Chapter Text
Ava stepped into the Intelligence bullpen the next morning, coffee in hand, eyes flicking over the empty desks that were slowly being claimed. She wasn’t used to the quiet here—it carried a different energy than Vice.
Voight emerged from his office, papers tucked under his arm, his gravelly voice cutting through the air. “Ava—walk with me.”
She fell into step beside him as they moved toward the observation room. He stopped, leaned against the table, and looked her square in the eye.
“I’ve sorted out the rest of the unit,” he said, matter-of-fact. “Halstead’s coming over from patrol, I’ve got Olinsky back on board, and Ruzek’s finishing up the academy—he’ll be good. Jules’ll stay on too. That rounds us out with Antonio and Erin.”
Ava raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “That’s a hell of a lineup.”
Voight gave a short nod. “It’ll work. Everyone’s got a role to play. And you—” his tone softened just a touch, “—you’ve proven yourself. You’re not just filling a seat here. You’re part of this.”
For a moment, she just watched him, reading the weight behind his words. “So this is it? The team’s set?”
“This is the unit,” Voight said firmly. “And now it’s time to prove we’re the best damn thing this city’s got.”
Ava’s smirk turned into a genuine smile. “Then let’s get to work.”