Timeline: Post Season 7

Completed: Mar. 31, 2020

DISCLAIMER: Was written before COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic.

"Jay, is everything alright?" Hailey asks her partner and boyfriend.

"Yeah, why?" Jay responds.

"You never showed up last night. Everyone was wondering where you were. I just want to make sure that nothing got triggered during our last case," Hailey tells him quietly.

"No, nothing was triggered. The case just gave me a headache, so I went home and crashed early."

Hearing this, Hailey takes a good look at Jay, noting that he does look tired. "Did you sleep okay?" she questions.

"Wasn't terrible."

"How's your head now? Do you want Advil?"

Jay doesn't answer right away, giving Hailey the answer she needed. She pulls the bottle out of her desk and hands him two pills. "Thanks," he mutters.

Their day is busy chasing leads on a triple homicide. Voight sends the two detectives to talk with the roommate of the second victim.

"You want to drive?" Jay asks.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Hailey responds with her own question, knowing that he hates being in the passenger seat.

"Yeah, I think the Advil is wearing off."

"I can go back and get you more before we leave," Hailey offers.

"No, I'm okay," Jay insists.

The drive to the victim's home should be short but was made longer due to the city traffic. When they arrive at the apartment complex, they easily find their way to the correct apartment.

Jay takes the lead of asking the roommate questions. Hailey notices that while Jay is asking the questions, he is clearing his throat quite a lot.

Getting some answers out of the roommate, the two leave to see what the others got from the roommates of the other two victims.

Jay once again takes the passenger seat.

The ride back to the precinct was quiet. Hailey periodically looking over to the passenger seat to find Jay either spacing out or snapping his attention back when he realized he was spacing. "Jay, close your eyes, I'll wake you when we're back at the district."

Jay opens his mouth to argue but stops when Hailey gives him a look while at a stop sign. Jay sighs, reclining the seat some and closes his eyes.

Hailey tries to make the rest of the ride as smooth as she can, so she doesn't wake the light sleeper.

Jay stirs when she parks the car at the district, "Jay, we're here," she tells him.

"Do you think the others got anything?" he yawns as they get out of the car.

"Hopefully they got more than us," Hailey answers as the two walk side-by-side into the district. Hailey enters her code to let them into the intelligence bullpen, to find that they are the last to arrive back.

The team discusses their finding trying to find a common denominator between their victims or if they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

After hours of looking at evidence and different angles, Jay comes up with a theory. "This might be a stretch, but all three victims were in the foster system growing up. And they all went through the Lawson house at some point."

"Good eye, Jay," Voight tells him. "Call it a night and get back here early tomorrow," Voight tells them as he looks at the clock and realizes how late it is.

While everyone is packing up, Ruzek is unsuccessfully trying to convince them to join him at Molly's.

On the way out to the cars, Hailey pulls Jay along to her car, "Come on, I don't trust you driving right now."

"I'm fine," Jay yawns.

"No, you look like you're going to fall asleep standing up," Hailey argues.

Jay knows this is a losing battle, so he gets into her car without an argument. Jay closes his eyes until he hears Hailey ask what he wanted for dinner, "You pick, I'm not hungry."

"Are you feeling okay?" she questions

"I'm fine. Just tired," he tells her, hoping that she will believe him.

"Okay," she answers not completely believing him, but also not wanting to start a fight.

Not five minutes after she pulls out of the parking lot, does she look over at Jay and sees that he's fallen asleep, leaning against the door.

Deciding on Chinese Hailey pulls up to their favorite takeout place. Seeing that he's still out, she places a hand on his forehead and moves to his cheek. He doesn't feel normal, nor does he feel warm. She makes a mental note to keep an eye on his temperature. Hailey carefully gets out of the car as to not wake him.

Inside she orders her usual and gets Jay wonton soup hoping that it would be easy on his throat, thinking back to how he kept clearing his throat throughout the day.

Once she has their food, she sees that he's still sleeping when she gets back to the car. Carefully she puts the food in the backseat and gets back into the car, trying not to wake him. The ride back to his apartment is silent.

At the parking garage of his apartment complex, Hailey goes to gently shake Jay awake, "Jay, wake up babe."

"Mmh, we're home?" Jay mumbled, noticing they were in the parking garage.

