Three weeks later
Erin's POV
"Oh Erin you shouldn't have." Trudy Platt says I walk through the front doors of District 21.
I chuckle lightly as I come up to the front desk.
"Figured I'd stop by, bring some lunch for Hank and the team."
"Oh I see how it is, I thought we were tight, or whatever it you kids say these days." She replies
"Top box sausage and mushroom." I say with a smile.
"Extra mushrooms." I add
"That's why you're my favorite." She says gently taking the top pizza box off the stack in my hands.
"I thought I was your favorite." I hear Kim say, I turn my head to see her walking down the stairs that lead to the bullpen of Intelligence.
"Sorry Burgess, not quite." Trudy says, bringing a slice up to her mouth.
"Can you buzz me up please?" I ask, anxiously wanting to see Jay. She nods, after taking another bite. I think about how we haven't seen each other, since that Saturday when we went to his friends restaurant three weeks ago. We've texted, talked on the phone, and even FaceTimed twice, in between our somewhat crazy work schedules. The unit caught a case the day after our last date, and then got another one a week after which is the one they're still working. And for me it's Cole's schedule too, and I still haven't told Jay about him yet. I've been wanting to tell him, just not over the phone. I think as I take the last step into the bullpen. The team is all sitting at their desks, everyone except Adam doing what I assume is paperwork. Adam looks over at me, while quickly throwing the paper ball he had ready in his hand at Jay, then he practically jumps out of his seat, and walks towards me.
"Hey Erin, are these all for me?"
"No sorry Adam, I got pineapple on all of them, I was told you weren't in today."
"Haha, seriously though I'm starving, and they're being boring."
"No we're just working." Jay says from his desk, as he sets his pen down, pushing his chair out and standing up. Hailey, Al, Tonio and Kevin following suit. Jay's smile seems to grow with every step in my direction, and I feel like a giddy school girl with her first crush as I get butterflies in stomach.
"Hey." Jay says after Adam takes the pizza boxes from me, and walks towards the break room.
"Hey." I say tucking my hair behind my ear.
"I was actually going to text when I was done with paperwork."
"So I'm guessing you guys closed the case?"
"Yeah." He says, his smile falling, and he looks down, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Thanks for lunch Erin." Kevin says as he walks out of the break room.
"Yes thank you." Hailey says
"Yeah thanks." Adam says with his mouth full, after Hailey nudges him.
"Thank you." Al says as he sits at his desk.
"No problem." I say as walk to the break room, where Jay now is, having walked to while everyone was thanking me.
"Hey, do you want to talk about it?" I ask.
"No I'm fine."
"Jay, I know we've only known each other a month, but I can tell you're not fine."
"Ok, but I don't want to talk about it." He says angrily
"Ok." I say backing away a little.
"Hey." He says grabbing my wrist gently to prevent me from stepping away anymore.
"I'm sorry, this case was really hard, and I just don't want to talk about it now."
"I'll listen when you're ready." Is all say, and he gives me a small smile.
"So how was your day?" He asks as he grabs a slice of pizza.
"Pretty boring."
"Well I hope that changes." He says with a smirk.
"Mm I guess we'll see." I say as we sit down at the small round table near the window. He practically inhales his slices off his plate, acting as if he hasn't eaten in days.
"Do you have a suit?" I ask after a few minutes.
"Yeah a few, why?"
"Umm I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go…" I say, but then I pause; nervous to ask him. I look down as I twiddle my thumbs in my lap. I lift my gaze back up to him, and he gives me a concerned look.
XXXXXX
Jay's POV
"Never mind it's stupid." She says, scrunching her nose ever so slightly, and in the most adorable way. Once again looking down at her hands. I lean over, and place one of my hands over both of hers.
"Whatever it is I'll go."
"You don't even know what it is."
"It doesn't matter." I say giving her another smile, before getting up to get another couple pieces of pizza.
"But where are we going?" I ask as I sit back down
"My high school reunion."
"Fun." I say in between bites, and she gently touches my hand which is sitting to the side of my plate.
"Hey kid, I didn't know you were coming by." I hear Hank say from the doorway of the break room, and I jump, and she retracts her hand from the table.
"Hank hey, I uh, it was kind of spur of the moment."
"huh." He replies.
