Work Text:
Lucy paces back and forth in the fluorescent and yet dimly lit hallway outside the interrogation rooms. Her palms sweaty. Hair a mess from the night’s activities, although surprisingly her curls still relatively intact. Thank you, hairspray. Heels making her already sore feet feel like she may never be able to run down a suspect again. When she put them on earlier in the night, she figured she’d wear them for a couple hours max. Not end up attending a wedding, chasing down armed suspects, dancing, AND be expected back at the station for a quasi-deposition. The Amazon review score certainly dropped down a peg for lack of lasting comfort.
She’s walked this hallway an incalculable number of times. Interviewed suspects like Mrs. Ochoa, Dim, and all those women illegally adding additives like Tiger’s blood to their skin care products. Observed others like Juicy or Armstrong interviewing the child suspect. This time should be no different. And yet it couldn’t be more so.
Tim, however, is calmly leaning against the wall with his eyes shut like this is just another Friday evening.
“No wonder people inevitably admit their crimes,” Lucy thinks, “It’s miserable out here. I am ready to claim tax fraud if it means not needing to stand here for a minute longer.” For a brief second, she’s convinced Tim can read her mind when he gives her an inquisitive look. What Lucy doesn’t know is Tim is observing the lengthening worry lines and furrowed brows somehow lowering with each passing minute. At this rate, they’ll be on the floor by minute 30.
But he can also read her mind.
Suddenly Lucy stops dead in her tracks, spins to face Tim, and utters, “How can you just stand there all cool as a cucumber like we didn’t get called in here for a lie detector test? A. Lie. Detector. Test. Tim. A polygraph.” She makes a distinct point to pause after each word, hoping it would suddenly be clear to Tim the seriousness of the situation they’ve gotten themselves into. As if he wasn’t fully briefed already.
It didn’t work.
Tim looks at her and says in a steady tone, “Love. I don’t think I’ve met a more impressive undercover cop in my entire life.” Tim holds up his pointer finger and shakes his head as if systematically going through every UC he’s met in his head. “Nope, I definitely haven’t. You are the best. Need I remind you that you took down two major drug traffickers… by yourself! You’re an amazing UC with an even better heart. If you need me to list some more things I love about you I am ready-”
“Maybe later,” Lucy says with the biggest closed-mouth smile she can muster and a wink.
Out of his peripheral vision, Tim sees a man walking towards them, causing him to break Lucy’s gaze. Lucy follows his line of sight to see a middle-aged white man with slightly disheveled hair and a classic black suit holding a briefcase.
There it is.
This is no ordinary case carrying manila folders and suspect booking photos.
I hope Tamara can find another roommate. There’s no way she can afford the rent completely on her own.
This particular man with this specific case Lucy deduces to be the man tasked with running the test. The lie detector test.
Thank god I told Tamara about the hidden cash stash for emergencies. This constitutes an emergency, right? Me maybe getting arrested.
Tim waves his hand in front of Lucy’s eyes to get her attention. “Luc, you aren’t going to jail. This lawsuit is a joke. This isn’t even a criminal proceeding.”
“Wait did I just say that out loud?” Lucy looks herself up and down as if to find the speaker broadcasting her innermost thoughts.
“It’s the everything about your body language,” Tim waves his hand up and down her body, “that told me that. Not your vocal cords.”
“Oh. Right,” she says relieved to find out she hasn’t secretly been spilling her guts this whole time they’ve been waiting.
The polygraph examiner turns the handle to the interrogation room and disappears as quickly as he appeared.
Oh my god, I’m going to jail.
Lucy resumes her pacing as she grasps her necklace for some semblance of comfort. It’s become a habit for her. Almost as if she’s able to have Tim with her at all times. She does it without even thinking or noticing. When her heart aches for him she grabs it and releases it after it’s done its job. Even when he’s present, she does it. He gave a piece of his soul when he gave her that necklace and she never wants to forget it.
Tim steps forward as Lucy passes him for what seems like the 200th time in only 15 minutes. He gently places his hands on the sides of her shoulders to stop her long enough to even attempt to ease her worries.
“I don’t think the station has coverage for if you burn a hole in the floor, which you will do if you continue like this.” Tim bends his knees until at eye level with her. “This is standard protocol when someone tries to sue the department. Everything will be okay.”
