Utterly Unexpected

Chapter 2: Nothing Remains Hidden Forever


Hello friends! I am back with the second chapter and I am excited for you guys to read it. This story is unfolding in my mind at a great speed. I hope to put into words as fast and as best as I can. Let me know what you think of this one. :)


Hailey unlocked the door to her apartment and entered, sweating and mildly tired from her morning run. She had formed a routine for herself and always tried her best to stick to it. It helped her with the stress of the job bringing a much needed balance in her mind and life. A couple of days had gone by since the new rookies had joined the police department. Jay Halstead was her rookie and she had all the doubts one could have about a person's capabilities. She didn't know when the turning point would come. She brushed the thought aside heading directly towards the shower, eager to wash off the result of her jog.

Hailey Upton lived alone and she liked it. She didn't need anyone nor did she want anyone. She had set a life for herself and always preferred if she could maintain that without any interruptions. From time to time her best friend, Vanessa Rojas, would disrupt her planned-to-the-minute life making her wonder why she hung out with her friend still. Yet deep down a part of her liked it and was grateful even. Vanessa knew Hailey better than anyone. She understood her like no else did and for this very reason Hailey tolerated her. Kevin Atwater, Vanessa's boyfriend would also sometimes show up and they would all hang out together, doing everything they could to forget the gruesomeness of the job. That was the extent to which Hailey entertained a social life. If anyone suggested otherwise, Hailey's threatening gaze refrained them from continuing on those lines.

After her shower and breakfast Hailey headed for the district. On the way in Sergeant Platt stopped her, clearly having something on her mind, "Good morning Hailey. I need a word with you."

Hailey looked at the elderly woman and wondered what it could be. She nodded and replied, "Morning Trudy. Am I in trouble?"

"No, but your rookie might be," Trudy continued.

Hailey frowned and questioned, "What do you mean?"

"So you're saying you aren't aware of the situation?" Platt asked.

"What situation?" Hailey enquired.

"I have been observing him since the past two days," Trudy offered.

"And?" Hailey asked directly.

"He comes out of the locker room as though he has run at least two marathons," Trudy said evenly.

Hailey couldn't help but smile. Trudy added, showcasing her humour further, "And is most likely getting ready for another one."

Hailey spoke through her smile, "What's your point?"

"Maybe cut him some slack? He's new. They are all new," Trudy tried to explain.

"Really? You're telling me this Trudy?" Hailey asked.

"Hailey, you know why I am saying this," Trudy spoke directly.

"I know and I appreciate it. But I have got to do what needs to be done," Hailey said matter of factly.

"Hailey, be careful," Trudy spoke softly.

"I will. Thanks," she said and headed towards the locker room.

Trudy Platt was another one of those rare people to whom Hailey listened and even obeyed. Her opinions and ideas mattered to Hailey and she never failed to show that explicitly. The bond Trudy and Hailey shared was unique. They had worked together for several years and that bond had only developed further and blossomed into a trusting friendship. Something that was hard for both women.


In a short while the briefing room was full. Each officer was assigned their work and they left with their rookie. Hailey walked out of the room, heading towards her vehicle. She could hear quick footsteps behind her. In a moment she heard her rookie's voice, "Good morning Ma'am."

"Have you got my coffee?" she asked, still walking ahead.

"I will get it Ma'am," he answered.

"Good," she replied.

"I wanted to ask you something Ma'am," he continued.

She stopped short and turned around, "You sure have a lot of questions."

"Uh… No Ma'am," he tried, wondering what answer would suit best.

"Let me ask you a question," Hailey went on.

"Yes Ma'am," he replied.

"Is this job taking a toll on you?" she asked directly.

Jay thought for a moment, wondering if this was a trick question of some sort then answered slowly, "No."

"You're lying," she cut him.

He looked at her nervous. He tried justifying, "Yes and no. Everything is tough in the beginning."

"That's more of an accurate answer," Hailey said.

"Yes Ma'am. But I am eager to learn," he added.

"Go set up the car. I'll be right there," she ordered.

He nodded and hurried towards the equipment room. Once they were set they hit the streets. Hailey started this time, "What do you think is the most important thing between a TO and a rookie?"

Jay thought for a moment. It was very well possible that all her questions could be trick ones or some sort of test. He replied finally, "Communication?"

