21. You Put Your Arms Around Me And I'm Home

Thanks for the reviews guys! Hope you like this chapter...There's a little time jump. Nothing too big though.

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2 Months Later

The last eight weeks had been pretty uneventful for everyone. Erin's therapy had went from three days to two days a week. Erin for one was beyond happy about that. She did have to admit that the joint sessions with Jay did help her. He'd found out more about her in the last two months then anybody had ever known about her...even things that Hank Voight didn't know.

Erin still had her bad days, but they were coming farther apart than they used to and she was finally learning to lean on her friends in the precinct. Which is what's led to the latest adventure for District 21.

A team building workshop in Michigan on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel.

The whole weekend retreat was Voight's idea. He'd gotten the suggestion from Platt who had heard about the retreat from her boyfriend "Mouch". Who'd told her all about the fire and rescue's team building retreat.

So here they all were. District 21 waiting to board a Greyhound bus for the 412 mile journey to Mackinac Island.

"Can somebody explain why this was a good idea?" Adam Ruzek asked as he took a drink of his coffee. "I mean it sounded fun last night when we were all having our meeting about this damn trip, but now...here in the darkness of 4:30 am, I have to question Voight's sanity...and mine"

"Aw, poor baby. You tired?" Kim asked as she wrapped an arm around her boyfriend and smiled up at Ruzek.

"You shouldn't have kept me up so late" Ruzek raised his eyebrows at Burgess who shook her head and turned her face away as Adam leaned down to kiss her.

"Please, I'm trying to digest my sausage biscuit" Atwater said from behind Kim and Adam.

"Kevin? So good to see you" Ruzek rolled his eyes at Atwater who bumped Kim's shoulder playfully as he walked past his old partner.

"Be nice" Burgess said slapping Ruzek's shoulder.

"You should know that I'm not a morning person" Ruzek yawned and pulled Kim closer to him.

"Here come Jay and Erin" Burgess said as Jay's car pulled up to the bus depot.

"It's about time" Ruzek said looking at his watch. "I mean it's 4:38"

Kim rolled her eyes as she watched Jay and Erin get out of the car as Ruzek went to help load bags into the luggage holder under the bus.

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"Do you think you have enough in that duffel bag, Halstead?" Erin asked as she watched her boyfriend struggle with pulling the extremely overstuffed duffel bag out of the trunk of his car.

"You should be proud of me. I like to think of this as smart packing. I don't need to bring two bags like you" Jay said as he finally got his bag unstuck from the small trunk of his car.

"Your clothes are going to be wrinkled" Erin said matter of factly as she grabbed her smaller bag out of the trunk.

"They won't. I know how to pack a bag. I was an Army Ranger. remember?" Jay shut the trunk as Erin grabbed her last duffel bag from the trunk and he pressed the button to lock his car and took Erin's hand as they walked to the bus.

"I don't know about you but I fully plan on taking a nap on the way to the hotel" Erin said covering her mouth as she yawned.

"Aw, did I wear my girl out last night?" Jay asked smiling and bumping his shoulder against hers.

"Shut up" Erin shook her head as she waved at Kim who was standing beside the bus talking to Platt.

Jay stopped short of the bus and pulled Erin to him by their joined hands. He smiled down at her before leaning down to whisper in her ear "See, last night. When I asked you to "Tell Me What You Want" I didn't mean it as an invitation for you to be so mean"

Erin closed her eyes as she felt Jay's hot breath on her ear and neck. She felt her cheeks turn red as she thought about their escapades last night. Clearly, the biggest reason that they were the last ones to arrive for the trip "I know you weren't asking for that. I just throw it in for free. But...if you play your cards right, then maybe you can tell me what you want this weekend"

Jay pulled his head back and looked down at Erin who had an eyebrow raised and was biting her lip playfully. Jay cleared his throat before speaking. "You're bluffing"

"Am I?" Erin asked as she let go of Jay's hand and slid her fingers up his arm to his shoulder.

Jay's eyes closed as Erin's hand continued it's journey up and over his shoulder and down his chest. "Er..."

"Yes?" Erin asked

"You're not playing fair" Jay swallowed hard as he felt Erin's hand sliding down his abs and stomach. He heard her laugh softly as her hand slowed at his stomach and then ever so slowly started it's descent south.

