13. Chapter 13

Whew. Chapter lucky 13. Bless up.

Bat signal still up - if anyone has any suggestions for a fun chapter or two let me know! also I didn't realize how fun it is to get reviews before doing this so please tell me what you think!

Trigger warning for child abuse.

The flight landed at 10am in Chicago, greeting the couple with a brutally cold wind and nearly 18 inches of snow. Kate was barely aware of the flight, continuing to snooze against Jay for the entire trip. He sat in the back of the Sierra with the little girl in his lap, draped with his coat. Neither Jay nor Erin wanted to put the child into a car seat, so Jay pulled two seatbelts across his lap for dual safety. Erin carefully drove along the slick Chicago streets, glancing in the rearview mirror every so often to be sure her baby was in her partner's arms, safe and sound.

"Jay!" Will exclaimed, moving from his position of sitting outside their apartment. He leapt to his feet and embraced Erin tightly, "Thank god you got her."

Jay smiled at his brother's concern for his niece. "She's going to be okay."

Will let out a breath and followed Erin into the apartment. "I brought coffee, bagels and some stuff for Kate." He gestured to a bag that appeared to be full of books and assorted medical supplies.

"Thanks, man." Jay nodded in appreciation, gently tucking Kate's hair behind her ear. "I think we should all eat something, babe." He turned to Erin who was already pulling cream cheese out of the fridge.

"You wanna wake her?" Erin poured water into a small plastic cup and sliced a bagel in half, popping it into the toaster and tapping the counter impatiently. "God, I'm starving."

"Hey, Squirt." Jay kissed the side of his little girl's head and gently rubbed her shoulder, "Wake up kiddo, it's time for breakfast."

Kate groggily opened her eyes, catching sight of her uncle sitting at the breakfast bar sipping from a to go cup. "Uncle Will?" she mumbled, glancing around the apartment, "We're home?"

"Mm-hm, we're home." Jay smiled at Erin, "How does a bagel sound? Maybe a banana and some strawberries too, hm?"

Kate nodded and lifted her head off Jay's shoulder. "Hey there, Goosey." Will flashed the little girl a smile. She widened her eyes and smiled back. "It's good to see you, little lady."

"Good to see you too." Kate replied as Jay adjusted the little girl in his arms so that she was sitting up. "I went to a hospital but you weren't there."

"I know." Will's eyes darkened, trying not to convey his sadness to the little girl, "But I'm here now and I heard that you're going to be all better in no time."

Kate nodded as her father set her on the chair and Erin slid a half a bagel in front of her. "Bananas and strawberries coming right up." Erin stated, pulling open the fridge.

"Thank you!" Kate gingerly lifted the cup of water to her mouth using her splinted arm. Unfortunately, her grasp was inhibited by the bulky plastic and the cup tumbled to the ground, spraying water all over the counter and dripping onto the floor. "I'm sorry!" Kate exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes and quickly making their way down her face, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"No worries, baby." Erin rushed to comfort the little girl while Jay quickly wiped up the mess. "Just a spill. No big deal." Kate sniffled, still unconvinced that she wasn't in trouble.

"All good, Squirt." Jay tossed a towel into the sink and Will set about filling a kiddie water bottle for Kate. "Thanks, man." He accepted the bottle from his brother, "Here, this may be easier to use while you have the cast and splint." Jay wiped the tears off her cheeks and kissed the top of Kate's head.

"This is better." Kate replied, sniffling subsiding as she took a drink from the bottle. "Thanks Daddy."

Jay grinned at Will, who looked shocked at his brother's new name. 'Daddy?' Will mouthed, earning a nod from his brother. Jay gestured to Erin and mouthed 'Mommy.' His brother's jaw dropped as he turned to Erin, giving her a thumbs up. Erin rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Oh, Will, we brought back the files from Bellevue if you wouldn't mind taking a look." Erin reached into the tote bag that Olivia had given her to carry Kate's antibiotic prescription and documents.

