Jay woke up to an empty bed, which was unusual. Hailey should have been back from her meeting with Voight by now. As he got up, he noticed a missed message on his phone.
It was from Hailey: "Hey Jay, I had to meet Voight early this morning to help him with something. I'll see you at the awards. Love you."
Jay tapped his wedding ring against the counter, the rhythmic sound echoing in the quiet kitchen. He held a mug of coffee in his other hand, its warmth barely registering as he stared blankly at the wall. His mind raced with questions. Why didn't Hailey come home? What could be so urgent that she had to leave so early? The message said she'd see him at the awards, but something didn't feel right.
He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. Jay knew Hailey could handle herself, but he couldn't help but worry. He decided to get ready for the day, hoping that keeping busy would distract him until the awards ceremony.
As he dressed, Jay's thoughts kept drifting back to Hailey. He replayed their last conversation in his mind, searching for any clues that might explain her sudden departure. But nothing stood out. He sighed, grabbing his police cap and heading out the door.
Jay picked Hailey up halfway through his drive, and they walked side by side.
"Have you heard from Voight?" Jay asked.
Hailey nodded. "Yeah, we went out for drinks late last night. Sorry about coming home so late."
Jay brushed it off. "I'm sure he's fine, Hails."
Hailey nodded and walked over to her teammates.
"See, I'm not the last one," Ruzek commented, adjusting his tie.
"You've literally just walked up," Burgess retorted.
Everyone laughed, and Platt spoke up. "Have you heard from your sergeant?"
Hailey shook her head. "He's not turned up for the awards. The Commander isn't happy," Trudy continued.
The unit sighed, and Hailey grew worried.
"I'm sure he'll turn up. I mean, he's Voight! He always finds his way back," Adam smiled.
The unit nodded and walked inside the building.
The Intelligence Unit walked into the awards ceremony, the room buzzing with chatter and excitement. As they approached the front, the Commander stepped forward to greet them.
"Good to see you all," the Commander said, shaking hands with each member. When he reached Hailey, he paused. "Where's Voight? I expected him to be here."
Hailey hesitated for a split second before replying, "He had a family emergency, sir. He sends his apologies."
Jay glanced at Hailey, his brow furrowing in concern. Why was she covering for Voight? He knew something wasn't right, but now wasn't the time to question her.
The Commander nodded, though he didn't seem entirely convinced. "I see. Well, let's proceed. Congratulations to all of you."
As the ceremony continued, Jay couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. He kept stealing glances at Hailey, who seemed to be avoiding his gaze. When the awards were finally handed out and the applause died down, Jay pulled Hailey aside.
"What's going on, Hailey? Why did you say Voight had a family emergency?" he asked, his voice low but urgent.
Hailey sighed, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "I can't explain right now, Jay. Just trust me, okay? We'll talk about it later."
Jay nodded reluctantly, but the worry in his eyes remained. He knew Hailey wouldn't lie without a good reason, but he couldn't help but feel that something bigger was at play.
The Intelligence Unit returned to the bullpen, the atmosphere still buzzing from the awards ceremony. Kim walked in, holding up a coffee pot. "Who wants coffee?" she asked.
Everyone raised their hands, and Kim chuckled. "I have like two hands, people," she said, heading into the breakroom.
Hailey took a deep breath and walked over to Jay. "Jay, I'm sorry about earlier," she began, her voice soft.
Jay brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "It's fine, Hailey. But I don't think Voight's okay. He's been ignoring me, and I think he blames me for Anna's death."
Hailey's eyes widened in concern. "Jay, that's not your fault. You did everything you could."
Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, but it doesn't change how he feels. I just wish he'd talk to me."
Hailey placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "We'll figure it out, Jay. Voight's tough, but he's not invincible. We'll get through this together."
Just then, Kim returned with a tray of coffee cups, balancing them precariously. "Alright, coffee's here. Someone help me before I spill everything."
The team laughed and quickly moved to help Kim, the tension easing slightly as they settled back into their routine.
