A/N- Hi sorry for the delay life got in the way, holidays, illness and work all a contributing factor. Anyway enough of the excuses, enjoy the third chapter.

Ten minutes of silence later Antonio stands up and points at Cassie "Did you think you could join the unit and get away with no birthday celebration?"

Cassie glared at Adam "Really?"

Adam held his arms up in defence "Wasn't me, I didn't know till...no never mind"

"Until who told you Adam?"

Adam looked at his watch and smiled "Ooh look lunchtime, bye"

Adam jogged down the stairs and out of the unit, Cassie stood open mouthed but quickly recovered walking over to Antonio "So Dawson who told you?"

Antonio looked around the rest of the unit and down at Cassie's hand on his arm rubbing it, Cassie smiled sweetly batting her eyelids at him, Antonio grinned "The rubbing of my arm and the puppy dog eyes never worked on me when my ex wife did it, so not going to work with you Cassidy"

"Tonio? My full name really?"

Antonio laughs "Shortening mine doesn't work either little one"

"Little one? I'm five foot nine not so little"

"Ain't that the truth"

Cassie walks over to Jay and stands behind him and places her hands on his shoulders and gently lowers her chin on the top of his head "Jay oh partner of mine, you'll tell me won't you?"

"I...well...you see..."

Trudy walks up the stairs and into the bullpen "Cassie Mitchell leave Halstead alone! Why is Ruzek hiding in a storage closet?"

"I'll tell you why, because someone found out its my birthday in two days and told the whole unit, I don't want to celebrate my birthday, please I can't do this"

When Jay realised Cassie was on the verge of tears he stood up and pulled her into a hug "Hey talk to us, this unit isn't just a working unit, we're family and we wanted to help you celebrate your twenty-seventh birthday with us, Ethel's ok to have Darcy so what do you say sis?"

On the word sis, Cassie burst into tears pushed Jay away and ran into the locker room, Trudy rolled her eyes and followed Cassie into the locker room and found her sat on the floor sobbing, seeing Cassie like this pulled on Trudy's heart strings and so she sat beside Cassie waiting for Cassie to make the first move.

"Oh mom I miss them so much and when Jay said sis it reminded me of how Kiera would say it"

"Cassie you're going to have to tell them eventually" Trudy pulled Cassie into a hug "It was me who told them"

Cassie pushed Trudy away and stood up, walking to the door she yanked it open and seven bodies fell in landing on top of each other, Cassie looked down at the pile of bodies on the floor and to Trudy.

"Looks cosy"

Cassie giggles "Shall we join them Sarge?"

Trudy steps forward and stands beside Cassie "With my knees and back? I'd rather not"

Hailey looks up and then gasps "Sarge will you get rid of the hold of my ass?"

Hank mumbles from within the pile "Sorry"

Cassie and Trudy relented and started helping the pile of bodies up onto their feet, when it got to the last two bodies Cassie burst into uncontrollable giggles, Hailey was face down head upon Hank's chest, Hank's hands were resting on Hailey's ass. Once he realises his hands are still there he quickly scurries away from underneath Hailey and jumps to his feet. Hailey on the other hand face planted the locker room floor.

"God damn it Sarge, at least give me a warning next time"

"Next time? They'll be no next time, now I suggest we all get back to work and less time laying about on the floor"

Cassie points at herself and Trudy "We weren't lying around, that was all you Sergeant Voight, it honestly looked rather cosy"

"Yeah seriously if you all wanted a hug all you had to do was ask"

Adam smiles at Trudy "Can I have a hug?"

Trudy gives Adam a no nonsense look "No"

Cassie and Trudy giggle and walk out of the locker room and head towards the bullpen they both sit down waiting for the rest of the unit to arrive, a few moments later they all arrive smile and go back to the mountain of paperwork sat on all their desks.

Twenty or so minutes later Cassie was getting restless, Jay noticed and discreetly motioned for Cassie to follow him to the shooting range, Jay waited for Cassie to show up and as soon as she entered the range Cassie burst into tears, Jay instantly pulled Cassie into a hug and rubbed her back.

"Cassie talk to me"

"Oh Jay it's so hard"

"I didn't do anything"

Cassie giggles and pushes away from Jay and sits on the bench, Jay sits beside her in silence waiting for Cassie to talk, after a few minutes of silence Cassie sighed and grabbed Jay's hand.

"What I'm about to tell you I'm telling you in the strictest of confidence, the only one's that know what I'm about to tell you is Trudy and I'm presuming Hank"

Jay only nods not knowing whether to speak or stay quiet, so he remained quiet just squeezing Cassie's hand gently. Cassie smiled at Jay "I'm lucky to be here, my life and Darcy's for that matter would be different if not for two people getting me out of that rut, I'd be dead and Darcy would be in care!"

Jay still remains silent and Cassie sighs "You see..."

Flashback

Six months ago I was stood on the Chicago River bridge contemplating what to do, a few days previously I'd lost my mom, dad, sister and brother in law in a horrific car crash, they could only identify them all by their dental records, I was all alone, I'd lost my sister and best friend, I really do miss her.

