The next morning, Jay Halstead was at the park, playing soccer with Bobby, Angela's young son. Bobby was trying his best, but a few missed kicks and stumbles had him feeling frustrated.
"Hey, it's okay, buddy," Jay said, kneeling down to Bobby's level. "You're doing great. Just keep practicing, and you'll get better."
Bobby nodded, a small smile returning to his face. Just then, Angela walked over, her expression warm. "Time for school, Bobby," she called out.
Bobby groaned, dragging his feet as he walked over to his mom. "Do I have to?"
Angela chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Yes, you do. Say thank you to Jay."
"Thanks, Jay," Bobby said, giving him a quick hug before heading towards the car.
Angela turned to Jay, her gratitude evident. "Thank you for this, Jay. It means a lot."
Jay smiled, standing up. "Anytime, Angela. He's a great kid."
Angela nodded, giving Jay a warm smile. "We'll see you around. Come on, Bobby."
As Angela and Bobby walked off, Jay noticed Kim Burgess sitting in her truck nearby. He walked over, leaning on the car door. "You following me, Burgess?"
Kim smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, that's what happens when you lie to your partner."
Jay raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I lied to you?"
Kim nodded, her smile widening. "Yeah, you said you didn't have any plans this weekend. Looks like you were pretty busy."
Jay chuckled, shaking his head. "Caught me. But hey, it's not like I was avoiding you."
Kim laughed, the tension between them easing. "Good to know. Now, let's get to work."
The unit was busy at a crime scene, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Jay Halstead's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Angela. His expression shifted to one of urgency.
"I gotta run," Jay said to Kim, who was nearby.
Kim looked at him, surprised. "Now? We're in the middle of a case."
Jay nodded, his face serious. "It's important. I'll be quick."
Kim sighed but nodded. "Alright, but hurry up."
Jay rushed off, driving quickly to Angela's house. When he arrived, he dumped his badge and gun on the front seat and hurried inside, calling out her name. "Angela! Angela, where are you?"
As he walked into the kitchen, he was suddenly struck from behind with a baseball bat. The force of the blow sent him crashing into the wall before he fell to the floor, unconscious. His shirt rode up slightly, revealing a small cut that began to bleed.
The next morning, Kim Burgess was walking past the interrogation rooms, her phone pressed to her ear as she tried calling Jay Halstead again. "Jay, this is the third message I've left. I'm getting annoyed. Call me back."
Sergeant Trudy Platt walked in, her expression curious. "Is Halstead on a UC run?"
Hank Voight shook his head, looking concerned. "No, he's not. Why?"
Platt frowned. "He was due in court today, and he didn't turn up."
Kim's head snapped up at the mention of Jay's name. She rushed over. "What? He didn't show up in court?"
Voight turned to Kim, his eyes narrowing. "You heard from him?"
Kim started to explain, "I called him a few times, but—"
Voight cut her off. "Did you GPS his truck?"
Platt quickly checked her computer. "Englewood. His truck's been there all night."
The unit exchanged worried glances. Adam Ruzek asked, "How long has it been there?"
Platt replied, "Since last night."
Voight's expression hardened. "Check it out. Now."
The unit sprang into action, each member patting Kim on the shoulder as they grabbed their gear. Kim, her heart pounding with worry, ran downstairs with the rest of the team, determined to find Jay and figure out what had happened.
The unit arrived at the location in Englewood, their faces set with determination. Kim Burgess stormed over to Jay's truck, her heart pounding. She yanked the door open and looked inside, her eyes scanning for any sign of him.
Kevin Atwater cracked the window, peering inside. "It's empty," he said, frustration evident in his voice.
Kim, not ready to give up, instructed, "Check the glovebox. Jay wouldn't let anyone know he was a cop."
Vanessa Rojas nodded and opened the glovebox. "I've got his badge and gun," she announced, holding them up.
Kim's heart sank. She whispered, "He must've gone undercover." Her eyes then caught sight of something alarming. "There's blood inside."
She pulled out her gun, and the rest of the unit followed suit, their weapons drawn. They moved cautiously up the stone steps, their senses on high alert. Kim pushed the door open, and they all entered, their voices echoing through the empty house.
