No, your FanFiction isn't glitching—this is actually happening. Guess who finally managed to update after (checks calendar) three years! I know, I know—I'm just as shocked as you are. Honestly, it's been so long that I half-expected to log back in here and find this story covered in cobwebs with a tiny "missing person" poster for me. But hey, better late than never, right?
Jokes aside, finishing this story has been hanging over my head for so long. It's literally been sitting on my laptop, half-written, since before I even posted the previous chapter, which sounds ridiculous. I don't think a single month went by without me wanting to finish it, and yet, here we are. So much has happened during these three years, but I won't bore you with the details. I hope you're all doing well.
This is long overdue, but we're not going to stop this tradition, because I really love getting to talk to you guys, so here are the personal responses.
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for your kind wishes about my cousin. His injuries were quite severe, and he was sadly left with some long-term effects, but I'm happy to say, he's doing as well as he can be.
Shut-up-i-m-jay: Hi! So, um... This is only three years overdue, but congrats on changing majors! I'm assuming it's anything but easy to make that decision. I admire you for doing it and I'm so happy to hear you've found what makes you happy and doesn't ruin your life lol. I hope these past three years have been nothing but great and I hope you're somewhere, thriving with your biology and medical knowledge. I got through college, but ended up realizing, I actually hate my job, which... well, isn't great. But, oh well. We'll see what the future holds. And I'm sorry about your friend and friend's sister. It's so scary... I really hope they're okay.
CBloom2: Thank you so much! And I'm so happy to hear it's a double win lol. I hope this chapter continues to check both of those boxes.
Ghostwriter: I know, right? He's so insanely stubborn, but I love it! And thank you!
OceanBlueSpirit: Oh no, I'm so late, but happy birthday! I wasn't sure about writing a chapter about Will either, considering this is technically a story about Jay, but I thought I'd give it a go. Of course, I couldn't resist hurting Jay a little too, so this is what we ended up with. I'm glad you ended up liking it!
I agree, animals are the best! I really hope you're able to get a cat someday. Congratulations to your grandparents on their anniversary! 65 years! I really hope they're doing well, and I hope you get to celebrate their 70th anniversary. It's been a big rollercoaster for my family these past few years, but I'm grateful for what we have. I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety. I really hope you're doing better now. I don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but I'm a special ed teacher, and I know change can be such a hard thing to face for many people. Thank you for being comfortable enough to share this. You sound like an amazing person! You can always reach out, if you want.
As for Station 19, I loved that show so much, and I'm so sad it ended. I have a soft spot for Travis and Vic and their friendship. What about you?
Grettiwrites: Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked it. Jay keeping everything bottled up is such an interesting aspect to me, but with Will hurt, it felt like the right time for things to overflow, if you know what I mean.
Guest: Thank you! It's good to be back (again lol). If Jay whump is what you're hoping to see, there may or may not be some waiting for you... hint, hint.
TeZan: Oh, wow, thank you so much! I swear, you're too kind to me. I'm sorry it took so long for me to update again (walk of shame for me).
Guest: Sorry (hides face in embarrassment). I really can't seem to resist the horrible cliffhangers. And now I've kept you waiting for three years, which only makes it that much worse, so I'm sorry again. But I'm glad to hear you liked the bit before the cliffhanger lol.
charmlily: Aww, you're too kind. Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it.
friendly: I'm so sorry it took me so long to update, but thank you for sticking around for so long and thank you for giving me a kind "kick in the butt" to finish it.
Sara Bingham: Oh, wow, I actually can't believe people are still finding this story after so long, let alone taking the time to review, even though it's been three years since I updated. You're too kind to me, but I'm really glad to hear you liked it. Thank you!
Alright, I think that was everyone. I hope I didn't miss any reviews – if I did, I'm so sorry.
Without further ado, here's the second half of the story. Considering it's been so long, you might want to re-read the previous chapter to refresh your memory – unless you have an insanely good memory, in which case I admire you. Grab a snack, buckle in, and let's dive back into the madness!
P.S. If you're just finding this story now, congratulations! You avoided the three-year cliffhanger. Lucky you.
