Title: Ending the Feud?
Chapter 7 – Checkmate!

On the way to the fire, Severide calls his wife. "Yeah I talked to him and as much as I wanted to just kick his ass, Matt's in trouble!" He hangs up before she can offer a verbal protest. In reality, it's not his fault as he knows that Hadley probably waited outside his apartment and followed him to a place that wasn't on his parole restrictions list and then went to work on his little showdown.

"Son of a bitch," Severide curses under his breath as he knows if Hadley was with him then it just confirmed he was using someone else to do his dirty work. And Hadley can lie and say it was a mistake and it wasn't him…a lie detector? There was no reason for them to even get a warrant to subject him to one – a personal grudge wasn't good enough.

But he also knows as much as he figured Hadley would just slink away, he basically had five years to sit and simmer on his revenge plan and now that he's out – it's time to boil over. And that's exactly what Hadley's thinking also; his actions proving that point. To him, he didn't want to start over knowing that the one person who could have helped him and didn't – Kelly Severide was still there to even silently rub in the fact that he'd forever be the loser. He'd change that and get the last laugh. At least that's what Kevin Hadley has been telling himself.

Severide slams on the breaks just as he reaches the construction site Casey is working on; sirens wailing in the very near distance as he races toward his fallen friend.

"Matt!" Severide shouts as races to the side of his fallen friend and then drops to his knees.

"One more…inside," Casey coughs as Severide looks up just as the nearest Firehouse team responds.

"ONE MORE INSIDE!" Severide calls out as the teams rush past them and into the heavily smoking home. "Matt…what happened? Did you see anyone else?"

"No…" Casey coughs once more as he slowly sits up; Severide's hand clasping his hand, their fists locking as he pulls him upright. "Was inside…working on the shelving…smelt smoke and then…"

"Diesel?" Severide asks as Casey's brow furrows. "Matt…Hadley came to see me at the marina."

"What?" Casey looks at his friend in shock as the medics near him. "I'm…fine," he insists, knowing he'll just head to Lakeshore as soon as the dizziness stops and get his wife to check him over. "What did Hadley want?"

"To tell me you were on fire," Severide whispers as he hears other sirens in the distance – getting closer and holding a distinct wail that tells him his wife is in coming.

"Kelly!"

"She probably sent Halstead to the marina," Severide huffs as he helps Casey slowly stand up. "We're okay."

"Did you see anything?" Erin asks Casey directly.

"No…and I didn't smell diesel. Sorry," he replies as he motions to Severide to help him stand up. But just as he does, his leg buckles and he starts to crumple back down.

"Matt!" Severide shouts as one of the male medics grabs his other side and helps keep him upright.

"You're coming with us."

"What happened?" Severide asks as Casey is helped to lie down onto the stretcher.

"Debris…fell on my leg as I was trying to get out. Did they get the homeowner out?"

"Yeah he's out. I'll text Hallie," Severide volunteers as they start to wheel Casey toward the waiting ambulance and then he turns back to face his wife expecting gaze. "Figured I can't leave until I tell you what happened."

"What did happen? Jay's at the marina and there's no sign of Hadley."

"Figures," Severide groans as he turns to leave.

"But the marina superintendent said he saw someone who looked like the picture of Hadley."

"Is it enough to toss his ass back into jail for breaking a violation by being in my face!" Severide's voice rises and then quickly falls when he sees two curious faces looking at him in wonder. "What happens now?"

"Hank's going to pick up Jay and they'll go and see Hadley and see what he has to say," Erin explains in truth. "I'm sure he'll deny it but we have the word of the superintendent and he'll be…"

"Warned," Severide interjects with a sour tone. "Is it enough to toss him back into jail?"

"No."

"Great!" Severide huffs as he throws his hands up in the air and then turns around shaking his head. "So can just stalk me and…"

"No," she turns him back to him, looking up at his perplexed expression with a small frown. "This was his first strike. He only gets three."

"Does he know that?" Severide retorts with a grumble. "He wants this. He's going to toy with…screw this! I'll go talk to him directly!"

