My loves, a warning that this chapter will have a bit of Chicago med, but I stopped watching in season 5, so I don't know which character left and which entered. I'll come up with my own names and use the old ones. Forgive me lol
Note: Don't kill me for this chapter, everything will make sense in the end. Good read, this one is huge.
Chapter 19: Wrong Side of the Bars
"But sometimes... sometimes what we need is a new plan"
- Grey's Anatomy
She didn't need to ask. It was odd that she knew even though he hadn't said a word. Was she pessimistic? Did she present? How did she know? Well... She couldn't be sure. She could be anyone from intelligence. It couldn't necessarily be someone's death, but she knew who it was for the simple fact that whoever was in front of her, hugging her and holding her so she wouldn't collapse on the floor knew her, knew their relationship very well, knew that news as these should not be delivered by message. Maybe someone reliable from NY who could tell her in person. The fact that he was right there was enough for her to think about the worst, death.
- Tell me he's alive. -She asked, she prayed, she didn't ask, because she didn't want a yes or no like that, she wanted to hear that Hank Voight was alive.
Henry Voight, known as Hank or Sergeant Voight was not her biological father, he did not see her born, take her first steps or speak her first word. But he raised her, he showed her what it was like to have a family, what it was like to be loved. He taught her so many things, he brought her hope that life could be better and that she wasn't born into bad news. Yes, they had conflicts, they were like father and daughter and they liked to think so. He considered her his daughter and even though she never called him that, he was her father.
- He is alive. -Jay Halstead said loud and clear, he knew she needed this, he wished someone had done it for him when his mother was admitted to the hospital.
Erin Lindsay sighed with relief, she knew he was in the hospital because Jay had confirmed her question, if he was fine, Jay would certainly have said he was fine, that wasn't why he was there. Furthermore, if she had doubts in his words, she would confirm it with his tone of voice. She knew that tone, gentler and more intimate because it was her, because it was a personal case, but it was the tone Halstead used for bad news with the victims' families.
She invited him in when she had collected herself a bit. Usually it is the owners of the house who offer something to the guests, but this was not a normal situation, it was not a guest. Jay guided Erin to the couch and having a good memory of the time she was in this apartment, he went to the fridge and got a bottle of water and a glass and poured Erin. They were silent, Jay didn't say anything and she didn't ask, even though she had a lot of questions she needed to calm down. Jay walked over and saw how she was shaking.
Erin had an anxiety attack. Not everyone has a panic attack or a crisis that is very evident and that everyone can see, but inside they are uncontrollable. Jay learned that from her, noted that the tremors were a sign. When they were together he saw that she learned to deal better with these situations, but now 4 years later and with her in another state he didn't know what the frequency was, but he still knew how to help her, or so he hoped.
He bent down to her level, leaving the water on the coffee table and took her hand.
- Hey... look at me, I'm here. - He waited until she looked at him and smiled gently at her. Usually he liked to talk about the situation, but Hank's condition was critical, he didn't want to freak her out. Jay couldn't say that he knew Erin from now, but thinking about the one he knew from before, he imagined that, so he knew he should go to her and break the news, he couldn't bear to imagine that she had a crisis and kept it to herself, she would want to go to Chicago immediately and would probably be sick, he felt that with him there, she would be able to calm down and he was right. - Breathe, okay? - He says softly and begins to breathe slowly with her accompanying him. He squeezes her hand and reassures her.
Erin stops shaking and Jay goes up to hug her, the hug is welcome. Each crisis is individual, but in Erin's case she liked to talk and be hugged, Jay didn't talk much as unfortunately he didn't have good news, but he got what he wanted. She drank the water and was better.
- Thanks. - She manages to say when he walks away.
- You know you have nothing to be thankful for. - He smiles back when he gets a smile from her, it's weak and she's sad, but he knows it's sincere. He gets up and faces her when he hears her ask.
- What happened? - They stare at each other for a moment.
- It was an ambush... - She lowers her head and holds back her tears so she can ask her questions. She's a strong woman, she doesn't cry in front of strangers, but Jay isn't a stranger and he's not just a fling, he's Hank.
- How is he? - She questions him.
- It's not good... - She has more questions, but they aren't asked, because he knows exactly what she wants. - We were about to invade, we had the suspicion of a bomb, but it was too late, Hank was already ahead and everything exploded...
- Oh my God... - Erin lets out a deep breath.
- He was hospitalized in a hurry, he was not burned, but as he was facing forward he was thrown and had a big fall, he fractured his spine, had some lacerations and hit his head. - Jay told what he knew, he didn't want to scare her, but just like him, she didn't like bullshit and as much as it hurt, she preferred to hear the truth.
Erin was doing even well after recovering, she asked a few more questions, but not too many, she knew that Jay probably didn't have all the answers and she already had a decision in mind, even though it was dawn, she would go to Chicago.
- Are you sure? We can wait until morning and...
- No, he needs me now. - She gets up, but before she goes to the room she can see some of Jay's injuries. - Oh my God Jay... - She moves closer to get a better look. The light was dimmer so she hadn't been able to see before, or maybe it was all the excitement of the night, she didn't know. - Are you well? - She assesses his wounds. Will insisted that he be evaluated when he arrived at the hospital, everyone near the explosion was, so his wounds had some bandages. He had a few cuts across his face and a scraped arm, it wasn't visible through his jacket, but Erin knew him and had him show her after saying it was all right. He reassured her after saying that he didn't hit his head and that Will made sure to check him out.
