Upstead (First Kiss)

Chapter 6

Hello guys! Here's another chapter and in the same day. I had a little moment of inspiration and a little free time. So the outcome is what follows. Hope you enjoy! :)

Jay couldn't keep his mind off of Hailey during the entire day. He named this phenomena worry and didn't want to reflect further on what it could be. He couldn't wait until his shift was over and he could go meet Hailey. The team were investigating a new case. Ruzek was allowed to be back on the job now, though he had to take it lightly and not overstrain. The unit seemed to be in this cycle at the moment, in which at least one person was injured. And this statistic wasn't a good sign in any way and everybody had to be extra careful.

Voight was seated in his office when Jay went to show some papers. The first thing Voight asked him was, "How's Hailey doing," he was genuinely concerned and worried about her.

To this Jay didn't know how to respond. Hailey was not fine and it was going to take a while before the nightmares stopped. He knew better than anyone how these things worked since he had undergone this quite recently. He chose the words consciously and said, "She'll be fine Sarge. It might take a while but she'll pull through." At this he sincerely hoped she would pull through.

Seeing her last night in that state had proved to him that this was not going to blow over quickly like other things, this needed time and healing. And Jay was willing to give her everything he had to make her overcome this. Voight looked at Jay for a long moment and said, "Yeah, she's a tough girl. She'll be fine."

Jay nodded and left. He had to interview suspects today, there wasn't too much running around and he was thankful that that was the case. He didn't have it in him to run behind pricks today, if he was obliged to he would have, but a light day was welcoming and encouraging.

Hailey spent the day trying to remain busy. She knew that if she simply stayed put her mind would go to places she didn't need to think about. What happened to her was in the past and it was best if she left it there and moved on. But it was easier said than done, but she had to do it and she had to do it silently. Because from the looks of it Jay was not going to leave her on her own for a while and he was going to interfere in everything. She didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but she knew that if this continued Jay would see sides of her she herself wasn't ready to face. She had to find a way to make him back off, even if just a little, she decided.

What she felt for Jay was a subject that didn't have an entry in her mind and thoughts. How would it, because feelings and emotions were felt in the heart, the mind didn't really have a say there. In spite of pushing all thoughts of Jay out of her mind, she was eagerly waiting for his return. And at seven exactly Hailey heard someone turning keys in her lock. She panicked for a moment but realised in the next one that it was only Jay.

"Hailey," Jay called out, not spotting her in the living room, a slight worry hinting in his voice.

"In here," she called out from the bathroom.

Jay nodded and replied with a weak, "Yeah, alright."

It was a still a wonder to him why he was caught in such delicate moments. These moments were of such a nature that one could lose control more than keep it in check. Jay was clear in his mind that he was going to keep it in check. A few minutes later Hailey walked out in a bathrobe, hair still wet and left hanging on her shoulders. Jay looked up at her and couldn't help but think she looked like an angel. He pushed the thought away immediately and said smiling, "I got you some juice."

"Thanks," she said smiling as well and sitting down next to him.

For a while both of them were quiet but finally Hailey asked, "So how was your day?"

"Alright, I guess. We had a new case and I was in the box for literally most of the time," he replied.

"Yeah, I have been there," Hailey said pouring the juice in two glasses.

They drank in silence and then Jay asked, "What did you do the whole day?"

"Well, I cleaned the house a little and rearranged some things. Other than that, nothing much. Oh yeah, I am waiting to get back to the unit."

At that Jay's eyebrows shot up. The ease with which she uttered those words was almost too good to be real. He spoke then, "Hailey you're not going anywhere near the district for at least a week."

"We'll see about that," she said and got up, implying this conversation was over.

Jay followed her to the sink and held her elbows again like he had in the morning to partly see how she reacted and to partly emphasise his point. At his touch Hailey went rigid again but relaxed soon enough to make it seem as though nothing had happened. But Jay was observant and wondered what this really was. "Hailey, I am serious. You cannot join work so soon."

"Alright, alright," she said.

They had dinner together and sat to watch some television. Jay began, "I'll crash on the couch like last night."

At that Hailey turned her gaze towards Jay and her eyes reflected only shock and surprise, "You're staying?"

