Title: Ending the Feud?
Chapter 3 – A Clerical Error?

"I have some paperwork to finish up," Severide tells Casey as they reach 51 an hour later. "Besides…I want to wait for Erin to see if…well if she found anything. I think she's on a stakeout or something," Severide replies with a small yawn. "Thanks again for the distraction."

"Just a few more nights and you can put Hadley out of your mind for another year."

"Yeah. Goodnight," Severide agrees as he gives Casey a half wave and heads into the back door of 51. With fatigue pulling at him from the day and the couple of beers, Severide knows concentrating on a file is certainly moot. So he heads into his office, grabs the file to take home and then turns to leave.

But just before he does his phone rings and he's quick to answer. "Did you find the guy Hadley used?" Severide asks his father in haste.

"Well I found a name that I gave to Erin to check out. Does the name Dylan Larson ring any bells?"

"No, that's the guy? Where does he live?"

"Kelly, Erin's checking that out," Benny warns with a huff.

"So much for her doing some boring stakeout," Severide gently grumbles.

"Voight asked for names and I gave them. Did you honestly expect her to get a name and then just hand it over to someone else? I know her too remember," Benny gently retorts. "But you can get all the details from her when she gets home."

"I'm not going to go there. Trust me if I show up at scene, she'll kick my ass," Severide retorts lightly. "How come you're at work so late dad?"

"Should I ask you the same thing?" Benny smiles. "Larch street. There's a housing complex there. But promise me you wo…"

Just as Benny's about to tell his son a few more details, Severide's head cocks to the left when the overhead paging system goes off.

"Two alarm fire 65 Larch street. Housing complex. Squad 3…."

"Larch? What the the…oh damn Erin! Dad I gotta go."

"Kelly no! Do…" Benny starts, not hearing the announcement that signaled that his daughter in law was in trouble.

Not caring that he's supposed to be off shift and having a few beers sloshing around in his system, Severide pushes past Boden's order to stand down; his shift is over and to go home and let the others handle it. Boden of course not understanding the gravity of the situation in that second. He soon does

"Erin's there!" Severide shouts back as he hops into the front of squad truck 3 and slams the door shut just as the truck rolls out of the garage. On the way there he sends Casey a quick text, telling him to meet at the address and then hangs up and looks ahead, his fingers nervously strumming on the well-worn arm rest as the relief shift driver looks at him in wonder.

As soon as they get there, Severide doesn't even wait for the large truck to stop as he jumps out and frantically looks around for his wife.

"Erin!" Severide shouts as he finally spies their car – empty. "Halstead!"

"They're…inside!"

"What?" Severide asks in a panic as he turns to see a small boy rush up to him with a panicked look.

"Where?"

"There! First…no second floor! Second floor!"

Not caring about putting on his mask or properly doing up his gear or even waiting for the rest of the team; Severide pulls away and races toward the fiery structure!

"Hey! You can't go in there! He can't…he's not dressed!"

"Severide!" Boden's voice bellows as he starts to call out orders to the other relief members.

"Erin!" Severide shouts as he drops his shoulder and pushes through the door, his ears picking up the shouting from the other firefighters coming behind him. "Erin! Where are…" Severide starts, his ears picking up a small but distinct yelp of pain to his right. "Erin!"

Severide hurries over to the slow moving frame, dropping to his knees and pushing the piece of drywall away. "Jay! Hold on…where's Erin…Where!"

Halstead's watery eyes slowly lift; a tormented expression on his face as he tries to gesture with his head.

"Over here!" Severide calls out as he feels some cooling spray on his back from the hose team that has finally arrived. Knowing that Halstead was in good hands, Severide instantly pulls away and hurries toward his wife. "Oh damn…Erin!" He shouts, as he tries to push the piece of wood that had fallen on top of a desk, keeping her trapped. "ERIN!" Severide shouts once more; panic starting to course through his entire frame. "Come on baby…talk to me…Erin!"

"Not…deaf," she whispers as he finally clears her free of debris; her eyes trying to flutter open.

