Keeping It in the Family (Linstead)

Chapter 94

Monday brought with it the return to work of Burgess and Ruzek following their honeymoon. Not wanting their vacation to be ruined, Lindsay had instructed the team not to mention anything to them about Vega getting shot, so Halstead knew that them receiving that news was going to be one of the first things on the day's agenda.

The job of breaking the unpleasant news fell to Lindsay of course, which was why she had insisted that they had to go in early and be the first ones in the office for this particular shift.

On a personal level, Halstead had more news to pass on to his two close friends, but that would be saved for the first time he had a chance to talk to them out of the office. He wasn't going to announce in front of the whole team that he and Lindsay would be trying for a baby. In fact, he could still hardly believe it himself. Even though they had already had unprotected sex twice the previous night, part of him still expected Erin to pull the plug on the whole idea. So far, at least, there was no sign of that happening.

Presumably wanting to show eagerness on their first day back, Ruzek and Burgess were next to walk in, only about ten minutes after Halstead and Lindsay. Burgess had kept her own name in marriage, which at least saved having two Ruzeks on the team.

"What, are you sleeping here now?" was Ruzek's greeting to Halstead.

"Adam! Is that all you've got to say for yourself?" Burgess scolded him as Halstead got up to greet them. He gave her a hug.

"Looking good, Kim. What a tan!" Halstead said. Next there was a handshake with Ruzek. "Good to have you back, man."

"Wish I could say it was good to be back," Ruzek quipped. He also had a nice tan, and was apparently in good humour. Halstead figured that wasn't going to last long.

"Well, it's good to have you back either way," Lindsay said, coming out of her office. "Kim, you look great."

"Thanks, Erin. It was a lovely break."

The two women hugged, in a rare moment of informality while they were working. Lindsay didn't usually go for that kind of thing.

"Have you kept Jay on the straight and narrow while we were away?" Ruzek asked as he also hugged Lindsay.

"I've done my best. So, guys, I've something pretty unpleasant to tell you. To avoid scaring you, I want to be clear that it's going to sound worse than it is."

"Okay," Ruzek said warily, as Burgess stood there looking concerned.

"As I imagine you saw, AJ Styles, the guy who was on the run and shooting cops, was taken down. Actually, it was me who put him down. But before that, unfortunately, Z was one of the people he shot, while she was on her way to academy."

"Jesus Christ," Burgess gasped.

"You said it will sound worse than it is," Ruzek said. "She's alive?"

"Yes she is, and in time she's going to be okay. She was shot in the back. It was touch and go when they got her to Med due to blood loss, but they managed to save her. They've said her injury will require a tough recovery period, but her life is no longer in danger and they expect her to recover fully, I'm happy to say."

"Thank God for that," Burgess said.

"I hear you," Ruzek agreed. "Is she still in the hospital?"

Lindsay nodded. "She is."

"We'll have to pay a visit after shift," Burgess said.

"I'm sure Z would like that," Halstead said.

"How's Raquel doing?" Burgess wanted to know.

"She crumbled a bit when it first happened, but who wouldn't in that situation? She's doing okay now. She's working, so she'll be here soon."