Author's Note: Happy Monday! Just want to Thank You again, for all of the support I've received for this story! Really gives my muse the boost it needs to keep updating in a speedy fashion! I had hoped to get a Chapter done yesterday, as well, but I ended up catching some nasty virus over the weekend and I have been feeling just awful! I got Tested already, it's not Covid... just a nasty virus I've come in contact with.

There's one thing I wanted to address, because I didn't get a chance to respond yet. I received one message over the weekend, asking why the timeline in this story was moving along so slowly? The answer to that question being, I am trying to keep this as real as possible. All too often, I see works with this type of plot line get rushed and I really think that more attention needs to be paid to the emotional side of sexual assault. It's an all too real thing, that happens far more often than I think most of us realize. It's something that has effected my life personally, as well as several other people that I'm very close to. I think... a lot of people simply don't tell anyone, out of shame or fear of what others will think. So essentially, they go through it alone. That's incredibly sad and obviously it makes the whole healing process more difficult. Even those who do speak up, are often judged too harshly by those around them. I've heard "can't you/she just get over it" a few too many times in my life, in reference to someone who is recovering. Long story short, the answer to why this story is moving along so slowly is because... I'm trying to make this story as real as possible and healing is a slow process. It takes time, it is painful, and it is hard... both for those going through it and to those who are a support system watching someone going through it. I understand that some parts of this story are hard to read, but... needed to express the raw emotion and pain that follows the trauma of an assault of this nature.

Another question I was asked by the same reader, is what motivated me to write such a dark story? I've actually had this plot bunny on my mind for some time, although not totally in this context. After watching the Episode Ghosts. Tracey's performance, I felt, was amazing and very realistic. I couldn't get over the feeling, though, that possibly more happened with Booth than Hailey had let on. When Jay asked Hailey "Did he?", she of course said no... but did anyone ever notice how Hailey didn't look Jay in the eye when she answered? Hailey and Jay are pretty close and they almost always use eye contact in general. The fact that Hailey didn't look at Jay when she answered the question, is originally where the idea for this story come from. My original thought was, to dig deeper into the Ghosts storyline about Booth... but once I actually sat down to start writing, this idea came to me and the story kind of took on a life of it's own.

Wow, sorry... that was a bit long winded! Anyhow, on to Chapter 7! I hope y'all enjoy!


All eyes were on Hailey and Jay, as they walked into the District. No one said a word, but their questioning looks spoke volumes. The partners went straight to Voight's Office.

"Close the door..." Voight said, as the two walked in.

They both sat in front of Voight's Desk.

"So, Trudy said you wanted to talk to me..." Voight said. "What's going on?"

Hailey tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Unable to push back her emotions, her eyes filled up with tears. Jay placed his hand on Hailey's shoulder for support.

"Hailey?" Voight questioned, a concerned look on his face.

"I can't..." Hailey managed to get out through her tears. "I'm sorry..."

Voight looked at Hailey, then to Jay... that's when Jay finally spoke.

"Look Sarge, something happened to Hailey last week... she was, assaulted, by a guy she met at a bar." Jay started.

"Assauted?" Voight questioned. "You mean...?"

Jay nodded. "It was a sexual assault..." he said, quietly.

At this point, Hailey buried her face in her hands. Voight looked very concerned.

"Hailey, are you alright?" Voight asked.

"She's having a hard time, but she's going to be okay." Jay answered finally, when Hailey didn't respond.

Voight nodded. "Hailey, I'm very sorry to hear that... if there's any I can do?"

"She didn't report it..." Jay said.

"What? Why?" Voight asked.

"She didn't want anyone to know..." Jay replied.

Voight nodded in understanding. "So we can't go after this guy on books?"

Jay shook his head. "I was wondering, Sarge, if we could take the rest of the week off. Hailey needs some time to clear her head and I don't want her to be alone, right now."

"Of course..." Voight nodded. "Take all the time you need. I'll tell the Team that I put you both under for an assignment, so there won't be questions."

Hailey looked up. "Thank You, Sarge..." she whispered, trying to wipe the tears from her face.

Voight nodded. "Take care of yourself, you hear? We'll talk more about this when you come back." he said, looking at Hailey. "Jay, I'll call you later."


The meeting with Voight had went better than either one had expected. Jay was somewhat surprised that Voight didn't want to try to hunt this guy down, but then again... maybe that's why he said he would call Jay later.

The two stopped at Bartoli's, Hailey's favorite Pizza Place, after leaving the District. However, Hailey barely touched her food. Even though she was there with Jay, he knew that her mind was somewhere else.

After lunch, Jay drove to the Riverwalk... he knew that Hailey liked to go there after a tough case to walk and clear her head. They walked quietly, before stopping to sit on a bench and take in the scenery. Things were going "okay"... until they weren't.

A young couple walked passed the bench, they were arguing... though not heated.

"Stop following me and go home! I just want to be alone!" the young women said to the man that was walking beside her.

The man shook his head. "Not gonna' happen, sweetheart... I just want you to talk to me about this!"

