A/N – Firstly a belated Christmas and a New Year to all throughout the world wherever you may be. So part one of this chapter is set the day before Christmas Eve, Christmas day, Boxing day and three days after, I must point out that in the story this one came from, Cassie Mitchell on Chicago fire fanfiction page, that Cassie is part of a band, in this story she's part of a professional theatre company, but all will be revealed, the intelligence unit in part of this might be a bit OC, but once into the chapter you will realise what I mean. Sorry for the long authors note at the beginning of the chapter anyway on with the show, ha did you see what I did there? Ok moving on.
All through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, yeah ok if the intelligence unit would ever believe that, they were in the wrong job. So, this found Jay and Cassie returning from a call out involving a domestic that resulted in the women punching Jay in the jaw, which then meant Cassie was left to take out the man and women as Jay was shook up and still dazed at that point. It also meant that Cassie was driving Jay's truck back to the district, which nobody was normally allowed to do but the circumstances allowed it.
Jay smiled as Cassie seemed to be enjoying driving the truck and even Jay's discomfort, sighing he patted Cassie's arm "We don't have to tell the rest that I got punched by a women, do we?"
"No, it won't come from me, but Jay they are going to see the mark on your face, they aren't stupid you know" Cassie giggled "Well Ruzek maybe, but you get the point"
Jay laughs and then groans "You got any painkillers Cassie?"
"Not on me I have them i…"
Cassie slows the truck down to an almost stop as she sees a place selling real Christmas trees, thinks about it for a few minutes and then shakes her head and drives away and back to the district, Jay notices and decides he'd return later and purchase Cassie and Darcy their first tree for Chicago, on arrival at the district, Trudy spots the duo and gives Jay a look.
"Mitchell been beating you up again Chuckles?"
"No, well maybe, Jesus I don't know"
Cassie just shrugs her shoulders and walks away, leaving Jay and Trudy watching her. Trudy pulls Jay to one side "Have you noticed the serious lack of enthusiasm about Christmas from her?"
Jay nods "Yeah, we were coming back from our call, and we passed the Christmas tree site on Denver and I really thought she was going to pull in, then she shook her head and drove here"
"She drove your truck?" Trudy looks as Jay nods again "Her house has no decorations up and Darcy has just a few presents, clothes mostly and a selection box"
"That's not good, can you distract Cassie for a few hours whilst I get this sorted?"
Trudy nods smiles and hands her key to Jay "I was thinking of taking Darcy to see Santa, we could do it together me and Cassie?"
Jay's smile widens "That's perfect little D should be waking up from her nap anytime now"
"Give me ten minutes whilst I get Dufus to cover me"
"You mean Dreyfuss?"
"No, I meant what I said, I'll text Voight now so he can get Darcy ready"
Trudy and Jay walked away from each other, Jay up to the unit, Trudy to the desk, when Jay got to his desk, he found two painkillers and a bottle of water, looking at Cassie and nodding gratefully he took a seat and waited. Fifteen minutes later found Trudy strapping Darcy into her buggy and handing a protesting Cassie her coat.
"I'm not going I've got paperwork to do"
"Covered" Jay shouted making Cassie jump "Go take your daughter to see Santa Cassie, we've got it covered"
Cassie looks around the unit at everyone waving bye, taking the hint, Cassie handed Jay her gun and badge and helped Trudy carry Darcy's buggy down the stairs everyone in the twenty-first district was so used to seeing Darcy, that it took Trudy and Cassie an extra fifteen minutes to get outside, little did Cassie know that Trudy had mentioned to the district gossip about the lack of enthusiasm and presents for Darcy, so that meant all the district had gone out or even ordered presents for Cassie and Darcy on express delivery, the challenge was to keep Cassie out of the patrol car garage, that challenge was gladly accepted by Officer Francs.
Meanwhile in the unit Jay was addressing the remaining unit members, who didn't realise how uninterested Cassie was in Christmas.
"As you're well aware now Cassie hasn't really bothered about Christmas this year, got a few presents for little D but guys we can do better than this, they are our family lets show them that we mean it"
Kevin nodded "I'm on the Christmas dinner, anybody not like anything?"
A chorus of Brussel sprouts rang around the unit and Kevin set off on his task, Hailey and Kim were on present detail for Cassie, Hank was on present duty for Darcy, which left Ruzek, Antonio and Jay on Christmas tree and decoration detail.
An hour later found Antonio, Ruzek and Jay at Cassie's house, Jay currently on top of the roof making sure the vast amount of Christmas lights were ready for project spirit, Antonio was currently negotiating the Christmas tree off the flatbed truck and into the big front garden, Adam was carrying back and forth the Christmas presents for Darcy and Cassie from Jay's truck and Antonio's car, Kevin arrived carrying enough food to feed an army, storing it away and joining the rest outside.
"Wow how big is that tree Halstead?"
"Big enough"
Kevin looks up at Jay leaning over the ladder he was on fiddling with the lights "Hey bro be careful, you don't want to fall"
"I think he needs to be more concerned about Cassie not killing him"
"OH SHIT!"
