A/N: Hey, everyone! Sorry about the lack of updates, once again. Busy, busy, busy! But, at least I'm off writer's block! I've been on a roll. While I can at least. There's school, drama of course, and everyday I'm doing something, going out or laying sub-floor in the basement! I've been busy. Hopeful I can update some more for you guys. Sorry about that! Enjoy this chapter!
Hermann came over behind Jay, and put his hand on Jay's shoulder.
He handed Jay a beer with a smile.
"Glad to see you back here. You keep my bar safe."
"Thanks guys, a lot." Mouse said.
"Always." Erin said.
"Cheers. To our badass soldiers." Antonio chimed in, raising his beer up high.
"Cheers!" Everyone repeated, doing the same with their drinks.
"Remember, I can only do this one time, so enjoy it." Hermann teased, and laughed a little.
It was a great night. It built them up in the best way and made them feel at home.
Just what they needed.
To be continued….
Three Weeks Later:
"So what do you think about Voight placing you down here with me?" Mouse asked as he sipped a beer, looking at Jay.
"I'm good with it. I wanna be at work...just don't think looking at...dead bodies is the best for me at the moment." Jay replied with a small scoff and a grin.
The two boys looked up at the sports game playing overhead the computer monitors. The were down there most of the day, working on surveillance or suspect identification for the team.
Voight gave them the option of coming back to work. It seemed like a good place to be. But, for Jay, it's in his best interest that he stay away from the stakeouts and crime scene inspections. Even Voight knew how hard that could be for someone in their position.
" ...Those IEDs that went off...about three months into the tour...you got a pretty bad concussion. "
"Can't believe you actually got me out of there."
"General Sergeant rushed in just as you collapsed. He helped me carry you to the back of the Humvee. I can't even believe we got you out of there."
Jay looked surprised with a smirk. It was such a story now that he was okay. Then, he remembered the times he was awake.
" ...I was awake for some of it. We were in the Humvee...just wanted to trll you I was alive."
"Getting to the hospital I couldn't even let go of your hand. They had to pry me off. General told me just...not to leave you...not until I knew you were okay. All I focused on in that Humvee was keeping you safe. I thought I was gonna lose you." Mouse explained. He scoffed, then put a frown on as he looked away.
"I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"...me neither." Mouse replied...knowing his brother needed to hear it.
They looked at each other, like they just spoke their fates. They weren't going anywhere for a long time.
The Sergeant was weary about drinking on the job. But, a few beers for these boys was what they needed.
At Momma Halstead's:
It's been awhile since Jay's seen his mother. He's sent a card while he was away. She's lived in Chicago since before even Will was born.
Jay walked up the stairs to her peach painted house, and knocked on the antique door. The face that opened up was a happy pleasure to Jay, who was out of it. Just being near his comforting mother made him feel safe, like a child, in her embrace.
She immediately shot a smile on her face, and hugged her arms around him.
"Jay! Oh, my baby!" She said. Months...it'd been months.
"Hey, mom." Jay said, relieved.
"Well, come inside, hon." She said. She couldn't let the smile off her face. She closed the door lightly after he walked in and sat at the kitchen table.
The house looked and smelled old. It was antiqued, with a comforting feeling. Just like he had when he grew up.
"So how've you been, sugar?" She asked sitting at the table,"You like some coffee?"
"S-sure." He replied. He remembered how she used to make coffee in the morning. Every morning, like she couldn't go without a good few cups and a nice, early morning on her porch swing. I guess that's where Jay gets it from.
"Yeah, so how've you been? I see you just finished up your first tour. Gotta be harsh, so I guess asking how you're doin' isn't the best thing to ask." She joked. Jay smirked and scoffed lightly back. He loved the sound of her slight, natural southern accent, mixed in with a true Chicago accent. It was soft and comforting.
"Yeah, it's just...I still have to go back." Jay said with his head down.
"Well, you can leave before the next tour cantcha?" She questioned.
"I can. But...I can't leave. They need me. Mouse needs me."
"Mouse...how's that boy doing, anyways?"
"He-he's good, mom." Jay replied quietly. It seemed odd for her to change the subject, but she'd come back.
"Ah, nice boy. Well, if they need you...then do what's best. Follow your heart." She said, returning to the subject.
Jay looked at her and nodded, thinking about the phrase "follow your heart." If he could only figure out what his heart wanted…
To be continued...
