Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"This is the third time this week you've been in my ER."

Detective Jay Halstead grimaces as he looks up to the approaching figure of his younger brother, Dr. Will Halstead, hand still pressed to the sluggishly bleeding wound on his arm.

Will's expression was a mix of despair, worry and amusement all rolled into one as he took in the sight of his brother. Since he's moved to Chicago, he's seen his older brother in the hospital more times than he wanted too.

Jay meets the gaze of his partner, Detective Evan Severide, who sat on the bed across from him "I told you."

Evan laughs softly, before closing his eyes in pain "Brothers are going to worry. Connor worries all the time."

"Connor's lucky he doesn't work down here as much to see the aftermath" Will grumbles, shooting Evan a look standing between the pair "Okay, who's worse?" he asked.

He's not surprised when the pair points at each other.

Will eyed both of them "Bullet only grazed; I'll call a nurse to patch you up." Will says, slipping out of the curtain briefly to call April over, before eyeing Evan critically. "Head wound, caused by?"

"Pistol whipped." Evan grumbled "Snuck up on me."

Will sighs, but sits beside the young Detective, gloves snapping on, and starts examining the wound... "Doesn't look too bad. Any pain, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea?"

"No." Evan told him "Well, my head does feel like it's been cracked open, but nothing else."

Will hummed, moving back to shine a penlight in Evan's eyes, tracking his movements and coordination. "Okay, mild concussion. You are going to need stitches, but I'm not keeping you overnight."

"Really?" Evan's eyes light up. He did not want to be stuck in a hospital again.

Will laughed "You hate hospitals almost as much as Jay does."

There was a moment when Evan's eyes dimmed, his lips twitched downward, before he blinked "Thanks Doc" He smiled.

"Just take it easy. No gallivanting around for a while."

Evan glanced back at his partner "It's like he doesn't know us at all." Jay grinned in agreement. Will rolled his eyes at the two.

They make it back to CPD roughly two hours later, patched up and armed with antibiotics and painkillers, which Evan knows he will not touch. Voight is quick to check on the two and make sure they're okay, because no matter his reputation, everyone in Intelligence knows he's just a big papa-bear and his team is his family.

Evan nor Jay says anything about it, knowing Voight needs this, especially after losing Justin, he's been more protective over his team.

After several minutes of reassuring both Voight and the rest of their team, they're filled in on the past two hours of their current case, including another lead on the leader. Frank Bennett.

"Looks like Bennett has been transferring money into the Prince's bank account for the best several weeks." Dawson told them, "Money which can't be traced back to the Mexican cartel."

"So, the cartel pays the Prince's to smuggle the drugs into the city, but right when we get a lead on him, he takes them out. Why?" Erin asks, leaning back in her chair "It doesn't make any sense. Sure, they cut their losses, but not this brutally."

"And why deal bogus products?" Evan added. "They're not going to make any money once word gets around their killing the clients."

"None of this makes sense," Voight says, "But we need to make it make sense."

"Mouse is running down a trace we got on Bennett." Alvin told Voight just as Voight's desk phone began to ring. The man in question eyes it through the window, Trudy appears at the top of the stairs, addressing Voight.

"Hank, L.A. on the line for you. Case related."

Voight nods and quickly moves to answer the call, door clicking shut behind him. Alvin watches through the window for a long moment before turning back to the rest of the team. "As I was saying, Mouse's running a-"

Mouse appeared at the top of the stairs, waving a paper around "Bennett's been making several trips back and forth between Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as hitting a couple of other major cities once or twice, and guess where he just landed this morning?"

"L.A." Evan guessed, gaze flicking back to Voight's office, a frown on his face.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Mouse asked. Evan pointed at Voight who hung up the phone.

"That was Los Angeles' NCIS." Voight says walking out his office with a grim face, pinning two fresh printed sheets of papers to the board. "Two bodies were just found in Southern L.A. district this morning, both with the same COD as our five. Two more John Doe's from the past month have been linked in with similar COD also."

"They think it's the same group?" Atwater asks.

"Certain it is. With Bennett in L.A. as in this morning, this is now a cross-state case."

Evan felt a pit forming in his stomach "So we're heading to L.A?" he asked.

"Some of us." Voight said, watching Evan carefully. "Half of the team needs to stay here to keep this end going. Alvin is going to stay here and run it from this end, and I need two of you with me."

There's a moment of silence from the team. Every one of them understands what Voight is subtly asking of Evan, and how this might not be the best idea but the only one who would work. They know little about Evan's time in L.A., but they know he didn't leave on good terms.

Eventually Evan nodded. "It makes sense for me to go. I know the layout, and I've worked with NCIS before."

