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Tim normally loves having his own office, its private and he can shut the door. Everyone usually knocks save for Lucy who he usually knows is coming or Angela who is well Angela. He doesn’t usually get a lot of people coming in and out but it happens.
So when there is a knock on his door while he’s doing paperwork he doesn’t think twice he calls out come in absently and goes back to doing the day’s paperwork. The door opens and he looks up briefly and then stares because it’s the last person he ever thought would be at his office door.
Chris Sanford
He has to admit he really doesn’t know what went down between him and Lucy the night she broke up with him and then came back to the station so Tim could ask her out. And he really doesn’t care because he’s happier than he’s ever been with Lucy, and he doesn’t need an ex overshadowing that.
“Uh hi?” Says Tim furrowing his brows at the shorter man. Chris frowning at him and standing in front of him with his arms crossed his chest.
“Cut the bullshit Bradford.” Chris snaps. “I know the only reason you and Lucy got together was because of your doppelgängers.” Tim’s mouth fell open. He knew Chris was bitter, he had heard it from Wesley but he didn’t know he was this bitter.
“What are you talking about?” Tim asks calmly.
Chris stares at him before he answers. “I saw the documentary. I know you and Lucy are dating. And I know the only reason you are is because of Jake and Sava or whatever the hell you called them.” Chris snaps at him again. Tim is starting to get pissed because Chris has no idea how he and Lucy got together. He has no idea that their feelings started way before the UC op,
“You don’t know what you are talking about Sanford. Lucy and I didn’t get together just because of two people who look like us. We got together because we wanted to. We have feelings for each other and we acted it on it.”
Chris’s face does something funny as he stares at Tim some more. “Oh yeah? So Lucy didn’t cheat on me?”
“Do you think Lucy cheated on you?” Tim asks sharply. Chris thinks about it for a minute and then shakes his head. “No.”
“Well you are right. She didn’t. Nothing happened between us until after she broke up with you.” Tim says. “Have some damn respect.”
Chris frowns at Tim’s words but before he could reply Lucy comes bouncing into the office. “Hi babe— oh.” She says when she sees Chris, her smile falling instantly.
“Hi Chris.” She says and she stands awkwardly in the doorway. Chris all but ignores her and then turns back to Tim.
“She’s not your type.” Chris says. Tim’s eyes go to Lucy’s face which remains passive but he knows her well enough that she’s trying not to lose it.
“You are an ass.” Says Tim. “You have no idea what my type is. I’m not sure why you thought it was okay to burst in here and start making assumptions about my relationship with Lucy.”
“You aren’t attracted to her.” Chris says bravely. “You are attracted to the idea of her. You want someone good and fun and smart so you went for my girlfriend.”
Tim let’s out a loud breath trying to calm himself before he speaks again. But Lucy beats him to it. She comes further into the office and stands next to Tim so she can face Chris. When she speaks her voice is steady and calm.
“You don’t know what you are talking about Chris. You have no idea what Tim and I have gone through together. And starting to date was no easy task, it was a risk and we were both willing to take it. I know what Tim feels for me is real. I know he doesn’t just like the idea of me I know he likes me. I am with Tim so I would know. You aren’t on the inside of our relationship and you never will be.” She says breathlessly. Tim looks at her proudly.
Chris glares at her no doubt angry about her answer. “It doesn’t erase the fact that you—” He starts but Lucy cuts him.
“That I what? Broke up with you? Didn’t want to buy a house with you?” She snaps at him.
He opens his mouth to reply but then shuts it. “You need to move on Chris.” Lucy tells him gently. “I’m not the one you are suppose to be with. But I’ m sure you will find the right one someday. It’s just not me.”
Tim wraps himself around Lucy kissing her on top of the head. Chris looks between them and the spins on his heels and stomps out.
There is silence for a few minutes before Tim speaks again. “He’s wrong you know. You are my type.”
“I know Tim.” She says quietly.
“And I’m not with you because of Jake and Sava.” He says. Lucy turns in his arms so she can look up at him.
“I know that too Tim.” She says smiling at him. “Believe me.” Tim takes a shuddering breath.
“I love you.” He says and her eyes widen. He thinks she knows that too they just have never said it before.
“Well that is new information.” She says trying to joke but her voice hitching a bit.
“Well it’s true. I do. I love you and you don’t have to say it back but—”
“I love you too Tim.” She says in one breath and he grins.
“Well that’s just perfect huh?” He asks mischievously.
“Yeah.” She says grinning up at him and giving him a quick kiss. “Yeah it is.”