Jordan- 13
"On your mark, get set...Go!"
Jordan and Adam were having a gummy candy eating contest. Adam had been on babysitting duty for the week. Hank had an old case come up at least that's what he told his daughter; he had to work then testify in court. He wasn't having his daughter around it. He was having her stay with Adam while the others worked the case.
The young officer and teen were digging into the bowl full of all different gummy candy. Gummy worms, bears, sharks, fruit slices and more. Adam had managed a couple handfuls. He hadn't had that much sugar in years. Jordan went on till she couldn't.
"I win!" She cheered.
"That you do kiddo. No more, I don't want you getting sick" Adam told her.
"When can I call my dad?"
"Later. We don't wanna bug him unless it's an emergency"
"Is he working a bad case?"
"I think he is"
Her face fell and dropped, she had always gotten dead nervous when he worked a bad case. The truth was Hank had been working a joint federal case with Anna's old partner, Phil. Hank wasn't having his daughter near any of that, he hated lying to his daughter but to protect her from the truth he would.
Adam had seen her face fall and hugged her. "It's alright sweetheart. He'll be just fine"
"I hate when he works on these kinds of cases. I'm scared I'll lose him too. Like my mom"
Adam felt his heart break, he had been grateful he had both his parents. They were divorced but he had them. Jordan had her mother for the first few months of life and never remembered her. The only parent she's ever had was Hank. Nobody would know what to do if Jordan lost him.
"I promise he'll be alright. He's got a lot of people watching out for him"
A smile appeared across her face. "I know"
"Let's go kiddo, we gotta get you fed and to bed because you have school tomorrow"
"Do I gotta?" She teased.
"Yes you do, otherwise your dad will get after both of us. Go get your stuff"
Jordan had gone to her father's office and went to get her bag she packed to stay with Adam. She grabbed it and put it on her shoulder and went to the young officer, Adam grabbed his jacket and the two headed out. Trudy had been stuck pulling a double shift, she saw the young officer coming down with her goddaughter.
"Boy Wonder over here for a moment" Trudy called.
He walked over with a smile. "And what can I do for you tonight Sergeant?"
"Being you're on babysitting duty, I'm sure you're aware of the rules of watching Jordan"
"Rules? I didn't know there were rules to babysit. Besides I watch the short stuff all the time overnight shouldn't be hard"
"That's what people say about this job and they find out. Anyway, overnight rules for Jordan. Bed by 9:30, no horror movies because if she doesn't sleep neither will you, no junk after 8. Hank doesn't want her bouncing off the walls. Any sugar or horror movies she doesn't sleep and neither do you. She can call Hank before bed"
"Copy that Sarge"
"Adam, I do know where you live. If anything happens to her or I get a phone call tonight. Hank will be the very least of your worries"
"Totally understand"
"Good" She went around and hugged her goddaughter. "I'll be on shift tonight if you need me. You have my number sweetheart?"
"Yes Aunt Trudy" The teen nodded.
"Attagirl"
Trudy kissed her goddaughter's head and watched as she left with the young officer, Jordan had gotten in Adam's car buckling up and glanced at him.
"Don't feel so intimidated Adam, everyone's always been really protective of me" Jordan says.
"I can tell" Adam replies, starting the car and pulling off. "You got any homework darlin?"
"Nope I finished it all. Unless you wanna go over it. My dad doesn't like looking over my math homework anymore he says math has gotten to complicated now a days"
"Math is math, why must people change things?"
"Wrong person to ask"
"Alright kiddo what's tonight's dinner plans?"
"Pizza"
"Nice choice"
Adam stopped off for the pizza and brought Jordan with him. He wasn't taking any chances. Not to mention Hank will skin him alive if anything happens to her. Adam ordered a cheese and supreme pizza with chicken strips and onion rings.
About 15 minutes later the food was ready and they left, going back to Adam's place. Jordan carried her stuff in while the young officer carried the food. While he got the food set out on plates and he got the drinks, the thirteen-year-old went to Adam's guest rooms and put her stuff away.
She pulled out her school uniform and laid it on the table and left her backpack by the door. Her pajamas she pulled out and laid on the bed. Once everything was finished she had gone out, Adam had been quietly talking with Kevin. When Kevin saw the young teen he halted the conversation.
Adam looked back and saw her, he smiled. "Everything good sweetheart?"
"Yup everything is all set out for the night" She nodded.
