I just love writing gentle Jay and it seems the people love gentle Jay and I'm in the business of giving the people what they want :)

Jay yawned as he laid in bed, the early morning summer sunlight streaming into his bedroom. He hadn't slept all that well, which wasn't different from what he was used to. The only change was that this time, his mind was on the tiny person in his guest bedroom. Thankfully, Piper had been silent throughout the night. He'd checked on her probably every three hours, needing to make sure she was still in the apartment, safe and sound. Every time she appeared to be fast asleep, huddled beneath the comforter.

The more time he spent with Piper, the more he was convinced that she was related to Erin. They shared the same mannerisms and preferences, and every time Piper did or said anything that was Erin-like, it took Jay's breath away. Piper had been captivated by his recollection of his mom, silently listening as he talked about her gentleness, her cooking and the way she loved him and Will so fiercely. After a few moments he realized that Piper had none of that in her nine years, and it was all he could do not to cry. He'd gotten her settled in bed after the Cubs won, making sure that she brushed her teeth and could find the bathroom or him at night if she needed. Despite Piper's situation, there was something about the domesticity of it all that just felt right.

Sleep didn't come easily, so Jay sat awake on the couch, researching advice on temporary parenting. He didn't know how long Piper would be staying, but he was determined to make her days with him good. As he read article after article on foster children and children who'd been abandoned, a painful ache took up residence in his heart. Even though his research was about Piper, there were so many attributes and connections in the literature that reminded him of Erin.

The pain of growing up with a mother like Bunny, living through abusive relationships like the one she had with Charlie and constantly feeling the need to escape were all symptoms of the trauma his ex-girlfriend had endured. There were so many things he wish he had known – how to help, what to do, what to say - that he had to close the computer and take a breath.

Piper, just like Erin, had lived through trauma. The burdens they carried were different yet remarkably similar. And while Jay hadn't been able to support his girlfriend to the extent he now realized she needed, he was determined to change the trajectory of the life of child asleep in his guest room. He promised himself that he'd show Piper unconditional support, and provide as much stability and routine he could.

The buzzing of his cell phone snapped Jay out of his thoughts and he made a swipe for the device, hoping it was Voight with an update on Piper's DNA.

Instead, it was a text from his current partner, informing him that she was outside his apartment, and that she didn't want to knock to wake him or Piper up. Jay threw on a t shirt and shuffled to the front door as quietly as possible, hoping that Piper would remain asleep to get the rest she desperately needed.

"Coffee," Hailey extended a disposable cup to her partner as he pulled open the door, "Figured you'd need it."

Jay accepted the cup gratefully. Hailey was a good partner. She had his back, cared about him and was there whenever he needed her. She was also good about giving him his space, but sometimes tended to make things her business that Jay didn't really want her involved in. Nevertheless, he appreciated and respected his partner. "Thank you," he said, "What's up?"

"We've got one of the offenders in custody," Hailey informed her partner, "Voight thinks that it would be best if you kept the kid busy for the day, away from the district."

"Yeah," Jay rubbed his cheek. There wasn't any part of him that wanted to retraumatize the nervous little girl. "Which guy did you get?"

"The wife," she replied dryly, "Lawyered up, but the kid doesn't need to be traumatized all over again by seeing her. How's she doing?"

"Still sleeping," he confirmed, glancing over his shoulder and gesturing to the closed guest room door. "Piper's a great kid. Been through a lot. I'll um, figure out a plan for us today but text me if anything comes up?"

"Will do." Hailey shifted in the doorway, words clearly on her lips that hadn't been spoken.

"What?" Jay narrowed his eyes, "I can tell you want to say something."

She sighed. "Just, uh, don't get too attached, okay? I know you, and you're a great guy and you care a lot about the victims we deal with, but this is a nine year old kid." Hailey raised her hands, "I'm just looking out for you."

Jay set his jaw, "I get it. But she needs someone in her corner. She's had nobody for nine years, and the fact that she's chosen me to trust isn't something I take lightly, Hailey. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'm going to be fine. And I'm going to make sure that Piper is as well."

Hailey nodded mutely. "I hear you. I'll um, text you if anything comes up."

