Author's Note: Wow! I just want to say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart, for all of the positive reviews, feedback, kudos, and messages I've received for this story! I really do appreciate it! I used to write a lot of Fanfiction back in the day, but it's been years since I've really thrown myself into a story like this. I'm glad that everyone is enjoying it, so far! I

kind of lied, I said there wouldn't be an update this weekend, but my muse had other ideas. I think my anticipation of the upcoming episode is helping my muse along lol. OMG, I read a review of 9x4 today and I just can't wait to watch it!

Now, on to Chapter 6!


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..."

"What?" Jay said, kind of surprised. Hailey was a cop, she had to report any crime or she could lose her job.

Hailey shook her head. "I know I should have... I just... I couldn't do it. I just... I wanted to forget this ever happened." she cried. "But... I can't. Every time I close my eyes... I see him. I can't eat, I can't sleep... it's all I think about."

Jay looked at Hailey sympathetically.

"I'm so stupid..." Hailey cried.

Jay pulled Hailey back into his embrace, she buried her face into the crook of his neck once more. He brought his hand up to her head, pulling her tighter into his embrace, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"You're not stupid." Jay whispered into Hailey's hair. "We're going to figure this out, okay?"

"I don't know, Jay... I... I can't believe I gave him my address." Hailey whispered.

"It's not your fault, you didn't know..." Jay said.

They sat there like that for what seemed like an eternity. "I'm so tired..." Hailey said, finally, after her tears subsided some.

"Then sleep." Jay replied.

Hailey shook her head. "I can't..."

"You can... just lay down and close your eyes." Jay said, as he lay down on the bed, gently pulling Hailey down with him. He was surprised when she didn't protest, instead she fell down beside him, landing in his arms, laying her head on his chest.

In another time, in another world... the scene unfolding would be incredibly intimate. However, it was totally harmless. Just two partners, two friends... finding comfort in each other.

Jay placed one arm around Hailey, holding her body tightly to his. His other hand found it's way to her hair, where he started to gently run his fingers through it. Before long, Hailey's breathing had slowed and Jay knew she had fallen asleep. Jay's heart ached for his partner. All he wanted, right now, was to fix this for her... to make it all go away. Sadly, he knew that wasn't possible... so he did the only thing he could do, just held her tightly. He really did mean what he'd said, he wasn't going anywhere.

After a few moments of trying to push back the thoughts that were plaguing his mind... Jay too, drifted off to sleep.


When Jay woke several hours later, rays of sunlight were shining through Hailey's bedroom window. It appeared the storm had subsided. Jay picked up his phone off of Hailey's nightstand, looking at the time. It was just after 6:00AM. Jay got up slowly, quietly slipping out of bed without waking Hailey, who was still sleeping peacefully.

It was the most peaceful Jay had seen Hailey look in quite some time, he noted as he took in the sight before him. She was so beautiful and such an important part of his life. The truth was, he couldn't imagine his life without her. Times like this, made him realize that even more.

Jay found his way to the bathroom, grabbing a clean town and stepping into the shower. He ran his fingers through his hair, as the hot water poured down on his body.

Jay's head was pounding, the events from the night before still weighing heavily on his mind. Today was going to be a hard one, Jay knew that already. He knew what he had to do and he wasn't at all looking forward to it.

After the shower, Jay peeked into Hailey's bedroom. Finding that she was still sleeping sounded, he quietly closed the door. Making his way to the kitchen, he stood there for a moment, leaning on the Island Countertop. He pulled out his phone, dialing the District. When Trudy picked up, Jay told her that he and Hailey would be taking the day off. He said he'd drop by later to talk to Voight. To say that Trudy was concerned by this, would be an understatement, but Jay assured her that everything was okay.

Hailey woke some time later, breathless with her body covered in sweat. She looked around the bedroom wildly, trying to pull herself from the nightmare she had just experienced. As her breathing evened out, Hailey realized that Jay was no longer laying beside her in the bed. Her heart ached a little, at the thought of him leaving her alone... but of course he did. Everyone in Hailey's life left, and besides... Jay had to work.

"Work! Shit, I'm late!" Hailey thought, realizing the sun was shining.

The clock flashed 10:08AM. Hailey quickly climbed out bed, running to her closet to grab some clean clothes so she could get ready for work. That's when it hit her, the smell of... Bacon?

Hailey walked down the hallway until she found herself standing in the kitchen doorway. There, standing in front of the stove with a spatula in his hand... was Jay. He was... cooking!

"Wow... Jay Halstead can cook." Hailey said, with a smile spread across her face.

Jay whipped his head around quickly, clearly surprised. "Hey..." he said, softly. "I didn't hear you come in."

"That smells amazing." Hailey said.

"What can I say, I have many talents." Jay laughed, lightly.

"Easy Halstead, don't let the compliment go to your head." Hailey shot back, still smiling.

Jay couldn't help but smile, so glad to see a glimpse of Hailey, his Hailey, this morning. "Sleep well?" he asked.

Hailey nodded. "Pretty good..." said replied, deciding not to mention the nightmare that had woke her.

