Chapter Text
Ever since Tim and Lucy went undercover as Dim and Juicy, things have been different. As soon as they got back from the bust, they got debriefed. Then, they went home to their respected homes. Tim drove back to his house in silence. Just trying to process everything. Being alone with Lucy for about a week. Pretending to be a couple with the one person who understood him. He was confused. But then he remembered that he needed to break up with Ashley. He gets to his driveway, walks in disarm the alarm, and sits his gun in the safe and his badge and keys on top of the safe. Kujo is still at the sitters. He goes to his refrigerator and grabs a beer and sits down on the couch. He grabs his phone to text Ashley.
Hey I am home from the op
Ashely responds right away: Can I come over we need to talk about something.
Tim: Yes.
Ashely walks in. Tim greets his girlfriend.
Tim:” Hey babe”
Ashely: “Hey, so while you were undercover I’ve been thinking about things.
Tim: “Okay?”
Ashley:” I have always felt second to Lucy. You have always told me ‘She’s my old boot or She’s my aide’. But I see the way you look at her. The way that you drop everything on Jackson’s birthday. I understand that you two have been through a lot, but I can’t be with someone who puts me a second. When we all went on the double date, she knew that you hated Mushrooms, that you wanted to be cremated, even that you wanted to be spread out on Dodger’s field. I think that’s it best if we just end it mutually. ”
Tim: “Okay, but truly she is just my aide. I” Tim grabs Ashely’s hands, “You just have to understand that I spend 12 hours with her, so we have a shorthand. Also, she and I have been through a lot. Between her getting kidnaped and then Jackson dying and Angela getting kidnaped. We just understand each other. Also, because of her parents disapproving of her career, she needs people in her corner. .”
Ashley: “She has Angela, Nyla, Nolan, Chris, and Tamara. Why does she need her old TO to be her support.”
Tim: “Because I know what it is like to have a parent tear you down constantly.”
Ashley: “What? You never told me any of this. This is clearly not going to work out. I am breaking up with you Tim Bradford.”
Tim is truly shocked:” Okay, well Ashely. I hope you find someone who makes you feel first.” They hugged and Ashley leaves Tim more confused.
——— ——— ——— ———- ———
While Ashley was breaking up with Tim; Lucy was filling in Tamara about the Undercover op.
Lucy: “One of Hajeck’s guys was giving lip about my tattoo.”
Tamara: “I bet Bradford didn’t like that one bit.”
Lucy blushed; “You are correct. He ended up..”She looks down at her phone it was Chris texting if it was okay to come over. “ Hey is it okay if Chris comes over? I realized some things while we were under that we need to talk about.”
Tamara: “Yes, I was about to go to a study group for my criminal psychology class.” Lucy texted Chris back Come on. Tamara leaves for her study group and Chris arrives with a bottle of Tequila
Chris:” Thought you could use something to take the edge off.”
Lucy excepts the tequila: “Sure come on in.” She pours herself and Chris a shot. They take it.
Lucy:” So, whenever Tim and I went undercover. We had to portray a couple. We only kissed. I promise, but it made me start thinking of my future.”
Chris: “ okay?”
Lucy: “I want someone who understands my job and is not pushing me towards a different career. Also, I want to be with someone that makes my leg pop. ” Trailing off not to hurt Chris’s feelings.
Chris:” So you don’t feel that with me? But you feel that with Tim.”
Lucy is starting to get frustrated: “Are you seriously bringing Tim into this.”
Chris:” I am going to let you off the hook. Listen I knew something was up when we went on that double date with him and Ashely and the whole night you and he was talking and eating off of each other’s plate. I just ignored it. But it’s clear, that you are in love with Tim.”
Lucy: “Okay?? So I guess that this is goodbye.”
Chris walks out of the apartment. Lucy walks to her room in a complete daze. All she wants to do is talk to Jackson. She soon falls asleep watching videos from the academy that she and Jackson made.
——— ——— ——— ———- ———
The following days were spent getting back into a routine for both of them. The next Monday was their first shift back. Tim and Grey are talking about the Rams game last night.
As the clock strikes 8 am, Grey starts roll call. “ Okay settle down. Let’s welcome back Sargent Bradford and Officer Chen from taking down a big narcotics bust.” Everyone applauded .”The midnight shift actually did its job. So no follow-ups!” Everyone is happy. “ So let’s have a great day and be safe.” Lucy and Nolan went to get their war bags.
Nolan: “ I’ve missed this.”
Lucy: “Me too, granted technically having a week off but paid was nice. But spending all the time on edge and then not being able to see Kujo was the worst.”
Nolan: “ And not seeing Chris?”
