Chapter Text
After staging a rescue of Nolan and dealing with Oscar Hutchinson, who died in a firefight, everything seemed to settle back to normal. Or as normal as their lives were anyways, being as they fought crime on a daily basis. Bailey returned to normal routine at the firehouse, Lucy went back to her night shift, and everyone else returned to their normal day shift.
Tim stood changing into his uniform when several night shift officers moseyed in. One of them paused by his locker, not bothering to go further despite his locker being on the end of the row. Noticing, Tim inquired. “Can I help you, Hall?”
“Yeah, your little girlfriend went and wrote up ten officers last night. You should remind Chen why that’s a bad idea.”
“First,” Tim pulled on his shirt, “Chen isn’t my girlfriend. Second, the fact you haven’t been written up before today is pure miracle. Finally, watch how you phrase things and where you speak.” Shutting his locker after buttoning the shirt, he reached for his duty belt.
Hall snorted, “she’s playing with fire, Bradford. I’m not mincing words, I’m being serious.”
“You’ve been sleeping on the job for years.” Tim stated, “the fact you haven’t been assaulted or killed in your sleep is impressive, and not in a good way. Also, if a major call came in and you responded with a delay, it could put a person’s life on the line. A cop’s life.”
“She’s not night shift. Not until we accept her and she’s far from being accepted.”
“Maybe.” Tim leaned a fraction, “however, you don’t have to like her or accept her, but you will respect her. She’s your sergeant and fellow officer, so respect is mandatory.”
Hall snorted, “not until she earns it, stripes mean nothing if you’re not doing your job properly.”
“I’m finished with this discussion. Try to have a good day.”
Lucy sat on the couch reading a book she’d bought on a whim when a knock was placed on her front door. It was the start of her three days off and she had plans to do nothing but sleep. However, her body was too wound up to sleep. Placing her book down, Lucy stood and moved to the barrier intent on finding out who was interrupting her peace. Celina had gotten the hint when she’d mentioned wanting peace on her three days off.
Checking the spyhole, she found instantly it was Tim so she opened it. “Hey.”
His features were ones of happiness. “Hey.”
Taking a step back, Lucy let him in. “How was your shift?”
“Long, Miles had his first bomb experience and he’s a little shaken. Made sure he was squared away before heading this way. How are you doing?”
The barrier was shut and Lucy turned to him, “tired but unable to sleep. I’m hoping my book will put me to sleep.”
Tim pulled her close by her arm and she melted against him instantly. “How does a foot massage sound?”
“Like heaven.”
Blue eyes fell down to find brown watching him. “Massage oil still in the same place?”
The thought of him using the massage oil on her feet had Lucy posed a question. “Any chance that foot massage could include my back also?”
“That can be arranged. Go get comfortable and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Tim needed water and the bathroom so it took ten minutes before he entered the bedroom. Like he expected, Lucy had stripped away every article of clothes beyond the emerald-green lacy panties she wore. He couldn’t be sure, but he wondered if she’d worn those all day or had changed into them while he’d been in the bathroom. Tim would put money on the latter being fact. The massage oil was on the nightstand beside Lucy’s phone and his, as he placed the device next to Lucy.
“Hmm, if you put me to sleep, just leave me where I am.” Lucy said as her head rested against her arms, hair up in a messy bun.
Unbuttoning his shirt, Tim watched her. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortably tucked in bed.”
“I had to write up ten officers last night.” Lucy glanced at him as she watched him discard his shirt at the end of the bed.
Grabbing the bottle of massage oil, Tim moved onto the bed and straddled Lucy’s thighs, making sure to keep his weight distributed and even. Not putting pressure on her limbs in many fashion. “That feel okay?”
“Hmm, good.”
Pouring a little oil on his hands, Tim reached for Lucy’s shoulders and started massaging them. “I heard, more like Hall told me you wrote up ten officers and I needed to make it clear why it’s a bad idea.”
“What did you say?” Lucy turned her head to look back at him, feeling as his hands massaged her shoulders and back down to her scapula. A particularly hard knot on her left shoulder slowly unraveled, causing her to moan. “Oh, that’s…”
Tim leaned over and caught her eyes, “that feel better?”
