Timeline: Post Season 7; Follows "U"; AU Pat Halstead is still alive

Completed: July 28, 2020

Disclaimer: Idea started before COVID-19

Hailey wakes up the next morning to Jay's congested snoring. She takes this as an opportunity to get a good look at Jay. In his sleep, he looks younger, like he doesn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Checking her phone, Hailey sees that it is only seven-thirty and decides to stay put knowing Jay is a light sleeper and needs the rest, having been up several times through the night. They lay there until Jay finally stirs at eight fifty

Jay groans.

"Morning," Hailey whispers. "How are you feeling?"

Jay sneezes in reply.

"That good?"

"'m fined."

"Do you want to skip the picnic today?"

"Doh. What tibe do we habe to leabe?"

"We have about an hour if we go straight to the park and forty minutes if we stop at a pharmacy to get you some meds first."

"Cad we get da meds on da way back?"

"Jay?"

"Want to stay here for as long as possible."

Hailey goes to feel his forehead, "You feel warm. I think you should take something."

"I run high normally," Jay tells her.

"Fine, but you need to eat."

"Doh, my throat hurts."

"Eggs," Hailey tells him while getting out of bed.

Jay follows her and sits down at the counter. Hailey makes her way around his kitchen as she cooks them breakfast.

"Ready to go?" Hailey asks an hour later.

"Yeah, do you know what ebents we're signed up for?" Jay responds before blowing his nose in a paper towel.

"Jay, have you been listening? That's all Adam's been talking about for weeks."

"I tend to zone out when he talks for long periods of time."

"Jay!" Hailey playfully slaps his arm.

"Hey, you cad'd hit a sick person," he jokes.

"Come on, I'll fill you in on the way there."

The two get into Hailey's car and start the drive to the park to meet up with the rest of the team.

"Finally, what took you so long?" Adam asks when the two detectives arrive at the designated meeting spot by a bench.

"Sorry, slow morning," Hailey answers while Jay sneezes a few times.

"Are you okay, Jay?" Kim asks.

"Yeah," he sniffles.

"You all ready?" Adam asks. "Softball is first. We need to decide who is what position."

While the rest of the team is busy arguing about who is where on the field, Jay sits down on the bench and leans into Hailey's side while she runs her hand through his hair.

"Okay, so Jay is pitchi-" Adam starts.

Jay interrupts by sneezing into his arm three times.

"Gesundheit," Kim says while Hailey rubs his arm.

"Change of plans, Jay you're outfield. Do you think you can focus enough for that?"

"Adam!" Kim yells while Jay just nods.

While Adam is placing the rest of the team, Hailey's focus is on Jay. "Are you sure you want to stay?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, but the others will understand."

"I'be fined."

"Hailey, were you listening? You're at third base," Adam tells the blonde detective.

"I got it."

"Good. So, we have half an hour before our game– we should strategize," Adam announces.

Hailey can feel Jay lean into her again, "What is there to strategize? We hit a ball and run- this isn't football where there are plays," she reminds him while discreetly rubbing Jay's back.

"Fine, I guess we can relax until then," Adam concedes.

The group moves closer to the field that they will be on and lay down their blankets so they can sit down. The girls and Jay take a spot on the blankets while Adam and Kevin start throwing to each other.

Jay lays down and rests his head on Hailey's thigh, too miserable to care about what the others think. Feeling his head in her lap, Hailey starts running her hand through his hair, his congested breathing evens out fast.

"Is he okay?" Kim asks concerned.

"Yeah, he just has a bad cold. It's making him feel pretty miserable," Hailey answers.

"He knows he didn't have to come, right?"

"I told him that, but he didn't want to leave you short on people. And he didn't want to lose to the fire department."

"Sounds about right."

The girls continue to talk until Adam and Kevin come over to get them as their game is about to start. With that knowledge, Hailey gently wakes Jay up as the others get ready for their game.

