"Halstead," Jay mumbled tiredly into the receiver. His phone had buzzed loudly at three in the morning, rousing the detective from a deep slumber. Kate was snuggled up against Erin, both girls still sleeping soundly. "What?" He sat up quickly, fully awake, "Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can."
Swiftly, Jay shed the covers and pulled on a pair of jeans from yesterday before rounding the bed and gently cupping Erin's cheek. He hated that he had to rouse her from her peaceful slumber, but didn't want his girls to wake up and worry about his whereabouts. "Babe, wake up."
"Mm?" Erin turned her head and caught Jay's urgent gaze. "What time is it? Why are you dressed?" She widened her eyes in anticipation, her partner's warm palm on her cheek rapidly pulling her out of her sleep-addled mind. "Are you okay?"
He nodded, "I just got a call from Crowley. They've got him. Paul Jackson. In custody," Jay smiled, "I'm headed to the district, right now. They're booking him and I wanted to see his smug face before he gets shipped off to 26th and Cal."
"Really?" Erin sat up in bed, the covers pooling at her waist. She was clad in one of Jay's old t shirts and shivered as the cool air washed over her skin, "They're sure it's the right guy?"
"Down to the fingerprints," Jay confirmed, "I'll be back in an hour or two, you go back to sleep."
"I'll come with you," Erin swung her legs off the mattress, "I wanna give him a piece of my mind and I want to see that bastard sent off."
Jay shook his head, "I know, but you should really sleep, babe. Will said it would help your head heal faster," Jay eased himself down onto the mattress. He grimaced slightly, knowing that he was in for an argument. Maybe he shouldn't have woken her up and just left a note. As he predicted, Erin glared at him.
"It's been two weeks, Jay. I'm feeling better, you don't need to handle me with kid gloves," She narrowed her eyes and scowled, "Besides, he attacked me. I should get some time in the cage for that one."
"Er, Crowley was the one who called. There's no chance of either of us getting in to talk to him. She just said I need to be there as a formality," He took her hand and rubbed her fingers delicately, "Please, go back to sleep. It's a Saturday. We can see him at arraignment next week, after he spends the weekend in lock-up."
Erin huffed and shivered again. "Fine. Only because the apartment is freezing," She tucked her legs beneath the covers again, her eyes softening, "Come back soon though, okay?"
"I won't be long," Jay promised, leaning forward to tenderly kiss her lips, "And after, I'll make us some breakfast, too."
"Okay fine, you win," Erin mumbled, settling back against the pillow. Kate had shifted slightly over to Jay's side of the bed and was now flat on her back, mouth slightly open with one arm extended over her head and the other holding Tiger and Lion against her chest. "She's so out. And she sleeps like you, you know."
"Thankfully," Jay smiled, "I don't know if the bed could handle two cover hogs."
Erin wrinkled her nose, "Get out of here, Halstead."
True to his word, Jay returned two hours later. Tiredly, he shed his jacket, followed by his jeans and crawled back into bed. Kate was cocooned into Erin's side, her mother's arm slung across her stomach and keeping the little girl close. He beamed at the sight, extending an arm over his daughter so that he could touch Erin's hip. She stirred slightly and opened her eyes, heaving a sigh of relief when she caught her partner's gaze. "How was it?"
"They got him. And they charged Bowler too," Jay moved his hand from her hip to gently stroke her cheek, "Turns out he's been helping distribute and cover up the child torture pornography."
