It was Jay's birthday and The intelligence unit were all decorating the apartment with Erin shouting orders.
The apartment was buzzing with activity. Balloons of various colors floated around, and streamers hung from the ceiling. Erin, with her usual commanding presence, was directing everyone with precision.
"Ruzek, make sure those lights are evenly spaced!" she called out, pointing to the string of fairy lights Jay was struggling to hang.
"On it, boss!" Jay replied with a grin, adjusting the lights as instructed.
Meanwhile, Kim was busy setting up the snack table, arranging an assortment of treats and drinks. "Erin, where do you want the cake?" she asked, holding a beautifully decorated cake box.
"Right in the center, Kim. It's the star of the show!" Erin responded, her eyes scanning the room to ensure everything was perfect.
Voight walked in, carrying a stack of presents. "Looks like we're almost ready," he said, placing the gifts on a table designated for presents.
"Just a few more touches," Erin said, stepping back to admire their work. "This is going to be the best birthday Jay's ever had."
As the final decorations were put in place, the team took a moment to admire their handiwork. The apartment looked festive and welcoming, ready for the celebration.
"Alright, everyone, let's get ready to surprise Jay," Erin said, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "He should be here any minute."
The team quickly found their hiding spots, stifling giggles and whispers. The anticipation was palpable.
A few moments later, they heard footsteps on the stairs. Jay appeared, sneezing and sniffling, with his hood pulled up over his head. "Hey, guys," he called out, his voice slightly muffled by a stuffy nose.
"Surprise!" everyone shouted, jumping out from their hiding places. Jay's eyes widened in shock and then lit up with joy as he took in the scene, despite his obvious cold.
"Wow, you guys did all this for me?" he asked, clearly touched, though his voice was a bit hoarse.
"Of course, Jay," Erin said, stepping forward with a smile. "Happy birthday!"
Jay grinned, looking around at his friends and the beautifully decorated apartment. "This is amazing. Thank you, everyone," he said, pulling his hood down and rubbing his nose.
The party kicked off with laughter, music, and plenty of food. Jay couldn't stop smiling, feeling grateful for his team and the effort they had put into making his birthday special, even if he wasn't feeling his best.
The party was in full swing. Adam and Kevin had taken over the living room, enthusiastically playing "Just Dance" on the TV. Their exaggerated dance moves and competitive banter had everyone laughing and cheering them on.
Jay, still sniffling, had found a quiet corner to sit in with a beer. He watched his friends with a smile, appreciating the effort they had put into the celebration despite his cold.
Kim noticed Jay sitting alone and made her way over to him. "Hey, birthday boy," she said, taking a seat next to him. "How are you holding up?"
Jay chuckled softly, taking a sip of his beer. "I'm good, just a bit under the weather. But this is amazing. I can't believe you all did this for me."
Kim smiled warmly. "Of course we did. You deserve it. Plus, it's not every day we get to see Adam and Kevin make fools of themselves," she said, nodding towards the dancing duo.
Jay laughed, which quickly turned into a cough. "Yeah, that's definitely a highlight," he agreed, wiping his nose with a tissue.
Kim reached out and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Just take it easy tonight. We're all here to celebrate you, sick or not."
Jay nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thanks, Kim. It means a lot."
As the night went on, the team continued to enjoy the party, making sure Jay felt loved and appreciated. Despite his cold, Jay couldn't have asked for a better birthday surrounded by his friends.
As the night progressed, it was time for the speeches. Erin gathered everyone in the living room, signaling that the moment had arrived. "Alright, everyone, it's time to say a few words about our birthday boy," she announced, her voice carrying over the chatter.
She then walked over to Jay, who was still sitting with his beer. "Come on, Jay, we have a little surprise for you," she said with a mischievous smile. She gently blindfolded him, guiding him towards the center of the room.
"Erin, what are you up to?" Jay asked, laughing nervously as he stumbled forward.
"Just trust me," Erin replied, leading him carefully. However, in her excitement, she accidentally bumped Jay into Ruzek, who was standing nearby.
"Whoa, easy there!" Ruzek exclaimed, catching Jay before he could fall. "You okay, man?"
Jay chuckled, steadying himself. "Yeah, I'm good. Just a little disoriented."
Erin quickly removed the blindfold, revealing the room full of smiling faces. "Sorry about that," she said, laughing. "Alright, let's get started with the speeches."
