Erin slowly pulled up to curb, put the car into park, and looked across the street to the house that represented the only true home she'd ever had. It was a place she'd always felt welcome. She had always known she could stop by for a hot meal, a cup of coffee, or to do a free load of laundry. She recalled holiday dinners with Camille bustling around the kitchen trying in vain to teach Erin how to stuff a turkey or bake a traditional apple pie. She remembered, somehow even fondly, bickering with Justin over the bathroom and the remote control. A smile even crept across her face as she recalled a few boys she'd hung out with her senior year. She remembered trying to sneak Steven Whittle up the stairs when she thought Hank was asleep in the living room. Yeah, that didn't go over well. Fifth stair from the top squeaks. She'd have to remember that if Jay tried to-

Erin shook the thought off. She'd barely even gotten to speaking terms with Jay, and she was already imagining sneaking him into the Voight household for some prohibited hanky-panky. A household that she'd never imagined she ever move back into. Let alone the fact that Jay probably had zero interest in starting any sort of relationship with her again. After all, it had gone so well the last time.

Unable to put off the inevitable, she opened the car door, grabbed her two duffle bags from the back seat, and crossed the street to her temporary home. She used her key to open the door, and dropped her bags at the foot of the stairs. Smells wafted in from the kitchen. Apparently, Voight hadn't been joking when he said he was going to make a pot of his homemade chili. She was still trying to figure out what might have transpired between Jay and Hank this morning at the apartment. When she left for coffee, Hank had been staring daggers at Jay, but a mere ten minutes later he had been whistling as he had walked out the door.

Erin had tried to get to the bottom of their conversation with Jay, but Will had arrived and had shoved Erin out the door just a few minutes after Hank had left. Will had cited that Jay needed rest after he examined him. Erin had reluctantly left, while Jay sent her an amused look over Will's shoulder. The whole time she had been at her apartment cleaning up the remnants of Bunny's party and packing, she kept thinking over what they had been discussing. It wasn't vanity to know that they were discussing her, but what exactly?

Erin wandered into the kitchen and found Hank sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper and drinking what Erin imagined was his fourth cup of coffee of the day. He folded the paper and set it down as Erin slid into the chair across from him. Hank met her eyes as the silence stretched out between them. Erin swallowed uncomfortably. Did he want her to apologize again? Make more promises?

He stood up abruptly and walked over the fridge. "I made you a sandwich when you texted and said you were on your way."

"I'm not really hungry." Erin stated as he pulled some plastic wrap off a plate. Not even acknowledging that she spoke, he set the plate on the table and slid it over to her. He looked at her expectantly. "But, I guess I could eat." Hank resumed his place in the seat across from her. He leaned back in his chair and stared expectantly at her.

"What's the plan?" he questioned her in his gravelly voice as she took a bite of the sandwich.

Erin was actually thankful for the mouthful of food as it allowed her a few extra seconds to contemplate the question. Plan? She didn't have a plan. She was barely thinking a few minutes ahead at this point. Her plan didn't go much past unpacking her bags and finishing her sandwich.

Hank continues to eye her questioningly. Deciding to be honest, she spoke, "Unpack? Rest?"

"What about long term?" Hank wasn't going to let her escape the real question.

Taking a deep breath, Erin set her sandwich down. "Well, I'd like to get back to work as soon as possible. Monday, if that's all right?" Hank gave a slight nod. "Hopefully after a few weeks, you will trust me enough to let me move back to my own place, and then…I guess, nothing. Just live life."

He leaned forwards and steepled his hands on the table. "You think that you will be fine? Just being back at work? All this guilt and destruction will just disappear?" This wasn't Voight's first go-round with Erin. He'd seen her as a teenager, drifting through life, scrambling to survive. When she had first come to live with them, she had pretended things were fine, that her mom wasn't a junkie and her dad in jail. She tried to close her mind to the things she had seen and done. She pretended that it didn't bother her, that she could just walk away from her past. Hank knew Erin though. She pushed her pain away, deflected her anger, and threw herself into her work. She never really dealt with her struggles and her issues. Instead they would resurface. Certain victims, certain cases, and certain offenders would bring all her pain to the surface, and it would leave her raw, open, and hurting. Over time she would get a handle, push it back down again, but it never really disappeared. He was just unsure if it had consumed too much of her this time.

