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It has been a while since Lucy has been in her formals, with the last time being Jackson's funeral. But as she stands in front of her mirror, re-adjusting her tie on, she can't help but smile at the fact that she is wearing them for a much better reason this time.
Around a month ago, Lucy had died protecting some of her fellow officers when they had all been shot. Tim, Celina, John, Seth, and Miles. Now at the time, that whole ordeal seemed to be the worst thing that could ever happen to her, even worse than being abducted and buried alive. But in light of it all, after being given a golden ticket, becoming detective, being given an invitation to this award ceremony, and getting back together with Tim, it might as well have been the best thing she has ever experienced.
As she stands in her formals today, with her 5 year stripe, and detective stripes, she isn't quite sure why she is being rewarded for it all. The past year had destroyed her, sure, but that's just cautions of the job. Getting the golden ticket had already seemed like too much, and to be honest, she felt guilty. There were so many other officers much more deserving of all this.
But, whatever. It wasn't her decision. The truth was that she had to be downtown in an hour to meet everyone, so might as well just make this whole thing out to be a day to spend time with her family. All she had to do was ignore the fact that today was all about her.
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"Well well well if it isn't Detective Chen!" The minute she stepped out of her car, Angela, also in her formals, was sprinting towards her, and wrapping her in her arms. "Ahhhh I'm so proud of you!" When they parted, Lucy beamed at her. "Thank you so much. Where are the others?"
"Well, Wesley is parking the car, John, Bailey and Celina are about a minute out, Luna and Grey also on their way, but I'm not sure about the boots." Angela listed off. "What about Tim?" Lucy pondered, looking at Angela worryingly. "Wellll, that's a surprise." Angela replied, giggling. "Umm, okay?"
"Lucy!!" The two detectives turned to see John and Celina, both in formals, as well as Bailey coming towards them. "Hey guys! Thank you so much for coming." Lucy said, hugging each of them. "Like we would ever miss it?" John replied, almost offended.
"Hey, is Tim here yet?" Bailey asked Angela. Angela shot her a look, which caused Bailey to pause and nod her head. "Okay can someone tell me what is going on here?" Lucy yelled out.
"Later, but right now, you need to get inside, it starts in 30 minutes." Celina reminded her. "Shoot, thank you. Love you guys!"
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All of the Mid-Wilshire crew was in their formals, and had front row seats to the ceremony, which Lucy made quick note of as she walked onto the stage with the other officers receiving awards. As she sat down she made eye contact with each of them, pausing when her eyes met a certain pair of someone else's. Tim was beaming up at her, with pure admiration, love, and pride in his eyes. After thinking that he wasn't going to make it because of some surprise, seeing his face really was nice. She quickly looked at everyone else, before turning her attention to Chief Coleman at the stand.
"If I could have your attention please." The Chief began, causing everyone in the crowd to quiet down. "Thank you all for coming today to recognize some of our officers for their exemplary service to Los Angeles."
With each officer read out with their individual awards, it meant it was almost time for Lucy. And she was terrified, truly. She had no idea what she was being awarded with, and considering the fact that she still doesn't think she deserves it all, she was not sure how she would react.
"Detective Lucy Chen, Mid-Wilshire division," Lucy stood, and began towards the stand, sucking in her breath. "Police Star, Lifesaving Medal, Police Medal, Preservation of Life Medal, and Medal of Valor. Reason for receiving these awards; saving the lives of multiple officers, and putting a wanted gang into the ground." As she was handed her envelopes, all she could think to do was keep her eyes locked with the chief's. She stuck her hand out, shaking her hand, then turned to face the cameras. As she smiled and posed with Chief Coleman, out of the corner of her eye, she saw her family standing up, and heard them too. Especially Tim's.
"Congratulations detective, you earned this." Chief Coleman whispered to her. "Thank you so much ma'am." She walked off stage, and joined the crowd of other officers who had received awards.
"Detective Chen!" She turned to see some officer that she had never seen before, wondering how they knew her. "Hi! I'm so sorry but do I know you?" She stuck out her hand and shook the officer's. "Sorry, I'm Officer Paul Stevens, it is just a surprise to see you. You have become quite the legend in the LAPD."
"Oh, thank you, it is an honor." She tried to seem thankful, really, but she was embarrassed. Why did she deserve this? She was just doing her job. As all of the other officers gloated around her, sharing their various stories, she couldn't help but feel small. Each and every one of them was proud of their accomplishments, why wasn't she?
