A/N: I do not own any characters from Chicago PD, all characters and show references belong to NBC. I'm sorry, this chapter is dialouge heavy!

JAY'S POV

Waking up with Brooke in my arms is something that I've become a little too accustomed to. If anyone understands night terrors, it's me, so if the price I have to pay for her to actually sleep is me holding her, I'm down.

The past few weeks have been kind of crazy. I had no intensions of moving into her apartment, it just happened. I was here all the time anyway and one night I slept on the couch, the night of her first nightmare, so when I left work the next day I grabbed a bag of clothes from my place and left it in my truck, just in case. Then I couldn't bring myself to leave the next night, so I stayed and changed and showered at the district. Eventually I just brought the bag in and we fell into thus unspoken routine.

Mouse coming back was a blessing in so many ways, not only do I get my best friend back, but I have an excuse to stay here longer. Even though she'll be back at work and she has physically recovered, mentally nothing has changed. I don't think I could have left in a few days knowing she was still waking up screaming.

Brooke stirs and pushes her head further into my chest, smiling I wrap my arms tighter around her and close my eyes again. I keep trying to not compare whatever is going on between us to what happened with Erin and me. Sure, she was my partner, but Brooke would never just leave like that. She'd at least yell at me first. It's crazy to think that just a few months ago I was heartbroken, walking around with an engagement ring, now Erin seems like she was a lifetime ago.

I wouldn't mind staying like this for the rest of the day, but my alarm has other plans. My watch starts to beep extremely loud for such a small object. Brooke jolts wake and puts a little too much distance between us. So much for that. I stare at her, watching as she runs her hand through her hair and rubs at her eyes. She looks perfect even when she first wakes up.

"Morning," She groans, eyeing me. Shit, I've been caught.

"Good morning," I say, getting off the bed, "Care if I jump in the shower?"

She smiles, "Of course not, I'll make breakfast."

"You don't have to do that." I say, as I head for the door.

She just shrugs, "It's no big deal, plus it's not like I have anything better to do."

"Well thanks," I say, grinning at her. She just smiles back at me and I disappear behind the bathroom door. I lean against it, running my hands over my face. Great job learning from your mistakes Jay. You'd think after my last partner ran off with half of my heart I would be a little more guarded with the next one. Obviously not, cause this girl is holding it in her hands.

Sneaking into the living room to get the clothes I forgot during my attempt to hide in the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of Brooke in the kitchen. She's standing over the stove, humming quietly to a song that's playing on her phone. My eyes shoot to her long, tan legs, than end at a pair of athletic shorts which are covered by one of my t-shirts. I suck in a breath. Damn.

I softly run back to her room before she seems me and throw on a pair of dark jeans and a gray long sleeve shirt, leaving a few of the top buttons unbuttoned. I walk out to the kitchen and plop myself down on a stool at the bar, "Now I know why you do my laundry," I tease and she blushes.

"Sorry, yours are more comfortable and I figured you weren't hurting for v-necks," She jokes, trying to hide the stained color of her cheeks.

"Don't worry about it." I say, putting my chin in my hands on the counter, "It looks better on you anyways." Brooke laughs before turning around and placing a massive omelet down in front of me, "Wow, omelets. Lucky me."

"I'm not going to lie, I'm buttering you up. I've got a bit of an agenda." I cock an eyebrow t her and she leans against the island. "I want to find my birth father."

"Really?" I ask, beaming. "That's great!"

"Yeah." She says smiling, "I thought about it a lot last night, I think I need to, I just can't not know." I nod, stuffing a big bite in my mouth. "I need your help though."

"Of course," She smiles brighter and takes a deep breath. "Seriously, whatever you need."

"I'm glad you said that, cause I need you to go to my old house."

I choke on my eggs, "What?"

"The last time I saw my fath-Dan, he told me that my mom kept a box about my birth dad for me. I know it's a big ask, but I just don't want to see either of them right now. You don't have-"

"Hey, it's no big deal, I'll go over there after work. Just text me the address" She sighs.

"Thank you."

"If they aren't home or won't let me in, I'll fake probable cause or something," Brooke laughs loudly, "I'm quick on my feet, it's kind of my job!" I say defensively, putting my hand to my chest.

"You better get going, you're going to be late." She says, taking the plate from in front of me.