"Good. Dinner's on the table after dinner, shower then you're free till 9:30"
The teen had gone to the table and started eating, Kevin left leaving his partner to watch their boss's daughter. Adam had sat down to eat and Jordan had glanced at him.
"Is Kevin alright?" Jordan asked.
"Yeah. He's fine honey. He was just updating me so I know what to do for tomorrow" Adam replied.
"Is my dad alright?"
"Darlin, they are all fine. I promise"
"I hope so"
"I know so" He checked his watch. "I'll clean up, go take your shower and you can watch tv till bed. Just no horror movies"
"That I definitely promise. I learned my lesson before"
"Oh yeah?"
"I thought a made up serial killer was watching my house at night and was in my room for two weeks. Needless to say my dad or brother hadn't slept"
"I can say that won't happen now"
Jordan skipped off to the shower while Adam had started to put the food away. He packed the young Voight a small lunch for the next day. He had put away all the food and cleaned up the small area. About 15 minutes later Jordan came out wearing her pajamas, her long brown hair was wet and in a loose ponytail.
She had put her clothes in a bag, her phone rang and she got excited as she went to answer it. She already knew who it was.
"Hi daddy!" She says excitedly.
Hank couldn't see his daughter but he could see the huge smile on her face. "How's my little one?"
"I'm good. Adam and I had pizza for dinner"
"That's good baby. How was school?"
"Same stuff different day"
He chuckled. "I don't want you giving Adam a hard time tomorrow morning Jo"
"I promise I won't"
"Be good and behave alright sweetheart"
"I will dad"
"That's my girl. Good night baby, I love you"
"Good night daddy, I love you too"
She hung up the phone and put it on the charger beside the bed. After getting ready she went out and curled next to Adam, she leaned into his side laying across the couch. His hand softly rested on her head, smoothing her hair back.
Adam will admit he's never been good with kids, he's never dealt with children until Jordan came along and it was as if this new side of Adam opened up. He'd do anything for Jordan. The two were inseparable at times, partners in crime. Best friends. Jordan had seen him as another older brother figure.
As the tv softly played in the background, Jordan fell asleep on Adam's side. The young officer looked down and saw her sleeping peacefully. Smiling her gently picked her up and took her to the guest room laying her in the bed covering her up. Once he made sure she was fast asleep he quietly left the room keeping the door cracked. He had then gone to his room for the night.
Around 1:30 that night something had been waking Adam from a sound sleep. His mind was going fuzzy. It sounded like soft whimpering and moaning. He felt someone shaking him.
"Adam. Adam wake up"
He grumbled out what sounded like, "5 more minutes"
"Adam! Wake up"
The young officer jumped awake and looked around, he briefly forgot he had been watching Jordan. He looked at the young teen.
"Jo? What's wrong darlin?"
"My stomach hurts really bad. I've been to the bathroom about 4 times so far. I think I got diarrhea. I want my dad"
Adam's eyes had widened. Jordan was sick. He didn't know how to handle that. No one had taught him how to care for her when she's sick. What made him panic more was he could have gotten her sick with eating all that candy and the grease from dinner most likely didn't help matters.
He knew if he called Trudy he was in deep trouble. There was no chance he was calling Hank or Alvin. They had to be focused on the case. He thought of Antonio but he was with his own kids. An idea had popped into his head.
"Sweetheart go get your shoes and jacket and we'll go see Will"
Will was one probably less likely to go off on him. He quickly got dressed and slipped his shoes and a hoodie on. Jordan had ended up going to the bathroom again and sat on the toilet holding her stomach whimpering and whining. After she finished she went out to Adam.
The young officer knew with her stomach she wouldn't be able to keep up with him. Carefully he lifted her up, keeping a hold on her. Instantly the young teen wrapped her arms around his neck loosely. He took her down to his car and put her in the back buckling her in. Normally Adam had only felt his adrenaline pumping during a chase or a shoot out. This was out doing it.
Getting in the driver side he buckled up, he turned on the lights and sirens and sped down the streets. He had been very careful, the young girl was already sick. She didn't need to be in an accident either.
"Adam. I want my dad" Jordan whimpered.
After he kills me, was what Adam wanted to say. But instead he went with, "Soon"
Within record time Adam had arrived at the hospital. He rushed out going to get Jordan, he once again lifted her up into his arms and kicked the door closed. It had been a slow night in the ED, Maggie looked to see the young officer holding someone.
"Adam what's going on?" Maggied asked, worried.
