The vacation had been just what the family needed to get over the funk they were all living in. Adam and Kim had returned to work refreshed and ready to start again. The cases had been tough and the hours long but coming home to each other and the kids had been a huge help in letting go of the horror they saw day in and day out. It was also not a surprise to anyone when the small family started looking for a bigger home. The past had created too many years apart and they were done living in the past. Adams aunt was a real estate agent and was helping them find something in their price range but also helping them sell their current home. It had been a very late night discussion about only using part of the proceeds from the sale of the home towards the new one as Adam wanted to help pay for it as well. He wanted her to save the rest for Allies education.
Adam has received the latest home listing email from his Aunt while he was working and sent Kim the ones he liked. The ones he felt best suit their needs. Kim would also send the ones she liked and then the battle would begin. It was a weekly duel but they always look at them all before realizing they still hadn't found the one. None of them felt right just yet and it was exhausting. So they decided to hold off and wait to the new year to look. It was only two months away at this point and moving during thanksgiving and Christmas just seemed like a bad idea. So they held off on everything and just focused on making the holidays the best they could. It was after all their first holiday as a full family so they really wanted it to be special.
"Baby! You know it's almost thanksgiving. How exactly are we going to do this? 4 sets of grandparents in Chicago, Allies dad and the entire team. What the hell are we gonna do?" Kim asked as she sat at the kitchen counter sighing in frustration. "Um well maybe we can bring everyone here as far as our families go and cook for them. And maybe the next day do a potluck with the team? That why we don't have to cook everything twice. What are your thoughts?" Adam asked watching her knowing her mind was spinning. "In theory that sounds good. 8 grandparents, the 4 of us. So 12, then your sister and her son and then my sister and her family. So 5 more. So 17 in total. No 18 if Eric joins us. It's insane!" Kim rambled as she tried to figure it all out. "Darling we can do it. Borrow crock pots to help out, Hell we even have an instapot that could cook the turkey. We got this! The desserts can be done the day before. I will help you with anything you allow we to help with." Adam laughed slightly knowing he wasn't allowed in the kitchen when she was baking.
"Okay we can do this. But I will ask people to bring somethings to help out with everything. But I will assign specific things so I know we have it all covered. Otherwise I will lose my shit." Kim started to figure out all the details right away. It was the only way she could handle it all. Then she started the grocery list and ordered all the items that were non perishable so that it was less to buy that day. Adam was watching amused but didn't say a word. He knew her mind worked differently and this was how she processed things. It's what made her a good cop, a good mom and a good partner. He also knew he wasn't the best in the kitchen so he knew he would be stuck with prepping and probably shopping and that's it.
"Alright the target order is done so I have a ton ordered already. I need to start printing out recipes so we can make things easier on that day." Kim stated as she showed him the order. "Whatever you need to do darling. I promise we got this. Let's just hope everyone gets along. We don't need a repeat of last time." Adam rolled his eyes thinking about that last time. "Well they aren't invited so we don't have to worry about them." Kim stated as she leaned in for a hug. "Let's get the kids and starting getting ready for work." Adam suggested as they needed to get moving. "Yeah let's get moving. We need to get this day started." Kim sighed hoping for an easy day but knew that was almost impossible.
After dropping off the kids they headed to the district to get their work day started. They parted ways after they entered the district. Kim entered the locker room and Adam headed to the bullpen. "Guys we have a case. It's not our usual case but we have been asked to handle it. But I want to bring Burgess up for the interview." Voight stated as they all looked at him and then back at Adam. "I can ask why sir?" Adam asked confused and worried. "Sure it's the ADA Cott's teenage daughter who was raped. I think she is the best person to do the interview." Voight responded watching Adam rub his face in disbelief. "No disrespect but are you gonna be there when she wakes up screaming in terror thinking it's happening again? Are you gonna take the punches as she tries to fight off her attacker in her sleep? Are you gonna wipe her tears that literally rip my heart apart seeing? No your not! She's not doing this!" Adam spoke harshly as he defended Kim.
