The crew had just been through a shift from hell, all of them grateful to be back at the house. There were two house fires, a car accident, and an abandoned structure fire all before their most recent call. It was a crack house, most of the people getting pulled out in time. They found, however, a few minors, as well as one young child.
AJ was going to have a lot of work to do with this case. She was currently at the hospital with the survivors, providing resources and trying to find those who want help. She was also in charge of caring for the minors, trying to find out where they would go.
AJ finally made it back to the house, her phone pressed to her ear. She was exhausted and her bones felt as though she was getting a fever, a deep ache settling in.
"You mean to tell me that this child, who is only seven years old, who begged me to keep him away from his mother, is just going to get sent back to her. She, who is coming down off a high so large that she could have been to the moon and back?" AJ snapped, slamming the cupboard that she was getting a mug out of. She felt badly that she was being disruptive, knowing that the crew had just had dealt with a lot this shift. She poured some coffee in her mug, placing it on the counter as she ran a hand along her face.
"Judge, I respect you, I do. And I understand that the main goal of our services is family preservation…but this is not a family. He watched his mother shoot up every day, twice a day. He pulled her to the firefighters. This is a shitty situation, not a family. No child should be taking care of his mother. You ruled last year that a child wasn't allowed to stay with her mother after she was going through her divorce because you were concerned about the child seeing her suffer mentally. You are telling me that seeing his mother continue to kill herself isn't enough?" AJ said calmly, trying not to yell.
The team looked at AJ, shocked. She was a powerhouse. They had never seen her like this.
"Then I'll foster him," they heard her say. "Give me a week with him. I will watch him…I am registered and accepted as a foster parent for situations just like this. Place him with me and I will find him a safe foster family by the end of the week."
AJ put her hand on her hip, seeming to hold her breath.
"You can take him. But what are you going to do with the other five minors found there? Take them too?" the judge asked condescendingly.
"For your information, judge, the three of them who accepted help are checked into a rehab center and their families have been contacted. The other two have contacted their families themselves and the parents came to collect them. Thank you for this, Judge, it has been a pleasure talking with you and I hope to speak with you soon. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a boy to go pick up from the hospital."
AJ blew out a long breath, holding her mug in her hands. She then remembered that she was in front of the entire team.
The team all looked at one another, not being able to believe that AJ had just offered to take on a kid for week, especially one that had been through so much.
"I'm sorry to disrupt the peace," AJ said, forcing a smile on her face.
"Everything alright?" Matt asked, AJ sighing.
"Um…yes. I just have to go talk to the Chief. I might have gotten us a new team member for the week."
The team watched AJ walk out, all of them starting to talk about how badass she had been on the phone, and also how she had handled some of the people at the scene. She was a spitfire, but also so caring.
AJ walked to the Chief's office, knocking on his door.
"Come on in, AJ," he nodded, looking drained.
"Hey Chief. So after that last call…"
"Nice job, by the way. It was really helpful to have you there. In fact, you have been doing a wonderful job. Truly," the Chief nodded. "You're work doesn't go unnoticed. By anyone."
"Thank you, Chief. Anyway, after the last call there was that boy, the seven year old? His name is Aiden and they were trying to get him to go back with his mother. She was one of the drug abusers you guys pulled from the house. She is one of the ones who refused help. And Aiden begged me to not have to go back with her. So I told the judge I would take him for a week, and would find him a placement. I know some good foster families who would love to take him. I just have to have that week. But in that time we have two shifts. I would still be available to you, but I would have Aiden with me," AJ explained, looking guilty.
"Whatever you need. Are you sure you don't want the week off?" the Chief asked, AJ shaking her head.
"I think it would be good for him to be here. If I feel we need it I will use some of my sick days," AJ shrugged. "Thank you, Chief. I really appreciate it."
"We appreciate you. And what you are doing for this boy, he will appreciate it too."
AJ smiled, standing.
She was so glad she had started working at the house. Ever since the past Friday at Molly's she had been spending more time with the team. She absolutely loved Gabby and Sylvie…they were becoming really good friends. She also liked Casey's protective, brotherly nature, Otis' constant attempts to flirt, Hermann's fatherly care, Cruz's bullshit, Peter's sweetness, and she was even beginning to admire Kelly and the way he cared without showing he cared. She still thought he was a player, but the more she saw him with the team the more she started to appreciate him in the work atmosphere. AJ grabbed her stuff from her office, saying goodbye to the team and then heading to the hospital to pick up Aiden.
