****

"Uncle Will!" Sophia's voice made Jay pull back from the stove where he was cooking pancakes. He had finally caved into Sophia's idea of pancakes for breakfast for a couple of days, so that's what he had been doing when their apartment door opened to reveal his brother, Will.

"Princess!" Will greeted with a bright smile. His niece always managed to bring him happiness especially after the double shifts he had been pulling to catch up with his malpractice premiums. Will crouched down his arms open. "Come and give Uncle Will a hug."

Sophia practically bounced over to her uncle who easily and quickly scooped up his niece, another hand tickling her.

"Unc-uncle Will. St-op," Sophia laughed breathlessly. She admired her Uncle Will, in the time he had lived with the father and daughter his bond with Sophia grew more and more each day and for that he had been forever grateful.

"Hey, Will," Jay greeted from the hallway, his body leant against the wall and a hand wrapped securely around his chest, he hadn't been taking the meds his brother had given him, he felt just fine without them, well that's what he told himself anyway.

Will finally stopped tickling the 5-year-old, his smile beamed as he looked to his brother, a sudden frown forming. He hadn't really expected anything else from Jay, he had built a life around his PTSD, though he struggled Will knew that Jay would still not admit pain, whether that be physical or emotional. Right now, he knew, he knew what Jay was doing and he wasn't best pleased.

Before Will could speak a bouncing Sophia jumped from his knee and ran towards the kitchen area. The redheaded doctor managed to pull himself from the floor a stern glare radiating towards his brother.

Jay scoffed. One look. That's all it took for Jay to know what his brother was thinking about. He muttered a morning and moved back into the kitchen area where he continued to make breakfast. Sophia was sat on the floor with her toys and with, surprisingly, little mess. Erin. Jay smiled as he thought of the happiness his partner and now girlfriend brought to his daughter.

"Angel, can you take your toys into your room please?" Jay asked. Jay could have swore he heard a huff from his daughter, his head snapped around quickly to see Sophia still sitting on the floor. "Sophia." His voice held the warning tone he only used when he needed to.

"Muffin, do as your daddy says," Erin said simply as she moved into the kitchen, a basket for washing in hand ready to put in the wash. She had planned to do it last night but after their awkward encounter with Sophia yesterday both parents had been too embarrassed and shocked to do anything. "Come on Soph, I'll help you," Erin added as she placed the basket on the side ready for her to sort through.

With an arm reached out, Erin guided Sophia to her room, an armful of toys in one hand whilst the little Halstead grabbed the rest.

Certain the pair were now out of earshot, Will's head snapped towards Jay.

Jay, already anticipating the words that would come out of his brother's mouth, cut across before Will could even start. "Not now, Will."

"Are you insane? You aren't Martin Riggs, Jay," Will complained, his voice soft to avert any attention from Erin and Sophia. "The meds are to help you."

Jay shook his head, an amused expression trying not to escape as his brother referenced one of their favourite films growing up. Jay always compared himself to Riggs, the hot-headed cop who never cared about himself. Jay often joked that Will was Roger Murtaugh, the retired cop who always complained about Rigg's unruly behaviour. "I'm doing just fine without them."

"Please," Will scoffed. Will knew his brother and he knew when he was hiding something, and he was pretty damn sure that whatever it was would break him one day.

"Hey, Will, you gonna stay for breakfast?" Erin's voice made the two Halstead brothers jump, both looking at each other before turning back to Erin. Small footsteps against the wooden floor made the adults look towards the 5-year-old.

"Please, please, Uncle Will." Sophia held her hands together as she practically begged her Uncle to stay.

Will couldn't deny that look. "Well I suppose I could," he agreed, ruffling Sophia's hair.

Sophia jumped in victory and practically pounced on her uncle.

"Let's set the table then, Muffin." Erin smiled. She loved how excited Sophia got when her Uncle came over, it was the same with Antonio. Though their bond had been different, they all cared for Sophia the same.

Eventually the four sat down around the table, conversation flowing freely, that was until Sophia spoke up.

"Uncle Will, guess what?" Sophia bounced in her chair excitedly as if she had the greatest news in the world to tell. She didn't even wait until her uncle asked what before she continued. "At bed time yesterday-"

Jay's eyes widened, he was sure they left his body at one point. He couldn't be sure what his daughter was about to say but he certainly didn't put it past her. Not bothering to swallow the mouthful of food he had he was quick to speak up. "Sophia. Tell Uncle Will about Connie's party," he suggested hopefully.

