Erin sat in Hank's hospital room, legs crossed. With her computer on her lap. She began to research schools for Joan to transfer to. Even though she was four she was scheduled to be tested on thursday at the public school in Hank's district. She was planning for them to live there till hank got back on his feet.
Jay had had a slow day at work so after finishing most of the paperwork from their most recent case he swung by the hospital to pick up Joan.
Now he was sitting on a park bench watching as Joan ran around the playground chasing some other kids. He was sipping on his coffee. The hot liquid keeping his hands warm, against the January Chicago winds.
A middle aged woman came and sat next to him brushing off some snow. "Which is yours?" she asked setting her bag next to the bench. "That one in the hot pink coat and green hat," he pointed towards Joan who was going down the slide.
"Which on is yours?" he asked. She laughed. "I got four," Jays eyes widened. "There Beau over there by the tree, he's the oldest, then Bethany is second. She's by the swings with Benjamin who's the youngest, then Bella is playing with yours,"
"I have a hard time keeping up with just one. I don't know how you do it with four," she smiled. "it's hard at times don't get me wrong but it'll be worth it in the end," Jay smiled and looked at the woman. "I'll keep that in mind," Joan came running over to him. "Daddy," she squealed "come push me on the swings pwease," he picked her up and began to tickle her.
"Ok monkey lets go," he waved at the lady. "Have a good day,"
They spent another hour at the park before Joan got hungry. He took he to a little cafe about a block away from the station. "Your mom and I used to get breakfast here a lot," Joan ordered a kids turkey wrap and Jay ordered a chicken blt. They got a window seat. Joan looked out at the busy Chicago street pointing at things for Jay to look at.
Joans wrap was cut in half and she began to eat it. She finished the half she was eating then stopped. "Are you full?" Jay asked. "Yes, can I take the other half to mommy?" Jay nodded, knowing Erin probably haven't eaten, and asked the waiter for a togo box.
They were walking along the sidewalk when Jay spotted and ice cream shop ahead. He looked down at Joan. "Monkey, what do you say about getting some ice cream," Joan's eyes widened. "Can we pwease?" Jay smiled. "Of course but onder on condition, your mom never finds out," Joan nodded as the walked into the small corner store.
It looked like your classic ice cream parlor it had the neon light ice cream sign, mosaic floors, and classic red leather stools. He had to help Joan on top of one of the stools. Then he took his spot next to her. He ordered a chocolate milkshake and Joan got a small cookies and cream cone. They sat and enjoyed their ice cream as Joan told Jay about how she wanted a puppy.
The sidewalks were not as crowded as before because lunch hour had ended and people were back to work. They made one last stop at the station to pick up Jay's truck before going back to the hospital to see Hank and Erin.
When they got there Erin was still on her computer just as she was when Jay had come to pick Joan. He bent down to joan and pretended to help her take her coat off while he whispered in her ear. "You should go over there and shut your mom's computer," Joan smiled. Skipped over to her mother and began to push the screen down slowly.
Jay couldn't help but smile at first but when Joan started to giggle and hank joined her. His boisterous laughter filling the atmosphere with a bubbly feeling. Jay could contain it and began to laugh too.
Erin joined in after a while setting her computer aside. "And what exactly do you think your doing little miss," she asked pulling Joan on her lap. "Daddy told me too," she said pointing at Jay.
He placed his hand over his heart. "I would never," he exaggerated.
They spent the next couple of hours talking to Hank. Soon visiting hours were over and Joan was almost asleep. "We should get going." Erin said standing up, collecting her bags.
"I can carry Joan out, I should be going anyway," Jay said standing Joan's arms wrapped around his neck.
"So Thursday, Joan had to go to the school for a test," Erin said as they got in the elevator. "Is everything ok?" Jay asked.
