When I go to the med drama hospital with a simple sprain but it turns out I’m holding up a symbolic mirror to my doctor’s most repressed fears and weaknesses so I’m gonna be stuck here all episode :/
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When I go to the med drama hospital with a simple sprain but it turns out I’m holding up a symbolic mirror to my doctor’s most repressed fears and weaknesses so I’m gonna be stuck here all episode :/
"I believe her"
Description: Will's best friend is in trouble and Jay steps in to be the hero.
Warnings: Domestic violence, abuse, mentions of blood, mentions of gun violence. DO NOT READ IF TRIGGERED BY DV
Pairings: Platonic Will Halstead x Reader, Jay Halstead x Reader
I AM IN NO WAY trying to romanticize domestic violence or abuse. If you are experiencing it PLEASE seek help. DV Hotline 1800-799-7233
The first time it happened, it was a grip on her wrist that was a little too hard. He said he didn't mean it, he was sorry.
"I love you so much, I just get a little upset"
Brandon knew how to sweet talk her.
Y/n and Brandon met when he had just started the academy and Y/n was starting school to be a radiologist. It was love at first sight. They were meant to be. Everyone that knew them said that.
They were the perfect couple and everyone loved them together.
The second time was a hard shove that sent Y/n falling into the coffee table.
The bruises and sore muscles the next day from the fall were hard to ignore but Brandon knew how to make her forget.
Flowers, cards, a romantic dinner. Multiple apologies.
The third time was Brandon screaming in her face, making her scared enough to fall down and then the kicking started.
The pain Y/n felt the next morning as she walked into work was enough to detour her day.
She looked around the ED, she knew she could go to Will. Her closest friend. But he would see right through her so she went for the next best option.
"Hey Hannah, got a sec?" Y/n asked, approaching the blonde doctor.
Y/N and Hannah were friendly, they had drinks at Molly's together--back when Y/n would show up. They aren't too close for Hannah to ask questions.
Hannah smiles, leaning against the nurses station "Yeah what's up? Everything okay?" she asks curiously.
Y/n shrugs, adjusting the tote bag on her shoulder "I was kinda clumsy and drunk last night, took a tumble I might have a cracked rib or two" She says it lightheartedly to make it more believable.
The blonde chuckles, nodding "Come on, let's take a look"
--
Will Halstead was observant. Y/n had stopped coming out to Molly's about 6 months ago. Always said she was too tired.
Then Y/n started slowly not answering his texts. Only talking to him at work.
He wasn't sure what he did to cause the distance.
The two had been inseparable since Y/n started. Will always saw her as a little sister and cared for her like one. Always checking in on her, making sure she was eating and drinking properly and Y/n did the same for him especially on those long shifts.
Y/n was the one (outside of Jay) that Will went to about everything s and when he needed to rant and usually it was always vice versa.
Until lately.
Will watched Y/n walk over to the nurses station, handing over a report to another doctor.
That's when he noticed her face, the slight bruising and cuts on her cheek raising red flags.
"Hey, what the hell happened to your face?" The red head questions, the concern written all over his face.
"Gee, Will, way to make a girl feel good about herself" Y/n says sarcastically.
Will shakes his head, looking at her in disbelief "Y/n. Seriously, what happened?"
Y/n rolls her eyes at him "I took a little tumble. Will, seriously, I'm fine" She says, a little laugh coming out.
"Dr. Halstead! Incoming!" Maggie calls from the entrance of the ED.
Will groans pointing at Y/n "This isn't over" He says seriously before grabbing gloves and running off.
Y/n lets out a sigh of relief. Thank you Maggie!
---
Relief. Joy. Warmth.
Those three words used to describe how Y/n felt when she walked into the apartment shared with her boyfriend of 6 years.
Dread. Sadness. Guilt.
Those three describe the feeling she got when she entered the apartment now.
She can feel the hostility as she hears him stomping around.
Brandon emerged from the bedroom, duffel bag in hand. Badge and gun on his hip.
"Finally home huh? What took you so long? Hanging out with your work boyfriend?" Brandon questions, his tone is hard to place but the feeling in her gut makes Y/n feel uneasy.
"I told you he's just a frie-"
Brandon cuts her off, his hand around her throat, slamming the girl back into the wall.
"He's just a friend my ass. Think you can step out on me? Do you forget who I am?" His other hand is on his gun as he stares at her with rage.
"I think you know better than to lie to me" The dark chuckle is followed by a hard punch, right to her left cheek.
Brandon lets her go, stepping back and walking to the front door, picking up his duffel bag and his keys.
"I'll be undercover for a few days--You better have this place spotless when I get back."
--
It took three hours for Y/n to gather her strength, to move from her spot on the floor where Brandon had left her.
She was cried out, her throat was sore, her eye was already swelling up and she could feel blood running down her cheek.
As if she snapped out of her dazed state, Y/n stood up, still shaky. Going to the bedroom she shared with him.
Quickly grabbing the duffel bag out from under the bed she hastily starts throwing clothes into the bag.
Not all of them, just enough to not have to come back for a few days.
She knew she should probably call before just showing up but there was no way she was up for explaining things over the phone.
