Riley woke up early in the morning and walked into the kitchen of the Firehouse to get some breakfast. When she entered the room she was greeted by applause. She spooked a bit and jumped back.
"Hey! Sorry kid, we didn't mean to scare ya... we're just happy to see ya is all." Herman said with a smile.
"You are? Why?" Riley said. Stepping back into the kitchen. It was her first day back at the Firehouse since Erin dropped her off last night.
"Well yeah, I mean when Erin came to take you back to the hospital we thought that was it you know? That you'd be gone after that." Mills said.
"Yeah you're like part of the gang now." Severide said.
Riley smiled.
"That, and you make Mills's job easier with all your help'n out around here." Cruz teased.
"Hey!" Mills said tossing a piece of cereal at him.
Cruz teasingly threw another piece back.
"Alright, alright you knuckleheads. Hey Riley come on.. sit down." Herman said. There was an empty seat at the table amongst a large group of male firefighters.
Riley stared at it and hesitated. She wanted to sit with them. She knew they wouldn't hurt her... but every instinct in her body was screaming no. She just couldn't do it.
"Hey you know what, that's ok Riley." Severide said.
Riley nodded. Her eyes down. She got her breakfast, and went back to the bunk room.
Riley sat on her bunk and picking her guitar when Shay walked in.
"Hey" Shay said.
"Hey" Riley said.
"You wanna go somewhere?" Shay asked.
"Like where?" Riley answered, stopping her picking of the guitar.
"Likeee come with me and I'll show you." Shay said with a wink.
Riley sat quietly for a moment before answering. "Ok."
"Cool" Shay said with a playful smile. Riley smiled back and went with her.
Shay and Riley took a trip out to a bridge that overlooked the Chicago River.
"This is my favorite spot." Shay said. "I love driving the ambo over this bridge."
Riley and Shay hung out and talked. They enjoyed each other's company. As they were talking a bug was flying alongside Riley's face near her cheek. Shay reached up and batted at it with her hand. However when she did so Riley flinched and threw her hands up to block her face.
"Whoa! Riley, hey its ok." Shay soothed. "Its ok.. there was a bug... I'm sorry."
"No, it's ok, I'm fine." Riley said.
Shay could clearly see the girl was upset though. Shay put a hand gently on Riley's shoulder. Riley avoided eye contact.
"Hey.. I would never ever hit you." Shay said seriously.
Riley looked at her and nodded. "I know."
"And neither would any of the guys at the Fire Station. I don't know what you've been through Riley but.. no one's gonna hurt you here." Shay said.
"I know... It's just... hard Shay." Riley confessed.
"Yeah I know. You got a lot of people looking out for you ya know? And I know us guys at the FireHouse are particularly fond of ya." Shay said.
Riley nodded. "I like it here... I like you too Shay."
Shay smiled, slung her arm over the kid's shoulders, and together they walked back. "I like you too sweet girl."
"Hey how many songs do you know on that guitar?" Shay asked.
"Haha too many to count.. and I'm a fast learner if you give me the tune. Why?" Riley said.
"I've got an idea." Shay said with a wink.
Erin walked into the FireHouse to talk to Riley and tell her what she and Voight had discussed.
"Hello?" Erin called out. The station was pretty empty.
"Kelly? Riley? Hello?" Erin called out. All the trucks were here so they weren't out on a run. She picked up her phone and was about to call Kelly when she heard someone call her name.
"They're at Molly's" A firefighter told her. "Your girl and Shay had an idea."
"Ok.. Thanks. What idea?" Erin asked.
The man shrugged. "Didn't hear."
Erin nodded and headed over to Molly's. When she entered the bar a smile was brought to her face at the sight before her.
(Singing) Well I got friends in low places where the whisky drowns and beer chases.. (Singing)
Casey and Gabby were standing at the bar with microphones in their hands. Riley stood near them playing guitar. When the song was finished people cheered.
"Alright who's next?! $5 Karaoke right here, show us your stuff!" Shay said into the microphone.
Severide and his squad guys headed up to the bar and put the money on the table. Kelly whispered in Riley's ear and she nodded.
