Author's Note: Happy Friday! I just want to say Thank You to everyone who has taken the time to read my story, especially to those who have sent messages, comments, follows! It really keeps me motivated! This story has really taken on a life of it's own, given that it was only supposed to be a long oneshot when I first got the idea for this. It's not going to be a super long story, by any means, but longer than I had originally planned none the less.

I also want to say in advance, this will probably be the last update until the beginning of next week, as weekends in my life tend to be pretty busy. I've been updating daily since I started, so I just wanted to give a heads up.

Thank You all again! I hope you enjoy!


The Thunder Rolled outside of Hailey Upton's bedroom window. Jay Halstead lay awake in his partner's bed, silently watching her sleep. After the two spent almost an hour, just holding each other while Hailey fell apart, Jay had finally convinced her to lay down, seeing that she was just exhausted. Hailey protested at first, but Jay had promised he would be right there with her.

Surprisingly, sleep finally did come for Hailey... it was the first time she had slept since her attack.

Jay, on the other hand, just couldn't sleep. His mind was whirling, so many unanswered questions plagued him. The pair hadn't talked hardly at all since Jay had arrived at Hailey's apartment that night. After her panic attack, Jay didn't push her. Instead, he just held her and let her cry, knowing that's what she needed most at that very moment. As much as Jay hated it, deep down, he feared that knew what had happened to his partner. They were cops, after all, detectives in fact. They had worked countless cases of sexual assault. Jay knew the signs and all of them were there with Hailey now. The mere thought of someone doing something like that to his partner, made him sick. Guilt was also creeping in. Even though Jay had no way of knowing that something like this were going to happen, he was still her partner... it was his job to protect her, to keep her safe.

Jay's mind kept drifting back to the marks he had seen on Hailey's wrist earlier. His mind went wild with different horrible scenarios of how she got them. It was eating him up inside. He needed to know what had happened, but right now, Hailey needed to sleep. She needed him to be there for her, to be strong when she wasn't.

Suddenly, a loud rumble of thunder boomed through the apartment, so loud the windows shook. Hailey jumped up, eyes wide, looking around the room wildly.

Jay gently placed his hand on her arm. "It's okay." he said, firmly.

It took a moment for his words to register. "Jay?" she squeaked, finally recognizing the voice as her partner's.

"Yeah, it's me... I'm right here." Jay whispered. "You're okay, you're safe."

Hailey looked around until her eyes met Jay's. He was laying in the bed next to her. Hailey's mind was fuzzy and it took a moment for her to remember what had happened earlier.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over Hailey and without any warning, she leaped from the bed and ran to the bathroom... slamming the door behind her. Before Jay could even react, he heard her heaving.

Jay got up and made his way to the bathroom door. When Jay walked in, he found Hailey on the floor, head over the toilet... dry heaving, as there was nothing left in her stomach to expel. She hadn't eaten in days.

Jay knelt down beside her.

"I'm fine..." Hailey managed to get out, before heaving again. She didn't want Jay to see her like this, she just wanted to be alone.

Gently, Jay placed his hand on her shoulder... rubbing his hand from her shoulder, down her back. Immediately, Hailey pulled away... throwing herself backwards into the wall beside the toilet.

"You gonna' make it?" James asked her, softly, gently laying his hand on her shoulder.

Hailey laughed. "I think I'm going to make it, but I'll sure I'll be wishing I didn't in the morning."

When they got to James' vehicle, he opened the passenger door. Another wave of nausea consumed Hailey. She felt like she was dying, she just wanted to lie down.

"If you don't mind, can I lay down in the back?" Hailey asked, no more getting the question out of her mouth before she heaved threw up on the ground beside the car. James held her hair gently rubbed her back. After she was finished, he helped her into the back seat of the car.

Hailey managed to give James her address, before she passed out in the back seat. When Hailey woke some time later, she sat up. She realized immediately that they were not driving towards her apartment. Something was off...

"Hailey..." Jay whispered, softly. He wasn't sure what had had done to scare her, but obviously he had done something.

"Oh God..." Hailey managed to get out, before pulling herself up and heaving into the toilet once more.

It was in that moment that Hailey had remembered... she had given him her address that night. He had put it into the GPS on his phone. He knew where she lived.

"Until next time, sweetheart." James said, as he walked away.

Hailey's whole body began to tremble uncontrollably. How could she be so stupid? He was going to come back for her, that's what he meant. He was going to come back and he knew where she lived.

