Running was one of Jay's favourite thing to do. Even as a kid and teenager, he loved playing sports and was always a good runner. After joining the army, that was when he really got into fitness and running as it was part of his training. After a few years in the rangers, and then later on the police academy, running has always stayed with him. He gets really fidgety if he doesn't run for a few days, which is why he was running tonight in the dark. It had been a long week, and after closing a particularly rough case he really needed to blow off some steam. Erin was back at their apartment having a 'girls night' with Kim, Gaby, Sylvie and Stella and Jay needed to be out of the house. He was asked if he wanted to go out with the boys to Molly's but he really didn't fancy it. He hadn't been for a run for the whole week so he felt like tonight was the perfect time to drive into the countryside and go for a long run through the woods. The past few weeks since his first therapy session had gone really well, he had been much more open with Erin about how he was feeling and some of the things that he had gone through coming home. He hadn't told her about what he had told Dr. Charles in his first session yet as he didn't feel ready, but he had spoken about some of his friends from his ranger unit and some of the things they had gone through. He found it easier to tell her these things when they were in bed, in the dark and she wasn't looking at him but she didn't mind, as long as he was being open and talking more, she'd do anything to make it easier for him. This was the most open he had been with anyone, ever. It was helpful for him as he felt much lighter, and in all honestly, having Erin help carry his load has helped more than he ever thought it would. He knows he was stupid, he should've been more open with her throughout the past four years of their partnership and two years of their relationship. He knows that leaving was the stupidest thing he has ever done, but he is glad as in a way, it has bought the pair of them closer than they ever have been. This week, he was going to go back to his first group PTSD meeting, he and Dr. Charles had decided that it would be a good idea to start going back as he now felt like he could control the anxiety and panic he experienced. If it didn't go well, then he would just simply wait a while before going again. After a long run, he made his way back to the car and drove back home.


Tonight's girls night consisted of pizza, beer films and ice cream. Erin was grateful for these girls, they had all been there for her while she was going through the problems between her and Jay. With the film on in the background, they were currently going through Kim's tinder, swiping through the potential matches. So far, they had seen seven police officers, five doctors and two fire fighters who they all knew. They all had a laugh at their profiles, making fun of some of the cheesy lines these men were using to try and entice a swipe right.

"I honestly don't even know why I bother," Kim groaned, after swiping left on yet another strange sounding guy who just had pictures of himself holding fish.

"You'll find someone," Gaby reassured, taking her phone off of her and looking at the next potential match for her, "Okay, here's one. He's 32, he's not too bad looking-ish - well, he's your type, he lives close, he seems to like going to bars, he has some funny pictures," She said and turned her phone to Erin, "Look, isn't he perfect for Kim?"

Erin looked at the screen and managed to keep her expression neutral, definitely not expecting who Gaby had just showed her, "Oh, yes, definitely. He seems the perfect guy for you, Kim."

Stella snatched the phone out of Gaby's hand, "Here, let me look," She said and looked at the phone and laughed out loud, showing it to Sylvie who was next to her, "Oh definitely. You two are well suited." She passed the phone back to Kim, waiting for her reaction.

Kim eagerly took the phone, keen to see who they were talking about. She looked at the profile that was up on her phone and shook her head, seeing her ex-boyfriends tinder profile on her screen, "Wow guys. You really had me going there. That wasn't funny!"

"Oh come on! You and Adam still obviously like each other!" Gaby exclaimed, "Honestly, I'm shocked you two haven't got back together yet."

"Nope, not going to happen. We are genuinely better off as friends."

No one believed her, but they chose to just agree with her rather than carry on the conversation as it would go no where, "Okay, so how about we ignore the tinder for now and break out the ice cream and start the film?" Erin suggested, knowing that Kim wouldn't mind a change of subject. All the girls enthusiastically agreed as Erin went to the fridge to get all their tubs of ice cream.

