Day or Night, I’ll be there

by emily.reads.too.much

When Erin Lindsey leaves Chicago Hailey Upton takes her spot in the intelligence unit. Now months later Jay Halstead is seeing some concerning signs in his new partner. After his suspicions are confirmed, will he be able to save Hailey and help her recover or will it be too late? - aka Hailey is in an abusive relationship and Jay tries to help her.

2. Chapter One

Upstead AU

Hailey's POV

I had been working in intelligence for two week now. I had jumped at the chance to join when Voight asked me to. I mean any detective in Chicago would have but I was also ready for a fresh start. My new Partner was Jay Halstead, his girlfriend had just left and he was hurting. Despite that I could see that he was good police, he cared about his cases, the victims, the outcomes, and even his fellow police officers. But honestly I didn't need another partner who would ask questions. I just wanted someone who would keep everything professional.

General POV

Hailey looked in the mirror and admired her makeup. she had gotten really good at it, to avoid questions.

Hailey's Boyfriend of 2 years had gotten home from a trip last night. Nicholas Hill and Hailey Upton had been a storybook couple. Nic was a lawyer and Hailey a Detective. They meet when Hailey went on the stand on one of his cases, against him of course but he fell for her anyways. He was tall, 6'3 with Beautiful brown hair and brown eye's that Hailey once would get lost in. Although his smile was nothing compared to Haileys, it could make her smile anytime she saw it. They had been the perfect couple, but everything changed a year ago.

Hailey was pregnant but miscarried after long day at work. No one had known about the pregnancy except Nic. She was devastated. She had wanted nothing more than to be a mom. The doctors had said it was not her fault, nothing she did caused it. But something had changed in Nic. At first Hailey thought he was grieving, she let him yell and hit her because he was in pain. But as time passed and it didn't stop she became embarrassed that she was letting this happen. He told her daily that she caused their pain, that she had put her work above their family. And when it wasn't about the baby it was about something else, forgetting to call, or coming home late.

Hailey had become really good at hiding the bruises. Nobody had clue that anything was happening. And that's how Hailey like it.

When Nic got home he was angry that Hailey hadn't called enough. She knew what was coming but she had developed a way of blocking it out, of not felling every hit she took.

When Hailey woke up the morning wincing in pain as she moved she knew it had not been good. She was relieved to find that Nic had already left for work. She went to the bathroom to find mostly bruises. She was prepared for this and went on with her normal routine of covering the bruising and ignoring the pain she felt.

Most of the brushing covered easily but she found the bruise on her arm to hard to cover. It was tender and hard to move, Nic had probably grabbed at her arm when she tried to get away. She covered it as well as she could, finally putting on a long sleeves just in case. And she headed to work.

Before getting out of the car she looked at her reflection admiring her work, then heading into the 21st district. She walk in seeing Trudy. Hailey Smiled as Trudy telling her good morning. After talking for a moment Hailey went upstairs to intelligence. When she got upstairs the team was already talking about the case. She grab the file on her desk, she read it and started to get up to speed when Voight called out "Upton your going undercover tonight, jay will be in there as back up"

Hailey quickly responded although she didn't yet know what she'd be doing "k Sarg"

Keven took over in talking "Hailey, you and Jay will be going to this new club, A CI tipped us off saying there's massive dealing happening"

Hailey went home to get a dress for that night. She was worried about tonight, her arm still really hurt and was definitely swollen. There was no way she could wear a normal dress without someone noticing. She grab her only longed sleeved dress and left the house, forgetting to leave note that she'd be home late.

that night*

Jays POV

When I saw Hailey walk out in her dress I had to bite tongue to prevent myself from saying anything. She looked stunning. I didn't know Hailey very well yet but I knew she had a long term boyfriend. She didn't talk about him much though. She was wearing a deep maroon dress. It stoped just above her knees, hugging all of her amazing curves. As I was admiring her dress I noticed something on her arm although the dress had sleeves.

"What's that?" I asked taking a step closer, reaching for her arm. She jerked backwards and quickly replied

"it's nothing" with a tone of voice I recognized from hearing victims talk, which concerned me a bit, however I knew not to press for information right now. She bit her lip a little and pull at her sleeve, covering anything I may have seen.

"You sure?" I asked hoping not to push it.

"Yep" her voice had changed back to a happy bubbly tone she often had. Although it had probably fooled many others before I wasn't buying it yet.

"We leave in ten" Hailey said changing the subject.

General POV

Once Hailey walk into the club and sat down at the bar a guy came up and started hitting on her instantly. Jay was keeping a safe distance but still keeping his eye on Hailey. Hailey look away one minute, trying to find the guy dealing. Jay look at what Hailey was looking at which is how they both missed it. The tall, buff, man who was already frustrated that Haley wasn't interested had slip something into Haileys drink. With then a few minutes Hailey started feeling out of it, she walked to the bathroom to fix her self up a bit.

She didn't even realize the guy had been following her. He came up behind her and whispered into her ear "come with me"

Hailey simply said "no" feeling sicker than before. The guy grabbed at Haileys arm. The bad one, it hurt so bad Hailey couldn't help it, she winced in pain as he quickly pulled her into another room.

When jay looked up not able to find Hailey in the crowd he panicked. He always felt as a females partner he was supposed to make sure they we alway ok. He knew they could handle their own. But he also know guys rarely had good intentions when it came to girls. He spoke into his earpiece

"Sarg, Haileys missing, I think the guy who's been hitting on her took her" Jay started to run opening every door he could find.

Once they were in the room Hailey started to feel dizzy. She tried to fight him off her, he punch her in the face. For a second Hailey thought she was at home again. She already knew what was going to happen to her. She felt so defeated. She continued to try and fight him off her, it was no use he was easily a foot taller than her. Hailey felt dizzier and weaker. And she started walking into the wall behind her. He started pulling Hailey dress off of her as the door slammed open. Hailey saw Jay and felt safer then everything when black.

The guy let go of Hailey starting towards jay. Hailey fell to the ground. The guy started throwing punches at jay only one hit him, in the jaw. He didn't even feel it, he was so worried about Hailey.

The rest of the team walked in. Already knowing what had happened Voight aggressively pulled the guy back and restrained him.

Jay walked over to Hailey to make sure she was ok. Her dress was half way off her shoulder and she had a cut on her face from the guy. Jay pulled her dress back up the way it was supposed to be. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and called his brother,

"Will, my partner is in real bad shape, I need your help" once Jay and Will finished, Jay picked unconscious Hailey up and carried her to his car.

Jay laid an unconscious Hailey down in his back seat. He sat down putting her head in his lap. Jay felt a connection to Hailey, he didn't understand it but he know he had to be there for her.

Jays POV

I looked at Haileys lifeless body, thinking this was my fault. I should have keep a better eye on her. I focused on the rise and fall of her chest making sure she was still breathing until Will meet us in the parking lot. Will came up to the other door of the truck. Although there wasn't much room in the the truck Will got in. He started feeling for her pulse and listening to her heart when he asked "jay what happened?"

"I think she was drugged, but she gonna be ok, right?" my voice was quivering.

"She'll be fine, she just needs rest. The cut on her cheek is deep but it won't need stitches. Some one should stay with her tonight though" Will finished, at this point in time the whole team was listening in.

General POV

After Will left, Kim drove Jay back to his house where he had decided he would have Hailey spend the night so he could watch over her.

Kim drove the car in silence as Jay sat in the back stroking Hailey's hair. When they got to Jays house Kim turned around

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you guys tonight?" Kim asked with concern in her voice.

"I think have it under control, but I'll call you if I need anything" Jay responded. As the car came to a stop Jay carried Hailey into his House. He walked into his bedroom. He laid Hailey on his bed and walked to his closet. He grabbed an old oversized tee-shirt. Jay carefully slid Haileys dress off her and put the tee-shirt on her. He notices the bruise on her arm he had seen earlier that day. It was large, blue-ish purple-ish and swollen. Making a mental note ask Hailey about it later, he pulled the blanket over her. Before leaving the room Jay leaned over Hailey, moving her hair out of her face. By now Haileys make up was fading and Jay could see the old bruise around her eye. Jay didn't know what was happening to her, but he wanted to help her out of it and make sure she know he was there.

General POV

Jay walked to his closet and crab a extra blanket and pillow. He tried to fall asleep but he keep worrying about Hailey. He didn't understand why he was so drawn to her. After about 45 minutes of trying to sleep with no use, Jay decided to go check on Hailey. She was still sleeping soundly. Jay sat in the door watching her breath as if at any moment she might just stop.

