I am really sorry for the late update but I was going through writer's block, combined with limited free time. But I am back and after watching the trailer for 8x03 I will be posting a new story this weekend.

Hope you are all healthy and safe, both physically and mentally.

As always, I can't wait to read your reviews.

Warning: This chapter is Rated M as it contains a bit smutt in the end.

Jay sleepily opened his eyes, his hand wrapped around Hailey's back, her head resting on his bare chest. Hailey was not really a snuggler. She needed her space and often built up a fortress of pillows between them. At first he didn't mind. On the contrary he found that little habbit cute. But as time went by, he missed their connection. He longed for her touch in the middle of the night. She only seeked physical contact during sex.

But Hailey wasn't like that at all. How could he have loved two women, so different from each other. The blonde detective appeared to be stone cold on the outside, but she was soft as a bear. She would lay on his chest all night, just letting the sound of his heartbeat drift her to sleep. She would jump in the shower with him for a little treat. She would tease and tickle him while cooking. She would rest her head on his shoulder while watching tv. She no longer considered such actions weakness or vulnerability. It was simply freedom.

He brushed a strand of her blonde her away from her eyes and without realizing it, he smiled to himself. He had already gotten used to that feeling. That unique sensation of waking next to someone you love. Yes, he loved her even though he hadn't actually verbally expressed it. He feared he might scare her away. But the feeling was there, rooted deep inside he tortured heart.

He carefully removed his hand and sneaked out of bed. She looked so peaceful while sleeping, he didn't want to wake her up. Besides, those past days had been an emotional overload for the young detective.

Jay put on his boxers and quietly entered the bathroom. He walked to the sink and threw some cold water on his face. It was a leftover habit from back in Afghanistan where they hardly ever had the luxury of hot water.

He reached for his toothbrush and paused for a second before grabbing it. He looked around, saw his towels hanging on the wall, his hair comb on the sink, his laundry in the basket and chuckled. This was happening. They were practically living together for nearly two weeks. They were together 24/7 and still hadn't gotten tired of each other.

Hailey had seen him fight his demons. He had used her as an emotional punching bag and even cast her aside when she offered her help. Yet, she was still there. She hadn't given up on him.

When he walked back to the room Hailey was already awake and lazily stretching on the bed.

"I don't like waking up without you by my side," she complained while yawning.

"What can I say," he moved towards the bed, placed his palms on the mattress and kissed her forehead. "I am addictive."

"Don't flatter yourself," she grimaced and hit him with the pillow.

The Detective moaned in pain, pretending to be hurt but his smile betrayed his true feelings. He was addicted to her as much as she was addicted to him. For once, the feelings seemed to be mutual.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked while putting on his jeans.

"What?" she frowned her eyebrows. "No more staying in bed?"

"We've been through this," his smirked. As much as I'd love to, we can't stay in here forever. So, do you want to go for a ride? For a walk? To the beach? Anything you want."

Hailey lowered her gaze thinking about his proposal. Then he looked deep into his eyes and simply responded.

"Coffee! I just want to go for a simple coffee."

"But all the stores are closed," Jay pointed with his hand outside the window.

"We can grab some coffee and just wander around for a bit," Hailey wrapped the green floral sheet around her naked body and walked towards the window. "Ok, it's quite cloudy, it might rain and the temperature in still low, but I just want to feel the wind on my face. I just want to stretch my legs. I just want to go for a walk with you!"

Jay walked up to her and cupped her face, pulling her close for a long kiss. Even though he wasn't thinking, his muscles took charge and with one hand he pulled the sheet from Hailey's body, allowing it to drop on the floor.

"You said we need to get out of this room," she whispered between kisses.

"Uhuh," he just nodded as his hands traveled on her naked body and lifted her up, her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Well, if you continue with this, we won't make it to the bed."

Jay looked into her blue eyes and grinned before tossing her on the bed.

"See, we made it," he smiled and climbed on top of her, pinning her hands on the mattress.

"Jay, she whimpered as he left a trail of wet kissed from her neck down to her naked breasts and up again to her lips.

"I don't think it leaving the bed was such a good idea after all," he rested his forehead on her chin.

"Come on Detective," she laughed and patted him on his arm. "Pull yourself together and let's go get a proper coffee."

At first, they walked down the road side by side, resisting the urge to hold hands. But as the cold winds of Chicago blew through the empty streets, Hailey nested under his arm in need of wormth. Once again, that was something Erin would never dare to do. He wasn't pretending to be the perfect man, the knight in shinny armor who saved the lady in distress. No, he was just trying to be there for her. He wanted her to feel loved, protected and safe.

"It's weird witnessing the city so empty," Hailey broke their silent walk.

"It's frightening and serene at the same time," he nodded.

At that moment, he slightly regretted his decision to leave the house. The pandemic wasn't only threatening the US, it was a global enemy. An enemy that no one knew how to fight. Surely, they were wearing masks and apart from the woman at the coffee place, they didn't make contact with someone. But what if they touched something? The door handle at the coffee shop. The bench they sat on for a second to rest. The grocery from the super market. They could never be fully protected and that scared the hell out of him. He didn't fear for his life. He feared for Hailey, He feared for his friends at the district and he feared for his family, Will. The only family he had left.

Hailey picked up her gaze and stared into his worried eyes. One look was enough to read his mind.

