26. Chapter 26

Hey guys! Thank you for the great response to this fic since the undercover operation began. I really appreciate it! I know the Linstead element was and is a slow burner so please continue to be patient. I know a lot of you want them spending Christmas together but I'm not 100% sure that's gonna happen - at least in the guise of the undercover operative. Please continue to read and review! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 25

Jay's eyes began to flutter open; adjusting to the light of the room. He could barely feel his right arm; he slightly raised his head off the pillow, trying to figure out what caused the paralysis and then smiled when he got his answer.

Erin was curled into him; her head resting in the crook of his arm; her hand resting on his chest; her fingers lightly gripping his t-shirt. She was still sound asleep; a small smile on her lips.

Jay smiled down at her; relieved that he now didn't have the onions on the pizza as she was so close to him, he was sure she'd complain about his breath. He looked over at the alarm clock on Erin's bedside table. It was 6:11am. He knew he was going to have to get up soon if he wanted to fit in his morning room but a part of him didn't want to waken Erin; to have her move from his arms.

It seemed like he didn't have a choice as she began to stir from her sleep. Slowly her eyes fluttered open to find Jay's eyes on her but she didn't recoil back; instead, she stifled a yawn and muttered "Good morning."

"Morning sleepy head." Jay replied softly.

Again, Erin made no attempt to move from his hold. She glanced down and noted she was still in last night's clothes and sighed. "I fell asleep during the movie again, didn't I?" She stated.

"Yep." Jay replied, a small smile on his lips.

She adjusted her body so she didn't have to strain her neck to look at him but she didn't pull away from him. "I'm sorry for cuddling you." She said, lifting her head to release his arm. "Your arm must be dead."

Jay pulled his arm out and rolled onto his side so they were still facing each other. "I'm not complaining." Jay replied.

Erin smiled inwardly; enjoying the fact that Jay was only a few centimetres from her. "So what's the plan this morning?" She asked. "Are we going running or to the gym?"

"Well, if we're going for a run, we'd need to leave in 10." Jay replied.

Erin nodded but neither of them moved. There was silence for a few moments before Erin spoke. "Jay, what are we going to do about Christmas?"

"I hadn't really thought about it." Jay replied. "I mean, it's still two weeks away..."

Erin nodded; she could tell that like her; Jay hadn't even contemplated the idea that they may not be home for Christmas "So should we get some decorations or..." She began to say but trailed off when she noticed the smile on his lips.

"You're really enjoying playing house, aren't you?" He teased.

"No!" Erin scoffed. "I've just been thinking that if we are going to be here for the holidays, we should at least make the best of it."

Jay nodded. "Do you think Voight will be okay without you if we aren't back for Christmas?" Jay asked.

Erin sighed. "I hope so...I mean, he has the unit now." Erin replied. "I'm sure Olinski and his family would look after him if no one else does...and Nadia." Jay nodded in agreement. "So what about you? What were your plans for the holidays?"

"Well in recent years, I was spending Christmas with the Corsons...not that there was ever much to celebrate." Jay replied. "But this year, it was going to be different, they were actually looking forward to it. I guess though in retrospect, I'm probably better missing out this Christmas after everything with Allie...it's too soon after..." He trailed off.

"Were you in love with Allie?" Erin asked.

Jay was taken aback and sighed. "At one point in my life, yeah...she was the centre of my world, there was no one else. It was just me and her." Jay replied. "And when we got back together, I dunno...I guess I loved the idea of her and everything she stood for but I don't think I was in love with her." Erin nodded. "What about you and the fireman? I mean, I know he cares about you..."

Erin sighed. "It's complicated." Erin replied. Jay nodded. "I know he cares for me and it's great that he gets my job you know...I'm sorry but isn't this conversation a little weird?"

"What do you mean?" Jay asked.

"Well I'm lying in bed with you, my fake husband, talking about my feelings for my boyfriend." Erin retorted. "I mean, does it not feel strange?"

"And your question about me loving another woman wasn't strange?" Jay shot back. "Erin, we haven't done anything."

"Don't I know it!" Erin muttered; making Jay smile as he remembered a previous conversation when he told Erin he no longer wanted to be a pawn in her games with Voight. She sighed. "Look, when it comes to Kelly and me, I guess I'm just playing it day by day and whatever happens, happens."

Jay nodded. There was silence. After a few moments, Jay glanced at the clock. It was now 6:25am. He looked back at Erin. "I have to go if I want to fit in a run." He said. "Are you joining me this morning?"

"Of course." Erin replied. "I mean I have to do something to keep my hot body, don't I?"

Jay gave a small chuckle and used his free hand to ruffle her hair before climbing out of bed and headed straight into the bathroom.

Erin couldn't stop her grin from widening as she sat up on bed, trying to repair the damage to her hair.

Erin walked through the department store, looking at the variety of Christmas decorations on display. She was wearing jeans and a red sweater; her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Christmas music played around the store, creating the Christmas spirit; willing people to part with their money.

After her run with Jay, she had got him to agree to a Christmas tree and some decorations; not that it took much persuasion. She had already purchased the tree and some of the decorations but now was looking for the finishing touches.

"Erin Kingston!" She heard Amy's familiar voice exclaim. She spun around to face Amy. "Why didn't you tell me you were out shopping? We could have arranged to have lunch."

"Sorry Amy, this shopping expedition wasn't planned." Erin replied, bracing herself for Amy's hug and double kiss on the cheeks. "I just kinda decided to get new decorations as our old ones don't match the new apartment's style."

"Oh sweetie, you don't have to shop for those types of things yourself." Amy said, linking arms with Erin as they continued to browse. "There's a service for that type of thing."