As soon as Jay felt Erin's fingers against his belt he reached down and grabbed her hand. "You're dead"

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it before intertwining their fingers.

"It's going to be a fun weekend, right?" Erin asked as she looked at the Greyhound bus.

"I hope it's one we won't forget" Jay said looking down at her.

Erin turned her head and looked at Jay who was staring intently at her. "Don't get weird on me now, Jay"

Jay felt Erin let go of his hand and walk the short distance over to the bus. He took a breath and exhaled before following her to the bus to put his bag away.

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"Why am I the only one on this bus?" Hank Voight asked as he stepped off the Greyhound bus and looked at his team. "What part of we leave at 4:45 do you guys not understand? In case you all don't know, the bus moves...NOT the station. Let's get moving"

"Not really sure why we agreed to this" Olinsky finished loading the last of the bags as he stepped back so the compartment doors could be shut.

"At least we're getting paid for this" Antonio Dawson shrugged his shoulders as he quickly threw a stray bag into the luggage compartment.

"Wait...you guys are getting paid?" Ruzek asked looking between Alvin and Antonio. "I'm not getting paid. Why am I not getting paid?"

"There are some perks to senirority my friend" Olinsky said patting Ruzek's shoulder before turning to get on the bus.

"Perks to ass kissing, too" Adam mumbled.

"What was that?" Alvin asked turning around.

"I said perfect bus system" Ruzek quickly said "I've always admired the Greyhound company...Damn fine bus system...Damn fine"

Ruzek quickly walked past Alvin and boarded the bus.

"Remind me why we keep him around?" Olinsky asked looking at Dawson.

"I ask myself that at least once a shift" Antonio said shaking his head.

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As the bus pulled out of the parking lot Hank Voight stood up and looked at his team. He looked at his watch before speaking.

"Now that it's 4:50 and we're officially late. I want to go over some rules for this retreat. This retreat is team building. After the last few months I think that it's a step in the right direction for our team. With Erin well on her way to returning next month, I feel like it's the perfect time for us to all come together and become a stronger unit. Not only for us as individuals, but also for our city. Some of you may ask, why are we going to a retreat 7 hours away? A change of scenery is always good for everyone and getting out in an unkown enviornment is a key in coming together. If we're close as a unit, we will be better able to serve the city of Chicago. I understand we're at a hotel, but that doesn't mean you act like a damn kid. I'm looking at you Ruzek"

Adam shrugged his shoulders "What?"

"You know what" Voight said "Don't be running around the hotel like some damn kid that's never stayed at a hotel before. As for the rest of you, I want everyone to really take part in the retreat. There will be various trust building exercises and it's a really good time for us to get to know each other on another level. For those of you who've never been to Mackinac Island or the Grand Hotel, you're in for a real treat. It's a five star hotel. You will have plenty of time to take a tour of the island and the hotel grounds. But, when a retreat activity is scheduled I want to see you guys there. Don't make me come look for you"

Voight took one last look at the team and took his seat as the Greyhound started down the road.

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Erin flipped through her magazine and closed it. She looked down at her phone and saw that it was just now 6am. She looked over at Jay who was laying under his Chicago Blackhawks blanket that they were sharing asleep. She pulled out her earbuds and scooted closer to him.

Erin took a quick glance around the bus at the rest of the team who were either napping or buried in their phones or a book.

Erin leaned over Jay and placed a kiss against his neck and she smiled when she felt him stir in his sleep and his eyes opened to meet her gaze.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" Jay asked raising his arm up as Erin curled into his chest.

"Maybe" Erin said resting her head on his chest.

"Good" Jay draped his arm over Erin's shoulder and closed his eyes.

Erin looked out at the scenery as the sun started to rise and paint dark shades of red, purple and orange across the sky. She pulled the fleece blanket up over her shoulder and ran her fingers rhythmically up and down Jay's stomach and tilted her gaze to study Jay's face. She was fully aware that he was not asleep. She smiled and started to move her hand lower under the blanket and she bit her lip as she felt Jay stir under roaming hand. When she reached the bottom of his t-shirt she bunched it up in her hand and ran her hand under it and over his abs.

Jay jumped at the feel of Erin's cold hand on his bare skin and he opened his eyes to look down at her. "Er.." he whispered.