Erin's frame quickly steps in front of her husband's because she knows that no matter how angry he is, he'll never use physical force to make his point – ever. And she's right. Severide looks at her soft, pleading expression and instantly he backs down. "He wants you to come after him. Of course he's going to test his boundaries. He's had nothing to do for the last five years. All he's done is sit and think about how he can get in your face. Now he's trying."

"So we just have to always look over our shoulders and he just walks around like he's untouchable!"

"Hank will give him a warning to back down or else and you know how convincing he can be," she gently smirks as her hand rests on his arm. "You didn't want me going to talk to him and I'm not. Now it's my turn to ask you to stay away from him. Let them handle this."

"Erin…" Severide tries to protest.

"If you go there, you'll undermine Hank's visit and give Hadley the upper hand. He'll play the victim and I don't want that to happen. Go and see Matt. Take him home and just hang with him. Neither of you are on duty so just…please Kelly…just let them handle this. I'll call Benny and get him to just come and check this site just in case and I'll tell you later."

She leans in and takes his hand, giving it a squeeze before she tries to pull away. But his fingers wrap around her, clutching them tightly and pulling her in for a kiss on the lips before he pulls back and nods. She watches him turn and hurry toward his car and can only pray that he actually keeps his word and goes to see Casey in the hospital. She texts Hallie and asks that her friend please tell her when her husband shows up.

She wouldn't be waiting too long.

XXXXXXXX

"You're going to give me grey hair," Hallie whispers as she leans in forward and kisses her husband on the forehead.

"Coulda been worse," Casey huffs as he looks up with a heavy sigh. "Got a call from Kelly just as I smelt smoke…I ducked and something blew. I never saw anyone but…"

"But what?"

"But he said it was Hadley."

"What?" Hallie asks as she looks up to see Kelly Severide heading toward them. She had gotten Erin's frantic text and breathes a sigh of relief for her friend as she texts back 'Kelly's here' and then goes back to tending her husband.

"He's almost ready."

"Can you walk?"

"Nope. Gotta lose that leg," Hallie gently teases as Casey chuckles and slowly sits upright. "Taking him straight home?" She asks seriously as Severide pauses and then nods. "Good." She gives her husband one more kiss, this time on the lips and then tells Matt she'll see him later at home.

"So what happened with Hadley?" Casey asks in a low tone after Hallie had left.

"He's playing games. Halstead and Voight have gone to talk to him. Normally that would intimidate anyone but Hadley's ready for it. Damn bastard…he was so…so smug. He knew exactly where I'd be and he…he gave himself an alibi. The materials for the fire were different but it was still him. They need to find out who's working for him."

"Any…ideas?"

"Dad gave Erin the name of Drew Sheppard but of course he's in the wind. So that makes him the number one suspect at least until they find him."

"Ever heard his name before?"

"No…" Severide huffs as he helps Casey stand up. "And that's what worries me. How's your leg?"

"Fine. Let's go."

"Hadley's not going to give them anything," Severide states in truth as he and Casey slowly leave the ER treatment area and head for the outside parking lot. "If he goes after Erin…"

"Erin's right…this is about you," Casey states flatly. The two of them get into the car; a few seconds later Severide heading to Casey's place to spend the rest of their newly exciting day off.

"Then why is she so mad that I want to be the one to end it?" Severide tosses back angrily.

"That was…rhetorical right?" Casey replies as the car stops and they both get out and slowly head into Casey's home. Just as Casey's hand turns the key into the lock and he pushes the door open, they hear a horn hoking and turn to see a familiar face slows down.

"Have a nice day fellas!"

"DAMN BASTARD!" Severide shouts as he tears away from Casey's side and races toward Hadley.

"Kelly!" Casey calls out as his already weakened frame waits by the front door.

Severide picks up whatever piece of stone he can find on the ground and hurls it at the back of Hadley's car as it squeals away. For a split second his mind directs him toward his car; his keys already in hand.

"DON'T DO IT!" Casey shouts; his desperate plea stopping him in his tracks.

Severide's hand pauses on the door handle of the driver's side and he looks up at his friend with a cross expression. "I hate these damn games!"

