Det. Erin Luciano

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin For three years, Erin was blessed to celebrate the birth of a man that she never could have known just how he would change her life.  The first year, it was with a keychain that read ‘mi fido di te’ that held a key to her apartment, granting him access to her any time he wanted to be there without asking.  Additionally, a pair of handcuffs that were used in both directions, rounded out that first birthday.  The second year, the two were living together, and Erin had been surprised a week before by his proposal.  She and the boys planned breakfast in bed and a no pants day for him which the boys were entirely thrilled over as they all spent the day lounging in their pajamas, enjoying the company of one another.  The third year, they were in Vegas, fresh off their wedding where she would propose the two getting tattooed wedding bands beneath their actual ones which she wore proudly after their attempt at ink together previously hadn’t panned out.  

This year, it would be something different.  A mixture of it all perhaps where she took his day and broke it apart into bits, ensuring that at every turn, he found a birthday wish from his wife.  It began first thing in the morning where his coffee was offered in a cup that read ‘happy birthday’ in colorful writing.  Next would be in the bathroom when he went in for his shower and there on the mirror written in red lipstick was a note reading ‘the day you were born, you were already mine.’  When he got in the SUV to drive them to work that morning and take the boys to school, she had placed a note in the sunglass holder that would fall out the moment he opened it.  ‘I hope you have the greatest birthday ever.  Steer clear of Ruzek.’  Later at his desk, he’d find another note taped to his phone.  ‘I’d rather being having sex with you than staring across the room at you unable to touch you.’  Sitting at her desk, she flashed an innocent smile as he found the note, idly chewing on the end of her pen.

At the end of shift, the inside of the SUV had been completely filled with balloons, spilling out when he opened the door.  After making room for themselves within, the balloons were taken inside the house for the boys to tear up and have a good time with where a full meal and cake were waiting from his mother.  There on his plate, beneath his slice of cake, was writing where it should have been plain white.  ‘We should save a piece of this cake for later. >:]’. Smirking from her seat at the table as no one else knew about the note that was there against the ceramic dish, her eyes shifted up towards the ceiling as though she didn’t know what he could possibly be staring at her for.  After the boys were put to bed, Erin had disappeared.  She had been there for the goodnights, but as Bash started going on about why he thought they should be going somewhere for the weekend, Erin checked out.

Downstairs in their bedroom, when he finally came in, he would find his wife in black lingerie that rarely ever got worn, sitting against his piano bench with candles lit on every flat surface in the room.  Her hair was done.  Her make up as well.  Taking those extra steps the woman didn’t often do.  Idly depressing one key or another, she would look casually towards the door when it finally opened, the sound of those keys surely giving indication as to where she was.  When the door opened, her eyes were to his.  There on the bed were those same handcuffs from the first birthday, a plate of strawberries and a bowl of whipped cream indicative of the second, and her wedding ring off her hand to show the tattooed band against her hand of the third.  Bringing it all together in what might very well be one of the last times during this pregnancy that she’d be able to fit into the lingerie she now wore.  

“Happy Birthday, C.J.  Would you like your gift?” she asked, glancing down over herself before looking back up to him as if to suggest that this year, his gift had been a million ‘happy birthday’ messages throughout the day leading up to this, where she offered herself as his true present.

-September 1, 2017

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

“Three years ago, I thought I had it all worked out.  I wanted nothing more than to do my job to the best of my ability, to afford my apartment in the city, to do my part to help when and where I could.  At the end of the day, it was microwavable dinners and a beer while watching whatever nonsense was on television that wasn’t violent just to come down from the day.  I’d wash my fork and toss my trash, then find my way to a shower and my bed.  There was a set routine to all of it and I liked the way things were.  I was happy with my life and in that moment, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  

All at once, you were there.  You drove me insane with your ridiculous come on lines that were never going to get you anywhere, but I resolved myself to the fact that it helped pass the time.  When you came into the unit, you brought with you a charisma that had been missing all along, and the others genuinely liked you.  The truth is, there were even days I liked you, but let’s not get too focused on that.

The night I agreed to dinner with you, I’d had a rough day.  I wonder sometimes if it hadn’t been for the personal things going on in my life at the time, if I would have accepted that offer or not.  It felt like the walls were closing in around me and the promise of getting completely trashed off my ass sounded pretty good to me.  I had fears, but you promised to take care of me, and if there was one thing I knew from being your partner, it was that you could be trusted to follow through on your word.

There are a lot of inconsistencies about the events of that night, and though I still will not admit to some of those events, I will admit to the most important one; I saw you as a person and not just a badge.  Though we never planned on you staying the night, I was glad that you did.  I’ll never forget waking up holding your hand and freaking out because I thought we crossed some line.  In truth, I was just afraid that if we did, it would ruin everything.  Work would become awkward and the friendship we had would be decimated and leave us both considering transfers in the end, thus breaking up the best partnership I’d ever been a part of.  I was focused on work and you were focused on me.

Fast forward four days, to the day three years ago where hypothetical questions revealed real feelings and by the end of it, I wore the title of ladyfriend.  I hated it, or so I acted, but in all truth, I’d never held a title I loved so much.  You wore the other half of that title, unoriginal at best, but as my boyfriend.  It seems like a million years ago as I look back.  It seems like a part of me has always been yours and a part of you has always been mine.  Those secretive days in my apartment are long gone and our lives don’t look remotely like they did then, proving just how much can change in three years.

I won’t walk you through every step of it, considering you were there for it all, but I just wanted you to know that even though we now celebrate a different anniversary and I bear your name, some things will never change.  I will still remember August 19 as the date that we finally went for that dinner.  I will still remember August 24 as the date that we committed to one another officially.  I will still remember the first night I spent at your house and how terrified I was to come in.  I will still remember Christmas Eve, meeting the boys and just how nervous I was to do so.  I will always remember those nights in the cabin when security issues sent us away.  I will always recall the night that I spent at your house that turned into a conversation about no longer living apart.  And I’ll never forget that night two years ago tonight where we went to the same restaurant where our first date was, and you asked me to be your wife.

Your wife.

I’ve been your wife for over a year now and it still amazes me that I am someone’s wife, but specifically /your/ wife.  

You could have had any woman you wanted.  I saw the way they made eyes at you in the station and out on the street.  To this day, the ring on your hand doesn’t deter those looks.  If anything, it only makes them look harder, wondering just how easy it would be to slip that band off and enjoy a taste of the forbidden, and yet you chose me.  You chose me even before I chose you in return.  You committed to this before even I did.  And the kicker?  You loved me first.  I’m never going to confess to saying so, but I know that you did.  You were relentless in your attempts and on those nights in my apartment, when I’d be eating salisbury steak, corn, and mashed potato garbage, I would replay them in my head.  I’d never let you know that I thought about them after the fact or that some days, they were the nicest things I’d heard.  I’d never confess that there were nights I envisioned what it might be like to be with you, to be held in your arms, to kiss your lips.

For the record, everything I ever imagined didn’t measure up to the real thing.

Loving you has been the single most incredible part of my life.  Learning to be comfortable in my own skin and to express myself freely has been the most liberating gift you ever could have given me.  There were times that it was hard as growth is not ever easy, but if I had it to do all over again, I’d still choose you.  I’d choose you a million times over and I’d go through every growing pain times ten along the way if it meant that in the end, I would be right here with you, as your wife, raising these boys, preparing for the arrival of our baby in just five months.  

I love you with every fiber of my being and my love for you only grows stronger with each passing day.  Although there will always be things from our past that I miss and treasure, I will continue to look forward to the future, to the life that we have carved out for ourselves, where at the end of every day, you take me off to bed and I never have to close my eyes without you telling me that you love me.  Where you never close yours to sleep without my kiss still lingering there against your lips and your covers are always stolen.  

So even though it’s not our wedding anniversary, it’s always going to be an anniversary to me.  So happy anniversary, C.J.  Thank you for entertaining hypotheticals and taking a chance on a long shot who didn’t know her own worth.  Thank you for these boys and this baby and for filling a life that had only been a shell before you.  Thank you for turning my world upside down and showing me what living truly looked like.  And thank you, above all else, for never giving up on me or us.”

-August 24, 2017

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

She was forever wanting to stay in that bed.  She was nearly impossible to get up in the mornings and the man was no different, making it even more difficult day in and day out to get their day started, but this morning would be different.  She was up and out of the bed before the alarm had gone off, having waited all night for this morning and it was about to kill her.  She made her way through the bedroom quietly, getting dressed in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before she’d go out of the room to find coffee for the both of them.  Returning twenty minutes later, she had two cups of coffee in her hands and a piece of paper tucked under her chin.  Placing his coffee on the bedside table, she’d shift her own in her hands to place the piece of paper upside down under his coffee cup for him before returning to her side of the bed where she’d climb back in to take a sip of her coffee before it would find her side table as well.  Leaning over him, her lips found the shell of his ear where she’d whisper softly.  “Good morning.”

C.J.

Feeling the woman to his ear when he was in the throws of lightening sleep, he didn’t want any parts of it. He wanted to lay there and become one with the bed. Never feeling like he had enough time in it but never crawling in it particularly early either making him a complete contradiction at best yet once he was in, it was hard to get out. Groaning softly as he saw nothing good about that morning as he reached down for the blanket at his chest as he began to pull it up to show he was closed for business as it was pulled above his chin.

Erin

As the blanket began to move, she knew that maneuver all too well as he was usually tucking her in under those same covers with him, demanding that they find a way out of work and to stay there for the rest of the day.  Sometimes it worked.  But most of the time, someone had to be an adult and drag them from the bed.  “C.J.,” she whispered, her hand reaching for those covers to stop him from burying himself under them.  “Would you get up if I were naked?” she asked, knowing she had been when they went to sleep and that now she wasn’t, though he didn’t know that yet, but her words would prove she’d already left the room at least once.

C.J.

“Not my name.” he decided groggily, just as J.J. did when told he needed to get out of bed too and it wasn’t entirely wrong considering it wasn’t /really/ his name. Feeling her at his blanket as he’d whine. Not taking that question too deep as she wasn’t naked. He’d know if she was. “You’re not naked.” he’d remind her simply as he remained pulling at his blanket.

Erin

“I didn’t say I was, I said what /if/ I was… and C.J. is your name…” she argued, shaking her head as this was going to prove more difficult than she’d imagined, though she should have known better.  “Okay, okay, what if I told you that I brought you coffee and I will get naked?” she asked, attempting anything she could at this point as every minute that passed was another minute that they’d wind up being late seeing as she’d wanted to spend a few minutes alone with him that morning before the boys got up and the day started.

C.J.

Technically speaking, it was not his name as he kept his eyes closed. Head tilted to the side as he heard her speak. Exhaling a deep, huffed breath as she wouldn’t need to get naked for him to get up as that would only end one way here as he’d keep his eyes closed for another minute. Slowly opening up where he’d know any time laying down would put him right back to sleep again.

Erin

With that breath, she knew she was getting somewhere, yet she wouldn’t realize he wasn’t exactly taking her up on her offer.  Bringing her hands to the lower hem of her shirt, she’d slip it up and off as he started to open his eyes.  Though it wasn’t entirely naked, it was naked from the waist up and half of her promise there met.  “Good morning,” she whispered again, her rasp always strongest in the mornings as she sat beside him, turned towards him, thinking he might not mind waking up to his wife already awake and not having to be drug from the bed kicking and screaming, sure to already be saving them a few minutes to begin with.

C.J.

Though not getting up for that, he wouldn’t be too upset by the visual as she shed her shirt. The quickest way to lure a dimpled smile from him. Authentic through and through as he heard her whisper. “Morning.” he’d state in return, leaning in where he stole a kiss to her cheek before his hands found the bed to pull himself into a seated position beside her now in attempt to stay up.

Erin

Feeling that kiss to her cheek, her own dimpled smile would make itself known though her own held nothing on his and they both knew it.  As he sat up, she’d give him the room to do so, though she really just wanted to climb on top of him.  “How’d you sleep?” she asked, entirely too awake that morning as was completely uncharacteristic for the woman as her eyes drifted to the nightstand on his side of the bed. “Your coffee is there,” she offered, gesturing to where it sat overtop of a piece of printer paper.

C.J.

“Good.” he answered honestly as his arms lifted, stretching out as he heard her mention his coffee where he’d take his time getting there. Not quite sure why the reason for the change of pace. Figuring maybe she couldn’t sleep or just got up early. Not thinking much of it as he nodded at her mention of the coffee before giving up a loud yawn and reaching for that same coffee.

Erin

As he yawned, she was reaching for her shirt, turning it right side out where she could easily slip it on again.  “So the boys are out from school early today and I thought we could surprise them and pick them up on lunch and take them out to eat.  You think you can swing it?” she asked, getting right to the days list as her brain was already firing on all gears that morning, marking it to be completely unlike her, and yet it felt amazing for her all at the same time.  Almost making her think that if she’d get up a little earlier every morning, she’d have more time before she was thrust into the day the way she normally was.  

C.J.

"Yeah." He'd state with ease as nothing seemed too daunting about that allowing they had a good day collectively. Hearing her already several paces ahead of him due to the coffee in her veins as he reached for his own. Drowsily rubbing his eyes as he looked down towards the paper under his coffee cup. "What is this?" He'd ask curiously as he eyed the woman.

Erin

As he reached for his coffee, her smile would grow just a little more than it had already been.  “It’s a little something I did on the computer last night,” she confessed, without being too descriptive.  It wasn’t uncommon for her to come up with something that pieced something together a case the unit was working, but this time it wasn’t work related at all.  “Oh wait, you’ll need a pen,” she offered, suddenly realizing her attempt there hadn’t been as smooth as she meant it to be, also proving it had some type of work attached to it.  Slipping over to her side of the bed, she opened her nightstand drawer to find one of her own pens there, of which she’d present to him a moment later.  “And you’ll have to put your coffee back down before you do this,” she stated as she finally worked out her own shirt and was drawing it back over her head and into place again.

C.J.

"Okay..." taking his coffee as he waited for the pen, watching her find as he took a strong mouthful. Not sure what she was working up here as he drew the paper onto his lap and out the coffee down. Willing to play along nervous as he was.

Erin

Once his coffee was placed down and he was drawing the paper into his lap, he had control of the pen and now all she had to do was sit back and watch.  Reaching over for her own coffee, she’d take a sip before placing it back down, never keeping it there on the bed with her for more than a moment as the fear of spilling it was just too high and her hands were a little too unsteady that morning.  “Alright, turn it over,” she offered, giving him the go ahead to see what it was she had done for him and just why that pen would be so important.

C.J.

Having to laugh as he looked at what she had worked up. Eyes finding hers as she was truly something else and he enjoyed these little things more than he ever had the right to. Proof that things between them would never get stagnant. "You...I love you." He stated with ease; reaching for the pen as he reached down to steal a kiss. Not even sure he'd have the ability to start it without the need to kiss her.

Erin

As he reached over to press his kiss to her lips, her smile wouldn’t fade.  Getting such a reaction from him before he’d even done the puzzle, her hand found the side of his face.  “I love you too,” she promised as it was the easiest truth in the world to let pass her lips.  “Hope it isn’t too hard,” she offered, teasing the man as she leaned back against the headboard of the bed, her head coming there to his shoulder where she’d make frequent glances between the paper and his eyes, biting gently against her lower tier.

C.J.

"I think I'll be alright." Finding a magazine to lean the paper on as he scratched his chin as if this was at all difficult. 2,3 and 5 all coming easily. "1 across...partners?" Trying it to see if it fit which it would, he'd find number four.

Erin

Turning her head, she pressed a kiss to the side of his neck, settling back in to rest her head against his shoulder as he made his way through, a nod of her head as he asked if his answer was right as it was honestly the one that she wasn’t so sure was easily figured out.  “Mhm,” she offered, her hand slipping over against his thigh as she watched.

C.J.

Feeling her against his thigh as he found the second to last one, reading the wording where his eyes would scan. Finding there to be no available clues and only gave up a letter to the last one. Free arm sweeping around her shoulders as his hand would slip under her shirt to rub her back. "Detective?" He'd ask, filling it in and seeing it fit as he'd glance down towards her for help with the last one.

Erin

Hearing his question, she’d nod her head, her eyes scanning down to the list of clues at the lower part of the page, reading each one over with a building anticipation of her own as he found himself on the last one.  As he glanced down towards her for help on the last one, all he’d find was a smile as she was going to be absolutely no good for him here, wanting him to do it himself.  Biting at her lower tier, she leaned up, stealing his lips for a moment before he’d be allowed to return to the paper once again, no help offered aside from the encouragement of her kiss.

C.J.

Watching her smile suggesting he wasn't getting any help, brows furrowing as he might have gotten it. Looking back towards it where he traced the letters. Seeing it. Inhaling evenly as he drew out that first letter as a "D." Seeing if he was right and he looked back at her to see if he was on the right track after her kiss. "Am I..." too buzzing with anticipation to even finish it.

Erin

As his pen met the paper, she bit harder and harder against her lower tier as she kept her head rested against his shoulder, glancing from him to the paper and back to him again, watching the profile of his face throughout as he placed the first letter before looking down to her to check his progress there.  Her eyes would say it all as she gave up a gentle nod of her head, confirming that the first letter was ‘d’.  “Am you what?” she asked, barely able to get the question out as her own excitement was evident there in the smile to her lips and the light in her eyes.  

C.J.

Seeing her excitement which reflected his suspicions, his teeth at his bottom lip as he'd give up the next letter. "U?" He asked, waiting for confirmation. After that, it was easy but the woman seemed to be telling him without telling him anything.

Erin

Hearing him with the next letter, she’d pause, meeting his eyes for a long moment before giving up a nod of her head.  She knew he had it by now and was just making sure, but she was playing along at every step here.  She was barely holding herself together there, which explained why she couldn’t sleep the night before, wanting to surprise him, but finding herself anxious through the night to do so.  

C.J.

As she gave up the next letter in confirmation. Not needing anything further as he'd lower the magazine and crossword puzzle and the pen. Hand finding the side of her face as his eyes took to hers. Taking in the sights of her in that moment before his smile finally took. Leaning in and pressing his lips firmly and deeply to hers with this all exchanged as he still didn't believe it. Wouldn't believe it. It couldn't be real until he had the details but for now, the emotions were far too high and moving to do anything but kiss the woman.

Erin

As he dropped the items there on his lap, she felt his hand there to the side of hers, feeling his lips find her own a moment later to kiss away a smile that she wasn’t sure could possibly fade.  Shifting slightly out from his shoulder where she had remained throughout, she brought one hand to the side of his neck, pressing her lips just as deeply to his as he did to hers.  Holding this secret for even eight hours had been nearly enough to kill the woman, but this?  This made it all worth it to see his reaction as it was.

C.J.

Not sure how long she had known, he wouldn't bother with the details. Keeping his lips firmly to hers as his hand remained to the side of her neck and face. Holding her to him as she did the same for him. Inhaling evenly as he had never lost faith in this event or her. Yet, it still seemed surreal as the two had privately been coming to realizations that he attempted to quell in her every step of the way. Finally drawing back after a slow moment where his forehead would find hers. Lips to her nose before he found the side of her neck to breathe her in.

Erin

As he drew back from her lips, she could have kissed him for the rest of the morning, somehow knowing they’d need that extra time that morning before work to get ready as this was too big to be rushed or said in passing.  After all that they had been through and all of the disappointments dating back well over a year now, they deserved to enjoy this entirely.  As she felt his forehead find hers, his lips to her nose before he was finding the side of her neck, she drew her arms around him to hold onto the man, her own face finding the curve of his neck.  “I love you,” she promised easily in a raspy whisper as the core of all of this was summed up in those three words, as it was only through that love that they were there in that moment.  From the days where she couldn’t stand him, to the flirting, to secretly dating, through every step the two had been through, she wasn’t sure this day was ever going to come, but now that it had, and now that they were there in the middle of it, it was worth every disappointment and bump in the road along the way.  

C.J.

“And I love you.” he answered as he remained to her neck, literally pulling her into his senses with the need to feel her, smell her and see her. Arms slipping around her as he was pulling her in closer if at all possible though skin always felt too far away. Still holding into her though he had questions. God knows he had plenty but for now, this would simply be enough.

Erin

As he drew into her, she did the same, finding the blanket and the items at his lap to be in her way entirely, but she couldn’t be bothered with it.  Moving one hand to his lap, she’d aim to save that piece of paper, thinking he might like to keep it, gripping it gently in her hand as she drew one leg over him, finding a way to maneuver her way onto his lap to straddle against him where they could find a closer place as she felt they both wanted.  “I love you more,” she offered, knowing it to be a point of contention throughout the entirety of the relationship and yet she’d inject it here and now as well as her face remained there in the side of his neck, reaching her hand over to return that piece of paper to the nightstand where it had begun.

C.J.

Feeling her at his lap as she pulled over him. Hands finding her sides and hips even as she moved to save the piece of evidence like the true detective she was. Hearing her offering where he’d shake his head. “Impossible.” he’d conclude simply as his lips pressed to her shoulder before drawing his head back. “It is impossible for any living person to love another living person the way I love you."

Erin

As his lips found her shoulder before she’d find his eyes again, his words had brought a smile to her face, as if it wasn’t a permanent fixture already that morning.  Hearing him continue as her eyes met his, she brought one hand to the side of his face as his hands settled against her sides.  Leaning in, she’d steal his lips again, unable to not kiss the man after the words he offered her, knowing it was true and she’d spend her entire life trying to show this man just how deeply she loved him, all while knowing that he would have always loved her longer, though she’d argue that her own love for him was as deep as humanly possible.

C.J.

Always holding that advantage which came with it that maybe since he loved her longer, he loved her more. Regardless, he’d use it as a selling point at every available opportunity and she knew that well by this point. Feeling her find his lips which he would offer up happily and willingly to the woman who was never too far off from being kissed herself. Humming low as his hands passed up her back.

Erin

In the midst of the kiss, her smile took over once again, severing the exchange of her lips to his no matter how much she wanted to continue kissing him in that moment.  Drawing back, she met his eyes as his hands passed up her back, one of her hands there at the side of his face while the other arm was draped behind his neck.  “We’re having a baby,” she whispered, her forehead finding his.  Even though she’d had a little more time to wrap her mind around that positive test that would change everything there, those words had yet to be spoken out loud from the woman until this very moment, her smile wide and emotions on high as she met the eyes of the man she loved.

C.J.

Hearing her speak those words for the first time and breathe it into existence, he’d draw in as his brows drew briefly. “You took a pregnancy test without me?” he’d tease, as usually he was right there on the other side of the door considering that was as close as she’d allow him though in reality he’d be in the bathroom with her if he could. Clearly not too upset with her but just wondering what had sparked her to leave their routine or whether it was her routine to break routine.

Erin

Biting against her lower tier, it was there that there would be confessions of all that she’d been doing for the last few months.  “I didn’t always do it,” she confessed as she drew a breath, realizing he wasn’t too upset with her, but he deserved to know the truth.  “But I felt like you had to hold me together after each one.  I didn’t want to be a burden like that, because I felt like it might be weighing on you the way it did on me.  And so I started taking a few here and there in between, just when I was too curious to wait until Friday.  Always hoping, but forever wondering, knowing that it could change at any time.  When I took one after dinner last night while you were kissing the boys goodnight, I didn’t really think it would be anything different from all of the other times and then I’d just get in the shower and get rid of the evidence of the tears,” she continued on as not one single negative test had been met without tears, drawing another deep breath as her eyes met his again.  “But it was positive.  So I took the other one in the box and it was positive too.  But then I thought it could be a faulty box, so I got out the last box in the cabinet and took those two as well and, well, they were all positive.”

C.J.

“My job is to hold you together.” he reminded her, not quite agreeing with her rational even if it was very much like herself to think such a thing. To put him above her and her own concerns and worries though C.J. loved being there for her in this. Despite the tears, the bad parts about it; it brought them closer. It made him love her more if at all possible that the two could be there for one another through these vulnerabilities. Hearing her conclusion about the pregnancy tests, he’d smile softly. “You did good."

Erin

As he heard her out and assured her that he’d been doing his part there, she nodded her head.  She knew he wanted to be there for the good, the bad, and the ugly, but after enough ugly, she just wanted a bit of that on herself where he wouldn’t have to see it, where he could hold his wife simply because she wanted to be held on a Tuesday night and not because she’d peed on another stick that delivered news they didn’t want to hear.  As he smiled softly, telling her she’d done well, her smile was there at her own features as she nodded her head softly in return.  “We did good,” she promised as she’d take none of this on herself and all of it on them as it was theirs.  Theirs.  A living, breathing someone that was theirs.  

C.J.

Hearing her assure him that it was a two way effort, he’d shrug softly. “Nothing different than what I do normally anyway.” he’d remind her, hands slipping under her shirt to again access her skin. Something that didn’t have the meaning as it would with many people as he literally just wanted that contact in whatever capacity he could find bare skin to bare skin. “You’re the one that doesn’t have to prop up on the body pillow anymore after.” he’d tease as he knew there was still a doctors appointment in their near future but this was definitely good and wanted news.

Erin

As his hands slipped beneath her shirt, she felt the contact of his skin to her own, something that had been missing since she’d woken up and left that bed that morning.  Feeling the warmth of him there against her as she straddled over his assured bare body with a layer of covers there between them, she couldn’t help but let that laugh come through as she hadn’t thought of the positions she wouldn’t have to take after sex.  The night before, she’d fallen asleep immediately after, exhausted from the day and that which the two spent their nights within, not even realizing that she normally would have been on that body pillow or with her legs straight up against the headboard.  It was out of true exhaustion that she’d forgotten entirely, yet now she’d never have to do so again.  “Damn your bad luck, having to get stuck holding me after again,” she teased as she’d missed that so much over the last year.  

C.J.

“Shucks.” he’d tease, as he’d miss her in that time and would be glad to have it back until a different sort of use for the body pillow would be introduced as he leaned up. Stealing her lips back for another gentle kiss as his lips would pass over hers upon conclusion. “I think this is the true meaning of a ‘good’ morning, huh?”

Erin

Meeting his lips again as neither of them seemed to be able to keep away from one another’s lips, both needing to feel one another as they enjoyed the quiet celebration between them for a life created, though the idea of a person being inside of her was still yet to settle on her entirely.  “Oh, definitely,” she agreed as this was the best morning, maybe ever, getting the opportunity to surprise him with something she knew they had both been wanting.  “Just be glad I didn’t wait until our anniversary to tell you,” she teased as it had definitely crossed her mind to wait another month and a half, though she knew she couldn’t keep it a secret that long.

C.J.

“Yeah, because that would have happened.” snorting at the possibility as he would have known something was up when he didn’t get their weekly pregnancy test results. Right then and there she would have been set off as he was something difficult to trick. Sometimes. “When you gonna’ call the doctor?"

Erin

Smirking, she knew it couldn’t have worked.  Even if she hadn’t thought of the tests that would have given her away, she just couldn’t bring herself to hold that information back from him as she felt he had been through just as many trials here, if not more, than she had.  “I was thinking after we get the boys off to school.  On our way to work.  See how soon they can get us in,” she offered, her hand smoothing over the side of his face as she admired the man there before her.  “Gonna go with me?” she asked, already knowing the answer to that as a smile swept her features yet again.

C.J.

Nodding as that sounded like a good idea to him, hearing her question. His eyes would lock with hers. “Because I’d miss that?” he’d ask, a shake of his head as she knew better. “Sorry, but you’re stuck with me.” he’d return apologetically. Not one to pull himself from the hook so easily as he felt her hand to his face. “Good timing too since if I grew anymore I might have had to reconsider having a kid of my own and waiting until J knocked someone up.” he’d add, stealing another kiss from her.

Erin

Feeling another kiss to her lips, she hated the thought of J getting someone pregnant.  It didn’t work for her.  It couldn’t work.  C.J. seemed to tease about this regularly and Erin would never understand it.  In truth, if J did do that, then his kid and his brother or sister could even be close in age, a thought that would have her drawing back from that kiss.  “Need to stop talking about J.J. having kids,” she reminded him as the thought didn’t settle well with her at all, as she’d made no secret of it.  “I’m not okay with it at all.  I think we should just tell him that if he has sex before he’s eighteen, then he is gonna get cancer or some shit.”

C.J.

Hearing her having a harder time with his son having children then he did, he’d have to smirk lightly. “He’s his father’s son.” he reminded her, as J was a lot like C.J. in many ways and this probably would be no exclusion. Especially with the approaching years as the kid was developing quick. Laughing softly at her, he’d shake his head. “Good luck with that one.”

Erin

His statement would earn him a cut of her eyes as she drew back, shaking her head no.  “I can’t, C.J.  I can’t.  Just, no,” she argued, unable to wrap her mind around it and much preferring to think about their own baby instead.  “Drink your coffee and leave me be with that mess,” she teased, though in all truth she’d never want to be left be and he well knew it by now since she was making no effort to get off of his lap there as she remained straddled against him.  

C.J.

“Mhm.” he’d return, feeling her still to his lap showing she wasn’t being entirely truthful as he reached out for his coffee. Thinking it tasted a whole lot better now as he took in a warm mouthful and idly glanced over towards the clock to see that they wouldn’t need to be running around like usual. Maybe this waking up a bit earlier thing wouldn’t be a horrible idea considering but knowing he was a pain in the ass to wake up and she was even more of one.

Erin

As he took to his coffee, she couldn’t reach her own on the other bedside table, but it wasn’t honestly doing much for her since she’d made the switch to decaf a few weeks back in preparation for a time that the pregnancy test would be positive.  “I soooo miss real coffee,” she confessed, leaning in towards his cup.  “Just let me smell yours,” she requested, swearing the two smelled completely different, though no one believed her in the matter.

C.J.

Lifting the cup to just under her nose to let her smell some. “You can have some, baby. Just can’t have anything else with caffeine.” he stated simply, offering her some of his own as he knew what the doctors said and he knew what he knew and somewhere they’d have to reconcile in between.

Erin

Hearing him say she could have some, her eyes shot to his with more hope in them than should have been there over a simple cup of coffee.  “Are you sure though?  I thought no coffee, no cigarettes, and no alcohol?” she asked, missing both desperately as she’d been on that straight and narrow for some time now, nearly detoxing her body for that baby she now carried within.  “What if it hurts the baby?  I don’t want to do anything that could fuck up anything here,” she offered, knowing he’d feel the same.

C.J.

“No cigarettes, no alcohol…no more than 10 ounces of coffee or caffeine a day.” he returned, still enough to get her a morning cup and started off well and without complaint. A shake of his head as she wasn’t doing anything harmful. “You’re not doing meth, Erin…it’s just a little bit of coffee.” he reasoned. “I can look it up in that pregnancy book if you want.”

Erin

Before he could finish offering to look it up, both of her hands were there to his cup, bringing it into her own control and there to her own lips.  Tilting it back unapologetically as she let the warmth fill her mouth.  Her eyes closed as though she were in worship, she lowered the cup and swallowed that which she’d taken within.  A satisfied hum passed her lips as a slow smile took her features, tasting the difference immediately, more than willing to go on just his word in that moment.  “That’s amazing,” she whispered, taking a slow breath as she opened her eyes to meet his.

C.J.

Seeing her take to it without needing anymore proof, smirking softly as the experience seems somewhat orgasmic for it. Having to laugh softly as she returned to life. “Now I know what face you make when it’s happening so I can tell when you are lying…” going with his own thought process, his brows would lift as it was his own joke that only he was in on and she’d probably be confused but that was alright as he let her hold onto that cup.

Erin

“When I’m lying?” she asked, meeting his eyes as she held on to the cup.  “I never lie about good coffee,” she assured, looking from him to the cup and back to him again before she’d bring that cup to her lips once more, the reactions falling exactly in line as they did the last time as it had been weeks since she tasted real coffee as opposed to that fake shit sitting on her nightstand getting cold.  Lowering the cup again, she let off a breath of relief before she was guiding his cup back into his hands, knowing she’d be dumping hers and filling it with something stronger very soon, at least for that first cup of the day.

C.J.

“Exactly.” proving his point as he’d let her be confused though finding himself quite funny in his own respects as he took the cup. Bringing his own to his lips as he’d let it drop yet forming his own theories. Placing the coffee back on the sidetable where it was attainable by either of them for the moment as he leaned back against the headboard. Whistling in amazement.

Erin

As he leaned back, whistling to himself, she tilted her head to the side as she eyed him.  A pout there at her lips as she knew he was keeping something to himself there, knowing already that he was drawing great amusement from it at her own expense, yet she couldn’t be sure what it was.  “What do you think I lie about?” she asked, her hands finding his bare stomach as that comforter had fallen down a bit, giving her a much better view now.  Letting her hands ghost up his stomach to his chest, making a slow progression there that could easily get them into a time restraint that morning, she leaned down to press her lips to the center of his chest.

C.J.

Feeling her at his stomach like she was going to pull up the blanket for modesty’s sake but doing quite the opposite as he felt her find his chest. Inhaling evenly underneath of her hands as she found his chest. Hand finding the back of her head where his fingertips were gently rubbing against her scalp. “Just looked like you were having an orgasm…” he remarked, letting her peace together the rest.

Erin

A smirk took her features as she pressed her lips to his chest, working her way to a place that was so commonly marked by her where her hands would slip beneath the blanket as she lifted her hips from him to allow her hands to draw down within.  Locating him where she would wrap her hand around his length as she lifted her eyes to find his once again.  “You think I lie about orgasms?” she asked, a smirk to her features as though she were up to something, yet he already knew all she was up to in that moment.

C.J.

Feeling her hands draw down where she was seeking him out to her own accord. Feeling her hand find him and seek out a quick reaction that she’d no doubt get. Meeting her smirk as he knew what that smirk meant all too well. “Well, not if you are going to do that.” he defended, knowing this woman of his a little too well and the things she was capable of as she’d be seeking vengeance.

Erin

Letting her hand smooth up and down his length, she sustained herself against her knees, risen up to allow herself that full range to feel him harden within the palm of her hand.  “Not if I’m going to do what?” she asked, a smirk to her lips remaining as she was nothing but trouble and they both knew it, feigning innocence at every turn.  Leaning in, she pressed her lips to the side of his neck as her hand remained between her own thighs to access him beneath that blanket.  “Please don’t ever sleep with clothes on,” she whispered, liking that easy access the morning brought, though now she’d be up against a time clock that would not play well in her favor.

C.J.

“/That/“ knowing she knew what /that/ was as it was what she was doing with her hand as he felt her to his neck, humming low at her whisper as he could make no such guarantees as he couldn’t. His own hands slipping back to the bottom of her shirt where he was pushing up the fabric in a touch a little more heated considering what she was starting. Feeling himself steadily take form within her hand as his lips found her still clothed shoulder.

Erin

As his lips found her shoulder and his hands were pushing up at her shirt, she knew she was going to have to let go of him, at least for a moment to allow that shirt clean off of her, and yet she could barely imagine stopping what she’d started there.  A whine passed her lips as she resisted the urge, her hand continuing against him as her kiss found the purchase of flesh just below his ear before her teeth gently nipped at the lower curve there, feeling her need to feel him already mounting, yet two pieces of fabric stood in their way; that comforter and her own shorts.

C.J.

Feeling her not giving up that shirt, it was fine. He’d play along. Hand slipping back down her thigh as he’d grip her firmly. Drawing that leg closer against him and locking his hand there as he felt her underneath of his ear. Warming him through and through. His own lips desperate for some of her skin yet all he could access was there above the collar of the shirt. An opportunity he couldn’t quite take to as his free hand would travel to grip her ass.

Erin

Beneath that thin layer of shorts under his hand, she was still as bare as he had left her the night before, never bothering in the morning with undergarments, as clothes over top were enough to get her out of the room for coffee and back in that bed without separating herself from him with too much hassle for them to deal with later should things take this route.  Feeling gripping her as her need to feel the pressure of him became too strong for her to resist.  Drawing her hand out from within the confines of that blanket, yet not before attempting to push it back a bit, she lowered her hips against him, a slight grind to her hips against his as she pressed a kiss to the curve of his neck.

C.J.

Feeling her draw her hand from him and pushing back the blanket to access him. Feeling her grind against the problem she had started for him as his hands were returning to that shirt. Not taking no for an answer this time as he pushed it up for her and waited for her inevitably to cooperate before those shorts were going next one way or another.

Erin

Her cooperation was instantaneous as she lifted her arms and allowed him to pass the fabric up and over her head to discard it where he would find her bare to him once more.  Leaning in immediately, she pressed her lips to his as her hand took to the back of his neck, a firm kiss from her lips to his as her hips grinded against his, needing to feel him in that moment more so than anything, to truly celebrate their news together, even if they might not be able to take their time there as much as they might like to.

C.J.

Arms slipping back around her as she found his neck, lips finding hers as he felt the grind of her hips. Inhaling impatiently as they both now knew what it would take. It would hardly be what their nights most often looked like but entirely fitting for the morning and nothing new. Needing rid of those shorts now as his fingers gripped the hem and pushed at them in attempt to work them off.

Erin

As her hips shifted against his, she’d feel his hands there to the sides of her shorts, knowing what he wanted there, knowing she wanted it as well.  Her heart raced as he found the curve of her neck, her own trailing off to the place against his shoulder that was so often marked by her.  Unable to bring herself to lift her hips free of him, she remained straddled over him, that grind ever present as she depended solely on him to find a way to get rid of those shorts as it was clear that so long as she was left in control there, she couldn’t will herself to help him.

C.J.

As he saw her not making any forward motion, he understood then that it would all be on him. Taking up her waist, he was turning them around with ease. Getting her back against the bed as he took a position of control if only for the moment as he reached down to guide down her shorts with both hands. What happened from there was on her but for now, he needed those shorts off.

Erin

As he shifted them both so easily, her back finding the headboard where he had just been sitting, a full smirk took her lips as his hands were there to her shorts.  Bringing one hand to the side of his face, her eyes sought out his as she lifted her ass to help him with her shorts now that he’d taken away the pressure she’d been so enjoying.  “Gonna be making that up to me?” she asked, eyes speaking volumes in the moment as she let her fingertips ghost down the side of his face until they’d disappear from his flesh entirely to find the curve of his shoulder where she knew soon a fresh mark would lay, remembering all too well that first time when she’d asked for that permission while sitting against her own apartment’s kitchen counter top in what seemed like a million years before.

C.J.

“Nope.” he’d remark honestly as he didn’t owe her anything as he dragged off her shorts. Tossing them off the bed before his arm was sweeping up from under her under the bed to pull her back against him. Placing her just back to him where she had been as if nothing had changed with a satisfied smile. “Better.” he’d remark, feeling her seeking out the fresh mark she had left upon him that could never match the one she had left upon his heart.

Erin

“Yep,” she instantly argued, but before she could attempt a single thing, he was picking her up and switching places with her once more, bringing her right back where she had begun, yet entirely bare to him now.  The smirk that took her features was that of an impressed woman as she looked to the man who still had every bit of his charm that he had the day she’d crossed that line with him.  “Mmm, look at you.  Tell a man he’s gonna be a daddy again and he’s suddenly picking you up and putting you wherever he wants you,” she teased, loving every minute of it, far more than she had that first time when she was literally panicked at the fact that he’d picked her up at all.  Remembering that fear and yet now she knew there was no one in this world that she could trust more than she trusted him.  Feeling the heat of him there to her without any fabric in the way now, she shifted against him as she sat straddled over him.  Her eyes set to his as she drew her lower tier within her own bite, knowing what would feel even better than this, but wanting him to want it first.

C.J.

C.J. was a well of charisma and charm that would never run out. It wasn’t just to get the girl. It was embedded in him and something innately natural as clear though how she would be impressed by this, he’d never know. Was merely him being him as he smirked softly. His kids were now at the point where he was no longer getting that “Daddy” name. Just Dad now. But god, he looked forward to getting that again in the form of a tiny voice running towards him like he was the best thing in their world while he assuredly knew that child was the best in his. Feeling her shift to him as he met her eyes, his hand reaching to find the side of her face as his lips found hers.

Erin

Feeling his hand there to the side of her face, she’d lean in to meet his kiss without a moment of hesitation as her hips shifted against him.  Letting him get that feel of her while she got the same of him, flesh to flesh contact, so close to what they both wanted there.  Letting her lips pass against his, her hand lifting to grip at his wrist, encouraging the touch of his hand there to the side of her face.  Leaning into that touch as her free hand found the side of his neck, tiny fingertips pressing firmly against his flesh, unable to hold herself back as she felt her heart racing within her chest, driving the rock of her hips against him.  A whine passed her lips as she spoke without retracting from his kiss entirely.  “I want you,” she offered, words that would forever make things happen there, knowing all she had to do was concede and it was hers.  Her lips fused back to his as though the spoken words had never happened, yet the hunger in her kiss would back up their meaning pound for pound.

C.J.

“Have me.” he encouraged her as he was right there before her in every capacity. He was all hers and she knew it as never was there a place more custom and made for her than he was. Forever giving to her bends and pulling for her indents. Arm wrapped around her as his other remained to her face. A heavier touch at her encouragement that he knew she could feel all too well. Lips back to hers as he tasted the hunger in her kiss as she literally teased herself.

Erin

The words that passed his lips there within the kiss, much as her own had, brought an instant sigh from the woman as she lifted her hips from his.  Releasing the hold on his wrist, her hand slipped down between her own thighs, wrapping her hand around him where she’d stroke his length several times before bringing the head of his cock against her.  Parting herself as she guided him against her, her kiss falling lazy for the moment against his lips, yet she’d make no attempt to part from the kiss entirely.  Having the freedom to truly express herself in this manner with him, knowing nothing was off limits with the man, she’d take that moment, stolen from him entirely, a temporary selfishness before she’d finally bring him to her entrance.  Lowering her hips slightly against him, enough that she’d take only the first inch or so the man had to offer, her lips were back at his as her hand held him stable beneath her, tempted to take all of him in one swift maneuver, impaling herself with him as she had done so many times before.  Pressing her lips firmly to his, returning to that kiss with a renewed passion, she’d give him a moment to just feel her walls around the head of his cock before she fell to temptation, forcing her own hips down all at once as it would be the tone here on their limited time.  The cry that would leave her lips would echo directly into the man’s mouth as her hand tensed at the side of his neck while her free hand gripped at her own inner thigh.

C.J.

Feeling her getting right to it as both were ready, knowing that with another moment’s notice he would have been working to assure that she was. He trusted her by this point and what she was after as the woman was entirely in control by this point. Feeling her find him once more as he was brought to her heat. Tasting of her as she seemed to set the pace as his lips found hers. Inhaling deep at just that feeling alone as the tightness of her walls had always impressed him as she pressed around him. Always attempting to not seem so pleasured by her discomfort yet it would be difficult. Even more so at the sudden action, not having expected it at the least as his hand remained to the side of her face. The other at her side as her own cry was matched with the sound of his low groan from the warmth of her engulfing him. A little too good as his own hand at her side slipped down to remedy the action. His thumb pressing over her clit where rotations would find her.

Erin

On the rare occasion that she did take him in that manner, all at once with no delay, he was forever on the ready to ease her discomfort that was assured in those moments.  Her lips parted to his, her head leaning back slightly, falling out of that kiss without a moment of closure as she felt the rotations he’d bring to her.  Her cry had faded off into a low whine as she would not give herself a single moments peace there before she was returning to that grinding motion of her hips against him that would have him experiencing the full tightness her walls had to offer as she felt every ounce of the tension his intrusion would provide.  Her nails gripped to her own inner thigh as her eyes fell closed, focusing on the shift of her hips against him, her chest rising and falling heavy before him as her hand drew at the back of his neck, literally guiding him to the canvas of her flesh, silently pleading with him to taste of her as she held no pause in taking him entirely, forever against a clock for those early morning encounters, yet there was never any shortage of pure passion from the woman when he was buried deep within her.

C.J.

Watching her reaction as she grinded her hips against his. Now having to trust her with her when he didn't trust her with anyone but him. Feeling her at his neck as he'd stop at nothing to continue turning her on and making this better for her as his lips found the base of her throat. Trailing down over her bare breasts as his free hand would travel up her own thigh. Taking that hand of hers as he redirected her nails to him.

Erin

The moment she felt his lips to her skin, a wave of warmth rushed over her just as she’d known that it would.  Feeling him explore her, she would not guide him here as her body was literally there for his pleasure as her hips continued against his.  Feeling his free hand leave her side to find her hand, bringing her hand to his flesh, she knew he knew what he was doing, and even if he didn’t, she couldn’t think straight to work that one out.  Bringing her hand against his shoulder, her nails instantly dug against the back of his shoulder, dragging up to the curve where her mark forever resided.  “Fuck,” she complained, rolling her hips deep against him, feeling her walls only give the slightest amount of space to him as that tension radiated through her.  

