Detective Hailey Upton likes her life. She goes to work, she does her job, well, and she comes home. It's basic, it's simple, and it's all she needs. She'd been with Robbery-Homicide for a good amount of years now and as much as she sometimes yearned to continue advancing her career, she was content. It beat the hell out of going on year-long undercover assignments. And since she never quite got over her last one, she was hesitant to look for much else in fear that's what they'd want her for again. So when she got the call and offer from Sergeant Voight, she was intrigued to say the least. She knew her former best friend was on his unit. It's not like she stalked Jay, but Chicago wasn't that big, especially the police force, to not know where he had ended up. Plus, the Intelligence Unit was the cream of the crop for their little city; she'd by lying if she said a small part of her wasn't proud of him when she heard he made it in with Voight's team, even if they hadn't seen each other in over a decade. Still, she wasn't sure if she wanted to resurrect that part of her past yet. She had done her best to bury it and leave it there. Regardless, there was a part of her that still felt drawn to him, and the way Voight explained the situation, she almost felt obligated to be there for him. So with a heavy sigh, and a few huge glasses of wine, she called him back the next day and accepted the offer.
Now here she stands, staring at the back of Jay Halstead's short-cropped brown-haired head, the same exact cut as when they were younger. All of the memories want to rise at once, but she squelches them all down. Instead, she uses the tactic she's been so accustomed to since the army, firmness and sass.
"Halstead, it's been a long time!"
"Hailey!"
She swears she feels him say her name before she even hears it. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. How is she supposed to look after him if she's not even sure she can trust herself around him?
"Actually, it's Detective Upton now." She responds a little too coolly, the smirk on her new boss's face along with the shock on Jay's makes her aware it held no hint of humor. So she decides to backtrack.
"I'm just kidding, Jay, how've you been?"
Not knowing what to do with her hands as she stands above him while he's still seated, she folds her arms. She gives him a small smile and tilts her head at him, hoping to reassure him of no bad blood, as she waits for his reply.
"I've been good. Wow, it has been a really long time. How have you been?"
Jay says as he finally stands up and leans in to give her a quick hug. It's awkward, no doubt, but probably just to the two of them. She's certain no one would notice, at least she's hoping not. If Voight does, he doesn't seem to acknowledge it.
"I've been good too. Excited for this new journey I guess. It certainly will be different from Robbery-Homicide."
"I'll let you two catch up. I got some paperwork to do. Jay, be sure to introduce her to everyone when they come in." Voight says to them.
"Sure, Sarge." Jay replies and nearly places his hand on her back, but hesitates, to lead her out of the office. She takes it that's their cue to scatter.
Jay closes Voight's office and it's now just the two of them in the empty bullpen. The silence envelops them both, neither sure which one of them should speak first. Finally it's Jay who bites the bullet.
"You want any coffee? I just made a fresh pot not too long ago." As Hailey raises her brow at him he continues on quickly, "…And before you say anything, I've upped my coffee making skills immensely since the barracks days."
"Oh, good, I was gonna say- Because your coffee tasted like crap, Jay! We swore you sometimes put actual mud instead of grinds in it. But I'd love some as comparison."
They smile at each other and head into the break room. He pours her a cup, grabbing the milk and adding just a small drop in just the way she likes it. They both try to ignore the muscle-memory of it all. Jay leans with his back against the sink and his arms folded as he waits for her to try. She takes a sip and he instantly gives her his "well?" look.
She purses her lips. "Not bad! Definite improvement I must say."
"I'm glad to meet your approval after all these years…" he replies, drifting off.
"Yeah… it has been a lot of years…" she agrees. It gets silent again for a bit.
"Hailey—"
She instantly cuts him off. "Let's not, Jay, okay? Not now. I'm not here to rehash the past. Let's just think of this as a new beginning, the start of a great partnership."
He swallows and clicks his lips. "Alright, fair enough." He reaches out his hand to hers to shake. "To new beginnings…"
As she grabs his hand they both feel the pull and had never in their life been gladder than to hear joking and movement coming up the steps and into the bullpen. They instantly drop the other's hand.
"Guess the cavalry has arrived!" Jay whispers and signals with his head for her to follow him.
As they reenter the bullpen, Kim Burgess, Kevin Atwater, and Adam Ruzek are all draping their jackets over their chairs and getting settled in. Jay makes a dramatic ahem to get their attention and all six pairs of eyes turn to look at the two of them.
"Guys, this is Detective Hailey Upton. She's going to be my new partner. Hailey, this is Kim, Kevin, and Adam."
Hailey goes to shake all of their hands and give a proper introduction. She can feel Jay's eyes on her as she gives them a quick background on herself and she tries to push down the butterflies she hasn't felt since what feels like another lifetime ago.
"So I met Jay in basic training, and we did our advanced together and even got in the same battalion until he became Mr. Army Ranger..."
They smile at each other when she briefly fills in the team how they originally knew each other. Their smiles are laced with sadness, but no one is none the wiser. She pretends not to hear Adam when he turns and whispers to Kevin while she and Jay talk to Kim.
"Damn, she's hot!"
"Mhmm, Jay's in trouble!" Kevin replies.
If they only knew the half of it Hailey thinks to herself...
[A/N: While I was thinking of another one-shot to write before attempting two other extensive story ideas I had, this idea popped into my head, so I'm running with it. And hey, you get two chapters in one day ;) Obviously, it's slightly AU, but the core of their characters is staying. Also, in our world this takes place in Season 7's timeline, but it won't follow it extensively (if at all) Especially since we apparently won't be getting an appropriate ending to this season now. On that note, I hope you're all staying healthy and safe! The world is a crazy place right now, so I hope this and any remaining Upstead we get this season helps you through! Enjoy!]