Hailey sighed and closed her laptop angrily.

"You good?" Jay chuckled and looked up from the puzzle he was doing with Drew.

"I'm frustrated," Hailey mumbled, "School is frustrating."

"I thought school doesn't start for a few weeks," Drew said.

"It doesn't, but I'm just trying to choose a teacher for you," Hailey moved off the couch to sit next to them.

Jay raised his eyebrows, "You can do that?"

"Not usually, but I'm going to strongly request one," Hailey said and put two pieces together.

"I have to go to a new school, right?" Drew asked.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Hailey reached over and lightly squeezed his hand.

"No, it's okay, I didn't have friends there," Drew shrugged.

"You didn't have friends?" Jay said.

"I prefer no friends," Drew sorted through the puzzle pieces.

Hailey shook her head, "You need friends."

"I don't think so," Drew looked at her, "I was fine without friends."

"Bud, friends are important," Jay shook his head.

Drew hummed softly before saying, "No. I only need a family."

"What about Cara? I thought she was your friend," Hailey said.

"Yeah, but she was more like a sister. She was the nicest to me when we stayed at Ms. Isabetta's house," Drew shrugged, "Doesn't count."

Hailey and Jay exchanged a look while Drew continued working on the puzzle quietly.

Jay pulled out his phone and texted Hailey.

Her phone buzzed and she rolled her eyes when she saw Jay's name on the screen.

-I'm not ok with this-

Hailey sighed and quickly replied.

-But what are we supposed to do? He doesn't want friends-

Jay shook his head and typed back.

-I'll sign him up for boy scouts-

Hailey raised her eyebrows.

-You're just going to sign him up? Without telling him? And expect things to go well?-

Jay chuckled.

-It'll be fine-

Hailey sighed and smirked.

-If you say so-

Hailey woke at four in the morning with a brilliant idea. She knew exactly how she could figure out Drew's school situation, but she wasn't sure Jay would approve.

She rolled over in bed and whispered, "I'm going into work early."

"Hmm?" Jay grunted and rubbed his eyes.

"Shh, shh, stay asleep," Hailey breathed and set her hands on his, "I need to finish something at work, you stay here and take Drew to Grace's house in a little bit."

Jay sighed and reached out for her.

"No, I'll see you at work," Hailey whispered and kissed his forehead, "Sleep." She slipped out of bed and quietly grabbed her clothes.

"Wha' you doin'?" Jay sleepily sat up.

"Shh," Hailey rushed over and laid him back down. She tucked a blanket around him, "Go to sleep."

"Hailey," Jay breathed.

"Sleep," Hailey whispered again and ran her hand over his hair, "Go to sleep for me. I'll see you at work, okay?"

Jay sighed and relaxed into the bed.

"There you go," Hailey smiled softly, "I love you," she kissed his head before walking out of the room.

The bullpen was silent as Hailey walked up the stairs to it just after 4:30 in the morning. She was a little creeped out being there so early by herself, but she needed to be alone because she may or may not be about to break a couple laws.

She turned on her computer and went to make coffee as it loaded. Sipping it in the break room, she closed her eyes and took in the peace for once before going back to her desk and pulling up the database to look up the different teachers at the elementary school.

Jay climbed the staircase, "What the hell, Hailey?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What?" Hailey said.

"When did you even leave?" Jay asked, "I just woke up and you were gone."

"I told you I left," Hailey shrugged.

"I don't remember that," Jay said as he stood in front of her.

"Take your personal life to the locker room," Hank shouted from his office.

Hailey blushed and led the way downstairs.

Jay closed the locker room door, "Please explain what is happening."

Hailey shrugged and crossed her arms, "I woke up, realized I needed to go to work, told you, and left."

"You didn't even shower at home," Jay said, "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing," Hailey stated.

"Don't lie," Jay sighed, "Come on. We're married."

"I…no, I can't tell you," Hailey shook her head.

"Hailey," Jay warned.

