Chapter Text
There were certain people that Hailey just really couldn't hide her wealth from, even if she wanted to. Voight, for example. She never actually told him; it wasn't a topic that ever came up between them. But Voight was her sergeant. He had access to her personnel file and could see her financial disclosure anytime he wanted to. And Hailey had no doubt that he'd read that file cover to cover and upside down before offering her a place in Intelligence.
The other person was Vanessa. After all, they lived together.
*
"Why don't you stay with me?"
Hailey knew the second those words left her mouth that she wouldn't be able to hide her financial situation from the young officer.
"You mean that?"
"Yeah," she nodded. After all, it wasn't like it was some big risk. She had the space, and it wasn't like the rest of the team didn't already know, so there was no secret to burden the newest member of Intelligence with. "We'll work it out. Let's go."
They got Vanessa's bag all squared away in the back of her Jeep, and Hailey drove them north from the district. She'd moved out of her last condo over the summer to a place further south in the Roscoe Village Neighbourhood. Jay had been ecstatic when he helped her move and saw the backyard...and the built-in grill. But they'd been so busy over the summer the team cookouts he'd imagined back there hadn't happened yet.
Along the way, Vanessa asked questions, and Hailey did her best to answer. It was mostly ordinary things: what types of cases they saw the most.? How often they were in court? What was the paperwork like? Things like that. Hailey had just finished explaining how their surveillance rotations usually worked and how, as the newbie, she'd be stuck on shifts with Adam when Vanessa asked the big question.
"I'm not stepping on any toes, am I?"
Hailey shot a quick look over at her. "What do you mean?"
"You and Halstead?" she shrugged. "He didn't look thrilled when Voight said I'd be riding with you."
Hailey did her best to stifle a laugh at the familiarity of the words. "You're not," she assured. "Jay and I are the only detectives in Intelligence. It makes sense to partner you up with one of us. At least until you get used to how things work in the unit."
"If you're sure," Vanessa bit her lip.
"I am." She shot her a reassuring smile. "Besides, 'partner' is a loose term in Intelligence. We all rotate around when and where we need to. It's all good."
"Okay."
Hailey reached out and gently squeezed the younger woman's shoulder as she pulled up to the curb.
"Wow," Vanessa stepped out of the car. "Nice place. The owners put a basement apartment in or something?"
"Nope," Hailey grabbed one of the bags from the back. "I'd have to fine myself if there was one. It's just me here. And now it's us. Come on in.
"So," she put Vanessa's bag down. The living room and kitchen are through there. The bedrooms are upstairs. Each has a bathroom, so we won't have to fight over the morning shower. The spare is already set up with a bed and everything, but feel free to put whatever you want in there."
"You're serious with all this?"
Hailey turned around; Vanessa stood in the doorway, eyes wide as she took everything in.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
The other woman let out a humourless laugh. "Have you seen this place? There's no way I can pay half the rent. Hell, I probably can't pay a quarter of the rent."
"You don't have to worry about that."
Vanessa crossed her arms and frowned. "I'm not some charity case.
"That's not what I'm saying," Hailey assured. "I'm just saying we can work something out. It doesn't have to be some even split; we can do it by percentages based on income or something, okay?"
"Do detectives really make enough to afford places like this?"
"We don't do too bad," Hailey tried to play it coyly. "Besides, we really rake in the overtime in Intelligence."
"So you're telling me Jay's place is this nice too?"
"No," she admitted. "Full honesty?"
"That'd be a good way to kick off this whole being roomie's thing."
Hailey chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment. There was no good way she'd ever found to word the reveal. So she took a breath and bit the bullet. "I'm rich."
"You're rich," Vanessa repeated after a beat. "Off a detective's salary?"
Hailey shook her head. "My grandfather was pretty good with money. He left me with a very generous inheritance when he died."
Vanessa nodded slowly. "How generous are we talking here?"
"If we combine what I get monthly from the trust alongside my salary, you'll be paying pennies to live here."
Hailey chewed her lip again as she waited for Vanessa's reaction.
It was laughter.
Long, loud, doubled-over laughter.
"You," Vanessa wiped a tear away. "You really had me going there for a second. Jay lives here, too, right? Are you guys together? I could see a double detective's salary affording this place...I think."
"V -"
"It's okay," the other woman assured. "I don't mind living with a couple. As long as Jay is cool with me staying here. And you give me a heads up when I'll need to break out the noise-cancelling headphones, of course."
"Rojas, I'm serious."
"Sure you are," Vanessa rolled her eyes. "When is Halstead due home anyway? Is this something I'm going to have to keep under wraps at work? Or do the others already know?"
"Vanessa," Hailey tried again. "Jay doesn't live here. We're not a couple. This is my place. Just mine. You can ask anyone on the team you'd like, but I'm not having you on right now. This isn't a joke. I swear."
She held Vanessa's gaze until she slumped back against the front door. "You are serious."
"Yup."
"I-I don't… I'm not.."
"Look," Hailey said with a gentle smile. "If you only want to crash here for the night, that's fine. But I meant what I said; you're welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like. I know it's hard, but try not to get hung up on the money thing, okay? Other than getting a nicer place than a cop should be able to afford, I don't dip into it that much."
"So you won't be hosting any high society dinners or anything like that?"
"Nope."
"And I won't be coming downstairs in the morning to find some smug rich dude judging my choice in coffee or sneering at my bedhead?"
Hailey snorted. "Not unless you're the one who brought him here. All you're gonna get from me is a roof over your head. An ear to talk through the rough cases. And the occasional tip-toeing in the morning when Jay crashes on the couch."
"Just the couch?" Vanessa quirked an eyebrow.
"Just the couch," she gave a firm nod. "Plus, it gets Trudy off your back about paperwork. For now, at least."
"Sounds like a good deal to me," Vanessa grinned. "Wanna give me the grand tour?"
"Follow me," she picked up one of Vanessa's bags and started up the stairs.
"Hey, Hailey?"
"Yeah," she looked over her shoulder.
Vanessa offered her a small, almost shy, smile. "Thanks."
"No problem, Roomie," Hailey squeezed the younger officer's shoulder. "Welcome home."