"Thanks." Jay closed his apartment door and jumped in surprise when he turned around to see Piper standing outside the guest bedroom door, sleep still clouding her green eyes. "Hey, Pipes. How'd you sleep?"

Piper managed a shy smile at Jay's new nickname for her. "Good. Comfy bed."

Jay grinned, "I know, it's a good one. Few months ago there was a leak in the ceiling in my room so I crashed in there for a few nights. Some of the better sleep I've ever had." He glanced down at his phone to check the time. "I've got good news for you. The team's working on a few things, which means I get to spend the day with you. And I figured we'd start with breakfast, how does that sound?"

Piper nodded, "You-you don't have to go to work?"

"They'll text me if they need me," he shrugged, "Figured it would be way more fun for us to do something. You ever seen the Bean in Millennium park?" He widened his eyes when Piper shook her head, "Well, I guess we'll have to do a bit of Chicago sight-seeing then, huh? You wanna get ready and we'll head out in ten?"

"What are you thinking for breakfast?" Jay asked, looking up from the menu to the little girl in front of him. He was on his third cup of coffee of the day and the waitress had been surprised at how quickly he'd downed the first cup she poured. "I know what I'm having." He offered a smile when Piper looked at him curiously, "A number five."

"Eggs, bacon, hash browns?" Piper raised her eyebrows, "With pancakes too?"

"You know it," Jay chuckled, "The best in town."

"I don't think I can eat that much," she looked back down at the menu, brow furrowed.

"They've got a kid's menu in the back," Jay flipped the menu over and gestured to some smaller portioned options, "Maybe something there?"

Piper exhaled, "This looks better. I-I don't want to be wasteful."

"You can have as much as you like," Jay assured her gently, "Don't worry."

The little girl managed to eat most of her child-sized omelet, and Jay was pleased. He knew that Piper was small and clearly hadn't been fed enough, and part of his plan toward helping her was making sure she was getting enough healthy food. He finished his fourth cup of coffee and they headed out into Chicago so Jay could show Piper all the sights she'd never seen before. "Can't believe you hadn't seen the Bean," Jay mused, glancing in the rearview mirror at a particularly tired Piper, "A Chicago staple."

"I don't think I always lived in Chicago," Piper said thoughtfully. At that, Jay's ears perked up. Throughout the day he was listening for any details Piper dropped about her previous life, but since she was shy and he was doing much of the talking, those details were few and far between.

"Oh yeah?"

She nodded, "One of my first memories is at a park somewhere that was really close to where we lived. It wasn't in the city and they had these great big monkey looking wooden statues all over. And I remember being really scared of them." Piper paused, "I was with a family then, but they had a baby, and then I had to leave."

Piper's anecdote took Jay's breath away. They had a baby, and then I had to leave. It broke his heart. "That's the arboretum in Lisle, I think. A bit outside Chicago."

"They were nice," she continued, "I was sad when I had to leave."

Jay swallowed, wanting nothing more than to stop the car and pull Piper into a hug. How anyone could give up a child like her was beyond him. "I bet."

"I moved a lot after that." Piper paused, "Like a lot. That's how come I knew the routine at the hospital."

He nodded sadly, "That must have been really hard for you. Growing up in a lot of different places." Piper shrugged and glanced out the window.

"Wait," she said, "Jay, I know this place."

He glanced in the rearview mirror again as he drove along the street. He was going to show Piper the United Center where the Blackhawks played since they'd talked baseball the night before, he was think hockey would be a good next choice. There was some roadwork that caused him to take a detour into East Garfield Park, which wasn't the best area of Chicago. "You know where we are?"

"Before I lived with the Davis's," Piper said, her voice sounding more nervous, "I lived with a couple out here for a few weeks." She swallowed, "They were friends with Donny. I remembered seeing them again when I was living with the Marsh's. They live just up that street."

"We're going to get out of here, okay?" Jay turned his blinker on, looking to take the child he'd been trusted with as far away from memories that scared her as possible, "I'm going to turn around."

"They're bad," Piper whispered, "But I-I can show you their house, if you want."

