Things That Go Bump In The Night

Author: Kelon

Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners… none of which are me. I simply borrow them for my entertainment.

Summary: Erin Lindsay thought she knew the dangers of Chicago's streets. She was wrong. When she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger, her world is slowly turned upside down.

Warning: Multiple crossovers ahead.

Rating: T to M for cursing, violence, non-graphic romance and vampiric horror content.

Dedicated to ADR – my one true love. You make getting up every morning worthwhile. And to Sophia Bush. You are an inspiration on and off the screen. I love your work and your activism. It is because of you two wonderful ladies that I am trying to make this world a better place.

Author's notes: This story begins at the end of "Different Mistakes" (Season 1, Episode 8) and is also a continuation of my other story, My Enemy's Enemy, just 14+ years into the future. Enjoy! P.S. I greatly welcome any and all feedback. Please review!

Italics denotes thoughts.

Chapter 1

Molly's Bar, Chicago, Illinois
14 January, 2014 - 21:42 CST

Erin worked her way through the crowd, looking for Antonio. Come on, she thought. He said he'd be here. After she unsuccessfully tried to convince Nadia to come back to the apartment or tell her where she was, Erin felt horrible. She really didn't want to stay home alone, and the prospect of an open ear and a drink or three made her head over to Molly's. Her eyes scanned the room and she found Antonio, Al, Adam and Jay sitting together at a table.

As she approached the table, Jay noticed her first. "Hey." His eyes studied her as she walked around Ruzek to the open seat, eyes downcast. He knew her and immediately realized something was bothering her. "Everything okay," he asked her.

Erin looked at him as she sat down. No, everything is not okay. But I can't talk about it. Not now, not with everyone here. Trying to deflect the question, she said, "Ask me that after I had a drink." Her voice had a tone of finality in it, and Jay knew better than to keep pressing her.

She gave Antonio a grateful smile when he reached over and supportively put his hand on her shoulder before he raised a shot of whiskey for a toast. Erin grabbed a shot that was waiting in front of her. While she listened to his words, she felt herself starting to relax a bit. It felt good to be amongst her colleagues and friends. As the first shot of liquor went down her throat, the burning sensation distracted her from the anguish she felt inside from thinking about Nadia. She tried to push those thoughts aside, instead focusing on the people around her and hoping that a few more drinks would sufficiently numb her pain.

An alleyway, South Side of Chicago, Illinois
14 January, 2014 - 23:18 CST

Nadia was sitting on the frozen ground, her back against the wall of an abandoned warehouse. It had started snowing again, and the wind was swirling the snowflakes around in an erratic and ever-changing pattern. She paid no attention to her surroundings. She felt the cold earlier, but by now her body had gone numb from the extreme freezing temperatures. Her tear-streaked face had lost most of its color, but she didn't really feel the physical pain. Her thoughts were preoccupied by Erin Lindsay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Those words reverberated in her mind over and over again. She hated that she walked out on her chance to get better. The thought of fighting her addiction became too much earlier that night while she was waiting for Erin to return home and in a moment of weakness and panic, she gathered her things and left.

Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice the man until he squatted down in front of her. He was well dressed in an expensive-looking suit and overcoat, his hands covered by leather gloves. Silently, he just starred at her, studying her face.

"Who are you," Nadia managed to asked, her voice weak.

The man grinned at her and raised his right index finger in front of his lips. "Shhhh," is all he said before he lunged forward, his hand covering Nadia's mouth as he jerked her head to the side.

Nadia felt a sharp pain in her neck that quickly subsided. She tried struggling with her attacker, but she was no match for his strength. A feeling of tiredness washed over her as her energy drained away. One last image of Erin sitting across from her in the diner this morning flashed through her mind before everything went dark.

He turned around the corner into an alleyway and saw his target again. He had temporarily lost him in this maze of industrial buildings as he was following him around earlier waiting for an opportunity to strike. The feeling of satisfaction of catching up again was quickly replaced with worry when he realized the scene in front of him. Shit, he's already feeding, he cursed in his mind.

I can't shoot him from here, not without risking her life. Really don't feel like pulling off the drunk routine, and probably not enough time for it anyways, he thought as he was weighing his options. He knew that he normally could not just sneak up on a vampire undetected, but when they were feeding, their senses were lease sharp and he might get lucky. Fuck it! Let's just do this the direct way.

Pulling his gun from his shoulder holster and sliding a stake out of his right jacket sleeve, he stealthily and quietly made his way down the alleyway. The vampire continued feeding on his victim, seemingly unaware of his presence. As he got within 15 feet, he accidentally stepped on a thin patch of frozen snow. The creaky sound made the vampire jump to his feet and whirl around. "Wha…" was all he could say before a magnesium round hit him square in the face, causing him to stagger back. In a blur of movement, the human bridged the gap and thrust his hand forward, plunging a stake into the undead's heart. The vampire fell to the ground, frozen in place.

Molly's Bar, Chicago, Illinois
14 January, 2014 - 23:37 CST

"You wanna talk about it," Jay asked his partner. Al and Antonio had gone home earlier, and Ruzek was hanging out with Burgess at the bar, so they had some privacy if Erin wanted to talk. He was worried about her. She clearly wasn't herself tonight, her usual sense of humor replaced by something else that was weighing on her. She had been drinking heavily, mostly sticking to shots, and when he realized that she was hell-bent on getting drunk, he switched to club soda in case he had to bring her home.

Erin kept staring at the shot of liquor on the table in front of her. After a few seconds, she looked up and gave Jay a weak smile. "I thought I did," she admitted. "But then I think that talking about it doesn't change a damn thing." With that, she lifted the shot glass and downed its content, enjoying the feeling of warmth as it ran down her throat.

Jay reached across the table, took her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You might be surprised. But if you don't want to talk about now, that's ok. Just know that I'm there for you when you are ready."

She nodded. "Thanks, Jay," she whispered almost inaudibly. "Could you take me home? I don't feel great."

"Of course," he said as he got up and helped her into her coat. "This is the first time I get to drive, so how could I say no to that?"

Erin laughed, the first genuine smile coming to her face all evening. "Yeah, just don't get used to it, Halstead. Tomorrow you are back in the passenger seat."