Jay raises a brow at this. For all the stories he and Evan shared about their past- Jay is the only person Evan opened up to down here about the war, since he knew what it was like- he's never mentioned working with NCIS.

"Then I'm in too." He says softly, knocking their shoulders together "Where Ev goes, I go." he said looking at Voight.

Voight gives them a tight smile, like he was already regretting this, "I knew partnering you two together would be golden and a pain in my ass."

Evan grins, "We live to please, Sarge."

He tried not to think about what he's going back to. There is no way he would run into anyone. 

Chapter Text

The tall rises of LA seem to surround him, blocking him in on all sides. The vast blue oceans taunt him, reminding him of the good and bad times. He pushed those thoughts away, being around water doesn’t scare him anymore, but he cannot see himself ever going into the LA oceans again.

“You, okay?” Jay whispered as they walked into LAPD headquarters.

Evan let out a deep breath “I will be.” He knew he couldn’t lie to Jay, somehow his partner always knew when he was lying, even just a little. Sometimes he let him get away with it, other times he wouldn’t. Evan knew this was one of the times Jay wouldn’t let it go.

The majority of senior staff were here, and Evan knew the possibility that Athena wasn’t here was slim to nothing. He knew his chances of seeing her were high since this has become a multi-state and multi-agency case, but he hopes to God he has more time before seeing her.

He just needed time to breathe, to adjust to being back in LA.

Thankfully, the first people he sees that he recognizes are actually the NCIS: LA team. Once Voight signs them in and they’re brought into the main area, he locks eyes with Sam Hanna who excused himself from Callen and the LAPD Chief, and made his way over to Evan.

“One-shot”

“Storm.”

Evan and Sam hugged, smiling at each other, before Deeks and Kensi walked towards them smiling at Evan “Deeks, Kenz” Evan smiled hugging the two as well.

Evan and Sam knew each other from their time on SEAL Team 6, both were on team together for 8 years before being discharged. Meeting Deeks, Kensi and Callen, was one of his first multi-agency cases when he was with the Five-O.

He and Danny had headed down to LA to work with NCIS after their suspect fled Hawaii, it had been one of the few times Steve had been MIA so that meant leaving the island in Chin and Kono hands. That was the first time in 2 years that Evan and Sam met again.

Once Evan congratulated Deeks and Kensi on being engaged, he turned to his partner and boss “Detective Marty Deeks, Agents Kensi Blye and Sam Hanna, my boss Sergeant Hank Voight, and my partner, Detective Jay Halstead.”

They nodded at each other.

“How do you know our boy?” Voight asks.

Sam looked at Evan with a raised brow, he knew Evan never told his team in LAFD that he was a SEAL, did he tell his new team? When Evan nodded Sam spoke “We go way back. SEAL Team 6.”

Evan smiled, shrugging his shoulders at Jay who shook his head at him, smiling softly.

Voight watched them with a smile, “Let’s focus on the task at hand.”

“You got it, Sarge.” Evan turns back to the front; Sam makes his way towards Callen. The LAPD Chief gestures to Voight, who in turn motions to Jay and Evan, then they’re at the front of the room with the NCIS team. Evan had just a moment to nod to Callen before the LAPD Chief addressed the room filled with his staff.

“You’re all aware of the recent DOA calls that looked initially to be a series of drug overdoses. These are now being treated as part of a larger case involving the Mexican cartel. Similar victims have been found in Chicago. As such, this investigation is now multi-agency and cross state, involving ourselves, the NCIS Office of Special Projects here in L.A., and the CFD Intelligence team.” The chief stated looking around the room, before gesturing to both teams “We will be working with Agents Hanna, Callen, Blye, and Detective Deeks from NCIS, as well as Sergeant Hank Voight, Detectives Halstead and Severide, from CPD Intelligence. Agent Hanna and Sergeant Voight will be leading the on-ground investigation, while the entire operation will be overseen by myself.”

He pauses for a long moment, “These cases can be tough and frustrating, but I am asking everyone to cooperate with both teams in finding and apprehending anyone involved.”

Voight is quick to step forward, already having time to talk with Sam on the plane ride over “We believe the cartel is heavily involved but we also have a suspect. Frank Bennett who landed in the city this morning. The rest of my team is back home running leads, myself, Halstead and Severide will be tracking down Bennett. Agent Hanna’s team will be looking into the cartel themselves. Both of our teams will need LAPD patrol teams at our disposal. You can volunteer, or we’ll simply choose several cars to aid our units.”

Sam stepped forward “This isn’t going to be easy” He admitted “But like Chief Santio said, we will need the full cooperation of LAPD if we’re going to get these guys.”

Santio nods. “Both teams will be taking over the command center upstairs. Head up there if you wish to volunteer, or if you have any information. Dismissed.”

