The next morning, the soft light of dawn filters through the curtains. Kim is still asleep, her breathing steady and peaceful. Jay, already awake, rolls over and gently kisses her neck, causing her to stir.
Kim's eyes flutter open, and she whispers, "Morning."
Jay smirks, his eyes twinkling with affection. "Morning," he replies.
Kim leans in, kissing him gently. "How did you sleep?" she asks softly.
"Better than I have in a long time," Jay admits, his smile widening. "What do you want for breakfast?"
Kim thinks for a moment, still savoring the warmth of the morning. "How about some pancakes? With fresh fruit and maybe some coffee?"
Jay nods, his eyes lighting up. "Sounds perfect. I'll get started on it."
Kim smiles, feeling a sense of contentment. "I'll join you in a minute."
Jay gives her one last kiss before getting out of bed and heading to the kitchen. Kim watches him go, feeling grateful for these quiet moments together. She stretches, enjoying the comfort of the bed for a few more minutes before getting up to join him.
As she walks into the kitchen, she sees Jay already busy at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced ease. The smell of fresh coffee fills the air, and Kim can't help but smile.
"Need any help?" she asks, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Jay turns his head to kiss her cheek. "Just keep me company. That's all the help I need."
Kim laughs softly, leaning against the counter as she watches him cook. "I think I can manage that.".
Kim and Jay sit at the kitchen table, enjoying their pancakes and coffee. The morning is peaceful, filled with the comforting sounds of breakfast being shared. Suddenly, Jay's phone buzzes with a text message. He glances at the screen, and his expression changes instantly.
Kim notices the shift and asks, "What's up?"
Jay takes a deep breath, his voice tight. "It's my mom. She said my dad had a heart attack."
Kim's eyes widen with concern. "Oh my God, Jay. I'm so sorry. I'll take you to Med right now."
Jay shakes his head, his jaw set. "No, Kim."
Kim looks at him, confused. "Are you sure? You should be there."
Jay cuts her off, his voice firm but pained. "We didn't have a good relationship. He wouldn't want to see me. Let's just go to the precinct."
Kim hesitates, searching his face for any sign that he might change his mind. Seeing his resolve, she nods slowly. "Okay, if that's what you want."
Jay nods, appreciating her understanding. "Thanks, Kim."
They finish their breakfast in a more subdued silence, the weight of the news hanging over them. As they prepare to leave for the precinct, Kim stays close to Jay, offering silent support.
Jay sits across from the nervous and scared suspect, his demeanor calm and understanding. He knows he needs to approach this interrogation with care. After a few moments of silence, Jay stands up and walks over to the suspect, crouching down to be at eye level.
"Listen," Jay begins softly, "I know you're scared. I can see it in your eyes. But I want to tell you something about my own childhood."
The suspect looks up, curiosity and fear mingling in his gaze.
"My dad was an alcoholic," Jay continues, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "He was drunk pretty much all the time. One weekend, early in the morning, he was already drunk. My mom got hit by his glass bottle. She tried to cover up the bruises with concealer, but you could still see them."
Jay pauses, letting the words sink in before continuing. "My siblings and I were playing around, trying to stay out of his way. He yelled at my mom, 'Tell them to shut up or I'll do the same as yesterday.' My mom stepped in, trying to calm him down, but it didn't work. He got so angry, he yelled so loud it frightened all of us."
The suspect's eyes widen, clearly affected by Jay's story.
"He'd get so angry, he'd lash out," Jay says, his voice growing softer. "He'd grab a belt, an extension cord, anything he could get his hands on. And it was me who stopped him. I took the brunt of it to protect my mom and siblings."
Jay looks directly into the suspect's eyes, his expression filled with empathy. "Was that your childhood too?"
The suspect's face crumples, tears streaming down his cheeks. He nods, unable to speak through his sobs.
Jay places a comforting hand on the suspect's shoulder. "You're not alone. I understand what you're going through. But you need to tell us the truth. It's the only way we can help you."
The suspect takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Okay," he whispers, his voice trembling. "I'll tell you everything."
