Title: Plan B
Chapter 11 – A Very Real Wakeup Call

A/N: Okay so I did upload last night but apparently the link or the site or something isn't working so I'm reuploading chapter 11 and I hope the link works this time! PLEASE NOTE sometimes it says you've reviewed but that means you reviewed chap 10 and not 11. I am aggravated by all this but hope you can all review chapter 11 as normal. If you can't at first (and if the link is working!) please try again later. Thank you all so much! Oye so much for a non-fuss start to 2015! lol but I hope you all enjoy this angsty update. #SaveSeveride haha sorry couldn't resist.

Casey looks at his watch and frowns. It was nearing noon and he still hadn't heard back from Severide and despite his frame of mind he knows Severide wouldn't just up and miss lunch with his best friend and daughter…are you sure? That little nagging voice recalls the tormented tone 'always' in his voice and his heart starts to race. Was that a final goodbye? Really? Would he…NO! Dig deeper inside…you know something's wrong.

His eyes glance over at Aurora who happily plays on the floor with a new Barbie car and doll that Benny had brought the week before and frowns as he pulls his phone. He tries Severide's cell number – again. But much like a few minutes ago is merely rewarded with an unseen evil smile, one quite satisfied and silence. Come on Kelly…pick up…PICK UP! Of course what he can't see… is his friend can't. Even if he wanted to – he would be physically unable.

"Something's wrong," Casey mutters as he looks at the time and then back at his phone. The problem is…where would he even start to look? Severide…could literally be anywhere. This isn't good…something's happened…

XXXXXXXX

The rumbling's finally die down.

The plumes of smoke, soot and dust finally start to subside.

The rotten, water soaked and fire damaged beams finally settle in their final resting places.

The pieces of rebar, chunks of cements, part of the beleaguered staircase finally have their last laugh and are silenced.

And somewhere in the depths of hell a distinct ringtone is heard.

Silence.

The persistent calls try again and again and the condemned murderer can only look down inside its large wooden stomach at the unmoving figure and offer a last smile. Only this time…the smile would be in vain. It had succeed in taking one precious life…it wouldn't take another. Someone would see to that.

Silence.

This time the ringing doesn't come back and the building thinks the worried person on the other end has given up. It would of course be wrong, and if it actually had a conscience or the ability to reason, or even the forethought to know anything about a human being – is they don't just give up. At least most don't. Not when they have something to prove – and in this case it was finding Kelly Severide alive.

The ringing starts again. This time it doesn't fall on deaf ears. For underneath all the dusty rubble, two watery sapphires open and a soft cry of agony is heard.

"ahhhhhh."

Severide's eyes flutter and then close…his brain recalling his foolhardy actions earlier when he thought he could take on the somewhat solid structure and actually win. The building fought back and he lost. Maybe everything. Maybe for good?

I HATE YOU…YOU KILLED HER…SHE WANTED TO LIVE…WHY….. WHYYYYYYYYY And then all hell broke loose and he fell. He remembered calling out for help as he fell. He didn't want to die. He just wanted to prove a point. The building proved a bigger one – life is precious and fragile and this isn't the way TO GRIEVE! He clawed at the air. Nothing was there to grab on to. The building wasn't about to lend him a helping hand. It wanted him to pay. It wanted to go down boasting that it held the record and had beaten man. He continued to fall, his eyes frantically looking around as the air got darker and darker.

Pain. Searing pain. Something's cut…broken…punctured? He slammed into the floor…cement? Something…else. Rebar? Rotten wood? All three? The wind was knocked from him and he lay there for what seemed like eternity – but in reality was only a few hours. Then he started to come back. Maybe wishing he hadn't? But humans are instinctive creatures – something the building would fail to realize. They want to live.

"Shay…" Severide manages with a broken wheeze as his eyes struggle to stay open once more. Somewhere in the near distance he hears ringing. The sound is familiar. Course…it could be the ringing in his ears. But that sound… I know that…IT'S MY PHONE!

