Erin and Jay hustled to get Lillian ready for school, her favorite place to be.
"PB&J sandwich and applesauce for you," Jay grinned.
Lillian giggled, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Daddy!"
Jay playfully ruffled her hair. "Alright, Monkey, let's head to school!"
Erin zipped up Lillian's coat. "Have a great day, baby. We love you!"
As Lillian skipped out the door, it slammed shut behind her. Erin and Jay exchanged a knowing look.
"You know," Erin smirked, "we still have two hours before we need to clock in."
Jay's eyes danced. "Lead the way, Detective…"
Erin donned her police hat, and they both headed upstairs.
SCHOOL
Lillian laughed and played in the sun-drenched field with her friends until the unthinkable happened—gunshots echoed through the air.
"Ugh!" Lillian grunted as she collapsed, blood seeping from her wound.
Miss Lewis, her teacher, rushed to her side, applying pressure to the injury. "Lillian!"
"D-Daddy…" Lillian whimpered, her eyes fluttering.
Miss Lewis stroked Lillian's hair, her voice soothing. "We'll call for help, sweetie."
Lillian's eyes closed, and she slipped into unconsciousness just as the medics arrived.
INTELLIGENCE UNIT
Hank emerged from his office, hastily donning his jacket.
"That was Lillian's teacher," he informed the team urgently. "Lillian's been shot."
The unit sprang into action, racing downstairs.
"I'll call Erin and Jay," Antonio volunteered, determination etched on his face.
CHICAGO MED
Maggie read the urgent message on her phone and immediately called for Dr. Halstead and Dr. Manning.
"Dr. Halstead. Dr. Manning. Tender-age. GSW. You're up!" she announced.
Natalie and Will swiftly donned their gloves and approached the stretcher.
"Talk to me!" Will demanded.
Lucy, the nurse, nodded and relayed the critical details. "Lillian Halstead. Ten years old. Gunshot wound to the left leg and right side of the belly. We've given her two grams of baby paracetamol and 2 mg of Morphine. She coded in the ambulance, but we managed to stabilize her with intubation."
Will and Natalie exchanged a worried glance as they looked down at their injured niece.
"GET HER TO BAGHDAD! NOW!" Natalie's voice cracked with urgency.
The nurses and doctors sprang into action, working tirelessly on Lillian.
Erin and Jay burst through the hospital doors, their faces etched with fear.
"What the hell happened? Lillian was shot?" Jay's voice trembled.
Voight, the sergeant, stood up and met their gaze. "Yes, but she's stable. They're doing everything they can."
Erin wiped her tears and sank into a chair.
Moments later, Dr. Connor Rhodes emerged from the operating room.
Erin and Jay stood up, their expressions tense.
"How is she?" Jay's voice trembled.
Connor sighed, his eyes weary. "We removed both bullets from Lillian. She coded once on the table, but we stabilized her. The next 24 hours are critical."
Erin and Jay exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy.
"Jay," Erin whispered, "our daughter's in critical condition."
Jay, the pillar of strength, pulled Erin close. "I've got you. I'm right here."
Erin sobbed against Jay's chest, her fingers digging into his shirt.
After a few hours…
Erin had drifted into a restless sleep, but Jay remained vigilant with the unit.
"Hey, kiddo," Hank's voice broke through the tension. "Maybe you should catch some shut-eye."
Jay glanced up, exhaustion etched on his face.
"No," he replied firmly. "I'm supposed to be the strong one. Can't rest when my daughter's fighting for her life."
Hank sighed and leaned back.
After a while, Jay was sipping coffee, with Erin watching over him.
"Darlin', maybe it's time for you to catch some shut-eye. I got some rest, and it wouldn't hurt for you to do the same," Erin whispered.
Jay stared ahead and said, "I swear, the next person who tells me to take a nap is gonna catch a knuckle sandwich."
Hank slumped back in his chair, the weight of the world pressing down on him. The sterile hospital room seemed to close in, its white walls suffocating.
Across from him, Jay sat nursing a cup of coffee, eyes bloodshot from exhaustion. Erin, always the caretaker, hovered nearby, concern etched on her face.
"Jay," Erin whispered, her voice soft as a lullaby. "Maybe it's time for you to rest. You've been at this for hours."
Jay's gaze remained fixed on the window, unyielding. "I swear," he said, voice gravelly, "the next person who tells me to take a damn nap is gonna get a knuckle sandwich."
Erin chuckled, rubbing his tense shoulders. "Don't be stubborn, baby. You're no good to anyone if you collapse from exhaustion."
Jay stood abruptly, tossing his coffee cup into the trash. "I won't sit idly by while our little girl fights for her life," he declared. His voice cracked, vulnerability seeping through the cracks. "I'm not cut out for this, Erin."
Erin crossed the room, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her lips brushed his forehead. "You don't have to be the strong one all the time," she murmured. "None of us do."
Jay's tears flowed freely now. Erin guided him to the chairs, her touch soothing as she massaged his neck. "Rest, my love," she said. "I'll wake you when there's news."
Jay fell into a restless sleep, and Erin continued to rub his back.
"He might be tough, but he knows he can't resist a nap," Erin said with a soft chuckle.
The group sipped their drinks, sharing a quiet moment.
Soon, Erin and Jay found themselves in Lillian's room. They had been told that she would never wake up.
"We love you, sweetie," Erin whispered.
Jay couldn't keep it together. He stood up abruptly.
"I-I can't…" Jay stammered.
He walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Will saw Jay storm out of Lillian's room, wiping his eyes.
"Mags! Cover me?" Will asked.
Maggie nodded, and Will left the medical area.
As he walked out, he noticed Jay throwing up into a trash can.
"Dammit, Jay."
Will hurried over and helped Jay away from the trash can.
"She's dead, Will. She's dead!" Jay sobbed.
Will pulled Jay into his arms, rocking him gently.
"Come on, let it out, little brother. I've got you…"
Jay continued to sob, sinking to the floor alongside Will.
Later, Erin and Jay were fast asleep in Lillian's room, holding her hand.