UPSTEAD ONE SHOT(S)

Ghosts Of The Past

Note: This is based off the episode in season three, where the PE teacher hurt the two teenage boys. There was clearly a gap in the story when it came to Jay- he even said "I was you" to the little boy, so this is my idea of what might happen. However, I've switched Erin out for Hailey.

Standing on the other side of the two-way mirror, anger and frustration boiled inside of Jay as he watched Kim and Attwater do- what he thought- was a feeble job of getting a perverted PE teacher to cracking. The whole day Jay had been on edge, and the entire unit was treading on eggshells with him. A few times, Hailey had silently and verbally asked Jay if he was okay, and every time is response was a "yes"; everyone knew he was lying through his teeth though.
"This is ridiculous" Jay slammed his hand off the wall, his patience blowing.
"Hey, getting frustrated isn't going to help anyone. Calm down" Adam reasoned calmly.
"Calm down? A boy's dead because of him and another is scarred for life" Jay snapped in a raised voice, before storming out the room.
"I'll go check on him" Hailey mumbled, turning on her heels to follow Jay before she even entered the room to join them.

Jay locked himself in the locker room. He was slumped against his and Hailey's lockers; his head in his hands and tears streaming down his face. He didn't want anyone to see him in that state. Nobody at all.
"Jay, let me in" Hailey called, trying to open the door and not succeeding. Jay could hear, but he didn't reply. He physically couldn't reply. The tears were too strong and breath too tight to verbally form words.
"Jay, it's just me. Please" Hailey begged, her voice the sweetest he'd ever heard it. "I promise nobody else is here. I just want to make sure you're alright" Hailey assured Jay.
Knowing she wasn't going to get a reply anytime soon, she slumped down against the door so she was there still. "Jay, whatever it is I'll listen. It won't change how much I love you" Hailey said. "Remember what we promised each other right at the start of our relationship? We don't hide or suffer alone, we let the other in no matter how bad or hard it is. This is one of those moments" Hailey softly reminded.
As much as he wanted to be alone, he really wanted Hailey: his rock, his World, his partner, his fiancée. He got up off the floor and gingerly made his way to open the door.

Hailey's heart broke when she saw the state of Jay. He was always so sure of himself, strong, non-emotional, which was the polar opposite of his current state. Jay's face was puffy and blotchy, his eyes red and swollen, and he looked so vulnerable and terrified. A sight Hailey had never seen before. "Oh, Jay" Hailey breathed out, wrapping herself around his waist and closing the door behind her again. "What's going on?" Hailey asked, sitting them both down on the floor against the door. "It's nothing" Jay shook his head, his voice barely understandable. "It's not nothing. You're a soggy mess, and you're not a soggy mess for no reason" Hailey replied, resting her head on top of Jay's as he leant against her chest. "You know I wouldn't ever push you to tell me usually, but right now you need to tell me. You're really worrying me" Hailey's voice was soft, yet sturn. She needed to know what was wrong with Jay, it wasn't up for debate this time around. "You'll never look at me the same" Jay sniffled, managing to get a few audible words formed. "Remember what you told me THAT evening?" Hailey asked, holding him tighter to her side. He was heavy to be a post for, but she didn't care in the slightest. "That I really wasn't going anywhere" Jay quoted. "Exactly. That goes for me, too. No matter what" Hailey declared, a declaration that held so much power in their relationship. "This is different, Hails" Jay shook his head. "Tell me what's going on and we'll decide afterwards" Hailey whispered, carding her hands through his short hair soothingly. "I wasn't lying...whe..when I told Ethan....that...th...that I was him" Jay sobbed. Hailey didn't need anymore details, those few words told her everything and it shattered her heart into pieces. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry" Hailey hushed, her own tears streaming down her face. She'd been beaten, she'd ALMOST been sexually abused, but the fear of ALMOST didn't even come close to the actual feeling of it actually happening. How Jay was feeling was uncomprehendable. "I...it hurts still. It...it never goes away, Hailey" Jay cried, his tears soaking Hailey's top. "I can't imagen, Jay. I'm so sorry" Hailey said, kissing the crown of Jay's head. "I...I never told anybody. I...I just want Ethan to get some piece of mind" Jay hiccuped, looking up to Hailey for the first time since she joined him. "We're trying our best. We really are. And we're going to nail this guy's ass, but we need everyone to be patient and help. That includes you. I've spiralled before, hell, we all have. But at the end of the day, that's not helping anything" Hailey said, partially understanding Jay's frustration and anger. "I know, I'm sorry" Jay said, calming down more. He was still crying, but his breathing rate was slower and not irratic. "You've got nothing to be sorry for. What you went through- are going through- is real. Will you let me help you carry it though? Lean on me the rest of the day?" Hailey requested, cupping Jay's face in her hands. "Yeh" Jay gulped, placing his hand over hers. "Okay. Tonight we'll talk, properly, but right now we have a little boy to help. So, what you say we both go kick some ass?" Hailey smirked to lighten the mood. "Yeh" Jay chuckled, both of them helping each other up off the floor.

"Jay" Hailey said, just before he opened the door.

"Yeh?" He asked, turning around.

"I love you" Hailey stated, like it was the simplist thing in the world.

"I love you, too" Jay smiled, wrapping her in his arms one more time.

A/N: Hey, guys. Hope you enjoyed this one. It was such a heavy one to write, and I cried to hard writing it. Please comment below letting me know what you think of it and vote- if you think it deserves a vote.
Love, Addy❤