Chapter 8: A big sister to me.
Jay/Hailey. Set after series 7. After Kim and Adam's wedding, Jay and Hailey finally confessed their feelings and spent the night together and now they are back in Chicago and hiding their relationship from their friends.
I do not own Chicago PD or the characters.
Please read, review and enjoy :)
Hailey and Vanessa, in spite of their differences, had a silent understanding of each other; Hailey had been damaged by her father's abuse and Vanessa by her childhood in foster care. It was something they never discussed, in words, but they knew that it was connection they had, and it was one of the reasons why their friendship worked as well as it did. Vanessa's constant questions about Hailey's mystery guy were annoying, but Hailey knew, deep down, that it was from a good place. Every word she had told Vanessa about Jay was true. She just had not told her the whole truth.
It was a Friday evening and Vanessa was out, so Jay and Hailey had made plans to spend the evening together, at Hailey and Vanessa's house. It was not often that they were there, so they wanted to make the most of Vanessa's absence and Jay even took the time to cook a meal for himself and Hailey, whilst they talked and half-watched something on the TV. Ever the prepared ex-Army Ranger, Jay had brought an overnight bag.
Just as Hailey and Jay were about to settle down to have dinner, the front-door opened and Vanessa walked into the kitchen and the confusion was clear on her face. Jay pressed his lips together and Hailey smiled to herself, thinking that they should have spent the evening at Jay's apartment instead. "Halstead, what are you doing here at this time? Hailey, I thought you were out with your mystery guy tonight?"
Hailey was silent, feeling like a child caught in a lie by her mother, but Jay thought quickly, using his charm on Vanessa as he stood up. "Hailey was feeling down after the case and her guy has had to go away for work this weekend. So I thought I'd come by and check in on her." He walked over to Vanessa and asked, in a hushed tone, with a tone of concern that was genuine, "Can you make sure she's already tonight, Rojas?"
"You have my word on that, Halstead." In a brighter tone, she asked, "What have you made for dinner?" Hailey glanced over at Jay's overnight bag which was by the counter and Jay saw her gaze and picked it up and headed towards the door. "Halstead, are you not staying for dinner? You did cook it."
Shaking his head, Jay replied, "Nah, I'm going to have a bear with Will." He glanced at Hailey and they shared a secret smile, before he nodded and added, "Have a good night."
Throwing her bag down and sitting at the table, Vanessa exclaimed, "Well, that was weird! But Halstead always is a bit strange." In a softer tone, she inquired, "Hailey, did something happen with your guy?"
"Nothing happened. He just has to work this weekend." Hailey titled her head and decided to ask, "Where have you been, anyway?" There was a look on Vanessa's face, so Hailey repeated her question.
Vanessa just smiled and said, "I'm glad it's just us here tonight. It'll be my last night here for at least a year, Hailey." Vanessa took off her jacket, as she continued, pulling her knees up to her chest. "The job offer you didn't take from the FBI- I took it."
For a couple of seconds, Hailey remained silent and still, before she grinned and pulled Vanessa into a quick hug. "Oh, Vanessa, that's amazing. I'll miss you so much!"
Pushing her dark hair behind her ears, Vanessa smiled and whispered, "I'll miss you, too, Hailey. You're like a big sister to me." She paused, then added, "Promise me one thing: When I come back in a year or maybe a bit more, I can finally meet your mystery guy. I know Halstead said he's a solid guy, but I'll check him out for myself when I get back."
Hailey smiled and laughed as she nodded. "Yeah, it's a deal. Do you want me to help you pack?"
"Yeah." Vanessa paused again, before she said, "Hailey, you really are like a big sister to me. This place- this house- it's the only place that's ever felt like home, so thank you for that. I have no regrets and I can see you don't either. And you won't mess your relationship up with this guy. Trust me. He already has your heart."
The two women bumped their fists together before they made their way to Vanessa's bedroom to pack, enjoying their time together.
