Here is chapter ten. I was going to wait and post this tomorrow but I ended up having a little extra time before my dinner plans so I decided to just go ahead and post it. I didn't figure you all would mind ;) Cpd1012 good guess on what the "unexpected news" would be, but sadly that hasn't come yet… maybe it'll happen soon ;) or maybe not; I guess we'll just have to see where the story takes us :) Thank you as always for the Reviews, Follows & Favorites.

Side note: I know that what I say happens in this chapter did not happen in real life, but this was where my story took me so I hope you enjoy it anyways :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago PD, Chicago Fire or any of its characters.

Chapter 10: Unexpected News

It'd been 14 days since they had seen each other in person. They texted all the time, talked on the phone at least once a day, and skyped at least twice a week. It wasn't the same, though, and Jay really missed having her around all the time. Missed seeing her clothes, shoes, and just her stuff all around his place. Missed being able to come home from work and wrap her in a hug and kiss her all he wanted. Missed falling asleep with her beside him and waking up to her beautiful face every morning.

Jay had gotten an official notice five days after she left letting him know that his Ranger reserve status had officially be bumped up to high alert. A secret mission was being planned as retaliation for the Chattanooga attack, and it was very possible Jay's unit would be used. So every day was spent waiting. He was anxious because he didn't want to get bumped to active and it was making Lauren anxious too.

Mouse had not gotten the notice, and Jay was thankful for that. Mouse, on the other hand was not. Jay didn't want to see him relapse because he was finally in a good place with a good job. He explained all that to Mouse, but Mouse still wasn't happy. They had always been a team in the Rangers, and Mouse was feeling left out, but Jay figured he'd get over it.

Work was pretty slow for a Friday and Jay was happy about it. He was hoping to be able to get out early so he could skype with Lauren for a while. About lunch, however, Voight called him into his office. Jay couldn't think of anything he'd done so he had no clue what this was about.

"What's up, Sarge?"

He knew something must be really wrong when Hank nodded towards the chairs in front of his desk and closed the door. "Jay, I got a call from your CO." Jay felt his chest tighten. He knew what this meant; his mission was a go. "Your status has officially been changed to active. You report to Fort Benning Sunday morning at 0900 where you will get your official orders and details of the mission."

Jay was so quiet, so still, Hank was afraid he had quit breathing. "Halstead?"

"Yes, sir. I…. uh… I have…. There's some things I need to do."

"I know. I already covered your leave before I let you know. They didn't tell me how long you would be gone, so you have indefinite leave from the CPD. You'll be reinstated as soon as you return. I'm giving you the rest of the day off too. We will miss you Jay."

"Yea same here," he said almost dejected. "Have you… umm... have you told them yet?" he asked as he nodded out towards the team.

"No, I thought you might like to."

"Yea… yea… I'll do that now before I leave."

Hank nodded as he followed Jay out. "Alright, listen up," Hank said gaining everyone's attention. Everyone was looking at them. Jay didn't want to do this; it wasn't supposed to be like this anymore. He knew he had to though.

"Umm….I… umm…" Jay started but stopped and took a deep breath. Hank put his hand on Jay's shoulder as a sign of support. "I just received word that I will be deploying Sunday. I have not received my official orders, yet, so I cannot tell you how long I'll be gone. But I just wanted to say that everything you all have done for me and all the support means the world to me."

Everyone was quiet, and then Olinsky came up and gripped him in a hug. "We'll still be here when you get back. If you need anything just call." After that everyone told him goodbye and offered their support, except Mouse.

Erin was heartbroken. After she told him goodbye she went to the locker room and let the tears fall. It hurt that he didn't seem to be as effected by leaving as it was effecting her. She'd thought with Lauren being gone that he'd finally give them a real chance, but she was just starting to see that probably wouldn't happen, especially now that he was leaving.

After Erin walked off, Jay noticed that Mouse was conspicuously absent. He turned to head downstairs where he figured Mouse was probably hiding after Jay made his announcement. Hank stopped him before he started down the steps; "He'll come around. Don't worry, we all will keep an eye on him. He's a part of this team now, part of family bigger than just you. We'll take care of him."

Jay nodded his appreciation and continued on down the steps. Sure enough, Mouse was in his old office staring at the blank computer screen. "Hey," Jay said. Mouse didn't turn around. "Come on, Mouse, don't be like this. It's hard enough on me as it is. I don't need you being mad at me too."

"I'm not mad at you, Jay. I'm mad at myself. I should have handled myself better after that last tour and then I would be going with you. I'd be watching your six like I'm supposed to instead of being stuck stateside."