Lucy’s shoulders relax moderately but when clearly still tense Tim continues, “And cool as a cucumber? I see myself as more of a pickle guy.”
Tim pauses but when Lucy looks at him tenderly indicating he should continue he does.
“Thorsen was doing a stupid Beefeed quiz or whatever they’re called, the other day before roll call. Something about what food you are… And he answered for me- because why would I want to participate in that- but I’m starting to see its value now that you bring it up. I think he may have chosen correctly. I feel like a pickle. You’re always telling me to be more in touch with my emotions and feelings. You can see it can’t you?” Tim says with implied sass. “Y’know? A little salty. A lot of people hate them. Had to work to get to where they are. Big.” And with that last word, Tim raises his eyebrows not so subtly implying innuendo.
Lucy rolls her eyes before leaning forward and collapsing into his chest as he raises to normal height. “Thank you,” she says shyly. “I think you’ve listed enough adjectives though.”
Tim grins knowing he’s brought her back down to earth. He responds, “Really? Because I could keep going.” When he elicits a small chuckle out of Lucy, he hugs her a little tighter and begins rubbing small circles on her back with his right hand while his left rests softly on the back of her head. Firm enough so she feels it but light enough so she doesn’t feel overcrowded.
Lucy pulls back and just as she begins to open her mouth to say something Sean del Monte, DA, opens the door to the interrogation room, “We’re ready for you now.”
Lucy looks at Tim and takes a deep breath. He gives her a subtle nod and quickly rubs her back as a last-ditch effort to provide some comfort, walking into the unknown right behind her. When almost at the door Tim leans down and whispers, “Don’t worry. I’ve got your six.” Lucy lets out the breath she wasn’t aware she was holding and reaches her hand back to touch his.
They pass through the door, Lucy’s hand now firmly around her necklace, Tim immediately behind her.
And with that, the door slams shut, and the locking mechanism engages preventing anyone but investigators from leaving.
Lucy and Tim are guided to the metal table in the middle of the room. The man who walked in earlier is sitting at the front of the table with a polygraph machine attached to a computer ready to report any lies with precision. With a raise of del Monte’s hand and a nod, Lucy and Tim are directed to sit on the side facing the mirror.
Like suspects.
Sean pads his chest and the table, lifting his notepad, realizing he left his pen in the other room. He excuses himself and Tim and Lucy are left alone with the now-confirmed polygraph examiner.
Lucy can’t help but shake her leg as the anxiety and pit in her stomach grows. Tim places his right hand over her thigh as he does with each and every car ride. His hand placement makes her acutely aware of her rapidly bouncing leg and reduces its tempo to a complete stop.
Observe your surroundings.
A top ten rule Lucy learned while in UC school. When in a new environment, or an uncontrolled one, take note of what you can control. How many exits, how many people, what are they doing, observe every nook and cranny and assume nothing.
She looks up to see a red flashing light atop the camera indicating from here on out everything is on record. Everything is filmed. Everything is catalogued and observed for later use potentially in court. She moves Tim’s hand off her leg and when he gives her a puzzled look explains everything with her eyes. She looks up and to the right dramatically until she knows Tim gets it.
Silent communication has always been their strong suit. It doesn’t matter how many other people are in the room. They will always be able to have full conversations without a word spoken.
After an indiscernible amount of time Tim and Lucy both look up at the door to the observation room when they hear the oh-so-familiar buzz.
No fucking way.
Lucy is convinced she completely stopped breathing. Her stomach plummets as low as it can possibly go, blood rushing everywhere but where it’s supposed to go for optimum consciousness. Her leg starts bouncing, her hand rubbing up and down her thigh, a deep gulp traveling down her throat.
I’m definitely going to jail.
The room is in complete silence until Sean looks between Lucy and Tim, clears his throat, and asks, “Shall we get this thing started?”
Lucy starts to feel lightheaded seeing small, bright dots in her vision. Somehow more than before. She’s not an eye doctor but certain what she’s experiencing cannot be normal. Tim looks at her with soft eyes and gently places his hand on her back for a brief moment.
Tim turns to the entrance to say what Lucy can’t. He looks directly at the second body who entered the room, and his eyes go from Sean to him before landing back on Sean. And with clear disdain asks, “Isn’t this like a conflict of interest or something? I mean he’s her ex.”
