Jay's eyes open slowly. He blinks as they adjust to the dim light of Hailey's bedroom. It's early. Sunlight has yet to fully break over the horizon. He is acutely and immediately aware of Hailey lying asleep in his arms, her body pressed tightly to his. He pushes his nose, feather light to the back of her hair, inhaling the scent that is entirely Hailey, lightly, he kisses the back of her head.

Jay has been awake less than a minute, but in the past few weeks this first minute or two after waking have become some of his favorite minutes of the day. He is relaxed, happy, his head is clear in a way he could get used to, and Hailey is in his arms.

Jay has always been an early riser, first because of his time in the army, but now more often than not because nightmares chase him or his insomnia catches up to him. A few weeks ago, before the night at the bar, the night that changed everything for Jay. The night when Hailey was brave enough to put voice to the feelings they both feel for each other and he finally kissed her. He would be out of bed already, getting ready for his run. Not today though. Today, Jay plans to take his time getting up. He tightens his arms around the beautiful woman next to him and runs his nose along her neck to her shoulder leaving soft kisses as he makes his way back up. Jay has recently learned that she likes it when he wakes her this way. Once his lips reach her shoulder the second time he feels her stirring.

"Jay." His name falls from her lips in a sleepy whisper as she turns in his arms to face him.

"Good morning, beautiful," Jays breathes in her ear before pressing a soft, lazy kiss to her lips. Hailey's body responds almost unconsciously, moving closer to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck while her fingers start to pull gently at his hair where it meets the nape of his neck. Jay lets out a soft groan and he tries to deepen the kiss but instead Hailey pulls away just slightly.

Jay moves his lips back to her ear. "What? It's still early we have time. I can skip my run, cardio is cardio. You know I can be quick if you're worried about being late," he says returning his lips to her neck. Again, her body responds and Jay thinks for a second that he's going to win her over.

Hailey giggles and starts to push herself up and out of bed.

"First of all, Detective, we both know if we started," she looks at him square in those mischievous green eyes of his, smirks, and raises her eyebrows, "it would not be quick and we would both certainly be late. Today is not the day either of us can be late. You have to be in court this morning and I, well I have to get to the district we're still working on the cold case and there's evidence to be rereviewed and cataloged, files to read over. You know the drill, and I pretty sure Voight plans and assigning me and Kim to conduct the reinterviews with the family…so yah not the time" Hailey says with a smile.

"Shower with me then?" Jay suggests, another adorable smirk making its way across his mouth.

Hailey whacks him playfully on the arm in response.

"You make a good offer, but I'm going to have to take a raincheck. I'm going to make coffee," she says over her shoulder, with a sweet smile, as she heads for her kitchen, "I suggest you take that shower by yourself."

They continue through their morning routine. Jay doesn't take a shower right away but instead decides to go for a run after he finishes his coffee and cereal with Hailey. He tries to convince her to go with him even though he knows what her answer will and should be before he asks. Hailey is still feeling the effects of taking down an offender who ran from her a few days earlier and is taking it easy in the workout department this week.

When Jay returns from his run, Hailey is just stepping out of the shower a towel wrapped around herself. He immediately goes for her, arms wide open, moving in to give her a huge bear hug. Hailey squeals, squirming out of his grasp.

"Jay Halstead, you are sweaty and stinky from running outdoors for what, the better part of an hour, and you want to hug me right after my shower? You're such a child sometimes, I swear." Although there's no malice behind her words and her ocean blue eyes are shining. She loves that he shares this playful side of himself with her. It's not a Jay most people who know him would think exists, but Hailey knows it's the real him. Jay grins at her eyes full of mirth, chuckles, mostly to himself and not so lightly taps her butt as he heads into her bathroom.

