Chapter Text
Tim and Lucy were careful, they didn’t touch at the station. The only person that knew was Grey because Tim had told him so he could get out Lucy’s chain of command. And it wasn’t like Grey was going to go gossiping to the other officers, he had better things to do than gossip about two of his officers love life (through he did see it coming from miles away). No, Lucy and Tim were careful. Maybe too careful, they basically skirted around each other and people started to get suspicious. Angela Lopez was the first to notice of course. Tim was happier and in a good mood almost all the time even when he was riding the desk for a week. Court liaison sergeant. Never in her wildest dreams did Angela think Tim Bradford would take a desk job unless he didn’t have a choice. Angela had her suspicions but she couldn’t prove it, until one day and then from there it was the domino effect. And Tim and Lucy’s carefully built secret came crumbling down one by one.
the one where Angela finds out
Angela Lopez was a good detective, one of the best actually. She took pride in being one of the best. She solved cases, she made sure victims got the justice they deserved and the perpetrators got the Justice they deserved. Which is why she was very confused as to why Tim Bradford took a desk job. She watched him closely the first day. He seemed normal, happy even. She watched as he did this new job with ease and he seemed comfortable with it. She watched Lucy too because this could have something do with her. Maybe they had a fight or maybe… but Lucy was her normal sunshine self and didn’t give anything, other than maybe she was glowing more than usual. Maybe Tim got in trouble and had to be moved down to a desk Angela thought. She sighed. She would figure this out later.
Angela had a plan and she was ready to roll it out as soon as she clocked out. She found Tim at his desk still doing paperwork.
“Hey.” She said approaching his desk. “Enjoying your new job?”
Tim gave her a look and then went back to what he was doing but Angela wasn’t quite done with him.
“Why did you move to a desk job?” She asked him. He didn’t stop what he was doing but she knew he wanted to glare at her. She waited for him to answer, her arms crossed.
He finally answered his pen paused on the paper as he briefly looked up at her.
“It’s step to move up in my career.” He said but Angela didn’t believe him.
“A step forward at a desk job?” She asked skeptically.
“Yes.” Tim said simply and then he went back to work. Angela stood there just staring at him.
She sat on his desk and he sighed putting his pen down and glaring at Angela.
“Can I help you with something?” He asked gruffly
“Yes. I have a friend who is recently single and since you are single-” she glanced at his face but it didn’t change. “Do you want to meet up with her?”
Tim stiffened a little bit then shook his head. “No. I have plans to do.. nothing. Sorry.”
Angela narrowed his eyes at him. “You have plans to do nothing.”
“Yes. But right now I have to get back to work.” He gave her a pointed look and she sighed sliding off his desk.
Angela wasn’t going to give up because she wanted to see Tim happy again. He wasn’t exactly happy with Ashley, it was a safe relationship. She knew something was going on with him, she just wanted to know what.
So she decided to try her plan out on Lucy, who also happened to be conveniently single. Lucy was talking to Aaron when Angela slid up next to her. Tim happened to be talking to Grey with his arms crossed nodding nearby. Perfect.
“Hey Lucy.” She said loud enough so Tim could hear. She saw him glance over briefly but then turned back to Grey. That was fine. She had his attention.
Lucy looked up at her, eyebrows raised. “Hey Angela.” She glanced at Aaron an apologetic look on her face. He just shrugged and walked away.
“So I have this guy friend who is recently single. He’s nice. He’s not a cop or lawyer. Are you interested.”
She heard more than saw Tim’s grumble. She saw Lucy’s eyes dart to him for a second.
“Um. I’m actually.. seeing someone. So no?” Said Lucy. She heard Tim come up behind her.
“Are you done Lopez?” He snapped clearly annoyed.
“Are you going to tell me the truth?” She shot back at him. She saw Tim glance at Lucy. Lucy nodded slightly at him. Tim sighed and motioned Angela to follow him to the hallway so this was at least in private.
“Lucy and I are dating ok?” He said hotly.
“I moved to a desk job so I was out of her chain of command and she didn’t have to move stations.” Lucy touched his arm gently.
“We just didn’t want anyone to make a big deal about it. We just want to see what it was before we said anything.” She says in a rush. Tim puts his hand on the small of her back and she relaxes immediately into his touch. Angela stared at them, mouth agape. This was real.