'Hank? He calls her kid, and she calls him Hank? I'm even more curious as to how they know each other.' I think in my head, as I get up to throw away my plate.
"Hey Halstead don't you have paperwork you should be finishing?"
"Yeah I was just about to go back to it." I say, giving Erin one last glance, and smile before going back to my desk.
XXXXXX
Erin's POV
"Why don't you come to my office." He suggests, and I don't say anything; just get up and follow him to the room next store.
"Want to tell me what that was?"
"What?" I ask
"Don't play dumb Erin, what's going on between you and my detective?"
"How is that any of your business?"
"You're all I have left Erin, you, Nadia and Cole, and I just want to protect you."
"I appreciate that Hank, but what makes you think I need to be protected from him?"
"I've seen what this job does to girlfriends and wives. The constant worry, or the husband missing games, and concerts. It takes its toll. It's not the life I want for you, or my grandson."
"Well I guess its good that its not your life."
"I'm also looking out for Halstead. I've seen what happens to the guys you date."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You've left a string broken hearts behind you since you were fifteen. And I need Halstead a hundred percent effective, not throwing pebbles at your window at three in the morning."
"Pfft."
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to be dating him, or any cop for that matter."
"The overprotective father thing was fine when I was a teenager, but I don't need you looking out for me anymore."
"The fact that you don't see why I don't want you seeing him shows that you still do."
"You don't get to tell me who I can and can't hang out with on my personal time Hank." I say opening the door to his office, and walking out, despite Hank yelling my name. I slam the door behind me, and walk over to Jay's desk
"Hey so the reunion is Friday at seven, do you want me there or at your place?" I ask him, knowing I can't have him come my apartment until I tell him about Cole.
"Uh we can meet at my place."
"Ok text me your address?" I ask
"Yeah."
"Ok, I'll talk you to later." I say giving him a smile, as I hear Hank come out of his office, and yell my name again.
"See you guys later." I say as I walk towards the stairs, and they all say thanks, and bye in their own way.
XXXXXX
Jay's POV
I'm a little nervous, as I hear Erin and Voight yelling in the office, and then she storms out, and walks towards my desk. I pretend to be focused on my paperwork, as she comes to a stop in front of me. And I feel myself relax a little when I look up at her. She asks me where to meet for the reunion, and I answer, and then she says bye just as my angry boss comes out of his office, and yells her name. She just continues on her way, and I can't help but watch her for a few moments, before texting her my address, with the smile not leaving my face, but then Voight says
"Halstead." And my smile immediately falls.
"Sarge?" I say
"My office. Now." He says loudly, and I follow his command, and stand up from my chair, and walk to his office.
"Close the door." He says once I'm the room
"You like working in this unit, you'll put an end to whatever it is that's going on between you and Erin." He says
"Sarge I don't know what you're relationship with her is."
"You don't need to know. I don't want her getting hurt if something happens to you. Just end it, or you can hand me your badge and gun now." He says sternly
"Anything else Sir?"
"No, go home Halstead." He says, and I just nod my head.
I leave his office, and walk back to my desk. Shutting down my computer, and leaving the bullpen. On the drive home, I pick up some food, and go to my apartment. My boss' word's repeat in my head. I toss my keys onto the kitchen counter, as well as my food. I walk to my couch, and look down at my phone. She text me back at some point during the drive, but I don't read it. As I think about what I should do. I like her, a lot actually, but I've already had to cancel a couple of times, because of work, she deserves something better. Maybe Voight's right, I should end it now, before we get too close. I sit there with my head on the back of my couch, and just stare at the ceiling for a while. Then my phone rings, and I look down to see Erin's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, did you get my text?" She says into the phone
"Uh yeah, I haven't read it yet though sorry."
"Oh, that's ok. I'm sorry, I know you had a rough day." She says quietly
"Yeah." I say thinking 'you have no idea.' As I think about what Voight said.
"What are you doing right now?" I say into the phone.
"Talking to you." She says, and let out a chuckle
"Other than talking to me?"
"Nothing why?" She answers, and I pause for longer than I realized as I get broken from thoughts by her voice
"Jay, you still there?"
"Yeah."
"What's going on?"
"Nothing, I just was thinking about how I don't want you to get hurt."
