Title: Plan C
Chapter 2 – Faces from the Past

A/N: Thanks so much for the great feedback everyone! Okay nobody panic b/c as you all know with me Lindseride is endgame so Randy won't be a love interest but he's not going away just yet either. I hope you all like this update so please enjoy :)

Erin looks at the man before her with a blank stare and somewhat surprised expression. "Hey…" she manages weakly as her mind starts to race. "Y-you're back?"

"Back for good," Randy replies as he pulls her into his embrace and hugs her tightly. "Hey," he nods toward Halstead who simply nods in return.

"I uh…well," she half whispers as she pulls back with a faint smile, "this is a surprise."

"Good one I hope," he replies as he looks down at her hand then up with a grin.

"What happened? Last time we talked you were going off on some special FBI assignment and that was…you said that was it and you weren't coming back to Chicago."

"I finished the assignment and that was it. Nothing more at the end. Got a permanent assignment here and now…now I'm just like the rest of you," Randy chuckles in sarcasm.

"Rest of us? Humans? Or those not in the FBI?" Halstead tosses back in sarcasm as Erin shoots her partner a warning glance.

"Can we go somewhere and talk? In private?" Randy asks in annoyance.

"Uh…sure," Erin answers simply as she looks at Platt who merely looks back in wonder. "There's a small coffee shop just around the corner."

"Alright then," he states as his hand automatically drops to the small of her back to lead her out the front door.

"Need a chaperone?" Platt interjects with a serious expression as Erin smiles at her protective friend but shakes her head no; Randy's hand retreating.

"I'll just…finish up the case notes," Halstead mutters out loud as he watches them leave and then heads up the stairs to the Intelligence unit.

At the same moment that Erin and Randy exit the building, Kelly Severide enters by another door and walks toward Platt who's still fixed in the center of the hallway, watching the exit doors that Erin just disappeared through.

"Evening Lieutenant Severide," Platt greets him with a friendly smile. "She's not there."

"Evening," Severide nods as he gently pushes past and heads for the stairs to go up; Voight reaching the top just as Severide turns around to face Platt. "Still on a case?"

"Nope. Next door. Coffee, with an old friend."

"Old…friend?"

"Randy," she shrugs as Severide's brow furrows. The name, however, might be lost on Severide but it's not lost on Voight whose jaw instantly grits.

"Okay…right…thanks," Severide nods just as he turns to leave.

"Kelly!"

He hears his name and then stops and looks up just as Voight starts to walk down the stairs toward him.

"Did they find the perp at the house fire?" Severide asks Voight as he nears.

"A bit shaken up but enough to give a statement. You're here to see Erin?"

"Yeah…I was. But she's busy…with an old friend. Thanks again," Severide replies with a tight lipped smile as he turns to leave.

"She's not…that busy," Voight's words once again stop him and force him to look back in wonder. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you interrupted."

"Is she packing?" Severide retorts as Voight's expression slightly softens.

"Maybe I wouldn't mind if you interrupted."

"Ok-ay. Who is he?"

"Randy Cameron. Old friend but...just a guy."

"FBI," Platt interjects with a shrug. "What?"

Severide's brow slightly furrows as his head gently cocks to the side. "Right…thanks."

Severide turns and slowly heads toward the exit; Platt walking up to Voight with a wondering glance of her own.

"I take it the old friend is bad news?"

"He didn't come into the station here much so no one saw him but me, but he was a big part of her life off and on, more off than on. Next time he comes, you send him to me first," Voight tells her firmly. "I'd like to say hello again also."

"Yes Sir," she replies firmly as she turns and watches Voight head back upstairs with determined footsteps. "Never a dull day around here," she mutters to herself as she heads back to the front desk.

Severide nears the entrance to the coffee shop but then pauses. Platt had shrugged off the old friend as someone seemingly harmless. But not Voight…the stiffness in his frame and the tone of his voice all told him that this guy, whoever he really is, isn't welcomed. Voight's known her longer than Platt…trust his insight more than hers.

He peers inside and sees them sitting at a small booth near the back and instantly his eyes slightly narrow. The guy could be perfectly harmless and already your feeling jealousy? His mind inwardly chides. So he uses the excuse that he had stopped by to see her, she wasn't there and he was going to pick something up on the way home. So…he takes a deep breath and reaches for the door handle.

