Chapter 7: Homecoming

*** AN- I just wanted to mention this chapter will have Al's death. If that episode bothered you in any way I'm sorry.

I cried like a baby typing this whole chapter out while proofreading. I appreciate the love of this story. It's my first Jay Halstead fanfic and I hope to write more. Thank you. ***

*It's Melissa and Jay's first day back and they are going to take on a case. They felt they both were ready to try to see if they could handle this or not.

Their psychologists suggested they try it out. Jay and Melissa arrive at work at the same time pull into their spots and then greet each other with a kiss and walk hand in hand.

They have been in a really good place. They greet Trudy when they walk in the building and Trudy smiles seeing them walk hand in hand together.

They arrive upstairs and Kevin Adam Antionio and Al walk over and give Melissa a big Hug.

She hadn't been coming into the office as much since she was taking a step back.

Now she was ready she smiled when Mouse came up to her giving her a hug. She looks around and places her stuff on her desk. She talks to everyone.*

Antonio: Welcome back Chica!

Adam: It was not the same without you girl!

Kevin: We missed you boo!

Mouse: MELLY BEAN AND JAY ARE BACK!

Melissa; I hear Mouse has been kicking ass and taking names!

Mouse: just doing what you taught me.

Melissa; You also are mind fucking the suspects with your technology skills!

Jay: It was boring not being here.

Antonio: You had this beautiful lovely woman with you!

Adam: How the hell were you bored?

Kevin: Jay, You mean to tell me y'all did the paperwork and answer calls from home?

Jay: * smiles* Not all the time.

* GUYS:* CAT CALL*

Adam: That is my boy right there!

Antonio: * laughs* you had us worried.

Kevin: Now it got to the good part.

Mouse: Leave Melly Bean and Jay alone!

Melissa; PLUS I AM RIGHT HERE!

Jay: You act like one of the guys it is hard to remember that there is a girl up here.

Melissa; Just wait my girl Kim is coming up here.

Adam: Don't be so sure while you two were gone she was asked to be up here she declined it.

Melissa; I am gonna talk to her.

Adam: don't bother she doesn't want to be up here anyway.

Melissa; BULL SHIT!

Antonio: Adam and Kim are no more!

Melissa: What? I will talk to her right now! * goes to stand and is about to go downstairs when Adam grabs her.*

Adam: Melly, Stay your ass up here!

Al: Hey kiddo by the way I think this belongs to you! * walks over to Melissa and gives her her badge.*

Melissa; * Smiles and places her badge on her waist and nods.* I feel whole!

Antonio: SPEECH!

Melissa; * Clears her throat* It feels good to be EMPRESS OF THE INTELGENCE UNIT!

Jay: Her ego is so big right now we don't fit up here.

Kevin: Empress?

Antonio: You're supposed to be our princess!

Mouse: Yeah!

Melissa; * laughs* Just kidding I have no fucking clue what the fuck being an empress entails!

Jay: * laughs* Such a beautiful girl but when she opens her mouth she cusses!

Melissa; I have been doing that for years!

Kevin: Fuck is her favorite word!

Jay: also her favorite action!

GUYS: * YELL OUT* HOT DAMN!!!

Melissa; * looks at Jay* It's two in this relationship Jay last I remembered you seemed to love that action as well!

GUYS:* YELL OUT * BURN!

Melissa: where the hell is Voight?

Mouse: You didn't hear you and Jay are in charge?

Melissa & Jay: * Look at each other and laugh*

Jay: Mouse you're so funny!

Melissa; Listen Bro the day that Detectives chuckles and giggles are in charge everyone better pray!

Kevin; I will leave then.

Adam: NAH I AM STAYING!

Mouse; ME TOO!

Antonio ME too!

Al: Why the hell not?

Mouse; Just kidding he has been in his office this whole time.

Melissa: * EYES GO WIDE* FUCK MOUSE * lowers her voice* Fuck Mouse you are the shittest lookout!

Jay: Bro, You were so good overseas.

Mouse: I am sorry I failed you.

Melissa; go run and put on the blues you got traffic duty for a month!

Jay: You're partnered with no one!

Melissa: You'll drive the car that has no heat or air conditioning.

Jay; & Melissa; THAT WAS THE WORST TIME EVER!

Kevin: I remember that y'all had it bad.

Melissa; It's cause Platt was being mean.

* Platt Walks upstairs in time to hear what Melissa and Jay say and then Platt scares her with a response.*

Jay: Babe, Just stop!

Melissa; No Mouse needs to hear about the time that Platt got on a power trip and took it out on you and me!

Platt: * Clears her throat and is right behind Melissa* I could have gotten meaner I was being soft with you two!

Melissa:* Jumps and turns around.* I am going to take a bet that you heard every word I said.

Platt; OH GOOD YOU CAN STILL BE A GREAT DETECTIVE!

Melissa; Sarge I am sorry!

Platt; It's okay just remember Melissa, Being the only girl you have to be a bitch sometimes!

Melissa; * Laughs*

Platt; IT IS NOT FUNNY!

Melissa; Yes Sarge.

Platt: DAMNIT it's like you're still fresh out of the academy.

Melissa; you got me up here!

Platt: I regret it daily!

Melissa; * frowns* why?

Platt; * smiles* You're an excellent cop.

Melissa: Thanks, Sargent.

Trud: I can't find one cop down there that can work the beat the way you did!

Melissa; FOR REAL?

Platt; yeah now don't piss away your opportunity to be a top bitch!

Melissa; Sarge don't you mean top dog?

Platt: NOPE ALPHA FEMALE top bitch!

Melissa; * nods* Okay!

Platt; If you need help today with anything please don't hesitate to ask.

Melissa; Copy that!

Platt; Melissa I expect better from you!

Melissa; why just me?

Platt; You are the only girl up here while you were gone Hank and I had to fight for your position to not be replaced!

Melissa; Really?

Platt; This is the job all the girls down there are dying to have.

Melissa; are they going to work or are they going to be a whore?

Jay: * eyes go wide* Melissa!

Platt: She is right they are all whores every single one of them!

Melissa; I know these things!

Platt; Melissa can tell a girl is a slut or a whore from a mile away!

Adam: This is why she has helped me so many times and is my honorary wingwoman!

Melissa; Hell YEAH! * high fives Adam*

Platt; Melissa, Take fucking charge!

Melissa; Copy that Sarge.

* Platt leaves and then the guys look at Melissa and then she looks at them like "What the fuck? " *

Jay: You believe all the stuff she said?

Melissa; YES!

Antonio: That woman has been desk sergeant after she got shot and is still the best desk sergeant we have.

Melissa; I know I am her favorite.

Antonio: Don't let this go to your head or tell her that you know this.

Melissa; OOOOOO A SECRETO!

Antonio; CHICA! You have a big loud ass mouth!

Melissa; Do You have to ask me to repeat what I say?

Antonio: NO chica!

Melissa: so stop your bitching!

Antoino: You need girl time chica!

Melissa: you need to stay on topic!

Antonio: Damn chica!

Melissa; You gonna tell me what you know or not?

Antonio; * Looks at Melissa and shakes his head.* I am NOT a suspect!

Melissa; sorry old habits die hard!

Antonio: She says if she could ever have a blessing to have a child * does the sign of the cross* She would want it to be a girl and to be exactly like you!

Melissa; * smiles then gets serious* OH NOOOOO! That is an insult!

Antonio; Oh come on!

Jay: You think I would have you as my partner and girlfriend if you were a problem?

Melissa; I don't even want to have a daughter for fear she is going to be like me!

Kevin: You are a sweetheart!

Mouse: Yeah Melly Bean!

Antonio: Chica, You don't want a little Melly running around to chase?

Melissa; Little Melly is precious!

Jay: I sense a story.

Melissa; * sighs* When I got to be a pre-teen to now! my dad calls that time the Dark Ages!

Kevin: Oh no!

Antonio: Say no more I don't want to hear this!

Melissa; YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS!

Antonio; Aye dios mio!

Melissa; Aye dios mio nada! Shut the hell up and listen to me.

Kevin; What was pre teen melly like?

Melissa; Boy Crazy!

Adam: You're still boy crazy!

Melissa: * laughs* just crazy about one boy!

Everyone: ooooo Jay!

Jay: shut up! * smiles*

Antonio: You just struck fear in my heart!

Melissa; Just make sure when your daughter goes on a date.

Antonio: she is gonna become a nun!

Melissa: you meet the guy and politely load your gun!

Antonio; What?

Melissa; See my dad was in the Army and still is.

Jay: oh boy he scared some boys.

Melissa: whenever I had a date over and he happened to be home he would stare the dude down!

Kevin: How many times did he stop you from making out with a guy?

Melissa; I couldn't even get as far to have the guy want to hold my hand!

Mouse; You had to have a TON of boyfriends?

Jay: * clears His throat and glares at Mouse* EXCUSE ME?

Melissa; * smiles at Jay* OH shut the hell up Jay like you didn't have tons of girlfriends!

Jay: I Mean some not a lot!

Melissa; my dad would make my potential boyfriends run away!

Antonio: Dare I ask what happened when High school came along?

Melissa; * sighs* I wouldn't bring the guy around unless he and I were dating!

Kevin: You baddie!

Antonio: Melissa, You were fooling around with guys while in high school?

Melissa; Yeah I even got out early for ... * sighs* ROTC

Kevin: WHAT?

Melissa; Yeah my dad caught on and threatened if I didn't take ROTC he was going to ship me off with him!

Antonio; That is a great idea!

Melissa: dumb idea don't do it!

Jay: why not?

Melissa; A friend of mine got enlisted when her dad caught her having sex with her then-boyfriend and she turned into a major slut!

Antonio: wow what a way to give me a heart attack!

Melissa: let's call an ambo!

Jay: * laughs* We can take you to med!

Mouse; Need a police escort?

Everyone: * LAUGHS*

Adam: How come we don't have or never met Teenage Melly?

Melissa; CAUSE she grew up!

Kevin: She turned into a wonderful woman.

Antonio; With a sassy ass mouth!

Mouse; She is sarcastic.

Jay: LOUD AS ALL FUCK!

Melissa; * Look at Jay* I could say something but I wont!

Kevin: oh damn!

Adam: Come on Melissa call Jay out!

Antonio: Melissa is dating Jay Adam!

Adam: I am well aware my friend!

Jay: it's okay say what you want to say!

Melissa; Last I recall you seemed to like it that I am loud as all fuck!

Adam: * smiles* there it is!

Jay: * laughs* You need girl time!

Antonio; Jay, Then if she needs girl time quit distracting her.

Jay: She can tell me to go away if she wants to.

Antonio: it's her choice if she wants girl time or not!

Melisa; No one tells me what to do!

Jay: Hun, we are well aware of this rule!

Adam: Learned my lesson when we partnered up!

Jay: I and Erin were dying from laughter!

Adam: I got called up fresh out of the academy by Al.

Al: huge mistake!

Melissa: Al!

Al: Just kidding.

Adam: Al then partners me up with Melly and she says rookies take the passenger seat!

Jay; NICE! Good job!

Melissa; Then I told you the driver picks the music and Shotgun shuts his cakehole!

Kevin: You watch too much supernatural.

Meliissa: Not really haven't really watched it much.

Adam; Then she tells me Shotgun is supposed to be aware of everything.

Kevin: What the hell Melissa?

Melissa; Al told me to show him no mercy!

Antonio: I and Erin and Jay did it to Melissa!

Jay: The time that Erin told Melissa that rookies take care of the gear and all of the gear Melissa was sassy!

Kevin: When the hell is the girl not sassy?

Melissa: I am not sassy all the time!

Mouse; Melly Bean, why are you putting up with us?

Melissa; I am not putting up with you guys I am just happy to be with you all.

Jay: All the girl cops are DYING TO GET UP HERE!

Melissa; Then they should be DYING TO WORK HARD AND DO THE JOB!

Kevin: Right?

Melissa; A bunch of horny sluts!

Adam: Where?

Melissa; * grabs her water bottle and throws water at Adam.* NO! You were doing so well!

Adam: * laughs when water is thrown at him.* I am ashamed of the dirty dog I became for a brief moment!

Jay: Baby did you just throw water at Adam?

Melissa; Yeah it's the trick everyone does up here when people are acting like dirty dogs!

Kevin: * winks at the guys* yeah but you can't do that!

Melissa; Why the hell not?

Jay: Cause you're not a guy!

Antonino; in case you didn't know that!

Melissa: * Laughs* I am well aware I am not a guy!

Jay: I am well aware you are not a guy! * Laughs when water gets thrown at him.* HEY!!!!

Melissa; * throws water at Jay.* Jay! I expect more from you!

Jay: * laughs and throws water at Melissa; * Yeah well I expect more from you too!

Melissa; * screams when water is thrown at her.* JAY!!!!!!!

Mouse: He got you wet!

Adam: * laughs* I mean she is all wet.

Melissa; * glares at Adam.* Seriously?

Adam: WHAT?

Melissa; How fucking old are you? Twelve?

Adam: How the fuck did you know what I was really laughing at?

Melissa; I have been working with you guys a long time.

Kevin: That is her polite way of saying we are perverts!

Melissa: * Laughs* Just your minds are in the gutter ALL THE TIME!

Adam: This is why we need more girls up here.* Stands up when Melissa takes her water bottle and squeezes it and he is drenched with water.* HEY!

Melissa; * Laughs* What?

Adam: * walks over to Melissa.* You know? I could drop-kick your ass?

Melissa; * Crosses her arms in front of her and laughs* NO YOU CANT!

Jay: * laughs* Leave my girl alone!

Kevin: I will kick your ass if you hurt my boo!

Mouse; I will give you an intense electrical shock that will evoke the worst pain you have ever felt in your lifetime!

Melissa: * smiles* I am protected.

Jay: I will beat your ass, Adam!

Adam;* Laughs and keeps walking to Melissa.* I am not afraid of any of you.

Melissa; * shakes her head no* You don't learn do you?

Adam: You have been off a few days I don't think you're that strong.

Jay: Oh trust me she is very strong.

Melissa; Just keep telling everyone, Jay!

Jay: Sorry babe!

Adam: * is face to face with Melissa and he goes to grab her but Melissa headlocks him.* OKAY OKAY OKAY!

Melissa; * Puts Adam in a headlock* OKAY WHAT?

Adam: I AM SORRY I WAS AN INSENSITIVE ASSHOLE!

Melissa; * Squeezes harder* NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

Adam: * GROANS* MELISSA I AM SORRY I DISRESPECTED YOU!

Melissa; a * Nods and lets go* It's not what I taught you to say but I will take it!

Adam: * breathes* Jesus!

Jay: You never learn do you?

Adam: Don't piss her off!

Jay: I don't intend to do so!

Adam: She is like a sister to me though it's why I pick on her so much!

Jay: She picks on you too cause she thinks of you as her brother!

Mouse; She says I am her best friend!

Jay: Of course you are!

Kevin: What the hell am I?

Melissa; My chocolate teddy bear!

Kevin: I walked into that one!

Antonio; I think of her like she is Gabbi to me.

Jay: Trust me she thinks of you like her brother too!

Kevin: Jay spilling all the damn tea!

Jay: In case you all had any doubts!

Melissa; seriously where is our leader?

* Melissa and everyone sit at their desks they hear Hank talking and see him and another gentleman walking out of his office.

Voight talks to the team stepping into the bullpen accompanied by a wiry man with dark hair*

Voight: Alright listen up everyone.

* Everyone looks at Voight from their desks. *

Voight: He's been rolling a case against the forty-eight street riders for the last two years.

Melissa: oh wow that's cool!

Voight: Then last week, bodies have been dropping and the Ivory Tower wanted them shut down yesterday so we've been asked to assist.

Melissa; * smiles* Awesome!

Marston: I appreciate a fresh set of eyes on this. * Smiles at everyone* They've been ahead of us at every turn.

Jay: Sounds like you have a leak.

Voight: Another reason the bigwigs want us on this.

Melissa; I am excited to help with this case. * smiles*

Voight: We've got a rep for rooting out corruption. They're hoping we can live up to it.

Adam: What's the plan?

A: We gonna try a buy, bust?

Voight: Gang unit has tried that* shaking his head.*

Antonio: Sounds like they get tipped to the identity of the officer making the sale.

Kevin: they then just refuse to deal or the gang uses it as a chance to get rid of low-hanging fruit.

Jay: the punk they bring in doesn't know anything.

Melissa: we need to get in closer.

Jay: it should stay in the house.

Voight: Details of the op don't leave this room.

Melissa; ADAM, Don't be a big mouth!

Adam: Damn one time brag and get called out every time!

Voight: Marston, I'm going to keep you out of the loop on the chance that they've got a line on your cellphone.

Marston: I've been careful about that.*Marston says, before sighing.* But it makes as much sense as one of my guys being dirty.

Voight: We want this to succeed, everyone involved with previous operations gets cut out.

Melissa; Marston, We'll keep you informed, after the fact.

Marston: * looks at Melissa* Who are you?

Melissa; I am Detective Melissa Gonzalez.

Marston: * looks at Melissa and replies sarcastically.* What are you doing up here?

Melissa; * replies sarcastically* I am calling you out on being disrespectful to me cause I happen to be the only girl.

Marston: I never said-

Melissa; Save it, Don't piss me off and I won't piss you off got it?

Marston: You think you're serious!

Voight: Melissa and Jay are my two best they have led several cases together and have all ended successfully!

Marston; * looks at Melissa* let's see how you fair little girl!

Melissa;* looks at Marston;* You do realize that you need us more than we need you?

Jay: * looks at Mleissa* Melissa doesn't.

Marston: * looks at Melissa* You're right I won't bite the hand that feeds me!

Melissa; * looks at Marston:* if you're up here you're doing some work!

* Marston and Melissa are off to a very interesting start. Melissa didn't like him but liked the case.

He receives a nod and the man hands over the file box with his case files and then disappears back down the stairs. Only once he's gone does Voight speak again.*

Voight: Okay. * he says, Looking at Melissa* Tell me what you want to say.

Melissa; * Crosses her arms in front of her chest* He is a major prick!

Voight: I know he is!

Melissa; Why are we helping this asshole?

Voight:  he came to us he needs our help!

Jay: Good job on setting him straight.

Voight: Let's show him it's good to have a girl on the team.

Antonio: * smiles* Yes!

Melissa; * laughs* By the end of this, he is going to be the little girl!

Adam: That's my Melly.

Voight: We're going to pull a rip.

Antonio: Let's find out where these people are keeping their drugs.

Voight: so that we can pull the floor out from under them.

Kevin: Who's going in as a supplier?

Melissa: Atwater, you and Adam look over these files and figure that out.

Kevin; copy that.

Melissa See if you can get on read on which of us they'd be most likely to trust.

Jay: While The rest of us work on digging out that stash house.

* Files are divvied up and the team settles into work. It takes a few hours but Jay and Melissa are able to identify a mid-level player.*

Jay: The gang unit hasn't even gotten close to a stash house in over a year.

*Jay looks at everyone while putting information on the whiteboard. Melissa then shares the rest of the information that she and Jay discovered*

Melissa; None of the ones they had identified before are still active.

Jay: But they do have this guy.

Melissa; Niko Eskalov.* posts his picture on the board*

Voight: My two best!

Kevin: So then if We sit on this guy, he's going to lead us to a stash house.

Adam: But boss, Gang tried tailing mid-level guys to find stash houses but their officers got made every single time.