"Yes, in New York she took a test in daycare and it showed that she was eligible to be in kindergarten a year early, she was supposed to start on January 9th, but we are moving here so I was going to see if she was eligible here,"
"So I was right. She is smart like her mom," Erin laughed. "I guess so, I'm also meeting with a zawyer on Friday at noon so I was wondering if you could watch her for a couple hours,"
"Sure, she might have to stay in the station for a little. I hope everything goes well," they stepped out of the elevator. "Yah, me too, have you talked to her in awhile," Jay shook his head. "She texted me earlier today saying when she wasn't going to be home so I could pick up some things I needed, but that's it,"
"Well this is me," Erin nodded towards the black Ford focus they were walking up to. "Her seat is on the driver side," she said punching the button the remote to unlock the doors.
Jay walked next to the car and began to put Joan in her seat as she began to stir. "Daddy? Her voice was thick with sleep. "I'm right here, you can go back to sleep," he finished buckling her in and leaned down to give her a kiss on her temple. "Good night monkey,"
Jay began to back out if the car when he hit Erin. "Sorry, didn't see you there," he laughed. "I thought you were still buckling her in, " Erin laughed.
"I will see you Friday morning we can just meet here and I'll text you when I'm done and you can tell me where you all are," Jay nodded. "See you Friday," be said walking towards his truck which was a little ways down.
Wednesday went smoothly. Erin Joan and Charlotte explores Chicago and Erin bought some new clothes for Joan. She bought a nice shirt and khakis for her test the next day. Erin had scheduled dinner with Kim and Adam that night so Charlotte went to a bar near the hotel.
Thursday morning Erin got Joan up and dressed her in her new outfit. Erin wore a simple navy blouse and a pair of dress pants.
Jay texted her wishing Joan good luck to day and asking if they could get lunch afterward. She agreed to lunch and thanked him.
She texted Charlotte asking where she was and she just said that she met "the one" last night. Erin rolled her eyes. She seemed to meet the one at least once a month.
They arrived ten minutes early and had to sit outside the testing room. Joan's name was called and Erin handed the lady all the paperwork from New York.
Erin sat outside of the testing room while Joan took the test. Her phone buzzed about five minutes in. A text from Jay displayed on the screen.
J: How's it going?
E: I dont know I'm not in there with her.
J: And you wonder where she gets her sass from.
E: I am not sassy. She gets it from you.
J: Sure whatever you say. What are we doing for lunch.
E: Do you want to eat out or we can eat at the station
J: I don't care. Whatever works best for you.
E: Helpful, very helpful. ?
J: Do not roll your eyes at me.
E: I will roll my eyes if I want to. Your not my boss
J: And?
The door to the room opened and Joan walked out. Erin stood and Joan walked over to her. "I'm sorry mommy," Erin bent down.
"Sorry about what baby," Erin asked. Joan's gaze was fixed on the ground. "I don't think I did very good." Erin let out a soft laugh.
"It's not your fault baby, I'll be proud of you no matter what," she wrapped her arms around Joan. "Your daddy wants to eat lunch with us is that ok," Joan nodded her head on Erin's shoulder.
Once in the car Erin set a text Jay.
E: Jo does not think she doesn't think she did good on the test, she seemed sad walking out. I think it's better if we don't bring it up till the results are in.
J: Ok tell me if there's anything I came to help. Are we still on for lunch then?
E: yah I'll just come to the station then we can decide from there if that sounds good.
J: ?
She started the car and began to drive to the station.
"Joan what do you want to eat?" She asked as they pulled into the parking lot. "don't know," she still had a frown on her face that she wore at the school.
Erin shot Jay a text saying g they were there and asking him to buzz them up. Platg had other ideas though.
"Lindsey and little Lindsey, it's been a while, what are you doing here?" Erin groaned and started walking toward the large desk. "We are going with Jay to lunch today," Erin responded.
Jay walked down the stairs at that time. "I have some work to finish quickly if you want to say hi to the guys real quick. Kim and Hayley are out chasing a lead," he explained.
Joan dropped her mother's hand and ran over to Jay wrapping her arms around his leg. "Sup' monkey?" He said picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder. She began to giggle and swing her legs.