Jay woke up the next morning at 6. He was still sitting in the doorway to his room and Hailey was still sleeping. Jay went out to the kitchen to make some coffee.

When Hailey woke up she was unaware of what had happened the night before, although she had gotten used to not remembering she also didn't recognize the room she was in. She looked around not recognized anything, she was sitting in a bed she'd never seen and wearing an oversized tee-shirt she'd never seen before either. She started to panic. She was used to crazy stuff happening in her life, she was Used to finding a way though it. She honestly thought it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Hailey sat up, bringing her knees to her chest. She tried to find her breath but it was becoming harder and harder. Then a voice she recognized said "hey, hey just breath your ok"

Jay walked over to Hailey and put his hand on her shoulder trying to calm her down. Hailey jumped startled, she turned to see he partner Jay. Hailey felt a wave of relief flood though her although she had yet to catch her breath.

Haileys POV

After I caught my breath I asked "why am I here?" I figured this was Jays apartment, which meant something had happened last night. Jay looked at me with his sympathetic eyes,

"Do you remember what happened last night?" He asked. To be honest I had gotten really good at subconscious forgetting the bad things but I was not about to tell him that. I nodded my head no.

By now Jay was sitting on the bed in front of me. "You were undercover last night and a guy drugged you-" I cut him off,

"Did he? You know do anything?" I Hoped Jay understood what I was asking. Did he rape me? I couldn't get the words to form in my mouth, as if when I said them they'd become true.

"No" Jay responded with out missing a beat. I started to cry, I didn't know why I just did. As the tears rolled down my face I tried to ignore them.

General POV

But with tears came the memories of the past night. The way he grabbed her arm, and pulled her into the room. The way he pinned her on the wall. She was cop she knew what was coming next. She begged him to stop. She tried fighting him off, he punched her. She remembered giving up as he pulled her dress off. She remembered the safety she felt when she saw Jay walk into that room. A safety she hadn't felt in a very long time.

It was because of that safety that now when Jay leaned in to hug Hailey she didn't back away, she let herself feel safe for as long as it lasted.

Once the two finally pulled away from the hug, Jay said "I will uh-go make breakfast, if you want to go take a shower"

"Ok" Hailey quickly responded.

Jay left the room leaving Hailey to go take a shower in the attached bathroom. When Hailey reached the Mirror she took a long look at herself. Noticing that her make up had faded and the whole time Jay had been able to see her bruised eyes. She had a cut on her check from the last night though it didn't bother her much.

Every thing that had happened both the night before and just in general was starting to get Hailey. She couldn't stop the tears in her eyes and the ache in her heart. Hailey got in the shower, started the water, but just sat down letting the water hit her face, coving the tears she couldn't stop.

Haileys POV

I didn't even realize how long I had been in the shower until I heard a knock at the bathroom door, it was jay "hey, you okay?"

"Ahh yah" I said. I quickly stood up and got out of the shower. I didn't have anything to wear except what I had been wearing. I changed back into the over sized shirt I was in before, still unaware of how I ended up in it. I wrapped my hair in the towel and before stepping back into Jays bed room I stopped and looked in the mirror. I didn't have anything to cover the bruises both on my eyes and my arm. At this point I knew Jay had already seen them but I hoped he didn't think anything thing of it.

I walked out to the kitchen to find a cup of coffee and a plate of waffles sitting next to an empty chair. Jay was sitting on the other side of the table reading on his phone. Before I could say anything thing jay said "those are for you, and I know this is a little awkward but I wanted to make sure you were ok last night"

"Yah, I understand" I said politely. What I didn't tell him was that I was truthfully I was a little flattered that he care to make sure I was ok.

"I know I might be over stepping, but those bruises, there not from last night are they?" Jay ask out of nowhere but I had kinda expected it.

"It's-there nothing" I responded the changed the subject "these waffles are really good"

Jay didn't go with the change of subject

"Look Hailey, I get you probably don't want to talk about. I really do. But if that nothing every becomes something, you let me know. I will be there day or night, ok" when he finish I went silent. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted his help. I wanted it all to stop. But I couldn't instead I asked him to drive me home.

A little while later after Jay cleaned up breakfast he drove me home. I was worried that Nic might be home. I realize he didn't know where I was last night and that I didn't even leave a note. When I got to the door of the house Nic was waiting for me. He hugged me, the door was still open and I could tell Jay was watching for any sign of distress. Nic closed the door, and than I saw the look in his eyes.

Haileys POV

Nic grabbed my arm and pulled me into the living room. I wince in pain as it was my bad arm and it was still tinder from the last time I'd seen him. I sat down on the couch as he pulled all the curtains closed. I could see the fire in his eyes.

"Look I can explain" I said hoping he would listen.

"That's what you always say" he looked down on me. Like he was both disappointed in the reasoning I had yet to explain and like he was actually worried about me last night.

"What happened last night?" He asked smooth and sympathetically in a voice I used to believe was sincere.

"I was on a case" my voice trembled, remembering the night before, "I was drugged" I looked up at him, my eyes meeting his, I hoped he could see my pain and would give me just one day of peace. "My partner took me back to his place, he just wanted to make sure I made it though the night ok" I defended Jay, Praying Nic wouldn't hurt him too.

Nic knelt down next to me and leaned In for a hug. I hugged him back and cried in his arms. I had forgotten about the times he did this before. It made me feel safe before he hurt me the most. I leaned back out of the hug. I started walking to our bedroom, trying to get away from him as I began to realize what was coming next. Nic Punched me in the check knocking me off my balance. I didn't realize I close to the kitchen counter I was until the back of my head hit it.

My head was throbbing, I placed my hand on the back of my head, only to find out that it was bleeding. Nic began to kick me over and over, every where. When he finally stopped, it was hard for me to breath, the room was spinning until it stop and every thing went black.

Haileys POV

As I open my eyes I barely remember what happened. I try to sit up, wincing in pain and realizing that wasn't going to happen I reached in the pocket of Jays sweat shirt I was wearing for my phone. I would have avoided asking for help, but I was frustrated that this kept happening and I knew I wasn't gonna be able to get up on my own. My head was throbbing and I felt like I could pass out at any moment. I opened my phone going straight to the messages app, finding Jays name and typing "Jay" My eyes felt heavy and I couldn't keep the open any longer.

Jays POV

I had an uneasy feeling as I pulled away from Haileys house. It didn't feel right. Hailey looked tense and even though she was the one to ask to go she looked more fearful as we got closer.

It wasn't but 45 minutes later that I got a text from Hailey reading "Jay" although it could literally mean anything I knew exactly what it meant. The bruises, the way she hugged her boyfriend, the way she didn't want to talk about it, I was no expert but I was also a cop and I could tell what was happening.

I texted Hailey back, "Yah?"

And waited of course while driving to her house just in case. Two minutes passed and nothing. I pulled over and typed "Hailey are you ok?"

Two minutes more and still nothing I texted one more thing "Hailey is everything I ok? I'm driving to your house right now. I'm 15 minutes away" I put my phone down and got back on the road. I put my lights and sirens on and drove like crazy. I wasn't really supposed to since I wasn't on a case or anything but I didn't care. It felt like the longest 15 minutes of my life. I could only assume something bad had happened and every minute I spent trying to get there left her even more worse off.

When I got to her house the door was locked. I texted her one more time "Hailey?!? I'm worried about you" and with no response I kicked to the door in.

When I walked in it was dark, I quickly noticed a note on the table reading "left for work, see u tonight, xoxo Nic"

Although this didn't seem like the letter from a man who beat or even hurt to girlfriend I was still worried, rightly so. When I turned the corner I saw it. I saw her.

Hailey was laying in the ground with a puddle of blood coming from her head. My lips trembled. I was a cop I was supposed be used to this. To be able to stand it, but it's different when it some one you care about and maybe even love. I kept starring unable to move. The way she was laying there so lifeless. I finally worked up the courage to try and feel for her pulse. My hand shakes as I reached my hand to her neck.

Jays POV

As my hand reached her neck I felt a pulse. Relieved I sat down next to her, trying to shake her awake.

"Hey, Hey, Hails" I said as she started to open her eyes.

"Jay?" Hailey said with a questioning tone in her voice.

