It was the end of the workday and there was another package on Hailey's desk. The contents were probably no different from those inside the manila envelope stuffed in her drawer. The FBI was actively recruiting her to join a task force. Most cops wouldn't have to think twice before accepting an offer this big. In fact, had it been on the table a few years earlier, no way would she be dragging her feet like she was now. And she feared the reason for this just so happened to be entering the bullpen.
"Another package?" Jay asked, leaning both hands on her desk.
"Yeah," she said, tucking it away.
"They're not giving up, huh?"
"Guess not," she said, seeing a flash of something in his eyes she couldn't read.
Jay clears his throat. "Feel like grabbing a bite to eat?"
She nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"Alright, let's go."
x
The pub was cozy; the food great, the drinks strong. Conversation flowed easily between them, though Jay appeared a little distracted. But she noticed his gaze on her at all times. It didn't make her feel uncomfortable just the opposite, in fact. Hailey wondered what was on his mind, but thought better of asking him. And she certainly wasn't about to share what was on her mind.
Time flew by and the evening was drawing to a close. That is until Jay addressed the elephant in the room. "What did the FBI offer you?"
"Joint level task force," she answers, trying to add excitement to her voice. This was a big deal, after all. "Violent crimes. I would lead my own team."
"Wow," he said and leaned back in his chair. There was a flash of something in his eyes before it was quickly veiled by a smile. "That's a big jump," he added.
She exhaled a small laugh. "Yeah."
Forcing an upbeat note into his voice, he said, "That's…great, Hailey. No one is more qualified than you."
His words should have made her happy, but it didn't. It made her feel like a hole was opening right beneath her rib cage. She took a large sip of her drink. The Manhattan – heavy on the whiskey – burned down her throat.
"Did you give them an answer?" He asked.
Slowly Hailey shook her head. "Got a lot to think about. I have until Friday." She offered him a timid smile. To her surprise, he returned it. "What would you do?"
Jay made a face, shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders. "Not sure."
There was a beat of silence and in the background, plates clattered, voices rose and fell, and occasional laughter broke out and around the small pub. The waiter brought back the tab and Jay reached for it.
"We'll split it," she said.
"No, I got this." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something more, then stopped before adding, "Think of it as an early congratulatory gift." He threw a couple of bills on the table, drowned his drink, and rose to his feet. "You deserved it."
"So, you think I should take it?" she asked, looking into his face searchingly. She thought she saw a flicker of sadness pass through his eyes. Feeling bold, she added, "You know you could tell me you don't want me to take it."
Jay's eyes softened – it was the most tender she'd seen them. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime, Hailey," he stated, his tone gentle. She could tell he was picking his words carefully before he added, "Good partners don't hold each other back."
His flat, resigned words stunned her. Hailey gave him a tiny nod. "So, you think this is the right move for me?"
"Maybe."
In the beat of silence that followed, their eyes locked, something tender and powerful passed between them. Something, she knew, had always been there, something she was certain they both felt.
"Trust your gut," he said.
She drew in air, taking a moment to compose herself. "Yeah."
Jay drummed his fingers on the table, then left. His words, however, lingered in the air - a challenge issued. Trust your gut.
x
Jay did not sleep. He tossed and turned, and turned and tossed, but grew only more and more wakeful with every passing minute. He was not surprised the Feds were trying to poach her. Hailey was talented and she was smart, capable of doing great things. And for that reason, he couldn't hold her back. Keeping her in Chicago would be selfish, and for what? They were not even together.
The week rolled on, cases came and went, but the subject was never brought up again. If Hailey had made a decision, she didn't let it show. Though her mind was elsewhere. He could feel it. Regardless, Jay had made peace with it. Some things were meant to happen, others not, and life was just scripted that way.
At the end of the day Friday, he saw Hailey enter Voight's office and close the door behind her. Perhaps, she had finally made her decision. It took all his strength to stop himself from barging in and pleading with her to stay. But he couldn't do that. Could he? No, he had to get out of there before he lost his willpower and did something stupid.
At home, his mind raced, and a couple drinks later he came to an (inebriated) decision. He didn't want to lose Hailey. A surge of adrenaline exploded through him. He grabbed his keys and sprinted out the door. Arriving at Hailey's place, Jay hurried up the steps. At her door, he hesitated. He knocked softly at first, then more loudly, and waited. His heart hammered in his chest when he heard the knob turning.
"Hey, Jay, what are you–"
"Don't take the job," he blurted out. "Stay."
"Jay—"
"Look, I didn't say anything before because I didn't want to hold you back. And I don't want you to have any regrets, but Hailey–"
"—Jay," she interrupted, then said, "I didn't take the job."
"What?" He said, blinking, quite stunned.
She laughed and shook her head.
He loved her laugh.
"I didn't take the job," she repeated, her eyes darting around his face, seeming to search every inch of it. What she saw must have reassured her, because she said, "My gut said no."
All at once, the air between them felt electric, charged with promise.
"I thought about it and –"
Slowly, Jay closed the distance between them and cut her off with a kiss - a tender, sweet, electric thing. He kissed her lips a few more times before forcing himself away. He rested his forehead against hers, brought both her hands up to his lips, and placed a soft kiss on the back. Clear blue eyes gazed into his, a timid smile tilting up the corners of her mouth. At that moment, everything felt right, like that was the way things were meant to be, scripted even.
Thank you for reading! Had this short one-shot in my head and needed to get it out. Can't wait for Upstead to finally happen! Cheers, D.