Hailey set her eyes on the wall above his head.

"What is going on?" Jay hissed.

"I did something that might be illegal, okay?" Hailey put her arms to her sides.

Jay raised his eyebrows, "You're a cop, a detective actually, it's either legal or illegal."

"I think I could pass it off as legal," Hailey breathed.

Jay shook his head, "What did you do?"

"I searched all those teachers in the database," Hailey said quietly.

"For what reason?" Jay asked.

"To know if they're good people and to find more information than Google was giving me," Hailey shrugged.

"I can't believe you," Jay breathed, "Who is teacher is is not a big deal, Hailey. It'll all work out."

"But now I know which teachers were fired from previous jobs and which ones took additional classes in special ed and which one was previously in a holding cell," Hailey said, "I didn't do anything wrong."

"You did a deep dive," Jay whispered in disbelief, "I…Hailey, if you get caught-"

"I know, I know, so shut up about it," Hailey waved her hand.

Jay grabbed her wrist, "Hailey, no, not acceptable. We should tell Voight."

"You're overreacting," Hailey shook her head.

"If you get caught, he'll need to help us get out of this," Jay said.

"This is why I snuck out," Hailey snapped.

"I knew it!" Jay ran a hand through his hair.

"Technically I did tell you," Hailey said quickly, "You were just super out of it."

Jay shook his head, "Who are you?"

"I'm just trying to protect him," Hailey grabbed Jay's hands, "We both know he needs a special teacher for his needs."

"Just because he has autism doesn't mean he needs a special teacher, he's very capable on his own," Jay said.

"I would feel better knowing he's in a classroom where the teacher has been trained for kids like him," Hailey squeezed Jay's hands, "I did nothing wrong."

Jay sighed and rubbed his face, "Hailey."

She bit her lip, "Please, Jay."

"If you did nothing wrong, you would have told me and actually woken me up whenever you left the house," Jay whispered.

Hailey looked down, "Maybe."

"I'm going to be beyond angry if this gets in the way of us adopting him," Jay hugged her to his chest.

Hailey closed her eyes, "I understand."

"And I'm telling Voight," Jay mumbled.

Hailey groaned, "Why?"

Jay tilted her head up, "Because if we get caught, I'd much rather him be on our side."

Hailey shook her head, "Whatever."

Jay squeezed her arms, "We'll figure it out."

"Thank you," Hailey whispered.

Hailey paced the living room as she waited for Jay to come home. She'd picked Drew up from Grace's office so that Jay could talk to Hank after their shift. She knew in her heart that she did the right thing. Yes, she invaded the privacy of three women she'd never met. Yes, that is highly frowned upon. But now she knew that Drew would be safe and supported in school. The second she got home she sent an official email to the school with her request…and made sure to use her work signature for an added touch.

"Mom," Drew yelled down the stairs, "Are you coming?"

"In a minute," Hailey called back, "Just waiting for Dad."

Dad. It still felt weird to say in a reality sense. Her and Jay were parents and calling each other as such. It just further solidified the fact that what she did was right.

The front door opened and Jay looked at Hailey, "He's pissed."

Hailey sat on the couch with a huff, "No."

Jay chuckled, "No, you're right, I'm lying. He seemed more annoyed than anything, but he thinks if something comes up that he could get you out of any trouble."

Hailey threw a pillow at him, "Not funny, Jay Halstead."

Jay smiled and walked over to kiss the top of her head, "I'm sorry. Did you call the school?"

"I sent an official email," Hailey said and turned on the couch to face him.

Jay nodded, "Good."

"So you agree that it's a good idea?" Hailey asked.

"I still think it would have been really good character building for him," Jay started.

Hailey rolled her eyes and turned away.

Jay smirked, "But, yes, I think it'll make everyone's lives easier if he's with a teacher who's prepared for him."

"Thank you," Hailey mumbled.

"Who'd you pick?" Jay leaned against the couch.

