Hey guys, thank you for the awesome response to the last chapter. I know for watching the latest episode I am slightly in a different direction with Jay's family (I made a quick rewrite to take out his mother and I know characterization of Will is not the same as the show but hey, I did write him before he even aired lol).

Also, how great was latest episode? The Jay/Voight dynamic reminded me so much of the first season but it also highlighted that despite his doubts, Jay will ultimately trust Voight and have his back (like in 2x01 - he gave him the flash drive). I really see Voight beginning to respect Jay more and more. I am hopeful Voight will join team Linstead soon. LOL. I just wish Erin would trust Jay enough to share her story. Plus, how hot was Jesse Lee Soffer in all that action (e.g. - breaking out of the warehouse; the fight scene) - he is probably my fave TV actor at the minute (I never thought anyone could get close to Ian Somhalder) but I was wrong. ;)

I know a lot of you want Erin to have a little romance and it is coming; just not yet. As always, please be kind; read and review; I love hearing what you think. Thanks!

Chapter 7

Erin walked into the bull pen to find, as usual, she was the first in. She placed her jacket over her chair and headed towards the break room; after all, someone had to get the coffee on. She froze as soon as she entered the break room; her eyes falling on the ever familiar muscular back of Jay.

He spun around to face her; smiling a sheepish smile; coffee pot in hand. "Hey." He softly muttered.

"Hey." Erin replied; stepping past him to get her mug out of the cupboard. She eyed the coffee pot in Jay's hand and reluctantly held out her mug for him to fill.

"So um...I owe you an apology." Jay stated as he filled her mug and then replaced the coffee pot. Erin rolled her eyes. Jay glanced at his feet and then looked up at Erin. "Yeah, I um...I guess I deserved that eye roll."

"You think!" Erin muttered sarcastically; before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Erin, I love my brother and we get on great but I guess I have a lot of insecurities when it comes to him but I never should have questioned your loyalty." Jay stated. "I knew deep down nothing happened between you two but I guess...I guess I was jealous..." Erin opened her mouth to respond but Jay continued speaking. "I know...I have no right to be jealous but I was...I just have to be honest."

"I get it Jay..." Erin replied. "...and I appreciate the apology." She glanced down at her mug; her finger tracing the rim before she looked up at Jay again. "But you're right, you have no right to be jealous...you're getting married; you've moved on and I'll be dating other guys Jay; I just won't be dating your brother."

He sighed with relief. "Glad to hear it." He stated; giving her a little smirk. There was silence. Finally, Jay spoke again. "So um...are we okay?"

"Yes, you doofus!" Erin exclaimed; playfully punching his shoulder. "Although, do me a favour? Never make the coffee again." She poured her coffee down the sink. "I forgot how bad you are at it!"

Erin stood in Jay's kitchen; dressed in one of his t-shirts; her hand reaching out to accept the coffee he was offering her as she leaned in and softly kissed him. "Thank you babe!" She softly said.

"You're welcome." He retorted with a smile as he watched her bring the cup to her lips.

"Oh my God!" She exclaimed; spitting the coffee back into the cup.

"Is it too hot?" Jay asked; his eyes and voice filled with concern as he watched her place the cup back down on the counter.

"No...it's disgusting!" She laughed as Jay looked on; confused.

"But..." He muttered, still puzzled.

Erin slipped her arms around his waist and softly kissed his neck. "It's okay babe." She stated, between kisses. "I guess I finally found something you can't do in the kitchen."

"But..." He muttered; completely confused; completely ignoring Erin's trail of kisses on his neck as his eyes focused on the coffee cup.

Erin sighed and stopped the kisses. She moved one hand up to his cheek and forced him to look at her. "Jay, you can't do everything." She stated. "So from now on...you cook, I'll make the coffee. Deal?"

"Deal." He sighed; not able to hide his disappointment.

"Aw!" Erin sighed; before standing on her tip toes to slowly kiss his lips; distracting him as he wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss.

"Hey...it's not me; it's the machine!" Jay protested, smirking; relieved that she was teasing him again.

"Really?" Erin teased, preparing to make a new pot. "Because Philips had no problem making the coffee with this machine."

"Seriously?" Jay shot back; also teasing. "You had to bring him into this?"

"Well he was pretty good at making coffee...unlike you!" Erin stated; before softly laughing; making Jay laugh too.

#######################


Erin's car pulled into the garage of the pit; followed by Antonio and Alvin's; coming to a stop. Jay jumped out of the car; with his gear still on. "Man! I forgot what a rush those busts are!" He exclaimed; already walking towards the trunk of the car to unload the weapons; just as Erin was getting out.

