20. Chapter 20

Hey guys, thanks again to the great response. I hope you continue to read, enjoy and review this fic as I really appreciate it. However, if there is something annoying you about this fic, don't be afraid to say it. I can take constructive criticism too.

I know that some of you have been hoping that Jay tells Erin that he and Allie are over but I think Erin already realised that when he turned up at Voight's for Thanksgiving instead of spending it with Allie's family. I hope that clears up the confusion.

I hope you enjoy and please post a review! Thanks!

Chapter 19

Erin pulled her hair into a rough ponytail before she exited the bedroom. She was dressed in her running gear. She hadn't completed any exercise in the few days that she was undercover and she was starting to feel the need.

"Okay Mr Kingston, I'm ready to start back at the running." She stated entering the living area, only to find it empty. She looked around her. The blankets on the couch were already folded and stacked. There was no coffee brewing so she knew he hadn't already left for work.

"Huh, I guess I missed him." She muttered, leaning against the dining room table.

She heard the lock on the door turn and the door open. Jay walked in, wearing his gym gear. He was already pulling off his sweaty top when his eyes fell on Erin. He placed the top over his shoulder and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge.

"Hey, you're up." He said, panting slightly. He took a gulp of the water.

"Yeah, I um thought I would join you on your morning run." Erin replied, trying to keep her eyes on his face and not his quite toned torso. She had seen him topless before, along with Ruzek, Atwater and Dawson in the locker room but this time it felt different; more personal.

"Sorry, I didn't know you wanted to join me." He replied. "I didn't even do a run this morning. I just used the gym in the building."

"Oh it's no problem." Erin retorted. "It's not like I told you my plan. I just didn't expect you to be up so early."

"I have a breakfast meeting with Wiltshire so I got up a little earlier than usual." Jay replied, in between sips of water. "Speaking of which, I need to get showered so..."

"Oh yeah, of course." Erin said as Jay headed into the bathroom. "If um, I'm not here when you get out, you'll know I'm out for a run."

"Okay." Jay called back, followed by the bathroom door closing. Erin looked over her shoulder and put both hands on her cheeks, silently hoping she wasn't blushing.

Erin sat at a table in a small bistro with Amy Stimson and Poppy Banks. She was silently thankful that she had decided to wear a skirt instead of trousers after seeing Amy and Poppy in their dresses.

"So Erin, how do you like Chicago?" Amy asked; playing with her salad rather than eating it.

"Yes, Connor mentioned that you lived in Denver while Jay was based in Afghanistan." Poppy added. "How do we compare?" She had only taken one mouthful of her salad before pushing the plate away.

"Too early to say." Erin replied. "I have a lot to take in. Life is definitely different now that Jay is back." She glanced at her plate. She barely had anything left and she was still hungry. Were society girls not meant to eat? She took a mental note – make sure to eat before attending any functions.

"But it must be good to have him home." Poppy said.

"Yeah I mean, it must have been so hard with him so far away." Amy added. "I mean, I bet you couldn't even skype to have phone sex."

Erin choked on the wine she was sipping while Poppy hissed. "Amy!"

"I'm sorry but I can't help but be curious." Amy replied. "I've never known an army wife and I always wondered how it worked. I mean, when your guy is off fighting, how do you get a little pleasure? Do you have an affair or do you just go cold turkey and revirginise?"

"Amy!" Poppy sighed as Erin stifled her laughter. "I really can't take you anywhere!"

"Actually, I just relied on battery operated help." Erin replied, still trying not to laugh.

"Well then I guess you're really happy to have Jay back." Amy stated, winking at Erin.

Erin looked down at her plate and never replied. She felt Poppy reach over and squeeze her hand.

"Oh Erin, it has been tough for you." Poppy said, her voice oozing with sympathy.

