A/N: Next chapter is up! We're getting into a bit of a time jump, which will put us at the time Hailey mentioned in "Ghosts" that she and Garrett were under in Booth's crew. Just before that is when this takes place. Hope you enjoy!

Hailey hated hospitals. Always had since she was little. She'd seen her mom go in a few times to get stitched up after a particularly bad night at home with her dad. There was even one time Hailey had to get her arm in a sling because she fell on it after being pushed around one too many times, she guessed.

But hospitals were also the place she'd seen miracles happen. Like when her brother and his wife had their first child, Ella. Hailey loved being an aunt more than she ever knew. So, she tried to remind herself: they weren't all bad memories. Hospitals weren't all terrible places.

It didn't put her at ease as much as she liked. While she was getting poked and prodded, she was also internally panicking.

Why the hell was she so stupid as to let that man overpower her? But why didn't her partner notice her absence sooner? And, the question that plagued her most of all: who was the man that helped her out?

Because she was currently sitting in a hospital gown, an ophthalmoscope in her eyes, with her partner, Cara, at her bedside, flipping through a magazine.

And that mystery man was nowhere to be found. She knew he'd helped her up, but then in the chaos, she had been shuffled over to her team, and she didn't even get his name. She did know though, that her team was able to take Jacobs in, where he folded like a cheap suit.

While Hailey was happy to hear that justice was served, she was still berating herself for letting Daniel get the jump on her.

"Alright, Hailey, you're all set." The nurse said, a polite smile painted on her worn face. Hailey couldn't blame her for being tired. It was nearing 2am, and she was betting she looked as tired as she felt too.

"Thanks," she replied, slipping into her jeans, and into a t-shirt she made Cara grab from her locker.

"Rafferty," She said, making Cara look up from her magazine. "Let's go."

"Alright, alright," Cara huffed, folding up the magazine under her arm. She and Hailey walked to her car, and the silent drive home was made all the more awkward when Cara attempted to give Hailey a confidence boost.

"Look, Hailey, we still got him. That's what matters, you know?"

Hailey nodded, giving Cara a tight-lipped smile as she hopped out of the car. She gave a small wave as she walked to her door, and watched her partner drive off into the night.

She unlocked her door, taking a long breath as she stepped into her apartment. Sleep would have to wait a moment longer; because all Hailey could think of was how much she needed a drink.

"Halstead! What the hell were you thinking?" Voight's grave voice didn't faze Jay as much as it used to, but it still didn't suck any less to be yelled at by your boss in front of everyone.

"I wasn't, Sarge. I'm sorry. I went off script, I know. But they got him, right? The other officers...they arrested Daniel Jacobs, right?"

"Yeah, he was hauled off in a patrol car about 10 minutes ago. But he ain't going to our house. No, he can't! Why? Because you decided to go twenty rounds to his fucking face!"

Jay looked down, literally having to bite his tongue before he said something flippant like, 'Technically it was only two rounds.' Yeah, that would not go over well.

"Sarge," he started, trying to find a way to explain this.

"Hm?" Voight grunted as he always did, but Jay knew he cared enough to listen. He always had.

"I just couldn't live with myself if something happened to that girl right in front of my eyes, you know? Like not literally, but I mean, I was right there. And if I didn't do anything...I wouldn't have been able to handle it if the next time I saw her body was on a slab in the morgue."

Hank surprised Jay by nodding, and giving his shoulder a light pat. "It's alright, Jay. You're a good cop, with a good heart. That's how you are, and who you are. I respect that."

Jay nodded appreciatively, and the two parted ways to head back to the district. Time to pack things up and go home; if only to catch a few winks before doing it all over again.

When Jay finally arrived home, the sun had just started to peak through, signaling the break of a new day. He was utterly exhausted, so while most people were jumping up to greet the day, Jay said sayonara the moment his head hit the pillow.

The days continued to pass for both Jay and Hailey at their respective jobs. Even though Intelligence had a higher solve rate than that of Robbery-Homicide, the latter felt like they worked more.

Hailey would often pull all-nighters, working till dawn or dusk. She didn't always have to, but what could she say? It was the way she was wired.

"Hailey," Cara asked her one day after a particularly gruesome case, "Go home. Get some rest. We can write up our IRT's in the morning."

"I just can't get that kid out of my head," Hailey said, a sad sigh escaping her lips. "She was only 6 years old."

"I know," Cara said. She opened her mouth like she was about to say something else, but she just patted Hailey's shoulder, and went on her way.

Hailey frowned, watching her go. Sometimes she wished she knew someone who carried the weights like she did. Then she could have someone to turn to, to talk to, to be with when she was having these rough nights.

Meanwhile, Intelligence wasn't much better for Jay at the moment. He was going to therapy, albeit mandatory, after his PTSD came back during a case.

He only went because Voight made him, and while it helped some; it wasn't the same as having someone on the job to talk to. Sure, Adam tried to be there for him; but it wasn't the same. He couldn't talk to Mouse, as he himself was deployed, and while Kim tried to give him comfort, it was slightly awkward. Nothing was really natural anymore.

At times, he'd wonder if it wasn't the job but himself that was the problem. He didn't have a relationship, his work hours were insane, and his dreams of settling down became a distant memory the more time passed. It just felt like something was missing.

It was hard, but at least he was on the up and up at work. He had the highest case rate in Intelligence, and he was excelling in the field.

So much so, that Voight actually recommended him for an undercover gig. When he first brought the offer to the table, he was initially surprised. His last undercover op, about 8 months ago with Daniel Jacobs, had gone sideways. So why him?

