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

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Four: Willing Bait

To say Jay was surprised to be told that the best option they had to catch Williamson was for him to be used as bait would be an understatement.   He had immediately agreed however and was glad he had decided against the migraine meds.   He definitely needed to be able to focus he told himself as he sat in the Sergeants' office listening to the older man explain he wasn't happy about the situation but they would make sure Jay was as safe as possible.

"I know that Sarge," the young Detective insisted, "I don't have any worries."
"None at all huh?" Hank leant back against his desk as he looked down at his seated subordinate.
"Ye've gone above and beyond protecting me ever since ..... what happened at Med," Jay ducked his head.
"We're doing our job," Hank brushed aside the compliment, "anyone who comes after a Police Officer is going to pay a heavy price.   Now how did you get on at Med?"
"Got the stitches out."
"Thought they usually leave stitches in for ten days."
"Guess I heal quickly."
"If you say so," the disbelief in the Sergeants' tone was clear, "now I want you to be honest with me Halstead.   If you're not feeling up to being bait you tell me here and now.  No one will think any less of you.  Least of all me.   Hell I don't know how you've kept it together these past months so if this is too much just say it.   You know you need to be honest because any one of us could be in danger."
"I'm good," Jay spoke after a brief silence before continuing hesitantly, "I can handle this.   I won't say I'm feeling 100% but I've been a lot worse."
"I know Kid," Hank said sadly as he sat down on the chair beside his Detective, "I promise we'll try to get this sorted as soon as possible but if at any time you change your mind it's your call.  Not mine.  I'm trusting you on this."
"Thanks Sarge.  I give you my word," Jay offered his hand solemnly.
"That's good enough for me," Hank smiled for the first time.

As Hank was bringing Jay up to speed in his office Adam and the others were discussing the plan.

"Seems a bit early."
"Voight doesn't think Crowley will give us a lot of time to work on this," Al elaborated, "we need to get Williamson off the street and find out who else is out there."
"Damn.   I wish this was all sorted.   Jay's been through so much," Adam shook his head in disgust, "he doesn't deserve any of this."
"We hear you," Al nodded agreement, "we just got to be there for him.  Whether he likes it or not."
"What does that mean?" Adam looked around at the men in the open plan office.
"Sarge thinks Jay might say he's good when he really isn't," Antonio spoke softly, "wants us to keep an extra eye on him."
"Jay always says he's good."
"That's not what we mean," Kevin put in glancing at the two men in Voights' closed office to ensure they weren't on the verge of walking out, "he thinks Jay might say he's good really believing it."
"That he'll over reach," Al put in, "we all know the Kid fibs about his health but when it could affect someone else he's honest."
"What the hell are ye saying?   Ye've lost me."
"Jay has been through hell for several months," Antonio took up the reasoning behind the Sergeants' request, "Sarge thinks maybe it might impair his judgment on making a decision about his readiness for being used as bait.    Sarge wants us to let him know if we have any worries about Jay."
"Well hell!" Adam stood up in frustration.
"None of us are happy about this Ruzek," Al spoke up as he watched the other man pacing, "but his our friend as well as yours.   We just want to look out for him."
"If he ever finds out he'll never forgive us," Adam threatened in despair.
"He won't find out because none of us are going to say anything," Antonio stood up and stopped his friend, "the Kid needs us now more than ever."
"So ye all think it's okay to spy on him?" Adam raised his voice and then noticed Antonio looking over his shoulder and cringed as a quiet voice spoke.
"Spy on who?"
"It's nothing Jay ...," Antonio began sending a look of apology to Hank as he stood in the doorway behind the injured Detective.
"Try again," Jay walked over to his desk and leant back against it carefully as he eyed his embarrassed friends before continuing coldly, "and this time use the truth."
"Look Kid," Al stood up and walked over to stand beside the young man he had come to admire and respect greatly, "no one is spying on anyone.   We figured when Voight asked you if you were okay to be bait you would say yes.   We just want to make sure you're really up for it.   We just agreed we should keep an eye on you.  That's the truth."
"And you?" Jay stood up gingerly, mindful of his hip, and turned to look at the Sergeant.
"I asked them to keep an eye on you," Hank admitted with his usual honesty.
"You asked me a question in there and I gave you my word," the quiet man looked from his Sergeant to the others and back again in disappointment, "didn't know my word wasn't worth anything anymore."
"Kid you know we're  concerned about you ....," Hank began but was quickly cut off.
"It was bad enough my own brother letting me down but ye?  I didn't see that coming," Jay headed for the stairs as Adam grabbed his jacket only to be shoved back angrily, "you stay here!  I'm not a damn dog that needs a leash."
"Halstead!" Hank shouted across the office.
"What?" Jay stopped at the top of the stairs but didn't turn around, afraid the men would see the true fury in his eyes.
"You need someone with you."
"No I don't," Jay finally turned around briefly before heading down the steps, "I'm the bait remember?"

"Sarge what do we do?" Antonio demanded as they heard the security gate closing at the end of the stairs.
"Where the hell is Mouse?" Al asked his own question trying not to think of his young friend feeling, even briefly, they had betrayed him.
"I'm here," the IT Specialist came out front the back rooms, "what's up?  Where's Jay?"
"He just left.   Get eyes on him now," Hank ordered gruffly forestalling any questions as he rubbed his chin, "looks like the Kid's running the show."
"But Sarge we need to have things in place," Adam protested.
"We don't have time," Hank sighed, "I want you and Antonio following him.   Move it!"
"Come on," Antonio picked up his jacket and gestured for the other Detective to follow him.
"That could have gone better," Al commented succinctly as he glanced at his old friend, "once he calms down he'll realize we weren't betraying him."
"I hope so Al, I really do."

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Jay made his way out the front door ignoring Sergeant Platt calling after him.   Reaching the pavement he paused for a moment.   He knew someone would be on his trail soon so decided to head for Millenium Park.  That was too open for his friends to be close by he figured.   Hopefully his quarry would feel safe enough to make a move there and Jay would be the only one in danger.   Taking out his cell he shook his head and handed it to a uniformed Officer on the way into the precinct asking him to give the device to Platt.   After walking for a few minutes he hailed a cab pulling up by the tourist attraction  a short time later.    As he walked along the tree lined promenade Jay had to admit to himself that he had over reacted.   So his friends had decided to keep an eye on him but wasn't that what they had been doing all along?   Oh he knew without it being spelt out that his friends were to let Voight know if they didn't think he was up to being bait but he knew their hearts were in the right place.   Hell maybe his over reaction supported the Sergeants' request.   In any event he may regret the way he acted with his friends but he didn't for one second regret making this move.  

tbc