A/N - Hey everybody, here's the next chapter. Sorry that its rather short, I just needed it for a plot development. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two

I left her apartment feeling remorseful. I hadn't exactly planned on telling her I wanted to be her friend. There was something about her, and the moment I met her I felt pulled to her in sorts. I didn't want to throw the friend word around, but it was clear that it was what she needed.

The air was crisp, the wind had finally died down enough to breath without your lungs struggling in the process. There was something peaceful about walking around after the majority of people had gone to bed. It wasn't my first time walking home after hours, nor would it be my last.

It turned out that Alison only lived a couple blocks away from Severide and I so it made for a short walk. Who would have thought that she would have lived so close to a lesbian? I suppressed my small chuckle.

I had reached home in almost record time. The lights were off and the house already looked rather lonely. I walked through the door and threw my keys into the small dish by the door. My boots slipped off and I was thankful for the in floor heating system. Severide must have gone to bed early.

I started my bedtime routine, trying to be quiet so the noise wouldn't echo throughout the apartment. My phone dinged and I felt like a schoolgirl wondering if it was Rafferty texting goodnight or something. It wasn't.

I climbed into my bed and plugged my phone in hearing the same ding as before. What the hell was going through my mind? I had promised myself never to get a crush on a straight girl, and everything about Rafferty screamed straight. The way she talked, the way her guard was always up around me, the way she always assumed I was hitting on her. Everything about her was straight, right down to her last relationship.

I rolled over facing my phone, if she wasn't going to text me maybe I would text her.

I pounded the touch keyboard with expert fingers. The idea that she would immediately respond was enough to give my stomach butterflies. As much as I wanted to get to know more about her, I wanted to do it face to face.

"Hey I just wanted to say thanks for the beer tonight, I know you went to bed early but I wanted to thank you again. Talk to you soon."

I placed my phone back down on the nightstand and closed my eyes. I pulled my blanket up to the crook of my neck and let out a sigh.

My phone went off again and my ring tone started. I immediately smiled when I saw her name on the small screen.

"Hey," I tried not to sound eager. "I thought you were sleeping, sorry if my text woke you." I flopped back on to my pillows.

"I couldn't sleep." She sounded concerned and it was a bit alarming. I didn't want to be the cause of a restless night.

"Everything alright?" I softened my tone, trying my best to be a good friend. Writing a list of the right questions to ask in my head.

"Yeah." She paused before continuing. "I've just been thinking about everything and my brain doesn't want to shut down long enough for me to fall asleep."

"I don't know if this is helpful but I read somewhere that if you lay completely still for fifteen minutes your body thinks your sleeping and you'll just fall asleep. I don't know if you want to try that or not?" I hoped she would just brush the lame comment off. I wanted to talk to her as long as possible.

"I know this probably sounds ridiculous, especially coming from me. But do you mind just talking to me until I fall asleep? It's nice just hearing someone's voice and having the presence near by. I totally understand if you don't want to, I'm sure you were trying to sleep or heading there or something." She paused again waiting for me to response. I didn't know what to say. What I really wanted to say was I could just come over, or you're more then welcome to come spend the night with me. That was a huge step that she wasn't ready for.

"What are friends for?" I mentally kicked myself for throwing the friend word around again. "Rafferty," My voice dropped another octave. "Before you fall asleep to the sound of my voice, because that's highly romantic and all, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing, why?" Her voice no longer sounded concerned. She seemed to be relieved.

"I was planning on going for a hike, I was wondering if you wanted to come. You know escape the confinements that the city has to offer and run away to nature." My stomach formed a knot. I wasn't asking her on a date, was I?

"Is this was you lesbians do on your days off? Whatever happened to hitting the strip clubs and watching the L Word?"

"We could always do that if you would prefer." I imagined her facial expression and I let out a laugh. "All kidding aside, the trail is quite beautiful and it's a really relaxing experience."

"This isn't a date, right? We'll be going as just friends, right?" Was she catching on to me? Were my comments and eye wandering making it obvious that I didn't want to actually be her friend?

"Dawson and Casey are going as well, so really you'd be doing me a favour so I wouldn't be a third wheel." I pushed down the tiny panic attack I felt knowing damn well that Dawson and Casey had no idea that they'd be going hiking tomorrow.

"Oh." Rafferty said.

There was a long pause on the phone before either one of us decided to say something.

"I could swing by around eight and we could head out, make a day of it." I wasn't sure if I was helping the situation or not by giving her detailed plans.

"Okay." I heard a squeak and what sounded like moving around. "I should probably trying and get some sleep then if you're going to make me hike tomorrow. Goodnight Shay, thank you for doing this."

"Anytime Rafferty, night." I closed my eyes and yawned. Deep down I knew full well that I wasn't going to get much sleep tonight.