Work Text:
When Grey paired Tim and Lucy for the day, he had no idea they would end up trying to find a serial killer. Tim is pretty worried about her, especially with what happened in the past. It’s been three hours since they’ve started searching and Tim keeps looking over at Lucy. They are going to question a potential suspect. “Hey, are you doing okay?”
Lucy feels Tim's hand squeeze her own. “I’m okay, I promise.” They have been together for just over a year. Somehow none of their friends know that they’re together, which surprises them. It can be fun to sneak around. Tim proposed on their anniversary and she couldn’t believe she was marrying the man she once only dreamed of having.
“I’ve got you, always.” Today is December 9th and someone has left three bodies around LA. A fourth woman is now missing. They knock on the door and the man that answers the door makes Lucy shiver. He’s creepy and there’s something off about him. “Mr. Crawford, I’m Sergeant Bradford. I have a few questions for you.”
“Of course. How can I assist the LAPD?” Lucy feels his eyes on her and she does not like the look that he has on his face.
“Well, we are asking everyone about a missing woman from this neighborhood. Do you have any video surveillance?” Tim feels the weird vibes coming from him and hopes that he can help.
“I’m sorry, I don’t. I haven’t been home much this last week.” The look on his face makes Lucy feel weird.
Lucy steps up. “Where were you?”
He smiles and Tim instantly moves closer to Lucy. “I was visiting some family out of state. I wish that I could help.”
“Thank you for your time.” Tim pulls his card out. “If you can think of anything else, please give me a call.”
Tim and Lucy leave, but she can still feel his eyes on her. They start driving, but Lucy is struggling. Tim can see her trying to breathe and keep it together. “Lucy.” He calls her name. He sees the panic in her eyes and he knows what’s coming.
“I..I just need a minute. Can we please pull over?” Her voice cracks and he hates that he didn’t do more to protect her from all of this. “Please Tim.” Her head is in her hands.
“7-Adam-100, please put us on personal.”
Tim finds somewhere safe to pull over and is immediately running to Lucy’s side. He whips the door open and grabs both of her hands. “Lucy, I’m here.” She has worked through her trauma, but sometimes there are things that still trigger it. He hates this day as it is and it’s even more so now. “Lucy, baby.” He hopes that will ground her. At least Grey is the one watching this footage and not someone else.
Her eyes finally meet his own. “I know this is bringing up the worst memories for you. I wish I could take this away.” Lucy lets out a small sound, one that almost breaks him. “You’re so damn strong all the time Luce. It’s okay to not be okay today, baby.”
Tim’s phone vibrates and he sees Grey calling. “Hello?”
“Hey, are you two okay?” Even he sounds worried. “I saw you went on personal.”
“We may need the rest of today off, sir.” Tim holds Lucy’s hand and keeps kneeling in front of her.
“I was going to suggest that. I’ll see you back at the station soon.”
Tim starts rubbing circles on Lucy’s hand. “Do you want the rest of today off? I promise I’m here for you no matter what.”
Lucy can’t even look at him. “If..if I leave, how does that make me look?
“It makes you human. You went through something terrible and absolutely no one will judge you for that. You’re the strongest person I know and you’re a badass. If this didn’t affect you, I’d be more worried.”
Lucy starts to shake. “Take me home, please.” It’s said quietly but he is really glad she chose this option. He shuts the door but not before kissing the top of her head.
Tim doesn’t care about the cameras and takes Lucy’s hand in his own on their way back. They both need the comfort right now. He helps Lucy inside and Grey waves them to his office. He looks at Lucy. “I’m sorry this is happening Lucy. Take all the time you need.” She finally puts a smile on his face. “And if he doesn’t take care of you, he can answer to me.”
Tim chuckles. “I promise that I will take care of my girl.” Lucy’s heart flutters hearing him say that.
Grey adores these two. “Well, perhaps everyone will know about you two soon enough.” Tim refuses to let go of her, but for them, that isn’t anything new.
“I have the most incredible fiancé. If everyone knows, that’s okay with me. Now I’m going to go change out. Do you want help from anyone, Lucy?” Tim is worried.
“I’ll be okay.” He watches her leave.
Grey puts his hand on Tim’s shoulder. “If you two need anything, please let us know. What she went through all those years ago is something that is never going to be forgotten. I won’t deny that I felt sick about it, so I cannot imagine how you two feel.”
Tim hates this day and he hates this case. “I’m worried about her. She was fine when we questioned him because she can separate it, but her face in the shop after, it almost broke me. It was nothing I ever want to see again.”
“Go change out and take care of our girl.” Grey loves Lucy like a daughter. Tim changes and when he comes out of the locker room, he is met with sounds of worry. He can hear Angela trying to calm Lucy down. He runs over and sees the panic attack finally hitting her. The pictures of the victims are everywhere.
