Stars around Scars *editing*

Chapter Twelve

Jay POV

As I walk back over to Erin, My heart sinks further than the initial drop. All I can think about is what Sam just said... I cannot believe I did not dislocate his shoulders immediately. Once I make it back to the bed, Erin moves over and I sit next to her. I turn to face her, already knowing the answer to my excruciating question.

"Er, did he try?" It's far too painful to finish that sentence. Luckily, I don't have to. Her response of falling tears is enough, as I gently pull her into my arms. As her tears soak my shirt, I feel like I am choking trying to get all of the information. "Did you let him?"

"The first time I fought back and he didn't." Erin managed to get out.

My heart sinks deeper; I knew it. "What do you mean the first time?"

"He thought I was still pretty weak. But after that he made it so I couldn't fight him at all".

I feel my tears come to a steady flow as Erin starts shaking. It is silent for a while, just trying to comfort her in any way. "I am so sorry".

A few silent hours pass by. Thankfully Erin has been asleep for almost two hours. In all of my years of knowing her, I have never seen her cry so much. I hear a soft creek at the door. My arms instinctively tighten around Erin knowing it's probably no threat. I watch as Kim slips in carefully. I gently sit up, but Erin stirs a little bit. She doesn't wake up. But she is clinging to my waist still.

"Oh my god, this does not feel real". Kim says while walking over and sitting in the chair I was previously in.

I try not to breathe as Erin continues to stir. We have at most ten minutes until she wakes up again. "Yeah, I still can't quite believe it myself". Kim stares at her for a few seconds before asking the dreaded question.

"Is it bad?"

I pull in another breath before looking down at Erin's peaceful breathing. "Yes. Physically, she is fine. She broke four ribs, punctured a kidney, severely dehydrated, and starved". I intentionally leave out the rape, but I know its going to come up later.

"What about when you found her?"

"Based on that, I know she is really messed up. I found her zip tied to some piping. But her other restraints looked old. She was also in a lot of shock and was terrified Sam's brother would intervene. I thought my heart stopped when I saw no self defense marks". I can feel the question coming. I know she needs to ask it but the answer is going to hurt everybody.

Kim takes several deep breaths preparing herself for the most difficult question. "Please tell me she wasn't".

"Um, at least once. But I just found out so she hasn't gotten a rape kit yet". I rub Erin's shoulder knowing she is going to wake up, and will soon hear our conversation.

"Alright, that's enough information for the statement. You told her about the Taylor Swift stuff right?" I can see that nervousness in Kim's eyes. She knows Erin is a huge swiftie, and these past weeks were huge.

I chuckle at her concern."Yeah I did, she definitely did not take it very well. She already told me about her listening party plans and her future deep dive".

"Thank god, at least some of her is still pretty normal". To that I feel Erin shift again, this time her eyes open up.

"How are you feeling? Er, do you need more pain meds?"

Erin POV

"I think i'm alright". I notice that Kim is now here, thank god. I need a little bit of normalcy in my life right now.

Kim starts to laugh a little bit before making a comment, "I am so glad you are back, I have been outnumbered up there for far too long". I sit up a little bit at that. Jay took that as a hint to help me fully sit up like he was.

"What, too much beer and sports without me?" I laugh at that, I think the first in a couple of weeks. I can also see Jay smiling at that in the corner of my eye.

She continues giggling as she goes, and it feels like healing for all of us. "Yea the boys get annoying fast when someone doesn't snap back at them". In my peripheral I see Jay's jaw drop before he speaks, and I am already laughing. It hurts a lot but they don't need to know that.

"Hey, I am right here!" Jay says while throwing his arms up in defense.

I take that as an invitation to bully him further, as I stick my pointer finger into his chest. "Nope, when you are with me you are one of the girls". Jay rolls his eyes while one of his arms falls around my shoulders.

A few seconds after this interaction I can hear shuffling by the door and now the entire unit is in the room. Jay shockingly does not move or attempt to strike up conversation with anyone at first.

Kevin speaks first quickly, alleviating the tension and shock. "God, am I glad to see you Lindsay. These people are so vanilla". We all laugh a little at that. I really feel it this time and bring my arm up to my ribs.

Jay squeezes my shoulder while asking me if I am okay. I manage a nod while the rest of the group keeps talking and making their rounds to me. Eventually Voight pulls Jay out while Antonio takes his place. He is like my brother, he isn't trying to get any details from me. But I know he likely already did some damage to Sam at the station.

Jay POV

Voight brings me out into the hallway, first giving me a hug. I am caught severely off guard as this is the first he has ever given me. Although we both have been put in unimaginable positions, Erin being my girlfriend and partner, while being his adoptive daughter.

"You did really good there. How is she?"

I am still at a complete loss for words seeing that my boss might start crying in front of me. "Much better than when I found her. But she is still really messed up".

Voight lays a hand on my shoulder and I know it's coming. "Do you know if she was raped?"

I slightly nod as a response, it's suddenly so difficult to form words. "Yeah, Sam did at least once. We haven't ordered a rape kit yet though".

Saying this as Voight's face twists in anger is pretty hard to see right now. "Good thing that fucker is still at the station then".

I already know what this means. He won't live to see the inside of a prison cell. "Can I be there?". It's worth a try asking I guess.

"No, you need to be here for her. I'm going to assign you to her until we find Sam's brother". Voight says while rubbing my shoulder slightly.

"Thanks, it means a lot".

"I know, just make sure to switch with someone every once in a while and stop home.

Voight starts walking back into Erin's room as I follow shortly behind. "I will try".

Erin POV

As Jay and Hank step back in, they walk back over to me. "I am really glad he found you kiddo". Hank says while giving me a hug, being mindful of my injuries.

"Me too". Is all I can manage before crying a little bit. As he pulls back he addresses the group.

"Alright guys we should head back and keep looking". The group says their goodbyes and shortly leaves Jay and I in the room. Jay comes back to the bed once Antonio leaves and sits on the edge looking at me in silence while taking my hands in his.

"I know you don't want to but you need a rape kit". I know he is right. But I am in so much denial I don't think I can ask myself.

"Okay". Is all I can manage, hoping Jay will do the rest.

Jay takes out his phone before looking back up at me. "I'll text Will, I'll be here the whole time. Who do you want to do it?" I wish I could freeze in situations like this. Most people do, all I feel is numb.

"Um, can Nat do it? But I think Will should come as well". I know Jay is going to need his brother more than I do. I would also rather keep this in the family. I am very aware that I am extremely lucky for this, because I would never let a stranger get involved right now.

"Alright, they are coming up in ten minutes".