Jay felt his heart crack for what felt like the hundredth time in two days. "That is so nice of you to offer, Pipes, really, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I can have the team look into the area and see if they can find anything."

"But isn't that how come I'm here? To help you catch them?"

Jay pulled onto the highway heading back toward Chicago, "You're with me because I'm supposed to keep you safe. And that means making you feel comfortable, and I don't want you to be scared, or think that you have to do anything to deserve to stay with me, okay? No matter what, I'm here to take care of you."

Piper let out a small sigh of relief, "I-I thought I had to tell you things I remembered."

He shook his head, "Only if you want to, kiddo. I would never force you to try to remember things that scare you." Jay paused and glanced in the rearview mirror again, "You're safe with me though, I promise."

"I'm really glad it was you who found me," she managed, her eyes damp with unshed tears, "Really glad."

"Me too," Jay gave a kind smile, "What do you say we find an ice cream place, huh?"

"Hey, sarge," Jay answered his phone as he sat across the table from Piper in a small ice cream parlor. He gave a smile to the little girl as she dug into her mint chocolate chip cup. Again, her little mannerisms reminded him so much of Erin, who's favorite flavor was also mint chocolate chip.

"She's a match for Bunny," Hank informed him.

Jay felt his blood run cold as he regarded the child in front of him. Erin's sister. "Wow," was all he could say.

"I talked to DCFS, told them all about Bunny and her antics," Hank continued, "And until we have those guys in custody, I think it's best Piper stay with you."

"I agree," Jay managed, "Have you talked to-"

"Erin? No, I left her a message and sent her a text, but haven't heard back. She might be on assignment, so it could be a few days before we hear from her. I let DCFS know that as well, and you know they like to keep kids with family, so they're on board with waiting until Erin knows to tell Bunny as well. Just going to have to keep this one tight to the vest for the few days. I've only told you and Platt, but the rest of the unit doesn't need to know."

"Got it," Jay swallowed, "And um-"

"And you shouldn't say anything to the kid," Hank continued, "Not until we get a DNA test from Erin as well. Kid doesn't need false hope or anything. And Erin needs to know too. I can't imagine she'd say no to her but it's a big step, raising a kid. Especially since DCFS thinks that Bunny's going to put up some kind of charade on custody even though she hasn't seen her in nine years."

Jay nodded and gave a weak smile to Piper who was now looking at him curiously as he struggled to process what his boss was telling him. "You just need to sit tight with Piper for a bit. The wife hasn't said much, but she's being processed, so if you want to bring her into the district tomorrow, that's fine by me."

"We may have a few additional leads. I sent Upton a text with the details a few minutes ago."

"Team's already looking into it. Tell Piper she did a great job," Hank said, "You need anything for her?"

"We're having ice cream right now," Jay replied, smiling wider for Piper's benefit, "Watched the game last night."

"Good. Just keep an eye out, and I'll keep trying Erin. Thanks for doing this, Jay."

"Happy to," he managed. When his boss hung up the phone, he set his down carefully on the table, pretty much in shock.

"Do I have to leave?" Piper asked solemnly, her cup of ice cream abandoned. She glanced up at Jay, eyes swimming with worry.

"Just the opposite, actually," Jay cleared his throat and pasted the largest smile he could muster on his face, "That was Sergeant Voight, and he said we got the okay for you to stay with me for a few more days. If that's okay with you."

Piper nodded and gave a relieved smile. "I-I thought you were going to have to take me back."

Jay shook his head, "Nope. You're safe now, kiddo. We wouldn't bring you back anywhere you didn't feel safe. There's still a few things for everyone to sort out, but we'll let them handle that, okay? All you need to know is that you're going to be with me for the next few days."

"I'm glad I get to stay with you instead of going to another family," Piper said, picking her ice cream back up, "I like hearing you talk. Like when you talked about baseball and about your mom."

"Oh yeah?" Jay gave a playful smile, "Well, I'm glad. I was thinking we could talk hockey tonight. Teach you about the Blackhawks."

Over the next week, Jay made it his mission to get Piper and himself into an easy routine. In all the reading he'd done, he knew that creating structure and reinforcing security would help his new little friend feel safe, and make it easier for him to recognize areas where past trauma was impacting her.

