Title: Plan B
Chapter 24 – What Matters Most – Family.

A/N: Ugh this season of CF has been so depressing for me. Tues's eppy Peter Mills left (thankfully they didn't kill him but Charlie said it wasn't his choice and once again the CF writers have sent another beloved character packing for no good reason!) However, I like Mills and will continue to use him as a FF or medic (depending on story setting) and hope that's okay. Ah gotta love fanfic for that reason right? hehe okay please enjoy this update and thanks everyone!

The time that Aurora had been rescued from the car accident she was clingy, now she was downright possessive, not wanting to be out of her father's grasp for even the briefest second; and Severide despite his pain wasn't about to let his daughter go either. But there wasn't a person around them who could blame them in any way; especially not after what had just happened.

Benny rides with his son and granddaughter on the way to the hospital; Casey follows in his truck with Pauline. She told him that Gish surprised them while they were heading out; Aurora still strapped in her car seat in the back. Gish drove them to the warehouse and then locked them inside, recording Aurora's voice and telling them they would at least all die together.

"Well I'm not sorry he's dead," Pauline states with no uncertainty.

"I don't think any of us are," Casey agrees with a small frown as they near the hospital.

Benny holds Aurora huddled in his grasp while the medic tends to his son, lying on the stretcher. He watches them cut away the bottom of Kelly's jeans and then gently wrap some nonstick padding around the burnt skin but knows a doctor will have to treat it properly. He's alive…that's all that matters…they all are and this is now over.

"Dadda," Aurora moans sadly as her little hand reaches out to her father's.

"Hey baby girl, daddy's okay. Just tired. We're just going to get my leg checked out and then we'll go home okay?" Severide replies as he kisses her hand and squeezes it, giving her a somewhat strained smile.

She just nods and then buries her tear-stained face in the folds of her grandfather's jacket. Benny gives her another squeeze of reassurance and kisses the top of her head before lifting his watery gaze to meet his son's. "Was worried," he whispers as Severide nods and tries to choke back some fluid emotion.

"Me too," Severide admits with a small cough. "He…he meant it dad. He didn't care…yeah just glad it's over," he concludes as his daughter looks back at him in misery. He'd save the rest of the tough talk for later when he was alone with his father and Matt; the three of them just unwinding at home with a few beers and some takeout.

Once they reach the hospital, Benny carries Aurora as he walks beside his son's stretcher; Don Shay on the way to the hospital to pick up his wife and check on his granddaughter and all those involved in this nightmare. The nurse at one time tries to take Aurora to be checked over in a separate room, but she screams for her father and the doctor says it's no problem if she stays with the beleaguered firefighter.

"This was too close," Boden whispers as he gives Pauline a hug; the members of 51 and some CPD now convening in the ER waiting area. About ten minutes later, Benny comes out to give them all an update and of course thank them all for their help.

"It's finally over," he tells Boden and Mills with a relieved smile as Casey and Erin head into the treatment room to check on Severide. 51 slowly disperses after hearing the good news, Pauline heading for home; Benny waiting for his family.

"Thank god," Erin whispers as she gives Aurora a hug and kiss on the cheek and then does the same for her father. "Nearly lost you," she whispers in his ear, before kissing his cheek and pulling back with a friendly smile.

"Not that easy," Severide retorts with a small smirk in his tone; Aurora nestled in his grasp, not wanting to let go. And despite his weary frame begging for some physical relief, he just didn't have the heart to put her down on her own after all that.

"I'm going to finish up the paperwork with Antonio and I'll see you later."

"Count on it," Severide replies firmly as he watches her go and then turns to see Casey's wide grin. "What?"

"Glad you're okay," Casey tells them in truth as he gives his friend and hug and then kisses Aurora and squeezes her also. "Pauline is okay. She took a small hit to the back of the head but the doctor's said it'll just be swollen for a few days and then go down. How is Aurora?"

"Shaken but fine. He never hurt her," Severide replies in a soft whisper as he limps beside Casey; his burnt leg begging for some relief. "Aurora, want to go to Uncle Matt t…"

"NO!" She replies loudly as she wraps her arms even tighter around her father's neck.

