CHAPTER NINE || CLOSING

"Your forehead is a big enough target Rome!" Tej's voice echoed through Roman's car from a tech device linked up to the radio, Ash chuckled before looking in the seat next to her seeing josè was out cold. looking out the window on josè side, Ash Could see Letty driving in line beside her.

"Shut up" Roman's voice sounded through his car, Offended at Tej's statement. Tej's laugh quickly followed before being cut off by Roman's hand slamming into the radio.

"Rome is she okay?" there it was, the voice she'd been trying so hard to forget. A voice that triggered emotions she couldn't even begin to describe. Anxiety trickled through her veins like acid, she gripped the steering wheel tighter, so tight it made her knuckles turn white. 

"yeah man, she cool." Roman smiled cheekily. It all felt wrong, it felt off. shed never expected them to help her, she wasn't sure she wanted them to, But they were family, and they always would be. 

"I'll be fine now guys thanks. but I gotta head back with this asshole." Ash nodded towards Josè, before looking back over to Roman who just scoffed, "Not even a hello" he rolled his eyes, his words seemed jokingly but there was an underlying seriousness to them. and by the look on Letty's face, Ash could tell she was pissed at her for leaving. and she had every right to be. 

**

ash had done what she could while driving for josè arm, not that he deserved it. but she at least had to pretend she cared. the drive to catch up with Dom would've been a long one if Ash hadn't been going over 100 mph the whole drive. she finally managed to catch up with them at the same place they'd started the whole trip. she could see John and his group standing in front of their cars while Dom and Nick got out of the truck. Ash followed helping Josè out of the car earning a confused look from Dom as she handed him over to their group before walking over to Dom.

"There are people in the back of that truck," he whispered carefully, she had a feeling back at the truck stop there were. the banging. and it still hadn't stopped. the light tapping coming from inside the truck sending shivers down Ash's spine. it was sickening, it was vile, the thought someone could even do that to another human being made Ash feel sick. 

dom sent her a look and she knew they had to end this now, this case was done. she couldn't let anything else happen to the people in the back of that truck... If they didn't get to them now, those people might not last even an hour. 

"I'll call when I need you two again." the ring leader spoke, ash pressed a button on her keys that signalled to intelligence they needed to help, and luckily they were already there they'd been waiting, ready to pounce when they received the signal. but it wasn't just intelligence that was ready. 

in a matter of seconds, intelligence rounded the corner; Jay, Antonio, Kevin, Adam, Kim, Hailey, voight. guns raised and pointed toward the smugglers. dom and Ash raising their guns instantly joining intelligence to help the people. 

"Chicago PD! hands up!" Ash yelled, her voice stern and cold as the revving of cars got louder. 6 cars sped into the area skidding to a stop. she knew... and she didn't dare turn around. the group seeing as they're surrounded, threw their hands up dropping their weapons, shock plastered across their faces as intelligence started arresting them. 

Ash passed one of the men she'd arrested over to Antonio as she saw Hobbs in her peripheral vision walk up to Voight. She knew her family was behind her. She knew Brian was behind her, she swallowed the lump rising in her throat as she tried to gain her composure when Jay rushed towards her, a look of relief etched onto his features.

"you're okay?" he asked, worry consuming not only his voice but his features as he stared down at Ash waiting for her to answer, she nodded offering him a small smile.

"yeah I'm good, help me get these truck doors open. kim! radio for some ambos!" Ash ordered looking over at Kim who nodded holding her radio up to her mouth. before Ash rounded the truck going to the doors.

they were stuck. jay and Ash both pulled but it was no use the doors were wedged closed until Dom made his way over and helped them pry open the doors. the stench inside was putrid, the wind pushed the stench toward the detectives as a wave of nausea fell upon the three stood at the doors, as they caught sight of what was inside. easily 35 young women, malnourished and shoved in the back of the truck.

**

ash waited for all the women to be taken into ambulances, quickly thanking Brett and Gabby as they checked over the women before Ash glanced over at her sarge and Hobbs still talking. the sight filling her with panic. 

glancing over to the cars she saw him leaning against Lettys Dodge ChallengerSRT. He hadn't aged a day. he was still just as beautiful as the first time she'd ever laid her eyes on him. yet his smile was nowhere to be seen. one of the first things she noticed was he'd cut his hair, ash had studied his face for years trying to remember the man she was so madly in love with, his gorgeous blonde locks had been cut off. but he was still as handsome as ever.

he caught sight of Ash, a flicker of hope showing in his eyes for a fraction of a second as he stood ready to go over and talk to her but she walked off back toward Jay before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I get why you don't wanna tell me. but he deserves to know. just at least speak to him." Dom almost begged making Ash glance back over at Brian. her chest constricted in such a way she had to take a deep breath before looking back up at Dom.

