Still building to some stuff but don't worry it's all going to get upacked in the next few. Thanks for sticking with me and please let me know what you think!

Erin paced around her apartment, reeling from the conversation she just ended with her lawyer. Things were moving, finally, but they were moving in different directions.

She was approved for overnight visitation with Piper, starting soon. That was good news.

Bunny's supervised visitation was also approved, and she'd somehow finagled a meeting in two days. That was not good news.

Erin had immediately dialed Jay after her lawyer had called, but got the busy signal and was sent right to voicemail. He was probably on with Jenna O'Donnell, trying to figure out the logistics. Piper was going to be so upset, and Erin didn't even want to think about what else Bunny could say to tarnish her relationship with her sister.

After dinner the night before, Erin reluctantly retreated back to her apartment. She had wanted to stay to talk to Jay about everything they needed to unpack, but after Jay finally told his brother about all that had gone on in their growing up, she knew it was more important for them to talk. She was still processing the fact that Will knew Jay was going to propose, but she didn't have any of the details.

"Hi," she croaked as soon as Jay called back, "Sorry to bother you, I know you're at work."

"I was on the phone with Jenna," he replied, glancing into the breakroom where Piper was sitting. He'd set her up with a few books, and she was concentrating, thankfully not aware of how stressed he was. "She said the judge approved overnight visitation with you, which is great news."

"Piper also has to see Bunny again," Erin said, "I-I know it's good that we have overnight visitation but she's getting pulled in two different directions if they're letting Bunny see her again."

"I know," he mused, "I um, that's what I was mainly talking to Jenna about. She thinks Bunny is angling to get the case extended and drag Piper through a testimony."

"My lawyer said the same thing," Erin sighed, rubbing her face with her hand, "I just…I know that it's important for kids to grow up with their parents. And when I was growing up, I knew that being separated from Bunny would put me in the system, but this is different. I know how bad it is growing up with her." Her voice cracked, "I don't want that for my sister."

"I know," Jay repeated, "But all we can do is prepare Piper as best we can. And she already trusts you, and feels safe with you. Just need to anticipate all the crazy that Bunny is going to put out there."

"But what if Bunny gets custody?" Erin sniffed, "What if I scar Piper for life after I tell her all about Bunny's shit and then the judge still rules in her favor?"

Jay was quiet for a moment. "It's a really fine line," he said finally, "But you can do it, Er."

"I'm glad one of us has faith in me," she scoffed before glancing down at her phone to read a text message. "It's tonight?"

"What's tonight? Your visit?" Jay furrowed his brow, "I know Jenna said soon, but I didn't think it would be tonight."

"Apparently it's up to the schedule at DCFS, especially if we want Jenna to be the person to bring Piper to and from the visit," Erin read out loud, "Oh god. That's so soon."

"It makes sense though. We don't want someone she doesn't know," Jay reasoned, "So it will be tonight. I'll talk to her, and get her ready." He glanced into the breakroom again and managed a small smile, "Don't worry, it's going to be totally fine. It's better she sees you rather than Bunny. And it's better you see her before Bunny does."

"Yeah," she exhaled, mind racing a thousand miles a minute, "I uh, I gotta go to the grocery store. I have no produce."

He chuckled. "I'll text you a list of stuff she likes."

"Thank you," Erin breathed, "I'll um, I'll call you later?"

"I finished another chapter," Piper said proudly when Jay entered the breakroom, empty cup of coffee in hand, "I learned all about democracy."

"Wow," Jay grinned, "Awesome job, kiddo. You're enjoying reading?"

Piper nodded. "It's easier when I practice. 'cause I didn't get to practice before, and it was hard in school. But I like it more now."

"I'm so glad to hear that." Jay poured more coffee into his mug and took a seat beside his little friend. "Are you hungry for lunch yet?"

Piper shrugged and closed her book. "We just had breakfast."

He chuckled. "You're right. I guess I'm always thinking about what we're gonna eat next, huh?" He smiled when Piper flashed a grin. "I'm thinking we can probably get out of here a little early today, maybe stop by the library for a few more books?"

Piper gave an enthusiastic nod, "I can show Erin the books when she comes over for dinner, too."

"Well, actually, we're going to have a bit of a different night tonight. Everything's okay," Jay said quickly as Piper's face dropped, "It's good news, actually. The judge said that Erin is approved for overnight visitation." He knew it wasn't the right time to drop the fact that Piper had an upcoming visit with her biological mother. One hurdle at a time.