"Hey, you can't blame yourself for that, man. You know that. It happens to the best guys. But, I'm glad you're not going. I don't want to see you have to go through that again."

Mouse finally turned around and looked at him. Jay could see that he was beating himself up, but he hoped this little talk would put him at ease. "No need to worry, Mouse. I'll be okay. I need you here keeping everyone in line, waiting for me to get back." Mouse nodded as Jay pulled him into a man hug. "It'll be fine. You'll see. Don't beat yourself up so much."

After his little talk with Mouse, Jay called Will. He was glad Will had the day off, and he told him that he would be home soon. After telling Will the same thing he'd told the team, Will helped him pack. He was no doubt sad and worried for his brother, just like he was the last two times they'd gone through this, but he couldn't let Jay see that. Jay had his hardest goodbye coming up, and Will knew he just needed support.

"Here's my keys, gun, bank numbers, etc."

"I know the drill, Jay. It's fine." Jay nodded as he packed the last of his things in his bag. Will helped him get a flight for 0600 in the morning. They shared beers over pizza. Will told Jay he would just stay at the apartment until he got back, and Jay said that would be best. It wasn't long before Jay felt his phone ring. "Go talk to your girl. I'll be fine." With that, the brothers said goodnight.

On the phone, Jay told Lauren he would be flying in to Knoxville at seven thirty. He wanted to know if she'd pick him up. Of course she agreed. She had a suspicion as to why he was making a surprise trip when she would be flying up there in just twenty days, but she was praying she was wrong and he just wanted to see her.

The next morning, she met Jay at the airport. She knew as soon as she saw him; he would be deploying sometime soon. She ran and jumped into his arms when he was less than one hundred feet from her. "I've missed you so much, Beautiful."

"Oh, Jay, I've missed you too." He kissed her before he sat her down to go get his luggage. They shared small talk on the way back. Jay had rented a hotel room in Farragut so they wouldn't have so far to drive tomorrow and because she had yet to tell her mother about them being back together.

Once in the room, Jay pulled her to him and held her tight. "Damn, I've missed this," he whispered.

"Jay?"

"Yeah, babe."

"You're active aren't you? That's why you flew down, so you could tell me?" Jay sighed as he leaned away enough to look in her eyes. "I am."

He saw the tears gather in her eyes. "Hey, hey, don't cry baby, please don't cry. We'll be ok." He sat down on the bed and pulled her down onto his lap where she was facing him. He held her head between his hands; "Lauren, look at me."

She raised her eyes to meet his; she was trying to hide the tears running down her face, but she looked at him when he asked. "It's going to be ok."

"I'm….. just….. worried…. about… you. Things just feel like they're repeating and I have no control over it. I hate when you're deployed. I always feel like I'm walking around on pins and needles just waiting for the one that is going to stick me."

She was rambling and Jay knew she needed to, but he also knew she needed his reassurance so he cut her off. "I know, baby, I know, but I promise, I'll be super careful. I have you to come home to, you that is here waiting on me to make our life together. I'll be careful because I have you. I'm coming home, baby, I promise." Lauren nodded as Jay wiped the tears away.

"How long?" she finally asked.

"I don't know baby. I have to be at Fort Benning in the morning and I'll meet my new team and get my orders then."

"Is Mouse going?"

Jay hung his head. "No, and he's mad at himself because of it. I'm worried about him, but I don't think the team will let him do anything."

"I'll check on him soon," Lauren said. She knew that would make Jay feel better, and she must admit she kinda liked Jay's best friend. At first she'd found him strange, but now she could see why they were so close.

"Kelly's going to meet you at the airport in the morning. He didn't want you to be alone and I agreed with him." Lauren nodded again. They ended up ordering pizza for lunch and supper. They stayed in curled up in bed watching movies and spending time together.

They made love several times throughout the day and night. It all felt so final to her, but she knew Jay was right. They would make it; they were different, stronger even, this go around and they would be ok. Lauren hardly slept any; she just kept watching him, memorizing all the features that made Jay, Jay.

When his alarm went off at six thirty the next morning, Jay pulled her on top of him. "I know you've been staring. Why didn't you sleep, Pretty Girl?"

"I just wanted to look at you. Memorize everything possible." Jay could see the tears gathering in her eyes. He pulled her down for a kiss. "We'll still skype, babe, email, maybe even talk on the phone if I'm lucky. This isn't the end."

"I know… I just…. I don't know…."

"It's ok. I get it baby." Jay rolled them so he was on top of her. He kissed her all over. He had no idea when he would see her again so he wanted to store up all the kisses he possibly could. He nudged her nose with his. Lauren opened her eyes to look at him. "I love you so much, Lauren Kathleen Severide. I will come home to you. I promise."

