AN: Okay, so we left at date-night and kind of ran into someone from Rianne's past... My Italian isn't perfect, but I hope you'll bear with me.

Chapter Title "Lay your head on me" by Marcus Mumford, Major Lazer & Diplo

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Chicago PD, Fire or Med characters, only my OCs!

"We can just leave real quick, maybe she hasn't seen you yet…" Jay suggested.

It had been Rianne's first thought too, just get out of here and flee, schedule this somehow unavoidable encounter for sometime in the future, when she felt overall more settled. But hearing him say it out loud she knew: No, she would feel worse if she backed out now. Hadn't she just told him the story of a fearless queen who was sort of her namesake?

"Feels stupid and gutless, so not my style. It's funny, because I texted her this morning if she'd be free for lunch next week. Thought it would be a good plan to come out to one part of the family first, take it step by step." Rianne sighed and hesitated for a moment, watching Guilia and her date, a man she had never seen before, sit down at a table at the other end of the restaurant.

Not that far away that she couldn't have made her if she just changed her perspective a bit.

"I'm gonna go over there…" Rianne braced herself, squeezing Jay's hand one last time, unwilling to leave his side.

Now she would find out for sure if she was loved for herself or just as the widow of Andrea diVarese by the members of his family.
Anyway, Guilia was probably her best option as she had always liked her best and was maybe the most open minded one in the family. But she was also a good friend of Nate's, that could be a definite problem. All the more reasons to either cut the ties right now than prolong the hurt, if it was meant to go south. She didn't even know what she was going to say to her.

Jay got the cheque and their coats, then waited at the bar for Rianne to either storm out of there with him or give him some sign that the coast was clear. He was really nervous on her behalf, somehow also on his. Every person that wasn't on board with them being together seemed to be a trial of their love's strength and a quest for his self-perception. On the other hand every battle won felt like them getting closer and stronger, it was like gaining or losing life-points in a video game. He snorted at the stupid simile that came to his mind.
Worriedly he glanced at Rianne and the woman who had gotten up from her seat at the arrival of her sister-in-law (did one still call each other that after one's partner had died?) and engulfed her in a long affectionate hugs-and-kisses dance. So far, so good! Now they had been lost in conversation for a while, gesticulating madly. Jay didn't know what this meant, he guessed if they were talking in Italian it could still be a friendly exchange of words. Rianne had her back to him so he couldn't read her face.
Finally she turned around, her eyes succeeding in finding him quickly. She waved him over to her, a small smile on her lips. A weight lifted from his shoulders as he eagerly strode to the table at the back.

"Jay? This is Guilia and her date…"

"Tate!" The woman with the straightest nose he had ever seen, introduced her date, a curly haired blonde football-player type, who was looking a little lost.

Probably the encounter between the two women bewildered him a bit. Whatever they had talked about it sure looked like he was completely clueless what was happening here.

"Hi, I'm Jay. Nice to meet you!"

Jay shook hands with Guilia and Tate, trying to come across calm and collected, friendly. This was not "meeting the parents" yet he tried to remember, but still...
He recognized Guilia's face from Nate's birthday party now. She looked like snow-white with that perfect complexion of pale skin and the straight long black shock of hair, lips painted in a deep, yet tasteful red. He didn't notice that he was equally assessed by her, but after a short while of studying his features and appearance she nudged Rianne's shoulder and gave her an appreciative nod, her voice deep and husky:

"Che mi venga un colpo! Che bel ragazzo!" Guilia's grey eyes widened at Jay once more.

"Lui è mio!" Rianne laughed and reached for Jay, he tucked her into his side.

Not sure what was being said, but guessing it seemed to be friendly teasing, he let his hand wander to her hip, she put hers over his and held on. This so felt like a first date now including all the jitters.

"So nice to meet you too Jay, I hope you know how lucky you are to get to take out our little perlina," the other woman addressed him in English, a sexy Italian accent audible.

He didn't really know what 'perlina' meant, but he guessed it was a term of endearment for Rianne who had shuffled even closer into him now.

"Believe me, I know!" He said with a smitten glance at the woman in his arms.

"So, have you guys been here before?" Jay gestured around him and tried to reign Tate into the conversation too, feeling a little sorry for the guy in the corner, who was watching their exchange like a tennis match.

"No, but Rianne already told me it's delicious. You guys wanna join us for an aperitivo? Or should I say: 'bicchiere della staffa' for you?"

