The next morning at 3 AM, Kim woke up to find Jay's side of the bed empty.
Concerned, she quietly slipped out of bed and made her way downstairs.
The soft glow of a laptop screen illuminated the living room, and she saw Jay hunched over the keyboard, deeply engrossed in his sergeant revision notes.
The document on the screen was already six pages long.
Kim walked over to him, her footsteps light on the floor. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles. "Hey," she whispered, starting to massage his shoulders. "You should be resting."
Jay continued typing, his eyes fixed on the screen. "I know," he replied softly, "but I need to get this done."
Kim sighed, her hands working to ease the knots in his shoulders. "You need to take care of yourself too, Jay. You've been through a lot."
Jay paused for a moment, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. "I know," he said again, his voice barely audible. "But this… it helps me focus. Keeps my mind off things."
Kim nodded, understanding his need to stay busy. "Just promise me you'll take a break soon, okay?"
Jay turned his head slightly to look at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I promise," he said, reaching up to squeeze her hand. "Thanks, Kim."
She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "Anytime," she whispered, continuing to massage his shoulders as he resumed his work.
As the morning light began to filter through the windows, the rest of the unit started arriving at Jay and Kim's place.
They had planned to check in on Jay, knowing he had been through a lot the previous day. One by one, they entered the living room, their expressions turning to concern as they saw Jay still hunched over his laptop, typing away.
"Jay, man, you look exhausted," Kevin said, walking over and placing a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Have you even slept?"
Jay glanced up briefly, his eyes red and tired. "A little," he replied, his fingers never stopping their dance across the keyboard.
Lindsay shook her head, worry etched on her face. "You need to rest, Jay. This isn't good for you."
Adam, standing by the doorway, crossed his arms and frowned. "Seriously, Jay. You look like you haven't slept in days."
Voight stepped forward, his voice firm but caring. "Jay, you need to take care of yourself. This can wait."
Jay sighed, finally pausing his typing. "I know, but I need to get this done. It's helping me keep my mind off things."
Kim, still standing behind him, continued to massage his shoulders. "We understand, Jay, but you can't keep pushing yourself like this."
Antonio nodded in agreement. "We're all here for you, man. You don't have to do this alone."
Jay looked around at his team, their faces filled with concern and support. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words. "Okay," he said softly, closing his laptop. "I'll take a break."
The unit visibly relaxed, relieved that Jay was finally going to rest. Kim guided him to the couch, wrapping a blanket around him. "Just rest for a bit, okay?" she said gently.
Jay nodded, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Thanks, everyone," he murmured, feeling the exhaustion finally catch up to him.
A few hours later, the unit had settled into a comfortable silence, each of them finding a spot to relax in the living room.
Jay had managed to get some rest, but as the morning progressed, he found himself drawn back to his laptop.
Quietly, he slipped away from the couch and returned to his work, the soft clicking of the keyboard filling the room.
Kim noticed first, her eyes narrowing with concern. She walked over to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Jay, you promised you'd rest," she said softly.
Jay looked up at her, his eyes still tired but determined. "I know, but I need to finish this. It's important."
Kevin, hearing the conversation, walked over and shook his head. "Jay, you need to take it easy. We don't want you burning out."
Lindsay joined them, her expression mirroring Kevin's concern. "You've been through a lot. It's okay to take a break."
Voight, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Jay, listen to them. This isn't a sprint. You've got time."
Jay sighed, feeling the weight of their concern. "I just… I need to feel like I'm doing something productive," he admitted.
Adam, leaning against the wall, chimed in. "We get it, man. But your health comes first."
Kim squeezed his shoulder gently. "We're all here to help you. You don't have to do this alone."
Jay looked around at his team, their faces filled with support and understanding. He nodded slowly, closing his laptop once more. "Okay," he said, his voice soft. "I'll take a break."
The unit collectively sighed in relief, glad to see Jay taking their advice to heart.