Piper continued to look incredibly troubled as Jay tried to smile.

"It's an overnight sister date," Jay explained carefully, "So just like how Ms. O'Donnell comes to pick you up for time with Erin, she's going to do the exact same thing. Except this time, you'll be at Erin's apartment, where you've already been, and Ms. O'Donnell is going to come back in the morning to bring you here."

Piper slowly processed what Jay was telling her. "And I still get to stay with you, after?"

"Mm-hm. One night just you and Erin, and then you'll get to come back to me." He reached out to stroke her cheek, "It's going to be really fun."

"B-but you're gonna be alone," Piper whispered sadly, taking Jay's hand in her own.

He smiled sadly. He was going to be alone, and if he was being honest with himself, he was nervous about it. Jay hadn't spent the night without Piper in the next room in over six weeks, but he knew that he needed to put on a brave face for his little friend. "I'll be just fine, kiddo. And I'm just down the block if you or Erin need me."

"Where am I gonna stay at Erin's?" she asked, "I-I like the bed at your house."

"I bet Erin's got it all figured out," Jay said, doing his best to keep his calm. He didn't know what he was going to do with himself after Piper left. His mind was already racing. "It'll be so great."

Piper's lower lip trembled. "Does this mean I'm gonna have to leave you for good?"

Jay shook his head. "Never for good, kiddo. No matter where you live, I'm going to be there for you, okay? And Erin loves you, so much, and I do too." His heart clenched when a tear escaped Piper's eye and trickled down her cheek. "C'mere, Pipes."

She sagged heavily against his chest as Jay held the little girl closely, overwhelmed with just how much he loved her. "It's going to be great," he repeated, carefully running his hand over the back of her head as she held tightly to his shirt, "You and Erin are going to make dinner and hang out, and then in the morning Ms. O'Donnell is going to pick you up, and you and I are gonna spend the whole day together."

"You don't gotta work?" Piper mumbled against Jay's shoulder, "You're not busy?"

"The team has everything handled," Jay replied lightly, realizing that he'd need to confirm with Hank that he could take another day off. The sergeant had been incredibly flexible with his schedule given that Piper was in protective custody, but he certainly didn't want to piss him off. "I think we're overdue for a trip to the diner and those waffles you like, right?"

Piper nodded, still holding fast to Jay. "I'm gonna miss you."

Jay felt his heart crack. He was going to miss her too, more than he was letting himself realize. "I am going to miss you so much," he managed, doing his best to keep his voice even. He kissed her soft hair and held the little girl closer. "But you are going to have a great time with Erin, and tomorrow, you can tell me all about it."

"Hi," Erin said breathlessly as she answered the door after Jenna O'Donnell's knock, "Thanks for coming."

Jenna gave a smile. "It was a super easy trip from Detective Halstead's house, huh?"

Piper nodded nervously but managed a small smile up at Erin. "Hi Erin."

"I'm so excited to have you," Erin opened the door wider, "C'mon in, I'll show you around. And I can take your backpack, Noodle."

Erin took a deep breath in an attempt to slow her racing heart. She and Jay had exchanged text messages throughout the day, and he let her know that Piper was nervous, but she knew that she was going to be safe, and that Jay was just a phone call away. His confidence in her somehow made her even more nervous, as if she'd be letting him down in addition to Piper if the night didn't go well.

"I gotta take my shoes off, right?" Piper confirmed, relieved when Erin nodded. It was an aspect of her routine after getting back to Jay's that Erin had picked up on.

"Yes please," Erin beamed. She was so nervous that her hands were shaking, so she put them in her back pocket. "This is your room," she said as she pushed open the door to the spare bedroom. It was slightly bigger than the room Piper had at Jay's, and was a bit more decorated given that Erin was renting a furnished place.

"It's nice," Piper whispered, reaching up to take Erin's hand while Jenna was still in the apartment. Erin's heart leapt and she squeezed her sister's tiny hand.

"I'm glad you like it," Erin managed, offering a smile to Jenna, "I got some ingredients for us to make burritos, what do you think?"

Piper nodded and shifted even closer to Erin as the social worker looked around. "It looks great," Jenna confirmed, "Alright Piper, I will see you tomorrow morning around 10 o'clock, okay?"

She managed another nod. "Thank you," Erin supplied, "If anything comes up, I'll reach out."

