Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 50: Conversation about Actions Taken

Hailey makes her way up the stairs to the Intelligence floor, and immediately notices Hank leaning back against the glass outside of his office. She then saw the motion and knew where she was headed as there was no point going to her desk. 

She knew a conversation was probably going to be had as Hank would be notified as her sergeant as to her actions at Martinsville in being a member of his unit. She figured he would read over the report, and toss it aside. What was there to talk about? She stopped a driver's wife, one of a few she could consider a friend almost, from being sexual assaulted. If anything, Hank should be proud she showed restraint in how she handled the guy compared to how he would have.

"If I am trouble about what happened, I will be very surprised," she comments while closing the door behind her in knowing it would be a private conversation between the pair of them. "He was legit making sexual comments to her and coming onto her. If I didn't step in, who knows what could have happened. I wasn't about to let someone get hurt while I could do something. I followed protocols at that."

"She stated in the report that he also referenced you, calling you Bowman's Bitch," Hank states as the report still lies before him on the desk. "I didn't think there was anything to worry about in letting you spend time with someone that is close to, means a lot to you, and I guess could be called your boyfriend. But now I see there's a reference being made here." 

Hailey lets out a sigh as she takes a seat in the chair before his desk. It was the same thing that flashed through her mind when the comment was made. You were always supposed to stay out of the public eye. You were always supposed to stop attention being drawn on yourself. You could not go undercover if you were known, and it made it harder to do your job with people able to find more reasons to call you out.

"We both agreed that you could do this regularly - as long as it did not affect your job performance," Hank continues, which Hailey already expected based on his comment. He didn't care about what happened. He probably was proud of how she handled the situation. He was more concerned about the comment, and how it would affect his unit moving forward. "But you've drawn attention to yourself by being seen with him on pit road, by his trailer, and throughout the pits together." 

"So I am in trouble for hanging out with a friend?" She questions, trying to find the right way to handle this. She then takes a deep breath, knowing arguing with him would get them both nowhere. Besides, she knew he was right in his words as she had broken conduct she had agreed to upon joining Intelligence. "It wasn't my plan to get noticed. I didn't even think that was a possibility when I started seeing him. I didn't realize how much certain fans like to talk about the driver's wives and girlfriends, good and bad. I am sorry for breaking the rules. I understand that it will affect the inability for me to go undercover moving forward, and I accept that. I love him so much to accept that." 

"But what about the whole uni-"

"My relationship with Alex is not going to become a problem for the unit. I am not going to draw attention to where they connect the dots and know that I work here, and the shenanigans that go on. None of you will get drawn into or highlighted upon because of my time spent with Alex. If it becomes too much of a distraction and takes away from the work we are doing together, I will do the right thing. I will choose one or the other." Hank nods his head as he sits back in his chair, watching every motion on her face as she told him those words. There was also a question he was about to ask, but yet already knew the answer. 

"Do you know what the choice would be?" If it would've been a couple months ago, she probably would've easily see Intelligence. If it was a couple weeks ago, she probably would've been conflicted in which direction to go. Considering she was looking at job options in North Carolina, as well as loved every bit second of how he tended to her this past week, it was making it very hard to say no to being able to continue that time with him. She certainly liked the title of being the girlfriend of Alex Bowman. 

"I love him, Hank. I love spending time with him, and how he takes cares of me, and how we are there for each other. I told you before that I loved and cared about Jay, but damn, it doesn't compare to how much I love Alex in reality." Hank could not help but smile in the midst of the conversation, despite the serious subject at hand, as the friend in him that watched the ups and downs Hailey had gone through the past couple years was proud of what he was seeing.

"I trust you, Hailey. I have always trusted you since you joined the unit, but even more so in the past five years or so working together. I trust that you will do the right thing should a promise arise that works for not only the unit and the city of Chicago, but for you personally." Hailey nods her head with a small smile. She was glad through everything that trust factor was not lost, as she knew keeping Hank's trust would be important whether or not she moved away in the future. It was very valuable to have a man of his statue on your side.

"I would not risk the lives of those I work alongside, or those that I am trying to protect. We both know I would do anything for our family here - have done so in the past alongside you."