I woke up the next morning to find my Dad sitting in the chair in my hospital room. "If you look as bad as you do, I can only imagine how bad I look." I said as I opened my eyes. "Hi Dad." "You gave me quite a scare Christine. When I called for the fifth time the Detective who answered your phone told me what happened." he said, as he held my hand. I looked at him, gave him a weak smile and said "Yeah, definitely not the way I thought I would be spending the night of December 23rd. I thought by that point I would have been tucked into bed in my old room at your house. And this is definitely not the place I planned on spending my birthday." I said to him. "Ah yes, your birthday. Now I can continue our tradition and say it in person. Happy Birthday, Christine. I love you." he replied bringing tears to both our eyes. "That Detective, the one who answered your phone, came by while you were still sleeping. He said he would be back a little later to take your statement. The doctor came in as well. He said he would be back by in an hour or so. There's a good chance you will be released today." "Thank God! Where should we have dinner tonight? I'll have to make reservations right now." I said, trying to think where I could get us in for dinner that wouldn't be the hotel and wouldn't result in us eating delivery from the local Chinese Restaurant. "Maybe you should get the okay from your Doctor before you start making dinner reservations." a voice said from the doorway. "Connor! How did you know I was here? Wait, did you operate on me last night?" I asked. Before he could answer, I turned to my Dad and said, "Dad this is Connor Rhodes. Apparently, he is not only my friend and neighbor he is now also my Doctor." After exchanging quick pleasantries, Connor told me I could go home but needed to keep pressure off of my leg. Which meant I would be on crutches for the next week or so. Well I guess it could be worse I thought to myself. "I'll go get the paperwork for you to sign and then we will get you on your way. I'm getting off shift shortly, can I give the two of you a ride home?" Connor asked. "That would be much appreciated." my Dad replied. "Hey Dad, Connor doesn't really have much family he is close to and if he is getting off shift now, would you mind if I invited him to dinner with us tonight? I'm thinking steak at Gibson's tonight. If I can't get us a reservation on-line I can call the restaurant's GM and he'll get us in." I said. After my Dad asked again if I was really up for going out and I told him he wasn't getting out of treating me to a birthday dinner, he told me he didn't mind if Connor came with us. I quickly made the reservation on-line for three people at 7:00pm while we waited for Connor to come back with the paperwork.

Connor came back in dressed in street clothes and with scrubs for me to wear home. I threw the hospital scrubs on and my Ugg boots while my Dad gathered my personal belongings in a plastic hospital bag. I signed the paperwork and then happened to mention that I didn't know where my carry-on suitcase was. I hadn't seen it since Ramon grabbed me at the airport the day before. Connor mentioned Officer Roman had brought it to the hospital yesterday and Connor had already placed it in the trunk of his car. On the ride home I asked Connor if he had dinner plans. When he said he didn't I told him to be ready at 6:30pm because he was going to dinner to celebrate my birthday with my Dad & I. As Connor tried to back out of dinner my Dad guilted him into agreeing to it saying buying Connor dinner was the least he could do as a thank you for saving my life when he operated on me. After making sure my Dad & I got in my apartment safely, Connor headed two floors up to his apartment telling us he would see us in a few hours. I hobbled on my crutches into the kitchen where I pulled out a wine glass, a bottle of wine and a bottle of beer for my Dad. "Little early for you, isn't it?" Dad asked. "It's after 12:00pm and while I normally don't drink this early it's my birthday and I think we have both earned a drink after the past 24 hours. Plus, I didn't take any pain medicine today knowing very well I had a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay chilling in the fridge." I said as I grabbed the wine opener. I opened the wine, poured a glass and handed my Dad his beer. "Slainte" I said as I clinked the top of my glass to his beer. "Happy Birthday!" he toasted in return as we both took a sip. "Let's go into the living room and sit down." I said. Grabbing my glass and his bottle of beer, he followed me into the living room and handed me my glass after I took a seat on the couch. "Great Christmas Tree this year. I can't believe you got a tree even though you weren't supposed to be here for Christmas." he said, admiring the balsam fir tree standing in front of the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked Lake Michigan. "Thank you. I had to have a tree. I hosted two Christmas parties this year and couldn't have a party without a properly decorated apartment." I replied. Before I could comment the doorbell rang. "Stay there. I'll get it." Dad said as he walked down the hallway to my door. "Detective Halstead. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" I heard him ask. Shit, I thought to myself. I had been hoping to look a little more put together the next time I saw him. I looked down at myself, dressed in hospital scrubs with my hair pulled up into a messy ponytail and no makeup on thinking I definitely didn't come close to looking put together. "Is Christine here?" a female voice asked. "Yes, come on in. She's in the living room. We were just having a drink to toast her Birthday. I can't believe I have a daughter who is thirty today." my Dad said as Jay and a female walked into the room behind him.

