"What's your game here, Hails?"

Haley stood across from Jay, the coffee table putting some distance between them as they stared on another down. The rest of the unit had headed downstairs to vest up, and Erin had quickly excused herself to use the ladies room once she had realised that she was alone with the couple, especially seeing as she had sensed annoyance from Jay towards Hailey as soon as she mentioned he would be partnered up with Erin. Though both Jay and Hailey had been oblivious to how quick Erin was to notice the tension between them and leave their presence, simply wrapped up in the thoughts that preceded the disagreement they were both currently having.

"Who says I'm playing a game Jay?" Hailey sighed in frustration, her voice getting louder by the second with her growing impatience. "I don't see what the problem is here. You told me Erin is just a friend, and I trust you."

"I don't believe this. What is this? Some kind of test here?"

"Are you not hearing me Jay?!" Hailey snapped back. She couldn't believe her fiance was being so tone deaf.

"Well colour me in disbelief at the whole situation. You could have partnered Erin up with anybody in the team, anyone at all, so why me? I know you're not happy with the fact that she's returned and you were wary about what this means for us… Is this your way of trying to bait me?"

Hailey narrowed her eyes at Jay and scoffed. She couldn't quite understand what would make Jay feel like that. Had she been hesitant about what Erin's return would mean for the two of them? Yes. But she had not once given Jay any indication that she wasn't pleased Erin was back, or that she was anything less than supportive of both of them.

"I'm going to stop you right there Jay," Hailey quickly cut in. "And I'm only going to ask once, so I need you to hear me loud and clear. Is this going to be a problem for you?"

Jay's eyes widened at her insinuation.

"No! Why…"

"Then Erin riding along with you shouldn't be a problem. I've not partnered you up with her, she's simply tagging along this once because of her connection to Nicoteri. As for why I chose you, well, you're my partner. Not only does Erin not have any Kevlar here which means she's vulnerable out in the field, but of everyone, I know you know her the best and are in the best position to protect her if God forbid anything goes wrong because then, this plan of yours to include her in the unit ends up bringing us all down."

"Hailey…" Jay began as he walked around the table closing the distance between them. With every word Hailey spoke to explain, Jay felt growing guilt at the fact that he had doubted his fiance and her judgement. He had wanted Erin back, he needed her within close proximity and he hadn't realised how much he needed her till she returned. But Hailey had been great to support Jay through supporting Erin, not once complaining, despite the fact that she hadn't asked for any of this.

Hailey merely lifted her hand out toward him, stopping him.

"Let me finish."

Jay simply nodded, knowing it would be better for him to let Hailey let everything off her chest.

"Like I said, you're my partner Jay. But with me now running point on this case, I'm responsible for everyone here, and that includes Erin. I can't be both your partner covering your back, and observe everyone equally at a distance when we don't know what we're getting ourselves into at the moment. I need to ride alone, and you and Erin both need backup. You told me there's nothing left between you and Erin, so I'm choosing to listen to that. Now I need you to listen to me when I tell you everything i've done from the moment you wanted Erin back in this unit has been from the discretion of my professional judgement."

"I know, Hailey. I'm sorry for doubting that. You've always had faith in me, I should have trusted your decision," Jay said, pulling Hailey into his arms and placing a light kiss on her forehead.

With Erin not in the room anymore, Jay was able to think much more clearly. He was a t work. And here at the 21st, professionalism always came first. It's the first lesson Voight had drilled into every single person who ever entered Intelligence. And Jay had overreacted when Hailey had announced in front of the whole team that she was having him work with Erin with no explanation. It wasn't that he didn't want to work with Erin, but he thought she was baiting him into slipping up. That she was trying to cause trouble or see something that wasn't actually there.

Well maybe you thought that because there's a part of you that's worried about what will come of this, a small voice at the back of his head said. Jay quickly shook his head of self-doubt. Yes, he loved Erin. He always would. She was a big part of his life, his first real love if he was being honest with himself. But he had spent the better part of the last five years moving on. And now he finally had, with Hailey. And he was happy. Hailey had made him happy, and he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize or risk losing his newfound happiness.

Hailey was the first to pull away.

"Come on, everyone's waiting," she said as she led them both out the break room and they headed to join the rest of their team.

