Two months later.

They had been dating for 6 months now. They had keys to each others houses and basically moved in to the others home. No longer his or hers they were ours. She knew they needed one place but hadn't brought it. Adam was on his last road trip of the season. Regular season almost over and the Cubs were in a tight race for post season play. This road trip was make or break time. Everything had been going so well lately, sure they argued but nothing they couldn't handle. They were still learning to adjust to sharing their space with someone else. It happens. They also apologized and did something nice for the other one. Nothing over the top was ever done just sweet and simple gestures to show how sorry they were. It also taught them to communicate better so it could avoided going forward. Jackson was still loving having a dad. They spent a lot of time together. Adam showing him how to play sports and even ride a skateboard, with help of course. He seemed the thrive under all the fatherly attention.

Adam had just gotten off the field when he was handed his phone by Kevin. This never happened. "It's Chicago med. they keep calling" Adams heart stopped but answered the call. "This is Adam" "Good evening Adam this April Sexton calling from Chicago Med. I'm calling about Kim Burgess. You are her emergency contact." April tried to sound flat. Kim was a friend so this was hard. "OMG what happened? Is she okay?" Adam was scared and already moving towards the locker room. He needed to leave. He didn't care about the game anymore. "She came in with a bullet wound to the side of her abdomen. She was stable but unconscious. She's headed into surgery now. Things look good but they won't know the damage until the open her up." April knew this couldn't be easy for him to hear. She knew he was away, Dawson had told her when they arrived. "I'm on my way, I'm in Atlanta but I will take the next flight out. Please call with updates. Is she alone?" He was frantically trying to change while talking to her. "Dawson was with her when she came in and hasn't left. And of course we will call. Safe travels Adam." They never met but she could hear the concern.

Adam was taken out of the game while Kevin got him a ticket for the next flight that left in two hours. Not soon enough but he would be able to make it with not a ton of rushing. He also needed to call the sitter in case no one else did.

"Hey Nadia it's Adam. Um Kim is in the hospital going into surgery can you keep Jackson till I can get there. My flight leaves in less than two hours. " He barely recognized his own voice. It's scared and broken. Fear like he never felt before. "Adam it's all good. They already called me. I'm keeping Grace longer today too so Halstead and Lindsey can be at the hospital with Kim. I got this covered,". Nadia was scared too but couldn't let the kids see it. She had to be strong for them. "Thanks Nadia"

Adam took an Uber to the airport and ran like hell to get to his flight. He just needed to get to Chicago. He just needed to see her and know she was alright. "Platt it's Adam. I'm on the flight that leaves in 30 minutes. Can you have someone pick me up when my flights lands. I don't care who I just this figured out so I don't have to wait when I land." He was so scared and sure she could tell but it didn't matter. Platt knew him well enough not to judge this. "Adam don't worry about that I have it all handled. You will see the cop car when you leave your gate and they will bring you straight to the hospital. See you when you get here." He boards his flight, fidgeting the whole time, knees bouncing. You would think he never flew before. His mind raced the whole flight. It was too long but the longest two hours of his life. He didn't have to wait long once the plane landed since he has no luggage with him. Leaving everything in Atlanta, Kevin would pack his things. He just needed to know she would be alright. Like Platt promised a cat was waiting out front for him and with lights and sirens they got to Med in no time. He ran into the hospital and followed the directions till he got the waiting room.

"What's the update?" Adam busted through the door startling everyone in the room not just Kim's team. He was here and he wanted an update quick.

"Surgery should be done any minute now. She's with Dr Choi and he is one of the best. " Will Halstead decided to speak since he worked along side Dr Choi every day. He also knew what it's like to have a loved one be shot and waiting to hear anything.

"Was anyone with her in the ambo? Did she say anything?" Adam knew he grasping as straws but he couldn't stand the wait. It was killing him.

"I was with her. She didn't say anything I think from the fall. But she was able to squeeze my hand a few times to respond to questions. I really think she was in shock." Dawson never left her side. It's what they do, always have each other's backs.

So they waited. It seemed forever but probably wasn't more than 30 minutes before a doctor came in. "Family of Kimberly Burgess?" He asked

"That's us. I'm her emergency contact and her team." Adam felt like they all knew each other. He didn't know this guy so it was safe to introduce. "I'm Adam Ruzek, how is she?" He didn't care if he sounded desperate he just needed the information.

