Author's note: I decided to skip the Elisha scene for now. Thought we were overdue some 1-1 Linstead. Apologies this one took so long. I wrote up a lot of the chapter and then the draft didn't save but I really wanted to upload so I wrote half of it whilst sitting in on a work zoom meeting. If it isn't great, that's probably why! Let me know what you think and also what you want to see happen next in the reviews. Happy reading!

The work day wore on pretty quickly after the team got back to work. Elisha came and went, having answered all of Intelligence's questions. Now they were left to process information, chase any leads and come up with a solid, foolproof plan to get Barratt and his co-conspiritors without putting Elisha in harm's way. By the time the clock struck five, Erin was positively shattered. She had forgotten how demanding the work in intelligence used to be. Thing's were different in FBI. The centralised agency and the bureau's administrative help meant workloads were often distributed amongst different branches, making them more manageable. Here in Intellgence, what happened in Intelligence, stayed in intelligence. There was no seeking external help, or sharing details with out departments in the CPD, which meant the workload was carried by fewer individuals.

Erin couldn't lie though and say it had bothered her. She had missed this. The intimate nature of the unit and how small it was made the cases they worked on much more personal, which as a result meant she felt closer to the cases and the work she was doing. But there was something different about the case she was currently working on with the team. With the case involving justice for Hank, and the links it held to Nadia, Erin felt personally under extreme pressure to get results. She missed Hank, that much she knew from the moment she arrived back in Chicago. But having seen Elisha earlier in the day brought back an onslaught of crushing memories of her deceased friend. She missed Nadia, and unlike Hank, she couldn't hold out hope for being able to speak to her friend again. She wanted nothing more in this moment to speak to two of the most important people in her life, to hear their voices and to just unload the burden of her day to. But she couldn't because one was dead, had been for a long time and one lay fighting for his life. The thought made her realise she was only left with one option: to take care of Elisha and see things went right for her. That much she could do. She was unable to save Nadia, but she would not make the same mistake with Elisha. Tears welled in her eyes, as she attempted to blink them back, the stress of it all leaving her mentally and emotionally drained.

As she gathered her personal belongings from Hank's office, she scheduled her exit so that she could leave without making much of a fuss of a goodbye. The rest of Intelligence had headed to the locker room to get ready to leave, and Erin saw this as her opportunity to sneak out before anybody could stop her. She was too tired, too occupied with her thoughts to exchange pleasantries. Besides, she planned on seeing everyone again tomorrow and did not want to make a big deal of bidding everyone farewell for the evening.

She stepped out of Hank's office, eyeing the stairs as she intended to make a beeline for the exit, but before she could take more than a few steps, Jay's voice stopped her.

"Right, Molly's. You in?"

She turned to face her ex-partner, to see him looking at her expectant for a reply. His eyes looked tired, proof that the events of the workday had taken a toll on him too.

Hailey stood behind him, a small inviting smile on her face as though to tell Erin she was welcome to join them.

Erin shook her head, a timid smile appearing on her lips as she rejected his invitation.

"I'm okay, thank you. But you both enjoy yourselves. I'll see you tomorrow."

Erin noted how Jay and Hailey both frowned at her refusal to join them. Hailey out of concern and pity, worried that Erin didn't feel welcome and Jay out of... well she couldn't quite point out what Jay was thinking, but the frown on his face was evident enough that he wasn't too pleased with her rejection.

"Are you sure?" Hailey questioned, her eyebrows still furrowed in confusion. "I mean the rest of the team will be meeting us there. We've not had a chance to catch up outside of work. You should come! We'd love to hear about what you've been up to in New York, I'm sure you have a few exciting stories to share..."