The two teams joined together, Callen smiling at Evan “Nice to see you Ev.”

“You too G.”

Evan didn’t try to hug him knowing he wasn’t one for physical touch.

They spend a few minutes discussing their plan of action as the area empties, when a voice called out making Evan tense.

“Buck?”

He turns slowly, coming face-to-face with Sergeant Athena Grant-Nash, only a few feet away from him. 

Chapter Text

Evan stared at the woman who looked like she had seen a ghost. 

Athena Grant-Nash, the woman who was once a mother to him, now a stranger, stood in front of him. 

The last time she saw him, he was a shell of himself, but seeing him now, tall and proud, was a far cry of help from the man who disappeared. She's not so easily shocked, as a Sergeant and a mother, she's more than used to seeing strange, downright crazy things, and deals with them with grace and understanding.

But staring at the boy she saw as her own son, standing with detectives and agents, dressed in plain clothes but a badge and gun hanging on his hip, she didn't see the man who her husband and his team beaten down, she saw a man who rose from the ashes, creating a new version of himself. 

"Athena?" Chief Santio stepped towards his Sargent confused. Why was she calling the detective Buck? 

Evan stepped forward "It's alright Chief." Evan nodded, looking at Voight, raising a brow. 

"Go ahead." 

Evan gave him a tight smile before looking back at Athena "How about we talk over here?" He motioned to an empty hallway. 

Athena stared at her son, in amazement and disbelief "Buck your-"

"Evan." He cut her off. Athena frowned, brows furrowing "I don't go by Buck anymore. I go by Evan." 

"Oh." Athena was shocked. He always said he didn't go by his birth name because he didn't like it. In fact whenever someone called him Evan, he wouldn't respond until they called him Buck. Now, he wants to be called Evan. Why? "Um, Evan... You're a detective now" She said, eyeing the gun and badge on his waist. 

Evan nodded "Yeah." 

"And you've been in Chicago this whole time?" 

"Yeah." 

"We really screwed up didn't we?" 

Evan sighed. "Yeah" He sucked his lip for a moment before sighing again "It wasn't you, Athena. It was Captain Nash, and the others on A-shift." 

Athena frowned, how did it get so bad that he wouldn't even call Bobby by his name but by his title. "Why didn't you come to me? We could have fixed it." If he had gone to her, she would have set the team straight, before he even thought of leaving. 

Evan shrugged "There was no fixing it. I needed to go home to my family." Even if they apologized, he wouldn't... couldn't... trust that they would have his back if he did something to upset them again. He needed to go back home. Back to his family that will never let him down, even when they are fighting. 

"Family?" Athena asked. 

"Severide" Voight called from the entrance of the hallway. 

Athena and Evan turned to look at him, one confused and one curious "Yeah?" Evan asked. Athena's eyes snapped towards him. Severide? She hadn't heard his name early, in too much shock at seeing him to hear anything. Her eyes traveled down to his hand, and her breath caught in her throat. 

A gold wedding band sat on his finger. 

She missed her son getting married? She missed her eldest child getting married! How could that happen?! How could his team ruin him so much, that he didn't even invite her to the wedding. When she sees her husband she's going to kill him. 

"We need you." 

Evan nodded, turning back to Athena "I have to go. Good to see you." His smile was strained as he walked away. 

Athena watched him go with a frown, pain and guilt and regret filled her up before a fire lit up in her eyes. She couldn't make him forgive her husband and the idiots on A-shift, she couldn't make him come back, but she could make him see that she was there for him. 

Her, May, Henry, even Michael missed him. 

She will prove to him that he still has a family here. Prove to him that it doesn't matter if he made a new one, they were going to be there for him even when he goes back to Chicago. 

"Thanks." Evan muttered, breathing a sigh of relief. 

"No problem." Voight smiled a little.

Voight and him walked upstairs, entering a side room marked 'CPD'. The room is already set up with computers, a set of whiteboard and markers, and several printed files they sent over before making the journey.    

One of the chairs is already occupied by a young man who stood up "Scott Heart, nice to meet you." The young man introduced himself. 

"Since Mouse is in Chicago, I asked LAPD to borrow one of their analysts." Voight explained to his two detectives. 

The two nodded leaning against the wall. Voight turned to Scott "The first thing we need is an APB out on Bennett. Any info connected to him, any potential sightings, we need to know." 

"Got it." Scott nodded, sitting down and began typing on his laptop. 

"In the meantime," Voight turns to Jay and Evan, "We need to be hitting the ground hard. Any potential drug ring in the city that Bennett might be using, none of these bodies fit in with the cartel, and I have a feeling Bennett's just using them for finance." 

Evan nodded "Where do you want us?" He asked. 

"Go to the south side. I'm heading North. Any CI's you can get, use them." 

