Title: Trouble in Paradise
Chapter 4 – Watch Your Back!

Severide listens to the silence at first. Then a dog barks and someone shouts something and then stops. Did they see me? Do they know where I am? Footsteps heading his way and he knows his luck has just run out.

RUN!

Severide ducks into another yard and this time comes face to face with a small boy and freezes in place. "Shhh, please," Severide begs as he holds up his dirty hands to his face and then crouches as low as he can as the heavy footsteps near.

He looks at the young boys face and for a few seconds, his heart literally skips a beat as he watches the boy's mouth open as he fears his fate is already sealed. Something about the boy is familiar and if his brain had time to ponder he might actually remember but in that moment he's only focusing on one thing – his life and prolonging it as long as possible. Thankfully, despite the boy wanting to say something, no words come out and Severide's two attacker's hurry past, shouting out to someone in the near distance – someone he assumes they mistake for him. At least for now.

Severide dares to turn around and watch the two men disappear at the end of the ratty alley and then turns around to look at the little boy. "Thanks."

The boy doesn't say anything but remains in place, studying Severide's disheveled appearance in wonder.

"I uh…" he stops as he raises his hands shows the boy his current predicament. "I won't hurt you…I swear…I just…" he stops just as the boy turns to leave. "Spanish okay…"

"I need a knife or…hey wait…wait!" Severide implores in a hushed tone as the little boy turns and runs into the small, rundown House and slams the door shut.

"Well…better than telling them," Severide huffs as he frantically looks around for something, anything he can use to cut himself free with. "Unless he's going to call the cops!" He knows he can't take the chance of knocking on the door and alerting the boy's parents and them calling the dirty cops to come back and either kill him or toss him into some third world prison with no hope of ever seeing the light of day again.

He spies a ratty pitchfork and rushes toward it, dropping to his weary knees and frantically rubbing his bound wrists up and down the side in the hopes of cutting himself free. And then…get your side bandaged! He would have to find something to patch his side with since he knows he can't just go to the hospital and ask for help without any identification or money.

"Ah…finally…" Severide breathes in relief as his hands finally snap free. But he's used up what little bit of built up energy he and so leans back on his heels and then looks at his bloody side. However, as he hears some loud talking coming from within the small home…either that or the one beside it and he knows he needs to be moving on.

Find a phone…call Matt…get some help!

And just before the door to the small home could open, Severide pops back into the alley and rushes in the opposite direction the two men who had been looking for him came.

But…where do I go?

XXXXXXXX

"Does anyone…hi…can you…sure…." Casey huffs as he pulls back with a whispered curse. "I'll wait." He starts to look around the busy and cramped entrance to the Emergency with his mind racing. Come on Kelly…where are you? With that sober thought in his mind, he pulls out a picture of his friend and then starts to look around for any nursing personnel that aren't too busy.

"Hi…have you seen…my friend?"

"Excuse me…have you seen…my friend?"

"Okay, okay…my staff are busy but I see you are desperate."

Casey turns to look at the doctor who had told him he'd have to wait and then nods. "Yes. I need to find my friend. Kelly Severide. Anyone matching that name or this picture? He's American, possibly injured. Might not have any ID or…I just need to know if he's here," Casey implores eagerly.

"Let me check," the doctor takes the picture and then heads for the busy station clerk.

Casey's fingers impatiently strum the enamel countertop as he waits for the outcome. For a few seconds when he sees the nurse nodding his expectations about finding Kelly so soon are lifted. What if he's badly injured or…what if he's…who cares at least you've found him! But that elation is quickly deflated when the doctor shows the picture to the young woman who then shakes her head and both look up at Casey with grim expressions.

Damn it! Casey inwardly curses as the doctor heads back to him. "I'm sorry. We have no names or faces matching your friend's description here."

"Okay," Casey replies somewhat deflated. "Thank you."

"Hope you find him soon. Tourists, especially if they have money, in some areas are prime targets for muggings and other things. Some don't make it here until it's too late – for them."

"Right."

Casey turns around and then heads back to the entrance of the hospital and pauses to formulate his next move. Police station? But who can I trust there? Ah damn shoulda brought Antonio with me! He inwardly growls. He doesn't toss away that idea completely as he moves on to plan B – checking the restaurants where Kelly posted social media pictures.

The first one is basically confirms what he already knows. Kelly Severide and Travis Brenner as well as their driver and another man had dinner a week ago – the first night they were in Buenos Aires but that was it. "Hope they come back soon. They are good for business."

Casey offers a tight lipped smile and then heads back outside and into the waiting cab. "Thanks okay…on to…" he rattles off the next address and then slumps back against the seat and stares outside into the bustling crowds as they pass on the narrow streets.

"You're looking for…your brother?"

"Yeah," Casey answers, knowing it would take too long to explain clearly the brotherly bond he shares with his missing friend. They reach the nightclub and Casey once again gets out and asks the driver if he wouldn't mind waiting one last time.

