Hey guys, thank you for your feedback on the last chapter. I was kinda worried posting it after so many of you were happy to see Bobbi gone in chapter 18 and then I brought her back in chapter 19 but I'm glad you liked it. I think this may be the penultimate chapter. I'm not sure as I haven't even started the final chapter yet but I think I have my ending back on track.

I'm sorry this wasn't posted sooner but I have had a family emergency this week so things didn't go to plan. As always, please read and review! Thanks!

Chapter 20

Erin stepped into her apartment and kicked off her running shoes as she pulled out her earphones and placed her IPod on the table beside the door. She closed over the door and began making her way towards her bathroom, peeling off her running gear as she walked.

She paused momentarily as her eyes fell on the collage of photos on the hallway wall; a mixture of photos of her with Voight, Camille and Justin; as well as the guys from the Intelligence unit. Her eyes focused on the centre photo; a photo of her and Jay; taken the day they had to be recertified for their guns and he had beaten her score. He was holding up the piece of paper in one hand while the other was lightly draped around her; his smile beaming while Erin stood; arms crossed; her eyes mid-roll.

She chewed her lower lip as she stared at that photo; remembering how Jules had taken it; only a few weeks before she was killed. Jay had only been in the unit a few weeks and had just recovered from being shot in his shoulder. He and Erin were still trying to find their groove as partners.

To be honest; at that time; Erin didn't think their partnership would work out; she had found him a little annoying; full of sass; continually questioning Voight's motives and her relationship to Voight. Plus the fact that he kept teasing her about being a better shot didn't help; until then, she had been the best shot; well after Olinsky but he was the unit's only marksman until Jay came along so Erin didn't count him.

Jay had teased her so much that she declared that from that day on, she would be driving; after all; he was the 'better shot', it didn't make sense for him to be wasted behind the wheel. Erin gave a small laugh as she remembered the look on his face; that trademark smirk of his quickly disappeared.

Erin had included that photograph in the collage to remind her of how far they had come; from barely tolerating him to not being able to imagine not being his partner. She knew she needed Jay in her life; she loved working with him; that's why she had ignored all those heated moments with him; she knew they had to keep it professional or Voight would split up their partnership.

She remembered Bobbi's words; how Erin didn't want to act on her feelings because she was scared of how deep she would fall for him; that there was no going back. She didn't even want to question that thought because she knew herself it was true; she knew Jay was the endgame; but she also knew she wasn't ready for everything that would bring.

Erin knew why she had kept Jay at an arm's length; she wanted him in her life; she needed him; he pushed her; he made her question things; he made her want to break down the barriers she had built. However, she also knew a romance with him could destroy everything; she was never the relationship type and well; Voight and his rules just added to the complications. She knew the safest thing was to just stay professional; at least then she'd still have Jay in her life; as her partner.

She shook her head; knowing that lately, their partnership didn't seem like it was worth fighting her heart for. Jay had withheld so much from her and instead of acting like his partner and believing what he was doing was for the right reasons; she had doubted him and his actions.

She sighed, knowing that yes, Jay had not followed procedures the last few weeks but she wasn't completely blameless either. She had let her jealousy blind her judgement and affect her role as a partner. She knew she had to get their partnership back on track before she could even think of Bobbi's comments regarding Jay's feelings for her.

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Jay heard a continual ringing come from his laptop as he exited his bathroom, dressed in only sweatpants; a few bead of water running down his perfectly formed torso as he rubbed a towel over his hair. He had just finished showering.

He made his way towards the laptop and accepted the Skype call. Bobbi's face appeared on screen; complete with a straw sunhat, sunglasses and very evident sunscreen on her nose. "Greetings from Mexico...I have arrived!" She cheerfully exclaimed, before her eyes fell on him. "Geez Jay...put a top on it!"

"Sorry but I am just out of the shower." Jay replied as he finished towelling his hair. "So I am guessing Mexico is a little hot?"

"Yeah, I kinda didn't think this through." Bobbi replied. "I really hope I am one of those rare red heads that actually tans. I didn't burn that one time in Vegas so fingers crossed." She waved both hands with her fingers crossed.

Jay smiled. "Well I am glad you arrived safely." Jay stated. "Is Vinnie in position?"

"He's getting there." Bobbi replied. "Thank you for letting him go."

"I guess I just had to trust you...and your orders." Jay stated.

Bobbi gave a small smile. "So how are things with Erin now?" She asked.

"Well it's the weekend so we haven't talked...but I can hazard a guess at how things are..." Jay trailed off, looking dejected.

