Chapter Text
Tim sat numb on the couch at Lucy’s bedside, his eyes not leaving her for even a second. The last 24 hours flashed in front of his eyes – the first news of her abduction, their frantic search for her, his finding her ring in the dessert, getting her out of the pit and seeing her in that almost dead state. His heart lurched forward and his hand involuntarily reached for hers & held her tight. He didn’t ever remember being deeply religious but now with a jolt he realized how fervently he had been mentally praying for those 2 mins till Lucy came back to life. He shuddered as he thought of what might have happened had they been a few minutes late to rescue her.
As Tim sat there deep in thought, his hand clutching Lucy’s, not even realizing that the entire night just passed by, Rachel walked in the room.
Rachel : Hey! How is she doing?
With a start Tim looked up at Rachel blankly, then let go of Lucy’s hand & stood up awkwardly, his hands back in his pockets as he walked towards Rachel.
Tim : Seems to be doing ok. Doctors are observing her, waiting for her to regain consciousness to determine how serious her condition is. But they are positive she will pull through.
Rachel (smiles reassuringly) : That is good to know. I have known Lucy for long. She is both brave & strong. She will pull through & be back by your side, ready for all your taunts & Tim tests before you know it. You need not worry ok?
With that she gave Tim a quick peck on the cheek, gently brought out his hand from his pocket & grabbed it amidst hers to give him hope & warmth. Tim smiled at her gratefully. He needed that reassurance after having felt that he almost lost Lucy through his oversight of Kaleb. He gave her a hug.
Tim : Thanks. I know she will.
They stood there in silence, both with their own thoughts for a couple of minutes before Rachel extracted herself from his arms with a smile.
Rachel : I need to get to my office now. Got a check-in call from one of my social service cases. But I will be back in the evening to see Lucy, ok?
Tim nodded and let her go before he turned back to look at Lucy who hadn’t even stirred yet. Distractedly, he grabbed & opened a magazine from the bedside but could barely read a word as his mind was busy churning thoughts. He recalled the urgency he felt the moment he found Lucy’s ring & dug frantically to let her out; he recalled feeling helpless as he brought her out & lay her down on the ground with her barely breathing – how the world around seemed to have stopped for him, how it felt like he might just lose his breath if she didn’t take a breath herself; how relief flooded his heart when she finally came to.
And finally he thought about the overwhelming feeling of warmth and care he felt when Lucy started crying & tried to claw at him to clutch on to him & he just held her close, hugged her tight, wanting to protect her from everything he could & just hold onto her forever. He couldn’t understand it.
As he gazed intently yet blankly into a random page of the magazine he saw Lucy stirring & sighing. As she turned to look at him, his face flooded with relief & he returned her soft smile with a relieved one of his own.
Lucy : What are you reading? Teen Rebel?
Tim, who hadn’t even read the title of the magazine so far, let alone any of it’s contents; but was of course quick on his mind didn’t take even a second to respond.
Tim : They actually have some really insightful political articles
Lucy (internally): Bull! Got you. You have no idea what is in it!
Lucy : Hmmm (then read aloud some summary written on the cover page) Ohh….Which BTS Member is your soulmate? Its got to be Suga right?
Her eyes searched his, knowing he would have no idea what that meant but trying to guage how deep a hole of lies he was willing to dig for himself.
Tim responded with an absent minded “Totally” as he desperately tried to search for anything relevant to respond to Lucy’s comment. Finding none he decided to come clean.
Tim : What’s a BTS?
Lucy burst into laughter at the helpless childlike innocence with which her STRICT TO Tim asked that question. Tim looked at her with warmth as her bubbly laughter filled the room and he felt a weight lifted off his heart as she seemed to be returning to normalcy. He kept the magazine aside & looked at her as she looked back at him suddenly getting serious.
Lucy : Have you been here all night?
Tim looked it her trying to gauge on the implications if he told her the truth and then went the other way.
Tim (hesitantly) : N…No!
Lucy saw his wavering gaze and realized he was lying yet again. He had been up all night, waiting on her to gain consciousness. She felt a lump in her throat but before she could say anything Dr. Grace walked in to check on her & tell her they will have to keep her another day to get her rehydrated & ensure no complications come up. As she was listening to the doctor her mind wandered and she suddenly recalled how an important query needed an answer for she knew the circumstances under which she had been buried.
