Title: Plan B
Chapter 15 – Tension Rebuilds

Casey climbs into bed and tries to tell himself that maybe it was for something else. Who? Who else would he be apartment hunting for? His daughter? But…it makes sense…he's going to therapy…getting back on track and needs…he could have stayed. The night would be restless as a sense of sad melancholy starts to consume his mind – being alone again was the last thing he wanted, at least this soon.

"Whoa…you look like…hell," Severide comments as he hands Casey a mug of steaming hot coffee. "Rough night?"

"Side was sore. Nothing major," Casey replies with a tight smile. He had made a promise with himself the night before that he wouldn't bug Severide about that phone call, in fact he wouldn't even mention he heard the phone ring. It's his business. I'll let him tell me…I just hope…ah damn I hope they hate the apartment.

"You still wanna go to the cabin for a few days?" Severide asks casually as Casey looks up from his activity at the counter.

"Uncle Matt! Uncle Matt!" Aurora comes bounding into the room holding up another hand colored masterpiece.

Casey looks down with a smile as he scoops her up in his arms, gives her a hug and then perches her on the edge of the counter. "What's this?"

"You and your fire truck," she holds up the piece with a wide grin; Severide watching with a happy expression. "Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Casey answers enthusiastically as he kisses her on the cheek and then places it on the fridge along with the others. "There now everyone can see and appreciate it."

He puts her down on the ground and she runs back into her room to do another one for her father; Casey and Severide both watching in amusement.

"So…cabin?"

"Yeah that would be great," Casey answers with a rather strained smile. They make a bit more small talk about their trip to the cabin before Casey says he has to finish up a small construction job and he'd see them at dinner time. In a few days they'd be heading to the cabin for a few days just to relax but Casey hopes that the apartment talk with Severide possibly moving out doesn't come up until afterward, to spare them all some tension discussions and let the mini-holiday progress without emotional incident.

"Alright squirt, let's get you dressed and get going."

"Where too daddy?" Aurora inquires as she steps into the jeans her father was holding up.

"Going to see about a surprised for Grandpa Benny."

"Why?"

Severide can only offer her a smirk before he kisses the top of her head and then helps her pull a sweater over her flower-dotted undershirt. "Okay…there." He ushers her out the door and down toward the elevator. Aurora happily skips ahead of him, her dolly tucked firmly in her grasp.

"Wait for daddy now," Severide mentions firmly as Aurora pushes the down arrow on the elevator. However, neither of them anticipate the doors opening on command, but they do. A strange male face looks down at the little girl and she looks up with a startled gasp before running back to her father and ducking behind his legs.

"I told her to wait," Severide replies with a small frown.

"Jimmy does that to. See you later Kelly."

"Later Marcus," Severide answers as he picks up his daughter and carries her into the elevator. "Didn't I tell you to wait?" He asks firmly as she looks at him with a small expression of dread. "Okay shhh you're okay now," he tries to soothe as her arms fling around his neck and hug him tightly.

"Okay remember to listen to daddy and stay at my side," Severide tells Aurora as they reach their destination. As they get out, her eyes widen as she looks around and then squeezes her father's hand tightly. But just before they get inside, both of them hear some laughter heading toward them and look up to see a mother walking with her daughter. Severide's stomach tightens as they near and he can only offer a tight lipped smile to the stranger and her daughter as they pass.

"Mommy," Aurora whispers; a lump forming in his throat that he finds he's unable to swallow.

"Come on," he manages weakly as he tugs her into the strange building and they head for the elevator to go up one floor.

"Mr. Severide?"

"Hey how are ya?" Severide shakes his hand and then introduces his daughter.

"So…just the two of you?"

"Actually this won't be for us…it's for my father," Severide mentions as the landlord looks up in wonder. "Long story," Severide gently snickers. "He's um…"

"Where's grammpa?" Aurora asks in curiosity.

"His place right now is okay but it's small and sometimes more than her has to stay there and…it's a long story. But I just want to check it out and then bring him here. Trust me you…"

"My mother is the same. If you just tell her you found a great place, cheaper rent and closer to whatever, she'll say what I have right now is fine but meanwhile it's a shanty about to fall down."