"I love you too, Jay Matthew Halstead. Come home soon," she whispered.

"I will, baby, I will."

They got up and got ready to head to the airport. Jay was glad Kelly was meeting them there; he didn't think Lauren should drive after he left. She was quiet all the way to the airport, and when he checked in. It was always hard to say goodbye before deployments because everyone wanted to stop and talk to him, offer their support and gratitude for his service and their sacrifice.

Once Jay was through security, they walked to his gate. Kelly was waiting on them. He hugged them both, and told Jay, "Don't worry, I'll take care of her. You just be safe and come home to her." Jay nodded and then Kelly gave them space to say goodbye, again.

Jay pulled her in tight and just held her. He could feel her tears soaking through his fatigues. This wasn't going to be easy for either of them. Jay pulled back just a little. He gripped her head between his hands; she kept her eyes closed letting the tears run out from beneath her lids. "Look at me baby. Let me see those beautiful eyes."

Lauren looked up at him; "I'll let you know as soon as I get there and as much info as I can, ok?" Lauren nodded. He cupped her cheek with one hand, and pulled her left hand up to his chest. He placed it over his heart and ran his finger over her promise ring.

"Anytime you feel scared or need reassurance, just look at this and remember my promise. It's going to be different this time, baby, I promise."

"I know, Jay. I just don't want you to go."

"I know, Sweetheart. But I have too. Believe me when I say I don't want to. But I'm going to try everything possible to get out for good this time. I have all the reasons in the world to stay home now. I don't need or want to leave anymore." Lauren smiled. About that time his flight was called.

"I love you Jay. Please be careful and…. (sniff, sniff) come home soon… (sniff)"

"I love you too, baby, and I will. I promise."

"Talk to you soon," she whispered. Jay hugged her real tight and planted a searing kiss on her lips. "I have to go," he whispered. Lauren nodded but wouldn't let go. "Come on baby, I have too," he said as he sent Kelly a pleading look.

Kelly walked up behind her as Jay pulled her arms from around him. He held her hands as he said, "I love you and I will talk to you real soon." He let go as he turned to walk away. Jay was crying now too because he knew how much this was breaking him to leave so he knew it was breaking her even more. He looked back and offered a small wave before boarding the plane.

Kelly was the only reason she was still standing. He had her wrapped tight in his arms and Jay could see she was sobbing, but she waved back. At her wave, he turned and boarded just as they announced last call for boarding.

Kelly was glad he decided to make the trip down. There was no way Lauren was ok to drive. He could tell she was breaking in two and if it wasn't for him, she probably would be a puddle in the floor. He managed to get her outside and find her car. He settled her in the passenger seat and buckled her in. She looked completely exhausted.

Jay had text him on their way to the airport that she hadn't slept any last night, and Kelly knew she'd been sick Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the doctor had put her on some strong antibiotics. She'd told Jay yesterday when she picked him up that she was feeling much better, but Kelly was afraid that after this, she would relapse and be sick again. He was hoping he could get her to sleep or rest most of the day.

"Thank you, Kel," she whispered about halfway back to Athens. Kelly had rented a room for them for Sunday and Monday night. He wasn't flying back until Tuesday morning because he didn't work until then. She'd told her mom she was staying with Kelly anyways so it was fine.

"That's what I'm here for, Sis. You know that. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Lauren sighed. "I don't know how to do this, Kel. It was so hard last time especially when he ignored me and didn't come back. I don't want to have to do this again."

"I know, Little Bit, I know. But you can do it. You have to do it. You're in this together and you'll make it work. Jay's serious this time, Sis, I know because we've talked. It's going to be ok."

"Thanks," she whispered.

Kelly managed to get her to sleep most of the day. Jay called about sixteen hundred hours. His orders were once the mission was complete he could come home. That's all he could tell her, but he honestly wasn't sure how long the mission would take. He was deploying overseas first thing in the morning, and he promised he would talk to her as much as possible. That night she cried herself to sleep in Kelly's arms. It was going to be hard, but she would get through it somehow. She just hoped it wasn't a long deployment.

Well….. If that wasn't some unexpected news. And I know, 2 sad chapters back to back, but that's just how the plot worked out. Let's hope things look up for the couple soon. Will Lauren be able to handle deployment? Or will it break them a part again? Who knows, you'll just have to wait and see ;) I hope you'll leave me a review and let me know what you think :) Also, I hope you don't mind that I'm using military time; it just seemed easier since Jay was deployed and would be using that time, but if you'd rather I not just let me know and I can change it.

Up Next: What happens when Jay returns early? And Lauren visits for Labor Day weekend