A/N: Hey all! So if you follow me on twitter you'll know I took a break from writing. Just not coping at the moment but trying to get back into it. :)

What actually helped me strangely enough (especially in the middle of CPD filming again & Sophia not coming back) was TWD - how I just watched this show beats me. It's amazing lol

I actually started a crossover OTH/ TWD fic with Brooke and Spencer (Austin's character) because I'm having Brulian feels at the moment. lol It's different to what I generally write... but I also wanted to do a Linstead one, but with all CPD characters...

Cuz I was watching the show and I'm like, the only thing that would make this better is Jesse and Sophia in the show lol

Reasonable Doubt – Part 3

"I know. Thank you. For everything." I nod, my heart rate accelerating as he leans closer.

My back is trapped against the wall, his toned stomach blocking my escape as his scent invades my senses, taking my body hostage.

I moan as I feel his warm breath against my lips, anticipation fills my belly; a kiss only seconds away.

My eyes flutter close as I arch my head back, encouraging his lips to mine. We're so consumed in this moment that we tune the world out so only we exist.

"Jay, you're home!" We pull apart hastily at the sound of the loud voice, my gaze dropping to my feet.

I curse internally at the interruption; Jay's lips so close to mine, about to fulfill my dreams and fantasy's.

My gaze is hard as I bring it up to the middle-aged lady standing by an apartment door across the hall, beaming at Jay.

I shake my head clearing my thoughts, my hands find Jay's chest as I push him back firmly needing the create distance between us.

Once his scent is no longer swirling around me and holding me in a lusty haze, I find gratitude I didn't cross this line with a client.

I silently and patiently stand through their warm and pleasant exchange, noting again what a wonderful man he is and how anyone who knows him, never doubts his innocence.

"I should go." I tuck some hair behind my ear as he turns back to me.

"No, please don't."

"We shouldn't do this." I motion between us.

"We can't do this." I walk backwards, not breaking eye contact with him.

"Okay. We can't. But you can come in for a drink can't you?" I take in his hopeful smile, finding a way to say no.

"Jay…"

"No strings. Just a drink." Silence surrounds us as I think over his offer.

"You did promise to check for the bogeyman."

"I suppose I did. A promise is a promise." I return his smirk, admiring the spark in his eyes that fades too often and too quickly.

I nod as he finally slides his key in the lock and pushes open the door, I watch him take in the apartment and see tension melt away as he comes home.

"Huh. Someone covered the furniture up." He runs his hand along the white sheet covering the couch, before shrugging and throwing his keys on the kitchen bench.

I close the door, flicking the lock and following him to the kitchen.

"Scotch?" I ask coyly, with a raised brow.

"You're impatient."

"Time is money."

"Certainly is for you." He smirks, sending a playful wink my way.

"Being a lawyer is a good game. We charge to return a phone call, to send an email…"

"Maybe I should call you more, run my account up for my old man."

"He can't be all bad; looks like he took care of this place." Jay motions towards his dead plant sending me a look that says really.

"Okay, not the living things, but he covered up the furniture." I shrug before walking around and busying myself pulling the white covers off.

Jay chuckles as I hear the distinct clinking of glasses in the kitchen and the splashing of liquid.

"For you."

"Thank you." I spin around to take the offered glass, noticing how close Jay's body is to mine. The way his frame is trapping me against the back of the couch, that same anticipation making its presence known in my belly.

"Have I told you how amazing you are?" I raise an eyebrow up at him in question, a spark in my eyes as I raise the glass to my lips and take a long sip.

The warm burn makes it way into my belly, mixing with the want and leaving my body humming in need.

"I don't think you have. Certainly not enough."

"Well you are." I bite my lip at him, taking another gulp of liquid courage starting to question my ethics, when I'm standing so close to this man and his bed not much further away.

"You're also an exceptional liar." I raise an eyebrow, unsure where this is going.

"I'm good at crafting a narrative and selling it like the truth." I finally allow, another smirk covering my face.

"That's lawyer double talk for lying."

"Basically, yeah." He chuckles at me before bringing up a piece of paper.

"So my dad took care of my apartment?" My forehead creases in a confused frown before I read the slip of paper in his hands.

"You're name is on this invoice." He presses into the silence.

"You would have made one hell of a cop." I bite out sarcastically.

"Don't deflect. Why?"

"I just arranged for someone to cover up the furniture Jay, it's not a big deal." My shoulders rise in a shrug, wishing for a way out.

"There's an eviction letter in the kitchen too."

"Fuck. Stupid god damn intern." Jay blinks shocked at me.

"Okay, I got the furniture covered for you… and they said there was an eviction letter taped to your door. Your dad didn't care… so I just…" I trail off unsure how we ended up here.

"Paid my rent? Are you crazy?"

"I'm over charging your asshole of a father, it's all good."