"It means a nightcap!" Rianne explained to Jay, then turned to Guilia again:

"I think we might wanna get home actually, I've had so much to eat I feel like I need to lie down!"

Jay rubbed her hip in silent thanks for not making them stay longer than necessary. The perception of the news seemed to have gone down well, but still it was best to take things one step at a time. Besides, he really wanted to have Rianne to himself tonight, she must've felt the same. Tate looked a little relieved too that they weren't going to impose on their date-night any longer.

"Yeah, sure! So maybe another time? Call me about next week!" Guilia kissed Rianne on both cheeks first, then continued to do the same to Jay, taking him by surprise, holding him at arms-length afterwards and speaking to Rianne in Italian once more.

He couldn't help but feel a little like a horse at an auction sale.

"E lui è un agente? Capirai!" She let him go with that look of astonishment she had worn earlier, shaking her head.

"Si, al momento non mi manca niente!" Rianne said, also looking up at Jay and resting her head against his shoulder.

Guilia ran her hands over her cheek, her eyes glistening emotionally:

"Sono felice per te! Ciao mia gioia! Abbi cura di te!"

Rianne felt like she had been holding her breath in disbelieve while they exited the restaurant and made the short walk back to the truck. Jay's touch around her waist kept her grounded. He had waited patiently for her to say something, sensing she needed a minute to process what had just happened. When they had reached their ride she halted abruptly and turned to him, a stunned laugh on her face:

"Could you maybe pinch me right now?"

Jay amusedly did as he was told by nipping her ribs. She flinched away because it tickled, but still Rianne couldn't believe she wasn't dreaming. This had gone far too well.

"No, one more time, maybe harder!"

So Jay nipped both her sides, probably still holding back to not hurt her seriously, but this time it was uncomfortable and made her jump:

"Ouch, okay… thank you! Still I find it hard to believe what just happened…"

'Sometimes the things we're most afraid of end up being pretty harmless', she thought to herself.
Looking up into Jay's happy face, her own emotions mirrored in his eyes, she threw her arms around him and backed him into the truck, kissing him enthusiastically.

"Seriously, best - date - ever!" Rianne touched his lips one last time, before she buried her head against his chest. It was quickly becoming one of her favorite places to let herself relax and calm down.

"So what did she say to you?"

All the different languages she spoke were just so familiar to her that she took it for granted to be able to understand everything. Of course it wasn't self-evident for everyone.
Pulling Jay's beanie over his ears, letting her hands linger around his neck afterwards, she translated for him:

"Basically she said that you're seriously hot and easy on the eyes and that she can't believe you're a cop. That she's happy for me and I should take care of myself!"

"Must be the torn jeans that has women go into raptures over me…" Jay mused and grinned at her boyishly making her laugh.

There really had been no hint of judgement, not a wink of disappointment in Guilia's eyes the minute Rianne had sprung all the information on her before she would lose her nerve. She had told her that she was here with her new boyfriend, having been nervous to tell them because she didn't wanna disrespect Andrea's memory or make it seem like she wanted to forget about everything, that this was all so new for her. Guilia had stopped her rambling right there. Seemed that her sister-in-law had suspected something was up for a while now and had waited for Rianne to come to her when she was ready.

"I hope it's fine with you that I didn't wanna stay and have a drink with them? I was kinda overwhelmed and sort of wanted this time for ourselves…"

Jay silenced her by kissing her tenderly: "I'm totally fine with that - I'd be happy to do this another time though…"

"You would?"

"Yeah, sure why not? They're still your family, right? Why wouldn't I want to get to know them if you want me to?" He opened the passenger side for her gallantly, holding out his hand to her.

Grabbing on to it Rianne pressed her lips to his knuckles:

"Rephrasing my earlier praise: Best - boyfriend - ever!"

Feeling light-hearted and tingly she got in, taking a moment to thank the universe that luck had been on her side today. And the evening wasn't even over.

Jay made a whole a-do once they had reached his house, stopping her in front of his door, setting down all her shopping bags and extracting a little package out of his jeans-pocket. She wondered if it had been there all night or if he'd gotten it from the truck, because he had fumbled around with some things in the front while she had gotten her shopping from the backseat.

"What's that?" she asked, suddenly nervous.

"Open it," he smiled, somehow nervous too.

