A/N: Thank you SO MUCH to the reader that left a review, it made me grin from ear to ear!! I really appreciate it :) So, he finally did it! Now let's see what happens...

Chapter 12

Antonio couldn't stop glancing at Kat. As they were driving to his house he kept one hand interlocked with hers, as a way to ground himself . He was over the moon that she wanted to be with him, and mentally kicked himself for taking so long to go for it. When they pulled up in front of his house, he got out and opened her door for her, holding out his hand. She gladly accepted , and their eyes darkened with intensity and desire. He couldn't help it, he took both hands and cupped her face, pulling her close to him. The kiss lasted just a few seconds, but it caused Kat to blush a deep red. Silently they went inside. As soon as the door shut it was game on. Kat pulled at Antonio's shirt, desperate to remove it. He peeled hers off slowly, teasing her. They made their way to the bedroom , removing clothing pieces and dropping them as they went . Antonio made sure to take care of her wounds, even though they were basically healed, but it was sweet anyway. She nipped at the pulse point at the base of his neck, causing him to groan and toss her gently onto the bed. That in turn made her giggle, which turned him on even more. The actual act was fast, frenzied… They couldn't get enough of each other. When Kat moaned his name it sent Antonio over the edge completely. They lay together afterwards, smiles on their faces, complete spent . Kat propped herself up on an elbow and looked down into his dark eyes.

"Why did we wait so long to do that ?" she bent down and gave him a rather tame kiss compared to what they had done earlier, but it didn't matter to him. It turned him on just the same. He rolled over onto her back and kissed her back, his being more intense than hers. When they pulled apart they stared at each other for as few minutes in silence before he laid back down next to her. She immediately spooned into him, laying her hand in his chest, head on his shoulder. Antonio wrapped an arm around her, curling his fingers around Kats hip. Kat thought he might have fallen asleep until he spoke up.

"I love you." He realized the moment he said it what he had done. He felt her tense next to him, but then she relaxed again.

"I love you too." She snuggled in to him even more. He couldn't see it, but Kat had a huge grin on her face and tears in her eyes. The sound of his even breathing made her realize he had actually fallen asleep this time. Kat laid there, body still tingling from what had happened. She thought back to a time when another person told her they loved her… And how this time was so different .

Flashback

17 year old Katherin Bend was standing on the corner of Washington and Racine when she saw a black car pull up. Her stomach dropped, she knew who would be in the car. Kenneth Bowman, the man that fancied himself her "protector" . The thing was, she usually needed protecting from him. He had come to collect his money from her days sales. Thankfully Erin was no where to be found. Kat hated Erin having to deal with this guy. She was only 15 and although neither of them had a great life up til then, Kat knew how to handle herself better . Erin was a runner for Kenneth. She sold drugs and made him money, so he kept her around even being that young. Kat, on the other hand, didn't touch the drugs. She had other uses. And tonight it was as an escort. Kat hated this life, but didn't see it changing any time soon so she made the best of it. She climbed into the car when it pulled up and was immediately greeted with a backhand across the face.

"You holding out on me? Where's my money?" Ken grabbed her by the arm and shook her. "And where's your side kick? She owes me her daily sales too."

Kat rubbed her cheek , the mark from his ring was already showing, and shook her head. "I don't know where Erin is. I haven't seen her today." She was greeted with another hit.

"Liar! You two are inseparable, I want to know where she is!" he slid up next to her, putting his hand on her thigh. "You know I love you KittyKat… why do you insist on making me mad?"

She shuddered at his touch. The man was 15 years older than her, and she wanted nothing to do with him, but he kept food in her and Erins mouths, and a roof over their heads. So she endured what he did to her. Thankfully she kept him distracted enough he didn't bother Erin at all.

"I have a job for you. You're going to the Roosevelt hotel, room 354. It's 500 for the night, and I want you to report back to me immediately. Got it?"

She nodded and his driver dropped her off at the hotel. That was the night she met Hank Voight, and the first night of the rest of her life. His team had set up an undercover operation to flush out Ken, but they caught her instead. He had found Erin earlier in the evening, who was happy to help get Kat free of the monster they both were afraid of. Hank realized he was dealing with two scared children, not hardened criminals. So he brought the two of them home, fed them, and the rest was history.

