"A trip 'round the bases"
They had volunteered for a community outreach program. It was to help the community and especially the youth. Hailey had not been surprised at all that her partner had been one of the first to sign up. Soon after nearly all of Intelligence had signed up and Voight seemed to carry an air of quiet pride with him when he handed the forms over to Trudy, telling her Intelligence would see their part in helping out. It was another day off to sacrifice but when they arrived to the loud and infectious laughter of children, it definitely seemed worth it.
The park had been set up very well. Picnic tables laden with food and drinks. Music buzzing and even a handful of balloons helped liven everything up. Across the field, the kids were already gearing up for certain activities. A big hit was the mini baseball field they had managed to set up. A few other officers were already there mentoring the younger kids. She had found some of her team members at a table not far from all the activity.
Vanessa had just come back from a near six-month undercover op and Hailey had been so happy to see her again. Kim had recently taken up desk duty and was currently bemoaning the banality of it to Vanessa.
"Hailey!" Vanessa called, pulling her friend into a hug.
"Good to see you V," Hailey greeted. "I thought you'd be taking the day off."
Vanessa shrugged. "I've been away too long. I didn't want to miss this." She sighed almost tiredly. "I needed to be here."
Hailey nodded in understanding. Undercover was never so easy or simple. Being another person for any amount of time was a hard thing to step away from.
"Anyway you're just in time," Vanessa shuffled on. "I was just teasing dear Kim here."
"Oh?" Hailey grinned at her friends. Kim huffed but said no more.
"Yeah, is that not just something to melt your insides?" Vanessa asked with a grin before motioning over Hailey's shoulder.
Hailey frowned and twisted in her seat to look at what Vanessa was pointing at. She wasn't nearly prepared for the scene that awaited her. Jay was heading up the mini baseball with Adam and a handful of the kids.
Adam on one end couching the kids how to pitch and Jay on the other side with a baseball bat in hand. Granted it was a little too small for him but certainly a handful for the little girl standing beside him as he handed it to her.
The little girl swung the bat blindly and Hailey caught Jay grinning at her efforts. He squatted down to her level and that's when Hailey noticed he wasn't in his usual jeans and t-shirt attire. No, he was wearing baseball pants; deliciously tight-fitting grey baseball pants. Though he had not carried his gun, his badge was pinned to the waistband of his pants. While she had certainly seen him in a lot less than what he was currently wearing, it struck Hailey that she had never seen him dressed in anything but work clothes or tactical gear. It threw her a little, to see him so carefree and she was certain, she was openly staring if Vanessa's amused chuckles were anything to go by. But Hailey couldn't be bothered. On the other side, she noted Adam too had dressed for the occasion, supporting a pair of black baseball pants and a mischievous smile he kept throwing at Kim.
"Yeah," Vanessa smirked. "Suddenly we're all fans of the sport."
Hailey blushed. "I've always been a fan."
Her friend laughed. "Of that, I don't doubt." It struck Hailey that while she was alluding to more than just the sport, it had not slipped her friend's attention either.
Hailey cleared her throat, "Is this what you've been teasing Kim about? Hardly seems like anything," but even as she said it, Vanessa raised her brows in a silent challenge.
"It's nothing I'm not familiar with," Kim finally said trying to sound nonchalant.
"Hhm," Vanessa hummed. She looked between her friends quite smugly. "All I'm saying is if you weren't already pregnant, a sight like that might have your ovaries melting for something."
Kim sighed a soft smile playing on her lips. "Adam's always been good with kids. He's always wanted a family."
Hailey reached across to her friend, taking her hand in hers. "I'm glad he's getting the chance to have one now. He deserves it. You both do."
Kim smiled and then her smile grew a little deeper as she leaned in whispering almost conspiratorially, "You know Jay might not have said it in so many words, but I know it's what he wants too."
Hailey was silent for a moment, looking between her friend and her boyfriend. "I … we…"
Taking pity on her, Kim patted her hand, "Not right now Hailey," she laughed softly. "But I think when he looks at you, that what he sees," she said motioning to the mini-league field.
Hailey exhaled sharply. It shouldn't have surprised her as much as it did. She could feel the truth behind Kim's words. She'd felt them long before they were spoken into existence but Jay being Jay had been oh so patient with her. Never pushing for more than she could give at each step and if that didn't speak of unconditional love she wasn't entirely sure what did.
Vanessa came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Don't freak out Hails," she soothed, "You know he'd never ask if you weren't ready."
For a moment Kim looked quite guilty. "Oh, Hailey! I didn't mean … shit!" She quickly turned away from the mini-league, looking only at Hailey. "I didn't mean that in some sort of way to pressure you into anything… I just … I wanted you to know what it means to him." Kim sighed. "I've known him a long time, and I've seen him overcome some truly horrible things but that was only thanks to you. I only want him, you both actually to be happy."
Hailey smiled. "I know Kim," she said softly. "I want that too."
Kim grinned and Vanessa coughed and then motioned back over to the game. They all turned with raptured attention.
"Damn, the man looks good in those pants," Vanessa said under her breath, but Hailey heard her as did those around her.
