Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the OneChicago world

Another little drabble I wrote for Upstead Appreciation Week. I've been fussing over the details for these one-shots but i'm finally ready to share them!

Day 4 Prompt: "Kiss me."


"Kiss me."

It had become something of a little game between the two of them. How long could they go before their friends finally called them out? Tonight would officially be six months. The weeks had turned into one month, then two and then it had snowballed from there. There was also a little bit of the thrill factor that came with having to be just a little bit sneakier in a houseful of detectives.

And while neither Jay nor Hailey were big on PDA, it did not stop Jay from pinning Hailey against his locker for a quick make out. Nor it did stop Hailey from leaving those sweet lingering kisses on Jay in the break room every time she went in for another cup of coffee.

There had been some near close calls, but apart from Trudy who straight out guessed and Voight who more or less surmised, the others were none the wiser. Only Vanessa seemed to have an inkling but when Hailey repeatedly told her otherwise, she quickly stopped asking. Though Jay knew just because she had stopped asking, didn't mean she had stopped watching. A few times she caught them staring at each other and she'd sported an annoyingly smug look on her face for the rest of the day.

Whether they wanted to tell their friends or not had been something they discussed for a while and the only thing they could ever agree on was there never seemed to be a right time. Intelligence had been busier than usual in the past weeks and they had pulled all kinds of hours. All any of them wanted to do was go home and sleep. After closing yet another challenging case, Adam insisted they all head to Molly's for celebratory drinks.

"Man, we've been working way too hard these past few weeks. We all deserve a night off," he'd said.

There was little in the way of arguments to that reasoning so they all agreed that it would be Molly's after work.

"You coming Jay? Or do you have a hot date?" Adam jested.

So perhaps their friends weren't completely clueless. The slight change in Jay's usually solemn demeanor had been noted with interest and the running bet was that Jay had a secret girlfriend.

A total badass, according to Adam, if she could affect such change in their beloved Halstead. Adam, who had caught Jay whistling on more than one occasion, was always trying to get Jay to divulge.

"I might, why? Jealous Ruz?" Jay teased back easily. Over his computer screen, Jay saw Hailey biting down on her lip, most likely to stop herself from laughing.

Adam held his hands up in surrender. "Who am I to stand in the way of such miracles." He smiled and a look passed between him and Kevin. Jay could almost sense the trap he was about to fall into. "How about you bring her round tonight?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Might be nice to know she's real," Kevin shrugged.

This time Hailey sniggered, no longer able to hold back her laughter.

"Nah, she's real," Vanessa said entering the bullpen. "Or did you miss that sweet little mark she left on our little Halstead," she teased pulling Jay's shirt to show where Hailey had indeed left a mark earlier that morning.

Jay flushed and swatted Vanessa's hands away. Hailey looked wide-eyed at him but said nothing.

"Ain't nothing fake about that," Vanessa said smugly as Kevin whistled low.

Adam being Adam got up from his chair but Jay was faster. He rose too, on hand raised most likely to ward off his friend's advances. He knew exactly what Adam had in mind.

"Man, I will tackle you to the ground if you even dare," Jay warned.

"Like you tackled her?" Vanessa quipped and they all laughed. Even Hailey, the traitor Jay thought. He felt that flush on his cheeks grow a little more, not used to being in the spotlight, for such things.

"Judging from that mark, I'd say she tackled him," Adam smirked. "Hailey!" he called suddenly and she froze. Jay watched as she stiffened, stifling down her laughter as she looked at their friend. "Know anything about this?"

It took everything Hailey had not to let it out then. She wanted to, but after keeping them a secret for so long, they deserved a better coming out than being founded solely on the hickey she left on Jay.

"Why would I know?" she asked pointedly ignoring Vanessa.

"You're his partner," Adam replied.

Hailey shrugged, going for as much nonchalance as she dared, "Guess Jay's better at keeping secrets than we all thought."

Adam didn't seem to buy that answer. He leaned down, one hand on her desk, carefully inspecting her and Hailey sat back in her chair, confused.

"You know," he accused.

Hailey smirked. "Maybe," she finally conceded.

He gave her one last hard look but when it was clear Hailey would say no more, Adam merely nodded. "Fine, keep your secrets." He looked back at Jay, "You're still coming to Molly's right?"

Jay sighed, rolling his eyes, "Yes. Just promise you'll keep your hands to yourself."

