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

Chapter Seventy-Six: Delivery to Mollys

It was late afternoon when Voight and Mouse returned to the house and darkness had long descended as the winters' sky shed more snow on the Windy City.  The pair had arrived just in time for the evening meal at the same time as Jay had arrived downstairs, still clearly suffering from a headache.  Jay had taken his usual chair beside Adams, which was momentarily empty as the other man finished washing his hands at the sink. What had been anticipated as the usual banter laden meal had quickly deteriorated into a solemn almost silent one after the Sergeant had informed them in his terse manner that they had a problem.  After uttering the words Hank had informed Jay that he needed to talk to him in private.  The pale man had informed him whatever it was the others would find out so he might as well do the talking there.  Seeing the older man walk over sombrely and sit down beside the pale man had given the other men a sense of just how hard whatever was coming was going to be for the younger man.

"Jay like I told Will earlier all of the stations handed over the tapes.  And we made sure they had not made copies," Hank paused momentarily but then ploughed on knowing there was no easy way to break the news he had to impart, "Jay we always knew there was an outside possibility ......,"
"Sarge just say it!"
"A tape was handed into Mollys this afternoon .......,"
"They wouldn't play it," Adam interrupted confidently, earning a glare from his Superior.
"The note with it said it was a surprise for Station 51.  Apparently no one checked it before the guys came in."
"Ah hell!" Antonio cursed in despair.
"Do ......," Jay ducked his head, "do they know ........ it was me?"
"Yes Jay they do," Hank looked at the dark expressions Adam and the men around the table wore, knowing they mirrored his own, "the Courier who delivered it said the tape was to be playing before the note was given to Severide."
"They only watched a couple of minutes Jay.  Think they were just so shocked at what they were looking at that they didn't react straight away but Severide assured me they had it turned off pretty quickly.  I checked and the footage they saw started with the end of the attack on you in the shed and then showed you with Max."
"What did the note say?"
"It was a short note.  Literally all it said was 'It's time to meet the real Jay Halstead who can't even protect a dog'.
"It's a different tape," Jay said with surprising calmness.
"How do you ......," Mouse began.
"None of the tapes we have started with the ...... time ........ Max died."
"Which means there are probably more tapes out there," Al noted pragmatically.
"We knew that was always a possibility," Jay looked around the table, "come on let's eat before everything goes cold."
"Sure," Adam accepted the que for a change of topic, as Hank moved to his usual chair and Adam sat down beside the pale man and picked up a large bowl filled with mashed potatoes taking a spoonful, "anyone want some?"
"Yeah thanks," Conor forced lightness into his voice, "figure since I dealt with the potatoes it's safe to eat."
"I think I'm getting used to yer insults at this stage," Adam passed over the dish ruefully.
"Don't worry we'll find some new ones for you - again," Kevin assured with a smile.
"Gee thanks."

Jay remained quiet for the meal, picking unenthusiastically at the small amount of food Adam had, without being asked, put on his dish.  He was relieved when Al and Antonio declared they couldn't eat anymore and rose to bring their dishes over to the sink.  Rising he brought his own dish over ready to discard its' contents in the bin when Antonio interrupted him.

"Let me do that," the older Detective took the almost full dish without waiting for an answer.
"Thanks."
"You feel like playing cards?" Adam walked over and deposited his own dish in the dishwasher after rinsing it off.
"Nah. Feel like some fresh air. Going to take a stroll."
"Jay it's snowing!" Will, as ever the voice of reason, protested.
"I like the snow," Jay spoke as he headed out to the hallway taking off his sling.
"You want some company?" Hank asked before Adam had a chance to.
"Just need some quiet time," Jay pointed out as he slowly eased his injured arm into his jacket sleeve.
"Good," Hank nodded ignoring the not so subtle request to be left alone, "cause you know me.  I don't use a lot of words.  Could use some quiet time myself."
"Want to try monopoly after?" Al cut in before the pale man could think of a rebuttal.
"Sure but this time I get the car."
"Heck that's the best piece on the board," Antonio walked by carrying the box with the boardgame.
"That's probably why you keep losing," Conor teased after an assessing look at his patient, "the properties are the best pieces."
"Whatever you say Doc," Antonio rolled his eyes before turning back to Jay, "don't stay out there too long. Don't need you getting pneumonia."
"Yes Pa," Jay walked to the front door and opened it without a backward glance.
"Be back soon," Hank offered as he followed his subordinate into the freezing night air glad to see the snow had actually stopped.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Jay finally broke the silence after ten minutes as they walked along the winding driveway, under the shade of old tree branches, towards the tall wrought iron gates.

"Nothing.  Just wanted to have some quiet time."
"You could have had that in the house."
"So could you."
"I like it when it's like this," Jay nodded to the snow covered grass, "everything looks clean and fresh."
"Guess it does," Hank glanced at his young Detective under the glare of a security light as they reached the gates and turned back, "never really took any notice of things like that."
"My Mom loved the winter.  The rain and long nights were her favourite times.  Think that's why I like it too."
"From the way you and Will talk about her I can tell she was a special lady."
"She was," Jay agreed softly with a sigh as his footsteps slowed, "she'd hate what I've done."
"No Kid.  She'd know you only hurt the old man as a last resort.  You were in no condition to get into a fight with him."
"Maybe I should ......,"
"Halstead you listen to me," the Sergeant stopping and turned to face his companion, "I'm telling you as a parent your mother would be nothing other than proud of you.  You're a credit to her.  Don't diminish the integrity she obviously instilled in you growing up by second guessing your actions.  Take it from me if you mess up I'll let you know.  Hell I'll even do it on her behalf.  You got that?"
"Yes Sarge," Jay began walking again as he coughed, "who from 51 was in Mollys when .....,"
"Severide, Boden, Herrman and Casey. Kidd and Dawson were late arriving so they didn't see anything.  Severide brought the tape to the 21st, which by the way Mouse brought over to Tom in Forensics.  Severide said they didn't tell Kidd or Dawson what was on the video just that it was someones' twisted idea of a joke.  They had to give some explanation because Dawson kept peppering them with questions."
"Yep, that sounds like Gabby," Jay chuckled despite the circumstances.
"They do know the tape related to you.  Kidd saw your name on the note but that's all she saw before Severide put it away."
"It could happen again."
"Hermann told Severide to pass along to you that he'll make sure no one plays any videos without his prior permission in the future."
"Guess that's something."
"It is," Hank nodded as they arrived at the front doors, "and Jay before we go in I want you to know something.  I'm damn proud of you Kid."
"Sarge!" Jay shook his head as a blush reddened his face and he led the way in.

tbc