Once again I am sorry for the late update but I am entirely grateful for your support and patience.

These last chapters have been really emotional so I included a bit of smut in this one. No big deal, but if you want something more explicit don't be afraid to ask.

Hope you are all well and you'll enjoy this one!

Jay woke up the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. With sleepy eyes, he unconsciously reached his hand to Hailey's side only to find the bed empty.

He stood up, supporting himself with his elbows and checked his phone. It was already 7am. Had Hailey gotten any sleep? Once they got home last night they barely talked. She just jumped onto him in a desperate attempt to make a connection with someone.

Even though Jay was not much of a talker himself, he knew that they had to discuss yesterday's events. He wanted to prevent Hailey from building another one of her walls in order to keep all the pain outside.

He didn't want to push her. It was evident that she needed her space, for now. A moment of quiet to pick up herself and re-evaluate her relationship with her parents.

Yes, Jay always had a rocky relationship with his father, but at least he had his mother to rely on. He rarely ever mentioned his mother because it hurt him. He missed her so badly. She was the one he confided his secrets to. She was the one he turned to for advice. She was the one he tried so hard to make proud.

On the other hand though, he could relate to Hailey. Once his mother was gone, he was left alone. His father was always emotionally distant and his brother absent and indifferent. For a long period he felt unloved and abandoned by his own family. By his only family.

He was thankful for the fact that Mouse entered his life in that crucial period. The thought of going through his mother's loss, the ongoing war with his father and PTSD without Mouse's support, scared him.

That was why he wanted to be Hailey's Mouse. He wanted to prove his loyalty to her. Offer his shoulder for support. He wanted her to establish that he was there to stay. He would never betray or leave her. He would love and protect her for the rest of his life.

For the rest of his life. For once, that declaration didn't scare him. For once he knew what he wanted.

At that point, he wasn't even afraid of Voight. He was ready to overcome whatever obstacles life might throw at them.

He rubbed his eyes and got out of the bed. He quickly put on his pants and quietly walked towards the bathroom.

He placed his hand on the handle but fought the urge to walk in. It was obvious that she wanted to be left alone, otherwise she would have waited for him to join her. Just like she had all those mornings before.

So, Jay decided to head downstairs and prepare breakfast. They hadn't eaten since the day before and his stomach was howling like a wolf.

The plan was to make her favorite blueberry pancakes but he soon dropped the idea. She would see right through his plan to make her feel better. Hailey needed normality right now. So, he went for the simple bacon with fried eggs.

A few minutes later Hailey walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen. Jay was waiting for a good morning kiss from her but she avoided any kind of contact. She didn't even come near him. She just stood at the other end of the counter, hair still wet from the shower, her eyes unable to focus on anything. They were puffy and red, clear evidence that she had been crying.

"I made breakfast," Jay was the one to speak and took a step forward to close the gap between them.

"I am not hungry," the petit detective shook her head and turned around to leave.

"Hey," Jay called her back and dared to follow her.

"I am fine," Hailey snapped, her voice as cold as ice and touched the railway to climb the stairs.

Jay sighed and gently grabbed her arm to stop her. He knew he was risking an elbow hit from her, but he was willing to take that chance.

Hailey thankfully stood still with her back against him. Jay could feel her whole body stiffen under his palm.

Slowly, he moved closer and wrapped his left arm around her neck while his right one gently stroke hers.

"No you are not," he whispered in her ear. "But I am here."

Hailey didn't move or breathe for a few seconds. Her buried emotions were working their way to the surface. That damn wall she tried to put up was useless.

Her body was losing the fight as she started trebling in a final attempt to keep her composure. It was vain though.

Soon, she broke down, tears falling down in Jay's hand. He carefully supported her as her legs failed her and fell on the floor to her knees.

Quickly, the hot unwelcome tears turned into uncontrollable sobs and screams, so hard that she couldn't breathe. Her nose ran as he whimpered, her body shaking like it might just come apart.

"Let it all out," Jay whispered, still holding her close to his body.

He had never seen her like that and quite honestly, that sight of her scared him. He gently placed a kiss on her head and lingered there for a moment before tightening his embrace.

