So... I decided to put the remaining part of this story into one slightly longer chapter, simply because I didn't know where to end one chapter. Nevertheless I hope you like it - and once again, thank you for your support and your great feedback. There should be more to come in a while. I still have to recover from episode 8x3, which was so good.

Chapter 11

Several patrol cars arrived and brought all offenders back to the 21st precinct. The operation had been a full success. Intelligence could arrest Gambino, Begnini, Anna DiStefano and her husband, and two guys that had been sitting in the truck, ready to unload several slot machines. These machines had been tampered with, as further investigation would reveal.

Jay and Hailey stayed behind in the family restaurant when all official business was done, helped Danny clean up the mess, calm down the patrons, and explain their strange behavior. Hailey could be her usual confident self again, no fear in her eyes or demeanor.

"You know, you could have fooled me," Kathy said. "You were so convincing, it was scary."

"I was seriously worried about you, Hailey," Danny added.

"I won't end up like mom," Hailey answered quietly. "You should be worried about her, not about me."

Danny sighed. "You know mom... and dad."

Hailey was about to answer, but kept quiet.

"You should go and see dad, you know that," Danny added. "He'll be in surgery again tomorrow, it's still critical."

"You can't be serious."

"Hailey, he's your father," Danny said insistently.

"I'm sorry, but after last time I don't actually feel welcome," Hailey answered.

"You know how he is, Hailey. He doesn't mean that."

"Oh, you think?" Hailey could barely stop herself from snapping at her brother.

"Hailey..."

Jay had watched long enough, he decided. He softly put a hand on her arm. "You can think about it later, Hailey. And do what you think is right." He looked at Danny. "It's Hailey's decision, she must do whatever she's comfortable with."

She wanted to protest against his interference, but a look into his eyes changed her mind. Jay didn't try to tell her what to do, he was nothing but supportive.

"I'll think about it, Danny." She took Jay's hand in hers, gave him a thankful nod. That was what she needed, who she needed. Jay squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Holding hands, they went to Jay's car.

"And now?" Jay asked.

"I'd like to tell my mom. But we've got to go back to the office."

"Half an hour won't hurt, Hailey. Voight won't mind. Shall I call him?"

"You coming with me?"

"Of course, if you want me to."

Hailey's parents didn't live far away from the restaurant, only a few minutes later Jay parked his truck in the driveway.

Maria Upton saw them arrive; when they walked up the stairs, she stood in the open door already.

"Hailey, are you okay?"

Hailey briefly hugged her mother. "It's over, mom."

The three of them went inside, into the living room. "Coffee? Tea? Anything else? Are you hungry?"

"No, thank you so much," Jay refused the offer with a smile. "We don't want to cause any inconvenience. And we have to be back in the precinct soon."

"Mom, sit down," Hailey quietly asked her mom, who seemed to be quite insecure how to treat her daughter and Jay. "We just wanted to let you know that everything is back to normal. We've got them."

"You did?" Maria reluctantly sat down in a chair, still looking from Jay to Hailey and back nervously.

"Yes, they will not bother anybody again," Jay confirmed. "We've got enough evidence to build a solid case. These guys will be off the streets for a long time."

"Good, that's good," Maria sighed. "Just... Hailey... what about..."

Hailey raised her eyebrows.

"What's that bruise on your arm?"

Hailey shook her head, noticing that Jay blushed, clearly embarrassed and uncomfortable. She briefly touched his hand.

"That's because we were undercover, mom. It was safer to have both of us in the restaurant, and with Jay pretending to be my very controlling boyfriend, we had the perfect cover. Jay's not controlling... or violent."

"But..." Maria looked from one to the other.

Hailey smiled, took Jay's hand. "Yes, he's my boyfriend. And my partner."

Maria nodded, not quite sure yet if Hailey had been honest. Jay didn't say anything, he knew it would take a while to gain her trust. But he would work on that, if Hailey decided to stay in contact with her mother.

"Hailey, please visit your father, will you?"

