Erin arrived in Chicago, her stomach fluttering with anticipation. She wondered if anyone she knew would be waiting at the airport.
JFK AIRPORT - 13:00 PM
Hailing an cab, Erin climbed into a taxi and shut the door.
The driver turned to her. "Where to, Miss?"
"21st District," Erin replied, smiling.
The driver nodded and drove toward the precinct.
Erin gazed at the bustling streets of Chicago. God, she's missed this.
The cab came to a stop outside the precinct, and Erin collected herself.
"$13:50," the driver announced.
Erin paid the driver and got out of the cab.
The driver drove away, leaving Erin on the sidewalk.
21ST DISTRICT
Erin stared at the bold letters—the remnants of her former home. Inside the precinct, she spotted Platt at her desk.
"Lindsay!" Erin called out.
Platt turned, recognizing her.
"Trudy!" Erin's smile widened as Trudy approached, enveloping her in a warm hug.
"I've missed you!" Trudy beamed.
Erin took in the familiar surroundings—the intelligence unit. Trudy gestured for her to follow upstairs, and Erin picked up her case.
Platt chimed in playfully, drawing everyone's attention to Erin's arrival.
"I guess I'm the lone girl excluded from the basketball gang," Erin quipped, feeling slightly self-conscious.
The unit fell into an uneasy silence, unsure of their next move.
Erin looked at everyone, not surprised by their silence.
I understand I've been away for five years, but damn, I expected Jay to say something?
Erin hesitated, feigning approval.
"I, um, like what you've done to this place,"
Her words masking her true feelings.
In reality, she hated the changes—the rearranged desks, Al's hat missing from its hook, and Jay sporting his badge around his neck, mirroring Hailey.
"What are you doing here, Erin?" Jay asked.
Jay's gaze bore into Erin's, the weight of years etched in the lines around his eyes. She hesitated, then stepped closer, her heart pounding.
"I returned," Erin murmured, her voice barely audible, "because of us." She glanced at the gold band on Jay's finger, a painful reminder of the life he'd chosen without her. "But I see now—I'm too late."
Jay's jaw tightened, and he nodded. "Yeah," he said, his voice hoarse. "You are."
Erin turned away, her footsteps echoing in the empty room
"Erin…" Jay's voice trailed off into the quiet air.
His heart ached, caught between the past and the present.
Married now, he grappled with lingering emotions for Erin that refused to fade.
ERIN'S APARTMENT 18:00 PM
Erin's heart raced as her phone rang. "Lindsay," she said, answering the call.
it was Hank, his voice gruff and urgent.
"Erin," Hank began, "It's Jay."
Erin sat up, her mind racing. Jay—the one who had slipped away, the one she still carried feelings for. And now this call, news of Pat caught in a fire explosion. Her breath caught.
"What's going on?" Erin asked, her voice trembling.
"Hospital," Hank replied. "It's bad."
The past collided with the present, and Erin's emotions churned like flames in the darkness.
"I'm on my way."
Erin hung up and left the apartment.
CHICAGO MED - 18:25 PM
Jay's footsteps echoed through the hushed hospital corridors, anxiety gnawing at his insides.
Erin's voice cut through the tension.
"Jay!"
Jay turned to see her familiar face. Tears welled up as he poured out his fears, and Erin enveloped him in a comforting embrace.
Erin whispered, 'Shh, baby, I'm here now…'
I know he's not my boyfriend, but I can't help but comfort him.
Erin's fingers danced through Jay's hair as he toyed with the denim of her jeans. The room fell silent when Connor's voice broke through.
"Jay, Connor's here…"
Connor's expression was somber, and Jay sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"What's the news, doc?" Jay's voice cracked with tension.
Connor hesitated, then met Jay's gaze. "We did everything we could…" His words hung heavy in the air.
Erin sensed Jay's tension and pressed her thumb gently into the small of his back, tracing soothing circles.
The room hung heavy with grief. Jay's voice trembled as he uttered the words that had been haunting him.
"He's dead, isn't he…" His eyes met Connor's, who nodded solemnly, offering a silent apology.
"T-Thanks…" Jay's gratitude was fragile, barely audible.
Connor left, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill.
"Jay, I'm so sorry…" Hank's voice cracked, and Jay nodded, unable to find words.
He ran out of the room, seeking solace in the empty corridors.
Erin grabbed her bag and followed Jay.
As Erin walked to the quiet of the hospital, she noticed Jay sobbing
"Oh, Jay." Erin pouted.
Erin crouched down and brought him into her warm arms.
"It's okay, baby, I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere…" Erin soothed.
Erin will now be in frequent parts of the chapters, they're will be some sad moments between Hailey and Jay, Jay might also go off the rails for a bit during the chapter after this.