C.J.

Hearing her speak which sounded more of a complaint than anything else, he’d hum low against her throat as his fingers laced with hers. Encouraging that touch that veered off the side of them as his free hand remained working over her clit. Lips tracing down against her chest and over her breasts. Seeing his tongue pass over the peak of one of her nipples. Mouth surrounding her utterly as he made the most of her sensitivity as she still rolled her hips to him.

Erin

The combined efforts of his lips to her flesh and the rotations of his thumb against her, she’d arch her back as her walls gave little by little until finally she’d find a full breath of air.  Her hand gripped his tightly as her other hand found the back of his neck, pressing against him as his lips surrounded her, encouraging the strength of his mouth there against her as she found a fluid motion of her hips against his.  The whine that had existed at her lips faded as she found her stride there against him, her discomfort easing moment by moment until all she felt was pure pleasure from everything he offered her, finding their way through her constant need to overachieve here, to a place where they might both thoroughly enjoy the feeling of one another.  

C.J.

Feeling her tight to the back of his neck as his mouth worked against her. Getting somewhere as her walls seemed to tense before releasing and allowing a little something there. Lips traveling to her other nipple where he repeated the same only slower. Teasing his tongue over her as he still didn’t quite give in as he was not done with this yet and wouldn’t be until the two had their fill of one another that morning.

Erin

Feeling him shift from one space to another, the tension in her hand would remain as constant encouragement to the man as her hips shifted against his.  Bringing their hands back in towards them once more, she’d press their joint hands against his chest, using that hold to pull against him, deepening the roll of her hips against him.  For what might have been the first time that she was able to be with him like this without thinking at all about the possibility of getting pregnant, or the fact that this position was not conducive to conception, or her need to elevate her hips afterwards, there was a certain enjoyment there that had only been seen in glimpses from time to time throughout the last year as the thought of procreation between them wasn’t ever far from her mind.  But now, it didn’t hold a single moment of her thought as all thoughts were entirely of him and in some ways, he’d get his wife back entirely.  Her worries were gone.  Her stress was gone.  And all at once, everything was finally coming together for them entirely.  Lowering her head, her lips found the curve of his neck, her own participation here speaking to her overall relaxation as well as the end of her discomfort within.  “I want you to fuck me the rest of the day,” she whispered, fantasies that would be difficult to pull off, and yet her statement was as honest as they came.

C.J.

Definitely being able to note a change in her in this experience, it would be a change in them both. Letting go, letting it all happen normally with no worries of reminders or helping her after or assuring they were a certain way when he did climax. This was just entirely on her as she was on him and they were thinking of one another respectively as his lips would draw from her flesh. Lips drawing back up the center of her chest as he quite loved that idea. Wishing he could. Wishing they had no other place to be but in that bed but knowing they’d have to make that happen one of these weekend days once they got an empty house.

Erin

Her fingers slipped through his as she felt his lips trailing up the center of her chest as both of her arms wrapped around the back of his neck, drawing back from where her lips had found the side of his, eager to find the man’s eyes as she lifted against him, lowering her hips a moment later, finding another way to take him where she could feel his length escaping her before she was taking him once again.  Feeling him deep within her core when her hips would meet his, heated breaths falling from her lips in every moment in between.  “You didn’t say no,” she whispered, nearly taking it as a yes as she’d find a way if she needed to, needing that day with him, needing this more than her words could ever say.  To experience him without any other thoughts in her mind, able to simply enjoy him the way he was meant to be enjoyed, to let him have her in return in any way he should want her.  “Please, baby,” she’d beg, a whine there at her lips as she pleaded with him to help her find a way to make it work.

C.J.

"Make it happen and I'm here." He'd remind her as he wouldn't deny her of anything, but not knowing how this would ever work. Not needing to beg as he'd give her everything and anything as his lips would seek out hers. Only thinking once upon a time, he would have killed to hear these words from her lips but even now, he was still aware of how incredible they are and had not begun to take her or these things for granted.

Erin

Hearing him tell her to make it happen, she couldn't think straight enough to pull it off in that moment, though her intention and desire had to mean something. Drunk on the passion flowing freely between them, feeling completely in tune with him in that moment as though they had found something they had put aside unintentionally for far too long. The stresses of trying for a baby were far more trying than she could have imagined, yet there on the other side of it all, she felt completely reunited with her husband on levels she couldn't begin to explain. The rise and fall of her hips was thorough as she would rise slowly before falling rapidly, forcing him deep within the warmth of her aching inner walls. Each fall was met with the whine at her lips, feeling the tension within her core warning her of the release that wouldn't be too far away. Her breath was jagged as her arms drew tighter around his neck, her forehead finding his.

C.J.

Now knowing with her the effects and toll it had taken as what was happening here was something different all together as he took her in. Feeling her at his neck as her forehead found his. Thumb still rolling at her clit. Allowing her to watch as he'd draw free his digit. Applying it to his thumb to both taste her and father the moisture he was returning to her with as he felt each sweep of her walls driving him half mad with heat.

Erin

Her eyes took in that which he would provide to her as he brought his thumb against his own tongue. Loving nearly nothing more than the sight of the man tasting her, she drew a sharp breath as she drew back from his forehead. As his hand returned to her, she instantly squirmed under the rotation of his finger, feeling as though he knew she was on that edge, not trusting her to jump on her own as he seemed to demand she not remain in that space for long. "I'm so close," she complained, feeling the need for that release pulsing through her. Returning to the initial grind if her hips, where she could feel all of him buried deep within her.

C.J.

Feeling her reaction to his return, her complaint one that he was dying to hear. Loving to make her cum for him as was evident in every encounter as he kept to. Letting her hips direct her pleasure here as it was hers to take as she saw fit. His free hand finding the back of her thigh. Gripping tightly at her as she drew from his forehead where his eyes would watch her. Teeth to his bottom lip to refrain the desire to kiss her as he just wanted to watch her in that moment.

Erin

The feeling of his hand there to her thigh had her rolling her hips forward, drawing forward only to return back a moment later.  Feeling him within and all around her at the same time, her eyes closed as she rocked against him.  Her breathing grew more rapid with every shift of her hips as her hand gripped the back of his neck, tighter and tighter as she felt the tension rising within her.  Knowing her hips would still once she gave into that release, she’d nearly fight to hold it off as she didn’t want a moment to pass without feeling him just as she did in that moment.  Her lips parted as she searched for her next breath, a whine there at her lips, before all at once she would lose all grips on her own release, becoming a victim to it and giving it to him entirely.  Her walls pulsed around him as her hips failed her, the warmth of her release to follow a moment later.

C.J.

Watching her as he wouldn't be going with her but left able to watch her entirely in that moment. True intimacy without it being awkward telling him he was exactly where he needed to be. Feeling her giving in and coating him in her heat as he kept to her. His finger only slowing when he was sure she had come utterly and thoroughly for him.

Erin

Leaning back from him slightly, she’d give into that release entirely as she’d have no other choice.  Feeling it coursing through her before it was coating him, she felt his finger finally slowing against her as it seemed to nearly keep her release alive, though she somehow knew that would forever be his desire in the moment, to make her cum entirely for him.  As her walls slowed around him, she drew into him, her face finding the curve of his neck where her attempts for breath would be interrupted by the press of her lips to his flesh as a soft whine was hummed against him.  One hand slipped up into his hair, running her fingers through short strands as her lips followed the structure of his jaw to finally find his lips where her kiss was pressed firmly to his lips as her hips remained stilled over him.

C.J.

Watching as she drew her hips still before she was at his lips. Humming low. Impressed with the show as he always was when allowed to take her in entirely. "You are...the most breathtaking thing..." pausing between kisses. "I've ever laid eyes on." He promised her as his hands passed up her sides with gentle intent knowing how sensitive she was to his touch.

Erin

As her lips found his, the interruptions of his words were of no inconvenience to her as she nearly waited for the next break to hear just what it was the man would say.  A smile took her features in the middle of that kiss, making it nearly impossible for her to wipe it away and focus in on his lips once more, and yet she’d somehow manage.  Humming softly there to his lips, she would never quite see it as he did, but she’d appreciate what he saw just the same.  Feeling his hands pass up her sides, her fingers slipped through his hair at the back of his head before she was drawing back from his lips entirely to meet his eyes.  Pausing there for a long moment, she’d simply look at the man as she continued to keep her hips stilled, words there at her lips that had been surely spoken a million times over, yet their truth would remain ever constant.  “I am completely in love with you, Luciano.”  A soft smile followed her statement as there was a time when that was all she’d ever call him, yet now she would rarely do so, recalling all too easily the night he informed her the difference in how he saw her as Lindsay and as Erin, something that had taken her time to work out.

C.J.

Feeling through his hair which had luckily remained just as thick and strong as he’d hoped it would while the color went by the wayside. Having to pick his struggle by this point, hearing her speak which drew a smirk out of him. “Leave it to you to make that finally sound sincere.” he teased, as once it had sounded anything but yet now he believed her.

Erin

A smirk took her lips as those words had always been sincere, never spoken without it being so, though his name had been spoken in a variety of ways.  Now wearing that name herself, she’d never say it quite the same way again.  Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his once more, slightly shifting her hips against him before whispering there against his lips, “it’s your turn.”  Giving him that go ahead to take her as he pleased, promising that she’d do her part there to get him to the same release that he had given her.

C.J.

Hearing her return, it had been his turn all the while as he truly didn’t see it like that. Like a give and take in hopes of that ultimate release. A gentle shake of his head. “It’s our turn.” he’d specify, loving to see her in the throws just as much as he liked being in them himself as his hands traced her sides. Not wanting something so particular that he needed to toss her over and take it as he was simply enjoying this moment with her.

Erin

His answer, as usual, was sheer perfection.  The man was a breed all his own and she’d never quite understand what it was that he was doing with the likes of her, yet she’d find herself more and more grateful with each passing day.  His statement didn’t leave her feeling bad for her previous statement as she understood entirely what he’d meant, leaving her to feel like the luckiest woman in the entire world for having the love of a man such as him.  Pressing her lips to his once more, her arms drew tighter around his neck, knowing there would never be a day that she didn’t feel this strongly for him, as it seemed her love for him only grew stronger by the day.

C.J.

Feeling her arms tighten around him, his hands would pass down her arms to her shoulders. From there, still evolving against her to take on a life all their own. Lips pressed back to hers as this had never been a selfish process. This was always about the two rather than one single entity.

Erin

The day held plans that they both knew were waiting for them, yet as her lips pressed to his, she couldn’t think beyond this moment.  Work could wait.  Waking the boys up for the last week of school could wait.  Everything could just simply wait for when she was with him in this capacity, she couldn’t think responsibly, nor did she hope to ever be able to do so.  A soft hum passed her lips as her hips remained stilled against his, allowing the two to be one without the necessity to move past this moment quite yet.  As his hands passed over her arms to her shoulders, she felt his affection within the touch as she simply let herself kiss the man, knowing it had surely been a kiss much like this that had brought them to this place where they now knew they were expecting, something she never thought would truly come to pass, and yet they were there, celebrating just that together.

C.J.

He had never really touched someone the way he did her. He loved the feel of her with nothing more needed. A touch that didn't always have to be provocative or sexual. Just to touch her made him happy enough. Hands passing down the backs of her shoulders as he'd hum against her lips. Lips pressing to hers with no hopes of stopping or seeing a way out.

Erin

As his hands smoothed over the backs of her shoulders, her own arms drew tighter around his neck, her chest pressed fully to his as her lips formed to his in the heat of the kiss time and time again.  Feeling as though time had stopped for them entirely, she took her time here, without worry for what was to come later.  All in all, the woman was relatively responsible, but she couldn’t be held to such things here.  Never quite knowing what she’d done right in her life to have this man for her own, she’d feel grateful for him at every turn as he had surprisingly turned out to be the greatest thing that ever could have happened to her.  From forced partnerships to this, she never could have seen it coming, and as she drew back from that kiss to open her eyes, to look to him, the faintest smile stole the corners of her lips as she looked down at him.  

C.J.

Watching as she drew back as his eyes would slowly open to the sight of her smile. Wishing he could see that smile a few million times over. His hand finding the back of her neck where he'd guide her forehead to his. Simply taking her in in that moment.

Erin

As his hand slipped to the back of her neck, she’d easily press her forehead to his at his guiding, her smile only broadening as each moment passed by.  One of her hands found the side of his face, soft fingertips against the scruff as she softly stroked against him.  “I wish we could stay like this for the rest of the day,” she confessed in a raspy whisper that was filled with nothing but honesty.  Her head spinning at the idea of checking out for the day, wanting nothing more than to spend this time with him, alone.  “Might be time for another staycation,” she whispered, speaking to a similar trip they’d made a few times over now, disappearing for a weekend into the city of Chicago where neither of them would see the outside of a hotel room until it was time to check out.

C.J.

"Of course..." he returned at the suggestion of a staycation. Even the sound of which was enough to launch him back to all the pleasantries and memories that surrounded those times. Their relationship had always taken leaps and bounds in those spaces and he was none too shy about his affection for her. "Going to have to plan one soon before..." he'd remind her, as sometime soon, travel would be a different beast all together as he gave her a soft smile at the reminder.

Erin

With her arms still wrapped around his neck, her body pressed close to his as the two seemed to pause in their physical expressions with one another for a moment of stillness, she’d smirk at the suggestion.  Things were changing and her body would be one of those things that was changing, yet she couldn’t even imagine what it must feel like.  “Gonna love me when I’m forty pounds heavier?” she teased, already knowing the answer to that.  “When a shower for two doesn’t quite work so well any more?” she asked, the thought slightly sad in itself, but it was what it was and would surely be worth it in the long run.

C.J.

"Baby, I'm going to love you until there is no air left in my body." He'd remind her honestly and maybe even still then for surely if there were souls and spirits and humans were more tangible than just sacks of meat and skin, his spirit would bare her imprint. Knowing nothing could turn him off from her as it would all be worth it. Every second, every hour.

Erin

As he assured her that he would love her even then and still beyond, her smile could not be contained.  Meeting his eyes, her hand found the side of his face where she’d lean in to press her lips to his once again.  A soft hum there against her lips as she was warmed thoroughly at the promise of that which she already knew.  He’d never kept his affections from her and she knew the answer to her own question before asking it, yet there wasn’t anything quite like hearing his reassurances in his own voice there before her, knowing the sincerity that rested behind it.

C.J.

Feeling her lips back to his, she’d have to believe him by this point. He’d do anything to make her believe it as his intentions were so pure and so honest that it was terrifying for a man who was used to being able to hide such things behind a smile and some charm. Yet, now that charm was only used as an addition for the truth and it was all right there before her. His hand still to the back of her neck as he’d press his lips back to hers with no doubt in his convictions as she was it for him.

Erin

As his hand found the back of her neck, her arms tightened around his neck where she remained sitting over him, feeling him there all around her.  It was almost as though the morning had been paused for the two to enjoy one another, yet the rest of the world still moved outside of that room, still waiting for them to step to their responsibilities, yet neither one seemed to be too bothered by it.  Losing track of time entirely, it was as though it were a weekend, and the two did not have work or to get the boys off to their last full day of school.  It would nearly take an act of congress to bring her lips back from his, which wasn’t happening.  Her lips pressed softly to his, an intimacy held onto throughout even though she knew just how easy it would be to turn it up a notch here.  Yet this was the truest expression the woman held in that moment as she simply kissed her husband, as though she had nowhere else to be.

C.J.

Knowing that the two were on a timeline, he lacked the ability to push it along as he wanted this far too much. An encounter without intimacy for them was never an option and the severity of his love for her could never be doubted. Anyone with eyes knew it and it was a small miracle they had hidden it though part of him wanted to ask Voight if he knew. He had never hid it well much less from another detective. Humming low as his thumb grazed her jawline. He’d keep his lips meshing consistently to hers.

Erin

There had always been the need to be public for her as the feelings were much too loud to be hidden. Though it meant an end to their partnership, there had been no way to continue keeping their relationship behind closed doors. With nearly a year passing since the two were married, the fire in their relationship had yet to fade, and somehow she knew it never would. Marriage wasn't something she ever really saw for herself, but ever since he had asked her, and maybe even before that, she knew she was meant for this life with him all along. "We're having a baby," she whispered against his kiss, her smile sweeping her features at the statement although it had already been made before. The sound of it was foreign to her, prompting the need to say it over and over again, even within the throes of intimacy.

C.J.

Hearing her whisper, he’d never get tired of hearing that phrase as he felt her smile slightly disrupting the kiss. If hers would not finish it then his certainly would as he gave up a full smile and a light laugh. “We are.” he’d agree. Eyes opening to glance up towards hers as he inhaled that breath. Containing it. Holding it. Exhaling it. “And hopefully this one can whoop some ass on the genetic lottery and come out looking like his or her mom.”

Erin

As his smile broke the kiss, she couldn't be upset as hers had begun that break. The flash of dimples exchanged between the two, a promise of the destiny of their child just as he had promised her nearly three years before. "I don't know about that. You are battle tested, remember? I want a little you that has a bit of me in him or her," she assured, sealing her request to his lips with a soft kiss. "It doesn't even feel real to be talking about this," she confessed, not sure when it would become real, but knowing it was far from it right now, only able to think it must be even more so for him. "You ready to be a father of three?"

C.J.

“I am battle tested.” he assured, a shake of his head as that was not what he had meant about battle tested. His own genetics were strong but he hoped hers to be stronger as his sons looked like he himself had made them from the ground up with no additional help. Hearing her question, he’d sigh low. “A middle aged father of three.” he continued, as clearly he had put some thought into it.

Erin

"A very sexy father of three," she assured with another kiss to his lips, always knowing what his battle tested remark had been, though she had twisted it to fit her needs this morning. Bringing one hand to the back of his head, her fingers ran through his hair as her lips seemed more than satisfied to find his again, unable to hold conversation for long in this position, still not rushing even if she should have been. Her tongue traced the part of his lips before withdrawing, teasing, inviting him to something more as the racing beat of her heart dictated.

C.J.

Seeing her cleverly attempt to see her way out of that one, his eyes narrowed. Knowing exactly what she was doing as he pressed his lips back to hers. Feeling her to the part of his lips as he’d draw open to find nothing. Drawing forward to invade that space and take it up himself.

Erin

Feeling him give the chase she was after, her own lips parted to him, giving up the space he sought as her hand tensed in his hair. Intensity raced through her at the smallest alteration there between them, tasting him there within her mouth. Her lips pressed firmly to his, creating that space where she could feel his tongue against her own. Shifting her hips slightly against him, she would blame him for starting this again, yet she knew it had been her own doing. Drawing in a breath through his lungs, feeling as though they were one once more.

C.J.

Feeling the shift of her hips as a reminder of what was going on between them, as if the two could ever forget as he felt her against him. His hands sweeping down towards her hips where the urge to shift over and take control was strong. Growing stronger. Hands growing stronger and rougher to her with the desire ebbing forward.

Erin

As his hands passed down her sides, she felt his grip there against her.  Not knowing yet what it was behind that force, yet more than willing to wait and find out.  For the moment, it would seem as though he were guiding her hips, encouraging that shift of hers against him.  Her hips would continue there against his as her lips pressed firmly to his, her tongue smoothing over his as her hand tensed at the back of his head, matching that increasing intensity she felt within his own possessive grasp.

C.J.

Finally the dam would break and he was pushing himself forward and her back as a result. Getting her entirely backwards against that bed without the headboard to fear as he slipped her down to it. Lips pressing firmly back to hers as that kiss deepened with the fresh position. Managing to remain within her as his hips pressed to hers to assure not an inch of space was lost though the dynamics had changed entirely.

Erin

The shift had been quickly achieved, and yet nothing had been lost in the repositioning.  His taste flooded her mouth entirely, clouding her thoughts to the point she couldn’t even remind him how they had gotten here in the first place as he took her over to levels unmatched.  Her legs wrapped around him as she felt him finding a depth within her that was all his own, stealing her breath in the middle of that kiss, her heart now racing within her chest.  Knowing his potential when he was in control and knowing she’d never walk away from such an encounter without feeling the full weight of his love and adoration for her in the midst of the intensity.

-June 7, 2017

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

At six o’clock in the morning, the house was just starting to wake up.  It was the last day of the work week, of Erin’s first work week back to full duty, and the truth was, she was beat.  She had found herself somewhat lazy in her time of desk duty and though she didn’t care for it at all, she’d forgotten just how grueling the job could really be.  C.J. was still in bed, grabbing those last few minutes before the alarm would sound again for the last time telling him it was time to get up officially and Erin was in the bathroom with the door pulled to.  She didn’t have to read the directions anymore as she knew them by heart.  Pee.  Wait three minutes.  Wait for the words ‘not pregnant’ to show up on the screen.  In the beginning, she’d been doing these almost daily, but ultimately she’d resolved to once a week now.  Friday mornings, first thing.  It had been eight months now that they had been trying.  It was all too easy for the woman to sit and think that by this time, they could be in that final month, but she was trying to stay positive, at least for that last minute before she’d find the reminder against the screen.  If she was honest, she was starting to think it was her.  He had two kids, so obviously the man was good for them.  But she’d had an entire life before him that may or may not have left scars so deep that pregnancy just might not be in the cards for the two.  She hated the very thought as it tainted her positivity before finally the words registered against the stick.  ‘Not pregnant.’  Bringing her foot to the pedal of the metal trashcan there in the bathroom, she chucked the stick in none too gently before she was pulling the door of the bathroom opened.

C.J.

Truth be told, the man wasn’t too concerned with what was happening between them or what had not happened. If the moment wasn’t right then it wasn’t to be but when it was, it would happen. Of course it was easy for him to say given the fact that he already had kids. Yet, a lot could happen between the time his youngest was conceived and now. Maybe it was him. Maybe it wasn’t anyone. Yet, he refused to allow this woman to take the blame for any of it. Still, he knew what today was. Friday. Namely the day her mood would be tarnished entirely by two words on a piss stick. Drawing up on his headboard. Fingers through increasingly greying hair that only seemed to be more groan worthy everyday. Made all the better that his wife never seemed to age past 25 while he was accelerating rapidly into something not even he was sure of. Giving up a low yawn, he heard the trashcan lid open suggesting what he knew it would be though part of him always held to that tinge of hope. Exhaling through the disappointment he’d never show, he was slowly drawing himself to the edge of the bed in attempt to get his sea legs.

Erin

As she opened the door, prepared to go to the bedside and attempt to bring him from the bed, she’d find him instead making that progress on his own.  As he sat to the edge, she was coming through to the bedroom, the disappointment plastered to her features though she’d try to hide it.  Entirely too transparent, it was a lost cause, as the woman could hide nothing from him.  How exactly she could go undercover and pretend to be in a variety of situations yet could not find a poker face to save her life at home, she’d never understand, but it was what it was.  Swallowing it all back as best as she could, she offered a slow shake of her head that he probably didn’t need to see, yet she felt like she should say it, tell him, that again, she wasn’t working properly.  Releasing a heavy sigh, she walked over to where he sat, taking it upon herself to take up that space against his thighs, her arms sweeping around his neck as she found her space against his lap how ultimately every Friday morning went.  She’d been warned by online articles not to let this time period draw them apart and so instead, she’d draw into him through each and every ‘not pregnant’ that she was to face.  Burying her face into the curve of his neck, she’d whine a complaint.  “Can we cancel today and just stay here instead?”

C.J.

“I know, baby.” he stated simply as he knew that look, feeling her take to his legs and his neck where his hand would ultimately draw over her knee. Squeezing gently as he felt her to his neck. Hearing her statement where he’d nod. “Sounds good to me…” he’d add groggily, making the most of it as that hand to her knee was slipping under her to pull her back into the center of the bed flat with him where he was crawling over her and taking the blanket with him that draped over his back almost as if this sort of thing would work while ultimately knowing better.

Erin

The man had been so patient and reassuring through every step of this, and yet she couldn’t help but feel like she was letting them down.  Like there was something she should be doing differently.  As he held her, she thought to herself.  Coffee.  Coffee had to go.  Maybe if she stopped drinking coffee then she’d be able to get pregnant.  She’d have to quit it or at least switch to decaf when she was pregnant anyways.  Coffee.  Just as she was about to lift from the curve of his neck, committing herself to the task of getting ready, she’d feel the shift as he drew them to the center of the bed all in one fluid motion as he came over her, bringing the blanket along with him.  So surprised by this, he’d earn a laugh from her lips when she’d been in the depths of darkness a moment before, prepared to give up her daily pick me up and mourning the loss before it had even happened, but all of a sudden, laughter.  “What are you doooing?” she asked, her arms still somehow around his neck.  “We can’t really stay in bed all day.  We have those job things to get to?” she teased, finding her mood instantly improved in a way only this man could ever make happen.

C.J.

“You said ‘stay in bed.’” he reminded her as he was simply delivering as he felt her around his neck. “Ow! my eye.” clearly she hadn’t gotten his eye but he’d pretend regardless as his lips found her cheek and his face to the side of her neck. Hearing her speak as he’d shake his head gently causing his scruff to press to her skin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” he’d lie as he stole a few minutes with her.

Erin

“Did I get you?!” she asked, the words flowing quickly and apologetically from her lips before she’d realize he was just playing.  Feeling him to her neck, the scruff scratching against smooth skin, she hummed as she drew her legs to either side of him, wrapping around him as if this was even possible.  “Hmm, then make me forget what I’m talking about,” she reasoned, knowing there wasn’t time for all of that or they’d both be late and the boys would be late to school, but it was all too tempting given the position he had put them into.

C.J.

“No.” he answered simply as he felt her legs lock around him. Dangerous if ever as he heard her reasoning. Showing that she was indeed the issue here and not him. Smirking softly to her skin. “Oh, but those things we have to get to.” quoting her directly, he’d hum low. “One day when we are old and retired and I need a rope to get it up, we’ll have all the time we want.” he reminded her, sighing softly. Not for the day of the ropes but the day of that unlimited time and access. “and all we’ll do is fight because we’re tired of dealing with one another.”

Erin

Humming to the curve of his neck, she’d turn her head slightly to press her lips there, knowing that she could get him here if he’d give her an inch of room to do so.  “And then the daily death threat will go to twice, even three times a day,” she whispered to his skin, hands gripping to the back of his neck as she’d not be letting him go, not yet.  “But if there’s a rope involved…” she seemed to hum against him as she might have other plans for that rope though it wasn’t something they often dabbled in, it was never off limits to the woman as she was relatively open in these spaces and he knew it.  

C.J.

“With any hope…” feeling her to the back of his neck, he heard her mention the rope. Taking a minute but ultimately getting it as he begun to laugh. “I’m scared to even ask.” he’d confess as his hands found her sides, gently warming over her skin as he’d press his chin gently against her shoulder. Making the woman his human pillow.

Erin

“Mmm, I’m sure we’d have a good time figuring it out,” she assured as she felt him nuzzling down against her, realizing quickly this was no sexual advance and the man had definite plans of drooling against her if she’d give him half a chance to do it.  “Not uh, not happening, husband.  Off.  You get off of me before you fall asleep and I’m trapped down here trying to direct traffic with the boys this morning.  Nope.  Sex me or off you go,” she teased, her hands slipping down to his sides, fingertips prodding at him as she made a true effort here.  

C.J.

Feeling her against his sides in attempt to prod him off. A true first. Nearly amazed with it as he’d give up a laugh. “Wow…my wife just pushed me off. First time for everything.” taking it all wrong as maybe that was what he had been trying to do in the first place. Snorting to himself as he rolled off with a dramatic sigh. Finding his back and taking the blanket with him tucked under his chin.

Erin

As he released her, quickly finding his way to his back beside her with the blanket clean up to his chin, she was already pulling at the fabric to find her place against him, though it was proving to be a difficult challenge.  “Your wife didn’t want to be drooled on when you fall back asleep and she’s gotta call out to the boys from beneath your body to get them ready for school,” she reminded him as that prodding had come with another option entirely that he chose to give up.  “I believe there /was/ an option b,” she reminded him, pressing a kiss to his exposed shoulder as she tried to make her way beneath that blanket with him once again.

C.J.

Feeling her working at his blanket which he lifted his chin to give up, feeling her against his shoulder. Still pouting as he played it up like usual. Hearing her mention an option B, he’d stubbornly shake his head. “I don’t want to have to sit on my hand.” he teased as his eyes locked onto hers.

Erin

Meeting his eyes as he teased her, she drew her lower tier between her teeth, letting it slowly release in a moment of calm as she felt her heart beating faster within her chest at just the words she was thinking.  Leaning into his ear, her breath fell hot against his skin before he’d be let in on just what his words had prompted.  “I’d much rather you let me sit on your face,” she stated far more forward than she normally was for six in the morning, behaving more like her ten at night self as her tongue swept the curve of his ear.  “Unless you are in a terrible hurry to get to work this morning, Detective,” she teased, clearly taking a playful nature here though he’d know she could make good on every single word of it.

C.J.

Hearing her to his ear, he’d draw a telling smile. One that could never be too far away from the suggestion. “Fuck, I wish you would.” he’d state with no hesitation a moment later, hands drawing up to her shoulders as now she definitely had struck him into a rare serious mode with just a mere threat. Hearing her teasing him which had a prominent sound of the negative to his throat. “No hurry. My wife is too hot to not send into work thoroughly fucked and well satisfied. They’ll understand…” he remarked, as if it was all that simple.

Erin

The two were playing dangerously this morning as one threat too many and neither of them would be leaving the bed any time soon.  She felt his words straight through to her core at the idea of being thoroughly fucked and going through her day with him inside of her.  She’d groan her response to the side of his neck where her teeth grazed against his flesh, finding the idea of work more and more difficult to the woman who suddenly had far more energy than she’d had a moment before.  “It’s definitely a possibility,” she teased, nipping at his flesh as she made her way over him once again, straddling him as this time she made herself more comfortable as her hips pressed down against his.  “I’m going to need to hear the specifics on this before I can make an informed decision…” she teased, her tongue tracing the space she’d just nipped against.

C.J.

Rolling his eyes as she mentioned the possibility as she was playing a dangerous game all of her own as he was quite used to the woman melting like putty into his hands in these moments yet suddenly he’d have to work for it. Should he allow himself to think any further on it, he’d come to believe that maybe she was getting bored of the same old. Tired of the usual that was provided yet he didn’t go there. Atleast not yet as he felt her straddle him. Her hips to his as he felt her against him. “Specifics on being well fucked?”

Erin

Hearing his question, she’d apply pressure from her hips to his, letting her hips roll against his as she pressed her lips to the side of his neck, proving that she was every bit there, though absolutely toying with the man a bit just to see how heated she could get him before he’d ever truly touched her.  “Mmm, something like that.  A teaser, if you will.  Tell me one way you want me right now and it’s yours,” she promised as he knew it was true.  She couldn’t resist the man now nor would she ever be able to even if she was playing a bit of a game with the foreplay there between them.

C.J.

Feeling the grind of her hips which was drawing a reaction from him quickly and rapidly just as it always did, his hands tracing up to find her hips as he held her there. Not stopping her, but merely feeling her as his hands slipped further up her sides. “Just one way.” he’d ask, as such a suggestion hardly seemed fair for just one. Inhaling evenly as the thoughts ran rapid. “I think I want you to make good on your threat earlier and get on my chin, hm?”

Erin

Lifting up from where she’d been there at his neck, she’d find his eyes as his hands passed against her sides, allowing her body weight to press against him where she could feel him responding to her through the thin fabric of pajama shorts she’d slipped on that morning with the camisole she hardly ever actually slept in.  “Oh I’ll definitely make good on that one,” she assured as that was without question.  Bringing her hands to his there at the sides of her, she guided his hands to the sides of those shorts that would have to be eliminated in order to make such a thing happen.  “But yeah, just one.  I’m not saying you can /only/ fuck me one way.  I just want to know the one way you want to fuck me… first?” she suggested, already feeling herself warming within as just talking about it was getting to the woman as he’d soon find out.

C.J.

Fingertips dug into her shorts as she was dragging them down. "I think I'd like this just the way you are now." He confessed, loving when she was ontop as she well knew as there was something about this woman in moments of control. Dragging at her shorts in attempt to lure them down and get what he was after.

Erin

Humming her response as she felt his words surge through her body, her eyes there to his as his fingertips worked at her shorts.  She lifted her hips from him, slowly finding her feet as she’d give him the ability to remove the fabric entirely free of her while never taking it away from him.  “But wouldn’t that be me fucking you?” she asked, clarifying as she nodded her head convincingly, already having decided just what that was.  Knowing time was no friend of theirs in the moment, yet neither of them seemed to bothered by it as they’d start the day precisely how they ended the last, never quite getting enough as such thirsts could not ever be quenched.

C.J.

"You said one way." He reminded her with a narrow of his eyes as she was being unnervingly complicated when all of this was simple. Knowing what started one way didn't last long. Watching her stand as he dragged down her shorts and her panties as well. Lips pressed to her pubic bone from where they lined up as he was now seated as she stood. Hands finding her hips as they were about two seconds from changing those plans entirely if she kept it up and she'd get what she was after.

Erin

As he drew down her shorts with that reminder at his tongue, she was already biting at her lower tier.  Though she knew one way never lasted long, thus meaning she wouldn’t be the only one fucking here, the reminder that he had more would forever bring her to this place.  Feeling his lips to her pubic bone, her hand found the back of his head, holding him there as she lifted each foot, letting the fabric go entirely into his control as he removed both pieces at once.  Although it was not her place or her words, she’d take the role there in the moment as she took a half step forward, prompting him to have to lean back.  “Lay down,” she whispered as she had teased him with something that she’d be following through on, her own body going with his as she kept her hand to the back of his head, guiding him back while keeping herself there to him, knowing separating him from her flesh at this point would be cruel.

C.J.

Hearing her command, knowing what it meant as he was going to get what he wanted here. Feeling her pushing him back against the bed where he went willingly. Teeth to his bottom lip as he found the bed and his hands took to her calves. Tracing fingertips over her skin. "Have I mentioned how much I love you?" He'd tease, a high compliment in that moment as she gave him what he wanted.

Erin

Coming down over him, she’d hover just above him, giving him the space to find his place beneath her as she felt his hands against her calves.  Glancing down her own body, she shook her head no as he hadn’t told her that morning.  “I’ll let you show me,” she seemed to promise, her hands finding the lower hem of her shirt where she’d draw it up and over her own head to give him complete access to her now bared flesh as she tossed her shirt to the floor.  Bringing her hand to his forehead, she let her fingers pass through greying hair as her eyes remained locked to his before she was lowering her hips against him, bringing him that much closer to what he wanted, yet remaining just out of his reach from where his head rested against the pillow, teasing him every step of the way.

C.J.

"But I do." He'd state as he felt her to his forehead after watching her shed her shirt. As she'd tease him, he'd growl low. Yet, his hands found the tops of her thighs as he'd lure from his elbows and lift himself. Shifting that weight to her that would cause her either to give in or to lock her knees. Regardless, those gained few inches got him directly between her thighs and helping himself. Parting his tongue to her whether she was done with teasing or not.

Erin

“I know,” she assured as she never doubted the man’s love, not for a single moment.  There were certain things in life that she knew and the degree to which he loved her was right there at the top.  Feeling him to the backs of her thighs, lifting himself to her to sample what was his, she brought her free hand to the headboard, pressing her palm to the wood surface as her eyes instantly closed.  He wasn’t waiting any longer and she couldn’t even be disappointed by it.  A soft whine of satisfaction passed her lips as she drew her hips forward, guiding his head back where it was while keeping her hips in line with him.  Feeling him finding the warmth that existed for him, her head leaned back slightly as she gave into him entirely.  

C.J.

As she gave into him entirely without much of an option, the man would draw in a breath. Throaty, exasperated. As it was exactly what she did to him constantly as he needed the woman in so many ways that his head could spin. He needed her smile, her warmth, her place in his bed and at his side. On this day and all after where he'd forever feel the cold there should she vacate the spot. Passing his tongue over her as she found her spot and his hands remained to the sides of her thighs. Wandering against the heat of her before finding the bullseye of his target in the form of her clit.

Erin

The way he took to her was nothing short of perfection as he kept her in a place where she felt every ounce of what he felt for her in the simplest of things.  The way he looked at her.  The way he pulled her into him.  The way he held doors and made coffee and offered her a coat.  Every tiny thing the man did had this lining about it that showed her how he felt about her even louder than sometimes his words did and this would stand to be just that.  He could have continued the cat and mouse game with her, but instead he’d take her, pulling himself to her if she was unmoving.  Feeling him locate his target, her hand was still there in his hair, tensing at the contact as she drew her head forward, opening her eyes to look down to him there between her thighs, finding the sight to be nothing short of incredible.  Her heart raced within her chest as she came to remember just why this position was so impossible for her as a single flick of his tongue against her had her feeling as though she’d collapse over him.  Humming softly, she leaned further still, giving herself support at the headboard as she pressed her forehead against it.  Heated breaths falling from her lips as she bit against her own lower tier.

C.J.

Liking the vulnerability that came with the position, he'd glance up towards her as she found the headboard. Hands still gripped to her thighs as his mouth surrounded that bead. Working his tongue against her with the added texture of his mouth as a whole as he worked pressurized circles over her. His hands passing up to capture her hips. Humming low in deep satisfaction for the circumstances as his love for the woman had always been without doubt for him. Yet, there was something to be said about the act of it all.

Erin

Although this was far from the first time that he’d taste of her in this manner from this position, each and every time she’d forget just how challenging it would be.  It seemed so simple, yet it was anything but.  Feeling him working against her with the surrounding of his mouth around her clit, his tongue circling against her, her breath was stolen and becoming harder and harder to capture.  It was no wonder there were nail scratches beneath the palm of her hand as she could assure there to be more before this was said and done.  “Fuck,” she whispered, naturally shifting her hips slightly, unable to keep them entirely still when he was at her like this.  Her inner walls drew tight as though to find him there within, yet instead it was anticipation that would grip firmly at the woman.  

C.J.

Hearing her whisper, he'd know he'd be at a loss for those scratches that he so loved yet it was for the cause that he'd suffer through as his lips would remain to her. Drawing up a deep hum, directing the push at her as his tongue steadily worked at her in an increasing pace. Feeling the shift of her hips yet allowing her to work with him to show him exactly what she wanted as he himself would shift to make the most of that angle.

Erin

And there it was.  The hum of death as she’d call it as it instantly drew her into him, pressing firmly against him to take every vibration he could offer her while feeling her stomach muscles tremble.  Forever lost between pulling back from them and pulling in.  Tilting her head to the side, she bit harder against her own lower lip, her thighs trembling in his hold.  He’d have everything he wanted in life if he could just offer her the blissful confusion that fell against her in that moment, leaving the woman completely lost for him.  Her breath was stolen as he’d audibly hear the hitch as she lost the bite at her lower lip in exchange for a low whine that he was all too familiar with.  Feeling herself closer and closer, endlessly attempting to hold out on the man as she’d do the same here, having learned the very skill from the man himself.

C.J.

Feeling the tremble of her thighs that told him he was doing everything right by her. He also knew this is the time where she'd try to resist him the most yet it would be useless. He needed to make her cum like he needed any other necessity as it was of high importance to him to prove he still could and always would be able to do so. Pressing deeper and harder to her as that hum would pick up once more and this time indefinitely with no hopes of stopping it until he had gotten what he wanted.

Erin

There was no possible way for her to not show her hand when it came to this man as he knew her entirely too well.  He knew the alter of her breath, the tremble of her thighs, the bite of her lip.  He knew everything there was to know about the woman and therefore she couldn’t hide from him that which she’d attempt here.  Not when she’d learned it from him.  Not when it had been this way for so very long.  Her hands tensed against the wood of the headboard, another set of scratches to join those others before.  Half torn between telling him no, to pulling away, to pulling him down by his hair and half tempted to let him have what he wanted here as she knew she wanted the same.  She’d do nothing but sustain it as he had her locked in and there was no possible escape.  Sticking to her plan of holding out for as long as she could, it might have worked right up until the moment he’d introduce that hum to her once again, this time focusing it entirely as he was determined if nothing else.  Digging her nails against former scratches of wood, she felt her release surging throughout her body as though it were lightening looking for an exit path.  The swell of the release took over entirely as he had to know by now.  Her lips parted as her forehead found the headboard once more, her whine echoing against the wood as her inner walls drew in tighter and tighter before all at once the pulsing release would bring forth the woman’s nectar.  Short gasping whines took over her lips as her hips jolted against the hum he provided her, only furthering the release that would erase any and all thoughts of pregnancy tests in trash cans, bringing them back to the most primal element of their existence that could only be met by one another.

C.J.

Both feeling and hearing her cum for him showing that they were good for more than just what would get them a baby. Thinking it was important to have these acts and these moments to prove they simply didn't have one goal here as nothing would be accomplished here but her pleasure and his happiness to provide it as he gripped firmly at her thighs. Feeling her jolt as well as the flood of moisture that he was quickly helping himself to as his hands would slip down to her knees quite satisfied with what he had done to her.

Erin

Lifting her hips slightly, she’d bring the source to his lips, giving him the comfort of his former position with the addition of that which he’d drawn from her as she felt the contractions of her inner walls pulsing through her.  Her trembling hands pressed against the headboard as she tried to find her breath while her entire body held some effect from that release.  Bringing one hand down to find the man’s hairline once again, her touch softer than it had been previously.  Forever needing that moment after any release to find herself once more as the room spun and things were blurry to her.  The sensitivity in the woman had her hips drawing back from him just to find a moment of relief before she was giving in and letting him taste the rest of that which resided on his lips and tongue before she was lifting one knee, drawing it back to find the space at his side before doing the same with the other which would rob him of that position if only so that she may taste herself against his lips.  Making her way down his chest, her hand found the side of his face while the other remained there against the headboard as her lips found his, firmly pressing her kiss to his lips where she’d find more of her own taste there than she would find of his.

C.J.

Feeling her slipping down him in that familiar haze he loved getting out of her. Finding incredible intimacy in it as he felt her to his chest and slipping down him. Pressing his lips back to hers as he offered her the taste he loved. His own hand to the back of her neck as he gave up a slow hum to her much like the one he had established moments before.

Erin

As his hand found the back of her neck, she was draw in even more deeply than she had been a moment before all because of something so little, so simple, yet it was touches like this that meant the very world to the woman.  As the hum made itself evident once more, her lips parted to the pass of her tongue as she sought the taste she’d find against his lips, tracing her tongue at the part of his as she requested more from him.  Bringing her hand down between their bodies, finding him as bare as she’d left him the night before as he had yet to leave the bedroom, she wrapped her tiny hand around his hardened cock, stroking her hand up the length of him while tasting of herself against his lips.

C.J.

Parting his lips for her tongue where she'd find her taste in abundance to the flesh. Hand tightening to the back of her neck before feeling her wandering hand slipping around him. Needing no help from her here. The action alone getting him just where he needed to be as his free hand found her hip. Smoothly engaging all of her in someway or another as he drew in a deep breath at the feeling of her hand wrapped to him.

Erin

Stroking the full length of his cock there in her hand, her thumb rolling over the top as her tongue dipped there in the part of his lips, attempting to find entrance into his own mouth, wanting to find his taste that resided somewhere beneath her own as she drew her hips down against him, guiding the head of his cock against the moisture that still resided against her.  “Which do you want more?” she whispered in that weak, raspy tone he’d be so familiar with by now, giving him his options as she clearly defined the first in that which he felt against him now before her tongue was back at his lips, giving indication to his second option.

C.J.

Hearing her speak about what he wanted before her lips were to his. Lips parting as he'd press his tongue back to hers. Understanding the question a moment later. "You." He'd speak with ease, knowing exactly what he wanted here and it was everything to do with her and the activities previously discussed.

Erin

The moment the single syllable left his lips, giving up what he wanted there, she was quick to provide.  With her hand as the guide, she drew him down the part of her, aligning with him as her tongue remained there at his lips, seeking entry persistently as she lowered her hips all at once.  Forcing herself down over him without caution or pause, she’d take him in with one sharp movement of her hips that would steal her from her prior task to seek out his taste and leave her with a cry to her lips there against his where he could both hear and taste the full cry from the woman’s mouth as there was no use trying to muffle the sound.  Impaling herself her hand found his shoulder, nails gripping deeply into his flesh as the feeling radiated through her body.  From nothing to something all at once.

C.J.