Once Joan had calmed down they went up stairs. When Joan saw the guys she ran over to all of the giving them each a hug. She went up to Antonio last and wrapped herself Around his leg. He scowled down at her and she just giggled.
Erin made her way over to Adams desk. "So I heard that you were engaged. You know that means commitment right?" she joked elbowing his arm. "Haha very funny, so you got any tips for us?" her eyebrows went up. "Hated to burst your bubble but I've never been married,"
"Sorry I thought kim told you," Erin shook her head. "I haven't heard from her since the day after you proposed. Why whats up?" Adam scratched his neck. "Well we found out last week that kim's pregnant," Erin jumped up from where she was leaning on his desk. "You're kidding right," she squealed.
The others and Joan were now staring. "That's amazing news, congrats man," adam nodded "i know I did all the hard work," Erin rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm. "Shut up,"
Jay came walking out of his office. "Are you two ready to go?" Joan looked up from whatever Kevin was showing her on his phone and nodded. Erin nodded and grabbed her theikr coats from the hooks next to the doorway. She slid hers on and walked over to Joan and helped her get hers on.
They got in jays truck because it was closer and Erin had to pay per mile on the rental. They went to some chicago style pizza place and got a booth at the back of the restaurant. "Joan do you remember mommy telling you about that important meeting she has tomorrow?" Joan nodded and kept coloring on her menu. "Are you ok if you stay with daddy tonight?" Erin asked she nodded again switching from a yellow to a blue crayon. Erin signed she didn't know what had happened during that test but it really seemed to be bothering joan.
"So im guessing adam told you the news?" Jay ask a few minutes after their waiter had gotten their drink orders. "It depends on which news your talking about the fact that they are engaged again or that Kim's pregnant?" Jay laughed "I was talking about the fact that I found a two bedroom apartment and moved off their couch," Erin laughed. "I bet he was happy about that?"
"Yah his favorite part was when I asked him to help me move all of my stuff out of storage. I will have you know that I did go back to the old apartment and take back my couch," Erin smiled. "You mean my couch," jay rolled his eyes. "I'm pretty sure the note you wrote said it was mine now." Erin shugged. "I blame that on not being in the right state of mind,"
"Whatever you say but its my couch now," their waiter chose that time to come and bring their drinks. They ordered a deep dish pizza. Their food came and they kept making small talk addressing Joan every once and a while.
Jay insisted on paying the bill and drove them back to the station. They agree that Erin would stop by around 6 that night and drop off Joan.
When they got into the car Erin noticed that she had five missed calls from one of her colleagues. She called her back as she was leaving the parking lot.
"Erin, I've been trying to call you all afternoon," Erin sighed. "Did you find d any thing? " She asked. "You wouldn't believe what I found, it so unbelievable you wouldn't believe me if I told you. I just emailed the file to you. I told you she look familiar."
"Thanks Wendy I'll look into it send me any thing else you find," With that she hung up the phone.
Once Joan was laying down and taking her nap. Erin seat down at the small desk in the corner of the room looking for Wendy's email. She let the cursor hover over the email before clicking on it then clicking the attached file.
The image at the corner of the screen was of Mallory but with black hair and green eyes. The name on the paper read Eva Simons. Eva was wanted for numerous crimes ranging from theft to treason. She was wanted in at least five different countries and had a verified twenty aliases.
Erin sighed she knew she couldn't trust her. She downloaded the file and put a password on it. Closing her laptop she leaned back in the chair and began to rub her temples. She says like that for a few minutes trying to wrap her mind around the information she had just received.
Standing up she began to pack Joan's bag for Jay's. She grabbed three outfits the she knew Joan like and matched. Setting the bag aside she started to pick up the room knowing that they would be moving in with hank in a couple days when he got out of the hospital so she could help him recover and keep him from trying to go back to work.
Joan woke up about six. Erin grabbed one of the salads and prepackaged meals she had bought at the grocery store and they ate a light dinner because their lunch was very filling, once they were done Erin chowed Joan the outfits she had chosen and told her to pick out some toys and other objects to bring with her. By 7:15 they were on their way. Erin had plugged the address for Jays new apartment in the cars GPS as they were slowly making it onto the road.