To his surprise, she didn't fight him back. On the contrary she welcomed his strong hands around her fragile body and let herself break down right there in front of him.

"Why?" she muttered between cries.

"Why what?"

"Why don't they love me? What's wrong with me?" her voice was cracking. Her pain was crushing the air from her lungs.

"Hey, nothing is wrong with you," Jay released her from his grip and placed both hand on each side of her face, forcing her to look at him. "You are perfect, you hear me? THEY are wrong, not you."

God, it nearly killed him witnessing her in that state. She never let anything get under her skin, but obviously when it came to her parents, they had the power to break her.

"But mom," she kept on. "Why does she always choose him?"

"I don't know," Jay shrugged. "She thinks she loves him, in a weird kind of twisted way. But that doesn't mean she doesn't love YOU."

"If she loved me, she would have saved me from him. If she loved me, she would have left that house. If she loved me she would be here with me now," her sorrow was now turning into anger.

Jay looked into her blue eyes wishing he had the answer. Her feelings were justified. When Hailey offered her a way out, he honestly thought he mother was going to take it. Even he had trouble comprehending how anyone could stay in an abusive relationship when they have a ticket to freedom.

"Hey," Jay wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks. "You did everything within your power to help her but unfortunately, your mother made the wrong choice. I promise I will never do that. I will always choose YOU!"

Their foreheads touched as his green eyes were piercing her blue in his most honest confession. He meant every single word. He loved her, but there was no need to actually utter those words. His eyes spoke volumes.

And just like that, she read his eyes. "I know," she whispered against his lips.

Hailey stared at him, letting her fingertips skim his jaw.

He cupped her face in his hands, bringing his lips softly to hers. He could feel her breath catch, and then he kissed her again. He kept holding her face in his hands and kissing her deeply, slowly, encouraged by a breathy whimper.

When he finally drew back he stroke the strand hair from her eyes and they both smiled softly.

There she was, his Hailey was surfacing right back.

They finally ate their breakfast and decided to head to the beach. The walls were closing in on her and she wanted to breath. So, Jay decided took her to his favorite spot in Chicago, Rainbow beach.

Up until now, he considered the beach his own. He didn't even want to share it with Will. But he was more than willing to share it with Hailey. He could even imagine marrying her at that little Haven of his.

When the night fell, the decided to go home. After all the Quarantine was still on. They shouldn't be out for so many hours anyway.

Once they got home, they headed straight to the bedroom where Hailey crushed on the bed. She felt exhausted. Emotionally, not physically.

Jay removed his pants and climbed in beside her, not entirely sure whether he should wrap his hands around her, or wait for her to come to him.

"Jay?"

"Yeah?

"Are you alright? She asked, her voice soft and tentative. "After seeing me like that. Did that affect the way you see me?"

"Nothing could ever make me change the way I see you. The way I feel about you. "

"Why are you so far away?" Hailey whined. "I want you to hold me."

That was all the invitation he needed. He slid closer and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her in the near darkness. His lip found her hers, and her hands found their way into his hair that was in need of a haircut.

He felt her leg wrap around his hip, drawing her against him. Her heat immediately sank into him, making his body could feel her suck in a breath at the feel of him.

He kissed her softly and looked into her blue eyes. "We don't have to Hails."

She shook her head. Her eyes half closed with passion, her voice soft and raspy. "I need you."

"Anything you want," his covered her mouth with his lips.

She moaned as he tongue caressed hers, pulling him tightly against her. They didn't even realize how fast they removed their underwear. He grasped her thigh, easing in, feeling her gasp. They laid tangled together, facing each other. His hand stroking her hair from her face as he took her, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes.

She gazed back, lips parting with each soft, gasping, trembling breath. She held onto him, fingertips embedding in the flesh of his back. Each easy thrust produced a whimper or a moan that drove him crazy. Their eyes frequently opened to gaze lovingly and lustly at each other. Volumes were exchanged in those gazes as they made love for what it seemed like forever.

They fell asleep as he was holding her against his bare chest, feeling her heart and breathing begin to slow. As they drifted into sweet oblivion, they both dreamed of the same thing. Spending the rest of their lives wrapped safely in each other's arms.