I wanted to write this for awhile now, but I wasn't sure what to write or how to play things. We're still learning about this virus, we're still struggling with things and we're still trying to get out from under it. So I lay in wait for the inspiration to arrive, and that time is now. This story is a dedication to the frontline workers who put their lives on the line everyday. This is for the families who watched, waited, and prayed from afar that their person would pull through. This is for those that the virus sadly took from us, the dreams and lights and souls that were evilly taken away from us. Be safe, wear a mask, enjoy the story.
Chapter 1- Essential Workers
"Alright everyone listen up! Gather round and yes, I know the irony behind this so shut up and listen." They were just getting in for the day, or so they thought. Trudy was barking over the counter, standing in small frame with the most grandeur and stoic stance about her, trying to make her 5'3 body appear to be over six feet tall. All ceased their activity at the boisterous proclamation, literally hovering on the stairs or hanging things up, suspended on her words. Trudy curtly nodded her head, clasping papers in her hands and breezing over them before beginning her speech.
"As of midnight, the city of Chicago will be under lockdown, stay at home orders. The only travel allowed are for essentials: grocery store, pharmacy, food delivery services, and essential workers. The Chicago Police Department is, of course, a public service and therefore is deemed as essential workers. So you are expected to report to work for your normal shift, immediately returning home and staying there unless to complete the above tasks." Quiet groans from the younger officers, and Adam Ruzek, slithered out into the crowd, dashed hopes of being paid to stay home gone as Trudy gave her report. She detected the noise, stopped her talk and glared till they all died down. Once the silence resumed she too went on.
"While on the job you will remain six feet apart as best as you can. Masks will be required and you must wear them with the exception of eating. No gatherings larger then ten people, that includes in break rooms and in the lobby area." Everyone looked to their shoulder buddy at that, sizing them up for the virus or just how close they were to each other. It was like being told there was a foul smell next to them and they had to get away, far away, right then. All were a little grossed out in an instant.
"Now, officers with a pre-existing condition that is on the CDC's list and officers over sixty-five will be on desk duty at their homes until further notice. Intelligence will still respond to calls when needed but as best they can will work from home." Said members of Intelligence perked up at that one, looking to their fellow man or woman with a small smile. They found the loophole, here was to semi-early mornings and longer nights of rest.
"Finally, as you may or may not know, one of our officers has tested positive for the Covid-19. She was on duty two days ago, fell ill yesterday and the diagnosis was confirmed this morning. I would like for everyone to remain calm. At this time we do not know who she was in contact with when she was contagious nor do we know for certain how many of us were exposed. So out of an abundance of caution, the district will be shuttered for two weeks to allow for deep cleaning and things to be vacated before we safely reopen. Officers report to me for your temporary assignments and Intelligence, grab everything you'll need to work from home. We shut down at noon. Be safe, everyone. Be smart and careful. Let's get to it." You'd have thought she just announced that a missile was headed for the place, landing in two hours. There was dead stillness and then the maddest of scrambles. Officers were cramming around the desk, arms flailing and shouts for their new assignments filled the airspace. Yelling, yet more irony of the whole situation. Those viral air droplets that were assumed to be the spreader of the virus were flying like mad. No masks were on, people were more like six centimeters apart then the just spoken of six feet. Intelligence took the madness in for a moment before turning on their heels and heading up the stairs. They didn't have it in them to watch the potential super spreader event, knowing they had to pack up an entire division in a couple hours.
"Where do we start,' Kim spoke for the group as they made their way to their desks.
"All tech comes with," Voight spoke up.
"Laptops, iPads, cells, whatever has our databases on it comes home. Also, don't forget to grab the hotspots, that way things will actually work while we're out."
"Also grab all open cases. We can work on paperwork when we're not out in the field or working on a serious case," Jay butt in. With assignment given they all went about their work, starting in the tech area and slowly working their way out. Certain components were split up to whoever would be with whoever else while the rest was just dished out to individual people. By the time they made it back to the bullpen backpacks were three apiece for each person, all weighing way too much and appearing that they were robbing the place.