- I'm fine, really, - He says and she pulls away, but he notices that she is thoughtful. - What it was?
- I know that Tess or Nick would stay with her, but I don't know if I want to leave her. - Erin stares at him and he sees her fear.
- Let's take her, you know you won't miss who to leave her with. - He smiles at her and then she guides him to the room. It's not the first time he's entered the girl's room, but he will never fail to be enchanted by how loved and cared for this little girl was. She wasn't in the room and Jay smiles, wondering if she slept in her bed or if Erin always had her with her in her bed.
- I couldn't go to bed thinking about you, but I didn't want to go to bed alone. - As if reading his thoughts, she answers him while picking up a bag for her daughter. Erin manages to put a few things that she considers important for her daughter to have, she didn't count a number, because she didn't know how long she would be in Chicago, but she was in a hurry.
- Can you hold it? - She hands her bag to Jay. They were already in Erin's room now organizing her things.
- I'll get her, will you take her in her pajamas? - Jay questions and Erin nods.
- I don't want to wake her up, besides, I'm in a hurry, I hope we get a flight... - She says putting her bag on her back.
- We will, don't worry. - Jay whispers this time, because he was already close to the little one. He soon takes a unicorn blanket that Erin handed him and soon he pulls her into her arms and wraps her. Charlotte opens her eyes slowly, but soon goes back to sleep without realizing that Jay was pulling her into his arms, she was tired and it was almost three in the morning.
Jay insists on taking a bag and manages to convince Erin. Soon, the three of them are passing by the door of the apartment, Erin with her backpack and her daughter's shoes in her hand and waiting for Jay to pass by to lock the door. He in turn has Charlotte's backpack on his back and the girl is completely asleep in her arms.
Erin texts her friends and boss about the situation and they would read it when they wake up, she doesn't want to wake them up and finally manages to reply to Kim and say that she has already been informed and that she is going to Chicago. Jay also reads his notifications and looks at missed calls, some from his brother and some from intelligence. Most were from Hailey, lots of calls and a few messages like "where are you?", "I'm worried", "get back to me when you can", "Jay", "you're with her, aren't you?", "Please give me a sign, I'm starting to get really worried".
He reads them all and then replies saying he was in NY and that as soon as possible they would be in Chicago. He informs that he is fine and that later, when he arrives, they will talk.
Hailey was right behind Hank, she was also hurt, but after Will confirmed that she would be fine, Jay couldn't let Erin know on her cell phone and alone in her house, as sweet as Charlotte was, she couldn't help her mother in that one. moment and Jay didn't want her to suffer alone.
- Sorry guys, we don't have vacancies for the next flights, but there's one leaving at 8:30am... - Jay was about to argue when Erin took out her badge.
- I'm ASAC from the FBI, I'm sure you can inform some passengers that their flight has been rescheduled and put us on the next flight, it's a life and death situation. - She warns, sad that it is literally a life and death situation.
One of the airlines managed to fit the three on the flight that would leave in less than an hour and the company rewarded customers who would have to wait a few more hours to be able to fly.
Erin was exhausted, but she wasn't going to sleep until she got information. They were accommodated on the plane and Charlotte ended up waking up, not seeing her mother and not recognizing Jay at first, she soon began to cry.
- Hey baby ... - Erin turned her to her and soon pulled her into her arms. - Mom is here... - Erin laid her in her arms and caressed her. Charlotte was confused, she didn't know what was going on and she was scared asking for her mother in tears even though she was already in her arms. - Hey babygirl... - Erin soothed and caressed her. - We're on the plane now, we're going to Chicago, okay? - She tries to bring her daughter up to date, she knows how children get scared in situations they don't know about. - Look who's here... it's Jay. - Erin shows and the girl even sleepy smiles and asks for Jay. She soon goes into his arms. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep again and both laughed with her all sleepy, but even cuter.
Jay was lost in thought when Erin catches his eye.
- I still haven't thanked you for coming here... you didn't have to bother... - She stares at him and bites her lip internally.
- You know you don't have to thank... - He smiles at her. - Besides, I know what he means to you, I wanted to come, I didn't want you to receive this by message or by someone who doesn't know the story. - He says and Erin's eyes fill up.
- That means a lot coming from you. - She says trying her best to hold back her tears.
- I promised to always take care of you. - He says and intertwines his hand in hers. Erin ends up turning her face away and wiping away her tears with her free hand. She knew he was telling the truth and in a good and bad way at the same time it hurt.
With Charlotte still asleep in his arms and Erin walking beside him, Jay walks into the ER at 6am. Erin rushes in for information and discovers that he has just started yet another neurological surgery.
She manages to glean as much information as Maggie had and nothing seems to be enough. She begged to be let in, said she can handle it, but that she wanted Hank to know she was there. Clearly she wasn't allowed in, but Will came out and said he'd watch over the surgery while Maggie led her into the waiting room.
A dozing Trudy standing against the wall was found in the nearly empty waiting room. They all ended up going home early when they said that Hank was fine and that they would wait for the swelling to go down so they could assess his condition. Hailey was the last one to stay, but Jay insisted that she go rest and she even had to listen to Will say the same due to her injuries and that she needed to rest, plus Platt's death glare. Trudy refused to leave and no one could say otherwise.
