Chapter Text
Lucy is nine months into her rookie year. Tim has been a wonderful TO. Yes, it was a rough beginning, but things have changed for them. Lucy felt the electricity with Tim since day one. She knows he is her TO, but she has slowly fallen in love with him. They have gotten close over the past few months. She was grateful the thing with Rachel fizzled out quickly. She knows she set them up, but she was jealous. The sparks fly between them, but it seems to be a mutual understanding that nothing will happen until she is no longer his rookie. It sucks, but she gets it. She wants it all with him.
Tim was unsure of Lucy at first, but he has grown close to her. Yes, he has started falling in love with his rookie. He can feel the electricity between them every day. He can see and feel how she is feeling. They both know it will have to wait, as much as it pains him to not take her in his arms every single day or to kiss those soft, luscious lips.
Today was a difficult day for Mid-Wilshire. Rosalind Dyer, the serial killer, would be coming to the station and she would supposedly be showing them where she buried most of her victims.
Lucy catches up to Tim after roll call. “Hey.” She lightly touches his arm to help ground him. “Are you okay?”
Tim looks at her. “Not really. I don’t know why we are entertaining this.” She can see fear in his eyes, but it’s not for the victims, it seems directed at her.
“I’m here Tim.” She murmurs so no one can hear. She pulls him to a small utility closet and shuts the door. Once inside, she pulls him into a hug knowing they both needed this right now. “After today, she will go back to prison and rot like she belongs.” Lucy whispers in his ear. His grip on her becomes tighter. They let go and get themselves together. They head back out. As they make their way to their shop, Lucy hears a voice. She is confused because that man was in the bar last night, but she never told him where she worked.
Caleb sees her confusion. “It’s Caleb, from the bar. You left before I could give you my number.” She frowns and furrows her eyebrows. Lucy takes the piece of paper.
“Thanks, but I am unavailable. Have a great day.” With that she whisks Tim away and hurries to the sallyport. He wants to ask her questions, but now is not that time. They all load into the van carrying Rosalind and head out. Angela and Jackson create a diversion and the news vans follow them while the other head the opposite direction. Tim snakes his hand to Lucy’s and gently squeezes it to let her know he is there.
When they arrive, Rosalind breathes in the fresh air. Tim scoffs and Lucy tries to remain neutral. It is very difficult to keep composure around this woman.
“Let’s get this started.” Del Monte the DA says. Everyone nods and they start walking. Almost an hour in and they are almost to the supposed first burial site.
Lucy goes to Tim. “Here take a sip.” She thrusts a water bottle in his hands while she drinks her own. He takes a few small sips as his eyes never leave Lucy. Suddenly, gun shots ring out. Lucy and Tim run after the suspect. It turns out to be one of the victims husband. His kids already lost their mom and now they will probably lose their dad too.
Tim looks over to Lucy. “Are you doing okay?”
She gives him a small, but pained smile. “I just hate that his kids have basically lost both their parents. I know he was upset, but this was not the right decision to make. It just sucks sometimes.” He nods his head in agreement.
“Okay that was enough excitement. Let’s keep moving.” Armstrong says curtly. He has no tolerance for Rosalind’s games after everything he has gone through with her. Nolan lightly squeezes his shoulder to try and ground him, but it does not help.
Lucy grabs the bag she was holding before, and they march on. Rosalind suddenly stops. “This is it. The first grave.” Lucy feels her eyes bore into her back. She tries to ignore it, but she feels uneasy about the entire thing. Maybe I will see if Tim’s busy tonight. I really do not want to be alone and I am still freaking out that Caleb found me.
Tim and Jackson grab shovels to start digging in the spot she claims is where the first body is buried. Sure enough, they find it, but what they don’t expect is to find another one. It’s only been there for maybe six months. Everyone looks at Rosalind. “Don’t look at me. I’ve been in prison.” Lucy shudders at the smile that forms on her face.
“Tim, something’s off.” Lucy whispers to him. He looks at her and can see she feels uneasy about the whole thing.
“I agree, but I don’t know what.” He sees Lucy chewing her bottom lip, something she only does when nervous. “What is it?” He pulls her to the side where no one can see them.
“It is far-fetched, but what if Caleb works with Rosalind? Tim, he never knew where I worked. How did he find me and more importantly, why?” Tim hums in agreement.
“I don’t know, but I will have your back. I promise.” He reassures her hoping this feeling is wrong and goes away.
Hours later, they found another body in the second unmarked grave, this one there for maybe three months. Lucy shudders in the medical examiner’s office seeing both the newer bodies laid out on the table. Once they finish getting what they need, they head to the elevator. This time, Tim grabs Lucy for a quick hug. They both need to feel one another right now. It’s becoming harder to not do more, but for now this is it. Tim looks at Lucy with desire in his eyes before the doors open. He had wanted to tell her to wait for him. Beg her to give him a chance when she was no longer his rookie, but they didn’t have the time.
