Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Now, we all know the plan.” Voight’s voice is heard in the undercover van. Jay and Adam in the front seat, Kevin and Kim in the back. “Jay, Adam you make the buy, once you guys say the word, we go in and take’em.”

Jay nods to Adam then “Got it Sarge.” into his push-to-talk.

“I know it’s a little different with Patrol standing by. They know we have two undercover just not exactly which two, so all get arrested. Platt told them you’ll be wearing blue and red plaid, hopefully that’s enough.”

“See an awesome choice of wardrobe.” Adam jokes with Jay, pointing at his red flannel opening the door to get out.

“Yeah and later we can cut down trees.” Jay playfully replies, getting out of the van.

Upton and Voight are in his SUV diagonally parked across the quiet street facing the van.

“Let’s hope these suppliers are on time, it’s 10 degrees outside. Those flannels may be fashionable but not actually the warmest.” Upton comments.

Voight grunts in agreement.

Jay and Adam walk from the van down the side street to the meeting spot in front of a garage door with a happy face on it.

“That’s cute.” Jay comments looking at the spray-painted face on the dumpster next to the garage door. “Matching.”

“Yeah, well I’m not going to be if we have to wait long.” Adam says.

---- 32 minutes later----

“Damn! It’s cold.” Adam says. He’s standing but shifting his weight around trying to stay warm.

Jay is walking around a bit more, kicking at the huge pile of snow next to the dumpster.

“Moving around isn’t helping much.”

“Head’s up, four men coming your way.” Voight’s voice is heard in their ears.

Four men are walking towards Adam and Jay. Two in front, one is wearing a blue sweatshirt, Adam recognizes him as his contact Vinny; the other a larger man is wearing a red sweatshirt and two more men a couple of steps behind.

“That’s great.” Adam says under his breath.

The men walk up to Adam and Jay, who are now standing next to each other, “Welcome to Happy Place, Kyle” The man in the blue sweatshirt speaks to Adam, “You got the bread?”

“Yeah, Vinny.” Adam replies. “Who’s the muscle?” looking at the larger man then to Jay.

“Don’t worry about him. Red is good. My regular associate was busy.”

“Red? alright, alright. You got the beans, it’s freezing out here.”

“Bread?”

Jay lifts up his flannel and flashes the money.

Vinny smiles at his partner, Red smiles back and removes the brick from underneath his sweatshirt. Jay gives the money to Adam.

“Nice choice of colours, by the way.” Adam says giving the money to Vinny. Red holds the brick out towards Jay for the exchange. Then Adam says, “Solids are cool but we prefer plaids.”

“That’s it! Move in! Move in!” Voight is commanding, as he and Upton get out of the SUV.

Kim and Kevin jump out of the van. All are running towards the side street when Patrol cuts in front of them and speeds down the street.

Jay’s right hand just gets a hold of the brick when Red pulls it back, tosses it up and back to the men behind them, he lowers his shoulder charging and ramming Jay into the dumpster, knocking the wind out of him. At the same time, Vinny tosses back the money. He swings on Adam but he’s ready and blocks the punch, grabs his wrist, spins him around, and applies an arm lock.

The men with the brick and the money run right past the patrol car to guns pointing at them from Kim and Hailey. “Stop Police!” The men don’t have much choice and stop, hands raised.

Voight and Kevin run past them toward Jay and Adam.

The Patrol car stops in front of the fight, the two officers, weapons drawn run to Adam and Vinny, “Stop Police. Get down. Both of you!”

Red rams his shoulder into Jay again. Red pulls back and lands a right cross to Jay’s face, then picks him up and throws him into the pile of snow, drawing back for another punch.

Adam holds the arm lock on Vinny and sees Kevin and Voight running towards them. He yells, “RYAN!”

Kevin sees Red is ready to throw another punch and wastes no time and tackles Red before he can land another blow.

The two police officers continue to yell at Vinny and Adam to get down - guns drawn. Voight stops behind them, his gun drawn. Adam sees Voight and releases the arm lock. Vinny and Adam both get on their knees.

One of the officers sees Jay in the pile of snow, on all fours trying to get up. He’s coughing and blood drips from his face. The officer holsters his weapon and draws his baton. He runs toward Jay dropping his knee to his back, Jay slams back into the snow- face first.

“Stop moving. Hands behind your back!” The officer grabs Jay’s right wrist and pulls his arm behind his back.

Jay tries hard not to react knowing they were to get arrested but the sudden painful movement from his shoulder combined with trying to catch his breath from the pain in his chest causes his instinct and training to take over. He twists around with the movement only to feel his shoulder dislocate.

“AAAHHH!” Jay screams. Kevin looks over while cuffing Red.

Unbeknownst to Jay, the officer had applied an arm lock with his baton. Jay quickly falls face down.

“Get OFF!” Jay screams

“Stay DOWN!” The patrol officer yells back and proceeds to cuff him.

Kevin has Red cuffed and briskly walks him back towards the scene. He sees the patrol officer cuffing Jay. Jay is in obvious pain, trying to catch his breath in between grunts and yelps of pain.

“Hey! Hey! Get off him MAN!” Kevin yells at the officer.

“Get up!” the officer’s shoulder shouts trying to lift Jay up. That incites another scream of pain from Jay.

“I GOT HIM! I GOT HIM!” Yells Voight, “Put him back down!” He is beyond pissed.

“But?”

“I said I got him. Put him down.”

Voight takes control. “Patrol, we’re taking this one", points down at Jay, "and the one in the red flannel, take the others to the district.” He can hear Jay’s grunts of pain and short breaths.

The patrol officer looks at Voight then returns back to his partner where Adam and Vinny are cuffed. More patrol officers have arrived on the scene.

Hailey and Kim walk onto the scene, “Two offenders in custody, Sarge.” Hailey says. She notices Voight is kneeling down by Jay’s side who is still face down. She gives a questioning look seeing Jay’s obvious state of distress.

Kevin and the patrol officer who cuffed Jay exchange offenders, Red for Adam.

“You can see he’s hurt. No need to do all that.” He’s angry at the treatment Jay received.

“He was getting up.” The officer responded not happy about his actions being questioned.

“Enough!” Voight stops the confrontation.

The patrol officers lead Red and Vinny away to the Patrol cars.

As Voight sees Patrol leave the scene, he leans down and uncuffs Jay. “Easy now, Jay.”

Kevin crouches next to him. With his hands released, his shoulder falls to his side. A short “AHHH!” from Jay as he can’t quite get a full breath, followed by a small painful cough. “OOOWWW!" with a growl of pain when he moves his left arm underneath him and raises his head so he is no longer face-down. Kim goes to uncuff Adam, Hailey walks closer to Jay.

“Easy.” Kevin says putting his hand on Jay’s back. Jay takes a wheezy breath and looks at Kevin, a silent plea.

“It’s out.” Jay painfully says above a whisper, taking short breaths.

Kevin exchanges a look with Voight.

“Ambulance Sarge? We’re only 10 minutes out.”

Voight looking at his Detective he says, “Let’s get him to Med.”

“I’ll get the car.” Hailey says sprinting away.

“Alright Jay, I’m not going to lie. This is going to hurt. Scream all you want.”

Kevin looks at Sarge, “Sarge?”

Sarge gets on Jay’s left side.

“Whatever you do, make it quick.” Jay strains to say.

“Alright” Kevin begins, “Sarge, support his back and elbow the best you can. Jay I’m going to have you roll toward Sarge. Got it?”

Jay, his face distorted with pain, breathing heavily through his nose trying to muffle grunts of pain, gives a short nod.

“Alright Jay, now.” Kevin commands

While Jay pushes up with his left arm, Kevin reaches underneath him and helps him roll up to a sitting position, when Jay screams, “Oh F*%& !” and drops his head into his chest.

Kevin looks at Sarge questioning.

“It just popped back in. I felt it.” Voight said somberly.

Kim runs up to Kevin with a cloth.

“I found this in the van; maybe use it as a sling?” As she is already folding it into a triangle.

“Good thinking.”

Jay is sitting up with Kevin and Voight on each side supporting him the best they can as Kim crouches in front and slips the sling under his forearm and elbow. As she brings both ends up to his opposite shoulder to tie the knot she can hear him trying to suppress his grunts but his face is distorted with pain.

“How you doing Jay?”

Jay looks up to Kim, breathing short, his cheekbone starting to swell, moves his left hand to his chest over holding his diaphragm and shivers.

“He’s cold guys. You have to move him.”

“Copy that.” Kevin responds and Kim moves out of the way.

Voight and Kevin are on each side of Jay, holding him ready to lift him up to his feet. Jay positions his feet underneath himself.

“Ready?” Kevin asks

Jay nods.

Voight grabs Jay around his waist. Kevin underneath his left arm. “Up!” They lift him up so his feet are under him, then Kevin repositions to hold him around his waist.

“ARRgghh!” Jay yells when he is lifted to a standing position. He takes short breaths through clenched teeth, face distorted by a grimace. His eyes are closed and then tries to take a step forward.

“Whoa buddy.” Adam reaches out to support but stops short of touching him.

Hailey has driven right up to the scene and has the passenger’s back door open.

“ AH ….. AH…. OW…. OW…..AHH! STOP!” Jay breathes as Voight and Kevin just about carry Jay to the car.

“We’re almost there.” Kevin says, ignoring Jay’s pleas. Once at the car, they maneuver him inside.

“We’ll meet you at Med.” Adam says as he leaves with Kim.

Once inside, Jay rests his head back and his left-hand returns to his chest. He looks to the rearview mirror to see Hailey, he’s trying to control the pain with his breathing but not doing too well. As soon as Hailey’s eyes meet Jay’s he relaxes a fraction. Voight is in the front seat and Kevin has joined Jay in the back. Just as the last door is shut Hailey has the car in reverse driving to Med.

Thanks for reading, feedback?

Chapter Text

Thank you for all the lovely reviews. I'm happy people enjoy reading my stories as much as I like writing them. Thank you all for reading.-uconnpaws

At Chicago Med:

“Maggie, it’s Voight, I got Halstead coming in, beat up, dislocated shoulder, almost there.”

Maggie just relayed the information to Choi when Voight’s SUV screeches to a halt in the ambulance bay. Kevin is quick out of the vehicle, Voight opens the back passenger door and Kevin starts to get Jay out.

“Alright Jay, you ready?”

Jay gives him a ‘do I have a choice look?’ Left hand still holding his chest taking pained breaths.

“Here we go.”

Jay does his best to spin towards the door but Kevin does most of the work and gets him out of the car, standing him up.

“ARgghmm” Jay growls as Kevin, who is supporting him on his left side, starts to walk into Med.

Choi meets them just as the doors open.

“Over here.” Choi directs Kevin to the trauma room “April, with me.”

Kevin sits Jay onto the bed and exits the room. April is quickly and efficiently cutting away the layers off Jay’s torso. Jay is breathing short, eyes closed, grimacing in between muffled grunts.

“Do we know what happened?” Choi asks, starting to look Jay over.

Adam appears just outside the room. “Offender dropped his shoulder into him and rammed him into a dumpster……..twice. Took a good punch too.”

“Did he lose consciousness?”

“No, not that I saw.” Adam answers.

“Shoulder dislocation?”

“He said it was out but went back in when we moved him.” Kevin answers.

“Jay? You with us?” Choi asks

He looks at Choi and responds with a pained “Yeah.” Blood from a cut weeps from his swollen left cheekbone.

“Alright.” Choi motions with his head to April.

April lifts the head of the bed.

“Lean back for me Jay.”

Jay tries to move. “AHH…….uhmmmphhf”

“I got you.” Choi positions himself and grabs Jay under his left arm. Jay leans into Choi as he lifts him back into the bed.

“JEEEEZZ” Jay grunts as he’s positioned sitting up. When Ethan releases his left arm, Jay brings his hand to the middle of his chest. He shivers a bit and breathes short trying to suppress the pain.

“Look at me.” Choi shines his pen light in Jay’s eyes checking for a concussion.

“Pupils are equal and responsive.”

Ethan eases Jay’s left hand away from his chest.

“Let’s see Jay.” He reaches up to cut away the knot from the sling. “Good first aid sling here.”

“Kim.” Jay says quietly.

April supports Jay’s elbow then holds his wrist. When she touches his wrist Jay hisses and Ethan stops. He looks under the sling and sees that his wrist is swollen and starting to bruise. He exchanges a look with April and nods. April tucks a pillow underneath Jay’s elbow and Ethan continues to remove the sling, along with the rest of Jay’s sleeve. He straightens Jay’s foreman away from his body careful not to jar his shoulder. Swelling over the joint is making itself known.

Choi lightly puts his hands on each side of Jay’s chest.

“That hurts.” Jay's voice is strained.

Ethan places his stethoscope to listen, “Breathe for me.”

Jay doesn’t want to take a full breath but does his best and grimaces “That hurts too.”

“I know. Good breath sounds bilateral.”

The x-ray machine swings over Jay and takes a picture. Choi looks up at the screen.

“Jesus, Jay.” Will’s voice is heard as he stands at the foot of Jay’s bed.

As Choi looks over, Will raises his hands in defense. “Just here to see my brother. He’s all yours Dr. Choi.”

“April, let’s get a head and chest CT, images of his wrist and shoulder.”

Choi removes his gloves and walks out of the room, Will follows him and stands arms crossed waiting for Choi’s assessment.

,

“No signs of concussion. You saw the x-ray. We’ll know more after the head and chest CT. Yes you can be with him. Look at that cut while you’re in there.” Ethan says walking away. “I’ll update his team.”

