Thank you all for the kind reviews.

I am a little behind on Chicago PD and I need to catch up so I have all my facts straight (to the best of my knowledge) - I should be caught up soon but until then, here's a little something to keep you tied over.

Enjoy and please continue to review.

-Ross

Carry On, Carry On

Erin gripped the counter top of the dimly lit washroom, staring down her reflection, wondering who she had become. "Pull it together." Erin muttered to herself, "For them." As always, she could only stare into her own eyes for a moment before she turned away, running her hands through her hair before shoving her hand into her jacket pocket to retrieve a red lipstick. Erin lined her lips, pressing them gently together to distribute the makeup before leaving the dingy washroom without another glance towards the broken mirror.

Exiting through the loading doors into a back alley, Erin strode into the cold Chicago night. She pulled her thin, pleather jacket closer around her, shivering as a gust of wind blew against her bare legs. Erin looked down at her worn out black heels and taking a sharp inhale of cold air she lowered her head and made her way towards the main street.

As she walked out onto the street, she lifted her head and causally strolled to her usual spot where she leaned against the cool red brick of a convenience store. She kicked one leg back against the wall and reached into her pocket for a pack of cigarettes.

It didn't take long for her first customer to arrive. Erin remembered the first time she had solicited, about three months ago, her eyes were red from crying as a young man shoved her in the direction of a black Mercedes. "You do good and we split what you make." He told her as she trembled beneath his grasp.

Erin walked towards the car and leaned into the window of the darkened car. The locks clicked open and she slipped into the passenger seat.

Erin wiped the smudged lipstick off her face with the back of her hand before shoving her hands deep into her pockets. Her fingers fiddled gently with the little bit of cash she had earned that night but her eyes were empty. Her body felt numb. Her fist clenched around the cash, pushing the evening out of her mind and reminding herself what she was saving for; a small two bedroom apartment in a better neighbourhood where she and her siblings would be safe. That was a long term goal - for now, they had to eat.

Erin pushed a grocery cart down the isles of the Walmart a few blocks from their house. She sighed as she grabbed a few boxes of Kraft Dinner and tossed them in the cart. At least they had a house, Erin thought, for now, their living situation always tended to shift drastically. Erin never knew where they would end up. She grabbed a couple cans of soup off the shelf before heading towards the check out.

"That will be $35.60" the cashier told her, Erin nodded, not matching the womans eyes as she dug her hand into her pocket to retrieve four ten dollar bills.

"I think I have some change-" Erin began checking her pockets, but before she could continue the woman thrust her change back into her hand, "Whatever." Erin mumbled as moved towards the end of the register and began packing the groceries into her backpack.

As she was leaving the store, Erin spotted a pair of mittens on a nearby rack, Erin retrieved the change from her pocket, glancing up at the sign that read $10.

Erin glanced around the Walmart before shoving a two pairs of mitts into her jacket. She moved to leave when suddenly a hand rested on her shoulder.

"Miss your going to have to come with me."

Erin's eyes darted around the store looking for an escape but her options were limited, she nodded slowly and allowed the employee to guide her towards the managers office. The twosome walked past the front door, and Erin decided to make a run for it.

Two security guards easily cornered the young, scared girl as backing her up against the wall.

"The store isn't going to press charges." The police officer explained to her, "You're lucky."

Erin stared at her shoes, "Right." She replied unenthusiastically.

The officer eyed her another moment, "You're free to go. Pick up your belongings at the front desk on your way out"

Erin nodded and walked quickly towards the front desk of the police station to retrieve her backpack.

The officer glanced over as he was approached by an older man, "Detective," he nodded his greetings.

"Looks like she knows her way around here." The detective nodded in the direction of Erin, his voice was low and husky.

"That girls been in here before." The officer agreed, "A couple misdemeanour charges."

"What'd she do this time?" the detective inquired.

"Retail theft." The officer replied, the detective cocked his head to eye the officer, "She was stealing mittens," he clarified.

The detective nodded, looking back at the girl, "Where did you say you picked her up again?"

Erin walked home slowly, she couldn't tell if it was very early or very late. She was exhausted, but would still have to find a way to go to school in the morning. Just as she was nearing the apartment, the sun began to be peak over the buildings, signaling the start of a new day.

When Erin got into the apartment, everything was quiet, her Mom was out, probably scoring a fix with her newest "friends." Erin moved towards the kitchen, she opened dropped her backpack on the counter and reached inside only to discover that the ice cream she had bought, Teddy's favourite, had melted all over the inside of her backpack and all over the rest of the food inside.

Erin took a deep breath as she pressed the heels of her hand into her eyes in an attempt to avoid bursting into tears. With another deep breath she removed her hands and set to work salvaging the remaining groceries.

After a little while, she began to hear rustling coming from the bedrooms, "Teddy?" she called out as she dried her hands on a dish towel and tossed it over the back of the couch, "Ems?"

Teddy and Emma emerged from the bedrooms, Teddy yawned and Emma rubbed her eyes, the kids were both clad in oversize t-shirts and sweatpants. Their tiny bare feet padded delicately on the cold apartment floor as Erin embraced both of them in a tight hug. "Come here." Erin said as she guided them towards the kitchen table, "Sit down."

Erin turned towards the counter and returned a moment later with a slice of chocolate cake topped with one freshly lit candle. "Happy Birthday Teddy." Erin smiled at her brother and sister. Teddy beamed and Emma clapped her hands together as Erin set the cake down in front of them with two forks. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Erin giggled as she placed a banana beside each of her siblings, "Breakfast of champions."