I'm obsessed with the cuteness of this chapter so there might be more comin' if y'all like it too.

"Can you take me through what happened?" Hailey asked as soon as Piper was out of earshot. The detective was stiffly perched on the edge of the arm chair, unsure of the dynamic between the herself and the woman who left her current partner for a life in New York.

"I um, was running back from North Avenue Beach. Was cutting over from Clark to LaSalle on my way back to my apartment when out of nowhere I just got cracked on the back of the head." Erin swallowed, "I um, hit the ground, and then the guy punched me so it's all kinda blurry. I didn't get a real good look at his face. He was probably like five ten, darker kind of olive-y skin with black hair. I was like a block away from the urgicare and I remember this nurse was coming off her shift and helped me there, um, maybe she might have seen something. I-I was kinda out of it after it happened, but I think I got my thumbs in his neck."

Hailey nodded and scrawled on her notepad, "Did you hear his voice?"

Erin closed her eyes in an attempt to keep her cool. "Yeah. He um, told me that my dad sent him, and that if I didn't back off, he'd take Piper." She let out a shaky breath, "I haven't noticed anyone following me or anything, and nobody really knows I'm back in Chicago beyond Hank, Jay and my mom…I-I don't know if Jay mentioned that I'm trying to get custody of Piper but my mom's making a claim to her, and apparently my biological dad is somehow in the picture again. I just don't know who he is."

Hailey widened her eyes in surprise. Jay hadn't mentioned anything about Erin's mother or father being involved, but likely because it wasn't any of her business. He'd made that perfectly clear when she tried to warn him about Erin being back in his life. "I didn't realize your mother was involved," she said carefully, "I'm sorry that happened to you, I really am." She cleared her throat, "Atwater's pulling pod footage, so hopefully we'll get something there. With Piper, she's already in protective custody with Jay so-"

"She's safe," Erin confirmed quickly, "I'm not worried about that I just want to know who did this so we can make sure they don't get anywhere near Piper."

Jay watched as Piper picked at her chicken pot pie. He'd scarfed down some in order to set an example for the little girl, but he wasn't hungry either. Seeing Erin injured left him teeming with anxiety. It felt like weeks ago that he'd woken up beside Piper and Erin after a series of bad dreams, but it was really just over twelve hours ago, and he was beat. "Do you want something else, kiddo?" Hank asked gently, using his special voice that was exclusively reserved for children, "It's okay if you don't like it. I don't mind."

Piper shook her head. "It's good," she whispered, "I um, I'm just not that hungry." She set her fork down and looked at Jay worriedly, "Is Erin okay?"

"Mm-hm," Jay nodded, craning his neck to see Erin and Hailey speaking in the living room, "She's gonna be just fine."

She sniffed, more tears trickling down her cheeks. "Oh, Pipes," Jay cooed, abandoning his seat to crouch beside the little girl, "I know you're worried, but Erin's okay. Really, I wouldn't tell you that if I didn't believe it."

Piper shook her head again. "But you are worried. A-and Sergeant Voight, and Erin too." She allowed a few more tears to creep out the sides of her eyes, "I can tell, everybody's worried."

Hank exchanged a surprised look with Jay, who was struggling to form a reply. He was worried. He was worried about Piper, about Erin, about Piper's future with Erin or Bunny or god forbid this father they'd yet to meet…he was worried about a lot, and was mentally kicking himself for letting it show.

"You're right," he said slowly, carefully wiping her tear-streaked cheek with his thumb, "I am worried. But I'm not worried about Erin getting better, because I know she will." Jay took in a breath, incredibly aware of how his sergeant's gaze was trained on him and how Piper was hanging onto his every word. "When you love people, and they get hurt, it's natural to feel worried about what happened to them happening again, or something else hurting them, or even having someone else you love get hurt just the same." He offered a small smile, "That's why I'm worried, and Sergeant Voight's worried, and how come you're worried too. Because we all love Erin, and we don't want anything else to happen to her. Even though we know she's going to be okay."