“Now I know what happens when I sleep on whatever surface I sit on.” Lucy said with humor, “knots and sore muscles.” Smiling as their eyes locked, “good thing I have a good masseuse.”
“If your sleep schedule is still off due to the apartment and outside noise, you can always come over to my house. I have a comfortable bed, limitless pantry, blackout curtains, and Kojo for cuddles.”
Lucy readjusted her head on her arms, “sounds wonderful. I may consider it, but for now I have three days off I intend to enjoy.”
“You deserve those days off. I ask about your progress occasionally and I get told how hard you work.”
Hands moved down her back while working muscles and rubbing against soft skin. Lucy closed her eyes, “you’ve always been good with your hands.”
A soft laugh escaped him, “dangerous territory, baby.” It took a few moments for him to realize what he’d said and had him apologizing. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have called you that.”
“I don’t mind, it’s just for me.” Lucy picked her head after a moment. “Honestly, I kind of miss it.”
Lucy relaxed back down on the bed and Tim worked on her back, from midback to her lumbar. Oiled fingers danced along the line of her panties before he moved onto her legs. A soft sigh let Tim know that Lucy had fallen asleep. Despite her being relaxed enough to sleep, Tim finished down her legs and feet. Only once the massage was finished did Tim remove himself from his perch on her legs.
After washing his hands free of oil, Tim experimentally opened the bottom drawer of the dresser on a spare chance it still contained his items. It did, so he grabbed one of his old, faded field shirts that Lucy loved to sleep in. Walking back to the bed, Tim perched on the edge and reached out to rub Lucy’s arm gently. The woman took a few minutes to stir after her arm was rubbed for what seemed like a long time. Picking up her head, she blinked awake and looked up at him.
He beat her to speak first. “Come on, let’s get you in this shirt and get you under the covers to sleep.”
“’kay.” She said sleepily as she sat up and pulled the shirt over her head with his help. “Tired.”
Reaching for her bed covers, Tim managed to push them back enough she could just roll into them. “Sleep.” He pulled the covers over here and reached up to rub his forefinger against her cheek. “I’ll see you later.” Leaning over a fraction, Tim kissed Lucy’s head.
Before he could move away, Lucy caught his arm and he looked at her. “Stay. Cuddle. Please.” There was a pause between each word.
“Alright.”
After locking down the apartment out of habit, Tim pulled clothes from his drawer and put them on before slipping into bed beside her. An arm around Lucy and he relaxed, her body doing so also. Even fractionally awake, her body relaxed knowing she was safe with him there.
The first day of her three days off was pure sleep so when Lucy woke the second day, she woke to the smell of coffee. Opening her eyes, she found Tim placing a mug of coffee on her nightstand. She smiled and sat up, reaching for the coffee.
“It’s hot, be careful.” He handed the mug to her.
“What’s with the royal treatment?”
Tim chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Not royal treatment, just what you deserve. You’ve worked on a shift with idiotic and unprofessional men. I never told you but I’m proud of you for doing the hard task of writing them up. It’s easy for a person who doesn’t care about those under them; it’s hard for you, a person that has unlimited compassion and a drive to give second and third chances. You put your foot down and they suffered for their own behavior.”
“Your faith in me seems to be endless.”
Sitting on the bed, Tim placed his hand on her leg and let his thumb rub back and forth against the soft duvet. “And it’ll never change.”
“You have work, you should get going before you’re late.” She brought the mug to her lips to take a sip.
Tim smiled, “I’m off. I switched days with Sergeant Brayer so my off days lined up with yours. I know you switched with Sergeant Zhou to have three days off in a row instead of Wednesdays and the weekend.”
“Does that mean you’re available to make me pancakes?” A smile laid on her lips.
“I would, I tried really, but you’re out of ingredients for me make them.” Tim rubbed up and down her thigh. “However, if you’re up for it, I can take you to brunch. There’s this new café off Wilshire, I hear they have killer mimosas.”