Adam, Antonio and Kevin looked up and found Jay dangling from the roof a string of Christmas lights stopping him from hitting the floor, Antonio took out his phone and took a photo, before then calling it in, five minutes later found Squad six in attendance and sworn to secrecy, Squad six helped Jay back onto solid ground and finished making sure the lights were secure and not a fire risk and then left.
Heading back to the district they walk into the bullpen to find Darcy coasting around her mom's desk, the men seeing Darcy stood up all cheered and teared up, Cassie, Trudy, Hailey, Kim and Voight looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Voight disappeared into his office before quickly returning and handed out tickets to the annual Christmas get together, Cassie took one look at her ticket and handed it back to Voight.
"Sorry I can't come tonight, I have other plans"
"Mitchell it's a tradition of the unit and your part of this unit are you not?"
"I know I'm part of the unit, you empathise that daily, but I'm telling you I can't come" Cassie sighs "I would say I'm sorry but I'm not"
Trudy could tell that Voight and Cassie were heading towards a big clash and it would get messy, Trudy had already had to separate them from a hard battle, a battle that had Cassie draw blood and left Voight with a bruise on his face and ego. The fun fact was, nobody but Trudy knew that Cassie had put Voight in his place, apart from herself nobody in the unit had ever dared stand up to Voight, nobody but Cassie that is.
"Voight office, Cassie desk, now!"
Cassie and Voight looked at Trudy and then back at each other before going to their designated area, everyone in the unit stood staring, that was until Trudy snapped her fingers and they all scattered and sat at their desks, Trudy picked up Darcy and took her down to her desk.
Later that evening found everyone bar Cassie waiting for their show to start, Voight had done something different this year instead of a pantomime, he'd brought everyone a ticket to go see The Lion King on stage, he'd heard Hailey and Kim singing the songs and decided to treat his family to something different.
Voight walked over to the teller selling the merchandise and brought himself a programme and information booklet, he walked back to the rest of the team and smiled as Kim and Hailey had brought a teddy bear each of Simba and a bag of chocolate, once the doors opened Hailey, Kim and Ruzek were like kids at Christmas bouncing down the aisle to their seats, Trudy giggled as Voight shook his head and rolled his eyes, before joining her smiling.
Voight was still a little upset that Cassie wasn't with them as he knew as soon as the green light came for the undercover operation and it was completed Cassie would return to the CFD, god knows why the stories he'd heard, Voight really wanted to march down to CFD headquarters and give everyone a mouthful, but he knew if he did that he'd end up on the wrong end of Cassie's fist and boy did it hurt.
Settling down in his seat he opened the programme and started to scan through it, nothing really caught his eye until he stopped on the cast members name for the character adult Nala, there in bold black writing was clear as day Cassidy Mitchell, Voight uncharacteristically laughed, which caused everyone to look at him.
"Sorry"
"Hank spill it!"
Hank smiled "I now know the reason as to why Cassie isn't with us tonight"
Everyone sat in silence looking down the row of seats and waited for Hank to speak again, but instead of talking he started laughing, passing the programme to Trudy, she looked and smiled, the programme was passed to each of them and everyone beamed with pride, Hank eventually was handed his programme back and watched as everyone else scurried away to buy their own programme, whilst his team were away he settled down in his seat and started to read.
Cassidy Mae Mitchell
Cassidy, who prefers being called Cassie, is a twenty six year old mum to the lovely little Darcy May Mitchell. Cassie has been with the theatre company since she was sixteen years old, a talented actress, singer and musician. Cassie can play guitar, piano and drums.
Originally from New York, Cassie moved to Chicago to pursue her career in the Chicago Fire Department and is a successful Paramedic and Firefighter, just before printing was seconded to the Chicago Police department.
All of us at Daisy Hooten theatre company couldn't be prouder of Cassie seeing as this is her first starring role as Adult Nala, here follows a few comments from Cassie herself.
'Well as you've already read, I've been with Daisy Hooten since I was sixteen, it's not been an easy ride, but I couldn't be more happier with taking on the role of adult Nala, it's such an honour and a privilege and I hope I do you all proud.'
There was one person that was immensely proud and he sat in his chair beaming from one ear to the other, when the rest came back and after reading they too were beaming with pride, the youngest of the team their Cassie was going to be on stage performing in Kim and Hailey's favourite Disney film, the girls were talking loudly and jumping about in their seats, thankfully nobody else was on their row.
"Oh my god our little Cassie is in our favourite show K"
Kim nods "I'm getting her autograph, I'm so excited, are you Hails?"
Hailey squeals and then both Hailey and Kim giggle, soon after their excited giggling and squealing the lights dimmed down and the show started, Jay smiled as Hailey held his hand it seemed to be the only way to keep her still, Kevin held Kim's hand, Trudy and Hank being best friends were sat holding hands and beaming with pride, Adam and Antonio wore similar smiles and sat in awe as the show started with Circle of life, nobody had noticed Cassie yet but she'd seen them, she knew from earlier in the day they'd be here but still she was nervous and wanted to make them proud.
Throughout the show Hailey and Kim clapped enthusiastically, actually all the team did. During the interval Trudy and Hank went to buy everyone ice cream, Jay, Antonio, Kevin, Kim, Hailey and Adam walked to the front of the stage and brought little Darcy a teddy bear each of the characters and returned to their seats.