"Got it." Jay and Evan left, heading down stairs. They saw the Chief first "Chief!" Jay called out, walking towards him as Evan walked towards Sam to tell him what's going on. 

"Detective, need something?" 

"Detective Severide and I are going to the South Side to get information. Do you have anyone you can send with us?" Jay asked. 

The Chief nodded, looking around "Athena! Finn!" The two got up, walking towards the Chief and Detective "You two will be going with Detective's Halstead and Severide as back up." The Chief looked at Jay "Is that alright?" 

Jay eyed Athena for a moment. "Sure." He nodded, though he didn't know how Evan was going to react. He didn't know much about his partner's time in LA, only that his Fire Captain betrayed and shattered his trust so badly he had to get out. 

"Hey, we ready?" Evan laid a hand on Jay's shoulder, eyeing Athena and the other Sergeant.  

"Yeah." Jay nodded, "Sergeant Grant and Sloan will be our backup" He raised a brow, tilting his head slightly. 

Evan dipped his head a little and blinked once. 

Athena watched, a little shocked. She's never seen Buck – Evan – She's never seen Evan act like this with anyone other than Eddie. How much did they hurt Evan that he managed to form a connection to his partner with someone new in a few months. 

"Let's go." Evan nodded, walking past Athena without a glance.

Chapter Text

Evan drove in silence.

Jay eyed his partner. He could see the tense posture in Evan's shoulders, his hands clenched around the room, his knuckles almost turning white. “Ev, what’s wrong?” Jay asked, breaking the delicate silence.

Evan sighed “I’m fine. I knew I would have a run in with the others just didn’t think it would be in the first hour we’re here.” He huffed, shaking his head, “I wish Kelly was here.”

“I know.” Jay pressed his lips into a thin line wondering if he could make that happen. No way would Evan be able to keep his cool if others showed up today. It would be better if Kelly was here to calm the Rhodes fire in him.

They pull up a block away from the entrance, sliding quickly from their car and approaching the uniformed officers with them, vested up and ready to go.

“We don’t know if these guys are involved or not, but remember they are dangerous.” Jay says, “Whatever you do, do not engage with them. We approach cautiously. We’re not here to bust them, not today anyway. We just need to know if they’ve been in contact with Bennett. Ready?”

The four officer's nod. Jay meets Evan gaze for a brief moment, and they’re moving. They take up position on either side of the doorway, both Detectives moving in sync as always.

Evan knocks, waiting for a moment. Sure enough, a small hatch slides open, before the person behind it shouts “Cops!”

“We just want to talk!” Evan quickly intervened.

The man behind the door scoffed, “Sure, you do.”

Jay rolled his eyes. “We’re not here for you; we’re here for some information.”

There was a long pause, before “What kind of information?” He asked.

“About a man.”

“How much are you paying?”

Evan looked at Jay who nodded, and took a step forward “Depends on how much you know.” Jay pulled out a photo of Bennett “He familiar?”

“Fuck” The hatch slammed shut. Hackles raised, both Evan and Jay exchanged glances before moving. Jay moved behind Evan covering his 6, while Evan moved to the front, kicking open the door with a swift kick.

The immediate hail of bullets they’re met with tells them all they needed to know, as well as the stacks of heroin that littered the warehouse.

Evan ducked inside, taking cover behind a container, sending back his own barrage of fire as he covered Jay who moved forward taking out many people. The officers stood back, giving cover when they could, but watched the two detectives work like they’ve been together for years.

Athena watched the two with hidden surprise. The two worked better than Evan did with Eddie.

Evan moves out from the other side of the container, shooting one man in the leg making him fall to the ground.

“That was something.” Jay let out a long breath holstering his gun looking around the warehouse. Half the crew was down; the others ran. “We’re going to need a lot of cars.”

“Yep.” Evan nodded, moving to the guy he shot.

Athena stepped into the warehouse, looking around “Good job boys.” She watched Evan waiting for the light in his eyes that appeared whenever someone complimented him, but she was shocked when he just shrugged.

That wasn't normal, or was it? When he got compliments, he would stand a little taller, be prouder in his work, but now Athena sees that man every time she looks at him, not just when he got a compliment. Maybe that Evan has always been there, just hidden in the wrong career.

Maybe he was always meant to be a detective. Firefighting was only a placeholder.

After getting the perp patched up, Jay and Evan brought him back to the station leaving him with Voight in the interrogation room. No one bats an eye when Voight wants to go in alone.

No one bats an eye when cries are heard from the cracked door.

No one except Athena. She looked at the room, brows furrowed, mouth pressed in a straight line as she approached Evan who was leaning against the desk looking at the board. “Are you really okay with this?” She asked.