Erin didn't know what to make of the friendly gesture that Hailey was making. Her insistence that Erin be included in the teams evening plans seemed to be of a genuine nature, which made her feel guilty about the suppressed feelings she was harbouring for Jay. More evidence that Hailey was a good person. Instead of icing Erin out, or making her feel like an outsider, she had welcomed her back in intelligence with open arms. She deserved goodness, because she was a good person. Just like Jay. They were a perfect match in that sense. He deserved happiness, happiness that Erin wasn't in a position to make anyone feel because of her messed up troubled past.

"Thank you Hailey, really," Erin said shooting the blonde detective an appreciative look. "But I've got to go see someone tonight, maybe another time?"

Hailey's frown slipped slightly at Erin's explanation, but the look quickly morphed to scepticm as she began to question the truthfulness behind Erin's reasoning. Erin would be working closely with their units over the next few days, and she wanted to ease any tensions or awkwardness there might be. She wanted Erin to feel included, and didn't want to be the kind of leader of the unit that actively did anything to make her feel pushed out or unwanted. She wanted to show Erin that they were capable of having an amicable work relationship, of being friends, for Jay's sake if anything. Her fiancé clearly cared for the woman standing in front of her, so it mean a lot if the two women could get along. Besides, Hailey had thoroughly enjoyed the brief time she had spent partnered with Erin when she first arrived in intelligence. Erin had taught her so much, mentored her and welcomed her. She wanted to now return the favour.

"Hot date?" Hailey questioned lightly, almost teasing the woman trying to get her to open up.

She immediately regretted it however, as she noticed how tense Erin became at her suggestion of what her evening plan might be. And then it clicked to her why Erin might have been behaving in such a manner and the guilt she felt immediately started clawing away at her insides. Erin was back for Hank, who was in critical condition at Med. For her to suggest Erin would have time to go on a date when her father figure lay comatose, was thoughtless and insensitive of her.

"Oh, Erin. I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking," she said biting her tongue. "I didn't mean... I mean I'm sure it'll be good to see Hank, we should come too."

Erin was surprised at Hailey's apology. Sure, she intended on seeing Hank later in the evening, but that's not the reason she had tensed up at Hailey's mentioning of a possible date. In fact, when Hailey had said the word, it had come unexpectedly, as Erin had only been on one date in the last five years. She had quickly decided dating wasn't for her, she wasn't meant to be happy. Besides, anyone close to her always ended up hurt and she couldn't subject another person to her misery. She wouldn't. But now, as Hailey apologised, Erin realised how much the woman had misunderstood. Going to see Hank wasn't the reason why she was so eager to get out of the 21st. And then there was Jay. Jay who she couldn't even look sidewardly at out of fear he would see right through her and come to realise how pathetic Erin's love life, or lack thereof, was. How could she begin to explain that the last meaningful relationship she had, the last relationship at all, was with him.

"It's alright," Erin shrugged nonchalantly. "It's actually an old friend I wanted to go visit, I've not spoken to her in a long time and I though it would be nice to see her whilst I was still in town..."

She cut her sentence short out of fear that if she continued, her voice would crack and betray her emotions. At that, Hailey seemed to accept Erin's excuse, but it was Jay now who shot Erin a sympathetic look, telling her all she needed to know. He had caught on.

"We'll give you a lift," he said quietly, his voice unsure, almost like he didn't want to spook her.

"It's okay, I'll grab a cab."

Jay shook his head.

"This is non-negotiable. It's on our way..." he stopped for a moment hesisitant, before continuing, "and if it's okay with you, I'd like to pop by for a short while too."

Erin nodded. She was grateful for the gesture he was extending, and she couldn't deny him his request either.

"Thank you Jay. I'd like that."

Hailey looked between her fiancé and his ex in confusion. Jay seemed to have caught on to whatever it was, or rather whoever it was, Erin was alluding to visit, despite her not having explicitly mentioned a name. How he had managed to deduce such a thing when Erin had given minimal clues was beyond her. But clearly, this interaction was evidence to their previous relationship, the two clearly knowing each other better than friends. They had been on the same wavelength right now, having had a conversation with unspoken words. Regardless, Hailey was eager to be introduced to their mutual friend.