Mouse: Let's set up surveillance.

Al: I'll set up some different vehicles.

Antonio: If there's a mole, they know Intelligence has picked this up.

Melissa; They may have given the gang descriptions of us and our vehicles.

Jay: What if the leak is somewhere higher up?

Voight: You request new vehicles, it goes across their desk and the descriptions get to the gang anyway.

Jay: we could get made too then!

Voight: You got a better suggestion?

Jay: Get approval for us to use vehicles from the auction stock.

Melissa: * Smiles * Good idea!

Jay: Then we'll keep our own records of what cars we use and then file them later.

Adam: Higher-ups could still get access to the information.

Antonio: Look into which ones are missing.

Jay: It would take a lot more time though.

Mouse: If they have to go out of their way to get the information.

Kevin; then we can use that to figure out who they are.

Voight: We'll give it a shot.*Voight says, reaching for his phone*. "

Melissa; Jay's right. Even if it doesn't get us a stash house, we might identify the mole that way.

Jay:*Jay nods.*I'll take the first shift.

Melissa; I'll go with him.

Voight: Head for the auction lot.

Voight: I should have things squared away with the brass by the time you get there.

* The team gets to work right away and It takes them less than two days to track Niko back to a stash house.

This unfortunately proves their theory that a mole connected to the department is the reason for the Rider's ability to keep from getting caught.

If it was just because the crew is careful they never would have got here this quickly. As it is, without the mole tipping them off, they'd never seen Intelligence coming.

The team is staged five minutes away, waiting for the full cover of darkness to settle in and allow them to pull off the rip. They're all wearing blackout gear, face coverings pulled down around their necks while they wait.*

Adam: Two days has got to be a record, right?

Melissa; Yeah for Intelligence to clean up somebody else's mess.

Kevin: Especially with these guys working on it for two years.

Jay: The job's not done yet.

*Melissa; *shaking her head as she and Jay look over their breech plan for the twelfth time. *The rip gets us in but we've still got to close the deal.

Jay: Yes, and then figure out where these bastards are getting their information.

Voight: Halstead's right.

Melissa; Let's all Stay focused.

Antonio: We've still got work to do.

*The officers nod, suitably chastened.Ten minutes later, the last glimmers of sunlight disappear on the horizon and they pull out of the parking garage.

Jay hits the front with Melissa and Al while Voight takes the back with Antonio, Adam, and Kevin.

They corral everyone into one room in the basement, forcing them to their knees at gunpoint.

Adam and Melissa fall back, collecting all of the drugs and piling bricks into duffel bags while the others cover the criminals.

Within minutes, bags are being thrown over shoulders and then the team is backing out, Jay throwing a smoke grenade to cover their retreat.

Adrenaline levels are high as the team piles back into the trucks with whoops and cheers.

Voight is driving, having left at the front of the pack to get the engine running and Jay can see him shaking his head as he leans against the back windows in the bed of the truck.

And yeah, maybe they're acting like children but robbing drug dealers is one of the funnest parts of their jobs.

And with the hard work starting up again first thing in the morning he figures they might as well enjoy it.

Marston climbs out of his truck under the freeway overpass, carefully looking around.

He doesn't know what Intelligence has been up to since they took over his case but it probably isn't good that Victor has called for a meeting.*

Victor: Where the hell was my heads up?*Victor snarls as he walks over to them.* Those assholes that robbed me last night, they were cops right?"

Marston: I got pushed out. You started dropping bodies and suddenly the progress I was making wasn't good enough. If you hadn't put a lethal mix out...

Victor: You don't tell me how to run my business.*Victor growls.* Now answer the damn question. Were those cops last night?

Marston: It's a common tactic,* he explains* they steal your drug supply to create an opening to insert a UC as a new supplier. Losing street-ready drugs makes people desperate enough to not look as close.

Victor: unfortunately for them *eyes dark* We won't be accepting a new supplier. You're going to help us get our drugs back.

Marston: How? They've been stored in evidence. I can't just steal them back for you.

Victor: Then you'll help us get leverage. We'll take one of the officers from Intelligence to encourage them to make a trade.

*Marston swallows hard. This isn't what he'd signed up for when he'd agreed to work for Victor.*

Marston: What do you want me to do?*he whispers.*

Victor: We have an old stash house. 4th and Braddock. We'll set it up.

Marston: Okay Sounds good.

Victor: You tell Sergeant Voight that you've got a lead and ask to borrow the girl officer to search the house.

Marston: why her?

Victor: You say you can't stand her. Well take care of her!

Marston: I can't stand her yes but still you can't harm her!

Victor:We grab her and leave you as a walking, talking ransom note.

Marston: You have to promise you won't hurt her. *Jason begs.* I can't get another cop hurt.

Victor: They'll be fine as long as the good Sergeant gives our product back.

Marston: Okay.*he says, nodding and taking a deep breath.*

* Marston hopes this won't come back to bite him in the ass and that he didn't put Melissa in danger. He walks into the Intelligence bullpen, forcing down his nerves.*

Marston: Hey Sergeant. *he says, poking his head into the man's office.* I got a lead on a stash house these guys were using.

Voight: That is great!

Marston: It looks like they've moved on but I was able to get a warrant, maybe get some actionable evidence. Can I borrow one of your best?

Voight: I'll send Gonzalez with you.

Marston: * Replies sounding very distracted. Sounds good

* They roll up on the stash house in Jay's truck. Jay had wanted to accompany them but it wasn't a live enough lead to justify three detectives so he stayed at the station, working to set up their sting operation.*

Marston: Alright! *Marston said as they checked their vests.*

Melissa; Looks like the Place is probably empty.

Marston: Take the back. I'll give a courtesy knock, if they don't answer, we make entry.

Melissa: Thanks for bringing me with you.

Marston: Yes well I'm trying to get along with you.

Melissa: I am glad that you are starting to see having a girl on the team isn't that bad. * smiles*

*Marston smiles at Melissa and internally knows this will bite him in the ass.

Melissa motions that she is heading around the back of the house.

He knocks on the front door. It opens to reveal Victor's right-hand man Alexi.*

Marston: I got the girl moving in on the back door. Are you guys ready?

Alexi: *The man nods and he lifts up his radio.* No answer. Hit it.

*Melissa kicks in the back door to a pair of guns in her face. She takes half a step back, trying to move down the steps but a hand grabs at her vest, tugging her further into the house.

She drops to the ground, sweeping the man's feet out from under him. The back door leads into a small dining room and she ducks behind the table, calling out to Marston.*

Melissa: Marston, we got company!

*Melissa hears Marston radioing in the 10-13 but is distracted by movement behind her and pivots, bringing her gun up.*

Melissa: CPD! * She shouts still pointing her gun at them.* put the guns down!

Alexi: You put your gun down, pig bitch.* He growls*

Melissa; *grimaces, counting a total of four weapons now pointed her way.* Where's Marston?

* Then a door from the kitchen opens and the man is pushed through, a gun to his head.*

Trevor: Put your gun down or your partner gets ventilated.

*Melissa's eyes dart around the room, brain searching for options for a long moment before she deflates, setting her weapon on the floor and raising both hands.*

Melissa: Just please let him go. *she says.* We can talk this through.

Alexi: Search her! *The man orders, ignoring her.*

*One of the men hands off her weapon to the guy next to him before walking over to Melissa.

She tenses but doesn't move as the man pats her down, removing her phone, keys, wallet, cuffs, and badge before moving down to her ankle and pulling her backup weapon from the holster.*

Trevor: Stand up!

* Melissa rises to her feet, watching as the man dumps her things on the table.

Alexi: Take the vest off!

* She glances over at Marston before unhooking the velcro on the vest, pulling it off, and dumping it on the table.*

Trevor: Turn around. Hands behind your back.!

* She pins away, positioning her hands and grimacing as she feels the cool metal of her own cuffs on her wrists.

There's a rustle behind her and then duct tape is being pressed over her mouth.

Then the man spins her around, giving her a shove toward the front door.

She lets out a breath as the gun is moved away from Marston's head.*

Alexi: Tell the other cops we want our dope back or their girl dies.*the man in charge says. *

Trevor: We'll be in touch soon with proof of life and details for the drop.

*And then he brings his gun crashing toward Marston's skull and Melissa lets out a muffled cry as the man drops to his knees, clutching his head.*

Alexi: Let's go boys. *the boss yells and they all move out, dragging Melissa along with them.*

*A van pulls up as they exit the front door and she starts to struggle, hearing sirens nearby.

A glancing blow from a gun snaps her head forward, dazing her, and before she knows it, she's being thrown into the back of the van.

Then a gun is pressed against the back of her head, doors are sliding closed and the vehicle is moving.

The street is lined with patrol cars and an ambulance is sitting in front of the house when Voight pulls up.

Antonio and Jay hurry off to talk to the officers starting the canvas and he walks to the back of the ambulance where a paramedic is poking at the back of Jason Marston's head.Jay finds his truck .*

Jay: You okay?

Marston: I'm fine.

Jay: Where is Melissa?

*the man groans, wincing as the paramedic's fingers find a particularly tender spot, hearing Jay's question caused guilt to wash over him.

He sounded defeated in his response to Jay's question. Jay Voight and everyone were using the worry reaction to use it to have the energy to find her. *

Marston: I'm sorry Jay. The whole thing was a trap.

Jay: I should have gone with.

Voight: You didn't know Jay.

Martson: They took Gonzalez. Said if you don't give their dope back, they'll kill her.

Voight: Well it's not going to come to that.

*Voight growls.*

Voight: Adam!

*The officer rushes over from where he'd been talking to an officer.*

Adam: Yeah boss?

Voight: Ride to Med with Marston. I want eyes on him until we find Melissa and get a full statement.

Adam: You got it, boss.

*Marston gets to his feet, climbing up into the ambulance and Adam follows. Antonio and Jay get back to the district thirty minutes later. Kevin jumps up as they walk in.*

Voight: These assholes have our girl?

Jay: Did we find out anything?

Antonio: Nothing helpful from the scene.

Mouse: Crime scene techs are going over the place with a fine tooth comb.

Kevin: so maybe they can get us some names.

Al: maybe Adam gets something helpful from Marston's statement.

Voight: Where are we on the case?

Kevin: Roman and Kim are trailing Niko Eskalov.

Jay: I'm making good progress on setting up a strategy to get our in to introduce a new supplier. If we're still doing that.

Voight: Jay, I need to ask you this, and don't lie to me.

Jay: No I am not okay.

Voight: team really quick so we don't lose focus take a minute to express how you feel.

Jay: I am worried about Melissa.

Antonio: I am worried about her, it's like she is my sister.

Kevin: I know our girl is tough but it doesn't stop me from worrying about her.

Voight: She is like a daughter to me. I promised her dad I would protect her.

Jay: I promised him the same.

Antonio: Jay, how is this not hitting you harder?

Al: She is my substitute daughter.

Jay: I'm asking myself what would Melissa do?

Kevin: what would she do?

Voight: use her energy to help solve this case.

Mouse: Melly Bean wouldn't crack she would try to stay calm.

Al: She would lean on us if needed.

Jay: to me, she is not just my partner she is my girlfriend and my everything.

Kevin: She even would crack a smartass joke in this time.

Voight: Jay, we will bring her back.

Jay: I am using my worried energy to focus on trying to get her back to us.

*His words hang heavy over the room. Everyone looks at Melissa's desk and looks at Voight.*

Mouse: I'm used to sitting at the desk next to her.

Jay: She will sit between us again.

Antonio: The threat given to Marston makes it pretty obvious that they know who's behind the theft of their merchandise.

Al: They're pursuing a course intended to get their drugs back.

Mouse: this means they won't be moving fast to find a new supplier

Kevin: They won't be as desperate as the team had intended for them to be.

Jay: if they realize that the offered supplier is a trap.

Antonio: he's just offering them another member of his team.

Voight: Let's hold off.

Jay: * looks at Voight* Hold off?

Voght: It's too risky knowing what they know.

Kevin: Let's Focus on finding Melissa.

Al: we won't get anything following Eskalov.

Jay: Call Kim and tell them to scoop him up and get back here.

*Kevin nods, picking up his phone.*

Voight: Antonio, let's start going over the case files from narcotics again with a different focus.

Jay: We- I need something to use against Eskalov.

Voight: Jay, Melissa needs her partner and boyfriend. You be the good guy I'll be the bad guy.

Jay: * nods* I will have my head clear for her.

Voight: I will make sure this guy pays on our behalf as a team for taking our girl.

*Antonio nods, approaching the case boards and the boxes stacked in front of them.

Two years of investigation is a lot of ground to cover and they don't have a lot of time. The room is a quiet hive of activity two hours later.

Voight had wasted a few minutes asking Eskalov questions before leaving him to sweat in interrogation until he found the right button to push.*

Voight: Alright, Marston told Adam the guys who attacked them were wearing masks.

Antonio: They got the drop on him and held a gun to his head to force Melissa to surrender.

*he says, thinking through the statement.*

Jay: This sucks because it sounds like Melissa was kicking their asses up to that point.

Voight: Marston?

Adam: No concussion.

Mouse: He's downstairs with Trudy.

Adam: I wasn't sure if you wanted him up here just yet.

Voight: Leave him down there for now.

Jay: What did he tell you?

Adam: He took the front, and Melissa went in the back.

Mouse: Nobody answered the door so she gave the order to breech.

Jay: * nods and listens* Why do I feel there is more to the story than he is saying?

Adam: Melissa must have hit pretty heavy resistance in the back cause she called for help.

Jay: Marston radioed in the 10-13 but he wasn't able to clear all doors.

Adam: as he passed them in his haste to get to Melissa.

Jay: He really put her in harm's way!

Adam: * nods* One of the guys got her from behind.

Jay: There were at least three guys if not more in the back room with Melissa.

Voight: Melissa gave herself up to protect Marston?

Adam: Yeah.

Mouse: They searched her and stripped her of her weapons, electronics, and ID.

Jay: Then they restrained and gagged her and took her out the front door.

Adam: They clubbed Marston on the way out before giving him their parting message.

Jay: What exactly did they say?

Adam: * clears his throat * Tell the other cops we want our dope back or their girl dies.

Mouse: We'll be in touch soon with proof of life and details for the drop.

Voight: It's been almost three hours.

Jay: What does soon mean to these assholes?

Adam: I don't know.* Adam says shaking his head.* I don't know.

Jay: What are they doing to Melissa? *His jaw clenches.*

Adam: It's a ransom grab.

Mouse: Maybe they aren't planning to do anything.

Jay: We can only hope, I hope they don't do to her what happened to me when I got kidnapped.

Mouse: Let's think positive, that's another thing Melly Bean would do.

Jay: * looks at Mouse* you're right thank you!

*It's a cheap hope and one that the team doesn't necessarily believe but maybe they can pretend if only for a little while.Jay doesn't really buy it either but he looks at Mouse and offers him a weak smile.*

Jay: * Looks at his Home Screen with the picture of them together.* I just need my girl back.

Mouse: Uh boss. Someone just remotely connected to my computer.

*Voight and the team move around behind him.

The mouse is moving on its own, a file explorer window opening.

Then a video file opens, a large black box overtaking the screen with an orange arrow at the center.

Then the mouse icon hovers over the arrow.

Click.

Melissa groans as she rolls out of the back of the van. She glares at the person holding the video camera.

Jay: What the hell?

Adam: What did they do to her?

Mouse: poor Melly Bean.

* During the drive out here one of the bangers had added cuffs to her ankles, looping the chain around the cuffs on her wrists.

She's left to crash painfully to the ground. Then one of the guys removes the cuffs from her ankles and tugs her to her feet.

She grunts into the gag but they don't give her a chance to recover before dragging her forward.

They pass through a heavy iron door in a stone wall and then down a long hallway.

It's only when they reach a small, dimly lit room that she's allowed to pause, but before she can catch her breath she's shoved to her knees.

The cuffs are relocked around her ankles, the chain is re-looped to ensure that she stays on her knees.

Which is exactly where she doesn't want to be.

They'd told Marston that proof of life would be forthcoming and while he doesn't know exactly what format that will take it's pretty clear that it won't be pleasant for her.

A hand lands heavily on her shoulder to press her to the ground, sitting back on her heels. She tries to move out of the way but gets shoved back to the spot they want her in.

There are still too many bangers hanging around for her to try anything, especially restrained as she is.*

Alexi: expose her back.

*The hand leaves her shoulder, ripping the back of her shirt. She tries to pull away but another blow to the back of her head stuns her and she falls still.*

Jay: No!

Mouse: they can't!

Voight: in my experience bangers like these roll this way.

*The man doesn't waste his time to rip the back of her shirt. Her shirt falls open she can hear the rip from her shirt.

Her back is exposed They forget about it and move on, wasting no time popping her in the mouth.

She doubles over, feeling blood dribbling down her chin from a bloody nose.Another punch slams into her stomach and she groans.

It's clear that these guys are more focused on visible damage than actually hurting her.

Which tracks with the expected ransom demand.

More blows rain down, bloodying up her face and hitting her stomach where they'll cause quick bruises.

she can't do anything but take the beating. Once they finish, everyone walks away and leaves her alone.*

Antonio: She is not even crying!

Adam: She is tough.

Jay: If you cry they do worse to you.

*She doesn't know how long she kneels there, struggling against the cuffs in an attempt to get free or at least maneuver herself to a better position, something where she can escape or fight back when the assholes come back.

Unfortunately, she's still just as helplessly immobilized when the door opens again and bangers flood back into the room.Melissa can't miss the fact that one of them is holding a video camera.

Here we go.

The video continues revealing Melissa on her knees with her hands secured behind her back and duct tape over her mouth.

Her shirt has been ripped open down the back. Her face is bloodied and several developing bruises are visible on her stomach.

A hand is resting heavily on her shoulder and the guy's jaws clench as they continue watching their girl in harm's way.

She's never really ended up here before and she imagined this is what Jay went through when he was kidnapped by Derek Keyes she is really sick of any of the team ending up here in this position of being kidnapped.

Melissa didn't cry all she thought about was what would Jay do or did when he ended up in this position.

Jay kept thinking he should have been able to prevent this from happening, he had gone through it three years ago and he felt like it was a nightmare repeating itself.

Melissa felt they should have been able to find her by now. Instead, Melissa and the team are watching helplessly as a man approaches her with a metal rod in hand, the far end glowing in bright red.

Melissa tries to pull away and the hand on her shoulder presses down harder, thumb digging into flesh.

Another hand enters the frame, grabbing the back of Melissa's neck to hold her still.

The brand is pressed into Melissa's right shoulder smoke and steam billow up from the point of contact and Melissa tosses her head back, held firmly in place by the hand on her neck.

Her muffled scream can still be heard clearly even with the poor sound quality of the video.*

Jay: * closes his eyes* My God!

Antonio: * eyes go wide* she is not crying still.

Voight: our girl knows if she cries they do worse.

*The brand is pulled back, revealing a lurid red mark on Melissa's skin.

But the bastards aren't done yet.

The brand is handed back to someone off-camera and another takes its place.

This time there's no delay before the second brand is pressed against Melissa's Left shoulder, ripping another inaudible scream from her throat.*

Trevor: You know what we want.* Laughing*

*announces clearly, the source likely right next to the camera.*

Alexi: you've seen a glimpse of what we will do if we don't get it. * laughs *

Trevor: Bring the drugs to the intersection of Baldwin Ave and 9th Street.

