#chicago pd season 5

[escapingrealtiylovinginsanity]

Rewind, Remix, & Replay Jay & Kim 5x11 

This is the to the rest of the series.

I recently mentioned that I had found a fic with the pairing of Kim and Jay. I didn’t like it at first but the more I watched the show the more I felt like they missed an opportunity for a very healthy relationship. This is a series that starts at 5x11 of how I think their relationship would have progressed had it been done.  

I’m writing this as I watch the episodes. I’m almost done with season 5 and have most of that planned out already. This season and the ones to follow are completely new to me so this should be as fun as it is challenging. So everyone that wants to jump on for the adventure- here we go! 

Kim is ready to get the hell out of dodge. Her emotions were whirling uncomfortably in her stomach. She had thought that she had been doing the right thing. She was firm and let Sienna know what she had to do to keep out of trouble. In reality?  

She had got her CI killed. 

All her dreams, of being a chief, making her life better. Kim had killed those too. Even with Hailey's support, Kim was still reeling with her decision-making abilities. How was she supposed to know when to go by the book and when to protect her CIs at the expense of the case? And how did everyone else on the team seem to do it so easily? Kim felt like she was being ripped apart at the seams. 

She stopped when she saw Jay working on his computer. He had been on desk duty over the last month since the blow-up with his CI. Kim had heard he had been sleeping with her. Voight had been pissed and there was clearly a loss of trust between him and Halstead. Kim felt for him, he had been through a lot the last year. Everyone on the team had been silent about it but they knew he was having a PTSD flare-up. 

Kim was bidding him goodbye as she passed his desk. Jay returned the sentiment as he stood up gathering his things and reaching for his jacket. Kim paused and the decision came easily to her. She turned back to him, and he raised his eyebrows in question. Kim noticed the exhaustion painted all over his face when he didn’t have the chance to mask it. 

She didn’t hesitate as she pulled Jay into a hug. A real hug, not one of those halved-assed quick squeezes that some people call hugs. Jay froze jacket still hanging from his fingertips. Kim was a warm heat against him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist; cheek pressed against his chest. Most people would have let go with the period the hug wasn’t reciprocated. Kim was a nurturer and more stubborn in her ways than most.  

Jay felt his throat clog up. It had been a long time since he had any sort of friendly physical touch from someone who didn’t want something from him. Whether that be a comfort for themselves or straight-up sex.

Kim’s care vibrated through her. He could feel it now vibrating pure and warm through him. He dropped his jacket on the back of his chair. His arms wrapped around her, his grip tighter than hers. He slumped into her, taking the comfort that she so freely gave. Kim doesn’t let go until Jay loosens his own grip. 

“What was that for?” Kim meets his blue eyes, and he sees the glaze of moisture over hers. 

“Because I needed it. I thought you might too.” She blinks back the tears gaining control over her own emotions. “I know you don’t like talking about it. I get that, I do. But if you decide you want to, I’m always here for you to talk to or just sit with. Whatever you need, Jay. I mean it.” There is a moment of pause and Jay nods. “Molly’s?” 

“Actually, I have something I have to do.”  

Kim sat at the bar a drink in her hand. The team was supposed to be meeting up but so far it was only her and Adam. “Was what you said to that girl about me?” Kim let out a loud breath. She took another long pull of her drink. 

“Yes,” Kim heard Adams hard intake of breath. She had mixed feelings about Adam hearing that. It was a relief because he finally knew how she felt. In the same token she didn’t want to have this conversation. Not when she was already feeling so raw.  

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to actually agree.”She sighed and shook his head. Of course he didn't, even when they were together they were talking and skirting around each other. The deep honesty didn't come easy. And when they finally did have it it didn't come cheap.

It had cost them their relationship.

Kim took another long pull of her beer draining it. She set it back on the bar top.  “Sometimes you just have to cut the thread that ties.” Kim tosses some money onto the counter. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to call it a night.”  

 

There is a hesitant knock on Kim’s door followed by a firmer one. Jay is standing in the hallway of her apartment complex. He holds out a case of beer in offering and gives Kim a noncommittal shrug as she leans against the door jam. “The offer for not talking still good?”  