Platt stepped forward first, a smirk on her face. "Detective Chuckles over here," she began, pointing at Jay, "has given us plenty of laughs over the years. Like that time in the bullpen when he and Ruzek decided to have a 'who can fit more donuts in their mouth' contest. Let's just say, it didn't end well for either of them or the donuts."
The room erupted in laughter, with Jay and Ruzek both turning a bit red. "Hey, I still say I won that one," Ruzek protested, grinning.
"Only because you cheated," Jay shot back, laughing.
Voight stepped forward next, clearing his throat. "Jay, you've been a crucial part of this team. Your dedication and bravery inspire us all. Happy birthday, and here's to many more years of working together."
Next, Kim took her turn. "Jay, you're not just a colleague, you're a friend. You've always had our backs, and we appreciate everything you do. Happy birthday!"
As the speeches continued, Pat Halstead, clearly a bit drunk, stumbled forward with a glass in hand. "You know, Jay wasn't always the hero you all see today," he began, his voice slurring slightly. "There was a time when he was on drugs, and let me tell you, he made my childhood a living hell."
The room fell silent, the festive atmosphere evaporating in an instant. Jay's face turned pale, and he clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure.
"Pat, that's enough," Erin said sharply, stepping forward to intervene.
But Pat continued, oblivious to the tension. "He was a mess, always getting into trouble, dragging me into his chaos. You all think he's so great, but you didn't see what I had to deal with."
Jay couldn't take it anymore. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "That's enough, Pat!" he shouted, his voice shaking with anger and hurt.
Without waiting for a response, Jay stormed out of the room, heading upstairs. The sound of a door slamming shut echoed through the apartment, leaving an awkward and heavy silence behind.
Erin shot Pat a furious look. "Really, Pat? You had to bring that up?"
Pat looked around, suddenly realizing the impact of his words. "I… I didn't mean to…"
Erin didn't wait for him to finish. She quickly made her way upstairs, knocking gently on Jay's door. "Jay, it's Erin. Can I come in?"
From inside the room, Jay's voice came through, loud and strained. "No! Go away!"
Erin sighed, leaning her forehead against the door for a moment. She could hear the pain and frustration in his voice. "Jay, I'm really sorry about what Pat said. He was out of line."
There was a moment of silence before Jay responded, his voice still firm but quieter. "Just… leave me alone, Erin. Please."
Erin hesitated, wanting to help but knowing Jay needed some space. "Alright, but we're here for you when you're ready," she said softly before turning to head back downstairs.
Back in the living room, the atmosphere was tense. Pat sat with his head in his hands, clearly regretting his outburst. The rest of the team exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do next.
Erin rejoined them, shaking her head slightly. "He's really upset. Let's give him some time."
The team nodded, understanding the need to let Jay process his emotions. They quietly resumed the party, though the mood was noticeably subdued, each of them hoping Jay would come back down and join them when he was ready.
The team decided to give Jay some space and moved outside to the patio, hoping the fresh air would help clear the tension. They chatted quietly, each of them worried about Jay and feeling the weight of the evening's events.
Inside, Jay sat alone in the kitchen, his emotions swirling. The hurtful words from Pat had reopened old wounds, and he felt overwhelmed. In a moment of weakness, he turned to an old coping mechanism he thought he had left behind.
He spotted the birthday cake on the counter, untouched and beautifully decorated. Without thinking, he grabbed a fork and started eating, shoveling large pieces into his mouth. The sweet taste was a temporary distraction from the pain, but it didn't take long for the guilt and shame to set in.
As he continued to eat, tears welled up in his eyes. He knew this wasn't the answer, but he felt powerless to stop. The cake, meant to be a symbol of celebration, now felt like a burden.
Outside, Erin glanced towards the house, her worry for Jay growing. "I think we should check on him," she said, voicing what everyone was thinking.
The team nodded in agreement and headed back inside. They found Jay in the kitchen, hunched over the cake, his face streaked with tears. The sight broke their hearts.
"Jay," Erin said softly, stepping forward. "You don't have to do this alone. We're here for you."
Jay looked up, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I just… I didn't know what else to do."
Hailey moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug. "It's okay, Jay. We're here, and we love you. We'll get through this together."
The rest of the team joined in, surrounding Jay with support and understanding. They knew it would take time, but they were determined to help him heal and remind him that he wasn't alone.