The rest of June passes by uneventfully. Things weren't magically fixed after Hailey told Vanessa and Jay the truth. They were better, sure…but Hailey still felt like she was looking in from the outside. It was always there, in the back of her mind that she was a risk to them. She kept it hidden, but the backpack she packed that night is still tucked under her bed just in case she needs to go quickly.

It worries her too that Jay was readily willing to put his career in jeopardy for her. He's the one who is there when new bulletins come in, which makes it easy for him to 'misplace' the Missing Person report on her. From what he has told her, only the one report has come through so far, but she knows more will come.

Trudy knows now too. Hailey had gone into work the day after she was 'sick' and all it took was one look from Trudy to know she knew. Not about everything, but that she had lied about being sick. Even with the watered-down version, Hailey had told her, the tough as nails older woman had still cried. It definitely wasn't the reaction she had been expecting from her. The fierce hug that came next was just as much a shock as the crying had been but Hailey found herself relaxing into the hug.

She has people now. Vanessa, Trudy, Levi, and Jay…they chose to stick by her, and even though it's out of her comfort zone, she's trying to be receptive and appreciative of their help.

For the most part, things are back to what they were before. She'd thought for sure that Jay would ask her to keep her distance from Levi, but that wasn't the case. They have run together every morning for the past three weeks, with Jay and Smalls joining in every couple of days as well. Life in this small town suits her.


"Would you mind running something up to Jay on your break later? Delivery comes today and I forgot to give Jay money for the fireworks. I think he's going into the city tonight to pick them up."

Hailey looks up from the drawer, setting the bills she's tallying down. While it has certainly been getting easier to be around Jay, she still finds herself getting a little nervous around him. It's stupid…she spends nearly half her free time with Levi, which means she sees his dad often. She's not really afraid of him…wary and careful would be more accurate. If things were different, if she had met Jay before…before Casey and Ronnie, he'd be the type of guy she'd want to meet. He's funny and kind and he's got an amazing son but now? It would be irresponsible of her to jump into something so soon.

"Earth to Hailey?" Trudy waves a rag near her face to get her attention. "Can you run this up to Jay?"

Hailey snaps out of it, scolding herself for thinking that there could be anything other than friendship between her and Jay. "Yeah…yeah, I can do that. Now?" It takes another couple of minutes to finish the drawer, then Hailey is on her way.


There's no answer after Hailey knocks for a third time. If it wasn't cash, she'd just leave it and go, but she's worried about how much might actually be in the envelope. Maybe they are on the back porch and just can't hear her.

Her trip to the back of the house is unsuccessful as well. Only Smalls is there, and he doesn't look very happy.

"Hey big guy." Hailey bends down, ruffling the fur on top of his head. "Where is everyone?" Since the very rough first meetings with Smalls, they've finally seemed to reach an understanding with each other. She no longer gets knocked to the ground every time she sees him, instead, he's become almost protective of her. He leads her places. On their runs when Jay brings him, Smalls will always position himself between her and the water. He'll bump her out of the way if she gets too close. It's funny and sweet.

A shout from the water draws her attention and Smalls' sad demeanor makes sense. They are in the water without him. She can see them bobbing up and down in the surf. A smile automatically forms as she watches Levi ride a wave in on his boogie board. He's just about to turn back and swim out to his dad when she calls out to him.

"Hailey's here!" Levi hurries out of the water to meet Hailey, leaving his dad to trail behind.

"That was a great ride. Maybe you could teach me sometime." She laughs at how quickly he agrees. "Maybe on my next day off." She's finally got a suit too.

"Hey…What's up?" Jay sets his board down after making his way out of the water, joining the two of them.

"Oh, um…" She starts to speak but stops as her eyes leave his face. Mistake…Jay isn't wearing a shirt. His chest is bare and a hundred water droplets sparkle in the sun, further emphasizing the fact that he's shirtless. She's staring, she knows this but she can't help it. His body is sin…strong shoulders, a chest that looks hard as stone but still makes her want to lay her head there, and his abs…good lord, his abs…

"Hailey?" Jay smirks, watching as her eyes focus back to his face. He finds the blush that tints her cheeks and neck absolutely adorable.

"Sorry…This is for you." Totally embarrassed at being caught basically drooling, she shoves the money from Trudy at him. "Trudy forgot to give you this. I um…have to get back." Turning quickly, she tells them she'll see them around, hurrying to leave before she makes a total fool of herself.

"Dad…" Levi drags the word out, gesturing to Hailey's retreating back. "The party? Did you ask her?" He pushes his dad to follow her, hoping she says yes.

She's just about to hit the sidewalk when Jay appears in front of her.

"How do you feel about fireworks?" Jay stops her, ginning down at her. She just stares at him, like she has no clue what he is talking about. "Fireworks…you know, the bursts of fire and color in the sky?"

"I know what they are." She huffs out. He couldn't even let her make her escape in peace.

"Good…good. I'm having a party next week for the 4th of July. You should come. It's here at the house. Me, Levi, Trudy, Vanessa…a couple of the guys I work with. Not too big a crowd and uh…yeah. You should stop by. If you want." He wants her there, at the party. Even though he knows she's still a little uncomfortable around him, he really likes spending time with her.