* The second brand, now cooled, is pulled away from Melissa's skin. Melissa yelps behind the gag. The team watches Melissa and wince themselves.*

Alexi: I'm not a cruel man *he continues, a small chuckle at the words.*

Trevor: Not unnecessarily cruel at least. * Walks to Melissa and she tries to move away from him when he tries to pet her head.*

Alexi: I know it will take time to get the drugs released from the evidence locker.* smacks Melissa when she moves*

Trevor: we shall give you all until noon tomorrow. * looks at Melissa and laughs kicking her hard.*

Alexi: By the time we are through with her she will be begging for death.* Smacks Melissa hard*

*Melissa glares at the men she is muffling a scream under the duct tape. Another brand enters the frame on the screen but the video ends just before it makes contact with Melissa's skin.*

Voight: Where are we at?

*Voight growls, turning to the team.*

Jay: We are not giving those drugs back.

Adam: why the hell not?

Antonio & Jay: because Melissa is not waiting until tomorrow afternoon to be rescued from these bastards!

Adam: We've got a lot of low-level scum identified here.

Al: Maybe we start rounding some of these idiots up and see if anyone has anything useful to tell us.

Antonio: Forget about that for now.

Adam: I think I found what we need to get Eskalov to open his yap.

*After leaving a third burn on her torso, this one on her lower back, the men leave her alone with a slam of the door.

She slumps back on her heels, looking down to try to inspect the wounds left behind. She feels herself feeling so defeated and helpless and she feels like she is a failure.

She is a detective and this happens to her. How could she allow this to happen? Blaming herself and feeling like a failure as a detective and cop.

She felt helpless and so desperate to just try and break free but she was so weak.

She can't quite identify the shape of the brands because she can't see them but her skin feels like there is intense blistering and charred flesh intermingling around the borders.

The three wounds on her back also have torn skin around the edges from the brand being pulled away after the metal had cooled.

Blood is oozing sluggishly from patchy edges. She lets her head fall back briefly but there's nothing to rest it against so she straightens up again.

She's exhausted.

Dealing with Richards and Williams's death she hasn't fully allowed herself to feel and then she and Jay deal with a really bad PTSD cycle.

They took a break from each other and then he went undercover and got into a full-blown relationship with the girl while he went under, the aftermath of that and then Jay's father's death and the aftermath of that made her truly worn out.

They'd been out late the night before with the rip.

Voight had given them a later call this morning because of it but Melissa hasn't been able to sleep off and on lately.

She'd gone for a run and then headed into the office, running over paperwork until Voight had sent her to check out the house with Marston.

She hoped Voight wasn't too hard on the other detective. They'd talked over how he'd gotten the location on the drive there and there's no way that the man could have known it was a trap.

Clearly, Marston had been fed the location by their mole, maybe the setup could help them figure out who they were.

She idly wonders if Marston could be the mole. It would explain why he hadn't made any solid arrests in two years of investigating.

But surely he wouldn't have led another cop into an ambush like that, right?

Handed Melissa over and allowed himself to be used to prevent her from fighting back.

She knows that she and Marston didn't get off to a great start but she had to believe he wouldn't just give her up intentionally so he leaves the scene free of anything happening to him.

Accepting that a cop is working with a drug dealing gang is hard enough but at least if it's someone else she can hope that they didn't know what they were giving up the address for.

Hope that they thought the address was being used to plant false evidence to distract them.

She'd like to believe that selling out their convictions wouldn't extend to selling out another cop.

But she can't ignore the fact that whatever they thought they were doing, selling out another cop is exactly what they did.

And despite the fact that she's already been here for hours, it doesn't look like they've seen fit to make that right.

She shifts painfully backward until her feet touch the wall and then leans back, resting her head against the wall.

It isn't comfortable but it is a little easier and she slowly starts to relax, eyes drifting closed.

The door slams open again and she looks up to see the dark-eyed man from earlier.*

Alexi: This room isn't secure enough. the man says. So we're going to be moving you a little further into the building.

The only response that Melissa's capable of is a fierce glare.

The cuff is left off her right ankle but the chains are just unwrapped from each other and then the cuff is locked back into place.

She's drug to her feet and then shoved toward the door, forced to walk in short, halting steps by the cuffs. It's a long walk down the dark, narrow hallway.

If she could just break free, Melissa would gladly run for hours if it would get her to safety.

As it is, she looks at every door that she passes and wonders if each one is the "more secure" place where she is to be stashed.

She just wants to sit down. Her head is slammed against the wall and she stumbles.

Trevor: Stay awake. *the man growls*. And keep walking pig bitch.

She growls into the gag and closes her eyes but keeps walking. She can't speed up much, limited by the length of the chain between her ankles and the man seems pissed off by how slow she's moving.

"It's your fault asshole."

But she can't say it so she just glares at the ground and keeps moving.Finally, a door opens and she's pushed into a new room.She grunts as She is shoved to her knees against the wall.

This room is even dingier than the last. A thick layer of filth covers the walls and a bitter, chemical scent fills the air.

The building is clearly abandoned, and the bulk of the lights are no longer working which makes him suspect that the gang's only use for the large warehouse is as a place to stash her.

She's shoved a few inches over and then the cuffs around her ankles are unlocked and the chain looped around a column behind her.

A gun is pressed against her forehead, keeping her still as the cuff on her left wrist is unlocked and the chain looped around the column as well, before being twisted around the chain from the cuffs on her ankles.

The cuff is then relocked around her wrist and she is left alone. She manages to shift forward far enough to sit back on her heels, letting her head fall back against the column.

One of the two remaining light bulbs in the room flickers before going out and she sighs. It's going to be a long night.

Jay: Come on, Niko. You're already in hot water with the gang.

Antonio: They're getting ready to set you up and drop you like a bad habit.*fanning out a series of photos.*

Antonio: This new gig they've given you.* he says, pointing out the man standing on a corner, talking to a low-level dealer.*

Jay: They played it up as an important promotion, right?

*Niko scowls.*

* Jay adds some documents to the table.*

Jay: The last four guys they handed that spot to ended up getting busted by CPD!

Antonio: That's a hell of a coincidence, especially considering they're basically the only arrests in the Riders that we've made in over two years.

*Niko clenches his jaw.*

Jay: They're going to sell you out.

Antonio: It's only a matter of time.

Jay: If you don't wanna go up the creek all by yourself.

Antonio: then you're going to tell us something that can help us get the rest of the gang.

Niko: So then they can kill me in prison instead?*Niko scoffs.*

Antonio: Can't do that if you don't go to prison.

Jay: Make it worth our while and I'll make it happen.

*It isn't often that he gets to make that offer but Voight has already cleared it with the DA so for once he's fully in the clear to make specific promises.*

Niko: I don't know where your girl is.

Antonio: You know where she is!

Niko: Everyone's talking about the cop that was kidnapped.

Jay: Where the hell is she?

Niko: I wasn't involved in that. I don't know who has her or where they've stashed her

Jay: Then tell me what you do know.

Antonio: We want to know Everything you know.

Jay: Names, locations, everything. We'll figure out what's what.

*Voight growls where he's sitting in observation. The worst part of all of this is that he actually believes the idiot.

The gang is planning on cutting Niko loose. They wouldn't have brought him in on something like this.*

Voight: Adam, you and Kevin work on the information that Niko gives Antonio and Jay.

Voight:Watch for connections that might lead us to Melissa but map everything.

Voight:If we can dismantle the entire operation while we're at it, I'm not complaining.

Adam: Got it boss.

Kevin: We will get our girl back!

Voight: I want her back and I want her alive!

*He stalks out of observation and back into the bullpen. Al looks up as he comes in.*

Al: Did he tell them anything?

Voight: Claims he doesn't know anything about where Melissa is.

Al: Adam and Kevin are sorting through everything he can tell us about the gang looking for a lead.

Voight: In the meantime, we need to look for a different way in.

Kevin: We've been looking over things, trying to figure out how the gang set up their trap.

Mouse; I was about to head down and talk to Marston.

Adam: to see where he got the lead on the stash house.

Voight: Bring him up here.

Al: Keeping him out hasn't helped anything.

Voight: Keeping the case Intelligence only may not be the best decision on my part.

Adam: icing out not only Marston but the mole as well, is probably responsible, at least in part, for Melissa being taken.

*Mouse nods and jogs down the stairs. Jason ( Marston) sits in the office across from the front desk. Waiting.

His head hurts and in a perfect world, he would go home and go to bed. But Hank Voight wants to keep an eye on him until they've resolved everything and found Gonzalez so instead he's stuck here.

As a cop, he knows the man is just covering his bases. Possibly even trying to protect him.

But he can't help but feel like the man doesn't trust him like he's waiting for him to do something that reveals his part in this. But maybe that's just his guilty conscience talking.

Everyone in Intelligence had jogged down a little while ago to talk to Sergeant Platt.She'd sounded worried, more than just the worry of a colleague being missing, and she couldn't help but wonder how the proof of life had gone.*

Platt: If our girl is harmed or dead you better pray and run.

Martson: I am already feeling like shit as it is.

Platt: Our girl busted your balls and called you out!

Martson: I didn't know how important she was.

Platt: it's cause your scum and scum like you can't see past the end of your own nose!

* Martson kept thinking that Victor had promised that Gonzalez wouldn't be hurt but surely they would have done something to make their point.

He just hopes that Everyone's concern doesn't mean that things are a lot worse than he'd told himself he could be okay with.

At least it was Gonalez who'd ended up accompanying him to the stash house. He'd asked for one of Voight's Best figuring the younger officer wouldn't put up much of a fight faced down with four guns in her face.

He'd thought the kid's relative inexperience would help prevent injuries. And he'd been frustrated when Gonzalez had been sent with him instead.

The woman's combat skills training and her skills as a detective would lead to a bigger fight at the stash house and increase the likelihood of injuries.

But as it turns out, it's probably a good thing that it had been Gonzalez.

Hopefully, the detective's Combat skills and cop skills will help her handle whatever it is that Victor and his friends are dishing out in spite of their promise that she wouldn't be hurt.

Hopefully that edge of cocky readiness that had set his nerves alight with irritation from the moment the woman had called Marston out.

Her and Jay commenting that he must have a leak will help Melissa Gonzalez survive the hell that Jason has gotten her into. A tap on the door frame alerts him to Detective Mouse's arrival.*

Mouse: Voight would like to talk to you.

*Melissa shifts uncomfortably, trying to relieve the pressure on her knees. Her legs are starting to lose feeling but the path to numbness has been painful in and of itself.

Her shoulders are also complaining about being pulled back as her hands are kept behind her back.

The muscles across her chest are also protesting the position but she's starting to wonder if there might be more than that behind the tight, burning sensation.

Especially since as helpless as she feels, she's to the point of crying , there is also moisture running down her face from both her eyes and nose. Her throat is burning almost as much as the burns on her torso.

She swallows hard, knocking her head back against the wall behind her.

She's probably breathing in some kind of toxic fumes, who knows what could be in an old abandoned warehouse like this, just waiting to wreak havoc on anyone who dares to hang around long enough?

She remembers the asshole setting the drop for noon the following day but has no idea what time it is.

Doesn't know how long She's been here or how much longer she might have to wait.

The team is looking for her she knew that she trusted that her team wouldn't leave her for dead.

Especially Jay, she then began to worry about Jay wondering if he was pushing through to find her.

She worried that Jay was putting himself in harm's way and making reckless judgments.

She shifts again, pulling against the cuffs as she tries to find a position that's even a little bit more comfortable. The attempt just seems to make it worse.

Maybe she should just lie down. The twisting of her limbs from the cuffs might be painful but it might be worth it to take the pressure off her knees.

But she doesn't want to leave herself in such a vulnerable position should any of the gang members return.

She twists to sit on the ground, pushing her legs off to the side and grimacing as the handcuff chain pulls on her ankles and both legs end up on the right side of the column.

She can feel the cold metal of the cuffs digging into her legs even through the jeans she's wearing.

The fabric is riding up on her left ankle, pulled out of place by the angle of the cuff locked around it.She leans back against the wall, focusing on her knees.

The feeling is starting to come back already but the pain is increasing as it does. How long had she been kneeling on them to cause this much discomfort?

She coughs weakly, the sound muffled by the tape still over her mouth. The irritation in her throat is only made worse as the forceful flow of air is prevented from exiting and pushed back to her throat, some of it finding its way out through her nose.

It's getting hard to breathe and she can feel a tightness in her throat. The feeling of wrongness only increases as she realizes that the tissue is swelling, and her throat closing off. She needs her team.*

Marston: Hank, I can't tell you how sorry I am about how this went down.

Voight: I'd like to hear more about that.

Martson: I told Officer Ruzik everything I could remember about what happened at that house.

Jay: You sure?

Martson: * glancing at Adam in confusion. *Nothing else has come back to me.

Voight: I'm more interested in where the lead on the stash house came from.

Jay: If it was a trap, whoever gave you the address was setting you up. Maybe it helps us find our mole.

Martson: Yeah I guess that makes sense. My team hasn't really had an easy time letting this go.

Jay: It's like you and your team didn't do Jack shit!

Martson: Two years of investigation, passed on to another team for the wrap-up just didn't feel right.

Voight: So one of your guys found the stash house? *Voight presses, unimpressed by the stalling.*

Marston: Yeah but I trust him, all the way.

Voight: I don't trust you or your guy. I have one of my team members missing !

Martson: Whoever's been feeding information to the Riders must have found out that we got the address somehow and decided to set us up. Or do they get wind of the warrant application?

*His mind is racing. Voight is going to push this issue and he doesn't know what to say.

He and the team want Gonzalez back selling one brother in blue up the river already doesn't sit right with him. Naming a source requires doing it again even if the circumstances are different.*

Voight: I will be looking into that.*Voight promises, his tone deadly as he turns to accept a file from Kevin Atwater.*.But I want that name, Marston. I'll assess whether or not this guy is clean for myself.

*His guys are clean. If he gives Voight one of their names, they'll come back clean even if the heat is unpleasant.

But he'll have to get in touch with them before Voight can; warn them that they came up with the address and prep them with an investigative pathway for when the sergeant shows up asking questions.*

Martson: Voight.*he says, shaking his head and rambling in an attempt to buy some time.* Your guys took thirty kilos of street-ready drugs.

Jay: what the fuck did you say? * Glares at Marston*

Martson: These guys were angry and desperate. With a mole in the CPD somewhere they would have gotten their fingers in everywhere.

*Voight whirls on him.*

Voight: What did you just say?* he hisses, voice deadly.*

Martson: I- I just.*Marston stammers and Voight takes a step forward, backing him against the wall.*

Jay: How the hell do you know how much dope was seized during that rip?

Antonio; You weren't involved. Intentionally so.

Voight: Did one of your partners tell you?

Jay: When they ordered you to get it back?

Martson: I never meant for it to go this far. I swear.

* Without warning Jay punched the guy in the face. Antonio Kevin and Mouse have to hold Jay back. *

Voight: you said the wrong thing!

Martson: * is blind sided by Jay punching him* I just... they offered me money. And my dad's treatments are so expensive. I... I couldn't refuse.

Jay: So you sell out another cop? * Wanting to just punch Marston over and over again and take all his anger on out him. Antonio Adam and Kevin and mouse trying to hold him back and away from Martson*

Martson: They promised they wouldn't do much harm to her!

Jay: Melissa gave herself up to keep them from shooting you. * glares at Martson.*

Antonio: But you were never in any danger, were you?* Glares at Martson*

Martson: I only agreed to it because they promised not to hurt her.

Antonio: Where is Melissa?

Martson: There's a warehouse. Out in Burnside.

Jay: * grabs Martson* for your sake she better be Alive! * Then lets him go roughly.*

* Adam and Jay head out right away to the warehouse. When they arrive they go into the building and Adam stands back, nodding to Jay who pushes the door open, freezing at his first sight of his Partner and girlfriend.

Melissa is lying on her side, arms and legs painfully twisted by the cuffs looping around the pole.

Her shirt is still ripped to expose her back with three angry-looking brands on her back. Duct tape is over her mouth. And she isn't moving.

Adam: Do you smell that?

*breaking Jay out of the trance and he sprints toward her.*

Jay: We need to get her out of here.

*Adam is next to him in a heartbeat, working on the cuffs while he gently peels off the tape from Melissa's mouth, tapping at her cheek.*

Jay: Melissa? Baby! Can you hear me?

*She doesn't respond. The cuffs fall away and he grabs her in his arms*

Adam: Let me help you carry her.

Jay: No I got her.

*Without saying anything more Jay carries her out of the room and down the corridor, finally setting her down once they get around a corner. Adam holds up his radio.*

Adam: Control, this is 50-21 Ida. I need a Hazmat team at 1114 W Madison. We have an unknown chemical leak. And can you patch me through to the ambulance on-site at our call?

Control: Dispatching hazmat, standby for the paramedics.

Maddie: 50-21 Ida this is Ambo 61. What do you have?

Adam: We have an detective down. She was in a room with an unknown chemical leak for an unknown length of time. She's unresponsive, her pulse is rapid, and in respiratory distress.

Maddie: Is breathing slowed or rapid?

Adam: It's too fast. And she's wheezing.

Maddie: Alright.*maddie responds.* Just keep monitoring her breathing. I'll talk to Voight about getting her extracted.

*Melissa's breathing is somehow even worse when rapid footsteps beat down the hall five minutes later and they look up to see Antonio sprinting toward them carrying a backboard.

He drops it to the ground next to Melissa and then Jay lifts her onto it. Jay holds Melissa's hand as Adam and Antonio lift her in the air. *

Jay: just stay with me, Melissa. *Jay begs, trying not to look at the blue hue of her lips* Hang in there baby.

*They get out to the paramedics, placing the backboard onto the stretcher and then backing away.

Jay scoots toward the foot of the stretcher, trying to stay out of the way even as he keeps his hand on Melissa's leg.*

Maddie: her airway is swelling up. *Maddie snaps* We need to intubate before we lose it.

*Foster hands over the kit, retrieving a penlight to check her pupils.*

Maddie: her eyes are red and irritated but her pupils are equal and responsive.

*Maddie slides the scope into place, tilting Melissa's head back and pushing the tubing down her throat. It takes her a few tries but finally, she grabs the stethoscope.*

Maddie: I'm in. Bag her.

*Emily hooks up the bag, squeezing it gently.*

Maddie: Was anyone else exposed to the chemical?

Jay: Adam and I were in the room but only long enough to get her loose and out of there.

Adam: Do you know what it might have been?

Maddie: Her symptoms suggest Chlorine gas but we won't know for sure until Hazmat gets in there. You and Adam should come to Med with us, and get checked out just in case.

Antonio: Go I'll meet back up with Voight and update him on the situation.

Maddie: Jay hop in the back with us. Adam can ride up front with Emily.

*Maddie says, turning to push the stretcher closer to the ambulance.

Emily and Adam help her lift it into the back of the ambulance before running around to hop in the front. Jay slides in next to Melissa as Maddie keeps checking her over.*

Jay: How is she?

Maddie: She's responding to pain stimuli but her airway has nearly swollen shut and there's fluid in her lungs.*continuing to squeeze the bag.*

Maddie: Can I get you to man this while I call ahead to Med? I'd like to get her started on bronchodilators and/ or steroids to start dealing with the swelling.

*Jay nods, reaching out to take hold of the bag, continuing to give it gentle squeezes at a rhythmic pace while Maddie works.

She spends the trip to the hospital conferencing between hazmat teams on-site at the warehouse who confirm chlorine gas was present in the room where they'd found Melissa.