I chuckle, "Yes dear." I grab my coat and my badge and head for the door.

Brooke beats me there and opens it, ushering me out, "I'll have dinner on the table when you get home honey." She jokes, raising the pitch of her voice a bit.

I turn around and blow her a kiss before heading for the stairs, hearing the door click behind me. I make my way to my truck, shaking my head as I laugh. She's something. I feel more married to Brooke than I ever did to Erin, and we aren't even in a relationship, God the irony.

Walking into the district I can't shake the smile on my face. "Good morning chuckles?" Sergeant Platt asks as I head for the stairs.

"Even better now that I've seen you, sarge." I say, stopping at the bottom.

She smirks, "I'm charmed."

"That's what the smiles for." I say, before making my way up the stairs, she just shakes her head.

The team is already buzzing around by the time I make it upstairs. I barely make it to my desk before Kim asks me about Brooke. "How's Hudson?"

"She's doing great." Kim smiles, "She's ready to be back."

"That's so good to hear." Kim says before heading to Atwater's desk.

Hailey jumps up to update us on our newest case, which involves the Heroin Highway. It's become a fight for territory, some of the younger bangers have been running the solo older guys off their corners. No one is happy and bodies keep dropping. Ruz is going to do an undercover buy with one of the younger guys so we can bring him in and flip him, and hopefully find the kingpin of the operation.

"Halstead." Voight says, beckoning me to his office. I jump up from my perch and head in, shutting the door behind me.

"What's up sarge?" I ask taking a seat across from him.

He leans back in his chair, "Is there anything I need to know about?"

"I don't think so." I say, leaning on my knees. "What do you mean?"

"I heard you've been staying with Hudson, I'm giving you the chance to be upfront with me." He says.

"Sarge, I'm just keeping an eye on her." He cocks an eyebrow at me, "I promise there is nothing going on between us. Plus, Mouse is moving into my place, so it's a little cramped." Technically I'm not lying, there is nothing going on between us.

He sighs, "Look Jay, normally I wouldn't ask but after Erin-"

I cut him off, "I get it, you're just looking out for the team." He nods, "Brooke and I are just partners."

"Speaking of, how's she doing?" He asks.

"Pretty good, she's handling everything really well." I say, smiling, I'm so unbelievably proud of her. "Speaking of, I'm going to need your help later."

After shift, Voight and I make our way to Brooke's old house. I'm a little nervous, I don't want deal with Annie or Dan any more than Brooke does, which is why I brought back up. I knock on the door and it swings open to reveal an exhausted looking Annie.

"Uh, can I help you?" She asks, annoyance dripping from her tone.

"We're here for the box." I say, hoping she knows what I mean.

Annie sighs, "Hold on, I'll go get it." She closes the door.

I look at Voight, "That was surprisingly easy."

"I know, I didn't even get to talk." He says, we wait awkwardly on the porch before she returns.

"Here," Annie says, shoving a wooden box in my hands. "I haven't looked in it, in case she asks."

"Thanks." I say and Annie just nods and closes the door again. I thank Voight for coming with me and climb in my truck, heading home.

I burst out laughing when I cross the threshold of Brooke's apartment. She wasn't kidding, she had dinner waiting on the table. Granted it was take out boxes of Chinese food. "Welcome home," She says laughing as she enters the kitchen. "You got it?" She asks gesturing to the box in my hands.

"I got it." I say and she grins, taking it from me and setting it on the island. She goes to open it but stops as she lifts the lid. "Brooke?" I ask, coming to stand at her side.

"I-I don't know if I can do this." She says, her voice quiet and small.

"Brooke, yes you can." I say, "You need to know who your dad is."

She looks at me with teary eyes, "What if he doesn't want me. There has to be a reason he hasn't contacted me before, right?"

"He would be absolutely insane not to want you." I say, placing my hands on her arms. "You can do this."

She nods and turns her attention back to the box. I place my hand on her shoulder and she takes a deep breath. She pulls the lid open and it reveals pretty much nothing. "Here's my birth certificate, I've never seen this one before, Dan must have been my legal parent or something because his name is on the one I've always used." She says, pulling out a thick piece of paper.

"What's the name?" I ask, moving in closer to her.

She looks at me with so much hope in her eyes, "Benjamin Severide."

Holy shit.