Bunny will always be the worst in my opinion

Erin held her breath as the judge listened to her lawyer and Bunny's lawyer speak to both of their claims to Piper. Everything about it made her want to vomit, the fact that complete strangers would be making the decision on her little sister's life and that there was little she could do to change anyone's mind.

The judge was a polished looking older woman who took the decorum of the court incredibly seriously. After glossing over the documentation provided and listening to the lawyers, she eyed both Bunny and Erin.

"Now given that there are two requests for custody of the child, both of which levy serious allegations against the other, the court will need time to review the provided documentation and testimonies. Until such time where a decision can be reached, the child should remain in foster care."

"No!" Erin yelped, shooting daggers over at Bunny from across the aisle, "You really want to put your own daughter in foster care?"

"If it keeps her from you," Bunny shot back with a smirk.

"Enough," the judge ordered, "Where is the child staying now?" She glanced from Erin's lawyer to Bunny's.

"With a detective from the Chicago Police Department," Leslie Jordan informed her, "Piper has been in the protective custody of Detective Jay Halstead since she was recovered on Monday of last week."

The judge lifted her gaze to Jay. He was seated stoically in the gallery, anxiously gripping the wooden bench between his fists. He hadn't planned on coming, but after a series of nervous texts from Erin the day before, he wanted to be there to advocate for Piper if he needed to. "Are you Detective Halstead?" she asked pointedly, using her pen to gesture to Jay. Erin turned around, surprised that Jay decided to come.

"I am, yeah. And-and Piper's safe, she's at the 21st district with our desk sergeant," Jay rushed out, realizing that there may be a concern about Piper's safety if he was in the courtroom, "I wouldn't leave her if she wasn't safe."

The judge's gaze softened. "You've been caring for the child?"

"Yes, your honor," Jay managed, "Piper has been staying with me for almost two weeks now, since my team found her and we brought her into protective custody."

"It's not customary for foster parents or guardians in protective custody cases to be in the courtroom," the judge said, "But based on the notes made by Ms. O'Donnell from the Department of Children and Family Services, who interviewed Piper, you've been extraordinarily committed to her wellbeing."

Jay nodded weakly, "I-I just want her safe."

The judge nodded. "Then until such a decision can be reached for the longer term care of the child, she should stay with Detective Halstead. This child has been through enough."

Jay let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Piper was staying with him. She wasn't going into the system. She would be safe with him, until she trusted Erin, and until the court could come to its senses about Bunny. He caught Erin's tearful gaze as she gave a grateful smile.

"What happens now?" Erin asked as court was adjourned, "What's our next move?"

"We wait. There will be a hearing, where both you and your mother will be reviewed. She's got a list of complaints and arguments against you, but based on what you've told me, and her lack of involvement in Piper's life, we have a case against her. I know this isn't the outcome we were hoping for today, but Erin, all things considered, this is the best case scenario for your sister right now. She's out of the foster care system, for now. She's with someone you know and trust, with someone she knows and trusts. And while it may take some time for the dust to settle, I'm confident in your case against your mother." Leslie gave a kind smile, "It will be okay."

Erin nodded meekly. "But how am I supposed to get to know her if she isn't with me?"

"Well, hopefully in the next few weeks, we should be able to get you visitation rights in advance of custody. But for now, because you have a relationship with Detective Halstead, and if he feels comfortable with it, the two of you can work out an arrangement where you're still able to see Piper. Based on the judge's ruling, Detective Halstead will have to be there, but you're still able to see her. If your mother wanted to see her, it would work the same way."

Erin exhaled, "So I can still see her? If Jay's there?"

Leslie nodded, "Yes. And something tells me that he's looking out for the best interest of Piper, which I'm hoping means that you'll be able to see her as much as you need."

"Thank you," she managed, glancing into the thinning courtroom crowd in search of her former partner, "I-um, just please let me know when you hear anything."

"Jay!" Erin called across the parking lot. He was resting against the hood of her car, clearly waiting for her. She let out a breath. He was such a good guy.