Glancing back at the apartment one last time she shut the door behind her, making her way downstairs.
---
Y/n stood outside of the familiar apartment. Hesitating.
She could just walk away. She could not tell anyone. That seems easier.
But the feeling in her gut. Her mind flashing back to Brandon's hand on his gun while he choked her.
She couldn't go back.
Hesitantly, she brings up a shaky hand, making a loose fist and knocking on the door.
It takes a second before she hears shuffling. Then the lock unlocking.
The pit in her stomach grows.
"Hey! What are you doing he--Holy shit" Will is stopped dead in his tracks when he sees the swollen eye, the blood on her cheek and the bruises on her neck in the shape of fingers.
"C-can I stay here--just for the night" Y/n stutters out lowly.
"Are you kidding me? You don't even have to ask" Will is quick to take her bag from her, ushering her inside the apartment.
"What happened? Who did this to you? Was it Brandon?" Will questions as he rushes to the kitchen for an ice pack.
"Yeah" It's more of a whisper as Y/n looks down at her shoes.
"Let's get some ice on your eye--Here, sit, sit" Will guides her to the couch, sitting next to her and handing her the ice pack.
"Have you talked to anyone? Did you call the police or-"
"I can't, I can't call the police, Will, he's a detective. I can't..." Y/n trails off, her words are panicked.
Will shakes his head leaning forward "Listen to me. You have to report this--h-how long has this been going on?" he asks frantically.
Y/n hesitates, glancing at Will with her uncovered eye. Debating if she should tell him the truth.
"Six months" Y/n says softly, avoiding eye contact.
Will is speechless for a moment. His brain racking through everything he's seen the past six months. How withdrawn she's been, the small winces when he startled her. Why didn't he question it?
"Listen, my brother, he's a detective with Intelligence. You can trust Jay, his whole unit. I promise. Please let me call him, just him" Will tries to convince her.
Y/n sighs, nodding slowly "Only him. I'll talk to your brother"
--
It was nearing 10 pm when a knock at the door makes Y/n Jump.
Will squeezes her shoulder, giving her sad smile "It's just Jay, I'm going to let him in okay?"
It might seem silly to ask if it's okay to let someone into your own home.
But Will was going to make sure she was comfortable with it first. He could see the fear in her eyes and her hands still had a slight tremble to them.
Y/n gives a slight nod, she feels like a bundle of nerves as Will stands up and approaches the door.
What if Jay knew Brandon? What if they were friends and he told Brandon?
It's Will's brother. You can trust him. She had to tell herself that as she heard footsteps coming to the living room.
"Y/n, this is Jay" Will says softly, entering the living room with a brunette man who Y/n would definitely say is attractive under any other circumstance.
"Hi" Jay says softly "I'm sorry we're meeting under these circumstances, I've heard a lot about you"
Y/n glances at him and then back to Will, feeling uneasy.
"From me" Will reassures her, he can sense that question rolling around in her head.
Y/n nods.
Jay's a little confused why he would hear about her from anyone else but he left it.
Jay pulls a chair from the dining table, setting it across from Y/n and sitting down while Will takes a seat next to her again.
"So Will didn't say much on the phone. Your boyfriend did this?" Jay asks, his voice soft, taking out his notepad and pen.
Y/n lets out a puff of air "Yeah-yes-um he did"
Jay nods "What is his name?" he asks, writing something down in his notepad.
"Brandon Wiley, he's a detective in narcotics in the 23rd district" Y/n glances at Jay nervously, noticing how he stops writing for a second and then continues.
"Can you walk me through what happened tonight?" Jay's stomach is turning, the thought of a cop doing this to an innocent woman.
It's definitely hitting hard for him.
"I-i came home from work around 6, he was in our bedroom packing a bag to go undercover. I didn't even set my things down, He started asking why I was home late, accusing me of being with my work boyfriend--It's what he calls Will"
Y/n pasues, rubbing her hands together nervously, reaching up to run her fingers over the brusies on her neck lightly.
It feels like she has a thousand eyes on her, like the two men are judging her but she knows Will would never. and Will wouldn't call Jay if he didn't trust him.
"He wrapped a hand around my throat, slammed me into the wall. He was screaming in my face saying not to cheat on him and to remember who he was a-and his hand was on his gun...and then he gave me this" Y/n gestures to her face, glancing between the Halstead brothers.
Will places a comforting hand on her knee. It's not romantic, just a friend comforting a friend. To let her know he's there.
Jay writes in his notepad, he can feel the weight of situation on his shoulders.
Something like this never sat right with him. A police officer who swore an oath to protect but instead he's inflicting the pain on someone innocent.
"Did he leave after that?" Jay asks, his voice is softer than normal, sensing how nervous the young woman is.
Y/n nods, "Yeah, it took me a while to get myself together after that I just kind of sat on the floor in shock. Once I snapped out of it I packed some of my things and came here" she sends a weary smile to Will.
Jay leans forward, closing his notepad and cautiously reaches out a hand, placing it on top of Y/n's shaky one that sits on her knee, catching her attention.
"I'm not sure what Will has told you but I work with intelligence. Just because this guy is a cop does not give him the right to hurt you and it certainly does not mean he will get away with this."