Erin shrugged. "Hope so." Her voice was quiet and even though she didn't want it to be, she knew her words didn't portray confidence. She hoped she could bounce back. She wanted things to get back to normal, desperately. She just wasn't sure if she could get there. All she knew was that seeing Jay in that video, knowing her partner was about to be executed, and realizing that she needed to be the one to save him, changed her. It motivated her to want to get her act together. She had a job she needed to do, and a squad that depended on her. She just had to convince that squad that she was ready to come back and that they should trust her.

Hank's face was unreadable. "Think maybe you should talk to someone?"

"A shrink?" Erin couldn't hide the disgust from creeping into her voice. While she knew psychologist helped some people, she had no interest.

"I hear there is a guy over at Chicago Med that is pretty good. Maybe your partner's brother could hook you up." Erin would erupt if she knew that he had actually reached out to Will this morning when he had bumped into him at the hospital when he was looking for Jay. He had wanted to find out who at the hospital might be good for something like what Erin needed. She guarded her privacy maybe even more than Hank did. Involving Halstead's brother, Hank shook his head, it would be ugly. He hoped Dr. Halstead could keep his mouth shut. Both from Erin and from Jay.

Erin tilted her head questioningly, "Is this another condition of my reinstatement?"

Hank pursed his lips. "No, just some friendly advice. Don't want you diving back under the first time things get rough again."

Erin nodded. "I'll keep it in mind." Although Erin had no intention of talking with any shrink. The last thing she needed was some shrink trying to dig deep into her psyche. Asking her questions about why she thought her mom didn't love her or why her daddy didn't buy her a puppy when she was kid. She'd be fine….eventually.

Hank pushed himself up from the table and strolled over to the stove top. Erin watched silently as Hank fussed a bit with the chili. He added a few shakes of some spices and then replaced the lid on the pot and adjusted the heat. "Needs a few more hours." He walked over and grabbed his coffee cup and refilled it again for probably the fifth time today. "You can run some over this evening to Halstead. Make sure he's eating enough to get healing."

Hank's concern for Jay was unnerving. Unable to keep the words in she burst out, "Okay, what is going on? This morning you were jumping down my throat for having taken care of Jay last night, and this afternoon you are making us dinner and practically ordering me back over there. What the deal?"

Hank sat back down in the chair that he had just recently vacated. "Halstead brought up an interesting question earlier. He asked if I was your boss or your father. So as your boss, I am requesting you go and look out after your partner. Make sure this situation isn't hanging over his head. Make sure he is getting enough rest. I want him back at work by the end of the week. If you are going to be back next week, I don't want you working too long without him. You two work well together. "

Erin nodded her agreement at Hank's words. Her confusion wasn't really alleviated though. Despite a few differences of opinion on how to handle a few cases, she knew that Voight respected Halstead as a detective. Otherwise, he'd never have him in his unit, let alone partnered with Erin. Yet that had never stopped Hank from giving them disapproving looks and making veiled comments whenever he thought their partnership was growing too close. Including the incident this morning.

She narrowed her eyes at Hank, she wanted more information, "And as my father?"

Hank bounced his leg up and down, almost as if he was nervous and debating what to say. "I just want you to get healthy. Get your head in the right place." He shrugged his shoulders and glanced away. "I don't know. Maybe looking after Halstead will help keep your mind on track. Focus on the one you saved, not the one you didn't."

Erin swallowed as a wave of pain washed over her. Focus on the one she saved instead of the one she didn't? She knew that Hank was trying to help, but she was never not thinking about Nadia. Those were images that could never be erased from her mind. Now they were joined by images of Jay. Jay tied up. Jay being beaten. Jay being held at gun point. She took a steadying breath. She tried to clear her mind, and the image of Jay smirking at her amusingly as Will kicked her out flashed through her mind. . Focus on the one you saved. She could try and do that.

For the second night in a row, Erin knocked nervously on Jay's door. Last night, she was worried that she would find him unconscious after his early release from the hospital. She had even half expected him to shut the door in her face. This time though, her nerves had different roots. Would their natural camaraderie be there? Was it going to be bullshitting and teasing each other while they watched the game, or would it be awkward with the silence of conversations they weren't ready to have? Some conversations she never wanted to have. Images of drugs, clubs, and other men flashed through her mind. Was Jay the kind of guy who wanted to talk things over? He didn't last night, but maybe with a day to think about it, he might want some more answers.

The door swung open. This time it was the familiar blue eyes, of Jay's brother that met her gaze. "Erin, we've been expecting you." He swung the door open to reveal Jay propped up on the couch.

