It all transpired in an abrupt manner. One moment, everyone was engaged in jovial conversation and laughter, relishing the pleasant gathering as they made their way to their respective vehicles. Initially, Erin was unaware of the unfolding events - a sudden gunshot pierced the air, accompanied by the forceful action of being thrust into Antonio's arms by Soifon.
In the backdrop, the distinct sound of tires screeching persisted as the perpetrator made a swift escape, leaving the detectives alone in the obscurity.
Erin observed the scene as Ashley applied pressure to Soifon's gunshot wound, awaiting the arrival of medical assistance. Placed beside her beloved in a state of shock, Erin grappled with her surroundings. Fixated on her unconscious partner, she found herself blurting out concerns to Antonio regarding the ambulance's arrival time.
With unwavering focus, her hazel eyes remained fixated on Ashley's hands - meticulously applying additional pressure to the wound. "Tony, how much longer?" the elder brunette inquired through clenched teeth, intensifying her efforts.
"Approximately five minutes away," Antonio responded, lowering himself beside her. Casting a discreet glance towards Erin, he whispered, "Erin?"
Antonio's words caught Erin's attention as she looked up at him. He assured her that she would be okay, gently placing his hand on her shoulder for support. Erin, though relieved, only responded with a silent nod as she shifted her gaze back to her lover.
Coincidentally, as if to taunt their tense situation, the rain began to pour just as the ambulance and a few police officers, including Voight and Al, arrived at the scene.
Erin couldn't help but release a sigh of relief as she glanced up to see Gabby and Sylvie hurrying out of the ambulance. Under her breath, she expressed her exasperation, remarking "About time," as the two paramedics approached their location.
As Antonio approached Voight and Al, filling them in on the situation, Erin observed the interaction. Suddenly, Gabby's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, as she quietly whispered to the older woman, "We have her now, Ash." Ash gave a nod and swiftly moved her hands away from Soifon's wound, allowing Sylvie to take over.
"I should have paid more attention to our surroundings," Erin reflected. She observed Gabby and Sylvie diligently working on Soifon, and realized that she had been disregarding everyone else around her. Although she may have been obstructing the paramedics, she didn't seem to care. "Erin, we need some space," Gabby's soft tone snapped Erin out of her thoughts once again.
Erin was on the verge of protesting and refusing to leave Soifon's side when she heard a familiar voice beside her. "Let them do their job, Erin," Kelly Severride said, crouching down beside her with his arms outstretched. Erin could only stare at him in astonishment, opening her mouth to protest once more.
"They will be able to assist Soifon more efficiently if you are not constantly hovering over them," Kelly whispered gently. Without another word from Erin, the firefighter embraced her and helped her to her feet. Ashley had already approached Voight's side with Antonio. "I cannot leave her side, Kelly," Erin whispered as she glanced at her former boyfriend.
Kelly remarked, as he escorted her to Voight with his arm securely around her shoulders. He assured her, 'Once Gabby and Sylvie finish examining Soifon and are ready to take her to the hospital, we will leave.' He gently kissed her temple.
Erin attentively listened to Kelly's words and recognized the validity of his statement. Despite the difficulty, she knew she had to exercise patience. Grateful for Kelly's presence as the cold rain made contact with her exposed skin, she sought solace in his protective embrace. She spoke up, asking, 'Will you remain by my side? I mean, until we reach the hospital.'
Kelly replied, 'Of course, I will stay with you, whether it is until then or until we have more information.' As he held her close, the two of them approached Voight, Ashley, Antonio, and Al, who were patiently awaiting Erin's arrival.
Erin simply stared blankly at them, her gaze fixed over Kelly's shoulder, observing as Gabby and Sylvie carefully transferred Soifon onto a gurney after administering an IV into her arm.
Gabby stated that they were prepared to proceed as she and Sylvie transported Soifon to the ambulance. Erin glanced at Kelly and then at Voight, who gave her an approving gesture. 'We will handle things here, proceed,' Voight asserted. Erin acknowledged Voight's instruction as she approached the ambulance with Kelly at her side. 'Severride, you are instructed to accompany them,' Voight's voice echoed after them.
'Agreed,' Kelly replied once he and Erin reached Gabby and Sylvie by the ambulance. 'Voight has requested that I join you,' he informed the two women. 'That is acceptable,' Gabby responded.
Sylvie relayed through the radio to the hospital, 'We will arrive in approximately ten minutes.' Erin overheard Will's voice responding on the other end, 'Very well, we will be waiting here.'
Erin sat next to Kelly and observed as Gabby exited the truck. Just before the younger Dawson closed the door, she heard Voight exclaim, 'I want a police car trailing that ambulance.' Once the door was shut, Gabby assumed the driver's seat and drove away from the scene.
Ashley's P.O.V*
Ashley observed the departure of the ambulance, leaving herself and Antonio to engage in a conversation with Voight and Al. Although she was deep in thought about the recent events, the rapid occurrence of the incident prevented her from visually witnessing the shooting.
However, she did catch snippets of the conversation, particularly when recalling Soifon's initial warning. At the time, she did not assign much significance to it until the raven-haired woman attempted to warn them again, ultimately resulting in Soifon succumbing to her injuries.
Amidst her contemplation, Ashley overheard Antonio's words, "It all happened so fast, Voight. One moment we were enjoying ourselves and exchanging jokes, and then suddenly there was gunfire." Her companion proceeded to run his hand across his face, indicating that he experienced the same emotions as herself.
Antonio further revealed, "I was unable to capture the license plate of the black SUV, although I believe it may have been a GMC." Ashley attentively observed Voight's nod before Al posed the question, "Do you believe this incident is linked to the Xavier case?" This query prompted everyone to ponder the potential connection, to which Voight responded, "I do not possess a definitive answer, but it is indeed a possibility."
Let us proceed to the hospital and contact the remaining members of the team," Voight stated, leading the way to his truck with Al following closely behind. "We will rendezvous with you at that location," Antonio responded, taking out his phone to call Jay. He was certain that Al would inform Atwater and Adam about the situation in detail.
Ashley observed Antonio raising the phone to his ear and both of them settling into their car and fastening their seat belts. She glanced at Antonio, who began tapping the steering wheel as if patiently waiting for Jay to answer.
After a few minutes of waiting, Jay finally answered, his voice sounding tired. "Antonio, why are you calling me at such a late hour?" he inquired.
"Proceed to the hospital and we will update everyone once we arrive. One of our colleagues has been injured," Antonio replied. There was no need for the second-in-command to repeat himself as Ashley could hear movement on the other end of the call. "What? Is everything alright?" Jay asked. "I will join you shortly."
After concluding the call, Antonio proceeded to start the car and leave the parking lot en route to the hospital, realizing that Voight and Al had already departed long ago.
"I should have been more observant of our surroundings to prevent any of us from being injured," Antonio's statement caught Ashley's attention, causing her to frown as her hand gently rested on top of his. "I am aware, but Soifon would not blame us," she whispered.
While Antonio drove to the hospital, Ashley pondered the case, attempting to recollect her thoughts as she recalled certain memories. Xavier's face appeared in her mind, causing her to shake her head in an attempt to clear it. Despite her efforts, she acknowledged that these memories could be valuable, such as the recollection of her father and a Xavier look-alike conversing during her time working for her father before his arrest several years ago.
Nervously swallowing, the brunette turned to her boyfriend, and in a soft but audible voice, she stated, "Antonio, I may know someone who might have information about Xavier's whereabouts."