Hey guys! I usually write at the end of the chapter but I felt like I needed to explain my absence. Two months ago, the doctor who examined my hand said that I have to take care of it cause it's gonna be okay. For that reason, I wasn't able to write anything. I underwent a round of physio and I can tell my moves have been improved but the pain is still there soo it's very difficult to write on a daily basis at least. However, here I am with a new chapter for you! An Upstead chapter! I am gonna continue all my stories, even the old ones soo stay tuned! Here is my new chapter, I hope you like it.

Lines

How am I supposed to tell him that I am leaving? We are partners, we have each other's back, I cannot leave him in here, alone. He could get shot again or worse… I cannot believe Voight did this. Alright, I misbehaved a lot but this is not the way of getting punished… Jay needs me. I need him.

Going out of the 21st, I sit in my car for a few minutes processing the events of the last few minutes before I finally decide to start my car and drive to one place. One place I know I can find some comfort. To his place.

The square is darker than usual which makes me wonder if the lights outside broke down or something else happened. Like a robbery. I know I am overreacting but ever since Jay's shooting, I feel overprotective around him. Nobody is out in the street though or there are no police cars outside so I am guessing it's just a coincidence.

Getting into the complex, I walk all the way to the elevator pressing the button for the second floor, walking quickly at the end of the hallway. A knock on the door is enough for him to open it and stare at me with a query.

He still wears his jeans, thus he probably just got back from work or he has somewhere to go.

"Hey." I greet faking a smile.

"Hey, everything's okay?"

He can see the sadness on my gaze, the red puffy eyes from crying on my way here, the worry that consumes my body.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, go ahead."

The place is tidy, everything is in place, only a glass of water lays on the living room table next to a small plate with a pill on it.

"Just a small headache, nothing to worry about." He replies as if he has read my mind. "Soo.. you seem a little off. What's going on?"

"I need to tell you something, Jay."

His expression changes from smiley to worried and he calls me to join him on the couch.

"What is it?"

"I am going to New York."

I knew this was going to hit him like a rock but there was no other way to say it.

"What do you mean…?"

"Voight sent me at an FBI program…"

"Does this has something to do with…"

"Yes."

"Wow. I don't know what to say… Is it permanent?"

"Just a couple of weeks."

I can tell he's left speechless. For two or maybe three minutes none of us is moving till he opens his mouth to speak but takes back whatever he has to say. He just takes his pill, swallowing it, massaging his shoulder a bit.

"Is it okay?" I ask to break the ice.

"Fine… Tell me, when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning…"

"So… This is our last night together." He never looks me in the eyes during our conversation. "At least we can do something to have fun." He smiles.

I know that smile.

"Do you want a beer?" He asks.

"As long as we don't get drunk… I have to pack my stuff."

"You are sooo killjoy."

I laugh. He is sad, it's obvious, and tries to hide it. On the one hand, I feel special because I know he cares about me as much as I do about him, on the other hand, he deserves to be happy. The past few weeks have been hell for him and now my departure is gonna leave him completely helpless.

"Jay, stop it okay. I know you are not in the mood, I know New York brings back painful memories…"

"You said it yourself… Memories. Erin belongs in the past. I have moved on, Hailey."

I am not sure what to reply to that so I stay silent. He gets up from the couch, walks to the kitchen, and comes back with two bottles of beer in his hands. "You wanna watch Cubs with me?" He asks handing me the beer.

"You just had a painkiller, you cannot drink beer."

"Don't act like Will, I asked you a question. Do you want to watch the game with me?"

I nod smiling happily, maybe for the first time since I stepped into the apartment.

"Sure."

"Did you tell Vanessa?" He inquires.

"No, not yet. I am going to tell her as soon as I go home."

"Do it. It's bad not knowing where the person you care about is…"

As much as he doesn't want to admit it, Erin's departure will always hurt. He might not love her anymore, I am sure of that but I wish I could take all his pain away. Damn, I wish I could tell him right now how much I love him.

"The game started." I point my finger at the turned-on tv showing him the screen.

"Right."

"But you are not drinking, sorry." His beer is taken away and hidden behind the pillow I sit on.

"Hey…"

"Sorry Will was very clear with me about your health."

He frowns and turns his gaze away looking at the TV. It's nice to see him act like a child. It's fun.

The time passes quickly with the game already reaching its first half finding Cubs winning. A sudden silence has filled the room, only sounds of Jay's snoring can be heard in the house. Yes, he fell asleep a couple of minutes ago so I let him. He seems pretty tired, the few wrinkles on his face are visible and he's laying like a baby now. So cute. I am gonna miss our moments, I am gonna miss this face, I am gonna miss him but if I don't leave now, I will never find the strength to go.

So I walk out.

Alone

Hopeful that he's gonna be okay till I come back.

~The Fourth Bionic~