That is how the three of them ended up driving together in the Sierra. Upon Hailey's insistence, Erin sat shotgun. The detective figured that Erin would probably need to provide directions to where they were headed, but soon came to realise as no words were uttered between the two that Jay knew exactly where he was driving to. Yet another reminder of how close he and Erin were. But also, proof enough that he had frequented the very journey himself plenty of times.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Hailey spoke to break the ice.

"So Erin, how's New York been treating you?"

Erin thought about lying for a moment. Or at least embellishing the truth, but in the end decided against it. She had not reason to gloss over the details of her life in New York, no one would be judging her.

"Okay I guess," she replied. "It's intense, and there's a lot more protocol to follow compared to intelligence, but I guess it helps that my boss is really understanding, and then my partner on assignments is great too so... I mean it's not bad by any means but it's not home, you know?"

Hailey shook her head understandingly. She did know. She had felt the same way about her brief time in New York.

"Well I guess it's good to have colleagues you can rely on. There's nothing worse than partnering up with someone who's just not a right fit."

"You better not be hinting Upton," Jay quipped, meeting Hailey's gaze through his rearview mirror, a teasing smirk resting on his lips.

"Oh hush now!" Hailey replied shaking her head and returning his gaze through squinted eyes. He knew she wasn't talking from experience of working with him, but he just wanted her to dispel his thought to give him praise. She wouldn't allow his ego that satisfaction.

"No you're right. You're lucky you have Jay, you know you can rely on him to have your back. That's so important in a partnership. I mean I couldn't ask for more from my partner. Honestly, he made the whole transition so easy for me. If it weren't for him going out of his way to show me how things worked at the Bureu I would've sunk before I'd even started the job."

"Does he have a name?" Hailey questioned.

Erin merely laughed dismissively at Hailey's insinuation. She wasn't about to indulge that conversation. But as she did, she noticed Jay's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and frowned internally at his action. Was he really that upset by Hailey refusing to say he was a good partner?

She was brought back from her thoughts as she saw Jay hit the indicator, signalling he was turning left.

"Jay? You're meant to take a right here," she stated.

She realised then she hadn't actually told him where she intended on going. What if she'd misinterpreted his understanding. What if he had misunderstood where she said she was going. She had just assumed by their silent conversation that they were both thinking the same thing, but now she began to question whether that was really the case.

He glanced over at her quickly, meeting her gaze, his green orbs holding her hazel ones sincerely.

"Trust me on this?" he simply stated. It wasn't a question, it was a request.

His gaze did funny things to her, filling her stomach with butterflies. She felt like she was a high schooler with a small girl crush all over again. She quickly dropped her eyes from his gaze and stared at her fingers on her lap, interlocking them and unlocking them to keep busy, using her hair as a curtain to shield the crimson that was currently tainting her cheeks from his sight. She didn't quite trust her voice yet, so she merely nodded.

Minutes later, Jay parked up in front of Kuma's. Erin's head shot up knowingly, her eyes glossing over as she met her ex's gaze understandingly. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her and she was floored, speechless.

"Jay..." she began in a half whisper, not quite sure of what to make of his thoughtful gesture. "I don't..." he voice cracked, and she inhaled slightly to level it.

"You don't have to say anything. I wanted to. She'd like it."

Erin reached over the console and gave Jay's hand a light appreciative squeeze. He returned the gesture with a crooked smile, one that softened the gaze in his eyes before he silently exited the car.

After he left, Erin took a moment to gather her thoughts. Jay had not only known where she was headed, but knew exactly what she needed for going there too. It was one of the most caring and thoughtful gestures he had ever given her, and that was saying something, because he had doled out many in the past. A warm smile spread across her lips as she realised he had remembered, the act meaning more to her than she could possibly let him know. She sniffed slightly, wiping away at her eyes and it was only then, she realised with guilt, that she remembered Hailey was still seated silently in the back.

