It had already been a couple weeks of bliss for Jay and Hailey. They made good use of their new found togetherness. They hadn't officially told the team yet, but they assumed that they had their suspicions; it was hard to hide their giddiness sometimes, even on the job. One look at the two of them and anyone who knew them could tell there was just a different air of happiness and glow surrounding them. Everyone was supposed to meet at the bar over the weekend if their case load allowed, so Jay and Hailey figured maybe they would officially announce it then. For now, they were enjoying being wrapped in their own little secret cocoon. They hadn't spent a night apart in the 13 days since their first kiss, somehow they always found their way back to Hailey's place together, no matter the time. And today was their best day so far because it was their first day off without anything on the agenda. Sure, it was a random Tuesday and Voight gave it to his two detectives since they had the brunt of the work load on Sunday and Monday wrapping up their last case… but it was all worth it now.

It was heaven not to be woken up by a phone alarm going off entirely too early for their late nights or from the ringing of a new case. Jay was the first to naturally wake up, a little after 10am, which was kind of late for him even on his worst days, but he had something to lie in bed for now. He smiled at the wave of blonde hair that surrounded his arm and pillow and pulled her back closer into him. He spent a couple minutes just admiring her, in complete bliss that he finally could do just that. Eventually he couldn't resist anymore and he leaned in and gently kissed her on her bare collarbone, stopping to inhale the coconut scent of her favorite lotion and shampoo. She was coaxed awake by the feel of his lips and smiled into her pillow, wrapping her arms tighter around his. He grinned too, knowing he woke her and planted another kiss on her skin, this time on her neck.

"Mmm. What time is it?" she mumbled sleepily.

"It's late. It's already 10:15." He whispers in her ear and softly nibbles on it.

She pretends to groan, secretly enjoying his morning attention. "It's still too early. It's our D.O. it should be a requirement that we sleep in."

"Well, I had a plan for this morning, so I have to get out of this bed at some point." He says.

She turns to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, a questioning look on her face. "No, don't get up yet. We hardly ever get to do this and we haven't had coffee yet… what could you possibly have to do?"

"Well, I think you'll loosen your hold on me once I tell you that I was going to make you waffles. My homemade kind, no diner bought this time." He winks and then gives her a peck on the lips.

"Mmm. No. You're staying right here." She states as she pulls him even closer.

He looks surprised, but grins nonetheless. "What? YOU don't want waffles?"

"I want you… and then I want waffles!" she smiles wickedly and kisses his bare shoulder.

He chuckles and pulls her on top of him, the sheets rolling everywhere and Hailey squeals, the sound echoing across the quiet room. "I think that can be arranged!"

She leans down as he leans up to kiss her, the smiles on their faces still present until things get more heated. Soon enough, waffles and coffee are the furthest things from their mind until it's almost lunch time. The two realizing that their lazy morning wasn't that lazy after all, in fact, they got an excellent work out in.


Hailey was leaning over the kitchen island clad in just Jay's Henley shirt, her bare legs on display as she took her finger to lick up the last of the whipped cream on her plate. Jay was sitting at her little bistro table, sipping his coffee and enjoying the view. As if she sensed his staring, she turned her head grinning at him, her dimple on full display, and making a teasing "pop" sound as she got the last of the sweet cream off her finger.

"See something you like?" she asks, raising her brow.

"As a matter of fact, I do… I love it when a woman cleans off her plate." He teases back.

"Oh yeah? Well, you should see me with steak then!" she jokes.

Hearing that gives Jay an idea. They hadn't had time yet to go on their first official date… not like they practically hadn't already been dating minus the perks for years, but he'd love to take her somewhere nice and show her a pleasant evening as more than friends. There was a restaurant they had been meaning to try, and since it was Tuesday, they'd probably have no problem getting a reservation.

"Let's do that tonight then!" he suggests.

"What?" she questions.

"Let's go to that place in Bucktown that Platt is always talking up. We deserve a night out."

"You mean like a date?" she smirks.

"Yeah, like a date. Sound good to you?"

"You asking me out, Halstead?"

"Judging by our activity an hour ago, I'd say we're well past that point, Upton."

She slowly makes her way over to him again, stopping in front of his chair to grab the coffee cup from his hand and places it on the table. Then she wraps her legs on either side of him and sits in his lap. He settles his arms around her back as they both smile.