In the bathroom Jay is once again enveloped by her scent. His thoughts wander, thinking about her in here just a few minutes ago. Jay turns on the shower and closes the door, he sees his suit for court hanging on the hook on the back of Hailey's bathroom door, white dress shirt already ironed. Jay smiles. This was a part of Hailey she didn't let many people see, her sweet, soft side. Jay knows he is so fortunate that Hailey shares it him.

Ten minutes later Jay emerges from the bathroom buttoning the top button of his shirt, his tie hanging over his shoulders. Hailey turns around from where she is doing the breakfast dishes at the sound of his footsteps. She takes a moment to admire the view. Jay in a suit is a rare sight and she thinks that's kind of a shame because he looks damn good. Jay grins, catching her not so subtly checking him out.

"Thanks for ironing my shirt," Jay says, as he tries and fails for the third time to properly tie the stupid tie. "You didn't have to do that"

"I know," Hailey closes the gap between them, taking the two ends of the tie from Jay's fumbling fingers and quickly tying a perfect Windsor knot, tucking the black tie beneath the collar of his shirt.

"You know I would have eventually gotten it, right? I always manage to tie them eventually," Jay says sheepishly as she finishes. Instead of answering, Hailey stretches up on her toes, pressing a kiss to his lips.

Within five minutes they're out the door. They both feel strange as they share a quick kiss in the parking garage and head off in separate cars to their separate days.

It's 9:30 am and Jay is sitting on a bench in the courthouse hall, essentially twiddling his thumbs while waiting to be called to testify in the third of what feels like an endless number of cases on his list today, as he sits there he gets lost in his own thoughts. He thinks about Hailey. He thinks about the first time they me. It was right before Erin left for the FBI job without telling him and he had been in a pretty bad place even before Erin left, but then he and Hailey were partnered up. It didn't take long until they seemed to really understand each other. It was clear to both of them that they each had walls up in an attempt to protect themselves from their pasts. That never mattered to Hailey though, she cared about him and he cared about him. Hailey pushed him to get the help he needed, they had their thing and it worked. They protected each other, trusted each other, they worked well together, and they still do all those things and more.

Before Jay knew it, Hailey was his best friend. Of course, it wasn't always sunshine and roses, but they always talked and they were good. They promised they'd always be good. Not long into their partnership they found themselves spending a lot of their free time together. She was the only person he really wanted to spend time with even back then, and then he thought he was going to lose her to New York and the FBI. Instead, his world shifted in a completely different way, a way that if he was being honest, he'd wanted, or at least hoped for, for a long time.

His mind continues to roll back through the memories, snagging on the memory of the first time he kissed Hailey in that bar. Sitting there on the bench now, Jay can just about feel the press of Hailey's lips to his, her body melting against him, her arms around his neck, the way she tasted. He marvels for a second that now he can kiss Hailey like that anytime he wants to. That thought makes him smile. His smile falters for a second. He can't kiss her anytime he wants. They're keeping their relationship private for now and at work too of course they need to keep things professional, but Jay is good with that. He agrees it's what's best and he has really enjoyed the time they've spent together alone, in private. Jay hears his next case number being called and mentally shakes himself, refocusing on the task at hand.


The 21st is not the most fun place for Hailey today. It is not even lunch time and Hailey has already applied drops to her eyes twice after trying and somewhat succeeding to decipher the previous detective's chicken scratch notes in the case files. She's left four messages and been told not so nicely by several people that they've already spoken to the police about this matter.

She looks across the bullpen and tries to catch Kim's attention. Once she does, she mouths, "Hungry for lunch yet?" Kim nods emphatically and stands stretching as Hailey does the same. The two women make their escape down the stairs, Hailey shoots off a quick text to Jay.

Hailey: Grabbing an early lunch with Kim, this day is dragging, I hope you're knocking them dead court and not just because of that suit ;)

She doesn't get a response but she didn't really expect to.


