Title: Plan C
Chapter 10 – What Matters Most

A/N: Just wanted to give a special thank you to all you amazing readers! (And to Newperson and a few guests – you guys don't have accounts but I love your regular feedback so thanks so much!) Seriously have had the worst week but I am always excited to update this story AND b/c its getting so much love I've decided to extend it longer than I had originally planned (yay!) so keep the reviews comin' b/c the mean longer stories! Thanks everyone and enjoy #Lindseride forever *grin*

~Wisconsin~

All three anxious faces wait as Dr. Harvey checks Kelly Severide's vitals; the firefighter still unmoving but the monitors atop his bed a few feet all holding steady – signaling that he was still with them, fighting to remain alive.

"Doctor…" Benny finally urges as the older man looks at him with a small glance of relief. "Is he…back in the coma?"

"His body is struggling to come out and to recover. There might be a few more little episodes like that where he'll awaken for a brief time and then lapse back into sleep. The only time we'll worry is when the monitors tell us he's crashing. Right now…" he pauses to check the readings once more. "He's holding his own. I'd tell you all to go home, freshen up maybe rest up a bit and then come back but I understand you're all from Chicago."

"That's right," Casey agrees while Erin's eyes remain fixed on Severide's placid expression.

"We have staff showers and a sleep room if you want to really freshen up a bit or have an hour or two of rest. But I'll leave that with you."

"Thank you doctor," Benny acknowledges for all of them; watching the older man take his leave and then looking back at Erin and Kelly, his heart warming. Of course he knows his son knows his father and best friend would be there for him, but to have Erin there and to declare her love and him in return, will certainly help him want to fight his way back to recovery even faster.

"Love you so much," she whispers as she leans in and plants a soft kiss on his forehead, her hand still firmly clutching his. When she had first taken his limp limb, she was instantly alarmed at the coolness of his skin and the unresponsiveness. Now, despite him slipping back into sleep, his hand is warmer to the touch and the fact that when he was awake, he was able to grip hers for a few seconds, makes her mind and heart swell with hope.

"Did you want uh…freshen up…or whatever," Benny asks her in a low tone as his hand rests on her shoulder.

She looks up with a soft teary gaze and he pulls her into his arms; offering her a fatherly hug of relief. "We can't lose him," she whispers as he nods in agreement. She looks at Benny and then at Casey and frowns. "I…we know it'll be a few more days right?"

"Thinking we should get Pauline to bring Aurora up here?" Casey ponders as Erin nods in confirmation, slowly heading over to her jacket and pulling her phone. But before anyone else can say anything, the look on her expression instantly changes the direction of the conversation.

"What is it?" Casey asks in haste.

"Voight found Randy. Didn't go down without a fight. Took out two deputies but they got him."

"I hope he saves a few rounds for me," Benny hisses in anger.

"Me too," Erin replies stonily as she texts back a reply. "Are you and Jay okay?" She asks Voight, tired of texting and just opting to call.

"We're both fine. How's Kelly? I hear that tone in your voice," Voight notes in truth.

"He woke up for a few minutes and is back asleep…he's…I'm still worried."

"He's a fighter. Make sure he knows he's not alone in his fight back."

"He knows he's not. We're thinking about Aurora and if she should be brought up here to see her father. Might um…might help him also. Benny said he'd just tell her it was work related. And not about…damn did Randy say anything?"

"Smug bastard denied it. But we found the bloody crowbar and shirt he was wearing; complete with blood splatter. We called him on it and he said…to get Kelly to tell us. His smugness ended when I told him Kelly was alive to do just that. We got him Erin. We found all the evidence we need."

"Randy can't be allowed to get free again, Hank…he can't."

"Don't worry, he never will. Get back to Kelly. I'm going to call Benny about Aurora."

Erin thanks Voight and hangs up; watching as Benny answers the call and then heads outside. In truth he did want to talk to the elder Severide about making arrangements to get Kelly's daughter up to him but also wanted to tell him in private what else Randy had taunted them with – wanting to spare Erin the needless guilt as he knows it wasn't her fault and Kelly Severide would never blame her for any of it. Randy Cameron was a ticking time bomb…and time had run out – for him.

Erin and Casey talk in an undertone about getting Pauline to bring some fresh clothes for them and of course for Aurora and that they were now dealing with Randy. He gives her a brotherly hug and then goes to call Boden with another update.