[burzekedits]

I don’t know if anyone else has pointed this out yet, but this is Burzek’s reaction to Al’s death. Ruzek was in the corner and saw Burgess hunched over.. he got up and went right over to her to comfort her. Everyone in the room had a reaction to the grief yet Kim is the only one he went to and they sat and cried together 😭😭

[kamryn1963]

I'm actually a very funny person btw

[imjustavenuxwithaboomerang]

[tuttle-did-it]

Murder She Wrote guest stars Kate Vernon (BSG reboot, The Morning Show, NCIS, Bones, Voyager, Outer Limits, etc), , Dinah Shore (The Dinah Shore Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In), E.G. Marshall (character actor from Chicago Hope, The Cosby Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Superman II, Lazarus Syndrome, etc), and Jason Beghe (Character actor from Chicago P.D., Californication, X-Files, Castle, etc)

Alma Murder, season 6, episode 15, aired Mar 12, 1989

Kate Vernon

Dinah Shore (this was her last role, by the way)

E.G. Marshall

Jason Beghe

[collecting-stories]

Does anyone else feel like Chicago PD is leaving a lot of episodes open ended lately?

[lover-of-mine]

If Kim and Ruz can end up together then anything is possible.

[gayemorat]

alright- in s17 ep 18 Unholiest Alliance i always noticed how dodds sr was a lot more creepy-acting, you cant tell me he wasnt acting off! i would LOVE to write about his own son finding him out for his involvement/corruption in the ring or hiding it. would be nice to see mike move away from his fathers shadow, and face him head-on! what do you think?

Oooo I'd fs read that :O

I'm ngl i don't remember a ton of the Dodds' storyline cause it's been like 2 years since I watched those episodes, but I always liked Mike's character (and was supremely annoyed by Dodds sr. 🙏), and there was definitely an interesting dynamic. I think that'd be a really cool storyline to explore!!

[hl-obsessed]

.

[poppadom0912]

Dr Dean Reybold

Warnings: Cancer, chemotherapy, hospitals, evil doctors

Summary: Unfortunately for you, some cancers are genetic. Also unfortunately for you, some doctors don't have good intentions.

A/N: Based on Season 1, episode 5 of Chicago Med (Malignant) and Season 3, episode 10 of Chicago pd (Now I'm God).

So I had this idea towards the beginning of when I first started watching pd and I am not kidding when I say this has been sitting in my drafts for over two years now. I thought I'd finally get to finishing it after a really good day today since the fic I posted like 2 days ago wasn't that nice. Hope you enjoy!!

When your mother died from cancer, it took a toll on your entire family. Everyone was struggling to grieve and the emptiness she left behind was unsettling. Even now, the empty chair at the dining table looked so wrong.

So when you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven months ago, you felt extreme deja vu. Life was repeating itself again and nothing good was going to come out of it.

While at work, your patient got a little violent and when you woke up, your dad and Erin were at your bedside. They were in the middle of a case when Hank was suddenly called, being told by Sharon that you were hurt.

Luckily, several tests and scans later, you were perfectly fine, coming out with nothing but a concussion.

Alas, your body seemed to hate you because fast forward two months later and you found yourself in a private doctors office, the man confirming you had ovarian cancer.

Looking your dad in the eyes that night, mustering up everything in you to tell him you had the exact same thing that killed your mother; you could see the world fall apart in his eyes all over again.

From that day on, you did your chemotherapy while going to work. Being a psychiatrist, it didn't entail much physical work and your hours were decreased due to manage your treatment.

But the cancer got worse, that's what your doctor said at least. You probably would've gotten your treatment done at Med since they were renowned for their chemo regimens and it would've been more convenient.

But your doctor was the man that treated your mother. Seven months into your treatment and you found it a little difficult to leave.

*****

So, it was just another day at work.

You near threatened Doctor Charles to allow you to take his place as the psychiatrist for the ED and after lots and lots of convincing, he caved but with the conditions: you took regular breaks, everyone kept an eye on you, don't take such a big load, update him often and not to turn Sharon away when she to check on you.

There was a sudden influx of patients due to a fire and you were finally able to help after Maggie stopped being so annoying very, constantly hovering over you when she wasn't with a patient.

