*sweeping spider web* wow, last time I was here was before Hailey and Jay got together, married, divorced, and both of them left PD! I guess now it's a free ship to claim for everyone, as I believe most will write their own version and not canon ones.
last updated was 15 April 2020. Since then, the world was turned around, and healed, and four years later (23 Sept 2024), this is the update. The draft had been sitting for so long, I even forgot why I included that much Casey in the story and why he's suddenly friendly with Hailey (they never interacted in the Chicago Universe, right?).
They sat in front of TV, Hailey eating ice cream and Jay drinking beer, and watched One Day at a Time, something they had been watching and talking about lately. Both were shaken up after the hospital visit. Jay and Antonio went a long way back, and it brought back memories. Drinking alone in his filthy apartment, hoping it could erase the memory of war, resorting to drugs… he was lucky he had Mouse who dragged him from darkness. To think that no one did that to Antonio, even though he was part of Intelligence, was disturbing.
"You'll tell me if any case gets to you badly?" mumbled Jay as he kept his eyes on the TV.
"Yeah," said Hailey. She looked at Jay. "You know, Antonio… I always think Antonio is the one who always keep it together. His view about life, about these whole police loyalty, is similar to mine. I always thought… he had it all figured out. I mean, Adam called me out, and I backed out. Antonio confronted Adam back. I want to be like that," said Hailey.
"You are you. Don't be like him, be you," Jay said absentmindedly, scooting closer to Hailey and put his arm around her back. "You're okay, aren't you? You look shaken up after seeing him."
"I didn't expect to see him like that. I thought the only time I would see any of you guys in a hospital is if someone got shot, or hurt in a job. Not overdosed," Hailey leaned her head on Jay's shoulder. A few months ago, this would be really awkward.
"I wanted to walk in with you, but Voight and Casey had history," said Jay.
"It's okay. Casey's okay. Nice to know he still care about Antonio," said Hailey.
"Of course. He's a decent guy. Except when I barged into the firehouse asking about Gabby without telling him why," Jay smirked, remembering how coldly Casey responded. It didn't help that Severide was there, and while him and Jay were good friends—they bonded over the apartment fire which also almost killed Stella, his girlfriend—his loyalty to Casey was stronger, therefore he escorted Jay out of the firehouse, with some stern telling off. Apparently, the divorce was just settled, and the wound was still fresh for the firefighter.
"That bad, huh," Hailey commented. "Some wounds are better left untouched," she continued absentmindedly.
"Yeah," mumbled Jay. "You should sleep, don't need you snoozing off between the game."
"I know," said Hailey, but made no move. "I don't like keeping things from Kim, Adam, and Kevin, though. When they found out they were gonna kill us."
"Better than Voight," said Jay.
"Yeah…." Hailey stood up. She squeezed Jay's arm before walking to her room.
"You're a lousy seatmate," complained Jay as they walked to their car after the game.
"Am not," said Hailey.
"You finished my chicken strips!"
"Oh please, you eat healthy anyway," Hailey shrugged him off. "How about fried chicken and beer now, my treat?"
"If it's worse than that one, you're buying the ticket and the strips next time," said Jay.
"No way! It wasn't that good anyway, I was just bored when you kept complaining about the players," said Hailey. She gave direction to Jay, and when they arrived, Hailey looked happy like a child.
"Korean Fried Chicken? Nice," said Jay. Hailey already walked into the restaurant. They ordered a whole chicken—both were hungry after the game—and beers. They were not on duty, so their limit was only the driving limit.
"Hey, sorry for dampening the mood, but…. what would happen with Antonio?" asked Hailey.
"The overdose is in his record. He would be demoted at best, stripped at worst. If there's evidence that he deals…prison," said Jay. "My academy buddy's sergeant got demoted to night patrol in worst area. It was best case scenario, he had to fight not to be stripped."
"I can see why Voight put him in that clinic, being a cop is everything to him. But… do you think that if at first he was treated in Med, it would've been better?" asked Hailey. "No, don't answer that, that'll open the can of worms in my head."