Voight pushed open the door to the back room, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light. He moved to the corner where the dealer had indicated, kneeling down to pry up the floorboards. Sure enough, there was a small stash of drugs hidden beneath.
He grabbed the bag and stood up, his mind racing with thoughts of how to use this to his advantage. As he turned to leave, he heard a noise behind him. Spinning around, he saw another man, clearly strung out, stumbling towards him.
"Hey, man, you can't just take that!" the man slurred, reaching out a shaky hand.
Voight's expression hardened. "Get out of my way," he said coldly.
The man hesitated, then backed off, fear evident in his eyes. Voight walked past him, the bag of drugs clutched tightly in his hand. He needed to get back to the precinct and figure out his next move.
Voight walked out of the bar, the bag of drugs still clutched in his hand. As he stepped onto the street, he heard shouting coming from a nearby alley. His instincts kicked in, and he rushed over to see what was happening.
In the alley, he found a frantic mother kneeling beside her young son, who had white powder smeared across his face. The boy was crying, and the mother looked up at Voight with desperation in her eyes.
"It's just sugar! He found it in a bag on the ground and thought it was candy," she said, her voice trembling.
Voight shook his head, his expression grim. "That's not sugar," he said, kneeling down to examine the boy more closely. "We need to get him to a hospital, now."
The mother nodded, tears streaming down her face as she scooped up her son. Voight led them to his car, his mind racing with thoughts of how to handle this situation. He knew the boy's life depended on quick action, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to him.
As they sped towards the hospital, Voight couldn't help but think about the dealer he had confronted earlier. This was exactly why he did what he did—why he had to keep fighting, no matter the cost.
Voight pulled up to Chicago Med, the hospital's emergency entrance bustling with activity. He quickly got out of the car and helped the frantic mother carry her son inside. The boy's face was still smeared with the white powder, and his cries had weakened, making Voight's urgency even greater.
"Help! We need help here!" Voight called out as they entered the ER.
A nurse immediately rushed over with a gurney. "What happened?" she asked, her eyes widening at the sight of the boy.
"He ingested something. We think it's drugs," Voight explained, his voice steady but urgent.
The nurse nodded and quickly took the boy from his mother's arms, placing him on the gurney. "We'll take care of him. Follow me," she said, leading them to a treatment room.
As the medical team sprang into action, Voight and the mother stood by, watching anxiously. Dr. Will Halstead, one of the hospital's top physicians, entered the room and took charge.
"What's his name?" Dr. Halstead asked, glancing at the mother.
"Tommy," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Alright, Tommy, we're going to take good care of you," Dr. Halstead said reassuringly as he began examining the boy.
Voight stepped closer to the mother, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's in good hands. Dr. Halstead is one of the best."
The mother nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. Thank you for helping us."
Voight gave her a small, reassuring smile. "It's going to be okay."
As they waited, Voight's mind drifted back to the dealer and the stash he had found. He knew he had to get back to the precinct and follow up on this lead. But for now, his focus was on making sure Tommy pulled through.
Voight walked into the precinct, his face set in a grim expression. As he entered the bullpen, the team immediately noticed his presence.
"Where have you been, Sarge?" Halstead asked, concern lacing his voice.
Voight took a deep breath, trying to keep his frustration in check. "I was dealing with a new case. Found a kid with drugs on him. It's a mess."
Burgess frowned. "Why are we getting cases that don't belong to us? Shouldn't this be handled by Narcotics?"
Voight's eyes flashed with anger. "Because it's our job to clean up this city, Burgess. We don't get to pick and choose our cases. We handle what's thrown at us."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Burgess looked taken aback by Voight's sharp tone, but she didn't back down. "I just meant—"
"I know what you meant," Voight interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. "But right now, we have a job to do. So let's focus on that."
The team exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement. Voight's outburst had made it clear that this case was personal for him, and they knew better than to push him further.
As they dispersed to their respective tasks, Jay caught Hailey's eye. She gave him a small, reassuring nod, but the worry in her eyes mirrored his own. They both knew that whatever was going on with Voight, it was far from over.