"Jay! Call out if you can hear us!" Kim shouted, her voice filled with urgency.
They moved further into the house, their eyes scanning every corner.
Suddenly, they noticed a trail of blood on the floor. The sight made their hearts race even faster.
"There's blood here," Kevin said, his voice tense.
Hank Voight pulled out his radio and called dispatch. "We need backup at our location. Possible abduction, involving our officer."
Kim's eyes filled with tears as she wondered how they had managed to get Jay out.
Jay Halstead slowly regained consciousness, his head throbbing with pain. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy and unresponsive. As his vision cleared, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
"Jay! Jay, can you hear me?" Angela's voice was filled with urgency and fear.
Jay groaned, struggling to sit up. He realized he was still in Angela's kitchen, the memory of being struck with a baseball bat flooding back. He looked around, trying to locate Angela.
"Angela," he croaked, his voice weak. "Where are you?"
Angela appeared from around the corner, her face pale and eyes wide with worry. "Oh my God, Jay, you're awake. Are you okay?"
Jay winced as he touched the back of his head, feeling the sticky warmth of blood. "I've been better. What happened?"
Angela knelt beside him, her hands trembling. "I don't know. I heard a noise and came in to find you on the floor. I thought you were dead."
Jay tried to stand, but his legs wobbled. Angela winced, her stomach bleeding from the shot. "We need to get out of here," he said, his voice gaining strength. "It's not safe."
As they sat still, Jay's mind raced. He needed to contact his team and let them know what had happened. But first, they had to get to safety.
Back at the bullpen, the unit was busy piecing together the clues from the crime scene. Adam Ruzek placed a photo of Angela on the board, detailing her background and prior offenses.
"Angela Wrightson," Adam began, pointing to the photo. "She's got a history of violent behavior and a string of priors, including assault and theft."
Kim Burgess, who had been listening intently, suddenly recognized the name. "Wait, I know her. She was involved in a case I worked on a few years ago. She was always in trouble, but I never thought she'd escalate to something like this."
Hank Voight turned to Kim, his expression serious. "Do you know what this might be about?"
Kim shook her head, her mind racing. "I'm not sure, but she was always unpredictable. If Jay got involved with her, it could be dangerous."
Voight nodded, his concern deepening. "Alright, let's dig deeper into her connections and see if we can find out what Jay was doing there. We need to find him, and fast."
The unit sprang into action, each member focused on uncovering any leads that could help locate Jay. The urgency in the room was palpable, and Kim couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her.
Hank Voight walked into his office, his mind racing with the latest developments. Kim Burgess followed closely behind, her expression a mix of worry and determination.
"Sarge, I need to tell you something," Kim began, closing the door behind her.
Voight turned to face her, his eyes narrowing. "What is it, Burgess?"
Kim took a deep breath. "Jay was with me this morning. He was helping out with Angela and her son, Bobby."
Voight's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why was he with them?"
Kim explained, "Angela's been having a tough time, and Jay's been trying to help her out. He was playing soccer with Bobby when I saw them."
Voight nodded, processing the information. "So, he was trying to help her. Did he mention anything about going undercover or why he might have gone to her house last night?"
Kim shook her head. "No, he didn't. But he left his badge and gun in his truck, so he must have thought it was important."
Voight's expression hardened. "Alright, we need to find out what he was up to and why. Let's get the team on this and see if we can track down any leads."
Kim nodded, her resolve strengthening. "We'll find him, Sarge."
Voight gave her a reassuring nod. "I know we will. Let's get to work."
In the dimly lit warehouse, Jay Halstead was tied to a chair, his head throbbing from the earlier blow.
One of the abductors stood in front of him, bouncing Jay's head with a rough hand.
"Where's the information?" the abductor demanded.
Jay remained silent, his vision blurring.
Frustrated, the abductor landed a hard blow to Jay's stomach, causing him to gasp and feel dizzy.
Nearby, the other abductor had Angela pinned against the wall, squeezing her wounded arm.
She screamed in pain, tears streaming down her face.
"Don't hurt her!" Jay yelled, his voice filled with desperation. "I'll give you all I know. Just stop!"
The abductor smirked, enjoying the power he held.
