Chapter Text
“Have I made myself clear?” asked Hank Voight, Sergeant of the 21st District’s Intelligence Unit. A man known by police and criminals alike. No one went against Voight willingly.
Except apparently Matt , thought Jay, remembering the story the blonde told him a few months ago. Matt was telling him of the time he went head to head with Voight and lived to tell the story. Jay would’ve been pissed if his Sergeant was the reason he never met Matt.
Oh…and if Kelly never got to marry the love of his life. That would suck, too.
“Yea,” Jay bit out, but not happy about it. He was pulled into the Sarge’s office, because of a complaint.
Normally, complaints were easily settled. But this time the complaint came from someone on the team. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who put in the complaint, too.
“Good,” rasped Voight, giving him a look. It’s a look Jay knew. It’s one he’s given many sailors during his time as a SNCO. Hell, it’s one he’s given his kids. It’s a look that said, ‘are you sure you don’t want to tell me something?’
And Jay really, really should.
This wasn’t the first, nor is it going to be the last time a stupid complaint was filed. Sure, taking personal calls while chasing down criminals are against protocol. It’s not that Jay ever picked up a call while sprinting up stairs or mid-tackle of a suspect.
It’s not his fault that he keeps coming across suspects while already on the phone.
“Dawson?” called Voight softly.
Jay looked up from where he was frowning at the corner of the busted up desk. Voight never called him by his married name before. It’s only been ‘Halstead’. And for good reason. Things could get messy very quickly if he went by ‘Dawson’. It’s not like he removed his last name completely. When he completed the paperwork to change his last name, he actually made his maiden name his middle name.
He might not be fond of his father, but it’s still the name that ties him to his sweet mother and older brother. He’s not ready to part from it.
“Sir?”
“Are you sure?”
Jay sighed. He’s not the type to complain (unlike a certain someone).
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
“Alright.” Voight dismissed him.
Turning around, Jay pulled open the door and looked for his husband. He really wanted a hug right now.
“He’s still out,” answered Ruzek, coming from the break room.
Jay did not pout.
He didn’t .
Nope. He kept a straight face as he pulled out his phone and shot his husband a text. In the meanwhile, he slid into his seat and decided to get the paperwork done on his new CI.
Across from him, where his partner’s desk sat, was Hailey looking at him.
“What?”
She tilted her head back to Voight’s office. “What was that about?”
A voice, not dissimilar from Danny’s from whenever he tells him not to break L.A (which he won’t!) said, Jay, don’t break her face, even if she really deserves it.
Deciding to listen to his Danny Voice, he mentally made a note to ponder where she found the audacity to submit a complaint about him and then try to rub it in afterwards later. If she wants to be a bitch about everything, fine. Too bad she doesn’t know what she’s getting involved in.
“Everything okay?” she asked, giving a fake look of concern.
Luckily, for him? For her? He didn’t know. But luckily he spotted his children coming up the stairs. They were escorted by a uniformed officer.
“Da!” shouted Diego running over as soon as he saw Jay.
“Hi baby,” greeted Jay, opening his arms for a hug. He barely grunted as Diego didn’t even stop as he ran right into Jay’s arms. Jay dropped a kiss in Diego’s wayward curls.
“Halstead, your kids-...uh nevermind,” said the officer, too slow. Jay gave him a laugh and thanks as Eva dropped her bag in Antonio’s chair. She then came over for a hug as well. Diego already went over to Ruzek and Atwater’s desk to look at the latest tech they were missing with.
“You okay, Eva?” asked Jay. He returned her hug, but he was also keeping an eye on her expression. She looked upset.
“I’m fine.”
But like all little brothers, Diego reported something differently. “She’s upset because Uncle Kelly caught her kissing Eric!”
Eva glared at Diego. “Shut up!”
“Make me!”
She lunged at him, easily flicking his ear.
“Ow! Don’t flick me!” he shouted back, then retaliated by slapping her arm.
“Ow! Da!”
“Da!”
Atwater and Ruzek chuckled as they watched the kids bicker before turning their puppy dog eyes on their Da. To their amazement, they saw the senior detective quiet both kids with a single look.
“Damn Halstead,” whistled Ruzek. “You’re like a teen whisperer.”
“When did you even learn that?” asked Atwater. “Took me years and Vinessa and Jordan still don’t listen.”
Jay ignored them. He’s used this look on lots of sailors over the years. And mostly on officers who acted like children. So, Kelly and Evan got the look all the time back then. To get their grumpy Lieutenant and Evan to stop and apologize? That was a superpower only he had. Not even Steve could do it.
“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at your mom’s.”
Diego’s smile slipped. “Well, she uh…she didn’t pick up.”