"Glad we're on the same page," Severide grins and nods. Aurora tugs her hand free of her father's and starts to inspect her latest surroundings. She starts to give her dolly a play by play of where she is and what she sees, telling the inanimate object all kinds of childish musings. She heads for the window and then looks down. Just as she does a fire truck nears and she gets excited.

"Uncle Matt! Daddy, it's Uncle Matt!" She exclaims and points out the window, Severide hurrying to see what was going on.

Severide reaches the window and looks down to see another fire truck stopping on the street one story below them and a few men in gear get out and rush into the building across the street. "No sweetie that's another truck."

"Your brother's a firefighter also?"

"We keep it in the family," Severide answers simply, telling himself it was the easiest answer instead of trying to explain the plutonic nature of his relationship with his co-worker and roommate that he considers as close as a brother.

"Sure. Okay so how about I show you what this place has to offer."

"Aurora, come with daddy."

"I wanna watch the fire truck," she moans as his brow furrows.

"Okay but stay right by that window while I look at the kitchen.

"Okay."

Severide ducks into the kitchen but finds that his attention is more distracted by his absent daughter, his senses always on alert just in case she were to dart off or go exploring the unfamiliar place and get lost. At least at 51 when she wandered off she knew to go to Pouch and the area was filled with people who only had her best interest in mind. Here? Unfamiliar ground.

"No daddy I wanna watch the fire truck!" Aurora tries to protest as Severide starts to drag her along with him into the kitchen.

"Just stay with daddy a little bit and then you can go watch."

She tries to fuss, but Severide picks her up and he's able to finally concentrate on all that the landlord is telling him. This place seems great. Dad mentioned he wants a new place and this one's between 51 and our place…I just hope he doesn't fuss too much when I tell him to meet me here.

"Well?"

"Yeah it seems great," Severide replies as he pulls his phone. "When do I need to let you know by?"

"The sooner the better," the man answers plainly.

"Okay hold on," Severide pauses as he waits for his father to answer. "Ah sorry, he must be on a case."

"Police?"

"Arson investigator."

"Wow you do keep it all in the family," the man smiles. "Is your wife also a firefighter?"

The question is innocent; coming from a stranger who didn't know anything about Severide's situation nor which buttons to push to put him emotionally off-course. But instead of snapping he merely puts on a tight expression and curtly shakes his head.

"Uh…no," he replies with a tone that says to drop it. "Yeah I'll hafta get back to you later today."

"Okay," the man agrees with some hesitation. "If he agrees. Tell him to come by take a look and if all goes well I'll need the standard first and last month's rent deposit. I'm sure you know the routine."

"Thanks again."

As soon as Severide leaves the apartment he calls his father and tells him to call him as soon as he can. "How about we swing by Uncle Matt's construction project and see if we can help."

"YES!" Aurora replies happily, despite not understanding exactly where they were going.

However, Casey's day was a bit tenser than even he expected and after a sharp reply to one of homeowner's relatives he stops what he's doing and apologizes.

About twenty minutes later he hears a musical voice calling his name and looks up to see Aurora rushing toward him.

"Hey Aurora," Casey states with a delighted smile as she rushes into his arms and he picks her up; watching as Severide heads toward him. "What's going on?"

"Was in the area," Severide answers with a smile. "Need some help?"

Casey watches as the wife approaches them with her daughter and another new connection is made.

"Mrs. Green this is my friend Kelly and my sweet goddaughter Aurora."

"Hello Aurora, this is my daughter Kimberly."

"We didn't mean to intrude," Severide states in haste.

"Nonsense, it's a nice day for them to play outside.

Casey watches Aurora going off with Kim and her mother to a section of the yard to play and then looks at Severide in wonder. "What's really going on?"

"I can't work and I can't just stay home. Matt…I'm going stir-crazy," Severide admits as he rubs his face and looks at him with a defeated frown. "I can't lift much but I don't want to go to the park and swing. I need to do something…"

"Manly?" Casey retorts as Severide chuckles and nods. "Can you hammer in a nail?" Casey holds up the hammer.

"I'm the Master hammerer," Severide teases as he takes the two items and then follows Casey's directions on where to work.

