Author's Note: Hi friends! I'm absolutely heartbroken that Jesse will be leaving this season. I'd always hoped that whenever Voight decided to retire, Jay would be the one to take over Intelligence. It's been over a year since I've written CPD that didn't cross over with SVU, but I'm trying to channel my sadness into manifesting a happy ending for Jay.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
*Also, Voight hate is absolutely not welcome here.
[][][][][]
Jay nervously walked up the stairs of the twenty-first district, the place that had been his home for the last decade. His career in Intelligence began when he'd been recommended by his friend Antonio Dawson. After he apprehensively met with the newly reinstated and promoted Sergeant Hank Voight, he'd been surprised that at his selection to be a part of one of the most elite units of the Chicago Police Department.
The last ten years had truly been a learning experience every single day as the unit worked some of the toughest cases the city of Chicago had ever seen. Throughout Jay's time in Intelligence, he'd been a part of bringing high-profile criminals to justice, more major drug busts than he could even count, and he was proud of the accomplishments of the unit, many of which no one outside of the unit would ever know.
His years in Intelligence hadn't been without incident. From the very beginning, he found himself butting heads with his sergeant, as many times the older man's methods of dealing with offenders were unconventional at best. Although there were things he disagreed with, he'd also learned a lot about interrogating suspects, investigating cases, and bringing justice to his city.
There had also been deep, aching losses. Very early on, they lost Antonio's partner Jules in a horrific shooting, orchestrated by one of the worst criminals he'd ever seen. Al and Nadia's deaths nearly tore the unit apart, and they still felt Antonio's absence every single day. Then there was Erin's decision to leave the unit, the loss that Jay felt deep in his soul for a very long time.
Throughout the years, he'd fallen in love, had his heart shattered, and fallen in love again. Before Erin Lindsay, he'd never loved someone so much, and although their time together ended years ago, she'd always hold a special place in his heart. Her leaving nearly destroyed him, but he understood her reasons for leaving and couldn't fault her for making the decisions she felt were right, even though the hurt there would never fully go away.
Jay hadn't seen Hailey Upton coming. She'd joined the unit just days before Erin left, and he was so wrapped up in his grief that he hadn't really given her a second look. However, they'd fallen into a seamless partnership that over the years developed into something more, something so unexpected. He loved her, his wife, and he'd forever be grateful that Intelligence brought Hailey into his life.
Loving her caused a deep rift to form between himself and Voight, his need to protect the woman he loved keeping him from going along with Voight's sometimes-unorthodox methods. Hailey was his wife, his first priority, and he couldn't put aside his feelings for her to be loyal to the job anymore. That was the final straw, the moment he knew his life needed to change.
It was time, time to grow, time to look beyond what was right in front of him, time to be pushed outside of his comfort zone.
It was time to leave Intelligence.
Unbeknownst to anyone in the unit, even his wife, he began studying for the sergeant's exam. He proudly passed, scoring higher than he'd ever expected, and he'd been waiting to hear what was next for his career. A transfer would be non-negotiable; Intelligence was run by a sergeant, and there couldn't be two, so Jay would have to leave.
There were nerves about moving on, but if he was honest with himself, the job was weighing on him, and he was ready for a new challenge and the chance to be a part of a new team.
Leaving would be hard. Over the years, the Intelligence unit had become a family, and it would be hard to not see them every day, hard to trust new teammates, but he knew these people would be in his life for the rest of his life.
After passing the test, he'd confided in Hailey, and although she was sad he'd be leaving the unit, she supported his decision to further his career, and she was so, so proud of him.
His new assignment came sooner than he expected; he was being transferred to robbery homicide, ironically, the unit Hailey transferred in from. It would be a change, but he was ready for it.
With the new assignment confirmed, it was time for Jay to notify his sergeant about his impending transfer. Jay had to assume that Hank already knew about his promotion, and he probably knew as soon as Jay signed up for the sergeant's exam. He wasn't sure how, but Hank Voight seemed to always know things.
He was relieved to walk into an empty bullpen; the only lights on were in Hank's office, where he was already hard at work, even at this early hour. Jay was glad he wouldn't have an audience for this conversation, but he felt his heart beating a little faster with every step toward Hank's office.
Once he reached the door, Hank waved him in without speaking or looking up at him. Jay cautiously stepped into the office, sitting in a chair across from Hank's desk, waiting for his sergeant to officially acknowledge him. They sat in silence for a few moments until Hank finished making notes on the report spread across his desk.
When Hank finally looked up at him, with a slight question in his voice, he said, "You're in awfully early, Halstead."
