A/N: I'M BACK! I was going to start with my two finale ideas but truthfully, I'm not ready to re watch the finale to do that yet lol

Then I was going to update an existing story but for some reason, I just couldn't think of what to write yet.

Yes, I've heard the rumors about Sophia leaving. I'm not sure what to think anymore. Trying to wait for an official confirmation, but I realize she would have seen it and her not saying anything might be a sign she is going.

I'll still be here writing Linstead though, keeping them alive... like other writers.

At the end of the day I'm sure we all want Sophia happy. Anyway enough of that.

I had a really good holiday! I don't want to go back to work in another day lol Chicago was the highlight, my gosh what an absolutely beautiful city. I'm so in love.

I am sick though and have horrible jet lag.. add on the fact I think I forgot how to write... this is what you get lol

Now has anyone seen the show Doubt? Because I got the idea from there, this is obviously an AU fic.

Reasonable Doubt – Part One

"Now remember, the DA is going to say a lot of degrading things about you. Do not fall for it, he wants a rise – it will help his case. Just stay calm and sit there, don't fidget or write anything down. Okay?" I ball my hands into fists trying to restrain the urge to reach out and adjust his jacket.

"Got it. You find out about Jake?" His blue eyes stare into mine, his handsome face worried.

"Yeah. Amy reached out, he got home safe. He's been medically discharged from the military after the AED explosion."

Jay lets out a sign and closes his eyes, before nodding gently. His eyes open and there are unshed tears that pull on my heart strings.

"What?" I roll my eyes at the question thrown from behind me, as my assistant inserts herself into the conversation.

"Jay asked me to check in on an army buddy of his, keep him updated." I shrug softly, a hint of a smile on my lips.

"Well, the hearings about to start. We need to go."

"I'll meet you up there Kim." Kim sighs before leaving the room and I look back at Jay, his nervousness shining bright in his kind eyes.

"How are you?" My hands lose their battle and reach up to readjust his tie, my fingers brush his warm neck and I feel his breath against my hands.

"Terrified. I can run into a firefight, be tortured… no problem. But going out there and facing those charges? I'm terrified." Every cell in my body wants me to pull him into a hug and hold him so close that all his problems disappear. But instead I summon all the professionalism I have and keep our bodies apart.

"I've got this." Jay nods once at my words and the guards take him away.

"I guess I'll see you up there." He flashes me a small smile and I watch him be taken away.

Flashback – Four Months Ago

"Thank you." Jay Halstead whispers to the prison guard who takes his cuffs off and he stands by the table to shake my hand before taking a seat.

I follow his example momentarily floored by his politeness and manners, I'll come to find out I shouldn't be.

"Mr Halstead, I'm Erin Lindsay your attorney. Anything we talk about is covered under attorney client privilege." I clasp my hands, getting straight down to business.

"Please, call me Jay." He flashes me a smile but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"I hear you're the best." He continues after a few moments silence.

"That's what they say."

"Well my father certainly picked well then didn't he."

"He must care for you." Jay lets out a bitter laugh.

"He cares for himself and his reputation. He hasn't seen me once, my brother came for less than five minutes telling me to keep my mouth shut and wait for the lawyer to arrive." The hurt is obvious in his damaged blue gaze.

"How are you holding up?" I'm shocked as the words fall from my mouth but there is something different about this guy.

"Well, I've just been arrested for murder… so could be better. On the bright side I'm getting free meals and accommodation…" Jay smirks at me, some light reaching his eyes.

"Don't forget about the health care." Jay chuckles and I follow, enjoying the grove we have found.

"Alright, down to business. The DA is trying to make a name for himself, you're the son of a high profile doctor in this city that comes from money. He wants this win. Be prepared for a few months in jail until we can get a bond hearing. He wants to wear you down to take a plea deal."

"I'm not taking any deals. I didn't do this." Generally, I don't form an opinion this early if a client is guilty, in fact I try not to focus on that at all. I instead choose to focus on any injustice in the process or in the law that I can fight and fix.

Staring into Jay's warm eyes I immediately know he's telling the truth.

"We need to be prepared for what's coming at trial… I'm going to try and get this witness confession thrown out but if that doesn't work trial is going to be very risky. I need you to know that." I'm very serious, my hazel eyes boring into his.

"I never confessed to anything, to anyone. The witness is lying."