"I'm right here" I said softly and began to stoke her blood stained hair, trying to provide her any comfort I could in her panic. "I'm gonna take you to med" I said hoping she'd let me.

"Please don't tell" she said, her voice breathy, as she closed her eyes and went unconscious again.

"Hails, try to stay with me" I said although it was no use.

I sat there for a minute longer just stroking her hair, as tear ran down my face. After a minute I picked her up and carried her to my truck. I laid her down in the back. I drove to med as fast as I could, once again using my lights and sirens.

When I got to med I pulled up right out side the ED. As I carry Haileys limp body into Med, Will saw us right away.

"I need a gurney over here" Will yelled, "Jay what Happened?" He asked me.

I didn't know what to say. I told Hailey I wouldn't say anything, but it was also just Will. "She-she doesn't want anyone to know" I said as more tears flooded my eyes. I didn't realize how much I cared about until I'd realize I might be losing her.

"Jay, I need to know what happened in order to treat her properly." Will said with a stern voice. By now the other doctors were already starting to work on her. She looked so scared, even unconscious.

"Her Boyfriend" I said unable to let out any other words. Will gave me a quick hug and then ran into Haileys room, as all the mechanics started to beep.

"We're losing her" Nat said

Haileys POV

I wanted to give up. It's like I was there but I wasn't, then Jay was there. I could feel him feeling for my pulse.

"Hey, hey, Hails" he said. His voice was shaking, he cared, about me. I felt guilty, he didn't care about me, he felt obligated. I mean I had texted him, and now he felt obligated to help me. I thought to my self, but I felt something different entirely. I could feel the way he cared about me and the way I cared about him. And then there was the way he called me "Hails" he didn't know it but it's was my mom always used to call me. It made me feel safe with him, a way I do rarely get now.

"Jay?" I question because honestly this all felt like a dream. The whole thing a nightmare that maybe I'd wake up from soon.

"I'm right here" he started stroking my hair, I couldn't help myself but let down a wall I've been guarding so hard. Jay had this way about him, I knew everything would be ok.

"I'm gonna take you to med" he said, I wanted to tell him not to. But I couldn't move and probably needed to go to med, plus I didn't have enough energy to argue with him.

"Please don't tell" I said, and then just like that I was gone. Part of me wanted it to be over. Even if it wasn't a bad dream, if it were over I wouldn't have to live it anymore and that would be enough. I was really to give up.

Jays POV

It took 14 minutes before they got her back, but then they had to take her to surgery right away after. As the the doctors wheeled her away I caught a glimpse of Haileys batter body. Her body was limp and she didn't look anything like herself. The first time I saw Hailey she was telling Voight off. Voight of all people that who she made a first impression on. But he saw something in her. I see it now, I saw it the other day. She's strong, stronger than anyone knows.

"Will" I said as he walked with her,

"Jay" Will said sympathetically, I could see the look in his eye, it wasn't good.

"What happening?" I asked as a tear slipped from my eye.

"I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't look good. She coded and she was down for a long time, there could be brain damage. They took her to surgery, she has some internal bleeding among other injuries" Will hugged jay "they got her Jay"

"Thank you" I said

"You like her?" Will asked

"I don't know, maybe, I just feel like maybe she needs me right now. And I feel drawn to her, she needs help, I want to help her. And yah I think I like her" I said as tears rolled down my face and I fell back into the chair behind me.

General POV

The 21st district filled the waiting room at Chicago Med waiting for news on Hailey. No one knew what happened to Hailey, except Jay, and will and Natalie. Hank pulled Jay to the side, with his serious face on.

"Hey, Jay what happened here?" Hank asked in the same voice he had when he really cared about something.

"It's not my place to say" Jay politely responded respecting Haileys wishes.

"Is there something I should know Jay?"

"Yes, but it need to come from Hailey" Jay said flatly, although hank could see how much it was eating at him.

A little while later Natalie and Will walk into the waiting room. Everyone shot up looking for any news. Jay, Hank, Trudy, and the rest of intelligence came and stood around the doctors. Jay and Will exchanged looks,

"Is she ok?" Jay asked, but in way where he was more begging to be told that Hailey was ok.

"The surgery was successful" Nat started, but her voice still didn't sound as relieved as it should have, she continued "but when she coded in the ED she was gone for a long time. We don't when she will wake, or if she will." Nat paused "I'm really sorry"

It took 3 days for Hailey to wake. And Jay was by her bed the entire time. One of the nurse called Nic, and on the second day he showed up.

Natalie's POV

I was sitting at the nurses station filling out a patient's chart when a tall man walk up to me and asked,

"Do you know what room Hailey Upton is in" his voice seemed worried, but I still didn't know who he was. While most of the 21st district at been going in and out of her room with jay staying there all the time, no one else had been there.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked as politely as possible while still seeming assertive.

"I'm Nicholas Hill, Haileys Boyfriend." He responded.

I was shocked although definitely capable of doing this to Hailey he was not what I had pictured. He was dressed in a suit and I recognized the name. Nicholas Hill, he was one of the best defense attorneys in Chicago.

I didn't know what to say but I knew he could not see Hailey, "I'm sorry she can't have visitors right now-" before I could finish my sentence Jay walked by.

Jay was Haileys partner but he also had a thing for Hailey. He may not have even known it himself but I know what it looks like when a Halstead loves someone. Jays face was tired he hadn't been sleeping but when he saw Nic his face went dark.

With then seconds they were both throwing punches. It was in those seconds that I saw how Nic had been able to hurt Hailey so badly, because even if Hailey tried to fight him off, he was bigger and stronger than her. And Likely she hadn't tried to stop him because it had happened so many times before. Hailey had all the same injuries we see in abused patients. She had past concussions, and currently her arm was broken but beginning to heal. It was broken in a way that only could have happened if someone grabbed and pulled at your arm rotating it.

After a minute or two security broke it up, Nic was fine but Jay was bleed pretty badly from his cheek.

I pulled jay aside to check and make sure her was ok, and sure enough he needed stitches. I took him to an exam room and told him "Jay that's gonna need stitches, do you want me to called will or someone down from surgery to do it?"

"Nah, can you just do it" he responded

And so I did, he was impatient, all he wanted to do was get back to Hailey. As soon as I finished he walked to Haileys room. I watched him, he walk into her room and gave her a kiss on the forehead and said,

"Hey hails I need you to wake up for me, ok? Every things is gonna be ok, I'll make sure of that, you just gotta wake up and I'll make sure everything is ok."

Jays POV

When I saw Nic I felt a wave of anger flood though my body. Hailey was still lying in a bed upstairs, maybe not ever waking up and the person in front of me cause it. She may never wake up, and I think maybe I like her, like like-like her, and I wanted to see where it could go and now I might not get to. Not to mention that Nic was here, her put Hailey here and he decided to come and try to see her. I just started punching, and punching, and I didn't feel his punches as he hit me back.

"How could you do that to her" I yelled, I didn't understand how anyone could do that to anyone, let alone Hailey.

"The bitch is a slut, stays out all night then says it was for work" Nic said still swinging at me. My blood was boiling, did he not know what happened to Hailey that night. Did he not know that she was almost raped. Did he not know that he made her live in constant fear, I saw the way she bite her lip when she felt uncomfortable, or how scared she was someone would find out, he did that to her.

Finally security pulled us apart, I had a large cut on my face and Nat insisted on making sure I was ok, all I wanted to do was get back to Hailey as I'd already been gone longer than I'd plan to be. After Nat stitched up my check, I went back to Haileys room. I kissed Haileys forehead and said,

"hey hails I need you to wake up for me, ok? Every things is gonna be ok, I'll make sure of that, you just gotta wake up and I'll make sure everything is ok." it was no use, she was still unconscious, I sat down in the chair next to her bed, I grabbed her hand and squeezed it, I already missed her.

Haileys POV

I remembered it all. Every part. But I tried to focus of the part when Jay got there. I didn't know if he would come, but when he did I knew I would be ok. I wasn't really awake, it's like I was there but I wasn't. When he stoked my hair, I felt safe. I wanted to give up but then he was there and all the sudden I had a reason to live, to fight, to survive.

When I woke up in the hospital I was confused. I could breath but I was breathing. I did even realize I was intubated at first. Jay was asleep, he was holding my hand and his head was resting on my bed. I didn't want to wake him but didn't know what to do.

The lat time I was in a hospital bed was when I miscarried, when all of this started.

I squeezed Jays hand and his head shot up.