April has Jay hooked up for heart rate, respiration and blood pressure.

“How’s the pain, Jay?” She prepares Jay's left arm for an IV.

“Just a pinch now.” April says as she places the IV.

“Five…...maybe six.” Jay answers, still his breathing is pained. His head down to his chest.

April sees that his left eye is swelling as well. “See if we can’t get you something for that.”

As April walks out she passes Will. “Be right back.”

“Hey Jay.” Will approaches. Jay raises his head and looks at him. Will studies Jay’s face and looks over his body. Bruising starting over his chest; the cut on his cheek has stopped. He shivers again.

April walks back in with a warm blanket. “Here you go Jay.” As she places the blanket over him she says to Will, “Choi said he could have 5mg of Tramadol, take the edge off.” Walking over to the IV.

“Wait a second.” He pulls out his own pen light and checks Jay.

“Will stop!” Jay feebly protests.

Will ignores him. “Humour me Jay.” as he listens to Jay breathe and then nods to April, she administers the medication.

“Thanks April.” Will says as she leaves the room.

Jay looks at Will. “Don’t trust Dr. Choi’s assessment?” Knowing the strained relationship those two can have.

“It’s not that.”

“Ah ha” Jay doesn’t really believe him.

“You know how you can’t turn off being a cop? Well, I’m a Doctor, works the same way. Plus you’re my brother.”

Dr. Choi walks up to the Intelligence team, “Overall he’s going to be OK. Some precautionary scans, Will’s with him now.”

The team visibly relaxes.

“I have to ask” Choi begins, “was Jay arrested? Was he physically restrained?”

The team looks at him all wondering how he knew. Choi picks up on this.

“His right wrist is most likely broken, along with the shoulder dislocation, I’ve seen this in the past when the police have brought in suspects.”

Anger flashes across their faces. Voight speaks up, “The Undercover didn’t go as planned.”

“I gathered.”

“Dr. Choi, your signature is needed?” Maggie chimes in handing him the tablet.

Walking up behind her are the two police officers from the scene with Red handcuffed.

“Is he good to go?” Patrol Officer Bailey asked. He is the one who restrained Jay.

“Yes.”

“Why is he here?” Kevin asks, walking up to Red and Bailey.

“Says you hurt him when you tackled him. He’s OK, just wanted to delay the arrest. You know how these offenders are, always playing it up.”

Bailey looks at Adam, questioning but before he can say anything Sargeant Platte and another patrol officer are there.

“Officer Bailey, Officer Holmes and your partner will take the offender to the District, we’d like a word.” Platt announces.

The two officers lead Red away.

“What’s this about?” Bailey asks, clearly angry.

“It’s about your conduct!” Voight erupts.

“You mean the other offender here? The one I cuffed? He’s playing it up too.”

“You knew we had TWO men under, right? Both wearing plaid.” Kevin starts, he’s had enough. “One offender’s already down at the District and one just walked out the door.”

Bailey looks at Ruzek, still wearing red plaid, and back to Kevin.

“Yeah, you math-olympian, that means the offender you cuffed is a cop, Intelligence.”

“Hey….hey…..it was crazy out there.” Bailey starts to explain. “Plaids….colours...it all blends together in the heat of the moment.” He looks around the group. “You” he points to Kevin “came running in and took the big man down and I saw …” He gestures with his hands not sure of what to say.

“Halstead. His name is Detective Halstead.” Hailey interjects.

“He was trying to get up.” Bailey looks to Platt. “Your orders were ‘All get arrested’. That’s what I did. I arrested him.”

“NO!” Platt’s sudden outburst gets everyone’s attention. “What you did was, use your baton to dislocate the shoulder and break this wrist of one of CPDs finest. A banned tactic, I might add.”

“Sarge, I thought he was an offender.” Bailey defends

“That doesn’t make it OK Officer. Come with me.” Platt leads Bailey away.

Voight’s phone alerts and he reads the text.

“The Deputy Superintendent wants us back. Hailey, you stay with Halstead, you know how he loves hospitals.”

“Yes Sarge.”

The team exchange knowing glances and leaves. Hailey is standing there not sure where to go. She turns and starts to walk to the ED waiting room.

“Hailey!” Maggie calls out. “Come with me, I’ll take you to see Jay.”

Maggie leads Hailey to Jay’s room. Once there Maggie leaves. Will is placing butterfly strips on Jay’s left cheekbone.

“That looks broken.” Hailey whispers, one not to startle Will, two not to wake Jay.

Will look up to Hailey, then back down to Jay. “Most likely a hairline fracture, with it swelling up towards his eye. I’d like to put ice on it but he’s cold. He’s been through enough for now.”

A quiet soft rhythmic wheeze is heard coming from Jay. Hailey approaches his bed.

Will reads her thoughts, “We’re waiting for CT but the x-ray showed a lower sternum fracture and a rib fracture on each side. Whoever rammed into him was as big and strong as a Mack truck. If I had to guess, his shoulder went right into his diaphragm.”

Hailey looks over Jay, a concerned look on her face.

“He’ll be hurting for a while but he’ll be OK, Hailey.” Will reassures her.

A nurse approaches, “CT is available.”

Chapter Text

Maggie is talking on the phone at the nurse’s station, “Is he OK to bring back to the ER?”

Will’s head pops up from the chart he’s updating and looks at Maggie.

“We’ll be ready.” She said looking at Will.

He looks at her and asks, "What’s going on?”

She doesn’t answer Will, only looks around for Choi but he and April are with a critical patient. He spots Dr. Archer.

“Dr. Archer. Detective Halstead returning from CT, right shoulder dislocation.”

“What!” Will exclaims.

Archer and Will look up to see Jay being wheeled back into the trauma room. He’s in obvious pain, breathing through his teeth with his eyes screwed shut - face grimaced.

“Got it.” Archer answers

“He was given a small dose of Tramadol for the CT.” Will tells Archer both walking towards the room as the bed is settled.

“No Will!” Maggie calls and Will stops himself short of following Archer into the room. He turns to look at Maggie.

“Dr. Choi lets you in but you don’t have that privilege with Dr. Archer.”

Will stops and gives Maggie a nod.

”What happened?” Dr. Archer asks, entering the room.

“Moved his right arm to put a gown on him after the CT was done. Shoulder just popped out.” The nurse from CT explains. Jay has the gown draped over him.

“Must not have been in all the way.” She reduces.

“Alright Detective Halstead, going to try and make this as comfortable as I can for you.”

“Sooner than later.” Jay says in a grunt.

The nurse puts an oxygen nasal cannula on Jay. His short choppy pained breaths are exacerbating the pain in his chest.

The x-ray machine snaps over Jay and the images are on the screen.

Archer looks at the screen, “Push Propofol and get ready to reduce.”

“Propofol? No. Wait!” Jay protests.

The nurse pauses looking at Dr. Archer

“Trust me, you’re going to want it, Detective.”

“No I don’t!” Jay says intensely

Will hears his brother’s raised voice, “Propofol? No!” He bursts into the treatment room.
“You can’t give him Propofol!”

Archer looks back at him.

“Will, I don’t need you questioning me. I know of the interaction. I’m positive the original dose of Tramadol has run its course. This isn’t your patient, now leave the room!”

“Archer.” Will stands firm “You can’t give him that.”

“Will, LEAVE!”

“He’s my brother! I’m not going anywhere! Nurse don’t give him anything!”

Choi hears the argument and enters the room. “What’s going on here?” clearly agitated that two of his Doctors are fighting.

April walks in behind Choi, she walks up to the CT nurse and quietly says, “I got this.”
The nurse is eager to leave and does so quickly.

“Dr. Halstead here thinks he can take over the treatment of my patient.” Archer explains.

“He was going to give Jay Propofol.” Will defends. “Last time he was given that….he didn’t react well..it’s in his chart.”

Choi softens. “Archer, did you look at the patient’s chart?”

Archer shakes his head and huffs a “No.”

“I’ll take it from here Dr. Archer.” Choi states. Archer looks between the two Doctors, shakes his head and leaves the room.

Choi looks at Jay who’s trying to stifle the pain he’s in and then to Will, “What do you suggest?”

“Pain relief, more Tramadol Hydrochloride, it’ll work the same with him.”
April is waiting for Choi’s order, looking between Will and Choi.

“25 mg Tramadol.” Choi says looking at April.

Will moves to Jay’s left side and stays out of Choi’s way.
“Choi’s going to help you out.”

Jay turns his head to his left to look at Will, left cheek and eye swollen, eye partially closed and his irregular breathing pained. “No propofol.” He’s starting to panic. “Will...No…….I can’t.”

“Easy….Easy…” Will calms putting his hand on Jay’s left shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’re not getting that. Try to relax, concentrate on your breathing.”

Jay moves his left hand over his diaphragm.

“I know lying flat doesn’t help.” Will comments watching Jay’s movement and looks at Choi.

“We can raise him up a bit.” Choi answers the unasked question.

Will smiles a “Thank you” and raises the head of the bed slightly.

The Tramadol only takes a few minutes to start working. Jay’s eyes are closed but he’s not sleeping. His breathing has a slight huff to it but he’s looking less pained. Will looks to Choi signaling that Jay’s ready. Choi walks to Jay’s right side, taking note of the brace on Jay’s right wrist.

“Alright Jay, here we go.”

Choi grabs Jay’s right forearm just above his elbow with his right hand and places his left hand on Jay’s right shoulder. He starts to massage the shoulder, trying to relax the muscles.

“Just try to relax, give me your arm.” shaking it slightly

“Mmmm” Jay responds.

Choi continues massaging and starts to manipulate Jay’s arm. He keeps Jay’s elbow stationary and pivots his wrist away from his body, turning the shoulder joint outward. Choi watches Jay for any discomfort. Jay is still. Choi continues massaging the shoulder and now upper arm, slowly manipulating Jay’s arm further.

“Ah….AHH…..just………” Jay protests the movement.

“Almost Jay.” Choi continues the manipulation.

“ARRGH JESUS!” Jay growls as his shoulder slips into place.

“There it is. There it is.” Choi says and moves his arm around ensuring the shoulder is back in place. Satisfied, he places Jay’s arm across his stomach.

“Let’s get another look.”

The x-rays are quickly taken and Choi studies the screen.

“Looks good. Jay get some rest.” He says to Jay, whose eyes are closed and humbles “Thank you.” Choi pats his leg, looks at Will, motions to the hall, “A word.”

Will walks into the hall with Choi. “I know. I know. I shouldn’t be in there with him but Ethan, Archer was going to…”

“Stop Will.” Choi stops Will’s explanation. “I was going to say ‘Thank you’. Archer should have looked at Jay’s chart before administering any medication.”

Will nods relieved.

“I’m going to look at the CT scans but I can tell you even without seeing them I’m keeping him overnight for observation.”

“Thank you, Ethan.”

Choi nods and walks away.

Will rubs his hand over his face and then the back of his neck, trying to rub the stress and tension away. Then he walks to the waiting room.

In the waiting room Hailey plays with her coffee cup, it’s empty but if she still has it no one will ask her if they can get her a cup and she wants to be left alone. She replays what she saw of the operation. She thinks: How the Patrol Officer was on Jay even though he was in obvious distress. How could he keep Jay down when he was having trouble breathing and in pain. The Officer didn’t know Jay was a cop. Had he treated other offenders like this? Has she?

She’s lost in her thoughts when Will walks up, “Hey Hailey.”

Hailey quickly looks up and gets up. “How is He?”

“See for yourself.” Will motions for her to follow him walking towards Jay's room, stopping for a second to talk to a nurse.

They walk into Jay’s room. The bed is raised and Jay looks like he’s sleeping. His right elbow is supported with a pillow and his wrist is over his hip. A nasal cannula is crooked because of the swelling on the left side of his face. But overall, he doesn’t look like he’s in pain.

Will had picked up an ice pack without Hailey noticing, he snaps it activating it, and places it on Jay’s face.

Jay grunts a protest, both the cold and the pressure isn’t welcome. He slowly opens his eyes. His left eye doesn’t open fully but it doesn’t stop Jay from looking around the room. His eyes wide, he finds Hailey’s and relaxes the same way when he looked at her in the car.

Will’s tablet alerts. He positions the pillow to support the ice pack. He picks and reads from the tablet.
“Well, Jay.” Will starts. Hailey and Jay both look at him. “Your Injured On Duty Report just got longer, dislocated shoulder, another broken wrist, a fracture of the lower sternum, hairline fracture of the left cheekbone...oh yeah, and a slight concussion.”

“There has to be a better way of getting time off.” Will says looking at Jay trying to make light of the situation. But Jay’s face shows pain and his left hand is over his diaphragm again.

The nurse Will talked to walks in and hands Will a long bag filled with ice. Will takes it and walks toward Jay.

“I know. I know.” Will says, gently moving Jay’s left hand away. He places the ice in its place. A sharp intake of air and a quiet “AH Ah ahh”

Will watches Jay as the pain dissipates. Then looks at Hailey. She doesn’t hide her concern.

“The original x-ray showed what looked to be rib fractures on each side of the lower sternum, they’re not fractures. Costochondral separation. The cartilage on each side of your chest.” Will motions over Jay’s chest. “Is separated from the ribs. One on each side actually.” He looks at Jay. Jay blinks trying to understand.

“That sounds painful.” Hailey comments.
“It is but the ice will help” Will replies looking at Hailey then back to Jay, who is still not really following.
Will becomes concerned and moves closer to Jay. Jay follows Will’s motion, eyes barely open but doesn’t say anything. Will shines his pen light over his eyes.

