A/N: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews for the first chapter! I know this is really different to things I normally write but I've always wanted to try a Shawson and/or Lingess fic and I figured if I kept waiting for a 'right time' to post I would never actually post it. So, I'm glad that those who have read it reviewed and like it so far thank you so much :)

Sorry for any typos, I've lost my glasses at the moment so I'm having a bit of trouble proofreading lol :P

Enjoy!

"I can't believe you finally asked her to move in!" Erin cheered as Gabby poured another round of shots.

"Why is everyone saying that?" Gabby rolled her eyes "I always planned on asking her on our anniversary."

Erin shrugs "I just didn't think you'd actually do it! I love you gabs, but you know you play relationship chicken."

"I do not!" When Erin narrowed her eyes at her she continued "Okay, maybe a little bit, but I'm not used to being in a serious long-term relationship, give me a break!"

Erin laughed before downing the shot in front of her, Gabby following suit "So, how about you? Anybody special?"

"The only person keeping my bed warm at night is Halstead after we drink too much on game night." Erin replies.

"Please, you couldn't have me even if you wanted me." Jay said as he came up behind her.

Erin rolled her eyes "Don't worry, I'm still very much a licks over di-."

"Okay, I get it. Women's only club." Jay interrupted.

"Amen to that." Gabby smirked raising her glass at Erin.

"You guys are too much." Jay chuckled sitting down next to his partner "So, did you hear the latest rumours around the district?"

"Why would I pay attention to whispers around the district when I have the 21st's own Gossip Girl as my partner." Erin replied taking a sip of her drink.

"Ruzek and Burgess broke up."

Erin coughed loudly as she choked on her drink, Jay quickly patting her back as Gabby handed her a glass of water "You good?"

"No, who the hell drops a bomb like that when the other person is in the middle of a drink!?" Erin exclaimed wiping off her shirt where a bit of her drink had spilled from her mouth.

"I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction." Jay chuckled.

"What happened? I thought he was going to propose." Erin asked.

"He was. Apparently Burgess overheard him talking to Atwater about it. The next day, Ruzek's telling me she broke up with him. Something about her heart not being in it anymore."

"They must be devastated." Gabby said softly.

"Actually, he's handling it really well. Apparently they talked it out, and ended things pretty amicably. Voight will be happy about that much at least." Jay answered.

"You know what guys; I think I'm gonna head out." Erin said suddenly "It was a rough case today, I'm kind of tired."

Gabby cocked an eyebrow at her friend, asking her a silent question. Erin turned to her partner and patted his shoulder "The blonde three seats down hasn't stopped staring at you since you sat here."

Jay smiled cheekily "I'll see you tomorrow." He said before picking up his drink and walking over to talk to the woman Erin had saw.

"You're not getting rid of me that easily." Gabby said as she pulled on Erin's arm before she could run away "You said you weren't going to keep doing this Erin."

"I can't just leave it alone Gabby. She's my friend."

Gabby saw the determined look in Erin's eyes and sighed "Be careful. Please."

Erin nodded, thanking her friend before grabbing her jacket off the stool and heading out to her car. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and sent a quick text before getting into her car and pulling into traffic.

"I got your message. You really didn't have to come check on me Erin, I'm fine." Kim said as she and Erin sat down on the couch.

"Of course I did. You're my friend Kim, and you just ended a year-and-a-half long relationship. You can't honestly tell me you're fine." Erin said, her hand coming to rest on Kim's forearm "Talk to me."

"… I feel guilty. I never meant to hurt Adam, he's my best friend. And I'll always love him, but I just … I felt wrong staying in a relationship that I knew my heart wasn't completely invested in. We'd been growing apart for a long time, by the end we were more like best friends who were living together than we were an actual couple."

"If you were unhappy, why did you wait so long."

"I didn't want to hurt him. And I thought, maybe the feelings I was having would pass. But the more time went on, the more I realised my heart had made up its mind." Kim said sadly.

Erin saw the tears fill Kim's eyes and she automatically wrapped her arms around her friend, Kim's head resting on her chest as Erin ran her hand up and down Kim's back to comfort her.

"I just wish I hadn't hurt him in all of this." Kim whispered "He didn't deserve it."

"I'm sure he'll understand Kim. Deep down, Adam knows he would rather have found out now instead of 10 years down the track." Erin said "It was the right decision."

Kim nodded against Erin, moving her head so she was leaning against the detective's chest. Erin felt her body warm at the sensation and her stomach fluttered slightly as Kim's hand came to rest on her arm, causing goosebumps all over.

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Gabby asked as she and Erin sat on the couch in the living room her apartment.

Erin groaned, her head falling into her hands "What the fuck am I gonna do Gabs? She's dating Ruzek! I can't be having these feelings!"

"Erin, you can't just pretend like your feelings don't exist. She and Adam have been dating for like two weeks. It's not serious yet."

"Adam's like family, and Kim is one of my closest friends. I can't risk losing either of them Gabby."

"So what, you're telling me that you'll be able to handle listening to Kim tell you about her dates with Adam? Or the 'locker room talk' I'm sure he and the guys have when you're all out together."

"Of course not; it kills me hearing all that. But what am I supposed to do? Just walk up to her and say 'Hey, I know you're dating my Adam but I have feelings for you'? This isn't some rom-com Gabby."

Gabby sighed "Look, you have two choices here. You either fess up now and take a chance, or stay silent and suffer."

She had chosen to suffer. Just like she had told Gabby, It had killed her to see them so in love with one another, when she knew she could never have that with the one person she wanted it with most; but seeing Adam and Kim so blissfully happy had been worth it, for the most part.

Kim sniffling softly broke her out of her thoughts "Thanks for being here Erin." She said looking up at the detective.

Erin's hand rested against Kim's cheek "Anytime."

Her eyes met Kim's, and she felt those same emotions stir within her as they had multiple times before; the temptation to lean in and finally feel Kim's lips against hers, to hold her in her arms and let the entire world fade away.

But, just like every other time, the harsh reality of the situation would hit her. Kim wasn't in love with her. Kim didn't want Erin the same way. And currently, Kim was wrapped up in Erin's arms crying over the man she had just broken up with.

And so, like every other time, Erin forced herself to pull away.

"It's late, you should get some rest. Platt will kill you if you're not at the top of your game tomorrow."

Kim chuckled, nodding her head and standing up. Erin followed behind her, stopping to put on her shoes at the door and grabbing her jacket off the coat rack while Kim held the door open for her.

"Goodnight Erin." Kim said as she walked out the door.

Erin paused, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before turning her head to face the brunette once more "Goodnight Kim." she said as the other woman closed the door.

'I love you.'

A/N: Okay, so this chapter feels kind of rough around the edges, but I just wanted to establish where our four leading ladies are in terms of their personal lives and relationships before delving into the storyline I have planned.

I'm really excited to write this story and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I tried to add in a little humour for Jay and Erin; I really want them to have that kind of Will & Grace relationship where they're so close with one another. The whole "licks over di-" thing is actually something my friend says when guys hit on her while we're out, and it always makes me giggle so I wanted to pop it into the story.

Hope you guys like the chapter, please leave a review and let me know what you think!

- Maddie :)