14. Chapter 14

Really grasping at any Upstead moments lately! I'm hoping there are some juicy ones to come. Another fluffy chapter...inspired by real life events of mine these last few weeks (hockey is dangerous folks lol take care of your injured friends!). Thank you for all the lovely reviews, would love your feedback on this one too.

Chapter 14

In the coming weeks, Jay and Hailey had yet to address their feelings for one another. There was far too much going on with their team. The closest they came was when Jay followed Hailey to the South Side one night, just before Darius Walker showed up dead.

"You following me?" Hailey sassed him.

Jay was not impressed, giving her a look after she repeated his own words from the Marcus West case.

"What are you doing Hailey?" He asked concerned.

"It doesn't concern you", she replied coldly.

"Yes it does. Good or bad, right or wrong. You know it does."

She kept replaying that conversation in her brain, of course it concerned him. She knew that, but she wanted to keep him far away from this one. Letting him in was only going to cause her pain, and maybe even him too.

Jay had been right about his hunch on Burgess being pregnant after all. Unfortunately, as elated as they all were to hear the news, it was quickly replaced with sadness. A case gone wrong found Burgess on the receiving end of a brutal beating, resulting in her losing the baby. Kim was devastated, Adam was trying to hold it together for the two of them, and the rest of the team were trying to support them in any way that they could.

"Hey, how's she doing?" Rojas asked Adam as he followed her into the district the morning after Kim was released from the hospital.

"She's doing alright, she'll be on light duties for a while. Thanks for asking", he put on a brave smile as he walked past Platt's desk.

"Hey, Adam. I'm so sorry to hear. How are you doing with all of this?" Trudy asked cautiously.

"I'm okay. Just trying to process it", he allowed the sadness to creep into his voice just long enough for Platt to pick up on it.

"We're all here for you, let us know what you and Kim need alright?"

"Thanks Sarge", Adam smiled as he walked upstairs.

Jay and Hailey were already sitting at their desks. Rojas, Kevin and Adam strolled in just after. Hailey was staring at Jay as he saw Adam walk in, his face tensing. She had noticed how distant he was at the hospital, how he barely made it through the doors, always hovering towards the exit. She sensed that he was struggling with something but she wasn't sure what. Ever since the night he came over to take care of her while she had a migraine, he had been quieter than usual. Stress of coming back to work, being worried and sad for Kim, his own demons- she couldn't quite put her finger on it. But she knew Jay, and pushing wasn't a good idea so she was going to let him come to her when he was ready.

Thankfully, they didn't have time to dwell on their feelings for too long as they caught a case that was deeply personal to Rojas.

Voight had nonchalantly paired Hailey and Jay together again, everyone, including himself, knew that this was best for all of them.

Jay and Hailey sat quietly in his truck, watching their suspect get out of his vehicle.

"You ready?" He asked without looking at her, he knew she was.

"Ya, let's go", Hailey murmured.

To no surprise, their suspect did not surrender quietly. He led Hailey and Jay on a chase through some back alley's, Hailey running ahead to cover her partner. Jay didn't even have time to think before his body was flinging itself over a fence in order to take him down.

Hailey rushed over to him, immediate concern for his shoulder, but let out a breath when she saw that he was fine. He was on the ground because it was Jay that had done the tackling, not the other way around.

They went on the rest of the day trying to help Rojas figure this case out. Hailey had stepped up and taken the lead on partnering with her roommate most of the day. Well, her and Kevin. She could tell this case was personal to Vanessa, and she knew what it felt like to carry a heavy burden.

Another thing her and Jay had not spoken about was the whole Darius Walker situation. Maybe that's why he's being weird around me, she thought as a light bulb went off in her head. She quickly back tracked, Jay was not one to hold grudges with her. Even if he knew she was in the wrong, he always had her back. She decided not to push the matter for today, there would be time for that eventually.

"You don't have to do this with me, I know you've had a long day", Rojas told Hailey.

"It's not like I have a hot date waiting for me. Grub hub can wait", Hailey replied.

Right now, she was with Rojas trying to find Sammy. They got word from patrol that he was at a drop-in center. They approached him cautiously, and Hailey thought that Rojas might actually be getting through to him until he got spooked by a radio call.

"Sammy, no wait!" Rojas yelled as Sammy let off a few shots into the air and fled out the back exit of the building.

Hailey yelled out shots fired at the police over her radio and followed Vanessa down an alley and into a convenience store. They paused before going in, Hailey silently confirming back-up was on the way. She helped her clear the store and get civilians to safety. Hailey was going up and down an aisle when she heard Vanessa's voice again.

"Sammy, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you, I'm here to help", she tried to reason.

