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

Chapter Eighty: A Show of Tolerance

Near the end of the seven days' hold Hank had placed on the undercover operation the Sergeant sat in a Doctors' lounge at Med and looked at the three serious looking medical professionals. He had been asked by Will to call by after his shift to have a word before going to the safe house. Conors' presence was not unexpected but the older man was surprised to see Dr. Charles.

"So what's this about," Hank didn't waste time on niceties once Conor closed the door.
"I'm worried about this undercover operation," Will stated plainly, "right now Jay is dealing with symptoms from two concussions and ......,"
"I know that.  So does he."
"This assignment has no time limit," Conor joined in, "in his present condition he shouldn't be placed under stress."
"Listen Docs I know ye were upset when the Kid told ye about going undercover but we spoke about it," Hank reminded the pair of their long discussion with the whole Unit the day after Jay had told his older brother and friend about the operation, "ye were on board then.  So what's changed?"
"I think they thought he might decide to pull out," Charles offered ruefully when the two men remained silent.
"And what's your opinion?" Hank asked the Psychiatrist curiously.
"I haven't spoken to Jay since I did my profile," the robust man replied, "so I can't really say one way or the other if he's fit mentally."
"Jay is one of the strongest men I know," Hank looked at the three men thoughtfully, "and I thought that even before I learnt about what he survived in his childhood.  Thing is though he has a stubborn streak where others are concerned.  He's convinced the CI will only trust him and he's right.  He's worried about his old school friend so he's ignoring his own health ....,"
"So you agree he shouldn't go under?" Conor frowned.
"In an ideal world I would agree but we all know this is not an ideal world.  The guy we're trying to bring down is responsible for numerous deaths.  We've been trying to nail him for years. This could be our only shot."
"Even if Jay isn't up to it?" Will asked quietly.
"That's the thing.  He is mentally.  Physically he's not good but Jay is very good with dealing with pain and discomfort.  We all know that.  The Rangers don't just let anyone become a Sniper.  I did some checking shortly after Jay joined the Unit.  Spoke to a number of people.  Turns out Jay wasn't just one of the best he was the best of the best," Hank reached into his inside jacket pocket and took out a DVD, "do ye have something to play this on?"
"Sure," Conor got up and retrieved a portable DVD player one of the Doctors had decided to leave in the lounge for everyone to use on downtime, "what's on the disc?"
"Ye remember the time Jay was kidnapped and tortured?" Hank handed over the disc.
"Yeah," Charles nodded.
"The footage shows him being tortured.  Before ye watch it I want ye to understand Jay must never know any of ye saw it.  I need yer word."
"Of course," Conor assured as he inserted the disc.
"Yeah," Will agreed.
"You have my word," Charles explained, "but are you sure about this?  Aren't you breaching his trust?"
"Maybe but I need Will to understand just how much his brother can take.  I haven't made this decision lightly," the Sergeant nodded for the Surgeon to play the recording.

"Damn it!" Will let out a roar as the footage ended and banged a fist on the table.
"That was ......," Conor was at a loss for words, he had visited the young man after he was admitted and although he knew the injuries sustained the Detective had never hinted at what he had gone through to get them.
"I've never seen anything like that," Charles expressed his dismay.
"Look Jay would never let on how bad it was but Will you need to know how strong he can be.  He's ability to tolerate that meant that dozens of lives were saved."
"Hell Hank I know he can be strong.  He had to be the way my father treated him.  I saw how he dealt with physical injuries and sickness when we were kids.  He never complained.  Just got on with it.  Looking back now with what I've found out about my father I realize that I really let him down."
"Doc you were a kid too," Hank insisted readily.
"I know but the old man never put me down like he did Jay.  At the time I just figured that's just the way it was but I should have stood up for him."
"You did," Conor looked at his friend, "ye both knew that you standing up for Jay only resulted in him being hurt worse.  You told us that ages ago."
"I know," Will looked across at the Psychiatrist, "what do you think?"
"I think that young man has experienced more hurt than the three of us put together and we'll never know the full extent of the trauma he went through as a child because for him it's a sign of weakness to admit being hurt."
"Dr. Charles," Conor looked at his colleague meaningfully, they needed to get back to the present issue, "do you think he's fit to go undercover?"
"I honestly can't say without talking to him."
"Okay so you talk to him," Will leant back folding his arms determinedly.
"You sure you want to go down that route?" Hank checked.
"Dr. Charles will stop him making a mistake."
"Will I hate to say it but you might be the one making a mistake," Conor cautioned, "let's face it you've let him down before by going back on your word."
"Well what am I supposed to do? Let him walk into danger?"
"That's what he does every day," Dr. Charles pointed out reasonably.
"I know but this time it's different. This time I know when he's going into danger."
"I gotta tell you Doc the Kid is determined to do this.  We'll be monitoring him as much as we can."
"But ye won't have eyes on him 24/7."
"No we won't."
"This is crazy! It shouldn't even have been an option."
"This came out of the blue," Hank explained as he accepted the disc back from the Surgeon, "sometimes a lead turns up that you can't ignore."
"I'd feel a lot better if Mr. Halstead wasn't connected in any way to this," Conor spoke as he looked from the redhead to the Sergeant, "you have to admit it's one big coincidence."
"Truth is we'd be happier if there was no link between Halstead Senior and the Jacksons. It is what it is however so we just got to work with what we have."
"You're absolutely sure Johnnys' father isn't the old mans' accomplice?" Will double checked.
"Yes. At the time the tapes were delivered Jackson was in custody for being drunk and disorderly."
"Couldn't he have arranged to have the tapes delivered and then got drunk," Dr. Charles queried.
"We considered that but there are another couple of things which rule Jackson out.  The Couriers used all say the man who gave them the tapes is five foot eight inches tall. Jackson is five foot one.  They all gave the same description of the man," Hank got to his feet and looked at Will, "if you want Dr. Charles to talk to Jay it needs to be done tomorrow night at the latest."
"You think he should?"
"No," Hank nodded to the Psychiatrist and Surgeon before returning his gaze to the redhead, "but it's your call."

When the Sergeant left Conor looked at his worried friend.

"Will if Hank didn't think he could do it he wouldn't send him undercover."
"You're lucky you're Jays' brother," Charles put in wrily, "I don't think the Sergeant is used to people questioning his decisions."
"What do I do?" Will ignored the attempt at levity.
"You don't need us to tell you."
"Damn," Will sighed in defeat knowing he had to keep his word to his brother and not interfere.

Something told him what was coming in the near future was not going to be good.

tbc