I wrote this for Upstead Appreciation week but like an idiot I totally forgot to upload it. Oh well, I guess better late than never …

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the OneChicago world.

Day 5 Prompt: Home stopped being a place the moment you entered my life."

"This feels like home"

In the quiet chill of the Chicago morning, Hailey buried herself deeper into the warmth of her blankets. Hailey had only bothered with wearing Jay's t-shirt to bed simply because he burned so hot during the night, it was like sleeping with her personal furnace. She knew she'd been peeling off the layers in no time, so she saved herself all that trouble. Hailey absolutely loved that every time she got under the covers with him, it was to the feeling of being warm and safe and completely cocooned in the sweet possibilities he offered.

But they had shifted slightly during the night and now her feet were cold. She glanced over, seeing that he was still sleeping but Hailey knew the moment she did what she was planning to do, he would be awake.

She squeezed her cold toes together before inching slowly towards him. Jay was sleeping on his stomach, face half-buried in the pillows. Hailey cautiously placed her leg over him and a second later placed her cold feet to his thigh.

"Jeez Hailey!" He mumbled incoherently, jerking a little at the feeling of her ice-cold feet. "What was tha' for?" he grumbled sleepily.

"I'm cold," she impishly said.

He blinked one eye open, brow raised and somehow managed to convey a true, 'hey no shit,' expression despite still being half hidden by the pillow.

"Did you take a walk outside, barefoot?" he asked.

Hailey shook her head. "You moved during the night," she told him pressing her cold feet to him again.

He gasped. "Ah, Hailey!" this time rolling away from her a little more.

She giggled, "I'm sorry. I'm just tryna get warm." This time running her toes up along his leg. He barely winced this time at the sensation of her cold feet, more aware of her fingers running up his bare chest.

Jay lifted his head, eyeing her curiously. "You're feeling very cheeky this morning, Miss Upton."

Hailey smirked, "Oh I'm just getting started," she teased.

"Oh?" Jay reached for her, pulling her half on top of him, cold feet be damned.

"Hm, you know it's our day off," Hailey murmured. She pushed him back against the pillow, the sheets twisting around their legs.

Jay grinned. "What did you have in mind?" his hands gripped her waist, pushing her shirt further up.

"Just a few errands to run really," said as if it were the most boring thing in the world. Yet her eyes sparkled and she pulled her lip between her teeth again.

"Can I help?"

"I'm sure I can find something for you to do," she whispered, before Jay closed the distance between them, finally kissing her.

He pushed her hair back, gripping her waist and then running another hand up her back. She felt her skin tingle and it had absolutely nothing to do with the chill in the air and everything to do with how Jay Halstead made her feel.

As he nipped at her lips, his fingers carding through her hair, Jay rolled them over, pressing Hailey to the soft mattress. She moaned and he ground his hip down onto her. Hailey slipped her hands under the waistband of his boxer and would have likely pushed it all the way down if her phone hadn't gone off. She pulled away, panting heavily as she looked to the nightstand where her phone lay.

"No," Jay mumbled against her skin, kissing ardently down her neck. "Ignore it," he said. When she didn't immediately, Jay cupped her cheek, gaining her attention and then kissing her more fervently than before. "Let it ring."

"It could be important," she groaned because he was kissing her exactly where she liked and it was hard to argue when he did such things.

"Tell them you're sick. That we're both sick and can't leave this bed," he pouted.

Hailey laughed, totally thrown by a pouting Jay. It was so disarmingly sweet, and she would wager he didn't fully understand just what that did to her.

"Jay!" she laughed when her phone stopped ringing. In the silence that followed Jay smirked triumphantly. Eyes wide, she smacked his chest. "That could have been Voight … or Trudy! Or any – "

"Ugh! No, babe!" He groaned burying his head in the crook of her neck. her heart soared at the casual way that little nickname fell from his lips. She wasn't a fan of such terms, but there was something about the way Jay said it that she found she didn't mind it as much. "You can't mention them at a time like this!" he huffed. He leaned in, kissing her again, and Hailey smiled against his lips. He guided one of her legs to wrap around his waist and Hailey ran her hands up his back. He pulled back a little so he could see her beautiful blue eyes. And then he was kissing her again, his lips trialling up the sensitive spot on her neck.

The infernal ringing of her phone stole her attention again. "C-could be Sarge…" Hailey gasped, throwing her head back. "You know… Platt or Voight – Oh!"

Jay smirked, "I'm tryna have my way with you woman and you're busy talking about our bosses," he scolded playfully.

"Now who's being cheeky?" she laughed. "Come on, let me get it. At least to make it stop," she bargained.