This wasn't anything abnormal - the injured people - but what was weird was the lingering members of firehouse 51 and the arrival of Jay.

In one of the spinning chairs, you pushed yourself over to the group of people huddled at the front desk, curious to what was up and needing to do something after sitting duck for half an hour now.

"Oooh, what's this?" You looked at the zip lock bag in wonder, only opening it when Jay gave you the okay, nodding his head with a smile at your presentable face.

The last time he saw you, you were a struggling mess at your dad's having come back from getting treatment.

After explaining briefly, you gladly opened the bag and scanned the items. While flicking through receipts, you could hear Erin stop in front of you, letting the three of you know it was looking like a suicide. Giving you and Erin some time, Jay and Kelly gave their goodbyes and went back to their respective jobs.

"You look much better." Erin looked you up and down, noticing that your skin was still quite pale, the bags under your eyes were still there even with the makeup and you were wearing your usual bandana, a staple since the hair loss started kicking in.

"Well thank you very much." You said truthfully despite some part of you believing that she was lying and you looked worse than you did the last time she visited you. "How are you?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Erin asked, smiling as she watched you skim over the few items she had no interest in. "I'm fine, everyone's fine. This seems pretty simple which is good, less work for us."

You hummed nonchalantly, her words going through one ear and out the other. "Do you mind if I give these to Dr Charles? I want to get his opinion real quick."

"Sure." Your sister in everything but blood shrugged her shoulders, seeing no harm in getting another opinion. "Just don't lose anything, yeah?"

"Ha ha, very funny." You said smiled sarcastically, rolling your eyes at her undertone as you rolled your chair away to find the head of psychiatry.

*****

It had been a few hours later. The fire incident from earlier was no longer at the forefront of your mind as you busied yourself with your actual patients. Doctor Charles was back in the ED and you had several meetings scheduled.

Signing off a treatment sheet for some new medications, the silence of the psychiatric ward was interrupted by heavy feet rushing towards you.

Looking up, your were caught off guard. You were not expecting to see your dad and Erin again till later in the evening for dinner.

And by the looks on their faces, this wasn't going to be a happy little visit.

In fact, your dad looked conflicted. A myriad of emotions painting his face, so many that you started to get scared. You hadn't seen him look like this since-

"Dr Dean Reybold. He's your doctor right?" Your dad asked, skipping past any pleasantries.

You felt time slowing, almost struggling to hear what he was asking.

You could only nod.

You felt like a child again being scolded watching how he reacted. It was like you had hurt him. Watching him try to compose himself made you want to be sick.

When your dad looked back at you, his eyes bright in unshed tears, you felt your heart stop.

*****

It was a lie.

All of it, everything. It had all been a lie.

It felt like going through the five stages of grief, grappling with the news and the reality of this situation.

You along with way too many women had been lied to and deceived. In your most vulnerable positions, you had all been manipulated just for his selfish, disgusting needs.

At your most emotional, he lied. He used your personal connections, your past with your mother. What a sick sick bastard.

Sitting on a bed at Med, Natalie showing you your test results, you didn't even have it in you anymore to cry. You were just so tired.

Going back home to your dad, you felt like a little girl again. You felt like that five-year-old who would lie about her nightmares just so she could sneak into her parents bed and sleep with them.

His arms opened up instantly and you didn't need anymore prompting. Dragging your feet towards the couch, you sat and folded yourself up, tucking your feet under yourself as you tried to hide and make yourself invisible in your fathers embrace.

Closing your eyes, you told him the news, the inevitable that you both had been dreading. Deep down, some sick part of you wished to have cancer just so that you could feel better, just to not feel like a victim who was a ploy for some psychopath.

His arm squeezed you as your voice became breathy, words shaking as all the emotions all came crashing down once again.

You had been crying way too much recently.

The plans for the future were still a little blurry and you weren't too sure how you were going to cope. Your body needed to heal and go back to being its usual healthy, as if you and so many other women hadn't had chemo and unnecessary radiation pumped into your body for no reason at all.

You had met all the women at the court hearing, seeing just how many women and families he had hurt just like yours.

