A/N: First of all thank you very much for your reviews. They not only make me keep writing but sometimes I get my inspiration from them too. Such as this time with airmac asking me to tell more about those months Casey being away. It took me sometime to choose the right (from my POV) format but in the end I decided to show it through a number of flashbacks (in italic) with some time passed between them. Hope you will approve it.

Me, I can assure you that Severide will cjange with his friend now back with him, as for Casey... you'll see ;)

"Matt. How about you finally tell us where you have been." Shay joined Severide.

They tried to get answers from him the whole night but until now he managed to deflect their attention. It wasn't like there was anything to hide. He just didn't know where to start. There were many things important to him through that journey, many questions he finally managed to get answers. But what was there for his friends to be interested in?

It was easy to talk about the journey but now when he was out there Casey didn't know where to go. Why couldn't there be a place for those who lost themselves?! The only thing he knew for sure was that he had to get as far from Chicago as possible. So he took his bike and drove up hill and down dale. For the first time in years he felt free.

"Hello" She smiled at him. "And yes you may buy me a drink."

"You aren't going forget that, are you?" Casey sighed.

"Nope but look at the bright side this way I ain't going forget you either."

"I'll drink for that"

"Didn't expect you to call, really." She admitted after making a sip.

"Me neither but here we are." It felt good to just sit there and talk not caring about being a good friend or a leader.

"Wow, surprising honesty." She whistled. "You know you shouldn't say things like that if you want to impress woman."

"Probably, but it feels different with you. However if you want to be impressed I can."

"On the second thought, no, I don't. It's refreshing to talk like that."

"Exactly."

"Now that we decided to be honest how about you tell me why you changed up your mind?" She looked at him.

Casey paused but what was there for him to lose. He had spent so much time looking for answers but was no closer to them than in the beginning of his journey. He could use some other point of view for a change and Rachel was just a stranger who wouldn't be looking for him once he's gone.

"Let's say I got lost and needed somebody to help me out."

"If I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to flirt with me."

"Maybe I am." He smiled at her.

She scrutinized him for a few minutes before shaking her head.

"No, you aren't. But that's okay."

"Let's say it took me some time but in the end I allowed my carefree side to break loose." Casey answered finally deciding what to tell them. "You can ask Kelly what I'm talking about."

"It's again about that journey of yours that you promised to tell me more and I'm still waiting?" Shay looked at Severide accusingly.

"You know almost everything already. Bar fight, chase through the woods, night in jail, karaoke." He sighed listing all those things.

"Then tell me the rest and put an end to that. What about his other side?" She pointed at smiling Casey.

"Why are you asking me and not him? Don't you see that he once again tries to avoid answering?"