Jay groaned pulling the hand that had slipped under her shirt, huffing dramatically as he fell onto the pillows beside her.

Hailey quickly reached for her phone, watching Jay amusedly from the corner of her eye. But the moment she noticed the caller ID, her smile fell.

"Changed your mind?" Jay asked. His eyes were closed so he didn't see the look of horror on Hailey's face. When she didn't reply to him and the phone kept ringing, he cracked one eye open. "Hails?" he asked sitting up quickly. He reached for her, gently but she still jumped a little.

"Yeah… Uhm … yeah…" she stammered and finally accepted the call.

Hailey knew she winced when she heard the voice on the other end. But all Jay knew was the pained expression on her face and the sound of a woman on the other side of the line.

"No, it's fine mom," Hailey murmured. She ran her fingers through her hair. "It's my day off!"

That garnered quite the reaction on the other side. "No mom!" Hailey snapped. "Because I don't … I can't!"

Whatever was said next, had Hailey pulling her knees right up to her chest. She was scowling into the phone and everything about the situation worried Jay. The pleasant, light mood they had woken up to was now shattered.

"But it's not my home!" Hailey said vehemently. "It's yours and I don't see why I should – "

Unsure what to do, Jay could only watch as Hailey almost crumbled over a phone call he couldn't even hear.

"That's not fair!" Hailey argued, though quite weakly. Her eyes were now filled with unshed tears as she grasped her phone tightly. "Mom!" she called. "Mom!" she sounded quite desperate.

When it was obvious the call was over, Hailey threw her phone down on the bed. She dared not look at Jay, already using all her strength trying not to break down right in front of him. Her eyes fell to the blanket, breathing deeply and willing the panic, hurt and frustration away. She was aware Jay knew the tumultuous relationship she had with her family. But it was not something she wanted to discuss right then. She didn't want Jay to know how truly screwed up things had been for her. But when he reached for her hand, slowly so as not to spook her, Hailey felt her heartbreak. Because here was a man willing to love her through it all and she never thought she'd be so lucky to find that.

They had said those powerful three little words to each other, just a while ago. Now it felt like this was a test of that proclamation.

"Hailey," he said slowly. She simply shook her head and Jay pulled her into his arms. Just like that, all her resolve broke and she felt the tears slip. It was foolish really, that such a simple phone call would have her unravel in such ways.

"She wants to see me," Hailey finally whispered. She didn't let go of Jay and he didn't do anything more than rub soothing circles down her back.

"You don't want that?"

"No, because what she actually meant was he wanted to see me," Hailey said tearfully. She looked up at Jay, and his heart constricted painfully, seeing how hurt she was. "I lied. Before, when he had the heart attack. I told you I spoke to him at the hospital. But I didn't."

"I know," Jay said softly. Hailey looked surprised. "But I wasn't going to force you to do anything that you weren't ready for." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Do you think you're ready now?"

Hailey exhaled, "I don't know."

Jay gently took her hand in his, turning it over and rubbing soothing circles with his thumb. Hailey didn't meet his eyes, not then. Instead, she looked down at their joined hands. He gave it a small squeeze and that seemed to build her resolve.

"I want to be ready," she admitted. "I really do I'm just …" Hailey looked up at Jay, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm scared."

"It's going to be okay Hailey," Jay said slowly squeezing her fingers in his reassuringly. "He can't hurt you anymore."

"No Jay, I don't …" she huffed clearly exasperated with herself. Wiping away her tears with her free hand. "That's not why I'm scared." She was silent for a moment and then eventually the moment grew longer and Jay grew more concerned.

Jay frowned worriedly. "I'm here, Hailey. For whatever you need. Please just tell me."

"He exists on the other side of all this," she said gesturing between them. She sighed, heavily, tears falling once more. Jay reached out, wiping them away, but waited for her to continue. "This is where he can't reach me. This place … you and me here, it's untouched by him." Her eyes fell shut for a moment. She worried her lip, before exhaling harshly and looking up at him again. "I can't lose you, Jay," she said quietly.

"You won't."

"Somehow it feels like taking you to see them… him … might be the end," Hailey explained.

"Going back there is always difficult not just because of what he did to us. It's always a swore reminder that she chose to stay. My mother didn't leave and I don't know if any part of me has forgiven her for that yet." She took a deep breath, steadying herself, "But I also don't want him to be a part of this," She explained. "I feel like he doesn't deserve it."

"Maybe he doesn't," Jay agreed, "But what about your mother?" Hailey looked defeated and that was not what Jay had intended for. "She loves you Hailey, and sometimes the people we love aren't always as brave as we wished them to be." Hailey frowned and Jay reached for her again, pulling her closer this time. "I'm not defending her, Hailey. I just don't want you to regret not having a relationship with her." He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead once more.

