UC Chapter 7
Hailey walks into Jay's room. It's early, just past 6 am luckily the cafeteria doesn't close and she was able to get a coffee and breakfast sandwich. The night-shift nurse was able to apply Jay's ice therapy throughout the night, surprisingly without him making much of a fuss. Only when it was applied to his cheek or his chest did he stir and respond with a grunt. But overall, he slept the whole night. She quietly walks over to Jay and places the back of her fingers on his forehead. She feels the warmth from him as she moves her fingers to his unswollen cheek, careful not to disturb his nasal cannula.
"So, You and Halstead?"
The low voice of Kevin startles her and she quickly removes her hand, looking at him surprised, she stammers, "Oh…..ah...No…..I…..uh…" and finally with a sheepish smile, "Yes."
Kevin smiles. "Don't worry your secret's safe with me but we all know, just waiting for you two to figure it out." He walks further into Jay's room. "How's he doing?
"A slight fever and congestion. It's complicating things but he's been sleeping, so that's good." Hailey answers.
"No complaining?"
Hailey nods 'No'.
"So un-Halstead-like."
Hailey looks at Jay sleeping and sighs.
"You're here early."
"Yeah, I couldn't really sleep with this 'excessive force' thing….thoughts kept swimming in my head."
"Sounds like the offender's reaching. I'm sure when all the reports are read, it'll be a non-issue." Hailey reassures.
"I hope so."
"You got the offender off Jay, Kevin. That's what matters."
"Yeah, …..."
A low groan from the bed quickly gets both of their attention. Jay slowly lifts his left hand towards his chest while his face distorts in pain. Hailey quickly moves to his side and intercepts his movement.
"Easy now." She soothes and places his hand by his side. Jay rolls his head towards her and opens his eyes. His left eye is still swollen but noticeably less so.
A very groggy and hoarse, "Hey."
Hailey returns with a smile.
Kevin clears his throat and walks up to Jay's right side. "Hey Man" as he glances down at Jay's injuries.
"I owe you," Jay says, turning to look at Kevin next to him. "I mean it." He continues with a bit stronger voice. "Whatever that offender says, he doesn't have a leg to stand on."
"Thanks. I appreciate that."
But before their conversation could continue Dr. Marcel and Will enters the room. Will makes eye contact with Kevin and Hailey, and they both move away giving the doctors a clear path to Jay.
"Good to see you awake, how are you feeling?" Marcel asks.
Hailey and Kevin move just outside Jay's room. Hailey faces the open door. Kevin motions that he's leaving "let me know how he's doing?" She responds with a nod. "I will. Thanks for stopping by." and turns her attention back to inside the room.
"Like I was hit by a bus." Jay croaks.
"Well, you sorta were." Will lightly chuckles as he checks Jay's temperature. His smile quickly disappears and exchanges a look with Marcel. Marcel puts on his stethoscope, "How's your breathing?"
"Been better."
"A-Ha." He says as he first places his left hand over Jay's sternum giving some support and then places his stethoscope on the left side of his chest. "Breath."
Jay draws a breath, he quickly winces and stutters the exhale.
He moves the stethoscope, "Again." Jay responds the same. Marcel looks at Will who is standing with his arms crossed, a slight nod of 'No'. Will sighs deeply, closes his eyes, and a slight head shake.
Marcel places his stethoscope around his neck and retrieves his light pen, "Let's have a look." Jay complies with Marcel's examination. "Equal. Reactive. Still a bit light sensitive."
Jay places his hand over his sternum signaling he's in pain, closes his eyes, and takes a few controlled breaths.
"Almost time for some more ice." Will notices.
Marcel types information into his tablet. "Jay, we're going to start you on a round of antibiotics and increase your pain relief to help with your breathing. Rest easy, we'll get you fixed up."
"Thanks." Will says and Jay nods his agreement.
Will looks at Jay, "How have you been feeling alright the past few days?" Will asks.
"Just a little tired." Jay answers. His voice is hoarse and rough.
"Probably the beginning of it." Will says checking Jay's right hand for any circulation issues. Seeing none he looks in the hall, notices Hailey still at the door and waves her in.
Hailey walks in, "What's the verdict?"
"Chest infection on top of his injuries, increasing his pain meds and starting a round of antibiotics." Will answers. He turns his attention to Jay, "You, eat something and rest up. Speak up if you need anything. I'll check on you later." He ends with a smile.
"Thanks Will." Hailey walks closer to Jay as Will gives her a smile and leaves the room.
At District 21:
Kevin walks in taking his jacket off.
"How's Jay?" Kim asks
Placing his jacket on the back of his chair, "He's really banged up but Hailey's with him."
"I knew it,'' Adam exclaims. "I told you, Kim." Claps his hands and points towards Kim
"I knew something was up with those two." He continues laughing.
Kim and Kevin look at Adam and his antics, then at each other.
"Adam." Kim turns to him and scolds. "Jay's injured." She turns back to Kevin.
"How bad?"
Kevin with his hands on his hips says, "Pretty bad. Doc thinks he was getting sick before this happened and it's causing complications."
Kim and Adam look at Kevin soberly and then turn to see that Hank has come out of his office to listen.
"He's not complaining or asking to go home…...so…" Kevin trails off.
They all understand what that means. Jay doesn't like hospitals and would do anything not to stay in one. So for him not to be complaining meant he really wasn't feeling well.
Hank grunts his understanding of the situation. "Atwater, my office."
Kevin looks at Kim and Adam, both with questioning looks on their faces, then follows Hank to his office.
"Close the door." As Kevin walks in. He slows and closes the door.
"Kevin."
"Yes, Sarge."
"The offender is claiming you didn't announce your office. He says he didn't know you were a cop and furthermore states, he would have cooperated if he did know."
"Sarge. He was beating up Halstead!"
"I know."
"You were there! Did you see the size difference?! He already threw him to the ground and got one punch in on him, what was I supposed to do? Let him tee off on him and say, 'excuse me , Sir, I'm the Police?'"
"I understand, Kevin. I'm just telling you what he said." Both are quiet for a moment.
"Did you announce your office when you were running towards Halstead?"
"Seriously? This is what it comes down to?"
"I'm afraid so. Deputy Miller brought it to my attention that you didn't write that you did in your report."
Exasperated, Kevin replies, "I don't know Sarge. I might have. I might not have. I wasn't really focusing on that at the time given what was going on."
"I get it but for now you're on desk duty until this gets cleared up."
"Sarge."
"Not my decision." Hank waves towards the door and Kevin leaves.
Hank's phone rings, "Yeah Trudy"
^She's coming up^
"Thanks."
Atwater has just told Kim and Adam what happened and before they have a chance to respond they hear the gate open and Deputy Miller walks into the bullpen. Hank comes out of his office.
"Superintendent Miller."
She looks around the room. "I've read all your reports and, although, some details are in question." Her eyes land on Kevin. "There is one glaring omission from everyone."
"Which is?" Hank answers.
"No one detailed the actions taken by Patrol Officer Bailey."
"What, we're snitching on other cops now?" Adam bursts out
"I want a full account of what happened. I understand Detective Halstead was assaulted by the offender but that doesn't account for all his injuries. He was physically restrained by a Chicago Police officer and severely injured in the process. I want the facts and your team." She turns to Voight, "had the best advantage point of what happened."
"I expect the amendments by the end of the day. Is that understood?" She looks around the room and all nod in agreement. "Good." As she leaves the bullpen.