Jay's back to his spot on the bench in the hall of the courthouse, a half finished sandwich from the courthouse deli in his hand. He reaches into his suit jacket pocket for his phone and powers it back on. It vibrates with a text message. It's from Hailey. He reads the message and it makes him smile. Jay is thinking of her again, of the times that they've spent together since that first kiss. They've watched, or at least started a few movies while cuddled together on the couch. They had drinks, been out with the team as usual, they've taken walks around the city, and had a few casual dinners at Bertolli's. They'd talked about going across the city to a place where they wouldn't run into anyone they know for an actual dinner date at some out of the way restaurant but it hasn't happened. They both just liked to wind down together, in a low-key way, after a day of work and work had been brutal lately, tough cases combined with long days.

It hits him then that they've been dating for several weeks now and he hasn't taken his girl on a real date. He mentally kicks himself. Hailey is so special to him. In many ways she saved him, changes him for the better, and makes him a better cop. He thinks he really doesn't deserve Hailey, but by some stroke of luck it is him she wants. Hailey deserves everything and Jay wants to be the one to give her everything. He resolves that he will take Hailey on a real date, as soon as their schedules allow for it. He flicks his phone open and replies to her earlier text.

Jay: Thinking about you. It's a slow day for me too, waiting again. Not even half way through my docket. I hope the interviews are going better than the case files.

He presses send just as his next case is called.


Hailey and Kim are on the way to the next address on the list of interviews when her phone pings. She glances at it and smiles before quickly pocketing the phone again.

"What's got you smiling like that? Is it Voight, do we have a new case? Does he want us back at the district?" Kim's voice is hopeful but Hailey shakes her head.

"No, It's nothing, just a friend."

"Is this friend a guy?" Kim questions, her glance slipping briefly from the road to Hailey.

Thankfully, it's at this moment that Hailey notices the address of the house they are looking for just a few houses up the street.

"There it is. The blue one up there on the right with the white porch, 3819."

Kim pulls up in front of the house, her previous question seemingly forgotten, at least for the moment.


Jay's pacing the courthouse hall now. He cannot sit on the bench for another second. It's nearing 3:30 now and Jay knows they will hear cases until at least 5:30 on a day like this. He groans inwardly. It's looking to him like he will be at his apartment alone tonight eating something from a Styrofoam container. This morning he and Hailey hadn't discussed their evening, or if they were seeing each other, or whose place it would be at if they were. Although they usually stayed together at Hailey's apartment, which is fine by him. Now it was midafternoon and they hadn't really talked at all today. He sensed she was in for a long night in the bullpen with the paperwork and him, he was still here with more than a few case numbers left on his list.

Jay makes his way back to the bench and sits yet again, as he does he notices one of the clerks approaching him.

Oh great, what now? Jay thinks, he stands and plasters a smile on his face as the clerk reaches him.

Jay is a surprised when the clerk informs him that the remainder of his cases are being pushed to the following week, something to do with motions, requests for new defense attorneys or a judge giving a continuance. Jay, wasn't really listening closely. It didn't matter, all he needed to know is he was free from here for today but had to be back next week. Jay shakes the clerk's hand, passes him his business card, and adds the rescheduled dates to the calendar in his phone.

Within a few minutes he's back in the truck hanging his suit jacket neatly on a hanger in the back seat. Jay is about to back out of the parking space and head to the district before it comes to him, the perfect plan for a real date night with Hailey, a surprise of sorts that he thinks can pull off tonight.

He pulls out his phone and texts Voight to let him know that everything is going well but he likely won't make it to the district today, Hank responds quickly saying he expected as much, that things have been pretty quiet at 21 and he will see Jay in the morning.

Then, Jay sends a text to Hailey.

Jay: Hi! How is your never-ending day? How's your knee? Have you iced it today? I bet sitting most of the day hasn't helped. Your place tonight? I can probably be there around 6 after the courthouse closes for the day.

Her answer comes quicker than he expects.