**** FLASHBACK****

"Stop the car!" Hailey said, suddenly... frantically, almost. "I want to get out of the vehicle, I'll call an Uber home."

James just laughed, bitterly. "Not gonna' happen, sweetheart." he said.

Hailey reached for the door handle, James pushed the door lock. He stopped the car, reaching in the passenger seat beside him, he picked up a gun pointed it in her direction.

"No!" Hailey shouted, causing Jay to jump. He looked at her, she was staring off into space... her eyes wide.

"Now, this is how it's going to go sweetheart... you do what I say nobody gets hurt. You don't, I'll have to kill you." James said, with a smile on his face.

Hailey's heart was pounding so hard, it felt as though it were going to jump out of her chest. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.

"You don't want to do this... I'm a Cop, Chicago PD." Hailey said.

James laughed again. "A Cop? You're a Cop? Well then, you should be a little smarter than this, shouldn't you sweetheart? I'm sure you see enough of these things in your line of work?"

Suddenly, it was as though Hailey couldn't breathe. Her mind was betraying her... in that moment, she didn't know what was real and what was a horrible memory, replaying in her mind. She put her hand to her chest, trying to breathe.

"Hailey..." Jay said, voice heavy and dripping with concern.

Hailey was struggling to breathe, tears falling from her eyes.

"Hailey..." Jay repeated, placing one hand on her shoulder and taking her hand in the other. "Just breathe, just breathe..." he said.

Hailey squeezed Jay's hand tightly, as though it were her only lifeline in that moment.

"You're okay..." Jay said. "I'm right here, you're safe..."

By the time Hailey managed to get her breathing until control, she realized that a large group of people had gathered around, watching the pair closely.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" an elderly woman asked, as she walked closer.

Hailey managed to nod, still trying to catch her breath.

"She just needs a minute..." Jay said, his eyes not leaving his partner, not even for a moment.

Finally, Hailey looked up at Jay... still gripping his hand tightly. Her sad, tear filled eyes met his concerned ones. She looked so scared and he felt so helpless.

"You good?" Jay whispered, after a few moments of silence had passed.

Hailey just nodded. "Take me home?" she managed to get out, her voice cracking.

"Come on." Jay said, helping Hailey to her feet. He wrapped his arm protectively around her and they made their way back to his Truck.


Once the two got back to Hailey's apartment, she walked in defeatedly and flopped down on the couch, leaning her head all the way back into the cushions. Her emotions were all jumbled, as much as she fought... she could not hold back the tears. The stressful day had left her feeling exhausted. Jay followed her cautiously... before making his way over to the couch and finding his place beside her.

Hailey didn't move, she just sat there, not even trying to hide her tears at this point. She was just so tired. So tired of crying, of being scared, of feeling helpless. It seemed like every time she tried to take one step up, she'd immediately take two steps back. It just felt like a losing game.

"What if I never get over this?" Hailey cried, throwing her hands into the air in frustration. "How can I be a cop, when I'm scared of everything?"

Jay took Hailey's hand in his, looking her straight in the eye. "Hailey... this isn't permanent." he said with confidence. "You're stronger than this, you're going to get through this... I know you will. It just takes time."

Hailey shook her head. "I can't even be out in public without having a panic attack! I... I'm scared of everything! I can't listen to other people without hearing him! I can't close my eyes without seeing him! I'm terrified to be alone..." she cried.

"You're not alone..." Jay said, softly.

"What are you gonna' do, Jay? Are you going to stay here every night because I'm scared to be alone?" Hailey cried, tears falling from her eyes. She was just venting her frustration with the situation, there was no true meaning behind what she had said.

"If that's what it takes, yeah..." Jay said, shrugging his shoulders and looking into Hailey's tear filled eyes. She was surprised by the seriousness in voice, the genuine look in his eyes.

Hailey looked away, feeling even more tears forming in her eyes. This was all too much. She had always had a hard life, she was used to being let down by almost everyone she had ever cared about in this life. It had always been that way, since she could remember. Anyone who had ever promised to stay, to be there for her... had walked away when things got tough. Jay was different. He was kind, caring, always there for her.

"Hailey..." Jay whispered, tugging at Hailey's hand gently. When Hailey didn't any attempt to face him, Jay slipped off the couch and knelt down on the floor in front of her. Taking both of her hands into his. Hailey shook her head and laughed bitterly.

"Hailey, listen to me..." Jay said, softly.

Hailey looked down at Jay, their eyes met. She noticed that he was tearing up, as well. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.

"You're not in this alone. I don't claim to understand exactly what you're going through..." Jay said, shaking his head. "I know I don't, but... I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere, Hailey."

A sad smile spread across Hailey's lips, as more tears fell. She pulled one of her hands free from Jay's grasp, quickly wiping away the tears that were falling from her eyes. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" she asked, shaking her head slightly as she looked down at her partner.

Jay smiled, squeezing her hand slightly. "I'm your partner, that's what partner's do..."

TBC...