Thank you to everyone who's reviewed and followed this one. We're enjoying writing it and letting the story unfold. Linseride is heating up a little. Enjoy!
"Take me through it again. Word for word. Don't leave anything out," Voight instructed, handwriting notes as Kelly spoke.
Severide ran through it again for what felt like the hundredth time. He was tired, exhausted really, shoulder on fire from being stretched to new lengths, and frustrated with the never ending deal he took without knowin' what he was sayin' yes to. His now part time profession...fake drug user and dealer.
How in the hell did I get myself into this mess? I'm a damn undercover cop now. Kelly wanted to rush into a burning building, save a few folks, and rush out drama free. This crap was not in the wheel house of things Kelly Severide was comfortable with.
He finished the debrief, knowing that something was cookin' in Voight's mind...a new plan he was sure involved him. Better to save that shit for tomorrow. Sleep tonight.
Kelly grabbed his jacket and took off. The thought of stopping to pick up a six pack losing out to the draw of his bed. They probably had a few in the fridge.
He walked in throwing his keys on the countertop, stripping off his clothes… a quick shower because his shoulder demanded it.
Shay was thankfully on shift. No prying, knowing looks that said she knew trouble was brewing, followed by disappointment, and then that damn worry in her eyes. None of that tonight. Or tomorrow. Kelly'd never been so excited to have a day off that didn't involve a beautiful woman. No, tomorrow was just him and the couch. Shay still on shift and Voight surely needing more time to formulate his plan of action. How long since he'd had one day off? He honestly couldn't remember.
The quick shower turned into a marathon of hot water steaming up the whole bathroom, Kelly staying under the heat until it ran out. He reluctantly got out, met by a pounding on his door. It was still early evening, but the last thing he wanted was a visitor.
"Hold up. I'm comin', I'm comin'," he called down the the stairs getting more pissed with each step. He wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door without even looking through the peephole first.
Erin Lindsay.
A smile spread across his face even though he knew her visit probably meant another mission, something he wasn't gonna wanna do.
"Hey," he said half covering part of his body with the door, leaving enough for Erin to see that he was half naked and dripping wet.
"Hey," she mimicked smiling. "You gonna let me in?"
Those damn dimples thought Kelly kissing his early to bed scenario goodbye.
"C'mon in." He opened the door wider motioning for her to have a seat on the couch. "Let me throw on some clothes. Help yourself to anything in the fridge, think there's beer." He ran upstairs catching a second wind. He threw on some sweatpants, a t-shirt, running the towel through his hair once.
"Erin, what can I do for you?" Kelly asked noticing she'd grabbed two bottles of beer and opened them both. One waiting for him.
What a loaded question, she thought thinking of what greeted her at the door.
"Wanted to check on you. See where your head was at."
So many ways to go with that one thought Kelly grinning. "My head's good. I'm good. Off tomorrow, so gonna take it easy."
"Your shoulder?" Erin continued taking a gulp from her bottle.
"A little sore. Doin' nothin' tomorrow's gonna help." He'd told the cops about the good doctor's not so veiled threat and how he put an exclamation point on it with the "examination" of his shoulder.
"You need to get it checked out by a non-drug dealing doctor."
"Will do." Kelly took a long drink from his beer wondering where this was all headed. He knew where he wanted it to go, but so damn hard to read the detective.
"You're probably wondering what I'm doing here," she said looking up at him, that smile with dimples affixed to her face.
Kelly raised an eyebrow, admitting, "I guess it's gotta do with the case."
"Yes, mostly the case," Erin said only telling half the truth. "Voight's got some ridiculous idea simmering, and I need you to say no."
"Saying no's not my specialty."
Jesus. Erin thought of that half naked body again, wet body peeking out from behind the door.
"Mmm, mmm…" she cleared her throat, taking another small sip. Don't drink too much she told herself. "Well, you need to learn."
"You can teach me." Kelly looked at her, eyebrows raised slightly, expectantly.
"Maybe I ca…"
The fireman leaned in, his hand at the back of her neck, drawing her in so close to his face, lips not touching. That hair as soft as anything he'd ever touched, felt better than he'd dreamed. He waited for a signal he should go on or a slap to say back off. Both of Erin's hands came to Kelly's face. Definite go on.
Their lips met hard, forceful, no soft beginning to this...both had waited long enough. The flirting, the looks, the genuine caring… all of it hangin' in the air. That demanding in this first kiss said they weren't hesitating one second longer.
But Erin's mind said something else. She pulled away, resting a hand on Kelly's chest, afraid of where she'd go if she took it off.
"We can't do this," she whispered, looking into his eyes with regret. "I need to go."
She started to pull further away. Kelly grabbed her hand firmly, "Don't go. Stay."
"I shouldn't have come over," Erin said trying to rise.
"But you did."
"I did."
"Do you want to go?" asked Kelly knowing the answer.
"No, but I have to. When this is all over…" Erin said longingly, finally pulling away enough to get up.
"Tomorrow. Let me take you to lunch tomorrow. You can help me work on saying no." Kelly was scrambling now, trying to get her to stay.