"Mom..." Hailey's eyes widened. "Are you serious? I mean, you're worried about me – and Jay, and yet you..."

"Hailey, you don't understand..."

Hailey looked at her mother with raised eyebrows. "I don't see much of a difference, you know that. You can still leave..."

"No, Hailey, I can't," Maria answered quietly. "Your father..."

Hailey opened her mouth to protest, but Jay very cautiously interrupted her, noticing that she was getting anxious. That wouldn't help. "We're available, whenever you need help," he calmly said. "Please think about it."

Maria chose to ignore Jay's words. "Hailey, please visit your father, he's going into surgery again tomorrow. I'll return to the hospital now."

Hailey shrugged, unable to give her mother a definitive answer. She was unable to understand how her mother could be so worried about her daughter, and at the same time not see her own situation, didn't even consider getting help. She should have left many years ago. But that was something Hailey would probably never understand. All she could do, and would do again in the future, was trying to help and be supportive, if wanted or required.

Back in the 21st precinct, Begnini was in one interrogation room, Gambino in the other. Voight was with Gambino, Adam and Kim with Begnini. After checking the observation rooms, Jay joined Voight, listening to the interrogation, while Hailey stayed behind with Kevin.

Gambino wasn't willing to give away anything, he had called for a lawyer right away, confident he would be released within hours. But that wouldn't happen. Begnini was close to confessing everything, to give away all details and especially his father's involvement. Especially since Adam managed to convince him that his father had already thrown him under the bus, blaming him for the complete operation. That wasn't true, but Begnini didn't know that, and obviously he didn't trust his father very much anyway.

The unit could confirm that the DiStefano sisters in fact had helped obtaining financial data of the businesses in Lake Forest, and with the gambling licenses. Anna DiStefano's sister was brought in by patrol the same day and placed in custody. The case was strong and there wasn't any doubt that everyone would stay behind bars for a significant time.

After the case was wrapped up, the unit gathered in their office.

"Hailey, are you okay? Is your family okay?" Kim asked. "How about your father?"

"I'm okay," Hailey answered, exchanging a quick look with Jay. "Thanks to my partner. The family too. As for my father..." she shrugged. "We'll see."

"Hailey, you know we're all here for you, don't you?" Kevin added, noticing that Hailey wasn't comfortable with the questions. "Whatever you need."

"I know. Thanks, Kev. We'll manage."

Jay's eyes were resting on Hailey, he was ready to jump to her rescue as soon as he'd notice she needed him to.

Casually Voight approached Hailey and Jay, who was sitting on Hailey's desk, as usual. He handed both of them papers.

"Halstead, Upton, I need you two to complete these and give them back to me by Monday."

Both stared at their sergeant, caught by surprise.

The HR forms.

Jay grinned weakly. "Of course, Sarge."

The others pretended not to notice, but Hailey could see that Adam was grinning behind his computer screen. Okay – everyone knew.

"Jay, would you..." Hailey started when they were on their way out.

Jay looked at her with these soft puppy-dog eyes, sensing her insecurity.

"Would you come with me to the hospital? See my father?"

"Are you sure?" Jay took her hand in his.

"No, but I think I need to do this."

"Of course I'll be there. Now?"

"Before I change my mind."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Let's go."

Jay took her hand in his again when they entered the hospital. Hailey was uncomfortable, she didn't want to see her father, but she knew that she had to do this for herself. Not for her father, not for her mother or her brothers. For herself. Whatever had happened, she needed to see him before his surgery. Nobody knew if it would be successful, and if it wasn't successful, his chances weren't good.

She let go of Jay's hand when they entered her father's room. Hailey entered first, Jay right behind her, ready to do whatever was required, and to show his support. Hailey's mom was sitting at her husband's bed, Nick Upton was awake.

Maria Upton smiled at her daughter. "Come here, Hailey. Sit down with your father."

Reluctantly Hailey sat down on the chair her mother vacated. "Dad."

"Hailey."