And though Jay sounded annoyed by their friends' antics, she knew he was amused. He was a far better actor than given credit for. It's how they had made it secretly to six months.

They all went back to shuffling papers after that. It was a lot harder to concentrate this time round. Jay had stretched his legs under their desks and it had bumped against hers. But he'd kept it there. Hailey had stolen a pen from his desk, tapping it against her lips and his green eyes had followed the movement almost instinctively.

Eventually, the team decided to call it a night. Adam and Kim were the first to leave, fooling no one when they left mere minutes after each other. Kevin had offered Vanessa a lift to Molly's and they disappeared before Jay had turned his computer off.

"Everyone's very eager tonight," Jay remarked as they grabbed their stuff.

"It's been a long couple of weeks," Hailey shrugged. She grinned up at him, realizing the bullpen was empty. Voight had been in a meeting all afternoon and it was why they had all managed to skive of a little earlier. "So tell me, Halstead, you bringing your girl to Molly's?"

She teased.

Jay laughed, and then quite suddenly pulled her towards him. Hailey squeaked in surprise but then Jay had her trapped between himself and the wall.

"I don't know," he said slowly, "she's a little shy. I don't know how she'd feel about that."

The ball was in her court. It had always been.

Hailey grinned, pulling him closer as she pressed up so she could kiss him. It was all urgent need and desire. She hooked her fingers into his belt loops, pulling him closer. She panted, breathily as Jay kissed along her jaw and down her neck. She carded her fingers through his hair, pulling a little to draw from him a deep moan.

"Careful now, Jay," she whispered. "Making sounds like that is what caused that little mark on you, to begin with."

That only seemed to spur him on. His fingers dug a little deeper into her waist, pushing her further against the wall and he followed until there was no space between them.

"You almost got us caught," he chided, his voice huskier than she had ever heard it.

"No, you almost got us caught," she corrected.

His green eyes sparkled with unbridled need, for her and it made Hailey's heart skip a few beats knowing she was the reason behind such a strong emotion.

"Turnabout is fair play, wouldn't you say, Hailey?" he asked and she gaped at him realizing what he intended to do.

"You wouldn't," she foolishly challenged.

Jay smirked, tipped her chin up and leaning forward. One hand buried in her hair and the other skimming down to pull her closer before laying it flat against the wall near her head. He kissed along her jaw, and she whimpered. When he travelled further down, Hailey lost all sense of normal breathing. Everything felt heightened. But it always did with Jay. She gasped when she felt him pick the spot on her neck that he would claim as his. Her fingers dug into the material of his jeans, as she bit back a low moan. Jay did not let up, his teeth nipping at her skin only to be soothed by the gentle caress of his lips. Hailey had pushed up the t-shirt he wore a little more, her fingers dipping under to almost score down his back. She heard the crumpling of paper near her head as Jay fisted whatever was on the wall. His fingers twisted a little more in her hair and Hailey did moan this time. The loud ringing of the gate to Intelligence being slammed shut pulled them both back to reality almost harshly. They both jerked, pulling away and panting heavily. Hailey quickly brought her hair to the front, hiding whatever Jay had done.

Jay cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. He thought it was most certainly some twist of fate that it was Trudy who came up the stairs.

"Shouldn't you two be gone by now?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Just about to leave, Sarge," Jay answered his voice still a little gruff.

She eyed him and then looked at Hailey who was fiddling around her desk. She scoffed, "Get out now before I tell the lot and cash in on my money."

Jay had been nodding, once again gathering his things, when he paused. "What money?"

Trudy smirked. "The bet that's going on about how long you two have been together," she explained.

"They know?" Hailey asked sounding scandalized.

"They're detectives, Goldilocks. I'd be worried if they hadn't figured it out earlier." Trudy shrugged and then amended. "Okay, so they don't all know. Some are still unsure. But Adam believes it and so does Rojas."

"But Adam …"

"He was only trying to get you two to admit it, before tonight," their desk sergeant told them. "He and Rojas bet on when you'd come out," she explained when it looked like neither detective had figured it out.

"I can't believe them!" Hailey huffed. "So much for friends!"

"You've been carrying out a secret relationship for how long and you're offended?" Trudy asked with a raised brow.

"It's different," Hailey mumbled.

"Yeah okay, whatever," Trudy waved her off. "Listen if there's going to be any coming out, can it be after nine?"

"You bet too?" Jay asked disbelievingly. "I feel like I should be offended."

Trudy laughed. "Oh yeah, why's that?"

