Title: Plan B
Chapter 12 – Trying to Rebound

"Ho-how'd you know where to look?" Severide asks softly as they hear the sirens nearing.

"I called Erin. She traced your cell. Glad it wasn't busted in the fall."

"Really? She um…"

"She was happy to help. Just relax now."

"Matt…"

"Kelly, now you need to…"

"No l-listen…I'm not…going anywhere."

"Yeah? I'm glad to hear that because when I heard you say 'always' to Aurora I um…I didn't know if you were coming back."

"Sorry," Severide wheezes as tells him to just lie still. "Wanted to…just…vent…I don't know…was stupid to come here…"

"I get why. I just don't like finding you like this. Shay wouldn't want this," Casey adds softly as they hear the medics calling out to them. "Over here! It's stable!...for now," he concludes with a soft frown as he looks down at Severide in his grasp. "They need to transport you with that rebar in your arm."

"I know. Tell dad…don't bring Aurora to the…hospital."

"Kelly…"

"Lieutenant Casey?"

"You need to hurry."

"Who's…"

"Not 61," Casey assures his friend; Severide's mind settling in the knowledge that at least he wouldn't have to explain his painful and somewhat embarrassing situation. Casey steps back and allows the two medics and trio of firefighters from another House to work at completely extricating his friend from his current predicament.

Aurora…Erin…she helped Matt…Shay…my daughter…with my father…Shay…I need help…."AHHHHHH!" Severide's lips call out with a painful gasp as one of the firefighters starts to cut the rebar that had pierced Severide's arm down to a piece that would be easier to transport.

Casey kneels down at his friends side and rests his hand on his shoulder and squeezes; Severide's mind taking a bit of comfort from that. Once the rebar is cut down to a manageable size, it's all hands on deck to get Severide up and onto the stretcher and mobile for transport.

His lips once again offer a painful cry as Casey helps lift him onto the stretcher; one of the firefighters from House 34 supporting his pierced arm while one of the medics wraps it for transport; the other working on the IV and then making sure Severide's broken ribs are packaged properly for the transport to Lakeshore.

Casey follows behind the stretcher, pausing at the entrance to the defeated monster and stares back into the blackened chasm that his friend was just pulled from. He offers a whispered curse before he spits and then looks up at the gaping hole. The building can only stare back with a defeated gaze, offering it's own dissatisfied grunt as the foundation shifts but Casey merely turns and walks out – the last man standing. The building defeated. It's end near. It would never again delight in taking another life.

Severide's watery eyes focus out of his blurry stupor as the ambulance gently jolts and then pulls away; his body jerking in response. He glances over at Casey whose busy sending a few texts and feels his agitation starting to surge.

"Sir…Mr. Severide, you need to just relax."

Casey looks down at Severide and feels a small lump of emotion form in his throat. "I only texted your dad. You'll tell Boden when you want. Just relax now."

With the oxygen mask over his mouth, he's unable to make coherent words come out but wonders if his father was going to bring his daughter to the hospital or he'd see them both at home. Arriving at lakeshore is a frenzy of activity. He can only utter a painful gasp as the stretcher leaves the ambulance and is then wheeled into the waiting emergency surgical operating room.

He glances up and gives Casey one last mournful gaze just as the doors close. Severide looks up just as the worried doctor's face looms over, a nurse with the anesthesia coming to his side. This time when he sinks into the darkness, his mind is somewhat at ease. He's in good hands and would wake up in a better state than when he entered – at least physically. Mentally and emotionally the journey out of darkness back toward the light was just getting started.

XXXXXXXX

Severide's mind swirls through dark and twisted images of himself, Shay, their daughter, Casey, the guys and even Erin. His eyes flutter and his stomach tightens as he recalls Shay's face uttering the word always and then himself saying it to Aurora and then time zooming forward to seeing her standing in front of his tombstone.