"Is that how you feel about your dad?" Hailey asked.

"Yeah," he sighed. She could hear it in his voice. "I never got the chance to make it right. Neither of us did. I'm not saying it would have solved everything but I do wish it ended differently."

"He was proud of you," Hailey told him.

"So it seems," Jay said with a small smile. "Would have been nice to know that when he was alive though."

"I don't think I trust him enough to give him that chance," Hailey said a moment later. "It would feel a lot like giving him back control."

Jay shook his head. "That won't happen." And though he doesn't say it, Hailey knows what he means to say is he won't let that happen.

Hailey bit her lip, looking at him with red-rimmed eyes, "I don't want him to take away the only home I've ever felt safe in."

Jay tilted his head a little, mulling over her words, "He won't," he finally said. "You're far too strong for that to happen now." He glanced around her apartment, "He's not gonna take away any of this."

Hailey smiled, pulling him a little closer, his green eyes so full of love and concern for her. "Home stopped being a place the moment you entered my life," she told him. She's not usually lyrical or so romantic with her words, but she tries it this time as she places a hand over his heart. His skin is warm beneath her slightly trembling fingers. "This is my home, Jay. This is where I feel safest and the happiest, I've been in a long time. I don't want to lose that."

He grasps the hand over his heart, his other hand cupping her cheek and running his thumb along her jaw. "You won't. I promise, Hailey. I'm not going anywhere." He pulls her closer, kissing her earnestly so she does more than just believes him. She feels it to the very tips of her toes. "I'm right here, Hails." He said again, vehemently. "And if this is your home," he said joining their fingers together where it was still pressed against his heart, "Then you are mine. You always have been." When Jay pulls her in for another kiss, he can feel the tears against her cheek.

"I love you," she whispered. She shifts, moving almost entirely into his lap. Jay's arms come around her, holding her securely. "Please don't leave."

"I won't," Jay assured her. "This is home, Hailey. You and I. This is where we belong." She turns, burying her face into the crook of his neck as Jay said, "I love you, too."

It wasn't until some weeks later that Hailey decided to give in to her mother's persistence. Only because it was her mother's birthday, she reasoned. That's how they find themselves at the Upton's home on their day off. The afternoon was riddled with tension the moment Jay and Hailey arrived.

"Mr Upton," Jay had greeted. "Jay Halstead," he introduced.

The man in the chair did not get up, instead just looking Jay up and down. "So you must be the boyfriend."

Hailey tensed. "Dad," there was a sharp warning to her tone.

"Just asking," he smirked. "What do you do, Jay Halstead?"

"I'm a detective, sir. Just like Hailey," he answered.

"Oh." He eyed them carefully before looking a little gleeful. "You work together?"

"He's my partner, dad," Hailey replied shortly.

"Of course he is," he mocked. "Tell me, Jay, where did you graduate from?"

Beside him, Hailey groaned. "I didn't," Jay answered calmly. "I enlisted and when I came back I joined the force."

"Ah, an army man," her father whistled. He didn't seem entirely impressed or disappointed and that unsettled Jay. It was hard to gauge his true feelings. "Where did you serve?"

"Afghanistan. 75th Ranger Regiment," Jay answered.

"So Rangers, huh," he continued. "So that would mean – "

"He's a trained marksman, dad. Let's leave it at that," Hailey said firmly.

Her father's jaw clenched, most likely at being interrupted but perhaps a bit at underestimating Jay a little too. Still, he changed the topic of conversation. Well almost changed. "Didn't think completing your education was important?" he asked and before Jay could reply, he continued, "You and my daughter seem to share that same disregard for education."

"Dad!"

Jay squeezed her Hailey's hip, reassuringly. "There is no disregard, sir. We just want to do some good." His words are careful and measured.

Hailey's father hummed but said nothing more. Jay would have been thankful for that if it had not gotten worse thereafter. As they sat to eat, Hailey's father was full of under-handed comments and quips that seemed to press Hailey in all the sore spots. She had gripped his hand under the table and had yet to let go.

He knew Hailey would not appreciate it if he tried to fight her battles for her. She didn't need that from him. What she needed was to know, Jay wasn't going anywhere. That she wouldn't have to face these battles alone. So he held firmly to her hand, running soothing circles across the back with his thumb as her mother insisted they stay for coffee and cake. Her father grumbled but left them to wander back into the lounge.

It was just them at the table then. Hailey turned to Jay, sighed deeply as he pulled her close. She closed her eyes, releasing a shuddering breath as Jay pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Jay looked down at her and knew it was time they left. He knew her mother would be disappointed but Hailey was his priority now.