"And we can call Jay if we gotta, right?" Piper asked quickly.

"Exactly," Jenna smiled, "Have a good time, and let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks again, Jenna," Erin said, closing the front door and locking it behind the social worker. She turned to Piper and forced a large smile despite her anxiety over spending the night with her little sister. Although she was grateful that Piper trusted her and was willing to hold her hand, she knew it wasn't anything close to how safe Piper felt with Jay. "Okay, Noodle, you ready to make burritos?"

Piper smiled and gave another nod. She watched as her sister moved around the kitchen and gathered the ingredients from the mostly-empty fridge. "Okay, we got some meat, some veggies, and seasoning," she said, grabbing the packet she'd purchased from the empty drawer.

"Let me see where the pots and pans are," Erin mused, opening several of the cabinets in search of the cookware, "Gotta be around here somewhere."

"You don't know where you keep your pans?" Piper furrowed her brow in confusion, "I thought you live here?"

Erin felt her blood run cold. Piper had barely been in her apartment for five minutes. She'd been putting off the conversation about her life in New York as long as possible, and knew that Jay had also managed to skirt around it too. She hated that she was effectively lying to her little sister, but the last thing she wanted to do was tell her that if she won custody, the child would be whisked across the country.

"I um, I've only been here for a few weeks," Erin managed, producing a pan from the bottom cabinet. "I've been over to dinner at Jay's so much that I never really familiarized myself with the layout." She forced a smile, "You want to start on the sauce?"

Piper nodded, but appeared skeptical. "Where did you live before?"

Erin paused. She couldn't put it off forever. "New York."

"You moved from New York?" Piper appeared even more confused, "I thought your office was here?"

"It uh, it is. Kind of." Erin took a deep breath, "When I found out about you, I knew I had to meet you. So I kinda left everything in New York and drove here. I found this apartment, and got a temporary transfer to the Chicago office."

"Temporary?" Piper looked crestfallen, "You're gonna leave and go back to New York?"

Erin nodded slowly. "Once um, once the judge makes a ruling and things settle down, that's the plan." She tried her best to smile. "You're really going to like New York."

"I-I have to go too?" Piper spluttered at the realization, "I have to leave?"

She nodded again, her heart aching, "It's where my job is," Erin said finally, "And um, the judge knows it's important that I have a job, and so part of the condition that would allow me to take care of you is that you'd come with me to New York."

"You never told me," the little girl whispered, tears filling her eyes, "You didn't tell me I was gonna have to move to a new city."

"I'm sorry," she said lamely, knowing there was little she could do to excuse her lie by omission, "I-I didn't want to freak you out. But New York is really cool. There are fun parks, and museums and-"

"I-I don't know anyone in New York." Piper shook her head, "I thought you were from Chicago."

"I am," Erin said quickly, "I lived in Chicago until last year, when I got this new job. It's a good job too, and I like it, and it can be flexible so I still can be there for you."

Piper was quiet for a moment as she processed what her sister was saying and the bits and pieces of what she'd learned about Erin and Jay over the past few weeks. "When you and Jay stopped being partners, that's when you went to New York?"

Erin managed a meager nod. She knew where this was going. She'd done enough damage to her and Piper's relationship by not disclosing her residence in New York, but she'd also now damaged Piper and Jay's relationship.

"Jay knew too?"

When Erin didn't immediately answer, Piper's features crumbled. "He did," Erin tried, "But-"

"You both lied to me." Tears that had filled her eyes made her way down her cheeks, "You-you could have told me so I'd know but you didn't."

"I'm sorry," Erin pleaded, "I am sorry Piper, really. I didn't mean to lie I just didn't want you to be scared of getting to know me."

"I wish I never knew about you," Piper said, as menacing as her wavering voice would allow, "I wish I didn't know 'cause then I wouldn't have to move away."

"Piper-"

Erin was cut off by the little girl shutting the bedroom door and the sound of broken sobs.

"Piper, please come out," Erin begged, lightly knocking on the bedroom door. She'd let her little sister have fifteen minutes alone while she paced the apartment, doing her best to resist the urge to call Jay. It was literally a half hour into her first overnight visit with her little sister and it had already gone south. "We can talk about this."

"Piper," she called again after being met with silence, "C'mon, please just open the door for me. I need to make sure you're alright."

"I'm not," Piper sniffed, "I was right. I can't trust anyone. Not you, not Jay, not anyone."