A party…since the carnival, Hailey has pretty much avoided crowds of all sizes. Yes, she's still afraid of Ronnie finding her, but she doesn't want to make another scene like last time either. But a small party with people she already knows…she could probably do that.

"I could probably stop by for a bit. What can I bring?"

"Just yourself. We've got everything covered, seriously. I've got the grill, burgers and hot dogs…some veggies. Trudy is doing a couple sides, and Vanessa has dessert covered. So just you." He thought for sure he'd have to wear her down some, but she said yes.

"Okay. I'll see you there." She starts to head back to the cafe but he stops her again.

"Oh and Hailey?" He calls out to her, waiting for her to turn back. "Bring a suit and towel. We're gonna be in the water a lot." He'd joke with her about him keeping his shirt on but he's not sure she's there yet with him. Back on the beach when she had not so subtly been checking him out, he'd had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing when she realized what she was doing. Flustering her might just be his new favorite thing.


"Levi! Come help Vanessa and Hailey with the desserts, please." Jay had spotted the two walking up the beach a little while ago. He's happy Hailey decided to come and he waves to the two of them as they make their way to the tables with Levi's help.

"Hey guys, you're just in time. We were all gonna head down and play some soccer while the grill heats up." Jay closes the lid and turns to face them, his eyes automatically drifting to Hailey. She's in a light blue tank top and jean shorts, the strings of her swim top peeking out of the back. Her hair is a mass of waves, lying about her shoulders and he's never seen her look so…free. She's unguarded today.

"Hailey's on my team!" Levi rushes from the porch to her, grabbing her hand to drag her down to the makeshift goals.

The game is surprisingly intense. Levi plays soccer in a summer league right now, and Hailey, Vanessa, and Jay all played at a competitive level at some point in their lives. There's a lot of sweat and sand.

Levi and Hailey are dominating the ball, scoring twice, one a piece, right off the start.

"I'm on to you now." Jay switches with one of the guys so he is guarding Hailey. "You won't score again."

Hailey just laughs at his awful attempt at smack talk, stopping the ball with her foot as it's passed to her. "Wanna bet?" Juking to the left, she taps the ball to the right so it slips through his open legs. She gets to the ball just in time.

"Here, here!" Hailey looks up, passing the ball quickly to Levi who runs in stride with the ball towards the goal. Vanessa closes in on him but Hailey is already running up the opposite side, open for a cross.

"Levi!" He strikes the ball, sending it flying right to her. She's looking at the ball which is why she doesn't see him until it's too late. Hailey collides hard with the very solid body of Jay. Her arms fling out, preparing to crash to the ground but Jay's arm around her waist stops her from hitting the sand.

"I got you…" Jay holds her a minute longer, making sure she is steady before letting her step back. "You okay?" His eyes sweep over her in the ever familiar habit of his, satisfied that he finds no sign of injury.

"Yeah…yeah, I'm good. You um…you're bleeding." Hailey gestures to his lip and the trickle of blood there. "I'm sorry, I didn't even see you…"

"It's okay." Jay assures her when he watches the color leave her face. He swipes at his mouth with the back of his hand, wincing slightly at the pain. He'd been low in a defensive stance when she hit him, her elbow slamming into his mouth. He's surprised he managed to catch her at all.

"Be right back." He announces to the group before jogging up to the house.

Hailey watches him disappear into the house. She should go after him…make sure he's okay…apologize again.

"I'm gonna go…" Her arm lifts awkwardly, motioning to the back porch, leaving the others to play.

"Jay?" She follows the sound of running water to the small bathroom off the bottom of the stairs. The door is open slightly, giving her a clear view of the mirror where she can see Jay spitting blood into the sink. Over and over he rinses his mouth out until the water runs clear. It reminds her of another time. Another place. Bloody lips and teeth…the Devil himself looking back at her. "You're gonna pay for that, Hailey." Casey had lunged for her, keeping his promise. That was the last time she had fought back.

Jay rises, locking his eyes on hers through the mirror, and lets out a quiet curse when Hailey backs away from him.

"Hang on…just hang on a sec." Whatever she saw back there wasn't him. "I'm fine Hailey." Jay lets go of her arm that he grabbed to stop her. She's trembling and it makes him sick.

"I shouldn't have grabbed you like that. I just wanted…I'm sorry…" He'd triggered her. Maybe it was the bathroom or the blood…he wasn't sure but whatever it was had her visibly pale and shaking.

Jay…Hailey closes her eyes, slowly drawing in a breath. She's at Jay's and he's apologizing. "No, I'm sorry." Dragging her hands through her hair, she continues to work on slowing her breathing and heart rate. "For um…a second I thought…it was him in the mirror. It just snuck up on me and I'm sorry." He's about as different from Casey and his father as he could possibly be. Comparing them was wrong.

"Hey…" Jay reaches out, giving her every chance to back away. His hand cups her shoulder, softly squeezing. "It was an accident. I'm fine. I'm not mad…you know that, right?"

Hailey nods, letting out another slow breath. "I know. I saw the blood in the sink and for a split second I was back in Chicago…ugh." She steps away from him, fingers pressing against her eyes. "It's always gonna be there."