Hailey: Hi :) Day is long but we're making some progress on this case finally. I'll tell you all about it tonight. The knee aches a bit but I can handle it and it is so worth it to have smashed that guy's face into the dirt. My place sounds good, I think I still have some whiskey, I'm going to need something after this day. Not sure when, if ever Voight is going to let us out of here though.

Jay: Maybe you'll get lucky and he'll send you guys home at a reasonable time. Try giving him that look and promising you'll do the rest of the paperwork tomorrow.

Jay: Looking forward to tonight and that drink.

He grins, imagining the look on Hailey's face as she reads his words and pictures herself trying to use that look on Voight. It's a look Jay has gotten to know well in recent weeks. His phone pings with a new message within seconds.

Hailey: I just almost spit coffee all over my desk and these damn files. Oh my god! I would never! Could you imagine I'd never be able to look at him in the eyes again?

Hailey: Maybe we can pick up where we left off this morning when I get home…destress…you know ;) I've been thinking about you in that suit all day.

He reads and rereads her text a few times. Jay loves when she is flirty with him especially during the hours they were supposed to be working.

Jay: I don't know Hailey, what about your knee? I know you wouldn't want to aggravate it any more than it already is. We'll see what we can do though :) I'm sure we can figure something out! You like the suit, huh? Definitely noted! Now maybe you should quit texting me and get back to work so you get out of there before tomorrow. Got to go they're calling my next case.


Back at her desk Hailey's phone vibrates with Jay's response. She cannot help but picture the way he looked this morning in that black suit and white shirt. Before she realizes it, she has read the same line in the case notes at least three times.


Jay pockets his phone and heads out of the courthouse parking lot. He arrives at the grocery store within 10 minutes. He walks through the doors mentally leafing through the list of the things he needs. He's happy with how quickly he makes it through the store, the checkout line and back to the truck. He makes one more stop, adding a small pink box to the growing collection of stuff in his back seat. Checking his watch, Jay sees he has plenty of time and heads to Hailey's place.

Once there, he uses his key and enters her empty apartment with a few bags of his purchases in hand.

Jay knows he has to be quick to have time for everything. The first thing he pulls out of the bags is a pad of blue post-it notes. He grabs a pen from her kitchen draw and draws an arrow on the first sheet of paper. He does the same thing to ten more sheets before sticking them on the floor making a path from her front door to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Jay continues pulling things from the bags he brought. First, the battery-operated tea candles. He turns them all on and places them around the small room. Next, he sets out the bubble bath and her favorite lotion on the edge of the tub. He goes into her bedroom, returning with her portable speaker and the novel she's been reading from her nightstand.

Then he is back in the kitchen. He pulls the small pink box from one of the bags and sticks it in the back of the fridge. He gathers a large bowl which he fills with ice, a corkscrew, and an empty wine glass, taking it all with him back to the bathroom. Jay places all this within reach of the tub and puts the bottle of chilled white wine he bought in the bowl of ice. He pulls off another post-it. On it he writes;

Hailey,

Run yourself a hot bath, turn on some music, enjoy your book, have a drink or two, relax. There's no reason to rush, you deserve this and let's be honest your knee probably needs it. :) I'll be here soon.

-Jay

He gathers up the remainder of what he brought with him and writes another note. This one he sticks to the front door as he leaves.

Welcome home Hailey. I missed you today. I left you a little surprise. I hope you enjoy it. I'll see you soon!

-Jay

After closing and locking Hailey's front door, he makes his way back to the truck. It doesn't take him long to make the drive to his own apartment. It's dark and a little cold inside when he opens his front door. No lights are on and everything's in its place exactly as he'd left it. Jay hasn't been here in a couple days.

