Chapter Text
“I think at this point, they might as well name a wing after us.” Lucy pulls the dressing away from her face, checking if the gash above her eyebrow has stopped bleeding. The tickling trickle onto her eyelid lets her know it has not.
“If anyone is going to have a wing named after them, it’s going to be Nolan.” Tim moves the icepack from his knuckles to his swollen cheek.
“Yeah, you might be right.” Her huffed laugh has her grabbing her ribs, hissing through her teeth at the ache.
“You okay?”
There’s one thing that will take some getting used to, Tim not hiding his concern for her anymore. In the beginning, if she was injured, he’d play it off. Help her but keep a professional distance.
Now however, there’s little in the way of professional distance. His concern for her showing openly on his face, obviously uneasy that she is in pain. It’s somewhat overwhelming but also makes her feel warm all over.
It’s a side of him very few people are privileged enough to see. It feels special to have that part of him aimed her way.
“I’m good. Think my ribs are bruised. That guys foot was the same size as my torso.”
“You still took him down though.” With an approving head nod, he smiles at her.
She takes it back, being on the receiving end of his pride may be her undoing. “Course I did, I’m a badass.”
The familiar eye roll he shoots her does little to disguise the pride still shining there.
“I don’t think they were your run of the mill gang members.”
“Neither do I. Too well trained.” He swaps the ice pack back to his knuckles. “You only get people who fight like that in high level organizations.”
Their day had been run of the mill, even boring. Until they had passed two men changing a flat tyre. It was either all his years on the force or a well-established gut instinct that made Tim want to circle back. Under the pretence of being two friendly cops stopping to check on citizens in need, they approached with open smiles on their faces.
The two men, white, both dark haired and blue eyed, were calm, far too calm for being approached by police. Here’s the thing, people get this nervous look in their eye when an officer walks their way. Even if they’ve done nothing wrong. The uniform and badge alone are enough to trigger a fear response in most people. Unfortunately, with good reason.
These men barely even blinked. Bodies loose and subtly moving into a relaxed fighting stance. On some missed signal, they both attacked. Fast and hard, every hit controlled and precise. While she was being cut open by a ringed fist and crushed under her attackers giant fucking foot, she managed to swing a leg up to hit him in the crotch. Doesn’t matter how tough a guy is, that’s going to destabilize them.
It’s a target Nyla has always drilled into her head. Men have a tendency not to go after the family jewels in altercations, so a male attacker rarely expects it. It’s a sure way to gain the upper hand.
It didn’t distract him for long, but it was enough to kick his legs from under him and immobilize his meaty arms with her handcuffs.
The blood clouding her eyes made it hard to see Tim. Blinking through the torrent she saw him kneeling on the other man’s back, panting heavily from exertion.
His eyes had quickly found hers and she watched him deflate when he saw that she had the other man detained. After a quick nod in her direction, he radioed for assistance.
“Sorry for the wait. Let’s get that eye sorted.” Lucy sits up straighter as a very handsome doctor enters the room. “Hi, I’m Dr. Owens.”
Dr. Handsome wheels the tray of suture supplies to her side. “I’m Officer Chen. Lucy.”
“Well Officer Chen Lucy, it’s nice to meet you.” She’s treated to a full toothed perfect smile and dammit she giggles. She really is chronically single.
Out of the corner of her eye, she catches Tim making an annoyed face, staring daggers at Dr. Handsome.
“Right let’s have a look… Oof he got you good.” He grimaces sympathetically when he takes the dressing away. “But I heard the guy you took down was over twice your size.”
“I’m just well trained.” Fidgeting with her hands, she tries to distract herself from the sting while he prods around the wound.
“Or maybe you’re just that good.” The way his voice drops has her heart rate kicking up and dammit, now she’s blushing.
“Enough! This isn’t happy hour. Do your job and fix her up. We need to get back out there.”
Two sets of frozen eyes stare back at Tim. She can’t believe the anger etched into his features. Anger aimed entirely Dr. Owens way.
Dr. handsome has the decency to look well and truly chastised. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you two were together.”
