Hey guys, I had a few days off work for the holidays and I started working on this fic. It is different than my previous fic 'Maybe One Day' but it will be a Linstead fic, although it may not read like that for the first few chapters but please stick with it. Please read and review. All honest opinions are appreciated.

I own nothing...except the character Bobbi Timmons

The Partner

Concept

Sergeant Hank Voight has many rules...one being no in house romances. If you want to date a cop, there are plenty of other districts. Erin Lindsay and Jay Halstead both love their jobs in the Intelligence Unit at District 21 of the Chicago Police Department and they love being partners. There is just one problem...they are struggling to control their feelings for each other and keep it professional. Things get more complicated when another Detective, Bobbi Timmons joins the unit to complete a case – she's Jay's old partner and it's clear to everyone, including Erin that they have quite a history. Can Jay and Erin's partnership survive 'The Partner'?

Prologue

Erin was sitting on her couch; dressed in jeans and a red v-neck sweater; her hair hanging down in loose free curls. Her legs were curled up under her; she held a bottle of beer in her hands. She tentatively brought the neck of the bottle to her lips to take a sip as her eyes glanced over at the man sitting beside her; Jay; her partner.

He sat; slouched back on her couch; dressed in jeans, a blue t-shirt and black hoodie; a 5 o'clock shadow across his jaw line; his eyes focused on the TV screen; an empty bottle of beer in his hands. She watched as he sat himself forward and placed the empty bottle on her coffee table.

She knew what this meant as she waited for him to look over at her. It was the same every night he came over to watch the game; tonight, it was the Black Hawks; she was just beginning to dread the moment more and more.

Finally, his eyes locked on her and he gave her his usual lopsided grin. "Well Erin...thanks for the game and the beer." He simply stated; preparing himself to stand. He had to admit; this was his least favourite part to their weekly 'games' night. He hated having to say goodnight to her...and it was getting harder and harder to do.

She reached forward; uncurling her legs and settling them back onto her rug; placing her bottle on the coffee table. "Are you okay to make it home?" She asked.

"Why? You asking me to stay over?" Jay teased.

Erin felt a flush spread across her cheeks. She knew he was teasing but how she wished she could ask him to stay. "I'm simply checking I don't have to call you a cab." She shot back.

He nodded his head knowingly. "I think I'm okay to drive." He replied, standing up. "I only had one beer."

She glanced at the empty six pack in front of them. Had she really drunk the other 5 beers? She glanced back at Jay; his eyes confirming her doubts; she had drunk them.

"Good job I'm a gentleman, huh?" He teased, reaching for his leather jacket that was lying over the back of the couch.

"There are many words to describe you Jay Halstead but gentleman would not be top of the list." Erin shot back; rising to her feet.

He chuckled quietly as he glanced at the floor. Erin shifted her weight and nervously chewed her lower lip. Silence filled the air. She felt herself have an intake of breath as he finally looked up at her and stepped towards her.

He paused momentarily in front of her. "I guess I'll see you in the morning...partner." He softly stated.

Erin swallowed hard. There was so much she wanted to say. She could feel his breath against her cheek. "You sure will...partner." She stated; before raising her arm, her hand clenched in a fist as she playfully punched the top of his arm. She instantly regretted it as soon as she did it and inwardly groaned; her eyes watching as Jay gave a small laugh. Why did she suddenly feel like a daft 13 year old with her first ever crush? It was the effect he had on her.

"Goodnight Erin." He softly said, his hands firmly stuck in his pockets.

"Good night Jay." She replied, shoving her hands into her back pockets; not wanting to take the risk of playfully punching him again.

Her feet didn't move as she watched him walk towards her apartment door to let himself out; giving him a quick nod as he briefly looked over his shoulder before exiting. As soon as the apartment door closed she flopped down on the couch and groaned; her eyes lingering on the spot he had just vacated.

"Still keeping things professional, huh?" She heard Nadia's familiar voice ask.

She spun around to find Nadia leaning up against the door frame of the guest bedroom. Erin had completely forgotten that she was staying over while her place was getting fumigated. Nadia had stayed out of Erin and Jay's way; knowing there was a game on.

"How much of that did you actually witness?" Erin asked, beginning to blush again.

"Enough." Nadia replied, smirking. "Loved the punch of the arm by the way...very um, professional? Platonic?"

"Ugh! Shut up!" Erin squealed, grabbing a cushion to cover her face; trying to ignore the soft giggles coming from Nadia.

To be continued...