"What are you talking about?" She asks; her voice cloaked with concern.
"This isn't going to work out." I say trying to hide how sad those words make me. We've only known each other a month, but I've fallen for her, hard. I know with that realization that this is the right choice, no matter how much it hurts, like Voight, I don't want her getting hurt.
"What?" She says quietly, and the way her voice cracks almost has me changing my mind, but I talk myself out of it.
"I'm sorry Erin." I say as I hang up.
XXXXXX
Erin's POV
One month, that was it, one month was all it took for me to fall for him, and I feel like the wind just got knocked out of me with his words. I try to keep my tears at bay, but I cant stop myself from crying, as I process what just happened. Than I think about Hank's words, and it has me dialing his number. It rings a few times before I hear it being picked up.
"What the hell did you say to him?"
"Erin." He begins but I cut him off.
"If its not one fucking thing it's another. Now I'll agree that I haven't always had the best taste in guys, but I finally seem to get a good one, one that I thought you would approve of, and you fucking scare him away, after a month, a fucking month Hank, with some bullshit about me getting hurt."
"Erin, I just want what's best for you."
"How do you know he's not what's best for me? He's in your unit, a your unit you usually don't let just anyone in." I snap, and he doesn't say anything else.
"Stay the hell out of my, our life Hank." I say, before hanging up. I feel a little bad about those words, but he had no right. Still laying on my bed, I call Grace next.
"Hey Grace, I'm sorry to bug you, and I know this is last minute, but is there anyway you'd be able to watch Cole tonight? I can even give you a bonus, if that helps."
"No bonus necessary Erin, I'll be right over."
"Thank you so much Grace." I say
"No problem, see you in a few."
Once we hang up, I get up, and grab some work clothes for tomorrow. And about fifteen minutes later, I hear a knock at the door. I go to let Grace in. As she's hanging up her soaked jacket, and taking off her shoes. I go to Cole's room.
"Hey little man, so I'm going to go see my friend, but Grace is going to have a sleep over with you ok?" I say as I sit on his bed, right behind where he's playing with some legos.
"Ok. Love you." He says, not looking up for his colorful tower.
"Ok love you too bud." I say as I get up, and walk out. I take Grace by surprise and give her hug.
"Thank You again Grace, and if you need some dry clothes feel free to grab some from my room." I say as I pull away. And she just nods at me as I walk towards the door, and put my boots and jacket on.
The pouring rain outside has me running to my car. It only takes me ten minutes to get to his apartment, and I take the elevator to his floor. I take a few deep breaths before knocking on his door. Only a few moments later, the door is being opened and Jay is standing to the side of it. He still has on the same clothes that he had on earlier. I take a few steps towards him
"Erin I."
"Tell me that whatever Hank said to you today isn't what made you decide to put an end to this, and tell me you don't feel something between us Jay, and I'll leave."
"I can't." He says honestly and without hesitation, and it has me launching myself into his arms. My lips crashing onto his for the first time, and it feels so right. And I wish I had done it sooner, I think as I feel his lips start to move against mine. I kick the door shut, before he's gently pushing me against the wall, and pulls his lips away from mine.
"Are you sure you want to go against your dad?"
"Yes."
"What if he finds out?"
"I don't really care about that right now." I say as I tug his shirt over his head. I cup his face, and attach our lips again. I fumble with his belt, and he bites my lip, as I brush against his zipper. He pulls away again, but this time he just looks at me, almost as if he asking if I'm sure again. I nod my head, and he wastes no time cupping my ass; hoisting me into his arms; carrying me to his bedroom. I kiss his lips, his cheeks, his jaw, and down his neck, before being thrown onto his plush bed. Our clothes are quickly discarded, and thrown in all different directions. He looks down at me from where his naked form is hovering over mine.
XXXXXX
Jay's POV
"God you're beautiful." I say and she lifts her head up to kiss me as her agile fingers run down my torso, before they curl around me, and bring me closer, until I'm buried deep within her. I groan against her feverish skin as my head falls to the crook of her neck. I give her time to adjust, and then I'm moving in and out of her at torturously slow pace, becoming more erratic as we near the edge. I'm sure my neighbors will be complaining, as my usually quiet apartment fills with the sound of my headboard banging against the wall, and our moans echoing through my room.