"But Daddy, Uncle Will knows, I telled him." Sophia tried her best to narrow her eyes at her father. "I wanted to tell Uncle Will about-"

Erin cut across this time. She was sure she was flushing. "Hey, uh, Muffin? Let's go play with your toys."

Sophia looked down to her plate. "Mommy, I'm not finished"

Will looked between the couple, he was sure Jay was breaking a sweat and he was even more certain that Erin was wearing shades of red. "What did you want to tell me, Princess?"

Before Jay and Erin could even attempt to blurt it out, she beamed. "I'm getting a BABY BROTHER!"

Will choked on the coffee he had just sipped. Meanwhile Erin crept further down into her chair and Jay just sat there, a look of pure horror on his face.

"Uh- okay." Will stumbled across his words, not sure what to actually make of what his niece had just said.

"How do mommy and daddy get a baby?" Sophia asked after a moment or two, her teeth munching on the pancake she had in her mouth.

Will couldn't hold it in, a huge chuckle escaping from his face.

"Food, Sophie," Jay uttered quickly before his head found his hands, covering his face in all attempts to hide from the situation his daughter had made. He should have known. It was Sophia after all.

Erin was the one to speak up next. "Muffin, look, time to get ready for school." Erin, with her hands placed on the table she pushed herself.

Will shook his head, his body wracking with the chuckles he couldn't hold in. Managing to compose himself a little, he said. "No, no. I think Soph here needs an answer."

Sophia bounced happily in her seat as Jay shot Will a glare. This was going to be one fun conversation.

"Well, uh when the baby-" Jay tried to start but he stopped just as quickly. "Oh hell no, I CANNOT do this with my five year old. Not happening."

Sophia frowned, her lip quivering. The movement completely false but it worked.

Erin crumbled. "Muffin, you know me and daddy? We share a bed?" Erin tried. She waited until the Halstead nodded before she continued. "Well, sometimes," Erin's lips pursed together and her eyes narrowed as she glared at her boyfriend's brother. He was really not helping the situation. Erin turned to Sophia, her eyes asking a thousand questions. "Uh- well. To get a baby, the baby needs a mommy and daddy- and they uh-they- um-". She looked towards the brothers for any sort of help. None. She took a deep breath, her eyes closed as if it would help make the next words she spoke less uncomfortable. Her voice quieted hoping Sophia wouldn't hear it. "Make love."

Sophia was totally unfazed. Her leg continued to swing under her chair. "But why?"

Jay was horrified. His hands holding his head in the hope that it would stop him having to face the reality of what was actually happening, in his kitchen, with his daughter.

Will, on the other hand was finding this discussion highly amusing. He had always envisioned his brother having a similar talk with the young Halstead but he hadn't actually expected it to be this funny. He was using his shirt in attempt to mask his laughter, well more of a cackle by now, though nothing seemed to work. His eyes began to tear in hysterics, Sophia always knew how to make them laugh, even if it was unintentional. "Yeah, Erin, why?" Will tormented.

"You're one to laugh!" Jay shot back quickly. "At least I'm not having your dilemma!"

Will, though still highly amused, tried to shoot his brother a glare. "That's different."

Jay didn't say anything just anything and just set a hard glare in his brother's direction.

"At least I didn't get caught by my daughter," Will joked. Leaning back as Jay attempted to lunge forward in annoyance. He had a knack for annoying his brother.

"You don't have a dau-te-ter," Sophia tried to express. Still not fully able to pronounce the word she had been trying to say, Sophia shrugged.

The three adults, though two of them embarrassed, chuckled slightly.

"No I don't, Princess," Will smiled through the tears that had formed from his persistent laughter.

"Mommy!" Sophie whined from her seat, not caring for her uncle's words. "You didn't answered, my questi-stion"

Erin closed her eyes, hoping she had gotten away with it.

"Yeah, Mommy," Will mimicked ."Sophia wants an answer"

"Like I said, they uh- make love," Erin struggled.

"Like you and daddy?" Sophia asked hopefully, the thought of having a younger sibling was exciting to the 5 year old.