"Hey," he gave a small wave, "So uh, Bunny huh?"

"I can't believe her," she shook her head, "That she would stoop so low. If-if it wasn't for you, Piper would have gone back into the system today." She let out another breath, "I just wanted to thank you."

Jay gave a smile, "Of course. I told her I'd look out for her, and thankfully the judge knew that too."

Erin swallowed, "My lawyer says it could be a few weeks til the next hearing. Apparently Bunny's got a list of grievances against me, but it can't be as long as her rap sheet." Jay snorted at Erin's attempt at humor. "But uh, she said probably after that, if things head in the right direction, I could get visitation with Piper."

He nodded, "I mean, that's court approved visitation. You can come see Piper, any time." His gaze softened as hers filled with tears, "I want you to get to be with your sister, Er. You deserve a family. And she does too."

"Thank you," she whispered, "I-I really want to get to know her. I mean, I know she already loves you, so that means she's got good taste, but I want her to know me too. And-and I know things between us are," she waved her hand flippantly, "I just really appreciate you doing this. For her. For me."

"I'll always have your back, Er," Jay gave a lopsided smile, "Regardless of things between us. And I told Piper the same thing." He paused, "Why don't you come over for dinner tonight? I can tell Piper when I pick her up from the district that she'll be staying with me for a little longer, but that you'll be by to get to know her better?"

"That sounds perfect." Erin exhaled again, "I'll see you around 6?"

"I'll text you the address," he confirmed with a nod.

"When did you graduate from the police academy?" Jay joked as he entered the bullpen, flashing a grin to Piper who was seated at his desk, "It suits you."

She gave a small smile, "Hailey said I could sit in your desk because Ruzek's is probably crawling with ants from all his half eaten snacks."

"Good call," he nodded, glancing around to the empty bullpen, "Where'd everyone go?"

She shrugged, "Sergeant Platt comes up to check on me even fifteen minutes. But I've just been reading."

Jay immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry kiddo, I didn't realize you were up here alone."

Piper shrugged again, "I'm used to being alone, I guess." She saw how Jay's eyes turned sad at her statement, "You went to court?"

"I did," Jay nodded, sinking down to meet her eye level, "The good news is that you're going to be staying with me for a little while longer. There are some things that the judge and court need to work through, but they decided it was okay for you to stay with me."

Piper exhaled in relief, "So I don't have to leave you yet?"

"Not yet," Jay reached a hand up to stroke her cheek, "And the hope is that in the next few weeks, things get sorted out with the court so you and Erin can be together. And in the meantime, it'll be you and me, but she'll be stopping by now and again so you can get to know each other better." He gave as big a smile as he could muster, "It's going to be great."

The little girl nodded slowly. "But what's the bad news?"

Jay swallowed, "Well, the not so great news is that your biological mother, Bunny, filed a petition for custody for you as well. So she and Erin have to work things out in court, which is why this might take a little while."

"So she wants me now?" Piper was skeptical, "After nine years of nothing?"

"I don't know kiddo," Jay shook his head, "What I do know is that Erin is going to fight really hard to have you stay with her. And what I also know is that no matter what, I'll be in your corner as well."

Piper nodded again and grabbed Jay's hand. "When we first met, you said you'd always be honest, right?"

"That's right," Jay confirmed, searching her green eyes for a clue as to what she might ask about, "If you have a question for me, I'll answer as best I can."

"I-I know that my biological mom abandoned me," Piper said slowly, "And that she wasn't good to Erin either. But how come she's still bad?" She paused, "Is…is she on drugs?"

Jay sucked in a breath, having not expected that. He wasn't sure if it was his place to delve into Bunny's business, or bad mouth Piper's birth mother, but he also didn't want to lie to the little girl. "She-she doesn't make great choices," he said finally, carefully running his thumb over Piper's small hand, "And it's been that way for a while. I know Erin's given her a lot of chances to change, and the reason Erin's fighting so hard to keep you with her is one, because you're her sister and two, because she doesn't believe Bunny's capable of changing enough to give you a stable home to grow up in."