There's sincerity in Jay's voice, something in his eyes and his certainty that puts Y/n more at ease.
"Thank you" Y/n says softly--there's more to it, thank you for believing me. For listening.
She was terrified to go to any law enforcement about the abuse from a decorated detective but Jay made her feel silly for feeling that way. Not in a bad way but in a way that maybe if she had just talked to Will sooner, she could have gotten help sooner.
Jay gives her a sad smile, squeezing her hand.
"If it's okay with you, I need to take some pictures of your injuries and then the next step would be to come in to the district tomorrow morning so you can at least talk to my boss" Jay explains, taking his phone out.
Y/n looks at Will nervously and then back to Jay.
"You'll be there right?" She asks, feeling stupid and like a little kid. She knows Will can't come, he's working early in the morning.
Jay nods, a small smile on his face "I'll be with you the whole time".
--
The next morning Y/n woke up a little disoriented, her face and neck sore. The memories from the night before a blur.
She checked her phone, a few texts from some of her coworkers asking if she was okay after they heard she's taking a few days off.
Glancing at the bedside table, she noticed a bottle of Tylenol, a glass of water and a note.
"Take some Tylenol and drink water! Call me if you need anything, Jay should be picking you up around 9. - Will"
Y/n rolled her eyes at Will's overbearing nature but also smiled to herself. She was happy, not waking up wondering if he would be there.
She notices the time reads 8:45am.
"Shit" she mumbles, quickly getting out of the bed and making her way to the bathroom to get ready.
The first glance in the mirror was a shock, seeing her injuries for the first time since it happened. Her cheek and eye were a dark purple and blue. The fingerprints on her neck matching.
There was no way she could go to work like this. And mentally she thanked Will for calling her boss and letting them know she wouldn't be in the next few days due to a personal emergency.
She quickly and carefully washed her face, brushed her teeth and completed her morning routine-as best as she could-before getting dressed in whatever clothes she had grabbed from the apartment.
Thankfully she had grabbed an oversized hoodie that would cover her neck slightly in the way it sat on her frame. Slipping into a pair of jeans and a random pair of socks she felt a little more normal. The injuries forgotten for the moment.
A knock at the front door startled her for a second before she relaxed, realizing it must be Jay.
She quickly made her way to the front door, peaking through the peephole and then unlocking the door.
"HI, I'm ready I just need to get my phone and keys" Y/n said it quickly, a little too quickly, stepping to the side to let Jay in.
She was used to being rushed and then being screamed at when she wasn't quick enough.
Almost as quick as she said it she ran back to the guest room.
Jay frowned, watching her retreat quickly to grab the last of her things.
This guy really did a number on her.
That thought made his blood boil. From everything Will had told him about Y/n over the years, she was probably the sweetest and kindest person Will had ever met.
You have to be really messed up to hurt someone like that.
"Sorry that took so long" Y/n says as soon as she's back at the entryway, as if practiced.
"Hey" Jay says it softly, ducking down slightly to meet her eyes "You don't have to rush, you don't have to apologize. You're safe and he can't hurt you. Not with me around"
It took her a second to respond, not used to being talked to in such a kind way. But then something clicked in her brain. This is Jay. Will's brother. He's safe.
"I know, i'm sorry--shit--sorry it's out of habit" She finally meets his eyes, feeling secure.
Jay chuckles, shaking his head "Come on, you eat yet?" He asks, guiding her out of the apartment and locking the door behind him with the spare key Will gave him.
"Not yet"
"Breakfast first then, there's a diner down the street that has good food and decent coffee"
--
Y/n had been nervous when Jay suggested the diner, for one she looked horrible. and two, what if one of Brandon's cop buddies saw therm?
But then she realized she was with Jay and he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
So she let herself enjoy it and their time at the diner was full of Jay telling embarrassing stories about Will and laughter.
The ride to the district was easy, light, getting to know each other a little.
As Jay pulled his truck into the parking lot at the district he sensed her nerves.
He noticed her fidgeting with the seam on her hoodie, the way her leg bounced.
"Relax, breathe, you are safe. We're going through the back entrance, no one will see you but my unit. I'll be with you the whole time" Jay reassures her, flashing a smile at her.
Y/n nods, returning the smile, hers smaller but sincere. Her leg stills and she lets out a deep breath, smoothing her sweatshirt.
"Okay, yeah you're right, I'm being silly."
Jay shakes his head, reaching over and squeezing her hand.
"You are not being silly, you have every right to be nervous. You focus on yourself and I'll take care of the rest. Just breathe"
She takes a deep breath in through her nose, letting it out.
Jay takes the opportunity to get out of the driver side, making his way to her door and opening it for her.
"What a gentleman" Y/n says jokingly. But if she's honest, she's not used to a guy opening the door for her. Brandon would never do something that simple over the years they were together.
Jay chuckles as he shuts the door behind her, guiding her to the basement door.
Y/n notices the cage as soon as they enter the basement, glancing at Jay "I don't even want to know what that's for" she jokes, pointing at it.
"Don't worry you'll never be in it, I know someone that will be though" the last part is under his breath but Y/n hears it and she would be lying if she said that doesn't make her feel a little good.
