Chapter 8- Someone Take Me Home

You guys, this eighth chapter is a bit of a milestone for me. This chapter marks the longest story I've ever written. Furthermore, this is the final chapter of Even The Best. I'd like to thank all of you for sticking with me through this. I'm forever grateful for your feedback and enjoyment of this story. There was so much uneasiness when I first posted this story and I'm forever humbled by your response to this. Let's wrap this all up.

Spring was in full bloom. The dogwood trees shed their white flowers and green leaves were sprouting. The semi-cold winter had finally dissipated and warm, humid temperatures took their place. There were remnants of the pollen season tucked in the corners of the sidewalks and gutters, little piles of yellow powder revealing the corners of Peachtree Street. Baseball season was days away and the city was bustling with Braves hats, shirts and foam tomahawks. Jay was elated to be getting out in time for Opening Day back home. As much as he missed home, he was going to miss this place. Atlanta has this growing buzz about it that you just have to reside in to get. It's a growing, multifaceted town nestled in a forest of trees and diverse suburbs. It's so laid back compared to Chicago and everyone here is super friendly. At first, Jay was suspect of everyone, wondering if they were trying to take advantage of him. Over time, he'd come to understand the art of southern hospitality. Everyone was genuinely happy here; must be the sweet tea.

His first weeks in rehab saw him stuck inside another room for a very long time. It was another detox of sorts. Aside from session with doctors and patients, it was him and his thoughts. He hadn't earned the privilege of freedom and was somewhat at peace with this. His temptations were still strong at that time and he didn't even trust himself yet to go out into the world on his own. He somewhat enjoyed the quietness and alone time because it allowed him to really think things over, take in the magnitude of everything that had transpired over the last year. Some people view this time as prison, Jay saw it as a vacation: a moment of things slowing down and reflection and recharging. He liked that alone time was between sessions because it put him back in a school setting. He listened and talked during class and then used his personal time to truly process the information, letting everything resonate.

Very out of character, he actually enjoyed talking things over with people. He figured he wasn't ever going to see these people again so there wasn't any harm in pouring his life story out to them. Verbalizing things really helped put things into perspective. Jay was able to clearly see where he let things consume him and get out of control. Plus, discussing things with strangers who were neutral parties was huge. It was reassuring to hear from people outside his circle. Through their perspective, they were able to show Jay where he did, or tried, to do things right and areas that he needed to work on. But perhaps the best part of these early weeks was his dwindling desire for these terrible fixes. Away from everything and disconnected from the world outside, Jay found himself beginning to resist those tempting thoughts. In a stable, unknown environment, it felt like the first time he could look up and around at everything. Watching the other patients healing right alongside of him, he got numerous real-life reminders of how quickly and tragically things can go sideways. Empathy began to kick back in and it was the first time he truly understood how tough this new struggle would be. His mentality transitioned from victim to survivor, or recovering survivor. This last year was just a footnote in his story, it wasn't the point of the entire book. When he was finally granted access to the world outside his window, he was both scare and excited: ready to get that do-over out there but a little uneasy over how things would play out. Would he ever be normal again? How would he react when a drug related case came up? Time and life would dictate the latter, but the first was entirely up to him. And sure enough, it only took a day of walking around Atlanta—with a member of the facility—to shoo away anything thoughts of being entirely different. As Hailey pointed out, he has an indestructible persona and it took no time at all for everything to fall back into line.

As Jay crossed the walkway at Peachtree and 16th Street, he slowed to a walk, allowing his waving chaperone to catch up with him. The poor guy was probably elated this was Jay's last day in rehab. He'd run enough laps of this area to be able to complete the course in his sleep. Jay laughed as the poor guy doubled down panting, wheezing as Jay kept running in place.

"You're…insane." Jay laughed before moving the party along.

"I have a lot of miles to make up for, Matt. Come on! We're almost there." Jay slowly jogged as he waited for Matt to rise up and begin the final leg of the run. Jay was about a hundred yards away from the finish line when he saw a red headed person leaning against the facility's walkway railing. He bolted, leaving Matt's yelling in his dust.

"Will!" He yelled as he collided with his startled brother, nearly knocking him over with an embracive hug.

"You smell bad," was the first thing that popped into Will's mind and proceeded to fall out of his mouth. The two of them stood there for a second before backing away, allowing both Jay and Will to catch their breath. Will took his brother in and concluded the sixty days had done wonders for him. He still wasn't back in his usual tip-top shape, but he looked healthy again. His demeanor was happy, free, peaceful. In this quick moment with his brother, it was clear to see how much he'd grown since he last saw him. The Jay before all of this was back.