"Hey, anyone know who this officer is that got the virus," Hailey asked?
"I heard it was Romans. She just started in January. But we haven't been in contact with her."
"Oh, no. I wasn't asking because of that. I was just curious." In fact Kim was spot on, while they'd never say it, they all were extremely nervous about catching this thing. It was this invisible enemy floating around out there in the world. They began hearing about it around December, while the rest of the world was Christmas shopping, China was building emergency hospitals to combat a virus that began with a bat at something called a wet market. Again, they didn't understand the severity or validity of any of it, just took what was announced on the news as fact and moved on. Life was happening, a lot was going on to truly focus on things. No one was tracking the spread, or how the virus spread. At that time all they knew was that China was dealing with something flu-like and they felt bad about that. But no one talked about it coming to the U.S. Even when the virus spread to Europe, they figured it was because it was close to Asia, traveling to the borders but nothing more. Again, they knew of it but didn't think much about it, just figured it wouldn't come to America. Thank you oceans for being between continents. But all remembered the announcement of the first case in Washington state, and hearing how cities were shutting down. A part of them thought shutting down over one case was a bit extreme, that these were unheard of happenings that wouldn't reach them. But as they'd come to learn, the virus didn't have limitations in its' spread. It would effect everyone it could in every corner of the country. It didn't exempt cities or states from it's wrath. It was coming, it was here, and now it was time to bat the hatches down and pray they were spared; the news of this officer finding herself a victim of the silent enemy sending chills down spines. But none of them would admit to this, they weren't in the field of sharing feelings. Now was the time for them to muster calmness and control, to just do as was told and assume it would all be over soon.
"So who's staying with who," Adam piped in, trying his best to lighten the mood.
"Hailey and I are staying at her place," Jay announced.
"We are," Hailey was caught off guard?
"Yeah, you don't want to stay at my place for however long."
"True."
"Adam and I are staying at my place," Kim spoke up, zipping up the last of her bags and brushing hair out of her face.
"Might as well have company. Kev…" Kevin shrugged his shoulders.
"I'll be fine. I thrive when I'm alone."
"Hey, I'm sure Voight would like the company."
"HA! Thanks but no thanks." Voight stuck his head out into the room at the mention of his name, just staring at his detectives and officers congregating. Now knowing what they all knew, laughter was deadly, talking in close quarters put them all at risk. No one knew if they were infected or if they would be carriers, the great mystery of it all.
"Six feet," he spoke into the room, the unofficial hall monitor of the Intelligence floor. They all nodded at the realization and took a few steps back. It put an odd spin into things, or insisting there be a distrust amongst all of them.
"Have everything?"
"Yup," Jay spoke for the group.
"How are we doing this?"
"For right now we'll play it by ear and as cases come up. The one good thing about everyone being stuck at home.."
"-Chance of reduced crime," Adam said. Voight nodded.
"Let's all get on a call tomorrow at 8am. Trudy just sent me something about doing Zoom calls? Don't know what the hell that is, but I guess we can video chat that way." None of them tried to correct him on things because in truth, they didn't really know what it was either.
"And for today?"
"Go home. Go out and get food and supplies while you can."
"Oh yeah, rumor has it that it's a total nightmare out there. No toilet paper anywhere. Fights, the whole thing. It's crazy."
"What?!" Adam nodded vigorously, affirming that what he was speaking was truth. The rest of them giggled while rolling their eyes, not looking forward to the afternoon ahead of them. The year that was supposed to be the start of the best decade ever had somehow, in the time span of three months, dwindled down to people fighting over toilet paper. Toilet paper! A common household item one never thinks of except for when they're out and sitting on a toilet.