"Yeah, you fell asleep almost as soon as we were out of the parking lot at the district. I got us Chinese. I know you said you weren't hungry, but I got you some soup. Do you think you can try to eat some?" Hailey asks while caressing his face. Jay just makes a noncommittal noise. "Come on, let's just get upstairs, okay?"

The two go up to his apartment, Hailey carrying their food.

Once in his apartment Hailey pushes Jay to the couch, telling him that she will be out with their food in a minute.

Hailey goes into the kitchen to get their food and returns a minute later. They eat their dinner while watching the highlights of the Blackhawks game.

When they are finished, Hailey puts the plates in the sink before returning to Jay on the couch. He is now laying down watching the game.

Hailey moves him so his head is resting on her lap. She puts her hand under the bottom of his shirt, rubbing his back.

"Jay?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you feeling okay? You sound like you have a sore throat," Hailey comments concerned.

"I'm just tired and the case is giving me a headache."

"Why don't you go to bed?" Hailey suggests.

"Are you coming too?" He asks.

"In a minute, I'm just going to clean up the dishes."

"Okay." Jay goes into the bathroom to wash up before changing into sweats and a t-shirt and climbing into bed.

Hailey enters the bedroom a half an hour later expecting to see a sleeping Jay. She is surprised when she hears a sleepy "Hail."

"Ssh. Go back to sleep," she tells him while climbing into bed. With Jay on his back, Hailey cuddles into his side. Jay wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

Jay drifts to sleep quickly and Hailey follows soon after.

Hailey wakes up to the sun coming into his room the next morning still in Jay's arms. Looking up, she expects to see his green eyes watching her, as he is usually awake before her. She is surprised to see that he is still sound asleep, breathing softly.

Hailey carefully gets out of bed, trying not to disturb the sleeping body next to her. She goes into the kitchen to start the coffee maker before she goes to take a shower. After a quick shower, Hailey goes back to the kitchen and pours her first cup of coffee of the day.

As she is halfway through her coffee, she hears Jay's alarm going off. After a moment, she sees him making his way into the kitchen, still wearing the clothes that he slept in. "Morning, sleepyhead," she teases.

"Morning," he replies as he kisses her, his voice rough with sleep.

Looking Jay over as he grabs his own cup of coffee, she notices that he looks run down. When he turns back to her, she cups his face in her hand, "Are you feeling alright, Jay?" she asks, moving her hand to see if he has a fever. She continues, "You're usually up before me and you still look tired."

"I'm fine," Jay starts, voice cracking.

"Are you sure? You feel a little warm, but I can't tell if it's a fever. Do you have a thermometer?"

"No, and it's probably because I just woke up," Jay defends before going to his room to change. "Come on, we need to go or we're going to be late."

Hailey sighs and follows Jay out of his apartment

Arriving to the intelligence bullpen, Hailey and Jay see that the only other person missing is Kim.

When Kim rushes in less than three minutes later, Voight starts handing out assignments to his team. Since Jay was the one who came up with the theory, he and Hailey were stuck in the bullpen looking for any more connections and possible targets.

Hailey looks up to see Jay squinting at his computer. Hailey hands Jay two Advil, with the feeling that he is getting sick, but doesn't want to tell her.

Jay looks at her, thanking her with his eyes. His eyes are bright green and his cheeks are rosy, both a sure sign of the low-grade fever he's most likely running.

Luckily for Jay, the team is able to catch the killer and Voight has them spend the rest of the day filling out the paperwork.

Jay is showing signs that the Advil has worn off, his eyes now have a semi-glazed look, cheeks are still rosy, and he now has a thin layer of sweat across his forehead.

"Jay," Hailey whispers. "Go lay down, I'll do your paperwork."

Hailey is surprised when Jay agrees and goes into the breakroom to lay on the couch.

"Is Jay okay?" Vanessa asks when she notices the exchange.

"I think he's getting sick- not that he'd admit it," Hailey answers giving Vanessa a look meaning not to say anything to anyone else.

The team minus Jay works on the reports and manages to finish them fairly early. Voight lets them leave early, around six, since another case hasn't come in. "Be ready for tomorrow," Voight reminds them of the picnic between the first responders.

Hailey goes into the breakroom to wake Jay up. "You look like your fever is down," Hailey comments when he wakes up.

"I didn't have a fever," Jay argues, the congestion now clear in his voice.

"Your eyes were glazed, your cheeks were red, you were sweating, and now you sound congested. Do you have another explanation?" Hailey asks.

"It was hot in here," Jay defends weakly.