Everything Is Not What It Seems
Part 2
A few minutes earlier
"He's okay, we were able to get him stabilized. He's currently in recovery and will be moved into the ICU for monitoring shortly. His torso took the brunt of everything. There's some serious bruising on his lower back, but the stab wound is what's causing the biggest concern. It hit the left kidney pretty spot on, causing severe bleeding..." Rhodes trails off for a moment, wishing he could avoid this whole conversation and just shove Will's file into their hands, letting them read it for themselves. Being in this position sucks. "The damage was too severe, and unfortunately, we weren't able to save it."
"He can live with only one kidney though, right?" Al asks, anxiety creeping into his voice.
"Yeah..." Rhodes pauses. "He could, but tests have shown that the damage to the left kidney put so much stress on the right one that it started failing... It's currently functioning at about 30%, which isn't ideal."
"What does that mean?" Voight asks, voice tight and fists clenching subconsciously.
"We're putting him on dialysis to hopefully reverse it, but... he could be looking at a transplant in the near future. We'll know more in a couple of hours."
"Shit," Voight swears, rubbing a hand over his face, suddenly wanting to wrap not just Jay, but both Halstead brothers in bubble wrap to protect them from the world. "Is that what caused his heart to stop?" he asks, shivering at the memory of Jay just about losing his mind earlier.
"Yes, internal bleeding was likely the cause of the cardiac arrest."
Rhodes' words hang heavy in the air as the room falls silent, each person trying to digest the gravity of the situation.
"I'm sorry," Rhodes says eventually, his voice barely above a whisper, suddenly finding the tile floor incredibly interesting.
At that precise moment, Voight catches a glimpse of his banged-up detective outside the glass door. Jay is standing in the middle of the hallway, dead in his tracks, his focus entirely on Rhodes. Voight watches as his face goes from pale to dead-white in a matter of seconds before his knees buckle and he drops.
"Jay!" Voight yells, interrupting Connor's examination of the tiles and darting towards Jay, who's now curled up in a ball, shaking and sobbing. "What's wrong?!" he asks, dropping down on his knees right next to him, wondering whether touching him is going to make things better or worse.
Jay is gasping for breath, hyperventilating as his body shakes uncontrollably. Voight immediately notices the deep, rapid breaths, realizing Jay's either getting way too much or far too little oxygen. Rhodes comes rushing over with the rest of the team, their eyes a mix of concern and confusion.
"What happened?" Rhodes asks, alarmed, shooting Voight a questioning look.
"No clue," Voight mouths back, panic edging into his tone.
"Didn't he just get checked out?! Jay, talk to me," Rhodes demands, his hand hovering just above Jay's shoulder. Jay doesn't react at first, babbling something incoherent as his entire body trembles.
"You need to breathe, kid," Voight tries, hoping to get through to him. "Tell me what's wrong, so I can help."
Rhodes lifts his head to look for his colleague just as Choi rounds the corner. He also seems a bit surprised to see Jay curled up on the floor but rolls his eyes and comes rushing over.
"I knew it," he whispers, kneeling next to Jay and going straight for his wrist. "His pulse is racing."
"What the hell's going on?! Did you get a chance to examine him?" Rhodes asks, glancing between Jay and Choi. "He just dropped out of nowhere."
"Not completely," Choi responds, counting Jay's breaths in his head. "Vitals were stable earlier."
"What are you thinking – is this a physical problem or..."
Choi shakes his head, unsure what to say. "He's freaking out, that's for sure" he mutters. "We've gotta calm him down before he passes out."
Choi pulls out a stethoscope, placing it on Jay's chest while keeping one hand on his shoulder. "Jay, can you hear me? If you can hear me, just focus on me, okay? Try to take deep breaths. In and out, nice and slow."
"You— you— called it..." Jay stammers, his voice breaking. He keeps gasping, his eyes darting wildly between Rhodes and Choi, panic overtaking him. The doctors exchange a look, and then it finally clicks.
Rhodes' eyes widen with realization.
"Shit. I never said that, Jay. He's alive."
"You— said— sorry," Jay chokes out, his voice laced with pure terror and desperation.
It all makes sense now. Jay must've sneaked up on them, only overhearing the last part of the update, which apparently made him think that Will didn't make it.
"Alright, take some deep breaths, and I'll explain everything to you. Will's okay, I promise. Slow down your breathing," Rhodes says softly but firmly, hoping to pull Jay out of this spiral.