"You wanna go?" he asked quietly.

She thought it over for a moment before nodding. "I think I've handled as much as I can for today."

"Okay."

Without any fuss or preamble, Jay got up and walked into the kitchen, she could hear him speaking quietly to her mother. When she turned back around, her father was lingering in the doorway.

"What's he doing in there?" he asked gruffly.

"Just saying goodbye." She stood, pushing away from the table.

"He'd better not be putting any ideas into your mother's head," he threatened. "I had enough of that with you."

"Scared she might realise she can do better?" Hailey snapped.

Her father pushed himself off the wall coming into the room, slowly. She watched him with cautious eyes, tracking his movements as he edged closer to her. But she didn't back down, didn't cower away in fear. She would not back down.

He smiled in the face of her bravery. "You were always a difficult child, Hailey." He stared her down. "I'm quite disappointed you didn't come to see me after my heart attack."

"You survived, didn't you?"

"Watch yourself, this is still my house."

"It was always just your house," Hailey corrected.

Her father laughed, rather coldly. "Oh, gone off and found yourself a happily ever after with Mr Marksman in there, have you?" Hailey scowled but her father continued, this time with a little more heat to his voice. "Why did you bring him here? Trying to make a point with your army boyfriend?"

Hailey frowned. "Mum asked to see me. Bringing Jay here has nothing to do with you."

"You expect me to believe you bringing him here is not some sneaky, underhanded attempt to get your mother to leave or some thinly veiled threat at me?"

"I don't need Jay to threaten you," Hailey warned. "But no, him being here is not for any of those reasons." She glared up at him, "The last thing I wanted was for Jay to meet you!"

"Ashamed of me, are you?"

"No, not ashamed. That would imply I ever had any hope you might be a decent person." She spat. "No all I have for you is anger and hate. That's all you get from me."

She turned to leave, back to the kitchen to get Jay so they could leave, but her father grabbed her arm.

She inhaled sharply, spinning back around, and glaring at him. "Let me go!" But he didn't and for a minute, Hailey had to take a breath to steel her courage.

"Let me go!" She ordered and her father looked like he might say something else when she felt another presence behind her. This time, strong and reassuringly, reaching out protectively to her. His hand fell around her waist, gently tugging her towards him. Her father finally let go.

"Perhaps you should take a step back, sir," Jay suggested but there was little hint of suggestion in his voice. "Ready to go?" Jay asked her and she nodded. Jay turned to her mother and said quite formally, "Thank you for the lovely meal, Mrs Upton." She smiled at them but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sir," Jay said tipping his head towards Hailey's father.

They didn't say another word as they left, Hailey's mother giving them a rushed hug before they got into Jay's truck and headed home.

Later that night when they were curled on the couch, the tv on as nothing more than white noise. Hailey buried her face in his chest, drinking in the only person she had ever truly felt safe with. He leaned closer, pressing his lips to her forehead, letting them linger there for a minute and she felt a quiet sob escape her. His hands had been running soothingly along her arms and they were stretched out on the couch, feet tangled together under the blanket.

"Hey, it's okay," he soothed. She nodded as another sob left her. He gathered her close, allowing her to cry into his chest.

"I don't think I can do that again, Jay." She admitted.

"Then we won't."

"Being back in that house. It felt like I couldn't breathe again. Waiting for the other shoe to continuously drop." Hailey shook her head. "I' m sorry."

Jay frowned. "You have nothing to be sorry for." When he looked down at her tear-filled blue eyes he saw the hesitation and fear there. "This doesn't change who we are, Hailey."

He pushed her hair over her shoulder, his finger tracing along her collar bone and he spoke. "Do you remember what you told me a few weeks ago?" her brows furrowed deep in thought and Jay smiled, leaning forward to kiss the crease away. He took her hand in his, joining their fingers together. "You told me that this is your home," he whispered placing their joined hands over his beating heart. "And I told you that you are mine," Jay said pressing her palm flat against his chest. "This doesn't change that, Hailey."

He pulled her as close as he could get her, their feet tangling further as Hailey turned, burying her face into the crook of his neck. She was speechless, taken completely by the comforting scent of Jay and the feel of his arms wrapped so protectively around her. His fingers carded through her hair.

They stayed, pressed together for the longest time. Hailey pulled back a little to look at him. "This feels like home," she told him softly.

Jay smiled, one that was so full of love and tenderness – just for her – Hailey thought her heart might not survive it.

He placed a kiss on her forehead, keeping his lips there as he said, "This is home, Hails, You and I. It always will be."

AN: Hope you enjoyed it. Leave a little love!

Stay safe!