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I need you. Three words that almost always sent a sharp feeling of panic through Tim Bradford. The words are simple enough by themselves but from Lucy Chen they mean a lot more. She was often hesitant to ask for help even when she really needed it, so openly saying something like that was rare. There are 4 times Lucy has texted him those words. Once when she was having a panic attack in her apartment and her roommate had gone to his boyfriend's house. Another when she had gone to the tattoo parlor to get the mark that a serial killer had engraved in her side removed. She had then decided she wanted to keep it as a sign of her strength and needed a ride home. Again, when her firefighter boyfriend had decided Lucy's trauma was too much and left her feeling damaged when he broke up with her. Lastly, the day the news reported Caleb Wright had escaped from prison.
Tim had taken Kojo for a walk. The weather was nice, and the dog liked the exercise. He hung up the leash and kicked his boots off before pressing the power button on the T.V. remote. It turned on to a news station and he let it play at a low volume. He began to make himself a sandwich. Kojo begged for a bite as he sat down on the couch. Tim shot the dog a look, and Kojo huffed before laying down dramatically. Tim chuckled and turned back to the T.V. grabbing the remote to change the channel to something more interesting. That's when he noticed a picture of Caleb's face projected on the screen. He quickly turned the volume up to listen to the report.
"Earlier today an orchestrated prison break went down at the California penitentiary. 3 Inmates escaped including renowned serial killer Caleb Wright." Tim shot up from his seat and cursed. This could not be happening. A prison break in the first place was terrible it meant weeks of searching cars and putting up blockades to find the escaped inmates, but Caleb escaping was the worst possible thing that could happen.
Almost as if he had caused it his phone buzzed. A text from Lucy. I need you. He immediately grabbed his keys and wallet off the kitchen counter and pulled his boots on as he rushed to his truck. He tried to stay calm on his way to Lucy's apartment. The thought of her most definitely panicking was enough to make him worried. Add in the fact that she texted him meaning Jackson wasn't with her, and it almost caused him to go into a panic of his own. Tim knew Lucy could take care of herself, but a serial killer with a vengeance was out there, and he would prefer for her to not be alone. He knew these thoughts were past platonic, or even protective T.O., but he would digest that later.
When he finally reached Lucy's apartment he barely remembered to lock the doors to his truck before flying up the stairs, deciding the elevator was too slow. He got to her door and knocked once before the door opened. She must have been waiting on the other side trying to stay calm while waiting for him. He took in her facial expression. There was panic, and sadness, and definitely worry. Her eyes were slightly red, which meant she had probably cried before he arrived.
Tim wrapped her in a hug and felt her head rest on his chest. They moved a few steps into the apartment, and Tim pulled the door shut behind them. He brushed back her hair and whispered assurances. She sniffled, but didn't move allowing Tim to hold her silently. Eventually he felt her lean into him completely relaxing. He tightened his grip, and leaned his head on top of hers. He resisted the urge to press a kiss to her hair like the day he pulled her out of the barrel. Oh god, the barrel. He cut off that train of thought right there. Lucy needed him in a good state of mind.
He didn't know how long they stood there simply soaking up the comfort from being around another person who understood them completely. At some point they moved into the living room. They sat on the couch right next to each other thighs touching.
"It's going to be okay boot," Tim said "We'll find him. Everyone's going to be on full alert and I'm sure night shift is already looking."
"I know I just thought this was done, I thought I could feel safe again. I finally stopped looking over my shoulder, and surrounding myself with people I'm comfortable with every time I go out. I was just getting in a good place, and I feel like it's been snatched from me."
Tim studied her face as she spoke and noticed how she was holding herself together by pure willpower. Her faced was scrunched together in concentration as she spoke obviously trying not to start crying again.
"I know Lucy, but I'm here with you okay. We'll get through this and I'll be with you every step of the way." As he spoke he knew he had let some of the love he felt for her shine through his words. He couldn't find it in him to care, Tim needed her to know that he wasn't going to leave her alone in this. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe. She looked up at him and it almost looked like confusion before it turned to gratefulness.
"Okay, Okay," She muttered almost to herself before she continued "You really think they're going to catch Caleb."
He considered his answer for a moment before replying. He knew Lucy needed him to be honest, but he also wanted to be comforting and reassuring to the younger officer.
