(Using a request for Hailey hiding a concussion and throwing up then passing out and putting it in with having the team and Jay more involved with 10.05. He's still in Bolivia for this one, but is involved. Oh, and someone else makes a return!)
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Hailey moved away from the paramedic that was cleaning her cut. It stung.
"You have a concussion, you need to go to the hospital," he said but Hailey pushed away.
"You already stitched me up, I'm fine," she insisted and walked away. Her head hurt, but she wasn't about to admit it. She needed to find the girl.
Voight stopped her the minute he saw her, but she brushed him off and insisted she was all good. Everything was just fine. It had to be. She had to help this girl.
As the day went on, Hailey's head kept hurting, but she took some extra strength Tylenol and kept going. It hurt, physically and mentally. She missed Jay so much and their boss saying she was losing her mind didn't help. Everyone was trying their best to keep her included and be there for her, but she didn't want that. She wanted Jay. She wanted normal. However, Hailey knew Jay needed this so they could be okay.
Kim had driven them back to the district after Hailey found the pictures on the computer. Hailey had been crying, and Kim took her wrist and led her to the passenger seat of the Jeep and opened the door. Once she was in, Kim went and drove them back.
"Hail, I'm always here, okay," she said gently and Hailey nodded as she calmed herself down. She was quiet the rest of the drive but composed herself and threw herself back into her work.
The unit kept an eye out for her as the day progressed. They knew Hailey, and she wasn't okay, not by a long shot. She just wouldn't admit it.
Hailey hit her wall when the girl, Abby, jumped off the roof. When Kim got up there, Hailey was sitting on the ground, crying. She jumped violently when Kim placed a hand on her shoulder, making the brunette step back and raise her hands in surrender.
"Sorry," Hailey whimpered, resting her head on her knees, which she'd pulled to her chest.
"I didn't mean to scare you. It's okay, Hail. What happened?" Kim asked carefully as she crouched down beside the blonde.
"She jumped. I tried to talk her down, to stop her, but, I, she, Kim," Hailey's voice became tight and her tears fell faster as she shakily reached a hand to Kim, looking for something to ground her.
"Hey, it's okay. It's not your fault, Hailey. I know you, and I know you did everything you could. Breathe for me," Kim held her hand as she spoke, worried at how labored Hailey's breathing was.
Hailey squeezed her hand and put her head between her knees. She needed Jay. Jay was the best when it came to her panic attacks. He knew. She could faintly hear Kim talking to the others through her radio and asking for space on the roof for now.
"Hail, come on, listen to me and breathe. I know it's a lot, seeing her jump is hard enough, but you're also having a hard time and I know your head hurts. Breathe for me, you're okay. It will all be okay, just breathe with me," Kim was doing her best to calm Hailey down, but she knew it wasn't an easy task without Jay.
Hailey tried to breathe, but she was struggling and her head really hurt. She squeezed Kim's hand tighter and Kim brought their hands to rest on her stomach.
"Can you feel this?" She asked Hailey, waiting until she nodded. "I need you to match my breathing, Hail. Copy me, feel my breathing," Kim said, using her other hand to pull Hailey's hair out of her face.
Slowly, Hailey's focus shifted to feeling Kim's breathing, and she copied her. When she could actually breathe again, Hailey gave Kim's hand one last squeeze before she let go and wiped her cheeks.
"Thanks," she sighed, blushing in embarrassment.
"Hey, don't worry about it. I'm always here for you, Hail. Lean on me when it gets hard, lean on all of us," Kim said, worried for the blonde.
Hailey nodded and smiled a little then stood up, stumbling a little. Kim grabbed her arm and steadied her.
"I'm good, I just stood up too fast," Hailey insisted, but inside, she was worried. Her head hurt so bad.
"You sure?" Kim questioned.
"I'm good," Hailey insisted again and Kim let it go.
"I think Sean is behind all of it," Hailey whispered as they walked.
"Really?" Kim asked, shocked.
"Yup. She was calming down, it was when I said his name that she jumped," Hailey said.
"I'll help you look into it when we get back to the district, do you want me to be the one to tell him what just happened?" Kim asked, seeing Hailey stumble again and she was squinting.
"Mmhm," Hailey mumbled.
