Tolerance Book III

Chapter Ninety-Five: New Leadership

Bellvue Hospital Center

Jay looked at Janet after her words broke the silence and braced himself for her fury.  He couldn't blame her. She was in this very room because of him after all.  He was about to accept his guilt when she spoke again.

"I've been worried about you."
"You have?" Jay frowned in surprise, surely the others hadn't told her he'd been slightly injured.
"Yes of course.  John doesn't get emotionally attached to many people but he's come to care very much about your Unit, especially you."
"But ....,"
"Sit with me," Janet patted the couch cushion beside her as she closed the magazine and laid it on the oval table in front of her, "I know you tried to stop him being hurt and you definitely stopped him being killed. For that I will be forever grateful."
"I should have realized .....,"
"Jay one thing I've learnt being married to a Law Enforcement Officer is that there are risks.  John accepted that when he took the job," Janet insisted quietly, "and I know you're doing all you can to stop Billings.  At the end of day this  will all be worthwhile when that  ..... man ... is behind bars.  John will tell you that when he's awake."
"You're too kind," Jay observed, appreciating the ladies' attempt to alleviate his guilt.
"Not at all," his companion disagreed, "just stating the truth.  Now what's this I heard about you getting hurt?"

                     --------------------

Homeland Security  Headquarters

It was a drab afternoon outside as grey skies promised a deluge and the mood inside the open plan offices was in keeping with that.   So far any leads had proved useless.  Once again Billings had managed to wreak havoc and disappear as if his real identity was The Invisible Man.

Jay had seemed to have turned a corner in relation to his self recrimination after the conversation with Janet and Voight had been relieved beyond measure to note the change.  He knew however that the only real way to ensure the young Detective was unburdened from the stressful situation was to finally catch their quarry.  Looking across  at Al sitting at his  desk in the relatively quiet expanse the Sergeant spoke softly but resolutely, sending a surreptitious look towards the closed door behind which Fielding was currently residing as the newly appointed Acting Assistant Director.

"We need to end this now."
"With or without approval," the moustached man agreed easily.
"We give Fielding one more day to get caught up with everything," the Sergeant decided, wanting to give the newcomer a chance to do the right thing.
"Could be a backlash if we go against him if he doesn't want to be proactive."
"That worry you?" Voight asked with a smirk.
"Can't say it does," the former Ranger admitted unrepentantly.
"How do you think Halstead is doing really?"
"He's running on his last reserves,"  Al didn't pull any punches with his old friend, it wouldn't do Jay or the investigation any good to downplay the situation.
"Should I take him off the case?" Voight asked, he knew the Detective was in a better position to gauge the younger mans' state of mind and physical condition.
"No.  That would only create more stress and guilt.  He needs to see this through to the end."
"Have to admit if it was anyone else I'd pull them off the case now," the Sergeant conceded, "but Jay can tolerate a great deal."
"True."
"You'll keep an eye on him?"
"Like always," the seasoned Detective promised solemnly.

Down the corridor in the small Break Room Jay was sitting with Parker at one of the few small round tables.  The Psychologist was still reeling from recent events but he had insisted upon returning to work once it was decided the Assistant Director was out of danger.  He knew Janet would be by her husbands' side without fail so took to visiting at night after work to give her a chance to have a break.  Looking at the green eyed man before him Parker noted the dark smudges under the orbits and the ever present weary features.