Chapter 13
Jay and Hailey both collapsed on their backs, lying next to one another on Jay's bed. They laid there in silence for a few minutes, catching their breath. Jay reached his right hand out to loosely intertwine with Hailey's fingers, wanting to touch her in some small way still. He smirked when he felt Hailey's pinky finger interlock with his.
He was reliving the last hour in his brain already. Hailey did a lot of the work, and wow, was she good. It was the most mind-blowing sex he's ever had in his life. He's not too sure why that surprised him, he always felt deeply connected to Hailey, this was just another way that solidified their connection. Jay finally spoke up.
"We should have done that years ago. Like many, many, years ago", he stressed, still out of breath, listening to Hailey panting next to him. Their bodies fit together so naturally, their rhythm was, unsurprisingly, immediately in sync.
"We really should have", she exhaled in awe, also coming down from her high, her legs still shaking. Jay with one hand was really something, she felt herself getting excited again at the thought of him using both sometime soon.
He leaned over to kiss the side of her forehead and whispered, "Good night Lails."
"Night Jay", she replied, softly turning into him, falling asleep with her pinky finger still firmly locked with his.
Will held his breath as he knocked on Jay's front door the next morning. Whatever was on the other side would be telling of how their conversation went last night. Will knew there would have been some dark times that they revisited, lots of emotions. If Hailey stayed, if she was still here with his brother, maybe there was some hope for normalcy after all this time that there wasn't any between them.
He let himself in after a few courtesy knocks, quietly entering the front foyer. He let out the deep breath that he was holding as he heard Hailey's distinct laughter coming from the kitchen.
Will couldn't help but smile as he walked in on Jay brushing some pancake mix from Hailey's cheek before going back to flip the bacon and eggs he had going on the stove.
"Oh, hey Will", Hailey greeted the older Halstead.
"Hey guys", Will replied cautiously, stealing a glance at Jay who nodded knowingly.
Will felt relief, things were going to be okay after all. He didn't need to ask for confirmation, he could just tell by how the two of them were interacting.
"Hungry?" Jay asked, knowing he had just come off a night shift.
"I could eat", he replied. Will went to help set the table before Hailey shooed him away.
"Just sit Will, you look tired. How was work?" She asked him as she poured him a cup of coffee.
"I am tired. Long. Busy. Fractures, sick babies, gun shots... you know the usual", Will told them casually.
Hailey snorted. "Right, sounds very normal."
Will flashed a half smile back, "It is to me. And your hubby over there." Will tested the waters.
Jay looked back at Will and rolled his eyes, Hailey shook her head and laughed, not acknowledging anything, just choosing to smack him with a dish towel instead.
"Yeah, yeah", she handed him his coffee, 2 milk, a dash of sugar- just how he liked it. He thanked her immediately, he felt like a zombie this morning. Even though he was tired, Hailey and Jay's behaviour caught his eye.
Interesting, Will thought. He saw the way Jay looked at Hailey as she came up beside him, stealing a piece of bacon right from the plate next to him. Jay was the detective in the family, but he didn't miss Hailey's sneaky caress of his brothers lower back before heading back to her seat.
"How's your shoulder Jay?" Will asked, seeing that he was no longer wearing the sling.
"Better actually, still a bit sore, but that's expected. And yes doctor, I wore the sling as recommended these last few days I swear. Scouts honour, Hailey can confirm my story."
Hailey nodded at Will, "He's actually not lying, he really was careful and wore it."
"Wow, look at you all grown up, finally listening to medical advice", Will said cheekily.
"Well that, and Hailey did take good care of me too", Jay smirked at her from across the table.
"I bet", Will nodded, looking suspiciously between the two of them.
After they finished eating, Hailey excused herself, saying she should probably go back to her hotel to sort herself out for her first day of her new job tomorrow. She told the boys she would be back later for dinner. Jay offered to drive her back, but Will jumped in instead.
"You don't have to Will, I can always just Uber", Hailey replied.
"No that's alright, it's on the way back to my place anyways", Will insisted.
"Okay thanks, let me go grab my stuff", Hailey smiled and retreated upstairs.
Once she was out of earshot, Will turned smugly to Jay.
"What", Jay looked at Will curiously.