(Singing) You gotta know when to hold um, know when to fold um, know when to walk away, know when to run. You never count your money, while you're sitting at the table, they'll be plenty time for count'n.. when the dealing's done. (Singing)
Erin had to laugh. And she also had to smile because Riley looked happy and comfortable. There wasn't a large crowd at the bar but it was progress for little Riley. Sometimes looking at Riley was like looking at her own reflection.
"Erin hey!" Kelly said coming towards her after he was finished singing.
"Hey yourself.. that was some performance." Erin said teasingly.
Severide kissed her and handed her a beer. "That girl is one fine musician. Damn."
"Yeah." Erin said leaning into him.
"So you any closer in your investigation?" Kelly asked her.
"Yeah we've been making some real progress." Erin said.
"With the case or with the kid?" Severide asked.
"Both." Erin replied. "She was abused Kelly.."
Severide nodded. "Can't say I'm surprised. Poor kid... do you know by who?"
"Yes but I can't say... made a promise." Erin said.
Severide nodded in understandment. "Hey you wanna get diner this weekend?"
"I'd love too." Erin told him.
"It's a date." Kelly said, kissing her on the cheek before heading back to hang with his guys.
When Riley caught her eye, Erin beckoned her over to her. Riley nodded, handed her guitar to Shay for safe keeping and headed over to Erin. Riley and Erin walked outside and got into Erin's car.
"So I talked to my boss like I said I would." Erin started off.
"Ok." Riley said as she licked her lips nervously.
Erin told Riley everything Voight had said and what he had proposed.
"So.. If you can get leads to catch the bad guys from what I saw then.. you wouldn't have to mention me in any report?" Riley said, making sure she understood Erin right.
"Yep." Erin said.
"What if you can't?" Riley asked a little worriedly.
"Voight said we'll cross that bridge if we come to it." Erin said.
Riley still looked worried and unsure.
"Trust me Riley." Erin said, almost pleaded.
"I do." Riley said. Her voice was soft but she was looking Erin in the eye.
Erin smiled.
Erin and Riley walked into the Police Station the next morning and marched straight into Voights office. Riley confessed that she was there. She had been sleeping in the upstairs part of the abounded warehouse for a few weeks. It was insulated up there and during the cold night she had slept there to keep warm. She was woken one night to shouting and a man being dragged into the place down stairs. There was a hole in one of the floorboards so she saw what was happening below. She saw them shoot the undercover cop. Riley had snuck out quietly and climbed down the fire escape ladder, ran across the street to the pay phone and made the call. Riley described the guys, the guns, and everything else as best she could.
"That's all I know..." Riley finished quietly.
"That's really great intel Riley, thank you. We're gonna get some very bad men off the streets thanks to you." Voight told the young girl.
Riley smiled. "Thanks."
"No, thank you." Voight said. "Hey, Erin and I are going out to diner tomorrow night. It's kind of a family thing but I think we can make room for one more.. Why don't you join us?"
Riley looked at Erin who was smiling approvingly.
"You sure?" Riley asked.
"I insist." Voight said.
Riley's face softened a bit and she cracked a slight smile. "Ok."
"Do you might if we make a little detour before I drop you off at Firehouse 51?" Erin asked, as she and Riley drove in the car.
"No." Riley answered.
"Good cause there's some place I wanna take you." Erin said.
A few minutes later they pulled up in front of a gym where Kelly Severide was outside waiting for them.
Riley gave Erin a look as she undid her seat belt.
"Kelly and I wanna teach you a little will be good for ya... every girl should know something about self-defense. And it might boost your confidence a little. " Erin told her.
"Does he know?" Riley said. A quick flash of panic in her rain grey eyes.
Erin shook her head. "All he know is that somewhere at some point in your life you were abuse. He doesn't know by who or how recently or how old you are... only you, I, and Voight know the truth and that's how its gonna stay."
Riley smiled and leaning forward and gave Erin a quick hug before leaning back and smiling again. "Well.. what are we waiting for? Let's go!" And they got out of the car.
Hope you enjoyed the latest update! Stay tuned for more! R&R :) Added some new pics of Riley to my website. Peace.