By the time Jay and Hailey had gotten downstairs, Erin had already joined the rest of the team downstairs and was awkwardly waiting to one side as everyone else double checked their weapons and suited up. She watched reminiscent, as Adam helped Kim with her vest, and Kevin with Vanessa's. This was her and Jay once upon a time. It's just the last time I'm going to help you put it on right he had said to her right before she left for the task force. Little did Jay know, there would be a last time, but that day just wasn't it.

Upon hearing Hailey enter the room, Adam looked up from Kim's velcro straps.

"So what's the plan boss," he asked, putting significant emphasis on the word boss to tease his former flame. They were now on friendly terms, and Adam was glad. Because as much as he hated it when Hailey had suggested they were better off as friends, he soon came to realise she was never right for him. They had chemistry and passion, but his heart would only ever belong to one woman, his wife.

"Alright, pipe down Ruzek," Hailey said, rolling her eyes with a small smile playing on her lips, which went as quickly as it came as she now stood straighter indicating a more serious presence. "Ruzek, since you found the lead you and Burgess initially go in to question Elisha. Make sure your radios are on and on the first sign of suspicious behaviour you call in backup. Is that understood?"

The couple nodded at Hailey in understanding so she continued.

"We have no reason to believe Nicoteri is involved with Barratt's ring. As far as we know, the only thing tying her to him is an ill-judged fling so we can't actually arrest her and bring her in for questioning, which is where you come in Erin," she said, turning to her former partner and her fiance's ex. "As we don't yet have a warrant, we can't search the bar, and if Elisha doesn't cooperate with Ruzek and Burgess then we'll send you in. Jay, you'll watch her six. I want everyone to understand how important it is that no harm comes to Erin whilst we're there. She's off the books on this one and we can't risk things going wrong."

"Got it," Jay replied, not looking up at Hailey as he adjusted the straps on his vest before wearing his comms device.

Erin had watched from beside him as he did so, her hands itching to reach over and help. It was almost like muscle memory. She clasped her hands in front of her, digging her nails into her knuckles to stop them from involuntarily reaching over and helping. She wasn't his partner anymore, she couldn't just touch him like that, even if were only to help. Especially not in front of his fiance.

"Kev and V, you'll take the back exit just in case. Be on alert for anything suspicious out back. I'll wait in the wings and go where needed when it comes to it."

Hailey's briefing had now come to an end, and the team began to disperse in different directions heading to their respective veichles. Erin waited, ready for Jay to take the lead and head the way to the Sierra, but before he was able to, Hailey came up to him, placing a chaste kiss on her partner's lips.

"Be careful hun," she said in all seriousness.

"Aren't I always?" Jay quipped in return.

Hailey plainly raised an eyebrow at him.

"I mean it, especially with this," she said, tapping lightly against the finger splint he wore on his left hand.

"Of course," Jay stated back just as seriously now, a small reassuring smile resting on his lips.

With that reassurance, Hailey quickly left in the direction of the exit.

"So," Erin began, swinging her hands awkwardly in front of her. During this whole exchange, she had avoided looking at the couple, and had tried her best to hide the pained look she was certain would be written all over her face. She felt a lump forming in her throat once again, as tears threatened to form at witnessing the scene in front of her, but to her relief, she had managed to keep a poker face.

"So," Jay replied back, a curious look emerging on his facial features.

"So," Erin repeated again, not quite sure of why she had said the word to begin with, other than to start some form of conversation.

It was at this point that Jay couldn't help it. Throwing his head back, he released a full on chortle.

He wiped away at his eyes dramatically as he spoke.

"Erin Lindsay lost for words, damn! I never thought I'd see the day! Somebody pinch me!"

Erin couldn't help but join in on the laughter, his genuine reaction to her lack of words eliciting joy within herself, her previously tense form and angst immediately erased by the sound of his guffaws.

"Shut up Halstead!" she said in between laughs.