Piper stared at Jay for a moment before looking up at Hank. The older man gave a gentle nod, satisfied with Halstead's answer. "It's true," he said as gently as he could muster. He was impressed with his detective's ability to get through to the little girl. "And Erin, she's worried because she loves you."

Jay wiped Piper's cheek again. "It's going to be okay," he said for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. It was as much for Piper's benefit as it was for his.

"Hailey's gonna get the person who hurt Erin?" Piper asked, "That's how come she's here?"

Hank and Jay nodded in sync. "We've got the whole team on it," Jay confirmed, moving his hand to stroke the back of Piper's head, "They'll get him. But regardless, he's not coming near Erin or anyone again."

Piper sniffed and managed a nod. "How come he hurt Erin if she didn't do anything wrong?"

"That's what we're hoping to figure out," Hank said, "That's why Detective Upton is in the other room talking to Erin, and we've got Ruzek and Atwater back at the district looking into it."

She glanced down at her small hands and managed a nod of understanding. Jay continued the gentle soothing motion of stroking Piper's head in an attempt to slow her racing heart. Hank let out an exhale when he glanced into the living room. Hailey and Erin were still talking, and his daughter was safe.

Suddenly, the little girl appeared to startle. "J-Jay, I think I know why Erin got hurt. It's happened before." She swallowed, eyes filling with tears as realization dawned on her.

Jay furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"People keep gettin' hurt because of me," she said sadly. "Before I went to live with the Marsh's, I lived with the Davis's, and before that, the Montgomery's and before that, Mrs. Adler and before that, I was supposed to live with another family, b-but I don't remember their name." She let out a shaky breath as Jay's eyes saddened. The little girl just rattled off five different foster homes. "They were the ones who put me at Donny's house. I-I got taken from there cause Donny, he hit me and a teacher at school found out, even though I wasn't supposed to tell."

The detective sucked in a breath as Piper continued. "He was really upset when they told him that the people were gonna take me back. Said he wanted to keep me til my real parents came back. He said he knew them, b-but I thought he was lying. And Mrs. Adler, a few days after I went to live with her, she got hurt really bad." Her voice broke, "And then I went to the Montgomery's and two weeks later Mr. Montgomery got hurt too." Piper burst into tears, "T-they said the Davis's got mixed up with the drug dealers b-but now I think it's because Donny a-and the Marsh's wanted to take me. And now they hurt Erin and-and they're gonna get you next."

Again, Hank and Jay exchanged a look. There hadn't been any records of anyone being injured in Piper's previous foster homes, only that the parents had requested a removal. When Jay had initially read her file, he couldn't fathom why anyone would want to give up a kid like Piper. Now, hearing that there may have been coercion or harm inflicted or threats made, the pieces were beginning to come together. This Donny could be the same person who hurt Erin.

"Pipes," Jay reached out to pull Piper into his embrace but the little girl squeaked, scrambled backwards and slid off the chair, landing harshly on her bottom. He could have cursed but restrained himself. The poor child was rapidly unraveling and he wanted to stop it as quickly as possible.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Erin and Hailey emerging from the living room, probably concerned with all the commotion.

"I don't want you to be hurt too," she choked out, scooting her body away from Jay, "If they get you, I'm gonna have to go to Bunny or back to Donny and I don't want to."

"We're not going to let that happen," Jay said as firmly as he could without sounding angry. In reality, his blood was boiling. The fact that the bastards laid a hand on a child made him want to drive his fist into their face. The fact that they might even be involved with harming his partner made him want to spend five minutes in the cage. Hell, he wouldn't even need one minute. "We're going to get them, Piper. Whoever did that to you, and to those other families, we're going to get them. We're going to get whoever hurt Erin too."

"They'll get you," Piper whimpered, her hands obstructing her face, "They're gonna get you too, and then they're going to get me."

Jay shook his head. "That's not happening," Voight interrupted just as the detective was about to reply, "Nobody is going to get to Jay, or to you. They'll have to go through me first, and I'm scarier than anyone."

