A/N 1 – Here it is, chapter ten, and then the epilogue which can go up whenever you all are ready. It's been a pretty trying couple of weeks and I just need to get some rest, so I am not going to say much except for the shoutouts.
Thanks to the following people for reviewing the last chapter. belle.0416 (I couldn't stop laughing at your review. No one has ever really been that into my stories before, so I am happy you are enjoying the happiness.) Ghostwriter, Guest (I unfortunately won't keep the story going but I will definitely write more like this. So keep an eye out!) M. Louise E, Justicerocks, Julie1981 (Your welcome! Unfortunately it does take tragedy for some to step back and realize what they have. Fortunately it doesn't appear to be coming to that.) and Loulabellle (That third 'l' in your name confused me. Sorry about the randomness. Haha.)
Also, a huge thanks to those who have read and followed and favorite this story. I would name you all off as well, but your numbers overwhelm me. Thank you all so much!
CHICAGO PD
They say he fell back into a coma. It was strange, being so happy only to be told that Jay wasn't fighting anymore.
The doctors still couldn't deduce if Jay had brain damage or not, considering he hadn't officially woken up yet. Three hours after the surgery, he had a seizure, which the doctors were attributing to his brain. The following hours were tensely filled with pacing and more seizures. Finally the seizures stopped, and Halstead was once again settled into his bed.
Antonio was released, and Erin hadn't seen him since. He was given a strict resting policy and an inhaler and off he went.
Ruzek found himself there whenever he could. He slept, ate, showered, and practically lived in the hospital. The doctors frowned upon it, but said nothing, understanding the dire situation.
Erin would fill in for Ruzek when he was at work or grabbing food for the two of them, but outside of that, she would sit on the roof and let the cold Chicago air slowly crawl all over her.
It was four days later when Halstead slowly opened his eyes and had taken a look around at his surroundings.
Erin was sitting by his side picking at her fries slowly, watching the door, waiting for Ruzek to come back. Had she not been paying attention to anything other than Halsteads heart monitor at that exact moment, she wouldn't have heard the slight raise in his heart rate. She watched the monitor with morbid fascination and leaned closer, trying to understand what it meant.
It was that moment that he brushed his fingertips against her arm faintly. Erin jumped back, startled by the touch. When she looked down and set her gaze on Halsteads beautiful, dim eyes, she shouted.
A nurse ran into the room and also set her sights on Halstead. Immediately she descended upon him and began to take readings and a few notes on Halsteads chart.
Erin quickly got over the shock of seeing his bleary eyes again and stepped up to the side of his bed, right next to his head.
She lightly placed her hands on his cheeks and smiled a teary smile. "Its about damn time Halstead."
He looked up at her with a confused expression in his eyes. Erin continued to hold his face as the nurse continued to work on Halstead and as Jay's eyes began to slip close again. Erin frantically looked to the nurse who nodded and looked to the heart monitor. After nodding a few times, the nurse paged a doctor and smiled reassuringly at Erin.
Erin felt the need to scowl at the nurse as she turned back to her pager. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, it quickly diminished as an unknown doctor walked into the room. Erin stared curiously at the doctor as he nodded friendly at her than turned to the nurse. "What's up?"
The nurse cleared her throat and spoke as she crossed her arms. "I think he woke up."
The doctor raised an eyebrow than held up a hand, indicating for her to stop. "What do you mean you think?"
"She means that his eyes were open and he seemed confused if nothing else. But it was quick as you can see because he's back asleep." Erin answered for the nurse. The nurse shot her a real quick and thankful glance, and then waved in someone at the door.
Erin looked to the open doorway as the doctor walked forward and began to check over Halstead as well. Antonio stood there, and walked in cautiously. Erin smiled as Antonio looked on hopefully and in that moment Antonio nearly cried tears of relief.
And then they waited some more.
As was the case with most cases of comas and serious injuries, it took a few days for Halstead to finally begin to become more aware, and to stay awake a while longer than a few seconds. He woke up twice the next day, both times Erin and Antonio were there.
The day after was when he finally began to fight the ventilator. While he sat staring up at the ceiling Erin was once again rubbing his hand. When he started to choke Erin immediately pressed the call button, and once again, a different doctor rushed into the room. The doctor quickly took stock of the situation than called nurses to the room.
The doctor leaned over Halsteads head and began to speak to him soothingly. Erin leaned back in her seat, but continued to grip tightly to Jay's hand. "Hey detective, I am going to ask you a few yes or no questions. If you answer yes, I want you to blink once. If you answer no, I want you to blink twice. Do you understand?"
Halstead blinked a noticeable blink, and the doctor smiled comfortingly, than continued. "Are you in any pain?" Halstead seemed to give him an incredulous look, but then blinked once.
The doctor smirked. "I guess that was a ridiculous question, but I didn't have a choice but to ask. I am going to get you some pain medication, but I have to ask you a few questions before I do. Are you OK with us trying to get you off the ventilator?"
Once again the incredulous look appeared, and the doctor chuckled. "Is that a yes?"
Halstead blearily rolled his eyes, than blinked.
A couple of nurses walked in with a cart, and Erin smiled as she realized that it was going to happen. Halstead was going to be OK.
Instead of actually taking the whole tube out this time, the doctors chose to turn the machine itself off, and let Halstead try to breathe through the tube. After asking permission from Halstead, Erin squeezed Jay's hand, and a nurse turned off the machine. Halstead clenched his eyes shut as suddenly he wasn't breathing anymore.
Erin watched anxiously as Halstead slowly began to turn blue around his lips and she glanced up to the doctor and nurses who began to move back into action, when suddenly Jay exhaled.
Everyone stopped, and soon after that, Jay inhaled, than exhaled. His heart rate evened out, as did his ragged breathing as he fell back asleep. The doctor and nurses began to smile and slowly dissapitate from the room.
Erin closed her own eyes and began to cry tears of joy, even as she felt Halsteads clench hers. She looked up again and noticed his bleary, happy face.
Erin wiped her tears away as she gave him a piece of ice. Halstead greedily sucked on it, and then he swallowed and smiled a little brighter. "I love you too." He croaked.
"You're kidding right?" Erin smirked, leaning forwards in her chair.
Jay shook his head and then laid back and stared at Erin as he rested his throat and body. Soon enough he was asleep again, and Erin was happy again.
CHICAGO PD
A/N 2 – Not much to say here either. Bubbles and I appreciate the large amounts of support from you all and we hope to be able to hear from you in any way, shape, or form. So if you have the time, please write a quick review or a private message. I love you all to pieces!
~TayleR~
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And Bubbles!