"You and Hailey slept together. Like slept, slept together", Will half-accused, half stated.
Jay was caught off guard for a second, then shook his head and tried to hide a smirk. "I'm not saying anything."
Will's turn to laugh. "You don't have to. I know you two. I know you did. Something is different here."
Jay turned serious for a second. "Last night was hard…deployments, Mike... But we got it all out. Finally put everything all out on the line."
"And?" Will asked curiously.
"And it was good. Therapeutic. We're just seeing where things take us", Jay admitted.
"Gotcha. Well, happy for you guys either way. I've missed Hailey. And I know you have too", Will replied genuinely.
Jay flashed him a half smile and admitted honestly, "More than you know."
Will got up from the table, gently squeezed Jay's shoulder before meeting Hailey in the hallway.
"Ask what you need to ask Will", Hailey grinned smugly towards him in the driver's seat. She kept catching him staring at her out of the corner of his eye. Will was smart, she knew he knew already.
Will smiled and cleared his throat. "Ahem. Hypothetically, if you and Jay finally…. you know."
"Hmm, what do you mean?" Hailey smirked again, she was just messing with him at this point, wanted to watch him squirm a little.
"Explored different areas…. of each other…", Will tried to frame his answer in an appropriate way, that made Hailey laugh even harder. Eventually Will cracked too and chuckled, with a slight hue of red spreading across his cheeks.
"It's alright Will. We're all adults. Yes, Jay and I had sex", Hailey confirmed, shaking her head with a chuckle. Will was an ER doctor, she was sure he has seen and talked about countless awkward things in his life, way more than this yet this was causing him to stumble.
Will raised his eyebrows, surprised at how open she was being about it.
"Better to just cut right to the chase", Hailey quipped back, reading Will's mind. "Plus, I know you know us, so you'd clue in eventually."
Will relaxed a bit, loosening his grip on the steering wheel, genuinely smiling. "I'm happy for you guys. This has been a long time in the works."
"It has. We'll see what happens. Thanks, Will", Hailey echoed.
They spent the rest of the drive back to her hotel in a more comfortable silence.
The early part of the week went quick. Jay was back to work, on desk duty for the week, and Hailey was settling into her new role at her firm downtown. Jay gave her the space she needed to get back into the swing of things, promising to take her out for dinner Wednesday night before she had to fly back to New York on Friday one last time to pack up her apartment.
Jay was all smiles when he saw Hailey walk in to Bartoli's, making good on his promise from last week.
"Hey Hails", he stood up to greet her. She looked good, in her office clothes. She eyed him up too, thinking about how he always looked good in a classic Henley shirt, blue was his colour.
"Hey, how was your day?" She returned his hug and sat down across from him, her belly already grumbling.
"Better now", he grinned back as she pretended to roll her eyes at his cheesy reply.
"No, it was good. Boring week, waiting to get cleared by department physio for this shoulder. That will probably happen early next week", Jay replied.
"That's good Jay", Hailey replied as she made room for a beer dropped off by their waiter.
"Hope you don't mind, went ahead and ordered you a beer", Jay clarified at the mystery beverage.
"I know it's been a while Jay, but you know you never have to apologize for that", Hailey laughed as she took a sip after a quick cheers with her pizza date. He chuckled.
"Alright better question is how was your week?" Jay asked, eager to hear all about her new job.
Hailey filled him in, telling him she loved her new office, everyone seemed nice so far.
"Also, I may have left out a small detail about this job offer", she told him.
"Oh?" Jay responded curiously.
"It wasn't just a job offer. It was a job offer to be a partner", Hailey smiled.
"What?! Hailey you should have told me. That's big news! Congratulations. Proud of you", Jay grabbed her hand, shocked but elated for her.
"I know I know. It's just…you know. Last week was a lot. Kinda slipped under the radar", she said sheepishly.
"Seriously I'm really happy for you. You deserve this", Jay smiled genuinely, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Thanks Jay", she replied softly. Their eye contact broken by their waiter again, this time delivering pizza.
"Had I known… would have taken you somewhere nicer than Bartoli's", Jay's turn to be sheepish.
"Don't be silly. I love this place. I've been craving it since I've been back", Hailey could feel her mouth-watering.