"Because, Intelligence caught the first buyer of this maniac, that's why." Voight told him, as if reading his mind. "But, we're not working alone on this, as another department has already put someone on the inside. His name is Garrett Reynolds. He's under as Ronald Booth's right-hand man."

"Okay, so is that who I'm working with?"

Voight shook his head. "No. We pulled you because you work well with another person. And you've played well as half of a couple before."

"A couple?"

"Yes, we're pitching you as Booth's new buyer. And Detective Hailey Upton from Robbery-Homicide will go under as your girlfriend."

"Okay," Jay said, drawing out the word a little bit to wrap his head around it. "And when do I meet this Detective Upton?"

"How 'bout now?"

Jay heard a voice, but judging by the slight sass in her tone, he wasn't sure if he should turn around just yet.

Voight took the reins instead. "Detective Upton, Sergeant Anderson. We weren't expecting you both until this evening."

"Sorry, Sergeant." Max Anderson apologized. "But we received intel from Garrett that Booth was having a fit about his buyer being in the wind. He jumped the gun a bit and said he knew someone who knew someone. So, now we've got to move on this before Booth loses interest. We need to pitch Jay and Hailey ASAP."

Voight nodded. "Alright. Well, no time like the present, I guess. Jay Halstead, meet Sergeant Anderson and Detective Hailey Upton."

Jay turned around in his chair, and as he stood up, he was met with a cerulean stare. He saw the recognition go off in her eyes, just as it did in his mind.

"Y—" he started to say the word 'You' but Hailey's gaze appeared to convey that of slight worry. As if he maybe shouldn't say anything. He thought it best he not piss off his fake girlfriend right off the bat, so he backtracked.

"Yes," he recovered quickly. "Nice to meet you, Detective Upton." He turned a centimeter to the left, before saying, "Sergeant." Max nodded in his direction, and he returned the acknowledgement.

He caught Hailey's eyes again, and he swore he saw something flicker in them, but she seemed to quickly compose herself. "Yes, hi. Same here." Her lips painted themselves into a thin line, forming a grimace.

The four stood in Voight's office for an awkward beat before Sergeant Anderson spoke up.

"Well, she's all yours, gentlemen. She's on loan till we get this guy. Garrett's been under for a month, so I'll run point from his POV. But, Voight," he peered between Jay and Hailey, who didn't realize they had shifted next to each other. They briefly glanced down, and both decided to split apart some. "You'll run Jay and Hailey's undercover op."

"Understood." Voight's voice carried past the tension in the room.

Hailey shook her sergeant's hand, before turning back around to face her new boss — and her new fake boyfriend — for the time being.

"Upton," Hank began, motioning for her to take a seat. "This is Intelligence. My unit. We do things a little differently here; but from what your sergeant has told me, you work well with others and have a real knack for UC work. Jay here will be the perfect fit." He motioned to Jay, who took the seat next to hers.

"So, first thing's first, you'll go see Platt for your UC apartment keys. I've got your files right here," he said, producing two Manila folders.

"Read these over before the introduction tonight. Sergeant Anderson said Garrett would relay the info to him, and he'd meet us to assist. Once you're in, you're in. Got it?"

The two detectives nodded, as they opened their files. Jay was now Ryan Porter, a self-proclaimed business man — real title: best drug dealer in the West Loop. Hailey's new identity was that of Kelly Tate, a drifter who needed to make her next big move— and she ended up landing the man too. So now they're a packaged deal as far as mixing business with pleasure is concerned; take it or leave it.

"And Jay? Hailey?" Voight's voice actually seemed calmer than normal. "We've got a lot riding on this, okay? Work with, not against each other. Understood?"

"Got it, Sarge."

"Yeah, understood."

Hailey stood up first, as she was in desperate need of a place that didn't involve Jay Halstead. She walked out of Hank's office slowly, but as soon as she heard the door click, she picked up the pace.

"Hailey," she heard her name drip from his lips. She could also hear his footfalls behind her. Dammit. "Wait a minute!" Jay said a little more sternly, touching her arm lightly to spin her around.

"What?" She snapped, harsher than she meant to. She sighed, trying again. "Look, let's just put that night behind us, alright?"

"Put it behind us? I screwed up my entire investigation!"

She raised her eyebrows. "And that's somehow my fault?" She looked at him incredulously. "I didn't ask you to come to my rescue that night, you know."

Jay took a breath himself, realizing that he was taking out his anger on the wrong person. So much for starting off on the right foot.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—that came out wrong. You're right. It was no one's choice but my own to help you out that night." He paused, looking at his feet before looking back at up at her. "I'm..I'm glad you're okay."

Her eyes looked softer in that moment, like a weight was lifted from her. "Thanks," she said, glancing over his face instead of right in his eyes. "And not just for the apology. Thank you for saving me that night. I never got a chance to tell you that."

Jay took a brave step forward, unsure of the right gesture to convey his genuine concern and appreciation. He saw she didn't back away, instead standing her ground, like she was being strong too.

He extended his hand, and she took it. They shook, neither able to break the magnetic eye contact.

"Partners?" He asked, a gleam in his eye.

"I think you mean couple, but sure. Life partners, then," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"Mhmm." He agreed, dropping her hand from his.

"Hey, Goldilocks. You and Detective Chuckles wanna get your keys now?" Sergeant Trudy Platt's deadpan demeanor interrupted their moment.

Hailey turned, looking from Jay to Trudy. Jay just smiled. "Of course," he answered for her, as Hailey wasn't quite used to Platt's lack of a bedside manner.

She felt a small smile form on her face as she shook her head, joining her new partner at the desk.