Prompt #9: "Wanna like, I mean- if you're not busy, we could get lunch? Or even just coffee if you don't have a lot of time?"

Jay was going for a jog in the park to clear his head when he spotted her, causing him to stop dead in his tracks. He could recognize that flash of blonde hair anywhere. He felt his heart plummet, both in shock and nervousness to see her and giddy elation. The dull ache of missing her had never gone away despite the time that had passed. She was buying something from one of the vendor stands, most likely coffee, of that he was certain. She was dressed down, but had her badge on so she was likely heading into work soon. He took a moment to stare, breathing in deeply to try to get his pulse to settle down. Their connection must still be deep though because suddenly he noticed her tense. He could only assume she must have sensed him, or at least someone, staring at the back of her head.

"Hailey..." he managed to choke out, loud enough to be heard, but still sounding as a whisper off his lips.

She turned then slowly, sure enough with a hot cup in her hand. He used to be able to read her better than himself, but for the life of him he couldn't gage her reaction at seeing him. She didn't look annoyed or upset, which was good, but she didn't seem ecstatic like he internally felt. He watched her take a breath and then she gave him a small smile as she started walking over to him.

"Jay."

She simply said and he hated it. The affection that was normally heard when she used to say his name wasn't there, nor even the feigned exasperation if it was one of the times he was getting on her nerves. It sounded like just a word coming out of her mouth and that was the worst feeling of all. Despite all of that, he did the one thing he'd been wanting to do for too long and pulled her into an awkward hug. She surprisingly held onto him in a way that made him feel like she'd been needing it as much as him and a little bit of relief washed over him. When they finally pulled apart he spoke gently again.

"You look good."

"Thanks. So do you."

"So how have you been?" He couldn't believe it had come to them resorting to small talk. He never thought his relationship with Hailey, out of anyone, would ever switch to that again.

"Good. Busy. Work has been nonstop, but in a good way. You know how it is." She tells him honestly.

"Yeah... I uh, I've been meaning to text to see how things were, I just," he stumbles over his wording, "I just wasn't sure how much you wanted to hear from me."

"It's okay, Jay. You don't have to explain. The phone goes both ways..." she says sadly, giving him a little glimmer of hope that she may feel a little guilty and miss him too.

"Yeah. It's great running into you though. I've missed you..."

He tries with all his might to convey every emotion he's feeling with those three simple words. And he watches her face break the void of emotions, notices the quick flicker of yearning that crosses her eyes, gone as soon as it arose. He speaks again quickly then, hoping to keep her in the moment.

"Wanna like, I mean- if you're not busy, we could get lunch? Or even just coffee if you don't have a lot of time? I know you just bought one, so I'll grab my own and we can just go sit somewhere, maybe catch up?" He asks hopefully.

"Jay..." she says softly, like she used to speak to him so often. And he knows she's just softening the inevitable blow. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Yeah. No, I get it. You're right."

It had been almost two months since Hailey's return from New York. She had passed Voight's test with flying colors and really impressed everyone in NYC and Chicago. Even better to Jay's relief, she was more like her old self again. And the two of them had never been closer. It was unspoken between them that there was something more there and every day that passed was just one day closer to them throwing caution to the wind and taking that next step. One could even say they were dating at this point, just without the sexual benefits yet. They were practically there before Hailey had left, but since she came back they had upped their game and even started going to dinner dinners together. Jay knew he was going to make an actual move soon and he knew that Hailey knew too. At this point it was just a matter of waiting for a slower case week so they wouldn't be interrupted.

He had high hopes for tonight. Work for once had actually dragged yesterday and since it was their off weekend she was coming over his place tonight to "watch a movie." He had big plans to surprise her with a home cooked meal instead of takeout, and a romantic candlelit dessert. He was just about to put the cake he was making in the oven when his work phone went off. He immediately recognized the number and knew he shouldn't answer, but he did anyway. He knew even more he shouldn't go, but he found himself grabbing his jacket and running out the door before he could stop himself. It was just that part of himself he couldn't turn off. The bleeding heart won and it was about to cost him again.

Hours later he found Hailey waiting at his stoop and silently cursed to himself.

"Hey, everything okay? I've been texting and calling you and it seemed like your phone was off. That's not like you. I know I'm a little early, but I wanted to make sure nothing was wrong." She immediately popped up and said once she saw him walking towards her.

"Hey. Sorry. Yeah, let's talk inside." He quickly said as he guided her in.

He knew this conversation wasn't going to go well, but he refused to lie to her. Things were almost there for them and he wasn't going to start it up on dishonesty. She looked at him curiously once they were in his living room and she noticed him fidgeting and scratching his neck.

"So don't be mad..." he tries to start, hoping her chuckling at what she thinks is a joke will ease the conversation.

"Not really the best start for me not to. What's going on, Jay?"