Kim made eye contact with Voight and shook her head, mouthing that something was wrong. Hailey was struggling, and her speech was slurring.
"Upton, you good?" Hank asked, coming to them.
"M fine," she mumbled, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Hailey, look at me," he said and she opened her eyes, wincing at the brightness; the pain in her head was getting worse.
"Are you okay?" He asked again.
"Mm fi-" Hailey suddenly threw up and fell forward, Voight catching her and moving her to the ground.
"I NEED A MEDIC!" He yelled as Kim tried to get Hailey to open her eyes. She'd passed out.
"What happened?" Brett asked when she got to them.
"She got hit with something earlier, said she was cleared. Her head's been hurting though, and she started stumbling up on the roof and her speech is slurred. Then she threw up and passed out. Oh, and she just had a panic attack," Kim explained.
"Okay, thanks Burgess. Hailey, can you hear me?" Brett asked, doing a sternum rub.
Hailey's eyes shot open and she whimpered at the light and she was very confused. "Hailey, it's Sylvie Brett, can you hear me?" She asked.
Hailey nodded slightly and shut her eyes again, tears falling against her will. She was in so much pain.
"Okay, that's good. We're going to get you to med," Brett motioned for Violet, who ran over with a stretcher.
"Noo," Hailey tried to move away from them, but threw up again.
"Hail, I'll go with you," Kim said, trying to help her friend.
"No," Hailey tried again, albeit her protest was weak.
"Kev, can you get her on the stretcher?" Kim asked and Kevin came and lifted Hailey up.
"Everything's gonna be fine, girl," he said with a smile as he laid Hailey down.
Kim got into the ambulance with her and held her hand. Hailey appreciated it, but she wanted Jay. Her head hurt so bad, she was incredibly dizzy and nauseous, and she wanted Jay.
"Hail, what are you feeling?" Kim asked, using her free hand to carefully wipe Hailey's tears.
"Jay," she whimpered, breaking Kim's heart, and Sylvie's.
Kim held her hand tighter and Sylvie started asking Hailey medical questions, but Hailey's speech wasn't amazing, and she kept telling them she just wanted Jay. When they got to med, Maggie opened the doors and frowned.
"Voight called. How's she doing?" She asked as they got the stretcher out.
"Not amazing. She's in pain, dizzy, nauseous, speech is slurred. She's aware, but out of it. Pulse is elevated, blood pressure is too, she had a panic attack before vomiting and passing out at the scene," Brett explained. Violet gave them more specific numbers as Hailey was transferred to a bed and threw up.
"How's she doin?" Will asked, running over to Kim.
"She's having a horrible day, Will. She keeps asking for Jay, she just wants him. She had a panic attack, too," Kim told him, fighting her tears as they watched the nurses work to clean Hailey up as she begged them to stop.
"Damn. I'm going to tell him he needs to call me ASAP," Will got his phone out and texted his brother. Kim texted Jay as well before going to the waiting room while Will went to be with Hailey.
"Sis, calm down, everything will be fine, let them help," he said when he realized she was trying to push everyone away.
"No," she slurred, sobbing when they began to remove her shoes and vest.
"I'll stay with you. You won't be alone, although I need to step out so they can get you in a gown. Do you want me to call Natalie and have her come help?" He asked, hating how distressed she was.
"Uh huh," Hailey sniffled, vomiting again.
"Y'all, hold on, Dr. Manning is going to come help, give her some space," Vanessa was the only nurse that didn't step away since she was holding the bowl Hailey was getting sick into.
Will called his wife, who immediately rushed down there and came into the room. He gave her a quick summary of what was going on and she and Maggie were able to get Hailey into a gown with less protesting than before.
It took a little more comforting and coaxing, but Hailey calmed down enough to be taken for a CT scan and Will went with her until they had to part ways. As soon as they'd started her scan, he called Jay.
J: I have like one minute, what's happening?
W: Hailey's here, in CT right now. Man, she's having a horrible day, Burgess can explain more, but she's definitely got a concussion, she had a panic attack, and she's really upset. You need to FaceTime her or call her later. Probably just call because lights seem to be really hurting her. Don't tell her I told you, but she's asking for you.
J: dammit. I have to go, I don't want to, but we're leaving for a bust. I'll call someone when we get back. Will you tell her I love her?
