Okay guys, it's here - the final chapter. I kinda wanted to end this fic in the similar vein it started so to anyone who is still reading this, I hope you enjoy!

As always, I loved to know what you think so please read and review. I'd really appreciate it!

Chapter 22 - The Final Chapter

A few nights later...

Erin sat on her couch; dressed in jeans and a simple white t-shirt; her hair naturally hanging down in loose curls. She held a bottle of beer in her hand; her second; hovering over her lips; her eyes glancing sideways; watching her partner Jay as he focused on the summary report of the Black Hawk's latest win.

She had always enjoyed their game nights but lately, she found herself counting down the days and hours until they occurred. They were both trying hard to build up the trust again and be open with each other. Every game night they seemed to reveal more and more of themselves; adding layers to their partnership and friendship.

Jay shared stories of his family; surprising Erin by revealing he was more white collar than blue collar. She never would have guessed he came from a very influential family; everything in his life was so basic. He told about how he stepped away from his family's money when he enlisted; enlisting was something his father did not agree with; he was on his own and he had to work for everything he had; which he loved.

He told her about his siblings; his older sister Amanda who originally was at odds with the family, after getting pregnant at the age of 18 and becoming an unwed mother; ruining her chance to go to Columbia University; giving Jay his 16 year old niece (and probably his favourite person besides his granddad) Olivia. Now of course, Amanda was happily married an investment banker in the upstate suburbs of Chicago and she was back in the family fold, helping to run the father's private medical practice.

Then there was his younger brother Ryan, who followed the plan laid out by their father and became a doctor. Unfortunately for their father; that's as much of the plan that Ryan followed; being too much of a playboy to take over their father's already well established practice, he never sticks around long enough.

Surprising though; despite all the drama; Jay still managed to have a healthy relationship with his family; especially his brother Ryan and niece Olivia (she even joins Jay on the shooting range ever so often, despite her mother's protests).

In return, Erin shared her childhood experiences; how she didn't even know if her dad was still in prison and she didn't care; how her mother went from disastrous relationship to disastrous relationship (she is currently on her 5th marriage) and how she never cared about how her choices impacted Erin or Teddy. She shared some of her happiness memories she had growing up with Teddy, although they were few and far between.

Erin even briefly shared about how Voight and his family saved her life; although she didn't want to go into too much detail as Voight was still their boss and she knew he wouldn't appreciate her sharing all their family secrets.

She watched as Jay sat his beer bottle (his third) on the coffee table. She knew what that meant; she knew was getting ready to leave and she couldn't help but notice how her stomach sunk at the thought. Finally, she spoke; trying anything to make him stay a little longer. "So did you get hold of Bobbi, to let her know about the bounty?"

"What?" Jay asked; taken off guard by the sudden question. "Oh yeah, I got through...they have precautions in place...they were expecting some sort of retaliation."

Erin tried to study his eyes but she couldn't from the angle he was sitting; focusing on the TV. "And are you okay with that?" She asked.

She could see a small smirk forming on his lips before he turned to face her. "Erin, I'm not worried...and you shouldn't be either." He stated. "Bounties are part and parcel of our jobs. I constantly had a bounty on my head in Afghanistan. Hell, I even had one on me in Chicago...and I'm still here."

Erin nodded and looked down at her beer bottle; remember how Jay had put himself on the line the time a bounty had been placed on his head for killing the brother of a suspect. He had done the right thing; the brother had shot at us; he was protecting the unit; although it didn't make it any easier; taking a life.

She remember how she felt when he put himself forward as bait; she wanted to scream at him, tell him there was another way; that she couldn't bear to lose him. Instead she told him to be smart. The cop in her knew why he was doing it; someone close to him had already been injured in the crossfire; she knew he could never live with himself if it happened again but it didn't make watching him risk it all any easier.

She felt the couch shift; forcing her to look up; Jay was standing in front of her. "I guess it's time to go home." He simply said; reaching for his jacket from over the back of the couch.

"What if you didn't?" She softly asked, surprising herself. She could feel Jay watching her; she swallowed hard; knowing she'd have to finish what she started.

"If I didn't what?" He asked; his eyes searching hers; looking for clarity.

"Go home." She replied, barely whispering. She watched as his mouth slightly dropped open; his brain trying to compute her statement.

He sighed. "Erin..."

Erin sat the bottle of beer on the coffee table and rose to her feet. "Just hear me out." She pleaded, cutting him off. "I know we agreed to keep things professional because well, we enjoy working together and we don't want to leave intelligence." She stepped towards Jay; enclosing in his space; their faces only centimetres apart.

"And that hasn't changed." Jay pointed out; his voice soft; his breath catching Erin's ear and neck.

"I know but I don't know if that's enough to ignore what is going on between us." Erin barely whispered; feeling brave; reaching out and gently placing her hands on his chest.

"And what exactly is going on between us?" Jay asked, a smirk forming on his lips.

Erin looked down to her feet; suddenly not feeling very brave. She knew he wanted her to say it; to tell him her feelings. She chewed her lower lip and looked up to meet his eyes. "When Bobbi paid me her little visit, she not only put things in perspective, she also made me realise some truths...truths that I have been ignoring because they terrify me." Erin stated.

"Erin..." Jay sighed; reaching out to gently stroke Erin's cheek. Erin leaned into his touch; her body tingling but she knew she had to continue. She leaned away from his touch.

"When Voight warned me off dating you, he said he was doing it for you because he's seen the trail of broken hearts I've left...and he was right." Erin stated. "I've never been good at relationships; they've never been for me; the idea of having to share my life with someone...to give up a part of myself...it never sounded appealing."

"Erin, you're meant to be making the argument for why we should let this happen." Jay joked. "Why we should ignore everything and be together."

"Right..." Erin replied, shaking her head; getting her thoughts back on track. "...the point is, it never appealed to me...until you came along. Jay, I've never let a man see me the way I've let you...apart from Voight, no one knows my secrets, my weaknesses the way you do...and I'm not even scared sharing that with you."

Jay's smirk grew wider; his arms reaching out to wrap around Erin's waist, pulling her close. He raised one hand to gently cup her cheek; his thumb gently stroking it. "I really appreciate that you can share yourself with me Erin." He softly said. "But...we still need to consider Voight and his rules. I know how much he means to you Erin; I know you can't go against him."

"Jay, I don't want to think about us finally being together as us going against Voight." Erin softly stated; her fingers softly gripping his t-shirt. "He wouldn't need to know..." She could feel Jay rising to a protest. "...not until we know what this...us is." She felt him settle again. "I just think we have to get us a try and if it does turn out to be what I...we...think it is, then we'll face Voight together and if there is nothing there, there's no harm done; no one's been transferred." She raised one hand and gently grazed his cheek. "So, what do you think?"

He looked down at her; his smirk as wide as possible. "I think you just used 'us' and 'we'." He teased.

Erin gave a soft smile; her hand slipping around from his cheek to the nape of his neck; her fingers twirling the short hairs on his neck. "See the effect you have on me? I'm already losing my independence."

"You lose you independence? Never! Then you'd have to let me drive!" He retorted; his fingers slowing moving down to gently grip her neck as his lips softly crashed against her for a soft; tender yet passionate kiss. Slowly they pulled apart; resting their foreheads against each other.

Erin's fingers gently traced patterns on his t-shirt before she looked up at him, gently chewing her lower lip. "So, are you going home?" She asked; acting coy.

"What do you think?" He breathlessly fired back; his hands moving down to grip her buttocks; causing her to squeal and giggle, before jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. She buried her head in his neck; softly placing butterfly kisses along his jaw line and neck as he carried her towards the bedroom.

The End!