Feeling her work out those motions against him as she aligned herself over him. Preparing himself yet there was no preparing as she launched down him all at once. Giving up a deep groan no longer muzzled from her lips as he felt her to his shoulder. Hands gripping tightly at her hips in response as he took in a deep breath.

Erin

Her walls were unforgiving in those first moments as they both well knew.  There was a reason he always took that time with her, but the moment she was in control, patience did not exist.  She couldn’t be patient when it came to him.  She wanted it all and she wanted it then.  All of her teasing had been wasted on those first minutes for the moment there was any contact at all, the woman was a lost cause.  Feeling him throb within her, her walls clung firmly allowing for no space between herself and him, for no motion as the friction of him being within this space was almost friction enough.  Turning her head to the side, she’d steal her lips free of his as her lips pressed to his other shoulder while her nails clung to the other.  Shifting her hips against him in that first roll entirely too soon, another loud cry was there at her lips as she felt him throughout all of her body.  Parting her lips, her teeth sunk in to the shoulder she had marked for the first time years before, a space that would be marked time and time again since that time, where she now did the same as she attempted to silence herself as it was known that the boys would be getting up for school any minute and the last thing they needed to hear was her screaming out in this manner.  

C.J.

Hearing the cry of her lips as he'd inhale deeply, the warmth of her soaring through him. All pleasure and nothing but as he felt her to his shoulder. Hands sweeping up her back as he knew her attempt to muffle herself. Lips finding her ear. "Maybe if you weren't so damn good at this I wouldn't want you on top all the time." He'd tease, as if this was all her fault.

Erin

Leaning into him there at her ear, she’d turn her head slightly to steal the lower curve of his ear with her teeth, biting against him as she felt waves of blissful pain radiate through her body.  Groaning softly to the words he spoke, she felt his hands passing up her back.  “So this is all my doing then?” she asked, just to be clear on what he was trying to say there as her hand slipped to the back of his neck,  holding him there to the side of her face as she pushed her free hand against the headboard attempting to bring him with her as she sat up against him, knowing the depth he’d achieve from the slight alteration as if either of them needed more pressure against themselves in that moment, yet clearly going for all of it all at once like the overachiever he knew her to be.

C.J.

"Yeah." He'd answer, though knowing it was very much a two way street as she was at his neck. Attempting to will him up where he'd go against that headboard once in pristine condition yet now was marred in her nail marks and he wouldn't have it any other way. Back to the headboard as his hands landed roughly to her ass. "All your fault."

Erin

Feeling him lift up, repositioning them entirely as he drew his back to the headboard where she’d never leave his lap in the process, each tiny motion radiating through her in the short transition, directly followed by a smack of his hand against her ass that would draw her back from his ear with a full scream as she’d not expected it.  Beneath his hand, her skin burned at the touch, reminding her to never let her guard down for too long when he was present.  “Your fault,” she argued sharply, barely managing the words as her hands found the back of his neck, bringing her forehead to rest against his own.  “Yours,” she stated again as she wrapped her arms entirely around his neck, drawing him into her as she’d give up the first true roll of her hips against him while her nose was there to the side of his.  Taking fuckery and making it intimate without ever meaning to, her heated breath falling against his lips as she felt him prodding at her very core.

C.J.

Hearing her response to that smack that relentlessly gripped at her in the aftermath if only to make it all worse. Hearing her follow up words as she was at his forehead, he'd bite his bottom lip. "Mmm...yes, you are." He added, taking that all wrong but she was his and she knew it as his lips re-engaged to hers as he quite liked the sound of it no matter how accidental.

Erin

Hearing his play on what she had said a moment before, she couldn’t and wouldn’t deny it.  She was his and they both knew it, though each time such things were uttered it brought flashes in her mind of the first time such words were uttered between them.  Now those words were commonplace in moments like these, even when they weren’t intentionally speaking in the manner in which he had played it off as, yet the fact remained the same.  Humming to his lips as he pressed his lips to her own, her hips shifted against his while she enjoyed the intimacy the position offered them although it wasn’t at all what they had both set out for.  Things forever had a way of taking on their own way, never quite falling in line with anything set out before them, nor were they able to stick to a plan to save their lives in this capacity, and yet it worked.  It was honest and pure and for that she could never be sorry.  One hand slipped up from the back of his neck to the back of his head, fingertips passing through his hair as she grasped to him as though he could possibly go anywhere, knowing all the while that even with a negative test in the trash can, she truly had everything there in this man before her.

C.J.

Every time she used her full name with that new attachment showed she belonged to him. That new name plaque in her desk or even her ID. It still made him beam in a kind of childish pride. Still, it wasn't an unworthy possession. He was just so proud that she was his. That she represented him and he represented her. It was pure. Feeling her through his hair as he was ready to make good on that promise to fuck her as his hands found her hips and he was pulling up and over. Pressing her onto her back against the pillows seamlessly as his lips were back to hers.

Erin

Before she’d ever found her own stride against him, he was shifting again, moving her to her back where she’d find herself a half second later, nearly looking to him in surprise yet as his lips captured hers once more, she’d easily give into the man.  Feeling the pressure of him there over her, anticipating what was to come, she drew her legs around his hips, pulling him to her in whatever way that she could although she could feel the shift occurring there between them.  The intimacy could only hold on for so long before one of them would fall off only leaving it to question if it would be her or him.  With her hand still there through his hair, she gripped at the short strands to pull him back, inflicting a bit of a pain without remorse.  Meeting his eyes, a smirk took her lips as she bit against her lower tier where his lips had been a moment before.  “I’m yours,” she repeated, this time taking on the meaning that he had used not so long before, no longer placing blame, but instead giving assurances as she felt him buried still deep within her aching walls.

C.J.

Showing he was good for it as he knew she wanted this and had since they started. Hand to the back of her thigh as he felt her through his hair still. Meeting her eyes as she drew at him causing his breath to hitch. Eyeing that smirk while breathless and noting her smile. "You are." He agreed, knowing it well as he had worked hard enough to make this woman his and make sure she stayed his as his hips drove forward with no hesitation as he felt her walls cling to him.

Erin

The motion of her own hips against him had remained at a roll or a grind, making this sweep of his hips forward the first between them that would draw an instant whine from her lips just beyond his repeated sentiment that she had offered.  His claim made as it had been long ago and would surely be made a million more times between now and the end of the world.  Feeling him deep within her, she couldn’t manage another word as he always knew just how to shut this woman up as she couldn’t speak with a cry at her lips.  Meeting his eyes, a million things laced in her hazel hues, everything from desire to lust to love and each sentiment in between.  Maintaining that grip in his hair, she’d watch him as he pushed his hips into her own, as he took her just as she’d asked to be taken, as he’d promised to send her to work that day thoroughly fucked.  Unable to say a word, she could only offer a slight nod of her head as encouragement as though the whine at her lips wasn’t enough to tell the man that he had her just where she wanted to be.

C.J.

Watching her nod, a smirk finding him as he pressed to the corner of her lips, her cheek and her jaw as he was taken with the sight and feeling of her. Swearing he never saw anything quite so beautiful as her in that moment as he followed up the movement of his hips consistently. Taking up her pace and stride as his lips found the side of her neck.

Erin

As his lips found the side of her neck, she let her eyes fall closed, her own hips pushing against his as her breath fell against his shoulder.  Feeling him draw into her as she’d want it no other way.  Only wanting more, to be closer, to feel him under her skin, though this was as close as they could ever be physically.  Her hands finally released their holds on him if only to find the same at the backs of his arms, pulling against him as she used every ounce of strength she had to push up against him, to deepen his thrust with her joint effort.  Her breath falling weak as she couldn’t buy a deep breath in that moment, feeling her temperature rise as her heart rate did the same.  Nipping at the side of his neck, she released a soft sigh against his flesh.  “I love you,” she promised, knowing he knew it and yet the words would flow so easily from her lips there to him.

C.J.

Angling his hips forward where he was without a doubt deep within the woman. Feeling her at his arms as he felt her racing jugular under his lips. Teeth grazing her even as he heard her statement. "I love you." He'd return with no hesitation. Pace quickening to her as he felt her rising to meet him each time.

Erin

“Fuck.”  It might not have been the best response to being told that he loved her, but it was honest as she felt his hips quickening to hers.  With each thrust forward, he’d find a cry at her lips that could not be withheld no matter how much she would try to keep that volume down.  With a turn of her head, she sunk her teeth against the man’s shoulder, always seeming to find that same spot over and over that would almost consistently wear her mark.  Her hands found his back where she was digging her nails against his flesh, feeling herself approaching another release, yet now she’d fight it off and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.  “God, yes,” she whined against his flesh, feeling the depth he was reaching within her as she only drew her legs up higher at his sides to allow him further, to find uncharted space somehow, to ensure they both got the very most out of the moment as she knew she couldn’t hold out on that release for much longer.

C.J.

In reality, it was the best response. Loving it out of her as her nails found his back and he'd inhale her warmly. Finding nothing but incredible pleasure and intimacy with the woman who he loved. Whose love of his in her possession far outweighed anything or anyone else he had once loved which all seemed minor in retrospect to this one great love of his life. Feeling her lift against him as she was close and he was just as close yet determined to bring her with him as his lips found her jugular and back up to her jaw where his teeth was scraping her skin.

Erin

The grazing of his teeth to her neck held a constant threat that she could feel at all times, knowing the man's bite all too well though it seemed this morning was her turn to mark him, to stake her claim to him, to silently place those reminders of this that would be with him throughout the day despite the fact that they couldn't always be together there any longer though she still missed it and wished for it just as much as she had in the early days of that professional separation. "Fuck," she complained again, feeling herself clinging to the edge, holding out for just as long as she could before all at once, her walls would collapse, her resolve with them. From deep within her core, that feeling resonated through her as she drew her legs up further against his sides and silence fell over her. Trembling in his hold, all signs were there that she was giving in. "Cum with me..." she whined, pleading with the man not told out on her here as those first pulses of her walls against him took hold.

C.J.

Hearing her pleading for that of which would no doubt happen, the man was attempting not to visibly mark her yet it was perhaps a bigger task then he had prepared for as instead the abuse found his bottom lip. Eyes meeting hers as he'd hover directly above her face. Determined to watch this woman through. Nodding simply as he would with her as it all washed through him hotter and hotter waiting to be let loose.

Erin

As he shifted from her neck there before her, she caught his eyes as her lips parted, feeling as though the air was getting thicker there in the room making it harder and harder to breath.  Desperation for that release was clearly displayed on her features as she brought one hand to the side of his face, feeling his determination in his stride as it was unmistakeable.  He was there, as was she, and with a nod of his head, she had all she needed to let go entirely although given another second and she wouldn’t have had a choice.  Her walls pulsed around him, tightly gripping the man from within only to give him a fraction of a second in reprieve before the same would take him once again.  Feeling the release coursing through her, the momentum, the blurring of the room around them before all at once, she leaned her head back, her lips parting fully as she surrendered to it.  Her nails gripped to the man’s back while her other hand remained soft at the side of his face, a perfect combination for their relationship as her walls collapsed and the warmth flowed through her, coating his cock tip to base.

C.J.

As he felt her cumming for him, he hardly had time to admire as his own came on hot and heavy. Feeling her nails embed into his flesh and the heat of her collapsing around him as he was pressing his face to the side of hers. Nose to her cheek as he gave up a low groan. Rocking his hips forward once more and several times over where he burrowed his seed in her. Assuring she got every bit of him as it all flooded over and his blood seemed to run red hot. Feeling it everywhere while over her and knowing she felt the same.

Erin

Feeling him there to the side of her face, her hand slipped from the side of his face to the back of his neck, drawing him into the curve of her neck while her walls continued to contract around him through his release.  She knew that groan all too well and for that she’d push through her own release to lift her hips against him, assuring that he got everything from her that she could possibly give him to get him where she was.  As her walls stilled slowly over time, she remained tightly wrapped around the man, not willing to let go of him.  Turning her head to the side, she pressed a kiss to the curve of his neck before she’d rest her cheek against a space well marked by her throughout the morning, attempting to find her own breath there beneath him.

C.J.

As she drew him into her neck which was normally his safe place but he was showing he wasn't hiding his vulnerability in that moment as he went willingly. Both coming down from it all together as neither dared to move in that moment. Feeling her to his neck and against his skin as he drew in an even inhale. The air coated in her scent as his lips found her shoulder and collarbone.

Erin

In a space of silence where whines and groans had passed, all that remained was the two of them attempting to find their breath once more, yet neither one willing to move from this position.  Feeling him there at her shoulder and collarbone, she hummed softly as she leaned her head back against the pillow once more.  Her fingers drifted into the lower hairline at the back of his neck, softly stroking against the man as her eyes finally opened and she’d catch a glimpse of her handiwork at his shoulder.  Without a word, a smirk stole her lips, one that he would have seen a million times before.  “I think we need more mornings that look like this,” she confessed in a raspy whisper with a slight nod of her head.

C.J.

Feeling her drawing back as he sampled the skin of her collarbone again before lifting his head as she spoke. Smirking softly with a nod. "I think so..." he added, as the two quite needed that access to one another but there was something about it in the morning and sending her off to work after. Stealing a gentle kiss, his nose would nudge hers. "I love you."

Erin

Feeling the softness in his kiss just before that nudge to her nose, he drew a smile from his wife who was now thoroughly fucked and entirely happy which was quite the feat for it being a Friday with another failed test in a garbage can.  “I love /you/,” she returned with a slight nod of her head, still making no attempt to unravel from the man, remaining just as wrapped around him as she had in the midst of the act.  “More.”  She stated, just to instigate him and return to that teasing nature that never did seem to be too far away from the pair that had started out just like that.  “Like not wayyy more, but more enough,” she clarified, as if she could soften the blow.

C.J.

Smirking as she tried to tell him any different, he'd shake his head knowingly. "Thats not even possible." He'd confess as the back of his fingers would meet her cheek. "I'm running at high octane, maximum." He stated knowingly as it didn't get any better than his love for her try as she might.

Erin

Hearing him feed into her just as she knew he would, she shook her head no as she felt his hand there to the side of her face.  “Oh, but it is possible, because you see, you might have that high octane, maximum, but you know what I’ve got?” she asked, a smirk stealing her features as she was proud of herself and he’d find it there to her features.  “Jet fuel.”

C.J.

"That might be true but what I got burns hotter." He'd offer as he'd steal another kiss before he was rolling off of her and beside her. Getting too comfortable too quick as he'd groan low at the feeling of the blanket to his bare back. "Best way to start off the day..." the man would lazily muse.

Erin

As he drew off of her, she was quickly turning into his side, not willing to give up on this time with him despite how late it was and how rushed it would make them for every minute longer they spent there in bed together.  Not bothering to lay with her feet up or to hang off the edge of the bed, instead just curling into him as that was the place that she’d find everything she needed, almost feeling like the rest might just come in its own time.  Though those feelings might not be with her in an hour, they were there for now and that was good enough.  Bringing her hand against his chest as her head found its place against the curve of his arm, he had hazel eyes staring up at him from there beside him.  “Can we just call in fucked?”

C.J.

Noting her after sex ritual was not intact this day, he pulled her closer to him. Having lost this close contact afterwards for several months now as he felt her to his chest. Eyes opening at her question as he flashed her a gentle smirk. "We could try." He offered, thumb to her chin as his lips gently found hers.

Erin

Drawing into him now was just as natural as it had always been and though she knew it meant she was doing herself no favors in the procreation arena, this was far better in the moment than that would have been.  Feeling his thumb there to her chin, a soft smile stole her lips as they played with the idea of calling in fucked though they both knew it wouldn’t be happening that way.  Feeling his kiss find her own, her hand slipped up from his chest for the side of his neck, her body pressing against his there as she let her lips softly pass against his.  Her fingertips tensed, gripping gently against the side of his neck as the intensity of it all wasn’t entirely gone yet and could be reignited as he well knew by now.  

C.J.

Lips gently fused back to hers, unable to help himself as he needed those lips far too much to help himself. Feeling her hand to the side of his neck as he'd smile softly to her lips. Hand at her hip as this was dangerous as he'd hum low. Speaking to her kiss. "Maybe it hasn't happened yet because we don't fuck enough." He'd tease though that would be a hard case to sell.

Erin

Hearing his suggestion, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to find her way away from his lips, but that would do it quite nicely.  A full laugh stole her as she drew back to meet his eyes, clearly questioning him there even through her laughter.  “Is that so?” she asked, finding him to be completely dangerous in this moment as she’d take him again and he well knew it by now.  Drawing her leg over him, her eyes cut to his.  “You sure you want to go with that logic?” she asked as it would assure that neither of them made it to work on time and the boys would be late for school and the entire world could burn and the woman wouldn’t give two shits about it and he knew it to be true.  “We don’t fuck enough…” she repeated as though she were trying to understand.  

C.J.

Smirking as he heard her laugh as he knew it to be quite laughable. Feeling her leg over his as he gave up a telling smile. "Maybe." He'd conclude. "You never know. Three times the charm." He'd offer, knowing he was treading dangerous water.

Erin

“Three?” she asked, her eyes widening as that would mean two more rounds when she was fairly certain they had never made it past two.  “You want me again already?” Biting her lower lip at the suggestion, she could only imagine the man would be done for after that.  She might be as well, but there was no way he’d be getting out of bed after three releases.  Leaning into his kiss once again, she’d steal his lips this time, her hand slipping down from the side of his neck, smoothing against his abdomen as she made it clear that she’d give in to what he thought here, but only if he could tolerate her touch so soon after that release.  Her touch was gentle as she knew the sensitivity the man would feel, yet she’d still test the waters a bit.

C.J.

"Maybe in a day." He'd explain, as two rounds he could do but three in a row? Feeling her hand down his abdomen, the man would glance to the side table where time was not on their side. Sighing low as he'd glance back down towards her. "I'd like to but..." he commented, as the first go had been lucky and now they were pushing it.

Erin

She could agree that the man could go three times in a day as she was fairly certain it had happened before, but never in a short time frame.  Hearing him stop her hand, she was already smirking knowingly as she met his eyes, nodding her head softly.  “Mhm, you’d like to but you have a hot date with a badge and a gun today,” she reminded him as she pulled back from where she’d been there at his side, knowing one of them had to do it.  “You take the shower and I’ll get the boys in motion,” she suggested, knowing the two in the shower together was going to be entirely too tempting this morning as she leaned over him to steal his lips once more before she’d really be getting out of the bed entirely.

C.J.

"And Platt. Don't forget Platt. That woman could suck a golf ball through a garden hose." He added, a waggle of his brows as he heard her statement. Pressing his lips back to hers before he could be hit or smacked or otherwise pushed off the bed.

Erin

It had been a while since she’d heard a joke about Platt from the man, drawing a tilt of her head as her smirk seemed to remain.  “Yeah?  Alright then,” she teased, withdrawing from the kiss before it had even taken true form.  “Can think about her epic sucking skills the next time you’re in the bathroom jerking it because your wife is on hiatus,” she teased in return, finding her shirt and shorts on the floor.  Picking them up, she’d lay them there on the bed, pulling on the top first before she was reaching for the shorts to do the same.  One leg at a time, not bothering with undergarments as she needed just enough to go wake up the boys and then take over in that shower after C.J. was done.  

C.J.

"No, I got plenty other things to think about when that happens." He added, biting his bottom lip as he watched her. Reaching out to grip her ass and proving himself to be a true pest before he was slowly pulling himself out of bed. "You see, my wife's got a pretty sweet ass. That's all I have to think about. Gets me there everytime."

Erin

Feeling his hand to her ass, she was watching as he lifted from the bed, complimenting her assets all the way.  She shook her head no, not buying it in the slightest as she brought the shorts up into their place, cutting her eyes at him.  “Wait a minute.  Gets you there every time?  C.J.?  Have you been?” she asked, knowing such activities could severely hurt their chances of getting pregnant, she was coming around before him, hands to his sides as she looked up at him, wasting time she didn’t have, but entirely too fixated to move until she was sure.

C.J.

"Noooo." He stated simply as the question was a shake of his head. Standing as she approached. Meeting her eyes as he shook his head. Knowing how this worked by now as he pressed his lips to her forehead. "I mean before. Once upon a time." He confessed, giving her sides a gentle squeeze. "Been all you."

Erin

Hearing him quickly put her questions to rest, she felt the kiss of his lips to her forehead as she drew into him further than she should have, knowing she had to get out of that room.  “And are you /satisfied/ with it being all me?” she asked, lifting her chin so that she could find the features of his face in the response, a slight tilt of her head as she made the silent promise to herself that she would actually leave the room as soon as she got her answer there.

C.J.

Hearing her question, the man had to smirk as to say he was anymore satisfied in this life would be a lie. "Erin..." he began, not even sure how to answer that as his hand found the side of her face. "You are perfect to me. There's not one thing in me not completely satisfied." He confessed as his thumb grazed her jawline. Stealing a gentle kiss.

Erin

Hearing her name at his lips with that smirk on his face, she wasn’t quite sure what would follow as she felt his hand there to the side of her face.  Hearing him express those words while holding her there before him, her breath hitched in the back of her throat.  She’d spent years arguing her perfection with the man, fearing pedestals and all that they entailed, yet now he’d get no fight from her on the matter.  As his lips pressed gently to hers, she brought her own hand to the side of his neck, lifting to her toes there before him.  Holding that kiss longer than his theft had intended as she was just so moved to do so.  Finally lowering to her feet again, a soft smile stole her features as she let her hand fall from the side of his neck.  “I could not possibly be any more in love with you than I am right now,” she confessed in her slow withdraw from the man, though no part of her actually wanted to do so.

C.J.

"Careful with those challenges." He teased as she drew back from him. Eyes to her all the while as the woman took off to begin their day as it was still all pretty crazy. This life of theirs. Yet, it was everything he had ever dreamed of. Drawing back, he was slipping into the bathroom where the running of water announced his intent.

Erin

Hearing his reminder to her, she’d simply laugh on her way out of the room, knowing that it wasn’t possible.  She couldn’t possibly love him more than she did in that very moment.  She might have thought she loved him the most she’d ever loved him the day before, but she was wrong, just like hundreds of other mornings that she’d be wrong, falling more deeply in love with the man every day.  Making her way first to the kitchen where a pot of coffee had already been sitting ready for a half hour as they should have been starting their day earlier, she poured two cups and returned to the bedroom where she’d find him already in the bathroom.  Bringing his coffee to the counter, she’d place it down for him while he was there at the water, turning and slipping out of the room before he’d have a chance to drag her in the shower and make them both later than they already were.  

C.J.

She was smart to drop and run as he removed himself from the shower a few minutes later. Having lost his towel in the meantime as he hit the bedroom. Getting dressed rather quickly to make up for lost time. Hair still a complete mess but it was to be understood as he walked to the freezer. Grabbing the toaster strudel as it would be one of those mornings. Cracking open the bag where the first four hit the toaster and were pushed down into it as his mouth found the cup of coffee.

Erin

While he was there in the kitchen, she was upstairs, pleading with Bash to get out of bed.  J was already up and dressed and making his way downstairs while Bash was just not having it.  “Come on, man.  It’s the last day of the week.  We get through today and then we’ve got two whole days with no work and no school and nothing but fun,” she reminded him, trying.  He grunted his response before he was finally opening his eyes.  “There’s those eyes,” she whispered, a smile taking her features as she brought her hand to the side of his face.  “We’re running a little behind this morning, so get dressed quick and then head downstairs, alright?”  He grunted again, not at all liking the morning thing that day.  “Alright,” she said again, rising up from the edge of the bed to find her way to her cup of coffee left abandoned on the kitchen counter directly followed by the fastest shower on the books yet.

C.J.

Getting the table set in their smaller than usual fashion with orange juice for one and milk for the other. Well versed in this dance by now as he was quickly nearly shooting coffee before going to fill their to-go cups as the boys sat behind them. One drowsier than the other which was no surprise to him with Day Lights Savings time well in effect. All while attempting to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead which he was sure his wife was doing as well not so far off.

Erin

With Bash awake, with the promise that he’d get dressed, she was making her way back down those stairs and into the kitchen where her cup of coffee sat beside a to-go cup already ready proving her husband was thinking three steps ahead.  “How is it that you are functioning and managing this rush better than I am?” she asked as she gripped her mug in her hand, finally getting the first sip that would hopefully give her what she needed to power through the next half hour that it would take to transition from home to school where the boys would be dropped off.  

C.J.

“Got a shower earlier?” he asked, as that was usually enough to wake him up. Not to mention he was deeper into his coffee than she was and ready for his second cup. Leaning back briefly in the interim where he was sliding her a toaster strudel already drizzled before going for his own that he did the same with and was promptly biting into. “Plus, I’m Batman. So that helps."

Erin

Hearing his reasoning for how it was that he was moving and she was dragging, he earned a nod of her head as it was probably the case. That, or she was thoroughly fucked as planned, still able to feel him embedded between her thighs. Accepting the offering of breakfast, she bit against the edge of the plate to free her hand so she could grab his ass on her way by. "Shower, Batman. I'll see you after," she promised, taking her breakfast and coffee to the bathroom where she would be needing every available moment to get out that door on time.

C.J.

“Yes ma’am.” smirking softly as she made her way off and he was sitting down with the boys. A little early morning chatter about what their day would conclude while personal questions of what his own would look like. Never knowing but attempting to show some insight as he finished his second cup of coffee and most likely would be feeling pretty good in contradiction with his wife still trying to get her shit together.

Erin

In the bathroom, she worked on that toaster strudel while the water heated up. Knowing it wouldn't take long since C.J. had just showered, but giving herself a minute to actually eat first. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom an entirely different person, looking as though she was finally awake. After getting dressed, she found the time putting them only three minutes behind schedule which she couldn't even be upset about. As she came out, she found C.J.'s eyes with a smile to her features. "Good morning," she offered as though it were the first time they had seen one another that morning, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

C.J.

“Morning.” like they were on repeat or deja vu as the migration towards the door was beginning. Stealing a kiss from her own cheek while Bash quickly chimed in a grossed out sound causing a smirk out of him. “Ain’t seen nothing yet.” he threatened with a wink as if he’d plant a wet one on her as he handed off her to-go coffee cup.

Erin

Over dramatizing the act, Erin would play into C.J. where the previous version of herself would have just grunted.  “Mmm,” she hummed, leaning over to Bash.  “You think he should let me have it /now/ or in the drop off line at school?  Hmm?” she teased, accepting the to-go cup from C.J. where she’d flash him a smirk, feeling altogether better about the morning now that she was out of the shower and had that cup of coffee, but still feeling him deep within her all the while.  “Drop off line, for sure,” she decided, to which he was quickly saying no, shaking his head, not at all impressed with the thought.

C.J.

Laughing at the mention of the drop-off line where the boy would definitely be mortified, the boy already getting red whereas his brother was a full blown Casanova in his class. Taking more and more after his father for whatever reason. “J is just onto bigger things than cheek kisses huh? I see you.” he challenged, knowing he had to get his shots in before the earbuds were in and he had to make fun of him while he didn’t hear him which eliminated most of the fun as C.J. walked towards the coatrack near the door to grab Erin’s jacket.

Erin

“Bigger things than cheek kisses?” Erin asked, eyeing C.J. as she cut her eyes to J. who now stood as tall as she was.  “Like… forehead kisses?” she asked, as if that might be the only acceptable form of kissing that J. should be engaging in and even that was a bit extreme.  J. returned with something about the fact that he could now reach Erin’s forehead to kiss her there, earning him a cut of her eyes.  Finding C.J. at the door, she slipped into her jacket that he held, juggling her coffee between hands as she completed the task, turning around before him where she was lifting to her toes, free hand to the back of his neck to earn her that kiss against his cheek.  “Thank you,” she whispered.  “Gonna have to have /the talk/ with Little C.J. over there,” she warned.

C.J.

Laughing softly as he wasn’t wrong, watching the kids slipping out of the house and towards the car already warmed up on auto-start as he helped her into her jacket. Placing down both coffee cups at the sidetable before slipping into his own after he warned his kiss. “You’re welcome.” he stated simply, hearing a mention of the “talk” which earned a knowing smirk. “I don’t know. I’m still waiting for someone to have the talk with me.” he’d challenge.

Erin

“You’re not getting the talk.  You’re getting the opposite of the talk,” she stated honestly as he was being told to get her pregnant, to send her to work thoroughly fucked, to never let her go more than a few hours without feeling him within her.  “Don’t you ever think about getting the talk either,” she warned as it was not acceptable and he well knew it.  As the kids were already out, getting into the car, Bash no longer requiring their assistance, she reached over for both cups to give him his as soon as his jacket was in place.  “But that boy?  Yeah, we’re in for it,” she confessed as the boy was so much his father that Erin had no trouble believing he already had a line of girls waiting for him to look their way.

C.J.

“Yeah, I know.” he stated simply as it was like looking in a mirror in alot of ways. He was sharp and had alot of charisma to back it up. Not to mention a set of dimples that could both get him in trouble and get him out of it. Reaching down to zip up his jacket before taking his own coffee. A telling smirk as he wasn’t taking it too seriously for the time being.

Erin

Thinking to herself that it would really be some shit for J. to get someone pregnant before his father managed to do so with Erin brought an inappropriate laugh to her lips, clearly entertained by something she was thinking as it didn’t seem C.J. was all that concerned with the prospect of such things.  “Shit,” she sighed, always the same thing, having left her bag in the bedroom, again.  “I’ll be right out,” she promised, going quickly for the bedroom just like she had every other morning that week, quite unable to remember to bring her bag out the door with her after months of desk duty.  Changes of clothes and shoes, her badge and gun, along with other random items she may or may not need filled the contents of the bag making it as necessary to her life as air and yet she couldn’t seem to remember it not once that week.  A minute later she’d return, bag in hand, finally ready to go.

C.J.

“Everytime…” sighing low as eventually he’d be able to catch on and get that bag part of their morning routine. Watching her return, he was guiding her out of the door. Locking the other one behind them as they slipped out of the house and down towards the car. “Think he’s already got himself a little girlfriend…if you notice, he always goes to meet the same girl when he gets out.” he’d comment honestly.

Erin

In time, it would become part of the routine again she hoped, only thinking she was out of practice of needing it.  On their way to the car, her eyes grew wide as she looked up to him.  “You think so?” she asked, clearly shocked by the suggestion while not shocked all at the same time.  She had noticed what C.J. was talking about, but it wasn’t until this morning that things were beginning to look a little clearer to her on matters.  “Should have known when he stopped gagging when you’d kiss me.  Think you might be right,” she confessed as they neared the car.

C.J.

“Mhm.” he’d agree as he walked towards the passenger side of the car, cracking it open as the threat wasn’t too serious in his mind as he’d help her in before slipping into the drivers side. Getting settled into the entirely quiet car with nothing more than the buzz of music in the background from them both before he’d glance over towards her. “Peace.” he’d tease as how quiet it was as he’d reach over for her hand.

Erin

Once she was in the vehicle and he was there beside her in the driver’s seat, she looked back, finding both boys lost in devices, one with earbuds already in place.  “It’s like they are zombies,” she commented honestly as she felt his hand taking hers.  A smile stole her features at the simplest of gestures, yet another reminder of just how much this man loved her.  “Will you still reach over and hold my hand when you’re eighty?” she asked, taking advantage of the fact that the boys were in their own worlds in the back seat and wouldn’t be chiming in with gagging noises should they get too mushy in the front seat.

C.J.

Hearing her question as he’d use his far hand to shift into drive just so he didn’t have to interrupt hers, hearing her statement which brought a snort out of him. “Of course…then we’ll be grossing out the grandkids.” he’d tease, though he highly doubted he’d ever lose his desire to touch her or to be close to her as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Glancing back into his mirrors before he was pulling out of the spot as they played it up.

Erin

“Could be great grandkids by then,” she reminded him as that was some time away although the thought of being eighty at all was something she couldn’t quite get her mind around.  “I’m still wearing these boots at eighty, just so you know,” she informed him as she eyed the black buckled boots that she wore most days to work.  “And leather jackets too.”  As he pulled out of the drive, she’d cut her eyes back to see if either of the boys were paying attention, finding nothing but faces in devices still.  “They are completely tuned out,” she stated honestly, shaking her head, though she did enjoy the near feeling of being alone with C.J. in casual conversation all at the same time. “I think they’re over us.”

C.J.

"Yeah, maybe. Especially if J gets to it early." As it seemed would happen, her plans for their elder years would draw a nod from him. Upping the stakes. "And you'll still be the hottest thing in leather I ever laid eyes on." He'd challenge with a telling smirk before her confirmation earned a nod. "I think so too. Going to have to come up with a new way to torture them."

Erin

All it would take is a sentiment such as a story about a future and what he’d think of her then and the girl was blushing red at just the idea of this man remaining that into her even fifty years down the road.  She tightened her hand there in his as she leaned back in her seat, head turned so she could watch him, finding herself more and more in love with him by the minute.  “Maybe we don’t worry so much about torturing him and you keep saying things like that,” she whispered so that the boys wouldn’t hear her, though she figured they couldn’t actually hear any of this from where they were in their devices anyway.  

C.J.

"I could do that too." He offered as he brought her hand to his lips. Kissing her knuckles before shooting a glance over towards her as he knew it all to be true. His love for her was deeper than skin but damn did he love that skin too. Unable to help himself as it was all too good for him sometimes to even cope with as the school approached as their destination.

Erin

“Never did anything in my life to deserve you,” she whispered honestly, a confession that she knew he’d never agree with, but it didn’t make it any less true.  As the school came into view, she was turning her head to the backseat.  “Alright, Bash… electronics in the back of the seat,” she instructed to which he reluctantly powered it down, pushing it into the seat back pocket as J smirked over as the rules had changed for him.  “J…” she warned, promptly forcing the smirk from his features as she turned back into her own seat.  “Well, I’ve successfully pissed them off this morning.  It’s gonna be a good day,” she teased.

C.J.

"How many lives do you think you've saved?" He reminded her, as the woman had done plenty to be hit with a little good karma. Yet, he was almost positive a man has never loved a woman the way he loved her. Cocky, it might have been but honest. God, did he love that woman. As they pulled into the parking lot, he looked over to watch the exchange. Knowing she knew that smirk all too well except it was usually from him. "It always is. Start the day off right."

Erin

Hearing his reasoning on what it was she’d done in her life that was deserving of this man, it still wasn’t enough to cover it in her mind.  He was more than that and she was determined to spend the rest of her life earning what he gave so freely.  As soon as the car stopped, J. was opening his door, ready to get out and surely find his girlfriend, or at least that’s what Erin believed his hurry to be.  Bash was but a moment behind, rising from his seat to press a kiss to his dad’s cheek, then Erin’s, not at all ashamed of kissing them goodbye as of yet.  Erin smiled, quickly calling out to him, “have a good day!”  Tempted to get out of the car and chase J. down to wish him the same, she figured it was best to leave that one be though it was so tempting to do so.

C.J.

"Wait, wait...I got this." Hands finding his phone where a brief google search brought a song loud over his speakers for J's embarrassment. Jennifer Lopez's "Love Don't Coast A Thing" leaking through open doors and windows to get the absolute most of a reaction from his oldest who was flipping up his hood and removing himself promptly while Bash laughed knowingly. Saying goodbye to both of them as the door closed yet never the song.

Erin

In unusually good spirits that morning, the two were enjoying themselves a little too much.  As C.J. blared the music and J tried to make his way out of the vicinity of the car as quickly as possible, Erin was cracking up laughing.  The doors had been closed and the boys were reporting to their respective areas, and yet the music continued on.  A smirk stole Erin’s lips as she balled her fist and brought it just beneath her chin as though she were holding a microphone, showing just how good her spirits were that morning.  “Knew that it was game when you looked at me, pulling up your sleeve so I could see the Rolley bling.  Saw you later in the corner booth, raising up a toast so I would notice you…” Belting the lyrics shamelessly, marking the first and only time he’d ever heard her do such a thing and yet she’d do it here, full on, with no hesitation.

C.J.

There was a silent moment as C.J. listened to her, eyes widening at this sight before him. Not even sure what to think or say at the sight before him before that moment passed quickly and launched him into full hysteria. Head pushed to the rest of the car where he gave it up entirely. Laughing a little too hard as that was far funnier than what he had done and he couldn’t even help himself. Somehow even more assured about why he married the woman than what he had been two minutes before.

Erin

As the fit of laughter took over the man, she’d expected a reaction, although maybe not /that/ reaction.  “C’mon now, was it that bad?” she asked, knowing the answer before she asked the question.  “Everyone can’t sound like you, C.J.!”  Acting as though she was offended, it would take but a moment before her own round of laughter joined his.  Her intention had been to be ridiculous and she seemed to have accomplished it quite well.  Her hand slipped over to gently nudge his upper arm from there in the school drop off line.  “That woman is yelling at you to move forward and if you don’t go, she’s gonna throw her arm out of socket and it’s gonna be on you, Dimples.”

C.J.

“No, no…it was so good.” still trying not to laugh as he was failing, barely able to be understood as he wiped a bead of moisture from the corner of his eyes having laughed himself clean into tears as he heard her mention the line that he had completely forgotten about. Glancing in the rear view where her statement was confirmed as he shifted out of drive. Trying to wipe his eyes with his sleeve all the while as he attempted to stop laughing as he pulled out but was entirely unable to give it up.

Erin

“You are lying to your wife,” she accused, shaking her head as she leaned back in his seat as he put the car into motion once again.  The morning had been something of pure stress relief from the house to now, putting them both in what would easily be the best moods all week right up until those tires hit the pavement of the Chicago Police Department personnel parking.  Still, she was enjoying it as her hand slipped against his thigh, gripping against him as she looked over towards him.  “I married my best friend,” she stated easily, a little too sentimental for the moment as the man was still dealing with the residual effects of that fit of laughter, and yet it was the most honest thing she had to offer in the moment.  She could laugh with him, cry with him, and even embarrass herself with him, making him absolutely the perfect match for her in every way.

C.J.

“I would never lie to my wife.” standing by this as he shook his head before he felt her against his thigh as they began their drive to work with a little more pep in their step thankfully. Hearing her mention of being her bestfriend while still trying to shake it off while it kept appearing before his eyes. He’d smirk softly. “Yeah, I know…and I married mine.” he concluded with ease as he knew that a million times over by then, that was just a million and one.

Erin

As he claimed his innocence, she wasn’t so sure this time, not when it came to her singing abilities or lack there of.  As he went on to return the same sentiment, she tightened her hand against his thigh, a smile offered in his direction as he navigated the morning Chicago traffic.  “I think it’s about time for another one of those staycations so I can enjoy my best friend more fully,” she suggested, a nod of her head as it had been some time since the two had managed to do such a thing, feeling as though a weekend of it was well overdue by this point.  “Whataya say, husband?  Think you’d be down for a weekend of just us?”

C.J.

“I think that would be a really good idea…” he’d state honestly, only able to think something of a vacation and relaxation might help their cause of conception if they could both get out of the stressful elements, thinking that was honestly what was holding them back yet he wouldn’t say that to her. Yet, both knew what would happen with any time away and he trusted in that. “You get it cleared with Voight and I’ll take the rest?” he offered, hand trailing over hers as he attempted to hold her hand as the trip continued.

Erin

Feeling his hand come there over her own against his thigh, she’d turn her hand easily to give up her palm to press into his.  His agreement to her idea of a weekend away from all of their stressors had a smile to her features.  They’d pulled it off twice and both times had been some of the greatest times of their lives together and she’d not hesitate to ask for another one without a single thought of conception there in her mind.  As he took it a step further as to say he’d handle things if she’d get them both cleared with Voight, she offered a nod of her head, quite liking the idea of it all.  “I think you have yourself a deal,” she offered with a gentle squeeze of her hand to his.  “How soon you wanna try to pull something off?” she asked, needing to know when to ask Voight for a little joint time off.

C.J.

“I think we should do it somewhere cold where I can chase your ass around a cabin again.” he’d tease, an insanely fond memory of his as he had great fun with it. Taking a bad situation and otherwise having fun with it when there shouldn’t have been much time to do so. Regardless, it showed how strong the relationship between the two was. Making something out of absolutely nothing. Taking up her follow up question, he’d shrug. “Whenever you can get something, I guess.” he’d return as he interlaced his fingers with hers.

Erin

“I don’t think so,” she added, recalling that there had been tickling involved in that war and she wasn’t about that returning again.  “Although… I really like being caught, so long as you’re hands are under control.”  Flashing a playful smile across the car to him, she couldn’t have possibly been any more at peace than she was that morning, if only there was a way to start all mornings just the same.  As he drove, she felt his fingers slipping between hers, her own filling the spaces between his, her wedding band more obvious to her in those moments.  “We’ll see what Voight says.  But I should warn you, you’re going to need a lot of rest going into it, as well as making sure you are well hydrated…”

C.J.

“Rest?” he’d ask, playing coy as if he had no idea what she was suggesting. Brows furrowing as he’d glance idly towards her. “What for?” he asked, attempting not to smile though that was half the struggle. Yet, knowing what she was suggesting all the same as it had been part of his push for such an idea. Guiding her hand to his lips as he was kissing over her knuckles as the station approached.

Erin

“You know what for,” she accused as she felt his hand lifting hers, his kisses to her knuckles.  Releasing a soft sigh, she’d look over towards him, a soft smile to her features.  “You are trouble, Detective,” she stated honestly with a shake of her head, feeling completely overcome with her feelings for the man all too many times that morning and now would be just the same.  As the station came into view, she was too busy looking at him to realize.  “Lunch breaks and parking garages kind of trouble,” she reminded him.

C.J.

As she called him trouble, those dimples finally broke as he gave up a full blown smile as he knew. Just as she had said. “Just like hearing it.” he reminded her. Feeling her eyes on him as she elaborated. A nod of his head. “The good ol’ days.” he’d tease, all while knowing that was the sort of stuff that could have gotten them fired but he’d be damned if he could ever force himself to regret it.

Erin

“You like hearing that your wife wants you, naked, for an entire weekend, with no chance of a break?” she asked, making sure she understood while that smirk said she was looking for a reaction.  As he commented on the good ole days, they were, and yet they weren’t all at the same time as that signified the past and if he thought his wife wouldn’t be down for a round in the evidence room, he was sadly mistaken.  Humming her agreement with him, she’d do so knowing that a lunch break in a parking garage might not be so far off as he might think it to be.

C.J.

“You know I do.” he answered honestly as he gave her hand another firm squeeze as they pulled into the parking lot. Knowing he could spend all the rest of the days of his life wrapped up in this woman and never grow tired of her. He’d still discover things along the way. The specks of color in her eyes and her different smiles. It never got old and it never could as he was entirely besotted with her and always would be. Just as much as he was in that moment then when they had first started. When she swore she’d fall off her pedestal yet still stood tall.

Erin

The shift in the road’s texture brought with it the bad news that they had arrived and would have to separate one from another eventually.  Although there had once been a day that those hands being held was done so behind a dash board and now they could walk in doing so, it would still result in the same once they crossed the chain link that formed the door to intelligence.  A hand scanner stood between this time and that time, yet it always held the promise of the reunion that never did disappoint.  Once the vehicle was stopped, she’d take instant notice that Antonio’s car wasn’t in the lot yet, meaning he was late, or wasn’t coming, both of which struck Erin as odd and she’d need to call him within the first few minutes upstairs.  As she reached for the door, her hand slipping free of his, she’d pause a moment.  “Hey, C.J.?” she asked, demanding his attention for a moment.  “I want to fuck you,” she stated plainly before she was opening the door and making her way out of the car, leaving him with that lasting statement to get him through the day.

C.J.

Hearing her statement, he’d smile softly as her hand slipped from him. Teeth to his bottom lip. “Love you too.” he’d call, playing it off as it was completely normal as he was happy to hear such a statement. Anyone around them would think it was a completely normal statement between a couple yet it was less than innocent as he killed the engine of the car. Making it clear that he was now on his own as he took his time to collect his coffee and his bag before stepping out.

Erin

Waiting for him just outside the car, she’d pull her bag from the floorboard and lean against the hood of the car.  In that space of time, she sent a text to Antonio to find out where he was at, finding out a moment later that he had put in for the day off and she’d just managed to forget.  Tucking her phone away, she looked back through the windshield, stealing a glimpse of the man whose last name was now sewn into her kevlar, a smirk to her features as he finally opened the door.  “Takes me forever to get out of the house and you forever to get out of the car,” she teased, rounding the vehicle to walk in with him where her hand would be in his, abusing the privilege the last name change had provided them.  

C.J.