Hailey smiled a little and tilted her head back to look at him, "A younger teacher, she's in her fourth year, but she's going back to school for a degree in special ed and her original degree was in science with elementary education."

"Has she been arrested?" Jay asked.

"No, but the older teacher," Hailey blew out a breath, "She's a piece of work."

Jay chuckled and kissed her forehead, "Nice."

"Is Dad home yet?" Drew yelled again.

"Yeah, I'm home," Jay replied.

Hailey smiled and stood, "I told him I'd read to him once you got home."

Jay nodded, "Okay, I'll start dinner."

"Make it good," Hailey squeezed his arm and walked up the stairs.

Drew was sitting on his bed, "I'm ready."

"Awesome," Hailey smiled and sat next to him.

Drew leaned against her as she read and once she finished, he shook his head, "I don't agree with that. We should get rid of that book."

"What are you talking about?" Hailey looked at the cover again, "It was cute and it taught you about friendship."

"I told you, I don't have friends at school," Drew said, "That's okay."

"I…" Hailey thought over her words and ran a hand through her hair, "So at work, we are friends with Kim, Vanessa, Adam, Kevin, even our boss, and we need that. Everyone needs people they can talk to about things you don't want to talk to your family about."

"Why wouldn't you want to talk to your family about something?" Drew asked.

Hailey winced, "Well, no, I said that wrong. Friends are people that you choose to be around and that can help you and support you and just have fun with you."

"That's what family's for," Drew pointed out.

Hailey sighed, "Yes, but…Drew, you're seven. You should talk to people that are also seven besides me and Dad."

"I thought you liked me," Drew said quietly.

"I do! Oh, honey, I do," Hailey hugged him tightly, "I more than like you, I love you."

"Then why are you trying to make me make friends?" Drew asked.

"I want you to like spending time with people," Hailey looked down at him, "Dad and I want to know that when you're not with us, you're with people you like and that you're having fun."

Drew shrugged, "I have fun by myself."

"Which is not bad," Hailey set a hand on his cheek, "But knowing how to talk to people that aren't related to you is an important skill to have."

Drew rubbed his face, "This is hurting my head."

Hailey bit her lip, "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"I just don't understand," Drew said, frustrated, "I don't understand why I have to change."

"You don't have to change," Hailey rubbed his back.

Drew squeezed his eyes shut, "You're telling me to make friends!"

Hailey stumbled over her words, "I-yes, I am, but-"

"That means I have to change," Drew said shakily. He started rubbing his arms.

"Drew," Hailey breathed, "Deep breath for me."

Drew shook his head, "I'm upset," he started scratching himself, "Please leave."

Hailey blinked, "Drew."

"Please," Drew said and stared at the ground.

Hailey lightly set her hands on Drew's, "Don't hurt yourself."

"Just another thing I need to change," Drew fell back on the bed.

Hailey closed her eyes and counted to five before deciding to walk out of the room. She closed the door and leaned against it trying to figure out where exactly she went wrong.

Jay walked up the stairs, "Hey, how was the book? I just got some info about the Boy Scout troop at his school, I was hoping you could be there when I tell him I'm signing him up."

Hailey groaned loudly and slid to the floor.

"Did I say something?" Jay asked.

"Don't even bother, he's set on never making friends because he has a family now," Hailey said.

Jay raised his eyebrows and looked at the door, "I'm guessing you continued last night's talk."

There was a loud noise from in the room and they heard Drew yell loudly.

Hailey quickly stood and opened the door, "Drew?"

Drew ripped out the pages from the book Hailey had just read him, "I don't want to change."

Jay hurried to stand behind Hailey, "Hey, Drew, calm down."

"I'm angry," Drew said and threw the book at the wall, "I just want family. I don't want friends."

Hailey stood frozen, her breath stuck in her throat.

Jay snuck past her, "Bud, come here," he put his hands out, "I'm not going to hurt you."

"I already hurt myself," Drew wiped his face and showed Jay the scratches on his arm, "I know I'm in trouble."

