Title: Turmoil

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

"Thanks, I'll give them to her."

The next day Lucy heard Jackson's disembodied voice tell someone at the front door as she got out of the shower. It was just after nine and her day off. Jackson was working second that day. Not being able to hold back her curiosity Lucy poked her head out of the bathroom.

"Jackson?"Lucy asked looking towards the living room.

Jackson stood by the kitchen breakfast bar holding a bouquet of red roses. He looked at Lucy and grinned widely as he held up the card.

"Bet you lunch they're from Bradford."Jackson taunted.

Lucy pulled the gray towel tighter around herself and stepped into the living room as she glowered at her roommate.

"That's not a fair bet."Lucy countered as she reached the kitchen and snatched the card.

"True, because Eddie didn't start it."Jackson agreed.

"No, he just kissed me where everyone could see."Lucy admitted tensely.

Opening the envelope Lucy read the small card and Tim's familiar scrawl.

'This is a start to tell you how sorry I am. We need to talk; I love you. Tim.'

Lucy looked back at the beautiful roses and then at the card. Tim wasn't one to put his emotions out. He'd been hurt by his failed marriage and Isabel's addiction. It was three sentences, but Lucy could sense such emotion in each word. She'd been furious with him last night after Eddie had been hurt. However, Tim had been standing there bleeding and Lucy had seen the hurt and betrayal etched in his face. Lucy's vision blurred and she blinked back tears as she leaned against the back of the sofa.

"Lucy?"Jackson asked worriedly.

Lucy glanced past her roommate to the end of the breakfast bar where the other roses Tim sent sat in a vase. He'd wanted to meet for breakfast before this and they'd scheduled a time. That was prefight. She looked back at the card.

'This is a start to tell you how sorry I am.'

Lucy hadn't wanted to hurt him. They'd spent nearly every day together for twelve hours. He'd made her life hell at times to make her a better police officer. A year ago she hadn't known Tim Bradford existed now he seemed ingrained in every part of her life. How was that possible? Lucy sniffled. Vaguely she was aware of Jackson setting the flowers on the breakfast bar and walk to her.

"What is it?"Jackson inquired softly. "What did Tim say?"

"That he loved me."Lucy said quietly before setting the card on the coffee table and disappearing into her bedroom and closing the door.


Around noon Lucy went to the food trucks where most of the officers at her station ate. She wanted to talk to Tim and was hoping to catch him on his lunch break. The hours that had passed since the roses had arrived Lucy had done a lot of thinking. She knew she needed to talk to Tim. Lucy was still angry that he'd fought with Eddie but they had to sort this out. The three of them couldn't go on like this. Searching the area Lucy thought she'd missed Tim. Then she saw her T.O in line at the fourth truck. Gathering her courage Lucy walked over to him.

"Lucy."Tim greeted in surprise.

"Tim."Lucy responded quietly as she shifted the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

"You got the..."

"We need to..."

Lucy broke off with a smile as they both started talking at once.

"Thank you for the roses, they're beautiful."Lucy began.

"Come on, let's sit somewhere."Tim suggested as he stepped out of line.

They found a table in a shaded spot away from gossiping ears. Lucy noticed the bandage on Tim's forehead and the slight bruising near it.

"How's Diaz?"Tim asked grudgingly.

"Hospital released him this morning."Lucy responded anger creeping back into her voice. "You owe him an apology."

"He was kissing you!"Tim snapped.

"If this is how this is going to go..."Lucy began sadly as she stood.

Tim caught her right wrist as Lucy turned away. When Lucy looked back she saw the regret in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."Tim commented softly. "Please sit. I'm not used to being jealous and it's not bringing out my best."

Understatement, Lucy thought but she sat back down.


Tim tried to gather himself as Lucy sat back down. She'd come to find him without calling or texting. Tim knew that was an olive branch. His heart had lightened when he'd seen her. Now Tim just had to salvage this conversation and he knew he'd have a chance at getting her back. Even if that meant eating some humble pie.

"You're right."Tim acknowledged quietly. "I will apologize to Diaz as I am to you. Angela tried to stop me; called me out for being a caveman but I wouldn't listen."

Lucy's posture relaxed slightly but her arms were still folded across her chest. Tim would take any good sign he could get.

"Caveman is an apt description."Lucy agreed quietly.

Tim took a deep breath. One thing had been driven home when he saw her kissing Diaz was how empty his life would be without her.

"I am sorry for what happened."Tim began softly. "You are important to me. Recent events have made me realize just how much. I love you and I hope you'll forgive me and we can start again."


Sitting here in the familiar food truck area brought everything home for Lucy. This was her life. Being a part of the LAPD. Her friends, who had become family. Tim was a huge part of that. His actions had been wrong, but she realized now how much she missed him. Tentatively Lucy reached her right hand across the table for Tim's and took it in hers. She felt his gaze searching her face trying to read her to anticipate what she was thinking. Lucy smiled when she felt him squeeze her hand and interlace their fingers.

"I've missed you."Lucy said softly meeting his gaze. "Tim, I still feel torn. I care about Eddie, but I love you."

Tim tried to keep hope from rising. She hadn't said she'd forgiven him. To hear she still loved him was leaps and bounds beyond what he had expected.

"I know I have a long way to go to win you back."Tim began quietly. "But I've missed you too. I'd like to take you on a date."

Lucy smiled and Tim couldn't help but smile back.

"I'd like that."Lucy responded.


Tim was about to say something when his radio crackled to life. He silently cursed dispatch for the bad timing.

"7-Adam19, 7-Adam 12 is requesting assistance with a robbery in progress."

Tim sighed and let go of Lucy's hand as he reached for his lapel mike.

"Affirmative. Go ahead with the address, dispatch. Tell 7-Adam 12 that I'm enroute."

"Copy that, 7-Adam 19."Dispatch confirmed."Sending address to your computer."

Tim stood and Lucy did also.

"Sorry, duty calls."Tim apologized. "It was good to see you. I'll call you later about that date."

Lucy hugged him.

"Be careful."Lucy said as she stepped back.

"Always."Tim commented with a smile as he turned and headed to his shop.


Lucy watched him go feeling more conflicted than ever. She remembered Eddie's kiss. As much as she had enjoyed it there hadn't been the spark or chemistry that she's always had with Tim. With that thought Lucy turned and headed towards her car. Her heart was starting to make a decision Lucy just had to give it a little more time.