Chapter Text
The door opened and there he stood. Lucy’s breath hitched as she took in every inch that was Tim Bradford. His lips pulled up into a small grin as he took in the fact she was here
“Lucy” he breathed
“Hey” she smiled, her voice cautious “I probably should have called.....or texted......before”
“No, it’s ok” he rushed to reassure her “Come in” he said, stepping back so she could enter. He took her bag as she closed the door, placing it on the floor.
Tim took a step towards her, crowding her against the front door and pressing his entire body against hers. He captured her lips in a searing kiss.
“Tim” she mumbled against his lips and half-heartedly pressing her hand against his chest. He captured her hand in his, pinning it next to her head.
”Tim” she tried again, moving her head slightly. Tim broke off, panting slightly, and frowned
“You ok?” he asked
Lucy nodded “Yeah” she replied breathing heavily. She looked back up at him. “I just think we should talk before.....” she trailed off
“Uh, ok” Tim nodded, backing up slightly
Lucy gave him a small smile “I met up with Chris this morning. I figured he deserved at least a face-to-face conversation. I know as well as anyone how breaking up can suck”
Tim raised an eyebrow “So you two....?”
“Broke up, yeah” Lucy nodded “He took it well. I think he was expecting us to be over.” She paused before adding “He, uh, he didn’t ask me if there was anyone else”
Tim simply nodded before leaning back down to kiss her again. Lucy allowed him briefly before once again gently pushing him away. “Can we sit down?”
Tim gave her a quizzical look before nodding and leading the way to his couch. They sat down, facing each other
“Before we go any further” Lucy began “I want to talk about us.....and work”
Tim nodded
“I wish I could tell you it’s going to be easy” he said honestly “and for those that know us, our friends, it will be but-“
“The fact remains I am a junior officer and you were my T.O” Lucy finished
“Yeah” Tim agreed
“OK, so we talk to Grey. See what options there are. I’ve been thinking about my career options and where I’d like to end up” Lucy paused and swallowed “Until we’ve talked to Grey, I think...” she hesitated, wondering how to word what she wanted to say. Tim however, of course knew her too well and knew exactly what she wanted to say
“We should wait” he finished
Lucy nodded, a sad smile crossing her face “I want to do this right Tim. I want to do us right”
Tim nodded “I agree. We owe it to ourselves to do this right” he reached out to take hold of her hand “We can talk to Grey tomorrow” he said “and then.....maybe I can take you out for dinner?”
Lucy squeezed his hand “That sounds perfect”
They sat together for a few moments neither of them knowing quite what to say and then Tim offered Lucy a beer and just like that, they were back to their usual banter and comfort. They watched a couple of True Crime documentaries that Lucy hadn’t seen and they shared takeout, Lucy giggling when Tim groused at the stupidity of one of the criminals subjects. When Lucy gave a jaw-popping yawn Tim gently asked if she wanted to stay. She blushed and asked if that was ok, telling him she had come prepared but was prepared to go home. Tim had rolled his eyes and told her he did have some self control. He had offered to take the sofa again but Lucy had shaken her head and again after some initial awkwardness around changing for bed, they both settled in bed together. Lucy had reached for Tim and after a few less than chaste kisses she had groaned and pulled back. Tim had chuckled that her self control needed work. They fell asleep, cuddled up together. Both feeling more content than they had for a long time.
The following day found them in Grey’s office, Tim had the strange feeling he was waiting to ask a father for permission to date his daughter. As Grey took a seat, he eyed them both suspiciously and then Tim could swear he saw a small smile tugging at the older man’s lips.
Lucy spoke first “Sargent Grey, Tim and I.....we......uh........we need to report a change of circumstance” she blushed slightly and glanced at Tim
“Chen.....I mean, Lucy and I we uh.......we”
Sergeant Grey chuckled “I’m gonna save you the obvious embarrassment; any relationship change will have repercussions” he held his hand up at their expressions “I don’t necessarily mean negative ones, but it will have an impact. For instance Officer Chen can no longer report to you” he said looking at Tim
Tim nodded
“Now as it happens” Grey continued “I was going to talk to you, Chen, when you were next on shift but now is as good a time as any” he paused “if you’re okay with Bradford being present”
Lucy glanced at Tim and nodded “Yes sir” she replied
Grey nodded “Following your recent work as Sergeant’s aide and your UC work, Detective Carradine approached me and asked me if you might be interested in a Detectives Aide position.”
Lucy glanced at Tim and then back at Grey
“Whilst I would be sad to lose you from under my command, this would be a fantastic opportunity for you. You would be allocated work by the detectives but ultimately report to Detective Carradine.”
Lucy nodded finding herself unable to speak. Fortunately Tim was not dumbstruck “When would she start? Assuming she says yes?”
“Usually it takes a couple weeks” he paused “but we can start the transition sooner and she can be placed with the detectives as early as her next shift” Grey looked between the two of them as he spoke
Finally Lucy was able to find her voice “I’m very grateful for the opportunity Sergeant. I accept” she said
Grey nodded “I thought you might” he replied, opening one of his desk drawers and pulling out a file. He paused and then opened another drawer and pulled out a second file.
He handed the first file to Lucy “This is the transition paperwork. Complete it and hand it in to Detective Carradine at the start of your next shift” he explained
He handed the second file to Tim “This is the paperwork to declare a change in relationship status. Again, to be completed and filed with HR before the start of your next shift”
Grey stood and held his hand out first too Lucy and then to Tim “Congratulations to you both” he said
Tim and Lucy left the station together. They headed to their cars, both of them having driven separately to the station.
“You wanna come back to my place and do the paperwork before our date tonight?” Tim asked. He was standing so close to Lucy that she could feel the heat radiating off his body
“Uh, actually, I was thinking” Lucy started, staring up at him through her lashes “it might be nice to treat this like an actual first date”
“Ok” Tim replied, smiling “That actually sounds good. Pick you up at 6.30?” he asked
Lucy nodded and then before she could second-guess herself she surged up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. She lingered for a few seconds, allowing him to respond but before he could attempt to deepen it, she pulled back
“Just to tide you over until later” she whispered breathily
Tim swallowed and then shook his head “You’re going to be the death of me” he muttered darkly. He quickly opened the file in his hand and pulled out one of the forms “you need to complete this” he said, handing her one of the declaration forms. He took a step back before his self-control completely snapped
"I'll see you later” he said and then he watched as Lucy got in her car and left the parking garage
He climbed into his own truck and started the engine. A first date with Lucy Chen. He could not wait