So this is the final chapter, I hope I don't disappoint anyone. Thanks to everyone who has read this and waited patiently while I took forever to update it (sorry about that)

Let me know what you think but please be nice, I'm a wuss ;)

The show must go on...

When Kelly woke the next morning he felt refreshed. He knew he'd had a good nights sleep and for the first time in weeks he hadn't had a dream about Andy. He stretched across his double bed and lay there for a few minutes taking a few deep breaths and enjoying the fact that he felt no discomfort in his chest whatsoever. He couldn't help smiling a little. Sitting up in bed five minutes later he got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, running the shower and dumping the clothes he still wore from the night before in his washing basket. He got the water temperature just right and got in. Ten minutes later his body was clean and dry and he made his way to his bedroom, towel wrapped around his lower body.

Shay rolled over in bed, her head was pounding and she couldn't remember how she'd gotten home. She squinted as the light poured in through a gap in her curtains and pulled her covers over her head with a groan. She heard her room mates door open and close and knew Kelly was probably already showered and dressed ready to start the day. She intended to spend the whole day in bed.

Kelly got dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen making himself a coffee. He'd passed Shays room but decided to leave her to sleep, knowing she'd need it. He took his drink and sat on the kitchen stool. He thought back to the night before; he still couldn't believe he had seen and spoke to Andy. It was surreal and he would never ever forget it. He smiled when he thought about Ben and Griffin, remembering Ben calling him uncle Kelly. It gave him butterflies in his stomach. He never thought he'd hear them call him that again. He was glad Heather had spoken to him and that they were okay too, he needed that. The front door knocked making Kelly jump a little as he was still daydreaming. He went to the door and answered it seeing Casey standing on the other side.

"Hey." Kelly said holding the door open for his friend to walk in.

"Hey, just thought I'd drop by, see how you were doing." Matt walked through the door eyeing his friend to make sure he was infact okay before Kelly said he was.

"I'm good. I feel great actually." Kelly lead the way to the kitchen and grabbed the coffee pot. "Drink?"

"Yeah sure."

Kelly poured Matt a coffee and took it to him placing it on the breakfast bar and taking a seat next to his friend.

"How's Shay this morning?" Matt asked with a smile.

"I haven't seen her but I'm guessing she's gonna be suffering with a bad head for most of the day."

"Yeah I bet. So you're definitely okay?"

"Yeah, last night was the best nights sleep I've had in ages and my chest feels fine." Kelly admitted finishing his coffee.

"That's great. So you should be back in work before you know it."

"Hopefully, as long as Chief doesn't find some reason to keep me off." Kelly sighed.

"Nah, I think he was more worried before he saw you last night running after Ben and Griffin. He was watching you like a hawk to make sure you were okay but after that you could tell he was more relaxed." Matt took his and Kellys empty mugs and placed them near the kitchen sink.

"You wanna get some breakfast? I'm starving." Kelly asked hearing his stomach start to groan.

"Sure." Matt nodded. "You're buying."

Kelly grabbed his jacket and wallet. "You're driving."

C.F.

They arrived at a small cafe called 'breakfast berrys' one that Matt swore did the best breakfast burritos ever. Kelly ordered the same as Matt, a breakfast burrito filled with chorizo, peppers and cheese with an extra crispy hash brown and a berry banana smoothie.

"Nice huh?" Matt asked smiling when he watched Kelly finish his drink.

"I can't believe you kept this place a secret." Kelly said. "I never knew it existed."

"Yeah, Hallie bought me in here after we first met. I've been hooked ever since... I was gonna go to Andys grave, you wanna come too?" Matt wasn't sure if Kelly would feel up to it but he hoped he'd say yes.

Kelly was silent for a moment, he always got nervous at the thought of seeing Andys grave but he knew he should go. "Yeah, it's long overdue." He admitted.

C.F.

They arrived at the cemetery an hour later after picking up some flowers for their fallen friend. Kelly felt his heart rate begin to quicken as they pulled up in a parking space. He was reluctant to get out of the truck when Matt started to get out the drivers side.

"Everything okay?" Matt asked poking his head back in his door and looking at Kelly.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Kelly took a deep breath and exited the car closing the door behind him.

Matt locked it and they both made their way to their friends grave. It didn't take long to reach and it stood out from the other graves surrounding it. There were flowers from friends and family placed neatly in front of the headstone all with little tags with a special message and a name with who'd bought them. Kelly spotted Heather and the boys straight away, theirs were the biggest bunch and he knelt down to read the card attached.

If tears could build a staircase and memories a lane,

We'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

To a loving husband and father Andy, wishing you were here on your special day. Forever in our hearts. All our love, your loving wife Heather and sons Ben and Griffin xxx

Kelly swallowed the lump in his throat and passed the small card to Matt for him to read as he looked at the others. Almost everyone from the fire house had bought flowers and cards leaving a loving message that tore at Kellys heart strings. He took a deep breath and unwrapped the flowers they'd bought; fire truck red Shirley poppies, and placed them near Andys headstone. Matt put Heathers card back in its place and gave Kelly a sad look, he too having to swallow the lump in his throat.

