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SSN 2 Ep 12 - Now and Then
Tim is nervous but looking forward to Chen’s first day back at work. He’s been thinking of different immersive and intense situations he can put her in to test her instincts and make sure she still remembers how to be a cop. He doesn’t want to treat her like she’s fragile or broken because he knows she’ll hate that.
He just hopes her experience with Caleb hasn’t changed her mind about being a cop, hasn’t made her want to quit. He doesn’t think that will be the case, especially because she’s done all the required therapy to return to the job. He knows that what Harper said was true, she’s a fighter.
As he’s about to leave the house he remembers he’s missing something.
Lucy’s ring.
He’s carried it with him everywhere while she’s been home recovering. He’s kept it safe, hasn’t been able to leave it out of his sight. He tucks the ring in his pocket and heads out the door.
He’s realized that since pulling her out of that barrel his feelings towards Chen have shifted and he knows (even though he’s trying to ignore it) that training her has become much more than a job to him.
He gets to the station and before he’s able to even talk to Chen he’s approached by Harper.
Ultimately he knows Harper is right, he just hopes Chen doesn’t take it too personally. He doesn’t want her to think that he’s passed her off and doesn’t want to finish training her.
Tim quickly heads to Grey’s office before roll call starts to let him know about the change of plans.
“Hey, got a second?” he asks.
“Of course, its Officer Chen’s first day back; are you prepared?” Grey asks.
“I am, but I wanted to talk to you about it, about Chen. It’s been brought to my attention,” he says a little reluctantly, “that maybe she should ride with Harper today,” Tim tells him.
“Do you not want to ride with Chen?” he asks to clarify the motivation behind the switch.
“I do, I would, but Harper suggested it might be better for Chen to ride with someone with shared experiences. I know I’ve trained a lot of rookies but I don’t know what it’s like to go through something like Chen did, as a man…” Tim admits.
“Okay, if you’re okay with it, I think it could be a good idea. We’ll do it for today, see how things go and when Chen is ready she can go back to riding with you,” Grey says.
Thankfully even though he finds himself having to ride with Nolan he has the perfect thing to make him feel useful and good at his job – scaring Abigail enough so she never wants to even step foot in a police station again.
Finally he gets to actually talk to Chen back at the station when he sees her finishing up booking a suspect and gossiping with Abigail. He heard about the shoot-out at the store and he was admittedly a little worried about. Thankfully she’s okay although her request for a time machine only increases the guilt that’s been heavy in his chest for the past few weeks.
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After he wraps things up with his case with Nolan, Tim changes out of his uniform and finds Lucy’s ring is still in his pocket from the other day. He rolls it through his fingers then puts it in his pants pocket before heading out. On his way through the station he hears someone in the gym. It’s late so he decides to be nosy and take a look.
He’s surprised to find Lucy working through her anger and emotions. He’s impressed. She’s not letting anything deter her, she’s staying focused. So he gives her one of his inspiring Tim Bradford speeches and tosses the ring at her.
Lucy shakes her head and looks at the ring in her hand. She’s partly perplexed but also not surprised at all for some reason.
Tim, of course it was Tim.
She had hoped, she had even prayed but she never asked who actually found her or how. She grips the ring tightly in her hand and knows now that no matter what Tim Bradford has her back. With that thought she decides the punching bag has taken enough of a beating and it’s time for her to shower and head home.