He deposits the bags he brought with him on his kitchen counter, hangs his suit jacket over a dining chair, and strides with purpose to his bedroom where takes off the rest of the suit. He's careful to only loosen the knot in his tie enough to slip it over his head. Jay hangs the rest of the suit on a hanger, and heads to the bathroom for a quick shower to wash off the day. Jay digs through his drawers pulling out an old academy hoodie and a pair of gray sweats, putting them on. Both the hoodie and sweats have become favorites of Hailey's to borrow. He chuckles to himself; she now refers to these as part of the collection of his clothes that have turned into their clothes. Thinking of her practically swimming in his hoodie and using a hair tie to tighten the waistband of the sweat pants so they stay up on her thin waist, makes him smile broadly. Jay likes when she wears his clothes. She looks good wearing his clothes, their clothes he mentally corrects himself, grinning wider.

Jay pulls a duffle bag from the shelf of his closet and begins filling it with clothes and other things he might need. He wants to be prepared if it is going to be another few days before he's here again. Coming to work wearing the same shirt he wore the day before is a dead giveaway that you did not sleep in your own bed and Hailey and Jay work with Chicago's most elite team of observers. If Jay is honest with himself he hopes it will be a day or two until he is back in this apartment alone.

Bag packed, he drops it on the dining chair and sets to work in his kitchen. Unloading the groceries, seasoning the meat, starting the water to boil, slicing the onions and mushrooms. Jay is not a great cook by any means but he could make a few things well and one of those things is beef stroganoff and that's what he is making tonight for his dinner date with Hailey.


Hailey's eyes feel intensely dry and her concentration has diminished to near dangerous levels, when Voight comes out of his office, it's around 5:30. He thanks the team for their hard work and tells them to get out of there, to go home to have dinner with their families. The entire team stood up almost in unison. He didn't have to tell them twice. They all know that a case could come across the radio at any moment or Voight could just as easily change his mind. Hailey says her goodbyes and declines the offer of a drink with Kim and Adam, who have Makayla's babysitter for another hour.

Hailey texts Jay.

Hailey: We're free! Voight must be feeling generous today. Headed home now. See you soon?

In her Jeep on the way home Hailey really starts to feel the effects of her day. Her knee is stiff and achy and she can almost feel the bruises on her shins and elbow from the same takedown. She is glad to be going home and very glad that Jay will be there with her tonight.

Hailey gets off the elevator and turns the corner towards her apartment, right away she spots the blue post-it stuck to her door. She is curious but also leery. It better not be building maintenance informing her of some ridiculous inconvenience like they've shut off the water or the heat is out, as she gets closer though she recognizes Jay's familiar handwriting.

Welcome home Hailey. I missed you today. I left you a little surprise. I hope you enjoy it. I'll see you soon!

-Jay

She is confused for a split second before a smile and blush erupts on her face. She pulls Jay's note from the door, unlocks it, and enters her apartment. The first thing she notices is that the lamps are on, illuminating the space in soft light. Hailey steps through the door and hears a small crunch under her feet, looking down she sees the trail of blue arrows on her floor. She smiles wider, more curious now, she follows the path, kicking off her shoes and throwing her coat on the couch as she goes.

When the trail of arrows leads her to her closed bathroom door, Hailey is a little taken aback. She has no idea what kind of surprise could possibly be in a bathroom and she's not entirely sure she wants to know.

"Jay?" she whispers tentatively, as she pushes the door to the bathroom open.

Standing in the doorway, Hailey's mouth drops open as she surveys the room in front of her, the room glows with the flickering light of tea candles. She takes it all in, the wine, the bubbles, her book, and in the middle of it all another blue note with familiar handwriting. Reading his words Hailey feels a tear slip down her cheek. This is so thoughtful, sweet, and romantic. Hailey is caught off guard by it all and a bit stunned that someone…no not someone, Jay, would do something like this for her.

