Tolerance Book I (Chicago PD/Med FF) by Frances51163

Chapter Eleven: Unconditional Backup

Down at the 21st four days later Jay had followed Hank into his office and closed the door behind him.  He had ignored the speculative glances from his colleagues as he passed by them. By now he was feeling a bit better and although he had some way to go before he made a full recovery he felt at least he would be able to make a stronger argument about drawing his father out.  Hank looked at the younger man standing before him as he sat down behind his desk taking in the still bruised eyes, confirmation that he was still suffering, and once again forestalled what was coming.

"Take a seat."
"I'll stand."
"Wasn't a request."
"Sarge," Jay nodded and did his utmost to hide the pain the action caused as he sat down.
"I know right now you're thinking you're well enough to deal with your father ..,"
"I am," Jay quickly interrupted his superior.
"But you're not," Hank spoke as he leant forward resting his elbows on the cluttered desk.
"I don't need protection any more," Jay tried a different tactic.
"Kid I have a great deal of respect for you and I know this situation isn't easy but you have to admit that if this was a case you were working on you would be insisting that the victim be protected."
"I'm not a victim!"
"Yes you are Kid and there is no shame attached to that," the older man paused, "you telling me that all the victims we deal with did something wrong?  That they should be ashamed of themselves?"
"No!" the Detective raised his voice.
"Good because if you said they should be ashamed then you aren't the man I thought you were," Hank looked up as Al and the rest of the team walked in without waiting for permission.

"Ye have work to do," Hank ignored the breach of discipline and just nodded towards the door.
"Reckon this is more important," Al spoke as he went to stand by his old friend with Antonio.
"We're a part of this too," Adam insisted as himself and Kevin moved to stand on either side of the injured man, "we're family and we deal with this together."
"Really?" Hank scrutinized Adam thoughtfully for a moment then looked at the others.
"Really," Antonio nodded to murmers of agreement.
"Well okay then," Hank for once gave in in defeat, "I was just reminding the Kid that being a victim is nothing to be ashamed of."
"Hell no!" Kevin concurred placing a hand on the hunched shoulder of the injured man.
"So if I'm good at reading people," Antonio walked over to the wall and leant against it folding his arms, "Jay figures he's fit enough to be used as bait."
"I never ...," Jay began to protest.
"You didn't have to say anything," Al informed softly, "we know you.  And besides if it was one  of us we'd be arguing that we could handle it as well."
"Well then ye agree," Jay looked pleased.
"Nope.  We don't.  We haven't even got the profile from Charles yet," Antonio put in reasonably.
"When does he get back into town?" Hank checked.
"Tonight," Antonio replied, "his conference was finishing this afternoon.  Rhodes said he spoke to him and he'll call to the apartment to see Jay tomorrow."
"What?" this was news to the young man.
"Just got off the phone with Rhodes now," Antonio hastily explained.
"Would you prefer to meet with him here?" Hank queried as they all noticed the injured man paling.
"I .... I just ...," Jay couldn't find the words, "I gotta ...," he muttered and stood up to make his escape only to find Adam already had the door open for him.
"Come on.  Let's get some fresh air," Antonio suggested, casually placing a gentle hand on the other mans' back  as Adam led the way down to the back entrance.

Silence prevailed in the office for a few moments.

"Damn it!  The Kid shouldn't have to go through this," Hank rubbed a hand down his face as Al walked over and sat down, gesturing for Kevin to do likewise.
"We're lucky he agreed to talk to Charles," Kevin pointed out, "but I reckon right about now he's wishing he hadn't."
"If I get my hands on that piece of ...,"
"Hank you won't do anything because at the end of the day he's their father," Al cut in softly.
"You think he doesn't want to hurt him?" Hank challenged.
"Oh I'm sure he does.  But that Kid has amazing tolerance.  We've seen  glimpses of it, like the time he was tortured."
"Is that why he's a good Sniper?" Kevin asked hoping to understand the injured man better.
"Yes.  When you're on an assignment you have to know how to block out discomfort and distractions.  Sometimes you have to stay in one position for long periods so you have to tolerate muscles cramps and so on."
"I think he learned tolerance way before the army got a hold of him," Hank said sadly.
"Yeah," Kevin sighed as he got up, "I've got some calls to follow up."
"Al keep an eye on the Kid okay," Hank requested when the two men were alone.
"You don't need to ask," Al looked at his friend, "you reckon he can handle this?"
"We both know he can.  I'm just worried about what state he's going to be in when it's over," Hank paused then corrected himself, "no, not when it's 'over' but when their father is behind bars."
"Yeah.  It's never going to be 'over' but he'll learn to deal with it and he'll have us to help him all the way."

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

Downstairs in the garage Antonio had brought out a chair for the panicked man to sit in as the cool dark evening air coming in from the open garage doors wrapped itself around them. He had been afraid his friend was going to pass out.  Adam crouched down in front of his friend worriedly.

"Just take slow breaths, " he encouraged.
"Sorry," Jay said hoarsely.
"Nothing to be sorry for," Antonio insisted, "you want a water?"
"No.  Make me ... sick."
"Water makes you sick?" Adam raised an eyebrow on disbelief.
"Yeah."
"Never knew that.  You sure?"
"When you're nearly ..... passing out ....... if you drink water ......  it makes you ...... puke," Jay spoke with the voice of experience.
"Really?"
"Yeah.  Had to come out of Church one time cause heat got .... to me," Jay quietly shared the memory, "my Mom was .......... with me.  A lady had seen us going out.  She brought out a ..... glass of water.  I puked just as everyone was coming out."
"Now there's a wonderful visual," Antonio chided.
"Well thanks for sharing," Adam made a face.
"Thanks," Jay looked at his two friends, glad that the weakness had passed, knowing they understood he appreciated the momentary distraction.
"Any time," Adam grinned easily as he stood up, "mind you next time we'll think of something besides you spilling your guts."
"Gee thanks."

"So you want to talk about what's got you spooked?" Antonio returned to the real issue.
"No," Jay spoke honestly as he rubbed his forehead, willing away the initial signs of an oncoming headache.
"You agreed to talk to Charles," Adam reminded.
"Guess I didn't really think it through."
"It will help."
"Maybe," Jay sighed as he looked at his hands.
"Once we have a profile we can move forward quicker," Adam offered.
"Guess so," the desolation in the reply hurt both of the older men.
"Look Jay we're not going to lie.  Like you the thought of  talking to a shrink is up there with ....... walking naked into Mollys," Adam stated happily after finding an example.
"Another visual I didn't need," Antonio deadpanned, "what he's trying to say is we wouldn't like it either but it has to be done."
"I know," Jay agreed then looked up with a cheeky grin, even if it was forced, "course if I tell him Adam wants to walk naked into Mollys he might want to talk to him instead!"
"Hey now that's not what I said!" Adam protested.
"Sure sounded like it to me," Antonio winked at Jay, "come on let's get back before Voight thinks we're lost."

As they made their way back upstairs Jay reminded himself of how lucky he was to have good friends in his life.  He knew the future was uncertain but figured he could handle it with friends by his side.

tbc