"I'm on babysitting duty with Jo. She's sick" He rushed out.
"Where's Hank?"
"Urgent case"
"Treatment 3, I'll page Will"
"Thanks Mags"
He walked to the room and sat the teen on the bed, she curled up whimpering and whining. He went up near her head stroking her hair back.
"It'll be alright darlin, Will's gonna help you out"
"I really want my dad"
"I know honey"
Will was coming out of the lounge when Maggie saw him. "Treatment three, my favorite Halstead"
"What do we got Mags?" Will asked.
"Sick kid with a panicked babysitter"
He nodded going into the room, he sanitized his hands before he could speak he saw Adam beside a distraught Jordan.
He frowned. "Adam, Jordan, what's going on?"
The young officer looked to see his friend's brother. "Hey Will. First let's agree on not telling Voight. Second, Jordan's having stomach cramps badly. She says she may have diarrhea. So far she's been to the bathroom that I know of at least 5 times"
"I'll deal with you afterwards Adam" He went to the young teen. "Jo, where does your stomach hurt?"
"Everywhere" She groaned. "It feels like I got gas but it won't come out"
"Anything else you can tell me?"
"I hear kinda like a gurgle sound a little"
"I'm gonna start an IV, it's nothing but fluids. Did you eat or drink anything today that could have caused your stomach to hurt?"
"Adam and I had a gummy candy eating contest. He didn't have as much as me"
He raised an eye. "And how much did you have?"
"Half a bowl maybe. It was something like that"
"What did you have for dinner?"
"Pizza and onion rings"
"All that on your stomach, it's no wonder your stomach is the way it is. Let me check your stomach"
He got up and started to feel her stomach. "Do you feel anything else?"
"I feel like a blowfish"
"You're bloated on top of having a lot of built up gas and diarrhea"
"You're going to need fluids and rest for a few days. I'll find something to help your stomach. Adam a word"
"Be right back Darlin" The officer looked to Jordan.
She nodded, Will had a nurse set Jordan an IV up and administer some meds for her stomach. The two men went out of the room and Adam bit his nail, he didn't let the stern glare on Will's face go unnoticed.
"I know I screwed up. I didn't mean to" Adam says nervously.
"Adam, nobody, especially a kid, should have eaten all that candy and the grease from the food wasn't any help. I'm sure you already called Hank and told him"
He had stayed quiet which made Will raise his eyebrow. "Adam you did call Hank didn't you?"
"Not exactly"
"Adam!"
"He's working a joint task force case right now. I don't know if he's reachable"
"Never do this again"
"Dude you have my word. Never again"
"Once Jo's IV line is finished she should be good until you get home. Keep her hydrated. I'll write you a list of meds to get her"
"Thank you so much"
"Yeah you better not do this again or get us in trouble"
"You have my word"
Will had been paged away, Adam thought he had been in the clear till..
"Adam" Came a female voice, Kim.
His eyes went wide but once he turned and saw her with Sean he kept a straight face.
"Hey guys, whatcha doing here so late?" Adam asked, keeping the nervousness out of his voice.
"Have to get a victim's statement. What brings you here?" Sean replies.
"Yeah, I thought you were on babysitting duty with Jo," Kim says.
Before Adam could say anything a weak voice came. "Not.. A.. Baby. Adam.. I think.. I'm gonna-"
She upchucked a little on the floor. Bits of food everywhere in the small puddle. Some of it had gotten on his jeans and shoes.
"Let get you back to laying down sweetheart"
"Can we call my dad? Please"
"In the morning I promise"
She groaned and went back to the bed with Adam's help she stretched out on the bed and he covered her up.
He went back out to the two patrol officers. They both had shocked expressions.
"You haven't called Voight? Are you crazy" Kim told him.
"He's working the joint case" Adam replied. "Besides a sick kid can't be that hard"
"You at least told Platt didn't you?" Sean asked.
The young officer had stayed quiet.
"Adam you didn't tell anyone?" Kim spoke again.
"Maggie and Will. I'm not sure who to be more afraid of. Voight, Al, or Platt"
"We'll stop by in the morning to help you"
"We will?" Sean asked.
"Yes we will. I helped my sister take care of Zoe all the time when she was sick. He shouldn't have to do this on his own"
"Alright. I got your back partner"
"Thanks guys. I owe you" Adam says.