Hailey was forced to look at him as she had not expected that answer. She said, looking ahead once again, "You're right. But there is something more important. That is honesty. Honest communication."

"Copy that Ma'am," he said, noting this down in his small notebook.

In two days he had learned that Hailey was not one to speak directly. She expected people to understand what she meant. She was blunt and straightforward but she never said what she had in mind directly. He concluded this was her way of saying that he should be honest with her at all times. He thought to himself how it was possible to honestly communicate with the descendant of Hitler himself. He brushed the thought off quickly, a small smile appearing on his face.

"Something funny?" she asked.

"No Ma'am," he replied immediately.

Moments went by. Hailey spoke again, "Why do you want to become a cop?"

"Uh, it has been"—

"Don't give me crap like I have always wanted to do this," she interrupted him.

He let a moment pass by then spoke in an even tone, "With all due respect, that answer too holds great value."

Before he could utter the following words, the car had screeched to a stop and she was facing him. He couldn't read her face because she never displayed what she felt. But her tone certainly reflected her state, "What? Are you telling me I am wrong?"

"No Ma'am. That's not what I am saying," he said quickly, hoping this wouldn't become an issue.

"Then what are you saying Halstead?" she asked, still waiting for an appropriate answer.

"I am saying that's one of my reasons to become a cop," he said calmly, trying to remain in between and not pick sides explicitly.

She looked at him then dropped it. He figured she was either done with his crap or he had actually managed convincing her. However, the latter seemed an impossible feat. The subject didn't come up again. Moments later a call came through. It was something about a robbery at a general store. They answered the call and headed to the location rapidly. Hailey stopped the car a safe distance away and she had scanned the entire shop before she had even stepped out of the vehicle. She spoke softly, "Follow me."

Jay did as he was told, never in his wildest dreams wanting to disobey an order from her. If he did that hell would certainly break lose and devour him in a second. Hailey continued, "There are two of them."

As inhuman as she could be, she certainly was a great cop who could control and defuse a situation rather quickly. She ordered, "You go at the back and make sure they don't escape."

"Copy that," he said, and quietly went to the back of the shop.

Before he had even settled Hailey radioed, "Get in Halstead. One in custody."

He was impressed. He entered the shop, finding an owner terrified out of his mind, one perpetrator in cuffs and the other one aware that he was caught but still putting up a defeating fight. Hailey screamed, "Drop your damn weapon!"

The man hesitated, still cooking up methods to escape this. Hailey spoke again, "You drop your weapon this instant or you're going to drop dead this instant."

Jay observed and noted how threatening and even convincing her voice was. He knew this was something he had to develop and master. Hailey screamed one last time, "You have three goddamn seconds to decide. Otherwise the next thing that's going to come out of you is going to be a bullet."

That seemed to do the trick. The offender dropped the gun with a shaking hand, a part of him terrified of the consequences that would follow and another still finding ways to get out of this mess. The moment he dropped to his knees, Hailey ordered, "Cuff him Halstead and throw him in the car."

"Copy that," Jay replied and moved quickly towards the offender.

The one who was already in cuffs suddenly felt the need to voice his opinions, "Is that your guy? You can do better," he said, smirking and looking at Hailey.

Jay flushed, an anger rising within him. He looked at Hailey, wondering what she felt. She had no expression as usual. She spoke quietly, "Get up."

The prick got up, still grinning, adding nonchalantly, "I am there if you need anything."

Before he had completed the sentence, Hailey had grabbed his hand with a considerable amount of force and pushed him forward, making him stumble against a rack. He turned in fury to which Hailey replied, "If you need anything, I am right here."

The offender growled and Hailey led him outside, clearly done with these two idiots. Jay followed in awe and nervousness. Hailey seemed to know how to handle any situation. The ride back to the district was a quiet one. The two pricks had understood by now Hailey wasn't one to play and their chance to see the light of day was highest if they remained quiet. At the district, Jay was asked to process the guys and Hailey went for a snack.


The rest of the day was much milder. Nothing physically taxing presented itself. They attended to basic calls and patrolled the streets. At the end of shift Jay wanted to have a word with Hailey. He had so many questions for her but he couldn't seem to find her. As he was heading out, his eyes still searching for his TO, Trudy called him, "Halstead?"

He turned around and answered immediately, "Yes Sergeant Platt?"

"How's your training going so far?"

