Chapter 2

The entire bull pen jumped when they heard Hank yell and slam his hands down on his desk. They debated going in but Antonio beat them to it. He rapped on the door and opened it without waiting for an answer. "Everything ok in here?" he stole a glance at the woman from Hanks past, and saw she had red rimmed eyes. "Hank?"

"Everything is fine." Kat spoke up.

"Everything is NOT fine Katherin." Kat realized she should have told him sooner, especially with him bringing out her legal name, she knew he was pissed. " Antonio take Katie over to Firehouse 51. They should have details of a fire that happened a few days ago. We need the report."

Antonio nodded and the group moved to leave the office. "You wanna explain the situation before you leave?" Hank was more angry than Antonio had ever seen before . Even back all those years ago when Antonio busted him for being a dirty cop. Back then it was a quiet anger, under the surface. Today? His face was red and he was shaking. When the younger woman laid her hand on his arm his face softened a bit, but not much.

"Yes Hank, I'll tell them before we leave." She walked out of the office with Antonio following behind . Hank stole a glance at the picture of Al and himself that sat on his desk. "Wish you were here Al. Our girl needs us." With that sentiment he walked out and joined the rest of his team.

"Listen up. We've caught a case." The team got their notepads out and were ready to start writing when he stood back and gestured to Kat to begin.

"So there's no way for me to get through this without just coming out and saying it." She looked back at Hank for support, and he nodded. "Someone is trying to kill me. My house was torched the other day, but that was only the latest in a string of situations."

The team were temporarily shocked, but immediately began their questions.

"Do you have an idea on who is doing it?" Kim came forward and gave the woman a hug. As the unspoken "Mom" of the team she thought the woman could use it.

Kat gave her a squeeze back. "Thank you. I have some ideas, but it seems unlikely after all these years. The same man Erin and I hung around with back in the day, Charles Webber. I don't know why I think it's him, it's just a feeling. And I know that's not a great answer, I'm sorry." She hung her head down, tears threatening to fall again.

"I'm sending Antonio over to Firehouse 51 to get their statements with Katie. The rest of you, I want you digging into this guys background . Find me a current location , a girlfriend, a kid… I don't care just find something. "

"You said the fire was the latest incident, what were the others?" Adam questioned.

"Nothing as major. My car was broken in to, tires slashed. My store was vandalized. But I was home during the fire…" she trailed off.

"Oh shit- you're okay?" Hailey asked.

Kat nodded and rolled up her sleeve, showing them her injury. "Yes, I was at Chicago Med for a few hours. They treated me for this burn and smoke Inhalation, and sent me on my way. I met a Will Halstead" she glanced at Jay "Related to you ?"

Jay nodded. "Yeah, older brother. You said it could be someone from when you and Erin were younger. You don't think she's in danger too?" he directed the last part of his question towards Hank, but Kat answered.

"No. I talked to her, she's doing well. I did let her know the situation so she could be aware, but she hasn't had anything come up. She gave me a message for all of you though. She said to tell you, you better not be messing things up here without her, and that she misses you all." Kat turned towards Jay "You get a kiss." She smiled and leaned up giving him a kiss on the cheek. "She said to tell you she's sorry. You would know what that meant."

He smiled sadly and nodded .

"Alright let's find this guy. " Hank bellowed and the group scattered to do their assignments.

Antonio lead Kat downstairs to the car. When she reached for the door handle he stopped her, opening it for her. She let out a small laugh. "Someone taught you well." She smiled at him and got into the passenger seat. He stalled for a moment, watching her nose crinkle when she smiled.

He shut the door and jogged around to the drivers side, folding himself behind the wheel before answering "My abuela." He smiled back at her.

Firehouse

Antonio and Kat got to the station in record time. Thankfully the occupants of the firehouse were all still there, they hadn't been sent on a call. When they got out of the car and started towards the doors they heard a yell.

"Hey!" they saw most of the crew sitting in the truck bay, playing cards. They group stood in unison with smiles on their faces.

"If it isn't my favorite ex brother in law. Antonio, it's been awhile." Matt Casey walked forward, extending his hand and shaking the other mans. Then he caught a glimpse of who was with him. "Kat? Hey! How are you feeling?" he wrapped her in a hug .

Antonio was taken back. They seemed friendly…

"I'm doing much better Lieutenant Casey." She stepped back and waved to everyone else gathered.

"Matt. I told you call me Matt. What can we do for you?"

"You bring more cookies?" Otis piped up from the back and the group laughed.

"Sorry, not today." She smiled at them and turned back to Matt. "Detective Dawson needs the report from the fire at my place."

"I need statements from everyone that was there. Intelligence caught her case, and we need everything you have."

Matt nodded. "Of course. How did intelligence get a possible arson case?" he asked leading the two back into the station.

"Hank and I go way back, so I called him for help." Kat didn't elaborate. She knew there had been history between the fire house and her surrogate father, but hadn't been around for the details of why.

Matt nodded again. "I see. Your first stop will probably be the Chief. Then you can ask us anything you need." At that moment the alarm went off, signaling that the group was needed elsewhere. "Sorry guys. You can talk to squad, they weren't called out. See you later!" he gave Kat a kiss on the cheek, waved and took off towards the truck.

The members of squad were sitting around the dining room table when Antonio and Kat came in. "Hey girl! What are you doing here? You feeling better?" Kelly Severide rose and came to give her a hug.

The remaining squad members waved and smiled. Antonio felt a stab of pain… what was this jealousy? He met the woman an hour prior and already he was jealous of the fire fighters that had saved her? He needed to get over that quick.

"Hi Lieutenant Severide, I'm healing thanks to you all. Detective Dawson was needing to talk to you about the fire at my house." She shuffled her feet unsure what to do from here.