Jay's eyes are still wide, desperately begging Rhodes for information – anything to reassure him.
"He won't calm down until you tell him. Not while he's like this, trust me," Choi intervenes, his voice steady as he moves to Jay's side, gripping his jacket as Jay flinches. "Relax, bud. It's just me."
Rhodes nods, acknowledging that Ethan probably knows how to handle this better than he does. "Alright, listen to me, Jay," he says, his tone as calm as possible. "Will's okay. He's in recovery. We're moving him to ICU just as a precaution. But he's stable. I promise."
Jay gives him a doubtful glare, still struggling to slow his breathing, his fingers gripping Voight's jacket in despair.
"I wouldn't lie to you about this, Jay. Logically, you know I wouldn't."
Jay keeps staring at him for a few more seconds, before he finally mutters a barely audible "okay" and just about collapses into Voight's embrace.
"Breathe, Jay," Voight soothes, rubbing a hand on his back while biting his lip. "Will's okay, everything's okay. Just breathe."
The world seems to slow back down to a normal pace, as things calm down. Jay's eyes are closed, face buried somewhere in Voight's jacket. It's abundantly clear that he's putting every ounce of his energy into calming down as the adrenaline dump threatens to take over.
Rhodes turns to Choi, whispering, "What did the scans say?" He wants to know exactly what they're dealing with.
Choi doesn't look up, still focused on Jay. "Quite a bit of brain swelling, fractured hand, couple of cracked ribs, bruising on his torso. No internal bleeding though. He should be fine in a month or so."
Voight shoots them both a concerned look. "What?! What's he doing walking around then? Shouldn't he be in a hospital bed?"
"He refused," Choi explains with a sigh, giving him an apologetic look. "Stubborn as ever."
Voight shakes his head in exasperation. "Of course he did."
Rhodes looks back at Jay, noting the glazed look in his now slightly open eyes. "Jay? You still with us?" he asks, giving his leg a gentle squeeze.
Voight looks alarmed by the lack of response from his detective, but Rhodes quickly reassures him. "It's alright, just give him a minute. The shock's wearing off."
The crowd of medical staff and onlookers begins to dissipate as Jay slowly comes back to himself, the tremors in his body finally subsiding. His head droops forward, before he startles and starts wiggling around.
"I think he's coming back," Choi murmurs, his hand steady on Jay's shoulder.
"Kid," Voight says softly, nudging him. "Come on, kiddo, look at me."
Jay blinks sluggishly, like it's just about the hardest thing in the world to do. When he finally meets Voight's eyes, it's clear he's far from okay. The pain behind his distant gaze is screaming for help, even if Jay refuses to admit it.
"Come on, kiddo, we're getting you to bed," Voight says, trying to help him up, but Jay pulls away, suddenly finding the strength and energy to control his limbs.
"No..." he mumbles, struggling to stand on his own. It's clear where he's headed – straight to Will. And despite everything, Voight can't bring himself to stop him.
"Alright, come on. Let's go see Will," he says gently, as Jay finally accepts his support, and they slowly make their way towards the elevator.
As they step inside, the doors closing with a soft thud, there's an unspoken weight hanging between them. The ICU is only a few floors away, but what they might find when they get there feels like an entirely different world, one filled with questions they're not ready to answer yet.
In the ICU
It's been about a day, and not much has changed. Will's still very much in a coma, and Jay hasn't left his side once. Even though he's clearly not doing well, he refused every offer to go home and get some rest. Multiple team members have offered to stay with Will and call if anything changes, not to mention all of Will's colleagues who keep hovering around, but Jay wouldn't budge. He wouldn't even try to sleep in the uncomfortable plastic chair until exhaustion finally caught up with him and he passed out, still holding Will's hand.
The room remains eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of machines, but the mood shifts suddenly when Will's vitals start tanking. The fact that Jay doesn't stir at the sound of the alarms blaring, or the rush of nurses into the room for urgent blood draws, only shows how completely knocked out he is. Voight's there, watching over both brothers, as Rhodes and Choi finally arrive to give him an update on Will's condition.
Knowing Jay needs every bit of rest he can get, Voight motions the doctors into the hallway, stepping out and closing the door behind him. The sight of Jay slumped over in the chair, fingers still curled around Will's limp hand, is burned into Voight's mind as he turns to face the doctors.
