Title: Turmoil
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

The next day Eddie found himself parking in the hospital parking garage. It was early just after seven. He hadn't been able to sleep tossing and turning. Every time he closed his eyes Eddie saw Lucy's small form on the ground of that alley with flames all around. So he'd left Christopher with a babysitter and went for a drive and ended up here. With the fight Eddie hadn't had a chance to look in on Lucy. Apparently that had bothered his subconscious as well. With a sigh Eddie got out of the truck, locked it and went into the hospital.

Eddie found Lucy's room and knocked. When there was no answer he quietly opened the door and peeked in. The rookie police officer was asleep curled on her right side. Eddie softly walked over and sat in the visitor's told himself he was just here to check on his friend. That he'd leave soon. But Eddie couldn't help but be happy when Lucy woke a few minutes later and smiled at him.

"Morning."Eddie greeted returning her smile.

"Is it?"Lucy asked groggily.

"Just after seven."Eddie informed. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."Lucy said as she sat up. "I hear I have you to thank."

"No thanks necessary."Eddie replied quickly with a smile. "I'd say we're even now."


"Yes."Lucy agreed as she leaned over to hug him. "Thank you for saving my life."

"I'm just glad you're okay."Eddie commented . "Scared me when I heard you were still in the alley."

"Tried to climb out."Lucy responded quietly. "Heat and smoke overwhelmed me before I could."

"That's what the manager told us."Eddie said as he pulled away and sat back.

"All good ideas sometimes..."Lucy replied then broke off with a frown.

"What?"Eddie inquired with concern.

"Did you get that in the rescue?"Lucy asked worriedly as she touched a spot above Eddie's right eye.

"No."Eddie said with a sigh as he gently captured Lucy's right hand drawing it back from his face. "Lucy, there's something I have to tell you."

A knot of anxiety formed in Lucy's stomach. The day before Lucy had thought she'd heard a commotion outside her room as she drifted off to sleep. Now she was suspecting she'd been right and it hadn't been hospital noise.

"I wanted to give you time to recover."Eddie continued quietly.

"Eddie."Lucy prompted worriedly.

"Was in a fight with Bradford."Eddie finished miserably.

"If he doesn't want another one."A familiar voice said from the doorway. "Diaz is going to leave; now."

Lucy looked up to see Tim holding a carryout tray of coffee and a brown bag of takeout breakfast. With her hand still entwined with Eddie she felt him tense. Some how Lucy had to keep them from fighting again and find out what had started the previous incident

She sat up farther and scooted to the edge of the bed. Lucy saw the bandage across Tim's nose and frowned.

"Are you alright?"Lucy asked with concern. "Is your nose broken?"

"No."Tim replied as he walked into the room and placed the coffee and food on a small table by Lucy's bed near the window. "And Diaz has about two seconds to leave."

"He saved my life, Tim."Lucy pointed out. "And it's my room. Should be my say on who visits."

"Lucy."Tim began his voice tight.

Lucy pushed the blankets aside and stood. A bad move as the room spun. She saw Eddie get quickly to his feet and grab her right arm to steady her.

"Easy."Eddie urged. "Sit down until the dizziness passes."

Lucy closed her eyes but didn't sit.

"Lucy?"Tim prompted his voice closer. "You alright?"

"Yes, just haven't stood up in awhile."Lucy responded as she risked opening her eyes.

Thankfully the room remained in one spot. She eased her arm away from Eddie's grip.

"I'm alright."Lucy insisted. "I'd be better if you two would get along."

Eddie shuffled his feet not meeting Lucy's gaze. Tim shook his head one hand fisted at his side.

"He made a play for you, Lucy."Tim explained in a voice filled with quiet anger. "I can't let that go unanswered."

Lucy's mind spun and she felt lightheaded once more. Though she wasn't quite sure that was because of the smoke inhalation. Lucy looked at Eddie who had his hands shoved into his jeans's pockets, but he was returning her gaze.

"Is that true?"Lucy asked quietly.

"Yes,"Eddie admitted. "Not the way I wanted to tell you, but I do care about you."

At that Lucy did take a seat back on the bed. This was such a mess. Had she lead him on? Lucy didn't think so, but she couldn't deny the chemistry.

