Chapter Text
The doorbell rang as Erin was about to put pasta in boiling water.
After that dangerous situation at the case house today and then Voights lecture and her punishment with desk duty she was in no mood to have any company. She ignored the ringing and kept her attention to the water but when it ring again and again and then again she cursed, shut down the stove and went for the door.
„Yes, who is it?”, she asked, her voice clearly annoyed.
„It's me, Lindsay, open up already.” said Jay through the intercom. Erin rolled her eyes.
„Halstead what do you want? Haven't you annoyed me enough today? Leave me alone.” she said. She heard a muffled curse.
„For gods sake Erin let me in.” he answered.
She hesitated for a second, then she pressed the button to open the front door, opened her apartment door and leaned on the frame. She heard him come up the stairs and looked at him with one eyebrows arched.
„What do you want Jay?“, she said, her voice still annoyed. Jay looked at her and held up a six pack of beer.
„I'm here to apologise okay?” he said. She just looked at him, still leaning in the door frame, not moving an inch. He looked back at her with equal force in is eyes.
„Can I come in?“, he finally said.
Instead of answering Erin opened the door a little wider and moved aside. Jay followed her inside, closed the door, put the sixpack down and got rid of his jacket and shoes. Erin walked back into her kitchen, turning the stove back on.
Jay picked up the beer then followed her slowly. She was with her back towards him, so he sat down at her counter and watched her. When she didn't turn or said anything for another few minutes he coughed slightly. She still didn't turn around. He sighed.
„Erin look, I'm sorry for today, okay? I didn't mean to jump at you that hard.” She slowly turned around, arms crossed over her chest and looked at him with a stern look.
„I was a jerk for yelling at you. Sorry.” He continued.
„Yeah you were a straight ass.”, she said finally. He opened his mouth to protest but shut it when he saw the twitch of her mouth, her eyes full of anger. She stayed silent for a moment, and when he was about to say something she shook her head.
„I know I shouldn't have gone in alone, I'm not dumb.” He just looked at her.
„But, these kids, I mean, I had to do something. He would have killed them all, without a thought. I couldn't just let that happen.”
He nodded but kept silent, eyes fixated on her.
„I know it was luck he didn't shoot straight away but it was on instinct. I only thought of the kids. I'm sorry, I should have heard to what you said. First rule, right..” her voice broke a little and she turned her look away from him, towards the floor. He swallowed before he answered.
„You saved them, even though at a risk. They would have been dead. I was just.. worried.” Her eyes locked with his again.
„I was really scared for you Erin. That guy had already killed twelve people, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill others. To kill you...” he said and she nodded.
His eyes searched the room like he was struggling with the words to come out.
When he looked at her again he could see was teary-eyed. He got up from his seat and crossed the distance towards her.
She bit her lip to hold back the tears.
„Hey, it's okay.“, he said quietly and grabbed her hand. She looked at him.
„They reminded me of Teddy. I just.. I moved without thinking.“
„I know.“
„I was just scared that he would.. I just couldn't let that happen.“
„Yeah, I know. You did the right thing. I'm sorry.“
She nodded and wiped at her tears. All anger gone by now she looked back up at him again and saw the concern in his eyes.
„Just, don't go in without me next time, okay? I've got your back, remember? Trust without doubt.“
She nodded again and gave him a little smile.
She suddenly jumped when she felt something hot from behind her, stumbled into him and turned towards the stove. The water was over boiling, pasta and water streaming everywhere.
„Shit!“, she cursed, reaching for the switch. She hissed when the hot water touched her and retrieved her hand. Jay grabbed a towel and reached for the pot and the switch.
„Here let me..” he said and shoved her aside to help. They both looked down at the cooking disaster, then at each other and burst out laughing.
„Oh man, what an end to a day.“, she said, putting her face in her hands. Jay chuckled and put the wet towel aside.
„You in for Pizza?“, he said and she nodded. „Definitely!“, she answered.
They both had settled on her couch with the beer when the pizza arrived. Jay signed her to stay as he went for the door.
„My treat. You deserve it.“, he said and winked at her.
She smiled at him thankfully and focused back on the TV. When he got back with the boxes he handed her one and dropped back down next to her.
„Thanks.“, she said and smiled at him.
„No problem. And look, I'm sorry that Voight has you on desk duty. I really didn't mean that to happen.“ He offered her an apologetically smile.
„It's okay. You were both right. I can handle it.” Then she sheepishly grinned at him.
„So, how's Platt doing? Is she making you run around on her command?”
Jay gave her a pained look.
„You have no idea. She's like.. a drill officer. Seriously. She could easily command an army of soldiers around, they would obey without any resistance.” Erins eyebrows shot up and she chuckled.
„Yeah? Are you making coffee for her?“
„Yes. But not only for her, everyone that was on duty down there. I felt like a lunch lady!“
„Suits you. Do you get to wear an apron too?“, she joked and punched him lightly in the shoulder. He scoffed.
„Watch your mouth Lindsay.“ he said but grinned down at her.
They continued to watch the movie while eating and soon, both of them got tired and at the end of the movie they were both asleep, leaning on each other, curled up on the couch.
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>>Drop the gun! Drop it NOW!> The House is surrounded, you can't go anywhere. Now, drop the gun and let her go. NOW> Stop, or I'll shoot her!> Let her go. > Okay