"This doesn't concern you Hank. It's a family matter so just leave," Bunny spit at him. With deceptive calmness Hank put down the drinks and bags and stalked towards Bunny. Erin held her breath.
"I'm going to say this once. You're going to leave this apartment right now. You're not going to come back. Your not going to call Erin. You're not going to see Erin. You're not even going to send her a damn post card. If I find out you're anywhere near Erin I will slap a restraining order on you," Hank threatened.
"You can't do that Hank, I know my rights." Bunny whined.
"Your rights? You gave those up fifteen years ago where this girl's concerned," he said pointing at Erin. "She doesn't want you in her life. I don't want you in her life. So GET. OUT." Hank looked at Bunny with his most intimidating stare. Even Erin wouldn't contradict him with that look on his face.
"Erin, tell him. Tell him I'm your mother and this is where I belong." Erin was astonished. She knew now the affects Bunny's years of drinking and drug use had because the woman was as dumb as a board taking her life in her hands and ignoring Hank's demands.
"No, mom," the word dripped of sarcasm and contempt as she said it, "I won't tell him. But I will tell you one last time, Leave. Please. Just leave." Erin was exasperated and the exchange has taken what little energy her few hours rest had given her. She had nothing left emotionally or physically to deal with this anymore. Jay must have sensed her defeat because once again his hand was on her back for support.
"Fine!" Bunny grumbled and slapped the tea towel she had over her shoulder down on the counter. "If that's what you really want." She gave everyone in the room a dramatic stare for effect. Erin rolled her eyes. When Bunny's words were met with silence she slinked out of the kitchen and around to the front door. "Don't come crying to me next time you can't handle your life Erin!" She called over her shoulder. "You've made your bed." After a moment she heard click of the door being shut.
Relief flooded Erin and she sunk back against the arm of her couch.
"Why the hell would you even let her in here?" Hank turned to Erin and demanded.
"I didn't." Erin protested, while trying to rub the pain from her forehead. He stared, waiting for an explanation. Erin dropped her hand and looked down at the floor feeling ashamed. Defeated she admitted, "She had a key."
"Well not anymore." Hank pointed to Jay, "I want that lock changed by the end of the day."
Jay nodded his agreement. Had she not been in so much pain and already so tired again she would have protested, reminded them she wasn't a child and could take care of it herself. Instead she was distracted by the smell of coffee.
"Is that coffee?" Erin asked hopefully, pointing at the tray of drinks Hank had come in with.
Hank lifted a cup from the tray, grabbed one of the bags and walked toward her. He motioned to the couch. "Sit," he commanded. Erin wasn't going to protest. Gingerly she moved to get comfy on the couch and Hank handed her the warm take out cup. "Stopped by the bakery on the way here and picked you up some breakfast. Yours is on the counter Halstead, help yourself." Jay thanked Hank and moved to grab his coffee while Hank sat on the edge of the couch next to Erin. "How you feeling this morning kiddo?"
"Like I was hit by a bus," Erin admitted, taking a sip of her coffee. The warm liquid felt good sliding down her throat.
"Can you manage?" Hank asked, his concern for her clear. She knew what he was asking, if she needed something for the pain. She contemplated for a moment but decided against it.
"Yeah, it fine. Just don't ask me to help you move anytime soon." She gave a weak smile at her lame attempt at a joke. "Why are you here anyway?"
Hank reached up and ruffled her hair. "I was worried about you. I told Halstead I'd check in this morning. And you need to eat something. Figured this," Hank lifted the bag of baked goods,"was my best shot at getting something in you."
"Thanks," Erin took the bag and removed the croissant from it. She began picking at the pastry. She still wasn't that hungry, the pain was distracting, but she didn't want to hear a lecture from either of the men in her life so she picked off small pieces one by one and let them melt in her mouth.
"So, Will's going to stop by and check on you this morning," Hank informed her. She was confused and surprised by this. "Why, the doctor at the hospital said I just needed time to heal."
"I know but I'd like him to take a look just in case, before you leave."
"Leave? Leave where? What are you talking about?" Erin didn't know what Hank was up to. She didn't need any more stress in her morning.
