Upstead (Jealous Jay)

Chapter 2

Hello guys! Here is the second chapter of this story. I have thought a lot about it and hopefully it has turned out well. It is heavy, it is emotional and it might drag on for a while but I had to lay down the territory to ultimately be able to show what I really want to. Hope you enjoy. :)

The sun pierced through Hailey's bedroom and Hailey woke up to the fresh morning's new light. But as she woke up she remembered last night's event and almost wished she hadn't. The memory brought a sadness to her being and she wondered what the day would bring to her. She picked up her phone hoping to see a text from Jay, as he always texted her before leaving for work. But today no such text appeared. Instead she had messages from Voight and her team letting her known that they had a new case on their hands and it was an important one. She got dressed quickly and left for the district. As she climbed up the stairs she was relived and at the same time a little disappointed that Jay was not there, at least in the common room. Kim and Kevin were already updating the board. Voight was in his office speaking on the phone, probably about the new case. He emerged outside in a few minutes and asked Hailey where Jay was. Hailey was caught off guard and didn't know what to say so she lied, "He's on his way Sarge," hoping Voight would drop this subject and here and now.

"Alright," Voight responded, not pushing it further in spite of him knowing something was off.

Hailey knew the sooner they started work the better for her. Because if Voight enquired more she would run out of lies and moreover, she and Halstead would not even be able to figure out what the crux of the matter really was, before Voight would find out. When everyone was assigned a job Hailey shot a text at Halstead hoping he would see it soon. She wrote, "Jay, where are you? The team needs you and we have a new case already. Get here as quick as possible. We are also one man down today."

She set down her phone only to hear it chime instantly. It was Halstead and she was both shocked and relieved. But the moment she read the text she wished she hadn't. Jay was not going to let this go that easily and she had to prepare herself for the worst. He replied, "I am on my way. Of course, ADAM is not there. What a blow that must be for you."

Hailey decided not to reply back and rather focus on the work she had. Ten minutes later she heard the door rattle and looked up to see who it was, and sure enough it was Jay. He looked as best as he could after the previous night and for a brief moment their eyes interlocked but the moment was over before it even began. From the side Voight asked matter-of-factly, "Where the hell were you Jay?"

"Sorry Sarge, I had a rough night," he looked at Upton while saying this and Hailey could feel the pain and anger in Jay's voice and look. "Won't happen again, that's for sure," he concluded, wanting to hurt Hailey as much as possible with his double meaning behind the words.

He moved towards the kitchen and Hailey followed him, all the while Voight was looking at them. In the kitchen Hailey began before Jay could pass some comment or say something hurtful, "Listen, we can't let Voight know there is a problem here. It's going to cause a lot of problems and I can't deal with more," Hailey said bluntly, meaning every word.

"Of course, the worry Ruzek must have given you overnight must have been traumatic and heart-wrenching," Jay said slyly.

Hailey shot back, making it clear that she wasn't going to tolerate such behaviour any longer, "Look Jay, I don't care what you feel or think, this is the last time you're poking at me about Adam. Enough is enough."

"Whatever you say," Jay replied with a casual shrug.

At that Hailey left the kitchen and tried to put on a positive face to show that she wasn't breaking from inside. The team had found the location of their new suspect and were headed there now. It was a nightmare to be in the same truck for so long, neither of them could talk nor simply ignore the other person's presence. Finally Hailey decided to break the silence for her own sanity, "How's your arm? I noticed a deep cut yesterday."

"It's alright, I applied some stuff last night and it feels better. Although, Will was the one that helped me out."

"I am glad to hear that," Hailed said, genuinely happy that Jay was alright, physically at least.

Suddenly the team spotted the suspect they were looking for approaching his house. Hailey and Jay were the closest to him so they stepped out silently hoping to scoop him up without any drama. As they approached the suspect, the man sensed he was being followed and he began taking quicker steps. Halstead ran after him before he could bolt and held him pressed hard against the ground. Hailey arrived a second later and confirmed this was the man they were looking for.

"Get up, Alfonso," said Hailey.

The man stared at her with disgust and hatred. He tried to wriggle out of Halstead's grip by Jay applied more force and held him straight.

"Come on Alfonso, there is nowhere to go. So why don't you just tell us who hired you to do the hit?" Hailey asked, as she usually spoke to a suspect.

"I ain't talking to no bitch," blurted Alfonso.

At that Jay threw a punch at Alfonso's face and the guy was down on the ground in a second. "What did you just say? What the hell did you just say?" yelled Jay, anger flooding his body.

Realising Jay would hit the man again, Hailey stepped in front of him and pushed him hard, her turn to take out her anger. Voight was there in no time followed by Burgess and Atwater who were both shocked by this uncharacteristic behaviour from Halstead. Voight said angrily, confirming his doubts that something was up between these two, "Jay you are heading back to the district. Get your head on straight first and then we'll see if you can step out."

