Hey! I don't know if anyone still ships Linstead because I hear Upstead is the new thing? I'm not in this fandom anymore and it's been over a year since I watched the show, but I had a random burst of inspiration while going through my old fics, sO, have a second chapter. :)

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The coffee shop they choose is small, tucked away between stores and streets with bustling crowds. Erin's never been here before, but then again, she hasn't been here in a while. Jay's hand is on the small of her back as they walk in, and she wonders if he even knows it's there. He always did that when they were together.

Jay raises an eyebrow at her, and she nods her head. He orders for her. She looks down at the tiles, tracing the shape of them with her eyes. It's funny how it seems like nothing has changed.

They pick a booth at the back. There's a large window next to their table, and Erin watches the people walk past. She feels like a fish out of water.

It takes a minute to realize Jay is talking to her. "What?" she says uselessly.

Jay shakes his head, mouth tilted into a lopsided grin. "Still the same, huh?"

Erin rolls her eyes. "It hasn't been that long."

"Uh huh."

The conversation falls flat, but the silence that remains is comfortable. Their coffees arrive, and they both take a tentative sip, unsure of what to say. There's so much Erin wants to tell him, but she can't find the words.

"You look good," Jay finally says.

"I wish I could say the same for you," Erin says back. He opens his mouth in mock offense and clasps a hand to his chest dramatically. She has to fight back a smile.

"I'm wounded, Erin." The smile fades, and he watches her for a moment. "But I'm serious. You like it there in New York?"

She shrugs. She could tell him everything, from her stuck-up partner to her promotions, the neighbor's five-year-old who's taken an interest in her for some reason. "It's not Chicago, that's for sure," is what she eventually settles on.

Jay huffs a small laugh. "Yeah, I bet."

"It's weird." Erin takes another sip of her coffee and pauses. "It's not how I pictured it, New York. But it's good. I like it there."

"You still miss us though, right?"

"Obviously."

"Good," Jay says, smirking over his coffee cup.

They slip into easy conversation. Jay tells her about how Ruzek accidentally spilled coffee over Platt, and Erin tells him about how she and a few of her coworkers sent a box of wasabi donuts to the dick in Bomb Squad. It's good, and she feels a lot lighter.

Before they know it, it's been two hours. She doesn't want this to end. Jay drops her off at Hank's house and leaves her with a hug.

"Call me, yeah? We're practically best friends now, I want to hear everything that's happening."

She rolls her eyes and nods okay.

Jay raises an eyebrow. "Promise?"

"Promise." Erin intends to keep it.

It hurts, watching him drive away, but she tells herself it's okay. She has a new life now, and she's grateful that he's still a part of it.