Jay just stared at her, not knowing what to say or do. He felt so incredibly helpless. It seemed that everything he was trying to do to comfort Hailey, was only making things worse. He desperately wanted to help her... to make things better, but he just didn't know how. He wanted to understand. He needed to understand... but in order to do that, he needed her to talk to him.

"Hailey..." Jay whispered again.

There was no response, Hailey just sat there... her hands gripping both sides of the toilet bowl, looking away towards the wall.

"Hailey... look at me." Jay pleaded. "Hailey please?"

Finally, Hailey did look at Jay. Their eyes met, and God this... seeing his partner like this, it was killing him.

"What can I do?" Jay asked, suddenly finding himself at a loss, not knowing what to do or say.

Hailey shook her head. "I... I don't know." she whispered.

"Can I... can I help you up?" Jay asked.

Hailey nodded. Jay extended his hand, gently pulling her back to her feet. They made their way back to Hailey's bed, once again sitting side by side. Hailey was looking down at her lap... fidgeting with her hands in a nervous manner.

Jay swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat before speaking. "When did it happen?" he finally managed to get out, almost afraid of the answer.

"Thursday night..." Hailey replied, her voice cracking, still staring down at her lap.

Jay was suddenly filled with rage, for her response seemed to confirm his fears.

"Is that why you called in sick on Friday?" Jay asked, trying hard to keep his voice even.

Hailey just nodded.

"Does Vanessa know?" Jay asked.

Hailey shook her head. "No... I told her I was going out of town for the weekend."

"Hailey..." Jay whispered. Suddenly, realizing that she had been going through this all alone. "Why didn't you call me? Why didn't you answer my calls? I would have been there..."

"I know." Hailey said, as a tear trickled down her cheek. "Look Jay... I messed up. I messed up and I was going to call you... I was... but I... I didn't want anyone to see me like that. I didn't want anyone to... to know how stupid I was. I... I should have known better... I should have..."

"No!" Jay said, a bit louder than he intended. Hailey flinched.

"No..." Jay said again, this time in a much softer tone. He reached over, taking Hailey's hand in his and squeezing it. "This... this wasn't your fault, Hailey. You've got to know that..."

"It was..." Hailey cried, more tears falling freely now. "It was... I was so, so... stupid. I should have known better... I should have seen the signs. I'm a damn cop... I should have..."

"No, Hailey..." Jay said, now taking Hailey's other hand in his, gently pulled her to face him. "You need to listen to me. This was not your fault and you're not stupid. You... you can't do that to yourself. It's not your fault..."

"I begged him not to do it..." Hailey whispered. "I tried... I tried to get away, Jay... I tried."

"Hey, hey... I know you did. I know you tried." Jay said, gently.

"I tried..." Hailey whispered again, her voice shaky.

"Hey... come here." Jay whispered, gently tugging Hailey into his embrace. He pulled her into his chest, one hand cradling her head into his neck, under his chin... the other other hand wrapped tightly around her back, pulling her into him. "I've got you... we're going to get through this, okay?"

"I tried..." Hailey whispered again.

"I know..." Jay replied. His heart was breaking, he felt as though he was being torn into a million pieces. So many emotions flooded his mind. He was heartbroken for Hailey, it killed him to see her hurting like this. He was angry, so angry at the person responsible. He was sad that Hailey felt she had to do this all on her own.

They stayed like that for a few moments, the room was silent except for Hailey's muffled cries and the storm that was raging outside.

"I messed up..." Hailey said into Jay's neck, finally breaking the silence.

"What?" Jay asked, confused.

"I told him... he knows..." Hailey cried.

"He knows what?" Jay asked. softly.

"He... he knows where I live..." Hailey sobbed. "I gave him... I gave him my address... when he was going to drive me home. He's going to come back for me... that's what he meant..."

Jay released Hailey from his embrace, gently placing both hands on her shoulders, he pulled back from her so that she was looking into his eyes.

"He is not going to lay a hand on you again." Jay said, firmly.

"You don't know that..." Hailey sobbed, shaking her head.

"Yes, I do..." Jay said. "He will never touch you again, I'll make sure of it."

"You can't..." Hailey started, through her tears. "Don't make a promise you can't keep."

"I'm not!" Jay said, firmly... looking Hailey straight in the eye. "I won't let him near you. We're going to get this bastard."

Hailey started to sob even harder.

"Hey..." Jay whispered, softly. "It's going to be okay..."

"Jay I... I really messed up..." Hailey cried.

"What do you mean?" Jay asked, sensing that she meant something other than her attacker having her address.

"I... I didn't report it..."

TBC...

Sorry to leave you all hanging like that, but I had to stop this here.

Let me know what you think!