Meanwhile behind the stage Cassie was getting ready for her first show as Nala, the other cast members noticed her pacing and her friend Oscar, who played adult Simba pulled her to one side.
"Hey Cassie, you've got this"
Cassie smiles at Oscar and nods "I know and thanks, it's just that my work colleagues are sat two rows back and I've noticed they are rather excited, which in truth scares the bejesus out of me"
"You'll be fine, you have more than enough talent to do us all proud, I know I am"
"Aww Oscar thanks"
Oscar bows "You're very welcome, Detective"
Cassie slaps Oscar's arm and giggles, Oscar moves away not before "Break a leg Cassie"
"Thanks, you idiot!"
Cassie and Oscar laugh and get ready for the rest of the show, outside in their row, everyone had an ice cream and another bag of sweets or chocolate each, waiting patiently for the second half of the show to start, Kim and Hailey were now sat beside each other and were getting excited again, was giving two excited adults more sugar wise, who knew but at least they were happy.
When the lights dimmed again everyone on row C seats one to eight waited patiently for Cassie to appear as Nala, once she appeared it was very difficult for any of them to not cheer out loud, instead they sat in shock at the powerful soulful voice that came out of Cassie's mouth, every time Cassie sang they were shocked, soon enough the show came to an end and the whole cast came on stage, this was when Cassie heard the wolf whistles, her name and Hailey and Kim jumping up and down again, her fellow cast mates noticed the excited people of row C and all smiled.
A few hours later Cassie pulled onto her driveway, only just mind you, her teams cars sat there too, not noticing the Christmas tree or the lights, she walked into the house and into the living room to be instantly pulled into a hug by Hailey and Kim.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Cassie just shrugged her shoulders and sat down laying her head on the couch behind her, Hailey and Kim sat beside her, after a few minutes Cassie looked around the room "So what did you really think?"
Jay stood up tripping over the baby walker, the walker went one way, Jay the other head first into the Christmas tree sat in all its glory in the corner of the living room, Adam not noticing shouts out.
"I loved it, I love you, I… you get what I meant"
Cassie looked at Adam and then the rest of the room and eventually at Jay smiling at her "You really are a dopey git Adam, Halstead did you really buy a Christmas tree for my house?"
"Yes, and it's not the only tree you have, I mean urm look out the window"
Cassie stands up and notices the massive Christmas tree in the front garden and then a glint of the Christmas lights surrounding the house, she turned back round and looked directly at Jay "How did I miss that? Jay really you shouldn't have"
"Wasn't just me"
Cassie looks at every member of the unit smiling at her before shaking her head and returning to her seat on the couch Adam smiles and sits back down he was still stood up from his outburst earlier, Trudy and Hank smirking they knew that it was very close to Adam and Cassie finally getting together, honestly they weren't keen but they were adults, it wasn't like they were Adam and Cassie's parents.
Jay disappeared briefly and then returned with Darcy in his arms, he placed her down by his chair and watched with pride as Darcy got up and coasted around him for being only seven months old, she was really strong for her age, smiling up at him with those beautiful blue eyes, he smiled back and stroked her blond hair. As the night wore on Darcy was bathed and put to bed by Trudy, everyone picked a chair and fell asleep, Hank was going to tell them in the morning that they had Christmas Eve and Christmas day off.
Just before Trudy and Hank fell asleep, they walked into the kitchen, Hank looked smug, Trudy looked like a kid at Christmas.
"I've messaged Franklin the intelligence unit have their team member for the talent show"
"Do you think we'd win?"
Hank nods "Definitely our girl has a powerful voice, I'm looking forward to wiping the smug look off Kinicki's face once and for all"
Trudy giggles and then yawns "Oh excuse me, Hank you're a bad man"
"I know got a reputation to withhold, district twenty one won't know what's hit them and for once it won't be my fist"
Trudy smiles and walks into the living room to find Hailey hugging Jay, Kim hugging Kevin, Cassie hugging Adam and strangely Antonio hugging several cushions and a blow up doll, taking a picture of the team Trudy settled down and instantly fell asleep.
The following morning found Kim and Kevin in the kitchen working together making breakfast, they always worked well together, from being partners as standard police officers to now police officers of the Intelligence unit and partners there, Kim and Kevin would be forever grateful to Trudy and Hank for having faith in them.
Cassie and Adam wandered in next rubbing their eyes, Cassie spoke first "Morning, I need a cup of tea"
"At my service milady"
"Shouldn't you be saying that to your girlfriend not me?"
Kim and Kevin smile, Adam looks on confused until eventually "Woah you and Kim are together?"
Kevin raised an eyebrow "That's generally what the term girlfriend means, Ruzek"
Cassie rubs Adam's hair "Aww leave dumbo alone, he can't help it"
"Hey!"
Cassie rubs Adam's hand and walks back out the kitchen and heads upstairs to Darcy's bedroom, walking in she finds Darcy sat waiting and smiles as Darcy squeals in delight "Hey baby girl, did you sleep well?"
Darcy giggled, Cassie giggled with her "You're a happy little soul this morning, hey Darcy can I let you in on a little secret?"