Evan shrugged “I’ve heard worse.” And has done worse. He was a SEAL after all.

Athena pressed her lips but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t her place anymore.

“Ev.” The two turned to see Jay walking towards them.

“Hey. nothing yet. Voight’s still working on him.”

“Alright.” Jay looked at the room then back to his partner “I got word of two more vics found on the west coast beaches. Holidaymakers, it seems or at least posing as one.”

“Where?”

“Hawaii.”

Evan releases a heavy sigh, pitching the bridge of his nose. His badge never seemed as heavy as it was right now. “Alright, I’ll make a call.” He told Jay patting his shoulder, before brushing past him. 

Chapter Text

Evan walked towards the NCIS team, "Sam!" Sam turned around, "Going to call Smooth. You joining?"

Sam nodded, handing G the file he was looking at. Evan and Sam, walked towards an empty conference room, "What do we need Smooth for?" Sam asked, leaning against the table as Evan pulled out his phone.

"Another body dropped. Hawaii." Evan told him.

Sam sighed, "Steve and Danny territory."

Evan nodded, putting the phone on speaker. It rang twice before the call picked up.

"Hey pup. It's pretty late to be calling, isn't it?"

Sam held back his laugh, "Yeah." Evan rolled his eyes at Sam, "I'm here with One-Shot."

"Hey One-Shot!"

"Hey Smooth."

"Wait- Pup are you in LA?"

"Yes I am." Evan nodded, though he knew only Sam could see him. "And I need you and Danno down here as well."

"What's going on?"

"Smooth," Sam cut in before Evan could, making the blond roll his eyes. "We got a case that crossed state lines. Drug Dealer, dead bodies. The drugs hit your place."

It was silent for a moment, making Sam and Evan share a look. They knew silence wasn't good when it comes to Steve.

"How many dead?"

"3 bodies in Hawaii." Evan told his father-figure.

"Danno and I will be down there in 4 hours. See you pup, One-Shot."

Sam and Evan looked at each other, both worried. That was Steve's, Someone's-going-to-die, voice. "I almost feel bad for Bennett." Evan gave Sam a look, the man held up his hands. "I said almost."

Evan laughed a little, "Come on. Let's tell everyone Steve and Danno are coming." The two left the room, heading upstairs to the rest of the team. G, Deeks and Kenzie were waiting with Voight and Jay along with Athena and Chief Santo.

"Get anything out of him?" Evan asked his boss, motioning towards the hallway leading to the investigation room.

"Bennett was here early in the week for 2 days before skipping town. He left the drugs for them to sell."

Evan nodded, leaning against the wall, "Yeah well he skipped right into Hawaii. Steve and Danny will be here in 4 hours to help since it hit their territory."

Jay, Voight, and G nodded while Deeks, Kenzie, Athena and Chief Santo looked confused.

"Steve and Danny?" Chief Santo asked, looking at Evan and Sam, "Who are they?"

"Lieutenant Commander Steven McGarrett. US Navy Seals. Detective Daniel Williams. They both work for the Governor at Hawaii 5-0 Task Force."

Athena eyebrows raised. She's heard of them, everyone's heard of them. The most elite task force, Hawaii has to offer. There have been many articles on the team, but most of them always include Lt Commander McGarrett and his partner Williams. How did her boy know those two?

"How do you know them?" Athena asked.

Evan looked at her, biting the inside of his cheek wondering if she should tell her or not. He still cares about Athena, and she did apologize and reassure him he was still family, even if he wasn't Buck anymore.

Evan looked at Sam, who raised a brow at him. He would keep quiet if Evan didn't want her knowing, but Evan nodded once. He wasn't hiding his past anymore.

"Steve was our CO in the SEALS." Sam told the sergeant. "We've always kept in contact with him."

"We met Danny on a trip down there for the Holidays."

"You were a Navy SEAL?" Athena asked, shocked. She never knew that. Bobby hasn't mentioned Evan being a SEAL. No one on the team has, not even Maddie.

Evan nodded "Since I was 18."

Athena did not know what to say to that. She kept finding things out about her son that didn't line up with the Buck she knew. Maybe that's the reason.

He wasn't Buck. He was Evan.

"Chief!" A Rookie rushed up the stairs, "There's another body!"

"Severide, Halstead." Voight nodded towards them.

Evan and Jay grabbed their jackets and rushed towards the stairs. Evan looked at Athena with a raised brow, "Coming?" He asked before he disappeared down the stairs. Athena followed quickly along with Sam and G.

Chapter Text

Evan crouched down in front of the bodies of two teens, neither could be older than 16. "We get an ID on them?" Evan asked, covering their bodies. 

"Elsa Moore, and Jessica Blake. Both 16." Athena handed over the ID's CSI found on the bodies. 