Also, provide concentration information and Dr. Choi and the on-call respiratory specialist at Med who advise her on treatment options to help ease her breathing.

Medications are administered and Jay is relieved to feel less resistance to the breaths he's forcing into her and some of the blue tint has left her lips.

But through it all, she remains unresponsive and Jay's free hand inches over to squeeze her arm.

Jay: We got you Melissa.* he soothes* You're safe now. Just hang in there for me.

*A team of medical personnel is waiting for them at the ambulance entrance to Med and someone gently pushes Jay away, taking control of the Ambu-bag.

He stands watching as she is whisked into a treatment room, Maddie following. Will Halstead steps in front of her, his face pale.

He couldn't believe he saw Melissa the way she was. He looked at Jay and immediately went into doctor mode to help Jay.*

Jay: We got a location, They- they weren't supposed to hurt her.* Jay looks so helpless in this moment*

Will: You got her out.* He tries to reassure Jay, Will says chewing on his lip*

Jay: * nods* we got her out but we don't know if we got her out in time.

Will: Ethan will take care of her now. Let's get you two checked out.

*Adam gently pushes Jay into another treatment room where Will and a nurse he doesn't recognize examine them, checking eyes and throats for signs of irritation and drawing blood to run a blood-gas analysis.

Will: It looks like you guys got in and out quickly enough to avoid any difficulties.

*Will says as the nurse hurries off with their blood samples, *

Will: however chlorine gas can take time to show symptoms. If you develop a headache, eye or throat irritation, nausea, any trouble breathing, or just anything that doesn't feel right, let us know, alright?

*They both nod distractedly and he sighs.*

Jay: * looks at Will* I can't-

Will: Don't go in that mindset!

Adam: She will pull through!

Will: I imagine you are both going to be hanging around for a while.

Jay: I am not leaving here till I can take Melissa with me.

Adam: You will!

Will: Good. I'll have someone find you when we get your blood-gas results back and I'll check in with you in a bit myself.

Adam: Thanks, Will.

*Adam says, nudging Jay to get him to stand up.*

Jay: We'll be in the waiting room.

*The rest of the team has arrived by the time they step into the waiting room and Voight stands up.*

Voight: You two okay?

Adam: Yeah.

Jay: We weren't exposed long enough to cause problems.

Adam: You heard anything?

*Voight shakes his head, jaw twitching.*

Jay: She'll be fine.

*Jay manages, trying to force back the tears filling his eyes.*

Jay: This is Melissa we're talking about.

Mouse: Melly Bean is gonna pull through.

Jay: She's too sassy and headstrong to die.

Antonio: She will be fine! I have trust!

Al: She is going to be just fine.

Jay: Plus she can't die because I can't lose her.

Voight: You won't lose her!

*Ethan Choi comes out almost an hour later looking exhausted*

Ethan: She's stable.

*He tells them, shaking his head.*

Ethan: She's reacting to the steroids and bronchodilators but there's still fluid in her lungs and some swelling of her airway.

Voight; What's the plan, doc?

Ethan: Watch and wait for the moment.

Adam: what did they do to her?

Jay: I dunno but when I find out I want what was done to her to be done to Martson.

Adam: * looks at Jay* You can not go there!

Mouse: Melissa needs you!

Ethan: Basically, we've prevented things from getting worse.

Will: Now it's just a matter of waiting to see if it gets better.

Voight: she is a tough cookie.

Ethan: I don't know how long it will take for the swelling to go down. We've got a chest tube in to drain some of the fluid off her lungs but it will take time for the steroids to stop it from building up.

Jay: And long-term?

Ethan: Right now scans to determine how much damage was caused are unreliable because of the pressing, more immediate threats.

Jay: * swallows the lump in his throat* Come on Melissa pull through for me.

Ethan: Once we get the swelling down and the fluid resolved we'll get a CT scan to determine her long-term prognosis.

Adam: Can we see her?

Ethan: She's being taken up to the ICU. If Will is okay with it, I can waive the normal family-only restrictions to get you all on the visitor list but it will still be two at a time.

*Will nods instantly and Ethan starts typing on his tablet.*

Ethan: In the meantime, I can let two of you sit with her until transport arrives.

*Adam nudges Jay forward and he shoots him a small optimistic smile before Will smiles at him.*

Will: C'mon Bro, Let's go tell that girlfriend of yours to stop lazing around and get back to work.

Jay: * tries to joke.* Good Luck she won't listen to anyone I doubt she will listen to you!

*Melissa is still as they walk into the room. She's buried in a mountain of wires and tubes.

Jay can barely even see the blankets through the tubing and wires much less his girl.

He takes a deep breath and steps forward, standing directly next to the bed.

Her face is pale but he's relieved to see that her lips, while equally pale, have lost the blueish tint.

Jay: There's so much equipment.*He whispers.*

Will: Most of it is for monitoring.

*Will whispers back*

Will: there are multiple IVs for the fluids and all the steroids and bronchodilators. And then the breathing tube and the chest tube.

*Jay nods.*

Jay: What are her chances?

Will: Of surviving?

Jay: Yes, please be honest with me.

Will: Pretty good at this point.

Jay: * smiles*

Will: She's reacting well to the medications. But whether or not she makes it back to work all depends on how much damage they find when they can finally get a clear CT.

Jay: I can't believe this is happening to her.

* taking her hand*

Will: She is strong Jay.

Jay: because another cop was looking to make a quick buck?

Will: It's not honorable.

*Will says, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder. *

Will: She is tough Jay you know that.

Jay: Yeah but right now I am not tough.

Will: Yes you are Jay.

Jay: The worst part.

*he says, biting his lip as he speaks*

Jay: I know as soon as she finds out what Marston did.

Will: Jay what did Marston do?

Jay: she's going to be hurt, destroyed even, that the guy was willing to set her up like that but she's still going to understand.

Will: What's there to understand?

Jay: The reason that Marston got mixed up with the gang.

*Jay sheds some tears*

Jay: He needed money to pay for his father's cancer treatment.

*Understanding crosses Will's face.*

Will: Damn. She is tough and has compassion.

Jay: I need her to wake up

*he whispers.*

Jay: I want her to wake up so badly but I'd prefer to wait out having that discussion as long as possible.

*Will reaches over to put a hand on his shoulder.*

Will: Jay, There is something else on your mind isn't there?

Jay: She is not just my partner, She is everything to me.

Will: I get it.

Jay: No you don't.

Will: clarify, please!

Jay: She helps me make sense of things when I myself don't really understand them. She reminds me to be the " the man she fell in love with"

Will: She sees a lot of good in you!

Jay: She calls me out on my bull shit!

Will: That is not an easy task.

Jay: She does it and in the way she does it, I get annoyed but not pissed at her.

Will: She is the one, isn't she?

Jay: I don't want to jump the gun but yes she is my everything.

Will: Guess what? She is going to come back to you and aggravate the hell out of you for years to come.

Jay: I hope so!

Will: she will be fine Jay.

Jay: I love her so much!

Will; I know you do.

Jay: I can't lose her!

Will: You won't.

*Melissa gets moved up to the ICU and the rest of the team gets their chance to see her in pairs of two, all of them shedding tears cringing at the amount of wires and equipment just as Jay had.

Adam gives Melissa a kiss on the cheek. Telling her she needs to wake up so he can have his sister back.

Antonio talks to her, Al sits there holding Melissa's hand talking to her saying he can't lose another daughter.

It would destroy him. She has to come back to everyone. Kevin talks to her and Mouse looks at Melissa holds her hand and talks to her.

Voight stands motionless, gazing at his Detective for a long moment in silence.

Jay watches him, recalling another time in this very ICU wing as Voight had watched his only son slip away.

After a minute, they slip back into the hallway, joining the rest of the team. Jay can see several others watching Voight's reaction uncertainly.*

Voight: I'm going to get back on Marston.

*He growls,*

Voight: We still have a job to do.

Jay: I am staying here with Melissa.

Voight: This is where I want you to be!

Jay: She needs me and I need her. * inhales and exhales*

*He stalks toward the door and Antonio follows him, leaving behind a request for Mouse to keep them updated.

Back at 21, Voight drags Marston down to the roll-up, and Antonio hovers behind him as he throws the man in the cage, standing menacingly in front of it.*

Martson: Why are you looking at me like that?

*glancing over to Antonio*

Martson: Why's he looking at me like that?

Antonio: you don't get it do you?

Marathon: You all got Gonzalez back, right? She's okay?

Voight; Gonzalez

*Voight intones*

Voight: is in the ICU on a ventilator right now.

Antonio: Your buddies left her inhaling chlorine gas for a couple of hours.

Martson: Look, hey, that's got nothing to do with me. They promised me she wouldn't get harmed.

Voight: I don't care what they promised you.

*Voight growls, *

Antonio: She was there because of you. She's got a machine breathing for her.

Voight: while the docs try their damnedest to reverse the damage.

Antonio: even if she lives, her career might be over.

Voight: you're going to tell us everything you know about the forty-riders and their operation.

Antonio: or we're going to turn you inside out.

Martson: I..I can't do that. They'll kill me.

Voight: I think you should be more concerned about what I'll do to you.

*He turns to Antonio.*

Martson: You're not going to let him do this are you? I helped you guys find Gonzalez.

Antonio: After you set her up to be kidnapped.

*Antonio scoffs.*

Martson: I never meant for her to get hurt.

Antonio: Look Marston. Even if I wanted to help you, which honestly I don't, there's nothing I can do.

Martson: why not?

Antonio: There is one person left on this planet who can calm him down when he gets like this, and you put her in a coma. So I would tell him what he wants to know.

*Marston glances anxiously between the two of them.*

Voight: Now tell me about the Riders.

*Voight snarls, unlocking the cage.*

Voight: Or I'm gonna tell you about what I do to people who hurt my team.

*Jay looks up as the door swings open. Voight is standing there, watching Melissa with distant eyes.*

Jay: Everything okay? * he asks looking at Voight*

Voight: The team is chasing down leads on the Riders.

Jay: Really? * smiles*

Voight: Marston gave everything up. Guess he's more afraid of me than he is of them.

*Jay allows a smirk.*

Voight: How is our girl doing?

*Voight asks, nodding at Melissa.*

Jay: She's hanging in there.

*he says, rubbing his thumb distractedly over the back of Melissa's hand.*

Jay: Ethan says the swelling in her throat is going down. The skin irritation is getting worse, especially where they branded her, but he doesn't think it's going to be an issue. Just painful for her when she finally wakes up.

Voight: Do they have an idea when that might be?

Jay: They've taken her off the sedation. Now that the swelling is better.

Voight: I knew she was a warrior.

Jay: Ethan says they could probably remove the breathing tube any time but he'd like to see her wake up first. And when that happens is up to her now.

Voight: What about her lungs?

Jay: Fluid levels are better.

Voight: she is so tough!

Jay: They're keeping the fluid drained with the chest tube and it's accumulating slower.

Voight: You're doing good, kid.

*Voight says, resting a hand on Melissa's shoulder.*

Voight: You just keep getting better and I'll make sure the assholes that did this to you live to pay for it.

*Melissa doesn't react but Voight just nods and Jay and Voight wipe tears from their eyes*

Jay: You're safe now, baby.

Voigh & Jay: You can wake up whenever you're ready.

*They both tell her, Jay bends down to kiss Melissa's forehead And Voight kisses the top of her forehead.*

Voight: You staying with her?

Jay: I'm not going anywhere, I love her.

Voight: Good.

Jay: I know Melissa and I said that we wouldn't let our relationship interfere with work.

Voight: Melissa is a remarkable person, She has this way about her that you can't help but be a part of her circle.

Jay: I love her so much.

Voight: She loves you too.

*squeezing Melissa's shoulder one more time before stepping toward the door.*

Voight: Then I'm gonna go rip into some heads.

Jay: Break some bones for me too.

*He says, squeezing her hand.*

Jay: For both of us.

Voight: I will Don't you worry.

Jay: I can't lose her.

Voight: She is going to be fine Jay.

Jay: I just will feel better when she wakes up.

Voight: You two have been through a lot this is one more thing that you two will face together.

Jay: She is not only my partner but my girlfriend. I love her so much.

Voight: * smiles* I see you two staying together for a long time.

Jay: I see it too. * smiles*

Voight: Just know if the status changes for Melissa and she happens to become your fiancé Trudy Al the team and I won't be upset you have our permission!

Jay: * smiles* Thanks, Sarge.

*Jay sits up, rubbing his eyes and wondering both when he'd fallen asleep and what had woken him.

Then Melissa's hand twitches in his and he leans forward, squeezing tightly.*

Jay: Melissa, Baby?

*Her eyes are twitching, her mouth moving around the tube.*

Jay: Melissa, can you open your eyes?

*Her head rolls slightly toward him but otherwise, she doesn't respond to him.

She's clearly distressed, trapped somewhere close to the surface but not quite there yet.*

Jay: It's okay, Melissa.

*he soothes.*

Jay: It's okay, you're safe. You take as long as you need, I will be right here waiting for you.

*Her hand squeezes his and he raises their hands to kiss the back of it.*

Jay: I'm right here, baby. I'm not going anywhere.

*Her eyes pressed tightly closed and then she's choking.*

Jay: Melissa!

* Jay exclaims, hitting the call button. *

Jay: It's alright baby.

* Melissa keeps choking she is trying to inhale and exhale but she is kinda freaked out.*

Jay: You can breathe, the tube is helping you breathe but you need to stop fighting it.

*She just keeps choking and gasping, hands coming up to grab at the tube. Jay tightens his grip on the hand he's holding, pulling her hand back down, and reaches over to grab her other hand.*

Jay: It's okay, Melissa.

*he promises, looking up at the nurses as they come in before turning his concentration back to his girl.*

Jay: Can you open your eyes, please?

*Her eyes slowly blink open, tracking over to meet his, filled with apprehensiveness and terror.*

Jay: I know. *he says, gently squeezing her hand.* Just try to relax.

*She blinks back at him, mouth moving around the tube but she's calming, breathing easier and he rubs her thumb across the back of her hand.*

Jay: That's my girl.

*he praises.*

Jay: I know it's painful but we'll get it out as soon as we can.

Ethan: How about right now?

*Ethan asks from the doorway. Melissa's gaze jumps over and Jay offers her a smile.*

Jay: See baby?

Ethan: Swelling is all but gone and your lungs are doing well with the chest tube.

Jay: You're doing so well babe.

Ethan: I think you're prepared to breathe on your own. What do you think?

*Melissa nods, a tiny, jerking movement limited by the tube. The threat of Melissa being intubated again is hanging heavily over the room.

She's managing with an oxygen mask at a hundred percent high flow but she's struggling.

Now that the swelling and fluid buildup have come down, they've been able to get a clear CT. And the results aren't promising.

There's a lot of damaged and irritated tissue in her trachea and lungs that's making it harder for them to do the job of pulling in oxygen.

Will is trying to stay positive, telling Jay that as severe as the damage is it's only partial thickness and that as it heals her lung capacity is expected to improve.

But right now, sitting here observing his girl gasping the way she is makes it hard to believe that.

And the fear that he can see in Will's eyes doesn't help either.

He may believe that there will be progress but he doesn't know how much Melissa's lungs will heal any more than he does.

Jay Will and Melissa in that moment unknown to each other are scared and terrified that while Ethan was able to save Melissa's life he might now have been able to save her future.

that scares Jay too because he knows Melissa. Jay knows that if she can't return to the job that she loves it will gut her.

He'd been so relieved when she'd woken up, when they'd gotten her off the ventilator; relieved that she appeared to be recovering.

The gleam of hope just makes the uneasiness he feels now even harder to deal with.

At least Melissa is mostly sleeping through it all. The ongoing battle just to keep breathing has tired her out enough that she primarily only wakes up when the nurses come in to clean the burns on her back.

They're still angry and red but so far it looks like they've managed to fend off infection.

The shape of the first brand, up by her right shoulder is cleanly defined and shows the outline of a motorcycle that's commonly seen in the Rider's tagging.

The other two are a lot less clear, warped by the way the skin had been torn by the pulling away of the cooling brand but still recognizable as a four and an eight.

The assholes had basically autographed their work. He tries to remind himself that Voight is taking care of it.

With Marston cooperating they've finally broken into the gang, getting the deadly drug mix off the streets.

The house of cards is coming down and last Jay heard the gang members are scurrying like rats in an attempt to escape justice.

But Voight won't let any of them get away. His job is to take care of his girl.

And right now it feels like he's doing a pretty crappy job of it. Melissa tosses and twists in the bed, eyes drifting open.*

Melissa; Jay?

*she has a very raspy voice and it's fragile and croaky as she takes his hand.*

Jay: Yeah. I'm here baby.

Melissa: Tired.*she says, blinking slowly.*

Jay: I know you are.

*he says, caressing her cheek.*

Melissa; H'rts.

*she whispers.*

Jay: your chest?

*She nods. Jay presses the call button.*

Jay: Maybe they can give you something more for it.

*Of course her chest hurt, her lungs had been badly burned. Every breath that she labors through probably induces incredible discomfort.

And while she's been given pain medication that doesn't mean that it's enough, even though he knows Will has noted that Melissa appears to burn through pain medication quicker than most.

He'd felt that Will was making something up the first time he'd informed Jay that pain medication didn't seem to work as well or last as long.

But then he'd seen it in motion himself. He saw his girlfriend writhing in pain despite a heavy dose of morphine.

And worse yet had been listening to a medical student tell him that she didn't need any more.

The only people who had that kind of tolerance were addicts and perhaps the reminder of what the medication was truly meant to be used for would benefit her in the future.

Will had swept in a few minutes later, setting a hook in the asshole so that he could finish ripping him a new one later before requesting additional medication for Melissa to increase the efficacy of the morphine.

The verbal ass-kicking he'd given the med student had become legendary at Chicago Med and for the most part, everyone knew better than to comment on Melissa's tolerance.

And for the most part, it's meant that doctors are more cautious about making sure they're adequately attending to Melissa's pain.

Jay hopes that this doctor is one who hasn't heard the story, that perhaps he's under-medicating Melissa.

if that's the case it indicates there's something they can do to ease her pain.

it's always fun to witness Will kicking ass and taking names when somebody isn't taking as good care of Melissa as they should be.

The nurse that answers him quickly agrees to fetch the doctor and it isn't too long before he's walking into the room.

Doctor: The nurse tells me you experiencing a lot of chest pain.

*he says, with a compassionate smile. Melissa nods.*

Doctor: Will mentioned that you are a little under-responsive to pain medication.

*he says, examining her chart.*

Doctor: I'm already giving you more morphine than suggested. There are a few medications that we can add that might increase its effect.

*Melissa doesn't want to respond and Jay squeezes her hand. She doesn't want stronger pain medication and he knows it.

She hates the way it makes her feel, hates being judged for requiring more when it doesn't cut it, and loathes that sometimes she gets judged for how much she's already been given when it still isn't enough.*

Doctor: I'll go put in an order for the medication. Just hang in there, Melissa.

* Melissa looks at Jay he is still holding her hand*

Doctor: I understand it doesn't feel like it but you are recovering. Your oxygen sats are coming up, albeit gradually.

*Melissa nods, offering a weak smile, and the doctor hurries from the room. Melissa is sleeping.

That much isn't new. It feels like Melissa hasn't done anything but sleep for the last week and a half. The good part is that she's finally sleeping in her own bed.

