Vaccination

Early one Monday morning, Sgt. Platt climbed the steps to Intelligence with an important announcement. Heads rose from computer screens when she stopped in the middle of the aisle.

"Listen up, everybody. Med has set up a special Covid vaccination clinic for first responders. Check your e-mail for more info and the link to sign up. Now this involves two shots, twenty-one days apart. It's quick, it's easy and it's a good idea."

Adam, ever the unit clown, asked, "Is Mouch getting vaccinated?"

"Don't you worry about that. I've already signed him up. If left to his own devices, he would procrastinate until doomsday, like he does about taking out the garbage."

There was a ripple of laughter. Adam leaned back in his chair. "I'm surprised you put up with that, Sarge."

"I've had to threaten him with bodily harm a few times," she said.

Jay looked across his desk at Hailey with a slightly panicked expression. He whispered, "Two shots? Not sure I want that."

Hailey was well-aware of his intense dislike of anything hospital-related, but she knew how important this was. She also knew she usually had to be the "bad" cop and force Jay to do things to take care of himself.

"I'm getting it and so are you." Her tone and her expression left no room for argument. "We can go together." She paused to gauge his reaction. She could almost see the gears in his head turning as he considered it. In fact, he was flashing back six months ago when the unit trooped over to Med for flu shots. That was a bad day. Hailey was out with a stomach bug and his brother had teased him relentlessly about missing his "other half."

"If necessary, I will hold your hand." Hailey's soft voice broke into his turbulent thoughts. "Although, I don't understand why a grown man would need that." An eyeroll accompanied this last statement.

The thought of Hailey touching him in public was the only part of the process that appealed to Jay. Finally, he exhaled and nodded. "Okay, okay, I'll let you drag me over there."

Hailey gave him a special smile. "I knew I could make you see reason."

Jay couldn't help but return her smile. "But why didn't Will warn me about this? I just talked to him last night. He had to know this was coming." He paused and frowned. "I bet he's in charge of the whole damn clinic."

"Because he knows how you are," Hailey reminded him.

"As a matter of fact, Will is one of two doctors in charge of the vaccine clinic," said Platt.

"Some brother he is," muttered Jay.

"Will is an excellent brother and doctor," said Hailey.

Now Voight was speaking. "Let's be clear – this is not mandatory at this time, but it is highly encouraged. It will help keep our unit and the public safe. I've already made my appointment for this afternoon."

"You should sign up early because the slots will fill up quickly," added Platt.

"Wow, all this morning's appointments are taken," said Kim as she tapped away on her computer. "But there are still some for the afternoon."

"Guess we better get to it," said Kevin.

Hailey gave Jay a pointed look. "Okay, I'm opening my e-mail right now," he said. "Do you want to look over my shoulder like a homeroom monitor?"

"No, I trust you," she said and opened her own e-mail.

There it was – the trust, the caring, the devotion they had built up in their time as partners. Each felt lucky to have the other as a partner and they never wanted to take that for granted.

In less than ten minutes, the whole unit was signed up for the first shot. Fortunately, or unfortunately for Jay, they didn't catch a case. This only gave him more time to think about and dread the appointment.

He tried to catch up on paperwork, but even that was difficult. Then in the early afternoon, everyone got in their vehicles for the short drive to Med. Jay stared unseeing through the windshield while waiting for Hailey to fasten her seatbelt.

When he didn't put the truck in gear, Hailey touched his arm. "Jay, I'm ready. Let's go."

He snapped out of it and looked at her. "Yeah, okay."

"It'll be fine. I got your back."

He nodded briskly. "I know. Thanks."

Chicago Med

"Every first responder in the city must be here today," said Jay as they parked. "This could take a while."

Indeed, the line was out the door and snaking around the side of the outpatient wing with everyone socially-distanced. "Oh look, there's Sylvie and Stella and, yeah, there's Casey and Severide, too. At least we won't get bored while we're waiting," said Hailey brightly. She was going to do whatever she could to distract Jay.

He managed a smile. "I'm never bored if I'm with you."

"Are you trying to butter me up?" she asked as they found the end of the line.

"Not at all. That's the truth." He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

A nurse, who seemed to be the equivalent of Sgt. Platt, was walking up and down the line barking instructions. "Please have your ID and either a digital or paper copy of your confirmation ready. And remember to stay six feet apart at all times."

I don't want to stay six feet from Hailey, thought Jay in irritation. I need to be as close as possible to her.