"Where…" Severide tries as his eyes blink away a few more dust particles and then he tries to move his head. The area that envelops him is dark and smells like smoke and…death…oh damn…his mind curses as he's now forced to remain where he is pondering the folly of his ways. MOVE! GET UP AND MOVE!

The brain has good intentions but he knows what they say about good intentions. He tries to lift his right arm. Nothing. He moves his head to the right, his brain finally registering that his arm is trapped at his side and pushed up against his body by something…wooden? Cement? Damn I can't…MOVE! Severide's head then snaps to the left and this time he can only gasp as he finally acknowledges where the first source of real pain is coming from.

"Not…good…" Severide huffs as he tries to move his left arm. But the only one to delight in his scream is the building. The piece of rebar that sliced through flesh and near bone refuses to move. Stuck. Trapped. Losing blood but…but that's not the only source of pain is it? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING! I wasn't…I…I was angry…Shay…oh God I miss Shay…she wouldn't want this…you know that! I KNOW!

He does and now he can only lie in misery and realize just what he's done. Move your legs! He tries. First his left…something's on his leg…pinning it down. He tries his right. It moves. Slowly. He tries to twist his body but that results in another pitiful outcry.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Severide gasps as he slumps back to his original position. His back moved. His legs moved. I'm not paralyzed…but you could still have a serious injury! LIE STILL! But he knows if he doesn't try to move…doesn't try to answer the phone this could also be his last resting place.

"No…" Severide slightly shakes his throbbing head. "You won't…take me…also….YOU WON'T!"

The building's dark uncaring eyes look down with a dead glance. The world outside going on with its own daily cares. Nothing alerting them to the fact that a precious life was now on the line. No one caring about…well…maybe one…

"Casey…he'll come…" Severide's lips offer with a hoarse whisper. Will he? In time?

"Help me!" Severide tries to call out before his lungs constrict from the angry dust and semi-toxic particulates in the air. "Help me…" his lips offer a broken sob as he looks up to see Shay's face appear with a peaceful smile.

"I'm sorry…" he whispers before he sinks back into darkness.

XXXXXXXX

Who could he call to ask about Severide without raising any alarms? Oh to hell with it, the alarm is already raised! You're worried sick! And with reason. Aurora had already asked a few times about her father. 'Where's daddy?' And he couldn't blame her. It's the day before…maybe he went to Shay's gravesite? Possible…but as he looks over at Aurora, his mind now wonders if it would be wise to take her there if his friend wasn't in the best frame of mind.

Casey's eyes look back at the clock – past lunch hour and Aurora would need something to eat. Heck he was hungry. But in this moment, the thought of food is being pushed aside in favor of justified concern. He knows he has to take her somewhere…Benny's? He doesn't want to just dump her on his sister again and so without giving it too much pause, he dials Benny Severide and hopes for the best.

"Sure Matt, I'll take her but where's Kelly? Is he okay?" Benny asks in parental worry.

"I'm uh…actually not sure. I think he might have went to the um…the gravesite."

"Oh…you sure you don't want me to go instead?"

"Yeah I think he'll just want…I don't know," Casey huffs as he rubs his face and then looks at Aurora who looks up with a sweet smile. "I think she could use the distraction. I can't take her with me. He wouldn't want that."

"Okay bring her here. I'm finishing up a case file but I'll be done as soon as you two arrive."

"Are you sure?"

"Matt I wasn't there for my son when he was growing up...but I can be there now, for him or his daughter. Yes I'm sure."

"Aurora, want to go and see grandpa Benny?"

"YES!"

The older Severide hears the exuberant reply and can't help but smile in spite of his growing nervousness.

"Matt…what if something's happened…you might need my help."

"I know I just…let me try the cemetery and then go from there. Maybe I'm worried for nothing."

"Okay."

"Come on sweetheart let's go get ready to see grandpa."

"Is daddy coming to?"

"No."

"Why not? Where's daddy?"