Kim guided him back to the couch, wrapping the blanket around him again. "Just rest, Jay. We've got your back," she said reassuringly.
Jay leaned back, feeling the exhaustion wash over him once more. "Thanks, everyone," he murmured, closing his eyes.
A few hours later, the unit was still gathered in the living room, keeping an eye on Jay as he rested. Suddenly, the sound of tiny footsteps echoed through the house. Emma, Jay and Kim's young daughter, toddled into the room, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Morning, sweetie," Kim greeted her with a smile, watching as Emma made her way to the kitchen.
Emma reached for the carton of orange juice on the counter, her small hands struggling to hold it steady.
As she tried to pour herself a glass, the carton slipped from her grasp, and orange juice splashed everywhere, including onto Jay's laptop.
The room fell silent as the laptop emitted a series of alarming electric noises.
The unit collectively gasped, their eyes wide with shock.
"Oh no!" Kevin exclaimed, rushing over to the laptop. "Jay's gonna freak out!"
Lindsay covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with concern. "What are we going to do?"
Kim quickly scooped Emma up, her voice calm but firm. "It's okay, Emma. Let's get you cleaned up." She carried Emma to the other side of the room, sitting her down gently. "Stay here for a moment, okay?"
Emma nodded, her eyes wide with confusion and worry. "Sorry, Mommy," she whispered.
Kim kissed her forehead. "It's okay, sweetie. It was an accident."
Back in the living room, the unit gathered around the laptop, trying to assess the damage. "How are we going to tell Jay?" Adam asked, his voice filled with dread.
Voight sighed, rubbing his temples. "We'll have to be honest with him. He needs to know."
Jay walked into the lounge holding a sandwich, and he dropped it when he noticed his laptop. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice groggy.
The unit exchanged nervous glances before Kevin stepped forward. "Jay, there's been a bit of an accident," he began, his voice gentle.
Jay's eyes widened as he saw the orange juice-soaked laptop. "Oh no," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "What happened?"
Kim walked over, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Emma was trying to get some juice and it spilled. I'm so sorry, Jay."
Jay's face contorted with anger. "Emma!" he shouted, his voice filled with frustration.
He rushed to the laptop, trying to salvage his work. "Why can't you be more careful?"
Emma's eyes filled with tears as she tried to apologize. "I'm sorry, Daddy," she said, her voice trembling.
Jay slammed the laptop off the table in a fit of rage. "Sorry isn't good enough!" he yelled, storming off towards the door. "I can't deal with this right now."
Emma sobbed, her small body shaking with fear and guilt.
Kim quickly went to her, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "It's okay, Emma. Daddy's just upset," she whispered, trying to soothe her.
The unit stood in stunned silence, unsure of how to react.
Voight finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "We'll talk to him. He needs to understand that this isn't the way to handle things."
Kim nodded, her eyes filled with worry. "Please, just give him some time to cool off," she said softly.
Jay slammed the door behind him, the sound echoing through the house. Emma's sobs grew louder, and Kim held her tighter, whispering words of comfort.
The unit exchanged glances, their concern for both Jay and Emma evident.
An hour had passed since Jay stormed out, and the atmosphere in the house was tense. The unit had tried to keep things calm, but the worry was palpable. Emma, still sniffling, looked up at Kim with wide, tear-filled eyes.
"Where's Dada?" she asked, her voice small and trembling.
Kim hugged her tightly, brushing a strand of hair from Emma's face. "Daddy just needed some time to cool off, sweetie. He'll be back soon."
Kevin, sitting nearby, tried to offer a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Emma. Your dad just needs a little break. He'll be okay."
Lindsay nodded, her expression softening as she looked at the little girl. "Sometimes grown-ups need a bit of time to themselves when they're upset. But he loves you very much."
Adam, leaning against the wall, added, "Your dad's just having a tough time right now. But we're all here for you, okay?"