Evan took them with a sigh, "Our youngest victims, yet." Evan muttered. 

"Not our last either." Jay sighed. If they're selling to 16 year olds they could be selling to younger kids. "Let's head back. I'll call Mouse to see if he could get anything from the cameras." 

Evan nodded watching his partner walk off. 

"Mouse?" Athena questioned. 

"Mm" Evan hummed looking down at the ID's. "He's our tech guy. Severed with Jay." 

Athena nodded, glancing at the young man next to her. A SEAL. How did none of them know that? Especially Eddie, the guy was in the army wouldn't he have recognized the signs of another military man? 

"I know what you're thinking." 

Athena blinked. Evan was looking at her with a grim smile, "My time served was need to know. No one at the firehouse needed to know." Evan shrugged. 

Athena didn't know that. Wouldn't it be better for Bobby to know Evan wasn't wet behind the ears? "And Eddie?" Athena decided to not bring up Bobby. 

Evan shrugged, "He has PTSD and no therapy. I figured it was better not to talk about my time with him when even the mention of him sends him into a panic attack." 

Athena hummed, walking back to the car, Evan silently by her side. "He's getting help now." Athena admitted. Evan raised a questioning brow. "Eddie. He's in therapy now. After you left they all realized what they did, and they miss you so much." 

Evan nodded slowly not knowing how to respond to that. 2 months of hell because of them not even counting during the lawsuit or the months before when he was alone none of them cared enough about him to stop by and see him. 

If it wasn't because of Sam and his team plus Conner and Kelly, Evan didn't think he'd be here at all. Those months were the darkest he'd ever felt since he was forced into the reserves from the SEALS and it was because of his old team. Evan didn't think he could ever forgive them for that. 

"Ev," Jay stopped next to his partner. "Mouse is going to start looking. The others are on standby if we need them down here." Jay informed his partner, standing slightly closer than normal. 

He didn't know what Sergeant Grant-Nash said but he could tell it had some effect on his partner and Jay promised Evan brother and husband he'd protect Evan. Jay laid a hand on Evan back gently pushing him to the passenger side. 

"I'm driving." 

Evan was still out of it; he didn't argue sliding into the passenger seat. That worried Jay more than anything else. Evan always wanted to be driving. Pulling out his phone, Jay sent out a message to the group chat with the 5, Med,  and Intelligence without Evan. 

The chat that was made for him since he's always in trouble. 

*Don't know what was said but Evan is letting me drive.* 

Jay hit send and slid into the driver seat. 

Kelly Severide was cooking dinner for the firehouse. Casey, Cruz and Stella were sitting at the table while others were spread out across the floor. 

All their phones went off. 

"Oh shit." Stella cursed reading the message Halstead sent to the group chat. 

"Damn what the hell was said?" Herrman asked, alarmed. 

"What's wrong?" Kelly asked washing his hands of the chilly that got on him. 

"The kid is letting Halstead drive." Herrman told Kelly. 

Kelly dropped the bottle of soap, "What?" He grabbed his phone from the counter opening the text. "What the fuck did that woman say?" Kelly growled. 

"No idea." Casey shrugged. 

"What happened to Evan?" Boden asked, walking into the room holding his phone. 

*Ev said she told him something about his old house.* Jay's next text came through. 

The firefighters growled. They all knew what happened with Evan's firehouse and felt nothing but anger and disappointment towards them. Sure they all knew about the lawsuit and were confused wondering why Evan would sue his brothers and sister in arms but after hearing everything none blamed him. 

How dare those people leave Evan alone when he's healing? And Daiz? Leaving his son with his so-called "best friend" and not asking if he's actually okay. Using Evan as a free babysitter like he was nothing else. 

They also knew Evan sued his Captain only, not the whole house and he should have. The Captain lied, used the brass as an excuse and ruined Evan's livelihood. 

If Evan wasn't clear he lost his love for Firefighting Biden would have pulled him into this house, rules be damned that Kelly and Evan are married. 

"Those bastards," Cruz scowled. 

"I'm going to call him." Kelly tossed the rag down, "Casey watch the chilly." Casey nodded. Kelly walked to his office, shutting the door behind him. 

"Okay, why is that woman bringing them up?" Kim spat glaring at her phone like it personally offended her. 

"No idea." Erin huffed typing out a reply. "She has no need to bring those people up." 

*What did she say? Do I need to help you hide a body? Anything for Ev* 

"Erin," Ant gave her a look at her reply. 

"What?" Erin shrugged. "Like you guys wouldn't." 

Ant shook his head, "Not saying we wouldn't just saying you shouldn't leave a trail like that to lead it back to you." 

A message from Brett came through. 

