Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the OneChicago world

Day 7 prompt – "You're an idiot." "But you love me."

Another drabble for Upstead Appreciation Week. I have totally loved writing these one - shots! I'm looking to write more and would love to know if you have any requests. if so pop me a message or find me on Tumbler (Lady_RhaeSnow).


"You're an idiot." "But you love me."

"5021 George. You're …" the dispatcher started and then stopped.

Jay looked up from the pages he'd been scouring over the hood of his truck with Voight and Adam.

"Uh… 10- 22 that 5021 George," the dispatcher continued uncertainly, over the radio.

"Okay," Jay said slowly frowning. He shook his head and turned back to his team. "Found anything in the house?" he asked Adam.

Adam shook his head. "Just the basics, they left in a hurry though. Cars still parked out back so however they ducked out of here, it wasn't in that." He looked up to the house to see Kevin rushing out to them.

"Found a laptop. Not much on it. Looks like it's been scrubbed clean." He told them placing the laptop atop the hood of Jay's truck. "Money's all gone too."

"Right, let's get it back to the – "

Their radio's blurred again. The static coming across more clearly now that they were all paying attention.

"5021 George," the dispatcher called again, sounding no less hesitant than the first time. "You're needed at Med, 5021 George." There was more static and shuffling and they waited, anxiously for more information. "10-18 at Med, 5021 George," The dispatcher said.

Jay froze, his eyes wide as he tried to register the words. He grasped his radio in his trembling hand. "Dispatch, repeat that."

A minute later it blared to life again.

"Halstead!" A familiar voice screamed at him.

"Brett?"

"Why haven't you been answering your phone?" She snapped but didn't give him a chance to answer. "Get your ass to Med now! We're five minutes out," Brett barked at him.

"A-are you sure?" he asked and a moment later it was a completely different voice screaming at him from over the radio. The last time it had been Braxton hicks and Hailey had been left feeling tired and completely frustrated. Her hesitancy to declare on anything more until she was absolutely certain was what gave Jay pause. He hadn't heard a word from her about anything remotely close to contractions all morning. In fact, he hadn't heard from her all morning. It threw him for a loop. He pulled his phone from his pocket to see the twenty missed calls.

"Shit!" He grabbed his radio again, Voight and the others listening. "Brett!" He called, "Is she okay? I didn't -"

"Halstead!" He winced. His heart twisting as he could hear the panic in Hailey's voice. "You promised I wouldn't do this alone," she almost sobbed.

Immediately Jay softened. "And you won't."

"Then hurry the hell up!" She ordered. She obviously still clutched the radio in her hand as he heard its jumbled movements and Hailey's deep breathing for a low groan came across. "Jay!"

"I'm coming!" he immediately promised. "You're not alone. Hails. Just do what Sylvie tells you and I'll meet you at Med. I promise."

He was already tracking his way towards the driver's side of his truck. Before remembering his sergeant and team. Not to mention the whole active crime scene still behind him. He was certain his unit and the officers close by had heard most of that radio call.

"Go! Now!" Voight gruffly ordered. "We'll handle it from here."

He nodded, throwing down the radio onto the passenger seat. Jay had just started the ignition when Voight came up to him. Jay knew he must have looked all kinds of panicked and scared.

But Voight was almost smiling at him, "We've got you a clear escort to Med. I'm real proud of you kid. Now go!"

It felt borderline almost like fatherly validation and it gave Jay the last bit of courage he needed. Kevin barely had the time to pull the laptop off the front hood before Jay was reversing from the crime scene. Tires screeching as he raced down the street towards Gaffney.

"Does someone want to tell him?" Adam asked amused as they watched their friend race off.

"Let's leave that to his wife to deal with," Voight said looking more amused than he sounded.

Jay was only vaguely aware of the police car in front of him before he pressed down on the accelerator, demanding his beloved truck go faster.

The radio blared again. He quickly reached for it.

"Jay?" she sounded scared this time.