“Again?” sighed Jay, looking at Eva. Before she could confirm, Hailey spoke up.
“Is this a common occurrence?”
“Unfortunately.” Jay pulled Eva into a side hug and kissed her temple. “You guys start your homework while I call Dad.”
“Can we stay with Uncle Matty and Kelly?” asked Diego with a slightly mischievous look. Eva huffed, rolling her eyes.
“They shouldn’t be on shift today, so maybe,” hedged Jay, trying to remember the firefighter schedule. “Eva, stop trying to kill your brother.”
“Fine,” she pouted, going to her bag and pulling out her homework. “C’mon Di. Homework.”
Jay waited until both his kids were settled in the breakroom to do their homework before he shot off a few more texts. Two to his husband, and one to Matt.
---
Mi Amor (Jay): You guys almost done? I really need a hug right now.
Mi Amor: Tonio, Laura didn’t pick them up again.
Mi Amor: I’m going to check if they can stay with Matty and LT, since we got a late shift tonight.
---
Jay-Jay: Matty, can you and LT watch our babies tonight? We have an evening shift and Laura didn’t show up. Again.
Matty: I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
---
Matt: We got Eva and Diego tonight.
Kelly: What happened?
Matt: Laura.
Kelly: She’s a shit show.
Kelly: Well, let’s hope they can keep a secret.
Matt: What? You don’t trust your future candidates?
Kelly: Don’t let Jay hear you say that.
Kelly: And you know how candidates are. They mean well, but they still mess up.
Matt: That they do. But I’m pretty confident they won’t tell the others if we ask them to keep it a secret.
Kelly: I can always threaten Eva’s boyfriend again.
Matt: Her what?
Kelly: The little twerp she was kissing this afternoon.
---
Like Matt promised, he was at the 21st District in twenty minutes, being buzzed up by Sergeant Platt.
“Captain Casey,” greeted Hailey, the first to notice him.
“Detective,” he returned, politely. Matt was dressed in a light blue sweater with a white undershirt peeking out and dark denim jeans. His outer coat was unzipped a bit, but he still wore his black CFD beanie. “Officers.”
“Hey Casey!”
“Sup, man,” greeted Atwater with a respectful nod.
“Matt, thanks so much for this man,” said Jay, getting up from his desk and pulling Matt into a one-armed hug.
“Of course. You know I’m always available for my favorite Dawsons.”
Jay pulled away and eyed the blonde. “Knowing who your least favorite is, it’s not that hard.”
Winking, Matt poked his head into the break room. “Alright kiddos. Pack up, we’re about to head out.”
“Uncle Matty!” exclaimed Diego, running over to hug him. Then he ran back and shoved everything into his bag. Eva packed her bag much more orderly first, and then came over to hug Matt hello.
Matt smiled, leaving an arm around Eva’s shoulder. “What’s this I hear about kissing?”
Eva groaned, hiding her red face in Matt’s chest.
“About that,” added Jay, running a hand through Eva’s curls. “We’re- as in you, Dad, and I are gonna have a talk tomorrow about boys.”
“Do we have to?” came the despondent groan from Matt’s chest.
“Would you rather have it with Uncle Kelly?” offered Jay, holding up his phone.
“No!” she shouted, spinning around, eyes wide and ashen.
Matt couldn’t help the snort. “Kelly’s not that bad.”
“Uncle Matty, he threatened Eric,” she told him with a frown.
“And your dad won’t?” asked Matt, eyebrows raised in disbelief.
Eva gave her Uncle a pointed look. “Dad hasn’t met Eric.”
Jay nodded. “Exactly. And if he doesn’t, he’ll probably send Diego to do his dirty work. I love my husband, I do. But sometimes…”
Eva and Jay released the biggest sigh ever.
“And that,” said Matt, directing both kids towards the stairs, “that’s our cue to leave. You guys stay safe on these streets.”
---
Mo Ghrá (Antonio): We’re about ten minutes out.
Mo Ghrá: I’ll let the lawyers know.
Mo Ghrá: And what’s this I hear about Eva kissing some punk kid?!
Mi Amor (Jay): I already told her we’ll talk tomorrow after shift.
Mo Ghrá: She better!
Mi Amor: Tonio…she’s 16. You knew this was coming.
Mo Ghrá: Exactly! Practically a child.
Mo Ghrá: First, it was the make up. Now, it’s boys! Next, you’re going to tell me she’s getting that short dress for prom.
Mi Amor: …would you just hurry back, already. I’d like my hug, please.
Mo Ghrá: Jay, she’s not getting that dress, right?
Mi Amor: My hug.
Mi Amor: Now.