Jay finally spoke up. "No, not like me and mommy."

Sophia looked inquisitively. "But you maked mommy have a baby, on the sofa." She declared, her small arm pointing at the sofa.

Jay closed his eyes, a loud groan escaping his lips. "Me and mommy, we were-"

"Making a brother or sister for the princess here," Will finally interrupted, his face flushed from the laughing.

"Don't you have a malpractice premium to pay off!" Jay retorted quickly. He hated how much fun his brother was having with this.

The redheaded Halstead nodded, standing up he placed a soft kiss on his niece's head. "Love you , Princess."

"Love you, Uncle Will!" Sophia bounced.

Before he left, Will moved to his brother, squeezing his shoulder. "Better start getting to work on that little brother for Soph." Will jumped back quickly away from his brother's arm that he had attempted to hit him with.

If Jay hadn't still been recovering he wouldn't have missed. "What about Nina, hey?"

"I don't liked Nina, she's moody," Sophia said from behind a mouthful of food.

Will stood a little taken aback my his niece's words, he had always assumed he liked Nina. It was the impression she had given him the other day when she had to stay at his. Maybe she was just being polite.

Wishing the family a goodbye Will left their apartment, leaving them to finish their breakfast.

Whilst Jay and Erin shared a look before they turned to Sophia who had continued eating, completely oblivious to the conversation. But they...well, they were gonna take a while trying to forget that.

****

Jay could not stay put at home, especially not when Erin wouldn't have him as her back-up . Although there were so many other capable cops in the IU to watch Erin's back, he wanted to be able to see her, and be sure she was okay. So Jay and Erin made their way up the stairs and into the bullpen.

Ruzek's voice spoke up, "Hey, Jay, you coming to Molly's tonight? Atwater's buying."

Jay shook his head. "Not tonight."

Atwater looked ready to protest. "Man-"

"Hey, you try having a 5 year old that insists watching Peter Pan isn't enough, but reading the book is a must before bed too," Jay chuckled lightly, moving to his desk as Erin made her way to hers.

"Maybe another time, guys," Erin added.

Right then Voight chose to step out of his office, one hand in his pocket. "Don't get comfy, we caught a case," he announced. "Everyone, suit up. We're heading to 23rd Moonlight Avenue."

**

Fifteen minutes later, the team reached their destination. Jay made his way to where the body was, covered in a sheet. The responding officer was talking to Hank, and Jay tensed, his hand moving to the edge of the sheet. He pulled it back and the pained look on his face did not go unnoticed by Erin. It was a little girl, around 4 or 5, with a gunshot wound to the forehead.

Jay tightened his arm around his ribs, his heart picking up its pace. He clenched his jaw.

"Jay, what is it?" Erin asked.

He didn't reply, but looked towards Ruzek, who had now returned from getting statements. "Do we have a name?" Jay asked.

Adam nodded. "Yeah, Rebecca Turrell. 5 years old. Stray bullet caught her in the crossfire between two gangs. Her mother's over there." He indicated his hand to the tape where a hysterical woman was being held back by two patrol officers.

Jay shook his head and stood up, his body rigid and tensed. Erin watched her boyfriend with a sad expression, knowing he still hadn't forgotten Callum's attempts to hurt Sophia. Seeing this young girl had clearly hurt him to some extent.

"I'll be back, " she told Ruzek as she walked towards Jay. He stood by their car, leaning against the door. His eyes were closed, and he was silent. Even as he heard Erin approaching, he didn't move, nor did he make any effort to speak either.

Erin stopped in front of him, and both of them remained in silence for a while.

"Erin-," Jay began, opening his eyes.

Knowing exactly what her partner was about to say, Erin cut across him. "Don't you dare even THINK of saying you're fine, Jay. Because I can see that you're far from it."

Jay groaned. "Erin, please."

Erin knew he was in pain but she couldn't keep going round in circles. It was time she was direct with him. "No, you're going to tell me, no matter what," she declared, firmly. She crossed her arms in front of her chest so that he would know she meant business.

Jay raised an eyebrow, but Erin stood there, eyes burning into him, and he knew she wouldn't back down unless he told her. He sighed. "What if-what if we hadn't gotten there in time and Callum did hurt Sophia?" He took a deep breath, trying to control the pain and the way his

voice shook. "What would that have done to her? I just-."

