Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) was one of the most important characters in the One Chicago crossover. The veteran officer was trapped underground, and forced to put fears for his own life to the side so he could aid civilians and catch a potential suspect.
He did all that and made it home to Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) for dinner. It was a wonderful capper to an otherwise stressful three-part event. Unfortunately, the stress is not going to stop with regard to Ruzek and Burgess. The couple are in for a lot more professional struggles in season 12 of Chicago PD, which will undoubtedly impact their personal lives.
Ruzek and Burgess have more struggles ahead
PD showrunner Gwen Sigan told Hello! Magazine there was a lot on Burzek's shoulders during the crossover, but that the biggest struggles will be saved for later in the year. "What you'll see in the rest of our season, is that they reach a breaking point," Sigan revealed. "To see the juxtaposition of their joy and progression and the harsher realities of life, it does eventually have to be dealt with and that piece of it will definitely be continuing for us."
This lines up with what Sigan told One Chicago Center in terms of post-crossover storylines. "There's a few episodes coming up where they're both still dealing with a lot and just common stressors of life, family issues and parenting and [Burgess'] promotion," Sigan noted. "They have to address it."
The struggle to juggle these various elements will certainly be compounded by the fact that the duo plan to get married before the end of season 12. Between Burgess' promotion, Ruzek's involvement in an upcoming case, and the potentially threatening presence of Chief Deputy Reid (Shawn Hatosy), it's not going to be easy to say, pick out flower arrangements.
The characters will get married in season 12
"How do you enjoy all of the things that are coming up," Sigan rhetorically asked. "And make sure that this part of your life is also about the joy of being engaged and getting to plan a wedding and allow it to be both things at once?" Life goes fast, and the showrunner claimed that Ruzek and Burgess will get to a point where they realize they need to appreciate this particular period.
"There's obviously so much going on with them," she noted. "But also can we make it a priority to try to enjoy this period that's going to be, you know, quickly gone. Once they get married." We can only hope the couple reach their "breaking point" sooner rather than later, so that we can see them enjoy their wedding.