The pair head back to the station, riding in a comforting silence. It is such a beautiful day outside; Christmas is in the air all around them. Once they arrive at the station, they find out Nolan and Harper went to find a potential third victim. It sounds like he was using the old Los Angeles Zoo to hide his victims. The call was received as Tim and Lucy drove back to Mid-Wilshire.
Grey calls Tim to his office while Lucy starts paperwork for the two bodies found today. They need to figure out what is going on and fast.
Grey looks at Tim. “Are you doing okay?” He knows Tim found one of Rosalind’s victims and it is not the easiest day for him.
“Yeah, I’m good. More worried about what is going on and why.” He internally debates telling Grey about what happened with Caleb. “Lucy had a visitor this morning. She was out with Nolan, Jackson, and Armstrong last night. Some guy tried to talk to her, she said she didn’t say much, but he showed up here this morning to give her his number. Lucy seemed uncomfortable with the whole thing. I just wanted you to be aware too.”
“That is strange. Just keep your eye on her.” Grey tells him before dismissing him. Tim heads out and sits at the desk next to Lucy. He starts on the paperwork as well. They will divide and conquer what is remaining. They always work in tandem, anticipating each other’s moves and what they’ll do next. As they are halfway through what they need to do, Harper and Nolan come back in.
Grey calls everyone to the roll call room. “Today was a difficult day. We are still working to figure out how she was communicating with her protégé. Nolan and Harper saved the third victim, but the suspect managed to get away. It was a long day. Finish your paperwork and then head home.” He dismisses the room. Tim and Lucy give each other another look before finishing their paperwork. Lucy heads to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face.
Angela walks in and is concerned after looking at Lucy. “Hey Lucy. Are you okay?” She gently touches her shoulder after seeing her red eyes.
“Yeah, I am Angela. It’s been a long day. I just want to go home, take a hot bath, and curl up on my couch.” She smiles at Angela.
“Let me know if I can help.” Angela bids her goodbye, and she heads back to Tim.
Tim notices her eyes are red and she looks exhausted. “Hey. I can finish here and you can head home. I can bring dinner later and we can watch trashy TV shows? You shouldn’t be alone right now. Why not hang out with your favorite TO?” He offers. She knows how much he hates her shows, but he would do anything to help comfort her right now.
“That does sound nice, but there is still a decent amount left.” She feels bad because she does not want to leave him with all the paperwork.
“Hey. It’s okay Lucy.” He places his hand over hers and rubs it softly. “I will grab some Thai food. Go home, take a bath, and I’ll be there soon.” He smiles her favorite goofy grin and finally nods.
“That sounds perfect. I will see you soon. Can I get anything?” He shakes his head no and pushes her towards the locker room to get changed. He waves bye as she walks out of the station. He finishes the paperwork in record time before rushing to the locker room to get changed out.
Tim is giddy and he can say he’s never felt this way about anyone before. Any time spent with Lucy makes his day better. One day soon I can be honest. He thinks to himself.
Tim orders Thai food from her favorite restaurant and grabs her favorite ice cream from the store. “Hey Tim!” The cashier Eileen says when she sees him. “Where’s your partner?”
Tim smiles. “She’s home for the night. It’s been a long day.” Eileen smiles at him with understanding and soon he’s on his way to Lucy’s. He stops and picks up the food, carefully placing it on the seat. As he drives his phone ring and he sees Angela’s name pop up.
“Hi Angela.” Tim says as he answers on Bluetooth.
“Hey. I just wanted to see what you were up to. Lucy seemed upset in the bathroom and I was worried.” Angela rushes out.
“I’m on my way to her place now. Everyone’s feeling on edge. I have dinner and ice cream.”
Angela chuckles. “Good. Have a good night Tim”. She quickly hangs up. Tim parked a good five minutes ago, but didn’t want to talk while with Lucy. He balances both bags and their drinks while locking his truck. He makes his way to the sixth floor. As he steps off the elevator, the hairs on his arms stand up.
Tim starts walking to her apartment slowly and sees the door opened. He places everything down outside and draws his gun out. He goes inside and it’s quiet. As he makes his way through, he can see there was a struggle. Then his heart drops. There is blood on the floor by her doorway.
Tim needs to keep it together, but he can’t. I should have made her wait. I can’t lose her. He immediately calls Grey.
“Tim?” He answers confused.
“Lucy’s been taken. I need you.” He says. His vision is spotty and he feels like he can’t breathe saying those words.
“Where are you Tim?”
“Lucy’s apartment. There was a struggle. There’s blood.” Tim is chokes back a sob, but doesn’t cover it well enough.
“Tim, she is a fighter. We’re on our way.” Tim hangs up the phone and slides to the floor. The tears won’t stop coming. Lucy, please be okay. Keep fighting. I need you.