He looked at her a moment, wondering why she was being so mice suddenly then answered quietly, "It's fine."

"Good, good," Trudy said.

He couldn't help but think that the two women had conspired against him and were tracking his every move. Yet, he needed to give his mind a break. Suddenly he asked, remembering what he had in mind, "Have you seen my TO?"

"Why?" Trudy asked suspiciously.

"I just wanted to ask her a few things," he said honestly.

Platt weighed the information then answered, "She goes to the gym on Thursdays."

"Alright, thank you," he said and realised why he couldn't spot her anywhere.

He entered the gym for the first time and was surprised by its size and maintenance. He walked ahead, observing the various apparatuses and the people using them. On the far left there were several punching bags, their sounds echoing in the near periphery. As he walked further he spotted the face he was looking for. Seeing her in the gym made him realise furthermore she had no clue who she really was. This time she was in a tank top and sweats, a pair of shows covering her feet. Her hair hung in a straight ponytail. She was sweating profusely and he couldn't help but wonder how harsh she was on herself. It was true she didn't spare another individual, but was she worse on herself?

He approached and she sensed someone's presence and looked up. Seeing him there she uttered, "Are you following me?"

"No Ma'am," he replied.

"Then what the hell are you doing here?" she asked.

"I wanted to ask you a few things," he started.

"Seriously? Your questions couldn't wait till tomorrow?" she asked, surprised yet wondering whether this was the real motive after all.

"You said honesty was the most important thing between partners"—

"We are not partners," she reminded him.

"Between a TO and rookie," he corrected himself.

"Yeah, so what?" she asked, really not interested in this conversation.

"So, I want to be honest with you," he said.

"What does that imply? Does it mean you're quitting?" she said.

He let a moment pass then answered, "No."

By now Hailey had taken out her gloves and was holding onto them, waiting for him to either continue or end this conversation because she had other things planned for the rest of the evening. By chance a glove slipped from her hand and landed on the ground with a soft thud. She bent down immediately to pick it up. Jay saw something completely unexpected. As she got up his eyes averted back to her face. Seeing the change of expression on his face she wondered for a moment what could have transpired. Suddenly she realised her tank top had slipped up, exposing a fair amount of skin underneath. She pulled it down quickly, hiding the scar that Jay had most likely noticed. He was still looking at her and she could see he had a new question for her. She spoke, wanting to end this altogether, "Are you done? I have to get going."

"Uh… yeah," he said, his thoughts still on her scar.

She nodded and turned around, ready to walk off. He added, in spite of himself, "Things fade, wounds heal."

She stopped short, he couldn't say in fury or shock. Hailey turned around and glared at him. She was both shocked and angry, not allowing her to formulate coherent words. Jay had no idea why he had said that, but he knew it was something he needed to do. After having composed herself she spoke coldly, "Excuse me?"

"I was just"—

"Just trying to do what rookie?" she questioned him, her rage resurfacing.

"I… I… I didn't mean"—

"You need to leave right now," Hailey said quietly.

He nodded in compliance and looked down. He had no idea what had come over him, making him say such things. He said softly, "I am sorry," and left, without looking at her.

He walked away quickly, wanting to get out of there as fast as he could. He knew now, he had overstepped and perhaps he shouldn't have done that. However, he still didn't know what had prompted him to say that so directly. His primary goal of talking to her had been abolished by this unexpected incident. He had come to tell her he had been highly impressed by her today and she had inspired him to become a better cop. It was safe to say they opposite had occurred and perhaps he wouldn't even have her as his TO tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Hailey exhaled deeply, returning to her punching bag. Something in her had reacted violently when her rookie had uttered those absolutely unexpected words. She knew what it was but she didn't want to think about it. Not now, not ever. The balance she was attempting to bring so diligently in her life would crumble to pieces if she let her thoughts wander to that one scar and the several others that were stamped on her body. It was all a lost cause. She didn't have time for things that didn't matter. Yet she was certain about one thing. If her rookie didn't learn to keep his thoughts and eyes to himself he was going to be left hanging. She wasn't going to tolerate such kind of behaviour.

Jay Halstead had seen something Hailey Upton had been trying to hide all her life.


The chapter comes to an end here. I know a lot needs to be answered. Everything will slowly follow in the upcoming chapters. I hope you liked this one. Let me know in the reviews. Thank you. :)