Voight, standing by the window, turned to face the group. "Jay's been through a lot. He just needs some space to process everything. He'll come around."
Emma nodded slowly, still clutching onto Kim. "Okay," she whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Kim kissed the top of her head. "Why don't we draw a picture for Daddy? Something to cheer him up when he gets back."
Emma's eyes brightened a little at the suggestion. "Okay, Mommy," she said, her voice a bit steadier.
The unit exchanged relieved glances, glad to see Emma starting to calm down. They knew it would take time for Jay to come to terms with everything, but they were determined to support him and his family through it all.
After making sure Emma was settled with her drawing supplies, Kim decided to check on Jay.
She walked through the house, calling his name softly.
When she reached the bathroom, she heard the unmistakable sound of retching. Her heart sank as she opened the door to find Jay hunched over the toilet, vomiting.
"Jay," she said softly, rushing to his side. She knelt down beside him, rubbing his back gently. "It's okay, I'm here."
Jay coughed and wiped his mouth, his face pale and sweaty. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice weak. "I just… I couldn't handle it."
Kim's eyes filled with tears as she continued to comfort him. "It's okay, Jay. You're going through a lot. Just take it easy."
Jay leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes. "I feel like I'm failing everyone," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kim shook her head, her hand still on his back. "You're not failing anyone. We're all here for you, and we love you. Just focus on getting better."
Jay nodded slowly, taking deep breaths to calm himself. "Thanks, Kim," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Kim helped him to his feet and guided him back to the living room, where the unit was waiting. They all looked up, their faces filled with concern.
"How are you feeling, Jay?" Voight asked, his voice gentle.
Jay managed a small smile. "Better, thanks," he replied, sitting down on the couch.
Emma ran over, holding up her drawing. "Look, Dada! I made this for you!"
Jay's eyes softened as he took the picture. "It's beautiful, Emma. Thank you," he said, pulling her into a hug.
The unit watched, relieved to see Jay starting to heal.
The evening had settled in, and the unit gathered around the dining table for dinner.
The aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, and the sound of clinking cutlery and soft conversation created a warm atmosphere.
However, Jay was not at the table with them. Instead, he was on the couch, his laptop open as he worked on his new report.
A migraine throbbed behind his eyes, but he tried his best not to let it show.
Kevin glanced over at Jay, concern etched on his face. "Jay, you should really take a break and join us for dinner," he said gently.
Jay shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the screen. "I need to finish this," he replied, his voice strained.
Lindsay sighed, exchanging a worried look with Adam. "You've been pushing yourself too hard. You need to eat and rest."
Jay rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pain. "I'll be fine. Just a bit more to go."
Emma, sitting at the table with her drawing supplies, looked up at her dad. "Dada, come eat with us," she said, her voice filled with innocence and concern.
Jay forced a smile, looking over at his daughter. "I'll be there soon, sweetheart. Just need to finish this first."
Voight, sensing the tension, decided to step in. "Jay, listen to your daughter. This report can wait. Your health can't."
Jay sighed, feeling the weight of their concern. "I know you're all worried, but I need to get this done," he said, his voice softening.
Kim walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We understand, Jay. But you need to take care of yourself too. Come eat with us, even if it's just for a little while."
Jay looked up at her, seeing the worry in her eyes. He nodded slowly, closing his laptop. "Okay," he said, standing up and making his way to the table.
The unit made space for him, and Jay sat down, feeling the warmth of their support. Emma handed him a drawing she had made, and Jay's heart melted at the sight. "Thank you, Emma," he said, pulling her into a hug.
As they began to eat, the conversation flowed easily, and Jay felt a sense of relief wash over him.
As the unit continued their dinner, Jay felt a bit more at ease, surrounded by the warmth and support of his family and friends. He finished his meal and decided to get up to stretch his legs. As he stood, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and his vision blurred.
"Jay?" Kim called out, noticing his unsteady movements.