He landed another punch on Jay, just for the fun of it, before stepping back. "That's more like it," he sneered, then turned and walked out of the room, leaving Jay and Angela in their dire situation.
Jay's mind raced as he tried to think of a way out.
He knew the unit would be looking for him, but he had to hold on until they arrived.
He glanced at Angela, her face contorted in pain, and felt a surge of determination. He wouldn't let them hurt her any more than they already had.
Kim Burgess stood in the middle of the intelligence unit's office, her frustration boiling over.
She was arguing with the police commander, her voice rising with each word.
"Jay should've been here three hours ago! What are we doing just sitting around?
"Thanks for your damn help!"
She turned off her phone and shoved it into her pocket, her hands trembling with anger and worry.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Kim grabbed a nearby cup and hurled it against the wall, watching it shatter into pieces.
She broke into tears, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
Adam Ruzek walked in, his expression softening when he saw Kim's distress. "How you holding up?" he asked gently.
Kim shrugged, sniffles punctuating her words. "I don't know, Adam. I just… I can't stand not knowing where he is."
Adam squeezed her hand, offering silent support. "We'll find him, Kim. We have to."
Kim whispered, her voice barely audible, "We have to do something."
Adam nodded, his determination matching hers. "We will. We'll get him back."
Just then, Kevin Atwater walked in, his face serious. "I've got news," he announced, drawing everyone's attention.
Kevin Atwater stepped forward, his expression serious but hopeful.
"We've got a lead," he began, capturing everyone's attention.
"I managed to trace Jay's last known location to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Surveillance footage shows a van matching the description of the one seen near Angela's house heading in that direction."
Kim's eyes widened with a mix of relief and urgency. "Do we have a team ready to move in?"
Kevin nodded. "SWAT is on standby, and we're coordinating with them now. We need to move fast, but we have to be careful. We don't know what we're walking into."
Adam squeezed Kim's hand again, his voice steady. "We'll get him back, Kim. We're not going to let anything happen to him."
Kim took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "Let's do this. We need to bring Jay home."
Voight, who had been listening intently, stepped forward.
"Alright, everyone. Gear up and get ready to move out. We're bringing Jay back, no matter what."
The team sprang into action, each member focused and determined.
The urgency in the room was palpable, but so was the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
They were a family, and they would do whatever it took to protect one of their own.
In the dimly lit warehouse, Jay struggled against the ropes binding him to the chair.
He pulled at his ties, but they only seemed to tighten with each attempt. His wrists were raw, and his muscles ached from the effort.
Angela, slumped against the wall, looked at him through half-closed eyes.
"Jim… what are we going to do?" she asked, her voice weak and drowsy from the pain.
Jay paused, his breath heavy. He knew he had to keep her calm, but he also needed to be honest.
"Angela, there's something you need to know," he said, his voice steady despite the situation.
"My real name isn't Jim. It's Jay Halstead. I'm a detective with the Chicago PD."
Angela's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing her face. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Jay sighed, feeling the weight of his confession. "I was trying to protect you. I didn't want you to get caught up in all of this. But now, we need to work together to get out of here."
Angela nodded slowly, her trust in him evident despite the revelation. "Okay, Jay. What do we do now?"
Jay glanced around the room, searching for anything that could help them escape.
"We need to stay strong and wait for the right moment. My team is out there looking for us. We just have to hold on a little longer."
Angela's eyes filled with determination. "I trust you, Jay. We'll get through this."
The intelligence unit arrived at the location where the van had been spotted.
They quickly surrounded the vehicle, weapons drawn. The driver, a scruffy-looking man, was pulled out of the van by Adam Ruzek.
"What's going on?" the driver protested, trying to sound innocent.
Kim Burgess, her patience worn thin, snapped. "Where's Jay Halstead? He should've been here three hours ago!"
She yanked the driver out of the truck, her grip firm and unyielding.
The rest of the unit opened the back doors of the van, only to find it empty except for a few cell phones scattered around.
There was no sign of Jay.
"Voight, there's no sign of Jay, but we found these," Adam called out, holding up the phones.
Hank Voight walked over, his expression darkening.