Sean gives an awkward, verging on sympathetic look to Lucy. “Actually, no. Polygraph results aren’t admissible in court. So, this is really only helping to aid in the state’s defense. The defendant’s case isn’t great. She’s hoping this is an easy money grab. We’re hoping this will help. Odds are this will settle outside of court, and no one will even need to see the results of this thing. Think of it as a precaution. And it also helps in training Chris on how these things work. He needs to know how to conduct them, and this seemed like the perfect low-stakes introduction. So of course I said ‘yes’ when he asked.”
Sean’s failed attempt at lightening the situation and easing their worries only puts Lucy more on edge. She shifts in her seat unable to even acknowledge Chris is in the room.
She has successfully avoided him for months. She’s only seen him one time since the breakup when he came in to talk to Nyla about a case she’s working on. But even then, when they made eye contact, she gave him a tiny smile before shuffling into the closest room. It turned out to be a closet and she really hoped he wasn’t familiar enough with the station to know that.
She’s forced to eventually accept his presence when he begins to speak.
“So, who’s going first?” He doesn’t wait more than one second before continuing, “You know what… how about we start with Lucy.” She swears she can detect a smugness in his voice and a hint of a smirk as he puts down a recorder.
Lucy looks at Chris and then back at Tim before getting up and sitting down in the hot seat, the newly added chair directly next to the polygraph examiner, Mike, she thinks Sean said his name was. Everything is sort of a blur after she saw Chris.
She sits down on a black, pillow-like substance and raises her arms as wires are added to her abdomen, a blood pressure cuff is placed on her arm, and electrodes added to her fingers.
Sean explains to both Lucy and Tim, “To become a police officer you’ve obviously had to take one of these before. But for the sake of protocol, I’m going to explain it to you as if you never have.” They both nod and so he proceeds, “You are here today to take a polygraph examination. The physiological recorder you see before you will assess your heart rate and blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity. We will start with a pretest phase followed by the stimulation test, which will demonstrate we can see when you’re lying. After that, the actual test will be performed. Do you both understand?”
After a brief pause, Lucy answers hesitantly, “Yeah.”
Okay so suddenly this is real.
“Tim?” Sean asks.
“Yep. Not my first rodeo.”
Chris takes the verbal consent and hits start on the recorder. “Today is Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 and the time is…” Chris lifts up his sleeve to peek at his seemingly new, expensive-looking watch, “11:24 p.m. This is ADA-”
Lucy tunes out the beginning spiel unable to contain her spiraling thoughts. She looks over at Tim and with her eyes, pouts. Chris. It just had to be Chris. The universe is clearly after me or something. I never should have let you kill that spider. I knew we should have released it. Celina said this could happen.
Tim’s lips curl upward, and he attempts to hide the smile he gains from understanding every single unuttered word. Lucy this is not karma for me killing the spider how many times do I have to tell you that?
“At the request of Sava Wu, a polygraph examination was given to Ms. Lucy Chen, 2733 Elmerst Drive, Apartment 610 this date-”
Lucy indignantly looks at Tim, this isn’t funny.
“-regarding the death of boyfriend, Jake Butler, on the afternoon of-”
Tim places a hand over his mouth and fake coughs in an attempt to hide the laugh that unexpectedly left his throat. I disagree. Our future grandkids will find it hilarious.
Chris stops for a brief moment looking at Tim but carries on.
“We will now complete the pretest portion. You are to answer with ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘I don’t know.’ The system can detect other answers but it’s not as accurate. Is that clear?”
Lucy takes one last deep breath before replying, “Yes.”
“Is your legal name Lucy Chen?”
“Yes.” Truth
“Do you have brown eyes?”
“Yes.” Truth
“Do you reside at 2733 Elmerst Drive, Apartment 610 with your roommate, Tamara Collins?”
“Yes.” Truth
“Alright I will now ask you one simulation question that I need you to respond to with a lie. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Truth
“Here is the simulation question. Are you a police officer?”
“No.” False
*Ding*
Lucy slightly jumps at the ding unsure whether she’s that on edge or the sound is more brazen than expected. Tim would give anything to be able to hold her hand at this moment or pull strings from on high to get anyone but Chris to ask the questions.