"What's going on?" he asks, not wanting to tiptoe around, but rather face the problem head-on.
"How's Jay holding up?" Choi asks, his tone carries a mix of professional concern and genuine worry.
Voight sighs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Same as always. Too damn stubborn for his own good. He's pushing himself way too hard but try telling him that. You know how he is."
Rhodes glances toward the closed door, his expression grim. "He needs rest, or he'll end up in a bed right next to Will. He's not going to be any help to his brother if he collapses."
Voight nods in agreement, glancing at the brothers again. "How's Will?"
Choi takes a breath, his expression grim as he gets straight to the point. "Will's kidney function is deteriorating fast," he says quietly, careful to keep his voice low. "We've run some tests... He's going to need a transplant. Soon."
"How soon?"
"We don't know for sure," Choi admits, exchanging a glance with Rhodes. "We're monitoring everything closely. His other vitals are stable for now, but..."
"Damn it. How long does it usually take to find a donor?"
Rhodes's face mirrors the exact same emotions he's feeling.
"Without a donor lined up, the odds are much more slim-"
Whatever Rhodes was about to say gets interrupted by movement from inside the room. All three of their heads whip around to see Jay waking up, looking completely disoriented as he looks up at his unconscious brother.
Voight jumps for the door immediately, leaning his head in just enough to talk to Jay.
"Go back to sleep, Jay," he orders sharply, hoping his authority will override Jay's instinct to get up. But Jay, stubborn as ever, ignores the command entirely.
"Wha?" he mumbles groggily, the imprint of rumpled sheets clear on his cheek as he turns his head towards the voice.
As soon as he realizes who the other two men standing in the hallway are, he's up and standing on his very wobbly feet. That quickly gets all the bystanders moving his way, fearing that his face has made an executive decision to meet the tile floor up close. And it's a good thing too, because as soon as he's up, he goes crashing right back down.
Voight's hands reach him first, soon followed by Choi's. Even Rhodes does his best to juggle both an uncoordinated arm and the fragile iPad in his hands.
"Sit. Down," Voight hisses, aiming for the discarded chair but pushing Jay against the wall instead, as that's the closest firm thing he could find. The whole group manages a somewhat gracious slide to the floor, successfully coming away with only one soon-to-be-bruised knee, judging by the way Choi's rubbing his hand over it.
"You good?" Rhodes asks the pale ghost in front of him, only getting slow, unfocused blinks in response. They all proceed to watch Jay rub the back of his hands against his eyes groggily, as if he were a child who had just woken up from either a too-short or much too long nap.
Choi's already reaching for Jay's wrist, checking his pulse, while Rhodes hovers close, scanning Jay's face and probably stuck somewhere in between rolling his eyes at the younger Halstead and checking off things that have gone wrong in the past 24 hours. Voight, on the other hand, tilts his head back in frustration, looking ready to scream at the heavens.
"You good?" Rhodes asks, though the slow, unfocused blinks coming from Jay don't exactly scream "fine." All three of them exchange knowing looks—Jay's far from okay. "He needs to rest," Rhodes mutters to himself, frustration evident in his tone.
"Can we get some juice and a snack in here, please?" Choi calls out into the hallway, his tone making it clear this isn't a request.
The man of the hour keeps blinking sporadically, eyes not really focusing on anything, until a nurse comes in with the requested items.
"What's going on? What's wrong with Will?" he croaks, voice hoarse from sleep as Choi pushes the juice and granola bar into his hands.
"Eat something, or I'm not telling you anything," Choi says, a touch of dark humor in his voice. But Jay can see it—the concern, the sympathy, the way they're all looking at him like something's very wrong.
Jay caves and takes some sips, but the look on his face is all too telling – he's already calculating in his head. He takes a bite of the granola bar and it's like a lightbulb goes off.
"I'll do it," he blurts out, voice hoarse but determined.
The random statement has the other three men looking at each other in confusion.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"The transplant. That's what's happening, isn't it? Will needs a transplant" Jay says matter-of-factly.
"Jay—" Rhodes and Choi both try to stop him in unison, concern etched on their faces. Give it to the detective to figure it out on his own.