- Erin... - The older woman opens her eyes at the sound of everyone's footsteps and approaches. - Oh my Darling. - She pulls Erin into a hug. Trudy was never a mother, but she knew how to give hugs like she was. Erin was grateful for that. - We still have no news.
- He just entered another surgery, we don't know why... - Erin tells what she was told, Platt still didn't know about this new update.
- They said they would wait for the swelling to subside, was that it? - Trudy says and in a way they are more relieved, they don't know the medical terms, so they believe that the swelling must have already subsided. - Hey little smile... - Everyone looks at Charlotte, Jay didn't see her waking up, but this time she didn't smile, she was still sleepy and just waved at Trudy.
- Erin's already here. - Will enters the operating room with a mask and warns.
- Daughter? - the neurologist asks.
- Something like that... - Will thinks, he doesn't know the whole story, but he remembers that when he asked his brother about their relationship and if she was Voight Jay's daughter he replied "something like that" and that was all. - She's his emergency contact. - Will warns and looks at the situation. - What happened?
- He had a seizure, we're trying to see if we can do something to stop it. He doesn't need any more problems and this could affect his heart, I don't know if we can bring him back if his heart stops. - The doctor says and Will asks for permission to approach, which is soon granted.
Will approaches an unconscious Hank Voight, Will was a little scared of him and remembers how they met, he thought Will was a serial killer of nurses. They didn't know each other very well and didn't have much contact. It was strange to see that frightening and frightening man like that, so vulnerable, but medicine, accidents and illnesses didn't see it that way and it didn't stop happening just by someone's appearance. Another thing, Will had a little resentment towards Erin for what she put his brother through, so he shouldn't even be there helping her, but he put himself in her shoes, he lost his father and mother, he understood.
- Hey Sergeant Voight, Erin is here, is waiting for you, you can't give up now. - Will says and everyone in the room observes the scene, it was always very sad to ask a patient to survive, to endure, because there would always be someone waiting on the other side of the waiting room in distress.
- If you guys need anything just let me know, for a man with a lot of kids he knows a lot of nannies and Cindy would love to look after her if you need anything.
- Thanks Hermann. -Erin smiles gratefully at the man and directs her gaze to Stella who begins to speak.
- And so are we, whenever you need to just let us know, okay? - She says with Severide beside her nodding.
- Thank you so much guys. It means a lot. - Erin says and hugs everyone.
The firefighters found out about what happened and when they had an opportunity, they went to them to wish them well and give them support before leaving. Will ended up having to handle a case in the emergency room, which arrived with the fire department and didn't have time to go tell Erin about Hank.
When he was able to take a 5-minute break when his patient went for tests, he slipped out to let Erin know, he even got an update that the surgery was going well and would be over soon. Upon entering the waiting room he was surprised. This time it was a little more crowded, but that wasn't what caught Will's attention. He saw Jay with the girl in his arms, she was the only one awake, she was wearing headphones and watching something on her cell phone. One arm of Jay's was holding the girl and the other was on Erin's chair with her propped sleeping between Jay's arm and his chest, while Jay slept with his head up, probably trying to hold on to sleep but failing.
Will shakes his head, his brother was always stubborn about things and Erin apparently was one of those things, it's okay that the case was delicate, but it was obvious that everyone there thought they were a perfect family.
Charlotte stared at Will, he still didn't know her, but when her green eyes met his he stared at her, it was almost the look of Jay and her father. Now it was explained why Jay thought she was his daughter, the little girl had a slight resemblance. Will thinks that maybe Erin might have lied, maybe it's to make it easier to split custody between states. He shakes his head and puts it out of his mind, a child who has blonde and red features has very strong and striking features, it doesn't mean that she is his niece.
He approaches them and manages to wake Jay up, but unintentionally with the slight movement that Jay made to look at his brother, he wakes up Erin. They didn't want to sleep, but they were exhausted and even with that uncomfortable chair they ended up surrendering. In fact, it was always so easy for Erin to fall asleep when she was in Jay's arms. She just wouldn't admit it out loud.
- Will... - She gets up quickly running her hands through her hair and face trying to wake up and look more alive.
-The surgery is going well...-Erin is relieved, but just like his brother, the expression on her faces showed when they didn't have good news. - He suffered a seizure, he had many parts of the brain affected. I don't have a lot of experience in the area, but Voight's neurosurgeon will come back to you with more details once the surgery is complete. - The elder Halstead says.
- Thank you very much, Will. Erin squeezes his hand in gratitude.
- I'm sorry I didn't come earlier, I was called in the department and...
- All right, I know you have a lot of work to do. I thank...
- Doctor Halstead, these are Carl's results. - A nurse interrupts Erin, hands over the papers and leaves.
- Sorry...
- Halstead? - Charlotte who is still on Jay's lap looks at him confused.
- Sweetie, this is Will, Jay's brother. - Erin answers her daughter.
- Hey little lady... - Will tickles her belly and makes her laugh. - I'm glad I got a smile, I was going to have to see if you weren't sick. - He says and the girl smiles at him again.
- I'm not sick. - She claims.