Sean attempts to lessen the palpable tension in the room with a joke, “Now that the hard part’s over. We’ll show you the results.”
Overwhelmed with stress and anxiety Lucy doesn’t even give him a courtesy laugh or smile. Tim needs Sean to know that they are in no way accepting of the current situation and it will inevitably be doomed to fail. But he can’t say all that so instead makes a point to cross his arms, which does make Lucy grin.
Mike turns the computer around as Chris explains while pointing, “As you can see here your first four responses were read as truths and the most recent as a lie. There’s no hiding from the truth here.”
With one glance Lucy passes along one more message to her boyfriend. Sorry, did he practice in the mirror before this… or?
“From here on, do you intend to answer my questions with the truth?”
“Yes.” Truth
Lucy wiggles slightly in her seat as she quickly mentally prepares for the probing questions about to be asked by her ex-boyfriend. Tim remains with a completely callous look as he watches Chris’ every move. Chris adjusts himself to be sitting a little taller, no longer slouched over, in direct response to Tim’s unwavering stoic presence. Chris moves his head to a minuscule degree almost shaking off any doubts recently entering his head. Most would have missed it. Lucy didn’t.
“You were tasked with portraying one Sava Wu as an undercover assignment to catch Roy Hajek, is that correct?”
“Yes.” Truth
“You went undercover with Sergeant Tim Bradford who portrayed Sava’s boyfriend, Jake Butler?”
“Yes.” Truth
“I see here this assignment took you to-” Chris ruffles through paperwork trying to find the location seared in Lucy and Tim’s brains. How could they ever forget Vegas? Tim begins to reminisce about the view he had of Lucy as she prepared for her shower, but Lucy notices and subtly shakes her head telling him to knock it off. “- Las Vegas, Nevada?”
Lucy looks back over to Chris. “Yes.” Truth
“This was your first undercover assignment?”
“No.” Truth “I went UC as a chemist a year or so prior, twice.” Truth
“But this was your first undercover assignment requiring you to exit the state?
“Yes.” Truth
“Interesting.” Lucy shivers as though someone is walking on her grave when Chris says a seemingly innocent word with such malice attached. “And you went on this plane with no confirmed backup. Is that right?”
“No.” Truth “We knew Angela,” Lucy corrects herself for the record, “Detective Lopez and Officer Thorsen would be right behind us. Plus, we knew they had to legally file their flight plan.” Truth
“Right. In an unauthorized private plane belonging to a friend of Officer Thorsen?”
Lucy’s heartbeat begins to increase as her blood runs ice cold. “It wasn’t unauthorized just not an LAPD pl-”
Chris cuts her off and with a high and mighty tone she doesn’t miss for even a second, he declares, “Please answer with either ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘I don’t know.’ Was your sole backup preparing to use a private plane belonging to a wealthy friend of Officer Thorsen?”
Lucy forces herself to inhale through her nose and out through her mouth.
“Yes,” Truth she gets out through gritted teeth.
“Did you know what the job was before stepping on the plane?”
“No.” Truth
“Was it on this plane that you discussed plans with the suspects, including Roy Hajek and hired muscle Wisco and Sway?”
“Yes.” Truth
Chris takes notes, filling up nearly half a notepad already. Lucy finds herself in desperate need of knowing what he’s writing. Tim shamelessly peeks but Chris writes in shorthand and the notes are therefore illegible.
“Did you contact Detective Lopez or Officer Thorsen at any point in the air?”
“No.” Truth
“Were you able to contact Detective Lopez or Officer Thorsen?”
“No.” Truth “They took our phones prior to boarding.” Truth
“Hmm… no backup phone?”
Lucy looks at Sean wondering if that is even a question she’s supposed to entertain with an answer. When he shrugs, she responds, “No.” Truth
It’s suddenly beginning to feel like she’s on trial.
“This is when you learned who the target was?”
“Yes.” Truth
Chris refers to his notes once again. “Leonard Madris, nicknamed ‘the brain’?”
“Yes.” Truth
Chris furiously scribbles. Lucy becomes more unsettled as the questioning continues.
