Two hours had passed since Jay's abduction, and worry was setting in for the team.
Hank grabbed his radio and called out, "Halstead?"
There was no response.
He tried again, "Halstead? Come back?"
Still no response.
Growing anxious, Hank inquired, "Halstead? What's your 20?"
With no reply, Hank's concern deepened, and he contacted his team, "Has anyone got eyes on Halstead?"
Adam peered out his window, seeing no one, and reported, "I got no eyes..."
Erin, scanning the area, spotted Jay's truck and announced, "I got eyes on Jay's truck!"
Hank, hopeful, asked, "Is he in there?"
Erin hurried out and approached Jay's truck, only to find it empty, with blood on the dashboard and a coffee cup on the floor.
She urgently radioed, "No Halstead. I got blood on the dash and a coffee cup! I repeat. I have no eyes on Jay!"
Hank, with a heavy heart, instructed the team, "Everyone go to Erin's location!"
They all mobilized and headed towards Erin's location.
Jay was swiftly taken to a warehouse, regaining consciousness as the truck came to a halt.
"Mmm..." he mumbled, struggling to discern his surroundings as he was dragged out.
"Huh!" Jay gasped in shock.
The assailant hauled Jay from the truck and ushered him into the warehouse.
Jay resisted the firm grip encircling him.
"No! I'm not going in there!" he protested vehemently.
Despite his efforts, the assailant shoved Jay inside the warehouse, causing him to tumble to the ground.
Jay groaned upon impact with the floor.
"Ugh! You're so annoying!" Kent exclaimed, exasperated.
Jay coughed and propped himself up.
"Y-You think kidnapping a cop is your best plan?" Jay challenged.
Kent approached, pressing his gun against Jay's forehead.
"Look! I'm scared, okay? I'm terrified of what you might do," Jay confessed.
Kent paced and tapped his gun against his knee.
"K-Kent... You're not a bad person... It's your brother, he's the one who made you do this..." Jay stammered.
Kent shook his head and perched on a stool.
"You're trying to get inside my head..." Kent murmured.
Jay sat up, raising his hands.
"Kent, I don't want to die... I have a kid. He needs me to tuck him in and read him a story so he can sleep. Can you let me go?" Jay pleaded.
Kent stood and approached.
"Shut up..." Kent growled.
Jay nodded and fell silent.
As Kent walked away, Jay lay on the ground, overcome with a sense of helplessness.
The team searched the bushes, and Hank was relieved not to find Jay's body.
"We know one thing for sure. Halstead's not dead. If he were, they would've killed him here and buried his body..." Hank asserted.
Erin inhaled sharply and murmured.
"That doesn't mean he's unharmed. I want a grid search and this area cordoned off. Our officer is missing, and I don't want anyone to get heat from this..." Hank commanded.
The team acknowledged and dispersed in various directions.
Hank exhaled deeply and called his only confidant - Olinsky.
In the warehouse. Jay startled himself awake and noticed he was still in the warehouse.
Jay sat up and noticed Kent's gun on the ground.
Jay looked over at Kent, who was sound asleep.
Jay took the risk and went to grab the gun.
As Jay grabbed it. Kent pulled his legs.
Jay got himself up and threw some punches.
"Big mistake..." Kent whispered.
Kent shoved Jay up against the wall and pushed him to the floor.
As Jay got to the floor. Kent stepped on his leg.
Jay let out a muffled groan and rolled over.
"A-Ahh..." Jay groaned.
Kent kicked Jay in the stomach and spat.
"STUPID JACKASS!" Kent raged.
Jay was in too much pain to move.
"Yeah. It's me. I got a problem..." Kent spoke on the phone.
Jay tried to get up, but he couldn't move a muscle. He felt paralysed.
The team was in the bullpen when Trudy walked upstairs. "Patrol was canvassing the area when they noticed a suspicious car," Trudy reported.
Hank looked over and asked, "We got an address?"
Trudy nodded and replied, "1008 South Racine." Hearing this, the team immediately rose and hurried downstairs.
Erin arrived on scene first and kicked the door in.
"CHICAGO PD!" Erin shouted.
Erin walked into the kitchen and noticed an old man.
"Hey! Put your hands up! Get 'em up!" Erin ordered.