- No? - Will gets closer to his brother and Jay holds her tighter, imagining that his brother is going to play a joke and doesn't want the girl to fall. - Let me see... - Will tickles her neck again this time, then wiggles her ears and closes her eyes with his fingers, every little thing making not only her laugh but Erin and Jay. - Good ears, good eyes... I think it's fine. - Will says and they barely notice that the atmosphere wasn't so tense anymore. - Well I have to go, it was a pleasure to meet you young lady. - He shakes her hand and Erin approaches.
- Thank you very much, doctor. - Erin laughs at him who smiles back and just nods before walking away.
He didn't ask her to call him Will, as they had an inside joke between them where she just called him Doctor, as that was what she called him the first time they met in the intelligence break room. Will smiled, and Erin figured that was a good start.
- You young lady... - Erin pulls her daughter from Jay's arms. - Enough to rent Jay. He must be tired by now. - Erin says and he shakes his head, he didn't care.
- I'm hungry, Mom. -The girl says and Erin notices Jay preparing to speak, but she speaks before him.
- I invite you to have coffee, this time on me, to thank you for what you did for me.
- You know you don't have to thank me and...
- Who wants a hot breakfast? - Platt interrupts the two holding a box with four drinks and another with food. - I asked the patrolmen to bring it, I imagined they would be hungry.
Trudy wasn't in the precinct and didn't even go home to sleep, but she still managed to radio orders and apparently order food for the patrolmen.
- I wouldn't let you eat hospital food... - She looks at Jay. - I would let you. - She says seriously, but everyone knows that deep down she's joking. She has a kind heart.
- Thank you, Sergeant. - Jay and Erin thank you as they get the drink labeled with their names.
- Hm, hot chocolate with marshmallows for you.. - Erin sits her daughter in the chair and hands her her cup.
- Pure coffee with sugar and cream on top. - Jay takes his glass. - I think you care. - He laughs as he raises the glass to his mouth.
- Shut up, Halstead. - Trudy says handing over the bag with what Erin discovered were donuts.
- Hmm.. check it out, strawberry donuts with filling for a beautiful girl. - Erin handed the food to her daughter who was smiling, she offered one to Jay who kindly took it. Erin helped Trudy remove the rest of the cups, but the woman refused the food and just had her coffee. The three sat down waiting for news.
Hailey woke up once again alone in Jay's bed. They weren't together, in fact she doesn't know how to say the situation they were in. Everything went downhill so quickly.
After the superintendent's son died weeks ago, she showed up on his doorstep. She came in, they talked and drank, one thing led to another and Hailey kissed him, he refused at first but eventually gave in.
Jay's body didn't react to it, it was like he was denying her. Both associated it with drinking, stress and the case that left them exhausted.
Jay regretted it the next morning. He wasn't too drunk or forgot what had happened, he wasn't a teenager or irresponsible anymore, but he regretted it, because he shouldn't have given in to Hailey, they broke up not long ago and he hadn't changed his mind about his decision .
He was even about to talk to Hailey about it, but then Kim got kidnapped and Hailey thought they were back together. In the break room she thanked him for not sleeping together, because she didn't want to think that he would do it just to de-stress and that now they would start the right way.
It was supposed to stop, but it just got worse. Jay walked away from her after Kim's rescue. She knew why, but it didn't make it hurt any less.
She woke up that morning and immediately knew he was still in the hospital with Erin and given the situation of the last few weeks he knew he wasn't in the hospital for Hank. She would have been worried if not for the call she received. She needed to meet Jay.
The blonde entered the hospital and headed towards the waiting room when she found them. She stopped walking when she saw the scene in front of her. Jay was with a spoon helping Erin's daughter with the marshmallows in the glass, she was irritated by the way Lindsay was acting in the face of everything that happened in that house weeks ago. She seemed to have a clear conscience, while Hailey could barely sleep. Voight was in the hospital and here was Erin laughing and playing family.
Maybe these thoughts were just happening because I had a lot on my mind. Hailey was conscientious and not one to blame and judge people like that. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head, as if she can push all the bad thoughts away. She was here to talk to Jay.
She approaches the two getting everyone to turn to her.
- Hailey. - Jay sees her first and waits for her to approach.
- Hi... - She forces a smile. - Any news? - She asks.
- They just informed that they are finalizing, the doctor will come to explain the situation. - Jay says after Erin took his glass and let the two talk.
- Is he in surgery? - She questions Jay. - What happened?
Halstead shares what they know about Hank.
- Erin... - Hailey stares at her. - I know how hard this must be for you, but we know he's strong, he'll recover. - Erin nods and thanks. - Yeah... - She bites her lip a little awkwardly. - We can talk? - She asks Jay who nods.
- I go in the bathroom and throw this stuff in the trash. - Erin gets up one hand with the garbage and the other hand in hand with her daughter as they went to the bathroom.
- It is good too? - Jay gets up and approaches. Hailey just hugs him.
Jay pushes her away and glares at her.
- What is happening? - He questions. She senses the coldness in him, but she also knows he's worried about her.
- They set up a meeting with me today, in a little while. - She says and Jay feels the fear in her eyes.
A few weeks ago
The night Kim was found
The night Kim was finally found so much happened, it felt like a lifetime and not just a 24 hour day.
Jay didn't have time to respond about the proposal when they were told that Kim was finally awake.
The next day Voight advised intelligence that they no longer needed to worry about KIm's abductees as they would no longer be a problem.