"Hey handsome," Erin whispers as she hovers over Severide's hospital bed, looking down with concern. But the panicked concern from the day before was now replaced with relived concern – the concern, however, still very high. Her throat catches once more as she watches his eyes slowly flutter and the uninjured one slowly open and look at her.

"Randy…" he manages weakly as her fingers tenderly caress his cheek.

"Voight's taken care of him. We'll never have to worry about him again," she reassures him once more as he looks up with a thick frown. "You now just need to concentrate on getting stronger so we can all go home."

"Where…am I?"

"Wisconsin. Want some cheese?" She retorts lightly and then shakes her head. "I don't know where that came from," she groans as his lips try to twist upward. "I meant what I said. I love you Kelly. Maybe the timing's bad but…"

Her words are stopped short by his fingers squeezing hers and his jaw setting. "Timing…was perfect," he manages with a soft smile. "Wisconsin?"

"Train engineer found you and uh…" he pauses as her eyes water. "The doctor said I have to be positive right now…for you."

"Never…gave up," Severide utters in a hoarse tone as his hand continues to grip hers; the warmth growing between them. "Too much…to live for."

"Aurora misses you and since you'll be here at least another day, Benny wants her to come. He said he's going to tell her this was a work accident and Randy's name will never be mentioned."

"Okay," he agrees, his fuzzy brain still trying to fight past the medical haze of the past almost two days. "Want…to get up…leave here."

Her lips can't help but offer a small chuckle as despite the hell he had to endure, he hadn't lost his Kelly Severide sense of humor or sarcasm. "Think you'll be in the hospital a few more days at least."

"Home?"

"When you're vitals are strong enough to survive the flight home, you'll get a first class medivac trip back to the Windy City." Erin watches Casey come back into the room and leans in, kissing Severide on his cheek once more and telling him she'll be back shortly.

Casey offers her a friendly smile as she pulls back and he approaches his friend's bed. "So…all this for a little attention," he gently snickers as his brow furrows. "Was worried…really worried," he confesses softly as Severide nods.

"Me too…"

"Good thing your dad called when he did…you're um…I called Boden with an update. All of 51 wants to send cheese."

"Damn…cheese," Severide manages as both he and Casey trade small smirks. "Glad…you're here."

"Did Erin tell you we're bringing Aurora here?" Casey asks softly as Severide nods in confirmation. "Benny thinks it'll be good for you and her."

"Father…knows best," Severide lightly retorts as Benny approaches.

"Can I get that in writing?" Benny gently teases his son as his hand gives Kelly's cheek a fatherly caress. "Damn boy…you worried me there."

"I know. Randy he…he was there…at the House and then…he…" Severide starts. But as soon as the monitor's sound changes both Benny and Casey look at each other in worry.

"Kelly…Randy's been dealt with. It's over," Benny states firmly as Severide looks up at his father in misery. "That bastard got what he deserved. Now it's time for you to focus on…the future and happier times."

"Like…the fall fair…which I think I'm going to," Casey interjects with a grin. "Say I told you so."

"Told you…so," Severide cheekily retorts as Erin reenters the room, followed by Doctor Harvey. The three of them step back and allow Dr. Harvey to inspect Severide's wounds and then give him an update on his prognosis.

"Your wife can sign any paperwork that's needed."

"My…"

"Sure, we'll take care of it," Erin interjects in haste as Severide's amused expression looks from the doctor to Erin; her lips offering him a nervous grin.

"Remind me…about the wedding night?" He tosses out weakly seconds after the doctor takes his leave.

"It was…great," she answers quickly. "Matt said he was…your brother. I uh…well sister never came to mind."

"I'm not…angry. Wife…my wife…like the sound of that," he replies in a quiet tone as her hand slips into his. "My leg's…not broken…thigh's just…bruised and sprained."

"I know. I know it could have been worse but um…but I wish we had learned all this about Randy before…it happened. I'm sorry."

"Not your fault," Severide replies; Erin's lips just offering him a tight smile. "Wife huh…"

"One of us needs to learn to cook first," she retorts as she leans in and kisses his lips. But as she takes in the scent of sweat mixed with blood and hospital antiseptic, her eyes water and warm tears escape – slowly sliding down his neck.

"Hey…come on now…" he whispers as he his uninjured arm wraps around her back and holds her slightly trembling body close. "It's okay…"

"No…no I almost lost you," she laments in a soft tone as she pulls up and looks at him in misery; his fingers reaching up and tenderly brushing away a tear. "I never want to feel that again."

"I'm here now…and…and I love you," he confesses with a serious frown, his tone his hoarse and dry. "Stuck with me for a while."

