Tolerance Book II

Chapter Twenty-Three: Respite

"I've been thinking about Jay," the Psychologist decided to get right down to the reason for his presence.
"Think we all have," Murphy pointed out, hell he had a pain in his gut over the younger man being targeted so maliciously but he couldn't imagine how hard it was for the Sergeant from Chicago and his Unit.
"I meant after this investigation is over," Parker elaborated as he sat down in front of the cluttered desk.
"Oh?"
"You've been saying you need a full-time Profiler and ....,"
"You've changed your mind?"
"No, no.  My hospital work wouldn't allow me to do be full-time.  You know that," Parker reminded of their many previous discussions on the matter.
"So what are you suggesting?" the Assistant Director checked, although he had an inkling.
"Jay would make a great Profiler."
"I'll admit he has good instincts but he's a Detective."
"So? There's no law stopping him becoming a Profiler."
"But he doesn't have the requirements needed, such as a Bachelors' Degree in Psychology, Criminology, Forensics and Behavioral Science."
"True but he has an impressive military background and ....,"
"How do you know that?"
"I've spoken to Voight and Al.  They couldn't disclose much but he left with an exemplary record."
"What else?" Murphy eyed his friend across the desk, it was obvious he had put some tbought into this.
"He's record as an LEO is impressive."
"Voight and Al told you this?"
"Nope," Parker grinned sheepishly, "Ruzek likes to talk."
"Even if I could cut through the red tape with his experience it still wouldn't work."
"Why not?"
"You've seen how close those men are.  He isn't going to walk away from them."
"I agree."
"So why bring it up at all?"
"Because Jay has an inate ability to understand his targets.  It can't be taught.  It's a natural gift .....," the Psychologist paused before admitting in self deprecation, "I've been doing this over ten years and I've never met anyone with his instincts.  I wish I was as good as he is."
"That still doesn't solve the main problem."
"I know," Parker conceded, "he's clearly at home with the Unit ...,"
"So why mention it?" Murphy repeated with a raised brow, Voight wouldn't give up the young man easily.
"Because our ultimate goal is to save lives," the Psychologist explained, "I think he could make a huge difference."
"But you're not fully on board with the idea," Murphy knew his old friend well.
"No I'm not," Parker wasn't surprised the older man had picked up on his reticence despite airing the suggestion.
"For now let's concentrate on the Kings.  If you still think it's worthwhile after we close this case we can consider it again.  You should know one thing though?"
"What?" Parker rose as his companion stood and retrieved his jacket.
"Voight and his men aren't going to give Halstead up without a fight."
"Never thought they would."

As the pair headed out of the office the Psychologist hoped he had made the right decision in mentioning it.  He genuinely cared for the young man in question but his natural talent should supercede the concern he had for him as countless lives might be saved with Jay on the case.  For now he'd put the idea on the back burner.

                     ------------------------

Safehouse

Jay had eventually decided to take a couple of the heavy painkillers he had been avoiding and after consuming a Mars bar and a can of Fanta Orange he had welcomed the beckoning darkness within half an hour.  He awoke in the darkened room as rain pelted the curtained windows.  A glance at the glowing orange digital clock beside his bed informed him it was twenty after four.  He had actually slept for six hours straight, a miracle.  He took a moment to do an inventory of his various complaints and was relieved to note the pain from the broken ribs had eased and the headache he had fallen asleep with had receded to a minor discomfort.  He was debating getting up in search of  a drink or trying to get some more sleep when a shadow moved in the corner.  He was about to move when a familiar voice spoke calmly.

"Only me Kid," Al rose from the armchair he had been occupying for the past couple of hours and approached the side of the bed, "how are you doing?"
"What are you doing here?" Jay demanded as he carefully sat up and swung his legs off the bed.
"Just wanted to make sure you didn't have any nightmares," Al replied honestly, he hadn't forgotten the younger man had other issues besides King to deal with and he took his self appointed role of Caretaker seriously.
"Al I appreciate the concern," Jay admitted around a yawn as he got to his feet and retrieved his jeans from the bedside chair and tried to curb his irritation, "but you don't need to ...,"
"I agreed to keep your nightmares and flashback between us," the older man cut in with a reminder, "but I'm going to do what I gotta do to make sure you're okay."
"Hell Al I'm a grown man," Jay argued as he zipped up the jeans before walking over to the wardrobe to get a jumper, "I know ye seem to think I need a Babysitter but I genuinely don't."
"Just as well because I don't do babysitting."
"What would you call what you were doing?" Jay selected a chunky dark green jumper and pulled it on, relishing the warmth as it embraced his lean frame.
"Being a friend," Al answered unrepentantly.
"You should get some rest," Jay abandoned his protests, knowing from past experience that once his older friend decided on a course of action he was impossible to dissuade, "I'm going to make something to eat."
"Well since you ask I am feeling hungry," Al decided with a smirk as he  opened the door and ushered the other man out onto the wide landing.
"Grant me patience!"

To the mens' surprise the lights were already on in the kitchen and as he pushed the door open Jay shook his head at the mess.  Adam looked up sheepishly as he attempted to wipe some flour from his hands but only succeeded in transferring some of the powdery substance onto his shirt.

"What are ye doing up?"
"Wanted something to eat," Al muttered  as he eyed the cluttered counter tops, "was there an explosion I didn't hear about?"
"Funny guy," Adam rolled his eyes as he finally opted for rinsing his hands under the tap, "wanted some pancakes."
"Didn't ye buy some the other day?" Jay asked distractedly as he glanced at the empty frying pan.
"Yeah but they're gone already."
"Al looks like your luck is in," Jay commented as he retrieved a small bowl from an overhead cupboard while endeavouring not to dislodge any of  the dirty utensils on the counter, "Adam can make you something.  I'm having cereal."
"Think I'll skip the pancakes," Al grimaced as he saw half beaten eggs in a jug, "might just do with a coffee."
"Coward," Jay smirked before Adam handed him a box of Corn Flakes.
"Nothing wrong with self preservation," Al mused out loud, ignoring the glare sent his way from the would be Cook.
"So what's going on?" Adam finally dropped the mirth.
"Nothing.  Slept enough," Jay explained as he retrieved some milk from the  fridge.
"What's your excuse," Adam looked at his old partner.
"Same."
"Yeah me too.  Thought cooking would take my mind off King."
"That's not cooking," Al argued gesturing to the chaos before him, "that's just a mess."
"Everyone's a critic," Adam noted in exasperation before continuing darkly, "I've been thinking about the Kings."
"And?" Jay paused in sprinkling sugar over the golden flakes, that wasn't exactly surprising.
"And if we're going to antagonise him into going after you we need it to be foolproof."
"Hell we know that," Al observed as he readied two mugs of coffee, "Voight wouldn't have suggested it without knowing the danger."
"Yeah but has anyone thought of how to actually go about it?" Adam looked at the newcomers speculatively.
"I had an idea," Jay eventually mumbled as he put away the sugar and poured milk into his bowl, keeping his gaze downwards.
"I'm afraid to ask," Al deadpanned when nothing else was forthcoming .....

tbc

LEO - Law Enforcement Officer