"I think that it's going to happen soon. Maybe not tonight, maybe not even this week, but we will find him. Until we do I'll be right here with you the whole time. I promise you I will do absolutely everything I can so he doesn't lay a finger on you."
They both knew what he wanted to promise, and they also knew he couldn't. As much as he wanted to say that Caleb would absolutely not hurt her he couldn't promise that. They both knew Lucy was the thing Caleb didn't get to finish and that means Caleb would be coming after her the second he got the chance.
Right at that moment the door swung open. Tim and Lucy both jumped up looking ready for a fight. Jackson darted into the apartment looking around. Once Lucy and Tim had registered it was Jackson and not a threat they relaxed.
"Lucy oh my god I can't believe this has happened are you oka- oh hi Tim," Jackson rambled before interrupting himself "I just came back to make sure Lucy's okay. Sorry if I scared you. You are okay right Lucy?"
"Yeah Jackson, I'm alright you didn't have to come back. I'll be okay."
"Are you kidding Luce of course I'd come back I'm not going to let you be alone right now."
Tim watched their exchange and noticed the relief on both of their faces and realized that Lucy now had 2 people that would not leave her side until Caleb was caught to make sure she would be okay.
"Alright," Tim said "how about this we order some food, and watch a movie, and then we take shifts staying awake just in case. I think it would make everyone feel better if we knew there was always someone on guard." Both Lucy and Jackson nodded so he continued with his plan.
"How about sushi? Does that sound good to everyone?" Lucy and Jackson both nodded again so he told Jackson to go order the sushi.
"Just get a few of everything, and oh, get some spring rolls please" Lucy said flashing Jackson a smile as he retreated down the hallway to order the sushi.
Lucy and Tim dropped to the couch again this time about a foot apart facing each other.
"So what movie should we watch?" Lucy asked grabbing the remote.
"I'm not picky just not anything Lovey-dovey."
"What makes you think I like Lovey-dovey? That's all Jackson." Tim laughed and turned towards the T.V.
"Okay so then what type of movies do you want to watch."
"I thought you'd never ask, how about Star Wars?" Lucy didn't wait for him to respond and instead just turned on the first Star Wars movie.
When Jackson came back into the living room and sat on the other side of Lucy he groaned.
"Star Wars again we just watched it last week."
"That was the sequels this is the originals not even close to the same thing Jackson." Tim shook his head at the two of them but had to agree the originals and sequels were in very different categories.
A quarter of the way through the movie the sushi arrived. Tim got up to pay for it. When he brought it back Lucy had set out plates for them. She dished up the food and they all ate and watched the movie quietly.
When the movie was finished all the sushi was gone and Lucy was asleep with her head thrown back breathing lightly.
"We should let Lucy sleep I'll take the first shift if you take the second one" Tim said to Jackson after the credits started rolling.
"Deal I'll take Lucy to bed wake me up at around 3 AM" Tim nodded at Jackson's statement and started to clean up the mess. Jackson put Lucy's arm around his shoulders and dragged her to her feet. Lucy mumbled and groaned and walked with Jackson to her room. Tim didn't think she ever really woke up because as soon as she was adjusted under the blankets she didn't stir and her breathing remained steady. Jackson closed the door to her room before heading to his own to sleep.
After Tim had cleaned up the mess he situated himself staring at the doors and the windows with his gun ready next to him. He sat there for about an hour before he felt himself drifting off so he got up to walk around the apartment stretching his muscles to wake himself up. He did this intermittently until Jackson relieved him at 3 Am.
"I'm just going to sleep on the couch. You got this covered?" Tim asked directing his question to Jackson as he arranged the couch pillows. Jackson nodded and in a couple of minutes Tim was out cold the exhaustion from the day helping him get to sleep quickly.
When Tim woke up the sunlight was filtering through the windows and there was a faint itching on his forehead. He reached up to scratch the itch and he found a sticky note was stuck there. He shook his head knowing this was the work of his boot.
Tim-
Jackson and I went to get coffee.
Don't worry about us we'll be fine.
I know what you want I'll bring it back for
you
-Boot
Tim tried his best to not get concerned knowing Lucy and Jackson could take care of themselves. He put the couch pillows back in order and pulled out his phone deciding to wait here until Lucy got back instead of chasing after her like he was tempted to.