"ahhhh!" His lips suck in and then heavily exhale as his watery eyes finally snap open and try to focus. "Am I…" his lips stammer nervously as he fumbles with the tubing. He feels pain in his left arm and then two hands on his right and looks over to see Casey's expression of concern looking down.

"You'll pull out the tubing," Casey tells him in a kind tone as Severide's vision fully restores and he tries to swallow.

"Where's um…"

"Your dad is with Aurora at his place. She'll stay there tonight."

"What…happened?"

"Twenty-five cent version? It coulda been worse," Casey gently smirks as he helps raise the recovery bed Severide lying on. "Sprained ankle, punctured left bicep, four broken ribs, punctured spleen an…"

"What?"

"Yeah it was close. You lying still actually helped to slow the toxins leaking into your body. At least that's what the doctor said."

"Can I go home?"

"Doubt it, but I'll get the doctor."

Severide watches Casey leave and then starts to raise himself up, pausing as he reaches for his phone, his mind wanting to thank the other person who helped aid in his rescue. Erin. He dials and then waits, his heart rate starting to elevate.

"Kelly? Is that you or is this Matt?"

"It's me, Kelly. I'm uh…okay. I just wanted to thank you for helping Matt find me."

"So…what happened?"

Severide briefly explains what happened when he went to the building, getting a soft sympathetic response rather than a feared 'what were you thinking' that he still wonders if his father will come at him with. The calls ends with a hint of hope and their friendly bond reestablished; Severide even promising a coffee meeting to just…catch up.

"Can I go now?" Severide asks impatiently as Casey returns with the doctor in tow.

Since he did undergo some reparative surgery the doctor tells Severide that he wants to keep him overnight just in case, it would be much easier to help treat his distress if he was in the medical facility instead of at home. Casey promises to come back the next day with a fresh change of clothes.

"I think we should reschedule the dinner for tomorrow night," Casey suggests. "Everyone will understand."

"I did this…" Severide's lips mutter as he looks at Casey in remorse. "I just wanted to…I was angry and I just…I don't know what I wanted."

"It's okay…"

"No wait…Matt…" Severide stammers as he struggles to get upright, Casey's hand gently pushing him back down. "I didn't want to die. I need you to believe me."

"I know you're scared and you feel alone but you're not."

"I think I realized that…you know…lying there I could only think about leaving Aurora and…and I know Shay wouldn't want that…Matt I'm sorry."

"There's no need just promise me you'll talk to someone and I don't mean a building that could bury you."

"As much as I don't want to I think I need to," Severide huffs as he tries to rub his face. His left arm, however, instantly reminds him of the folly of his ways and he quickly tosses it back to his side. "Thanks for not giving up."

"You woulda done the same for me. Did you call Erin?"

"I did and we talked…it's all good now. Matt about Aurora…"

"She needs to know the truth. You were hurt…"

"Doing something stupid regarding her mother!" Severide retorts sourly as Casey's lips purse.

"Or…something job related…I'll just gloss over that part but she needs to know. I'll stay at Benny's tonight and then we'll come and see you in the morning. Call Boden and tell him you'll…"

"Be on my ass for two weeks…"

"Use the time to bond with Aurora. Kelly…"

"I know," he interjects with a soft whisper as he looks up in misery.

Casey notices the sleep tugging at Severide's eyes and pulls the blanket up to his friend's waist. "You need to rest now. I still think we should cancel this weekend."

"No," Severide shakes his head.

"Kelly…"

"I'll just relax but…not tomorrow…I can't…it was canceled because of my…stupidity," he manages weakly as his eyes threaten to well. "Let's make it Sunday. I'll come home tomorrow and rest and then…please Matt…this weekend… I just…I'll be okay. It's just a dinner right?"

"You shouldn't push yourself," Casey tries once more.

"I won't. I promise. I just…please don't cancel it. I…I think I need…no…I know I need this. Please."

Casey looks at the pleading in his friend's tormented gaze and knows he can't say no. "Okay. I'll call everyone for Sunday but you gotta call Boden and then just rest. And I mean really sleep."

