3. Chapter 3

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Chapter 2

Erin never made it to the gym that morning. In fact, she was running late. She had been so distracted by everything she witnessed last night between Jay and Nadia that she completely forgot the time and ran too long during her morning jog.

She bounded up the steps towards the station, completely ignoring the good morning greetings from Sergeant Platt. She quickly typed in her code and placed her hand in the finger print scanner. She pulled open the door and bounded up the steps, pulling off her jacket in the process.

"I know, I know...I'm late. I completely forgot..."She began to say as she raced into the office, then her eyes fell on Nadia, sitting at the spare desk. "Nadia, what are you doing here? Is everything okay? Oh God! Please don't tell me you burnt down the apartment." She shook her head, taking in Nadia and the low cut top that left nothing to the imagination.

"Of course not." Nadia replied. "Sergeant Voight called me in, about 40 minutes after you left on your jog."

"What? He did what?" Erin exclaimed, completely ignoring the rest of the team as she stormed into Voight's office, slamming the door behind her.

"Erin, I'm assuming you're not here to explain why you are almost an hour late." Hank Voight stated sarcastically.

"You are not sending Nadia under cover again!" Erin snapped. "She has come too far in her recovery!"

"And why would I be sending her in undercover? And where for that matter?" Voight asked.

"Well, why else is she sitting there, saying you called her in?" Erin replied, beginning to calm down.

"I offered her a job as our receptionist." Voight replied.

"What? Why?" Erin asked, confused.

"Because we have a budget for it and you guys all complain when you're put on desk duty." Voight replied.

"But why Nadia? Why not a civilian?" Erin asked.

"I thought you'd be pleased that I'm helping the kid out." Voight explained. "Halstead mentioned the kid really wanted a job and was struggling so he suggested..."

Erin zoned out from Voight's conversation, the anger building inside her again. "Jay put her forward? Of course, he wants a reason to spend time with her!" Erin silently fumed.

"To be honest Kiddo, I think she might be a good fit." Voight continued, not realising Erin was not longer listening. "I mean some of the calls we take, could really shake up a civilian but this Nadia kid, well, she's got the street smarts and..."

"Yeah of course, thanks boss for giving her the chance." Erin interrupted, trying to sound calm. She walked out of the office, not even waiting for Voight's response, leaving him puzzled.

She walked towards her desk, ignoring the questionable looks from the rest of the team and pulled open her drawer. She pulled out a top and tossed it over to Nadia. "Cover up Nadia, there's a dress code to up hold."

Nadia caught the top with both hands, her cheeks flushed. "Sorry I..." She began.

"Don't worry Nadia, we'll go shopping for a new wardrobe." Erin interrupted her without even looking as her eyes were locked on her partner. "Grab your gear Halstead, we have to follow up on a lead."

Erin stormed out of the office, knowing Atwater, Ruzek, Halstead and Olinski had all shared the look of confusion and sympathy for Nadia. However, right now, Erin did not care, she was just so mad.

She did not realise how fast her anger was making her walk until she heard Jay, running behind her, calling her, outside the police station.

"Erin, Erin...what the hell?" She could hear him say. She spun around, fixed her elbow in the crook of his neck and pushed his towards the station wall, pinning him against it. However, no matter how angry she was, her partner was must stronger. "What the hell Lindsey?" He snapped, pushing her away. "I think you owe Nadia a huge apology..."

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" Erin hissed, pushing Jay back again. "Putting Nadia forward for a job? In my department?"

"Is this why you were so pissed?" Jay snapped. "I was helping you."

"Me? How the hell is that helping?" Erin exclaimed, angrily pacing up and down.

"I thought you'd be happy she got a job so she could move out." Jay replied, confused.

"But why here?" Erin snapped back, glancing over at her partner.