"Thank God," he whispers as he gently gathers her limp frame up in his grasp and hurries back toward the entrance. He feels the heat starting to kiss his exposed face but he pushes past his own personal discomfort in a bid to get her to safety. For a few split seconds his mind wants to fault his father for sending his wife into a trap but he knows for a certainty that Benny Severide isn't the enemy – Kevin Hadley is.

And somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind he can hear his nemesis offering an evil, throaty laugh from the dark corners of his cell.

"Erin! Come on…Erin wake up baby…" Severide mutters over and over as he tries to get to the first floor. But just as he does a superheated blast hurls itself toward him and he does the only thing he can think of – he drops them both to the floor.

Erin's frame tumbles down a few steps, landing with a small grunt but jolting her back to reality; Severide's larger frame tumbling to the bottom of the staircase and landing with an even louder grunt. "Kelly…" she offers as she tries to lift her head to see where he had fallen.

"Severide!"

He feels hands helping him up, as cool water droplets starts to descend upon his enflamed cheeks.

"I'm okay!" Severide shouts back as he pushes away incoming help and stumbles back toward his wife whom another firefighter is trying to help get to safety. "I got her! Take the hose up to the second floor!" Severide directs as he possessively pulls Erin's body back into his arms and then hurries for the open door.

Casey pulls up just in time to see Severide emerge from the fiery structure with Erin in his grasp and feels his jaw instantly slacken. "Not…good," he mutters as he leaves his truck and races toward them. "Is she okay?"

"Yes," Erin answers before Severide can get any words out. "Is Jay okay?"

"Yeah, they just took him to Lakeshore," Casey informs them. "I already called Hallie," he continues as Severide gently places his wife down onto the stretcher to let her be tended to.

"Let go Kelly, we got this," Shay tells him in a kind but firm tone.

"I'm fine," Erin tries to protest as Severide's jaw grits as he looks down at her soot-adorned appearance.

"Definitely a Severide," Shay quips dryly as Severide looks back at the structure and instantly his fists ball.

"You need to go with her," Casey tells his friend in a quiet tone as Severide looks back with anger flashing in his eyes. "Kelly…" Casey urges once more when Severide takes another step toward the burning structure.

"Hadley did this!" Severide hisses as he pushes past Casey and hurries toward the ambulance just as his wife is loaded into the back.

Casey watches him go and then slowly walks over to Boden with a weary expression. "Chief…"

"Someone said there might still be a body in there," Boden replies in an undertone, the doors to ambulance 61 closing and taking the Severide's to the hospital. "How'd Severide know?"

"Benny gave them this address," Casey informs them. "He uh…Benny said the guy living here might have worked with Hadley."

"Hadley?" Boden's dark brows gently arch. "You're off shift. Go and check on Kelly. I'll let you both know as soon as I find something."

"Okay," Casey agrees as he turns and slowly heads toward his truck; texting his wife that Kelly and Erin were also incoming.

"She doesn't like that," Severide growls when his wife's face winces as Shay tries to treat a small burn on her neck.

"I know what I'm doing," Shay lightly snaps; Severide pulling back with a sour expression; his mind spiraling with a helpless feeling – one he knows he hates more than anything. "You have some burn marks on your hands and cheek."

"Yeah I'm fine," Severide huffs as Erin tries to pull her oxygen mask off.

"Seriously, you two better start listening to me!" Shay lightly taunts as Erin puts the mask back down and Severide leans back on the bench; his hand grasping his wife's – the two of them remaining in place the rest of the ride to the hospital. Once there, Severide offers Shay a rushed thanks before he hurries after the stretcher carrying his wife.

"What on earth happened tonight?" Shay asks Casey who arrives a few minutes later.

"Boden thinks it was a backdraft…or flashover," Casey explains in short. "It could have been a lot worse," he adds gravely as Hallie hurries up to them. "Hey…how are they?"

But just before the doctor can answer, angry footsteps and a gruff voice is heard.

"Where are they!" Voight demands as he nears Severide. "Are they okay?" He asks in a softer tone.

"Detective Halstead will be fine. Some smoke inhalation and we treated some minor burns. Erin's with Dr. Letwin right now. How are you?" Hallie tells Voight and then asks Severide.