"That's a cop?" Another young lady asked.
"Of course! Can't you see his badge?" Her friend retorted.
"It's not his badge I was looking at," the first girl retorted smartly. She sighed, sounding almost like she was swooning, "That's one hot cop."
Hailey chortled, elbowing her friend, but she couldn't deny they were right.
"I wonder if he's single," the first girl continued, tilting her head to the side as if giving the idea extra consideration.
"Of course, he isn't." her friend replied, scoffing a little. "He can't be looking like that and still be single."
"He could be married for all you know."
"Ugh, that would be just like my luck." The girls turned to them and asked quite bluntly, "Is he?"
Hailey sniggered but said nothing. Vanessa on the other hand, had no such ideas, "No he isn't," and for a moment both looked so thrilled but that, "But he is most definitely taken." Vanessa finished.
"Told ya! Come on! I'm hungry," the second girl said dragging her friend away towards the food tables.
Kim and Vanessa dissolved into rather infectious giggles that Hailey couldn't help but join. They shifted their attention once again to the little mini-league. Proud and excited smiles on their faces.
Jay was squatting again, and this time Hailey smirked when Vanessa nudged her. He leaned in, talking quietly to the little girl as he corrected her stance and hold on the bat before adjusting her little helmet.
"Alright lil' lady!" she heard Adam's booming voice call. "Here we go! Ready Jay?" He adjusted his t-shirt and turned his cap backwards, grinning at them.
Jay looked down at the little girl and she nodded enthusiastically. Jay turned back to Adam, giving him the thumbs up. Adam stepped up, speaking to the young boy who was pitching and when the boy grinned Hailey was sure she heard Kim sigh.
The focused pout on the little girl's face was absolutely adorable and Hailey couldn't help but grin as she watched her hit the ball with all the strength she had. It didn't go far, but it was enough for her to drop the bat and cry excitedly.
"Go!" Jay encouraged. "Run Ruth!" there was a scramble as everyone momentarily lost track of the ball and little Ruth ran for it, both Adam and Jay cheering her on.
"Wooh!" Adam hollered.
There was plenty of loud cheers from those around them as the kids moved from one base to the next. Little Ruth squealing and cheering as she finally reached second base. The game continued similarly, Jay and Adam coaching patiently each child that stepped up. At some point, they found all the bases loaded and Jay watching the chaos ensue as Adam and some of the little kids make up a little dance on the spot.
"Your turn, Jay!" He called swishing his hips a little.
Jay shook his head, grinning, "I think we should stick to baseball and leave the dancing to the pros."
"That's for damn sure," Kevin commented coming up to the table where all the ladies sat. He winked at Kim before turning to his friends. "Yo man! What did a tell you about dancin'?" he asked joining Adam on the field. "Nah! Nah! Come here lil' man!" Kevin called to one of the boys from the sideline. "Show him how it's done," he said smirking.
From there it dissolved into the most foolish dance moves Hailey had ever seen from Adam or Kevin. But the kids loved every minute of it.
"Alright! Alright!" Adam finally called, "How about we finish this game? That much I know I can do."
The kids cheered and resumed their places on the field as they picked up the game. Eventually, the kids were all tired out. The guys went to grab a drink as the kids dispersed most likely in search of some food. The sun was starting to dip and the Chicago air had cooled slightly.
"Alright, who's next?" Adam asked as they approached their table.
Adam took a seat beside Kim as Jay fell in beside Hailey, straddling the bench and inching closer to her. Kevin leaned against the table, handing out some of the soda they'd brought back.
"Next for what?" Kim asked.
"A trip 'round the bases." He teased.
They all laughed. "I think we've covered all the bases, don't you?" Kim asked looking pointedly at her slight bump.
"Yeah but it doesn't hurt to keep practising," he replied wiggling his brows at her.
"I'm all practised out," Kim refused but she coyly smiled and turned to her friend, "But Jay, I think Hailey might be up for a round."
Hailey blushed, the innuendo was not lost on any of them. Hailey was grateful the low lighting hadn't made it so obvious. "I … no…"
She felt it when he chuckled, given that he was sitting so close to her. "Now that's an idea." He tugged on Hailey's hand. "Come on," he said but when she didn't move, he pouted, his eyes almost beseeching and Hailey found she was incapable of saying no. He seemed to know this as he all but lifted her from her seat, still chuckling. "It will be fun." He promised.
He walked them to home base when Hailey suddenly spun around. "I can't," she whispered urgently.
"Hey, it' okay. I've got you." He assured her. "Plus you like baseball, right?"
"I do, but I've never actually played it…" she trailed off uncertainly.
"That's what I'm here for," he said softly. This time he held a proper baseball bat in his hand. "Trust me."
And she did.
"Ruz!" Jay called. "We need a pitcher."
"You got it, man!" Adam called and started running over to them. He stopped halfway and turned back.
Jay raised a confused brow but that quickly disappeared as they saw Adam bringing Kim with him despite her pleas. He stopped by the sidelines.
"How about just watching for now?" he offered.
Kim seemed pleased with that agreement. On the other side, Jay was gearing Hailey up. He tossed a proper bat in his hand almost pro like and Hailey couldn't help the shocked expression that came over her.
