That night, he didn't go home. The case District 21 solved that day was stomach-churning and Jay needed a stiff drink to forget what he'd witnessed and discovered. District 21 managed to arrest a gang that practiced child exploitation, but what disgusted Jay was learning that the leader of the gang was the father of two girls aged seven and nine respectively who prostituted his two daughters in exchange for money, drugs and stolen objects. . Halstead had seen it all in his early years as a cop, but this was the worst thing he'd ever seen.

"Get me a really strong drink.", he asked the bartender. His voice was exhausted and weak, he just wanted to drink some and go home.

"I don't believe it, Jay? Jay Halstead?", a female voice addressed him. "I don't believe it. Is it you?"

Jay frowned at the blonde woman in front of him. She looked familiar, but he couldn't remember her. The shocking images of those children being prostituted by their own father still didn't leave his mind.

"Sorry, but did we meet?", he asked and saw the woman's smile fade a little.

"We attended the Chicago police academy together", she explained. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? I'm Hailey Upton.

Jay put a hand to his forehead in embarrassment. Clear. How had he forgotten about Upton? The blonde who trailed a wing for him, but he never paid her attention.

"Oh sure, Upton." Jay forced a smile. "I remember you. But it's been a long time, really."

Hailey's smile lit up again.

"I didn't know you were back in town. I heard you had gone to Afghanistan." She said, getting embarrassed. Afghanistan never brought back good memories for anyone who went there.

"I recently got back." He explained with a gulp. Recently meant thinking about her. And Jay knew he shouldn't think about her now that he was working with her brother.

"Where are you working?", the blonde asked. "Maybe we'll meet around there."

"District 21, Sergeant Hank Voight." Jay replied drinking his whiskey.

Hailey's eyes sparkled. It was great news.

"We'll work together!", she exclaimed smiling. "I'm being transferred to district 21."

Jay swallowed hard. He knew where Upton was getting at and he didn't like hurting the blonde, but he had to be honest. His life had been a mess for years and he didn't want to drag her into it, and besides, his heart was still beating and beating harder and harder for Gabriela.

"That's good." He smiled forcedly. "Let's be good co-workers."

Upton realized what he meant behind that sentence and felt disappointed. Was she not good enough for him?

"Jay, work aside, I want to ask you something," she said.

"Hailey, I already understand what you're getting at," he sighed. "Look, you're a very beautiful and intelligent woman, but unfortunately I can't say what you want to hear. I would be lying. And it wouldn't be good for either of us to work in the same place with an awkward atmosphere between us. Do not you think?"

Of course she didn't, the blonde thought disappointedly, but what could she do? Nothing, she didn't want to lose Jay's friendship. She could be his friend and win Halstead over, little by little.

"You're right." She forced a smile. "See you tomorrow at work?"

"Of course", he nodded.

After saying goodbye to Hailey, Jay went to his car and drove home. In his mind, he only prayed that the next day Antonio would decide to leave him alone.

It was 7:00 am the next morning when Gabby arrived at the police station. She didn't see Trudy at the table as usual and concluded that the sarcastic sergeant hadn't arrived. The brunette looked at her cell phone to see if any messages had arrived from Antonio and saw that he had sent one saying that he would be a little late because she would have to take Diego to the hospital after a bad night's sleep due to a cold.

"Gabby, good morning", Lindsay greeted her. "Did you come to see Antonio?"

"Good morning, Erin", she returned the greeting. "Yes, I came to talk to Antonio. But he will be a little late. So I'll wait down here."

"Don't be silly", she laughed. "You're from 21's family as well as Antônio. You can wait upstairs at his desk."

Gabby's stomach turned at the thought that Jay might be there too.

"I don't want to bother you", she tried to dodge. "You must have a lot of cases to investigate."

"Come on, Gabby, you were never shy", Erin rolled her eyes. "I'll take you upstairs."

Gabby couldn't protest anymore, Erin could be more stubborn than she was. Lindsay opened the living room door with her keys, and Gabby was relieved to see that Erin was the first one there that day.

"Make yourself comfortable", Erin said. "I'll go to the coffee shop on the corner to get some breakfast. Will you want something?"

"A croissant and coffee would be nice", Gabby said gratefully.

"Okay, I'll be right back", Erin smiled leaving the room.

Jay had just entered the police station and coincidentally, so had Hailey.

"It seems like it's fate we met last night and now we arrive at work at the same time," she joked.

"Or maybe we got up too early today," he laughed. " "Ready for the mess that is district 21?"

"I was born ready," she winked at him.

At that moment, Erin descended the stairs and went to greet Halstead.

"Halstead, good morning," Erin greeted the blonde and looked sideways at Upton. "Are you the new detective?"

"Yes, she will take Jules' place", Jay replied.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Hailey Upton", the blonde reached out to shake Erin's hand.

"Erin Lindsay", she greeted the blonde. "Welcome."

"Thank you", Hailey thanked smiling.

"Have you shown her the room on the second floor, Jay?", she asked her forgetting that Gabby was there.

"I'll do it now", he nodded. "Let's go."

The two went up the stairs and at that moment, the tense atmosphere was armed.

OK! Hold your emotions! Gabby and Jay reunion in the next chapter. Meanwhile, Hailey emerges and is willing to try to win Jay over. However, make no mistake, later on she will reveal a face that no one knows. Erin, don't worry, you will be loved and protected here :). And Gabby... I just want to protect her in the next chapter. Damn Hailey

Reviews

@dawseyfan51: I love Dawsey and Dawstead, but I confess it's hard to choose just one for a couple lol. While I'm happy to write Jay and Gabby as a couple, I feel sorry for Matt that he sees Gabby with someone else in this story lol. But I think that in the course of history something surprising can happen ;)

@Sarrabr4: I am very happy that you read and follow the story. Thanks! Your intuition about the blonde girl is right, for now we won't see much of her, but she will be very present in the story. Dawstead's breakup reunion is written and done with... But I can't guarantee she'll be one of the best lol