“You call it taking forever, I call it emotionally preparing.” he’d comment honestly, rounding the back of the car where he’d meet her. Taking her hand in his as he gave her another gentle squeeze. Loving the feeling of being able to hold her hand now as they walked into the space. Knowing what it was like to not be able to do such a thing so to be able to loudly and proudly know this woman as his own was a pleasure that he could never quite understand. Yet, it should not have been too surprising for her with the way the man loved her.

Erin

“Maybe it’s emotionally preparing when I’m taking my time to get out of the house in the morning,” she teased, knowing it was anything but that, but it sounded good enough if he was going to use that excuse.  Feeling his hand taking her own, she looked up towards him, a smile to her features as she leaned her head against his upper arm for a moment.  “I love you too,” she returned a bit too late, but getting the statement in just the same before they were within the building and such things would be over kill.  Walking with him towards the main doors where they would be within momentarily before up a short flight of stairs to Intelligence.

C.J.

“No, that’s lagging ass.” he’d comment, knowing if she didn’t have his hand contained, he’d be on said ass. Feeling her to his upper arm as she returned the statement from moments before. “I know.” he’d conclude with ease as he pressed his lips to her temple as they reached the front doors. Always a mournful occasion as he drew open the door for them both. Specifically her.

Erin

Feeling his kiss to her temple, he was lucky he had her hand, otherwise her own would have surely been shoving him for such a remark.  With his lips to her temple, she couldn’t even argue him and he damned well knew it.  As his hand reached for the door, she’d release his, knowing her ass was safe now that they were heading into the building as his opportunity there had been missed.  Stepping in before him, she’d flash a smirk to him at the thought, now under the watchful eye of Platt.  Erin offered the woman a trademark half-smile before she was rounding the staircase, never overly friendly with the woman, but kind enough.

C.J.

C.J. had long ago learned to flirt his way into Platt’s good graces. While he had dulled it down a bit for obvious reasons, he still attempted to make the woman feel good though she knew it to be fake. Still, it was always worth a go as they made their way up the steps to get to the bullpen. Lips to his to-go cup as he attempted to prepare himself though there was little he could do at this point. It simply was just the line of work that kept them constantly on their toes.

Erin

A clear whiteboard was always a good sign as they rounded the entry to Intelligence.  It meant there was nothing already lined up and they might be able to ease their way into the day.  The perfect continuation to a perfect morning in Erin’s eyes.  She looked back over her shoulder at C.J., a certain look there in her eyes that would tell him her spirits were still just as high as they had been previously.  A rare sight, but she was going with it.  Finding her desk, she’d put her bag down beside it and reach for the phone to listen to the recorded messages, knowing they had the power to shift the day, but knowing there was no other choice in the matter.  Sitting down in her seat as she listened, a pen and paper ready for notes, yet she’d make no attempt to make any as of yet.

C.J.

Meeting her eyes, he was finding his own desk a moment later. Unloading his bag onto the floor where he sat down. Sighing low as he kicked up his feet knowing it would be only a matter of time before Voight was staring at him to drag them down yet it was just too damn comfortable as he looked over his desk. A few files from the day before. Small notes of paper about calls made my one C.I. or another though those were increasingly rare now days with all things considered as he flipped through several of the notes to compile what he’d be doing first.

Erin

An easy start to the day was exactly what Erin needed after the way things had been up until then.  Stress went with the job, but she swore it was only becoming more stressful since she and C.J. were trying to conceive.  Some type of greater force at work there or something.  Once she’d gotten through those voicemails, there was remarkably nothing substantial there, keeping that white board clean a little longer.  Erin stood up to go top off her coffee with the pathetic excuse for coffee in the break room before hearing Voight coming out of his office with a question at his tongue, causing her to pause just to the corner of C.J.’s desk.  ‘Where’s Dawson?’ he asked of her, prompting a smile from Erin’s lips.  “Well, good morning to you too, Hank,” she began, feeling a little too good that morning.  “He’s out.  Something about Diego,” she explained later, finding Hank less than pleased with her smart remark that would begin the exchange.  ‘Gonna need you and Luciano to ride over to Firehouse 51 and talk to Casey about a call they had this morning.  They’re thinking foul play and want us to look into it.’  Erin glanced down at C.J. with a smirk to her lips, torn between commenting that she /was/ Luciano now and making some comment about the team being back together for one epic ride to the firehouse, sarcasm included.  Instead, she’d remain silent, giving up a nod of her head.

C.J.

Hearing Voight’s voice as the man had a very specific way of commanding a room, he’d glance up between the two before concerning himself back with his notes. The illusion of doing something or keeping himself busy though he typically was not. He was a good cop but he wasn’t a good student and that became evident in the finer points. Paperwork, note taking. He wasn’t that kind of cop. He was old school. He did better with people face to face and that usually made up for the rest with razor sharp instincts. Thus, why having a partner like Erin was so good for him as it meant that he had someone to catch some of that slack. Hearing Dawson was out, his first thought as a dad was to shoot him to text to see if everything was alright. Making a note of it as he heard that he’d again be partnered with her. Sighing dramatically as the suggestion so he knew she’d hear it as if it would be such a task.

Erin

Only Erin was wise to C.J.’s acting skills there at his desk, drawing a soft smirk from the woman that would never give him away.  Secrets between partners would remain as such, only furthered and secured by the band that resided against her left hand.  The nod of her head had agreed to the assignment as she caught that sigh from C.J.’s lips, a little too heavy.  “Oh poor you.  What will you do to get by?” she teased, knowing damned well the man surely wasn’t actually complaining about a ride with his wife and a little partnering up for something so low key as a report on a scene that morning that truck had responded to.  Grabbing for the keys on the edge of C.J.’s desk, she flashed him a smirk, returning to their roots, which included her ass being the one behind the wheel.

C.J.

“I don’t know but I guess I’ll figure it out on the ride.” considering he’d have all that free time and all as she went for the ksy. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t saw that one coming as she attempted to regain a little bit of autonomy which he would not deny her. She deserved it. Even if he would put up a fight about it and show her just what the bratty version of her looked like. Reaching back for his light coat dragged over his shoulders. He’d grab his coffee cup and wait for her at the gate.

Erin

It would take her a moment to gather her own things, glancing up to see him there at the gate, waiting for her.  She’d seen it a million times before, but perhaps she never quite appreciated it until it wasn’t hers any longer.  A smile swept her features that he’d be able to read without issue while any other eyes would not quite understand what was happening there as the woman admired him as both her husband and her partner, the way she’d always feel it was meant to be.  This was their roots.  This was how it all began.  This was where they were their very best.  She drew her coat on as she kept those keys in her hand before reaching out for her badge to draw around her neck and to grasp the coffee cup in her hand.  Meeting him there at the gate, she’d lift her chin, thoughts of evidence lockers and showers running through her mind as she slipped by him, making her way down the short stair well, enjoying the momentary walk down memory lane.

C.J.

Watching her slip before him as he assumed his usual position behind her for one reason or another, the gate falling naturally behind him as he’d make his way down the steps. Hands tucked into his pocket as his lips would find a song in whistle with a melodic ability that seemed only possible of a musician. Arriving to the bottom of the steps where the whistle would turn briefly into a cat call in Platt’s direction before resuming. A short smirk as he quite entertained himself in those moments before they were stepping towards the door and he was pulling it open for her.

Erin

There were so many things that just weren’t the same with her partnership with Antonio.  It was never the big things.  On a larger scale, the two worked well together.  But it was these things, such as that cat call that left his lips towards Platt that had Erin shaking her head, but the truth of it all was that she missed this.  She missed being Lindsay and Luciano.  She missed his antics that had all been tiny pieces of her falling for him.  As he reached for the door, holding it open for her, she resisted the urge to grab his ass and made her way out the door under a quiet ‘thank you’.  The chill in the air was typical for this time of morning in Chicago, even if the winter had passed and things were warming for the most part.  But there, they could still feel what had been there only a few weeks prior and what promised to return after the heat of the summer passed them.  Once she was through the door, she paused to wait for him.  “Ya know, you should probably be careful flirting with other women.  Your wife might get jealous,” she reminded him, her eyes sweeping to his wedding band that proved his marital status.

C.J.

“I wasn’t flirting with other women. I was flirting with our desk sergeant because she’ll give you the good cars.” he reminded her, as to find him in one of the rougher rides anyday of the week simply wasn’t happening due to Platt somewhat liking him. Maybe just tolerating him but he couldn’t be sure. Allowing the door closed beside him. “Flirting has its benefits.” he’d remind her, a dimpled smirk to boot to get him out of trouble.

Erin

Humming her response, her eyes caught sight of those damned dimples of his that demanded attention and she was wise to his use of them.  Leaning against him in a soft shove, she pushed her weight into him before she was sustaining herself once again.  “Flirting has its drawbacks too, like the fact that Ima kill you one of these days,” she threatened, flashing her own dimpled grin in his direction as it had been a minute too long since she’d last threatened his life.  

C.J.

“Oh, baby.” getting that shove and the threat that just seemed to warm his soul as they approached the car. Knowing his place in it all this time around in the passengers seat as as he had learned it was the small things that made her happy. Spotting her own grin which was a million times better than his own and the mere look of him reflected that part. He could never seriously flirt with anyone else again as his wife had effectively ruined that chapter of his life for him but he wouldn’t go as far as to tell her this.

Erin

As they approached the car, she spun the keys around her finger, happily knowing where her place was in this.  She played passenger in most every vehicle she ever got in these days, be it with C.J. or with Antonio, but not this time.  Unlocking the car, she reached for the driver’s side door, eyeing him across the car.  “I must say, you look pretty hot on that side of the vehicle,” she commented teasingly, as if it would really change anything about how he looked.  “What have you got in mind for lunch today, partner?” she asked, a flirtatious nature there to her voice as she’d make no secret of flirting with the man, not now, not ever.

C.J.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” knowing she was just buttering up to get to drive more often. Truth be told, it was a position he wouldn’t mind relinquishing in retrospect but it was a little too late for all that now. Hearing her mention lunch, he’d shrug. Not even in that direction yet before he caught onto what she was saying. Eyes over towards hers as he noted the tone in her voice. “Think I’ll have something that celebrates the finest eating these streets of Chicago have to offer.”

Erin

Teasing the man would never get old, of that she was sure.  Climbing into the vehicle, she’d wait until he joined her before he would find that full grin to her features.  “Oh?” she asked, not entirely sure if he was talking about the same thing she was, yet she’d pry to find out.  “And just where is this exceptional example of Chicago’s finest?” she asked, bringing the key to the ignition a moment later, nearly forgetting where they were going or what it was Voight had asked them to do as their flirtation with one another had a nasty habit of blinding the woman at every turn.

C.J.

“Right here beside me.” he concluded as he reached out, a gentle squeeze to her knee where his fingers would remain gently. Brushing over her from the other side of her jeans in familiarity yet in a touch that wasn’t overly provocative as his eyes wandered through the window. Having no doubt that he had just that. Hearing her start the car as his own memory of what was to happen here became blurrier and blurrier.

Erin

Hearing his conclusion paired with the feeling of his hand against her thigh, she bit against her lower lip instantly.  Although she’d known all along just what it was the man had been speaking of, it would take on a life of its own the moment it was spoken into existence.  “Think you can make it until lunch time?” she asked, her eyes shifting over to him as her hand slipped over his, encouraging a firmer grasp of his hand though they both had to know the woman was nothing more than trouble in this regard and would find a way as they had so many times before.

C.J.

Smirking softly as he glanced back towards her upon her question. Back of his head to the headrest before he’d finally give up a quick smile. “Keep looking at me like that and probably not but if you keep your eyes on the road, I might be able to make that promise.” he’d challenge playfully as he felt her over his hand. Giving into the willing of her grasp as he tightened against her.

Erin

Finding the smirk at his own lips, they were both playing an equal part in making this more difficult than it had to be.  She couldn’t focus in that moment, and yet she was entirely focused all at the same time.  “Maybe I can look at the road,” she began, knowing she’d have to drag her eyes away from him to make it happen.  “After you kiss me,” she concluded, knowing it to be more than dangerous as it could easily take them to a place that would derail them entirely, and yet she was willing to risk it just the same.

C.J.

Still not having moved from that spot, this was an even more dangerous game as he nodded at her request. Leaning slightly over the console where he’d wait for her to meet him halfway. His fingers would slip just under her chin to hold her there as their lips met with no expectation or rush there as he was merely happy to be spending time with his wife in such capacity and whatever happened from there was a mere bonus.

Erin

As he leaned towards her, she would do the same, feeling his hand take to her in a touch that was enough to steal her breath each and every time.  As their lips met, her hand slipped to the side of his neck, attempting to keep him there for so long as she could, entirely transported from a work place to any other environment where such behavior was appropriate.  By now, their peers were well accustomed to the constant displays of affection between the two as the separation of their partnership and the change of her name had made it all too well known of just what had happened there between them.  A soft hum passed her lips as the kiss lingered on, her own kiss growing more intense by the moment, yet she didn’t hold the power to separate from him, not yet.

C.J.

Feeling her intensifying what was perhaps not meant to be one that was intensified, he didn’t expect anything else. The two had never operated on mediocre standards. It was always hot and intense from the very jump. A fire that kept them warm but was very much capable of much worse. As long as the two took care of such fire, it wouldn’t be allowed to burn them. Pressing deeper to her kiss where his fingers were sweeping down the column of her throat.

Erin

She had asked for a kiss and that was exactly what he was giving her as she felt his hand down the column of her own throat, yet another touch from the man that would forever draw a reaction from the woman only this time it would be a reaction that could not be tended to.  She pressed her lips more firmly to his, allowing herself to get lost there in his kiss as her hand tightened to the side of his neck, pressing herself against that console if only to get a bit closer to him.  She knew she had to pull away, and she would in a moment, but for just another moment, she’d remain to his kiss with no sign of withdrawing.

C.J.

Eyes closed, giving it all into her kiss to assure she felt every ounce of him through the transmission. Knowing she knew that their time was running thin and unfortunately something would have to be done sooner before later. Still, he’d stay just there as he felt her leaning further over the console. Smirking softly into her kiss where he drew in an even breath.

Erin

Feeling his smirk to her kiss, her lips fell lazy against his as her teeth gently took to his lower tier.  A soft whine at her own before she was drawing back, his lower tier captured and drawn back with her for a moment before she’d release him entirely.  Her hand slipped from the side of his neck as she turned back into a space that was her own, her hand finding the wheel before her other hand was reaching for the gear shift, intending to leave the man wanting more just as she always wanted just that with him before the car was slipped into drive and she’d make that forward motion out of the parking spot, his taste against her own lips.

C.J.

Feeling her draw back before watching it for himself, sitting back into his place with a gentle shake of his head as she was truly something else in those moments when she was trying to play hard to get. Teeth to his bottom lip as he felt the pressure of her there subsiding and felt the need to replicate it as his hand would reach out to play with the radio to satisfy his need to use his fingers in some capacity and merely to distract himself as he felt her pulling out of that space.

Erin

A shift of her eyes into his direction was her way of checking to see if her kiss had the desired effect to which she would not be disappointed as she found his teeth where her own had just been, solidifying for her that she’d done just as she had meant to do as confirmed by his hand at the knob of the radio, attempting to fill the void, yet she knew nothing truly would until the two could unite in the manner in which they had toyed with.  A soft hum took her lips, sounding like innocence, but confessing so much more as she made her way through the parking lot and made the turn required to find themselves on their way to 51 where they were to meet with Casey and get the details of just what it was that had gone down in the early morning hours of that shift that the fire department had been on while she was still in bed with the man that now sat beside her.  “Just so you know, I want to fuck you right now,” she’d offer casually although there was nothing at all casual about the statement and they both knew it, continuing that which had begun if only to make sure that come lunch time, the man still wanted what she believed him to want in that moment as well.

C.J.

Hearing her speak, an audible groan released from him as she went that route with it. “Erin!” almost like he was disciplining her but she’d know it was quite the opposite. Side eyeing her as he rolled his head back. Now having to work out how to work with that in mind as he played it up with some thick dramatics to boot.

Erin

“Yeah, I have plans to hear that a few times during,” she’d play back, her smirk only deepening the dimples against her cheeks.  Cutting her eyes over to watch his dramatic tantrum, her hand was there at his, luring him towards her thigh once more, but this time she wasn’t playing fair at all.  “See,” she offered in a whisper, as there was a heat radiating from the apex of her thighs that he would know all too well.  “And when you scream my name like that, I’ll whisper in your ear… ‘harder’…” she continued on as she made the turn out of the lot and began the short drive, her voice holding that natural rasp that only seemed to intensify when the two were together in such a manner as that which they were discussing, or at least she was discussing.  

C.J.

"No." immediately stated as her hand was attempted to be guided to her thigh but ready to fight tooth and nail to wrangle some form of control no matter how minor it seemed. Hearing her continue as she spoke to him. Eyes closing as he exhaled simply. "And what else?" He dare asked, wanting all the nitty gritty details as she had started this.

Erin

“Yes,” she argued, ever determined as he knew her to be as her hand tugged at his, though they both knew she’d need him to give in if he was to find out what she was suggestion there between her own thighs as she simply wasn’t strong enough to force him.  With one hand on the wheel, she approached that first light that she’d catch on red, stopping in traffic to wait as her eyes drifted towards him.  “And you won’t give in to me the first time I say it.  I’ll have to say it again, I’ll have to plead for it, before all at once, you’ll give it to me.  I’ll bring my hands to your back, digging my nails against your skin as my teeth sink against your shoulder, attempting to brace myself, but there’s no such thing.  Each whine will echo into your ear as my walls collapse around you…”  Explaining to him how she thought it might go, she’d only find herself growing more tense, more wet, more uncomfortable as would be found there in her own voice as her words broke in unnatural places and she struggled to complete her thoughts.

C.J.

As she stopped at that light, his own mortality became even more evident in the wake of her teasing. He was wound around her finger and he'd hope one day she'd realize that there wasn't a single thing she could force him into when it came to her. Hearing her speak on it. Eyes to hers where it was hard to even keep his own open as so badly he wanted to visualize it against his closed lids. "Fuck." He breathed out low, "can we stop so I can use the bathroom?" He'd tease, though he did not have to pee or anything of the like.

Erin

“Not a chance,” she teased as she wanted that tension to exist in his pants.  She wanted him to feel it as he attempted to walk into 51.  She wanted him to think of her with every ounce of tension that resided where his jeans just wouldn’t give to him.  A smirk remained against her features as the light turned green and she was making that forward progression once more.  “Did you want to hear more?” she asked, pushing her luck now and she well knew it, though she’d make no attempt to real it in.

C.J.

Knowing she was well on her way to getting exactly what she wanted out of him though he could imagine the moment he laid eyes on Severide. The residue of anger would flush him right back up. Still, he'd make the most out of it. Hearing her question, he'd sigh low. "Yeah." He confess, knowing he shouldn't want to but he did.

Erin

The man was glutton for punishment, giving himself over to her in that manner and they’d both know it well.  His death wish came forth loud and clear as she applied pressure to the break approaching the next light.  “I’ll push against your chest with my hand, whispering that I want it harder, but insisting that I want you on your back all at the same time as my nails grip against your skin.  You won’t know which way to go with it, but ultimately you’ll find your back, bringing me with you, never leaving the warmth between my thighs.  All at once, you’ll be deeper within me as I sit against you, shifting my hips against yours in a rolling motion as I look down at you.  Your hand will follow the curve of my side until you cup my breast while your thumb finds my clit.  This time you’ll ask for it harder and I’ll give in right away, because when I’m there, I can’t think for myself.”

C.J.

Hearing her as he was silent for several minutes afterwards as his eyes closed. Finally opening again as he glanced over towards her. “You know, if being a cop goes south for you…I think you have a career opportunity.” trying not to smile as it was clear she had quite the way with words in this respect and she had tried them out pretty thoroughly on her husband. “Phone sex operator. I’d pay for it.”

Erin

“No,” she quickly offered as such a thing would not ever happen, nor would she ever feel comfortable enough to speak in this manner to anyone aside from this man beside her.  “However, when I’m out on maternity leave, these are the kinds of voicemails you have to look forward to,” she’d tease as it was the goal at this point in time to get her on her ass at home for six weeks or more at some point in time, as the thought was never too far from her mind.  “Your turn.  Tell me what happens next,” she suggested as she made the turn at the light that would put them closer and closer to 51 and further and further away from what they both wanted in that moment.

C.J.

Hearing her mention maternity leave, most of him believed that there was no way she’d want him at that point yet knowing she’d most likely have an extended maternity leave. As she left it up to him to continue this play. He’d find his bottom lip for a moment in thought. Visualizing it all. “and I’ll keep to your clit in pace to the movement of your hips. Challenging you to go faster and just as you are ready to cum, I’d flip you over when you are least expecting it and earn your orgasm for myself.”

Erin

There was no closing her eyes as he had done, not while she was behind the wheel of that car.  Feeling the muscles within her contract instantly at his suggestion, she bit against her lower lip as her eyes cut in his direction.  Reminding herself there was no way to make such a thing happen in that moment, yet if desire could fuel them, her own was high enough to do just that for the both of them.  She’d say not a word as the sigh at her lips would have to stand as reaction enough as the firehouse came into view where she already knew she’d need a moment before she’d be able to leave the confines of the vehicle before she could even begin to enter the firehouse.  “Fuck,” she whispered beneath her own breath as she gripped more firmly against the steering wheel, trying to control herself yet the only thing she wanted to do was to straddle him right then and there.

C.J.

“You’re welcome, baby.” he returned playfully as she had been doing it to him this entire trip and only now was he beginning to get even and see just what she did with it. Hearing her whisper as his hand would pass over her knee. An encouraging squeeze once more as his eyes were passing over towards the outside scenery where he saw the firehouse rapidly approaching. A place he didn’t much like or enjoy because of obvious reasons.

Erin

The front bay doors of the firehouse were open as the day was warming up and there were several firefighters there, taking inventory of items in the truck and moving about their normal daily routine while a married couple turned into cops once again by simply driving into the small parking lot in an unmarked police car.  Putting the car into park, she felt his hand there against her thigh, tempting her to taste of him once again, yet she knew if she did it this time, there would be no drawing back from him again.  Her hand slipped over his as she drew an even breath, attempting to bring herself down from the sudden heights his voice and those words took her on.  “Keep calling me that and there’s going to be a scene two to this,” she promised as it made her want something else entirely.

C.J.

Feeling her find his hand, his fingers interlacing with hers as he brought her hand to his lips. Smirking softly at what he had called her. Pressing his lips to the back of her hand. “I love you.” he reminded her tamely. If nothing else, he loved her and she knew it. A million times over. There was nothing about him that didn’t reflect that love everyday though they loved teasing the ever living hell out of one another.

Erin

“And I love you,” she returned to him in the same way he’d offer it time and time again when the words came from her own lips first.  “Endlessly,” she promised, meeting his eyes a moment later before she’d lean back in her seat, taking another deep breath to assure she was able to walk into the firehouse professionally.  “You about ready?” she asked, knowing she was close enough to pull it off, yet not entirely sure what the situation in his jeans was at the moment, only hoping there would be lasting effects of this conversation as she knew was true on her end of things.

C.J.

Hearing her question about being ready, he’d breathe out simply. “As ready as I’m ever going to be.” not overtly enthused for more reasons than one as he was slipping with slight difficulty out of the car. Dragging down his shirt over his jeans where the evidence of the drive was right there and would need to cleverly be disguised as he glanced over towards her. A shake of his head as this was her fault.

Erin

As he made his way out of the car, she remained within, watching, waiting, hoping he’d find himself rather uncomfortable with thoughts of her there within the confines of his jeans.  Meeting that glance of his, he’d find a smirk to her features as she casually killed the engine and made her way out of the vehicle with a little reminder of her own within her jeans, yet nothing that would require her to pull her shirt down.  “After this, lunch?” she asked, eyes drifting down to the front of his pants shamelessly.

C.J.

“Yeah, give me a minute…” facing the car where he literally was undoing his jeans. Hand down within to readjust himself and position himself a bit easier into the waistband of his boxers before redoing his jeans. “Middle school trick.” he’d tease as he’d drag his shirt back down over his jeans and face her. Smirking softly as his hand found her hip before he was stealing a kiss to answer her inquiry.

Erin

Watching him attempting to make matters better, yet his size wouldn’t allow for much in the way of hiding his problem, she felt his hand find her hip before his lips found her own to secure the promise that they’d be having lunch in their own way and taking care of their problems like that of two love sick newlyweds that they so rarely seemed to give into in public any more.  Humming softly against his kiss her hand found his side, grasping the fabric of his shirt for the moment before she was finding her feet once more to draw down from him with another sigh at her lips.  “We’ll get the short version from Casey,” she promised, assuring this wouldn’t drag on as there were far better things on her mind in that moment than that which they were there to do in the first place.

C.J.

Feeling her to his shirt, he’d smile softly. So in love with that woman he could barely see straight and she had to know it. Feeling the sigh at her lips as he nodded. Stealing one more kiss from her in conclusion before they would draw back to get into that firehouse. “What are we here for anyway?” clearly not even remembering what Voight had instructed as he had probably been too wrapped up listening to her to pay much attention.

Erin

Feeling that last kiss he’d press to her lips, it was just tempting enough to have her thinking about getting back in the car with him, only now they had been spotted.  Hearing his question, she’d take great compliment in the fact that he’d forgotten what sent them out of the police department in the first place as it meant his own mind was just as much a mess over her as hers was over him.  “Voight said Casey suspected foul play on a call they had this morning,” she reminded him, hoping it would jog his memory on the matter.  “Needs us to start the investigation with a little q and a grunt work,” she continued on, releasing her hold at his side before she was finding her place at the side of him.  “If you can keep your hands to yourself, that is,” she teased, as if this had been all his fault between them.

C.J.

Humming low as he was reinformed though it didn’t sound familiar. All of that completely gone from him as the woman had quite the habit of distracting him out of all sense. Only able to imagine that this would be an absolute shit show and not the easiest call they had probably ever taken together yet they rarely were that simple it seems. Hearing her teasing him, his eyes slipped down towards hers. “I’ll behave.” he argued, on that front anyway. Anything else was not to be promised.

Erin

Finally moving away from the car, she’d take that first step towards the open bay door where members of truck 81 were taking inventory and moving about the firetruck that was out of commission for the time being.  “I don’t know if you know the meaning of the word,” she teased, her demeanor just as light outside of the car as it had been within, finding her eyes scanning the apparatus floor to find Casey, yet he was not in sight.  As they approached, Cruz was stepping out towards the two, teasing that they were taking a break from their newlywed status to get some work done.  “I don’t know if we still constitute as newlyweds, but yeah, figured we’d try our hand at some police work today,” she teased in return.  “Looking for Casey,” she explained, to which Cruz quickly offered that he was in his quarters.  Erin gave up a nod, familiar with the path through the winding firehouse that it would take to get to the space, leading the way as she resisted the urge to take her husband’s hand.

C.J.

“Always newly weds.” he’d argue, as he’d never lose that infatuated feeling about him for as long as he would live. Letting her lead the charge as she asked for Casey’s whereabouts. Soon learning about it where the two were off into the closed quarters at the back of the firehouse that always made him feel like he was in the wrong field considering all the cool firefighter perks. Hands finding his pockets to distract the tension of the fabric.

Erin

The all too familiar route to the back of the firehouse where Casey’s quarters sat beside Severide’s at the back of a bunk room, Erin easily passed up Severide’s door without so much as a glance within where her hand would find the glass door of Casey’s.  He rose from his seat at the small desk, welcoming the detectives inside where he would close the door behind them.  “Voight said you wanted us to look into something from this morning?” she asked, prompting him to go ahead and get started, her mind very much so on that of the lunch date she and C.J. seemed to have agreed upon.  Taking a seat against the end of the bed within the room, she’d leave the other chair for C.J. to take should he decide to take a seat, almost wondering if he could at this point in time.  Casey began, talking about the call they’d answered that morning, detailing out the suspicious nature of the call that much resembled that of the day before, thinking they might be on to the likes of a serial arsonist or something of the like.  

C.J.

Leaning up against the threshold of the door as they went for their cop like business. Not attempting a seat as it would be an issue he was not prepared to take on yet letting her do what she was after. Listening to Casey as he attempted to concentrate on what seemed to be arson. Getting that statement that he knew would need to be in writing if anything was to come of it but atleast taking some mental notes in the meantime as evidence collection would be next with what was remaining of the place.

Erin

Listening as Casey detailed out the similarities to another call before he paused, realizing there was another that held similar attributes, it was pretty clear there was a tie in through the three at least, and perhaps more if they gave Casey more opportunity to dig into reports on his side of things.  Erin listened intently in the secluded office where the three had gathered.  Suddenly, Severide’s hand was to the glass door, palm open, knocking as he gestured for them to all get down as he ran through the bunk room.  “The fuck is his problem?” Erin asked out loud, not sure what had set the man off, yet as Casey stood and looked out the window, it would all make a lot more sense within moments.  A turf war had been brewing between two rivals around the firehouse for weeks now and it was now escalating to another level after the younger sibling of one of those involved was accidentally gunned down a week before.  Intelligence had been aware of the situation, but there was nothing they could truly do about it as it was going to keep right on going until they all just simply killed one another the way it was going.  Gunshots were heard firing off within the firehouse, further explaining what was going on, that the war had not only moved towards the firehouse, but now within, as three young men were now seeking shelter within while three others stood outside, firing into the open bay of the firehouse while firefights worked quickly to drop the door and put the firehouse on lock down.  All that had been in the bay were now hostages and it was anyone’s guess if they knew there were others in those back quarters of the firehouse.  With a turf war taking root in the space they were within, Erin slipped her badge from her hip, shifting it under the mattress of Casey’s bunk, knowing the first to get a bullet in this place would be a cop.  She reached out for C.J.’s as well, intent that neither of them look or smell of cop when and if they were to come face to face with the shooters.

C.J.

It all happened so quick that he was launched out of the normalcy of the day into something different all together. Barely even feeling her yanking off his badge nor quite knowing what she was doing it for. Fishing into his pocket for the mobile radio where he was lowering his voice. Radioing for backup under his breath before he was looking over towards Erin. Hand in his pocket finding his piece as he wouldn’t be unarmed and caught unaware in this situation. “Get down.” he’d command, as he prepared to lower himself by that door yet whether he’d stay laid out in this room or charge the storm was anyone’s guess by now.

Erin

Meanwhile on the apparatus floor, three gunmen were forcing a room full of firefighters into another room full of firefighters in the main room of the house, asking if there were more within.  They were assured there were no others throughout the space, though many knew there were two cops in the back room with both lieutenants.  Erin heard C.J.’s command to get down at which Casey did as instructed with no other option.  Erin, however, was drawing her own weapon, holding it close to her thigh as she eyed her husband and temporary partner.  “There’s a main door back through just as we came through,” she offered, cutting her eyes to Casey.  “Is there another route?” she asked, knowing the place weaved in and out of itself to allow for quick passages for the firefighters to get to that bay.  Casey nodded, giving up the way to get through from the other side that would allow the both of them to find their way through on different routes and potentially take the gunmen by surprise.  Her eyes drifted back to C.J.’s before she was looking through the glass walls of the office they were within.  “We need to find out how many there are,” she offered, needing to know if they were outnumbered or if they stood a chance here, refusing to be a sitting duck in the glass office should one of the gunmen decide to investigate the premises as she seemed to know they would have to in order to secure the firehouse as their own.

C.J.

“I’m not splitting up.” he settled, looking down towards her with a shake of his head. Not budging. The place was too unfamiliar with too many rooms to do this by themselves. He wasn’t leaving her but they quickly had to find their options. To comply with the gunmen and allow themselves to be taken as hostages or to open fire in the room in the event it was entered. Only hoping that help was on its way though he was never good in these hostage situations as his policy was to shoot first and ask questions later. Especially as far as his wife was concerned as this was prime example of why the two could not be partners.

Erin

“We stay together and we stand the chance of being taken as hostages ourselves,” she reminded him, drawing a breath as they had no time to figure this out as Casey remained within the room with them, taking cover in whatever manner he could, only able to hope the two could figure out what they were doing, and quickly.  “If we stay together, we do it for recon only.  We’ll make our way through the back, see if we can get a look at how many we’re dealing with without being spotted.  But if we are, I think we try to limit it to one of us that way the other still stands a chance to taking control,” she offered, not sure what his thoughts on this would be, but feeling as though they were at a loss where they were at the moment as it was only a matter of time before they would be found there as well.  

C.J.

“Or we bar the door if they come back this far and let them try to get in while reinforcements come in. If they enter, we use deadly force. It’ll give everyone else the opportunity to get in the North facing doors.” he’d remind her as they were running low on time but he refused to put her out there by herself on this one at all costs as there wasn’t a single advantage that she could put before him that would make him agree.

Erin

Hearing his suggestion for how they should handle the situation, she wasn’t sure.  Everything in her said they needed to find out how many they were dealing with here as a room full of firefighters sat under gunpoint.  The threat of hearing another gunshot was constantly there, though now it would mean someone within the firehouse would be shot and it was more than she could handle considering they were on the premises.  Looking out of the glass door in the office they were in, she eyed the door at the front of the bunk room that C.J. was suggesting they bar.  “If we bar that door off entirely, we’ll just need to watch the other exit Casey gave us,” she offered, attempting to work her way through his plan as she understood what he was trying to do there.  Never had she been trying to put herself out there, nor was she truly wanting to go anywhere without him, yet she couldn’t handle the idea of how many casualties there could be here if they didn’t do something aggressive.

C.J.

Hearing her speak as she was pushing her luck in a time where there was none, eyes exchanged down to hers as he breathed out deep. Really just needing her compliance at this point as he understood what she was doing but this was an impossible situation. “They aren’t going to shoot. We are worth more to them alive then dead…and if they do, we shoot back.” he stated simply, not wanting to do this. Not one bit. Everything in him screaming that it was a bad idea but she wouldn’t comply with him. He’d give one last attempt though their time was running short. Now was the time to work for him or against him.

Erin

Giving up a nod of her head, she’d give in to him as she was sure he knew she ultimately would as it wasn’t too often that she’d strong arm a situation with him, although this was the place where their true partnership had once shown through the strongest.  With both of them laying out ideas of how to handle a situation, the better option of the two had been chosen, hopefully without him thinking he had slighted her in the least.  “We can barricade the door with beds and nightstands from the bunks, but we’ll have to work fast, and it would be better if we had something to jam under the door to help hold it,” she suggested, eyes cutting to Casey’s as if to say he wouldn’t be able to stay where he was as they’d have to handle things quickly and quietly if they were to make this work, all while trying to not think about what was going on beyond that door, though the cop in her told her not to give a shit for her own safety and find a way for herself and C.J. to take control over the situation that had a room full of firefighters under a hostage situation.  Casey gave up his agreement, ready to help the detectives in any way that he could.  With back up already requested, there was comfort in knowing the department had been notified of the situation occurring at 51, but it still didn’t mean they were in the clear as they prepared to protect themselves, only wishing there was more they could do as the cop in her was not ever going to be about playing it safe, as C.J. well knew by now.

C.J.

Truth be told, they weren’t in a decent enough of a position not to mention there was only two of them. He didn’t know his way around here and they seemed to be in a complete deadzone. They had been caught with their pants down but it was what it was. He wasn’t going to do something dumb at this point unless forced to do so. As they were quickly using what they had to prop the door. Taking the chair in the traditional propping method as they’d forticate with all other methods as he glanced over towards her. Knowing she wasn’t happy but this was how it had to be.

Erin

In all actuality, she was alright with it, but her mind couldn’t seem to remain within the room they were in without thinking of those beyond it that needed their help.  She drew a breath as C.J. opted to drag the chair to the door of the small office, barricading them within it behind glass walls.  It wasn’t what she thought they were planning for here, but it was what it was and they’d have to make the best of it.  She rose from the edge of the bed to bring her hand to the blinds, drawing the string to lower the blinds before turning the rod in her hand to close them in an attempt to make the office appear empty instead of occupied.  Working with the man would never be difficult as she trusted his instincts even above her own, though it was hard for her to close off her mind to the others.

-March 10, 2017

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

A couple weeks of leave had Erin going stir crazy, though a part of her knew C.J. had to feel better about her being off the streets and at home with the boys.  Really, the timing worked out well, as the boys were on vacation from school and scored big time in this deal as they had Erin at home with them to play endless rounds of hide and seek and order way too many Amazon movie rentals.  In truth, she enjoyed the time with them, but this time proved one thing to her above all else; she was a cop.  She was meant to be out there and not playing the role of a stay at home mom.  She lived vicariously through the case work C.J. brought home both in person and in story, dying to sink her teeth back into it.  On New Years Eve, she was looking at just two more days until she was allowed to come back, even though it still wouldn’t be in her normal capacity, yet if she was stuck answering phones for the Intelligence Unit and doing a bit of investigative work, it was still enough for her.  As she stood in the kitchen, pouring C.J. another cup of coffee and the same for herself, she felt her phone ring there in her pocket.  “Hey, Hank… yeah, we did… you know that I am… they say a few more weeks and then I’ll be back to good… yeah… alright, I’ll see ya.”  Hanging up the phone, she tucked it back in her pocket, bringing the cups of coffee into the living room where the boys were both on handheld gaming devices with the t.v. on in the background.  Joining C.J. back on the sofa again, she slipped his cup into his hand, finding her place there to his side.  “That’ll be two dollars for the coffee and a kiss for my company,” she teased, really just glad to have another day with him at home, by her side, bumming around in lounge pants, even though she knew it could change at any point in time.

C.J.

While he was relieved for her to be home around this time of year, it would never become more than that. He knew who he had married, he knew who she was before that and who she still was. She wasn’t one to be contained or caged. She needed to work to feel good for herself even if their job was what it was. Still, he loved her too much to see her to a cage no matter how gilded. Watching her slip back to the couch as he watched them watching something else. Taking the coffee cup as he had briefly overheard that conversation and trusted her to tell him. Her suggestion drawing a smirk as he snuck a quick kiss on her. “That’s all you get.”

Erin

As his lips found her own, as brief as it might be in that act of thievery, she flashed him a trademark half smile in acceptance of it being all she’d get.  “Didn’t want your two bucks anyway,” she teased, snuggling in next to him as she took that first sip of her third cup of coffee.  Glancing between the boys who were entirely too busy to be bothered by either Erin or C.J.  Lowering her cup, she reached forward to place it on the coffee table before she was leaning back to find her place there against him.  “So, Hank called.  Wished us a happy new year and said he’d see /us/ Tuesday,” she offered, emphasizing the ‘us’ in the statement as they would finally be going in together, even if her fate was desk duty for a couple of weeks before she’d make a full return once she had medical clearance to do so.

C.J.

Slipping his arm around her shoulders as she’d lean back against him, getting comfortable as she informed him of what was what. Glancing over towards her, he’d nod simply. “That he will.” he stated simply, knowing desk duty would be inevitable for her as this whole thing had put a spin on his previous plans. “You excited to go back?” he asked curiously, knowing it wasn’t quite what she wanted to be doing but it was something and better than sitting at home all day.

Erin

“Yeah,” she confirmed easily as she was glad to be going back, although she knew she wasn’t quite prepared to watch the rest of the unit head out of the building, leaving her behind, only hoping Hank had realized this and was potentially working on things that she could do back at the office that wouldn’t simply feel like busy work or fillers.  “You missed me sitting across from you, staring at you while you’re signing off on files?” she asked, not sure if he’d ever quite caught her doing such a thing, but admitting to it now regardless.

C.J.

“Of course…now you only get to stare at me when I go through the mail.” he teased as he had very much noticed but when a woman such as her stared at you, you learned to take the compliment. Hand finding the side of her upper arm, he’d glance down towards her as he was glad she was excited to go back. Rubbing down her arm gently. “How you feeling?” he asked curiously as his eyes glanced down towards her.

Erin

Glancing up to meet his eyes, her smile still there as it normally was in his company, she nodded her head gently.  “I feel good,” she stated honestly.  “Good enough to shoot a gun,” she added, as that was the place of concern.  She could handle anything else, yet they weren’t entirely sure she was ready to take on the responsibilities of the job that would entail such things and blows of the sort.  “Doctors say a couple more weeks and that shouldn’t be a problem, but I’m pretty sure it’s all just precautionary at this point,” she confessed.  She’d done as she was supposed to, taking it easy, doing the physical therapy, and had managed to bring two cups of coffee to the living room just fine, which in her mind inaccurately meant there was no reason she couldn’t tackle the world now.

C.J.

“Good.” he stated simply, having previous experience on this front yet knowing he had not taken precautions or P.T. or anything else. The moment he was out of the hospital, he was back on the tear yet he had not had anyone to keep him on the straight and narrow like she did with him. “We should go to the range in the meantime.” he stated, knowing it would do much to ease his own fears and Voight as well.

Erin

“Yeah?” she asked instantly, hearing that suggestion that was most unexpected.  Turning into him quickly, threatening to spill that coffee he held in his hand, both of her hands coming to either side of his face.  “Can we?  Really?” she asked, more than ready to get her hands back on a gun.  The sudden outburst from the woman would draw the attention from the boys, but only for a moment as J.J. shook his head thinking it just more of Erin’s overly public displays of affection towards their father that both boys were more than used to by this point.

C.J.

“Yes, baby.” he stated honestly, eyes flickering over towards the boys ready to hide as he gave up a light smirk as he carefully put his coffee down on the table to assure it didn’t get spilled by her enthusiasm. Feeling her at his face. “I think it would be good for both of us. Your moral to see you still got it and mine to make sure you still got it. Would help in Voight’s case too.” he reminded her simply as he flashed her a gentle smile as his worry for her was constant yet this would help.

Erin

“Make sure I’ve still got it?” she laughed, not at all offended, but rather hearing it as a challenge.  She barely moved to allow him to put that coffee down, but the moment it was, her arms were around him and the boys were back in their games again.  “When do you wanna go?  I can be ready in ten minutes if your mom can stay with the boys and then we could all meet for lunch.”  Her mind going a million miles an hour as she was more than ready and entirely too excited by the prospect, thus further proving who she was at her very core.  “Unless the boys wanted to go too, then we could all go…” she continued, not giving the man room to get a word in at all.

C.J.

"I was thinking we take them...J's been before. Bash hasn't." He confessed as his eyes transferred over to the boy. Both looking up to him as he cocked a brow. "What do you guys think?" He suggested curiously, a nod from J and an unenthusiastic shrug from Bash luring C.J. to his feet. "You know, you can look up from the tablet sometimes." He teased, picking up Bash much to his whining complaint as he set him to the bottom of the steps. "Pants for both of you. I keep the tablets. Ready, set, go..."

Erin

Watching as C.J. put the boys into action, one of them by force, she reached forward for her cup of coffee, leaning back against the sofa for another long sip from within before she was resting it against her thigh, just watching that man and his boys as she bit against her lower lip.  Clearly thinking on something, yet it wasn’t the right time.  Rising to her feet a moment later, she’d abandon that cup of coffee on the coffee table before she was swatting at C.J.’s ass as she passed him going for the bedroom to get dressed, an invitation of sorts for him to join her.

C.J.

Watching them set up the steps before getting that swat at his ass. "Hey there..." the man teased at the playful intrusion before she was off. Assuring that he heard movement upstairs, he was slipping into the bedroom minutes later still working on his own coffee with intentions of getting dressed prevalent. Whatever his wife planned was another story.

Erin

As he came into the room just a moment behind her, her hand was taking that cup from his hand, placing it against the top of his dresser without a word.  Stepping back into him, she didn’t bother locking the door as both of her hands took to the sides of his face, lifting to her toes where she’d pull him to meet her.  Pressing her lips firmly to his, expressing her feelings in a way that she had held back in the living room where the boys were dealing with enough of their public displays during their holiday vacation.  Wrapping her arms there around his neck to keep him to her lips, in no way ready to break free as there was far too much to express there first.

C.J.

Not sure what he had done to prompt it. He'd let her take his coffee cup. Smirking softly as she found his face and he knew what came next as he pressed his lips back to hers. Feeling her to his neck as his hands found her sides with a gently possessive grasp. Humming gently against her lips as he could quite get used to these sporadic episodes.

Erin

The only upside to her being at home, aside from the extra time she’d been getting with the boys, was that his wife was fully relaxed at almost all times, leading to frequent bursts of intimacy just like this one.  There was no need to ease her mind or to get her mind off one thing and onto another, as she’d taken up this part of stay at home life quite well.  Feeling the hum of his lips there to her own, she stepped closer, standing on his toes to grab an extra inch of height.  As his hands found her sides, she tightened the hold of her arms around his neck, pressing more firmly to his lips before she was sealing that kiss all at once to meet his eyes.  “I love you,” she whispered honestly, another kiss to follow.  