“Rosalind Dyer-”
Lucy inhales. She’s in a much better place with the mention of her now, and with Tim by her side, but the name still stings. She finds herself looking down at her ribs wishing Tim could kiss the pain away.
“-escaped while you were still on Hajek’s plane on the way to Vegas. Did this in any way affect your ability to focus on the task at hand… ensuring the protection of ‘the brain’ from Hajek and his crew?”
“No.” False
*Ding*
Chris peers over to look at the computer to confirm the sound everyone heard.
“Now, now, now,” Chris ‘tsks’ his tongue in an unimaginably annoying fashion. “I thought you said you were going to solely tell the truth, Lucy.”
Tim, her fierce protector, cuts in, “What does any of this have to do with Jake’s death. That happened months after.”
Chris looks at Tim appalled that he dare speak. “I’m the one asking the questions here. If you interrupt again, I will kick you out with zero hesitation. You’re only in the room now as a favor for your Captain who insisted. Don’t mistake that as kindness from me. This line of questioning directly speaks to whether everything was done according to book or if we have to be worried mistakes were made.”
Chris looks at the paper in front of him likely containing a list of questions, although it has become clear he’s about to go off script. “Seems I hit a touchy subject. It’s all pertinent to the case though I’m afraid. So, I’m going to have to continue.”
“Did Rosalind Dyer’s escape in any way affect your behavior while undercover?”
Lucy pauses before admitting, “Yes.” Truth “But only for a few minutes before I talked to Tim and got my head back in the game.” False.
*Ding*
“You talked to Tim and that’s what made you recover from the news of Rosalind’s escape?”
“Yes.” False
*Ding*
“Maybe your system’s broken.” Tim chimes in.
“Lucy… Let’s try this again. Did Tim help you to keep your focus on the mission?”
“Yes.” Truth
“What exactly happened then? May I remind you this may not go to court but it is still an official interview.”
Lucy raises her shoulders until they are practically by her ears and sinks down into the chair.
Tim reminds Chris, “You told her to answer laconically. Now how is she supposed to do that when you ask a question that doesn’t allow for a binary?” Chris glares at Tim aware he doesn’t actually hold the power to evict him from the room. He turns his attention back to Lucy.
With a much faster pace Chris asks, “Did you or Tim in any way participate in illegal activities while undercover?”
“No.” Truth
“Did you or Tim in any way consume illegal substances while undercover?”
“No.” Truth
The computer doesn’t make a sound but Chris double-checks nevertheless.
Practically breathless with anger that he hasn’t gotten to the bottom of what happened he asks, “Did you or Tim in any way participate in unsavory conduct?”
Sean stops himself from leaning against the glass to approach a glaringly obvious annoyed Chris. Sean places a hand on his shoulder and leans down to quietly say, “Chris, I think we’re getting away from the purpose of this interview a bit. You said you could act professionally.”
Chris shakes Sean’s hand away from his shoulder. He continues to stare at Lucy as he says, “I am and I’m fine. Let me handle this.”
Sean holds up his hands but doesn’t resume his place by the mirror. Instead, he sits down next to Chris.
“Did you participate in unsavory conduct?” He pauses between words, not unlike Lucy earlier when joking with Tim.
Tim uncrosses his arms and holds his hands up. “Now how is she supposed to know what you could possibly mean by ‘unsavory conduct?’ This is getting ridiculous.”
Chris very calmly responds, “Sergeant Tim Bradford if you could kindly let me do my job. Since I’m not telling you how to do yours.” This was something Chris was always good at. Getting under people’s skin. He’s also good at putting on a show and he certainly hasn’t forgotten the recording camera.
“For the final time I ask, did you or did you not interact with Tim in a sexual manner? Including but not limited to sex, light groping, or kissing.”
“I-” Lucy looks at Tim pure panic in her eyes.
Guilt rushes over her as she responds, “Yes.” Truth unable to look at Chris.
“It was necessary for the role we were playing.” False
*Ding*
“But it was as Jake and Sava it didn’t mean anything.” False
*Ding*
Tim looks at Lucy but as she’s currently word vomiting, she doesn’t even notice the confession she just made.
