A/N: Thank you for your wonderfull reviews. I'm so glad you liked it. Then I'll keep writing flashbacks into the story. If there is something you'd want to read about tell me, if not, well, enjoy the story how I see it. :)
Me, thank you, I can only repeat how happy I am to read that.
The one thing Rachel was right about was that he had to find his own special way. He had already tried carefree approach and while it had been funny and helped him get through to his friend, it did nothing to help him with his own problems. He merely changed the mask while what he really needed was to take it off. The main answer he needed to answer to was who Matthew Casey was really.
"Hey. I take it you're that guy Rachel told me about."
"Yes. Am I that obvious to pinpoint?" Casey looked at the man in front of him.
"Considering you're the only visitor I had for the last few months, I'd say so." The man laughed. "Ben."
"Matt."They shook hands. Ben's grasp was strong but honest. He made an impression of a hard worker and Casey liked that.
"I'll show you where to live and where to work and then you are on your own. If you have any questions you can find me here somewhere." He paused realizing that it wasn't the best description. "Never know where the problem would appear, you know."
"I do." Casey nodded. "Thank you for letting me stay here. Feel free to ask if you need help with… anything."
"Okay."
"You know when I suggested you staying with Ben for a while I thought you'd be gone in a few days. But month passed and you are still here." Rachel smiled looking at him.
"Why would I want to go? This place has everything I looked for. It's secluded enough so I can be left alone to think through some things and it has enough work for me not to go crazy from all the thinking. And Ben is always somewhere around if I need company."
"Well" She chuckled. "You are the first one who thinks of Ben as a good company."
"What can I say, I'm that special." He winked at her.
"You indeed look better than I have ever seen you." She nodded after a while.
"Hey, you shouldn't say things like that if you want impress a man."
"Then it's good I don't." She smiled but then got serious. "Don't you think that you're hiding once again?! I'd say you had enough time here to understand who you are and what you want."
"You're too wise to be true."
"Thank you but don't change the topic. I don't ask you to open up or anything, it's not my business. But I know how hard it is to change your life, make that one important step. You helped me make mine, even if you had no intention to do so and now is my turn."
"It's peaceful here and it's really something that I needed. I know that soon it will be time for me to go back to my life but I don't feel ready."
"Then don't." She said simply. "I told you about the next step but it doesn't mean you have to go back. I can't believe there is nothing you want outside of your city."
"Well"
"Then go and get it, no matter what. Now that you made your homework you deserved some fun time for yourself. I can even help you with that." She gave him piece of paper. "Pick me up here at seven."
"What do you think?" Shay asked Severide after saying goodbyes to Casey.
"He looks like that journey managed to help him."
"Of course it did. Do you think I'm that stupid to miss how younger he looks now without that constant concerned expression on his face?"
"Then, what are you talking about." Severide didn't understand what she wanted from him. Casey finding what he looked for was a good thing. It meant he wouldn't leave again and that was all that mattered for Severide right now.
"About him being happy." Shay said in a tone that clearly implied how stupid he was for even asking that. "And don't tell me that he just got over his problems. There can be only one explanation for that look. He isn't alone anymore."