“Oh no. No, no we’re not together. We’re partners, but not together.” Lucy laughs awkwardly. If Tim wasn’t angry before, he sure as hell will be at that notion.
“No need to sound so horrified by the idea.” Tim bites out the words, leaving Lucy wholly shellshocked.
“W-what?”
“Fuck. Nothing. I’ll wait for you outside.”
Then he’s gone. The controlled slow close of the door completely at odds with the haste of his exit.
It feels as if her brain is rebooting. The last few moments playing on loop in her head as she tries to make sense of what just happened. Of why he reacted the way he did. Of why she now feels so guilty.
“What… just happened?” Dr. Owens confused expression mirrors hers completely.
“I have no idea.” And she really doesn’t. That was so unlike the cool and collected Tim she knows so well.
“It’s been a tough day. A tough few weeks.” And it has been. It’s not been long since Jackson’s death and everything that happened with Angela’s kidnapping. The grief for her friend still chokes the air from her lungs. She manages to keep it under wraps until she reaches the privacy of her apartment. Only there does she let herself breakdown and rage against the injustice of his loss. She hasn’t been able to bring herself to visit his grave. If she does, if she sees his gravestone, then it really is forever.
“Are you sure there’s no feelings involved there? You’re going to feel a few pinches, it’ll sting a bit.” He says as he numbs the area.
Sucking air through her teeth she tries to ignore the burning sensation. “No feelings. There’s no way.”
“Officer Chen Lucy.” As he takes up the needle with the forceps, he levels her with a look. “That is not the reaction of a man who feels nothing. He was jealous.”
That makes her laugh. “Jealous. No way. Tim is not jealous.” How ridiculous a notion is that. “He was annoyed at how long we’ve been here.”
“Lucy. As a man, believe me when I tell you, he was jealous.”
“Doctors work long hours. How sleep deprived are you? I think it’s messing with your judgement.”
“A bold statement to make to the man holding a pointy object near your eye.”
“He’s just protective.”
“Mhmm, because he likes you.”
“You know I’m armed right?”
“Such sass. Now hold still. I don’t want to ruin your pretty face for Officer Grump out there.”
“Unbelievable.” She grumbles, trying to maintain an unaffected air, but Tim’s reaction had unnerved her.
Why would he react like that? Is it because she acted unprofessional and had disappointed him? Fear of disappointment is still something that makes her sick to her stomach. A weapon used against her by her parents, especially her mother, to keep her in line. To keep her second guessing her worth as their child, keeping her desperate for even a crumb of approval. Countless hours of therapy and it’s still the one thing she hasn’t managed to yet escape from.
So, the very idea that Tim of all people might be disappointed, is eating away at her.
“There we go, all done.” Dr. Owens voice startles her out of her spiralling. “You’ll barely notice it once it’s healed. My advice is pure vitamin E oil and rosehip oil once it’s healed enough, to speed up the process.”
“Thank you. Actually, I use rosehip oil religiously.”
“Another reason you’re so beautiful.” He smiles down at her.
And she’s blushing again.
“Flirting with a patient. You could get written up for that.” She tsks, shooting him a half serious glare.
“You’re right, you’re right. Anyway, I can see you like yours broody.”
She scoffs. “I do not.” She very much does, but that’s beside the point. “He is not my broody anything.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” He laughs at the murderous look she shoots his way. “Alright I surrender.”
Hopping down off the gurney, she pats the bandage over her eye. Another scar to add to the collection. “Well, thank you again. And behave yourself.” There’s no bite in her words and she gives him a smile.
“I will. Look Lucy, I’m sorry about all that. It was inappropriate. It’s just, I’ve lost three patients today and I wanted to feel some semblance of normalcy. Wanted to feel like something other than a failure. I shouldn’t have been that way with you but thank you for putting up with me.”
Giving his arm a reassuring squeeze, she feels her heart bleed for him. “You’re doing an incredible job. I appreciate and am grateful for everything you do to help people. I know you did all you could for those patients, some things are just out of our hands.”
Tears brim his eyes, his shoulders droop under the weight of his exhaustion. “Thank you. You’ve no idea how much I needed to hear that.” He quickly wipes at his eyes. “Now I mean this in the nicest way possible, I hope I don’t see you anytime soon.”
