Chapter 10

Jay did a double-take when she saw Hailey wearing his navy-blue bathrobe. Of course, it came down to her ankles. She looked down at her red toenails. "I hope you don't mind. It was hanging behind the door."

"No, not at all." He gave her that special smile. "In fact, it makes it easier for me to get you naked."

She looked up at him coyly. "Ooh, are you trying to seduce me?''

He stepped closer and slid his arms around her waist. "Is it working?"

"Hold up." She braced her hands against his chest. "Not until you feed me. Then I'm putty in your hands."

Jay nodded. "Yeah? I assume that means I can have my hands all over you."

"That works both ways," Hailey reminded him.

"I'm counting on it," said Jay.

She tried to look around him. "First things first. What smells so good?"

After a dinner of steak, baked potatoes and salad, Jay and Hailey lounged on the couch. An action movie was playing on the TV, but it was more background noise than entertainment. Hailey leaned back against Jay's chest.

"This is a nice robe," she said as she played with the ties.

"It is. My mom gave it to me the Christmas before she died. She gave Will a green one just like it."

"I wish I could have met her," said Hailey.

"She was the best," said Jay with a hint of sadness. He paused as he remembered that last holiday they had together. "But, you know, I never actually wore it. Just not a robe kind of guy."

Hailey turned her head. "What kind of guy are you?"

"Low-key. Sweats. In fact, I planned on donating it and some other clothes to that men's shelter down the street from the District. But now I have a better idea."

"Yeah?" Hailey yawned. Her eyelids were starting to droop.

"When you stay here, it's yours. I like seeing you in it."

"Really?"

"Really."

"That's nice. Thank you." Hailey tried unsuccessfully to suppress another yawn.

"Do you think Will wears his?"

Jay laughed. "I would guess that Natalie has claimed it by now."

Hailey turned and snuggled closer to Jay. They were quiet for a maybe five minutes before Jay scooped her up in his arms. "Come on, Hails. Let's get you to bed. Tomorrow it's back to work."

Hailey squirmed and protested. "I want to stay here with you."

Monday Morning

Sgt. Trudy Platt alternately frowned and cursed as she rooted through boxes of cold case files in the musty, downstairs storage room. Some low-level flunky had mistakenly had them shipped to the 21st a month ago. Now an irate Captain in another district was screaming to get certain ones back ASAP as some new leads had surfaced.

Why haven't these things been computerized yet? She paused with one hand on her hip and glanced out the dirt-streaked window to the employee parking lot. She immediately recognized the large black truck that rolled in. After a minute, Halstead and Upton got out drinking their usual coffees and looking far too happy for a dismal Chicago morning.

Those two wouldn't be grinning so much if they were discussing a meth bust or a gang triple homicide.

No other Intelligence members had arrived yet. When Jay and Hailey met at the front of the truck, he suddenly leaned down and gave Hailey a quick kiss.

Platt's eyebrows shot up. Well . . . this is a revelation. The annoying cold case files were forgotten as she considered this stunning new development. Can't say I'm surprised. They've been tiptoeing around this for a while.

Platt's phone buzzed with a text. She checked it and frowned. The irate Captain was again inquiring about the files. "You'll get them when you get them, O'Leary," she groused. Uppermost in her mind right now was whether or not Voight knew about Jay and Hailey.

He's not going to be happy. He's only recently learned to tolerate Adam and Kim's relationship.

The back door slammed and Jay and Hailey started up the stairs. Jay's hand was at the small of Hailey's back. Trudy slipped out behind them with her box of files.

"Good morning, Detectives," she called out. They half turned, a bit startled, and Jay dropped his hand.

"Morning, Sarge," said Jay.

Trudy smirked at them. Oh, yeah. I saw that little PDA in the parking lot.

"What have you got there, Sarge?" asked Hailey.

Trudy looked at the box. "This? Don't get me started. It's for O'Leary over at the 19th."

"O'Leary? I've run into him a few times," said Hailey. "He's a . . ."

"A real pain in everyone's ass," finished Trudy. "Yeah, I know."

Hailey nodded. "Copy that."

"Here, let me help you," said Jay. He handed Hailey his coffee and took the box from Trudy.

"Thank you, Jay." Then she really studied Hailey's face. "I see the bruises are fading. I hope you got some rest this weekend."

"I did. The ribs are still a little tender though," said Hailey with a smile. But it didn't stop us from doing whatever we wanted this weekend. She felt a little flutter in her stomach.

"Did Jay keep an eye on you?" asked Trudy as she scrutinized them closely.

"Sarge, come on, you know I always watch out for my partner," said Jay, feeling somewhat uneasy. Did she see us in the parking lot?

Trudy looked from one to the other. "That's what I thought." Her phone rang and she snatched it out of her pocket. "Speak of the devil. 'Yes, Captain O'Leary. How are you this fine morning?'"

Jay and Hailey went up to the main level and Jay set the box on Platt's desk. "Was that . . . weird?" he asked.

"Definitely. And you broke the no PDA rule," said Hailey as she swatted his arm.

"It wasn't a hard-and-fast rule. It was more a suggestion."

Hailey shook her head. "A suggestion, really? I suggest we get up to Intelligence before you have any more lapses."

Jay looked around. It was shift change. "Hell, if all these people weren't milling around, I'd kiss you again right now."

"Shut up," said Hailey with a smile. "Try to control yourself until we get home."

"That's a tall order, Detective," laughed Jay.

The other members of Intelligence trickled in after a few minutes. "Hey, you two," said Ruzek with a big smile on his face. "How was the weekend? Do anything fun and exciting?"

Kim frowned and elbowed him. "Adam, don't be so nosy."

"Nosy? Just making small talk with my co-workers," he said undeterred.

Kim directed her attention to Hailey. "Are you feeling better, Hailey?"

"Yep. Almost back to normal."

Kim smiled warmly. "I'm glad."

Voight came up the stairs already on his cell phone. "Understood. We're on the way." He disconnected and looked around at his team.

"Okay, listen up. We caught a case." He looked to Hailey. "You good, Upton?"

"Ready to go, Sarge."