Lucy: “Actually, spending time away from Chris made me realize that I didn't feel a spark with him.” Looked past Nolan to see Tim and Angela finishing paperwork.
Nolan: “ Oh..”
Tim walks up behind Nolan to get his body cam.
Tim: “you ready?”
Lucy dazed: “Yeah.”
Tim and Lucy walk to the shop. There is a noticeable tension between them. Lucy knows that she will be the one to pry. A little time goes past.
Lucy: “So, how is Ashley?” Nervous about the answer.
Tim: “We actually broke things off. I told her that it was because I wanted to be married and have kids. And she didn’t. Always how was your night with Tamara?”
Lucy: “ Tim, I’m so sorry…” She was taken back that he broke things off with Ashley.” She had a study group, and Chris came over.”
Tim clenches his jaw: “oh..”
Lucy: “Yeah, I told him how our op went down…And we broke up.”They are at a red-light Tim looks at Lucy: “I’m sorry. Do you want to talk it out?”
Lucy: “ No.”
Tim: “That’s a first.” Lucy scoffs at Tim, as he notices the light changes
They are getting ready to go home. Tamara texts Hey can we go over to Tim’s. I need to print a paper, and I forgot to do it at the Library this afternoon. Lucy stops Tim at his truck
Lucy:” Hey is it okay if Tamara and I come over. She has a paper that needs to be printed and we can finish the conversation from earlier.”
Tim: “ Yes, and you can bring some food. As payment.”
Lucy: “Okay, so burgers?”
Tim:” That sounds like a plan.” Gives Lucy a smirk.
Lucy goes to the apartment and grabs Tamara. They head to this small little burger joint that Tim and Lucy frequent often. She grabs a veggie burger and a normal burger for Tim. They get to Tim’s. Tim opens the door to a bag full of burgers and fries. Tamara and Lucy walk in and take their shoes off. Tamara sat her book bag down in the little side room. Lucy sat her bag and off-duty piece near the safe. They all sat down at the small dining table. Lucy handed out the food.
Tim: “So Tamara what is your paper on?”
Tamara swallowed the bite of her burger: “It’s on trauma bonding.”
Tim: “ Interesting. I have never thought about how trauma can bond two people.”
Tamara:” Yeah, it’s truly fascinating. Adam and I have a presentation about it.”
They finish dinner, and Tim and Lucy are cleaning up from dinner. They head inside to watch some tv. While Tamara goes and works on some homework.
Tim: “ Hey, so why haven’t I met this Adam guy that Tamara has been hanging out with.”
Lucy grabs a beer from the refrigerator and hands Tim one: “ Because they just hang out a few times. I don’t think that automatically means that he should meet her …” Lucy is lost for words “ Tim?”
Tim is slightly offended:” What does that mean?”
Lucy: “Well, you’re not her ‘adoptive dad’ but you act like a father to her when she needs it. “
Tim: “Well, I am totally okay to be her… Tim. I’m just another person in her corner.”
Tamara walks out: “So, I’m a little anxious to ask you guys this. I was wondering if you both wanted to meet Adam. I think there is something special between me and him. But I want you guys to approve of him.”
Lucy: “Yeah, I would love to actually meet him.”
Tim: “ Sure, but I can’t promise that I will be on my best behavior.”
Tamara:” Listen, I just ask that you don’t give him the 3rd degree.”
Tim: “ No promises.” Tamara walks over to the couch Tim places his hand on her shoulder. “ I will be as nice as I can. But I just want you to know that no matter what happens in the end with this dumbass. I will be here.”
Tamara: “Even though I’m Lucy’s puppy?” They all chuckle.
Tim: “I just want you to know that I am in your corner. We both know that you are a smart, strong, and independent young woman. But I just want you to know that you will always have a safe space here.”
Lucy, who is on the verge of tears,” Bradford has a heart.”
Tim gives a smug look: “Yeah Yeah.
Tamara, who is also on the verge of tears,” I’m truly grateful that I chose to steel Lucy’s car.” The three of them laugh. “ I would have never met everyone at Mid-shire.” The three go in for a group hug.
Lucy: “ When are you thinking about us meeting Adam?”
Tamara: “What about tomorrow after shift?”
Tim: “ That sounds great, Let’s do spaghetti at my house.”
Tamara: “Okay, I’ll text Adam the plan.” She leaps and hugs Tim. Lucy is taken aback by how affectionate Tim gets with Tamara. Tamara goes back to his office.
Tim takes a sip of beer: “ So, you and Chris broke up?”
Lucy: “ Yeah, it’s no big deal. I guess.” She trails off.
Tim: “ Why did you guys break up?” Lucy is questioning if she should tell him the truth…