Jay recovered quickly, "Well ya somewhere nicer and made you pay for it, money bags", he barely got that out before she was reaching across the table to pretend smack him. They both erupted in laughter.
They were nearly finished their meal when Hailey brought up flying back to New York this weekend.
"One last rodeo huh, that will be nice", Jay told her.
"You know you could come with me?" She mentioned slyly.
He raised his eyebrows at her, trying to decipher the look on her face, to tell if she was serious or not.
"I'm serious Jay, come with me", Hailey offered.
"You just want help packing up your apartment", he gave her a cheeky smile.
She rolled her eyes playfully, "Maybe. Or maybe I just want to spend some time with you."
He smiled shyly.
"It's been a …turbulent…few weeks for us. You've been so busy at work; your shoulder is finally feeling better…You could use a weekend away", she reasoned.
Jay's eyes lit up, knowing that she was actually serious, and wanted to continue spending time with him. "That sounds like a great idea. I'll have to double check with Voight. If nothing comes up, I'm all yours."
"Okay", she felt her heart flip flop at the excitement she felt going on a mini trip with Jay. Not exactly a trip for her to her old apartment, but it felt nice that they could get out of Chicago for the weekend. Show Jay a bit of her life in New York, some of the parts he missed.
"You know I am going to require compensation for my packing and moving services though", he joked.
"Yeah, yeah", Hailey shook her head and finished her pizza and dinner date with Jay.
Jay had invited Hailey to come to Molly's the next night, this local pub run by firefighters. She was excited to officially meet his work friends. Even though she had briefly been introduced at the hospital, this seemed like a better introduction- the first time around wasn't exactly the best timing or situation.
Hailey showed up a bit later than the others, took her a while to get out of the office.
"Hails!", Jay shouted as he noticed her walk in the door.
She smiled at him, watching him wave her over to their corner booth.
"Hey", she replied, as he stood up and gave her a quick hug.
"Everyone, you remember Hailey. More cheery occasion than last time", Jay said, the rest of the team saying hello, Kevin moving over to make room for her to sit.
"Hi Kim, you look much better than the last time I saw you", Hailey grinned.
Kim laughed, "Thanks. I hope I didn't say anything too embarrassing last time I saw you. I don't super remember the car ride home."
Hailey chuckled too, "No, you didn't. Glad you're feeling better!"
Jay reached over to the pitcher of beer on the table and poured her a glass. Hailey lifted her glass and clinked it with his before she took a sip.
"So, Hailey, Jay tells us you started a new job this week. How did it go?" Adam asked her.
"Busy, a lot to process. But I think I'll really like it here", she replied, Jay softly leaning his leg against hers under the table.
"That's great!" Everyone echoed.
The night went on, all were enjoying themselves- some a little more than others. A few firefighters stumbled over to chat with Intelligence, Will Halstead even made an appearance later on.
"Well, well, well Hailey Anne. Funny seeing you here", Will greeted her with a hug too.
"William Patrick", Hailey replied back. Jay laughed, the two of them have always used full names with each other for some reason.
"You guys are weird", Jay joked, taking a sip of his beer.
"Whatever you say Jay Alexander", Hailey replied with a smirk.
Kim watched the two of them interact with a smile on her face. She did remember telling Hailey at the hospital that she was a big fan of whatever it is going on between her and Jay, and she meant it. Jay had been all smiles this week, more relaxed, even though he was on desk duty. When he's been hurt before and confined to desk duty, he was typically miserable. His face lit up when he was telling Kim about his dinner date with Hailey, and how she would be coming out with them tonight. She already liked Hailey. She was funny and confident, charming, easy to get along with. She clearly put Jay at ease. Kim had never seen her partner with his guard down like this before.
She took charge of talking to everyone herself, cracking jokes, telling funny stories about Jay and Will. Jay was typically a very private person. Kind, funny in his own way, but only if you were in his inner circle. She could already tell Hailey was the more outgoing of the two, the one who encourages her partner to come out of his shell more.
Kim looked over and caught Will staring at her staring at Hailey and Jay. Will was discreet, and so was Kim. Quickly flashing a glance at Hailey and Jay, then back at each other. Almost an I told you so, from Will, who took a sip of his beer at the same time Kim did, both covering smirks.