"He…he likes them because he knows he gets a reaction from you."

Severide stands in the street looking at Casey for a few more tormented seconds before he finally resigns his fate and heads toward his friend with slumping shoulders. "I want to get my hands on his neck and just WRING!"

"Going off after him alone…" Casey's voice trails off as he finally unlocks his home and both of them enter. "So I'll uh just…"

"Go have a shower or whatever and I'll be here," Severide tells him in truth; Casey's expression one of doubt. "Don't make me do the Boy Scout salute," he gently smirks as Casey's expression softens. "I want to go after him but I know Erin's right…I know he wants that and will probably press charges. Can he even do that if we're the ones with restrictions against him?"

"If you beat him up he could press assault charges. Even if he breaks the restriction of being close to you…you hurt him and he could still win. Sorry."

"Yeah…me too. I'll try to find something for lunch."

Casey nods and then disappears into the bathroom to get cleaned up and then come back and just relax. Severide heads into the kitchen to try to find them something but all he can think about is confronting Hadley and laying him out once and for all time. That time would come but not in the way he might want.

After Casey's shower, he heads into the living room to rest his bruised leg and side and the two of them enjoy a light lunch, talking about Hadley and the little games he's played on them so far. Erin calls him and says that, while it was no surprise to any of them, Hadley tried to deny seeing Severide but when confronted with the picture said he did in passing but that was it. They couldn't even pin the fire on him as it wasn't his MO.

"Like hell," Severide grumbles as he hangs up with his wife and tells his friend, he can get some sleep as he's heading back to the scene to help his father with the investigation. Casey couldn't protest much as after his trying ordeal, he needs his rest in order to get back to work in the day after next.

XXXXXXXX

"Kelly? Is that you?" Benny calls out as he hears a door closing.

"Yeah! Where are you?"

"Back room!"

Severide carefully makes his way through the charred area, seeing his father in the distance. "I'm glad there's a cop outside."

"Was your wife's idea," Benny Severide retorts with a small snicker before his expression clouds. "How are you with all this? Besides pissed off, because I can read that all over your face."

"Pissed off," Severide tosses back as his father's hand claps his shoulder. "So…no diesel?"

"No but…check this out. Anything familiar?"

"Is that…wait….burnt silk? A burnt silk bolt?"

"But this one had a surprise in the middle."

"Is that a…timer?"

"He came to see you. Told his buddy to set the timer and at the same time the fire starts, you're on the phone and he's establishing his alibi."

"But he had to figure we'd find the timer," Severide tosses back.

"Hadley's MO is different. He's already setting this guy up for a fall. We need to find him before Hadley uses him to do one last big job that'll be his last and we've lost our best witness and we don't even know who it is!"

Both father and son look at each other with frustrated expressions before Severide nods in agreement and then backs up a few steps.

"Okay…so what else are we looking for?"

"Hopefully something this guy left behind. It's a long shot but it's all we got right now."

But just outside, a few car lengths down, watching the House, Kevin Hadley sits with a satisfied smile. "Oh Kelly…you think I'd make it that easy? By the time you know it'll be too late." Then he pulls away to go and talk to Voight and whoever else is with him; already having picked up groceries and established his alibi. He'd win this round.

About an hour later, Benny Severide tells his son he's all done and it's time for him to go home while he heads back to the AI lab to see if anything he's found can tie them to Kevin Hadley in any way.

"We'll get him son, don't worry."

"Sure," Severide tells his father with a tight lipped smile as he heads for his car. But once again, his mind curses the fact that he's left feeling paranoid – looking around at every car, checking the rear view mirror every few seconds just to see if someone matching Hadley's description is following him. He arrives home mentally exhausted but physically agitated.

So he decides to put that to use by trying to start dinner. His efforts would be rewarded.

"Something smells good," Erin comments as she enters their apartment and then heads into the kitchen to see her husband look up with a welcoming smile. "Hey…"

"Hey," he greets as he pulls her into his arms and holds her close, giving her a warm kiss on the forehead before he pulls back slightly and offers her a frown. "Hungry."

"Actually…yes."

"So…how did it go with Hadley?"