“Urgh...Will ….stop.” Jay responds quickly, screwing his eyes shut.

“You are in there.” Will states

“Yes.” Jay says, keeping his eyes closed.

Will recognizes what’s going on and dims the rooms’ lights.

“Better?”

Jay quietly grunts.

Hailey looks to Will for an explanation.

“Light sensitivity and big words are not the best combinations for a concussion, no matter how slight.” He looks to Jay. “Sorry, Jay.”

Will looks at Hailey. “He’s going to be moved to a room for observation overnight. Be reassessed in the morning.”

She listens to what Will says but she’s looking at Jay lying in the bed. Jay’s breathing is better but not smooth and shorter than normal. She takes a breath and sighs.

“He’ll be OK Hailey. I give it till morning before he’s asking to go home.”

Hailey looks at Will and smiles but before she can respond, her phone alerts. She reads the message.

“I got to go.” She says looking at Will then at Jay again “keep me updated?”

“Of course.”

Chapter Text

sorry for the absence, life has been a bit busy. Hope everyone enjoys.

At District 21:

"What’s so important?" Hailey asks, walking into the bullpen.

Everyone is at their desks sitting quietly, Adam, upon hearing Hailey's question, motions to Voight's office. Hailey looks and sees Superintendent Miller and Voight having a conversation, more like Miller talking and Voight listening. She looks stern and determined as she speaks.

As the door opens for her to leave she says, "Reports tonight Sergeant."

"You'll have a full account, Ma'am," Voight states as he follows her out of his office.

Miller walks past everyone but stops in front of Hailey who is standing next to Adam's desk, “How’s Detective Halstead?” she asks.

Hailey looks at the Superintendent and quickly looks away and responds in a monotone.

“He’s had a rough day.”

Miller acknowledges Hailey’s answer with a nod and turns to Voight, “Tonight.” She leaves the bullpen.

“Sarge,” Adam starts “reports?” He asks.

“Superintendent Miller wants a full account from each of us of how it went down today,” Voight says. He pauses and looks at Kevin, “There have been some……... allegations.”

“Allegations!?” Kevin responds with shock and questioning. He stands. “About what?” as he places his hand on his hips.

“Red is accusing the CPD of excessive force during the arrest.”

“EXCESSIVE FORCE?” Kevin says, throwing his hands in the air. “He was on top of Halstead. What was I supposed to do? Let him hit Jay?”

“Again.” Adam adds.

Everyone looks at him.

Hailey looks towards the ground. Voight looks around the unit. “Miller wants a full account. We have nothing to worry about. We tell the truth. Reports tonight.”

At Chicago Med

Will is finishing up the day’s charts when a message alerts on his phone. He quickly reads it and sighs. Maggie notices.

“Trouble Dr. Halstead?”

He signs his last chart, looking at Maggie and says, “Hospitals aren’t Jay’s favourite place.” As he walks away.

“Anything we can do to help.” Maggie adds as he walks by

“Thank you.” Will says over his shoulder.

Will walks into Jay’s room. The lights are dimmed making the monitors bright and there’s a new ice bag at the foot of his bed. The bed is raised and Jay looks to be asleep. He watches Jay breathe and then the monitors. Will sighs again.

“What?” A quiet croak from the bed.

Will looks down at Jay. Jay’s eyes are still closed.

“Hey, how you feeling?”

“Like I don’t want to be here.” He says just above a whisper.

“I know but you need to be.”

“Mmmm”

“Heard you gave the nurse a hard time.”

Jay opens his eyes, his left mostly closed, “I asked to be left alone. That’s all.”

“That’s not what I heard.” Jay looks at Will. “She was trying to help you.” Will moves closer to Jay’s bed on his right-side, picks up and places the ice bag over his diaphragm. But Jay intercepts it with his left hand.

“No.” Jay says in a stronger voice, weakly swatting at the bag.

“This will help, and by the way you’re breathing. You can use some help.”

Jay just stares at Will and then, “It’s cold.”

“Yes Jay, ice is cold.” Will chuckles.

“Hurts.” Jay adds quieter. His left hand hovers over his chest.

Will’s concern is immediate, from caring brother to Doctor in a second. He places the ice on the bed, puts on his stethoscope and places it to Jay’s left-side. Jay flinches. “I know. Just breathe easy.”

Jay tries and Will listens to various locations on Jay’s chest. This takes a few minutes.

Surprisingly Jay doesn’t protest, just breathes with his eyes closed. He can feel the pressure and manages to stifle most of the pain, only releasing a few low painful groans.

“You sound alright, you’re just not breathing as deeply as I would like.” Will says, noticing that Jay isn’t opening his eyes, he asks “How bad’s the headache?”

“Humm…...not too bad…..face hurts more.”

“Get you some more pain relief for the headache and you’re really swollen from the fracture, some more ice therapy will help with that too.”

Jay groans his response.

“What else…” Will says now looking at Jay’s wrist, he checks his circulation and feels a strong pulse. He takes Jay’s fingers in his hand and notices how cold they are, “Squeeze.” Jay closes his hand but without much authority, then with a hiss quickly stops and goes limp.

“Pain in the shoulder? Or wrist?”

“Wrist.” Jay answers quickly.

Will reaches over and feels Jay’s left hand and arm. “You need to tell someone when you’re cold Jay.”

Jay opens his eyes and looks at Will. Will smirking back at him.

“Instead of just snapping at the nurse trying to manage your ice therapy, you could have just said you were cold. Did you really even warm up from when you were brought in?”

The look on Jay’s face reveals all.

“My brother…..the great communicator. You know not complaining won’t get you released any faster but not telling us how you’re doing will make you stay longer. Believe it or not, we don’t want to keep you here any longer than you have to. I know you're more comfortable at home and don’t like it here. But I want you to get the best care too.”

Jay is listening to his brother’s speech. He sheepishly looks down at the bed then back at Will.

“Unfortunately ice therapy is the best course of action. It will reduce the swelling and help with the pain. I would like to see you breathing more normally.”

Jay lightly sighs and gives a little nod of understanding.

“So with that being said,” Will continues “I’ll get you one of those heated blankets you like so much. You’re almost ready for your next dose of pain meds- adjust that a bit for greater relief. Let you relax for a bit and then continue with the ice therapy.”

It’s a quiet moment between the brothers as Jay continues to listen.

“The nurses know what they're doing, Jay. You may see it as bothering you, but alternating the ice is the best way, you don’t want four ice bags on you all at once. But you still need to let them know if it’s getting to be too much. Need to find that balance.”

Will takes another moment.

“Unless you secretly like being here.” Will teases “and in that case, you can continue to be your grumpy self.”

Jay just gives Will a look as Will laughs and leaves the room.

Chapter Text

At District 21:

Kevin and Adam are still typing their reports when Hailey's phone vibrates again, for the third time. They both look up and see her read the message, sigh and type a short reply. Everyone else has gone home for the night except for Voight in his office, waiting for all the reports. Adam and Kevin exchange a look but say nothing and continue typing their reports.

--30 minutes later-

Hailey’s phone vibrates again. The scene repeats again but this time Hailey smiles after reading the message and replying.

“Whoever that is, Hailey, has to be pretty special to make you smile like that after a day like today.” Kevin comments in a teasing but heartfelt way.

“Yeah, your report would have been done an hour ago if it wasn’t for the interruptions.” Adam continues in Kevin’s tone.

Hailey looks up slightly embarrassed with a small smile and replies looking down to avoid eye contact,
“Well, Halstead’s feelings about being in the hospital haven't changed.”

Adam and Kevin exchange looks, “I didn’t know that Jay was that good at texting. He doesn’t text me that much.” Adam says.

“With one hand too.” Kevin says and then glances at Hailey “maybe it’s all about who he’s texting.” Both enjoy teasing her.

“It’s Will.” Hailey says in short.

That stops their teasing and both become serious.

“Is Jay OK?” Kevin asks

Hailey takes a breath and says, “Will’s concerned and of course, Jay is being his cooperative self.”

“Concerned?” Kevin asks

“He has some serious injuries and accepting help isn’t Jay’s strong point.” Hailey answers.

“Jay is getting out of paperwork and has the opportunity to have nurses pamper him.” Adam says, “and he’s not liking that?” Adam continues to type. “When he gets out, he and I are going to have a talk.”

Hailey smiles at Adam’s comment. She has finished her report and walks into Voight’s office.

“Report sent, Sarge.” She says lightly knocking on the door frame.

Voight looks up and acknowledges Hailey.

“Sarge?” She asks. Voight raises his eyebrows signaling for her to continue. “Is there anything we could have done differently?”

“We got the dope off the street. We have the offenders in custody…..”

“I know,” Hailey stops him “but Halstead.”

“Every undercover has its risks. These two changed their operation. They never attacked and robbed their buyers before, not every UC goes as planned.” Voight explains.

“And the arrest?”

“That’s another issue. Hailey, call it a night. We all could use some rest.”

Hailey nods and relents. She turns and leaves Voight’s office.

“And I’m done!” Adam announces. “Kev?”

“Sending now. That was mentally exhausting.” Kevin says, rubbing his face.

“Details. Details. Voight wanted every bit.” Adam says

Kevin nods. Hailey is leaving Voight’s office and walks towards them.

“Hailey,” Adam starts as he puts on his jacket, “how about a drink?”

Hailey looks up and smiles, “No, not tonight. But thanks.”

“Kev?” Adam asks turning to Kevin

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Alright. See you in the morning. Goodnight.” Adam says leaving the bullpen.
Hailey puts on her coat. She places her hand in the pocket and pulls out Jay’s truck keys. He drove today.

Kevin sees Jay’s keys in her hand. “Going home Hailey?”

“Uh, I was thinking of stopping by the hospital, see how Halstead’s doing. Give his brother a break.” She replies

“See how he’s doing for yourself.” Kevin states

“Yeah…….something like that.” She smiles back at him.

“Do you mind if I tag along? I won’t stay long, I’d like to see for myself too.”

Hailey just nods toward the exit and walks down the stairs Kevin behind her.

At Chicago Med:

Kevin and Hailey quietly walk into Jay’s room. It’s dimly lit making the monitors look bright. Jay’s bed is raised, his eyes are closed and an ice pack is on his right shoulder. His left cheekbone swollen, a brace on his right wrist resting on his right hip, a pillow supporting his elbow. His left hand resting along his side with a pulse oximeter on his index finger. A blanket lying just above his waist. He looks mostly peaceful except for the shorter breathing rhythm. They are both taking in the scene.

A quiet “Not creepy at all.” is heard from a tired voice in the bed. Kevin and Hailey look at each other and then look at Jay. His right eye is slightly open, his left closed from the swelling from his cheekbone.

“Sorry man, didn’t mean to wake you.” Kevin apologies. “Just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing.”

Jay looks at Hailey then back to Kevin, “Not really sleepin’ much.”

“Heard you're getting the VIP treatment.” Kevin continues.

“Something like that.” Jay responds slowly, breathing and talking together proving to be taxing.

Kevin and Hailey both notice this and exchange a worried look. When they look back at Jay his eyes are closed, eyebrows in a frown of pain, breathing in short snorts through his nose.

“You should get some rest Jay.” Kevin says, “I’m going to go, just needed to see ya.”

“Mmmmm…….Thank you…..for getting that guy off of me.” Jay labours to say, his eyes still closed.

“I got you, brother.” Kevin says as he pats Jay’s leg. He turns to Hailey as he walks out, “see you in the morning.”

Hailey nods at Kevin but she’s filled with concern as she looks at Jay. She goes to walk closer but a nurse with two small ice bags walks in. The nurse is about to say something but notices her badge and smiles. Hailey steps back and watches the nurse.

“Mr. Halstead” the nurse starts, Jay opens his eyes the best he can to look at her, “going to help you with that pain over your chest.”

She removes the ice bag on his shoulder, smoothing out his gown.
“Swelling is down, so that’s good. Headache still?”

Jay nods a small, “No.”

“That’s good. Going to try something a little different here,” as she arranges one of the new smaller ice bags on his left side.

“Ah aahhhh ahhh” Jay quietly groans and closes his eyes.

“I know…...I know….” She tries to comfort, then places the second one on his right side.

“Urgh armph.” Jay reacts with shorter breaths

“Breathe normally.” She encourages.

Jay’s trying and it takes five to six breaths to control the pain.

“You’re doing good, Mr. Halstead.” She encourages as Jay settles. "Trying the ice therapy for your chest with some smaller bags and crushed ice to help with the weight and pressure."

Jay looks at her and nods his understanding.

"Now you tell us if this is too much." She continues and places the nurse's call button closer to his left hand. "Alright? Want anything? Drink? Something to eat?"

Jay just listens looking at her but doesn't answer.

"Want to be left alone?" She asks, realizing that this is becoming overwhelming for him at this moment.

"Please." Jay finally responds quietly.

The nurse retrieves the old ice bag and turns to leave. She stops in front of Hailey and whispers,
“There is another blanket on the chair if he gets cold. He doesn’t like to tell us. Also, I’ll page Dr. Marcel, his pain is up from an hour ago.”

Hailey raises her eyebrows like ‘How do you know?’
“Dr. Halstead let us know the clues.” She whispers and leaves the room.

Hailey releases a heavy sigh and shakes her head placing her hand on her forehead.

“What?” a croak from the bed.

Hailey blinks back unshed tears and walks toward his bed dragging the chair and picking up the blanket.