"I don't want to be around drugs anymore," Piper whispered, "It makes people do bad things."

He nodded, "We're going to keep you safe, okay? I also told you that I always do my best to keep my promises. And I promised that I'd do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Piper cracked a small smile before wrapping her tiny arms around Jay's neck. "I'm really glad I have you, Jay."

Jay felt his heart soar. There was so much he loved about Piper, but her careful reminders of how grateful she was to have him were at the top of his list because the reality was is that he was just as grateful to have her. "I'm glad I have you too, kiddo."

"Okay Pipes, how do you feel about my famous stir fry?" Jay asked after examining the contents of his fridge, "We got some broccoli, mushrooms, onions, beef – could be really good."

Piper nodded from her seat at the breakfast bar. "Erin's still coming for dinner right?"

"Mm-hm," Jay nodded in confirmation, "She should be over any minute now." He paused when there was a soft knock at the front door, "And that's probably her."

He quickly made his way to the door and pulled it open, revealing his incredibly stunning ex-girlfriend. There was something about her newer more professional wardrobe that was really working for her, and if Jay was being honest, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. "Hey," he managed, blinking to clear his head, "Good to see you again."

"Thanks for having me," she gave a smile, "Nice place."

"Thanks," Jay locked the door, "It's got a good view."

"Hi Piper," Erin greeted the little girl, "How are you doing?"

"Good," Piper provided a shy smile, and Jay was so grateful she'd managed it. "Jay's cooking stir fry."

"Jay Halstead's famous stir fry?" Erin raised her eyebrows playfully.

"You know it," Jay pointed the spatula at his former partner, "See, kiddo, I told you it was famous."

She gave another soft smile but remained quiet. Erin shot a desperate look to Jay, who cleared his throat. His relationship with Piper seemed effortless, meanwhile she could barely get the child to say five words. "Okay, so, we have a few options for dinner. One, you ladies can take up residence on the fabulous couch over there while I work my magic in the kitchen, or two, I could teach you how to make my famous stir fry."

Piper glanced from Erin to Jay. She really didn't want to be separated from him, even if it was just across the apartment. "I-I'd like to learn," she managed, "If that's okay."

"Absolutely," Jay gave a smile, "Erin, let's see what you remember about being a sous chef, hm?"

"I can chop," she said quickly, a teasing lilt to her voice, "My cooking skills are a little rusty these days. Gotta get back into a groove."

"Pipes, you wanna do the sauce?" Jay suggested lightly, "You had the whisking down from the salad dressing we made last night."

"Can't burn sauce," Piper replied, earning a soft chuckle from Erin and Jay. He gave a knowing look to his former partner because she had the same sense of humor.

"It can be done," Erin warned with a smile, "Trust me, I've done it. Hank used to have rules for me in the kitchen because once there was marina sauce on the ceiling."

Piper's eyes widened, "How'd it get up there?"

"No idea," Erin shrugged, "One minute I was stirring the pot and the next thing I knew, the ceiling was leaking red goo. It was disgusting."

When Erin heard the little girl giggle at her anecdote, it was all she could do not to cry because it was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard.

Jay Halstead was a godsend.

Between cooking the dinner and making sure that Piper was safe and comfortable, he was trying to integrate Erin into every aspect of conversation to help Piper and Erin get to know each other. At every awkward silence or lull, Jay was there and Erin repeatedly found herself thanking to whatever higher power decided to put Piper in front of her ex-partner, because he was just that good. "Sauce looks good to me, Pipes," Jay praised, "I'm going to have you take a step back from the stove now while I turn the burners on."

Piper heeded Jay's words and stepped back. "Erin," he said pointedly, "You know my rule about sous chefs and the stove."

"You're right. How could I forget?" she chuckled and stepped around the kitchen island beside Piper. "Did Jay ever tell you that I'm the reason he's such a stickler?"

Piper shook her head, "I thought he was just weird."