"I remember them. Not too long ago. Partying it up. A real hit with all the ladies. Course with the tab they ran up and tip they left none of us minded," the manager replies with a grin before his expression clouds. "Has…something happened to any of them?"

"My friend is…missing," Casey admits in a low tone as his brow furrows heavily.

"Oh. Well I wish you luck in finding him. If tourists with money go off the beaten path here then they run into real trouble."

"See that's just it. He doesn't have much money," Casey groans as he takes the picture back and then turns to leave. So…he might have been mistaken for Travis? Or someone thought he was with Travis so he must have money…or…could Travis have done something? Let Kelly take the fall for something he did? Or… Casey's mind races with agitation as he steps back outside into the hot afternoon sun.

He looks around with a small pang of desperation festering inside. But much like the hospital and the other restaurant, he pulls Kelly's picture and then starts to ask anyone who looks like they might be working at the club if they'd seen his friend.

This…is a waste of time…a long shot! No one has seen him! His mind offers in futility. But just when he was about to give up hope and turn around and check another locale, a voice stops him, an uncertain statement but one that stops him dead in his tracks.

"Sir…I've seen your friend."

XXXXXXXX

With his right arm wrapped around his stomach, pressing down on his throbbing wound, Severide ducks into another yard, two houses over – this one quieter and seeming empty compared to the last two. He had to bite back a gasp as he felt the wound but was relieved to know the bullet went through and it wasn't still stuck inside.

Find a first aid kit or…ah hell just find a damn bandage and some clean water. But that would be easier said than done as he knows he cannot just enter someone's home and risk having the police called and the two men show up and take him away. For good. He looks around for a hose or….

Wait…a car…his mind races as he drops to his knees and holds his breath. Maybe I can just get inside and…his mind pauses as he looks up, trying to discern which of the few overhead wires, if any, were telephone. Ah they have to have a phone line! Screw cable but…

With that thought he slowly lifts himself back up and heads for the back door of the home. However, this time, a large dog jumps up and starts to bark from within, sending him scrambling backwards and cursing as he knows the barking will attract attention to himself.

Severide ducks back into the alleyway and then starts to slowly limp toward the end of the road, telling himself that maybe there would be a restaurant or…or some kind of business establishment that he could just use a phone and call Matt for help. He tells himself his friend isn't nearby but can still try to call the embassy or something…something to draw attention to his plight.

However, that wouldn't be as easy as he had planned or wanted. As soon as he reaches the end, he turns around at the sound of screeching brakes only to see the same two men in the black SUV, turn around and race toward him.

"Ah damn it!" Severide growls as he starts to run toward…well anything he hopes he can hide in. But he knows, he's the one on unfamiliar and unfriendly ground and time was fast running out. He rushes into a nearby laundromat and then stops as a few faces look up in wonder.

Without wasting a second, he barrels toward the back door and then busts outside into another unfamiliar alleyway. He looks around with a hopeless expression as his panic starts to build. You have to go…NOW!

"Here they come!"

XXXXXXXX

"Your friend," the man slowly walks up to Casey and points at Severide's picture. "He…helped my son."

"What? When?" Casey asks in urgent desperation.

"Few days ago. The other man he was with caused quite a storm of people. I work here at nights, as security," the man explains as he pulls out a small wallet and shows Casey his badge. "I work as police during the day. Today's my day off."

"Lucky for me. Your son…is he okay?"

"Yes. He was almost trampled but your friend left his friends and came to help my son. He has to come with me sometimes when my sister can't take him. Your friend didn't know him but I think he heard me calling for help. No one else helped me. Your friend did. I want to return the favor."

"Thank you," Casey utters in genuine relief. "I haven't heard from him in two days now. I think something's happened. I have been to the hotel. His stuff is there but he never came back. They said him and the driver went out and they think to some local restaurant but neither came back," Casey explains. "I went to the hospital and…and I was going to go to the police station but…" he stops as his lips purse.

"But tourists are told not to trust local police."

"Yeah," Casey admits with a heavy sigh. "I think he might be hurt or…I can't believe he's dead. I have to believe he's alive, I just don't know where…" Casey's voice dies out with a worried stammer.

"Okay. Come with me. I just had to pick up my check," the man explains as Casey pauses. "You…"

"No offense to you Sir but…"

"But how can you trust me?" The man counters as Casey nods. "I wish I could make you trust me. But I guess you'll just have to trust your own instincts."

Casey's mind searches back in time to the odd text that he had had gotten from Severide about the party being over with Travis and something about a boy but it was vague. However, now it starts to make sense and he nods in compliance with the man's help. "Matt Casey."

"Hector Villanez."

"Is your son okay?" Casey inquires as he heads for Hector's car after paying the cabbie and walking toward the waiting vehicle.

"He is thanks to your friend. Okay so let's drop by my home first and then we'll look at a map and see what we can find out We'll start with the restaurant and then go from there."