"I don't know if I can" The breath caught in the back of her throat, she felt like she couldn't breathe. her heart racing as she looked over at him, every bone in her body felt as if it was breaking as she caught Brian's gorgeous blue eyes. 

"try, we're family" Ash sighed looking over at Brian and her old friends before looking over at intelligence the ache in her chest was raw, painful. As she took a few steps towards her family, Brian.

the hope flickered in his eyes again as he began walking over, a pained smile showing up on his face as if he was trying not to cry. when he reached her his arms wrapped around her, and it shocked Ash. She didn't think this would be the reaction to seeing him again. She expected shouting and cursing. but maybe that was just her past talking. she accepted it and hugged him back, only for a second before breaking it. but his hands lingered on her arms as he stared down into her eyes, his striking blue eyes glossed over.

"Are you okay?" was the first question he asked, ash's chest felt like it was going to explode as she took a step away from him her lungs not allowing enough oxygen to flood them her mind rushing with thought after thought. 

"yeah I-" she couldn't. She didn't know what to say after being gone for so long. seeing him, it was like no time had passed at all. it was painful as if each time his eyes met her bullets pierced her skin. 

"Look Ashley whatever happened back then-" he took a breath "Maybe we can meet up tomorrow just us?" was this really happening? After all this time, she had a feeling everything would catch up with her but right now she wasn't ready. she had to tell him at some point she knew he deserved to know.

"quinn! let's go!" Voight's voice echoed, invading Ash's ears, and pulling her from the moment. 

"uh yeah, there's a bar, mollys. I'll be there at 8 tomorrow we can talk. tell Hobbs I'll call him later with updates on the case." was the last thing she said before she turned around walking back towards intelligence her hand rubbing the centre of her chest where it ached.

**

"I'm glad you're okay" Jay's voice was almost silent as the two sat at Molly's, ash's nodded and gripped her corona bottle tightly.

"thank you" she smiled, jay was beautiful too. tall, freckled, he was strong and brave but so was Brian. But now there was Jay, his hand on her forearm, his thumb gently caressing her skin as if rubbing away the stresses of the day.

"I've been thinking about us a lot ash, I know there's a lot about your past you're not ready to talk about. I respect that. but when you are ready I'm here." he offered a small smile, his hand slowly gliding down her arm gently giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before getting up to join his brother. he was learning, and Ash could see he was trying, as much as he wanted to know, wanted to help. he didn't want to pressure her too much he just wanted her to know when she was ready--she could talk to him.

Ash watched as he walked away, going to the bar and sitting with his ginger brother before Kim and Kelly sat at the table joining Ash., Her best friend almost instantly knew she needed company. 

"you scared the shit out of me. that box I'm glad you're okay hard-ass" Ash chuckled at Kelly's words, a smile coming up on her face. he knew her well, well enough to know she wasn't one to dwell on work or danger...

"Well, I'm back. and i'm good as always. I'll get that shit sorted tomorrow" Ash smiled taking a sip of her beer as Kelly did the same. The boxes Kelly and Brian had received, were scary. But not scary enough to be put at the top of her priority list. 

"that guy Dom, all those people at the scene today, they were your family?" Kim questioned, there was no point in hiding it now if she was going to lose her job the damage was already done.

"yeah, apart from Brian he was my boyfriend" Her heart ached at her own words, 'Was'.

"So Brian's the mysterious guy who broke your heart?" Ash had almost forgotten she'd briefly spoken to Kim about Brian just keeping most of the details out of it, he didn't break Ash's heart. she broke his.

"yeah, I guess" Ash nodded taking another sip from the bottle of beer, she was going to have to see him tomorrow. She took a breath trying not to let her thoughts consume her.

"and he shows up while you're fucking Jay?!" it wasn't difficult for intelligence to figure out Ash and Jay were a thing, they'd kissed in Mollys a few times, shown up to work together and not to mention the clear worry for each other enough to be a dead giveaway. so it was basically common knowledge now.

"yep" ash sighed pinching the bridge of her nose, could her life get any more messed up?

**

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