She turned around in her seat to shoot the woman a watery apologetic smile. This must all be so confusing for her.

"I'm sorry if that was..." what was she meant to say? She knew what she should be apologising for but Jay had done nothing but been a good friend. She didn't want to be the one to cause trouble by insinuating that Jay was doing anything more than being just a friend by taking care of her. She knew he had moved on from her. She could see it in his stature, but more importantly, she could see it in his eyes. The eyes that once glinted with attraction and longing for her now no longer held the same spark. He would look at her now, and all she could see was pity.

Hailey waved her hand dismissively in the air.

"I'm not going to pretend to know what's going on, but Jay's a good guy. I trust he's doing something good here."

Erin nodded.

"The best," she referred to Jay. And she meant it. Despite their painful breakup, despite the fact that she hadn't spoken to him in five years, or that they had drifted apart, she had been able to rely on him to be there for her when she returned. He had her back.

"So Kuma's huh? You're a fan?" Hailey questioned.

Erin let a small laugh escape her lips as fond memories took over her mind of her, Jay and Nadia eating takeout from Kuma's in her apartment whilst Jay helped her revise for the academy entrance exam. The two teasing one another, poking fun and flicking French fries across the room at each other, both playing tug of war over Erin to use her as a human shield from the onslaught of food being thrown across the room.

"You could say that... my friend, she was a big fan of the black sabbath burger so anytime the three of us hung out we would order takeout from Kuma's."

Hailey nodded. She was about to question Erin's use of the past principle when the door opened and Jay sat in, quickly shutting the door behind him, a brown paper bag in one of his hands. The smell of beef burgers and fries filled the small truck, the aura wafting to Hailey's nose and making her stomach grumble lightly.

"Jeez Hails. Hungry much?" he said with a chuckle, rubbing his hands slightly from the cold before reaching into the bag he was holding and handing Hailey a foiled package.

"One hatebeak for you, and three Black Sabbath Burgers for us to toast," he said looking at Erin.

Hailey had began eating already in the back, but Erin waited, ready to eat once they had reached their destination. She took the bag from Jay as he began to drive the short distance to the cemetery, Erin's mind beginning to wander as she strategically zoned out, her mind wandering and her silence reflecting her troubled state as a wave of emotion began hitting her. She didn't even realise when the car had come to a halt as Jay had parked up. It was only his voice probing her that led her to look up and acknowledge her surroundings; they had arrived.

Erin looked around a little, dazed at first as she attempted to ground herself. It had been a while since she had come here. Five years to be exact. The day she had left Chicago, she had come to say goodbye to everyone she had lost. To her Grandma Lindsay, to Nadia, to Camille and to Justin. She never expected to come back and she wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she didn't say goodbye to four of the most important people that had come into her life.

"Hey, Er-rin," Jay quickly added the rest of her name, opting not to truncate it for some reason unknown go her. "Are you ready?"

Erin inhaled shakily.

"Will you just give me a moment alone with her first?"

Jay's face dropped as he looked at the pain and grief that contorted her face his heart breaking for the woman sat beside him. She looked so utterly lost, her eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, her gaze downcast, and the lines on her forehead revealing her suffering. Jay felt so helpless in that moment staring at her. Merely looking at her took him back to the immediate aftermath after Nadia's death, where he had to stand by and watch his girl spiral, unable to do anything to help her process his emotions. His girl? He backpedalled at his thoughts. She might have once been his girl, but now she was a friend. Probably someone else's girl.