A nod was her response, “yes, sounds amazing.”
“Okay, finish your coffee while I shower and then you can hop in and we can be out the door in under an hour.”
Thinking as he stood, Lucy put the mug of coffee down and watched him find clothes in his old drawer. A faux coy smile crossed her face, “showering together saves water and time.”
Looking towards her, Tim saw her facial expression and knew what was on her mind. “Not this morning, Luce. We both know what showering together leads to and we need to talk, actually talk. So save that train of thought for another day.”
She groaned and fell back on the bed as Tim crossed to the bathroom. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m plenty fun, but talking comes first.” The door shut after him.
The new café was busy being it was a Saturday morning, so there was a small wait to be seated. Once a table became available and they were seated, Lucy glanced towards her menu to find there were no prices on the menu. A glance towards Tim’s and she saw his had prices, so it confused her on why they’d given her a menu without. Deciding to broach it with their waitress, instead she ran her eyes over items on the menu.
“I think the menu they gave me has massive typos.”
Tim looked up to her, “in what way?”
“No prices while yours has them.”
Reaching for her menu, Tim used a finger to tip it down so he could see what she was talking about. “Just pick whatever you want, don’t worry about what it costs.”
“But…”
Catching her hand, he ran his thumb over her knuckles. “We can hash out cost later if you’re so determined.”
“Okay.” She relented and focused once again on the menu.
Their waitress came over and smiled as she withdrew her order pad. “What can I get started for you to drink?”
“Coffee for me.” Tim replied.
“Coffee, any cream or sugar?”
Tim gave a very small shake of his head, “just black.”
“A black coffee for you,” her eyes floated to Lucy, “and for you ma’am?”
Lucy focused her attention away from the menu, “glass of water and mimosa.”
“A glass of water and mimosa.” Writing down the order, the girl looked up. “Do you need a few minutes with the menu or are you ready to order?”
“We’ll need a few minutes.” Lucy said and paused before continuing, “can I ask a question?”
The girl smiled, “yes ma’am.”
“Why no menu prices on my menu?”
“The owner is a bit old fashioned and still has the expectation that men pay the tab so we’ve been instructed to give women the menus with no prices. I can get you one if you’d like.”
Lucy glanced at Tim, “we’re fine, just curious.”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll put in your drink order and let you survey the menu in the meantime.”
Once the girl left the table, Tim spoke softly. “That’s opening themselves up for a lawsuit.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Lucy reached for his hand that rested on the table. “This is nice, us sharing a meal without it being after a hard day’s work. Or you know, cooking for an army in my cramped kitchen.”
Tim chuckled, “that was one time.”
“I’m pretty sure that happened twice.” Lucy grinned and looked back at the menu before her. “I’m thinking of the torte, what about you?”
“Spinach and sausage frittata sounds good.”
After putting in their order, Tim focused on Lucy and watched her sip the mimosa. She put the glass down and looked up to see him watching her. “What?”
“Nothing.” He put up a hand, “just viewing the most beautiful sight in the world.”
“Stop it.” Lucy said around laughter.
“I’m serious.” He sounded serious. “So…”
Lucy watched him, “yeah, talking when we’re not exhausted and especially not during that high-stakes firefight two weeks ago. Everything was loud and crazy but I could almost swear you asked me to move in with you.”
“Lying gets us nowhere. I did ask you to move in with me, actually it was the second time, but you fell asleep on me the first time.”
Nodding softly, she tilted her head. “My apologies.”
“Look, I have no expectations and no demands. I will continue to work on myself and my issues, whether we get back together or not. I hurt you and while you may or may not have forgiven me…”
She put up a finger, “I have.”
“…that doesn’t absolve me of the emotional pain I caused you. Friendship or relationship, everything is at your pace and I’m here waiting for you to figure out what you want. Whether you know or it takes a decade to figure out.” Tim shrugged, “my mind is made up, it’s you or life as a bachelor.”
“What if I already know what I want? Have known even seconds, minutes, hours after you broke my heart?”
Tim reached for her hand, “tell me, I’m here to listen.”