"No prob." Will accepted the file and began to flip through it while Kate finished her bagel and fruit.

"Can I take a shower, Mommy?" Kate asked after the last bite of strawberry was finished. "I want to wash off the bad men."

Erin and Jay exchanged looks. Of course the little girl felt disgusting, having been in the presence of those horrible people. "Sure, baby." Erin nodded, swallowing the growing lump in her throat before realizing that the child had a cast and a splint, meaning one arm couldn't get wet.

"Actually, a bath may be better." Will piped up, digging around in the bag that he brought. "You can put this on your arm so the cast doesn't get wet." He produced a plastic sleeve and handed it to Erin.

"Are you okay to try a bath today, Kate?" Erin asked, taking note of the child's worried expression.

"Okay." Kate looked skeptically at her mother but nodded in approval. Erin carefully lifted her daughter off the seat and carried her to the bathroom, leaving the Halstead brothers in the kitchen.

It took all of Erin's strength not to burst into tears at the sight of the bruises that stood starkly out on Kate's pale skin. The upper parts of her arms not covered with a cast or split bore bruises where the criminal's fingers had been and her ribs were black and blue. A large purple bruise was forming on the lower right side of Kate's abdomen, likely the site of where her ribs had been damaged. "Alrighty babes, the water is nice and warm." Erin gently eased Kate out of her underpants and socks, overwhelmed by how frightened the little girl in front of her appeared. "I'm going to be right here, okay? Nothing bad is going to happen to you in the tub, I promise." Erin knelt down and carefully removed the splint.

"Okay." Kate whispered, raising her arms gingerly so Erin could lift her in. Erin was sure to keep the cast dry and was successful, largely in part to the plastic cover Will brought. She cautiously wet Kate's hair and washed it, sure to ask permission for every action as to not cause her daughter any fear. Once the little girl was all clean, she had grown comfortable in the tub, even smiling at her mother. "The tub is okay, Mommy." Kate informed her after Erin wrapped her up in a fluffy flowered towel, "I stopped being scared."

"Oh yeah?" Erin grinned, lightly drying Kate's damp tresses, "Not too bad, huh?"

Kate nodded, "I feel safe with you."

"Jesus Christ, a fractured wrist, sprained arm, concussion and bruised ribs?" Will looked up from Kate's file and stared at his brother in disbelief. "Who the fuck did this to her?"

Jay gripped the edge of the countertop, trying to keep his emotions in check. "The same bastards who hurt her in the first place."

"Tell me you got them." Will glanced back down at the file and up at his brother again when Jay didn't immediately reply.

"One guy shot himself, another is in custody but the main offender is in the wind. Again." Jay's knuckles were turning white as he recalled what his baby had been through and that Jackson had evaded justice for the second time.

"Shit." Will murmured, running a hand over his face. "But no signs of sexual assault."

Jay shook his head. "No, thank God." He pinched the bridge between his eyes. "Uh, would you check her out for me? Just-I trust you and we weren't at the hospital in New York-"

"Not a problem." Will held up his hand, "I'll take a look at her ribs and head tonight. And I can look at the sprain but you'll have to bring her to Med in a few days anyway for a look at the wrist."

Jay nodded, "They've got her on antibiotics as well, just in case of any infection she may have picked up."

"That's probably a good call." Will flipped over another page. "It looks like she may have been given a large amount of sedative given the fact that traces of it showed up in her bloodwork. It's probably contributing to her exhaustion." He closed the file. "Don't worry man, I think she's going to be okay."

"Thanks bro." Jay took a sip from the coffee cup. The brothers Halstead sat silently drinking coffee, mulling over the brave little girl in the next room.

Erin emerged from the bathroom, carrying a tired Kate in her arms. She was clad in a pair of light green pajamas with flowers on them that had been a gift from Sergeant Platt. Kate sleepily clutched her mother's top, barely able to keep her eyes open. "Little bit tired, huh, Squirt?" Jay smiled at the little girl before accepting her from his partner. Kate nodded drowsily and nestled closer to her father.

