A Linstead Life

Merry Linstead part 2

Erin's POV
As I heard someone's knuckles gently brush against my door I considered not answering, I waited a few moments and then once again I heard the knocking but this time it was followed by the familiar and some what comforting voice of my partner. Jay Halstead. "Erin. It's me, open the door". I almost jumped off of the sofa and started briskly walking towards the door, despite the fact that I didn't want company tonight I couldn't stop my legs from carrying me to the door. As I approached the door I stopped for a couple of seconds and I thought about quickly turning away and not answering, but before I could think about what I was doing my hand instinctively reached down, tugged at the door handle and opened the door.

Jay's POV
The door to her apartment slowly opened and there she stood. Erin Lindsay. She was dressed in black sweats and a baggy, oversized t-shirt. Her hair was in a messy bun and her make up had been removed. She looks beautiful, I thought to myself, with a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Hey" The sound of her raspy voice pulled me out of my thoughts and my eyes immediately connected with hers. "Hi" I replied with an almost inaudible whisper, but loud enough for her to hear. She smiled back at me with a tired expression, yet her eyes seemed to dance with excitement, she moved over to the side of the door signalling for me to come in. As I entered her apartment I noticed the almost empty tub of ice cream on her table and the end of Divergent playing on her TV, I laughed to myself or so I thought, I realised that Erin had heard me when she slapped me on the arm "It has been a long week, leave me alone Halstead" she stated with a playful tone in her voice, she swiftly brushed past me and sat back down on her couch. "I know it's been a long week, but surely you have other movies you can watch?" I said laughing as I sat down next to her. Her head snapped round and she glared at me with a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, "Shut up Halstead." she said before turning her head back to face her TV screen. I smiled to myself and then got up and head into her kitchen, before long I came walking back out with a bottle of beer in each hand. I placed Erin's beer on the table for her and once again sat down next to her. I desperately wanted to talk to her, to see how she was feeling, if she was okay, but I decided to wait until the movie was over, so I sat there in silence and watched the end of the movie with her.

Erin's POV
I sat there on the couch sipping on my beer watching the end of the movie, until I couldn't take any longer so I paused the movie and turned to face him " Halstead you have been staring at me for the last 20 minutes, what's on your mind?" I questioned whilst simultaneously placing my beer down on the table.

Jay's POV
I was unaware that I had been staring at her for so long, but in a way I'm glad she finally broke the silence as now was my chance to check on her and make sure she is okay. "I'm worried about you Erin. I know how tough this week has been on the whole unit but especially you. I know how cases like this effect you and I just wanted to make sure you are okay." I replied honestly. Before I had even finished she had started answering me, "I'm fine Halstead". I knew I had to tread carefully as she was starting to put her walls up and I so desperately wanted to stop her but I had to be careful because one wrong move and I would thrown out her apartment. "Erin quite with the last name crap, we are not in the precinct, it's just me and you let me in, talk to me." I pleaded with her and she sighed slightly, I was getting through to her.

Erin's POV
I knew that Jay wasn't going to give in and that it would be easier on the both of us I just spoke to him. "Jay, I...I don't know what to say, yes I hate these cases and it has been an extremely long week, but the worst part is knowing that despite the fact that we caught this guy there are still others out there doing the same if not worse to these innocent, defenceless children." I explained whilst tears started to build up in the corner of my eyes. I could feel myself starting to get upset and I needed to release all the pressure that had been gathering momentum all week, but I didn't want to cry and especially not informs of Jay, but I was too late as I felt a single tear running down my cheek which was then shortly followed be others. I quickly stood up and went to head towards my bathroom, but Jay gently reached out and grabbed my, applying just enough pressure to stop me from moving but not too much that he was hurting me. As he steadily rose off of the couch he pulled me into a tight hug and softly stroked up and down my back, "Erin it's okay to cry, everybody cries, but please don't try to hide it from me. I just want to help you." He said whilst tracing circle patterns on my back. I nodded and then buried my face in the crook of his neck. After a couple of comfortable minutes I had stopped crying and I gently removed my head from Jay's neck, I looked up at him, "Would you stay with me tonight, for company?" I questioned, it felt strange as one earlier on I didn't want company but now that he is here I don't want him to go and two he is my partner, will he find this awkward or weird. What am I doing I thought to myself, it's Jay of course he won't mind. "Sure." he replied with a smile on his face. He loosened his hold on me and we went back to sit on my couch, I sat next to him, leaning against him ever so slightly until he moved his arm allowing me to lean right into his side. After a while I could feel Jay's breathing slow and I looked up and saw he was sleeping and after a couple of minutes later I joined him .