Shock The System(One Chicago/Law & Order SVU)

Back To Work

I walked into the 21st with two holders full of coffee and was met by yet another cup of coffee in my face. The cup led to Trudy.

Trudy: Welcome back, kid.

I adjusted my carriers and took the cup and smiled.

Lena: Thanks. It's nice to be back.

Trudy: You know the way. They're waiting for you.

I walked up the stairs and through the cage up to the intelligence unit. Ruzek was at the whiteboard. Antonio and Atwater were next to the file cabinet, talking. Al was in Dad's office with him with the door shut. And Jay was sitting at his desk with Erin. I sighed happily. Just another day inIntelligence. Jay stood up and went to the whiteboard, trying to wipe something off.

Jay: Ruzek, did you use permanent marker again!?

Lena: Hey, he's all brawn and very little brain. Cut him some slack.

Adam threw a paper ball at my head. I ducked and laughed as it hit Kevin in the face.

Atwater: Dawg, why you throwing shit in the office?

Hank: Ruzek, behave or I swap you out for Burgess today.

Adam sat down, pouting, as Jay and I laughed. I handed Jay a cup of coffee and started passing them around to everyone else. I set one in Dad's office. Then I heard the door shut.

Hank: You've barely spoken to me since Barba left. You've been staying at Erin's. Are you still mad?

Lena: You took him to the silos, Dad. Rafael hasn't called me since he left. You scared him off.

Hank: To be fair, he said I couldn't scare him away.

Lena: He obviously lied. I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed.

I left the office and went to my desk, organizing my files. Jay came over and smiled.

Jay: Pizza night. Me, you, and Erin. We'll go to her apartment and crash.

Lena: Sounds good.

Jay: And hey, I'm sorry about your lawyer. Erin told me he hasn't called since he went back to New York.

I threw a pen at Erin.

Lena: Snitch!

Erin: He asked. I answered. I think Jay has a crush on you.

She winked and went into the break room as Jay turned red.

Lena: Jay?

Jay: Okay, I might. But I'm not gonna act on it, obviously. You were just engaged 5 months ago. And in a relationship 2 weeks ago.

He smiled at me sweetly then kissed my cheek.

Jay: I'm not crazy. I'm gonna let you chill out before I try to take you out.

Lena: Jay, I don't....

And then my phone rang. Jay looked at the name. Rafael. And he sighed.

Jay: Swing and a miss.

I got up with my phone and went down to the cage as I answered it.

Lena: What the fuck do you want, Barba?

Barba: Back to last name basis. I deserve that. I'm sorry I didn't call.

Lena: Thanks for apologizing. Goodbye.

Barba: Lena, don't! Don't act like this. Let me explain.

Lena: Then go ahead. Explain.

Barba: Your father freaked me out. He told me he wasn't going to kill me that day. Meaning he would. That kinda scared me. So I backed off and thought about us and if it's worth risking my life just for a girl.

I scoffed. I'll admit, that hurt. "Just for a girl".

Lena: Then I'll make the decision easy for you. Never call me again, Barba.

I hung up and sat down on the bench in the cage, crying. I saw Dad in the doorway.

Hank: Wanna talk about it, kid?

I shook my head "yes".

Hank: Talk, baby. Tell me what's up.

He sat down next to me and put an arm around me.

Lena: Your protective father routine scared him away. He said he "thought about us and if it's worth risking his life just for a girl".

Hank: He's not good enough for you in that case. Lena, if he can't handle a protective father, then he can go to hell. Now go clean up this pretty face and let's get back to work.

Dad wiped my eyes and kissed my forehead, making me laugh. He went back up to the unit and I saw Erin coming down.

Erin: You good? Jay looked upset.

Lena: I'm fine. I promise. It's all good. I'll handle Jay.

Erin: I didn't know he actually had a thing for you.

Lena: It's cool. You're seeing Kelly, right?

Erin: He's something special, Lena. Kelly is amazing. Thanks for pushing him to make a move. Now I'm going to do the same for you. Go talk to Jay.

Lena: Just want my sister to be happy.

We walked back up and I explained the Barba issue on our way. I went back to my desk and watched Erin talk to Jay. He smiled at me when I looked at him. Jay kept smiling at me all day when he was in the unit as I put together files for the cases and answered calls for Dad. Five o'clock rolled around. Erin called me.

Erin: Hey. Go ahead to my place and get the pizzas on your way. We'll be late. Still working a part of the case.

Lena: Alright. I gotcha. See you guys later.

She hung up and I clocked out, walked downstairs and out to my car. I got three pizzas from the pizza place near Erin's and let myself in. I put the pizzas in the kitchen and pulled out my spare clothes from Erin's dresser.

Jay: Lena!? You here?!

I went into the living room. Jay was alone.

Lena: Where's Erin?

Jay: With Kelly. Didn't she tell you?

Lena: She told me you two would be late because you were working the case.

I scoffed.

Lena: I see what she's doing. She's trying to set us up.

Jay: Would that be the worst thing?

Jay moved closer to me, smiling.

Jay: I mean, we know each other extremely well. We get along. Your dad knows me.

Lena: Jay. I literally just officially ended a relationship.

Jay: It wasn't a good one though. He was a dick.

Lena: Jay...

He leaned down, kissing me softly. His hands held my waist tightly, pulling me closer.

Jay: Let's go to my place. It's weird being at Erin's.

Jay grabbed the pizzas and my hand and we left Erin's. What the hell am I doing? I feel like a slut but this feels so great.

Erin Lindsay Point of View

Kelly and I were sitting in his car as we watched Lena and Jay leave my apartment building.

Kelly: Matt is going to murder you.

Erin: Jay and Lena deserve this. Let it roll. Matt had his chance. He fucked up.

Kelly followed Jay's car to his apartment. Lena and Jay held hands going into his building. I smiled. They deserve to be happy. But I know they'll kill me later.