XXXXXXXX

It wasn't that they had parted on bad terms, it was that it was strained…tense…uncertain. Always uncertain. His pattern for the years before he left was always putting his job first…before them, before a family, before love – she claimed. Each time he'd come back she would fall for it all over again, but today…seeing him after this long didn't stir the same feelings in her heart as before and certainly didn't stir inside her heart…inside her entire being as…

Kelly?...Kelly Severide. He's here?

She watches him slowly saunter into the little diner and despite being with a man she who had on a whim professed his love to her, it's the handsome firefighter that makes her heart go aflutter and her cheeks instantly warm. She curses her heart for instantly betraying her and for a few seconds wishes she possessed "the one ring" from the fantasy movie that would make her invisible. Oh damn no…really? Kelly shows up no…when I'm with…oh damn! Bad timing! No! Her mind inwardly curses.

But the small motion isn't lost on Randy who turns to follow her gaze and then looks at her with dark brows raised. "A friend of yours?"

"Yes," she replies as she looks at Randy and then back up at Severide. A small look of disappointment graces her features when he doesn't turn; Randy still looking at in wonder.

"How good a friend?"

"So why are you really h…" Erin pauses just as Severide finally turns around and looks directly at them, the two of them locking eyes and trading warm smiles; another gesture not lost on other man in the room – an emotional outsider. "Hey Kelly…"

"Erin and…" Severide's happy smile instantly turns serious as he looks at the man his heart instantly despises.

"Randy Cameron. An old friend who's only back in town for a few days," she replies casually, hoping that both of them will just take the hint and call it a night. But when she sees Severide stiffen her heart instantly sinks. "Were you looking for me?" She wants to presume.

"Yeah…but it can wait."

"You sure?"

"Pretty sure."

"Okay, I'll text you later."

"Okay. See you later."

She turns and watches Severide take his leave and then turns to look at Randy with a less than amused expression.

"Obviously a good friend," Randy notes sourly.

"Why did you come back here? I thought when we parted it was…for good," Erin replies; not feeling in the mood to justify or talk about Kelly with a past…flame? I no longer have feelings for him…damn this bad timing!

"I kinda thought that too but…but…okay I gotta confess that when I left I thought that was it. Lots happened and I uh…I never thought I'd be here but a few weeks ago I saw you in action…some call at a bank and I saw you there and…and I figured…"

"What the hell let's just go at it like old times?" She interjects somewhat sourly. "I guess that has been your MO."

"Touché," he huffs. "But I just…" he tries to explain. But his words are lost on her mind as it races to come up with a better explanation to Kelly when she calls him later. Later? He's going to pick up his daughter…you can't call later. Text…I'll text but…will he even want that? Maybe I'll go see him in person tomorrow.

She looks at Randy and can only curse his timing, her mind wanting to tell her that maybe it wasn't all coincidence…but then what? Why did he suddenly come back now?

XXXXXXXX

Casey hears Severide come home and looks up to see Severide enter with a sleeping Aurora on his shoulder; tiptoeing past him and entering her bedroom.

Her lips utter a small moan as he places her in her bed and kisses her soft forehead. He whispers goodnight and then turns and leaves, heading into the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the fridge and slumping down onto the couch opposite Casey with a glum expression.

"She said no?" Casey asks in whispered surprise.

"She uh…I didn't ask."

"What happened?"

"Some guy…some old friend was there and they were having coffee and…and I wasn't going to ask her in front of him. Ah maybe this…won't work," he stops as they both hear Aurora fussing in the distance. "Aurora comes first, no matter what."

"This guy…what vibe did you get?"

"Typical guy I guess. She was friendly and…called him just a friend right in front of us but…bad timing right?" Severide huffs as he takes another swig of his beer, Casey nodding in agreement. "Voight sure didn't like him."

"You saw Voight also? Busy night," Casey snickers as this time it's Severide's turn to nod in agreement.

"He's the one that told me to interrupt them."

"He knows her pretty good right?"

"Almost her whole life," Severide replies with a heavy sigh. "She…I wish I could just walk away and tell myself it's not her but I can't. I gotta know for sure."

"Ask her…" Casey insists as Severide takes another swig of his beer.

"Just in town for a few days," Severide muses with a small yawn.