The way she had spoken about her partner had made Jay uneasy and he couldn't pin why. Was he the one whose dog tags Erin was wearing. She had spoken so highly of him, and Jay couldn't help but be angered by her description of him. If this partner was so great, someone who always had her back, someone who she could rely on, then where was he know. When Erin was here struggling, at her lowest, why did she not have backup. Someone who would be her emotional outlet. If this partner of hers was as great as she said, why was Jay the one here picking up the pieces instead. Not that he minded, he would do it all for her in a heartbeat with no complain. She had been there for him in the past whenever he needed her, even in the early days of their partnership when they barely knew each other, so he would be here for her now as much as she needed for as long as she needed.

And then there was the matter of fact that Erin was also no one's girl. She didn't belong to anyone. She was her own person. A lone wolf who was so fiercely strong and independent. It was one of the things that he simultaneously used to love about her, and also scared the living hell out of him.

So instead of speaking his mind, of insisting he go with her, he nodded in agreement.

"I guess I'll go visit my mom and dad and then head over."

The corner of her lips pulled up in appreciation.

"Thanks Jay," she whispered, scared to disturb the silence of the cemetery before she exited the care.

Jay released a breath he hadn't realised he was holding in as soon as she left. His gaze following her as she walked up the path to the cemetery, his heart reaching out. How was she still standing? With the amount of pain she had endured in all her life, he didn't understand how she was still resisting and persevering. He knew all too well how exhausting it all could get, but with her she could never seem to catch a break.

Every time my life starts to feel normal there's another pothole.

Her words rang in his mind on repeat, as they took over, clouding every thought he had.

Another pothole.

Another pothole.

At this point it wasn't just another pothole, it was a whole damn ditch. There was no denying Erin Lindsay had been dealt a shitty hand.

"Jay, talk to me?" Hailey's concerned voice from the back of the Sierra brought him back to the present.

He looked at her shaking his head somewhat in disbelief.

"She's just... she's just had it so rough you know? And now of all the cases, this one has to bring up ties to Nadia and Erin found that really difficult..." he wasn't even making sense now. Well to himself, he did. But for Hailey, he was explaining this all for the first time and he wasn't even sure if his words were clear enough to allow her to keep up.

But Hailey nodded grimly, signalling she understood.

"This Nadia, you never spoke about her before."

"Um, yeah," Jay said, tilting his head and scratching his temple, his eyebrows furrowing at the thought. "It's a rough one with an unhappy ending... I don't like talking about it much it brings up some bad memories... things were rough after she was ummm..."

"It's alright baby, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want.."

"Naw, it's not that. Um... Erin she um found Nadia on the streets using and gave her her card... kinda like Voight remember?"

Hailey nodded encouragingly.

"Yeah and she got clean and Erin and Hank helped to get her a civilians job at the CPD. She worked admin in intelligence for a while and was revising to join the Academy. Then we worked a case la-late one evening," Jay's voice began to shake slightly at the memory. "It was Erin's birthday and Nadia was planning a surprise birthday party. She asked for my keys to collect the cake! I mean I was the only one who knew she had left and I knew we were in the middle of a dangerous case.. and I still let her go!"

"Jay I'm sure whatever happened, it wasn't your fault."

Jay shook his head.

"You don't get it! Erin, sh-she blamed herself after. Thought because Nadia had gone out to collect her cake that the blame fell on her. The guilt ate her up to the point where she became reckless. Someone pointed a gun in her face and she'd be numb, wouldn't flinch. She asked for them to pull the trigger and there was nothing I could do. The man who murdered Nadia, he saw her that day when we brought him in for questioning. He'd target and then serial rape and murder women fitting a specific profile. Erin and Nadia fit that profile and we didn't even think to be more cautious... I just- I just wish I'd gone to get the damn cake instead of letting her go."

"It's unfortunate Jay, but from the way you tell it, this man seemed calculated. If he had his eyes set on Nadia, he would've gotten to her eventually, if it wasn't when she was collecting a cake, it would've been at another time. You know how these types of criminals work, once they set something in their mind, there's no stopping them."

Jay didn't agree or disagree with what Hailey had to say. It's almost like he didn't hear her. His mind was trapped in the past, tormented by the memory of Gregory Yates. His increasingly anxious voice dropped to a whisper now.