“I hope so too. Look after yourself.”
Walking back out to the main waiting area she spots Tim talking to Sergeant Grey. Grey has that pinched look on his face that means only one thing. He’s troubled. So, whomever those two men are, it can’t be good.
“I’m guessing you found our guys identities?” Tim gives her a once over when she reaches them, eying the new bandage over her eye. The expression on his face gives nothing of his earlier outburst away. For whatever reason that makes her more nervous. What Grey just told him must be taking up all his focus.
“You alright, Chen?” Grey asks.
“Yep, good as new, sir. So, who are we dealing with?”
A heavy sigh leaves him. “The men you arrested are none other than Johnny and Dean O’ Casey.”
“O’Casey? As in the O’Casey crime syndicate?”
“The very one.”
Shit.
The O’Casey crime family is based out of Boston but has been spreading west. Their name has come up in UC Ops within California with worrying frequency. They have a reputation for brutality. Offering no quarter to anyone who so much as offends the family.
So, what does that mean for herself and Tim that arrested two of their own?
Grey scrubs a hand over his face. “Agent Garza has already been in touch. The FBI had been tracking their movement west but lost them in San Diago. He’s going to meet us at the station. If you’re all good here, we should head out.”
“I’m good.”
“Let’s go then. You can fight over who rides shotgun.” Grey tells them, leading the way to the shop.
“As if a Sergeant is going to ride in the back.” Tim scoffs and it’s so good to finally hear him speak. Lucy’s shoulders relax at the playfulness of his tone.
“I just got stitches. I think I deserve the front seat.” Pouting up at him, she doesn’t miss the way his mouth twitches. More waves of relief wash over her. She catches Grey shaking his head at them.
“Fine.” He groans like it’s the greatest inconvenience.
Tyres screech through the carpark. A blacked-out sedan gains on them quickly, AR-15’s pointing out the windows. Before they can dive for cover, bullets rain down on their position.
“Get down!” Grey yells.
Lucy dives at Tim, knocking them both behind the safety of a car. There’s a punching sensation against her arm, before an intense burning pain spreads like wildfire. Shit, she’s hit.
Tim pulls her off his back and under the protection of his larger body. “Stay down.”
Just as quick as it started, the gunfire ceases, the sedan speeding away.
Heavy breaths saw in and out of her lungs, the ringing in her ears almost unbearably loud after the gunfire. The rush of adrenaline in her system is keeping the brunt of the pain away, but it won’t be for long.
“Everyone okay?” Grey asks, breathing just as hard.
“No, I’m hit.” Her voice is muffled against the ground, Tim still covering her.
“What?!” Tim exclaims. Then she’s being rolled onto her back, his hands searching then securely compressing her wound. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” He repeats to her, yet it feels like he’s reassuring himself.
“Let’s get her back inside.” Grey says, before calling it in on his radio.
“I’m alright.” Her words end on a yelp as Tim hoists her into his arms. “I can walk.”
“This is quicker. Keep pressure on your wound.” Heat rises on her cheeks at being carried into the hospital like a damsel in distress. Then she feels the lightest press against her temple. Her heart stutters. Did he just… surely not.
This day is starting to feel like a fever dream. From his weird outburst earlier and now this.
“I thought I said I didn’t want to see you anytime soon.” Dr. Owens meets them in the entranceway. Tim’s arms tighten around her, pulling her more securely against his chest.
“You know me, just couldn’t stay away.” The adrenaline is wearing off, the burning throb in her arm increasing in intensity with each moment. Tim lowers her gently onto the waiting gurney, hands lingering before he lets her go. Now that she can get a look at his face, the fear etched there has her reaching for his hand. “I’m alright.”
“I’m supposed to be the one doing heroic things, not my gofer.” He smiles weakly down at her, his trembling hands covered in her blood clutched at his sides.
“Can’t let you have all the glory.”
Then she’s whisked away, her gaze never leaving Tim’s as he stands in the waiting area, eyes locked on her.
What the hell is going on with him? This day could not get any worse if it tried.