Jay's voice rang out stronger and clearer that it had sounded earlier this morning, "Thank god you are here. This guy had been driving me crazy. He won't let me do anything." Will closed the door behind Erin and followed her into the living room.

"That's because you should not be doing anything." Will confirmed. "You should be in the hospital for another day at least." He looked to Erin for support. Maybe she could convince his stubborn brother that the best place for Jay was under the supervision of medical staff.

Erin shook her head at the doctor, "Sorry, Will. Can't stand hospitals myself. I'd rather be holed up in my apartment, too, then be poked and prodded at all day by annoying nurses and know-it-all doctors."

Will threw up his arms. "You two are unbelievable. You do know that I went to medical school for all this, right? I do know what I am talking about. There are risks involved, and the odds of him receiving the care he needs if a complication arises is higher if he is at the hospital."

Jay rolled his eyes at Erin, "I've heard this speech at least a dozen times today." Erin tried to hide a smile at Will's frustration. She walked into the kitchen and set down the grocery bags she carried. She had Hank's chili, and she had also picked up some soft fresh bread from the store down the corner, as well as some ice cream. Jay eyed the bag from his place on the couch. "You got any beer in there? The nazi-doctor dumped my last one out as soon as I opened it."

"Because you are on pain meds!" Will interjected.

Erin shook her head no, as she walked back into the living room. She sat down on the opposite end of the couch from where Jay was camped out and surveyed his appearance. He didn't really look any better than he had this morning. In fact, she could have sworn some of the bruising seemed to have spread or at least deepened in color. But the look behind his eyes was different. He seemed upbeat. Irritated at Will, but in a good mood. She didn't think Voight had anything to worry about with this case having any long term effect on Jay. While she didn't know all the specifics, she knew he had gone through way worse when he was in the Rangers.

Will sighed dramatically, then made eye contact with Erin. "I need to go to work. I'm on shift tonight. Are you going to be here?"

Erin swallowed nervously. What did Will mean? Was she going to be here all night? She was sure last night was a one-time thing. Hank was not going to be okay with another sleep over. Not that Jay even necessarily wanted her to stay. Erin glanced uneasily at Jay unsure of how to answer.

Jay groaned again at his brother, "I am not an invalid. I do not need a babysitter. She's just here for dinner, and then we will probably watch the game." Will looked dubiously at Jay and Erin. Jay couldn't keep the exasperation from his voice. He threw up his arms, "I'll let her tuck me into bed before she leaves."

Will ignored Jay and spoke directly to Erin. "Do not let him lift anything or do anything strenuous. Keep him off his feet as much as possible." His face grew serious. "No matter what he says, if you think something is wrong. Call me. He will tell you not to, but call me anyways." He threw a look at Jay. "We already almost lost this dumbass this week. I don't want to take any chances."

A small smile played on Jay's lips as Will headed towards to door. He rolled his head so he could watch him go, and he called out, "I love you, bro." Will just grunted in return as he closed the door behind him. Jay rolled his head back to Erin. "Thank you again for saving me. I could not have handled another hour with Nurse Halstead."

Erin raised her eyebrows. "Do you think Nurse Lindsay is going to be a push over?"

Jay licked his lips and his eyes widened in surprise as the image of Erin in a sexy Nurses outfit sparked into his mind. He opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again.

Erin laughed, "Get your head out of the gutter, perv." She playfully punched him in the shoulder.

He winced even though her touch had been gentle. He rubbed his arm tenderly. "Bad nurse," he muttered under his breath.

Erin pushed herself off the couch, "Let's feed you." She strolled into the kitchen and pulled the ice cream out of the bag and placed it into the freezer. She then set about getting bowls and plates out. She sliced up a few pieces of bread and placed them on a plate, then started spooning chili into the bowls.

"Smells good," Jay commented as he leaned against the entrance to the kitchen.

Erin sent him a dirty look, "You are not supposed to walking around. Get back to the couch." Jay sighed rather dramatically, but turned around and shuffled back to the couch. Erin followed and set up one of his wooden TV trays that he used on game nights in front of him. She grabbed another pillow and propped it up behind him so that he could sit up to eat more easily. Then she carefully carried the food over. She included a glass of juice as well.

