Erin sat on the edge of the stretcher while Gabby checked her over, a blanket wrapped around her bare shoulders. 'You know you scared the hell out of us,' Gabby said as she checked the brunette's vitals, while Brett talked to Voight, who didn't seem to want to leave the ambulance.
The brunette remained quiet, her mind wandering to unwelcome places, picking at her fingers while Gabby examined her. She couldn't help but tremble, not just from the lingering effects of the drugs in her system, but also from the trauma of being raped, making her feel nauseous.
The only thought occupying her mind was about Voight, wondering if he would accompany her to the hospital. However, she dismissed the idea, closing her eyes as Brett informed her, 'We're about to head out,' just as she was about to close the doors.
'Wait… Can Voight come with?' Erin's voice was barely audible, but Gabby and Brett heard her. She glanced outside the ambulance to see Antonio and Jay assisting Roland.
Gabby nodded at Brett and instructed, 'Send him in, I would prefer to keep Erin calm,' as she glanced at the female detective who appeared to be spacing out and trembling. 'Voight, please come in so we can depart,' Gabby called for the Sergeant.
Voight immediately complied and sat in the back with Gabby. 'Sit with her,' Gabby directed Voight, who then instructed Al and Ruzek to follow the ambulance.
'Hey, kiddo,' Voight whispered as he settled on the stretcher with Erin, who instinctively sought comfort in his embrace. Once everyone was situated, Brett pulled away from the curb and drove them to the hospital.
Erin nervously bit her lip and buried her face in Voight's chest, gripping his leather jacket tightly. 'Just don't leave me,' she whispered, closing her hazel eyes as she felt reassured.
Voight gently rubbed her shoulder and murmured, 'I will never leave you.' He then glanced at Gabby, who observed them with concern. 'I believe that once this ordeal is over, she will need everyone's support,' Gabby whispered.
Gabby recalled receiving a direct call from Antonio, instructing her and Brett to go to the abandoned apartment instead of another ambulance because her brother believed it would be better to have someone known to Erin take care of her.
The younger Dawson made a conscious decision to prevent Kelly from joining them at the scene, particularly after he learned about what had happened. Instead, she instructed him and the rest of station 51 to meet them at the hospital. The journey to Med was silent except for Erin's labored breathing.
"We're almost there," Brett announced from the driver's seat. "Cool," Gabby replied, gently touching Erin's knee to reassure her, withdrawing her hand when she felt the brunette tense up.
"Hey, sweetie, we're almost at Med," Gabby whispered, receiving a small nod from Erin. Voight held onto the brunette tightly as they adjusted themselves when the ambulance came to a stop in front of the emergency doors.
Erin sensed Voight lifting her and carrying her into the hospital, where she tried to hide her face upon seeing nearly everyone she knew gathered in the waiting room, watching her with concern.
Kelly's inquiry about her well-being caught her off guard, as she didn't anticipate seeing him or other individuals from station 51 there, despite having formed good relationships with some of them despite their dislike for Voight.
Voight, determined to shield Erin, brushed past the firefighters while trying to comfort her trembling form. Despite his desire to remain with Erin, the doctor insisted that he wait outside the hospital room to avoid interfering with her examination.
Al inquired if there was anything Voight needed them to do as he approached Voight, who was seated apart from the rest. Voight inquired about Roland's whereabouts, looking at Al. Al responded, 'Jay and Ruzek took him to the cage in the district; they're waiting for you.'
Voight nodded, stood up, and took a breath. 'I am going to the station to address the situation with Roland. You and Antonio should remain here and inform me when we can visit her,' he instructed before walking out of the hospital without allowing Al to respond.
· Back In The Hospital Room *
Erin endeavored to disregard the doctor and nurses surrounding her and refrain from pulling away as they connected her to IVs. 'Erin, we need you to listen to us,' Will Halstead attempted for the fourth time to elicit a response from the brunette, but all he received was a vacant stare.
'Come on, I understand that what occurred was traumatic, and I realize you probably wish to be anywhere else than here enduring needle insertions,' Will expressed as he rested a hand on Erin's, only for her to recoil as if his touch were burning. Erin swallowed and felt embarrassed for her behavior.
Although she heard Will addressing her, when she tried to respond, no words came out. 'And we do need you to undergo a rape kit, -' Erin started to shake her head, interrupting Will. 'No,' she stated firmly as she covered her face with her hands.
'No, I do not consent to having a rape kit,' Erin pronounced, her hazel eyes wide with fear as she glanced at Will and the departing nurses, leaving her alone with the insistent Will was being.
"Erin, you are aware that it is necessary for you to undergo the rape kit," Will insisted, maintaining eye contact with the brunette. "It is a crucial part of the case, and it would be advisable for you to go through with it," he explained as the brunette paused to take a breath. "I have already said NO, I REFUSE TO UNDERGO THE RAPE KIT," she shouted.
Will heard the brunette's refusal and sighed. "Very well, I will return later to discuss this further. I will check on you again shortly," he stated, perplexed by Erin's refusal. He then left the room to inform the others that they could visit her.
Alone in the room after Will departed, Erin let her tears flow freely as she reflected on the recent events, her mind swirling with thoughts. "Voight…must despise me," she murmured.
Erin feared that the entire team would now reject her, understanding why they might do so. She curled up in a ball, crying herself to sleep, knowing that Will had informed her they would keep her there until the effects of the drugs wore off.
· Back In The Waiting Room *
Al waited in the waiting room for updates on Erin's condition with Antonio, as everyone else had left except for Atwater, Burgess, and Roman, who were sitting in a corner.
Burgess inquired, 'How much longer will we have to wait?' while glancing at the double doors. Al reassured, 'Not long,' hoping the wait wouldn't be much extended. Will emerged from the doors and approached them.
Antonio, standing beside Al, immediately questioned, 'Is Erin okay?' Will sighed, 'Erin will be fine; we're keeping her here for a few days to clear the drugs from her system.' Al nodded in understanding as Will elaborated on his discussion with Erin about a rape kit, revealing that she had refused to undergo one.
Al and Antonio exchanged knowing looks; they were aware Erin would decline the examination, but they felt a need to discuss it with her to ensure Roland had not inflicted any harm. 'We'll talk to her about it,' Al stated. 'Can we see her?' Antonio inquired.
"Will instructed that if you manage to persuade her to undergo the rape kit examination, proceed. However, she also needs time to rest. I suggest giving her an hour or two alone before taking you to her room," noted Will before returning to work.
Al and Antonio exchanged glances. "Should we inform Voight?" inquired Antonio. "No, let him spend time with Roland first. We can reach out once he's had a chance to process," replied Al. He believed it was necessary for Voight to address his anger towards Roland before arriving to prevent further distressing Erin.
Sitting back down, Al and Antonio fell into contemplative silence. "I can't imagine what Voight is going through right now, especially witnessing someone close to him get raped," Antonio spoke softly.
"Voight may attempt to conceal his emotions, but I anticipate that both Erin and him will require our support after all of this," Al expressed. "Regardless of what unfolds, no one will let Erin out of their sight," Antonio concurred with Al.