"Hailey?"

I tried to talk but I couldn't.

"Don't talk, your intubated I'll get a doctor"

I instinctively reached my hand to my face feeling the tube. Jay stood up and leaned over me. He kissed my forehead and them left to get a doctor. Normally I would have hated that, but not with Jay. I knew he cared and I felt safe around him. I felt like I would find a way out of this.

Haileys POV

It was only a few minutes later that Jay came back with Natalie. Jay went back to his seat next to my bed and Nat started talking,

"How are you feeling Hailey?"

"Um..ok I guess"

"That's Good all things considered" she paused as though she didn't know how to tell me what I kinda already knew.

"You sustained injuries that were very severe. You had internal bleeding, a concussion, a deep cut on your head that need several stitches. You coded when you came in to the Ed and almost couldn't be resuscitated. You also have a healing fracture in your arm that probably a fee days old." She paused again.

"Hailey you could have died"

My eyes felt heavy and I couldn't stop the tears in them. I could have died and I'm not ready for that. Tears were streaming out of my eyes. I tried wiping them but I couldn't stop them. I looked at Jay and reminded myself that I needed his help.

"I don't want this, I can't do it anymore, I want it to stop, to be over"

Jay leaned in and hugged me, and said,

"I'm here, I will help you though this," he stoped and then started again,

"We gotta tell Voight"

"Ok" was all I could say but I was overjoyed and for the first time in a long time I was hopeful that good things where to come.

General POV

When Hailey was ready Jay went to get Voight. Voight was still frustrated that he didn't know what had happened to his detective but I was not planning on taking it out on Hailey.

When Voight and Jay walked into Haileys room Jay walked back to his spot allowing for Hailey to tell Voight. Voight stood at the edge of Haileys bed, Hailey sat up little although it hurt. She didn't like having her boss see her at such a weak point.

"You wanted to talk to me" Voight said, and if you didn't know him you would have thought her was mad. Well he was but not at Hailey. In all reality Hank deeply cared about what Hailey was about to tell him.

"The person who..um.. did this to me...ah...he's my Boyfriend..ex boyfriend ish" Hailey didn't know what to call, she never wanted to see him again, but he didn't know that.

"What's is his name?" Hank asked.

"Nicholas Hill"

"Nicholas Hill the defense attorney?" Hank was confused how such a seemingly nice person could do this, but at the same time he had seen a criminals like that.

"I know how hard this is to believe, and I was never gonna stop it cause I know he'll probably get away with it but" Hailey ramble and then begin speaking softer, "he could have killed me, I don't want this, I don't want to die"

After a few days Hailey was released from the hospital. Jay hadn't left her side, the two had grown quite close. They both felt a safety in each other. The rest of the team had been in to check on Hailey from time to time, but Hank has them working fiercely to try to find Nic. After the incident at the hospital it was like he had vanished.

Jays POV

When I walked into Haileys room she was standing, she was wearing black sweat pants and a pink sweater and her hair was wavy in the natural way it often did. She turned to me smiling,

"It feels so good to wear my own clothes again" she laughed. Her smile was huge and I felt my heart beat a little faster. She had an adorable pale yellow cast on her arm. She said she picked yellow because it's her favorite color because its a happy color. I was not oblivious to the fact that she was trying to hide what was happening, but as long as she was smiling and happy then that's how I wanted to keep it.

I grab her bag off her bed, "you ready to go Hails" I looked at her smiling.

"Yeppers" she said like a little kid. Everyone else seemed confused by her positivity, but I understood. She was the same way when I met her, she was still trying to cover up what happening. Even though everyone knew, I think she was still trying to hide it from herself.

Will and Nat walked out of the hospital with us, giving Hailey one last goodbye. That's when she saw it, her face lit up, the entire 21st district was waiting for her and cheering. Trudy came up and gave Hailey a hug,

"We're all here for you" Trudy Said.

After Kim gave Hailey a hug along with a few others we got in my car. I drove to my apartment where Hailey would be staying for a while.

Jays POV

I was secretly super excited that Hailey was staying with me, of course I hated why she had to stay with me, but I was really excited to get to know her better. I had cleaned and organized my guest room, before it was full of boxes from when I first moved In. After Erin left I got a smaller place. Once we got to my place I showed Hailey to her room and then I got a phone call, it was from Erin. I hadn't talked to her in months.

"How's it going?" She asked

I was shocked, I didn't know what to say. Erin was Erin and I loved her, I love her, but she gone now.

"Jay, I heard about your partner, I know you get close to people. I just wanted to see how you are?"

"Yah, it was bad, but she'll be ok"

"Jay, you can be honest with me"

"It was horrible, she was so lifeless. I just want to be there for her, you know help her get though this." I said

"Jay, I know you, do you have feelings for her?"

"I don't know, I think maybe"

"You should be there for her, and Jay, if something happens between you two, it's ok, I'm ok" Erin said, I felt so relieved to know that she wasn't mad at me.

After a little bit more talking Erin had to go. After our call I got closure I did have before and I felt like it would be ok if me and Hailey ended up together at some point.

General POV

Jay sat on his bed for a minute longer. He thought about how not so long ago everything in his life looked completely different. He was happy now, sure it was tough trying to get over Erin, she would alway be chapter of his life, but this was a new chapter.

Jay got up and walked into Haileys room, she was finishing unpacking the few things she had. She wasn't able to go back to her and Nic's house because he might be there, so Kim gave her some her clothes for the time being.

"Hows it going?" Jay asked

"Pretty good, I'm just about finished" Hailey responded

"Just so you know if you ever wanted to talk about anything that happened, you can aways come to me" Jay said in way that made Hailey feel really truly cared about.

"Actually I wanted to say Thank you," Hailey paused debating if she should keep going or if it would be to much. But then Jay looked at her, with those eyes, the ones that make her feel like the safest person in the world. "I was ready to give up" tears started forming in Haileys eyes but she blocked them out. "Everything felt like to much, like every thing was closing in on me and there was no way out" a tear slipped from Haileys eye "but then you were there and you showed me a way out" Hailey looked at Jay. By now they were sitting side by side at the end of her bed. Jay put his arm around Haileys shoulder and gently pulled her closer to him. Hailey rested her head on Jays shoulder, and Jay rested his on her head. They stayed there in that moment for a while. Just the two of them, together. That was all it took for them to realize they needed each other.

That night they watched a movie together. They had popcorn and m m's. Jay noticed Hailey would grab a handful and eat them in rainbow order. He laughed and look at her,

"what are you doing?" He asked with a joking and playing tone to his voice.

Hailey laughed, it was a habit she'd forgotten she had.

"You gotta way them in rainbow order, it's bad luck not to" Hailey said with a big smile on her face. The kind of smilie that melted Jays heart.

"Says who?" Jay mocked

"When I was little my brothers and I would get m m's on the way home from school and they always insisted that you must eat them in rainbow order" Hailey laughed as she heard herself speak.

"I guess it's a habit now" the two looked at each other with huge smiles on their faces. They had started the movie with each of them on one side of the couch but at some point they'd moved and they were now only a foot away from each other.

By the end of the movie Hailey and Jay were both asleep, on the couch, together. Hailey's head was rested on Jays chest and Jays arm was laying over Hailey's body. If you didn't know them you'd have thought they'd been a couple, who'd been together forever.

In the morning Jay woke up first. Immediately memories for the night before flooded his mind. He thought for a moment that he was falling in love again. Hailey had feel asleep first last night barely half way though the movie. Jay didn't want to wake her so he let himself fall sleep as well, but not before noticing how adorable she looked sleeping, the way the world seemed to fade away from her, and peaceful she looked. Jay thought about how he wanted that for the rest of life. He wanted the rest of his life with Hailey by his side.

General POV

Jay sat on the couch for moment looking at how peacefully Hailey was sleeping on his chest. As Hailey started to stir awake Jay brushed the hair out of her face with his hand.

"Morning Hails" Jays said

Hailey smiled at the name, which reminded her of her mother. Forgetting about the bright yellow cast on her arm Hailey rubbed her tired face with her arm only to lightly scrape herself with her cast. Hailey smiled and laughed at herself for forgetting such a huge thing.

Hailey sat up, looking at Jay, "sorry I fell asleep on you last night, you could've woken me up you know"

"You looked comfy, I didn't want to wake you" Jay said, leaving out the part about how happy he was to spend the night so close to her.

