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

Chapter One Hundred and Eight: Firehouse 51

Two days later, despite arguments to the contrary, Jay insisted on heading into work. Everyone had tried to dissuade him but he had been adamant.  Will had eventually given up once he realized his brother would not be persuaded to stay in the safehouse that Friday.  Conor decided to take the day off anyway so he could help the older Halstead make the necessary arrangements for the funeral.  Jay had not asked for any details about the ceremony and the men were unsure if he would even attend on the occasion.  Looking at the list of people he had made up to notify Will rubbed his forehead thoughtfully.

"You finished?" Conor asked as he walked over and placed a glass of water on the island counter before his friend.
"Think so," the redhead sighed, "not sure why I'm even bothering to be honest."
"At the end of the day he was still your father."
"And part of me is glad he's dead.  What kind of person does that make me?"
"A human one," Conor sat down on a stool opposite his friend, "he did a lot of terrible things and unfortunately that can't be fixed but he was still your father."
"Which can't be fixed either," Will noted, "I just wanted to say thanks for everything you've done for Jay and for me.  I haven't said it enough ....,"
"No thanks necessary.  You're my friend and so is Jay."
"I don't know how to help him Conor," Will finally confessed in anguish, "he's in so much pain but he hides it.  That call the other day with .... Max ..... he looked so hurt but once he became aware fully again he put up the wall he stays behind."
"I know but at the end of the day all you can do is be patient and just keep reminding him he's not alone."
"Heck we've been doing that all along."
"And it's helped."
"How do you make that out?"
"He's still here with us," the Surgeon pointed out, "despite everything he's gone through the Kid is still here and I for one am damn glad about that.  A lot of men would have buckled under the weight of what he's had to carry."
"Won't argue with you," Will tried to accept the positive perspective despite the worry gnawing at him.
"Good cause you'd lose," Conor stated confidently as he checked the time, "come on we need to get to the crematorium."

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Down at the 21st Jay was finding it hard to concentrate.  He was supposed to be making follow up calls with a few CIs but so far had only made three.  Ticking off the third name he rubbed his forehead trying to ease the throbbing headache which assailed him.  Lack of sleep was catching up with him as he covered a yawn wearily.

"You okay?" Adam had walked over to sit on his friends' desk.
"Yeah.  Just got a lot of calls to get through."
"You do know that none of us will think any less of you if you want to go back to the house right? Catch some shuteye."
"I'm good," Jay reiterated sitting up straighter on his chair.
"Well how about a break then? My treat."
"Not hungry."
"Well I am.  So come on move it."
"Adam I don't ...,"
"Don't think he's going to take 'no' for an answer," Al joined in from his desk.
"Probably better to just go with him," Kevin chimed in, "he'll only wind up in trouble by himself."
"Come on let's get out of here," Adam tugged his friends' arm.
"Don't want to go back to the house," Jay reluctantly admitted knowing a public place was out of the question as his friends' were still intent on protecting him.
"Don't worry.  I have a good place in mind besides the house."
"Where?" Jay gave in and allowed himself to pulled to his feet.
"You'll see."

Al looked around the open plan office once the two men had left. He really hoped their plan worked. Their friend needed a change of scenery and company and they had only one reliable option for that.

After a twenty minute drive Adam pulled into a parking space on the street and turned to his silent companion.

"What do you think?"
"Why are we here?" Jay looked at Firehouse 51 in confusion.
"Well we figured you might need a break from the precinct and a firehouse is a safe place."
"Look I don't mean to be awkward but ...,"
"Jay you haven't seen these guys in a long time," Adam pointed out gently as he noted Kelly Severide walking out of the building with Matt Casey at his side, "they're always asking about you and since you can't go to Mollys we figured you could pay a visit."
"I don't want ....," Jay looked at his hands remembering the tape sent to Mollys.
"The're your friends Jay.  They didn't see much of the tape before they turned it off," Adam reminded, himself and the others knew this was a gamble but they figured it was time the young Detective learnt that 51 was still a place where he would always be welcome.

Kelly and Matt stalled their steps when it became apparent the two Policemen were not going to exit the car immediately.   They understood this had to be their friends' decision.

"Man this can't be easy for him," Kelly pointed out.
"He'll be fine once he sees everyone treating him as normal," Matt offered forcing positivity into his voice, they were all aware of the strain the man had been under the past few months and although they didn't know all the details they understood enough to want to be there for him.
"So what's taking him so long?" a third voice joined in from behind causing both Firefighters to turn startled.
"Think he might be sticking his heels in," Kelly informed his Chief sadly.
"Well in that case let's go unstick them," Boden ordered and strode over to the parked car purposefully.

Within five minutes of being with the firehouse crews Jay wondered why he had been so apprehensive about seeing his friends.  After handshakes and hugs had been exchanged the pale Detective had been led to the dining table which was brimming with food.

"Knew there was a reason I wanted to come here," Adam said around a mouthful of warm chicken.
"You're just lucky ye came today," Cruz explained as he sat down beside the Detective after placing a bowl of bread buns on the table, "tomorrow Otis is cooking."
"Always had good timing," Adam boasted as he casually nudged Jay beside him under the table and opened his palm to reveal two painkillers and then said quietly, "take these.  No arguments."
"It's ..,"
"Just do it," Adam passed over the tablets in relief and made sure they were swallowed, albeit reluctantly, before raising his voice, "Jay you have to try the chicken.  It's amazing!"
"Think I'll stick with this," Jay gestured to the salad on his plate without enthusiasm.
"Can't go wrong with salad," Kelly spoke beside him, having noted the meds being taken, "not very heavy though so why not have some bread?"
"Yeah, good idea," the pale man retrieved a roll and concentrated on cutting and buttering it, willing his headache to ease.
"Even Otis can't mess up salad," Brett consoled from her end of the long table.
"So I understand ye were in LA," Mouch spoke around a bite of tomatoe, "what did ye think of it?"
"We were working mostly," Adam replied after it became obvious Jay wasn't going to, "but we visited Santa Monica Pier.  Did ye know there's a damn Police Station on the Pier? Only in America!"
"Didn't know that.  Would like to see it sometime," Mouch stated wistfully.
"Nothing stopping you," Otis looked across at the older man, "make it a surprise trip for Trudy."
"Hah!" Adam nearly choked on the meat he had been enjoying.
"What?" Otis demanded innocently as there were several chuckles around the table.
"Trudy doesn't ...," Mouch tried to be diplomatic.
"She doesn't like surprises she doesn't know about," Jay finally explained as he stopped hitting his friends' back since he no longer seemed to be choking.
"But if she knows then it's not a surprise," Otis frowned.
"That's the point," Gabby punched his arm playfully.
"Exactly," Mouch nodded profusely.
"Hell I'm never going to understand marriage," Otis decided.
"Neither am I," Mouch agreed morosely, drawing more chuckles, glad when he saw the ill Detective joining in.

tbc