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

Chapter One Hundred and Six: Recovering From Undercover Op

Despite his best efforts Jay found himself back in Chicago without being  able to provide any answers for Petrocellis' actions.   He had finally recalled the conversation in the kitchen but was at a loss as to when exactly his cover had been blown.  When he informed the men that the  mob boss had told him he knew since Johnny brought him in that he was a Cop they had discussed if Johnny would have given him up.   Jay was adamant in his belief that his old school friend had not sold him out.   The others weren't fully in agreement but downplayed the situation knowing it would only cause their friend further upset.  Once back in the safehouse Jay had argued that the need for staying there was no longer necessary but Hank had reminded him that they still did not know who was  working with the old man besides Peter Jackson who gave him the rifles.   The  mystery sender of the tapes still had to be located.  It had been noted by everyone that their friend had never brought up the old man on his return to Chicago.  In fact he hadn't even enquired about Johnny Jacksons' funeral.  Will wasn't sure what to make of his siblings' lack of interest and had spoken to Conor and the Sergeant about his worries.  Neither man had been able to offer new light on the situation so after the evening meal Will scouted out his brother alone in the library and decided it was time to have a proper conversation.

"There you are! Thought I'd lost you," the redhead said cheerfully as he walked in closing the door for privacy.
"What do you want?" Jay looked up from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer trying to hide a sigh, he just wanted to be left alone.
"Just thought we could talk," Will ignored the lack of enthusiasm as he sat down opposite his brother, "haven't really had a chance to catch up."
"We talked a lot," Jay closed the book in his lap with a frown, "what do you want to talk about?"
"Just wanted to know how you're doing."
"I'm fine," the pale man replied, just as he had been doing since coming around in the hospital.
"Well I hate to say it but we're not buying that lie."
"Will I'm .....," Jay paused trying to think of a way to get his concerned sibling off of his back, "okay ... really.  The whole LA thing I could have done without but undercover work by its' very nature is unpredictable."
"That's what Voight said," Will leant forward resting his elbows on his knees, "but even he said this was the first time a mob boss had walked away and purposely left evidence."
"Nothing I can do about that," the Detective said defensively.
"But it's a good thing," Will tried to point out.
"Not totally.  Our guy got away clean."
"But you know he's terminally ill so he isn't going to be around for long and obviously his organisation is being dismantled.   I guess I don't understand why you aren't happy about that."
"He killed Johnny," Jay whispered hoarsely turning to gaze out the window, "and .....,"
"And what?" the Doctor pressed gently, forcing himself to be patient as his sibling was obviously struggling with something.
"Nothing," Jay shook his head.
"Jay tell me what you were going to say, please?"
"He left me ..... live," the words came out in a huff of disapproval.
"Jay you listen to me," Will rose and went over to stand beside his brother before crouching down in front of him to be sure he could see his eyes, "he killed Johnny and that was wrong but the fact that he left you live just means he knew you were a good man.   That's a reflection on you and you have no need to feel guilty about Johnny.   He accepted the risks."
"Johnny was a good man," Jay argued as he finally looked at his brother.
"Jay he was trying to start a new life.  You gave him a chance at that.  It's not your fault it didn't work out but you have to believe me Johnny wouldn't blame you for what happened."
"We might never know what happened," the tired man yawned, "but I know he didn't give me up.  No matter how bad it looks!"
"If you believe that so do I," Will nodded knowing he needed reassurance rather than scepticism.
"Really?"
"Really," Will smiled and stood up, "how about something to eat?  You didn't have much earlier."
"You ever get tired of being a Doctor?"
"Doctor yes big brother no."

Three days later the Unit was ensconced in the 21st Precinct again, their trip to LA still fresh in their minds but they set about, with a renewed purpose, finding any links the old man had who might act for him.    Jay sat at his desk after many arguments, despite looking terrible, and listened to the various discussions going on.   

"Peter Jackson hasn't been any help," Adam was reminding Al.
"We need more info," Hank was informing Mouse, who as usual was typing as he listened.
"My CI couldn't give me anything," Kevin told Antonio as he took off his jacket.
"The military target," Jays' softly spoken words caught everyones' attention.
"What about it Jay?" Hank looked over at his Detective.
"We figured Petrocelli was going after a military target but we don't know if he still is."
"We figure he's not going to do anything now," Antonio informed his friend for they had discussed this aspect of the investigation when the Undercover Cop was unconscious in the hospital.
"I know that," Jay said impatiently willing his weary thoughts to unramble themselves, "I mean what if there is a target still out there?"
"We already checked ....," Kevin began only to be interrupted.
"I know we checked all angles Petrocelli might have had in Chicag, LA, Miami ..... but ......," Jay sat up straight in his chair.
"Where else would he pick?" Hank questioned not liking where this was going.
"Tell us Kid," Al instructed noting the distressed look on his friends' features.
"New York.  He'd pick New York.  He got Vincent moved from there.  For him it would be a good target."
"We already agreed he's going to lay low," Adam frowned, unsure how they got back to discussing Petrocelli when they were meant to be dealing with Halstead Senior.
"Not necessarily," Jay argued frowning trying to recall something which he should know, "he might intend to go out with a bang. Literally."

"Look Jay for now we need to concentrate on the old man," Hank spoke firmly as he approached the Detectives' desk.
"But Sarge ...,"
"Halstead we need to find out who's working with the old man.  Concentrate on that for now.   Moretti and his team are dealing with the Petrocelli case."
"Sure Boss," Adam spoke up when the distracted man didn't say anything.
"I want an update from everyone in thirty minutes," Hank walked into his office and closed the door after giving Jay another look.
"Hey Jay you know we need to find out if the old man has someone else working with him," Adam pointed out as he approached his friends' desk as the others made a pretense of going back to work, "I thought you'd be glad to get back to this."
"Glad?"
"Well that's not the right word but I thought you'd want to get things sorted once and for all.   What am I missing?"
"Nothing," Jay replied too quickly.
"Have you remembered something else?" Adam lowered his voice, knowing his friend was struggling with losing time when he was knocked out.
"No," Jay shook his head, "I just ...... I have a feeling okay and I know that's stupid so just forget it!"
"Hey now no one ever said you were stupid," Al spoke hastily, dropping the pretence of reading a file, "your instincts are telling you something then trust them."
"Yeah right because we all know my instincts are great!" Jay went to stand up but swayed and fell back down.
"Maybe we didn't make it clear enough to you," Antonio observed, "but you didn't do anything wrong in LA."
"I thought he was going to pass the reigns on!" Jay contested as he took deep breaths to conquer the weakness invading his body.
"Well you were right," Al insisted, knowing this insecure side of their friend was only seeing the light of day due to the toll of the past few months, "it may not have been how we expected it to go down but he essentially left the evidence with you and in that way he left control with you."
"Let's face it Petrocelli took a liking to you," Kevin put in trying to help.
"Yeah because of his dead son and because I was a Ranger!"
"You're not to blame for that," a new voice entered the conversation and everyone turned to look at Hank who had come out of his office unnoticed, "you did your job as conscientiously as you always do Jay.   When anyone else would have opted out you went undercover even though you were unwell.  If anyone should feel guilty it's me for letting you go in.  We weren't prepared enough.  We're not going to forget about Petrocelli but for now we concentrate on the old man."
"Sarge," Jay nodded looking at his desk rather than at his concerned friends.

tbc