End flashback

Kat slipped out of Antonio's arms , grabbing a shirt from his drawer and went off to the living room. She blushed a bit seeing the trail of clothes they had left in their fevered retreat to the bedroom, but she wasn't embarrassed. Instead she picked them all up and put them in a pile by the bedroom. She grabbed her phone and sent a short text to Hank, so he didn't worry about her. She saw she had several missed messages from their friends at Molly's, so she scrolled through them to see if she had missed anything important .

Kim- hey girl where did you run off to? ;)

Sylvie – Did Antonio take you home? We saw you guys go to the back and then you disappeared …

Adam- Darlin I need to talk to you about this thing with me and Kim… and Hailey… call me when you get this.

Kelly- tell Antonio it's about damn time. ;)

She snorted at that one . Checking the time it was definitely too late to call Ruzek, but she sent him a text letting him know she saw his message and she would talk to him tomorrow . Ever since their day at the bakery together he had been using her as a sounding board for his problems. The whole team knew the history between him and Kim, but he needed someone that didn't know the issues and baggage. He wanted a fresh set of eyes and ears, and that's what she became for him. She was happy to do it, he felt like the little brother Justin used to be. It made her happy to be there for someone , after all these people had been there for her.

Antonio rolled over and felt cold next to him. He jumped up when he realized Kat was gone, pulling on a pair of boxers and making his way to the living room. He saw she had picked up the clothes they had left scattered, and it made him smile. He found her curled up on the couch, head on her knees deep in thought . "Hey." He said quietly, sitting down next to her. "Is everything okay?"

She turned and looked at him . "Oh Antonio, it's more than okay." She grinned at him. "I'm happier now than I have been in a very long time. And that's thanks to you." She poked him in the chest gently with her finger. "You healed me. Thank you." She leaned in, with the thought of giving him a quick kiss but it turned into more. He deepened it, their tongues dancing with each other. She broke apart only to move quickly over to straddle him, then continued the kiss. Kat felt his hands , warm on her bare skin so she broke apart again, raising her arms and removing the shirt that was in their way. He leaned in and placed a kiss on the scar on her chest where she had been stabbed. The gesture made her gasp, tears springing to her eyes, it was so tender. He laid his hand on the spot where his lips had just been, and looked up at her.

"I know it's fast, but I love you with all my heart. I hope you know that."

She nodded , unable to speak, and gently grabbed his face with both hands. She leaned down, kissing his forehead, then moved to his jawline. "I love you too." She whispered, peppering him with kisses.

He picked her up , so she wrapped her legs tight around his torso, and they walked back to the bedroom, ready for another round. This time it was slow. They took their time, learning every inch of each others bodies before finally succumbing to sleep.

The next morning it was Antonio that woke up early. He brushed a strand of hair off Kats face, kissing her temple before getting up . He pulled on clothes and went to start breakfast for the two of them when he heard a pounding on the front door. Grabbing his side arm from its holster he checked the peephole before sighing and putting the weapon away. He opened the door and stepped aside. "Hank."

"Where is she?" Hank walked in and stared at him. "She told me she was here, where is she?"

"She's asleep. Listen Hank, I need to tell you…" Antonio tried to tell him about how he felt, but didn't get the chance . Their phones buzzed, informing them there had been a murder and they were needed elsewhere.

"Get her to the district. We will talk about this later." Hank said , short and to the point. Antonio just nodded and shut the door behind him as Hank walked out. When he made his way to the bedroom he found Kat already up and dressed .

"I heard Hank. You've got a case?" she was already dressed her clothes from the night before and was pulling on her boots . He noticed her face was wet pink , she had already washed up. "Just give me a minute and I'll be ready. "

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "I'm sorry. I would much rather spend the day in bed with you."

"Don't ever apologize for doing your job Antonio. I'll go hang out with Trudy today, then we can meet back up together later ?" she smiled at him, making his heart melt a bit. This woman was the best thing to happen to him in a very long time, and he wanted to make sure she stuck around . He nodded at her and they left for the district .

21st district

Kat walked in to the station and immediately went to the front desk. "Hey Trudy. Mind if I hang out with you today ? Intelligence caught another case."