He put his hands in his jeans-pockets after giving the box to her, bobbing up and down on his heels.
Another first: Until now they hadn't gotten each other gifts. Apart from buying meals or coffee that was. So what could this be?
Inside the box there was a single key with a beautiful pendant, consisting of the letter 'R' made out of hard wax with pressed flower petals and golden sprinkles in it. Rianne looked at Jay, somehow mystified and slowly took the key out of the box.

"It's for my place," Jay hurried to explain, not able to bear the silence any longer.

But it wasn't the gesture alone that had Rianne lost for words.

"This is strange... I was actually looking at the exact same pendants today when we were out shopping and told Stella how much I liked them..."

"Is that so?" Jay raised his eyebrows and acted all serious.

Something in his eyes sparkled with mischief and made the penny drop:

"You conspired with her again!" she exclaimed, having trouble to wrap her head around the fact that he had been thinking this far ahead as to get Stella to pick a key chain for her, do it without her noticing and get it back to him somehow.

"How'd she give it to you? We were like together all the time..." she couldn't help but wonder.

Jay just shrugged his shoulders: "I think this will stay between Kidd and I for now. Do you like it?"

"I love it! Thank you, I really appreciate it!"

Her own key for his place felt like this was officially not only an emergency arrangement!

"Right, so after you," Jay motioned to the entrance and picked up all the bags again, eager to move on.

She found it funny and somehow adorable that he was so shy about this. The same man who took on criminals everyday blushed at something like giving this gift to her. Rianne pressed her lips to his softly before she tried if the new key would work.
On the third floor she opened the door to his apartment as well, but before she went inside Jay ordered her to close her eyes. There were more surprises?
For good measure he put his hands over them once he had put down the bags near the entrance, still leaving the whole place in the dark. Switching on the lights as he had led her further into the room he took his hands away. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her eyes immediately fell on a hanging chair, mounted to a ceiling beam, facing one of the windows looking out to the street. She didn't know what to say, covering her mouth with her hands:

"OMG!"

"I thought it would help make you feel more at home… I know it's not the same as your hammock, but…" Jay started sheepishly.

Rianne threw herself at him, squealing, shutting him up with several kisses, moisture in her eyes at his considerateness. He picked her up with one arm and she wrapped her legs around his waist to be able to cling on to him:

"Oh my god Jay! Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. That's so, so sweet!"

"Yeah, I had a little help from Casey actually. Needed someone to make sure we wouldn't take down the ceiling if we hung it there… and we fixed the bathroom door temporarily as well…and I bought some groceries…" he responded to her kisses in a slower, more gentle way.

"My man! What's gotten into you, when did you do all this?"

"I just love you I guess…"

"Yeah, I love you too! So much actually... This is just perfect!"

Sometimes "generation and corruption", growth and decay, becoming and passing away were one.

Somehow she managed to get Jay into the newest living-room accessory with her, arguing that they had to at least test if it would carry them both like it was promised on the packing slip.
Finally lying back in Jay's arms she wanted to catch that peaceful moment of a true new homey feeling and took a selfie of them. On her screen she could see that Jay had closed his eyes momentarily and hummed contently behind her. She felt his vibrations in her back.

"See, I told you it was cozy!" Rianne couldn't help but point out to him and kissed his cheek.

"Please note that I am just doing this for you! Really, it's not my thing, but I know you love it, so I got you one!"

She decided to let it go for now, sensing Jay wasn't really one who could cough up to changing his mind on things that easily, but she was certain he would admit it someday. To her it was great to feel this weightless, softly swinging from the ceiling, wrapped in a comforting blanket that carried her.
A new message blinked on her phone, it was from Guilia. She smiled to herself while sharing it with Jay:

"Ha, Guilia just texted! Says that running into us actually made her evening and it seems to stay the most exciting thing about it, because 'Tate the Date' is just dull…"

She typed a short reply while Jay kissed her shoulder and she felt him grinning as well. Then his voice suddenly sounded a little alarmed:

"Are those all texts from Nate?" He must've seen the most recent dates of his messages in her inbox when she had closed the chat with Guilia.

Of course those were the ones from today she hadn't deleted.

"Yep… apologies…and as Stella put it: Just some more 'yada yada yada'. No worries, I didn't text him back and I'm not going to. You can check if you want."

"I don't want to check your phone! Just please don't go off on your own again, meet with him or whatever? Could you just not? I know you are a strong and independent woman and I don't wanna take that from you, but like you don't want me to endanger myself more than I have to: I'm asking you to mark your own words!"

"I hear you and I won't do it."

"Good… Now I would like to make some suggestions on how to make this evening even more perfect..."

