Chapter 4

Author's notes: Thank you all again for the positive reviews and private messages I have received over the past few days. I feel inspired to keep this story going, especially since the next new part of CPD is not going to air until April 2nd, so the next chapter of my other story is going to take a bit longer to finish… ;) One note to avoid confusion: this story will not always follow a fully linear timeline, so sometimes events in later chapters will actually occur at an earlier point in time (as is the case below). As always, reviews are very welcome! Enjoy!

Basement of a non-descript house, South Side of Chicago, Illinois
15 January, 2014 - 05:06 CST

"PLEASE STOP," the vampire screamed at the top of his lungs. His chest pinned to the steel-reinforced wall by an industrial hydraulic system, the four limbs were stretched apart and held in place by heavy metal shackles that were integrated into the wall. Bloody tears were streaming down his face, as blood was oozing from numerous wounds on his broken body.

His human captor paused for a moment, then stabbed the vampire again in the stomach with a pair of garden shears. His face remained a stoic mask as the vampire howled in pain. After a few seconds, he moved closer to the vampire and said, "Which vampires do you work for and where can I find them."

The vampire shook his head. "Please, I can't…" His voice cracked as he trailed off and started sobbing.

"You will talk. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow night. But you will talk." With that, he opened the shears and mercilessly cut off another finger.

District 21 Police Department, Chicago, Illinois
15 January, 2014 - 12:45 CST

Erin walked up the stairs into the Intelligence Unit's offices in a much improved mood and with a newfound determination. Her visit to see Nadia went better than she thought it would. Dr. Carter's update on Nadia's condition and prospect for recovery was nothing but positive, and right before she had to leave, Nadia had woken up.

At first alarmed and panicked by the restraints and the unknown environment, Nadia had settled down when she saw Erin at her bedside. They spoke about why she left the apartment and if she still wanted to get better. I gave her my word that I will be there for her, and nothing and no one will prevent me from keeping it this time, Erin remembered, smiling when she recalled how Nadia agreed to get help. Their discussion about what happened to her last night when she was attacked wasn't particularly helpful; Nadia did not remember any details about the attack or the attacker other than that he was a man in his 30s with dark hair.

Arriving at the top of the stairs, she noted that everyone was hanging out at their respective desks, all of them seeming unfocused and unproductive. Voight's office was dark and unoccupied, which surprised her. Waving hello at the team and flashing Jay a shy smile as he looked up at her, she turned into the kitchen to get another caffeine fix.

As she was pouring herself a cup of coffee, Halstead walked in with a folder tucked under his arm. "Hey," she greeted him, taking in the tired look on his face. "I think you need this more than I do," she said as she handed him her cup and picked up another one to pour a cup for herself.

"Did you hear about Voight," Jay asked her in a low voice.

Erin head perked up as she gave him a confused look. "No. What about him?"

"He was arrested last night."

Erin raised her right eyebrow. "What for?"

Jay shrugged his shoulders. "I was hoping you'd know."

Shaking her head, Erin said, "No idea. This is the first I'm hearing about this."

Sensing that the topic was closed, Jay was contend to lean against the kitchen counter and take a sip of coffee from his cup while Erin was finishing pouring coffee for herself. "How's Nadia?"

"All considered, as good as can be expected," Erin answered and turned to face him. "She wants to get better. I'm gonna make sure that's going to happen this time."

Jay nodded and studied Erin's face. He saw the slightly clenched jaw and the steely look in her eyes and knew that nobody was going to keep Erin from making sure that came true. She's tough. But under that rough shell, she has the biggest heart. "Did she remember what happened to her?"

"She has no idea who attacked her. Just that it was a male, in his 30s, average height, dark hair. Could be anybody."

"Maybe. Maybe not," Jay said with a sly smile on his face.

"What?"

Holding up the folder triumphantly in front of her, he said. "Why don't we nab and ask the guy who dropped her off? Because that description sounds an awful lot like him."