"Sweetheart," Erin tried, her heart breaking at her sister's words, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, really. I just wanted to get to know you."

Piper didn't reply.

"I could call Jay," Erin suggested, reaching her breaking point. She needed back up. "Would you rather talk to him?"

"No," Piper spat angrily, "I don't want to talk to him either."

Erin sighed heavily and stepped away from the bedroom door before dialing Jay. He answered on the first ring. "What's going on?" he asked immediately, "Is Piper okay?"

"Can you please just come over here?" Erin asked tearfully, "I um, I don't know what to do."

"I'm on my way," Jay replied, "What happened?"

"She knows about New York," she managed, "And she hates me."

"I'll be right there," he promised, "It's going to be okay."

"She's in the second bedroom and she won't come out," Erin said in greeting as she pulled open the apartment door. She was rapidly coming undone at the thought of Piper hating her. "I-I tried everything, but she won't budge." She brought a hand to her forehead, "I'm so bad at this. I'm going to fuck her up, I just know it and-"

"Erin," Jay cut her off as gently as he could, "She's a kid. Kids get upset. And she's a kid who's been through a lot of trauma, and it can be really hard for kids like her to process emotions. It doesn't mean you're bad at this."

"I didn't tell her upfront," Erin croaked, "I should have, but I didn't want her to not try to get to know me."

Jay placed his hand on Erin's shoulder. "Okay, maybe we should have told her. But it was a mistake. And it while it may be the first parenting mistake you've made, it's not going to be the last. It's hard stuff."

Erin gave a watery nod. "C-can you try to talk to her, please?"

He nodded and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before lightly tapping on the bedroom door. "Hey, kiddo. It's Jay. Erin gave me a call, said you were upset."

Jay frowned when Piper didn't reply. He could hear faint sobs, but the little girl hadn't acknowledged his presence. "She wouldn't talk to me," Erin whispered, panic rising in her breath, "If she won't talk to you I don't-"

"It's okay," Jay cut off her rambling again, "Just gotta give her a few minutes." He knocked again. "Pipes? Are you okay in there?"

"Go away." Piper's small voice was fully of emotion, and Jay felt his chest tighten.

"We're here for you, kiddo," Jay tried, "I'm not leaving you, not when you're upset. Do you want to come out and we can talk about it?"

"No," she replied, "I don't want to talk." A sob ripped through her throat.

"We don't have to talk," he reasoned, "We can just sit together, maybe see if there's a game on SportsCenter, hm?"

Jay was answered by more muffled, painful sobs. Erin was pacing around the living room, almost as distraught as her little sister. "I'm just going to sit out here," he said, sinking to his knees and resting against the wall beside the door, "I'm right next to the door, and I'm not going anywhere, okay? We'll wait til you're ready to come out."

He looked up at Erin, who was still pacing, her face ashen like she was ready to vomit. "Er," he held out a hand, "Sit for a sec."

She stopped and shook her head. "I can't," she choked out, "If I stop, I'm going to lose it and I can't keep losing it on you I just-" Her voice cracked, "See?"

"Come here," he said, extending his arm wider, "It's going to be okay."

"It's not," Erin replied flatly as she dragged a shaking hand over her eyes, "She hates me, Jay."

"Did she actually say that?" Jay asked knowingly. He knew Piper, and he knew that no matter how upset she was, he knew deep down that she'd never say that she hated Erin, or him for that matter.

"She didn't have to," Erin said with a shake of her head, "I-I hated my mom because all she ever did was lie and deceive and put me in bad situations, and I've never forgiven her for it."

"You haven't put Piper in a bad situation," he reasoned, "These types of things happen, and this is uncharted territory for both of you." He lowered his voice, "She's just hurt that we didn't tell her, and it sucks, but we just gotta get her to trust us again. I promise that she doesn't hate you."

Erin sank to the ground on the other side of the door. "What if I can't do this by myself?" she whispered, "I've had to call you almost every time I've been alone with her. I'm worried that I won't be able to handle it when this happens in New York."

Jay swallowed. As much as he wanted to take the opportunity to tell her to stay, that he loved her, that he'd be there for whatever she needed, he knew that he shouldn't. "It's going to take practice," he said as carefully as he could, "But I promise you, Er, you can do it."

She sniffed and gave a small nod. "Piper," she knocked on the door, "Please come out, sweetheart. We just need to see that you're okay." Erin sat back against the wall in defeat when she was met with silence, save for the occasional tearful hiccup from her little sister.

