Author's note: The description sums this up pretty well but I wanted to give Justkillingtimewhileiwait some recognition because along with those pics of Sophia Bush with the puppy on set her fanfiction inspired me to write (you should totally go read Love Him Right if you haven't already, it's beautiful).
The premise of the AU: This fanfiction is set before the first season of Chicago PD but the timeline is a little off. Erin has not long joined Intelligence and Jay is with the K9 Unit not Gangs.
I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything… Literally.
Chapter One: It's not you, it's me.
The muscular animal bounded across the grass, joyous and puppy-like despite his rough appearance. Erin Lindsay couldn't help but smile at her furry companion, she could only imagine how good it felt to run free after a day cooped up in her small apartment.
She had intended to walk him that morning but crime never slept and so apparently neither did she, skipping her morning routine in preference for attending the scene of a brutal double homicide. Not the worst, just the most recent case the Intelligence Unit of the Chicago Police Department had been called to.
The animal's acute sense of hearing meant he picked up the noise before she did, his head swivelling as he sought its origin. The shift was instantaneous, as if every muscle in his body had relaxed without warning he dropped to the grass, letting out an uncertain whimper as he risked a glance away from the threat to his owner.
"'s okay Bud" Erin assured, dividing her attention between the dog before her and the one approaching the other end of the dog park; It was nothing more than a sleek black shadow, with a clueless looking man trailing behind. She wouldn't have picked him as the owner of the majestic creature if not for the leash slung over his shoulder.
"C'mon Buddy, let's get outta here" she soothed as she moved to him, crouching and extending a hand cautiously. Buddy flinched as she stroked from the top of his head to his collar, twisting the worn leather before clipping the leash to it. She scratched behind his ears, his favorite, and then when she was confident she'd broken his trance she patted his solid shoulder and stood, beckoning for him to do the same.
The man, Jay Halstead, had paused at the far gate, watching curiously as the woman interacted with the gray and white Pit Bull. His partner, a solid black German Shepherd nudged at his leg, questioning his hesitation. She was so used to rushing in, hunting down criminals day and night.
"Wait up Ink" Jay requested, hand dropping to her head to ruffle her ears, eyes remaining fixed on the woman and her dog. They seemed to be leaving on account of their arrival. That was the last thing he wanted.
The clang of the latch on the far gate rang out just as Buddy took the first of the five steps it would take to get to the nearest gate. He reacted as Erin would have had the sound been a gunshot, dropping low and then seeking cover. Tethered by the leash the only available cover was his owner's legs. Once behind her Buddy straightened, as much as he wanted to defend the woman who had shown him nothing but love and affection he couldn't overcome the fear he felt at the man's presence.
"Sorry." Jay shouted as he dropped the latch, reconsidering his usual strategy of allowing Ink to demonstrate her calm demeanor. Erin didn't respond, focusing on coaxing Buddy toward the gate with as little tugging on the leash as possible. She talked to the animal softly, pervading such calm that he took another few steps.
Jay felt terrible, but he wasn't entirely sure why. "You don't have to go because of us" he added, muttering a single word to his dog before entering the enclosed space, jogging lightly he made it to the other end just as they neared the first gate of the airlock system.
"She's harmless" he insisted, looking back over his shoulder instead of at the woman or her anxious companion. He understood that Ink could look quite intimidating, as black as the darkest night, squarely built and constantly alert with trademark shepherd erect ears.
Erin had gritted her teeth to try to ignore the man's shouts. His dog might well be harmless but hers wasn't necessarily, it was a foolish assumption for him to have made. Buddy was hardly holding up his breed's reputation though, whining pitifully as he tangled himself between her legs. He almost tripped her in the process, but she caught herself quickly enough and tried to get him to continue to the gate. "Buddy" She murmured sympathetically, giving a tug. He didn't move so she did, reaching the gate as she held the leash at full extension in her other hand.
"Please" Jay requested, not sure what it was about her that made him want to give away Ink's chance at some free time.
"We were going anyway" Erin dismissed, feeling as if it would be more awkward if she didn't respond. She kept her eyes down though, Buddy had dropped to his stomach again, defensively, at the strange man's approach.
"No, we'll go" he volunteered hopefully, stopping just short of holding the gate closed as she reached to open it.
"Its fine" she shrugged, dragging her four legged friend through the small opening. Only when she turned to close the gate did she take in the stranger's appearance.
An apologetic look occupied his face, filling his piercing blue eyes. Eyes that she couldn't stop staring into; acutely aware that it was socially unacceptable to stare for that long, she simply couldn't tear her eyes away.
Maybe there was something more to it but his apology seemed to extend to the deepest depths of those unblinking orbs, making her feel guilty that he felt guilty.
"It's not you it's me" she blurted without pause, wishing herself invisible wasn't enough as embarrassment swelled in her chest, throat constricting, blood rushing to her cheeks.
Doing the only thing she could think of Erin Lindsay turned and walked away. Not in any hurry, because she was desperately trying to remain calm for Buddy, who at that moment looked a nervous wreck, fur bristling, eyes darting to and fro as his ears picked up sounds from every direction.
Jay watched her go for a moment then conceded the loss and returned to his point of entry. "Sorry girl" he told his dog as he opened the gate, "you can go play" he reasoned when she stayed at his side.
"I'm okay. I mean I just got dumped… I think" he chuckled, placing his hand on the top of her head before ruffling her silky ears. He looked back just in time to see the woman and her dog disappear into the parking lot on the other side of the park. That would explain why he hadn't seen her before, she wasn't local, he might never see her again. Disappointment filled him at the realization.
"Go play Ink" Jay commanded more firmly, with one final look at him she bounded away, eager to explore the sights and smells. Jay sighed and made his way to the park bench trying to shake the strange disappointment he felt.
Buddy Boy ~ StraightOuttaChicago
Author's note: What do you think? I have some ideas about where I might go with this if anyone is interested in reading more but I'd love some suggestions too. Please, please, please review!