It's been a full five years since Erin Lindsay left Chicago in the rearview, leaving without a word to her team or Jay. He tried to get a hold of her, but after two silent weeks, he got the message and moved forward with his life.

Hailey Upton, Erin's one-time partner, still thought about the time Voight broke up Erin and Jay's partnership. It happened after Erin dropped "Bunny's" name, someone neither Jay nor Voight ever really approved of.

Barely a week into their partnership, Hailey and Jay found themselves head over heels and quickly tied the knot.

Hailey was expecting Jay's baby, but following an encounter with a suspect, she miscarried, leaving both her and Jay heartbroken.

Despite repeated attempts, Hailey kept facing miscarriages. Turning to surrogacy, they were close to welcoming a child, but the surrogate had a change of heart as her husband arrived at the delivery room.

The news shattered Hailey and Jay's dreams of parenthood.

After consulting a therapist, Hailey and Jay moved past their grief and were ready to return to duty.

11 PM - BULLPEN

Entering the bullpen together, Hailey and Jay were greeted with a warm "WELCOME BACK!" from their colleagues.

They shared a tender smile and proceeded to their desks.

"Adam…" Antonio murmured softly.

Catching the cue, Adam discreetly lowered the welcome banner.

"We just wanted to do something nice for you guys," Kim said with a smile.

Acknowledging the gesture, Hailey and Jay nodded and began logging into their computers.

Hank stepped out of his office and glanced at his two detectives.

"Hailey, Jay."

They both looked up.

"Good to have you back," Hank said with a smile.

Hailey and Jay exchanged smiles and continued their paperwork.

12:30 PM - FBI Headquarters, New York

Erin was at her desk when her sergeant beckoned.

"Lindsay!"

Erin looked up promptly.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

"In my office, now."

Erin followed into Reagan's office.

"You're one of our finest, Erin," Reagan began.

Erin offered a tentative smile.

"I'm waiting for the 'but'…"

Reagan leaned in with a heavy sigh.

"But, we have to release you."

Stunned, Erin sank into a chair.

"Why praise me if I'm being let go?"

"There's an opening in Chicago," Reagan revealed.

Chicago again? Erin's heart sank.

"Sarge, Chicago is…"

"Your flight's booked for tonight at midnight."

Erin exhaled deeply.

"What's the assignment?"

"Intelligence Unit," Reagan disclosed.

Erin stood, understanding dawning.

"We'll miss you, Lindsay."

Erin returned the sentiment softly.

"Same here."

Closing the door behind her, Erin returned to her desk, contemplative.

Erin exhaled; Chicago was calling her back.

12 PM - Chicago

Two hours later, Erin arrived in the Windy City.

She paid the cab fare and stepped out onto the bustling streets.

Before reuniting with her old team, she had one place to visit.

21st District

Taking a deep breath, Erin ascended the stairs to the bullpen.

It was quieter than she remembered. Jay's desk had a new mug and organized pens. Al's desk was conspicuously empty, stirring concern in Erin.

"Is that Erin Lindsay?" a voice called out.

Turning, Erin faced her former unit.

"Hey, everyone!"

Kevin looked stunned, Adam was at a loss for words, and Jay… Jay seemed distant.

"What are you doing here, Erin?" Jay's voice was tinged with hurt.

Erin met his gaze, seeing his pain.

"Jay, I can explain—"

"No!" Jay cut her off. "YOU left us without a word, and now you just show up after FIVE years?"

Erin's eyes welled up.

"Jay, please, not here…"

But Jay was resolute.

"No, Erin. We're doing this now. Right here."

Erin's eyes fell to the floor before she exclaimed.

"I just had to get away!" The words tumbled out of Erin, leaving a stunned silence.

The team was visibly shocked but also curious.

"Erin, You could've told us that," Kim chimed in softly.

Jay folded his arms, his voice laced with frustration.

"You could've reached out. A letter? A call? Instead, you just avoided all my attempts to contact you!"