"Or…go and ask this guy to go a few rounds," Casey snickers.

"I don't want to end up in jail," Severide tosses back in sarcasm. "I'll ask her tomorrow."

"Kelly..."

"I have old friends, she has old friends, I get it…I just…jerking myself around isn't as big a deal as with Aurora. I just…I don't know. It's been a long day…time to turn in."

Casey hears the glum tone in his friend's voice but knows there isn't much else he can say to lift his mood. The day had been long and tough for all of them and it was time to call it a night; Casey pushing himself upright, giving Severide's shoulder a friendly pat on the way to his bedroom. He wishes he could help his friend…maybe arrange a meeting with him and Erin but tells himself, that's the last resort and to let his friend try on his own first. I hope tries tomorrow.

Severide lingers in the living room a bit longer, finishing his beer and looking at his phone; wondering if he should send a quick text or just leave it. He finishes his beer and slumps down further into the couch, his body being pulled faster and faster into the dark realm of sleep than expected. But before he knows it, his weary eyes close, his phone falls to the floor and sleep consumes him.

The next time he awakens, it's with a surprised gasp as he feels something pressing down on his chest and opens his weary eyes to see his daughter crawling on his chest, trying to find a spot on his frame to get comfortable.

"Hey…sweetheart," Severide greets with a sleepy tone as he pulls her up to his shoulder and holds her close.

"Lady Gaga daddy," Aurora mumbles as her head slumps down in his strong chest, her dirty blond hair spilling down his side.

His lips slightly curl upward as he gently plucks the object from her grasp and then looks at the inscription on the belly of the little wooden toy.

'To the sweetest love bug I know. Erin.'

Severide can't help but smile and feel his face warm as he remembers the sweet moment when Erin gave the little gift to his daughter. He puts the toy back in his daughters grasp and then reaches for his phone. No message. Maybe she didn't want to wake…us, his mind tries to reason as he tries to keep his mood upbeat and elevated. But he wasn't about to just walk away until he knows for sure that she's not interested in pursuing something with him and his daughter long term. Do it before this new guy finds a reason to be back for something more than just a "friendly" chat.

"We gotta get you ready for school," Severide tells his daughter as he looks at her with a loving smile. This morning was a bit better in that Aurora doesn't launch into a full on cry-fest; instead she starts to just mildly whimper. But he is able to change her mood by taking the little wooden toy and making bounce on his chest; his precious daughter's little pink lips starting to offer little bouts of happy laughter.

"That's a great sound to wake up," Casey mentions as he enters the living room space. "Did you sleep there last night?"

"And it was amazingly comfortable too," Severide snickers as he picks Aurora up by her armpits and hoists her squealing frame into the air. "Alright time to get breakfast. Aurora, it's your turn to set the table sweetheart."

Aurora purses her lips at her father, Severide chuckling as he playfully pulls down on it, prompting Aurora's hand to lift and swat his away. Severide's prodding comes in the way of sitting up and placing her on the floor. She runs into the kitchen, giving Casey a hug and then laughing as he hoists her into the air, kissing her cheek and hugging her tightly.

'Chloe asked me out again.'

'Sounds like it's getting serious.'

'It is but…Kelly we made a promise. I don't want either of us to think that we need to hold back from having a relationship or loving someone because of…well our family. I love you but…but not like that, you know that right?'

'Course. And uh…Aurora?'

'I think if we…maybe we can all find a home together…you know side by side or whatever so we have our privacy but are still close for her. I know its lots to think about with her schooling and stuff but um…'

'You want that? Then we'll do it. I think it's a great idea. But we have to promise each other that no matter who we find…we all get along and all like each other – especially for Aurora's sake,' he told her firmly.

'I think that's a great idea.'

'Always.'

"Yeah…great idea," he huffs as he rubs his face. As much as he knows that he and Casey are friends, inside he knows that both will want to find suitable partners they can each like and accept and who will like each other and of course all love Aurora unconditionally. Casey was such a big part of Aurora's life that to say he could go his own way after this seems – wrong. But could they work out plan to all live…at least close together for Aurora's sake?

Severide heads into his bedroom to get dressed, telling himself that today would be better. He looks at his phone and Erin's message and wonders…will he get his second chance in trying to arrange their first date?