Jay tried to steady himself, but his legs felt weak. He swayed on his feet, and before he could react, his knees buckled. The room seemed to spin around him, and he nearly fainted.
Kevin and Adam were quick to react, rushing to his side and catching him before he could hit the floor. "Whoa, easy there," Kevin said, his voice filled with concern.
"Jay, are you okay?" Adam asked, helping him back to the couch.
Jay nodded weakly, his face pale. "Yeah, just got up too fast," he muttered, trying to catch his breath.
Kim knelt beside him, her eyes filled with worry. "You need to rest, Jay. You've been pushing yourself too hard."
Lindsay brought over a glass of water, handing it to Jay. "Here, drink this. It might help."
Jay took the glass with trembling hands, taking a few sips. "Thanks," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Voight stood nearby, his expression stern but caring. "Jay, you need to listen to your body. This isn't something you can just push through."
Emma, watching from the table, looked scared. "Dada, are you okay?" she asked, her voice small and worried.
Jay managed a weak smile, reaching out to her. "I'm okay, sweetheart. Just need to rest a bit."
Kim placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll take care of everything. You just focus on getting better."
The unit nodded in agreement, their faces filled with concern and determination. They knew Jay needed to take it easy, and they were ready to support him every step of the way.
Jay leaned back on the couch, feeling the exhaustion wash over him. He knew he had to take their advice seriously. "Thanks, everyone," he said softly, closing his eyes. "I appreciate it."
As the evening wore on, the unit decided it was time to turn on the lights. The room had grown dim, and they wanted to create a more comfortable environment for everyone, especially Jay. Kevin reached for the light switch, and the room was suddenly bathed in a warm, gentle glow.
Jay, still lying on the couch, squinted against the sudden brightness. His head throbbed with the intensity of his migraine, and he tried his best not to protest or whimper. He didn't want to worry anyone more than they already were.
Kim noticed his discomfort and quickly moved to his side. "Jay, are you okay?" she asked softly, her hand gently brushing his forehead.
Jay forced a smile, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice was strained. "Just a bit of a headache."
Lindsay, seeing his struggle, dimmed the lights slightly. "Is that better?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Jay nodded, grateful for the small relief. "Yeah, thanks," he replied, closing his eyes for a moment to ease the pain.
Emma, still sitting at the table, watched her dad with wide eyes. "Dada, do you need anything?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Jay opened his eyes and looked at his daughter, his heart aching at the sight of her concern. "No, sweetie. I'm okay," he said softly. "Just need to rest a bit."
Voight stepped forward, his expression serious but caring. "Jay, you need to take it easy. Let us handle things for now."
Adam nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. We've got this. You just focus on getting better."
Jay sighed, feeling the weight of their concern. "I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks, everyone."
Kim gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "We're all here for you, Jay. Just rest."
As the evening continued, Jay's discomfort grew more evident. He sat up on the couch, his hands trembling as he pulled at his hair in frustration. The pain and stress of the past few days seemed to crash down on him all at once, and he couldn't hold back the sob that escaped his lips.
Kim, seeing his distress, quickly crouched in front of him, her arms outstretched. "Jay, it's okay," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Come here."
Jay looked at her, his eyes filled with pain and exhaustion. He hesitated for a moment before collapsing into her embrace, his body shaking with sobs. Kim held him tightly, her hands gently rubbing his back in soothing circles.
"It's okay, Jay. Let it out," she whispered, her own eyes brimming with tears. "We're here for you."
The rest of the unit watched in silence, their hearts aching for their friend. Kevin, Lindsay, Adam, and Voight exchanged glances, each of them feeling the weight of Jay's pain.
Emma, sensing the tension, walked over and gently placed her small hand on Jay's arm. "It's okay, Dada," she said softly. "We love you."
Jay's sobs grew quieter as he felt the support of his family and friends surrounding him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I just… I can't handle it all."