“I just want you.” Lucy shrugged, “even after everything, I just wanted you. Granted, it’s going to either be equal to or behind my career, but I want us to be us again.”
“Okay.” His free hand went to his coffee cup. “I just need you to know something important.” After taking a sip of coffee, he put the cup down and met her eyes. “I’m sorry for what I did and I will always hate myself for causing you pain.”
Squeezing his hand, Lucy leaned towards him a fraction. “I will break you of the self-hatred one day, I just recognize it won’t be today.”
Tim decided to refocus the conversation to a different point. “So about my request of you living with me…”
“Not just yet, however I may take you up on your offer of a quiet place to sleep.”
“My home is your home.”
Lucy pointed to the side, “so I can throw paint on the walls?”
“There is a reason the walls have wood. I know your penchant for paint and buying to hopefully be a place for us to make a home, even if it seemed an unknown aspect at the time the sale went through, I chose it because it would take time and effort to lift the wood.”
“When you said you bought a house two months afterwards, I wondered for a few minutes if it was an attempt to get away from the memories. Of us in the other house. When you reached out to everyone for help moving, I didn’t help and purposely scheduled myself because I couldn’t emotionally take the idea of you just throwing away memories like they were nothing.”
“I would have stayed in the house if my landlord hadn’t been an ass about wanting to sell it. I even offered to buy the house but his price was way about what I could afford. I never wanted it to seem like I didn’t care, that I was trying to escape the memories. It was painful doing the final walkthrough, remembering you in the kitchen, you curled up outside on the lawn chair drinking your coffee in the mornings. I was moving away from what was left to a place that had no trace of you, of us.” He shrugged, “but when I was touring homes, I kept insisting the realtor start showing me homes meant for a family. He thought I was stupid, kept saying I didn’t need all that space but I told him I wanted a place that I could turn into a home. You were on my mind the whole time, Luce. I settled on the house because it needed work, work you could have a decision in making.”
Brown eyes went from the table to his face. “We weren’t…”
“No, but I had hope one day we could back together. I knew it would take work on my part, more than I was ready for, but in some ways I couldn’t imagine a future without you.”
Nodding, she squeezed his hand. “Thank you for telling me that, I needed to know.”
“If you want to make changes to the house, we can talk about it and come up with something we both can agree on. I mean, our tastes are completely different.”
A grin crossed her face, “I know, you like minimalism while I like busy, loud.”
“Opposites do attract, even if I have good reason to believe that whoever said that was drunk at the time.”
Laughter erupted out of Lucy, “I’ve always felt the same.”
Returning to work after three days off, Lucy stepped out of the elevator to see Tim waiting with Celina and Miles beside him, Nolan too. “Fair warning, it’s a mess.” Tim informed her honestly. “Meadows decided to get himself shot by friendly fire when he refused to stop holding his ex-wife hostage to get custody of his kid. Custody the court said he couldn’t have.”
“I thought he was married.”
“We all thought he was married.” Celina followed up, “but he showed his cards and lost in the process. The scene is a blood bath, he ended up shooting her when he was shot. None of us realizing he was holding a gun at her back with one hand and a knife to her throat in the other. Coroner was still on scene when we left an hour ago.”
Lucy nodded, “alright, well I was hoping for a decent night but it seems that’s impossible.”
“Sorry.” Nolan tapped her arm as the elevator doors opened.
“Grey is still on the clock.” Tim said softly as they stood in the small area where the elevators were. “If you have any problems with the officers, he’ll dish out a green page no questions asked. Especially after he asked what I knew about the issue and I told him what you shared with me.”
“Thank you.” It was sincere.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” Tim squeezed her wrist, “I have therapy in the morning and then my veteran group, so it’s a half day for me. The two Tuesdays I have group are usually that way. I can cook breakfast if you want to come over.”
Lucy smiled, “I’d like that, mostly so I can sleep after what is going to no doubt be a rough night.”
“My bed is your bed.” Tim joked, “Grey’s still in his office and mentioned wanting to speak to you.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Lucy leaned up and kissed his cheek before moving away from the area. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Tim hit the elevator button while shaking his head, a grin on his face.