W: of course. Jay, I'm here with her, I've got her. Focus on the bust, then we can talk later. Be safe, man.
J: thanks, I will.
They hung up and Will waited for the scan to finish and walked back with Hailey's bed, though she was basically asleep. They made it dark for her but made her stay awake, which she hated.
"Jay's going to call you later," Will said, sitting in a chair by her bed.
"Kay," she said, fighting another round of tears.
Dr. Marcel came in and told them that there wasn't a bleed or any swelling, but she had a concussion and needed to begin the proper protocols immediately and she was severely dehydrated, so they got a banana bag going and Natalie and Kim brought her some soup.
"Thanks," she smiled a little and ate half of it before laying down again and closing her eyes.
She's almost asleep when her phone rings and she groans. "Sis, you want to take it," Will laughed, handing her the device. They smile when her eyes light up once she realizes it's Jay, then they step out.
H: hi.
J: hey, are you okay?!
H: i'll be fine, just a concussion and dehydration. How are you?
J: hails, you need to take care of yourself. I'm so sorry I'm not there. I'm good, everything is good down here, but I miss you more than I ever thought possible.
H: I'm trying, Jay. I really am. I miss you, too.
J: baby, please don't cry. I promise I'm coming home to you in 7 months. I love you, and it will go faster than it seems.
H: I can't help it! I miss you and my head hurts so bad and i was throwing up and this case is horrible and I just miss you! It's not fast Jay. I know you need this and it's going to be good, but I miss you.
J: i'm so sorry, Hailey. I am so sorry. Talk to me, tell me about it.
H: a girl jumped off a roof.
J: oh man.
H: i tried to stop her. It's bigger and it's not a good case, Jay.
J: it's not on you, Hails. I promise.
H: i know. Jay, my head hurts, I wanna sleep.
J: get some sleep. I'll try and call you tomorrow. I love you so much.
H: i love you too. Be safe.
She hung up and shut her eyes, crying. She was hurting, tired, and mad. She wanted Jay.
Kim went back in there and sat beside the bed, taking Hailey's hand. "Im here, Hail, we're all here for you. I'm right here," she said, squeezing her hand before moving to stroke her hair.
Hailey eventually cried herself to sleep and Kim sent a text to Kevin. They were hoping to do something that would make Hailey happy.
Natalie came in with a bag for Hailey while she was still asleep. "How is she?" She asked, worried about her sister-in-law.
"She and Jay talked. Then she cried herself to sleep. I texted him, he said she's really upset about everything," Kim explained with a frown.
"I hate this for them. I hate it so much," Natalie admitted. "I have a bag with some clothes and toiletries for her. Dr. Marcel wants to keep her for the rest of the day and overnight. Will said it will hopefully force her to take a breather and get some sleep, and they want to make sure she can keep food down. Are you staying with her tonight?"
"I hope that works, I don't think she's been home in at least a week. I need to get back soon, Kevin's coming with a reinforcement that I think she'll like. Are you working tonight?" Kim asked.
"I'm not, Will is. He's going to be making sure she's okay, my shift is almost over so I can get home to the kids," Nat responded.
She and Kim talked about work and kids for a while before Maggie came in to relieve Natalie. Hailey was still asleep, so Kim went to get her something to eat while Maggie sat with her.
Maggie was there when Hailey woke up and smiled gently. "Hey, hun. How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Okay," Hailey yawned, rolling over and curling up.
"Kim's gone to get you something for dinner. Nat got you some clothes from home, would you like to change?" Maggie asked, watching Hailey look around.
"Sure," she sat up slowly and drank some water before Maggie helped her get unhooked from her IV. She walked Hailey to the bathroom and waited on her to finish up, then walked her back to the room they had her in.
Hailey immediately shut her eyes and laid down while Maggie got her hooked back up. "Hailey, you okay?" She asked, touching her shoulder.
"Bright," she whispered.
"Okay, no more lights. Do you need to get sick?" Hailey shook her head.
Maggie rubbed her arm and frowned as she texted Will to come up. He got up there before Kim and frowned.
"Hey, sis," he said quietly, rubbing her arm.
"Hey," she opened her eyes a little.
"What's going on?"
"Head just hurts. I wanna go home," Hailey told him.