“It’s been a long day. That’s all. You should rest.” She says.

Jay reaches with his left hand to his diaphragm trying to move the ice.

“I’m sure you shouldn’t touch that Jay.” Hailey says, quickly moving to stop his movements.

“Just need to adjust…….more towards the middle.” Jay explains.

Hailey takes the ice bags, one at a time and moves them more over his sternum. Surprisingly Jay only grunts a few times during the adjustment.

“Better?” Hailey asks

“Mmmm.” Jay replies quietly.

“You know, you could have told the nurse that before she left.” She tries to make light but stops as she sees him exhale a shaking breath.

“Jay...” she starts, with her voice filled with concern, but stops when she sees Dr. Marcel and Will outside the room talking with the nurse.

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:

Dr. Marcel and Will walk into Jay’s room. Hailey moves away to give them a clear path. Will smiles an acknowledgment.

“Mr. Halstead.” Dr. Marcel starts

Jay opens his eyes, the best he can at the sound of the doctors’ voice. His breathing still a bit laboured since the ice was applied. “Jay.” He corrects how he wants to be addressed.

“Alright, Jay.” Marcel says with a smile “You seem to be having trouble. You’re not breathing deep enough.”

Jay is listening to Dr. Marcel then looks to Will. He raises his left hand over his sternum.
“Sharp…………..” He starts in a low painful whisper, “ deeper….”

Will understands what Jay is trying to say.
“You’re having sharp pain over,” he motions over Jay’s chest with both hands, “when you take deeper breaths.”

Jay nods, thankful that Will understands. Will shakes his head because Jay didn’t say anything about it until now but he knew Jay was in pain. His vitals don’t lie.

“Is the ice helping at all?” Marcel continues

“This….is….better.” Jay answers.

“The crushed ice?”

Jay nods, “Not……..as…….heavy.” He elaborates with a small wince.

Marcel’s face brightens and smiles, “That’s encouraging.” He looks to Will and then back to Jay.
“But what we’re going to do is help you out some more.” Marcel tells Jay, meanwhile Will is preparing an oxygen cannula . “You’ll be put on a stronger pain med in a day or two ; I’d like to see your concussion clear first. But for now some oxygen and ice therapy, then reassess how you’re doing.”

Jay nods his understanding. Will laces the tubes around his ears and adjusts the cannula to his nose. The tubing is awkward and skewed on his left side due to the swelling of his broken cheekbone but after a few attempts Will gets it to sit just right. Surprisingly Jay doesn’t fuss and endures his brother's movements.

Marcel looks back to Hailey and offers a small smile. She is concerned that Jay isn’t making a fuss or even asked about going home.

“There you go.” Will announces. “It’ll be taken off when it comes time to ice your face. But until then, no playing with it.” He playfully commands with a smile. Surprised at no reaction from Jay. Jay just simply conveys that he heard with a slight nod and eye contact.

Marcel is looking over the monitors then picks up a temperature wand taking Jay’s temperature. Stoned face he puts on his stethoscope.

“A quick listen Jay.” placing it on the side of his chest. “Breath normal.”

Jay tries to take deeper breaths anyway and winces through them.

As Marcel returns his stethoscope to around his neck. Jay, relieved, eyes closed, returns to his normal breathing. Marcel exchanges a look with Will, confirming. Will’s face falls slightly, he takes his own stethoscope and listens for himself. Jay instinctively takes a deeper breath.

“No Jay, normal.” and Jay relaxes. “Easy now.” Will says when he’s done.

Marcel’s pager alerts. He looks at it. “I’m wanted in the ER.” looking down at Jay, “Try and get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thanks Crockett.” Will says and Marcel leaves the room.

Will sighs at the sight of Jay.

“Don’t.” Jay says and closes his eyes.

“I’m allowed to worry.” Will answers looking over Jay’s monitors.

“Mmm”

“It’s late. Rest up.” Will says but is not sure it was heard as Jay appears to be asleep. Will smiles again and walks towards Hailey. He motions to the door and Hailey walks out of the room with Will close behind.

“You’re worried.” Hailey asks as she turns to face Will in the hallway outside Jay’s room.

"Yes." He says, hands on hips. "I'm worried about complications and with him breathing short, not clearing his lungs, will most definitely lead to complications, more like starting to.”

Hailey listens, her face expressing concern as Will speaks.

"Hailey?" Will asks, "did Jay mention not feeling well or anything?"

Hailey's facial expression of 'Are you serious?' says it all.

"I know, I know. He wouldn’t say anything anyway." Will quickly says, "it's just that, I went to check on him about two hours ago, and you see him, he's not his cranky self."

"I noticed that too." Hailey adds. “If you don’t mind me asking, what was that about with Dr. Marcel?”

“His temperature is up from when he arrived, hence why I asked if he wasn’t feeling well, I was hoping it was just from the injuries but he’s slightly congested. That congestion couldn’t have developed in the past few hours. He’s probably just at the start of something, then this happened.” Will shakes his head.

"Do you mind if I sit with him, just for a little bit?" Hailey asks. “I know he needs his rest.”

"No, go right ahead. I'm sure he'd rather see your face than mine." Will adds. "Please text me if you need anything or if he becomes unruly."

"Thanks, Will." Hailey says.

Will walks away and Hailey quietly walks into Jay's room. She is convinced he's sleeping. She checks the time and sighs. His rest will come to an end in 10 minutes when the nurse will remove the ice from his chest. She walks to the chair..

"Unruly?" Jay's tired voice asks.

"Nothing wrong with your hearing. Did you hear our whole conversation?"

Jay nods 'No'. "Just unruly."

"You should be resting." Hailey states walking up to Jay's right side.

He watches her walk up. "Nurse'll be here soon." He says, still whispering, is breathing a bit more smooth.

Hailey notices the small improvement, "Liking the ice?" As she points to his chest.

Jay nods his affirmative and closes his eyes. "Arrested?"

Hailey rolls her eyes as he asks about the case.

"Yes, all were arrested and charged. Drugs are off the street. That offender named Red is accusing Kevin of Police brutality."

Jay is listening. He tries to open his eyes at Hailey's last words.

"I didn't see what happened. Everyone,” she pauses as she looks at Jay’s injured right shoulder and then his wrist, “were already cuffed when I got on scene." She says with a sigh but looking back at Jay’s face she sees he is asleep. He looks the most relaxed she’s seen since she got there. She smiles to herself and settles into the chair by Jay’s bed.

Chapter Text

Hailey walks into Jay's room. It's early, just past 6 am luckily the cafeteria doesn't close and she was able to get a coffee and breakfast sandwich. The night-shift nurse was able to apply Jay's ice therapy throughout the night, surprisingly without him making much of a fuss. Only when it was applied to his cheek or his chest did he stir and respond with a grunt. But overall, he slept the whole night. She quietly walks over to Jay and places the back of her fingers on his forehead. She feels the warmth from him as she moves her fingers to his unswollen cheek, careful not to disturb his nasal cannula.

“So, You and Halstead?”

The low voice of Kevin startles her and she quickly removes her hand, looking at him surprised, she stammers, “Oh…..ah.....No…..I…..uh…” and finally with a sheepish smile, “Yes.”

Kevin smiles. “Don’t worry your secret’s safe with me but we all know, just waiting for you two to figure it out.” He walks further into Jay’s room. “How’s he doing?

“A slight fever and congestion. It’s complicating things but he’s been sleeping, so that’s good.” Hailey answers.

“No complaining?”

Hailey nods ‘No’.

“So un-Halstead-like.”

Hailey looks at Jay sleeping and sighs.

“You’re here early.”

“Yeah, I couldn't really sleep with this ‘excessive force’ thing…….thoughts kept swimming in my head.”

"Sounds like the offender's reaching. I'm sure when all the reports are read, it'll be a non-issue." Hailey reassures.

"I hope so."

"You got the offender off Jay, Kevin. That's what matters."

"Yeah, …....”

A low groan from the bed quickly gets both of their attention. Jay slowly lifts his left hand towards his chest while his face distorts in pain. Hailey quickly moves to his side and intercepts his movement.

“Easy now.” She soothes and places his hand by his side. Jay rolls his head towards her and opens his eyes. His left eye is still swollen but noticeably less so.

A very groggy and hoarse, “Hey.”

Hailey returns with a smile.

Kevin clears his throat and walks up to Jay's right side. "Hey Man" as he glances down at Jay’s injuries.

“I owe you,” Jay says, turning to look at Kevin next to him. “I mean it.” He continues with a bit stronger voice. “Whatever that offender says, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

But before their conversation could continue Dr. Marcel and Will enters the room. Will makes eye contact with Kevin and Hailey, and they both move away giving the doctors a clear path to Jay.

“Good to see you awake, how are you feeling?” Marcel asks.

Hailey and Kevin move just outside Jay’s room. Hailey faces the open door. Kevin motions that he’s leaving “let me know how he’s doing?” She responds with a nod. “I will. Thanks for stopping by.” and turns her attention back to inside the room.

“Like I was hit by a bus.” Jay croaks.

“Well, you sorta were.” Will lightly chuckles as he checks Jay’s temperature. His smile quickly disappears and exchanges a look with Marcel. Marcel puts on his stethoscope, “How’s your breathing?”

“Been better.”

“A-Ha.” He says as he first places his left hand over Jay’s sternum giving some support and then places his stethoscope on the left side of his chest. “Breath.”

Jay draws a breath, he quickly winces and stutters the exhale.

He moves the stethoscope, “Again.” Jay responds the same. Marcel looks at Will who is standing with his arms crossed, a slight nod of ‘No’. Will sighs deeply, closes his eyes, and a slight head shake.

Marcel places his stethoscope around his neck and retrieves his light pen, “Let’s have a look.” Jay complies with Marcel’s examination. “Equal. Reactive. Still a bit light sensitive.”

Jay places his hand over his sternum signaling he’s in pain, closes his eyes, and takes a few controlled breaths.

“Almost time for some more ice.” Will notices.

Marcel types information into his tablet. “Jay, we’re going to start you on a round of antibiotics and increase your pain relief to help with your breathing. Rest easy, we’ll get you fixed up.”

“Thanks.” Will says and Jay nods his agreement.

Will looks at Jay, "How have you been feeling alright the past few days?” Will asks.

“Just a little tired.” Jay answers. His voice is hoarse and rough.

“Probably the beginning of it." Will says checking Jay's right hand for any circulation issues. Seeing none he looks in the hall, notices Hailey still at the door and waves her in.

Hailey walks in, “What’s the verdict?”

“Chest infection on top of his injuries, increasing his pain meds and starting a round of antibiotics.” Will answers. He turns his attention to Jay, “You, eat something and rest up. Speak up if you need anything. I’ll check on you later.” He ends with a smile.

“Thanks Will.” Hailey walks closer to Jay as Will gives her a smile and leaves the room.

At District 21:

Kevin walks in taking his jacket off.

“How’s Jay?” Kim asks

Placing his jacket on the back of his chair, “He’s really banged up but Hailey’s with him.”

“I knew it,’’ Adam exclaims. “I told you, Kim.” Claps his hands and points towards Kim

“I knew something was up with those two.” He continues laughing.

Kim and Kevin look at Adam and his antics, then at each other.

“Adam.” Kim turns to him and scolds. “Jay’s injured.” She turns back to Kevin.

“How bad?”

Kevin with his hands on his hips says, “Pretty bad. Doc thinks he was getting sick before this happened and it’s causing complications.”

Kim and Adam look at Kevin soberly and then turn to see that Hank has come out of his office to listen.

“He’s not complaining or asking to go home…...so…” Kevin trails off.

They all understand what that means. Jay doesn’t like hospitals and would do anything not to stay in one. So for him not to be complaining meant he really wasn’t feeling well.

Hank grunts his understanding of the situation. “Atwater, my office.”

Kevin looks at Kim and Adam, both with questioning looks on their faces, then follows Hank to his office.

“Close the door.” As Kevin walks in. He slows and closes the door.

“Kevin.”

“Yes, Sarge.”

“The offender is claiming you didn’t announce your office. He says he didn’t know you were a cop and furthermore states, he would have cooperated if he did know.”

“Sarge. He was beating up Halstead!”

“I know.”

“You were there! Did you see the size difference?! He already threw him to the ground and got one punch in on him, what was I supposed to do? Let him tee off on him and say, ‘excuse me , Sir, I’m the Police?’”

“I understand, Kevin. I’m just telling you what he said.” Both are quiet for a moment.

“Did you announce your office when you were running towards Halstead?”

“Seriously? This is what it comes down to?”

“I’m afraid so. Deputy Miller brought it to my attention that you didn’t write that you did in your report.”

Exasperated, Kevin replies, “I don’t know Sarge. I might have. I might not have. I wasn’t really focusing on that at the time given what was going on.”

“I get it but for now you’re on desk duty until this gets cleared up.”

“Sarge.”

“Not my decision.” Hank waves towards the door and Kevin leaves.

Hank’s phone rings, “Yeah Trudy”

^She’s coming up^

“Thanks.”

Atwater has just told Kim and Adam what happened and before they have a chance to respond they hear the gate open and Deputy Miller walks into the bullpen. Hank comes out of his office.

“Superintendent Miller.”

She looks around the room. “I’ve read all your reports and, although, some details are in question.” Her eyes land on Kevin. “There is one glaring omission from everyone.”

“Which is?” Hank answers.

“No one detailed the actions taken by Patrol Officer Bailey.”