Jay nods, giving the suspect a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Thank you. You're doing the right thing."
As the suspect begins to open up, Jay feels a sense of relief. He knows that sharing his own painful past has helped someone else find the courage to speak up.
Jay walks out of the interrogation room, a satisfied smile on his face. He heads towards the bullpen, where Kim and Voight are waiting. Adam, noticing Jay's expression, can't help but ask, "Did that really happen?"
Jay shakes his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Total crap," he replies, keeping his tone light.
Adam nods, looking pleased. "Good work, man."
Voight steps forward, giving Jay a nod of approval. "Nice job, Jay. You got the confession we needed."
Jay nods back, appreciating the praise. As Voight and Adam walk away, Kim stays behind, her eyes filled with concern. She steps closer to Jay, lowering her voice. "Jay, was your childhood really that bad?"
Jay looks at her, his expression softening. He reaches out, taking her hand in his. "No, babe. I just said what I needed to get the confession. Don't worry about it."
Kim searches his eyes, wanting to believe him. "Are you sure?"
Jay squeezes her hand gently, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure. Let's focus on the case, okay?"
Kim nods, feeling a bit more at ease. "Okay. Just know I'm here for you, no matter what."
Jay leans in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I know, and I appreciate it. Now, let's get back to work."
Later that evening, the precinct is quiet, and everyone has returned to their apartments. Jay, however, finds himself at the hospital reception, asking where his dad is. The receptionist gives him the room number, and Jay makes his way through the sterile hallways, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.
As he approaches the room, he stops just outside the door. Through the small window, he sees his dad talking to one of the nurses. His father looks frail, but there's a softness in his expression that Jay hasn't seen in years. The nurse smiles kindly, and his dad manages a weak smile in return.
Jay's eyes fill with tears as he watches the scene. The story he told the suspect earlier wasn't just a tactic—it was the painful truth of his childhood. He sniffles, trying to hold back the flood of emotions. The memories of his father's anger and the fear he felt as a child come rushing back, overwhelming him.
He gives a sad smile, knowing that despite everything, a part of him still cares. But the wounds run deep, and he's not ready to face his father just yet. With a heavy heart, Jay turns and walks away, leaving the hospital behind.
Jay walks to his apartment, his mind heavy with the events of the day. As he approaches his door, he notices Kim standing outside, waiting for him. She smiles warmly when she sees him.
"You came," Jay says, a hint of relief in his voice.
Kim nods. "You asked."
Jay unlocks the door, and they both step inside. They take off their jackets, and Jay heads to the kitchen. "Wanna beer?" he asks.
Kim nods, and Jay hands her a bottle before sitting down beside her. They sit in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their beers. Finally, Kim breaks the silence.
"Back in that interrogation… that was true, wasn't it?"
Jay sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. He nods, looking down at his beer. "Yeah, it wasn't total crap. It was brutal and messed up. No child should have to go through that."
Kim sits down beside him, her eyes filled with concern and empathy. "Tell me about it," she says softly.
Jay takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "One night, my dad came home drunk from a game. He slammed the door and saw me still up, eating some ice cream. He started yelling at me, asking what the hell I was doing up. I was too scared to even look him in the face. I tried to explain, but he went crazy. He stole the ice cream, threw it on the floor, grabbed my hair, and pushed me. All I could do was shake and cry."
Kim's eyes fill with tears as she listens, her heart breaking for Jay.
"He drilled into my brain that I was a wimp, that wimps cry, not grown men. He said no wonder I had no friends. Then he left, but came back down looking sober. He saw me still on the floor, gently picked me up, sat me down, and whispered 'I love you.' He always said that after we had an argument or fight. I was always waiting for the punch afterwards, so I never said 'I love you' back. I didn't know if he was going to hit me or something."
Kim reaches out, taking Jay's hand in hers. Tears stream down her face as she squeezes his hand tightly. "Jay, I'm so sorry you went through that. No one should have to endure that kind of pain."
Jay looks at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and vulnerability. "Thanks, Kim. It means a lot to have you here."