"That's not even an option," Choi says firmly, not missing a beat. "You've just been through trauma yourself. You're in no condition to—"
"I'm his brother!" Jay's voice rises with frustration, his eyes locking onto the doctors. "Be honest, the chances of finding another match in time are slim, and you're just going to waste time? I'm probably the best match you could ever find! So, test me!"
"Jay!" Voight yells in a hushed voice, shutting his detective up. The tension in the room is palpable, each person bracing for the fallout. An awkward silence starts to fill up the room at a fast pace, before Choi finally speaks up, his voice low and measured.
"You realize what this entails?"
Jay scoffs. "I was a ranger. I've been through hell and back. I can handle it," he hisses, his voice raw with emotion. Yes, he decided to pull the 'I'm invincible' card. "My brother's dying." His voice cracks at that one, resulting in him burying his face in his knees, while taking sharp and shaky breaths. "I wanna help," he mumbles, following up with a sniff.
"Jay," Rhodes says, putting the iPad on the floor before grabbing his shoulders. "Jay, look at me." Bloodshot, puffy, and wet eyes look up at him. Yeah… it's a sight. "I know this sucks, and I know you feel responsible for this, but this isn't on you. It's on the guy who did this. His burden to carry, not yours. We have other options, Jay. You don't have to do this. Will wouldn't ask you to-"
"Oh hell. He'd do it if it were me. You know he would. He wouldn't take no for an answer, and neither am I."
"This is no joke, Jay," Rhodes says firmly. "It has risks, not to mention you're already pretty banged up yourself," he adds, his tone gentle but unyielding.
"God, Rhodes, don't you get it? I don't care about me! I care about him! He has to be okay, Rhodes. He has to be…"
Rhodes looks at Voight, searching for a final decision as if he were the father in the picture. Voight glares at Jay one last time, before he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and nods silently. There's no talking Jay out of this and he doesn't even want to imagine what it would do to Jay if they didn't let him get the test done and the worst-case scenario turned into reality.
"Fine," Choi relents, but his tone is saying no-nonsense. "On one condition—you get your butt into a bed right now and let me hook you up to an IV."
"Fine," Jay snaps, leaning his head back against the wall, eyes closed.
Rhodes nods, signaling the go-ahead. Things escalate quickly after that. The team moves into action, gently guiding Jay onto a gurney. He doesn't resist, though the frustration is still evident in the tightness of his jaw and the clenched fists by his sides. As they wheel him into a nearby room, Voight stays by his side, his hand resting lightly on Jay's shoulder.
"You know Will wouldn't want you to do this, right?" Voight asks quietly, his voice softer now.
But Jay's mind is already made up. He looks back at Voight, his eyes burning with the raw need to do something—anything—to save his brother. "I don't care what he would want," he mutters, closing his eyes again as he leans back "And he isn't here to stop me from doing this, so... I'm doing it."
Voight just nods, squeezing Jay's shoulder in support, as they both prepare for what lies ahead.
Choi walks in a moment later, balancing a tray with medical supplies. He sets it on the small table next to the bed, immediately noticing Jay going stiff on the bed. Based on Jay's previous hospital stays, he knows exactly what's going on, so he offers him a reassuring smile and tries to be as casual as possible about this.
"I don't know if you know this," Choi says lightly, "but he gets a little squeamish around needles. Will usually helps, but... You might wanna keep him distracted while I do this."
Voight doesn't miss a beat as he steps into position, moving closer to Jay's head. He leans over, gently guiding Jay's chin to the side so their eyes meet. "Eyes on me, kiddo," he says as their eyes meet.
Jay's breathing is still uneven, his hands trembling slightly as Choi starts the IV. But he doesn't look away from Voight, focusing all his energy on keeping still.
"Just breathe, Jay. Focus on my voice," Voight says softly, keeping his tone steady and calm. After a few moments, the IV is fully in place, and Jay finally exhales, his body sagging against the bed as if all the fight's drained out of him.
Doctors and nurses keep poking and prodding, but it doesn't take long before all the necessary tests are done. They're told it's going to be a few hours before the results come back. Jay keeps dozing off, asking about Will and the tests every single time he startles awake.
It's late afternoon by the time Choi walks back in with the results. Jay sits up immediately, his speeding heartrate being broadcasted to the room by the heart monitor.