"I'm not asking again, Diaz. Leave."Tim ordered.

"As Lucy said it's her call."Eddie insisted.

He was right; it was her call. The lightheadedness had faded but now her head was pounding. Lucy needed, sleep and quiet. She placed a hand to her forehead.

"Lucy?"Eddie asked worriedly. "Want me to get a nurse?"

"No,just a headache."Lucy explained as she met his anxious gaze. "I would like both of you to leave."

"Only one leaving is Diaz."Tim commented tersely.

"Both of you."Lucy said as she crawled back under the covers. "Please, Tim I just need to rest."

After a long moment of angry tense silence Tim sighed. He picked his coffee out of the carrier.

"There are bagels when you get hungry."Tim said as he stepped to the bed causing Eddie to move back.

"Thank you."Lucy responded as she leaned back.

"I'll call you later."Tim said as he kissed Lucy quickly.

"Okay."Lucy acknowledged then looked at the man who saved her life "Thank you for coming, Eddie."

"Any time."Diaz responded as he reached over and squeezed Lucy's right arm. "Get some rest. I'll check on you tonight."

It didn't pass Lucy's notice that Tim made sure Eddie was the one who left first. She sighed and slinked farther under the covers.


"How bad does the other guy look?"Buc joked as he and Eddie sat at a small diner near the station the next day.

"Nearly broke his nose."Eddie grudgingly admitted with a flash of a smile before taking a sip of coffee. "Not how I wanted Lucy to find out."

"Back up."Buc prompted eyes wide. "You really got in a fight?"

"Lucy's boyfriend didn't like me taking your advice."Eddie explained with a sigh as he sat back in the booth. "I told him I cared for her and wasn't going away."

"Way to go, Eddie!"Buc exclaimed a little too loudly drawing attention.

Buc looked sheepishly at the other diners before turning his attention back to Eddie.

"What was Lucy's reaction?"Buc asked in a heightened whisper.

Eddie filled his friend in on the scene in Lucy's hospital room as he rubbed a weary hand over his face.

"So she stood up to him."Buc commented with a shake of his head. "Good. She was right it was her room, her visitors."

"There's a fine line between competition and feeling threatened."Eddie said as he took a bite of his sandwich. "I think it was a wakeup call for Bradford. Not how I wanted it to go down though."

"Bradford and Lucy aren't married."Buc replied as he ate a piece of toast. "Gives her the chance to see if he's really who she wants to spend the rest of her life with."

"And I'm technically still married."Eddie said quietly looking out the window. "I don't even know where to send divorce papers."

"Not to sound harsh but that's what process servers are for."Buc pointed out as he raised a fork. "They'll find her and you'll be free."

Eddie nodded as he looked out the window. Since his wife left Eddie's focus had been solely on his son. Could he really put Christopher through another family breakup if he and Lucy didn't work out? Or another woman if Lucy stuck with Bradford?

"Wish I could've seen Bobby's face as he broke up your fight."Buc said with a chuckle breaking the silence.

"His eyebrows were nearly in his hairline."Eddie commented with a small laugh and shake of his head


Needing some alone time Lucy had taken a cab home once she'd been released from the hospital. Now in early afternoon Lucy sat huddled under a blanket on her sofa. A comedy movie was playing on her dvd player but she wasn't really watching it.

Lucy's emotions were still spinning from what had occurred yesterday. Eddie's revelation, the news of the fight...

/Not the way I wanted to tell you; but I do care about you./

Eddie's words came back and Lucy felt her stomach flutter. It was a teenaged girl's fantasy to have two handsome men fighting for you. Even coming to blows. Lucy was hardly a teenage girl but for the moment she felt like it. As much as she loved Tim; Eddie Diaz was a handsome and good man. One who'd risked his life to save hers. With a sigh Lucy realized she wouldn't resolve anything sitting on the sofa. She pulled out her phone and sent a text. A few minutes later she received a reply.

/I'm off this afternoon. Stay home and rest; I'll come to you./

Lucy sent Eddie her address and nestled into the corner of the sofa. Her gaze on the tv, but her thoughts were elsewhere.