A few weeks had gone by since the hockey game. Things weren't necessarily awkward between Hailey and Jay, but they both felt that things were shifting. It was getting harder by the day to pretend they were nothing more than just partners and friends. Since the morning Jay awoke on Hailey's couch, she started to pull back a little. They were great at work, but she almost always found an excuse to not be free to grab drinks or even attempt their week to bi-weekly pizza dates anymore. She managed to make it for random team outings at the bar on the rare occasions they all got the chance, but she definitely seemed to be avoiding time alone with just him. It was driving them both equally crazy. He hated not getting to spend time with her and she hated that she didn't trust herself to spend solo time with him. She had been weighing ending things with Nathan for a while now, even before the game… but she was scared. If her and Jay gave things a try and it didn't work out, then she'd have broken Nathan's heart, a really great guy, and lost her best friend and the most important person in her life in Jay, all in one. She may be alright with bullets flying by her daily, but taking such a leap so blindly scared the hell out of her.

Then they catch a case, well really the boy involved, that Jay gets attached to and Hailey knows she's almost busted about her feelings for him. After they got Aiden (the teenager who Jay had been defending all week) to try to trap Kamen, the gang leader who killed Suggs, a well-liked firefighter, it was like all of her emotions had been set free. She had been so proud of Jay for trusting his instincts, even though everyone else thought and all the evidence pointed to him being wrong. When she found Jay pointing his gun at Aiden yesterday and trying to talk the kid into dropping his, she had been so scared. It would only take Aiden a second to raise his gun and get a shot off on Jay, even though they both would instantly shoot him if he did. Still, it would just take the one shot for Jay to be seriously injured, or worse. But she trusted Jay, and she knew he believed this kid to be good, so when he looked over at her and shook his head for her not to shoot, she trusted Jay's instincts too. It was just that simple. She never had that with anyone else, a literal blind trust.

When they got Kamen in custody, she had to finish up some paperwork, but knew that once she was done she'd be able to find Jay watching the interrogation. She wasn't sure why she thought it would be wise to go to him alone in that room, but she just had to reassure him how proud of him she was. She knew he had faltered with his own confidence and decision-making this whole case. With the exception of herself, most of the team didn't understand why he seemed to be so adamant in protecting a teenager that appeared guilty. So just like she followed his instincts, she followed hers as well and went to him.

Jay watched Trudy leave the Observation Room as Hailey walked in, slightly content that they'll be able to help out Suggs' family some. Trudy had collected donations from everyone at the 21st, and while losing a husband and father was a dent that could never be repaired, at least it would give them a little cushion. He also can't stop the warmth that ran through his chest when Hailey walked over; she really had his back today, more than anyone else, even though all signs pointed against his opinion. No matter what, she's always there for him. It's something that still surprises him and shakes him to his core. Even with the slight tension between them the past few weeks, she still had his back above all.

Once he hears her say, "You were right to trust your instincts," he knows it's his opportunity to finally ask what he's been dying to all day.

"Why'd you back me? You let me talk Aidan down, when probably, it didn't make sense to."

She shrugs, as if it baffled as why he'd be confused that she did. "…You looked at me... with Aidan… You looked at me and I got it. I trusted you!"

Jay stares at her, even more stunned about how adamant she is about trusting him. Of course, he feels the same way about her, but his thoughts get interrupted as she actually continues to expand upon things.

"I've trusted you from the day I met you… And if I was gonna follow someone blind, I'd follow you!"

She looks at him, earnestly and vulnerably, and Jay almost can't handle it. He stares down at her, a mix of surprise and awe. He knows this revelation is something that Hailey would not reveal normally, nor lightly, and his heart constricts even more. He needs a second to gather his thoughts; he'd love to give her a response just as epic. He's a few seconds too long though, because as Hailey notices his reaction, she also realizes how much she just put out there between them. This is exactly the reason she knew she couldn't trust herself alone with him anymore.

She averts her eyes, gives one last small smile and nod, and says a quick, "I'll see ya later."

She thinks she's almost successful in bolting when she feels his hand on her forearm gently pull her back and turn her around. Now they're facing each other again, even closer than before. Both of their breaths hitch and again it's as if some magnetic force is pulling them towards each other, except this time they don't think they're going to avoid it or get interrupted.

"Hailey…" Jay whispers.

