Lucy spent most her morning cleaning up the mess from last night. There was a broken plate and beer spilled in the entryway. Next time she would make sure to get canned Coors that was his favorite. Looking around and feeling satisfied with how the house looked, Lucy checked the time and smiled. Still enough time to get ready for work and not need to rush.
45 minutes later Lucy walked into Mid-Wilshire practically skipping. She was feeling good and ready for a day with her favorite former TO. She dressed quickly and headed into roll call just in time for Sgt Grey to start.
"Good Morning everyone. Today is a unicorn day. What is a Unicorn day? It is the one-day out of the year that we have no warrants to issue, no one in holding and the night shift closed out all their patrol cases. "
The occupants of the room let out a few whoops and cheers. Grey held us a hand "With that being" having a unicorn day means it's about to get crazy, so let's be safe out there."
With that he dismissed the room and Lucy jumped up to go greet her best friend and former TO. 'TIM! Are your ready for a day driving with your favorite boot?"
"No one ever said you were my favorite" He said as he walked away from her, smiling slightly "Go get the shop ready Boot!"
Lucy laughed and moved quickly to do as he asked.
It had been an almost quiet morning. They had booked a guy for the stupidest B&E ever and headed back out on patrol. She was filling Tim in on how well the pool she was having put in at her house was coming, when her phone rang.
"Hi!" She answered, when the voice on the other end came over loud, she quickly turned the volume down and plastered a big smile on her face. " I know babe, I will pick some up on the way home. You are on shift, tomorrow right? Okay well I will see you tonight when I get home."
As she hung up the phone, she took a deep breath and smiled again " that Emmett?" Tim asked.
"Yes, he needed me to pick something up on the way home." She responded.
Tim noted how quiet she was when she hung up the phone. She and Emmett had gotten married quickly last year, she had been so excited and happy, that he tried his best to be happy for her. Emmett seemed like a good guy, and he seemed to take good care of Lucy. Things have changed though, Lucy did not ride with him as much anymore, and it was rare that her and Emmett came out for a drink anymore. He could see the excitement in her face though as she talked about the pool that they were having put in, it meant BBQ's and pool parties. He could tell she missed it.
They pulled into their favorite taco shop and Tim was surprised to see Emmett sitting at the TO table with Lopez and Harper.
" Hey man! Haven't seen you in a while" Tim said as he shook Emmett hand. He watched as Lucy's face paled a bit, and then she quickly pulled her wedding ring out of her pocket and put it back on before Emmett could notice.
" I felt like surprising my beautiful wife for lunch" Emmett replied and kissed Lucy on the cheek. It did not get past Tim that Lucy viably flinched, even with the bright smile she was putting on display.
" Emmett you should have called! I would have made sure we met you when you got here" Lucy said and Tim could still see that she was hiding something.
" No worries' babe, just missed you a bit is all. " He said and kissed her again.
Lunch went by quick, and Tim watched as Emmett pulled Lucy closer and closer even when she made it a point to move away from him a bit. She never let it show that she was uncomfortable, she kept a smile on her face and did not say anything to him. When lunch was over, and they walked back to their shops to load up, Tim stood and waited for her.
" You know, there is something about Emmett that I just can't put my finger on" Nyla said, as she stood next to him and watched the scene unfold. They watched as Lucy went to walk away and Emmett grabbed her arm roughly, yanking her back. " And there it is" she said reaching for her side arm out of instinct.
Tim's hand went to his gun as well, and he started walking over to Lucy but stopped when Lucy turned to look at him pointedly. She turned back to Emmett and said something, putting her hand on his chest. Emmett visibly calmed down and kissed the top of her head.
Lucy smiled back over at them and rushed over to the shop " Let's go! "
"What was that about" He asked trying to contain the anger building in his chest. Lucy's face quickly ran through emotions, settling on a bright and sunny smile again. He felt Nyla put a hand on his arm before he could say anything again.
" Everything okay?" Nyla asked.
"Yes, just a bit on edge, they had a hard call Monday, and he just needs to go hit the bag and work out some issues" She replied not even looking at Nyla, she was staring right at him, and it unnerved him. Like she was trying to convince herself and him while nothing was wrong.
Tim said nothing and just got in the shop. As he drove that day, he let Lucy ramble on and responded only as needed. He knew something was wrong, and she was not telling him.
Lucy knows that they saw Emmett's reaction to her saying she was going to be late tonight. She knew they saw it. Tim had been quieting the rest of their "she just kept talking, maybe if she never shut up, he would forget about it. She knew it was not going to happen though. She knew Tim like the back on her hand. He was her protector, had been since the day he pulled her out of that barrel 4 years ago. The minute he blew life back into her, she was his to protect and his in any other way he wanted.
She shook her head as they pulled into the station, he never wanted her that way. She was like a sister to him, he had said as much when she got married, and he asked her if it was what she really wanted. She had married Emmett because there were no other options. Tim did not want her, and Emmett was there willing.
If she only knew back then, maybe she would have decided differently.
As she stepped out of the shop and started cleaning out the back, she let the silence envelop her. She had plans to go out with Jackson for dinner tonight, but Emmet had put a stop to that, and she was dreading telling Jackson. She turned to grab a trashcan when she smacked right into Tim's chest.
"Whoa their partner" she laughed " Little close".
" Partners?" Time said and crossed his arms, she could tell that he was still upset. He leaned in close to her face "Partners tell each other the truth and what's going on."
"Look Emmett is just stressed is all. He did not mean it. It won't happen again" She said and avoided his gaze. She could feel Tim tense even more.
"He is just stressed. Is that how he treats you when he is stressed? Look at your arm Lucy!" He said and yanked up her shorts leave, " You already have a bruise."
" Look Bradford. I am telling you that it's fine!" She said and poked him in the chest " This is none of your business. He is my husband, and I am taking care of it."
"Taking care of what Lucy?" he asked, and then she saw the realization on his face. His tone softened " Lucy, what are you taking care of?"
She laughed sadly and shook her head. " Nothing Tim. Move, I need to go, you can finish the shop."
"Lucy... " she started, but she lifted her hand to stop him.
"No, if this is how it's going to be, then maybe we shouldn't ride together again" with that she left him with the shop.