"You're not in trouble," Jay said softly, "Just come here."

Drew shook his head and picked up another book, "I don't want books about friends."

Hailey swallowed, "Okay, we'll put those books away then, you don't need to rip them."

Drew sniffled and started crying, "I do. I need to break things."

Jay walked closer to him, "Then let's go break sticks outside, we don't have to break things you own."

Drew threw the book neither the other two, "I don't want to change."

"We know," Hailey said softly, "And I'm so sorry if what I said sounded like you need to change. We think you are perfect the way you are."

"Then stop telling me to make friends," Drew started crying.

Jay gently set his hands on Drew, "I'm going to pick you up."

"No, no," Drew cried and tried pulling away, "Don't touch me."

"I want to help you," Jay whispered, "I won't hurt you."

"Don't touch me," Drew backed away.

Hailey walked forward next to Jay, "Honey, please just sit with us."

"No, no," Drew looked around the room before pressing his hands into his eyes, "No, no, no."

Hailey set her hand on Jay's arm and sat on the ground. Jay bit his lip and sat next to her.

"We'll wait for you," Hailey said softly, "Go ahead and do what you need to. We'll wait."

"Hailey," Jay breathed.

She shook her head and crossed her legs.

Drew cried loudly and sat on the bed. He pulled at the comforter until it was off of the mattress and wrapped it over himself so he was hidden from Hailey and Jay.

Jay swallowed and twitched to move, but Hailey set a hand on his arm.

Finally, Drew's crying slowed and the blanket stopped moving around on the bed.

Hailey hesitantly moved to the bed and set her hand on Drew's back.

Under the blanket, Drew sniffled and pulled it tighter around himself.

Jay stood and walked out of the room as Hailey put he hand back in her lap.

Jay returned with his weighted blanket, "Will it be too heavy?" he whispered.

Hailey shrugged and put her hands out for Jay to pass it to her.

She carefully tugged Drew's blanket off of him, whispering, "Shh, shh, it's okay, one second," when he started crying again. Once she had his comforter off of him, she laid Jay's weighted blanket on him.

Drew gasped and his eyes widened.

"Too heavy?" Hailey asked softly.

Drew shook his head and hid his face under the blanket.

Hailey nodded and gently rubbed his back.

Jay hesitantly sat on the mattress and set a hand on Drew's leg.

After a minute, Drew yawned and relaxed into the bed. He blinked his eyes slowly and looked at Hailey.

"Feeling better?" she whispered.

Drew nodded and looked over at Jay, "I'm sorry," he croaked.

Jay shook his head, "We'll talk about it later, focus on you right now."

Tears fell from Drew's eyes and he covered his face again.

Hailey bit her lip, debating what to do before deciding to go with her gut and stroke Drew's hair.

His breathing hitched in his throat and he panted for a minute until he hiccupped and hesitantly uncovered his face.

"There you are," Hailey smiled softly.

Drew blushed and wiped his nose, "It's heavy," he whispered.

Jay chuckled and nodded, "It's heavy for me; you must be feeling squished."

Drew smiled slightly at him, "I am."

Jay smiled back and lightly rubbed his hand over Drew's back, "We're here for you."

Hailey nodded, "We're not going to leave you."

"I get scared when this happens," Drew said quietly, his lip wavering.

"That's why we're not going anywhere," Hailey whispered.

Drew sniffled and started crying again.

Jay fought his instinct to pick him up and landed on continuing to rub his back. He bit his lip and looked at Hailey finally understanding why she did what she did earlier.

A/N: I wanted this chapter to be a focus on Hailey and her understanding of Drew. My goal for next chapter is to be similar but with Jay instead, so I hope you liked this one. Also, I tried thinking back to my own experience with kids with autism and based Drew's outburst on what I've seen and dealt with on my own. So yeah! I hope you enjoyed this chapter even if it was a little on the angsty side. Let me know what you think :)