At this point they had reached the Sierra. To his surprise, Erin had said nothing when Jay had instinctively walked over to the driver's side, having been driving virtually all the time ever since Erin had left. It felt foreign to him. Whilst he had driven her home from the hospital two nights prior, he wasn't actually on the clock then. Now decked in his kevlar, armed from top to toe, whilst Erin stood dressed in plain clothes patiently at the passenger door, Jay was reminded once again that the whole situation of working with Erin was temporary. She would be leaving soon. The thought quickly sobered him up, as a stabbing pain emerged in Jay's chest. It was fleeting, only momentary, going as quickly as it came and yet it was enough to dampen his mood very quickly.

Erin followed suit, almost immediately realising something was wrong with Jay as she sat in the car without a word. A tense silence filled the air in the Sierra as Jay began to drive. Erin went over their conversation in her head, mentally replaying everything that had occurred to see if she had said or done something wrong. A few minutes passed and when she realised the silence was too deafening to bear, her fingers reached out, edging to the radio to allow for the emptiness in the air to be filled. Little did she know the music would be an ice breaker, as a horrible teen pop song with fake upbeat enthusiasm erupted from the radio sending her into a fit of giggles.

Jay averted his gaze from the road momentarily, watching Erin laugh at the music emitting in the car, before the small smile on his face tugged into a wide grin. Soon, he too joined in on her laughter, his chuckles reverberating from within him and shaking his frame.

"Really Jay? Teen pop? Really?" she struggled to say as she clutched her stomach and attempted to catch her breath.

"Seriously Er? What do you take me for?" Jay laughed back.

"Aww come on Halstead, I was only teasing! Own it, it's okay to admit you have a sappy taste in music."

"I'm serious!" Jay protested in absolute denial, "I drive, Hailey chooses the music. Though the station doesn't always play this crap."

"Uh-huh," Erin stated incredulously.

"Uh-huh!" Jay objected.

"Well then, I gotta give it to Hailey for being brave enough to let you drive all the time. All that power getting to your head and let's not forget the real issue, you don't actually know how to drive."

"Well what am I doing now, genius?" Jay questioned.

"So you mean to tell me you've learnt how to use the parking brake?"

"That was one time!" Jay exclaimed.

"Who are you trying to convince here? Me or yourself?" Erin teased.

"You know what, if you think you're all that, why don't you take the wheel?"

"You know what Halstead? I think I might just, on the way back- thanks for offering. Besides, with me being away all these years, someone has to keep in check and keep you on your toes, you know, show you how it's done from time to time" she added, reaching across the gearbox to flick his ear.

He evaded her quick hands, dodging her just in time.

"Hey! No touching the driver!" he said jokingly whilst swatting away at her hand.

"You won't be for much longer," Erin muttered gleefully under her breath.

"I heard that!"

They had arrived at their location now. As Jay parked up, Erin rushed to beat him to it and lifted the parking brake for him as though to prove a point which. HIs hand grabbed hers as they momentarily struggled for dominance, but in the end Jay let her do the honours, which had the two erupt into a fresh bout of laughter. He let his hand linger there, the point of his pinkie finger touching the edge of hers. Something about the way it felt helped him feel grounded, safe almost, like they were still connected after all this time. It was the slightest of touches, minimal contact and yet it felt so right. It was at that moment Jay realised how much he had missed this. Laughing and verbally sparring with her when she was his partner. He didn't actually realise until just now how serious he had become. When did he lose his humour?

'Right about the time she left' he told himself.

But Jay didn't let this intruder thought ruin the happiness he felt at that moment. He was good. He and Erin finally seemed to be on better terms, almost like the early days of their partnership before everything had gotten so messy. And probably most importantly, she was good. Jay saw a shimmer of light and hope in her eyes, the creases around them now reflected cheerfulness instead of the tiring weight she had to bear all these years. Her face didn't look so gaunt either when she smiled. She had cried enough tears to last a lifetime, and so seeing her right now being so carefree brought a sweet smile to Jay's lips.

His radio suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Halstead, Lindsay, we could do with your assistance here," Kim's voice sounded through.

"Copy that," Jay responded as he and Erin exited the car.