"Shhh" Erin said softly as she ran her hand out from under his shirt and slowly down the front of his denim jeans.

Jay sucked in his breath and tried to think of anything he could to keep his body from reacting to Erin's touch. He gritted his teeth as he felt her hand run across the zipper and over the button as her thumb and finger quickly unfastened it and slowly slid the zipper down. Jay swallowed hard as Erin's hand moved up to the trail of hair that went down from his belly button and disappeared under the waistband of his boxers. "Erin...please...don't"

Erin ignored the plea from her boyfriend and her fingers slowly made their way down. Her hand had just about met it's destination when she felt Jay hand on her wrist. "Enough"

Erin turned her gaze up to Jay's and lifted her head and moved it to his ear. "It's not fun to be teased?" Erin asked placing a kiss on Jay's jaw.

"Not when you're a few minutes away from turning me into a walking wet dream" Jay kept his grip tight on Erin's hand to keep her from moving it to his growing erection.

Erin laughed against his jaw and gave his stubbled face another kiss. "Detective Halstead, you've got a dirty mouth"

Jay turned and bent his head down to Erin's ear. "I'm really trying to restrain myself right now. It's really taking everything I have to not lay you down on this bus and fuck you"

Erin's eyes darkened as she felt Jay's breath on her neck. She moaned just loud enough for Jay to hear as she felt his hand slide up to her legging covered thigh. "You wouldn't"

"Only because I wouldn't want Voight to see. It would be like having sex in front of your dad" Jay smiled as he heard Erin exhale in disgust.

"Thanks for ruining the mood" Erin pulled her hand away from Jay's waist and pushed his hand away from her.

Jay quickly fastened his jeans and ran his hand up Erin's neck and turned her face to his. "You're mine at the hotel. Just prepare yourself"

"You're bluffing" Erin said her eyes searching Jay's as she smiled.

"Am I?" Jay asked raising an eyebrow as he held her gaze.

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The bus pulled into the ferry docks just after noon and with a short ferry ride to the island the district had finally arrived at the Grand Hotel.

"Man, this is some classy shit" Ruzek said stepping off of the ferry and pulling his rolling suitcase behind him.

"You aren't kidding" Roman said walking up behind Ruzek. "Where are all the cars?"

"Oh, there are no cars on the island. All travel is either by foot, bike, or horse and buggy" Burgess explained as she walked up to her partner and her boyfriend.

"We've got to walk everywhere? That sucks" Ruzek sighed and wrapped an arm around Kim.

"Babe, you run after perps for a living. I think that you can manage a little walking" Burgess let go of her rolling suitcase long enough to wrap her arms around Adam.

"Doesn't mean I want to do it on vacation. A free vacation at that" Ruzek said as a smile spread across his face, as a representative for the hotel made her way up to the group.

The hotel rep took a look at the group before placing a smile on her face and speaking "Welcome to the historic Grand Hotel, we are so pleased to have you here with us this weekend for your work retreat. You'll find that we are unlike any other hotel you've stayed at. At Grand Hotel, no two of the 390 guest rooms are alike. More than three dozen themed rooms and suites from the Lincoln Suite to the Hollywood Suite it makes for interesting accommodations throughout. Each guest room has been tastefully decorated by a New York designer in its own special character and style, complete with numerous amenities including individually controlled AC, mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, iron and coffee maker. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and resort grounds. Grand Hotel has always embraced its history, but kept up well with the times. Today, guests enjoy modern amenities while the hotel's original architecture and charm have been tastefully preserved. Contributing greatly to the hotel's ambiance is the relaxed atmosphere of Mackinac Island where cars are not allowed and the horse and carriage and bicycle are favored modes of transportation"

The hotel rep took a final glance at the group as hotel workers loaded up the teams luggage. "If you'll follow me, it's only a short walk up to the hotel. We will get everyone checked in and from there we will pass out your itinerary"

Erin started to walk up to paved road to the hotel and stopped when she felt Jay let go of her hand. She turned around to look at him "You coming?"

Jay looked at her and then at Voight who was standing on the dock talking to Olinsky. "Yeah, you go on and I'll catch up"

Erin nodded and turned around and started her way up to the road.

Jay watched her walk away and join Burgess and Ruzek before walking back down to the dock.

