The burning sensation that you feel when the bullet inserts your body is unique… Not in a good way though… You fall onto the floor, gasping for air, attending the last minutes of your life, and what for? Just because you are a gentleman, a man with a huge heart. You don't want to die; you are too young to die… You pray that someone is going to find you soon, you pray and pray until the darkness overcomes you until you are deep into another world, a world with no pain, no feelings, no emotions… The world of forever.

Those thoughts crossed Jay Halstead's mind as he collapsed on the ground of the old warehouse, he was currently in. He could have easily stayed with Hailey when she found him, instead, he felt the need to help the woman who was with him, Angela, the one who just put a bullet in his chest. If only he listened to Hailey for once…

Suddenly, various voices could be heard in the room. Hers, his Sergeant's, two males, probably Adam and Kevin, two females, Kim and Vanessa, everyone had gathered to attend his death, each member of his family. Everyone except Will. What was going to happen to his brother after he was gone? They didn't have a father, not anymore, they didn't have a mother, they didn't have anyone to look after him. He couldn't just leave like this, not without a proper goodbye to his own flesh and blood.

After the sound, some images, blurry figures came into his view. Hailey was above him, pressing his wound, Voight a couple of meters away calling for an ambulance, two strangers a man and a woman calling his name, talking random unknown words. Minutes later, he felt his body being lifted and placed on something firm, yet softer than the cold hard ground he was laying earlier. In addition, a thing was put on his face, covering his nose and mouth but giving him the air he needed. Immediately he felt better, not healthy but better.

He was being lifted now and moved with his partner still by his side and his team comforting him. The sun… Oh, the sun blinded him as the sky uncovered itself slowly in his eyes. The clouds were in shapes, so small and the birds… Who was he kidding, there were hardly any birds in Chicago. His ride came to a stop quickly and now he was looking at a ceiling, a silver ceiling as well as the same woman from downstairs. It was time to surrender into darkness, finally, he was safe enough to do it.

The next time his eyes slashed opened the number of voices that were echoed in his ears had been doubled, however, he was annoyed by a constant beeping. Having no clue where it came from, he decided to check it out. It's was impossible to move, something kept him down, someone.

"Jay, I'm here." Will… That was Will, he knew it the time the warmth of his brother's hand touched his. "Don't leave me bro, please, fight it."

Of course, he wouldn't go without a battle. He was a soldier, after all, he was born to fight. It was so difficult though to keep his eyes open, to keep his mind straight, every time he would try and talk his mouth wouldn't just move and the world would just disappear more and more.

"Of course Natalie and I broke up but it's for the best, I mean out relationship was kinda toxic the past few months. Anyway, you are my priority now, I'll dedicate my whole day to you until you are able to get on your feet. Oh man you have no idea, how much you scared me, for a moment I thought I was going to lose you."

Will's voice again. This time more clearly.

"Shut up." He spoke, yes he did, it wasn't in his imagination, actual words were spread through the air. It didn't matter if half of his face was still blocked by this hideous mask they had placed

"Jay, can you hear me?"

Nodding, he opened his eyes looking at the smiley expression of his brother. "Where am I?"

"You're in recovery, you got out of surgery a while ago, do you remember what happened?"

"I was shot, where's is Hailey?"

"Outside, waiting for your butt to wake up."

Cracking a small smile, he blinked. He was alive and nobody could prove the opposite.

"I'm going to call Crockett, let him know you are awake, then we can transfer you to the ICU."

"ICU?"

"Sorry buddy, you need full time medical attention."

"Okay."

The soreness on his left shoulder combined with the high dose of drugs pushed him hard into the darkness again, however, he resisted as much as he could, at least until his doctor arrived in order to examine him.

Soon, he was transferred into a spacious room in the ICU with the oxygen mask removed, having been replaced by a cannula, exactly opposite to its waiting room, the same waiting room he and his team were when Hank announced them Olinsky's death. That was the moment he realized how lucky he'd been, how life gave him a second chance that neither Al, Jules, and his dad had. With Will always by his side, he felt secure, ready to face any challenge from now on. If only Hailey was there… There she was, his dreams finally came true. But she wasn't alone, a man in a police uniform was walking next to her. Crawford… Seriously, he could have waited till he was energetic enough to speak to him and explain himself.

"Detective Halstead." He exclaimed inserting the room, approaching the bed, stopping at the lower edge of it.

Jay wanted to be respectful despite his condition, he was taught in the army that people in higher places deserved a special greet, not only because they were important but all for the fact that they gained their positions by trying and fighting for them. Thus, he tried to sit up, however with no success as his incision site started to ache.

"No, don't. You need to rest." The superintendent of Chicago PD said. "I came by to check on you. When they told us that you were shot, we got really worried."

"I bet you were." Jay thought to himself.

"If you need anything and with that I mean anything, just give me a call."

"Thank you."

Crawford had a strange personality… No one really could understand him. A few weeks ago, all he wanted was to blame him for the death of Marcus West and now he wanted to help him. Maybe he felt remorse after his facial recognition program failed to identify the correct suspect. Who knew? Jay didn't preoccupy himself with that for long. Hailey was there and he had to talk to her, to assure her that they would be partners for many many years.

"Will, can you go home and bring me my charger? I am going to need it." Alright, that was a clear excuse so the two of them could stay alone. As long as Will was absent, he could spend some alone time with her.

"I was so worried, don't ever do that again." She yelled punching gently on the non-injured shoulder. I thought you were going to die…"

"I'm sorry about that, I'll be more careful next time." He joked.

"If there is a next time, I'll kill you with my own bare hands. How do you feel?"

"Like I was asleep for a year." Another joke to break the ice.

Jay was aware of the fact that she wasn't going anywhere despite all his stupid actions and bad jokes. He knew that either Hailey or Will and maybe even Hank Voight would have his back whenever it was needed. And he felt safe in their arms.

Another chapter, one more adventure. I hope you enjoy this one, it's a different version of Mercy, from Jay's perspective. Stay safe, love you all!

~The Fourth Bionic~