XXXXXXXX

"Damn these guys just won't quit!" Severide huffs as his body continues to beg him to sit down and rest; already feeling more than depleted of energy and adrenaline. With lack of food and water for almost a whole day, the pounding in his head and the gnawing in his stomach was understandable.

He had ducked into another alleyway and then into a quiet but rundown apartment building and then into an empty room, locked the door and then leaned against it until he sagged to the floor with his arms wrapped around his aching stomach.

Need to find a phone…you have no money and no wallet…you need to find a phone, call Matt and have him call the embassy.

"Yeah…trip of a…lifetime," Severide deadpans in a morbid whisper as he opens his weary eyes. He hears some shuffling coming from outside and despite being literally exhausted, his eyes snap fully open and he holds his breath. But as the shuffling nears, he hears whistling at the same time and tells himself it's not an immediate threat.

But just to be cautious, he remains where he is, without moving. He waits. Waits until his head lolls forward, his body following and then jerking awake before it could hit the floor and draw attention, any kind of attention, to his whereabouts.

He dares to then slowly get back up, open the door and peer into the hallway of the musty smelling building. But as soon as he nears the back entrance, he's instantly stopped in his tracks by a soft word and turns in wonder. Severide looks at the old woman a few meters away and then tries to offer as friendly a smile as possible.

"Hello."

Unlike the little boy who said nothing, the old woman starts to speak to him rapidly in Spanish.

"ayuda," Severide offers, hoping his word for 'help' in Spanish is correct. Gotta hang out with the Dawson's more when I get back! "por favor, ayuda." He adds (please help me).

Instead of calling out and attracting unwanted attention as he had feared, the old woman pauses and then nods; turns with the expectation of him to follow.

"I uh…telefono?" Severide asks in a soft whisper as he nears her apartment door and then stops.

She pushes it open and then turns and looks at him; Severide not quite sure after all he's been through who he can trust. "You…come. I help. You make call. Here."

"Okay," he agrees as he gingerly steps into the apartment and then stops at the door. "Thank you." He watches her bring the phone and then look up at him with a sincere smile. "You speak English?"

"Some. Not area for tourists."

"I know," he replies with a small frown as he holds the phone in his dirty hand and smiles, offering another "thank you," before he starts to dial.

XXXXXXXX

Casey enters Hector's modest home and within seconds hears footsteps rushing from one room into the main living room.

"Papa!" The young boy exclaims and then stops short as he looks at Casey with wide dark eyes and remains in place.

"Carlos. This is Matthew. He's looking for his friend, that kind man that helped you," Hector, the father explains as Casey pulls out a picture of Severide and then shows it to the boy.

"sucio," the boy exclaims as he points to Severide's picture in alarm.

"What?"

"He says the word dirty. Carlos did you see Mr. Severide today?" The father asks in shock as the boy nods.

He was in the backyard, the boy replies in Spanish as Casey's mind races to put together a few words he'd overheard Gabby and Antonio using.

"Here? You saw him today?" Casey asks in shock as the boy nods and then points to their backyard. Casey rushes past the boy, into the backyard and then stops and frantically looks around for any signs of his missing friend. Just before he turns away he notices some large boot prints in the soft mud in the corner and as he draws closer, some fresh blood smears on a few of the wooden fence boards. "Did you see where he went?" Casey turns to ask the boy in haste; his mind racing with panic agitation.

"No," he answers sadly, shaking his head.

"Kelly!" Casey shouts as the father nears. But just before either man can say another word, Casey's phone buzzes and he's quick to answer. "Hello?"

"Matt!"

"Kelly! Where are you?"

"I'm in Buenos…"

"I know! I'm down here also."

"What? Thank God…" Severide breathes in relief. "I'm hurt and these guys are chasing me and…"

"Kelly? Kelly! Where are you?"

"Call the embassy. I lost my wallet and…wait…"

"Kelly? Where are you?"

"I uh…I don't know…hold on a sec…"

"Just get me an address. I'm with the man you helped. Remember at the club? With the boy? You helped his son. So you just give me the address and we'll come to you."

"Okay good. But don't let him call the cops…"

"Uh…what? Why?" Casey asks with a sense of dread falling upon him as he slowly turns around and looks at the man talking to his son a few meters away. "Kelly?"

"The cops…there's two cops after me. I think they're cops but they're crooked! Don't call the cops…ANY cops!"

Casey can only curse the bad connection that keeps shorting out and cutting off pivotal words but as he turns to look at the father and son, a sinking feeling starts to develop. Can I trust this man to take me to my friend? Or will he turn us both in? What good will I do Kelly if I get into trouble also?

"Matt?"

"So…" Hector asks as he nears. "Where can we go get your friend?"

A/N: uh oh…Severide is free but not out of danger! Matt has help but is he in danger? Hmm would love your thoughts before you go so please do review and thanks so much!