Chapter 1- The Calling

So here's the deal, I've been wanting to write this story for a few months now and have been slightly scared by how daunting of a task this is. It's a lengthy, multi-faceted, super detailed story that we have not received in the show yet. Therefore, instead of waiting for someone else, I finally came to the conclusion that it's up to me to get this story out there. It's a doozy but one I'm ready to tackle piece by piece. However, before I dive in, I want to make sure people actually want to read this. So, here is a teaser and then I'm going to go away for a bit and research for the rest of the story. I hope you enjoy this and I look forward to your feedback. Take a breath, everyone. Let's get into this unknown era of Jay Halstead's life.

The paperwork and reading material were scattered across the kitchen table. It was late in the evening and you could detect the quiet pitter pattering of ice pellets hitting off the windows and roof. There were three occupants at the table: Jay and his parents. Two people were shocked and a little worried while the other was anxious, excited almost. They'd been there for a few hours now, each side wondering how to wrap everything up and persuade one to agree to something they didn't want. Silence echoed in the house. Watering was dripping from some faucet somewhere and the lull of appliances were the only noises detected by their ear drums. Jay didn't break eye contact with his parents, telepathically telling them to agree to his grand, somewhat scary, life plan. Their only responses were loud exhales and shocked head turns. No one had spoken for several minutes now and it was the voice on the phone in the middle of the table that finally moved things forward.

"Jay, why do you want to do this?" There were sounds of laughter and yelling in the background, giving evidence that Will was at some party at some friend's house. Jay looked directly at his parents as he responded.

"Because I need to do something with my life and I want to help people."

"But what about school?" His parents nodded at Will's comment. Jay scoffed while half smiling.

"It's not for me. I've tried, I really have. But a year later, I don't fit in. I'm not the next business genius and I don't ever see myself being a person doing the 9-5 week in and week out. I want to make an impact on the world. Be apart of something great that's helping people positively."

"So why not become a public servant, be a police officer or fireman or something. Why the Army," their mother inquired?

"Maybe someday, but this is something I want to do now. I want to defend my country. It's a calling and I can't not answer it."

"You're aware of what could happen to you," their father retorted.

"Yes," Jay quickly and confidently responded.

"And," Will replied?!

"And I'm prepared for that to happen if it ever came to that." You could easily pick up Will's slow exhale as his parents did the same. This was certainly not the topic they envisioned discussing this evening. Lookin at their young, spry, wide eyed son sitting across from them, it was heartbreaking to imagine that worst case scenario playing out. He was still a kid and they could only envision him as that ten year old boy chasing his brother down with a squirt gun. They immediately played the scene forward, visualizing the officer walking up to the front door or the phone call from the number you never want lighting up your phone. Mom started tearing up thinking that this could be the last time she sees her child in this state: innocent and healthy. While death was something to fear, she kept thinking of the physical and mental setbacks that were very likely come with allowing your child to join a war. And that she almost feared more than losing him altogether. She'd kiss and hug her boy away and he could return an unfamiliar, detached man. But he had that look in his eyes, that glow about him. He'd found his life's purpose and he wasn't going to sway from it. She looked at her husband and the two of them nodded, that stubborn streak that was with him from birth wasn't going to take no for an answer. Tonight wasn't about getting their permission, it was basically his way to telling them what he was doing and hoping they'd approve.

"Ok," she responded through closed, tear filled eyes.

"Really," Jay replied, a little startled.

"On one condition, you come home. I don't care how, you come home," their father responded. He too was chocked up by now, watching his oldest son solemnly nod.

"I promise."

"You better, I need someone look up to and annoy every now and then," Will humorously commented, desperately wanting to lighten the mood. Will promised to be home before curfew before hanging up, leaving their parents to hesitantly watch Jay fill out the necessary paperwork. It was hard for Jay to not be giddy while do so. There's nothing more satisfying than finding one's purpose and acting on it. For months, he'd been daydreaming in class pondering if his current situation was it. Was his life going to become a continuous doldrum of clocking in and out and commuting five days a week for the next forty years? It was one day during a pass-by of a news report on the television that changed his life trajectory. Some random news reporter was holding a finger to his ear while speaking into a microphone while a plane landed not too far behind him. Jay half listened to latest casualty numbers because he was too enamored with the people unloading from the plane. They were happy, confident, and badass. He wanted to be that. He suddenly desired to be a small part in a greater force aiming to change the world for the better. From there, it was constant research and thinking that made his crazy notion go from thoughts to actions. He didn't realize how scary it was to finally voice a plan, but he was elated he worked up the courage to do so. He knew what he wanted to become and now those closest to him did as well. Nothing's more peaceful and relieving than that. It took him minutes to comb through and sign what was needed. He'd rehearsed this moment for months to the point he could do it in his sleep. He clicked the pen closed as he gathered the papers and stood, his parents following suit. They quietly pushed their chairs in and stood still, not wanting to move because then that would kick events into gear. Jay looked over at the clock on the oven door, wanting to bring something into the mood.

"Holy cow, it's 12:37. I've gotta go to bed. I've got class early in the morning and then I need to turn this stuff in…um…" It was weird because he almost felt like crying. He bit his bottom lip for a second and shook his head as his mother walked over and gave him a hug, quietly running his finger nails on his back as she felt Jay sob on her shoulder.

"Why are you crying," she lovingly questioned? Jay shrugged before responding.

"I'm just happy, relieved that you guys said yes." She carefully pulled him away, looking at his bleary blue eyes while wiping away the falling tears.

"We're proud of you, truly." Jay looked away from his mother to see his father nodded with approval.

"Thanks guys. I'll be careful, I promise."

They all trudged up the stairs and went their separate ways. As Jay sat in his room reading now pointless school material, he could detect voices coming from the room down the hall. He couldn't make out the words, but figured they pertained to him. He knew the burden and dread he now placed on his parents and entire family and partly felt bad for ever saying anything. Perhaps if he'd run away and then joined the Army things would be better for them. Of course, reason told him that was an idiotic idea. This was is quest, his life's calling. The emotional side of everything would hurt along the way, but he would've hated himself more if he didn't follow the very tempting challenge. At the time, he had no idea what the next days, weeks, months, and possible years had up their sleeves for him. As he laid there in bed listening to the L rattle along the rail line and the cars maneuver up and down the street, he felt this was the start of the rest of his life. Everything that happened before tonight led him to this moment, this little blip in time. Down the road, when things got uneasy or scary, he'd flashback to this moment in bed for reassurance that this was the right thing for him. He smiled as he fell asleep that evening. In a few hours, Jay Halstead would go from civilian to solider and he honestly couldn't wait for the challenge and adventure that awaited him.

So, who wants more?