Once upstairs, Y/n can feel all eyes on her as the four detectives at their desks watch them curiously.
None of them knew what was going on. The only one Jay looped in was Voight, explaining the situation late last night after he left his brother's apartment.
Voight was quick to tell Jay to bring her in. He had the same hatred for men like Brandon.
Jay knocks on the door to Voight's office, Y/n tries to relax but it's hard with all eyes on her. Jay senses it, sending her a small smile.
Which works, her heart rate relaxing slowly.
"Come in" a rough voice comes from the other side of the door.
Jay opens the door, letting Y/n in first before stepping in, shutting the door.
"Y/n this is my Sargent Hank Voight" Jay introduces, the older man standing from his desk.
"It's nice to meet you Y/n, Jay's explained the situation already. We're keeping this in house, meaning the only people that will be involved will be Jay, Myself, and the detectives sitting out there" Voight speaks softly, softer than normal trying to make her feel a little less nervous.
Y/n nods, giving Voight a small smile "Thank you, Sargent. I never thought anyone would believe me, I know it's tough with Brandon being a detec-"
The older man cuts her off, shaking his head "It doesn't matter who he is, he has no right to lay a hand on you. We're going to make sure he goes down for this" Hank reassures her, this time placing a hand on her arm softly.
"Would you be comfortable talking to the others to go over everything?" Jay asks softly from her right "No pressure"
Y/n contemplates it for a second before nodding "Yeah, as long as you're there"
That seems to be her answer for everything but as long as Jay is with her she feels safe.
"Okay, we'll talk in the conference room" Jay says, knowing it's a private area.
"You can take her to the conference room, I'll gather the team" Voight offers and Jay nods, opening the office door and guiding Y/n out.
The rest of the team watch them walk down the hall, curiosity eating away at them.
--
Meeting the rest of the intelligence went well, it was mostly Y/n recounting every thing that happened the past six months, which was when it really started to get bad with Brandon. When it got physical.
It started with little comments that were meant to bring her down, lower her self esteem. Then it built up to the physical stuff.
The rest of the unit either looked sorry for her or angry as she recounted everything, Jay by her side as she did so. Trying to give her some comfort.
The team all noticed that. The way she would tense up, Jay would place a hand on hers and she would relax.
You would think they knew each other for years.
The team had made a plan, Brandon was undercover currently and was supposed to be finished in two days. Voight was impatient, once they had things ready they were planning to pick him up. The photos of her injuries were evidence and they even found a girlfriend from the past, before Brandon got with Y/n.
It was in high school, he broke her jaw and cracked three of her ribs. It had been expunged form his record since he was technically a minor.
"That poor girl" Y/n said softly, feeling sadness as she sat in the chair next to Jay's desk, glancing at the girl that Haley and Adam were talking to in the small break room.
Jay only glanced at her, it was amazing how she felt so bad for the other girl, not even caring about her own injuries.
Brandon could have easily killed her that night and from what Jay had heard he almost did. Or at least probably thought about it.
Finishing up their interview, Haley guided the woman back down the stairs, the woman sending Y/n a sympathetic look.
"How are you doing?" Adam asks softly as he approaches Jay's desk and glancing at Y/n.
She shrugs "I don't know, I just feel bad for her going through that" she says quietly.
Adam smiles at her sadly before sitting at his desk.
Jay stands from his desk, picking up his keys and phone "Come on, I'll take you back to Will's. You should be resting" He doesn't say it as a question but not as an order either.
Y/n stands up, looking at Jay "I'm not broken" she says, hands on her hips.
Jay gives her a 'really' look "Will told me you were stubborn. There's nothing to do right now except let us work and arrest him. So, I am taking you home to rest and put some ice on your eye, okay?" He says it nicely, not in a mean way but in a concerned way.
Damn you Will Halstead
"William needs to mind his business" Y/n says under her breath as Jay guides through the hallway and downstairs to the basement.
"Couldn't agree more" Jay jokes, a smirk on his face and Y/n laughs quietly.
Once they get to the truck, Jay opens he passenger side door for her. Waiting for her to climb in the truck before shutting the door and starting the truck.
As Jay pulls out of the parking lot, Y/n has a thought swirling around in her mind.
"Jay" her voice has a different tone. scared. It makes Jay look over at her quickly.
"What if he finds me" it's quiet, whispered as if she says it too loud Brandon will just pop up.
"Then I'll be there. Hand me your phone" Jay's voice is calm, unwavering as he puts his hand out.
Y/n furrows her eyebrows, taking her phone out of her pants pocket and unlocking it, putting it in Jay's hand.
Keeping his eyes on the road, he taps the screen a few times, typing something in and then handing it back to her.
"You speed dial 1 and it will call me. Anything happens you call and I'll be there" It's a promise. A promise to show up. That's more than anyone has ever given her.
--
Y/n is sat on the couch in Will's living room, watching a movie and icing her eye.
Jay made sure she had everything she needed before leaving.
"Lock the door and lock the deadbolt after me" Jay had said and Y/n sent him a fake salute before he left the apartment, an amused look on his face.