Jay nodded, trying to find the right words to share his news. "Yeah, Sarge, I…wanted to talk to you alone before the rest of the unit gets here."
Hank stared at him for a moment before nodding his head, indicating that Jay should continue.
"I, uh, I assume you probably already know this, but I recently took the sergeant's exam, and I passed it."
When Hank didn't respond, Jay took it as an opportunity to keep going. "I got my new assignment, because obviously I can't stay here, so beginning next week, I'll be working in robbery homicide."
Again, Hank was silent, reclined in his chair, unmoving except for the slight nodding of his head. Jay wasn't sure if he should keep talking or just leave his sergeant alone with the news, until finally, Hank broke his silence.
"Jay, I knew you were taking the exam, and I knew you'd pass it, even before the results were posted."
Jay shook his head, unsurprised that Hank knew of his plans, but he wondered why Hank didn't question him about it. "But you didn't say anything."
"Was waiting for you to get up the nerve to tell me yourself," Hank said with a shrug.
With a sigh, Jay began to explain his silence. "I wasn't sure how to tell you. It's hard to think about leaving, but I just…feel like it's time for me to do more, Sarge. Hailey and I are trying to build a life together, and this would be a good move for both of us. I'm not trying to abandon everyone, but I…it's time."
Hank sat up, resting his arms against his desk as he leaned forward. "I took a chance bringing you into this unit. I knew or had worked with everyone else, so I knew what I was getting into with them. But you…I just had to take Antonio's word that you'd be the right fit for this job, and I have to say, Jay, that bringing you into Intelligence was probably the best decision I've ever made since I became a sergeant."
Jay stared at Hank, his eyes wide in shock, speechless.
"It hasn't been an easy ride here," Hank continued. "You and I haven't always seen eye to eye, and you've questioned a lot of the decisions I've made. I respect you for that, Jay. You don't just blindly follow along and do what you're told. You ask questions, you use your brain, and you think critically about everything, and that's exactly what makes a good detective, and that's what's going to make you a great sergeant."
Finally, Jay found his voice again, although still overwhelmed at the words of praise from his sergeant. "Thank you, Sarge. It really means a lot to hear that coming from you."
"I mean every word," Hank replied. "I know it was hard for you when Lindsay left. It was obvious how you felt about her, and I'm not gonna lie, I was worried about you for awhile. But you turned it around, you connected with Hailey, and you've grown a lot here. It makes sense that you'd be ready for something more. I just…" Hank stopped, shaking his head as he tried to find the right words, and Jay found himself feeling a little emotional over the conversation.
"I just always assumed that whenever I finally laid the shield down, you'd be the one to step up and run the unit."
Jay couldn't believe what he was hearing, the faith his sergeant had in him. While he'd dreamed of running his own unit someday, he had no idea that his own sergeant had been making plans for him to take over the job for him someday. He found himself feeling a little bit guilty for the plans he'd made for his own future without consulting Hank first, but deep down, he still knew the decision he'd made was the right one.
Finally, he choked back the emotions and was able to respond. "That…really means a lot, Hank. I guess I didn't realize you were thinking about my future like that, and it means a lot to know that you have that kind of faith in me."
"Losing you is going to be a huge blow to this unit, but I know you're going to have everyone's support. Tell the others today, and start working with Upton and Atwater on transferring any open cases that you have."
Hank got up from his chair and walked around his desk, which prompted Jay to stand as well. Extending his hand to Jay, Hank said, "I'm proud of you, Halstead. You're going to make one hell of a sergeant."
Jay shook Hank's hand as he replied, "I really appreciate that, Hank. I learned from the best, and your support means a lot."
Hank glanced toward the bullpen and nodded his head toward the door. When Jay looked over his shoulder, he saw Hailey and Adam walking up the stairs together, Kevin settling at his desk, with Kim laughing at some story he must have told. The new kids were learning fast, and Jay couldn't help the pain in his chest at the thought of leaving this, leaving his family behind.
His eyes met Hailey's, and he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face as a feeling of peace suddenly blanketed him. Things were going to be fine. It would be a challenging transition, and there would be loss, but the unit would survive, as well as his relationships with his team members.
Jay was pulled from his thoughts as Hank's hand landed on his shoulder. "Go tell your team the news. They deserve to hear it from you."
He nodded, taking a few steps out of Hank's office. Hailey was immediately at his side, discreetly reaching for his hand, giving it a small squeeze. "It's ok," she whispered, and Jay nodded, so thankful for her and her encouragement. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of everyone in the room.
"Guys, I…I have an announcement to make…"