The Chicago PD swiftly obtained the address of Xavier's hiding place with the help of the Intelligence team, and within a matter of hours, they successfully located the residence.
Presently, the officers have positioned themselves outside the premises, effectively securing the area by blocking the surrounding roads to prevent any unauthorized individuals from interfering with their operation.
The intelligence agents stood next to their vehicles, discussing the plan on how to enter the house without alerting Xavier or endangering any hostages.
"Okay Ashley, Ruzek, I want the two of you to approach the back of the house," Voight began, pointing towards the individuals on his left side. "Understood, boss," Ruzek acknowledged with a nod.
Voight nodded back at Ruzek and turned to Jay, Antonio, and Atwater. "The three of you will position yourselves at the front of the house, while Al and I will approach from the side," he stated, effectively dividing the team.
"Roger that," Jay responded, adjusting his bulletproof vest. He wished that Erin and Soifon were present to assist them with this operation, but he understood that Soifon needed rest and it wouldn't be safe for Erin either.
"Alright, if everyone is prepared, let's move in and maintain visual contact at all times," Voight commanded in a stern tone.
Ruzek inquired of Ashley, addressing her formally, to ascertain if she was ready before they proceeded to the rear. Ashley responded affirmatively, nodding her head, while simultaneously adjusting her bulletproof vest.
Upon receiving Ruzek's signal, Ashley followed closely behind as they progressed. Antonio's voice could be heard cautioning them, to which Ruzek replied, "You too, Tony," as they continued their stealthy advance towards the back door.
After a lengthy period of silent movement, the two detectives successfully reached the designated location near the back door. Ruzek proceeded to communicate their position to the others in a hushed tone via radio, stating, "Ash and I have assumed our positions." In response, Voight transmitted instructions through the radio, advising them to enter slowly.
Ashley attentively listened to Ruzek's relayed message and nodded when Voight authorized them to proceed. Whispers escaping her lips, she urged Ruzek to take the lead, following closely behind. They carefully maneuvered through the area, nimbly stepping over fallen chairs. Inquisitively, Ruzek mused, "Who would choose to hide in such a place?"
Ashley, in a hushed voice, replied to him, "Individuals seeking refuge or evading pursuit, I presume," her gaze scanning their surroundings.
"Yeah, I am aware of that, however," Ruzek stated with a sigh as he assisted Ashley in maneuvering over a crack in the floor.
"We should inspect the basement," Ashley whispered, assuming that Antonio, Jay, and Atwater would be searching the upper floors, leaving the lower level for them to investigate.
Ruzek nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea," he whispered, taking a few steps towards the damaged basement door.
Ashley followed cautiously, being careful not to step on anything or injure her hip. Both of them had already drawn their firearms and were holding flashlights.
"Do you want to lead the way this time?" Ruzek whispered, pausing at the top of the basement stairs to look at Ashley, who gave a slight nod. "Yes, just make sure to watch my back," she whispered in response.
The blond man nodded. "Don't worry, I don't need Antonio accidentally shooting me in the head when he's already in a bad mood," Ruzek remarked, observing as Ashley slowly descended the first steps into the basement.
Despite Ruzek's remark about Antonio, Ashley descended the stairs carefully, taking small steps. She was aware that Ruzek's statement was true, as Antonio was still angry about the events of that morning.
As she heard the steps creaking and cracking under their weight, she bit her lip. 'Have any of you found anything yet?' Voight's voice came through the static-filled radio once they reached the bottom of the basement.
Ashley continued walking while Ruzek attempted to respond to Voight. 'Nothing yet, boss,' the blond detective replied. Voight, unable to hear Ruzek clearly, asked, 'What was that, Ruzek?' Frustrated, Ruzek smacked his radio with his hand, placing his gun under his arm.
'Ruzek, can you hear me?' Ruzek called into his radio, but all he received was static from the other side. He looked up and realized Ashley, who had been ahead of him, was now nowhere to be seen. 'Damn,' the blond hissed as he returned the radio to his belt and set off to find the brunette.
While Ruzek attempted to engage in conversation with Voight, Ashley proceeded to walk ahead, believing that it was unnecessary for both of them to remain in one place.
As she continued on, she heard her radio emit static and Antonio's voice calling out to her, asking if she could hear him. Disregarding him, the brunette ignored his plea as she navigated past fallen rods and racks.
Ashley diligently searched every small room and corner for any indication of Xavier's whereabouts. Her thoughts wandered to whether the rest of the team had discovered anything yet, as she and Ruzek had not found any leads so far.
Too preoccupied with what lay ahead, Ashley failed to notice the footsteps trailing behind her. Assuming it was Ruzek catching up, she paid no attention to her back.
Eventually, Ashley halted at the end of the basement, where there remained one last room to inspect. Slowly, she extended her hand towards the curtain that hung over the door frame, preparing to draw it back. However, before she could do so, a pair of arms encircled her neck and shoulders.
"Don't utter a sound, you wretched woman," a male voice hissed menacingly into Ashley's ear, as a rough hand covered her mouth and nose. "Or else I will mercilessly shoot that pretty head of yours."
Ashley's eyes widened at the sound of the voice. However, she realized she couldn't merely sit idly and contemplate the identity of the person. She desperately attempted to struggle and even contemplated stepping on her assailant's foot, but he overpoweringly restrained her.
"I must inquire, my delicate porcelain doll, as to why you are present here," the man jeered, smirking. Ashley's eyes widened in response to those words, and her struggle continued. She could faintly hear the voices of Antonio and Voight through the radio.