And for once, being a psychiatrist didn't feel like the most important thing.

You were struggling to grapple with your emotions but the easiest part of it was being a helping hand to them. Perhaps it made you feel better to help the other women, trying to help them mentally when you can't physically.

And your dad and Erin were your biggest supporters like always.

This had brought back so many memories from the past that it was almost too painful to recollect, especially considering you were now at the forefront of the exact same event.

You weren't too sure what the healing and recovery process was going to look like - that's what scared you the most.

But the most reassuring part was that the sick 'doctor' wasn't going to do anymore harm and you had the best family supporting you every single step of the way.

[tevantarlos]

Unpopular Opinion 911 - et all

I'm a bisexual woman and I've known that I'm bisexual since I was 11 years old. I legitimately am attracted to both men and women.

I've been watching 911 since 2 months after season 1 ended in 2018. I got into the show for Bathena and have loved them ever since.

I keep seeing people complaining on the official show pages about how Athena abuses her authority as a cop, and while they're not wrong, they're also blowing things way out of proportion. I'm pretty sure the people saying that have never watched the NBC show Chicago PD, because if you compare what Athena's done, to what Voight on Chicago PD has done, you'd know that the stuff she's done has been pretty tame.

On Chicago PD:

1. Voight has locked people up in a cage and literally tortured them for information.

2. He has killed people for revenge. He killed the guy who killed his son, Justin. He killed the guy or people who killed Al. There are probably even more occurrences than that, but these are the one's that mainly come to mind for me.

3. He literally threatened Matt Casey, Hallie Thomas, and Gabby Dawson, when his dumbass son, Justin, was on drugs and caused an accident which paralyzed someone, because they could report Justin to other police who would've actually locked Justin's stupid ass up. I get that Voight was trying to protect his kid, but that doesn't make this shit okay. Also, it's weird as hell that Antonio worked with Voight for 6 years. How the hell did Antonio not kill Voight for threatening his sister's life? That's garbage.

4. He literally stole money and drugs from criminals.

5. He has threatened his detective's lives on more than one occasion, and not in some way to make sure they are more careful and protect themselves, but as a legit threat.

Returning to my 911 thoughts.

Oliver Stark has claimed that he's been playing Buck as bisexual the entire time. No, he has not. He just wants the clicks and attention from pretending that this has been happening all along. Buck has had no interest in men until season 7 and the BuckTommy storyline happened.

The episode of Lone Star that's the crossover, doesn't prove Buck is bi. He wasn't flirting with TK, it was a misunderstanding on TK's part. Buck is literally confused when TK says that he's with someone, as he wasn't flirting with TK, he was only inviting TK to come to LA as a friend to hang out.

Buck says on the show that he's checked out hot guy's asses before. He hasn't done that in canon. It's one of many things that they claim is canon, but isn't because it happened off screen. He has literally been obsessed with women from the first time we see him, until Tommy returns in season 7.

Buck can't even say that he's bisexual on the show. He hasn't done any research, when he used to research everything. He hasn't spoken to people like Hen, Karen, or even Josh in depth about his feelings for men. There was one scene, right before the relationship ended, where he talked to Josh, which didn't even amount to anything and was just a waste of time since they made Tommy OOC and broke up with Buck. Hell, he (Buck) didn't even know after 6 months that Tommy was gay and not any other identity.

All this to say, 911, TM, OS, they don't genuinely give a shit about Buck, his supposed bisexuality, Tommy, or even the other main characters on the show. From one episode to the next, they have them say one thing and then retcon it right after.

The whole Buck is bi thing was a hoax. They just wanted to attract the gay and bisexual crowd back to the show since Henren and Josh haven't been getting that much screentime, and Buck and OS are like the golden child of the show. People think he's an idiot, but that he's a sweet idiot, who can do no wrong.

As I stated above, I started watching 911 before season 2 even aired. I don't like the way the show is handling their characters and storylines and I'm finally getting tired of the shitty writing. I love Bathena, I love Henren, I love Madney, I loved BuckTommy. However, if Tommy is thrown aside like yesterday's trash and Buck moves on, only to fuck a bunch of women and/or men with the excuse of exploring his sexuality, I will be checking out and dropping the show.

