Hey guys!

I know it has been ages since I updated this story, and for that I apologize. School this semester was hectic, and I have one more hectic semester starting in January before I start my two year program in August. Then I'm DONE! Man, I can't wait for that day. lol But anyways, I hate that it has been so long since I've updated this story, and honestly the reason I didn't was just from lack of inspiration… and maybe slightly cause I'm sick of the snarky comments on this story. I'm pretty sure I know who you are, even though you wouldn't leave a name. But it's ok! Because I let that snarky comment keep me away from this story long enough! No more!

I am on Christmas break from school, and other than work I don't have anything going on at least until January. So I hope to get more of this story, and my other, written and posted! I'm sorry this chapter is short, I just wanted to test the waters on this one, but I've got some more stuff planned out that I can't wait for you all to read!

Alright, I'm done nagging cause I have to head to work, but Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I love you all!

"Ok, I just got off the phone with Haley. Nathan and Jamie should be here some time tomorrow night." Brooke starts upon Jay entering his living room. She was busy packing a box of his belongings and doesn't bother to look up at him. "Given it'll probably be late, we'll let them sleep and get started loading up the U-Haul and the cars that next morning then head out. If we leave out Thursday morning we can probably make it back to Tree Hill late that night or the wee hours of Friday morning."

"Sounds good." Jay groans, flopping down on the couch.

At the sound Brooke's head snaps up to face Jay. "Excuse me, what are you doing?"

Jay glances over his shoulder at her. "I'm resting."

"No no." She orders, abandoning her box and making her way over to him. Once she was standing in front of him, she holds out her hand to him. He eyes it carefully, not making a move to take it. "We have a lot to do before they get here! Jay we still have to pack up your entire apartment, talk to your landlord, you have to talk to Voight, and we have to rent a U-Haul. This is seriously going to take all day tomorrow so we have to get a jump start on this packing –"Brooke only stops mid rant when she notices the smirk on her boyfriend's face. "What?"

"You're hot when you're bossy." He says, his smirk growing, as he reaches out and finally takes her hand in his. He pulls her toward him, but she stands her ground fighting him. He knows he's won when he sees her trying to fight a smile as well.

"Jay quit, I'm serious." She says giving in and allowing him to pull her into his lap. "We have so much to do."

"Mmhm," He mutters, his lips going straight to her neck. Her eyes close as she fights to hang on to the last tiny strand of restraint she has. "We have plenty of time. Just give me ten minutes." She shakes her head no and Jay's lips move from her neck to her lips.

"What about Bria?" She mutters against his lips, feeling herself give in to him yet again.

"She's asleep." He assures her, his arm slipping around her waist to pull her as close to him as humanly possible. "Come on Brooke, five minutes."

Brooke lets out a giggle as his lips land once more on her neck and his hand tickles at her side. "Ok fine, five minutes!"

Jay shoots her a victorious smirk before flipping them over on the couch, earning a squeal from Brooke in the process.

"Halstead," Adam Ruzek calls, meeting Jay at the steps of the bullpen Jay was currently making his way up. "Good to see you back man!" He exclaims, patting his friend on the shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks." Jay mutters, not yet wanting to say anything to Ruzek about him leaving the unit until he had talked to Voight.

"How you holding up?" Atwater asks, making his way over with Olinsky to greet Jay as well.

"Ya know, one day at a time right?" Jay asks, his eyes traveling to his partners now empty desk. The guys had spent that first day after Antonio's death packing it up, and Jay had made a point to swing by and check on Laura and kids before giving them his things.

"It's all you can do kid," Olinsky agrees, shooting Jay a small smile. "It'll get easier."

"Yeah, it will." Jay agrees nodding his head to the older man in thanks. "I'm going to go talk to Voight." The guys all nod and head back to their desks while Jay makes his way across the room that before the incident had been like his second home. Now… it felt like another world.

So much had changed in the nearly three weeks since Antonio had died, and seeing Roman at the desk across from his own, and Kim at the desk beside Atwater; he knew he was no longer needed there. It was time to move on and that was exactly what he was going to do.

"Come in Halstead," Jay hears Voight yell from inside his office before he could even knock. Jay takes a deep breath and glances back around the bullpen before pushing the door open and stepping into the office. "Take a seat Halstead, welcome back."

"Thanks Sarge," Jay mutters sitting down in the seat across from his boss.

Voight stays silent for a minute, leaning back in his chair as he studies the young man in front of him. "So something tells me you're not here to say you're ready to come back to work."

"Not exactly."

"Ok, so what are you doing here Jay?" Voight asks, straightening his posture in his chair at the conviction in Jay's voice.

"You know I love this unit, and everything it stands for. These guys are my family and I would not have made it through the last four years if it wasn't for you guys –"Jay trials off, and glances down to avoid eye contact with his boss. He would never let Voight see him cry so he takes a minute to compose himself before glancing back up at him. "You know Antonio was not just my partner, he was my best friend. I have seen many people die, and other than Allie or my mom, that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to experience. I thought some time off and some time out of Chicago would help. I thought I would be able to come back and everything would be fine, but it's not. Even against what Brooke thought, I came here today not knowing what I was going to say to you. I wanted to walk up those steps and see what I felt before I said anything, but it still suffocates me to look at his desk and know he's no longer here and there was nothing else I could do for him –"

"Halstead, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm not coming back to Intelligence."

Reluctantly, Voight nods reaching for an envelope on the corner of his desk. "I figured you would say that, which is why I've organized a transfer to –"

"No," Jay firmly says with a shake of the head. "I'm not coming back at all."

"Jay –"

"Sarge, I'm sorry but I can't do it anymore. Chicago holds too many painful memories for me. Anywhere I turn I see my mom, or Allie, or Antonio. I can't do it anymore. It's made me a miserable person, and not only is that not fair to me or Brooke, it's not fair to Bria. She's already lost her mother, she needs me. I have to do what is best for me and for her."

"And what is that exactly?"

"We're moving to Tree Hill, with Brooke. We can have a fresh start there and I feel like that is exactly what we need right now."

"I couldn't agree more." Voight mutters, fighting the tightening he felt in his chest. It was a rare thing for him, but he cared about Halstead and Bria both. Halstead was a good kid, and a damn good detective. He had never seen someone who drove himself into his work, was so focused on it, while taking such good care of his daughter. And Bria, he had grown very fond of her. Having been around her entire life, he viewed her as the granddaughter he figured he would never have. He knew it would be hard not having them around, but he knew Jay was right. They both needed this. They needed a fresh start, with Brooke. Jay deserved to be happy again, and Bria, she deserved to have a mother. "I hate to see you go, and I know I'm never going to find anyone to fill the void but I wish you all the happiness in the world Jay. You deserve it." He moves to stand up, and Jay follows after him. "But if things don't work out, you know as long as I'm running Intelligence, you have a spot."

"Thanks Sarge," Jay says reaching out and shaking the older man's hand.