TW: Cutting, wrist lacerations!
If this triggers you, please skip this chapter!

The precinct was bustling with activity as officers started their day. Hailey sat at her desk, looking exhausted.

She hadn't slept for days, and the strain was evident on her face. Reaching into her drawer, she grabbed a bottle of energy pills and took a couple to help push through the fatigue.

As she stood up and walked out of her office, she noticed something alarming. Her suspect, who had been in custody, was lying on the floor, bleeding profusely from his wrists. Panic surged through her, but she quickly sprang into action.

"Suspect down! I need help here!"

Hailey shouted, rushing to the suspect's side. She yanked off her jumper and pressed it firmly against his wrists to stem the bleeding. Despite her exhaustion, her hands were steady, her training kicking in.

"This is Detective Hailey Halstead. I need an ambulance at the precinct, now! Suspect is bleeding out, severe wrist lacerations," she said urgently into her phone.

She kept the pressure on, her eyes darting around for anything else she could use to help. A fellow officer, Jay, appeared, his face pale with shock.

"What can I do?" Jay asked frantically.

"Grab some towels, anything to help stop the bleeding,"

Hailey instructed, focused. Jay rushed to a nearby supply closet and returned with towels. Hailey took one and reinforced the pressure on the suspect's wrists, her mind racing with the urgency of the situation.

"Stay with me. Help is on the way. Just keep breathing," she said soothingly to the suspect.

His eyes fluttered, his breathing shallow. Hailey's heart pounded, but she remained calm, her focus entirely on keeping him alive until the paramedics arrived.

Later, Hailey stood at the sink in the precinct bathroom, scrubbing the blood off her hands. The water ran red, and she stared at it, lost in thought.

The door opened, and Jay walked in, his expression serious.

"Hailey, I just got off the phone with Med. They said the suspect is stable. He lost a lot of blood, but he's going to make it," Jay said softly.

Hailey didn't respond immediately, her hands still under the running water. She finally looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

"How did this happen, Jay? We had him in custody. He was supposed to be safe. How did we miss this?" Hailey asked angrily.

Jay stepped closer, trying to calm her down.

"Hailey, it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could. Sometimes things just happen that are out of our control."

Hailey shook her head, her voice rising as she started to ramble.

"No, Jay, this isn't just 'things happen.' We should have seen the signs. I should have seen the signs. I haven't slept in days, and now this… What if he hadn't made it? What if—"

Jay reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders, trying to ground her.

"Hailey, listen to me. You did everything right. You saved his life. You can't blame yourself for this."

Hailey's breathing became erratic, her eyes wide with panic. She started to hyperventilate, her body trembling.

"I can't… I can't breathe…"

Jay pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice calm and steady.

"Shhh, Hailey, it's okay. Just breathe with me. In… and out… slowly."

He rubbed her back in soothing circles, his presence a steady anchor. Hailey clung to him, trying to match her breathing to his.

Gradually, her breathing started to slow, the panic attack easing.

"You're okay, Hailey. I've got you. Just focus on my voice," Jay said softly.

Hailey nodded, her body still trembling but starting to relax in his arms. Jay continued to hold her, offering comfort and reassurance.

"Thank you, Jay. I don't know what I'd do without you," Hailey whispered.

"You're strong, Hailey. We're in this together. Always," Jay replied gently.