Fighter

Chapter 35

The rainy, humid air combined with the silence as they stood in salute to see off their fellow officer. Each of the Intelligence unit members stood in uniform. The men, carried the sleek white casket, covered by a flag. A single tear ran down the cheek of the hardened desk Sergeant as she stood at the top of the stairs. The fire department members, community members that knew her all stood around to watch the service. Once her casket was placed inside the hearse, they lowered their arms. Pinned to each of their lapels was a ribbon, in memory of their friend, and family member. Jay's heart couldn't break any more than it had, as the doors closed. "Forever." His whisper carried through the rain, as he watched the hearse drive away. He stole a glance down at the wedding band on his hand. Erin was gone and she wasn't coming back.

He woke with a start, and heart racing he glanced around the district break room. "Jay? You good?" Kevin asked, sipping from his mug. "Uh, yeah. Sorry. Has Voight called yet?" Kevin nodded. "He said you can drop by anytime." He took that as his out and stood from the couch. "If you ever need to talk man, I'm here. So is everyone." He nodded, and giving Kevin a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks. I appreciate it." And he turned and headed out to the bullpen to alert Antonio of his departure, before exiting the building and out to the car. He took a moment, just sitting there with the car running to process the nightmare he just had. Losing Erin was the worst nightmare of all, and he was so unsettled by that nightmare occurring just days before she was supposed to have major surgery. Life was being unnecessarily cruel to them as of late, and he was tired of it. His frustrations only built, and he punched the steering wheel in front of him, causing the horn to blare. Kim had been watching Jay beat on the steering wheel from her own vehicle, as she waited for Adam. Her heart was broken for him, and she wished that this would hurry up and be over so Erin and Jay could just be happy already.

"Voight?" He noticed his boss sitting outside of Erin's room, and his heart sank. "What's going on? Is she okay?" "She's fine. They're just running some tests to make sure she's stable enough for surgery. They moved the dates around. That's all they've disclosed to me so far." He said a silent prayer that she was fine, because for a moment, he had thought his nightmare was becoming a reality. Voight's phone began to ring and he stepped away, giving Jay the chair. He sunk into it, and dropped his head into his hands. This had been a long road and they still had so long to go with her.

It had been about two hours before they were allowed to see her. Entry to her new room, was no off limits, unless properly gowned and masked as she had developed neutropenia. "Wow, if I had known the ghostbusters were in town, I would've had an autograph book ready." Erin said with a small grin as she took in the two men head to toe in medical gear. "Very funny. Worth it to see you though." He said, taking a seat next to her. "So what's the game plan, coach?" "Going under the knife this week if everything goes well. If they get the fever down, and no signs of infection and no new symptoms." "I guess I better get started on finding you a four leaf clover then." She shook her head. "No, you're enough of a good luck charm." She smiled. "It's good to see a smile, Kid. Do you need anything?" "Well. I'd kill for something other than hospital food. Coffee, mostly. But." She shrugged, knowing it was out of the question, like most things now a days. "We'll make sure there's enough coffee to keep you going for decades after this." He promised. "I'll be holding you to that." A knock at the door interrupted the light hearted chatter, and Dr. Hanley came inside. "How's my favorite patient?" She said, flipping open the iPad. "Ready to take down some criminals." Erin gave her a thumbs up. "I'm sure that's exactly what you'd rather be doing, huh? We'll see about having you out there sooner rather than later." "Good. Cause I'm ready." She said, a yawn interrupting her. "Easy there, Kid. You'll be back out soon as you're hundred percent." Voight said. "Alright, Erin. I just need some signatures and I'll leave you be. Maggie is back in here tonight so I know you'll be entertained, even though your over night visits are being cut short for now." Erin sighed, and looked to Jay and Voight. "Not even one more night?" "I'm sorry, this is just to keep you safe. It's just a few days." "We'll be for visit hours." Jay reassured her, giving her hand a squeeze with his gloved one.