He watches her nervous swallow as he softly steps even closer, running his hand that was on her forearm up to her neck and tenderly cups her jaw. He's waiting for any sign for her to stop him, but all he sees in her eyes is that she wants this too. She lets out a soft hum as he leans and brings his mouth ever closer to hers. Neither is certain who makes the move to close the gap first, but before they even realize it their lips are on each other's. It's a kiss that shifts their whole universe and they know nothing will ever be the same again. It makes the expressions: "seeing stars and feeling butterflies" pale in comparison. Hailey moves her hands to his waist, pulling his shirt tightly between her fingers as Jay moves his into her hair and around her neck, deepening their connection even more. It's a few seconds later when Hailey finally comes to her senses, the whole sensual experience barely lasting a minute.

She pulls away regretfully and looks up at him with sad eyes. "Jay, I can't, I'm sorry…"

She practically chokes out before she's bolting for the door in escape again, this time Jay letting her. He's left standing there staring after her with all the things he wants to say, and all the emotions he's feeling. He continues to stare off into the now empty doorway, still trying to process everything. Part of him realizing (or at least hoping for) the underlying meaning of Hailey's words, and that kiss, but completely aware that she's still with Nathan. He hates that he put her in this predicament, and he vows to go and apologize after he stops at the firehouse with the donations.

Hailey has never been more thankful that she had told Nathan this morning that she thought it would be a late night trying to wrap this case and that she'd just see him tomorrow. Of course, she could call him and tell him that she was able to get home reasonably early, but she doesn't want to. It's not just guilt, she generally has no desire to see him. Their ever-changing schedules had been getting the best of them recently anyway, Jay drama aside. He wanted her around when he wasn't away for business, but didn't seem to understand she had no control what hours their cases would dictate. He used to, but she's thinking maybe he's starting to catch on that her heart hasn't been all in for a while now. She sighs before she takes a sip of the bourbon she's drinking, basking in it burning her esophagus as she swallows it down. She just wants it to numb her, numb everything. She can't believe she kissed Jay. She's never cheated a day in her life, even if it was only a kiss, it was still wrong and unfair to Nathan. She doesn't regret it though, and that's what's really eating at her. Jay makes her feel things she never thought possible, and she knows she's going to have to make a decision soon. She's still in the middle of her sulking when she hears the knock at her door. She knows it's him before she even gets up to look.

When she lets him inside they both just stare at each other apologetically, not needing words, both of them just getting it. It's just the way their eerie connection has always been.

"Mind if I grab one?" Jay points toward the bourbon on the kitchen island as he shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it on a stool.

"Of course not." She tells him.

He pours himself the drink and for a while the two of them just hang out leaning on the counter nursing their liquor amicably in silence. They smile softly in understanding. Finally, it's Jay who breaks the quiet.

"Hailey, I'm sorry! I overstepped. I know you're still with Nathan and I shouldn't have put you in that kind of position, I'd never want to make you feel like you have to choose and…"

She cuts him off. "Jay, it's okay. I kissed you too, this isn't all on you… but you're right, I am still with Nathan…"

She drifts off and they both let that hard fact waft in between them. Silence takes over again, but somehow, it's not awkward. Maybe because eventually they know they'll find their way. After another minute or so it's Hailey that interrupts the stillness this time.

"Look, I don't know what the future holds, Jay, but I know that I can't lose you… I just need time to figure things out. Despite whatever this thing is between us-" she points her finger back and forth among their bodies, "Nathan is still a great guy and I don't want to hurt him. But I also don't want to lose you either. You're my best friend, Jay, I just…"

She feels herself start to get emotional and Jay cuts her off. He softly grabs her forearm again and rubs her wrist comfortingly with his thumb.

"Hey, you're never going to lose me, Hailey. I promise. Whatever this is, we'll figure it out. And in the meantime, friends?" he gives her his classic wide smile, trying to disarm her fears.

She smiles back, nodding. "Friends… and partners, of course! Don't forget, there's still no one else I'd follow blind." She casually teases, knowing they're back on common ground.

"Well, of course. I'd hope you'd never follow Ruzek's dumbass blind. That would demean any confidence you have in me." He jokes right back, causing her to let out one of her belly laughs as they both crack up.

They spend the remainder of the night just like that, teasing banter and watching old sitcoms in Hailey's living room. Lines had been crossed tonight for sure, and while they may not be righted yet, they're both content in knowing they'll get there…

[A/N: Probably just a couple more chapters left to this story. Thank you kindly for all the love you've shown and continue to!]