C.J.

Feeling her grow taller seemingly magically, his arms would pass around her fully. Eclipsing the woman before he heard her statement. "And I love you." He returned with ease as he'd allow their lips to refuse. Hand finding the side of her face as he preserved that contact.

Erin

His words were met with a genuine smile from the woman that was kissed away a moment later.  Feeling his hand take to the side of her face, she drew into that exchange more fully for a full minute before she was drawing back entirely.  “I don’t have my gun, clearly, and I’m rather sure the department would frown upon me touching yours.  So I’ll need to rent one.  Unless you have another around here somewhere?” she asked, stepping back from him, already on to that which they intended to do.  Stepping back, her hands at the hem of her t-shirt, dragging it up and over her head before she was looking back at him with a smirk.

C.J.

"I have a spare one you can borrow, I-" pausing as she pulled off his shirt and he was derailed. A shake of his head. Letting that speak. "Yeah." He'd speak simply as he went to his own dresser to do the same and find something out of pajama bottoms. "Going to have to rent two for the boys anyway." He commented with his back to her and probably for good reason as he let his own bottoms fall in favor to a dark pair of jeans.

Erin

Standing before him in just her bra and pajama shorts, she was both impressed and disappointed in his exemplary will power as he went to his own dresser.  “Losing my touch,” she whispered to herself as she watched him drop his pants, drawing a bite at her lower tier as she stared entirely too closely.  Stepping in behind him, her hands found his sides, her lips pressing to his back as her hands found his boxers.  “Need to change these too,” she suggested, though there was no other reason but the fact that she wanted to see just how strong his will power was.  Lowering the fabric from him, her teeth found the back of his shoulder, pressing a kiss there a moment after as she released the fabric to fall to the floor.

C.J.

"Hah." Giving up a good one at the suggestion of her losing her touch, he was merely trying to get them out of that door in a timely fashion. Feeling her at his sides as she mentioned his boxers. "Nooo." He protested, feeling her at them as he shielded himself with his hands. Feeling her at the back of his shoulder as he glanced back towards her with a telling smirk.

Erin

“Too late,” she whispered there against his back, her hands returning to his sides where they would take the path around him to find his wrists, intent to get them out of the way.  “Someone’s will power is stronger than mine…” she offered, as though it were any real secret as it never did take much to steal her attention in this way.  Pressing another kiss to the back of his shoulder as she made her way slowly around him, her eyes lifting to his with a smirk that would match his own.  “Can probably steal about five minutes without getting caught…” she suggested, pressing her lips to his chest as one hand drew back to close his dresser drawer.  “How about you take a good step back,” she offered, not needing much room, but a good step in his stride might give her enough to send both of them out the door on time and with his dimples just a little bit deeper as she pressed a kiss against his stomach, needing him to take that step before she could find her knees.

C.J.

"But it's not and that's the issue." He reminded her as that was the reason his hands were there in the first place, feeling her at his wrists as he gave. Clearly she was a woman with a plan, watching her draw in front of him before she was at his chest and stopping what he was doing all together. Watching her and hearing that suggestion as he sighed low. Unable to help himself as he'd take that step back and reach out to hit the lock all in one fowl swoop.

Erin

Hearing his sigh, her eyes lifted to his, not entirely sure how to read it.  As his hand reached the lock of the bedroom and he took that step back, she drug her teeth against her lower lip.  “Unless you don’t want me to,” she offered, second guessing her own actions based on that sigh.  It wasn’t her traditional game here to initiate something quite like this, as normally she’d just be pulling him to the bed, searching for that joint release, whereas here she was offering him that all on his own.  Everything else had seemed playful between them and maybe the sigh was just the reaction to the promise of where she was going with this, but she’d never want to do something here that was unwanted either, needing to just make sure.

C.J.

Hearing her question about wanting to, he'd have to laugh. "I'm sighing because you win. You always win. One look and the wind blows and you win. You always win on me." He teased, meeting her eyes as his hand found the side of her face. Pressing his lips firmly to hers. "You never gotta worry about me not wanting you." He reminded her as it went without saying. Another firm kiss to her lips where the reassurance spoke for itself. "I love you."

Erin

Hearing him laugh, she instantly knew she’d had it all wrong, much to her own relief.  As he spoke, his hand finding the side of her face, she leaned in to that touch, taking the reassurances from him that warmed her entirely.  “I love you too,” she assured. pressing a kiss to his lips yet again before she was letting her lips travel to his chest, returning to that which she had initially set out to do now that she knew he was there and wanted that which she was offering.  One hand finding his, she traced a path down the center of his chest, her kisses soft and attentive.  Cutting her eyes up at him if only to catch a glimpse of his face as her free hand wrapped around his length, stroking just as softly as her kisses fell to his skin, not sure if she had ever taken up a position quite like this before him as she found her knees in front of him.

C.J.

Still not quite used to such a thing from the woman, he was happy to get what he could though he never wanted her to do something she didn't want to do. If he never got this again because she never wanted to again, he'd be happy enough knowing that she did not force herself just for his sake. Feeling her hand against him as he'd inhale evenly. Knowing she wasn't too far from a reaction nor was she ever as he glanced down towards her. Still cradling her jaw as he warmed to her touch. Reacting quickly and without hesitation.

Erin

Feeling his hand still there to her jaw, seemingly guiding her, yet there was no pressure from his hand, she could only wonder for just how long he would attempt to hold onto her in this manner.  They were stealing time from the boys right now who were supposed to be up in their rooms getting ready to go to the firing range, but guns were the last thing on the woman’s mind in that instant.  As her lips passed down his flesh lower and lower, her knees pressed to the flooring beneath her as she used her hand to massage against him in the time it took for her mouth to catch up.  Her eyes remained up to his, a look of true devotion there in her eyes as there normally was.  The trail of kisses not ceasing as she pressed soft kisses to his length, taking each small progression at the space of another kiss until her lips were parting over the head of his cock.  Her hand continued to stroke against him as her eyes remained to his, never letting that eye contact fail until he should will it to happen as she slowly took that first inch of him within her lips just as cautiously as he would have should he be taking her.

C.J.

Able to feel his cock throbbing within her grasp as the sight of her in this capacity would cause. Each tender and seemingly patient touch of her lips making his blood rush in all the right places before his hand would smooth to the back of her neck. Teeth embedding into his bottom lip as she took to him, no matter how gradually. Still, it was like it was all new to him. Rediscovering this territory with her despite the timing as his breath thinned.

Erin

Intentionally taking each moment slowly, it wasn’t purely about the act for her, but about seducing him on her way, making him want it more, connecting with him on that deeper level as the physical side of it was just that and they could never be purely physical.  Knowing damned well that no release should be going to waste, he’d gotten his wish of the woman when he requested that not everything be about conceiving.  Instead, this was entirely about him and her desire to satisfy him, even if it was a few stolen minutes.  Drawing back from the short distance she had taken him, she’d nearly allow him to pass free of her lips before she was taking to him once more, each time a bit further, taking her time here just as she had in lowering herself.  A position of worship would be taken just as such.  With one hand continuing to match her approach there at his base, her free hand took to the back of his thigh, drawing herself closer while she felt his hand there to the back of her neck, the touch encouraging and maintaining that intimacy she’d initiated as her eyes remained focused up towards his and that bite to his lower tier.

C.J.

The act wasn’t lost on him with all things considered. His requests of how this would be done and the fact that he didn’t want it to solely be about conceiving. He had a faith that when it was meant to happen, it would. Though he had never tried before, how difficult could it be in truth if he had done it twice before in accident? With Erin, it might have taken time. All he cared about though was that it didn’t become a chore or a task. That it was all done for the right reason. He knew he was being heard when she allowed this. Watching her take her time as she completely took him over. Feeling her hand and her mouth working on him as his fingers would deepen to the back of her neck. Never one to hide how he was feeling as his eyes grew heavy and remained to hers. The man feeling very much on the same page with her.

Erin

The pace of her hand matched that of her mouth, slow and steady, easing him to the build up that would surely follow, yet not rushing through the act just to get him there.  The act was mostly avoided with the woman, especially in this position, but something had drawn her there and for that, she would follow her own desire willingly as it stood as proof of the connection they shared to be able to break down the walls around her in every way possible.  Another inch, another withdraw, each motion was kept just as precise and careful as the one before, endlessly assuring that she not allow her teeth to touch him.  When she’d finally reached that comfortable depth within the confines of her mouth, she sucked lightly against him as she drew off of him once again, her hand gently tensing against him as she stroked that which her mouth had released, never letting a single inch of the man go unstimulated as she found a pace there against him.

C.J.

It was by no means lost on him how rare this was. Both the sight and the action. It had a purpose and a reason that he recognized. Assuring that he knew that he wasn’t just a stud in this situation. That there was more. Watching her as she found her pace and her method. A soft groan leaving his lips. One held underneath the row of his teeth as his eyes remained to hers. Getting swept away with that feeling entirely as if nothing else mattered and in that moment nothing else did as his palm pressed to the back of her neck.

Erin

The groan at his lips spoke volumes to the woman as he managed to keep his eyes there to her own.  Each pass of her mouth over him continued to be slow in nature, yet the depth of each motion was given her utmost attention.  As she took him within her mouth once again, she did not retract as she had a moment before, this time allowing herself to focus in on him, drawing back only an inch before taking that inch back as her tongue massaged against his length there within the warmth of her mouth.  Her hand to the back of his thigh tensed as she felt her own heart race in the very act of pleasuring the man she called her husband.  Feeling his hand there to the back of her neck, his touch never leaving her nor did her own vacate him, she finally allowed her own eyes to close, severing that tie between their eyes, focusing in fully as she tilted her head slightly to the side, allowing herself the access to stimulate him from nearly every angle.

C.J.

Feeling her against his thigh as his hand kept to the back of her neck. Her eyes closing nearly just as his did as he took in all that she had to offer him. Owing it to her to close his eyes and really appreciate it. Knowing he wouldn’t hold out on her here in this capacity and knowing that at this rate, it wouldn’t take much. Yet, it wasn’t a race to the finish line though maybe it should have been with all things considered. No, it was enjoying her as she went and both seemed to be thinking the same about it no matter how inappropriate the timing. Still, the control was hers and hers alone. Allowing her to take him as she saw fit as he’d stay there ready to absorb and react to anything she offered as this would be no exception.

Erin

The problem with being in this position would forever be her desire to feel him within her, to be taken by the man, and the thought wasn’t far off in her mind.  Warding it off as best as she could, though she’d be lying to say the act wasn’t getting to her as well.  Feeling her own walls tense as she felt his reactions, literally finding herself stimulated in simply servicing him in this manner.  A soft hum passed her lips as she drew back from him just a bit further, maintaining that stimulation throughout his length as she brought her lips back down his length.  The head of his cock finding the tightness at the back of her throat, yet she’d take him no further.  Drawing suction against him as her pace intensified ever so slightly with every pass, unable to control her own desire for the man in the moment as her hand shifted slightly, nails finding the back of his thigh, that hum nearly constant against him.

C.J.

Reaching up to gather her hair through his fingers, guiding it back to clear up his sight of her so his eyes could watch her. Feeling her take to that quicker pace as he felt himself meet the back of her throat. Fingers tangled within those tresses as he felt her hum through him. His breath catching. Lodged to the back of his own throat as he felt the push of her nails to boot knowing she was making it all the more difficult to resist her and the inevitable.

Erin

Gently kneading against him with the pressure of her tongue, she held tight to him there to the back of his thigh as though the man could possibly move from her in that moment.  As his hand took to gathering her hair, sweeping it from her face, her eyes opened to lift to his, finding his own instantly.  The look in her eyes was of pure adoration for him and the fact that she could take this position with him which was more than she could ever explain.  Her hand at his base worked with her mouth, carrying that which she’d start with her mouth down the full length of the man that she could never manage to take in as her pace steadily increased, hazel eyes set upon his without faltering.

C.J.

At her pace increased, as did his pleasure. Warming to her as she'd note as each increase on her part had an impact on him. Eyes settling back on hers though the contact was more and more difficult as his body tension grew more and more rigid. Knowing he'd warn her right as he was there as if she needed it. Closer and closer as he drove up that cliff and approached his high as his eyes would close. Letting his head fall back where closed eyes would be parallel to the ceiling.

Erin

With her eyes set to his, she’d watch closely as he reacted both within her mouth as well as in his inability to maintain that eye contact.  As his head leaned back, she drew back her hand from the base of his cock, gripping the back of his other thigh the same as she did the other.  Her nails pressing against his flesh as she allowed her mouth to take up the pace entirely, drawing him to that same depth within her mouth each and every time before quickly drawing back once again.  Her tongue constantly massaging against him as she allowed that hum to alternate against him, never allowing him to become to comfortable with it as she had every intention to take him past his release as he’d find in the commitment of her stance there.  She knew he was close and yet it wouldn’t make her move in the slightest, only furthering her to get that release from him as she dug her nails against the back of his thighs all the while.

C.J.

"I'm going to..." falling just short as she had to know by now and his breath was clean stolen. Feeling the burn of her nails in his thighs as he felt the touch of her tongue to him during each draw. The feeling of her mouth taking up the task doing it for him entirely as his hand within her hair tightened. Eyes down towards hers as he'd give in a low groan as he'd release. The thick of the orgasm swallowing him whole as he gave her everything he had in that moment just as he always did.

Erin

The warning was unnecessary yet appreciated all at the same time.  She knew the signs all too well as that tension rose in his body.  Feeling it take hold of him before he could even claim it, she didn’t dare stop as she set forth with the same intention she held when she took to her knees; to get him to this release and there after.  As his eyes met her own, the familiar groan to the back of his throat, she offered the same to see him through.  Feeling his thick seed to the back of her throat, she continued those long draws against him as she swallowed against him, her throat tensing in each wave he offered her.  Barely slowing there until she was certain he’d released all he had within her before she’d finally draw off of him entirely.  Lowering her head despite the hold of his hand in her hair to bring one hand to the corners of her mouth to assure that he would find none of his release against her features before she looked up at him from there on her knees, giving him that moment as she drew in a full breath herself, attempting to calm her own desires that would need to be put on hold until a later time, taking one long breath after another.

C.J.

Watching her wipe her mouth, the man swore he could have lost it again but inhaled thickly to pull it all back in in that moment. Fingers slipping through her hair to allow her the mobility she was after as he drew in another calming breath. The two breathing much the same as that euphoric sensitivity swept in. Warm to the touch before he was meeting her eyes. Hand gently finding the side of her neck, a familiar touch as he smoothed his finger tips against her. Allowing them both that space to recover yet not without the distance.

Erin

The touch of his hand there to the side of her neck was met with a soft smile there to her lips as she felt his touch continuing the intimacy they had established together moments before.  Leaning her forehead there to his thigh, she drew in another breath before she was bringing her hand to find his.  Pulling against him to help her stand up, she leaned into him, pressing a kiss to the man’s chest before her hands found his sides, drawing into him as she simply wanted to hold onto him in that moment, knowing she’d need to go brush her teeth and change clothes, yet staying against him, breathing him in, seemed like a far better idea in that moment.

C.J.

Helping her up, his arm would slip around her as he felt her to his chest. Finding his own sides as his lips found her forehead and the top of her head. Burying his face there briefly where he'd inhale the scent of her hair. His own hands finding her midback as he swept against her in complete admiration and thankfulness for the task that had to flow through him if nothing else. "I love you." The man stated simply. Words that were as easy as breathing or waking up in the morning.

Erin

The moment his hands took to her, her entire body felt warm to the touch as the side of her face met his bare chest.  Feeling the kiss to her forehead and the top of her head, there was no part of her that doubted the depths of his love for her, nor could she ever.  Hearing those words, she met his eyes, a soft smile there to her features.  “And I love you,” she promised, another kiss pressed to his chest before she was drawing slightly back from him.  Their moment of stolen time had passed and there were things that had to happen there, even if all she wanted was for the man to take her to bed.  “Gonna go brush my teeth,” she offered, knowing he’d understand as it just meant she’d be one step closer to being able to kiss the man, though even something so simple as that right now could send them back into the bed all at once.  Pausing a moment, she drew her lower lip between her teeth as her eyes lifted to his.  A question on her tongue that had never been there before, completely innocent in nature.  “You wanna join me?”

C.J.

"The woman known as Erin Lindsay just invited me in the bathroom with her as she brushed her teeth..." amazed by this as once he was hardly even allowed to hear her do it yet now he was being invited. His face showing that shock before a dimpled smirk and a nod. "Can I take some pictures to scrapbook the occasion?" He'd teasingly ask as his hand swept up her back. Knowing they had to slip apart but letting her make that forward motion to do so.

Erin

“Luciano,” she corrected as it was now what she was known as, yet the point remained the same.  “No photographs,” she added, pressing a kiss to his upper arm before she was taking those steps towards the bathroom, her hand passing down his arm to find his hand, bringing him along with her, no matter how naked he still was and how dressed she was.  Looking back over her own shoulder, a soft smile there to her features.  “I’m only letting you come with me so that as soon as my toothbrush is turned off, you can kiss me again,” she confessed honestly as sacrifices had to be made to get what she really wanted.

C.J.

Reaching down to recover his clothes as he allowed her to draw him into the bathroom. Releasing her hand. "Still, it's a moment." He noted, pulling his boxers back on before he was getting changed in fresh clothes for the day. Luring up those new jeans. "Is my kiss worth all that?" He asked curiously as he was still quite shocked by the moment. "Erin Lindsay wouldn't marry me or brush her teeth in front of me." He teasingly reminded her as he might have liked Erin Luciano better.

Erin

“Ah, but Erin Lindsay /did/ marry you,” she reminded him as she reached for her toothbrush, turning on the hot water.  Giving it a moment to warm before she’d run the bristles of the brush under the water and add a bead of tooth paste to the top.  Turning around to look at him, eyes meeting his as he dressed, giving a moment of pause as she convinced herself to go through with it.  Opening her mouth, she took the brush within to give that first pass over her teeth, nodding her head as his kiss was most certainly worth this and then some.

C.J.

Watching as she started up, he had to smirk. Drawing his shirt over his head next before he reached for his cologne on the sink counter. Turning away so it didn't hit her as his eyes slipped back towards her. Taking it all in. "We've come a long way." He noted, this much being clear with the sight before them. "You know, even brushing your teeth, you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life..."

Erin

Finding it strangely comforting to actually be getting ready /with/ him instead of taking turns in the bathroom, she guided the brush against her teeth as the bristles rotated within.  Meeting his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at her, reaching out to grab his ass before she was leaning over the sink.  It wasn’t the brushing that she’d never wanted to do in front of him.  It was this.  Pausing a moment there before she spit into the sink basin against the running water before running her brush under the water again.  “We have,” she confirmed as that was easy to see.  Bringing the toothbrush to her teeth once again to make that final rinsing pass against them, not entirely sure about all of that beautiful stuff, sure that the man was biased on the subject though it made her smile just the same.  

C.J.

"It's true." He stated simply, watching her after that spit as his opinion was unchanged. Hand finding the small of her back gently as he'd wait for her to finish up before he could get in that sink and do the same. Comb his hair and brush his teeth as he reached for his own toothbrush though for different reasons clearly. "And if you don't like it, you can fight me."

Erin

Humming as she finished up, spitting the rest against the stream of water as she felt his hand to the small of her back.  Rinsing her toothbrush before placing the clear plastic cap against the top of it, she placed it on the counter.  Turning around and into him, her hand finding the back of his neck as she drew him down to her.  “I’ll fight you,” she reminded him before pressing her lips firmly to his.

C.J.

"I'll fight YOU." He insisted before she was drawing back to him and he pressed his lips firmly back to hers. Hands finding her hips as he gave her a gentle and reassuring squeeze. Swearing he fell a little deeper in love with that woman every passing day. Never more than with these little things that showed their growth and the reminder of where they started in what seemed another lifetime ago. Yet, there they were. Better than ever and somehow keeping it all afloat.

Erin

With her hand to the back of his neck, her lips pressed firmly to his, she felt his hands finding her hips.  Turning into him fully, her free arm drawing up and around his neck, pressing herself to him fully as her lips passed over his.  A series of softer exchanges before she was drawing back to meet his eyes.  A hum there at her lips as she’d craved the man’s kiss for far too long.  “I’ll win,” she reminded him before she was stealing his lips for herself once again.

C.J.

Pressing his lips back to hers before their eyes met, smirking at her suggestion. “Yeah, you could take me.” letting her have that one, he pressed his lips back to hers. Thumbing gently at her jawline as his free hand remained to her hip and up to her side. Knowing their time was thinning as the sound of feet was no doubt running through the house.

Erin

Smirking to his lips at the idea that she could take him, she knew better than that, only knowing he’d let her win but she’d never be able to do it on her own.  Feeling his hand there to the side of her face, she breathed in through him, knowing touches like that one would quickly get them in trouble.  Her own desire already too high after getting him off, she drew back from the kiss, dragging her lower tier through her own bite.  “I should let you get ready,” she confessed, though she made no step away from him to allow such things.

C.J.

“You should stop trying to make plans is what you should try to do.” he teased of her, as it was usually her to do this then catch them in this boat where they could have done something else entirely. Knowing he would have to be the one to step away here, he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose as he stepped back and towards that sink. Brushing his own teeth as the comb of his hair would be next as his eyes glanced back towards her in the mirror.

Erin

“I should stop trying to make plans?  Aren’t you the one that suggested this?” she asked, attempting to make it his fault though she knew the fault laid with her.  She was hard up for returning to her full duties at work and the idea of an hour at a gun range was almost as good as the idea of an hour in bed with him.  Not quite.  Watching as he turned to the sink, she drew an even breath as she stepped out of the bathroom, going back into the bedroom where she’d need to change clothes out of that which she’d slept in and into something else.  Finding a pair of jeans and a t-shirt in her dresser, she tossed them to the bed before pulling off her own shirt.

C.J.

Watching her slip out of the bathroom and leaving him to his own devices as he brushed up, spitting a few moments later before he’d rinse it out and wash off his toothbrush. Wetting his comb where he was brushing the thick salt-and-pepper mess back to the illusion of control. “Definitely going to be a hat day…” he found himself suggesting under his breath before turning off the sink and slipping into the bedroom towards his closet to find one of his hats.

Erin

Watching as he walked past her, she shook her head, the second time in one day that he’d missed an opportunity with her with her shirt off.  There had been a day when the sight of her with her shirt off would have stopped the man in his tracks no matter how bad he thought his hair was or how much time they didn’t have.  “We’ve come a long way,” she whispered, reaching for her clean shirt, dragging it over her head before she was switching out the shorts she wore for the jeans.  Pulling them up and fastening them as she reached out for the socks on the top of her dresser.  “Can you grab my boots while you’re in there?” she asked, sitting down at the edge of the bed to work on getting her socks on as the upstairs noise made its way downstairs as two boys were finally ready to go and waiting on the bedroom door to be opened.

C.J.

Merely trying to do what he thought she wanted him to do twice over, he heard her whisper which drew a cock of his brow back in her direction. Not quite sure what that meant as he found a Yankees hat. Drawing it over his head backwards before he’d grab her boots. Taking them to the edge of the bed where she sat and kneeling as he undid the zipper on the one. Reaching for her ankle to help her.

Erin

Watching as he knelt to the floor with her boot, she paused a moment just to watch him.  It was the little moments that made her want him the way she did, things he didn’t even know he was doing.  As he took down the zipper that ran up the inside of the boot, she brought a socked foot down where his hand met her ankle.  Guiding her foot within, she drew an even breath.  “You should probably know that I’ve never wanted you more than I do right now,” she offered, deciding if she couldn’t have him, he should at least know how badly she wished she could.

C.J.

“I have a really hard time believing that.” he stated honestly as the two had quite the record on them when it came to this and the idea that she could not was difficult for him yet he wouldn’t deny it completely as he helped her within that boot and found the zipper to guide it up. Doing the same with the other before zipping it up and completing the process.

Erin

The difference between now and other times was that in other times, they’d been able to find a way.  Even if it meant they were in the car or in the evidence room.  It didn’t matter.  But this time, there was no way around.  As he put both of her boots on, she waited until they were in place before she was bringing both hands to either side of his face, leaning down to press her lips to his firmly.  Rising to her feet, she broke the kiss, a heavy sigh at her lips.  “Nothing like shooting a gun when you’re wet,” she whispered, walking to the bedroom door, leaving that one for him to work out as she flipped the lock of the door to open it.

C.J.

“Oh c’moooon…” he’d groan as that last part stuck with him, watching her walking to the door as he groaned his displeasure. Putting his arms onto the bed and pressing his forehead to the bed as he pushed all of his upperbody into the comforter. Whining low as he worked out the willpower within to push that statement away yet knowing it would be a difficult almost impossible task at best.

Erin

Smirking to herself as she opened the door, hearing that groan and enjoying every moment of it.  Pulling open the door, she watched as he pressed himself to the bed, clearly struggling with that which she’d said, much to her own approval and enjoyment.  “What’s the matter, baby?  You want something you can’t have?” she teased, clearly having a little too much fun with this one.  Waiting a moment before the boys would realize the door was opened and that noise flooded in.  Exiting the room, she had a laugh on her lips as Bash asked if his dad was ready.  “He was, but something came up.  He’ll need a minute,” she stated honestly, finding her abandoned cup of coffee and finishing off the contents in the dining room.

C.J.

“Cruel.” he muttered in return as she played into it when he had been so nice to her not a moment before, he could only be so mad about it needless to say. Hearing her return that question about him being ready as he’d get his bearings and show her what it was to tease as he remained in that spot for several moments before he was finally luring himself up onto his feet and leaving the room.

Erin

As he came out of the room a few moments later, she had a grin to her face still as she was enjoying this a little too much.  Biting at her lower lip upon the sight of him, she met his eyes, smirking behind that bite.  “Ah, there he is,” she offered, two boys luring their jackets on by the door to meet his eyes with smiles to both of their faces, clearly excited for the family outing while Erin’s smirk held something else entirely.  “You ready?” she asked casually, setting down her now empty mug to be cleaned later.

C.J.

"Yeah." He stated simply as he walked towards the doors where  the boys stood. Ruffling his fingers against Bash's head playfully as he pulled on his jacket before grabbing hers. Waiting. As she was always the last one to get her shit together and it was completely expected by now. "Ready, Princess? Before the car turns into a pumpkin and all..."

Erin.

Knowing he was the one lingering in that room, thus the one holding them up as she’d been merely waiting for him for once, he’d catch a cut of her eyes at the princess remark.  Taking her jacket from his hand, that smirk not fading from her features, nor would it be any time soon, she nodded her head as she slipped her arms within.  Seeing the zipper up, she secured the buttons over top before making her way behind the boys and through the opened door.  “Been ready,” she reminded him.

C.J.

Having been offering to hold it for her as she grabbed it, he let her have it as they’d slip their way out of the house. Locking and closing the door behind him as he hit the autostart on the car and started it up from the front porch. Slipping down the steps as he let the boys lead the way as they usually did. “Oh, to be young and limber again.” the man would tease as he reached for her hand.

Erin

Feeling his hand take her own, she looked up to him, a smirk there to her lips remaining as though it were a permanent fixture that morning.  “I happen to still be very limber,” she reminded him in a whisper so that only he could hear, a suggestive cut of her eyes as she was clearly not dropping the fact that she wanted the man.  Drawing their joint hands together to the apex of her thighs as she watched the boys get into the car, stealing that moment without them knowing any better.  Biting her lower lip as her eyes met his, knowing he’d find that warmth there thus proving what she’d said before.  

C.J.

“Guess that makes one of us.” he teased as she went on, meeting the cut of her eyes as he decided to play it cool yet that would only go so far. Especially at the guidance of their hand as his eyes shot to hers. Lifting a brow as he shook his head. “Trouble.” he stated simply before they’d get to the car and he was opening the passenger side for her.

Erin

“Unphased,” she complained as they found the passenger’s side of the car, prompting her hand to fall from his.  “I remember a time when that would have done something quite different,” she stated honestly, a shake of her own head.  “You might like Erin Luciano better, but I think you /wanted/ Erin Lindsay more,” she teased, finding her antics unrewarded as she wasn’t getting the rise out of the man she was after.  

C.J.

“Don’t say things like that.” not finding it funny as now she was getting a rise out of him and not the one she wanted. Finding her to be completely unreasonable as she wanted one thing here but said another. Officially giving up as he was wrong here anyway he looked. That statement enough to light a fire under his ass if the kids weren’t there as he closed the door behind her and walked to the drivers side. Opening the door where he slipped within, the car already autostarted leaving him with nothing more than adjusting the heat as he allowed the car to warm up.

Erin

Though she had been playing with the man, offering the statement in a teasing form in throw back to that which they had toyed with in the bathroom previously, she caught his tone and lack of amusement with her in the moment as her door closed and he made his way around the car.  Watching, she’d lost her footing entirely, not sure how a playful game had turned into whatever this was now.  “I was kidding,” she stated honestly, buckling her seatbelt as she sat back in her seat, staring out the windshield, feeling the wind let out of her sails all at once.

C.J.

“I don’t think you are though.” he stated in return, as in every joke there was an ounce of truth. The fact that this joke was constant said to him that there was no truth to it then she’d like to admit. The ‘Things have changed’ moment heavy on his mind now and a few others to begin with. Things he hadn’t much though of yet now it was making all the sense in the world.

Erin

“I was though,” she offered again, turning her head to look at him as it seemed to set heavy on her that he’d think that wasn’t a joke.  The boys fell quiet in the back seat as the tension was too easy to read in the car as she stared at him.  If he actually believed that she thought he didn’t want her, she didn’t know how to prove it otherwise.  “C.J.,” she whispered, her hand slipping over to his thigh, requesting that he look towards her as the truth was there behind hazel eyes.  

C.J.

Hearing her mention that she was, he would say nothing as he pressed his head into his hand as his arm pressed to the inside of the door. The feeling of her hand at his thigh was asking him to look at her and he knew it as he shifted into drive and glanced over towards her. Even the idea or the joke of such a thing, he didn’t take lightly. This was it. “Yeah.” he stated simply before he was looking into the rearview and side mirrors, checking his spot before he was pulling out.

Erin

A single word from his lips did nothing to rectify the problem as even that glance of his eyes was too brief to know that she’d actually been kidding.  Now it was too late as the car was in motion with two silent boys in the backseat.  Shaking her head, this wasn’t how either of them wanted the day to be and now all she wanted was to talk about something that couldn’t be talked about, thus making her all the more uncomfortable.  Drawing her hand back as she felt no return there, she leaned back in her seat once more, not even slightly looking forward to going to the gun range now as it seemed she and C.J. had more important things to work on that she hadn’t even known were brewing under the surface.  Biting her lower lip if only to silence herself, she dug her fingernails against the palm of her own hand, not sure how he could ever think she was actually serious about such a thing.

C.J.

Eyes slipping over to watch her against her own palm, not meaning to have blatantly defied that touch of hers as he reached out his own hand. Stopping it as his fingers filled the gaps of hers and their hands locked. Showing her that he was still there and not locking down entirely as he rested their hands to the center console as his eyes glanced idly over towards her to make sure she was alright as he took to that journey that might be a loss all together with the tension in the car at this moment.

Erin

Digging her nails against the palm of her hand if only to keep herself from screaming out loud that she’d been kidding, that she knew he wanted her, that she wanted him, that nothing had changed between Lindsay and Luciano, that she had only been toying with the man, she felt his hand slipping there to her own, capturing her hand and stopping her from what she had been doing.  The contact of his hand to her own had her looking over at him immediately, confusion there in her eyes as she was sure the man was mad at her only to feel him taking her hand, not entirely sure what it meant.  As his fingers passed between her own and their hands were moved to the center console, she drew an uneven breath as her emotion was stated plainly on her face.  Never before facing an issue that they literally couldn’t talk their way through due to their present company, she’d take the gesture as reassurance as it was all she could hold on to at the moment as the conversation had an unfortunate pin in it for the time being.

C.J.

Upset by the suggestion as he might have been, mad wasn’t quite the word. Still, even if he was, he wouldn’t have let her hurt herself or let her be upset or wondering if he was mad at her. Still, his love went for her way deeper than his love for himself though that was not standing much. The exact reason why this all hurt him the way it did as he bled so deep for her that it was difficult sometimes to not be injured by it while reminding himself to stop being a baby all the while. Keeping his hand to hers, they completed the trip where he was pulling into the parking lot of the local change. Setting the heat so the autostart would get the car warm when he hit it, he shifted into park in that close by spot.

Erin

The ride had been that of silence, tension, eased somewhat by the hold of his hand in her own, yet not entirely as the fact that something else was to play there between them that could not be touched would eat away at the woman.  As the car stopped, she made no effort to release his hand until he was reaching for the heat settings to make sure that as they came out, the car could be warming for them once again.  Wishing they would have gone back in the house, even if it had been for a few minutes to talk about this, yet wishes weren’t getting them much of anywhere.  Arriving to a place that should have been a good time for all of them, she just couldn’t find it in herself to fake excitement when she felt as though she had hurt the man in her teasings previously.  Not knowing if she should say another word, she reached for her seat belt, knowing the boys would surely be ready to go and her sitting in silence wasn’t going to help that at all even if her need to talk to him was higher than her need to shoot a gun now.

C.J.

Killing the engine as he'd release her hand, hearing the boys slip out and enjoying the recent liberation of not having child locks anymore. He was slipping out and doing the same. Willing to atleast just get the fuck over it all for their sake as he had been quite the actor for the better part of his life. Yet, it would still remain. The idea that she could think something like that heavy on his mind as it threatened to boil over from the inside but it was what it was by now as Bash reached for his hand. Instinctively drawn to him as he gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "It's alright." He told him with a reassuring nod. Waiting for the party to collect to the back of the car before the forward migration.

Erin

As they all made their way out of the car and Bash drew to his father, taking his hand, she drew a breath there at the rear of the vehicle.  Hoping they could find some way to talk for even just a minute, she’d found that wasn’t going to be happening as she heard him telling Bash it was alright.  It wasn’t alright.  It wasn’t going to be alright until they could talk about why it was that he’d taken her teasing as something more serious.  J.J. looked over to Erin, a questioning look there about him as she simply nodded her head.  “It’s alright,” she added, presenting the same front C.J. was, even if it would mark the first time she’d ever lied to one of the boys.  Taking the initiative to take the first steps towards the building ahead of them, she glanced towards C.J. with a look that easily said they needed to talk.

C.J.

Reading her look, he wasn't quite sure how all this was supposed to happen as he held onto Bash as he was now growing more and more protective of his father as he often was. Part of the reason in part he had been so damn pensive of Erin in the first place as they found that front door leaving him to open it and allow the rest of them into the store part of the building to the front of the range.

Erin

As C.J. opened the door, Erin stepped through first, followed by J.J.  It wasn’t right.  They shouldn’t be here doing this when she and C.J. had something so unsettling around them, yet she was struggling to find a way to get them out of it so that the two could talk without disappointing the boys.  Once she was inside the store, she brought her hands to the zipper of her jacket, unzipping it a bit, yet not taking it off entirely.  Her eyes scanned the place, finding no possible way to pull a moment away with him, though it wasn’t for lack of trying.  The man behind the counter knew them both by name as it was the same range the department had used for years now.  Hearing both her name as well as C.J.’s called out in greeting, Erin turned her head, offering an unsettling half smile to the man behind the counter.  “Hey, Tony,” she offered as warmly as she could manage, though everything about the woman spoke to the deep rooted discomfort that had been contained within her and was now emitting from her without her ability to stop it.  

C.J.

Hitting that counter after formalities, explaining what he would need while they’d work out some paperwork for the kids. One already having pre-existing paperwork but signing off on Bash who remained tucked to his side. C.J. now left to comfort him as he rubbed over his back, wedging himself underneath of his father’s free arm. Working steadily on that paperwork as he felt the pressure to his side, not sure where the other two had gotten off to all the while.

Erin

Standing not far off from C.J. and Bash, she watched as the boy drew in closer to C.J. in a manner she hadn’t seen him do in a long time.  That was the child she’d met two years prior, not the one that got his feelings hurt when J. accidentally called her Erin.  Every minute they stood there, she felt herself tensing, feeling as though this were all her fault.  A bit of playful teasing had gone terribly wrong, now creating some sort of division between herself and even Bash.  Trying to tell herself he was only clinging to C.J. because of the fact he’d never been in the range shop before, yet she seemed to know differently.  She didn’t do well with division, and yet that was all she was feeling in the moment with things unresolved.  “Why don’t you three do this and I’ll meet you by the car when you’re done,” she suggested, unable to stand there acting as though nothing were wrong when it seemed all four of them knew something wasn’t right.  “Just text me when ya’ll are done,” she suggested.  “I’m just not feeling all that well.”  Taking a step for the door, she drew a heavy breath.  She knew this wasn’t going to help matters, but C.J. would know by now that the woman couldn’t fake it.  Her exit would be to spare the boys any further discomfort with the tension sitting between herself and C.J. while allowing the boys to believe she just wasn’t feeling well which wasn’t entirely a lie.  She felt like shit and it wasn’t getting any better, nor was it going to any time soon.

C.J.

Not thinking it was anything personal that sent Bash to his side except being uncomfortable, he heard her suggestion of going out to the car for the entire thing. eyes dragging back towards hers as she slipped out and he inhaled deeply. No clue what to do at that point as he glanced down towards Bash like he’d have an answer. A shrug of his shoulders. “Yeah, me neither.” he confessed. Doing the necessary paperwork and picking out guns for the two boys where the owner of the shop mentioned they’d have to go over some quick safety lessons on holding and preparing. Asking if he could be back in a few minutes, the man answered for the positive which allowed him to slip out of the shop and go seek out his wife.

Erin

By the time C.J. came out, Erin had already walked to where the car was parked, sitting down on the curb at the front of the car.  Drawing the zipper of her jacket up as she hadn’t bothered to ask for the car keys, not much caring if she had to sit there for the next hour if it wouldn’t make the boys uncomfortable any longer and it would give her and C.J. a minute to try to calm themselves down.  If there was one thing she’d never been able to handle, it was unrest between herself and him. It wasn’t them and it wasn’t going to be them and she sure as hell wouldn’t let it affect the boys.  As the door of the range shop opened, she lifted her head to see him exiting and walking towards her.  Not entirely sure what this would entail, she was fully prepared to hear that she shouldn’t have walked out like that, knowing she shouldn’t have, but doing the only thing she knew not to blow up right in front of the kids.

C.J.

"Lets go sit in the car, huh?" He asked as he approached her, not realizing he hadn't given her the car keys nor had she asked for them. Offering his hand to help her up so they can atleast go talk in the heat or in some semblance of privacy while the boys got ready and they could sort out their own shit and get back in there together.

Erin

As he reached out his hand towards her, she couldn’t deny the man.  Taking his hand, she used the stability of his stance to pull against, rising to her own full height with a soft nod to her head.  Only able to figure he had asked Tony to keep an eye on the boys, she had no reason to doubt why or how C.J. had slipped out of the range shop.  Drawing in an uneven breath, she didn’t know what she was to say if she were to start talking, feeling it all welling within her as it threatened to come out all at once.  Her hand tightened within his, glad that he’d found a way that the two could talk, even if she didn’t trust herself with what laid ahead of them.  The sight of Bash clinging to him replayed over and over within her mind as she walked with him to the passenger’s side, emotion welling behind her eyes, yet she’d not let it escape her if she could help it.

C.J.

Walking to the door where he'd open it, not getting in himself but seeing that look in her eyes. Just wanting to hold her as he waited until she was seated where he'd stand within the cusp of the door and he looked down towards her. Inhaling evenly to hold that urge as he wasn't sure that's what she'd want as his hands found the top of the door. "Erin?"

Erin

Thinking he’d be getting in the car as well, she took that seat only to find him leaning to the framework without making an effort to round the front of the car and join her within.  Hearing her name, she turned her head to find him still there.  Realizing he’d be staying where he was, she turned sideways in the seat, her hand instantly reaching out for his, tugging against him to pull him to her.  Meeting him halfway there as her face found his chest, burying herself against him as the swell of emotion threatened to take her over.  “I’m sorry if I upset the boys,” she whispered, feeling it to her very core that her poor taste in teasing him had started something that they wound up feeling from her.  

C.J.

Feeling her pull into him as he pulled her back to him, arms sweeping over her shoulders. Rubbing his hands over her back as he shook his head. "It's fine. Bash just gets a little scared when shit feels off. It's not common for us." He reminded her as things weren't that typically off. That seemed to be the first time they showed their hand. Showing that they were indeed human. How they were supposed to be. Rubbing her back gently as the two would manage.

Erin

Though there had been other situations since their marriage, it was the first one that the boys would see any glimpse of.  Previously, they’d been able to keep their issues together at night when the boys were sleeping, but this time it had shown itself during the day, in front of them, and it broke her to think they thought the two weren’t okay.  She saw Bash’s reaction, how he pulled into C.J. and remained far away from her.  She saw it and she hated it.  Lifting her head from his chest, she felt his hands there against her back, not trying to pull away from him but knowing they had shit to work out that had nothing to do with what the kids did or did not see.  “Do you really think that I think you wanted me more when I wasn’t your wife?” she asked, her voice breaking beneath the weight of the words.

C.J.

Hearing her question as she lifted from his chest as he met her eyes upon the delivery of her question, a moment of pause before he’d answer and his head would slightly tilt. “I mean…” he began, a shrug of his shoulders. “When you make the same joke enough, someone starts to think. It just doesn’t feel like a joke to me. Neither of us are engaging. I just don’t like it. That’s the kind of shit that ruins relationships. It scares me. It’s too soon.”

Erin

Hearing him out, she hadn’t meant to make the same joke more than one time, nor had she meant it to be anything more than a joke.  Her intention had never been to show him something she was lacking as she was lacking nothing.  Her eyes remained at his as she bit against her lower lip, waiting until he had said what he wanted to say before she’d let herself speak.  “Neither of us are engaging…?” she asked, confusion flashing through her eyes.  If he meant sexually, then she was completely confused as she’d just engaged on her knees in front of him not a full hour ago.  “What does that even mean?” she asked further, not pulling away from him, even though half of what he was saying there was absolutely terrifying to her.  

C.J.

“No, no. Not like that.” he stated as he saw that look in her eyes and understood instantly what she was saying, a shake of his head as it wasn’t even remotely like that. “I meant that I’m not making the joke with you. I’m not playing along. I wasn’t then because I wouldn’t joke around with something like that with you. You wouldn’t like it.” he reminded her, knowing that should he do the same in return, they’d end up here all the same.

Erin

As he offered his explanation, she felt the tension in the base of her stomach as she realized what he’d really meant, though it didn’t feel too much better than what she’d thought it meant in the first place.  Either way, she’d fucked up, though she wasn’t sure when they turned into a couple that couldn’t flirt and tease and poke at one another.  If this was a sore spot for him, she’d avoid it, only able to hope that he knew she didn’t mean anything by it.  “What I said was no different in my mind than me telling you that I was wet for you or dragging your hand against myself on the way to the car earlier.  I was looking for a rise out of you.  Nothing more than that.  I got you off before we left and I knew then that there wouldn’t be time for the same in return.  I know that you didn’t come near me when I undressed for the sake of time.  I was only trying to keep things playful and engaging so that when we got home and the boys went upstairs to do whatever it is they do in their room for hours a day, that there would be no doubt what I wanted to do.  I did want you.  I do want you.  I was just trying to tease you and apparently I touched on something that I shouldn’t have.  It was playful, not serious, and I get why it’s serious for you and so I won’t go there again, but I was just doing a piss poor job of trying to get something out of you, a strong kiss, for you to run my hand against yourself to show me what I can do to you, a playful threat, anything.  I wanted nothing more than for you to want me the minute we got home and I fucked it all up and I’m sorry.”

C.J.

“And emasculating me isn’t the way to do it.” feeling like she still didn’t understand what she was doing as it wasn’t the point of the joke. They could always joke and tease but when things like this came up, it made him think there was an ounce of truth behind it. “Emasculating me isn’t going to get you a response. To respond you need to be confident. You need to feel built up. You puncture me, I deflate, I don’t react the way you want me to and it takes time to build back up and I promise you, you won’t like me when I’m not confident.” he stated to her honestly as she had never seen it and he wasn’t ready to start playing that card now as he would distance himself before it happened. “I have no problem with wanting you and I never have but maybe this is one of those things you’re not going to understand entirely unless it were to happen to you though I’d make sure that didn’t happen, so.” shrugging, her apology didn’t mean much to him unless she understood entirely as surely now she was just thinking him sensitive though he knew should it have been geared at her in return, she would think much differently.

