Chapter 59: Soulmates?

Jay/Hailey. Set after series 7. At 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.

Here is the next chapter. Please read, enjoy and review. I really enjoy reading your thoughts on this story :).

In answer to the question by 814, the medication Jay was taking was for anxiety and depression :). I really appreciate all of the reviews, so thankyou :)

Enjoy :)

For a couple of weeks after the terrorist attack, Jay struggled with his PTSD, the anxiety and the depression, but, luckily and with thanks to his therapist and, of course, Hailey, it didn't became as bad as it had done with the sniper case. Jay took some time off work to ensure that he was just right before he returned to leading the unit.

Kim, Kevin and Adam had been concerned about Erin's arrival and Adam had been concerned about what it could do to Jay and Hailey, so early into their marriage, but Kim didn't share that concern. She could see how happy they were and how much happier Jay was with Hailey than he had ever been with Erin. She had also seen that Hailey hadn't been concerned about Erin's arrival, because there was no need for her or anyone else to be. When Kim and Erin had gone out for drinks, Erin had asked Kim questions, because Jay had told her that he and Hailey were married and Kim had happily confirmed that and she had made it very clear that she supported the couple. They were her friends and she had seen what Jay had been like when Erin had left. Erin's questions had been answered and Kim had wanted to answer her questions, wanting Erin to know how happy Jay and Hailey were and she very happy that Jay had been so open about his marriage to Hailey. She knew that Erin had hoped to rekindle her romance with Jay and she had expected him to take her back as he had done in the past, but that had not happened. Kim could tell that Erin was jealous of Jay and Hailey's marriage and she could also tell that Erin could see the change in Jay since she had left. Erin was back in New York and Kim didn't think she'd see her again, until there was a case brought her back. Jay and Hailey didn't mind the idea of Erin being back, because the first interaction was over and they were glad it was over and the next time Erin was in Chicago, it wouldn't be an issue.

After a shift, Hailey, Jay, Kim, Adam and Kevin were at Molly's and Kim left the table to speak to one of her friends from college. They hadn't been home, so Hailey and Jay still had their rings around their necks and Hailey's engagement ring was at home, in a safe place. Kim walked back to the table, with her old friend in tow. "This is my friend, Nico. He's Greek and Nico, this is my friend, Hailey and her husband, Jay. Hailey's Greek, too."

Nico shook all of their hands and sat between Hailey and Kim. He smiled as he asked, "So, you're Greek?"

Hailey nodded and replied, "Well, my grandparents were. What about you?"

"Both of my parents. I grew up in Greek town. I run a Greek restraint there now, but, when I was a kid, there was an amazing restaurant we used to go to. The food was the best I've ever had. Traditional Greek, but then the owners moved to Lake Forest, and I lost the best Greek food I've ever known."

With a smile on her face, Hailey told him, "That was my parents' restaurant."

Nico beamed and shook his head. "No way! What a small world! Do you work in the restaurant business? Is that what your husband does, too?"

Before Hailey could reply, Jay replied, "No, we're cops. Detectives, actually."

Nico glanced at Jay, then remarked, with a smile to Hailey, "Your husband isn't Greek."

Hailey shook her head and replied, "No, he isn't. I don't cook often, at home. Not that traditional Greek food, anyway." She smiled and stood up. "It was nice to meet you, Nico." She put on her coat and Jay did the same thing.

"You, too. Maybe you and Jay could come to my restaurant, one night? Check out the place and the food, of course?" Nico suggested, standing up.

Hailey glanced at Jay, who nodded, and she replied, "Yeah, that'd be great. Kim'll give you my number. Have a good night, guys."

At home, Jay and Hailey changed into their PJs and put their wedding rings on their fingers as they lay in bed together. Jay rested his head against Hailey's as she asked, "So, do you know that guy?"

With an amused smile, Hailey replied, "No, I've never met him before." She laughed kindly and kissed Jay as she joked, "I think someone's jealous. Who would have thought it? Jay Halstead!"

"Hailey Halstead, I'm not jealous." Jay paused, before, he added, with a smile, as one of his fingers traced Hailey's blonde curls, "But if you want to do more Greek cooking at home, that works for me." Smiling, their lips met, and they went under the covers.

The next morning, Hailey woke up to find Jay gone, because there had been a meeting with other Sergeants, so she had breakfast, a shower, changed into a pair of jeans and one of Jay's old, checked shirts, put her hair up in a ponytail and, finally, took off her engagement ring and put her wedding ring around her neckless. She could still hardly believe it. She and Jay were married. She was Hailey Halstead, but still Detective Hailey Upton at work.

When Hailey arrived in the bullpen, Kim and Kevin were already there. They were studying for their tech training, then, after that, they would be studying for the Detectives' exam. Hailey went to the breakroom to make herself some coffee and, when Kim came in to see her, the other woman asked, "What did you think of Nico last night? He's pretty great, isn't he?"

Hailey shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. It's nice to meet someone who's Greek."

As they walked back into the bullpen, Kim let her curls fall against her shoulders and joked, "Hailey, he's perfect! He's good looking, he cooks and he's Greek. I think I've found your soulmate."