It was only one more hour until Will was off shift and then maybe her uneasiness of being here alone with him out there would be gone.
That's when there's a loud knock on the apartment door.
Y/n's eyebrows furrow. Who could that be?
Then there's banging "Y/n, I know you're here"
Her blood ran cold.
No way.
This is not happening.
What a damn coincidence.
He wasn't supposed to be out of his assignment for two days.
Two more loud thumps.
"Come on, honey open the door" Brandon tries to sound nice, but Y/n knows better.
Her breathing is quickened as the door knob jiggles.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Grabbing her phone and moving as quietly as possible she goes the guest room, shutting and locking the door and then going to the bathroom and shutting and locking that door.
She can hear him banging on the door more and yelling.
Okay maybe it's time to call for help.
Unlocking her phone with shaky hands, she opens the call app, pressing the 1.
She can hear the ringing and Jay answers on the second ring.
"He's here" That's all she can get out.
That's all she needs to say before Jay is moving from his desk. Placing his gun in the holster on his hip and grabbing his keys.
"Where are you right now?" he asks, staying calm.
He covers the phone, speaking to the team "We gotta go, he found her"
They're all on their feet in a matter of seconds and making their way downstairs--Kim telling Voight.
"I-in the bathroom" Y/n responds before there's a loud noise heard through the phone "Shit, I think he just broke the door"
Jay's got his truck started in a matter of seconds, Haley in the passenger seat as he speeds out of the parking lot, the phone on speaker now.
"Y/n don't hang up, just stay where you are. I'm on my way, we're coming." Jay tries to reassure her but he can barely stay clam himself as he hears more loud banging and yelling on the other end.
"Come on! I just want to talk! I don't know why you do this to me" Brandon's voice is muffled but Jay hear it and he exchanges worried glances with Haley.
Another loud bang.
"There you are, I know you talked to the cops you bitch"
On the other end, Brandon grabs her by her hair, landing a punch to her left abdomen.
Y/n groans doubling over as he pulls her up.
"They'll never believe you, a detectives words against you? It will never work." He has a sickeningly evil smirk on his face as he throws her to the ground.
Brandon draws his gun, aiming it at Y/n's curled up body on the bathroom floor.
"Chicago PD!" Y/n hears Haley yell and the relief washes over her.
"Put it down, Brandon!" Jay yells, gun pointed at the man.
"I'm on the job guys" He says as if that makes everything okay.
Voight steps up, coming behind him and pressing his gun to the back of Brandon's head.
"Put it down" His voice is gruff and Y/n can see the look in his eye, Brandon finally realizing they are not on his side.
He drops the gun, Hank grabbing him and slamming him against the wall as Haley kicks the gun away.
Jay moves on instinct not even giving it a second thought, grabbing Brandon by the collar and shoving him against the wall again.
"Guess what, I believe her" Jay's voice is darker than usual as he forcefully turns Brandon, shoving his face into the wall as he handcuffs him, making sure the cuffs are extra tight.
Adam takes Brandon from Jay "You realize what's going to happen to you? Sure they hate cops where you're going but you know what they hate more? Guys who beat women" it's not a threat or a suggestion. It's a promise.
Once Brandon's out of his sight, Jay relaxes, finding Y/n sat against the tub, Kim checking on her while Haley goes to direct the paramedics.
Jay kneels down next to her "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner" he says it as if he's the only one responsible. As if they didn't save her.
"You showed up. That's all I needed" this time Y/n squeezes his hand comfortingly.
The paramedics finally enter the bathroom, taking Y/n's vitals and listening to her breathing. Of course she refuses to go to the hospital. Knowing they wouldn't be able to do much for her cracked ribs anyway.
The team has cleared out mostly, lingering in the rest of the apartment, Kevin and Kim speaking to the neighbors and getting statements.
Will comes running into the apartment, seeing the front door broken like it was kicked in.
He sees the team and he's terrified.
"Guys? Is Y/n-"
Adam stops him "She's okay, Brandon showed up, she's got a couple cracked ribs. Jay's with her and the paramedics are checking her out" he explains, pointing to the guest room.
Will lets out a sigh of relief "Thanks" he says before making his way to the guest room.
He finds Y/n now sat on the bed, Jay sat next to her and the paramedics packing up.
"Will, i am so sorry about the doors I will absolutely pay for them to get fixed" Y/n says immediately seeing her ginger best friend.
Will looks at her with wide eyes, his mouth opens and shuts before he finds his words "You think that's what I'm worried about?!" he questions in disbelief.
"Yes?" She says as a question and Jay does his best to stifle his laughter.
"Y/n I could care less about the doors" the red head sighs, looking at his brother "Thank you for being here"
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else" Jay says, looking at Y/n with a small smile.
Will knows that look in his brother's eyes but he doesn't say anything.
"I'm getting my kit to check you out."
"Will, the paramedics literally cleared me"
"And I literally don't care, stop being stubborn" Will says sassily, leaving the room.
Y/n groans, but instantly regrets it, her hand going to her side as she coughs.
"Alright, easy there, sassy" Jay says, an amused tone in his voice as he places a hand on her back comfortingly.
Will returns to the room with his med kit, glancing between his brother and friend knowingly.
