As the week went on the CFD and the CPD, had come together and announced that they were doing a joint BBQ. Jay excitedly asked Hayley if her and Grace were going.

"I'm not sure, I just feel like I'm intruding. Grace will get grouchy and then I will get flustered and it will just make me feel awful. I'm rambling, sorry."

"Look I'm not going to pressure you, there will be kids there, and it's a good day, I can help with Grace and you know Kim and Vanessa will be there and they love her. I know you are off as Trudy told me you were."

"You stalking me Halstead?" they laughed, her smile was wide and honest. She was genuinely happy to be with him.

"I didn't tell you, did I? I've seen an apartment, it's two bedrooms, not far from the district, and from your place." Blushing she looked at Grace, "Trudy and Mouch keep on that they love having us there but I just feel its time to stand on my own two feet. I'd like to have people over and not have to explain myself or hide why they are there."

"Really, well I'm sure they will understand and it's not like you won't see her at work. As for having people over, do you have many people? I mean are we talking dinner party's or just an evening meal between two friends? And what happens after dinner?" his boyish grin has Hayley smiling and looking into his eyes.

They are at the district, sat on a bench in the park across the way, they had eaten lunch together and were now sat talking.

"Well depends, if its Kim or Vanessa then we'd drink a bit and they'd leave, but if it was someone else, a man maybe then who knows, we could sit in the living room or take things on to the decking out back. I wouldn't have to hide him either way." They were flirting so hard but neither of them were about to give in and kiss the other, not here at the district.

"Hey there Hayley, how are you?" Vanessa stopped in front of the pair, "Has Halstead asked you about the fun day? Should be a laugh?"

"Yeah, I'm just not sure yet. I'll have Grace and she is going to be moody. Any way we will see, look I'm sorry I have to go, - turning to Jay – i'll see you later? And see you soon Vanessa?"

"Yeah, bye, So Jay have you asked her out yet or are you still being a chicken?"

"I'm not a chicken, I just feel like she's not ready yet. Although she is looking at an apartment so that's a start." He smiled and they walked to the district.

That night Hayley had text Jay asking if he was busy the following day. He rang her as it was easier than texting, and he wanted to hear her voice.

"Hey Jay"

"Nope am off all day too!"

"Is it too soon for me to ask you to come look at this apartment with me? It's just I don't want to be alone with the guy and I don't want to seem like I'm an easy target if he's a slime ball. Am I worrying too much? I'm being dramatic right?"

"Hayley calm down, yes I will go with you, no you are not being dramatic and no it's not too soon. Why would it be too soon?"

"We only just met like 2 months ago and I don't know. Forget it listen I need to sort Grace. Night Jay." Throwing her phone on the chair in frustration.

"Smooth Hayley Smooth!" Grace was on the floor with some toys she was propped up with pillow as she was still unstable. They played for a while before Grace started getting sleepy. Jay had text Hayley, he wanted to know what time to meet tomorrow? Hayley hadn't replied, she didn't know what to say. She wanted him to spend time with her but then was so anxious she was shaking. She felt like a school girl with a crush.

Two hours later Hayley had cleaned up, put Grace to bed and decided on an early night. She settled between the sheets and looked at her phone, Jay had text her three more times. He was getting worried. So she decided to call him.

"Hey"

"Hey, I'm sorry I was busy with Grace, I'm sorry for earlier. I, its just I really like you, like really like you, - blushing she sighed- I know we haven't been friends long and I have Grace and I don't want to burden you with somebody else's kid. See I'm rambling again. Jay I'm sorry"

"First of all, will you just stop apologising. Second, I really like you too, like really like you, third I know about Grace and I don't care, she is part of you! You're amazing. You wouldn't be saddling me with her. It's not like you are going to drop her off here and go out and leave me with her all the time. Your not a deadbeat Mom, looking for the next schmuck to fleece. I want to come with you tomorrow to see this apartment, like you say he could be a sleaze ball, he may even be really good looking and then I would loose you completely, you'd move in with him and leave me with Grace all the time" they both chuckled. "Seriously Hayley, I'm in, I'm not going to rush you into anything though. We can take this as slow as you need too."

"Who knew Detective Halstead would be such a romantic, OK so, I'm in too. Just let's not tell anyone yet though, please. I would love for you to come tomorrow. 10 am, I have to be there. Do you want to meet for breakfast first? My treat!"

"OK sounds good. Can I pick you up, please?"