"They are going to bring up your confirmed kills to show that you have no problem taking lives." I continue on, voice deflecting any personal feelings wishing to arise. I'm good at pretending I don't care.

"I took those lives fighting for my country, I will answer for every one of them when I meet my maker. There are some that haunt me to this day but I was serving my country. I came back screwed up after my second tour. I did not enjoy taking lives and I certainly didn't murder my girlfriend when I was seventeen."

Tears find my eyes at the pain in his tone and the terror displayed on his face, I clear my throat and look away.

"Do you have some army buddies that would be character witnesses?" Jay nods stiffly and I can't help but reach across the table and lay my hand over his, which are clasp together tightly.

The gratitude on his face at this human contact melts my heart and I keep it there until we finish.

Present Day

"My father didn't even come."

"I'm sorry Jay." My hand finds his arm in comfort, my hand itching to wrap around his.

"He doesn't care if I get sent away for this."

"He's paying your legal fees. I'm the best defense attorney in Chicago." My voice is soft, knowing my words give him no comfort.

"Don't be fooled, he just doesn't want his precious name tainted."

I look behind me and feel anger that no one from his family is here to support Jay, his mother has passed but the other family members have no such excuse.

There are a few ranger buddies sitting in the crowd, offering their silent support to their friend.

"Your honor, twelve years ago Allie Johnson was murdered in Lincoln Park. The autopsy revealed her cause of death was blunt force trauma to the back of the head. Her boyfriend, the defendant was the last person seen with her on the night of the incident and he admits to having gotten into a fight with her on the night in question." I take a deep breath as I watch Jay's hands ball into fists listening to the DA.

"I regret that the case went cold however new evidence has come to light, in the form of Mr Hallstead's high school roommate whose testimony will reveal Mr Halstead confessed to murdering Miss Johnson. We submit that the defendant not be released on bail. His family has significant resources. He also has extensive knowledge of going undercover and tactical advantages if he wishes to disappear."

"Skills he received fighting for his country, he selflessly risked his life fighting for America." I defend from my seat.

"This all makes him a flight risk and a danger to society."

"Really? In my book it just makes him a hero." I stand up to plead our case.

"Your honor Mr Halstead has spent four months in jail waiting for the DA to make their case, Mr Halstead never confessed anything to this witness and in court we will show him to be an unreliable witness. In the meantime we ask for the defendant to be released on bail, there is no physical evidence tying him to this murder, not on the body, at the crime scene or on the murder weapon that was tested at the time of the murder. It only had Allie Johnsons blood on it."

"There have been significant advances in forensic science." I struggle to fight an eye roll.

"Which would be fine, except your department lost the murder weapon in the last twelve years. Your honor, this tragedy is being compounded by the fact they are now accusing an innocent man with no evidence after all this time."

"I agree. Bail is set at one million dollars. Court dismissed." I smile as the judge bangs her gavel and turn to share a smile with Jay.

"Lindsay." I roll my eyes at the predictability that is the DA.

"I can offer a plea deal. Manslaughter, minimum sentence three years." I scoff in reply and keep walking.

"Take it or leave it."

"Leave it. Your case is shit and you know it." I yell over my shoulder.

"You have forty eight hours to decide."

Flashback – Three months ago

"Thank you." Jay nods to the guard who takes his cuffs off. He's moving stiffly and is nursing a black eye.

He's compensating for the right hand side of his body when he sits down and releases a grunt of pain.

"What happened?" I get up and race around to Jay's side of the table, over our many visits in the last month I've grown attached to this client in a way I shouldn't.

"Nothing, I'm fine. I've had worse injuries."

"I don't care if you have had worse. Who did this? Prisoners or guards?" Anger is coursing through my body.

"Word got around that I served overseas… and that I was on my way to becoming a cop. While I haven't put any of them away they were looking for a new punching bag."

"I'm going to have you moved into protective custody." My tone is fierce, almost as strong as my instincts to protect this man at all costs.

"No, I'm fine."

"Do you want to be killed?" The hysteria in my voice cannot be missed and Jay does a double take.

"I won't be. I can handle myself. I promise." There's a softness to his voice as he promises me, his blue eyes shining in a way I know he's speaking the truth.

"If this happens again, or gets worse I'm having you moved." He searches my hazel eyes before nodding at me once, sensing my stubbornness.

A/N: Thoughts? Would love to know if you want to read more.

Yes, I'll update my other stories too.

Review :)