Erin

Hearing him tell her what she had done to him, she bit against her lower tier, believing him when he said she had emasculated him, thought it had never been her intention.  Finding the shrug of his shoulders, she knew that what she said hadn’t meant a thing even though she’d spoken it honestly as she attempted to show him what she was doing there, but it had been a lost cause.  Thinking he’d come out there to get through this, none of this felt like it was getting any better, but finding that she was being held to charges far deeper than what she’d expected there.  “I won’t understand until what happens to me?  Until you jokingly tell me that I don’t want you as much as you want me?  Until you tell me that I don’t love you as much as you love me?”

C.J.

“Until it is repeatedly mentioned that you don’t want your husband the same way you wanted the same way as you had wanted him as your boyfriend and that the marriage you had worked for had essentially ruined everything and it’s your fault, basically.” he continued as that was what it had all felt to him. “Like something changed. Like you don’t want her or try to treat her the same way you always have when you bust your ass to do so and feel it everyday of your life but it’s not enough.” he concluded, knowing she wouldn’t quite get it and no one else would until they were in his shoes. “that’s not what I’m holding you to. I’m not saying you did that. I’m just saying that that is what it felt like to me and I accept your apology. I just wish you understood, that’s all.”

Erin

Halfway through that which he offered, she lost her battle with her own emotions.  Before he could say that it wasn’t what he was holding her to, she was lowering her head, moisture stealing the corners of her eyes.  Not wanting him to see this in her, not here, not now, but it was there just the same as that moisture collected to fall down her cheeks.  With her face lowered, she heard him say it wasn’t what she was being held to, but that it had felt like that to him, leaving her completely fucked up to think that he had thought that she actually thought those things.  She said nothing else as her voice would have given away the fact that she was crying, yet as long as she kept her head lowered, she thought she could get it under control before she’d speak again, before she’d look up.  For the moment, she had no choice but to give in to it, despite her best efforts.  She’d never meant to say anything was his fault, nor that the marriage had ruined anything.  None of what he’d said was what she’d meant and at the moment she felt like a complete idiot for ever attempting to joke on something that she should have known better than to touch.  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, barely getting the words out before her voice would break under the weight of that rasp.  It wasn’t enough, but it was all she had in the moment finding out just what she’d made her husband feel, marking it as her first official failure as his wife where she should have been building him up, she was only breaking him down.

C.J.

"It's okay." The man insisted as his hands slipping tighter around her as she pulls to him. Her whisper luring him somehow deeper into that car as again the need to hold her took over. To be there for her. To hold her and make it all better. Even when he didn't have the ability as he now regretted saying anything. This was the scary part of it for C.J. No matter how he felt, he was sooner or rather feel it and take it on himself then transfer it to her. Pressing his lips to her cheek. He could only pull into her further.

Erin

As he drew into her, she’d do the same with him.  Feeling his kiss to her cheek, her hands moved up around his neck, drawing herself to the curve of his neck where her tears would fall against his flesh instead of being concealed by her bent head.  Hearing him tell her it was okay, she wanted to believe that it really was, that he really knew she’d meant nothing more than what she’d told him, yet she couldn’t help but fear the opposite.  “I never wanted to make you feel that way,” she confessed as if it were even a question any longer.  Holding tight around his neck, she lured him deeper into the car, wanting to be there for him just as much as he wanted to be there for her.

C.J.

"I know." He insisted as he allowed her pull as he never would have stood for the opposite. He knew the goodness in her. He knew there wasn't a malicious bone in her. He knew this woman of his better than she realized as he had to dip his head to get closer to her in that moment underneath of the car. "I wouldn't be here talking to you if I thought that..." he reminded her as it was only to fix it was he there and to explain it. Not to nail her to the cross for it.

Erin

Her hold remained tight around his neck as the two drew into one another.  Taking that moment to hear him say he knew and that he wouldn’t be there if he thought that she’d meant to make him feel that way had only proven to let the flood gates of her tears come forth.  A lifetime of knowing she wasn’t worthy of something so deep as what she had with him was showing itself as not only did she have a man that loved her, she had a man that knew her, and was ready to fight for her just as strongly as she would fight for him.  Giving herself that moment in the curve of his neck as her tears dampened his neck, one hand found the back of his head, assuring he didn’t try to pull away in that moment.  

C.J.

Feels her tears to his skin, or would never be a good feeling to be the one who forced her to this. He hated seeing his woman cry or feeling. Everything about it was wrong and violent but he held her tighter and closer to him. His hand slipping up to the back of her neck where he was gently massaging over her in attempt to reassure her if nothing else.

Erin

As his hand came to the back of her neck, she drew back from the tight hold she held on him, her face finding the side of his before she was turning slightly, pressing tear-salted lips to his as it was the only thing she had in the moment that would tell him just how she felt.  Her words had failed her more times than she was willing to admit that day and she wasn’t about to fuck this up too.  Instead, she’d just simply kiss him.  Pressing her lips to his with no mind for the tears that still dampened her cheeks.  It wasn’t a bad thing that she was crying here as it meant that all he’d said had cut deep within her and she be more likely careful with how she chose to tease at the man.  For now, she’d just kiss him, for as long as he would allow.

C.J.

Pressing his lips back to hers as he tasted the saline there. Causing his hand to lift in attempt to wipe away that stream at her cheek. Pressing another kiss to her as that one faded off. Still hoping she knew that he knew better and always had. Still, the feelings had been dense in that moment and atleast now she'd get why and maybe even speaking to some of his own former fears about marriage once upon a time.

Erin

As his hand took to her cheek, she felt him stealing her tears to his skin, wiping them away as the kiss made way to another before she was drawing back.  Damp eyes, yet no further tears fell, she drew in a jagged breath as her eyes met his.  Understanding him and knowing that he knew she hadn’t meant it as anything more than what she’d explained it to be, only the two of them could have issues in something like this.  “I love you,” she promised honestly, not seeking the return of the phrase but wanting to make sure that he knew it, that he felt it, that he knew she’d never do anything to hurt the man.  “and I’m sorry,” she added just beyond it, wanting to make sure that before they got out of that car that they were both completely back on the same page, neither of them with fears or bad jokes, both of them growing from the experience, but it started with them understanding one another entirely.

C.J.

"I love you too." He answered easily as his love for her was the easy part. Hearing her add on where he'd nod. "I accept that." He returned as her slate was washed clean before she could even really say it. That apology meant something when she understood. As long as she understood. "And it's okay." He promised her, wiping away another stream of her tears before his lips were back to her forehead. "Everything is alright."

Erin

Hearing him return her sentiment followed with the acceptance of her apology, she’d reel in the emotion that threatened to fall again as she felt his lips there to her forehead.  Her hands slipping down from around his neck, grasping his jacket at the sides to hold herself close to him.  She nodded her head slightly as he confirmed everything was alright, though she was going to need another minute to come down from this entirely.  Looking up towards him as she tightened her hands against his jacket, not sure if there was anything left to say, though she was now completely comfortable just being in his hold in silence for a moment before she needed to get her shit together before going in front of the boys.

C.J.

Knowing there wasn't nothing left to be said, he'd let her get hold of herself as he met her eyes. Feeling her to his jacket as he watched her in a silence that was not awkward but peaceful. Assuring. His hands finding the sides of her own jacket as he inhaled evenly to assure he was pulled together as well.

Erin

Exiting the range shop separately with tension so thick it could be cut with a knife, she sat in comfort at the idea that the two could walk back in, together, and altogether better for it in the end.  Bringing one hand from his jacket, she wiped the rest of the residual tears from her face, drawing a deep breath as she calmed herself while he got ahold of himself.  A few minutes would pass before she was pressing a soft kiss to his lips once again.  “Think I’m ready to go kill paper men,” she confessed, not willing to move until he was, but letting him know she was good whenever he was.

C.J.

Watching as she drew about her own tears and breathed a piece of peace, he'd return her kiss before her statement. "Lets see what if you still got it." He challenged of, as if she did, the kids were about to see him getting his ass whooped in one way another as he stole a kiss before drawing back from that door.

Erin

Meeting his kiss with a slight smirk to her lips, she really was ready to do this.  Just as ready as she had been that morning, but perhaps better even now as the two of them going through this she could figure would only make them stronger in the end.  As he stepped back from the car, she slipped out, finding her full height there before him.  “Wait, first,” she offered, her hand grabbing his, pulling herself into him, wanting the full embrace that the limitations of the car did not provide them.

C.J.

Hearing her offer something up first, he could only imagine what with Erin. She had a way of keeping him on his feet and thus he had to do the same for her. It was a requirement if nothing else so the two could still surprise one another. Feeling her at his hand before she pulled into him. “First…” he continued, meeting her eyes as if he could never understand what she wanted here as he pulled her into his embrace.

Erin

Feeling him pull her into him, meeting her in that gesture as it would take neither of them much effort to wind up in one another’s arms.  She wrapped her arm around his neck, slowly drawing her hand from his before it would join her other arm behind his neck as her face found that curve.  Putting her entire self into that embrace, holding on to him as the morning had been too difficult with too many emotions from the both of them.  Facing what would be just another in a series of frustrations since they had married, this would stand as the most personal as the others all had to do with the case that had been eating away at the both of them for many weeks now.  Holding tight to the man, she drew in his scent in the curve of his neck, nearly wishing they didn’t have to go back into the gun range and could spend this time together as they usually did when in a recovery of sorts, and yet there were two boys that were all too excited and meant far more than her personal comfort did.  She drew into him tightly, leaving no doubt for how she felt about the man that she should need this moment with him before facing anything more, as he was the very core of her being.  She’d held her independence for so long with him only to find that she needed him more than she’d ever truly spoken out loud, yet it was in exchanges such as these that there would be no secret in just how much the man meant to her.

C.J.

“Do you have any idea as to how much I love you?” He asked the woman, rhetorical as she could not possibly. Feeling her to his neck as his lips found the shell of her ear. “Hm?” he prompted once more. Not sure she could ever know nor could he begin to explain it but she brought about a kind of romantic love out of him before that he never knew existed in him. That he never knew he was capable of and shamelessly so. Not caring if it was returned or not before as he just needed to be with her. He saw his entire future there with her and after that it was merely convincing her.

Erin

The easy answer was ‘yes’, and yet she knew not to say it.  She could ask him the very same question and get the very same answer and yet it wouldn’t be entirely true.  She’d never known love before this man, not in the way he had shown it to her.  She’d never felt it so deeply in her soul, in her veins, literally radiating off of her as the way it did with him.  So instead, she’d hum her response, pressing her lips to the curve of his neck.  “If it’s anything like how much I love you, then I am a very, very loved woman,” she whispered to his neck, knowing even that wasn’t a suitable answer, and yet it was the very best that she could offer him in that moment.  With one hand to the back of his neck, her fingers spanned from the top of his back to the base of his hairline, though her hand would still remain small in comparison to the man.  She didn’t want to pull back from him and yet she knew if she didn’t, he wouldn’t either.  Slowly, reluctantly, she drew back slightly, remaining mostly within that hold, yet finding his eyes as her chin lifted fully to find him.  “I don’t want to let go,” she confessed quietly, a vulnerable moment from the woman as she brought one hand to the back of his arm, her fingertips softly gripping him as she kept her eyes there to his.

C.J.

Humming simply at her answer as she still had no idea. Still, it was the best answer to an impossible question and for that he had to be impressed as he felt her through his hair. Watching her draw back so that they could do this, he met her eyes. A gentle smile as he stole a quick kiss. “I know…” he stated, his arm taking to around her waist where he’d give her hip a gentle squeeze. “and you’ll never have to.” taking that a completely different direction, his hand would reach for hers as he kept that contact so the two could still be close.

Erin

“Luckiest girl ever,” she stated honestly, just above a whisper as she heard him take a completely different spin on the idea of letting go there.  Though it hadn’t been what she meant, she appreciated his return just the same, finding that smile and quick kiss to her lips that would always leave her wanting for more.  Her hands slipped down from his arm and neck, knowing the time had come, letting her hand fall gently into his where he’d suggested it to her.  Linking her fingers through his, she took up a space just to the side of him where she’d lean her head there against his arm, prepared to make that short walk back to the range shop where the boys were surely done with their instructional safety lesson that she could only imagine Tony had embellished upon to buy them a bit more time.

C.J.

Walking back to the range shop with her seemingly anew, he knew it would be obvious what had happened there yet he didn’t care much. The two didn’t do it often. They had left most of their spats behind them since moving in as the two were not unreasonable. While he remembered their early days had held quite a few of these moments, since then, he was quite satisfied with the fact that the two had balanced their passions but matured into them. He was the type that craved the heat of passion but not of the subsequent fights that usually followed. He liked her heat and he liked the way their heat worked together and how sometimes they fanned one another while other times they extinguished each other. One of many things he loved about this woman of his as they arrived to that front door.

Erin

The walk back would take only a matter of thirty seconds, yet it had felt far shorter now that the tension between the two had been settled.  She understood what she’d done wrong by him and would make every effort to never allow the man to feel that way at her own hand again.  She knew he understood there had been no intent there.  Two people who couldn’t have seemed much more far apart would now enter the range shop close, hand in hand, looking a little more like the off-duty detectives that Tony had come to know of the couple.  As they walked in, Tony was entertaining the boys with some old story he told all too often that had Bash’s full attention and only half of J.J.’s.  Immediately, Erin was offering a smile to the boys who would instantly see the connection between herself and their father again, looking more like what they’d been accustomed to from the two of them.  It was the first time an issue had touched the boys and though she was thankful that it was a singular event, she hated the fact that they had felt it at all.  Tony turned, bringing forth three firearms before Erin was looking up towards him.  “Did you bring yours?” she asked, not sure she remembered seeing it on his person or if he was planning on a rental as well.

C.J.

“Yeah.” he stated simply, gesturing towards his hip where it was concealed as he looked down towards Bash whose mere face said he wanted to pull into him. Reaching out, the man would reassure the little guy. Rubbing his back before he was releasing Erin’s hand. Hoping she’d engage as he attempted to engage Bash, hooking his hands under his arms to pull him up and help him see what was being talked about ontop of the case.

Erin

As he released her hand, she couldn’t be upset for it.  She’d known coming into the relationship that it wasn’t going to ever be all about the two of them as there were two other people entirely more important.  As he lifted Bash into his arms, Erin’s hand was there to Bash’s calf muscle, giving a gentle squeeze as she passed to walk to the case.  Tony spoke, giving instructions to the boys for a second time, offering safety reminders as Erin lifted four pairs of what appeared to be sunglasses from the counter’s surface.  Offering two pairs to C.J.’s hand, she then turned to J.J. who stood as tall as she was, opening them up and putting them onto his face before she’d do the same.  “We need selfies of this,” she stated with a nod of her head, knowing the boys were usually up for a few of them.  

C.J.

“Here we go.” he stated as she helped J into his and he was lowering Bash onto his feet. “More selfies.” he teased as he slid Bash into his before opening his own and waiting for Erin to do the honors first as they were brought from that front counter and into the hall leading to the back range where he’d wait for her to walk infront of him. Leading the back of the party.

Erin

The range was empty as they made their way to the back through a door.  The guns were collected in the hands of Tony who would help the detectives get the boys situated with one of them each.  Afterwards, the boys could fall back and Erin and C.J. would be able to test their own skills against one another.  Once they were within the stalls, Erin looked back to C.J., her smile almost foreign compared to previously.  “Me and J, you and Bash?” she asked, clarifying how he wanted this to go, knowing Bash was struggling a bit with her that day and drawing back into the boy she’d met two years prior.  It was alright and she knew he’d come around, but for the moment, he just needed his dad.

C.J.

“You and Bash.” he corrected as his eyes slipped to hers, a simple shrug of his shoulders. “You’re in the doghouse.” he stated simply, as he’d be alright once he saw the normal Erin come out. “Just act like nothing happened.” he offered in a whisper under his breath as the two were situated and knowing Bash would be too distracted to hear as he glanced over towards her. “Yourself.” he emphasized, not that she’d struggle to do this but to be just as warm as she always was with them. Engaging. Like nothing at all had happened and the boy would forget and forgive her.

Erin

All experience in dealing with kids had come from her time in Intelligence.  Those kids were always scared, injured, neglected, or traumatized.  Yet this was forever her point of reference.  Though in time she’d gotten to where she no longer depended on that skill set when dealing with the boys, she didn’t know how to make up with one without just simply saying she’d been an insensitive asshole and that she was sorry.  Somehow she didn’t think that would work out so well with Bash.  J, maybe.  Biting at her lower lip for a brief moment, she nodded her head and took up a space behind Bash in the stall beside J.J. and C.J.  “Tony show you guys how to work these things?” she asked of him, which she got a nod of his head.  So he wasn’t ready to talk to her yet, that was alright.  She’d keep going.  “See this button right here?  We’ll push it to bring the target close to us.  We want to hit it in the head or in the chest where the red marks are.  Think you can hit it in… three tries?” she asked, receiving another nod of his head.  The gun still laid on the counter before her, the clip just beside it.  Knowing it was Bash’s first time there, she was sure C.J. should be the one doing this with his son, yet she knew why he’d passed those honors on to her.  “Alright, let’s pick this up and put the clip in, but remember, then it’s loaded.”  Lifting the gun into his hands, he held it gently as Erin reached for the clip to help him.

C.J.

He had a million first things with his sons. Both of them. The two needed a point to bond over. Things to remember of their own. Especially now. Watching the two as he looked down towards J who seemed to shake his head. Knowing the stubbornness of his brother but he had full confidence in Erin in this moment. “She got this.” He’d state with ease, J agreeing with a nod of his head as they sat back and watched.

Erin

Having thought C.J. and J.J. would already be taking up residence at their own, it was clear that all eyes were on Bash to see how he did in his first shot.  There was a smile to Erin’s lips as she clicked the clip into place, missing the feeling of it, the sound of it, quickly remembering this was about Bash, not her.  Reaching forward for the headphones, she slipped them over his head, protecting his ears from the noise that would soon follow.  “Alright, now we’ll put our feet apart a bit, aim at the head this first time, and then we’ll release the safety, okay?” she reminded him, relinquishing the gun mostly into his control, yet her hands remained just there.  Taking up a space behind him, giving him something to lean against, she positioned his feet using her own to help him plant his weight.  With his stance there, she brought her finger to the safety, disabling it.  “Alright, it’s all you,” she promised, though her hands remained.  Leaving the trigger to him a moment later where he’d fire off a quick round, grazing the ear of the paper man.

C.J.

Watching him get off that first shot at Erin’s willing, he definitely wasn’t missing that as he watched him get comfortable. Smirking softly at the spot it hit as he gave up a thick round of applause knowing the little one could hardly hear it. Still, it was for the both of them as she pulled it off. Letting them have at it, J and him would find the booth beside them as he helped J out a bit though he needed much less. Assuring he got his alignment right and he was ready for the feeling as a whole. He’d brace him though he hardly needed it. He might have to brace Erin if he had to brace J at this point. Yet, watching him fire off a few rounds, he’d let him have it. Done with the overprotective Dad act if only for the moment.

Erin

The applause of the two behind Erin had her glancing back to them, offering a thumbs up to C.J. assuring that it had been all Bash’s doing there as she was simply holding loosely to make a quick grab should he start to drop the piece.  “Great shot!” she offered, finding something almost natural in the boy’s stance and how he had effectively hit a part of the target, much unlike her own first attempts with a gun.  For the next ten minutes, Bash was hard at it, littering the paper with gunshots around the edges of the man’s figure, only hitting within the confines of him once, yet every bullet that pierced the paper would have resulted in a graze which at times was all that was needed.  His little hands trembled from the heat within them as he lowered the gun to the counter, relinquishing his own control, pulling his headphones off.  “No, no,” she argued, putting them back.  “Keep them on or your ears will hurt,” she reminded him, finding a nod of his head as he took a step back.  Drawing back from the booth, she watched as J took his shots, waiting for C.J. to be set before she’d put that shoulder of hers to the test.  “He’s a damned good shot,” she said to him, leaning against C.J.’s back, calling up into his ear to tell him how Bash had done though he could see the sheet at the far end of the wall of the range waiting to be pulled off for him to keep.

C.J.

Hearing her mention how good Bash had done, he’d nod simply. Acknowledging it while he himself was distracted. Yet, he didn’t doubt much different from the boy. He was meticulous. Tedious to detail. Such things were always easy for him while he struggled with other, more physical tasks. Watching as J fired off his rounds as he knew they’d be going home with something for Bash to be proud of. Thinking both kids could use a little more confidence but his youngest especially where all other attempts had been less than successful to find a niche for him. Not like his brother who was at home on the soccer field. They’d have to search a little deeper for Bash’s infatuation.

Erin

Watching on as J.J. emptied another clip or two further than Bash had, he wasn’t a bad shot either, finding both boys to have more skill in one pinky than she’d had in both hands not so long before.  It brought a smile to her features as he lowered the gun, popping the clip out on his own, laying the two pieces independently on the counter before him, showing he’d learned a thing or two about how to handle the piece over time.  Erin lifted her hand to the button on the wall, bringing the paper forward so he could see how he’d done up close.  “Well done,” she immediately congratulated him as the paper came into full sight.  Bash’s had been at closer range, yet J.J.’s had been about half the distance that she and C.J. would surely be taking on.  

C.J.

With his kids, costra nostra was in their veins. He was hardly surprised by these subtle gifts yet knowing that they would hardly be getting that far. Not over his dead body as New York was far, far away. With the live pieces effectively dismantled, he could drag the muffs to his neck so he could hear himself speak considering they were the only ones there. Eyes over towards Erin as he’d give up a light smirk. “Now this one…I’m not so sure of…” speaking about her blatantly as he flashed her a light smile. “Tough act to follow. Think you have what it takes? Getting shot in the shoulder takes it out of you…” he added, not that he would know.

Erin

Pulling her own headphones down, the boys doing the same after C.J. had done so, she heard his question, meeting it with that look in her eyes.  The woman was ready.  She’d been ready.  The rest of physical therapy was nothing more than a formality in her mind to be sure that the department didn’t wind up getting into trouble if something should go wrong.  She knew she was ready though.  Ready for this. Ready to get the hell off of desk duty.  Ready to get back into the field where she was most effective.  “I don’t know.  Gonna be tough,” she offered, continuing to build the boys up, though she and C.J. both knew that things were about to turn more serious.  It was fun and a good time was to be had, yet it was this instance that would either build her confidence or destroy it, and she was really looking forward to bringing up a clean sheet that would rival C.J.’s.

C.J.

Hearing her play along though he knew the next few minutes would be on them mostly. He’d meet her eyes with a light smirk though knowing she’d win regardless as he’d let her even if she didn’t beat him fair and square as he nodded simply. “You go first.” he offered, wanting to see what she got but getting the strong suspicion he would hardly need to let her win as she’d find it natural. He was quite used to the woman beating him in things by now and had grown to accept it.

Erin

Eyeing him as he suggested she take the first paper, she nodded her head, picking up the firearm from the counter and moving over one more booth so that there was a new sheet hanging in front of her.  She placed it down as she drew the headphones over her ears, securing them before she was moving the paper off the wall, bringing it half the distance.  Once it was there where J.J. had shot to, she would build herself up to the full distance where she knew those shots would matter most.  Leaning her head to one side and then the other, she reached forward, lifting up the firearm as she drew the clip within.  Hearing that click, she moved her finger to the safety as she held it down against her thigh a moment, clearing her head.  Needing to not think about her husband and children staring at her as she did this as shooting under pressure was part of the game.  She closed her eyes a moment as she lifted the gun, taking no time to situate herself before she was firing her traditional firing sequence.  One shot to each shoulder, one to graze the upper arm, one in the heart, one between the eyes.  Hitting each target as though she hadn’t just been out for weeks on end, she lowered the firearm, bringing her free hand to the wall to move that paper back some as she glanced over her shoulder.  “You’re up, Luciano,” she offered, deciding they’d take it one distance at a time.

C.J.

“Well done, baby.” he stated warmly, knowing she had it and had kept it seamlessly. Hand gently finding her back as he approached. Opting to use the same paper as he’d see just how closely he could land each shot of hers. Slipping his ear protectors back on as he reached for his gun. Drawing the clip as he drew himself to his stance. One eye closing in a way he was taught to never do in the academy but sheer force of habit as his tongue found the corner of his lips. Firing off each shot and only seeming to widen each hole in the paper before placing the one between the eyes slightly higher.

Erin

His words brought a smile to her lips as she felt his hand to her lower back.  Leaning into him and his congratulations, she had to confess how good it felt to just hold one again, much less show a paper such as she had.  As he came into the booth more fully, opting to take her paper as his own, she stepped back, giving him that space, though within her mind she was wondering how well he could fire with her hand down his pants.  Wiping the thought away as quickly as it had come, she had to smirk as she watched him widening each bullethole, taking a higher shot on the one between the eyes.  Unsure if he’d actually missed target on that one or if he was simply showing he could bring his to nearly touch hers without actually touching, she’d never ask.  “Damn, baby,” she returned, the boys seeming to be in awe at that which he’d done, mostly J, but Bash as well.  Coming into his side once the firearm was lowered, she reached her hand to the button on the wall to move it out to the furthest distance.  The one that mattered with the department.  The one that required skill and expertise, where no luck shots would ever do.  “You take this one first,” she offered, giving herself the same challenge he had just taken, only in reverse.

C.J.

“Okay…” he stated simply as he was going first on this one, reloading the clip as he watched the paper go back. Watching the distance as he prepared his shot. “Let’s go…nose, throat, lower right side and…left shoulder. Just because.” because they both loved being shot in the shoulder so much. Calling his shots before he took them and prepared. Not taking any further time as there never was enough. Starting at the right side. A liver shot, up to that shoulder, throat and nose. Firing each individual shot with confidence as he followed up. “Heart.” he added, a shot to the left side. “Stomach.” with that shot, he intentionally drew it a bit further down then he’d like. Just barely missing the shot and giving her the opportunity to take it as he unloaded.

Erin

Watching him call the shots, she was thankful for the guide of his bullet holes to remind her as that was not her typical sequence, but it would work just fine.  She watched as he hit every target with the exception of the last one, knowing that would be her opportunity to out shoot him for the day.  Biting at her lower lip, she stepped into her place where he had stood a moment before.  Leaning forward to take the firearm from the counter, loading the clip, she locked it in place before looking over her shoulder at the boys who were intently watching to see if Erin could do what their dad had done.  A part of her wanting to throw it at this point so their dad could remain their hero.  The other part of her knowing that C.J. would know and would kick her ass for it later.  Lifting the gun, she took the shots in the reverse order, cleaning up with that stomach shot first to get it out of the way before she was working her way through his shots, widening each bullet hole.  Skipping the shoulder shot, she finished with the nose before she heard J call out that she’d missed one.  Aiming the gun, she just barely missed the opportunity to widen the bullet hole on the shoulder, placing the shot a good half inch from his before she was lowering the gun, taking out the clip, and laying it to the counter as the boys had been taught to do.  

C.J.

Not quite trusting that shoulder shot as his brows drew, visibly suspicious as he hummed low. “I don’t know…” he confessed as he watched her unloading. Only wishing their was a way for the two to play fair and square but what all could he say as he tucked his hands into his pocket. “I think you still got it though.” he confessed, as it seemed to be the understatement of the century. The woman was just fine and better than ever which did good for his mental state about her going back to work.

Erin

In all actuality, the shoulder shot had not been an intentional miss.  It had been psychological at best as that was the shot that had been taken on her that would make her see just how dangerous of a job she held.  It had been that shot that made her fear the idea of being pregnant and not knowing it, only to potentially lose a child to a gunshot wound.  It had been that shot that would threaten a career that had barely even begun.  Hearing him say he thought she still had it, he’d find a smile to her features as she nodded her head.  “Yeah, I feel pretty good about it,” she stated honestly, pulling off the glasses from her face and headphones from her head, holding them in her hands.  “Tony’ll get the papers for the boys.  Unless you want to hang ours on the refrigerator or something,” she teased, knowing the panels were nearly as big as the refrigerator.  

C.J.

Pulling off his own regalia as he heard her tease about where the proof would go, he’d smirk and shake his head. “No, we got two witnesses.” the man remarked as he glanced down towards the boys. “You guys did really good.” he stated. gently reaching out for Bash as he playfully messed up his hair and glanced back over towards Erin. Able to say that the two had somehow managed to pull that one off with all things considered though he had no idea how in retrospect.

Erin

A nod of her head would agree that the boys had done great, though she’d already told them so, knowing there was no such thing as too much positive reinforcement when it came to kids.  “You really did,” she agreed, glancing over to be sure there were three guns and three clips still on the countertop at the front of those booths while C.J. would be retaining his own.  After a few more moments there, she’d turn on her heels to head for the door to the range shop where Tony would already be retrieving the boy’s papers for them to keep.

C.J.

Tucking his own stock away against his hip as they slipped out into that room to get what the boys would no doubt he proud of. Happy to get his hearing back in this capacity as he’d steal a moment with Erin while the boys were distracted. Slipping both arms around her from behind as he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and over her shoulder as he smirked gently. “I love you.” he’d whisper, knowing it to be just loud enough for her to hear.

Erin

Feeling him draw in behind her as she stood a short distance from where the boys were talking to Tony and getting their papers, her own hands found his arms crossed there around her, leaning into that touch as she felt him press his lips to her neck and then her shoulder.  His words bringing a full smile to her features as she turned her head slightly, capturing his lips with her own while they weren’t under the watchful eye of the public displays of affection police.  Humming softly there to his lips, her lips passed against his gently, a sign of what was surely to follow considering all they had been through that morning.  “I love you too,” she promised between kisses, stealing his lips again before their moment in time would be forced to an end.

C.J.

Even as their lips departed and he knew he had squeezed the very last out of that moment, his arms were slipping over her shoulders. Gently holding onto her as they waited until they were ready and everyone was saying their goodbyes to the owner. C.J. thanking him personally as he knew he had gone above and beyond to help them and there weren’t too many people like that left in the world. Pulling his arms from her shoulders as he was reaching for her hand. Unable to help himself in the clinginess factor.

Erin

Leaning back against him as he held her close to his chest while the boys finished up, she allowed that contact, depending on it as it was holding her over until they could properly come through the other side of everything that had happened thus far, her desire never too far away from a moment close to him.  As his hand took her own, she offered a similar thanks to the man behind the desk before the four were heading back outside into the cooler temperatures once again.

C.J.

“God…it’s…” complaining about the cold but swearing it froze his brain through his nostrils as he inhaled sharply. About a dozen curses coming to mind but he’d simply growl instead as he’d never be used to that Lake effect stuff as they followed the boys to the car. Hitting autostart as soon as they were out of the door as he still wasn’t familiar with having it. “It’s something…” pausing himself though the curse was there to the very tip of his tongue as it would have been a good one as they got to the unlocked car and they were jumping in the back while he found the passenger side door.

Erin

As the boys climbed in, she was lifting her face to take in his own, a nod there at her head as there just weren’t words.  “Cold,” she offered, though it wasn’t enough, letting it stand as the best either of them could come up with, though the term ‘Chiberia’ came to mind.  As he opened the passenger’s side door for her, she took to her seat quickly as to get him out of the cold sooner.  The heater was already warming up, thankfully, as that autostart feature was an absolute lifesaver.  The boys got situated into their seats as she did the same, watching the freezing cold man round the vehicle to join them.

C.J.

“Cold.” he concluded, though it needed a few more profanities to accurately describe how he was feeling. Getting into the car on his side after seeing her into the passenger side. Sliding within where he was rubbing his hands together in attempt to warm up a little quicker as he let the car do the same “Why do we live in a place that makes your face hurt?” he found himself asking. While he was not a Chicago native, he had always known the cold in some capacity, this was a different ballgame all together.

Erin

She wished she had an answer to his question, but in truth, she didn’t know.  One would have thought she would have run the moment she was old enough to do so, getting as far away from the city as she possibly could, and yet she’d stayed.  Though now she couldn’t be mad at the fact that she’d stayed if it meant that it put herself and these three boys in the same time in the same place.  It was hard to question it when she looked at it from that perspective, but now that they were a family, there were other options.  “I think it’s for the stellar public transportation and the super low crime rate.”

C.J.

Hearing her suggestion, he had to snort as he pressed his head back against that head rest. Glancing over towards her. “Fantastic crime rate.” he lied. “You forgot the people that come by and spray your address on your curb with a stencil for a quarter.” he added honestly as that was one of his favorite Chicago additions that he was alien to before moving there. Checking the temperature of the car, it would have to do. Flipping into drive, the man pulled out of the spot forwards and out of the parking lot to begin the trip back to their warm house.

Erin

“It’s that super low crime rate that keeps us gainfully employed,” she reminded him as it was true.  Not every department had an intelligence unit and for that, they were fortunate.  She couldn’t see herself as much of anything else as it had been home for her nearly all along.  As he pulled out of the parking lot, she reached her hand over to his thigh, taking up a position that would be familiar to the both of them as well as the boys in the back, standing proof that the two were alright and would continue to be as they came through each and every obstacle like champs, just so long as they kept their eyes on what was most important; one another.

C.J.

Feeling her take to his leg, he flashed her a telling smile. A gentle one it might have been but authentic. He loved this woman and this was who he wanted this family with. Even if they could not manage one between them. This family would always be enough and then some. “I think Voight will be happy to hear about this..” he suggested, if the man even did happy but it would at least be nice to know she was prepared as ever. He’d never be ready for her to get back on the streets. Especially while they were trying but he knew who he had married and would never seek to control her.

Erin

“I think you are probably right,” she agreed as it had been a concern for them all with where the bullet had punctured the woman as to what effects there might be in returning to all work related responsibilities.  She just had to have a bit more patience and she’d be fully reinstated, a day she couldn’t quite wait for.  She was alright with staying home for a while and desk duty had its perks, but nothing sucked quite as much as watching the unit head out and leaving her behind.  There had been a look of sadness in her eyes that was undeniable that soon would wash away entirely.  “Hopefully the next time desk duty has my name on it, it’s because we want it to,” she offered, not giving up any information to the boys that the two were trying, but knowing he’d know what she was getting at there.  A soft smile to her features as she was no where near done trying, even if she had deviated from such thoughts earlier that day in the bedroom.  Tightening her hand there at his thigh, she leaned back in her seat, getting comfortable for that short ride home as the boys found their way into electronic devices in the backseat.

C.J.

“Yeah. “ he agreed, catching the suggestion as that a different statement all together written across. Plenty more questions. How would they know exactly when they needed to? How would they? Would either of them manage knowing that she could be walking around the streets of Chicago pregnant? He had to shake his head. Not going there as he gently turned up the radio to take the sounds in his head down to pitch as his free hand slipped out to hers at his thigh. Driving them down the street from the range.

Erin

A single word said a million things, though the million things she heard were far different than what he was experiencing.  Feeling his hand take to her own, she turned her hand over against his thigh, allowing her palm to press into his, fingers linking between his as she found that closeness with him that could not exist any further than it already was.  Looking over towards him, she kept her eyes on the profile of his face as he drove them home, finding herself to be more in love with the man with every passing day, though she wasn’t entirely sure how it was even possible.  Tightening her hand in his for a moment, simultaneously with that thought in her mind, she lifted their joint hands to press her lips against the back of his before returning that union to his thigh where it belonged.

C.J.

Not feeling her attention to him as she watched him nor would he be too upset by it in the first place. Finding himself often doing much of the same as he felt her to his hand. Giving her a gentle squeeze in response as they continued their trip. Radio still going within the car as he’d whistle softly along. Not having much more to say as none of them seemed to. Curious eyes back in the rearview where the boys were keeping themselves otherwise entertained.

Erin

As he looked back to the back seat with the assistance of that rearview mirror, the car was quiet, yet not tense, and for that they could all be grateful.  The ride over had been uncomfortable at best, where the woman only wished to find a way out.  Yet now, there was no way she’d willing leave, finding again that if she’d just stay and not run from it all, that they’d find their way through every time.  She tightened her hand there in his, unable to quite put into words just how lucky she was to have a man that fought for her as hard as he did.  He was one of a kind, of that she knew, and yet he was hers.  A constant stream of thoughts took her over as she looked to the man beside her as he drove them all back home, appreciation there within her eyes should he find them.  Finally breaking her fixation on him, she leaned her head back against the seat, looking out at the road instead.  “So how long do you think before I could be reinstated now?” she asked out loud, clearly ready for it.  “Could call Hank, tell him I’m good, and then be back to work Monday?” she teased, knowing it wouldn’t be so simple, yet in a perfect world, maybe.

C.J.

Hearing her question about work, his eyes briefly glanced over towards her at the suggestion of telling Voight anything. “You’d have to talk to him.” he reminded her as he had no clue nor would he begin talking numbers with him. That was a kind of comfort she and she alone had with him. “He’s going to want to make sure you are really ready. I’m going to want to make sure you are really ready.” he reminded her. Not to mention without her on the force currently, it made the task of finishing that underlying task easier. Yet, all that was on her.

Erin

Hearing his reminders, she drew her lower tier between clenched teeth, biting at the tissue as it didn’t sound so hopeful.  She knew she still had a little longer until she was supposed to be back at it, but she’d seen others come back sooner as well.  As much as she hated desk duty, she was ready to do whatever it took to get off of it.  “Just have to get Hank to pair me back up with your ass so you can make sure I’m safe.  Would that work for ya?” she asked, a smirk to her lips as she attempted to joke about it, knowing already that C.J. wasn’t down for it, but she’d tease just the same.  “Could have lunch breaks in the car again…” she suggested, a lift of her eyes towards his to suggest days gone by without bringing too much attention to themselves from the distracted children in the back seat.

C.J.

“We can do that anyway.” he suggested, clearly all about that suggestion as he flashed her a telling smile. Knowing what that meant and it was very little eating yet he seemed to be all about it as his eyes briefly found hers. Dimples showing exactly what he thought of it as his teeth returned to his bottom lip. Entering their neighborhood where he allowed the idea to busy his mind for now.

Erin

The idea of teaming back up with him as partners was never far from her mind, yet she’d never approach the subject from a serious stance as she knew how he felt about it and why.  She saw the logic in it, but it didn’t change the fact that no one was as good a partner for the other as they were.  They worked well together, almost seamlessly.  Their minds worked together in a way that was partnership gold.  She didn’t have that with Antonio and she knew she never would.  The unit’s rate of solving cases was decreasing.  There was pressure coming on from the higher ups about the corruption of the unit, but it wasn’t that at all.  Having the right partner made all the difference.  Whereas she and Antonio spent most of their time spinning their wheels, she and C.J. spent their time signing off on one case after another.  But it wasn’t something he was comfortable with and therefore she couldn’t press the issue, though he would surely know that the thought was never too far off from the woman’s mind.  Silence befell the vehicle again as she fought those thoughts away, though the idea of random lunch breaks in the car were something she did in fact miss.  Back when their access was unlimited and their secrets were well kept.  She didn’t want to go back to the secrets part, as it had been hell, but she did long for the time she once had with him just the same.  As he made the turn into their neighborhood, she drew her hand back if only so that he could park in the driveway without her hand being in the way.

C.J.

Knowing that everything had its benefits and draw backs, in those days they had belonged purely to one another with no interruption. No one knew and in that there was a peace as they could be the only ones to fuck it up and thus they would be the only ones affected. Things were bigger than themselves now and the evolution had been drastic at best. Getting to the front of the house. The same one she had once been afraid to enter, the man was pulling into his usual spot infront of the house and killing the engine.

Erin

As he pulled in, turning the engine off a moment later, she flashed him a quick smile before glancing back to the boys and their devices.  “Fifteen second run in the cold to the warmth of the house.  Sounds promising to me,” she offered.  The boys didn’t seem overly bothered by the cold weather, though it was one of those things that had a solid place in conversation for adults who somehow lacked the durability kids were built with.  Reaching for her door, she pulled it opened, dragging a spare key from her jacket pocket to take the first run and get the door opened for the rest of them, knowing C.J. would stand out in it and make sure both boys got out of that car.  Doing her part to help, she ran up the sidewalk to the door, getting the key within the door before she heard the doors of the car opening.  Looking back over her shoulder, she held the door knob in her hand, keeping the warm in until the first boy made it to the door where she’d open it for him to enter, holding it for all of them before she’d go inside herself.

C.J.

Watching as she slipped out and made a run for it. He saw the boys out of the car and up the sidewalk. Locking the door behind him before he was joining her at the door. Rubbing his hands together as he made his complaint known. The sound of their new puppy whining his head off in the nearby kennel since his mother must have left as he entered the house. Waiting for her to join him and close the door before he’d be working at his coat.

Erin

Once the last of them was inside, she was pushing the door closed, locking it behind her as the cold was something deeper than cold and apparently it only attached to adults.  Working at her own coat, she pulled it off a minute later, hanging it against the hooks behind the door.  The boys were doing the same, though their pieces were finding the floor around them as the sound of the puppy fussing stole their attention.  “Either just wants out or needs to /go/ out,” she complained as that would require a jacket and shoes and would certainly not mesh well with the idea of getting back in the bedroom with him as soon as possible.  Sighing softly, she leaned her head forward, pressing her forehead to the center of his back in a silent complaint that he’d surely understand given all they had been through that day.

C.J.

“Beauty of a backyard.” he reminded her. As small as it might have been, feeling her against his back as he was ready to let the dog go off and do his own thing though she might tell him differently. Laying his hands over hers, he’d smirk softly as he gave her cold hands a gentle squeeze. “You want to go ahead and I’ll let him out? Make sure he gets back in?” he offered her.

Erin

Lifting her head from the center of his back at his suggestion for her to head on without him, she glanced up at him, over his shoulder, finding his eyes as she felt that squeeze to her hand.  “I can stay with you if you’d like,” she offered, pressing a kiss to the back of his shoulder.  “Or I could grab a hot shower and get things warmed up for you,” she whispered where only he would hear her as everything about her felt nothing but cold at the moment.  “Maybe you could join me in the shower when you’re done with the pup who has no name yet because we suck as puppy parents?” she continued, her voice remaining low to him.

C.J.

Feeling her to his shoulder, hearing her follow up suggestion as he smiled softly. Nodding as it all came together. “Yeah, I’d like that.” he answered honestly as he gripped her hands tighter. Taking one to his lips where he kissed over her knuckles and the back of her hand. With the plan in action, now the hard part would be pushing it forward into actual motion. Loving the way that one came together as he was nearly buzzing with the energy it provided.

Erin

Feeling each kiss he pressed to her, she pressed another to the back of his shoulder before she was taking that first step away from him, committing to the plan, assuring he was thinking of her, naked and in the shower and waiting for him.  Letting her hand linger there in his, her fingertips slowly passed free of his, as though it were the hardest thing she’d ever have to let go of.  Glancing over her own shoulder, her eyes told him not to be long before she was disappearing into the hallway that led to their bedroom as the boys made their way upstairs.

C.J.

That woman always had a way about her that had him begging, pleading for more. Watching her as she slipped back. Eyes meeting hers as he exhaled a low breath. Visibly shaken by the suggestion as he walked to Snuffy’s kennel. “Alright, bud.” unlocking it where the dog was running in circles around him, guiding him to the backdoor. “We’re on a schedule.” he warned him as he let him outside where the dog made no showing of attending to such plans as he was quickly taken with inspecting the backyard. Fortunately, the yard was only so big.

Erin

At the end of the short hallway, she found the bedroom door, turning the knob and letting herself in.  Closing it behind her, she wasted no time pulling off her shirt on her way to the bathroom, letting it fall to the floor carelessly as though the man would need a path to follow.  The same fate met her bra, then her shoes, socks and jeans.  Just at the bathroom door, her panties hit the floor, telling him in what order his wife had undressed.  Within the bathroom, she started the water, letting it warm up as it flowed through those pipes.  Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, she looked at herself, forever seeing something far different than he did, yet forever trying to find it just the same.  

C.J.

Groaning as his forehead hit the glass of the screendoor as he was clearly no in rush, attempting to be patient as being anything else would just make it all better for the dog who finally gave in a few minutes. Walking back into the house casually as the dog never got too cold to go in having a thick layer of fur to assure that he would not. Finally closing the back door and hearing the boys off to something different as the three could typically coexist in mostly peace as he’d walk down the hallway and into the bedroom. Hearing the water running as he closed the door behind him. Locking that door as he began to shed each piece of clothing that she had in the trail.