“What, we’re snitching on other cops now?” Adam bursts out

“I want a full account of what happened. I understand Detective Halstead was assaulted by the offender but that doesn’t account for all his injuries. He was physically restrained by a Chicago Police officer and severely injured in the process. I want the facts and your team.” She turns to Voight, “had the best advantage point of what happened.”

“I expect the amendments by the end of the day. Is that understood?” She looks around the room and all nod in agreement. “Good.” As she leaves the bullpen.

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:

Hailey walked into Jay’s room carrying a bag. Jay hardly ate anything this morning and endured his ice therapy until the increase in pain medication pulled him to sleep. A Nurse was checking on him when she noticed Hailey, “His temperature is up.” She whispers. “He should be waking up soon. It’ll be best for him to do so on his own and take this Tylenol.” She lifts up the small plastic cup and checks her watch. “I’ll come back later and give it to him.” The Nurse motions to leave with the tablets.

“I can give it to him.” Hailey suggests.

“Sorry, It’s against protocol.” The Nurse says. “But I see that you’re a Police Officer and the patient is Dr. Halstead’s brother. I’ll ask Dr. Halstead if he’s OK with that.” The Nurse sends a message through her tablet and before Hailey can even plead a case not to bother Will a response of, “Dr. Halstead approves and asks if you can get him to eat more than this morning.”

She smiles and leaves the plastic cup on the tray in front of a sleeping Jay.

“Thank you.” Hailey responses.

Hailey settles in, placing her bag down next to her as she watches Jay sleep. Despite his fever, he looks to be in a deep sleep. She receives a text from Kim filling her in on what is going on with Miller and Kevin’s desk duty. They exchange thoughts and theories about Miller and the situation. Kim relay's that everyone is wishing Jay well and to keep them posted and of course if she needs anything to let them know. Hailey closes the text with a big,” Thank You. I will.” When Jay begins to stir.

His breathing hitches a little as he wakes, then becomes more pronounced ending with a slight grunt as he fully awakes. He notices Hailey and offers a quiet, “Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” She smiles. She notices he closes his eyes and frowns. “I know you don’t feel well.” She approaches the bed and stands as close as she can to him. She places the back of her hand on his forehead and feels the increased heat from him. “Here.” She picks up the small plastic cup with the Tylenol tablets, “these will help with the fever.” She offers.

He tiredly opens his eyes and holds up his left hand for the cup, he takes them willingly with a full glass of water.

“That’s a good start.” She smiles, “Are you up for some Manstra (Greek Tomato Orzo Soup)? I took it easy on the garlic, just how to like it.”

Jay’s eyes widened with surprise and smiles with appreciation but shows no sign of moving to eat.

“Not hungry? Will said you haven’t eaten much.” As she reaches the thermos bowl full of soup. She places it in front of him with a spoon. When she doesn’t get a response, she looks at Jay.

He is just looking at her with his eyes half-closed.

“Jay, you OK?” Her voice filled with concern. “Are you in pain? You need me to get the Doctor?” She quickly asks.

“No” Jay’s voice is rough with sleep, “The pain meds are working good. Can’t believe you went home and made soup. You need your rest too, Hailey.”

Hailey smiles, “I’m fine, really. I noticed too you didn’t eat much and only picked the soft foods, and figured you wanted something easy to eat. Broken cheekbone flares up with chewing.”

“Yeah.” Jay agrees.

“I remember my brother breaking his sliding headfirst into home plate.” She opens the container of soup and positions the tray closer to Jay, “Scored the winning run though.” She ends with a laugh.

Jay eyes the soup and reaches for the spoon. Hailey reads his mind. “You don’t have to eat it all, just eat what you can.”

“Thanks, Hailey.”

At District 21:

“What do we actually know about Officer Bailey?” Kim asks out loud.

“This isn't a witch-hunt Kim, just the facts about what happened.” Adam retorts.

“Was just curious, Adam. He’s new to 21."

“Two weeks." From an unmistakable gruff voice. Everyone in the bullpen looks at Voight. "Officer Bailey has been at 21 for just two weeks."

“Sarge,” Adam starts “We really don’t have much to add to the situation. Kim wasn’t there. Kevin had his back turned to cuff Red and I was on my knees facing you. I wasn’t looking at Bailey when he went over to Jay. So I don’t know what we can add.”

Voight, with his arms crossed, grunts his understanding and turns back into his office, and closes the door.

At Chicago Med:

Jay only ate half of what Hailey brought him and drifted off to sleep. Hailey is looking through her phone at the various texts she’s getting from the team when Will walks in. She looks up.

“How is he?” He whispers

“Fell asleep about an hour and a half ago.”

“Did he eat?”

“Only half.” She holds up the container.

“That’s better than nothing but still not much.” Will says concerned. He walks closer to Jay and looks over the monitors, places his stethoscope on a sleeping Jay, and closes his eyes to listen to him breathe.

“Can you just leave me alone?” A stern, angry, rough voice but eyes are still closed.

Will removes himself quickly from Jay.

“Just seeing how you are.” He notices a slight sheen of sweat on Jay’s forehead. He runs the temper wand over.

Jay’s eyes snap open, a frown of anger across his face as he attempts to swat the device with his left hand. The sudden movement causes pain in his chest and shoulder.

“Ahgggrrr” he growls.

Hailey quickly rises from her chair and moves closer to Jay but Will holds up his hand to stop her.

“Your fever is up a bit but the congestion sounds the same. I was hoping you would have eaten more. You need fuel to fight this.” Will explains. “How’s the pain with the added relief? Are you taking deeper breaths? Would you like some more ice?”

The rapid-fire questions just irritate Jay more. A stern look at his brother serves as a warning but Will doesn’t care, he goes to place an ice bag over Jay’s chest.

Jay angrily knocks the ice from Will’s hands. “STOP!” Jay loudly growls. The movement jostles his shoulder and chest. He quickly grimaces and growls in pain grabbing his chest. The sudden intake of air to raise his voice resulted in a deep chesty cough. Jay tries to sit up and elevate the pain and help stop the coughs but it just increases his pain.

“Easy, EASY!” Will grabs Jay to stop him from moving. “Calm down.” But Jay fights Will, moving to get out of Will’s grasp. “STOP It Jay! Calm down!” Will pushes the Nurses’ button for help. Jay is still coughing in between grunts of pain. Will reaches for the oxygen mask and is able to secure it over Jay’s face. The Nurse runs in, “5 of haloperidol” she quickly goes to retrieve the medication.

Jay tries to grab the mask,“NO WIll! NO” deep painful coughs rattle his chest.

“Breathe, just breathe.” Will tries to soothe, coaxing Jay to lie down.

The Nurse arrives and quickly injects the medication before Jay can continue his protest.

Will raises the head of the bed more towards a sitting position than a reclining position. Jay’s coughing slowly subsides and he lies back on the bed, exhausted and in pain, eyes screwed shut huffing into the oxygen mask. He places his left hand over his chest protectively. Will pushes the PCA for pain relief. “Nurse, can you page Dr. Marcel?”

“Yes Doctor.” as she leaves the room.

As Jay calms down as the pain relief enters his system, Hailey wide-eyed after seeing what just happened looks to Will for an explanation.

“His fever is up. He feels miserable. He’s in pain, exhausted, clearly doesn’t have an appetite, just all around grump-fest and he can’t do anything about it.”

Upon hearing this Jay opens his eyes and glares at Will.

“I know you too well Jay. You’re just lashing out, glad it was at me and not Hailey.”

Jay’s features soften after hearing ‘Hailey’ and turns to look at her. She is still unnerved at Jay’s behaviour but accepts the explanation.

“Sorry.” Jay says, eyes drooping closed.

“I’m going to talk to Dr. Marcel and see what we can do to keep you comfortable,” Will says and leaves the room.

Hailey takes a moment to absorb what just happened. She looks at Jay. This is the first time she’s seen him burst out like this, and physically too, at his brother. Yes, he’s sick and injured but still, this is the first time.

She slowly walks over to Jay and he senses her presence. He slowly opens his eyes and reaches out with his left hand to her. She looks at it and takes it with her left.

“I would never hurt you, Hailey, never.” His voice is muffled under the mask but she hears it clearly.

She caresses his forearm with her right hand. “I know, Jay.” She takes a breath. “You need to rest.”

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:

Jay is uncomfortable, trying to rest but his fever and congestion is making it difficult. His eyes are closed trying to reserve energy to fight the infection. Hailey, using a damp cloth, tries to soothe his fever by patting his forehead and face as much as she can around the oxygen nasal cannula and swollen left cheek. Everytime she does Jay opens his eyes ever so slightly to look at her.

“I know.” She whispers “You feel awful. Are you in pain?”

A slight shake of his head *No* comforts her. At least the pain meds are still keeping his injuries in check as long as he stays calm. She responds with a reassuring smile hoping to portray some confidence that everything is under control. The truth is she doesn’t know. Will and Crockett were discussing his treatment but so far, she hasn’t heard anything. He closes his eyes too tired to keep them open. She threads her fingers through his hair, adding comfort and encouraging him to fall asleep, all she can do is wait for the doctors to be in soon.

District 21:

Voight storms into Superintendent Miller’s office; he is pissed, she has enough time to look up at him barging into her office, slamming the door behind him and starts in:

“He’s done this BEFORE!” He points at Miller. “You KNEW THIS!” He walks closer to her desk, now right infront of her. “You APPOINTED him to the UC BUST!”

Miller stands up, “CALM DOWN Sargeant. I’ll explain.”

Voight stands in front of her stone faced and angry. “This better be good.”

“Officer Bailey has had many incident reports against him but the department has been unable to find undisputed evidence against him.”

“I found that out.” Voight interrupts, “I went looking for his body cam.”

“Yes, that’s the problem. He has been able to tamper with it so his actions haven’t been recorded. All we get is an injured offender and people unwilling to speak up.”- Miller

“I went looking for his previous partner, he was unwilling to answer any of my questions without his FOP lawyer.” -Voight

“Yes, that’s the issue we’ve had, until your unit’s case.”

“Why my unit?”

“I needed a unit I could trust and shoot me straight.” She looks at Voight . “I knew if you saw something, you would correct it and either yourself or report it. I knew you would get the facts.”

“Well we didn’t get any. We got nothing on Bailey except he injured my Detective and I got another Officer on desk duty. So we’re not doing too good.” Voight rebuts

“On the contrary Sargeant, you got everything I need.” Miller says confidently.

Chicago Med:

Dr. Marcel walks quietly into Jay’s room. Hailey is sitting next to his bed, her right hand absentmindedly stroking Jay’s left forearm while she types one-handed into her tablet. She looks up as Dr. Marcel approaches, “Thought I’d catch up on my reports." She says softly trying not to rouse a sleeping Jay.

Dr. Marcel smiles an acknowledgement and looks at Jay's monitors.

Hailey whispers, "How's he doing?" A concerned voice.

Marcel shows her the *Just one minute* gesture with his right hand. He dons his stethoscope, leans over Jay, and listens to him breathing. First on the left side, he listens to three slow relaxed breaths from a sleeping Jay. Then he moves to the right side, one breath and then a groan, a short breath and another louder groan. “I know, I know, easy.” Marcel tries to comfort and removes his stethoscope before listening to a third breath. “Still tender, I know.”

Jay opens his eyes ever so slightly as Marcel says those last words but makes no attempt to move. Hailey squeezes his left arm to let him know she’s there and Jay slowly closes his eyes. Hailey looks to Marcel concerned.

"He may not agree," He answers her in a quiet tone, "but he's actually doing well considering. The stronger antibiotics need some more time to get in his system. The fever, congestion and his injuries are really taxing his body. The best we can do is offer supporting care and let the antibiotics continue to work."

Hailey listens, looks at Jay and sighs.

“Has he complained of pain?” Marcel asks

Hailey continues to look at Jay, “I asked him earlier. He shook his head no.”

“That’s good. We need to keep the pain from his injuries under control, unfortunately with his fever the ice therapy will make him feel worse. He’s already cold, no need to add to that.”

Hailey nods in agreement, still looking at Jay slowly caressing his forearm, but doesn’t look at Marcel, afraid the tears in her eyes will fall.

Marcel sees this and understands, he walks toward the door to leave. “Please page Will or myself if you need anything……I mean anything, Hailey.”

She looks in his direction still keeping her tears in check and nods her appreciation.

At District 21:

Hank has been quiet since his meeting with Deputy Miller. The team is catching up on paperwork and expense reports with no new cases at the moment. Kim's phone buzzes on her desk, she reads the message and sighs. Adam and Kevin look at her.

“That was Hailey.” Kim pauses, “Jay is…….” She stops and looks up to see Voight listening leaning on the door frame to his office. “Jay isn’t doing too well. Hailey said the chest infection is bad and he's on a stronger antibiotic but combined with his chest injury….”

Everyone is concerned and waiting for her to continue.

“He’s having a rough time of it.”

“How’s Hailey doing? Adam asks quietly

Kim shakes her head. “She’s with him but…….it’s hard.”

They all take a moment to understand what their friend is going through.

“And that man, Red,” Kevin says, “might get away with it.” His voice gets louder as he speaks. “This is unbelievable.”

“We don’t know that.” Kim says and then asks Voight. “Do we?”

“I don’t know. Miller is playing this close to the vest. She’s not letting me in on anything.” Voight answers. He looks around the room at his team and sighs. “You know, nothings going on. Go home. If I need you, I’ll call.” He turns and enters his office, closing the door.