"I asked Lucia downstairs to find Ramon Dawson. He couldn't pull any activities of him in the past 6 months. Can you ask Casey if he could get a hold of Ramon Dawson?" asked Jay.
"You do it. You know him," said Hailey, munching off a piece of chicken.
"I crossed him. You talked with him yesterday, I got a telling off last week," said Jay sheepishly. "I'll text you his number."
"Alright," Hailey rolled her eyes.
"Hey, or… how about his kids? Eva Dawson, bet it won't be hard to find her school," said Jay.
"Yeah, you really want to tell a kid that her dad overdosed?" asked Hailey. She thought about it. "Although, if it was my dad, I'd want to know."
"I don't think she will be able to make any decision. She's still a minor. But having his daughter may help Antonio, you know, subconsciously. I'd like to think that when my dad was in a coma, he could hear me," said Jay.
"Yeah, that's what the doctors always said," said Hailey.
"Casey," Hailey knocked on the door of Casey's quarter.
"Hey," Casey looked at her.
"I want to update you about our search for Antonio's family. Ramon Dawson is as visible as the sun lately," she referred to the gloomy weather in Chicago in autumn. "However, we managed to find Eva Dawson through school record. Turns out, she hasn't met her dad in months. She has been informed, about Antonio's condition, but not the why. We just said he collapsed at work," said Hailey.
"Ah, yeah. The kids. Didn't think about that," said Casey. "How's Antonio doing?"
"Don't know. Voight is as secretive as ever. We visited yesterday, but the hospital wouldn't tell us his current room, just confirmed that he's still there. It's after we pulled our badges," said Hailey.
"Yeah. Tried this number, it was wrong number. That was from the last time Gabby and I talked," said Casey. "Of course, you can find her contact from the name of the relief organisation."
"Jay already called after the last time he came here. He didn't manage to speak to anyone who can do anything," said Hailey.
"Ah, tell him I'm sorry about the last time," said Casey.
"That's why I'm the one who came," said Hailey. Her phone rang. "Sarge?" She sensed Casey's posture changed as he knew that she was talking to Voight. "Oh my God," croaked Hailey. "We'll be there," she said. Casey already stood up. After hanging up, she looked at Casey, opening and closing her mouth while unsuccessfully producing a word. She leaned into a wall and sighed, closing her eyes.
"What?" asked Casey.
"They pronounced him five minutes ago," said Hailey.
"He's dead?" asked Casey in disbelief. Hailey just nodded. Casey didn't say anything, he pulled Hailey into a hug.
After the initial shock, they acted on autopilot. Casey knocked on Boden's office to tell him he's leaving, then they ran to Hailey's car. They got to the hospital quickly, and the nurse ushered them into an empty waiting room. Platt walked in a few minutes later.
"Trudy," Hailey rose to hug her. The older sergeant was shaken to the core and looked ten years older, but tried to be strong. "Where's everyone?"
"Voight said he'd tell them," said Platt. "I just left the desk to McAvoy and drove here. Why are you so fast? Voight called me five minutes ago, said to hold off telling people. I haven't even told Randall," said Platt to Casey.
"I was in the firehouse when Voight called," said Hailey.
"Then everyone…" said Platt.
"No, I didn't tell anyone," said Casey. "You have to find Ramon and Gabby, Trudy. We have trouble finding them."
"I'll look into the database for Ramon, but Gabby… I'll ask for FBI's help. They owed me," said Trudy.
"I already snooped into the system. Couldn't find Ramon Dawson," said Hailey.
"What about the kids?" asked Trudy.
"They got informed yesterday about his condition, we went to their school. They had no idea either about Ramon and Gabby," said Hailey. "They know he's here, they went to see him yesterday, weren't told about the cause." Voight entered the room. "Sarge, Eva and Diego…"
"Their mum would tell them," said Voight grimly. He glanced to Casey, clearly wasn't happy that he's there.
"He was my brother-in-law until two weeks ago," Casey was offended. Hailey stepped forward, worried that voices would be raised.
"I was in the firehouse when you called, Sarge. No one else knows, though," said Hailey. Jay walked inside, his face was stoic. Jay stood on Hailey's other side.