The day did in fact get worse. So much worse.
Thankfully the bullet had gone through the outer part of her arm. It’s going to hurt like hell for some time, there’s no damage to nerves and they are hopeful that there will be no long-term effects on the proper functioning of her arm.
The problem is after only being discharged a half hour ago, she is now sitting in Grey’s office with Agent Garza. She can’t quite believe what she’s hearing and from the look on his face, neither can Tim.
“Witness protection? Absolutely not.” Tim crosses his arms over his chest, a thunderous expression darkening his features. “We are not running scared from these thugs.”
“I know it’s your prerogative to fight.” Garza begins. “But there’s a hit out on your and Officer Chen’s heads. I’ve seen the result of their revenge.” The look that crosses his face can only be described as haunted. “Believe me, you do not want to fall into their hands. With the reach this organization has, there’s no way to keep you safe in California. In fact, even getting you both out of California undetected is going to be difficult. Witness protection is our best option.”
The pain killers still flowing through her system make it difficult to concentrate, but she’s pretty sure her life is about to get turned on its head. “So, what’s the plan then?”
They’re handed a folder each. Reading through its contents, her mind begins to race.
“Washington state? Sir, you can’t okay this.” Tim pleads with Grey.
“This is out of my hands Bradford. I’m not risking your lives for the sake of pride.”
Well, that short statement quickly puts them in their place. Any argument quickly dies on her tongue.
Garza continues. “Your new identities will be Kiera and David Thompson. Married a year-”
“Married?!” they both exclaim at the same time.
“It’s the easiest and most believable way to insert you both into an area. People are more suspicious of lone people moving into a neighbourhood. The property was left to David in his grandfather’s will. We will have jobs sorted for you soon, though officer Chen you will need time to recover. We may have to change your hair in some way. We can decide on that later. Sergeant Bradford, there’s not much we can do for you. Growing out your beard might be an option.”
“This is insane.” Tim drops his head into his hands. “For how long?”
Garza shuffles nervously on the spot. “Hard to say. Until the threat is neutralized and we can guarantee your safety.”
“That could be years!” Lucy despairs. “What about our careers? Our family? God, Tamara. Are we going to get a chance to say goodbye?”
“If you can get them here. There will be a plane ready to leave in two hours. Your house is being prepared and stocked as we speak. Clothes and toiletries will be there when you arrive. We are also supplying you with a bureau bank account, so you’ll want for nothing.”
The room begins to spin, the stress of the day finally taking its toll. The edges of her vision vignettes, an awful fizzing sensation building in her head. “I- I need to…” Her attempt to get up and leave the room, ends with her collapsing onto Tim.
She’s manoeuvred back onto the chair in an instant, Tim hunkering down in front of her.
Putting her head between her legs is difficult, so is trying to draw in enough air with the way her ribs ache.
“What do you need?” There’s that panic in his voice again.
“I’m alright.” It’s a bald-faced lie, she feels anything but alright. This is humiliating enough without the truth of how not okay she is. “Just with the blood loss and painkillers still floating around my system, I’m a bit woozy.” Also, she hasn’t eaten since this morning.
“You haven’t eaten today either.”
What is he, a mind reader? Tim’s hand lands on her knee, giving it a comforting squeeze. What she really needs is someone to hug her and tell her it’s all going to be okay. God, she misses Jackson, she needs her friend.
Grey rounds his desk with a bottle of water and some chocolate. Tim raises an eyebrow at the bar. “I’ve a sweet tooth, so shoot me. Here, Chen.”
Tim takes the bar from Grey, opening it for her and placing it in her hand. She’d protest the ridiculous treatment, but with her arm slung across her chest, she’s grateful for his foresight.
“I’m sorry agent Garza, you can continue. I’ll be alright.”
“No need to apologize, you’ve had one hell of a day. Look, we can talk more when we’re on the move. For now, get whatever affairs in order you can from the station. Do not tell any of your friends or colleagues where you are going, it will put their lives at risk. And please do not leave the building.”