Blushing, Hailey sat down and shook her head, fixing her friend with a serious look. "Kim, I don't believe in soulmates. I never have, besides, I'm married, remember?"

Kim shrugged. "Yeah, I remember, your husband is our Sergeant, but I do believe in soulmates, and I think Nico's yours. You and Jay go to his place and you'll see what I mean. Have dinner at his place and look me in the eye and tell me he isn't your soulmate, your other half."

Half-joking, Hailey turned around in her chair because she was feeling rather uncomfortable, and said, "I'm moving away from this conversation now."

Laughing and sipping her coffee, Kim said, "Fine. Kev, do you believe in soulmates?"

Kim's former partner shrugged and replied, "To be honest, I've never thought about it that much. Upton doesn't and that's fine, because I can't imagine Halstead believing in that."

Adam walked into the bullpen, so Kim, with a smile on her face, asked her husband if he believed in soulmates. Kissing Kim, Adam replied that he did; he and Kim had broken up and gone through some really hard times together and, yet, they had found their way to each other. He believed they were soulmates and he told Kim so, and Hailey pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh and to focus on her work. Jay walked through the bullpen to his office, dressed in his formal blues, so Kim saw the chance to ask him, "Jay, do you believe in soulmates?"

Jay frowned and simply replied that he didn't before he went to the locker room to change. Hailey followed him and he asked, looking amused, "What was that about?"

Rolling her eyes and smiling, Hailey replied, "It's nothing. Kim's just asking each of us if we believe in soulmates. I'm not a fan of it, to be honest." She paused, then asked, "How about we go out for dinner tonight? Kim's sort of set us up for dinner at Nico's place. It would be nice to go out."

"Since when do you have a problem with eating in and sitting on the sofa?" Jay asked, changing into his jeans and shirt.

"No problem at all, but it would be nice to go out, as a married couple, and we can try some Greek food." Hailey walked over to Jay and reached out for one of his hands and grazed her fingers against it.

With a smile, Jay relented. "Okay, fine. We can go out and have Greek food." He paused, then kissed Hailey on the forehead and walked out of the locker room, returning to his office.

That evening, after their shift, Hailey and Jay went home to change before going to the diner and they also put on their wedding rings. Hailey changed into a pair of smarter jeans and a blue top, with her hair down and Jay wore the same pair of jeans, with a green jumper. Hailey told him it matched his eyes and her lips caught his and they held each other close.

The drive to Greek town affected Hailey more than she had anticipated. This was where she had lived for years, with her parents and brothers, when her dad would come home drunk and hurt them, but she pushed those thoughts away and she felt Jay's kind eyes on her. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

Dinner at the restraint was wonderful, but Jay was annoyed that Nico kept appearing every 10 minutes to ask how they were enjoying their food. Hailey enjoyed talking about Greek food, but she reminded Nico, in a casual way, that she was married. She didn't want the other man to have the wrong idea and she was beginning to wish that Kim had not introduced them.

When they returned home and Jay was making coffee as Hailey sat on the sofa, Kim called, "Hey, Hailey, how did it go? What was he like? Was I right, is he your soulmate?"

Jay frowned and looked over at his wife, who rolled her eyes and ran her hands through her hair. "Kim, he's a nice guy and we both like Greek food, but that's it. I already told you I don't believe in soulmates, and I'm married."

"Hailey, you're married, you're not dead. I've been married for over a year, and I still see men I like." Kim paused and sighed, seeming to have realised her mistake. "I didn't mean- it was a joke. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hailey put her phone down and rested her head on the back of the sofa. She ran her hands through her blonde curls, then turned to face Jay who was leaning against the countertop. With an amused smile on his face, he asked, "So, Kim thinks that guy is your soulmate? What does that make me?"

Hailey shook her head. "I don't know, it's all rubbish. I shut the conversation down earlier, but I don't think she got the hint."

Jay walked over to her and passed her a cup of coffee. He lent against the sofa, looking into Hailey's eyes. "Hailes, I don't believe in soulmates. Being similar to someone doesn't mean you're perfect for them, or whatever Kim would say."

With a smile, Hailey sipped her coffee, then told him, as she shrugged, "I don't believe in soulmates, either. I don't think you and I were destined to be together, or fated, or however you want to say it. I think we were partnered together and we became friends and we found each other that way, through respect and love in our partnership, and we work hard at our relationship. It's never going to be simple, but what we have is the best thing I've ever had, Jay. You're my best friend, my partner, my husband."

Moving his face closer to hers, Jay rested his chin on the back of the sofa and reached out for one of her hands. He squeezed it as he whispered, "I love you."

Hailey smiled and chuckled softly, and she titled her head before she whispered back, "I know you do, and I love you, too." Their lips met in a sweet kiss, before Jay broke the kiss to sit next to his wife and put his arms around her. Hailey smiled and rested her head against his chest, before she suggested, "How about we go to an Irish place next time, see if you can find your soulmate?"

"Oh, you wish, Hailey Halstead." Jay responded, seriously, before they looked at each other and burst into fits of laughter, as they held each other close. Their life together wasn't a perfect, but it was for them and their happiness, in their marriage, was everything they had ever wanted and more.