Lucy (looking at Tim) : How did you find me?
Before Tim could answer, Nolan walked with a failed attempt to hide a Giant teddy bear behind him & an answered
Nolan (completely unmodest) : That was my genius policing skills…That’s just what people are saying anyway….(then smiled impishly)…I brought you something!
Lucy (looked at Nolan with warmth & laughed, knowing the depth of care behind his amusing actions) : I can see that!
Nolan (as he unloaded the Teddy Bear on her bed) : It was the biggest one I could find!
As the four of them laughed at the Teddy Bear & Nolan’s antics, Jackson walked in with a bouquet of flowers & joined in with the sunny frivolity in the hospital room.
Lucy: Well that Teddy is a she & she will sleep with me since I am clearly never going on a date again!
Grace : I am not sure that should be the take away!
Nolan : Oh, hang on, Statistically, that’s actually pretty safe
Jackson & Tim nodded along, clearly in the sync that their colleague’s life & safety is way more important than her social or romantic life!
Lucy (looks on with surprise at her protective Trio) : So, is this the kind of support & understanding I can look forward to from now on?
Nolan & Jackson : Yes
Tim looked at her with consternation, and a slight smile
Tim : Pretty much!
Lucy (smiling & laughing feeling so much care & protection) : That’s great! That’s really good!
Tim looked at her with love & as he asked her if she is hungry?
Lucy : Yeah! I am starving. You know what I really want to eat right now?
Tim : Veggie burger & fries, extra pickles!
Tim he handed her a paper bag of food as he answered her in a matter of fact & confident manner and then smiled, knowing that it would make her happy.
Lucy (smiles) : You know me so well!
Tim (happily) : Too well
They both locked their gaze, finding reassurance in each other’s eyes not needing any words. Then Lucy looked away awkwardly & opening the paperbag, her eyes shining with joy at her favorite meal while Tim looked on adoringly having finally seen her smile.
………………………..
A day later, Tim was helping her get off the bed as she was getting discharged & ready to go home when Dr. Grace walked into the room.
Dr. Grace : Lucy I have shared a list of medications and some warning symptoms that might occur in the next week with Nolan & Officer Bradford. I will see you a week later for final checkup before I can declare you fit enough to join back. Ok?
Before Lucy could say anything Tim spoke up.
Tim : Ofcourse! A week, 10 days, whatever time needed – she will not come back before she feels absolutely ready.
Lucy & Dr. Grace looked at Tim with surprise at the softness shown by the otherwise stoic gentleman. Dr. Grace smiled and nodded, knowing that her patient would be in good hands!
……………………………
An hour later, in front of Lucy’s building, Tim opened the door to his car and helped Lucy out.
Tim : Here you go! Jackson has entire list of medications & precautions for you of course, but if you ever need anything, remember I am just a call away – day or night!
Lucy looked at Tim with softness. If 2 days ago she had been living anyone’s worst nightmare, the last 24 hours had been an absolute dream. Tim had not left her side for even a minute as he waited on her every need, making sure she was comfortable, entertaining her with jokes from time to time. She had never seen this side of him. Rachel was the luckiest girl to get this man, she thought to herself!
Lucy (nodding) : Of course….thank you sir….Tim….For all…..
She didn’t know how to end the sentence. Tim nodded along with understanding but decided to lighten the situation.
Tim : Thank you for what? Doing my job? You are my responsibility boot! I need to have you up & running to do all the paperwork, that’s all!
Lucy : Yeah right!
Both looked at each other & laughed. Just then Jackson & Angela walked to the gate to escort Lucy to her house.
Angela looked at Tim with surprise as she saw his laugh turn into a pang as he watched Lucy walk away from him towards her home.
Angela : You alright there Timothy? Perhaps you would like to accompany her and nurse her back to health till she is ready to rejoin the force?
Tim : Don’t be ridiculous! I have trained my rookie to be string enough to take care of herself! I am going back on Patrol. You both don’t spend too much time chit chatting with her up there. You need to be back on duty & she needs to rest!
With that Tim walked back to his car to go home & get ready for Patrol while Angela & Jackson accompanied Lucy upstairs to her their apartment. Tim watched them get inside the building through his rearview mirror before he pulled his car out from the driveway. Then he paused, reflected & pulled out his mobile to call up Rachel.