"Promise."

"Okay," Casey nods as he gives his friend a strained smile and then finally takes his leave; texting Benny that he was going to stay there for the night if that was okay. Benny of course was more than willing to have the company but also worried about his son. But Casey's plan to include him in the trip to the hospital the following morning put his mind at ease. At least somewhat.

Severide watches Casey take his leave and then turns his phone on, dialing Boden's number and hoping his heart will settle long enough for his nervous anxiety to lessen somewhat – it doesn't. He tries to explain to Boden about his injury but then in the end confesses the whole sordid story. However, when he hangs up he feels…relieved? Less anxious? Comforted? It was odd but at the same time reassuring and his mind reminds him that unloading to a professional therapist would offer the same comfort and help him deal with his loss and move forward, not letting the pain cripple him but rather finding effective ways to cope. That was his next plan for his newly secured time off – talk to the profession supplied therapist. It was a good move. The right one. The only one.

XXXXXXXX

Casey enters Benny's modest apartment about two hours later armed with an overnight bag for both his goddaughter and his best friend. As soon as he enters, and much as he predicted, Aurora rushes up to him and wraps her arms around his legs looking up with an adoring smile. But nothing gets past the four and a half year old as she looks past her Uncle in search of her father.

"Where's daddy?"

Casey looks at Benny who can only frown heavily but nod, the elder Severide male knowing what has to be told and why. Casey picks up Aurora and carries her to the couch, the little girls head whipping around to look behind in constant search of her father. "Daddy?"

"Aurora, daddy was hurt today," Casey states plainly.

"Why?" She asks as her eyes widen.

"Because…there was an accident. He's at the hospital and we'll see him in the morning okay."

"No…I want daddy," she starts to whimper as her eyes water.

"Oh sweetheart," Casey whispers as gently dries her eyes. "Daddy is fine and you'll see him in the morning."

"No! Want to see him now," she insists angrily.

"I know but the doctor wanted to keep him overnight just to be safe. He hurt his tummy inside so they just want to be sure."

"I want daddy," she moans as she slumps against Casey's chest and stares absently at Benny with sad, watery eyes, who feels his heart break instantly.

"Come on, let's get ready for bed," Casey tells Aurora as he carries her into the spare bedroom that she'd be using and helps her get ready for bed and then reads her a story, thankful that Benny had tired her out enough that she falls asleep almost before he finishes the story. He kisses her forehead and then rejoins Benny in the living room, slumping onto the couch that would later serve as his bed.

"How is he?"

"He's…I think this was the wakeup call he needed," Casey admits plainly. "I hate to say that but he said…he went there to talk to Shay and vent and from what I saw…he unleashed his anger but it nearly cost him…nearly cost all of us."

"I don't know how she'd survive if she lost her father also. How we'd all survive," Benny admits softly as Casey looks up and nods. "I'm glad you found him in time. But are you sure we should still have the dinner on Sunday?"

"He's right….he only has to watch what he eats and drinks and tomorrow night we'll be with him on the actual date but um…I was against it but only because I didn't want him to tire himself out to much but I think his plan will be better; the distraction might help him cope better. He was raw and I didn't want to argue too much."

"Can't believe he did that…" Benny mutters as Casey looks at him with a weak frown. "Don't worry I don't get after him…too much."

"That last thing he needs is to hear that he messed up and nearly died, leaving his daughter an orphan. He knows that," Casey states in a firm but soft tone as Benny nods in agreement. The two of them talk a bit longer before it's time to call it a night. However, tonight it's not Aurora who has the nightmares about losing her father – it's Casey. Seeing his friend on the floor of that darkened building and arriving just in time to see the whole structure bury him alive.

But at the same time, in another building a few miles away, Severide has a very similar nightmare and wakes up with an angry gasp.

"NO!" He calls out, his body gently thrashing and calling a nurse to his side in seconds.

