Chapter Text
“Severide!” Casey calls, to the other Lieutenant sitting at his squad table. “Chief wants us.”
“I’m coming.” Severide shouts back as he jumps out of his chair.
“That’s what she said.” Capp cat calls after him, followed by some chuckles from the squad guys.
“Weak, Capp, weak.” Severide throws back as he follows Casey to the Chief’s office.
“Lieutenants. Have a seat.” The chief greets them. “About the ….” Boden searches for the right way to say this. “Personal issues you two have had the last few months. Lieutenant Severide. Do you trust Lieutenant Casey?” He asks.
“Yes, with my life.” Kelly admits begrudgingly.
“Why?” Chief pushes.
“Because.” Kelly hesitates. “He’s the best damn firefighter in the city.” Severide admits, he means it too, he just hates himself that it hurts to say it.
“Lieutenant Casey, do you trust Lieutenant Severide?”
“Yes, Chief. With my life.” Casey answers as honestly as Severide did.
“Good. That’s a good start for this weekend.”
“What’s happening this weekend Chief?” Casey asks sceptically.
“You two are going to a team-building seminar in Colorado.”
“I’m sorry, a what?” Severide asks, not believing what he’s hearing.
“I considered forcing both of you to attend partner counselling with the department psychiatrist, but I didn’t think that would work with you to knuckleheads.”
“Thank god for small mercies.” Casey mutters to Severide and they both have to stifle a chuckle.
“You’re serious, chief?” Severide says disbelieving. “The department is actually flying us out to Colorado - to play nice with each other?”
The Chief levels them with a look that could rival any parent, instantly shutting both of them up. “Losing Andy was tough on all of us. I know the three of you were practically inseparable. And I don’t know what the hell happened between you two to make you like this. But it has to stop. This animosity between you, it affects the whole house and I will not have a badge from my house on the wall of the academy because of it. This is my last resort, and your last chance. If this doesn’t balance out when you get back. One of you will be transferred. Do you understand?”
“Yes, chief.” They answer simultaneously, the gravity of the situation beginning to sink in.
“Good.” The Chief continues. “Flight lands Friday afternoon, you leave Sunday night.” Chief looks between them his expression softening. “Now, I don’t expect you to come back drinking buddies. But it would be nice to go one shift without you trying to kill each other.”
“Understood chief.” Casey answers for them both.
“Good. Dismissed gentlemen.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Slinking out of the Chief’s office like scolded children they go down the hallway to the locker room, Severide taking a seat on the bench in front of his locker which Casey leans against.
“I guess it could be worse.” Casey ponders out loud.
Severide gives him a deadpan stare and scoffs. “Not much, what are we gonna do all weekend? Trust falls and make friendship bracelets? How hard is it to be civil?”
“I don’t know, but we can’t seem to figure it out anymore.” Casey sounds defeated even to his own ears. “Maybe it’ll help or maybe one of us will have to leave. Either way we’ll know.”
Casey turns to leave but decides it’s the right time for some honesty and turning back he adds. “For the record. I miss the way things were between us. I know we can’t bring Andy back, but it would be nice to rewind the clock, get at least one of my friends back.”
With Casey gone, Severide lays down on the bench and thinks about what he’d said. He hopes this weekend will change something between them, bring them closer. Help them get back what they lost but deep down inside he just doubted that this weekend could do that, that anything could do that.