"I think her head hurts." Erin informed the brothers, "Does your head hurt baby?"

Kate shrugged and yawned. "Is it okay if Uncle Will takes a look at your ribs and head?" Jay asked, shifting the little girl so he could place her on the counter. She nodded again and shivered.

"Okay, kiddo, so it's really important that you tell us when something hurts." Will looked into Kate's heavy-lidded eyes. "I know you're really sleepy, but whenever you don't feel good or you're hurting, I need you to tell your mom and dad so that they can help you feel better."

"Okay." Kate mumbled, opening her eyes a little wider.

"Good. Now, does your head hurt?" Will gently touched her chin and tilted her head up.

"Uh-huh." Kate replied, squinting at the kitchen light. "And my arms." Jay and Erin exchanged glances, glad that their little girl was finally comfortable enough to say what was hurting. "My ribs only hurt sometimes."

"Like if you cough or laugh?" Will asked and the child nodded. "Alrighty, can I take a quick look?" She nodded her approval, looking nervously to her parents, who offered reassuring smiles. Dr. Halstead carefully raised her pajama top and examined her ribs. There was a large purple bruise darkening and Kate flinched when he touched it. "Okay, it looks to me like your ribs are already healing. Can I look at your arm?"

Kate held her arms out in front of her for her uncle to examine. He carefully held the splinted wrist in his hand. "The swelling is staying down, which is a good sign." Will informed Erin and Jay. "I'd give her the antibiotics and prescribe a nice nap." He winked at his niece who offered a tired smile in return.

"Thanks man." Jay kissed the top of Kate's wet head. "How does a nap sound, Squirt?"

She nodded and raised her arms, wrapping them tenderly around Jay's neck. "C-can I nap with you and Mommy?"

Erin smiled. She was exhausted as well and could definitely use a nice nap. "That sounds like an amazing idea, baby."

"I'll leave you three to get some rest." Will kissed his niece's cheek and gave Erin's shoulder a squeeze. "I'll see you later. Give me a call if you need anything or have any questions."

"Will do. Thanks again, bro." Jay waved to his brother before settling down on the couch. He shifted Kate into Erin's lap and draped his girlfriend's legs over his own before pulling his girls closer. "Comfy, babe?"

"Mm." Erin responded, cuddling into his side, banding one arm gently around her daughter's waist. "So comfy."

Later that night, Jay was still awake on the sofa. Erin had fallen asleep a little less than an hour ago beside him, but he wasn't ready to get up and go to bed. In all that had happened in the past week, sleep was the last thing on his mind.

"Daddy?" Kate whispered, wandering out of her bedroom into the living room. The TV was on, showing the 11pm news, but Jay wasn't really watching. He was listening to the gentle breathing of his sleeping girlfriend and thinking about the horrible person who was still out there.

"Hey Squirt. What are you doing up?" Jay turned to face his daughter who was slowly making her way over to him. "Did you have a nightmare?"

She shook her head, "I hurt." She murmured after her father helped settle her into his lap. Kate rested her head against his chest, supporting her injured arms gingerly on her knees.

He looked down at his little girl, concern swimming in his eyes. "Where do you hurt exactly?" Jay cupped her cheek with his palm. He glanced over to Erin, who was in a deep sleep leaning against the cushions.

Kate raised her arms slightly. "They ache. And my head."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," He ran his hand over her small head, "I know it hurts, but I can't give you any medicine until tomorrow morning." He sighed, frustrated that there really wasn't anything that he could do for his hurting child. Will had advised a baby aspirin which Kate had taken, but it didn't seem to have the desired effect.

"When will it stop?" Kate whimpered, desperation clear in her voice.

"It's going to hurt for a bit." Jay said honestly, "But soon you'll feel better, I promise. These things just take time."

Kate sighed and snuggled against him. "I'm sorry I made you and Mommy so worried."