"Okay, let's just get out of here. This was a weird case."

The two walk out to the bullpen where the rest of the team is and Adam is being Adam.

"Anyone up for Molly's?" Ruzek questions. "This was a weird case; I need a drink."

The other officers of the team agree, but Hailey knows that the day is catching up with Jay. "I think Jay and I are going to pass," Hailey answers for the two of them.

"Sorry, Ruze," Jay apologizes.

"You two are like an old married couple," he complains as he follows the others out of the bullpen.

"What's up with Halstead?" Adam asks when the others grab seats at the table he grabbed.

"He's seemed out of it for a couple of days, don't you think?" Vanessa comments, wanting to see if anyone else noticed

"Maybe the case got to him?" Kevin guesses.

"He could be getting sick, you know his immune system isn't great," Kim replies.

"I still don't know if I believe that," Adam says.

"Adam!" Kim yells. "You've worked with him for how long? You know he gets sick a lot."

Hailey is surprised when Jay follows her to her car and she doesn't have to drag him. When settled in their respective seats, she turns to him, "How are you feeling? I think you're getting a cold."

"My head feels like a cotton ball," Jay admits.

"Okay, do you have any medicine at your place?" Hailey asks placing her hand on his cheek.

"Tylenol," Jay answers.

"Do you want me to stop on the way home to get some cold meds?" Hailey offers.

"No, I just want to go home."

"Okay, what about something to eat?"

"Not hungry."

"Jay, are you just not hungry, or is your stomach upset?" Hailey questions remembering that he wasn't hungry the previous night either and he skipped breakfast and worked through lunch.

"Just not hungry. Nothing tastes right."

"I'm sorry, let's get you home."

The ride is quiet and short. Once at Jay's building, the two make their way into his apartment and Hailey directs him to the couch again before going into the kitchen.

"Not hungry," Jay tells her.

"You haven't eaten today; you need something in your system. I'll make you something light," she promises. Jay falls asleep while she busies herself in his kitchen.

Hailey wakes him up when she is done fifteen minutes later, "'m sleeping," he groggily tells her.

"Jay, you need to eat. You can go back to sleep after," she tells him. When she gets him awake, she hands him a bowl and a plate, "Grilled cheese and tomato soup." Hailey has an identical dinner.

They eat in silence until Jay speaks, playing with his soup. "I'm sorry."

Hailey's brow furrows in confusion, "For what?" she asks softly.

"You're being nice and I'm just being an ass to you."

"Jay, it's okay to be a little grumpy when you don't feel well."

"I'm just used to dealing with things on my own."

"I know, but let me take care of you."

"It's just hard. No one has since I was a kid," Jay tells her, implying that the last person to do so was his mom.

"I know," she tells him while rubbing his back. "But I'm not going anywhere. Are you full?"

"Sorry."

"Don't be, I'm just glad you ate some. Do you want to lay here or go to bed?"

"Can we stay out here for a little longer?" Jay asks.

"Sure, I'm going to clean up the dishes. I'll be right back," Hailey promises.

Jay lays down on the couch while Hailey cleans up the kitchen. When she returns to Jay, she finds him shivering on the couch. Going to the closet, she grabs a blanket to throw over him. After making sure he is covered with the blanket, Hailey moves his head so he is resting on her lap. "How are you feeling? Honestly?" Hailey asks.

"Like I have the cold from Hell."

"Do you want me to go out and get some cold meds?"

"No, it's late. I'm fine."

"Jay, you would go for me," Hailey argues.

"No, Hailey. Please, I feel better laying with you."

"Okay, but I'm going to get you some tomorrow." Hailey decides.

Hailey turns on the television to an old episode of Supernatural, making sure the volume is low enough not to bother Jay.

"Hailey?" Jay asks.

"Yeah, babe?" Hailey answers looking to him.

"Never mind," Jay changes his mind, embarrassed.

"No. What is it?" she pushes.

"It's stupid."

"I promise, I won't think it's stupid," Hailey assures him while rubbing his back, hoping to coax it out of him.

"Can you keep doing that? It feels good," Jay whispers afraid of her reaction.

"Jay, that's not stupid. Don't be afraid to asks that, okay?"

Jay nods his head.

Hailey keeps rubbing Jay's back as she watches the rest of the show. The soothing motion puts Jay to sleep, by the time the first commercial comes on. Hailey looks down to find Jay asleep, his congested breathing evened out.