Erin

By the time he was opening the bedroom door, she was within the shower, standing under the heated stream of water letting it warm her head to toe.  Her eyes were closed as she let the water rain over her head when she heard the bedroom door close again, no doubt that the lock would be flipped as it so often was when the two were in the room.  Remaining there under the water for another moment, knowing that as soon as he joined her, she’d be giving it up to him so that he could warm his cold bones as well.

C.J.

Slipping into the bathroom by the time the final article of his clothing was expected. Shedding his boxers as he walked to the shower. Attempting to not startle her too bad as his hand was at the shower door. Sliding the glass open enough to slip within. Eyes greeted with the sight of her and the reminder of how lucky the man was never too far from the surface. One look at her and the reminder that he got to hold her hand and be by her side through it all. A light smile finding him as that thought fell through him.

Erin

Finding that light smile where she’d half expected to find a smirk, she took a step towards him the moment he was within the confines of the shower.  Her hand lifted to guide that door to close once more before her hands were there at his sides.  “What took you so long?” she asked, though even if it had been ten seconds, she would have been complaining of the same.  Pressing a kiss to his chest, it was clear that she was wasting no time to engage with the man as she lifted her chin a moment later to find his eyes with her own.  Her hands tensed at his sides as a playful smirk took her own features, just as lucky to have him as he was to have her, though she was pretty sure she got the better end of this deal.

C.J.

Unable to not be grateful for her in the most simplistic of moments. It was as he had once told her. There were times he stole a glance when she did not know and he felt it swelling up inside of him at the easiest of moments. This was no exception as he heard her question. Hearing her close the door as he felt her to his chest. “Well…” he began as she was at his sides. “The dog decided he needed to inspect the grass. Interrogate it. Where it had come from, why it was there now…it’s mother’s maiden name.” he continued before she lifted her chin. Meeting her eyes as he managed a smile in return as he leaned in. Pressing his lips back to hers. “He got his answers.” he assured before his lips were back to hers.

Erin

As he began speaking about the dog’s adventures, her eyes were lifted to meet his where she’d find him leaning into her, stealing her lips as though the story could wait, but his kiss could not.  Lifting to her toes, she pressed fully into that kiss before he’d draw back momentarily to finish only to reunite with that kiss once again.  “Hmm,” she managed there against his lips, finding it quite fitting considering he was the pup of two detectives who were known for their interrogation skills.  Lifting one hand to the back of his neck, she drew him forward as she stepped backwards, luring him towards the hot water that awaited him.  “That seems…” she began, pressing her lips to his once more.  “Very interesting…” she continued, nipping against his lower tier.  “Tell me more…” she offered, sealing her lips to his to see just how long he could continue on about this dog when her mind was clearly wrapped up in the very naked man there before her.

C.J.

"That's all." He promised her reassuringly as he didn't want to talk about the dog anymore. He wanted to talk about her. Them. As she appeared to him in that moment as he pressed his lips back to hers as his hands smoothed over her bare back. His own skin seeming to warm slowly under the contrast as the wind seemed to chill him to the bone.

Erin

Feeling the water at her back, she stepped back again, bringing him with her beneath that stream as their lips found one another’s once again, leaving the kiss uninterrupted by the splashes of water that took to the both of them.  One hand slipped to the back of his head as she supported their kiss there assuring he’d not try to leave her, though she knew the man incapable of such a thing.  The feeling of his hands over her back proving how quickly the two would draw to the physical in the windows of time that they could steal to do so as her own hands tensed, one to the back of his neck, the other in the man’s hair, grasping to him while he gently held onto her.

C.J.

Knowing his hands to be freezing. Reminding him of when he had chased her around that cabinet with his cold hands and having to smile pleasantly as the memory as how could those two had ever known they'd get here seamlessly? Feeling her to his hair as his lips enveloped her bottom one. Warming underneath of the stream as his hands slid up her sides and ribcage before back over her back. The hunger in his touch evident as he was ready to go back to the good spectrum of their passion rather than the sometimes volatile side and he knew she was more than happy to help him in such a task.

Erin

Giving up her lower tier to the man, it was his to take.  Lifting her chin slightly, her face becoming riddled with stray drops of water, her hands drew down to the curve of his shoulders, grasping against his flesh as she felt his hands traveling her back, both of them seeming to be in the very same mindset where they needed this, they needed each other.  A soft sigh fell against his lips from her own as she slowly opened her eyes despite the water that would threaten her.  Looking to the man as he possessed her lower tier, bringing one hand to the side of his face as she loved nothing more than watching this man do something so simple as loving her.

C.J.

His hands would wander over her ribcage, passing over her chest where his fingertips would graze her shoulder. Over that recent scar that mirrored his own as he found nothing but strength in the mark. Feeling her to the side of his own face as his love for her radiated strong and persistent through him in a way he'd never understand. He was used to being chased. That had never been the case with them. The opposite of his normal self where she had played his part for hopefully the final time he'd ever have to play such a part in his life now that he had her.

Erin

Feeling the path of his hands against her, her skin warmed to his touch with the added help of the water temperature.  Sighing softly there to his lips as she felt his adoration in the very way he touched her.  Her fingers passed through the short strands of greying hair as her other hand held firm to the back of his neck, fingertips tensing as she fought to maintain the kiss.  Keeping the course with him here would forever be difficult for the woman as she wanted all of him, to taste his flesh while drowning in his kiss, to feel the warmth of his touch on every part of her simultaneously.  Struggling just as she always would, she’d reseal that kiss to his lips beyond the sigh that had stolen it, entirely in that space with him where nothing existed beyond the bathroom walls.

C.J.

Feeling her lips return to his, the two showing that their intimacy extended far beyond the conjoined bed chambers. It was wherever the two were and could explore this love freely. Openly. Her touch through his hair only furthering this as his fingertips remained over that spot for but a moment. A reminder of how quickly he had nearly lost her before he was sent down her back and drawing her in further. Even the idea of losing this woman would send him down a collision course as it was a wreck he wasn't sure he'd be able to make it from having gone for so long attempting to fill the gaps in him only for her to fill him and extend him in ways never thought plausible.

Erin

The intensity in her kiss was mixed somewhere between intimate and hunger, never sticking to one emotion for too long as he sparked an array of feelings in her all at once.  Never before had she fought so hard for someone, nor could she ever imagine doing so.  She ran.  She was a runner through and through until this man walked into her life and finally showed her something worth fighting for.  She’d slip from time to time as it was engrained within her, but at the end of the day, he’d never go to bed without her.  She’d be there, faithful to him until the very end.  Sealing the kiss against his lips, she drew back slightly, meeting his eyes through the droplets of water that scattered against her face.  Bringing her hand from the back of his neck to the side of his face, intensity radiated off the woman, unable to hold it back from him.  It was his, created by this man entirely, as a part of her she had never known before him.  Her heart raced within her chest from something so seemingly innocent as that kiss, that touch, yet nothing would ever be so simple.  “I love you,” she promised in a raspy whisper.

C.J.

Trusting the woman through and through though he had sworn himself to never trust another. After the first explosion, the results still so fiery that he still felt them everyday. Yet, his feelings for that woman weren't even a fraction of what he held for Erin and there in laid the scary part. Yet, he couldn't turn it off now. It was too late to attempt to hold it back as it was a force all its own. "I love you." He promised, hand slipping up to find the side of her neck where his thumb would cradle her jaw. Inhaling her evenly.

Erin

As those words passed his lips, she did not hear them merely in reciprocation, but felt them spoken to her soul as she knew the man well enough to know the depths to which he meant them.  As his hand took to the side of her neck, nearly mimicking the same hold she had to the side of his face, she drew in a breath, just simply looking up at the man, appreciating him for all that he was.  It wasn’t about looking to his body or what he could do for her in this capacity, but went far beyond that.  Their road had been one that had taken work on both parts, neither one able to sit back and just let it all happen.  Everything they had, they had fought for.  Drawing in another breath, she found her toes before she was drawing up to his lips once again.  Her lips took his with an explosive intensity that had been toyed with a moment before, yet now she’d given into it entirely.  Her fingertips gripped against him as her hand tensed within his hair.  No longer could she remain soft and slow as that moment at his eyes had completely done her in.

-December 31, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽 

"My entire heart."

Detective Dimples

"and two thirds of mine."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Yeah, the dog isn't in the picture..."

Detective Dimples

"Exactly..." rolls his eyes.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Grabs his hand, tugging him towards her. "Oh, did you mean meee?"

Detective Dimples

"Clearly." narrows his eyes at hers at such a question as his free arm took inventory of her midsection.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Drawing in close to him, her chin found his upper arm as she looked up to him with a smirk all her own. "Half me, half the dog?" she suggested, teasing.

Detective Dimples

"All you, baby." he insisted, not even letting her try to get away with this one as his eyes found hers.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Happy Anniversary, C.J.," she stated seemingly out of no where, not allowing him to think she'd forgotten, even if she normally would have set them up with something more private than this, yet a night with the boys at Lavo seemed to be fitting enough as she really just couldn't bear the idea of leaving the boys out on Christmas Eve.

Detective Dimples

"Merry Christmas, Erin." he'd second as this was one anniversary that he definitely wanted all of them there for and so he would get as this was the point of it all. At the end of the day.  What they worked so hard to come home for.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Merry Christmas," she returned, flashing that trademark smile in his direction as she curved into the man's chest, embracing him tightly. "I have a closet full of gifts, gift wrap, boxes, tape, and a bottle of wine at home waiting on us..." she reminded him as it was their own tradition set forth two years before. "Get the boys to bed and see how much we get done before I unwrap you?" she teased, flirting with him poorly, yet knowing he'd expect nothing more from the woman in this department as he was the one with all the game and she was just the one lucky enough to have his affections.

Detective Dimples

"You had me at tape..." kissing the tip of her nose that had once worn tape not so long ago. He'd be crazy to turn her down. Not to mention he was happy to have two hands on the job.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Might have a different kind of something for that..." she suggested, her hand finding his ass to steal a quick grasp there before she was cutting her eyes back up to his.

Detective Dimples

Laughing softly as he felt her grip, hands finding the sides of her face as he leaned in and snagged his lips to hers. "Have I told you today that I love you?" sarcasm noted as he had probably told her about a dozen times by now.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

A hum stole her lips as she met his eyes with a slow nod of her head. "Maybe, but doesn't mean I don't like hearing it," she reminded him, lifting to her toes to steal a kiss at her own willing. "Have I told you today that I love you more?" she challenged intentionally.

Detective Dimples

"I have no problem making sure you hear it." he challenged as he pressed his lips briefly back to hers. A shake of his head. "Nice try, Looch."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Meeting his eyes, he'd find a sly smile as she'd tried to one up him on that one, yet she knew it was all his. "I said it first, so it must be true," she argued playfully.

Detective Dimples

"I felt it first." he warned her in return, nudging his nose to hers.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Yeah? What else did you feel first?" she asked, teasing him shamelessly just barely where the boys couldn't hear her.

Detective Dimples Hearing her tease, his brows furrowed briefly. Stealing another kiss. "You suggesting something?"

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Leaning into his ear, she nipped at the lower curve, a smirk there to follow. "I'm asking if you ever went home after a shift and felt something else?"

Detective Dimples

"No..." though the flare of dimples would suggest he was fibbing.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

A smirk stole her lips as she shook her head no, finding it all too cute that the man was attempting to lie to her. "So you never, not once, laid in your bed or stood in your shower and..."

Detective Dimples

"No." another lie as he saw her smirk. "Never."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Hums her disapproval, shaking her head. "Real shame. I would've found that really hot," she offered, shrugging her shoulders slightly.

Detective Dimples

"Damn shame." the man would agree. "Good thing I don't do that. Not then, not now..."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

He'd earn a quick cut of her eyes as she wasn't believing that for a moment. "Oh really? When was the last time you did then...?"

Detective Dimples

"Well, they say when you are trying that it's better off to make sure you always got something something fresh in the tank..." he offered, making this a positive.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"So the last time you did was before we were trying then... but you never did before we were together, not with me on your mind anyway?" she asked, summarizing the story he was selling her.

Detective Dimples

Closing his eyes briefly as she was confusing him in his own game. "No, I'm saying that the last time we were together was /when/ we were trying so I always have something fresh for /you./"

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Mhm... but I'm asking about before August 24, 2014. I'm asking if in those months that you and I were... partners and nothing more... if you went home and thought of me…”

Detective Dimples

"Maybe once...or twice..." he paused, turning to a whisper. "a day."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

A place that held no true expression instantly gave way to a growing smile as her eyes found his. "Yeah?" she asked, drawing in close to him once again. "And was it as good as the real thing?"

Detective Dimples

Snorting at the suggestion like she couldn't even be serious. "Waaaay better." he stated honestly. "Way better. Even at my best. Way better. Way. Better." meeting her eyes,  he assured she heard him.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Humming softly, it didn't honestly matter to her if it was better in reality or in his dream, but the fact that he'd thought of her at all was strangely comforting to her in this moment, though at the time, they both knew she would have been disgusted by it. "Good," she stated, a slow nod of her head, that smile still firmly in place against her features.

Detective Dimples

"So much better. In all aspects. Exceeded by expectations. My dreams." he promised her as he met her smile, hand finding the side of her face. "You're perfect. No pedestal."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Hearing the return of fears of days past, she met his eyes, no longer afraid of him holding her up too high or to any standard. Drawing a deep breath at the realization of just how far the two had come in their time together, she felt his hand there to the side of her face. Leaning into that touch, she offered a genuine smile as she met his eyes. "How'd I get so lucky?" she asked, potentially rhetorical, but a question she'd never quite have the answer to.

Detective Dimples

Knowing she once did not believe that she could maintain those standards, she was just as perfect if not more so now than ever before. He shook his head. "That's what I'm still trying to figure out for me. Get in line."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

At his return, it would take but a moment before her hand was finding the back of his neck, pulling herself up to her toes to steal his lips with her own. She'd not set out for this, but found herself falling potentially more in love with the man in that moment than she was the moment before, an endless process that never made any sense to her, yet something she'd learned long before not to fight for the forces of nature here were entirely too strong, knowing all the while this was the man she was meant to spend her life with, without a single doubt.

Detective Dimples

Humming low as he pressed back into her, wrapping his arms tightly around her as he pulled her into him. Hands at the woman's hips as he pulled her closer.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Drawing easily into his hold just as she always would, she pressed her lips firmly to his before she was sealing that kiss in exchange for his eyes. "Feeling lucky tonight, Mister Luciano?"

Detective Dimples

Pressing his lips back to hers, he heard her question and nodded simply. "Every night I got you to share a bed with, I'm lucky."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

His words prompted a smile to her lips, only furthering the idea that it was the right time to try. "Lucky enough that you'd be interested in watching for a line on a stick and then taking me to bed to celebrate afterwards?" She asked, drawing her lower lip through her bite as she suggested they see if their efforts had paid off yet.

Detective Dimples

Hearing her, he smirked lightly a shake of his head. "Let's just skip to the celebrate part." he offered, not wanting any potential disappointment to ruin it all since that's not what this was all about anyway. "I know you're real excited to lay with your lower half at a 150 degree angle afterwards, anyway."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"You know me all too well," she offered sarcastically, unable to wait until the time they had a positive line that would mean the end of awkward positions after sex. "If we celebrate tonight, then we take the test first thing in the morning?" she offered, attempting to compromise with the man.

Detective Dimples

"I'm never going to be able to have sex again without that body pillow..." he playfully threatened, flashing her a telling smile before he heard her question. "I don't think we should live by the test. I think you'll know your body when it happens but if that is what you want to do, we can do that. I just don't want everything to revolve around those tests. You know?"

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Hearing him speak, she'd nod her head, though she wasn't so sure that she'd just know. She drew an even breath as she met his eyes, willing to fall back and let him take the lead on the matter, knowing all the while he was just looking out for the both of them. "Then we don't do tests," she agreed, offering him a trademark half-smile as her hands eased down from the sides of his face to find his upper arms as his own still remained at the small of her back.

Detective Dimples

"Unless you miss a period. Then we'll take one." he offered in return as he felt her to his arms. "Until then, body pillows and awkward yoga."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Deal," she offered, nodding her head, knowing if nothing else he was saving them a ton of money in tests alone. "The anticipation is killing me," she confessed, glancing down over her own body before meeting his eyes once more. "That there could be a little life in there, right now..." she whispered, showing she'd given much thought on the matter. "Do you?” she asked, wondering if he found himself thinking the very same thing.

Detective Dimples

"I know when it's time, it's time. When it's time for us to know, it'll be time." he added simply, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Everything is easy when you have that." he offered, a nudge of his nose to hers.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Hearing his peace on the matter, she could only offer the nod of her head. Her anticipation was too high once they had decided to try, wanting nothing more than to add one of their own to the family they already had. Feeling the tension in his embrace, she met his eyes, a sigh of relief felt there in his calm as she attempted to take on such, though he'd know it to be nearly impossible for her to do so.

Detective Dimples

Watching that mere look in her eyes, he'd say nothing as he felt like he knew at that point. Attempting a bit of comedic relief. "Hey, it's not so bad for me at least. Means I get my wife whenever I can have her."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"You got to have your wife whenever you wanted her anyway," she reminded him as some things never had changed, nor would they ever, as the two had carved out time for one another from the very beginning of their relationship. "Yet you keep talking..." she suggested as though he could have had her twice in this time frame as a seductive smirk stole her features.

Detective Dimples

"Me? Talk? Never..." full of sarcasm as he never shut up, he'd manage a smirk of his own before stealing a kiss. Resolving himself to shut up.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Feeling the theft of that kiss, she smiled against his lips before he fell silent. She had never minded his talking and had only meant to flirt with him and the idea of premature 'celebrating' as he had previously suggested. "Would you care to take your wife to bed?" she asked directly, her eyes lifting as she toyed with the idea of stealing another kiss, yet withheld for his answer.

Detective Dimples

"I think I'd like that." he stated, a lie. He'd very much like that as he met her eyes. Flashing a quick smile as if he'd ever say 'no' to such an offer.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"You check on the boys and I'll see about that tape alternative..." she suggested, drawing back from his hold to allow her hand to land heavy against his ass as she made her way past him.

Detective Dimples

Feeling her to his ass, he'd allow it. Only knowing he'd be hitting hers next as he took up that initiative. Drawing from her to check as they both went their own ways.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

The weight of his hand was forever embedded against her ass and always paired with a quiet yelp he would surely expect. Sending her off as they both made their own preparations, her own revolving around a pair of handcuffs she'd bought him long ago and a tiny black number that he'd surely say she'd hadn't needed to wear for him in the first place. When he'd return, he'd find his wife in the center of their bed, the handcuffs dangling from one hand as her eyes were there at that door, giving him the option of being taken or the one doing the taking, yet promising that someone would be restrained tonight.

Detective Dimples

Returning a few minutes later. His eyes to the ground as he remembered to lock that door. Knowing a moment later he'd be distracted. Not disappointed, he'd glance up to look towards her on the bed. A slow breath leaving him as he was never disappointed. "Well, well." he'd begin as he approached, pressing his knees into the edge of the bed as he closed into her. "If I didn't know better, I'd think someone was waiting for me."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

The instant that their eyes met, there was a smirk to her lips at his clear approval of that which she'd call his Christmas gift, even if he could truly have her at any time. She offered a slight nod as he made his way there onto the bed, spinning the cuffs around a single finger. "I most definitely was," she confirmed, making no secret of the fact before her free hand was reaching out to grip the fabric of his shirt at his chest, clenching the fabric tightly to pull him the rest of the way so that her lips might meet his own.

Detective Dimples

"I like when you wait for me." the man confessed, as this was what he got as he eyed her with those cuffs. Feeling her at his shirt as he leaned in and pressed his lips firmly to hers. Reaching up to help shed that shirt from his structure.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

As he attempted to take the shirt, she had a firm grip on it there at his chest, using it for force to keep her lips fused tightly to his own. Relinquishing the cuffs on the bed there beside her, her free hand found the waist of his pants, giving up his shirt if only to keep him close by the hold on his jeans. Drawing back from the kiss breathlessly, she met his eyes while he drew at his shirt, heavy breaths threatening the confines of that which she wore as she spilled over the top with each breath. Dragging her lower lip through her teeth, her eyes never left him as she maintained that grip.

Detective Dimples

Allowing her to stay at his belt loops as his shirt was removed. Feeling her draw back from his lips as he met her eyes. Hardly waiting a moment from his shirt being removed before his hands were to the sides of her neck. Pressing his lips firmly back to hers as he was growing equally as breathless for her as it was all too easy.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

As soon as his shirt was gone, she felt both of his hands there to her neck, pulling her into a kiss he wouldn't have to work for. Her lips fused tightly to his once again as her hands found his bare sides, gripping against the man as though he might try to move from her.

-December 24, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

Two mornings later and Erin had woken up to the voice of the doctor there in the room, documenting her progress with a nurse by his side.  The day before had been hell as she’d been in far too much pain, but refused most medications, willing to feel it, willing to find her way through it.  Her pain level now was far more manageable, and for that she was thankful.  A few hours later, papers were signed and she was ready to go.  Getting up from the bed, she was using the support of C.J.’s hands to lift from the bed where it felt good to stand up after far too long on her ass.  Final at home instructions were given in paper form to the couple on how to treat her wound for the next couple of weeks to keep it from forming any infection, as well as an appointment card reminder for her to set up a follow up appointment in the next week.  “Thank you,” she stated as the nurse gave up those papers to her after she was steady on her feet.  Tilting her head up to the side, finding her height difference from C.J. that had been missing over the last couple of days, a smile there to her lips as she offered a nod of her head.  “Take me home?”

C.J.

Watching the woman rise, he’d nod. “Yeah.” he answered simply as he offered her his hand. It had been a difficult few days for all parties involved. While he admired her strength, the man was absolutely horrible about seeing her in pain. Making him wonder how he could ever get through a pregnancy and delivery with her as it seemed to effect him deeply. Chest pains. The works. Though he’d never tell her that and worry her further. “About damn time, Looch…go get yourself shot again and we’re going to have to talk options…”

Erin

“Options, huh?” she asked, a smirk there to her lips as she shook her head no, telling him easily that there were no options.  He was stuck with her.  The nurse slipped out of the room now that Erin was fully discharged from their care, leaving the two detectives that she was all too familiar with to their own devices.  “If we could stop on our way and get something to eat, I might love you forever.  Might.”  She teased in return, as the take out food brought to her the night before had long before worn off.  “Could do pizza and take it home.  The boys might like the surprise when they get home from school…” she suggested, a little too happy to be seeing the boys soon since she’d thought it might not have been the best of ideas for them to see her in the condition she’d been in the day before, in entirely too much pain to enjoy them or them her, thus opting to wait for the potential release today.  

C.J.

“Pizza isn’t right in Chicago.” he reminder her, not one for the thin-crust as he missed the thick stuff he had grown up on as he glanced down towards her but nodding. They could do that. He could sacrifice that much for the woman fresh out of the hospital. “You don’t have to use the boys if you want pizza.” he teasingly reminded her as he stole a gentle kiss from her.

Erin

Savoring that kiss, she wished to be able to bring her hand to the side of his face, but to do so she’d have to give up his hand in her own as her other was immobilized against her chest for the time being.  Instead, she’d tighten her grip on his hand for the moment, her lips there to his for not nearly long enough.  “Alright, no pizza.  Let’s get something else,” she suggested, not wanting to get something he wasn’t going to enjoy at the same time.  “What would you like to eat?” she asked, stealing another kiss just beyond her question.

C.J.

“Pizza.” he insisted, as if that was what she wanted then he’d get it for her as she pressed back to him. Meeting her eyes as they flickered over hers. “You all set or would you like to stay here for longer?” he asked playfully since they both knew she had loved her vacation so much while also knowing the boys would be chomping at the bit to get access back to her. Not to mention he felt she’d be far more comfortable at home.

Erin

“Yeah, no.” She returned quickly at the suggestion of staying in the hospital any longer.  “I want my husband, my boys, food, and my bed, in that order.”  She offered him a telling smile as she drew back from him slightly, keeping her hand there in his.  “And if my husband happened to lay in bed with me and watch a movie, it certainly wouldn’t be the worst way to spend my night,” she offered, brows lifting as if to see just how much she could get away with here.

C.J.

“Technically…you want your husband, food, boys and bed.” he reminded her gently as she went on about the movie, he’d nod. “Sure. Why not.” he returned, knowing the two would now have a bit more free time on their hands considering what they were to go without for quite a bit as she healed up as he grabbed her hospital bag and allowed her to lead the way towards the door.

Erin

“As long as those four things are in the very near future, I’ll be alright,” she assured, gripping his hand a little tighter as she already had one of those things, making her quite happy to just be on her way out with him.  “There might be something else I want to… but that’ll be after the boys go to bed,” she reminded him, a telling smirk there against her features as she nodded her head lightly, making their way out into that hospital hallway where they’d be one step closer to all of those things.

C.J.

“Huh, huh…” giving up a snort of laughter for dramatic flare as that clearly was not happening if it was what he thought it was. Making their way out of the hall where he said goodbye to the nurses. The same ones he had flirted with to get her all of her special privileges whether she liked it or not before they hit the elevator and he was hitting the down button.

Erin

Standing outside of the elevator, she cut her eyes up to him with a look of complete shock.  “Huh uh?” she asked, almost surprised at the very idea that he’d be turning down something she was offering there.  “I know you aren’t telling me that you don’t want to have sex with me after three days of nothing…”  As the elevator doors opened, she stepped within, her hand still there in his as she kept her eyes set up to him.

C.J.

Fortunate that there was no one within the elevator, he’d walk her in where he hit the ground floor button before leaning back against that wall. “Not for lack of wanting to.” he promised her as she merely needed to rephrase that statement. There was never a matter of wanting to. Simply access. The potential for causing her discomfort as he glanced down towards her as she merely knew what it was that would hold them back.

Erin

“I don’t need the use of my arm to have sex with my husband.”  She stated quickly as his back found the wall of the elevator.  Standing there in front of him, never too far away as she contemplated pressing against him to show him what she could still do without one arm.  For the mere fact of not wanting either of them arrested for a public indecency charge, she’d refrain for now.  “If you’re not going to, you better be leaving that gift on the nightstand for me,” she teased, nodding her head.  “If I can work that, then I can handle you.  Deal?”

C.J.

“I can’t risk making you uncomfortable, Erin.” he stated simply as she’d find, hearing her mention the gift on the nightstand as if it came to that then he wouldn’t have much option in the matter before he’d shake his head. “Once you get out of that thing.” he warned, as he literally couldn’t even think of a way that it would work with that thing on as he watched the elevator declining floor by floor until they hit the ground and the doors would open.

Erin

She understood his concern and would adhere to it for that reason.  The joke of the gift having been just that, a tool for negotiation as if she could show him what she thought she could and could not handle.  Resolved to abstinence, she stepped out of the elevator and into the main lobby of the hospital with him, hand in hand.  “We could go check the boys out of school… let them play hooky for the day,” she suggested, her eyes shifting up to his to see if he thought that might be acceptable or if he’d rather have her to himself for the next several hours.

C.J.

Smirking at her suggestion which was mischievous in nature, he’d glance down and flash her that dimpled smile. “They’d definitely like that…an impromptu dentist appointment, huh?” he asked, showing that the small family maybe were ripe for this. “Maybe we should get them and /then/ go to the pizza shop.” letting it evolve further, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he was onboard.

Erin

Offering a nod of her head, his alteration to her suggestion was alright by her.  Torn between time with the boys and time with him, his way was probably for the best and therefore he’d draw no complaint from this woman of his as they made their way out the automatic doors into the city that had taken his wife down three days prior.  The reminder of Chicago bringing her head all the way back around to the case as she glanced up at him.  “Did someone interrogate the shooter yet?” she asked, still hellbent that there must be something he could have told them as he was the only solid lead they had seemed to manage to capture in weeks.

C.J.

"I got kicked out of the case." He returned as the wash of information with all the cases was causing distraction and was simply too much to deal with by this point as the conversation turned to work. "But Dawson has been giving me updates regardless. They are having a hard time sticking the guy." He added, showing he wasn't quite as innocent as many would think when it came to this case which naturally he'd follow considering who this shooter had shot.

Erin

It wasn’t surprising to her in the slightest that he’d been removed from the case as the same would absolutely have been true if the roles had been reversed. She couldn’t sit across the table from someone who had knowingly shot her husband and keep her hands down.  She drew a heavy breath as she nodded her head to the fact that he had Antonio working with him discretely.  “I don’t see how it’s hard to stick him when he shot a cop…” she offered, though she could only imagine they weren’t pressing that charge in an attempt to draw more information from him on who it was that he was working for, in an effort to put the case of the murdered C.I.’s to rest after far too long.  “I’d love to get in a room with him for about two minutes,” she confessed quietly as they approached the car.  Police to the very core, she’d show it here, as she wanted nothing more than to solve this case, regardless of what it had already taken from the both of them.

C.J.

“He’s got the charge, no doubt but…what are the chances it’s just random?” he asked honestly as it was too good to be true. There had to be a connection. “I think Voight will let me in the room when he realizes that his usual style ain’t going to work.” he confessed as they made it to the car and he hit the unlock key. Walking to the passenger side to open it for her. “He’s hiding something and it’s deep. Blood deep.”

Erin

She agreed with C.J. entirely, even if she hadn’t gotten to look the man in the eyes aside from the moment his gun was aimed at her.  “He didn’t want to kill me,” she stated seemingly out of nowhere, yet there was never a nowhere with Erin when it came to cases.  “He could have.  But he aligned that shot.  It was no accident that he hit my shoulder and not my chest, or between my eyes.  I didn’t have a kevlar.  He could’ve, and he didn’t.”  Not entirely sure if anyone else had realized it as she hadn’t done much talking when it came to the actual shooting, yet now she’d offer it as it came to her.  Climbing into the passenger’s side as he held the door for her, she nodded her head.  “You need to get in that room.  You can get it out of him.  You’re the best there is.”  It was true.  It was why Voight had teamed her up with him in the first place.  His skillset was not the same as every other cop in that unit.  He had something more and this case needed that which he had.

C.J.

“No. Shoulder is the best place to be shot if you have to be shot at all.” he added, knowing exactly what she was saying as it were these circumstances that had gone through his head a million times over. Offering any assistance he could to get her into that car, he’d nod. “That’s what I said. Let me take him down to the cage.” repeating the same words he had said to Voight, C.J. could only shake his head as the man was impossible.

Erin

She was thankful for the placement of that bullet as it wasn’t life ending, nor was it career ending.  But it meant something.  The man had the chance to take her out and didn’t.  She couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more to it, a piece that maybe they were all missing.  Hearing his suggestion of taking the man to the cage, she nodded.  He should.  And in time, she believed he would be able to break Voight down enough to make it happen.  The list of dead C.I.’s was a long one, and yet, she hadn’t died.  As she fastened her seatbelt, struggling slightly, but managing it on her own, she leaned back in her seat, silence taking her as she went somewhere else entirely, working a case within her mind as she attempted this from an angle that the others might not have hit yet.  With a strong bite to her lower lip, her eyes focused in on her thighs as she zoned out entirely.

-November 26, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Happy Anniversary, C.J. I'm sorry we're spending this one in a hospital room, but I'll be making it up to you just as soon as this is all over. I promise."

luckч sαntαngєlσ.

Utohh! What did you do L?

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Oh, I got myself shot is all. No big deal. Just a battle wound."

Detective Dimples

"and she's apologizing for it."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"She is sorry that our first thanksgiving married is being spent in a freaking hospital room. So yes, she's apologizing for it." Frowns.

Detective Dimples

"You shoot yourself?"

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"No."

luckч sαntαngєlσ.

Thank you, Detective Dimples. Let Looch know she shouldn't best herself up.

Detective Dimples

"LOOOOOOOOCH."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"GOD, THAT NAME THOUGH." Shakes her head. "Erin. It's Erin. I'm Erin. I've always been Erin. I'll always /be/ Erin."

Detective Dimples

"You're Looch now."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"I'm Erin. You're C.J. You told me that once we were in love, the last names weren't used anymore..."

-November 24, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

While in the hospital, a package arrived at the Luciano home with Erin's name on it.  The following day, Erin was talking to C.J.'s mom on the phone after speaking with both boys before they left for school.  After they were assured their mom was doing alright, she was given back to their grandmother to speak for a moment before they would be heading out the door.  "Can you do me a favor?  There's a package that should have..." Before she could even finish her sentence, her mother in law assured that the package had arrived the day before, as planned.  "Great.  Could you bring it by the hospital for me?" she asked, to which his mother easily agreed to.  Though she would have preferred to place the item in a decorative box with a bow on top for him, she wouldn't ask all of that of the woman.  An hour later, his mother arrived there at the hospital with coffee for both Erin and C.J.  The three visited for a short time before she lifted a bag to the edge of Erin's bed, bidding farewell to the both of them before getting on with her own day.

Once she had left the room, Erin looked over to C.J. with a smirk there to her lips.  She was in pain, there was no doubt, as the second day of any injury was worse than the first, but she'd held her brave face for his mother as well as for him, as she'd continue to do to the best of her ability.  Lifting the gift bag towards him, it contained a small cardboard box with her name and their address on it.  "Happy Anniversary," she offered, relinquishing the bag to the man where he'd find the customized phone case within.  "Twenty-seven months of putting up with my ass and four months of marriage.  A drop in the bucket compared to what you signed up for, Husband."  She teased, assuring that she was far from done with the journey life would take the two on.  "Open it," she requested, drawing her lower lip there between her teeth, a slight nod to her head to encourage him on his way.  There was no card this time, nor was there beautiful packaging, but she hoped he'd forgive the lack of presentation considering her present condition and lack of resources.

-November 24, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Erin

There were cases that were offered a quick resolution and then there were cases that would shake the unit to their very core. The last several weeks had been ones that rendered the unit at a loss as one by one, C.I.’s belonging to C.J. and Erin were taken out, mostly in pure execution style.  There was a commonality there through them all, yet every lead was another dead end or lead them onto another case that they didn’t even know existed yet.  Erin knew C.J. had plans of his own, ones that she would not interfere with, yet it didn’t mean the unit as a whole would stop working the case.  Time was drawing near, as she well knew, but as a new lead fell into the lap of the detective, she’d not hesitate to pass it on to the unit.  It was decided that they’d go in late in the night if they were to find their best opportunity to take the suspect by surprise.  The team was in place, surrounding the apartment building in various undercover stations.  Erin’s position was to sit casually on a staircase, smoking a cigarette in pajama pants and an oversized t-shirt as though she were just a resident coming out for a midnight smoke.  As two members of the team breached the residence, tossing in smoke bombs to flesh out the interior, the rest of the team was to be ready for that which would emerge.  Erin held the cigarette in one hand while she kept her gun there against her other thigh, out of sight, yet ready to fire at a moment’s notice.  What they hadn’t banked on was the residence she was sitting outside of, listed as vacant, was inhabited by squatters.    Just as it had been in most every other lead, they would find themselves in the middle of something else, as if the leads were all fed to them to distract them from the case at hand, which had been well played if she were to be asked in any other moment.  As the door flung open behind her, her eyes were set to the apartment across the way where a smoke bomb penetrated the air inside.  Before she could find her feet to turn around and tell the resident to go back inside, she was staring down the barrel of a gun pointed there to her own head.  “You don’t want to do this,” she instructed. ‘Put the gun down,’ the man instructed, gesturing to the staircase she stood against.  “Okay, okay,” she offered, attempting to calm the man, bending down to lower her firearm when the door to the smoked out apartment flung open, gunfire exchanged between the two apartments with Erin there between.  She was grasping her own back in her hand from the step she’d placed it on when a stray bullet penetrated her shoulder, causing her to scream out as she clutched her own shoulder, falling back against the stairs as both assailants were jumping staircases to attempt their escape.

C.J.

The gauntlet had been passed and the challenge flag raised yet it could never go quite that simply. Time was drawing near and everything in the man knew that each day must be taken as the potential for the last before the affair. Yet, work was still required as much as he hated it. As much as he thought that they shouldn’t have been in the field. That they had too much to lose right now. Clearing yet another apartment complex filled with nothing more than homeless children and wayward parents, he was increasingly irritated already. His faith in his Sergeant waning with each wrong call answered and mistake along the way yet nothing would fall short of what would happen next and what he would ultimately blame the man for. Hearing the call of plain-clothed officer being shot across the radio, his eyes passed to his partner greeting him with that same look. Realization. A pause in time as it all came down to the fact that there was only one plain-clothed officer around and he felt his breath catch. “Go.” Olinksky quickly demanded as it became evident that this all was a bust. Tucking his gun into the holster. The man could only hope it was all somekind of mistake as he cleared that stairwell quickly. Pushing to that outside door across the street where leaving suspects were lucky to evade him. Not caring for stray bullets or much else in that moment as a quick jog across the street in the exchange or gunfire in the higher levels of that apartment complex merely had his first impulse to grab her and get her somewhere safe. Getting to the steps, the man was making a point to keep his head down by the time he was reaching for her. “Hey, hey…you’re fine. I’m going to move you.” infuriated as he was, refusing to let the look of fear cross his features as  he showed exactly why a married couple shouldn’t be on the same squad together as he risked his own life to get her pulled to the side. Arms slipping underneath of her where he pulled her from those steps and into a nearby alley where he was gently lowering her to the ground to get a look at that shoulder.

Erin

In the time it took C.J. to get her, the now two suspects were fleeing on foot.  She had lowered herself to the step, pressing her palm against the wound as she attempted to make her way down the stairs.  Before an honest effort could even be made, C.J. was there.  She didn’t know how he’d gotten to her so quickly as the unit was in scatter formation throughout, but there might have never been a time she was so happy to see the man.  The rest of the team was heading off on foot in attempt to find the two that were fleeing the scene, but Erin didn’t care in that moment.  When he lifted her into his arms, it wasn’t like any other time he’d ever held her.  She held her pain relatively well, but it didn’t change the fact that it was written there on her face.  The sleeve of the t-shirt she wore was torn, but what remained was covered in blood as the stain grew thicker and wider with every passing moment there beneath her hand.  “The apartment wasn’t vacant,” she managed there against him, in form of explanation.  If it had been as it was meant to be, her attentions would have been fully on that door of the other apartment, the one being smoked out.  But in that moment, she’d no other choice but to turn her back to it as another gun had been held to her head.  She wouldn’t go into it all now as it wasn’t important.  Feeling him lowering her to the ground in that alley between buildings, she kept her hand pressed to the site, her eyes finding his.  “I’m okay,” she promised, knowing it was the only place she was hit and wanting to ease his concern as she knew well that it would be there.  The fact was, she was tired.  She’d been tired for weeks now.  The case load was too heavy and the hours too few.  In the few hours she did get, they were plagued with nightmares as he had seen.  She could no more function this way safely than any other could have, and perhaps that was what had rendered her with a bullet lodged in her shoulder.

C.J.

Apologetic as he was sure it hurt. He knew it hurt. Though the flow of blood kept him from seeing where exactly she had been hit, it was in a similar place of his own. Hearing her attempt to comfort him. His eyes simply shot to hers before he was finding his radio. Briefly peaking out of the alley to find the proper addresses before they paged their exact locations. Hearing the gunfire continue in the distance yet not quite paying attention to it as he was gently guiding down the collar of her own shirt in attempt to get his sights on what he was looking at. Needing to check for an exit wound yet it was too much. A man who had never been bad around blood was now seeing too much of it from her as he reached down. Yanking a thick strip of fabric from his own shirt to ball it and apply a thin bit of pressure considering he couldn’t know whether it excited or not. Listening as the bus was dispatched despite the active shooter situation. Simply having nothing to say in that moment as all his emotions came flooding through and he did not have the time to deal with them.

Erin

The silence from him was easily read as she knew him, but in the same notion, he knew her.  She could block out the pain, or at least attempt to, if she were focused to something else.  In the silence, all she heard was the resounding throbbing of her blood pumping through her body, to the new opening where the bullet remained lodged in her shoulder.  She watched as he moved to the entry of that alley, calling for medics, returning as he ripped a piece of his own shirt to attempt to hold her over until medical help arrived.  The continued gunfire said this wasn’t over yet, but after being in such close range to the bullets exchanged in the stairwell, all she heard was throbbing and ringing at this point.  Nearly a white noise in its consistency yet the volume was nearly unbearable.  As he pressed that bit of his shirt to her shoulder, she had moved her hand to his forearm.  The pressure provided at his hand had her own hand gripping against him as a full scream escaped her lips, one that would challenge even the initial scream at the moment of penetration.  The woman who did her very best to swallow pain back, despite what it was, fell victim to it here as that scream left her.  Her eyes closed as she reared her head back against the concrete if only to make something else hurt so her shoulder wouldn’t throb so badly, ineffectively so as the woman learned quickly what it was to have a gunshot wound, though at the very same time, she was grounded enough to know just how much worse it might have been.  

C.J.

Realizing his silence wasn’t doing much for his cast in that moment but he was simply overwhelmed It was either all or nothing in that moment. Guiding that shirt to her stomach and greeted with such a response which confirmed what he had speculated. That the bullet still had to be somewhere within as he ease off of her at the sound of the approaching medics. “I’m sorry.” he answered, the color draining from his face, hand lifting to keep the back of her head from that wall as the sound of the bus approaching cut through as they hit the far side of the alley. Feeling her grip to him as they couldn’t let her bleed out so easily but with the foreign body lodged in her, it would continue until it could be removed. Teeth at his bottom lip as he had a million people he wanted to blame for this in the moment yet the only name he could find was his own.

Erin

Hearing his apology, she was shaking her head no.  It wasn’t his fault, nor was it anyone else’s aside from the one who pulled the trigger.  Perhaps her own considering she didn’t identify herself in the moment there on that stairwell, nor did she drag her neck badge forth to show her own identity.  She knew the training.  She knew that her chances of being shot in a civilian situation were far higher if she didn’t present her badge on that chain around her neck, only needing to withdraw it from the inside of her t-shirt to have perhaps avoided this hit.  Blame wouldn’t matter now as the pain radiated deep within that wound to her shoulder.  The sound of the approaching ambulance was of some comfort as it stopped to the end of the alley, blocking the alley off entirely providing some shelter for the two detectives and two paramedics.  In the time it took them to exit the vehicle and make their way to where C.J. had Erin against that wall, she was meeting his eyes with her own.  “I’m okay,” she repeated, though it sounded slightly less sure than it had the first time she’d said the words.  The weight of the situation, along with the shock of knowing she’d been hit, were setting in on her, evident in the break of her voice that would somehow come across differently than her typical rasp.  

C.J.

“Don’t worry about me, Erin.” he advised as it all seemed something like the woman in labor comforting the man. He’d be strong for her and be the one reassuring her and not relying on that yet it all was difficult to take in as the medics approached from the other side of the alley. Pulling out the stretcher to get towards her as any reports of clothed officer hit were met with such a challenge and with good reason. The man would secure the other side of that alley as the medics approached and he was now ready to tag them in atleast for the moment to get her the help she needed. Watching as the EMT approached and stepped in which allowed him to step back and allow them to do their jobs as he was reminded to do his own.

Erin

Over the radio at C.J.’s own shoulder, confirmation that the shooter had been taken into custody would serve as temporary comfort.  Finally, there was someone who could be brought in for questioning.  Finally, one of these spin offs did not result in escape or suicide.  C.J. would get his chance at him, if he could find his way around Voight to do so.  As he left her side, Gabby and Sylvie were there, both working quickly to assess the situation for what would need to be done here, or in transit.  It was a full minute later when she was being put onto the stretcher, wheeled towards the ambulance with C.J. running cover for the alleyway.  She knew he had a job to do here, which was why she wouldn’t demand he remain with her, though no one in that unit would bat an eye if he chose to.  For now, he’d find his wife looking to him with sympathetic eyes.  This, right here, was why she always felt they’d be best as partners.  This was why she couldn’t imagine putting that badge and gun on every day without him.  For when shots were fired and she was hit, he was the one and only one that would risk his own head to make sure she made it out of there.  “I love you,” she promised as the rear of the stretcher approached the ambo where a moment later medical care would commence.

C.J.

Lowering his weapon as the active shooter situation turned stale, still keeping an eye out yet knowing that it no longer required the care it once had as he turned back to face the women there. Wanting more than anything for it to be just be him. He’d trade places with her. What was another shot to the shoulder. Hearing the woman’s promise, he’d answer back with ease as it was surely the easiest most natural thing in his life. “I love you too, baby.” he confirmed as his gun found his side.

