Once again I would like to thank every single one of you for your support and kind words. This of course takes place after the ending of 7x18. Hope you'll enjoy it.
New york!
Those two words kept echoing in Jay's head as he looked at Voight in shock.
It was already 8:30am and his partner hadn't arrived at the office. That, in addition to the fact that she was ignoring his calls and texts had him worried.
That was when Voight dropped the bomb.
New York!
History was repeating itself. This couldn't be happening. He wasn't ready to lose another partner he cared for.
"What do you mean you sent her to New York?" he asked trying to control his temper.
"It's only for a couple of weeks and trust me when I say, it's for her own good," Voight responded trying somehow, to reassure him that his partner was coming back.
Jay shook his head in disbelief.
"What about the unit's good? What about my good? I am her partner. You should have given me a warning, a head's up," he kept pacing up and down the Sergeant's office.
"I SHOULDN'T have done anything. This is a direct order from you superior and you both better follow it," Voight's words came out harsher than intended as he stormed out of his office.
Jay ran his finger through his hair and sighed. He was angry at Voight but right now, he was getting angrier at Hailey. Angry, disappointed and betrayed.
Why wouldn't she warn him? Why would she leave without sending goodbye? Did their three year partnership mean nothing to her?
He wanted answers and he was not getting them by sitting still. He took his phone out of his pocket and checked the flights to New York. There were three morning flights to New York. He grabbed his jacket and ran to his car hoping that Hailey hadn't already left the house.
As he drove, completely ignoring Stop Signs and red lights, he kept thinking of what he should say to her. He had heard about Gael's arrest and he bet that she had somehow to do with it. Was she capable of planting evidence to force an arrest? Sadly, yes! After all, it wouldn't be the first time she interfered in a case.
That was the difference between them. Jay would often let his heart lead his actions but he always played by the book. He knew Lonnie was guilty but never planted any evidence in order to convict him. Yes, he wrongfully arrested Marcus but only because everything pointed towards him, including the facial recognition program. When the truth came out, he did everything he could to help his wife. Even if that meant nearly dying.
The same went for Camila. He felt responsible for her brother's death and got caught up in a downward spiral of self destruction.
But Hailey, she was different. When she first joined the unit she was a lot like him. Playing by the book, following the rules. But as the years went by, she started to forget her morals.
He loved his job, but that Unit was tearing everyone apart. It had already cost Al's life, Antonio's sobriety and now Hailey's soul.
Within a few minutes he was already outside her home. As soon as he parked, he spotted her tiny figure exiting the house carrying her suitcase. It was true. She was going to leave without saying a word.
He stayed in his car for a couple of seconds debating whether or not to confront her or give her the space she wanted.
No! Screw space. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.
He got out of the car and slammed the door behind him forcing Hailey to notice him.
"Jay!" she exclaimed in shock as her heart accelerated to near overload.
"So it is true. When were you going to tell me about this," he asked frustrated motioning at her luggage.
"Jay," she swallowed hard, caught somewhere between embarrassment and sorrow. "I was going to call you as soon as I landed in NY."
"Not a single goodbye?" he asked as he walked towards her, sadness written all over his face.
Hailey tilted her head upon seeing him so broken. It ached to know that she was the cause of it.
She sighed and let go of her suitcase's handle. She knew he wouldn't let her leave without an explanation.
"I didn't call or answer you calls, because I didn't know what to say to you. I screwed up, big time, and now I am paying for it. The problem is, you are paying for my mistakes too," she looked him straight into his green eyes, silently apologizing for everything he will go through because of her.
"I've told you before. I will always be here for you. Good or bad, right or wrong I will always stand by your side. Remember our thing? You said that it was what made our partnership work. Well, lately you don't talk to me anymore. You don't confide to me anymore. You act as a unit and not as a team," the disappointment was evident in his voice.
Hailey could feel the tears filling her blue eyes. "We are a team. We will always be a team. That is why I couldn't talk to you or see you. Because I knew you'd make me feel the way I am feeling right now. You'd make me not wanting to go."
Jay swallowed hard trying to process the impact of her words. Suddenly, he felt harsh and unfair.
He stepped forward standing a few inches away from her. With his right hand he stroke he hair away from her teary eyes. He always hated seeing her cry. He cupped her face tracing her cheekbone with one finger. Her skin warm under his palm.
She closed her eyes fighting back the tears as she tried to focus on his gentle touch.
"Just promise me one thing," his voice almost like a whisper as he withdrew his hand.
"Anything," she nodded giving him a hint of a smile.
"I won't be there to have your back. I won't be there to protect you so please don't do anything stupid out there. Please don't play hero," he pleaded in despair.
"I won't," she tried to reassure him but he knew all too well.
Of course she'd jump into action first chance she got. Of course she'd try to prove her worth. Of course she'd try to show Hank he was wrong about her.
"If I don't leave now I'll miss my flight," she diverted her look from his piercing eyes.
"Do you want me to drive you to the airport?" he eagerly volunteered.
"No need," she shook her head. "That's my cub waiting over there."
Jay turned his head to look at the taxi parked only a few feet away from them.
"Jay," Hailey softly said and placed her hand upon his heart. "I promise you, I'll be back before you know it. You have to promise me one thing too."
"Anything," he tried to smile at her.
"Promise me you'll wait for me and we'll finish that conversation we started at the hospital," she frowned her eyebrows hoping for a positive reply.
It had been three months since that day at the hospital. Her unspoken words had been haunting him for three whole months.
"Always," he whispered and softly placed a kiss on her forehead.
Once she removed her hand from his chest, he felt the cold breeze surrounding him. He folded his arms as if to protect his heart from the pain to come. The deafening silence of being left alone once again, hovered around him.
He thought that he wouldn't be strong enough to watch her leave. He was wrong. As soon as he heard the car's door close he turned around for one last look of her.
To his surprise, she was looking back at him too. Their eyes met as they tried to silently reassure each other. This was just another obstacle and it was only temporary. In a few weeks she'd be back to him.
He kept looking at the back of the taxi until it was out of his view. He looked down trying t o find the will to get into his car and drive back to the District. Back to being alone.
"She'll be back," he said to himself trying to shake away all of his doubts.
This scenario was all too familiar for him. Although he had done a damn good job hiding it, Erin's departure still hurt him. It hurt him that she threw away everything that they had built. It hurt him that she never attempted to contact him. It hurt him that she had stopped caring.
At least this time, he got his Goodbye. He got his closure. No! This wasn't closure. This wasn't the end. He was willing to fight for this story.
"She'll be back," he repeated to himself as he got back into his car. "Only two weeks to go."