17. Chapter 17

Wow! I am truly blown away by the response for the last chapter. I hope I do the next stage of the plot justice. At this stage, I think I'm no longer writing what I think will happen in season 2, rather what I want to happen. LOL! I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's kinda building up to the actual undercover operation. Please read and review.

Chapter 16

When Erin entered the office the next morning, it seemed eerily quiet; not the hive of activity she was expecting. She could hear Voight barking in his office and she also noted Jay and Antonio's voice; probably finalising details. She took a deep breath and opened Voight's door, not even bothering to knock.

"Good, your here! Take a seat." Voight stated, motioning for Erin to take the seat next to Halstead, in front of Voight's desk. She quickly glanced around the office, looking at her other options; Antonio was already perched on the desk so she walked towards the sofa and sat down. She did not want to sit beside Jay.

"Where the hell is everyone?" Erin asked.

"They're finalising your cover." Voight replied. "Making sure there are no holes in your paperwork and all."

"We were just filling Halstead into the operation." Dawson added. "We had just started so you haven't missed anything."

Erin glanced over at Jay; he hadn't even glanced at her yet. She looked directly at Voight. "What is the new Intel we got?" She asked. "When I left here last night, all we knew was the Montgomery's and Finley's mother lived in the same building and the building's concierge was a person of interest."

"Yeah but Halstead's C.I., the hacker with the disgusting taste in porn confirmed that Walton Manor is indeed our secret S&M club and also gave us the name of a member of the club...Tony Wiltshire." Antonio replied.

"The guy who owns like 80% of the hottest clubs in Chicago?" Erin asked.

"The same Tony Wiltshire." Antonio confirmed. "Anyway, we looked into Wiltshire's records and it seems he has gotten very creative with his accounts and he has agreed to help us out to avoid prosecution from the IRS."

"Are we sure this is good enough Intel?" Erin asked. "I mean..."

"My C.I. always provides legit Intel Erin!" Jay snapped; his tone defensive as he finally looked over at her.

"It's all we got and so far, everything is checking out." Voight stated. "It's good Intel."

"So what is the plan then?" Erin asked.

"Wiltshire is going to hire Jay as his new head of security." Antonio began to explain. "As far as your background is concerned, Jay worked as a private security contractor in Afghanistan after being discharged from the army and has made a lot of money from it."

"And where do I come in?" Erin asked.

"You're his wife." Antonio replied. Erin scoffed. "You don't have a job."

"So what am I meant to do while Jay is with Wiltshire?" Erin asked.

"You're trying to get established in society...going to luncheons, charity events and so on." Antonio replied. Erin scoffed again. "We're hoping Wiltshire's fiancée Amy will take you under her wing as living with money is relatively new to you after years of being an army wife."

"And what about the building and the concierge?" Erin asked.

"We also managed to secure you an apartment to live in for the duration of the operation in the building." Antonio said.

"We're not ruling out the concierge as our way in." Voight added.

"Do we have a timeframe for how quickly we have to get into Walton Manor?" Jay asked, finally questioning his role in the operation. "I mean, I know everything has to be done as soon as but..."

"Wiltshire won't give us who is in charge of admitting new members but he has assured us you will meet whoever it is within the first few weeks." Antonio interrupted. "It's all about how you sell it."

"And how exactly are we selling this?" Erin asked.

"Well that's really up to you." Antonio replied, glancing over at Voight. He knew this was the element he would struggle with. "You two can either be totally loved up and act like you have a high sex drive or you can act like your marriage is falling apart and a little risky action is your last chance of saving it."

"Definitely the marriage is falling apart." Jay and Erin answered simultaneously.

"Yeah I thought you'd pick that." Antonio said, silently noting that Jay and Erin had barely acknowledged each other since they had arrived.

"So when do we actually have to be up and running?" Erin asked.

"You move into the building tonight." Voight replied. "And Wiltshire is meeting Jay at his offices tomorrow."

"The next few hours are to be spent finalising your cover and working on your wardrobe." Antonio stated, handing both Jay and Erin a folder. "Oh, and before I forget, you'll need these." He handed Jay and Erin a simple gold band. "Congratulations...I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Jay Kingston."

Erin and Jay quickly glanced at each other before their eyes returned to the gold bands in their hands.

Erin glanced over at Jay; he was sitting at his desk, studying his file; memorizing the small details of their cover that could slip them up. She glanced over at Voight's office; he was in and alone. She stood up and walked towards the office; she could feel Jay's eyes following her. She gently tapped at Voight's door.

"Can we talk?" She asked.

"Of course." Voight barked in reply.