"Hi Adam I'm Dr Choi, call me Ethan. Kim came in with a gun shot wound to the lower abdomen, the bullet was lodged in her appendix so that needed to be removed. We cleaned the area inside to lower the risk of septic. She will uncomfortable for a bit because we needed a larger opening to make sure everything looked okay. She also has several bruised ribs, nothing to worry about there just some discomfort and finally a mild concussion so some head aches and maybe nauseous but otherwise she is doing well and stable. She should make a full recovery in 4 to 6 weeks. Desk duty after 2 weeks. I know she will be chomping at the bit to get back to work. " With that he left. He knew he covered it all.

Within minutes a nurse came in looking for Adam to visit Kim. They knew she would want him there with her when she woke. "I will go check in with her and then let you all visit. I know you want to see her too." He left to follow the nurse to her room. It was cold, sterile. Nothing comforting about this area at all. But when he say her he was relieved and crushed at the same time that someone could do this to her. His Kim. What kind of animal does this.

"Hey Darling! God you scared me. I'm so happy you are okay though. Jackson is still with Nadia. You are going to be okay. Back work on desk duty in two weeks so that's good. Dr Choi seems to know you pretty well and gave us that info up front. Probably one of your first questions once you wake up. And you need to do that we all want to see you smile again. I love you so much. You and Jackson are my whole world. " He kissed before going to get someone else to visit. When he returned he notice two people talking to Voight he had never seen before but told Halstead and Lindsey they could head back he didn't want her alone for too long. You should never wake up alone.

"Adam um these are Kim's parents Diane and John Burgess. They came to see their daughter." Voight introduced them. Adam hadn't heard much about them except they didn't agree with her career choice or having Jackson alone.

"Hey I'm Adam Ruzek. It's nice to meet you though I wish it was under better circumstances. Um yeah uh I can take you to her room in a bit. I want everyone to see her and she has two people with her now." He didn't know what to say to them. Meeting your girlfriends parents like this was not fun at all. This might actually be torture.

"Hi um who are you? We don't know you and why does it seem like your calling all the shots here. Where's our grandson? Where is he?" Diane screamed at him as she cried.

"Again I'm Adam. Kim boyfriend and emergency contact. Jackson is safe and sound with his sitter Nadia. I will get you back to see Kim soon, she has two people back there now. I know everyone is eager to see her. " he continued. Stating to get annoyed with them but was trying to be understanding considering the situation.

"We want to see him now. You can't keep him from us." She shrieked at him. This was getting out of hand. Kim never spoke with them and he wasn't even sure they had ever met Jackson. Lindsey stepped in to try to make some peace while Dawson and Rixton went to visit Kim.

"Mrs Burgess. This isn't helping. Adam is doing what's best right now and never said you couldn't see Jackson. It's late and Nadia's is the best place for him right now. I know you are scared but so is Adam and everyone else." Lindsey tried to calm her down

"Listen I get it Okay. I was in the middle of a game, left straight for the airport. No luggage no clothes. I came right here because I knew that's what she would want. As well as keeping our sons schedule as normal as possible. Tomorrow when Kim wakes up we will bring him here. But until then he stays where he is. And before you ask yes Jackson asked if I could be his dad and I am doing my best to make them proud."

Just then Rixton walks back in. "Hey uh Adam. She's waking up a bit. Dawson stayed with her till you can get back to her."

"Thanks man." Turning back towards her parents " would you like to follow me to her room?" He offered. Annoyed an frustrated with them but for Kim he offered. They followed but didn't say another word. They were texting who he didn't know nor care. When they got back to her room Dawson moved to leave not before saying bye to Kim and kissing her cheek. The bond between them ran deep.

She was definitely waking up. Moaning and moving slightly. Wincing in pain. Her parents ran to her side sobbing on her side, unfortunately the chose the side with her injury so that wasn't helping. Soon moans turned into words "Adam?" It was quiet but he heard her loud and clear. "Im right here darling. I'm right here". She smiled but still didn't open her eyes. "Jackson?" She asked again. "He's with Nadia still spending the night." She smiled again "Good". He knew she wasn't fully aware yet and she hadn't asked for them but "Your parents are here Darling. They flew into see you." She just shook her head. He wasn't sure what that meant but she was asleep again he knew that for sure.

After about an hour Adam took out his keys and handed her parents Kim's keys. "It's late you can stay at Kim's tonight. Get some sleep and a fresh shower before you return. It will help you feel better." He wanted them gone. It was awkward and they kept glaring at him for no reason.

"Thanks but we will stay. We want to be here when she wakes up." Diane was pushing. Luckily Dr Choi came in at that moment.