Piper burst into a fresh set of tears. "I'm sorry," she sobbed, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Shh," Jay cooed. He pushed the chair that Piper had tumbled off aside and immediately brought the distressed little girl into his embrace. He held tightly despite her initial rejection, and almost instantly she dissolved into his chest in tears. "It isn't your fault. None of this is your fault, kiddo. Not at all."

"Hank," Erin looked at her father-figure urgently, "What's going on?"

"Upton, call the rest of the team. Tell 'em to meet us at the district," Hank said, bypassing Erin's question, "We're going to get this guy."

Hailey nodded and turned back to the living room to make the call. "Hank," Erin repeated, "What is happening right now?"

"Think we've got a lead," he said briskly, "Are you going to be alright here if I'm out for an hour or two?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I was just going to bed-"

"Y-you can't leave Erin alone," Piper spluttered, lifting her head off Jay's chest when she heard that the sergeant would be leaving her sister, "You can't."

Hank glanced from Erin to Jay. His daughter's gaze softened at her little sister's concern, and Jay gave a slight nod. "You're absolutely right," Hank said, reverting back to his kid-voice. He squatted down on the kitchen floor to meet Piper's watery gaze. "That's why I was thinkin' she could go back with you and Jay."

Erin managed a small smile. It wasn't that she was afraid to be alone, but she was groggy and her head was pounding. Plus, there was something about being close to Piper that just made her feel better, and it certainly didn't hurt that Jay would be there. "That alright with you, Noodle?" she asked, smiling wider for the little girl's benefit.

"Yes," Piper exhaled, relief evident in how her body relaxed against Jay's. "I-I want me and Jay to be with Erin."

Jay smiled and stroked Piper's head. He wanted that as well.

Jay couldn't help but smile as he walked behind Piper and Erin down the hallway toward his apartment door. They'd made a quick pit stop at Erin's building where she hastily grabbed some clothes out of the dryer – typical Erin, neglecting to fold anything – and stuffed them into a small duffle bag. He had to chuckle when he caught sight of the zip up he'd lent her the other night strewn over the back of the couch in the temporary apartment. Erin Lindsay was fiercely independent but adhered to the stereotypical girl-stealing-boy's sweatshirt trope. And he didn't hate it, even if it meant there were less options for him to choose, and even if she wasn't his girl anymore. There was something about the thought of her wearing his hoodies when she was missing home that filled his heart.

The place was fully furnished and certainly wasn't Erin's style, but Piper didn't know that. She glanced around while her sister gathered a few belongings but didn't say anything. Seeing her temporary apartment just reminded Jay of how temporary their situation was, and he had to swallow the lump in his throat. "Got everything," she informed him tiredly, offering a grateful smile when he took the duffle bag out of her hand, "Thanks for bringing me by."

"You're still comin' with us, right?" Piper had asked worriedly. She was standing beside Jay but reached out to grab Erin's hand.

"I am," Erin confirmed and cleared her throat, "Gotta be under supervision for at least twelve hours."

Piper exhaled and held her sister's hand as they walked back to Jay's car. She'd been incredibly reluctant to break contact with whoever she was closest to, and it reminded Jay just how young his little friend was, and how much she'd endured.

"Are you hungry at all?" Jay asked after he unlocked the apartment door and did a quick once over. He couldn't be too sure of anything after Piper's anecdote, and with both of his favorite ladies in his protection, he wasn't about to let his guard down. "I know it's late but I can make something really quick."

Erin shrugged, but realized that Jay could also be addressing Piper. When she'd entered the kitchen back at Hank's house, Piper's plate was still practically full. "I could eat," she said in an exhale, even though all she wanted was to lie down, "What do you got?"

"Well," Jay pulled open his fridge, "You know what they say about concussions and blueberries."

"Oh, not this again," Erin gave a fake groan, and Piper giggled. Jay could have wept with joy at the melodic giggle of his little friend. He was so glad she was feeling more at ease with Erin close by.

"Blueberry pancakes are better than spinach pancakes," the little girl reasoned, earning a grin from Jay.

"Precisely," he chuckled, "What do you say, Er, a couple of blueberry pancakes?"

"Sounds great," she replied, stifling a yawn. She was exhausted. Ugh. And still gross from her run, and her unfortunate run in with the pavement.