The tinder session had long been abandoned and they were currently eating their ice cream and gossiping, not taking notice of the film that was on the screen. There was a random knock at the door so Erin put down her pint of cookie dough and went to go and see who it was. She did not expect who she saw, especially at this time on a Friday night, "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't have anywhere else to go… Me and Nina got into a huge fight and broke up," Will sighed, "I need a place to crash for a few days until I can figure shit out."

It was only then had Erin seen the duffle bag by his feet, she felt sorry for him. She knew that there were problems between him and Nina, Jay had told her as much when he came back home after witnessing some of their arguments. Erin knew that Will had feelings for Natalie at some point and she had been a sore spot in their relationship. Taking note of his red eyes and look of exhaustion, she opened the door wider, "Come in. I have to tell you though, it's girls night and Jay isn't home just yet. You can crash here as long as you need."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I'll just go if you're busy," He said, not wanting to impose on Erin and her friends.

She shook her head, "Nonsense, we were currently just all eating ice cream and watching a crappy film which is probably exactly what you need right now," She replied, smiling as Will grabbed his bag off the floor and followed her in, "Okay guys, make room for another one," She said as they walked into the living room. The rest of them all looked and saw Will standing sheepishly with a duffle bag behind Erin, Gaby moved across the sofa and squished next to Stella so Will could sit between her and Erin. Sylvie and Kim were on the chairs either side of them. Erin went and got another spoon out of the kitchen draw for Will and decided she would be kind enough to share the cookie dough with him - only because he was heartbroken because Erin did not share food - especially ice cream.


When Jay walked in a while later, he really hadn't expected anyone but Erin in the apartment as usually by this time everyone had gone home as it was nearing 22:00. He was ready to have a quick shower and then chill before going to sleep because this week had been absolutely exhausting. He yawned and put his keys on the table and walked into the living room, already beginning to take his shirt off, so he could throw it in the washer before getting showered.

"Oh look the stripper we ordered is here," a voice that he knew belonged to Stella said. He quickly pulled his shirt back down, "You didn't have to stop on our account. We were enjoying the show."

He rolled his eyes as he heard everyone else laugh and he finally took in the scene before him, all the girls and Will, why was Will there? They were all eating ice cream and were apparently not even watching the film as it was paused. Had they been having a girly chat? Why would Will even be here? "Wha-"

"It's a long story," Erin replied, feeling guilty that Jay had arrived back to a house full of people when in reality he probably wanted to just grab a shower and watch a documentary on something boring and go to bed.

"Okay, I'm just going to go grab a shower," He said.

"Actually, we best be going… We have a shift tomorrow and we really lost track of time!" Gaby said, sensing that Jay was tired and probably could do without a load of women talking his ear off - especially after he had just come back from a run. Besides it seemed Will needed to talk to his brother. Jay just nodded and told them that he would see them all soon.

As Jay went for a shower and the rest of the girls left, it was just Erin and Will alone, "You can have the guest room," Erin told him as they were sat on the couch, eating the rest of the cookie dough.

Will was shocked at the statement, he knew that the guest room hadn't been used by anyone since Nadia had died. It had been redecorated by her and Jay when he moved in, but anytime anyone crashed at their place they used the couch. Will had done so on many occasions when he and Jay had got a little drunk (okay, a lot drunk), at Molly's and he didn't want to pay for a taxi back to his and Nina's place, "Are you sure? I am fine on the couch," He replied, not directly bringing up the elephant in the room, but letting her know that he didn't expect the guest room.

Erin waved off his concern, "No, it's fine. Besides, Jay sometimes likes coming in here in the middle of the night if he can't sleep."

Will nodded, "Okay, thank you. I'm just going to go and put my stuff in there before Jay comes back and asks a million questions," He laughed and grabbed his duffle bag and took it down the hall into the guest bedroom.


