Candy Couture here it is. A small one shot that takes place during 7x04. It's always a pleasure to read your feedback and comments.
Hailey's mind was going stir crazy doing nothing.
Everyone was out there investigating the outbreak and yet she was stuck in quarantine.
Oddly enough, she did not feel scared, at least not for herself. Like most cops, she felt invisible. Like nothing could ever touch her. This time though, her main concern was Amanda.
She could see how scared the little girl was and she had every reason to be. But somehow, she had managed to keep her composure though all this time. Hailey admired her for that. Maybe, because she reminded her of herself.
Even though Jay, Hank and Natalie had all visited her, time did not seem to pass. Every minute felt like an hour and small talk with Amanda did not help ease the situation.
Hailey sighed for the 100th time and buried her face in her palms. The urge to do something was strong. Suddenly, she sympathized with prisoners.
Once again, she stood up and started scouting her surroundings, secretly hoping to spot Jay somewhere in the backround. It was disturbing how strongly she longed for his presence. Just the sight of him would make her feel better.
But he was not there. She let out a deep breath and once again sat on the chair.
"Can I ask you something?" Amanda hesitantly asked.
"Of course," Hailey smiled back at her, spotting a hint of embarrassment in the kid's voice.
"The man who visited you earlier…."
"Who, Voight?" Hailey interrupted her.
"I don't remember his name, but he was about your age."
"Oh," a huge smile formed on Hailey's lips once she realized about whom she was referring to.
"Was that your boyfriend?" Amanda managed to ask blushing .
Upton awkwardly laughed at the unexpected question.
"No, that was my partner. He is a detective too."
"He was handsome," the girl chuckled.
Again, Hailey laughed, suddenly feeling like a teenager too.
"Yes, he is handsome. But please don't tell him. It will get in his head."
"So, he is not your boyfriend? Because you two make a really nice couple."
Hailey could not believe the words that were coming out of a kid.
"No," she shook her head. "He is my partner and dear friend. Where is thing coming from? Why are you asking me this?"
Hailey leaned forward to be closer the plastic that was separating her from Amanda.
"I just noticed the way he was looking at you. Like he was fighting the urge to rip the plastic and sweep you away."
"Hailey raised her eyebrows. "Have you been reading any fairytales lately? Sweep me away? What am I? A princess in distress?"
The kid smiled in shame. "No, I just wish someone would look at me that way one day."
Hailey's features suddenly softened. She wished she could just hold Amanda in her arms until this was all over. She wanted to protect her just like Platt had protected her all those years ago.
"Listen," she looked straight into Amanda's big hazel eyes. "Love comes in different forms. It could be a boyfriend, a family member, a friend, a partner. You are an amazing, strong, brave young woman and anyone should be lucky to have you in their lives."
Amanda kindly smiled. Her timid posture changed at once. She raised her back, head up high in confidence.
Even though Hailey had met that girl a couple of hours ago, she wished her future daughter would grow up to be like her.
What the hell? Future daughter? Where is this coming from? It had to be the near death experience right? No! It had more to do with the man. Even a kid had seen right through her. Or him? She mentioned the way HE was looking at her. How was he looking at her? Why didn't she notice anything? Had she been living in a lie? Had she been burying her feelings for so long that she failed to read his?
No. She was still in denial. She couldn't take up on the words of a kid. Jay was a player. He always bragged to the boys about his past conquests. And suddenly, there it was. The Key-Word. Past! Apart from Camilla, who was obviously a huge, self destruction kind of mistake, Jay hadn't been involved with anyone since Hailey joined the team.
Sure, Erin's departure caused him a lot of pain, but that was more than 2 years ago. He couldn't still be grieving over that relationship.
How in the world a handsome, kind, smart man like Jay, was still single?
They were spending everyday together. They were each other's goodmorning and goodnight.
They often talked about music, movies, politics, travels, food. But never, ever about past or current relationships.
Was he afraid to make a move? Had she unwillingly put him in the friendzone? Or did he just respect her wishes to never mix business with pleasure?
Her head was pounding because all of a sudden all these questions raised a bigger one. What would she do? If Jay walked into that room and kissed her, how would she react?
There was no need to mentally answer that question because her body had already done that. Her flustered cheeks, the huge smile that had unconsciously formed on her lips, her beating heart that had moved to her throat.
Damn it. She was falling for him, hard. She shook her head, desperately trying to shrug those thoughts away. She wasn't ready for it yet and neither was Jay. She was in denial and apparently so was him.
She let out a deep breath and decided to play along the role of the perfect partner. A role that she had mastered!
When the time is right, they would both know!