"Jay, time to wake up," she tries again after he mumbles incoherently.

"'kay," he answers sleepily while shifting on her lap.

"Feeling any better?"

"I just want to sleep."

"I'll get you some meds before we go home," Hailey promises as she helps him up.

"We're waiting for you two," Adam tells them as they make their way to the field.

The intelligence unit is playing against the second shift of Firehouse 51. It is a close game that comes down to the last out. Putting Jay in the outfield may not have been the best idea as a lot of balls are making it to the outfield and running is causing Jay's headache to worsen.

In the end, intelligence beats Firehouse 51 by one run, getting Severide and Gallo out at first and second on a double play.

The team makes their way back to the blankets as they wait for their next game which is half an hour after the softball game after theirs ends.

"We could have crushed them if Jay was on his game," Adam complains.

Before Hailey can say anything, Kim speaks up, "Come on, Adam. We're going for a walk," she tells him wanting to get space between him and the sick detective, dragging him away by his arm.

Hailey settles on the ground before helping Jay find a comfortable spot on her so he can rest some.

Soon after Jay falls asleep, Will and Natalie walk over to the group. "He okay?" Will asks when he sees his baby brother sleeping.

"He's not feeling great."

"What's wrong?" Natalie asks.

"Bad cold. Shouldn't you be playing?" Hailey asks the couple.

"No, this is the night shift. Our game is later."

"Do you think you can stay with him for a bit? I want to run and get him some meds– we were going to stop on the way, by he wanted to leave as late as possible and I think he has a little fever, but he keeps telling me that he runs high," Hailey asks.

"He runs low," Will tells her.

"What?"

"He normally runs around 97, give or take."

Natalie reaches to feel his head, "He's at 100 at least," she tells the other two.

"How do you do that?" Hailey asks.

"She's a mom and doctor," Will answers.

Hailey nods, "So can you wait with him?"

"I can run and get what you need," Will offers. "He'd probably rather you stay with him. Is there anything else he needs?"

"A thermometer and tissues? Maybe something soft for him to eat– I doubt he'll want the hotdogs or burgers we have here," Hailey adds.

"Okay, I'll be back soon."

After Will leaves, Natalie turns to Hailey, "So, I guess Jay didn't ask you yet?"

"Ask me what?"

"Pat is coming over for dinner in two weeks and Will told Jay he should come."

"No, when was this?"

"Maybe three days ago?"

"That would have been the first night Jay was sick then."

"We'll see how he's feeling."

"That's fair."

They change the subject with Hailey asking about Owen.

Fifteen minutes later, Will returns with the requested items and some extra things. "Got him a ginger ale, and bananas for lunch and some Vick's for tonight to help him breathe."

"Thanks, Will," Hailey thanks the older Halstead before turning to her partner. "Jay, wake up. Will got you some meds."

"'Kay," Jay, slowly gets up and takes the offered medicine. "Thanks, Will."

"How you feeling?" Will asks. "As your brother."

"Been bedder," Jay sneezes.

"Need anything?"

"Doh."

"Okay, we should get back to our team, but let me know if you need anything," he tells his younger brother before leaving.

"Are you sure you want to stay?"

"Yeah. Where's Ruzek and Kim?"

"I don't know. Kim dragged him away earlier."

The intelligence unit goes through their next game with a win. Jay was still a bit sluggish during the game, but the medicine was helping him.

"What's next on the schedule?" Vanessa asks.

"We have an hour break for lunch and then the guys have soccer and the girls have flag football," Kevin answers.

"Is there a reason that the girls are doing flag football?"

"Id's bostly because they're afraid the guys will actually tackle each other," Jay answers.

"How are feeling? You sound awful."

"I'b fibe."

"Sure you are," Hailey answers while handing him the bananas and pop. "Eat."

Jay takes the fruit and starts to slowly eat it.

When finished eating, Jay lays against Hailey, "I think the meds are working. You feel cooler," she comments.