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Lucy and Jackson rode to coffee shop blasting music, talking, and laughing like normal. If there was one thing Jackson was good at it was making horrible situations feel somewhat better. They parked in front of the coffee shop and headed in. There were only a a few patrons and the barista behind the counter.
"You know what I want Lucy, right? I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back" Lucy nodded and Jackson headed to the bathroom. Lucy immediately felt alone, and also like she was being watched. For a second she thought about calling Jackson back, she knew he would understand, but that was ridiculous. She wasn't alone she was in a cafe with people near a very crowded street. She was about to panic when a cop entered the shop to stand in line behind her. The cop was familiar and it made her feel safer just knowing that it was one of her colleagues. That is until the cop grabbed her shoulder.
"Ma'am you are under arrest for burglary." before Lucy could recover from her shock the cop already had one handcuff on.
"What? that's ridiculous I'm a cop, I've done nothing wrong" That's when she placed the man it was Caleb. He had buzzed off, and dyed his hair and acquired a facial scar so she hadn't noticed before. Panic and dread filled her stomach. This could not be happening. Not again. The patrons and the barista stared at them open-mouthed.
"Help! Help me! This isn't a real cop I'm being kidnapped." Nobody made a move to help her. Of course they didn't they thought she was an insane criminal. God where was Jackson. Lucy was being dragged out of the coffee shop and without her hands she couldn't fight back. She kicked her legs and went limp but it didn't help. Caleb was strong. Her vision blurred with tears. She was thrown in the back of a van and Jackson ran out of the bathroom right as Caleb slammed the door shut.
In that one glimpse she could see panic, and fear, but also determination. Lucy and Jackson had a very slight advantage on Caleb. He thought Lucy was alone in the coffee shop, but Jackson had just witnessed her abduction. This meant they had some valuable hours they lost last time. Lucy just hoped he would be able to find her if she ended up with another tattoo because of this she was going to kill someone.
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Tim was still waiting half an hour later when his phone rang. He was expecting Lucy so he answered it without thinking, but when Jackson started talking dread filled his stomach.
"Bradford, we went to get coffee, and then I went to the bathroom for just a second and I came back and he had her. He grabbed her and put her in a van. I got the licence plate number, and I already called it in. What do I do?"
"What are you talking about Jackson? Are you saying Caleb has her?"
"Yes he does. What do we do?" Anger, and fear filled up Tim's whole body. He had one job keep Lucy safe and he couldn't do it. Okay Tim think, think, think. Okay Jackson has the licence plate so they're going to put an APB out on the van. Where can they go forward from that? Suddenly he was hit with an idea.
"Okay Jackson here's what we're going to do let's go see Nell meet me at the station in 15." He heard the line click and rushed out of the apartment to where he had parked the truck last night.
He drove to the station as fast as he could go while still being safe. Nell had to know how to help. He didn't know what the next step would be if she didn't. When he arrived at the station Sergeant Grey was there waiting for him obviously predicting his course of action.
"Listen Tim, I'm not going to stop you from helping Chen, but I need you to be careful. Don't break rules, don't get emotional. She needs you at your best. I had a shop gassed up and ready to go in the garage for you. Lopez, Harper, and Nolan are doing sweeps around the area, and checking Wright's possible properties. What are you going to do next?"
"First off, thank you sir. I appreciate not being taken off this. Secondly, I'm going to talk to one of my connections at dispatch. She's a computer whiz, and can probably come up with something based on the licence plate West got."
"Good plan," Grey said "Call back-up if you need it."
Tim nodded before quickly locating Jackson, and heading to Nell's office.
"Hi Tim I heard what happened are you okay?" Nell asked as Tim and Jackson burst through the door.
"Not really but let's not talk about it. I need your help."
"Okay whatever you need I'm here to help."
"Jackson got the licence plate number what can you do with that."
"I can see what address and person the licence plate is attached to but I bet it's faked"
"That's okay I want to know what it's registered to"
Nell started clicking away on her keyboard. Tim was shifting his weight nervously and Jackson was wringing his hands in anticipation. Both of them were full of emotions of guilt and fear and they just wanted to find Lucy safe.
"I got it the licence that Jackson got is registered to 1800 Washington lane to a person named Charlie."
"Could that address be completely faked, or does it exist?" Tim asked.
With one more click Nell had an answer.
"It definitely exists. It has no current residents listed."