"Hails," he breathed grasping the radio tightly. "I'm almost there babe." He wasn't really. Annoyingly, the crime scene had been on the other side of town. Some fair distance from Gaffney.

"Jay you have to hurry. They're saying she might be in distress," Hailey huffed. Her voice broke off with the rickety connection.

"Hailey!" Jay called. "Hailey! Shit!" he cried frustratedly. He took a sharp turn, tires screeching again and he was certain the police car was now behind him. He tried the radio again. "Hailey?"

"Jay," she said again, this time sounding only a little clearer. "We're gonna be fine," she told him. "I promise." He had never been more certain of his love for that woman than in that moment. She was assuring him, despite all her fears and pain, she was assuring him that she – that they – would be okay. Because Hailey knew Jay couldn't bear to lose her, to lose either of them. She knew this because she understood this fear. It was her fear too. Jay was everything to her and no part of her could bear to lose either of them. "We're gonna be fine," she said again. "Just get here, safely," she emphasized. "We'll be waiting."

It was all white noise as he raced the remaining few blocks to the hospital. He threw the truck into park outside the hospital, jumping from the cab as he rushed towards the ED doors. As he stepped inside, he barely acknowledged the perplexed looks he was getting. Thankfully, Will was already on the other side, waiting for him.

"What?" Jay snapped when he noticed his brother giving him the same confused look. "Is she okay?" he asked a second later. "She mentioned something about the baby being in distress."

"She's fine! They both are," Will quickly assured him. "Her BP is a little higher than we would like and it's sending the baby into some distress but we've got her," Will explained placing a calming hand on Jay's shoulder. "This way," he said guiding his little brother through the hospital. "We're monitoring them both closely. It's going to be fine, Jay."

In another room, with two other nurses, his wife laid in a hospital bed. Sylvie Brett stood on the other side murmuring to her. When Sylvie saw him, Jay could see the relief flood her. She leaned in a little closer to Hailey and the next moment, Jay was looking back at Hailey's brilliant blue eyes. Even across the room, Jay could read the fear in her eyes. She reached out a hand to him, immediately.

"Jay," she gasped and he was at her side in an instant. "W-what the hell are you wearing?"

Jay paused looking down confused and then he took it all in. Top to bottom Jay was all decked out in his tactical gear. From the Kevlar vest to the tactical belt still loaded with all his gear, even down to that damn thigh holster. He had a cut across his one bicep where an offender had gotten too close for comfort and dust and dirt-smudged a little on his cheeks. If she weren't in such pain, Hailey might have the mind to swoon because damn her husband did cut a fine picture.

"Tactical gear! Really, Jay?" she asked gritting her teeth as another painful contraction hit.

"You said to hurry!" he argued weakly. He felt so helpless watching as Hailey squeezed her eyes shut groaning in pain. Without thinking it any further he grasped her hand in his. Almost immediately Hailey clenched down on his hand. He winced but smartly said nothing.

When he looked down at her, he could see the fine sheen of sweat and the fear in her eyes. "It's going to be okay, Hails. I'm here now. I'm sorry I missed your calls, but I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

Hailey nodded, and Jay leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"Have you given her anything?" Jay asked looking between Will and Sylvie.

"Nat offered her some of the good stuff, but she said she didn't want it," Will said smiling. He honestly wasn't surprised.

"Hails," Jay sighed, "Why didn't you take it?" he asked worriedly.

"I – ugh," she groaned squeezing down on his hand again.

"I think she was waiting for you," Will offered and Hailey glared at him.

"I don't need it. I'm fine. We're fine," She huffed out.

"Can't you give it to her now?" Jay asked his brother. He hated seeing Hailey in pain.

Will shook his head. "It's too late now."

"I don't need it," Hailey said clearly exhausted. "It's okay Jay. I don't need it, 'cause you're here now," she mumbled the last part.

"I'm here now," Jay repeated pushing back the hair that stuck to her forehead. He pressed a kiss there, lingering for a moment as Hailey squeezed his hand once more.