"I'm fine. Can I see my wife?" Severide asks in haste.

"Yes," Hallie resigns.

Severide pulls away from the small group, and hurries toward the little examination room; Voight in tow. Severide enters just to be told to wait while the attending physician finishes up.

"Gee all this fussing," Erin gently sighs as her husband remains fixed in place against the wall, watching in silent misery. "Tell my husband I'll be fine."

"Your wife is going to be fine…in a few hours," Dr. Letwin adds as he gently treats the burn mark on her neck. "I'll tend to you next."

"Me? I'm fine," Severide tries to protest; earning a narrow eyed glance from his wife. The doctor leaves Erin in place with the oxygen mask, telling her she should leave it on for about half hour and then they could go.

"Let's see your hands," the doctor entreats as Severide holds out his soot-stained limbs. "A few blisters but they don't quite look like second degree. Did you lose your gloves in the fire?"

"He didn't wear any," Erin pipes up as Severide's head just shakes in resignation; Erin pulling the mask back down.

"I see. Okay let me see those and then I'll look at the little blister on your cheek."

While the doctor tends to a protesting Severide, Voight nears the small bed Erin's resting on.

"You sure you're okay?" Voight asks as his hand rests on her shoulder.

"Yeah. He…he came in after us with no protection," she whispers a small hiss nodding in the direction of her stubborn husband; the mask clutched in her hand.

"Okay so what…." Voight starts just as Halstead enters. "You okay?"

"A bit singed but fine. Erin?"

"Yeah…fine."

"She needs her rest," Severide states curtly at Halstead as Erin shoots him a warning glance.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Voight presses Erin lightly; offering a sympathetic glance at Severide but remaining firm.

"Was pretty routine. We arrived at Larson's. It was dark; looked quiet. We knocked. The door was open and…" Halstead starts.

"Wait…open or unlocked?" Severide quickly interjects.

"Unlocked," Erin replies slowly as Severide's jaw grits. "Either someone was there before us and just left it open or…"

"They were expecting you to open the door and it was a damn trap! Any word on Larson?" Severide asks, turning back to Voight who shakes his head; neither of them yet informed that Larson was dead. "We'll find out tomorrow but I'm doubting this guy wants to be found. What arsonist does?" He inquires somewhat rhetorically.

"First floor was quiet and then we went up. I opened the bedroom door and…"

"Boom," Halstead completes as Erin nods.

"Did you smell anything funny?"

"Diesel," Erin confirms as Severide's jaw sets.

"Son of a bitch!" Severide curses as his fist balls.

"Okay, that's it for tonight."

"Really?" Severide turns and glares at Voight.

"Yes really. Take her home and rest. There's nothing more you can do tonight. Any of you. Jay…let's go."

Severide watches Voight and then Halstead leave and then turns back to his wife.

"You have such a way with people," she lightly chides as he shakes his head. Casey joins them about ten minutes later, relaying a few scene details from Boden but telling them both that since it was too dark outside for AI to conduct a thorough investigation it would have to wait until morning.

Benny had dropped by briefly, basically confirming what Casey had told them about the scene and that while they can suspect it was arson, they wouldn't know for sure until it was light. An hour after that Dylan Larson's body was pulled from the charred remains of the house. Arson and murder? But who…?

"I'll see you tomorrow," Hallie gives Casey a kiss before she watches him take his leave behind Erin and Kelly Severide, walking hand in hand toward the exit.

The ride home is spent mostly dissecting the call that had gone totally awry and what else Larson might lead them to. They can postulate all they want, but in Kelly Severide's mind he knows who's to blame. The one person who was now taunting him from afar.

Waiting.

XXXXXXXX

"Can I see that?" Severide asks Erin in a distressed tone after they had gotten home, said goodnight to Casey and then started to undress and get ready for bed. His strong hands are always careful around her delicate skin but he can only curse himself once more as the pads of his fingers scuff the burnt skin and she offers a stifled whimper.

"Sorry."

"My hero," she whispers as she draws his lips to her and plants a tender kiss on them. "Glad you arrived when you did."