Darcy smiled up at her mom from the change table, Cassie looked over her shoulder and back at her little girl "I really like Adam, granted he can be dumb as a post sometimes but god Darcy he's so sweet, just I doubt he liked me"
Adam had followed Cassie upstairs and heard everything Cassie had said, truth be told he absolutely was falling deep in love with Cassie and of course Darcy, he'd kill for that little girl. Adam took a step closer to the bedroom door and watched as Darcy giggled as Cassie changed her diaper and got her dressed, Darcy squealed in delight when she spotted Adam and held up her arms, Cassie looked over her shoulder and spotted Adam there.
"How long have you been there?"
Adam stepped forward and kissed Cassie before stepping back "Long enough to hear what you said to Darcy, in answer to your question is will you go out on a date with me, please?"
"No"
Adam was taken aback "What do you mean no?"
Cassie picked Darcy up from the change table and put her in her crib before walking back over to Adam and pulling him into a hug and kissing him "It's no because I think were passed the dating part seeing as you flirt with me continuously"
Adam rubbed his neck "Ahh I didn't think you noticed"
"Oh I noticed" Cassie pulled Adam closer and whispered in his ear "You'd think having a hand run over my ass several times would go unnoticed but it didn't"
Adam smirked "You do have a really cute ass though"
Cassie giggled and walked over to her daughter picking her up and walking back over to Adam, Adam held out his arms and Darcy jumped at the chance "Hey my little princess, wait till you see what I brought you for Christmas"
Cassie smiled and followed Adam back downstairs and into the kitchen to find Kim and Kevin kissing, Cassie giggled, Adam stood in disgust covering Darcy's eyes "Really? Especially where my little girl is going to having breakfast?"
Kim blushed and sat down, Cassie giggled again, Kevin gave Adam a look "Your little girl?"
"Adam's took on the role of daddy"
"I'll say, bro you need to share"
Adam fastened Darcy into her highchair and ignored Kevin, in fact he ignored everyone in the kitchen moving around and getting Darcy's breakfast prepared, Kim, Kevin and Cassie watched as Adam sat down in front of the highchair and helped Darcy with her baby porridge.
An hour later found the rest of the team wandering into the kitchen rubbing their eyes, Cassie handed everyone their required beverage and sat back down beside Adam who then placed his hand on her knee and squeezed it gentle, Cassie side glanced at Adam and smiled, for now it would be their little secret.
At two in the afternoon everyone bar Adam decided to leave promising to be back Christmas morning, Trudy would spend some time with Mouch before he went on shift before coming back to Cassie's for the opening of presents and Christmas dinner, when Adam and Jay finally brought out the stacks and stacks of presents Cassie cried, this was her first Christmas without her mom, dad, sister and brother in law, it had eventually dawned on her, that Kiera and Harvey were going to miss out on their daughters first Christmas, but thanks to their new family in Chicago this Christmas wasn't looking as bleak as it did a few days ago.
Adam decided to say behind because Cassie had gotten so upset and little Darcy had picked up on it and wouldn't settle anywhere but in his arms in her bedroom, this is where Adam remained until the early hours of Christmas day. Taking in his surroundings he finally realised that he was sat in the rocking chair in Darcy's bedroom and holding the little girls hand threw the bars of her crib. Gently letting go he stood up stretched and wandered out onto the landing.
Looking around the landing he gently opened the door across from Darcy's room and crept in, he found Cassie asleep curled up in a ball looking restless, taking off his shoes he crept into bed beside her and promptly fell asleep. At some stage in the early hours of the morning Cassie had rolled over and was now cuddling into Adam.
Slowly waking up she blinked as she looked up into Adam's eyes "Hi"
"Good morning, sorry I'm lying in the bed with you, it's just Darcy would only settle on me, and I fell asleep in the rocking chair after I put her to bed" Adam rubbed his neck "God I feel stiff"
Cassie smiled and bit her lip, Adam groaned "I didn't mean it that way and you know it"
Cassie nodded and sat up in bed "I'm glad you stayed it was a comfort even though you spent most of it in Darcy's room"
Adam sat up in bed and smiled "Hey what can I say I love her, is that to forward?"
Cassie sighs and nods "Just a little bit, but I'm not judging I think that little lady has a soft spot for you too"
Cassie and Adam get out of the bed and wander into the bathroom, Cassie hands Adam his toothbrush and gets her own, they stand side by side brushing their teeth, Cassie nudges Adam's arm and his hand holding the toothbrush goes over his nostril and smears toothpaste all over his face. Before Adam can retaliate Darcy cries out and the doorbell goes. Cassie goes to Darcy, Adam goes to answer the door completely forgetting the toothpaste all over his face.
Jay smirks as Adam comes into view "Hey here's a tip for you the toothpaste goes on your teeth not your face"
"Ignore him Ruzek, happy Christmas. Did you stay here all night?"
Adam nods "Yeah but I spent most of it in Darcy's bedroom on the rocking chair"
Hailey turns her head to the side "Most of it?"
Cassie appeared from nowhere "Adam spent the majority of the night in Darcy's bedroom asleep in the rocking chair holding her hand"
"Cassie that still doesn't explain the most of it though"
"You're the detective you figure it out Upton"
Jay looks at Adam and steps forward "You do anything to hurt her you'll have me to deal with, you understand me?"