"Sorry for not having beer. Don't think Will would have approved my babysitting services if I would have brought beer." Erin returned to the kitchen for her bowl and settled her stuff on the coffee table. Jay was busy flipping through the TV guide. He finally settled on the Bears game. Erin nodded her approval, and they settled into a comfortable silence, eating and watching the game. The silence was only broken occasionally by one or both of them making a comment about a play or a call by the ref.

After about twenty minutes, Jay pushed his bowl away and leaned back against the pillows resting his head. "Okay, that was really good." He glanced over at Erin. "Are you sure Voight made it? Cause I kind of am more likely to believe he'd poison me than feed me."

Erin chuckled, "Pshaw, poison is too high brow. He'd prefer to break your knee caps with a baseball bat, if he wanted to kill you." She laughed again as she saw Jay's face pale slightly. She set her own bowl down on the table, "I think he feels bad about what happened."

"Barging into my home this morning?" Jay questioned.

"No, that he doesn't regret." Erin's eyes grew serious. "He feels bad about the Keyes incident. You know that." She reached across the space between them and gently grabbed his chin. She angled it towards her so she could examine the bruises on his eye and the stiches on his cheek and forehead. She pursed her lips in anger.

Jay ducked his head out of her hold, "I'm fine," he stated. He was tired of telling people he was fine. All day long. He'd been explaining to Will, that we was fine. Plus everybody in the unit had been calling and texting him throughout the afternoon. He wanted—no needed, Erin to understand he was fine. He needed a few days for his ribs to heal, and then he'd be back on the job. Ready to work. In fact, he was really looking forward to it. Especially now that Erin was back. When he returned next week, things would finally feel normal again.

Erin let the moment pass, and decided to try and get out of Jay what Voight had been unwilling to share earlier. "So….what did you and Voight talk about this morning? You seemed awfully chummy when he left."

Jay narrowed his eyes, "What did Voight say we talked about?" He couldn't imagine Voight sitting Erin down and telling Erin that Jay intended to be by her side whether Voight gave his permission or not. He had no idea what the future held, but he had decided that he wasn't going to let Voight dictate his future. If he and Erin wanted to start something up in the future, then they'd do it. With or without Voight's permission.

Erin shrugged and pretended sudden interest in the Bears game. "Something about being my boss or my dad," she muttered.

Jay looked at her sharply, that was more than he thought Voight would share with Erin. "And…"

Erin shot him a look, "And then he made you chili! So what gives?"

Jay shrugged. "I think he just is happy you're coming back to work. He thinks I'm the reason you came back." Jay swallowed a nervously. He thought that, too. But he didn't really know what that meant. Erin had come back for him. To rescue him, but he figured she would have done that for anyone on the squad. That's just Erin. That she decided to stay… well, he didn't know. Maybe it was because of him, maybe she had just had enough self-pity.

Erin eyed Jay suspiciously. Based on both Jay and Hank's reactions, she suspected there had more to the conversation than that, but clearly neither was in the mood to share.

She stood and gathered up all the dishes. It took about ten minutes to clean up the kitchen, wash the dishes, and put away the leftover food. She grabbed two spoons and the ice cream and brought it over to the couch.

Jay's eyes lit up as he eyed the carton, "Please tell me that is Rocky Road."

Erin sent him a knowing look, "Of course!"

Erin sat down on the couch next to Jay awkwardly realizing she had fallen into an old habit. In the past, they had always just cuddled up on the couch with two spoons and the carton between them. Now Erin realized, that she probably should have found some bowls to dish the dessert into. Jay looked at her, noting her uncomfortable posture. Jay reached across the couch and pulled her over to him. "Gimmie a spoon," he demanded. "You are going to have to hold the carton, I don't think I can manage it with my ribs."

Erin gave him a small smile. Jay could always eliminate any tension between. A quick joke, an easy smile, or just the right comment, and she could relax with him. She settled comfortably in next to him, their hips pressed together, alternating spoonfuls of ice cream. Erin couldn't help but reflect on the past month. Why hadn't she let him in? When she was struggling and grieving, she knew that Jay's comfort would have helped her. All she would have had to do was give him the slightest sign, and he would have dropped everything to support her. She hadn't let him though. She'd put up her walls and shut him out. Why did she do that? Why couldn't she let people in?

She risked a quick glance at Jay's face. His face was frowning in frustration at a defensive play on the screen. Catching her look, his face immediately changed to one of concern. "What? What's wrong?"

Giving him a smile, she shook her head. "Nothing." She focused her eyes back on the screen, "Nothing's wrong." For the first time, in a long time, she actually meant it.