Jay nods.

When their lunch break is over, Hailey asks, "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, but when this is over, I just want to go home and sleep."

"We can do that," Hailey agrees.

The guys go in one direction and the girls go in the other.

On the soccer field, they put Jay in as an attacker, hoping that the medicines last until the game is over. The police department is playing against the doctors and nurses from Med and Lakeshore.

The shortened game is close for much of the game, with Jay assisting in a goal to tie the game. In the end, the police department loses to the doctors and nurses.

"We were so close," Adam states. "Jay, where was your head?"

"Sorry," Jay responds horsed.

"Hey, let's check on the girls before our last game," Kevin suggests.

The guys walk to the field the girls are at to see they still have fifteen minutes of play. Kevin and Adam take a seat, but Jay spots his brother and goes over to him.

"Hey, how're feeling?" Will asks when he notices Jay lay down next to him.

"Tired of Adam," Jay sneezes.

"You have one more game. Do you think you can manage?"

"I guess. I just want to go home and sleep," Jay comments.

"I know. Hey, I know this is a bad time but have you made a decision about dinner with Dad?"

"He doesn't want me there."

"Jay, can you try? You know he doesn't know how to show that he cares."

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you."

"If I do cobe, I'm brindind Hailey."

"That's fine."

"Hey, babe," Hailey walks up to Jay as her game finishes and Natalie greets Will with a kiss.

"Hey," Jay replies tiredly.

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry you're feeling so bad."

"Not your fault."

"Two more hours and we can go back to your place and you can sleep. Unless you want to bail now," Hailey offers.

"That's very tempting."

"What happened?"

"Just tired of Adam."

Two hours later, the fundraiser is close to coming to a conclusion as the first responders are just waiting for a winner to be announced. The intelligence unit is once again on their blankets and Jay is laying on Hailey as she plays with his hair while Ruzek goes on about what they could have done better during their games.

When the points are finally tallied up, it is announced that the police department won by two points. With that announcement, cheers could be heard from the police officers and groans from the firefighters and medical personnel.

"What do you guys say, we celebrate at Molly's?" Ruzek asks.

Hailey is the first to speak, "Jay and I will take a rain check," she tells him while glancing at Jay's sleeping figure.

"What's wrong with him?" Adam asks.

"Don't start," Hailey warns the officer.

To break the tension, Kim responds to Adam's original question followed by Vanessa and Kevin.

"You should take a shower," Hailey suggests to Jay as they walk into his apartment.

"I just want to sleep," Jay mumbles.

"The hot water will help."

Jay just nods and walks into the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Jay walks out of the bathroom in sweats and a t-shirt. "Did the shower help? Hailey asks when she notices him.

"Yeah, you were right," Jay admits. "What's that?" He questions motioning to a pot on the stove.

"You don't sound as congested, and soup– you need to eat before you take more meds."

"I don't feel hungry."

"You need to eat- you've only had eggs and bananas today."

"Only a little," Jay gives in.

"Okay. Here," Hailey hands Jay the thermometer that Will got. "Take your temperature before you eat." Hailey then goes to get Jay some soup.

Jay sits on the couch and places the device in his mouth. Hailey returns just as the device beeps and takes it from his mouth before he has a chance to lie to her. "100.7," she reads while handing him the soup.

"That's not bad," Jay mumbles taking the soup.

"No, but Will said you run low, not high," Hailey raised an eyebrow questioning Jay.

"I didn't want you to worry."

"I wouldn't have."

"Sorry," Jay sneezes.

Hailey gives in to how pitiful he looks and rubs his back.

When Jay finishes he gets up to put his dish in the sink. When he walks back to the couch, he takes the offered pills from Hailey, "Thanks."

"Do you want to lay here or go to bed?"

Jay hesitates and Hailey offers, "Go to bed, I'll be there in a little bit."

"You don't have to- it's still early."

"You'd do the same for me."