Stripping out of her clothes and tying her long blonde hair in a bun on the top of her head, Hailey does exactly as Jay's note suggests. She turns on her favorite playlist and opens the wine. Hailey sits on the edge of the tub, sipping slowly as the tub fills with hot water and bubbles. Hailey sinks her body low into the tub, luxuriating in the feel of the hot water on her body. She relaxes immediately. Hailey's mind turns to Jay, she thinks about the way he looks at her with his piercing green eyes, the way he makes her laugh, what it feels like when he holds her, and so much more. Hailey's immensely enjoying this feeling, the water, her soft music, the bubbly wine tickling her tongue. Jay was right, this is exactly what she didn't know she needed. Sinking even lower in the warm water, Hailey wonders where Jay is right now, when he did this, and when he'll be here? She misses him.


Jay parks his truck in the now familiar spot at Hailey's place. He grabs all the things from the backseat before making his way to her door. It's not an easy feat given the amount of stuff he is carrying. The first thing he notices is that the note he left on her front door is gone, a clear sign she is home. Carefully, he sets the things he is carrying down on the floor outside of her closed apartment door. He reaches in his pocket for her key, opening the door slowly and silently, hoping he has made it back before she's out of the tub. There's no sign of her as he swings the door open wider. He notices her shoes and coat littered through the living room. He can hear the faint sounds of music, far enough away that he knows it was coming from inside the bathroom. He grins pleased with his timing.

Jay moves nearly silently through her apartment, unloading his arms of all he brought as he goes. The first thing he does is set her oven to warm, sliding the dish filled with the finished stroganoff inside and closing the oven door noiselessly. He shoves the bowl of salad into her fridge, checking that the little pink box remains where he stashed it earlier. Then, he slings his duffle bag back over his shoulder, creeping toward her bedroom. Once there, he sets the bag down gingerly, reaching inside for what he placed at the top. It's their clothes, the academy hoodie and gray sweats he was wearing less than 30 minutes ago. Jay figures Hailey might want them after her bath and he leaves them on the corner of the bed where she will be unable to miss them, with that he tiptoes back to the kitchen.

Jay is pleased that he is beginning to smell the delicious aroma of their dinner. Going back to one of the paper grocery bags, he pulls out the single rose wrapped in plastic. Jay removes the plastic as quietly as he can, while soundlessly opening and closing Hailey's kitchen cabinets searching for a vase. When his search leads to nothing he chooses a pint glass, filling it with water, placing the rose inside, and putting the whole thing on the counter. Jay makes a mental note to buy flowers in a vase next time. Although he hopes Hailey will get a kick out of his improvising.

The water is beginning to grow tepid when decides she's ready to get out of the tub, draining the water and setting her half-drunk glass of wine on the edge. She catches her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her face is a bit flushed and her hair is messy, but she's pleased to see that the bruises remaining from her takedown are starting to fade.

Hailey towels herself dry, applying her favorite lotion before securing the towel around herself. She brushes out her hair and strides out to her bedroom. Immediately she notices the hoodie and sweats on the edge of the bed and the duffle bag on the floor, neither of which had been there when she entered the bathroom. Hailey smiles widely. Jay is here, before she can think more about it she reaches for the hoodie, bringing it to her nose and inhales deeply. It smells like her favorite smell, it smells like Jay.

Hailey drops the towel and begins dressing in their clothes. Jay has obviously left them for her to find. She feels very light and so happy, bemused that Jay has been sneaking around her apartment leaving surprises at every turn. She is curious why he didn't come say a proper hello to her. She inhales deeply again and an entirely different scent hits her, something is cooking and it smells good, her stomach growls in response. She's intrigued as she uses her hair tie to tighten the waistband of the sweats and heads to see what Jay Halstead is up to in her kitchen.

The first thing she sees is Jay, his back is to her. She takes a second to take in the scene in front of her. It is clear even from behind that Jay is still wearing the suit. Her eyes scan the space trying to take it all in. She sees two place settings; the pink rose resting in…is that a pint glass? She notices the dishes full of food atop her stove. Hailey stands there for another second not really sure what is going on or what to make of it but loving it all the same.