"You're brother…is…nuts," Matt interrupted, finally reaching the finished line.

"Yeah, he kind of is," Will replied. Jay shrugged and smirked.

"How long have you been running?"

"Just a couple of weeks." Matt cleared his throat.

"Ok, more like a month." Matt nodded, satisfied with the truth. Jay began to walk up the entrance walkway.

"I'm going to go shower and change and then I'll be ready to leave." Will detected the overly excited tone in his voice and smirked. It was great to have his brother back.

…

They were sitting in the T concourse downing chili dogs and onion rings from The Varsity while watching planes taxi into their assigned gates. Jay was getting his last taste of southern cooking while Will was getting first taste of the scrumptious cuisine. Jay had been rather giddy since getting check out of the facility. On the way to the airport, he became a tour guide of sorts, pointing out places and things that he'd discovered while residing in this town. Will was amazed he got the freedom to explore all that Jay did, but was thankful they gave him that option. He knew keeping him cooped up for another couple of months would do more harm than good for Jay. Jay explained that he dragged Matt everywhere, much to the poor guy's dislike of chasing Jay at all hours of the day. When Jay checked out of the facility, Matt's countenance picked up immensely; ecstatic to no longer living under the control of Jay Halstead. He might have screamed for joy as Will and Jay closed the front door behind them. Jay was going to miss that guy. Now waiting for the plane from Chicago to come in, the brothers resumed their routine from the last couple of months: eating and getting Jay to talk.

"So, how was it all," Will asked with a mouth full of food?

"It was great. Really good actually."

"You were here for two months and that's all I get?!"

"That's all you get," Jay smirked. Will rolled his eyes. There were some things about his brother that would never change. Talking about himself was always going to be a tooth pulling experience. They went back to their food for a moment, each looking out the giant glass window between bites.

"I am going inquire why you didn't tell me you spent a long weekend at Emory." It was Jay's turn to roll his eyes, throwing his head back in frustration.

"It wasn't that big of a deal and you were hours away and I didn't want to worry you."

"Jay, it was pneumonia. You do realize how damaging that can be. Especially so soon after the transplant?!"

"Yeah, and that's why they sent me to Emory which by the way, is a really nice place. Next time anything happens, please ship me there." Will playfully smacked his brother.

"A phone call would've been nice. I had to learn about it from Rhodes weeks later. He asked me how you were doing and I stood there completely dumbfounded." Jay shrugged.

"The Emory doctors filled him in about everything and he's the one that helped with the diagnosis and treatment. And for the record, everything still looks good. There isn't any sign of damage or rejection." Will nodded, his curiosity satisfied.

"So while you were gone, I got a phone call from the donor's family. They want to meet you." Jay stared at his food, slightly nodding as Will spoke. He half feared this could happen and wasn't sure how to feel or react to it all.

"Ok."

"Jay, they said it was entirely up to you. But, I think you should do it."

"When do they want an answer?"

"Well, I told them you were out of town for awhile and they said to take your time, whenever you're ready they are." Jay slowly exhaled, trying to tread lightly and not hurt Will's feelings.

"I don't know if I'm ready for that. Why go back to that day?"

"It'll be good for both parties. It'll bring closure to them and you in a way. A lot of people are apprehensive beforehand but come out of the meeting really glad they did it."

"Yeah, but I'm going to feel like a sleaze bag. Like, 'sorry you're family member had to die but hey, I'm still here so..' ''

"Remember they said yes to it all. Without their approval, you wouldn't be here." Jay was quiet for awhile after that one. Having never viewed things that way, it was clear it to see he had to do this. There was no other proper option other than to meet and thank these people for their ultimate gift. Jay only nodded after a time, Will reaching over to pat his brother's back, reassuring him things would be fine. Jay decided to change the discussion topic.

"I called Voight a couple of days ago, just to update him on stuff and he wants me to start back next week."

"That's great! You ready for that?"

"Yeah, he said that he talked things over with Platt and the commanders and they want me to take random drug tests for the next year and drug related cases will be done with full supervision during that time. Desk duty will be at least a couple of months and then we'll go from there."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I get it. I screwed up and now I've gotta rebuild those relationships and regain their trust. I'm up for it." Will just smiled, making his brother a little uncomfortable.