"What do you think Tim, should we check it out?" Jackson asked.
Tim thought for a second before replying. The house was supposedly abandoned, but it couldn't be completely meaningless. Why choose to use a real licence plate registered to a house without a reason instead of just coming up with a complexly fake one.
"Yeah it's worth a shot. I already got the all clear from Grey so let's go."
Tim remembered to yell a thank you and ran to the shop with Jackson following closely behind. Jackson barely had time to shut the passenger door before Tim was speeding to the address with the lights and sirens on. The whole way the only thoughts in Tim's head were I can't let him hurt Lucy. I can't let that monster hurt her again.
When they arrived at the house Jackson and Tim went through the paces of clearing the house but they could tell that it was empty the moment they go their eyes on it. There was no furniture or any other signs of life. All the surfaces looked coated in dust.
"It's all clear sir." Tim quickly ran his hands through his hair and took a second to loose control.
"Damn!" He yelled before quickly getting a hold of himself and turning to Jackson.
"Let's call for backup and have them check this place out then we'll figure something out based on what we figure out by clearing this house," Tim said "You go call for backup I'll start the secondary sweep."
He walked through all the rooms in the house slowly taking in every piece of them. The complete lack of decor made a small picture of a small brunette girl stand out. She couldn't have been more than six, and she was dressed in what looked to be a dance costume. Caleb didn't have any kids. So the little girl in a pink tutu with her front teeth missing wasn't his, but it had to have some significant value if it was the one piece of decoration he decided to put in the whole house.
Tim reached for the picture frame and when he picked it up the back of the frame fell out taped to the back was a folded and worn piece of paper that looked like the plans of the prison Caleb was kept at. He also found print outs of emails in the paper bundle. This house must have been something like a communication point. He quickly scanned the emails not really finding anything until the very last one. The emailer was vaguely talking about a "her" without mentioning a name. He was even stupid enough to say he had a rich cousin with a house for keeping "her".
"West! I got it! Get in the shop let's go!" He yelled running out down the front porch. Jackson hopped in the passenger seat of the car as Tim closed the door of the drivers seat. He quickly called Nell. Tim could find the address himself, but Nell would be faster.
"Do you have time for one more favor?" He asked.
"Absolutely, what do you need?"
"I need you to find an address of a rich cousin of Caleb. I know it's pretty vague but whatever you can find please." He heard clicking on the other side of the line. Within a couple of minutes he heard a triumphant shout.
"I've got it! 4930 Chesire Lane!"
"Thanks Nell, you're the best he said before hanging up the phone"
Tim ordered Jackson to call it in, call an ambulance and back-up to meet them there, and radio Angela to tell her what they found. Angela would take care of reporting it to Grey. He heard the fuzzy sound of Jackson talking and he heard the sirens going above the shop, but it all sounded muffled as if he was underwater. His hands were starting to shake on the steering wheel.
As soon as they reached the secondary location he could tell it was where Lucy was being held. It was almost as if he could feel her presence the closer he got. They were the first ones in, but they had to go in now. The ambulance could wait. He gave Jackson a subtle head nod and they breached the door clearing the house room by room. When they reached the living room he let Jackson clear it and turned to go down the hallway. It was then that he noticed the mirror that showed a pair of muddy tennis shoes.
He thought about telling Jackson to follow him, but those words would let Caleb know that Tim had noticed his presence. Instead he carefully advanced down the hallway trying to make his footsteps quiet. This at least preserved the act, that Tim wasn't aware of Caleb's presence. He reached the corner, and turned quickly raising his gun. He didn't have time to make another move before being tackled. His training kicked in, and he began taking down, the horrible man that had kidnapped Lucy twice.
______________________________________________________
When Lucy Chen woke up she had the worst sense of deja vu ever. She was strapped to a cold metal table the zip-ties digging into her wrist and the chilly surface causing her to shiver.
"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy I feel like we've been in this situation before," the grating voice of Caleb taunted her "Although this time is a little different I know what you're capable of, and nobody knows you've been kidnapped. You were all alone in that coffee shop." Lucy frowned but internally there was a beacon of hope shining through. Jackson had seen. Jackson and Tim would be coming for her.
