Chief Casey Season 1: Chicago's Newest Chief (Dawsey)

Chapter 2

Matt's POV: After setting my things down in my new office as Chief, I needed to speak to her quickly. "Connie?" Connie then turned around. "Oh, hi Mat...I mean Chief." I nodded and smiled. "Casey or Chief is okay. I just wanted to let you know that I would like you to stay on as my assistant. I need someone here for transition. Are you okay with that?" Connie smiled and nodded. "Good, I am glad. And honestly, I am glad they brought you back as Chief. Nobody deserves this more. I will make sure you are ready to do this job. Anything you need, I am here to help you Chief." I smiled when she said that and then sighed. "Can you just call me Matt for now? I am still not ready to hear someone call me Chief. I am still grieving for Boden." 

Connie nodded and agreed. "By the way, congratulations. Wally has a great namesake." I smiled and agreed. "Yes and he has a great best friend already. I am going to go speak to some of my officers if you don't mind." Connie nodded and smiled as I walked away to Severide's office. Seeing him and Stella sitting on the bed, I then went to lean against the door. "I thought the e-mail said that I expected all officers on the floor when I arrived this morning." Severide then turned his head and stared at me. "No! You're the new Chief?" I nodded and smiled as I looked at him and Stella. "God, this is the first time we've seen each other since that ring."

Severide laughed and nodded as he turned to look at Stella, smiling at her. "Okay, now enough is enough...you guys are going to meet your new nephew later. But first...I need a look at my nephew and future Candidate." Severide laughed and nodded. I then went to sit down. "Chief, meet Stephen Severide." I smiled and looked at him as she went to put him in my arms. "He's precious. You guys are going to be the best parents ever." I smiled at Stella and looked at her. "Severide, I just want to say this...I called a meeting for us when I am done. I want to speak to all officers before the ceremony. That includes our new PIC. But, I can do that in private later."

Stella then turned to look at me. "Gabby is coming back?" I nodded and smiled. "In July. Right now, she's going to take care of Ella and Wally with her mom's help. But, she's going to be here all the time. Like every shift. She knows I can't go a few hours from seeing the kids. I am not doing overnight shifts yet because of Wally's age." Severide then stared at me. "Wally, as in..." I nodded. "Wallace Bode Casey or Wally." Severide smiled when I said that. "Chief...I mean, Boden would be so proud." I smiled and nodded. "That's right Severide, I am Chief now. No longer Captain, Chief. Get used to it. I am the big boss now."

Severide nodded and smiled. "Now listen, I just called an officer's meeting. Stella, you are exempt because you are on maternity leave. However, I have to steal Severide. I hope you don't mind that I cancelled his paternity leave. I don't care if you just had a kid 3 months ago. I need my Squad Lieutenant back for my first few months back as Chief." Severide nodded and agreed. "Stella, I want you to stay for the ceremony." Stella nodded and smiled. "Of course." I then looked at Severide. "Now, I need to steal your husband. See you soon."

I then went to walk away when Severide followed me. "Why didn't you tell me man?" I smiled at him and then went to rub his back. "Because I didn't want it getting out to anybody other than family. I still have to speak to my counterpart at CPD and Med Later. So that's going to be fun. I just hope I can convince them to get me Antonio instead. Would much rather deal with Antonio. Thank god he is at CPD for the next month before he goes on paternity leave next month." Severide then stared at me. "No, they are having a second kid? Him a 4th!" I laughed and nodded. "Yeah. But enough personal talk. I am on duty."

We both agreed and nodded as I went to walk into my office. That's when I saw the district chief there with my Captain. "Chief Walker. If it's okay I'd like to speak with my officers alone for a moment? I want to go over things." Walker nodded and agreed. "Just wanted to look at this place before you redecorate." I nodded and smiled when I remembered my bag was already behind me. I then went to grab the pictures and put them on the desk. "My 5 pictures. Family, wife and 3 kids." Severide then went to look at him. "God, that son of yours is cute."

I smiled and nodded. "You can meet him later. So make sure that son of yours stays around. I want him to meet my daughter. By the way, I beat you by 9 days." Severide then stared at me. "What?" I smiled and nodded. "Ella Maria Casey was born on September 30, 2021." Severide smiled and nodded. "Stephen was born on October 9, 2021. So, you're lucky." I nodded and agreed. "So that means I won the race to 1, 2 and 3 kids!" Severide smiled and nodded. "Now, we said a meeting with the officers?" Hermann nodded and looked at me and I agreed. "Effective immediately, I want to start a review of all processes."

They both stared at me, shocked. "What?" I sighed and looked at them. "I want to go over them so I am familiar with them. If I want to change some, I will so they are more efficient. However, for the next 6 months...we are to continue under Boden's regiment." They both nodded and agreed with me. "First act. I am going to be asking you both to go through your trucks. I want a complete inventory of all items we have in stock, and all items we need to purchase. Anything that was made in 2020 is to be retested to see if it works. I want new. New turnover."

They both agreed with me. "Also, I want you both to understand this. You may have been my colleagues for 18 years. But now, I have been appointed Chief after a recommendation from Boden. This was his dying wish and I do not need any backlash from amongst my ranks. That means that Severide....for the next few weeks, when I give an order...you respond yes Chief. Our friendship is on the backburner. I need to gain respect with all the firemen and the rest of the chiefs at the CFD. I am young. The youngest ever. I need credibility." Severide agreed. "No complaining over drinks?"

I laughed when he said that. "Dude, I have 3 kids. One of them is 3 weeks old. You really think I am going to drink anytime soon?" Severide laughed and agreed. "Now listen. I want you to get all of the men on the floor. I want to do an inspection of their uniforms. Please send in Chief Walker on your way in. And Severide, no bantering with Hermann that I am being too strict. In fact, make sure that Walker knows I am strict. Understood?" Severide nodded and agreed before getting up and walking away. He then went to send in Walker for me. Getting up, I went to shake his hand. "Chief Walker. Welcome to Firehouse 51."

Walker smiled as he heard my door close. I then went to sit down. "Congratulations on your return, the promotion and the birth of your 2nd and 3rd children. How's fatherhood?" I smiled and nodded. "Amazing. Now listen, I want to let you know that my wife and kids will be around here as much as possible. We are going to keep this as a community firehouse. I am not going to be an absent father. Is that okay?" Walker nodded and understood. "We put this on you quickly. I hope this is okay?" I nodded and agreed. "Now for Chief meetings. Can I try and just join in through the phone right now?"

Walker then glared at me and remembered my son was 3 weeks old. "Right, 3 week old. I understand." I nodded and smiled at him. "I promise though, I will begin soon. I just need to get this all settled. Heck, I am still grieving the loss of my mentor. He was like a second father to me. I never really had a dad as a kid." He nodded and understood. "I understand Matt. I promise not to step on your toes. I know things are done differently here at Firehouse 51." I nodded and agreed. "I promise though. Things will be done perfectly. Now if you don't mind. I have to go speak to my crew. I will see you at the ceremony?" 

He nodded and agreed as he went to get up. "Congratulations again Chief Casey." I smiled and nodded as I shook his hand before walking away to go speak with the staff.