I have always wondered why the show doesn't explore Jay Halstead's character even further. He seems more than a former soldier turned cop in love with Erin Lindsay. This is my first story and I hope you like it. I'm thinking it's going to be short, but who knows, lets see where it takes me.
Prologue
May 5th 1997
The Halstead family is asleep all over the hospital room. Dr. Halstead is sprawled across the big couch in the room, Will is on the cot next to him, and Mrs. Halstead is on the hospital bed after being in labor for 16 grueling hours. The only one not asleep is Jay. In fact he's not even in the room. He tiptoed out of the hospital room and made his way up to the NICU. One of the nurses saw him from the nurses' station and walked up to him.
"Hey there Jay!" Everyone knew Jay and Will because their father worked there. "You want to see him?"
"Yeah. He's all alone and I don't want him to be scared when he wakes up."
The nurse took him to the incubator in the next room. Jay walked up and looked at his youngest brother, then changed his gaze to the name on the whiteboard next to the door.
Akhil Ricco Halstead.
Jay POV
I walked into his room and saw him. There he was peaceful and so tiny. He was born early, wasn't due for another five weeks. I looked at him. There was just something about him that made want to shelter him from the rest of the world. I know I'm just 7 years old, but I can still tell that the world is a scary place. I will protect him just like I protect Will.
"Hey little man, its me Jay. I'm your big brother. You actually have two big brothers but I'm the oldest. I promise to always look out for you. I will take care of you and protect you from everything bad, even the monsters under my bed. I'm pretty sure Will is going to protect you too. You're the one thing that my family hasn't been so hostile about. We all love you. I promise, nothing will ever happen to you."
Jay spent the rest of that night sitting by his brother's side, hoping that he will never let him down.
Third POV
For the next 12 years, Jay, Will, and Akhil were inseparable. They went to the same private school so they were always together at lunch, after school at sports or in any clubs, and at home. Jay and Will were always Mr. Popular, hanging out with the cool kids and forming their own posse. Akhil was different though. He didn't have any interest in being popular, and he was fine with it. He has his own friends and his own social life, but was always back home to spend time with his brothers.
After Jay left for the Ranger and Will went to college, Akhil was left all alone. He wasn't picked on or anything, hell if anything he was better than Jay and Will, but he never wanted popularity. He didn't hang out with the rich and snobby kids. He played Football and was a part of the Marching Band, so he would either spend his time training or playing music. You would see him play running back for two quarters, play the snare for the halftime show, then get back and win the game. And it wasn't like he was bad. He broke both school and state records in Football, and made state and national band for percussion.
Despite his different interests in high school, Akhil decided to follow in Jay's footsteps. He enlisted after high school and decided to surprise Jay with the news. Everyone was proud of Akhil. He always wanted to make his brother proud and didn't stop at anything.
However, after their mom died, Jay broke. He stopped coming home, was drunk most of the nights. Hell, Akhil was lucky if Mouse could ping his phone because he never wanted to be found.
And then one night, Jay left without a word. No one knew where he was. Akhil was mad. Never had he done anything to make Jay leave. After their mother's one-year death anniversary, Jay still didn't show up. Akhil gave up on him. He decided that he didn't care and left for his tour. Little did he know that 4 years later he would have to face him again.