"Good evening. I need to check Kim out if you could all step in the hall. Thank you." Diane almost needed to be forced out. She really didn't want to leave but John got her to leave. 10 minutes later Choi invited them back in. "Everything looks good. No signs of infection, all her numbers are stable. Only one person can stay the night with her and as her emergency contact Adam should be that one. Too many people when she fully wakes can have a negative effect." He knew it wouldn't but he heard about what happened earlier and knew Adam was doing the best thing in this situation. They needed to go back to Kim's to sleep.

Begrudgingly they went back to Kim's leaving Adam alone to think. About Kim, Jackson, her parents, life. He wouldn't trade any of this. He hated this happened but he's here right where he needs to be. He did find it strange Diane and John didn't know where Kim lived. But they didn't talk so okay. A few hours later he dozed off. Too tired to stop it.

Kim woke up, everything was hazy. She felt like in a fog. She remembered Adam was here but where was here. Why was she in pain. She forced herself to open her eyes. A hospital room? What the hell? She looked around a bit more before seeing Adam on the couch asleep. She needed answers so she needed to wake him. "Adam". It was low. Her voice hoarse and scratchy. God she needed water. "Adam" this time louder. He jumped. Startled not expecting her awake. "Darling how do you feel?" He asked while grabbing some water. He could hear it that she needed water. After a few small sips she was able to speak more. "I'm okay. What happened?"

"I don't know I was waiting to talk to you to find out what happened. After I got here it only 30 minutes before Dr Choi came into talk to us. He said the bullet was lodged in your appendix so that was removed and cleaned up. Minor concussion and a few bruised ribs. Everyone has been in to see you including your parents. And Jackson is still with Nadia. Not sure if you remember me telling you that earlier." She looked at him confused "my parents are here? Why? Who called them?" Now he was concerned because she looked upset.

"Yes darling they are here. They came because you got shot and I don't know who called them. I have to ask since they didn't know where your apartment was, have they ever met Jackson? Your mom was demanding that I not keep him away from her. Why she thought I would I don't know. Lindsey stepped in calm her down. He was starting to freak out again. Maybe he shouldn't have let them use her apartment. Damn it he thought.

"Where are they? And no they haven't met him. And they have never been to my apartment. They never come to Chicago. They hate it here. Why she was acting crazy towards you I don't know. But thank you for keeping Jackson at Nadia's. It's better he's there. This would be too traumatic for him. Now that I'm awake I would like to see him though." She was still groggy but she wanted her son, their son.

"I will call Nadia in a little bit it's still really early and I would like you to try and sleep some more before he gets here. Your parents are staying at your apartment. I hope that's okay? I didn't even think it would be an issue till they said they didn't know where it was. I just wanted them to leave to be honest. Your mom was glaring at me and sobbing over your wound which was making you wince more. It was intense to say the least." He didn't want to complain to much because its her parents but he was frustrated with them.

"It's fine. I don't care better there than at your place. So how are you here? What about the game? Don't you need to be there?" She wanted to move on and she knew he did too. Her questions made him laugh though.

"Damn darling. Really? You haven't figured that out yet. No place else than here is where I want to be. Left in the middle of the game. Only changed into street clothes, didn't pack my stuff just left it. Kevin will pack it and get it back to me. Once your out of here I can re-evaluate the schedule to see if I can swing it." He wanted to help her out no matter what. World Series be damned

"Babe, I love you for that. But post season is so close. You have a chance to fulfill that dream. I can't stand in your way. You need to go be with the team." She was insistent. She couldn't ho,d him back.

"Nope not going to happen. Not now at least. And maybe I can work it out for home games only till your back to desk duty. It's a good compromise?" He grinned, knowing he was winning her over. Maybe.

"Thank you for being here. I love you." She yawned after.

"You never have to thank me for that. I will always be here. Now get some sleep. I love you darling." He kissed her and she was out again. He messaged Platt to give her the update and to send it to everyone else. For now he was going to take a nap too. He needed it.

A few hours later awakes to Dr Choi checking her vitals. "Good morning Kim. How are you feeling?" His voice is soft and hushed like he's trying prevent Adam from waking. Over his shoulder she sees he's still sound asleep. Good she thinks.

"Good morning Ethan. How does it look?" Her pain wasn't bad. Only when she moved funny. But right she was okay.

"Everything looks good. I would like to look sat your incision to make sure it's not getting infected. But other than that it all looks good. We do need to talk about the stress level though. It needs to come way down around here. I know people are trying to what they think is best but right now too many people want to call the shots. If you think it would be better I can talk to your folks and bring them down a few notches. We had several complaints about them from the waiting area yesterday and none from your team. Would you like us to handle that?" He needed to offer something to keep the peace. Yesterday was not acceptable and Kim as well as other patients need to heal.