Erin went into her and Jay's bedroom and saw that Jay was just getting dressed after his shower, "Hey. How was your run?" She asked, sitting down on the bed, watching him.

"It was good. I definitely needed it," He smiled at her to show that he was okay, "What's my brother doing here?"

She sighed, "Him and Nina broke up. He needs a place to crash until he can figure out what to do."

"Wow… I knew things were bad but I didn't think they were that bad," He replied.

"Yeah, I've told him he can crash in the guest room as long as he needs," She informed him, looking at what his reaction would be.

Jay's eyes widened, but he quickly schooled his features as to not make a big deal of it, "You - you don't have to do that. He can just crash on the couch."

She shook her head, "No, it's fine. I mean, it's just a room, right? Besides, I know you like to go out and watch documentaries if you're not sleeping."

"He made me sleep on a couch for nine weeks," Jay joked but quickly became serious, not liking to think of that time, "Babe, seriously, I can deal with not going out on the couch for a bit. I'll be fine."

"No, it's okay. The guest room is at the other end of the apartment, it gives him his own space if needed. It can't be easy for him, I know how much he liked being with Nina," Erin reasoned.

"So, my brother's staying with us for a bit," He replied and she nodded, getting up and walking up to him. He grinned, "You know what this means?"

She shook her head, and raised her eyebrows questioningly, "No, what?"

He leaned in, as if he was about to tell her a big secret, "You're going to have to wear clothes, like all the time. No more chilling in just my shirts. You're actually going to have to wear something on your bottom half," He whispered, teasingly.

"I didn't think about that,"She groaned, leaning her head onto his chest. "Though, I could always give your brother a free show?"

"Nope. Only one Halstead gets to appreciate those legs," He teased, which earned a smack to his chest from Erin.

"I'm not an object," She warned, pointedly, trying to keep a straight face as he grinned at her. Yeah, she couldn't resist that smile. She reached up on her tip toes and placed a kiss on his lips, "I'm going to go and shower, you go and speak to your brother. There is some pasta salad in the fridge if you're hungry."

"I'm always hungry," He joked, but his expression sobered. "Thank you."

"For what?" She asked.

"For letting Will stay here. I know it would've been easier to say no," He replied, sincerely.

"He's family. It's what we do," She gave him one last kiss before moving to go into the bathroom and get a shower.


Once Jay had a huge bowl of pasta, he sat on the couch and put on the television, "Hey, what's going on?" He asked Will, once he sat down next to him.

Will sighed, "Me and Nina got into a big fight. You know we haven't been happy for a while, and we really wanted to try and work on our relationship, but she's insecure. She hates that me and Nat are still friends and she felt threatened. I told her that there was nothing going on, but I don't know… She told me she needs time. I promise, I don't have feelings for Natalie anymore. We are just good friends," Will swore to his brother.

"Yeah, I believe you. Stay as long as you need. Do you still love Nina?"

Will nodded, "Yeah. She is great. I just don't know if we can fix it. She is so insecure about Natalie - even though I have repeatedly told her that we are just friends. It didn't help that she walked in on Nat hugging me the other day after a tough call - it was completely innocent. I'm going to speak to her on Monday, give her the weekend to figure things out for herself."

Jay nodded, understanding what his brother was going through, "I hope you can work it out, man. I really do. She's good for you."

"Thank you. I hope so too," Will sighed.

Jay really felt for his younger brother, but was going to be there for him as he had been for him. "So it looks like you interrupted girls night? Did you have fun?" Jay teased, getting onto a lighter subject, knowing that Will didn't need to keep talking about it.

Will rolled his eyes, but was glad of the change of conversation, "It was great. We braided each others hair, talked about boys and ate ice cream."

Jay laughed, "Sounds wonderful. I bet you had an amazing time."

"Oh we did," Will joked, "Erin even shared her cookie dough with me."

Jay looked shocked, "Wow, she shared her cookie dough with you? Wow. That is rare. She must've really pitied you."

