UPSTEAD ONE SHOT(S)

Father's Advice

After a long shift and day of chasing down a major drug dealer, the team wrapped up their mile-high pile of paperwork and headed out for the evening; all except Jay, though.
Him and Hailey had butted heads several times throughout the day, due to how Hailey got so invested in the case- spiraling too deep almost. They'd never argued during their relatively short lived relationship, so today was a big blow to their usually unrocky relationship. Hailey, at the end of the day, told Jay to not bother following her out: they needed time alone, she said. God knows what that ment. Jay thought it either ment just the evening, or forever. He didn't know, and it unsettled him. So, like usual, he buried himself in his work to take his mind off his personal emotions.

Eleven in the evening struck and Voight grabbed his coat, throwing it around his shoulders and headed out for the evening. Unaware of Jay's presence, Voight stopped in his tracks seeing his best detective still scribbling away at the desk. Jay only ever stayed this late if something was bothering him, so Voight knew him and Hailey had had a head-butting. "You should go home, Jay" Voight diplomatically ordered, looking down on Jay. "I'll just finish up" Jay replied, fully aware of what Voight was actually meaning.
"Word of advice from a wise old soul: Don't run away when things get rough, no matter what the other half says" The words punched Jay in the gut. He never ran when things got hard between him and Hailey before they were together, he never realised that till Voight pointed it out though. "Why am I running away now?" Jay thought silently. "You know it's not that easy- especially with Hailey" Jay said, shaking his head in dispare at the situation. He hated him and Hailey being on rough terms; it never happened.
"Come on, I got something in my office you need" Voight instructed, u-turning back towards the locked office. Confused, Jay stood up and followed- wondering what would be in Voight's office that he needed.

Jay let out a small chuckle, when he saw his Sergent yank out a small bottle of whisky from a desk draw. Voight wasn't wrong, that was exactly what Jay needed. "Drink up" Voight stated, handing the young detective a freshly poured glass. "Thanks" The two clancked glasses, throwing them back with feeling.
"I don't get it" Jay sat down on the sofa, circling the edge of his glass with his thumb. "She's never gotten so mad at me before- even when I was a total jerk to her at the begining" Voight listened carefully to Jay as he opened up, not something he done easily. "Why now?" Jay asked, unable to figure it out for himself. Sighing with sympathy and understanding, Voight bent forward a little to get closer to Jay. "Because she's scared" Voight simply said, like it was that simple. "Scared of what, Voight?" Jay's voice was gentle, hurt threaded in his words.

"Losing you"

Jay flicked his eyes up to look Voight in the eyes. He was shocked at the thought that Hailey thought she'd lose him. He'd always made clear he'd never leave her no matter what. "She knows she'd never lose me" Jay commented. "You saw a bruised part of her today, Jay. We all did. She knows she won't lose you, but it's her natural defense mechanism: push the one she loves away, before they leave" Jay knew that was true, he'd been on the receiving end before- never to that extent though. Childishly, he thought that maybe now they were a couple she wouldn't do it anymore. "How do I get through to her, Hank? If she knows that, then how do I make her believe that she doesn't need to drop the other shoe first?" Jay pleaded for answers, the thought of losing Hailey was unbearable. "I don't know, Jay. I really don't. You know her best. The way you both understand each other, always have understood each other, is pretty special. We've all seen the way you understand each other, it's unique" Voight's soft, assuring words gently seeped in to Jay's panicking mind. He did know Hailey the best. He understood the way she thought, the way she worked. The way they understood each other was so special, Voight wasn't wrong.

"After Erin left and I started badly screwing up, she was there still. She was a total pain in the ass for ages, but she knew from day one what I needed" Voight chuckled at Jay's last few words. He'd witnessed the way the two wound each other up, but he knew they were right for each other. And, watching them become what they are now, well, to him, that was pretty amazing to watch. "Yeh, she definitely gave you the kick up the ass you needed" Voight agreed. "That's one way to put it. If she can do that from day one, why can't I do it four years in? Four years and in three months of being together"

"Jay, you know exactly what she needs. You always have done" Jay furrowed his brows, unsure of what Voight was poking at. Usually Jay did know, but not this time around.

"You" Voight stated.

"She told me to not bother following her out. That doesn't sound like she needs me"

"Jay, that's exactly what she wanted you to think. She makes you think that, when really, all she wants is for you to follow her and knock at her apartment door. I'm telling you, if you go to hers after this and knock on her door; it'll be the most safe she's ever felt. I promise you that" Voight's speech left Jay in a state of emotional silence. Inside, he was kicking himself that he hadn't caught onto it because of how frustrated he was. She'd told him countless times how people always left her. It was now blindingly obvious to Jay what Hailey was doing. "I'm such an ass" Jay scolded, rubbing his hands across his face. "You're far from stupid, Halstead. You got just as frightened as she did. Do me a favour: get out of here and go sort things out with Hailey" Voight smiled, feeling like a father in the moment. "Yeh, thanks" Jay nodded, so appreciative of having Voight as his Sargent and a father figure. "Anytime, now go" Voight shoed, earning a chuckle from Jay.

A/N: There will be a second part to this, no way can I just leave it lingering the way it is- just not promises on how soon that second part will be coming, lol. Anyway, let me know your thoughts below and any other ideas of what you'd like to see!