"As expected," she replies with a small sigh as she carries a plate to the table and they both sit down to enjoy a light meal. "He was smug, arrogant and replied as they expected. He denied it and then when they mentioned the dock superintendent he said he was there in passing, lost and asking for directions."

"That's bu…" Severide tries to interject with a curse as she holds up his hands to stop him.

"It was expected right? He said he didn't know it was you until you turned around and then you got a call and took off."

"He…" Severide tries once more and then slumps down into his chair and shakes his head. "He knew exactly why I took off!" He growls as she nods in agreement, her hand snaking toward his and resting atop it. "What else did he say?"

"Have a nice day. That's what he said. Jay said Hank held back but there wasn't much he could do. Hadley was waiting for them and gave them the answers he had rehearsed after his other alibi of being at the grocery store. We need to find Drew."

"Yeah…we do," he agrees as he rubs his face. "How was it left with Hadley?"

"Hank reminded him of his parole restrictions and what could happen if he breaks them again and then he warned him to stay away or else. And if Hadley has any sense, he'll take the or else seriously."

"He has no sense. You know that, right?" Severide counters as she nods.

"I know. This is…actually pretty good."

"One of Matt's recipes," he replies with a small. "He's not done, you know that right?"

"That's what worries me," she admits weakly as her fingers curl around his and squeeze them tightly.

"How can we run him out of town?" Severide retorts with a small snicker as she looks up at him with a serious expression. "I don't want to go every single day looking over my shoulder…wondering what kind of loop hole he'll find next."

"He just got out. He's angry, he's bitter and he's waiting to get on with his life. I just…I don't know okay?" She groans. "I hope he'll tire of it soon but I'm not sure. I hate worrying about you out there…on a call…wondering what kind of trap his accomplice is helping him set."

"Drew Sheppard also needs to watch his back," Severide groans as he takes a sip of the beer before him.

"What'd your father find?"

The two of them talk a bit longer before it's time to just retire to the bedroom; Erin resting in her husband's arms as they talk about their trying day a bit more in detail. After that Erin reaches for a nearby magazine and they take turns making fun of the advertising they see – good or bad.

But sleep that night is restless for both as they each see Hadley in a different terrible situations doing harm to the other. Finally they fall asleep, mostly from fatigue but thankful that they at least get a few hours before morning comes all too quickly.

"So…think I should tempt fate a second time?" Severide snickers as he holds up a small hammer and waves it in front of his wife early the next morning.

"You know you two can actually just take it easy on your day off. Besides, won't the restoration team have first say with Matt's project?"

"Yup…they will," he agrees as he places the small hammer back with its little kitchen tool kit. "I'll see how Matt's feeling. Maybe I can call Joe at the marina and see if he has anything for us to help on."

"Kelly…"

"I won't let Hadley dictate my life for me. If he shows up at the marina again, I'll just call 911," he concludes with a weak hiss as she offers him a weak glance. "Doubt he'll go back. Hadley's not about the re-do."

"Just make sure of that," she tells him as she kisses him on the lips. "Love you."

"Love you too."

He watches her leave and then looks up at the clock and frowns. It was too early to call Casey on his day off. Maybe if he hadn't been injured the day before he could call his friend and see if he was up and ready to go. But he hurt his leg – so asking him to come for a run was out of the question. Just go burn off some steam and then go to Casey's and just…hang.

It wasn't something he really wanted to do and it made him almost feel that Hadley had gotten the upper hand and was dictating where he was allowed to go and what he was allowed to do – all in the name of avoidance.

"Screw this!" Severide hisses as he dresses for a run; grabs his keys and wallet and locks the door to his apartment. As he runs and tries to clear his mind, he can't help but think that Hadley will soon tire of having Drew around, get rid of him and then look for someone else to do his bidding – before he tires of that and…just bring on the one to one already! Severide's mind growls as he rounds the corner and then stops for a few seconds, leaning against the cool brick building as he tries to get his heart rate to calm a bit.