Casey can only laugh as he watches Severide miss the first nail, giving his friend a small tease before he looks back down at his work. "Master…what?" He mutters. The mood lightens slightly and Casey's inner agitation starts to ease somewhat but not to the point that his mind settles that he's okay Severide moving out; Severide of course already having thought that he told Casey about looking for a new place for his father but it would get mixed up with his sessions and just…forgotten.

But Severide hears Casey mutter under his breath and then looks up to see him nearly smash his thumb; the hammer striking the rather innocent piece of plywood with resounding force.

"What's up?"

It's their choice…don't guilt them into something you want…no matter how painful. "Slipped," Casey answers frankly as Severide shrugs and carries on.

"Well?"

"I think Aurora could have put in straighter nails."

"I won't argue with that. Shay would ha…" he starts and then looks away for a few seconds. He turns back a few seconds with a small sigh. "Shay would have busted my ass for the first nail that went in like that. Damn I just…I know it's okay to talk about her. Just sometimes it hurts," he pauses as he looks over at Aurora with a loving glance. "Makes me miss her more," he admits as he turns back to Casey with a tormented gaze. "That last session with Nick…we uh…we talked about that day. The day she died."

Casey looks at his friend, his brain wishing he had the right words to say to offer something other than the typical…I'm sorry…that he offers in haste. "She'd want you to talk about her."

"Especially to Aurora."

"She seems…content," Casey dares to venture.

"Oh I think she is," Severide replies easily, not connecting Casey innuendo about him possibly moving out.

"I hope she'll stay…content."

Severide's brows gently arch. "Has she said something?" Severide asks in haste.

"No. No it's all good."

"Okay."

The rest of the afternoon is spent working on patio; Aurora contentedly playing with the host's daughter until it was time for lunch. It was a warm afternoon, so all of them sit outside enjoying a casual lunch of sandwiches, chips and pop. After that Severide puts Aurora down for a nap and he and Casey finishing up the deck much to the satisfaction of the happy homeowner.

"See you back at home," Severide calls out as he carries his sleepy daughter to his car; Casey finishing up the accounting aspect with the homeowner and then regrouping with them for dinner.

That night he tries to keep his mind occupied and telling himself not to think about them moving out and him missing out on all the bonding time with his buddy and his goddaughter. But each time that he holds Aurora or plays with her, reads with her, or helps put her to bed, his heart starts to ache more and more and the thought of them moving out so soon plays heavily upon his emotions.

"Love you Uncle Matt!" Aurora tells him as she hugs him tightly and plants a soft kiss on his lips.

"Love you two sweetheart," he whispers as he kisses her and then helps her snuggle down into her bed; Severide coming in a few minutes later to read to her before she falls asleep. "Do you like it here?"

"Yes," she answers sweetly. Of course she'd say yes, his mind inwardly groans. Trying to get to Kelly through Aurora. Don't…it's not fair to either of them in the face of this loss! So he resigns himself to the fact he could be alone again in a few weeks and says his final goodnight.

Severide passes Casey in the hallway, his seemingly morose friend heading into the living room to watch a bit of TV before bed.

"Read Princess story to me daddy!" Aurora sits upright in bed as her father approaches.

"Okay sure."

"This one."

"This one," Severide repeats slowly as he looks at the book and feels his heart slightly sink. "How about.."

"No daddy this one!"

'Shay we have enough Princess books.'

'We can never have enough books for our Princess,' she had retorted with a smile. 'Besides we'll each read to her and then she'll read on her own. She can't run out of books.'

'She can reread them.'

But it was a losing battle and so the book was coming home with them – one of many. He clutches the book as his heart starts to thud.

"Read it daddy."

Aurora's words bring him back to reality and he looks at her with a strained smile. It's the same book that Shay and Aurora would read each night together.

"Okay. You just snuggle up here and I'll read…" he starts into the fairytale story and thankfully it's not long until Aurora's eyes have closed and she's soundly asleep. But instead of just closing the book, Severide keeps reading until he reaches the end.

"And they lived happily ever after."

He looks up at his daughter with misty eyes and then feels his jaw grit. "There is no happily ever after," he mutters stonily as he turns off the light and leaves his room. But not feeling in the mood to socialize any more, he heads into his bedroom and closes the door. He tries to fall asleep but just as he does the phone rings and sleep is delayed.