Sylvie moved aside but not before Jay caught her glance and nodded his thanks. He looked back at his wife wondering how long she had been in labour before calling him. It had been literal radio silence from her all day until it came across the radio.

"You were busy," she whispered almost like she was reading his mind. "I called the station but Trudy said you were out in the field and I didn't – couldn't interrupt."

"Hailey," he breathed.

"No, you don't understand," she said, reaching for him. Her fingers grasping as best they could the rough material of the Kevlar. "I couldn't interrupt because you needed to focus. The team needed you more than I did then. I was fine."

He scoffed. "You don't look fine!"

"But I was!" she insisted. "I called Sylvie and she sat with me until we absolutely had to leave. And then - " she sounded like she was sobbing a little, "I tried calling, but it went to voicemail. I figured you were busy."

"Never too busy for this!" Jay protested.

"I told her the same thing," Sylvie said. "And when we couldn't reach you or anyone at Intelligence, we tried the next best thing."

"The dispatcher…" Jay trailed off now piecing it all together.

Sylvie nodded, smiling at them as she stepped out of the room to give them some privacy. The nurses had long disappeared too.

It was just them now. "Hailey, I understand why you thought that but please you have to know… nothing is ever going to be as important at the two of you," he whispered, his one hand trailing to the swell of her belly.

She nodded, breathing in deeply. "I'm glad you're here now."

Jay smiled. "I promised, didn't I?"

Hailey smiled too, "Yeah, didn't quite imagine it like this though." She was pointedly looking at his tac gear. She chuckled softly.

"What?"

"Talk about coming in guns blazing," Hailey murmured. "You could have changed. You know how they hate dirt in places like this," she joked wincing in pain at the end.

"Hailey you're in labour," Jay needlessly pointed out. "I think I'll be forgiven by Gaffney this one time for tracking in god knows what into their hospital."

Hailey chortled, "You're an idiot, you know?"

Jay laughed, leaning in closer, "Yeah, but you love me."

"I do, so much," she said. Jay kissed her, his thumb grazing her jaw soothingly. He felt her sigh against his lips.

"Hey," he said tipped her chin up so he could look into those sparkling blue eyes he loved so much. "I love you." They shone a little better now that they weren't completely laced in fear.

"Uhm… detective?" A voice called hesitantly. Jay scowled at having their near-perfect moment interrupted. A small nervous-looking intern stood there looking just as regretful for interrupting them as Jay had felt. "Y-you uh can't be in here with all that on," he said motioning to all of Jay, "It's hospital rules."

"Are you seriously going to kick my husband out?" Hailey asked glaring at the poor boy. The young doctor paled looking between the glaring mom to be and the intimidating-looking husband. "Are you gonna throw him out?" she challenged.

The intern gulped. "No… well, I …." He stuttered on.

Jay looked outside their room, to where his brother, Sylvie and some of the hospital staff were standing, looking at them. Judging from the slightly amused look on his brother's face, the intern had drawn the short straw. No one wanted to be the one to tell Jay Halstead he had to leave right now.

"No one is going to throw me out," Jay quickly assured her. He turned back to the quaking intern. "I'm not leaving."

"But sir -"

"Like my wife said, are you gonna throw me out?" he asked raising a brow.

"No, but you can't … "

"No one is throwing you out, Jay," Will said coming to the rescue of the young doctor, "but you do need to get rid of some of that stuff. You're scaring some of the other patients," Will offered with a little laugh. "And you definitely can't be wearing all that when your daughter is born." Jay nodded reluctantly. He hadn't thought about anything but getting to Hailey and their baby in time. "Come on, you can store some of that in my locker until someone from your team pitches up. I might have a clean shirt for you too."

"No Jay!" Hailey panicked, grasping his hand. "Don't leave."

"I'll be right back, babe," he said softly. "I'm gonna take off some of this stuff and I'll be right back. Two minutes. I swear."

Hailey looked visibly anxious but nodded. Jay pressed another kiss to her lips as he back away. Thankfully Sylvie was there again, trying her best to comfort Hailey.