Adam holds up his arms in defence "Yeah I understand, Jesus you can stop with the big brother routine"
"Ruzek you've got no chance of that, you see Cassie is my little sister and if anyone hurts her, I'll hunt them down and kill them"
"Ok I get it, wait you're her brother?"
Hailey and Cassie laugh, Jay rolls his eyes "No Ruzek, I've taken on that role of big protective brother, I see you've taken on the role of stupid boyfriend"
Cassie looks at Jay "How did you…" Cassie looks at her hand holding Adam's "Ahh I see, oh well that's that cat out of the bag"
Jay, Hailey, Adam and Cassie sit in the living room watching Darcy zoom around the living room in her baby walker, at one stage Darcy found running over Jay's feet highly hilarious and laughed every time she did it, which in turn made everyone else laugh. At just before midday everyone else turned up bearing more gifts and even more food to feed a small army let alone ten people, Kevin went straight into the kitchen and started cutting up vegetables and preparing the Christmas Turkey, eventually Kim had to pull him away so that he could be part of the opening of Christmas presents and festivities.
Cassie sat in her living room rather overwhelmed with all the presents Darcy had received, she was one very lucky little girl, not that she seemed bothered being fast asleep in her Winnie the Pooh bouncer that Kim and Kevin had brought her, it was lucky that Cassie's living room was large as all the new toys Darcy received would take up majority of it.
There was : A Fisher-price littlest gamer tummy wedge, babies first blocks, Fisher-price rock-a-stack, laugh and learn story rhymes book, laugh and learn silly sounds light-up piano, laugh and learn colour mixing bowl, a linkimals smooth moves sloth, laugh and learn puppy's remote, linkimals musical moose, laugh and learn smart stages puppy, Fisher-price laugh and learn lets connect laptop, Fisher-price rattle a-latte coffee cup teether, Disney Winnie the pooh your friend pooh feature plush, bright beats dance and move beatbo, Disney Winnie the pooh your friend Tigger feature plush and lastly a Fisher-price two in one like a boss activity centre.
Adam was excited for Cassie to open his present he'd brought for herself and Darcy, granted he'd brought Darcy the Disney Winnie the pooh and Tigger plushies, but he wanted to spoil his girls, yes, his girls.
"Jesus any more bouncing Ruzek and you'll be out the door"
"Yeah sorry" Adam hands Cassie the neatly wrapped little box and smiles as she takes it "For you from me, obviously"
Cassie rolls her eyes and then unwraps the present, everyone watches patiently wondering what was in the most neatest present they'd ever seen, especially coming from Ruzek, Cassie gets the wrapping paper off and looks down at the box, seeing the symbol for the jewellery shop in the mall she looks at Adam with an eyebrow raised, lifting the lid she finds two gold necklaces shining back at her, one with mommy and one with daughter on it. Cassie stands up quickly and glares at Adam.
"You brought this for me when you knew I wanted to wait and get it myself?"
"Yes, I got it for you, Cassie don't you like it?"
"Of course, I like it, that's just not the point! God Ruzek you can be so…gah I don't know the words"
Cassie storms out the living room, Jay goes to follow her but is stopped by Trudy holding his arm, Adam jogs past and follows Cassie outside, everyone else within the living room is shocked and can't understand why Cassie reacted that way, meanwhile outside beside Cassie's SUV Adam stops her from going any further.
"Cassie, baby talk to me, what did I do wrong?"
Cassie turns around crying "Adam don't you get it, I'm not that little girls mom, my sister Keira is, Keira carried her gave birth and nurtured her for three weeks of her life, I'm her aunt that's took on the role of her mom, I wanted to wait till I got it sorted in my head before I brought those necklaces, but you couldn't wait, could you?"
Adam pulled Cassie into a hug and kissed her hair "Cassidy Mae Mitchell you listen to me right now, Darcy has been in your life since she was three weeks old, this is going to sound harsh but you're the only mom she's ever known, you need to realise that, would Keira be angry that you call yourself Darcy's mom?"
Cassie shook her head, Adam lifted her face to look at him "See you've been Darcy's mom for so long now, why not show the world with some jewellery?"
Cassie wipes at her face and smiles at Adam "Thanks I needed that, I'm sorry I caused a scene"
"Ahh well it doesn't matter as long as when we get back inside you wear it"
Adam starts to walk back towards the house but then Cassie pulls him back towards her and pushed him up against the SUV kissing him hard, Adam freezes for a brief period of time before his brain catches up and he's kissing Cassie back and combing his fingers threw her hair.
Meanwhile inside and completely out of view the rest of the unit were watching and smiling and silently cheering, when they noticed Cassie and Adam walking back, they all returned to the seats in the living room, but not where they originally sat. Hank sat down and buried his head in his hands and groaned, Trudy sat arms folded looking at Jay and Kevin, once Adam walked back into the living room with Cassie Trudy stood up and motioned for the three young men to follow her, which they did.
Trudy stood patiently in the kitchen for Jay, Kevin and Adam to enter it and sit down, they all looked at each other and then at Trudy.
