Once again I am sorry for the late update. Hope this chapter was worth the wait as it inspired me the next one.

Hope yuo are all safe and enjoying Summer!

The sun was up, hiding behind the grey clouds of the cold sky as the first drops of rain hit the ground. In mornings like this, Hailey was kinda happy they had to spend the day home. Especially now that she had someone to wake up by her side.

She moaned softly and tightened her grip around Jay's body. She was never really into morning cuddles, but for some strange reason she wanted to feel him next to her. His presence made her feel peaceful.

This morning was different though. Jay didn't react to her touch as usual. He didn't even wake up despite being a light sleeper.

Hailey could feel his whole body tremble under her palm as soft whimpers escaped his lips.

She stood up, supporting herself on her elbow and watched Jay's eyes flutter in his sleep as what she could only assume was a nightmare floated by. Her heart clenched as Jay's chest rose and fell quickly with the small surges of adrenaline produced by his dream.

There was no screaming or yelling. Just ragged breaths and choked whimpers. Was he having a dream or reliving an old memory?

Her heart broke. She caressed his cheek with her left hand and whispered. "Jay, wake up."

He didn't respond. On the contrary, his trembling intesified.

"Jay please, wake up," she repeated and placed her right hand on his bare chest to sooth his tremble.

Nothing. He was lost in his trance with no way out.

"Jay!" she finally shouted, a little louder than she wanted.

Jay's eyelids flew open and he roughly grabbed Hailey'sright arm in defense.

Hailey gasped in fear but managed to maintain calm and gently brushed his cheek with her left palm. She could feel his cold sweat running between her fingers.

"Hey, it's me," she whispered once again looking straight into his disoriented eyes. "It's ok, you were having a nightmare."

Jay swallowed hard and looked at his surroundings in a desperate attempt to orientate.

Once he confirmed that it was all just a dream, his breathing became even. That was when he realized his grasp around Hailey's arm.

"I am sorry," he managed to say and quickly removed his hand.

"That's ok! Good morning," she smiled at him and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Jay faked a smile and diverted his look. "I am going to take a quick shower."

She fought the urge to follow him and ask him. He needed his space and she knew that all she had to do was give it to him. He would talk when he'd be ready. Unfortunately, when it came to Jay, he was never ready. He'd rather hide everything under a rug rather than talk about it.

Hailey knew that all too well. In their 3 year partnership he bailed on counseling over and over again. He never discussed about Erin, his father, his troubled affair with Camila, Mouse, his shooting…. Anything.

She sighed as she watched him enter the bathroom and decided to head downstairs and make breakfast.

Patience. All she had to do, was be patient with him.

Jay stepped into the shower, unable to shake off his nightmare. He let the hot water run down his still trembling body until the steams filled the whole room.

He felt broken and ashamed that she had to witness him in such a state. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on the cold tiles. He couldn't deal with the nightmares anymore. Sometimes he remembered them, sometimes he didn't. But they were always there, haunting him for the last decade. The ones he's unfortunate enough to remember stay with him all day, peeking from the edges of his subconscious like ghosts.

Bailing out of therapy was a bad idea. He knew that now. After his mother died, the only person he could openly talk to was Mouse. But now they were both gone and he was left alone with his nesting fears.

His nightmares varied. Sometimes he would get a visit from people he couldn't save. Others, he would relive all the torture he suffered in Afghanistan. There were also nights he would see his own death.

Lately though, he had different kind of nightmares. He had them constantly, and they were different every time he had one. But they all had a common thread running through them. Hailey. And in each and every one, she was dead. One way or another, whether from a gunshot, an explosion, a car crash, or some other means, she died in every one of his dreams and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

That's why he stormed into the bathroom. That's why he avoided any eye contact with her. Because once again, he had dreamed about her death.

Hailey had always been the verbal one. He knew she would want to sit down and discuss it. He also knew that she meant good. But he wasn't ready. Not yet!

He couldn't hide in the bathroom forever. He got out and thankfully Hailey was already making breakfast. He got dressed, took a deep breath, put on a fake smile and headed downstairs.