And if Hailey was being honest with herself she was happy Jay didn't wake her because this was the first night she'd been able to sleep through.

"What do you say I make some waffles and coffee before work?" Jay asked changing to conversation to avoid his real feelings.

Hailey smiled remembering the wonderful waffles Jay makes. "That sounds like the best idea you've had in long time" Hailey mocked.

While Jay started breakfast Hailey went to get ready for work. Hailey walked to the bathroom sink and out of habit she grab out a bunch of make up she once used for covering bruises. She soon realize that for the first time in a long time she didn't have any bruises she needed covering.

She did however struggle to find clothes that would fit over her cast, she didn't mind much though because it was a good problem to have because she was finally out. She was finally starting to get her life back. She was finally beginning to feel happy again, at least for a little while.

General POV

After a few minutes of trying on different shirts Hailey finally found one the fit well with her cast. Although she wouldn't be leaving the district she still wanted to look professional. When Hailey walk out of her bedroom Jay stop what he was doing instantly look at her. She wasn't wearing anything to special but Jay thought she look adorable. She had on black jeans and a pale pink t-shirt that complimented her cast well. Noticing that Jay had stopped what he was doing Hailey said "what do you think" she spun around in a circle as if she were wear a dress and laughing.

Jay didn't even have to look at her to say what he was gonna say but he did anyways, admiring how strong and resilient Hailey was. "You look beautiful, as always"

Hailey smiled "thank you" she realized that was the first time in a long time she'd gotten a sincere compliment.

"What do you say to some waffles" Jay said as he platted some for Hailey.

After breakfast Jay got ready and the two drove to work. Before walking into the 21st Hailey paused, Jay looked at her with worried eyes.

"Where's your head at?" Jay asked,

"Oh- nowhere," Hailey pause letting out a deep exhale "I'm just nervous that's all, I don't want things to be different" Hailey said looking in to Jays eyes, She was a little lost In them.

"Don't worry, today is gonna be a great day Hailey"

Haileys POV

As Jay and I walk up to the 21st district I got a bad feeling. I couldn't explain the feeling.

"Don't worry, today is gonna be a great day Hailey" as Jay said it my heart sunk, because somewhere deep down I knew today would not be a great day.

Jay put his arm over my shoulder and I leaned my head on his shoulder. We stood there for a minute. I let the world stop around me. I blocked out the people around us and stood there in the rare moment where everything was ok, and somewhat normal.

Jays POV

As Hailey rested her head on my shoulder I could tell something was really wrong. This was no case of first day back jitters, something was really wrong. I'd never wanted anything more than to ever that take that pain away from her.

General POV

Hailey and Jay stood in front of the 21st district as everyone walk around them. The two looked almost peaceful despite all their pain. The two stood there tuning out the world unaware of who was watching them.

Inside a black car park just behind them sat Nic. Jay and Hailey looked like couple, the kind that would live happily ever after in the movies and this made Nic furious. This furiousness lead Nic to plan his next move very carefully.

General POV

Since the incident at the Hospital Nic had been planning how he'd get Hailey back. In Nic's mind he'd loved her. But he hated her job, he believed it was too dangerous.

Nic sat in his car as Hailey and Jay walked into the 21st. Nic hated Jay, he believed that Jay was the only reason Hailey had left him.

Nic sat out side the 21st for 4 hours until he saw Hailey again. His heart stop when he saw her. he noticed the yellow cast on her arm, he hadn't seen that before and wondered what had happened. He was ready to run up there and get his girl when Jay walked out. Nic continued waiting in his car and about 30 minutes later Hailey and Jay came back with lunch in there hands.

Jay said something to Hailey and she smiled. It was her huge adorable smile, Nic missed it so much. He couldn't wait to finally get her back.

It had been a slow day at the district. Every one in intelligence was filling out paperwork that was probably long overdue. They were all laughing and joking around like little kids. Adam and Kevin kept throwing paper balls at everyone.

Hailey and Jay were the last ones left in intelligence that night. Jay still had an hour worth of work to do so Hailey decided she'd catch a cab back to Jay apartment. Jay was nervous about it, but let her go when she promised to call as soon as she got home.

Haileys POV

Once jay agreed to let me go home alone I started to clean up my desk. Jay didn't want to let me out of his sight because Nic was still on the loose. I honestly thought it was cute how much Jays cared. I put a few files away and then grabbed my coat. It was about 7 pm and the district felt empty. It was lacking a consistent busyness it had during the day.

"Good night, Detective" the night desk Sargent said to me as I towards the door.

"Night" I simply replied back. As I walked out the door something felt off. Being the person I am I scanned my surroundings with my eyes as I walked to the bus stop. Out of nowhere a large force pulled me into an alley. I felt something heavy hit my head and fell I get to the ground unconscious.

2 hours later

Jays POV

It had been two hours since Hailey left the district and she hadn't called. I felt like one of those overprotective parents but I was really worried about her. I drove home hoping maybe she'd just forgotten to called. When I got home she was nowhere be found. I called her 4 times and nothing. That's when I began to panic.

Haileys POV

When I woke up my head was pounding. I was in a darkly lit room and my arm and legs were tied to a bed. I didn't recognize where I was though. I moved around trying to loosen the ties on my arms and legs, but it only caused a commotion. I heard foot steps on a old and creaky floor. The door squeaked at it opened and Nic walk in.

"Shh Hailey, your safe now" he said walking closer to the bed I was in. His voice echoed in head with each step he took closer. Without realizing it I started breathing heavier finding it harder to catch my breath. Nic sat down on the bed near me. I squirmed trying to get away from him. He reached out and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. I flinched. I struggled more to catch my breath as I tried to hide my panic.

"Breath Hailey" Nic said, running his fingers though my hair, "I missed you so much, I'm so glad your home now." Nic pause and kissed and kissed my forehead "I love you, I'll never leave you again"

Tears fell from my eyes and panic washed though my head. I couldn't stop this. Every time he touched me memories ran though my head. I thought this might finally be over, that I might finally be safe. But I'll never be safe.

Jays POV

I called the only person I know to call. Hank Voight. He's tough and sometimes irrational but I'd trust him with my life. Not to mention that he'd been working around the clock when he was off trying to find Nic. I knew he would be able to help.

My hands were shaking as I called him. On the third ring he finally picked up.

"Jay?" He asked knowing something was wrong as I don't normally call him.

"It's Hailey" I said as tears started to fill in my eyes "I don't know where she is, she said she'd call, I think she's in trouble" I said quickly stumbling over my words.

"Jay, take a breath, ok?" He said nicer than I'd ever heard him.

"Come to the district, I'll call in the rest of the team. We'll find her" Hank said before hanging up.

General POV

Jay drove as quickly as he could to the district. When he got there Kevin, Trudy, and Hank were already there. He was surprised to see Trudy, but could tell she cared a lot about Hailey. Trudy walked up to Jay "I know how much she means to you, we're gonna find her"

The team work all night try to find any leads. They guessed Nic was probably behind it, but they couldn't find anything to help them narrow down she might be. Nic was a lawyer who had seen things like this all the time, he would know what to do which only scared Jay more.

Haileys POV

That night was dreadful. I was starving but I had no appetite when Nic made dinner. My stomach growled but my head was spinning. All I could think was 'I have to get out of here' and 'I need jay'. I had no clue where I was, probably some where remote, which would probably make it harder for the team to find me.

Nic stood up getting off the bed and walk around to face me.

"Hailey I was thinking of making your favorite for dinner to celebrate us being together again, how does Mac and cheese with hot dogs sound?" His voice sounded so nice, pleasant, like it did when we first met. I didn't know how to respond. My mind was frozen. "Answer me when I speak to you" his voice raised. I couldn't respond. A single tear fell from my eye and with that he slapped me across my cheek bone. "I love you Hailey, I never want to hurt you. It's for your own good" he said as he walked out of room. My cheek burned from where he hit me. But with him gone I started quietly trying to free my hands from the ties.

Jays POV

After about 30 minutes of searching for anything leading to where Hailey Kim said

"guys I've found some footage of Hailey leaving the district" she stoped, I knew it was bad just from the tone of her voice. I quickly got up and walked to her desk. She was hesitant to show me, knowing how close I was to Hailey.

