Jay sighed as he dialled her number, he hated worrying her.
After a couple of rings, she answered, and Jay suddenly wasn't sure how to ask for her help.
"This better be an emergency Jay," came the sleep-ridden voice.
Jay cringed a little, he'd forgotten she had night shifts this week.
"Jay?" came her voice, still sleepy but clearer, when Jay failed to speak.
"I need you," he knew she would have heard the defeat in his voice.
"Where are you?" she asked as she sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Med," was all he said.
"Why are you at Med?" Jay could hear her moving around, clearly getting herself out of bed as she asked.
"Suicide call," he sighed again.
"Will?" Jay could hear the slight panic in her voice.
"One of the residents," he quickly answered to stop her mind going where his had.
"Where is he?" she asked, panic still clear.
"Working," he looked at the man in question as he spoke.
"Working himself into denial you mean," she sighed into the phone, echoing Jay's worry.
"You know Will," he shrugged, not that she could see.
"Takes after his brother," she huffed.
Jay remained silent at her comment.
"I'll be there as soon as I've put some clothes," her words silently asking Jay to stick around until she got there.
"Thanks," Jay said, before hanging up.
Sitting in the waiting area, Jay watched the entire Emergency Department struggle to get on with their day.
Just because no one seemed to really know much about Dr. Wheeler, didn't mean that they weren't all feeling the loss of him.
As callous at it sounded, even to himself, Jay wasn't really worried about the others.
He was only worried about Will, his brother.
He didn't know what to do and that scared him.
He had spent a good chunk of Will's life overseas, fighting someone else's war.
He realised that there was so much about Will he didn't know anymore.
He rubbed his hands over his face in silent defeat.
All he could do was wait for her, she would know what to do.
He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, when he felt a hand run through his hair.
Looking up, he smiled sadly when he saw it was her.
"Sorry to wake you," he said, "I don't know what to do for him anymore,"
"It's okay," she said sadly, dropping her hand.
Standing up, Jay looked at her, but before he could speak, she pulled him into a hug.
"I've got him," she whispered into his ear.
After a few seconds, Jay broke the embrace, "I should go,"
She knew he was feeling torn between needing to get back to work, and wanting to look after his brother.
"Jay," she spoke softly, "Go. I've got him,"
"See you at home?" he asked, needing to know where to find them after his shift.
"Home," she answered, before making her way into the ED.
She spotted Maggie as she entered, not seeing the man she was looking for.
"Maggie," she said softly as she walked up, "I'm so sorry,"
"Thanks," Maggie smiled slightly.
Before she could ask, Maggie answered, "He's in trauma right now,"
"How's he doing?" she asked, wanting an outsider's opinion.
"Seems okay. Maybe a bit harsher than normal with us though," Maggie sighed, as she her phone rang, "Duty calls,"
"Mind if I wait in the lounge?" she was already walking that way as she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course," came the expected reply.
Entering the staff lounge, she walked in on Ethan sitting with his head in his hands.
Not trusting words to convey her sorrow at the event of the day, she simply placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it in sympathy.
Ethan looked up, his face softening as he saw who it was.
"Tough day," she stated.
"Yeah," he got up as he spoke, "Good thing you're here,"
"Why?" she poured herself a coffee, "Want one?"
"He's on the warpath," he waved a hand as a no thanks to her coffee offering.
"That bad?" she had a feeling she knew the answer.
"Bad for everyone," he stopped at the doorway and turned to face her, "Will's an ass,"
She chuckled sadly, "He can be,"
"Good luck," Ethan offered as he headed out.
She took her coffee, and made herself comfortable on the couch.
She soon finished her coffee, and Will still hadn't come in.
Rubbing her eyes in tiredness, she decided to rest them for a bit.
She must have fallen asleep, because some time later, a hand shook her slightly.
"Wake up," came the voice of the man she had been waiting for.
Opening her eyes, she was immediately met with a fresh cup of coffee being thrust into her hands.
"Shouldn't you be at home sleeping?" Will said, the harsh tone Maggie was talking about clear in his voice.