He grabbed the driver by the collar and pulled him close. "Where's Jay Halstead?" he demanded, emphasizing Jay's last name.
The driver shrugged, trying to play dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Voight's patience snapped. He slapped the driver hard across the face. "Don't play games with me. Book him and his son," he ordered, his voice cold and authoritative.
The driver, now visibly shaken, was led away by the officers. Voight turned to his team, his eyes filled with determination. "We're not stopping until we find Jay. Let's keep moving."
Kim, still shaken but resolute, nodded. "We'll find him, Sarge. We have to."
Angela was getting weaker by the minute, her breaths shallow and labored.
Jay still tied to the chair, watched her with growing concern. "Angela, stay with me," he urged, his voice filled with worry.
The abductor walked back into the room, a smug look on his face. Jay seized the moment.
"Help her! She needs medical attention. Get her some help!"
The abductor hesitated for a moment, then walked over to Angela and handed her a bottle of water.
Angela took a few sips, her hands trembling. "I have something to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jay's heart pounded, fearing she was about to reveal his true identity.
But instead, Angela said, "I have a son. He needs chemo. I need to be there for him."
Jay felt a wave of relief wash over him. The abductor's expression softened slightly.
"I can't let you go," he said, surprising both Jay and Angela.
He walked over to Jay, his demeanor shifting back to hostility. "What are you looking at?" he snarled, delivering a hard kick to Jay's side before walking out of the room.
Jay winced in pain but turned to Angela, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Angela."
Angela's eyes hardened. "I wasn't doing it for you," she snapped, her tone cold and unyielding.
Jay's heart sank, but he knew he had to stay focused.
They were running out of time, and he needed to find a way to get them both out of there.
Kim and Vanessa walked purposefully towards the interrogation room where the suspect's son, Diego, was being held.
Vanessa glanced at Kim, sensing her tension. "Is this how you normally roll on a case?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Kim's expression hardened. "They've got my partner," she replied, her voice firm.
Vanessa nodded in understanding.
They entered the room and greeted Diego.
"Hey," they both said, their tones professional but firm.
Diego looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and defiance.
"Can I go now?" he asked.
Kim shook her head. "No, you can't."
Diego scoffed. "I didn't do anything."
Vanessa stepped in, her voice calm but authoritative. "Your car was used in a robbery," she lied, hoping to rattle him.
Diego's eyes widened. "That's not true! I wasn't involved in any robbery!"
Kim nodded, playing along. "Vanessa, cuff him."
"No!" Diego shouted, struggling as Vanessa moved to cuff him.
They led him out of the room, his protests echoing down the hallway.
As they approached the holding cage where his father was being kept, Diego shouted, "Dad!"
His father responded in Spanish, his voice filled with concern.
Vanessa led Diego away, his shouts mingling with his father's.
Hank Voight walked over to the cage, his expression stern.
The father looked at him, desperation in his eyes. "Don't hurt my son," he pleaded.
Voight nodded, his voice low and menacing. "Where's Jay Halstead?"
The father hesitated, and Voight leaned in closer.
"This girl," he said, nodding towards Kim, "I'm only here to keep her from beating your ass."
The father's resolve crumbled. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you. Jay is being held in an old warehouse on the east side of town."
Voight nodded, satisfied. He turned to Kim. "Good work. Let's get moving."
Kim felt a surge of relief and determination. "Let's bring him home," she said, her voice resolute.
They both headed upstairs, ready to lead the team to rescue Jay.
Jay, his wrists raw and bleeding, finally managed to loosen the ropes binding him.
With a final, desperate tug, he freed himself and immediately ran over to Angela. She was barely conscious, her wound bleeding heavily.
"Hang in there, Angela," Jay said, pressing down on her wound to slow the bleeding.
He handed her his gun, his eyes filled with determination. "If anyone comes in, you use this."
Angela nodded weakly, clutching the gun with trembling hands. "Be careful," she whispered.
Jay stood up, his body aching but his mind focused.
He made his way to the warehouse door, every step filled with purpose.
As he stepped outside, he spotted one of the abductors.
Without hesitation, Jay lunged at him, catching him off guard.
The abductor reacted quickly, delivering a low punch to Jay's stomach.
