The following Monday, Layla got to work early and sent an email to the HR department to make an appointment to officially file a complaint against Jerry. After that, she reviewed her log notes for the previous week and submitted them.

As the rest of her co-workers filed into their cubicles around her, Layla's work friend, Samantha, popped her head in.

"Layla. Hi."

Samantha leaned against the doorway to Layla's cubicle. She was a short, overweight middle-aged woman with short, spiky hair always dyed a different color. This week it was purple. Samantha was the first one to reach out to Layla and make her feel welcome when she'd started a few months prior and Layla greatly appreciated that.

"Samantha, hey. How was your weekend?"

Samantha looked around conspiratorially then pulled out her phone and said, "Not as good as yours, apparently."

Holding her phone for Layla to see, Samantha giggled as Layla looked at the photo on her phone. It was of Layla and Hank dancing at the mayor's party.

Layla looked up at her. "Where did you get that?"

"My brother texted it to me. He's a detective over at the 16th precinct. You met him on one of your first assignments - Anthony Matthews?"

Layla nodded, "Oh yeah. He was really nice."

Samantha smiled mischievously. "Yeah, he thought he recognized you. He's heard me talk about you and he was just asking me if that was you. With Hank Voight?"

Samantha's voice got high and squeaky when she said Hank's name and Layla looked around, using her hand to tell Samantha to bring it down a notch.

"Yes. We're dating."

Layla hated the way "dating" sounded. It made them sound like teenagers.

"Girl! How could you not tell me this? Does Jerry know, because he is going to be devastated when he realizes he really doesn't have a shot with you."

Layla had confided in Samantha about Jerry asking her out the first week on the job, and every time he'd asked her out since.

"Actually…"

Layla went on to tell Samantha what had happened between her and Jerry at the party. Samantha put her hand over her mouth, eyes-wide.

"Yes. I agree. You should definitely file a report with HR."

Both ladies heard someone clear their throat behind Samantha and the older woman turned around slowly. Jerry was standing behind her.

"Ladies, you should really get to work. You can have your girl talk on your lunch break."

Jerry looked at both of them but his eyes lingered on Layla. She couldn't read his expression but it definitely wasn't happiness. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there or what he may have heard.

Samantha hurried back to her cubicle and Layla turned her attention back to her work. Once Jerry walked away, she let out a breath and checked her email to see if HR had gotten back to her yet.

-break-

The rest of the week was busy for Layla and Hank. They'd only had a chance to text and even that had been sporadic.

Layla did file her report with HR. In doing so, she had to disclose her relationship with Hank, which they'd discussed. There was no policy directly forbidding them to date as they were in two totally different departments and he was not her direct supervisor.

Beth Hayes, the HR administrator that documented Layla's report, seemed sympathetic. Though she wouldn't come out and say it, Layla got the impression that she wasn't the first woman to file a complaint against Jerry.

When Layla finally got off work Friday night, she headed over to Precinct 21. She knew she'd find Hank in his office.

Trudy smiled when she saw Layla walk into the Precinct.

"Layla! How's it going?"

"Pretty good. How about you, Trudy?"

"Ah, you know. Trying to keep these patrolmen in line is a full-time job." Trudy glared at a young patrolmen as he walked by and he quickly averted his eyes. Layla giggled.

"You enjoy that a little too much." She told Trudy, who winked at her.

"Need me to buzz you up to Intelligence?"

Layla nodded and Trudy walked around the desk, scanning her finger print and unlocking the gate to head upstairs.

Before she walked back down the stairs, Trudy turned and said in a quiet voice, "Hey. The case their working… it's been a tough one."

Layla nodded and touched Trudy's shoulder.

"Thanks Trudy."

As the gate slammed behind her and Layla walked into Intelligence, she could feel the somber mood in the air. Antonio was at his desk working on his computer. Kevin and Adam were standing in front of the case board talking about something. Layla didn't see Kim, Hailey or Jay. Antonio nodded at her when she walked by on her way to Hank's office, but didn't say anything. They were all too focused on the case.

Hank looked up as she approached his office and waved her in. Layla noticed how tired he looked. She closed the door behind her.

"Hey. Sorry, I should have called before I came."

Hank stood up and walked around his desk.

"No. You didn't need to call. I'm glad you came by."

Layla stepped into his open arms for a hug.

The way he held her just a little longer than normal told her the case was taking a toll on him.

Leaning back, she put her hands on either side of his face.

"You okay?" She asked him.

She looked into his eyes as she spoke. There was a hard look there. Cold and distant.

"I will be." He said, honestly. Layla nodded and kissed him. It was the first time they'd kissed since he'd dropped her off for brunch and the memories of the night they'd spent together came rushing back for both of them.

Hank deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. Layla sighed against his lips, happy to be in his arms after a long week.