XXXXXXXX

"So…Randy's back in town," Voight mentions rather than questions as Erin enters her office early the next morning. "What'd he want?"

"To say hi and that he was just…passing through."

"Really. You look tired. Up all night talking?"

"A few hours."

"Did he say he was passing through or did you?"

"Look, I know he was…"

"A real dick when he left," Voight retorts with a small hiss as Erin's brows arch in amusement.

"I know you never liked him and I know he kinda went back and forth with us and our future but…look I don't care okay? I'm just…I was surprised to see him but that's it."

"I've never been one to butt into your love life," Voight starts; Erin looking at him in shock. "I worry okay? Any father would. Especially when I remember that Bunny was fond of him. In my books that's the biggest red flag of all."

"I'm not interested in rekindling anything with Randy. I was surprised and…and yes seeing him again brought back a lot of old memories and feelings but…but that was it. Kelly and I are…I don't know what we are…nothing maybe but…"

"At least Kelly Severide hasn't jerked you around a few times. Coming back with false promises and making you believe each time it's for you when it was only for his ego…or whatever. Kelly was here last night looking for you."

"I know…I saw him in the diner…with Randy. Ugh…it was…he was mad, I think. Can't blame him. If I saw him with another woman…"

"She'd be dead," Voight quips as her face finally softens.

"He has a daughter."

"So?" Voight counters.

"That's why this is complicated."

"Only if you want it to be. Step families come together all the time and make it work."

Before she can offer any kind of verbal rebuttal, his phone rings and she has to take her leave. She heads outside and looks at her partner waiting by her desk and heads toward him with a small frown. "Want the Erin Lindsay life gossip update now or later?"

"Now's fine."

XXXXXXXX

"How's Aurora?" Hermann asks Severide as he enters the Firehouse that same morning.

"She was better today. I'm trying to be strong but it's hard leaving her. I see her sad and I feel responsible. At least Cindy can take your kids," Severide replies with a heavy sigh.

"I know it's tough but I think you're doing a great job," Hermann agrees with a small smile; Severide nodding appreciatively. "She'll get used to it. At least she's with family and friends you know and trust and not just some random babysitter."

"True," Severide agrees with a tight lipped smile.

"Just keep doing what you're doing," Hermann pats him on the back as Boden approaches them. They talk about yesterday's call a bit before Severide pulls away and heads for his office to finish off his field notes and hand in the file as per Boden's request.

He looks up to see Casey walk past and then quickly pulls his phone and looks at Erin's initial coffee date request. With his heart rate slightly elevated he hits 'reply' and then types his message.

'Do they have coffee flavored beer? Wanna find out? How about this Friday?'

He waits a few seconds and then presses send; hoping to wait out the rest of his nervous anxiety in his office. But that plan is rendered moot as the overhead paging system goes off and it's all hands on deck. Severide's mind tells him this is better as work will keep him preoccupied until the answer comes through.

She's gonna say yes.

On the ride to the call, his mind tries to concentrate on all the details that Boden is offering them but as he thinks about his daughter and their future together, he can't help but admit that he's a bit distracted. Snap back to reality! He forces himself into the moment, giving instructions to his team and then giving Casey a firm nod; just as his phone buzzes back an answer in his pocket. The answer from Erin Lindsay. The answer being positive.

"You okay?" Casey asks in wonder, noticing that his friend looks a bit distracted.

"Yeah," Severide nods in haste as they both pump fists and then rush toward the entrance to the fiery structure. Just before Severide enters, he turns to see if Capp is bringing the tools he requested and then stops briefly; his eyes lifting for a few seconds and resting on a recently familiar but very out of place face.

"Randy?" Severide whispers as Casey stops and looks at his friend. And for whatever reason in that moment, Severide's distraction going into the fiery structure seems to soar. What the hell is he doing here?

A/N: eeks! So lots of emotional tension in this but just setting up a few little battles to come and don't worry I'll make sure to have some happy Kelly/Erin stuff up next and of course lots going forward. I really want to try to get both sides of thoughts in this for Kelly and Erin so I hope that's okay and of course there will be some insight into little Aurora's thoughts now and again and you'll see Benny up next also. Lots ahead in this new adventure if you all want is to please do review with your thoughts on this update before you go and thanks so much!