"Are you okay, dad?" Hailey asked quietly, in a voice Jay barely recognized. He felt anger building up inside him. What had this man done to Hailey that she was so insecure, meek?

Nick Upton grumbled something.

"Dad, we got your attackers behind bars."

He didn't react.

"They won't be out for a long time. The neighborhood is safe again."

"I heard there was a lot of damage in the restaurant."

Hailey frowned.

"From when you and your friends fought with them. Will the city pay for it?"

"What?" Hailey snapped.

"Sir, there won't be any damage when you return," Jay calmly assured him. "But the most important thing is that nobody else got hurt, and that this is over."

"And who are you?" Nick Upton said.

"I'm Hailey's partner, Detective Halstead. We met a few days ago."

"But why are you here?"

"Because I asked him to come, dad."

Nick Upton scoffed. "Haven't visited for years, and now you're hiding behind your boyfriend."

"Dad!" Hailey stood up. She couldn't do this. "Jay, let's go. I hope the surgery goes well. Mom, I'll call. Tell Danny I'll see him soon, please."

She turned towards the door and left before Jay could even react.

Jay shook his head in disbelief.

He quickly said good-bye to Hailey's mother without even looking at her father anymore, then followed her. Outside he looked around, but didn't see Hailey. Where was she? He ran through the hallway, to the elevators. Still no sign of Hailey.

One elevator was on the way down; Jay didn't want to wait for the other one and took the stairs. When he was downstairs, he crossed the entrance hall, when he saw Hailey leave the hospital. He ran after her, and caught up in the parking lot. Hailey didn't look at him, she had her arms wrapped around herself, walked to Jay's truck without looking left or right, without acknowledging Jay's presence.

Finally she stopped when she reached his truck, leaned against it. Slowly she lifted her head, looked at Jay with teary eyes. When he reached out to her, she evaded his touch.

"I'll take you home." Jay quietly said, opened the door for her and closed it when she sat down.

Before he started the truck, Jay looked at Hailey. "It will be okay, hon." His own words felt hollow, untrue.

They drove home in silence, and when Jay had stopped the truck, Hailey got out without looking back, walked to her front door automatically.

Jay sighed and followed her. There was no way he would heave Hailey alone now.

She had left the door open for him, but was already sitting at the kitchen counter, staring into space. Without hesitation, Jay pulled up another chair, sat down next to her, and took her into his arms, deliberately ignoring that she flinched.

"Hailey, it's me," he whispered, as he caressed her hair with one hand. "It's okay now. I'm here."

She didn't react at first, but didn't resist either.

"It's okay, Hailey," Jay repeated.

"Jay," Only now Hailey seemed to realize it was Jay holding her. "Why is he still so rude? Why does he treat me like this? I haven't done anything."

"I don't know, Hailey. It's who he is. It's not your fault."

"And why does it still get to me? I left home ages ago. I... I shouldn't let it bother me anymore. Why?"

"Because he's your father. But he won't harm you anymore, I'm here."

"I know, Jay. I just hate being so weak. I hate it that I still cannot stand up to him. That's not me! And why, why did I suggest you play someone like him out of all people when we were undercover in the restaurant?"

That last question had been lingering in her mind for a while. And she knew Jay was asking himself the same thing, even though he had never mentioned it.

Jay didn't answer.

"Jay, does something in me want to relive my parents' relationship?"

"I don't think so," he tentatively answered.

"Then why?"

"Perhaps..." he started.

"Perhaps what?" Hailey answered, desperation in her voice. "I'm scared of myself, Jay."

"Perhaps you only suggested it because it was a good idea for the undercover operation? Because you're a great cop, and you use your personal experience, even if it's something bad."

"You don't think it's more? Some underlying wish for disaster?"

"I don't know, Hailey," Jay admitted. "If there is something more, then we'll figure it out, together. Or we could get professional help, if you want that. But somehow I don't think so. You are not your mother, and you aren't secretly looking for a relationship like your parents'."

"And you aren't my dad," she added quietly. "You are everything he is not. I hope you're right about me, Jay. Because I love you, and I don't want to ruin this, us."