Erin slowly looked up and met Poppy's eyes. "We've had dry spells before." Erin said. "Just never this long. I mean, when Jay did his first tour of Afghanistan; every time he was on leave we'd never leave the house and the sex...we did some crazy shit. But then, he was discharged and he went back over there to work; he just became so obsessed with money and buying me pretty things when all I wanted was him."

"So wait...your telling you're married to someone as hot as Jay and you're not getting the benefits?" Amy gasped. Poppy and Erin both shot her a look. "I'm sorry Erin!" She reached over and took Erin's other hand. "But we will help. Hey, maybe I can get you and Jay invited to...Ah! Poppy...did you just kick me?"

Erin quickly scanned her eyes between Poppy and Amy. Amy's eyes were as hard as stone as she stared down Amy. Was Amy really just about to let it slip about Walton Manor?

"Amy, don't be so silly...you know Jay can't come to the gallery luncheon...its ladies only." Poppy said.

"Oh! You're so right...how silly of me!" Amy forced a giggle. "What I meant is, you should come to the gallery luncheon with us."

"Yes...we could introduce you to the other ladies in our circle of friends." Poppy added.

"Sure, I'd love to." Erin replied, smiling.

Erin walked towards the apartment building, already regretting her decision to walk the 4 blocks. She should have taken a cab; the heels that she was wearing were seriously hurting her feet. She pulled out her cell phone and hit speed dial.

"Hey sweetie." Jay familiar voice said. "Did you have fun with the girls?"

"Are you not alone?" Erin asked.

"No, I'm at one on the clubs meeting with their security team." Jay said.

"Oh right, well I'll make this quick." Erin said. "I was telling the girls about our lack of sex and well, I think Amy was about to bring us into the Walton Manor secret when Poppy stopped her. I think Amy might be our in if I can get her away from Poppy."

"That sounds great sweetie." Jay said. "I should be home for dinner. I'm meeting my old friend Alex first for a beer."

"Well I guess its good timing then." Erin replied, knowing that Jay was really meeting up with Olinski. "Let him know I miss the gang."

"Will do sweetie, see you for dinner." Jay replied and hung up.

Jay entered the bar he had arranged to meet Olinski at. He looked around and saw him sitting in a booth in the corner; practically unnoticeable to the untrained eyed. "Look at the suit!" Olinski joked. "Having fun at the office?"

"Alex, am I glad to see you!" Jay replied, embracing him in a man hug. He slid into the booth and loosened his tie. Olinski already had a beer waiting for him. "I spend most of my days with dudes with too much money and not a lot of sense." He took a gulp of beer.

"So you'll not be leaving us to run private security then." Olinski joked.

"So how are things back at the base?" Jay asked, referring to the intelligence unit. "Erin is missing everyone there."

"No new information to share except Foster is still there." Olinski replied. Jay nodded, understanding that the concierge was still a person of interest.

"I'll let Erin know. She's been making some progress." Jay replied.

"How is Erin anyway?" Olinski asked.

"She had lunch with the girls." Jay replied. "I think Adam would like her friend Amy."

"Really? We should set it up." Olinski retorted, indicating he understood that Ruzek should tail Amy. There was silence. "So how is married life treating you?"

"Erin has been pretty good sharing everything with the girls." Jay replied. "I'm sure they know we have our issues."

"Jay seriously, how is it going?" Olinski asked.

"You can let Hank know not to worry; his orders are still being followed." Jay replied.

"That's not what I meant." Olinski stated.

"So what do you mean?" Jay asked, confused.

"You and Erin...the girls are not the only ones that have noticed." Olinski replied. "I've seen it over the last month or two."

"We're a partnership Alex." Jay sighed.

"Marriage is more than a partnership Jay." Olinski said. "Don't close yourselves off to each other. All you have at this moment is each other. Don't forget the secret to every marriage is friendship."

Jay sighed. He knew Olinski was right. Things with Erin and this operation would be so much easier if they were the old Halstead and Lindsay; before Severide; before Allie. Maybe the Kingstons could be a fresh start for them?

To be continued...