Erin

His return brought a smile through the pain in a way that perhaps only those words might, not that she didn’t know, but the reminder of his promise to her was forever taken straight to heart.  The stretcher was loaded into the back of the ambo where Gabby wasted no time getting started as Sylvie made her way around to the side of the ambulance, glancing back at C.J. to tilt her head to the side as though to ask him if he’d be jumping in with them.  The option was his, should he be so inclined to take it, while his wife laid within under the reliable care of her partner’s sister.

C.J.

Seeing that window there as he promptly tucked away his weapon, he wouldn't be missing it it as he took a step forward. Waiting to be Instructed of where he could be without getting in the way as Gabby waved him on. Taking a seat at her good side as this was better. Staying busy and out of his own thoughts was better for business especially with feeling so volatile as he was just in the mood to throw his badge in Voights face and hunt down those gunmen to pay his personal vendetta.

Erin

Sylvie offered a truly soft smile as she most always seemed to have, pulling open the door to the back to let C.J. climb within to be there with his wife.  Though anyone else would have been put in the front of the cab, it was quite different when dealing with officers.  They were allowed things others weren’t and though these two were married, it would be just the same.  Sylvie closed the door as C.J. got situated out of Gabby’s way, letting the woman get a line started.  Instantly, Erin felt a little better, as though she could get through this if only for the man there at her side.  She lifted her free hand to his, her wedding bands missing as they laid locked in her desk drawer at work before the under cover mission, no detail too small for the woman as under cover was one of her true passions.  Even with a bullet lodged in her right shoulder, she’d still feel the same way about it as this changed nothing for her in that regard.  “I’m glad you’re here,” she confessed, an assured double meaning there in her words.  Clenching her teeth just afterwards as Gabby secured that line then applied pressure against the wound drawing an instant reaction from Erin as she groaned through her teeth to the shot of pain radiating through her at that pressure.  ‘I need a time’ Gabby requested, to which Sylvie would report ‘seven minutes, seven and a half tops.’  Gabby’s sigh was audible and concerning.  ‘Erin, I’m really sorry for this,’ she offered, prompting the widening of Erin’s eyes as she glanced over.  ‘C.J.,’ Gabby offered, meant to brace the man that she might be needing his help on this one as it was assured that Erin would fight back out of nothing more than pure instinct, exchanging a knowing glance with the man before she was drawing her hand into a drawer behind her for the tools she’d need to make this happen, calling out for Sylvie to pull over for sixty seconds to get it out and then they’d be back on their way.  The bullet was being removed here and now for fear that too much blood might be lost in transit as applying true pressure here could make matters worse.  As the ambulance came to a stop, Erin’s hand tightened in C.J.’s, bracing herself, though there was really no way to brace herself for a pain that would be worse than the bullet lodging there in the first place as the man whose hand she held knew just as well as she was about to find out.

C.J.

“I am too but not in this circumstance.” the man confessed as nothing about being here made him happy or glad. He’d always be by her side but these capacities were not exactly heart warming though she should have known by now that he’d go past protocol and lose his job a dozen times over to be there for her and thus why he was such a liability. Glancing over towards the EMT, knowing that look as this was an experience unique to him. Exhaling low as the woman offered his name as he looked over towards her and he felt the ambulance pull to the side as he’d reach his other arm across her midsection to both reach her other hand and drape over her. Finding her other hand while his would keep traveling. Gripping her forearms on both sides as he asked her to do the same from the whole of the endeavor. “Push as hard as you want. Bite, scratch. Whatever you need to do.” he advised her. Yet where the bite would fall would be interesting considering his position over her as the lodging at the side of his neck was not too far from her.

Erin

As he took up a station over her, it was both comforting and restricting all at the same time.  If the circumstances were different, the invitation to biting and scratching might have sounded a whole lot different to the woman, but here, she could only begin to imagine the amount of pain she was about to be in if it required C.J. coming over her in this manner.  “I don’t want…” before she could finish her statement, Gabby was there in her shoulder, digging against tissue to locate and remove the bullet.  Gabby was talking, surely telling the both of them where she stood on its removal, but all that could be heard in the ambo were the screams from her mouth as she did all she could not to hurt C.J. in the process.  Her hands took to his sides, gripping against his shirt, finding his flesh beneath even through the fabric.  Her grip was tight, far tighter than anything else the man had seen from her as she did her best not to take him up on the biting offer.  Gabby’s mouth was still moving, but still couldn’t be heard as she told the two it would be just another second.  As she located the bullet, the withdrawal would require quick work on her part, slipping the tool behind the lodging to draw it forth.  There, Erin suddenly leaned forward, her teeth finding C.J.’s shoulder, a space she’d marked timidly the first time, a place she grew to know as her own place, though this time it was sheer pain radiating through her bite as she bit down against him while the bullet was retrieved.  Her bite, nor her grip, would ease in the moments after as Gabby called out for Sylvie to put the vehicle in motion again as she worked quickly to apply pressure strongly against her shoulder, no longer concerned with causing former damage.  Her jaw remained locked to C.J.’s shoulder for a moment more before she was leaning back, deep gasps for air there at her lips as her hands remained clenched to his sides.

C.J.

Feeling the woman holding back, he hadn’t done what he was doing for that fact. Knowing she’d lose her composure eventually. Offering himself as that pin cushion of sorts as he’d give her a way to release some of it. When he felt her grip tightening, he knew she was no longer holding back and she was comforted by that fact as his own eyes shut. Counting down the seconds in his own head which had moved from mental to his lips whether he had realized it or not. Counting down before he felt her lean in and seek out his shoulder. The pain made him feel better in some odd way as he could offer her this. Knowing the bullet had been fished free as she remained at his shoulder. Feeling her pull back where one hand was to the back of her neck, allowing her back to his hand before she’d fall back and he allowed her to do so. Watching the draw of her air as he leaned in. Pressing his lips to her forehead as he let his lips lingered. “It’s all done.” he coached softly, reaching out to apply that pressure against her for Gabby’s sake.

Erin

Feeling him lean over her, pressing his lips to her forehead, a gesture that she’d normally return with a smile, it was all she could do to try to find her breath, to come down from the pain that seemed to pulse harder at her shoulder.  Through it all, she hadn’t cried, letting not a single tear fall from her eyes as this was part of the job, although not a part she had yet sustained until now.  Here, when he kissed her forehead, she clenched her eyes shut tightly, allowing just a single tear from each eye to moisten her face as his hand replaced Gabby’s there at her own shoulder.  With three minutes remaining until they would arrive at the emergency room, she knew in that instant that she didn’t have to be tough anymore.  Gabby reached for the line that would connect her to the emergency room’s desk, giving them details over that call so that an operating room could be already underway to repair the damage to her shoulder, but she’d hear none of it as she turned her head to find the curve of C.J.’s neck.  Still focused on her own breathing, her hands never eased from his sides where they held onto him with just as much tension as they had initially, allowing herself to break down in that moment against him.  

C.J.

Reaching up with his free hand to brush away those fallen tears one by one as he felt her still at his neck. Lips finding her temple as he wished in that moment that he could take it all away from her and impose it on himself yet it would never be quite that easy. Would it? A free hand finding the side of her arm as he passed smoothly over her on the side away from that injured shoulder as words of reassurance bubbled through him. “That was the hard part.” he reminded her in close proximity to her ear. “You did good. Childbirth probably will seem easy now.” he attempted.

Erin

In those last few minutes to the hospital, she’d spend them at the side of his neck, letting him hold onto her as she held onto him, feeling the press of his lips to her temple.  She knew without him ever saying it that he wanted to trade places with her in that moment, though even if it was possible, she’d never allow it.  As he spoke, it was then and only then that he’d draw a smile through her tears at the mention of childbirth.  The one thing that they were promising to one another on the other side of all of this, that they’d start trying for their own.  She’d never much wanted kids, but just over two years with him had changed her entire outlook on the matter.  Gifts that she’d given him spoke to her own desire and their mutual promise that on the other side of this, it would be their time.  Her smile, though weak, was there against the side of his neck as the ambulance came to a hurried stop outside of Chicago Medical Center.  As the doors opened, everything was about to move fast, including a separation of the two.  “You did good,” she argued in true Erin form, not allowing it to come down on her as praise as he’d taken the unnecessary pain in the matter.  Drawing back from his neck, her face was damp with her tears, but he’d find a faint smile there to her lips. “I love you, C.J. Luciano,” she reminded him as Gabby jumped down out of the back of the ambo where Sylvie was joining her to fill in the medical staff once the stretcher was taken down from the vehicle.

C.J.

“Nah.” he stated as she tried to turn that around on him. There was no handbook on what to do when your wife was shot on the job and he was a far departure from being experienced but he loved her and he did all that he could think she would do for him. Watching her draw back as he drew off another stream of moisture before hearing her speak. “And I love you.” he reminded her as she was prepared and slipped from the vehicle. Waiting until she was a safe distance away and someone had taken over that pressure at her shoulder before he was thanking Gabby and her new partner formally.

Erin

Over the next couple of hours, surgery was completed on her shoulder, repairing the damage done within by the bullet, but nothing that wouldn’t heal after some physical therapy.  During those few hours, the entire unit was there in the waiting room just as they had been any time someone else within had been injured in the line of duty.  Finally, the doctor emerged from the double doors to let them all know that she had done well and should be waking up soon.  They were permitted to go in, but it wasn’t asked that they do so only two at a time.  There was a knowing nod from Hank in C.J.’s direction as the space that he once would have taken was rightfully given to C.J. just as it should be, the rest of the unit hanging back to let him go first to his wife while the rest found comfort in just the words of the doctor.

C.J.

Hardly needing permission from Voight at that point, his displeasure was deep rooted though he couldn’t quite be sure if it was well vested or not. Still, it was there all the same. Already hitting the door at the point of that nod as he knew his place in all of this. Following with the doctor as they made their way to that recovery room where the door was already gently peaked. Rapping his knuckles gently to it as if it would be bid with a “come in” as it merely announced his arrival as he slipped within the room.

Erin

She’d been sleeping off the surgery for the better part of an hour now when he rapped against the door.  The drugs given to her to draw her out of the deep sleep had her resting peacefully, though the noise and presence of the man coming within the room would draw her eyes open slightly where a weak, drug induced smile spread across her lips.  He looked taller from where she laid, but she wouldn’t mention it as she simply lifted her hand out towards him as though the two had been apart for too long, though how long she couldn’t be exactly sure of.

C.J.

Watching the woman evidently on some good shit, he approached as he watched the lift of her hand. His own slipping underneath of hers as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead where he allowed his lips to linger. “Hi, baby.” he introduced simply as he drew a seat nearby her. Taking a seat as his hand was remaining to hers as he took a sigh. This was over. Hopefully with as little residue as possible. “how are you feeling?” he asked, yet thinking from the look of her he already knew.

Erin

“Hi,” she returned simply, that weak smile growing slightly at the feel of his hand in hers and the kiss to her forehead.  “A little hazy, a little high, a lot numb,” she confessed as she watched him taking that seat there beside her.  Her hand tensed slightly in his as he was simply too far away for her liking.  “How are /you/ feeling?” she asked, only able to imagine through the cloud of drugs that however long it had been, on top of what had happened, that the man was more than likely less than okay.  

C.J.

Feeling her hand tighten before he was drawing back up. Guiding the arm of her bed down where he’d take a seat beside her. Hearing her question as he refused to make this about him. Still in that half ripped shirt as he glanced over towards her. “I’m fine.” he answered as he would have to be. “But, I’m glad to hear about the numb part.” the man answered as her not being in pain was an advantage in itself. “Looks like we’ll have matching scars now, huh?”

Erin

As he rose from his seat, lowering the railing at the side of the bed so that he could take up that space beside her, she was eyeing the ripped up shirt, not fully recalling for a moment how it got that way until all at once she did.  His assurance that he was fine was good to hear, though she couldn’t help but think he’d offered it only for her peace of mind.  “Yeah, I guess we will…” she returned, a soft laugh there at her lips as she drew her head to rest against his upper arm there in the bed beside her.  “The boys might think I’m a little cooler now,” she offered, attempting to find a silver lining here.

C.J.

Feeling her find his arm, he reached out and allowed his hand to the back of her neck. Massaging his fingers gently against her. “They already think you are pretty cool anyway.” he reminded her. Yet, little did they realize. Not speaking on the fact that the boys were well out of school by this point and had been informed that their had been an accident. It did truly show him just how attached they had grown to her with how upset they had been despite the reassurances. Something that made this all the more difficult though they had gotten lucky.

Erin

Her own mention of the boys a moment before would put them immediately on her mind as she heard him assure her that they already thought her to be rather cool.  It was enough to earn a smile from her as she felt his hand to the back of her neck, the man forever going that extra step with her.  She still wanted to ask how he was doing with all of this, but his previous response would have to stand as the truth of the matter; he was fine.  “Do they know?” she asked, her eyes shifting up to his as she had an uneasy feeling at the idea of them being nervous about what had happened, the possibility of it being worse than it was, and the fear of it repeating.  

C.J.

“Yeah.” he answered honestly as he glanced down towards her, brushing his fingers to the back of her hairline as he’d release a light breath. “We tried to stall but…it got to the point where they knew something was up. You know?” he asked as he knew he was on borrowed time before he was going to get yelled at for being in the bed with her but he’d take advantage for the meantime.

Erin

“Yeah,” she whispered, knowing that they could only hold off for so long considering, and she’d never want the boys to be lied to about it or anything else.  “You get your shot at the shooter yet?” she asked, eyes lifted there to his as she wasn’t sure how long she’d been down or if C.J. had been at the hospital the entire time, only able to wonder if the man would actually make it to trial after shooting his wife.  

C.J.

Eyes flickered towards hers as he asked if he had had /his/ shot which would have been a literal shot. “No, I went right for you…they got him though.” he informed her honestly as her safety was at a higher regard than revenge or taking anyone down and it always would be. “I’ve been here.” he informed her. He hadn’t been anywhere else. He had dinner thanks to the vending machine once he had finally been able to eat hearing that she was out of surgery and enough cups of vending coffee to make him never want another.

Erin

Hearing his answer, she recalled the radio transmission in the alley that said that they had him in custody, only wondering who would be running that interrogation as her mind went to that of the case, hoping maybe the shooter might at least prove to have some information on just who it was that was behind the growing numbers of murders of the C.I.’s.  Her mind already back on the case as though she could just get out of that bed and get back to it once again.  Drawing a breath in through her nose, releasing it through her mouth at the reminder that she wasn’t getting back on any case any time soon as she leaned into him a little tighter.  “I’m glad you’re here,” she confessed, her hand gripping his a bit more as she turned her head to press a kiss against his shoulder that ironically bore the same scar that she would soon have.

C.J.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” he reminded her as where she was, he was. That was how this worked as he felt her at his hand and her lips to his shoulder. Pressing his lips to her temple as he did so. “Scared the shit out of me today, Munchkin.” he reminded her to her ear before pressing another form kiss to her skin. “I’m just glad you are okay. You know I wouldn’t be able to do it without you, right?”

Erin

As he pressed that kiss to her temple, speaking to her about how she’d scared him paired with a nickname that had been a while since she heard it, her hand tightened in his as she lifted her chin slightly to find his eyes with the sentiment that followed.  “I wouldn’t be here without you,” she reminded him as it wasn’t anyone else in that unit that had dropped it all to get her to her; it was him.  Standing proof of why they made the best partners, even before they were married, as there was no way one of them was going to be left behind in a bad situation.  Even though they had new partners and had for some time, it wouldn’t change the fact that she still looked at him that way, as the one that would run into gunfire to save her, as it should be.  “You’re stuck with me the rest of your days, Luciano,” she reminded him as she finally let her hand slip out of his in exchange for the side of his face where she was luring him into her to press her lips softly to his.

C.J.

Hearing her statement, he wasn’t so sure about that. Someone would have gotten to her eventually even through the gunfire as he met her e yes. Nodding simply as he’d let her have that one with all things considered. Hearing her follow up as he gave up a light smirk. Leaning in where he pressed his lips gently back to hers. His own hand finding the side of her face before he was pressing his forehead to hers. “and that’ll be the best thing I do in this life.”

Erin

As his lips parted from her own, his words would bring a smile there to her features, knowing all the while it would be the second best thing he’d do in this life right behind raising two handsome boys into men that would one day treat their significant others just as well as he treated her.  Their hands on the sides of one another’s faces, the two reconnecting even within the bounds of limitations, glad to be alive after the night before.  “They say how long they’re keeping me on lock down here?” she asked, knowing full well no one was letting her get anywhere near that case though all she wanted was to find her way into that interrogation room herself.

C.J.

“No.” he stated honestly at her question as he truthfully had no idea how long they were keeping her or anywhere else all the same. His hand cradling her jaw as his eyes watched hers. Exhaling slowly as he seemed how to have forgotten to breathe normally in the pass of all this yet all it seemed to do was light a fire under his ass. Remembering all that he needed to do to put this to an end.

Erin

The woman had no idea just how much pain medication was running through her in the moment to keep her from feeling any pain or else she’d agree that there in that bed with the i.v. line in her arm was the best place for her.  If she’d known, she wouldn’t have been in nearly the rush to get back home and back to life as usual, but in the next twenty four hours she’d find out.  “You gonna try to go home and at least get cleaned up?” she asked, bringing her hand down from the side of his face to trace against the center of his ripped shirt where her own blood remained dried against the fabric.

C.J.

“Wasn’t planning on it.” he confessed as he heard her question, feeling her against the ripped shirt as a new shirt wasn’t particularly difficult to come by. However, he wasn’t keen on the idea of leaving her. “The rest of the unit is in the waiting room though…they want to see you. Check in on you.” he stated simply as it seemed he would be included on this 2 guest limitation.

Erin

Hearing that he wasn’t planning on leaving made her smile as she didn’t want to be here without him.  “Can probably have someone bring you some new clothes,” she offered, not sure the man would want to spend the night wearing his wife’s blood as he did.  As he spoke of the rest of the unit being there, she knew what that looked like from the other side, most recently when Kim was shot.  “Alright,” she agreed, drawing a breath as her hand settled against his thigh, gripping softly against him.  “Think they’d mind waiting a little longer?” she asked, not ready for C.J. to leave her side, unless he’d be staying with her throughout, at which point she’d be alright with them coming in any time, but not if C.J. was to have to go.

C.J.

"I can ask the nurses if I can stay...this whole married thing has some decent perks when it comes to this." He reminded her as he was typically expected in the room, still, he didn't want to keep them waiting any longer. "Worth a try. Closed mouths don't get fed." He added honestly as he snagged a kiss to her forehead. Not ready to let her go either.

Erin

His offer to ask to stay had a smile there to her lips as his lips found her forehead.  Letting him leave even long enough to visit the nurse’s station wasn’t exactly something she was alright with, but if it got permission for him to stay, she supposed it was worth it.  “Don’t let me catch you flirting with the hot nurse either or I’ll kill you,” she offered, having missed that threat the night before given the circumstances, a firm grip to his inner thigh as she drew her lower lip in slightly.  

C.J.

Hearing her statement, he had to laugh as he shook his head. Feeling her at his thigh. "My wife is way hotter." He reminded her, as the nurse hadn't even plotted on his radar that she had radically adjusted. Standing up in front of the bed as he stretched his arms over his head despite that still ripped shirt. "Maybe I need to go to the desk and flex." He offered as the ripped shirt gave sight to his stomach. "Maybe then she'll let me."

Erin

“Maybe if you do, your wife will get out of this bed and make sure it’s known that you are very, very much so taken and the gunshot wound to my shoulder will prove I’m not afraid to fight,” she stated easily as her eyes drifted down, drawing a slight shake of her head.  “I’m going to need you to not do things like that until I’m at least seventy-five percent…” she requested, entirely too attracted to the man for her own good in the moment, drawing a soft sigh from her lips.  “Get out of here before I don’t let you.”

C.J.

"Oh, please. You are so grounded from it, it's not even funny." He pointed out. Though the suggestion was otherwise amusing before he was slipping out of the room and to the nurse station. Dimples armed and at the ready to bargain and barter. Ultimately winning as the nurse even offered to go tell their waiting party that two could come back. He thanked her before drawing back to that room.

Erin

“Am not!” she argued, already debating how she could keep that shoulder immobilized.  When he left the room, he left his wife with a laugh on her lips even as she watched his ass leave, unashamed in her attraction to him even now.  Perhaps a bit more appreciative, considering.  When he finally returned, he’d find her still in a quite pleasant mood from his parenting of her in that moment.  “So… are you getting killed or are you getting to live another day?” she asked by way of asking if he’d flirted his way to success.

C.J.

Returning to the side of the bed as he sat down, hearing her question. A shake of his head. "I didn't flirt...I...was friendly...and I won." Adds with a smirk as he glanced over with the look of sheer innocence over him.

Erin

“Mhm…” she hummed, finding herself to be very familiar with his friendliness in those early stages of their relationship.  “Friendly,” she repeated, judging him there with her eyes shamelessly.  Her bare hand reaching out, lacking the rings she should have been wearing.  “Any chance you could get one of the guys to go in my desk at the department and bring me my rings?” she asked, knowing it was a longshot that she’d be trusting anyone with them, or the key to her top drawer, yet feeling all too naked without them in that moment.  “Tell ‘em we’ll buy ‘em lunch or something?”

C.J.

"Friendly." He returned, feeling her hand slipping out for his as he brought that hand to his lips. Kissing that bare ring finger as he hummed at the question. "I don't know. I can't smile at them and get my way." He reminded her but it was worth the shot if that was what she'd be after as he kept to her hand.

Erin

Feeling that kiss there to her bare finger, her eyes were there at his.  “Oh, I think you’d get something for flashing those dimples at them, but it’d probably be a hard time for the next six months as well as the good ole jokes about you being too pretty to be a cop.”  Teasing him, she’d leave out the fact that she’d never been told the same as that was all him, through and through.  “Seriously though, Hank or Al.  Maybe Antonio.  Halstead and Ruzek ain’t touching those rings.”

C.J.

"Because I've never heard that one." He offered as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. Hearing her give up a few suggestions as he'd nod. "Alright. I'll ask...though the nurse offered to go tell them so...might be able to do it yourself." He offered as he glanced over towards her.

Erin

“So I have like… forty-five seconds to three minutes until my room is raided, this is what you are telling me?” she asked, her hand gripping his as she gave it a full tug with her uninjured arm.  “You better c’mere,” she offered, making no secret of how she’d be spending those next minutes until the influx of detectives in her room.

C.J.

"Basically." He returned, feeling her hand at his and her tug which felt just fine even from that right arm. Hearing her offer which made him smirk where he leaned in and pressed back to her. "You better calm down. Gonna get those nurses yelling at me."

Erin

Stealing his lips, even if it was for far less than the requested amount of time there, it would have to do.  “I’m calm,” she stated a little too quickly, a smirk there at her lips as it became clear just how heavily drugged she was if she felt so good that she could take this man now and beat down a flirtatious nurse.  Stealing another kiss while the getting was good, she heard footsteps coming up the hallway towards her room.  Gripping C.J.’s hand as this was attention she did not want, though she knew it was more for them and their peace of mind than it was for her.  After about a half hour of this, finally the room cleared out and all was quiet once again.  She let the silence hang there between them for several moments as she came down from all of the well wishes and concerns, each detective stating that they would make sure this guy didn’t get off on this as well as assuring the C.I. case would be solved before she got out of there, which she knew just wasn’t happening, but it was a nice thought anyway.  Finally, she turned to C.J., relying on him and his judgment with her next request.  “Think it’d freak the boys out too bad to see me here?”

C.J.

Asking Al to grab those rings, the man agreed after being given the key and assuring he'd be back. Still, it wasn't too bad with the reminder that the woman would need to rest. Hearing her question, he shrugged his shoulders. Not having much experience in this realm. "J. saw me in the hospital when he was little. Granted, I doubt he remembers it. Didn't really compute, you know?" He asked. "Honestly, hun. It's up to you. I'm fine with either but if you'd like to see them I can arrange that."

Erin

She did want to see the boys, it was without question.  They meant the absolute world to her and there was no question on that matter, but there was a part of her that was nervous that it might upset them, especially Bash, to see her connected to wires and machines there in a hospital room.  “Maybe think about it and we’ll do it tomorrow?” she asked, knowing the drugs would have worn off a bit by then and she’d be one day closer to getting home, though going a night without seeing the boys was something she didn’t much like either.

-November 19, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"There is never a dull moment..."

luckч sαntαngєlσ.

Weirdos .....

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"I know... we really are. That C.J. guy? The weirdest." Smirks.

luckч sαntαngєlσ.

That's a great picture. You have yourself a great little family, L. You should be happy.

Detective Dimples

"LOOOOOOOOCH."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Aaaaand this is where he got it from..." Shakes head, not liking it one bit. "Really need to work on, oh, I don't know, Erin? Mom? Luciano? I'll even take terrorist at this point…”

Detective Dimples

"Looooch." He insisted.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Then you best be prepared for a lifetime of family photos where my face looks...ridiculous."

-November 19, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"They like to think it's all about those badass moments when we catch the bad guys, but sometimes it's about a little bit of compassion in a bad situation that carries people through.  I am here to tell you, these are the moments that get /us/ through, that keeps us focused.  We need our guns.  We need our instincts.  But sometimes, it's our hearts that are the most important."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNt6Yz3Swtg

-November 19, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Have a nice fucking day. Amen.

luckч sαntαngєlσ.

A to the fuckingmen! You are my girl, Looch.

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Thanks, Love. I adore you."

-November 18, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Detective Dimples

"There are times during the course of the day, where I look at that woman doing something simple and mundane and I am hit with the most unreal and overwhelming love for her. Like a wave that threatens to wash out all sense of concentration or duty. So bad that I have to stop what I'm doing and interrupt her entirely in whatever she may be doing and kiss her. Just to satiate that love and recenter. I was cool once, I swear."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

Interrupts him with a light tap to his shoulder, waiting until he turned around to steal his lips with her own. Pressing her kiss to his lips firmly as her hands found both sides of his face. Drawing back reluctantly, her smile already stealing her features as her eyes met his. "I still think you're cool, for the record."

Detective Dimples

Pressing his lips back to hers as he felt her at his face. Hands at her sides as he smirked softly. "I'm not." He promised, leaning in where he pressed his lips back to hers. Speaking between kisses. "I. love. you."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

She could not argue the man as his lips found her own, his own sentiment breaking that kiss time and time again, each word only broadening the smile on this woman of his. She hummed there to his lips as her arms swept around his neck. "I. love. you. more."

Detective Dimples

"Ah hah, no you don't." he'd return as he felt her to his neck, speaking to her lips. "See above. Proves that i /clearly/ love you more..."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Nope. I said it. You have no choice but to deal with it, /husband/." Smirks, nipping at his lower lip before drawing back in laughter, a self-declared win.

-November 17, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

-November 17, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Detective Dimples

"'Bout to tell Bash Smash that his mother and I ate all his candy though it's really just ontop of the fridge..." cracks knuckles. "Let the games begin."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"Don't you dare..." Warns him, a cut of her eyes. "You will make that boy cry..."

Detective Dimples

"You helped eat all the candy..."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"I have had none of that candy, Luciano." Crosses her arms.

Detective Dimples

"Loooooooooch is lyiiiiiing."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"I haven't had any candy! And if I wanted some, he'd just give me some!"

Detective Dimples

"More lies."

ℒ𝑜𝑜𝒸𝒽

"I am /not/ lying."

-November 3, 2016

[munchkinxcop-blog]

Antonio

Antonio Dawson And Sylvie Brett had began a romance a few weeks ago, but they decided to keep it a secret because they wanted to take their time with it. With everything that Antonio was going through with the custody battle he felt like it was necessary. After a few days of getting together, Sylvie was on a call when a guy stole her wallet and she didn't feel safe going home, so he offered for her to stay with him. Antonio definitely felt like he couldn't say anything since he was on the case to take down the guy, however the guy was caught a week later. But Sylvie and Antonio didn't feel like they could make it with only seeing each other a few times out of the week because of their work schedules so they both agreed that moving in together seemed like the best decision for them. He understood that people would think they were moving too fast, and honestly between his custody battle, it may have not been the smartest move, but it seem like something they both wanted and hell what he needed to become happy. It was literally killing Antonio that he couldn't see his kids, or even talk to them. He just couldn't understand it because he wasn't the one that left Laura, he was willing to do whatever to fix this between them, except quit his job. Which was the only thing she was asking him to do. He worked too hard for years to become where he was at, to only give it up because she was scared. His job wasn't for the weak woman, and he honestly thought when he married Laura she could have handled his life. Of course when he worked in vice, that almost ended them in a divorce too, but that was why he moved to intelligence. Getting shot was all apart of being a detective sadly, it wasn't his first time getting shot and it certainly wouldn't be his last. Antonio always felt like getting shot was a part of the job, and it proved that whatever he was doing was right. It may be a crazy way to think, but it had to be true since he was the most respected detective on the streets. When Voight paired up he and Erin as partners, he wasn't pleased to say the least. He knew Erin was a great detective, maybe as great as him. However, Antonio has just been floating around the unit since Jules died and he just gotten used to that. He wasn't sure if he was ready for a partner, let alone a female detective. To him, Jules was the best female detective that he could have ever had. But since being paired up with Erin, he realized she was just as good as Jules. He knew it wasn't just a big adjustment for himself, but for her too. He just didn't want them to start hating being partners that it could have cost them their lives, however, it was starting to work between them. Although with everything that Antonio was going through with Laura and his kids, whenever he walked through that gate, he pushed those things from his mind and just focused on making Chicago a better city. It was sort of a rule they all silently agreed on when they walked through that gate and focused on a case. It could cost someone's life, or yourself, if the person didn't do that. Life was always going to happen, horrible things were gonna happen, the best way to become a good detective was to worry about those things when the shift ends. Antonio stepped out of his truck as he looked up at the station and he took a deep breath. As much as he loved being a detective, sometimes the job can have a troll on someone's sanity. It probably didn't help matters that his mind was already going crazy without seeing his kids. He took out his phone and he looked down, seeing if he had any missed calls or texts before he headed inside. Not seeing any, he placed his phone away and he walked in the district. He nodded his head at Sergeant Platt and he walked up to the gate. A few seconds later, he walked through the gates and he nodded his head at the people that were there before him. Usually he would be the first person there and the last person to leave, but since starting up the romance with Sylvie, that sort of changed. He knew Jay thought something was off with Antonio, but that was the only good thing about his custody battle, he could always use that as an excuse on why he was acting weird. He just wasn't ready to tell everyone about their relationship when his sister didn't know. Antonio walked over to his desk and he removed his jacket and placed behind the chair. He sat down and he took a deep breath. The cases lately they were working on all had to deal with gang and drugs and he was really wearing him down. Because of all the court fees, he was working a lot of overtime so he was overly tired. But all of this was so he could get his kids home, or he could have at least see them when he wanted. He would just be happy if he could get through a shift without Laura calling him and trying to get him upset. His favorite ones would be using Eva against him. Of all his kids, he didn't know why she always used Eva but she did. He would have reacted the same way with his other kids, so he never understood that. But then again, he never understood half the things Laura did to him. He just figured it was because of their divorce, it effected Eva the most out of all the kids.  

Erin

“Mommm…”

A single word, a title, yet it was absolutely the strangest thing to Erin for some time.  When Bash and J.J. had initially asked her if they could call her by this name, she’d grasped the full effect of just what it was to /be/ their mom.  She’d been stable in their lives by this point for a year and a half, living with them for the six months before.  She and C.J. had taken things slowly from the time they started seeing one another in August of 2014.  It was a slow progress as they tested the waters, ever cautious on both ends for the fact that he had littles involved, not to mention Erin’s slight aversion to relationships in the beginning.  

It took months for Erin to confess her feelings for the man, then months beyond this before she’d agree to stay with him on a permanent basis.  Even meeting his children was something that didn’t occur until they’d been together for almost five months.  Each step was taken with extreme care, right up until their July 24, 2016 wedding.  By this point, the two were no longer partners, ending their professional relationship when the two moved in together and went public with their relationship.  It had to be done, though Erin would resist it for a long while, not feeling complete without her partner there by her side.

There was something about being partners.  It was almost like a marriage of its own.  It had to be built primarily on trust, followed directly by respect.  The two things worked hand in hand and there was simply no one she could imagine trusting to have her back the way she did C.J.  Perhaps that was why the two ended up falling for one another the way they did.  They were with one another almost constantly and though they had their fair share of partner issues, at the end of the day, she trusted him.  

“Mommmmm.  We’re going to be late!”

Bash’s little voice brought a smile to Erin’s face as she was pulling on her coat on her way to the front door.  “Alriiiiiight Baaaaaash,” she returned, drawing it out just as he had, while J.J. stood behind Bash with a smirk to his face.  Erin was forever the last one to the door.  Every morning it was the same drill for one reason or another, rendering her the last one to the door, the last one holding up morning progress.  Bash instantly laughed at Erin’s mocking of his whines to her while C.J. placed a to-go cup of coffee there in her hand.  “You are the reason I make it to the door at all,” she stated in his direction as the man stole a kiss of her lips before scurrying the two boys out the door to the SUV that was already running in the driveway.

An hour later, both boys had been dropped off at school and the detectives had arrived at the district.  Forever recalling a time when the two couldn’t ride in together, couldn’t hold hands in the parking lot, and had to sneak in those tiny brushes of their hands against one another.  It wasn’t lost on Erin where they had begun, yet she wouldn’t go back to those days for anything.  She had the entire world in the palm of her hand now in these three men that she loved more than she ever knew humanly possible, determined to be a better mother than that which she’d grown up with, though it wouldn’t take much in all honesty.

As she climbed the steps, resting her hand on the scanner, she drew her coffee to her lips, facing a day of cop coffee that didn’t hold a candle to their home machine.  “I mean it.  Six o’clock and we’re out of here today,” she assured, a nod there of her head as she was heavy in plans that evening; sleep.  In truth, Erin hadn’t been sleeping.  She was barely scraping by in that department and C.J. had taken firm notice of it.  Tonight, she’d break her own personal rules if only to get some deep sleep, something she desperately needed to remain alert and on the ready.

Just inside the gate, she found Antonio there at his desk, getting settled in.  Ruzek, Olinsky, Atwater.  She cut her eyes over her shoulder as she heard some snide remark about how she used to be the first one in every morning, only surpassed by Hank who forever held the position.  “Yeah, yeah,” she argued, letting it be known to her husband that she didn’t’ want to hear it.  The flashing of his dimples, though it truly required no effort from him in the least, brought a smirk to her lips.  “You’re so pretty,” she teased, her smirk broadening into a full-fledged smile.

“Morning, Antonio,” she offered, placing her coffee against her desk, lowering her bag from her shoulder before opening her laptop to check the influx of unit emails that surely awaited her on that screen.  

Antonio

Antonio looked up from his desk, nodding his head at his partner. "Morning, Erin." He said and then he looked back down at the paperwork in front of his desk. As much as he loved being a detective, he hated the paperwork. Truthfully, he was just skimming through the paperwork because his mind was lost for a few minutes. Usually he didn’t allow this to happen at work but lately his life was a mess—and that included being a detective. The custody battle wasn’t anywhere close to being over, even though Laura was dating some wealthy guy. He found that news out from Eva, and Antonio was fighting like hell to at least get the kids whenever she chose to go away. But his lawyer said because Eva is 15, it was okay. Since he was so stressed out, whenever his shift ended, he usually just went to the gym to box it out. Although that helped him, it was causing tension at home between him and Sylvie because she thought he would rather be at the gym than at home. He always insisted that wasn’t true, but he could see why she thought that.

He felt his phone vibrate and he tore his eyes away from his paperwork for a moment to see who it was. He hated the feeling he got in his stomach thinking it could be his ex-wife. It was one thing to upset him while he was home, but at work, it was ridiculous. But he relaxed when he saw that it was one of his CI’s for the case that he was working on. He loved how many CI’s he had, and he wouldn’t do anything to risk that because if it wasn’t for them, half of his cases would go unsolved. The case he was working on right now was rough but with the text he just received, he knew he should be able to solve it. Maybe not today, but in the next few days. He looked over at Erin. “Take a ride with me somewhere?”

At the beginning of their partnership, it was hard because sometimes he was usually going on these rides alone---and he didn’t think anything about it. It had been years since Jules died and that was the last partner he had. And usually if he rode with someone, it was Voight and Al, and they allowed him to do whatever he wanted. Erin did also at times, but with a partner, you kind of have to let them steer into cases too. And at times that meant letting them take control and stand behind on some calls. The only good thing about that was that whatever Erin did, Antonio agreed with. And she was also a great detective like him so she never put his life at risk. Although it was his CI, he wanted them to formalize with each other in case something was to happen---like if Antonio was elsewhere, he could trust Erin to get the information they needed. And most of his CI’s were okay with that, as long as they were promised they could trust Erin. And right now it would be best if Erin came if he got the information and needed to stop by to speak to someone.

Erin

The morning routine included getting her jacket off, slipping her wedding band off and locking it in her desk drawer, then making her way to the break room where she’d fill her cup with shitty coffee that would mix with the coffee she had remaining in her cup.  She wasn’t functional until she’d had at least two; one before work, one on the way to work.  This morning the one on the way to work hadn’t been finished and therefore she’d top it off and consider it still her second cup.  Back at her desk, she’d draw up the phone to her ear, listening to the voicemails that sat in waiting for the unit from the overnight, jotting down any vital information that she’d then pass along to the rest of the team.  It wasn’t her job necessarily, as any of them could do it, but it was one of those things she’d taken up on her first day there and never quite put it down.

Over the next few minutes, she was finally waking the rest of the way up, finding herself more alert with every sip she took from the cup until she heard Antonio’s voice from across the short space between their desks.  Nodding her head, she put down her pen and rose from her seat, reaching to the back of her chair for her jacket.  “Sure,” she stated in response, not hesitating to go with him even if the partnership was still growing on the both of them.  The two together worked.  They both had reasons to not want to be partners.  For him, it was Jules.  A woman that Erin held the utmost respect for.  The woman that she’d stayed with until the end.  The one that she’d had to make that first impossible phone call to Hank followed by the impossible feat of going to the home of her husband and children and telling them that she wouldn’t be coming home that night.  For Erin, she’d been against her own partnership with C.J., forever thinking she was better off with either Hank or Al, not wanting anyone to slow her down.  She fought against it, but there was nothing to be done in the matter.  Those early days had been rocky, but somewhere along the line, the entire unit had to recognize that the dimpled duo was quite skilled when working together.  Little did any of them know, including Erin, there was a stronger partnership there than purely professional.  When they went public with their relationship, it was C.J.’s choice to divide their professional partnership for the sake of his two boys.  Erin hated it.  Though she’d respect it, she hated it.  It didn’t feel right.  The only way it was alright with her was if she and Hank or she and Al would be as they once were before she had a partner, but instead, she was paired with Antonio.  Truth be told, it was taking some time to find that chemistry that Hank seemed so sure would be there.

Once her jacket was on, she was reaching for her set of keys and drawing her gun to the holster at her side, meeting his eyes by way of telling him she was ready.  As she passed C.J.’s desk, two soft taps of her hand there to the corner meant she was on her way out and she’d see him later, but there was something more to it as well.  A silent I love you that no one else would ever understand, even if they’d seen it a million times before.  At the door of the unit, she gripped the handle as her other hand pushed against the fencework, pushing it opened where she’d hold it there for him without ever bothering to ask him where they were going.  There was always trust between the two detectives, that went without saying, and in moments like these, the rest of the unit could catch a glimpse at what Hank seemed to see all along, that the two of them were going to make great partners once they got the kinks worked out.

Antonio

Antonio nodded his head when she agreed to take a ride with him. He was sure that she wouldn't have said no, unless Voight needed them at the building for something. But normally Antonio took rides around the city when he's been staring at the same files over and over again. It wasn't like he took rides for no reason, he usually caught up with a few of his CI's for them to keep an eye out on something. He stood up, placing on his jacket and then he grabbed his keys. Although their partnership still wasn't entirely that new, it still felt weird when someone followed him on his rides. But this wasn't what he had to get used to. What was extremely difficult to get used to was someone's feelings on a matter, but he was getting used to it. Erin being a great detective made all this easier. He walked through the gate as he walked down the stairs.

As they walked down the stairs in silent, his mind was on his children. Laura insisted that the kids still didn't see him until the trial was over and the judge made a ruling. It frustrated Antonio to no end and was the reason why after every shift he went to his gym instead of Molly's. Even after they solved a big case, Antonio chose the gym instead of drinking with his friends. It was either going to the gym or doing something reckless to get his kids back. Breaking out of those thoughts, he headed towards the exit doors and he walked out. "Sorry, I just had to get out of there. Sitting behind a desk, staring at the same files was driving me crazy." It was the reason why Laura divorced him in the first place. After he got shot for the second time in less than 6 months, she begged him to take a job behind the desk, but that wasn't what Antonio wanted. He didn't worked his ass off to get this far in the detective world, to let it all go for a job behind the desk. It may worked for other people, but not him. Of course that meant giving up on his family, but what could he do?

Antonio looked over at Erin. "For the case, I just want to check in on a few of my CI's. They should have some information." Although he usually liked doing this on his own since all of his CI's only trusted him, he knew once the custody battle got deeper, there were some days he would need to focus on that. Besides, with a partner, he kind of had to introduced them. Well he didn't have to, but he wanted to. He just wanted to stop complaining about a partner and actually just trust their partnership. He understood her reasons because of CJ, but Jules died years ago, he couldn't be afraid of growing close to someone else as an partner and losing them also. Because that was the bottom line of why he didn't want a partner. Another person dying because he couldn't save them. He still had immense guilt over Jules death, but who's to say Erin would die the same way? Hell, he wouldn't allowed it. If anything, now he would be the one to knock on the door while Erin stays back. That was the one rule he made from the beginning and one rule he wouldn't change. Antonio walked over to his truck and he unlocked the doors.

Erin

The eagerness of the detective for her job was just as strong as it always had been, though in recent days it was slightly complicated in her own mind.  Although she didn’t talk about it on any level, there were things pulling on her that were difficult for her to process.  She’d wanted this, and she still wanted this, but there was just something she wanted more now.  Something she never really seemed to see for herself, but the desire was there.  It was surely anticipated throughout the unit that it may go in this direction for the woman after they all returned from Las Vegas where the unit was in attendance for Erin and C.J.’s wedding.  She wanted to add to the family that had begun with Erin, C.J., and his two boys.  She wanted one of their own, a baby that would take after the both of them.  She wanted to round out that family with a contribution of her own, but it was proving difficult to say the least.  It wasn’t something anyone in the unit knew about and it wasn’t something she was ready to talk about even, but the couple had been trying for months now to no avail and it was starting to get to her.  The issue made even more complex by the idea that if she did get pregnant, what would she do about her job?  

As the two made their way through the gate of the unit, down the stairs, and past Platt’s desk to find themselves outside, she heard Antonio begin to explain what it was that had him running for the door.  Erin understood and truthfully, there was more than enough boot work they could be doing to gain some perspective on the cases that laid stacked against their desks that it wasn’t unheard of for the two to slip away and see what they could find with their ears to the ground.  Although it was still different for her to be doing this with someone other than C.J., she couldn’t deny the natural chemistry that had always existed between herself and Antonio within the unit.  He was good police and she knew he was to be trusted, never doubting the man or his instincts as he arrived to work ready for work and nothing seemed to stop him.  Erin looked up to him in her early days within the unit and always would.  There were times that other detective’s morals were brought into question, but never Antonio’s.  The man was a man on fire and forever on point and for that, she could trust him.

“Sounds like a plan,” she offered, giving up a nod of her head as she’d go along with his decision to touch base with some C.I.’s.  They were the most vital part of the unit at times and though they didn’t want the credit for anything, everything they did went a long way for the unit as some things just were too deep underground for the police to sniff out on their own.  As they arrived at the vehicle that was Antonio’s department vehicle, she still hadn’t quite gotten used to not being the driver as she’d always been with C.J., though she made her way to the passenger’s side with a bit more ease every time.  “You doing okay though?” she asked as she climbed within the vehicle, waiting for him to join her within where that answer could be posed.  Knowing he was under a lot of personal things at the moment as well, she wasn’t so forthcoming with her own, but it was through his that trust could be formed on a personal level to where maybe one day the ironclad woman’s thoughts could be unlocked and she might just be able to speak freely.  Maybe.

-October 30, 2016