"Okay…okay…"

Not wanting to make Aurora any more agitated than necessary, Casey simply offers his arm for Severide to take and helps him limp out to the waiting room. The four of them then slowly head out to Benny's waiting car; Herrmann and Boden already having arranged to take both Casey's truck and Severide's car back to their place.

Once home Severide tries to tell his daughter that he needs to shower and clean up a bit but she refuses to let him go; clinging to his neck and telling him in a very sad tone "no daddy, don't go again." He had to comply. Both Casey and Benny do their best to help Severide arrange his weary frame on the couch with Aurora now tucked into his side, his wounded leg elevated and his brain finally happy for some real rest.

Casey looks out from the kitchen at his slightly dozing friend and then looks at Benny with a small frown. "It really was too close."

"I think we'll all have nightmares for a few days after this one," Benny admits with a heavy sigh as he leans against the counter, looking over the counter at his family. He and Casey talk in an undertone for about an hour; Severide slowly stirring after that and taking advantage of his daughter being asleep to slowly limp down to the bathroom to wrap the protective padding on his leg and have a shower.

Despite the warmth of the water keeping his agitation at bay, Severide's mind can't seem to push away the sound of his daughter's voice calling out to him, coupled with Gish's evil laughter and the sound of fire in the nearing distance.

"AHHHHH!" Severide's palm slaps the wet tiles with mild force. Gish was dead. The man who had so callously and cruelly ripped Shay out of their lives; forcing his daughter to grow up without her birth mother and him without his best friend. Gish had forced a dark hole to grow in their lives; something he knows even time itself would never be able to completely fill or even cover over. At least Aurora isn't an orphan but a daughter growing up without her birth mother would feel that void. It was a role he could never properly fill.

Severide finishes his shower and once dried and dressed slowly heads back into the living room where he slumps back onto the couch; his daughter still asleep and now curled up by his dearest friend and current roommate – Matt Casey. He props his injured leg up onto the pillows and then makes small talk with his father and Matt until dinner arrives.

Especially during and then after dinner, talk is kept to things that are positive and happy and friendly; even if it was strained, it was better than adding to the arsenal of nightmares he's sure his daughter is going to suffer from. Himself included. Maybe even Casey. His father for sure.

Benny finally takes his leave; the four of them promising to join Christie and her family in a few days for a fun outing to Six Flags in Gurnee, Illinois; something that would do them all some good.

"I'd offer to let her sleep with me tonight but I know she's going to wake up and want her father," Casey tells Severide in a soft whisper as he carries a sleeping Aurora into Severide's bedroom and gently deposits her onto his bed and then pulls the covers over her. "I know tonight is gonna be tough…" Casey starts as he slowly leaves his friend's bedroom and then pauses, looking back at Severide in concern.

"I know but we gotta get through it right?"

"Kelly…"

"I promise I'll go see Nick," Severide retorts in haste as Casey gently chuckles. "Well it was bound to come up right?"

"Yeah…yeah it was," Casey replies with a smile. "But I was going to say that um…tonight you know if you…just don't hold it in. And if she's asleep and you wanna…"

"Go a few rounds in the basement gym to wear off some tension?" Severide interjects with a small sigh as he leans against the door post; Casey in the hallway. "Just don't kick it right?"

"Right. Goodnight."

"'night," Severide whispers as he watches Casey turn and head down toward his bedroom. He turns back to his bed and looks at his daughter asleep in his bed. Within seconds his eyes water and his stomach tightens; his ears hearing purported screaming, his name being called. He feels his fists ball and a few seconds later hears Shay's voice calling out to him. "Oh God…" he whispers in torment as looks back at his daughter. Just before Casey's door close, his voice calls out to his friend in a hoarse whisper and Casey's head pops back into the hallway.

Casey looks at his friend and knows that his offer is about to be taken up. "Take as long as you want."

Severide needs no further prodding and knowing that his beloved daughter is in very good hands for the next little while, he heads for the door and then into the elevator. 'Help me daddy! Get him Kelly! I love you! Always! Daddy!' By the time Severide reaches the small apartment gym, his anger has already boiled over and he hits the bag with both balled fists at the same time.