Everyone knew what that warning meant, or at least they thought it did, but things started to get complicated.
Jay noticed Hailey change, she drank all the time, barely ate and barely slept, he still managed to get her to eat but she didn't sleep. She was very reckless at work and getting hurt very often and when she asked what happened she always said she was fine.
Jay didn't know what else to do, he knew something was up but Hailey wouldn't talk, he asked Voight but he always said it was none of Jay's business.
In his last attempts to get some light on the situation he ended up calling Erin.
- Hi, sorry to call now, I imagine you must have just got home. - Jay says as soon as Erin nods.
- I was actually putting Charlie to sleep. - Erin whispers and turns the cell phone camera and shows the girl lying in her own bed sleeping. Erin turns off the light and closes the door. - Five more minutes and you'd catch her awake. -Erin starts talking normally the more she walks away from her daughter's room and goes to hers.
- Actually, today I wanted to talk to you. -Jay says. Erin is in her closet looking for a night outfit, but she shifts her gaze to Jay and notices his downcast look.
- Everything is fine? - She questions him.
- No... - He runs his hand over the rest and Erin decides to give him all her attention and sits on the bed changing the call from her cell phone to her macbook.
- What it was? What is happening?
- I need you to be honest with me Erin. - He looks at the camera, as if trying to affect his gaze through the screen, he succeeds. - I will not stand one more person saying that everything is fine, when it is not! - He says and she looks at him.
- What it was? I'm getting worried. - She says distressed.
- Hailey is weird, she doesn't talk to me and whenever I ask what's going on she says nothing, but she doesn't sleep, she doesn't eat, she takes chances at work and I know this has been happening since the day we met Kim. - He says and even thinks about saying about the marriage proposal, but because he's Lindsay he doesn't count. - I know something happened that night, I saw you two arguing, she and Hank are weird. - Jay looks at her seriously. - Please, tell me the truth, but don't tell me that nothing happened.
He pleads, his eyes red and nearly filling with tears, even from a distance Jay affected her in a way she couldn't explain and seeing him like that only made her want to pull him into her arms. She takes a deep breath and runs her hands through her dark brown hair as she glares at him.
- It's not my story to tell. - She begins.
- Then something happened. - He says and faces Erin, she didn't say anything, but she didn't need it just by the look she was giving him, he had her answer. - Doesn't matter, whoever should count isn't counting and I'm going crazy Erin. - He counts.
- Jay... - Erin draws his attention. - So much happened that night I just went to get Hailey, she and Hank have to tell you what happened, I wasn't there, I don't know the story. You have to wait for them to tell you.
- Voight threatened you? - Jay interrupts her. - He always does that, always takes you to his hole, to his shit and...
- No Jay! We're big, we know what we do, but I think it's best if you know the story so that you can draw conclusions later. - She says and Jay is silent.
- What you saw? Why were you arguing that night? What happened?
- Jay...
- Please, Erin, I can't take this anymore. - He begs and Erin almost cries to see him so defeated.
- I... - Erin shakes her head, angry at Hank and Hailey for doing this.
- Wait a minute, someone knocked on my door.
Jay comes back and tells him that she has to go, Erin can't talk to him, but she calls Hank and asks him to tell Jay the truth, whatever the cost he needed to know. Hank denies it at first, but Erin asks him to talk, as apparently Hailey wasn't counting and he ends up relenting.
The next day things got more intense. It was early and hailey was already drinking.
In the district they had a guy who said he knew what happened to Dimitri. Trudy questioned Hailey on how they didn't report this, and then the woman went into despair. She started having a panic attack and was helped by Jay.
He stayed with her in the locker room until she calmed down and again she denied there was anything going on. If it weren't for the state she was in, Jay would have yelled at her right there.
They had a case to settle so they went back to the bullpen and Jay saw her interaction with Hank as they released Mark, the witness who saw them. Before they left, Jay saw that they had an argument in Voight's office.
In the car, Jay said that Hailey wasn't acting like herself and not even when she proposed.
- You are not being yourself Hailey. You are hiding something. - Jay says, stops the car and faces her. - If he is threatening you, you can tell me, we can solve whatever it is. - He says.
- No. Jay, it's nothing. I'm not really sleeping, but it's not a big deal, it will pass. - She looks forward.
- How can you say you love me and hide things from me...
- Jay, that night, everything I said about us was true. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I love you. - She stares at him, but he turns to the road, starts the car and says low.
- I don't know if I believe those words.
That same day, Voight texted Jay when he saw him alone, he didn't want Hailey to see it and give Jay some excuse not to go. Voight booked with him at a place unknown to Jay, but after so much insisting on having answers, Jay decided to go meet Hank.
- Dimitri is buried right behind you. - Voight is direct.
- You killed him. - Jay says.
- No. Hailey killed him. - Hank says.
- You are lying. - Jay counters.
- I went to Dimitri's house, you hadn't found Kim yet. I searched for answers. Every time he didn't say it, I kept searching for more answers. - Voight didn't need to say the words, Jay knew that meant Voight was torturing him for answers. - Then hailey showed up. I didn't call her. She tried to stop me, but I didn't, I kept looking for answers. Then we started to argue and Dimitri managed to pick up the gun on the ground. - Voight says, Jay shaking his head. - She shot him, she killed him to protect me.