There's still an oxygen concentrator sitting in the corner, a cannula situated under her nose.

It's expected to be there for a while as her lungs continue to heal but they are recovering.

Only time will tell if she'll heal enough to resume the high-intensity job that she loves but at least now they know that she won't be confined to a hospital bed for the remainder of her life.

It's still difficult to listen to her breathe, every breath labored and sluggish but it's getting promising. Things are looking up, looking better all the time.*

Melissa; Baby, I can hear you thinking from over here.

*Melissa rasps tiredly, eyes still shut.*

Jay: Sorry baby.

*he says with a wry smile.*

Jay: I'll go think someplace else."

Melissa; and keep not sleeping?

*reaches out to Jay*

Melissa: Come here, please.

Jay: Melissa Gonzalez!

*he says cautiously.*

Melissa: Jay Halstead! * laughs weakly*

Jay: You're not cleared to be having any sexual activity. * He jokes*

Melissa; Just to sleep? * Smiling still reaching out for Jay.* we could be kissing.

Jay: WeIl maybe a kiss too!

Melissa: I miss you holding me.

Jay: I do like holding you.

Melissa: I know you haven't been sleeping well.

Jay: I can't sleep knowing you're like this baby.

Melissa: Just come lie down where you can hear that I'm still breathing and get some sleep.

Jay: you think hearing you breathe like that is gonna put my mind at ease?

*It doesn't stop Jay from walking toward the bed and then climbing up next to her holding her in his arms.*

Melissa; No better lullaby out there.* She snuggles close to Jay smiling.*

Jay: Oh yeah? * chuckles and wraps his arms around Melissa kissing her forehead.*

Melissa: Like Bella's lullaby in Twilight?

Jay: * laughs* Yes I understand.

Melissa: my breathing is Jay's Lullaby

Jay: Leave it to you to be silly. * Chuckles*

Melissa; * smiles* You like it!

Jay: I love you, baby!

*he tells her even as he gently pulls her with him while he rests his head on the pillow*

Melissa; I love you too Jay.

Jay: Can I tell you something?

Melissa: Always Always Always.

Jay: * smiles hearing her talk to him is so much better.* I am so glad you're okay.

Melissa; * Smiles* Me too.

Jay: Think I could kiss you?

Melissa: Yes baby of course you can.

* Jay cups her face and kisses her gently. Smiling at her when the kiss ends.She smiles into their kiss and gazes at Jay with tired eyes but she looks so happy looking at Jay and smiles cuddling up close to Jay in his arms.

Jay felt like he could breathe seeing Melissa the way he saw her really tore him up.

He was and still is worried about her. Jay is deep in thought while stroking his fingers through her hair and then settles himself on the pillow he is lying on. Soon enough he's off to sleep himself.

Melissa makes it out to the couch the next afternoon, watching Sex and The City on the television while Jay is in the kitchen, regulating her meds and trying to put together something for her to eat.

Jay has been discovering the lovely art of cooking. Knowing how much Melissa would rather have cooked food versus takeout.

He has called Melissa's mom and Grandmother so much for help that he is primarily calling them Mom and Ita himself.

Melissa's mom and grandmother were going to be coming over for dinner as soon as Melissa's father was in town for a quick visit and then he would leave but Melissa couldn't wait to see her mom and grandmother and her Father.

He did call Erin and Gretchen allowing them to know what had happened to Melissa and Gretchen called Melissa and talked to her every day. Erin has yet to call Melissa.

Jay grins when he notices her on her couch watching Television and then he counts himself fortunate.

Since Melissa has come home he has not left her. He has been hanging around at Melissa's place with her basically being there for her when she needs him and just keeping his mind at ease.

He wanted to take care of her every opportunity he got. He even has resorted to desk duty which he can do from home when he can't sleep.

Though it's no surprise Jay sleeps easier with Melissa in his arms, when he knows she is inhaling and exhaling and is alive and he loves her more and more each day that passes.

Melissa: Jay?

Jay: Yes gorgeous?

* He goes sprinting into the other room. *

Jay: What's up? You okay?

Melissa: I'm fine. I'm sorry, Just... Did you guys figure out who the mole was?

*Jay's breath catches. So this is it. The discussion he wanted so desperately to bypass is here.*

Jay: Yes we did. *sitting next to her*

Melissa: It was Marston, wasn't it?

*Jay knew Melissa was not really inquiring and he sighed.*

Jay: It was. Melissa, I'm sorry.

Melissa; Why did he do it?"

Jay: I am dreading to tell you why.

Melissa: Why does a guy like that, with a record like his, get mixed up with drug-dealing gang bangers?

Jay: I'm not going to lie.

*reaching over to wrap his arm around her. *

Jay: I'd rather not answer that question.

*She lets out a lengthy breath. Then she looks at Jay *

Melissa; Jay, we are past this keeping secrets stage, please tell me the truth I am a big girl I can deal with it!

Jay: He needed the additional finances to pay for his dad's cancer medications.

Melissa: I understand.

Jay: I don't want you to understand! I want you to get pissed off at him.

Melissa; Why should I? You're pissed off enough for you and me.

Jay: He started looking the other way, giving them a heads-up on things.

Melissa: I see.

Jay: they just kept asking for more and more and soon he was in too deep to say no.

Melissa; when we stole their drugs?

Jay: They told him he was going to assist them in getting their drugs back.

Melissa; So he set me up?

Jay: Unfortunately, Yes he did.

Melisa: I figured out he was a prick but I didn't know he was THE prick of all pricks!

*Melissa says, looking down.*

Jay: He says he tried to fight back.

Melissa; No he didn't he pretty much let them take me and do what they wanted to me!

Jay: He said that he argued against it, only agreed when they promised the cop they took wouldn't be hurt but..

Melissa: Please tell me you don't believe that bull shit!

Jay: I don't believe it but that is what he said.

Melissa; * Closes her eyes opens them and snuggles into Jay.* It was horrible.

Jay* Sees Melissa's reaction he feels guilty.* I should have fought harder to go with you.

Melissa; No cause then you would have gotten kidnapped yourself and put yourself in harm's way.

Jay: Rather me than you babe.

Melissa; * cries* No I can't go through you getting kidnapped again!

Jay: * comforts Melissa.* Please don't get upset babe.

Melissa; * sniffles* do you get nightmares from when you got kidnapped?

Jay: I used to not anymore.

Melissa; * cires* I do and I wish they would stop.

Jay: * sighs* I need to know what happened after the video feed got cut off.

Melissa; * looks at Jay* Nothing you don't already know.

Jay: I need you to tell me not an MD.

Melissa; All that happened when the video feed got cut off they beat me up some more and just put me through hell.

Jay: * sighs* did anything else happen?

Melissa; No they didn't rape me.

Jay: * Nods* I figured but I wanted to hear it from you.

Melissa; * cries* I am never going to be able to work again, am I?

Jay: * looks at Melissa; * Baby, you have to get stronger first.

Melissa* Cries harder* I don't believe I can.

Jay: You can what babe?

Melissa: Get stronger.

Jay: you and I have had tougher stuff happen to us and we are still here.

Melissa; I think when I was getting beat up they knocked all my spirit out of me.

Jay: * pulls Melissa to him.* I love you, I know you can get through this.

Melissa; * shakes her head no.* I enjoyed how I was before all this occurred.

Jay:* Looks at Melissa.* What changed?

Melissa: They burned my back. It makes me feel hideous.

Jay: You're not hideous in any way.

Melissa; I am sitting here trying to get stronger to come back to a job that I might not ever be able to do again! * reaches over to the nightstand and grabs her badge she kept it in eyesight to give her incentive but she didn't have it anymore and she gave her badge to Jay*

Jay:* Looks at Melissa when she hands him her badge. * What are you doing?

Melissa; Let's be realistic here I am not going to go back to work. Give this to whoever you're new partner will be.

Jay: * Inhales and exhales* I understand right now it seems like it is not going to get better but it will you have to trust the process.

Melissa; I am tired of trusting the process Mortson gets to be a cop and I might not get to!

Jay: *Internally wants to kill Mortson* I truthfully could massacre that bastard!

Melissa; * looks at Jay.* Leave that to Voight!

Jay: You're going to be okay.

Melissa;* Shakes her head no gently.* I don't think so.

Jay: * cups Melissa's face in his hands.* No matter what you'll always be my partner.

Melissa; even if I am not? * Cries*

Jay: * smiles kissing Melissa gently.* Always, Always. Always

Melissa;* smirks* You sound like someone I know.

Jay:: * smiles* Who?

Melissa; * tears fall down her face.* Me!

Jay: I think one of us needs to!

Melissa; * Cries* I miss work.

Jay: Everyone misses you!

Melissa; is there anyone in particular who misses me more?

Jay: Me!

Melissa: Tell me more about Mortson.

Jay: He was in too deep.

Melissa: he should have offered himself up.

Jay: He Couldn't tell them no without getting killed. Couldn't get out of following through without confessing to what he'd done.

Melissa; So he gave me over.

Jay: He did. I'm sorry, beautiful.

Melissa; Me too!

Jay: It sucks that you were taken, it sucks that they burned you like they did, it sucks that you were exposed to that gas, it sucks how much pain you've been in ever since. And it sucks ass that another cop willingly played a role in it.

Melissa; You know what kept me hanging on though?

Jay: What?

Melissa; You!

Jay: Me?

Melissa; I thought how would Jay handle all of this?

Jay: What did you come up with?

Melissa; I scanned the room thinking there would be a way for me to escape but no.

Jay: Yeah I would do that.

Melissa: I tried to find a way to break out of the cuffs and or break away.

Jay: Why didn't you when you got the chance?

Melissa; * Looks at Jay* They held a gun my gun specifically to my forehead when they cuffed me in that room.

Jay: * looks at Melissa;* I am so sorry.

Melissa; I want to try something.

Jay; What?

Melissa; kiss me, please.

* Jay leans in and kisses Melissa deeply and then his hands roam her body. He gently runs his fingers through her hair.

She lets out a moan and trails kisses down his neck. He lets out a moan and gently lifts her in his arms she wraps her legs around him and he takes her to the bedroom.

He gently positions her on the bed. She kneels in front of him on the bed and then gently removes Jay's shirt. Jay gently lifts Melissa's shirt and tosses it. Melissa and Jay look at each other. He stops them for a moment.*

Jay: Baby?

Melissa; Yes?

Jay: Are you sure you want to do this?

Melissa; Yes, please?

Jay: * kisses Melissa * I don't want to hurt you more than you already are hurt.

Melissa; I trust you.

Jay: Are you sure?

Melissa; * looks into Jay's eyes.* I am not made of glass, I am your partner and best friend and Girlfriend. I can handle it!

Jay: * smiles* there's my girl!

Melissa; * smiles* I have always been here.

Jay: I thought I lost my girl for a moment.

Melissa; No you didn't.

Jay: good because I'm in love with her!

Melissa; * smiles and removes Jay's pants. * You were worried about me?

Jay: You have no idea.

Melissa; * kisses Jay deeply.* I didn't mean to worry you.

Jay: Adam and I are the ones that found you and I carried you in my arms.

Melissa: * looks at Jay.* I will always come back to you!

Jay: * smiles hearing what he tells her all the time.* You can't make that kind of a guarantee.

Melissa; * smiles * Yes I can. I will ALWAYS come back to you, sometimes it might take me a little longer, but I will come back to you though.

Jay; well good because I have something planned for you.

Melissa; * smiles* You do?

Jay: * kisses Melissa* yes I do.

* Melissa without warning flips them and Jay hangs on to her and gently pushes her onto the bed removes her shorts and panties and tosses them.

She wasn't able to wear a bra due to her scars so she didn't wear one. She sat up and gently pushed Jay on the bed and gently removed his shorts.

Then she positioned herself on to him and moaned when Jay thrusts into her. He felt her scars on her back and gently pulled her with him while he sat up and he held her close to him and kissed her as they moaned.

She could feel Jay's fingers all over her back and she wanted her previous body with no scars. Jay could tell Melissa was thinking about something. He smiled and kissed her deeply.*

Jay: You okay?

Melissa; I am branded forever.

Jay: * kisses Melissa deeply.* Baby, you're still beautiful to me!

Melissa; really?

Jay: yes baby!

*Jay gently flipped them and thrust into Melissa and moaned when he felt her fingertips go up and down his back and side of his body.

He missed her touch Jay moaned when he felt Melissa wrap her legs around his body. They missed this being together like this having nothing else matter.

Soon they both came undone and Jay pulled her with him and she lay resting her chin on his chest looking at him and then he gently ran his fingers through her hair and then up and down her back. She looked at him.*

Melissa; my scars don't bother you?

Jay: Baby, No they don't I love you all of you no matter what.

Melissa; * smiles* I love you too!

Jay; How are you feeling?

Melissa; It's good I can inhale and exhale.

Jay: Strong enough for another round?

Melissa; I should be fine I just need a little more time to recharge.

Jay: * smiles* I figured. I missed being with you like this.

Melissa; I missed this too!

Jay: This question is completely off topic but did Erin call you?

Melissa; * shakes her head no.* No she hasn't why?

Jay: * groans in annoyance.* I called her when you were in the hospital and she claimed she was going to come out to see you.

Melissa; * smiled* Really?

Jay: Yeah but she never came out and then I told her to please call you and I told her she needs to make the effort to come see you or at least call you.

Melissa; No she is busy.

Jay: * looks at Melissa.* Stop finding excuses for her.

Melissa: you're right.

Jay: Look at Gretchen she is still coming out here and you Mouse and I are having a fun night together.

Melissa: I don't think Erin will ever come back.

Jay: Why stay friends with someone who doesn't make the effort?

Melisa: You have a point.

Jay: She just was never really a good friend to you after she left.

* Melissa looks at Jay and realizes they are still skin-to-skin. She smiles and kisses him deeply.*

Melissa; I think I am ready for round two if you're ready.

Jay: * Smiles into their kiss*I am ready.

* Melissa and Jay kiss and she climbs on top of Jay positions herself lowers herself and lets out a moan.

Jay rests his hands on her hips and thrusts into her they both are moving as one and Jay is looking into Melissa's eyes she looks into his gorgeous green eyes. Locking their gaze on each other.

Jay pulls Melissa to him gently and wraps his arms around her kissing her. Then his hands get tangled in her hair. He and her are close to each other and Jay runs his hands up and down her back gently.

She looked into his eyes when he did that and she wanted to hide but Jay kissed her and soon they became undone Jay smiled and sat up against the headboard and Melissa straddled him he looked at her. *

Melissa: What?

Jay: I am just looking at my girl is all * smiles*

Melissa:* smiles* I'll always be your girl.

Jay: * smiles* I love you.

Melissa: I love you too!

* Melissa and Jay fall asleep and over the course of six weeks or so Melissa was able to fully breathe on her own and go back to work Will wanted her to gradually work up to what she used to do before.

She didn't care she was able to go back to work. Jay let Trudy know and she smiled letting everyone know. Kim made a banner welcoming her back.

Hank had the bullpen decorated to welcome her back. Jay was happy to go to work with her. She wanted to go with Jay so they went together in his truck.

he pulled into his spot and got out of the truck grabbing his stuff Melissa got out of the truck grabbed her stuff and then headed inside hand in hand with Jay.

She walked in and looked at Trudy and saw the sign above her head welcoming her back. Melissa was touched and broke a huge rule never ever go behind the desk but she had to hug Trudy.

She and Trudy had a different relationship it was more like Trudy was her mom at work. Trudy smiled when Melissa hugged her. Then to stop herself from crying she got sarcastic with her. *

Trudy; Welcome back Slacker!

Melissa: Thanks sarge! * looks at everyone and Kim and Sean and everyone come to hug her.* Thanks everyone I really appreciate it.

Trudy: upstairs is a holy mess!

Jay: * smiles* Yeah it is awful up there we are redecorating.

Melissa; * laughs* I don't care I get to come back to work!

* Melissa scans in and then walks upstairs Jay scans in and walks behind her. Once she reached the top of the stairs she looked around and noticed it was decorated welcoming her back.

She turned and looked at Jay and she hugged him. Soon Adam and Kevin and Al and Mouse and Antonio and Hank all come over to greet her with a big hug. *

Adam: Guess who's back?

Kevin: Back again? Welcome back Boo Boo Bear.

Mouse: Welcome back Melly Bean!

Al: Welcome back kiddo.

Hank: We have our girl back. * Smiles*

* She smiled her desk was decorated and she saw a box on her desk it was not huge but it wasn't small.

She looked so confused. She turned and looked at everyone and put her stuff down.*

Melissa; There is a box on my desk.

Hank;* Smiles* Yes

Al: Jay should tell you more about it.

Melissa; Guys what the hell is going on?

Antonio: Just trust us, Chica!

Mouse: Melly Bean let Jay tell you what's up.

Melissa: * smiles* what is up?

Jay: * clears his throat and smiles looking at Melissa.* All the years I have known you, you have always been there for me.

Melissa; Well yeah! * smiles*

Adam: Melly shhhhh!

Jay: * smiles* I have worked with you for five years up here half of the fifth year you were my partner.

Melissa; * smiles looking at Jay.* It was the best day of my life when I became your partner.

Jay: You are more than just my partner and my best friend. You're my everything.

Melissa; * Smiles* Aww Jay.

Jay: * smiles* I wanted to ask you a very important question since I don't have a partner.

Melissa; I thought Mouse was your partner.

Mouse: I am supposed to ride along with Jay and his new partner.

Melissa; * looks at Mouse and Jay confused.* Who is your new partner?

Jay: * smiles and nods* she is a damn good cop and she has such a good and big heart. She is funny and sarcastic and headstrong and calls me out on my bull shit and everyone else's up here.

Melissa; * laughs and plays along* Do I know this new partner?

Jay: * smiles* I am sure you do. She is not only my best friend and my partner she is my girlfriend and I missed my partner.

Melissa; * inhales and smiles.* aww

Jay;* Smiles and walks to Melissa and reaches behind her for the box, he gets down on one knee in front of everyone and looks up at her smiling.* It's not what you think it is so calm down!

Melissa; * Eyes go wide, she sees Jay get down on one knee in front of everyone and raises an eyebrow.* Okay!

Jay: You gave me your badge and told me to give it to my new partner.

Melissa; * smiles* Yes did cause I was upset.

Jay: * opens the box with a big smile Melissa's badge is in the box and he looks at her.* Will you be my partner again?

Melissa; * smiles when she sees her badge in the box then she smiles even more.* Yes!

* Everyone cheers. Jay gives Melissa her badge and then she places it on her pants on her hip. She pulls Jay in for a hug.*

Jay: Surprise! * smiles hugging Melissa.*

Melissa; I love it! * smiles hugging Jay.*

Hank: Damn, What a way to ask for your partner!

Antonio; If they are together long enough the proposal better be over the top!

Al: Come on man if?

Mouse: They are going to be together.

Adam: Melly Jesus girl it's been hell without you!

Melissa; No one to stop you from being a deviant?

Adam; Ask the boys I have changed my ways.

Mouse; Yeah it is true.

Antonio: Do we get a welcome-back speech?

Melissa; * Laughs and inhales looking at everyone.* Honestly thank you, I am so happy and thankful and fortunate to be working with you all. I can't thank you all enough for what you all did and have done for me. While I was hurt and out.

Al; Kiddo, we missed the hell out of you.

Melissa; I missed you all too! * looks at Jay* ask Jay if you don't believe me.

