Title: In Pieces
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Tim ended up getting a ride back to the crime scene from one of the sheriff deputies. Fortunately Angela was still there and they both carpooled with Nolan and Harper back to the station. It was early evening by then. Grey ordered everyone home. After showering, changing clothes Tim stood outside the locker room bag slung over his right shoulder.
"Hey,"Lopez greeted as she approached. "Wes and I are grabbing some dinner. Want to join us?"
Tim heard her, but it was like part of his mind was stuck back in that ambulance. Shock, he realized. He'd been prepared to find his partner dead. Not to hear she'd been violated, assaulted and buried alive.
"Tim?"Angela asked closer now concern in her voice.
Years of military training and police work was the only way Tim snapped himself out of it. He glanced at his friend.
"Thanks, but I'm just going to head home and crash."Tim responded wearily.
Angela pulled him to a nearby corner out of the way of foot traffic and earshot of others.
"You okay? You're shaking."Angela asked softly.
"Adrenaline wearing off."Tim replied which was partially true.
"You forget, I know you."Angela pointed out with a raised eyebrow. "What's really going on?"
Tim sighed glanced around them and then stepped closer. He had to force the words past the sudden lump in his throat.
"Lucy was raped."Tim explained each word harsh and clipped.
"Oh God."Angela whispered as she leaned against the wall.
"Wright is damn lucky Harper shot him, because I sure as hell would've made him suffer a lot longer."Tim spat as he turned and walked away.
Angela watched Tim leave her heart aching for her friend. She'd been afraid when Tim had been the one to administer CPR that Chen's loss would be doubly hard if she didn't make it. But Lucy had survived and her heart had beat again under Tim's hands.
This new information added another element to an already ugly situation. Angela knew if anyone could overcome this it was Lucy Chen. She just had a very long road ahead to do so.
Grey had left Tim a message saying Lucy had been transferred to a hospital closer to her home and the station. It was just before the end of visiting hours when Tim arrived his plans for crashing at home changing as soon as he'd heard that message. Showing his badge had got him some leeway with the rules.
Lucy was asleep when Tim entered the room. He stood for a moment after closing the door watching her. She looked small. The cuts were covered by bandages but the bruises stood out against her pale skin.
She survived. Tim reminded himself.
That fact didn't ease the mountain of guilt on his shoulders. Tim quietly sat in the visitor's chair near the window. Angela had told him there was no way he could've known who Wright really was. That didn't balm the sting of hindsight. Lucy was his rookie, his responsibility. More than that she'd become his partner. He was supposed to protect her. She'd asked for his advice and that advice had put her in the worst kind of hell. Reaching forward Tim gently took Lucy's left hand in his. Even if Lucy hated him, Tim would find a way to make sure she got through this. He owed her that.