Chapter 21

"Your wife?" came five voices in unison.

"My wife," he repeated. His voice indicated there would be no more discussion.

"Hank, can I see you in your office?" Erin asked.

"Lead the way," he said.

Jessica looked around the bullpen, feeling very uncomfortable. Ten eyes were aimed right in her direction. "I've known him for 15 years. He was a beat cop back then. He answered a call when the diner I was working was robbed. Well, almost robbed. I clocked the guy with a sugar container and while he was out, I tied up his hands and feet with duct tape."

Six eyes looked over at Olinsky. "True story. I saw it myself. She had him dressed up better than a Thanksgiving turkey."

Voight closed his office door.

"What the hell, Hank? When did this happen? And how come I knew nothing about her? What the hell were you thinking?" Erin exploded.

"Because I don't share my private life, Erin. And had you known about her you would have gone berserk just as you are now."

"You could have told me about her!" she started.

"Why Erin? So you could try to get cozy with her and be your best friend? So you could swap Hank stories over coffee? I didn't tell you because Jess is none of your business." He walked over to the door. "You done?" he asked as he opened the door.

Erin signed in defeat. She wasn't going to get him to listen. She was hurt that he didn't trust her with the knowledge that he was dating, let alone getting married. And it hurt that she had been replaced. She was also angry that Jess knew about her, but she knew nothing about Jess. She walked out of the office and slammed the door behind her. She walked back to her desk, giving Jess the stink eye the entire trip.

Jess stared her down, giving her the stink eye in return. She walked to Voight's office and tapped on the door.

"Come in," he called.

She opened the door and stuck her head in.

"Hey," he said. "Come on in."

She wasn't sure how things were going to go with Erin, but she could tell by his mood and voice that it had not gone well. She entered the office. "I take it things did not go well?"

"Not so much," he admitted. "She'll get used to it."

"She's not Daddy's Little Girl anymore. She's been replaced. She doesn't like it. And she's mad that she knew nothing about me."

"Pretty much," he agreed.

"Kinda too late to do anything about it now."

"Yep."

She walked over to him. "Hank? Are you regretting marrying me?"

He lifted her chin and looked her straight in the eyes. "Never. I love you, Jess. You're one of the best things that has happened to me."

"You just hadn't figured out when and where you were going to tell them all. And today messed everything up. Screwed with your time frame."

"Something like that."

"I'm sorry for that. I promise next time I won't let anyone shoot up the Law School."

"Shit happens. You know that. It'll work itself out. Trust me."

"I do." She leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss. "I'm going to go back over to the hospital and check on Nicole. I might be home late."

He nodded. "Do what you have to do."

"I love you. Call me later?"

"Will do."

She opened his office door and slipped through it. She glanced around and noticed that once again all eyes were on her. "Thank you for helping to find out who hurt Nicole. It really means a lot," she said as she walked through the room and down the stairs.