The old man shakily put his hands up and Erin walked over.
"Where is he?" Erin started.
The old man looked at Erin.
"W-Where's who?" The old man asked.
Erin exhaled deeply and demanded, "My partner! Where is he?" Her voice was a low growl.
The old man glanced at the silent team.
Erin pressed her gun against the old man's knee, her threat clear. "You have five seconds to tell me where my partner is, or I'll blow your kneecap off..."
The old man nodded hastily, confessing, "My son... he took my car."
Erin removed her gun, and Antonio queried, "Took it where?"
"The Michigan River," the old man disclosed with a heavy sigh.
The team acknowledged the information and departed the house.
Erin strode to her truck, and Kim approached with concern. "Hey, are you okay?"
Erin faced her best friend, her voice tense. "My husband is missing, and I'm working my ass off to find him! So, the next time you ask if I'm okay, I'll have an answer for you..." Erin's threat hung in the air.
Kim was frightened but understood Erin's pain; she too missed Jay.
"Understood," Kim murmured softly.
Erin climbed into her truck and set off after the team.
Ten minutes later, Erin was the first to reach the scene.
She dashed from her truck toward the river, calling out, "JAY!"
Erin crossed under the police tape, the team close behind.
The submerged car's windows were foggy; Erin wiped them, asking, "Jay? Baby, are you in there?"
With a heavy heart, Erin stepped back as Kevin approached.
"I've got this, Linds," Kevin assured her, then shattered the window. Erin quickly unlocked the door.
Water gushed out, revealing the empty seats.
Erin swore under her breath and slammed the door shut. "He's not here..." she murmured.
Hank joined her, resolute. "Let's canvass the area! Someone must know something," he declared.
The team dispersed in search of clues.
Meanwhile, in a warehouse, Jay lay on the ground.
A car approached, and Jay hoped for rescue, but it was Roy.
Kent noticed his brother walked over to him.
"Bro- I'm so so-." Kent started.
Roy shot Kent in the chest, making him fall to the ground.
As Kent fell. Jay started sitting up and held his hands up.
Roy walked over and pointed his gun at Jay.
"No! Please I got a son-." Jay got cut off.
Two shots ran out and hit Jay straight in the stomach.
Jay collapsed, his hands cuffed behind his head.
Roy made his way to his pickup truck and headed home.
In the bullpen, the unit's ideas were dwindling.
Kim pursued another lead, only to come up empty-handed once more. "Boss, I've chased down every lead, and I've got nothing," Kim said, exasperated.
Hank gave a nod and turned to Mouse. "I've been trying to triangulate Jay's cell from various points, but it needs further work," Mouse admitted.
Hank acknowledged with another nod, his sigh heavy.
Erin, unable to contain her frustration, challenged the room, "That's it? We're just going to do nothing?"
The team exchanged uneasy glances, their heads bowed. "Someone we love, someone I fucking love, is missing! And all you can do is sit here?" Erin's voice rose in disbelief.
The team remained silent, their eyes averted. "Ask yourselves, WHERE DO YOU THINK JAY IS RIGHT NOW?" Erin's shout echoed, startling everyone, Hank flinching at the intensity.
"Jay would never have given up on us. Yet, I don't see that same commitment here," Erin's voice broke, the disappointment palpable.
The team felt a collective guilt as Erin stormed out, slamming the locker room door behind her.
Hank absorbed Erin's words, then addressed the team with newfound determination. "Erin's right. We're not giving up. Jay's our best friend, and I refuse to let him die without us doing everything we can to find him. Contact all your CIs, follow up on new leads, do whatever it takes. Just bring our boy home," Hank's voice trailed off to a whisper.
Galvanized, the team nodded and sprang into action.
Jay remained in the warehouse, his shirt soaked with blood.
Moments later, he jolted awake with a sharp intake of breath.
Jay groaned and pulled his shirt out of his pants.
Two holes were evident in Jay's stomach and one was bubbling up with blood.
Jay groaned and looked over at Kent.
Jay leant over and let out a gasp as he felt his wounds touch the cold ground.
Jay grabbed the belt and sock and leant back onto his back.
Jay made a tourniquet with the sock and the belt.
