It was an ordinary day at the 21st District, Adam Ruzek had just come back from furlough. His sister had died in a car accident and now he has custody of his seven-year-old niece, Sophia. His niece's father isn't around so he's the father figure in her life. The young detective had also been keeping her a secret from his team, the only person who knows is Voight.

He checked the time to see 2:15, it was time to go pick his niece up from school and then take her to Med for her appointment with Sarah. Getting up from his desk the young detective walked to his boss's office, he knocked and Hank looked up. The older Sergeant signed for him to enter the office. Adam walked in and closed the door sitting down.

"What's up Adam?" Hank asked.

"I gotta go pick Sophia up from school and take her to Med for her appointment with Dr. Reese". Adam says.

"Alright, I'll cover for you if they ask. How are you guys doing?"

"Ok, I guess. Soph is still having nightmares every night not that I blame her, Dr. Reese thinks she could be having separation anxiety. Every time I take her to school she begs me not to leave her, she wants to come to work with me. I'm not ready to bring her here yet, I don't wanna expose her to this yet".

"I understand, you wanna protect her. There's nothing wrong with that, Adam there's gonna be a time when you're gonna have to tell the others. You know as well as I do, secrets come out eventually".

"I don't know how to tell them, I didn't know how to tell you. I just can't come out and say, 'hey guys how's the case going, oh by the way I now have custody of my seven-year-old niece'

"I'm sure you'll find a way to tell them. Take the rest of the afternoon off, I'll be by you're place later so we can discuss options".

"Thanks, boss".

"You're welcome, go on before you're late".

Adam nodded and left his boss's office, he went to grab his jacket and keys and left. Everyone was confused about why he was leaving.

"Where's he going?" Jay asked.

"Not a clue". Antonio replies.

"Don't worry about where Ruzek is going, it's personal. Just get back to work". Hank tells everyone.

They did as their boss told them, Alvin looked at his friend he knew that Hank was covering for Ruzek. He just didn't know why. Getting up from his desk he went to his friend's office and closed the door. Hank looked up to see his friend.

"What's up Al?" Hank asked.

"What's going on with Ruzek? Is he in trouble?" Alvin replies.

"He's not in trouble he told me he had something to take care of, it's personal".

"Hank what's really going on, he's been on furlough for almost a month, he's depressed every time he's here, and he goes somewhere every day at this exact time. Whatever it is you can tell me".

The older Sergeant sighed sadly. "Adam's sister died in a car accident, a drunk driver hit her dead on they pronounced her at Med. His niece, Sophia was with her mother that day. He's been taking care of her since Emma died. Adam asked me not to tell you all, he wanted to do it. He just doesn't wanna expose her to all this and I agree with him, he's doing everything to protect her. He'll tell the others eventually, he doesn't know how to tell them. The kid barely knew how to tell me, don't be mad at him Al he had to protect his family".

"I understand man, I ain't mad at the kid. We would have done the same thing".

"I'm heading by there later, wanna tag along?"

"Sure".

Truth be told Alvin was very worried about Adam, he wasn't acting like himself for a while and now he knew why. The older detective went back to his desk.

Meanwhile

Adam was driving to his niece's school, he was trying to remain calm for her. He wanted to break down so many times but had remained strong for her. The school doors then opened and a wave of kids came running out, little Sophia Ruzek came out holding her head down she was still very depressed about her mother. The young detective saw his niece upset and went over to her.

"Soph, you ok darling?" Adam asked her gently.

The seven-year-old looked up at her uncle and jumped him into a hug. "I-I...miss...mommy!"

A lump formed in his throat, he swallowed it and just stroked her hair back. "I know you do munchkin, I miss her too. Hey, Grandpa Hank is gonna come to visit us later".

Sophia sniffed. "Really?"

"Really".

"Uncle Adam, how come I can't go to work with you?"

"Because my work is really dangerous sometimes and I don't want you getting hurt".

"Are you gonna keep me safe from bad guys?"

"Of course I will, nobody will ever hurt you".

Sophia bit her lip, she had been keeping a secret from her uncle she didn't know how to tell him exactly. Adam saw the look on her face change and wondered what was wrong.

"Soph, what's wrong sweetie?"

"You're gonna get mad at me".

"Why would I get mad at you?"