"What are you doing here Detective Halstead?" I asked. Green eyes then reminded me I needed to give my statement about what had happened the day before. He then introduced my Dad and I to Kim Burgess, an Officer with the Intelligence Unit. "It's nice to officially meet you. I was pretty impressed with what you did yesterday. Not too many people would have had the guts to do what you did. Officer Roman will be posted at your door for the next few days. We will have a uniform detail at night for you as well. Just until we can make sure there is no blow back from you shooting Ramon." Kim said to me. "It's funny you say that because, and I'm not sure if it was the medication or not, but I'm pretty sure someone yelled at me last night saying I was crazy for doing what I did." I replied, with a grin on my face as my eyes darted in Jay's direction. "Well I think it was pretty brave. I told Sylvie and Gabby I want in on the next girl's night out." Kim said. "Let's just get her statement and get out of here so she can enjoy her visit with her Dad and the rest of her birthday." Jay said. As I was finishing giving my statement and answering their questions about exactly what happened in the Admiral's Lounge, my front door opened causing Jay and Kim to stand with their guns pointed in the direction of the hallway. "What the fuck!?" Connor yelled as he put his hands up. "Jesus, Connor! We could have shot you. Do you always happen to walk into a patient's apartment without knocking?" Jay said. "When that patient is my neighbor as well as my friend I do. Christine, you left your phone in my car today. Why don't you and your Dad come up to my place at 5:00pm. I have a surprise for you before we head to dinner." Connor said. As he turned around walking towards the door he called out over his shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Kim. Halstead, try not to shoot anyone who doesn't deserve it." "Well we have everything we need so we should get going." Kim said noticing a weird look on Jay's face. A very unhappy look. A look she hadn't seen on his face since Erin left Chicago a year ago. "Kim, we're supposed to do girl's night here at my place on the 29th. It's a casual post-Christmas / pre-New Year's night in with take-out and lots of wine if you can make it. I know as of right now Sylvie, Gabby and Stella are definitely coming. I texted April and Nat as well. April has to check her work schedule but said she would be here if she could come and Nat will be here if Will can watch Owen for a few hours. Put my number in your phone and shoot me a text if you can make it." I said noticing the unhappy look on Jay's face change to one of shock. "You know my brother's girlfriend?" he asked. "Yes. I've actually had the pleasure of meeting your brother out of the hospital as well. I've had dinner with them and Connor a couple of times." I said not realizing what I was implying. After they left, my Dad, who typically doesn't notice these types of things said "You know the Detective likes you and now he thinks you're dating the Doctor."

I thought about my Dad's words as I got ready for dinner. I normally would have worn a dress to Gibson's but didn't want the bandage showing. It was bad enough I was on crutches, which meant I couldn't wear my new Louboutin stiletto's I treated myself to as an early birthday gift. Damn, I guess they'll be staying in the box in the shelf of my closet for a little while longer. As I took extra care of my shampoo and shower routine I wondered what the hell Connor had planned that would require us to be at his apartment two hours before dinner. I didn't know what he was up to but in fear that I would somehow end up with my picture in the paper (it was always a possibility when you hung out with Connor Rhodes) I needed to take extra care in making sure I looked good tonight. I blew dry my shoulder length auburn hair and proceeded to straighten it, making sure it was smooth and shiny. I conservatively applied my make-up but accentuated with smoky eyes and dark lips. I decided on a pair of fitted black pants with a sapphire blue v-neck silk shirt that tied at the waist. I put on the platinum and diamond Claddagh earrings with the matching necklace my Dad had given me the year before for my Birthday. I slipped into a pair of black suede wedge booties and hobbled my way out to the living room. "You look beautiful. I wish your Mother was here to see you." Dad said as he handed me a small box once again wishing me a Happy Birthday. I opened the box and inside was a set of what appeared to be house keys along with a check and a piece of official looking paper. "You bought me a house in Myrtle Beach?" I asked, in shock. "I know how much you love it there and I know how much you and your Mom enjoyed your girl's trips there. The check is to decorate it however you would like. It's the house you used to stay in. The one with three bedrooms, two and a half baths with a beautiful deck that overlooks the ocean. I hope you and your friends will enjoy your trips there and you'll make new memories." I couldn't believe it. I hadn't been to Myrtle Beach since my Mom had passed away but was floored my Dad put so much thought into this gift. "Thank you, Dad." I said using my crutches to where he now stood looking out the windows. "Enough of this. Let's go see what Connor has in store for you." he said as he lead the way out of my apartment.