Jay watches her fight to control her emotions, still a little confused. "What is?"

She lets her hands drop, the threat of tears gone now, but in their place, something very close to devastation takes shape.

"My past…no matter how far I run, it's always going to be there. I'll never escape it." She could run from it, but not outrun it.

"Your past doesn't have to define you, Hailey, not if you don't let it. I don't really care who you were before. I'm sorry you went through all of it, don't misunderstand. I just don't want you thinking that you're somehow…less, because of it." He steps closer again, watching her tip her head back to look up at him. "I do care that my son is crazy about you. I care that Vanessa has you and vice versa. I care that Trudy has claimed you as her people...that's what's important. That's what I care about."

"How can you be so…accepting of this? I let these things happen to me and…"

"See…" Jay cuts in, not liking the way she's talking. "You said that before. The night you told me what was really going on with you, you said it was your fault." His eyes crinkle in concentration, willing her to listen to him. "Look at me." His hands barely touch her face as he tilts her head. "What happened to you is not your fault. I'll tell you and so will the others…over and over again until you believe it. You deserve the chance to be happy and if I can help you do that, then I will. I wanna know you Hailey, I do. But there's no rush...really, I'm not going anywhere."

Jay swears his heart stops when Hailey's breath trembles out, her hands reaching out to hold his wrists. Her eyes look impossibly large, bottomless and he can't help but get lost in them. One second he was staring into her eyes and the next he was watching as the tip of her tongue darts out to trace the fullness of her bottom lip. They just sort of leaned into the other. The pads of his thumb brush her cheek as he closes the distance.

"Jay? Hailey?" It's Vanessa. "You guys good?" She watches the two spring apart, but says nothing of it. "Everyone's ready to go in the water and Trudy said the grill is good to go." She raises a brow at Hailey, who can't seem to get out of the house fast enough.

"Really, Jay?" The look she shoots at him would rival any disappointed mother's.

Jay scoffs at her protectiveness. "It wasn't like that, okay?" Or it was…what are you doing? Here he was, minutes after telling her he wasn't going to rush her, and he nearly kissed her.

Jay starts for the door, stopping right in front of her. "Look…can you not make a big deal about it? Nothing happened and I don't want her to feel weird. Whether she knows it or not, she's still figuring out who she is and I'm not pushing that. I told her that…though I wasn't doing a good job proving that a minute ago." He'd be lying if he said he wasn't drawn to her. More so than just wanting to be her friend. Even before he knew her story, the smiles she'd share with Levi would fill him with warmth and longing. They'd leave him wanting something he hasn't let himself have since Levi was still in diapers. He wants those smiles from her. He wants…more.

"Good." Vanessa leaves it at that, happy with his declaration, and walks with him back down to the beach, shaking her head when Jay's eyes immediately search out Hailey. He's right, even though she would never admit it, Hailey is still putting the pieces of her life back together. He's a good man for giving her that time to find out who she is and if she's being honest, he's a good man for her. There's not a lot of men out there like Jay Halstead.


It took her a while to let go of what happened in the house…the flashback…the almost kiss, but after swimming and eating, Hailey was back to herself or at least as much as she could be. Levi had even managed to help her catch a couple waves on his boogie board. It turned out to be a good night and she's happy she stayed.

"Can I ask you something?" Vanessa joins Hailey off from the rest of the group, dropping down in the sand as they wait for the fireworks to start. "What was that in the kitchen earlier? Did something happen? You were really pale when you went into the house and I'm…sorry if I interrupted whatever was happening." She's not worried about Jay doing something. She trusts him, and if he says he isn't pushing, she believes him. Hailey on the other hand, tends to keep her flashbacks and nightmares to herself still. Vanessa always manages to pull the truth from her eventually, but it bothers her that she still thinks of herself as a burden.

Hailey looks over her shoulder, making sure that she is still distanced from the group. She's been waiting for Vanessa to ask about it. She's surprised it took her this long honestly.

"You didn't interrupt anything…not really. Seeing the blood sort of um…triggered me and Jay was just…being Jay." Helping. That's what he does.

"So it's 'Jay' now?" Vanessa bumps her shoulder into Hailey's, a teasing smile forming. Watching Hailey figure out who she is will be fun.

"Don't start." She gives a playful shove back before getting a little more serious. "I think we're friends now. That's all. It's not a big deal so please don't make more of it than it was. We just got caught up in the moment. Nothing more." Pulling her knees into her chest, Hailey folds her arms across them and stares up at the fireworks as they start.

Vanessa wraps her arm around Hailey, pulling her into a side hug. "It would be okay if you wanted more. Not right this second or even with Jay but…you're allowed to want that, Hailey. Don't close yourself off from that, okay?" Like Jay, Vanessa won't press the matter, but she wants to make sure Hailey knows it's okay to want more.

"Maybe someday…" When things weren't what they were now. If she ever got the nerve to ask for more from someone, she needs to be whole again.


Sorry if this seems a little choppy…I needed to get things moving though. Thank you for reading and to anyone who's left a review! I love hearing what you think.