Atonio: That was always the first thing he would tell us is Melissa needs to get better she misses everyone.

Hank: So any limitations?

Melissa; Doctor Halstead says I need to start slow. However, my partner/ Boyfriend Detective Halstead says Fuck it and do what I want.

Al: * Smiles* Good advaice.

Kevin: so what is the ruling?

Melissa; * Looks serious at everyone.* I dunno guys I think I should listen to Doctor Halstead!

Jay: * looks at Melissa.* Wrong answer! Absolutely wrong answer!

Melissa; * burts out laughing* Halstead please Second choice is more my style.

Al: Then you gotta say it!

Melissa; Fuck it I am gonna do what I want!

Antonio: I was worried that our girl was lost.

Jay: She was for a bit but she is back.

Melissa; So what is the case?

Hank: well we will need you Jay and Mouse to work on the gathering information side of it.

Melissa: * nods* sounds good to me.

Al: try not to have too much fun.

Melissa; * nods* oh yeah so tedious!

Hank: we will text you the facts in the meantime make sure you are all caught up on your paperwork.

* Mouse and Jay and Melissa hang out in the bullpen. They laugh and talk and Melissa is counting down when she can go on her double date tonight with Jay Mouse and Gretchen.

She had Kim help her pick out an outfit without Jay knowing it was hard facetiming Kim while Jay was away from her and she was in her closet. She made it work though.

She is truly excited to have her best friend with her. Jay smiled at Melissa and then he and Mouse talked to her.*

Jay: Did you like your surprise?

Melissa; I love it.

Mouse; I liked how he asked you to be his partner again.

Melissa; I seriously thought you were proposing.

Jay: * Looks at Mouse* Trust me if you were gonna get proposed to you would know the second it happens.

Melissa; * Looks at her computer typing up her paperwork that she missed.* we got a long while before that happens.

Jay: * smiles* Yes babe, we do have a long while before that happens.

* Melissa's phone is going off and she looks and sees her dad is calling her. She smiles and heads to the coffee room.*

Melissa; It's my dad! I shall return.

* Melissa dashes off to the coffee room and Jay and Mouse talk while she is on the phone. *

Mouse: Why did you agree when she said there is a long while before that happens?

Jay: I don't want her to suspect a thing.

Mouse; Does Gretchen know?

Jay: It was hard but I had to call Gretchen from my phone and plan that way.

Mouse; You really wanna propose to her on New Year's Day?

Jay: It's her birthday and I want it to be special.

Mouse; You are already making it a special birthday.

Jay: Yeah but I want to ask her to marry me at midnight.

Mouse; Hear me out, bro.

Jay: What's up?

Mouse; don't you think it is too soon?

Jay: Nope and her dad didn't think so either nor did her mom or grandmother.

Mouse: Woah you called them and asked?

Jay: Why do you think Melissa's dad is on the phone with her now?

Mouse Did you ask Hank's permission?

Jay: That one is tricky cause she is always around me.

Mouse: You can ask Hank when he comes back I will distract her.

Jay: Thanks Hank is the only one I need to ask.

Mouse; You asked Trudy?

Jay: Yes and she was so happy.

Mouse: Did You ask Al?

Jay: No I am going to ask both of them together.

Mouse: Listen to her * smiles*

Jay: That is my girl happy finding out her dad is coming home and staying home.

Mouse; how did you do that?

Jay: I told him he needs to spend time with the man who plans on marrying his daughter.

Mouse; wow!

Jay: I said of course I want his blessing along with her mom and grandmas.

Mouse; Awww listen to her.

Jay: Yup I did that.

* Melissa leaves the bullpen to answer the phone call in the coffee room and smiles when she is talking to her father.*

Melissa: Hi Daddy!

Angel: Hi Princesa!

Melissa; How are you?

Angel: I am wonderful.

Melissa; You sound so happy, Daddy!

Angel: I am, You have a very nice boyfriend!

Melissa; Jay called you?

Angel: Yes we talked for hours and hours.

Melissa; Trading war stories.

Angel: No mia, we talked about you!

Melissa; ME?

Angel: He said I needed to be home more.

Melissa: Really Daddy?

Angel: yes Mia, he also said I need to spend time with the man who is in love with his daughter.

Melissa; Awww, Jay!

Angel: I will be home for the holidays and even after.

Melissa; for how long this time?

Angel: I am staying home mia!

Melissa; * gets excited * OH MY GOD DADDY!

Angel: Yes, I come home next month in time for Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then-

Melissa; MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Angel: Yes Mia * smiles hearing how excited Melissa is.*

Melissa; I can't believe Jay did that!

Angel: He told me about the rough patch you two have been having separately and together.

Melissa; Oh he told you?

Angel: He called me when you were in the hospital.

Melissa; papa I am sorry I told him not to.

Angel: He called your mother after telling me and told your mom and grandmother what happened.

Melissa; Really?

Angel: He said it would have been great if I could come home but I should think about staying home long after the holidays.

Melissa; * smiles* really?

Angel: Why didn't you tell me you get so upset when I extend my tours?

Melissa; Daddy, Have you tried to talk to yourself when you are going through a PTSD cycle?

Angel: I am sorry I made it really difficult!

Melissa; Yeah I helped Jay through his major PTSD cycle.*

Angel: Told me you told him you wanted to have changed behavior and promises kept.

Melissa; I have been hearing him tell me he would get his PTSD better managed since I met him.

Angel: He said it was different this time.

Melissa; It was daddy, it was.

Angel: I heard how brave and strong you were.

Melissa; Yeah, I was scared though.

Angel: Of course, you were kidnapped, you didn't know if your team would find you dead or alive.

Melissa; I was hoping alive, Jay said my lips were blue and my face was pale when they found me.

Angel: he said your breathing is what scared him the most.

Melissa; Yeah it was painful to breathe for the longest time. It still Kind of is.

Angel: You're back at work?

Melissa; Yes but I am helping Jay and Mouse out on the technical and research side of the case.

Angel: You were always good about being detailed.

Melissa; Every single detail counts Daddy.

Angel: I will be home soon mi princesa!

Melissa: I miss you so much daddy!

Angel: I miss you too!

Melissa; I love you!

Angel: I love you too! Tell Jay I said hi and thank you!

Melissa; * giggles* I will I promise!

* She smiles and hangs up the phone opens the door to the coffee room and sees Jay.

Melissa walks up to Jay smiles looks at Mouse apologizes gives Jay the biggest and longest passionate kiss.

Melissa lets the kiss linger a while and gently pulls away talking to him with the biggest smile on her face.*

Melissa: Thank YOU!

Jay: * clears his throat and grins looking at Melissa.* For what baby?

Melissa; For talking to my father!

Jay:* Smiles* oh that was no-

Melissa; No you did the thing no guy has ever been able to do!

Jay: * Looks at Melissa* Huh?

Melissa; You got my dad to come home and stay home and actually keep true to his word!

Jay: * Smiles* I told you I would do anything for you!

Melissa; * kisses Jay's cheek and whispers in his ear.* I will have to thank you properly later.

Jay: * his breath hitches and he clears his throat.* Anything you want babe!

Melissa; * kisses Jay and sits at her desk.* So what's up?

Mouse: * smiles watching Melissa and Jay* Damn Get a room you two! * he jokes*

Jay: * smiles * Ummm, what's up is Mouse says this case-

Melissa; I know you two were NOT talking about the case while I was gone.

Mouse: It's cause we weren't.

Melissa; What were you two talking about?

Jay: we were talking about us guys planning to take you and Gretchen out.

Mouse: We have plans for you two!

Melissa; * smiles* You two are sweet.

Mouse; is Gretchen looking forward to it?

Melissa; Mouse The girl made a countdown timer!

Mouse; WHAT?

Melissa; She makes countdown timers when she is super stoked about things!

Jay: Damn! Where is my countdown timer?

Melissa; Baby I can't keep up with all the countdown timers I would need!

Jay: * smiles* really?

Melissa; I just keep staring at the clock and get happier when it's later than I last looked at it!

Mouse; She has been staring at her watch a lot!

Jay: Awww so adorable!

Melissa: * shoots a text to Jay- You are in for it later.* Yeah I want the day to hurry up and finish!

Mouse; Now that I have been out there in the action.

Melissa; Yeah?

Mouse: I am going to take the detective exam!

Melissa; I helped you study I know you'll pass.

Jay: * reads Melissa's text and smiles- oh really?* Really Man? That is incredible!

Mouse; Yeah but There is a -

Melissa; * Reads Jay's response- You don't even know what I am talking about. :)*If you talk to Hank and or Trudy they can help clear your record!

Mouse; Really?

Melissa; Nothing should stop you from wanting to achieve your dreams. That is the last time I sound like a freaking fortune cookie!

Jay: * Reads the text from Melissa - I am sure I will find out. ;)* Hey she didn't say the f-word. * Smiles*

Mouse: She said Freaking!

Melissa; Guys I don't swear that much!

Jay: Babe, You do!

Mouse: You really do!

Melissa;* reads Jay's text - Later it's on.* Look I didn't swear that time I said freaking instead of saying fucking! *sighs* I walked right into that one!

Jay: * Reads Melissa's Text- Whatever you want babe.*Yup, You opened the door walked in, and made yourself comfortable.

Mouse; then went to the kitchen and made a sandwich and grabbed a beer.

Jay: Then sit down on the couch opened the beer and ate your sandwich.

Mouse; all while watching the Hawks game.

Jay: Where more swearing will happen?

Melissa; * laughs* You two are so ridciulous!

Mouse: Speaking of would it be ridiculous to want to ask you if am I really invited to come to your family's house in South Bend for the holidays?

Melissa; No, Yes Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Jay: Speaking of New Year's Eve and Day, Have you thought about what you want to do?

Melissa; * Smiles* no I never do!

Jay: Good cause let me plan it!

Melissa; you want to plan New Year's Eve and Day?

Jay: Yes, you trust me don't you?

Melissa: Yes

Jay: I mean wouldn't it be really cool if we were to rent a boat and take a boat ride?

Melissa; * Smiles* Who told you I wanted to do that?

Jay: Don't kill the person, please?

Melissa; WHO?

Jay: I need to know you won't kill them.

Melissa: Detective I need a name!

Jay: I will give you what you want just give me what I want!

Melissa; * laughs* I thought I already did!

Mouse; * laughs* Damn!

Jay: * laughs* do you trust me, babe? I just need confirmation you won't kill the person.

Melissa; What are they under your permanent protection?

Jay: Yes!

Melissa; You have my word.

Jay: Erin, She told me this like when she and I were dating.

Melissa; What?

Jay: She said she wanted to throw a cool New Year's Eve party and then just celebrate your birthday when midnight hits!

Melissa; I told her if a guy ever wanted to do that for me I would not say no!

Jay; I have my answer then.

Melissa; I do spend New Year's Eve night with my family too.

Jay: I never said they couldn't come.

Melissa; What is it that you want?

Jay: I want to celebrate my girl and the end of a year that was so up and down and uncertain on a positive note.

Melissa; You know who you sound like?

Jay & Mouse: Melissa Gonzalez

Melissa; * rolls her eyes* I guess Gretchen and possibly Erin will have to go dress shopping while they are here.

Jay: Why?

Melissa; cause my boyfriend is taking a boat ride on New Year's Eve with our friends and family I have to look hot!

Jay; There are also fireworks.

Melissa; Navy Pier is known for that!

Mouse; New York gets the ball drop.

Melissa; Chicago gets Navy Pier fireworks at midnight!

Jay: Then we can go to the Sabel Hotel when the boat docks.

Melissa; * looks at Jay* what are you planning?

Jay: do you trust me?

Melissa: with my life.

Jay: Then don't worry.

Melissa; I am not worried.

*Everyone comes back and Melissa Jay and Mouse are laughing and still at their computers.

Melissa had a stack of papers and information. Jay had found possible leads and Mouse made sure old evidence was turned in and burner phones cleared out.

When everyone comes back they are all at their desks and then soon they all happen to look up when they see Trudy come up and bring Dan Jenkins with her. Everyone groaned and Trudy gave everyone a look.*

Trudy: Everyone, Give a warm welcome to mister Dan Jenkins, He is here to school us the fine art of taser certification.

* Everyone gathered around the foam mat they had to use for tazer training. Melissa leaned on Jay and he had his arm around her.

Mouse was standing on the other side of Melissa and Adam was behind Melissa with Kevin talking and acting silly. Melissa turned around and glared at Adam.*

Adam: it is not just me!

Melissa: JUST ZIP IT ADAM!

* Everyone looks at Melissa.*

Melissa; Sorry Dan, Didn't mean to be rude it's just I can't hear your beautiful words of the fine art of Taser Certification with Adam begging to go first!

Dan: Wow Adam, Nice to see you eager to learn. Unlike last time I was here.

Adam: * laughs* I am gonna get you back Melly!

Jay: * smiles* It's okay I will get her!

Melissa; * Looks at Jay * Babe!

Jay: * Smiles * I am kidding!

* Adam walks up to the front and stands on the foam mat and Dan explained where you could taser a person.*

Dan: You want to make sure you make contact with the torso. Who can tell me where can you taser someone?

Melissa: * raises her hand first and Dan looks at her and she clears her throat.* Shoulders, Pelvis, Abdomen, and Groin. Which is S.P.A.G.* She pointed to the spots on Jay's body.

Jay: * laughs* do not get any ideas!

Melissa; I will not get you there!

Adam; Alright let's get this done 'cause I want Melly to come up here and - GAH!

* Adam was rushing Dan again just like last time and Dan's impatience is thin like Trudy Platt's. So Dan presses the Taser onto Adam's abdomen causing him to scream and collapse.

Melissa and Jay along with everyone started laughing and Melissa had her phone out she recorded a video of Adam getting tasered.*

Melissa; I GOT IT ON VIDEO!

Jay: I want you to send it to me, please.

Dan: YOU two are next!

Melissa; *looks at Dan.* Me?

Jay: * looks at Dan* Who me?

Dan: Both of you get up here now!

* Melissa and Jay walk up there. Dan hands Melissa the taser and then Melissa looks at Jay and teases.*

Melissa: * holds the taser in her hand speaking in a seductive yet teasing tone.* Where do you want it? S.P.A.or G?

Jay: Please do NOT do G.

Everyone: DO G MELLY!

Melissa; * looks at Jay and smiles* Just close your eyes and it can be a surprise!

Jay: * shakes his head no.* ANYTHING BUT G!

Melissa: It's gonna be G if you don't close your damn eyes!

Everyone; DAMN!

Jay: * laughs he missed his sexy sassy girlfriend. He closes his eyes.* Melissa! What did I SAY?

Melissa; * Before Jay closes his eyes she fakes going for the groin but then last minute tases his lower abdomen.* You said ANYTHING BUT G!

Jay: * Jay groans loudly and collapses forward grabbing onto Melissa's waist for support.* You're next wipe that smile off your face before I tase your reason to smile away!

Melissa; * Looks at Jay Helps him stand up and rolls her eyes. She shrieks when Jay lifts her and then places her on the mat* JAY!

Jay: * smiles* what is it going to be for you hun? S. P. A or G? * Jay looks Melissa up and down holding the taser.*

Melissa;* Looks into Jay's eyes and replies back sassy.* You know what? ... YOU decide.

Jay: * looks at Melissa and laughs* you want me to choose?

Melissa; Come on Jay don't be a chicken shit and just tase me- GAH JESUS!

* Jay pressed the taser to her lower abdomen ignoring her shoulders since they may be more sensitive from her branding marks.

She twitched and he caught her she groaned in pain a little. People were disappointed in Jay and Melissa for not going for G.

Everyone one by one was certified and then Dan left and Trudy walked out with him.

Al didn't come back with the group and Melissa wondered why. She looked at Hank.*

Melissa; Hey sarge, Why didn't Al come back with you all?

Hank: Something popped off and we needed someone to go undercover.

Melissa; Is he going to be okay?

Hank: Yes don't worry about it.

Melissa; Where is he going undercover at?

Hank; Prison.

Melissa; For what?

Hank; We are taking care of a problem with your kidnapping.

Melissa; What do you mean Marston?

Hank: No I am going to let prison take care of him.

Melissa; Sarge, What are you talking about?

Hank: Kiddo the less you know the better.

*Hank Looks at Jay and Mouse and Kevin and Adam and Antonio. Hank went downstairs and then Melissa spoke freely to everyone.*

Melissa: Al is undercover in prison?

Antonio: Yes it pertains to your kidnappers and Marston.

Jay: Shouldn't someone be with him?

Kevin: Sean is gonna be joining him.

Melissa; One or four of us should be prison guards.

Jay: Melissa don't get worked up.

Adam: Melly, this was planned while you were in the hospital.

Melissa; How come none of you told me?

Kevin: Boo Boo Bear we didn't want to worry you.

Jay: I am sorry baby we should have told you.

Melissa; You should have told me.

* Melissa grabs her jacket and phone and looks at everyone. *

Melissa; Let's go talk to Al.

Mouse; Aren't you going to be identified?

Melissa; I am gonna fake bail his ass out!

Jay: Melissa you are going to get hurt.

Mouse; Jay, Let's just do what she says.

Jay: we could get Al made.

Antonio; I feel bad we didn't tell her.

Kevin: She will forgive us.

Jay: It's gonna be a while.

* Melissa comes back upstairs.*

Melissa; GUYS! Let's gear up and go NOW!

Kevin: Okay

Antonio; We're coming!

Jay: Babe, were coming.

* The guys follow Melissa and she gets vested up and it feels weird to her that the last time she got vested up she got kidnapped.

Jay was fixing the vest for her and noticed she tensed up. she was making sure her guns were loaded. she put her hair in a ponytail and then she turned to look at Jay. *

Jay: You okay?

Melissa; I am a little worried.

Jay: Why?

Melissa; Last time I put a vest on I got kidnapped.

Kevin: Don't worry that is not going to happen.

Mouse; * is done getting vested up and makes sure he is ready to go.* We will make sure that it doesn't happen.

* Hank comes downstairs and sees everyone wrapped up and geared up. He looked at everyone and shook his head. *

Melissa; Sarge, Please don't yell at them it was all me.

Hank; I don't want you getting hurt Melissa.

Melissa; * Inhales* I feel if we don't at least do this something is going to happen to Al.

Kevin: We can't stop her when she is on a mission like this sarge.

Hank* smiles at Melissa* Okay, I want you to not go in unless we absolutely have to.

Melissa; I was thinking we fake bail Al out.

Antoino; Why?

Melissa; He is a detective he could get made like that you know how many enemies there are in the prison of a cop?

Atonio; Why the hell did he consent to this?

Hank: He didn't want any of you possibly getting hurt.

Jay: I would have done it.

Hank: no your buddies who had the bounty on you remember them?

Melissa: They are in there.

Adam: what about me and Kevin?

Hank; No your buddies that you were paling around with while undercover will see you.

Melissa; What about Me or Mouse?

Hank; You and Mouse?

Melissa; Yes!

Jay: I am going undercover too!

Hank: let me call the prison to make sure you all are truly gonna be safeguarded.

Melissa; Get Sean and Kim to help.

Hank: I rather Kim go undercover.

Melissa; Please! I need to do this for Al.

Hank: You are never going to let this go are you?

Melissa; Jay and Mouse will be with me.

Hank: Sean and Kim are prison guards.

* Melissa Jay and Mouse gear up and then head in the truck. On the way to prison, they are all quiet.