Erin stepped closer to Jay, and shook her head. "Jay, don't." She knew what she was about to say would sound mean but she needed to get Jay to see that living in past wouldn't do him or Sophia any good. "The what if's don't matter. Sophie's okay, she's safe and she's not hurt."

Though a little reluctant, Jay decided to agree with Erin. Voight gestured them over. "Let's clear it up."

Erin took the wheel of their car and drove back to the precinct.

****

A couple hours later, Jay glanced at his wrist watch. It was 1pm. He needed to pick Sophia up. Grabbing his jacket from behind his chair, Jay headed towards Voight's office and knocked on the door.

Voight looked up from his desk. "Halstead."

"Sarge, I need to pick Soph up. Can I take an hour?"

"Of course you can, Halstead. On the condition that you bring Sophia here."

Jay smiled. He had always known Hank had a soft spot for Sophia and it was nice to see. Though some people may find it weird that their boss loves his detective's daughter, Jay was oddly comforted by that thought, knowing that if anything should happen to him, his daughter would be in good hands.

****

Sophia pulled on Jay's hand. "D-Daddy," she whined, her eyes wide as she eyed the precinct nervously.

Jay held back a wince as he kneeled in front of his daughter. "What's wrong, Angel?"

"Daddy, I don't wanna go in, the bad man is there," Sophia looked down at her feet.

Jay pulled Sophia into his arms. "Baby, he's gone now," he whispered gently. "You're safe okay? I'm here."

Sophia nodded into his neck and he stood up, carrying her in his arms, despite it hurting his ribs. He walked into the precinct. When Sophia saw Platt, she waved happily to the desk sergeant.

"Hi there, ponytails," Platt smiled.

"Hi Toody!"

"You got one brave daughter, Chuckles," Platt told Jay.

Jay smiled, ruffling Sophia's hair as she turned red. "Yeah I do," he agreed proudly.

"Toody, I brave like Daddy?" Sophia's eyes shone as she looked at Platt.

Platt chuckled. "Yes, ponytails. You're so brave, exactly like your daddy."

Sophia bounced happily. She looked up at her father. "Daddy, I is superhero too."

Jay and Platt both laughed. "Yes you are, Angel," Jay smiled, kissing her head. "Do you want to see Hank?"

"YES!"

Sophia waved once again at Platt, who smiled at the little Halstead. Jay made his way up to the bullpen and Sophia jumped out of his arms. "MOMMY!" She ran straight to Erin who immediately bent down to pick her up and kiss her cheek.

"Hi there, Muffin," Erin smiled, stroking Sophia's hair. "How was your day?"

"It was good. Mommy you know, Toody telled me I is brave like Daddy!" Sophia exclaimed excitedly.

Erin smiled, looking up at Jay, who gave her a smirk and a light shrug. He was leaning against his desk, watching his girlfriend and daughter interact. And he knew he would give anything, including his own life, to make that woman Sophia's real mother. Erin was a natural with Sophia and it always made Jay happy to see the two of them play and interact.

"I tell you secret, Mommy?" Sophia asked in whisper though it was loud enough even for Jay to hear.

"Yeah, baby, what is it?" Erin asked, excitedly, putting her ear closer to Sophia's mouth.

"You is braver than Daddy!"

"Oh, really, Angel?" Jay smiled, as Erin laughed. "Do you want to get tickled now?"

Sophia squealed. "Daddy! Don't ticklish me!"

"Don't worry, kiddo. I'll save you from your daddy," Hank's gruff voice spoke.

"GRUMPY HANK!" Sophia jumped down from Erin's arms and ran straight to her grandfather, so to speak. He hugged her.

"How are you, kiddo?" he asked her.

"I got a star in school, Grumpy," Sophia gestured to her chest where there was a gold star pinned there.

Hank smiled. "Oh you did? Good job!"

"My teacher said I was a good girl and Toody said I is brave," Sophia declared proudly.

Jay shook his head, Sophia was going to go around telling everyone that Platt had called her 'brave'. But truthfully, it was cute, and he was loving every second of it. Watching Hank and Erin interact with his daughter gave him a sense of comfort and happiness. That maybe, everything might just be okay, if only for a little while.

****