----
Taglist: @nevaehstreater18 @daisy-the-quake
When you just can't stand what writers & producers come up with
ZACKARY ARTHUR as Scott Baird Chicago Med 11.21 "Heaven Help Us"
Self-defence
Warnings: Mentions of toxic/abusive relationships, death, blood, violence and injuries.
Summary: You could explain yourself, you were a teacher, you'd never kill someone in cold blood.
A/N: Hello!!!! So it's been a little while. I started uni and it's taken a bit of getting used to and I just got back from holiday a few days ago. I've had the urge to write but zero inspiration so I hope this is good enough for all of you. Hope you enjoy!!
*****
The evening was like any other.
You were cooking dinner in the kitchen, your one-year-old sitting in her highchair eating and playing with her dinner on the table behind you and your husband working from home today, upstairs in his office finishing up with his final meeting for the day.
You were almost falling asleep at the stove. After a long day of working with a bunch of hormonal teenagers, you had to rush to daycare to pick up your daughter and then come home and take care of all the chores around the house that hadn't been done yet.
And you still had more to do: cleaning the kitchen, feeding your husband and yourself, washing dishes, showering and putting your daughter to sleep and then waiting for anything your husband needed till he would let you sleep.
He hadn't always been like this.
You met and started dating around six years ago, getting married after two years and having your baby four years later. You were more than thankful that after having your daughter, he wasn't too eager to have another, and it was more than likely that he would settle for a single child or would insist on having a son later down the line.
He'd been the perfect boyfriend, fiancé, and husband. So perfect in fact that your brothers had approved of him up until recently.
It was around the time, just before you told them you were pregnant, that they began noticing things that you failed to properly hide such as bruises, unusual behaviours and slips of your tongue.
You were very sure that they knew what was happening but were unable to get you to leave, especially since your daughters birth.
Right now though, with your heavy eyes, vegetables on the chopping board, baby babbling behind you and your husbands presence practically undetectable, that you took Jay's offer on getting you out.
All of a sudden, the sound of glass smashing broke you out of your daze, the shards exploding against the wall and ricocheting towards you and your daughter.
Her cries were instant. Despite being so young, no matter how much you tried to protect and hide her from her father, she'd also become a witness but was yet to become a victim to his hands.
Her cries wear ear piercing, definitely being heard by both your neighbours.
"Get it to shut up!" Your husband snarled, veins popping on his arms and forehead. You could tell he was drunk, gone beyond any sort of reasoning and how this escalated so far was beyond you.
Before you could even turn the corner of the island, he was snatching you up by the tightest grip on your forearm, his fingers no doubt adding to the specifically shaped bruises all across your arms.
You were in a daze, being thrown across the kitchen, head hitting the marble island counter, legs landing on the glass.
"Samuel please!" You tried to scream, pleading with him to stop so you could get to your baby. Usually you were able to de-escalate before it got to this extreme but something must've set him off.
Before you could reorientate yourself, he was pulling you back upright and pushing you against the stove, the burner very much still on.
You screeched, unable to try keep quiet like you usually would as to not alert anyone and your daughter followed suit, her screams and cries increasing to a shattering level.
Despite the dress you were wearing, not having the time to get changed after work, you could feel the burn through your back, the pain unlike anything you'd felt before.
You weren't thinking clearly, lost to the pain and innate need to protect your daughter.
It felt like you weren't present in your body. Using the hand that was free from his grasp, you felt around the counter for anything, barely registering the handle of what you were holding before you struck.
All of a sudden, blood splattered across your face, staining your skin, clothes and all the surfaces nearby.
Looking down towards your hand, you couldn't fully comprehend, only seeing the knife in his chest. Looking up, you were once again face-to-face with your increasingly paling husband, the gravity of the situation falling like a wave crashing over you.
Pushing him away from you, you scrambled away from him, stumbling on your bare feet on the still glass covered tiles to get to your baby whose cries were muffled in the fabric on your shoulder.
His body fell, smack down on the harsh tile, the sound making your head ache impossibly so.
Even with all the adrenaline still rushing though your veins, your legs were unable to keep you upright, your own body following his down to the floor.
"Shh, shhh, it's okay baby. Mummy's here, you're okay my love."
*****
The sun was just setting and Intelligence was pretty much finished for the night. Half was packing themselves up while the other half was finishing up paperwork and getting the final bits up for a court appearance they all needed to attend at the end of the week.
Jay was reading over a few bits the lawyer had sent over with Kim when his phone rung with an unknown number.
Groaning internally, he ignored everyone's eyes on him, all of them just wanting to go home and have an early night for the first time in months.
"Is this Detective Halstead? Y/N's older brother?" The voice started before Jay could say anything, their words putting him on edge.
At the sudden tension that was visibly filling his body, everyone was looking at Jay with stern faces and hard eyes.
"That's me, what's wrong with Y/N?" Jay slowly stood from his seat, already reaching for his keys and jacket while Hailey went to alert Hank.
"You gave me your card last year when I moved in, you said to call if I was ever worried about Y/N." The female voice spoke, another voice in the background was muffled as they also spoke. "Yeah, yeah- we heard a bunch of screaming and crying from Y/N and Mia. Gosh it's horrible, you can still hear Mia crying, I've never heard her like that before."