Jay didn't know why Melissa felt she needed to go undercover. Mouse was worried someone would recognize melissa from the recent kidnapping. Jay broke the silence.*

Jay: I really don't want you to do this!

Melissa: Jay, I need to do this!

Jay: You do know Marston and all the bangers he rolled with are going to be in there?

Melissa; * looks at Jay.* I have to do this!

Jay: Please help me understand why you need to do this.

Melissa; I need to do this because Al would do anything for any of us someone needs to protect him at least.

Jay: * looks at Melissa.* I know babe, This is like a suicide mission.

Mouse; Jay, We are going with her.

Melissa; It will be fine.

Jay: is there any other justification behind this?

Melissa; I want to talk to Martson.

Jay: What?

Melissa; I need to talk to him.

Jay: He is going to rot who the hell cares?

Melissa; I don't care I need to get closure.

Jay; From what?

Mouse; Jay, please hear her out.

Melissa; * inhales and exhales.* I am repeatedly reminded of my kidnapping all the time when I don't want to be reminded of it. If I talk to Martson it will go away!

Jay:* Inhales and sighs.* I know what you mean.

Melissa; * Sniffles.* I know you think I am crazy but I need to do this, Jay, this is Al.

Jay: * nods as he replies* I am already regretting what I am going to say but okay.

Melissa; I promise it won't be a regret at all.

Jay: * sighs* My worry level has gone up by a thousand.

Melissa: Stop it you sound like me.

Jay: Someone should.

* They park and then Hank and everyone else arrive after them they all get out of the cars and then They talk before going inside. *

Hank; This is how it is going down I want this to go this way and this way only. * Looks at Halstead and Gonzalez*

Melissa; I promise I won't disobey orders.

Jay: Same here!

Hank; Melissa is going to fake bail Al out. Mouse you are going to make sure he gets a wire.

Antonio: Jay you are going to be on looking making sure while that is going on that no one can recognize you all.

Kevin: I will be entering from another part.

Adam: I Am going to be entering from the opposite end that Kevin is coming through.

Hank: I will be asking for Martson.

Melissa; Sarge, Can I talk to him?

Hank: for what?

Melissa; I need to do this.

Hank; Alright you are being safeguarded by me and Jay and everyone I don't want you to get recognized.

Melissa; I have enemies in there?

Hank:  people you arrested when working the beat and since joining Intelligence can get you made easily.

* Melissa follows Hank inside with everyone. Hank says they all want to talk to Martson. The guard leads them to Martson.

Melissa stays by Jay till Martson comes out and they hide her. Marston has his wrists and ankles cuffed. He sits down and the guards leave him alone with the team. *

Marston: What do you all want?

Jay: Someone wants to talk to you.

Marston; Who?

Melissa;* Comes out through between Jay and Hank.* ME!

Marston; * eyes go wide.* You are...

Melissa;* nods*  I am all better and I have my job back.

Marston: I never meant for you to get hurt-

Melissa; * smiles when she sees Marston has a black eye. * Someone made you their bitch in here already?

Martson: Your partner gave it to me.

Melissa; * Smiles and turns to look at Jay.* Nice but his face is missing something.

Hank; Melissa do what you have to do we got your back.

Martson: You just got your badge back you don't want to lose it.

Melissa; * Pushes her chair gets up and walks next to Martson.* You know, I really came here wanting to just talk to you.

Marston: about what?

Melissa: to tell you how I feel but you don't want to hear it.

Marston; Melissa I swear I had no inkling as to what was going to happen to you.

Melissa; You know as a cop working the beat all the way up to now working in intelligence.

Marston: you have a nice career going for you!

Melissa: Shut the hell up let me talk!

Jay: tell him, babe!

Marston: * nods*

Melissa: You know how many times I have heard " I didn't know that would happen" and every variation of the phrase?

Martson: * eyes go wide. watching Melissa.* I dunno how many.

Melissa; * inhales and walks behind Martson.* Too many times and everyone who has said that was telling me bull shit! * grabs Martson's head and smacks it on the table hard.*

Hank; that's our girl!

Martson;* groans in discomfort.* I am sorry!

Melissa; * pulls Martson's head back and then walks to the other side of him.* You know now that I look at you your face isn't perfect yet.

Martson: What do you mean?

Melissa; * Punches Martson in the eye that Jay didn't punch and walks back to her team.* I got my badge and will keep it you won't get your job back ever cause you're a scumbag dirty cop!

Jay: Nice Very nice! * smiles*

Martson; I am going to tell on you!

Melissa: I want you to know while you're sitting here thinking.

Marston: Stop it! * blindsided by Melissa smacking his head to the table*

Melissa: * smacks Marston's head into the table* What they did to me was hell!

Marston: * eyes wide in terror* I'm sorry- Ow!

Melissa: * makes Martson look her in the face as she talks* they branded me you son of a Bitch!

Marston: * closes his eyes.* I'm sorry González!

Melissa: * bitch slaps Martson* It's Detective González to you!

Martson: You got healed nicely*

Melissa: * cracks her knuckles* I was out of work for a long ass time! It is still semi-hard for me to breathe!

Martson: I wish I could take it all back!

Melissa: think about that while you rot! * breaks Martson's nose*

Martson: * cries* I'm gonna get your badge taken away!

Melissa; * Laughs* here I'll get the guard for you!

Hank;* Yells* GUARD!

Guard; Jesus Christ what happened?

Martson;* points to Melissa * that detective right there beat me up.

Melissa; * plays the inncoent victim.* I came out here to try to make a deal and he touched me against my will it's self-defense I have witnesses!

Guard; * looks at Marston* What did I say next wrong move and you get a longer sentence and no trial to see if you can get out early.

Martson; * glares at Melissa* She did it to me!

Guard: We have him under protection still.

Melissa; * glares at Martson.* I was told the order of protection on him is to be terminated.

Guard: after what he just pulled he is not leaving. You need assistance?

Melissa; * smiles* No thank you I am okay we have other prisoners to visit.

Guard: Thanks, Hey aren't you the detective that got kidnapped?

Melissa; Yes I am no thanks to Martson!

Guard: * looks at Martson* you don't need protection now.

* Martson was mortified as he was being taken away. The team turns around and walks out.

Melissa smiles they head back to the front and then talk to the guard and the guard is about to tell them they get to see Al.

However, it didn't go as planned the way it should the guard tells them no one is allowed to see Al. They looked at each other confused.

No matter how hard they tried they couldn't see Al so Hank said it was late and that they will try again bright and early in the morning.

They all hop in the cars and head back to the district and then pull in and unvest and place their gear away.

Then the team goes upstairs and grabs their stuff and then Mouse Jay and Melissa head out Trudy runs from behind the desk and then pulls Melissa in a hug without warning. *

Trudy: I am so proud of you!

Melissa; Thanks Sarge what did I do?

Trudy: You became a top bitch!

Melissa; I did?

Trudy: Anyone who has the guts to confront the asshole that got them kidnapped and knocking on death's door is top bitch material.

Melissa; * smiles* thanks!

* Melissa Jay and Mouse walk out of the district Mouse and Melissa hug and then Jay and Mouse hug and Melissa and Jay head to his tuck and then Mouse heads to his.

Jay and Melissa talk on the way home Jay has been staying at Melissa's place so he was heading to her place with her.*

Jay: * smiles* I am proud of you!

Melissa;* Smiles* yeah?

Jay: oh yeah.

Melissa; How proud of me are you?

Jay: I have to show you when we get to your place.

Melissa; I have something to show you too.

Jay: * raises and eyebrow* Oh yes?

Melissa; mhm.

Jay: I need a clue.

Melissa; Well it's gonna be something that I wear that you'll have to take off.

Jay: * looks at Melissa at a red light* DAMN we need to get to your place now.

Melissa; One more light and we're there babe.

Jay; Not to get off topic but speaking of .... do you eventually want to live with me?

Melissa; yes I do.

Jay: I know You are having Gretchen come and live with you till she figures stuff out but after that?

Melissa; I wouldn't mind living with you!

Jay: We basically have.

Melissa; You have been with me the whole time since I have been home from the hospital.

Jay: I want to take care of you.

Melissa;* reaches for Jay's hand* Baby, we can't prevent harm coming yours or my way.

Jay: I should tell you when we get home* Smiles* How I really feel.

Melissa; * smiles leans over at a red light and kisses Jay.* You heard me out when I was worried about you. I will hear you out.

Jay: Smiles at their kiss.* I love you and thank god we're here.

* Jay and Melissa get out of his truck grab their stuff and head into her place. She opens the door and they both come into her place.

then she locks the door and then they head to her room and put their stuff down. Jay stops her from leaving her room.*

Jay: You had something to show me?

Melissa: * laughs* sit on the bed and wait for me.

* Jay sits on the bed and watches Melissa go into her closet she changes into a very lacey bra and panty set black lace purple bows walks out of her closet and Jay's reaction is what she was going for. He looked at her and bit his lip. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. *

Melissa;* walks closer to Jay as she talks to Jay.* So what do you think?

Jay: * clears his throat and looks at Melissa with a huge grin on his face.* I think Purple is my new favorite color.

Melissa: so green is no longer your favorite.

Jay: Not when you have black lace and purple bows. * reaches for Melissa.*

Melissa; * Bites her lip.She smiles when Jay is reaching for her and she closes the space between them and smiles kissing Jay deeply as she straddles him.* I am so glad you like it.

Jay: No baby I love it.

* Melissa gently lifts Jay's shirt off and tosses it. Jay smiles running his hands all over Melissa's body.

Kissing Jay gently grabs Melissa and pins her to the bed. She undoes his belt and tosses it on the floor.

Jay gently pulls Melissa with him and gently unhooks her bra and gently removes it and tosses it on the floor. Melissa unbuttons his jeans and then unzips them and then pulls them down.

Jay gently pushes Melissa back on the bed and then he removes his boxers tossing them aside and then gently pulls down her panties and tosses them on the floor.

Melissa and Jay kiss deeply moaning into their kiss and then Jay positions himself to enter Melissa and then he thrusts into her and they both moan moving in time with each other.

Jay gently flips them so Melissa is on top and she moans feeling Jay's hands on her body ignoring that he is running his fingers up and down her back.

he hugs her close and sits up as he takes one of her nipples in his mouth and gently pulls and does the same thing to the other.

wrapping her arms around him and moaning even louder she can feel she is going to come undone soon.

Jay and Melissa both moan as they come undone and ride out their orgasm then gradually stop.

Melissa gently climbs off Jay and lays next to him he smiles at her while she is lying on his chest wrapped in the sheets with her.

She smiles as she traces her finger on Jay's chest as they talk she is content feeling Jay's fingers run through her hair. *

Jay; Damn!

Melissa; Yes I agree.

Jay: I was already ready to just have my way with you.

Melissa; really?

Jay: first that amazing kiss you gave me without warning.

Melissa; I had to thank you, baby!

Jay: * Smiles kissing melissa.* You're welcome. Then when you punched Martson.* he smiles and kisses Melissa.* Yeah I am ready to go again.

Melissa; * laughs kissing Jay.* baby!

Jay: * grabs Melissa and kisses her and then positions himself on top of her and slowly enters her and responds.* Yes?

Melissa; * grips on to Jay when he positions himself on top of her and enters her slowly.* Fuck!

Jay: * smiles and keeps the slow pace and responds with a chuckle.* what is it, baby?

Melissa; * wraps her legs around Jay and keeps up with his pace. She moans running her hands up and down Jay's body* don't stop!

Jay: * smiles when Melissa wraps her legs around him he slowly enters her deeper still keeping with the slow pace.* I don't plan on it.

Melissa; * Moans louder when he thrusts deeper into her arching her back causing him to go even deeper into her.* Jay!

Jay: * smiles hearing Melissa say his name, he gently picks up the pace.* Yes gorgeous?

Melissa;* bites her lower lip when he picks up the pace. She giggles looking up at him.* So me punching Martson got you revved up huh?

Jay;* smiles leans in and kisses her deeply. chuckling when he hears what she says.* Baby I could have taken you right then and there.

Melissa;* kissing him back and moans she knows she is going to get Jay all reved up again.* So you liked it when I got agressive.

Jay: * chuckles kissing her adding passion to the kiss.* When you get aggressive it's sexy!

Melissa; * smiles and giggles.* You like my assertiveness huh?

Jay: * moans into their kiss.* yes you call me out on my bull shit all the time and you called Martson.

Melissa;* Smiles moaning when she responds.* It's sexy when you get agressive.

Jay: * moans thinking Melissa could very well be the death of him.* Fuck baby.

Melissa; * can tell the effect she has on Jay.* Yes?

Jay: * smiles looking at Melissa.* You're gonna be the death of me.

Melissa; * laughs as she responds.* What a way to go huh?

Jay: * laughs and then thrusts into her.* You're so sassy!

Melissa; * moans when Jay thrusts into her .* You like it though.

Jay: * thrusts into her deeper and picks up the pace a little.* I do. You like it though when I am in control.

Melissa;* moans running her hands up and down Jay's back.* Yessss.

Jay: * smiles leans in and nibbles on her neck finding the sweet spot on her neck.* MMm

Melissa;* Moans louder and gives Jay acess to her neck.* don't you dare leave a mark.

Jay: * moans gently nibbling a little harder on Melissa's neck, stops for a moment to respond before going right back to her neck.* I will do what I want to you and you will like it.

Melissa;* Moans Jay is hitting her sweet spot on her neck. She gently flips them and then rides Jay.* You sure about that?

Jay: * laughs when Melissa flips them and she begins riding him and he grips onto her hips tight and gently flips them.* Yes!

Melissa; * moans when Jay grips on to her and flips them again she wraps her arms around Jay.* Fuck Baby!

* They didn't need to say anything more they both became undone and rode out their orgasm and then Jay pulled Melissa with him.

he sat up against the headboard and Melissa turned the light on and then wrapped her arms around Jay while straddling him they talked.*

Melissa; Baby, You wanted to tell me how you felt?

Jay: * smiles and nods* Yes.* Looks at Melissa.* When you got kidnapped I seriously was losing my mind but I didn't show it.

Melissa; * looks at Jay and caresses his face as she listens.* You were worried about me?

Jay: * nods and places his hand on top of hers.* I was and I was scared so scared.

Melissa;* leans in and kisses Jay and gently pulls away.* I am here babe!

Jay: Yes but I had to ask myself what would you do?

Melissa; when you got shot and I found you on the ground I didn't freak out till I yelled at Kelly.

Jay: I know you were mad at him for helping me.

Melissa; It's just he didn't see you were in distress?

Jay: He did and tried to talk me out of it but I told him to just let me do this.

Melissa; * frowns* You can't make that kind of choice baby.

Jay: I know which is why you'll be proud I used my nervous and scared worried energy to work hard on finding you.

Melissa; * smiles * You didn't tell me you punched Marston.

Jay: I did when he admitted he knew about everything.

Melissa; My baby just kicking people's asses.

Jay: * smiles* I love you and was pissed at him.

Melissa; Why?

Jay: He put my girl in harm's way.

Melissa: yeah. but be proud of me I didn't go down without a fight.

Jay: * Smiles* I know I am proud of you.

Melissa; Why were you talking about my birthday?

Jay: * smiles* It's cause the year we have had as partners and as a couple has been so up and down and uncertain I just want to end the year happy and start the new year happy.

Melissa; * Nods* There is nothing else going on?

Jay: * groans* You can't let this go can you?

Melissa; * Smiles* I just sense it's something more.

Jay: I just want to make memories with you.

Melissa; * Smiles* when it's your birthday beware.

Jay: * Laughs* I am okay with that.

Melissa: * smiles* Good.

Jay: Do you believe that you can have the "fairy tale"/ Dream be a reality?

Melissa; You're checking to see if the answer I gave you the night I told you Jake and I are over is still the same?

Jay: Yes, Can't you answer my question without asking a question?

Melissa: I mean I think the two can't be combined.

Jay: * Nods* Why?

Melissa; I want the dream wedding and the marriage and children all of it.

Jay: * Smiles* yeah so do I.

Melissa: I just think when I was a little girl I didn't really know what I was wanting.

Jay: * Looks at Melissa and strokes her cheek.* I think when you're little that is the time you have a good understanding of what you want.

Melissa; * Laughs* Why?

Jay: When you're a little kid adults tell you you can be anything and do anything and dream anything that you want.

Melissa; I think it is wrong.

Jay: * shakes his head no.* When you're a kid you have a clean slate you don't know what life is all about so you dream the biggest dream.

Melissa; My thing was I wanted to fall in love and get married and have kids and I wanted to be a really awesome mom.

Jay: When did the cop dream come along?

Melissa; * Smiles.* You can't laugh at me please?

Jay: * smiles* I wont I promise.

Melissa: I was like seventeen years old and I had heard about this amazing detective in New York Named Oliva Benson.

Jay: *smiles* Okay?

Melissa; I had only heard of her because my dad knew of her when he went to New York occasionally between tours.

Jay: the Oliva Benson that helped us with Gates and other cases?

Melissa; Yes That one.

Jay: No wonder you were all excited when you met her.

Melissa: yeah, my dad spoke of her because they would interact occasionally when he was in New York. He had to work with her one time.

Jay: Really?

Melissa: He still won't talk about this case it is a hard one for him. I just know that he worked with her one time to help solve a case that impacted his line of work.

Jay: When was the moment that you thought Yeah I can be a cop?

Melissa; I was seventeen years old listening to my dad tell me all the amazing things Oliva did to help solve the case and when he finished the story he looked at me and smiled.

Jay: * grins* he told you?

Melissa; * Shakes her head no.* He told me Mia, You can be an amazing woman if you allow yourself to be one.

Jay: * Eyes go wide* Really?

Melissa; I looked at him and told him, Daddy, I want to be a cop.

Jay: * laughs* He must have had an opinion on it.

Melissa; * Nods*I was already in ROTC and I was doing quite well he was kinda hoping I would have enlisted .

Jay: * Eyes go wide* Really?

Melissa; I would have too but my mom was adamant about me enlisting.

Jay: mama stepped in?

Melissa; Oh did she ever step in?

Jay: *laughs* what did you say?

Melissa; I said I don't care if I can't enlist I can still use everything I learned in ROTC when I become a cop.

Jay: When did you become a cop?

Melissa; I was bound and determined to become a cop.

Jay: Why go to college?

Melissa; My mom and Dad knew I wanted to go to the University of Notre Dame that was my first dream of what college I went to.

Jay: * Smiles* Impressive.

Melissa; To prove to my mom I was serious I took every law course I could take and passed every single one.

Jay: * shakes his head.* No wonder you wanted to be a lawyer.

Melissa; I was pretty close but then when I was going to sign up for the bar I remembered my second dream to be a cop. So I didn't sign up to take the bar.

Jay: You think you would have passed?

Melissa; I highly doubt it I was stressed from staying up all night.

Jay: just like that you left signing up for the bar alone?

Melissa; Yes I did and it was the best decision I have made.

Jay; What did you do?

Melissa; That very day I graduated from Notre Dame is the day I signed up for the police academy but in Chicago.

Jay: Why Chicago?

Melissa; I wanted the city that had the highest crime rate and Chicago was the first one that popped up.

Jay: Damn when I saw you on day one I was like wow.

Melissa; Who the hell does this chick think she is?

Jay: NO you looked like you belonged there.

Melissa; You were so nice to me.

Jay: Stop!

Melissa; You were.

Jay: You were so polished but now I know why?

Melissa: Army brat who went to ROTC and almost enrolled.