"Sarge you, ok?"
"Shut it Ruzek, I'll get to you"
Adam salutes Trudy and then sits still, watching as she points at Kevin "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Kevin shook his head "Do you think that me and Voight are blind?"
Once again Kevin shakes his head "So I ask you Mr Atwater why do you think its appropriate to have rather loud encounters with Burgess in an interview room?"
"Ahh, you see…"
"On the contrary I'd rather not see your bare ass or any other part of yours or Kim's anatomy thank you, I'm presuming you have the sense to practice safe sex?"
Kevin nods "Yes mom" Kevin pales "I meant ma'am, no Sarge, right the answer is yes"
Trudy nods "Good to know just keep it out of the unit, ok?"
Kevin smiles and sinks down into his seat, Jay and Adam smirking at the dressing down Kevin received, Trudy turns to Jay next "Same questions to you, am I stupid and blind?"
Jay shakes his head "No ma'am"
"Is Sergeant Platt to you right now Chuckles"
Adam snorts in laughter, his time was coming, Trudy pointed at Jay "I take it you and Hailey are practising safe sex even if it in the showers?"
Jay nods "Yes Sarg, we are practising safe sex and yes well keep it out of the unit"
"Good, now Ruzek why do you think it operate to snog the face of Cassie outside in broad daylight?"
"Sarge I really like Cassie, love her in fact and I don't need the sex talk because we haven't got to that stage yet" Adam looks around the room "Urhh are you meaning I can kiss her at night outside or not at all?"
Jay and Kevin slap their foreheads, Trudy smiles "I'll give you all a bit of advice leave your relationships out of the unit, practice safe sex, Ruzek that means keeping it covered if you're struggling with what I mean"
"I knew what you meant" Adam looks directly at Trudy "How does Voight feel about this?"
Trudy thinks about it for the moment hand on chin "Well put it this way if he had hair, he'd be grey by now"
Adam, Jay and Kevin chuckled as Trudy walked out the kitchen, they all stood laughing for a brief time before re-joining everyone in the living room.
Once in the living room and sat beside Cassie, Adam blew out a breath he didn't realise he was still holding "That was an interesting conversation"
"Really? What was the conversation about?"
Cassie took a drink of water and Adam hadn't noticed "Sex"
Cassie spat out the water all over the back of Jay's head "Sorry Jay" Cassie looked at Adam and whispered "You had the sex talk from who?"
Adam shivered "Sergeant Platt, she had the talk with me, Jay and Kevin"
Cassie nodded "Makes sense if you think about it, Trudy and Hank don't want anymore little ones running around the unit, they are quite happy with just Darcy"
"I know, it's just having that talk with Sergeant Trudy Platt is what scares me"
Cassie giggles "So you have Trudy as the mom, Jay as the brother, does that make Hank my dad?"
Hank leans over the coach "You best believe it"
Cassie and Adam jump, which causes everyone else to laugh. Kevin gets back up to continue preparing Christmas dinner whilst everyone else relaxes and watches Darcy playing with her toys.
Once dinner was ready Hank stood at the head of the table smiling at everyone, they weren't related but this was the first time in a long time Hank Voight felt at home with a family he truly loved.
Cassie welcomed him into her home, Hank was grateful as he knew how difficult it was and still could be for Cassie to welcome new people into her life. Cassie whilst eating took a brief moment to look around the table at her adopted family and she smiled, Adam noticing took Cassie's hand and kissed it, Cassie sighed and rested her head on Adam's shoulder, she couldn't be happier with now her first Christmas without her mom, dad, sister and brother in law had gone, she truly felt at home at ease and trusted them all with her and her daughter's life.
After dinner was eaten and the dishes were washed, dried and put away with military precision Trudy and Hank eventually pulled Cassie to one side, Hank was uncharacteristically nervous Cassie had every right to refuse his next request, which he'd understand but secretly he hoped she was all for it.
"So I have a question to ask?"
"Go ahead"
Hank blows out a breath "Would you do the talent show tomorrow for the intelligence unit?"
"Oh? That really wasn't what I was expecting"
"Yeah, you see the intelligence unit have never entered because you see the rest of us sound like cats drugged up to their eyeballs and the balls caught in a vice"
Cassie giggled "Nice image thanks" Cassie pulls out her phone "Give me a minute or two"
Cassie walks away from Trudy and Hank and waits for her phone to dial.
Cassie Merry Christmas, wasn't expecting your call, what's up? Oh, Korey is here too, you're on speaker phone.
Casmas howdy doo Merry Christmas to you.
Cassie giggles "Hi Korey, merry Christmas. Quick question are you two busy tomorrow?"
Ooh let's see, vegetate on the couch or spend time with Casmas? Yeah, I'm free, what's cracker lacking?
"Oscar what about you?"
Much the same couch and movie run, so yeah what do you need?
"Be at district twenty-one from nine and bring your keyboards and drums, I've got my guitar, can you do this?"
Aww man I wish we could the vans knackered, needs a new battery, gone to the big van park in the sky.
Jump leads? Can you bring your SUV over and we can see if we can start it that way?
"No way I need my SUV for work, I'll arrange a van just be ready from eight thirty onwards, please?"