Jay fell back, gasping for breath, but he quickly recovered and kicked the abductor in the stomach.
The man doubled over in pain, giving Jay a moment to grab a nearby pin.
With a swift, decisive move, Jay jabbed the pin into the abductor's side.
The abductor collapsed to the ground, bleeding out.
Jay stood over him for a moment, his breath heavy, before turning back towards the warehouse. He knew he had to get Angela out of there.
As he walked back into the warehouse, his vision blurred and his strength waned.
Halfway to Angela, Jay's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion and injuries.
The intelligence unit arrived at the warehouse, their movements swift and coordinated.
They found a gap in the wall, just big enough for someone to squeeze through.
Kim handed Kevin her gun and badge, preparing to make her way inside.
"Be careful," Kevin said, his voice filled with concern as he helped her into the gap, her legs balanced on his hands.
Kim nodded, her determination clear. "I will."
She slid down into the warehouse, landing softly on the other side.
Kevin quickly handed her gear through the gap.
Kevin pulled up his radio, informing Voight of the situation. "Sarge, Kim's inside. She's going in alone."
"Alone?" Voight's voice crackled through the radio, a mix of concern and urgency.
"She's got this," Kevin reassured, his eyes fixed on the gap where Kim had disappeared.
Inside the warehouse, Kim moved cautiously, her senses on high alert.
Kim pushed the vent open, crawling out into the dimly lit warehouse.
She grabbed her torch and gun, her heart pounding with urgency.
As she moved deeper into the warehouse, her torchlight fell on a figure lying on the ground.
"Jay!" she shouted, rushing over to him.
She placed a hand on his lower back, her voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
Jay tried to focus, his vision blurry. He recognised her voice and whispered,
"Kim…"
Tears welled up in Kim's eyes as she saw the state he was in. "I'm here, Jay. We're going to get you out of here."
Jay struggled to sit up, his determination unwavering. "I gotta help Angela," he said, his voice weak but resolute.
He got to his feet, swaying slightly, and began to walk downstairs.
Kim pulled out her radio, her voice steady despite the chaos. "This is 5021 Eddie. I need backup and ambulances at my location. Officer down."
Jay Halstead walked back into the room, his steps unsteady but filled with determination.
He approached Angela, who was still clutching the gun he had given her.
"Angela, it's okay. We're going to get out of here," he reassured her, his voice calm despite the pain he was in.
Angela's grip on the gun loosened as she began to put it down. But in her weakened state, her finger slipped, and a shot rang out.
Jay felt a searing pain in his chest and collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to stay conscious, blood seeping from the wound in his chest.
All he could do was lie there, his vision blurring as he fought to stay awake.
The pain was overwhelming, and he could feel his strength fading. He knew he had to hold on, for Angela, for Kim, for his team.
The unit rushed into the warehouse, their movements swift and coordinated.
Paramedics quickly rushed in, and placed a backboard down beside Jay.
Kim knelt next to him, her voice urgent. "Stay with me, Jay. You have to stay with me."
Jay coughed and wheezed, his breaths shallow. Kim whispered, her voice filled with worry, "He's losing too much blood."
The rest of the unit gathered around, their faces etched with concern and tears.
They carefully placed Jay on the backboard and secured an oxygen mask over his face. Voight's voice cut through the tension. "Everyone, move!"
They carried Jay out of the warehouse, his eyes barely open, disoriented and out of it.
Voight shouted, "Move back!"
As they loaded Jay into the ambulance, the unit all watched.
Kim turned to Voight, her hand covered in Jay's blood, and placed it on his shoulder.
"I'm going with him," she said, her voice firm.
She slowly climbed into the ambulance and sat down beside Jay.
The unit shut the door, and the ambulance sped off.
Voight pulled out his radio, his voice steady but urgent. "This is 5021 Adam: I need a police detail to Med. Detective Halstead is critical. GSW to chest and multiple injuries. We need all available units."
The ambulance drove off, leaving Voight looking in the distance.
At Chicago Med, the intelligence unit gathered in the waiting area, their faces etched with worry.
Tears pooled in Kim's eyes as she stared at her hands, still stained with Jay's blood.
The room was filled with a tense silence, each member lost in their thoughts and prayers for Jay's recovery.
