Chapter 3
Busy streets and busy lives.
"Hey Jay, we have to leave in about 45 minutes," Antonio's voice called from downstairs as Jay was just about to open his laptop. "Alright, I'll make sure to come down in time," Jay answered, raising his voice to be heard. He glanced at the screen, where the video chat notification for his therapy session urged him to enter.
Taking a deep breath, Jay clicked on the link and entered the virtual session. The familiar face of his therapist, Dr. Rodriguez, appeared on the screen, her warm smile offering a sense of comfort amidst his turbulent thoughts.
"Hello, Jay. It's good to see you," Dr. Rodriguez greeted him, her voice soft and soothing.
Jay returned the greeting with a small smile, his gaze meeting hers through the webcam. "Hey, Dr. Rodriguez. Thanks for fitting me in today."
"Of course, Jay. How have things been since our last session?" Dr. Rodriguez inquired, her expression gentle yet probing.
Jay hesitated for a moment, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his mind. "It's been… complicated," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Dr. Rodriguez nodded understandingly, her eyes encouraging him to continue. "Complicated in what way?"
"It's Erin," Jay confessed, the name weighing heavily on his tongue. "I don't know if you remember…my old work partner and…" He took a small pause, letting his thoughts sink in. "…and my ex-girlfriend."
Dr. Rodriguez's expression softened with recognition. "Yes, I remember you mentioning her before. Can you tell me more about what's been going on with Erin?"
Jay sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he gathered his thoughts. "She's back, out of the blue. We're working a case together now, undercover. It's brought up a lot of old memories and feelings I thought I had moved past."
"How does her return affect you, both personally and professionally?" Dr. Rodriguez asked, her tone gentle but firm.
"Professionally, I'm trying to stay focused on the job, but it's hard. Seeing her every day, remembering how we used to work together… it's messing with my head," Jay admitted. "And personally, it's even tougher. I never really got closure. One day we were partners, the next she was gone."
Dr. Rodriguez nodded, allowing Jay to process his emotions. "It sounds like her return has reopened some old wounds. How are you handling those feelings now?"
"I'm not sure," Jay confessed, his voice tinged with frustration. "I care about her deeply, but I don't know where we stand now. It's like… a flood of memories and emotions rushing back."
"It's understandable to feel overwhelmed," Dr. Rodriguez said kindly. "Have you talked to Erin about any of this?"
Jay shook his head. "I..we kinda tried but.. we shut each other off before saying things we both could regret,i think. And plus we're in the middle of a high-stakes case, it couldn't be more complicated."
Dr. Rodriguez leaned in slightly, her gaze steady and reassuring. "I get that there's a lot of unresolved things going on, but I think you have to be completely honest with yourself and your heart.Sometimes, clarity comes from confronting the things we're most afraid of. Avoiding them will only prolong the uncertainty and pain."
Jay took in her words, feeling a sense of resolve begin to form. "You're right. I need to figure this out, not just for the case but for myself."
"Exactly," Dr. Rodriguez affirmed. "Remember, Jay, it's okay to be vulnerable. It's a strength, not a weakness. Take the time you need to understand your feelings and be open with Erin. It might be difficult, but it's the only way to truly move forward."
"Thanks, Dr. Rodriguez," Jay said sincerely, a sense of gratitude washing over him. "I appreciate your support."
"I take that you've to go," Dr. Rodriguez replied with a reassuring smile."I think we can arrange a session soon, hoping you'll be less trapped by this case, and began to talk it out more."
Jay nodded. "Yeah, duty calls. But we can schedule soon, I think it really might help."
Dr. Rodriguez nodded, her smile reassuring. "Absolutely, Jay. We'll find a time that works. Take care of yourself, and remember, you're not alone in this."
"Thanks, Dr. Rodriguez," Jay said, feeling a small but significant weight lift off his shoulders. "I'll talk to you soon."
As the session ended, Jay closed his laptop and took a moment to gather his thoughts. The conversation with Dr. Rodriguez had brought a measure of clarity, but he knew the real challenge lay ahead. He took a deep breath and headed downstairs, where Antonio was waiting for him.
Antonio glanced up from his phone as Jay entered the room. "Ready to roll?" he asked.
Jay nodded. "Yeah, let's get to it."
They left the safe house and drove in silence for a while, each man lost in his own thoughts. Jay stared out the window, the cityscape blurring past, his mind returning to Erin and the tangled web of emotions her return had stirred up.
"So, how's the headspace?" Antonio broke the silence, his tone casual but concerned.
Jay shrugged. "Getting there. Trying to sort through some things."
"Good," Antonio said, nodding. "It's important to keep your head clear, especially with what we're dealing with."
Jay glanced at Antonio, appreciating the older man's quiet support. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, man."
"No problem," Antonio replied, his focus on the road ahead. "We're a team; we look out for each other."
The old garage where the unit set up the meeting was kinda far from Jay and Antonio undercover house and it was,literally, in the middle of nowhere, kinda normal cause this meetings were literally top secret.
"Good, we are almost on complete." Voight grunted, and it that moment Erin stepped in, quietly, almost like she was nervous or scared of what once was her not just her work unit, but her family.