"Yes thank you. I haven't spoken to them in about a year so I'm not sure why they are even here. Adam said they kept demanding to know where Jackson was. I worried about that. What if they try to take him away from me?" She probably wouldn't admit it out loud but she had a nightmare about that this morning. It shook her to her core.

"We aren't going to allow that to happen. We will make sure it. I will let everyone know that they aren't to be left alone with him. Adam needs to be with at all times or a Voight. Okay?" She nodded. "Great. Now let's get this bandaged changed and I will makes some calls."

Shortly after Ethan left Adam started to wake up. He's achy Kim can tell from here. He's stretching and she could hear his bones cracking. She laughed at him, he hadn't noticed she was awake yet. "Well that must of felt good!" She kept laughing even though it hurt a little. He looked amused and started walking towards her "it did. But how are you feeling this morning?" He leaned down to give her a proper kiss. First one in days and first one since she was shot. They both needed to feel the other one. "I'm good. Can you go home and get some stuff for me and pick up Jackson?" She asked. She hadn't been away from him this long before. She knew he would be scared. "Of course darling. Are you sure your okay to be alone?" He would do anything see asked but he was worried about her. "I'm fine". It was short. She was being slightly short. Something was up, he could tell. For now he would do as requested.

As he left he saw Ethan making rounds. "Hey Ethan can I ask you something? Kim seems off is everything okay?" Adam was worried now. Maybe she wasn't healing well.

"Hey Adam. She's okay physically. Mentally she's worried about her parents being here. That they might try to take Jackson. It might be irrational but she hasn't seen them in a year and they are demanding to see him. She's just worried." Ethan knew this was a strange situation but he had handled worse before.

"Great thanks. I need to go get him now then. Take him to my place to shower and get some stuff for Kim. Let me know if anything chance okay?" With that Adam was on his way to get Jackson.

Jackson ran for Adam as soon as he got to the door. He couldn't wait to have daddy time again. He had been told that mommy was hurt but was doing well and he would see her today. He was scared but happy to see Adam.

"Daddy you are here! I missed you so much! He jumped up and down till Adam picked him up.

"I missed you too little man! Let's get you home then we. And shower and go visit mommy okay? Say thank you to Nadia for watching you all night." Adam was dad mode. Had to be right now. His whole was needed to be on him. Kim was doing great. So he could focus on Jackson now.

"Thank you Nadia" Jackson says sweetly. The kid had charm that's for sure.

"Bye handsome". She gave him a kiss and they left. Off to Adams house. He felt okay about his place being in a gated community. Guards checking ids, sending people away who weren't on the approved list.

They get home and Adam locked all the doors just to be safe. He gets Jackson set up in his room while heads across the hall to shower. It's not his normal bathroom but he wants to be close just in case. If Kim's worried and so is he. His shower was over and Jackson knocked on the door, Adam opened to see what he needed. "Someone's at the door daddy" Jackson says. "Okay buddy I need to get dressed first but I need you to stay in your room okay?" Adam replied fearing Kim's parents. He quickly dressed before heading to the door to his relief it was just Kevin bringing Adams luggage from Atlanta.

"Hey Kevin. Thanks for this and for yesterday. Jackson can you come down please we need to leave soon." Adam was trying to multi task around downstairs before leaving again.

"Coming daddy!" Jackson yelled as he ran down the hall to the stairs

"Man no worries. How is she?" Kevin knew how worried Adam had been and truth be told he was worried too.

"She's going to make a full recovery. One gun shot wound, bullet lodged in the appendix, several rib bruises and a mild concussion. All in all it could have been worse. Desk duty starts in two weeks and then another 2 to 4 weeks before full duty. Her parents showed and her mom was freaking out at me. Demanding to see her grandson. Never once called him by his name. I found out from Kim her parents have never met him. It was rough last night. She woke this morning and was pretty okay I'm sure it was the pain meds though. Hey little man you ready to go see mommy?" Adam didn't want to say much in front of Jackson about Kim's parents. He wouldn't understand.

"Yes I can't wait to see her!" He yells jumping up and down again.

"Alright let's get going. Thanks again Kevin. I will call you later to talk about the remainder of the season." Adam wanted to hurry up. He was excited too. He missed her already.

