Chapter 13: Insecurity.

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 any of the characters.

Please read, enjoy and review and if there are any suggestions for future chapters, let me know. :)

Hailey did not know that, when Jay had been looking at her that morning, he had the same thought that she had after he had been shot earlier in the year: That he was in love with her. Jay had not told her, but he knew that he felt and he was certain that, even though she had not said it, she felt the same way. She had known since he had been shot. Will knew, but that was because he knew his brother. He had known the second he had seen Jay and Hailey together.

It was a couple of days since Jay's PTSD had been triggered, suffering from nightmares and panic attacks, and he had called the therapist and had an appointment with her. It had helped, but it was always going to be there. It was something he had to live with, for the rest of his life. No one in their unit had thought any more about why they had not been in the next day, assuming that Hailey had been supporting her partner when he had been struggling, though none of them understood truly how much Jay suffered with PTSD.

As usual, since Vanessa had left for her undercover assignment, Jay was spending the night at Hailey and Vanessa's house and Hailey was so glad that he had made this decision. They had the house to themselves, now that Vanessa wasn't there and there was no need to hide it from her. Hailey had told her every word of the truth. She had just left out some details because she wanted to keep it private. Her relationship with Jay was still new.

That evening, Hailey was plagued with memories of her father and Jay sat up with her for hours as she talked through her feelings. Her memories. Jay's steady and constant support meant more to Hailey than Jay would ever know and she wanted him to know. All Jay said was, "You'd do the same for me." This was true, because Hailey had supported him through his nightmares and panic attacks. Jay kissed her lovingly on the forehead as he whispered, "Why don't you lie down and try and get some sleep?" There was a hesitation in Hailey's eyes, so he added, "Hailey, I'm not going anywhere."

Hailey smiled and wrapped her arms around Jay before she finally allowed herself to lie down. Jay wrapped his arms around her and kissed her and Hailey kept her eyes on his, staring into his eyes made her feel calm, before she finally closed her eyes, allowing herself to fall into sleep, knowing that Jay was there. She was safe.

It was normal for Hailey to wake up without Jay in her bed, because of the time he always woke at; except this morning, when it happened, Hailey could not hear him in her house. He wasn't in the kitchen and he wasn't in the bathroom. Hailey told herself to think rationally; he had probably gone for a run, considering the stress of his PTSD episodes, but there was also a part of her which was afraid that Jay had done what he had said he would never do. He had just left. Hailey knew that this based on her own fears, her own insecurity. Jay was her best friend, her partner, her boyfriend, but the feeling was still there, so she found her phone and called him. There was no answer and Hailey ran her hands through her blonde curls, telling herself that it was not what she thought. If Jay knew what she was thinking, he would be so hurt, as a partner, as a best friend, let alone as a boyfriend.

The thought was short-lived, however, when the front door opened and Hailey ran downstairs, to be met with Jay's calm eyes and smile. "Morning, Sleeping Beauty. I went out for some beagles." He paused, then asked, "Hailey, what's wrong?"

Stepping back, Hailey shook her head and replied, "Nothing, I'm fine. I'll put the oven on for the beagles."

She walked back into the kitchen and Jay immediately followed her, passing her the beagles and inquiring, "Hailey, what's wrong? I know there's something. I saw the look in your eyes, Hailes, and something isn't right. Tell me, please. I just want to help."

There was a long silence, until Hailey threw down the beagles, admitting defeat and she turned to face Jay, with her blue eyes meeting his green eyes. She was so embarrassed. How could she make him understand that her thought had nothing to do with him, but with her own fears? Hailey sighed, before she ran her hands through her hair. "When I woke up and you were gone- I guess, I was scared. Scared that you'd left. Not because of you; you're the first person in my entire life who I know will never leave me, will always have my back, no matter what. But I still have that fear and I'm so embarrassed, Jay."

Jay smiled at her softly and reached out to her, pulling her close as he whispered, "Hailey, that's not embarrassing. We are made by our childhoods. You've always been there for me and I'll always be there for you, as your partner, as your best friend and your boyfriend." He smiled as he said the last part. He wanted to tell her he loved her now, but he couldn't bring himself to say those words, so instead, he kissed her and told her, "I'm not going anywhere, Hailey. I promise."

Smiling, Hailey kissed him back and closed her eyes. Jay never judged her. He was her partner, her best friend and they were together. With her arms around his neck, she whispered, repeating his words, "I know I'm safe because I'm with you, Jay."

The two of them would always be there to support each other, no matter what. Hailey and Jay felt safe when they were together and they always would; neither of them were afraid to show their vulnerabilities to the other and it was a strength, for their new partnership.