For you sure, I'm rather intrigued to be honest, who we playing too?
Ooh if needs be I'll leave now and carry the drums and keyboard on my back like a horse, nay.
Cassie snorted in laughter, from Daisy Hooten Oscar and Korey were her best buds, even they were slightly crazy, harmless though but still as crazy as they come "Boys be ready I'll have a van at your house by eight thirty, be ready enjoy the rest of your Christmas and guys thanks"
See you tomorrow, Cassie.
Toodles Casmas.
Cassie turned off her phone and laughed Oscar and Korey could always make her laugh, they truly were the best idiots anyone could ask for, Cassie walked back into the kitchen where Trudy and Hank were waiting.
"So, I'll do it, just need to borrow a van tomorrow to pick some equipment up"
Hank nods "Take the spare van out of our garage and Cassie thanks"
"Ooh I can't wait till Kinicki sees our name on the signup sheet"
"Who's Kinicki?"
Hank growls but doesn't reply, Trudy does "Detective Kinicki of Vice, some jumped up twerp who wins talent show every year, but not this year, the Intelligence unit are on it"
Cassie nods and grabs a tea towel and hands it to Hank "Here take this to wipe the smug look of Kinicki's face"
Hank smiles and pulls Cassie into a hug, eventually everyone leaves rather excited when they were told that Cassie was going to go on the talent show for the intelligence unit, they felt really smug as nobody in the district apart from the intelligence unit knew that Cassie could sing, as far as they all were concerned tomorrow couldn't come quick enough.
At exactly eight thirty boxing day morning Cassie pulled up outside Oscar and Korey's house, Korey was stood on the porch jumping up and down as if he was the energizer bunny on drugs, upon seeing Cassie sat in the van he waves manically and jumping up and down more. Cassie reverses the van on to the driveway and gets out and smiles as Korey attempts to carry the drum kit and keyboards towards her.
"Morning you, ok?"
"I'm buzzing, I'm like a little bee, buzz, buzz"
Cassie stood open mouthed, Oscar came outside and waved "Morning Cassie you, ok? Ignore K man he decided at three in the morning that he was going to have several coffees, Korey man calm down"
Korey was zooming around the garden pretending to be a bee, "Buzz, buzz, buzz"
Cassie and Oscar put the drums and keyboard into the back of the van beside Cassie's Martin Smith full size acoustic guitar and watched as Korey faced planted the grass.
"Jesus Christ"
Korey rolls over onto his back and laughs "No not Jesus, not unless the theatre company to do Jesus Christ superstar then that's a whole different matter, I'm buzzing"
Cassie rolls her eyes and gets into the driver's seat, Oscar takes the seat beside and Korey gets in the back, twenty minutes later Cassie pulls into the intelligence unit garage and smiles as everyone is there to greet her. Korey gets out the back and looks around before standing in front of Hank.
"Morning sir, you must be the big boss man"
Hank raises an eyebrow "Yes I'm the one in charge, you are?"
Korey holds out his hand "My names Korey Delaruge"
"Noted, we've got thirty minutes to set up that manageable Mitchell?"
Cassie nodded "Yes Sarge, ignore Korey he's a sandwich short of a picnic but harmless all the same"
Oscar stepped forward "Where do you need us Mr Voight?"
"I like you"
Cassie giggles "Sergeant Hank Voight please meet Oscar Black and as you already know Korey Delaruge, guys this is the team I work with in the intelligence unit"
Oscar and Korey nod at the rest of them in the garage and grab the equipment setting up the drums and keyboards behind the drop down screen, at ten thirty an hour late the talent show gets underway first up was Officer Joe Nash for all the police officers of district twenty one, doing magic tricks, some were impressive some were really awful and one was downright awful especially as he lost the Police Chief Gordon's keys to his buggy, so all in all what started as a magic show ended up as a comic strip as the Police Chief chased Officer Nash around the stage.
Up second was Kinicki's choice Officer Kayla Dayton, singing, this was news to Hank and Trudy , they'd never heard Officer Dayton sing but as soon as she started singing they realised they had nothing to worry about, unless everyone else around them was tone deaf, obviously Kinicki was, Trudy had to turn away from the stage she was trying desperately not to laugh, it didn't help that Hank was holding the tea towel Cassie given him the previous day and the biggest smuggest grin on his face.
Once Officer Dayton finished everyone clapped, then Hank and Trudy took to stage as the drop screen came up and the rest of the team were dragging the drums and keyboards into place before leaving the stage.
"So, you're probably all wondering as to why Sergeant Platt and myself are stood on stage, well here goes, the intelligence unit this year have entered, and I'd like to introduce our very own Detective Cassie Mitchell"
Cassie walked out onto the stage guitar strapped to her side, adjusting her microphone attached to the side of her face, she watched as Korey got behind his keyboard and Oscar behind the drums, she looked out at the whole of the district looking at her and Hank and Trudy in shock, Kinicki still had the smug look on his face, Cassie looked at him "Kinicki be prepared to have your socks blown off"
Cassie turned around and looked at Korey and nodded giving him the cue to start playing, Korey started playing the song and eleven seconds in Cassie started to sing.
