The next morning, Jay was fast asleep, the events of the previous day having taken their toll on him. He was in a deep, restful slumber when he was abruptly awakened by the sound of retching coming from the bathroom.
Jay's eyes shot open, and he quickly sat up, his heart racing. He hurried to the bathroom, finding Ashley hunched over the toilet, looking pale and unwell.
"Ashley, are you okay?" Jay asked, his voice filled with concern as he knelt beside her, gently rubbing her back.
Ashley took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I think it's just something I ate," she said weakly, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.
Jay frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. "We should get you to a doctor, just to be sure."
Ashley shook her head slightly. "I'll be fine, Jay. I just need to rest."
Jay wasn't convinced, but he didn't want to push her too hard. "Alright, but if it gets worse, we're going," he said firmly.
Ashley managed a small smile, appreciating his concern. "Deal."
Jay helped her back to bed, making sure she was comfortable. He sat beside her, holding her hand. "Just rest, Ash. I'll take care of everything."
Ashley nodded, closing her eyes. "Thanks, Jay. You're the best."
Jay watched her for a moment, his heart aching with worry. He knew he needed to be strong for her, just as she had been for him.
A knock at the door interrupted the quiet morning. Jay, still on edge from Ashley's sudden illness, got up and walked to the door. He opened it to find the unit standing there, concern etched on their faces.
"Hey, Jay," Adam began, but before he could say more, Jay snapped.
"What do you want?" he barked, his frustration and worry boiling over. "Can't you see we're dealing with something here?"
The unit was taken aback by Jay's outburst. Kevin raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Whoa, Jay, we just came to check on you guys. We heard Ashley wasn't feeling well."
Jay took a deep breath, realizing he had overreacted. "I'm sorry, guys," he said, his voice softening. "It's just… Ashley's sick, and I'm worried about her."
Kim stepped forward, her expression sympathetic. "We get it, Jay. We're here to help, not to intrude."
Jay nodded, feeling a wave of guilt for snapping at his friends. "Thanks. It's just been a rough morning."
Adam gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No worries, man. We're all in this together. If you need anything, just let us know."
Jay managed a small smile. "I appreciate it. Right now, I just need to focus on Ashley."
The unit nodded in understanding. "Take care of her, Jay," Kevin said. "We'll handle things here."
Jay closed the door and returned to Ashley's side, feeling a bit more at ease knowing his team had his back.
Ashley was now in a hospital gown, resting in her bed after the initial examinations. She looked tired but managed a small smile when Jay walked in, his arms overflowing with teddy bears and gifts.
"Jay, what is all this?" she asked, her voice a mix of amusement and exhaustion.
Jay grinned sheepishly. "I thought you could use some cheering up," he said, placing the teddies and gifts around her bed. "I might have gone a bit overboard."
Ashley chuckled softly. "It's perfect. Thank you."
As Jay arranged the gifts, he noticed the unit standing just outside the room, watching with supportive smiles. Adam, Kevin, Kim, and even Platt had come to check on them.
"Hey, guys," Jay said, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thanks for coming."
Adam stepped forward, giving Jay a reassuring pat on the back. "Of course, man. We wanted to make sure you both were okay."
Kevin nodded. "Yeah, we're here for you, whatever you need."
Kim smiled warmly at Ashley. "How are you feeling, Ashley?"
Ashley took a deep breath, her hand resting on one of the teddy bears. "A bit better now. They're running some tests to figure out what's going on."
Platt, her usual tough exterior softened, gave a nod of approval. "You're in good hands here. Just focus on getting better."
Jay looked around at his friends, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, everyone. It means a lot to have you here."
Jay had fallen asleep on the couch in Ashley's hospital room, one arm dangling off the side. The unit, having come to check on them, couldn't resist teasing him.
"Look at him," Adam whispered with a grin. "Sleeping like a baby."
Kevin chuckled. "Yeah, and with one arm off the couch. Classic Jay."
Kim smirked. "Should we wake him up or let him drool a bit longer?"
Ashley, hearing their playful banter, smiled and shook her head. "Leave him alone, guys. He needs the rest."
Just then, Jay stirred and slowly opened his eyes, blinking groggily. He sat up, rubbing his face, and noticed the unit standing there with amused expressions.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Adam teased.
Jay rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Very funny, guys."
He turned to Ashley, his expression softening. "I got your meds," he said, holding up a small bag from the hospital pharmacy.
Ashley reached out and took the bag, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Jay. You're the best."
Jay leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Anything for you, Ash."