Later that night a Chicago Med:

Will walks into Jay’s room. It took some time but he convinced Hailey to go home and get some rest. A night’s sleep in her own bed is much better than sleeping in the chair. Although she argued that she would take an uncomfortable chair with Jay over an empty comfortable bed. He told her if anything changes he would call her.

Will walks closer to the monitor’s over Jay’s head and looks them over, comprehending the information and mentally taking a comparison to earlier vitals. He whispers, “Temp is up….101.2. O2 down a tick.” He places his stethoscope to Jay’s chest starting on his right side, he listens with his eyes closed and moves the diaphragm around to hear more clearly. Jay is breathing slower and shorter than before and Will can hear the rattle of congestion in his brothers' lungs. He was focused on listening that it took Jay’s splinted right hand making contact with his arm to break his trance.

Will’s eyes flew open and he removed the stethoscope, “Jay?”

“Hurts.” A rough hoarse voice said.

Will frowns with concern and then questions, placing his hand over Jay’s chest where his stethoscope was on his right side. “Here?” Not applying much pressure searching with his fingers. No reaction until slightly higher above the cartilage separation.

“AH!” A short pained cry.

Will quickly stops and places his whole palm across the area and applies even pressure.

Jay holds a grimace for a few moments then is able to relax. He opens his eyes, still his left doesn’t fully cooperate due to his broken cheekbone, to see Will still holding his side. Will is concerned.

“You Ok? Pain subside?” Will asks

Jay blinks an affirmative and Will releases his hand. Will sighs, “That explains it.”

Jay is confused, tired, feverish, in pain and not in the mood for a guessing game. Will picks up on this quickly.

“I’ll need an x-ray for confirmation but it seems likely you’ve broken a rib, possibly from that forceful coughing spell earlier. It’s possible you could have some compromised ribs from the impact you took too. We’ll get another look at you to see what’s going on. That and the congestion would explain why your O2 is down, you’re not wanting to breathe normally because you're in pain.”

“I don’t feel like I’m in pain.” Jay protests. “Only when touched.”

“Your body has adapted to breathing shorter to avoid the pain, hence why you don’t feel like you’re in pain.”

Jay looks at Will defeated. “Now what?”

“CT scan, it’ll show if there are subtle fractures that the x-ray won’t. It’ll give us a good look at that chest infection of yours too.”

Jay’s eyes begin to droop and he blinks slowly at Will.

“Too much for you?”

A short grunt of Jay lets Will know he heard him but is moments from a deep sleep.

Observing Jay a few moments confirmed that he has fallen back to sleep. Will takes the opportunity to check his wrist and shoulder, satisfied that there aren’t any circulation issues, he places Jay’s right hand under the blanket.

Chapter Text

District 21:

Kevin walks in, "Morning" as he takes off his jacket and places it on the back of his chair.

Kim is texting at her desk and looks up when Kevin walks in, "Mornin". Adam walks toward her from the break room holding 2 cups of coffee, nods his head in Kevin's direction, "Mornin' Kev" and places one in front of her.

"Any news?" Kevin asks.

"Will made Hailey go home last night. She hasn't heard anything and is heading over to the hospital now." Kim looks at Adam with a concerned look on her face.

Kevin matches her concern with his hands on his hips.

"Jay'll be alright." Adam replies, "He'll be pleading with Hailey to bust him out soon, just you wait." He ends with a smile.

She returns the smile but uncertainty is edged across her face. "I hope so."

Voight sits in his office, after hearing the conversation about Jay, he folds his hands in front of his face and signs.

At Chicago Med:

Hailey walks into Jay's room but it's empty. A bit of panic creeps in as she walks to the nurse's station. The nurse is on the phone but acknowledges her, as she is ending the call Hailey sees Will, bypassing the nurse she heads right towards him.

“Where’s Jay?” Hailey asks anxiously.

“He went to CT.” Will says typing on his tablet.

“WHY!” “WHAT happened?! You said you’d call if something happened! Did he get worse? Why DIDN’T YOU CALL ME!” Hailey rapid fires at Will.

“Stop Hailey.” as Will tries to reach out and calm her.

“NO!” she steps away, “WHAT HAPPENED!”

Will, using his tablet, points to an area away from the nurses’ station. “Marcel noticed that Jay was tender on his right side above the cartilage separation. That guy really rammed him…”

“Twice.” Hailey interrupts Will. “The offender rammed him twice into a dumpster.”

“I remember.” Will says softly. “Marcel didn’t want to put Jay through more tests at the moment, he was finally resting. So I checked on him after you left. I believe he has a broken rib on his right side..”

“You thought that before but the first CT showed the separation, why now?” Hailey’s arms are crossed trying to process the new information.

“His coughing fits. I believe that’s what did it. Plus, the CT will give us a good look at that infection.” Just as he finishes, his tablet alerts. He looks down and with a small smile. “Jay’s all done. He’s on his way back.”

District 21:

“Thanks Sarge.” Kevin says and hangs up the phone and signs deeply.

Both Kim and Adam lookup and Voight walks from the break room with a coffee, they are waiting for Kevin to speak.

“Platt says all four offenders are being booked for drug possession and attempt to sell. The investigation into excessive force on Red is still pending and nothing has surfaced about Officer Bailey's actions.” Kevin states somberly.

The members listen to him but remain silent, all showing their disapproval in their faces.

“I just don’t believe it! This is actually happening. I’m going to get, what, a three day suspension for trying to protect Jay and Bailey, who broke Jay’s wrist, dislocated his shoulder with a banned tactic, is getting off scot free. “ He huffs in disbelief.

“NO HE WON’T!”

Chicago Med:

Jay has been settled back into his room. He was awake for a few minutes as Hailey fussed over him but is now sleeping. She has returned to the chair on the left-side of him with her right hand on his left forearm. Will is standing at the foot of the bed looking at Jay’s results on his tablet.

“He’s so tired.” Hailey breaks the silence but doesn’t look away from a sleeping Jay. His breathing causing a soft wheeze into the O2 mask.

Marcel walks into the room and stands next to Will. Will looks up, “I gather you’ve seen the CT results.”

Marcel nods. Hailey looks towards the Doctors. A nurse with a smaller IV bag walks in and hooks it into Jay’s IV. Hailey’s been patient enough.

“What’s going on?”

“He has pneumonia. We’re starting him on azithromycin. He’ll continue to receive medication for the fever and pain.”

Hailey’s concern is palpable, she squeezes Jay’s arm, closes her eyes and sighs.

Marcel nudges Will’s arm to get his attention and motions that he’s leaving and that they can talk later. Marcel walks out and Will pulls up a chair next to Hailey. Hailey doesn’t look at will but returns her focus on Jay.

“Jay didn’t tell me you two were together.” Will softly says.

A shy smile creeps across Hailey’s face, “We didn’t want to make it a big deal. But it seems everyone knows.”

“Some things you can’t hide. My brother isn’t one for words but his actions speak volumes. I saw a change in him after you two became partners……..then another after he was shot. I was just waiting for him to tell me. The “Great Communicator”.” Will ends with a chuckle.
“I’m very happy for both of you.”

“Thanks.” She pauses for a few moments caressing Jay’s arm. “Does he know I’m here?”

“Most certainly.” Will states matter-of-factly. “He wouldn’t be this cooperative if you weren’t. He trusts you and he knows you have his back.”

“And he doesn’t trust you?” Hailey teases.

“Well,” Will states “He does but, you know, brothers.”

They both relax with the light-hearted moment.

“Was that all the CT showed?” Hailey asks, “How bad is it?”

Will brings up the CT image on his table to show Hailey. “He has a broken rib, like we suspected, showing her the shadow, (pointing to the screen). This is the lower sternum fracture here.”

Hailey's eyes wander over the image, She notices the white.

“That’s the pneumonia.” Will answers her unspoken question. “Concentrated on his right side. His left is better. But that’s what the azithromycin is for.” He let’s this all sink in for her. “But that’s not his biggest problem.”

Shocked, Hailey looks up. “There’s more!?”

“He has a small diaphragm rupture on his right-side, right here.” He points.

Hailey picks up Jay’s left hand and holds it to her forehead with both hands. A small sob escapes.

Will places his hand on her back, “I know this is scary. But Dr. Marcel is confiendient this can be repaired by minimally invasive surgery. He’ll have two small scars. That’s it.”

Hailey nods into Jay’s hand.

“He just needs to rest and get better before we can perform the surgery. The rupture added to the reason he wouldn’t take a full breath and why it’s important we are diligent with his pain management.”

Hailey nods again.

“I’ll let you be.” Will gets up to leave. “He’s getting the best care, Hailey. Call if you need anything.”

Hailey looks up and swipes her face, a quiet “Thank you Will.” as Will walks out.

She looks at Jay’s face, places her right hand over his forehead and combs her fingers through his hair. “For better or worse, right? I’m here, I’m right here.”

District 21:

“NO HE WON”T!”

Surprised, all the members turn towards the stairs. No one heard the gate open as Miller walked into the bullpen until she spoke.

“Explain.” Hanks says.

She walks towards Kim’s computer. “Pull this up, please.”

Kim types in the www address into the url. A cloud account appears.

All gather around Kim’s computer.

“Click on the file.”

A video starts to play. It’s Officer Bailey’s body cam footage. The screen displays his actions. When he had his gun on Adam, you can clearly hear “STOP POLICE! YOU OVER NEAR THE DUMPSTER, STOP! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!” This is repeated several times before Adam’s voice is heard. “RYAN!” and then Kevin tackles Red.

It further shows his actions as Jay tries to get up. He knees Jay in the back, slamming him to the ground, opens his baton and applies an arm lock with it. Everyone hears Jay’s scream.

“That’s enough.” Voight says. He looks at Miller. “Where did this come from?”

“I reached out to TECH and they came up with a way to directly upload his body cam in real time. So even if he tampered with it, the video was still preserved.”

“Humm” Voight grunts in response.

“So with this new evidence.” Miller continues, “No charges will be filed on Officer Atwater and Officer Bailey will now be held accountable for his actions.” She looks at Voights team. “And we all can be happy about that.” He looks at Voight as she leaves. “Sargeant.”

Everyone is relaxed and happy over this development. Kevin rubs his face, letting the tension leave his body as he sits down. Voight starts to walk towards his office when Kim’s phone alerts, all pause “It’s Hailey.” She smiles as she starts to read the text but it quickly vanishes. Silence as she puts her phone down.

“What is it, Kim?” Adam asks. All are worried at Kim’s reaction.

“It’s Jay…..uh….Hailey…..says……uhm…he has pneumonia and he needs surgery.”

“What for?” Adam wants her to continue.

“She didn’t say.”
Adam turns to Voight, “Sarge?”

“Let’s go!”

“The hospital isn’t going to let all of us in.” Kevin states.

“I’d like to see them stop us.” Voight retorts.

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:

Jay returns to consciousness and hears a soft rhythmic wheeze. It takes a moment for him to realize it was coming from him. He becomes aware of the O2 mask on his face. The head of the bed is still raised but does little to relieve the tightness and achiness across his chest. He takes a slightly deeper breath which produces a sharp ping on the right-side. *Groan* He winces into the mask. Although his eyes have yet to open he knows the warm hand that rubs his left forearm.

Jay slowly opens his eyes, rolling his head toward the voice and blinks the blurriness away to see a pair of ocean blues staring back at him.

“Hey.”

Jay blinks slow and heavy. The swelling over his left cheekbone is still noticeable but has lessened, bruising now making its presence. He looks as if he’s going to speak.

“No, don’t speak.” Hailey says and squeezes his arm. She pushes the call button.
“Dr. Marcel and Dr. Halstead wanted to know when you woke up.”

Jay smiles at the mention of ‘Dr. Halstead.’

Hailey notices, “Well, he is a doctor.” with a sly smile putting the back of her fingers on his forehead checking his fever, at least he doesn’t feel as warm.

It only takes moments for Will to enter the room. “How’s the patient?” He looks over Jay’s monitors.

Jay watches him and Hailey steps back giving him some room.

“Good news is your fever is down a bit, so the azithromycin is starting to work.” Will looks down to Jay, he can hear the soft wheeze of his brother breathing, but Jay only gives him an ‘And’ look. Will glances at Hailey then back down to Jay.
“You’re in rough shape. Injured. Sick.” Will sighs. “But we have a plan to get you better so we can get you to surgery.”

That got Jay’s attention. He opens his eyes wide in surprise and croaks,”Surgery?”

Will looks at Hailey questioning. “He’s been sleeping, I haven’t had a chance to tell him.” She responds.

Jay looks from Will to Hailey back to Will, “Wha…..tis….ga….” he tries to speak but incites an unexpected cough followed by a growl of pain and a face distorting wince.

“Easy Jay. Just breathe.” Will is quick to act, readjusting the O2 mask that was disturbed by the cough.

Jay makes eye contact with him still wanting an answer.

“You have a small diaphragm tear.” Jay reaches up to try and remove the mask. “No, don’t touch this.” Will intercepts, “This needs to stay on.” and continues to explain. “Like I said it’s a small tear and can be repaired through minimally invasive surgery.” Jay’s frowns at his brother. “Just two small holes.” Will gestures with his hands over Jay’s chest. “But first you have to get better. You can’t have surgery until the fever is gone, hence the stronger antibiotic.” Will points to the IV bag hanging.

Will lets the information sink in for a minute. “How’s the pain?” Jay just closes his eyes, a slight frown across his face and the soft wheeze still present.
Will sighs a deep breath. “Alright, we’ll get it adjusted,” looking over to Hailey “and I have an idea I’d like to discuss with Dr. Marcel.”