When they arrived they had jay buzz them up and he showed Joan her room and helped her settle in. there was a toddler bed that he had gotten from will and natalie a couple or nights before and a small dresser. He told her that they would go shopping for other furniture soon.
Erin had set her laptop on the small dining room table and opened up the file she had received. "So I had someone at the FBI do some digging on your wife like maybe an unpaid speeding ticket or something but let me tell you Jay you sure know how to pick um," she said turning the computer towards him. "I not really supposed to be showing you this but I thought you would want to know that your wife was a wanted criminal,"
"I could always find out where she is and the FBI can arrest her," Erin nodded. "Can you trace her phone?" Jay gave her a look. "I could trace her cell in my sleep. I am offended you think so low of me," Erin rolled her eyes. "Make it snappy I don't have all day," jay began to pull up some software and search mallorys phone number.
"It says she at the apartment, you want to go check it out with me?" Erin shrugged. "Why not it'll be like old times," she grabbed her coat. "Wait what are we going to do with joan?"
"We can dropped her off at will and nats on the way," Erin nodded "sounds good," she walked into joans room and told her that she would get to hang out with nat and owen. After hearing that she jumped up and hurried to put on her coat.
"Hey will thanks again for taking her," Erin said as she grabbed the doorknob. "I know it was short notice and all but I can promise you it's for a good reason," smiled "I get it. Are you guys gonna come back and get her or is she staying over?" Erin shrugged. "I don't know how long this is going to take. Jay'll text you when we're done if she is or not," there was a honk of a car horn telling Erin to hurry up. "Well I should get going. It sounds like someone needs to learn that patients is a virtue." will laughed and stepped out on the porch behind erin. "Thank you again," Erin said as she descended the steps.
They arrived at the apartment complex and jay spotted Mallorys car parking the car Erin called the Chicago FBI office and told them she worked in New York and that she had found Eva Simons. They told her to wait until they had arrived, and that ETA was about 7 minutes. They sat in the car and waited. Once they heard the sirens approaching Erin got her badge and sidearm out of her purse and showed it to the lead officer, telling them she was the one who called it in.
They gave her a bullet proof vest and she agreed to stay behind the swat team. They also told Jay that he could join them because he was married to her. They rushed up the stairs clearing everybody out of the stairwell and placing a swat officer at each floor entrance. The elevators had been evacuated and turned off. Once they arrived at their floor officers began to clear out apartments.
Jay walked forward to knock on the door. "Hey Mal, I was just wondering if I could come in I think I left me badge here," there was no response. "She has to be here the kitchen lights on and she always shuts off all of the lights," he pointed towards the yellow hew coming from the bottom of the door. "Mallory i'm coming in," he slid his key in the lock and unlocked the door. Officer cortez, the head swat officer opened the door as jay stepped back.
Looking in through the door you could clearly see Mallory, or Eva whatever she went by, sitting on the couch, with ten oranger pill bottles and an assortment of pills laying on the coffee table. Erin grabbed her phone and dial 911 telling them the situation. Cortez walked over and check to see if she had a pulse he gave erin and nod and placed her on the ground to start cpr. Another officer listed of the drugs she had taken wrote them down. The ableance arrived 5 minutes later and she was rushed to the nearest hospital. The paramedics had been given the list of drugs.
A yellow manila envelope laid on the counter. They would later find out that she had found out about Erin getting to file on her and attempted killed herself, so she wasn't sentenced for her crimes, inside the envelope was a letter explaining this, a signed confession on paper and papers saying she was dropping the charges on Erin for custody of Joan.
Happy new year! I have been working on this one for awhile I originally had it split into two chapters but I decided that because the last one was so short that I would combine the two. This year I am going to try to get back into a semi regular pattern. Semester and the latest holidays and family events have been very time consuming. Thank you for reading and as always, R&R, I don't own them and any and all mistakes are mine.