"And Erin... he escaped prison in New York later and he nearly got to her too. I don't know how she managed to get out of there alive. Till this day she hasn't spoken to me, or anyone else about what went down in that final showdown but she really struggled once Nadia died. And all of us couldn't do anything to help take away the pain. She's lost so many important people to her but Nadia was the beginning of the end for her... I don't think she ever truly recovered after her, not that she had a chance to because she then lost Justin, and then a dad who was never hers to begin with.. I just- she can never catch a break!"

Jay was rambling now. His fists tightening till the whites of his knuckles were visible, his shoulders noticeably tensing up. He was beyond consoling now, Hailey could tell nothing she could say would bring him out of the state he had worked himself into.

She leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on Jay's shoulder.

"Go," she nodded encouragingly with her head towards the cemetery. "Go to Erin. By what you're saying, she's going to need you right now. Besides, I think your burgers are probably getting cold out there," she added to lighten the mood.

A small tender look spread across Jay's face.

"Thanks for being so understanding Hails."

"Of course," she replied.

Jay exited the car promptly, walking the familiar path down to Nadia's grave. He hadn't come here as often as he'd like to recently, but he made it a point to visit her and clean her graveside a little everytime he came to visit his parents. And then, he made sure he was always here for the important dates, Nadia's Birthday. And Erin's.

When he finally got to his old friends stone, he found Erin crouched over on her knees, her hand holding the tombstone as her shoulders shook vigorously by the sobs that shook her frame. Jay quickly leaned down and crouched beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in sideways. It took her a moment to register he was here, but she eventually let go of the stone and collapsed into his chest. Jay rubbed his thumb against her temple, back and forth in an attempt to sooth her. Eventually, her tears subsided and her breathing calmed down.

"Gosh, I'm sorry. I'm such a mess!" she said releasing his shirt from her grip as she began to move away.

Jay wanted to tell her that it was okay, that she could stay in his embrace as long as he needed. Truth be told, he felt cold without her in his arms, like something was missing. But he couldn't tell her that so instead, he said nothing and turned to speak to the grave he had come to visit instead.

"Hey Nads," he spoke softly pulling the Kuma's bag into his lap and pulling out a tinfoil package. He placed one on the ledge of her stone, before handing one to Erin and taking one for himself. "I'm sorry it's been a while since I brought you one of these."

From the corner of his eye, Jay noted how Erin had straightened up upon hearing his comment, turning to look at him quizzically. He ignored her and continued speaking.

"Hope you didn't miss me too much in that time.

At that, a small chuckle escaped Erin's lips, the sound music to Jay's ears, as he felt his insides warm a little. He was glad he was able to lighten her burdens and elicit such a reaction from her.

He sat quietly for a while, before eating his burger and watching Erin do the same.

Erin took a bite into her burger before she let out a satisfied moan.

"God! These taste so damn good. I forgot how much I missed them."

"Maybe you should come down to Chicago from time to time, grab yourself some Kuma's," Jay spoke teasingly, but also serious. She hadn't come to Chicago in five years, and he couldn't bear to think another five years would go by without her returning. The thought of him nkt seeing her again once she left was too much for him.

"Maybe," she replied, almost wistfully, her hazel orbs softening significantly and looking almost like honey in the pre-sunset light.

They ate in a comfortable silence for a while before Jay spoke again.

"Hey Nadia," he began speaking, his eyes trained on Erin all the while. " Did I tell you Erin let me drive, finally? You couldn't help a guy out and have suggested that she let me a little earlier?"

Erin let out a small chuckle at that.

"Ignore him, Nads. I think I actually preferred him as a house husband," she said challenging Jay, looking him directly in the eye. He didn't respond for a moment, the two just staring the other down before they both collapsed into a full stomach chortle.