"Mr. Severide…"

"I'm…okay," he gasps as he looks around the darkened room and then slumps back in weary defeat. "Just…a nightmare."

He watches her leave and then looks at the time and curses. It was too early to call anyone, even Casey and knows that it wouldn't be fair to put them out for something he did to himself. He thinks about his daughter and what she would say to him when she sees him with the bruises on his face and his arm and chest bandaged tightly. He had tried to push everyone away but in the moment his life was in danger…his very existence on the line…they came together and helped save his life. Erin…his father…Casey…Casey had been there for him and Aurora since day one. Ah hell since before that…his mind reminds him in truth.

Severide puts his phone back down and then tries to close his eyes and get some more rest, both his mind and body begging for some physical reprieve. But none would be forthcoming. His sleep would be restless as he'd be forced to relive over and over and over again what led up to him being told to remain in the hospital overnight. But finally he sees Shay's smiling face and an odd calm washes over him and he's able to get a few solid hours of rest until the morning.

The agitation he had earned the night before mostly dissipates when he hears a soft voice and opens his sleepy eyes to see his daughter rushing toward him, Casey and his father in tow.

"Daddeeee!" Aurora shouts as she breaks free from Casey's grasp and runs toward him, Severide sitting up to get ready to greet his daughter.

"Hey baby girl," Severide whispers as Casey rushes up and helps Aurora get upright onto the bed. She wraps her arms around his neck and buries her face in the crook between his neck and shoulder; his arms holding her tight. "I love you so much."

"Love you too daddy," Aurora says as she looks at her father with a frown. "What happened?"

"I hurt myself…" Severide pauses as he looks up at Casey with a weak expression. Casey had texted him on the way over to let him know what he had told Aurora and so that both their stories would match. "It was a work thing," he offers in haste before he moves on. "But I'm okay."

"What's that?" Aurora points at the thick padding wrapped around Severide's left bicep and then at the bandage on his forehead.

"I hurt my head and my arm and my stomach but I'm okay. Just means I can't play horsey for a bit okay? But I'm okay sweetheart. Did you have fun with Grandpa Benny last night?"

"Yes," Aurora states sadly as her little fingers start to inspect the padding on his arm. Casey takes Aurora from Severide's grasp as the doctor enters to do one final inspection and then give Severide his walking papers.

"Thank God," Benny whispers after the doctor had left and he was able to hug his son. "That was too close," he whispers in his ear as he pulls back, his left hand giving his son's right forearm a squeeze. "Kelly…"

"I'm gonna talk to someone," Severide tells his father in truth as he looks over at Casey who nods. "I need to do this…what happened yesterday…it made me see that."

"If you need anything…I know I used to offer that as an empty promise but not anymore," Benny tells his son in truth. "I'm here. No matter what."

"Thanks."

The four of them leave the emergency room, Boden having already had the talk with Severide and acknowledging the fact that he'd be off work for two weeks but agreed that using the time to talk to the company therapist and bond with his daughter was wise and something that would be beneficial for all of them.

Once they reach home, Casey busies himself with getting breakfast ready for them all as Severide heads for the bathroom to have a shower, clean up and then rejoin them. After his shower, Severide asks Casey for some help with re-bandaging his ribs.

"How'd Boden take it?"

"I told him what really happened," Severide confesses as Casey tightly wraps his ribs. The two biggest were the ones the doctor would reevaluate after a few weeks to see how he had fared; the two smaller ones would heal faster. "He was…at first he didn't say much and you know what that means."

"It's about to hit the fan," Casey snickers as he finishes wrapping the ribs and steps back. "You know he's has your back right? We all do."

"I know. Was tough to confess to him but afterward it felt better," Severide admits as they leave the room and rejoin Benny and Aurora in the living room. "Thanks for helping with her last night."

"She really missed you."

"I hated being apart from her last night. Never hit me as hard as it did when I was lying in that building or in that hospital bed. Thanks for rearranging the dinner. Any issues?"