- Lie. - Jay refuses to believe it.
- She killed him to protect me, but then Erin came and said they found Kim. No matter what happened, nothing could justify that situation and...
- YOU ALWAYS DO IT! YOU TAKE THEM INTO THESE SITUATIONS! YOU'VE INVOLVED ERIN IN THIS SINCE THE FUCKING DAY YOU GOT IT AND NOW YOU'RE DOING THE SAME TO HAILEY! - Jay yells at Hank furiously, as he had no way of suspecting those words, however, Voight took Hailey there. He put her in that situation, Hailey killed a man to protect Voight who as usual was doing his dirty work.
- I didn't call her there, I didn't call her there. I didn't want Hailey there. I insisted that she leave, but she didn't. You wanted the answers, you wanted to know what happened. Now you need to help her.
- I? I have to fix the shit you did! - Jay approaches.
- I sent her back many times, I wished she wasn't there.
- SHE WAS THERE BECAUSE OF YOU. DON'T YOU SEE, YOU TOOK HER THERE. YOU DID THIS TO HER.
- I don't think you know the woman you're sleeping with. - Voight says when imagining that Hailey didn't tell Jay the truth, but that wasn't well accepted by his detective when Jay punched him in the face. With his fingers Hank wiped his bleeding mouth and swallowed the blood. Jay was angry and putting the blame on him.
- I found Kim. Me, Kev, Adam and Erin found her. We didn't cross any lines. We did some good police work and found her. Did you do what you did and what did you get?
After those last words Hank left. Maybe Hank really did deserve a punch for a lot of what he did, but not for taking Hailey there, she followed him, she did what she did, and apparently Jay was too blind to see that.
Hailey had been spending the night with him since the kidnapping. She couldn't be alone and Jay didn't trust her alone. That night he entered her room and saw her sleeping. Now he knew everything, he knew every step of that morning. He stared at the bed and thought. Maybe she sensed her presence or felt him staring at her, because Hailey opened her eyes and stared at him. She propped herself up on her elbows ready to speak to him when she noticed the look on his face. He knew everything.
Jay didn't trust her, but he didn't tell her like he told Voight that he didn't trust him anymore and that he just didn't resign because he was afraid of what he could do more and that if from that moment on he didn't change, Jay would never incrobite again. him, whatever the cost.
Back to present day
- What do I do? - Hailey questions him nervously.
- You can't miss it. - He thinks.
- But they will question me and if...
- They don't know what happened, they don't have a body, they can't do anything about it. - Jay says. - You're going to say that you went there and searched the house, you didn't find anyone and that while you were doing the search you were told that we found Kim, you're going to say that after that you left and you don't know anything else. It doesn't say you're going to get a lawyer for now, they might be suspicious, your union rep should be good enough for now. They just have questions, no answers and no evidence. - Jay says and Hailey nods.
- You can come with me? - She asks.
- We are waiting for an answer about the state of Voight. Erin can't be alone with Charlotte. See you later. -Jay knew that Platt would stay with the girl, and if he needed even his own brother or the nurses, but he wanted to be there and now he wanted to keep his distance from Hailey.
Jay was very upset with her, he didn't just cheat on him by omitting things, she cheated on their relationship, their friendship. She lied to him while he tried to take care of her, he defended her and she kept lying. He learned the truth from those he least trusted while he waited to hear it from one of the people he trusted most. It was being difficult for him with all this going on.
Hailey ended up walking away leaving a completely guilty Jay behind. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice when the girls returned. He would have listened when Charlotte's little running steps came closer and closer.
- Jay, look what I got. - She takes Jay out of her thoughts and points a box of bullets at him. Erin probably got it from the food machine he thinks.
- Wow, these are really delicious. - He smiles at her and gently declines when she offers.
Erin appears right behind him and notices his mood.
- Everything is fine? - She questions him and Jay stares at her, there was no reason to lie to her.
- In truth no. - He says and Erin puts her hand on his shoulder ready to comfort him in the best possible way and ask what was going on, but they are interrupted.
- Excuse me. Henry Voight's family? - A tall black man appears in their view.
- It is me. - Erin moves away from Jay who pulls the girl into his arms. He wanted to hear about Voight's condition but didn't want the girl to hear it and Platt was probably outside busy with the patrolmen. - I'm Erin Lindsay.
- Nice to meet you, I'm Doctor Lincoln. Your father's neurosurgeon. - The man says and Erin says nothing, just nods. - This is Dr. Torres. - He introduces the dark and young woman, probably a surgical resident. -And this is Dr. Mayo, her father's orthopedist. - It introduces another woman, curly hair and Latin look. Everyone greets Erin and as impatient as she is, she is polite to them.
- Pleasure... - She says and finally gets to the point. - Doctor, how is he?
- Stable, but not out of danger. His father suffered a massive skull fracture. He has swelling in the occipital and temporal parts which has caused him to fall into a coma and have seizures. We managed to ease the situation, but we only know how much he was affected when he wakes up. - The doctor explains.
- And when will that be? - She questions him.
- We do not know. He's breathing on machines, but we've reduced the medication, it's up to him now, we don't believe he'll wake up for now, but we're watching him.
- MS. Voight... - The orthopedist starts, but Erin interrupts her.
- Just call me Erin please. - She says and the woman nods.