"Hey!" Jay exclaimed, "It's not weird. Not when you've had someone turn the spatula into an Olympic torch."

"It was not that bad," Erin tried but Jay shook his head.

"There was an open flame. I think that qualifies as bad." Jay raised the spatula in exaggeration and Piper giggled again.

"I can set the table?" Piper suggested and turned to Erin, "Can you can get the plates for me? They're too high for me to reach."

"Absolutely," Erin beamed that Piper addressed her. She opened the cabinet that she knew Jay would keep his plates in and pulled down three.

"How'd you find them so quick?" Jay raised his eyebrows in surprise as he sautéed the meat and veggies together.

"You have a system," Erin rolled her eyes at the subtle quirks of her former partner, "Plates are always in the far left cabinet." She turned to Piper, "Weird, right?"

"Super weird," Piper said in agreement and flashed a smile.

"You've got a good memory, Lindsay," Jay quipped, "Famous stir fry will be ready in two minutes. Pipes, you wanna wash your hands before we eat?"

"This is really good," Erin praised after another mouthful of stir fry, "Excellent sauce."

Piper smiled shyly across the table at her older sister. "You want another scoop?" Jay offered after eyeing Piper's plate. She'd eaten most of the dinner which pleased him, but he always wanted to offer more if he could.

"I'm super full," she said, "I liked it a lot. I can see why it's famous."

Jay grinned, "Ah, so you don't doubt all my weird methods any more huh?"

Piper shook her head, still smiling. "They're quirky," Erin supplied, "Like the way you line up your shoes every night."

"And get up super early," Piper added. She looked at Erin seriously, "So early. Before the sun."

Erin shot Jay a teasing look. "Jay Halstead, have you been waking up Piper to go running?"

"No!" Jay exclaimed, pleased that Erin and Piper were talking, even if it was at the expense of his pride, "I've started sleeping in, I'll have you know."

"Six is not sleeping in," Piper informed him.

"Okay, tomorrow we sleep at least til seven," Jay folded his arms across his chest with a fake huff, "I'll do my best."

Piper giggled again, music to both Erin and Jay's ears. She made eye contact with Erin, whose eyes were wet with tears. "Thank you so much for having me for dinner," Erin managed, forcing a smile, "I um, really want to get to know you Piper, and I want you to get to know me too."

Jay glanced between Piper and Erin. "Do you have any questions, Pipes?" he prodded gently, hoping to get the little girl to open up, but also not wanting to push too far.

"You can ask me anything," Erin added, "With me coming here, our um, mother, you must have a lot of questions and I wouldn't lie to you. I promise."

Piper looked from Erin to Jay. "Jay says that too," she whispered, "That he wouldn't lie."

"It's true," Erin nodded and gave a grateful smile to her former partner, "Jay's got some weird quirks but he is always honest, and he keeps his promises."

Piper took a sip of her water. "Our mom…our biological mom, her name is Bunny?"

Erin nodded again, "Yep, uh, Barbara Fletcher. But everyone's always called her Bunny."

"If Bunny's last name is Fletcher, how come yours is Lindsay?" Piper asked quietly. "I know I got my last name from the first foster family I had, 'til they gave me up."

Erin swallowed. Til they gave me up. It rattled around in her head as she regarded the child in front of her. "Um, Lindsay was actually my-um, our, grandmother's last name. Bunny's mom. Bunny had me when she was fifteen, so for a few years when I was really little, we lived with Grandma Mo. And she was really great," Erin smiled wistfully, "But uh, when I was probably four or so, Bunny had met this guy, Jeff Courtney, and so we had to move in with him. But I took her name because I liked it and Bunny's kept changing."

"Did he hit you?" Piper tilted her head to the side when Erin mentioned Bunny's ex-husband. Immediately her face dropped as Erin looked at her sister in surprise, "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."

Erin shook her head, "It's okay. You're allowed to ask me anything, remember?" She tried to smile, but couldn't manage it. "Uh, Jeff Courtney wasn't a great guy. He wasn't nice to Bunny, and to be honest, I don't really remember much about him since he left pretty quickly." She paused and glanced to Jay, "He was in and out of our lives when I was growing up. We-we actually have a brother. Named Teddy."