Those eyes. Those damn eyes, thought Erin. And what was he doing answering the door naked, or almost naked.
"No," said Erin smiling now.
Kelly hung his head. She's got the no thing down, he thought, disappointment in those eyes.
"I'm buying you lunch," she said matter-of-factly.
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Voight revealed his plan that Erin immediately shot down as "the dumbest thing" she'd ever heard.
"You got any better ideas?" he asked his team pointedly, waiting for some response.
"Yeah, Hank. Here's an idea for you. Let's do some old fashioned police work and bust the drug doc. Ourselves. The cops. Just like it's supposed to be." Erin looked around the circle of detectives waiting for some backup. Wasn't comin.'
"I see your point," began Antonio carefully. He knew Kelly was precious cargo with everyone at 51. Gabby would probably have his hide if anything happened to Severide, but the plan was solid. "Erin, it's the quickest way to get these drugs off the streets, out of the hands of these college kids."
"So everyone agrees?" she asked angrily, knowing the answer, but still looking at Ruzek, Olinsky, Jay. "You agree with this?" she looked specifically at her partner.
"You know I got your back on everything, always. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen, and like Antonio says…"
"Well, okay. I'm outta here. I'm off today, see everyone tomorrow. Have a great day!" She looked at them smiling widely, but anger flashing behind those eyes. Erin turned on her heels heading downstairs and out of the building she hated at the moment. Once inside her car, she took several deep breaths, calming herself in an effort to get that ugly, mad look off her face. She peered in the rear view mirror and the scowl between her brows didn't look too inviting.
Closing her eyes, Erin took several more breaths. She had one thing to look forward to, one thing that kept her awake most of the night. She was takin' a certain fireman to lunch.
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Junior didn't know what hit him. One minute he was shelling out packets of happy pills, the next he was in the back of Olinsky and Ruzek's squad car. Things went from bad to hell when he was thrown into the cage and Voight showed up.
"Junior, I'm Segeant Voight. We haven't formally met till now, but I've had an eye on you for quite some time."
"Sorry, you're not my type, old man." Junior didn't have a clue.
Voight flew in the cage, grabbing the young man by the ear. He pulled so viciously, Junior thought he might be headin' toward the way of Van Gogh.
"Ahhh, aaahhh, aah!" the young 'un was catchin' on.
"You listen, and I'm gonna tell you what the score is. Speak only when I ask you a question." The steely look in Voight's eyes had the boy quakin' in his Doc Martens.
"Okay, okay," whined Junior.
Voight used an ear pull to slam the kid's face in the bars. "I did NOT ask you a question!"
Junior screamed in such a high pitch, Voight thought dogs would come runnin' from all directions.
"You are leavin' town. You're gonna find an aunt, a cousin, someone who will keep your sorry ass for a month."
The young drug dealer nodded his head furiously, finally wisening up to the idea that silence was golden.
"You will be dead to everyone here. Do you understand?" Voight rasped out making sure he was gettin' through that thick skull.
"Yes," Junior answered weakly, body tightening in anticipation of another ear pull. It didn't come.
"When I say dead, I mean dead. You're gonna meet an early death, shot by a not so satisfied customer. We got an article comin' out, an obit. You will be dead for a month. Got it?"
Junior just nodded this time.
"And here's the most important thing, so I need you to focus. Look at me!" screamed Voight tightening his grip on the ear. "You will NOT return to Chicago until you get the go ahead from me. Not from another cop, not from a piece of ass who misses you, not from an aunt who wants you to come over for some pot roast. Got it?"
He tried to nod again, but was met with, "Answer me! Do you understand?"
"Yes," Junior's voice cracked out.
"Good." Voight's face broke in a smile. Phase one complete.
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Erin knocked on Kelly's door, realizing it was for the second time in 24 hours… at his doorstep. When he answered, most of her nerves were placated with the grin on his face and excitement in his eyes. He looked beautiful, she decided, in his jeans and button up shirt. Almost as beautiful as last night when he appeared wet and shirtless.
"Erin," he said opening the door wider in a replay of last night. "You look great," he complimented, kissing her on the cheek quickly and grabbing his jacket.
Once outside, he opened the passenger side of his car.
"Oh, no Severide. I'm drivin." Erin smiled pushing his door shut and heading to her car. She opened the passenger side door holding it open for Kelly.
He laughed so loudly, a laugh she hadn't heard. The undercover sting no laughing matter.
"I like your style, Lindsay," he said getting in, shutting the door himself.
They walked into the small, unassuming restaurant, La Gondola, and the luscious smells of garlic, basil, and oregano escaped through the open door and out into the street, tempting passerbys and creating a stomach rumble or two. Erin had something tucked beneath an arm only piquing Kelly's curiosity.
"Italian," commented Kelly. "I like it."
Erin was greeted warmly by an older woman, gray hair in a messy bun. "Piccolina!" the heavyset woman with an equally heavy accent exclaimed. She had a smile that spread to the corners of her eyes. The lines in the corners showing this was her usual expression.