"Any more of these Hadley calls and you might have to…"

"Have to what?" She interjects firmly. "I'm not going to stop doing my job because I got a bit singed tonight."

"You could have died!" Severide retorts sharply and then recoils. "He wanted this…he…"

"Kelly…"

"HADLEY DID THIS!" He shouts; Erin's hands rising in mock defense as she takes a step back. "He has connections and…he's to blame."

"We checked out his visitors. Larson wasn't one of them. Okay so he worked with them in the past but just because you work with someone doesn't automatically make them guilty. Larson is…" Erin starts then pauses as her phone buzzes.

"Wait…"

"Yeah he…" Erin starts, pausing to read her text.

'We found Larson. He died in the fire. They're looking at cause of death but it seems asphyxiation. Talk more tomorrow.'

"Voight?"

"Larson's dead. Boden found his body."

"Someone killed him."

"There's no signs of foul play but he'll let me know tomorrow."

"Tomorrow is Saturday," Severide reminds his wife with a heavy sigh. "I say we cancel the party and…"

"Matt is your best friend and we can't let Hadley…or whoever dictate our life or the happy moments we want for our friends. He…or whoever wants that," she reminds him in truth as she leans in a bit closer.

"Hate when you're being reasonable," Severide pouts as she gently smirks and tugs his bottom lip.

"Let's get some sleep and then just enjoy the party tomorrow."

"What about Voight?"

"What about him? He's a big boy. If he wants to work Saturday he can. You on the other hand…will be busy," she tells him in a more relaxed tone. But her expression clouds as she looks at the burn marks on his cheeks and the soot dotting his brow and jaw. "I need this weekend…I need to think on happy thoughts. I know what he's capable of Kelly. I was there five years ago…standing outside while he threatened to take you all with him…you were right there and when I heard I'm on fire and I didn't know it was you…" her voice breaks, forcing her to pause. "I remember that moment every time I hear his name."

"Ah damn sorry," he whispers as he takes her into his arms and holds her close.

"I know what he's capable of. Tomorrow I want Hank to deal with this."

"Okay," he agrees, holding her close and letting his cheek rest on her head. He closes his eyes, letting the scent of her tease his overtired senses, not wanting to let go. But with fatigue pulling at each of them it only takes a matter of minutes before they are dressed in something to sleep in and curled in each other's arms for the night.

However, sleep isn't that forthcoming as each of them has nightmares about seeing Hadley setting the other on fire. Saturday morning arrives all too soon.

XXXXXXXX

The bulk of Saturday is spent shoring up details with their coming guests, close friends only; a small intimate affair to celebrate Matt and Hallie's 5th wedding anniversary. Half way through the day Dylan Larson's death is ruled a homicide but the cause is even more sinister – he might have poisoned.

"Might?"

"They found rat poison in his blood. Benny thinks he set the trap and then just before leaving had his drink and wasn't able to leave the place in time. Whoever set all this up, knows what they're doing," Voight tells Erin a few hours before their guests arrive. "How's Kelly?"

"Like a caged bear," she replies with a small sigh. "He had dealings with someone. We need to know who."

"We're on it. Just enjoy tonight."

Erin hangs up with her boss and then looks into the kitchen just as her husband utters an angry curse upon trying to open a small can. "Here…let me take that before we end up with no stuffed olives for tonight."

He gladly hands her the jar and then goes about another task, his mood slowly lifting; but his mind still fixated on Kevin Hadley as the main culprit. She reminds him to put on his happy face for his friend just as the first few guests arrive.

"Here let me take that. It smells wonderful," she greets Dawson and Mills as they enter carrying two culinary offerings. Next to arrive are Cindy and Christopher Herrmann without their brood; something that saves all of their sanity's. Christie and her family are next. Hallie's friend Megan and her husband, two other of Hallie's co-workers, and the rest from 51.

"Okay they're gonna know something is up by all the cars," Severide looks out the window and down a few levels to the street below; seeing Casey's truck slowly approaching. But if they aren't fooled, neither Matt nor Hallie let on and at least give the best performance by showing to be really surprised. In the end only one car gave it away but Casey wasn't about to say who.