"Hello to you too," she quipped, ignoring the tone. She knew that was how he coped, by snapping at everyone and hoping they would leave.
"Jay called you, didn't he?" he asked, taking a seat next to her.
"He's worried about you," she answered, taking a sip.
"I'm fine," Will snapped.
"I can see that," her tone clearly sarcastic.
Both sat there in silence for a brief moment.
"Seriously Juliette, I'm fine," he huffed, "I didn't even know him that well,"
"How well you know someone doesn't matter Will. You knew him, period. It's okay to feel something," she reached out a hand, gripping his wrist, "You're human,"
"Etta," he was using a nickname she didn't hear often. The Halstead boys were the only ones to ever call her that, and only when things were rough.
"Will," she gripped his wrist a little tighter, giving him a human connection to ground him, "Talk to me,"
"There's nothing to say," he sighed, not looking at her.
"Bullshit," she blurted, putting her coffee cup on the table.
Her choice of curse word caused him to look her, an eyebrow raised. It was a lot milder than her usual choice.
"You called me Etta. Last time you called me that, Jay was MIA," she put her hands on either side of his face and forced him to look at her.
"Don't shut me out Will," she pleaded with him.
"Please," Will pleaded back, pleading with her to let it go, "Don't"
"You need to talk to me," she kept at it, she wasn't going to let him destroy himself, "I won't survive a repeat of last time,"
"Etta," he sighed.
"There's the nickname again," she dropped her hands as she spoke.
"Home, okay?" Will offered.
"Now?" she asked, not knowing when his shift was going to end.
"Give me half an hour, then we'll go," he stood as he spoke.
She watched him carefully as he walked out of the lounge, "okay,"
Closing her eyes once more, she waited.
When Will finally wrapped up his shift, he walked into the lounge and smiled sadly at the sight.
Juliette had curled herself up on the couch, and was fast asleep.
He felt a twinge of guilt. He knew the only reason she was here was because he had given Jay reason to be concerned.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he quietly walked over and shook her gently.
"Juliette, wake up," he kept his voice soft, so as not to startle her.
"I'm up," she said sleepily.
Will laughed, "Yeah you're up,"
"Shift over?" she asked as she stood, stretching.
"Yeah," Will got his bag out of his locker.
"Well then, get in my car," she said, gesturing to the doorway.
"Ladies first," he quipped.
"Promise you'll follow?" she wasn't letting him distance himself.
"Promise," he nodded.
Accepting he was genuine, Juliette headed out first, waving goodbye to Maggie as she did.
Will followed, keeping his eyes down as he didn't want to see any pity from anyone.
He missed the exchange Connor and Ethan were having at his expense.
"Think she'll sort him out?" Connor asked.
"You clearly don't know Juliette well if you have to ask," Ethan snorted.
"Are they together?" Connor was genuinely curious.
"They should be," Maggie answered, "Lord knows that woman has put up with enough of his shit,"
Ethan laughed.
Connor just looked confused, "But they're not together,"
"Have you ever seen Juliette and Will in a room together?" Maggie asked, "That boy only has eyes for her,"
"Isn't he dating that chick in Pathology, Nina?" Connor repeating his question.
"It's complicated," was all Maggie offered.
The car ride was silent, except for the radio playing softly in the background.
Will's phone went off, not long after they had made it home.
"Jay?" Juliette asked.
"Yeah," Will grunted.
"Don't be like that," she scolded, "You didn't hear what he sounded like when he called me,"
Will remained silent, staring at Jay's message.
"I thought it was you who had committed suicide Will," Juliette confessed, "Imagine how Jay felt when he got the call. He wouldn't have known it wasn't you until he got there"
Will cringed. He stood frozen in the doorway.
"Will?" he could hear the concern.
"You don't think…." He trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the words.
Juliette grabbed his hands and pulled him into the living room.
"Sit," she said as she pushed him onto the couch.
Juliette curled herself into his side once he had gotten comfortable.
"Why would he think that?" Will's voice was timid, his arm slid around Juliette and he settled his hand on her waist.
