HEY GUYS I'M SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE BUT I HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH OTHER THINGS AND TRUST ME I WISH I HAD BEEN ABLE TO UPDATE SOONER CAUSE I AM REALLY ENJOYING WHERE I SEE THIS STORY GOING. ANYWAY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER.

I looked around some more before I saw the garbage can and heard a slight movement, fearing that some sort of rat or spider might be waiting for me I lifted the lid, Henry behind me with his gloves still on. I couldn't see any movement and was about to close the lid again when Henry whispered

"Jo wait" he put his arm out and pulled back a couple of newspapers and a torn jacket and we both gasped upon seeing what was inside.

There sitting in the corner of the trash can was a little girl, she looked to be about four or five years old, and despite being covered in rubbish and the smell of rotting food, beneath all that she was a beautiful little girl. Henry made to pick her up but she moved back, further into the corner. He looked at me a little shocked, I smiled sadly before turning my attention to the young girl

"Hey sweetie, can you tell me your name?" I asked and she just looked at me, big brown eyes staring up at me, I could see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes and knew that she was going through a lot at the moment. Reaching out my arms for her she looked at me for a couple of seconds, seeing the smile on my face, she seemed to note that I was a good person cause she let me pick her up. I cradled her close and she snaked her arms around my neck and buried her head into my shoulder. I frowned before looking at Henry who smiled at me. I looked to Hanson who was already on the phone to lieutenant Reece. Waiting for the verdict of what we were to do with her Henry and I made our way closer to Hanson as Lucas and another technician prepared the body for transportation.

"I had one of the unis track the records of the deceased, apparently her daughter's name is Sophia, and he also found out that our vic has an estranged husband, who get this was abusing both mother and child. I will find out more when we get back to the precinct but for now Reece wants you to meet her back at the station with the little girl" he said and I nodded, not liking the sound of that idea too much, especially since the girl not only looked exhausted but she didn't exactly smell pleasant either. Exiting the crime scene and heading to my car, I looked down at the young girl. She was fast asleep in my arms and since I didn't have a car seat for her I would need to sit with the girl. Looking at Henry I asked

"Can you get the keys out of my jacket pocket?" motioning as best I could with the little girl in my arms. He looked at me strangely before realising that I couldn't do it myself and reached into my pocket grabbing the keys, when I motioned for him to head to the driver's seat he asked

"Are you sure?" I thought, remembering what he had said to me a couple of weeks ago. He hadn't driven anywhere in the last ten years but for some reason managed to keep an up to date license.

"Yeah I can't legally without a safety seat she isn't even allowed in my vehicle but given the circumstances I don't really have a choice" I told him and he nodded

"Alright" he said making his way around the car and to the driver's seat, as I did my best not to disturb the young girl in my arms.

Arriving at the precinct with the little girl in my arms and Henry sticking close by myside, all eyes were on us as we made our way up to the homicide department and into Lieutenant Reece's office. Not wanting the girl to get too upset if she woke without me there I decided that she was coming into the meeting as well. Though I was surprised to see that the child protective services were already there waiting for us.

"Detective Martinez, Dr Morgan this is Claire Walker she is the agent assigned to this case. She has told me of the unfortunate circumstances that have occurred and I am trying to find an adequate arrangement that will be suitable for the young girl where we can have a protective detail on her at all times" the social worker informed them. Jo who looked down at the little girl, wanted to see this through for her, she hadn't made the girl a promise but on the way over here she had made herself one, one that meant that she wouldn't give up this little girl until she was safe, and while her mothers murderer was out there she wasn't safe. But she also felt a strong connection and bond between herself and the young girl.

"Actually Ms Walker I would feel more comfortable if until we have closed this case and maybe even until the trial date is set that Sophia stay in police custody, as of right now I believe she may be the only one who can prove who the killer is" I said and the social worker looked at me raising her eyebrow

"I'm sorry detective but I can't just authorise for you to take on a ward of the state. There are papers that need to be filled in and a process to follow" she said and I nodded

"I'm well aware of the process Ms Walker my deceased husband was a lawyer, I know the laws of the state and I know that there are processes to follow, but as I said I would feel more comfortable if she remained in the custody of the police. I even volunteer myself for the role of caregiver" I said and the three other adults in the room looked at me a little taken aback before Lieutenant Reece said

"Are you sure Jo? I know you have experience with children but if I might say so it's not a lot" I nodded

"I'm sure Lieutenant"