Jay cracked an egg into a bowl for the pancake mix and glanced up. "Do you want to hop in the shower?" he asked gently, observing just how spent his ex-girlfriend appeared, "Pipes and I can get these pancakes going, and they'll be ready when you're done."

Erin couldn't help but smile. He just got her. "That would be great," she murmured, "Thank you."

Piper kept casting a worried glance toward the closed bathroom door while Erin was in the shower. "She's okay, kiddo," Jay assured her as he flipped a pancake, "You guys are safe here."

"I-I know," Piper exhaled softly. "I'm sorry." When he turned to tell her to not be sorry for anything, the little girl continued, "I-I didn't mean to get upset at Sergeant Voight's house. I just 'membered about that other family." She drew in a breath. "I don't think Donny was a real foster parent."

Jay shook his head sadly. "We're going to get him. And anyone who allowed him to do what he did, we're going to get them too. That means the Marsh's, and the other couple, and anyone else." He slid a pancake onto the serving plate. "I am so sorry that you had to go through all that."

Piper shrugged slightly. "I um, I just thought it was normal," she whispered, "For a kid like me." She swallowed, "I thought it was all my fault, every time they hit me."

Jay felt his blood run cold. "It was never your fault," he managed, switching off the burner to focus on Piper, "Nobody deserves to be hurt like that."

She nodded slowly. "Did you think it was your fault too?"

His breath hitched as the memories of his turbulent upbringing came flooding back. He blamed himself repeatedly. Every time his dad took it out on him, or his mom, Jay thought it was his fault. The months of therapy had helped address some of the underlying guilt and shame, but he knew exactly how Piper felt.

"I did," he said honestly, "For a really long time. I um, I had it a bit different than you. For me, it was my dad."

"Your dad?" Piper whispered sadly, "He was the one who hit you?"

Jay nodded. "He did. I um, I didn't use to talk about it. I didn't even use to think about it." He gave a small smile, "You're the first person I've told in a while, because um, it's hard to talk about stuff like that. The hard parts of growing up. There's um, a lot of hurt that isn't always visible."

She sniffed. "That's how come you know how to make me feel better," she murmured, "'cause you know." Piper exhaled again, "I-I didn't have all bad foster placements. Mrs. Adler and the Montgomery's, they didn't hit or anything, but they didn't know like you know." She looked up at Jay with honest hazel eyes that pierced his soul. "You were the first person who made me feel safe. And that's when I learned it wasn't normal, or my fault."

Jay wrapped his arms around his little friend and lifted her into his embrace, unable to vocalize just how much he loved her. He didn't take anything she said lightly, and knew just how important it was to have someone to trust. "I love you so much, Piper," he murmured, "And I am so glad that I make you feel safe." He smiled as he felt her small head on his shoulder. "You make me feel safe too, you know that?"

"Really?" Piper pulled back, "But I can't protect you, I'm too small."

Jay chuckled, "Small but mighty," he said seriously, "But maybe not physically, but I feel safe talking to you, kiddo."

Piper smiled and returned her head to Jay's shoulder. "Maybe that's 'cause I remind you of Erin. I know you feel safe with her too."

"I do," he mused, "You guys are pretty special. And I'm pretty lucky to know both of you."

Erin let the excellent water pressure of Jay's shower wash away the dirt and grime of the hours before, and wrapped herself in one of the fluffy towels he had pointed her to before she headed for the bathroom. She knew just how worried he was about her, and was honestly grateful that the unit had caught a break because it meant she could spend the evening with Piper. And with Jay.

"Smells incredible," she mused after emerging from the bathroom, her hair still wet. Erin shivered when she sat down at the table beside Piper. Her head was throbbing, and after a quick glance in the mirror she knew just how dark the bruise on her face had gotten. She'd thankfully packed a long sleeve t shirt and a pair of sweats, but was still cold after the hot shower.