"Everyone was concerned but I told them it was a minor accident and it would be tomorrow. The rest…is up to you."

"Okay."

The four of them slowly enjoy their breakfast, after which, Severide heads into the living room for a nap, Aurora wanting to be with her father every second; not leaving his side and proving more clingy than usual. So when Benny tries to remove his granddaughter from his son's side to give him a bit more comfort she starts to whine and he quickly withdraws and helps arrange her on his son's less injured side and the two of them fall asleep in minutes.

"I swear he could sleep anywhere," Benny whispers as he drapes a blanket over them both and then heads back into the kitchen to talk to Casey and finish his after breakfast coffee. They talk more about the dinner the following night and how he worries about his son after they had left tonight, the anniversary date of Shay's death – the mother of his granddaughter and his son's deceased best friend.

Benny then takes his leave, telling Casey he'd come back around dinner time and promising to bring some takeout for supper so that the boys wouldn't have to over expend themselves tonight, therefore leaving them with less work to do for the day that would follow.

Casey does his best to let Severide and his daughter sleep on the couch, but pauses in his cleaning to look at them asleep on the couch, Aurora snuggled into her father's side; and he frowns. Aurora had come so close to losing her father and as he studies the somewhat strained expression on her face he feels his heart droop. I just hope he keeps his promise to seek help.

About two hours later, Severide feels a dull ache in his side and slowly opens his eyes and glances down to see Aurora's body still pressed up against his and smiles. The sky outside the windows to his right is a darker shade of grey now, one lone lamp adds a soft glow in the living room and he knows that its getting close to dinnertime. He honestly hadn't expected to sleep that long, but with getting only sporadic sleep at best the night before, his brain knew exactly what his body needed and allowed him to get the rest that he was craving.

"Mommy."

Severide's eyes glance back down and his heart starts to break as he hears his daughters little tormented cry; his arms instantly tightening around her as best they can. Her lips offer a soft murmur and he pulls her up and kisses the top of her head. "Shhh sweetheart, it's okay."

Aurora's eyes open and she looks up with a sleepy glance before her head slumps back down and he offers a soft chuckle. Over the next few days she'd show just how much she needed her father by being more clingy than normal.

'She gets this from you.'

'What?'

'That sleepy stare before she goes back to sleep.'

'No way Kelly that is you all the way.'

His lips can't help but twist upward as he recalls the fond memory he and Shay shared one morning when Aurora was asleep on her mother's chest. It was just a moment…nothing special. No anniversary. No date of note….just a day. A morning. A shared moment. One of many. One that he sort of took for granted. Am I like others? Do other families have daily moments the take enjoy? Take for granted how special it is until it's gone?

His right arm folds under his head and casts his weary gaze outside and stares absently as his mind retreats back to the moment at the cemetery. The weather was just as dismal as the day before, matching his mood and he feels his eyes water as he recalls placing the solitary red rose at the base of her dark grey granite tombstone.

Thankfully he hears Casey shuffling and quickly turns to see his friend enter the living room, Aurora looking up at the same time also.

"Did I wake you?"

"No. It was time to get up. Dad coming back?"

"He's bringing Chinese for supper."

"Sounds good. What should we do in the meantime?"

"Watch a movie," Aurora pipes up as both male men look at her and smile.

"Die Hard?" Severide snickers as Aurora looks at him and shakes her head.

"No. Frozen."

"How about…Transformers?"

"No! Frozen."

"Star Trek?"

"No, what's that daddy?" Aurora asks with a slight head tilt, making her father laugh and give her a squeeze.

"Uncle Matt and I will play some poker right here at the table while you watch Red…I mean Frozen."

"Daddy!" Aurora pokes him in the side.

"She got that from…" Severide starts and stops as Casey's expression droops. "Shay," his voice ends in a dead whisper.

"Blackjack?" Casey quickly interjects.