Jay shrugged. "Listen Chuckles, no one's bet on when this will end, only when you're gonna be brave enough to do all that," she motioned to Hailey's messy hair, "in the light of day." She glanced down at her watch. "Go on now. Life is not gonna happen from inside this place." She turned around to leave before looking back at them, "And remember, after nine!"

"Can you believe this?" Jay asked as they made their way down to his truck. "They knew!"

"You think Vanessa told them?" Hailey asked biting her lip.

Jay shook his head. "No, we haven't exactly been very discreet." He turned to Hailey and said softly, "she's your friend before anything else."

"I guess," Hailey sighed. They reached his truck. "Are you mad?"

His answer was immediate. "No. Are you?"

"No," she said surprising herself. "We would have told them eventually. This just makes it a little more … fun I guess."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, we know why Trudy wants us to wait till nine. My guess is Ruz and Vanessa have money that we'll out ourselves before then."

"So we tease them a little more?" Jay suggested smiling slightly.

"Exactly."

"Why, Detective Upton, I do like how you think."

Hailey grinned, kissing him once before Jay opened the door and she jumped in. They drove to Molly's, not surprised to see the large crowd already there. For some reason, it filled Hailey with a few nerves. Jay reached across the cab, grasping her hand in his.

"We don't have to say anything tonight," he said.

Hailey shook her head. "I don't want to hide anymore Jay." She exhaled slowly. "I'm ready if you are."

It was all he needed to hear. "I am."

They left his truck, entering Molly's. It was exactly as Jay pictured. Plenty of people from 51 and a few from Med. Most of Intelligence was already there too. He felt Hailey grab his hand as they entered. He looked at her but she only winked, squeezing his hand before pulling him through the crowd. Their team had blessedly found a table in the back, where it was a little less chaotic and clustered. Jay noticed that Vanessa had already zoned in on their joined hands but when she turned to nudge Adam, Hailey quickly let go. Jay would have worried she was getting cold feet if not for the small smirk on the lips.

"At last!" Adam called. "We thought you were gonna bail on us man."

"I told you I'd be here," Jay said.

"Where's your girl, Halstead?" Vanessa asked eyeing them both closely.

He sighed, putting on a good show of seeming put out, Hailey thought. "She'll be here. Later," he stressed.

"When later?" Adam asked leaning across the table.

"What's it to you Ruz?" Jay questioned. Adam just shrugged. "What you drinking, Hailey?"

"Just a beer for now."

Jay nodded. "Anyone else? It's on me." That garnered more of a response and by the time Kim had joined them, they'd all been supplied with a drink and a round of shots.

They kept up appearances as best they could, ensuring to let their touches linger a little longer or smile a little more. It certainly had Vanessa and Adam watching them keenly. Despite all that, it was nice to be hanging out with the people Hailey had come to consider family. They joked and laughed so easily, trusted each other implicitly, that having a good time was a guarantee.

Trudy and Mouch arrived shortly after eight-thirty. She merely tipped her head towards them but gave no further indication she knew more. In all that time, Adam had bought more shorts than Hailey was certain she'd had in a very long time. Somewhere along the lines, she had made the not so smart decision to switch from just a simple beer to whiskey sours. She was only on her second but that in addition to the shots had warmed Hailey up considerably. Thankfully, Jay had been attentive enough to slip her a bottle of water. She sipped it as they sat at their table, watching those around them. Some of the crowd had thinned out but the usuals were all still there. Sylvie, Stella and Vanessa were chatting up near the bar. Adam and Kim had their heads together, huddled awfully close and Jay smirked knowingly at Hailey she saw that too.

"What time is it?" Jay asked, his breath kissing her shoulders.

She glanced down at his watch because clearly, he'd forgotten he was still wearing it. "Almost ten," she replied in slight shock. She hadn't realized how late it had gotten. "Damn, do you think Trudy's going to be mad?"

Jay smiled, eyeing Trudy over Hailey's shoulder and he was aware that Adam and Vanessa had been keeping tabs on them.

"I think she'll survive just fine," Jay said laughing as he watched his friends.