“Come on, let’s go to the break room.” Tim helps her up from the chair, her ribs protesting the movement. “This is humiliating, everyone’s going to think I’m pathetic.” She mumbles as she enters the break room, looking over her shoulder at the eyes tracking her.
“No one is thinking that. You were shot and beaten bloody today for Christ’s sake.” The seriousness of his voice makes her brave a look at him. “No one is going to look at you with anything other than admiration.” He whispers, closing the door to the breakroom behind them.
“Stop being nice to me right now, I don’t think I can take it.” Try as she might, she can’t stop her lip from trembling nor the tears that blur her vision. “I wish Jackson was here.” Her voice breaks. “Dammit.”
“Come here.”
Large arms wrap around her, one cradling her head to his chest, while the other rubs soothing circles on her back. Tim doesn’t say anything, just continues to hold her, swaying slightly. It’s exactly what she needs. She melts against him, breathing in his comforting scent and letting his warmth seep into her chilled body.
“I know this sucks. But if it had to be anyone, I’m glad that it’s you going through this with me.” He tells her softly.
“What did I say about being nice to me.” Burying her face deeper into his chest, she lets herself finally breathe for the first time since all this madness began. “I’m glad it’s you too.”
“David.” He grimaces. “I do not look like a David.”
Tipping her head up, she regards him. “Hm. No, you don’t look like a David. Who do you look like?”
“I look like a Tim.” He deadpans, making her laugh.
“Maybe a Hubert?”
“Hubert?!”
The way his voice jumps an octave in offence makes her chuckle. While he mumbles his displeasure against her temple, it dawns on her that they are still embracing. Bodies flush together, his hand now buried in her hair to keep it against his chest.
It must be how her body stiffens that makes him register the intimacy of this moment. Sheepishly he pulls away, colour rising on his cheeks. Instantly she misses the heat of him. The perfect fit of their bodies together.
“Em, thanks for that.” She nods awkwardly.
“Yep, no problem. Anytime.” He nods back, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“I should try eat something.”
“Yeah, you need to get your blood sugar up.”
“Can I, can I ask you something? About earlier?”
Tim’s shoulders bunch with tension, his eyes darting to the floor avoiding hers. “You mean when I went off at that doctor?”
“Yeah. And why you were so scared when I was shot.”
“You were shot. Of course I was scared.”
“No, it’s more than that.” Taking a step closer she puts her hand on his forearm. “Tell me.”
He looks away from her again, shaking his head. “It’s nothing.”
“It very obviously was not nothing.”
It’s there for a second, the decision to tell but it disappears just as fast. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Tim.”
“Lucy.”
They break into a staring match.
A familiar bark breaks the moment. If it was anyone other than Angela and Nyla with Kojo entering the room, she’d slam the door in their faces.
But then someone she feared she wouldn’t get a chance to see steps out from behind Angela.
“Tam!” Lucy cries, flinging her arm around her already crying friend. “I thought I wasn’t going to get to say goodbye.”
“Angela picked me up.” She sniffles. “I can’t believe this is happening. Are you okay?”
“I don’t know, but I’m glad you’re here.” Looking at Tamara’s devastation drives another dagger into her heart. The uncertainty of the future is written all over her face. Her life had finally gained some stability and now she’s going to pull the rug from under her. “Look, that apartment is yours. You can sublet my room to a friend for the time being. “
“I can’t fully cover the rent.” She looks to the ground.
“Don’t worry about that.” Angela cuts in. “We’ll cover it, for now. And you won’t be alone, myself and Nyla will check in on you whenever you need.”
“If you want to stay with one of us for a while, that’s okay too.” Nyla tells her.
“Thank you.” Tamara quickly wipes at her eyes.
A pressure lifts off Lucy’s heart knowing that Tamara will be well looked after when she’s gone. The unknown amount of time stretching out before her is terrifying. ‘Until the threat is neutralized’. That could mean an indefinite absence from this life. How quickly could they take out an entire crime syndicate?
It’s going to be years. Missing every goal she had set for herself in her career. Missing Tamara finishing college. Missing being a stable family for her to lean on. Her friends are going to grow and change, and she’ll know nothing about it.