Erin let out a sigh and gave a nod.

"I-"

She was cut off by Hailey.

"Jay, honey? We gotta head out!"

Erin's eyes widened. Honey?

"Just a sec, Hails," Jay said with a smile.

He turned back to Erin.

"I've gotta go, but we're not done talking," Jay insisted.

Erin nodded, forcing a smile.

"Go get 'em, babe!"

Jay paused at the stairs, and silence fell over the group.

"Uh, I-I will…"

Erin mentally scolded herself and let out a sigh.

Once Hailey and Jay had left, Adam approached Erin.

"Bad time to ask-"

"I'm not your barista, Ruzek!" Erin snapped.

Adam simply nodded and passed the mug to Kim.

Hailey and Jay walked back into the squad room, noticing Erin by the coffee machine.

"Hey, you good with this?"

Hailey shook her head no problem, and Jay offered a quick smile.

"You ready to finish our talk, Jay?" Erin asked.

Jay nodded and headed towards the break room.

The door swung shut behind them, and the rest of the unit eavesdropped.

Erin settled onto the sofa, cradling her hot coffee.

"Want to sit down?" she offered.

Jay leaned against the countertop.

"I'm good standing," he replied.

Erin nodded and began.

"I'm really sorry, Jay."

He let out a short laugh.

"Are you, though?"

She nodded earnestly and set her coffee aside.

"Honestly! I wouldn't have left if it wasn't necessary."

Jay nodded, his voice softening.

"I was planning to propose, y'know."

Erin's head snapped up. Propose?

"Seriously?"

He nodded again and took a seat beside her.

"Yeah, I had the ring and everything."

Erin exhaled deeply, her gaze falling.

"I had no idea…"

Jay let out a humorless chuckle and nodded.

"Yeah, well, you took off before I could even ask…"

Erin reached out to touch Jay's hand, but he pulled back.

"No, Erin."

She withdrew her hand to her lap.

"I want to make things right between us, if you'll let me," she said earnestly.

Jay looked at her, lost for words.

"I don't know, Erin. You left a pretty big scar…"

She nodded in understanding.

"I get it…"

But Jay cut her off.

"I didn't say it was over, though."

Erin's eyes welled up with tears.

"Really?"

He gave a gentle smile and nodded.

"We can't live in the past forever."

A smile broke through Erin's tears.

"Thank you. I was afraid I'd come back to nothing."

Jay chuckled and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"That's not how we roll in Intelligence."

They both laughed at the sentiment.

"That's so cliché," Erin teased.

Their laughter was a faint sound to the rest of the unit straining to listen in.

"What do you hear?" Adam inquired.

Kim, pressing her ear against the door with a glass, retorted playfully.

"Just your heavy sighs…"

Caught off guard by Jay opening the door, Kim stumbled and the glass broke.

"You okay down there, Burgess?"

From the floor, Kim responded with a quick nod.

"All good! Just dropped my earring."

Erin and Jay exited the break room amidst their laughter.

6 PM - ERIN'S PLACE

Erin was kicking back with a beer when she heard a knock.

She stood up, setting her beer on the counter, and opened the door to find Kelly.

"Kelly?"

He grinned.

"Heard you were back town!"

She nodded, returning the smile.

"Want to come in?"

He shook his head.

"Still on the clock."

Leaning on the doorframe, Kelly suggested,

"How about hitting up Molly's sometime? Me and Stella, you and Jay?"

She glanced down, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Shoot, I forgot. Sorry, Erin."

She waved it off.

"It's cool! He's with Hailey now. Jay and I are just friends."

Kelly looked skeptical.

"I'll see it when I believe it."

Erin gave a playful smirk.

"Really, Kelly, Jay and I are strictly platonic!"

He gave a knowing smile.

"Alright then. Have a great night!"

"You too!" she called after him as he walked away.

Erin closed the door, picked up her beer from the living room, and headed upstairs.