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Tim knows that Lucy is angry and he knows that she wants to take Stanton down. He wants Stanton punished too. She is worried about Jackson and to be honest, so is he. Lucy had finished her rookie year, but Jackson was extended after he missed time when he helped his brother with his transplant surgery. Doug Stanton had decided to mess with the wrong station.
“Lucy.” Tim calls her name after she storms out of the station and is opening the door to the shop. “Hey, can you please just stop wait?”
She whips her head around and looks at him. “How are we letting that monster still work here?” Tim doesn’t like it anymore than she does, but he can only do so much. He has one concern at this moment and that is Lucy. She is no longer his rookie and he cares for her greatly. Tim has been fighting his feelings for Lucy and he won’t let her do this alone.
“I hate it, Luce. I can’t fire him, but I’m helping Grey gather the evidence against him. I promise he will be taken down. I’m sorry it’s taking so long.” Tim hates seeing her so upset.
He has seen Lucy upset before, but right now she is pissed. “It’s not right, Tim. No one should be on the streets with that monster and no one should ever have to interact with him.” Her hand instivictly goes to her tattoo, one of her nervous ticks.
Tim doesn’t disagree. “I am on your side.” He tells her and she has to fight her tears. She isn’t sure if they are more out of anger or being scared out of her mind.
“I know Tim and you are doing everything you can. Thank you.” She waits for him to get in the shop and he finally does after letting go of her hand. The morning is fairly quiet, thankfully. Jackson hasn’t said much, but she keeps her phone close to her.
By lunch, she is feeling slightly better, but won’t let her guard down. Tim is by her side and has been a huge support for both her and Jackson. Lucy’s heart clenches because she wants more with him, but right now she is trying to focus on Jackson and the first few months as a P2. Lucy hears a noise and sees lunch placed in front of her. “You got me my favorite.” Tim always knows what she needs. “You know me so well.”
“Too well.” His hand brushes against hers and she feels the electricity flow through her body, just from that.
They eat in silence when Jackson sits down, well more like slams his food. “What is it?” Lucy is worried.
“It’s like he knows we are trying to catch him in a lie. I think that’s why he has gotten away with it for so long. He’s too calculated and too smart. It’s really starting to piss me off.”
Lucy grabs Jackson’s hand. “We’re going to catch him in the act, without anyone getting hurt. I will do whatever I can to help and protect you.” Tim is proud of Lucy, but he is worried about her hurting her career.
“We’ve both got your backs. I’m working with Grey to gather evidence, I’m just sorry it’s taking so long.”
Jackson smiles weakly. “It’s not your fault. You’re doing everything that you can to help. I blame every other station and the weak Sergeant’s he had for bosses. They are the ones who let it get so far.” No one can disagree with that. The rest of the day goes smoothly and it’s one day closer that Jackson is to being done with his rookie year. He heads to Isaac’s that night and Lucy is alone in the apartment. There’s a knock on the door and she sees Tim outside of her door. She smirks when she sees the food in his hand and Kojo.
“I figured you could use some food and Kojo cuddles.” Lucy falls more in love with this man. Stop, he doesn’t feel the same.
“That sounds pretty perfect.” Tim doesn’t expect to see Lucy murder boarding Doug Stanton and she goes red in the face when she realizes that she’s been caught.
He moves closer to it and looks at what she’s come up with. “This is very detailed and this will help us nail the bastard. But first you need food.”
They work well into the early morning hours and may have found something that could bring him down. Tim will go in early to show Grey.
He falls asleep on the couch with Lucy laying against him. Neither planned to, but it just happened. When Tim wakes up, he feels disoriented until he feels something move against him. “You’re a great pillow.” Lucy. Oh we fell asleep. God she’s perfect.
“And you’re a good cuddle buddy.” She blushes and Tim just wants to kiss her. Instead he heads out so he can go talk to Grey. He has to drop Kojo off first before heading in. Lucy leaves an hour later and already sees them talking. Tim nods and she goes to change out. By the time roll call is finished, Stanton is pulled into Grey’s office. She is nervous and her anger is there after seeing the smugness on his face again this morning.
She’s working on paperwork when she feels a presence in front of her. She’s confused when she sees Stanton. “This is your damn fault isn’t it? West wouldn’t be this smart and you have it out for me.” He is seething and Lucy pushes her chair out, causing everyone to look up with how loud it is.
“I didn’t do anything. Whatever happened is because of the decisions that you made. Don’t sit here and blame everyone else for your disgusting actions. You’re a damn disgrace to this department.”
Tim and Grey have since run out of his office. “I’ve done nothing but help. I’ve rid the streets of people who shouldn’t be on them.”
Lucy knows she has to be the bigger person, even though it’s hard. “No, you haven’t. Take responsibility for your actions.”
She goes to walk away when he roughly grabs her arm. Lucy sees red and she turns around faster so that no one can stop her. Her hand finds his hair and she kicks him in the knees before finally using her hair takedown. He cries out. “It doesn’t feel good to be picked on, now does it? You’re a bully and there’s a special place in hell waiting for you. I feel for your wife and kids having a racist prick like you in their lives.”
“You bitch.” He seethes. “You attacked me.”
“This is self defense. There are marks on my arms showing that.” Tim’s hands pull her off of Stanton and he is pissed.
“Oh look, you have to save your little boot.” Tim wants to punch the crap out of this man.
Grey stands between them. “You’re the only one who needed saving Stanton.” Tim bites back.
“Enough, all of you. Bradford, take Chen to the break room for now.” Lucy doesn’t want to go, but she follows. Grey looks at Stanton.
“I doubt charges will be filed, but I suggest that you leave. You’re no longer employed by the LAPD and we will make sure you can’t come back. You assaulted her and every single person saw it.”
The looks of disgust on every other cop's face surprises him, but he easily goes this time. Tim is worried about Lucy as he watches her pace the break room. “He deserved it Tim.”
“He got what was coming and you defended yourself.” Lucy just wants to hug him, but Grey walks in.
“Officer Chen.”
Lucy stands up and looks at him. “You’re not in trouble. We all saw you defend yourself, but I am giving you the rest of today off. Take a day to compose yourself and remember he is no longer employed here. His decisions have finally caught up with him.”
Lucy doesn’t say anything, just nods, and he walks away. “Go home and I’ll be over later. I think we have a lot to talk about.” Finally. Lucy smiles at Tim.
“I’ll see you later.”
Tim smiles and Lucy goes to change. She doesn’t go home though. She heads to one of her favorite spots and listens to the waves crash to the shoreline. Two hours later, she sees Tim sit next to her. “I’m glad you're here.” She rests her head against Tim’s shoulder. He always knows where to find her.
“I’ll always come for you.” Lucy closes her eyes and this moment is perfect. “You’re everything good and you’re the most important relationship in my life, Luce.”
She closes her eyes, not wanting the tears to fall. “I can’t lose you, ever.”
“And you won’t. I’m afraid you're stuck with me.” She giggles and she wraps her arm around his. It’s truly a perfect moment.
“Hey Luce?” Tim asks after a while and she looks at him. “Do you want to go on a date?”
The biggest grin forms on her face. “Yeah, I do.” He pulls her in for the softest, yet explosive kiss.
“Good.” He smiles. “By the way, you looked hot taking him down today.”
Lucy giggles. “I always look hot.” Tim couldn’t even disagree with that.