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

Chapter Twelve: Anxiety Overload

The next morning Jay was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Dr. Charles as he leant against the window watching raindrops collide with the clear barrier. From the time he got up that morning he had either been looking out the window or in his room. Adam and Kevin were with him and both wished there was something they could do to make things easier for their friend. After the pale man had disappeared into his room on one occasion Adam had stepped out into the hallway and placed a quick call to Will. He explained that if Charles could get there earlier than the arranged time of midday it might be better. Will had offered to come back there and then but Adam convinced him that that would simply upset his brother more. It was now twenty after ten and Adam and Kevin shared a relieved glance as Will let himself in with Dr. Charles following behind.

For his part Jay was feeling nauseous one minute then light headed the next. Whenever either symptom came on him he had retreated to the privacy of his room, not wanting his friends to see him like that. He wasn't sure if it was because of the upcoming meeting with Dr. Charles or something but he felt wretched. Puking with broken ribs was a nightmare. He cursed himself as he sat on the side of the bath and held a cold facecloth to his neck to stave off the weakness invading his body. He didn't know which was worse, empty reaching or feeling as if he was going to pass out. This was ridiculous he chided himself, not for the first time that morning. He held a hand up to his painful left side and figured empty reaching was the worst. Voices outside caught his attention and he cursed.

"Where is he?" Will demanded without greeting as he shrugged off his raincoat and threw his black bag down beside the couch.
"His room," Kevin pointed unnecessarily to the closed door.
"Help yourself to some coffee," Will instructed his colleague as he headed over to the closed door.
"Could do with one.  It's freezing out there," the unkempt Doctor complained as he shed his coat and rubbed his hands together.
"I'll get you one Doc," Adam offered, "milk and sugar?"
"A little milk and two sugars please. So I would guess Jay has been out of sorts all morning?" Charles spoke as he walked over and sat down on an armchair.
"Putting it mildly," Kevin scoffed, "hardly said a word since he got up."
"Well once his father is behind bars things should settle down for him."
"Sure hope so Doc," Adam stated as he handed over a steaming mug.

Will was surprised when he opened the door to find the room empty but a sound from the bathroom drew his attention as he closed the door behind him. Walking over he pushed the half open door further in and cursed when he saw his brother leaning on the sink for support as he retched.

"Jay how long have you been like this?" the Doctor moved forward quickly placing a hand on his siblings' neck to check the pulse there.
"I'm okay," Jay spoke hoarsely as he stopped convulsing, "must be .....
something ..... I ate."
"Except you didn't eat anything Kiddo," Will spied the damp cloth that was draped across the side of the bath and rinsed it as he spoke, placing it on his brothers' neck, "you're obviously feeling weak as well so for now let's get you lying down."
"Still nauseous," Jay shook his head.
"It's okay I'll get you a basin," the taller man carefully put his brothers' arm across his shoulders and grasped him gently around his waist, mindful of the broken ribs.
"Sorry," Jay apologized softly as they made their way slowly over to the double bed, sweat breaking out on his face from the effort.
"Nothing to be sorry for," Will readily assured, "now once you're lying down I'm going to check your ribs and then you're going to rest for a while.  When you wake up you're going to eat."
"Bossy," Jay complained as his brother eased him down on the bed and helped him undress down to his black briefs.
"Well I'm allowed to be," Will explained smugly as he pulled the covers up over the battered chest, "I'm the eldest."
"Yeah yeah," Jay was unimpressed with the old argument as a thought came to him, "what time is it? Charles is coming at noon."
"There's plenty of time besides he got a bit tied up," Will lied easily as he got to his feet, "I'm just going to get my medical bag.  Back in a minute."
"Okay," Jay relaxed into the soft embrace of the bed with a sigh.

Closing the door after leaving the bedroom Will walked over to pick up his kit throwing a glare at the two Detectives as he passed.

"What's up Doc?" Kevin asked innocently.
"Jay was in the bathroom getting sick and ready to pass out," Will barely managed to keep his voice low, "I thought I could trust ye!"
"Whoa Doc," Adam quickly defended, "he's been alternating between the window and the bedroom since he got up.  We tried to get him to leave the door open but he insisted he needed some time alone.  Like I told you earlier we couldn't get him to eat anything.  He hasn't been staying in there long, maybe ten to fifteen minutes at a time."
"And that didn't strike ye as odd?" Charles wondered, speaking for the first time.
"Sure but when we asked he just said he didn't have to answer to anyone, including us," Kevin replied guiltily.
"Look Will I don't know your brother well but he strikes me as someone who does not like to show what he considers weakness, such as being sick or having problems.  Am I right?"
"Yes," the redhead reluctantly conceded.
"Well then I'm sure he didn't let his friends know he was unwell."
"He didn't," Kevin concurred.
"Damn," Will looked at his colleague then at the Detectives, "okay ye're off the hook but ye can make him something to eat later."
"Sure Doc," Adam agreed in relief.
"Dr. Charles do you want to head off?" Will asked as he retrieved a basin from the kitchen.
"I'll hang around if you like.  I'm booked off for the rest of the day."
"Appreciate it.  He doesn't know you're here yet."
"Probably for the best," the Psychiatrist nodded, "if he did he'd feel he had to talk to me right now," the Psychiatrist commented.
"See you do know him Doc," Adam accused with a grin.

Will went back into the bedroom and walked over and pulled the blinds and curtains closed before he went over to the bed and turned on a lamp.

"It's the middle of the day why close the curtains?" Jay frowned.
"You used to find it easier to fall asleep during the day when they were closed - when you were sick," Will caught a glimpse of something in his brothers' eyes but couldn't identify it and knew it was the wrong time to follow up on it.
"So what time is Charles due?" Jay changed the topic as the covers were pulled back to his waist.
"He said he'd ring when he's on the way," Will kept his gaze on his medical kit for fear of being caught out, "so what do you think brought on the vomiting and weakness?"
"You're the Doc," Jay grimaced as hands palpated his ribcage.
"Sorry but I need to make sure a rib hasn't damaged your lung due to the vomiting."
"I know," Jay spoke with the voice of experience.
"Just want to listen to your chest.  You know the drill," the Doctor picked up his stethoscope and a couple of minutes later pulled the covers back up, "okay you don't seem to have done any more damage," Will reported as he pulled the covers back up.
"I didn't do any damage to begin with," the injured man pointed out with a hint of anger.
"I know," Will placed a hand on the nearest shoulder, "I didn't mean it that way."
"You might turn off the lamp," Jay ignored the words as he carefully turned onto his injured side, away from his brother, falling forward onto the plump pillow he used to cushion his frame.
"Sure," Will reached over and plunged the room into darkness wishing he could go back in time and make things right.

tbc