"Is he dead?" Piper whispered, watching intently as Erin and Jay shared another look.

"He's not." Erin cleared her throat, "He um, he didn't have it easy growing up either. When we were kids, his dad would take him in and out kind of, especially when Bunny wasn't around. He was in foster care for a bit and ended up in New York, and we lost touch." Tears filled Erin's eyes as she thought about what her younger brother had been through as well, "He-he's okay now. We met up a few years back and um, he's working in California, at a hotel." She finally managed a smile, "He's doing good. We haven't talked in a while and actually, I should probably tell him about you."

"She had three kids?" The wheels in the little girl's head were turning as Erin took a sip of the beer Jay had gotten for her.

Erin nodded grimly. "Yeah, she uh, she did."

"How come I was the only one she didn't try to keep?" Piper asked softly, tears filling her eyes. "I know she wasn't a good mom, but at least she tried to keep you."

Jay and Erin both sucked in a breath at the child's statement. Tears filled Erin's eyes again as she shook her head, barely able to comprehend how someone could ever leave a child. "I-I don't know," Erin whispered, tears now trickling freely down her cheeks, "She might have been on drugs, or known that she hurt Teddy and I so much or…" Erin trailed off, unable to finish. "I'm so, so sorry, Piper. I wish she didn't do this, I wish she was better, and I wish I had known because you didn't deserve any of what you grew up with."

"It isn't your fault," the little girl choked out, "I'm sorry I asked I just…I just want to know."

"I know," Erin wiped her eyes, "It's really hard, isn't it?"

Piper nodded and sniffed. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

"Oh, I've been crying a lot these days and it's not your fault," Erin assured her, managing a light chuckle, "All these memories and being here and meeting you, it's a lot. And you've been through a lot too."

"I don't want to think anymore," she murmured, rubbing her eye with her hand, "It's making me tired."

"How about we watch some of the game then, hm?" Jay offered, speaking for the first time in a while. Watching Piper and Erin interact was good. It needed to happen, they needed to talk, but damn if it didn't break his heart wide open. Watching the child he'd come to care for ask some of the hardest questions no child should ever have to ask absolutely gutted him. And he could never stand to see Erin Lindsay cry.

Piper nodded and pushed her chair back to clear her plate. "I got it, Pipes," Jay assured her, "How about you put on some pajamas and get ready for bed before we watch, hm?"

She nodded tiredly and shuffled to the bedroom to get ready. As soon as the door closed, Erin buried her face in her palms. "You did great," Jay said gently, reaching a careful hand out to place on Erin's shoulder, "Really, Er. That was tough."

"I wish I had better answers for her," Erin mumbled into her palms before raking her fingers through her hair, "She's so smart, Jay."

"I know," he offered a soft smile, "You two are going to be just fine."

The two silently cleaned up the kitchen together, the familiarity not lost on either of them. "I'm still impressed you remembered where I keep the plates," Jay mused as he passed the pan to Erin to dry.

"You rearranged the cabinets when you moved in, how could I forget?" Erin said, then immediately blanched. "Sorry um-"

"It's okay. We don't have to talk about it until you're ready." He shook his head. "She's been in there a while," Jay said after closing the dishwasher, "I'm just going to check on her, make sure she's alright."

Erin nodded and leaned back against the counter in exhaustion. The day had been incredibly heavy, and all she wanted to do was sleep. "She's asleep," Jay whispered, closing Piper's bedroom door after he'd knocked, "She was absolutely wiped."

"Talking about your birth mother and long lost brother will do that to you, I guess," Erin replied dryly and stifled a yawn. "Thank you, again, for taking care of her. And for dinner." She paused, "And being here."

Jay smiled softly, "I'll always be here for you Erin."

I love everyone's love of strong, fatherly Jay. I can't wait for you to see what's next because things never stay peaceful for long…