"I went to see Bobby..."

Hailey looks at him quizzically. "Bobby? Who's Bobb..." he sees her pause as the wheels start turning in her head and he flinches when it hits her and her face drops. "Bobby as in Bobby West? Marcus and Angela's son? Please don't tell me you mean that Bobby?!"

"He uh, he called my work phone before and something just told me I had to answer it. I swear I haven't seen or spoken to them since I got shot, but for him to call I thought something was wrong."

"You mean since his MOTHER SHOT YOU? Not 'since you got shot' Jay, you got shot by HER. You got shot, and kidnapped, mind you, while just trying to protect her." Hailey lets out a groin and turns away from him, her hands going into her hair and pulling, trying to hold back her frustration.

"Hailey, they got dealt a bad hand. They lost Marcus because of us, because of me. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything wrong."

"I get that, Jay! Which is why I was on your side when you told Voight you didn't want charges pressed against her. But you can't go down this road again. You promised me you'd let it go! I needed you to let it go..."

"I know, I'm sorry, it won't happen again. Apparently he was hanging out with the wrong kid who convinced him to try to steal the latest video game console because their mom's couldn't afford it. He called me to see if I could talk the store owner down from calling the cops on them."

Hailey sighs. "And did you, talk down the owner?"

"Yeah. I told the guy I'd help him with some traffic tickets he had. He wasn't thrilled with letting them go, but he didn't really want police presence around."

"Jay, you know how much I love the goodness of your heart, but what happens next time, huh? What happens when he calls again? Or worse, what happens if his mother finds out he spoke to you and they decide they want revenge again? Or if it's not Bobby, but some other case you can't let go and take too far?"

Even though she's not yelling at him, he feels the condescending and it ticks him off. "Oh, that's rich coming from you, Hailey. It wasn't too long ago you got in trouble with Voight for the same exact thing!"

Her eyes throw daggers at him. "Yeah, and YOU told me to stand down, that it could destroy my career or worse. So what, I'm supposed to reform while I watch you spiral time after time and almost die because of it? No, I don't think so, Jay!"

"Hailey, I told him I couldn't bail him out anymore. It was just this one time!"

"Yeah, until it's not..." she pauses for a while, staring sadly at him. "I can't keep doing this, Jay. I can't. I don't think I can handle almost losing you again. I won't!" Tears start to form in her eyes and Jay feels his heart breaking.

"Hailey..." he tries to reach out for her, but she pulls away.

"No. No. Listen, I didn't tell you because I told them I wasn't taking it, but maybe I should because I'm not sure I can handle this cycle of worry anymore."

"What are you talking about?" He starts to get nervous, knowing she's pulling away and guarding herself again and he's not sure if he can stop it.

"Apparently Voight and everyone liked my work at the FBI so much that Narcotics wants me. It even comes with a promotion to 1st Detective. It's an amazing opportunity which is why Voight was willing to let me go, but I said no. I didn't want to leave the unit, or my partner-you, but now... maybe I should take it."

His heart plummets. "Hailey, no, please. You can't be serious. I swear I won't see Bobby anymore."

He wants to scream as he sees her reaching for her zip-up and looking like she's getting ready to leave.

"I'm sorry, Jay. I just can't keep doing this with you. Maybe I could have kept it up before... before all these feelings became involved. But I can't go to work every day wondering if I'm going to turn the corner and see you bleeding out because you can't let things go. I just can't go through it again."

"Hailey, don't go, please!" He tries reaching for her again, but she makes her way to his door.

"Please, I just need space right now, please. I need to clear my head. I think we both do. I'm sorry!"

And with that she walked out the door. Jay turned into the kitchen feeling defeated. Then he tried to hold back his tears as he saw the cake batter he had waiting in the pan, representing all that never was...

"I should probably get going. I have to be back at work soon."

Hailey speaks again, breaking Jay from his memories.

"It was good to see you!" She continues.

"Yeah, you too! Of course. I won't keep you any longer." He tells her as brightly as he can.

"Take care of yourself, Jay!" She gives him one of her token smiles, one that was usually reserved just for him and it gives him hope to make one last plea as she starts to walk away.

"Hey Hailey..."

"Yeah?" She stops moving and turns to tilt her head at him.

"I blocked his number. Bobby's I mean. And Angela's too. As well an any others from former cases that could get me in trouble. And I started therapy again. It's been good. I didn't realize I was still dealing with some trauma from getting shot again. I just wanted you to know."

She takes a step towards him and she smiles again. This one lighting up her face like he used to bring out in her. But then she pauses, as if realizing this isn't the past.

"I'm glad!" And he can tell she genuinely means it, but she's staying guarded. "I'll see you at Molly's maybe sometime soon, yah?"

"Yeah, of course. Take care, Hailey."

