Adam walks in with Hailey, holding her hand. Meanwhile, Kim walks in with Jay, holding his hand.
Hailey notices Jay.
"Halstead!"
Jay looks at her.
"Upton!"
They walk over to the breakroom and walks inside.
Antonio shakes his head. "They'll never change."
Kevin grins. "I give it a week before they're back together again."
Voight gives him a dry look. "You're too optimistic."
Antonio chuckles. "I bet you a thousand bucks."
Voight rolls his eyes. "You're on."
Hailey and Jay are heading to their separate cars when gunfire erupts. They both dive to the ground, taking cover behind parked cars.
Jay quickly grabs his vest and yells over the gunfire. "Stay down!"
He looks over at Hailey, his eyes full of concern. "You okay?"
She nods, gasping for breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. But we're pinned down."
The unit scatters, trying to find positions to return fire. Adam and Kim take cover behind a nearby truck, while Voight and the others find hiding spots of their own.
Bullets ricochet off of parked cars and windows shatter as the shooting continues. The unit is forced to hunker down, unable to move.
Hailey looks over at Jay, fear etched on her face. "We need to do something!"
Jay takes aim and shoots at the suspect's foot. The bullet hits its mark, causing the suspect to cry out in pain and drop his weapon.
The unit, watching from afar, exhale a sigh of relief.
Kevin's voice crackles over the radio. "Nice shot, Jay."
The suspect grabs his wounded foot, writhing in pain. Adam and Kim cautiously approach him, weapons raised.
Voight emerges from his hiding spot. "Secure him!"
The unit finally manages to subdue the suspect and starts to pat him down. That's when they find a small needle hidden in his pocket.
The suspect grins, looking straight at Jay. "You're going to pay now, cop."
Jay pales as he realizes what's happening. He tries to back away, but it's too late.
The suspect lunges towards him and jabs the needle into Jay's leg before anyone can stop him.
Jay yells out in pain as the needle pierces his skin. Voight grabs the suspect, while Hailey rushes to Jay's side.
"Jay! Are you okay?" Hailey asks frantically, watching as the suspect is hauled away by the rest of the team.
Jay grimaces, holding his leg. "I-I-It's a used needle, Hails."
Hailey's heart sinks. "We need to get you to the ER, now!"
She helps him up, supporting him with a arm around his waist. They begin to make their way towards the car.
The team follows them, Voight barking orders.
"Kevin, Adam — secure the scene. Antonio, get the suspect locked up. Kim, grab my keys and start the car."
The unit all push the suspect into the patrol vehicle and Kevin chucks the keys to Kim.
The unit arrives at the hospital in record time. They rush through the doors, Jay supported between Hailey and Kim.
Voight strides to the front desk, demanding to see a doctor.
"We need a doctor, NOW," he barks.
While Voight speaks to the receptionist, Hailey and Kim help Jay over to a chair, lowering him down gently.
Jay is sweating profusely, wincing in pain. He looks pale and shaken.
Hailey kneels in front of him, taking his hands in hers.
"It's gonna be okay, Jay," she assures him, her voice shaking. "Just hang in there."
A doctor comes through the doors, flanked by a nurse. They push a wheelchair, which the nurse positions in front of Jay.
"Alright, we need to get you checked out," the doctor says, his tone firm yet gentle.
The doctor and nurse help Jay into the chair, while the unit look on with concern. Voight watches as the doctor begins examine him.
Adam looked down.
"Boss, if Halstead is HIV positive…"
Voight clenches his jaw. "Let's not jump to conclusions until we know for sure."
The unit waits anxiously in the waiting room, each member lost in their own worried thoughts. Time seems to drag by slowly, adding to the tension.
Finally, the doctor walks out of the exam room and approaches Voight.
Voight immediately gets up, joining the doctor. The others watch closely, hanging on to every word.
"We've run some tests, and it looks like Detective Halstead may have been very close from contracting HIV from the needle."
The doctor smiles softly.
"If you never got him to hospital when you did, we'd be looking at a very different story, just tell him to avoid suspects with needles…"
Antonio speaks up. "So he's not infected then?"
"It's unlikely," the doctor replies, glancing at his notes. "The needle was used, and there's a chance of infection, but Detective Halstead's vitals are normal at the moment. We'll continue to monitor him closely, but it's looking like he dodged a bullet."
Hailey stands outside Jay's apartment, her heart heavy. She'd heard he'd been released from the hospital, but hadn't heard much from him since.
She takes a deep breath and knocks softly on his door.
The door opens, revealing Jay, who looks exhausted and drained.
"Hey," Hailey says softly, meeting his gaze.
Jay manages a weak smile. "Hey, Hails. Come in."
He steps aside to let her pass, closing the door behind her.
Hailey notices the duvet and pillow on the couch.
"I kinda ended things with Adam,"
Jay glances at the couch, surprised.
"Oh yeah?" he says, his voice soft. "How come?"
Hailey shrugs, a bitter smile on her lips.
"It just wasn't working out. He's a nice guy, but..."
She trails off, her eyes locking with Jay's.
Jay clears his throat.
"You want a beer or something?"
Hailey shakes her head. "No, I'm good."
She takes a seat on the couch, studying him. "How are you holding up? You look tired."
Jay sat next to her, sighing.
"Those pills are no joke,"
"Yeah, I bet."
Hailey reaches out, placing a hand on his arm. He looks like he hasn't slept properly in days.
"You should really get some rest," she says, her voice soft.
"I'm fine."
Jay shifts uncomfortably, but doesn't protest when she keeps her hand on his arm. He looks down at his hands, his shoulders slumped.
"Hey, look at me."
Hailey reaches out, gently lifting his chin to meet her eyes.
Jay looks up, tears pooling in his eyes.
"Wha-What?"
"It's okay, Jay."
Hailey pulls him into her arms, pressing his head against her chest.
Jay buries his face in her embrace, his body trembling. His tears fall silently, soaking her shirt.
Hailey holds him tightly, rubbing his back comfortingly. She whispers soothing words into his ear, rocking them gently.
Hailey had to go through quite a list of things to get Jay to sleep. She had to run her fingers through his hair, sing him a lullaby, talk about anything but work, make him a cup of chamomile tea, and bring him a glass of warm milk. But the final thing that did it was when she gave him a soft, cuddly teddy bear.
Jay had protested at first, claiming he was too old for stuffed animals. But as he held it in his arms, he slowly relaxed, his eyelids drooping.
Now, he's lying on Hailey's lap, his face buried in the soft fabric of the teddy bear. His breathing has slowed down, almost as if he's holding onto the toy for comfort.