“Lucy, it’s Tim.” He is instantly by her side. “Try to breathe with me.” He takes his time with her before he finally wraps her in a hug. Her tears hit like a freight train. “I’ve got you baby.” Everyone is shocked by the term of endearment from Tim. They’re even more surprised when he kisses her forehead.
Angela is by his side. “Are you taking her home?”
“Yeah, I’ve got her.” She smiles and will talk to them later about hiding this. Now is not the time. “Let’s go home.” Lucy keeps her face against Tim as they walk to his truck. It’s much easier since they always come into work together. The ride home is quiet except for some sobs coming from Lucy.
Once he pulls in the garage, he helps Lucy in the house. Kojo greets them excitedly. He’s happy they are home early. Tim sits Lucy on the couch. “Take care of your mama. I’ll be right back.” He pats Kojo’s head.
Lucy can feel the dog's head on her lap and she places her hand on him. Tim comes back out and he helps her stand. The shower has been started for them. Once their clothes are shed, Tim immediately wraps himself around her. “I have got you. Let it out baby.”
That’s all Lucy needs to hear. She immediately breaks down. He hates Rosalind and Caleb and whoever is hurting these women. Lucy is the most incredible person and he hates seeing her so upset. “I’m so thankful you’re with me. You’re alive and they aren’t. I will never let you go.”
Tim holds Lucy up even when he feels like she’s going to fall down. She can’t speak right now. She feels Tim’s hands running up and down her body. His lips are in her hair and she clings to him like he’s her lifeline. The shower is where she feels closest to him and she can be fully vulnerable with him. With Tim, he always shows love and is always there for her no matter what. He’s the first and only person that she trusts with her fully. Lucy moves Tim’s hand to her side where the tattoo still sits. “You’re so damn strong Lucy Chen.” He whispers it out.
Finally the water starts to run cold. Tim dresses her in one of his shirts and a pair of sweatpants. They go to the couch and he pulls her into his lap. The silence is calming between them. Tim doesn’t want to push Lucy though. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” Her voice is quiet. He doesn’t want to speak yet. “I already hate this day, but with you by my side, I can get through anything. Seeing those victims and seeing that suspect, it brought up the worst memories for me. All I could think about was the barrel. I really thought that I would never see you again.”
Tim’s arms tighten around her and he places a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re alive and you’re here with me.” He doesn’t know if he’s saying it more for himself or for her.
“The flashbacks hit me while I was on duty. I just..I couldn’t stop them. I’m sorry.”
“This is not on you Lucy. You still did your job today. I’ll tell you every day. I am proud of you Lucy. You’re so strong and you’ve overcome so much. I’m not going anywhere, ever.” Tim can feel Lucy snuggle into him some more.
“I’m so lucky to have you, Tim. Thank you for being here for me. I couldn’t get through it without you.”
Tim loves this woman more than anyone or anything. He takes her left hand and runs his finger along her engagement ring. “I’m so lucky to have you by my side, Lucy. I’m not going anywhere baby.” Kojo is laying on the floor, still worried about his mom. “And you have the best protector on the floor.”
Lucy laughs and it is like music to his ears. “I have the best boys in my life.” She lets out a yawn. “As tired as I am, I don’t want to sleep. I don’t want the nightmares to begin.”
Tim gently turns her head and cups her cheek. “Baby, I will be here if you have any. You need to sleep, for me?” He leans down to give her a kiss. “I want you to be okay. Today sucked and it’s been one of the hardest days, but I’ll be here.” Tim takes her hand and places it over his heart. “If you’re scared or have any nightmares, feel my heart beating. You’re alive and here with me.”
Lucy lets more tears fall and Tim goes to pull her in for a hug. Instead, she pulls him in for another kiss. “And for that I am forever grateful. I almost didn’t have this future we both have waited so long for. I’m here because of you.”
“You saved yourself.” Lucy doesn’t say anything.
“You played a huge part in that, Tim.” She finally murmurs.
He finally stands up. “How about we try to sleep? I won’t let you go, I promise you.”
Lucy agrees. She needs a nap. Within minutes of laying down, she is fast asleep. Tim stirs awake two hours later when his phone goes off.
From Angela:
We got the bastard. Is Lucy doing okay?
To Angela:
That is great news. She’s getting better, slowly. I’m doing whatever I can to help her through it.
From Angela:
She’s lucky to have you. I’m happy for you two. Go take care of your girl.
To Angela:
With my life.
Tim puts his phone down. Lucy starts to stir and smiles when she wakes up to her amazing fiancé. “Did you sleep well?”
“Only because of you.” Her voice is ladled with sleep. “My favorite pillow.”
Tim smiles. “Forever and always Luce.”