- Erin, your father had a very bad fall. He was thrown, had two broken ribs and broke his right leg, at his age we don't know if he will be able to walk like he used to. - The woman says and Erin is distressed imagining Voight incapacitated and how it would affect him.
- I can see you? - She questions.
- Not yet, he's in ICU and we'll keep him there until he gets better. - The young woman informs.
- Please, I just need to see him, a minute. - She begs.
- Miss...
- Just a minute. - The man interrupts the resident.
- Thank you very much. - Erin thanks them and starts walking with them.
- Mommy. - Charlotte cries when her mother starts to walk away.
- Hey, she'll be right back. - Jay caresses the girl's back.
- One minute. - Erin asks and returns to her daughter. - Sunshine, Mom will be right back. In the meantime, you spend a little time with Jay, all right? - Erin asks and pulls Mrs. Purple Pig from the suitcase and hands over her daughter, at which point Mrs. Bee would be the best option, but what they had was this and Charlotte didn't like the idea but just grumbled and laid on Jay's shoulder when Erin said she couldn't come in with her.
- Just a minute. - The doctor says opening the door of the room where Hank was.
She notices how he is full of bruises, a leg in a cast, a bandage covering his entire torso and a sling on his arm, in addition to the curls wrapped around his head that apparently had a part of his hair shaved off. Erin can't hold back her tears.
That man who was always so strong, was always her protection, whom she never imagined seeing him so fragile, so vulnerable, not being able to even breathe alone. Hank never asked for help, Hank never let himself need help, but here he was. Erin walks over and takes his hand.
- Hey... - A tear trickles down and she squeezes his hand, as if with every strength she exerts maybe he'll wake up, or at least hear her. -It's me...-Her thumb passes over Voight's big hand. -You know, they're calling me their daughter... - Erin laughs with one more tear running down her face. - I don't correct them, because that's always how I felt, your daughter and I know you know that. - She says looking at the devices and then turns her attention to his face. - You can't leave me, you can't go. I can't lose you, not like that. - Many more tears flow down her face. - Maybe you don't even have reasons to stay anymore. Your father is upstairs, your little girl, Camille and Justin, so why come back to me like I don't even live here anymore, but... - A tear falls onto Hank's hand. - I need you, dad.
She cries over Hank and kisses his hand. The doctor didn't want to interrupt and left her in the room for more than a minute, everyone gave her privacy, but they ended up informing her that she needed to go, maybe rest and so she left the room and walked back to the waiting room. She found Jay standing waiting for her with Charlotte in his arms, she wiped away her tears and tried to look strong for her daughter, but when Jay hugged her she couldn't help herself. Jay kissed the top of her head.
- I need some air. - She says.
- Mommy, why are you crying?- Charlotte asks.
- A very sad thing happened to someone that mommy is very fond of. - Erin tells her daughter. - But if you give me a very strong hug I can get a little better. - The girl stretches her arms to go on Erin's lap.
- I'm going to give you a very, very strong hug, so you'll be sooo much better. - She says hugging her mother and gets a smile from her daughter. - Jay, hug mom, so she gets much better. - She asks and before Erin says anything Jay hugs them both.
- A bear hug, everything will be fine. - Jay whispers to Erin.
Erin asked Jay to take her to a hotel, she said she couldn't bear to see Hank and Camille's house without either of them there. Jay wanted to take them home, he didn't want to take his eyes off them, but he knew that maybe Erin even wanted some time from him. Also, Hailey had been at his house for the last few days, it wouldn't be normal for everyone there, so he had to settle for Erin's promise that she would call him if she needed to. It was a lie, but he wasn't going to let her walk away and hide her pain.
After dropping Erin and Charlotte off at the hotel Jay went home and took a shower and was told that everyone in the district was needed. Voight wasn't there, but in addition to having a case to solve, they still needed to know what was going to happen to the intelligence.
Jay saw an officer on the bench at the entrance and didn't know if Platt was at home or upstairs. Was she also summoned to the meeting? He got his answer on the way up. Damn, that woman didn't sleep? He was starting to worry about her. She walked out of the hospital with them and she looked great.
Hailey was already there, the only person missing was Adam and minutes later he arrived. Lieutenant Burton was there, in the middle of the room.
- The case is no longer in your hands has been transferred. - He starts by making a fuss. You questions and lines started at the top, he didn't bother to answer them. - Besides, intelligence is under investigation and so is Sergeant Voight. - The man says, continuing to ignore everything they said or asked. - My advice to all of you is try not to cover for Hank Voight, he's old but you're young, if you're involved with anything we find out, well... You won't just be fired and the intelligence will be undone. You lost your badge. - He warns and leaves.
He didn't say who took over the case, didn't say how long they would be suspended. They didn't say anything, just spat out information and left.
- I'll fix it. - The sergeant says and goes down leaving everyone alone.
They didn't know what to do, the siege was closing in. Jay noticed Hailey and called her to talk privately. She followed him and he closed the door.
- What happened there? - Jay asks.
- They said they were investigating the explosion and that the FBI was on Dimitri's disappearance. - Hailey puts her hand on her head and paces.
- The FBI? - Jay stares at her.
- They dismissed me, they said that after they solved the problem with intelligence they would come back to look for me. - She stops and stares at him. - Any chance Erin was involved in this? - She questions.
