Upstead (First Kiss)

Chapter 16

Hello guys! I am back and again with a slight delay. It might be like this for a while but I will try to post twice a week at least. I want to thank all the readers and a special thanks to all the reviewers, I always read all of them. This chapter doesn't have anything grand in it but it helps to move the story forward. Hope you enjoy! :)

Jay and Hailey arrived at the scene in fifteen minutes as they were expected to. The team was already there and everyone had worried faces. Voight looked more agitated than ever and that caught Jay's attention. Something was fishy and Jay was sure Voight knew more than he showed. Suddenly Kim's phone rang and after a few moments she let the team know that Abby was fine. Yes, Abby had been shot and at the moment it seemed for no apparent reason. Everyone was relieved to hear that, especially Voight. Then Voight spoke, "We should all head to the hospital once and check on Abby."

The team nodded not wanting to disobey an order from Voight but silently wondering what this was all about. They left for the hospital and Jay and Hailey were the last ones to leave, wanting to gather their thoughts. All this was happening so fast that one couldn't keep up with the next thing. The ride to Med was a packed one, because Hailey and Jay spoke about a lot of things. But their central focus was on this new case. Although, Hailey had something on her mind since a while and she finally wished to express herself.

"Listen Jay," she started.

And the sudden change of tone made Jay look at her. She had almost whispered and it was clear that she was hesitating to speak the words she had in her mind. She looked at him now too, smiling slightly and a hint of a blush appearing on her cheeks. She finally managed, "About earlier today, I want to let you know"—

"Hailey, I will do whatever you want," Jay said immediately, sensing where this conversation was headed.

"No," she said blushing more now. "It's not that… I just want you to know I am ready."

"Oh," Jay replied, not knowing what else to say.

There was a long moment of silence and awkwardness but then Hailey burst out laughing. Looking at her Jay too couldn't help but laugh. It was such a sweet moment. They were behaving like teenagers and honestly it felt good. The fact that Hailey could laugh about this now showed that she had healed from Booth's terror. Otherwise even thinking about such things made her hair stand. All the while Jay couldn't help but look at Hailey, his Hailey, yes, now she had become his. He always wondered how he got so lucky to be part of the life of someone so beautiful and kind and pure. Hailey's fit of laughter had still not ceased and Jay was only looking at her, hoping that this moment would never end. She sensed his intense but soft gaze and stopped laughing. She couldn't help but ask shyly, "What is it Jay?"

He still looked at her and smiled not willing to tell her anything more. What he loved best was to simply look at her without any words. He simply said, "Nothing."

Hailey looked at him for a long moment and kind of sensed what this was about. So she began, "Jay, you truly are a human being and you care so much about people. It's just overwhelming and that's why for so long I avoided this because I thought I didn't deserve someone like you. But you pulled me out of a hole that would have probably sucked me so deep that there wouldn't have been an exit after a point."

As he was listening to her words he wondered in his mind that she was the one who had actually pulled him out of so many holes. Now, he felt the need to let her know exactly what he had on his mind, rather in his heart. He started softly, "Hailey, you truly are a gem and your light has shined through my life the moment you stepped into it. I don't know how I can ever repay you for all that you have done for me."

Hailey was genuinely touched by his words and she answered softly, "You can repay me by always being happy Jay. That's the only thing I truly want."

"Well, that's solved because you're my happiness," he said innocently and that struck a chord in Hailey's heart and she herself wondered for the millionth time how she had gotten so lucky to have Jay in her life.

They were sharing such a beautiful and pure moment that they had forgotten about all the problems that were present in their lives at the moment. But reality struck like lighting and they were forced to come out of their happy bubble. In the hospital everyone met Abby one by one and both Hailey and Jay didn't know how to react. But nonetheless, they managed it and the team was gathered in the waiting area. Voight was ready to give orders and get started on this even though it was past midnight. But he too had a heart so he gave them minimal work and asked them all to head home and be present the following morning. Everyone left without questioning him, but when Jay and Hailey were leaving Voight called Jay and wanted to speak to him. Jay looked at Hailey for a quick moment and headed towards Voight. Hailey thought of refreshing herself a little so she went to get some coffee and splash some water on her face.

Meanwhile, Jay and Voight moved to a corner and Jay braced himself for whatever was to come. Voight looked at him intently for a moment and began, deciding to get straight to the point, "Jay, Abby is in a very rough spot and I want you to look after her."

Jay just looked at Voight, still trying to understand what he meant by these words. Voight continued, "Abby has been into drugs for a while now and she needs help, otherwise it won't end well for her."

The only thing that could come out of Jay's mouth was, "What?"

Voight looked at him and continued, knowing fully now that Jay had no idea about this at all, "Yes, it has been a difficult year or so for her and that's why I decided to bring her here."