Will took him to the doctor's lounge, which was blessedly empty. In quick, fluid movements, Jay stripped of his vest and tactical belt, thigh Holster and badge too. He hesitated only for a moment before handing it off to his brother.

"Don't worry, I've got the only key. It will be safe there," Will assured him. Jay only nodded and Will gestured the gash on his arm. "How bad is that?"

"Just a scratch," Jay waved him off, though Will could clearly see the nerves in his little brother. He handed Jay a clean t-shirt – one that wasn't covered in dust and gravel and other things clean hospitals hated.

Will cast him an almost knowing smile. "Nervous?"

"Terrified," Jay admitted.

"You'll do just fine." They walked back to Hailey's room. Jay was a ball of nerves and he had done his best not to let it show in front of Hailey. She was already so worried and in so much pain, he didn't want it to be another thing for her to worry about.

But quite suddenly, the weight of everything came crashing down on him. He exhaled sharply, looking at his brother. "It's just …" Jay shook his head, "I don't know. This suddenly feels very real and I … never imagined myself here. What if I'm terrible at it?"

Will stopped walking, grabbing his brother by the shoulder, "There is no chance of that. I might not have been the best brother or son but Jay you've always been there. You deserve this family more than anyone I know. Hailey knows it too." He looked at his little brother, squeezing his shoulder in silent comfort.

"I just want to do right by her. By them both," Jay admitted quietly.

"And you will. You already have," Will told him. "Believe me, no one doubts how much you love them and what you're willing to do for them." He gave his brother one last comforting squeeze and then said, "Now breathe and get back in there."

Jay exhaled, calming his nerves and entered the room again. This time to find his wife in the middle of another contraction, grasping the sheets and Sylvie's poor hand until her knuckles turned white.

"Jay!" she cried through grit teeth. "This is your fault!" she cried tiredly as she fell back against the pillows. She let go of the sheets, taking his hand eagerly. "What took you so long?"

"Uhm… Will was talking some sense into me," he said truthfully. He didn't need to explain further. She knew. Hailey always knew. "I don't – can't mess this up," he admitted quietly to her.

Hailey looked at him, her tear-filled blue eyes softening as he gentled stroked her cheek. "You won't." She shifted kissing him as best she could on the lips. "You're still an idiot sometimes," she whispered. Jay was certain he heard those around him chuckling. "But I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else."

"You're gonna be fine," he said more to himself than her. Hailey reached for him, her fingers shakily caressing his cheek. "I just … I don't like hospitals, Hailey," he voiced quietly.

"I know. But it's okay," she told him sounding firmer than she had since his arrival. "We're gonna be okay."

"Alright you two, Nat's on her way down," Will said emerging at the door with a grin on his face. "Let's get this show on the road. I would like to meet my niece."

"Will, she's gonna be okay, right?" Hailey asked her brother-in-law, not bothering to hide her worry now.

"We're gonna make sure you two are just fine," Will promised her. "We've got the best here."

He looked up seeing the signal from the nurse and nodded to Jay. "Time to go."

Despite the fear and worry, there was plenty of excitement to finally meet the one little person they had been so eagerly preparing for these last few months, and perhaps unknowingly even longer.


"Hey you guys," Will greeted softly peeking his head into the quiet room. "Up for some visitors?"

Hailey sighed happily. "Of course."

He grinned, opening the door a little more and quite excitedly, their team came in. Voight, Adam, Kim, Kevin and even Trudy. Hailey settled a little more comfortably against the pillows, smiling tiredly at them all. Sylvie had been called back to work but she promised to drop by to see the newest Halstead as soon as she could.

"Now there's a sight for you, darlin'," Adam said grinning at Hailey.

Hailey had to agree with Adam. It was indeed such a sight. Jay swayed gently with their daughter in his arms, not even bothered by their guests. He was whispering to her, as he had been doing for a while now. He was completely besotted and Hailey didn't blame him one little bit.

"That's a good look for you man," Kevin said finally gaining his attention.