"He's um…you'll see him soon okay? He's just out doing something," Casey replies nervously as he helps her pack up a few toys and some coloring items into her travelling bag. After that he gets her coat and ushers her toward the door, his mind thankful that he installed the booster seat the night before but worried that this could all be in vain. Kelly…damn it where are you?

XXXXXXXX

'I heard you were looking for a roommate…'

"Shay…" Severide's voice whispers as his mind starts to recall the first day he met his now deceased best friend.

'You always have my back…'

"No…please God…."

'You're my best friend Shay…'

"I…ahhhh…" his lips utter another soft grunt as he forces his eyes open and then once again tries to blink away the black circles. He was now regrettably accustomed to the darkness and so stares upright and starts to trace the outline of the gaping hole he fell through earlier. He lifts his head and looks around, trying ever so slowly to dislodge his right arm and try to put some pressure on his left; the wound steadily seeping out precious life blood.

"Ah damn you…DAMN…Y…OU!" He coughs, referring to the building as he face winces into a painful crunch and his stomach constricts. "Damn you…" he grunts as he tries to shift to his left to get his right arm free.

'Mr. Severide. Would you like to hold your daughter?'

'Oh Kelly isn't she the most perfect thing you've ever seen?'

'I love you both so much. Always'.

"Aurora…" his lips gasp as he tries again to move to the left. The cut in his arm screams out, his mouth mimicking the pain and crying out as the building looks down with silent glee.

'I don't think that smile has left your face since Aurora was born.'

'Can you blame me?'

'No…'

"No…" Severide whispers as he jerks on his right arm. "AHHHHHHHH!" His lips bellow as his right arm finally springs free, flying upward and then crashing back down onto his already aching chest. "Got it…got it you bastard. You hear me? DO YOU!"

The building merely replies with a few grunts and groans as the shaky foundation slightly shifts in place; warning him to remain in place or else suffer further consequences of his pitiful actions.

'We promise to always look after you and love you and cherish you and protect you…'

"Always…"

The tormented word hangs in the air with stubbornness, refusing to dissipate as it reminds him that it was the last word Aurora's mother said to him and it was the last word he said to her. AH DAMN IT! He inwardly curses as he tries to send his right hand over to his left arm to put some pressure on the angry wound. Can't be our last words…not my daughter…please God…not my daughter…I don't want to die…I don't…help me…

"HELP ME!"

XXXXXXXX

"I'll call as soon as I know….something," Casey tells Benny; Aurora already inside unpacking her toys.

"Matt…"

"I know I'm worried also but I don't think he'd purposely do something…ah you know I don't know."

"How was he when he left this morning?"

"Raw. Very raw. He um…"

"What?" Benny presses.

"He told me the last word Shay said to him was 'always' and that was the last word he said to Aurora before he left. I just…I'm worried."

Benny just looks at him and frowns. He knows inside, deep inside that his son isn't purposely self-destructive. Sure he had been labelled reckless at times, a thrill seeker, even an adrenaline junkie but falling so low as to purposely take his own life? I just don't see it…Kelly loves life….he'd want to be there for his daughter…something's wrong.

"Let me know…anything."

"I will," Casey promises as he turns and hurries toward his truck; Benny watching with silent but mounting panic. Casey directs his truck toward the cemetery, not calling this time in case his friend was in such an emotionally upset state that he might just tell Casey to back off and stay away. I can't stay away…I care too much about both of them.

Casey nears the cemetery and feels his stomach starting to tighten as he anticipates what frame of mind his emotionally distraught friend might be in. Just prepare for the worst…he's upset…he's angry…he'll tell you to take a hike…get lost…LEAVE! That he knows he can deal with. Something else…something unmentionable that now pulls at him from the darkest recesses of his mind is what he doesn't want to openly acknowledge. His best friend is….DONT SAY IT! He's just delayed…he's fine.

But as soon as he reaches the cemetery, new panic starts to set in as he fails to see Severide's car in anywhere in the parking lot. Wanting to confirm that Severide had actually been there, he parks his truck and heads for Shay's gravesite. He spies the fresh red rose on the dewy grass and frowns. He's been here…but…but where is he now? Despite the morose feeling the rose was exuding, Casey's mind takes some small comfort that his friend had been there as planned. He hurries back to his truck to continue the search. After leaving the main parking lot, he slowly directs his truck toward the overflow parking lot just in case – nothing. Come on Kelly…where are you?

