We sat silently in the car on the twenty minute ride to my apartment. I could feel the annoyance radiating from Jay, also noticing the all-telling tick in his cheek that was a clear sign of his mood, so I didn't attempt to talk to him. I was exhausted, in pain and angry so we when pulled up to my apartment, knowing my Uncle would never refuse anything I asked of him, I said "Uncle Paddy, thank you for the ride. I love you but I'm tired and still need to give a statement to the police so I'm not inviting you in. I'm going to suggest that you come see me tomorrow morning at 10:00am, before heading to the airport. Tell Finn, Shamus and Liam that I said hello. I'm sure you're on your way to visit with them now. Thank you again Uncle Paddy. I love you." I then turned to Jay, who was looking at me in wonder and amazement, and I asked him to get the wheelchair out of the back of the SUV and then help me out of the vehicle. As Jay did, my Uncle Paddy laughed and said, "He doesn't know what to think of our relationship. He's surprised you have me wrapped around your finger." After Jay lifted me out of the SUV and carefully set me in the wheelchair, he was pushing me towards the entrance of my building as Uncle Paddy yelled "Feel better little one. I'll see you tomorrow. Watch over her Detective."
"Well that was interesting." Jay said, helping me get settled on my couch. Before he could say another word there was a knock on my door. Grabbing his gun, he cautiously walked down the hall towards my front door. "Sarge. Come on in." he said. I heard multiple voices, two of which I didn't recognize, as the group followed Jay into my living room. The entire intelligence unit followed Hank into the living room and before I knew it the six burgundy button tufted wingback chairs from my dining room table were moved into my living room. Within minutes everyone was seated on either a dining room chair, one of my living rooms chairs, or down the other end of my large slate gray sectional. Jay went into the kitchen and got me a bottle of water out of the fridge and grabbed the box of tissues from the half-bath off the kitchen. I looked at him in confusion, not fully understanding what was going on. Jay sat down next to me, introducing me to Detectives Keith O'Brien and Kenny Rixton, both with the Gang Unit. Jay said Rixton had filled in for Antonio for a short time when Antonio was working with the State Attorney's Office. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Brennan. I'm sorry for what you've been through. Detective O'Brien and I are going to be teaming up with Intelligence to hopefully assist in putting the Cartel case to bed for good." Rixton said to me. Before I could respond, Hank got up from the chair he had been sitting in and crouched down in front of me. "Christine, we need to take your statement if you're ready to give it. Before we start, I want to say what you did took a lot of brains and courage. I'm proud of you and very thankful you're safe." he said pausing as Jay handed me the box of tissues. Now I understood, I thought to myself as I felt tears running down my face. "I thought it might be easier to give your statement once and not have to repeat anything. Do you feel up to doing this now?" Hank asked. I knew he was giving me this opportunity to do it in front of everyone so I didn't have to tell Jay in private, but I wasn't entirely happy about having to do this at all. "It doesn't look like I have much of a choice, do I? I mean you're all here." I said with annoyance in my tone. Before another word could be said there was a knock on the door. Everyone sprang into action with Jay positioning himself in front of me. Hank and Antonio went to answer the door, finding my Dad on the other side of it.
As Hank explained they were about to take my statement, my Dad asked whether he should stay or go. I insisted he stay and then I gave a very detailed statement about the events that took place from when Connor was knocked unconscious until Kelly brought me to Med. I noticed the tears in my Dad's eyes, the anger on Jay's face and the look of disgust on the other's faces as I described the beating and attempted rape. No one said a word until I mentioned the picture of Jay and Mariana. "That's where they took you? To the apartment I lived in when I was undercover?" Jay asked in disbelief. "Yes. But you know what saved me? You did, Jay...well actually your "go" bag saved me. I found it hidden in the box spring. I don't know where the bag is now. I haven't seen it since Kelly brought me to Med. But for future reference, you really need to remember to keep a phone charger in your bag." I said, trying to lighten the mood a little before continuing. When I finished no one said a word for a few minutes as they tried to process what I had been through. "Sarge, I need a minute with Christine. Would you mind excusing us?" Jay said, without waiting for an answer picked me up and carried me into my bedroom, kicking the bedroom door shut behind us. He gently sat me on my bad and sat down next to me. He took my hands in his and said "Do you remember that day we were in your office and I told you that you are amazing? Well I was wrong. Amazing doesn't begin to cover it. You blow me away. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I am so sorry for what you went thru and for not making sure you were protected, but my God Christine, you are the most spectacular woman I have ever met." I looked at him with tears in my eyes, overwhelmed by everything he had told me and by the look in his eyes. It was want and need mixed with anger that had his beautiful green eyes smoldering as he looked at me. "Jay..." I whispered. "I do believe I owe you a New Year's kiss." he said as he gingerly placed his hands on either side of my head and kissed me. The kiss hurt like hell, due to Little Ricky using my face as a punching bag, but I wasn't about to tell him that. Instead, I looked at him, smiled and said "It's about time, Halstead."