The last bit caught Jay's attention fiercely. Voight had brought Abby here? Why? He asked, still not understanding the matter fully, "But why Sarge? Why did you even bring her hear? You know that this could affect our careers if this went the wrong way."

Voight glared at him, not liking Jay's tone. He said loudly, "Jay, you will let me do my job and you will do as I tell you to. As for why I brought her here, since you asked, I will tell you. I have known Abby since she was a little girl and I had helped her out when she wanted to join the army, but after she left I lost touch with her until recently when I heard about her state."

Jay still looked confused and couldn't understand the soft corner Voight had for Abby. Voight understood that and said, "My wife knew her parents and she told me to look after her if anything were to happen to them and that's what I have been trying to do since I found out."

Slowly Jay seemed to understand what all this was about but he knew one thing for sure and that was that he wouldn't leave Hailey for Abby under any circumstances and he was going to make sure of that right now. Jay opened his mouth to speak but Voight beat him to it and said, "And I know you were married for a while. Abby told me about that and that's why I brought her here and thought of even partnering you up with her," he paused for a long moment looking at Jay then said, "And Jay she really loves you."

Jay was thrown off guard now, he didn't expect Voight to speak like this, using emotions to convey a point. What shocked him even more was that Voight used that love to prove his point, whereas, if anyone else had confessed to having a relationship within the unit he would ask a million questions, ask them to fill out a bunch of forms or if worst came to worst, he wouldn't even allow them to date. It was evident Voight wanted to help Abby at all costs and he was even ready to do anything for it. Thinking about all this, Jay was in a bigger hurry to spill the beans about Hailey and him. He spoke, "Sarge, Abby and I haven't spoken it's been a while and honestly our marriage is also over. There is nothing left between us and there probably never will be anything more."

"Hmm," Voight said, understanding Jay's point but sensing there was more to this than he wished to say. So he decided to ask the appropriate question, "Is something going on between you and Upton?"

Jay was shocked and he didn't even bother to hide his surprise. But deep down he had known Voight would find out somehow, because Voight knew everything. He tried to play it off in his own way, "Sarge, it's not what you think it to"—

But he was immediately cut off, "Jay, is it a yes or no? I don't want details."

Jay knew there was no going against Voight and lying to him would be the last thing he would attempt to do. So he said, "Yes."

"Hmm, Jay I don't know what to tell you. You can't seem to keep it in your pants when it comes to your partners."

Jay couldn't understand whether Voight was mocking him or teasing him, but whatever it was it didn't matter. And he was in way going to tell Voight they hadn't had sex yet, because they were going to and mainly because it was a personal thing. And this thought brought back the memory of them almost crossing that line and the conversation they had in the truck while coming to the hospital. Jay couldn't help but smile and Voight commented on this, "You seem happy Jay. But you know the rules and I can't have the whole unit in jeopardy because of you or Hailey for that matter."

This statement angered Halstead slightly, not because it was true in a sense but because Voight was being partial towards Abby. He had just told him that Abby had feelings for him still and yet he partnered them together, but when it came to him and Upton Voight was suddenly protective of the unit. So Jay said, "With all due respect Sarge, you are clouded by your emotions when it comes to Abby."

"Excuse me?" Voight asked, not expecting Jay to question him.

"Sarge, all I am saying is that our relationship won't interfere with the job," Jay concluded, wanting to end this conversation but getting what he wanted at the same time.

"It better not Halstead, otherwise you're done. You know that better than anyone else," Voight finished.

Jay nodded and Voight moved away, having had enough of this conversation. Jay sighed in relief that this was handled calmly and turned to head out. Hailey was waiting for him and they headed towards their truck. Once they were seated inside and off on the road Hailey asked, "What was all that about?"

"Nothing really," Jay said, not wanting to tell Hailey everything yet.

She looked at him knowingly and said, "Jay, come on. I know something's up."

He knew he couldn't hide it anymore so he recounted everything to her and waited for her reaction. Hailey too was shocked to hear about Abby and had the same reaction as Jay. Voight finding out about them didn't shock her too much, she had known he would find out soon. It was only a matter of time and she had wanted to hide their relationship for as long as possible.

They drove home in silence after that, slightly nervous now since Voight would keep an extra eye on them. But they didn't have anything to worry about because they had been partners for so many years and they knew how the job was. What they didn't know was that being in a relationship and being partners was a different ballgame altogether. Would they be able do their job perfectly knowing their loved one was in the same danger and was facing the same harsh circumstances? Only time would answer this question.

This concludes the chapter and I am happy to write this story. I have been blessed to have you guys read my story and even comment. I will be looking forward to the next set of comments eagerly. Thank you once again for sticking around! :)