Chapter 2

One thing in their favor was the mild spring day. Hailey looked around and was not surprised to see all the girls bunched together and all the guys together behind them. Even Vanessa was able to slip away from her undercover gig to join them for a short time.

Maybe everybody needs a break from their partner, thought Hailey. Except when she caught Jay's eye, he had a tight little smile on his face. Or was that a grimace?

"Someone's glad to see you," said Kim. "I mean, not that we're not glad to see you, too." Vanessa waved toward the guys and everyone turned to see Kevin wearing a big smile.

"Hey, I've missed all my teammates," Vanessa insisted as she continued to gaze at Atwater.

"Sure you have," said Kim.

"Can someone explain our male colleagues?" asked Sylvie.

"Probably not. But go ahead,"' said Vanessa.

"These guys will run headlong into burning buildings or chase down armed perps without a second thought, yet . . ."

Stella interrupted. ". . . yet their sphincters seize up at the mention of needles and shots."

Sylvie blew out a breath. "Exactly. I don't get it."

"Yeah, Adam's eyes got as big as saucers when Platt announced the vaccinations," said Kim.

Everyone burst out laughing, even Hailey. But she understood Jay's reluctance better than anyone and she sympathized with him.

"Think they're back there talking about us?" asked Vanessa.

"Like we're talking about them?" said Stella. "Absolutely."

"Stella and I practically had to drag Casey and Severide away from their desks when it was time to go. Suddenly, they were all about finishing reports and paperwork," said Sylvie.

Stella nodded. "Right. When does that ever happen? I told Severide if he didn't get his butt up, I was going to push him over here in that office chair."

"And she would have," added Sylvie. "I think he was scared." Again, the women enjoyed a good laugh at their coworkers' expense.

"Casey said Chief Boden was waiting for this or that report. But I reminded him he said the same thing yesterday," said Sylvie with a smirk.

Behind them, the line had more than doubled. The bossy nurse reappeared and split the line into two separate ones. She pointed to the one the women were in. "This line will enter on the left side and the other one will enter on the right side. We're striving to expedite appointments since we know you have to get back to work."

When Adam saw that Kim's line was moving faster, he yelled, "Hey, Kim. Can we come up there with you ladies?"

"What?" She turned and wagged a finger at him. "No way. Stay in your own line."

Adam threw up his hands. "What the hell? You're mean. I thought we were partners."

The nurse shot him a dirty look. "Sir, keep your voice down."

When she moved down the line, Adam muttered under his breath, "What are you doing to do? Call the cops? Because we are the cops."

Kim smiled. "Sorry, babe. It's each first responder for her- or himself."

"Are we being mean?" asked Sylvie with a laugh.

"Hah!" laughed Stella. "I'm making Severide take me to that new Italian restaurant tonight. It's getting rave reviews." Then she had an idea. "You guys should come, too. We can celebrate getting our first dose. It'll be awesome!"

Hailey had been mostly quiet during the conversation, but now spoke up. "I'm sure all Jay will want to do is go home and crash. He's not a fan of hospitals."

Vanessa sighed. "I'd love to, but I have to get back to my other life."

Hailey missed the younger cop. "How much longer, Vee?"

"I feel like things are coming together. Maybe another week or ten days. I can't wait to get back to Intelligence."

"Your desk is waiting and I've been taking care of Rufus. He's thriving."

"Thanks."

"You have a pet?" asked Sylvie. "I'm jealous. I would love to have a dog."

"I wish," sighed Vanessa. "No, Rufus is my philodendron. Closest thing to a pet I can get."

"Rufus the philodendron. I love it," said Sylvie.

"You should get a cactus," said Stella. "You can name it Casey."

Sylvie burst out laughing. "Oh, that's really being mean. But some days I might want to put it in his chair and hope he sits on it."

At her laugh, Casey looked directly at her. Her heart skipped a beat, but she was still trying to figure out her relationship with the handsome fire captain.

Severide glanced up and made eye contact with Stella. She blew him a kiss and he grinned.

"They must be having fun," said Casey as he kept staring at Sylvie. He felt bad because he'd snapped at her earlier about this stupid appointment. He needed to apologize. He also needed to determine what their status was. Were they in a relationship or not? If he didn't claim her soon, then somebody else sure as hell would. The whole situation was giving him a headache. He rubbed his forehead.

Severide noticed and said, "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just wishing this line would move faster."

Severide grinned. "Anxious to get the shot or anxious to get it over with?"

"Don't be a smartass," said Casey. "And what's so damn funny up there with those women?"

Severide was still grinning at Stella. "Beats me."

In the other line, Stella noticed Boden and Voight coming out. "Look sharp, girls. Big bosses headed this way."

Boden held up a small card showing he'd had the first dose. "I got mine," he said proudly. "Piece of cake."

Voight flashed his, too. "Glad to see so many of our people here." Then he got a brief update from Vanessa about her undercover gig. He listened and nodded. "Okay, hope to see you soon."

"Copy that, Sarge."

When he got to Hailey he said quietly, "Keep an eye on Halstead."

"Always," she agreed.

Inside the Clinic

One of the nursing students helping with patient screening called Will over to her desk. "Dr. Halstead, there's a Halstead on the appointment list. Is this a mistake?"

He looked at her computer screen and saw Halstead, Jay – 2:30 p.m.

He shook his head. "Not a mistake. That's my brother." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "This should be fun. I hope Hailey's with him."

"Hailey?" The young woman was puzzled.

"Hailey Upton. His partner . . . and girlfriend. Check the other screen," said Will.

The student clicked to another screen. "Here she is. Her appointment is at 2:45."

"Thank goodness," sighed Will. "I don't have time to babysit him today."