborhood again, but had never bothered him. It even seemed that they didn't dare to look at him. The only gang member that had talked to him was the boy who ratted the others out. But he talked to him before the others got out and it was a long time ago. Somehow, he was glad the boy got out earlier, he betrayed his friends and he had to leave Chicago before the other got out, since they threatened him.
He had never seen Danny Westerfield again.
Going into the studios with Gabriela he looked up to her;
''I am nervous now.'' More than just a little bit, but he was so surprised he was even asked for an interview he couldn't say no.
''Wait up!'' Severide came running towards them and joined them.
''What are you doing here?'' Matt said, surprised.
''Gotta look how live how you are going to screw up.'' Severide joked and Matthew laughed nervous.
''Don't worry, you are going to do fine.'' Severide said then and they went inside.
''Text from your mom.'' Gabriela held the phone in front of his face as they were waiting for him being called, Severide also standing beside him.
''Text her the channel back please.''
They looked at the small screen on the wall, were the talk show was already going on. Matthew looked at the host as he was talking to one of the people from a charity and he felt more and more nervous. - he was going to be there in a few minutes.
There was knock on the door; ''Mr. Casey? You have to be ready in a few minutes.''
''I will walk with you.'' Severide said and slowly he walked with Matthew to the studio, Gabriela sitting down in front of the small screen.
''Why are you walking with me?'' Matthew frowned.
''Promised you that you never would be alone in this. You seem really nervous.''
''I am.'' Matthew sighed as the they reached the part of the studio were they had to wait for his queue. Severide kneeled down so they were on eye level.
''Don't be nervous for this interview, you are going to be fine. Look were you got in five years, this interview is nothing. Plus, people should know the truth about what happened. If it wasn't for you, chief Boden wouldn't still be chief right now. ''
Matthew nodded, smiled.
''Thank you.''
''For what?'' Severide asked.
''For being such a great friend since all of this happened.''
The two smiled at each other, then Severide got up and walked back to the room where Gabriela was waiting as a girl with a headset came up to him and started counting down.
''Please welcome Matthew Casey.'' Loud clapping started and Matthew knew his cheeks were getting more red with every movement closer to the table the hosts were sitting at.
He could just manage to say a soft ''Thank you.'' and he was shocked to hear his microphone working and he looked at the public, looking back at him.
''How are you feeling?'' The host asked him and he looked back to the host;
''I am fine, thank you.''
So many people were watching him right now. For a moment he became even more nervous, then he suddenly became calm and determined. He had been running into burning buildings, saved people and he had never been nervous when he did those things.
''Yes, that is right. I was shot 5 years ago when I passed the Fire House 51 at night.'' He answered the host.
''That was the Fire House you were working?''
''That is right, I still work there but in the office now.'' Casey nodded.
''Are you mad the boys?''
Matt shook his head; ''I have come to terms with it. After some time you have to leave it behind, I have other things to focus on now.''
He had a lot of things to focus on right now. His daughter, Gabriela, his work and the weekends out at Molly's.
''Don't you hate the gang that you are around the Fire house now without being a firefighter.''
Matthew shook his head.
''Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. I wouldn't be here without Fire House 51, the people aren't just working there, we are a family.''
...
NOTE: The story finally has an ending ! I am really sorry it took so long and ended so short.
I am sorry the story became so lame near the end, when I started this story with the idea I could handle it, as it is based on somebody I used to know. After all, it got too much under my skin. I still have thoughts about a SQ, but I think that would become really AU. If you are interested, you can always say and I might think about it again!
Right now, i am working on a new CF story - I learned my lesson that I should first write the WHOLE storyline down before starting - for which I am also looking for Beta.
I still hope you enjoyed the last chapter and thank you very much for reading the whole story!