Jay is just finishing setting two adjacent places at the counter on either side of the rose in its makeshift vase and pouring red wine into each glass, when her voice breaks through the silence.

"Hi there handsome," Hailey says, it comes out in more of a whisper than she intends.

Jay spins around to face her.

"Hello, yourself gorgeous," Jay sets the glasses on the bar and starts toward Hailey.

Hailey does the same, meeting him in the middle. Before either of them knows it, they are lost in each other's kiss, the room around them all but forgotten. They stay that way until they're both breathless. Pulling away, Jay's eyes travel down the length of her body. She looks adorable and sexy all at the same time. She looks better in those clothes then he could ever hope to. He is delighted at his choice to leave them out for her.

At the same time Hailey is running her eyes over him. She really does love how he looks in a suit. She thinks this suit specifically accents his body perfectly. She's not sure why he's dressed like a more attractive James Bond while she wears sweats, but she's not complaining. Jay tucks Hailey to his side under his arm, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"How was your day?" Jay quips.

"How was my day? That's what you have to say right now? Don't you want to tell me what's going on here? I came home to quite a surprise, which I absolutely loved by the way. What's gotten into you, Jay Halstead?" Hailey's eyes are locked to his. Some silent communication passes between them.

Jay's eyes dart away from hers just for a moment and then they are locked to hers again.

"It's date night, a real date. I was thinking about it today and I realized I have yet to take you on a proper, romantic date. I want to do this thing with us the right way, so," He uses his free arm to gesture around them. "Hailey, you deserve everything, I want, no, I need you to know how special you are to me. I know at home together is more us than some fancy restaurant or something like that so… I hope you like it," Jay trails off his eyes never leaving hers,

Jay runs his thumb down her cheek, swiping away the tears that have appeared there. Hailey is speechless, the only thing she can do in response to his words is tilt her head up and kiss him. The kiss is slow but intense and she hopes he can feel her answer in her kiss. Hailey isn't sure how long they stay like that before she is able to stammer,

"No one has ever done anything like this for me before, you make me feel so special, Jay. Thank you!" then she's kissing him again.

They're both breathless again when Jay ends their kiss.

He whispers against her lips, "So will you have dinner with me?"

Hailey nods slowly without letting go of him and lets herself be led to one of the bar stools.

Jay turns, beginning to fill their plates.

"What are we having? Can I help?" Hailey asks, from her perch on the stool, sipping her wine.

Jay's eyes swivel to hers and his answer is clear, Hailey nods almost imperceptibly staying in her seat and taking another sip of the wine enjoying watching the muscles of Jay's arms and back flexing as he fills their plates.

"A salad and beef stroganoff, it's my mom's recipe," Jay says, answering her other question, and I might even have something for dessert." He gives her a look and smiles.

"Is the dessert you?" she questions, her voice serious "Because you do look great dressed like that but that's a little presumptuous, is it not? After all, isn't this technically our first date?"

Jay cannot control the laugh that erupts from his lips. When he gains control again, he meets Hailey's eyes with a serious expression on his face. He can tell she is having a hard time maintaining the serious look she's trying to pin on him. It looks like her expression is at war with itself. Her eyes are shining with unreleased laughter while her mouth is desperately trying to stay serious. It makes her dimple stand out and Jay thinks she looks adorable.

"Well, you can have me whenever you want, you know that, so if you want me for dessert, your wish is my command and you definitely won't hear me complaining. But, I'm a gentleman, and I had something different in mind, he says as he turns to carry their plates to the counter.

"I want to be the one to take that suit off you later?" she says abruptly in a low voice.

Her words stop Jay in his tracks for a second while he tries to decide if he heard her correctly. A quick look in her eyes and he has his answer and he shivers involuntarily. Jay has to actively stop his mind from wandering at that moment.

"Like I said before Hailey, your wish is my command"

He sets down their plates, shrugging off his suit jacket and tossing it on the couch.