"So, Hailey, I'm dying to know…", Kim started.
"Here we go", Adam laughed, knowing Kim had been stewing all week. Craving more information about Jay's past, his past with Hailey in particular.
Jay looked suspiciously to his partner.
"What was it like growing up with these two?" Kim asked, motioning to Will and Jay.
Hailey turned to both of them and smiled, Jay jokingly giving her a warning look.
"Don't worry I won't spill all of our secrets", Hailey gave Jay a devilish grin back, to which he raised his eyebrows in understanding, shared a few eye movements with her, and ultimately giving her permission to spill some stuff about their past.
Kim thought she and Jay had a pretty good method of unspoken communication, but this seemed to be more advanced.
Hailey told the table some stories about their childhood, about Mouse, laughing when she let it slip that Will was the one who ratted them out to Jay's parents after they all stole beer from them in high school once.
"I KNEW that was you", Jay shook his head at his brother. Will holding his hands up in defense.
"I was mad at you for something, had to get you back somehow", Will smirked.
Hailey continued and reminisced on all the times up at the cabin, playing sports together, taking care of the two of them when they had migraines, Jay tying her skates for her when they would go to Millennium Park in the winter, long after she needed him too.
"Aww, Jay. What a sweetie", Kim laughed.
"I wanted to make sure they were tight, you have bad ankles", Jay defended himself, not wanting to look too soft in front of his colleagues.
"I know, and I loved you for it", Hailey replied.
"Hold on? Jay? A softie? This Jay Halstead?" Adam and Kevin asked jokingly. Everyone was already surprised as is as to how relaxed he was lately, more outgoing, smiling.
"Can't be giving away all of my secrets Lails", Jay added.
"Right, forgot you have this tough guy persona at work", Hailey mimicked in a manly voice, holding her fingers up to make a gun, causing everyone to laugh, including Jay.
"Jay is the softie, always has been", Will confirmed, watching Hailey and Jay stare at each other with a little sparkle in their eyes.
"It's true. I was always protective of her. And I cannot for the life of me resist a Hailey Upton snuggle", he admitted.
"Ooo, a snuggle huh. Hailey did you have to crawl up a ladder to his window too?" Kim laughed.
Hailey shook her head and laughed at that, "I think you've watched too much Dawson's Creek. I never had to crawl in the window, always just waltzed right in the front door like I owned the place."
That had Will laughing, "It's true. Our parents loved Hailey more than they loved us I think." Jay nodding his head in agreement.
The three of them shared a look, smiling at their trip down memory lane. Everyone at the table sensing that there was more to the story. Their bond was so obviously tight and interconnected.
"And now look at us. All grown up, gangs all back together", Will lightened the mood.
"When Mouse comes home, look out. That's gonna be trouble", Jay stated, Hailey nodding.
Jay's phone went off just then, and he excused himself from the table. He came back a few minutes later and put his hand on Hailey's shoulder.
"Voight gave me the all clear for this weekend", he grinned.
"Really? Yay that's great!" Hailey replied.
"I'm flying back to New York this weekend to help Hailey pack up the rest of her apartment", Jay clarified for the group.
"Ahhh, very fun!" "Good weekend getaway." The table replied. Will raised his eyebrows and his glass to them but didn't say anything. The smug grin on his face said it all, Jay grinned.
"Wanna go dance?" Jay whispered in Hailey's ear. She nodded and got up to follow him to the tiny dance floor.
"Okay, so they're dating right?" Kevin asked Will. Adam and Kim also looking to Will for confirmation. Baffled by what they just watched unfold in front of their eyes, so quickly, with such ease. Hailey seemed to fit right in, as if she was here all along.
Will shrugged his shoulders in confusion. "I mean, I would say yes. But I also don't know for sure. You never really know with those two. I for one am extremely surprised Jay is being as public as he is", Will motioned to the dance floor, where his brother had no so discreetly grabbed Hailey's hand, twirling her around through the crowd, both of their smiles reaching from ear to ear. The others nodded in agreement, their stoic, reserved friend had seemingly done a 180 on them this week, making them question if they ever really knew Jay at all. They only knew him without Hailey in his life, however, they were very quickly discovering just how big of a part of his life she really is, and always has been.
