How long will Severide be missing on Chicago Fire? (It's good news)

Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) can't seem to stay in one place these days. The Chicago Fire veteran has been bouncing in and out of his duties at the 51, due to his desire to help the ATF with various arson investigations. He was gone for the last leg of season 11, and now he's gone again!

It was a disappointing revelation for fans, and Severide's wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), but the episode after he left, quietly assured both camps that he isn't going to be gone as long as he was last time.

Severide said he'll be gone for a 'week'

In the episode, "The Little Things" Kidd received a text message from Severide that read: "Miss you too. Just booked my flight. Home a week from tomorrow." It was a much-needed sign of affection from Severide, who has been increasingly focused on his work over the last year.

It also gave fans a timetable regarding his return date. A week in the timeline of the show isn't always a weekend in real life, meaning a week doesn't necessarily pass every time a new episode airs on Wednesday.

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There have been several time jumps on Chicago Fire, as evidenced by the six month difference between the season 11 finale and the season 12 premiere. There have also been instances in which an episode picks up seconds after the previous episode, meaning no time whatsoever has lapsed.

Severide has missed one season 12 episode so far, the aforementioned "The Little Things", but the show is going on a haitus during the week of Valentine's Day, meaning there won't be a new episode on February 14.

Chicago Fire boss confirmed he'd be back

Chicago Fire returns on February 21, which may very well be enough time for Severide to have made his way back from Tucson, Arizona. Showrunner Andrea Newman talked about Severide's availability during an interview with Variety, and she confirmed that the character will be back to play a big role in the rest of the season:

"He’s back, is what I’ll say. It’s a shortened season, but he’s back and Severide’s centerstage in this season."

It's difficult to take centerstage when one is another state, so that's pretty much all the confirmation we need that Severide will be back and suited up in Chicago before we know it. The real question is whether he will continue to suit up as a firefighter or as a member of the Office of Fire Investigation.

The character is considering the possibility of changing careers, and that's something that will have some major repercussions on the rest of the 51.