Refusing to release his grasp on Ashley, the suspect brazenly seized the radio and forcefully hurled it against the wall, causing it to shatter. "Allow me to make a guess: your insignificant lover and your superior are hunting for me, are they not?" the man taunted.
Ashley's eyes widened in astonishment as the man revealed his identity. "X-Xavior?" she managed to mumble through her muffled voice, as he tightened his grip on her mouth.
Xavier said, "Your quick, but I suppose I should thank your father for betraying me, shouldn't I?" He smirked upon realizing who he had encountered. "So, do you have any idea how to help me escape from here, Detective?" Xavier inquired, maintaining a firm grip on Ashley.
Ashley struggled to free herself from Xavier's grasp, attempting to pry his hands away from her mouth, nose, and neck. Her breathing became labored, and she couldn't help but glance at the broken radio lying on the floor.
"Why won't you answer me, Ash?" Xavier asked, feigning hurt at her silent response. "It's common courtesy to respond when someone addresses you," he remarked, forcefully turning her around and slamming her against the wall behind him. "Now, tell me, how can I get out of here?" he demanded.
Xavier removed his hand from her mouth to allow her to speak, but he kept his arm pressed against her throat. The brunette swallowed harshly, her voice sounding raspy due to the lack of air. "I won't tell you how. There are numerous police officers and other detectives out there waiting for you," she replied.
Xavier cast a furious gaze upon Ashley and delivered a forceful backhand across her face, causing her head to collide with the wall behind her. She clenched her lip in an attempt to conceal the pain. 'Wrong answer, indeed,' he exclaimed, tightening his grasp on the brunette who made an effort to kick his shin amidst her disoriented state. 'Now, answer me, or I shall exploit you as bait to secure my release,' Xavier hissed menacingly into Ashley's ear.
Ashley remained silent, directing a fierce glare at Xavier as she tugged at his other arm, hoping to free herself. Nevertheless, her actions only led to a tighter grip around her neck. 'Seems like the cat has got your tongue, my dear,' Xavier taunted with a smirk, noting the resentment in Ashley's brown eyes at the remembrance of an old nickname given to her by multiple individuals, including her father.
Summoning the last ounce of strength within her, Ashley took a deep breath and launched a kick towards Xavier's shin. The blow succeeded in knocking him off balance and diverting his attention, causing him to release his grip on her.
Ashley observed as Xavier crouched down with an aggressive growl, stating, "You will face the consequences for that." Despite his harsh gaze, Ashley disregarded him and struck him with the back of her firearm, coinciding with Ruzek catching up to her.
Ruzek rushed towards Ashley and exclaimed, "There you are, Ash," appearing slightly breathless. He glanced down to see Xavier sprawled unconscious on the ground.
Ashley glanced at Ruzek, affirming her actions by nodding her head. "Apologies, Adam, for leaving you behind in that manner," she expressed to the younger detective, who merely shrugged. "Do not worry, especially since we have apprehended Xavier," he replied, causing Ashley to smile.
She nodded while rubbing her neck and wiping away the small trickle of blood that had descended on her chin. "Well, it was not an easy feat," she said. Ruzek gazed at her and nodded.
"Do you require medical attention?" Ruzek inquired as he observed Ashley massaging the back of her head and wincing in pain. "No, I am fine, just a bit battered, but I will manage," Ashley responded, continuing to rub the back of her head.
Ruzek regarded Ashley with a sense of unease. 'We should retrieve Xavier and depart,' he suggested, lifting the stirring Xavier as validation. 'Antonio and Voight are becoming increasingly irritated by our lack of communication,' he added.
Ashley acknowledged Ruzek's concerns and picked up her broken radio. 'Indeed, we should escape from this location,' she concurred, allowing Ruzek to lead the way back upstairs. 'Fortunately, this ordeal will soon be concluded,' she commented as they ascended the staircase.
As Ashley and Ruzek neared the stairs, they were met by the apprehensive gazes of Antonio and Voight near the entrance. 'Ash, Adam, are both of you unharmed?' inquired Voight.
'Yes, we are, and we have successfully secured Xavier, although Ashley bore the major brunt of the endeavor,' Ruzek informed, prompting Voight to express his approval.
'I am relieved,' their leader stated as he glanced towards Xavier. 'Adam, transport him to the vehicle,' he instructed, proceeding to inform everyone else of the apprehension.
Ashley positioned herself next to Antonio, who scrutinized her with narrowed eyes. 'Are you feeling well?' he inquired, observing Ashley's momentary instability.
Ashley acknowledged Antonio's gesture by embracing him when he extended his arms towards her. "I will feel relieved once we depart from this location," she whispered. Antonio tenderly held Ashley in his arms and affectionately kissed her forehead. "Let us leave this place and determine any other tasks that need to be completed before returning home," he suggested.
Ashley nestled her face against Antonio's chest and nodded. She felt his fingers gently combing through her tangled hair and winced when he touched a wound on the back of her head. Concerned, Antonio inquired, "Ash, what is this?" He quickly withdrew his hand to examine the injury.
Before Ashley could answer, she heard Antonio's growl. "We must take you to the hospital," he exclaimed. Without uttering any further words, he carried Ashley out of the house in his arms, fearing that her lack of response may be due to the head injury. "Hold on, my love. We will ensure you receive proper medical attention," he reassured her.
( Millie is another Oc of mine.)