I like Buck's character, but he's not the reason I watch the show. He's also not enough to keep me watching. Henren are constantly being threatened to have their kids taken away. Bathena is constantly put in crazy life or death situations that end in some super unrealistic way: Kid landing a plane, remember? Madney don't have anything interesting going on. Literally, all they have going on, is that they're having another kid. Eddie has spent years obsessed with his dead wife, Josh hasn't had much of a plot in years, since the only boyfriend he's had on the show was some homophobic jackass who lied and said he was gay, so that he could beat Josh up.

May is gone, Harry is gone, Sue is gone, Carla is gone, Chris is gone. All the side characters that helped make the show a little interesting, is gone. The found family dynamic is lacking or entirely absent this season. Also, making the point to show Tommy sad and longing for a family, only for him to end up sad and alone, doesn't make me want to keep watching this show.

I think I'm finished bitching for now. I know that my thoughts are all over the place, but I've kept my mouth shut on how I feel about OS and Buck's bisexuality, this whole time, but now I'm finally going to fully speak up.

As always, I know many or even most people aren't going to agree with me and that's fine. This is just my feelings and opinion on the show.

[where-is-my-whump]

~ MASTERLIST ~

WHUMP 2/2

Already got one but I've reached the link limit so here we go with a second for the next 100 gifsets. You can find the other masterlist here

(updating after every gifset post)

For everyone who wants to read something whumpy....I also write fanfictions: Right now there are 2 fics about Hudson & Rex, 1 about Criminal Minds and 1 about Chicago PD, Med and Fire here's the link to my Ao3

The Umbrella Academy

4x02 (car crash)

Lost in Fuseta

Part 1 (1x01/02) Part 2 (getting shot)

A Good Girls Guide To Murder

1x06 (drugged)

911 Lone Star

Season 5 whump preview (all kinds of whump)

5x02 (caught in explosion)

5x03 (aftermath of explosion, unconscious, emotional whump)

5x09 promo (shot)

Chicago PD

2x15 (bloody head wound, in and out of consciousness, trouble walking and standing up)

3x21/22 (shot, hospital scene)

Heimkehr mit Hindernissen

movie (head injury, unconscious, rescued)

Die Bergretter

Season 16 whump preview (fallen into ice water, injured face)

16x05 (held at gunpoint, held hostage)

Der Ranger

Vaterliebe (trapped, claustrophobia, panic, unconscious, bruises, rescued)

Outer Banks

4x10 (stabbed, character death)

Mord im Mittsommer

9x06 (drugged, kidnapped)

9x06 (explosion, hospital scene, dying)

Criminal Minds

15x09 (explosion, unconscious, nosebleed)

2x15 (kidnapped, drugged, head injury)

9x23/24 (shot, unconscious)

Hudson & Rex

Season 7 Trailer

Evil

1x03/05/06 (just watch it, sooo much whump)

Der Bergdoktor

18x01 ( collapsing, trouble breathing, hospital scene)

Deep Water

movie (falling down a cliff, unconscious, hit with rock)

Soko Leipzig

24x19 (knocked unconscious, at gunpoint, kidnapped, shot)

In aller Freundschaft

27x31 (car crash, coma, cpr, in and out of consciousness)

[shootforthestars-28]

Chicago PD

Season 12, Episode 5 | Water and Honey [2024]

[stellariders]

I agree with that other person. The Chicago shows need some new storylines. They keep repeating the same plot outlines for every few seasons.

Fire's upcoming synopsis not giving equal storyline for other characters aside the main two. Especially to newer characters.

