[A/N: I debated on whether to update this, or write another story in regards to the Upstead scene shown in the finale promo. As you can tell, this won out. Just some quick Hailey & crew thoughts on the results of 6x21. Sorry it's a short one, but wanted to keep it simple for whatever the finale has in store for our Upstead-ness ;p]


The members of the Intelligence Unit are all sitting around a bar table together, attempting to nurse all their sorrows and fears and find some answers at the bottom of their beer bottles. Before Brennan's press conference aired it had been an extremely stressful day, after it, well it just catapulted everyone's stress. All of this considering Antonio and Adam haven't told any of the team members of their predicament yet. Things are bad enough, no reason to bring the mood down even more without knowing what the future holds. Hailey is deep in her own thoughts, as is Jay, as they all kind of stare off into space. Kim is the first one to speak in a while.

"Guys, we actually have to face this reality soon. Kelton is about to be elected mayor, like tomorrow… what are we gonna do if he breaks up Intelligence?"

"I can't go back to Patrol now, I just can't! Not after seeing how much good this unit has done for this City!" Kevin exclaims.

"You? I don't even know if I can do Patrol! We should have listened to Voight and got our Detective's badges last year!" Adam seconds.

"Let's not get hasty; I'm sure Voight has a plan. That man always has a plan!" Jay tries to say reassuringly.

"I don't know. I think this time he may have used up all of his tricks for once… Brennan lying for him really puts a wrench in anything we had on Kelton." Antonio says as him and Adam share a look.

The only one who hasn't commented yet is Hailey. While she loves this unit with all of her heart, she can't help but think about what it being split up would do for her personally. If they're all parted, that means Jay will no longer be her partner, and romantically that alleviates a lot of her inner turmoil about how she really feels about him. She'd probably finally get the courage to fully admit to him (and herself) that she wants to be with him. However, on the other side of things, it would be just that- he'd no longer be her partner! And while she definitely may love the man, she surely loves having him as her partner. Working with him is one of the many things that's made Intelligence become her best job ever. She's trying to wrap her head around the amount of emotional conundrums she's had this past year. She wishes she could take a long mental vacation.

"Maybe we're overreacting? Maybe Kelton won't split us up; maybe he'll just relocate us to another district together?" Hailey finally says.

"Even so, he's not going to let Voight anywhere near us. As demanding and intimidating he can be some times, he's still the best boss I've ever had… AND he gets the job done. I think we'd all take a bullet for him!" Kim says dejectedly and they all look at her solemnly in agreement.

Adam uses that as an opportunity to pound his beer in one long gulp and slam the empty bottle on the table along with his hands.

"Well, I need another! Who else wants one?" He asks looking around.

"Yea!" Kim and Kevin both say with obvious looks on their face.

"I'll come with you to the bar." Antonio says.

Jay looks at Hailey, silently questioning if she wants another too. She shakes her head at him.

"Count us out. We still have reports to write up." Jay says as he stands up with Hailey and they gather their things to leave.

"Night guys!" Hailey says softly with a sad smile.

Jay and her make their way out to his truck. They don't really have any work leftover at the district, but she's glad Jay understood that she had to get out of there. It was all much too depressing seeing their friends totally battered. Whatever's going to happen, there's not a whole lot they can do about it, except hope for the best. Otherwise, it's out of their (and apparently Voight's) hands. They take the time to just sit in Jay's truck for a while and try to decompress. She wishes she could get into his head right now, wondering if he's having the same thoughts as she is.

"Y'know, Antonio may really be right… Voight might have shown all his hands already." Jay says softly.

"Yea…" Hailey whispers back.

"Hailey…"

"Jay…"

They both say at the same time. Jay smiles at her. "You go."

"Jay whatever happens… I just… I want you to know, that you've been the best partner I've ever had. You'll always be…"

He turns his head in his seat to stare into her face, her eyes showing him such raw vulnerability. Maybe the most she's ever shown him, which says a lot over these past few months. He reaches out to grab her hand and softly rubs it with his thumb before speaking.

"Me too!.." he says so viscerally.

They both give each other a small nod in understanding without having to say anymore before Jay turns the key in the ignition to drive off. They get it, they always did...