Trigger Warning: Attempted Kidnap!

Chapter 11: Are we together?

Justin watched the doors intently from his table, sipping his beer. He tried to quell his worry, but it dissipated as Erin walked in alongside Kelly.

Justin rose with a warm smile, embracing Erin tightly. "Hey," he greeted softly.

"Work was fine," Erin replied after pulling away. "Tony and I are partners now."

"I thought Halstead was your partner?" Justin queried, puzzled.

Erin shrugged. "Not anymore. He has a new one. Apparently, your father decided a switch was in order." She took the beer Otis offered her.

"I guess it's not so bad. Maybe he'll put you back as partners soon," Justin said, rubbing her back. The brunette shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know." She sighed and looked at him. "But anyway, you wanted to talk. What about?"

Justin nodded and turned his chair to face Erin. "I want to talk about this morning," he said gently. "Which part?" Erin asked, setting her beer on the table.

"Both," Justin said, taking Erin's hand. "I want to clarify what we are, Erin, because I don't want to hurt you." He paused, taking a deep breath.

Erin listened to Justin speak and nodded. "You didn't hurt me," she said with a frown. "I know, but it felt like I did. I want to enjoy this without you worrying or thinking I'll hurt you," Justin said, brushing a strand of hair from Erin's face.

"But you didn't," Erin said, taking his hand. "You stopped when you thought you hurt me. I want us to be together, for real."

Justin nodded. "I do too, Erin. I mean it." He looked into her eyes. "But if we're going to do this, I need you to tell me if I'm doing something you don't like or it's scaring you."

Erin nodded. "That goes for you too. I don't want you to feel like this is a one-way street." She leaned in to kiss his cheek. "But what happens when you go back to the military?" she asked.

"We can date long distance," Justin said with a smile. "We can write and call, and I'll be here for the holidays." Erin nodded in agreement.

"Now that we have that out of the way, tell me about Jamie," Justin said. Erin frowned and nodded, unaware they were being watched.

( In a corner of Molly's)

Henley sat silently at the back of Molly's, observing the patrons as they entered and left. He waited patiently for his target, muttering to himself, "I know you'll show up eventually, Detective."

As the brunette sipped his beer, the doors opened again. A smirk spread across his face when Erin walked in with a companion. He shook his head, amused by her apparent happiness.

"Looks like things are going better for you," Henley remarked, watching as Erin approached a different man who embraced her. "Who's he?" he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Look at you, being a little slut." He observed her with the dark-haired man, recalling his previous arrest.

Henley listened intently to their conversation, a smirk on his face. "So, you allowed another man to have his way with you? I'm surprised he even wanted to lay his hands on you," he taunted softly. He watched the couple from the corner, his focus on finding an opportunity to speak to Erin alone.

"Atta girl, get up." Henley whispered, his lips parting as he watched Erin stand and head toward the bathroom. After waiting a few minutes, he got up and followed her once her boyfriend had turned to talk to someone else.

Henley pushed through the crowd after Erin, nearly colliding with the man she had entered with. "Sorry, buddy," Henley said with a forced smile.

"It's okay," Kelly replied, glancing at Henley. "This place is crowded, so you should watch where you're going." He eyed Henley suspiciously, having noticed his attention on Erin.

Henley chuckled. "Oh, yes, I apologize. I just thought I saw someone I knew, but I'll head this way." He turned and walked a few steps away before Kelly joined a group of firefighters and detectives from District 21.

Henley waited for a few minutes until the lieutenant was distracted and headed to the bathrooms where Erin had gone.