'Tether your soul to me, I will never let go completely, one day your hands will be, strong enough to hold me, I might not be there for all your battles, but you'll win them eventually, I pray that I'm giving you all that matters, so one day you'll say to me'
'I love my life, I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am free'
'I love my life, I am wonderful, I am magical, I am me'
'I love my life'
Cassie quickly looked out towards the district looking back in awe at her, she quickly looked at Kinicki who was no longer smug but sweating and glaring at Hank and Trudy.
'I am not my mistakes, and god knows, I've made a few, I started to question the angels, and the answer they gave was you'
'I cannot promise there won't be sadness, I wish I could take it from you, but you'll find the courage to face the madness, and sing it because it's true'
'I love my life'
'I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am free'
'I love my life'
'I am wonderful, I am magical, I am me'
'I love my life'
'Find the others, with hearts, like yours, run far, run free, I'm with you'
'I love my life'
'I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am free'
'I love my life'
'I am wonderful, I am magical, I am me'
'I love my life'
'And finally, I'm where I want to be'
On her last sung words Cassie looked down at the intelligence unit looking at her and she smiled. Once the song ended Oscar and Korey stepped forward and took the bow along with Cassie, Hank and Trudy ran onto stage and spun Cassie around.
"I don't care if we don't win, just to see the smug look wiped off Kinicki's face was worth any trophy"
"You did it, you were fantastic, oh you make me so proud"
"Thanks guys, but I couldn't have done it at all without Oscar and Korey"
Police Chief Rodgers and Gordon approached Cassie, Chief Rodgers spoke "Detective Mitchell that was most impressive, at least I still have my keys and after that wonderful display I'd like to declare that the intelligence unit of District twenty one the winners of the yearly talent show, congratulations"
Kinicki approached Cassie and clapped "Well I know when I'm beat, Voight keep Mitchell on your unit because if she leaves, I'll be getting that trophy back, count on it"
Cassie grabbed the towel from Hank and handed it to Kinicki, Kinicki looked at the towel and then Cassie "Thought you might want to wipe the smug look from your face"
Everyone laughed, Kinicki didn't find it amusing and threw the towel to the floor, before storming away, Cassie was pulled into a hug by all the unit and Oscar and Korey were invited up into the unit for celebratory drinks and snacks.
Three days later the unit were called to an assist for Ambo 11, Cassie and Jay got there first and accompanied the crew of Ambo 11 inside, making sure all other units stand down, Cassie and Jay were slightly confused as to why the assist came to the intelligence unit as so far it seemed to be a simple call for the ambo crew, once the crew were mobilised Cassie remained behind to check the room they'd been in, as she walked through the house to the front door she was dragged backwards into the bedroom and threw on the bed, quickly turning over she came face to face with a crazy wide eyed man holding what looked like a hand held detonator that was attached to a vest, looking at the amount of C4 attached, there was enough to take out the whole block and then some.
Cassie sat on the bed not daring to move, then her radio clicked, and Jay's voice came through "Mitchell where the hell are you? Front doors locked, come on Mitchell where are you?"
Cassie grabbed her radio, but the crazy man launched at her, Cassie scrambled away from him and held up her hands "Look if I don't answer him, he'll come in and kill you"
"I hope he does"
"Look you don't mean that, let me tell him I'm fine and he'll go wait in the truck, can I do that?"
The crazy man waves his hand and Cassie grabs her radio "Mitchell here, everything ok, just having a chat with another resident be out soon"
Mitchell, I didn't see anyone else in there, you, ok?
"Detective Halstead don't question me, everything is ok, just wait by the truck"
Fine be quick about it.
"Yeah, yeah"
Cassie throws her radio on the bed and watches as the guy starts pacing "Look I'm not here to judge, my names Cassie what's yours?"
"Jamie and that women they took was my girlfriend"
"Jamie she still could be, if you walk out of here"
"You don't get it, I attacked her, she'll never let me back into her life, I screwed up"
Cassie shook her head "No you didn't she'll see that, trust me"
Jamie laughs "Trust you, you're a cop just like the ones that stopped me from seeing my Michelle on some jumped up charge of harassment, you're all the same, cops"
"I wasn't around for that and I'm truly sorry, not all cops are like that, trust me"
"Trust me? Trust me? You don't know who you're dealing with, I'll do it I really will"
Cassie steps forward "Jamie please, I'm a fair person, a good police officer, I'm a mom too, so can I go?"
Jamie laughs evilly "Poor kid of yours having you as a mom, you sleep your way through it all to get to be where you are Detective"
"Don't bring my daughter into this, you don't know me, you crazy son of a bit.."
Jamie punched Cassie and she flew across the room and hit the radiator hearing a rib break she scrambled away from the radiator and sat upright against the wall, grabbing her phone out of her pocket, she quickly typed a message to Jay.
Help held hostage, guy in vest covered in C4, broke a rib and in intense pain, Jay I'm sorry I lied, forgive me?
Jay took out his phone as the text came through, when he saw it had come from Cassie and what he read had him jumping out of his truck and running at the house, he never got there as he was blown back by the explosion, covered in dust, debris and blood he grabbed his radio.
A/N – Dun dun dun, sorry part two coming up soon.