"Hey guys." She muttered as she stepped in, a careful look pointed at Hank's figure, and a tight smile for everyone else in the room. Ruzek and Atwater widened their eyes, looking at Jay questioningly, but his response was just a shrug of his shoulders.
Kim was the first one to acknowledge Erin's presence, enfolding her in a hug. "That's so great! How come are you here?" she questioned excitedly, as Olinksy just turned around smiling at Erin's figure. "Look who's here," he grinned side-hugging the girl, while Hank reported everyone back on track, well except for Hailey, who was just carefully eyeing the situation.
"So..Erin is in the same situation as us, working undercover for FBI, am i right?"Hank demand was followed by the nods of Jay and Antonio and to the disbelief of the others.
"Yes,the Andrews brothers worked qlso almost two years ago in New York," Erin confirmed. "Two missing girls,kinda the same path yet we had nothing much, they disappeared, probably cause they heard we were keeping an eye on them."
"Do you have something more than what we do?" Upton asked, her voice still and quivering.
"Not much,but I think I made a good bond with them, with Kyle especially, i think we can successfully move this around" Erin stated, as she handed Hank her various statements of the operation.
"So your unit in New York thinks these missing persons are all related to human trafficking?" Atwater asked as he was eyeing the files.
Erin nodded, "We followed a lead that lead to a family member in North America, but they are good at hiding, my unit back then is keeping tracks, they sent me those." Erin pointed at the files.
"The point is, they make the dancers trust them, they are good investments, and they trick them into this traffic circle", Erin explained. "The last two were only 22 years old." She said with disgust.
As the conversation continued, tension simmered beneath the surface. Each revelation added another layer to the complexity of their mission.
Voight leaned forward, his expression grave. "We need to act fast. Lives are at stake here."
Nods of agreement rippled through the group as they absorbed the gravity of the situation. Hailey's gaze hardened, a steely determination in her eyes.
"We can't let these scumbags get away with this," Ruzek declared, his fists clenched in anger.
Antonio glanced at Jay, a silent understanding passing between them. They were in this together, no matter what.
"I think I can make them trust Jay and Antonio, six eyes are better than two. It's gonna be easier to have something if we're going to closely work for them."
As Erin laid out her plan, Voight leaned back, considering the risks and rewards. After a moment, he nodded, his expression serious. "Alright, I think this is our best shot. Jay, Antonio, are you both in?"
Jay exchanged a glance with Antonio, a silent communication passing between them before they both nodded in unison. "We're all in, Sarge," Jay affirmed, his voice steady.
Upton's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of concern in her expression. "I'm not sure about this, Hank. Putting them so close directly in harm's way..."
Voight eyed the blonde detective, "I understand your concerns, Hailey. But this is how it often goes, we have to take risks to get results", he explained.
Even in an old garage Olinsky can camouflage this good,Halstead thought when the older detectives voice made him jump, "Plus,Lindsay works well with Dawson and Halstead, i think we can trust this trio."Olinsky obliged, exiting from his hisden desk.
Erin's eyes met Jay's, his gaze froze on her figure, as if he was trying to read her soul. She felt a shiver down her spine even in this situation. And Jay was still stunned by the woman in front of him—she was so much like the Erin he loved, yet so different. He couldn't phantom how they had ended up this way, not talking for months and now working together. Somehow, Jay wasn't worried about that, because if there was something he was sure about, it was the fact that he would always trust Erin Lindsay, especially when it came to the job.
"Hey Jay, can I have a word?" Hailey asked, her hand leaning over his elbow to lead him into the corner of the big garage.
"Sure,What's up?" Jay followed her,as they stepped a bunch away from the other ones.
As Erin glanced at Jay and Hailey, a surge of conflicting emotions washed over her. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain as memories of their old partnership flooded back to her mind—the late nights, the shared laughter, the unspoken bond that had once connected them.
Watching them now, engrossed in conversation, Erin couldn't deny the pang of jealousy that prickled at her heart. It was foolish, she knew, to hold onto something that no longer belonged to her. But still, the ache remained, a constant reminder of what she had lost.
With a heavy sigh, Erin turned away, her gaze fixed on the floor as she tried to push aside the thoughts that threatened to consume her. She had a job to do, a mission to fulfill, and she couldn't afford to let personal feelings get in the way.
In a moment Kim gathered around Erin, their voice hushed as the two discussed her unexpected help to the unit. "Erin, we're glad to have you back," Kim said, a warm smile on her face. "But are you sure about this? Going undercover again, especially after what happened last time..." she whispered at her friend, knowing better than all of the people in the unit what happened back in New York.
Erin met their gaze with determination. "I'm sure, Kim," she said. "This work is my focus now, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring these traffickers to justice."
Ruzek, who just started to follow their conversation, nodded in agreement. "We've got your back, Erin. Just like old times."
"Thanks guys,I appreciated this,really." She said smiling, adjusting in her over sized tartan jacket in discomfort as Jay and Hailey walked back to them.
She kinda felt relieved when Hank's hand leaned on her shoulder,stepping in with the intention of talking to her. Voight had been more than just a mentor or a colleague to Erin—he had been a father figure, someone who had taken her under his wing and protected her when she had nowhere else to turn.
