Thank you all for being patient with this story, A new job took some adjustments, demand on time.

Chicago Med:

Hailey paces around the small waiting room. The TV is on, the mid-day news talking about how many inches of snow to expect this afternoon. Three other families were waiting this morning but one by one, a surgeon came in, updated them and led them to their loved ones' rooms. So she is alone, unable to sit still, walking just down the hall from where the other surgeons came from and back to the waiting room, checking her phone every few minutes. She has received texts from the team, "Good luck today," "Let us know if you need anything" and "We'll be by after shift." She's thankful for the concern and support but right now all she wants to see is a familiar face. She sits down in a chair and rests her head in her hands, trying to be patient but the past two days replay in her head. Jay's coughing, although meant to help him, was just causing more pain making resting nearly impossible. The only positive was his fever was gone so he could now have the surgery to repair the diaphragm tear. She is lost in her head when the door swings open.

Hailey pops her head up and rises to her feet. "Will?"

Will greets her with a *Halstead smile* and glances at the TV. "Another five inches, on what, the seven we just got. Well at least it warmed up a bit so it can snow."

"Will!" a bit louder and more impatient. That get's his attention as he abruptly faces Hailey.

"How's Jay?" She asks. "You said the surgery would take two hours, it's been nearly four."

Her voice may be strong and confident but her face betrays her, tears filling her eyes.

"No word at all?" Will asks. Hailey shakes her head 'No.' Will's demeanor changes to determination. "I'll go find out."

He gets no more than three steps out of the waiting room when he sees Marcel walking towards him. Marcel removes his skull cap and tosses it in a linen bin before he makes eye contact and walks toward him. They exchange looks but Will can't decipher it. Marcel walks past Will into the waiting room and he follows.

Hailey is ready to burst, "How's Jay?" immediately as Marcel steps through the door. "What took so long? You said two hours! It's been nearly four! What's going on?" rapid firing Marcel with questions in his second and third steps. He holds up his hands to calm her. "NO! Don't give me that! I've been a cop for a long time. I know bad news when I see me what's going on!" As she rejects Marcel's attempt to calm her.

"Hailey, Jay is OK. He's in recovery. You can see him in a few minutes." in his calming voice.

She releases the breath she was holding, letting Marcel's words sink in.

Will looks between Hailey and Marcel, "But?"

"The surgery went long because I wanted an x-ray just before surgery; the forceful coughing of the last day or so caused his broken rib to displace slightly and felt it best to stabilize it with a small plate to reduce his pain and promote healing."

Will listens, "Thank You."

Hailey offers an apology. "I'm sorry. I know you're only doing what's best for him. I'm sorry I snapped at you." Marcel nods his understanding. "And Thank you." She adds her voice filled with emotion.

"Of course." Marcel replies. "Want to see him now?"

She looks at him and nods "Yes" afraid her tears will fall.

Jay's Room:

Jay is sound asleep, head of the bed slightly raised, the Nurse is replacing the oxygen mask for a nasal cannula and the wheezing that has accompanied his breathing for the last couple of days is not present. The Nurse looks up and sees Hailey, she smiles as she leaves the room. The swelling on his left cheekbone all but gone but replaced with dark bruising. His right wrist still splinted and placed over his right hip with a pillow under his elbow to support his shoulder. He is not wearing a gown but the sheet and blanket are pulled up to mid-chest. The bandages are not visible. This is the Jay she has been waiting to see for days. He looks as if he is sleeping in their bed, so peaceful. She is brought to the present when Marcel speaks.

"He was awake for a bit after surgery, longer actually than I expected but he needs rest. The incisions are small but still need to be looked after for signs of infection. He's on a post-op antibiotic and we're managing his pain. He still has the costochondral separation and with the surgery today, pain will be his new enemy." He walks over the head of the bed and looks over the monitors. He places his stethoscope on Jay's chest and listens to a few places, removing himself and turns to Will and smiles. "He sounds and looks good. I'm going to leave you two, he might wake up, let me know if you need anything." He looks at both Hailey and Will, both relief and concern on their faces. "He's doing very well" with a Marcel smile as he leaves the room.

Will and Hailey exchange looks almost waiting for someone to make the first move. Hailey does as she pulls a chair close to Jay's bed-side, a place she has occupied for the last couple of days. Will can't help himself and looks over Jay's monitors and listens to Jay breath for himself.

"Will you stop that."

They are both startled by Jay's rough sleepy voice.

"You're not sleeping at all, listening to everything being said and no Jay I can't, I'm a Doctor." Will replies playfully.

"Please."

Will and Hailey are both concerned to hear Jay's plea.

"Is there something wrong?" Hailey asks.

"Are you in pain?" Will adds.

Jay slightly frowns and slowly opens his eyes. He finds Hailey then Will, "Tired of being here."

Will chuckles. "Well that didn't take long at all." He and Hailey both relax.

Hailey rubs Jay's arm and he looks to her fighting to keep his eyes open.

"Go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Will and Hailey both smile. Will whispers, "I'm going to grab something from the cafe, the usual?" He asks. Hailey nods knowing that if she says she doesn't want anything he'll come back with something anyways. Will nods and smiles as he leaves the room.

Hailey whispers to Jay, "He's stubborn like someone else I know." Jay is sleeping soundly. She takes out her phone and sends a text to update the team, just before he presses send she hears a quiet snore from Jay. She quietly laughs then whispers "Yeah you're doing very well."