The drive back to the hospital was full of Jackson talking up a storm, tell Adam all about his day yesterday. It was adorable. He absolutely loved having a father in his life and wanted to spend all their time together. Once at the hospital Adam could hear arguing coming from Kim's room so he picked up Jackson so he could get to her room faster. Once inside he noticed another women who looked like Kim and a younger girl. Must be her sister and niece. "What's going on in here? Kim needs to be resting, no stress, no yelling. If you can't calm down you need to leave!" Adam was firm in his words. This wasn't happening again today.

Kim wasn't at all surprised the tone of his voice, almost lethal. "Adam, Jackson it's so good to see you. Come here baby! Mommy needs some snuggles!" Jackson gets down from Adam and runs over to Kim needing his mom just as much. "This is my sister Nicole and my niece Zoe." Pointing towards to two ladies in the room. Then pointing towards the boys "And this is Adam my boyfriend and this is my son Jackson." Adam held out his hand for Nicole to shake but she just glared at him. He remembered Kim telling him that she's a man hater. Her husband cheated on her but it seemed worse than that. Maybe it's too personal to share, or none of his business.

"So where did you meet this one? Another cop to up and leave you?" Nicole sneered at him. Before Kim could answer Adam did "Nope not a cop and nope not leaving. I love Kim and our son. And before you try to guess again I'm the left fielder for the Chicago Cubs. Not a loser, I have a good paying job, I own my own home, I own my own cars. They will have everything the need or want with me. Now if your done being rude, our son really doesn't need to see this. I don't want him to think this okay. Fighting in front of the kids is never okay. "

Nicole was stunned into silence. It was refreshing truth be told. And then they left. "I'm so sorry Kim. I just didn't want that around you two. Especially now when you need your rest." Adam felt bad but it needed to happen. "Please don't apologize. I was going to thank you for shutting her down. She was trying to get me to quit since my jobs too dangerous which makes me unfit to be a mom apparently." Kim sighed. This is what she was afraid of with her parents too. "Kim your the best mom ever. Jackson is so lucky to have you and your team as his family. And I'm lucky to have you both in my life. I love you darling." Adam kissed her and sat next to them on the bed. Just enjoying the time together.

By the end of the day all of Kim's coworkers had come to visit and last to leave was her parents. It surprised both Kim and Adam that they arrived last after yesterday. They still held hostility towards Adam over him being the one to make decisions on Kim's behalf but tried not to make a scene again. They were in the middle of casual conversation when Adam got a phone call he just had to take. He had been ignoring his phone all day only looking to see who was calling, this call was from the GM he had to take it.

He showed Kim who was calling "I'm sorry darling I have to take this it's the General Manager probably calling about my schedule requests. I'm sorry." He felt bad especially with her parents in the room but he needed to talk to him. "Adam it's alright this is important". She knew this couldn't wait.

"Good evening sir" Adam always tried to be respectful around management and the owners. Knowing his career is in their hands. "Good evening Adam. Firstly I was calling to check in on your girlfriend. We heard she was shot in the line of duty and want to make sure she is okay. Secondly I want to talk about the season going forward." The GM is friendly during the call which surprised Adam, he figured they would be pissed about him leaving mid game but apparently not.

"Kim is doing well. The bullet was lodged in her appendix so they removed that with the bullet. Minor concussion and some bruised ribs. Over all a very lucky day thank god. She should be back to desk duty in two weeks and then another 2 to 4 weeks of desk duty before returning to full active duty" Adam informed him about Kim condition.

"That's really great to hear. Listen whatever you two need you let us know. We are family and we take care of our own. Onto the second thing. I talked with Kevin and I know you want to be able to help Kim but you also have a desire to play in the post season. So for the games we are in town you can play, the games out of town you can sit out. That way you can home every night making sure Kim recovers and her son is taken care of. Sound good?" It was exactly what Adam wanted to hear.

"That is perfect thank you so much for your help and understanding during this difficult time. We both greatly appreciate it." Adam was overwhelmed by this. He never thought they would work with him on this but apparently he was wrong. He'd never been so happy to be wrong

After hanging up Kim looked thrilled and her parents confused. They still didn't know who he was other than his name. "Mom and dad, Adam is the left fielder for the Cubs. The division series start this week and then on to the World Series. This is Adams dream and my dream for him." They were in shock. They stayed another hour trying to bond with Jackson and he wasn't really taking to them. Maybe it was the tension, maybe it was the looks but he held tight to either Kim or Adam. Neither one missed the winces her parents made every time Jackson said daddy. It was actually amusing to watch. But only time will tell if they choose to keep in contact or not. They normally didn't put in the effort so they would have to see. But for now the family of three was content and happy.