"What?!"

"I'm really proud of you. You've definitely changed since the last I saw you. A good change I might add." Jay nodded and smirked, rising to throw away his trash.

"Thanks man, I feel really good."

"American Airlines flight number 1574, non-stop to Chicago is now boarding." Jay's face lit up and he grabbed his bags and got in line. Will laughed.

"You ready?!" Jay replied with a happy face and vigorous head nodding.

…

The two hour flight back home was quiet. Will wisely used his time for sleeping, deeply. As in falling asleep slumped on Jay's shoulder, mouth wide open. Jay would shove him off but eventually gave up the battle, knowing his brother probably needed the sleep more than being jostled awake. With a dead weighted body on him, Jay's only option was to stay awake and gaze out the window at the great ball of fire in the sky and the clouds surrounding it. He had his AirPods on blast and was blaring his 'home' playlist. It was something he made years ago when he started working in Intelligence and flying was becoming a weekly thing. It's not that he hated flying, but he wasn't entirely uncomfortable with it all. Just the thought of sitting suspended tens of thousands of feet in the air with wind and a metal contraption separating you from falling to your death was a little unsettling. So he formed this playlist to tune out the scary thoughts racing through his mind, allowing his mind to drift off to other, more pleasant things.

It was during a particular song conveniently titled 'home' that his mind really stared to wander. He kept going back to that day of the accident, feeling like it was years ago rather than months. He almost felt like a whole other person as compared to the person that woke up that morning. He remembers waking up feeling miserable. It was the umpteenth time he tried to go without the drugs and had a scare nights sleep. He kept tossing and turning, fighting the urge for a fix while experiencing those early side effects of withdrawal. He vividly recalls giving in around sunrise, standing at his window watching the light in the sky grow brighter as the satisfying highs began to pick up. He doesn't remember much after that, but will forever consider that morning as the lowest point. The moment where things were dire. He didn't want end it all, but given the option of stopping or ceasing to exist, it would've been a hard choice for him. As he looked over at Will now, he was grateful for the accident because he wouldn't be on this plane right now had they driven past that subway pillar and eventually caught the perp. He hated that things unfolded in the succession they did, but it was what it was. Since he couldn't stop himself, something else had to step in. Now sitting at the tail end of this crazy, uncertain, harrowing journey, he couldn't help but smile…and shed a tear or two. It wasn't a story anyone wanted in their life tale, but it was his and he was genuinely proud of how it all turned out. It nearly cost him everything, but through it all, he gain a new opportunity, a new life. And so he closed his eyes for a moment, taking everything in and readying himself for the redemptive narrative in the story. The pilot announced they were beginning their descent and Jay resumed his window gazing. A few minutes later, the clouds grew patchy, revealing the stunning city below. It was all peaceful up here. Everything looked like little toys from this position. Buildings were Legos. Cars and trains were little dots. People looked like ants. From up here, things aren't as towering and daunting as they are at street level. There isn't any calamity or dilemma at this height. From here, life consists of you, the clouds, and silent works of man made art. The scenery changed shortly, the runway becoming an ominous black finish line. The jolt and bump of the landing gear kissing the ground made some jump with uneasiness, but Jay could only smile. He was home. The plane was taxiing to the gate when he shook Will awake.

"Will, hey, we're home." Will awkwardly stretched his arms and legs before gazing out the window.

"Did you sleep?"

"How could I with you laying on me?!"

"Oh, sorry." The plane came to a rest at the gate and the clicking of seatbelts began ringing their tune. Will and Jay quickly stood and grabbed their belongings from the overhead compartment and waited for the slow procession of people to begin moving. As Jay reached the exit of the plane, he was presented with a final thought. He began to think of the number of doorways he'd crossed over these last few months and how each step was a bigger leap towards the greater goal. It was funny to think that a doorway could stir up change in one's life, but that's exactly what they represented in Jay's story. From the ER doors to this final archway, Jay Halstead entered them one way and came out the other side vastly different. While some steps required being pushed through, Jay realized that that little voice of common sense in his head was spot on: things were only to get better from that threshold step onward. And so, Jay willingly leapt over the plane's doorway and landed softly on the walkway's soft ground. As he made those first steps towards the door, he didn't know what the other side entailed. But, for the first time in forever, he was actually excited to see what was up life's sleeves.

Screen fades to black. End credits roll.