It sounded like she was successful in talking him down. That was until Hailey heard a father and his daughter come out from one of the aisles. This was not going to end well, she had that feeling.

Hailey heard Sammy become aggressive once again, leaving Rojas no choice but to shoot him. She wasn't going to let him hurt an innocent man and child. Hailey quickly radioed for more help, trying to console Rojas in the process.

"I'm going to go meet the paramedics, okay. Keep pressure on his chest", Hailey yelled out, a scene all too familiar playing out in her mind. Jay getting shot felt like ages ago, when it reality it wasn't that far in the past. Seeing such a young kid lying on the floor, bleeding from his chest almost exactly where Jay had been, made her shudder.

She quickly removed herself from the store, took a deep breath and directed the paramedics and other police once they arrived.

She went back into the store to find Rojas hyperventilating, trying to make sense of what just happened. To make matters worse, Sammy didn't actually have his gun on him anymore. He was reaching for nothing when Vanessa shot him.

"Hailey, he had the gun. We saw him….he", Rojas stuttered.

"I know. Hey, listen to me. Don't do this to yourself. You had no choice, don't question it. You made the right call", Hailey said calmly as she felt her phone buzz.

"Hey, look- this is Jay. He said Sammy is in ICU but stable, the doctor's are optimistic."

She saw Vanessa let out a small sigh of relief.

"It's going to be okay", Hailey consoled her. They walked away from the crime scene, Hailey making sure that Vanessa was okay getting to Med by herself.

Once things were wrapped up at the scene, Hailey drove herself home, ready for a hot bath and maybe some pizza.

Almost on cue, she pulled up to her house, finding the familiar grey truck out front, and smiled. Looks like she did have a hot date waiting for her after all.

Jay got out as she did, Lou's in hand. She thanked him silently, and was convinced he could read her mind.

"The last time I came here with Lou's you were down for the count, so…", Jay smiled.

"You read my mind", Hailey grinned, ushering him into her house.

They had their thing. Hailey realized they hadn't done this in such a long time. Well, not officially. They spent copious amounts of time together sure, but the last few months had been hectic in the personal and work lives. So in a way, it was nice to just have pizza and beer with Jay and watch the Blackhawks without saying anything else.

"You gonna come to watch our charity hockey game tomorrow?" Jay asked.

"What game?" Hailey looked at him confused.

"There's been posters up at the district all week", Jay chuckled at his usually very observant, not observant partner.

"Oh", Hailey smiled. "I didn't realize you were playing."

"Of course. Cops versus firefighters, going to be a good one."

"When was the last time you skated?" Hailey laughed.

Jay rolled his eyes, "Hey, it's been a while. But it's just like riding a bike Hails."

"Whatever you say. But yes, I'll be there. Wouldn't miss seeing you skate around like Bambi out there for the world. On Valentines Day no less."

Jay smacked her with a pillow and finished his beer. He wasn't staying over tonight, which was fine by Hailey. He could see she was tired. Plus he couldn't expect staying over every time they had a night in, that was creeping into dangerous territory.

"Night Hails, see you tomorrow", he waved as he walked back to his truck.

"See you Jay." Hailey smiled and shut her door, waiting for Rojas to get back.

As promised, Jay looked up and saw Hailey in the stands the following afternoon. He gave her a small wave, she smiled back. Something that Kelly Severide noticed.

"So you and Upton, huh?" He teased.

Jay immediately blushed, and put a stone face back on. "No, we're just partners."

"Right. Well make sure to score a few goals today, impress her", he skated away and laughed. Jay tapped him with his stick as they finished their warm up.

Kelly winked at Stella, who was sitting next to Hailey.

Hailey looked over at Stella, it was clear that her and Kelly were over the moon for each other. She was envious. In a way that made her optimistic for the future with Jay. If Kelly and Stella could make it, after everything that they had been through, there was hope.

The game was going well, it was surprisingly competitive for a charity event. That didn't surprise the girls in the crowd though, throw 20 plus males into a sporting event and things were definitely going to get rowdy. There was still no score heading into the final minutes of the game.

Hailey was watching Jay, he was surprisingly good for not playing for so many years. He was naturally athletic, his skating was smooth. But all of a sudden, she saw him collide with someone from Engine at center ice, and he went down- hard.

She didn't think anything of it at first, she figured he got the wind knocked out of him. That was until she saw him on all fours, his stomach heaving. She could hear him about to be sick from where she was sitting.

"Oh, that's not good", Stella whispered, looking to Hailey who looked frozen in time.

Hailey was processing what was going on, he must have been hit in the head.

Kelly and Adam were by his side, Kelly trying to get his helmet off for him so that he could be sick.

She didn't realize it, but everyone was looking to Hailey to see what she was going to do.