"Oh, Officer Roman. My apologies. I completely forgot you were here. Can I get you some water or something to eat? We are heading out for the night. I hope you don't have to stand here the entire time we are gone." I said. He informed us he was to escort us up to Connor's apartment and remain there until we headed to dinner. There would be plain clothes officers who would then follow us to the restaurant and then back home where a uniformed officer would then be guarding my apartment for the rest of the night. We took the elevator two floors up to the 22nd floor. I could hear music coming from Connor's apartment and noticed the smile on my Dad's face. "You know what's going on, don't you?" I asked. Not answering me, my Dad opened the door and walked into Connor's apartment leaving me in the hallway with Roman. So much for manners I thought as I followed a few seconds later on my crutches. As I made my way into Connor's living room I was surprised when I saw a crowd gathered and they all yelled "Happy 30th Birthday Christine!" I looked at my Dad and Connor with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. They had planned a little last minute cocktail party to celebrate my birthday before dinner. It was a small group made up of my friends from the hospital, the fire department and a couple of people from the hotel. After Connor handed me a glass of champagne he introduced my Dad to April, Ethan, Nat and Will from the hospital. Watching my Dad make conversation I started working my way through the group to thank everyone for coming. I was glad it was early and wouldn't cut into anyone's plans with their family for Christmas Eve. As I stood with Matt, Gabby, Sylvie, Stella and Kelly I noticed him in the room for the first time. Green eyes was here! I really needed to stop calling him that I thought to myself after I embarrassed myself in the hospital last night. "Detective Halstead, I didn't expect to see you here." I said to him. When Jay told me he and Detective Dawson would be escorting us to dinner, I said "Well I hope you'll be able to actually eat with us and not sit out in a car. I feel bad that you're not home with your families on Christmas Eve." Before Jay could answer, Antonio came up and introduced himself. "Ah, Gabby's infamous brother." I said grinning at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked. When I told him I had heard a lot about him from Gabby, Stella and Sylvie he blushed. Before I knew it, everyone was leaving and it was time for us to head to dinner. Most of the group, at least the ones without kids or families in the area mentioned they were headed to Molly's later on and invited us to join them. After agreeing to meet up with them for an after-dinner cocktail my Dad, Connor and I headed to Gibson's with Jay and Antonio following us.

Dinner, as always at Gibson's, was absolutely amazing. Even though I couldn't see him from where I was sitting, I could feel Jay's eyes on me. I had noticed something different in his eyes when we were in Connor's apartment. I knew he was attracted to me. I could tell. But he was holding back and I wasn't sure if it was because he was doing his best to be professional because of yesterday or if it was because he had a girlfriend. I was hoping I could convince him to actually have a drink with me tonight at Molly's so I could get to know him a little more. I didn't want to have to pump Nat and Will for information the next time I saw them. Asking Will about his brother would be too embarrassing, even for me. After dinner, Jay and Antonio followed us to Molly's. I was feeling a little bold due to the liquid courage I had gained thanks to the couple of glasses of champagne at Connor's and then the couple of glasses of Cakebread Cabernet I consumed at dinner so I decided to make my move. I went up to Antonio first and asked him if he and Jay were off duty because I wanted to buy him a drink. Antonio said they were. The uniformed detail was outside of the bar and since I was in a bar filled with firefighters and cops they thought I would be pretty safe. I turned to Otis and Hermann informing them Antonio and Jay's drinks would be on my tab for the night. Stella, one of my closest girlfriends in Chicago, yelled from behind the bar "That'll be tough considering your money is no good here tonight since it's not only your birthday but you managed to get shot by a Cartel drug lord yesterday who you then shot in return!" "Who wants to buy the Birthday Girl a drink?" she yelled to the bar patrons, winking at me. Kevin was at my side instantly asking what I wanted to drink as Stella placed a Jameson on the bar in front of me. "Happy Birthday from the very hot and very single Detective Halstead." she said. I turned to Kevin, smiled at him and said "Thank you Detective Atwater but it looks like Detective Halstead has taken care of my drink." Halstead did say he would buy you a drink before I could. Please call me Kevin. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of each other. Now go flash that beautiful smile at Jay. He's looking a little lonely down there." he replied. "Oh and Christine, Jay is a great guy. One of the best I know but he's been thru a lot lately so you may have to go slow with him." he said turning away.

I looked back at Stella, who was still grinning in my direction and asked her to send my drink down to the end of the bar. I hobbled my way down to where my drink sat next to Jay's glass of Jameson. "Happy Birthday Christine." he said smiling at me. "Slainte and thank you for everything." I said in return clinking my glass against his. "Next time Detective Halstead drinks are on me. It's the least I can do." "I think since you're on a first name basis with everyone else you can call me Jay." he replied. "And I'll hold you to that drink." he said before taking another sip of his drink. God, he's beautiful I thought to myself as I flashed him a grin that would make most men melt. My grin may not have made him melt but it did make him blush. As we finished our Jameson's, I asked him how it was we hadn't bumped into each other in Molly's in the past six months or so I've been going there. His eyes went hard for a second before he shrugged and replied "Work always gets in the way of the good things." He turned trying to get Stella's attention to order another drink when Kelly Severide came up behind us and placed a Jameson on the bar in front of me. "Happy Birthday gorgeous." he said as he kissed me on the cheek. "It's been too long since I've seen you in Molly's. Scared the crap out of me when Casey and I saw Dawson & Brett working on you yesterday. So happy you're okay." "Thanks Kelly." I said noticing he was definitely a little buzzed and noticing Jay's demeanor had changed. "Kelly you know Jay, right?" I asked. "Yeah. How's it going, Halstead?" he replied without taking his eyes off me. Jay stood up, throwing some cash on the bar and said "Looks like it's time for me to go. Happy Birthday again, Christine." "Jay," I said as I grabbed his hand to keep him from leaving. "Thank you for everything. Let me know when you're ready to cash in on that drink." I don't know who was more surprised by my grabbing his hand, but he smiled and as he said he would be in touch he stroked my hand with his thumb before turning and walking out the door into the cold December night.