They sat once again in comfortable silence, neither saying a word as their gazes ran over each other's faces, searching.

The peaceful quiet was interrupted by a buzz from Jay's phone. He retrieved it from his pocket to find a message from Will informing him that their friends were still waiting for him and Hailey's arrival at Molly's. Jay's heart sank a little at the prospect of going to a crowded and loud bar, even if it were his favourite one, and disturb the quiet bubble he and Erin had created here in the cemetery.

"You got to go?" Erin asked after a moment.

"Yeah..." Jay trailed, trying his best to keep the reluctance out of his voice.

He stood up slowly, brushing himself off as he did.

"Well thank you for coming with me... for being here," Erin spoke quietly, her eyes trapping his own with her gaze.

"Of course," Jay replied, a small sweet smile gracing his lips. "Whatever you need, whenever you need,I'm here Er. All you have to do is ask."

Erin smiled to herself at the sincerity and genuineness of his tone. In that moment, he wasn't standing in front of her cocky and confident like his usual self. Instead, he'd stripped back his demeanour, showing his true self, radiating care. The way he stood now, baring his emotions, a small sweet boyish smile playing on his lips as his eyes held hers reminded her of his demeanour the first time he had told her he loved her.

"Thanks Jay," she throatily spoke, entranced by his gaze unable to look away. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

Jay frowned.

"Tomorrow? Erin no don't... come on, I'll give you a lift home. Better yet, come with Hailey and I to Molly's. I'm sure the wider gang of Chicago's finest first responders would love to see you."

Erin shook her head.

"Thanks for the offer Jay. Really. You guys go have fun. I think I want to stay here a little while longer. Go visit Camille and Justin after."

Jay looked at her hesitantly. Though Erin had calmed down significantly since he first joined her at Nadia's graveside, he didn't want to leave her here alone in case she had an emotional relapse.

"You sure?" he asked sceptically.

"I am," she nodded adamantly. "Go, Jay. I'll be fine. I'm only going to be another half hour or so then I'll take a cab home."

Jay finally concurred. He would give her the time and privacy she needed.

"Okay, but promise me you'll call if you need anything?"

"I promise," she replied.

Jay pulled her up and into his arms, wrapping his arms around her waist as he held her in a tight embrace, his head dipping to rest his chin against her shoulder. This felt right. Her being here with him, in his arms, it felt familiar. Like muscle memory, his body reacted instantly, his abdomen tightening slightly at the feel of her body pressed against his. Slowly, he pulled away.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," he said.

"Yeah," she smiled, "tomorrow."

Jay nodded to himself, more like confirmation of Erin's words before he turned around and began walking to the Sierra. He had only taken a few steps when Erin's voice stopped him.

"Jay!" she called out after him.

He halted in his tracks and turned to face her.

"You forgot this," she said gesturing to the burger that lay on the ledge of Nadia's tombstone.

"It's alright. Leave it there. The groundskeeper usually clears it up right before locking up."

"Usually?" Erin asked perplexed, "You've done this before?"

"She was my friend too, you know Er?"

Erin couldn't believe how thoughtful Jay had been. How he had not only come to visit Nadia in her absence, but had done this sweet gesture before. She knew he cared about Nadia, but to actually imagine him coming to visit her was enough to melt her heart.

At that a wide grin broke out on Erin's face, the smile reaching the corners of her eyes and making them crease. In that moment, the twinkle in them were revived, replacing the dullness and pain they had held since her return to Chicago. Jay watched in awe, his heart touched as the smile she wore lit up her entire face. She deserved this. To be happy... to be this happy all the time. God knows she had endured more than enough in her short time in this world. Jay couldn't get enough of seeing that look on her face.

"Tomorrow then," he said saluting her with his index finger and forefinger.

She quietly nodded, as he turned away from her and began walking down the path to the cemetery lot. Erin watched, peacefully at ease, as she watched his figure retreat into the distance.