"Do you think he's okay?" Hailey asked Stella nervously.

Her response wasn't exactly reassuring.

"It looks like he got hit in the head. I think he needs to get to a hospital", she said as they watched them try to help Jay up.

Hailey could see it on his face right away, he did not look alright. Especially when they got him standing, his legs folded from under him immediately, and he needed help getting off the ice.

Kelly and Adam skated off with him as Hailey and Stella rushed down to the locker room.

"He'll be alright, just need to get him checked out", Stella rubbed Hailey's back, sensing that she was nervous. She too knew that Jay was shot recently, and had some other injuries going on.

The two women found themselves in the locker room, Kelly waiting for them outside.

"Is he okay?" Hailey asked him at the door.

Kelly hesitated, "I'm not really sure. I think he needs to be checked out."

Adam had already gone back on the ice, they could hear celebrating from down the tunnel. Hoping that meant PD had won. But that wasn't really important at the moment. Hailey and Stella entered the change room, finding a half dressed Jay sitting on the bench.

Hailey approached him first, sitting down next to him- eyeing him up. He looked pale and a bit out of sorts. She handed him the sports drink sitting next to her, encouraging him to take a few sips.

"You alright?" She asked him quietly. Stella was watching him carefully too. Training as a paramedic was coming in handy right now.

Jay took a few deep breaths in, not replying right away. That caused Hailey to put a hand on his bare back. He was sweaty and smelled like hockey equipment, but that didn't really matter right now.

"Guys, I'm fine. Don't worry honestly. Just got the wind knocked out of me", he told them confidently.

Stella's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Jay, you couldn't skate off on your own power. I think you might have a concussion."

Hailey nodded in agreement, "I'm going to take you to the hospital okay?"

Jay got defensive about that, didn't like it one bit. "No, I don't think that's necessary. I'm sorry for making you guys worried, honestly. I'm fine."

The women looked at each other then looked to Jay who had stood up abruptly, towering over Hailey on his skates. He started taking the rest of his equipment off, clearly unaware that he was about to get naked in front of Hailey and Stella.

Stella looked at Hailey, who burst out laughing. She was surprised that his partner wasn't the least bit awkward about this.

"I'm going to leave now", Stella said through a smile as Jay continued to undress.

Hailey couldn't stop laughing, even through a serious moment.

"Jay, you could have at least waited until Stella was gone", she chuckled.

He looked dazed anyways, seeing him naked was the least of Hailey's concerns at the moment. She was concerned for his head. So, she helped him get the rest of his equipment off and into the shower, trying to avoid taking a peek.

After a few minutes, Jay was out and had a towel wrapped around himself. Hailey couldn't help but stare at his chiselled body.

By the time he was getting dressed in regular clothes again, the game was over. PD yelling down the tunnel that they won, Adam scored.

"Hear that Jay, you guys won!" Stella yelled from outside of the change room.

Hailey had come out once Jay was dressed, as she was about to be bombarded by a group of smelly men, who were also going to get naked and shower.

"Is Jay okay?" Kelly asked Hailey as he passed by her to get to the other locker room.

Hailey hummed, not convinced that Jay was okay.

"I think I'm going to take him to the emergency room", she said.

"That's a good idea. Get him checked out just in case", Kelly agreed.

"It's just getting him there that's the problem. He's stubborn."

"Did you drive here?" Kelly asked.

"I came with Kevin. Jay's truck is here though I can just drive us in that."

"Sounds good, let me or Stella know if you need anything."

"Thanks Kelly", Hailey replied as she waited for Jay.

He came out of the locker room looking not great, his face pale and his eyes unfocused.

"Hey", she said gently, putting a hand on his back, walking next to him.

"I'm sorry for scaring you", he said quietly.

"It's alright. I'm glad you're okay. It was hard seeing you skate off like that", Hailey voiced her fears for once.

"Are we going to the hospital?" Jay asked nervously.

She understood his hesitation, he hated hospitals. But she also wasn't going to take a chance with a head injury either.

"Yes we are. I would feel better if you got checked out."

"Okay. But just for you", Jay agreed reluctantly.

"I'll take that. Come on let's go", Hailey ushered him to his truck, hopping in the driver's seat. The rest of 51 and the 21st watching them speed off.

"I hope Halstead's alright", Kelly turned to Stella who had a slight grin on her face.

"I think he's in good hands", she replied cheekily.

Hailey walked into emerg with her hand on Jay's back. The adrenaline started wearing off on the drive over, she could tell he was in pain.

Will spotted them walk in, half rolling his eyes, half worried when he saw Jay looking a bit out of it.

"What happened?" He put a hand on Jay's elbow, who tried to shrug it off.