Jay could smell the pancakes from the stairs.

"Hey," he sneaked up behind her and placed a sot kiss on her shoulder as she turned off the stove.

"Hey, are you ok?" she asked clearly worried.

"Of course," he brushed it off and sat next to the counter.

Hailey shook her head in disappointment. After all these years, after everything they had been through, he still couldn't trust her.

"Look Jay, you don't want to talk to me, fine! But you have to talk to someone who can actually help you."

"Help me with what?" he shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't do this," she smirked in dismay. "Don't pretend that it didn't happen."

"Hailey, it was just a nightmare. There is nothing to worry about," he tried his best to convince her but he knew that she could see right through his lies. She always could.

"So, this was an isolated incident. Is that what you are saying?"

"Yes," he firmly replied avoiding any eye contact.

"No," Hailey shook her head in frustration and stood in front of him, her face only inches away from his. "You are going to look me in the eyes and swear to me that you no longer experience nightmares?"

Jay stared into those vast blue eyes and swallowed hard. Any other day he would have easily lied to her. But not today. He didn't want their relationship to be built upon a lie. After all they had made a promise. No more lies.

"I hadn't had a nightmare in weeks. I don't know what triggered this one," he managed to confess in all honesty. Ever since he had moved in with Hailey, he hadn't experienced the slightest nightmare.

Hailey reached for his hand and held it tight. "We are in this together. All I want to do is help you."

"I know," Jay closed his eyes in understanding. "Honestly, I've been seeing Dr. Charles for quite some time now and he is genuinely helping me. I'll give him a call and see if he is available."

"You know I care about you, right?" Hailey asked.

"You do? Really?" Jay smiled teasingly.

"Dork!" Hailey punched his on the shoulder and carried on with her cooking.

What she really wanted to say was I love you but she was too scared to admit it. Even though she knew deep down that he loved her too.

"You know, you never explained to be Rainbow beach," Hailey decided to change the subject.

"What about it?" Jay looked at her in curiosity and grabbed a strawberry from the bowl that was sitting in front of him.

"After our stupid fight, I looked everywhere for you. Will was the one to point towards Rainbow beach. I don't recall you ever mentioning it."

Jay remained silent for a brief moment. "My mom used to take me there. Whenever she needed some peace and quiet, she would take me to the beach. We would sit there for hours, just looking at the water until we were finally ready to go home. Will was always the rebel one, so he never followed us. He thought it was boring. That beach is all I have left of my mom."

Hailey looked at him in surprise. He rarely ever talked about his mother, let alone get emotional about it. He was an expert hiding behind his rough exterior, but deep down he was a wounded soul. Just like her.

"What about you?" he carried on.

"What about me?"

"Do you ever visit your parents?" he asked with a hint of hesitation as he feared he was stepping into uncharted territories.

Hailey froze for a moment and her features stiffened. "Not really. I visit them maybe once a year, but it feels like even that is too much."

"Should we….. offer them out help? You know, given the circumstances. Ask if they need anything.?"

"No!" she bluntly responded and started washing the pan.

"Hey," he stood up and hugged her from behind. His hands landing on her belly as his face buried into her neck. "I know there is a lot of history between you. I also know that you carry a lot of rage. A rage you need to either unleash, or make amends with your parents. "

"I will never make amends with them," her voice sounded harsh even to Jay.

"I understand, but you need to unload your burden. The last words I ever spoke to my father were words of hate. Now, he is gone and I can never take them back. Do I blame myself? Absolutely. But I also blame him for being emotionally distant our entire lives. He could have been there for us. He could have been there for me! But he chose pride over his own sons. Give your father a chance and maybe you'll get whatever you want out of him. Even if you don't, at least you'll know you tried."

Hailey leaned her head back to him. She felt safe right there in his hands. A feeling she never got to experience as child. He was right. She deserved an apology from both her parents. She deserved an explanation from her mother. She deserved closure.

Hailey turned around to face Jay. "I will go, but I want you right there with me. I need you!"

Jay placed a kiss on her fore head and pulled her in a long and strong embrace. "I will never leave you alone. I promise!"