"Oh, squirt, it's not your fault. Nothing that happened to you was your fault. And Mommy and I are so sorry that it did and we are never going to let anything like that happen ever again." Jay swallowed the lump in his throat, "We're going to keep you safe."

"But you said that last time," Kate looked up at her father tearfully, "And-and they still got me."

"I know." Jay subconsciously tightened his grip around his daughter, "But we are going to do everything we can to make sure it never happens again. We love you too much to let anything happen to you." Kate relaxed at her father's words, closing her eyes while Jay stroked her head. "It's okay now." Jay toyed with her soft hair. "I'm here, and I'll always protect you."

Kate opened her eyes and smiled softly, but then frowned. "But the mean men are always there when I sleep. It's so scary. I can't get away from them, I just can't!" Tears filled her eyes again as she recalled the many nightmares she endured.

"Hey, hey." Jay stroked her arm. "If the mean men get into your dreams, you come get me or Mommy, okay? You stay with us, and we'll keep you safe."

"Promise?" Kate whispered drowsily, closing her eyes again, "You won't be mad?"

"I promise. We could never be mad at you, Squirt. Whenever you're scared or hurting, I want you to tell me or Mommy, okay? That way we can try to help." Jay breathed a sigh of relief as he felt his daughter nod against his chest. He stayed on the couch and inhaled the scent of Kate's shampoo, grateful to have his little girl in his arms again.

After a while, Jay felt his daughter's body go slack and succumb to sleep. Carefully, Jay shifted her to carry her back to bed. "Can I stay here with you and Mommy?" Kate whispered, her eyes still closed, "I don't want to be alone."

Jay felt his heart clench as he settled back against the couch cushions. Erin had moved so that she was snuggled against his shoulder. "I'll take you and Mommy to bed a little later."

Jay, Erin and Kate spent the night on the couch. Kate slept directly atop Jay's chest with her arms resting on the back of the cushions as it was the only way to soothe the pain. When Jay awoke with a twinge in his neck he didn't even care, relieved that his daughter was safely in his arms and his girlfriend was cuddled up against his shoulder. "We slept on the couch." Erin mumbled, cracking one eye open after slowly waking up to the sun streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows.

"Mm." Jay replied, gently caressing Kate's back, "It was the only position that she was somewhat comfortable in."

Erin smiled and yawned. "You're such a good daddy."

After a few minutes, Kate opened her eyes and tiredly glanced at Erin. "Morning, baby." She leaned over at kissed Kate's forehead, "How did you sleep?"

"Daddy's comfy." Kate replied, her head still nestled on Jay's chest. "We slept on the couch?"

"We did." Jay ran his fingers through Kate's soft hair, "How are you feeling?" She shrugged in response, tentatively lifting her arms and bringing them to her lap.

"This one doesn't hurt," Kate held up her fractured wrist, "And this one only a little."

"And your head?" Erin asked, slowly pushing herself off the cushions, "Does your head hurt?"

"No," Kate offered a small smile, "Just a little sleepy."

"Are you hungry?" Erin stood and stretched, feeling her back crack slightly, "I'm starving." She picked up her cell phone, glancing at the many texted she received from her team, expressing their well-wishes for Kate's recovery. Kate nodded, still laying on Jay's chest. Erin headed for the kitchen and rifled through the pantry and fridge, holding up an almost-empty box of cereal.

"We forgot to go grocery shopping." Jay mused, standing with Kate still in his arms. "We should go later today, even though it's Sunday and the place will be mobbed."

"It's Sunday?" Kate lifted her head and looked over at Erin, "Doesn't that mean we go to Sergeant Voight's house?"

Erin and Jay exchanged looks, silently discussing the prospect of surprising Voight with a visit. They hadn't thought about how they were going to tell Erin's almost-father that Kate was now calling his daughter "Mommy", nor had they considered what his reaction might be. However, keeping Kate's life as normal as possible seemed to be the best course of action, so Erin nodded. "You're absolutely right, how could we forget?" She paused, glancing to the window, "I'm not sure the ducks will be at the pond though, with all the snow."

