"What do we know?" Sargent Voight asked before he had even made it to top of the stairs.

"So far, we've narrowed it down to four dozen people Hailey arrested who have been released in the past three months," Ruzek informed him, "Burgess is working on putting together a photo arrangement of them all," he continued, pointing towards the brunette detective furiously tapping away on her computer.

Voight gave them a curt nod and continued towards his office at the back of the bullpen, stopping only when he had reached the door. "This is one of our own being targeted. Hailey's family, and there are no lines I won't cross to keep my family safe." He told them, his eyes filled with anger and sincerity as he turned to face the group, "If you don't feel comfortable with that, you can leave now. No one will think any less of you." He advised them before turning back and walking to his desk without another word.

The group exchanged glances, but no one took up his offer of leaving. Voight was right, they're a family, and family stick together.

The spiralling range of emotions in the room was thick as Burgess stood up from her desk, "the photos are done," she announced, closing the now full binder.

"Good," Dawson replied, "I'll come with you to the hospital… I haven't had a chance to see Hailey yet." He continued, sadness creeping into his words.

Burgess replied with only a knowing nod, the thought that they could have lost Hailey was one that they all shared, before leading the way down the stairs and out of the precinct, leaving only Ruzek, Atwater and Voight in the bullpen.

"Ruz," Kevin said, standing up from his chair and making his way across the room towards Adam's desk.

Adam didn't even look up as he replied, "Hmm?"

"She's okay, man. She's safe." Kevin told him. Ruzek was trying to hide the tornado of emotions that were tearing through him, but Atwater knew he was struggling. He'd known the man long enough to see through the veil he built between him and everyone else.

Ruzek still didn't look up. "I know," he whispered, nodding his head violently, willing away the tears that threatened to fall. "I know. I really cared about her, Kev. I did." He told him.

"You're talking about her like she's dead," he said, a sad laugh followed his words. "I know you did, man. You still do. I know you, and I know how much you care about the people around you. Those feelings don't just go away because you stopped seeing each other." Kevin said, his voice kind.

"I know," Adam said again, not knowing what else to say. Kevin leaned against the man's desk and placed his hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Thank you," Ruzek breathed, winning the battle of control over his emotions.

Atwater simply squeezed the officer's shoulder before standing up from the desk, "you're my brother. I'm always gonna be here for you," he replied, tapping Adam on the shoulder playfully, "whether you like it or not."