"AHHHH! Severide shouts as he pictures Adrian Gish's face on the bag before him. "Take that you bastard!" Severide curses as he strikes at it once more. "You're gone! You lost!" And on it goes, Severide willfully using up every single ounce of energy that was lingering his tormented frame. Literally two hours later, he steps back, covered with sweat and panting so hard his chest actually hurts. "You lost…" he offers with one last sad whisper as his body starts to sag. But as the words escape his lips he knows…it's really him who's lost – the mother of his daughter and his best friend. Severide's head hangs and he weeps.

About half hour later, Casey hears the door slowly opening and knows it's not his place to ask how his friend is, or even ask if he wants to talk. Instead he watches Severide approach and puts his hand on his shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. Severide gratefully nods, giving Casey a small smile before he heads into his bedroom and literally collapses. He pulls his daughter into his grasp, holds her close and together they both weather the tumultuous night ahead.

XXXXXXXX

Severide awakens the next morning with a pounding head and sluggish frame. Aurora had, as suspected, a few terrible nightmares but the last one she accidentally kicked her father just above the burn wound, forcing him to yelp in pain but quickly recoil before he could berate her for an automatic response that her little body couldn't control. Thankfully the action didn't break a burn blister but it caused his eyes to water and her to say 'I'm sorry daddy'.

He looks at her now, peacefully asleep and feels his heart sigh contentedly. However, as he looks at the faint scraping bruise on her right cheek from when Gish mercilessly tossed her into the stone tomb Casey rescued her from, his anger surges once more. Her little lips offer a soft murmur as he tries to brush away some dirty blond locks from her face; making her gently squirm and a smile play upon his lips.

He hears Casey rummaging around in the kitchen; a few minutes later the smell of strong coffee punctuates the sleepy air inside the quiet apartment. Despite the fact that he's still tired, Severide's mind is still too restless to even contemplate trying to fall back asleep. So as carefully as possible, Severide removes himself from his warm bed and slowly makes his way into the kitchen.

"Here," Casey hands Severide a steaming mug of coffee as he watches his friend ease himself down onto one of the kitchen counter chairs with a heavy wince.

"Needed that last night. It helped a little. Aurora was up a few times, asking for her mom," Severide huffs as he takes a sip of the hot coffee and then sags a bit into the chair. "I kept seeing Gish's face, standing over her…laughing as she…damn it was so real," he sighs as he rubs his face and then looks up at Casey with a heavy frown. "I guess in the end I'm glad he was a creature of habit. Otherwise…"

"You would have gotten to her in time," Casey tries to interject with a small hint of hope. However, it doesn't sound as convincing as he might like and both just sigh and nod. "At least it's over now. No matter what, he'll never come back and hurt anyone ever again."

"And for that we can be grateful," Severide replies as he takes another sip of his coffee. "I was thinking of getting Aurora a pet of some kind," Severide muses somewhat absently.

"Puppy, kitten?"

"Fish," he answers; both of them instantly chuckling.

"Seriously?"

"No…I was just…she's got school coming up soon…gosh sooner than," Severide pauses as he glances over at the calendar on the fridge. "She's going to see the other kids…both parents and…"

"Not all of them will have both. You know you're not that alone?" Casey adds softly as Severide nods and then takes another mouthful of coffee. "Christie is going to take her back to school shopping and…it's just one more hurdle right?"

"Right," Severide replies slowly as his fingers fiddle with the nearby spoon.

"Daddy!" Aurora comes bounding around the corner with a wide grin, her dirty blond hair spilling all around her shoulders.

"Hey squirt!" Severide grins as he picks her up and places her on the chair beside him; his lips planting a kiss on her cheek and then teasing her by rubbing her soft skin with his stubbled jaw.

"Ewwww daddy. Subbled face."

"STUbble," Severide lovingly corrects his daughter. "Breakfast time."

Without skipping a beat, he watches her get up off the chair, go to her cupboard and get out her pink plastic cup and bowl and carry it to the table. She stops and looks up at both adoring men with a wide smile and they can't help but smile in return. Severide of course feels his heart weigh a bit heavier as he wishes Shay was here to witness and appreciate all these little daily details that some might take for granted.