Before Sophia could reply a car drove by and gunshots rang out, Adam quickly brought Sophia close to his chest.

"Uncle Adam! What's going on?"

He managed to put her in the back seat of the car on the floor, he bent down to her level. He saw the pure terror written on her face.

"Soph, I need you to listen to me, sweetheart. Stay here and stay down, don't come out until I come back".

"I'm scared, Uncle Adam".

"Honey, I need you to call Grandpa Hank and tell him to get everyone down here".

"Don't leave me".

"I'll be right back. Just stay here".

He passed her his phone and closed the door locking it, Sophia then called Hank.

"Grandpa Hank, help. I'm scared".

Adam pulled his gun out, the car stopped firing shots for a second. He was taking a great risk here, taking a deep breath he came from around the car and the gunshots started again. The young detective started firing his weapon, he ended up with a couple bullets in his shoulder and one in his stomach, he was on the street bleeding out while his niece sat in the car. He was struggling to stay awake.

"Soph...I'm sorry".

District 21

Hank was in his office going over a file, he heard his phone ringing without, seeing who it was he answered it.

-Voight. Hank answered.

-Grandpa Hank, help. I'm scared. Sophia came on terrified.

That caused Hank to get very worried, he got up and put his jacket on.

-Soph, sweetheart what's wrong? Where's your uncle?

-A car came up and I heard shots, Uncle Adam told me to hide and call you. I'm really scared.

-Calm down honey, calm down. I'm getting everyone and heading there. Where are you guys?

-At my school. I think they stopped, I'm gonna go check on Uncle Adam.

-No, Sophia stay in the car until we get there.

Hank heard a door open and close then heard Sophia scream. -Uncle Adam!

-Sophia, talk to me sweetie what's wrong.

He walked out of his office and signed for his team to follow him, they were all confused but followed him.

-Uncle Adam, he won't get up. He's bleeding. Uncle Adam! Wake up! I think he's asleep Grandpa Hank.

-Were on our way honey, I'll stay on the phone with you.

-He's bleeding really bad and he won't wake up.

Hank quickly pulled out his radio. "This is Sergeant Hank Voight of Intelligence, I need an ambulance at Chicago Central Elementary, I got a detective down!"

"Copy Sergeant, bus en route".

-Grandpa Hank? Grandpa Hank! Sophia cried.

-I'm here sweetheart, I'm here. I called an ambulance for your uncle. Honey, I know you don't wanna leave your uncle but can you find a safe place to hide and I'll find you when we get there.

-I don't wanna leave him.

-I know sweet pea, it's just until we get there.

-He told me to hide on the floor in the car.

-Alright go there and we'll be there as soon as we can.

-You'll stay on the phone with me?

-Of course, I will.

-Grandpa Hank, I hear sirens. Is that you?

-It might be the ambulance honey if it's who I think it is you can trust them.

While

The ambulance pulled up, Gabby and Brett hopped out to see Adam lying on the ground bleeding out. They quickly got to work.

"Adam, hey you awake". Gabby says.

The young detective was looking around blindly.

" S-Soph…Sophia? W-where's Sophia?" Adam asked weakly.

"Who's Sophia?" Brett asked gently.

"Tell…her…I-I'm…sorry".

"Adam! Come on stay with us. What can you tell us about Sophia". Gabby spoke.

" S-she's…my…niece".

That had stunned both women, they didn't know Adam had a niece. They didn't know he had a sibling. Gabby saw a little trail of blood going to his car, she opened the door and saw the scared little girl on the floor.

"W-who are you? Where's Uncle Adam?" Sophia asked scared.

"My name's Gabby, are you Sophia?" Gabby asked softly.

Gabby could hear Hank trying to talk to her and she heard the voice.

"Can I see you're phone, honey?"

The seven-year-old went back to the phone. -Grandpa Hank, there's a lady here. I think wants to talk to you.

-What's her name sweet pea? Hank asked.

-Gabby.

-It's ok honey, you can give her the phone, she's a good person you can trust her.

The little girl handed the phone over to the paramedic, Gabby smiled as she took the phone.

-Hank, it's Gabby. Brett is tending to Adam now, what do you want me to do as far as Sophia? Gabby spoke.

-Can you watch her? We're almost there.

-We gotta transport Adam soon.