When they parted, Hank said, "Layla, I wanted to…" but was interrupted by a knock on his office door.

Hank opened the door with an aggravated expression on his face. Antonio was standing there, a paper in his hand.

"Just got the L.K.A. for the perp's brother. We're heading there now. Burgess is going to meet us there. Upton and Halstead are still at the prison talking to the cousin."

Hank nodded, thankful for a lead. Grabbing his coat from the coat rack, he slipped it on.

Layla stepped out of his way, knowing they would talk later. Right now he had a job to do. She was surprised when he stopped for a moment and said, "Tomorrow night. My place. I'll cook."

She smiled and nodded.

"I'll bring the wine." She told him with a wink. Hank smiled at her and she was glad she could lift his spirits for a moment.

"Be safe," Layla called out after him as he followed Antonio out into the bullpen, on their way to follow up on the lead. He turned and gave her a nod before they headed down to the garage.

-break-

Hank had just put potatoes in the oven when the doorbell rang. When he opened the door, Layla stood on the other side, a bottle of red wine in one hand, as promised. Her other hand was holding a covered dish. Hank hurried to take the dish and the bottle from her and led her inside.

"What's this?" Hank asked, raising the dish.

"Oh that?" Layla asked, sitting her purse on the entryway table, next to Hank's badge and gun.

"That is the best chocolate lava cake you will ever put in your mouth. I guarantee it."

Hank raised an eyebrow as she followed him into the kitchen and he sat everything down on the counter. When he started to lift the foil covering the dessert, Layla slapped his hand away.

"Uh uh! That's for after dinner."

Hank chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist instead, pulling her close for a kiss.

Layla's playfulness turned serious when she felt the passion behind his kiss. There was a need behind it.

Pulling back, she looked at him closer. "You good?"

Hank sighed. "Yeah. Just a long week."

Layla put her hands on his neck softly, her thumbs sliding gently across his jaw. She looked at him with concern.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.

"No." Hank said, immediately. "The case is closed."

Layla looked into his eyes a moment longer, just to be sure he really was okay, then gave him a quick kiss.

Turning to the counter, she grabbed the bottle of wine she'd brought and said, "Then let's open this wine and relax."

"Sounds great." Hank said, taking the bottle from her and heading to the cabinet to get two glasses.

After he poured them each a glass, Layla sipped her wine and looked around the kitchen.

"So what are we having for dinner?"

"Sirloins on the grill, baked potatoes, salad." Hank said, reaching into the refrigerator and pulling out the sirloins. Grabbing tongs from a drawer, he nodded for Layla to follow him to the patio.

The grill was already hot and the steaks made a satisfying searing sound when he placed them on the grates.

Layla had grabbed both of their wine glasses as she'd followed him and handed Hank his glass once the steaks were on.

It was unseasonably warm for a November evening and Layla breathed in the fresh air.

"I filed that report with HR."

"Good."

Hank walked around the grill to stand beside Layla. She was looking out at the sky, the setting sun casting an warm glow across her skin. Hank just stared at her for a moment, taking her in.

Layla, sensing his eyes on her, turned to face him.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked him, curious at the expression she saw on his face.

"I was just thinking about how much better my life has been since we met." Hank told her.

Layla smiled and sat down her wine glass before wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Same." She agreed, before laying her cheek against his chest.

They stood like that, in the glow of the setting sun, until Hank had to flip the steaks.

Layla watched him as he cooked and found herself wondering what the future might hold for them. Since Jake's death, she really hadn't given the future much thought. In fact, she'd basically been taking each day one at a time for over two years.

Now, she found herself hoping this would be just one of many evenings they would spend together.

Hank looked up at her and smiled a half smile before turning his attention back to the grill. Layla watched him long after he looked away, realizing without any doubt that she was in love with Hank Voight.

-break-

"She did what?" Jerry asked, exasperated as he paced his boss's office.

"She filed an official complaint with HR."

Jerry ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"That bitch." Jerry mumbled under his breath.

Jerry's boss, Daniel West, had been his best friend since childhood. In fact, he'd gotten him his first job with the department. Whenever Daniel got promoted, it wasn't long before Jerry did too. Daniel felt responsible for Jerry, always had. They were like brothers.

Walking over to his friend, Daniel said, "Look man. I love you. But you've got to reign in the flirting and the temper. One day it's going to get you in more trouble than even I can get you out of."

Jerry nodded. "I know. I know. I'm sorry. I will do better."

Daniel looked at his friend for a long moment and hoped what he was saying was the truth.

"Okay. I can make this one go away but if it happens again, I'll have to push it up the chain of command." Daniel told Jerry.

Jerry nodded and shook his hand.

"Thanks bud. I promise, I'll do better."

Jerry turned and headed back to his office, fuming. How dare she file a report. If she'd just agreed to go on a date with him, none of this would have happened.