Wallace Boden could not get Deputy Commissioner Hill’s offer out of his head. She wants him to be Deputy District Chief? And he’s actually considering it? He wasn’t before, but after a talk with Herrmann and Mouch, who gave him very encouraging words, he thought about other factors. It wouldn’t stress Donna out all as much because he’ll be in an office and when he’s out on the field, she worries big time. Plus, he’s got Terrence to think about now. He’s almost 7 years old and he doesn’t want to miss out on any of his important events that his son has going on.
The deadline came rather quickly. He answered Hill’s call while everyone else was out on a call themselves. Little did he know what was going on outside 51.
“Have you thought about my offer?” DC Hill said.
“Yes, I have actually. After much consideration, I gladly accept your offer,” Boden said.
“Great to hear. Do you have anyone in mind to replace you?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve had this person in mind for years. Matthew Casey, the current captain of 51.”
“Great choice. I’ll let Commissioner Grissom know.”
“Could you hold off on that until I tell Casey? He may not appreciate that.”
“Sure.” DC Hill hung up and Boden sighed. He would never betray Casey like that. He always wants to be completely straight with him and let him know what’s going on. Now the hardest part comes: actually telling him.
Turns out, Boden had to wait about a week or so before approaching the battalion chief topic with Casey as Squad 3 was in danger without his knowledge and Matt was already dealing with enough: he almost lost his best friend and 3 people he cares about even if they don’t work under him directly. Luckily, Hill understood and allowed him extra time.
“Casey,” Matt turned towards Kylie, “Boden wants to see you in his office really quick.” He nodded and headed that way. Sylvie and Kelly shared a look with each other, concerned about Matt.
He knocked on Boden’s office door and he walked in when Chief motioned him to do so. “Hey, Chief. Kylie said you wanted to see me.”
“Yes.” Boden sighed before talking. “About a week ago, Deputy Commissioner Hill called me with an offer.” Casey furrowed his brows. “She wants me to be Deputy District Chief.” Matt widened his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “And I accepted it.” Matt sighed. He didn’t think the day when Boden leaves 51 would come sooner rather than later, but here they are.
“Wow. That’s great, Chief. But, who are you going to get to take over? Whoever it is, I’m sure 51 will be in great hands with them.”
“That’s why I called you in here. I want you to replace me as Battalion Chief of Firehouse 51.”
“Chief, are you serious right now?” Boden nodded. “Wow,” Casey repeated. “Can you give me a bit to think about it?”
“Yes, but don’t think too long. Hill is expecting an answer by next shift.” Matt sighed and nodded. This was something that he definitely had to mull over, which was something that he didn’t like at all.
Sylvie was concerned for her boyfriend. He walked straight into his quarters after he left Boden’s office and to Sylvie, that meant that he needed space to think about something. She gave it to him, but she didn’t expect this to last into the night.
She walked into the bunk room to see if Matt was in his quarters, but he wasn’t in there. Where would he be? Kelly did say that he often goes up to the roof to think sometimes. Why the roof, she doesn’t know, but to each their own. Kelly knew that this was a matter that didn’t need a cigar, so he let Sylvie take the reins on this one.
Kelly turned out to be right. Right as Sylvie climbed up to full view on the roof, she saw her boyfriend laying on a blanket looking up at the sky.
“Hey.” Matt turned his head to look at his girlfriend. “What are you doing up here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, but I think I already know the answer to that. Just thinking about something.” Sylvie positioned herself to lay down next to Matt and he put his arm around her, pulling him into his embrace. She laid a hand on his chest, hoping that would comfort him somewhat.
“What is it you’re thinking about that lead you to come up to a roof of all places?” Matt chuckled.
“Boden got an offer from DC Hill about becoming Deputy District Chief. He accepted it.” Sylvie widened her eyes and sat up to look at Matt. “He wants me to replace him as battalion chief.”
“Wow. That’s amazing, Matt. Isn’t it?” Sylvie wasn’t sure why he was upset about a promotion.
“It is, but I didn’t expect this day to come so soon, you know?” The puzzle pieces finally came together for Sylvie.
“You’re not ready to say goodbye to the man you’ve looked up to for years, aren’t you?” Matt nodded. He sat up, about ready to cry and Sylvie hugged him, letting him feel whatever emotions he needed to at the moment.
After a few minutes, Matt pulled away before Sylvie put her hands on his shoulders to talk to him. “Matt, if you don’t think you’ve earned this, you have. I’ve seen you lead as lieutenant and as captain. You are fair and discipline someone when necessary, but you also care about your firefighters. Those are key qualities in a chief if you ask me. You have scratched and clawed your way to get to where you are now, Matt Casey. I believe in you. I’m positive Severide will too when you tell him what’s going on, as will Stella. You will have everyone behind you 100%. I just know it. Plus, it’s not like Boden’s going to disappear off the face of the earth.” Matt chuckled again. “He’ll probably show up often to visit because if there’s one thing I know about this house, it’s that you don’t forget your family, no matter who comes and goes.”
“I needed that. Thank you. I love you,” Matt said.
“I love you too,” Sylvie replied. She was happy that Matt seemed to have calmed down, for now at least. Every word of her speech she meant and he knew it. They kissed.
“We should probably get off of this roof. It’s getting kinda uncomfortable up here.” Sylvie nodded in agreement. “Plus, I have to go tell Boden that I’m gonna be the new battalion chief of 51.”
“Yay!” Sylvie was genuinely excited about this new turn of events. She’s sad that Boden’s leaving, but at the same time, she understood why he was doing it. He has a growing kid to think about. She knew Matt was going to kill it as chief. That was something she had no doubt in her mind about. Sometimes, change can be a good thing, no matter how much Kelly hates it.
Because I love Chicago Fire and Heavy is the Head and Fez said they wanted to make an edit for it, it also inspired me (yes, we went for the same style but we’re twins, we’re allowed). I hope you like them @lieutenantkellyseveride
I think it'd be incredibly sexy of the cf writers to give us chief casey because then he'd be in one of those white button down uniform shirts in every episode and that would be very pretty to look at 😌