Inside a non-descript house, South Side of Chicago, Illinois
15 January, 2014 - 15:36 CST

He sat inside his safe room, his eyes wandering across the wall of screens in front of him. The mechanical sounds of a dozen computers operating provided the only background noise as he reviewed surveillance data from the prior night to identify his next target.

One of the screens started flashing, indicating that one of his data feeds received new information. Bringing the feed titled "Chicago General Hospital Medical Database" to the main monitor, he quickly scanned the information. Good girl, he thought with a smile and sense of relief. She's doing better. I'm glad she pulled through. He wasn't sure she would when he dropped her off last night. It was a close call, for sure.

Focusing his attention back to intercepted security camera feeds, his grin got even wider when he caught a glimpse of a female vampire feeding on a young club kid outside a nightclub in the industrial part of town. Succubus Club, huh? he laughed when he identified the address. Kinda fitting. I know where I'll be spending tonight.

District 21 Police Department, Chicago, Illinois
15 January, 2014 - 18:52 CST

Erin stared at the picture in front of her, a look of frustration on her face. "Who are you," she whispered, more to herself than to anyone in particular as she studied the face again. The picture showed the man who brought Nadia into the hospital. Just over six feet, dark, short hair, dark eyes. He seemed in pretty good shape. His posture and the way he moved on the surveillance videos she had reviewed in Jin's office earlier reminded her of military.

The rest of the Intelligence Unit was gone for the day, with the exception of Jay, who sat at his desk finishing up paperwork. She slammed the folder shut in front of her and let out a sigh of frustration, causing Jay to look up from his screen. "Sorry," Erin said. "Just feeling frustrated. I don't like being stuck."

I really wouldn't mind being stuck with you, Jay thought, a grin forming on his face.

"What so funny, Halstead," Erin said, raising an eyebrow.

He shook his head, laughing. "Nothing. Just being silly. But hey, I get it. We don't really have much to go on since we figured out that the license registration data was fake. But this guy," Jay said, emphasizing his words by jabbing a finger at the folder on his desk, "This guy is not going to get away. We'll find him, I promise you that."

Erin looked at her partner, a smile forming on her face. He's kinda cute when he gets agitated. That spark in his eyes is almost sexy… Woah, down girl. Cold shower for me tonight. Her focus returning to the present, she realized that Jay was looking at her expectantly. "Ahem, what," she asked.

"I said, do you want to get out of here and grab a bite," he repeated as he got up and put on his jacket.

"What is it with you and trying to feed me? I mean, really? If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to fatten me up this morning," she teased, breaking into a laugh when she saw the look of disbelieve on his face. "Sure Jay. Let's get a burger at Au Cheval. And you're buying!"

Inside Erin's car en route to her apartment, Chicago, Illinois
15 January, 2014 - 22:12 CST

"You know, I gotta give it to you, Lindsay. You weren't lying when you said that they have the best burger in the city. That was awesome," Jay exclaimed enthusiastically.

Erin shot him a quick smile before focusing back on the road. What a great dinner, she reflected back on the evening. They had a great time enjoying each other's company. A relaxed evening full of fun, easy-going conversations, and yes, some flirting. Okay, scratch that. There was a LOT of flirting. "Yeah, we should do this again sometime," she said in her husky voice, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh, definitely," Jay said without hesitation. He studied her profile out of the corner of his eyes as she was driving. She is so beautiful, he thought. These dimples when she smiles are just the cutest thing ever. He shook his head. I think I'm falling for my partner, and I don't think I can keep this professional anymore. I don't want to.

They pulled into the parking lot of Erin's apartment complex and Erin parked the car in her reserved spot. She turned to him with a nervous smile. I don't want this evening to end. Not yet. "Do you…" she started at the same time Jay began saying, "I need to…"

They both stopped and shared a nervous laugh. "You first," Jay said.

Erin shook her head. "No, you go."

Just as Jay was mustering the courage again to speak, both of their phones started buzzing, breaking up the tangible tension in the car. They looked each other in the eye for another moment before reaching for their phones in unison to check the message.

"It's from Jin," Erin said. "He found our guy."