Chapter 46

"There he is!" Squad table called as Kelly entered the house.

There were whistles and laughs as he made his way to the table. He walked around and shook everyone's hand and accepted hugs.

"How was the honeymoon?"

"It was a honeymoon. You should know, Cruz, you went on one."

"It was so long ago, I've forgotten."

"You've been married too long, Cruz," Kelly teased as he started off toward the locker room.

"Not long enough, Lieutenant," Cruz said softly as Kelly walked away.

"Cruz, you got Taylor back. You're married and happy. So what if you think it was 20 years too late. Stop fussing over what might have been," Otis said.

"You don't understand, Otis, so shut up."

"Ok, so what's going on?"

"Pearl's sick, and Taylor's been helping Pagano out. She sits with her a couple of hours a night."

"Oh, Man, I'm sorry. That really sucks. Pearl's a nice lady."

"Yeah, she is. She had surgery, but she's not bouncing back like she should. Taylor's worried."

Kelly walked back into the truck bay and over to the Squad table. He picked up the paper, and turned to the Sports page.

It was a bad shift. Kelly showered and dressed, then went to the locker room. He punched in Parker's number. It went to voice mail. He called Mary Alice's cell. She answered on the second ring.

"Mary Alice, I called Parker. She didn't answer her cell. Is she okay?" he asked worriedly.

"She's fine, Kelly. She's taking a nap. What's going on?"

"Nothing, really."

"Kelly Michael Severide, don't lie to me. Something is bugging you."

He sighed. Mary Alice had busted him. He swore she was a human lie detector.

"Yeah, bad one. I just wanted to see her and Philip for a bit. But if she's taking a nap, don't disturb her."

"How about I have her call you when she wakes up?"

"That's good. Thanks Mary Alice."

He ended the call and looked up in time to see Casey walking toward him.

"Everything okay?" Casey asked.

Kelly nodded. "Parker's taking a nap."

"Sleeping off the jet lag?"

"Probably."

"Glad you're back, Man."

"What? You didn't like having Clarke around for a couple of shifts?"

"No, that's not it. Clarke's a good guy and a good Lieutenant. You being back means the house has some stability again."

"We need that. Especially after all we've been through lately. Cruz seems to still be beating himself up."

"He is. We've all told him that it isn't his fault, but he doesn't seem to or want to hear it."

"Maybe once Freddie comes to trial and is sentenced."

"Hope so. He had no way of knowing."

Kelly's phone rang. He looked down at it. Parker's number.

"Hey," he said as he unlocked the phone and held it to his ear.

"Hey yourself. Grandma said you called. Said you wanted to see Philip?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind. Can you bring him down?"

"Bad one, huh?"

"Very."

"We can be there in 20."

"Sounds good. See you then."

Parker slipped her phone back into her pocket and went to find Philip.