"Jay I am sorry...this is my entire fault." Bobbi apologised.

"No it's not...Erin and my poor communication is to blame." Jay quickly shot back. "I used to think we had the strongest partnership...even stronger than us. I thought that's why we were keeping things professional...because to lose it wasn't worth the sacrifice."

"Jay, you can have her heart and the partnership...don't give up!" Bobbi pleaded. "Don't sound so defeated...you're a fighter Jay, you've got to believe!"

"If only it was that simple..." Jay sighed.

"It can be." Bobbi quickly retorted.

Jay was about to respond when there was gentle knock at his front door. "I guess that is my Chinese food." He said.

"Well then I better go." Bobbi stated. "I don't want to be craving some Chow Mein because do you know what else I realised? I don't actually like Mexican food."

Jay laughed, just as another knocked echoed around the apartment. "I guess I'll be sending you a food parcel then." He joked.

"Yes please...and don't forget the Twinkies!" Bobbi responded. "Bye Jay...and keep fighting...I believe in you and Erin!"

Before he could respond, Bobbi signed off; just as another knock filled the apartment. He sighed and headed towards the door, grabbing his wallet off the side table. He pulled open the door; his eyes on his wallet already pulling out the money. "How much do I owe you?" He asked, before finally looking up to find Erin standing before him; clutching a six pack. "You're not my Chinese food!" He was completely surprised.

"Sorry to disappoint." Erin replied, struggling to tear her eyes from the perfect 'Michelangelo V' on his torso. His clothing did not do his physique any justice. She finally met his eyes. "I just thought we could watch a little weekend Sport Centre and catch up on all those games we missed this week."

"Of course...come in." Jay replied, stepping back to let Erin in. Erin stepped into his home; clutching the beer; again, her eyes struggling to avoid his perfectly formed torso as she chewed her lower lip. "Sorry I am just out of the shower..." Jay tried to explain, pulling on a grey t-shirt. "...Bobbi disturbed me with a Skype call to tell me she arrived safely."

Erin nodded knowingly. "I mean, we were just talking, we weren't..." Jay rushed to explain; realising how being half naked on Skype could possibly allude to different ideas.

Erin gave a small laugh as she stepped towards his couch to sit down. "Jay, its okay...I know you weren't having Skype sex with Bobbi." Erin reassured him as she sat down.

"You do?" Jay asked, confused. "I thought..."

"Jay, I realise now that you and Bobbi...you were being truthful...you're just friends." Erin replied.

"And you suddenly realised this because...?" Jay asked, perching himself on the arm of his armchair.

"You didn't seem so broken hearted at her leaving." Erin replied. "Plus, she stopped by my place yesterday morning on her way to the airport."

"What? I told her to stay out of this." Jay muttered.

"Jay...I'm glad she did it." Erin replied. "She put some things into perspective."

"Like?" Jay asked.

"Like why you kept saying things were complicated." Erin replied. "Her past was complicated and I get why you didn't tell me, her secrets weren't yours to tell so she told me and it kinda reminded me how loyal you are and when you withhold information, you always have true intentions."

"I didn't like keeping things from you...or the unit and I didn't have the full picture to fill Voight in anyway...I just had to trust that she was doing the right thing Erin and I know it was wrong but I did trust her because I know she is good police." Jay began to say.

"And I get that now...you were being her partner..." Erin stated. "...just like me and the Charlie situation...and I forgot that. I didn't have your back the way you had mine."

"I didn't make it easy Erin...I know I made you doubt me." Jay retorted. "And I don't want you to doubt me."

"I know...and I'm hoping I won't have to anymore." Erin responded, reaching out to take hold of his hand. "Jay, I don't know what the future holds for us but I do know one thing...I want you as my partner...I trust you; I know I don't show it but give me time...please?"

"As long as you do the same for me?" Jay retorted, his thumb rubbing over her hand.

"I think I could do that." Erin replied, giving a small smile. Jay smiled too; just as a knock echoed around his apartment.

"I guess that's my Chinese." Jay said, reluctantly letting go of Erin's hand as he stood up to open the door. "You eating?"

"Did you order Moo Sui Beef?" Erin asked.

Jay scoffed. "Of course."

"I guess I'm eating then." Erin replied, with a smile. Jay smiled too and pulled open the door to reveal the delivery man with the food. He paid for the food as Erin tossed off her shoes and curled her feet under herself; leaning forward to grab a beer out of the six pack; making herself comfortable; just like she had many times before. This was it; their fresh start; and she wasn't going to let it get messed up.

To be continued...