"I always think something's happened to you when Med is mentioned over the radio," Jay answered.
Neither Juliette nor Will had heard him come in.
"Thanks," Jay smiled at Juliette as he sat on the coffee table opposite them.
"Anytime soldier boy," they could both hear how tired Juliette was.
"How are you?" Jay turned his attention to his brother.
"Exhausted," Will answered honestly. The hand on Juliette's waist tightened a little, "It's been a long day,"
"I'm sorry about Wheeler," Jay offered.
"Me too," Will sighed, tears beginning to form.
Before he could bring up a hand to wipe them away, Juliette's hand shot out and stopped him, "Don't,"
Looking at her, Will was silent.
"You need to let go," was all she said.
Jay stared at the two of them, and before he knew it, Will had started to cry.
He was silent at first, then he started sobbing.
Juliette felt every shake of Will's body.
She simply nestled into him further, allowing him to have all the contact he needed with her.
Looking at Jay, she felt sorry for him.
'Water' Juliette mouthed at him.
Jay got up to get the water, finally feeling useful.
When he came back, Will's sobbing had started to subside.
Jay handed the glass to Will as he sat back down.
"Thanks," Will croaked as he took a sip.
"Shit," came Juliette's voice, breaking the tender moment, "I'm going to be late,"
"I think they'll understand," Will squeezed her waist once more before letting go.
"I know," Juliette ran into her bedroom and quickly got changed.
She came out and planted a kiss on Jay's cheek.
"Hey!" Will scoffed in jest.
Rolling her eyes, she flipped him the bird as she blew a kiss at him.
"You wound me," he quipped as he placed a hand over his heart.
"Hardly," she said as she flew out the door.
Jay got up and closed the door to the apartment.
"Sorry you felt the need to call her," Will spoke first, breaking the silence.
"Not the first time I've called her," Jay shrugged as he sat next to Will on the couch.
"I've given you reasons before?" the confusion clearly heard.
"Not always about you," Jay answered honestly, "Sometimes…."
"Sometimes you just need someone who knows you," Will finished Jay's sentence.
Jay nodded.
"I get it," Will agreed, "I do the same,"
"I know," Jay chuckled at Will's confusion, "We talk,"
"About me?" he asked.
"About anything," Jay answered.
"Long day?" Will noticed his brother had closed his eyes.
"Mouse wants to go back," Jay offered without being questioned.
"To the rangers?" Will realised this must have been weighing heavily on Jay's mind if he was openly talking to him about it.
Jay didn't answer, Will knew he'd asked a rhetorical question.
"You talked to Erin?" he wondered if Jay had spoken to anyone.
"Yeah," Jay kept his eyes closed as he spoke, "She heard us fighting about it in the break room,"
"And?" Will had turned to face Jay.
"She said if I was in his shoes, I wouldn't let anyone stop me," Will thought he could hear his brother beginning to tear up.
Will remained quiet, he didn't know what to say.
"I don't want to lose him," Jay's voice quivered.
Will moved closer to Jay and pulled him into a hug.
That must have been just what Jay needed, because as soon as he felt Will's arms around him, he broke.
"It's okay," Will whispered into Jay's hair.
Tears soaked Will's shirt, but he didn't care.
Soon enough, Will started crying too.
Both Halstead brothers had had long and trying days.
Both needed the release.
Both now finally felt safe enough to do so.
Neither one knew how long their moment of weakness had lasted.
The sound of Will's phone ringing broke them out of the embrace.
"We're fine," Will spoke before the caller could.
"Just wanted to make sure," came Juliette's voice through the phone.
"We're good Etta," Will's tone had instantly softened.
"Okay. I'll see you in the morning," Juliette said and then hung up.
Will looked over to see Jay grinning in bewilderment at him.
"What?" he quizzed.
"When are you going to get your act together and ask that woman out?" Jay laughed as he made his way to the kitchen, "Want a beer?"
"Yeah," Will answered as he thought about Jay's question.
Him and Juliette?
Maybe he should…