"If Andy could see us now he'd probably make fun of us for bringing flowers." Matt said attempting a smile.

Kelly gave a small smile. "You know what he'd say. I died, I didn't become a woman."

Matts smile turned genuine and he even managed a chuckle. "I can imagine him saying that."

Kellys smile faded though as he looked at the headstone and shook his head. "Gone too soon. Way too soon."

Matt nodded in agreement. "We never really spoke about what happened, all we did was raise our voices and blame each other."

"I know. I should never have blamed you Matt." Kelly said looking at the floor.

"We should never have blamed each other. I was pointing the finger just as much as you." Casey admitted with a shameful expression. "I feel like he's around sometimes, I'll see movement and there'll be no-one there and I just feel like it's him... Crazy right?"

Kelly shook his head. "Less crazy than you think."

"You get it too?" Matt asked feeling a little relieved he may not be losing his mind after all.

"Oh yeah, I get it." Kelly replied looking at Casey with a sincere expression.

Matt sighed. "Two crazies then." He smiled.

"Comes with the job description, we gotta be a little crazy to do what we do." Kelly joked lightening the mood. He looked at Andys headstone again. "When we were younger we'd spend hours in my back yard pretending to be fire fighters; saving imaginary people from burning buildings stories high and getting cats down from trees. We'd use blankets tied to one another for a hose and drag it around making the sounds of the water dousing the flames. We never left anyone behind, especially each other." Kellys breath hitched as the blame he felt for Andys death crept back in slightly.

"Hey. This wasn't your fault. It was no ones fault." Matt said placing a hand on Kellys shoulder.

Kelly nodded trying to accept that what Matt was saying was true but deep down he knew he was partly to blame. He knew if he'd vented the back of the house the whole situation could've been prevented and that was on him. He couldn't change what had happened and he knew Andy would kick his ass if he could for blaming himself, so he took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts aside as best he could.

Kelly turned to Matt. "Thanks."

Matt nodded and looked at Andy's stone. "I have to admit it was hard celebrating last night without the guest of honour there, I had to tell myself you were running late to stop myself from breaking down right there in front of everyone. Yes I'm a wuss." Matt joked smiling. "I miss you, Kelly misses you. We all miss you. You better save a place for all of us up there and you do realise I'm never gonna let you live this down when we meet again, you were wrong for leaving us as early as you did. I don't know how you haven't been kicked out of heaven already, I'm wondering how many pranks you've played on people up there." Matt heard Kelly laugh and looked over at him with a smile. "Anyway..." he stopped to clear his throat. "Happy birthday to you brother."

Kelly smiled and nodded. "Happy birthday to the best friend I ever had."

Matt walked over to the headstone giving the top a small pat before heading back towards his truck. Kelly watched him go and walked to the gravestone running his finger along the letters of his name; he still couldn't believe his best friend was there. It broke his heart. As much as he had been nervous about going he was finding it hard to leave but he managed to bring himself to his feet and somehow kept the tears at bay. He reluctantly made his way back to Casey who was sitting in the truck waiting.

Andy watched him walk away, a sad look on his face as he knelt down towards the flowers his two friends had placed there for him. "Wussies." He said as a small smile came to his face and he watched as Kelly got into Matt's truck. "Thank you."

C.F.

Matt dropped Kelly home and he was surprised to find Shay still in bed. He crept in her room and smiled when he saw her sprawled out fast asleep with a patch of drool on her pillow. He went downstairs and made her a mug of coffee and grabbed two pain killers with a glass of water taking them to her room on a tray.

"Shay." He said quietly while gently nudging her.

She responded with a very unladylike groan and attempted to roll over but she got caught in her duvet and Kelly almost laughed when he saw her almost try to wrestle it free not realising she was lying on it.

"Shay!" He said a little louder. It worked.

"Ugh!" She moaned opening one eye slowly. "What?"

"It's after midday, you gonna join the living?" Kelly asked watching her with an amused expression.

"No." She said simply.

"I bought you a coffee and there's two pain killers on the side with some water."

Shay opened both her eyes this time and gave her best attempt at a smile. "You made me a coffee?"

Kelly nodded with a big smile.

"Awww." She said like it was the best thing he'd ever done for her. Coffee sounded like heaven right now.

She sat up in bed slowly and shoved a pillow behind her. Kelly passed her the tablets with the water first which she reluctantly swallowed. After taking the glass Kelly handed her the coffee and her face lit up.

"Did I tell you I love you?" She asked taking a sip of the hot liquid.

Kelly laughed. "All the time, but hearing it again never hurts."

"I love you." She said seriously tapping the bed indicating for him to join her.

Kelly put the other pillow behind him and lay back next to her. "I love you too." He said as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you both." Andys unheard voice said from the doorway, watching his two friends. "Forever."

Aww that's all folks! Thanks for reading this story I really appreciate it. I hope the ending was okay I didn't want to drag it out. I am working on another Chicago Fire story and I hope when I upload it that you'll have a read. Thanks again :)