"This is an ally way about a block from the district" Kim said with grate fear in her voice. She played the video. My hands where shaking as I watched. From the ally we could see a large male waiting with a metal bar in his hand. I watched Hailey walk past the ally, she look tense she was looking in every direction. That's when the man pulled her into the ally and quickly hit her over the head with bar. I watch as she fell to the ground with blood coming from her head. As quickly as it had started it was over. I stood up and angrily walked to the locker room. This was my fault, I let her go alone, if I was with her she would be safe right now. That's when it hit me, she could be dead and it's my fault. I punched a locker my hand went red but it wasn't enough. I had to feel pain, the kind of pain Hailey might be feeling right now. I punch the locker over and over denting it. My fist burned and was now covered in blood. That's when I noticed Adam standing in the door way. I walk to the sink and started to wash my hand. It stung as the cool water hit my skin.

"She's gonna be ok, man" Adam said. I looked at him, my face was still despite my throbbing hand.

"You don't know that" my voice was flat "it's Nic, he almost killed her last time, what do you think he's gonna do now?" I said trying to be tough but tears were falling fro my eyes.

"I know, but we're gonna find her, she'll be ok" Adam Tried to make me feel better. I looked him in the eyes and said "what if this were Kim?"

"I know, I can't even imagine what I do" He said sympathetically.

"I love her," I said for the first time finally admitting it to myself.

"I know,-" he paused "we all know, Come on let's go get your hand checked out, because you definitely broke it or something close" I nodded. We walked out of the locker room only to see the whole team watching concerned.

Jays POV

Before I had to say anything Adam spoke up,

"so a thing happened and we are gonna go to med and make sure Jays hand is all good" Adam said awkwardly. The team understood and probably heard what was going on. Voight nodded in our direction. With that Adam walked into the break room and grab a bag filled it with ice. Adam handed it me and motioned for me to put it on my hand, it stung at I set it down and it was already swelling quickly.

Adam drove me to the hospital. As I walked in I saw Nat. Her eye quickly found my swollen and bruised hand. She walked over to me with concerned eyes.

"Jay what happened?" She asked but I couldn't respond. It was starting to sink in that Hailey might be gone. "Jay" she said again.

"She's gone.-" I froze "Hailey missing" my voice trembled.

"Let me look at you hand" she said changing the subject. She lead us into an exam room, as she took the ice off my hand I realized just how much I screwed up. I wanted to feel pain, I wanted to hurt, but instead I just slowed down the case because I wasn't there to help.

General POV

After Natalie looked at Jays hand and got it x-rayed she came to the conclusion that it was not broken.

"Jay I've got to say you're very lucky-" Nat paused remembering that Jay was not in fact lucky. The girl he loved was in danger and he didn't know if he'd ever see her again. "Your hand is not broken, you've bruised the bone. I'll get it wrapped up for you and you'll be able to go but it's gonna hurt for a while so take it easy as much as you can" Nat smiled. Because jay was a such a close friend she felt even worse about what was happening. Before leaving the room Natalie hugged Jay and said in his ear "You guys will find her, she's strong she'll be ok"

Jays POV

I walked out of the hospital looking of Adams truck. I quickly found and got in.

"So what the damage?" Adam joked.

"Ahh bruises bone" I said holding my wrapped hand in the air.

"You good to work?"

"Would I stop working even if I wasn't?" I mocked.

"I'll take that as a yes" Adam said as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot.

After a few minutes we were back the 21st. As we walked into intelligence everyone was sitting at their desk. They all looked exhausted, which was when I realized it was nearly 2 am.

Voight walked out of his office,

"How's the hand?"

"It's good, not broken"

With that Voight changed the subject back to Hailey,

"Does anyone have anything?" He said in a tired voice

"Nothing yet, we will be able to get a warrant to search his house in the morning" Kim said disappointed.

"Ok guy why don't you all go home get some sleep, I'll see you tomorrow 7am" Voight said.

Everyone started packing up, ready to sleep. I knew if they went home now they'd be better tomorrow but it felt like we we're giving up.

"What do you mean?" I yelled

"Jay" Voight said the way only he could. "My office"

I walked to his office and shut the door. I sat down in the chair and look at Voight hoping he couldn't see the desperation in my eyes.

"I know how much you care about Hailey. We will find her. Okay? But you gotta sleep and so do they"

At this point I was tired and I knew it was no use arguing with Voight.

Haileys POV

I quickly worked to untied my hands. It was easy which wasn't of a good sign, he wanted me to get free myself only so he could hurt me more. I stood up feeling dizzy, I sat back down until the spinning in my head slowed. I reached my hand to my forehead where it was hurting, my hand was wet. The room was darkly lite but I could see the blood on my hand. I stood back up and tried to search the room for anything I could use as a weapon. The room was empty, he knew me, he knew I would do this. I decided to walk out to the main room. Maybe he'd be peaceful if I was. I walked slowly trying to avoid the spots where the floor made noise. I turned the door handle softly, opening the door. I walked out slowly, looking for every detailed trying to figure out where I was. The widow was open, facing the woods. 'I could run, I'm fast, I could run fast' I thought to my self.

"I'm glad to see you decidedly join me" I heard Nic's voice echo. "Here come sit up here, foods almost done."

I wanted to run but he would stop me before I could start. As I turned myself to go sit where he mentioned my head started spinning. I felt weak and unsteady. Before I knew it I was falling but Nic caught me.

"Woah there sweat heart," he said picking me up "why don't you lay down for a bit.

He carried me to the coach where I laid there staring at the woods. If only I could get out I could run far away. I just wanted to see Jay again. I wanted to tell him how I felt about him, about how he made me feel safe, how I wanted to feel that for the rest of my life.

Jays POV

When Voight was finished with me I got an idea, firstly there was no way I was going home to sleep to I might as well keep working. We would for sure get a warrant to search Nic's house in the morning so what difference would it make if I went there now.

As I pulled up the house was dark, there were no lights on at all. When I got up to the door it was locked, I wasn't surprised but after giving it a few kicks it opened easily. I paused as I walked in the door, memories of the night not long ago flooded my mind. My mind pictured Haileys beaten body on the ground. It felt so real, I ran to the spot kneeling down to find that she was not there. As I searched the spotless house I found a guest room. As I shined my flashlight on the wall my bones shook. The walls were covered head to two in pictures of Hailey since the attack. There's where pictures of her in the hospital, of her outside the district, and even one of us watching the movie together. That's when I found it, a cut out of a house that looked a hell of a lot like where he might try to take Hailey.

Haileys POV

After a few minutes I stood up, my head was still spinning but I walked to the island in the kitchen and sat down. He was right mac and cheese with little cut up hot dogs was my favorite. But it wasn't anymore, he'd used to make it for me all the time, anymore it just brought up bad memories.

My head was pounding and I felt like I was going to throw up when he set a bowl in front of me. I could tell he had made it just the way I'd once loved it. Kraft mac in Cheese with extra cheese and the curly noodles topped with sliced up cheese hot dogs. It actually looked and smelled super good but for some reason I was feeling super nauseous. I couldn't even imagine trying to eat something right now. I looked at it, I tried imagining myself eating it, I knew Nic was gonna want me to eat but I just couldn't.

"Hailey, sweet heart eat some, it's just the way you like it" he spoke so gently, so genuine, but I knew a side to him no one else did.

I tried pick up the fork but my hand was shaking to much. I put the fork down and steadied my hand as best I could with his intense eyes watching my every move. I picked the fork up and put some Mac and cheese on it, I moved the fork to my mouth and eat it. I couldn't swallow but I tried as hard as I could, only to quickly throw if up all over counter. That was the moment Nic switched, there's always a moment that puts him over the edge. I braced myself for what was coming next. With one swing I fell to ground. A few more punch and kicks later and I was unconscious on the ground.

Jays POV

I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone. I was nervous to call Voight, I knew he'd be mad at me for going to Nic's without a warrant but this was more important than trying not to get yelled at. I unlocked my phone and open my contacts, my finger hovered over Voights contact 'I could go alone, or just call Adam' I thought to myself, it might be easier than Voight wasting time to yell at me. I clicked on his contact anyway and brought the phone to my ear.

"Jay, I told you to go home and sleep" he said in a snarky and grumpy voice.

"We both knew that wasn't going to happen." I said hoping he really did know that.

"I know, I'm just leaving the Judges house, he signed the warrant, I'm guessing your at Nics house and you found something"

I was relieved to find out Voight was not mad "yah, I think I might know where she's at"

"Ok I'll called the rest of the team, we'll meet you there."