"They probably flew somewhere warmer." Kate informed her mother, "Mi-gray-ton."

Jay grinned, balancing the smart little girl on his hip. "How do you know about migration?"

"I read it in a book. When it gets cold, the birdies all fly south where it's warmer because they little." Kate said seriously, "And their ponds get frozen so there is no place to swim."

"You're so smart." Erin smiled, extending her arms so that Jay could pass the little girl to her, "How about we get changed into some warm clothes before heading to Hank's, okay?"

"Did you text him?" Jay hissed, hoping that Kate wouldn't overhear him. Erin was driving carefully along the snowy streets, avoiding the snowbanks. She nodded, glancing in the rearview mirror. Kate was looking out the window, her injured arms resting on a pillow in her lap.

"He said to come over whenever." Erin pulled into Hank's driveway, parking her Jeep behind the matte black Escalade. "And I'm assuming that means it's fine that we're at his house at seven in the morning."

"We did bring bagels." Jay lifted the brown paper bag. Erin chuckled and took the bag so that Jay could carry Kate. "Okay, kiddo, it's really slippery and I don't want you to fall on your arms, so I'm going to carry you, sound good?"

Kate nodded, eagerly raising her arms and wrapping them around Jay's neck. "It's cold." She commented, shivering slightly as she was removed from her car seat.

"We're heading inside really quick." Erin promised, leading the way to Hank's front door. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, brushing her boots on the mat. "Hank?" she called into the house, shedding her winter jacket.

"Kitchen!" Hank called back. Erin hung Kate's coat atop hers and took the little girl's hand.

"Sergeant Voight!" Kate exclaimed, her face breaking out into a wide grin when she saw her friend. Hank was standing at the stove, flipping pancakes.

"Hey kiddo." He returned the smile, squatting down so Kate could give him a hug. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Me too!" Kate pulled back, "You makin' pancakes?"

"I am. Do you want to help?" He looked up at Erin, who was smiling just as wide as the little girl, "I know you've had some practice."

Kate nodded furiously but paused, glancing down at her injured arms. "Oh. But I got two bad stirrin' arms." She extended her little wrists so that Hank could see, "I can't hold stuff too good."

"Hm." Hank tapped his chin, "Do you want to hold the bowl while I stir?" Kate nodded in agreement, accepting a boost to sit on the counter.

"Careful up there, Squirt." Jay said, accepting the mug of coffee that Erin poured for him, "Thanks, Er."

"Sergeant Voight, guess what." Kate said, holding the bowl in place on the countertop.

"What?" Hank asked, scooping pancake batter and pouring in onto the sizzling pan, "Not more broken bones, I hope."

Kate shook her head, "Nope. I met your friend Olivia in New York." Erin and Jay exchanged amused glances, watching Hank and Kate interact.

"Did you really?"

"Uh-huh. She was really nice and said that you guys were friends! But she's a lieutenant, so does that mean she's your boss?" Kate looked up at him quizzically. Jay stifled a laugh at Kate's ever-impressive intellect.

Hank chuckled, "Well, we work in different cities, so we're just friends. But sometimes our departments work together when we need help in New York or they need help in Chicago."

"Oh." Kate nodded in understanding. She looked over at Erin and Jay, who were sitting at the kitchen table, talking quietly. "Guess what, again."

"What?" Hank volleyed back playfully. He slipped a few pancakes onto a plate before turning to face the little girl. "I'm not good at guessing."

"Jay and Erin are my Daddy and Mommy now!" Kate informed him. The detectives snapped to attention at the sound of their names, Jay nearly choking on his coffee.

"Are they now?" Hank asked, looking over at his daughter and her boyfriend with a somewhat-surprised expression. Kate nodded adamantly. "Well, it's about time, isn't it?" Hank grinned and Jay let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Erin beamed at her almost-father's approval. "Okay, who's hungry for pancakes?"