"Use the auto dealer," Severide replies as Casey nods and sets them up to play. They play for about an hour until Benny arrives with the food and their attention is quickly diverted to the kitchen, where they enjoy the takeout food and then all have a great laugh over the silly fortunes inside the accompanying cookies.

After supper they retire to the living room where they play memory, a card game that is more kid-friendly than poker. The conversation is kept light, upbeat and friendly; but the significance of the date isn't lost on the three males, not for a second. But for the sake of Aurora, all of them keep the sad talk at bay.

But when she's put to sleep, they all reconvene in the living room and just – talk. At first Severide only offers a few snippets, looking at his father and Casey and wishing they'd just stop talking about that day. But as soon as he starts to open up a little, he feels his anxiety starting to lessen. At least…he had hoped for that.

"That's why I went back. I just wanted to tell that damn building where to go," Severide huffs as he rubs his face. "I keep hearing her calling for help. I went back to see…if there was anything I could have done…" he sighs as he shakes his head. "Guess I just had to see for myself there wasn't."

"You nearly died," Benny replies bitterly as Casey shoots him a warning glance.

"It wasn't on purpose!" Severide hisses back before he sinks down into his chair and utters a low growl under his breath.

"I wasn't wanting to cause an argument," Benny adds in haste as Casey too settles back down. "When Matt told me where you were and what happened…I'm just glad you're okay. You're here with us now."

"Trust me, I'm happy to be here also."

They talk a bit longer until it's time for Benny to say goodnight and then takes his leave, telling them he'll be back the next night with beer as requested.

"You want to pull out the relaxation CD?" Casey asks Severide as they stand in the hallway outside his bedroom.

'How did you sleep last night after all that crying during the day?' He had asked Shay one time after Aurora had been up for a few days straight – teething.

'Whales and the ocean.'

'What? We don't live by the ocean.'

'Brilliant Sherlock,' she had retorted as she handed him a small CD player and CD. 'It's from mommy and me.'

'Shay…'

'Don't worry I won't tell the guys so your macho reputation can remain intact. Trust me it will help you.'

"Those damn whales," Severide smirks in an undertone. "I think I better." With that they say goodnight and Severide heads into his room and then uses a few minutes to arrange the CD on the bedside table and climbs into bed and turns off the light. But as suspected, Aurora comes into his room about half hour later, wanting to be close to her father.

"What's that daddy?"

"Whales," Severide replies as he turns off the CD; having his daughter with him now would help distract his mind and while he knows the relaxation music helps his mind to think about happy thoughts, it would keep Aurora awake and that would keep him awake. However, despite having her there, he remains awake for most of the night. Silent tears escaping his eyes in the darkness; his daughter oblivious to her father's emotional plight. He'd get no sleep but it was the sacrifice any parent would make for their precious child.

XXXXXXXX

The next morning, Severide's sleepless night isn't lost on Casey as he watches his friend stumble into the kitchen asking for some strong, black coffee.

"After a bath, I'll just sneak away for a nap before company tonight, I'll be okay," Severide tries to assure his nervous and somewhat protesting friend as Casey merely nods and offers a tight lipped smile. Of course he knows that Severide would be raw all weekend, especially after what happened; dealing with the anniversary of Shay's death right after a tough hospital stay that he himself caused. So he can't call him on his contrite words and just hope Severide keeps his promise of going to see a therapist.

"Okay squirt, bath time," Severide tells his daughter after breakfast, Aurora rushing away from the table before finishing her chores. "Ah damn," he snickers as he watches her rush back with her Dora tub dolly and a wide grin on her face. "After you finish putting your breakfast dishes into dishwasher." Her smile fades and both Severide and Casey break into friendly laughter. But they hold firm and the little girl puts away her dishes, and then follows her father into her bedroom to get some clean clothes and then into the bathroom.

Severide's mind has no time to dwell on his own personal agitation as he listens to her babbling on about her dolly; his fingers trying to pull her hair into a ponytail on top of her head. He leaves her to play at the side of the tub as he fills it with warm water, adding some fruity smelling bubble bath and letting the suds start to grow.

