Title: Partners

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: see part one

"Mr. Langston?"Lucy called even though she knew it was futile.

Ten minutes before the bus passenger had woken. He'd started coughing violently. Blood now covered the walls, and the sofa. It'd also gotten on the front of Tim's shirt. Before Lucy could suggest it Tim had quickly removed the shirt leaving him only wearing an undershirt. With the heat of the house she and Tim had long ago stripped out of their bullet proof vests.

"Boot, you can't help him."Tim said raising his voice to be heard.

Lucy remained where she was kneeling near the sofa. She gripped Pete's upper torso keeping him on the sofa and trying to offer as much comfort to the dying man as she could. Lucy heard Dr. Morgan call Tim over the radio but didn't hear what his response was. With a final shudder Pete right arm clawed at Lucy gripping the front collar of her shirt. His wild eyes met hers and Lucy saw death take him. Then Pete's grip went slack and the arm fell away. Lucy didn't know how long she stayed there still gripping Langston's shoulders. No one should die that way...

"Boot!"Tim's voice finally broke through.

Lucy still found her movements sluggish as she shakily stood. She closed Langston's eyes and then she bolted for the far side of the living room putting as much space as she could. Lucy sank to the floor. Lucy heard Tim calling her name and rushing to her. Felt the floor vibrate as his feet pounded the wood planks. She didn't look up. Reality was smashing in with brutal force. Lucy curled in on herself remaining upright but in a ball her knees to her chest her head buried. Sobs wracked her and she couldn't stop. Lucy didn't want to die, but watching Langston die had drove home that death was coming for her too.

As Tim ran he heard Morgan calling him over the radio. Then pounding on the houses's front door. He ignored it for a moment; his priority was his rookie. The sobs reached him before Tim got to her. Tim felt his heart squeeze. Rookies sometimes had to grow up fast. Sometimes they got the raw deal of life on the job straight out of the gate. Tim had seen it take down more than one candidate. Tim had thought Lucy had dodged that. Thought she'd have a chance to grow into the job before it took something from her. Now death was teaching a lesson.

"Bradford, report!"Grey's voice snapped over the radio sounding unusually loud.

Tim was on his knees now next to Lucy. The pounding was continuing on the front door. Tim could make out shouting. Tim wasn't sure when Grey had arrived on the scene but he could hear Grey's voice outside mixed with the others. Tim yanked out his radio and reported in one tight clipped sentence.

"Langston's dead."Tim stated before setting the radio on the floor.

Lucy was still crying curled in on herself so tightly Tim wasn't sure how she was still breathing. Tim gripped Lucy's left shoulder for a long moment he wasn't sure what to do or what to say.

"Lucy."Tim called softly.

Slowly red rimmed eyes met his as Lucy raised her head. The sight changed something in Tim. Maybe it broke some of the barriers he'd put up after everything with Isabel. The woman before him meant something to Tim. He admired so much about her. More than that Lucy Chen was his partner and becoming one of the best he'd every had seasoned or rookie.

"H-He suffered so much."Lucy said her voice trembling.

"I know."Tim agreed quietly as he gripped both of her shoulders. "It shouldn't have happened, but we'll get the people responsible."

Lucy nodded.

Tim's cell phone rang and he cursed silently. Reluctantly he let go of Lucy and fished out the device. He saw Grey's name on the screen. Tim accepted the call and placed the smartphone to his right ear.

"Yes, sir?"Tim asked.

"Are you two alright?"Grey demanded.

"Yes, physically anyway."Tim responded grimly. "Chen's a little shaken up."

"Understandable."Grey said softly. "Tim, I need you to step away from her for a moment. I have news that she may not be ready to hear."

Tim swallowed hard as he met Lucy's troubled sad gaze. He knew she'd heard every word Grey had said.

"I'll be right back."Tim promised as he stood.

Walking into the bedroom Tim shut the door.

"Alright, she's out of earshot. What's going on?"Tim asked in a clipped tone.

"CDC ran into some weather; they're delayed."Grey explained solemnly.

Tim hit the closed door with his free hand. Once, twice then balled it into a fist and hit it again.

"Tim, you with me?"Grey asked worriedly.

"How long are they delayed?"Tim inquired quietly.

"An hour at least."Grey responded.

Tim found himself ready to hit the door again but saw his knuckles were bloody. He dropped his hand and walked to the bed sinking down onto the foot of it.

"Chen took Langston's death hard."Tim explained grimly. "I don't know how she's going to take this."

"She's tougher than people think."Grey replied.

"Yeah, she is."Tim agreed.

"Do you want me to tell her?"Grey offered grimly.

"No, she's my partner. I'll do it."Tim stated as he stood.

"I'll keep you updated."Grey promised.

"Appreciate that, Sir."Tim said as Grey ended the call.

Squaring his shoulders Tim opened the bedroom door and headed back to the living room.