"Cereal and toast it is," Casey looks at her with a smile and shrug. With Aurora in their midst, the conversation dwells only on positive things once again; Severide telling them his plan to just rest up all day today with his daughter, while Casey says he'll head into 51 to finish up a few things and then come back and just hang with them.

About an hour later, Severide sends a text to Nick to see if he has an opening the following week; wanting to update him about finding some closure on who killed Shay's mother and his involvement in that finality. The appointment was booked. After that he goes in search of his daughter, only to find her in her room pulling out one toy after another. Not having any energy to chastise her he plops down on her bed, telling her that whatever she takes out, she'd have to make sure to put right back in when she's done playing with it.

"Daddy you be Ken!"

"Where's Prince Pantsless?" Severide asks. And as if on cue, Aurora looks up with a mock-cross expression and he can't help but laugh. He scoops her up into his arms, his ears delighting in her happy squeals as he hoists her into the air and pretends she's falling but lifts her back up.

"Again daddy! Again! Again!" Aurora begs as she holds out her arms like a little airplane. The small space is once again filled with happy laughter as she nearly falls to her father's chest and then is pushed back up into the air. "Again! Again!" She begs between gasps for air and laughter.

Severide does it a few more times before letting her flop down beside him; his arms needing a bit of a break and Aurora of course wanting to play without time constraints. "Now…where's Prince Pantsless?"

"No daddy, he has pants," Aurora insists as she shoves a fully dressed Ken Doll into his grasp.

"Ah I see grampa Benny took pity on poor Pantsless," he snickers as he holds the male Barbie doll in place while his daughter makes up the scene. He can only watch in amusement as the two dolls have an imaginary conversation. His mind drifts to his father and how throughout this whole order the two male Severide's had actually drawn closer than even he expected.

'Dad I have news.'

'You're getting married?' Benny had asked in a skeptical tone.

'Shay's pregnant. And…it's mine.'

'Shay…but she's…wait…what?'

He could only laugh at his father's facial expression as he tried to put together how this could even come about. In the end Benny Severide gave up trying to figure out the hows and whys and just reveled in the fact he's going to be a grandfather. Just as Severide rolls over onto his back his phone buzzes and he's quick to pull it and read the text message.

'Case closed.'

He can't help but smile at Erin's simple text, mostly in part because his mind can now take comfort in the fact that Gish is dead and Shay's memory can now rest in peace.

'Thanks. Aurora needs a coffee. Got a few minutes from the cases to spare?'

The answer of course is yes and he wastes no time in telling his daughter that it's time to go out and they'd come back and play later.

"Bye bye noodle," Aurora tells the little noodle object that Cruz had made for her a few days ago; the innocent little action making him feel inward contentment. He had mentioned in passing to Matt about getting Aurora a pet but fears with their somewhat hectic schedule and her starting school if it would be more of a disservice to the poor thing to always have it home alone than to not have one. She loves to spend time with Pouch at the Firehouse and there was no denying the lovable canine's laidback personality had won the excited little girl over. Wait until she starts school before you contemplate this further. And that's what he'd do.

"Don't spill it," Severide warns Aurora as he slowly pushes the small cup of hot chocolate in his daughter's direction. They had met Erin at a little park close to the precinct; taking advantage of the warm sunny afternoon. "Did you send Jay on a donut run?" Severide's voice teases with a small snicker.

"Play nice."

"No fun in that," he tosses back with an amused smile. "Guess it's easy to joke now," he replies with a heavy sigh as he looks down at his daughter who's now fascinated by a little Lady bug that's landed on the table.

"Look daddy, Lady Gaga," Aurora states as she looks up with a grin; Severide offering a snicker.

"Explain?" Erin asks in wonder.

"We were listening to Lady Gaga the other day and she said like a Lady bug and I said yes and it's stuck. A few days back she called Boden by his first name…or a shortened form of it because I made a comment on the movie Wall-E," Severide gently groans as the little Lady bug flies away; Aurora watching it before she turns back to her drink.