When we returned to the living room everyone was still there. "Now what happens? When will I be able to go back to living a normal life?" I asked. Hank told me nothing would change for the time being because there were higher ups in the cartel that were still after Jay and I, so I was back on lockdown. After almost everyone left and there was only Jay, my Dad, Hank and Al remaining Hank addressed one of the elephants in the room, my Uncle Paddy. They knew Paddy was coming to see me the next day and I had basically ordered him to return to Boston after our visit was over. Hank and Al wanted to use this opportunity to address anything Paddy may have discovered about the Cartel. I said that was fine but I didn't want anything to do with it. I didn't even want to be there for that part of the conversation. I would go up to Connor's when they talked. "I know you all have your doubts and I don't blame you. I'm not going into my family drama and history now, but I want you to know that I don't have anything to do with my Uncle Paddy's business. For years my Dad has made sure I have been kept at an arm's length away and for the most part Paddy has respected his wishes. Especially after I was kidnapped when I was in high school. Neither one of my parents spoke to Paddy for over a year after that. I don't think you realize what it took for my Dad to call Paddy the other night. So, I'm going to tell you right now, I don't want my Father involved in this either." I said to Hank, Al and Jay. Jay opened his mouth probably to ask about the previous kidnapping but before he could say a word I turned to my Dad and told him I understood why he called Paddy after Jay had contacted him but it was time for him to go home to Boston. I assured him I was safe, healing and planning on returning to work in a few days so there was no need for him to stay. Truth be told I would have loved for my Dad to stay but I wanted him as far away as possible from whatever shitstorm my Uncle had stirred up.
I pulled out my laptop and booked my Dad on a 4:00pm flight out of O'Hare. Jay volunteered to drive my Dad to the airport. That made me feel good for two reasons. The first reason was Jay obviously wasn't holding any grudges against my Dad for what happened at the hospital and the second was Jay would be able to escort my Dad to the gate with his Chicago PD shield and credentials. I looked at Jay, thanked him but reminded him his truck wasn't at my apartment. He smiled at me and said "No big deal. I'll just take your SUV." "Jay, no one drives my car other than me. I'm sure Ruzek told you about our conversation. Can't you get someone to bring your truck over here?" I asked. I don't know how he did it but he managed to convince me, with my Dad egging him on, to let him drive my car. Well someone should drive it I guess since I wouldn't be for the next two weeks. Al then informed my Dad the two Detectives who had been watching him would be waiting for him at the gate at Boston's Logan Airport. They then addressed my security situation for the next week or so. I would have one uniformed officer at my door 24 hours a day, with Roman taking the overnight shift. Each morning at 7:00am Ruzek would show up for the daytime shift. He would then be replaced by Burgess at 1:00pm who would cover until 7:00pm when Antonio or Atwater showed up and would remain until Roman showed up at midnight. "What about Jay?" I asked Hank. "That's up to the two of you to figure out. If Halstead wants to be here each night that's between the two of you on a personal level. You'll have Roman outside your door and I can assure you he won't let anyone get past him. He's really upset about what happened on New Year's Eve." Hank replied. They had ignored my comment about going back to work in a few days and I think they were assuming it would be less of an issue to watch over me if I wasn't leaving my apartment. Boy were they wrong...I was going to be back to work in three days. I needed to be if I wanted to keep my job. Adding to my stress was the concern that what happened on New Year's Eve would be the perfect opportunity for the Board of Director's to get rid of me. There was so much to figure out about where we went from here and how I was going to get my life back to normal.
Jay and my Dad left a short time later and Kim returned to my apartment so Hank and Al could head down to the District. Brianna and Little Ricky had been released from the hospital and they needed to interrogate them. Jay was going to the District after my Dad's flight took off and told me he would return, with dinner, by 7:00pm. It was nice to hang out with Kim and get a little girl time. She brought sandwiches and chili from Bockwinkel's, which is a wonderful gourmet Deli & Market, about fifteen minutes from my apartment. We had a really good lunch and then I decided to take a nap. I was exhausted from the stress of everything that had taken place and my pain medication tended to make me sleepy. When I woke up, it was dark out. Looking at my watch I saw that it was almost 7:00pm. I could hear voices coming from the kitchen so I quietly sat up trying to hear what was being said. "Jay, think about what you're saying. Let's get something straight right now, she isn't Erin and she definitely isn't Mariana. The two of you didn't have a chance to get to know each other well enough for her to tell you about her family. Most people don't announce on a first date that they have a notorious crime boss in their family. She is good for you. Even with all the shit that has been going on, we've all seen flashes of the old Jay. The Jay who used to be happy. We've missed that Jay. Just don't do anything stupid or rash without thinking it through first." Kim said. "You're right. I know deep down that you're right, but seriously Kim you should see the control she has over her Uncle. It's like she's the one who is calling the shots and he is just the face of the organization. Does that make any sense?" Jay replied. Kim laughed, telling him that he was obviously sleep deprived and needed some rest. Kim said she was leaving since Jay was already there. I then heard him say that it was decided that afternoon if he was at my apartment then they didn't need to have another security detail there until Roman came on at midnight. "Bye Kim. Sorry I fell asleep on you all afternoon. Lunch is on me tomorrow." I called out from my spot on the couch.
After Kim left and Jay locked the door he walked back into the living room. "How do you feel? Kim said you slept for a few hours." he said warily, obviously concerned about what I may or may not have overheard. I looked at him as he sat down in the chair across from where I was on the couch and said, "Jay, we need to talk. I am sorry I didn't tell you about my Uncle, but what Kim said was right. Friday night was basically our first date and that's not something you spring on someone during a first date. I would have told you eventually, as we got to know each other better, but it's not something I advertise. It's actually one of the reasons I moved to Chicago. I needed to get out of Boston and away from my Uncle. As much as I love him and I know he loves me, I'm not the person who is going to take over the family business when he retires. That's not a business I'm interested in being involved in. I know you've made a decision as to what you want to do and where you want to go from here, so the ball's in your court Jay. Where do we go from here?"
A/N - Stay tuned for the next chapter. A lot changes after Jay answers Christine's question. She is going to do something completely out of character and she actually gets the support and help from the one person she didn't expect to help her.