First things first they had to let Adam know that Intelligence were onto it. He'd have faith in getting out of it if he knew they had his back. "How do we do that? It's not like we can send him a message." Grady put her feet up on the desk. "Send up smoke signals? Sky writing?"

Kim scratched her neck, a trait she often had when she was thinking. Kevin noticed it and held up his hand when Halstead went to speak. "What is it Burgess?"

"Have they sent them in food?

"What good would that do?" Voight shot Grady a bemused look, he really needed to have a word with her. He didn't care where ideas came from or how far-fetched or out of left field they were, if people were thinking then that was a good thing. As time went on they'd hone their skills so he was willing to listen to his rookies as much as his more senior detectives.

Burgess just smiled, cocked her head a little and continued on. "A bacon and maple sugar sandwich."

Halstead screwed up his nose. "That's disgusting."

"Yes, yes it is but he loves it, always has and if we send that he will know we are onto it, I guarantee it." Kim mocked him constantly about his penchant for it. Whenever he cooked bacon at home he always had maple sugar on it, he used to drown it in the stuff. Syrup wasn't good enough, it needed to be sugar.

"That's a bit of a stretch, how would we know if he got it." Grady just couldn't help herself.

"Because Burgess knows him, better than anyone. If he sees it he'll know." Voight interrupted. "Okay, that's one part of the plan so far, what next?"

"We can get a message to him, inside the wrapper."

"How? We can't write 'hang on Ruz, we are all over it." Atwater had a good point. If Ruzek didn't pick it up and someone else saw it, it could put everyone at risk.

"No…" Burgess tapped her finger to her temple. "…but if we pick a time that we are going to execute the plan, whatever it is we can let him know. Say it's 1600hrs, then we put 8 + 8 and a smiley face."

"Is this some secret code?" Grady scoffed.

She blushed. "Kinda, we used to send messages to each other…" Burgess waved her hand. Back when they were trying to keep their burgeoning relationship a secret that was how they organised a time to meet and even once they were out in the open they continued using that method. It was a thing and she knew he'd get it and it also gave her a buzz that he'd know it was from her. "Anyway, doesn't matter how or why now, all I know is that Adam will get it."

"Are you sure?" Grady was sceptical. "It seems risky."

"Then what do you suggest?" Burgess countered, she knew that Grady would have something to say about it, she didn't like being usurped. "Let us in on your great idea because all you are doing to shooting down everyone else. I guess we just go in guns blazing and hope like hell." Kevin put his hand on Kim's leg to steady her. If anyone knew how Ruzek's mind worked it was Kim, despite them being a mile apart right now that didn't diminish the connection and understanding they had about each other and how they worked and thought. "As I used to say to him being in Intelligence doesn't make you Intelligent." Kim mused.

At least letting Adam know at what time they planned to breach he could cause a distraction or ensure the hostages are away from the doors and windows. It wasn't fool proof and the risks were high but if they couldn't talk these guys down soon they'd have no choice. They had to go in and Voight preferred it if Intelligence had the plan, SWAT's plan was lots of cops and lots of bangs. They had to try and control it.

"Burgess, a moment?" Voight left them to plan the raid and reminded them that the clock was ticking. He beckoned her into his office and closed the door behind him. "Are you good to go?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? I can't have you letting your emotions get in the way. You know this is still a risk." Voight would pull her so fast her head would spin if she thought she couldn't control herself. "And if you can't control them and if you can't control that out there…" he waved his hand out towards the bullpen and Kim knew what she was being told. "…then I will bench you."

"I know this is a risk, and I can do it. I promise Boss. He's our family first and foremost, everyone goes home, right? That's what you told me, that's what you've told us every single time."

"Right." He nodded and indicated she could go. Burgess took just a second to get her game face on and Voight noticed her change in demeanour as she turned to leave. "Just one thing…Intelligence doesn't make you Intelligent?" Burgess stopped with her hand on the doorknob and shot Voight a wry smile.

"Just a thing I used to say when he was being a little cocky. When I was on patrol, I'd remind him that just because he was upstairs didn't make him smarter than me."

"He is a little cocky." Voight chuckled.

Burgess tilted her head to the side. "Aren't we all?"

Grady followed Burgess when she headed to the locker room. Splashing some water on her face she didn't hear anyone come in behind her and jumped a little when she turned around. "You know I am just trying to help?"

"Sure." Burgess screwed up the paper towel and tossed it in the trash can. "We all are."

"I am worried you are too close to this. I know you've had issues with Ruzek and that he…"

Kim held up her hand. "I'm sorry, my issues with Ruzek are none of your business and that does not diminish the fact that I know how he thinks and works."

"They are my business if it affects the team and how you do your job." Grady didn't give up. "I think you should sit this one out. You've done your bit."

"Did you sleeping with your boss affect your ability to work?" Kim had heard the rumours, although they weren't exactly a secret and she usually didn't like throwing people's pasts in their faces, lord knows she had her own mistakes she wanted to move on from but she was stressed and angry and felt like she was being attacked for some unknown reason. Grady looked at her slack-jawed. "I'm not sitting anything out. My relationship with Ruzek doesn't affect the team and it never has." Kim bristled but she also had Voight's warning ringing in her ears. No way she wanted to be pulled from this case. "Ruzek needs our help, we need to get him out of there alive, that's my focus. It wouldn't matter if it was Halstead, Kev, Antonio or even you.." She emphasised the last part. "…same deal, we will do whatever it takes to get him out safely."

"I need to trust you to have my back. What if we go in and he's already dead or…."

Kim stepped close to Ann, getting all up in her face. "…Adam's alive. I know you've given up on him already but you don't know Adam, you don't know me or Atwater or anyone else out there." She waved her hand angrily towards the bullpen where everyone else was still knocking out a plan. "I know you think you've done it all and seen it all but this is Intelligence, it's not Gangs or Robbery Homicide or wherever else you've been. We all go home, every single time. I'm going to make sure Adam goes home and if you can't get on board then get out of my fucking way." Kim stepped around Ann and left her gaping.

Kim didn't have time for this. They had a job to do.

I promise there is a chapter coming up about what's going on with Ruzek, it's just taking me a while to find the groove and get in on paper so it makes some sense. Bear with me.