"Well, let's head on out there," Jay announced to the group, leading the way to the back entrance. They all followed behind, dragging their bags and complaining over the weight and number of them along the way. The motor pool lot was nearly empty by now, those who had their assignments were long gone while those on desk duty wasted no time in heading back home. In the history of policing, this was going to be the one time that officers were actually happy to be stuck behind a desk.
"Also looks like it's about to snow," Hailey remarked as she packed the last of the bags into the backseat of the truck. Jay stopped what he was doing and looked up, squinting as he nodded in agreement.
"All the more reason to get shopping done and get inside."
"Did you grab the box of masks Trudy handed out?" Jay groaned, shaking his head as he darted back into the district for the items.
"So, do we hug or something," Kim asked? Hailey spun around to see Adam already in the Jeep as Kim rounded the passenger side. It was so nice, being out in the open with things. She and Adam could be themselves, a couple working things out while simultaneously being a partnership at work. Hailey was so glad to have the days of hiding things behind them. No longer was she nervous about people seeing her and Jay come into work together. They were together, in love, and a great partnership that was doing their best to teeter that ledge of work and personal life. If nothing else, this lockdown was going to make things fun, relaxed, stronger: a simulator of what life in the future could be.
"I mean, we can. But we'll see each other soon."
"Got the masks," Jay announced, waving them right at Hailey.
"See you, Jay," Kim said.
"See ya!" Jay and Adam so much as nodded at each other, a very man thing to do. The same was repeated with Kevin as he rolled out ahead of them.
"A quick hug," the two women spoke before meeting in the middle. Soon they all were snug in their cars, engines warming as they all strategized what they would do with their sudden free time.
"Where do we go first?"
"Well obviously home. We can't go into stores and leave all of this in the car."
"Hhhhhmmmm, good point," Jay joked. His next move was to put the truck in reverse, back out of the parking spot before heading in the direction of the exit.
"Do you really think the stores are as bad as people are saying?"
"Well, I don't know. Surely there's some form of order to things. Worst case we'll flash badges and get what we need and head out."
"Because that'll paint a beautiful picture for CPD." Jay laughed.
"It was a joke."
"I know." Jay turned onto the main road, picking up the speed as he blended in with traffic. It appeared everyone else got the memo to race home and stockpile for the midnight deadline.
"It'll be fine."
"Yeah, we'll be fine."
…
It was not fine. Well, at least not on a sanity level. The grocery store was a complete and total zoo. It was like Christmas time all over again, people diving into parking spots before elbowing each other over water pallets and toilet paper and canned food. That one Hailey and Jay never quite understood. The power wasn't about to go out, they just weren't allowed to leave the house. It was comical, watching utter pandemonium take place around them as they calmly walked up and down the aisles gathering what they needed. The perks of eating healthy was that, miraculously, all the food was untouched. The only item they didn't grab was toilet paper but the Lord and Savior Amazon got that taken care of for them before they embarked home. By the time they arrived at Hailey's place nightfall was setting in. Thanks to being so far north and sitting right in the middle of winter, it felt as if more of the day was blanketed in darkness then sunlight. The two of them shivered against the bitter cold and dancing snowflakes as they gathered their store bags and hurried into the building. No one was out in the hallways, perhaps already hunkered down or out sparring for items like the world was about to end. But they didn't care. They were exhausted, starving, ready to enjoy their early night together. Groceries were put away in no time and soon the sounds of sizzling steaks on a cast iron pan filled the kitchen, the aroma of cooking meat perking their tired senses. Jay was on meat duty while Hailey put together a quick, basic salad.
This cooking time was new for them, if they were being honest. Most of their time together was spent over take out or eating at a bar or restaurant. Rare was the occasion that they chose to stay in and cook, Hailey could count on one hand the number of times that they did. But this was a delight, a welcomed newness to things. Jay cooking was quite the turn on, she was quickly discovering. His attention to detail and determination to make everything perfect and charred was so sexy, an outpouring of his love for her. Cooking, they say, is often times the language of love, that the level of care and attention you put into a dish is a representation of how much you care for those dining with you. And if Jay's act was indicative of anything, then she was one lucky girl. A couple times she felt his eyes glance her way, Hailey doing the same when he wasn't looking. It was like they were scoping each other out like it was their first time together, even though they'd be by each other's side for close to six months now. All was going well, this new chapter to things going to, hopefully, bring them closer. Time would tell and patience would be key, but Hailey was really looking forward to waking up next to Jay every morning, eating all meals with Jay, and snuggling the night away.