Jay headed towards his truck without replying or waiting for any more comments. Voight looked at Hailey knowingly and said, "In my office in half an hour."

Hailey nodded, realising things were already out of hand and Voight wouldn't come down on them easy. She left as well, relieved that she was no more on the spot. It was hell again on the ride back. Hailey was pissed at Jay and she thought of giving him a piece of her mind, "What the hell is wrong with you Jay?"

"Look, Hailey, I don't want to talk about anything right now. I did what I had to do, that's it."

"Are you out of your mind! You cannot punch people because they piss you off!" Hailey retorted not believing Jay had actually uttered those words.

"Just drop it Hailey, I really don't want to argue with you. I don't want to say things I cannot take back. So please just let this go."

"Well, you have already said some hurtful and nasty things since last night and I don't know what to think about you anymore Jay."

Jay didn't answer, he knew he had crossed the line last night, even this morning but he had no will to apologise right now. He was in pain too. The friendship and partnership they had nourished since so many years seemed to crumble in front of their eyes and none of them could stop that from happening.

Suddenly Jay spoke, "Your actions last night confirmed what I always thought was there"—

Hailey interrupted, "If you're talking about me having feelings for Adam you're way off the mark. And the main problem is that you don't seem to understand that either."

"Oh yeah, then why the hell did you help Adam first when you knew I was injured too? And why the hell did you stop what we were about to do last night? Hailey, it only points to one thing and it's time you face it."

"Yeah, you're right. It does point to one thing and that is that I don't have any feelings for Adam regardless of what you say. Just because I helped him first doesn't mean I have feelings for him. And the other thing, I have my own reasons and really hope you don't try to pry them out of me."

"Whatever Hailey, I don't care what you do now. You can sleep with Adam or with Atwater or with anyone in the district, I don't give a damn anymore."

It was a good thing those words concluded their conversation because they had arrived at the district now. Otherwise, Hailey was certain she would have said something she would have regretted. She got out and marched straight towards Voight's office. He was waiting for her and he looked pissed.

"Sit down Hailey," he began. She obeyed and looked up at him. "I don't know what's going on between you and Halstead but if something like this repeats one of you is out of here. We can't have emotions getting in the way of our work."

"We're working on it Sarge."

"Yeah, it sure as hell doesn't look that way Hailey. Whatever it is, you need to end it right now."

"Then there's only one way solution that is plausible right now," Hailey said bluntly.

"And what's what," asked Voight curious.

"I transfer for a while to another district and let this cool down. Because, you're right, this cannot go on any longer."

Voight seemed to be giving this a good thought and nodded in the end, "Fine, I'll talk to Trudy and see what can be done. But Hailey you have to realise that whatever it is, you and Halstead need to sort it out at some point."

"I know," Hailey agreed looking down and nodding her head.

Jay was seated in the locker room with his head in his hands. He had screwed up, he had hurt Hailey beyond repair and he wondered what would happen to them next. Suddenly he heard footsteps and looked at the entrance, Hailey walked in and headed towards her locker. As she did so, she said as calmly as possible, "I am leaving Jay."

She didn't have it in her to look at his face after revealing this information. Jay thought he was in the worst state possible but these words pierced his heart like a dagger and he got up from the bench aggressively. Hailey still didn't turn, hoping to avoid his eyes. Jay then spoke in barely a whisper, "What?"

That single word shattered Hailey's heart, she felt the pain and sadness in it and wondered if she would be able to hold her own emotions in control any longer. She didn't want to break down in front of Jay, she couldn't. He moved quickly to her side and faced her directly and looked at her hoping for her to tell him it was all a lie and that she wasn't leaving really. But Hailey didn't say a word, she stood still, bearing every pang of pain with a neutral expression. Jay quickly placed his hands on her shoulders hoping to shake her out of this trance, but his touch had an opposite effect on her. She retreated immediately and Jay thought this was it, she didn't even want to look at him anymore. But Hailey did this because she had seen what his touch had done to her last night, and it had taken every ounce in her to stop him from doing what he was going to do.

"I am sorry Jay, but it's best for both of us," Hailey said already lifting her backpack and wanting to leave.

Jay simply looked at her and wondered what he could do to stop this from happening. Nothing seemed to be enough and just like that he heard Hailey's footsteps recede and eventually fade. He collapsed on the bench closest to him and let the tears drip down his face. He didn't care who saw or what they saw, he was in too much pain to care. He wept like a child and buried his face in his hands.

Yesterday Hailey wondered whether she would see her partner the next morning, but today Jay knew his partner was not coming back the next morning and that ripped his heart and soul into a million dark pieces.

And this completes the second chapter. I know it's slightly long, but I felt the need to do it this way. Hopefully you guys stick around and give me some feedback. Thank you!