“It was just the one kiss on the plane. We had to make it look like we were hooking up in order to sell the part.” False
*Ding*
Noticing all the dings that have become like music in the background while shopping Lucy tries to get ahead of the next question, “Okay well there was also the practice kiss.” Truth
Her eyes begin to tear up as she explains, “But that was so it would seem real if we had to do it while undercover.” Truth
“It- it didn’t mean anything.” False
*Ding*
“It’s not like I had feelings for him.” False
*Ding*
“That dinging is getting really annoying. I wasn’t in love with him then like I am now” Truth
“I never meant to hurt you.” Truth
“I was with you and Tim was with Ashley” Truth “Chris, I swear I was going to tell you but then everything happened, and the right time never came up-” Truth
“Did you have feelings for him when you kissed him?”
“What? I- I- I don’t know” False
*Ding*
With an indecipherable expression, Chris asks, “You were Tim Bradford’s aide at the time?”
Confused by Chris’ change in topic, Lucy looks at Sean, mouth wide open, and then Tim. It’s only when she makes eye contact with Tim that it hits her what just happened. What just came out of her mouth.
She settles back into her seat desperate to finish this up as quickly as possible.
“Yes.” Truth “His go-for”
“He was your boss and superior officer?”
Lucy doesn’t like what he’s getting at but responds, “Yes.” Truth
“So, you could say Tim is someone who haphazardly participates in undercover work?”
This time Sean steps in. “Chris this line of questioning directly benefits Ms. Wu’s defense not ours. There is a time and place this isn’t it.”
Chris nods in agreement. “You’re right. Let me rephrase. Just to be clear. Tim knowingly made sexual advancements on an inferior officer, directly in his line of command, while undercover with limited backup-”
Now completely in tears, Lucy interrupts, “That’s not at all what happened. Not even remotely the truth Chris-” Truth
Tim, don’t
Tim slides his chair out and abruptly gets up. “This interview is done.” He looks at Lucy who’s trying to untangle herself from the myriad of wires through blurry vision.
When telepathically communicating doesn’t work Lucy sternly says, “Tim, don’t.”
Chris stares Tim down as he says, “Don’t what, Luc? This interview is done when I say it’s done.”
“Lucy, Tim was at your place after coming home from undercover work. Was this the first time he came socially to your house while we were dating?”
Tim scowls and balls his hand into a fist.
Lucy attempts to get up but is ultimately tied down by machinery. “Tim he’s just trying to goad you.” She tries to plead with him, but he makes a conscious effort not to turn away from Chris.
“Let me rephrase. How many times did you have sexual intercourse while undercover with Sergeant Bradford, Ms. Chen?”
And with that Tim takes a swing, hitting Chris squarely in the jaw. Lucy gasps and Sean reaches for Chris, but he waves him off. He wipes the blood with his thumb and snickers. “I’ll have your badge for this, Bradford. Expect your suspension and restraining order promptly in the mail.”
“I’m sorry. I really thought he could do this.” Sean apologetically says, “Tim’s right. It’s over. Chris we gotta get you evaluated by medical.”
Chris collects his belongings and pushes the chair in unnecessarily rough like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
Lucy jumps in response but only further into Tim who already has her in a bear hug, kissing the top of her head.
Sean apologizes again and then leaves, along with Mike, who leaves his polygraph equipment to give Tim and Lucy a moment to themselves.
Tim helps Lucy up and gently tells her, “Let’s go home, baby.”
Once in the hallway, Lucy unravels herself from underneath Tim’s arms. “What just happened?”
“I think you said you loved me or something?” Tim smirks and Lucy pushes his side.
“Tim, I’m being serious. That move was incredibly stupid.”
“Lucy, the questions he was asking. The things he was implying.”
“And what? You didn’t think I could handle it? Weak Lucy can’t deal with a few invasive questions from her ex and Rosalind being brought up?”
Tim looks left and right before enquiring, “When did I become the bad guy?” He shrugs in confusion.
Lucy sighs and rubs both hands up and down his biceps. “You aren’t the bad guy. But you also can’t go around punching people who speak inappropriately to me. Especially not assistant district attorneys.”
“Dick assistant district attorneys,” he says with an eye roll. Lucy waits for Tim’s eyes to return to hers. “Even dick assistant district attorneys who speak like evil bond villains.”
Before she knows it, the last remaining tear falls from her eyes.
Tim wipes her cheeks and then practically whispers, “I didn’t know.”