Kim leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "I'm always here for you, Jay. Always."
They sit together in silence, finding comfort in each other's presence, knowing that they don't have to face their pasts alone.
Jay looked down, his voice barely above a whisper. "Kim, I'm sorry I didn't say 'I love you' back then. I was just so scared and confused."
Kim stood up and walked over to him, crouching down so she could look him in the eyes. She gently placed her hand on his cheek, her touch warm and reassuring.
"Jay, you don't have to apologize for that," she said softly. "You were just a kid, trying to survive in a terrible situation. It's not your fault."
Jay's eyes filled with tears, and he took a shaky breath. "I just… I wish things had been different."
Kim nodded, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know. But you're here now, and you're doing your best. That's what matters."
Jay reached out, taking her hand in his. "Thank you, Kim. For everything."
Kim smiled, leaning in to kiss him gently. "I'm always here for you, Jay. Always."
Later that night, Jay is restless in his sleep. His mind is plagued by memories of his childhood, and he begins to have a nightmare. In his dream, he is a young boy again, standing in the dimly lit living room of his childhood home. The air is thick with tension, and he can hear his father's angry voice echoing through the house.
"Jay, what the hell are you still doing up?" his father yells, the words slurred and menacing.
Jay's heart races as he tries to explain, but his voice is small and trembling. "I was just… just having some ice cream."
Suddenly, the scene shifts, and Jay is crouched on the floor, his father's shadow looming over him. The sound of a glass bottle shattering against the wall makes him flinch. His father's voice, now eerily calm, cuts through the silence. "You're a wimp, Jay. Wimps cry, not grown men."
Jay's breath catches in his throat as he feels a hand grab his hair, yanking him up. He can see his mother's tear-streaked face, her eyes pleading for mercy. "Please, Pat, stop," she whispers, her voice breaking.
But his father doesn't stop. The nightmare intensifies, and Jay feels the sting of a belt against his skin. He tries to shield himself, but the blows keep coming. The pain is overwhelming, and he can hear his father's voice, now filled with a twisted kind of affection. "I love you, Jay," he whispers, the words a cruel mockery of comfort.
Jay wakes with a start, his body drenched in sweat. He sits up, gasping for breath, the nightmare still vivid in his mind. Kim, who had been sleeping beside him, wakes up and immediately notices his distress.
"Jay, what's wrong?" she asks, her voice filled with concern.
Jay takes a moment to collect himself, his heart still pounding. "Just a nightmare," he says, his voice shaky. "It was about my dad."
Kim reaches out, taking his hand in hers. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Jay nods, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and vulnerability. "Yeah, I think I do."
As he begins to recount the details of his nightmare, Kim listens intently, her heart aching for him.
Kim noticed the distress etched on Jay's face and realized he needed a change of scenery to calm his mind. She gently placed a hand on his arm. "Jay, how about we go for a drive? Sometimes a change of scene can help."
Jay looked at her, his eyes still haunted by the nightmare. "You think that'll help?"
Kim nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, let's just drive around the block until you feel more relaxed. It might help you fall asleep."
Jay sighed, but the idea seemed to bring him some comfort. "Alright, let's give it a try."
They grabbed their jackets and headed out to the car. Kim took the wheel, and Jay settled into the passenger seat. As they drove through the quiet streets, the rhythmic motion of the car and the cool night air began to soothe Jay's frayed nerves.
Kim kept the conversation light, talking about anything and everything to keep Jay's mind occupied. Slowly, she noticed the tension in his shoulders easing, and his breathing becoming more even.
After a few laps around the block, Jay's eyes started to droop. Kim glanced over at him, a soft smile on her lips. "Feeling better?"
Jay nodded, his voice drowsy. "Yeah, thanks, Kim. I think I can sleep now."
Kim drove back to the apartment and helped Jay inside. As they settled back into bed, Jay's eyes closed almost immediately, his breathing steady and calm. Kim watched him for a moment, relieved to see him finally at peace.
"Goodnight, Jay," she whispered, leaning in to kiss his forehead. "I'm here for you, always."