"Kiddo, it's been too long," Voight greeted warmly, his eyes reflecting the affection he held for her.
Erin smiled, a mixture of relief and apprehension flickering across her features. "It's good to see you too, Hank. I've missed this," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of longing.
Voight's concern for Erin's well-being wasn't just professional; it was deeply personal. He had watched her grow from a troubled teenager into a capable and determined detective, and he would do anything to keep her safe.
"Erin," Voight said softly, his voice filled with a fatherly warmth. "You know I care about you. You're like family to me. But I also know your history with this city, and I don't want to see you get too attached again. You're heading back to New York once this is over, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Erin's response was measured, her tone reflecting a blend of gratitude and determination. "I appreciate your concern, Hank. And I understand where you're coming from. Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart, but I know my duty lies elsewhere," she assured him, her gaze meeting his with unwavering resolve.
Voight nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "Good. Just remember, Erin, you're a damn good detective. You've got a bright future ahead of you, no matter where you go," he affirmed, his voice tinged with pride.
Erin smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across her features. "Thank you, Hank. That means a lot coming from you," she replied, her voice soft yet sincere.
Their conversation led to an hug that sincerely, Erin didn't expect at all, not from him, but she hasn't seen him since the last time he visited,which was almost five months after she moved in New York. Voight couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for the remarkable woman Erin had become, and Erin felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the man who had saved her life and welcomed her into his family all those years ago.
As the meeting concluded, Voight laid out the plan. "Alright, team. Let's focus on gathering as much intel as we can this week. Jay and Antonio, stick close to Erin. We need to gain their trust and get a handle on their operations."
The team nodded in agreement, understanding the task ahead.
Voight continued, "We'll search every close corner out of the Roger's brother's lives, we'll reconvene here in a week to regroup and strategize our next moves. Until then, eyes open."
Everyone started to filter out of the garage, while the others started walking. Jay got closer to Erin and told her to join him in a quiet corner since they had to wait a little bit to go out so as not to be too suspicious.
"Hey, Erin," Jay said casually, his tone belying the concern in his eyes. "Got a second?"
Erin raised an eyebrow, curious, "couldn't stay away?". The brunette girl asked playfully, as Antonio was giving them some space, taking the new files into their car.
Jay chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Don't hype yourself up Lindsay," he replied with a smirk. Then his eyes shifted into a less playful tone, hinting a serious glance,"But seriously, I just wanted to check in. After what last night with Kyle, I just wanted to make sure you're holding up okay."
Erin's playful demeanor softened, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thanks, Jay. Everything's alright," she reassured him, her eyes meeting his with gratitude.
Jay nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "Good to hear," he said, his tone sincere.
Antonio, who had been observing from a distance, couldn't help but interject with a hint of sarcasm. "Ah, look at you, Halstead, already playing the protective partner role."
Jay rolled his eyes, a playful smirk on his face. "Hey, I mean, I knew my role back then; I know it now, right?"
Erin laughed heartily at how cocky Jay still was, despite everything. And Jay, for a moment, thought he was in heaven because hearing the laugh of Erin Lindsay for the first time again in years was like a fucking melody.
Erin's laugh turned into a cute smile, "Thanks, Jay. But I can handle myself, you know."
"Of course you can," Jay replied, his tone lighthearted. "But it doesn't hurt to have a backup, right?"
Antonio smirked, shaking his head. "Oh, look at you two, all buddy-buddy again," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's like old times."
Jay shot Antonio a playful glare, but there was a warmth in his eyes that belied any pretense of annoyance.
Erin rolled her eyes, a fond smile playing at her lips. "You two are insufferable," she teased, but there was a hint of affection in her voice.
Erin prepared to leave in her own car, and hike Jay and Antonio exchanged a knowing glance. They understood the necessity of maintaining appearances and minimizing suspicion. With a subtle nod, they bid Erin farewell, their expressions masking the underlying concern they felt for her safety.
"Take care," Jay called out, his voice tinged with genuine concern.
"Yeah, be careful out there," Antonio added, echoing Jay's sentiment.
Erin offered them a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting a quiet determination. "Don't worry about me, boys. I'll see you soon," she replied, her tone steady despite the uncertainty that lay ahead.
With a wave, Erin climbed into her car and drove off into the night, leaving Jay and Antonio to continue their surveillance with renewed focus. As they watched her taillights disappear into the distance, a sense of unease settled over them both. But they knew that in the dangerous game they were playing, there was no room for hesitation or doubt.
"Do you think she's going to work at the club tonight?" Jay asked, his voice laced with hint of worry.
Antonio shrugged, his expression mirroring Jay's uncertainty. "Hard to say. She didn't mention anything about it during the meeting," he replied, his tone thoughtful.
Jay nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "We should keep an eye on the club, just in case," he suggested, his voice firm.
Antonio agreed with a nod. "Yeah, better safe than sorry," he replied, his gaze scanning the darkened streets for any sign of Erin's car.
"Let's go man, guess we'll have a long night ahead of us." Antonio said patting Jay's shoulder, as they both leaned towards their worn out car.