May

Jay was just about to sleep when the blanket was swiftly pulled off of him. He sighed and rolled over, "Hailey."

Her back was to him and she had all of the blankets on top of her. Her hair wasn't even visible within her little nest.

Jay moved closer to her and tried pulling the top blanket off of her, but she had a tight grip on it.

"Come on," he whispered and sat up to get a better grip.

"Stop," Hailey mumbled and rolled further away.

"I'm cold," Jay said.

"Get your own," Hailey pulled the blanket up closer to her face and curled up.

Jay groaned, but still pushed out of bed to walk over to their closet for his weighted blanket. He shot a glare at Hailey before crawling back into bed and getting comfortable.

"What the hell, Hailey?"

Hailey finished brushing her hair and stuck her head out of the bathroom, "What?"

Jay was hurrying over to the closet to throw his clothes on, "I should have been up half an hour ago."

"We're not going to be late," Hailey shrugged, "I just thought I'd let you sleep in."

Jay rolled his eyes and pulled a shirt on, "I'm gonna have to eat while we drive in."

"I'll drive," Hailey returned to the mirror and put her hair up into a ponytail.

Jay scoffed as he tugged his belt on, "Sure."

Hailey froze and watched Jay enter the bathroom through the mirror.

"Why wouldn't you wake me up?" Jay snapped before bending over the sink to throw water into his face.

"To make up for taking all the blankets last night," Hailey said slowly. She raised an eyebrow then crossed her arms, "What do you mean 'sure' I can drive?"

"I'm driving," Jay reached past her for his toothbrush.

"Huh," Hailey pushed away from the counter, "You know what? I'll meet you there."

Jay shook his head and began brushing his teeth.

Hailey was jogging up the steps to the bullpen when her shoe caught on the last step and she stumbled right into Kevin.

"Whoa, hey," he chuckled and caught her, "You good?"

"Fine," Hailey mumbled and walked away.

Vanessa and Kim exchanged eye contact then Vanessa slowly walked over to Hailey. "Hey," she said softly, "Where's Jay?"

"Being an ass," Hailey turned on her computer, "Did you check-in with that girl last night?"

Vanessa's eyes widened slightly, "I-I did, but we should-"

"Focus on work," Hailey gently shoved Vanessa's arm, "Go update the board."

"I already did," Vanessa pointed over her shoulder.

"Oh," Hailey looked up then nodded, "All right then. Well, let's look at those leads again. Where are we at?"

"Kim and I got absolutely nowhere with the uncle yesterday," Adam shook his head.

"True, but I was getting a really bad feeling from him," Kim shrugged, "I think someone else should maybe talk to him or at least tail him for a bit. Something was off."

"Okay, let's run with that," Hailey said, "So-"

"Voight here yet?" Jay asked as he walked in. He was out of breath and had a coffee in one hand and a bagel in the other.

Hailey spun around, "How'd you get here so fast?"

"Ran and sped," Jay said and brushed past her, "So Voight's not here. I'll take lead for now."

Hailey watched with her jaw slightly open as he easily fell into the role and took command of the room.

"Driving with Kevin, cleared it with Voight," Hailey stated without even looking at Jay. She jogged down the hall to catch up with the others leaving Jay behind at his desk.

Hank came up behind him, "You'll ride with me."

"Sarge, what is happening?" Jay asked as they walked out.

"Hailey asked to ride with Kevin today, thought it'd be good for them both," Hank shrugged, "You didn't know?"

"No," Jay rubbed his face, "Did she-"

"Told you from the start," Hank stopped halfway down the stairs, "When we're at work, I have bigger issues than the two of you dating – you two need to be the ones to hold it together. That doesn't change now that you're married."

"We've been married for almost a year," Jay said.

"Still doesn't change," Hank shook his head, "You two need to solve your issues on your own time. Let's go. You'll partner with Vanessa for now."

Jay sighed and tilted his head back before following Hank to his car.

Jay's heart was pounding out of his chest as the bullets rained down upon him and Vanessa.

"Jay!" Hailey's voice screamed out of his two-way.

His hands shook slightly, but he managed to answer, "We're fine!"

"Speak for yourself," Vanessa dove closer to Jay and the crate above her shook.

