As Jared walked away down the hall, he glanced back over his shoulder to ensure she was okay. He could not deny the worry he felt. Then because of that worry for Caitlin in that moment, he also felt a mix of guilt and confusion. He felt guilty about another encounter with her and what Chris would think. Even though he knew this was not a planned thing, just and accidental meeting. However, it all still worried him. Especially with he and Chris being so fragile right now.

As he opened the door to sit in his marked patrol car, he savoured the timeout, away from people and questions. He was concerned for Caitlin and wanted to be there for her. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel trying to determine what he should do next. Call Chris? Call Caitlin? Or just leave it? He pondered. Frowning, he knew he needed to be honest with Chris about it all. It was just going to be a tough call and conversation. He was afraid of another fight and where that would leave them.

It was later that night, as Chris walked up her stairs to her door, that her phone rang with Jared's name on the screen.

"Hey," she said softly answering it.

"Hi, is this a good time to call? Or?" He asked already sounding unsure.

"Yeah, it's fine, just getting in the door now."

"Good. How was your shift?" He asked.

"Um, okay, not much excitement today. You?" She asked back as she hung up her coat.

"Well, interesting to say the least."

"Okay," she said slowly, "explain?"

"We um, caught another member of the crew we are chasing, so that's a win. But 3 more managed to slip our net and get away." He said frustrated.

"Well, one is better than none," she reminded him as she moved about placing her things away.

"Yeah, and um," He paused. Slightly hesitating how to tell her about seeing Caitlin again. "The guy we caught, got shot in the chase, so me and Trent had to wait and question him in the hospital later."

"And did he give you anything you can use to find the others?" She asked sounding hopeful for him.

"No, not yet at least. We have to go back in the morning. He was apparently too unwell to be questioned."

"Oh, convenient excuse huh?" She laughed lightly, knowing that frustration all too well.

"Yeah, listen um, while I was at the hospital I um, I ah," he paused again. "I ran into Caitlin." There was silence on the phone as Chris felt a lump in her throat.

"Oh, really?" She finally managed to get out. "Why is she in Las Vegas?"

"She um, it's her mom. They ah, think she had a heart attack, so Caitlin must have come down from LA." He explained.

"Oh, Okay. So, you spoke to her then?" Chris asked with a slight inflection in her voice.

"Yeah, she was upset and I felt really bad leaving her there alone." Chris felt her jaw muscles tighten as she listened. She felt that sick and jealous feeling again. Then her mind flew to Street stopping by. She needed to tell him about that too. But saying that now felt like a tit for tat exchange.

'Well, if you saw your ex, I'm gunna tell you that I saw the guy we both know has feelings for me.'

She felt so childish, stupid, and shitty, for even thinking it, but it was there in her head.However, she was able to swallow her horrible thoughts and decided on a different route.

"I'm glad you could be there for her, and I hope her mom is okay." She paused, trying to decide last minute, in that fraction of a second, if the next part was wise. "She needs a friend. A support. So be that. Be that great guy that you are."

"Chris," he started with a sigh. "Does it make you feel weird?"

"No, I mean it's not like you planned to see her or anything."

"But? I am sensing something." He stated.

"God, Jared. With my Street messes, and this confusion and stuff with Caitlin and Danielle, I am just. I am all over the place right now."

"Right, I get that. But what does that mean? For us, for this?"

"I don't know Jared. I'm just confused and really trying to work it all out."

"And I hate that I am not there to talk to you and fix this." He cut in. "I mean these calls aren't exactly helping and I feel like you're struggling with this alone."

"Well, not exactly," she answered. "Street has ah, stopped by to check on me and stuff and, I dunno, I," she paused and took a few breaths. "I um, I feel bad."

"Right." She heard him exhale and the tone in his voice made her flinch. "Why? Why do you feel bad? Did something happen?" He got out as his heart started to pound, and he felt a surge of fear and anger.

"No, no, Jared. Nothing like that. It's just that he asks all the time, if I am okay and what's bothering me, you know being a good friend and I guess, I feel bad for talking to him," she paused. "You know, about us."

There was silence this time from Jared as he tried to form his words. "Oh, Um, well I mean I guess you need someone to talk to…. and"

"Yeah, he is probably the only other close person I have, and."

"And?" He prompted hearing her pause.

"Look this isn't me attacking you. I am just trying to say how I feel."

"Okay?"

"Well, it's my belief that you and Caitlin might still, deep down somewhere have feelings for each other." She fell silent. "Like you probably feel about Street and I, right?" She heard him inhale and exhale slowly.

"I'd be lying if it hadn't crossed my mind once or twice." He answered her. "I mean, I sense the connection you two have and I do feel threatened by it, yes." He admitted and then couldn't help but ask directly. "Are you saying you have feelings for him Chris?"

She exhaled and closed her eyes. "Honestly, Jared," she began, pressing the phone to her ear. "Both you and I know that on some level there has always been some weird connection between he and I but." She exhaled, emotion filling her voice. "I don't know what it is and…... I am so confused. I can't see he and I together like that, right now, no. I just, I don't know. I'm struggling here." She paused. "I feel like I leant on him because of our mess and the distance, and you not being here, and I think his comfort has confused me, I, I don't know."

"I understand." Jared answered, her honesty was hard to hear. But he was glad, maybe relieved to have confirmed what he was wondering and feeling.

"And well," Chris continued. "That is kinda where I am at with you and Caitlin too. I feel like there is more there between you." She paused. "Am I wrong?"

"I, I don't know." He answered back, hanging his head slightly. He knew Chris was right. That seeing Caitlin all of a sudden again had confused him. "Look, it's not like I've tried to flirt with her and explore that or anything Chris."

"No, I know Jared," she answered. "But you have wondered, haven't you?"

"Maybe?" He admitted with a break in his voice. "Today, walking away from her crying and I… I dunno, I might just be confused like you."

"Jared?" She whispered, tears welling and her voice shaking.

"Yeah," he answered. A sad and defeated tone in his voice, like he knew what was coming.

"I, I think we should take a break. Think about who and what we both really want. And see what happens." She said bravely. Summoning all the courage she could.