Hailey steeled herself as she got up to leave the sergeant's office. She had learned at a young age how to handle being yelled at, but it didn't make it any more bearable. In fact, it brought to the surface memories she had gotten good at ignoring, ones she had locked in a box long ago, after she realized that it was the only way she would be able to live her own life. Hailey prided herself on being a tough woman who could hold her own, but lately she was finding herself drawn to one person whenever she felt vulnerable, her counterweight to bring her back to earth. Jay. She found herself driving to his house almost subconsciously, the route familiar and comforting. She spent the drive over willing herself not to cry, not to think about the fact that after tonight she would be all alone across the country, and her unit would go on without her. She thought about those weeks without Jay with her at work after he was shot, and how empty her days had felt without him next to her. She had realsied then how used to his presence she was, how in tune they were with each other. It had scared her. She couldn't imagine her life without him there anymore, he had become a part of her. Maybe a few weeks apart would be good.
She had barley walked to the steps when a familiar face swung the door open, sweatpants and a worn t-shirt on, eyes narrowed at her with a concerning stare, two bottles of beer in hand. He extended one to her as she stood there, confused but instantly calmer in his presence.
"How did you-?" she asked, taking the beer and stepping inside.
"I heard Voight call you in, figured you'd be over soon enough. It's the thing remember?" he sent her a crooked smile, but it didn't quite meet his eyes, concern written over his features as he led her to the couch. Hailey tried to smile, but instead let out a sigh as she sat down next to him on the familiar couch, settling down in her favourite spot. Jay waited for her to speak, knowing what she needed and not feeling the need to fill the silence. Hailey closed her eyes.
"I messed up Jay. I just - " she sighed again, a lump forming in her throat. "Voight's sending me to New York." Jay's eyebrow's shot up and he recoiled in shock. Not again. He can't go through this again.
Hailey seemed to realise what she'd just said, and jumped to grab his hand pulled him back to meet her eyes.
"Jay. No, listen it's only for a few weeks. I'm not leaving you; I would never leave you okay?" He met her gaze looking troubled and held her hand firm in his, needing to know she was here. He took in a deep breath as he processed what she'd said.
"When?" He asked, shifting to face her with his body, moving closer in the process.
"Early tomorrow," she replied, looking down and willing herself not to get upset. After her realisiation in the hospital she felt her connection to Jay was stronger than ever, and though she hadn't gotten the courage to tell Jay how she felt yet, something had shifted. She thought she'd noticed a shift in him too, but he hadn't pushed her since they were interrupted that day. But when she felt him tilt her chin to meet his eyes, her breath caught and she knew she had to tell him. She opened her mouth to say something, but his proximity to her face made her eyes wander to his lips, and when she met his eyes again there was something new there.
"Hails, I don't want to let you leave without telling you this. I won't take that chance again. I've been on self-destruct mode these last few years, and somehow you stayed with me through all of it. You've always been able to bring me back to the ground and I realised as I was lying in the basement, that your voice was the only thing I wanted to stay for." Jay leaned in closer, eyes shining, so close she could see every freckle on his nose. "I love you Hailey, and I -" Hailey had heard enough, and surged forward to catch his lips in hers, wrapping her arms around the back of his head as he leaned closer into her, winding his arms around her waist. They poured months of yearning into the kiss, and as Hailey pulled back slowly, catching his bottom lip in her teeth, they both looked at one another for a moment, foreheads touching, catching their breath.
"Always got to beat me to it Halstead, don't you?" She grinned, as he laughed and cocked an eyebrow.
"I did give you a fair few weeks there Hails, I had a feeling you felt the same way back in the hospital that day," He smiled as her heart swelled. "Come here you idiot" she smiled grabbing his shirt and pulling him back in for another mind spinning kiss, feeling all her frustration and worries from earlier in the evening melt away, feeling content and safe in his arms. Where she belonged.