"What? You didn't have that in Syria?" Ruzek asked; making his way around to Olinsky's trunk to start unloading.

"Well we had action...a lot of action actually but it was totally different." Jay replied. "We were more at threat of I.E.D.s or suicide bombers; not meth heads."

"I think what he is trying to say is...is that he missed us." Dawson teased; unloading his car with Atwater.

"I did actually!" Jay replied; still on his high. "We are one tight unit!"

"If we're so tight, you won't mind buying the drinks at Molly's then?" Ruzek responded.

"Yeah man; show your appreciation!" Atwater added.

Jay laughed and glanced over at Erin; she was standing; her arms crossed; talking to Voight; their interaction didn't look cold but it certainly wasn't warm and friendly. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on between them lately; their relationship seemed so strained yet no one in the unit passed comment.

He turned his attention back to the boys; knowing they were awaiting his answer. "Sorry boys but I have to drive upstate to collect Spencer from her dad's." Jay replied.

"Ah, so you're meeting your future father in law tonight." Antonio stated, throwing his arm over Jay's shoulder. "That's the one benefit of divorce - I no longer have in-laws."

"Laura's folks didn't seem so bad." Jay tried to reason; only to be met with Dawson's scoffing. "Anyway, I've already met her dad a few times back when she was in med school with my brother. He seemed okay."

"Yeah, that was before you decided to marry his little girl." Olinsky added. "Lexie had a friend called Jake...great kid; honour roll; track team; early acceptance into Yale..."

"Sounds like a kid you'd want your daughter to be friends with." Jay stated.

"Oh yeah he was; until I caught them sucking face in his car one night." Olinsky stated. "After that; all I could see was some punk trying to screw my baby girl. He didn't last long!"

"What Al is trying to say is; a man can be perfectly reasonable until you come between him and his little girl." Ruzek said. "This is one of the reasons why I'm so glad Kim's parents live in Indiana."

But hey, I'm sure he's no worse than Voight huh?" Atwater laughed; just as Erin joined them.

"What exactly does that mean?" Jay asked; becoming defensive. Did the whole unit know their history?

"Well um..." Atwater stuttered. "I meant Erin must have had it pretty tough; bringing dates home to Voight."

"Please, like I'd be stupid enough to bring home a guy to meet Voight!" Erin laughed; trying to release the tension. "My prom date didn't even pick me up from home."

"You went to Prom?" Ruzek stated; surprised.

"Yes I went to prom!" Erin exclaimed.

"If we ever go to Voight's, we so have to look for her prom photos." Ruzek whispered to Atwater as they began walking away with their gear.

"Which is why you will never be asked over to Voight's!" Erin called after them.

Jay glanced over at Dawson and Olinsky; they were now putting away their own gear; out of ear shot. He glanced at Erin; standing beside him; taking stock of her own gear. Finally, he spoke. "Um sorry about earlier...I thought..."

Erin looked over at him. "Jay, Atwater and Ruzek definitely do not know our secret." Erin stated. Jay nodded. Erin paused. She raised her hand and gently placed it on his shoulder. "And don't worry about Spencer's dad. I'm sure he'll love you." She gave his shoulder a little squeeze and began to walk away.

"Erin?" Jay stated. Erin spun around to face him.

"Yeah?" She replied.

"Is um...is everything okay between you and Voight?" He asked. "I would hate it if...well, if you know..."

Erin sighed; not knowing if she wanted him to know the truth; to know the damage their secret romance had caused; now that it didn't seem to matter; especially as he had moved on so quickly. She could see the concern in his eyes; she could hear it in his voice; the knowledge that he actually still cared about her relationship with Voight despite everything was enough for her.

"Oh um that." She stated. "He was just reminding me about Sunday dinner."

"Oh, you're heading to his for Sunday dinner." Jay said. "That's...nice."

Erin could tell that he didn't exactly believe her words; that he was playing along; being polite so she smiled. "Have a good weekend Halstead." She stated. "I'll see you on Monday." She began to walk away again.

Jay watched her go; still not to believing her words; he could tell she was not telling him the whole truth and it hurt; he knew their relationship was damaged; he just hoped he was not the cause of it; he knew how much Erin needed Voight; he was her family; he understood that now.

##############


Jay sat on the steps of his father's back porch; his eyes focused on the small gazebo in the middle of the garden; housing his father, his father's latest girlfriend, his 17 year old Louisa and Spencer. His father was sitting in his chair; smoking his cigar; completely oblivious to the rantings of his girlfriend; already listing off who should be invited to the wedding while Louisa listed off everything she wanted her bridesmaid dress to be.