Squelching was heard as Jay tightened the belt.
"Ugh! O-Ow..." Jay winced.
Jay let out a breath and got onto his stomach.
Jay slithered himself out of the warehouse and left a blood trail behind him.
Five minutes later, Jay stepped outside and made his way to the car.
Seizing a hefty rock, he shattered the window.
As the glass broke, he opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, leaning on the steering wheel. "Don't die... Don't die..." he whispered to himself.
Losing consciousness, Jay managed to turn on the headlights before it was too late.
The beams cut through the darkness, sealing his fate.
Meanwhile, Adam and Erin were searching the area. "Erin, it's 6 o'clock!" Adam announced.
Erin glanced at him and nodded in acknowledgment. "I've called Lucy; she's okay with staying another two hours," she confirmed.
Adam approached and placed a hand on Erin's shoulder. "Is that what she said, or are you just making excuses to keep searching for Jay?" he inquired.
Erin sighed, her gaze falling. "We can't just do nothing," she murmured.
Adam drew her into an embrace, planting a kiss on her head. "We're following every lead, which will bring us to Jay, I promise," he assured her.
Erin sniffled and exhaled deeply. "Darling, go relieve Lucy and spend some time with Jayden. Remember, you became as much Jayden's mom. When Upton hit the bottle and crashed the car. When you signed the papers, you signed up for being there in case one of his parents go missing or have to work late. So, I'm telling you this as an order... Go be with your son," Adam urged her.
Erin nodded, her resolve firm. "Call me the moment you find anything," she insisted.
"I will," Adam agreed.
With a final nod, Erin walked to her truck and drove away.
Alone, Adam continued to search the area.
The team quickly arrived at Jay's location, searching for him.
As Adam and Kim sprinted down the warehouse alley, they spotted a car. "You see that?" Adam inquired.
Kim nodded, reaching for her radio. "5021 Eddie: I've located our missing officer at 1224 Sierra Street. Send backup and an ambulance!" Kim commanded.
Approaching the car, they found Jay unconscious, his hands covered in blood. "Damn," Adam muttered under his breath.
Kim knelt beside Jay, whispering, "Jay, buddy? We're here. If you can hear me, we're here..." offering reassurance.
Adam surveyed the warehouse's grim interior. "5021 Ida. We have one male, deceased on arrival. Requesting the crime lab," Adam reported.
Gently, Kim removed Jay's hands from the steering wheel, cradling him in her arms. "I'll ride with him in the back! Get us to Med!" Kim directed.
Adam nodded, taking the driver's seat. "Hang in there, buddy. We've got you," Kim murmured.
Adam ignited the engine, exiting the warehouse.
"This is Adam Ruzek: Requesting a police escort to Med. Our missing officer is in critical condition, bleeding severely. Prepare a trauma bay at the entrance. We're en route without lights!" Adam broadcasted.
Hearing the call, Hank responded, "Adam? Do you have Jay?"
Adam, navigating the traffic lights, confirmed, "Yes! Kim and I have him!"
The team exhaled in relief, though Kevin hesitated before asking, "How is he...?"
After a pause, Adam's voice transmitted the grim news, "He's unconscious, with two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He's lost roughly a liter of blood. We're heading to Med now!"
The team hurried to their vehicles. "We're on our way!" Antonio communicated.
Adam arrived at the medical center and noticed the bed. "Hurry the hell up!" he commanded.
The medical team approached the vehicle.
Kim cradled Jay in her arms and transferred him to the bed. "Move, move!" Connor directed.
Jay was rushed into the medical center with Adam and Kim in tow.
Shortly after, Jay was moved onto the bed as Connor issued commands. "Cut his clothes off," Connor instructed.
Doris began to administer oxygen to Jay while they removed his clothing. "We need to close these..." Mike said apologetically.
Kim and Adam acknowledged and attempted to peer through the window.
As the blinds closed, concern washed over Kim and Adam.
Hank rushed in with the team.
"Where's Jay? How is he?" Hank inquired.
Adam and Kim sighed before responding.
"We couldn't see much; they were all around him, and a nurse shut the blinds and curtains," Adam recounted.
Hank nodded and exhaled deeply.
Later, Erin and Jayden hurried in, with Jayden scurrying to keep pace with Erin.