"Alright if you're sure. Ms Walker, I believe that you will not find a better person than Jo Martinez and her partner Henry Morgan, I believe the two of them will care for and look after the little girl" I looked to Henry shocked that she had caught on, we'd been so good at hiding it, making sure that we hadn't slipped up that it kind of surprised me that she knew. She was afraid now of what that would mean for the two of them. Would it mean they wouldn't be able to work together anymore? Reece didn't have any control over the Medical Office but she did allow the two of them to work together. I heard the social worker sigh

"Alright, I'll have to talk it over with my boss but I don't see why this can't work out" she said heading out of the office to make the phone call. I watched her go before turning to Lieutenant Reece and staring at her

"How long have you known ma'am?" I asked and she frowned

"Oh cut it out Jo. I've known for a very long time that the two of you had feelings for each other but it doesn't take a scientist to see that your relationship had changed. I didn't say anything because you work well together and because of your partnership the closure rate in this precinct is one of the highest in the state, but also because I have very little say in what happens in the Chief Medical Examiner's office. Now I don't mind the two of you continuing your partnership but I do believe that for today you need to take Miss Wheeler and get her some new clothes and give the poor girl a bath. You can do the interview with her tomorrow. By then I will have been able to arrange for someone from child protective services to attend the interview. Have a good day Detective, Doctor" she said and I nodded in response, Henry had to drag me out of the Lieutenants office. That had not gone the way I had expected it to.

Henry and I were on our way back to my house when he took the exit just before mine, I looked at him quizzically through the rear view mirror and his eyes flicked to Sophia and I knew that he was right. When he parked the car, he told me to stay put knowing that the young girl was still fast asleep on my lap and wouldn't be waking any time soon, so checking the tags on Sophia's clothes, making sure not to jolt her as I did so I told him the size and he exited the car making his way into the store. Being alone with Sophia I finally had the chance to observe the young girl. She was truly a beautiful young girl beneath the dirt and grime. I started thinking about all the things that Henry and I could do with her as a little family unit. Suddenly I felt my nose start to twitch, trying everything I could to stop the feeling before I woke Sophia up but failing as I sneezed into my free arm, looking down at the young girl who had woken, and was now sitting bolt upright, eyes searching blearily for the cause to her being jolted awake. I looked at her sheepishly before apologising to her. She started to relax before she realised that she was in an unfamiliar environment and she looked up at me eyes wide, I could see how scared the poor girl looked and I smiled at her.

"Hi Sophia, do you remember me?" I asked and she nodded, whispering my name almost silently. I smiled and nodded

"Yeah sweetie, can you tell me how old you are?"

"Five and a half. I'll be six in August" she said and I smiled, having something to talk about

"Oh being six is a fun age to be, when I was six I got a pink bike with a basket and pink streamers on it" I said trying to build a rapport with the girl and she smiled, before her face fell and she said

"I don't get presents, mum said that this year I would though" she explained, I frowned a little but quickly schooled my features before she whispered "but I guess I won't now. Mummy's gone". I used that opportunity to learn more about what had happened from the girl's perspective.

"Sophia, was the women in the alley your mamma?" I asked and she nodded

"She put me in the bin, and told me that no matter what I had to be quiet. So I stayed in there even when I could hear her yelling and screaming, she was just trying to protect me" Sophia said, her bottom lip wobbling but no tears came. I scooted closer, placing an hand on her back, she didn't flinch away so I took it as a good sign, with my free hand I grabbed one of her tiny fists and wrapped my hand around it

"I know it must have been very scary, but I know your mamma is so very proud that you were brave enough to stay there and be quiet. Sweetie you're safe now and I think it would make her very happy". The only response I got from her was a slight head nod and a choked back sob. The poor girl had been through so much in such a short time, been through things that most people never experienced in their lives, and yet here she was sitting here with a brave face and apart from a choked sob she hadn't shown signs of losing it. Though from experience I knew that that part of the grieving process was still to come.

I was about to say something more when the door opened to reveal Henry was back with the bag of clothes, and I felt Sophia tense next to me. Henry looked in the rear view mirror and his eyes widened a little but he didn't say a word, in case he freaked her out. It didn't take long for Sophia to fall asleep again though and this time as she did, I wrapped both arms around her and held her close, her little hands were holding tightly to my jacket and I thought that her actions kind of reminded me of her using me as her life line, like I was the only one who could save her. And at that moment I made a promise to myself that I would do anything in my power to make sure that this little girl would be safe no matter what the outcome would be.