[Disclaimer: It pains me that I have to do this because I sadly still have hope in humanity and morals, but alas... It's been brought to my attention that some people have been stealing my stories. I ONLY post on FanFiction and ArchiveofourOwn... so if you come across anything of mine on Wattpad or any of the socials, please report it. Thank you! And to the offenders, be better people!]

Jay Halstead turned just in time to see the gun go off from the drug dealer he'd been working. They had gotten made in that dive bar meeting and bullets started flying everywhere. He observed Chip, his CI and fellow undercover, smash into Tony Greico's arm right as he aimed it at Jay. It was too little too late though. He felt the bullet pierce him in the chest and recognition sets in as he falls to the ground. For a quick second his senses are heightened and he registers all the bullets still whizzing by above his fallen body. He surprisingly feels no pain, just numbness. His eyes start to close and he knows he's about to pass out; he also knows it's very, very bad if he doesn't stay conscious. It could be the beginning of the end. That's when he envisions her, and complete happiness takes hold. He knows he shouldn't, but he closes his eyes so he doesn't lose the image he has; the image of her smiling and teasing him in the van that he wants to hold onto forever. That's the last thing he remembers before it all goes black…

The next time he wakes is when he feels a rush of electrical current shoot down his body, and cold and sticky paddles pressed on his chest. For a second he catches a glimpse of blonde hair hovering over him and he gets his hopes up, starting to close his eyes in relief. It's then he recognizes the voice of the blonde hair and disappointment sets in.

"Stay with us Jay, ok!? Stay with us, we're almost there…" he hears Sylvie Brett say, like her voice is being muffled through a solo cup down a really long hallway.

He tries his best to keep listening to her because he knows he has to fight this. And if there's anything he learned as a soldier, it was how to fight. He drifts in and out of consciousness for the remainder of the ambulance ride.

His next conscious memory is feeling like he's being wheeled down an alley with a bunch of people in white coats standing above him. It's far too much for him to handle without having her next to him. She was always his light. She was the one to ground him. She was the one to guide him through the dark. It only made sense that he recessed to the deeper crevices of his brain to conjure her again as he felt his mouth and nose be engulfed with some kind of plastic mask.

"Not in time for this unit, for us…"

"We'll be alright…"

"I should have told you, I'm sorry…"

"We're good, and we're always gonna be good…"

"Why'd you back me?..."

"I trusted you… I've trusted you since the day I met you…"

He thinks he softly smiles before the blackness takes hold again…

Hailey Upton is walking out of the grocery store when her cell phone rings. She doesn't recognize the number, but since it's a Chicago area code she answers anyway.

"Upton" she says in her typical formal greeting.

"Miss Upton? Hailey Upton?" a female voice she doesn't recognize questions her.

"Yes, this is she. Who is this, what can I help you with?" suddenly not liking the formality of the voice on the other end.

"Miss Upton, this is Nancy Delgado from Lakeshore Hospital, do you know a Detective Jay Halstead?"

In that moment Hailey's whole body fills with dread. She's from a hospital, calling about Jay. She's talking about Jay, in a hospital. She doesn't know if she can handle whatever dreaded news she's about to receive. She knows there's always a possibility in their line of work, but not him, it can't happen to him.

"What's wrong? Why are you calling? What happened to Jay? Is he okay?" she rapidly stutters out.

"Ma'am, Detective Halstead has been shot. He's in surgery right now. Unfortunately that's all the information I can give you over the phone. His forms said to notify you in case of emergency, so if you can come to the hospital we can release more details as to the extent of his injuries. "

Hailey's already sprinting to her car before the woman can finish her sentence. "I'm on my way, I'll be there as soon as I can!"

She hangs up as she hops in her car, lights flashing, speeding to the hospital. There are so many thoughts racing through her brain. The most prevalent- I can't lose him. She knows they haven't been on the best of terms recently, but she still cared… probably more than she should. She wonders how it happened, he always promised her to be extra careful when he was undercover. She knows she needs a distraction to help her get through the long ride, so she blasts some music, but nothing will drown out her thoughts and worry over Jay. She continues to take deep breathes throughout the remainder of the ride to help her survive it. She just wants to wrap Jay in her arms and hold him tight, even if she doesn't deserve to anymore. No point in dwelling on the past though, Jay needs her energy in the present.

Finally, she pulls up at the hospital and barely parks as she runs inside. She runs up to the help desk in a panic.

"Hi, I'm here for Jay Halstead, Nancy called me. Is Nancy around, is he ok?"

A middle-aged woman hears from across the counter and turns around to walk over. "Miss Upton?"

Hailey just nods, all formulated sentences failing her. "Miss Upton, I'm Nancy… Detective Halstead just recently made it out of surgery. Let me page Dr. Lee to come down and speak with you, alright? Why don't you take a seat right over there, he'll be down shortly."

Hailey nods numbly and sits down. She stares at the floor, rubbing her hands back and forth for what feels like forever, when the doctor finally comes over.

"Miss Upton? I'm Dr. Lee" he says as he shakes her hand before delving right in. "Jay was brought into us with a bullet wound to the right of his heart. He coded in the ambulance, but the paramedics were able to revive him…" Tears start streaming down Hailey's face at this point. "Luckily the bullet went all the way through, so we were able to repair most of the damage. He did lose a lot of blood, so we're giving him constant transfusions. He's not out of the woods yet, the next 24 hours will be touch & go, but I'm fairly confident he can make a full recovery."

Hailey breathes a slight sigh of relief. "Can I see him?"

"Once the effects of the anesthesia start to wear off, absolutely. Until then we're still closely monitoring him. I'll have one of our nurses come get you once we move him to a room."

"Thank you so much doctor, I really appreciate it!"

He smiles at her as he starts to walk away, Nancy coming back over to her soon after. She comfortingly puts her hand on Hailey's shoulder. "I'm sure he'll be alright, he sounds like a fighter."

Hailey smiles softly at her, thinking of Jay fondly. "He is!"

"Well it shouldn't be too long before they let you in. In the meantime, why don't you get yourself something to eat, I'm sure you had a long drive. Unfortunately are café is already closed, but the upscale vending machines over there are surprisingly good."

Hailey glances over at one and her eyes go wide. "Deep Dish in a vending machine? Now I've really seen it all!"

"I'm glad I'm not the only one, my kids tell me I need to get more with it; 'Mom, it's 2023'"…

[A/N: So this wasn't planned, especially two stories in one week. And this wasn't even the next multi-chapter idea I had... but this story popped into my head & I figured I'd run with it. It's going to be an interesting ride, so bare with me; and be sure to pay close attention to the very last sentence... or year I should say ;) Thanks so much for journeying with me!]