When Jay said his heart stopped, that would be an understatement.
He remembered giving your neighbours his cards when you first moved in, giving them again when one of them moved out and new ones moved in.
Him and Will were basically one hundred percent sure Samuel was abusing you but at every bruise they pointed out, you always countered. But, both brothers worked in professions where knowing these things were second nature and to see it happen to their baby sister who constantly denied it, even after the birth of your daughter, it broke them to know what he was doing.
And every time they tried to confront him, trying to gather evidence against him, you would be their backing him.
Now, to have your neighbour calling him, reporting that you and his niece could be heard screaming and crying, Jay knew exactly what was happening.
"Don't do anything - don't leave your house, don't go to hers or do anything whatsoever okay? I'm on my way."
Without even having to say much, everyone was following, rushing forward to their cars, stepping on it when Jay said, "It's Y/N."
The drive felt like a blur, Jay driving towards your house without even paying too much attention which was definitely dangerous, but you and your daughter mattered more.
Intelligence arrived first, the police that the other neighbour called yet to arrive.
Jay wasted no time in opening the door, using his spare key to get in.
The house was eerily quite when he first stepped in, Hailey and Kevin by his side as everyone slowly followed in from behind when he stopped in the hallway.
Everyone split up, half going upstairs whilst the rest remained downstairs with Jay who had his gun in hand as he went through the living room and towards the kitchen.
The scene before him caught him so off guard that Hailey bumped into his back in the doorway when he abruptly stopped.
Blood was splattered across the counters and floor, blood flooding the tiles from underneath Samuel's body where a knife was sitting in his chest. He was, undoubtedly, dead.
Glass was everyone, scattered like paint splatters making it impossible to walk without crushing it beneath their feet.
Across the island, sitting against the pink highchair was you. Your body was shaking, swaying as you whispered into Amelia's ear, calming the baby who was no longer crying and was almost happy to be so closely cuddled with her mother.
From where he stood, both of you were injured. Just at the sight of blood on both your bodies made Jay seethe.
"Y/N?" Jay said lowly, trying his best not to scare his younger sister. "Y/N it's Jay, is it okay if I touch you?"
After much coaxing, your eyes finally left your husbands body and landed on Jaywho was crouched a few feet from you.
At the sight of your older brother, you felt yourself losing composure.
"Jay." Your voice was hoarse from all the screaming. "Jay I think I killed him."
Jay didn't say anything, only coming closer to you, arms outstretched to hold you.
"Hey it's okay, it's okay." He shushed you, wiping a few tears away. "Don't thing about him, where are you and Amelia hurt?"
"Mia? She's hurt?" You gasped, pulling your daughter from where she was hidden in your neck to look for any sign on injury.
Your heart dropped from a ledge at the sight of red scratches all across her face. "Oh my baby."
You lightly caressed her face, trying not to touch any of the scratches. "Oh baby, mummy's so sorry, I'm so sorry."
"It's probably from the glass, it went everywhere." You shuddered.
"Okay that's fine, easily treatable." Jay said reassuringly, looking behind you at Hailey at Hank who were already calling for paramedics and forensics.
"What about you Y/N? Where are you hurt?" Jay was almost too scared to ask.
"It hurts everywhere." You whispered, feeling a little shameful. "Arms, legs, back, head and stomach - everything hurts Jay."
It was reminiscent on when you were all younger, when you were always so clumsy and getting hurt over the simplest things, running to your older brothers who would always fix things and patch you up. You sounded so much life your child self no matter how old you were.
"Paramedics are here. Good for them to come in?" Hailey asked, looking at Jay who looked at his sister imploringly.
Knowing that your daughter was hurt, red marks and small lines of blood all across her chubby face, it was easiest question you'd ever answer.
*****
You hadn't let your daughter go.
Jay helped you onto the gurney, accompanying you in the ambulance while the others stayed behind to sort everything out, Hailey saying she'd drive to Med as soon as she could.
In the rush of everything, Jay hadn't been able to call Will, but Kim did.
As soon as they arrived, Jay got off first, easily finding his redheaded brother and he didn't need to say anything, his face said it all.
Will stepped aside so that Ethan could go forward and take charge, both brothers following close behind, Will listening closely to try make sense of what they were dealing with.
Parking you in the bay, no one could treat you with Amelia still in your arms.
"Y/N?" Will gently called, crouching slightly so he could be as eye level as he could. "Can I treat Mia while Ethan gets a look at you. I promise, we'll be right next door and no one's going to touch her but me, Jay and Maggie."
"She's not leaving our sight, we promise." Jay added, both brothers willing to put their life on the line for their niece.
Your arms were visibly shaking from the exhaustion and adrenaline crash as your fingers relaxed from its grip on Amelia's shirt, allowing Will to swoop in and pick her up.
Pressing a kiss to your forehead, Will smiled as much as he could given the situation and slowly moved away so as not to scare you too much.
Luckily for him, you were so tired and the pain was finally hitting you all at once, that you barely paid much attention to your brothers and daughter.
In the treatment room right next to yours, Will turned to Jay.