The thought of Tim almost made her want to cry. Being in his presence always made her feel safe. Lucy knew she was a badass cop with very good aim, but something about him made her feel like nothing could touch her. She was invincible, and powerful when he was around. She would give anything to wake up in her meticulously decorated apartment right now. Tim sleeping on the couch where he had stationed himself last night. The sharp bite of the zip ties proved this wasn't simply a nightmare. She was struggling to fight off flashbacks of the first kidnapping. She needed to be as aware as possible.
"You're not going to answer me huh, well I guess that's alright for now. You'll be screaming in no time." Lucy shivered again as Caleb threatened her. She was scared, but she was also really angry. How could she let this happen twice? She could watched him leave the room and then heard his footsteps go to a different room.
She looked at her surroundings to see if there was any way out. It seemed like a pretty big house especially for L.A. She tried to think of how she would decorate it instead of her probable impending death. The door creaked open startling her out of her thoughts. Caleb stood over her again. His facial expression predatory, and demanding made her want to gag or punch something. Actually, it made her want to do both at the same time.
"I think it's time to get your restraints off don't you think?" This confused her. He couldn't be underestimating her again, so why would he take the restraints off. He pulled on the zip ties causing them to cut into her skin blood trickled down her wrists.
She pulled her hands to her chest before making a wild swing for Caleb's face in desperation. He grabbed her wrists causing her to hiss in pain as his hands tightly gripped her fresh cuts. He used one hand to hold both of her wrists above her head. Lucy thrashed her body but she was tired and Caleb was strong. Caleb tutted lightly and shushed her.
"You psychopath," Lucy growled "Let go of me!" Caleb only laughed at her and reached down to pull at the hem of her shirt lifting it above her head and she finally understood why Caleb had taken off her restraints.
"No! No! Don't touch me!" Lucy yelled trying to bite Caleb's arms. This only earned her a slap to the face and her shirt came all the way off. She was glad she had thrown on a comfortable sports bra that covered everything before leaving the house this morning. Right as he was starting to unbutton her jeans the sound of tires screeching reverberated outside the window.
Caleb looked out the window and cursed. He retied the zip ties right as Lucy had finished re-buttoning her jeans leaving her to lay helplessly on the table again. Caleb was standing right outside in the hallway obvious frustration in his face. When she heard Tim's voice yell clear she almost laughed. Caleb was so screwed now. She leaned back her head to better see where Caleb was standing. He rocked back and forth nostrils flaring with each breath obviously preparing for a fight. Tim rounded the corner and pointed his gun at Caleb. Instead of freezing Caleb flying tackled Tim.
They rolled and tussled on the ground exchanging blows in both the forms of punches and kicks. Eventually Tim struggled his way on top of Caleb and started punching him. After Caleb was knocked unconscious he didn't stop just kept hitting and hitting.
"Tim" she whispered. He stopped punching looked at her with such a heartbroken expression it was almost painful. As Tim was flipping Caleb over to handcuff him Jackson came into the hallway and looked like he was going to come help Lucy before he changed his mind and took Caleb from Tim instead.
Tim ran into the room quickly snapping off the zip ties being careful to not put any pressure on her abused wrists. He then helped her pull back on her T-shirt. That's when Lucy's tough exterior started to break. She began to sob and Tim gathered her into his arms hugging her close to his chest. For the second time in 24 hours she leaned completely into him letting herself be vulnerable. He cradled her head, and pressed a soft kiss to her hair.
"I've got you," He whispered to her "You're safe now. I've got you." She didn't answer, and he didn't expect her to. She just cried allowing all the fear, and anger flow out of her.
He heard the ambulance they called pull in and knew that if anyone else tried to touch her she would panic. He placed one arm under her knees and the other under her back and picked her up. She further curled into him hiding her face. When they reached the ambulance Tim set her on the gurney despite the EMT's protests of wanting to do it themselves. He climbed into the ambulance beside her and quickly took her hand.
She squeezed his hand tightly, and flashed him a heavily pained smile as if trying to comfort him. He could have laughed at how in character this was, but he didn't. He only brushed a loose piece of hair out of her face. Lucy let her expression relax, and looked as if she was going to sleep.
"You can sleep. I won't let anything happen to you. I won't leave until you force me to."
She nodded. Right before drifting off she opened her eyes again
"I love you" She said. Tim was so shocked it took him a second to reply.
"I love you too" She looked content to sleep then, without the weight of the world on her soldiers, and Tim hoped he could always keep it like that.