Jay heads to bed while Hailey puts away the leftovers in containers to save for later. When Hailey is done she goes into Jay's room.

As soon as she settles into her side of his bed, she can feel Jay move closer to her. "Go to sleep."

"M'kay."

Hailey runs her hand through his hair before grabbing her phone to play games.

An hour later, Hailey can feel Jay dig his head into her side. Hailey starts to rub his back just as a coughing fit takes over the detective.

"Hey, you're okay," she tells him. "Just breath."

"Sorry," Jay apologizes once he catches his breath.

"It's okay," Hailey tells him. "Lift your shirt up," she tells him as she reaches for the bag that Will gave her earlier.

Jay does as he is told and Hailey rubs some Vick's onto his chest, "This should help with the coughing," she tells him when she is done.

Jay lays back down and Hailey goes into the bathroom to wash her hand off.

When she returns to Jay's bedroom he is almost back to sleep.

Jay's sleep is calm for the rest of the night.

Sunday morning the two detectives sleep in. When they finally get up, the two decide on having a lazy day, hanging out on the couch and watching Netflix.

"Will wants be to cobe to dinner next Saturday," Jay tells her.

"Do you want to?"

"By dad's going to be there."

"I know," Hailey admits.

"How?"

"Natalie was telling me."

"When?"

"You were sleeping. It was when Will ran to get you the meds."

"What do you think?"

"I think it's up to you if you should go or not."

"He's an ass, but Will doesn't seeb to get that."

"If you go, would it be for you or would it be for Will?"

"Would you cobe too?"

"If you want me to," Hailey answers.

"I don't want force you into that ebvironmebt," Jay responds.

"Jay, you're not forcing me to do anything."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. So, let Will know we'll be there."

"Thanks, Hailey."

The two turn back to their show and watch another episode before Hailey asks, "How are you feeling today?"

"Like the fundraiser killed me."

"I told you we could have left."

"I would never have heard the end of it frob Ruzek."

"Well Ruzek doesn't use his brain half the time."

"Wonder how he made it in the academy."

"Did he ever finish? He told me that he got pulled for an undercover op., but he never mentioned if he went back to finish."

"Who knows."

Monday comes around and Jay is feeling much better that he has been for the past few days. The congestion could still be heard, but it was no longer as pronounced and his temperature dropped back to almost normal.

"Have you talked to Will yet?" Hailey asks they are on their way back to the district after interviewing a witness.

"Not yet. I was going to text him tonight."

"It's going to be fine."

"Sure."

"We can leave if it gets too bad."

"I know."

The rest of the drive is silent and when they arrive at the district, they quickly make their way up the stairs to the intelligence bullpen.

"Hey, guys, hurry up," Adam tells them when he hears the two detectives' footsteps. "Kim might have something.

Once the detectives are in the bullpen, Kim goes into what she has found since talking to her CI.

That night, Will calls just as Jay was going to text him.

"Hey, how're feeling?" Will asks when Jay picks up.

"Better, what's up?"

"I just wanted to see if you've made a decision about next Saturday."

"I talked to Hailey and we'll come."

"Jay, that's great."

"If he makes Hailey uncomfortable, we're leaving," Jay warns his brother.

"Jay, just don't listen to him. Give him a chance."

"He's had his chances. Why should he get another one?"

"Because mom would want you to get along."

"Don't bring her up. She was a saint to put up with him."

"I'm not asking you to forgive him, just that you give him a chance."

"Why should I?"

"Because he's the only parent we have left."

"I should go– I'm still kinda tired."

"Drink water," Will tells him before Jay hangs up on him.

Jay throws his phone onto the coffee table and lays on the couch, falling asleep to some late-night talk show.

A/N: Same as the last chapter. The next chapter will focus on the relationship between the Halsteads.

Again, it's 3AM my time, so I'll check for errors later but as always, I did use Grammarly.

Conversions:

97= 36.1

100= 37.8

100.7= 38.2