Eventually, a sergeant came by and directed them to the front of the building where they could each meet up with their families. As soon as she exited the building, she saw her family sanding right at the front of the crowd, and Tim rushing towards her. The minute they were within each other's reach, Tim lifted her off the ground, spinning her around, then bringing her into his embrace. Lucy, feeling the most joy she had all day, just laughed, and then quickly buried herself into him. After about 10 seconds, she lifted her head, and brought their lips together.
When they parted, Tim kept his arms around her waist and kept his blues staring into her own eyes. "I'm so proud of you, you know that?" He beamed at her. "Thank you, and yeah I do." She said, with an evidently somber look on her face. "What's wrong?" He asked, always knowing every look on her face. "I just..." Lucy began, pausing. "I don't really think I deserve all of this." Tim cocked his head, looking very confusingly at her. "Of course you do, why do you think otherwise?" Each of their fellow officers were listening in by now, and were displaying their concern on their faces.
"I was just doing my job. Why should I be awarded for that?" Lucy stated, while looking at each of them. "Okay look," Nyla began. "remember what I told you when you were in the hospital?" Lucy nodded. "Yeah, I do." "Well, there is more to it. I understand not getting it. We all have received awards of some sort, and I for one know that we never feel like we deserve them." Lucy grew even more confused. "But when I was with the other cops, they all were boasting about them, and yeah, they do deserve to. So why don't I feel proud?" Nyla shook her head.
"Well those officers don't deserve it then. People who receive awards then gloat about it are officers who are just doing the job for the awards. Did you join the LAPD because you wanted to be praised?" Lucy immediately shook her head. "God no, not at all." Nyla began nodding her head. "Exactly.' Oh.
"Well, we have to go, but we are all so proud of you!" Luna stated towards her, and embraced Lucy in her arms. "Awh thank you so much for coming!"
Lucy said her goodbyes to each of her loved ones, minus Tim. "So, do you want to tell me why earlier I was told that Mr. 'if you aren't early you are late' wasn't early because he had a surprise planned, and now everyone is leaving us alone?" Lucy began, clearly interrogating Tim. He chuckled, clearly amused by his girlfriend's insightfulness. "Have I ever told you that you are an amazing detective?"
Lucy, not having any of it, kept her eyes locked with Tim's. "Yeah yeah, what's happening? And just tell me, don't come up with some bullshit prologue." Tim sighed, defeated.
"Remember that restaurant that I was going to take you to for your birthday?" He asked, trying to jog her memory. "Yeah, the one I never shut up about. But that takes 6 months of reservation?" Tim nodded, rubbing his hands on her shoulders. "Well, I managed to convince the manger to give us a spot today. Then after, you and I are having a movie night at home." Lucy beamed up at him, with nothing but excitement and love. "Oh my God really? Thank you!" She stood on her tippy toes, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulling his lips into her own. "I love you so much, Tim." "I love you more, Lucy."
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After dinner, and a nice warm bath together, Lucy and Tim were cuddled up together on his couch, popcorn on the table, and watching Top Chef's newest season. Lucy was buried into his side, leg swung onto his, head and hand on his chest. Tim was resting his head on her own, arms wrapped around her, blanket on top of them both, and Kojo by their side.
It had broken Tim's heart to know that Lucy doesn't feel proud of herself, but at the same time, he was so proud that she wasn't. She was just doing her job, and even though he knew that she was doing more than that, Lucy was humble. And yeah, the fact that she was his boot made him pretty proud.
"Hey babe?" Tim said, getting her attention. She cocked her head up at him. "Mhm?" "I'm so proud of you, and although you might not feel like you do, you deserve all of this. And more." She chuckled, shaking her head. "I was just doing my job, Tim." He nodded, "I know, but I'm not just talking about the assault." She tilted her head, confused. "You didn't just save me that day, Luce. You saved me when you were a rookie, when I dealt with that whole ordeal with my dad, after Ray, when you convinced me to get help, and so many more times. Oh and none of those times did I mean when you physically saved my life. I mean when you saved me."
Lucy buried her head back into him, pulling him closer. "And I would do it many more times again. Also, it's not as if you haven't done the same for me." Tim chuckled, looking at her. "That's my job."
She smacked his chest playfully. "Okay T.O Bradford." They laughed, holding each other close, then bringing their lips together.
When they parted, Tim beamed at her. "I love you so much." Lucy beamed right back, "I love you more babe. Thank you."