So here I was stood on the bridge really considering jumping, ending it all and joining my family until this sweetest voice brought me out of my demise, Ethel. Ethel listened to me I told her about Kiera and Darcy and then my mom, dad and brother in law, I remember the first time I met Harvey he was so nervous he tripped up and destroyed a potted plant, stood in front of me with branches all over him, he didn't know what to do or say? So I just laughed which caused him to laugh and that's how Kiera found us five minutes later, huddled together giggling.

Ethel suggested remembering the good times and focusing on that and that Darcy needed a mommy and I was her person, I also met Trudy that day and we clicked, Trudy's my go to if I feel like I'm going to fall again and I'm too far away from Ethel, plus I started out as a paramedic and well that's a whole different kettle of fish right there...

"So you see Jay I'm still recovering you know from loosing everyone I care about, on the brightside I've still got Darcy"

"And I've got you, you know you can always talk to me to Cassie, I've suffered with PTSD and its not nice and the one true thing that got me through it was my brother, so what I'm saying is I'm here and willing to take on that role of protective brother, that's if that's what you want that is, you know your choice"

Cassie giggles and hugs Jay "Thank you Jay, for listening I needed that and I think you'll make a perfect big brother"

Two days later found Cassie, Hailey, Kim and Trudy sat in the living room waiting for the guys to arrive, Cassie was currently moving Darcy's highchair out of the living room and into the kitchen, when she came back in six eyes were staring back at her. Cassie looked behind her and then back at the women "Ok what?"

"So what changed your mind about celebrating your birthday?"

"Ahh that, well you see..."

Ring saved by the bell, Cassie quickly got up and answered the door, finding Hank, Jay, Adam, Kevin and Antonio stood there, their arms full of supplies "Oh thank god"

Everyone walked past apart from Jay, he gently rubbed her arm "You can do this"

Cassie nods "I can do this, what if it gets too much?"

Jay pulls Cassie into a hug "Then you walk away"

Cassie follows Jay into the living room and Hank looks up at his two seconds mingling with the rest of the team, Hank notices the quick glances between them and thinks nothing of it. A few hours later and a few crates less of beer found Jay, Kevin and Adam in various states of undress, Cassie, Hailey and Kim were fully clothed. Having taken no part in the current game being played Hank, Trudy and Antonio were still fully clothed and relishing the fact that this was all on camera, for future reference, bribery who knew?

"Oh come on?"

Cassie giggles "You know the rules, take one item of clothing off, strip poker my friend"

Adam glares at Cassie and then points at Hailey and Kim "I don't get it"

"Ruzek my man what's hard to understand? You lost now you take one item of clothing off"

"I know that Halstead, I mean how on earth are the girls still covered and I'm down to my boxers and socks?"

"How should I know? Now one item of clothing or you forfeit?"

Adam rolls his eyes "Ok fine, a sock or my boxers? Mmm which one?"

"Sock go with the sock, man I love you like a brother but no way do I want to see that! Urhh want to give me nightmares?"

Adam chuckles "Sock it is, I don't get you Atwater you've seen it before"

Adam slowly starts taking the sock off and glances up as Trudy hands Cassie, Hailey and Kim another t-shirt "Hey that's cheating? Seriously Sarge?"

"I'm protecting my fellow comrades, what you going to do sue me?"

"No just doesn't seem right that I'm just in a sock and boxers, Jay's in a t-shirt and boxers and Kevin's in socks t-shirt and boxers, do you two at least agree"

Kevin and Jay look at each other and then back at Adam and at the same time say "Nope" emphasising the P in nope.

Cassie turns to Hailey and Kim "I'm actually getting rather warm are you?"

"Thought you'd never ask"

"Oh thank god for that"

Cassie, Hailey and Kim start stripping the layers off, one layer, two layers ten layers later they are sat in sports bras and shorts, Trudy rolls her eyes and sits beside Hank who smiles at her "You tried"

"As much good it did"

"Sarge it could have been worse?"

"How so Dawson?"

"Well the game could have continued and Adam would keep on loosing and I don't want to see my pizza again thank you very much"

Trudy looks over at Adam and shivers "Ahh point taken"

"MOM!"

"Mom?"

Trudy looks at Antonio and then walks over to Cassie "Yes dear"

"Want to play charades?"

"No not really, anything else?"

"Ooh, ooh, ooh" Adam was jumping up and down and raising his hand swinging it around "I know a game we can all play"

"Ruzek be warned I'm not doing anything remotely idiotic I do have a reputation to up keep, as does Voight"

"Hey I know that I'm not stupid"

Cassie opens her mouth to say something but Trudy stops her "Ruzek what game do you require for me to take part in?"

"You're going to love this, you ready?"

"Christ sakes man out with it"

"I'm getting there"

"Oh for the love of god Adam tell us or I'm dragging you out of my house and leaving you out there in your socks and boxers"

"Cassie do you really want to give your neighbours nightmares?"