"Jay's got a special recipe," Piper informed her. The little girl's eyes were still red from the tears she'd shed that day, and Erin's heart hurt just thinking about it. Jay also looked a bit rough around the edges. Maybe rough was the wrong word, Erin thought. There was something about him that was softer and lighter – more vulnerable. It was a different Jay than the one she knew previously, but a Jay she loved just the same.

"Full of surprises, huh?" Erin said knowingly, and her sister nodded in agreement.

Jay slid a few pancakes onto each of their plates and couldn't help but smile when Piper took a few bites. After her fainting spell and the evening where she wasn't feeling well, he was determined to do everything in his power to keep her upright and full. "You sleepy, kiddo?" he asked knowingly when Piper let out a small yawn. He smiled again when she shook her head valiantly.

"You're gonna stay, right?" Piper looked to Erin expectantly. Her sister had zoned out, the ache in her head making it difficult to concentrate on the late night dinner.

"Yes," Erin assured her, "If that's okay with you."

Piper nodded. "You can sleep in my bed," she offered, "'s super comfy."

"That is so sweet of you," Erin smiled, "I don't want to kick you out of bed though."

"You gotta sleep in a bed." Piper furrowed her brow, "The doctor said you gotta lie flat."

Jay nodded in agreement. Piper had clearly been paying attention in the urgicare when Erin had tuned out. "What do you say Pipes, we get Erin tucked into bed and then we can watch a bit of the game?"

Piper nodded, "'cause the doctor said no TV for Erin."

"I'm glad you were listening," Erin mumbled, "I clearly was not."

"She's gonna keep you on your toes, Er," Jay quipped, "Bedtime for you."

"Does your head hurt?" Piper asked softly as Erin climbed into her bed. It was a comfortable bed, and when Piper had gone to brush her teeth, Jay had promised he'd let Piper take his bed while he took the couch, so Erin felt a little less guilty about displacing her sister for the evening.

"A bit," Erin said with a sigh, not wanting to lie to the little girl, "Aches a bit." She forced a smile, "It feels a lot better after the pancakes and shower though. And I know I'll be much better in the morning."

Piper shifted from one foot to the other. She appeared reluctant to leave her big sister alone, even if it was just her going to the other room. "Would you be okay to sit with me for a bit?" Erin asked gently. In truth, she wanted to be close to her sister as well.

"Yes," she breathed, almost gratefully. Piper climbed into bed beside Erin and laid down next to her. She placed a careful hand on Erin's bruised arm. "I'm really glad you're okay," she whispered, "I-I was really worried."

"I'm going to be totally fine," Erin promised, wrapping one arm around her sister tentatively. Her heart swelled when Piper snuggled into her side. "I'm glad I'm here with you."

"How are you feeling?" Jay asked gently after entering Piper's bedroom. A lot had happened in the past day – his nightmare, Piper comforting him, Erin comforting him, breakfast tacos, Erin and Piper's sister date, Erin's incident, Piper's realization at his sergeant's house – and he was absolutely spent. But seeing his two favorite girls settled in bed allowed the stress of the past twenty four hours to wash away and be replaced with that same feeling of wholeness he had when he woke up.

"Erin's head hurts," Piper informed him before Erin could respond with her trademark 'I'm fine'.

"Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?" Jay asked, perching on the edge of Piper's bed and ghosting a hand over Erin's forehead.

"Just a regular concussion," Erin replied, "Had a few of these before."

"That's what worries me," he said honestly, absentmindedly running his fingers through her damp locks. Her eyelids fluttered in appreciation for the motion. "How about a quick story?"

"Mm," she responded in agreement, and Piper nodded as well.

Jay dove into a recollection of one of the first baseball games he'd ever been to, searching his brain to remember the scores, the details, anything that would put his girls to sleep. He just knew Piper was going to fall asleep the second she climbed into bed or sat on the couch – she was so much like Erin in that way, always trying to stay up but never making it more than a few minutes. He continued to methodically rub Erin's scalp as he told the story and watched as Piper dozed against her sister.

"Can you stay?" Erin mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. The same words had left his lips less than twenty four hours ago.

"Of course," he whispered, leaning down to press a careful kiss on the crown of her head, "I'm not going anywhere."

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