Kim pulled back slightly, cupping his face in her hands. "You don't have to handle it all alone, Jay. We're here to help you," she said firmly. "You don't have to be strong all the time."
Jay nodded, tears still streaming down his face. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you all."
Voight stepped forward, his expression softening. "We're a team, Jay. We take care of each other," he said, his voice steady. "We'll get through this together."
As the evening continued, Jay sat on the couch, trying to engage with Emma. She had brought over her drawing to show him, and he smiled weakly, trying to focus on her cheerful chatter.
"Dada, look! I drew a picture of us," Emma said, holding up her artwork proudly.
Jay looked at the drawing, his heart warming at the sight. "It's beautiful, Emma," he said softly, reaching out to touch the paper. "You're very talented."
Emma beamed, but her smile faded as she noticed Jay's expression change. He suddenly stopped speaking, his eyes glazing over. His body tensed, and he began to tremble slightly.
Kim, who had been watching from nearby, quickly moved to his side. "Jay?" she called out, her voice filled with concern.
The rest of the unit noticed the change and rushed over. Voight, observing Jay's symptoms, leaned in close and whispered urgently, "He's going into a fit."
Kevin and Adam gently guided Jay to lie down on the couch, making sure he was safe. "Jay, we're here," Kevin said, his voice steady. "Just stay with us."
Lindsay grabbed a pillow and placed it under Jay's head, while Kim held Emma close, trying to keep her calm. "It's okay, Emma. Daddy's going to be okay," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jay's body convulsed as the fit took hold, and the unit worked together to ensure he was safe and comfortable. Voight kept a close eye on him, ready to act if needed.
After what felt like an eternity, the fit began to subside. Jay's body relaxed, and his breathing steadied. He blinked slowly, trying to regain his bearings.
Kim knelt beside him, her eyes filled with tears. "Jay, can you hear me?" she asked softly.
Jay nodded weakly, his voice barely audible. "Yeah… I'm okay," he managed to say.
Emma, still clinging to Kim, looked at her dad with wide, worried eyes. "Dada, are you okay?" she asked, her voice small and scared.
Jay reached out to her, his hand trembling. "I'm okay, sweetheart," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Just need to rest."
The unit breathed a collective sigh of relief, glad to see Jay coming back to himself. They knew it would take time for him to fully recover, but they were ready to support him every step of the way.
Kim held Jay's hand tightly, her heart aching for him. "We're all here for you, Jay," she said softly. "We'll get through this together."
Later that night, Kim and Jay were in bed, trying to find some semblance of peace after the day's events. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the night outside. Kim lay beside Jay, her hand resting gently on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
Jay, however, was struggling to sleep. Every time he started to drift off, his hands would spasm involuntarily, jerking him awake. He tried to stay still, not wanting to worry Kim, but the spasms were persistent.
Kim noticed his discomfort and turned to face him, her eyes filled with concern. "Jay, are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jay sighed, his frustration evident. "I can't sleep," he admitted, his voice strained. "My hands keep spasming."
Kim reached out and gently took his hands in hers, trying to soothe the tremors. "It's okay, Jay. Just try to relax," she said, her voice calm and reassuring.
Jay closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth of Kim's touch. "I'm trying," he whispered, his voice filled with exhaustion.
Kim continued to hold his hands, her fingers gently massaging the tense muscles. "You're doing great, Jay. Just take deep breaths," she encouraged.
Jay took a deep breath, trying to follow her advice. The spasms gradually began to subside, and he felt a small measure of relief. "Thank you, Kim," he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude.
Kim leaned in and kissed his forehead. "I'm here for you, Jay. Always," she whispered.
Jay nodded, feeling the weight of her words. He knew he wasn't alone in this, and that gave him the strength to keep going. "I love you," he said, his voice barely audible.
"I love you too," Kim replied, her voice filled with emotion.
They lay there in the quiet, holding each other close.