*Kelly's calling Evan now.* 

"Good." Kevin muttered. *Where's Conner?* Usually Connor's the first one to answer the group chat since it always concerns his brother. 

*Surgery.*

Evan stared out the window, thoughts stuck on his old team when his phone started ringing. He answered without looking at the contact. 

"Severide," Evan answered sharply. 

Jay glanced down at his phone smiling at Erin's message. Of course she would go straight to killing. 

"Baby." 

Hearing his husband's voice, tension Evan hadn't realized he was carrying was lifted off his shoulder. 

"Kelly, hey." 

"What's wrong?" 

"Nothing," Evan shook his head. He didn't need his husband to worry especially since he's still on shift. 

"Baby, I can hear it in your voice. Tell me what's wrong?" 

They had an agreement that Evan wouldn't know of the group chat. He would hate it and feel like he was bothering everyone. How his husband didn't understand they have the group chat because they love and care and worry for him Kelly wouldn't understand but he would spend everyday reminding Evan how love he is.

Evan sighed knowing he couldn't lie to his husband. For a firefighter Kelly was very perspective you would think he was the detective. 

"Sergeant Grant informed me that my old partner Diaz is now in therapy and that my old team misses me and they feel terrible for what they did." 

Jay grip on the steering wheel tightened for a moment. When he stopped at the red light he texted the group chat. 

Now they were sorry!? After treating his partner like shit and making him doubt himself?! Jay knew no one would let those people get close to Evan no matter what. 

Kelly had to take a moment to breathe before he blew up. "Well." His voice was clipped making Evan's lips twitch. He was angry on his behalf and it made Evan's heart swell. "They can feel terrible all they want, you don't need them, okay? You have me and the crew, plus your brother, those at Med and your team. Remember you're not alone. Not anymore." 

Evan smiled brightly, heart feeling lighter at the reminder of everyone he has now plus Sam and the team along with Steve, Danny and the rest of 5-O. He had people in his corner and he might have forgotten that last time but he won't this time. 

"I know." Evan whispered, smiling at Jay. "I won't forget again." 

Will pressed his lips glancing at Natalie "How long do you think we got before Conner sees the messages?" He asked. 

Natalie shrugged, closing her locker getting ready for the end of their shift, "His surgery should be done in a few. If we get his phone now-" 

"What the hell!" Conner's voice boomed across the locker room. 

Will and Natalie turned to the door, Conner stood in the doorway phone in hand with an enraged expression on his face. 

"Nevermind," Will mutters jumping up to calm his best friend down as Natalie looked back at the chat wincing when she saw Jay's message. 

*The Sergeant told Evan that his old partner is getting therapy because he felt terrible of what he did to Evan and that they miss him* 

Oh that was the wrong thing to say to Evan and everyone knew that. To someone else it might have helped knowing the person is getting help but to Evan it just shows him that the person knew they were hurting him, knew what they were doing was wrong but didn't care until it was too late. 

They miss him too late. He was there. He was in front of them for months hoping, begging for them to miss him to contact him and they only did it when he left. To Evan that wasn't helpful. It was hurtful. 

Natalie sighed looking back at Will and Conner. Will is trying very hard to calm the angry brother down. 

*Might need back up at Med* She sent. 

*Kelly got him.* A photo of a smiling Evan was sent calming Conner a little but he still felt mad on his brother's behalf. 

The Intelligence crew got one text that sent them into drive. 

*Down here now- Voight*

Chapter Text

When Sam caught sight of Evan and Jay entering the precinct, he knew something was wrong. To others Evan might seem fine, but he spent years at war with pup and knew what to look for. Evan was standing too straight, eyes had a slight tint of red to them, he wasn't crying but he came close to him, and he was biting the inside of the lip showing he was deep in thought.

Sam crossed the room, gently grabbing Evan's shoulder pulling him to the side.

Jay glanced at his partner but Evan waved him off. Athena who was following behind the two glanced at Evan but kept walking when she saw his partner wasn't worried.

"Alright, what happened?" Sam asked.

Evan sighed, shaking his head, "Nothing just . . . something Sergeant Grant said." Evan shrugged.

"Want me to take her off this case?" Sam asked right away. He didn't need to hear more. Sergeant Grant said something that bothered his brother, and if Evan said so, he'd kick her off this case without hesitation.

Evan smiled knowing Sam had his back. How he forgot it during those months alone, Evan wouldn't understand but he wouldn't forget again. "No, she's fine. I'll barely be paired with her anyway." Not with the way Jay was acting.

Sam nodded, "Okay, come on. Let's go before someone tries to kill Grant."

Steve and Danny walked with Chief Santio listening as he explained what was happening so far. "I want to thank you again for coming down here." Santio thanked the two.

"It's our pleasure." Danny smiled a little.