"Nonna," said Erin hugging the woman, her arms not quite making it around the old lady's frame.
"This is my friend, Kelly Severide." Erin placed the bottle of wine she had under her arm in the middle of their table.
Kelly held out his hand but was met with a huge grandma hug instead, an enormous Italian nonna squeeze.
The fireman laughed not feeling a bit uncomfortable. It actually felt like his own grandmother was back.
"He's a work friend," Erin clarified, trying to free up Severide.
Nonna let go. "Sure he is, picolla cara. Welcome Kelly Severide, work friend." She was off before taking their order, no checking on drinks...not even giving them menus.
"Is that your grandmother, Piccolina?" teased Kelly knowing the Italian word was a term of endearment meaning something like little one...the advantages of dating a hot Italian a few years back.
"No, just a dear friend I helped out once. Like a grandmother only better." Erin smiled broadly at Kelly feeling so nervous, hoping this wasn't an epic bad idea. The latest in a long line of bad ideas.
"Thanks for bringin' me here. It's great. The smells...ahhh." Kelly rubbed his stomach feigning hunger. He didn't have much of an appetite with the shoulder pain eating at his gut, the ibuprofens he was eatin' like candy.
Nonna brought two waters, two wine glasses, a corkscrew, and a basket of fresh baked bread, giving a wink to her friend. Erin ignored it turning to Kelly.
"Wine?" asked the brunette making easy work of the cork.
"Yes," answered Kelly smiling. "I like your style, detective" he repeated looking at the beautiful face, those dimples. This was gonna be a good day.
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They ate everything that Nonna brought. What didn't she bring, thought Kelly, stuffed for the first time in a month.
"You ready to get outta here?" asked Erin wondering if she'd even be able to get up.
"No check?"
"I have a tab." Erin knew he wanted to pay. She smiled smugly.
"Have it your way, this time. Next one's on me."
Erin liked the sound of that. The lunch had been the most enjoyable thing in her life, since when? I gotta get out more, she thought. They hadn't talked shop, no mention of drugs, Junior, the doctor. Just the light banter of two people trying to get to know each other.
They both got up with Nonna rushing over. "Piccolina, you be safe. I worry, you know." She hugged Erin engulfing her with her body. "And you Kelly Severide work friend. Take care of the Erin. She's too skinny." The older woman pressed Kelly in tightly.
"I will. I'm bringin' her back, but you gotta let me pay," he said winking. "Thank you for everything. The food was molto bravo." That hot little Italian from way back was payin' off in spades.
"Oh, you know Italian?! This one I marry myself," laughed Nonna, firm grip on Kelly's arm. She handed him a small brown bag. "Panna Cotta for later. Dessert for lovers."
Erin's face felt hot, the normally self assured cop needed to get out of there. Now.
"Let's go back to your place. I want to fill you in on Voight's plan."
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It was barely a side note on the news, the smallest article known to mankind. The obit was comin' out tomorrow, probably three lines with no picture. Junior couldn't believe how little of an impact his death had. Did anyone even care?
He grudgingly loaded up his bag in the trunk of Olinsky's car in the dark of the night. Scurrying off like a common criminal, he thought.
One month at Aunt Jeanine's in Scottsdale. It wouldn't be that bad, right? Like a vacation, he tried to convince himself.
"Got him. We're headin' out. See you in a couple of days," Alvin radioed Voight knowing the sergeant trusted this job to no one but him. This was integral to the plan coming together. This was the part that would prove Kelly was a heavy hitter, ready to enter the big time, willing to do anything to get in with Doctor Fleming. A dead Junior was the glue that would hold the whole damn thing together.
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At Kelly's place, Erin was back to business. She was talkin' murder, Junior, drug doc...so fast Kelly's head was spinnin'.
"Wait, hold up a damn second. I'm a murderer? You're sayin' I'm a murderer?"
"That is Voight's plan. You see now why I need you to tell him no? You can't go through with this." Erin held the fireman's hand, trying to calm him down.
Erin called Hank handing her phone to Kelly before he could change his mind. "Tell him," she prodded.
"Voight. It's Severide. I was talkin' to Detective Lindsay. Yes, I'm usin' her phone. Uh, I'm gonna have to pass on the dead Junior plan."
Kelly was silent for a couple of minutes, his face growing darker with each of Hank's words.
"Okay. See you later."
He hung up looking at Erin, desperation on his usually cocky face. "It's too late. Junior's death hit the papers. His obit's comin' out today. The whole thing'll be a wash if I don't go through with it."
"Oh, well. Voight will work something out, Kelly."
"And two college kids OD'd last night at a party, girls, nineteen." So there it was. The thing that would make the firefighter do it and see it through to the end.
Erin knew it was pointless to argue. Instead, she brought Kelly's head into her chest, holding it tight and vowing she was keepin' this guy safe.
For purely selfish reasons now. He was comin' out of this in one piece.
They promised Nonna they would come back.
Nothing too hot in Linseride land, but it's a coming, it's a coming! Be patient, my friends. Good things come to those who wait. Haha!