"Ohhh bubbles daddy! Bubbles!" She exclaims happily as she starts to quickly undress.

"Okay stinky," Severide snickers as he slowly lowers his naked little girl into the bathtub, letting her sink into the bubbles as he pulls up the small stool and sits down beside the bathtub, reaching for the small sponge and getting ready to wash his daughter after she's done playing for a bit.

As he watches her, he recalls a time when he came into the bathroom and Shay and Aurora were in the bathtub surrounded by fruity smelling bubbles.

'Oh! I guess I should leave…' he had muttered as he entered, saw them both naked and then quickly turned around. 'Thought you were out,' he said with his back still to them.

'We opted for a girl's day in. What are you doing back so soon?'

'I missed my family.'

"My…family," he whispers as he tries to swallow but can't. Aurora holds up her soapy doll and makes a goofy face; her father unable to do anything but smile. They spend a bit more quality time in the bathroom, Severide cleaning his daughter and then drying and dressing her and rejoining Casey in the living room.

Casey watches Severide for the hours leading up until company comes and knows that his friend is anxious, but it's not the same tense feelings he had observed even a few days before the big meltdown. He thought for sure that Severide would be agitated about his session tomorrow but maybe he was ready? Who are you kidding? Severide isn't ready…are you ready for the fallout?

But before Casey's mind can ponder an answer to that question, a knock is heard at the door and it's time for everyone to be ready to greet their guests.

"The Hermann clan has arrived!" Hermann announces as he steps into their apartment; his family in tow. Cindy heads for Aurora with Kenny-James at her side. "We brought beer, dessert, salad and…the clan," he tells Severide with an amused expression as Severide takes the beer. "You okay?"

"I'm gonna be," Severide replies with a small nod as he leads them into the kitchen. Benny arrives next with more beer and the happy and boisterous talk really gets going. Christie and her family are next and then the evening can get started. Hermann joins Severide, Casey, Benny and Jim on the balcony to man the barbeque; Cindy and Christie in the kitchen; Violet taking turns looking after Aurora and Kenny-James and the others in the Hermann clan.

Severide takes turns spending time with Hermann and then Jim and then his father, Casey, the kids and then taking a moment to enjoy the rest of his beer on the balcony by himself; getting some fresh air before heading back inside to enjoy the buzz from his friends and family. After their done their casual dinner, all the adults head into the kitchen to enjoy their dessert, after-dinner coffee and some warmed bourbon.

He had worried about all of them plying him with questions about how he got the cut on his arm or the bruises on his face, the cut on his forehead. But Casey had taken care of that so the questions were mostly from the kids who wanted to know why he had the bandage on his forehead; the other bandages cleverly hidden by clothing. He had thought about removing the padding but it protected the angry cut and so he left it on.

The day had started out with anxiety and fatigue from the sleepless night, but after some fun bath time with his daughter and a nap, his energy rebounded and he was able to face his company with less stress than anticipated. The night was enjoyable and despite the talk about Shay the day after the anniversary of her death, he was able to cope and even join in a few times and come out with his emotions intact.

However, after his company leaves, his daughter is asleep, Casey has gone to bed; he remains awake, sitting in the living room and staring at a picture of himself, Shay and Aurora on his phone. Tomorrow…

It would be a tense day for him for sure…his first real visit to a professional therapist. How would it go? In a few hours he'd know. There was no turning back.

A/N: Alright so not much in the way of one shot material this season so far *sigh* so I hope Alice is keeping you all entertained with our current stories. Severide will physically recover with a few scars and his friendships intact. Hope you like our boys brotherly bond continuing to grow. A bit of a reprieve for our tough squad leader but up next some tougher talk. How will he fare? Would love your thoughts before you go so please do review and thanks so much!

PS: Hope you're all caught up with the angsty/whump-filled 'Bonded by Fire'