As they walked into the bar, Erin's nose was attacked by the smell of stale cheap booze and marujiana. It was a dingy old bar, if you could even call it that. The carpets and curtains were ragged and in desperate need of replacing, and the rest of the place too looked old but in a rundown way, not antique and vintage. Kim and Adam parted as soon as they saw Erin, allowing her a full view of Elisha behind the bar. She was dressed in a plaid shirt which she had knotted to make a crop top, and denim shorts which were frayed at the ends. Her hair was longer than Erin had last seen, now shoulder length, but besides that, she hadn't changed, which meant Erin was transported back in time just by glancing at her. She inhaled shakily, her thoughts going back to the night she had found this woman covered in her own vomit and overdosing in her bathtub. The memory brought tears to her eyes as she thought about Nadia, about how much she missed her friend and sister. About what she wouldn't do just to see the young woman's smile one more time.

Jay noticed how tense Erin's stature had become. Placing a comforting hand on the curve in her back, he used his thumb to rub soothing circles. His touch had an immediate reaction on her body as she calmed down, her body relaxing by the second.

Elisha who had been wiping a glass with a towel had now dropped it. It clattered noisily to the ground but surprisingly, did not break. Her eyes widened as she stated at Erin, the sight of the former detective also taking her back to that night where she lay vulnerable in the bathtub of the woman who now stood in front of her. If it hadn't been for Erin, she wouldn't be alive right now. Her defensive and confident stance she bore before Erin had walked in now faltered, as she looked like a woman about to crumble, her shoulders sagging considerably in defeat.

"Erin?" she managed to choke out.

"It's been a while, Elisha," Erin nodded solemnly.

"What are you.." the bartender couldn't finish off her sentence. She was too lost for words.

"Well Elisha, my friends here," she said, gesturing to Adam and Kim before continuing, "needed some help from you but I hear you're not willing to cooperate?"

Elisha looked guilty now, a stark contrast to the display of defiance she had shown Burgess and Ruzek. Shaking her head sadly, she spoke.

"You don't understand… he'll kill me."

"Elisha, believe me when I say we will do everything in our power to ensure you remain protected. And we won't let you be collateral damage either."

Elisha gave her a skeptical look. She didn't believe Erin.

Erin sighed.

"What are you doing Elisha? Did you not promise Nadia that night that you were going to pull yourself together? How did you get caught up in all this? I would have thought after nearly dying that night, after the effort Nadia and I put to get you into rehab…" Erin paused gathering her strength to get the next few words out, "after seeing how unexpectedly short life is after standing there and watching Nadia being lowered into her grave…"

Her voice broke now. Jay had stopped rubbing circles into her back now and removed his hand from it. Erin wanted to turn to him and tell him to continue, that his touch was the only thing keeping her together in that moment, but she couldn't. She felt alone and cold as his hand left her, but thankfully, within moments, it returned now taking her hand in his own and offering her a gentle squeeze. She felt him offering her strength in that moment, and it was all she needed to continue.

"You have a chance to turn your life around and live it, something Nadia will never get, so why wind up in something that will bring you down?"

Her words had sparked something in Elisha, as the young woman's final barriers broke down and silent tears trailed down her cheeks.

"I didn't mean to. I tried. I tried to do better, to be better. But things were hard financially. I got a job here. My boss was the one that introduced me to Charlie as an escort. He suggested it and I agreed cause I needed the extra money to make rent. But I soon realised what Charlie was involved in and now I'm trapped. If I leave, I lose my job here and this is the only thing keeping me off the streets… I can't return back to that life of uncertainty.. I can't!" she choked.

Erin's heart felt heavy as she listened to the woman in front of her. She could relate to the struggles Elisha described, having herself done things she wasn't proud of just to ensure she didn't go hungry. It was hard to get out when the world and everyone in it tried to keep you down. She knew this from experience, so she couldn't stand there and blame the woman.

"I'm sorry," Erin whispered shamefully. She didn't understand why she was feeling so guilty, she had no part in any of this. But a part of her, the part that would always get her in trouble for caring too much, blamed herself for not being here for this woman. Nadia had constantly looked out for her, she meant so much to Nadia, so Erin felt as though she should've carried out her friend's work after her passing.

"You know, if finances are the reason you're unwilling to get out, we could help you out," Jay spoke, coming to a quick understanding that Erin was done talking, Elisha's tale having taken a toll on his former girlfriend.

"You can?" Elisha asked, a glint of hope appearing in her eyes.