I walked around in circles as I waited for the team to get here. First Kim and Adam showed up, together might I add, although it was no surprise.

"Jay, what did you find?" Kim asked

I lead them to the room they were both as surprised as I was when I saw it. But the room only confirmed what we already knew 'Nic was a psychopath and Hailey was in danger'. I handed them the cut out of the house, they both knew what I was thinking.

"I'm not waiting any longer, fill in the rest of the team in when they get here" I said quickly running out of the house before they could stop me. I hopped in my truck and drove to the house. My heart was pounding I had no clue what I was walking in on. When I found the house I quietly walked up to the door. There where no windows in the front of the house, and it was surrounded by woods. I walked up to the door questioning my self if this was the right house. I kicked the door in. I instantly saw it, Haileys unconscious body laying on the ground. My mind flashed back to what I'd seen only about a week ago. Nic was still kicking and hitting her.

Jays POV

At first I was frozen just stuck there, just watching some one beat the crap out of the love of my life. Then I was pissed off, I wanted to beat him the way he was beating her, but I stoped; I could lose my badge not to mention he was much bigger than me and I couldn't risk him being able to hurt Hailey more. I ran in front of him and dove over Hailey body, receiving a painful kick in the side. He didn't stop because I was there, he was in a different state of mind. I stood up, holding my side for second then pushed him away from her. I was able to get him cuffed and I put one of the handcuffs on the refrigerator so he'd be away from Hailey. My mind went back to Hailey, I didn't know if she was still alive. She looked so lifeless.

General POV

Jay had just cuffed Nic to the refrigerator insuring that he could no longer hurt Hailey. Jay stood still for minute lost in his own thoughts, his eyes scanning the room trying to put the pieces of the story together best her could. Nic was smart but when he was on a break he was careless and psychotic.

Jay saw the the Mac and cheese, and although it was the middle of the night it was no surprise with the state Nic was in that he'd lost his schedule. Jay wondered the significance of the dinner that was made, he figured it was a favorite and Nic in his diluteinal state believed it'd make Hailey happy.

That was the thing about it, he actually probably thought what he was doing was good. The detective in Jay found himself walking into the bedroom. He froze, the sheets were a mess and there was ties on the corners. I prayed they weren't used for what he thought they'd might have been; he hoped with his entire heart they weren't. His eyes found a large blood stain on the pillow, his mind flooded back to Hailey. He ran out to the kitchen where her body laid unconscious on the floor. Blood still pooling from the cut on her head, her eyes swelling and bruising.

Jay couldn't move, he wanted to but his body was frozen. His feet felt like the roots of a hundred year old tree; stuck and unable to move no matter how much he wanted to. He looked at Hailey as a tear fell from his eye. Her bright yellow cast was red from her blood. Jays knees gave out and he sunk to the ground. He couldn't believe he let this happen to her again. He released once more that he wanted to spend the rest of his life keeping her safe.

General POV

Jay was sitting on his knees in tears unable to move. Nic was cuffed to the refrigerator, sitting silently. The howling of sirens began to blast outside. Voight ran into the house followed by the rest of the team. Voight stoped just past the door, noticing both Jay and Hailey. They didn't know what they'd find when they got here but this was not it. Hank grabbed his radio as his hand shakes.

"I need an ambo, officer down, I repeat officer down," his gravelly voice woke Jay from the state he was in. For Jay everything was moving impossibly slow. Jay stood up to his feet rushing to Hailey who was starting to stir. Hailey tried sitting up but Jay stoped her.

"Hails?" Jays voice shook.

"I'm okay Jay, I'm good" Haileys said weakly. Hailey tried to sit up again, wincing in pain as she moved.

"Hails, just relax, an ambo will be here soon" Jay stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I should have gone with you." Tears began to stream down Jays face.

"This is not your fault, and I'm okay, I promise" Haileys eyes were wide. The sky blue eyes warmed Jays heart. Despite her current condition Hailey had never felt move alive than in this moment; with Jay and her together.

The rest of the team watched as Jay and Hailey spoke to each other. The only way to describe what was happening was to say that the two were falling in love, and indeed they were.

General POV

Jay sat by Haileys head stroking her hair. Hailey looked at him with wide eyes and smiled. She could see her future with Jay. She saw children, she'd always wanted a little girl. She wanted to give a child every thing she'd never had. She imagined her and Jay married, living in a big house with a bunch of kids running around.

Jay was still scared for Hailey, but he was also lost in her beautiful smile, and her big blue eyes that gave him a warm feeling inside. He could tell she relaxed as he ran his hand though her hair, but it broke his heart and he lifted his hand to see it covered in Haileys blood.

Jay watch as Hailey's already pale skin got paler. Haileys breathing became slower, and her talking slowed down. Haileys eyes started to get heavy and she struggled to keep them open.

"Hey, Hey, Hails stay with me, I'm right here, just stay with me" Jay pleaded.

Hailey fell unconscious again. Jay reached his hand out to her neck to feel for her pulse. It's wasn't there.

"Guys she doesn't have a pulse" Jay yelled in a panic.

Jay instinctively started doing chest compressions. The rest of the team moved closer, they'd been giving Hailey and Jay their space but now that wasn't it important.

Additional sirens began to blare in the background.

General POV

Gabby and Sylvie rushes into the house.

"She crashed about a minute ago" Kim stated calmly to the pair.

"Ok, we got her" Gabby said as Sylvie took over compressions.

Jays sunk back then stood up. The rest of the team stood around Jay in support. Adam placed a hand on jays shoulder. Jay watch as the paramedics cut Haileys shirt and put shock pads on her chest. Her abdomen was covered in bruises. He watch as they shocked her, her whole body moving. Jay flinched at the sight.

No one noticed Voight who was uncuffing Nic and walking him out of the house. Voight walked him to the side of the house ready to inflict a little pain to on to him due to his anger and fear on Haileys behalf. Before Voight could do anything a new, younger cop stop him. Voight was pissed off but he had more important things to worry about. He turned to see Hailey on a gurney be wheeled into the ambo with Jay by her side.

General POV

Jay sat in the back of the ambulance holding Hailey's hand. The ride felt like it took forever; it kinda did, they were in the middle of nowhere surrounded by forest and few small cottage looking houses. It would be the perfect place for a family vacation or in their case hold a kidnapped victim hostage. Jay couldn't keep his eyes off Hailey, like as if at any moment she might be gone. She looked frail, her skin was ghost white. It broke Jay to see her so lifeless, so not her self.

Jay's mind flashed back to the night the two had watched a movie together. The huge smile on Haileys faces as she describes the significance of eating her m m's in rainbow order. That night was one of the best in Jay's life. That night as he laid with Hailey in his arms he saw himself having a family with Hailey. He had never imagined himself as a dad. He used to think it was selfish for a cop to have a family because they never knew if they'd come home that night. But with Hailey, he couldn't imagine himself not being one. Visions of their adorable little kids ran through his mind.

"Jay, where almost there," Gabby said causing Jay to come back to reality. A reality in which he was losing the love of his life, A reality in which he may never get to be a father if Hailey didn't make it.

A few moments later they arrived at the Hospital. As the ambo door swung open Jay squeezed Hailey's hand know they'd soon be forced to separate.

General POV

Jay stepped out of the ambo as Gabby and Sylvie passed Hailey's gurney thought the ED doors. Jay stood frozen, his face blank, he felt numb, his whole body frozen. He wanted to run through the ED doors and force his way into Hailey's room and just be with her, but that wasn't how that worked and he couldn't move anyways. He just stood there looking empty, feeling empty.

Will came walking out of the ED looking for his brother. He'd never seen Jay so broken. He was standing still, covered in Hailey's blood, his face blank. If you didn't know him you'd have thought he wasn't feeling anything but Will know he was really feeling everything. Will put his hand on Jay's shoulder, Jay's Head shot up, his eyes meeting Wills. Will looked at his broken brother.

"What can I do? What do you need" Will said

"Nothing I-I'm good, I just need you to go be there with her, make sure she's ok"

"Ok"

Will turned around and began walking quickly to Haileys room. When he got there he realized why his brother was so shaken up. Hailey was in rougher shape than he'd realized. She had a large head contusion that had been bleeding heavily, lots of internal bleeding, a few broken ribs, and they suspected there were more injuries they couldn't see. Hailey's hair was stained red from her blood, her bright yellow cast had were several spots where blood had found its way. Her shirt was cut from the paramedics revealing her abdomen cover with blue and purple bruising. Doctors already had her hocked up to blood and IV fluids as they were preparing to take her up to surgery soon.