"So?" he asks anxiously.
"You got the green light," Choi says, locking eyes with Jay. "You're a match."
The room seems to freeze, the news hanging in the air for a moment.
"You okay?" Choi asks when Jay fails to respond.
"Yeah," Jay responds immediately, the familiar 'I'm fine' mask slipping back on. He's too exhausted to show any outward excitement, but the determination in his eyes hardens as he nods without hesitation. "Yeah, let's do it."
Choi glances at Voight, exchanging a quick look before nodding. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."
As soon as all the paperwork is signed, Jay is prepped for surgery. His mind spins, but he holds on to one clear thought: Will needs him.
It's only when they're in the OR getting things ready, when the bravado wavers for a moment. The surgical team moves with quiet efficiency around him, and though Jay has faced danger countless times before, the sterile atmosphere of the OR feels different—more final.
As they position him on the operating table, the bright overhead lights cast a harsh glare, intensifying his anxiety. Machines beep steadily, tracking his heart rate, and he forces himself to breathe deeply, trying to push the growing panic away. It's not that he hasn't been in similar situations before. He has. It's just that he's normally very unconscious at this point. Either that, or Will's right there next to him.
A flash of memory hits him—an old wound from his time overseas, lying in a field hospital, awake, alone, and in pain. There'd been no Will then. Just the cold, sterile environment and the helpless feeling of not knowing if he'd make it out alive. He pushes the thought away, but the echoes of that fear linger, tightening his chest as his breathing becomes more shallow. Now, Will's the one in danger, and the thought of being unable to help gnaws at him, dragging those old memories of helplessness and vulnerability back to the surface.
"You okay?" Choi asks.
Jay swallows, his throat dry. "Yeah, I'm fine," he mutters, though his trembling hands tell a different story. He shifts on the table, the cool sheet beneath him suddenly feeling too rough and uncomfortable. "Will... is he already...?"
"Will's in good hands," Choi says, knowing exactly what Jay is worried about. "Rhodes is with him. They've already started."
Jay blinks, processing the information. Will's surgery has already begun. It's real now.
"Is this gonna work?" he asks, his voice shaky and unnaturally quiet as his fingers fiddle nervously with the IV port taped to his hand.
Choi places a steady hand on Jay's shoulder. "We're going to do everything we can," he assures, his eyes meeting Jay's. "You're a match. That's a big win already. Now we just need you to trust us to get it done."
Jay nods but can't help the wave of doubt that crashes over him. He'd been so focused on being Will's lifeline, it hadn't occurred to him how risky (and maybe a little stupid) this actually was.
"If something happens-" Jay starts, but Choi cuts him off gently.
"Nothing's going to happen to you, Jay," he says firmly. "Sure, you're a little banged up, but you're strong. Will needs you to pull through, and you will. Focus on that."
Jay's jaw clenches, his eyes darting up to the ceiling. "I told you, I don't care about me," he mutters after a long pause. "I care about him. He's gotta be okay, Choi. He has to..."
Choi takes a deep breath, the gravity of Jay's words not lost on him. "He will be," he says, his tone resolute. "But right now, I need you to focus on yourself too, alright? You're no good to Will if you don't come out of this."
Jay exhales shakily. He knows Choi's right, but still... He shifts slightly, grimacing as the nerves make his body tense up. Choi catches this and offers a small smile, reaching for the oxygen mask.
"You've been through worse," Choi says lightly, trying to ease the tension as he reaches for the oxygen mask. "Now, I'm gonna put this mask on you, and he's gonna administer the anesthesia," he says, pointing at the anesthesiologist above his head. "All you have to do is close your eyes for a minute. Easy-peasy, right?"
Jay snorts, finally feeling a little more relaxed, though he has a feeling that might have something to do with a relaxant flowing through his vanes.
"Right."
Choi lowers the oxygen mask over Jay's face and glances at the anesthesiologist, giving them the signal. "Alright, Jay. Count back from ten."
Jay's lips move slowly as he begins, but his voice falters after a few numbers. His eyes flutter, heavy with exhaustion and sedation, but just before the anesthesia pulls him under completely, he mutters, "Make sure he's okay..."