The first thing he did was establish a nighttime routine, making sure that Piper got a good and healthy dinner, had time to shower and brush her teeth, and got time to decompress from the day. He decided that forty five minutes of television in the evening wouldn't rot her brain, so after she got ready for bed, they'd watch part of whatever game was on. She was slowly scooting closer to him on the couch each night, but still kept her distance.

The little girl was almost always tired, and Jay wanted to make sure she got enough sleep. He decided to forgo his usual morning runs and opted for quick workouts in his bedroom so Piper could sleep in and so that he'd be close by if she needed him. He made sure to give her breakfast and ordered several books for her to read while he was at work and she was in the breakroom. Voight had been extremely accommodating given that the child was likely Erin's little sister, and basically had him on desk duty so he could be close to Piper at all times while the rest of the unit perused the offenders.

Voight had also received word that Erin was indeed on assignment, but was due to return shortly. In the meantime, he was continually surprised at how well Halstead was handling the little girl and was impressed at how the detective was doing his best to ensure she had the stability that had been denied to her for so long.

"Are we going to the district today?" Piper asked curiously over breakfast. They'd spent ten days together, Jay quickly learned she was a fan of granola with yogurt and fruit, and made sure to stock up at his weekly trip to the grocery store.

"I actually have the day off today," Jay smiled, "I was thinking we could take a trip down to the Navy Pier."

Piper nodded excitedly. "I've never been there." She paused, "If you have the day off, how come you still got up so early?"

Jay chuckled, "I have a routine, I guess. And I've always gotten up early. Can't ever seem to sleep in."

"You get up so early," Piper said, exaggerating on the so, "Sometimes it's not even light out."

"Do I wake you up?" Jay furrowed his brow, not realizing that Piper was up early as well. He'd always thought she was still sleeping behind the closed bedroom door.

"Sometimes I'm already awake," she shrugged, "I like hearing you. Knowing that you're still there."

He smiled softly, "If I'm ever being too noisy and you're trying to sleep, I give you permission to tell me to shush."

Piper giggled just as Jay's phone rang. "You wanna get ready, and I'll take this?" He gestured to the phone, and she nodded, abandoning her empty bowl of granola. "Hey, sarge."

"I got in touch with Erin. Didn't give her a ton of details, but she knows, and should be on her way."

Jay felt his heart stop, immediately remembering that Piper wasn't his long term. "What did she say?"

"Not much," Voight replied, "Made sure she got a lawyer in case Bunny tries anything. Should be a court hearing in the next day or so, once Bunny is told and we can confirm that Erin's biologically related to Piper."

"Damn," Jay exhaled.

"This is good news, Jay. It means that Piper is going to have a stable home to grow up in," Voight continued, "And you've done an incredible job with her the past few days, and I'm sure Erin will be very grateful."

"No, I know it's good," Jay assured him, "I just don't know how to tell her."

"Well, in order for there to be a hearing, DCFS needs to interview the kid," Voight informed him, "I know it's your day off, but they need you to bring her to their office, drop her for a few hours. They said you'd still be picking her up after, but part of the protocol is talking to her alone."

"Shit," Jay mumbled, "She's not going to love that."

"Yeah, but she's gotta do it if you want to hold onto her til we can prove Erin's a match," his boss reminded him, "Otherwise she might have to go into the system until the hearings are done. You don't need to tell her about Erin yet though. DCFS says to wait until the DNA results come back."

Jay nodded, "Got it, yeah, we don't want that. I'll talk to Piper, fill her in about the interview. I'll be by the district after I drop her off, I guess."

Jay parked the Sierra and disembarked, his mind miles down the road. Piper had been incredibly stoic when he explained that DCFS needed to talk to her, but that he'd be back to pick her up. His heart felt like it had been stomped on when her face fell after he had to deny her request for him to stay with her.

He'd repeatedly promised that he'd be back to pick her up but despite his assurances, Piper remained skeptical. She was quiet on the ride to the office, barely managing a few words as Jay attempted to make conversation about what they'd be having for dinner later that day. "I will be back in exactly two hours," he promised as they stood in the elevator, "I'm not allowed to stay, otherwise I would."

