"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