She nods and he watches her walk away just like 3 months ago. He sighs and then realizes he needs to continue his jog now more than ever. Hailey had taken the promotion in Narcotics after that fateful day and while the two of them had spoken briefly since, this was the first they've seen each other since she left Intelligence. He knows she still hangs out with the rest of the team on occasion, but he never had the balls to join. He knows they don't blame him for her leaving and even that she'd probably be okay with him there, but he blames himself for losing her and just didn't know how to face it. He wasn't lying though, therapy had been a massive help. Again, he'll always have her to thank. He picks up his pace and tries to run away from the heartache of losing the best thing to ever happen to him.

Later that night he's watching the game when his doorbell rings. It's just past 10pm and he's certain Will is working and that the rest of the team is probably off doing their own things, so he has no idea who it could be. He feels his heart rate pick up when he sees its Hailey, much like it did this morning.

"Hey. Sorry for stopping by so late. You mind if I come in?"

She says to him almost bashfully as he holds the door open for her.

"Of course!" He smiles at her, both thrilled and curious over the surprise visit. He had spent all day wrapping his head around the idea it could be months before he saw her again.

They instantly fall into the old rhythm of him grabbing them beer as she makes her way over to his couch. She sits down as if no time has passed and he joins her as they pop their beers. She looks over to the TV.

"Augh! I saw them tie it right as I left. Was hoping they'd take the lead back by the time I got here."

He laughs. "Yeah. No such luck."

She grins back and they sit comfortably for a few minutes just watching the game. If one didn't know any better it was just like old times.

Eventually the suspense starts slowly killing him, so he has to ask. "So, what brings you by?"

He watches her look down and start nervously picking at her beer label. "I'm sorry!"

Jay inhales and gulps, not expecting that. "For what?"

"For leaving things the way they were between us. That's not us. We annoy the hell out of each other until we fix things, we don't walk away. I'm sorry."

"Hailey, don't be. I'm sorry too. I deserved it. I guess I never really thought about just how much I scared you every time I went off book. Dealing with 'losing you' these past few months made me realize how you must have felt at the thought of losing me..."

"Yeah..."

She pauses for a long time and he can see the tears welling in her eyes while she stares at her bottle. It takes every ounce of him not to overstep and pull her into his arms. Once she gathers her emotions she speaks again.

"Well, I'm sorry for earlier too. I didn't mean to come off so abrupt. I really did have to get to work, I don't want you to think I just didn't want to talk."

"Even if you didn't, I wouldn't blame you, Hailey." He smirks softly at her.

"Confession?" She asks him.

He raises his eyebrow. "Sure."

"It wasn't a complete shock to me to see you today. You didn't think I forgot your jogging route, did you?" It's her turn to smirk.

He laughs. "I guess not. So are you saying you orchestrated stalking me, Hailey?"

"Yeah right, you wish. There was a small part of me that was hoping maybe you'd be there. But then when I saw you, my guard just instantly came back up. I had gone almost 90 days without feeling vulnerable and all it took was you saying my name for that to all go out the window." She softly chuckles to herself.

"Um, I'm sorry."

They both laugh and it's crazy how easily they can fall back into their old patterns. Completely comfortable and in tune to the other.

"No, I am. I wanted us to clear the air, but then once I saw you the enormous rush of feelings scared me again. So it was just easier for the quick exit. But then you told me about the therapy, and it was true what I had heard from the team, you were trying to fix the recklessness. And I knew I couldn't be scared anymore, but I had to get to work. So, now here I am." She simply says, raising her arms to make a show of it.

Finally he gets the balls and does what he's wanted to for months, he pulls her towards him and wraps his arms around her. She tucks her head into his chest and they sit like that for what could have been minutes or hours. Both just grateful to have a moment with each other again.

After a while he whispers against her forehead. "I can't promise I'll never be reckless again... but for you, for you I will try my hardest!"

"I know." He feels his chest reverberate from her lips.

"Sooo... we're good?" he asks hopefully.

She lifts her head up slightly to look at him and she smiles when their eyes meet.

"Yeah, we're good. And we're always going to be good!"

He smiles back at her recognizing the words. He leans down to give her a soft kiss. And for the first time in months he can feel his heart breath life again. He may have lost his work partner, but he won back his whole world.

[A/N: Here's our next prompt requested by: "jediA," and a guest. Sorry it's been a little longer since I've written. At least I haven't been working on a multi-chapter I guess. To be honest, the past few weeks I had been kind of bummed out by the lack of content and news with filming having started. Even though we came so far already I guess I just got worn down. But then Tracy posted the pic with Jesse and promo pics came out and just like that all is right again, hehe. Over 6 months of hiatus hell is almost over! =] Thank you all for the support and reading during this rough drought. The finish line is upon us!

* Prompts to request are listed at the bottom of the first chapter * ]