Casey tries another small lot but it too only displays a few empty spaces; the white lines on the pavement looking sad and lonely; perfectly reflecting the mood of its somber surroundings. Could he have gone into 51? With that glimmer of hope playing around in his mind, he calls 51 in the hopes that Kelly Severide showed up or was even seen – he didn't care the reason.

Nothing.

Panic continues to build. Where now? Maybe the fire academy where Shay's badge is? He hasn't been able to go there since she died and…maybe now alone…without giving it too much further thought, he heads for an all too familiar place. It would make sense to him that Severide might go to see Shay's badge after visiting her gravesite. But once again as he pulls up to the familiar building and looks into the parking lot, he fails to see his friend's car.

Panic starts to tackle his brain, reasoning that something must have happened for him to be delayed this long without any word…anything. But where? He knows when he calls Benny and tells him that Kelly is missing, he'll want to deposit Aurora someplace and come join the search. But Aurora needs something stable right now and her grandfather is it.

So he comes up with another idea. He leaves his truck and heads for a nearby pay phone, praying his out of the box idea actually is the right one.

"Erin? It's Matt Casey."

"Hey Matt. What's up?" The voice of Detective Erin Lindsay is heard on the other end of the receiver.

"I'm wondering…and I don't want you to make a big deal if he is there. I called from a payphone just in case but…just a simple yes would…"

"Kelly? He's not. What's going on?"

"I don't know. He left this morning. He was raw because of tomorrow. I went to the cemetery and he was there because the rose is fresh. But I can't find his car. I called the House, no one's seen him. I'm here at the fire academy because I thought he might come to see Shay's badge. But nothing. I'm worried. Aurora is with Benny and I don't want to involve him if I don't have to. His cell phone just rings so I think it's turned on. Can you trace it or something? It could be nothing but I just need to know where he is."

"Sure. I'll call you right back on your cell number."

"Thanks."

Casey heads back to his truck to wait for the call, his mind swirling with anxious thoughts about the fate of his missing friend.

"Kelly…where are you?"

XXXXXXXX

"Okay…and just…MOVE!" Severide shouts as he slumps back in sweaty pain, his lips uttering a soft sob but his mind refusing to acknowledge any kind of physical defeat. He had taken some comfort in the ominous echoes of his cell phone ringing earlier. But after they stopped his hope started to sink.

"Matt…come on buddy…"

He tries to roll onto his side, but with his legs pinned he can't do anything but lie there in misery, contemplating what futile course led to his current predicament. Shay…I'm scared…I can't raise Aurora alone…But you're not alone, his brain forces him to listen. You have lots of help you just need to realize that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness it's a sign of STRENGTH! That and you want the best for your daughter…

"Aurora…baby girl…I love you…so much," Severide laments softly as his eyes flood. "I need…" he grunts as he tries to reach over and pull the piece of rebar from his left arm. "AHHHHH MOVE DAMN YOU!" He curses as he slumps back. With his head pounding and his body starting to shiver, he knows shock is setting in and fears blood loss from other undiscovered injuries.

"Feel…what else…" he mutters as he uses his right hand to try to do a complete physical assessment – well as much as he can. He reaches up to touch the top of his head, breathing a very audible sigh of relief when his dirty fingers come away without fresh blood. He touches the cut on his forehead and growls as he feels some soft lingering sludge around his nose and the side of his mouth. Those were the least of his troubles.

Severide's hand next starts to feel his neck, chest and stomach. His lips utter another growl as he comes across a tender spot on his left side. Ribs? Broken? If so then stop poking because they could do further internal damage! His hand retreats and then moves to his lower half, as far as he's able to stretch down without being able to sit up. The range is severely limited but the takes comfort in the fact that he can move both feet and nothing below his waistline feels broken. Strained? Yes. Sprained? Yes. Torn? Fractured? Possibly.