He grabbed her and they fell to the floor as the bullets came to an end. They were still for a moment as they listened to everyone else running and screaming around them.

Vanessa pushed off of the ground and crouched down, "Do you think we're good?"

Jay glanced up in time to see a dark figure walk along the catwalk of the warehouse above. The person was approaching Hailey and the glint of light from their hand was not a good sign.

He jumped up with a grunt and took off toward Hailey at a sprint. Just as he heard the distinctive click of the bullets being loaded, he collided with Hailey and they went flying into a pile of boxes.

"Jay!" she screamed, "He's getting away!"

Jay was about to bite back when another onslaught of gunfire began. He shielded her the best he could and gripped the back of her neck to hold her head to his chest. Hailey dropped her own gun to grab onto Jay's vest while curling her legs up within the old Nike boxes.

One last distinctive shot silenced the room. A hard thud feet away from them signaled that the person had fallen to the ground.

"Jay! Hailey! You good?"

Kevin was at their side in an instant with Kim pulling all the boxes of shoes away to help them to their feet.

Hailey pushed Jay away from her, "We lost him!"

"You could have died!" Jay yelled, "There was one up there!" he pointed to the ceiling.

"Let's go, let's go!" Kim grabbed Hailey's arm and pulled her up, "Both of you, stop."

Hailey jerked her arm free and jogged after Adam who had taken off when the other offender ran out the front.

Jay glared after her then looked at Kevin, "Are you kidding me right now? I saved her life and-"

"Drop it," Kevin shook his head.

"I don't get it," Jay rubbed his face and stood up. He caught a glimpse of the man who had fallen from above and sighed, "Thanks."

"It was nothing," Kevin said.

"Jay," Hailey snapped when she walked back in the warehouse with Adam on her heels, "Thanks to you, he's gone."

"Thanks to me, you're alive," Jay bit back.

"Oh, oh really? Thanks to you?" Hailey crossed her arms, "Thanks to you, this case has hit one dead end," she gestured to the dead offender at Kim's feet, "And our other lead is in the wind."

Vanessa came over and looked to the others before saying, "You two need to go home."

"I'm not leaving," Jay said at the same time Hailey said, "No."

"You're going," Adam nodded.

"You two are just off today," Kim shook her head, "It's exhausting and just more work for all of us."

"Take a nap," Kevin tossed Jay his keys, "Ruz will take me home."

"Not a problem," Adam said.

Everyone turned at the sound of footsteps.

Hank's jaw was set and he pointed between Jay and Hailey, "I expect better."

"I saved her life!" Jay clenched his fists.

"I get that!" Hank yelled back and took a step closer toward him, "But you raise your voice again at another detective while on duty and you're out, understood?"

Jay huffed out a breath and stood still.

Hank turned to Hailey, "Same to you. Both of you are done for the day. Go."

Hailey pursed her lips and was about to fight back when Vanessa shoved the middle of her back.

Jay led the way out to Kevin's car and waited for Hailey to get in before even starting it. They didn't even bother turning the radio on as they returned to the district. Hailey spent the entire ride staring out the window while Jay gripped the steering wheel with both hands.

Back at work, they parted ways – Hailey heading to her car and Jay going inside to give Trudy Kevin's keys. By the time he was back outside, Hailey's car was gone.

Jay just rolled his eyes and got in his truck to head home.

When Jay arrived home before Hailey, he figured she was just driving around to clear her head. He decided to do the same by taking a shower.

He'd been out of the shower for ten minutes when he was suspicious that she wasn't home yet.

Half an hour after arriving home with no sign of Hailey and Jay was nervous. There was only so far Hailey could go or even would go. She usually wasn't the one running from their problems.

After another fifteen minutes, Jay gave in and started tracking her phone. It didn't feel right that she still wasn't home.

Hailey sat on the curb of the harbor parking lot watching the boats in the water. She didn't plan on staying for so long, but then her car wouldn't start and she didn't feel like calling for help.

The cool breeze felt good against her face and she closed her eyes to soak it in. The fresh air was the perfect reminder that she was alive. It was calming in comparison to the frustration she could still feel boiling her blood.

At the sound of car tires, Hailey didn't even have to open her eyes to know who it was, so she continued breathing in the sun and lake water.

"God, you're alive," Jay breathed and walked over to her.