Hailey's eye began to flutter as she regains consciousness. Everyone in the room stopped for a moment.

Haileys POV

Everything was load, every one was moving around me, everything hurt but I didn't dare show it.

"Jay" I mumbled

"Hey Hailey, it's Will, your at the hospital. Your gonna be ok, we've got you"

"I wanna see Jay,"

"I know, but we don't have time, we have to get you up to surgery"

Will looked at me, I hoped he could see just how badly I needed Jay right now. All I could think about was losing him. What if I died and I didn't get to see him again. Tears began rolling from my eye.

"Please"

"I-I'll go get him, but we don't have very long. Okay?" Will said sympathetically.

Will walked out followed by most of the people in the room. Only a minute later Jay ran in, immediately coming to my bed side. He stood over me and kissed my forehead, then sat down and held my hand.

"Hails, I was so worried about you"

I paused, I didn't know what to say "I'm scared" I'd never admitted fear before, I'd never had someone I trusted that much.

"I know, It's okay. I'm right here"

"If I don't make it, I love you"

Jay looked at me, his face lit up "I love you too. I love you Hailey Ann Upton" Tear started to stream down Jays face.

Will walked in quietly, "Jay we gotta go now"

Jay stood up and kissed my forehead one more time saying "good luck" in my ear. Jays stood in the room and my gurney was taken from the room. As we left the ED the entire 21st district lined the hallway.

Jays POV

I stood there lost. My eyes scanned the room. Haileys blood was all over the ground. Adam walked in wearily. I could tell he wanted to be there for me but he didn't know what to say or do. Adam stood there for a moment clearly searching for words.

"Hey," he paused, not knowing what to say or how to say it, "why don't you come sit the waiting room with the rest of the team,"

I didn't know how to respond, I needed to be with the team yet I thought it would be too hard. They've obviously figured Hailey and I out before we even could but still walking into that room felt impossible. I knew the way the they'd look at me sorta the way Adam was looking at me now. While they'd all be there for me they'd secretly be glad it wasn't them waiting to find out if the love of their life was going to die.

I somehow mustered the courage to follow Adam. The hallway was lined with officer's from the 21st, when we reached the private waiting room everyone stoped what they were doing. The chatter of people taking softened. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, part of me wanted to stay something to make everyone else feel better but I had not idea what that would be. I found and empty chair and sat down as everyone's eyes followed my every move.

General POV

a few hours later*

Will wasn't one of Haileys doctors because she might as well of been family but he stayed in the operation room the whole time like his brother had asked. He could see the look in Jays eyes, he was in love and he was scared.

Jay paced the Waiting room the whole time, his heart racing. Will walk into the room containing the intelligence team, he walked specifically over to his brother. He placed a hand on his shoulder in hopes of calming him. Hailey was a fighter, she stayed strong the entire time. Jays eyes met Will's, he searched his facial expression for any sign.

"She's good-" was all will could get out before Jay fell into Will's arms hugging his brother.

"Can I see her?" Jay said stepping back, his tear filled eyes meeting Will's.

"Yes, They've all ready taken her off the vent and she's expected to wake up soon"

A smile grew on Jays face as he heard the words his brother was saying.

a few weeks have passed*

"Hey Hails, what time do you wanna leave to meet the team?" Jays voice jumped out of the silent apartment. The sudden and load echo of Jays words startled Hailey, she instinctively turned toward the sound forgetting her task at hand. Time seemed to slow as she watched the plates falling in corner of her eye but somehow unable to stop them. Four freshly clean plates fell to the ground around her crashing like a poorly time orchestra. Suddenly every sound was increasingly audible. The neighbors music, the opening and closing of a car door outside, a child from upstairs or was it downstairs crying softly. It seemed to intensify all at once. Haileys face went blank as a past memory almost forgotten or forcibly removed memory push its way into her head.

It was moment so similar to this one that was almost funny, except it wasn't, not at all.

Hailey remember the tv had been on. Nick at night, playing full house. It was crazy how perfect a family they were, atypical of course but perfect. Hailey wondered if she'd get a family of her own like that.

Just like that she dropped the glass cup. It's didn't even break that much, just few pieces, she bent down to try and pick them up in hope that Nic hadn't noticed. The glass shard cut her finger, careful not to draw attention to the mess she squeezed her eyes shut at throbbing pain in her finger.

Like a monster hidden in the shadows Nic appeared. It took him seconds to assess the situation one that should have been simply, one that had potential to be cute even. But it anything but cute. Cups, plates, everything flying to the ground. Dozens of clean dishes shattering on the floor. She said nothing, did nothing, except move out of the way. He screamed and yelled, at her but she knew it knew better than to take it personal, he was yelling at the world.

"You're so careless" he yelled "not thinking of any one but yourself" she knew this wasn't about the dishes, if it were about the dishes they wouldn't shattered on the ground, not to mention those were his favorite words. The easiest words for blaming, someone, something, the world, it wouldn't matter who deserved the blame just who could be the scapegoat. Her, Hailey, she was always the easiest scapegoat. "This is just like with the baby" his voice howled. Her mind lost it, of corse, the baby that's what this about it was exactly a month since she'd lost the baby. It not that she had forgotten by any mean but her mind it was just fuzzy. Her eyes burned of the tears she forcibly held in.

The baby. Her mind played the word on repeating. This was her fault. She tried to push the thought out of her head but it wouldn't budge. Her fault, her child, gone. She reminded herself Nic was only grieving and it was her faulty he had to, so she stay quiet and small until left to cool off.

Haileys knees gave out as if the weight of the world had just been added to her shoulder or maybe they'd already been carrying the world and they were just now getting to tired for it. Her body sunk slowly to the ground. She grabbed the near by towel hanging from the stove to dry her hands although it'd ended up becoming her life line as she as she held tightly to it.

Realizing she couldn't breathe, the room stealing the oxygen from her. She tried to take a breath but it was like nothing was there, she tried again, and again, again, her shoulders rising and falling quickly, Her hands clung tighter to the towel, her shoulders rising and falling, her mouth wide open pleading for air, again, again, again. Tears forming in her eyes, she felt out of control. Again, again, again, nothing, she held the towel close to her body clinging to it as if it could save her, a tear fell from her eye falling slowly down her cheek.

"Hails?" Jay questioned as he walked out of his bedroom, drawn firstly by the sound of the the plates crashing but quickly his attention shifted from the glass covered floor to Haileys panic painted face.

He wanted to run to Hailey and just hold her till she felt better, but that wasn't how it worked, that would heal her, not fully at least. Time. Support. That's was what she needed more than anything, she only been home from the hospital for a 2 and half weeks. Jay walked carefully over to Hailey, each step quite and considerate. This had happened twice in as many weeks and he'd learned that sounds were often amplified for her. If Jay was honest with him self he had no clue what he was doing, but he swore to god he's figure it out for Hailey.

Jay knelt in front of Hailey, he could feel the broken glass, sharp even though he was wearing pants. He looked Hailey in the eyes. Hailey lifted her head, her eyes meeting his, and even though her chest was tight and her cheeks wet from tears, every thing felt a little easier with jays focused on hers.

"Look at me, okay?" Jays voice was calm although he was losing his mind out of worry for Hailey, "Hails, in though your nose out though your mouth, just like me"

After a few minutes Haileys breath started to normalize.

"Hey, let go sit on the couch for a bit?" Jay recommend seeing how tired Hailey a grown. Hailey nodded and started to stand. Her legs shook and she quickly feel back the ground. Frustrated she started to stand again but Jays voice stopped her, "May I?" Hailey nodded. Jay carefully picked up Haileys small body. His arm cradling her fragile body, her head rested on his shoulder.

Jay sat Hailey down on the couch then sat down him self. Hailey laid down in his lap, her head resting on his chest. Listening to the sound of his heart beat as her own started to slowly match his, she closed her eyes suddenly exhausted she drifted in to her first peaceful sleep in very long time.

Jay had noticed Hailey growing relaxed and quickly falling asleep. He'd heard her in middle of the night having movie marathons instead of fight the battle of trying to sleep. He knew she was tired. Jay reached in the pocket grabbing his phone, not moving to much of corse not wake her. He opened the team group chat and typed.

'Hey, I'm not feeling great can we reschedule for another day'