"Oh sure! And it's Kelly. You know that. " He winked at her and she blushed. "Antonio, ask away." He sat back down at the table.

They settled in and went through what they had seen. A short time later the other group returned and he began questioning them. Kat stood back near the kitchen when she heard two female voices approaching . "Hey you! How's the burn ?" Sylvie Brett and her partner Foster were standing in either side of her.

"Much better, thank you." The women each gave her a quick hug.

"Glad to hear it. Hey Antonio!" Sylvie called out to the detective , who grinned and waved at her. "So Voight caught your case?"

Kat didn't want to get into details so she just explained that she and Hank were old friends. That seemed to satisfy the paramedics curiosity.

Not too long after Antonio had spoken with all the firefighters, and the two paramedics, as well as the chief. They left the fire house with Kat promising to bring more cookies to them soon.

"Cookies huh?" Antonio had to tease.

"Yeah, I own a bakery." Kat explained smiling . "I made them a batch after the fire as a thank you. Don't worry, Intelligence will get some too."

As they were driving back to the district Antonio stole a glance at this mystery woman. She had a natural beauty to her, no makeup or fancy clothes. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt she looked like the girl next door. He could tell the situation was having an impact on her. While her eyes were a beautiful blue grey, she had dark circles under them. On a whim he reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. "You have the best team around on your case. We will get the bastard." He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't jerk away, instead squeezing back and smiling at him.

"I know. We may have just met, but I trust you. All of you."

21st district Intelligence

The remaining team members ran every thing they could on Charles Weber, but came back empty handed.

"Financials are clean." Kevin posted the information on the white board.

"He's been in the clear for over 10 years. No arrests, not even a parking ticket." Kim stuck his old booking photo up on the board.

Hank was growing more frustrated by the minute . "Talk to your CIs . See if they know anything about a hit being put on a cops kid."

Everyone stopped and became silent. "Cops kid? Sarge…" Adam started before Hank cut him off.

"She's like my daughter. So just, ask around. Call me the minute you hear something. " He stormed off into his office slamming the door shut.

The group was leaving when Kat and Antonio walked back in. "Where you guys going?"

"Sarge said to check with our CIs, see if we can dig anything up. We're coming up empty so far." Adam explained as he headed down the stairs, rest of the team following behind.

Jay hung back. "Can I talk to you for a second Kat?" he pointed to the break room. She nodded and followed him.

"What can I do for you Detective?"

"Jay. Call me Jay. I just…" he rubbed his neck with one hand nervously. "I wanted to ask you…"

She saved him. "Erin. You want to know how she's doing right?"

"Yeah. I know it's been a while and I shouldn't, but I miss her. You know we were going to get married?" he didn't know what it was about this woman, but he had no qualms about telling her his and Erins history. Maybe because they were friends ? Or she just was that type of person, someone you could share things with.

"I did. Erin called me when she left Chicago , begging for advice." She reached out and grabbed his hand. "She told me you were the loyal type, someone that would always have her back during a bust." He looked down at her hand in his, she was absentmindedly running her thumb over his knuckles in an attempt to sooth him. "I want you to know, she loved you. And she's so sorry that she hurt you by leaving."

"Thanks. That helps, really. I appreciate it." He gave her a tight hug.

That's how Antonio found them when he walked in. "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." He started to spin around and leave when Jay stopped him.

"Kat was telling me about Erin Tonio. It's all good, we're done." He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Kat, really. I appreciate it."

She smiled back at him and he left the two of them alone.

"Hank wanted to see you. I gave him the report with all the statements from the firehouse."

Kat nodded , and followed him back to Hanks office.

"I sent everyone to talk to their informants. I want to know if anyone is talking out there about a hit on a cops kid. Until this is resolved I want you staying with me. " Hank didn't ask, he just demanded.

"Hank, I'm fine. I already feel better knowing you are on the case. I don't want to put you out at all. I'm good at a hotel." She barely got the words out before he scoffed.

"No. No discussion. Go check out of wherever you're staying and meet me at the house later." He handed her the spare key he left in his desk. "Antonio drive her will you? Don't let her out of your sight."

"Got it Sarge."

"Hank before I go, where's Al? I thought he worked with you here?" Kat heard both Hank and Antonio suck in their breath. "What? What is it?"

"Antonio give us a minute, please." Hank never said please, so Antonio knew immediately to do exactly what he asked. He exited the office and shut the door behind him.

"Katie… Al was killed a few months back." He came around from his desk and sat next to her.

Kat gasped , holding her hand over her mouth. It took her a minute to regain her composure, when she did she looked Hank in the eyes. "I'm so sorry Dad." She leaned over and gave the older man a warm hug.

Dad. No one had called him that in a very long time. Not since Justin…Kat didn't know about Justin being killed either. That would have to be a story for another day. He kissed the side of her head and pulled away. "Thanks Baby girl. Now , go with Antonio. He will keep you safe."

She wiped the tears from her eyes , got up and walked out the door. Antonio was waiting by the staircase. "You okay? I didn't realize you knew Al."

She nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss,for everyones. He was a really good man. I should have made more of an effort to stay in contact ." She felt a stray tear work it's way loose and on instinct Antonio took his thumb and wiped it away, running the pad over her cheek. "He was. We miss him every day."

The pair walked down the staircase and back to the car. "You want a minute? I'll wait out here, you can cry, scream whatever you need to do." He opened the door for her again and she hesitated getting inside.

Instead she turned to face him "Can I just have a hug? I really could just use one."

He didn't think twice. He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry into his shoulder until she was done. After she pulled away she dried her eyes, and had a look of determination on her face. "Okay. I'm ready." She got in the car and he drove them to her hotel.