Chapter 01
Good morning!
Jay was greeted by Ruzek just as he entered the precinct. Wishing him back Jay noticed that he was the last to enter that morning, almost late. Erin was doing some paperwork and others were probably gone for a coffee. But something else caught his eye as he put his coffee on the table and threw the change coins on to the catch all. Erin gave him a suspicious look.
"Tell me you don't have anything to do with that guy, he is a ranger uniform on and I have a funny feeling "
Jay looked inside Voight's office and frowned as he identified the person in uniform.
"that's captain Reed"
"does that suppose to mean anything?"
"He was my first captain in Afghanistan. . But a few years ago he retired early. " Jay said as he leaned on Erins desk. His gaze met her already worried eyes. "We have a history Erin, he is one of the best in rangers history, a legend. And if he is here, I must have something to do with it."
"wow" exclaimed Ruzek from behind Jay . "you said he retired, but he is in uniform"
"yep, and I'm as puzzled as you are Adam" replied Jay as Voight stood up from his seat and motioned Jay to come. Jay went in closing the door behind him as Erin and Ruzek exchanged glances.
"Hello Jay, I was just entertaining your boss with our stories back in the days, don't worry, its all good stories about you" the uniformed man stood up and gave Jay a hearty hug taking Jay aback, but he responded. The tall dark man complete with the dark green uniform still did not show off his age, which should be around mid fiftees. With the shiny shoes and the polished badges and stars the man made the plaid shirt Voight look small, Jay could not help but notice. Erin would have been pissed off if he mentioned it, though no body could deny it.
"I have to say sir, I am equally surprised by your presence here as well as I'm pleased to see you after such a long time". Jay said pulling back. "Never had a hug before while you were in uniform"
"I can assure you, you wont have that hug from me when we are back in the battlefield, so cherish that"
"back ?" Jay repeated as Voight stole a glance. He did not look happy, Jay was sure of that.
"about that, take a seat Jay" he said.
Alarm bells rang in Jay's ears. Voight's voice was unusually kind to him and that alone was enough for Jay to assume that something was going on. But he took the seat anyways preparing for the inevitable.
" what I'm about to say is confidential, so it needs to stay in this room, am I clear" the captain asked. His cool dude stance diminished and the stern profile was emerging little by little.
"Crystal" answered Jay, exited and scared at the same time.
" We have a new national security matter at hand that needs to be dealt with very discreetly. So discreet that they don't want active army personals Involved. That's why they have called back me, and I'm putting a team back together comprising of the best and the most trustworthy soldiers who are not in active duty. Where we are going and the other details are confidential until the mission briefing. I want you to be a part of my team Jay. "
Jay knew the moment he saw Captain Reed in uniform that he was being called back although the exact details were a bit overwhelming. When he was a Ranger, Jay looked up to him as a father figure. The man's compassion and kindness towards humanity was unshaken and very apparent despite the dust and blood in Afghanistan and Jay had the utmost respect for that. One time Jay gave his chest to a bullet to save the captain. Although Jay had a bulletproof vest on and was unharmed, the Captain knew he would do it even without it. The day he retired the Captain openly appreciated Jay's bravery and aggressiveness towards completing the task at hand resulting in Jay being absorbed to another unit by another captain, who was a friend of Reed, to a special convoy unit where he met mouse.
Seeing Jay was lost in his thoughts, the captain started to speak again.
" I see son, you've built a whole new life here, but you don't need to give that up. This team will be disbanded when the mission is accomplished which will take maximum two weeks. And you can return to your normal life again. This is temporary."
"you mean if I'm alive to return"
"no need to sugar coat son, this is a very very dangerous mission, otherwise I wouldn't be looking for people like you. Harvey and Mandall have already said yes. And I need your answer in two days" . the captain finished the talk as if it was an everyday matter. It had been a long time since the army days and beacause they left under medical reasons being called back was never an issue. So Jay needed time to even begin to comprehend the matter. But one good thing fell on Jays ears.
"Harvey and Mandall, the twins?" Jay asked with a smirk, so many fun memories coming up regarding the twins. They were so much fun to be with and Jay felt lucky to have such spirited people around him when the going gets was always tough.
" This is a mission I cannot tell you when it will go wrong. We depend on a limited amount of intel and Jay, I heard a lot about the life you have built here from your boss, I want you to think really hard before you make a decision. I'm not pressing you. Just as much as I would like to have you in my team, I cant help but feel guilty for dragging you in to this."
"We are all bound by our duty towards our country"
"Expected that much from you Jay, but really, think hard, ok" the captain said stealing a glance through the glass door at the worried face of Erin which was not missed by Voight or Jay.
As the captain was ready to go he shook hand with Voight and Jay almost saluted. Muscle memory.
"Already in the mood ha? "
The captain chuckled as he pulled jay for a hug. "Cherish this coz if you decide to stay and I don't return from the mission, this will be our last. And sergeant Voight, if he decides to join, then although temporarily, sorry in advance for pulling your man"
"If he decides to join you, then make sure he comes back in one piece " Voight said.
The threesome joined in a small laughter and Jay stared at the departing captain with his signature stance, hands on his hips.
"if you are leaving the team, make sure the paperwork is completed before that" Voight said to a Jay who held a smile in his face that read as "you are unbelievable" But he nodded anyways.
"Jay, take the day off if you need" Voight said as if to soften the blow of mentioning paperwork to a man who was about to leave for a scuicidal mission.
Jays jaw dropped. "I really feel like Im not ginna come back."
Voight bit his lip as the words left Jays mouth and closed the door behind him.
The team mates were watching the interaction. They all held expressions that neede really quick explaining from their faces.
"What is it Jay?" asked Erin ,her curiosity taking over her.
"Jay sat slumped on his chair as the team waited for an answer.
"Jay" Olinski repeated reminding him the question that was hanging in the air.
" I'm being called back to rangers, for a special mission, temporary assignment for two weeks. Dont ask anything else coz Everything else is confidential" Jay answered as the team gave different expressions of disappointment.
"so you are leaving? " asked Antonio.
" I don't know, I have two days to decide" Jay said ,his eyes set on Erin. "if I leave and don't come back in one piece , I want all of you to know that I love you ." he added as paper balls flew at him.