"Have you talked to Will today?" she asked.

Jay was on the phone with his brother on a daily basis. Jay was the soldier, but this time Will was fighting in the front line. As much as he hated hospitals, he even volunteered to help Will during this crisis. As expected, his big brother denied the offer. Even though he didn't want to admit it, Jay's body was still too fragile to be around a deadly virus.

"No," he sighed. "I'll call him as soon as we get home."

"Jay, I know you are worried. I would be too if I were in your shoes. But you know the staff at Med. They are taking all necessary precautions. They are safe," she tried to reassure him but deep inside she was aware that her words were vain.

"I know," he nodded. "But they don't know what they are fighting. One mistake and the whole hospital might be doomed."

"Look," she stopped and stood in front of him, one hand holding his, the other resting on his chest. "When we go out in the field, we don't know what we are fighting either. One simple mistake and it's over. You know that all too well. All we can do is stay focused, do our jobs and hope for a better tomorrow."

She was right. He knew she was right but his restless heart was always beating for the ones he cared about. Will was all the family he had left. Just the thought of losing him too, left his mind swirling.

Hailey placed a reassuring soft kiss on his cold lips and they carried on with their walk.

"Can I ask you something?" she hesitantly asked.

"Sure," Jay smiled intrigued.

Hailey sighed and paused for a few seconds before uttering the question. "Do you ever think about her?"

"Think about who?" Jay tilted his head to meet her eyes but her gaze was on the ground.

"Erin," she finally said, her voice almost like a whisper.

Now, it was Jay's turn to divert his eyes.

"No," he let out a deep breath.

"You are a terrible liar," a small laughter escaped her lips.

"After she left, I went through all five staged of grief. At first, I refused to accept the fact that she was gone. Every day I expected to her to come back. Then it was anger. Erin was gone, I had just shot that little girl and I felt like the universe was mocking me. So, I started bargaining. I thought I could clear up all bad karma by doing my job. By saving people. But when Luis got killed the Universe had once again spoken. I could never do right. I could never be happy. So, I dove into my rabbit hole. I was done feeling. I was done caring. For once, I wanted to feel numb. I wanted all those emotions that were consuming me and eating up my soul gone. But the Universe wasn't done with me. It sent me you. You reached out your hand and you dragged me out of that hole. You were always my light at the end of the tunnel."

Hailey was listening to that heartfelt confession with hot tears streaming down her cold cheeks. It was one of the few times in her life where she couldn't find the appropriate words to speak.

Once again, she stopped him and stood on her tiptoes in front of him. She reached for his face with both hands and pulled him down to her level for passionate kiss. Jay placed his hands under her bottom, slightly lifted her up and carried her against the nearest wall. Thank God the streets were empty, but even if anyone was watching, they didn't care.

Once they were out of breath, they paused for a second and looked at each other's eyes. One hand was resting on Jay's shoulder, the other playing with his hair. Jay was still supporting her with his one hand while brushing his thumb against her lip with the other.

They remained there as if time had stood still. Their lips only a breath away until they both whispered in unity.

"I love you!"

So there it was, out in the open by the both of them. The great 'L' word. I wasn't said under pressure or out of fear. They said it because they actually believed in power of that small word.

All of a sudden, the temperature climbed dangerously high. So, they run back at Hailey's home to finish what they had started hat morning.

They walked into the house never breaking their kisses while clothes were flying around at the same time.

The moment they stepped into the bedroom Hailey took him completely by surprise and oushed him forcefully on the bed, his back against the mattress.

That wasn't what he expected. Passion and fire were replacing all the tears and vulnerability of the previous days.

"I need you," she said moving between his legs. "I want you,"

Without any hint of hesitation, he unbuckled his jeans and tossed them on the floor along with the rest of their remaining clothes. She grasped him, stroking slowly, gently, until he was almost painfully aroused.

She worked him slowly, languorously torturing him with unbelievable sensations, making him grasp the sheets, clenching his jaw. Jay was trying to control his breathing in a desperate fight for control. When he was dangerously close to the edge, he grabbed her upper hand to hold her still. "If you want me, you have to stop."

She looked at him and kissed her way towards his lips, kissing him senseless. He could feel her move over him and watched her as she grasped him and sank down onto him with eyes closed. She set the pace, controlling every movement with maddening skill. It didn't last long fir either of them but the game wasn't over yet.

Once they were done, Jay grabbed he thighs and switched positions. Now he was the one in control and Hailey was laying under him, completely surrendered to his mercy.

Oh the things he wanted to do to her. He fought the urge to tie her hand on the bed because he longed for her soft touch on his hard muscles. He kissed her everywhere. From her lips down to her breasts and even lower to where she needed him the most. He was gentle but for the first time, a bit rough too.

He eased his way into her but instead of setting a slow pace as usual, he rocked his hips harder making each thrust deeper and sharper.

Hailey's eyes were half closed, soft whimpers escaping her lips with each trust.

"Don't hold back," he lowered his head and whispered against her ear. "I want to hear you."

Those words sent Hailey over the edge as louder moans of pleasure filled the silence of the room. Hearing he breathy whimpers, tasting the salty sweat of her naked body, feeling her warm skin against his muscles, made Jay even harder, if that was even possible.

Again, it didn't last long, but the waves of absolute pleasure that flooded their bodies seemed to last all night.

That night they truly became one!