It happened so fast, and yet Jay saw it in slow motion. It was already bad that Hailey was in that car with an emotionally unstable gunman. It doesn't usually get worse than that. But he was driving too fast. And Jay watched from across the road as the gunman's car ripped around the bend, flew off the road, and crashed through the thin sheet of ice covering the pond.

He's never run so fast in his life. Not in Afghanistan. Not in Chicago. The whole team took off as soon as it happened.

"Hailey," he heard himself scream as his legs flipped as fast as they ever had toward the icy pond.

Even though police prepare, the human body can't help the immobilizing shock that takes over when plunged into water as cold as that pond.

Hailey saw it coming and braced as best she could. Window down. Hang on tight. One last deep breath. Try not to scream.

The car slammed through the ice and plunged her and her captor into the pond.

It was so cold. It was so cold, but she had to get out of the car. It would only get worse. Her limbs felt like lead and she couldn't figure out which way was up. She felt for anything she could, finding the open window finally as her lungs began to burn. She kicked as hard as she could, toward the light. Her foot banged hard into the car and she wanted to cry.

"Hailey!"

Blonde hair broke the surface. Thankfully the car crash caused a big enough hole in the surface that she didn't get trapped. Immediately a rope was tossed to her as she choked up the frozen pond water.

—-

She was perched on a gurney in the back of the ambulance. All of intelligence was there, though they were giving her some space. Well, except for Jay who hadn't left her side yet. The team from 51 was there to pull out the car and the gunman, who remained unconscious.

"The priority is getting you out of these wet clothes and into some place warm," the paramedic said to her, though she barely heard.

"I have dry clothes in my car," Jay said. "They're my gym clothes, but they're clean and more importantly, they're warm."

"I'll take it," Hailey said, her teeth chattering.

"Then we're getting you to Med," Jay said as he turned to jog toward his truck.

"Really, I'm fine."

Jay paused and turned back to look at her, giving his partner a skeptical look.

"Really, I banged my foot, but I'm okay. I was in that water for less than three minutes. All I want right now is a hot shower in my apartment."

"I'll take you home," Jay said closing the gap between them. "But I'm having Will meet us there."

She tried to give her best "that's not necessary" look, but she was so tired she didn't think she pulled it off.

"Or we could go to Med?"

"Fine. Home. Will. Deal."

He smiled at her and jogged to get his gym bag. While she changed in the ambulance (gingerly) he started his truck, and blasted the heat.

He helped her down from the back of the ambulance, and guided her toward the passenger side of his pickup.

She didn't fight him. She was sore, cold, and tired.

—-

She was on the couch, still in Jay's hoodie and sweatpants, swaddled in a blanket. Her lips were not as blue as they were before, but she didn't look great.

Will walked in.

"Hey Hailey."

She smiled in his direction.

"Heard you took a swim."

The red-headed doctor pulled up the ottoman in front of where she was sitting. "Let's take a look, okay?"

"She said she hit her ankle, and she's been holding her ribs. Left side."

She went to say something, but decided against it. Of course he noticed. He was her partner.

"Thank you, Dr. Halstead," Will said lightly teasing his worried brother. "Jay will you make some tea of coffee. Whatever she wants, as long as it's hot."

"Tea," Hailey said.

"On it," said Jay.

Will knew they were close, but he still wanted Hailey to have a little space while he did his exam.

"Alright, let's check it out," Will said. "Let's start with the ankle."

He poked and prodded and rotated and squeezed. None of it was pleasant. Hailey tried to focus on her breathing as he wrapped her ankle and taped her ribs.

Jay knocked on the wall before popping his head around the corner. Will gave him a nod, and Hailey gave him a weak smile. She looked exhausted, he thought. But still beautiful. Always beautiful.

"What's the word?" Jay asked them, handing Hailey a piping hot mint tea and his brother a black coffee.

"Impossible to say without an X-Ray, but I think it's just bad bruising on both the ankle and the lower ribs."

Jay nodded.

"Listen, Hailey," Will said, "I know you wanted to skip Med today, and I get it. After what you went through, all I would want is my shower and my bed. But rib injuries can get serious fast. If you don't want to come in until tomorrow for the scans, okay. I don't love it, but okay. But someone needs to stay with you tonight."

"I'll stay," Jay said immediately.

Will chuckled a little and looked at Hailey.

"Okay," she said, grateful for the Halstead brothers, and also grateful she would soon be able to sleep.

Will took a gulp of coffee and started to gather his things. Jay walked him out.

"Focus on her breathing. If anything starts getting weak or raggedy, call 911. And make sure she keeps that ankle elevated, but not wrapped too tight."

—-

She got out of the shower, and immediately put on sweats, this time her own. She wanted to dry her hair, but her side hurt too much and she didn't want to lift her arms. She put it up in a towel, and padded out into the living room.

Jay was on the couch, and smiled at her. He held up a blanket.

"Get over here" he said gently with a grin

She slowly came to the couch, and settled into him as he wrapped the blanket around her, careful to avoid contact with her sore ribs.

"You doing okay?"

He looked worried. He'd looked worried all day, despite trying to hide it as certain times.

"Yeah, just a little sore, but finally warm."

"Good."