Cassie turns and looks at Hank and giggles "No I guess not, out with it Adam for all our sakes"

"I...damn it I forgot"

Cassie grabs a hold of Adam and hurls him over her shoulder, everyone apart from Hank, Trudy and Jay are in shock. Jay opens the back door and grins as Cassie walks past him and dumps Adam in the middle of her garden, before jogging back inside the house shutting and locking the door.

"Right where we're we?"

Kevin points at the door and then at Cassie "How on earth did you do that?"

"Oh you mean the fireman's lift? Simple really I'm a trained firefighter and Paramedic so I'm currently on loan to the CPD"

Kevin nods "Think you could lift me?"

"Sure"

"Cassie let me in I'm cold out here please?"

"One moment hold that thought" Cassie walked to the back door, putting the chain on and opening the door handing Adam a blanket and bright pink hat "There you go, bye"

"Cassie, hey where did you go? Cassie?"

"Right where we're we? Of course addy up Atwater!"

Kevin stood up and squealed when Cassie picked him up and flung him over her shoulder, Cassie placed Kevin back on the floor and smiled at his impressed expression "Damn girl, can you teach me how to do that?"

"Sure"

Ring ring

"Hi Ethel, Darcy OK?"

"Yes dear but could you please explain to me as to why there's a almost naked man in your garden? With the pink hat he looks like a giant..."

"Ethel it's my colleague besides how can you see what colour hat he's wearing? Or the fact he's almost naked?"

"Telescope my dear, have to do something at night. It's amazing what you see your neighbours doing when they think nobodies watching, Mr Hobkirk wanders around in the altogether his wife must be pleased and then Mr Grant ooh don't get me started with him, if I wasn't so dedicated to my true love I wouldn't..."

"Ethel please to much information"

"Yes dear, you might want to bring your colleague inside its putting off the wildlife oh and he's dangerously near the pond!"

"Yes thanks Ethel see you tomorrow"

Cassie hung up the phone and walked to the door, opening it up and jogging towards Adam, tripping over a branch Cassie stumbles and falls towards Adam, who attempts to stop the motion but they both end up in the pond, Adam on top of Cassie looking down at her.

"Hi thanks for joining me"

Cassie coughs and removes plant life from her hair "Ruzek will you move?"

"Oh yeah sorry"

Cassie quickly stands up and walks back towards the house, Jay has the phone in hand "Ethel for you"

"Can you put it on speaker?"

"Cassie dear I said rescue your colleague from falling into the pond not join him"

"Wasn't my intention Ethel I can assure you"

"Go get a shower dear and don't do anything I wouldn't do, too old nowadays, happy birthday dear one"

"Thanks Ethel bye now!"

"Oh my god!"

Cassie looks at Adam squirming on the spot "What's wrong with you? I look like a tree"

"Fi...fi...FISH!"

"Oh? Need some help?"

Adam smirks "Would you?"

Jay pulls the back of Adam's boxer shorts down and removes three fish, and places them in the sink "You even suggest that again Ruzek I'll..."

"Halstead calm down"

Jay turns to Cassie "I'm calm just emphasising a point, would you prefer if Platt, Voight or Dawson said something?"

Both Cassie and Adam look at Jay and shake their heads, Cassie goes to hug Jay and is pushed towards the stairs, Cassie takes a quick shower and goes into her bedroom, getting dressed in sweat pants, bra and pink tank top, what she hadn't heard was Adam in the shower. Heading in the bathroom to find her towel to dry her hair she comes face to face with Adam's naked body, quickly turning around she swipes the contents of the sink onto the floor the noise enough to awake the living dead.

"Jesus Cassie I'm in here"

"Yes I can see that urhh forget I said that, I didn't see a thing. Could you possibly hand me my towel?"

"Sure"

Cassie grabs at the towel blindly and then points at the shelf in the corner of the bathroom "Yeah thanks for that, you'll find a towel on the shelf, once used put it in the hamper, see you soon, urhh forget I said that too"

"Cassie can you get me my...?" Adam looked up but Cassie was gone "Clothes"

Adam got dried in the bathroom and dressed and came out onto the landing to find Trudy hands on her hips staring at him GULP! "Oh hey Sarge do you need the bathroom?"

Trudy glared at Adam, Adam suddenly felt really uncomfortable "Sarge?"

"What are your intentions?"

"To go downstairs and continue to help Cassie celebrate her birthday, why do you ask?"

"Don't even try to be cute about it"

"Cute? You called me cute, Sarge are you feeling OK?"

"I'm perfectly fine, you on the other hand not so much"

"I unfortunately have no clue where you're going with this"

"I always knew you were slow on the uptake but this is getting serious"

"I...hey"

Trudy rolls her eyes and steps forwards towards Adam, causing Adam to step back and hit his back off the wall behind him "Listen very closely as I'm only going to say this once! Keep it in your pants when it comes to Cassie, if you can't control yourself I'll suggest to Voight that Jay goes undercover with her, do you understand me?"

Adam can only nod in fear, as he believed if he said anything at this moment in time his Sergeant the mom of the unit would kill him, what he didn't know that if Jay knew what Trudy had witnessed, Jay would also kill him and hide the body and have no bad feelings about it either.