"I know, Hails. But you're still in a lot of pain and we need to know if you can keep food down. They want to keep you overnight just to make sure you're okay," he said, hating that her eyes filled with tears.
"Will," she sniffled.
"I know, I'm sorry. I'll be here tonight, Kim's coming with food. It's going to be okay," he rubbed her arm as he spoke.
"Okay," she frowned and rolled back over, closing her eyes until Kim came in.
"I bring soup, I figured it would be easy on your stomach," she said and Hailey sat up as Maggie adjusted the bed.
"Thanks, Kim," she smiled a little and took the bowl.
They talked as Hailey ate, but her stomach started hurting and she pushed it away. "What's wrong?" Kim asked, taking the bowl.
"Too much," Hailey grimaced, lowering her bed so she could lay down.
"Try some water, Hail. Maggie, do y'all have gingerale?" Kim asked, stroking her hair.
"I'll go get some," Maggie left and Hailey drank a little water and shut her eyes.
Kim kept playing with her hair and Will checked her vitals. "Are you nauseous?" He asked.
Hailey shrugged as Maggie came in and she drank some gingerale before she curled herself up and began taking slow, deep breaths. Kim sat with her and played with her hair and rubbed her shoulder until she settled into a light sleep.
"She hasn't been eating a ton," She whispered. "She's been pretty out of it."
"Hopefully that's why her stomach hurts," Will sighed.
Hailey was passed out for a while, so Kim and Maggie headed out, leaving Will to be with her when she woke up. She grumbled as she did so, hating that she tugged her IV.
"Easy, sis," Will moved her arm closer to the pole and she nodded, rolling onto her back. "How's your stomach?"
"Okay," she yawned, sitting up. "Can I please have a drink?" Will grabbed her gingerale and she took several sips.
"Thanks," she smiled a little and sat the bed up some.
"What time is it?" She asked.
"Almost 8:00. I'm here all night, but we have another reinforcement coming to stay with you as well," Will told her, getting his laptop and turning the blue light off before pulling up a show he knew she liked.
"Y'all don't have to, I'll be fine," Hailey insisted but Will ignored her. He knew who was coming and Hailey would like it; it wasn't Jay, but it would still make her happy.
"Eat and drink some more, Hailey," she grumbled at him but obeyed and finished her food from before.
She and Will talked for a while, Hailey avoiding any and all discussions about Jay. She missed him desperately and was pissed he couldn't be with her when she felt so horrible.
Jay had called her again, though, and she answered, but it ended in another complete breakdown just as there was a knock on the window. "No," Hailey snapped but Will merely rubbed her head and went to step out of the room.
"How is she?"
"Just got off the phone with Jay, she's upset, her headache came back, but she isn't nauseous anymore. She got mad when you knocked, but I'm thinking she's going to be happy to see you," He responded, glancing into Hailey's room. She was crying into the pillow.
"Are you sure?"
"I am. She's not been sleeping, until today, so that's part of it," Will felt certain this was true.
"Okay, let's go see how she responds," the person sighed and waited for Will to go in first.
"Hails, someone's here to see you," he said, moving her hair away from her face.
"No."
"Hailey, I promise you'll be happy with this one, please," he tried and she sighed but nodded, not moving from her position.
"Come in!" He called.
"Miss me?" Hailey's eyes shot open and she burst into tears again, reaching to hug the person.
"How are you here?" She asked, not releasing the hug.
"The assignment ended and Voight said he needed someone else in the unit. Kevin brought me here," she answered.
"I missed you, V," Hailey hugged her again.
"I missed you, Hailey," Vanessa hugged her too and wiped her cheeks.
"I'm sorry about everything you're going through," Vanessa said quietly.
"Not on you," Hailey yawned.
"Still sucks. Listen, Kevin said I can stay with him, but Will said you're going to need to be supervised for a few days. You good being roommates again?" Vanessa asked, smiling a little.
"We have a spare room, works for me," Hailey yawning again.
"Go to sleep, girl. I'm staying here tonight, don't worry about a thing," Vanessa said, running a hand through Hailey's hair.
Hailey could only nod as her eyes drooped closed. She didn't want to sleep, she really didn't want to sleep, but the concussion was making her very tired. Vanessa's presence also helped her, she wasn't Jay, not even close, but Vanessa was someone Hailey was very comfortable with, so it helped.