"...The first meeting for us is at 3 in the theater and then we will go from there" Voight told Olinsky as Jay walked up on their conversation.

"Halstead, something wrong?" Voight asked.

"You got a minute?" Jay asked looking at Voight.

"What's up?" Voight asked.

Alvin looked between Jay and Hank and then up to the hotel. "I'll meet you guys up there"

Olinsky walked past Jay and slapped his shoulder as a sign of support as he walked up the road to the hotel.

"You mind if we talk and walk? I'd like to get to my room before we have to meet in the theater" Voight started to walking up to the desk.

"Sure" Jay said taking in his surroundings and following Hank up to the hotel.

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Hank Voight held the key cards and the Itinaries as he walked around the lobby of the hotel. He was waiting for the team to get back from lunch. His earlier conversation with Halstead was replaying back in his mind. He'd deal with it when he got back to Chicago, he didn't want it to be the focus of the weekend, but something told him that it was only a matter of a few hours before the rest of the team found out. A season of change was about to make its way across District 21, a change for the better? Maybe.

One by one the team showed up in the lobby. "Well, I hope everyone enjoyed lunch. I've got your keys and your information for the weekend"

Voight walked up to the team and started passing out room keys. He made his way to the end of the line where Kim, Adam, Jay and Erin were standing making small talk. The chatter ended as Hank walked up to them. Ruzek and Burgess held their hands out for their room keys and Hank shook his head.

"Nice try. Not happening. Burgess and Lindsay in one room and Halstead and Ruzek you get the other" Voight said handing the room keys over his gaze holding Jay's for a few seconds before he turned and walked away.

"That's what he thinks" Ruzek scoffed reaching for Erin's key card and handing his to her so that he'd have the same key card as Kim. "Let's go check out our rooms.

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Erin groaned as her back crashed against the suite door as it closed behind her and Jay. She pulled her mouth away from Jay's to take a breath because her lungs were on fire from lack of oxygen. Jay wasted no time when Erin moved her lips from his. He instantly moved them to her neck only moving them away when he was pulling off her red tank top. Erin ran her hands down Jay's chest to his shirt and she bunched it up in her hands before pulling it up and over his head and dropping it to the floor next to hers.

Jay pulled away from Erin long enough for the shirt to drop and he instantly stepped back and crushed his mouth to hers. Erin moaned as she felt Jay run his hand down her side and down her legging covered thigh. Her fingers spread across his chest and stomach as they kissed and she ran them down to make quick work of the button on his jeans.

Jay moaned and grasped Erin's thigh and pulled it up over his hip as he stepped even closer to her and he ground his pelvis into hers. "I want you so bad" He said against her lips as they kissed.

Erin didn't reply to him she couldn't. All she could think about was her boyfriend and how amazing he was making her feel.

As they made their way to the bed in the suite they each made quick work of the rest of their clothes until they were in their underwear. Erin felt her legs hit the back of the bed and she sat down and scooted to the middle of the bed as Jay climbed up on top of her and settled himself between her thighs. He ran his hand down her thigh and snaked a finger under her black bikini cut underwear and he groaned when he found her more than ready for him as he slid his finger inside of her.

Erin wasn't in the mood for teasing. She needed him and they only had 25 minutes until they needed to be downstairs for the meeting.

"Jay please" Erin whined as she parted her legs and reached a hand down to grab his wrist. The slow torture of his finger was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

"Please?" Jay repeated. His voice was dark with arousal as he added another finger and Erin cried out under him. "I don't remember you caring about teasing me on the bus ride this morning"

Erin tightened her grip on Jay's wrist. Her body was on fire. She couldn't take it. "Please...I can't...I'm sorry"

"You're sorry?" Jay asked his fingers stopping their assult on her body.

"Yes" Erin panted with relief as she felt Jay remove his fingers from her.

"Good. Get dressed. We need to be downstairs" Jay climbed off the bed and grabbed his jeans and shirt before walking into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

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"I don't know about this" Ruzek said as he climbed up the ladder to the zip line.

"Come on Ruzek, just do it" Platt said from behind him.

"Give me a minute, Platt" Ruzek spat as he felt the instructors hooking him up to the line.

The zipline was a hell of a lot higher than it looked and the thought of a wire and God's will keeping him from falling to his death wasn't the team building that Adam Ruzek had in mind.