Med's upcoming synopsis is doing the same case they did back in season 3. (like is it so hard to do a case where an a pregnant woman is carrying 5-7 babies. That can happen)

i can agree that at least chicago fire (i can’t speak much for pd and med cause i don’t watch often) needs to stop reusing the same storylines and needs fresh ideas.

i’m assuming when you say the “main two” you mean stella and kelly. but i don’t think they’ve dominated screen time this season at all, especially stella. i thought screen time was pretty balanced (kind of). i honestly can’t remember many storylines for her from the first half of the season. the only one i can remember is the the one about the trucking accident with the mom and her son. that’s been the most memorable storyline from stella this season and i legit can’t think of any other ones. so i really don’t think storylines have been unequal when you compare stellaride to the rest of the characters.

but you know who i think got wayyy too much screentime this season so far? carver and tori. the amount of screentime we got from them is actually unbearable. and i say this as someone who really does like carver. but his relationship with tori just pissed me off. every time an episode opened with them (which was too many times) i actually groaned. carver got more screentime then ritter which i think is dumb as hell if we’re being honest. and carver and tori got more couples screentime then stellaride, who is quite literally the main couple of the show now.

also, (and this isn’t directed toward you anon, just in general) i find it funny that people complain the stella and kelly get so much screentime now but never had a problem with screentime when the main two characters were casey and kelly. even then, casey got wayyy more screentime then kelly and more/ better storylines too and casey also got more storylines back then as a lead then stella does now as a lead but yall aren’t ready for that conversation yet. and i say this as someone who loves casey too.

[thena0315]

The Original Chicago PD Main Cast

Season 1: Jin left/dies

Season 4: Lindsey left

Season 5: Olinsky left/dies

Season 6: Dawson left

Season 10: Halstead left

Voight, Ruzek, Burgess and Atwater are all that remains of the main OGs

[chicago-pd-is-weird]

Hey! I'm wondering if you can write a oneshot centered around Al, Hank and Trudy's friendship set after the events of season 5 episode 22 if Al had survived the stabbing? With the angst that comes with being stabbed, but ultimately a happy ending.

Thank you :)

Hey!! Yes! I am so glad you requested this. To be honest, I went back and watched the scene and I teared up - I miss Al so much! Ugh…

So, I fixed it for us! Here we go!

I really hope you like it! :)

Hank ran as fast as he could to catch up with Alvin’s gurney. When someone tried to stop him, he said the only thing he could, “Chicago PD.” Pushing past the security guard, he took Al’s hand. “Al. Al it’s me. You be strong - you hear me? You hang in there, Al.”

“I got this, man.”

The words from his best friend sat in Hank’s stomach like a rock. “I know.” It was all he could muster, seeing Al like this.

“I got this.”

Hank nearly wanted to burst out in tears. He tried to give some hope, for himself and Alvin. “I know. They’re gonna fix you up. You’re gonna be- You’re gonna be okay.” The stutter he hadn’t meant to have, but he was choking back his emotion to be strong for Al. Suddenly, their hands were pried apart as Al was taken into surgery. Hank couldn’t follow.

He waited outside the doors for hours. Hours and hours and hours went by. It felt like an eternity, the hope in his heart being the only thing that kept him from strangling anyone who couldn’t give him an answer.

“I’m Sergeant Voight, CPD,” he would say, over and over while showing his badge. “Detective Alvin Olisnky, is he alright?

“He went in there and hasn’t come back out.

“How is he?”

Over and over, he would ask in a different way each time. He talked to doctors, nurses, surgical staff. They all had the same answer.

“I’m sorry, sir, I’m not sure who that is,” or, “I wasn’t on that case, sorry.”

Hank paced, eventually melting against a wall to begin praying. He wasn’t a man who prayed often, but being raised Catholic, he found it to be some kind of panic response. Over and over he would ask the staff what was going on, and he would receive the same replies each time.

Eventually, the waiting became mind-numbing. He stared up at the light above him, wondering if that was the last thing Alvin laid eyes on - the lights. He was nearly brought to tears, but pulled himself back, knowing Alvin would fight. He couldn’t die. Not like this. Not for Hank.

He was pulled out of his small meditation by people passing by. He paced again, waiting, wondering, watching. Finally, another doctor came out, one he swore he saw earlier when Al was wheeled in. “Excuse me, doc, I’m Sergeant Voight, Chicago PD. Detective Alvin Olisnky. Is he alright?”

The doctor stopped and turned to Hank, then nodded. “He is being taken up to the ICU. The surgery was hard. He’s not out of the woods yet.”

“Can I see him?” The words spilled from his mouth before he even knew what he was saying. Hank was relieved to know Al was alive, but had to see for himself. It was his fault, after all.