Voight took a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling inside him. He knew he needed to focus and get his team on the same page. He gathered everyone around the briefing table, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for an explanation.
"Alright, listen up," Voight began, his voice steady but firm. "Earlier today, I found a kid with drugs on him. This isn't just any case—this is personal. The drugs he had were laced with something dangerous, and we need to find out where they're coming from before more kids get hurt."
He looked around the room, making eye contact with each member of his team. "Burgess, I need you to follow up with the hospital. Get a full report on the kid's condition and see if they can identify the substance."
Burgess nodded, already reaching for her phone.
"Halstead, Upton," Voight continued, "I want you two to hit the streets. Talk to our informants, see if anyone's heard about a new batch of drugs hitting the market."
Jay and Hailey exchanged a glance before nodding in unison.
"Atwater, Dawson," Voight said, turning to them, "I need you to dig into the dealer I confronted. Find out who he's working for and where he's getting his supply."
Atwater and Dawson nodded, their expressions serious.
"Ruzek," Voight said, finally turning to him, "I want you to coordinate with Narcotics. Make sure we're not stepping on any toes, but also make it clear that we're taking the lead on this."
Ruzek gave a quick nod, already thinking about who to contact.
Voight took another deep breath, his eyes scanning the room once more. "This is a priority case. I don't want any more kids getting hurt because of this poison. Let's get to work."
The team dispersed, each member focused on their assigned tasks. Voight watched them go, a mix of pride and worry in his eyes. He knew they were the best at what they did, but this case felt different—more urgent, more personal. And he wasn't going to rest until they had answers.
As the team dispersed to tackle their assignments, Voight retreated to his office, his mind racing with the details of the case. He knew they were up against a dangerous operation, and time was of the essence.
Burgess quickly made her way to the hospital to get an update on Tommy's condition. She spoke with the attending physician, who confirmed that the substance the boy had ingested was a potent mix of heroin and fentanyl. The doctor handed her a detailed report, which she promised to relay back to Voight.
Meanwhile, Halstead and Upton hit the streets, visiting their usual informants. They questioned everyone they could find, trying to piece together any information about the new batch of drugs. After several hours of dead ends, they finally got a lead from a nervous dealer who mentioned a new supplier operating out of an abandoned warehouse on the south side.
Atwater and Dawson dug into the background of the dealer Voight had confronted. They discovered he was a small-time player with connections to a larger network. Their investigation led them to a name: Carlos "El Toro" Martinez, a notorious drug lord known for his ruthless tactics.
Ruzek coordinated with Narcotics, ensuring that their efforts were aligned. He managed to secure additional resources and support, making it clear that Intelligence was taking the lead on this case.
Back at the precinct, Voight reviewed the information his team had gathered. He called everyone back for a briefing.
"Good work, everyone," Voight said, as the team gathered around the table. "Burgess, what did you find out from the hospital?"
Burgess handed over the report. "The substance was a mix of heroin and fentanyl. The doctor said it was a miracle the kid survived."
Voight nodded grimly. "Halstead, Upton, any leads?"
Jay spoke up. "We got a tip about a new supplier operating out of an abandoned warehouse on the south side. It's worth checking out."
"Atwater, Dawson?" Voight asked.
Atwater leaned forward. "The dealer you confronted is connected to Carlos 'El Toro' Martinez. He's a big player, and if he's involved, this is serious."
Voight's expression hardened. "Alright, here's the plan. Halstead, Upton, you two check out the warehouse. Atwater, Dawson, I want you to dig deeper into Martinez's operations. Burgess, Ruzek, coordinate with Narcotics and get us backup. We're going to take this operation down."
The team nodded, their determination evident. Voight watched them go, a sense of resolve settling over him.
Jay walked into his and Hailey's apartment, the familiar scent of Chinese food wafting through the air as he placed the takeout bags on the kitchen counter. He sighed, pulling out his phone to text Hailey.
