"They threatened me, that's why she won't talk to the police," Stella explained to her friends.
"What?" Gabby breathed, Kelly froze at the fridge from where he was retrieving a beer, every time Stella said those words, it made his blood run cold. He had half a mind to get in his car, drive to Milwaukee, and beat the living shit out of this Marco character and his crew until he was sure that he would never lay a finger on either Stella or Maya again, but he knew that's not what either of them wanted.
"Isn't that all the more reason to talk to the police?" Matt asked.
"Well," Stella tilted her head, "She doesn't see it like that, and I can't say I blame her, where we come from, it's rough, but, I thought Marco was taking care of her. I thought she was better off there than with me."
"She's here now," Matt offered.
"Thank God." Gabby breathed.
Stella nodded and took a swig of her beer, "Yeah."
Gabby and Matt had headed home, Kelly hovered at the door, "Are you sure you won't come back and stay with me?" he asked for what felt like the tenth time. "You can stay in my room, Maya can stay in your old room, there's more space, not so many boxes." he glanced around playfully but there was no mistaking that his offer was serious.
"I appreciate it Kelly, I do, but we're just gettin' settled. She's scared, and I don't wanna make that worse."
"I can keep you both safe." Kelly protested as he had the times before.
"Hermann is literally 10 feet away." Stella told him giving his arm a comforting rub.
"Yeah, I know," Kelly looked away, "but I don't like being across town. What if something happens."
"Nothing is going to happen Kelly." Stella wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and ran her fingers through his hair, "It's okay, okay?"
It wasn't okay, and both of them knew it, but she was a stronger person than he was, Kelly thought to himself, "Can I just stay here and leave in the morning?"
Stella sighed and looked into his blue eyes, a playful smile danced briefly on her lips, "Well if it means that much to you," she quirked an eyebrow.
"It does," he replied seriously.
Stella had been sleeping soundly when he woke. Like he had the times before he quietly slipped into the washroom to clean up before he left before Maya woke up. Absentmindedly he washed up, splashing water on his face, trying to come up with a solution to all this, but like he had every other time he had run through it in his head, he ended up with no easy options. There just wasn't a quick fix to the situation they had found themselves in. As Kelly opened the washroom door to leave he bumped directly into Maya who let out a little squeak.
"I'm sorry," Kelly breathed holding up his hands, "Are you okay?"
For a moment Maya looked alarmed, but she quickly relaxed, she nodded and offered a half smile, "It's okay."
"Ugh, I'm Kelly, we met briefly at the firehouse." he offered, silently cursing himself for the way this was going down.
"Right, yeah, Stella's mentioned you," Maya said awkwardly as she wrapped her arms around her over sized t shirt that was no undoubtedly Stella's. Her pj bottoms had sheep on them and in that moment, she looked so much younger than she was that Kelly couldn't help but wonder how anyone could have hurt someone so innocent.
"Uh, right well, I'll get out of your way," Kelly said after a moment, shaking himself out of his thoughts and stepping aside so she could use the bathroom. As he entered the living room he found Stella waiting for him in the living room, "Stella, I-"
"You should go Kelly," Stella cut him off.
"I'm sorry, I thought-"
Stella sighed, "It's not your fault, it's just, this is what I was worried about, ya know? I can't just think about me anymore."
"Right," Kelly replied, unable to help feeling unwanted as he collected his things. After all, it had been an accident, and he had gotten up especially early to slip out unnoticed.
"Kelly," Stella started, sensing his feelings were hurt.
"It's okay," Kelly told her gently, "I get it. If it were me, I'd be doing the exact same thing. I did the same thing." Stella nodded but wondered exactly what it was he meant as she walked him to the door. "Call you later?"
"Yeah," Stella planted a quick kiss on his lips, feeling like they were off.
"Okay," Kelly lingered a moment before he opened the door to leave and there in front of him stood FBI agent Erin Lindsay, preparing to knock, "Erin?" Kelly asked as he smiled and moved to hug her.
"Kelly?" Erin smiled, "Good to see you" she looked between the couple, quickly putting together the pieces, "wish it was under better circumstances."
Stella raised her eyebrows at them as the interaction continued. Kelly nodded, a little more somberly, "I thought you were in New York?"
"I am." Erin replied, "Hank called me back for a case."
"But why are you here" Stella interjected looking between Erin and Kelly for some kind of answers.
Erin gave her a sympathetic look, "Can I come in to talk?" Stella pursed her lips but pushed the door open further. "Thanks." she turned to Kelly, "You heading out?"
Kelly opened his mouth to answer but Stella beat him to it, "He was just leaving."
Kelly frowned but nodded, "Nice seeing you Erin."
Erin nodded and Kelly left reluctantly after several hard glances from Stella, who then turned her attention to Erin. "Look, we talked to Kim and Jay yesterday," Stella explained, "Maya's scared, the people who did this threatened her and me, she's just not ready to talk to the police."
"I get it," Erin replied as Stella offered her a seat, "but I was wondering if I might be able to ask her a few questions?"
Stella shrugged, "You can try." She hadn't known Erin except for her reputation and she wasn't entirely sure what to expect. The woman had been a hell of a detective, one of the best, and been recruited last year from Chicago Intelligence to the FBI.
"Thanks," Stella felt a hand on her knee and looked to meet Erin's eyes, "I know this can't be easy."
"It's...been a rough few days," Stella admitted to the other woman.
"If you need anything, please let me know," Erin's concern was genuine and for a moment, Stella thought that the events of the last few days might overwhelm her, but she pushed those emotions back down and offered a smile instead.
"Thanks, I'll grab Maya." Stella stood and returned a moment later with a teenager that looked like a younger version of herself, except her hair was a little lighter, and a little less curly.
"Hi Maya," Erin greeted with a warm smile, "My name is Agent Lindsay, I need to ask you a few questions."
"Am I in trouble?" Maya asked looking nervously up at Stella.
"Not at all," Erin told her, giving Stella a quick look to indicate they should sit.
"It's okay," Stella gave Maya's arm a rub as she guided her towards the couch to sit across from Erin.
"You were living in Milwaukee with your uncle Marco is that correct?" Erin asked pulling out a pad of paper.
"Y-Yes." Maya answered.
"Can you tell me when that was?"
"Up until last week." Maya replied hesitantly.
"And did you ever, see anything funny going on there?" Erin asked.
"Funny?" Maya asked getting more nervous.
"Anything illegal," Erin corrected her words, "Drugs, Prostitutes, People getting hurt."
Maya nodded.
"What's this about?" Stella asked as she watched Erin jot down notes.
"There's been a spike in drug related deaths and gang violence in the area near your old residence," Erin explained to Maya, "This is now a federal investigation."