Erin stepped into his office and closed the door behind her. She began to pace around the office.

"You got something to share Erin?" Voight asked, his eyes following her.

She stopped pacing and looked at him. "Something about this operation just doesn't feel right." She replied. "I mean, why the rush?"

"I think the 4 dead bodies may have something to do with our pace." Voight replied. "I mean we certainly don't want to add to the total. Don't worry Erin; your cover will be unbreakable."

"But can we really trust this Wiltshire guy?" Erin asked. "I mean what if he double crosses us..."

"That's why I'm sending you and Halstead...your both quick on your feet and in mind." Voight retorted. "Erin, please don't tell me you doubt your abilities."

"What? No...of course not!" Erin quickly replied, before sitting herself down on the sofa. "I guess I'm just a little confused."

"About what?" Voight asked.

"It was just a few months ago that you were giving me shit about Halstead and ordering him to keep it in his pants and how you're shipping us off to live together, playing husband and wife, trying to join an underground sex club." Erin replied. "I'm just surprised...especially when you could be utilizing Ruzek and Burgess."

"Erin, with the nature of their relationship, they'd be too easily distracted." Voight answered. "Plus they're too green. They've never had to do long term. Plus, Jay has the military experience and the control this operation needs. I mean, I am just assuming he followed orders and stayed away from you..."

"Of course he has!" Erin quickly responded.

"See? He's got control of his urges." Voight stated. "Now, you on the other hand..."

"I've got control too." Erin quickly answered.

"Well then, this operation should be quite smooth then, shouldn't it?" Voight retorted.

"Of course, sir!" Erin replied, realising she was losing the battle.

"Erin, I would never put you at risk." Voight reassured her.

"I know." She replied, before stepping out of the office; her eyes catching Jay's as she headed back to her desk.

A few hours later...

Erin stood in the sitting area of her new home. Everything was highly modern and fashionable; decorated tastefully in black and white. She stepped towards the ceiling to floor windows that surrounded their corner apartment to take in the Chicago skyline in front of her. The fingers on her right hand gently twisted the gold band on her left ring finger; she was not used to wearing rings and her body had not adjusted to it yet.

"Have you seen the bedroom yet?" Jay asked, stepping out of the bedroom; his thumb pointing into the room. Erin glanced at him over her shoulder. "It's bigger than my whole apartment."

"What is the bed situation anyway?" Erin asked, crossing her arms as she turned to face Jay.

"Oh um...it's a king size." Jay replied. "But I'm completely cool taking the couch." He leaped over the back of the black L shaped couch and lay down. "I mean we're married so sleeping on the couch is standard practice right?"

"Whatever!" Erin sighed. She glanced over the couch and saw Jay raising his head to look at her, his eyes a mixture of questions and sadness. She knew he was trying to shake the awkwardness between them and trying to keep things light but she wasn't in same mind frame...yet.

"Okay, I checked everything and this place is clean." Antonio stated, entering the sitting room; dressed in overalls from the cable company. Jay got up from the couch and walked towards Dawson. Erin also walked towards him. "Before I leave, here are your new cell phones." He handed them both a phone. "Although you may want to check your ringtone setting 'cause it was Ruzek who set it up."

Jay swiped his phone and smiled. "S&M by Rhianna, good one Ruzek!" He stated, changing his ring tone.

Erin glanced at her phone, it was the standard ringtone.

"Now, we've set up a cover for both Olinksi and Burgess as well." Antonio said. "Olinski is Alex Thorn...Jay's old sergeant in the Rangers and Burgess is Sarah Dodds, an army wife from your old base. They'll be your points of contact and control officers. Just try to keep contact to a minimum."

"Cool." Jay replied while Erin nodded.

"And this is your car." Antonio added, handing over the keys to an Audi T.T. to Jay. "Please be gentle!"

"Yes, I finally get to drive!" Jay exclaimed.

"We'll see." Erin retorted. They both locked eyes.

"It's like you've been married for years." Antonio stated. "Good luck guys. Stay safe Mr and Mrs Kingston."

"Thanks man!" Jay replied, giving Antonio a man hug.

"Keep an eye on Nadia for me." Erin added, giving Antonio a hug.

"Of course." Antonio replied and left the apartment.

"So..." Jay said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"So..." Erin replied; her arms crossed. There was silence. They were by themselves. The operation had started. There was no going back now.

"I um, I'm going to go over my notes for tomorrow." Jay stated, lifting his file and sitting down on the couch.

"Yeah, and I'm going to unpack." Erin replied, heading towards the bedroom. Bother of them glancing over their shoulders at different times, wondering what they had let themselves in for.

To be continued...