“Talk to the nurses at the front. They’ll find the room number.” The doctor walked away.

Hank went to the elevator, moving back toward the front. He knew his entire team was waiting for news. There were ten other people in the elevator, but he barely cared. Al was alive. It took everything he had not to break into tears from relief.

When he entered the room where everyone else was, he nodded to them. “He’s in the ICU.”

Each one of them seemed to physically relax, some sinking into their chairs, and others nodding back to Hank. Hank turned to find the nurse’s station, Trudy hot on his heels. “Hank,” she said once they were around the corner, out of sight of the rest. She put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“It’s alright, Trudy, I’m going to see him.” Hank turned to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “It’s alright.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

“I know,” she replied. “He’s my friend too, Hank. And so are you.”

Hank nodded, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t notice the tears that had escaped his eyes until Trudy wiped them from his face.

“It’s going to be alright. He survived the surgery. Olisnky is strong. Stronger than the both of us combined. Remember when he got shot in the leg and didn’t even say anything?”

For the first time in a long time, Hank cracked a small smile. “That’s Al… He never wanted to bother anybody.”

Trudy smiled softly and nodded. “Yep. He’s strong.”

“You know… You know what he said before he went in there?” Hank wiped his own face now, unable to stop the tears from flowing. He was shaking, just relieved that Al was alive. “He told me, ‘I got this, man, I’ve got this,’ you know, and all I could say is ‘I know,’ because what else am I supposed to say? And that… that was all. Then he was wheeled away.”

Trudy nodded and pulled Hank into a hug. “Al is strong,” she repeated. “He’s strong and he’ll get through this.”

Hank nodded, sniffling as he held Trudy tightly. She needed it as much as he did. They squeezed one another in a tight embrace for a long moment, something that didn’t happen often. Then, they broke away, each wiping their own face.

Trudy looked at him with a confident nod. “Let’s go see Olisnky.”

Hank nodded and both of them moved to the nurse’s station. Hank got the room number and moved quickly with Trudy to find it. When they did, they each went in as the nurse finished up taking Al’s vitals. Hank moved and sat closest to Al, by his side, taking his hand and holding it tightly in his own. The steady beep of the monitor brought back horrible memories of Camille when she was in the hospital. He could barely stand it, but took comfort in knowing that it meant Al was alive. Trudy sat in the next seat down, a hand on Hank’s back for comfort. She was also relieved to know Al was alive and in recovery.

—

Hank and Trudy took turns sitting beside Al for hours. A nurse would come in to check his vitals every so often, but had no news to share with them. Hours went by until Hank couldn’t stand it any longer. He looked at Trudy, shaking his head. “This is my fault,” he whispered.

“Hank, it’s not and you know it.”

“It is. If I hadn’t-“

Trudy shushed him. “Al would do anything for either of us. You know that. It could’ve been me, after my father was killed. Al would’ve taken the heat just the same for me.”

Hank sighed, his breath shaking. He hadn’t eaten in hours, and he hadn’t slept in weeks since they started going after Al. He looked at Al, then back to Trudy. “I was going to confess on the record tonight. If this hadn’t happened, I’d be in his place now, and he’d be home.”

“Then who would run intelligence? You do more for this city than anyone else. I’d rather have you out here than in jail.” Trudy shook her head. “I know Al feels exactly the same way. Why do you think he took the heat instead of throwing you under the bus?”

“Because he’s an idiot,” Hank replied.

“That’s not very nice,” came a ragged voice beside them. “Is that how you treat your friend who just got shanked in prison for you?”

Hank stood quickly, having never let go of Al’s hand. He squeezed it softly. “Al, dammit, you scared us.”

Trudy stood with Hank, a hand still on his back for comfort.

Al looked between the two of them. “You look like disappointed parents.”

Hank let out a breath, something of a laugh, tears brimming his eyes.

Trudy did the same, taking Al’s other hand from across the bed. “Well, Olisnky, guess I’ll have to cancel the coffin.”

“Nah, keep it,” Al replied with a small hole of his shoulders. “How old am I again?”

“You got plenty of life left in you,” Hank said, shaking his head. “Don’t even think about leaving me.”

Al looked up at them both. “I told you, man, I got this.”