Jay furrowed his brow when he heard Piper cough. Erin immediately lifted her head in concern. "Pipes?" Jay pressed his ear against the door, "Piper, I need you to say something."

Piper coughed again, followed by a sob and what sounded like a gasp for air. "She's having a panic attack," Jay said urgently, scrambling to his feet. "I'm opening the door, kiddo, I'm sorry." He turned the door handle and pushed it open, thankful Piper hadn't locked it.

He resisted the urge to curse when he caught sight of his little friend cowering against the bedroom wall, knees at her chest, taking shallow breaths in between gut-wrenching sobs. "Pipes," he said softly, carefully advancing toward the timid child, "It's okay, you're okay. I need you to take a breath for me."

Piper shook her head, tears flying off her cheeks in all directions as another broken wail escaped her lips. "I'm sorry you're so upset," Jay continued, sinking to his knees in front of her, "And I'm sorry we didn't say anything earlier, but you're scaring me a bit, and I need you to try to take a breath. Just one, kiddo, just one."

She inhaled and exhaled shakily, hot tears still streaming down her cheeks as she looked up at Jay. "Good job," he praised, still keeping his distance, "Can you try another one for me?"

Piper took a breath, but followed it up with a sob. "You knew! You knew I was gonna have to leave and you. didn't. tell me," she gasped. Her small body was convulsing as Jay shook his head, just trying to get his little friend breathing.

"I'm sorry," he choked out, resisting with everything he could to not pull the little girl into his arms, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I think part of me just thought if I didn't tell you, maybe you wouldn't have to go. Because I knew that I would miss you so much."

"I don't want to leave you," Piper rushed out, "I-I feel safe with you." With that, she dissolved into sobs, her tiny hands covering her face.

Jay couldn't take it anymore. He closed the gap between himself and the little girl and held her closely, feeling her racing heart beneath his palm as he stroked her back. "Shh," he cooed, "It's okay, you're safe." He rocked back and forth, similar to how he'd done back in Wisconsin, doing everything he could to get Piper's breathing to regulate.

He shifted his gaze to find Erin standing in the doorway, tears positively streaming down her cheeks. He gestured for her to join him. "You're safe," Jay repeated into Piper's hair as he settled against the bedroom wall, little girl in his arms, "We're not going anywhere."

Erin gingerly sat beside Jay and placed a tentative hand on Piper's head. "I'm sorry," she whispered tearfully, "I just want you to feel safe, Piper. You're my top priority and I'm so sorry I made you feel unsafe with me."

Piper took a shuddery breath. "I-I just wish you told me. I'm not scared of you," she whispered, opening her eyes slightly as she rested against Jay's chest, "I-I just don't want to feel scared anymore."

"I know." Erin gave a weak nod in agreement, "Jay's really good at that, huh?"

She nodded and sniffed. "T-that's how come I don't wanna leave Chicago."

"We're not going to worry about that now," Jay said gently, "Whatever happens, we're going to do everything we can to keep you safe. Sometimes it might not feel like it and I know it can be hard to trust us, but that's what I need you to do, okay?"

Piper was quiet and held tighter to Jay. "Okay."

"She hasn't eaten yet," Erin murmured after what felt like hours as she threaded her fingers through Piper's hair. The little girl finally stopped the painful sobs but remained in Jay's embrace, clinging to the material of his shirt.

"'m not hungry," Piper mumbled into Jay's shoulder.

"I know, but you need to eat, Noodle," she said gently, "Maybe I could order some pizza, would that be better?"

"Is Jay gonna stay?" The little girl held impossibly tighter to the detective. Erin shot him a pleading look, and he nodded.

"He is," Erin said, lightly scratching the top of Piper's head, "I'm going to order us a pizza, but I'll be right back."

"I'm sorry," Piper whispered as soon as Erin was out of earshot, "I-I didn't mean to get upset at you guys."

"I get it, kiddo," he mused, pressing a kiss on top of her head, "It was big news, and I am sorry we didn't say anything sooner."

"I don't wanna think about not getting to see you." Piper's breath hitched, "It's the first time I ever feeled safe."

He hummed in agreement, lips still on Piper's head. "I feel the same way," he said honestly, "And I don't think any of us know what's going to happen next, but I do know that you and I are going to be friends forever, no matter where we are."

Eeek ok up next my new favorite Erin and Jay convo :)