Author Note: Thanks for the reviews they keep me going! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 10: Confession
Jay is standing In his kitchen cooking breakfast, when he hears a door open and little feet making their way into the kitchen. He turns around and lets out a small laugh as he looks at his daughter. Her hair is falling out of her ponytail, she is rubbing her sleepy eyes are and her stuff animal is being dragged behind her.
Nadia pulls herself up on to the stool and In a small whisper says, "Hi, daddy."
Jay lets out another laugh and replies, "Hi, munchkin. You sleep well?"
She nods her head yes. "Good. I'm making pancakes you want some?"
"Yes, please."
"Okay. Your mom should be here in a little bit to pick you."
Nadia nods her head and puts her head in her hands fighting the sleepiness that she feels and watches her dad cook. As Jay finishes up the pancakes there is a knock at the door. He places the last pancake on the plate turns off the stove and goes to answer the door. He opens the door and greets Erin, "Hey"
She smiles at him, "Hey. Did you guys have fun last night."
Jay shuts the door and answers, "Yeah. I never realized how much energy she had. I mean how much times can one person play tea party."
Erin laughs and follows Jay further into the apartment.
"I just finished up making some pancakes do you want some?"
"I could eat." She says as she walks into the kitchen she sees her daughter sitting at the counter with her head in her arms fast asleep. They both let out a laugh at their daughter.
Jay leans over and whispers, "She not a morning person is she?"
"Nope. Definitely not."
"Just another thing she gets from her mother." He says as he walk into the kitchen and begins to make plates for them.
Erin looks over at him with fake shock on her face, "What? I'm a morning person."
Jay turns around and gives her a look, "Erin. Come on. How many times did I have to drag you out of the bed in the mornings."
"I was not that bad." She says with a pout on her face as she sits on the stool next to Nadia.
Jay smiles at her and sets a plate in front of Nadia. The sound of the plate being set on the counter wakes Nadia.
Erin rubs Nadia back and says, "Hi, baby."
"Mommy you're here." She says leaning into her mother.
Erin pulls Nadia into her lap. "Missed you, sweet pea. Did you and daddy have fun?"
"Yea. We played tea party with Uncle Will and daddy and Uncle Will wore tiaras and tutus at the party." She says becoming more alert.
Erin looks at Jay and raises her eyebrow at him, "Is that so. Mommy wished she could have seen that. Did you take a picture?"
Jay sets a plate in front of Erin and says, "Trust me there is no photographic evidence."
Erin laughs. "Alright, sweet pea. It's time for you to eat your breakfast and then we can go home."
"Okay." Erin places the little girl back onto her stool.
As they finish up breakfast, Erin goes to help Nadia get ready. Jay is finishing up the last of the breakfast dishes when Erin reenters the room.
"She had a blast night with you. She can't stop talking about it."
He turns around to face Erin. "It was great having her here. I'm going to miss it."
Erin walks up to him and grabs his hand, "Jay, I promise you we will work out a system where she can spend as much time here as she does with me. She loves you and she loves staying here. So, we'll work it out."
He nods his head and looks down at their hands and back up at Erin. "I was thinking we should take Nadia to the zoo today. Spend some time together as family."
Erin opens her mouth to answer but nothing comes out after a minute she whispers, "Yeah, that will be nice." She says as she gives him a smile.
They hear Nadia's footsteps and drop their hands and turn towards their daughter.
Jay bends down to talk to her, "Hey, munchkin. What do you say instead of going home we go to the zoo today?"
"All of us?" She questions with wide eyes.
"Yup. All of us."
"I get both you and mommy. This is the best day ever!" She says excitedly.
They laugh at the excitement that comes from their daughter. They head out
Today was Erin's first day back at Intelligence and the nervousness that she feels undeniable. She sits in her car outside of District 21 willing herself to get out. "You got this." She says to herself. After another minute she finally gets out of the car. She heads up the steps to the District and is immediately greeted by Platt.
"Well, well the prodigal daughter returns. You just couldn't stay away from us could you."
Erin smiles and makes her way over to Platt, "Segreant Platt, It's good to be back. I missed seeing your face every day."
Platt smiles, "Welcome back, Detective Lindsay."
"Thank you."
Platt nods her head toward the gate. "Head on up there. Their waiting for you."
Erin walks up the steps to Intelligence and is immediately greeted by Atwater. "Lindsay, welcome back. When Ruzek told me you were coming back I didn't believe him but I'm glad you're here." He says as he hugs her.
Erin laughs. "Thanks, Kevin. It's good to be back."
The rest of the team comes up to greet her. Jay comes out of his office at the same time Hailey exits the break room. Hailey looks up at Jay confused. "I didn't get a chance to tell you but Erin took the opened spot."
Hailey nods her head and makes her way over to her desk.
Jay moves into the center of the room. "Alright everybody. Detective Lindsay is back in Intelligence and we are all happy to have her here. With that being said partners are going like this. Atwater and Ruzek, Burgess and Olinsky and Lindsay and Upton. Everybody good."