"Well of course! Come on back, you can help me type up reports. Won't that be a bundle of fun?" Trudy Platt had scared her a little when she first met the woman, but now Kat realized the woman was someone who lived and loved as fiercely as her father figure. If there was ever a crisis, Kat would definitely want Trudy in her corner . She went behind the desk and helped type, but mainly listened and watched the hustle of the precinct. A few hours later she saw the team enter.

"Hey Darlin don't you look perfect sitting behind that desk? You bucking for sergeants job?" Adam called to her when he walked by.

"I couldn't handle it!" Kat laughed "She is way better equipped to do this day in and day out. I'll stick with baking. Where's Hank?"

"Sarge will be here in a few. He asked we bring you up." Kevin gestured for her to come with them, so she hopped off the stool and started that way. "Thanks for letting me hang out Trudy!"

"Anytime!" They waved at each other and Kat followed the team upstairs.

When they got to the bullpen she stood back and watched the team work. They were methodical, and she was memorized at their movements . She was so focused on them she didn't hear Antonio and Hank walk up behind her, so she jumped a bit when Antonio placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. " He grinned at her and leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"No worries, I was watching the team." She glanced at Hank to see if he noticed Antonio's gesture of affection, but he didn't appear to, or if he did he didn't react . "Can you tell me what's going on?"

The men walked to the white board and Hank placed a photo on it. Kat stayed towards the back of the room continuing to watch. "Victim is 15 year old Keisha Trapper. She was brutally beaten and strangled to death. " Hank was stone faced as he read through the facts of the case . When he got to where the girl was found Kat gasped loudly, making everyone turn towards her. "Katie? What is it?"

She walked to the board, hoping she was wrong . "Washington and Racine… that's… where I used to work." Her face turned red. No one else knew what she was referring to besides Hank, who immediately lead her into his office and shut the door. "Hank, you don't think it's him do you? He couldn't get to me so he turned to others… she was just a kid ." Her eyes filled up with tears , and she had to bite her lip to keep from breaking down .

He patted her hand "This isn't on you baby girl. He has been careful , and covering his tracks. We will catch him, and if this was him? He will pay." Kat knew he was serious. "I know this will be difficult, but I need you to explain everything to the team." He opened the door and walked her back out to the bull pen. "Listen up ." Hank bellowed when they walked out into the room. "Katie has something she needs to share." He stepped back and let her take the floor.

She took a deep breath " So this corner is where Ken had Erin and me working when we were younger. The cause of death? It goes along with his M.O." She turned and looked at the picture tacked to the board. "Was she found with any markings on her? "

Hank looked around the room. "Well? Anyone?"

Jay held up a folder "She had a strange mark on her cheek, the ME didn't know what it could be. How did you guess? " He handed Hank the folder, who in turn handed it to Kat.

She took a look at the photo and knew. "That's an imprint of his ring he wore. Square, looked like a class ring but with no stone in the middle. There were initials of some kind, I can't remember the letters…" she trailed off, holding her hand to her cheek , remembering like it was yesterday.

Antonio wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. This poor woman had suffered so much throughout her life, and all he wanted to do was take the pain away. He had to stop himself, remembering they weren't alone. He watched her eyes darken while she thought about those years .

"Check my old medical records from Lakeshore, it'll have a picture of the same imprint." She glanced at Hank "From the night we met."

He nodded and had Kim call them to request the records, and the rest of the team pulled surveillance and Pod footage from the area surrounding the corner. Kat slipped off into the break room, needing a moment to herself. She wasn't alone for long, Hank followed her.

"Katie…" he started but she cut him off.

"I'm okay." She looked down at her hands, and he knew she was lying .

"Go home" he began and she cut him off again.

"No way. I'm not leaving. " She shook her head . "Not when he's out there and did this to another kid. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything else happened."

He reached out and wiped the single tear that had rolled down her cheek. "No one would think less of you if you left. This isn't your job baby girl, it's ours ." He grabbed her hand and squeezed. "You need to take care of yourself. "

She gave him a semi smile "I'll do that when he's caught."

Adam poked his head in at that moment "We've got something."