Choi watches as Jay drifts off, his features finally relaxing. He gently squeezes Jay's shoulder before stepping back, his gaze lingering for a moment longer. "We will," he says softly, more to himself than to the unconscious Jay.
The surgical team moves into position, the sterile environment suddenly buzzing with quiet focus, while Rhodes works tirelessly to stabilize Will in another OR down the hall – the future of both Halsteads' lives lying in their hands.
Later, in the ICU...
Jay's eyes flutter open, the heavy fog of anesthesia slowly lifting. The room is quiet, the soft beeping of monitors the only sound he can make out. His body feels heavy, and his mind sluggish, but there's a nagging feeling that something is off. He glances down and sees two IV lines in the crook of his elbows and a central line on his chest. He recognizes the heart monitor leads, explaining the persistent beeping, and there's a thick bandage around his torso, but strangely enough, he can't feel the pain. He feels kind of... floaty? He must be on painkillers. There's a windy feeling going up his nose, which he assumes is the nasal cannula, so he attempts to lift his arm up, to try and pull it away.
Suddenly, movement catches his eye, before a warm hand grips his, and he turns his head to see Will sitting beside him.
Panic surges through him immediately and before he knows it, he's trying to sit up.
"Will?" he gasps, his voice rough and weak. "Oh my god, are you dead?!"
"What? No, hey, relax. I'm right here," Will says quickly, gently easing him back onto the bed. "I'm real, I promise. Lay down."
Jay's breath hitches as he tries to make sense of things, but ends up drawing a blank.
"No... why are you here? You're in surgery... You're..." He's squirming under Will's hands, eyes darting all over the place in panic.
"Shh, it's okay, calm down" Will soothes. "I'm here, I'm fine. Take some deep breaths."
Jay's head spins, memories swimming just out of reach. "What… what happened?"
Will's expression softens, his eyes a mix of concern and relief.
"It's been four days since the transplant. You experienced some complications..."
Jay blinks, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. "Complications?"
Will nods, his grip on Jay's arm tightening slightly. "Yeah, you had some issues with the anesthesia combined with your injuries. Your body wasn't too happy about everything... It was a close call, Jay. You scared the hell out of me, which I'm definitely gonna yell at you about as soon as you stop looking like death."
Jay lowers his gaze, feeling guilty for making Will worry. Again. That really wasn't his intention... it never is.
"But you're okay? The kidney… it worked?"
Will nods, his lips curving into a small, tired smile. "Yeah, it worked. I'm gonna be okay. Thanks to you."
Jay closes his eyes, his whole body sagging in relief. "Good," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "Good…"
The brothers sit in silence for a moment, the tension that has been hanging over them for days finally easing.
Jay's body still feels weak, the exhaustion pulling at him like gravity, but none of that matters now. Will's okay. They're both going to be okay. Everything's going to be alright, as long as they have each other.
As sleep starts to tug at his consciousness, Jay reaches out, his fingers curling around Will's hand, before he finally lets himself relax, falling into a peaceful sleep.
The end.
I know, I know... I couldn't resist. I was fully intending to write a story in which Will would be the only one injured, but I kind of got carried away, so you got a little bit of both - the emotional disaster and the physical pain. Best of both worlds, I hope.
Not gonna lie, I felt a little rusty while writing this. I hope it wasn't terrible and I really hope it was worth the wait (although I know that three years would be pushing it even if it were a bestseller, which it definitely isn't lol).
So... this story finally has an ending. I don't know what the future holds. I still love to write about Jay and getting to be a part of this fandom/community has been an absolute honor. I won't say that this is for sure the end of this story, but I also don't want to promise that I'll write more, because I don't want to get your hopes up. If inspiration hits, I won't hold back though.
Thank you so much for sticking around for so long. The fact that this story still gets read on a daily basis baffles me. You guys have been nothing but kind to me. Looking back through the chapters makes me cringe, but also makes me happy and proud, because I can see how much I've grown and learned. This journey has given so much to me and you've all been such a great support in so many ways – not just with writing, but also personally.
So much has changed. When I started this fic, I was still in high school and now I've had a job for a couple of years, which sounds insane. You've been by my side throughout college, through a pandemic and through some of the hardest times of my life, and now here we are.
I will forever be grateful for this era of my life and for every single one of you. Truly. Thank you! I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart 3
Till next time.
Love, N