Every one nods there head in agreement.
"Good." Jay heads back into his office.
Erin heads over to Jay's old desk and gets settled in. Before she sits she decides to make her way over to Upton's desk and greet her new partner. "Hey."
Hailey looks up from her computer and greets Erin, "Hey."
"I hope me being back her and us working together won't be weird for you."
"Why would it be weird?"
Erin cuts her eyes to Jay's office and then back to Upton. "You've been weird around me ever since I got back and I think it has a lot to do with Halstead. I get you wanting to protect the man who was your partner for years but I hope you won't let your personal feelings affect us working together."
Hailey sighs and says, "We won't have a problem."
"Good. It'll be nice working with you again." And with that Erin turns and walks back to her desk.
Erin had been back at Intelligence for three weeks now and things between her and the unit had been great. They all flowed together like she had never left. Jay was a great leader and everyone responded well to him but things between her and Upton have been strained. She thought that the talk they had on her first day would clear the air but Upton seemed to have a chip on her shoulder regarding Erin. So, here they were waiting for in the care for their suspect to arrive in absolute silence.
Erin sighs and decides to break the silence, "What's your problem with me?"
"I told you I don't have a problem."
"There's something going. You've had a chip on your shoulder ever since I came back to Intelligence. If you want another partner I'm sure Halstead will make it happen."
Hailey sighs, "I don't have a problem with you. I just…" she pauses. "I saw how devastated he was after you left. Those were some really dark times for him and I just don't want him to go through that again."
"You think I'm going to leave again?" Erin says.
Hailey doesn't answer.
"Not that it's any of your business but I don't plan on leaving again." Erin takes a breath letting her anger die down a little bit before she continues. "Whatever goes on between Jay and I is between us and doesn't concern you. You may have been is partner and you may be his friend but out personal business is between us. Now there's our suspect so let's go."
Erin exits the car and slams the door behind her. Hailey exits soon after and the two arrest their suspect. They arrive back to District and place the suspect in lock up. Erin and Hailey head back to the bullpen to let the team know they have the offender in custody.
They are greeted by the sight of Nadia dressed in her Halloween costume. Nadia is dressed in a black long sleeve shirt, black leggings and a black tutu. She has cat ears on her head. When Nadia first told Erin she wanted to be a cat for Halloween she was surprised. She was sure her daughter wanted to be a princess but Nadia told her that she wanted to be a kitty cat and they went out and got her costume a couple of days ago. Jay and Erin were supposed to take her trick or treating but they caught a case. So, Hank volunteered to take her trick or treating and let her spend the night at his place. He told them they would stop by the District so they could see Nadia before they went.
Nadia finally recognizes her mother as entered the room and she runs toward her. "Mommy!"
Erin opens her arms and picks Nadia up. "Hi baby. Don't you look adorable."
"Thank you but Poppa said he didn't know how to do my whiskers and nose." She says sadly.
"That's ok. Why doesn't momma do it for you?"
Nadia nods her head and Erin sets her down. They walk over to Erin's desk and she pulls out her make-up to fix her daughter up. When she's down she goes to sure everyone the complete look.
"Daddy, do I look like a kitty cat now."
Jay bends down to her level and says, "You are the cutest kitty cat that there ever was."
Nadia smiles big and gives Jay give her a kiss on the cheek. Hank walks up to them and says, "Alright kiddo it's time for us to go."
Nadia looks at her parents sadly and says, "I wish that you guys could come."
Erin picks her up and says, "I know baby but we gotta work. But Poppa said he would take lots of pictures for us." Nadia nods her head and Erin gives her a before she passes her to Jay,
"I love you munchkin." Jay says as hugs and kisses her.
"I love you too."
"Be good for Poppa and I will see you in the morning when I pick you up." Erin says. "I love you."
"I love you too mommy."
"Okay." Hank takes the little girl from Jay's arms and they leave.
"Everybody back to work." Jay says. He turns toward Hailey and Erin. "Did you too get the offender."
"Yeah, he's in lock up right now. He didn't want to talk. He immediately asked for his lawyer." Hailey says.
Jay sighs and says, "We need something to tie this guy to the murder. Everyone needs to dig deeper. Go over everything again there has got to be something that we are missing that ties him to the murder."
Everyone nods and gets back to work. Hailey walks up to Erin and says, "I'm sorry if I let the past affect us working together." Erin nods her head and the two get back to work.
Hank remembers the last time that he had been trick or treating. Justin was ten and he and Camille knew that their time of taking him trick or treating was coming to an end. They savored that moment and let Justin stay up well passed his bed time. He thought that he would have those moments with Daniel and Justin. But Justin was murdered and Olive left with Daniel and his dreams were shattered again. Then Erin came back and she brought his granddaughter and just like that Hank began to dream again.