Jay grinned, unbridled happiness shining in his eyes. "Hey guys, we'd like you to meet someone," he said coming closer to Hailey. Jay took a seat on the bed beside her and Kim, shuffled closer to take a look. At that moment, the little babe blinked her eyes open just for a second but it was enough.

"Oh Hailey, she's got your eyes," Kim gushed. "She's perfect."

"She is," Hailey said beaming proudly. She gently placed her hand on her baby's cheek, loving the soft warm feel beneath her fingertips. When her hand slipped down, Jay caught it and brought it to hold against the baby blankets.

"So what absurdly Irish name have you given her?" Will teased. "Or are we going Greek?"

They both laughed. "Well we couldn't settle on anything for a while but now I think we have it," Hailey said looking at Jay.

"Oh god, what have you done to her?" Adam joked. "Have mercy on the kid, man."

"Shut it," Jay laughed rolling his eyes. "We're keeping it simple." He looked down at his daughter once more and then at Hailey who nodded, still grinning. "Guys, meet Ella Grace Halstead."

"Oh," Kim gasped. "That's beautiful." She shuffled closer, peeking into the bundle Jay held so assuredly. "May I?"

Hailey was almost certain Jay would say no. It didn't seem like he wanted to give up holding her for even a second. But he did. Shifting the blanket and carefully transferring Ella into Kim's arms. As she was moved, Ella woke, crying out a little and quickly Kim shushed her. Kevin and Adam came around looking over her shoulder and the newest member of their family.

"Oh, you guys! You did good," she praised softly, bouncing ever so slightly. Ella threw out a hand and Adam brought his hand to hers, so she could grasp his finger in her tiny fist. Kim, with clear tears in her eyes, looked at him but he saw only Ella.

"You really did," Voight said coming up to them. "She's beautiful. Congrats you two."

"Thanks, Sarge," Hailey said smiling. She sighed, leaning into Jay a little more. He shifted wrapping an arm around her.

They heard sniffles in the quiet room and looked up to see Trudy eyeing their daughter with unshed tears in her eyes. Jay smiled. "You okay, Sarge?" he asked her.

She smiled, "Who would have thought, Chuckles?" She happily accepted when Kim gently handed her Ella. Trudy looked back at him and he was quite emotional at the clear pride he saw in her eyes. "You did good kid. You both did."

Will came up to them, as the others lavished Ella with attention. "Mum would be so proud," he told Jay quietly. He smiled, patted his brother on his back, "Dad too."

Jay exhaled, looking up at his brother. There was simply too much for either to say then, so they said nothing, knowing the other understood. Hailey squeezed his hand, silently, in support, as they turned back to their family.

"We have you all to thank," Hailey said softly. "Without any of you, we wouldn't be here right now."

"That's what family is for right?" Voight asked rhetorically.

Of course, he was right. This unit – this family had been through so much together, it was a true blessing that for once they got to celebrate the miracle of something so pure as a new life.

"Oh," Adam said digging into his pocket, "figured you might want this back, at least." He handed Jay his badge and Hailey could see the sheepish look on her husband's face. "Got the rest of your gear in the car. Real nice coming in here all geared up. You know it wasn't that kind of a mission right?"

"She was in labour!" Jay protested. "What was I supposed to do?"

They all laughed and Ella squealed with them, stealing the attention once more. Hailey pulled Jay a little closer.

"You were amazing, Hails," He whispered. "I love you."

Jay leaned down kissing her softly. When he pulled away, Hailey grasped his slightly bearded cheek. "I love you too."

When they looked back, it filled Hailey with unimaginable warmth. Never had she thought her family would look so big and wonderful. Both Jay and Hailey knew without a doubt, the miracle that was their family would be cherished and protected not just by them but those around them. Ella would be loved, and protected and safe, here amongst her family.

It was all they needed.


AN:

Please note that i googled the police codes and to the best of my knowledge they are correct. In some cities it may vary, but for the purpose of this fix:

10-18: Urgent Matter

10-22: Disregard

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Stay safe!