"Did you get my message?" Severide asks his father with a slight huff.

"Yeah was on a case. What's going on? Sounded urgent. Everything okay?"

"Yeah fine…can you meet me somewhere tomorrow?"

"Kelly…"

"Trust me everything's fine."

"Just you?"

"Yeah. It'll be easier. I'll drop Aurora off at Christie's. She's okay with that. It won't take too long."

"Okay. Just text me the place and time and I'll be there."

"Okay thanks."

That night both males fall asleep with conflicting thoughts; both about the same object – the apartment in question, but both contemplating different angles.

XXXXXXXX

Casey awakens early the next morning and heads into Firehouse 51 with the inner agitation growing inside.

"What's going on?" Boden asks about an hour later, calling Casey into his office after watching him snap at Otis for basically no reason.

"Chief…just a lack of sleep and…"

"Thought you were taking a few more days off because of your injury. Going to the cabin?"

"I…I'm okay," Casey answers with a small nod before he turns to leave.

"You're not dismissed," Boden tosses at him lightly; Casey turning back with a heavy frown. "Kelly and Aurora okay?"

"They're moving out," Casey blurts out and then shakes his head. "I overheard him making arrangements to look at other apartments and…and I want to be supportive but I've gotten used to having them there."

"And it's only been a month and now with the month-milestone passed, Kelly doing the therapy sessions and you all falling into a regular routine, it's all changing again," Boden continues as Casey nods. "Have you two talked about it?"

"I don't want to make him feel guilty about anything. If he feels ready to go…then…"

"You should still talk. You're not in the right frame of mind to lead today."

"What? Chief…" Casey's voice stammers as he tries to protest. "I need to be here."

"You need to talk to your friend and get this out of the way before you lose focus on the job and put yourself and others in harm's way. I won't let Kelly work distracted and I won't let you either. There is no discussion here. Doctor gave you a few days off. Take them."

Casey can only shake his head, muttering as he leaves his Chief's office and heads to his own. He plunks himself down and then looks at a picture of him and Hallie taken at an event a few years back. "Ahh damn it," he curses as he leans back in his chair and then lets his eyes drift over to another picture of himself, Shay, Kelly and Aurora. "It's…too soon."

But he knows that's not his call and so opens the last remaining file, wanting to finish it and then just drop by his sister's to hang out. An hour later, he says bye to Boden once more and then heads for his truck. On the drive to his sister's his mind swirls with anxious thoughts. It's too soon for them both…he tries to justify. Nothing helps as he knows Severide is more than capable of looking after himself and his daughter if he really put his mind to it.

"Matt? Hey…come in," Christie greets with a warm hug and friendly smile. "What's going on?"

"Was in the area and…"

"No shift today?"

"Took a fall the other day so earned a few off. What are…wait…"

"Aurora's here. Didn't Kelly tell you?"

"No," Casey answers sourly.

"What happened?"

Casey looks at his sister and shakes his head before he replies. "They're moving out."

"So soon? But it's only been a month."

"Kelly went and checked out an apartment yesterday," Casey admits as he takes off his jacket and follows his sister into the living room.

"I'm sorry. You three were just starting to get into a good groove."

"I know," he sighs as he looks out to see Aurora playing with Violet and another little girl that Christie was looking after. "I don't want them to leave. I know it's his choice but um…it's too soon. Having them there every day has been comforting."

Christie offers him a tender smile before she asks for his help with a small renovation project; Casey happy to help and keep his mind occupied. But at the same time a small nagging voice keeps reminding him that he and Kelly need to talk. Do it now before any more tension builds!

XXXXXXXX

"Thanks Wallace," Benny tells Boden after he hands him the final investigation report. "One more scumbag behind bars."

"How's Kelly?"

"Itching to come back to work," Benny replies with a small frown. "I know he's bored and I worry but I've been checking up on him as best I can. In fact headed over to see him now."

"He has one more week at least before he comes back. He'll survive," Boden retorts as Benny nods. "How are they making out living with Casey? Things seem good to you?"

"Far as I know. Why?"

"Casey was in here earlier wondering if Kelly and Aurora wanted to move out. Know anything about that?"