"Adam we don't like it anymore than you but he has a point. She can't relate better. And we will all be there to help if she takes a turn but we have to believe she's stronger than we know. She's made it this far in life, she's got this." Kevin tried to calm him down. They heard a voice clearing its throat. They turned to see a very angry Kim. "What you think I can't do my job? You think I'm weak?" Kim yelled at Adam. "Darling I never said that! I just don't want this to derail all the progress you've made. I know you are stronger, stronger than most of us but I want to protect you from this. I don't want you to have to relive it. You have doing so well the last few months and I just want that to continue. Darling I promise you, I would never under mine you and the job you do. I love you darling!" Adam pleaded with her but she walked away. Adam collapsed into his chair. "She'll come around. Just give her some time." Jay patted her shoulder and then headed off.
Kim got the gist of the case and headed to the interview room. Erin followed behind knowing it was better for the two to be with the teenager rather than the men. "Hello Kayla. I'm Detective Lindsey and this is Officer Burgess. We would like to ask you some questions." Erin introduced them to the young girl. "Kayla please call me Kim. I know this is hard but we need to know what happened." Kim spoke softly. "You have no clue how I feel. You have no idea!" Kayla yelled back. "Look I do understand. I was actually younger than you when I was raped. I pushed everyone away including the person I loved. I drank, smoked pot trying to numb the pain. Bu5 it didn't work. Talking about it, putting him away, that helped. And we can help you do that. Just work with us." Kim pleaded. She looked at the glass knowing Adam was on the other side watching her.
"You were raped?" Kayla asked shocked. "Yes I was 13. My dance teacher raped me because I was with someone else. I was too young for someone like him anyway but none of that mattered. I was a child trying to live my life, have some fun and just enjoy being a teenager. He took that all from me. I was depressed for years. I had bad anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares. It took 13 years for the nightmares to end. But I survived. I have a family I love. I have a daughter that means the world to me. I have a boyfriend who I love more than I thought possible, even when he's being an over protective asshole. And his son who I see as my own. I may not have given birth to him but he's no different from my daughter. Let us help you put this person away." Kim held out her hands to hold Kayla's hands. "I promise I will be with you through everything. Just let us in." Kim asked again.
"Okay. I will talk to you but please don't leave my side." Kayla begged. "We won't. I've got you." Kim promised squeezing her hands. The group spent the next hour going over every detail of the horrific rape. There were lots of tears from all three as they listened to the story unfold. "Okay so now that we have your account of attack. Can you tell me did you take a shower yet? Or drink anything?" Kim asked. "No." Kayla looked strange. "Okay so the one thing we still need to do and that's probably the worst part. It's the sexual assault kit. I admit it's horrible but it's helps to support your case. And I promise I will stay with you the whole time. Will you do it?" Kim asked hoping the answer is yes. "I don't think I can do it. I can't have another person up there again." Kayla cried. "What if it's a female doctor? I can make that happen." Kim asked knowing they needed this. "Okay. I'm scared but if you did it so can I." Kayla agreed to go.
Kim and Erin helped her up and escorted her to the hospital. They had walked right past Adam but never looked at him. While she understood where he was coming from it made her feel like shit. Like he didn't think she could do her job because of her past. When they arrived at the hospital Maggie and Natalie were waiting for them. "Come with us. We got you." Maggie led the way, Kim holding onto Kayla the entire time. "Okay so we are going to preform the exam and you are gonna talk to Kim and Erin the whole time. Try not to focus on what we are doing." Natalie stated. "Okay so let's talk about school. How's it going?" Kim asked hoping it would lead to conversation that could take Kayla's mind off the exam. "School? Really Kim?" Erin laughed. "Tell us about your friends and what you guys like to do?" Erin asked trying to make things more enjoyable for the teenager. Kayla talked about all her friends and the sports they played during school and after. It kept her mind busy which helped to relax her during the exam.
Once it was over they took Kayla to get something to eat before returning her home to her parents. It had been a long day and Kim just wanted to crash but she still had to finish up the paperwork before heading home. It was so crazy she hadn't even checked her phone. This was kind of why she didn't take the job in Intelligence, she needed to be there for the kids if needed and she literally had no clue how their days had gone. They arrived at the district and headed for the bullpen. When they arrived they saw most everyone was gone, including Adam. Voight walked out with a note for Kim before he retreated back into his office again. Kim recognized the hand writing right away, it was from Adam.
Hey Darling. I'm sorry for this morning. I would never want you to think I feel that way about you and your capabilities. You are an amazing cop and an amazing mother to our children. I love you so much and I can't wait till you get home. Text me when your on your way and I will start a warm bath for you. Remember always I love you.
love Adam
ps your paperwork is already done. Love you!