The doors to the operating room swung open, and Dr. Will Halstead walked out, looking pale and visibly shaken.
He approached the group, his eyes meeting Kim's first.
"Will, how is he?" Kim asked, her voice trembling.
Will took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"The bullet grazed an artery in his shoulder. He's lost a lot of blood, but the surgeons are doing everything they can. He's in critical condition, but he's a fighter."
Kim's tears spilled over, and she nodded, trying to hold onto hope. "Thank you, Will."
Voight stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Will's shoulder. "We appreciate everything you're doing. Keep us updated."
Will nodded, his expression determined. "I will. Hang in there, everyone."
Kim Burgess sat alone in the waiting area, her mind racing with worry and exhaustion. The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional sound of footsteps or distant voices. She barely noticed when Vanessa Rojas walked in, carrying a bag of California food and a change of clothes.
"Hey," Vanessa said softly, sitting down next to Kim. "I brought you some food and a change of clothes. Thought you might need it."
Kim looked up, her eyes red from crying. "Thanks, Vanessa," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Vanessa nodded, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "How is he?"
Kim sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Will walked out a while ago. I've just been sitting here, waiting. He said Jay's in critical condition, but he's a fighter."
Vanessa stayed silent, offering her support through her presence. Kim managed a small, sad smile. "He's gonna freak when he wakes up. The man hates needles."
Vanessa chuckled softly. "Really? A tough guy like Jay?"
Kim nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I can't work him out. He's the first one through the door, a war vet, and he'd rather take a bullet than get a damn flu shot."
Vanessa smiled, shaking her head. "That's Jay for you."
Kim's expression turned serious. "It's just hard, you know?"
Vanessa placed a comforting hand on Kim's shoulder. "It's hard because you love him."
Kim looked at Vanessa, a small smile forming on her lips. "Of course I love him. He's my partner."
Vanessa smiled back, her eyes warm. "And that's why you're here, Kim. Because you care. And because you know he'd do the same for you."
Kim nodded, feeling a bit of the weight lift from her shoulders. "Thanks, Vanessa. I needed that."
Vanessa squeezed her shoulder gently. "Anytime. We're all here for you, and for Jay."
Kim nodded, then their phones buzzed with a case notification.
She glanced at it and sighed. "Looks like we've got a new case."
Kim shook her head. "I'm gonna stay here, wait for news about Jay."
Vanessa nodded understandingly. She leaned over and kissed Kim's head. "Take care of yourself, okay?" she said softly before walking out.
As soon as Vanessa left, Kim allowed herself to break down.
She sniffled, tears streaming down her face as the reality of almost losing Jay hit her.
The waiting room felt emptier without Vanessa, but Kim knew she had to stay strong for Jay.
Kim Burgess changed into the fresh clothes.
Vanessa had brought her, feeling a bit more human despite the exhaustion.
She made her way to Jay's ICU room, her heart heavy with worry. As she entered, she saw Jay lying in the hospital bed, looking pale but awake.
Jay managed a weak smile when he saw her.
"I hate hospitals," he commented, his voice raspy.
Kim chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, well, it's not like you had a choice this time."
Jay sighed, wincing slightly from the pain. "I know. It's not optional, no."
Just then, Hank Voight walked in, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "How are you holding up, Halstead?" he asked, his voice gruff but caring.
Jay nodded slightly. "I'll be okay, Sarge. Just need some time."
Voight turned to Kim, giving her a reassuring nod. "You did good, Burgess. We got him back."
Kim smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thanks, Sarge."
Voight placed a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Rest up, Jay. We'll take care of everything else."
As Kim sat by Jay's bedside, a nurse walked in, her expression professional but kind.
"We need to take Detective Halstead for some scans and tests," she informed them.
Kim nodded, standing up. "I'll wait outside," she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her worry.
She turned to leave the room, and Jay couldn't help but notice the tears welling up in her eyes.
His heart ached seeing her like this.
He loved her so damn much.
As Kim stepped out into the hallway, she allowed herself a moment to breathe, trying to hold back the flood of emotions.
She knew Jay was in good hands, but the fear of almost losing him was overwhelming.