"So are we. I have never seen Halstead smile this much. Ever", Adam replied.
"Same. And I practically spend 12 hours a day with him", Kim laughed.
Will smiled at that. Hailey was always Jay's person. He was the most himself and relaxed when he was with her. He looked to the two of them, singing and dancing around acting goofy like they were the only ones in the bar, like they never skipped a beat. He was almost envious at how close they really were, how easy it was for them to fall right back into each other's lives.
"This is what he used to be like all the time. This version of himself with Hailey is his true self. He tried….to replicate that, over the years. But for Jay, I don't think there was anyone that was ever going to compare to her", Will told the group, as he watched them from afar. Kim clutched her chest, as if that was the most romantic thing she's ever heard.
All was well again.
Jay's alarm sounded the following morning, eliciting a groan from the person lying next to him in bed.
"So early", Hailey mumbled, rolling over to check the time on his alarm clock.
"6:00 comes quick after a night out at Molly's. Learned that the hard way a time or two", Jay replied, feeling equally as hungover as he knows Hailey feels.
"Mmmm", Hailey replied, pulling the blankets back over her head.
"I know. Me too", Jay attempted to laugh, then reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose to try to stop the ache behind his eyes.
"Was that last tequila shot your bad decision or mine", Hailey asked.
"Unclear. I think it was Adam. Either way, we were all guilty parties", Jay replied.
"At least it's Friday. And we're flying to New York tonight", Hailey reasoned.
"True. I need to pull myself together before work", Jay thought out loud, blinking a few times, taking stock of his surroundings.
"Same", Hailey agreed.
"Come on", Jay grabbed her hand, pulling her out of his bed.
Hailey's eyebrows raised when he started walking them towards his bathroom and turning the shower on.
"Jay I might barf if we do that", Hailey laughed.
Jay shook his head, laughing too. "Same. Get your mind out of the gutter Hailey. Just a shower. We smell like alcohol."
They waited until the water was warm, both of them stepping out of their clothes and into the shower.
Jay waited until Hailey's hair was fully wet before he grabbed some shampoo and squeezed it out into his hands. He ran his hands over Hailey's head, startling her at first, sending a shiver down her spine, but in all the best ways.
"Just relax", he grinned, as he gently massaged the shampoo into her hair. He could feel her loosening up with every head scratch, he chuckled to himself. She's done this for him so many times in his life, but he couldn't recall ever doing it for her. Maybe now she'd understand how much this helps a headache.
She had never had a guy wash her hair before, she was surprised at how good this felt. How intimate, yet normal with Jay. He was even careful not to get shampoo suds in her eyes.
After he was finished, she did feel way better, and turned around to him, signalling it was his turn.
He didn't have much hair to wash, so she opted for some bodywash instead. Running her hands all along his back and broad shoulders, carefully avoiding the waterproof bandage covering his stitches above his elbow. She took her time, inspecting some of his scars and bruises from the accident, that were already healing. Giving him a light massage while she was at it. He tensed for a second when she neared his left shoulder.
"Shh, just relax. I won't touch it", Hailey said.
"No, can you?" Jay asked quietly, his shoulder felt stiff.
"Of course,", she whispered, being extra gentle, knowing he was still a bit sore there.
The heat and steam from the shower and Hailey's magic touch did wonders. He could feel his muscles becoming less tense already, especially after she worked out a big knot in his back.
They stood under the water for a little longer before hopping out.
"I feel a little more alive now", Hailey stated, wrapping herself in a fluffy white towel Jay handed her.
"Me too. I must say, showering with you is way more fun than showering by myself", he said cheekily.
Hailey grinned. "Not a bad way to start the day."
They continued getting ready separately, Hailey having the smart idea to pack a bag the night before and leaving it in her car. That, and a few items she left at Jay's from the weekend made getting ready for work a breeze.
She came down the stairs to find a fresh cup of coffee and some yogurt and berries sitting on the table for her.
"Sorry no bagels", Jay said, reading her mind, with his back to her as he heard her come in the kitchen.
"Just when I thought this was the perfect morning", Hailey joked, Jay smiled, pretending to be offended.