"It's fine," she had mumbled, eyes cast downwards. All Jay wanted to do was to wrap the little girl in a hug, tell her that they were doing everything they could to keep her safe and that he'd be there for her no matter what, but he couldn't. He knew that she needed to be the one to initiate a new type of contact, and he'd only ever held her hand.

"Piper." Jay stopped outside the office door and crouched down in an attempt to meet the child's gaze. "No matter what happens, I'll be there for you. I know we only met a few days ago, but I told you I always keep my promises. And I promise that I'll be back soon, and days from now, weeks from now, even years from now, if you ever need anything, I'll be there." He tentatively reached out to take her small hand, "You've been so brave, and I am so proud of you, kiddo."

Piper lifted her gaze to meet Jay's, her eyes swimming with tears. In the ten days Jay had known her, she'd never let those tears fall. "I-I don't want you to go," she choked out, "I feel safe when I'm with you."

Jay swallowed, "I don't want to go either. But there are certain laws and regulations in place, and I'm just not allowed to stay. I promise I'm going to be back, okay?"

She nodded, the tears that she hadn't let fall in over a week finally trickling down her cheeks. "Oh, Pipes," Jay reached his other hand out to wipe her cheek, "It's going to be okay. They just are going to have a few questions for you. It's just a step in the process to make sure we get you settled into a safe and loving home."

"I like yours," she whispered.

"And I like having you," he replied, rubbing her tiny fingers with his thumb, "I really do. And I meant what I said. No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you." At that, the little girl burst into tears and launched herself into Jay's chest.

"Shh," he cooed, holding Piper closely and swallowing thickly in an attempt to rid the lump in his throat. He'd wanted to hug her for days but knew he needed to wait for her to come to him. Now that she was in his arms, it was all he could do not to join her in broken sobs.

"Piper Andrews?" A middle aged red headed woman poked her head out of the office door.

"Hi," Jay glanced up at the woman, "Detective Jay Halstead, Chicago Police. I was told you were expecting us?"

"Yes," the woman exhaled, her gaze softening at the shaking child in the detective's embrace, "My name is Jenna O'Donnell, I work here at the Department of Children and Family services, and I'll be the person chatting with Piper here today."

He nodded, "Piper, do you want to meet Ms. O'Donnell?" Jay winkled his brow when she shook her head against his shoulder, unwilling to show her face. "Could I come in for a few minutes?"

"Of course," Jenna opened the door wider, "Follow me to the back room and we'll get you all settled."

"I don't want you to go," Piper repeated, her small voice muffled by Jay's shoulder.

"I'm going to come back with you for a bit," Jay gently stroked the back of her head and stood with Piper still in his arms, "I'm not leaving just yet."

Piper held tighter as Jay carried her through the office, body trembling as he glanced around to all the other employees. At each passing moment Jay felt his heart break a little more, the thought of leaving the child in his arms filling him with sadness. He couldn't even fathom having to leave her for good, even if that for good was his former partner and Piper's family. "We'll be in here for just about two hours," Jenna informed Jay, pulling him out of his own head, "Piper, you'll be perfectly safe here, and Detective Halstead will be back to pick you up."

"You promise you're comin' back?" Piper asked tearfully, pulling away from Jay's shoulder to look into his eyes, "Promise?"

"I promise," he nodded, instinctively holding her closer, "You're being so brave kiddo. Ms. O'Donnell is super nice, and she has my number if you need anything. And after this, I'm thinking we could go grab a smoothie or something, how does that sound?"

"As long as you're coming back," she sniffed. Piper hugged Jay closely, not wanting to let go.

"Of course," he reassured her, casting an apologetic look to Jenna, "You're safe here kiddo, and I'll be back before you know it."

Jay let out a sigh as he crossed the parking lot toward the roll up. He had about an hour before he was needed back at DCFS to pick up Piper, and he wanted to be early. "Jay," a voice called that stopped him in his tracks. He knew that voice.

Erin.

He turned and caught sight of his former partner and ex-girlfriend not three yards away, standing beside the back entrance to the 21st district like she'd never left.

Eeeek!