Knocking on Grey’s door, she waited in the doorway as he looked up despite being on the phone. He waved her in and she stood there, patiently waiting for him to finish his phone call. “…no, but IA is handling the situation because this is so unusual. The only concern currently is the baby girl, neither mother or father had family or anything of the sort. So DCFS is taking custody until something can be handled. Yes ma’am, I’ll keep you apprised.”
Once the phone call ended, Lucy spoke softly. “I heard about Meadows, what do you need from my shift?”
“Right now, nothing. Detectives are wrapping up their end and IA is taking over from that point.” Grey sat down, “not unless you want this mountain of paperwork.”
“No sir.”
Grey nodded, “worth a try.”
“I like paperwork, just not that much paperwork.”
“Unfortunately, one of the horrible sides to office politics is having a backup list of who can be slotted into an empty space at any point in time.” Grey told her, “you’ll transition over once all the dust settles. Two weeks at the earliest, a month at the latest. You’ve made waves on night shift for just doing your job, enforcing other cops to do theirs.” He reached for a pen, “that doesn’t even include the red page that Bradford wrote up on Hall for his threats towards you last week.”
Lucy’s head popped up. “He made it sound trivial.”
“Considering Penn and Jan back him up on it, having been present, it’s not a trivial matter. I’ll be honest, I’m shocked there was a red page and not Hall lying in a coma.”
Knowing what he meant, she nodded. “He’s likely giving me the chance to so.”
“I assume the paperwork is in order?” Seeing confusion, Grey waved her off. “I’m not an idiot. Sergeant is a good upward movement for you, but it also removes the rank issue. I want it in order before you return, understood?”
“Yes sir.”
“That’s all. Hope you have a better shift than the last one you had.”
Lucy nodded, “I hope so too. These men just…”
“Trust me, Hall has learned his lesson. If he retaliates in any way, talk to Sergeant Enriquez, she’s aware of the situation and has already had a word with him.”
“I don’t need to start running to management for…”
Grey nodded, “you don’t, but there is a difference between tattling and reporting an officer for retaliatory actions.”
Playing with her watch, Lucy finally spoke. “Yes sir.”
“Just a few weeks and you’ll be back to your normal shift.”
“I just hate it comes after a cop killed both himself and his ex-wife.” She took a step towards the desk, “um, any chance I could get the social worker’s name and number? I’d love to drop some things off for the baby after shift.”
Leaning back in his chair, Grey surveyed her. “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll have Luna shoot her info to your phone.”
“Thank you, sir. I just know if it was my child, I’d appreciate the gesture.”
Grey stood up and walked around his desk. “I know Emily Meadows likely is smiling down at you right now. That said, your child will never end up where that baby is because of two factors. First, that man loves you too much to raise a hand to you. Second, if god forbidden happened to you both, someone in this group would adopt your baby and smother them in love.”
A smile formed on her face, “yes sir. Although it does sound like you’re planning my wedding already.”
“Mark my words, come the new year, there will be a ring on that finger.” He walked back around his desk. “I have money riding on it.”
She rolled her eyes, “Smitty’s got another poll going?”
“Hell no, that man has been banned from polls. Bradford basically threatened his life after he found out about the last one. Smitty came to me with his tail tucked between his legs informing me of what happened and I told him he should be lucky he’s not dead.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t exactly Smitty at his best.”
A knock made them turn to see Sergeant Enriquez in the doorway, “going to keep her all night or can I get her into uniform and working? I only have her for a few weeks at most and she’s the most competent sergeant I have.”
“That is concerning.” Grey told the woman, “but I understand, Chen is one of my best.”
“You mean my best.”
Lucy held up her arms, “alright, I’m not going to play favorites. Whoever I work for is who I work for so while you two debate who I belong to, I’m going to get changed out and start working. Just no scuffles or I’m leaving you to beat the crap out of each other, I have too much to do to take time to try to separate you.” With that she left the office, missing the amusement on both faces.