How are they supposed to just stop being cops? Her entire brain chemistry is switched on to cop brain. And now she’s just suddenly meant to turn it off? Maybe never turn it on again? This is a nightmare.
Kojo barks happily. Tim lavishing him with pets and kisses. Married. They have to pretend to be married. Pretend to be in love. The fact that idea doesn’t feel like too much of a challenge is even more terrifying and something she can’t deal with right now.
“Lucy, I brought this for you.” Nyla places a blonde wig on the table. “For now, you can put this on for when you leave.”
The feeling of being over-whelmed starts to build in her once more. Is this really happening? These people in front of her are just going to disappear from her life and there’s nothing she can do about it. She hates not being in control and she knows Tim hates it even more.
As if he could sense her starting to spiral, he appears at her side, Kojo’s head bumping against her leg. His presence is enough to calm her somewhat. She’s not in this alone. Everything she will have to face, she’ll do so with Tim by her side.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She lies. “Painkillers are wearing off though. I need to eat something before I take more.”
That sets him into action. “Okay we’re sorting that first before we do anything else.” Taking out his phone he pulls up uber eats. “What do you want? Veggie burger with fries? Extra pickles?” his smile is soft, she knows he’s trying to cheer her up. Which is ridiculous because he’s going through this too, she should be trying to make this easier for him as he is for her.
“Hey, I brought tacos and a veggie burger with fries.” John pops his head in the door. “Extra pickles”
“Perfect timing as always Nolan.”
They sit down and tuck into their last meal together for the foreseeable future. Other officers come in to say their goodbyes and give their well wishes. Lucy feels like she’s barely holding it together. She feels an unbearable sense of loss at what’s being taken from her.
Looking at Tim, who is sat close beside her, she can see it on his face too. In less than an hour, they’ll have to leave all they know for Spokane Washington. Kojo sits between her and Tim’s chairs, his head resting in Tim’s lap. They’ve been granted one blessing. Kojo is coming with them. The relief on Tim’s face when Garza gave the go-ahead brought joy to an otherwise joyless day.
The moment had arrived. They’re standing in the loading bay of the precinct, their friends gathered around them. Angela is hugging the life out of Tim, getting angry at him for making her cry. Tamara is gripped onto her uninjured arm, she hasn’t let go for the past fifteen minutes.
John makes his way to her, forcing Tamara to unwillingly let her go.
“We’ll figure this out. We’ll do everything we can to take them down, get you back here in no time.” He tells her, pulling her into his arms,
Lucy can’t even find the strength to offer a pacifying smile. She’s exhausted, mentally and physically. And the damn wig is so itchy it’s giving her sensory overload. “I hope so.”
“I’m going to miss you, Luce.” John’s voice chokes up and she can’t hold back her tears any longer.
“I’m going to miss you too.” She manages to hold back the sob tightening her throat, but silent tears spill down her cheeks.
Agent Garza and sergeant Grey appear in her line of sight, a grim set to their features. “It’s time.”
Lucy quickly turns back to Tamara, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Oh Tam. I’ll get back to you I promise. You’re an incredible person who’s going to go on to do incredible things. I love you.”
Tamara cries against her, clutching her so tight her arm aches but she doesn’t care. “I’m going to miss you so much. I love you Luce. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Tamara pulls away, taking a few steps back. Nyla and Angela, in protective mama bear mode, step close on either side of her. With the toughest women in the precinct looking over her, she’ll be safe.
As Tim and Kojo walk towards her, Tamara grabs Tim’s arm and pulls him into a hug. Tim is momentarily startled but hugs her back. Tamara whispers something in his ear and he nods, whispering something back that makes Tamara squeeze him tightly.
Tim comes to stand by her side, face as solemn as her own. “You ready?”
“No.” she chokes.
“Yeah, me neither.” She watches his throat bob, swallowing around the tension she hears in his voice.
Turning towards her friends she gives them one last wave. “We’ll see you soon.”
“Damn right you will.” Grey says, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and looking at her in that fatherly way he does sometimes.
Garza opens the back of the fake postal truck, ushering them inside. With one last look at her friends, she moves forward.
The sound of the doors closing behind them is loud. Final. This is it.