He looks around for something his right hand can use to try to draw some attention to himself. Nothing is found. This can't be the end…I can't…die here…I don't want to…Shay…I'm sorry…I just…I just wanted to…I need you back…your daughter needs back…

"SHAY!" Severide's lips cry out in angry resignation before he feels his chest wanting to strain and retreats back to his former position. "I don't blame you Shay…I just want you back."

He closes his eyes as he hears her voice telling him that she'll always be with him. Warm, salty tears escape the corners and run down the sides of his dirty face, pooling on the debris riddled ground. "I'm sorry…" he utters with finality.

Severide's eyes slowly open once more, his head starting to pound and his heart starting to feel like it was exerting a bit more strain with each beat. His chest starts to convulse and his body shake harder. Shock.

"Matt…buddy…hurry."

XXXXXXXX

"You sure?" Casey asks with a heavy frown.

"That's where it's been traced. It's still active. You want me to meet you there?"

"No, it'll be okay. I think he's just gone there to…maybe to see," Casey states with a heavy sigh. "Thank you. I'll let you know if do need anything. You know he hasn't been himself these past few weeks."

"I haven't faulted him for anything," she replies warmly. "Tell him I asked after him."

"I will thanks."

Casey hangs up and instantly starts his truck, slamming it into gear and pulling away at top speed. I hope he's just sitting outside…crying…cursing…whatever but…what if he went in? That place is scheduled for demolition. It's unstable…but what if he did? His mind pauses…what if Severide was hurt? Maybe worse? Should I call Benny? But then why worry Aurora for nothing? Maybe he's just ignoring me?

That he could live with. It was better than the alternative he was picturing on the drive over. So he settles in his mind to hold off on telling Benny Severide anything until he was at his friend's side and they were both on their way home. safe…and sound.

That plan wasn't going to come to fruition. At least not in the way he hoped for.

XXXXXXXX

Severide's lungs start to choke on what feels like a combination of dried bits of blood and dust; the coppery sensation giving away at least part of the identification of the disruptive mixture. His lungs convulse, forcing his body to buckle and his few broken ribs to shift into a dangerous position.

I hope this is your wakeup call! His brain scolds as he gives himself an angry wince. You came here to prove a point? Well you did! Good for you! Shay is dead and you need to come to terms with that and realize you're scared but not alone! Not alone…never have been alone…that's what we've been trying to tell you all along.

"Don't…want to…die," he whispers audibly, as if trying to convince himself of that sound reasoning. I just wanted to…I don't know what I wanted…I know I can't bring her back…I know why she died…I know that…I just…you need to realize you're not fine but that's okay! That's normal! That feeling of being helpless and frustrated and angry is normal. BUT …. but you have deal with it in a normal way. This…THIS ISN'T NORMAL!

"ahhhhh," Severide growls as his brain continues its internal monologue at his helpless expense. Being trapped like this he was unable to do anything but focus his mind on why he got to this situation and what he'd do differently if he was rescued in time. You need to talk to someone…a professional…for Aurora's sake…for your sake…

Casey's words ring loud and clear inside his muddled brain. But as much as he wanted…tried to push Casey away, he was always there at his side…no matter what; his actions living up to the apt title of loyal friend. I've just thrown it back at him…I didn't care…I honestly didn't…there's still time, his brain reminds him. You can still make this right…

"I just…"

Don't give up…Shay wouldn't want this…knowing her best friend and the father of their precious daughter had come so close to abandoning everything they worked so hard to achieve. That's right…they want you to succeed so stop pushing it away like you're fine…you're coping…you have a handle on things…YOU'RE NOT FINE!

Severide's right hand clamps down on the wound on his left arm, his lips uttering another painful cry before he sinks back into darkness.

However, the building's gleeful smile is short lived when a familiar face appears outside.

Help had finally arrived.

The building had lost.

XXXXXXXX

Casey spies Severide's car parked a few meters ahead in front of the darkened building and frowns. The car is empty. Damn he went inside.

