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Jackson’s dead. That's all Lucy can think about as she sits on the locker room bench. Doug Stanton had her best friend essentially murdered. Lucy sits there sobbing when she feels a set of hands on her. Nyla.
“Come on Lucy. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Lucy follows, not paying much attention. Nyla helps her out of her uniform and wipe her hands. She takes Lucy’s bag and leads her out of the locker room. Tim’s waiting.
Lucy sees him and he catches her as she almost falls to the floor. “Shhh. I’ve got you.” Tim says as he helps her stand up. “Thanks Nyla. I’ve got her.” Angela’s at home with Wes. Doug Stanton was arrested when they saw the body came footage and then Jackson died from his injuries.
Tim leads Lucy to his truck and puts her in the front seat. He drives to his house because there’s no way he will leave her alone. Lucy has become the most important person in his life. Tim’s heart is breaking. “Come on Luce.” He says as he opens the passenger door. Lucy grabs his hand and Tim helps her inside. Tim leads her to his bedroom and kneels in front of her.
“Lucy.” Tim says, trying to get her attention. “You need to shower.”
“T…t…Tim. He’s gone.” Lucy lets out the worst sobs and he just holds her.
“I know Luce. I’ve got you. I always will.” He murmurs as he holds her and rubs her back. “Breathe Lucy.” Tim says as she leans into him. Lucy finally looks at him.
“I want to shower, but I don’t know if I can do it.” Lucy can barely stand up.
“Let me help. I promise I won’t look.” Lucy just stares at him.
“I just. I just need you to hold me Tim. Please.” Tim stares at her.
“Okay. Sit for a minute.” Tim grabs clothes for both of them and goes to start the shower. He helps Lucy into the bathroom and starts helping her strip. Tim feels awful because she’s got the faraway look on her face. Tim deposits Lucy into the shower and gets in after he strips his clothes off.
Lucy clings to Tim as soon as he steps in. “I’ve got you.” He says soothingly as he rubs her back. Tim scrubs the dried blood off her skin and helps wash her hair as best he can. Lucy barely flinches. Lucy barely lets Tim go as he dries her off and helps put his clothes on.
Once in Tim’s bed, Lucy curls into Tim, refusing to let him go. The night is plagued with nightmares between her kidnapping, Jackson and the thought of losing Tim. Lucy has the next two weeks off since she is officially a P2 and has the time. Tim took two weeks to be with her. The next three days are pretty much the same. The morning of the funeral Tim wakes before Lucy.
Once she’s up, she eats a little toast and drinks some orange juice. That’s more than she’s been doing the last few days. Lucy won’t let Tim go. She can’t let him out of his sight and he is fine with that. Lucy seems to get the most comfort when they’re showering and at night in bed. Their skin connecting brings her comfort.
Tim helps her dress in her blues and they head out together. Lucy sees Jackson’s parents and hugs them both, Tim never leaving her side.
“I’m so sorry.” Lucy says.
“You did everything you could Lucy.” She tries to fight the tears as Tim leads her to their seats. The funeral is a typical cops funeral and it’s very emotional. Jackson’s brother speaks, as does Sergeant Grey. Lucy is next and Tim squeezes her hand in reassurance.
“Jackson was the first friend I made at the academy.” Lucy says shakily. “We became quite competitive. He helped me through my toughest times. We were always side by side.” Lucy can’t help but let the tears fall. “He was not just my friend, but family. I was the quiet girl he brought to family dinner one day and never stopped. My parents disowned me, but I made a new family thanks to Jackson. He will always be in my heart. Thank you for giving me a family Jackson.” Everyone’s heart breaks as Lucy falls to her knees. Tim goes to her and whispers in her ear. Everyone’s staring and he doesn’t care.
He helps her stand up and finishes her speech as she curls into his side. She’s leaning on him. “You will forever be my brother.” Tim reads. “I will always listen to the advice you gave even if I didn’t believe it at the time. Thank you Jackson. You will always be in my heart.” Tim finishes and there isn’t a dry eye in the house. Once everything’s over and they go to the West family home for lunch, Tim keeps his eye on Lucy. She’s supporting Jackson’s mom and grandma.
“Thank you Tim.” He’s startled out of his thoughts by Commander West. “For taking care of Lucy. Jackson always said you two would end up together.” Tim goes to protest. “It may not be yet, but I see it. Please take care of her. Don’t hurt her.”
“I promise sir. I won’t ever hurt her. She’s become everything to me. Lucy pulled me out of a dark hole.” Tim says gently.
“Keep taking care of her.” He says. That night their routine goes the same. Tim has Nyla stay with her a few days later to pack up Jackson’s things. Lucy confided she didn’t want to be at her apartment so once his things were gone he packed as much of her stuff as she could.
“Thank you Tim. I know you don’t need a roommate but I can’t live there.” Lucy says honestly.
“I’ll always be here for you Lucy. I need you here too.” Tim says honestly. It turns into a routine. They both go back to work, both in therapy because of what happened. It has helped. Lucy excels as a P2 and Tim was offered a Sergeant’s position in Metro because of his vast experience. He says yes because now he won’t be over Lucy.
It’s been almost two months since Jackson died. They’ve gotten closer and Lucy is better than she was. There are weekly dinners at the West house that Tim joins Lucy for. Tonight, he was off. He made Lucy dinner and plans on doing whatever to help her relax.
“Thank you for dinner Tim.” Lucy says later.
“Lucy,-“
“Tim-“ Lucy nods for him to go.
“These past two months have shown me that life is too short. You’ve become the most important person in my life. I can’t imagine my life without you. I am so grateful that you chose to let me help you through this, but my feelings for you have grown. I want more with you. I want to take you on dates and show you how amazing you are. How loved you are.” Lucy is crying.
“Oh yes Tim. I feel the same. You’ve been my rock and I can’t imagine my life without you. Jackson's advice during my eulogy was to not let you go and to finally ask you out. He saw it for so long.”
Tim pulls Lucy closer and their lips finally meet in the middle. It was soft and perfect. Thank you Jackson. Tim thinks to himself. He finally got the love of his life. Some days were harder than others, but he never left her side. They got through it together.
Commander West walked her down the aisle to Tim at her wedding and knew that she would be okay. He was officially part of the West family too. They were healing together and happy as can be.