"Yes, OK see you at 8am?"

"OK Night Hayley sweet dreams"

"Only of you Jay"

She clicked the phone off. Put her phone on charge and went to sleep. Jay was doing exactly the same, both had smiles on their faces.

Grace was awake nice and early, they were both ready to go by 7.30. Platt had left to go to the district and Hayley was getting the base to the car seat, from her car when Jay arrived. After fixing it in to the truck, Jay went to the house to get Grace from Mouch.

"Jay, come in can I get you a coffee?"

"No thanks we are going for breakfast, right Grace. Yes, we are!"

Grace did her happy dance as Jay talked to her.

"Look Jay, I know I'm not Hayley's Dad but she is close to Trudy and this kid here is the closest to a Granddaughter, I'll ever get. Please don't hurt them. If this is just you wanting to play house, please just leave, but if your serious and you are in for the long haul. You're welcome here anytime. She's happy right now. She deserves to be happy. You both do." Holding out his hand he shook with Jay.

"I'm in for the long haul, I promise, I can't imagine my life without them now."

He put his hands out for Grace and she happily jumped into his arms. They stood talking in the kitchen waiting for Hayley, as she ran down the stairs and smiled at the scene in front of her.

At breakfast Jay and Hayley talked about the apartment they were going to.

"it's two bedrooms, has a open plan kitchen living area like yours. There is a bathroom with a bath and shower. It's second floor has a utility room of the kitchen; all appliances are included, it has a decked area out side, of the living room with plenty of room for Grace to play. Just seems to good to be true."

"Where did you find it? What makes you think it's too good to be true?"

"The price is so Low. Like within my budget with money left over for pizza. It is in a nice area with shops and close to the day-care. I don't know, things don't normally go so well for me. Its odd." Jay reached over and took her hand.

"let's go see it, then we can look on the files at the district to see if there has been any reports from the building. We can keep looking if this one isn't the right one."

"Da da da!"

"Excuse me miss, what happened to Momma?"

"Da da da" Grace held her hands up to Jay. They locked eyes and Hayley smiled at him.

"Balls in your court Jay. I'm not going to push you, if you pick her up, promise me it's because it's what you want, and you are OK with this." Standing Jay reached across the table, gently placing his left hand on Hayley's face, pulling her up towards him. His eyes, doing the talking as their lips crashed together. As quick as they started it was over, but it spoke volumes, Hayley's insides where on fire, she couldn't wait to get him alone later today. Grace pulled them out of there trance, letting out a cry.

"let's go, see the apartment, are you busy this afternoon?"

"No, I am free all day. What do you have planned?"

Hayley blushed and stood on her tip toes to whisper in Jay's ear.

"I want you so bad right now, I'm aching," Standing back she winked at Jay and turned to leave taking grace with her. He stood there mouth open in shock.

"Holy cow she'll be the death of me!" he whispered to himself. Walking to the car he smiled, he'd die a happy man.

They arrived at the apartment and Jay took charge of Grace so Hayley could concentrate on looking at the space. His phone went of as he walked up the stairs.

"Jay what are you doing at the Jameson complex?" Voight asked him. "we have the realtor under surveillance women are going missing after they meet with him."

"Hey Dad, yeah I mean we are just looking at an apartment then we can meet in an hour"

Hayley knew something was wrong Jay's Dad was dead, she carried on talking to the realtor. Walking towards the large windows she opened the handle and stood out on the patio area. Looking down she saw the van from the car-pool.

"It says on your application you are single; will Mr Halstead be moving in with you?" James asked

"No, he has his own place, it's just me and Grace moving in. If we take it. Have you had many people look at it?"

"Yes a few, none have taken it though. What job do you do?"

Thinking quickly Hayley replied "none at the minute, my parents are helping me, with rent. I hope that's OK."

"Perfectly fine, what do they do?"

"My Dad's a firefighter, that's how I met Jay, at a bar my dad Co owns. With some of the others he works with. Right, I need to get Grace home for her nap. Thank you and I'll be in touch."

"OK, call me anytime."

Smiling Hayley took Grace from Jay, needing to hold her and keep her safe, she wasn't sure what from but she knew she needed to protect her!

"you, OK?" Jay asked as he put his hand on her back guiding her too his truck.

"Yeah, let's go meet Hank."

Jay looked at her and smiled, driving to the district. Slowly but surely the pair were falling deeper and deeper, it was a beautiful sight.