Just before he pulls away he notices a car idling a few car lengths down and then stops…his brain searching for…wait…didn't I see that car at a fire or…it's Hadley's car! He squints to see who the driver is and then suddenly pulls away from the building and races toward the car at top speed. The driver, Drew, curses under his breath as he watches Severide approaching and sneers as he takes off.

"I know who you are Drew Sheppard!" Severide shouts as the car peels away and then disappears into traffic. He calls Erin to tell her where he had seen Drew but by the time the area would be canvassed he'd be long gone. He quickly hangs up with his wife and then continues on his run, his mind inwardly laughing at the mental brow beating Drew's gonna receive thanks to his temporary employer.

Severide reaches the Park and then stops, his heart racing and his body covered with a thin film of sweater. But his mind is actively wondering what Hadley's up to next. Would he stage another large fire trap? Go after Erin? Matt? Anyone from 51? Or would he indeed tire of the game?

"We have a car on Hadley now," Erin tells him a few minutes later. "He's at home. And before you ask if he's slipped out the back, we have a car there too. A few days of this and he'll tire of it and back down."

"Really?"

"I hope so. How's the Park?"

"Wish you were here. Nice day for a picnic."

"That'll be the destination for our next date night," she responds with a smile in her tone. "I'll see you tonight. Just…be careful and hopefully we'll have Drew soon and this will be over."

Her words are meant to sound hopeful, but inside Severide knows Hadley will just wait them out. He hangs up with her final assurance that they're still trying to trace the traffic cams and find his accomplice Drew Sheppard before anything major happens.

Suddenly he hears a child scream and looks up to see a young boy hovering above a manhole calling out to people to help. His first thought is – it's a trap! But as he looks around and sees no cars that resemble Drew's and remembering Erin saying Hadley's at home, he starts to think it could be legit.

The open hole was marked with city tape and pylons but those could have been stolen. What if it's for real? Just go check it out…see what's going on? And he does.

"Hey what happened?"

"My-my brother…we were just playing. Please don't tell our mom!"

"What's your brother's name?"

"Timmy! He…he fell…down there!"

Severide peers into the hole and sure enough sees the feet and legs of a small boy crumpled a few meters away, his feet catching a small glint of light but not moving; the rest of his frame in the shadows. "Timmy! Hey buddy…can you hear me? Timmy!"

"What if he's dead? What if he's dead?" The little boy moans as he continues to cry.

"He'll be okay. Dial 911 and wait here," Severide instructs as he prepares to climb down into the mucky hole. As soon as he's half way down, the cold air instantly seizes him and his lightly dressed frame starts to gently shiver as his adrenaline starts to flee. The air turns musty and his stomach slightly lurches but he orders himself to push forward and get the job done and get back up to the surface.

"Hey Timmy!" Severide calls out as he hurries to the fallen boy. "Timmy!"

But just as he nears he realizes he's just sealed his own fate – the boy…is a decoy. The set of fake runners, jean clad wooden legs lying without the rest of the body and he realizes he's been played. RUN! He hurries back to the opening of the hole. The little boy he told to call for help is gone.

Severide hears a noise and turns – hesitating for a mere split second and allowing Drew Sheppard to win the final round. Severide's lips utter an angry gasp as he's struck in the chest, falters and then again on the back, taking him to his knees.

"Kevin Hadley sends his regards!" Drew growls as the third blow clips him on the back of the head sending him into darkness.

Drew makes sure that Severide is out cold before he does only a very crude clean-up and then proceeds to handcuff his wrists behind his back, hoist him up onto his shoulder and hurry back into the darkened tunnel that he had originally been waiting in.

Life goes on above the surface. The little boy walks away with a smile and fifty bucks in his pocket, having been told a friend was playing a prank on another and he could be part of the action. Drew Sheppard on his way into the underground tunnel system to collect his captive while Kevin Hadley sits in his living room and looks at his watch and smiles.

"Checkmate!"

A/N: muwahaha *runs & ducks* well this is a revenge story and Hadley wasn't about to take forever as he's been slowly simmering for five years and now is boiling over. But he's sent his current lackey to do his dirty work! No major hurt for Matt but when will he realize his friend's missing? And Benny find something to lead them to Drew? And what does Hadley have planned for his captive? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!