"Happy to hear that," she answers tenderly as Benny and Casey return.

Under doctor's orders, and after administering a mind sleeping aid, the three of them regrettably leave the quiet ICU room, heading for the cafeteria and taking a few minutes to have what would amount to a somewhat tasteless breakfast; the three of them talking about the case and Severide's recovery.

"He better save some of that piece of scum for me," Benny vows in an undertone as he looks at his watch and grimaces.

XXXXXXXX

~Chicago~

Hank Voight walks toward the small holding cell in a defunct part of the precinct that was normally used as a safehouse – an area largely unmonitored. "Open it," Voight demands as he nods to the guard and then enters Randy's small cell. "Still alive scumbag?"

Randy Cameron looks up with an angry sneer as Voight nears. "Was it as good for you…as it was for me?" He spits some bloody saliva onto Voight's pant leg. "Where's Erin?"

"Nursing Kelly Severide back to health. But don't worry, you won't be alone for very long."

"You can't just keep me here and kill me!"

Voight leans in closer, his eyes narrowing and his fist shooting out and wrapping around Randy's neck. "I'm going to do exactly that," he hisses. "But I'm not the only one that wants you dead."

"Erin? She always did have a soft fist," Randy snickers.

"For this I think she'd put on an iron glove. But…she's not who I had in mind."

"Halstead?" Randy tosses out in sarcasm. "Seriously that's the muscle you'll bring here? Don't insult me."

Voight doesn't answer, merely pulls his hand all the way back and stands up.

"Who else?" Randy demands as Voight taps on the door. "WHO!"

Voight turns around and winks before he has the door to the darkened, windowless room slammed shut and then locked. He pulls his phone and then dials a friend.

"Jack…it's Hank Voight. Listen we caught Randy Cameron. Thanks for the lead and the help with this."

"Is he still alive?"

"You sound disappointed," Voight lightly smirks.

"I think you know I am."

"I need one more favor."

"Name it."

"I need you to pick up someone in Madison."

"Wisconsin? Who?"

XXXXXXXX

~Wisconsin~

"Hey…look who's here," Casey nudges Erin and then Benny; all of them looking up to see Pauline coming out of the elevator holding Aurora's hand; Donald Shay at her side.

"Grampa! Grampa!" Aurora exclaims as she breaks free and rushes toward Benny's waiting arms.

"Oh sweet girl," Benny replies as he clutches her in his grasp and kisses her on the cheek, her arms wrapping around his neck tightly.

"Where's daddy?"

"He was in an accident at work, sweetie but he's going to be okay," Benny assures her as Aurora is then passed to Casey who hugs her tightly before Aurora wants to go into Erin's waiting grasp.

"Hi baby girl," Erin smiles as she hugs her tightly.

"How was the drive up?" Casey asks them as he watches Benny slowly pull away, looking at Erin in wonder as she slowly heads toward him with Aurora still in her grasp.

"Benny?"

"I have to…take care of something."

"You're going to see Randy," she states flatly as Aurora plays with Erin's phone.

"Kelly's my son and I…I have to make it right. Maybe…you should be coming with me. Or….is that what he wants?"

Erin looks down at Aurora and then up at Benny with a huff. "I think we should both give him what he wants."

XXXXXXXX

~Wisconsin~

Casey leads Shay's parents into Kelly's room, telling them exactly what happened, what the doctor said and what to expect when they see him. Since Kelly was still asleep, Casey takes advantage of them there and staying with Kelly to take the small knapsack that Christie had packed for him and heads for the staff lounge to have a quick shower and freshen up a bit before returning.

"I'll take her if you want to freshen up," Casey suggests to Erin as he takes Aurora into his grasp.

She takes the small bag that Burgess had packed for her and heads for the same lounge that Casey had just exited. As she stands under the hot streams in the shower, her mind wonders if she should have gone along with Benny.

'He wants you there to fill your head with lies. He wants you to feel blame and guilt and responsible for this. You're not, he is and only him,' she recalls Voight's words from about an hour earlier. 'I'll hit him a few times for you. Don't give him what he wants. He wants you there so he can have the last word. You said goodbye. Leave it there. Kelly needs you.'

'I need to hit him or…make him pay for what he did to Kelly.'

'I'll do that for you. You had the last word with Randy. Leave it there. Take care of Kelly and Aurora when she comes. That's your life now.'