- What? No. This is not within her jurisdiction. Besides, she wouldn't do that to you, let alone Voight. - Jay puts his hand on his waist and thinks about what to do.
- I don't know, she changed a lot Jay, she's not the same Erin you knew. - Hailey says and he doesn't understand what she means.
- What are you talking about? - He stares at her.
-After she picked me up she said if I wanted to hand over Hank I was to go ahead. - She says. - She doesn't look like she would defend us if her life was at risk. She walked away when things turned sour years ago, who can confirm she won't do it again? - She questions him.
- Erin left the intelligence so that the intelligence would not be undone. - Jay says, a little changed. He calms down and focuses. - She won't screw with us. We need a plan.
Adam calls out to them and they gather in the center and figure out what to do. Trudy stops them and asks them to go home. They were supposed to be quiet these first few days or until Hank woke up, they couldn't take any chances.
The team was afraid that Jay and Hailey were hiding something from them, but they trusted Jay. He took the reins and said they would meet soon to try to resolve whatever it was.
Jay asked Hailey for some time and she went to her own apartment to be alone with her thoughts.
The last few months of her life were very turbulent. He wasn't understanding what was going on, it was always something, now his job was at risk.
When night fell, Jay was about to call his brother when he got a message.
- Meet me at Midway. - Agent North.
It was the FBI and Jay knew where that place was. They found Dimitri's body.
Jay changed and quickly left the house. He needed to have all the cards to be able to think of what to do, to know how far they knew.
Jay stopped the car, the place was full of police, men dressed in white digging the place, forensics evaluating each crime scene. Pictures being taken, plaques with numbers marking what evidence they considered evidence. Jay knew every step, every procedure of what was being done, but in that moment, he felt like the criminal. He felt that he was part of a mafia and that the good guys became the bad guys. He saw the yellow no trespassing banner and felt himself being suffocated, he was up to his neck in it and had no idea how he was going to save himself and everyone else from being arrested, losing their intelligence and their badges forever.
Jay walked until he found a man in a suit who, when he saw him, started walking towards him.
- Agent North. - He holds out his hand and Jay would refuse, but he wasn't about to cause any more trouble for himself.
- You should already know who I am.
- Detective Halstead. Many honors and awards for his time at Ranger, I hear he was loyal but most of all he was honest. - North spoke and stared at Jay for a second. At that moment Jay realized he was right, but the phrase was backwards. - We've combed through your history, it's impressive. Almost no failures. - The man says. - We were even interested in having you in the FBI.
- I'm not interested. Thanks. - He cuts it.
- I imagine not, at least for now, but things are not looking good for your team. Some have a lot of flaws in the history, others can do well in other areas, just like you, but that's a topic for another time. Now I'm trying to make a deal with you. - The man says.
- An agreement? - Jay questions him.
- We found two footprints here from men's shoes. We know that one is your sergeant's and I have no doubt that if we dig around we'll find the second one is yours. - The man points to the ground right behind Jay. With two license plates marked 8 and 9, Jay knows the agent was right. - Also, we have a witness who saw Upton and Hank in the house with Dimitri and he says he heard gunshots. It won't take us long to find all the evidence that you were involved in Dimitri's disappearance. We know how young you and Hailey are and it would be a waste to lose you both. The deal is two lives for the price of one. - He looks at Jay clenching his jaw. - You give us Voight and we let you and Hailey have one more chance.
- I...
- No need to answer now. - The man interrupts Jay. - We know that this decision must be thought through, I will be generous and you have 36 hours to give me an answer. Pray your sergeant wakes up, or not, who knows. -The man smirks at Jay as he turns around and leaves him alone.
Jay sighs and walks back to the car. He locks his jaw and thinks. His cell phone buzzes and he sees it's Hailey calling. He silences the call and looks at the charred body being unearthed. They had a case, they had a body, and Jay only had 36 hours. He needed a plan. Maybe a plan with Hailey or a plan with someone who could really help, but he didn't know who.
When he started driving around town in half thoughts, he didn't even know where to go. He was lost. Was it worth it to harm yourself for Voight? Or would he betray his sergeant, he didn't trust the man but his loyalty has always been to intelligence, Jay knew what Hank did and covered for him for years so now that the rope was hanging him would he betray his loyalty? Jay hits the steering wheel angrily and yells angrily.
After managing to calm down, Jay knew that there was only one place that could calm him down and he needed to have a clear mind to make his decisions.
Jay stops the car and wonders if it was the right decision, but it was what he wanted so he did. Jay knocked on her door, he needed her, as soon as the door opened he saw that she needed him too. Her teary eyes gave her away and his red eyes did the same. Without a word he pulls her into her arms.
"When you're a kid, the night is scary. Because there are monsters hiding under the bed. When you grow up monsters are different. Mistrust, loneliness, regret. And although you are older and wiser, you still find yourself afraid of the dark.
Sleeping is the easiest thing to do. You just close your eyes. But for many of us, sleep seems to be beyond our understanding. We want! But we don't know how to get it. But once we face our demons, our fears. And we ask each other for help...
The night isn't all that scary because... We realize we're not all alone in the dark."
- Grey's Anatomy
A/N: I know I always do a cliffhanger at the end, but I think this time you can guess who is right? Good. Until the next chapter, vote and comment. I adore you.