As much as he had protested the idea of the party, Severide's mind actually takes a break from obsessing over Kevin Hadley's current situation and focuses all the friends and family around them; celebrating his friend's happy union and continuing to strengthen their personal and professional bonds.

"So…whose car gave it away?" Severide asks Casey in a low tone; Casey looking up with a smirk. "Or…were you really surprised?"

"Christie's. But don't tell her that," Casey replies with a smile as he looks over to see his wife and sister talking about something amusing. He resists the urge to ask about the case as he knows Severide would have heard from his father or Voight the same he heard from Boden – Dylan Larson was murdered. However, despite the fact he knows it's on his friend's mind, bringing up Hadley's name at his wedding anniversary celebratory party isn't something he relishes – it would kill the mood.

"So are you still taking that trip to Mexico in the winter?" Severide asks in wonder.

"Actually, we're thinking of going a bit further south," Casey replies in truth.

Erin looks up from her discussion with Shay and rests her eyes on her husband and offers him a weak smile. She knows that after hearing the news about Larson, he was really to just stomp on over to the jail and ask to be put in a room with Kevin Hadley alone. But as she reminded him, that's what Hadley wants; especially a few days before his hearing to show that Hadley was now the victim and Lieutenant Severide's quest to keep him behind bars was unjust and biased.

'That's crap Erin!'

'Hadley will use whatever he can to play the victim and you know it! Don't let him win.'

Thankfully in the end cooler heads prevailed and he just stayed home – and sulked. But that sulking didn't last too long as he knew it wasn't fair to Matt or Hallie and so forced himself to get his head into the party game and had to admit later she was right. Seeing the two close friends talking now makes her smile and settles her mind that he's not alone in the corner on some unjustified bender and would enjoy the rest of the evening.

The rest of the evening is shared with laughter, good food, a few happy tears and of course lots of friendly bonding. Dawson and Mills have a small cook-off in the kitchen as a dare by Herrmann who then has to eat his words because he backed Dawson and Mills won respectively. Well it was more of a draw but the two of them always delight in some friendly culinary sparing; Shay calling it foreplay and every adult agreeing.

"Thanks again for an amazing night," Hallie tells Erin as they linger in their apartment entranceway after everyone has left. "We were surprised and we loved it," she gives her host one more hug and then offers Kelly one as well.

"Yeah it was a lot of fun, thanks," Casey adds as he gives Erin a hug and then offers his hand to Severide. Severide snickers as he goes to take his hand and then both offer each other a brotherly embrace. "See you Monday."

Severide locks the door and then leans against it looking at his wife with a playful gaze. "Alone…at last."

"Mmmm feeling frisky Mr. Severide?" Erin playfully taunts as she leans in closer and then pulls back out of reach. "Shall I blame the dessert which I saw you devour more than a few helpings of?"

"Sure…or that short skirt. Had Cruz snuck one more look at your legs I would have tossed him off the balcony," Severide admits with a grin.

"Jealous?" She arches her brows.

"Me? No," he retorts before he leans in closer. But she's not match and can only offer a playful yelp as his strong hands scoop her up, toss her onto his shoulder as he heads toward their bedroom. He drops her onto the bed and then pounces; her body more than ready to accept his. And despite the fact both were tired from the long day, it wasn't in any way going to stop their romantic union from happening.

At least tonight they'd be going to bed with lustful thoughts to keep their minds occupied until morning.

XXXXXXXX

"Mmm morning handsome," Erin whispers as they lay in bed Sunday morning; the sun slow to rise but neither of them minding as today would be spent just relaxing.

"Morning yourself," Severide replies as his fingers slowly trail down her naked back, her body draped over his; her head resting on his shoulder; her hair spilling around his naked frame. "Last night…was fun."

"It was fun and a great success for Matt and Hallie and I'm glad you had fun."

"Yeah…" he huffs as his arm gives her naked frame a pull closer into his. "It helped take my mind off…tomorrow."

"Well today we're just going to take it easy and do nothing…all day," Erin whispers as she lifts her head and looks at her husband with a grin.

"Nothing?" He wags his brows as he grins. He draws his lips up to hers and their plan to do nothing but enjoy each other for the bulk of the day is a success.