Jay laughed. "So, I might have played a little baseball when I was younger."
"A little?"
He shrugged. "My dad used to bring Will and me down to the batting cages every weekend. For a while ..." He sighed looking upwards, "he didn't seem to be so disappointed in me. Especially when I was playing."
"You know he was proud of you, don't you?" Hailey asked gently.
"Yeah," Jay answered and then exhaled quickly, fixing her with a warm smile. "Alright, you ready Upton?"
Hailey chuckled. "I think I got this," she said suddenly feeling quite confident. Perhaps it was that warm, tender smile Jay had given her or the fact that he still had a hand reassuringly on her back, Hailey was quite eager now. "No," she said when Jay tried to get behind her. "I wanna try on my own first."
Her request didn't surprise him all that much. He grinned, hands up in surrender as he backed a safe distance away.
Hailey smiled once more as Jay called, "Go easy on her Ruz."
If she hadn't been so focused on hitting the ball she might have turned back to glare at him. As it turned out, hitting the ball was a lot harder than it looked and for a first shot, it was a pretty decent effort.
She turned back to Jay, with a sheepish expression. "Not bad right?"
He nodded. "Not bad at all. You sure you haven't done this before?" She shook her head. "Okay, we just gotta fix a few things and you'll be hitting like a pro."
"Oh?"
He nodded and looked quite serious about it. Hailey thought it quite adorable as he moved closer, fixing her stance. "Move your feet a little further apart," he whispered as he stood behind her. "Raise your arms, a little more. There, just like that," he praised, his hand coming to rest over hers on the bat.
Hailey felt a warm rush come over her and it had absolutely everything to do with the man pressed so close to her. They weren't one for much PDA, but this felt a little different. She chanced a glance around them quickly and was grateful to see that the others were kind enough to pretend not to notice them.
"Focus Hailey," Jay jokingly scolded.
She giggled, quite uncharacteristically and then almost jumped out of her skin when she felt Jay's hands on her waist. "Jay!"
"You need to bring yourself a little lower," he coached though his voice had taken a deep husky tone to it. "Don't think too much, just swing and you'll hit it."
She did as he said and then he raised her bat a little more as he stepped away. "Ready Ruz," he called.
Adam grinned this time as he stepped up, winking playfully as he pitched another ball. Hailey didn't think, she swung and hit, this time much harder, sending the ball much further away. There were gleeful cries as they saw the ball fall some distance away.
"Atta girl!" Kevin cheered.
She turned back, a delighted grin on her face. One that matched Jay's. Throwing caution to the wind, Hailey reached for Jay, pulling him in for a hug. Instinctively Jay's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
"Come on babe, you're up!" Adam called heading to the sidelines where Kim and the others were watching.
"No way!" Kim cried. "You said I could watch! I'm not – "
"Relax darlin'," Adam soothed. "I'm gonna teach you how to pitch a perfect ball." Kim amusedly raised her brows at him. "Gotta learn before the kid gets here."
"You're going to teach our kid baseball too?" Kim asked almost immediately softening.
"That's the idea," Adam grinned. He guided Kim to the right place on the field. He leaned forward, handing Kim the ball as he quietly coached her on how to hold it. Adam almost dwarfed Kim as he stood behind her, laughing as he guided her hands through the motions. "Besides we can't let Halstead's girl outdo us!"
Hailey blushed but more than that she felt an odd thrill as those words. She quite liked the sound of that. Judging from the way Jay's grasp on her waist tightened, he did too.
Hailey turned just a little so she could look at him again. "You know," she said so quietly he had to lean in just to hear her, "this is a good look on you." She pointedly looked him over.
It was low lighting but she was certain he blushed. "Yeah?"
"Hmm," she mused. "I'm quite disappointed I haven't seen it before."
"Don't worry, it's not going anywhere," he promised her. His fingers dipped under the hem of her shirt, teasing her softly. "It's been a while since they've seen the light of day," he admitted.
"I think you should definitely wear them more often," Hailey mused.
"Oh really?"
She nodded. "Think I could get some private lessons too?" she asked, biting her lip shyly. Jay groaned, his fingers now burying themselves into her hair. She almost smirked when she saw his green eyes pooling with an unbridled need for her.
He tipped her chin up just a little, "Whatever you want," he breathed against her lips, his own just barely touching hers.
"Oi!" Adam called quickly breaking their spell and bringing them back to reality. "You can get handsy after we play!"
Hailey ducked her head, hiding her embarrassed giggles in Jay's chest. "Come on then Ruz, let's see what your girl's got!" Jay called good-naturedly.
The rest of their team gathered around. Adam coached Kim on how to pitch and Jay held Hailey quite comfortably by the waist helping her get back into a proper stance. All reservations were momentarily forgotten. When Hailey hit another, this time coming from Kim, they cheered again, Jay smiling the widest. And when she caught Vanessa's knowing smile across the field, she did nothing more than hold tighter to Jay.
AN: Hope you enjoyed this little Drabble! Don't forget to leave a little love!
Stay safe!