"Mama!" exclaimed Jayden.
Erin halted and lifted Jayden into her arms.
"How is he?" Erin questioned.
Hank approached Antonio and handed him some bills.
"Take Jayden to the cafeteria. Get him anything he wants. Wait for my message," Hank directed.
Antonio acknowledged with a nod and approached.
"Hi Tigger! Want to see what's in the cafeteria?" Antonio invited.
Jayden glanced at Erin, hesitant.
"Go on, baby," Erin encouraged softly.
Jayden agreed and toddled away.
"He's in critical condition. They've moved him to the OR. We only saw them cutting off his clothes and administering oxygen," Hank detailed.
Erin nodded and slumped into a chair.
"Do we know who did this?" Erin inquired.
The team shook their heads, and Adam spoke up.
"We've identified the DOA in the warehouse as Kent Oceans. He had two priors for attempted kidnapping and kidnapping," Adam disclosed.
Erin covered her mouth and nose with her hands, nodding in acknowledgment.
After a few hours, Connor walked out.
Erin rose and approached him. "How is he?" she inquired.
Connor sighed before responding, "We've removed the two bullets. Fortunately, they didn't hit any arteries or major blood vessels. We've administered blood transfusions to compensate for the loss. He's currently intubated, but we expect to extubate him in about an hour after the nurse checks Jay's vitals," he explained.
The team exhaled in relief and embraced Connor. "Thanks, man!" Adam said with a smile.
Connor nodded and walked away.
"Do you want to go see Daddy?" Hank asked.
Jayden nodded and stood up.
"Let's go, kiddo," Hank said with a smile.
Hank, Erin, and Jayden walked towards Jay's room and entered.
Jay was asleep, a breathing tube in his throat, IVs in both arms, and a chest tube.
"Don't be scared. You can go see Daddy," Adam whispered.
Jayden approached Jay's bed slowly and sat in the chair.
"Mama, what's this thing in Daddy's mouth?" Jayden inquired.
Erin approached and explained.
"It's a breathing tube, baby. It helps Daddy breathe," Erin answered.
Jayden nodded and played with his toy cars.
A few hours later, Jay was extubated and had a nasal cannula in his nose.
Jay opened his eyes and saw his son.
"Hi, Little Man," Jay said hoarsely.
Jayden looked up and grinned.
"DADDY!" Jayden exclaimed joyfully.
Jay chuckled and lifted Jayden onto his lap.
"What's that?" Jayden asked curiously.
Jay followed Jayden's gaze.
"That's a small oxygen tube to help me breathe," Jay explained softly.
Jayden gave a nod and snuggled close to Jay's chest.
"Hey Man!" greeted Adam with a smile.
Jay, with his eyes half-closed, mustered a smile.
"I'm alright! No more sad faces, okay?" Jay said with a smirk.
Laughter filled the room as the team responded, and then Doris entered.
"Apologies, it's time for more medication," Doris said, smiling.
Jay acknowledged with a nod and cast his gaze downward.
"Are you feeling any pain?" Doris asked.
Looking up, Jay nodded in affirmation.
"It's my back..." he winced.
Understandingly, Doris responded.
"Don't worry, the Morphine will take effect shortly," she assured him.
Jay nodded once more and settled back against the pillows.
Within minutes, gentle snores escaped Jay's lips, signaling he had fallen asleep.
Jayden, noticing the change, looked up with concern etched on his face.
"Daddy? Wake up!" he called out, his voice tinged with a whimper.
Jay's eyes fluttered open, and in a hushed tone, he responded, "Let me sleep for a while. The nurse gave me some medication to make me sleepy," his words slurred slightly from grogginess.
Jayden gave a nod, and Hank approached. "Let's allow daddy to sleep a little longer," Hank proposed.
Jayden slid off the bed and stepped into Erin's embrace.
As the night deepened, Jayden was sound asleep in his own bedroom, while Erin too had succumbed to slumber in hers.
Readers note:
Thank you so much for the love and comments on my chapters!
This storyline will be a bit traumatic for some viewers who read these chapters...
If this triggers you in any sort of way or you just don't like chapters like this.
Please skip the storyline.
Love you always!
C x