"No but…" Benny's voice dies out as Boden's black eyebrows arch in wonder. "Kelly asked me to meet him at some strange address. Maybe it is a new place. I hope not because I think it's too soon for them both. Casey's a great friend to him and I know Aurora needs that stability right now."

"I woulda thought so too."

"I'll talk to him," Benny assures Boden as he turns to leave. He heads for his own truck wondering why his son was in such a hurry all of a sudden to leave a comfortable family arrangement that he had come to really enjoy and depend on. Are people talking about their living together? Everyone who matters knows and the rest don't matter!

Severide watches his father's truck pull up and stop and his father get out with a wondering glance.

"What's going on Kelly?"

"Just come inside for a few minutes I wanna show you something."

"Are you moving out?" Benny asks point blank.

Severide's brow furrows as he shakes his head. "No but…I thought you might want to."

"What? Me?...oh wait…a few weeks back we talked and…"

"And I thought you were serious and I'm finally in the right headspace to help and with some time off…just come upstairs and check it out okay. You thought it was me?"

"Yeah," Benny replies with a sideways glance. "Does Matt know?"

"Yeah, sure," Severide shrugs and then frowns. "Why? Did he mention it?"

"Not to me but I guess when he went in for his shift today…"

"Matt's off shift," Severide stops his father just before the elevators. "What did he say?"

"Wallace told me. Said Casey came in, was overly distracted, was supposed to be off so Boden asked why and he said he thought you were moving out too soon. You're not the only affected by all this. You sure he knows this is for me?"

"I uh…I thought for sure I told him," Severide searches through his muddled brain for a discussion he had with Casey about looking for a place for his father. "He was there that ni…oh wait…he wasn't. Maybe…ah damn maybe he didn't know and if he overheard…okay I'll call him right after this. Aurora and I are happy there. She finally has some stability and I don't want to take that away from her right now."

"Figured that," Benny retorts as they reach the second floor. "Not to high up."

"I pay attention," Severide shoots back with a smirk. He takes his father into the new apartment that he hopes he'll like and while Benny talks to the landlord he pulls his phone and texts Casey.

'Hey. Where are you?'

'Christie's. Just hanging out. You?'

'With dad. Why not bring Aurora and we'll go to Applebee's for supper. We gotta talk about a few things.'

'Okay. When?'

'An hour? Meet you both there.'

'Okay,' Casey replies.

"Well?" Severide asks his father as he rejoins them.

"Actually…I think I'll take it," Benny smiles as he clasps the landlord's hand. "My son knows best."

Severide waits while his father confirms the deal for the bigger and much more practical apartment; reminding him that now if Aurora and someone else wanted to stay they could have their own bedroom and not sleep on the couch or floor.

"That was only one time," Benny groans as they prepare to part ways.

"Okay I'm meeting Matt and Aurora for dinner. Wanna join us?"

"Can't tonight. AI meeting. Enjoy the cabin."

"We will."

Severide gets into his car and heads toward their designated meeting place; the sky slightly darkening, threatening to cloud over and rain. He listens to the news report and then curses audibly as traffic comes to a dead standstill. He sees an eerie glow of red, white and blue in the near distance and then has to slowly move over to let another incoming ambulance pass to get to the accident victims; police already on scene.

'Stuck in traffic. Be there as soon as I can.'

No answer.

So instead of sending another text and considering the fact that he's stopped and it's safe to call. "Come on pick up."

'You there?' He texts once more.

Again...no answer.

His stomach tightens as his worried sapphires lift and fix on the glow in the distance coming from the first responders vehicles. The sounds of the sirens start to give way to the pounding in his head from his rapidly beating heart. He dials Casey's number once more and that speeding momentum starts to turn to a sickening thud.

Still…no answer.

Is that them? Are they in the accident? Oh no…noooooooooo!

A/N: eeks! So you know I like to toss in some angsty tension and danger into my stories and this one is no exception. Time for Severide to worry a bit. Are Casey and Aurora okay? Or maybe its just Casey's phone? Will the misunderstanding be resolved? And how will Severide fare when he returns to work? Smooth sailing? *wink* Please do review before you go and thanks so much!