"There's no way you can come to work like this Erin, you need time to heal. And I know you. You'll go crazy sitting around here. I talked to Halstead last night. He said he had the perfect place for you to relax for a few days and maybe not dwell to much on everything."
"Your worried I'm going to fall down a hole again," She accused. Hank stared at her. He didn't deny it. Indignation filled her. "Hank.."she began.
He placed his hand on her knees. "Erin, I trust you, you earned that trust back, but you've been through hell and back. You need time to heal, physically and mentally. Getting out of here for a few days won't hurt, especially if Bunny's decided to inject herself back into your life. I approved a few days off for you and Halstead. Go. Relax. Then come back ready to work."
Erin opened her mouth to protest again but reconsidered. A mini vacation did sound good. Lord knows she wasn't in any shape even to sit behind a desk right now. She didn't know how she'd handle herself if Bunny showed back up. And she had to admit staring at these walls was likely to drive her crazy. "Ok." She conceded. Hank seemed surprised, like he'd expected more of a fight. But she was too damn tired.
She'd showered and packed while Jay went home to get some things for himself. Will had stopped by and gave her a once over and some doctorly advice. He confirmed that all she needed was rest and time to heal. He too had offered her something for the pain but again she declined. She couldn't help but catch the satisfied look on Hank's face out of the corner of her eye when she'd told Will she'd manage without pain medication.
After Will left Erin reclined on the couch and closed her eyes while she waited for Jay to return. She felt the couch dip as Hank sat down. She peaked through half closed eyes at him. He was staring at her.
"Spit it out," she said flatly.
"You weren't very forthcoming with what happened with Yates last night."
"Not much to tell," she said her voice devoid of emotion.
"Erin," Hank warned.
She let out a long low sigh. "Hank I'm fine."
He just stared at her. Erin shifted to a more upright position. "Fine you want to know, I'll tell you." Erin briefly recounted the events of yesterday from the time she'd left the bathroom at the rest stop up until Yates escape out the window.
"And that's it? That's all that happened?" Hank asked tentatively.
"That's it? Isn't that enough?"
Hank placed a sympathetic hand on her cheek. "It's too much. If he weren't dead I'd kill him for laying a hand on you. But you know what I'm asking."
Erin's eyes went wide. "Oh god, no Hank no. Nothing like that happened. I mean, I think that was the plan but he got spooked when he heard you all breaking in the house and took off."
A look of relief washed over Hanks face. "I'm okay," she repeated again. "Really I am."
"And up here?" he asked tapping gently on her temple.
Erin thought for s moment. How did she feel? "I'm exhausted Hank. I haven't really had a chance to digest it all you know? And then with Bunny showing up this morning..." Erin shook her head in disbelief.
Hank nodded. "Fair enough. But I want you to see Dr. Charles when you get back," he commanded. She knew he was just trying to help her but it still annoyed her being told what to do. There was no energy to fight with him today so she just nodded her head in agreement.
Jay returned with the building maintenance man in tow. He rekeyed the locks on Erin's door and gave her the new keys. They collected Erin's bag and helped her down to Jay's waiting car. Hank pulled her in for a gentle hug. Then held her at arms length and gave her a pointed look. "Rest. I mean it kiddo. I need you back in the bullpen at one hundred percent."
"I will," she promised. He nodded at Jay, they exchanged some kind of look and then Hank was helping ease Erin into the car.
"What was that about?" Erin asked Jay once they were driving down the street.
"What was what about?" he asked innocently. She knew he knew damn well what she was talking about.
"The look you and Hank exchanged?" she stared at Jay.
He glanced away from the road to smile at her. "He's just making sure his little girl is taken care are of," he said too sweetly, squeezing her leg.
Erin rolled her eyes. Leave it to Jay to say something stupid to try and lighten the mood. "If I wasn't so banged up I swear I'd smash both of your over protective heads together," She grumbled.
"Well there's two things good about you being banged up then," Jay chuckled.
"Two?" she asked puzzled and why was he laughing at her pain?
"Yeah, two," he smirked at her. "Because with you out of commission it means I get to drive!" She couldn't help but break out in a full smile as she watched a self satisfied grin spread across his face. The moron was so proud of his stupid joke. Hank was right, a few days away with Jay was exactly what she needed.