Work Text:
1.
The first time it happens is right after they get back together. Tim can’t help it, and he especially can’t help that he has a good view now. He can see the bullpen in front of him. He watches Lucy as she moves around with Celina.
She is his again.
She lives with him.
He can’t help but smile as he fixes the papers on the desk. He needs to get back to work but his eyes go back to Lucy.
She is still with Celina, so he assumes they are about to go out on patrol. She says something to Celina who nods and then she is turning around and making her way towards his office. He immediately starts busying himself.
“I know you were watching me.” Lucy says stepping into the office.
“Wow that make it sound creepy.” Tim says. He shuffles the papers around and then looks up at her.
“I don’t mind.” Lucy says. “You are my LIBF and watch commander.” Tim rolls his eyes a little and then sits back in the chair.
“Live in boyfriend?” He asks. She nods. Tim keeps his face neutral, he can’t have everyone knowing how happy that makes him.
She’s not just a hook up here and there anymore. She doesn’t have to bang on the door for him to let her in. She has keys, and boxes (which they still need to unpack). She already claimed her side of the bed and which sink she gets in the bathroom. Her toothbrush and toothpaste and all her other things are on the counter.
But more importantly he gets to come home to her every single night or she comes home to him. Or if it’s one of the days they ride in together, the come home together.
“But right now you are watch commander Tim.” Lucy says. “I’m going on patrol with Celina.” Tim looks up at her and nods.
“Be safe.” He says. He wishes he could kiss her but they are at work and he is in Watch commander mode right now.
“Always am.” She says. Lucy gives him one last smile before she is leaving. He watches her go, and as soon as she disappears from sight he gets back to work.
He really does love to watch her.
***
2.
The next time it happens is when they are searching for the machete. She’s frustrated, she has been for hours and no matter what he says she just seems to deflate more.
He gets it, this simple mix up turned into a big thing and he’s not even sure he was prepared for this.
He looks over at her, as she digs through the boxes. She hasn’t gotten any rest and neither has he.
(He really hasn’t since he started as Watch Commander—it was constant phone calls from high up.)
Tim watches as Lucy digs through the boxes and he can’t help but smile. “I know you are watching me.” Lucy says without looking over at him.
“I bet you are regretting helping me.”
“Never,” Tim says. “We will find it Luce.” Lucy continues to dig through the boxes.
“Or we don’t and this maniac gets off and—”
“That’s not going to happen.” Tim says firmly and he’s not going to let it happen.
God forbid they fix one of Smitty’s mistakes.
“Right.”
“I’m serious Lucy. You can’t just give up.” Tim says. “Why did you hand it off to Smitty anyway?”
“Because someone,” She says pointedly and looks at Tim. “Wouldn’t let me have anymore overtime.”
“I have to watch the budget.” Tim says. And he was giving people overtime a little too much and it was going over. When he approved it for Lucy, it was usually so she could finish her work and not have to worry about it. But she was doing it often enough that Tim kept getting home before her and he missed her.
A lot.
So maybe it was for selfish reasons but he didn’t really care.
“Or you just didn’t want your LIGF at work all the time.” Lucy says and she goes back to digging through the boxes. Tim keeps on watching her because that was exactly the reason.
“Sue me,” he says drily. “I love my girlfriend and want to spend time with her.” Lucy makes a soft noise as she continues to look. Tim keeps looking at her. He studies her, and he wishes they were at home so he could do a lot more.
But this would have to do for now. There’s a few minutes of silence before Lucy breaks it.
“You know I love you too.” She says. “And I appreciate everything you are doing for me.” Tim gives her a smile. He would do this again if she asked. Over and over again. Lucy was worth it.
Always.
“Yeah.” He says. Lucy gives him a satisfied look. “I definitely do know that.” And that’s all he really needs.
***
3.
The next time he catches himself watching her is on Valentine’s Day when he’s trying to find a backup gift.
(He was scammed, he knows he was scammed and he’s beating himself up for it. How could he be so stupid to fall for that.)
He happens to get a glimpse of Lucy through his window. She looks like she’s on the phone too, and looks a little stressed out.
(It could be from the conversation he may or may not have overheard at home. She lost his gift. He found it a week ago behind the washer, but he didn’t say anything to her. He just put it back and continued with his business.
(Although he’s curious what else she has hidden when she was drunk).
But he’s not going to say anything to her, he knows she’s going to feel bad about it and he’s has his own problems.
“Why are you just now buying your girlfriend a Valentine’s Day present?” The snarky sales clerk asks over the line. Tim doesn’t take his eyes off of Lucy, she has already caught himself watching looking but he doesn’t care.
“I had a Valentine’s Day gift.” Tim says drily. “It got lost in the mail and I need another one.”
“Sir, that just seems like a excuse.” The clerk says. Tim groans because he really doesn’t need this judgement right now. This was technically their second Valentine’s Day together. Last year, was a hookup and confusion.
He wasn’t about to mess this up.
“You know it’s unprofessional to judge someone you don’t know.” Tim says and he turns away from Lucy to look at the screen.“I just need earrings. Oh! Product number 2345190. They match her necklace.” The clerk sighs and says something Tim can’t understand. He turns back to look at Lucy, and she’s still standing there watching him.