She quickly inhaled her food, looking at the time. She would take her coffee to go.
"I'll drop you back off at Molly's to get your rental car", Jay told her.
"Perfect thank you", Hailey said as she rushed to gather her belongings and pull herself together for work.
Jay dropped her off, gave her a kiss and said he'd see her later. Hailey smiled giving his hand a squeeze as she hopped out of his truck.
Jay walked into the station about 20 minutes later, the drinks from last night starting to catch up to him.
"Well good morning Detective Chuckles, I see you've come down with a case of the Irish flu?" Trudy joked.
"Yeah, yeah. Something like that Sarge", Jay waved her off.
"Must have been that pretty blonde you were dancing with all night", she added.
Jay turned halfway up the steps to look back at her and smile, "How do you know about that? You weren't even there."
"People talk Jay. I hear about everything that goes on here", she grinned back, Jay shaking his head, knowing there wasn't much that got past Trudy Platt.
He buzzed himself up to Intelligence, the rest of the team looking about the same as him. Feeling much of the same too if he had to bet.
Kim greeted him, sitting there with her sunglasses on. Not even saying a word, just pushing a bottle of ibuprofen across their desks towards him. Jay silently thanked her, and chased it with some coffee. It was one of those days.
5 o'clock couldn't come fast enough. Jay was anxious to get out of work to pick Hailey up downtown. He was practically counting the minutes.
"Just leave Halstead", Voight shouted from his office, could sense his detective stewing from across the room.
"Really?" Jay confirmed.
"Really. We're good here. Have a safe flight, enjoy your weekend", Voight responded pleasantly, not with his usual gruff tone.
"Thanks, Sarge", Jay was surprised, but quickly stood up and grabbed his jacket and keys. Voight smiled, Jay never asked for time off, so this must be something important to him.
Hailey was waiting at the front of her hotel, carry on in hand when she saw Jay pull up.
"I know, I know. Sorry I'm late, traffic was bad", he said.
"It's alright, we have time", she reassured.
"I grabbed you something to eat, figured you'd be rushed", Hailey added, pulling a sandwich out of her bag.
"Ugh thank you, you're a lifesaver", Jay thanked her, unwrapping it immediately to eat on the way. He hadn't eaten much today at all.
She laughed, when Jay was hungry, he was hungry. Scarfed that down right away.
"What?" He said with his mouth half full.
"Looks like you've never eaten before", she joked.
"Couldn't stomach much today", he replied, she nodded in agreement.
"Same. Excited to get to New York?" She asked, sort of nervously. Will had told her that Jay's ex left him for New York too, she guessed it wasn't exactly his favourite city.
"Yeah I am actually", he replied genuinely. Truthfully, he was just excited to go anywhere with Hailey.
"Good, it will be a fun weekend", Hailey confirmed.
Their flight was short, turbulent, but short. Jay hated flying, but he got through it. Exhaled loudly as soon as they stepped off to the plane to the tarmac.
"Deep breaths", Hailey said with a laugh.
"I've had worse flights, trust me. Don't get me wrong though, happy to be back on the ground", he grinned.
They quickly hailed a cab and found themselves out front of Hailey's apartment building in no time, talking the whole way about what restaurants and tourist attractions they would hit up this weekend.
Jay was busy grabbing their bags from the trunk, while Hailey was thanking the driver.
Suddenly, a dark figure came out from the shadows of Hailey's entryway, approaching them quickly and somewhat aggressively. Hailey turned to Jay with a shocked look on her face, he wasn't sure if they should panic or not. He instinctively went to reach for his gun that wasn't there. Hailey saw him do that and put her hand up, "Easy Jay. He's harmless", once she got a good look at the mystery man's face.
Jay looked at her curiously, still on high alert.
"I might not have told you everything about why I'm leaving New York", she replied.
Left things on another cliffhanger oops! Hope you enjoyed this chapter :) Thank you so much to all who continue to support this story, and for sticking with me although I haven't been very consistent on the updates. Truthfully, these last few months- this whole year and half really who am I kidding- has been very stressful for me. Your comments and messages always brighten my day. Hope everyone is safe and staying healthy wherever you may be. - K :)