He had expected Spencer to freeze and become overwhelmed; at times; his family could overpowering but she just smiled and nodded; occasionally glancing over her shoulder to flash him a loving smile. She knew his family so well; she knew they meant no harm.

She also tolerated his father's talk of how his medical practice would be in safe hands; now he had both Will and her to run it; finally giving him what he wanted; keeping the practice in the family for all his children.

Jay looked over at his fashion obsessed; cheerleading and volleyball loving sister and felt pity; knowing she would be the next to have the pressure of following in her father and brother Will's footsteps in becoming a doctor. Jay knew it wasn't her plan; she wanted to do something creative; but he feared she wouldn't have the strength to walk away like he had; he knew the trust fund he had abandoned was too big of a draw for her; if only for the designer wardrobe it could purchase.

He also knew that Spencer was only tolerating his father's dream of running the practice alongside Will. He knew she wasn't that kind of doctor; she wasn't driven by money; she was driven by the need to help others; just like him.

It was the main connection between them; something their families never could understand; both families driven by success and money; both of them feeling like outcasts from their families because of their desire to help others in need.

Jay knew that he had disappointed his father by enlisting; his father never understood his choice and when he enrolled in the police academy; he knew by the look in his father's eyes; although his father still loved him; he wasn't 'his' son and Jay accepted that.

Spencer had also known rejection from her family and it was plain to see in the few hours he had spent with her father. He could tell her father resented the fact that she was not born a boy; that she was his only child as her mother died in child birth; that she had broken the line of first born sons in her family. She still got the family name; Spencer Anders the fourth but she did not continue the tradition of the Spencer Anders before her and become a lawyer and a District Attorney.

Yes, Spencer and Jay had a lot in common; which is probably what drew Spencer to him all those years ago to strike up their friendship. He didn't have any other explanation. Spencer was special; and she wanted him; something that he was still struggling to understand; he knew she was too good for him; that he had gotten lucky; that she loved him back.

Yet, despite of everything; he couldn't help but think of Erin; his partner; his best friend. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing; if she was okay. Things had been so easy in Syria; it was true; out of sight; out of mind but back here; he realised how much he had missed her. It didn't mean he loved Spencer any less; she just wasn't his sole focus.

He pulled out his cell phone; his finger hovering over one on his speed dial; knowing that he would have to change his order to include Spencer; he just wouldn't change it today. He pressed the number one and let it ring.

############


Erin sighed as she stood in front of her closet; dressed only in her white bra and matching panties. There were various dresses lying on her bed, along with a few pairs of trousers and tops. She had no idea what to wear and she couldn't shake the nausea feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"It's just Sunday dinner Erin." She told herself. "It is nothing to be nervous about." But she was nervous; Sunday dinners had always been a big part of the Voight household. It was the one meal that Camille had always insisted that they have together. After she died; Voight continued the tradition; it was his way of keeping her alive and Erin had tried to make every dinner; bar one or two.

Then the fallout from Jay happened; and she could no longer stomach being around Voight on her own; too worried about what the anger inside her would force her to say; so she stopped attending; for over six months; missing out on seeing Justin, Olive and Hank Jr. when they were in town.

She glanced at her phone; wondering if it was too late to phone Voight and tell him she couldn't make it; shaking her head; she knew that was a silly idea. Then she thought of phoning Burgess and asking her what she should wear; she really should have asked her during their Sunday jog.

Instead; she listened to Kim complain about Adam leaving the toilet seat up and squeezing the toothpaste from the middle. She thought it was only fair; over the months both Kim and Nadia had listened to her yearnings for Jay.

She glanced back at the bed; her eyes falling on a long sleeved v-neck wrap over red dress that fell just at her knees. She remembered the last time she had worn it to Voight's for Sunday dinner; the memory so clear; Justin was on leave and had come to visit with a heavily pregnant Olive; 3 days later she gave birth to Hank Jr.

Erin stood in front of her full length mirror; wearing the red dress; her hair hanging straight down; tilting her head to the side; putting in her silver drop earrings. She spun around to face her bed; currently occupied by Jay; sitting up; his torso exposed.

"How do I look?" She asked, walking towards him.

"Amazing." Jay replied; pulling Erin down onto his lap. He brushed his nose against the curve of her neck below her ear. "But the dress would look even better on your bedroom floor." His lips softly kissed her neck; his finger searching for the tied bow of the dress.

"Jay!" Erin giggled, brushing away his hand. She climbed off him and stood up; ignoring his groans. "You know I have to go; Justin and Olive will be there."

