Title: Not so tough
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: 1x13
summary: the events of 1x13 catch up to Chen and she finds that even Tim has a weak point in his armor

Officer Tim Bradford covered a yawn with his right hand. It'd been a busy few days. He didn't know why he had agreed to pick up his rookie Lucy Chen, but here he was half hour before shift started at her apartment building. Lucy's car was in the repair shop after she'd been run off the road by revengeful gang members. She'd had trouble finding a garage that had an opening until yesterday.

Shaking his head Tim thought about what his rookie had endured in the last seventy-two hours. Being accused of stealing money from a drug bust and then to be cleared but still have three gang members track her down and nearly run her off the road. Then once out of the car Lucy was chased and held at gun point. The flash of pride Tim felt now was probably part of the reason he'd agreed to play taxi. She'd done a damn good job against three to one odds with guys twice her size.

Reaching Lucy's new apartment Tim was just about to knock when he heard a scream. Not a see a spider shriek but a horror movie ranked scream. Already in uniform Tim grabbed his weapon and pulled it out of the holster.

"Chen!"Tim called.

Another scream. Tim could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen his Rookie lose her cool. None of them had resulted in this. Something was wrong; very wrong. Taking a few steps back Tim kicked Lucy's door in. Weapon raised Tim moved quickly through the apartment. What he found caused Tim to lower his gun with a sad sigh. His rookie was in the throws of a bad nightmare. The sheets were twisted around her small form. Lucy's dark hair was a mess and she was coated in sweat. As another scream tore from her Tim holstered his weapon and sat on the edge of her bed. Gently Tim gripped her shoulders.

"Chen!"Tim shouted in his best T.O voice.

His rookie shot awake. Tim watched as Lucy blinked and stared at him trying to orientate herself. She was shaking.

"You're okay; just a dream."Tim said in a quieter tone.

Before Tim could react Lucy launched herself into his arms. He knew she was still in the after affects of the nightmare. Probably not completely awake or aware yet. Slowly, Tim closed his arms around Lucy holding her until she stopped shaking.


Lucy hadn't had a nightmare like that in a long time. It had been so real, so vivid. She'd been fighting for her life against the gang members that had her surrounded. She could feel the dirt and gravel under her hands. Could feel the rough calloused hands grabbing her; hitting her. Now she was awake and her still traumatized brain was having a hard time wrapping itself around the current situation.

Her tough training officer was sitting on her bed holding her. What the hell? How had he got in?

"Tim?"Lucy asked.

Her voice sounded a shadow of her own. Weak, hoarse, frightened.

"You're safe."Tim replied quietly.

Lucy hated to admit she was still feeling the fear from the dream, but she was. She allowed herself to take comfort in Tim's embrace and rested her head on his chest.