"Let that rest for a few minutes and we'll be set," Jay announced as he landed the steaks on their respective dishes.
"Sounds good! Salad is just about done. Can you set the table?" Jay jokingly rolled his eyes, the two of them fully aware that it was just the two of them and their plates were on the counter. But Jay still did as was told, grabbing utensils, napkins, and wine glasses before setting them all in the right place. Hailey topped the salad off with some blue cheese before divvying things up between the two of them and grabbing the plates for the table.
"Red or white," Jay spoke in his best waiter voice, which made Hailey giggle.
"Red." Jay popped the cork and poured red for both, leaving the bottle on the table before sitting down. The two of them ate in silence for the next few minutes, savoring their hard work and just ability to finally fuel up.
"So," Jay began after his steak was complete.
"So," Hailey called back over her wine glass.
"What should we do next? Watch the news about how the world is ending?" Hailey snorted.
"I'm sorry, but I feel like a little bit of this is overkill. The entire world has to shut down because of something that is a little worse then the flu? It's not that I don't believe it's bad, but the masks and toilet paper and social distancing. Like what even is that? It just seems a little much for a virus."
"Well part of it has to do with hospital capacity and trying to stop the spread. They put out those guideline things a couple weeks ago and no one listened so they had to go harder."
"Ah, so this is equivalent to parents disciplining. They tried talking and we didn't listen so now we're all in time out."
"Something like that." Hailey forked a couple bites of salad as Jay poured more wine for the two of them, the silence filling the space for another few minutes.
"Are you scared," she quietly asked? Jay shook his head.
"We'll be fine. It'll only be a couple weeks. If we follow the pattern of other countries we'll be fine in no time."
"But Italy is bad right now, like they're having to choose who gets ventilators and everything is shut down. What if we get that bad?"
"Hailey," Jay calmed as he took her hand in his, squeezing it till she looked him right in the eye.
"You're right, we don't know what's going to happen. But as long as we follow the guidelines and just be careful, we'll be okay." Hailey wished she shared his optimism, his calmness and control. Perhaps it was the life experiences that made him this way, but deep down Hailey was a ball of nerves. There were so many unknowns with this crisis: no course of treatment or how it spread or what surfaces it lasted on. They didn't know what prevented it and they certainly didn't have a cure. It was an enemy roaming freely about knowing that no one could stop it. It was hard to not be a little freaked out. But she didn't want to bring Jay down with her, instead choosing to live vicariously through his strength.
"I can think of something we can do right now, something to entertain us for awhile." Jay smirked instantly, he knew what she was referring to. The dinner dishes were all but forgotten, the food remnants left on plates at the table as Jay leaned over to kiss her on the lips. It was a simple kiss, a quick beginning to the rest of the evening. Hailey was hoisted off her seat, gathered in his arms as she ran fingers along his neck and through his hair. Her lips were sealed on his person as they ventured down the hall, clothes flying off before they made it to the bedroom. It was skin on skin as they landed on the bed, soft and satisfied moans coming out of Hailey as she allowed Jay in. They were in sync, playing the dance and giving what the other really desired. They traded places, top and bottom duties shared equally, only stopping when they were totally out of breath. The rest of the night was caressing and giggling and reminding the other just how much they were loved. Hailey passed out on Jay's chest sometime after midnight, Jay stroking her hair as he dozed. It was night to remember, a time that they would cling to for quite sometime. To them, in that moment, this night was the start of something new. What they were innocently unaware of right then was that this was the end of things, the true start taking form the following morning.