"Well where else could she go? No one is going to hire an ex-underage call girl and former addict." Jay reasoned. "I talked to Atwater and he has connections to some apartments in a sound neighbourhood that she could afford on the receptionist salary. At least if she's working here, she has a bit of independence with her own place and you can still keep a check on her."

Erin stopped pacing and looked over at her partner. She knew what he was saying made logical sense but she couldn't shake the feeling she had inside her. "And that's your reason?" She stated. "For me?"

"Well what other reason would I have?" Jay replied. He could tell by the look in his partner's eyes what she was thinking. He knew it before she even said it.

"Well..." Erin started but she stopped herself.

"I can't believe you!" Jay fumed. Now it was his turn to get angry. "You seriously think I have a thing for Nadia?" He didn't wait for her answer. He knew what she was thinking. "You are unbelievable! She one of your C.I.s! You really think I would go there?"

"Jay..." Erin began, now realising how stupid her thoughts were.

"You know Erin, I'm beginning to realise you don't know me at all!" He hissed, before off towards the station again.

"Jay, wait!" Erin called after him.

"You can take Atwater today." Jay called, not looking back. "I'll be requesting to work with Antonio."

Erin hung her head, silently cursing herself. She knew she screwed up. She really had to get her feelings under control. Now she knew why Voight had a ban for in house romances. No good could come from them.

Erin sat at her desk, occasionally glancing over at Jay's desk. He was making no attempt at eye contact. He hadn't spoke to her all day, unless it was case related and now their working day was over.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Jay's chair, sliding across the ground as he stood up. She could tell that he was preparing to leave. "Right, I'm done!" He stated, slipping on his trademark black hoodie and leather jacket combo. "Dawson, you joining me at Molly's for a beer?"

"Hell yeah!" Dawson agreed, also standing up.

Erin silently waited for an invitation but she knew it wouldn't come. She could see from the corner of her eye that they were saying good night to Nadia and congratulating her on surviving her first day.

Erin inwardly sighed. Nadia had stayed out of her way all day. Probably too hurt and embarrassed to approach her. She knew she was wrong, that Nadia was owed an apology. She glanced around her. It was only Nadia and her left in the office. She hadn't even noticed Olinski or Ruzek leaving.

She watched Nadia from the corner of her eye. She was repeatedly tidying her desk, more than likely waiting for Erin to make the move.

Erin sighed and stood up. She knew she had to bite the bullet. She was in the wrong. She walked towards Nadia's desk. "Nadia..." She said softly.

Nadia looked up. "Erin, I am so sorry." She began. "When Voight offered me the job I honestly thought it was you that suggested I work here. If you don't want me here..."

"No, no...I do." Erin interrupted her to reassure her. "I think it was a great idea of Detective Halstead's. I just...when I saw you here, I panicked. I thought Voight was going to use you for this drugs bust and you've come so far..."

"I'm stronger than you think Erin." Nadia stated.

"I know." Erin agreed."But I want to keep you safe."

"You do." Nadia said.

"Not judged on today's behaviour." Erin stated. "I am so sorry for how I treated you, for what I said..."

"No, you were right." Nadia interrupted. "My clothes were completely inappropriate. Unfortunately, all my clothes are inappropriate."

"Well, we can fix that right now." Erin said. "What do you say? Are you up for a late night shopping spree?"

"Yeah of course!" Nadia exclaimed, standing up. They began to exit the office. "Erin?"

"Yeah?" Erin replied.

"Just so you know. I have no interest in Jay." Nadia answered.

"What?" Erin exclaimed, trying to sound confused but failing miserably. "I have no idea..."

"Erin..." Nadia laughed, interrupting here. "You don't have to worry. As amazing as he is, and he is pretty amazing, he's not for me." Nadia could see the relief in Erin's eyes. "Anyway, I kinda think he's interested in someone else."

"Really?" Erin asked, trying to sound completely cool. "And um, who do you think that is?"

All Nadia could do is smile. For a Detective, Erin wasn't as perceptive as she should be.

To be continued...