Intimate Violence

After a busy week full of action, tons of cases and a lot of paperwork, Intelligence's members grabbed a chance to relax and stay home until late in the morning. Starting your job at 8 am, it's always exhausting especially if you had spent the night at Molly's drinking your guts out. For one of them, however, the day wasn't going to be as it was planted. The constant knocking at his door, brought him back to his senses, after a good night's sleep. Maybe for the first time in months. At first, ignoring it seemed the best option but after five minutes, he concluded that it was a terrible idea. Getting up slowly, rubbing his eyes and wearing a light blue T-shirt that was thrown into a chair a couple of meters away from the bed, he walked all the way to the door, opening it.

"What did it took you so long?" A pissed off Hailey Upton was standing in front of him, her hands crossed in the chest.

"Why did you wake me up?" Leaving a yawning, he motioned for her to march inside.

"You have a doctor's appointment in an hour…" She said serving herself a cup of coffee probably made by Will while she sat on the kitchen's table.

"I know." He simply replied.

"Why are you still in your underwear?"

"Oh I am not going…" Cracking a smile he joined her on the kitchen table.

"You do realize it's not optional…"

"Hailey, I feel fine. Really. The meds are working and my shoulder feels alright, I can do my job, nothing's gonna stop me now."

One the one hand, she understood his fear and pain. The man loved his job more than anything, he couldn't afford to stay at desk duty or to lose it due to an unfortunate moment. Besides that, Jay had a terrible phobia of needles which considered ridiculous as he was a soldier in the past. On the other hand, though, this appointment was essential for his health. She cared about him, she wouldn't want to see him in danger ever again.

As soon as she finished drinking her coffee, she walked all the way to his bedroom and to the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt.

"What are you doing?" Jay asked having reached the room few minutes after her.

"I'm getting you ready for Med."

"I said I won't go alright?"

Being unable to keep her temper anymore, all she did was throw the clothes on the bed and walk away towards the exit without leaving any time frame for him to react.

They say that music helps people relax, forget their problems for a moment and get lost in the sound and the deeper meaning of each song. Some people cannot live without music, Hailey included. The light melody of "Flares" played in her ears, taking away the tears that threaten to fall. She didn't like dumping Jay, man she loved Jay. But his childish attitude and his risky behavior were repealing to her sometimes. Therefore, she never told him she loved him back at the hospital. The breeze from outside slapped her face when the car's door opened, revealing a male figure.

"I am scared okay?"

Cracking a smile, she "invited" him in.

"I am terrified of everything. Doctors, nurses, needles, tests… Ever since the shooting I had over three doctors bother me every hour. First, it was Marcel… The guy wouldn't leave me alone for a sec, then that lady… I don't remember her name, running tests all over my body, even in inappropriate places, do you have any idea how much that sucks? And last but not least, my brother constantly checking me if I am comfortable enough… All those appointments I went with Will the previous weeks ended up with me almost passing out. I don't want this to happen again, I know I am strong enough to return to full duty… like real duty, catching criminals, jumping off cars, getting shots with the long gun." Jay finished his speech with a deep breath, as he ground his palms so the cold would go away.

"Jay, I know how you're feeling. No, I've never gotten shot but seeing you struggling with all these emotions, I can't help but feel empathy. I am aware that you want to be the best cop in Chicago but your health comes first and you have to deal with the pain, both physical and emotional. The medical staff is here to help you, not to torture you, everyone cares about you, I care about you."

In the hearing of her sweet words, Jay grabbed her hand gently, holding it like it provided him all the energy of the world.

"Thanks… For being here… I don't know what I would have done without your support."

"Hey…" She grabbed his chin lifting it slowly. "As I said before, if I had to follow someone blind, I'd follow you… Even in your darkest times. I'll be there when you get injured again."

"Hey… That's…"

"We all know that you will get hurt again sometime. You are Jay Halstead; you can't help it."

Hailey's words comforted him a bit, not enough for him to calm down completely, but it was a salvation in this whole mess.

Despite being ten minutes late to his date and lectured by his older brother, he stepped into the doctor's office confidently, breathing through his nose.

"Come on, take a seat detective."

The black chair located in front of the desk, was a bit uncomfortable, making Jay shifting positions in order to settle himself.

"Soo, this is our first meeting."

Jay nodded. "Dr. Marcel used to examine me or you know my brother."

"Right, Will Halstead, so before we start the examination process, I want you to describe me exactly what happened, how you got shot."

Even though he wanted to escape from the memories, he couldn't help but recollect all of them. Of course, he didn't mention anything about Marcus or Angela, only how the bullet grazed his artery. However, that triggered his anxiety again and before he stood up walking to the examination room, his whole body shook.

The pain both physical and emotional was always there to remind him how he almost died that day but he never admitted it to the medical expert even it was obvious from the grin on his face and his denial when he was asked if there were any psychological issues. Moreover, relisting all his previous injuries didn't help at all. The irritation on him was visible.

All of these feelings vanished as soon as he faced his partner waiting for him outside. He knew he would be alright with her by his side, they were always good together!

Hello, there loves, I am back! I've been so busy this time but I am here with a new Upstead chapter! I hope you like this one! Sooo you can write in the comments which episode you would like to see some scenes from! Stay safe, love you all! 3

~The Fourth Bionic~