Jay didn't answer, he simply held her tight for a long time. He would do all he could to help Hailey recover, get over this. And give her his strength, until she found her own strength again.

Hailey's father recovered, as they found out the next day. However, Hailey decided to not visit him again for the moment. Perhaps one day she would feel ready to face him, to tell him what she thought of him. And if not – fine too. Not every rift could or should be overcome.

She went to see her mother while her father was still in hospital, and her brother. These people were too important to her to let go again. Perhaps she would also reconcile with her older brother Mark when the time was right. But she needed to keep distance between herself and her father, it would do her no good to revive this toxic relationship. There was nothing and nobody that could force her to go back "home", back to that place, to that person that hurt her and all of her family. No matter how her mother or her brothers handled the situation, Hailey's home was not with her father anymore. She was her own person, strong, self-confident, happy, and she was not alone. She wouldn't repeat her mother's life. She was with a man, who was different. Jay was absolutely trustworthy, he was a good person, the best person she had ever met.

They went back to the restaurant several times over the next few days, made sure all damage caused by the operation would be removed, all broken furniture repaired or replaced. Hailey didn't want to give her father any reason to complain to the city.

One week later, Jay and Hailey went on their first official date. Pablo Ramirez had invited them to La Bodega for dinner, as a thank you. And while cops weren't technically allowed to accept such favors, this was different. Hailey had known Pablo for a long time, and she liked him a lot. He was a friend.

So that Saturday night, Jay and Hailey dressed up and drove back to Lake Forest.

Hailey wore an elegant, knee-long dark blue dress with a seductive low neckline, matching heels. Jay wore a dark gray suit with a light blue-ish shirt. Jay couldn't stop looking at his girlfriend, she was so beautiful, so strong, so amazing in every respect. He still couldn't believe she wanted to be with him. He was happy, for the first time in years he was genuinely happy. And he would do anything to make Hailey happy too.

Since Hailey's father was still in the hospital, they had stopped by Hailey's mom, checked if everything was okay. Maria slowly opened up to Jay, began to trust him, after having met him several times in the restaurant over the last few days. She was still a bit suspicious, but less guarded.

Maria looked at the two of them appreciatively when they arrived at her place.

"You two look nice," she said. "I miss seeing you dressed up, Hailey. With you it's mostly boots and denims."

"You know, mom, it's a bit difficult to chase a suspect if you wear a skirt and high heels," Hailey laughed.

"Well..." Jay grinned. "Your mom is right, though. You do look amazing in this dress. And I'm sure Voight would appreciate it too."

Hailey couldn't suppress a giggle. "Yeah, don't count on it, babe."

They spent a while with Maria, talked about the restaurant, the case, but not Hailey's father.

It was not bad, but Hailey was relieved nevertheless when they had to leave for the restaurant. She always feared her mother would bring up her father, would try to convince her to "make up" with him.

Now they were sitting in a comfortable corner booth in La Bodega, a candle on the table, good red wine and a tasty appetizer. Pablo Ramirez had just left their table after an animated conversation and a detailed explanation of the chef's recommendations. His relief was clearly visible, his whole demeanor was different from before, relaxed, funny, charming. Just like Hailey remembered him.

Hailey couldn't take her eyes off Jay. He looked so handsome in his suit, with his stubbly beard, the neatly combed hair, the freckles and the smile, this smile he only had for her.

"So, Voight's okay with us," Jay said.

"Surprised?"

"A bit," Jay admitted. "I haven't got exactly the best record in that respect."

"Neihter have I, but that's history, Jay." Hailey smiled at him. "WE are different. We're working, even Voight sees it. And we're better as partners."

"Yes, we are working," Jay agreed. "Better than I would have ever imagined."

"Thanks for being there for me, Jay," Hailey said quietly. "I don't know how I'd manage without you."

"I know you would," Jay answered. "Because you are strong. Stronger than anyone I know."

"Maybe," Hailey grinned. "... but without you it wouldn't be half as much fun."