"How come Mommy got to leave before you?" Kate asked as Jay stood in the elevator with his little girl in his arms, "Cause you guys are partners, and Grandpa Hank says that's why you're always together."
"Mommy realized we didn't have a lot of groceries this morning and I had some paperwork to finish up. And since you were having such a good time coloring with Officer Burgess, she thought you would want to finish the picture and come home with me," Jay explained, "But I think Mommy also picked up some sushi for dinner. And I bet she got the edamame you like."
"I love those!" Kate exclaimed, arms still wrapped around Jay's neck, "Bath first?"
"We'll see what Mommy says, how about that?" Jay put the key into the lock but was surprise when the door opened without him turning it. Erin usually remembered to lock the door behind her. "Erin?" Jay called out, pushing the door open and taking a step into the apartment. Kate let out a scream. He gasped and dropped Kate's backpack, instantly reaching for the service weapon on his hip.
"Mommy!" Kate shrieked, wriggling out of Jay's one armed hold and making a beeline for her mother, who was lying on the ground in between the kitchen and the living room, bag of groceries broken and various food items littering the floor.
"Kate!" Jay cried out, reaching to hold his child back, but she was too quick. He held out his weapon and quickly did a once over of the apartment before sinking down beside his unconscious girlfriend and his hysterical daughter. Kate had tears running down her face as she took Erin's hand gently in her own. "Erin, babe." Jay immediately grabbed Erin's wrist and detected a strong pulse, so he picked up his partner's limp head and stroked her cheek softly in an attempt to rouse her. "Erin!" He tried to keep the desperation out of his voice for Kate's sake, but his voice cracked, "Erin, come on back. Wake up."
Erin's eyes fluttered open, harsh light assaulting her blurry vision. She could barely make out the outline of her boyfriend, frantically shouting her name. She could hear soft whimpers in the distance. Kate? Where was she? Erin fought to focus, swallowing the metallic taste in her mouth. Blood. "Mm." Erin lolled her head to one side and weakly widened her eyes. "Jay. He was here."
"Who was here?" Jay asked, his heart in his throat. Kate was trembling beside her mother, glancing nervously around the apartment that didn't appear to have anything missing. The television was still there, as were both Erin and Jay's computers that sat on the breakfast bar. He stroked her cheek as she struggled to sit up, putting a comforting hand on Kate's back as well. "What happened?"
"Jackson," Erin choked out, her tongue feeling too large for her mouth. "Jumped me when I came in." She swallowed, realizing that she must have bit it when she was whacked over the head.
Tears streamed down Kate's cheeks as she watched Jay slowly get to his feet. "Okay, we need to get you to the hospital. Kate, sweetheart, I know this is scary, but I need you to go into your bedroom and get some clothes, underwear and socks and put them into the suitcase from under your bed, okay? We've got to get out of here."
She nodded, knowing full well that her mother was in no condition to help her. Tentatively, the little girl made her way to the bedroom, glancing over her shoulder to be sure her parents were still there. "I don't need the hospital," Erin tried to argue, "C-call Hank."
"I will, as soon as we get out of here," Jay promised. He gently helped Erin to stand and settled her on the couch. "Babe, you're bleeding." Jay informed her, showing her his hand that had been on the back of her head.
Erin opened her mouth to protest, but thump followed by a scream from Kate's room caused her to snap her head toward the noise. "Kate?" Jay shouted, running toward the bedroom as quickly as he could, "What's happened?"