"Are we ever going to have a lazy sex filled Sunday like a normal couple?" Jay asked.

Erin scoffed. "There is nothing normal about us sweetie." She replied; looking over her shoulder; slipping on her black pumps.

"Don't I know it!" Jay muttered.

Erin sighed and sat down on the bed; beside him. She reached out and took his hand in hers. "You know, you could come with me." She suggested.

Now it was Jay's turn to scoff. "And how exactly can I do that without raising a certain someone's suspicions?" He asked.

"I dunno." Erin replied, shrugging her shoulders. "I just thought it would be nice...normal almost."

"Thank you for asking me Erin." Jay replied, his free hand stroking her cheek. "I appreciate the gesture and what it means...I know these Sunday dinners are a family thing but Hank would..."

"I know but...I just wish..." She trailed off.

Jay smiled. He knew what she wished because he wished for the same; to be a part of her family; to be able to attend a Sunday dinner without worrying about what Voight would think. "Maybe one day." He softly stated.

Erin couldn't help but give a small laugh. "Oh definitely!" She replied with a smile.

Erin shook her head and reached for the red dress. She picked it up and walked towards the kitchen; she placed the dress in the trash; she didn't need the reminder; not today; not ever. She could hear her cell phone ringing from the bedroom.

She walked towards her bedroom; silently praying that Kim was so in sync with her that she could read her thoughts and was phoning to give her some advice on what to wear. She lifted up the phone and looked down at the caller I.D.; it wasn't Kim.

She sighed and pressed 'Accept'; curious to know what he wanted. "Hey." She softly said.

"Hey." He replied. There was a pause. She knew he was building up the courage to ask a question that he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to, but he still had to ask. "Are you at Voight's yet?"

"If I was, do you think I would have answered?" She shot back, a small smile on her lips.

"Nah, you'd be too busy cooing over Hank Jr." He replied, a smirk on his lips.

Her smile grew wider. He knew her too well. "So how did you get on upstate?" She asked. "Did daddy dearest love you?"

He gave a small laugh. "Love is a very strong word." He stated. "I think he can tolerate me."

"Well here's hoping he'll like you by the wedding." Erin quickly retorted.

"I can live in hope." He agreed. Again, there was a pause in the conversation. "Actually, I am still upstate; we called into my dad's to break the news."

"Oh really?" Erin laughed. "You told me and the rest of the guys before your whole family?"

"Well I wasn't actually planning on telling the guys until Spencer came to town but then you..." Jay began to say.

"...But I put my foot in it." Erin finished. "I'm sorry Jay." She paused. "So I was the first person you told?"

"Yeah..." He paused. "...I thought I owned you that much...I wanted you to hear it from me."

Erin paused, a lump forming at the back of her throat. She swallowed hard. "And I appreciate that." She finally said. "So um, how did your parents take the news?"

"My dad's latest girlfriend has already gone into wedding planning mode and my dad...well, he likes the fact she's a doctor." Jay stated. "If I can't be a doctor, the next best thing is marrying one." He paused. "Why do I get the feeling that you're stalling? Shouldn't you be heading to Voight's by now?" He could hear her sigh. "Erin, what aren't you telling me?"

"I don't know what to wear." She replied, honestly. She could hear his laugh through the phone.

"Erin, its Sunday dinner at Voight's." He stated. "You go every week." There was no response. "Erin, you do go every week?"

"I um...I haven't exactly been going every week." Erin reluctantly answered.

"Erin..." Jay sighed. He knew he wasn't imagining the strain in their relationship. "How long has it been?" She sighed in response. "Erin, he wasn't the reason I left. He tried to make me stay."

There was a pause. "I know that." She finally responded.

"So..." Jay trailed off; he didn't want this to happen; this was why he left; Voight was what Erin chose; what she needed.

"So my issues with Voight were nothing to do with you." Erin stated. "I mean, I originally thought they were but Hank pointed out a few home truths and I guess I didn't like what I heard...but I know he's my family and I'm going to get it back on track."

"I'm glad to hear it." Jay stated. There was a pause.

"So seriously, what am I going to wear?" Erin asked; trying to ease the tension again. She could hear him laugh.

"Something you don't mind getting baby spew on." He quickly shot back. "'Cause let's face it, as cute as babies are, they spew a lot."

Erin softly laughed. "Jean and t-shirt it is." She stated. "So I guess I should let you get back to your family." She heard him groan.

"If I must." He muttered. "See you tomorrow."

"Thanks Jay." Erin replied, smiling and hung up. She tossed the phone onto her bed and picked up a pair of jeans to pull on.

To be continued...