"Kelly is my life…Aurora's my life…I want them as my family," she whispers as she finishes her shower and starts to dry off. She's feels a bit of inner resentment growing toward herself that she listened to Voight and was staying behind and not going back to Chicago to help kick Randy's ass until he was put out of all their miseries. But the voice of reason, Voight's voice again, reminds her that he would only mock and taunt her, using his torment of Kelly Severide to hurt her further.

'I won't let him do that. If I have to order you to stay there I will,' Voight had concluded with a small smirk. And Voight had won. He was right; she'd have enough nightmares about seeing Kelly Severide in his near death condition when he was brought in to the ER at Madison, Wisconsin.

She enters Severide's room and can't help but smile as she notices Aurora perched on the side of her father's bed; his eyes still closed but her little hand holding his as one of her little dollies walks up and down the hospital bed railing. Aurora looks up as Erin enters and can't help but smile; the smile growing as she nears.

"Daddy's sleeping," she whispers as she holds her finger to her lips as Casey had done to her.

"Okay," Erin whispers in return as she kisses the top of her head and settles into a chair between Severide's bed and Casey's chair; Pauline and Donald Shay on the other side, all of them talking to each other in undertones.

XXXXXXXX

~Chicago~

All his mind sees is his beloved son covered in his own blood, dirt, sweat and crying out in agony. He hears his precious granddaughter's voice calling out to her mother…and then…her father…and then just crying inconsolably. His fists tighten and his heart races at top speed.

'You're still alive hero? Not for long…'

'Dad…help me…'

"Open it."

Randy Cameron looks up as Benny Severide enters the dark prison cell and has it shut behind him.

"Who the hell are you? Agent Old?"

"Benny Severide," he states simply.

Randy Cameron's smug arrogance instantly disappears as he realizes just who he's now been placed into the 'cage' with. Voight had done a number on him but then backed off and he thought for sure that it would be Erin; telling himself he could emotionally manipulate her. Benny Severide? He knows he's already lost.

"Where's Erin?"

"With her family," Benny replies as he pulls his phone and shows Randy the picture that Erin had wanted him to take, her holding Aurora as they both stand beside Kelly's bed.

Randy sneers as Benny puts his phone back into his pocket. "Well old man…you here to deliver a message from your son? Not much of a fighter," he snickers as Benny's fists ball tightly. "Well…you gonna show me what you got or just toss me threatening looks."

"You lose Randy. Kelly will live happily ever after and there isn't a person on this planet that will mourn your passing."

"You don't strike me as a killer old man."

"You don't know me."

XXXXXXXX

~Wisconsin~

Daddy…Erin I love you…Kelly, a date in the Park sounds great…think you two will be happy together…my boy…daddy!

Severide's body gently jerks awake as the cacophony of voices finally die to a silent din in his mind. He doesn't know the time…has even lost track of what day it was but upon waking his entire frame was coursing with quiet agitation. However, it starts to fade when he looks up to see Pauline and Don Shay, both lightly dozing on a large chair and he can't help but feel comforted. He then strains his head and looks over to see Casey also lightly sleeping on another chair and he feels relief. His eyes next rest on Erin with…Aurora! Asleep in her lap; both of them the picture of happiness and he feels tender love starting to surge. He hears some shuffling and looks up to see his father enter the quiet room with a small cup of coffee in his grasp.

Benny nears the bed and looks down with a loving gaze, his free hand resting on his shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze and he feels – safe. Benny leans in and whispers to his son, 'it's all over now – for good,' and then pulls up and winks; a text to Erin from Voight would confirm that – Randy Cameron was dead.

'Heart attack. Guess he wasn't the picture of health after all. It's over now. For good. See you soon. –Voight'

That was the first bit of good news. The next would come from Dr. Harvey the following day, telling them that Kelly Severide would be stable enough to be flown back to Lakeshore Medical in Chicago to finish up the rest of his hospital recovery and then be sent home to completely heal.

In the end what mattered most to Kelly Severide was the knowledge that in his darkest hour no one had given up on him and that his future family was safe. Now…it was the rest of the future to deal with and…starting a family? Would it succeed?

A/N: Ah so yes Kelly is on the road to recovery and hey is anyone sad Randy got what he deserved? No! Had to get some Voight/Benny in there hehe (yikes dangerous combo!) and Kelly had the right people at his bedside. Hope you liked all the tender moments and there will be more to come but you know the makings of a first time family aren't easy so there is angsty tension to come (and hey gotta get some more danger in there in the future hehe) so hope you're all on board with this new/extended plan and please do review before you go and thanks so much!