Jay nodded.

"If you help us take down Barratt, we can put you down as a CI. When the bust goes down, you get ten percent of the cut. I'm willing to bet you Barratt has more than enough for you to get a piece of the pie."

"I'll never be able to get that close to Tommy Barratt. I've been around Charlie for nearly a year and I've never once met Tommy."

"You let us worry about the plan, we just need your help," Adam said.

Elisha looked warily between all four faces, but eventually, her hope won out.

"I'm in," she said finally after a long pause, "I figure Nadia would want me to take the risk," she added, giving Erin a weak smile.

Erin reciprocated the gesture, breathing an internal sigh of relief. Elisha would be okay, she would make sure of it.

"Is there anyone who can cover you?" Jay asked, "If you don't mind we'd like you to come down the station and answer a few questions before we can finalise a plan."

Elisha shook her head.

"I can't."

Erin frowned, confused. Didn't Elisha just say she was willing to help take down Barratt?

"Elisha…" She began warily.

"No, no!" Elisha was quick to stop her. "I'll answer your questions and help in any way I can but I can't leave with you. Charlie supplies to my boss who is in on the whole thing. He then distributes to customers. The guy has eyes everywhere at all times over here. If they see I leave willingly with you they'll know something is up before you even start."

Jay nodded grimly. This woman was smart, he was glad she had anticipated the team's blindspot, otherwise the whole case would have been a failure from the get-go.

"I finish my shift in an hour. I'll come by the precinct then."

"Thank you. We're at the 21st."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Oh and your boss's name?" Kim asked, as the rest of the team prepared to leave.

"Evan. Evan Russo."

"Thanks Elisha," Erin gave the woman a shaky smile before she followed her former team out of the bar.

As soon as she stepped out, Adam flung his arm around her shoulder and brought her in for a sideways hug, smacking a dramatic friendly kiss against her temple.

"Damn Lindsay. We sure have missed you around here. The way you got her to open up!"

Erin blushed slightly at his compliment.

"He's right you know," Hailey stood there leaned up against the door of Hank's car, a friendly smile on her face. "Thanks for offering to help Erin."

"Of course," Erin replied. Even if this hadn't been about Hank and getting him justice, if they had asked for her help, she would have. Scum like Tommy Barratt deserved to be behind bars, especially if he was behind the kidnapping and assault of that little boy.

"Alright, let's head back and start tracing down leads on the owner of the club. Any dirt you can find to force him to cooperate with information on Granger and Barratt would be especially useful."

Everyone nodded and began making their way to the various vehicles parked on different sides of the road.

"Hey Jay?" Erin called out as Jay headed towards the driver's door.

Jay stopped in his tracks and turned to face Erin questioningly.

"The keys," Erin said, a smirk gracing her lips.

Jay shot her a pleading look, his face scrunching up slightly at the promise he had forgotten.

"Aww come on! You didn't actually mean…"

"Keys, Halstead!" Erin demanded whilst trying to keep a straight face. She extended both her hands in front of her in anticipation to catch them.

Jay rolled his eyes in fake annoyance but tossed her the keys anyway. She caught them effortlessly and walked over to the passengers' side gloating. She couldn't resist poking her tongue out at him gloatingly as she passed him, making him crack a smile and shake his head at her childishness. It made him feel good though. Slowly, the old Erin was returning to him.

Erin unlocked the car, sat in the driver's seat, and locked the door, finally feeling at home. But not before she heard Ruzek laughingly call out in the background:

"Man, Jay, we always knew which one of you wore the trousers. Linds, I really am glad you're back! Someone had to keep his ego in check!"

And once again that day, Erin found herself laughing, something that had been a rare feat the last five years.

Author's note:

I tried. It's not my best work. In fact I don't actually like this chapter but unfortunately I can't think of much else without some of the emotions I want to convey as coming across as repetitive. It's also necessary if we're going to get to the juicy bits. I did warn you all though that I'm better at angst than I am humour and romance. I hope it was adequate though. Please feel free to leave any pointers, criticisms or suggestions in the reviews. I know this is a long way from being close to perfect and hopefully the next chapter will be better. Thanks for your patience on this. Hope you enjoyed it.