"Then I guess it's a yes." She whispers before leaning down to kiss him.

He growls into her mouth, pulling away after a minute to confirm they're on the same page. "So, like, hours from now, right? Because I think you were right before, it was much too early to leave the bed."

"Definitely!" she agrees as he grabs her neck and pulls her lips to his again.

They eventually make it back to bed, and then eventually get to make the dinner reservations well after that. It had been exactly the kind of slow, intimate afternoon that they needed, and their evening was only adding to that. By the time they got to dinner at 7:30, they were convinced that this day could do no wrong.

Jay was simply enjoying getting to take Hailey out in this new element. They no longer had to hide their feelings, or get awkward if a waiter happened to think they were a couple, because now they were. He had adjusted quite well and was the happiest he had been in a long time, probably ever. There were times he still felt tinges of sadness that the world he envisioned of being married to Hailey seemed to drift further away every day… but he was settling into this version just as perfectly. And tonight was just the icing on the cake.

They enjoyed appetizers and shared a bottle of wine. They teased and laughed over old stories, some of young Jay causing Hailey to full-on belly giggle. They reached for each other's hands across the table and gave soft smiles. Jay had finally gotten to order the crab dish he had been craving and Hailey did in fact get her steak. She didn't quite polish it off like she did her waffles, but she was enjoying savoring the last morsels her stomach could hold.

"You weren't wrong about seeing you with a steak." Jay tells her teasingly.

"Oh yeah? Was it doing it for you as much as breakfast did?"

"Well, there was something about you and whipped cream…" he smirks.

"Mmm, guess we'll have to save room for dessert then!" she responds flirtatiously.

"Actually, I was thinking we could order it to go."

"I like this plan!"

Jay chuckles at her enthusiasm, exuberant that they can't seem to get enough of each other. He flags their waiter down soon after to select the dessert they'd like to share at home and get the check. They start readying themselves to go and make their way to the front of the restaurant. Jay insists that Hailey waits while he grabs the car, they had to park a couple blocks away and it's a blistering and rainy winter Chicago night. She tries to argue at first until the door opens from other's exiting and a freezing gust of wind empowers the foyer.

"Y'know what, you're right, I'll just wait for you here!" she laughs.

"Yeah. I thought so." He grins and gives her a quick kiss. "I'll pull it around, be back soon."

He makes his way into the cold, putting his beanie on and pulling it down over his ears. Just because he spent his entire life here, doesn't mean he enjoys the winter months anymore than the next. He shoves his hands in his coat pocket and walks swiftly to his truck. The sooner he gets to his vehicle, the sooner he gets Hailey in it, the sooner he's back in the warmth of her apartment and getting her out of her clothes. Oh, and of course there's the dessert. He guesses he's looking forward to that too… not as much as the former, but it's extra incentive to hustle.

He's back at his truck in record time, cranking the heat and starting his drive to the restaurant. When he makes it back he has to settle for parking across the street from it. Unsure of whether or not Hailey can see him, he figures he'll just go back inside and grab her again. She's also holding their leftovers, so he can earn more gentleman points for taking them off her hands. He opens the door and hops out, making it a couple of steps before he hears the screeching of tires. He barely has time to turn, look up, and react when an erratic car is plowing around the corner. The next thing he realizes is being flown back, slamming to the concrete, his head and spine taking the brunt of the impact.

Everything becomes a slow, but rapid motion blur from there. He blinks rapidly in shock, tastes the blood, and he can sense Hailey's presence before he can feel or even see her. His eyes are getting heavy and his vision is getting spotty. But he can make out her leaning over him, as well as a bunch of blurry random faces he can't make out. Tears are streaming down her beautiful face that had been smiling only just 20 minutes prior and he can slightly hear and discern her anguished cries, "Stay with me, Jay! I can't lose you, not now…" He fights to stay awake, stay alert, but it seems to be a losing battle. His blinking becomes slower, until soon, he can't seem to open his eyelids at all anymore. He envisions Hailey all soft and warm in bed this morning, feeling warmth himself now, and he can't help but think how guilty she's going to be for letting him get the car alone, then all that's left is blackness…


[A/N: Bum bum bum... I am sorry to leave you here, but I promise it's with a purpose. Hope you enjoyed the fluff before the cliffhanger chaos happened. Thanks so much for reading and all the kind words, we are trekking along to the finish relatively soon!]