However, that night Severide lies in bed awake, wondering what tomorrow will bring. He hopes it'll be just another routine day and he'll be able to get away and get to the hearing, offer a few words that'll hopefully keep Kevin Hadley behind bars.

But come Monday morning, the tension is high once again as both prepare to go back to work and deal with an arson related death and Kevin Hadley's pending parole hearing.

"Boden knows…Casey knows…hell the whole House knows," Severide says out loud as he and Erin prepare breakfast that morning. "I'll just take a few hours…show up and…politely but firmly tell them to keep his worthless ass in jail and then go back."

Erin can only shake her head at her husband but knows, as he has with every other year, show up, remind the board of all the pain that Kevin Hadley has caused and hope to keep him locked up for at least one more year.

That was his plan. A good plan. A solid plan…but was it a plan that would actually come to fruition?

"See you tonight," he tells her with a warm tone as they part ways in the parking lot; heading for their separate places of employment.

Erin would be helping to track down whoever killed Larson and hoping that her husband can make it through the day without any incident due to his being distracted. But with Casey having the heads-up she knows that at least she won't have to worry too much.

That was her plan. A good plan. A solid plan…but was it a plan that would actually come to fruition?

"Pacing isn't a good look for you," Casey tells Severide in truth; his tone light as he approaches his friend. "Just take a cab from whatever scene we're at and…"

But before Casey can finish his sentence the overhead paging system goes off to signal them all to a call. However, this call…isn't just a routine call.

"4 alarm fire at…"

"4? Ah…man that's everyone on deck!" Severide's angry tone trails off into a somewhat audible curse. With a blaze that big and Boden away for the week, he knows he can't just leave his team to fend for themselves; the CFD Administration would have his head. He could only hope that it wouldn't last until the hearing and he could go straight from the scene to the prison.

That was their plan. A good plan. A solid plan…but would it actually come to fruition?

He trades worried glances with Casey just before the two of them get into their trucks; firehouse 51 clearing and heading toward the hall hands on deck call at top speed. Severide's heart sinks as soon as they arrive as he knows, with the type and magnitude of the fire, leaving before it was fully put out would be next to impossible.

"Who's in charge here?" Casey calls out as Chief Carlson from firehouse 72 approaches.

"51 good…we need help on the northeast side. This thing is stubborn and we have people trapped by those barred windows. We need to get them out and fast!"

"Cruz, the saw!"

"Capp, bring ours too!"

"51, let's move!"

Maybe Erin can go…or my dad…Severide's mind offers before he switches into full working mode – lives on the line and a big fire raging out of control.

His plan…their plan from earlier…would be rendered moot.

XXXXXXXX

"Do we have anyone here for the Kevin Hadley parole hearing? I thought Lieutenant Severide was going to speak? He called a few days ago."

"Apparently there's a huge fire on the waterfront. 5 alarm. Most of the city's firefighters are there," the clerk informs the parole administrator as she reads the notes handed to her earlier in the day.

"Check and see if anyone sent through an impact statement."

However, the clerk, who is new, gets distracted by a flurry of activity and doesn't come back to her post until a good hour later. When she does she accidentally drags Kelly Severide's emailed impact statement into the trash with a few read emails and Kevin Hadley would have the last laugh.

"No impact statements for Kevin Hadley."

"Okay. I'm going into the hearing now. These names will be granted parole. These two are to be decided, including today's. With the model behavior and overcrowding I'm sure these will all go through but I need…"

But the alarm goes off and in her panic she highlights four names to be dragged over to the granted early parole column; two of them belonging and one of them not.

A/N: yikes! Lots of fiery action and I hope you all liked that and more to come! Nope wasn't going to hurt Erin too much but if it was Hadley he's managed to tick off the wrong people! (course he doesn't care hehe) or is it Hadley? *wink* had to temper the tension with some sweeter moments and hope you liked those also! But now could Hadley get off on a technicality? Or will be granted b/c of seemingly good behavior? Then what? Eeks! So please do review before you go b/c you know they fuel the muse to keep the story going longer and thanks so much!