Empty Spaces

Security

Sylvie stood at the window facing out into the bunk room. She was listening to everything that was being said but she wasn't participating actively in the conversation. Her eyes were staying on the little girl asleep in her bed. Hailey's words running through her head about Bella's parents.

After learning Bella's full name Boden had called Voight and given him what he needed to start a case, try to find anything they could on Isabella Prince or her parents. But now as Hailey and Jay sat here and explained everything, she kind of wished they couldn't find anything.
What they had found was heart breaking.

Bella's father was on the run for multiple charges relating to child abuse, child neglect, drug abuse and a list of maybe a dozen more. Her mother was a junkie who watched whatever went on in the house and did nothing. Child Protective Services had arrived at the house over eight months ago to collect the young child only for the parents to tell them she wasn't there, making up a different array of lies before the father slipped up and said she was staying at his friends "Ramone's".

Ramone was a drug dealer who was known to police for many different crimes but none they could make stick. When the police raided Ramones house, they found traces of children but no child present. The investigation had gone cold only 3 months after it had started and had been waiting for new leads until Boden called up. It re-opened the case and Voight had it bumped up to Intelligence so his team could work on it specifically.

A tear slipped down Sylvie's cheek as she thought about what this child must have dealt with for the past 8 months, how unsafe she must have felt not knowing where she was going to sleep or when her next meal should be. No six-year-old should have to deal with that ever, in fact, no one should. She slowly wiped the tear from her face and turned around, taking a seat back down besides Casey opposite of Hailey and Jay.

"So, what's the go plan? These men, were they apart of Ramone's crew? Or did the parents send them?" Matt spoke as he looked at Sylvie, trying to read her face. He reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, she quickly flipped it over and held his hand. He gave it a squeeze.

It didn't go unnoticed by the detectives in front of them, but they ignored it. "We're gonna run their faces through facial rec, see if they have any previous chargers. But we do have a lead..." Hailey said, clenching her jaw in disgust at what she was about to say. "Burgess and Rojas went and spoke to Ava, she said they were being auctioned to be sold. There's evidence to believe these men were trying to buy either Ava or Bella and weren't happy when their merchandise went missing."

Sylvie shook her head as she looked at Matt, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could anyone want to do this to such young girls. Sylvie made a mental note that she needed to go see Ava and thank her for everything she had done for Bella. It took a lot of guts to stand up to grown men, especially ones who plan to hurt them.
"What did they plan to do with them after the brought them?" Sylvie said, almost to afraid to ask. She was usually the optimistic type, the one who saw a bright side in everything but there was no Brightside about buying kids. Even she knew that.

Hailey sighed and shook her head, looking Sylvie in the eye as she reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze. "It's best you don't know."

Sylvie nodded, locking eyes with Hailey. Almost like making a silent agreement as they then nodded at each other. "You punch them at least once for me when you get them alright?" Sylvie asked, bringing a little bit of humour to a terrible situation.

That was when Jay stepped into the conversation, looking between Matt and Sylvie. "I'll do a little more then punch them."

As they shook hands and hugged, agreeing that now wouldn't be the best time to talk to Bella as everything was still raw, they heard a light knock at the door.

They all looked over to see Bella, her little face mushed against the glass. They all let out a light laugh before Matt moved, opening the door and picking up the little girl. "Oh Teeny, you really do know how to make a room smile." He chuckled, hugging the little girl to him as she suddenly got shy upon noticing the new faces in the room.

Sylvie felt her heart melt, the sight of them and Matt using her nickname for Bella really made today feel better. It reminded her about her conversation with Hailey earlier and she turned back to speak.

"Did you speak to Voight about her situation and staying? At least until the case is over?" She asked nervously, her bottom lip making its way between her teeth as she began to chew on it. She didn't want to risk the girl being put with a bad family in the system or getting hurt again if the men found her. She knew how bad foster homes could be, especially after everything Gabby had to deal with Louie.

She felt her heart drop slightly at Hailey's sad eyes, watching her slowly shake her head. "Voight said it wouldn't be safe for you both. Even with a patrol car outside, staying alone in your place with 1-star security. Maybe if you were staying somewhere that had a doorman or even a roommate but it's not safe you by yourself."

That was when Matt interrupted, stepping closer into the conversation. "They can stay with Kelly and I. We can protect them and plus Stella is there too. Can't be more protected than a house of three fire fighters."

Sylvie looked at him in shock. She knew he was becoming attached to the young girl but she didn't expect him to offer up his house to the both of them. She knew it was the perfect situation to keep Bella, but she didn't was him to feel obligated. "No Matt, you don't have to do that. We can sort something else out."

"Actually, that might work. Voight is big on manpower. He might actually agree to this." Jay pointed out, even though he was on the receiving end of a glare by Hailey about the sexist comment. Even though she could hold her own, they both knew it was true.

"Well its sorted then. Bella and Sylvie will be staying with us until the case is over. Send the CPS worker to my place tomorrow." Matt said, signing off on it before Sylvie could interrupted again. She couldn't help the small smile that was on her face at the thought.

Like she had only just realised what the whole conversation was about, Bella squealed excitedly. Her arms wrapped around Matt's neck as she hugged him tightly. She loved staying at the firehouse and feeling the security from all her new friends, but she needed somewhere comfy to sleep that didn't creak every time she rolled.

"Well, its settled then. We'll talk to Voight and CPS, give them our flying colours recommendation." Hailey said with a wink and a nudge of the shoulder as her and Jay made their way out of the room. They all waved at each other and said their goodbyes. Hailey and Jay even getting a high-five and hug from Bella.
And although Bella didn't really know what was going on, she knew that it was something good. And she liked it.