"Oh I know but I wanted to do it myself saying it's a new start for me and Jay." Erin replied.

"You know, I haven't seen you since the night at the club." Amy said. "I am kinda a little embarrassed..."

"Amy, its fine." Erin replied. "We had a lot to drink and these things happen."

"I bet Jay doesn't want you spending time with me." Amy said, glancing over at Erin.

"Jay doesn't know about anything that happened." Erin lied. "We all have our little secrets." She could see the relief wash over Amy.

"I knew we were two of a kind." Amy giggled. "You and Jay should definitely come to the Christmas charity ball I am organising. We could use it as your official launch into society."

"That sounds great!" Erin replied.

"Good, I'll get a messenger to drop over the details." Amy said. "It's only $10,000 a couple."

"$10,000?" Erin repeated, swallowing hard. There was no way they could get that expense past Sergeant Platt.

"I know...I was able to keep the costs down this year." Amy replied. "I better run, Tony is waiting for me at his office for a late lunch." She winked at Erin; Erin forced a small chuckle. "Do you want to join me?" Erin's eyes opened wide. "I mean...you could stop over and see Jay, not..." She trailed off, blushing.

"Thanks but I still have a few things to get." Erin stated, rejecting the offer. She didn't really want to pop into the office dressed so casually, not with Jay's stunning assistant Lara there, judging her.

"Okay, well...I'm sure I'll see you soon." Amy said, giving her a quick wink again before running off.

Erin stood in the apartment, fixing a Christmas garland along the fireplace. She rubbed her arms; her thin red sweater was not keeping in much heat. She didn't want to put on the heat in the apartment just yet, until the decorations were safely displayed and not fire hazards. The last thing she needed was a visit from firehouse 51.

She walked into the bedroom and headed straight to the closet. She began searching through her clothes, looking for a heavier sweater. She hadn't packed appropriately for this operation. The majority of her winter clothes were still back at her place. If this operation was to last the next few months, she'd seriously have to consider if she could risk Burgess bringing her some clothes the next time they met up.

Her eyes fell on a familiar black hoodie that she hadn't seen since this operation had begun as Jay was often stuck in a suit all day. She lifted it, wondering if he would mind if she borrowed it. She decided he wouldn't; after all, they were married; what was his was hers.

She pulled it on and zipped it up. She instantly felt the warmth from the hoodie. She wrapped her arms around herself, taking in the scent from the hoodie; it smelled just like Jay and she smiled. She missed that smell. It reminded her of life back in the unit and back in their respective homes.

She walked back into the living area and continued decorating; she wanted to be finished before Jay came home to surprise him.

As Jay opened the door to the apartment, he found the electric fire in the fireplace roaring with flames, while the fireplace was covered with a holly garland. There was a six foot Christmas tree in the corner beside the window; tastefully decorated in black and silver bows, ribbons and beads, with white lights. Throughout the apartment, various Christmas ornaments and candles decorated the apartment, making it feel homely. Christmas music played softly in the background.

He turned to find Erin exiting the kitchen with a cup of Eggnog in her hands. "Eggnog?" She asked, offering him the cup.

"Someone has been busy." He replied, accepting the cup. His eyes fell on the black hoodie. "Is that my hoodie?" He asked as he sat down on the couch.

"Oh yeah...I um, was cold and found this." She replied, sitting down on the arm of the couch. "I can take it off..."

"No, no...it looks good on you." Jay replied, his eyes checking her out; fighting the urge to tell her what he really thought; how sexy she looked wearing his clothes.

"So do you like what I did to the place?" She asked, sliding off the arm into the couch beside Jay.

"Yeah, it looks great...very homely and festive." He replied. "I just hope you didn't spend too much."

"Relax, I kept to a budget." Erin replied. "I knew it might be a hard expense to put through."

He took a sip of the eggnog. "Did you make this?" He asked.

"No, its shop bought." Erin replied. "Why? Is it bad?"

"No, it's really good." Jay replied. "That should have been my first clue that you didn't make it."

"Hey!" Erin exclaimed, swiping her arm at him; it landed directly on the chest.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play it!" Jay stated, putting his eggnog down on the coffee table while Erin watched him; her eyes questioning him.

"Jay...wait..." She nervously tried to reason with him; her hands up as a guard as she knew what was coming. She knew that smile on his face. "Jay!"

Jay grabbed her wrists and flipped her over so she was now lying on the couch; he climbed on top of her and began to tickle her. She giggled and tried to gain control of a better position to get on top of him but it was a losing battle.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and they both froze. "Were you expecting someone?" Jay asked, looking down at Erin. She shook her head no as he quickly climbed off her. He headed towards the door, his right hand hovering over the gun he kept concealed in the drawer of the table beside the door.

He looked through the peephole; displaying the concierge Ben. He pulled open the door; his right hand still hovering the gun.

"Oh, hi Mr Kingston." Ben stated glancing over Jay's shoulder; finding Erin sitting herself up on the couch, adjusting her clothes and her hair. He began to blush and he returned his focus to Jay. "Um, sorry to interrupt but this envelope was delivered and I know Erin...I mean Mrs Kingston was waiting on a delivery..."

"Thanks." Jay replied, taking the envelope off Ben; he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few dollars. He handed over the dollars and waited for Ben to leave but Ben was distracted; watching Erin. Jay coughed; bringing Ben back to his senses.

"Oh, um...thanks Mr Kingston." He stated. "Have a good evening." He finally left.

Jay closed over the door and headed towards Erin; she was now standing up; her arms crossed. Her eyes questioned him. "Is that what I think it is?" She asked.

Jay flipped the envelope over; it had the marking of Walton Manor. "Yeah, I think it is." He replied, looking back at Erin.

To be continued...