-I see you guys, we're coming.

Gabby saw the intelligence unit rolling up, Hank didn't even stop his car when he hopped out and headed over to where Gabby was.

"Soph, look who's here". Gabby tells the young girl softly.

Sophia saw Hank coming into view, the little girl saw him and jumped him in a hug.

"Grandpa Hank!" Sophia cried.

The older man wrapped his arms around the scared seven-year-old, he stroked her hair back gently.

"It's ok sweetie, you're both gonna be ok now". Hank soothed her.

He looked back at Gabby and nodded, she then went back to help work on Adam, she saw the others starting to look and they all looked highly confused.

"Who are they?"

Hank looked back to see his team gathering around, Sophia just shrank into Hank's hold. She held onto him for dear life.

"That's mine and your uncle's team wanna meet them?"

"They're not gonna hurt me? Are they?"

"No honey, they won't. I'll be right here the whole time".

"Ok".

The older man carried the little girl over to where the others are, Gabby and Brett had left transporting Adam. It broke Sophia's heart to see her uncle like that, she laid her head on Hank's shoulder.

"I want Uncle Adam".

"I know sweet pea, I know. The doctors have to fix him so he can get better".

"Can we go see him?"

"Yeah, we can go see him".

"Who's this Sarge?" Antonio asked.

He adjusted Sophia in his arms and held her protectively. "This is Sophia Ruzek. She's Adam's niece".

Everyone was shocked, they didn't know what to do or say, Sophia looked at them and raised her head from Hank's shoulder.

"Don't be mad at Uncle Adam, he was only trying to keep me safe". Sophia tells them.

"Antonio, you're in charge. Work the scene, gather everything you guys can and head back to the District". Hank told the senior detective.

"What about you?" Jay asked.

"I'm taking Sophia to the hospital to get looked at and to see Ruzek".

"Go we got this". Antonio spoke.

Hank walked over to his car and strapped Sophia into the back and drove off heading to the hospital. The team then started to work the scene.

"Whoever it was stopped pretty fast, check out these tire marks". Kevin said.

"Who'd Adam piss off enough to do this?" Kim asked, worried about her boyfriend.

"That could be a very long list, could be anyone who we put away or he put away. We made a lot of enemies one of them could have done it". Jay answered.

"So Adam takes Sophia and gets her to safety, he then waits for his chance and starts firing his weapon. He takes a few bullets". Antonio started.

"You think Sophia could know something?" Hailey asked.

"Only one way to know, talk to her".

Chicago Med

Hank had arrived at the hospital, he held onto Sophia's hand as they walked inside. Maggie had seen them walk in.

"Hank, you should know Adam was taken straight to surgery when he got here". Maggie told the older Sergent.

"Is there any word on him?" Hank asked.

"Not yet".

"Is Natalie around? I wanna get Sophia looked at making sure she's ok".

"Of course, I'll page her".

"Thanks, Maggie".

"No problem".

Sophia held her head down as she held onto Hank's hand, the older man looked down at his surrogate granddaughter and bent down to her level.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Hank asked her gently.

"Are you gonna get mad at me?" Sophia asked carefully.

"Honey, why would I get mad at you?"

Her bottom lip started wobbling. "Because what happened to Uncle Adam was my fault".

"No Soph, it wasn't you're fault sweetie".

"Yes it was, I was finally gonna tell Uncle Adam today before everything happened".

"What were you gonna tell him?"

"That someone has been following me. Following us. I couldn't tell him before".

"Why not?"

"The man told me if I told, he'd find me and take me away. I didn't wanna get taken, Grandpa Hank".

"Hey nobody is gonna ever take you away, not if your uncle, myself, or the others have anything to say about it".

"I was gonna tell him today but that happened".

"The man, did you see what he looked like?"

Before Sophia could speak a man came running in, out of breath. He was a tall, Caucasian guy with brown hair, green eyes, he had an athletic build, he wore a blue shirt, black jeans that were tattered, and sneakers that were falling apart.

"Sophia!" The guy said.

The seven-year-old then fully hid behind Hank, she gripped his jacket. The older Sergeant then stood up looking at the guy he made sure to keep Sophia behind him out of harm's way.

"Who are you?" Hank asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm Ryan Parker, I'm Sophia's father".