"Well…speaking of that…" Erin pauses as she pulls out a small box. "This is for you Aurora."

"Gimme!"

"Hey hey," Severide chuckles as his hand covers his daughter's pausing her from taking the little gift box. "What do you say?"

"May I please have the box?"

"Yes you may."

"Better," Severide replies with a smile as he watches Aurora open the box with gusto.

"Look daddy! Look!" Aurora takes out the little wooden Lady Bug toy and holds it up with a big grin.

"Wow. What do you say to Erin?"

Aurora gets up off the bench opposite her father and Erin and walks into the open arms of the CPD Detective. "Thank you Erin," she says, giving her a big hug and kiss.

"You're so welcome sweetie," she whispers as she returns the favor by kissing Aurora's cheek and hugging her tightly. Aurora pulls away and then starts to run around the table, holding the little handmade toy in the air, zooming it up and down – making it fly. "How is she after all this?"

"Doing better than all of us," Severide admits with a heavy sigh as he looks at his daughter, forcing a small smile. "She had a few nightmares but otherwise she doesn't say much. I've tried to ask her about it but she just shrugs and then goes back to what she's doing. I'll talk to Nick about it. I just don't want to be that guy…that guy that lets his daughter just stew in her own silent misery until she one day self-destructs."

"I think talking to Nick about it is a great idea," Erin tells him in truth as her hand rests on him. "You guys still on for six flags?"

"I think I want to feign sickness," Severide snickers as they both watch Aurora moving the little toy around the table with a look of happy satisfaction on her sweet face.

They talk a bit longer before Erin's phone buzzes and she knows she has to get back. "For the record, I think you're doing a great job," she whispers, her lips planting a soft kiss on his cheek before she pulls away and looks at him with a friendly smile. "We should do this again."

"We will. Aurora come say by to Erin, she has to get back to work."

"Why?"

"You wanna take her with you?" Severide snickers as he scoops his daughter up in the air. Aurora gives Erin a hug and then waves bye before vesting her interest once more in the new toy in her grasp. "She's good for both of us," Severide utters in a softer tone, watching her turn and offer them a friendly wave before getting into her car and pulling away. Severide carries Aurora to the small pond where they sit and watch the ducks playing about; Aurora smiling with delight. He thinks about how to ask his daughter about either her mother or what happened with Gish but unlike asking an adult woman, he wonders if saying 'Aurora is there anything bothering you?' would be of any benefit at all. Wait for Nick…he can help.

So he settles in his mind to wait until he talks to his therapist about his latest ordeal and knows that Nick would never steer him wrong. After they are done with the ducks, they slowly walk back to his waiting car; hand in hand, Severide's mind delighting in Aurora's constant aimless chatter.

But just as they near the car, Severide's mind instantly freezes as he sees a folded up piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper. For a few brief seconds, he thinks its Gish coming back to haunt him – saying he's not dead and the ordeal was far from over.

"What's that daddy?"

Severide slowly plucks the piece of paper and unfolds it, his breath catching for a few seconds before settling as he reads what new local restaurant the flyer is advertising. "Junk mail," he replies with a relieved sigh as he wads up the paper, tosses into the backseat of the car and straps Aurora into her car seat. After they get home, Severide puts Aurora down for a nap and then heads into the living room to elevate his slightly throbbing leg. But it didn't take much for him to close his eyes and drift off into slumber himself.

XXXXXXXX

"Well enjoy the weekend, you've all earned it," Boden tells Casey with a friendly smile as he pats him on the back. "Benny Severide at Six Flags."

"I know…Kelly is scared too," Casey replies with a brief chuckle as he hands his boss the final case folder. "I'm just glad this is all over and we can actually go there and just relax without having to worry about Gish. I know it'll be hard on Kelly to see all the families and stuff without Shay but at least they did get to go last year all together."

"See you both in a few days."

Casey gives Boden a nod and then heads for home, hoping that his friend and goddaughter had a good day and despite some lingering tension were able to just unwind and enjoy each other's company. Later he'd take comfort in the fact that they did.

