UPSTEAD ONE SHOT(S)

Squeeze My Hand

We never got to see Hailey and Jay's first interaction with each other after Jay woke up in 7x10

Sitting next to Jay's bed, Hailey prayed relentlessly that he'd wake up soon. She couldn't bare the thought of losing her best friend, partner...family...especially now since it recently hit her like a truck that she infact was completely in love with Jay. For ages, she'd always felt something for Jay, but she'd never let herself act on it- nor did she even think it was love. Hailey cared for Jay beyond all rationality, she laughed with him like she never did with anyone else, and she trusted him with her most ugliest secrets; of course Hailey was totally oblivious to those feelings being a two-way street. Well, actually, more convinced herself that it wasn't a two way street.

It had been eighteen hours now since Jay had been shot. Eighteen hours since Hailey found him and looked him in the eye for the first time in days....and now, all the hope she had left in her for Jay being okay was sharply fading. Hailey took Jay's hand in hers for the first time ever, it felt weird to her, but also really comforting and right? Yeh, it felt right to her; like her hands were made to be around his. "Jay, I'm here. I haven't left since we found you, and I'd really appreciate it if you'd wake up so I could shower" Hailey chuckled at her own failed attempt at a joke, the first tear of the hour slipping down her pale face. Everyone had tried desperately to get Hailey to go home, sleep and get some decent food, but she was having non of it. She'd be dammed if anything happened to Jay- good or bad- and she wasn't there.

"Jay, please. I need you to have my six, to bring me beers when doing our thing, to keep me feeling safe. Because, the truth is, I don't think I can live properly without you. Not now you've became the most important person to me. Now I've realised how much I love you

Please, just squeeze my hand" Hailey pleaded, truly desperate for some sign off Jay that he was going to be okay.

After a few moments of no response, the tears hit an all-time strength and they gushed violently down her face. "It's over" Hailey thought, resting her head down on the side of Jay's bed; making sure to not let go of Jay's hand.

Out of the blue, the moment of, miraculousness happened. Hailey felt a weak squeeze on her hand, causing her head to fly up off the bed and in the direction of Jay. His hazy blue eyes met her teary blue ones in a matter of seconds, both of them crying whilst talking silently talking to each other.

"Hails" Jay breathlessly stated, breaking the silence.

"Yeh, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere" Hailey cried, squeezing his hand tighter for emphasis.

"I....I love you, too" Jay croaked, reaching with his good arm to cup Hailey's face. She couldn't quite believe what just came out Jay's mouth, nor could she get any words out her own mouth: she was stunned. "I heard you. I heard it all"
Hailey blushed with slight, embarrassment at Jay hearing her emotional and soppy speech. However, she was pretty sure it was worth it just to hear him say I love you back. "Ugh, I guess the cat's out the bag then" Hailey lightly chuckled, looking Jay in the eyes with complete love and adoration. They both shared the same glittery spark in their eyes, a spark they'd never had before. "I guess so" Jay whispered softly. "Can I?" Hailey questioned, not needing to finish the question for Jay to understand. "Yeh" Jay smiled. Hailey crouched up and bent forward, attaching her lips to Jay's for the first time ever. Sparks flew between them, love bubbled inside them between the butterflies that were going crazy....a feeling they both knew was long over due.

"If I knew it was going to end like this, I'dve gotten myself kidnapped and shot way sooner" Jay joked, earning a dischuffed glare and punch off Hailey. "You're lucky I love you, alst I'd be tempted to shoot your other side" Hailey frowned, going back in for another kiss.