“Are you happy?” She asks them but she’s looking at Tim when she says it.
He nods, his hand still on Lucy’s back. “Absolutely. This is everything I need and want.”
He seems so confident and happy, she believes him. She turns to Lucy who is staring at Tim in wonderment and she looks at Angela briefly and nods.
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“Good. I’m happy for you both.” She says sincerely and she means it because if anyone deserves to be happy and to be in a solid relationship it was Tim and Lucy.
Finally she thought as she walked away. Those two finally got both their head out of their asses. It was worth keeping their secret.
After Angela found out, Lucy and Tim made her swear that she wouldn’t tell anyone. They still weren’t ready to have everyone at the station know. Angela promised that she wouldn’t tell. It was tempting but they both trusted her so Angela didn’t break her promise. Tim and Lucy were still careful. They touched less but they talked more so it didn’t seem obvious. Which is why Smitty started to get suspicious. Smitty was always suspicious, he was chill of course but suspicious.The next person to find out was Smitty and they both had to do him a favor by to keep his mouth shut. But to Smitty it was worth it because he was also a hopeless romantic
the one where Smitty finds out
Smitty is a chill guy, really no care in the world especially if he doesn’t have to work. But he’s also a suspicious guy with a knack for figuring things out. He may not be smartest or sharpest guy in the room but no one said he couldn’t use his police skills for something. He like to snoop and that day he snooped.
When Chen came to him for a favor to get Bradford to Metro. He was suspicious, he knew Chen and Bradford were close but why would a friend want to move another friend out of their chain of command? He was suspicious but he didn’t have all the facts. Then he started to gather evidence (he followed Chen and Bradford- ok just Chen because Bradford was a house mouse). He watched her movements, watched her glance over at Tim every so often. Smitty knew they had a connection, one that was for the story books (Smitty also happened to be a hopeless romantic). But the connection could of just been friendly? Two former partners still close.. he clocked out that day feeling a little disappointed he didn’t have anything.
The next day however, the day of the heatwave he saw Chen go over to Bradford and spin him around gently. They talked (he wasn’t sure about what- he wish he had super hearing so it wouldn’t seem creepy that he was snooping on them). He crept a little closer and heard Bradford say see you after shift and Chen smile sadly at him. She walked away giving him a glance as she walked away.
It was now after shift and Smitty was changing out. He rounded the corner from the men’s locker room and skidded to a stop. Chen was backed against the wall and Bradford was blocking her in. They hadn’t noticed him yet, but he was frozen where he stood. Chen was smiling at him gently. Bradford was muttering something like let’s go. Chen shook her head laughing and her eyes never wondering from his face. He leaned in to kiss her and that was Smitty’s cue to leave.
The thing was Smitty knew and it was just too easy. Chen came to him asking him for a favor and they worked it out. He did his Smitty magic, and his trailer was very clean. He didn’t worry about making Bradford repay him until he caught them again. This time it was in the parking garage and really Smitty didn’t mean to stare but they were an attractive couple. Chen was leaning up against Bradford’s truck her hands on his jacket. Smitty was a good distance away but he could still hear them.
“You owe me that celebration date.” Bradford said his voice low and deep and Chen pulled him closer.
“Tonight baby. Take me out, take me home and then….” She smiled slyly at him. He leaned in to kiss her. “That’s a deal Luce. I’m holding you- what?”
Smitty suddenly realized Chen was just staring at him. “What the fuck Smitty!” She said loudly.
Bradford turned his head quickly and glared at Smitty and if looks could kill Bradford had it down.
“Are you spying on us?” He growled stalking over to Smitty. Chen followed quickly behind him. Smitty took a few steps back.
“Um no sir. Just going to my-”
“You will say nothing Officer Smitty.” He said loudly. He got a little closer, his eyes still ablaze with anger. It wasn’t until Chen touched his arm that he backed away.
Smitty knew he was pushing his luck but he couldn’t stop himself as he blurted out.
“You owe me. I won’t tell if you do something for me.”
Bradford looked like he was about to take his head off. But Chen nodded quickly grabbing Bradford’s arm.
“Name it.” Tim glanced down at her and she shrugged. He rolled his eyes but he was still glaring at Smitty.
(Smitty’s trailer was very clean after that)