"Don't be a dick, Halstead," Erin warned as she walked into the living room, dressed in sweats and one of Jay's hoodies, sitting down on the couch, "Now be a good little househusband and go and get us some beers."

"Yes dear," Jay muttered before getting up and going to go and get them their beers.

"Aww you're so whipped!" Will teased, watching his brother go and get the beers.

Erin laughed as Jay mumbled something under his breath which she assumed wasn't very pleasant, "He has been since day one," She informed him before going into the whole house husband story from the first month of their partnership.

"Aww that's so sweet," Will taunted as he took the beer that Jay reluctantly offered him. "So, what are you two up to this weekend? I'm working a 24 hour tomorrow so I'll be out your hair until Sunday morning and even then I'll be sleeping."

"We actually have the weekend off, we aren't even on call this week as we picked up the last two weekends on call which led to big cases so we have time off," Jay informed him. "Not sure what we are going to do yet though."

"Catch up on sleep," Erin yawned, "We have probably only been home for a maximum of 20 hours in the last 5 days."

"Ouch, and I thought being a doctor had long shifts. Was it a rough case?"

"Yeah, a serial rapist targeting university students. Three nights of undercover work at a club downtown on top of the investigation. It's been a real rough week. We got the guy though," Erin replied.

"Shit, that sounds tough," Will said, "I don't know how you do it."

Erin just shrugged, "It's tough but it's worth it when we catch them."

Will just nodded, "Okay, I'm going to go and get some sleep. I'll see you both when I see you. Night."

"Night, Will. Everything you need should be in the guest room and bathroom. If you need anything just give us a shout," Erin told him.

"Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I don't know what I'd do without you both," Will said, earnestly.

"Probably be homeless," Jay quipped and winced when he felt Erin smack his arm, "No but seriously, don't worry about it. You're welcome here anytime."

Will smiled, "Night guys."

"Night," Erin and Jay both replied at the same time as Will got up and made his way to the guest room.


After Will had gone to bed, Erin and Jay sat up and watched a documentary on Emperor Penguins which wasn't too boring. They were both tired, and as the documentary went on, Erin stopped listening and began dosing off against Jay's chest. This week had well and truly tired them both out. Thankfully their case was airtight against the suspect, so hopefully he would be put away for a long time. As the documentary finished, Jay switched off the TV and went to pick Erin up to carry her to bed. When he put her down on the bed, he realised that she had woken up, "Hey, I'm just going to go and turn all the lights off and then I'll come and join you," He whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning and leaving the bedroom. Erin yawned and went to quickly brush her teeth. Jay returned and did the same, before stripping off his shirt and getting into bed.

"What do you want to do tomorrow?" She asked, sleepily as she snuggled up to him and lat her head on his chest.

"I was thinking we could spend the day here, have a film day. I'll go out in the morning and get us lots of picky bits for snacks and then we could order a Chinese or something for dinner. A day of just you and me, relaxing. How does that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful. I'm thinking Deadpool marathon," She replied, sleepily.

Jay chuckled, "I wouldn't have expected anything less. Maybe some Captain America too?" He felt Erin nod as she mumbled something incoherently which he suspected was an agreement. "Night, babe. Love you."

"Love you too," She replied a little more coherently, which made him smile. It wasn't long before he felt her breathing even out and her be fully asleep. He placed a kiss to the top of her head before he lay his head against his pillow and succumbed to the sleep he so needed.

AN: Sorry for the bit of a wait for this chapter. Being back at work full time has completely knackered me out but I have a bit of time off over the next couple of weeks (thanks corona) so I may be able to update a bit quicker. Hopefully gonna update the boy next door next but I'll see how I get on lol.

BTW I don't like Natalie so I won't have her and will get together in the story lol. I just wanted to write a little Jay, Erin and Will because I imagine those guys together would be hilarious and we never got to see it really :( Let us know what you thought :)