Over dinner they talk about the normal things. They talk about the events of their days, the goings on with friends, cases they were working on, future plans, the list goes on. They share looks, occasionally, squeezing each other's knees under the counter. Jay and Hailey laugh and joke. Hailey is very complimentary of his cooking. After lots of pestering and Hailey using that look, Jay tells her the story of how he learned to cook the beef stroganoff recipe.

"My mom was always a great cook, everything she made was delicious. She wanted Will and I to be able to cook, whether we wanted to learn or not. She told us that it was a life skill and that later in life a requirement to survive and no son of hers wasn't going to be able to take care of himself. She swore we would be happy that we could sustain ourselves as adults. She joked, at least I think she was joking, that it was especially important for Will and I because we ate a lot. We both begrudgingly started helping her when she made some of the simple stuff when we were still in elementary school. When we were in our early teens, Will had this crush on a girl down the block, Marissa, I think her name was. Anyway, I remember coming home from school one day and Will and my mom are at the kitchen table having this intense discussion. Turns out some other kid had given Marissa flowers that day or something like that and Will wanted to do something to impress her, basically one up this other kid, you know? That's when my mom said she would let us in on a secret. So, she leans forward across the table all conspiratorially and she tells us in this serious tone that girls always go for the guys who cook for them. I remember looking at Will trying to see if he believed her or if he also thought this was her sly way to get us to do more chores around the house. I remember asking my dad at dinner that night about what mom said. He pretty much tells us that's exactly right and it's how he got my mom to go on a third date with him. He invited her over and made dinner for her.

So, I'm sure you know where this is going now. That year mom taught Will and I to make some more elaborate, some might say impressive dinners. Will's favorite one to make is this old Irish sausage stew recipe because it's the one that always turns out the best when he makes it. I bet you, Detective Upton, can guess what mine is."

"Beef stroganoff?"

"Yes Ma'am, it's really no wonder that you're an elite detective."

"So, what ever happened with Will and Marissa?"

"Who knows, I think he may have kissed her at one point but I can't remember if he ever had the chance to cook for her. One day you'll have to ask him about it. I'm sure he'll love that I told you that story!"

"Your mom was right you know, a man who cooks, that's hot," Hailey tells him, her eyes connecting with his as she scrapes the last bite onto her fork.

After they finish dinner, they clean the kitchen together.

"What about that dessert?" Hailey asked, loading dishes into the dishwasher.

Her comment makes Jay chuckle. He learned early on in their partnership that Hailey Upton has a serious sweet tooth.

"Dessert on the couch while we watch something?" Jay offers.

"Sounds perfect to me. So, if dessert isn't you, are you going to tell me what is for dessert?"

"Tell that sweet tooth of yours to calm down Upton, you'll know in literally a minute."

Jay reaches into the fridge removing the small pink box, grabs a fork, a couple napkins and strides to the couch, loosening his tie and settling himself next to Hailey before opening the lid of the box.

Hailey eyes the box like a kid on Christmas morning as Jay reveals the slice of snickers pie. It makes Jay's heart swell just a little. He takes a tiny bite before passing the box to her.

"Are you up for an episode of Succession?" Jay asks, turning on the TV.

Hailey hums in response. The opening credits are playing and Hailey and Jay are settling in. Jay's arm is wrapped tightly around her, his fingers playing with the ends of her hair. Hailey's head rests on Jay's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. Occasionally, Hailey brings a small forkful of the pie to Jay's lips and he is sure he's enjoying this interplay much more than the taste of the little sweet bites.

The fork approaches Jay's lips, but this time it just misses landing on his upper lip and nose. They are both laughing. Hailey sets the box and fork aside on the end table, her lips and tongue making short work of the mess.

The pie and the show are then forgotten as Jay and Hailey begin to lose themselves in each other and Hailey gets her wish, peeling Jay slowly out of his suit. They end their day the way they weren't able to start it, enjoying each other.