Hailey decides to let Jay sleep until the episode was before waking him to make him go to bed.

"Are you coming to bed too?" he asks when she wakes him an hour later.

"I am. Go take some Tylenol, you feel warm. I'll be in in a little bit," Hailey promises.

Jay listens to Hailey and by the time he is climbing into his bed, Hailey steps into his room. Hailey climbs into bed with him and he rests his head on her stomach. "Do you still feel like meeting with everyone tomorrow?" Hailey asks, referring to the first responders' picnic where they will be competing against each other, while she rubs his back.

"No, but I want to."

"We can play it by ear if you want." Hailey offers.

"No, I'll take some more Tylenol before going. We can't leave them short, don't want the firehouse to have bragging rights for a year," Jay tells her sleepily.

"Okay, go to sleep. Hopefully, you'll feel a little better in the morning," Hailey answers.

Jay falls into a restless sleep and Hailey watches him for a few minutes before falling asleep herself.

When Hailey wakes up, it's still dark in the room. Looking around, Hailey tries to figure out what woke her. Hailey figures it out when she hears coughing coming from the other person in bed. Hailey sits up and rubs his back trying to help him.

When that doesn't help, she gets up and goes to grab a glass of water for him. "Here, small sips," she instructs him.

Jay takes a drink which helps some, "Thanks," Jay sighs when he catches his breath.

"Are you sure that you don't want me to go out and get something?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay, try to go back to sleep," Hailey tells him while pulling him back to bed.

"No, I think I should sleep on the couch. I don't want to get you sick."

"No, I'm not kicking you out of your bed. You're sick, you shouldn't be sleeping on the couch. And you're contagious before you have symptoms. Come on, relax, and go back to sleep." Hailey pulls him to her and he rests his head on her. Exhausted, Jay falls back to sleep.

A/N: First thing that I want to address is that this was written before COVID-19. This is not a COVID-19 situation, it is just the cold from hell. And, actually about half of this chapter is taken from an unpublished Lindstead fic that I had on my computer; I have been writing on and off for about five years, but just had the courage to post last October. I think the original story that I wrote with Lindsay was from two years ago (I can't find the file now).

This is not over- U, V, & W are going to be connected.

Questions & Comments:

So, normally I would type out the actual comment, but there's a lot from two people so I'm just going to respond.

LostCause789:

-Chapter 10- I don't think that Sylvie know's Jay well enough to believe that him being attacked by a jellyfish is completely possible with his luck.

-Chapter 11- I think Will's ready to wrap Jay in bubble wrap.

-Chapter 12- Hailey wanted to, but someone has to be the adult is her reasoning.

-Chapter 13- I never liked Elsa either. She is so robotic to be in a helping profession.

-Chapter 16- I do my research, but don't take the information for advice.

nonna99:

-Chapter-16- Every once in a while there will be outbreaks, mostly due to more people choosing not to vaccinate their children.

-Chapter 17- Everyone needs support and Hailey and Will are Jay's.

-Chapter 18- While it is possible, it is very, very rare. It is more common that the person will get shingles instead.

Guest (July 22)- Chapter 20- I loved the chapter as always. But now I'm really really curious about what you would have written for "Trauma" and "Therapy". Any chance you might post those too? I love your writing and you capture the characters so well.

Response: Thank you. I try, but I think I could do better with some of the characters. And to answer your question, I may go back to "Trauma" and post that. As for "Therapy", I am more hesitant because with some topics (Ex: Mental Health), I want to do it justice and I don't know if I will be able to do that. I might put something similar into a chapter of "Rock Bottom" when I go back to that story.

KaraWalker2008- Chapter 20- I know we're a few chapters away and I'm not contradicting what great ideas I'm sure you already have, but for 'W' I was thinking whiskey because I've seen quite a lot in other fanfics that they mention that Jay had a problem with alcohol addiction and I was thinking that could be a decent start, so like something happens Jay feels guilty/is grieving and goes back to his old ways. It's really great so far :)

Response: I actually have 'W' connected to 'U' and 'V'. I would also want to make sure I would write that in a way where it is accurate as I have taken an elective for Substance Abuse and think. I would be overthinking it.

A/N 2: I hope it didn't seem weird that I noticed in the Chapter 19 A/N of a new name attached to a comment. But I do read all of your comments and start to recognize some names.

Again, I just research things- my field of education is in Social Work. Do not take this for medical advice.