So, here he was taking his granddaughter trick or treating and he couldn't be happier. As he watched Erin and Jay with Nadia he hoped that the two of them would work things out and give that little girl the family she deserved. He can admit when they first started whatever they were starting he was against it. But after Halstead brought Erin back from her darkest point, when even he couldn't get through to her, he knew that the two of them had something special. It pained him to admit it but they needed each other. Then Halstead went and screwed everything up and Erin left. As much as it pained him to let her go he knew she needed to leave Chicago to truly heal from the pain that Bunny had caused. Bunny. He prayed she wouldn't get wind of Erin being back or the fact that she has a granddaughter. That was the last thing that Erin needed was her mother trying to worm her way back in.
Hank is pulled from his thoughts by a hand tugging on his hand. "Poppa, I'm ready to go to the next house."
Hank smiles down at the little girl. "Alright, but this is the last house."
Nadia pouts at Hank. "Don't give me that look. Your parents don't want you out to late and I agree with them. We are going to go back to Poppa's house and watch a movie until you fall asleep. How does that sound?"
"Good. But can I have some candy when we get home?" Nadia asks.
"Yes, you can but only two pieces." Nadia pumps her fist in the air as they make their way to the last house.
They finally got the evidence they needed to officially arrest the suspect for murder. It was late and they all were finishing up the paperwork form the day.
"Woulda say we all hit Molly's after this." Ruzek says.
"I'm in." Atwater says.
"Me too." Burgess replies.
"What about you Al?" Ruzek asks.
"Count me out. I'm going head home. See kids tomorrow." Al says as he grabs his coat and leaves.
"Erin, you in?" Kim asks.
Erin thinks about it for a minute. "Sure. Voight has Nadia for the night."
"Upton, what about you?" Ruzek asks.
She shrugs her shoulder. "Sure why not."
Jay comes out of his office and Hailey asks, "What about you, boss? You coming to Molly's?"
"I'll meet you guys over there." Jay replies.
Everyone heads to Molly's for some drinks. Kim and Erin are sitting with Natalie. While Hailey, Adam and Kevin are sitting three tables down from them.
"So, are things better between you and Upton." Kim asks.
Erin rolls her eyes and takes a drink of her beer. "Who knows. I confronted her and she proceeded to tell me that she scared I'm going to up and leave again and Jay will be shattered. I mean who is she. My relationship with Jay is none of her business." Erin says as she takes another drink.
Kim chokes on her beer. "Relationship?"
Erin looks at her quickly, "I don't mean relationship like relationship but why is she in our personal business. My past with Jay doesn't concern her."
Natalie pips up and says, "They were partners and while you were gone they seemed to form a bond. Maybe she feels threatened now that your back. Or maybe…"
Erin looks up at Natalie curiously. "What?"
"Do you think she has feelings for him?" Natalie asks.
Erin gives Kim an I told you so look. Natalie looks between the two and says, "What did I miss?'
"Erin was telling me at our girls night a couple of weeks ago that she thought Hailey had feelings for Jay."
"It makes since. It would also explain why she acting hostel towards you. She sees you as her competition." Natalie says taking a drink.
"Listen, if Jay wants to be friends with her fine. I get it. They were partners and they built a bond, it happens with most partners. But she should at least try and keep her personal feelings about me at bay when we are at work." Erin replies.
Will walks into Molly's and sees Hailey, Ruzek and Atwater sitting near the entrance. Will joins them at their table. "Hey, what's up guys?"
"How's it going Will." Ruzek says.
"Good. Good."
"Hey, have you seen your brother? He was supposed to meet us here." Hailey asks.
Will looks around the bar. He spots Natalie and Erin seating a couple tables down and they wave at him. He waves back and answers Hailey's question. "Yeah I thought he was behind me but he must be still outside."
Hailey gets up from the table and heads outside ignoring the looks the guys at the table give her. She sees Jay locking his truck and heading up the sidewalk to Molly's.
"You didn't have to meet me out here. I told you I was…"
The rest of what Jay was going to say is cut off my Hailey kissing him. It's over as quick as it started. "I've been waiting to do that for a while now.
Jay is still in shock. He tries to say something but all he manages is, "Hailey…"
Hailey shakes her head and continues, "I know this is probably the worst timing. I mean your ex is back and you two have a kid that you never knew and you're my boss now but I've had this feelings for a while now. I just needed you to know that I'm in love you with."
Jay opens his mouth in pure shock but before he can respond Will comes outside and says, "Hey, what's taken you so long?"
Jay looks over at his brother and says, "I'll be there in a minute." He turns back to Hailey and says, "I don't know what to say."
Hailey nods her head sadly, "Don't say anything. I know just kind of sprung this on you but I just needed you to know." She pauses. "I'm going to head home. I'll see you at work." She turns and leaves.
"What the hell just happened." Jay says to himself.
Don't hate me! This is a Linstead story but Hailey does have feelings for Jay and she needed to find out if he has feelings for her. You'll find out how Jay feels about this in the next chapter. Reviews are welcomed!