"Evan called, of course we came." Steve shrugged.

"Evan?" Santio asked, confused.

"Detective Severide." Danny clarified.

Santio nodded leading the two upstairs where the operation was taking place. Steve and Danny scanned the room, eyes landing on Sam and Evan who were talking by the board in low voices. Steve smiled seeing the two together, he missed seeing them in person only talking through the phone and it wasn't the same thing.

"Sargent Voight, Agent Hanna." Santio called out. The room quieted down, attention shifting towards Santio. Sam and Evan stood up straighter smiling a little when they saw the two. "Lieutenant- Commander Steve McGarrett, and Detective Daniel Willams from 5-O."

Voight walked forward, shaking their hands. "Sergeant Voight, Chagico Intelligence."

"Nice to meet you." Danny and Steve nodded. Steve glanced at his teammates. "Sam, Ev."

Sam and Evan walked towards them, Sam pulled Steve into a quick hug, "Hey Smooth." Steve clapped him on the back.

When they pulled back, Steve didn't waste a second, pulling Evan into a tight hug. "Hey pup."

Evan smiled, holding onto Steve for a second longer than necessary before pulling away. "Hey pops." Evan said loud and clear. No one glanced twice at the title, except Athena. Her head snapped towards them, confusion clear on her face wondering why Evan was calling someone else pops. Didn't he see Bobby as his father?

The others were just happy that Evan had a father figure he knew would never betray him and his trust. The Chief didn't say anything, guessing Detective Severide was either the two men's adopted child, or the brown haired man was his biological father. He did see a wedding ring on his finger so the different last name isn't a shock.

"I got my team working on the bodies that hit my town." Steve jumped right in handing Voight the file Danny made with all the information, on both victims. "Gwen Hart and Frank Lang. Boyfriend and girlfriend. 23-years-old, both found in an alleyway, O.D." Steve rattled off.

Deeks sighed, "This guy all over the place. Chicago, LA, now Hawaii. What's his play here? Why is he hitting so many different places at once?"

"That's what we need to find out." Danny told the man. "We have our techs running a trace on Bennett. The moment a CCTV catches him, they'll know."

Voight nodded but glanced at Evan to make sure he could trust these guys. Evan nodded once, and Voight relaxed. Evan might not have been on the team long, but his opinion was one he trusted the most. Athena caught the small interaction and wondered how different Evan's new team treats him from his old one.

"Okay." Voight nodded. He turned towards the chief, "The rest of my team will be here tomorrow morning."

Jay smiled. Evan blinked. The chief only nodded. "Understood." He nodded towards the large group, turned and left.

Sam glanced at the time and sighed, "It's already 11 and I don't think we're going to get anything else today." Sam glanced at Voight. "Call it a night?" He suggested.

Voight glanced at Evan and Jay, though they tried to hide it, Voight noticed the slump of their shoulders and droopyness of their eyes. "Yeah." He nodded. "We'll pick it back up tomorrow morning. See things with new eyes."

"Everyone in the bay!" Boden called out.

Casey, Cruz, Stella, Herrman, Sylvie, Gabby, Gallo, Kelly and Mouch gathered in the apparatus bay, looking at their chief.

"Everything alright, Chief?" Mouch asked.

Boden glanced at his team, stopping at Kelly who was leaning against squad 3 truck. "As you know this year the LAFD are inviting different firehouses from across the world to work with them for two weeks and teach them some stuff." Boden started.

The team stood up straighter. When the news of the 'transfer' as they took to calling it was first announced they didn't see a problem with it but the Fire Chief wanted their house to be one of the first on the lists to go to LA. Why? They had no clue, but Kelly had guessed it was because the fire chief had a soft spot for Evan.

None of them wanted to go to LA, not wanting to risk the chance of being put with the 118. But now? Oh now they were hoping to go.

"I got word that we've been accepted to be a house to teach. So everyone pack your bags because we're heading to LA tomorrow morning. The LAFD has set us up with hotel rooms, all expenses covered. Any questions?"

Sylvie raised her hand, "Which house are we going to?" She asked. The team leaned forward all wanting to know as well.

Boden smirked, usually he stayed out of drama but when it comes to Evan? No way was he letting anyone make that kid feel like crap. "The 118." The team shared looks, oh they were going to make that house pay. "Now remember you're still on the job, so don't do anything . . ." The team deflated a little. "Where I can see." Boden added.

"Got it!"

"Don't worry."

"Yes."

Kelly didn't say anything but by the smirk he had, his crew knew whatever he was planning was going to make the 118 wish he never stepped foot into LA. 

Short chapter I know but I wanted to get something out for this book! Bringing the CFD to the LAFD! Oh boy it's going to get crazy and I can't wait to write it.