Hailey smiles, “Thank you Will.”

Will starts to walk out, “Try to get him to eat and drink. I think it’ll make him feel better.”

“I will.” Hailey answers and begins to walk towards Jay’s bed.

Will walks out of Jay’s room and sees all of Intelligence walking towards him. He raises his hands to stop them. “Wow I didn’t expect ….” Kevin is the first to speak.
“How’s he doing? He needs surgery?” He says anxiously. They all gather waiting for the answer.

“He’s in rough shape, the CT gave us a clear picture of his injuries and pneumonia. He has a small tear in his diaphragm- I suspect that happened along with the lower sternum fracture- but it can be repaired, he just needs to get better first.” He pauses gauging the looks of the faces of Intelligence. “It’s against Hospital policy but, yes, you can all see him. Just please..”

“We just want to see him, Doc” Kevin interrupts. “We know he needs his rest. We need to see him.”

Will smiles and nods his approval as Intelligence walks past to Jay’s room. All giving him a reassuring look or pat as they walk by.

They quietly walk into Jay’s room. Hailey has resumed her spot to Jay’s left, her hand on his forearm, a soft rhythmic wheeze of him breathing, his eyes are closed.

Hailey looks from Jay to the team as they walk in. She smiles appreciatively. Kevin gestures ‘SHH’. The team all look at Jay and take in his presence, the bruising on his face, splint on his right wrist, O2 mask and the sound of him breathing. Voight rubs his hand over his face and shakes his head. Adam and Kim stand closer to each other and Kim sighs looking over to Hailey. Kevin stands steadfast hands on his hips.

Hailey rubs Jay’s arm slightly and whispers, “The team’s here Jay. Want to say hello?” But he doesn’t stir.
“Sorry.” She whispers looking back.

“No need to be sorry.” Adam says matching her volume. “We know he needs his rest and Will is going to let us visit as long as we don’t disturb him. Glad he’s resting.”

The team all agree with Adam and Hailey nods.

“Hey Hailey,” Kevin speaks softly, “take a break, let’s get something to eat.”

“No I shouldn’t..” looking at Jay.

“It’s OK Hailey. I’ll stay with him.” Kim offers

Hailey thinks about protesting but she knows better. “Will did say he needs to eat something.”

“There you go.” Kevin starts “Let’s take a minute.” He waves to the team to leave. They are all in agreement. Kim gives Hailey a reassuring nod, “He won’t be alone. Bring me back cake.” She adds with a wink. They all file out of the room and Kim sits next to Jay where Hailey was.

15 minutes pass and Kim is lost in her thoughts. She listens to his soft wheezing breaths as she looks at Jay’s monitors. The display of his heartbeat and respiration. She is looking over his body, his injured wrist, shoulder, the bruising on his face which is obscured by the oxygen mask.
“I never thanked you.” She says looking down at her hands. “Kevin told me what you did. How you fought to find me. How it was your idea to canvas the area. You found me in that car.I’m alive because of you. I’m still Makalya’s Mom because of you.” She looks up to his face “You saved me Jay.”
She sees it. She wasn’t sure at first, “Jay?” she says quietly. His eyes barely open looking at her. “Jay.” more confidently.

Jay rotates his left hand upward and slowly opens his eyes more, blinking to clear his vision.

Kim leans forward and places her hand in his, squeezing it and chuckles. “I know not really the right place or time but...” A weak squeeze from his hand silences her. “Thank you.” She says sincerely.
He blinks heavily, sleep pulling on him. “Get some rest Jay. We’re here.”

Chapter Text

At Chicago Med

A nurse walks into Jay’s room. He’s sleeping. The soft rhythmic wheeze of his breathing is all that can be heard. The TV Kim is watching is muted with subtitles on the screen. The nurse looks at Kim and smiles. She removes the empty antibiotic bag and hangs a new one. “It’s nice that he’s not alone, even though he’s sleeping.” Kim nods her understanding as the nurse walks out.

Kim watches Jay as he sleeps. She smiles to herself as she thinks of how she watches Maykala sleep and how weird but comforting it is at the same time. She wonders if Jay would like a platypus to sleep with. Her playful thoughts are disrupted when he starts to groan and move slightly. His head tilts slightly more towards her and he takes a deeper breath. He's trying to wake up. His eyes closed. A wince when he moves his right arm.*deeper groan* His left hand raises toward his chest as he takes another deeper breath. His eyes blink open a sliver at the sound of Kim's voice.

“Hey Jay.”

Jay looks right at her but is still groggy and she's not sure he recognizes her. He closes his eyes and grimaces as he moves his legs around trying to shift his position in the bed but moving only incites a more painful soft cry, “Ah!” muffled by the O2 mask.

Kim quickly stands, “Easy Jay.”

He stills in defeat, taking slow calculated breaths to control the pain. His left hand has come to rest on his chest, head still tilted toward Kim, what little energy he had spent in the little movement. He looks at her, eyes barely open, his discomfort evident but he acknowledges that she’s there.

“Easy now, try and rest.”

His breathing is a bit laboured, the wheeze becomes louder and then suddenly a deep chesty cough. Jay stiffens as he brings both his elbows quickly to his sides and tries to wrap his arms protectively around his chest. His right shoulder and wrist protest the movement. His left hand clumsily removes the O2 mask.

Kim presses the call button.

More deep coughs cause shooting pain over his chest. He holds his breath in an effort to alleviate the pain. A painful grimace locks eyes with Kim, pleading for help.

“Help’s on the way.” She tries to comfort.

Dr. Marcel rushes in with the Nurse, “Hey Jay.” He’s looking over the monitors and taking in Jay’s condition as he continues to cough painfully. “Try and breathe even Jay. I know. Easy. Push 20 of Tramadol. Relief is on its way.” Jay's coughing spell subsides as Marcel tries to comfort Jay until the pain medication takes effect. He snakes both hands on either side of Jay’s chest, in between Jay’s arms, supporting his breathing and coaching him through.

The Tramadol is effective and within minutes Jay’s pain has eased so that he is no longer clenching his sides but the effort has completely drained him. He lies still, limp with exhaustion concentrating all his energy to keep his eyes barely open as Marcel speaks.

“There you go Jay." As Marcel removes his hands from Jay's chest. "Let’s take a listen.”

Marcel listens to Jay breathe. Jay instinctively tries to take a deeper breath.

"No Jay, breathe normally. You're already worked up"

He’s mindful of the tender areas on his chest. He hears the congestion starting to loosen its grip. He moves to listen to Jay's heart, he hears a strong elevated thumping, the result of the effort put forth.

"I know you don't feel it but you are getting better." Marcel tells Jay. "You're responding very well to the antibiotics. Your fever is down and more importantly the congestion is starting to release."

Jay, who is looking at Marcel as he speaks, takes a deeper breath and exhales. He looked as if he was going to speak but didn't.

Marcel seems to understand what's going on in Jay's head. He has observed that throughout updating Jay on his condition, he’s not removed his left hand from his diaphragm area.

“I know that’s still painful and that coughing fit didn’t help any of it.”
Marcel turns to the Nurse, “Can we get him some ice?” The Nurse nods and leaves the room.

“We’ll get you comfortable tonight and visit your options in the morning.” The Nurse returns with the ice and Marcel carefully places it on Jay’s chest, adjusting to get the right position, when he sees Jay relax he knows it’s in the right place. Satisfied, Marcel smiles and looks at Kim. She’s worried after witnessing the painful episode, as she watches Jay settle.

“Keep an eye on him tonight?” Marcel asks as he places the O2 mask back on Jay.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Kim answers but continues to watch Jay. His eyes are closed as Marcel finishes the placement and they both hear a slight wheeze from him.

Marcel looks at Kim and nods as he leaves the room.
Kim pulls the chair closer to the bed. She’s watching Jay. His heart rate has returned to normal and he looks less pained but exhausted. She’s surprised when he opens his eyes.

“You don’t need to be here.” He says just louder than a whisper.

“Are you kidding? Hailey would have my hide if I left you alone.” She responds light-heartly.

At the mention of Hailey, Jay opens his eyes a bit more.

“Besides, she’s bringing me cake.”

Jay can’t mask the small smile across his face or the effects of the pain medication as he closes his eyes. His breathing is starting to even out.

Kim reaches out and rubs his left forearm; it returned to his side when Marcel placed the ice on his chest, “You're exhausted. Get some sleep.” She’s sure Jay didn’t hear any of that.

Kim looks back at the TV still rubbing Jay’s arm.

That’s where Kim remained for the next half- hour. The Nurse removed the ice from Jay’s chest, he slept right through it. As the Nurse walked through the doorway leaving, Hailey walked in holding a container of cake. She notices the bag of ice, walks in and sees Kim absentmindedly rubbing Jay’s forearm. She looks at Kim questioning.

Kim stops her movements, “Jay woke up.” Hailey sighs. “He had a coughing fit. He was in alot of pain.”

Hailey places the cake on the table and walks towards the head of the bed. She softly caresses her fingers through Jay’s hair. She whispers, “I sorry you’re going through this.” She looks at Kim, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do considering….” She lets that last word linger both knowing what she is referring to.

Kim stands, “I should go.” Hailey looks up at her. “Yeah, um don’t forget your cake.”

“We’re all here for you and Jay.” Kim says smiling as she picks up the cake.

They both exchange understanding looks and Kim walks out.
Hailey sighs. She walks over to the chair Kim vacated and sits down. She places her hand over the back of Jay’s left hand, caressing it watching him sleep.

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:
Hailey paces around the small waiting room. The TV is on, the mid-day news talking about how many inches of snow to expect this afternoon. Three other families were waiting this morning but one by one, a surgeon came in, updated them and led them to their loved ones' rooms. So she is alone, unable to sit still, walking just down the hall from where the other surgeons came from and back to the waiting room, checking her phone every few minutes. She has received texts from the team, “Good luck today,” “Let us know if you need anything” and “We’ll be by after shift.” She’s thankful for the concern and support but right now all she wants to see is a familiar face. She sits down in a chair and rests her head in her hands, trying to be patient but the past two days replay in her head. Jay’s coughing, although meant to help him, was just causing more pain making resting nearly impossible. The only positive was his fever was gone so he could now have the surgery to repair the diaphragm tear. She is lost in her head when the door swings open.

Hailey pops her head up and rises to her feet. “Will?”

Will greets her with a *Halstead smile* and glances at the TV. “Another five inches, on what, the seven we just got. Well at least it warmed up a bit so it can snow.”

“Will!” a bit louder and more impatient. That get’s his attention as he abruptly faces Hailey.
“How’s Jay?” She asks. “You said the surgery would take two hours, it’s been nearly four.”
Her voice may be strong and confident but her face betrays her, tears filling her eyes.

“No word at all?” Will asks. Hailey shakes her head ‘No.’ Will’s demeanor changes to determination. “I’ll go find out.”

He gets no more than three steps out of the waiting room when he sees Marcel walking towards him. Marcel removes his skull cap and tosses it in a linen bin before he makes eye contact and walks toward him. They exchange looks but Will can’t decipher it. Marcel walks past Will into the waiting room and he follows.

Hailey is ready to burst, “How’s Jay?” immediately as Marcel steps through the door. “What took so long? You said two hours! It’s been nearly four! What’s going on?” rapid firing Marcel with questions in his second and third steps. He holds up his hands to calm her. “NO! Don’t give me that! I’ve been a cop for a long time. I know bad news when I see it.Tell me what’s going on!” As she rejects Marcel’s attempt to calm her.

“Hailey, Jay is OK. He’s in recovery. You can see him in a few minutes.” in his calming voice.

She releases the breath she was holding, letting Marcel's words sink in.

Will looks between Hailey and Marcel, “But?”

“The surgery went long because I wanted an x-ray just before surgery; the forceful coughing of the last day or so caused his broken rib to displace slightly and felt it best to stabilize it with a small plate to reduce his pain and promote healing.”

Will listens, “Thank You.”

Hailey offers an apology. “I’m sorry. I know you’re only doing what’s best for him. I’m sorry I snapped at you.” Marcel nods his understanding. “And Thank you.” She adds her voice filled with emotion.

“Of course.” Marcel replies. “Want to see him now?”

She looks at him and nods “Yes” afraid her tears will fall.

Jay’s Room:
Jay is sound asleep, head of the bed slightly raised, the Nurse is replacing the oxygen mask for a nasal cannula and the wheezing that has accompanied his breathing for the last couple of days is not present. The Nurse looks up and sees Hailey, she smiles as she leaves the room. The swelling on his left cheekbone all but gone but replaced with dark bruising. His right wrist still splinted and placed over his right hip with a pillow under his elbow to support his shoulder. He is not wearing a gown but the sheet and blanket are pulled up to mid-chest. The bandages are not visible. This is the Jay she has been waiting to see for days. He looks as if he is sleeping in their bed, so peaceful. She is brought to the present when Marcel speaks.

“He was awake for a bit after surgery, longer actually than I expected but he needs rest. The incisions are small but still need to be looked after for signs of infection. He’s on a post-op antibiotic and we’re managing his pain. He still has the costochondral separation and with the surgery today, pain will be his new enemy.” He walks over the head of the bed and looks over the monitors. He places his stethoscope on Jay’s chest and listens to a few places, removing himself and turns to Will and smiles. “He sounds and looks good. I’m going to leave you two, he might wake up, let me know if you need anything.” He looks at both Hailey and Will, both relief and concern on their faces. “He’s doing very well” with a Marcel smile as he leaves the room.