"Stop being a pussy and jump" Platt said adjusting her helmet as she made her way up to the platform.

"Why do you have to be my trust building partner on this exercise?" Ruzek asked.

"Becaue I'm the glue who holds this unit together. It's my face that brings you all the most joy. Now get moving" Platt crossed her arms over her.

"Don't rush me" Ruzek took a look out over the horizon and took a shaky breath.

"Ruzek, if you don't go. I'm going to start taking my clothes off" Platt said.

"God no!" Ruzek said.

"Something wrong with my body, Ruzek?" Platt asked looking at him.

"No...no ma'am. I just have a girlfriend is all" Ruzek asked.

"Stop being a baby. Jump" Platt said.

Ruzek took a few jumps in place and stepped to the edge of the platform "Tell my mom and Kim I loved them"

"Yeah yeah...love them I got it" Platt said stepping up behind Ruzek.

Adam Ruzek stepped closer to the edge. His toes hanging off the platform. He sighed and closed his eyes and jumped.

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"You still not talking to me?" Jay asked as he and Erin walked back to the room after dinner.

"Nope" Erin answered looking down at the carpeted hallway as she and Jay walked.

"Aw, I'm sorry" Jay smiled and wrapped his arm around her. "But today was fun. Don't you think?"

Erin nodded "It was nice"

Jay looked at his watch as they made it to their room. "It's still kind of early. You want to play "Scrabble"?.

Erin turned her head and looked at Jay. "I don't think you deserve "Scrabble""

"Please? It'll be fun" Jay said as he opened the door.

Erin walked into the room and she closed her eyes as the door closed. She was fully expecting Jay to kiss her and when he didn't she opened her eyes.

She looked at him and saw an unopened Scrabble game sitting on their bed. "You really meant Scrabble?"

Jay nodded as he walked up to the bed and took the game and started to open it. "Yeah, how about you go and see if Kim and Ruzek want to play and I'll set it up on the balcony"

Erin nodded and walked out of the room and down the hall. She walked down to Adam and Kim's room and knocked on the door. She waited a few minutes for an answer but didn't get one so she walked down the hall back to her and Jay's room. Erin put the key card in the slot and opened the door.

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When Erin opened the door the room was basked in candlelight. Jay stood on the balcony of the hotel with the doors to their room open. He had the Scrabble game set up and Erin looked around the room as she walked out to the balcony. She looked out at the night sky and the people who were walking around the hotel grounds before looking down at the game board on the table. "Cheating already, Halstead?" Erin asked

"What?" Jay asked.

"It's seven tiles...not four" Erin said as she walked over to her seat and pulled it out.

She stopped dead in her movement as she looked down at her tiles and saw the word spelled out.

L-O-V-E

It took a moment fot it to register in her mind that the "O" wasn't actually a tile but his mother's ring. The perfect 2 carat princess cut ring sat perfectly in the tile holder and Erin's gaze rose to meet Jay's.

"What..."

Jay took a deep breath. "Erin, you're no picnic. You're moody, stubborn, grouchy, and way too controlling for your own good. When I first met you I promised to protect you as my partner. Over the last 2 years we've become not only friends, but so much more. I've seen you at your best, and I've seen you at your worst. I've watched this girl who was so closed off slowly let me in. Every day that we were in that car it was simple moments, simple moments with a girl who for so long only saw me as her friend. A few months ago I almost lost you forever and I knew if I could just get you to come back to me. that I'd make sure I'd never let you go again. You may be moody, stubborn, grouchy and controlling. But you're also loyal, smart. kind. beautiful. talented. honest, strong. my biggest distraction. my best friend. my girl...my life"

Jay took a few steps to Erin and picked the ring up from the tile holder just as fireworks started over Erin's shoulder lighting up the night sky.

"Fireworks and candles. right?" Jay said his eyes searching Erin's before he knelt to the ground.

"Erin Kathleen Lindsay, I love you and I want to make all your dreams come true. No matter where life takes us I know that if you're by my side then I know that my dreams have already come true"

A single tear slid down Erin's cheek as she looked down at Jay.

"Will you marry me?"

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I REALLY hope that you guys liked this. Cause I had this vision from the moment I started this story. Feel free to comment. Good or Bad. I can take it. But...I really hope it's good. =-)