Hailey snorted and dropped her chin to her chest, "I get it. You saved my life."

"No," Jay sat next to her, "Not what I meant."

Hailey felt his eyes on her for a moment before she subconsciously leaned into him.

Jay held her to his side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her hair then looked out at the water.

Hailey watched a boat dock then whispered, "My car won't start."

Jay glanced behind them at her car, "Any idea why?"

Hailey shrugged, "I think it needs oil."

Jay chuckled, "I told you I'd take your car in for you."

"Well," Hailey pushed herself away from him and rested her elbows on her knees, "We're not all perfect, are we?"

Jay let out a breath, "Hailey."

"Just leave, I can figure out a way home," Hailey said.

Jay bit his lip then stood up and walked to his truck.

Hailey heard him going through his car and then heard the sound of her hood opening. Her eyebrows shot up and she turned to see him filling her car with oil.

Jay set the gallon of oil on the ground then checked the levels of Hailey's car. He nodded to himself and closed the oil valve before shutting her hood.

Hailey slowly stood up, "Jay."

He held up his keys, "Go ahead and take my truck home. I'll take yours to the shop to make sure everything's okay."

"Are you sure?" Hailey asked.

Jay nodded and handed her his truck keys, "See you later."

Hailey watched him get in her car, easily start it, then drive away leaving her alone in the parking lot.

Her heart ached as she looked down at the keys in her hand.

She'd literally just seen him and yet she missed him. She missed her husband.

Hailey blinked her eyes quickly and hopped into the truck.

They were fine. Everything was fine.

It's what she told herself as she continued blinking back tears on her drive home.

Jay walked in the house and immediately smelt Greek food. A smile finally crossed his face as he set Hailey's keys on the side table before making his way to the kitchen with a bundle of white daisies in his hand.

Music was playing softly as Hailey bustled her way around the kitchen. Her hair was up in a loose bun on top of her head and she had an old apron covering her clothes protecting her from the abundance of flour, sauce, and other various ingredients scattered across the counters.

Jay lightly rapped his knuckles on the kitchen table to get her attention. His smile widened when she looked up at him.

Hailey breathed out then smiled in reply, "Hi."

"Hey," Jay said and stepped forward, "What's this?"

"I…I've been a bitch all day, so…" Hailey trailed off and looked around the kitchen.

"You haven't been a bitch," Jay set the flowers on the table. He walked around the counter to her and lightly held her waist, "We've just been off."

Hailey snorted a weak laugh and glanced up at him, "I guess."

"I've been a huge ass all day, Hails," Jay shook his head, "I took it a step too far this morning at work all because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

Hailey reached up to brush her fingers along his jaw, "I should have woken you up when my alarm went off, I'm sorry."

Jay shrugged, "The extra sleep was probably good, someone was hogging all the blankets last night so I was a little restless."

Hailey laughed softly and tilted her head against his chest, "I was cold."

"Mhmm," Jay chuckled. He rubbed his hands over her back, "You are a damn good detective, Hailey Anne, I should have let you have the case this morning and I'm sorry we lost that guy earlier, but I do not regret for one minute knocking you into that pile of shoes. I can't imagine even the thought of losing you, I-"

"Hey, hey," Hailey stroked her thumb over his bottom lip, "I know why you did it. I'm not mad."

Jay raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really?"

Hailey laughed, "Okay, fine, I was pretty mad when it happened, but I understand why you did it. I'd probably blow a case for you too."

Jay ran his hand over her hair, "How are you though? Did I hurt you?"

"Hmm," Hailey smirked slightly, "I guess my ankle is a little sore."

"Oh, really?" Jay kissed her quickly then knelt to the ground. He gently lifted her right foot, "This one?"

Hailey held back a soft giggle, "The other one."

"The other one?" Jay placed her foot on the ground then picked up the other, "And what's wrong with it? Think it's broken?"

"For sure," Hailey nodded seriously.

Jay laughed and looked up at her, "Sounds painful." He placed a soft kiss to her ankle then slowly stood as he held her eye contact, "What can I do to make it better?"

"Maybe a kiss up here?" Hailey shrugged.

"Up here?" Jay kissed her forehead. "Oh, maybe right here," he kissed her nose.