"Hey, got dinner. When are you coming home?" he typed, hitting send before leaning against the counter, waiting for her reply.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed. It was Hailey: "Sorry, Jay. Voight needs me to stay late. I'll be home as soon as I can. Love you."
Jay frowned, his worry deepening. He knew Hailey was dedicated to her job, but lately, it seemed like she was always covering for Voight. He couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on.
He texted back, "Okay, be safe. Love you too."
Jay put his phone down and started unpacking the food, setting out plates and utensils. He tried to push his concerns aside, but it was hard to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. He knew it was going to be another long night alone, and he couldn't help but wonder what was really keeping Hailey at the precinct.
As he sat down to eat, Jay's thoughts drifted back to their earlier conversation about Voight. He replayed the events of the day, trying to piece together any clues that might explain Hailey's behavior. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
He sighed, taking a bite of his food and hoping that Hailey would come home soon. They needed to talk, and he needed to know what was really going on.
Jay woke up the next morning, his hand instinctively reaching out for Hailey. The bed beside him was cold and empty. He sighed, the familiar pang of worry settling in his chest. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand—it was early, but he knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes and trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and he quickly grabbed it, hoping it was a message from Hailey. Instead, it was a notification from the precinct about a briefing later that morning.
Jay sighed again, running a hand through his hair. He decided to get up and start his day, hoping that keeping busy would help distract him from his concerns. As he moved through the apartment, he couldn't help but notice the little things that reminded him of Hailey—the mug she always used, her jacket draped over a chair, the scent of her perfume lingering in the air.
He made himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table, his mind racing with thoughts of Hailey and Voight. He knew he needed to talk to her, to understand what was really going on. But for now, all he could do was wait and hope that she would come home soon.
As he sipped his coffee, Jay's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Hailey: "Morning, Jay. I'm sorry I didn't make it home last night. Things got complicated. I'll explain everything when I see you. Love you."
Jay felt a mix of relief and frustration. He appreciated the message, but he needed more than just reassurances. He needed answers. He quickly typed a reply: "Okay, Hailey. Just be safe. Love you too."
He put his phone down and took another sip of his coffee, trying to push his worries aside. He knew they had a tough day ahead, and he needed to stay focused. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.
Jay Halstead walked into the bullpen, his eyes scanning the room. He immediately noticed that both Hailey and Hank Voight were absent. His concern deepened as he approached the rest of the team, who were busy with their tasks.
"Hey, where are Hailey and Voight?" Jay asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Burgess looked up from her desk. "Not sure. They haven't checked in yet this morning."
Jay frowned, his worry growing. "Alright, let's not waste any time. We've got a new case to handle."
He moved to the center of the room, drawing everyone's attention. "Listen up, everyone. We've got a lead on a new batch of dangerous drugs hitting the streets. We need to act fast before more kids get hurt."
The team gathered around, ready to take their assignments.
"Atwater, Dawson, I need you to follow up on the lead about Carlos 'El Toro' Martinez. Dig into his operations and see if we can find a connection to the new supplier."
Atwater and Dawson nodded, already making plans.
"Burgess, Ruzek, coordinate with Narcotics and get us any intel they have on this new batch. We need to know what we're dealing with."
Burgess and Ruzek exchanged a glance and quickly got to work.
"Everyone else, keep your ears to the ground. Talk to your informants, check your sources. We need to find out where these drugs are coming from and shut it down."
The team dispersed, each member focused on their task. Jay took a deep breath, trying to push his worries about Hailey and Voight aside. He knew they were both capable, but the uncertainty was gnawing at him.
As he settled into his role of running point on the case, Jay couldn't help but hope that Hailey and Voight would turn up soon, safe and ready to help tackle this new threat.
Hailey and Voight arrived at the crime scene together, their expressions serious as they stepped out of the car. The flashing lights of police vehicles illuminated the area, casting an eerie glow over the scene. Jay spotted them immediately and made his way over, his concern evident.
"Hailey, can I talk to you for a second?" Jay asked, his voice tense.
Hailey nodded, following Jay to a quieter spot away from the commotion. Voight watched them for a moment before turning his attention to the officers on the scene, giving them instructions.