Kim smiled after reading the note. She knew he was right but they needed to have a real talk about it. That should have been done in private not in front of all their friends and co workers. Kim said good night to Erin before heading to the locker room to change out into her street clothes. She signed out and headed for the car. She smiled realizing Adam left the car for her to get home. As she headed home she replayed the day in her head, her mind spinning. She understood Adams fears because she had them too but she did a good thing today for Kayla. Kim knew she would be fine as long as she had Adam by her side. The car ride was short but Kim was full of nerves knowing this was the first time they fought and they needed to handle it and she wasn't sure how to do this.
Kim pulled into the garage full of nerves and wanting to hide in the car all night but that wasn't possible. She slowly got out of the car and headed inside. Kim was surprised to not be greeted by the kids when she arrived, just quietness. She suddenly was afraid he had left her. It was irrational but it crossed her mind till she saw him standing in the living room with a nervous smile on his face. She noticed flowers and wine sitting on the table waiting for her. "I'm so sorry Kim. I never meant to upset you. I just wanted to protect you from everything. I know I can't but I just love you so much and hate to see you hurting. Please forgive me darling." Adam held his arms open for a hug but Kim didn't move. "Adam what you said hurt. I know you meant it from a good place but saying it front of everyone wasn't okay. It made me feel like you don't trust me to do my job and separate my life from the job. You have to trust me or this will never work. Do you trust me?" Kim asked harshly. "Absolutely with my life, with my children's lives. You are it for me Kim. I truly never meant to hurt you and I promise going forward if I have reservations about something I will discuss it with you in private and with Voight in private. This is the first time we have had to face this and I promise to do better because you deserve it. And you did great today. I'm so very proud of you. So how about a little wine and a bath?" Adam asked hoping he said the right thing to fix it.
"Fine but you can't just give me things to fix a fight. You have to keep your word and work with me when required. It's not always going to be easy. That's not how it works. But for now we are good. Where are the kids?" Kim asked confused as she still hadn't seen them. "They are with my mom for the night. We needed to talk and we needed to work this out. If things got loud I didn't want them here." Adam stated. "I'm just happy you came home and were willing to talk. So now that we are more settled let's hit the bath." Adam held out his hand to guide her to the bath. Kim took his hand and followed him towards their bedroom. Adam slowly striped her of her clothes and put them right into the laundry bins. He then slowly striped out of his own clothes before helping her into the tub.
"Thank you for this. We both needed it after today. I admit it was tough but I had to help her. Had to make her see that she was strong enough to survive it. I wish those who helped me knew what it was actually like being a survivor of rape. But it was just men even the doctor and nurse were men. They just made it more uncomfortable and horrific. I needed to see it through." Kim explained. "I'm so sorry darling. I wish I could have prevented that from happening back then. And I wish I could have been with you to help you. But we can't change the past. We can only work so stay together and ahead of the trouble that lies outside the doors. We can do anything as long as we stay together. I love you and always will. I think the time apart proved that." Adam held her tighter feeling her relax against him.
After their bath the couple headed to bed. Kim was having a hard time staying awake. Adam wasn't sure how the night would go but he had a horrible gut feeling that she would have a nightmare. He could only hope it was mild. Kim fell asleep almost right away while Adam watched her sleep for awhile before he to fell asleep. It was around 2 in the morning when Adam was awoken by punches landing on his body. He was startled but realized quickly Kim was battling a night terror again. The first in months. Adam removed himself from the bed before picking Kim up. Kim fought against him trying to break free. He held her tighter till they got to the shower where Adam turned it on and held Kim under the cold water waking her immediately. "God damn! What the hell!" Kim yelled before she say Adam and the scratches on his chest. "OMG! Adam I'm so sorry! I didn't know!" Kim sobbed as Adam placed her on her own feet and held her tight. "It's not your fault. It's okay, I'm okay. We are okay. Let's get you dried off and back in bed. And please take your Xanax so you get some good sleep tonight." Adam kisses her forehead as he helped her dry off before drying himself off.
As they got back into bed Adam took a quick photo of his chest and sent it to Voight. The rest of the night was peaceful and calm. They were able to sleep soundly. Wrapped together in safety. Hoping the worst was behind them once again.