Hailey smiled, "Jay," she tapped her lips.

Jay hummed, "Right there, huh?" He laughed with her as he kissed her.

Hailey wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pushed herself up on her tiptoes.

"Careful," Jay whispered, "Don't want to hurt that ankle."

"Maybe you should carry me to bed then," Hailey dragged her nails along the back of his neck.

"Bed?" Jay chuckled, "Why would I take you to bed when you have this wonderful food cooking right now?"

Hailey pulled back and raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Kidding, kidding," Jay kissed her again, "I'll take you to bed and finish this up myself."

"By finish this up, I hope you mean me because the food can wait," Hailey lightly traced his ear with her finger, "We had a fight today – several actually – I think that means we need to let out all this frustration somehow."

Jay smiled, "Okay."

Hailey stared at him then shook her head, "You suck at words today, Jay Halstead. Take me upstairs."

He laughed harder and hurried upstairs with her legs wrapped around his waist and her soft giggle grazing itself against his throat.

Hailey held up the white daisy above her and spun it around slowly as she laid in bed and waited for Jay to come back to their room. She closed her eyes and breathed in the soft scent of the flower.

She was paying him back with food and he was giving her flowers. She smiled. Food and flowers – it was one of their things.

It didn't compare to sitting around drinking alcohol and letting out everything they worried about at work, but it was still sweet.

Hailey opened her eyes again and dropped the flower to her chest before spreading her arms across the empty bed and messy sheets. The sun was still shining through the curtains and Jay's t-shirt was soft against her skin. She felt like she was in a moment of pure bliss. Their day of frustration led to this; it obviously wasn't an ideal path, but she felt loved at the end of it.

She needed to remember that they'd been married just under a year. Most of their marriage had been happy and filled with laughter and stolen kisses at the district and Jay's gentle gaze grounding her to the moment, yet there were those few moments of tears and anger. It was expected.

Hell, they'd only moved in together when they got married. She went from living with another girl for two years to living with a boy who, despite being relatively clean and neat and someone she truly loved with her whole heart, still found occasional ways to piss her off.

She figured it was fair though because she knew she pissed him off too. The blanket thing was pretty harsh. It was just so cold and her stomach was feeling crampy; she just wanted to feel all wrapped up like a burrito.

"All right, Hailey Anne! One big plate filled with – dammit."

Hailey sat up quickly, "Jay?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Jay," Hailey hurried out of bed to the hallway. Her eyes widened and she breathed, "What did you do?"

Jay looked up from the spilt pastitsio at the top of the stairs all across the beige carpet, "Tripped on that stupid step. I…I'm sorry," he sighed and hit the ground, "Dammit!"

"Hey," Hailey knelt on the other side of the food, "It's fine, really."

Jay rolled his eyes and sat against the wall, "It's going to stain."

"We can get it out," Hailey shrugged, "This really is not the worst thing that could happen and is certainly not even the worst thing that happened today."

Jay smiled slightly, "I guess."

"Here," Hailey used her hand to scoop up the pastitsio and place it back on the plate.

Jay laughed, "That is disgusting. I have napkins right here."

Hailey shrugged again and winked at him, "Faster this way." She pulled off a top chunk that wasn't touching the ground and held it up to his mouth.

"I'm not eating floor food," Jay laughed harder.

"Just do it," Hailey smiled and walked on her knees closer to him, "Eat the floor food and I'll forgive you for everything today."

"Pretty sure you already forgave me," Jay chuckled, but still leaned forward and ate the small bite of food.

"Eh," Hailey sat next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder and let out a breath while staring at the pastitsio, "How was it?"

"Besides the dirt, fine," Jay said.

Hailey poked his stomach, "Knock it off."

Jay smiled and kissed her head, "It's delicious, thank you. There's a ton more downstairs."

"I know," Hailey closed her eyes, "But, like you said, it's downstairs and we're upstairs…it's a hassle."

Jay held her close and rubbed her arm, "Go down in five minutes?"

Hailey nodded, "I can do that. I need to catch up on this first."

"What's that?"

"You."

A/N: Hey! Thank you so so much for sticking around for the last 12 months! I'm sorry this one took a little bit to get out, but I hope you still liked it. There is a month 13 coming your way as an epilogue…maybe Greece? :)