"What's going on, Jay?" Hailey asked, her eyes searching his face.
Jay took a deep breath, trying to keep his frustration in check. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming here with Voight? I was worried sick."
Hailey sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, Jay. Things got complicated, and I didn't have time to explain."
Jay shook his head, his worry turning into frustration. "This isn't just about you, Hailey. We're a team. You can't keep shutting me out."
Hailey looked down, guilt flashing across her face. "I know, Jay. I just… I didn't want to drag you into this mess."
Jay softened, reaching out to take her hand. "We're in this together, Hailey. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Hailey nodded, squeezing his hand. "Okay. I'll fill you in later. Right now, we need to focus on the case."
Jay nodded, his concern still lingering but his resolve strengthening. "Alright. Let's get to work."
They rejoined the team, ready to tackle the new case head-on. Voight glanced at them, a hint of approval in his eyes as he saw them working together.
Hailey, Jay, and Voight entered the interrogation room, where a suspect sat handcuffed to the table. The tension in the room was palpable as they prepared to question him about the new drug operation.
Voight started the interrogation, his voice calm but firm. "We know you're involved with Carlos 'El Toro' Martinez. Tell us where the drugs are coming from."
The suspect smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Hailey's patience snapped. She lunged forward, grabbing the suspect by the collar and slamming him against the wall. "Don't play games with us!" she shouted, her face inches from his. "Kids are dying because of you!"
The suspect's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of fear. Hailey's anger only intensified. She spat at him, her voice shaking with rage. "Tell us where the drugs are!"
Jay stepped forward, his voice loud and commanding. "Enough, Hailey!"
But Hailey didn't stop. She pushed the suspect harder against the wall, her eyes blazing. "Talk, damn it!"
Jay shouted even louder, his voice echoing in the small room. "Hailey, that's enough!"
Hailey finally released the suspect, stepping back and breathing heavily. The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Voight watched them both, his expression unreadable.
Jay took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "We need answers, but this isn't the way."
Hailey nodded, her anger slowly subsiding. "I'm sorry, Jay. I just… I can't stand the thought of more kids getting hurt."
Jay placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know. But we have to do this right."
Voight stepped forward, his voice steady. "Let's take a break. We'll regroup and come back at this with a clear head."
The three of them left the interrogation room, the suspect's fearful eyes following them. As they walked down the hallway, Jay couldn't help but worry about Hailey. He knew her anger came from a place of deep concern, but he also knew they needed to stay focused and controlled to get the answers they needed.
The Intelligence Unit worked tirelessly, piecing together the final details of the case. With the information gathered from their informants and the evidence collected, they managed to track down and arrest Carlos "El Toro" Martinez, effectively shutting down the dangerous drug operation.
As the team returned to the precinct, there was a palpable sense of relief and accomplishment. They had prevented more harm and brought justice to those affected by the drugs.
Ruzek, always the one to lighten the mood, clapped his hands together. "Alright, team, we did it! How about we celebrate? Drinks at Molly's Bar, on me!"
The suggestion was met with enthusiastic agreement. Burgess grinned, "I could definitely use a drink after today."
Atwater nodded, "Count me in. We deserve it."
Jay glanced at Hailey, who gave him a small, tired smile. "Sounds good," she said, her eyes reflecting the exhaustion of the past few days.
Voight, standing nearby, gave a rare smile. "You all did good work today. Go enjoy yourselves. You've earned it."
The team gathered their things and headed out, the camaraderie and sense of accomplishment lifting their spirits. As they walked to Molly's Bar, Jay fell into step beside Hailey.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
Hailey nodded, leaning into him slightly. "Yeah, just tired. But I'm glad we got him."
Jay squeezed her hand. "Me too. Let's just enjoy tonight."
They arrived at Molly's Bar, the familiar warmth and chatter welcoming them. Ruzek immediately headed to the bar to order drinks for everyone, while the rest of the team found a table.
As they settled in, the tension of the past few days began to melt away.