Will and Hailey exchange looks almost waiting for someone to make the first move. Hailey does as she pulls a chair close to Jay’s bed-side, a place she has occupied for the last couple of days. Will can’t help himself and looks over Jay’s monitors and listens to Jay breath for himself.

“Will you stop that.”

They are both startled by Jay’s rough sleepy voice.

“You’re not sleeping at all, listening to everything being said and no Jay I can’t, I’m a Doctor.” Will replies playfully.

“Please.”

Will and Hailey are both concerned to hear Jay’s plea.

“Is there something wrong?” Hailey asks.

“Are you in pain?” Will adds.

Jay slightly frowns and slowly opens his eyes. He finds Hailey then Will, “Tired of being here.”

Will chuckles. “Well that didn’t take long at all.” He and Hailey both relax.

Hailey rubs Jay’s arm and he looks to her fighting to keep his eyes open.
“Go to sleep. I’m not going anywhere.”

Will and Hailey both smile. Will whispers, “I’m going to grab something from the cafe, the usual?” He asks. Hailey nods knowing that if she says she doesn’t want anything he’ll come back with something anyways. Will nods and smiles as he leaves the room.

Hailey whispers to Jay, “He’s stubborn like someone else I know.” Jay is sleeping soundly. She takes out her phone and sends a text to update the team, just before he presses send she hears a quiet snore from Jay. She quietly laughs then whispers “Yeah you’re doing very well.”

Chapter Text

Chicago Med:

“I know it’s not what you want but it was suggested you eat this.” Hailey says as she puts down a cup of Broccoli Cheddar soup on the tray and adjusts it closer to him.

Jay is sitting up but instinctively tries to sit up straighter, “Ah!” His face distorts in pain from the movement. His left hand goes to his sternum. Hailey approaches and rubs his left shoulder trying to comfort him. He looks at her. Their silent communication says it all. But he still says, “I’m fine, just sore, Hailey.”

She smiles and hands him a spoon. “Well you should eat and then use the PCA, you’re due.”

He takes the spoon and slightly nods in agreement. She settles in the chair and unwraps her grinder. She takes a bite and notices him stirring the soup.

“Who suggested this?” He questions as he takes a spoonful.

“You have to ask?”

Jay snorts, “Guess not.” Another spoonful and looks at Hailey’s grinder. “You feel like sharing?”

“Is this part of the, ‘What’s ours is mine.’?” She playfully asks, tearing off a piece.

“Something like that.” He smiles and takes it from her.

They eat in peace for a few moments. Hailey watches Jay carefully as he methodically eats his soup. She can see how he concentrates using his left hand. This is something he’ll have to get used to. She offers, “What some more?” holding up the other half.

He doesn’t look up, “No.” and finishes the soup.

“You want some more? I can get you…..”

“No.” He states quietly. He pushes the tray away and leans his head back, closing his eyes.

Hailey notices he’s fishing with his left hand for the PCA control. She gets up and places it in his hand. He immediately pushes the button. She places the back of her fingers on his forehead.

“Hurts”, lifting his left hand to his broken cheekbone, “should have stuck with just the soup.” he mumbles, eyes drooping, pain medication working its magic.

Hailey takes his hand in hers guiding it to his side and threads her fingers through his hair.
“I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Kevin, Adam and Kim couldn’t wait for the day to end after getting the update from Hailey that Jay made it through surgery. They are happy that they didn’t catch a case and when Voight said they were free to go, it was an all out foot race to the stairs. So much so that Trudy scolded them, acting like school kids when the bell rang. But it didn’t last long, she knew where they were going.

So here they were walking through the hallway of Jay’s floor when Will saw them and called out.

“Hey!”
They all slow their pace as Will catches up with them. They stop just feet from his room.

“The same rules still apply. Jay needs his rest.” Will states plainly with a hint of seriousness.

They all nodded in agreement and Will says with a slight smile, “Alright then, go in.”

Kevin peers his head in Jay’s room and sees Hailey eating dinner, he whispers “Hey.”

Hailey looks up surprised, puts down her grinder and waves him in. The team follows behind Kevin. Jay is asleep. The empty soup cup on a tray next to him.

“He just made it through dinner and then….” She gestures with her hand towards a sleeping Jay.

They all take a moment to observe him sleeping peacefully. The sheet pulled mid-chest covering the bandage from surgery, the bruising just peeking out ever so slightly on his chest, his right wrist remains splinted resting over his hip, shoulder supported by a pillow underneath his elbow, a nasal cannula on his face and bruising over his cheekbone. His left hand lying next to him with a PCA control within reach.

Each member of the team takes their turn giving Hailey a comforting hug.

“How is he doing?” Kim whispers

“He’s sore. Tired. But so much better. I’ll give it to tomorrow when he starts asking about leaving.” Hailey ends that statement with a smile.

They all smile at that comment.

“That’s good.” Adam starts, “and bad, we all know he’s not the most patient person. He’ll want desk duty at least.”

Kevin looks at Hailey. “How are you doing?”

She looks at him and then the rest of the team, questioning and then realizes what they mean. She takes a deep breath and releases as she sits down.

“It’s been rough. Seeing him in so much pain and with him being sick. It’s a helpless feeling.”

“We were thinking you need a break, Hailey.” Adam says. “You need to go home, get a good night’s rest and take some time for yourself, decompress.”

“No, no guys. Thank you. This is where I need to be.” She retorts.

“Go.”

The rough sleepy voice from the bed, eyes still closed, gets everyone’s attention.

“Jay” She pleads.

“You need a break, Hailey” He continued, voice full of sleep.

She walks closer to the bed and picks up his hand, “But…”

“Go.” He turns and looks at her. “Please.” as his eyes close again.

She huffs in defeat. He is asking her to take a moment for herself. He knows what she’s been through and wants her to have a break. She crouches down to his ear and whispers something the team can’t hear but they see Jay slightly squeeze her hand in response. She rising up still looking at him.

“I’ll stay with him, Hailey.” Adam states. He then looks around at the team, “we’ll trade off. He won’t be alone.”

The emotion becomes almost too much as tears swell in her eyes, she croaks out, “Thanks guys”.

Kevin envelopes her in a hug. “We got you.”

They help her gather her things and with one last kiss on Jay’s forehead and a playful, “Jay and I are going to have fun, bros watching the game.” from Adam, she leaves with the remaining team.

Adam settles in, turning on the TV, watching the pre-game. He looks at Jay sleeping soundly and says, “So much fun.” with a smile.

Chapter Text

Chicago Med

Hailey and the team left a while ago leaving Adam to be with Jay. He received a ‘Good Night’ text from Kim and Makayla then turned on the Hawks game. The volume is low so as not to disturb a sleeping Jay.

Adam is snacking on peanuts and a Coke watching the game, Hawks are being shut out in the third period and just missed their eighteenth shot on goal.

“Come on!” A whisper from Adam, “Go to the backhand, Geesh.” He glances over toward Jay and sees him watching the game through half -closed eyes.
“Hey, there you are.”

Jay tracks Adam's voice but doesn’t say anything.

“You haven’t missed much, Hawks can’t buy a goal this game.”

“Maybe they need you as a coach.” Jay says quietly.

“Oh, you got jokes.” Adam playfully replies. “Nice. You must be feeling better.”

Jay looks at him, “How’s Hailey?”

The smile falls from Adam’s face. “Scared. This scared her. Hell, it scared all of us.”

Jay nods knowingly. “Scared me too. It’s different now……” looking at Adam.

Adam nods in agreement then looks down and takes a deep breath,
“I’m sorry Jay. This is on me. I set up the buy. I should have called it off when Vinny showed up with all those guys. I should have known it was going to be a rip. This is all on me. If I called it off patrol wouldn’t have been there and...”

Adam’s guilt is palpable.

Jay shakes his head ‘No’, “Every undercover has risks. You had no way of knowing.”

Adam, still looking down, shakes his head not believing. “But this..”

“Are the risks of the job.” Jay finishes.

Adam looks up, “But….”

“No ‘But’”, Jay is not having Adam blame himself and is growing agitated with him doing so. “We’re Cops. It’s part of what we signed up for.”
“We may sign up for the dangers of undercover, but not for what Patrol did.” He says looking at Jay. “That crossed the line. You didn’t deserve that.”

Jay matches Adam’s stare with a look of confusion.

“Wait? You don’t know?” Adam asks

Jay’s blank look says it all.

“Oh Man.” Adam runs his hand through his hair.

“I know I was tackled and rammed into a dumpster. I was trying to get up and slammed into the ground, I was having trouble getting air and somehow while being cuffed I felt my shoulder pop out and just a lot of pain after that.”

“Well, there’s a little more to it. The Officer arresting you used his baton to apply an arm lock. I saw you react to it and he held firm. That’s what dislocated your shoulder and broke your wrist.”

Jay absentmindedly looks at his wrist and wiggles his fingers, it incites sharp hiss and a wince.

“Hey” Adam responds to Jay’s pain “You Ok? I can get the nurse.”

Jay shakes his head “No.” looking back at Adam. “I haven’t thought about what happened.” He takes a slow deep breath and before releasing it, places his left hand over his chest closing his eyes.

Adam notices the discomfort. “Well, you know Platt took care of Patrol. I’m not sure of the details. Are you sure you’re alright?.”

Jay’s eyes are still closed and responses with a frown.

Adam looks to the hallway to see if anyone is around and notices a head of red hair.

Will is finishing up for the day but can’t resist one more check-in on his brother. He sees that Adam is in Jay’s room and smiles at him but instead of a smile back Adam waves him in.

Quietly Will approaches the doorway and Adam meets him there.

“What’s up?” Will whispers looking from Adam to Jay. He immediately notices Jay’s condition and steps in.

“We were talking. He moved his fingers and hissed. And now after taking a deep breath he looks in pain. That’s not normal is it?” Adam asks

Will approaches Jay’s bed whispering, “He’ll be sore. He had surgery this morning. Frankly I’m surprised he was awake at all. He’s been through so much these last couple of days.”

Adam nods his understanding.

Will looks over the monitors and dons his stethoscope to listen to Jay’s chest. Jay wouldn’t have minded but Will put some unwanted pressure on his side near his rib. A groan of disapproval was heard.

Jay opened his eyes to see his brother, ‘Mother-henning’ him.
“Don’t you ever go home?” His agitation is apparent, eyes close again.

“When’s the last time you used the PCA?” Will retorts

“Just after dinner.” with a more pronounced frown.

“Dinner? That was hours ago, Jay. You can’t go that long without pain relief. The PCA are measured doses, you can’t mess it up.”

Jay opens his eyes, looks at Will and then Adam, “It puts me to sleep.”

“No Jay. It relieves the pain and your body, which has gone through Hell lately, wants to rest. That’s why you sleep. You need it to heal.”

Jay gives them both a look of dismissal but Will continues.
“What’s going on with your wrist?”

“Nothing, it’s fine.” Jay is short. His discomfort makes him impatient.

“Ah huh. Let’s take a look.” Will moves to Jay’s right side.

“Let’s not.” Jay’s agitation grows and tries to move his hand out of Will’s reach.

It’s to no avail. Will catches the splint below the wrist. The sudden stop jars Jay’s wrist and shoulder incites a sharp “AH!” but Will holds firm.

“Relax Jay and use the PCA.”

Adam is unsettled seeing Jay in pain and instinctively grabs for the PCA. Will sees this.

“No Adam. He has to do it himself.”

“But Doc….” His motions to Jay who is in obvious pain.
“I know it’s difficult.” towards Adam

“Jay” No response but controlled breathing and grimaces.

“Jay!” more forceful.

“Alright.” A defeated Jay fishes for the device but can’t seem to find it. Adam steps forward and hands it to him. Jay pushes the button.

Within a minute Jay is relaxing, pain subsiding. He opens his eyes to see Will still holding his arm.

“Better?”

Jay reluctantly nods.

“Good.” Will places two fingers in Jay’s palm, “Now squeeze my hand.”

It takes a few seconds but begins to squeeze. The result is immediate.

“Nope.” Jay releases his soft grip “Can’t. That hurts.”

“Alright.” Will gently places his wrist back on the pillow over his hip. “We’ll have Ortho look at it in the morning……shoulder too, now that we’ve got your chest injury under control, we can concentrate on the rest of you.” He ends with a smile.

Jay is not pleased.

“But until then keep up with the pain relief.” Will tells Jay but also Adam for confirmation.

“I’ll make sure Doc.” Adam reassures.

“Alright then.” Will is satisfied, “Have a good night.” and he leaves the room.

Adam starts to pull the chair up to Jay’s bed.

“You didn’t have to get him.” Jay says flatly

“You were in pain.” Adam responds sitting down “and I’m not having that. Not on my watch.”

Jay’s mood is better after the pain relief and is beginning to slowly blink.

Adam takes a breath and makes eye contact with Jay.
“You know you’re the heart of the team, right?”
Jay frowns at his words.

“We all look to you Jay. Voight’s our Sergeant but you’re our leader…….and it took you pushing to find Kim for me to see that. I’ll never forget what you did. Keeping calm and clear headed, doing the right thing and you found her. You and Kevin found her. I don’t know what I would have done…..” Adam is rambling.

“Hey.” Jay gets his attention. “We’re all human and sometimes we don’t do rational things when it comes to the people we love.”

“Don’t I know it.” Adam chuckles. He sees Jay fighting to stay awake. “Get some rest. You want to be all rested for Hailey in the morning.”