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SSN 2 Ep 13 – Follow-Up Day
Tim and Lucy head into Grey’s office to let him know the situation they are in with Nevin and Marquel.
They’ve found themselves in a tight spot: they don’t want to use Nevin to stop Marquel because the kid is trying to do the right thing and get his life back on track; but they also don’t want Marquel to get away with using the bakery to launder drug money.
“Look, it’s a tough call,” Grey says as he get up from his desk and walks over to where Bradford and Chen are standing, “You’re going to have to get used to making those as a Sargent,” he tells Bradford with a pleased smirk on his face.
“The scores are in?” Tim asks suddenly more nervous than he expected to be.
“List just arrived, you’re number 8 out of 140,” Grey says.
“YES!” says Chen with probably too much enthusiasm, “I knew it!”
Both men give her a curious but amused look.
Lucy attempts to reel in her excitement and says, “Congratulation Sargent Bradford,” she says looking up at Tim.
“Not a Sargent yet, it will probably take six months to a year for something to open up,” Tim tells Chen suddenly hoping that’s the reality of the situation.
“Well,” says Grey, “I heard there’s a position opening up soon in North Hollywood, the position is yours if you want it. The captain there owes me a favour, you’d start in two weeks.”
Tim looks conflicted as he looks from Grey to Chen then back to Grey, “Can I think about it, over night?” he asks.
“Of course, just remember opportunities like this don’t come around often,” Grey reminds Tim.
After Tim gets home he turns the TV on to catch the sports highlights of the day and thinks about getting a beer but figures he should probably keep his head clear while he thinks about the idea of leaving Mid-Wilshire.
Two weeks; that’s not a lot of time.
All night Tim thinks about what a job in North Hollywood would bring; new station, new officers, new boss, new neighbourhood. It’s not that he doesn’t like new; it’s just that he likes familiarity. And plus Chen’s only been back a few weeks; she’s still in her probationary year, she’d probably see it as him abandoning her, he thinks as he rolls his eyes but smiles at the idea.
It would totally mess with her confidence, even though he knows it's a lame excuse.
He’ll stay he concludes. He’ll finish her training. Something else will come up eventually, ya, that’s a solid plan.
Now, he just has to tell Grey.
The next day Chen doesn’t miss a beat when asking him about his future career path.
“So…North Hollywood,” she says as she does up her seatbelt.
“What about it?” he asks as if he doesn’t already know what she’s getting at.
“Are you going? Did you make your decision yet?” she asks him.
“I’m not telling you,” he says.
“I am like the first person you should tell, after Grey of course. I need to know if I have to start mentally preparing to get a new Training Officer, because if I get stuck with Smitty I will make sure to follow you to your new station,” she says as if that’s some kind of threat.
“You will not get stuck with Smitty,” he assures her, “I’d make sure you’re paired up with someone with at least half a brain,” he jokes.
“Oh that’s, reassuring,” she says with a smile, “but I’m serious, have you decided? I mean you only have two choices: go to North Hollywood now or, stay and hope something opens up at Mid-Wilshire or somewhere else,” she says like he hasn’t been mulling those two outcomes over all night.
“I know, but I’m still not telling. Let’s go talk to Marquel,” Tim says trying to gently hint that he’s done talking about his future.
Finally by the end of shift Tim has come up with a way of ‘coming at things sideways’ and sends out a department wide email raving about how good the coffee and donuts are at Right Start Bakery.
Then he goes to do what he’s been avoiding all day. He just doesn’t want Grey to be disappointed or tell him he’s making a mistake by not moving up right away.
“Hey, you got a minuet?” he asks as he graces Grey’s office doorway.
“Of course, come in,” Grey says as he waves Tim inside.
Tim closes the door behind him but is too nervous to sit.
“So North Hollywood…” he says.
“It’s a good job,” Grey reminds him.
“I know, but I’m not going to take it,” Tim says. Grey doesn’t look as surprised as he thought he would.
“Can I ask why?”
“It’s not the right time. Chen’s still in her probationary year, I want to finish training her, and then if something opens up I’ll take it,” he says hoping that’s a good enough reason.
“You sure?” Grey asks just in case. He wants Tim to be sure about his decision, “it might take six months, or a year before there’s another opening.”
“I know, but I’m sure,” Tim says.
“Okay, thanks for letting me know, and Tim,” Grey adds before he can leave, “I am proud of you, you scored well.”
“Thanks sir,” Tim says quietly as he leaves his bosses office feeling good about his final choice and goes to change out.
“Hey Chen!” he calls out when he sees her headed out of the station, “I’ve got something to show you, come.”
“What? Um okay,” Lucy says confused.
Tim leads her to his truck and she becomes even more confused. She’s never gone anywhere with him before and he’s definitely never allowed her anywhere near his truck.
“Get in, I have to show you something, don’t worry I’ll bring you back to your car,” he promises.
Still suspicious, Lucy does as she is told and gets in then does up her seatbelt. It’s not long before she realizes where they are headed.
Tim parks the truck about a block away from the bakery and they walk down the street until they reach the corner opposite.
“Figured out a way to come at it sideways,” he says with a grin as numerous LAPD officers start walking out of the bakery.
Lucy smiles, “Genius move making the bakery the go-to donut shop for the LAPD,” she says when she realizes what is happening.
“Marquel won’t dare launder his money there now,” Tim says confidently.
Lucy looks up at Tim under the street light glow and allows herself to accept his departure. He’ll do great things in North Hollywood.
“North Hollywood is lucky to have a Sargent like you coming in,” she says with pure sincerity.
“Actually, I told Grey I’m not interested in moving up, just yet,” he says with sly smirk.
Lucy almost doesn’t believe him, she’s also giddy. “What, are you holding out for Malibu?” she jokes.
“Tim Bradford finishes what he starts. I haven’t finished training you yet,” he says.
“No, you haven’t,” Lucy agrees with a smile.
The air around them feels warm, and Lucy takes a moment to admire Tim’s face in the glow of the night.
“You are going to move up at some point though, I spent a lot of time on those books on tape,” she points out.
Tim rolls his eyes, “Ya, eventually,” he says as they walk back towards his truck.
There’s something incredibly familiar about walking next to Lucy that he’s glad he won’t have to live without any time soon. Their ride back to the station is quick and quiet.
Before Lucy opens the passenger door, she turns to look at Tim.
“I’m glad, that you aren’t leaving,” she admits, “it would be too weird not seeing you every day,” she says.
“You trying to tell me you aren’t sick of my face yet boot?” he jokes.
“Nope, not yet, Sarge,” she says as she hops out of his truck.