As he opens the door, he hears the silence and figures that they are both asleep so doesn't call out or make too much noise when he enters. He rounds the corner and can't help but cast a friendly smile at Severide sprawled on the couch with Aurora tucked into his side. Casey very quietly makes his way around the corner, ducks into his room and then comes back out and heads down the hallway into the bathroom to have a shower.

By the time he's done and heads back into the living room, Severide is up and Aurora is kneeling by the table playing with her toys.

"Hey," Casey greets as he nears, Aurora holding up her new toy with a beaming face. "What's that?"

"Lady Gaga," Aurora answers with a laugh.

"And where did Lady Gaga come from?"

"Erin," Aurora looks up at her father who nods.

"Erin gave it to her today," Severide confirms.

"Oh really?" Casey playfully wags his brows as Severide tosses a small pillow at him. "What?" He laughs. "Just that…I told you so."

"You finished?" Severide retorts with a laugh.

"Sounds like you had more fun than me today."

The two of them talk more about their day before Aurora brings out the cards for the three of them to play a game of memory.

XXXXXXXX

One day later a whole happy entourage Severide, Casey, Aurora, Benny, Violet, Christie and Jim all near the entrance to the happy and bustling amusement park. As much as the order of day is to have as much fun as possible, they all made a pact to keep an eye on Aurora because in the busy park it would only take a few seconds for a child to go missing or be taken.

"Teacups daddy! Teacups!" Severide looks at the brightly colored ride and suddenly stops.

'Come on Kelly, we can all fit on the giant green teacup.'

"Kelly?" Casey's voice breaks into his thoughts as Severide looks over with a small frown.

"This was um…Shay's favorite ride with Aurora."

"Now it'll be yours," Casey reminds him.

"There's room enough for three," Severide tosses back to Casey with a snicker.

"Ah no…way."

"Come with me Uncle Matt," Violet loops her arm through Casey's and looks up with an adoring grin; everyone else laughing as Casey's face instantly blushes. Casey, however, goes along with his niece, following Severide and Aurora to an oversized teacup.

"Dad…" Severide warns Benny who pulls out a small camcorder to record the moment. But as much as he wants to insist his father puts the camera away, he knows that if he had taken more videos when Shay was alive he'd have more happy memories to share with his precious daughter. "Wave at grampa!" Severide points at his father as the ride slowly starts to move.

"HI grampaaaaaa!" Aurora calls out happily as she waves at her adoring grandfather. The ride starts to move faster and faster Casey and Severide calling out to each other to stop the ride so they could get off; everyone else laughing.

"I need…the world to stop…spinning," Severide teases his daughter by walking funny after the ride stops; Aurora laughing with delight.

"Again daddy! Again! Again!"

"I think Cousin Violet will take you next time…but in a little bit," Severide volunteers Violet who shrugs and smiles. "Okay how about the Krazy Cars."

"No I want to go on the Star Trek Ride."

"No what about…"

"We have all day, you can all do…all of them," Benny interjects as Severide looks at his father and shakes his head and then rests his hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah well…you're going on the next ride with Aurora."

"Yes Grampa! Yes please! Please!"

Benny looks at his son as he scoops his daughter up in the air and carries her toward the bumper cars.

"Ah Cheater!" Severide calls out with a laugh as Casey steps up next to his friend and folds his arms over his chest and smiles. "Shay would have loved this," Severide states with a soft whisper as Casey nods in agreement.

"She sure would have. You in?"

"I'm car #3!" Severide looks at Casey before both turn and run toward the waiting bumper cars.

The excited shouting starts up and any onlookers can only point, laugh and marvel at the little, tight-knit group seemingly all lost in their own little world – which of course they are, not caring about anyone else in the world except the family members around them.

In that moment, that's all that matters most.

Family.

Always.

A/N: *sigh* Okay so after all that harrowing tension I had to end this update on a happier note and hope you all liked that. So no perm damage for our boy Kelly. Some sevasey broments of course. Some linderside and lots of Benny, Aurora, Casey and the rest of 51 all helping Severide get back on his feet. Would love your reviews for this update and what you liked best before you go and thanks so much!