"Take Mia and sit down on the bed. These scratches don't look too bad so I doubt they'll need stitches, just some cleaning and she should be good."
Following his instructions, Jay gently cradled her in his arms, sitting on the bed, keeping a close eye on his niece whose wide eyes were watching her uncle bustle around and collect items to clean her face.
She cooed, watching with interest as Will snapped gloves on, opening multiple anti-bacterial wipes and gently wiped her the already scabbing scratches on her face.
At the cold sensation rubbing against her cheeks and forehead, Amelia giggled, her fingers trying to catch and hold onto Will's hand.
Both brothers smiled at their niece, a whirlwind of emotions painted on their faces, in awe of their niece who was giggling after the trauma she experienced but with deep sadness knowing that she was hurt due to her father's abusive tendencies towards her mother.
Eventually, Amelia's eyes starting drooping, Will's ministrations putting her to sleep, something which neither of them stopped, letting her fall asleep withing minutes.
Will sighed, cleaning the last bit of blood that managed to get on her neck before putting everything in the bin.
"He's dead." Jay said under his breath so as to not wake the slumbering baby on his chest. "No one's sure what actually happened but it's obvious she killed him in self-defence."
"God." Will looked conflicted as he took his gloves off. "From what the paramedics and Ethan said, she's been burnt, probably second degree, a concussion and lots of bleeding and bruising. Her ribs are also probably bruised from repeated trauma but we'll have to wait for her scans to come back."
The brothers fell into silence, relishing in the silence of the closed off room, content to watch the rise and fall of their nieces breathing.
*****
A few hours later, you were moved to a different ward, Jay sitting beside you with Amelia fast asleep on his chest.
You just finished giving your statement to Hailey, finally admitting to years of abuse that started just after you got married.
You didn't know what to think. On one hand, you were thankful, you were free from your husbands abuse, he could never hurt you nor could he even try to hurt Amelia but it was only because you killed him.
He couldn't be arrested, forced to suffer years behind bars for his horrific actions.
Both Jay and Hailey assured you nothing was going to happen to you, you weren't going to face any charges because it was clearly, from your statement as well as your neighbours and Will and Jay's admissions that they had been suspicious for a while now, self-defence.
As Hailey was writing the last few details in her notebook, you suddenly remembered something. You perked up, body screaming at you for the sudden action but the pain was slightly dulled by the painkillers.
"Cameras." You breathed out, looking at Jay and Hailey.
"Samuel installed cameras after we moved in, he put them all around the house so he could keep an eye on me when he wasn't working from home."
Without saying anything, both detectives already knew what you were trying to say.
"I'll call Voight and let him know." There was a certain gleam in Hailey's eyes that you sometimes saw in Jay's that let you know that this was a good things.
As Hailey walked out, Will walked in, several things in hand as he slide the door shut behind him.
"Okay so here's the extra blanket you asked for." He said as he opened it up and lay it on you, letting you adjust it to your liking.
"Also some water and cookies for later because you need to eat at one point." Will's eyes were stern when you tried to interject.
"I've also got some morphine if you want it and news about your scans."
Huffing, you said yes to both of them, letting him inject you before he settled on the bed by your knees.
"Like me and Ethan said before, your ribs are only bruised from repetitive trauma, there's no fractures or any sort of internal bleeding anywhere." He paused, waiting for you to nod before he continued.
"There's a mixture of bruises, scratches and gashes on your arms and legs. The bruising on your arm is quite severe so you'll have to stay in the brace for a few weeks and not put too much strain because it can get worse - yes, if that means getting help to look after Mia because you struggle to hold her, then so be it."
You didn't like the sound of that. You loved to hold your daughter and she loved being picked up and held by anyone, but you especially.
"You've got also got a concussion so I'll run you through the concussion protocol later. The burn on your back is a second degree burn so while it's treatable, there will probably be a mark left behind. It's severity, no ones sure about that, but if you treat it correctly and let us help you, then it shouldn't be too bad."
"That's it?" You asked timidly, voice still sore.
"That's it." Will nodded in confirmation. "We're keeping you overnight for observation, maybe the next day too but I've already discharged Mia. Her scratches weren't bad at all and there'll be no scars afterwards."
You choked back a sob hearing that. Knowing that she was technically fine and would be scar free in just a few weeks was the biggest relief.
"That's good." You finally let the tears fall. "That's really good, I'm glad."
Your brothers let you breakdown, surrounding you in a protective circle, shielding you from the outside world, whispering reassurances, gently carding fingers through your hair.
You weren't too sure how much time had passed, but there was a knock to the door that brought you out your sobbing.
Hailey poked her head in, making sure not to step in.
"Voight just got back to me. They found all the cameras and they're pretty much one hundred percent certain they can prove it was all self-defence Y/N."
All you could do was breakdown again, trying to muffle your cries as to not was your sleeping daughter but you couldn't help yourself.
That was it. Your husband was dead and it would take a while before you felt like you were free from the torment and trauma of him and his hands but with your daughter and you older brothers by your side, you had everything you needed to feel whole again.
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW + REFERENCES.
CHICAGO MED 11.13, Reckoning Part II