The last days of October went by quickly, Rianne and Jay were adjusting to their new living conditions and balancing their love-life in addition to an almost-back-to-normal work-schedule. Rianne had been dodging Nate's calls and texts for the past week and mostly managed to evade him at work. Sometimes it resembled a little like running the gauntlet, but it had worked for the time being. Still it didn't look like he would back up any time soon or even consider moving out of the loft. Rianne felt like her life was giving her no time to take a real breath at the moment, so she still didn't really know how she wanted to handle this moving forward. At the moment making things work with Jay was more important. And things with him were good! Living together for the time being was actually going smoother than she would have thought.

Saying that they had established a routine was too much too soon, everything was still so new. But they had managed to not feel cramped or boxed in yet even if there was very little space to escape to at Jay's place.
Rianne had actually thought that she would miss the advantages of her home and her personal space soon, but that wasn't the case. It really mattered more that she would go to sleep and wake up with Jay every day, feeling loved, feeling safe. Hell they could have lived in her camper for all she cared.

Chicago weather had gone crazy once more. On those last actual October days it had started snowing like mad, covering the streets and buildings under a white blanket and causing traffic hiccups. There was always something magical about snow Rianne found and yet driving in this weather scared her at the same time due to her experiences. Playing it safe she had taken the 'L' to work today.
Shivering in the afternoon cold and wishing she had found a thicker coat to wear today she went up to the group home she was headed to.

As soon as she entered the premises, there were children running around the house and around her, some already in costumes, some just joining in on the fun in plain clothes. She had actually come here to take some of the kids out for 'trick or treating' this Halloween night. The house had been understaffed for the past days, making it impossible for the social-worker on shift to go out with a bunch of wild kids on her own. So when visiting two of the kids she had put up in that home last week, Rianne's heart had gone soft when hearing about the bad news that the kids had to stay in tonight without an adult to accompany them, at least those too young to go by themselves in this neighborhood. So here she was. Her phone rang before she reached the staff's office and as usually a smile spread on her face at seeing Jay's name and recently added picture pop up:

"Hi favorito! What's up?"

"Where are you right now?"

"What? Sorry, I can't hear you…" Everybody was just too excited around here to have a proper phone conversation.

"What the hell is going on there?"

"I'm sorry, let me step away for a bit…" Rianne went down a corridor she knew led to some bureaus.

"I'm preparing to go trick or treating…" she laughed into the phone, imagining Jay's nonplussed face on the other end.

"Say what now?"

"You heard me right…," she shortly explained why she was doing this.

"So, I am the softie at heart, huh?" he laughed.

"Yeah, I know... don't rub it in. So when do you get off?"

"Maybe in an hour, when I've filed all of today's paperwork… I'm done with the quiet. I was looking forward to maybe getting some dinner with you, but if you're busy…"

Not liking the disappointment in his voice she suggested he pick her up and join them somewhere along the way. She wouldn't have expected him to say yes, but he did.

Jay hurried down the stairs of the district a little later, a spring in his step because he couldn't wait to see Rianne out in action with the Halloween kids. Hailey accompanied him, filling him in on the details of their latest bust. He was clinging to the stories his colleagues told him these days, fed up with being stuck behind a desk and living off their adventures. Atwater had joked that they should consider making him a diary for the time being so that he would feel more included. Next week he hoped he was back to see some real action he hoped, just one more check-up tomorrow.

Laughing at something Hailey said about how stupid today's perpetrator had been, Jay's face immediately darkened when he noticed the figure creeping around his car:

"Great…" Jay sighed, straightening his posture.

The other man had now seen him approach as well and got up from where he had been leaning casually against Jay's truck, a fake smile on his lips. It was clear that he was here for him.
Jay felt the urge to just put him in his place getting stronger. How could he just turn up here grinning like an idiot, after the number he had pulled on his girlfriend and the stalker attitude he had since then adopted? He stopped in his tracks and considered his next move.

"Would you take that for a moment?"

He handed Hailey his gun and badge, wanting to be on the safe side. One could never know. Concerning guns in false hands he had learned his lesson the painful way.

"Yeah, sure… but Jay…" Hailey tried to stop him, confusion and worry in her voice, but there was just no way he was letting the opportunity of telling Nate Ruzek to his face what he thought of him pass him by.

AN: Dun...dun...dun... Yeah, not sure how this is going to turn out exactly, but it's certainly something to look forward to.