Vanessa stayed up with Hailey for a while, until she knew the blonde was sound asleep and she could move without waking her up. She slept on a cot Will brought in, wanting to be close if Hailey needed anything.
Will came in to check on Hailey around midnight and Vanessa smiled sleepily. "She wake up at all?" He whispered.
Vanessa nodded. "For some water, then she went right back to sleep. How's your shift?"
"That's good. My shift is good, although, my sister-in-law being brought in wasn't the best start. I'd definitely prefer she stay in one piece," he laughed a little, making Vanessa giggle.
"You know she and Jay are frequent flyers here. You couldn't be shocked," she dead panned and he shrugged with a laugh.
"That's true. So you're going to stay with her?" Will asked, glancing between Hailey and Vanessa.
"I am, do you think Jay would be okay with that?" Vanessa asked nervously.
"Of course, once she gets to talk to him again I'm sure he'll be glad to know someone's with her. I don't think she's been home much since he left," Will reassured her.
Vanessa nodded again. "That's what I've heard. I think it's part of why they asked me to come back."
"You get some sleep, I'm going to do my rounds," Will left her with Hailey and she laid down, closing her eyes.
She woke up before Hailey in the morning and smiled when she saw the blonde was still asleep. They'd been woken up each time the nurses came in, but Hailey needed the rest and it was nice to see her looking relaxed.
Natalie came in with breakfast and coffee, and Vanessa smiled at her. "Would you mind sitting with her while I use the bathroom?" She asked quietly.
"Of course, go ahead," Vanessa got up and left the room, hurrying so she could get back to her best friend.
Hailey's nurse was in there when she returned and Hailey looked less than thrilled with the woman. "I'm fine now!" She insisted as Natalie placed a hand on her arm.
"The doctor wants more scand before he releases you," the nurse said, seeming annoyed.
"And then, if they're clear, you can go home," Natalie said, although they could tell Hailey was still upset.
The nurse left and Hailey curled herself up. "Hails," Vanessa came back in and sat on the bed. Hailey was crying.
"Hailey, let's eat something so you can do your scans. Then we'll work on getting you discharged. But you can not go back to work for a couple of days," Natalie told her, looking at Vanessa when Hailey stayed quiet.
It took some coaxing, but Hailey ate some breakfast and went to the bathroom before she was taken for another scan. Dr. Marcel cleared her to go home, but they were giving her very strict orders to stay home for a couple of days. She hated that.
"We can have fun with it, Hailey. I'll be with you," Vanessa told her and Hailey nodded sadly.
Vanessa drove them to the apartment since Kim had dropped of Hailey's Jeep, and they'd already put Vanessa's stuff in the Halstead apartment. Hailey wasn't happy about it, but she was glad she had Vanessa.
The two of them spent the day baking and Hailey took a nap, then Kevin joined them for dinner. Hailey relaxed as the day went, but she didn't enjoy being home without Jay. She spent the evening curled up with his pillow, trying not to cry or yell.
"Hey, I know you need to be careful with your stitches, but do you want to take a shower?" Vanessa broke her from her thoughts and she nodded.
"I'll put something over it while I wash my face and body, but will you please help with my hair?" Hailey asked, getting off the couch.
"Sure!" Hailey thanked her and went to get started, then she yelled for Vanessa when she was ready for her hair.
Hailey was wrapped in a towel and Vanessa had her sit in front of the bath tub so she could wash her hair without touching her wound. Once that was done, Hailey got in bed and Vanessa got ready for bed. Hailey was asleep when she finished so she left her be and went to watch tv a little longer before going to bed.
The girls had another relaxing day and Hailey's headache slowly went away, so she got to go help with paperwork on Saturday morning with Vanessa, but it was going to be a few days before anyone let her go out in the field.
Having Vanessa with her helped, and Hailey realized she should let her friends support her. She didn't have to refuse help or meals. So they were going to dinner with someone from the unit once a week, having them over some, and Hailey was more willing to go home.
She missed Jay desperately and had hard days, but she slowly started to come to terms with everything. Hailey and Jay talked it out, and she was becoming less angry. Vanessa helped with that as well. Hailey was very thankful for her friends supporting her.