"You didn't have to do this. You certainly didn't have to arrange any of this." He indicates to the pile of white covers sitting in the corner.

"Well I couldn't have that couch ruined by dust." I try for humor to distract the conversation.

"That's a nice couch." He replies indignantly.

"Sure." I deadpan.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Have you looked at it?" I fire back, trying to hold in a giggle.

"I'm a function over form man." My battle with the giggle is lost.

"What does that even mean?"

"I mean if it's comfy I don't care what it looks like." I watch his lips find the glass as he takes a slow sip.

"Why can't a couch have both?"

"Haven't found one." He shrugs at me simply.

"Mine has both." I lick my lips, raising the glass to my lips again.

"Maybe we should test it out."

"Test out the function?" I tilt my head, eyes full of lust and the promise of sexual release.

"I hope we're talking about the same thing." Jay's warm breath smells of scotch as he leans down to whisper.

My cell phone rings loudly, disrupting the mood and I laugh as Jay grumbles to himself as I push his warm body from mine.

I rummage through my bag and pull out my phone, pressing accept.

"I have to take this. Put your sheets on to wash, fresh sheets always lead to a better nights sleep. And we have a big day tomorrow." Before he can protest, the phone is against my ear and I walk into the kitchen to talk privately.

"Sorry, work." I apologise as I exit the kitchen over ten minutes later.

"You work too much."

"Probably. But you'll know what that's like when you become a cop." He smiles sincerely over at me.

"Hopefully."

"Speaking of, my office tomorrow okay? If you want to proceed to trail than I'm going to show you what it's like. I'm not going to go easy on you, I have to prepare you for it." Seriousness takes over my tone as I stare him down.

"What does that entail?"

"For one. Tough interrogations." He rubs his hand across his forehead before taking my glass from my hand and heading to the kitchen for a re fill.

I fall back onto the couch exhausted, eyes closing briefly while I wait for his return.

The couch settles beneath me when he sits, our arms brushing as I reach over for my glass.

Jay turns the TV on to fill the silence stretching between us.

The peaceful quiet of watching TV is a nice change of pace, I find something comforting from having his arm resting against mine and listening to his soft breathing.

"Former U.S. Army Ranger Jay Halstead was awarded bail today set at one million dollars, he is set to face trail for the alleged murder of his high school girlfriend Allie Johnson."

"Jay. Don't." I try to reach for the remote, the look on his face causing a pain in my chest.

"I have to." He whispers as he pulls the remote further from me, I settle instead to rest my hand on his arm in support.

"Oh he did it. Absolutely, the rich think they can get away with anything." I watch Jay's jaw tighten, the grip on his glass also strong.

"I don't see it. He served this country, they have no evidence… he seems like a nice guy." I smile softly as I watch another Chicago citizen questioned on the street.

"I don't know if he did it, but maybe he did it and liked killing so much he went and made a career out of it." I slam my glass on his table harshly before pushing up and going to unplug the TV from the wall.

"They're fucking idiots Jay. They don't know you; they don't know what they're talking about. Don't let it get to you."

"Those are kinds of people that will make up my jury. They are the ones poisoning the jury members now without knowing it." Jay slumps back onto the couch, his voice void of any emotion.

"I'm good at voir dire, I'll get the right jury members."

"Yeah."

"Are you reconsidering taking the plea?"

"No. That's not an option." His tone is fierce again, reminding me of the man who wants to fight for his freedom.

"Okay, so we fight." I slowly make my way back to the couch, sitting down and picking up my scotch to finish it in one big gulp.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" I question confused.

"If you think I did this."

"Jay…" I look away briefly, eyes closing in dislike of this conversation.

"How are you supposed to convince a jury if you don't believe I'm innocent yourself?" His voice is harsh, his eyes pleading with me.

"Defense attorneys don't ask, that's not our job Jay. I've never once asked a client, I've never once formed an opinion and shared it. I don't need to believe your innocent to win."

"But do you believe me?" I shake my head, refusing to answer.

"Just tell me. Do you think I'm guilty of her murder or not?" My silence is my defiant answer, not daring open my mouth in reply to his loaded question.

His body finally slumps in defeat, head turning away from me as I sigh in relief at having escaped finding an answer.

"You know I'd be here for free… you're a friend." The scotch has loosened my lips, a confession springing free.

"I need one." His simple answer stirs guilt in me for not answering the one question he can't seem to let go of.

"You have me."

"Good, I need you." Our eyes are locked, his words hanging between us and begging for more to be said.

I nod once before looking down at the empty glass in my hands like a coward.

A/N: So I never promised smut... sorry to those reviewers lol I am a tease, but if you want this story longer they don't get together so quick. Gotta build that tension ;) If you want to get there quicker just need to leave me a review with your thoughts :)

Please do let me know your thoughts and I'll see what I can do update wise.

Hope you're all well :)