"Got hit during the charity hockey game this afternoon. He was throwing up on the ice. Took an elbow to the head", Hailey filled in the blanks for Will.

He shook his own head, guiding Jay to an exam room.

"You guys are over-reacting, I'm feeling better now", Jay barely got out before he felt a wave of nausea. Luckily, Will saw and reacted in time, holding a basin out in front of his brother who started throwing up again.

"Like hell you are. You're going to get a CT and stay here for a while so we can monitor you for a concussion", Will said motioning for Hailey to take the basin from him.

She did so willingly, rubbing Jay's back with her other free hand. "It's alright", she whispered, knowing he wasn't feeling well.

Jay just nodded at Will, knowing deep down he was right. Coming off a concussion after the Angela thing a few weeks ago too was not helping his "I'm fine" argument.

Will left to go get the tests ordered as Jay sat back in the bed.

Hailey set everything down, and put her hand over his. That caused Jay to open his eyes again, regretting it as the fluorescent lighting was starting to bother him too.

"Thanks Hailey", Jay whispered as he linked his fingers with hers.

"Of course. Rest your eyes, we're going to be here for a while", she sat down next to him and comforted him quietly until Will got back.

Several hours had gone by, Hailey was glad that Jay agreed to come to the hospital because he definitely became more symptomatic as time passed.

His vision was blurry and he had a pounding headache. The nausea from the bright lights wasn't helping either.

Hailey had shifted from the uncomfortable chair to next to Jay in the hospital bed. Will had been coming in periodically to check on them. He gave Hailey a look when he saw Jay's head resting against her shoulder. She shrugged and grinned.

"I'm glad you came in Jay, your big head got you in trouble again", Will joked.

"Can I go home now?" He asked with his eyes closed, his head still resting against Hailey.

"Yes, you can go home now. But you have a concussion, you need to rest for a few days alright? No screens, try to sleep as much as you can. Hailey are you…?" Will inquired.

"Ya, I'll stay with him tonight", she replied, knowing what Will was really asking.

"Okay perfect, thank you. He's fine to take Tylenol or Advil. No caffeine or alcohol." Will instructed, that caused Jay to pout. Hailey and Will laughed.

"Trust me Jay, it's for the best. Minor concussion, but you still need to be careful."

"I know. Thanks Will." Jay replied.

Hailey helped him get his coat on and walked with him out to his truck. He was moving slowly, but more steady than earlier- thankfully.

He was quiet on the way home, she suspected a growing headache was the problem.

Once they were back at his house, she got him into bed and shut the door, trying to figure out what she was going to make for dinner. She had a bunch of texts from 51 and the unit, all asking how Jay was.

She replied to each of them, Kelly and Stella last- thanking them for their help today.

"Of course. We're glad Jay's okay. Don't make anything for dinner, we just sent something over to you guys", Stella messaged back.

Bless her, Hailey thought. She was tired and didn't really feel like cooking. About half an hour later, Thai food arrived at Jay's door. She heard him get out of bed at the sound of the door knocking and venture into the kitchen. He had changed into more comfortable clothes, the colour in his face had come back slightly, although he looked more groggy than usual.

He managed to eat some noodles and drank water. Hailey had dimmed the lights in the living room so they weren't as bright.

"You know, we really have to stop doing this", Jay laughed, acknowledging how much they had taken care of one another these past few months.

"Stop taking care of you? Never", Hailey teased as she finished her meal.

"I haven't had a Valentine in forever", Jay joked.

"You're lucky I didn't have a hot date planned tonight", Hailey treaded lightly.

Jay flashed her a half smile, shaking his head.

"Thanks for being here Hails", he said more seriously.

"Always Jay."

They stared at each other silently for a few seconds, before Jay yawned and excused himself to go back to bed.

"I'll be in later", Hailey confirmed as she watched him walk back to his room.

A few hours later, Jay was feeling sort of crappy, tossing and turning in bed. He heard his door creak open, and small footsteps move toward the bed.

Hailey crawled in without saying another word, he turned towards her as she gently threw an arm around his back. He felt his stress dissipate, hearing her slow breaths and smelling her lavender shampoo calmed him in ways that no one else could.

Even concussed, he was hyper aware of her presence. He craved it. He groaned a bit when he shifted positions, his headache becoming more intense. She felt him tense up and gently touched the back of his head, a handful of his hair in her fingers. Her thumb caressed where he was hit, it was tender, but her touch soothed him. Her other hand was running along his spine rhythmically. He reached his hand up to wrap it around her wrist, holding on to her like his own personal lifeline. He did that until his eyes felt heavy and he drifted back to sleep with Hailey by his side on Valentine's Day.