"Speaking of, how did Jordan get sick? She seemed fine all day"
"We might have had a gummy candy eating contest. I had a small couple handfuls. She had say half the bowl"
"Adam, all that isn't good for her. No wonder she's like this" Kim said with a sigh.
"We were bored and trying to entertain ourselves. I just know not to do it again"
"Good"
The patrol officers got called away to track down their current suspect. Soon Jordan's IV of fluids was finished. Will discharged her and gave Adam a script of stuff he could get for Jordan.
It was almost 4 in the morning when Adam finally got back to his place. He drove around trying to find an all night pharmacy till he found one.
He got Jordan some gatorade and the meds that Will suggested. He didn't wanna give her too many meds so he started off with one for the moment and gave her some gatorade.
It was 4:30 when Jordan finally had gone back to sleep. Adam carried her to the room and tucked her in. He quietly left the room heading back out.
Once in the living room area he started to put the meds and the juice away. He changed out of his jeans that Jordan puked on. The vomit was on the ankle part but still noticeable.
He threw those in the dirty laundry. He wiped his shoes clean. He was wearing a shirt and shorts.
Once he was changed he checked on Jordan every 15 minutes. By 5:30, Adam had fallen asleep on the couch.
Adam then awoke to hearing a loud banging on his door. He checked his phone to see it had only been past 7 in the morning. He groaned. He was exhausted.
He went to answer it before it woke Jordan. "Yeah I'm coming. Coming"
He opened the door to see Trudy, he woke up seeing her. "Sarge, hey. What's up?"
"What's this I hear about a gummy candy contest and Jordan's sick"
"How did you.."
Kim and Sean stepped forward both nervous and guilty.
"She cracked us," Sean said.
"Like a couple of soft cookies you both are" Trudy says looking between the two.
Kim gave Adam a sheepish look. "Sorry"
Normally Adam would debate or argue but he was too damn tired.
"It's fine. I'm just exhausted. Jordan didn't go back to sleep till after 4:30. I checked on her every 15 minutes till 5:30. Sick kids are hard. I take it back"
"Where is she?" Trudy asked.
"Guest room"
Trudy went back to the room, just then Will had shown up at the door with his bag. He had changed out of his scrubs and into his normal clothes.
"What are you doing here?" Adam looked at the Halstead.
"You're not alone in this. You made a mistake but you're not alone. Ever. You guys are family to me too" Will answered with a smile.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Thanks man"
"Don't mention it"
Adam may have made a small mistake but in the end he has a bunch of people he can count on to help him out. He had watched as they brought Jordan out, Will thought a heating pad could help for the cramps. He brought a spare one from the hospital.
Will had given Jordan some meds and fluids.
Trudy had straightened up the small apartment some. Kim and Sean made some food, Adam had sat on the couch and propped his feet up on the table. Jordan had ended up laying beside Adam tucking herself into his side. The two had started to doze off.
Kim had put up all the food in the fridge for them later, Trudy had covered her sleeping goddaughter. Kim covered Adam as he was finally falling asleep and he jumped slightly.
"Hey shh, it's alright. You're falling asleep and you don't wanna wake Jo" She said softly.
The young officer looks at the sleeping teen curled into his side, he puts a gentle but protective hand on her. Looking around he saw Trudy, Will and Sean had left. Kim had stayed.
"Where'd everyone else go?" He asked softly.
"I sent them home. They all needed rest"
"You should go get some rest too"
"I'm fine staying here. You need the help"
"You'd really stay and help?"
"Of course" She got up and kissed his cheek. "I love you Adam and Jordan is much my family as you are"
"I love you too"
"The way you are with Jordan, I think one day you'll be an amazing dad"
"You think so?"
"I know so"
Kim had sat in a chair across from the two and covered up with her jacket. She watched as Jordan slept soundly, Adam had been watching the teen as sleep was overcoming him. He kept a gentle but protective hand on the young teen. He was almost asleep when he had felt the young Voight turn.
Jordan turned slightly attempting to get comfortable, her eyes tried to open but it felt like a weight was keeping them closed. Adam softly stroked her hair.
"It's alright darlin, just try and sleep" He whispered softly.
She snuggled into his hold and got comfortable. He kept stroking her hair as it kept her asleep. Or so he thought.
"Love you Adam" Jordan muttered softly.
"Love you too my little partner in crime" He places a soft brotherly kiss on her head and puts some hair behind her ear.
He didn't know how Jordan wormed her way into his heart but she did and she now has a place in his heart. She is his sister. His partner in crime. His best friend.