Chapter Text
Tim watches in silence as Lucy’s body lays prone and lifeless on the ground. He is aware of nothing but the sight of her pale, bruised face and the blood continuing to seep from her body.
He takes in the sight of the paramedics, exhausted and deflated lying back against a nearby car for support.
He hears the whispered murmurs of the crowd watching on and sees the tears escaping from Angela’s eyes beside him.
He remembers the last time she was lying in front of him, not breathing; staring death in the face.
He didn’t give up on her then and he sure as hell isn’t going to now.
“No,” he shouts fiercely. “No. Go again. This woman put her life in jeopardy to save everyone and we aren’t giving up on her yet.”
He is met by silence but he continues to plead and beg.
Finally the paramedics exchange glances and agree to give Lucy one more shock.
They all step back as the first paramedic yells “clear.”
Tim waits for what feels like an eternity before he hears the words he’s being praying for.
“Rhythm detected.” The machine sounds out.
The paramedics look towards in each other in shock and they immediately unhook her from the AED and begin administering further first aid.
Tim watches the tiniest breath escape from Lucy’s lips and he sags in relief; almost falling over himself in the process.
He reaches for any part of her body that he can find but he is quickly pushed aside as the ambulance arrives and Lucy is gathered up and wheeled away.
Tim races after them, a silent plea to ride along with her and after a brief stand off with a paramedic; he finds himself sitting as close to her as he possibly can without getting in the way.
He takes in the sight of her burns, cuts and bruises and the large hand mark on the soft skin of her neck and he prays to every deity known to man that she won’t leave him.
He whispers reassurances that he is with her and that he’ll never leave her again and he gently strokes her wrist and the palm of her head. He inhales the faint scent of her shampoo and he closes his eyes and breathes kisses along her hairline.
“I’m here Lucy, I’m here and I’m staying forever if you’ll let me. I’m here.” He utters the words again and again like a prayer and he doesn’t stop until they arrive at the hospital.
Lucy is immediately rushed to surgery and a doctor tells him kindly but firmly that he can’t go any further with her.
He watches her limp and deathly pale body being whisked away through the double doors of the corridors and he finally succumbs to his fear and his panic. He slides to the floor, his head between his legs and he sobs.
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The following three days are torture for Tim as Lucy undergoes two separate surgeries and a blood transfusion. She remains unconscious for days and Tim feels his anxiety rising as every hour passes by. The doctors reassure him that Lucy’s body needs to rest and recover but he knows he won’t feel calm until he sees her chocolate brown eyes open and he hears the lilt of her voice.
Her boyfriend lingers every day and several friends and family come and go but Tim is resolute in his decision to stay by her side. He adamantly refuses to leave her room and eventually the nurses and doctors give up in their attempt to make him leave.
He sleeps in an uncomfortable chair by her side and he refuses to let go of her hand the entire time.
He thinks about everything he wants to say to her when she finally wakes up and he whispers words of love into her ears when there is nobody around to hear them but him.
Eventually, after seventy two of the longest hours of his life; Lucy starts to stir. He is by her side already, holding her hand and gently pushing back a loose strand of hair from her beautiful face.
He watches on as she blinks slowly and continues to open and close her eyes for several minutes before eventually showing awareness.
“Hi,” Tim whispers, a giant relieved smile overtaking his face.
“You’re in the hospital. You’re safe now Lucy.”
She continues to stare at him, uncertainty and confusion crossing her features.
“What happened?” She asks quietly.
Tim fills her in on everything. How she saved a little girls life, how the majority of hostages got away injured and safe and how the LAPD caught and arrested every one of Martinez’s crew.
He watches her take in his words and he can see her trying to piece together all of the information he has given her. There is still a look of surprise and apprehension on her face and eventually she asks Tim a question that fills him with dread.
“Why are you here Tim? We haven’t spoken in months?”
She glances at their joint hands and at the clearly emotional and vulnerable expression on Tim’s face. He is hurt and upset by her question but he knows she has right to ask it.
He takes a deep breath and lets her see every ounce of remorse and love on his face.
“Lucy four months ago I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I pushed you away when you showed me kindness and care. I was so scared.”
He pauses to gather his thoughts.
“I was so scared,” he repeats “because I never thought I could feel this way again.”
Lucy swallows audibly and licks her dry lips.
“What way?”
Tim grins at her and caresses her hand as he leans close to her and tells her what he has wanted to for months now.
“I love you Lucy.” He tells her sweetly. “I’m IN love with you and I have been for the longest time. I’ve been such a fool and you’ll never know how much I regret the way I treated you. I’ll spend forever trying to win you back, to try and convince you of my feelings, I’ll do anything…….”
He is cut off by Lucy gently leaning forward and touching his face. She wills him closer to her and she brings her lips to his, kissing him chastely but lovingly.
“It took you long enough.” She laughs as he kisses her forehead and buries his face in her hair.
They stay wrapped up in each other until eventually Lucy closes her eyes and succumbs once again to sleep.
Tim sits back and watches over her; the love for her bursting from his heart. They have a long road ahead; lots of honest conversations and the small matter of her (hopefully soon to be ex) boyfriend but Tim knows in his heart that he has found his forever and he will spend the rest of his life making Lucy Chen as happy as he makes her.
THE END