Jay: your mom stopped you.

Melissa; Yeah.

Jay: It explains so much actually.

Melissa; Why?

Jay: combat skills are high, you're accuracy is on point.

Melissa; that is all you have?

Jay: You are strong as hell!

Melissa; When I joined the ROTC I was doing it to appease my dad and stop being so boy crazy but I learned a lot and became disciplined.

Jay: It explains why you are occasionally a stickler for the rules.

Melissa; I don't mean to be!

Jay: I never said I didn't like it.

Melissa; * Laughs* oh really?

Jay: Honestly, it's attractive.

Melissa;* smiles* You know when we graduated from the Police Academy I went to go find you.

Jay: I went to look for my dad hoping he would have shown up.

Melissa; He was there babe and he was and is proud of you.

Jay: * Smiles* I know it's a happier memory for me now.

Melissa; I am glad it could be.

Jay: Where were you when I came back to my dad's room you were gone.

Melissa; I went looking for you to get you to talk to your dad and brother.

Jay: After I ran off, I turned around and came right back you were gone.

Melissa; I spoke to your dad and left to go find you.

Jay: I talked to my father.

Melissa; you did?

Jay: Yes I did.

Melissa; How come you're informing me this now?

Jay: I can talk about it with you now.

Melissa; * Smiles* So you were dealing with it in your own way?

Jay: No I was talking to my psychologist and they told me how to talk to you about it without sounding like it still bothers me cause it doesn't.

Melissa:* leans in and kisses Jay.* I am sorry babe!

Jay: * smiles into their kiss.* It's okay. I told him about you.

Melissa; Me ?

Jay: I did cause he told me when I walked into the room and sat at his bedside. That I need to hang on to you.

Melissa; I must have made a pretty decent impression for that short time he talked to me.

Jay: Yes you did.

Melissa; What else did he say?

Jay: That you love me and to treat me right and to do what I can to never let you go.

Melissa; * smiles* I am so glad you talked to him.

Jay: Thanks to you!

Melissa; I was beating myself up for a good long while.

Jay: Why?

Melissa; I just wanted to help and I felt like when you and Will argued that I fucked things up and made things worse.

Jay: No babe, You did the opposite you made it better.

Melissa; I wish you had told me this.

Jay: I wish you would have told me that you were walking around guilty.

Melissa; I wanted to but then I got kidnapped.

Jay: Is that why you weren't able to sleep?

Melissa; Yes which is why I would go for runs and arrive at work early.

Jay: Babe, I am sorry.

Melissa; I was worried about you! I still worry you could have a PTSD cycle at any given time.

Jay: You were scared that we would.

Melissa; Fight so much that it would be over.

Jay: It has only just begun.

Melissa; * kisses Jay and replies while kissing him.* I love you.

Jay: * wraps his arms around Melissa and smiles into their kiss.* I love you too!

Melissa; so I didn't believe that the fairytale/ dream and reality could coexist before.

Jay: But now?

Melissa; I believe they can at least I want to believe they can.

Jay: You need someone to show you that it is a real thing.

Melissa; Yes exactly.

* Jay and Melissa talk all night and kiss and enjoy their conversation together. Eventually, they fell asleep and stayed asleep till the morning.

When the morning came Jay and Melissa got up way before the alarm and had one round of sex before getting ready for the day.

Once they were up and ready for the day they got into their cars and then drove to work together.

Al was still undercover the goal for Melissa was to get him out of there.

There had to have been more to the case than what Hank was telling Melissa and the team but Melissa and everyone else just trusted the process.

They arrive at work scan in and then head upstairs and look for Hank they don't see him and then begin preparing things that would be helpful for helping Al.

Soon it turned into being very late and the team was working still in the office. Melissa kept yawning which was causing everyone else to yawn and then she finally stood up rubbing her eyes and talked to everyone. *

Melissa; I am getting some coffee and I am going to order some food who wants what?

* Melissa laughed when she saw everyone's hands go up and she got the coffee going and Kim was upstairs helping. she offered to help Melissa with the coffee.

Melissa and Kim were in the coffee room and then getting mugs for everyone. She got a phone call and had her mug in her hand and picked up the call when it was Voight.*

Melissa: Hang on a second it's Voight. Hello?

Hank: Get the team to Med. Al's been stabbed, it's very bad Melissa. * hangs up not giving Melissa any time to ask questions or respond.*

Melissa; * Phone still in hand upon hearing the news about Al she dropped her mug on the floor and it broke. She was frozen.*

Kim; What's wrong? * looking at Melissa very concerned.*

* Melissa didn't say anything she was in a way hoping that it was a bad dream she was having and that she would wake up soon at any given time.

She walked out to the bullpen and Kim was following her and everyone looked at her and could tell something was wrong.

She finally looked at everyone and spoke very seriously and while grabbing her jacket and shoving her phone in her pocket before running downstairs to get Trudy she said what she said to the team and expected them to follow her.*

Melissa; Guys, We need to get the hell over to Med like yesterday.

Jay: Why?

Melissa; Al has been stabbed he is at Med. * looks at everyone as she is going down the stairs * Come on grab your shit and let's roll the fuck out!

* Everyone grabbed their stuff and followed Melissa and Melissa ran right up behind the desk and told Trudy what was going on.

Trudy seeing and hearing Melissa was concerned and was about to reprimand her for coming behind the desk She heard what Melissa said and everything changed. *

Melissa; Sarge you can punish me later but Al's been stabbed.

Trudy: * Looks at Melissa and she looks at Melissa to see signs of a lie or doubt even a small ray of hope.

Jay: * comes running down the stairs and looks at Melissa and Trudy.* Let's go.

* Trudy didn't say a word she grabbed her coat and ran off with everyone hopping in the car with Jay and Melissa and everyone was close behind Jay.

Melissa kept checking her phone to see if Hank had sent her an update but there was no update. Her stomach was in knots she felt mad and sad and worried and even scared and helpless all at the same time and those emotions would rotate for her in waves.

She wanted to cry she wanted to yell and she wanted to punch something she wanted to wake up from the nightmare she swore she was having.

They all finally pulled up to the hospital and there was a nurse who led them to a waiting room.

They all sat and waited in silence. Melissa sitting next to Jay could tell she was upset and he was rubbing Melissa's back which was helping him and her to calm down.

Melissa kept thinking that they should have fought harder to get Al out of the prison and she was mad and was ready to blow up.

The doctor walking into the room knocked everyone out of their thought trance and came with Voight. Everyone stood up and waited to hear the news about Al. *

Hank: * took in a deep breath* Al, didn't make it.

Melissa; * Glared at Hank walked up to him and pushed him out of her way before walking out of the room.* WE LEFT HIM THERE TO DIE! THIS IS YOUR FAULT! FUCK VOIGHT I TOLD YOU WE NEEDED TO GET HIM OUT OF THERE!

* Trudy and everyone else watched in shock and were upset about Al not making it. What they did feel though was Melissas' truth they should have fought harder to get him out of there and they didn't.

Melissa was always close to Al so this hit her so hard as when Nadia Richards and Matthews's deaths hit her.

Jay went after Melissa and when he found her she was not okay she was outside trying to feel the cool night breeze and she was a mess.

When Jay found her he approached her carefully and slowly. She still jumped up when she sensed someone was with her but when she saw it was Jay she willingly hugged him and cried.*

Jay;* looks at Melissa* Melissa, I am sorry.

Melissa:* Jumpes up tenses up when she senses someone is with her relaxes when she sees it's Jay and spoke while crying hard.* I am sorry but Hank needed to know the truth.

Jay; * rubs melissa's back and kisses her forehead.* I know he did but maybe next time don't go all Jay Halstead on him.

Melissa; * smiles and looks up at Jay. Her eyes are red from crying and she answers.* I know but I was and am still pissed at him.

Jay: If you want off this case say the word.

Melissa; No, AL was always there for us I will help find who did this and I will make sure they pay for it.

Jay: You're scaring me.

Melissa: I promise I will be okay I will keep my head clear.

* Jay and Melissa come back to the room and she glares at Hank and she is still crying.

She stood next to Trudy and Jay was next to her. Everyone was crying and then Hank spoke to everyone.*

Hank; I know guys, I know you guys are upset, but the best thing we can do for Al right now-

Melissa; YEAH SINCE WE DID JACK SHIT TO GET HIM OUT OF THERE!

Hank; * Glares at Melissa.* YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY TO ME? SAY IT!

Melissa;* Glares at Hank.* AL wouldn't have died if you didn't put him in that position to die!

Hank;* Glares and walks over to Melissa.* YOU BELIEVE THAT BULL SHIT?

Melissa; * Glares rips out of Jay's and Trudy's grip when she responds and gets in Hank's face as best she can.* I KNOW IT IS THE TRUTH!

Hank: * Crosses his arms in front of him. Yells back at Melissa.* IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY I RUN MY UNIT THERE IS THE GODDAMN DOOR!

Melissa; * Glares at Hank.* OH YOU WOULD LOVE THAT WOULDN'T YOU? TO PISS YOU OFF I AM STAYING BUT ONLY FOR AL!

Hank;* Glares at Melissa still.* YOU CAN'T SIT THERE AND TELL ME YOU CARED MORE FOR AL THAN ANY OF US DID!

Melissa; * Inhales and then responds.* YES IN THIS FUCKING MOMENT I CAN! YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME LAST NIGHT!

Hank; * laughs* WHEN THE HELL WAS IT THE LAST TIME YOU LISTEND TO ANY OF US?

Melissa; * Shoves Hank.* I LISTEN A HELL OF A LOT MORE THAN YOU DO! WHAT HAPPENED TO TALK TO THE TEAM BEFORE YOU MAKE SUCH A STUPID MISTAKE?

Hank; do YOU THINK YOU CAN DO A BETTER JOB RUNNING THIS UNIT THAN I CAN?

Melissa; WITH MY FUCKING EYES CLOSED, HANDS TIED BEHIND MY BACK ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF HAVING THE FLU WHERE ALL I AM DOING IS VOMITTING!

HANK: FINE! NEXT CASE YOU ARE RUNNING THINGS!

Melissa; WHY NOT NOW?

Hank: CAUSE THIS CASE IS SPECIAL TO ME!

Melissa; YEAH? IS IT?

Hank; I THOUGHT ERIN TESTED MY LIMITS BUT YOU TAKE THE ICING ON THE CAKE!

Melissa; SCREW YOU! I AM NOT ERIN! I AM TIRED OF YOU COMPARING ME TO HER! I AM NOTHING LIKE HER AND I NEVER WILL BE!

Hank: PROVE ME WRONG!

Melissa; UNLIKE HER I NEVER LEFT!

* Hank inhales and exhales and Melissa and him are pissed at one another but Hank speaks to everyone He knew she was right.

what hurt him the most he already felt guilty didn't need Melissa to make him feel ten times worse than he already felt about losing his best friend. *

Hank: AS I was saying! The best thing we can do for Al is to catch whoever did this to him.

* everyone headed back to the precint to get started with work. Forgetting all about how tired and or hungry they were and using all the energy they had to help solve this case.

Luckily Mouse was able to watch security footage along with Hank's methods of interrogation. They were able to find the people responsible in good time and now it was time for the team to wrap everything up.

They all agreed to head to the river to raise a toast to Al and to anyone they lost over the year so far.

Melissa and Hank still upset with one another for their reasons still worked together which said a lot more about Hank and Melissa than they thought of the other one.

Jay and Melissa drove together they all parked the cars in a circle. Adam stopped to get beer for all of them. Kim passed them around to make sure everyone got a beer.

Jay leaned against the truck arms wrapped around Melissa while she leaned on Jay. Trudy started the toasts off by telling everyone a story.*

Trudy: I looked down and his pant leg was soaked in blood and I went, Al, what the hell happened? He looks at me with that calm esxpression and he said " Yeah... Well... I got shot." * looks at Melissa and speaks to her.* Wanna share a story about Al?

Melissa: No One knows this* inhales and Looks at everyone and tears fall down her face.* I don't even think Voight does either. One time I was supposed to go to a father-daughter dance for some reason or another I can't remember and I was all excited about it. My dad was going to come in and spend more than just a weekend with me and my mom and grandmother in the city.

* inhales and exhales to stop herself from crying harder. Jay is comforting Melissa*

Melissa; My dad called and it turned out he wasn't going to be able to go with me at all. I showed up to work the next day and Al saw I was so upset. He said hey what happend? Yesterday you were telling me all about your dress and your dad and now today you look like someone pissed in your Cheerios.

* Melissa and Everyone laughs.*

Melissa: I told him I decied I am not going to go since my dad isn't coming home after all. Like I thought. If I go to the dance all these girls will be with their dads and I won't be with mine.

* everyone wipes their tears away.*

Melissa; I told him the only reason I got so excited was because it was going to be my first father-daughter dance. He then told me I'll go with you. * cries* I said you would? He said the last father-daughter dance I went to was Lexi's so I think I am past due for a father-daughter dance. He took me and I had a really great time. He was like a second father to me.

Trudy; You had to know he thought of you like Lexi Always.

Melissa; When Lexi got killed I told him I was always around if he wanted to have a father-daughter fight or anything. He at that moment told me how about a father-daughter hug. I couldn't say no to that.

Antonio: He was a wonderful person. There isn't enough time to tell you all the wonderful memories I have with Al.

Jay: I loved trading war stories with him. When Melissa and I were partners it's like he knew already he told me, hey Jay try not to fuck this partnership up or allow it to get fucked up!

Everyone: * laughs*

Kim: I loved how he always gave Melissa and me a hard time.

Melissa; He wasn't giving us a hard time he was making sure we remembered why we wanted to be cops.* sniffles* FUCK This is hard!

Adam: to quote Al right now to Melissa, You have to now go put -

Everyone in unison:* Twenty dollars in the swear jar! * laughs*

Adam: He was the one who called me up and partnered me with Melissa. He told me to Be a fucking gentleman!

Melissa; He told me to show you no mercy!

Adam: He taught me how to be a better man and person. I am thankful he partnered me up with Melissa I earned an honorary sister.

Melissa; I gained an honorary brother.

Adam: Sis, I need fifty dollars!

Melissa; Bro. It's called a fucking J-O-B!

Everyone:* Laughs*

Adam: You sounded like Al.

Melissa; I meant it like that! You are still not getting money from me though.

Adam: man.

Melissa; I am in mourning not stupid! Do I look like an ATM?

Adam; I was joking.

Hank: Al, was my best friend.

* everyone looks at Hank he had a bottle of whiskey in his hand. He walked over to Melissa and spoke to everyone.*

Hank; I once again made a mistake that costed us a dear friend and member of our family. I am thankful someone had the lady balls to call me out on that.

Melissa; * Laughs* I dunno about lady balls but I had guts.

Hank; I know how much Al and you were close and I am sorry I didn't listen to you.

Melissa; I was talking to Jay and My dad earlier today and they both said maybe getting him out wouldn't have made a difference it could have happened once we got him out.

HanK; Very wise! True!

Melissa; I told Jay and his dad this. We are only promised now we are not guaranteed anything beyond the now.

Jay: This is why we are gonna celebrate New Year and Melissa's birthday together on a boat.

Melissa; Yeah I mean he already rented the boat and planned it all.

Antonio: I am so there.

Hank; * looks at Melissa* If you need someone to take you to a father-daughter dance I can substitute.

Melissa; * nods* I already planned to make sure I remember to ask you.

Hank; Thanks KIddo.

Melissa: Thanks.

Hank: I know you're not like Erin and that is fantastic! You are your own person.

Melissa; I think before when she was around I settled being whatever I was.

Hank; Her leaving has made you an even better cop.

Melissa: I wonder sometimes when I blow up at my boss.

Hank: Nah! You are doing what is right. We need to communicate with each other when we feel something is wrong.

* Everyone stays around and then talks about Al and trades stories. Melissa and Jay go back to her place and just lay in bed together.

Melissa had everything hit her once she lay down in bed she curled up into a ball and just sobbed. Jay didn't like seeing his girl upset.

He gently sat on her bed after turning the light on in her room. He gently picked her up and held her in his arms. He understood it was a lot that got thrown at her.

He knew she hadn't really let herself grieve when all the things happend. He wouldn't be surprised that she still needs to talk about her kidnapping.

He rubbed her back and ran his fingers through her hair while she sobbed. She wrapped her arms around Jay and snuggled into him. It was a long time before she stopped sobbing.

He then gently cupped her face moved the hair out of her face and looked into her eyes they were so red and puffy from crying and then he spoke to her gently.*

Jay: You okay?

Melissa; * sniffles* not really.

Jay: Want to talk about it?

Melissa; It's just Richards and Matthews and then your and my stuff then You getting shot and then Al I just didn't grieve it all and when Al didn't make it it all just hit me all at once. I just couldn't stop it.

Jay: * kisses Melissa listens to her and then responds.* I am sorry things have been hard. Now you see why I want to end the year happy and start the next year happy.

Melissa; I just want to end the year under the covers and start the year under the covers.

Jay: Well that can happen. * laughs*

Melissa; * smiles* I meant hide but that is cute that you said that.

Jay: No, please no hiding.

Melissa; Why not?

Jay: * sighs* OH MY GOD WOMAN YOU ARE SO HARD TO SURPRISE.

Melissa; * Laughs* You just now realized this?

Jay: No but I was able to work around it.* laughs*

Melissa; What is the big deal anyway?

Jay: I really want to tell you but I really really want to surprise you, please?

Melissa; * sighs* Aye Dios Mio Jay, Suenas como un chica!

Jay: * Laughs* I know what you just said, don't forget I speak Spanish.

Melissa; Beuno dimelo!

Jay: You said Oh my god Jay you sound like a girl. * Mimicking Melissa's voice*

Melissa; *Laughs* you really want to surprise me that badly I will let you.

Jay: Good Cause I worked hard on this Gretchen helped me and your parents too also Mouse!

Melissa; * eyes go wide* Good lord. Well then okay.

Jay: * smiles* I promise you'll love it.

Melissa:* Smiles* I am not worried that I won't love it.

* Jay and Melissa kissed and talked the rest of the night. Melissa told him exactly how she felt about her kidnapping and that it comes to her at random times. It's one thing that her psychologist is having a hard time helping her with.

She can't get past the random moments in the day when it pops up. Jay explained to her he understood how that felt because that is how his PTSD works sometimes out of nowhere just hits you.

Melissa didn't like the feeling and didn't like that she really couldn't get past the emotions she felt about her Kidnapping.

She tries to tell herself it could have gone way worse. However it didn't but still what she went through was awful and by far the worst thing she has ever gone through.

She told Jay since her kidnapping she hasn't been that great at sleeping either. Jay said he noticed and was trying to find a way to talk to her about it. It has been hard because he knows when you're going through something it is hard to talk about it.

She then told Jay that she didn't want him to think she wouldn't talk to him about it because if he asked her about it she would gladly talk about it.

She is tried of holding it in. She is tired of thinking she has to be this strong person when in reality she is not as strong as she thinks she is. Jay reassured her that she was stronger than she thought she existed.

She and Jay cuddle together and eventually fall asleep. Thankfully Tomorrow was Friday they had the day off and Gretchen was coming into town Melissa was so excited.

She hoped all would go well. She wanted to have Mouse and Gretchen meet and she hoped they would get along.

She wanted everything to go well. She coulnd't wait to have the day off. She felt with everything that happened to her and Jay the break was needed and appreciated.*