His Forever Flame

10. Unexpected News

It'd been 14 days since they had seen each other in person. They texted all the time, talked on the phone at least once a day, and skyped at least twice a week. It wasn't the same, though, and Jay really missed having her around all the time. Missed seeing her clothes, shoes, and just her stuff all around his place. Missed being able to come home from work and wrap her in a hug and kiss her all he wanted. Missed falling asleep with her beside him and waking up to her beautiful face every morning.

Jay had gotten an official notice five days after she left letting him know that his Ranger reserve status had officially be bumped up to high alert. A secret mission was being planned as retaliation for the Chattanooga attack, and it was very possible Jay's unit would be used. So every day was spent waiting. He was anxious because he didn't want to get bumped to active and it was making Lauren anxious too.

Mouse had not gotten the notice, and Jay was thankful for that. Mouse, on the other hand was not. Jay didn't want to see him relapse because he was finally in a good place with a good job. He explained all that to Mouse, but Mouse still wasn't happy. They had always been a team in the Rangers, and Mouse was feeling left out, but Jay figured he'd get over it.

Work was pretty slow for a Friday and Jay was happy about it. He was hoping to be able to get out early so he could skype with Lauren for a while. About lunch, however, Voight called him into his office. Jay couldn't think of anything he'd done so he had no clue what this was about.

"What's up, Sarge?"

He knew something must be really wrong when Hank nodded towards the chairs in front of his desk and closed the door. "Jay, I got a call from your CO." Jay felt his chest tighten. He knew what this meant; his mission was a go. "Your status has officially been changed to active. You report to Fort Benning Sunday morning at 0900 where you will get your official orders and details of the mission."

Jay was so quiet, so still, Hank was afraid he had quit breathing. "Halstead?"

"Yes, sir. I.... uh... I have.... There's some things I need to do."

"I know. I already covered your leave before I let you know. They didn't tell me how long you would be gone, so you have indefinite leave from the CPD. You'll be reinstated as soon as you return. I'm giving you the rest of the day off too. We will miss you Jay."

"Yea same here," he said almost dejected. "Have you... umm... have you told them yet?" he asked as he nodded out towards the team.

"No, I thought you might like to."

"Yea... yea... I'll do that now before I leave."

Hank nodded as he followed Jay out. "Alright, listen up," Hank said gaining everyone's attention. Everyone was looking at them. Jay didn't want to do this; it wasn't supposed to be like this anymore. He knew he had to though.

"Umm....I... umm..." Jay started but stopped and took a deep breath. Hank put his hand on Jay's shoulder as a sign of support. "I just received word that I will be deploying Sunday. I have not received my official orders, yet, so I cannot tell you how long I'll be gone. But I just wanted to say that everything you all have done for me and all the support means the world to me."

Everyone was quiet, and then Olinsky came up and gripped him in a hug. "We'll still be here when you get back. If you need anything just call." After that everyone told him goodbye and offered their support, except Mouse.

Erin was heartbroken. After she told him goodbye she went to the locker room and let the tears fall. It hurt that he didn't seem to be as effected by leaving as it was effecting her. She'd thought with Lauren being gone that he'd finally give them a real chance, but she was just starting to see that probably wouldn't happen, especially now that he was leaving.