Despite the now pelting rain, Casey leaves his truck and slowly heads toward the front entrance. As he nears he recalls the anxious feeling inside his stomach; his mind recalling witnessing the brief but happy moment shared between Shay and Severide. Of course at the time he couldn't have known that they were talking about Disneyland and knows that that feeling of bitter resentment would be eating away as his friend the moment he had arrived.

Casey nears the entrance and stops. Do I go in? What if he's talking to her and I interrupt? He steps in to listen. But as soon as he enters he's instantly struck with the feeling that something is very wrong.

"That staircase…it should be…oh no! Kelly? Kelly!" Casey's lips call out with urgency as he starts to look around at the new landscape of littered debris. "Oh no…Kelly! You here? Hey buddy! Kelly!"

Casey hurries toward what used to be the staircase to go up but can only look up in futility; the building looking down with an unseen evil smile of glee. Casey pulls his phone and tries Severide's cell number once more. "Kelly!"

He hears the faint sound, his head whipping around to the right and his eyes squinting into the ominous dark cavern before him. Before he takes another step, he quickly dials 911, telling them to step on it. Man down.

"Kelly!" Casey tries once more before his brain forces him to race back to his truck. He quickly gathers up a large flashlight and crowbar before heading back inside in a desperate search of his friend. "Damn what were you thinking," Casey mutters under his breath as he reenters the building and starts toward the darkest spot on the main floor. His mind races back in time as it tries to recall the layout.

"Kelly!"

He hates the silence he gets in return, his face scowling at the few creaks and groans his weight offers as his feet tread very carefully. Casey's flashlight shines into every area, just in case, not wanting to miss … anything. "Kelly? Hey man…you around here?"

Silence.

He tries the phone again…this time…

"Kelly?"

He hears a faint gasp and his head whips to the left; his body position now almost underneath the gaping hole in the floor above where friend fatefully stepped.

Finally…success.

"Kelly!"

Casey hurries toward the feet of his fallen friend and then stops.

"Matt…" Severide groans as his brain skips about with quiet elation. "Stuck…help…me."

"Yeah I see that…okay anything…ah damn this looks…anything broken?" Casey's voice stammers anxiously.

"Pride."

"Fix that later," Casey huffs as he looks for a place to wedge the flashlight so he can use both hands to remove the debris from Severide's legs. "Legs?"

"Fine…pinned…left arm…rebar."

"I see that," Casey sighs as he pulls his phone, updating the incoming medics that he has a cutting torch in the back of his truck and bring it inside with them. "Okay I gotta cut the rebar shorter…this…this is gonna hurt."

"Matt…"

"I know buddy…just hold on," Casey states as moves himself into position, shoving the end of the crowbar under the middle of the beam and pushing down so it lifts up. Thankfully, Severide's words about his legs not being broken prove true and he's able to use his right leg to help free his left.

"AHHHHHH!" Severide calls out with a half grunt half gasp as he legs can finally move but also feel the painful ebb pulsing through them from being pinned for so long.

"There…off…okay…the arm," Casey's voice mutters as he drops to his knees at Severide's side.

"Don't…pull…"

"I know. I've called the medics to bring the cutting torch from my truck. Damn…I was worried," Casey admits as he pulls out a cloth and then tightly wraps it around Severide's left arm to stem the blood flow.

"ahhhhh!" Severide calls out as his body tries to shift.

"Sorry. Just lie still," Casey instructs as he removes his jacket and drapes it over Severide's chest. "Help's on the way."

"Matt…"

"I've got you buddy…I've got you."

A/N: and on three…exhale! Hehe well how did you like the rescue? Course I'd never kill our Kelly! But had to get him to realize he needs to get some help and this was the wakeup call he needed. So how will Aurora react to seeing her father hurt? Will the dinner on Shay's anniversary go forth? And what future danger is still looming? Hope you're all still loving this story and want it to continue in to 2015! So please do review (wow the last for 2014!) and thanks so much!