Jay wondered what was so shocking about that, but Hailey seemed to be thinking that his information was more shocking. Jay replied calmly, "Yes, I am. I thought we had discussed this"—

"No, we haven't discussed this Jay," Hailey said getting up now.

"Well, since there's nothing to really discuss I would like to think that the matter is closed," Jay said getting up as well.

"Jay, I am fine. I don't need you to stay," Hailey said frustration clear in her voice.

"Then how does it matter whether I stay or not, since you won't be disturbing me and neither will I be disturbing you?" Jay asked logically.

Hailey glared at him and came up with an answer, "What I meant was that you could sleep peacefully on your bed and not have to adjust on this couch." Hailey was not thrilled that she had to spell it out for him, but after all that's what he wanted.

Now it was his turn to say, "I am fine, don't worry about me." He was smiling and that pissed Hailey off.

All the plans she had made to make Jay leave were not working and she didn't know what more to say or do that would solve this problem. So she finally asked, "Why are you doing this Jay?"

"Because I am worried about you and I care about you," he said genuinely.

That was it, Hailey was speechless and she thought it best not to continue this. She nodded, more to herself than to him and said softly, "I am going to bed then."

Jay nodded and she left. Knowing that Jay was going to stay with her tonight and probably for a while, she needed to get her nightmares under control, as though they were in her hands. Jay reacted the way he did last night, but what if he reacted differently today? What if he was disgusted and left? What if he thought she was a freak and couldn't even control herself? All these thoughts only increased Hailey's stress and she didn't know what to do to end it either.

It was past midnight and Jay was in a deep sleep. He was so tired that the moment he had laid down on the couch his eyes had shut. But suddenly he was forced to open them because similar sounds like last night were escaping from Hailey's room. He ran and entered the room, finding Hailey flailing her arms and legs in all directions. She was screaming in the same manner like the previous night. He tried to stop her but failed, she was too involved in her nightmare and she didn't realise it was not real. As she continued her chaotic movements, tears started rolling down from her eyes. Enough was enough, Jay thought. He had to stop her, he couldn't see her crying like this. He stepped over her and sat down on her legs in one swift motion, at least having them under control. Then he grabbed her hands and halted all her movements causing her to wake up in sweat and tears. She looked at him and attempted to get up hoping to escape the spotlight that was shining bright on her. But she didn't manage doing that because Jay was on top of her. He sensed her wish and got off immediately. He was standing now, looking at the small figure in front of him, the broken figure that he tried with all his heart to fix. Hailey got up looking down, not daring to look at Jay, she didn't want to speak about anything right now. She just needed some space and time to empty out her fears and sorrows. She tried walking past him but he blocked her way instantly. "She whispered, "Please, Jay."

He didn't move, and it seemed like he wasn't going to either. Hailey tried again but this time he held her arms and requested her to look at him. His wish was denied, Hailey was not going to listen to him, not now at least. Jay understood that and said, "Why don't you change?"

He walked towards the wardrobe which was next to the door. Hailey thought he was leaving the room and she yanked off her T-shirt and threw it on the ground only to find Jay looking at her in surprise. But the very next second his expression changed to one of terror and disgust. Hailey's breasts had several gashes and her abdomen too showed signs of violence. She turned instantaneously, but the damage was done, revealing more bruises on her back. What the hell had Booth done to her?

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to look," Jay tried to explain, shocked and disgusted at what he just saw.

He didn't care at this point, he turned around and walked towards Hailey with a fresh T-shirt in his hand. Hailey was still showing her back to him but that didn't stop Jay from going to the other side of her and facing her. Hailey was still not looking at him and now she was literally exposed to him and she didn't like it. Jay was about to reach out to her wounds on her chest but Hailey said firmly, "No." The sureness and firmness in her voice made Jay stop in his tracks. He didn't dare touch her. He placed the T-shirt on the bed and turned slightly so that she could put it on without him seeing. Now he understood why she tensed up at his every touch. Booth had scarred her physically as well as psychologically and it appeared for the moment at least, that Hailey was not willing to come out of that state. What was he going to do? How would he help her out of this? And most importantly, would he be able to bear all that he saw on this path?

That concludes the sixth chapter. And I will admit this was a sad and emotional one. But we are moving forward nonetheless. I am eagerly looking forward to your comments. Thank you!