"What happened, Hank?" asked Trudy.
"His organs failed," said Voight. "Hailey, family contact?" Hailey shook her head.
"I'd contact FBI office in Puerto Rico, Hank. The organisation Casey gave us didn't know the names of the volunteer. We've tried contacting the number Casey gave us, Gabby's last phone number. No one picked up," said Trudy.
"How about Kim, Adam, and Kevin, Sarge?" asked Jay. With Jay and Casey on both her sides, it looked like a battle between the young and the old since Voight and Platt were facing them.
"I've told them to come, they should be here shortly," said Voight. "Listen. The cause of death is something we keep for ourselves. Us five, Kim, Kevin, and Adam. As far as his family know, he had a heart attack."
"Heart attack? Someone as health conscious and athletic as him?" asked Jay.
"Yes. End of story," said Voight. It was the end of conversation because Voight was called by a nurse. Hailey sat down with a thump. Jay squeezed her shoulder, and Hailey reached for his hand. They just did this a couple of months ago, when Al died. It sounds untrue that the same situation presented itself now, with Antonio being the one crossing to the other side. This time, Hailey held on to his hand a little longer, and she felt that he was trembling.
"I need some air," Jay left the room. He walked to the ER. "Maggie, where's Will?"
His face must've been showing his urgency, because she shrugged to the doctor's lounge. "Wait there, I'll send him in," said Maggie. Five minutes later, Will entered the room.
"What's going on, Jay?" asked Will. The absence of a blonde detective made him jump into conclusion. "Hailey?"
"No, Antonio," said Jay. Will nodded. "He died."
"What? How? Sorry, you okay?" asked Will worried. With everything that's been happening, it's a wonder that Jay is still sane. He didn't wait for Jay's answer and opened his arms, inviting his younger brother into a hug. Jay greedily took it, hugging Will as tightly as he could.
"Don't die, okay," murmured Jay into Will's shoulder.
"Okay," agreed Will, internally rolling his eyes because it is more likely for Jay, who roamed Chicago chasing criminals, to die first. The bullet graze on his skin said so. However, it is not the time to debate Jay, who is currently trembling in his hug. Will rubbed Jay's back, whispering "it's okay, I got you" continuously into his ear, hoping his younger brother felt safe in his arms even if the world didn't treat him well.
"No, it's not okay. He died," said Jay, sniffing.
"I know, but we're still here. You'll be okay." Will pulled back, but Jay squeezed him tighter.
"I'm tired of this. People dying," whispered Jay.
"I know. Anything I can do, tell me," said Will. Jay groaned.
"Rise people from the dead?" suggested Jay weakly. Will laughed dryly, tousling Jay's hair.
"I'm no Jesus, which is a good thing for everyone," said Will. "Now, don't go rouge, okay? Keep your head clear, don't react without thinking. Listen to Hailey or me. Not Voight, okay? I repeat, don't listen to your brain or Voight. Listen and do whatever Hailey says."
"Got it, Hailey's always right," said Jay. Will looked around, trying to find a certain blonde detective. "She's with the rest of the team. Antonio wasn't brought to the ER, he was already here."
"She's alright, though?" asked Will.
"Don't know, haven't talked to her. We found out separately," said Jay. "Thanks, Will, can I give you a call tomorrow when you're off shift?"
"Text anytime, I'll call when there's no patient until I'm off shift. I'll see you tomorrow night," said Will, clapping Jay on the shoulder. Jay wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "Hang in there, it will be alright. Whatever is the definition of alright," he added the last sentence as an afterthought, cannot believe the waves of hardships coming his brother's way. If only he could redirect some to himself, he would.
"Yeah. Take care, Will. Love you."
"You too. Especially you, Jay, be careful out there." Will looked at him with a here-we-go-again look. Jay chuckled.
"I'll try not to do something stupid, please have some confident in me." Jay laughed. Will just shrugged, relieved to see a sliver of the old Jay back, as Jay left to find the team.
yeah, sorry about Antonio! He's so sweet, I always liked him. But killing another character means I cannot include the firehouse...
It will be long until the next chapter hahaha, it should not take another 4 years though.