"Good, I'm glad." Jay said, softly. "You had me pretty worried last night."

Hailey looked down. "I'm okay, Jay..."

Jay just nodded, before turning back to the stove to flip stir the scrambled eggs and flip the bacon.

"I'm gonna' go shower..." Hailey said.

"Don't be too long, breakfast is almost done." Jay said, with a smile.

"I won't, we're already late... we need to get to the District." Hailey said.

"Actually, I... uh, I called us in today." Jay said.

Hailey's head snapped towards him, a serious look spread across her face. "You what?"

"I figured you could use a day off after last night." Jay explained.

"Jay, you shouldn't have... I told you I'm..." Hailey started, but Jay cut her off mid sentence.

"Fine... I know." Jay said with a sigh. "Look Hailey, we need to talk... but first, we're going to eat."

Hailey raised her hands and opened her mouth to protest, but Jay stopped her. "You need to eat, Hailey..."

As much as Hailey wanted to protest, to argue that she was "fine"... she knew that it was a losing battle. "Okay..." she said, finally.

"Good, now... go take your shower before the food gets cold." Jay said, smiling. "You should feel lucky, I don't cook breakfast for just anyone."

Hailey couldn't help but smile. She quickly headed off to shower, and for the first time since her attack, she was in and out within a few moments.

When Hailey returned to the kitchen a short while later, she found Jay dishing up their plates. The kitchen smelled amazing, for the first time in days... the smell of food didn't make Hailey instantly nauseous.

Hailey sat down and Jay set a plate in front of Hailey, before sitting down across from her.

Hailey smiled. "That really does smell amazing." she said.

Jay smiled back. "Why don't you try it and see if it tastes as good as it smells." he said.

The partners sat there, eating quietly. Neither knowing quite what to say, both feeling much better than they had the night before. Jay was just glad to see that Hailey was actually eating something. After they finished eating, Jay stood up and took their empty plates from the table.

Hailey stood up. "Oh no!" she said, raising her hand in protest. "You cooked, you're not doing dishes too."

"I've got this." Jay said, with a smile.

"Fine..." Hailey said. "You wash, I'll rinse."

"Deal!" Jay said.

Like breakfast, their time spent washing the dishes passed quietly. After they were finished, Jay poured two cups of coffee, before walking back to the table and setting them down. Hailey followed and they both sat down.

"Thank You..." Hailey said, almost shyly.

"For what?" Jay asked. "Cooking breakfast? That's nothing."

"I mean... you know, for being here... for last night... for everything. Thank You..." Hailey managed to get out, instantly getting a bit teary eyed.

Jay looked over at Hailey, their eyes met. He reached across the table, taking her hand in his.

"Hailey..." Jay breathed. "I meant what I said... I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank You..." Hailey repeated, as a lone tear fell from her eye.

Jay sighed. "We do need to talk..."

"I know." Hailey said, looking down at her coffee cup.

"Hailey, you have to report what happened..." Jay said.

Hailey shook her head, more tears filling her eyes. "I can't..."

"You have to..." Jay said.

"No Jay... I messed up, it's too late." Hailey started. "There's no evidence... I... I threw my clothes away, I've showered. Look Jay, if I report this without any evidence, days after the fact... you know what's going to happen. Even if we find the guy and they charge him, it's going to be my word against his and the defense will just... just."

"Try to tear you apart..." Jay finished her sentence for her.

"I know I messed up, Jay..." Hailey cried.

"Hey, it's okay... it's going to be okay." Jay said.

The two were both silent for a moment, but Jay never let go of Hailey's hand. He needed to think about what to do. Hailey was right, he knew, since the attack wasn't reported and there was no evidence, it would be nearly impossible to get charges to stick and even if they did, the defense would just try to destroy Hailey's character.

"Okay..." Jay said, finally. "If you don't want to report this, I'll support you... whatever you decide."

"Okay." Hailey whispered.

"But Hailey, you need to go get checked out at MED and we have to tell Voight." Jay said.

"Jay no..." Hailey started.

"Hailey, you were... were..." Jay started, finding he just couldn't say the words.

"I know." Hailey said. "I'm alright, Jay."

"Hailey..." Jay pressed.

"I can't, Jay." Hailey said. "I can't tell Voight either."

"You have to tell Voight!" Jay said firmly.

Hailey shook her head to protest again, but Jay spoke before she had the chance.

"Hailey, I am not backing down on this one." Jay said, firmly. "Either you tell Voight what happened or I will."

Hailey pulled her hand away from Jay's grasp, shaking her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Look Hailey, hear me out..." Jay started. "We don't have to tell the whole team, but we do have to tell Voight. You're... you're going to need to take some time off, because no matter how many times you tell me that you're "okay", I know you're not good, right now. And, that's okay, Hailey. You just need to take some time. What happened at the bust yesterday... it could have ended badly."

"Okay..." Hailey whispered. Even though the last thing she wanted to do was tell Voight what happened, deep down, she knew that Jay was right. She did need to take a little time off, to ground herself... to get hold of her emotions.

"Okay..." Jay said. "I'll be right there with you."


TBC...