Quite involuntarily, Jay was brought back to the last time he had kissed a girl at Molly's in a quiet declaration of that short-lived relationship. He was filled with a little dread then because absolutely no part of him wanted this to end in the same way. He was in love with Hailey and that was one of the few things he was certain of every day that passed. Surely kissing her, here and now would not doom them to the same fate as before. Jay felt Hailey gently tug on his shirt, barely registering the fact that she was calling his name. She had the concerned look lingering in her eyes. Concern for him, he realized. And just like that, he knew it would never be like before. He was different now. He would make certain that they did not fall apart. When he saw the same clear determination reflected at him in Hailey's blue eyes, it was not hard to tug her chair a little closer. So close she was nearly seated in his lap.

She didn't bother with feigning surprise. She merely smirked at him, laying on hand on his thigh. The other still clutching his shirt.

"Now what?" She asked quietly.

"Well we're far past our deadline," he started before leaning in a little. "I could kiss you," He mused with a cheeky smile, "Or if you want I could be talked into getting up on the bar. Though I feel you might do that better justice or I – "

"Jay?" she interrupted, unable to stop the jaw aching grin from appearing.

"Hmm?"

"Kiss me."

He did. His one hand found its anchor in her hair, pulling her lips closer to him, as his other settled on her waist, holding her steady. Hailey yanked him closer, her fingers completely scrunching the fabric of his shirt. She gripped the tense muscles on his thigh beneath her hand and almost moaned when he nipped playfully at her lips. She giggled against his lips when she heard Adam loudly exclaim and they had no choice but to separate as their friends conveyed on them from all sides.

Hailey's cheeks were flushed red but whether that was from the warm pub, the alcohol or Jay, she did not know. Nor did she care. If she were to guess, her money would always be on Jay.

"Damn you two! Couldn't you have done that like 30 minutes earlier!" Vanessa chided as she dug out her money.

"What the hell?" Adam cried.

"I thought you knew," Hailey said frowning a little.

"I did! I guessed," he shrugged, "But that is more than just a little few weeks old fling." He said referring to their heated kiss.

"Weeks?" Vanessa laughed. "Come on Ruz! That's how long you think this has been going on? It's been longer." She eyed the two knowingly.

"How long?" Kevin asked.

"At least three months," Vanessa supplied. "Definitely four." But she looked uncertain and so she turned to the couple in question.

Hailey smirked but it was Jay that answered. "Six months."

"I knew it!" Kim cried shocking them all. "What? I did."

"How did you know?" Adam pressed, pouting slightly that he'd lost his wager.

Kim scoffed, "They weren't all that subtle, now were they?" she asked and both Hailey and Jay blushed at that. "I mean they were at first but then Hailey started wearing Jay's clothes to work and Jay couldn't stop staring at her. It was so damn sappy." She looked to the rest of the team, "Real elite group of detectives you lot make."

"So who gets the money?"

"Trudy was the closest, right?" Jay said looking around for her.

"Sarge!" Adam hollered waving down their desk sergeant.

"Nice show, Chuckles," Trudy said amusedly. "I guess I'll take my money then."

"Actually," Jay said quickly and she stopped. "I think you should split it with Kim." He glanced over smiling at his friend. "Only because she knew for nearly as long as you did." He added with a shrug.

"You did?" Trudy asked shocked.

"How about I use my half to buy us all another round in celebration?" Kim offered and they all agreed. "Right, I'll be back and if you two could keep your hands where we can see them until I get back that would be great!" she teased.

Hailey laughed, but realized, she had yet to let go of Jay's shirt or thigh. Or that his hand had slipped under her shirt and rest quite comfortably there had yet to be pulled away.

She reluctantly let go of his shirt but kept her other hand where it was. Just like that, their friends fell into a cool order around them, teasing and joking as they had always done. When Jay shifted in his chair, Hailey wondered if he had reached his limit for their PDA but he merely tugged her chair as close as he could get it and then gestured with his finger for her to swirl around. When she did, Kim had placed another drink in front of her and they all toasted to Jay and Hailey. She almost jumped out of her skin, when she felt Jay's arm wind around her middle. Then he was pulling her back until she settled between his legs and against his chest. She had never felt more content or safer.

When all of their friends were far too preoccupied with each other, Jay turned a little pressing a kiss over the blooming mark he had made earlier. Her hand fell to his thigh once more squeezing it a little more with each lingering moment he kept his lips to her skin.

"Oi! You two!" Vanessa mockingly scolded. "Hands where we can see them!"

Jay chuckled raising his hands in surrender before reaching for his beer. Hailey turned to look at him over her shoulder and not giving a damn about their friends, Jay kissed her once more.


AN: Don't forget to leave a little love and review! More one-shots to come soon!