Stars around Scars *editing*

Chapter Eleven

Jay POV

I lean back and watch as Erin's eyes grow glassy, and threaten to spill over. Her eyes close as a couple of tears flow down her face. I gently reach out my hands to wipe them away with my thumbs. It's still hard to believe she is here. I can feel her hurt as I leave my hands lingering.

Her breath catches before she speaks up. "You have no idea how much I've needed this".

I know she will tell me when she is ready. However, my heart grows heavy with the unknown. "I think I do, I have needed it just as bad".

She takes a deep breath, "I know... God, we are emotional. Enough with the pity party, tell me what I missed".

I chuckle a little bit at her ability to flip our moods instantly. "What do you want to hear?"

"Well that was a dumb question".

"Alright, Taylor Swift takes priority as usual. Good thing I just updated myself on everything. Cause there is a lot of good and bad". I smile as her jaw drops open a little bit at that.

"What do you mean, a lot of good and bad?"

I take a deep breath, praying she doesn't shoot the messenger. "Well, as you know, she dropped midnights last week. Before you hit the roof, I didn't listen without you. And I turned off the radio whenever it came on. The Eras tour also started".

"That is what we will be doing the first day I get home, keep going. At Least, I know all the track titles already".

God please help me. I draw in another careful breath before dropping the bomb on her. "When I say this, please don't shoot the messenger".

"Oh dear god". Erin brings her hand up to her face and pinches the bridge of her nose.

I attempt to tread lightly and brace for impact."Taylor and Joe broke up because he cheated on her". I cringe as I watch her face drop. She did not see this coming at all.

"Jay, are you fucking with me right now? It is not the time to do that".

"No, it's actually been about a week".

Erin POV

I cannot believe this. How can this British asshole think that way? "How long has he been cheating". I watch him cringe again before he carefully answers.

"About two years I think".

"What the fuck. I guess I am deep diving later". Jay laughs at me while shaking his head. "What about the other things?"

Jay is silent for a bit before he can find an answer. I can tell he has been drowning the entire time I've been gone. I know the stuff he told me he just googled, which is fine. But it hurts to know he was hurting as bad as he was.

"Uh... Kim and Adam aren't complicated anymore!"

"Thank god, it has been so long. How about Owen, how has my nephew been doing". He hesitates, like he was going to say something completely different and catches himself.

"He is really excited about turning seven in a couple of weeks".

Jay knows I can see right through that, I am sure it's the truth. But I know what he is hiding. "Who told him?"

His eyes are brought back up to mine, he looks so numb.

"He asked me where Auntie Erin was. I told him you went away for a little bit".

I squeeze his hands as one of his tears slips out. "I love you". He squeezes my hands back with eye contact.

"I love you more".

We sit there in silence for a little while before his phone rings.

Jay POV

I remove one of my hands as I grab my phone from my pocket. "Who is it?"

"It's Voight" I swipe and bring the phone up to my ear.

H: Are you with Erin right now?

J: Yes, why? What happened?

H: The orphanage was a miss but we found a fit bit under his name, and we tracked it...

J: Where is he?

H: The hospital.

My eyes grow wide as my blood runs cold. I don't look at her, but I know Erin sees the change in my demeanor. I get up and rush to the door. I quickly shut the door and closed the curtains. As I walk back over to Erin I prompt her to be quiet.

H: He sent us a message at the orphanage saying "you two should have kept her close".

J: He meant the two of us?

H: Yeah, he doesn't know you are with her. We are coming now, keep her safe.

I bring the phone away from my ear and hang up. While Erin looks at me like I have five heads.

Erin POV

What the hell was that? I haven't seen Jay act like that in years. Why is he telling me I need to be quiet?

Jay sees the look of concern in my eyes and quietly explains himself.

"He is here".

"Are you kidding me? Right now?" My breathing and heart rate picks up a little bit knowing there is a chance he gets outnumbered because I can't do anything. I cannot really handle being out of control right now.

Jay brings a comforting hand up to my shoulder.

"It's okay, he doesn't know I am with you. The team is on their way".

I know he thinks he is bringing me comfort by saying that. But he doesn't know what that man is capable of now. "What are we gonna do?"

"I will protect you, we are going to be okay".

The room slows into a sickening silence until the door creaks open. Jay jumps to his feet, drawing his gun. We watch as Sam walks in wearing a nurse's uniform. He acts completely nonchalant as he closes the door and takes a step forward. Jay takes a few quick strides meeting him at the door. He makes sure he keeps his distance from me and is no real threat from that distance. With the sudden movement Sam's hands fly up in surrender.

"Woah, woah, woah. Jay, there is no need to be hostile. All I need from you is to move out of the way".

"Did you really think I would move that easily?" Jay responds flatly. "You are under arrest for the abduction and attempted murder of a Chicago police officer".

Sam makes no attempt at moving while Jay cuffs him. But that unfortunately does not keep him from waving his right to stay silent.

"I guess you were the one to save her... Like I said Erin, special bond, and that bitch bunny... She led me right to you." Sam speaks to us through gritted teeth.

Somehow, Jay keeps his cool while handing him off to security to watch him.