Lucy looks up perplexed. Between sniffles, she asks, “What didn’t you know? Well, we established you didn't know not to punch ADAs. But I have a feeling you don’t mean that. Babe, are you still joking about me saying I’m in love with you? I’m pretty sure that I’ve told you I loved you before now.”
“Ha-Ha. I know not to go punching people. And yes, I know you love me. Believe me, I know.” Tim leans down to give her a quick but desperate kiss. He cups both of her cheeks in his hands and in a deep, intimate tone says, “No, I didn’t know you had feelings for me. Before. I mean you invited me in, so I had some inkling you maybe liked certain parts of me-”
Lucy looks around before swatting him yet again and yelling, “Tim! Still at our place of employment in case you forgot. I wasn’t suspended and would like not to get fired.”
“Alright. Alright. I doubt I will either if that counts for anything” His eyes soften. “Why didn’t you say anything? I even asked and you claimed… what was it? Basic biology,” he says in a way clearly meant to mimic Lucy’s.
Lucy buries her face in her hands. Tim takes a step towards her and places his hands, easily twice the size, overtop hers and slowly pulls them to reveal her face.
When she meets his gaze she responds, “I don’t think I was ready to accept it then. Chris was completely wrong in his evaluation of the situation, but he was right about one thing. You were my boss, and I didn’t want to admit to myself it could be something real. Partly because I feared it meant we couldn’t work together and see each other all day every day anymore… But mostly I was scared you didn’t feel the same. And for me to blow up my life and hurt Chris like that and for you to hurt Ashley? I never wanted to be a cheater. We almost went there but didn’t and that was for the best. But emotionally? There’s something far more deadly and terrifying in-”
Tim pulls her in for another kiss. Followed by a peck to her forehead. “I know.”
Lucy grabs his hand, interlocking his fingers in hers. She kisses his hand, and they start walking towards the exit to head to Lucy’s apartment.
As they’re strolling along, she remarks, “I’ll have to be careful on my next UC assignment. I guess backup phones are essential? Weird they didn’t teach that in the covert section during my official UC school time. But thank god for lawyers, am I right?”
Tim slows down and turns to Lucy. “Lucy. I thought you knew.”
“Knew what?”
“You can’t do undercover work while an active investigation is happening. Juicy’s lawsuit is directly regarding UC work. You can’t...”
Lucy scrunches her nose in defeat and in a dejected tone replies, “Oh. I didn’t realize.” She drops her hand from his and wipes it across her forehead seemingly in deep thought.
After several moments she finally speaks. “Well, I can’t have any more boys falling in love with me. Especially because I think I found the one. So, I guess this whole UC hiatus might be for the best.”
Tim looks at Lucy entirely surprised. “Wait, what? You’re completely fine with for the time being focusing solely on being a patrol officer?”
Lucy pauses for a second considering the question asked. “Yeah,” she smiles and rests her head against his shoulder, “I think I’ll be just fine.”
“Well, actually I was wrong.” Lucy’s frown begins to turn into a smile. “Yes, I admitted I was wrong. Take a picture it will last longer.” Lucy holds up her hands in a small rectangular shape pretending to push the flash with her first finger.
“As I was saying, you don’t only have to focus on patrolling but passing that detective’s exam too. You know if you need help, I am more than willing to help you study again.”
Lucy wipes a hand down her face, “I’m sure you are.”
Tim takes her hand once again in his. “What can I do to make you feel better? I can give you back scratches. I can make your favorite blueberry smoothie.”
“Tim,” Lucy scoffs, “I promise I’m fine.
“We can watch Top Chef. You can tell me your yay or nays for the outfits at the latest red carpet event.”
“Actually, there is something you can help me with.”
Tim raises an eyebrow, “oh?”
“Yeah, my heels,” she winces, “My feet are so swollen I fear there is no getting them out of these.”
Tim smiles as he sweetly tells her, “Of course, babe. I’ll even carry you over the threshold. It may be a little early, but I’ll just do it again when the time comes.”
Lucy softly laughs and then slows down their walking to turn to Tim and ask, “You’re not at all sorry you hit him, are you?”
“Nope,” Tim says popping the ‘p’ sound. He squeezes her hand in his and together they go home.