She smiles and he smiles back at her before the clerk’s voice is pulling him back in. “Yes. I will pick them up this evening. Thank you. You have been very unhelpful.” He hangs up and then leans back in his chair.
He really hopes he hasn’t screwed everything up again.
He needs this Valentine’s Day to go well.
He looks over at Lucy one more time but she has disappeared. He takes a deep breath and blows it out.
He can do this.
He can make it through today. He will find her the perfect gift.
(Another piece of jewelry just not right now. But soon.)
***
4.
The next time he watches her is after his mom shows up at their doorstep. He doesn’t really see her through out the door but he does get glimpses of her. It’s at the end of the day, when he sees her heading towards the locker room.
She’s talking to Celina and she looks a little stressed. He sighs and sits down in his chair.
It’s his fault.
He didn’t tell his mom about Lucy.
It wasn’t because he didn’t want to. Because he wanted to tell everyone about Lucy. She was the best person he knew.
It was just complicated and it was complicated with his mom who didn’t fully understand everything that went down with Isabel.
In retrospect, saying Lucy was just someone he was dating wasn’t his best move and he realizes that now.
He gets that she is hurt because he promised to be a better communicator. He promised to be more open and all he was doing was closing up again.
He keeps his eyes on her, and he has a feeling she knows he’s watching her. Even when there’s tension between him he would always put his eyes on her.
Always.
“Hey,” a voice says and he looks up to see Lucy. “I know you have stuff to finish. Celina offered to take me home.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can.” He says. His eyes never leave her face. “Okay?”
“I know.” She says. There’s still that tension from this morning. “I uh—”
“It’s fine Luce.” He says. “I’ll be home soon.” Lucy nods and then hesitates before she’s turning around and walking away.
He knows what he has to do and he knows he has to make it right with Lucy. He promised he would be a better communicator and he’s not breaking that promise.
He takes a deep breath and looks down at the papers on his desk.
He can do this.
He can do this.
***
5.
The next time Tim finds himself looking at Lucy is after she’s brought in after Martin. She’s a shell of herself. She is talking to Nolan, but she doesn’t even look like she is even hearing what he is saying.
It’s killing him.
He hates that he can’t do anything about it. He hates that he can’t go in there and pull her in and tell her that everything is going to be okay.
Everything will be okay. He knows everything will be okay but she has to heal first. And he will be there every step of the way.
But it might be harder than he thought, he keeps his eyes on her and watches as she is just still. Nolan has a sympathetic look on his face which he knows she probably appreciates but probably doesn’t want right now.
Nolan squeezes Lucy’s hands and then walks towards the door. Tim backs up bracing for what he is going to tell him.
“How is she doing?” Tim asks softly. Nolan looks back at Lucy and Tim has his eyes back on her.
“She’s in shock.” Nolan says. “She will be out in a minute. I think she just needed a minute.”
“Okay.” Tim says swallowing hard and he turns to look at Nolan. He’s grateful Lucy has so many people on her side. He’s grateful Nolan jumped into action right away. “Thanks Nolan.”
“Of course,” Nolan says. “Just he there for her. She will be okay.” Tim nods and moves his eyes back to Lucy.
She is still sitting there hunched over and his heart breaks in two. He just wants to make this better for her. He just wants to know people are there for her.
No matter what.
He would be there for her no matter what. He watches as Lucy gets up, and he quickly starts moving towards her. He meets her before the exit and wraps her in a hug. She buries her face into his chest.
And all he can do is hold her with his eyes on her and that’s alright for right now.
***
+1
The next time Tim finds himself watching Lucy is at home. Their home. He watches as she starts the coffee. He watches as she moves around the kitchen like she’s been there her whole entire life.
He watches as she cracks an egg open to start making breakfast. He loves waking up in the morning, knowing that Lucy is there. He loves knowing that this is going to be the rest of his life. He loves that she has no idea that he’s going to be popping the question soon.
She has no idea that he has plans to go shopping for a ring…soon.
He just has to figure out the logistics of it, and what kind of ring she wants. He wants it to be perfect.
“Hey.” Lucy says and she comes over and gives him a smile. “You good?”
“I’m good.” He says leaning over to kiss her. Lucy slides him a mug of coffee. Tim gives her a grateful smile and then leans against the counter.
“You look like you are in another world.” Lucy says. “You always have this look on your face when you watch me.”
“You notice that?” Tim asks. Lucy rolls her eyes but she’s smiling.
“You are not exactly subtle.” She says. “You were just doing it and you always do it at work.” Tim just shrugs and keeps his eyes on her.
“I can’t help it.” Tim says and Lucy raises her eyebrows at him. “I love you.” Lucy breaks out into a smile and then pulls him down for a kiss.
“I love you too.” She says. “I have to go get ready but—”
“Yeah?” Tim asks curiously. Lucy puts her hands on his chest.
“Keep watching me. I like it.” She says. Tim can’t help but kiss her again.
“Deal.” He says and he will always have his eyes on Lucy, she is his favorite thing to look at.
Always.
And soon it would be forever.
He can’t wait to get started.