Feel Alive Again

Being a cop was exactly what Jay Halstead had needed after serving in the Military. Getting to work in Intelligence, under Voight, was the best job he could possibly have. Being partnered with Voight's adoptive daughter, Erin, was another added bonus. And yet, Jay felt like something was incomplete. He was great at his job, he had amazing friends who had his back, yet something wasn't right.

As the two walked into their usual coffee shop, Jay let out a chuckle at something Lindsey had said. "See, you think you're funny and you think that's why I'm laughing but it's more that I'm laughing at you than laughing with you."

@ Lightwood-Bane

Christie sat at a table near the door, her head down in a book. She'd been in Chicago for a few months and she'd come to love this particular coffee shop. It was quiet and not a lot of people came in. The chilly Chicago wind blew as the door opened and two people walked in, laughing.

Something about people in Chicago made her happy to be back. A few years ago she had left, not able to deal with her grief. When she got a call that her brother had been thrown in jail she made plans to come back... but when she got here she couldn't do it... she couldn't contact her father.

Jay had walked straight to the counter but Erin, on the other hand, had stopped mid-laugh. Her gaze was fixed onto the blonde that was seated at a coffee table by the entrance and a look of recognition had crossed her face.

Striding over to the table, Erin slammed her hands down, happily of course. The look on her face was that of confusion but Erin was a great cop. "Christie?" She couldn't believe her eyes. The kid that she had grown up with, the kid that had left Chicago without a word a few years ago was back in town. And she hadn't bothered to reach out to anyone, not even family and definitely not her best friend growing up.

Christie jumped in surprise. She looked up from her book, alarmed at the sudden impact at her table. Her eyes were wide as she recognized the girl a year or two her senior that she grew up with. She should've known better than to think that they'd never find out she was in town.

"Erin! Oh my God hi! How are you?" She exclaimed. While it was a surprise seeing Erin, it was a pleasant surprise. At the very least it wasn't her father that she ran into, cause that'd be hard to explain. oh hi dad, how're you. Sorry I skipped town a few years ago and haven't spoken to you since, and sorry I've been in Chicago for months and haven't contacted you... my bad .

Yea. That'd go over well.

Erin rolled her eyes, a soft laugh leaving her lips as she leaned in to hug the blonde. "When the hell did you come back to town and why am I only just seeing you?" The question was whispered in her ear before Lindsey pulled away, a smile on her face. "Does Hank know you're back? Have you called him yet?"

Jay had, by then, grabbed their coffees and walked over to the table, his signature smile on his face. He'd caught Erin's last question, so he only had to guess that the blonde Erin was talking to was somehow related to Voight.

Christie hugged her best friend, her mind racing. She hadn’t expected to run into anyone, Chicago was so big… what were the odds. Of course, that didn’t mean she didn’t miss her family. “Oh, uh, I’ve been back for a few months. When I found out about Justin I got everything where I was squared away and came straight here. Course it took a little too long.” She explained, looking down. She did NOT want to admit this next part.

Partway between her explanation of when she returned to Chicago, the gentleman that Erin had walked in with showed up, carrying two coffees with him. “And no, I haven’t called him yet.” She sighed, immediately continuing, speaking quickly. “But Erin you can’t tell him, you can’t say anything you have to promise.”

A frown formed on Erin's face as she looked over Christie. "You're kidding me, right?" She muttered, shaking her head. "You've been back since Justin and you didn't even try and call me?" Letting out a sigh, Erin turned to Jay. "Fine. We won't mention it. But you gotta keep in touch, okay?" She muttered, reaching for the coffee in the male's hand. "This is my partner, by the way. Jay Halted, this is Christie Voight."

Christie looked down, ashamed. She couldn't bare the look of hurt in her friends face. "Nice you meet you Jay. It's nice to meet you." Christie stated, looking up at the boy before her. Something about him seemed familiar... and she couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. "Oh wait partner? Like are you... together? Or are you a detective now?" She asked, immediately felling bad for her thoughts about her best friends possible boyfriend.

Erin let out a laugh as she shook her head at Christie's question. Jay, on the other hand, let out a chuckle. "She's tried to be more but it's strictly business with us." Still chuckling, Jay shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say, I'm not as easy as she hoped."

With a roll of her eyes, Erin shot her partner a look, though the laughter was still evident on her features. "Yeah, I made detective. We actually work with your dad. Well, for him.

"Well I can see why she tried. Cant say I'm upset it didnt work out for her though." Christie smiled slightly, looking Jay in the eyes briefly. Erin's word hit like a ton of bricks and her gaze quickly darted to her old friend. "You work FOR my dad? Who in their right mind gave him leadership over a unit? Are they INSANE?!"

She quickly realized what she was saying and stopped, glancing back over at Jay. "Not that hes not good at his job. Hes great at his job. Hes just always been a hothead."